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Donald Trump Says Russia Should Get Ready for Missiles to Be Fired at Syria

Roy Siemens
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Donald Trump Says Russia Should Get Ready for Missiles to Be Fired at Syria

President Donald Trump has said that Russia should “get ready” for missiles to be fired at its ally Syria, in response to an alleged chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma on April 7.

The president tweeted: “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and <<smart>>!”

Senior Russian figures have threatened to meet any US strikes with a response.

The Syrian government denies mounting a chemical attack on Douma.

In one his tweets on April 11, President Trump called Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a “gas killing animal”.

In another, President Trump painted a dark picture of US-Russia relations but said it did not have to be that way.

He tweeted: “Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?”

Meanwhile, the US, UK and France have agreed to work together and are believed to be preparing for a military strike in response to the alleged chemical attack at the weekend.

Syrian opposition activists and rescuers say government aircraft dropped bombs filled with toxic chemicals on Douma.

According to the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS), which operates in rebel-held areas, and local aid workers, more than 500 people had been treated for symptoms “indicative of exposure to a chemical agent”.

On April 11, the UN’s World Health Organization demanded access to verify reports from its partners, which include SAMS, that 70 people had died – including 43 who showed “symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals”.

Meanwhile, a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is due to deploy to Syria “shortly” to determine whether banned weapons were used.

The town of Douma, the last major rebel stronghold near the capital Damascus, was under renewed assault from Syrian and Russian forces last week.

Image source Flickr

Rebels have now been evacuating Douma under an agreement involving the Russian military.

Russia said it would deploy military police to Douma on April 12 and that the situation there had stabilized.

Several senior Russian figures have warned of a Russian response to a US attack, with Alexander Zasypkin, Moscow’s ambassador to Lebanon, repeating on April 11 a warning by the head of the military that missiles would be shot down and their launch sites targeted if they threatened the lives of Russian personnel.

Also on April 11, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked whether the aim of Western strikes might be “to quickly remove the traces of the provocation… [so] international inspectors will have nothing to look for in terms of evidence”.

Addressing new ambassadors in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin said the world was becoming more chaotic. He said he hoped common sense would prevail and that the situation would stabilize.

President Putin said Russia would “keep all its international obligations in full”.

On April 10, President Trump cancelled his first official trip to Latin America so he could focus on Syria.

Israeli F-16 Fighter Jet Shot Down by Syrian Anti-Aircraft Fire

TPS: Trump Administration Extends Temporary Protection for Nearly 7,000 Syrians

US Urges Russia to Stop Supporting Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

On April 11, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the US was still assessing the chemical attack and that the US military stood ready “to provide military options if they are appropriate as the president determines”.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said any strikes would “not target allies of the [Syrian] regime or attack anyone, but rather attack the regime’s chemical capabilities”.

However, The Times newspaper reports that the UK’s PM Theresa May has urged President Trump to provide more evidence of the suspected chemical attack.

A US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean Sea.

On April 10, the UN Security Council failed to approve moves to set up an inquiry into the alleged attack on Douma.

As permanent members of the council, Russia and the US vetoed each other’s proposals to set up independent investigations.

The US-drafted resolution would have allowed investigators to apportion blame for the suspected attack, while Russia’s version would have left that to the Security Council.

The OPCW’s fact-finding mission will not seek to establish who was responsible for the attack.

Zuckerberg Hearing: Facebook Founder Reveals His Data Was Harvested in Privacy Scandal

Nancy Clayson
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Zuckerberg Hearing: Facebook Founder Reveals His Data Was Harvested in Privacy Scandal

Facebook founder Mark Zucker has revealed that his data was among that harvested in a privacy scandal.

He made the disclosure during his second day of being questioned in Washington.

In a related development, Cambridge Analytica, the political consultancy at the heart of the affair has announced its acting chief executive, Dr. Alexander Tayler, is stepping down from the post to resume his previous position as its chief data officer. Alexander Nix, who had been in charge until March, remains suspended.

Mark Zuckerberg also revealed that Facebook was exploring whether to take action against the University of Cambridge.

The institution is where the researcher who had collected and sold personal data to Cambridge Analytica was based.

Mark Zuckerberg said: “What we found now is that there’s a whole program associated with Cambridge University where… there were a number of other researchers building similar apps.

“So, we do need to understand whether there was something bad going on at Cambridge University overall that will require a stronger reaction from us.”

A spokeswoman for the University of Cambridge said it was preparing a response.

Image source Wikimedia

Cambridge Analytica Scandal: Facebook’s Shares Plunge Following Historic Data Breach

Russian-Planted Facebook Posts Seen by 126 Million American Users

Mark Zuckerberg Rejects Donald Trump’s Comments that Facebook Has Always Been Against Him

Mark Zuckerberg had earlier apologized for having failed to check in 2015 that Cambridge Analytica had deleted information gathered about millions of Facebook users.

Instead Facebook let Cambridge Analytica self-certify that it had destroyed the records, which had been acquired in violation of the social network’s rules.

Facebook’s chief executive said: “We have a responsibility to make sure what happened with [app developer] Kogan and Cambridge Analytica doesn’t happen again.”

He added that Facebook’s audit of other apps would take many months to complete. However, the 33-year-old said that the company had seen no evidence as yet that Russia or China had attempted to scrape people’s information.

Cambridge Analytica has denied breaking the law and said it did indeed delete the data.

Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce follows a five hour session in front of two Senate committees on April 10.

During a testy early exchange, Facebook’s chief executive declined to give a commitment to change all users’ default privacy settings to collect the minimum amount of personal information.

Elsewhere in the hearing, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that he believed it was “inevitable” that the internet would need new regulations.

He also faced fresh accusations from Republican congressman Steve Scalise that the News Feed’s algorithm was discriminating against conservative news and content in favor of liberal posts. Mark Zuckerberg denied.

Another Republican pulled a surprise by displaying photos of illegal adverts for opioid drugs that he said had been live on Facebook on April 10.

Congressman David McKinley said: “Facebook is actually enabling an illegal activity and in so doing you hurting people.”

Mark Zuckerberg replied: “There are a number of areas of content that we need to do a better job of policing.” He added that he believed artificial intelligence tools would make this possible in the future.

Alternative Medicines: 5 Reasons Patients are Considering Alternative Pain Medications

Dana R
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Alternative Medicines: 5 Reasons Patients are Considering Alternative Pain Medications

Those who suffer from severe or chronic pain need relief to live their lives. Opioid-based pain medication was unfortunately the doctor’s choice for years. Now, along with a variety of alternative medicines, cannabis has been finally getting the attention it deserves for its multitude of healing properties. Just last year, the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal published one of many scientific studies that offers empirical evidence supporting cannabis as a viable substitute for opioid pain medication. Here are just some of the reasons why more and more people are looking towards alternative medicines like cannabis over prescription pain medications:


Image result for Alternative Medicines

The answer is natural

One of the primary reasons many people turn away from pharmaceuticals is because they are not natural. Alternative remedies like plants or plant extracts originate in nature and have been minimally altered, if at all. Responsible growers of medical marijuana can easily provide you with information about the plant’s life cycle from seed to product, so you always know what you are putting in your body.

More effective…

In the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal study, a remarkable 81 percent of participants agreed that taking cannabis alone was more effective at managing their symptoms than their opioid-based pain medication. One of the dangerous pitfalls of opioids is the body’s ability to very rapidly build a tolerance. Patients require substantially higher doses over time to feel the same relief, leading them farther down an already perilous path.

…with fewer side effects

All medications come with an encyclopedia of unwanted side effects. Narcotic pain medication is no different, however the worst experience comes when the patient stops taking it. Withdrawal from long-term pain medication can be excruciating, making it even more difficult to overcome dependency and addiction. Not only do alternative medicines like cannabis come with minimal and harmless side effects, but they are being used to treat the very symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Several studies are already investigating whether cannabis may even play a role in healing receptors damaged by opioid use.

It’s a matter of choice

In most cases, alternative medicine offers so much more choice. Any individual can try different treatment options as they wish, and tailor them to what works best on a personal level. There is an element of control and self-awareness about your health that is lacking when following a prescribed regimen of pills.

Prevention and advocacy

Perhaps the most prevalent reason to opt for natural alternatives is prevention. Choosing other options such as medical marijuana safeguards patients from the frighteningly high rate of addiction associated with narcotic painkillers. Many patients also do not want to further support any product from major pharmaceutical companies that contributed to the current crisis.

Conclusion

With the opioid epidemic reaching unprecedented levels, it is vital that we look to smarter, safer solutions that can both heal those affected and prevent further harm. Individuals who suffer from pain on a daily basis finally have more natural options that offer long-term benefits. Check out Aleafia Medical Cannabis Care here to learn more about your options.

Tips to Help You Ace a Phone Interview

Dana R
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Tips to Help You Ace a Phone Interview

When you started your job search, you might have assumed that any interviews would be done in-person. But as you have quickly found out, many companies like to do a phone interview, either in place of the traditional face-to-face interview, or as a pre-interview of sorts to tell you more about the job and determine if you are a good fit.

If you are feeling a bit anxious about phone interviews, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to prepare for those important calls that will help you to stand out among the competition. For example, check out these tips:

Record a Professional Voicemail Greeting

This has nothing to do with the actual phone interview, but it can help land you that all-important call. Because you might not be available to pick up the phone when a manager calls to schedule a phone interview, your voicemail should be as professional as possible. For instance, if you love music, avoid playing your fave tunes in the background and avoid using slang like ‘Hey homies, I’m out chillin’ right now.’

Instead, record a simple greeting with your name, the fact that you can’t make it to the phone, a request to leave a name and phone number, and a promise to call the person back ASAP. If it’s been some time since you have recorded a voicemail greeting and you are wondering how to set it up, your cell phone carrier should be able to assist.

phone-interview

Practice the Process

Talking on the phone with your mom or your friends is a piece of cake. When you are trying to make a good impression on a recruiter, it might not seem as natural. To help nail a phone interview, try recording some practice phone interviews with a trusted friend or relative. He or she can conduct a mock interview with you. After it’s over, go back and listen to it so you can hear if you use a lot of ‘uhhhs’ and ‘okays’ when speaking. Listening to your recording can also help you determine which answers need some work. If you don’t have a good old fashioned tape recorder — and most of us do not — no worries. Simply download a free voice recorder app like the Voice Recorder and Audio Editor app from iTunes.

Organize Your Info and Your Space

Prior to the phone interview, print out your resume and read through it to remind yourself of all of your qualifications. Review the job posting and jot down some reasons why you are a great fit for the position. Have paper and a pen handy during the call for easy note taking, or download a note taking app like Evernote. Also, make sure you are in a quiet room, free of people and even your beloved pets. While you might find it comforting to pet your dog during the phone interview, if the doorbell rings during the call, you don’t want the manager to hear frantic barking.

When the Phone Rings…

Answer the call yourself; don’t let your roommate or dad pick it up. Use the person’s title—Mr. or Mrs.—and their last name. Only start calling the manager or recruiter by a first name if asked. Also, smile while you are talking. Even though the person conducting the interview cannot see you, it can actually change the tone of your voice to one that is more upbeat and cheerful. Even though you may be excited or nervous, try not to interrupt the person doing the interview, and listen carefully to what he or she is asking.

You Have What It Takes!

Preparing for a phone interview is similar in some ways to an in-person interview; practicing ahead of time and making sure that your voicemail greeting is friendly and professional are great places to start. By following the aforementioned tips, you will be sure to impress the recruiter and will start your new job in no time.

Hungary Elections 2018: Viktor Orban Wins Third Term as Prime Minister

Diane A. Wade
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Hungary Elections 2018: Viktor Orban Wins Third Term as Prime Minister

Viktor Orban, the Hungarian right-wing prime minister, has claimed a landslide victory in the country’s general election on April 8.

He will serve a third consecutive term in office, with his party FIDESZ projected to keep its key two-thirds majority in parliament.

According to Hungary’s National Election Office, FIDESZ won almost half of the vote, with 93% of ballots counted.

Viktor Orban, 54, is a strong Eurosceptic who campaigned on an anti-immigration platform.

Image source Wikimedia

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In a speech to supporters on the night of election, Viktor Orban said his victory gave Hungarians “the opportunity to defend themselves and to defend Hungary”.

Leaders of the second and third-placed parties have resigned in light of the result.

Polling stations were meant to close at 19:00 local time, but some stayed open hours later due to long queues. Voter turnout reached a near-record 69% – an outcome some believed would favor Viktor Orban’s opponents.

However, with almost all votes counted, the nationalist Jobbik party is in second place with 20% of the vote. The Socialists are in third with 12%, and the LMP, Hungary’s main Green Party, is in fourth with 7%.

Jobbik’s chairman Gabor Vona resigned on the night of election, telling a news conference: “Jobbik’s goal, to win the elections and force a change in government, was not achieved. FIDESZ won. It won again.”

Socialist Party President Gyula Molnar also resigned, saying: “We regard ourselves as responsible for what happened [and] we have acknowledged the decision of voters.”

Easter 2018: Millions of Orthodox Christians Commemorate Jesus Christ’s Resurrection

James J. Williams
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Easter 2018: Millions of Orthodox Christians Commemorate Jesus Christ’s Resurrection

Orthodox Christians from around the world have celebrated Easter in overnight services and with holy fire from Jerusalem, commemorating Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

This year’s Orthodox Easter falls on April 8, seven days after Catholic Easter, due to the difference in calendars followed by both churches.

The day is known as Pascha and is the most important celebration from all the Christian holidays, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. The day of Easter was declared to be the first day of the full moon following the Spring Equinox that occurs on March 21. The Eastern and Western Churches still ended up with a difference in celebration due to the use of the Gregorian calendar at first and later the Julian calendar.

Image source kremlin.ru

Easter 2018: Pope Francis Calls for End to Syria Carnage during Urbi et Orbi Address

Some years, both Orthodox and Catholic Churches will celebrate Easter on the same day.

On the Great and Holy Saturday, Orthodox clerics from around the world transport the holy flame from Jerusalem by plane and it’s then flown to other churches around their countries. According to tradition, the holy flame appears each year at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and is taken to other Orthodox countries.

The celebration of Pascha is the most important celebration for the Orthodox Churches. It is the center of the Christian faith, the belief that Jesus Christ, after his death on the cross in Jerusalem, was resurrected.

Muenster Attack: Three Killed and 30 Injured as Van Is Driven Into Pedestrians

Nancy Clayson
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Muenster Attack: Three Killed and 30 Injured as Van Is Driven Into Pedestrians

At least three people have been killed and about 30 injured in the city of Muenster, in western Germany, after a van drove into pedestrians.

According to police, the van’s driver has killed himself. Police did not provide further details and said they are not looking for more suspects.

The incident occurred near the Kiepenkerl statue in the old town.

Some of the injured are said to be in a serious condition.

Image source Wikimedia

Barcelona Van Attack Kills at Least One and Injures 32 on Las Ramblas Street

Breitscheidplatz: Truck Kills Nine at Berlin Christmas Market

Police have closed the area and asked people to avoid the city center.

There is a restaurant located in the vicinity of the Kiepenkerl statue and photographs posted on social media showed tables and chairs strewn at the scene.

Ulrike Demmer, the federal government’s deputy spokesperson, said the government’s thoughts were with the victims and their families.

In December 2016, a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slc62yLSAnQ

Russell Crowe Held “Art of Divorce Auction” in Sydney

Lisa.Felice
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Russell Crowe Held “Art of Divorce Auction” in Sydney

On his 54th birthday, Russell Crowe has held his “Art of Divorce” auction – a sort of parting of the wares – in Sydney.

The actor separated from Danielle Spencer in 2012 and today it would have been his 15th wedding anniversary.

Russell Crowe’s torso armor from Gladiator smashed expectations, making A$125,000 ($95,000) and his Master and Commander violin sold well too.

There was also fierce competition for the actor’s Cinderella Man jockstrap.

It went for A$7,000, more than 10 times the estimate.

Image source Wikimedia

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However, there was also some top-notch Australian art on show from artists such as Sidney Nolan and Margaret Olley. A piece called The Suitor by Charles Blackman fetched A$360,000.

That far outstripped the A$135,000 paid for the Leandro Bislach violin played by Crowe’s character in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. The uniform he wore in the film fetched A$135,000.

The Gladiator replica chariot went for A$65,000, nearly seven times above estimate, but the neo-Nazi boots from Romper Stomper went on estimate at A$10,000.

A 1986 Grammy Award presented to Johnny Cash and other music artists made $150,000.

Russell Crowe appeared at the sale, hearing a rendition of Happy Birthday and three cheers, and saying: “G’day folks, how’re you doing?”

The New Zealand-born actor had earlier said the sale was all about moving on – a “watershed moment”.

Among the 227 lots of “stuff” (as Russell Crowe calls it) on sale were: a scarf and a pair of old shoes from State of Play; numerous guitars he’s collected (his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts never won much critical acclaim); a Merc used on his wedding day in 2003; a Shane Warne Test cricket jersey; the cloth angel doll from The Sum of Us; the leather sketchbook from 3:10 to Yuma; chain mail and other clothing from Robin Hood and a Javert costume from Les Miserables.

President Trump Asks Texas to Deploy Troops to Mexico Border

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Asks Texas to Deploy Troops to Mexico Border

President Donald Trump has asked the state of Texas to deploy National Guard members to the border with Mexico.

According to a National Guard spokesman, 250 personnel would be sent to patrol the area within the next 72 hours.

Arizona is also planning to deploy 150 troops there next week.

The president says he wants to send up to 4,000 National Guard members to secure the border with Mexico, until his proposed border wall is built.

The states of California and New Mexico have been asked to take similar action to Texas and Arizona.

Also on April 6, President Trump outlined plans to end a practice dubbed “catch and release” as part of his stricter anti-immigration policies.

He wants illegal immigrants to be held in detention while they wait to hear if they will be deported, instead of being freed.

Image source Wikipedia

Donald Trump Vows to Build Mexican Border Wall Ahead of Schedule

Donald Trump to Close Down Government If Necessary to Build Mexico Border Wall

Border Wall Funding: Mexico to Respond with Retaliatory Tariffs

President Trump has asked the Department of Defense for a detailed list of military and other facilities that could perform that function.

He has sent several tweets over the past week railing against illegal immigration and accusing Democrats of allowing “open borders, drugs and crime”.

The president declared on Twitter that Republicans should “go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws [on illegal migrants] NOW”.

He also threatened Mexico, saying the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was at risk unless it stopped the movement of migrants over the border.

He tweeted: “Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!”

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has condemned what he called “threatening or disrespectful attitudes” from President Trump.

President Trump has called sending troops to the Mexico border a “big step”, but both his predecessors also dispatched the National Guard there.

President Barack Obama sent some 1,200 soldiers to guard the boundary, while President George W. Bush deployed about 6,000 troops to help Border Patrol in what was called Operation Jump Start. Both deployments lasted for around a year.

President Trump Threatens $100 Billion More in China Tariffs

Clyde K. Valle
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President Trump Threatens $100 Billion More in China Tariffs

President Donald Trump has threatened $100 billion more in China tariffs, in an escalation of a tense trade stand-off.

These would be in addition to the $50 billion worth of US tariffs already proposed on hundreds of Chinese imports.

The president’s proposal comes after China retaliated to that by threatening tariffs on 106 key US products.

The tit-for-tat moves have unsettled global markets in recent weeks.

According to analysts, a full blown trade war between the US and China would not be good for the global economy or markets – and that ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations between the two giants were crucial.

However, market reaction in Asia trade on April 6 suggested investors were not too troubled by the latest twist, and that trade war fears were somewhat exaggerated.

In China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was in positive territory, up 1.3%. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was also trading higher in the afternoon session.

The US announced it would impose import taxes of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum. The tariffs would be wide ranging and would include China.

China responded this month with retaliatory tariffs worth $3 billion of its own against the US on a range of goods, including pork and wine. The Chinese government said the move was intended to safeguard its interests and balance losses caused by the new tariffs.

Image source Wikipedia

China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

Meanwhile, there had been rumblings the US was preparing to slap between $50 billion and $60 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese-made goods in response to unfair Chinese intellectual property practices, such as those that pressure US companies to share technology with Chinese firms.

The draft details of those import taxes were released last week when the US set out about 1,300 Chinese products it intended to hit with tariffs set at 25% worth some $50 billion.

China responded swiftly by proposing retaliatory tariffs, also worth some $50 billion, on 106 key US products, including soybeans, aircraft parts and orange juice. This set of tariffs was narrowly aimed at politically important sectors in the US, such as agriculture.

On April 5, President Trump’s branded that retaliation by Beijing as “unfair”.

In a statement, he said: “Rather than remedy its misconduct, China has chosen to harm our farmers and manufacturers.

“In light of China’s unfair retaliation, I have instructed the USTR (United States Trade Representative) to consider whether $100 billion of additional tariffs would be appropriate… and, if so, to identify the products upon which to impose such tariffs.”

The president said he had also instructed agricultural officials to implement a plan to protect US farmers and agricultural interests.

China has initiated a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the US tariffs, in what analysts say is a sign that this will be a protracted process.

The WTO circulated the request for consultation to members on April 5, launching a discussion period before the complaint heads to formal dispute settlement process.

Meanwhile, under US law, the proposed set of tariffs against about 1,300 Chinese products must now go under review, including a public notice and comment process, and a hearing.

The hearing is scheduled at the moment for May 15, with post-hearing filings due a week later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgY12RYC9nM

Salman Khan Guilty of Poaching Protected Animals

Lisa.Felice
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Salman Khan Guilty of Poaching Protected Animals

Salman Khan has been found guilty of poaching rare antelope back in 1998, an Indian court has ruled.

The Bollywood star killed the two blackbucks, a protected species, in the western state of Rajasthan while shooting a film.

Four other actors who starred with Salman Khan in the movie and were also charged with the offence have been acquitted by the court in Jodhpur.

Image source Wikimedia

Salman Khan Cleared in Hit and Run Case

Salman Khan’s Sentence Suspended by Mumbai High Court

Salman Khan could now face between one and six years in jail. He can appeal against the verdict.

This is far from the Bollywood superstar’s first brush with the law. In December 2015, Salman Khan was cleared in a 2002 hit-and-run case in which a homeless man died.

This is the fourth case filed against the actor in connection with poaching animals during the filming of the 1998 movie Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Salman Khan has been acquitted in three of those cases.

YouTube Shooting: Woman Shoots Three People at San Bruno HQ

Diane A. Wade
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YouTube Shooting: Woman Shoots Three People at San Bruno HQ

Three people have been shot and wounded by a woman attacker at YouTube’s headquarters in Northern California before killing herself, police say.

The suspect has been identified as Nasim Aghdam, 39, a Californian resident of Iranian descent, and police say they are still investigating a motive.

According to police, there is no evidence yet that Nasim Aghdam knew the victims, a 36-year-old man said to be in a critical condition, and two women aged 32 and 27.

Nasim Aghdam had in the past posted material venting anger at YouTube.

She is reported to have approached an outdoor patio and dining area at the offices in San Bruno, near San Francisco, at about lunchtime and opened fire with a handgun.

San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said officers arrived at the offices at 12:48 local time to find a “chaotic scene”, with numerous people fleeing.

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Images broadcast on local TV stations showed employees leaving with their hands raised. Other footage showed evacuees forming a queue before being individually frisked by police.

One person with a bullet wound was found at the front of the company headquarters, Ed Barberini said. Minutes later officers found a woman who appeared to have shot herself, he said.

Two further victims were later discovered at an adjacent business.

An employee at a nearby fast food restaurant told Fox station KTVU he had treated a young woman who suffered a bullet wound to the leg.

The man said he had fashioned a makeshift tourniquet from a bungee cord as they waited for first responders.

Several YouTube employees tweeted about the attack as it was taking place.

The three victims were taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Officials said the 32-year-old woman’s condition was serious and the 27-year-old’s condition was fair.

A fourth person was also taken to hospital with an ankle injury sustained while trying to escape, Ed Barberini said.

Some 1,700 people work at the YouTube HQ. The company is owned by Google and is the area’s biggest employer.

Nasim Aghdam appeared often on YouTube and in one of her videos criticized the platform for discriminating against and filtering her posts.

YouTube terminated Nasim Aghdam’s account following the shooting. Her Instagram and Facebook accounts have also been removed.

On her personal website she accused YouTube of taking steps to prevent her videos from getting views.

“There is no equal growth opportunity on YouTube or any other video sharing site. Your channel will grow if they want to!” she wrote.

There had been earlier media reports that the man shot was her boyfriend, but police later said: “At this time there is no evidence that the shooter knew the victims of this shooting or that individuals were specifically targeted.”

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed about the incident. He wrote on Twitter: “Was just briefed on the shooting at YouTube’s HQ in San Bruno, California. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders that are currently on the scene.”

5 High-Value Directory & Listing Sites to Target Now

Nancy Clayson
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Is your company visible enough?

If it’s not featured on the Web’s highest-value directories and listing sites, the answer is probably no.

Yes, it’s important to have a polished corporate LinkedIn page, a thriving YouTube channel, a lively Facebook community and an active Twitter handle. But social media only gets you so far. Here’s a look at five business-friendly directory sites and general-purpose listing platforms, with succinct arguments for why each is worth your time.

1. Crunchbase

Crunchbase is a techy clearinghouse for information about startups, established enterprises, and every type of company in between — plus founders, funders, and more. Whether you’re prepping for a new funding round, looking for a strategic partner, hiring for the next round of growth, or all of the above, Crunchbase confers crucial visibility with the people who matter most to your plans.

2. Wikipedia

If Crunchbase is a general-purpose platform for tech companies and their backers, Wikipedia is a general-purpose platform for, well, just about everything. (Including tech companies and their backers.) Wikipedia’s encyclopedia-style listings boost up-and-coming companies’ performance in Google’s search results, conferring no small measure of credibility.

3. Angel.co

Angel.co bills itself as a platform where “the world meets startups.” But you don’t have to be green around the ears to benefit from a listing here. Like Crunchbase, Angel.co is popular with investors, advisors, and others who’ve made it their mission to give growing companies a leg up. And, like Wikipedia, it has very high domain authority — catnip for search engines.

4. Better Business Bureau

Whether you know it, your company probably has a Better Business Bureau listing.

Never seen it? Then it’s probably unclaimed. Fortunately, claiming your BBB listing (or review, as it’s known locally) is a pretty straightforward affair. Here’s how to do it.

Once you’ve claimed your BBB review, you can update and customize your company’s contact information, edit your service hours, expand or shrink your service area, and more. You’ll also have access to customer reviews that may or may not reflect poorly on your company — and the opportunity to address them directly with those affected.

Like the other properties on this list, BBB’s search visibility is off the charts. It’s may well be your first hit after your corporate website and social profiles. Protect it accordingly.

5. Yelp

Yelp isn’t just for restaurants anymore. It’s a clearinghouse for a stunning variety of customer-facing businesses, from local professionals to national service providers with multiple locations and household name status. Like BBB, Yelp makes it easy to claim your business listing. Plus, its mobile app is among the country’s most popular — a huge help for vendors that do a brisk walk-in trade.

Where Are You Listed?

Get listed on these five high-traffic sites and you’ll be well on your way to better corporate visibility. But it’s still a long way from there to true household name status. (Yes, it’s possible. No, one viral post won’t do the trick.) Turning your company into a true top-of-mind powerhouse takes time and diligence. On the way up, it helps to keep your expectations in check.

China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

Clyde K. Valle
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China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

China has hit back with new tariffs of up to 25% on 128 US imports, including pork and wine, after President Donald Trump raised duties on foreign steel and aluminum imports in March.

The new tariffs affecting some $3 billion of imports kick in on April 2.

The Chinese government said the move was to “safeguard China’s interests and balance” losses caused by new US tariffs.

Beijing had previously said it did not want a trade war but would not sit by if its economy was hurt.

However, President Trump has insisted that “trade wars are good”, and that it should be “easy” for the US to win one.

The president has already announced plans for further targeted tariffs for tens of billions of dollars of Chinese imports.

President Trump said that is in response to unfair trading practices in China that affect US companies but it raises the possibility of yet more action being taken in what has become a tit-for-tat trade battle.

Image source Flickr

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

US scrap aluminum and frozen pork will be subject to a 25% additional tariff – on top of existing duties.

Several other American foods including nuts, fresh and dried fruit, ginseng and wine will be hit by a 15% increase.

Rolled steel bars will likewise see a 15% rise in duties.

According to the Chinese government, the new tariffs were a retaliatory measure in light of President Trump’s decision to raise duties on steel and aluminum imports.

However, further tax hikes may lie ahead.

On March 22, the US said it was planning to impose duties on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports and limit its investment in the US, in retaliation for years of alleged intellectual property theft.

The White House said it was acting to counter unfair competition from China’s state-led economy.

Easter 2018: Pope Francis Calls for End to Syria Carnage during Urbi et Orbi Address

Diane A. Wade
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Easter 2018: Pope Francis Calls for End to Syria Carnage during Urbi et Orbi Address

Pope Francis’ Easter message from the Vatican has urged for an end to the “carnage” in Syria.

The pontiff also asked God to heal the wounds in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and urged dialogue on the Korean peninsula.

He said the power of the Christian message gave hope to the deprived.

Tens of thousands of people were in St Peter’s Square to hear the Pope speak from the balcony of the basilica.

He said: “Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long suffering land of Syria whose people are worn down by an apparently endless war.

“This Easter may the light of the risen Christ illuminate the consciences of all political and military leaders, so that a swift end may be brought to the carnage in course; that humanitarian law may be respected; and that provisions be made to facilitate access to the aid so urgently needed.”

Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump Meets Pope Francis at the Vatican

Pope Francis Calls for Mediation In North Korea Crisis

On relations between North and South Korea, Pope Francis said he hoped talks aiming to ease longstanding tensions on the Korean peninsula would “advance harmony and peace”.

He also expressed hope for an end to violence and division in Ukraine and Venezuela.

Pope Francis was speaking in an “Urbi et Orbi” address from the famous central balcony at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, in front of tens of thousands of the faithful.

President Trump Accuses Amazon of Ripping Off US Postal Service

Clyde K. Valle
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President Trump Accuses Amazon of Ripping Off US Postal Service

President Donald Trump has launched a fierce attack on Amazon, suggesting the online retail giant is ripping off the US Postal Service.

The president tweeted that the US Post Office would lose $1.50 “on average for each package it delivers for Amazon”, but supporters of Amazon dispute this.

President Trump also said the Washington Post was a “lobbyist” for Amazon.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also owns the Washington Post, which publishes stories unpalatable to Donald Trump.

The Post has reported on stories including Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s continuing investigation into links between the Trump election campaign and Russia, as well has the president’s alleged relationship with Stormy Daniels.

Saturday’s edition details how three different legal teams are scrutinizing the Trump Organization’s accounts.

Image source Wikipedia

Amazon Buys Whole Foods in $13.7 Billion Deal

Anti-Amazon bill approved in France

Donald Trump’s attacks on Amazon have seen its share price fall in recent days, amid concern that he might push for its power to be curbed by anti-trust laws.

He tweeted that the US Post Office was losing “billions of dollars” in its contract with Amazon.

“If the P.O. ‘increased its parcel rates, Amazon’s shipping costs would rise by $2.6 Billion.’ This Post Office scam must stop. Amazon must pay real costs (and taxes) now!” Donald Trump continued, quoting the New York Times.

Amazon has not commented.

However, supporters of Amazon point out that the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the industry, has found that the US Postal Service makes a profit from its contract with the company.

This in turn helps subsidize the costs of letter delivery, which avoids the need for price rises.

Sergei Skripal Case: Russia Expels 60 US Diplomats and Closes St Petersburg Consulate

Diane A. Wade
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0
Sergei Skripal Case: Russia Expels 60 US Diplomats and Closes St Petersburg Consulate

Russia has decided to expel 60 American diplomats and to close the St Petersburg consulate in a tit-for-tat response to US action over Sergei Skripal poisoning case in the UK.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said other countries that expelled Russians could expect a “symmetrical” response.

The move comes amid a row over the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK.

The White House said Russia’s move to expel its diplomats had been “not unanticipated”.

It said in a statement that the move marked “a further deterioration in the United States-Russia relationship”.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury on March 4, and the UK government has blamed Russia for the attack and decided to expel 23 Russian diplomats.

Russia has vehemently denied any role in the attack. Sergei Skripal remains in a critical but stable condition. Yulia Skripal’s condition is said to be improving.

Following the attack, more than 20 countries have expelled Russian envoys in solidarity with the UK. Among them is the US, which earlier this week ordered 60 diplomats to leave and closed the Russian consulate general in Seattle.

Russia declared 58 US diplomats in Moscow and two in Yekaterinburg to be “personae non gratae”.

Image source Wikimedia

US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats and Closes Seattle Consulate

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

Sergei Lavrov said US ambassador Jon Huntsman had been informed of the “retaliatory measures”.

Later, a state department spokeswoman said the US reserved the right to take further action.

Sergei Lavrov also accused Britain of “forcing everyone to follow an anti-Russian course”.

He said Moscow was responding to “absolutely unacceptable actions that are taken against us under very harsh pressure from the United States and Britain under the pretext of the so-called Skripal case”.

Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russian calls for consular access to Yulia Skripal – a Russian citizen.

Russia, he said, was also seeking a meeting with leaders of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to “establish the truth”.

Following the incident in Salisbury, British PM Theresa May announced a series of sanctions, including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats alleged to be intelligence agents.

Russia responded by expelling an equal number of UK diplomats and closing the country’s British Council.

Then – in what has been cited as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history – more than 20 governments expelled diplomats in their countries.

Vaping 101: Starting on the Road to Better Health

Dana R
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Vaping 101: Starting on the Road to Better Health

In the age of information, people can no longer turn a blind eye to the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes have been linked to lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, COPD, and many, many more serious and often fatal illnesses that are considered preventable.

In recent years, there has been a focused effort by many government branches to encourage the population to quit smoking. Health label warnings, advertising campaigns, and laws against cigarette ads have all helped drop the rate of adult cigarette smokers to its lowest in decades.

While frightening images on cigarette packages may consciously make a smoker rethink their choices, they don’t do much to discourage when the craving hits. Instead, smokers are turning to vaping to help them kick the habit.

What is vaping?

The process of vaping refers to the act of inhaling aerosols (often flavored) with the use of an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette) or a vape pen. Most vaping basics will explain that the liquid used can be flavored a variety of ways for more enjoyment and will have varying levels of nicotine. When you are just beginning on the road to quit smoking, you may opt for a vaping liquid with a higher concentration of nicotine to mimic the amount cigarettes would give you. However, as time goes on you will start to use liquids that contain less and less nicotine, until you hopefully are using a liquid that contains none.

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Why does vaping work?

Vaping is a twofold approach to quitting smoking, since it address the physiological needs of the addiction, as well as the psychological needs of the addiction. Many smokers complain about being fidgety or gaining weight after they quit smoking. While some of this can be attributed to lowered metabolism—one of the very rare unfortunate side effects of kicking your nicotine habit—many doctors will also point out that smokers are often at a loss with what to do with their hands and mouths after they quit smoking. Instead, they turn to eating, chewing on toothpicks, or sucking on mints to help keep their minds occupied.

Vaping not only delivers the needed dose of nicotine to stop the physical craving, it also gives smokers something to do with their hands and mouths, which satisfies the physiological need. You can still have a couple puffs while waiting outside or while driving, but now you will be able to do it with the knowledge that you are on the path to quitting.

What are some of the downsides?

Vaping has recently faced heavy criticism and negative publicity that is serving to frighten some smokers away from what is a very useful in the battle against nicotine addiction.

Fear of chemicals and of children using vape pens has led to a smear campaign against vaping. In reality, the chemicals contained in vaping liquid (sometimes called e-juice) pales in comparison to the 4,000 chemicals contain in cigarettes. While there is a risk of young adults and teenagers using vape pens, the simple fact is that the risk that they may take up cigarettes is just as likely.

The one risk that has been noticed is if smokers begin using vaping without actually cutting down on the amount of actual cigarettes they’re smoking, which does nothing to help their addiction and only serves to put more nicotine into their bloodstream. Therefore, it’s important to actively pursue the quitting of physical cigarettes if you take up vaping.

Over-the-Road Ready: 3 Things to You Need to Know About Semi-Truck Accidents

Dana R
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Over-the-Road Ready: 3 Things to You Need to Know About Semi-Truck Accidents

There are more than 10 million semi trucks registered in the United States. That means there are a lot of semi trucks sharing the road with drivers every single day. Because of their size, semi trucks can be a danger on the road. When an accident with a semi truck occurs, it can often be severe because of the size of the semi truck.

When you’re in an accident with a semi, it can be hard to know your rights or what to do. There are a few special things to keep in mind when it comes to semi-truck accidents. Here are three things to know about semi truck accidents in Indiana:

  1. The driver’s employer may share liability

If the driver acted negligently in a way that caused your injuries, they’re liable to you for your damages. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the driver’s employer might also be liable. Semi-truck drivers almost always drive on behalf of someone else. That company might be the appropriate organization to bring a claim against for compensation. It’s important to name the right entity when you’re preparing a claim for compensation.

Image result for Semi-Truck

  1. The employer may be liable for negligent hiring or management

The driver’s employer might be liable to you because of the driver’s negligence. However, the employer may also be liable because of the way they hire or manage employees. If they hired the driver without investigating their driving record, they might face liability for hiring someone with a poor driving record. If they refused to allow drivers to take needed rest breaks, they can be liable because of the way they treated employees.

  1. The police report may not have all of the information

A police officer responds to the scene of the accident for several reasons. First, they want to act as a first responder and help anyone who might be hurt. They want to help you get the medical treatment that you need. They’re trained in first aid, and they can help you until someone with more advanced medical training can arrive on the scene to administer medical aid.

Police officers also respond to an accident to determine how the accident occurred. They’re looking for whether someone violated a traffic law or committed a crime like drunk driving. They also want to know if things like weather or road design contributed to the accident. They use the information they gather in order to determine whether it’s appropriate to change traffic laws or road designs.

When the police respond to an accident, they’re not necessarily thinking about helping an accident victim get the compensation that they deserve. They may not take the time to gather all of the evidence that’s available at the scene. They might take the basic information and close their case.

It’s important not to assume that the police report is a complete accounting of the accident. The police officer may not have interviewed the witnesses or asked them enough questions. The officer may have reached conclusions that are incorrect. It’s important to treat the police report as a launching off point for your investigation. It shouldn’t be the only evaluation of your semi-truck accident.

Handling your case with care

When you’re in an accident that involves a semi truck, it’s important to remember that the employer may face liability for your damages. You may have to do some digging in order to learn about the company’s policies, their hiring practices and what led to the accident. If the employer or driver acted negligently in a way that caused your injuries, the employer and driver may be responsible for your losses. In addition, remember that the police report isn’t always the end of the story when it comes to getting to the bottom of a semi-truck accident.

Kim Jong-un Makes Secret Visit to China

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Jong-un Makes Secret Visit to China

Kim Jong-un visited Beijing, North Korea and China have confirmed after days of speculation.

The visit was Kim Jong-un’s first known foreign trip since taking office in 2011.

The North Korean leader held “successful talks” with President Xi Jinping, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

China is North Korea’s main economic ally and it was thought highly likely it would consult Beijing before planned summits with South Korea and the US.

Kim Jong-un is due to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April and President Donald Trump in May.

The Beijing visit is considered a significant step in North Korea’s preparation for the proposed talks.

According to reports, Kim Jong-un arrived with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, by train on March 25 and left Beijing on March 27.

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During the visit, Kim Jong-un assured his Chinese counterpart he was committed to giving up his nuclear weapons, Xinhua reported, but with conditions.

“The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace,” Kim Jong-un was reported saying.

According to observers, North Korea’s conditions include the removal of a US nuclear guarantee for South Korea.

North Korea’s KCNA news agency called the visit “a milestone” in improving bilateral ties.

Kim Jong-un’s arrival and departure were shrouded in secrecy. China said the visit was “unofficial” – so there was no announcement of it in advance, prompting speculation about who was on the train when it was spotted arriving.

Because of the unofficial status of the visit, some of the normal protocols for foreign visits were not observed. For example no North Korean country flags were hung around the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square.

Relations between North Korea and China, historically strong, had been deteriorating, with China backing US moves to tighten international sanctions in response to the North’s growing nuclear threat.

US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats and Closes Seattle Consulate

Diane A. Wade
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US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats and Closes Seattle Consulate

The US and Europe are expelling dozens of Russian diplomats in a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK.

According to experts, it is the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.

More than 20 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.

The US is expelling 60 Russian diplomats, while the EU has announced the expulsion of 33 envoys. Other European countries will expel another 23.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the EU states had decided to expel Russian diplomats as a direct result of a meeting, held last week about the Salisbury poisoning.

“Additional measures, including further expulsions within this common EU framework are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks,” he said.

The state department said in a statement: “On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury.

“This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted in serious injury to three people, including a police officer.”

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

Meanwhile, Russia vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.

It denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. Sergei and Yulia Skripal remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The Russian foreign ministry said the moves demonstrated a continuation of a “confrontational path”.

Earlier this month, the UK announced it was expelling 23 Russian diplomats.

On March 26, various countries announced they were making the same move in solidarity.

Iceland has also announced it is suspending high-level dialogue with Russian authorities, and its leaders will not attend the World Cup, which starts in Russia in June.

The UK said earlier this month it would not send ministers or members of the Royal Family to the football tournament.

EU countries that have said they have no intention of expelling diplomats include Austria, Greece and Portugal, although all have said they support the UK and condemn the poisoning.

The US called the attack an “outrageous violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and breach of international law”.

The US is expelling 48 envoys at the Russian embassy in Washington and 12 more at the UN in New York. It will also order the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

Russia: Mall Fire Kills at Least 64 In Kemerovo

Nancy Clayson
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Russia: Mall Fire Kills at Least 64 In Kemerovo

A deadly fire at a Russian shopping mall has killed at least 64 people in the Siberian coal-mining city of Kemerovo.

According to officials, many of the victims are children, with 10 people still listed as missing.

The fire started on an upper floor of the Winter Cherry complex while many of the victims were at the cinema.

Video posted on social media showed people jumping from windows to escape the flames on March 25.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement: “According to preliminary information, the roof collapsed in two cinemas.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known and authorities have launched an investigation.

The region’s deputy governor Vladimir Chernov was quoted as saying the fire began in a children’s trampoline room.

He said: “The preliminary suspicion is that a child had a cigarette lighter which ignited foam rubber in this trampoline room, and it erupted like gunpowder.”

Image source AP

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Kemerovo, a key coal-producing area, lies about 2,200 miles east of Moscow.

Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Anna Kuznetsova, blamed negligence, and called for urgent safety checks at similar entertainment complexes.

Some 660 emergency personnel were deployed in the rescue effort. Firefighters tackled the blaze for more than 17 hours.

The Winter Cherry complex, which opened in 2013, includes a multiplex cinema, restaurants, a sauna, a bowling alley and a petting zoo. All the animals at the zoo are reported to be dead.

Eleven injured victims are being treated in hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation. The most serious case is an 11-year-old boy whose parents and siblings died in the fire, Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said.

The fire is believed to have started at around 5PM local time on March 25 in a part of the building that contains the entertainment complex, local media report.

Yevgeny Dedyukhin, deputy head of the Kemerovo region emergency department, said the area of the fire was about 1,500 sq m.

Four people have been detained for questioning, including the head of the company that manages the shopping centre, according to the Investigative Committee. The owner of the shopping mall is among those detained.

Russian officials had initially given a figure of 64 people missing but later clarified that this included victims whose remains had not been identified.

At least nine of the bodies found so far are children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDaHIYUh_zw

March For Our Lives Protesters Rally for Gun Control Reforms

Nancy Clayson
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March For Our Lives Protesters Rally for Gun Control Reforms

Hundreds of thousands of March For Our Lives protesters have taken to the streets across the US to call for tighter gun control.

The movement arose after 17 deaths in a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, on February 14.

The main event took place in Washington DC, where student leader and Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez gave a powerful speech.

After listing the names of the victims, Emma Gonzalez stayed silent on stage for six minutes, 20 seconds – the time it took for them to be killed.

Over eight hundred protests were planned nationwide and abroad, with solidarity events taking place in the UK, Switzerland, Australia and Japan.

As events began to draw to a close on the US east coast, they continued on the west, including a major demonstration in Los Angeles.

Image source Pixabay

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Huge crowds – including a high proportion of young people and children – gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue, with placards reading “Protect kids not guns” and “Am I next?”.

Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind hit musical Hamilton, performed on a stage erected in front of the US Capitol building.

The music was interspersed with speeches from impassioned youth leaders.

The last month’s massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland was one of a long line of school shootings in the US but the worst since Sandy Hook in 2012, when 26 people were killed.

Campaigning by Parkland students gained widespread support, with Emma Gonzalez one of the most outspoken figures, gaining more than a million Twitter followers in a matter of weeks.

How Will US And South Korean Relations Change Over The Next Five Years?

James J. Williams
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How Will US And South Korean Relations Change Over The Next Five Years?

Relations between the United States and South Korea had their beginnings at the end of World War ll in 1945 when the US occupied the south end of the peninsula and the Soviet Union took the north end pending planned national elections. The two sides could not agree on the type of government (Washington was for a democracy and Moscow favored communism;) hence, an election never took place, resulting in the United Nations recognizing South Korea (Republic of Korea) as the legitimate government.

In 1950, North Korea invaded the ROK and the US sent its military to South Korea to help them fight against the communist invasion. By 1953, the war ended in a stalemate, but the US troops remained, and in 1954, both countries signed the ROK/US Mutual Security Agreement, a pact to defend each other in case of foreign attacks. In reality, this was more of a one-sided agreement. South Korea feared another invasion from North Korea and the presence of the US military hindered such plans.

Post-Korean War, the ROK was ravaged. Its per capita GDP plunged to $64, lower than the African nation of Congo, which was then the poorest. Millions of people were injured, killed and separated from their families. The United States was its single biggest contributor, giving its Asian ally a total of $64 billion in grants, aids, and loans from 1948 to 1978. Its economy grew rapidly in the 1960s and today, it is the fourth biggest economy in Asia, and is a member of the OECD and the G20.

Image source Wikimedia

The ties that bind Seoul and Washington have remained strong. Trade between the two countries reached an estimated $144.6 billion in 2016, and Korea is the US’ sixth biggest goods trading partner. Seoul has the second largest contingent of US military personnel, numbering around 23,500 troops.

But 2017 brought in new leaders for the two nations. President Trump took office in January and President Moon Jae-in in May, and one is as different from the other as night is from day. Trump has shown himself to be a racist, misogynist, and favoring isolationism. Moon is a former student activist and human rights lawyer.

Already, some issues are possible areas of contention. While Trump is aggressively hostile against North Korea and threatens to attack it, Moon, a champion of human and civil rights, prefers the soft approach by engaging in talks to reach an agreement.

On the US’ bilateral trade agreement, Trump wants a renegotiation of the KORUS Free Trade Agreement to reduce US’ trade deficit. He has been quoted as saying that the US is losing $40 billion a year on ROK in trade. The White House Chief Executive has also demanded cost sharing on defense spending with Asian allies and talks on the Special Measures Agreement have begun. During his campaign period, Trump was quite vocal in his criticism of the nation’s expenses for the US troops stationed in allied countries.

South Korea’s show of independence from its benefactor was evident in the High Court’s ruling on the lawsuit that former comfort women brought against the ROK government. The women, now in their 70s, claim that they were forced into prostitution for the US military with the tacit consent of their officials. They won their case and Seoul’s court has ordered the government to pay them damages. While the United States was not a party to the suit, and embassy officials would not comment on it, this is the first official acknowledgment that American soldiers are not as faultless as they are portrayed to be.

What hasn’t changed is its arrogance towards Japan. Japan has taken to heart its war crimes and the atrocities its army has committed against the comfort women of World War ll. It has given billions in aid and compensation and offered numerous apologies to the women. But South Korea’s leaders, past and present, never stop asking for more.

The recent case involving their own government selling their own women to US soldiers should make them realize that they should clean up their own backyard instead of throwing garbage on to other countries.

Cambridge Analytica Scandal: Facebook’s Shares Plunge Following Historic Data Breach

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Cambridge Analytica Scandal: Facebook’s Shares Plunge Following Historic Data Breach

Facebook’s value plunged $58 billion by the end of the week after its handling of a historic data breach that affected 50 million users.

The social media company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg apologized for data breaches.

The apology did not stop investors from selling shares in Facebook, with many wondering just how bad the damage would be for the social network.

The breach was called a “light bulb” moment for users, spawning the social media trend #deletefacebook.

All the negative headlines led to some advertisers saying “enough is enough”.

Facebook shares fell from $176.80 on March 19 to around $159.30 by March 23.

The company’s IPO in 2012 priced shares at $38 each, giving Facebook a market valuation of close to $104 billion.

Image source Pexels

Russian-Planted Facebook Posts Seen by 126 Million American Users

Mark Zuckerberg Rejects Donald Trump’s Comments that Facebook Has Always Been Against Him

Following steady user growth and a dominant space in the digital advertising market ensuring revenues, Facebook’s share price climbed to $190 by February 2018.

On March 21, advertisers Mozilla and Commerzbank suspended ads on Facebook.

On March 23, Elon Musk had the official Facebook pages for his companies Tesla and SpaceX deleted.

Mark Zuckenberg tried to reassure users “the most important actions to prevent this from happening again today we have already taken years ago.”

Cambridge Analytica is at the center of a row over whether it used the personal data of millions of Facebook users to sway the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and the UK Brexit referendum.

In Mark Zuckerberg’s online statement he offered a timeline of how Facebook’s data permission agreements with users and other companies had changed since the 2014 personality quiz app was able to scrape data from quiz takers and their contacts without their expressed permission.

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