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Donald Trump Jr. Admits Meeting Russian Lawyer During Campaign

Donald Trump Jr. has admitted meeting a Russian lawyer last year who, he says, promised to reveal damaging material on Hillary Clinton.

However, the president’s son insisted that Natalia Veselnitskaya had provided “no meaningful information” on his father’s rival for the presidency.

President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign head, Paul J. Manafort, were also at the meeting.

US officials are currently investigating alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

The meeting took place on June 9, 2016, at New York’s Trump Tower, just two weeks after Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination.

Donald Trump Shifts His Position on Working with Russia for A Joint Cyber Security Unity

It is thought to be the first confirmed private meeting between a Russian national and members of Donald Trump’s inner circle.

After the New York Times first reported the meeting on July 8, Donald Trump Jr. released a statement which confirmed that it had taken place but did not mention whether it was related to the presidential campaign.

However, another Times report, on the next day, said Donald Trump Jr. had agreed to the meeting after being offered information that would potentially prove detrimental to Hillary Clinton.

Russia Election Hacking: Donald Trump Accuses Obama Administration of Inaction

The newspaper cited three White House advisers briefed on the meeting, and two others with knowledge for it, as its sources.

Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump Jr. said that an acquaintance he had known from the 2013 Miss Universe pageant had set up the meeting. The Washington Post confirmed that figure to be music publicist Rob Goldstone, who has links to the Russian music industry.

In a statement on July 9, Donald Trump Jr. said he had been asked to meet “an individual who I was told might have information helpful to the campaign”.

“I was not told her name prior to the meeting. I asked Jared [Kushner] and Paul [Manafort] to attend, but told them nothing of the substance.”

Donald Trump Jr.’s statement continues: “After pleasantries were exchanged, the woman stated that she had information that individuals connected to Russia were funding the Democratic National Committee and supporting Mrs. Clinton.

“Her statements were vague, ambiguous and made no sense. No details or supporting information was provided or even offered. It quickly became clear that she had no meaningful information.

“She then changed subjects and began discussing the adoption of Russian children and mentioned the Magnitsky Act.

“It became clear to me that this was the true agenda all along and that the claims of potentially helpful information were a pretext for the meeting.”

Russia Investigation: Jared Kushner Is under FBI Scrutiny

Natalia Veselnitskaya said on July 8 that “nothing at all was discussed about the presidential campaign” and insisted she had “never acted on behalf of the Russian government and have never discussed any of these matters with any representative of the Russian government”.

The Magnitsky Act was adopted by Congress in 2012 and allows the US to withhold visas and freeze financial assets of Russian officials thought to have been involved in human rights violations.

The law so incensed President Vladimir Putin that he suspended a program allowing Americans to adopt Russian children.

Natalia Veselnitskaya is a lawyer whose clients include companies and individuals said to be close to the Kremlin and her main role has been campaigning against the Magnitsky Act.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCc1WxnHVjE

Donald Trump Shifts His Position on Working with Russia for A Joint Cyber Security Unity

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President Donald Trump has backtracked on a proposal to work with Russia to create an “impenetrable” cyber security unit to prevent election hacking.

Hours after promoting the idea on July 9, Donald Trump said that he did not think it could actually happen.

The idea of a partnership with Russia was ridiculed by senior Republicans.

It comes after President Trump’s first face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Germany on July 7, in which the pair discussed the issue.

G20 Hamburg: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Meet Face to Face for First Time

President Trump described the outcome of the talks as positive and suggested closer co-operation between the two nations.

“Putin and I discussed forming an impenetrable cyber security unit so that election hacking, and many other negative things, will be guarded and safe,” he said.

The initial proposal immediately prompted derision from Democrats, as well as some Republicans who questioned why the US would work with Russia after the Kremlin’s alleged meddling in the 2016 US election.

Russia Hacking Briefing: Vladimir Putin Developed a Clear Preference for Donald Trump

President Trump shifted his position on the next day, saying on Twitter: “The fact that President Putin and I discussed a cyber security unit doesn’t mean I think it can happen. It can’t.”

However, the president stressed that another issue discussed in his talks with Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire in south-western Syria, had come into effect.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin had sought to defend the proposed cyber unit after President Trump’s initial announcement.

Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Steve Mnuchin described it as a “significant accomplishment” for President Trump.

“What we want to make sure is that we co-ordinate with Russia,” he added.

Rex Tillerson Hearing: Trump’s Pick for Secretary of State Accepts Vladimir Putin Knew of Russian Hacking

However, Republican Senator Marco Rubio suggested that such an initiative would be like partnering with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on chemical weapons.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: “It’s not the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard, but it’s pretty close.”

A special prosecutor is investigating whether Trump associates colluded with alleged Russian efforts to influence the 2016 US election.

Both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin said the allegations had been discussed.

However, the two sides described the content of the meeting differently.

President Trump said he “strongly pressed” the issue with Vladimir Putin, who had “vehemently denied” interfering in the US election.

The president also said it was time to work more “constructively” with Russia.

Vladimir Putin said he believed President Trump had accepted his assurances that Moscow had not interfered in the vote.

However, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said interference in the 2016 election remained an impediment to better relations with Russia, while the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said the US “can’t trust Russia” and “won’t ever trust Russia”.

Laptop Ban Lifted on More Middle East Flights

The US laptop ban has been lifted on Kuwait Airways and Royal Jordanian.

They have become the latest Middle Eastern airlines to let passengers take laptops in the cabin on US-bound flights.

Both carriers said they had worked with US officials to tighten security checks on flights from Kuwait and Jordan.

The ban was imposed in March on direct flights to the US from eight mainly Muslim countries to address fears that bombs could be concealed in the devices.

Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways became exempt last week.

Laptop Ban No Longer Applies on Emirates Flights to US

Royal Jordanian, which flies to three US cities from Amman lifted the ban after new security measures were implemented for US-bound flights, airline president Stefan Pichler said.

Image source Public Domain Pictures

State-owned Kuwait Airways, which flies from Kuwait to New York via Ireland, said the ban was lifted after US officials inspected security measures on its flights.

Large Electronic Devices Ban on Flights Comes Into Effect in US and UK

Last month, the US Department of Homeland Security announced measures requiring additional time to screen passengers and electronic devices on US-bound flights from 105 countries.

Airlines expressed hopes at the time that the changes would pave the way for the lifting of the electronics ban.

Large Electronic Devices Banned on US Flights from Eight Muslim Countries

The Morocco, Egypt and Saudi Arabia airlines are yet to announce a lifting of the ban.

Saudia, the flagship carrier for Saudi Arabia, has said passengers would be able to take personal electronic devices on US flights from July 19.

Royal Air Maroc also believes it can have the ban lifted for flights out of Casablanca by the same date, a senior official told Reuters last week.

Model 3: Elon Musk Unveils First Photos of Tesla’s Latest Car

Elon Musk has shared the first images of Tesla’s Model 3 after it came off the assembly line.

The electric car company’s co-founder and chief executive tweeted a picture captioned “First Production Model 3” on July 8.

Elon Musk followed it up with another Model 3 photo, this time in color, outside the Tesla factory site in California.

Image source Twitter

The Model 3 is Tesla’s first mass-market car and the first 30 owners will get in the driver’s seat on July 28.

Model 3: Tesla Unveils Its Lowest-Cost Vehicle to Date

The four-door Model 3 will then be available to the public, with a base price of $35,000, almost half that of the Tesla’s next-cheapest model.

Tesla’s share price more than doubled between December and late June as investors backed Elon Musk’s strategy to transform the low-volume luxury electric car maker into a producer for the crowded mass-market, but has since fallen back.

Elon Musk: Tesla Model 3 Pre-Orders Total 276,000

Registrations for new Tesla cars in California, its largest market, were down 24% in April compared with April 2016, according to IHS Markit data. Tesla responded by calling the figure “cherry-picked” data.

Image source Twitter

Tesla reported that first-half 2017 global deliveries for all its models rose to 47,100. That was at the lower end of its predicted sales range of 47,000 to 50,000.

In its last full financial year results, Tesla made a loss of $889 million.

Elon Musk’s tweeted images follow news last week that Volvo would become the first traditional vehicle manufacturer to phase out the petrol and diesel powered combustion engine, in a move toward hybrid and electric car production.

Venezuela: Leopoldo Lopez Released from Jail After Three Years

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has surprisingly praised opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez’s jail release.

Leopoldo Lopez, one of Venezuela’s main opposition leaders, has been moved to house arrest after more than three years in jail.

He left a prison near Caracas and was reunited with his family on July 8.

Leopoldo Lopez Mendoza was serving a 14-year sentence for inciting violence during anti-government protests in 2014, a charge he has always denied. The Supreme Court said he was released on health grounds.

Venezuela: Leopoldo Lopez Jailed for 13 Years and Nine Months

President Maduro said he “respected” and “supported” the Supreme Court’s decision but called for “a message of peace and rectification” in Venezuela.

Hours after being freed, Leopoldo Lopez urged supporters to continue protesting in the streets against Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela’s opposition and international powers have long pressed for Lopez’s freedom. The head of the Organization of American States regional bloc, Luis Almagro, said the court’s decision offered an opportunity for national reconciliation.

Image source Flickr

Former opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles stressed “he must be given his full liberty together with all political prisoners”, Reuters reported.

Giving a glimpse of his son’s life behind bars, Leopoldo Lopez’s father told Spanish radio “a few days ago they had punished him with solitary confinement without light or water for three days”.

He said his son was now wearing an electronic tag so that the authorities could keep abreast of his movements.

Venezuela: Brazilian Senators Attacked After Trying to Meet Jailed Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez

Leopoldo Lopez’s wife had complained that she had not been allowed to see him for more than a month, but on July 7 she tweeted she had been allowed an hour-long meeting.

In May, a government lawmaker published a video of Leopoldo Lopez in his cell following rumors that he had been poisoned and taken to hospital.

In the video, Leopoldo Lopez – a Harvard-educated former mayor who has been prevented by the government from standing for public office – said he was well and did not know why he was being asked to prove he was still alive.

Venezuela has been experiencing a wave of anti-government protests similar to those over which Leopoldo Lopez was jailed.

The opposition is calling for early elections and the release of opposition politicians jailed in recent years, saying the socialist governments of President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, have mismanaged the economy since coming to power in 1999.

Vatican Bans Gluten-Free Bread Used for Holy Communion

The Vatican has ruled that bread used to celebrate the Eucharist during Roman Catholic Mass must not be gluten-free – although it may be made from genetically modified organisms.

In a letter to bishops, Cardinal Robert Sarah said the bread can be low-gluten.

However, the cardinal said there must be enough protein in the wheat to make it without additives.

Image source Wikimedia

The new Vatican rules are needed because the bread is now sold in supermarkets and on the internet, the cardinal said.

Roman Catholics believe bread and wine served at the Eucharist are converted into the body and blood of Christ through a process known as transubstantiation.

Cardinal Robert Sarah of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments said the wine used must also be “natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances”.

The Vatican letter said that the ruling was issued at the request of Pope Francis.

There are about 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world.

Nelsan Ellis Dead: True Blood Star Dies of Complications from Heart Failure Aged 39

Nelsan Ellis, best known for starring Lafayette Reynolds in the popular HBO series True Blood, has died at the age of 39, his manager confirmed.

The actor died after complications from heart failure.

“He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed,” his manager Emily Gerson Saines told the Hollywood Reporter.

Nelsan Ellis appeared in True Blood from 2008 until the series ended in 2014.

Image source Wikimedia

HBO said in a statement on July 8: “We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis.

“Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly.”

Nelsan Ellis appeared regularly throughout the series of True Blood after first appearing as the cook at a local restaurant in 2008. He played the role of Lafayette Reynolds, a charismatic gay medium who was able to contact ghosts.

The actor also featured alongside Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer in the film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help in 2011.

Nelsan Ellis is survived by his grandmother Alex Brown, his father Tommie Lee Thompson and his son Breon, along with seven siblings.

G20 Final Agreement Acknowledges Donald Trump’s Withdrawal from Paris Climate Change Deal

Leaders of 19 nations at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, have renewed their pledge to implement the Paris deal on climate change, despite the US pulling out.

Deadlock over the issue had held up the last day of talks in Hamburg but a final agreement was eventually reached.

The final agreement acknowledges President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement without undermining the commitment of other countries.

The compromise comes after violent protests in the host city.

The joint summit statement released on July 8 said: “We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.”

However, the leaders of the other G20 members agreed the accord was “irreversible”.

The statement also said the US would “endeavor to work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently”.

President Trump has pledged to help the US coal industry make a comeback and has previously characterized the Paris agreement as aiming to disadvantage his country’s workers.

In press conference as the two-day summit drew to a close, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she still deplored President Trump’s position on the Paris accord but she was “gratified” the other 19 nations opposed its renegotiation.

As well as insisting on the inclusion of separate America-only paragraphs in the final text, Donald Trump canceled his own scheduled news conference on July 8, reinforcing the image of the G20 as the G19 + 1.

“I think it’s very clear that we could not reach consensus, but the differences were not papered over, they were clearly stated,” Angela Merkel told reporters.

Angela Merkel said she did not share the view of UK Prime Minister Theresa May that Washington could decide to return to the climate agreement.

However, Theresa May reiterated her belief that the US could rejoin the accord in her news conference on July 8.

French President Emmanuel Macron also remained hopeful of persuading President Trump to change his mind, saying: “I never despair of convincing him because I think it’s my duty.”

Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would host another summit on December 12 to make further progress on the climate agreement and to address financing.

There have been large protests in the city, with demonstrators and armed police clashing into the early hours of Saturday.

G20 Hamburg: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Meet Face to Face for First Time

Demonstrators – who were protesting against the presence of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, climate change and global wealth inequalities – set fire to vehicles and barricades, threw rocks at officers and looted shops.

At one point, police chased protesters across rooftops while officers on the streets used water cannon on protesters.

Nearly 200 police officers were injured during the protests. Dozens of protesters have been detained.

Japan Flooding Death Toll Rises to 15

According to Japanese officials, the death toll from flooding caused by recent heavy rain in the country’s southern region has risen to at least 15.

Rescue teams are searching for another 15 people who are missing.

Rivers burst their banks, destroying buildings and roads after more than 20in of rain fell on parts of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island, over a 12-hour period on July 5.

Image source Wikimedia

Emergency teams are working through thick mud to try to reach stranded survivors. Hundreds have already been evacuated.

The worst-hit areas are in Fukuoka prefecture.

Japan floods: more than 250,000 people ordered to leave their homes

Announcing the revised death toll, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the region was expected to see further heavy rain on July 8.

About 12,000 police, military, firefighters and coast guard personnel have taking part in the rescue operation.

Japan Flood 2015: At Least Three Dead and Hundreds Stranded

Venus Williams Car Crash: Tennis Star Drove Lawfully, Police Report Says

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Footage has emerged showing that Venus Williams was driving lawfully during a car crash that led to the death of 78-year-old Jerome Barson, police say.

According to a surveillance video obtained by Palm Beach Gardens police in Florida, Venus Williams’ car entered the intersection on a green traffic signal.

An earlier police report had said Venus Williams, 37, was at fault and “violated the right of way of [the other driver]”.

Venus Williams’ lawyer said the fatal crash on June 9 was an accident.

Jerome Barson’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the tennis star.

Venus Williams Involved in Florida Fatal Crash

New video evidence has revealed that Venus Williams had the right of way as she entered the intersection of Northlake Boulevard in the city of Palm Beach Gardens, according to the police report.

However as she proceeded, the report says, Venus Williams was forced to brake to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle, which delayed her from clearing the junction.

Image source Flickr

As the tennis star then began to move forwards, a second vehicle – traveling in a different direction – entered the intersection on a green traffic signal, and the two cars collided.

“This updated information, based upon new evidence, is still under investigation,” the police statement said.

Jerome Barson had been travelling with his wife who was driving their vehicle at the time. He was taken to hospital but died two weeks later from his injuries.

The wife was also taken to hospital but survived.

The initial police report said that no other factors such as drugs, alcohol or mobile phone distractions were being investigated.

Was Serena Williams drunk at Wimbledon 2014?

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, reportedly told police she did not see the couple’s car and she was driving slowly. She was not arrested in connection with the crash.

On July 3, when questioned by reporters about the crash, Venus Williams broke down in tears, and said: “There are no words to describe how devastating [it is]. I’m completely speechless.”

Venus Williams’ lawyer Malcolm Cunningham told CNN in a statement: “Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light. The police report estimates that Ms. Williams was travelling at 5mph when Mrs. Barson crashed into her.

“Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.”

Venus Williams is currently playing her 20th Wimbledon tournament in London, where she is seeded 10th.

How Artificial Intelligence is set to alter our way of living

From self-driving cars to virtual assistants, Artificial Intelligence has impacted our lives in every possible way and this technology is becoming invincible day by day. According to a study conducted by Oxford University, AI may replace up to 45% of the human jobs in next 20 years. Chat bots have already replaced their human counterparts in Customer service and intelligence systems may soon eliminate low-level manual jobs that involve repetitive tasks.

As computational intelligence keeps improving and gets faster due to enhanced processor speeds, AI is getting better and is also able to defeat humans in various tasks. Google’s DeepMind labs developed an AI application named AlphaGo which has already defeated one of the best human players Lee Sedol in the ancient Chinese game of Go and has also recently defeated the current world champion Ke Jie. Another AI named Libratus that was developed by the scientists at Carnegie Mellon University was able to defeat the world’s best poker players in a 3-week tournament of Texas Holdem’ Poker. This is a milestone achievement in the field of Artificial Intelligence since poker is a game of incomplete information and not just a normal repetitive task.

Image result for Artificial Intelligence

Autonomous cars are being used for ride-hailing services in Singapore by a start-up named nuTonomy and various companies are exploring this area. AI is also revolutionizing healthcare and deep learning algorithms are used in the analysis of complex medical data. Artificial Intelligence is already used for diagnosis of X-rays and CT scans to detect early stages of lung cancer by a Chinese start-up named Infervision.

AI based health care assistants use natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to analyse the symptoms of the patients in diagnosing their diseases and suggesting appropriate medications. For example, Your.MD is an AI-powered mobile App which can suggest remedies for your ailments and will caution you when you should consult the doctor. Similarly, IBM’s Watson is an AI whose oncology platform can detect cancer symptoms and offer dynamic care by guiding patients on the right treatment path. There will lot more AI applications developed in the future which will redefine the healthcare industry altogether and help in faster treatment and recovery of complex diseases.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has launched a start-up named NeuraLink which will be developing devices that can be implanted in human brains to act as a brain-computer interface. As we know, Tesla and SpaceX are companies which are already working on innovative ideas and this new venture of Elon Musk is a completely mind-blowing concept which can make humans smarter than computers. Musk while addressing a gathering at Dubai told that, “Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence.”

Electrode arrays and several implants have been already used in medical industry to improve the effects of neurodegenerative disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Musk’s idea of NeuraLink is developing a brain computer interface by using a network of tiny electrodes that can be implanted in the human brain. Musk believes this technology will help humans to communicate with others wirelessly without using any spoken or written language. If this technology is realized, and it can alter our lifestyle completely as human beings will be able to communicate more effectively and swiftly. This technology will create a biological connection to the Internet and human mind and this is something which we have seen only in the science fiction movies so far.

AI has also disrupted the design industry with many start-ups coming up with machine learning powered branding platforms like Tailor Brands. Even website creation is automated using machine learning algorithms and start-ups like The Grid and Wix have already launched AI-powered website builders that can design websites for you with very little manual effort. Smart chat bots are already being used for servicing customers online by various businesses. With new applications getting developed almost every day, AI has become ubiquitous and plays an inevitable role in altering human life.

G20 Hamburg: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Meet Face to Face for First Time

Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have met face to face for the first time at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.

They have discussed the alleged Russian hacking of last year’s US presidential election.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the exchanges as “robust”.

And Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said President Trump had accepted President Putin’s assertions that Russia was not responsible.

However, Rex Tillerson said it was not clear whether the US and Russia would ever come to an agreement on what happened.

“I think the president is rightly focused on how do we move forward from something that may be an intractable disagreement at this point,” the secretary of state added.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held their first face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit, which is being held amid sometimes violent protests.

Donald Trump Warsaw Speech: “Russia Has to Stop Destabilizing Ukraine”

Other topics discussed during their meeting – which lasted nearly two-and-a-quarter hours, longer than originally planned – included the war in Syria, terrorism and cybersecurity.

Image NBC News

Rex Tillerson, part of the US delegation, told reporters afterwards: “The president opened the meeting with President Putin by raising the concerns of the American people regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.”

“They had a very robust and lengthy exchange on the subject. The president pressed President Putin on more than one occasion regarding Russian involvement.

“President Putin denied such involvement, as I think he has done in the past.”

Rex Tillerson said the two leaders had “connected very quickly”, adding: “There was a very clear positive chemistry between the two. There are so many issues on the table… Just about everything got touched upon… Neither one of them wanted to stop.

“I believe they even sent in the First Lady [Melania Trump] at one point to see if she could get us out of there, but that didn’t work either… We did another hour. Clearly she failed!”

Russia Election Hacking: Donald Trump Accuses Obama Administration of Inaction

Sergei Lavrov told reporters: “President Trump said he heard clear statements… that Russian authorities did not intervene [in the US election], and he accepted these declarations.”

Rex Tillerson was asked as he was leaving the news conference if this was accurate, but declined to answer.

Earlier, as the talks began in front of the media before going into private session, President Trump told President Putin: “It’s an honor to be with you.”

President Putin replied: “I’m delighted to meet you personally.”

Donald Trump added: “Putin and I have been discussing various things, and I think it’s going very well.

“We’ve had some very, very good talks. We’re going to have a talk now and obviously that will continue. We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia, for the United States and for everybody concerned.”

Vladimir Putin, via a translator, said that while they had previously spoken by phone, that would never be as good as meeting face to face.

The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a summit for 19 countries, both developed and developing, plus the EU.

Sheila Michaels, Feminist Who Popularized “Ms.”, Dies Aged 78

American feminist Sheila Michaels, who brought the honorific “Ms” into mainstream use, has died at the age of 78.

Sheila Michaels did not invent the term, but is credited with rescuing it from obscurity after she saw it used in an address, thinking it was a typo.

“Ms” did not convey a woman’s marital status, unlike the traditional options “Mrs.” or “Miss”.

Sheila Michaels once said: “I had never seen it before: It was kind of arcane knowledge.”

Speaking to the New York Times in a 2016 interview for her own obituary, Sheila Michaels said the honorific resonated with her, both as a feminist and as the child of unmarried parents.

“[I] was looking for a title for a woman who did not <<belong>> to a man. There was no place for me,” she told The Guardian newspaper in 2007.

“I didn’t belong to my father and I didn’t want to belong to a husband – someone who could tell me what to do.”

Image source Wikimedia

Born in St Louis, Missouri, Sheila Michaels spent some of her childhood in New York City. She was a lifelong feminist activist, biblical scholar, and collected oral histories of the civil rights movement later in life.

In her professional life, Ms. Michaels worked as a ghostwriter, editor, and even ran a Japanese restaurant – but her obituary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes her favorite job was being a New York City taxi driver.

The term Ms dates back to at least 1901, but its obscurity meant that Sheila Michaels first thought it was a typo, intended to be Mrs., on a housemate’s delivery of a Marxist magazine in the early 1960s.

Years later, she brought it casually, during a lull in conversation on broadcast radio – where it was heard by others, and began to attract attention.

That broadcast would lead the first editors of Ms. Magazine to adopt the honorific as its title in 1972 “after prompting from Sheila Michaels, who had been pushing the women’s movement to adopt its usage,” the magazine wrote last month.

“<<Ms.>> is how you address a woman as a whole person. In a culture where women were identified on the basis of their marital status… [it was a] way to define ourselves as individuals, not subordinates or partners.”

While the new honorific was in the public sphere and a subject of debate, it was not adopted by the New York Times until 1984 – seen as a landmark for its usage by a traditional stylistic conservative.

Now, the Times has published an extensive obituary based on interviews with Sheila Michaels herself.

“Ms. Michaels leaves a legacy both minute and momentous: two consonants and a small dot – three characters that forever changed English discourse,” the newspaper wrote.

Qatar Crisis: Saudi-Led Bloc Warns of Unspecified New Measures

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which lead a boycott against Qatar, have described Doha’s rejection of their demands as a threat to regional security.

In a statement, the Saudi-led bloc also warned of unspecified new measures.

Last month they cut all ties with Qatar, in effect imposing a land blockade on the tiny emirate.

Qatar Crisis to Be Discussed in Cairo

They demanded that Qatar shut down Al Jazeera TV, reduce ties with Iran and end its alleged support for jihadists.

Image source Flickr

Earlier this week Qatar rejected the four Gulf states’ ultimatum. It denies the allegations against it.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is expected on July 10 to visit Kuwait, which is mediating the Gulf crisis.

Qatar Rejects List of Conditions for Lifting Sanctions

In a July 6 statement, the bloc said Qatar’s rejection of their 13 demands “reflects its intention to continue its policy, aimed at destabilizing security in the region”.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates also threatened new political and economic measures against Qatar, without providing any further details.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has described the cutting of ties with his country as “a siege that is a clear aggression and an insult”.

He said earlier this week: “The answer to our disagreement is not blockades and ultimatums, it is dialogue and reason.”

Qatar is dependent on imports to meet the basic needs of its population of 2.7 million.

As Qatar’s only land border is now closed, food is having to be shipped or flown in.

Elon Musk and Tesla to Build World’s Biggest Lithium Ion Battery in South Australia

The state of South Australia will install the world’s biggest lithium ion battery in a “historic” deal with electric car company Tesla and energy company Neoen.

According to Premier Jay Weatherill, the battery will protect South Australia from the kind of energy crisis which famously blacked out the state.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed a much-publicized promise to build the battery within 100 days, or do it for free.

The 100-megawatt (129 megawatt-hour) battery should be ready this year.

Tesla to Unveil Electric Articulated Truck

Elon Musk said in Adelaide on July 7: “There is certainly some risk, because this will be largest battery installation in the world by a significant margin.”

He also said that “the next biggest battery in the world is 30 megawatts”.

Image source Flickr

According to South Australia’s government, the Tesla-built battery, paired with a Neoen wind farm, will operate around the clock and be capable of providing additional power during emergencies.

“It will completely transform the way in which renewable energy is stored, and also stabilize the South Australian network as well as putting downward pressure on prices,” Premier Jay Weatherill said.

Tesla Launches New Battery Pack for Model S and X Cars

Elon Musk’s 100-day pledge will begin once an electricity grid interconnection agreement has been signed.

Tesla has been expanding its battery business alongside its car production.

South Australia has suffered from blackouts since September 2016, leading to a political spat over energy policy.

The row culminated in a confrontation between Jay Weatherill and a federal government minister at a press conference in March.

Donald Trump Warsaw Speech: “Russia Has to Stop Destabilizing Ukraine”

President Donald Trump has urged Russia to stop “destabilizing” Ukraine and other countries and end support for “hostile regimes” such as those in Syria and Iran.

Speaking in Warsaw, Poland, Donald Trump urged Russia to “join the community of responsible nations”.

Russia rejected the president’s comments.

Image source AP

Donald Trump has traveled to Hamburg for the G20 summit, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time.

The president also faces differences with other leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said last week that the G20 would focus on the Paris climate deal – which the US has withdrawn from.

Up to 100,000 protesters are expected over the two-day event and police have warned of potentially violent clashes. They have already confiscated a number of homemade weapons.

In Warsaw, President Trump argued that the future of Western civilization itself was at stake and asked whether the West had the “will to survive”.

He urged Russia to join the “fight against common enemies and in defense of civilization itself”.

Donald Trump also hailed Poland as an example of a country ready to defend Western freedoms.

Poland’s conservative government shares President Trump’s hostile view of immigration and strong sense of sovereignty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieeCnD1BfLs

Donald Trump Warns North Korea of “Pretty Severe” Response Following ICBM Test

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President Donald Trump has warned North Korea that it is facing a “pretty severe” response following its long-range missile test earlier this week.

The president said: “They are behaving in a very, very dangerous manner and something will have to be done about it.”

However, Donald Trump moderated his comments, saying: “We’ll just take a look at what happens over the coming weeks and months.”

North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the potential to hit Alaska on July 4.

Image source Wikipedia

Despite the ICBM’s relatively short flight and eventual crash into the sea, the test has been labeled a sharp military escalation by the US.

Donald Trump Criticizes China Following North Korea’s Test of Long-Range Missile

“I have pretty severe things that we’re thinking about,” President Trump said of a possible US response.

“That doesn’t mean that we’ll do them.”

President Trump said other nations should challenge North Korea’s “very, very bad behavior”.

He was speaking in Warsaw, Poland, at a joint news conference with the Polish President Andrzej Duda.

North Korea Claims It Successfully Tested ICBM

President Trump is due to meet with other world leaders at the G20 summit in Germany on July 7.

His comments follow those of US ambassador Nikki Haley, who told the UN Security Council that the US was willing to use its “considerable military forces” on North Korea “if we must”.

The US and South Korea have already stepped up military drills, firing missiles into the Sea of Japan in an apparent show of strength.

North Korea, however, said it would not negotiate over its missile program unless the US ended its “hostile policy” against Pyongyang.

Unless the US stopped its “hostile policy”, North Korea would “never put the nuke and ballistic rocket on the negotiating table”.

Ed Sheeran Quits Twitter Following Abusive Comments

Ed Sheeran has announced he quits Twitter after receiving a stream of abuse.

The 26-year-old singer told The Sun: “I’ve actually come off Twitter completely. I can’t read it.

“I go on it and there’s nothing but people saying mean things. One comment ruins your day. But that’s why I’ve come off it.”

Ed Sheeran, who has 19 million followers on Twitter, says he will keep the account open, but it will only share automatic updates from his Instagram page from now on.

Image source Flickr

A quick scan of Twitter finds a number of negative – although not necessarily abusive – comments directed towards Ed Sheeran.

Most recently, Ed Sheeran had to defend himself against accusations of using a backing track during his headline set at this year’s Glastonbury festival.

Glastonbury 2017: Ed Sheeran Closes Festival at Pyramid Stage

Ed Sheeran uses a loop pedal during his performances, which allows him to record his vocal and guitar lines, creating a layered, looped accompaniment live, on the spot.

In his last personally-authored tweet, Ed Sheeran sounded exasperated by the accusations.

“Never thought I’d have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live, it’s a loop station, not a backing track. Please google,” the star wrote.

Ed Sheeran to Feature in Game of Thrones 7

Other users took aim at Ed Sheeran’s televised Glastonbury show after he suffered guitar problems during the song Bloodstream.

Speaking to The Sun, the singer said he had “been trying to work out why people dislike me so much” but the simple answer is that he’s the victim of his own success.

Ed Sheeran’s third album ÷ (Divide) is the year’s biggest-seller, dominating the charts and radio around the world.

Donald Trump Criticizes China Following North Korea’s Test of Long-Range Missile

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President Donald Trump has criticized China following North Korea’s test of a long-range missile, condemning it for increasing trade with Pyongyang.

He tweeted: “So much for China working with us.”

Meanwhile, the US and South Korea conducted a ballistic missile fire exercise in the Sea of Japan in response to North Korea’s action.

China and Russia have urged both sides to stop flexing their military muscle and said they oppose any attempts at regime change in North Korea.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “It is perfectly clear to Russia and China that any attempts to justify the use of force by referring to [United Nations] Security Council resolutions are unacceptable, and will lead to unpredictable consequences in this region which borders both the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.”

“Attempts to strangle the DPRK [North Korea] economically are equally unacceptable,” he added.

North Korea Claims It Successfully Tested ICBM

North Korea’s missile launch, the latest in a series of tests, was in defiance of a ban by the UN Security Council.

Image source YouTube

The US has asked for an urgent meeting of the Security Council to discuss the issue. A closed-door session of the 15-member body will take place later on July 5.

President Trump held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida in April.

After those meetings, President Trump hailed “tremendous progress” with China.

North Korea Tests New Rocket Engine

The trade figures showing an increase in trade between China and North Korea, which he was apparently referring to in July 5 critical tweet.

President Trump is now en route to Poland and Germany, where he will meet President Xi Jinping for the second time.

China, which is North Korea’s main economic ally, and Russia have called on the North to suspend its ballistic missile program in exchange for a halt on the large-scale military exercises by the US and South Korea.

President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met in Moscow on July 4, said “the opposing sides should start negotiations”.

On July 4, Japan said “repeated provocations like this are absolutely unacceptable” and lodged a protest.

Qatar Crisis to Be Discussed in Cairo

Four Gulf countries are to discuss the Qatar crisis, a month after they severed ties with the state.

The meeting of foreign ministers of Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Cairo comes on the day a deadline expires for Qatar to accept a list of demands or face further sanctions.

The demands to Qatar including shutting down the Al Jazeera network and scaling down ties with Iran.

Qatar has called the list of demands “unrealistic and not actionable”.

Qatar Crisis: Gulf Countries Extend Demands List Deadline by 48 Hours

The country is accused of destabilizing the region by supporting extremism and terrorism – which it denies.

Image source Wikimedia

Qatar has been under unprecedented diplomatic and economic sanctions from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain.

The restrictions have caused turmoil in the oil- and gas-rich nation, which is dependent on imports to meet the basic needs of its population of 2.7 million.

Qatar Rejects List of Conditions for Lifting Sanctions

On July 3, Saudi Arabia and its allies gave Qatar an extra two days to accept their ultimatum for restoring relations, after an earlier 10-day deadline expired.

The authorities in Doha have responded to the demands – but no details have been publicly released. Qatar has said the demands break international law.

On July 4, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani described the demands as unrealistic.

“It’s not about terrorism, it’s talking about shutting down the freedom of speech,” he said.

The four Gulf countries accuse Qatar of harboring Islamist groups that they consider terrorist organizations – including the Muslim Brotherhood – and giving them a platform on the Al Jazeera channel, which is funded by the Qatari state.

Qatar denies the accusations.

As a result of the sanctions, Iran and Turkey have been increasingly supplying Qatar with food and other goods.

On July 4, Qatar announced plans for a steep rise in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production capacity over the coming years.

Qatar is the world’s leading producer of LNG.

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

Laptop Ban No Longer Applies on Emirates Flights to US

Emirates has announced the cabin ban on laptops no longer applies on its flights to the US.

In March, the US banned cabin laptops and other large electronic devices to and from eight mostly Muslim nations, fearing bombs may be concealed in them.

A spokeswoman for the airline said it had worked with US authorities to meet the requirements of the new security guidelines for all US bound flights.

Large Electronic Devices Banned on US Flights from Eight Muslim Countries

Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline, flies to 12 US cities.

Image source Public Domain Pictures

The move comes after the US lifted the laptop ban on July 2 for Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to the US.

The Turkish Airlines chief has said he expects the ban to be lifted for his airline soon as well.

Large Electronic Devices Ban on Flights Comes Into Effect in US and UK

Under the US rules, devices “larger than a smartphone” were not allowed in the cabins of flights from Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The US Homeland Security department unveiled further measures last week to enhance security on flights entering the country.

The new measures require enhanced screening, more thorough vetting of passengers and the wider use of bomb-sniffer dogs in 105 countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrF9Gb8pto

Looking After Your Healthcare Business & Its Patients

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If you are thinking of running a healthcare business, then you need to be sure that it is going to do what it needs to do as well as possible. All healthcare businesses need to focus on looking after the patient – that is the most important thing of all, and as long as you are doing that you can be sure that you are on the right track overall. Of course, this is easier said than done, and anyone who has ever tried to run this kind of business will tell you that there is plenty to consider if you want to get it right. In this post, we are going to take a look at a few of the major concerns that you need to focus on if you want your business to succeed in helping its patients as well as possible.

Staffing

In any business, it can be said that the employees are among the most important aspects of that business. But in certain industries, it is particularly true, and healthcare is one such industry. If you want your healthcare business to be at its best, then you need to ensure that you are hiring the best – it’s that simple. Otherwise, you will find that the level of care you are giving to your patients is not what it should be – and at all times, care should be the top concern in your healthcare business. Make sure you spend a lot of time finding exactly the right people for your business, as it really does make a world of difference. With the right team on board, you might be surprised at what you can achieve, and how many people you can help.

Admin & Systems

 

Something that really helps to tie any business together is having a decent administrative team, coupled with the use of some good systems and technology to help them deliver on their goals. In a sense, the admin team really do hold it all together, and that’s why it’s so important to make sure that you get this aspect of your healthcare business just right. Make sure the staff you have in this area of the business are as well-trained as possible, ideally with a health care administration degree online or through another institution. Also ensure that the systems they are given to use are the best you can possibly afford, as these are almost as important as the technology which is actually used in helping patients. With the right admin and systems, your healthcare business will be able to deliver fantastic care every time.

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Location

Depending on the type of healthcare business you are thinking of operating, you will need to make sure that you find an appropriate location for it. If it is a doctor’s surgery or a hospital, by way of example, then try to ensure that you find a location which is likely to be able to be accessible to as many of the local population as possible. That way, you can achieve the central goal of delivering the best possible care to the greatest number of people possible.

North Korea Claims It Successfully Tested ICBM

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North Korea has announced it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

It is the first time North Korea has claimed to have successfully tested a long-range “intercontinental” missile which could potentially have the range to reach the US mainland.

Earlier the US said a missile landed in the Sea of Japan but that it did not pose a threat to North America.

North Korea has increased the frequency of its missile tests, raising tensions.

An announcement on North Korea state TV said it had launched a Hwasong-14 missile, overseen by their leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korea Tests New Rocket Engine

It said the projectile reached an altitude of 1,731 miles and flew 583 miles before hitting a target in the sea.

Earlier the US Pacific Command said it was an intermediate range missile.

Image source Wikipedia

While Pyongyang has appeared to have made progress, experts believe North Korea does not have the capability to accurately target a place with an intercontinental ballistic missile, or miniaturize a nuclear warhead that can fit on to such a missile.

North Korea Accuses US of Mugging Its Diplomats at JFK Airport

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has called on the UN Security Council to take steps against North Korea over its latest missile test.

Moon Jae-in has ordered security and diplomatic officials to seek “Security Council measures in close co-operation with the country’s allies, including the United States,” his chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan told reporters.

North Korea Fires Several Anti-Ship Missiles Off Its East Coast

Earlier Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: “North Korea’s repeated provocations like this are absolutely unacceptable.”

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said his country would “unite strongly” with the US and South Korea to put pressure on Pyongyang.

President Donald Trump also responded swiftly on July 4 to the missile launch.

On his Twitter account, Donald Trump made apparent reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, saying: “Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?”

“Hard to believe that South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”

President Trump has repeatedly called on China, Pyongyang’s closest ally, to pressure North Korea to end its nuclear and missile programs.

China has not fully responded to the latest test.

Jamie Horowitz: Fox Sports Fires Top Executive amid Harassment Scandal

Fox Sports has sacked its top executive Jamie Horowitz amid claims of harassment at the network.

Jamie Horowitz was the president of national networks at Fox Sports.

Fox Sports gave no reasons for the dismissal, but stressed on the importance of “professional conduct”.

Meanwhile, media report that Jamie Horowitz’s departure comes amid claims of harassment at Fox Sports.

Jamie Horowitz’s lawyer said “the way Jamie has been treated by Fox is appalling” and that the executive had worked “in an exemplary fashion”.

In the memo sent to employees, Fox Sports President Eric Shanks wrote that everyone should “adhere to professional conduct at all times”.

Image source YouTube

Jamie Horowitz’s lawyer Patricia Glaser said in response to his dismissal: “At no point in his tenure was there any mention by his superiors or human resources of any misconduct, nor an inability to adhere to professional conduct.

“Jamie was hired by Fox to do a job, the job that until today he has performed in an exemplary fashion. Any slanderous accusations to the contrary will be vigorously defended.”

However, Fox Sport’s lawyer Daniel Petrocelli said: “Mr. Horowitz’s termination was fully warranted and his lawyer’s accusations are ill-informed and misguided.”

Fox Sports is part of 21st Century Fox, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch.

According to the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, about a week ago Fox began an investigation into claims of harassment at its sports division. The newspapers quoted a person briefed on the matter.

Fox has not publicly commented on the media reports, which could not be independently verified.

In April, prime-time presenter Bill O’Reilly was dropped from Fox News over harassment claims. He described the claims as “completely unfounded”.

Last July, Roger Ailes, a long-time boss of Fox News, resigned after a number of female employees had accused him of harassment.

At the time Roger Ailes said he was resigning because he had become a “distraction”. Roger Ailes died in May.

The Global Air Compressor Market

The global top air compressor market is anticipated to hit $37 Million marks by 2022. This is according to a report by the grand view Research Inc, a reputable market research company. The advancement of the compressor technology has been promoted by increased awareness on energy expenditure savings and expansion of industrialization.

For the next five years, the availability of energy efficient air compressors, which help to facilitate gas transfer processes for various industrial and non-industrial activities is anticipated to push demand for air compressors further forward. This technological advancement works towards reducing noise and air contamination levels in the particular industries where the compressors are used.

Via: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/images/Air%20compressor%20market%20sidebar.jpg

Components Of The Global Air Compressor Market

The global air compressor market is mostly made up of movable and stationary products. The convenience that’s associated with the ease of handling portable air compressors has taken its adoption in low duty application to a whole new level. Because they have highly durable parts, the compressors require minimal maintenance. As it was in the last few years, the stationary part of the compressors will account for more than 55% of the top air compressor markets across the globe in the next five (5) years.

Moreover, there has been an unprecedented growth in the global food and beverage industry in recent years, and this has played a huge role growing the sales of the air compressors worldwide. For instance, there is the need for quality compressed air processes such as dehydration and packaging.

This rising demand for diesel, gasoline and other fuels has helped to push the establishment of petrochemical plants in many parts of the world. It’s estimated that the Asia Pacific region and Brazil are among the areas of the globe that will contribute a bigger percentage of the growth in air compressor market.

Compressor dealers are putting more emphasis on top air compressors that guarantee superior levels of energy efficiency, while also aiming to sustain their profits by providing high-capacity options to various industries as oil and gas, food and beverage, energy and health care among others.

Via: http://www.airindknows.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/North-America-Air-compressor-market-sidebar.jpg

Moreover, replacement demand is a major component of the global compressor market. With more compressors in the market, there will be a huge demand for replacement parts. This growing demand is expected to be a key driver in the compressor industry since old equipment undergoes retrofits, parts replacements, and substitution with new technology or complete overhauls.

Fast-growing demand for gas and oil based projects, which include infrastructure desalination, petrochemicals and power are expected to be one of the key factors that will drive the air compressor market to a higher level.

It’s anticipated that home appliance market in emerging regions in the globe is expected to drive the growth of the air compressor industry over the next three or four years. Moreover, it’s envisioned that regulatory government agencies will tighten regulations regarding carbon emissions, and this will increase the demand for clean air compressors.

What air compressor buyers want

Top air compressor buyers will be on the lookout for compressors that offer high capacity air compression, cost savings, and efficiency. They want options that are less costly to maintain. No matter

 

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