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#LastNightInSweden: Donald Trump Explains Remarks about Sweden Security Incident

Diane A. Wade
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#LastNightInSweden: Donald Trump Explains Remarks about Sweden Security Incident

In a tweet on February 19, President Donald Trump has sought to explain why he referred to a security incident in Sweden on February 17 which did not actually happen.

Addressing a rally on February 18, President Trump had said, “look at what’s happening last night in Sweden”, as he listed parts of Europe hit by terrorist attacks.

With no such incident reported in Sweden on February 17, Sweden asked the US administration for an explanation.

President Trump tweeted on February 19 that he had been referring to a TV report.

Donald Trump said it had been broadcast on Fox News but did not say when. He may have been referring to a Fox News program on that night, which looked at refugees and crime in Sweden.

Despite his words “happening last night in Sweden”, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said separately that President Trump had been talking about rising crime and recent incidents in general, not referring to a specific issue.

Former Swedish PM Carl Bildt was among those who mocked Donald Trump’s comment, suggesting that he had “been smoking”.

Image source Flickr

Social media users ridiculed President Trump, joking about imaginary situations involving Swedish institutions like Abba and IKEA.

The mocking hashtag #lastnightinSweden was soon trending on Twitter.

Many made reference to the “Bowling Green massacre”, a a non-existent attack that was cited by one of Donald Trump’s key advisers, Kellyanne Conway, earlier this month.

On February 19, Donald Trump tweeted: “My statement as to what’s happening in Sweden was in reference to a story that was broadcast on @FoxNews concerning immigrants & Sweden.”

The Fox News report looked at gun violence and rape in Sweden since it opened its doors to large numbers of asylum-seekers in 2013.

Fox News is known to be among Donald Trump’s favorite cable TV channels.

He said at a big rally in Florida: “You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden.”

“Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible. You look at what’s happening in Brussels, you look at what’s happening all over the world. Take a look at Nice, take a look at Paris.”

No terrorist incidents were reported in Sweden on February 17.

Sweden, with a population of about 9.5 million people, has taken in nearly 200,000 refugees and migrants in recent years – more per capita than any other European country.

It saw a sharp increase in asylum seekers in 2015, with more than 160,000 people arriving. With the influx, tensions also rose with some isolated attacks on immigrants, as well as pro- and anti-migrant demonstrations.

The killing of a 22-year-old woman in January 2016 by an asylum seeker based at the center where she worked put further pressure on the government to reassess its approach to refugees.

There was a drop in numbers in 2016 after the country introduced new border checks incurring longer processing times, as well as financial incentives for migrants who voluntarily returned to their country of origin.

No terrorist attacks have been recorded in Sweden since the country’s open-door policy on migration began in 2013.

However, Sweden is believed to have the highest number of ISIS fighters per capita in Europe. About 140 of the 300 who went to Syria and Iraq have since returned, leaving the authorities to grapple with how best to reintegrate them into society.

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Malaysia Steps Up Diplomatic Measures against North Korea

Roy Siemens
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Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Malaysia Steps Up Diplomatic Measures against North Korea

In an escalating row over the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic measures against North Korea.

On February 13, Kim Jong-nam died in mysterious circumstances at an airport in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian police believe he was poisoned.

Malaysia has recalled its ambassador from the North Korea and has summoned the North Korean ambassador “to seek an explanation”.

Malaysian police say they are now looking for four North Korean suspects.

Meanwhile, a video which apparently shows CCTV footage of the attack on Kim Jong-nam has surfaced and aired on Japan’s TV.

Despite widespread speculation that North Korea was behind the killing, there has been no definitive evidence and Pyongyang has not issued an official statement yet.

On February 17, North Korean ambassador Kang Chol accused the government in Kuala Lumpur of colluding with “hostile forces”, saying that Malaysia had “something to conceal”.

South Korea has accused North Korea of orchestrating the incident, saying on February 20 it was evidence of North Korean “terrorism getting bolder”.

Malaysia was one of very few countries to maintain diplomatic relations with North Korea, but this killing has strained ties.

It has refused to accede to North Korean demands to release Kim’s body into their custody without an autopsy.

That apparently prompted the comments on February 17 by North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia – which provoked an angry response from the Malaysian foreign ministry.

It said his accusation was “baseless”, adding that it was their responsibility to conduct an investigation as Kim Jong-nam had died on Malaysian soil.

Malaysian authorities are now waiting for the results of its autopsy. Kang Chol said his country would reject the result as it was done without the presence of its representatives.

Malaysia has also refused to release Kim Jong-nam’s body, saying it needs to conduct DNA testing first.

Police are now seeking samples from family members. Kim Jong-nam is believed to have family living in Beijing and Macau.

Malaysian police have said that if there is no claim by next of kin and once they exhaust all avenues for DNA collection, they will hand the body over to the North Korean embassy.

Kim Jong-nam is believed to have been attacked in the Kuala Lumpur airport departure hall on Monday by two women, using some form of chemical.

Japan’s Fuji TV has aired grainy CCTV footage showing a man resembling Kim Jong-nam approached by a woman at the airport.

Kim Jong-nam is thought to have fallen out of favor with Kim Jong-il in 2001 after he was caught trying to sneak into Japan using a false passport

Another woman then quickly lunges from behind and wipes his face with a cloth. She is seen wearing a white top emblazoned with the letters “LOL”.

The man is then seen seeking assistance from airport staff while gesturing at his face, and is escorted to a room.

Two women, one Indonesian and one Vietnamese, were among the first to be arrested. The Indonesian, named as Siti Aisyah, is said to have told Malaysian police she had been paid to perform what she thought was a prank.

Police have also detained one North Korean suspect, Ri Jong-chol, and said they are looking for four more men, who may have already left the country.

The men have been named as Ri Ji-hyon, 33; Hong Song-hac, 34; O Jong-gil, 55, and Ri Jae-nam, 57.

Kim Jong-nam was the first-born son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who died in 2011.

He was largely estranged from his family, after being passed over for the North Korean leadership in favor of his youngest half-brother.

Kim Jong-nam went into exile in the early 2000s, spending most of his time in Macau, mainland China and Singapore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6-DIV-4Ovs

Dragon CRS-10: SpaceX Successfully Launches New Mission Carrying Cargo Ship for ISS

James J. Williams
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Dragon CRS-10: SpaceX Successfully Launches New Mission Carrying Cargo Ship for ISS

SpaceX has successfully launched the Dragon CRS-10 (2) mission carrying a cargo ship for the International Space Station (ISS) following the postponement of take-off on February 18 because of technical problems.

Witnesses said the Dragon rocket was only briefly visible before making its way into the clouds.

The launch was made from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The rocket booster successfully landed on the ground nine minutes after taking off.

Image source Flickr

The touchdown is part of SpaceX’s strategy of returning rockets to earth so they can be reused rather than jettisoning them in the ocean after a single launch.

Moments after the rocket landed, the SpaceX Dragon supply ship successfully reached orbit, prompting cheers inside the SpaceX Mission Control room.

The Dragon is now making its way to the ISS, and is expected to arrive on February 22.

On January 14, SpaceX resumed flights by launching a Falcon 9 vehicle from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast.

It was the first mission by the private rocket company since one of its vehicles exploded on the launch pad in September.

The company founder, Elon Musk, wants SpaceX to be at the forefront of the race involving several companies to deploy satellite-based internet services over the next few years.

SpaceX also has a long queue of customers all waiting for a ride to orbit – including America’s civil space agency (NASA), the US military and multiple outfits in the commercial sector.

#LastNightInSweden: Donald Trump Cites Non-Existent Incident in Sweden

Diane A. Wade
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#LastNightInSweden: Donald Trump Cites Non-Existent Incident in Sweden

President Donald Trump cited a non-existent incident in Sweden, baffling many – not least Swedes.

He told a crowd of supporters at a rally in Florida: “You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this. Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible.”

It was not entirely clear which incident President Trump was referring to, as many on Twitter pointed out, including the former Swedish prime minister: “Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound.”

Image source Flickr

Some of those contacted the official @Sweden Twitter account – which is manned by a different Swedish citizen each week – to ask: “What happened in Sweden last night?”

It was down to Emma, a school librarian, to allay concerns voiced from people around the world: “ No. Nothing has happened here in Sweden. There has not been any terrorist attacks here. At all. The main news right now is about Melfest.”

Melfest is the music competition which selects Sweden’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The hashtag #lastnightinSweden was soon trending on Twitter, and the Swedish embassy in Washington has asked the State Department for clarification.

President Donald Trump’s comments just weeks after one of his key advisers, Kellyanne Conway, cited a non-existent attack dubbed the “Bowling Green massacre”.

Some people suggest President Trump might have been referring to a clip aired on Fox News on Friday night of a documentary about alleged violence committed by refugees in Sweden.

Kraft Heinz Withdraws Offer to Buy Unilever

Clyde K. Valle
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Kraft Heinz Withdraws Offer to Buy Unilever

Kraft Heinz has announced it has dropped its plan to buy rival Unilever.

Unilever rejected Kraft Heinz’s bid on February 17, saying it saw “no merit, either financial or strategic” in Kraft’s offer, worth about $143 billion.

The consumer goods giants said in a joint statement: “Unilever and Kraft Heinz hold each other in high regard.”

The deal would have been one of the biggest in corporate history, combining dozens of household names.

Image source Flickr

Unilever owns Marmite, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove soap, and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, while Kraft’s range includes Philadelphia cheese and Heinz baked beans.

Shares in both companies rose sharply on February 17, as investors welcomed the news. A merger often aims to combine sales while cutting costs, flattering profits.

The combined group may have had more power to raise prices through a bigger share of the branded food market.

Unilever clashed with UK supermarket Tesco in October over its attempts to raise prices to compensate for the steep drop in the value of the pound.

If the deal had proceeded, it would be the second biggest ever, behind Vodafone’s $183 billion takeover of Germany’s Mannesmann in 2000, according to Dealogic.

Kraft’s offer was at an 18% premium to Unilever’s closing share price on February 16, Unilever said.

Unilever shares, however, rose just shy of that, by 13%. Kraft shares rose 11% on Wall Street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIfNxmNXIa0

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Four More North Korean Suspects Hunted by Malaysian Police

Roy Siemens
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Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Four More North Korean Suspects Hunted by Malaysian Police

Four more North Korean suspects are hunted by Malaysian police in connection with the murder of Kim Jong-nam.

The men are said to have left Malaysia on February 13, the day the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport.

Four other people have already been detained.

Malaysian police believe poison was sprayed into Kim Jong-nam’s face as he waited to board a flight to Macau.

Deputy national police chief Noor Rashid Ismail identified the North Korean suspects in a press conference on February 19.

He said: “The four suspects are holding normal passports, not diplomatic passports.”

The four already in custody are an Indonesian woman, a Malaysian man, a woman with a Vietnamese passport and a North Korean.

The Indonesian national, named as Siti Aisyah, is said to have told Malaysian police she had been paid to perform what she thought was a prank.

Kim Jong-nam is believed to have been attacked in the airport departure hall on February 13 by two women, using some form of chemical.

A grainy image taken from security camera footage, which has been broadcast in South Korea and Malaysia, shows a woman wearing a white T-shirt with the letters “LOL” written on the front.

Despite widespread speculation that North Korea was behind the killing, there has been no proof. Pyongyang has made no public comments on the issue.

Kim Jong-nam was largely estranged from his family, after being passed over for the North Korean leadership in favor of his youngest half-brother. He spent most of his time overseas in Macau, mainland China and Singapore.

California Weather Bomb Storm Moves to North

Nancy Clayson
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California Weather Bomb Storm Moves to North

The California “weather bomb” storm has eased in south, while pressing on further north in the state.

Heavy rains, flash floods and mud slides wreaked havoc on February 17 and 18, killing at least five people.

According to meteorologists, it was the worst storm to hit California in years.

Forecasters warned residents in the north, including San Francisco, to expect more heavy rain on February 19.

Meteorologists described the storm as “bombogenesis”, an intense extra-tropical cyclonic low-pressure area, or “a weather bomb”.

Image source AP

One man was killed after a tree fell and pulled a power line on to his car in the Sherman Oaks area of LA.

A second person died in a vehicle when it was submerged by a flash flood in the town of Victorville.

Two others died in car accidents in the San Diego area, and another person was found dead after being swept into a creek in Ventura County.

Evacuation orders were lifted in the towns of Duarte on February 18.

The northern California has already experienced fears of flooding at the tallest dam in the country, Oroville Dam, when more than 180,000 residents were evacuated from their homes last week.

Authorities at the dam have been working to lower the level of the lake and have said it has continued to fall despite the storm.

Donald Trump Launches New Fierce Attack on Media at Florida Rally

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Launches New Fierce Attack on Media at Florida Rally

President Donald Trump has launched another fierce attack on the media at a “campaign rally for America” event in Melbourne, Florida.

He told the crowd the media did not want “to report the truth” and had their own agenda.

President Trump also defended the achievements of his presidency so far, insisting that a spirit of optimism was sweeping the United States.

He had attacked the media at a press conference on February 16, as pressure mounted on his presidency.

President Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn quit earlier in the week. Donald Trump is to interview candidates for the role on February 19.

Image source Flickr

On February 18, Donald Trump and his wife Melania were greeted by thousands of supporters at the rally in a state he won in November’s election, while hundreds protested outside.

In his speech, Donald Trump said he wanted to speak to Americans “without the filter of fake news”.

Describing the media as “dishonest”, the president repeated his assertion that some outlets “don’t want to report the truth” and were making up their stories about him.

He said: “We will continue to expose them.”

It is unusual for a sitting president to hold a rally in the style of those held during election campaigns.

Throughout the week, President Trump launched attacks on the media while indicating his excitement at facing crowds in Florida again.

On February 16, Donald Trump held a 76-minute press conference where he told reporters their level of dishonesty was out of control, citing coverage of his campaign’s alleged contacts with Moscow.

Michael Flynn, President Trump’s national security adviser, resigned on February 13 after he misled VP Mike Pence about whether he had discussed US sanctions with Russia’s ambassador before his own appointment.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported earlier this week that members of Donald Trump’s campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election.

While in Florida, President Trump is staying at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the third weekend in succession. In a tweet, he referred to the property as the “Southern White House”, although the private club is part of Donald Trump’s portfolio and is not government property.

Nestle Cuts Sales Growth Target as Profits Fall

Clyde K. Valle
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Nestle Cuts Sales Growth Target as Profits Fall

Nestle has announced it will steepen its cost-cutting plan after unveiling disappointing results.

The KitKat maker’s net profit for 2016 fell to 8.5 billion Swiss francs from 9.1 billion a year earlier.

Analysts had expected 9.59 billion francs’ worth of profit.

Nestle has removed beef pasta meals from shelves in Italy and Spain after tests revealed traces of horse DNA

Sluggish food inflation in most of its markets and easing demand in emerging markets saw sales growth slow to 3.2% from 4.2% in 2015.

Nestle has cut its sales growth target to between 2% and 4% for 2017, scrapping its prior “Nestle model” of 5-6% so-called organic growth, which excludes sales from companies it buys.

The company’s new CEO Mark Schneider, who took over the role in January, said: “Our 2016 organic growth was at the high end of the industry, but at the lower end of our expectations.”

California Weather Bomb: Two Cars Swallowed by Sinkhole

Nancy Clayson
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California Weather Bomb: Two Cars Swallowed by Sinkhole

One of strongest storms in years – dubbed a “bombogenesis” or “weather bomb” – has hit California, killing two people, and bringing torrential rain and flash floods.

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated amid fears of mud slides near Los Angeles.

More than 250 flights have been disrupted at Los Angeles International Airport, and major roads have closed.

The rainstorms spread from the south of the state, around Los Angeles, up to San Francisco.

One man was killed after a tree fell and pulled a power line on to his car in the Sherman Oaks area of LA.

A second person died in a vehicle when it was submerged by a flash flood in the town of Victorville.

Another driver at the same junction was saved after climbing on to the roof of his car.

Ryan Maue, a meteorologist for WeatherBell Analytics, told the Los Angeles Times that 10 trillion gallons of rain would fall on California in the next week, enough to power Niagara Falls for 154 days.

Two cars have fallen down a sinkhole in Studio City, a LA neighborhood.

Image source LA Times

Firefighters saved one person from the first car, and the driver got out of the second before it fell. No-one was injured.

Erik Scott from the LAFD said that the sinkhole rescue was “a very unique and dangerous situation”.

He said the frightened driver in the fallen car was forced to stand on top of her vehicle, underground and amid rushing water, until a ladder could be passed down to her, 10ft below the street.

The Los Angeles Times also spoke of “surreal scenes” with cars trapped by rising waters along freeways 11 and 15.

Evacuation orders were issued in the city of Duarte, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains east of Los Angeles, and in parts of Camarillo Springs in Ventura County.

It is feared that areas that have been previously hit by forest fires could be more susceptible to mud slides as there is less vegetation to break the flow of running water.

In Duarte, about 20 miles east of Los Angeles, city authorities said they had been door to door to issue mandatory evacuations.

Those who chose to stay were required to sign notifications.

Meteorologists describe the “bombogenesis” as an intense extra-tropical cyclonic low-pressure area, or “a weather bomb”.

“The storm looks to be the strongest storm to hit southwest California this season,” the National Weather Service said.

“It is likely the strongest within the last six years and possibly even as far back as December 2004 or January 1995.”

After five years of drought, a series of storms have filled state reservoirs.

California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is also loaded with snow. Runoff from its snowpack normally supplies about a third of the state’s water.

Gusts of 87mph have been reported on the Big Sur scenic coastal highway.

Earlier in the week, heavy rain and melting snow caused fears of flooding at the tallest dam in the country, Oroville Dam, in northern California. More than 180,000 residents were evacuated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz2e04d_Sjc

What exactly is Mining Tenement?

Dana R
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What exactly is Mining Tenement?

Mining is where the excavation of the Earth takes place in the search for minerals for extraction. Should you fancy doing some mining, you will have to know the laws, acts and rights before you do.

Industry

As you may well know, the mining industry is very relevant to the Western Australian economy, with iron ore, gold, nickel and alumina being the most economically significant mining exports. In terms of land, mining uses up only a tiny area of the State’s land. However, because of the activity and the processes used, mining has a dramatic effect on the environment. Here are some of the laws from the Mining Act to the mining tenement.

The Mining Act

The Mining Act 1978 (WA) is the predominant statute governing mining in W. Australia. The Mining Act applies to mineral exploration and mining operations. These mining operations as defined under the Act involve the extraction of ores, elimination of overburden, and processes such as crushing, leaching and evaporating which are essential to extract minerals from the land.

Image result for Mining Tenement

Prospecting Licence

A prospecting licence enables a person to enter land to prospect for minerals and to perform activities as necessary for that purpose, such as drilling bores, digging trenches and pits, removing samples for testing and taking water. A prospecting licence may cover a maximum area of 200 hectares. The prospecting licence’s period is four years, with a further four-year extension in some cases.

Retention Licence

Someone who has a prospecting licence or exploration licence can request to modify that licence to a retention licence, if it is known that there is a mineral deposit on the land, but at the time it is not possible to begin mining. This gives the licence holder more time to assess the resource, create plans, guarantee funds, or stand by for better economic conditions.

Exploration Licence

An exploration licence is similar to a prospecting licence, and will admit a person to enter land and to carry out activities of exploration. Exploration activities will include extraction of a small quantity of sampling material for testing the quality of the resource. The main difference between a prospecting licence and an exploration licence is that an exploration licence applies to a large area of up to 21,700 ha.

Private Land Mining

In advance of a mining tenement being applied for, it has to be ‘marked out’ by the miner. The miner has to gain the consent of the landlord or occupier, or a permit from the Mining Warden before entering private land for marking out a mining tenement. This permit will usually be subject to a condition to the permit holder to provide some indemnity for any damage to the landlord. A mining tenement will not be granted over private land without the owner’s knowledge (unless the tenement is restricted to land more than 30m under the surface). If you’re on the lookout for expert advice in the field of mining tenement, do yourself a favour and check out Austwide for the best professional service in W. Australia.

Future

And, there you go. Should someone ask you about mining tenement in the future, you’ll know what to say! May your prospects be great!

Penelope Gate: Francois Fillon Takes Back Promise to Quit French Presidential Race

Diane A. Wade
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Penelope Gate: Francois Fillon Takes Back Promise to Quit French Presidential Race

Francois Fillon has taken back a promise to quit France’s presidential race if placed under formal investigation.

His campaign has been dogged by claims, which he denies, that his wife and two of his children were paid for non-existent parliamentary work.

While an initial investigation is already under way, a decision on a more formal probe has yet to be made.

Francois Fillon told Le Figaro: “I am the candidate and I will continue until victory.

“The closer we get to the date of the election, the more scandalous it would be to deny the Right and the Center of a candidate.”

Image source Wikimedia

The first round of the election will be held on April 23, with the second round run-off between two candidates two weeks later.

On January 26, Francois Fillon had told the TF1 channel that “the only thing that would prevent me from being a candidate is if my honor was tainted, if I was placed under examination”.

While France’s financial prosecutor decided to keep an initial investigation open on February 16, the decision to launch a more formal probe would need to be taken by a magistrate. It could take months or years to reach that point.

Media reports say Francois Fillon’s Welsh-born wife Penelope earned €831,400 ($880,000) as her husband’s parliamentary assistant between 1998 and 2012, and questioned how much work she had done.

It subsequently emerged that Francois Fillon had hired two of his children to act as lawyers, paying them €84,000 between 2005 and 2007 – when they were students.

In early February, Francois Fillon said that although what he had done was legal, French people no longer accepted the practice and that he had made a “mistake”.

The controversy has hit Francois Fillon in the polls, with one new survey by Ifop for three French media outlets on February 17 suggesting he is neck-and-neck with centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron.

However, the poll places both behind the far-right’s Marine Le Pen.

Polls indicate Francois Fillon or Emmanuel Macron would easily beat Marine Le Pen in the second round of the election in May.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3CtYV2CvFg

Kim Jong-nam Death: North Korean National Arrested in Malaysia

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Jong-nam Death: North Korean National Arrested in Malaysia

Malaysian police have arrested a North Korean national over the killing of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, Kim Jong-nam.

The man has been identified as 46-year-old Ri Jong-chol.

An Indonesian woman, a Malaysian man and a woman with a Vietnamese passport were detained earlier.

Malaysian police believe poison was sprayed into Kim Jong-nam’s face as he waited to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Macau.

Malaysian Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi formally confirmed on February 16 that the dead man, who was travelling under the name Kim Chol, was Kim Jong-nam.

Police say Ri Jong-chol was detained on February 17 in Selangor, near Kuala Lumpur. No further details were given.

One of the detained women, an Indonesian national named as Siti Aisyah, is said to have told Malaysian police she had been paid to perform what she thought was a prank.

A Malaysian man thought to be her boyfriend was detained along with her.

The woman carrying a Vietnamese passport has been identified as Doan Thi Huong.

Kim Jong-nam is believed to have been attacked in the airport departure hall on February 13 by two women, using some form of chemical.

A grainy image taken from security camera footage, which has been broadcast in South Korea and Malaysia, shows a woman wearing a white T-shirt with the letters “LOL” written on the front.

It is not clear whether either of the detained women is the woman in the footage, and police say they are still looking for “a few” other suspects.

Police have now finished Kim Jong-nam’s post-mortem examination, though the results have not yet been made public.

North Korea has said it will reject the result of the autopsy.

It has demanded that Malaysia immediately release the body. Malaysia is refusing to do so until it receives a DNA sample from Kim Jong-nam’s next-of-kin.

South Korea’s intelligence agency has accused North Korea of assassinating Kim Jong-nam, saying Pyongyang had wanted to kill him for years but that he was being protected by China.

Despite widespread speculation that North Korea was behind the killing, there has been no proof. Pyongyang has made no public comments on the issue.

Kim Jong-nam was largely estranged from his family, after being passed over for the North Korean leadership in favor of his youngest half-brother. He spent most of his time overseas in Macau, mainland China and Singapore.

Is Better Social Care The Answer To The UK’s NHS Crisis?

Dana R
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Is Better Social Care The Answer To The UK’s NHS Crisis?

Flickr.com

It is not hyperbolic to say that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is in crisis mode.

To try and pinpoint all the reasons is nigh-on impossible, but there are primary possibilities that have to be considered:

1) An ageing population. It’s a problem now with longer lifespans, and it will be an even bigger one in the future. The Office for National Statistics predicts that one in three babies born in 2013 can expect to live to see their hundredth birthday.

PixaBay.com

2) Lack of funding from central government. Austerity measures – first implemented in 2010 – have damaged NHS budgets to the point where UK hospitals have racked up a £2.45 billion deficit. The deficit is only increasing also, with 20 times more debt in 2015/16 compared to 2013/14.

3) The dismantling of social care, meaning hospital beds are taken up for longer as patients who cannot safely care for themselves have nowhere else to be.

Some of the issues are a matter of politics, based on the ideology of the ruling government. The third is more subjective, and it’s an area that’s worth focusing on.

Health and Social Care

In schools, you can study “Health and Social Care.” The two arms of care provision are brought together under a single banner right up to university level.

Yet for some reason, they are separated at governmental level. Despite the inherent acknowledgement that they are two sides of the same coin, they have different departments, different budgets and different administrations.

The result is two systems that should work in concert with one another are instead butting heads together.

An Example of the Problem

To truly get to the root of this problem, you have to see it in action. As an example – drawn from real experiences of patients – let’s create Annabelle.

Annabelle is 66-years-old, lives alone and is fit and healthy; she exercises and is in fantastic shape for her age. Yet one day, she slips and fractures her leg in three places.

She is admitted to hospital for surgery to fuse the break and give her the best chance of regaining mobility. There, she occupies a bed for a good reason – she is recovering from surgery. After a short stay, she is medically well enough to be discharged.

However, Annabelle’s mobility is now severely compromised as she is in a cast up to her hip. Her house has five steps to the front door and is split across two levels. There is no way that she can care for herself at home. As is their requirement, the medical staff at the hospital cannot release her from their care until they know she is going to be safe.

They bring in social care. Unfortunately, it’s a social care that has undergone austerity measures to the point the service is withered almost beyond use. They have no staff available to offer at-home work and no budget left to pay for non-governmental workers. There is no rehabilitation centre with a place open for Annabelle to stay in while she regains her strength. There is no other hospital with spaces available to transfer her too.

This means Annabelle becomes – through no fault of her own – a “bed blocker.” She is no longer in hospital for medical needs, but because her social well-being is compromised.

PixaBay.com

This can have a catastrophic knock-on effect, which ultimately leads to patients being treated in corridors are there are no beds available. Winter tends to bring an influx of press stories about people being treated in corridors and ambulances, generally viewed as the nadir of a health service. Doing so means a hospital is placed in “special measures,” which during the 2016/17 winter, 11 hospital trusts thus far have been restricted to.

PixaBay.com

Social Care Is The Answer To The Crisis

While funding for the NHS is always a difficult, politicized issue – the funding of social care is not. With the UK’s ageing population needing assistance, it should be seen as fundamental to solving the health crisis.

seniors

PixaBay.com

What Are The Possible Solutions?

So now the problem is recognized, what are the possible solutions?

1) Bring health and social care under the same banner. By merging the two departments, it’s possible to eliminate the bureaucracy that can sometimes slow down patient transfer.

2) Increase funding for social care at both public and private level. The result of this is simple: the number of “bed blockers” will be drastically reduced.

With this pressure eased, the NHS can return to focusing on health rather than social issues. Such measures would also have the knock-on effect of increasing care home jobs and bringing more people into work. And if more people are in work, the exchequer stands to recover more in taxes. Taxes they can then spend on the NHS.

3) Privatize the NHS. Any time such a solution is suggested, the UK public tends to rise up in defence of what is the biggest national health service in the world. There is no reason to suggest they would not do so again, making the privatization of the NHS a politically suicidal move that few politicians would dare to take. With that said, the current Minister for Health Jeremy Hunt has previously authored books advocating for a private NHS – so perhaps it’s not as unlikely as some may think.

Flickr.com

The only thing that can be certain is that something needs to change. With funding deficits and the inevitable impact on patient care, the NHS crisis is real. Without facing up to that inconvenient truth, there is no doubt its future is looking bleak.

medical

PixaBay.com

Unilever Turns Down Kraft Heinz Takeover Bid

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Unilever Turns Down Kraft Heinz Takeover Bid

Unilever has turned down a takeover offer from food giant Kraft Heinz.

However, the Heinz ketchup maker indicated it would continue working towards striking a deal.

Shares in Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever surged more than 11% in London, but the company said it saw “no merit, either financial or strategic” in the bid.

The deal would be one of the biggest in corporate history, with Unilever currently valued at more than $125 billion.

Unilever, which makes Marmite, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove soap, and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, said the offer from Kraft “fundamentally undervalued” the company.

“Unilever does not see the basis for any further discussions,” it added.

Kraft Heinz said it had made “a comprehensive proposal” and looked “forward to working to reach agreement on the terms of a transaction”.

Unilever clashed with UK supermarket Tesco in October over its attempts to raise prices to compensate for the steep drop in the value of the pound.

Kraft’s offer was at an 18% premium to Unilever’s closing share price on February 17, Unilever said.

Analysts said Kraft was likely to return for another offer for Unilever, one of the biggest companies on the UK’s FTSE 100 share index.

Warren Buffett and Brazilian private equity company 3G are major investors in Kraft, which also makes Philadelphia cheese and Heinz baked beans.

Kraft merged with Heinz in 2015 to create one of America’s biggest food companies.

Donald Tsang: Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Found Guilty of Misconduct in Office

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Tsang: Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Found Guilty of Misconduct in Office

Hong Kong ex-leader Donald Tsang has been found guilty of misconduct in office, in a case related to his use of a luxury flat in China.

The former chief executive, who led Hong Kong from 2005 to 2012, had faced three charges of misconduct and bribery.

Donald Tsang, 72, was cleared of a second count of misconduct and the jury failed to reach a verdict on a third charge of accepting an advantage.

He is the most senior Hong Kong official to face a corruption trial.

The case has worried a territory that prides itself on its relatively clean reputation.

Image source Wikipedia

The charges, which each carried a maximum of seven years in prison, related to events which took place near the end of his term between 2010 and 2012.

Prosecutors accused Donald Tsang of engaging in a number of conflicts of interest without declaring them, including renting a luxury flat in mainland China from the shareholder of a broadcast company, Wave Media, whose license applications he approved.

They alleged the flat was redecorated for free for Donald Tsang and that he later nominated the interior designer for an honor.

The jury, which deliberated for two days, found Donald Tsang guilty of misconduct over his failure to disclose the lease of the flat, but dismissed the charge related to the designer.

It did not reach a verdict on whether the former leader accepted a bribe in the form of the refurbishment. Sentencing will take place on February 20, AFP reported.

Donald Tsang has previously insisted his conscience is clear.

A career civil servant, Donald Tsang rose through the ranks to become Hong Kong’s second chief executive, following Tung Chee-hwa.

Donald Tsang’s deputy, former Chief Secretary Rafael Hui, was jailed for accepting bribes from a property tycoon in 2014.

Princess Cristina of Spain Acquitted in Tax Fraud Trial. Inaki Urdangarin Given 6 Years in Jail

Diane A. Wade
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0
Princess Cristina of Spain Acquitted in Tax Fraud Trial. Inaki Urdangarin Given 6 Years in Jail

Princess Cristina of Spain has been cleared in a tax fraud trial.

The 51-year-old is the older sister of King Felipe and sixth in line to Spain’s throne.

Her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, was given a 6-year-and-three-month jail term by the court in Majorca.

Inaki Urdangarin, 49, was accused of using his royal connections to generate business income used for private spending.

The case began in 2010 and became symbolic of perceived corruption among Spain’s elites, including the royals.

There were 16 other defendants in the case, including former government minister Jaume Matas, who was sentenced to three years and eight months.

Inaki Urdangarin’s former business partner, Diego Torres, was given 8 years and six months. Nine defendants in all were acquitted.

Princess Cristina, who now lives in Switzerland, was the first member of Spain’s royal family to go on trial since the monarchy’s restoration in 1975.

In 2015, King Felipe VI stripped her and her husband of their titles as Duke and Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.

Although Princess Cristina was absolved, she will still have to pay a fine of €265,000 ($282,000) as she has civil responsibility for benefiting, albeit unknowingly, from illegal gains.

Princess Cristina and Inaki Urdangarin were not in court for the verdict, which is subject to appeal. Both had denied wrongdoing.

The princess had been accused of being an accessory to tax fraud.

Public prosecutors had declined to press charges against Princess Cristina but the three judges agreed to continue with the prosecution using evidence filed by the anti-corruption group Manos Limpias, meaning “Clean Hands”.

Last March, Princess Cristina told the court that her husband was in charge of family finances, saying: “I didn’t get involved in that.”

Inaki Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball medalist, had faced a slew of more serious charges.

He was accused of using the non-profit Noos Institute sports foundation he ran as a vehicle to win falsely inflated contracts from regional government bodies, before channeling the money to personal accounts via tax havens.

Noos is alleged to have received more than €6 million ($6.5 million) of public money, most of it from the Balearic Islands and Valencia regional governments.

One of the companies said to have received money, real estate firm Aizoon, was jointly owned by Princess Cristina and Inaki Urdangarin.

Robert Harward Turns Down National Security Adviser Job from Donald Trump

Roy Siemens
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0
Robert Harward Turns Down National Security Adviser Job from Donald Trump

Retired Vice-Admiral Robert Harward, President Donald Trump’s choice for national security adviser, has turned down the job offer.

Robert Harward was widely tipped for the post after President Trump fired Michael Flynn on February 13.

A White House official said Robert Harward cited family and financial commitments, but media said the sticking point was he wanted to bring in his own team.

Michael Flynn had misled VP Mike Pence over his conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the US.

The latest setback emerged hours after Donald Trump robustly denied media reports of White House disarray, insisting in a news conference that his administration was running like a “fine-tuned machine”.

The White House is expected to name its new communications director on February 17, and media say the job will go to Mike Dubke, the founder of Republican media group Crossroads Media.

Image source Wikimedia

Robert Harward told the Associated Press the Trump administration was “very accommodating to my needs, both professionally and personally”.

“It’s purely a personal issue,” added the 60-year-old former Navy Seal who is currently based in Abu Dhabi as an executive for US defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Asked about reports that he had asked to bring in his own staff at the National Security Council, Robert Harward said: “I think that’s for the president to address.”

Michael Flynn, a retired army lieutenant-general, was ousted amid claims that before he was even appointed as national security adviser he had discussed sanctions with a Russian envoy.

This would have potentially breached a law banning private citizens from engaging in diplomacy.

Michael Flynn initially denied having discussed sanctions with Sergei Kislyak, Moscow’s ambassador to Washington.

However, on February 13, President Trump asked for his resignation following revelations that Michael Flynn had misled the vice-president about his conversations with the diplomat.

Leading Republicans have called for an investigation into intelligence leaks that led to Michael Flynn’s resignation.

Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong Arrested on Bribery Charges

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong Arrested on Bribery Charges

Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong has been arrested in South Korea on charges of bribery.

The case is linked to Choi Soon-sil scandal that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

The tech giant is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of President Park Geun-hye, in exchange for government favors.

Lee Jae-yong and the Samsung Group deny any wrongdoing.

He was first questioned by prosecutors in January, but they decided then not to arrest him.

However, Lee Jae-yong was questioned for a second time earlier this week.

On February 17, the court said it “acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest [Lee Jae-Yong] in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence”.

Image source Wikimedia

The prosecution will now investigate further, and has 20 days to file formal charges. The arrest does not reflect a court opinion on guilt or innocence but only means it considers the potential crime very serious or that it assumes a flight risk.

Prosecutors accused Lee Jae-yong of giving donations worth 41 billion won ($36 million) to organizations linked to Choi Soon-sil. They alleged this was done to win government support for a big restructuring of Samsung that would help a smooth leadership transition in favor of Lee Jae-yong, who is standing in as chairman for his ill father, Lee Kun-hee.

The controversial merger required support from the national pension fund – the allegation is that this support was granted in return for the donations.

In a December parliamentary hearing, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4 billion won to two foundations, but denied seeking favors in return.

Lee Jae-yong also confirmed the firm gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Choi Soon-sil’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regrets.

This centers around President Park Geun-hye’s ties to Choi Soon-sil and has brought allegations of cult activities, influence-peddling and leaks of classified information.

Choi Soon-sil is a long term family friend whose father had already had close ties with Park Geun-hye’s father who was president in the 1970s.

As well as soliciting donations, Choi Soon-sil is accused of using their friendship to interfere in politics.

Choi Soon-sil is now on trial charged with various offences, including abuse of authority, coercion and attempted fraud, and denies wrongdoing.

Parliament voted in December to impeach President Park Geun-hye. Her case is now being heard by the constitutional court. Meanwhile she has been stripped of her presidential powers.

Lee Jae-yong is currently vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. But since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, he is considered de facto boss of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate.

Regardless of the outcome, a trial is a big blow to Samsung. Lee Jae-yong’s arrest may not affect short term production or the running of the firm but there could be long term implications.

Shares in Samsung conglomerate’s companies lost between 0.5% and 2% on February 17.

PewDiePie Responds to Anti-Semitism Allegations

Nancy Clayson
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PewDiePie Responds to Anti-Semitism Allegations

In a new YouTube video, PewDiePie has rejected allegations of anti-Semitism claims made by Disney.

The world’s highest paid YouTube star said the allegations – which resulted in Disney cutting ties with him – were “insane” and “unfair”.

PewDiePie said any offensive comments he had made were taken out of context and that he had been “blatantly misrepresented”.

Some of the Swede’s videos in the past few months were found to contain Nazi references or anti-Semitic imagery.

Image source Wikimedia

PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, said in his YouTube video: “I am sorry for the words I used as I know they offended people.

“I do strongly believe that you can joke about anything, but I also believe that there is a right way and not the best way to joke about things.”

PewDiePie said that as a “rookie comedian” he could take jokes too far.

The YouTube star insisted that he did not support right-wing groups that advocated hatred and that recent articles highlighting his alleged anti-Semitism by newspapers including the Wall Street Journal were personal attacks and attempts to discredit him.

He is reported to have made $15 million through YouTube in 2016.

PewDiePie has been associated with Disney via Maker Studios, a company with a network of YouTube stars. He has drawn several billions of views per month and generated vast amounts of income from advertising.

On February 14, Disney said that while Felix Kjellberg had a reputation for being provocative and irreverent, some of the videos he made were “inappropriate”.

In one of the controversial videos, PewDiePie paid two Indians through a crowd-sourcing website to hold up a sign which read “Death to all Jews”.

In his response to the criticism, PewDiePie said he was trying to show how people “would say anything for $5”.

In other videos the YouTuber also showed swastikas drawn by a fan, played the Nazi Party anthem and did a brief Hitler salute – all of which he says was done as a joke and taken out of context.

PewDiePie said that he had been accused of “normalizing hatred” in the jokes, whereas in fact it was his media critics who were doing this by their unfair attacks on him.

YouTube itself said earlier that it had canceled the release of Felix Kjellberg’s new series Scare PewDiePie 2, and had dropped him from its Google Preferred scheme, which highlights advertiser-friendly content creators.

In 2016, PewDiePie was temporarily suspended from Twitter after making jokes about ISIS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwk1DogcPmU

Spanish Woman Gives Birth to Twins at 64

Nancy Clayson
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0
Spanish Woman Gives Birth to Twins at 64

A 64-year-old Spanish woman has successfully given birth to healthy twins – a boy and a girl – in Burgos.

The woman gave birth by Caesarean section at the Recoletas Hospital.

C section is the usual method in such rare cases.

The unnamed woman had undergone fertility treatment in the United States, Spanish media report. The hospital has posted a video clip of the Caesarean delivery.

In 2012, the woman gave birth to a girl, who was later taken into care by social services, amid welfare concerns.

According to the Spanish daily El Pais, social workers said the girl was being brought up isolated, poorly clothed and with bad personal hygiene.

No decision has been taken yet about the mother’s twins. They and the mother are reported to be in good health in hospital. The boy weighs 5.3lbs and the girl 4.8lbs.

The delivery went without complications.

In recent years, El Pais reports, two other Spanish women in their 60s have given birth to healthy babies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u2_AZjKCKk

Kim Jong-nam Death: Two More Suspects Arrested in Malaysia

Roy Siemens
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0
Kim Jong-nam Death: Two More Suspects Arrested in Malaysia

Malaysian authorities have arrested two more suspects in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam, the brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

A female Indonesian suspect and a Malaysian man thought to be her boyfriend were both detained on February 16.

A woman travelling on a Vietnamese passport has also been detained.

Kim Jong-nam died on February 13 after apparently being poisoned while waiting to board a flight in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian police say they have now finished their post-mortem examination, though the results have not yet been made public.

The two female suspects have been remanded in custody for seven days.

The inspector general of the Royal Malaysia police, Sri Khalid Bin Abu Bakar, said the second woman was detained on February 16 over the death of “a Korean male”.

She was identified from airport CCTV footage and had an Indonesian passport.

Malaysian Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi formally confirmed today that the dead man, who was traveling under the name Kim Chol, was Kim Jong-nam, according to state news agency Bernama.

There is widespread speculation that North Korea was behind the killing, but there has been no proof.

On February 16, North Korea is celebrating what would have been the 75th birthday of Kim Jong-il, the late leader and father of both Kim Jong-nam and Kim Jong-un.

On February 15, Kim Jong-un was seen attending a ruling party meeting. Footage aired on state media showed him grim-faced, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, and he did not wave when he left, as is customary.

Kim Jong-nam is believed to have been attacked in the airport departure hall by two women, using some form of chemical.

A grainy image taken from security camera footage, which has been broadcast in South Korea and Malaysia, shows a woman wearing a white T-shirt with the letters “LOL” written on the front.

It is not clear whether either is the woman in the footage, and police say they are still looking for “a few” other suspects.

Malaysia police said the woman arrested on February 16 was identified in her passport as Siti Aishah, 25, from Banten province in Indonesia.

The suspect arrested on February 15 had Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28.

Kim Jong-nam was largely estranged from his family, after being bypassed for inheriting the leadership in favor of his youngest half-brother.

He spent most of his time overseas in Macau, mainland China and Singapore.

Kim Jong-nam had spoken out in the past against his family’s dynastic control of North Korea and in a 2012 book was quoted as saying he believed his younger half-brother lacked leadership qualities.

G20 Germany: Rex Tillerson Makes First Foreign Trip as Secretary of State

Diane A. Wade
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0
G20 Germany: Rex Tillerson Makes First Foreign Trip as Secretary of State

Secretary of state Rex Tillerson is in Germany for a meeting with G20 leaders on his first foreign trip since he took office.

Rex Tillerson is expected to confirm that the US remains committed to NATO, at the gathering of ministers in Bonn.

The secretary of state will also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a time when US relations with Russia are under the spotlight.

According to officials, Rex Tillerson’s main intention was to listen to his G20 counterparts.

While in Germany, he will participate in a series of sessions on global issues ranging from conflict prevention to developing cooperation with Africa.

However, it is his meeting on February 16 with Sergei Lavrov that will be watched most closely.

Image source Flickr

Rex Tillerson is expected to seek “pragmatic and constructive cooperation in areas where our interests overlap,” a US official told Reuters.

Counterterrorism is one area that the secretary of state is hoping to “develop some possible avenues for cooperation,” the official said.

Sergei Lavrov is likely to use his time with Rex Tillerson to explore the significance of President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for improved relations with Russia.

However, senior state department officials said that Rex Tillerson would not soften Washington’s position on Russia’s interventions in Ukraine, a crisis which remains unresolved.

They added that he would use the talks to urge the Kremlin to abide by its commitments in the Minsk peace agreement.

Rex Tillerson will also meet the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, with US officials saying he would support a pragmatic Brexit that resulted in a strong Britain, and a strong EU.

The G20 is made up of developed economies and emerging nations including Russia, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and Brazil.

The first task for ministers at the gathering in Germany will be to get Rex Tillerson to spell out exactly what Donald Trump’s “America First” means in practice.

NYT Reporter Jacob Bernstein Apologizes for Melania Trump Comments

Lisa.Felice
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0
NYT Reporter Jacob Bernstein Apologizes for Melania Trump Comments

New York Times reporter Jacob Bernstein, who was reprimanded for referring to First Lady Melania Trump, as a “hooker” has identified himself and apologized.

Jacob Bernstein said his remark was “stupid” and based on “unfounded rumors”. The NYT said the remark was “inappropriate”.

His comment was made public after actress and model Emily Ratajkowski shared it on Twitter.

Melania Trump then tweeted in praise of women who stand up for women.

Photo Flickr Marc Nozell

Jacob Bernstein, who is a features writer for the NYT, wrote a series of tweets in which he took ownership of the remark.

In a statement, the publication did not identify the reporter, but condemned the comments.

“At a party last night, a Times reporter who does not cover Washington or politics referred to an unfounded rumor regarding Melania Trump,” it said.

“The comment was not intended to be public, but it was nonetheless completely inappropriate and should not have occurred. Editors have talked to the reporter in question about the lapse.”

On February 13, Emily Ratajkowski, who danced in Robin Thicke’s controversial Blurred Lines video, criticized the reporter for the remarks, without identifying him.

Earlier this month, Melania Trump re-filed a legal case against Daily Mail over allegations that she once worked as an escort. The newspaper later retracted the article.

Melania Trump is seeking damages of $150 million.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SraKwVI7cNA

Kim Jong-nam’s Death: Female Suspect Detained in Malaysia

Roy Siemens
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0
Kim Jong-nam’s Death: Female Suspect Detained in Malaysia

Malaysian police has detained a female suspect in connection with the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, Kim Jong-nam.

According to police, the woman was arrested at the airport in the capital Kuala Lumpur where Kim Jong-nam was targeted in an apparent poisoning on February 13.

The woman was in possession of a Vietnamese travel document.

Malaysian police say they are looking for “a few” other suspects.

According to police, the arrested suspect, who was alone, was identified from CCTV footage taken at the airport. She has been identified as 28 year-old Doan Thi Huong.

South Korean media have widely reported that two women, said to be North Korean agents, were involved and fled the airport in a taxi, though Malaysian police have not confirmed those details.

Kim Jong-nam is thought to have fallen out of favor with Kim Jong-il in 2001 after he was caught trying to sneak into Japan using a false passport

A grainy image broadcast in South Korea and Malaysia shows a woman wearing a white T-shirt with the letters “LOL” written on the front.

Malaysia is yet to formally confirm that the dead man is Kim Jong-nam, as he was travelling under a different name – Kim Chol. However, the South Korean government has said it is certain it is him.

The South Korean spy agency is said to have told lawmakers they believe Kim Jong-nam was poisoned.

Earlier, Malaysia state news agency Bernama reported that a woman from Myanmar was detained at the airport. It is unclear if that report was referring to the woman now under arrest.

If confirmed, it would be the most high-profile death linked to North Korea since Kim Jong-un’s uncle, Chang Song-thaek, was executed in 2013.

North Korea has not commented on the death but officials from the country’s Malaysian embassy have been visiting the hospital in Kuala Lumpur where Kim Jong-nam’s body has been taken.

On February 13, Kim Jong-nam was attacked while waiting at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport for a 10:00 flight to Macau, Malaysian newspaper reports say, quoting police.

Exactly how the attack unfolded is still unclear. Officials and witnesses have variously said he was splashed with a chemical or had a cloth placed over his face. Earlier reports spoke of a “spray” being used or a needle.

Kim Jong-nam died on the way to hospital.

It was not the first time Kim Jong-nam had traveled under an assumed identity: he was caught trying to enter Japan using a false passport in 2001. He told officials he had been planning to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

He was reportedly targeted for assassination in the past. A North Korean spy jailed by South Korea in 2012 is said to have admitted trying to organize a hit-and-run accident targeting him.

North Korea has a long history of sending agents overseas to carry out assassinations, attacks and kidnappings.

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