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Donald Trump Defends Jeff Sessions Amid Calls for Him to Quit

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Defends Jeff Sessions Amid Calls for Him to Quit

President Donald Trump has defended under-fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions amid calls for him to quit.

According to the Democrats, Jeff Sessions “lied on oath” at his confirmation hearing about contacts with the Russian ambassador.

President Trump said Jeff Sessions “could have stated his response more accurately but it was clearly not intentional” and accused Democrats of a “witch hunt”.

However, Jeff Sessions has removed himself from an FBI probe into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

The Democrats have maintained their attacks on Jeff Sessions, saying his explanation regarding his contacts with the Russian ambassador in 2016 were “simply not credible”.

Donald Trump said the Democrats had “lost the election and now they have lost their grip on reality”.

The Trump campaign was dogged by allegations that some of his team had met with Russian officials and that Moscow had interfered in the election on his behalf. Donald Trump has branded the allegations “fake news”.

Image source Flickr

It stems from Jeff Sessions’ comments at his confirmation hearing in January.

He was asked: “If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government, in the course of this campaign, what will you do?”

Jeff Sessions responded: “I’m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians. And I’m unable to comment on it.”

However, it then emerged Jeff Sessions and Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak held a private conversation in Sessions’ office in September and spoke at a meeting with several other envoys on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in July.

Jeff Sessions was at the time a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. However, he was already a prominent member of Donald Trump’s campaign team.

The former Alabama senator also had meetings with more than 25 foreign ambassadors in the course of the year.

He insists he did not lie at the confirmation hearing, saying his comments were “honest and correct as I understood it at the time”.

Jeff Sessions said he had spoken with the Russian ambassador as a US senator and not as Donald Trump’s “surrogate”.

He said: “I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign.”

Jeff Sessions admitted that in his confirmation comments he “should have slowed down and said, <<but I did meet one Russian official a couple of times>>”.

He said that during his meeting with Sergei Kislyak they talked about terrorism and then “somehow the subject of Ukraine came up”.

Nancy Pelosi repeated her call for Jeff Sessions to quit. She said his “his narrow recusal and sorry attempt to explain away his perjury” were totally inadequate.

Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said Jeff Sessions “clearly misled” the Senate and his explanation was “simply not credible”.

Although some top Republicans in the House and Senate agreed Jeff Sessions should recuse himself from the investigation, senior figures rallied behind him, resisting demands for the appointment of an independent prosecutor.

For Jeff Sessions to be charged with perjury, prosecutors would have to show that he not only made false statements, but knowingly and willfully misled members of the committee about an indisputable fact.

Bitcoin’s Value Exceeds Gold for First Time

Clyde K. Valle
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Bitcoin’s Value Exceeds Gold for First Time

The price of a Bitcoin has surpassed the price of an ounce of gold for the first time.

A unit of the digital cryptocurrency closed at $1,268 on March 2 while a troy ounce of gold stood at $1,233.

The current high is being attributed to surging demand in China, where authorities warn it is used to channel money out of the country.

The past months’ surge is a major reversal for Bitcoin, which plummeted in value in 2014 after the largest exchange collapsed.

Bitcoin’s value has been volatile since it was first launched in 2009, and many experts have questioned whether the crypto-currency will last.

Earlier this year, Chinese authorities cracked down on Bitcoin trading in an attempt to stop money flowing out of the country illegally.

However, the closer scrutiny from Beijing only briefly sent the currency lower. After it had soared to record highs in January, it has since picked its steady rise in value.

Bitcoin is attractive to some users because of its anonymity, as well as its lack of government control.

The website Silk Road was closed in 2013 following raids by the FBI and other agencies amid allegations of drug dealing. Authorities seized millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin during the raids.

Oscars Mistake: Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz Given Protection after Death Threats

Sonia Pantiss
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Oscars Mistake: Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz Given Protection after Death Threats

Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz, the two accountants who muddled up the main award envelopes at this year’s Oscars ceremony, have been given bodyguards following reports they have received death threats on social media.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said security has been beefed up at the residences of Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz following the mistake.

According to TMZ, the pair were in fear of their lives.

The error briefly saw La La Land named as best picture instead of Moonlight.

On March 1, it emerged that Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz will not be employed to do the Oscars job again.

However, TMZ reported that they will not lose their accountancy jobs.

Image source Getty Images

PwC spokeswoman Carey Bodenheimer said that Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz had been given protection after their home addresses and photos of their families were published in the media.

On February 26, the team behind La La Land had to be interrupted mid-acceptance speech before the real winner was revealed.

It has been described as the biggest mistake in 89 years of Academy Awards history.

Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the wrong envelope to the two presenters, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

They were given the back-up envelope for best actress in a leading role – rather than the envelope which contained the name of the winner for the best picture.

PwC counts the votes and organizes the envelopes. It has apologized for the mix-up.

On March 1, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said that the relationship with PwC was now under review.

Brian Cullinan tweeted a picture of best actress winner Emma Stone minutes before handing the presenters the wrong envelope, and Cheryl Boone Isaacs blamed “distraction” for the error.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAO6coBSFbE

This Software Will Improve Your Company’s Competitiveness

Dana R
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This Software Will Improve Your Company’s Competitiveness

To be successful in today’s competitive business environment, your organization needs to be outfitted with tools that get them in-line with company goals. Thankfully there are software tools available that can get everyone on the same page and increase your company’s efficiency and output. Here are some of the most critical tools available for getting your organization operating at maximum efficiency:

Workforce Management Software

In way too many companies, time registration and employee management are still disconnected processes. Branch and even inter-office set-ups often use separate staff planning and management paperwork for each location, causing overlap and inefficiencies that decrease the bottom line. Without integrated employee management processes, it is impossible for those in charge to see the whole organization and to manipulate it for the best benefit of the company. This includes things like checking that staffing costs comply with the budget, verifying that enough staff are in the right place during busy periods and identifying errors and duplicitous activity in a timely manner. Workforce management software alleviates all of these issues and many more within your organization. You can automate functions such as pay rules, work rules, leave management, scheduling and attendance, union contracts, overtime reporting, and many more relating to managing your workforce. Workforce management software becomes a central tool for all workforce management activities. It provides real-time data, visibility, and even forecasting abilities that allow you to make better administrative decisions about your staff. Workforce management software helps businesses:

  • Improve Overall Business Performance
  • Increase Compliance
  • Efficient Scheduling
  • Save Money / Reduce Costs

 Related image

Business Strategy Software

Simply put, business strategy planning determines where an organization is doing over any time period, how it will drive itself to any desired destination, and the measures it will use to determine when and whether it has arrived. Business strategy software helps teams set short and long-term goals, identify potential obstacles, and prioritize plans, timelines, and tasks for implementation. There is a particular focus on monitoring and measuring results; making course corrections as necessary. Business strategy software focuses on tracking and reporting budgets and operational measures, and enables companies to:

  • Analyze and visualize your strategic market position
  • Identify the most attractive markets
  • Objectively evaluate your competitive advantage
  • Develop roadmap strategies for product introductions
  • Manage the in-market product portfolio
  • Align new initiatives to strategic goals
  • Plan for alternative scenarios to manage uncertainty

 

Time Management Software

There are major benefits for implementing time management software within your organization. The most important and the most immediate advantage is that it keeps the employees accountable for how they spend their time at work. There are studies that confirm that billions of dollars are lost every year because staff is performing non-job related task during billable hours. In addition to tracking people, project time and resources, time management software provides employees access to companywide processes, as well as project specific forms and information, and automated notifications and reminders, in an integrated and consistent software design, thereby reducing time spent communicating important information and enforcing rules. And administrators gain access to real time reporting and oversight. Time management software provides the following benefits:

  • More accurate project scheduling
  • Helps with on-time delivery
  • Reduces your project costs
  • Allows you to focus your process improvement efforts on the more important tasks
  • Better work flow
  • Increases efficiency
  • Create realistic budgets
  • Eliminate unnecessary tasks and activities
  • Keep priorities properly aligned
  • Effectively assign needed administrative or other support

Snapchat Owner’s Shares Leap 40% on NYSE Debut

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Snapchat Owner’s Shares Leap 40% on NYSE Debut

Snapchat owner’s shares have begun trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

In Snap’s opening minutes, its price hit $24.48 a share, a jump of about 40%.

The flotation valued Snap at $17 a share, or $24 billion in all, although the company has never made a profit.

Snap’s IPO is the biggest for an American tech company since Facebook in 2012 and will its founders, Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, into multi-billionaires.

Image source Flickr

Snapchat, which is especially popular with teenagers, allows users to send images and messages which then vanish.

Snap’s losses widened in 2016, and user growth is slowing down in the face of intense competition from larger rivals such as Facebook.

Despite the challenges in converting “cool” into cash, Snap’s valuation is the richest for a US tech flotation since Facebook in 2012.

At the beginning of February Snap’s formal announcement to regulators of its plans revealed that the company had revenue of $404 million in 2016, but made a loss of $515 million.

Unlike in most listed companies, people who buy the floated shares in Snap will not get any voting rights.

Some analysts argued the company was overvalued, but others were more positive.

European Parliament Lifts Marine Le Pen’s Immunity over ISIS Pictures

Roy Siemens
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European Parliament Lifts Marine Le Pen’s Immunity over ISIS Pictures

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has lost immunity from prosecution after she tweeted pictures of ISIS violence.

Her position as a member of the European Parliament has so far meant she could not be prosecuted.

Marine Le Pen is under investigation in France for posting three images of ISIS killings in 2015, including the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

She is currently running to be French president.

Opinion polls suggest Marine Le Pen is on course to win the first round in April, but centrist Emmanuel Macron is gaining ground and looks likely to beat her in a second round in May.

A Le Figaro/LCI poll on February 26 put Emmanuel Macron – who was unveiling his manifesto at the same time as it was revealed Marine Le Pen had lost her immunity – on 58% in the run-off, against 42% for Le Pen.

The European Parliament vote – carried by a “big majority”, according to acting parliament speaker Dimitrios Papadimoulis – confirmed a preliminary decision taken on February 28 by the legal affairs committee of the European Union legislature.

Marine Le Pen had dismissed efforts to lift her immunity as “part of the system that wants to stop the French people’s candidate that I am”.

The allegations date back to December 2015, when she tweeted the pictures in response to a journalist who drew an analogy between her anti-immigration Front National (FN) party and ISIS extremists.

James Foley’s parents accused Marine Le Pen of using the image of their son for her own political ends.

However, the vote only lifts Marine Le Pen’s immunity in this particular case and will not cover a separate investigation into whether the FN misused European Parliament funds.

Marine Le Pen has refused to attend a police interview over the latter allegations. She denies wrongdoing and claims that they are a plot to derail her campaign.

The Law of Attraction and Your Wardrobe

Nancy Clayson
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The Law of Attraction and Your Wardrobe

The law of attraction is without a doubt a powerful concept. It, in short, means that “like attracts like.” If you zero in on things that make you feel good, you’ll attract things that make you feel good. If you zero in on things that make you feel bad, on the other hand, you’ll attract them, instead. That’s how the law of attraction goes. People who follow this law believe that they are in charge of their lives. They believe that their futures are in their own hands. If you’re interested in the law of attraction in any way, you may be able to use it to your advantage. It may be able to help your love life. It may even be able to help your wardrobe. It can come in handy in so many diverse ways. That’s because it largely depends on your individual thought process. The law attraction is all about you and no one else.

Fashion and Daily Frustration

Fashion can be a lot of fun. It can also be quite frustrating. Looking good isn’t always as easy as it seems. Style isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. Some people dislike waking up early to get ready, too. It can be stressful to have to pick out a great outfit at 6:00 in the morning when you’re still groggy and exhausted from the night before. People often don’t have the energy for that. That’s why they frequently settle for daily outfits that are less than fashionable and put together. If you’re tired of being someone who never dresses to impress, however, the law of attraction may be able to help you out, interestingly enough. There’s not much the law of attraction can’t do for determined and focused individuals.

Clothing Shopping and the Law of Attraction

Shopping can be a daunting and unpleasant experience for many people. People often despise changing in dressing rooms. Dressing room mirrors tend to be unflattering and discouraging. It can also often be tough to find clothing in the right sizes. These factors all can contribute to experiences that are less than positive and motivating. If you’re looking to transform your wardrobe, however, you just can’t think that way. You have to adopt a much more upbeat and optimistic outlook. If you’re planning on going shopping for a whole new wardrobe, you have to picture success. Picture yourself walking out of the biggest department store at your mall with a huge smile on your face. Picture yourself finding everything you want and need with ease. Picture all of your favorite styles, patterns, designs and colors. Picture everything being available in your size, too. Positive thinking can be a magnet for positive results. If you want to approach your wardrobe shopping experience with confidence and peace of mind, you have to prioritize the law of attraction. Don’t drive to the mall with dread. Don’t drive to your favorite boutique anticipating failure, either. Negative thinking attracts negative outcomes.

Daily Dressing and the Law of Attraction

The law of attraction can help make your shopping trips significantly more productive and efficient. The law can also make dressing every morning considerably easier. If you want to dress for success in the morning, you have to envision looking good. Close your eyes. Imagine selecting an outfit that fits your body perfectly. Imagine choosing an outfit that’s comfortable, and that makes every curve on your body look A+. Then imagine walking out your front door looking and feeling like a million dollars. If you do those things, you may notice a big change in how you feel. You may exude a sense of confidence that’s brand new. You may even feel like you’re walking on air. If you want to take your wardrobe to the next level, you need to own your confidence. You need to own your daily outfit choices as well. Try checking online sites like Pinterest for inspiration to become an individual who’s confident in their style. Strong self-esteem levels are necessary.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

The law of attraction can be beneficial for people who are looking to improve their lives. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to improve your wardrobe or if you’re searching for a new career. Positive thinking is the key. Focus is key as well. If you lack focusing skills, you won’t be able to accomplish what you need in life. Strong concentration skills are essential for people who want to soar. You should strive to be a person who pays zero attention to distractions. You should aim to be an individual who understands priorities in great detail. If a better wardrobe is your priority in life, you have to acknowledge that. You have to be committed and devoted, too. Dedication can take you where you want to go. It’s a lot like the law of attraction in that it can be an extraordinary.

Jeff Sessions Met Russian Ambassador During Donald Trump’s Campaign

Diane A. Wade
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Jeff Sessions Met Russian Ambassador During Donald Trump’s Campaign

According to the DoJ, Jeff Sessions met Russia’s ambassador during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, despite telling his confirmation hearing he had “no communications with the Russians”.

The justice department confirmed Jeff Sessions met Sergei Kislyak in July and September 2016 as part of his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

On March 1, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said his comments at his confirmation related to his role on the Trump campaign team.

Democrats accused him of lying on oath.

They said Jeff Sessions must resign, and also called on him to step aside from an investigation by the FBI – which he oversees as attorney general – into alleged Russian interference in the US election, including contacts between Russian officials and those involved in campaigning.

The US intelligence community has concluded that alleged Russian hacking of DNC was carried out to help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, was fired last month after he misled the White House about his conversations with the Russian ambassador, allegedly regarding sanctions against Moscow.

As reported in the Washington Post and confirmed by the justice department, Jeff Sessions met Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee twice last year.

The Post reports that they held a private conversation in Jeff Sessions’s office in September and had spoken earlier in the summer at a meeting with several other ambassadors.

Jeff Sessions had meetings with more than 25 foreign ambassadors in the course of the year.

However, Jeff Sessions’ meetings with Sergei Kislyak came while he was a prominent part of Donald Trump’s campaign team – a so-called surrogate – and amid growing reports of Russian meddling in the US election.

Image source Flickr

During his confirmation hearing on January 10, Jeff Sessions was asked by Democrat Senator Al Franken: “If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government, in the course of this campaign, what will you do?”

Jeff Sessions responded: “I’m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians. And I’m unable to comment on it.”

In a statement on March 1, Jeff Sessions reiterated: “I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false.”

DoJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said there had been “absolutely nothing misleading about his answer” at the confirmation hearing.

She said: “He was asked during the hearing about communications between Russia and the Trump campaign – not about meetings he took as a senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee.”

Jeff Sessions was also backed by the White House, which condemned the “latest attack against the Trump administration by partisan Democrats”.

Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Jeff Sessions of “lying under oath” and demanded he resign.

While Congressman Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said that if the reports were accurate, Jeff Sessions must withdraw from the FBI investigation.

Nikolai Lakhonin, press secretary of the Russian embassy in Washington, said the diplomatic mission did “not comment on numerous contacts” between Russian diplomats and “local partners”, Russia’s Interfax news agency reports.

News of Jeff Sessions’ meetings broke just after a congressional committee agreed to an investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the election.

The House intelligence panel inquiry will scrutinize contacts between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Moscow.

The White House denies any improper behavior during the election campaign, and Russia has consistently rejected allegations of interference.

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: North Korean Suspect Ri Jong-chol to Be Released and Deported

Roy Siemens
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Kim Jong-nam Assassination: North Korean Suspect Ri Jong-chol to Be Released and Deported

North Korean national Ri Jong-chol, who was held by Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, is to be released and deported on March 3.

Malaysia’s Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said Ri Jong-chol was “a free man” as there was “insufficient evidence to charge him”.

Kim Jong-nam died on February 13 minutes after being poisoned with VX nerve agent.

Two women were charged with his murder on March 1.

Malaysia is seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official, suspected of being involved in the murder.

Also on March 2, Malaysia announced it was ending visa-free travel for North Koreans, citing security reasons.

North Koreans can currently visit Malaysia for up to 30 days without securing a visa, under a reciprocal deal.

However, Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that is changing as of March 6, the Bernama state news agency reports.

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Two Women to Be Charged with Murder

Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia are accused of smearing the nerve agent on Kim Jong-nam’s face while he was preparing to fly out of the budget airport in Kuala Lumpur.

Ri Jong-chol, who has lived in Malaysia for the last three years, was arrested four days later. Police did not provide details on why he had been detained.

On March 2, officials said Ri Jong-chol will be deported because he does not have valid travel documents.

Reuters reported that the North Korean held a work permit that was valid till February 6, 2017.

Diplomatic ties between North Korea and Malaysia were initiated in the 1970s, and as trade in resources such as palm oil and steel increased, North Korea eventually established an embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 2003.

However, Kim Jong-nam’s death has converted this relationship into a full-blown diplomatic rift, with Malaysia even recalling its ambassador from Pyongyang.

Oscars Mistake: PWC Accountants Will Not Be Employed Again

Sonia Pantiss
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Oscars Mistake: PWC Accountants Will Not Be Employed Again

Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz, the two accountants responsible for muddling up the main award envelopes at this year’s Oscars ceremony, will not be employed to do the job again, the academy president has announced.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs said that the relationship with the accountancy company PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) was also under review.

Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz were responsible for the Oscars’s mishap.

Image source Getty Images

La La Land musical was mistakenly announced as the winner of the best picture award.

Oscars 2017 Big Mistake: Moonlight Wins Best Picture After La La Land Wrong Announcement

The team behind the movie was in the middle of their speeches before it was revealed the accolade should have gone to Moonlight.

The moment has been described as the biggest mistake in 89 years of Academy Awards history.

Brian Cullinan mistakenly handed the wrong envelope to the two presenters.

He gave Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the back-up envelope for best actress in a leading role – rather than the envelope which contained the name of the winner for the best picture.

PWC, which counts the votes and organizes the envelopes, has apologized for the mix-up.

Brian Cullinan tweeted a picture of best actress winner Emma Stone minutes before handing the presenters the wrong envelope, and Cheryl Boone Isaacs blamed “distraction” for the error.

PenelopeGate: Francois Fillon Vows to Continue Election Campaign Despite Investigation

Diane A. Wade
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PenelopeGate: Francois Fillon Vows to Continue Election Campaign Despite Investigation

Francois Fillon says a judge is placing him under investigation over a fake job scandal – but has vowed to continue his campaign for France presidential election.

For weeks, the center-right presidential candidate has fought allegations that his wife, Penelope, was paid for years for work she did not do.

Francois Fillon called the investigation “a political assassination” against him.

President Francois Hollande criticized his words, and accused him of attacking France’s judicial system.

The president said: “Being a presidential candidate doesn’t authorize you to cast suspicion on the work of police and judges.”

Francois Fillon says he has been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on March 15.

Image source Wikimedia

The date is just two days before the deadline for candidates to submit their final applications. The first round takes place on April 23, followed by a second-round run-off on May 7.

In a combative speech on March 1 announcing the formal investigation, Francois Fillon called on his supporters to “resist”, saying it was up to voters to decide his fate.

“It’s not just me that is being assassinated, it’s the presidential election. The voices of millions of votes have been muzzled,” he complained.

Francois Fillon said he would respect the summons and tell the judge the truth.

The judge has heard several high-profile cases, including those of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and tycoon Bernard Tapie.

Francois Fillon was selected late last year in national primaries held by the centre-right Republicans that attracted some four million voters.

For a time he was the favorite in the race to succeed Francois Hollande as president – until the fake job allegations emerged.

His appearances have recently been accompanied by loud protests.

He has slipped to third in the polls, behind far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron.

Marine Le Pen also faces allegations that she misused EU funds – a claim she denies.

The allegations circling around the Fillon family focus mainly on his Welsh-born wife Penelope.

Le Canard Enchaine alleged Penelope Fillon was paid €831,400 ($900,000) over several years for working as a parliamentary assistant for her husband and his successor, but had no parliamentary pass – raising questions over whether she did the work she was paid for.

Penelope Fillon was also alleged to have picked up €100,000 for writing a handful of articles for a literary journal.

The family has consistently denied the claims. Initially Francois Fillon said he would stand down as a candidate if his case was placed under formal investigation, but recently he insisted that he would fight on “until victory”.

“The closer we get to the date of the presidential election, the more scandalous it would be to deprive the right and centre of a candidate,” he said.

Penelope Fillon also faces a formal investigation, AFP reports, citing a source close to the investigation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVbFLTXUKg4

Steps To Refresh Your Company’s Image

Dana R
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Steps To Refresh Your Company’s Image

Picture Source

Creating an appealing brand and business image is no easy task, because most potential customers latch on to far more than aesthetically-pleasing logos and the design of marketing material or the website which operates as a “front of house” for most businesses in the modern age. Creating an image which really makes a mark on people is about the substance and the real story behind that image; people are smart, and they can suss out something which is only true on the surface. If you want your business to follow through and prove that it has something real to offer, here are some ways to refresh your company’s image to really entice potential customers from your target audience.

Online marketing can transform your image.

There’s no denying that the internet is the key to developing and sharing an enticing brand image in the modern day. Consumers use the online world to shop for goods and services, but also to discover new brands, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Your business needs to be making use of social media, then, but simply having a profile and making occasional posts is not enough. Customers rate frequent, interesting content, and that’s what you must deliver if you want to come across as professional and tech-savvy as a business. As I’ve said, customers can figure out whether a business is all it claims itself to be or not.

In addition, online marketing involves SEO, which entails optimising your business’ website to rank highly in search engine results. This could be the key to giving your company’s image a reboot, because a fresh face for your webpage in terms of responsiveness to all manner of devices and using the correct keywords will not only impress visitors, turning them into customers, but it’ll push your website up Google and Bing rankings, given the algorithms these sites use.

Make the brand internal.

You should be impressing your employees just as much as you impress your customers, and this starts with turning your attention towards the internal operations of your business. If employees feel uninspired, they project an uninspired and unmotivated image to potential customers who will then start to doubt the validity of your company’s core message and branding.

If you want your brand to be real, it has to be real on all levels within the business. This could start with something as simple as a well-designed office. Companies such as Arnold’s Office Furniture offer new furnishings to really help lift drab, uninspiring workplace areas. The key to making your brand look appealing is to ensure it actually is appealing beneath the surface. As I mentioned earlier, people can tell when a business is all-talk, so follow through on the claims you make about your company and the values for which it stands.

Referrals show the company is reputable.

Your business needs to improve its reputation in order for the brand image to mean something, and this depends on the existing customers your business has accumulated. These people will refer friends and family to your service if they like it, but they’re more likely to do so if you offer rewards to them for it. A good brand is all about mutual loyalty and respect. Your image is more than an aesthetic feature.

President Donald Trump Delivers His First Speech to Congress

Diane A. Wade
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President Donald Trump Delivers His First Speech to Congress

In his first speech to Congress, President Donald Trump has said the US is witnessing a “renewal of the American spirit”.

Adopting a measured, upbeat tone, Donald Trump spoke of a “new chapter of American greatness”.

The Republican president condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a hate crime in Kansas that left an Indian man dead.

Donald Trump’s primetime address sought to bolster his low approval ratings after a bumpy start to his fledgling presidency.

At the outset of the hour-long speech, President Trump tackled recent suspected hate crimes, saying “we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms”.

On immigration, Donald Trump dangled the intriguing possibility of a major policy shift towards a goal that eluded his two predecessors, insisting that “real and positive” reform was possible.

Image source Flickr

That line came hours after he told news anchors off the record at a White House lunch that he might be open to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants.

In his remarks on Capitol Hill, President Trump also talked tough on the issue, pledging to make US communities safer “by finally enforcing our immigration laws”.

The president defended his early actions in office, touting his moves to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and order work to start on a US-Mexico border wall.

However, the most thunderous ovation of the night came when a war widow wept as Donald Trump paid tribute to her husband.

Navy Seal Ryan Owens died in a US raid on a suspected al-Qaeda base in Yemen, days into Donald Trump’s presidency.

“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity,” President Trump told the grieving Carryn Owens, who sobbed and looked upwards.

It was one of the rare moments when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle applauded.

Despite the president’s appeal for both parties to “unite for the good of our country”, Democratic lawmakers mostly sat in silence or openly laughed at parts of the speech.

Donald Trump’s feel-good exhortation for national unity, some noted, was in stark contrast to his doom-laden inauguration speech of a month ago.

In his concluding remarks, Donald Trump – whose political honeymoon has been soured by acrimonious spats with the media – said “the time for trivial fights is behind us”.

Among First Lady Melania Trump’s special guests in the gallery were three California residents whose relatives were killed by people in the US illegally.

At least a dozen Democrats brought as their guests young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children.

Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear delivered the Democratic rebuttal to the speech, accusing Republicans of planning to “rip affordable health insurance” from Americans and being “Wall Street’s champion”.

According to RealClearPolitics, Donald Trump’s popularity has hit a historic low for modern presidents after a month in office – just 44% of Americans think he is doing a good job.

In a Fox News interview broadcast earlier on February 28, President Trump gave himself an overall “A plus” for effort, but added that “in terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus”.

Donald Trump’s first month in office was overshadowed by missteps that included a high-profile court defeat to his controversial travel ban and the firing of a top aide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH_231dBLGI

AWS’ S3 Failure Knocks Websites Offline Temporarily

Nancy Clayson
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AWS’ S3 Failure Knocks Websites Offline Temporarily

Several high-profile websites and services sites, such as Quora, a Q&A forum, and Trello, were knocked offline by a failure at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

AWS allows companies to rent cloud servers in order to host data on the internet without needing to invest in their own infrastructure.

On February 28, the sites which help people monitor productivity, went down.

After several hours, Amazon said it had rectified the problem.

It did not make public the reason behind the disruption.

As well as sites that went down, other services, such as workplace collaboration tool Slack, also lost some key functionality.

Specifically, it was AWS’s S3 – which stands for Simple Storage Service – that was affected.

To varying degrees it serves around 150,000 sites and services around the world, mostly in the US.

AWS is used by some of the web’s most recognizable and powerful names including Netflix, Spotify and Airbnb. While none of those services went offline on February 28, users did report performance issues and slowdown.

US government services such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were also affected.

Downtime is a critical issue for any cloud service. Amazon competes with Google, Microsoft and others for what is an increasingly lucrative line of business for the web giants.

Donald Trump Believes Barack Obama Is Behind Protests and Security Leaks

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Believes Barack Obama Is Behind Protests and Security Leaks

President Donald Trump has told Fox News he believes former President Barack Obama is behind a wave of protests against Republican lawmakers, and national security leaks.

He said: “I think President Obama’s behind it because his people are certainly behind it”, but added: “I also think it’s just politics.”

President Trump offered no evidence for his claims and his predecessor in the White House has not commented.

He also spoke about his budget plans and other issues.

The president’s interview was broadcast hours before he is due to give his first address to a joint session of Congress.

In the speech he is expected to set out in greater detail his plans to cut spending and boost the economy.

Image source AP

Donald Trump has said his proposal to increase the defense budget by $54 billion would be paid for by a “revved up economy”.

The foreign aid purse and the environmental department face a squeeze to pay for it, but analysts are doubtful the spending promises can be kept without increasing the deficit.

President Trump said he would get “more product for our buck” in terms of buying military hardware and would ask for a “form of reimbursement” from countries making use of the US military.

In the Fox News interview, President Trump was asked about the protests faced by some Republican politicians at town hall meetings across the country.

The president said he was certain Obama loyalists were behind both those protests and White House leaks.

“In terms of him being behind things, that’s politics. And it will probably continue,” Donald Trump added.

The president was asked for more detail on how he would find the money for the 10% increase in military spending he has proposed for 2018. Proposed cuts elsewhere are unlikely to cover the proposed increase.

The White House sent Donald Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint, which begins on October 1, to federal agencies on February 27.

The agencies will then review the plan and propose changes to the cuts as the White House prepares for negotiations with Congress.

The Republican-controlled Congress must approve any federal spending.

Donald Trump’s plan is expected to face a backlash from Democrats and some Republicans over the planned cuts to domestic programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71IUGv7_hGQ

Photos of Kellyanne Conway Putting her Shoes on Oval Office Couch Spark Social Media Storm

Nancy Clayson
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0
Photos of Kellyanne Conway Putting her Shoes on Oval Office Couch Spark Social Media Storm

Several pictures of Kellyanne Conway kneeling on the couch in the Oval Office with her shoes on have sparked a social media storm.

The senior White House adviser is seen clutching her phone as President Donald Trump poses with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.

Twitter users accused Kellyanne Conway of “disrespect”.

She was taking her own photos at the time.

Image source Getty Images

One user tweeted on the social media site: “That’s no way to act in the People’s Oval Office.”

“Think of all the great people who sat on that couch and put your feet down,” wrote another.

The pictures led some to question Kellyanne Conway’s body language, suggesting that she was not taking the meeting on February 27 seriously.

Image source Getty Images

Others downplayed the excitement, indicating that it was all a bit of a storm in a teacup.

The images of Kellyanne Conway also drew comparisons to a photograph taken in 2013 showing then President Barack Obama with a foot up on the Oval Office desk.

President Trump was meeting leaders of historically black colleges and universities to discuss his administration’s support for the schools, including contracts and grants.

Kellyanne Conway is no stranger to controversy.

Earlier this month she was criticized after citing a “massacre” which never happened while defending Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban.

Kellyanne Conway’s recent promotion of products linked to Ivanka Trump led to calls for an investigation into whether she had violated ethics rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmCgK08830M

Rio Carnival 2017: Twelve Injured as Float Collapses in Sambadrome

Nancy Clayson
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0
Rio Carnival 2017: Twelve Injured as Float Collapses in Sambadrome

Twelve people were injured when a float collapsed in Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome, the venue where the samba schools hold their annual carnival parade.

On February 28, a walkway on top of the float on which dancers were standing toppled, sending them tumbling.

The incident came a day after twenty people were injured at the Sambadrome when a float crushed them against a fence.

Police are investigating both incidents.

Image source Wikimedia

The float represented Bourbon Street in New Orleans and members of the samba school were dancing on walkways made to look like balconies when the upper walkway gave way.

The parade was halted for 25 minutes as the emergency services took the injured to hospital.

The float belonged to Unidos da Tijuca samba school.

The school’s director, Aiton Freitas, said he did not know what had gone wrong.

Aiton Freitas said the float had been tested three times a week with more weight than it was carrying during the parade.

He told journalists: “We are even more shocked than you all are.

“I don’t know what is happening, but Rio’s Carnival is not being blessed this year.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF4SPLOS2Q8

No Money To Start A Business? No Problem!

Dana R
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0
No Money To Start A Business? No Problem!

Starting a business takes a lot of money, right? Not necessarily. Having the capital to start a business is one of the more prominent alternative facts you will find. Yes, it is better to have more money, but it isn’t always the deciding factor with regards to your success. In fact, plenty of businesses succeeds without having the money they need. How? They did it by utilizing these tips. Enjoy!

money-wallet

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Resell Products

There is no need to waste money on manufacturing new and unique products. Instead, you can just resell old products and make a killing. It sounds like a bad idea, or like it won’t work, but it is very effective. The important thing to remember with this tactic is the fashion of business. Products go through cycles, and when they come back into fashion, they are very much in demand. A quick look around the local flea market could be the difference between success and failure. Buy anything you think you can sell because there is always someone who is interested.

Sell Services

Selling your services is one of the cheapest ways to start a business. A service has a very little cost attached, unlike making and selling products. For example, there is no need for staff or machinery to manufacture the goods. The service will have some cost involved, but it is minimal and won’t affect your lack of capital. With the help of the internet, it is easy to sell them, too. Do you have skills in literacy or math, for example? If you do, you can tutor people online. Tutors make a lot of money per hour which is why it is a good business idea. Tutoring is one method, but there are plenty more at your disposal.

Loan Agreement

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Secure A Loan

As you can see, it is hard to start a business without any costs. That means you will need some capital, at least to get on your feet, which is why you need a loan. Regardless of the type of loan, you get the amount of money you need, and you get it quickly. And, as any informational guide will point out, you don’t even need to have squeaky clean finances. The positives are pretty huge and could help you start a business which turns into a leader in the industry. Of course, you have to look out for the cons because they can harm your future. As long as you understand the terms of the loan, though, you should be fine.

Haggle

Everything you need to start a business comes at a cost. However, you don’t have to accept the cost as iron clad because you can barter down the price. Westerners don’t like to barter, but it is time to let go of your inhibitions. After all, ‘no’ is the worst someone can say. In that case, you go to the next person and ask them for a discount until someone says ‘yes.’ Haggling is simple as well as effective, and it will save you a fortune.

Money might make the world spin, but the same doesn’t have to apply to business.

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Who are Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah?

Nancy Clayson
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Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Who are Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah?

The two women implicated in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged brother of North Korea’s leader, are Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah.

Little is known about Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah except that they had left their homes in different parts of Asia and were trying to make a living in Malaysia.

According to Malaysian police officials, Doan Thi Huong, a 28-year-old from Vietnam, is an “entertainment outlet employee” while Siti Aisyah, a 25-year-old from Indonesia, was working in a hotel massage parlor.

Doan Thi Huong’s Facebook page, in which she posted under the name Ruby Ruby, showed her posing in a number of selfies and glamour shots. There are rumors she once auditioned for Vietnam’s version of Pop Idol.

Image source Reuters

Her family said she left her home village in north Vietnam at 17 to study in the capital Hanoi, and had rarely returned home since. They said they were surprised to learn she was in Malaysia.

Her stepmother said that the family was fed up with all the attention they had received, but were grateful for the support of their neighbors.

Siti Aisyah was arrested for the killing along with her 26-year-old Malaysian boyfriend, who was later released on bail.

She told the Indonesian embassy officials that she thought she was taking part in a reality TV show, and had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90) to smear what she thought was baby oil on to Kim Jong-nam’s face.

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Two Women to Be Charged with Murder

Siti Aisyah was out partying with her friends the night before the killing. A friend, who spoke anonymously, said they were celebrating her birthday, which had been the day before. Film footage purportedly from the evening shows her talking with friends about becoming an internet star.

Other suspects in Kim Jong-nam’s assassination are:

Ri Jong-chol, 47, is a North Korean who has lived in Malaysia for the last three years. He is in Malaysian detention.

The Malaysian boyfriend of Siti Aisyah, Muhammad Farid Jalaluddin, was arrested but police said he would be released on bail.

Hyon Kwang Song, 44, second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur is being sought by police. He is believed to be in the embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Kim Uk-il, 37, is a staff member of North Korea’s state airline Air Koryo, and is also believed to still be in Malaysia.

Ri Ju-u, 30, a North Korean also known as “James”, has been identified by the women as the man who recruited them.

Ri Ji-hyon, 33, a North Korean, is believed to have fled to Pyongyang.

Hong Song-hac, 34, a North Korean, is believed to have fled to Pyongyang.

O Jong-gil, 55, a North Korean, is believed to have fled to Pyongyang.

Ri Jae-nam, 57, a North Korean, is believed to have fled to Pyongyang.

Salvează

Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Two Women to Be Charged with Murder

Nancy Clayson
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0
Kim Jong-nam Assassination: Two Women to Be Charged with Murder

Two women involved in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam are to be charged with murder on March 1, Malaysia’s prosecutor says.

Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said the Indonesian and Vietnamese suspects would be formally charged and could face death if convicted.

They allegedly smeared a deadly chemical over Kim Jong-nam’s face at a Malaysia airport earlier this month.

The women have said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank.

Image source Getty Images

“They will be charged in court under Section 302 of the penal code,” the attorney general said, which is a murder charge with a mandatory death sentence if found guilty.

Mohamed Apandi Ali said no decision had yet been taken on whether to charge a North Korean man, Ri Jong-chol, who is also being held over the killing.

Kim Jong-nam Died in Pain Within 15-20 Minutes, Says Malaysia’s Health Minister

Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia are among some ten suspects identified by Malaysia as being involved in the killing.

The other suspects include a senior official at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur and a staff member of the state airline. South Korea believes at least four suspects are North Korean spies.

A high-level delegation from North Korea – led by the former ambassador to the UN – arrived in Kuala Lumpur on February 28.

They said they were seeking the retrieval of the body and the release of Ri Jong Chol, as well as the “development of friendly relationships” between North Korea and Malaysia.

North Korea has not confirmed that the person killed on February 13 at Kuala Lumpur airport was Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of leader Kim Jong-un, saying only he was a North Korean traveling on a diplomatic passport.

Kim Jong-nam, 42, was at a check-in desk for a flight to Macau, where he lives, when he was accosted.

Kim Jong-un’s brother was smeared with a very high amount of the toxic nerve agent VX and died in pain within 15-20 minutes, Malaysia’s health minister said on February 26.

Lee Jae-yong: Samsung Chief to Be Indicted on Bribery and Embezzlement Charges

Diane A. Wade
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0
Lee Jae-yong: Samsung Chief to Be Indicted on Bribery and Embezzlement Charges

Samsung vice-president and heir apparent Lee Jae-yong is to be formally indicted on multiple charges including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said.

The case is tied to the Choi Soon-sil scandal which led to the impeachment of South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye.

The special prosecutor’s office announced the charges against the de-facto Samsung chief, along with four other company executives.

Three of those executives resigned on February 28 following the announcement.

Samsung also said it was dismantling its corporate strategic office, a unit coordinating the various arms of the huge conglomerate.

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

Image source Wikimedia

Lee Jae-yong had been arrested earlier this month as prosecutors prepared the indictment.

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 company 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 President Park’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.

In December 2016, the parliament voted 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.

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

Samsung is one of the biggest electronics companies in the world and for the head of a company that thrives on a premium brand image to be involved in a corruption scandal is a huge embarrassment.

Earlier in February, when Lee Jae-yong was first arrested, Samsung said it would do its best “to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings”, though denies wrongdoing.

SpaceX to Fly Two Private Citizens Around the Moon in 2018

Diane A. Wade
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SpaceX to Fly Two Private Citizens Around the Moon in 2018

SpaceX has announced that two private citizens have paid to be sent around the Moon.

The company’s CEO Elon Musk said the mission is planned for late 2018 and the tourists “have already paid a significant deposit”.

The two unnamed space tourists will fly aboard a spaceship which is set for its first unmanned test flight later this year.

Elon Musk said the co-operation of NASA had made the plan possible.

He said the two passengers “will travel faster and further into the solar system than any before them”.

Elon Musk declined to reveal their identities, only saying that they knew each other and that “it’s nobody from Hollywood”.

Image source Wikimedia

He added: “Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration.

“We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year.”

The first mission would be unmanned, and the next one – with crew – was expected in Q2 of 2018, he said.

Elon Musk also said the first passengers “are entering this with their eyes open, knowing that there is some risk here”.

“They’re certainly not naive, and we’ll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it’s not zero.”

The tourists would make a loop around the Moon, skimming the lunar surface and then going well beyond, the entrepreneur said.

The mission will not involve a lunar landing.

If NASA decided it wanted to be first to take part in a lunar flyby mission, then the agency would have priority, Elon Musk said.

The US has not sent astronauts to the Moon since the early 1970s.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic venture proposes to send tourists on short sub-orbital flights in its vehicle SpaceShipTwo; the cost of a seat is listed as $250,000.

However, Virgin Galactic’s space vehicle was destroyed in a crash in 2014 and it remains unclear when the first flights with paying customers will begin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMSNpNin7OU

New Budget: Donald Trump Seeks to Increase Military Spending by 9%

Diane A. Wade
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0
New Budget: Donald Trump Seeks to Increase Military Spending by 9%

President Donald Trump is seeking to boost defense spending by $54 billion in his proposed budget plan for 2018, which is about a 9% increase.

The blueprint also calls for deep cuts elsewhere, including to foreign assistance and environmental budgets.

However, President Trump’s plan leaves large welfare programs such as Social Security and Medicare untouched, despite Republican calls for reform.

Donald Trump is expected to release his final budget proposal in mid-March.

He said in a meeting with governors at the White House on February 27: “We’re going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable.”

President Trump, who vowed to increase military spending and preserve welfare programs during his campaign, said the budget will focus on “military, safety, economic development”.

Image source Flickr

He said: “It will include an historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it.”

Military spending has declined in recent years due to budgetary battles in Congress that led to a defense sequester.

Donald Trump’s proposal would return the United States closer to wartime spending.

He also said he would discuss his plans for infrastructure spending, in a speech to Congress on February 28.

“We’re going to start spending on infrastructure big,” he said.

Donald Trump did not say how his budget proposal will tackle mandatory spending and taxes, promising those details to come later.

He pledged to cut taxes during his presidential campaign, which would likely add to the national debt.

Military spending has declined in recent years due to budgetary battles in Congress that led to a defense sequester.

The White House sent President Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint, which begins on October 1, to federal agencies on February 27.

The agencies will then review the plan and propose changes to the cuts as the White House prepares for negotiations with Congress.

The Republican-controlled Congress must approve any federal spending.

Donald Trump’s plan is expected to face backlash from Democrats and some Republicans over cuts to domestic programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMBXzkA2Uc8

Infographic – Does Your Small Business Have a Cyber Insurance Policy?

Ricky Robinson
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0
Infographic – Does Your Small Business Have a Cyber Insurance Policy?

We know cyber insurance can be really confusing, especially for the small business owner. So, we put together this infographic to help small business owners understand why they should invest in a cyber insurance policy.

Infographic Created By CyberPolicy

South Korea Major Opposition Party Seeks Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn’s Impeachment

Diane A. Wade
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0
South Korea Major Opposition Party Seeks Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn’s Impeachment

South Korea’s opposition seeks the impeachment of acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn over his decisions on the country’s corruption scandal.

The interim leader decided not to extend a special prosecutor’s investigation which involves his predecessor, President Park Geun-hye.

Prosecutors want more time to question her over the scandal.

Park Geun-hye is awaiting a separate ruling on her December impeachment from the  constitutional court.

She is still technically president, though she has been stripped of her powers while the constitutional court decides her fate. As long as she remains president, she is immune from prosecution.

However, the wider corruption investigation which emerged from the scandal will now end on February 28, before special prosecutors have the opportunity to question Park Geun-hye.

Any further investigation will fall to individual state prosecutors.

Image source Wikipedia

Hwang Kyo-ahn, who remains prime minister while he sits in for the president, said that continuing the investigation is not in the best interests of the nation.

His spokesman said: “After much deliberation [the acting president] has decided that it would be best for country’s stability to not extend the special investigation and for the prosecutors to take over.”

Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Hwang Kyo-ahn’s decision indicated he was trying “to become Park’s shield to protect her and her associates”.

Park Geun-hye was impeached weeks after her old friend Choi Soon-sil was arrested.

In a written statement on February 27, Park Geun-hye maintained her innocence, but said she had “belated regret, that I should have been more cautious with my trust in her.”

Choi Soon-sil is accused of using her presidential connections to pressure companies for millions of dollars in donations to two non-profit foundations she controlled. President Park Geun-hye is alleged to have been personally involved.

On November 20, Choi Soon-sil was charged with various offences, including abuse of authority, coercion, attempted coercion and attempted fraud, leading to the wider investigation.

Samsung vice-president was also arrested in connection with the probe.

The company is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil in exchange for government favors.

Park Geun-hye’s case at the constitutional court also heard the final arguments on February 27. It is not known when the final verdict will be delivered.

The court may reject Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, restoring her powers and returning the country to its status quo.

If, however they uphold the parliament’s decision, a presidential election must be held.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets calling on ousted President Park Geun-hye to step down immediately, rather than continue to fight her impeachment in the constitutional court.

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