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Hillary Clinton Diagnosed with Walking Pneumonia

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Diagnosed with Walking Pneumonia

Hillary Clinton has decided to cancel her campaign trip to California after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

The Democratic presidential nominee was taken ill yesterday at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City and was seen stumbling as she left the event early.

Hillary Clinton’s team initially said she was “overheated”, later revealing she had been diagnosed on September 9 with pneumonia.

Her doctor said she was now re-hydrated and “recovering nicely”.Hillary Clinton on Brussels attacks

Hillary Clinton was due to leave for California on September 12 for a two-day trip that included fundraisers, a speech on the economy, and an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Dr. Lisa Bardack, Hillary Clinton’s personal physician, said: “Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies. On Friday, during follow-up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule.”

On September 11, video showed Hillary Clinton being supported by aides as she entered a van to leave the 9/11 ceremony after an hour and 30 minutes.

Hillary Clinton was taken to her daughter’s flat in New York’s Flatiron building and re-emerged later in the day, telling reporters: “I’m feeling great. It’s a beautiful day in New York.”

She then left for her home in Chappaqua, New York.

Hilalry Clinton’s Republican opponents have queried her physical fitness. She suffered coughing fit last week at a campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio which fuelled speculation about her condition.

Last month, Dr. Lisa Bardack said in a letter that Hillary Clinton was “in excellent health and fit to serve as president of the United States”. She made a full recovery from surgery she underwent in 2012 for a blood clot, the doctor added.

However, Republican rival Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested Hillary Clinton is unfit, telling supporters last month she “lacks the mental and physical stamina” to serve as president.

Hillary Clinton’s campaign has accused opponents of pushing a “deranged conspiracy about Clinton’s health”.

The Democratic candidate is 68 while her Republican opponent is 70.

Donald Trump has not published his medical records. Instead the New York businessman released a note, in which his doctor declared that he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency”.

Donald Trump’s team has not yet made any comment on Hillary Clinton’s pneumonia diagnosis.

South Korea: North Korea Is Ready to Conduct Another Nuclear Test

Roy Siemens
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South Korea: North Korea Is Ready to Conduct Another Nuclear Test

According to South Korean officials, North Korea could be ready to conduct another nuclear test at any time.

North Korea conducted its fifth underground nuclear test on September 9, thought to be its most powerful yet.

A South Korean defense ministry spokesman said there was still an unused tunnel at the Punggye-ri test site which could be used for a sixth explosion at any time.

Last week’s widely condemned test has ratcheted up tension and led to fierce rhetoric from South Korea.

On September 11, one South Korean military source told the Yonhap news agency that Pyongyang could be annihilated if it showed any signs of mounting a nuclear attack.

Photo KCNA
Photo KCNA

While doubts remain over North Korea’s claim that it can now mount nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets – meaning it can carry out a nuclear attack – experts say the recent progress is worrying.

On September 12, Yonhap cited an unnamed government source as saying reports indicated the North had finished preparations for a further test, in previously unused tunnel at the Punggye-ri site deep underneath mountains in the north-east.

“Intelligence authorities in Seoul and Washington are keeping close tabs,” the unnamed government official was quoted as saying.

Defense ministry spokesperson Moon Sang-gyun later gave a similar statement to reporters. He would not give further details citing security reasons.

The UN Security Council has already agreed to start drawing up new sanctions against North Korea, something the North called “laughable”.

Pyongyang has carried out two nuclear tests in 2016, as well as several tests of powerful missiles. Both are banned by existing sanctions.

On September 12, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho had arrived in Beijing.

China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner, but has grown increasingly intolerant of its military actions and Kim Jong-un’s aggressive rhetoric.

China’s support for toughened sanctions is crucial if they are to have any impact.

Crafty Ways Startups Can Make Themselves Look Bigger Than They Actually Are

Dana R
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Crafty Ways Startups Can Make Themselves Look Bigger Than They Actually Are

The Profs is a London-based tuition company that started up a couple of years back. They targeted the university market and immediately got a lot of interest from students. What was strange about the Prof’s experience was that getting the students wasn’t the problem. The problem was getting the tutors.

University tutors didn’t want to be associated with a startup that didn’t have an office. And so, in the beginning, it was hard. After a while, the company grew and could finally afford to rent offices in the middle of London. Recently, it was a runner-up in the Guardian’s startup of the year competition.

The experience of the Profs mirrors that of so many other startup businesses. It’s hard to get traction in an industry with so many entrenched players. It is also difficult to get around the problem that startups often look amateurish to customers. They’re not, of course. But they don’t have the marketing clout to convince people otherwise. So what can startups do to make themselves appear bigger and badder than they actually are?

Apply For Awards

job

www.flickr.com

Your startup doesn’t necessarily have to enter the Guardian’s startup competition if it doesn’t want to. But it’s a good idea to apply for awards if you get the chance. Industry and professional awards help to build credibility with your customers. And some awards bring significant cachet to your emerging brand.

Remember, in the beginning; your company needs as many endorsements as it can get. And so the praise of a professional body should be at the top of your marketing priority list.

Use Mail Forwarding

Moderna cladire de birouri

www.publicdomainpictures.net

Not every startup can afford a swanky office in the middle of London. Most can barely afford to move out of their bedrooms. But customers don’t need to know that. After all, where precisely companies do their work doesn’t affect the quality of their product. It does, however, change customer perceptions, as the example above highlights. As a result, savvy companies use a mail forwarding service provider.

These services work on a simple principle. Startups advertise as having a particular address, usually in a desirable location. And then the mail is forwarded from that site to their home office or another place of work. This way, they end up looking much bigger than they actually are.

Be Hard To Get

Many people imagine that people working on startups are rushed off their feet with all the things they have to do. But the truth is that they’re rarely inundated. Most of the time their calendar is rather empty. Letting on that this is the case, however, is rarely a good idea. It says to the client that your services are not in high demand.

Instead of advertising that you have loads of free time, tell the customer that you’ll try to fit them into your hectic schedule. If you want to speak to them on the same day, say that you have an “opening” this afternoon. Otherwise, book them in for the day after tomorrow.

Why The Smarter Route In Business Is Often Getting Someone Else To Do It

Dana R
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Why The Smarter Route In Business Is Often Getting Someone Else To Do It

Even the savviest of entrepreneurs can’t do it all themselves. We all know that. But do we all know that sometimes it isn’t the smartest option to rely on your staff to do it, either? Employees are a big cost in any business. A lot of the time, it can be economically smarter, as well as safer, to go outside the business. To get someone else to do it. Here, we’ll consider when you should think about outsourcing.

Outsource, Freelance, Contractor

Image Credit

Artistic tasks

Very few people have the skills necessary to create a great looking brand or a cohesive, effective website. Naturally, outsourcing should be used primarily to make use of skills you don’t have. It’s also a sure-fire way to find those who are well known for the quality of their work. A good portion of web designers and graphic designers are freelancers. It’s easier to find that quality work in outsourcing than trying to directly employ them.

Expert tasks

It’s not just the artistic types that you want to ensure you get the best quality of work from. When it comes to certain expert tasks, the kind that require years of training, a wrong hire can be disastrous. Sometimes you don’t want to take the risk of entrusting important parts of the business to untested individuals. That’s why so many businesses begin by outsourcing their IT management services.

Temporary tasks

It’s not always about how vital a task or how skilled the hire needs to be, either. Sometimes, it just doesn’t make as much sense to pay a full paycheck for someone who’s only doing a task you need for a short period of time. For example, if you want to start training and expanding the skills of your workers. It can be a lot easier to simply hire someone in to train them then be on their merry way again.

Time-consuming tasks

There are tasks on the other side of the spectrum entirely, of course. There are those tasks that need to get done but take up a considerably long amount of time. Those are man-hours that your skilled team could better use on the tasks that actually make you money. For example, we all know how social media marketing is important. But a lot of us who have dipped into that water know it can be a big drain on time. That’s why it’s another of the more commonly outsourced tasks.

Accounting

If you want a specific example of when you should definitely rely on outsourced expertise, then your accounts are where you need to start. Money is the lifeblood of the business and it’s harder to manage than many recognise. But accountants do more than that. They can also help you spot opportunities you’ve never considered and avoid risks. A long-term accountant can be a valuable ally indeed.

Spend less time on tasks that don’t make you money. Make sure you get experts. Don’t hire for short-term jobs. These are some of the biggest reasons you should let someone else take the wheel.

Hillary Clinton Appears to Collapse During 9/11 Memorial

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Appears to Collapse During 9/11 Memorial

Hillary Clinton says she is “feeling great” hours after her early exit from a 9/11 ceremony raised health fears.

The Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign said earlier she had left the event in New York because she had “felt overheated” and had gone to her daughter’s apartment.

Hillary Clinton’s Republican opponents have queried her physical fitness.

Doctors say Hillary Clinton made a full recovery from surgery she underwent in 2012 for a blood clot.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Her personal doctor, Lisa Bardack, said last month Hillary Clinton was “in excellent health and fit to serve as president of the United States”.

The Clinton campaign has accused opponents of pushing a “deranged conspiracy about Clinton’s health”.

Hillary Clinton is 68. Her rival Republican candidate Donald Trump is 70.

Emerging from her daughter’s home, Hillary Clinton said: “I’m feeling great. It’s a beautiful day in New York.”

Hillary Clinton later left for her home in Chappaqua, New York, according to her campaign.

A video posted on Twitter purports to show Hillary Clinton being supported by aides at the 9/11 ceremony before being helped into her van.

The statement from the Clinton campaign said: “Secretary Clinton attended the September 11th Commemoration Ceremony for just an hour and thirty minutes this morning to pay her respects and greet some of the families of the fallen.

“During the ceremony, she felt overheated so departed to go to her daughter’s apartment, and is feeling much better.”

The weather was warm and humid in New York on September 11, and there was a breeze during the ceremony, the Associated Press reports.

Hillary Clinton came to the ceremony fresh from a political storm over comments she made about Donald Trump’s supporters at a fundraiser on September 9.

On September 10, she had apologized for suggesting half of the Republican’s supporters were “deplorables”.

Hillary Clinton is next due to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on September 14 and attend a rally in Las Vegas on the same day.

Services marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks have taken place in New York and around the world.

Passions are high just over two weeks before the first election debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on September 26.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11-EAzsGxgQ

South Korea Has A Plan to Destroy Pyongyang In Case of Nuclear Attack

Roy Siemens
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South Korea Has A Plan to Destroy Pyongyang In Case of Nuclear Attack

According to reports from Seoul, South Korea has a plan to annihilate Pyongyang if North Korea shows any signs of mounting a nuclear attack.

A military source told the Yonhap news agency every part of Pyongyang “will be completely destroyed by ballistic missiles and high-explosives shells”.

Yonhap has close ties to South Korea’s government and is publicly funded.

On September 9, North Korea carried out what it said was its fifth, and largest, nuclear test.

The international community is considering its response.

Photo KCNA
Photo KCNA

The US says it is considering its own sanctions, in addition to any imposed by the UN Security Council, Japan and South Korea.

Pyongyang responded on September 11 by calling the threats of “meaningless sanctions… highly laughable”.

The South Korean military official told Yonhap that Pyongyang districts thought to be hiding the North’s leadership would be particularly targeted in any attack. Pyongyang, the source said, “will be reduced to ashes and removed from the map”.

News of South Korea’s attack plan for North Korea is believed to have been revealed to parliament following September 9 nuclear test.

Meanwhile, the US’s special envoy for North Korea says Washington is considering taking unilateral action against Pyongyang.

Sung Kim said: “North Korea continues to present a growing threat to the region, to our allies, to ourselves, and we will do everything possible to defend against that growing threat.

“In addition to sanctions in the Security Council, both the US and Japan, together with [South Korea], will be looking at any unilateral measures as well as bilateral measures as well as possible trilateral cooperation.”

North Korea is banned by the UN from any tests of nuclear or missile technology and has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since its first test in 2006.

The secretive country said September 9 test had been of a “nuclear warhead that has been standardized to be able to be mounted on strategic ballistic rockets”.

Estimates of the explosive yield of the latest blast have varied. South Korea’s military said it was about 10 kilotonnes, enough to make it the North’s “strongest nuclear test ever”. Other experts say initial indications suggest 20 kilotonnes or more.

The nuclear bomb dropped by the US on Hiroshima in 1945 had a yield of about 15 kilotonnes.

 

Gary Johnson Ridiculed After Aleppo Gaffe

Diane A. Wade
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Gary Johnson Ridiculed After Aleppo Gaffe

Gary Johnson, one of the third-party candidates in the presidential election, has been ridiculed after being wrong-footed by a question on a key Syrian battleground.

Asked what he would do about the Syrian city of Aleppo, if elected, Libertarian Gary Johnson answered: “What is Aleppo?”

Gary Johnson later admitted he had “blanked” but said he would “get smarter” following the gaffe.

Aleppo has been one of the major flashpoints of Syria’s five-year civil war.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

Known as “Halab” in Arabic, it is one of world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, being mentioned in Egyptian texts from the 20th Century BC.

Fighting in Syria has escalated in recent weeks, with an estimated 250,000 people living in besieged rebel-held areas.

Although Gary Johnson trails far behind Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in polls, both main party candidates are said to be unpopular among many US voters and analysts believe Johnson could play a part in deciding the result.

Gary Johnson seemed unaware of the crisis in Aleppo when asked for his solution by MSNBC panelist Mike Barnicle, saying: “And what is Aleppo?”

“You’re kidding me?” replied Mike Barnicle, before going on to describe the situation there.

“OK, got it, got it,” said Gary Johnson, before adding: “With regard to Syria, I do think it’s a mess. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end.”

Russia and the United States have largely backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, with Russian aircraft providing air support to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

Gary Johnson later issued a statement saying: “Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes.”

Rita Maze: Montana Murder Victim Called Family and Police from Inside Car Truck

Nancy Clayson
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Rita Maze: Montana Murder Victim Called Family and Police from Inside Car Truck

Rita Maze, who was kidnapped from a roadside in Montana, spoke to her family by phone several times before police find her dead more than 300 miles away.

The 47-year-old called her husband from the boot of her stolen car after being kidnapped from a highway rest stop.

Rita Maze spoke with her family and police for about 10 minutes, but did not know where she was, the local sheriff said.

The woman’s body was found 325 miles away near Spokane airport on the Washington state border.

The local medical examiner’s office said Rita Maze was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest and abdomen.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Rita Maze had called her husband using a mobile phone on September 6.

The woman said she had been hit on the head near Wolf Creek, north of Helena.

Rita Maze’s husband reported her as missing, and remained in contact with his wife.

Image source Facebook
Image source Facebook

Rochelle Maze, the victim’s daughter, told the Great Falls Tribune that her mother was hysterical and difficult to understand when they spoke.

“I told her that I loved her,” Rochelle Maze said.

“That’s the last thing she heard.”

Rochelle Maze said her mother was terrified because she knew her abductor – whom she described as a large man in a black hoodie – had access to the gun she kept in her purse for protection.

The intermittent phone signal was cut off after about 10 minutes.

Sheriff Leo Dutton said a police officer had spoken to Rita Maze before her death.

The woman’s body was discovered on September 7, after police used her phone’s signal to help track the vehicle.

Her license plate was also captured on camera near Post Falls in the state of Idaho.

Police said a “person of interest” had been indentified in the investigation, and surveillance video was also being looked at.

The FBI is also involved in the investigation, because the death involved travel across a number of US states.

Rita Maze had worked as a traffic attendant and head cook for the Great Falls Public Schools.

Bill Salonen, a former school principal, described Rita Maze as having “a positive presence” and being great with kids.

Galaxy Note 7 Owners Warned Not to Use Phone In Flight

Nancy Clayson
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Galaxy Note 7 Owners Warned Not to Use Phone In Flight

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 users traveling by plane have been warned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) not to switch on or charge their phones when on board the plane.

The FAA also advised against packing the phones into any checked-in luggage.

Last week, Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after reports emerged of the device exploding during or after charging.

Qantas and Virgin Australia have also told customers not to charge or use the smartphone during flights.

Samsung has said that battery problems were behind the phones catching fire, but that it was difficult to work out which phones were affected among those sold.

Photo Samsung
Photo Samsung

The FAA said: “In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.”

Following Galaxy Note 7 recall, Qantas said on September 8 it was “requesting that passengers who own [the devices] do not switch on or charge them in-flight.”

The Galaxy Note 7 was launched last month and has been otherwise generally well-received by consumers and critics.

Some 2.5 million phones have been shipped globally.

Samsung has said customers who have already bought the phone will be able to swap it for a new one and that it would take about two weeks to prepare replacement devices.

The US trade group Airlines for America said it was “closely monitoring” the Galaxy Note 7 issue and that carriers in the US would make their own ruling over the use of the phone on board.

An Airlines for America spokesperson said in a statement:“Each individual carrier makes determinations, in compliance with FAA safety rules and regulations, as to what is permitted to be carried on board and in the cargo hold.”

South Korea-listed shares of Samsung Electronics were down close to 3% in early Friday trade.

North Korea Carries Out Biggest Ever Nuclear Test

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Carries Out Biggest Ever Nuclear Test

North Korea has successfully carried out its fifth nuclear test, Pyongyang has confirmed.

The government announcement on state media came hours after a seismic event was detected near North Korea’s nuclear test site.

According to South Korean officials, it is North Korea’s biggest ever test, raising fears the state has made real nuclear advances.

South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye called it an act of “self-destruction” showing the “maniacal recklessness” of leader Kim Jong-un. The US warned of “serious consequences”.

China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was resolutely opposed to the test and urged North Korea to avoid further action that would worsen the situation.

North Korea said the test had been of a “newly developed nuclear warhead” and that it was now capable of mounting a nuclear device on ballistic rockets.

South Korea’s military has suggested that the explosive yield of this blast could be almost twice that of the previous nuclear test. Analysts have expressed fears this could mean North Korea is a step closer to having a useable nuclear weapon.

Park Geun-hye, who is cutting short an overseas visit, said the test was a “grave challenge” to the international community that would “only earn more sanctions and isolation” for North Korea.

North Korea has increased the activity at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to South Korea

“Such provocation will further accelerate its path to self-destruction,” she said.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said his country “absolutely cannot condone” any such test and would “protest adamantly” to Pyongyang.

“North Korea’s nuclear development is becoming a graver threat to Japan’s safety and severely undermines the peace and safety of the region and the international community,” he said.

The White House said President Barack Obama had spoken to both Park Geun-hye and Shinzo Abe after the latest test.

A statement from press secretary Josh Earnest said Barack Obama had “reiterated the unbreakable US commitment to the security of our allies in Asia and around the world”.

“The president indicated he would continue to consult our allies and partners in the days ahead to ensure provocative actions from North Korea are met with serious consequences.”

China’s foreign ministry statement read: “Today, [North Korea] again conducted a nuclear test despite widespread international opposition – the Chinese government firmly opposes the test.”

The test was first detected as a 5.3 magnitude earthquake on September 9 in north-east North Korea, close to its Punggye-ri underground nuclear test site.

As with previous nuclear tests, the waveform generated indicated it had not been naturally occurring.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff later said the detonation had a yield of about 10 kilotonnes, making it North Korea’s “strongest nuclear test ever”.

That is almost twice the power of its last test in January, which Pyongyang said at the time had been a hydrogen bomb. Many analysts cast doubt on that claim. The bomb dropped by the US on Hiroshima in 1945 had a yield of about 15 kilotonnes.

A fifth test has long been expected. In recent weeks, satellite imagery has shown increased activity at Punggye-ri.

North Korea also often uses nationally important dates as an opportunity for a show of military strength. September 9 is its National Day, celebrating the founding of the current regime.

It is likely to be some time before the scale and manner of the test are independently confirmed.

Japan has dispatched military aircraft to collect air samples to monitor for radiation, while China said it was monitoring radiation levels close to its borders with North Korea.

North Korea is banned by UN sanctions from any tests of nuclear or missile technology.

In recent months it has conducted a series of ballistic missile launches – some of which reached Japanese waters – and has unleashed a rising tide of aggressive rhetoric, threatening nuclear attacks on its enemies.

North Korea has also been angered by a US and South Korean plan to install an anti-missile defense system in the South and by the allies’ massive annual joint military exercises, which are still taking place.

International sanctions on North Korea were considerably toughened in response to previous nuclear and missile tests but had little impact on Pyongyang’s nuclear arms program.

Barack Obama Responds to Donald Trump’s Vladimir Putin Jibe

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama Responds to Donald Trump’s Vladimir Putin Jibe

President Barack Obama has hit back at “wacky” Donald Trump after Vladimir Putin jibe.

He said described Donald Trump as “uninformed” after the Republican presidential nominee said Vladimir Putin was a better leader.

Speaking at the ASEAN summit in Laos, Barack Obama said that every time Donald Trump spoke it became clearer that the Republican contender was not qualified to be president.

In a televised forum on September 7, Donald Trump had praised the Russian president’s “great control” and 82% approval rating.Donald Trump criticized by Barack Obama

Donald Trump and rival Hillary Clinton had taken questions from military veterans.

Barack Obama said: “I don’t think the guy’s qualified to be president of the United States and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed.”

He pointed to the diplomatic work he had faced at both the ASEAN summit in Laos and the earlier G20 meeting in China.

Barack Obama said: “I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business.

“You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought-out-policy you can implement.”

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, pilloried Donald Trump for having suggested US military leaders had been “reduced to rubble”, accusing him of having “trash-talked American generals”.

In a rare press conference, Hillary Clinton said on September 8: “That’s how he talks about distinguished men and women who’ve spent their lives serving our country, sacrificing for us.”

Donald Trump had told the forum in New York that Vladimir Putin had “been a leader far more than our president has been”.

Quizzed by NBC host Matt Lauer on his previous complimentary remarks about Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump responded: “He does have an 82% approval rating.”

“I think when he calls me <<brilliant>>, I’ll take the compliment, OK?” said Donald Trump, adding that Vladimir Putin had “great control over his country”.

Donald Trump also said that, as a result of the confidential intelligence briefings he has been entitled to as an election candidate, he had been “shocked” at how the president, Hillary Clinton and current Secretary of State John Kerry had done “exactly the opposite” of what intelligence experts had told them.

In the forum, Donald Trump also said: “I was totally against the war in Iraq.”

This appeared to contradict a statement in a 2002 interview with radio host Howard Stern and the forum’s moderator, Matt Lauer, came in for intense criticism after the event for not pressing Donald Trump on the statement.

Barack Obama said in Laos: “The most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions to what appear to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas.”

Hillary Clinton had found herself once again on the defensive during the forum over her private email server.

The forum offered a preview of the questions Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will face in their three forthcoming presidential debates, the first at Hofstra University near New York on September 26.

Liberty Media Buys Formula 1 for $4.4 Billion

Clyde K. Valle
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Liberty Media Buys Formula 1 for $4.4 Billion

Liberty Media is buying the racing business Formula 1 for $4.4 billion, the company has confirmed.

The announcement ends years of speculation about the ownership of Formula 1.

Bernie Ecclestone will remain as chief executive but Chase Carey, vice-chairman of 21st Century Fox, will become the new chairman.

Liberty Media has also stakes in several sports and entertainment businesses, including the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club.

Owned by the billionaire John Malone, Liberty Media will initially purchase a minority stake in the world’s leading motor-racing championship. A full takeover is planned if regulators approve the deal.

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is accused of giving a $45 million bribe to a German banker

The total transaction values the firm at $8 billion but includes $4.1 billion worth of F1’s debt.

Liberty Media is buying the stake from the private equity firm CVC Capital.

CVC has held a stake for the past decade but sold some of its holding in 2012.

The private equity firm has been criticized for taking considerable profits from the sport, which has suffered from falling TV ratings in recent years.

“We are excited to become part of Formula 1,” said Greg Maffei, chief executive of Liberty Media.

“We think our long-term perspective and expertise with media and sports assets will allow us to be good stewards of Formula 1 and benefit fans, teams and our shareholders.”

Bernie Ecclestone said: “I would like to welcome Liberty Media and Chase Carey to Formula 1 and I look forward to working with them.”

Earlier, the 85-year-old British businessman said in an interview with Reuters that he had been asked to stay on for three years and would miss the Singapore Grand Prix on September 18 as he needed be in London for the negotiations.

Bernie Ecclestone has run the sport for 40 years.

Pentagon: Russian Fighter Jet Flew Within 10Ft of US Spy Plane

Roy Siemens
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Pentagon: Russian Fighter Jet Flew Within 10Ft of US Spy Plane

According to the Pentagon, a Russian SU-27 fighter jet flew within about 10ft of one of its reconnaissance aircraft operating over the Black Sea.

The US described the intercept by the Russian plane on September 7 as “dangerous and unprofessional”.

According to Russian defense ministry, said the US Navy P-8A Poseidon had been approaching Russian territory and the SU-27 pilots had adhered to international rules.

Russia is currently carrying out military exercises in the Black Sea.

Image source YouTube
Image source YouTube

Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said the US Navy aircraft had been conducting routine operations in international airspace when the Russian fighter made the unsafe maneuver.

“These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident,” he said.

A US defense official quoted by AFP news agency said the Russian plane had flown within 30ft of the P-8A before closing to just 10ft.

The Russian defense ministry said fighters intercepted the P-8A because it was heading towards Russian territory with its transponder signal – which helps others identify it – switched off.

Its statement said: “After the Russian fighters got close to the spy planes for visual confirmation and to determine their wing numbers, the American aircraft changed course sharply and flew away.

“The Russia pilots acted in strict accordance with international rules for flights.”

Relations between Russia and the West have been strained since the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014.

In April 2016, the US complained that Russian jets had confronted one of its reconnaissance planes over the Baltic Sea in an “unsafe and unprofessional manner”.

In that incident, Russia also said that the US Navy plane had turned off its transponder signal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY2dDU_18ak

Donald Trump Praises Vladimir Putin as A Better Leader than Barack Obama

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Praises Vladimir Putin as A Better Leader than Barack Obama

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as he and rival Hillary Clinton took pointed questions from military veterans.

Donald Trump told the forum Vladimir Putin “has been a leader far more than our president [Barack Obama] has been”.

It came on the same day the chief of the Pentagon accused Russia of sowing the seeds of global instability.

Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, defended her judgment despite her email scandal.

The White House candidates appeared back to back on stage in half-hour segments at the Intrepid Air and Sea Museum in New York on September 7.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Quizzed by NBC host Matt Lauer on his previous complimentary remarks about Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump responded: “He does have an 82% approval rating.”

“I think when he calls me brilliant I’ll take the compliment, ok?” added the Republican.

Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin had “great control over his country”.

He also predicted that if elected in November: “I think that I’ll be able to get along with him.”

Donald Trump recently drew sharp criticism when he urged Russia to dig up the emails that Hillary Clinton deleted from her email server.

It is not the first time Donald Trump has made admiring comments about the Russian leader.

Last December he said it was “a great honor” when Vladimir Putin called him “a talented person”.

Donald Trump’s latest remarks came hours after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Russia “has clear ambition to erode the principled international order”.

In a speech at Oxford University, Ash Carter also appeared to allude to suspected Russian involvement in hacking of Democratic National Committee computers in the US.

On September 6, Donald Trump also courted controversy over s** abuse in the military.

He stood by a comment he made three years ago when he appeared to blame such assaults on the decision to allow women in the forces.

Hillary Clinton, who appeared first on stage by virtue of a coin toss, found herself once again on the defensive over her private email server.

A US naval flight officer told Hillary Clinton he would have been jailed if he had handled classified information as she had done.

Hillary Clinton replied: “I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously. Always have, always will.”

She vowed to defeat ISIS, though she emphasized: “We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again.”

Hillary Clinton also said her 2002 Senate vote in favor of the Iraq War was “a mistake”.

But she said it meant she was in “the best possible position” to ensure it never happened again.

Hillary Clinton also pointed out that Donald Trump had once supported the invasion.

However, in his comments Donald Trump said: “I was totally against the war in Iraq.”

Matt Lauer came in for intense criticism after the debate for not pressing Donald Trump on the statement.

Unusually for a US presidential candidate, Donald Trump made unflattering remarks about America’s military leaders.

He said the generals had been “reduced to rubble” during President Barack Obama’s administration.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s forum offered a preview of the questions they will face in their three forthcoming presidential debates.

The first debate will be at Hofstra University near New York on September 26.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie Settle Court Dispute over Rocco Custody

Lisa.Felice
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0
Madonna and Guy Ritchie Settle Court Dispute over Rocco Custody

Madonna and Guy Ritchie have finally settled a court dispute over the custody of their 16-year-old son Rocco.

The singer and her ex-husband had reached an agreement, but did not reveal with which parent the teenager would live, a spokesman for the New York State court system said.

Guy Ritchie’s lawyer Peter Bronstein said Rocco would continue to live with his father in London.

The dispute arose in December when Rocco ignored a court order to fly back to live with his mother in New York.

Madonna will perform at this year’s Grammy awards on January 26
Madonna will perform at this year’s Grammy awards on January 26

Rocco has since stayed with his father in London and enrolled in a school there.

Madonna’s lawyers have not commented on the settlement.

In December 2015, a judge ruled that Rocco should return to his mother.

However, the judge decided not to issue a warrant to enforce the order, urging Madonna and Guy Ritchie to reach an agreement.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan said: “No-one is disrupting his household other than the inability of the parents to reach a resolution.

“If they cannot resolve this matter then eventually the court will.”

In March, Ellen Sigal, Rocco’s court-appointed lawyer, said that the dispute was causing him stress.

“It’s been a very difficult time for him,” she said in court.

“We hope to put an end to this as soon as possible without exposing him to more litigation, press innuendo, any of that kind of thing.”

Madonna and Guy Ritchie married in 2000 and divorced in 2008.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kin9RW6ZYAc

Apple Watch Series 2 Can Be Used While Swimming or Surfing

Nancy Clayson
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Apple Watch Series 2 Can Be Used While Swimming or Surfing

Aside from iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple unveiled a new version of its smartwatch, which it described as the “ultimate fitness device”.

The company said the Apple Watch Series 2 is water resistant to164ft, meaning it can be used while swimming or surfing.

It also introduces:

  • a built-in GPS location tracker, letting running routes be tracked without carrying a paired phone
  • a more powerful processor, letting it show more detailed graphics in apps than its predecessor
  • a brighter screen

    Image source Apple
    Image source Apple

According to IDC, the original Apple Watch is the best selling smartwatch on the market, but shipments of the device dropped more than 50% between the April-to-June quarter of 2016 and the same period the previous year.

Apple said it thought the device would have particular appeal to runners, and may be able to stoke interest through a partnership with Nike.

Nike has created an app that lets its owner share details of their runs with others, and has also launched its own bands for the timepiece.

Although many of the details of the new devices had leaked in advance, there was one major surprise at the start of the event.

Video game character Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, appeared to announce that Nintendo’s plumber would appear in his first iPhone video game before the end of the year.

Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the running-themed adventure would be an iOS exclusive at launch.

It follows the success of another Nintendo franchise, Pokemon, on the platform.

It was also revealed that the Apple Watch would soon gain the ability to tell owners how close they are to nearby monsters in Pokemon Go, and to show which characters have hatched from eggs in the augmented reality title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2_O6M1m6xg

iPhone 7: Apple Skips Headphone Jack in Favor of AirPods

Nancy Clayson
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0
iPhone 7: Apple Skips Headphone Jack in Favor of AirPods

Apple’s newly unveiled iPhone 7 will not have a traditional headphone jack.

The company said its lightning connector could be used instead, which would make room for other components. It will also promote the use of wireless earphones, and has released a set of its own called AirPods.

Apple said it had taken “courage” to take the step.

However, the company risks annoying users who will now require an adapter for existing headphones.

Apple has unveiled its latest handsets at an event in San Francisco following a year in which its phone sales and market share shrank.iphone-7-launch-2016

Other new features include:

  • the home button can now detect how firmly it is being pressed and provide vibration-based feedback, but no longer moves into the phones
  • the handsets can be submerged in water up to depths of 3.2ft for 30 minutes at a time
  • the larger iPhone 7 Plus model gets a two-lens camera on its rear, allowing it to offer a choice of focal lengths

The iPhone 7 launch comes a week after the European Commission demanded Apple pay up to €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland – a ruling the company is appealing.

The 3.5mm headphone jack was made popular by Sony’s Walkman cassette players, but was first introduced in one of the Japanese company’s transistor radios in 1964.

Apple has repeatedly been willing to ditch connectors and other ageing tech from its products earlier than its rivals.

The company suggests there are advantages to using its Airpods, which will cost $255.

It demonstrated that the wireless headphones could be paired with the phone much more quickly than is normally the case with Bluetooth sets.

The Airpods also contain infrared sensors to detect when they are in the user’s ears. This allows them to automatically stop music when they are taken out.

Motion sensors in the buds also allow Apple’s virtual assistant Siri to be activated for voice commands by double-tapping their sides.

Users will, however, have to get used to charging another device.

Apple said the Airpods would last “up to five hours” on a charge, and come with a recharging case that can extend their life up to 24 hours before a plug socket is required.

Another related change is the introduction of stereo speakers – one at each end of the handset – which Apple said meant the iPhone 7 could deliver twice the volume of the iPhone 6S.

The iPhone 7 Plus has both a wide angle and telephoto lens on its back, both using their own 12 megapixel sensor.

This allows the owner to quickly switch to a tighter shot without sacrificing image quality, and also allows the device to offer 10x zoom – double the amount than before – by digitally cropping the photo in the camera app.

A similar feature is already available on LG’s G5 phone.

Apple says it will also be able to combine data gathered by both camera sensors to simulate an effect associated with larger DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras.

It said software would be able to automatically pick people’s faces out from the background, keeping the humans in focus while blurring the rest of the shot in order to enhance the portraits.

The feature will not, however, be available at launch but will rather be provided as an update later on.

The iPhone 7 ranges from $955 to $1,275, depending on the amount of storage. The iPhone 7 Plus ranges from $1,150 to $1,470.

That marks an increase on 2015 prices, when the entry-level iPhone 6S was $862 and the iPhone 6S Plus was $990, albeit with less storage. US consumers have not seen such significant increases.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are available to buy from September 16.

Marilyn Monroe’s Dress Wore to Sing Happy Birthday to JFK Up for New Auction

Sonia Pantiss
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Marilyn Monroe’s Dress Wore to Sing Happy Birthday to JFK Up for New Auction

The iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore to sing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy to celebrate his 45th birthday at Madison Square Garden is to be auctioned.
Marilyn Monroe wore the flesh-colored dress in May 1962, but the garment was so tight she had to be sewn into it.

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

She died less than three months later at the age of 36, and JFK died in 1963.

The dress was sold in 1999 for $1.26 million but Julien’s Auctions thinks it could fetch up to $3 million this November.

The gown, made of silk gauze and covered in thousands of rhinestone beads and sequins, will go under the hammer in Los Angeles on November 17.

Before then, the dress will be on show at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, New Jersey, and the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehNGQO2RdWM

Recep Erdogan: Turkey and US Ready to Drive ISIS from Raqqa

Roy Siemens
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Recep Erdogan: Turkey and US Ready to Drive ISIS from Raqqa

Turkey and the US are ready to drive ISIS from its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Edogan has suggested.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said President Barack Obama floated the idea of joint action against the militants when they met at the G20 meeting in China.

He said Turkey would have “no problem” with such action.

In August, Turkey launched an operation inside Syria, targeting both ISIS and Kurdish rebels.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Turkish-backed militia drove ISIS from the border town of Jarablus, but Turkey has also been concerned with checking the advance of Kurdish forces whom it regards as terrorists.

The offensive continues, and Russia, who is allied to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says it is deeply concerned by the movement of Turkish forces deeper into Syrian territory.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments on Raqqa were published in Turkish media. There has been no confirmation from the US.

“Obama wants to do some things jointly concerning Raqqa,” he said.

“We said this would not be a problem from our perspective.”

“I said <<our soldiers should come together and discuss, then what is necessary will be done>>,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan added.

Zika Outbreak: Senate Democrats Block $1.1 Billion Plan to Fight Virus

Diane A. Wade
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Zika Outbreak: Senate Democrats Block $1.1 Billion Plan to Fight Virus

Senate Democrats have blocked the $1.1 billion plan to fight the Zika virus for a third time after Republicans sought to stop funding for pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood.

Lawmakers say they hope the issue will be resolved later this month as part of a bipartisan spending package.

The 52-46 vote came as Florida health officials announced seven more locally transmitted cases of Zika.

Florida has now reported 56 locally transmitted cases of Zika, which is often spread by mosquitoes.Zika outbreak Brazil 2016

Florida officials have called on lawmakers to release funds to help fight the spread of the disease, which is linked to severe birth defects in pregnant women.

The Republican-backed Senate bill included a provision that would have prevented Planned Parenthood in Puerto Rico from receiving new funding to fight the spread of the Zika virus, which can be s**ually transmitted.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, said Republicans were “more interested in attacking Planned Parenthood” than “protecting women and babies from this awful virus”.

Democrats blocked similar funding measures in June and July before Congress left for the summer recess.

Before the vote, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed his Democratic counterparts: “It’s hard to explain why, despite their own calls for funding, Democrats would block plans to keep women and babes safe from Zika.”

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan has indicated that lawmakers will work to include funding for Zika in a budget deal or a continuing resolution that Congress must pass to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it had spent nearly all of the $22 million allocated to the agency in the fight against Zika.

As of late August, there were more than 2,700 cases in United States and more than 14,000 in US territories, most of which were reported in Puerto Rico.

iPhone 7 to Be Unveiled at Apple’s Annual Launch Event

Nancy Clayson
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0
iPhone 7 to Be Unveiled at Apple’s Annual Launch Event

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone 7 at its annual launch event held on September 7.

The iPhone 7 launch comes just as rival Samsung has recalled its flagship Galaxy Note 7 over battery explosion.

Many commentators expect Apple to have ditched the headphone jack, leaving only one port.

According to a new research, the iPhone 6S was the world’s bestselling handset.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

The study, by Strategy Analytics, said 14.2 million copies of the iPhone 6S shipped between April to June, accounting for 4% of the market. By contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge shipped 8.3 million units over the same period.

However, both fell short of the earlier iPhone 6, which shipped 26.3 million units over the same months in 2015.

Dropping the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 would encourage consumers to use Bluetooth headphones or buy those compatible with Apple’s Lightning port, which is also used for charging.

However, old gear would not be completely obsolete, as Apple is expected to include an adapter jack.

Camera quality is expected to be improved and this time round the upgrade might mean a two-lens clicker for some of the bigger models.

Other handsets’ dual-lens camera can take pictures with two different exposures, then combine the two images for improved picture quality – but it is unknown how Apple would implement the feature.

Other expected change includes increased storage and better speakers.

The iPhone 7 is also said to be water resistant, handling submersion for up to 30 minutes – a feature already offered by several of Apple’s Android competitors from the likes of Samsung or Sony.

Apple is thought to be sticking with its two sizes, meaning there would be an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 7 Plus.

Neither is the design thought to be changing much, giving it the same overall look as the current models.

Rumor has it there will be more colors available, for instance reintroducing black as an option.

While the new models will be revealed to the world at the launch, consumers will have to wait a few weeks before they are shipped. Pre-orders are expected to open on September 9.

Samsung beat Apple by releasing its Galaxy Note 7 in August. The phone was well received by users and critics alike and started selling well.

But then reports about batteries heating up and sparking some fires prompted Samsung to launch an embarrassing recall last week – just days before the iPhone 7 launch.

While Samsung’s battery problems might tilt some prospective buyers toward the iPhone 7, Apple depends on the ongoing success of its smartphones as they have become its biggest source of revenue.

What Is A Burkini?

Nancy Clayson
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0
What Is A Burkini?

A burkini is a full-body swimsuit that covers everything except the face, hands and feet.

The full-body swimwear is preferred by some Muslim women.

The name is a mix of the words “burka” and “bikini”. However, unlike burkas, burkinis do not cover the face.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

Burkinis are marketed to Muslim women as a way for them to swim in public while adhering to strict modesty edicts.

France’s bans on burkini have referred to religious clothing and as they were loosely phrased, came to be understood to include full-length clothing and head coverings worn on the beach – not just burkini swimsuits.

In 2010, France became the first European country to ban the full-face veil in public.

A 2004 law forbids the wearing of religious emblems in schools and colleges.

The 1905 constitution aims to separate Church and state. It enshrines secularism in education but also guarantees the freedom of religion and freedom to exercise it. The original text made no reference to clothing.

Burkini Ban Upheld in Corsica

Nancy Clayson
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0
Burkini Ban Upheld in Corsica

A Corsica court has upheld a local ban on the burkini.

The court in Bastia ruled that the burkini ban was legal on public order grounds.

Last month, a beach brawl between families of North African descent and local youths left five people injured.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

France’s top administrative court ruled in August that the ban, imposed in a number of towns across the country, violated basic freedoms.

However, the court also found that the measure was permissible if wearing the burkini was likely to cause a public disturbance.

On September 6, the Bastia court dismissed a challenge to the ban from France’s Human Rights League organization.

The court ruled that the burkini ban should be maintained because “strong emotions persist” on Corsica.

The measure was imposed by the village mayor in Sisco, where the mass brawl took place in August.

Mayor Ange-Pierre Vivoni said the verdict was “a relief for me and local people”.

He added that he had acted because he “risked having deaths on my hands”.

Witnesses said that hatchets and harpoons were used in the Sisco beach disturbance.

Tension has grown in recent months between local communities and Muslims of North African origin in the south of France, following the massacre of 85 people by a truck driver on the seafront at Nice on July 14, an attack claimed by ISIS.

Donald Trump Endorsed by 88 Retired Generals and Admirals

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Endorsed by 88 Retired Generals and Admirals

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has welcomed the endorsement from 88 former military leaders in an open letter, his campaign has announced.

The 88 retired generals and admirals declared the Republican nominee “has the temperament to be commander-in-chief”.

Donald Trump, who has highlighted veterans’ issues during his campaign, called their support “a great honor”.

The Republican has meanwhile been dismissing claims of impropriety over a political donation to a Florida official.Donald Trump hails Brexit referendum result

The Washington Post reported on September 5 that in 2013 Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had been considering fraud charges against Trump University.

However, Pam Bondi dropped the investigation after a $25,000 contribution to her political campaign from the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

Donald Trump was fined because he did not disclose the contribution to the US tax authorities.

The open letter released on September 6 by his campaign was signed by four 4-star generals.

The former top brass stated they believe Donald Trump is “more trusted to be commander-in-chief than Hillary Clinton”.

“We believe that such a change can only be made by someone who has not been deeply involved with, and substantially responsible for, the hollowing out of our military and the burgeoning threats facing our country around the world,” they added.

Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will take part back-to-back in a national security forum on September 7.

The forum, to be hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, will include questions from an audience of military service members.

Also on September 6, Hillary Clinton released a campaign ad featuring veterans who are critical of Donald Trump.

Hillary Clinton’s ad includes a clip of Donald Trump from July 2015 casting doubt on leading Republican John McCain’s war hero credentials.

Arizona Senator John McCain was tortured for more than five years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese.

Despite making support for the military a signature issue in his campaign, Donald Trump has at various times drawn criticism from military members.

He was involved in a recent spat with family members of a Muslim-American soldier killed during the Iraq War.

Donald Trump, who has not served in the military, also created a stir last month when he accepted a veteran’s gift of a Purple Heart which is awarded to soldiers wounded in war.

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