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Medina Attacks: Four Guards Killed Near Prophet’s Mosque

Roy Siemens
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Medina Attacks: Four Guards Killed Near Prophet’s Mosque

Three suicide attacks hit Saudi Arabia on July 4, including one near Islam’s second holiest site.

Four guards were killed near the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, while only the bombers died in Jeddah and Qatif.

No group has yet said it was behind the attacks, but suspicion has fallen on ISIS.

The Sunni Muslim jihadist group has called for the overthrow of the Saudi monarchy and its supporters have previously carried out bombings in the Gulf state, targeting the Shia minority community and security forces.

ISIS has also claimed a series of deadly attacks in the predominantly Muslim countries of Turkey, Bangladesh and Iraq during the holy month of Ramadan.

In July 4 first bombing, two security officers were wounded when a man detonated an explosive vest he was wearing near the US consulate in the coastal city of Jeddah shortly after midnight.

An interior ministry spokesman identified the assailant as a 35-year-old Pakistani expat called Abdullah Qalzar Khan, who it said had worked as a private driver in Jeddah for 12 years.

The second attack took place near dusk outside a Shia mosque in the mainly Shia eastern city of Qatif.

A resident told the Reuters news agency that there were believed to be no casualties apart from the bomber, as worshippers had already left to break their daylight Ramadan fasts.

However, the interior ministry spokesman said the remains of three people had been found and were being identified, without providing any details.Medina suicide attacks July 2016

Not long afterwards, another bomber struck near the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, where thousands of worshippers had gathered for the Maghrib prayers.

On July 5, the Senior Council of Ulema issued a statement saying those behind the three attacks, whom it described as “renegades”, “have no respect for any sanctity and they have no religion or conscience”.

The head of the Shura Council, Saudi Arabia’s main advisory body, said the attack was “unprecedented”.

The Grand Sheikh of Cairo’s al-Azhar University, the leading religious institute in the Sunni Muslim world, also stressed “the sanctity of the houses of God, especially the Prophet’s Mosque”.

The foreign minister of Shia power Iran, Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival,tweeted: “There are no more red lines left for terrorists to cross. Sunnis, Shiites will both remain victims unless we stand united as one. #Medina.”

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Interior Minister, Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, meanwhile sought to reassure his fellow citizens, saying: “The security of the homeland is good, it is at its highest levels and thanks be to God it gets stronger every day.”

According to the official Saudi Press Agency, the prince made the statement while visiting the security officers wounded in the Jeddah bombing.

UAE Citizens Urged Not To Wear Traditional Dress Abroad

Roy Siemens
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UAE Citizens Urged Not To Wear Traditional Dress Abroad

Emirati citizens are being urged not to wear national dress outside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region, days after businessman Ahmed al-Menhali was detained in the US.

Ahmed al-Menhali was detained while wearing traditional robes in a hotel in Avon, Ohio.

According to local media, a hotel employee feared he was pledging allegiance to ISIS.

The UAE’s ministry of interior issued advice on July 2 urging citizens to be careful about what they wear abroad.

UAE nationals should avoid wearing traditional costume “to preserve their safety”, the ministry said without referencing the Ohio incident.

Ohio broadcaster WEWS reported that police received a call from the sister of a hotel clerk who had said there was a man “in full headdress with multiple disposable phones pledging his allegiance to ISIS”.UAE national dress

Police later received a call from the employee’s father alleging the same thing.

A video of Ahmed al-Menhali’s arrest, filmed by police, was published by WEWS on July 1.

The footage shows armed police approaching him outside a hotel and forcing him to lie on the floor, before searching him.

Ahmed al-Menhali, who is wearing white robes, the ghutra headdress and the agal – cords to hold the headdress in place – is heard repeatedly asking why police had stopped him.

“They were brutal with me,” he told the UAE newspaper The National.

“They pressed forcefully on my back. I had several injuries and bled from the forceful nature of their arrest.”

Avon’s mayor and police chief have since apologized to Ahmed al-Menhali, who was recovering in Ohio after treatment following a stroke.

After meeting him, Muslim community leaders invited the officials to break fast with them as part of the holy month of Ramadan.

The UAE ministry of interior warning was distributed on July 2. A day later, the ministry also issued travel advice to Emirati citizens, urging them to respect bans of the full-face veil where they are in place.

The note also urges people “to take caution while abroad due to the security developments in some European countries, triggered by the unfolding unrest in the Middle East region, and their fallout, especially the refugee crisis”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SQfFK12d4Q

ISIS Bomb Attacks Kill At Least 75 People in Baghdad

Roy Siemens
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ISIS Bomb Attacks Kill At Least 75 People in Baghdad

ISIS militants have killed at least 75 people in two bomb attacks carried out in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say.

Some other 100 people have been injured in the attacks.

In the first attack on July 2, a suicide car bomb exploded near a restaurant and shopping area in the central district of Karrada.

The street was busy with shoppers after sundown in the holy month of Ramadan.

ISIS militants control large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria
ISIS militants control large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria

A second bomb exploded later in a predominantly Shia area north of the capital.

The bombings come a week after Iraqi security forces recaptured the city of Falluja from Islamic State militants.

Authorities say the city was used as a launching pad for attacks on Baghdad by ISIS.

On July 2, ISIS claimed responsibility for the suicide car bomb in Karrada, which caused a huge street fire on the main street, in a statement distributed online by supporters of the hardline Sunni group.

The car bomb went off as people were eating out late during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends next week.

ISIS still controls large swathes of territory in the country’s north and west, including Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city.

However, ISIS has been under pressure in Iraq and in neighboring Syria, where it has been targeted by government forces and US-backed rebels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NDwnxS_R4E

Elie Wiesel Dies in New York Aged 87

James J. Williams
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Elie Wiesel Dies in New York Aged 87

Auschwitz survivor and Nobel peace laureate Elie Wiesel has died in New York at the age of 87.

Elie Wiesel lived in Manhattan and had been a US citizen since the 1960s.

He became famous after writing about his experiences as a teenager in Nazi concentration camps, where he lost his mother, father and younger sister.

Elie Wiesel dedicated his life to ensuring the atrocities committed under the Nazis were never forgotten, and the president of the World Jewish Congress has called him “a beacon of light”.

Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust remembrance centre announced his death on July 2.

President Barack Obama said Elie Wiesel was “one of the great moral voices of our time”.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Elie Wiesel was born in Sighet, Romania, in 1928. In 1940, Sighet was part of a region that was annexed by Hungary. Four years later the town’s entire Jewish population, including 15-year-old Elie Wiesel and his family, was deported to Auschwitz.

Elie Wiesel’s mother and one sister were killed in Nazi death chambers. His father died of starvation and dysentery in the Buchenwald camp. Two other sisters survived.

After the war, Elie Wiesel lived in a French orphanage and went on to become a journalist.

He wrote more than 60 books, starting with Night, a memoir based on his experiences in the death camps.

Night included the lines: “For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living.

“To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.”

Elie Wiesel’s use of the term Holocaust helped cement the word’s association with Nazi atrocities against the Jews.

In 1986, Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his role in speaking out against violence, repression and racism.

After Elie Wiesel’s death, the head of the World Jewish Congress said he was “undoubtedly one of the great Jewish teachers and thinkers of the past 100 years”.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Elie Wiesel “served as a ray of light and an example of humanity that believes in the goodness of man”.

Elie Wiesel leaves a wife, Marion, who also survived the Holocaust, as well as a son, Elisha.

Hillary Clinton Questioned by FBI over Use of Emails

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Questioned by FBI over Use of Emails

Hillary Clinton has been questioned by the FBI over her use of emails while she was secretary of state, her campaign says.

A spokesperson for the Democratic presidential candidate said it was a voluntary interview.

The FBI is investigating Hillary Clinton and her aides over whether they mishandled classified information on a private email server she used while serving as secretary of state.Hillary Clinton South Carolina victory

Hillary Clinton denies handling classified information in her private emails.

The former secretary of state said she set up the email address for reasons of convenience.

However, a state department inquiry accused Hillary Clinton and other former US secretaries of state of poorly managing email security.

The Justice Department is now seeking to establish whether this constitutes a criminal offence.

On July 1, the US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said she would accept the findings of the FBI and prosecutors, when deciding whether to charge Hillary Clinton.

On June 30, it was revealed that Loretta Lynch had met former President Bill Clinton in what she described as a “social” meeting but which she admitted would “cast a shadow” over the way her role in the case would be perceived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ARTRi9YW8

Poet Yves Bonnefoy Dies Aged 93

Sonia Pantiss
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Poet Yves Bonnefoy Dies Aged 93

French poet and essayist Yves Bonnefoy has died at the age of 93, local media report.

One of France’s most esteemed modern poets, Yves Bonnefoy published more than 100 books translated into 30 languages.

Yves Bonnefoy was also a translator who was known for his French versions of the plays of William Shakespeare, and the poetry of W. B. Yeats, John Donne and Petrarch.

His style was surrealistic to a degree, but he sought to avoid the obscurity which might isolate his readers from the everyday world.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

Born in 1923 in Tours, Yves Bonnefoy was also an art critic who wrote on such modern masters as Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti and Piet Mondrian.

He also translated the works of his friend, the Greek poet George Seferis.

Yves Bonnefoy published his first volume of poetry in 1946 and first achieved wider fame seven years with his third book.

He said that in his poetry he tried to seek “what is immediate in life” by staying faithful to the “truth of language”.

Yves Bonnefoy taught comparative poetics at the prestigious College de France from 1981 to 1994, as well as teaching at a number of US universities.

Bangladesh Holey Artisan Bakery Hostage Crisis Ends After 12 Hours

Roy Siemens
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Bangladesh Holey Artisan Bakery Hostage Crisis Ends After 12 Hours

At least 20 people have been freed after Bangladeshi troops cleared Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in the capital Dhaka where suspected Islamist gunmen took hostages, including foreigners.

Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina said 13 hostages were freed and six attackers shot dead. One of the gunmen was arrested, she said.

Some of those who were held at the cafe were believed to be Italian and Japanese.

ISIS has said it carried out the attack.

The 12-hour siege began as diners were gathering to break their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

In a TV statement, PM Sheikh Hasina said: “It was an extremely heinous act.

“What kind of Muslims are these people? They don’t have any religion.

“My government is determined to root out terrorism and militancy from Bangladesh.”

Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said one Japanese citizen was shot and wounded in the attack, and that seven others were in the cafe. Japan’s government has not yet been able to contact them, he said.

Bangladesh’s Daily Star newspaper said the gunmen tortured anyone who was unable to recite the Koran. They provided meals overnight for only the Bangladeshi captives, the Daily Star said.

Sumon Reza, a supervisor at the cafe, was in the restaurant when the attack began but managed to flee to the roof.

“The whole building was shaking when they set off explosives,” he told media in Bangladesh. He later jumped off the roof and escaped.

Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard earlier, as the army and navy commandos stormed the cafe.

Armored vehicles were also seen moving in the Gulshan neighborhood.

The gunfire stopped after about an hour.

The identity of the rescued hostages and the fate of other captives believed to have been in the cafe were not immediately known.

At least two police officers were killed in exchanges of fire on July 1, and 30 police officers were injured.

The attack began when eight or nine armed men burst into the cafe in the diplomatic area of Dhaka at about 21:20 on July 1 and opened fire.

A statement on the ISIS’ self-styled Amaq news agency said militants had attacked a restaurant “frequented by foreigners”. It said that more than 20 people “of different nationalities” had been killed but this has not been confirmed.

Seven Italian nationals are believed to have been in the cafe, the Italian ambassador in Dhaka, Mario Palma, was quoted as saying by Italian media.

Lt. Col. Tuhin Mohammad Masud, commander of the Rapid Action Battalion, told Associated Press the gunmen did not respond when asked to negotiate. It is unclear if they made any demands.

The attack comes after a spate of murders of secular bloggers, gay activists, academics and members of religious minorities, blamed on Islamist militants.

Holey Artisan Bakery is described as being popular with expats, diplomats and middle-class families.

Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”, was heard as the militants entered the cafe.

Australia Elections 2016: Coalition Government Expected to Win

Diane A. Wade
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Australia Elections 2016: Coalition Government Expected to Win

Australia is holding federal elections, where the conservative coalition government is widely expected to win.

PM Malcolm Turnball and opposition leader Bill Shorten delivered their final pitches to voters on July 1 after a marathon eight-week campaign.

The UK’s decision to leave the EU appears to have benefitted PM Malcolm Turnbull.

Labor Party leader Bill Shorten said he still intended to win.

Bill Shorten is already answering questions about his leadership in the event of a loss, with frontbencher Anthony Albanese reportedly keen to challenge.

Nearly 15.5 million people are casting their ballots across Australia, where voting is compulsory.

During the campaign, the government and Labor have sparred over the economy, healthcare, immigration and same-gender marriage.

Photo news.com.au
Photo news.com.au

While the government is widely expected to retain power, it is also expected to lose many seats and tight polls indicate a high chance of a hung parliament.

As the result of Brexit referendum became clear, Malcolm Turnbull assured voters that he could deliver “economic certainty”.

The former lawyer and investment banker vowed to deliver tax cuts for workers and small businesses.

In contrast, Bill Shorten has promised to make his first priority legalizing same-gender marriage.

Disappointed with Australia’s two major political forces, many disenfranchised voters have turned to smaller parties.

An electoral flight to the independents could force the next government to walk a legislative minefield.

The Greens – who have 10 senators and one lower house lawmaker – are predicted to win more seats, particularly in inner-city areas where climate change and the treatment of refugees are major concerns.

Senator Nick Xenophon’s new pro-protectionism and anti-gambling party could control the balance of power in the event of a hung parliament.

Pauline Hanson, the founder of the far-right One Nation party, is a chance to re-enter politics on an anti-immigration platform.

A string of minor and micro parties with wildly diverse agendas are also running for both lower and upper house seats.

Bangladesh Hostage Crisis: Gunmen Storm Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe in Dhaka

Roy Siemens
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Bangladesh Hostage Crisis: Gunmen Storm Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe in Dhaka

A number of hostages have been taken by gunmen that stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, officials say.

Several foreigners are among those being detained by eight or nine gunmen in Dhaka’s Gulshan district, they add.

Two police officers have been killed in a gun battle, a spokesman said, and about 30 others injured.

ISIS has already said it carried out the attack.

A statement on ISIS’ self-styled news agency Amaq said militants had attacked a restaurant “frequented by foreigners”. It said that more than 20 people “of different nationalities” had been killed but this has not been confirmed.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Security forces say they are trying to negotiate the hostages’ release.

Initial reports said that as many as 20 foreigners were among those taken captive.

Italian nationals are believed to be among them, a source at the Italian foreign ministry said, quoted by Reuters.

Benazir Ahmed, chief of the Rapid Action Battalion, Bangladesh’s elite police force said: “We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers.

“Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside.”

Police said the gunmen burst into the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe at about 21:20 local time and opened fire.

The cafe is described as being popular with expats, diplomats and middle-class families.

Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, was heard as the attack took place.

Another local resident, Tarique Mir, said he could hear sporadic gunfire nearly three hours after the attack began.

Although high-profile gun attacks are rare in Bangladesh, the latest incident follows a series of murders widely blamed on Islamist extremists.

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

Austria Court Annuls Presidential Election Result

Diane A. Wade
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Austria Court Annuls Presidential Election Result

Austria’s Constitutional Court has annulled the result of the presidential election narrowly lost by Norbert Hofer, the candidate of the far-right Freedom Party.

The Freedom Party had challenged the result, saying that postal votes had been illegally and improperly handled.

Norbert Hofer lost the election to the former leader of the Greens, Alexander Van der Bellen, by just 30,863 votes or less than one percentage point.

The election will now be re-run.

Announcing the decision, Gerhard Holzinger, head of Austria’s highest court, said: “The challenge brought by Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache against the May 22 election… has been upheld.”

In two weeks of hearings, lawyers for the Freedom Party argued that postal ballots were illegally handled in 94 out of 117 districts.

The party alleged that thousands of votes were opened earlier than permitted under election rules and some were counted by people unauthorised to do so.

Photo euractiv.com
Photo euractiv.com

It also claimed to have evidence that some under-16s and foreigners had been allowed to vote.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court said election rules had been broken in a way that could have influenced the result.

However, it said there was no proof the count had been manipulated.

If elected, Norbert Hofer will become the first far-right head of state of an EU country.

The Freedom Party has based its election campaigns around concern over immigration and falling living standards for the less well-off.

After Brexit, Norbert Hofer said he favored holding a similar referendum in Austria if the bloc failed to stop centralization and carry out reforms “within a year”.

On June 26, he told the Oesterreich newspaper: “If [the EU] evolves in the wrong direction, then in my opinion the time has come to ask the Austrians if they still want to be part of it.”

Norbert Hofer’s opponent, Alexander Van der Bellen, is strongly pro-EU and has spoken of his dream for a border-free “United States of Europe”.

Following the court’s order to re-run the vote, President Heinz Fischer will be replaced on a temporary basis by three parliamentary officials, including Norbert Hofer.

The new election is expected to be held in September or October.

Austria’s president has a mostly ceremonial role.

However, the president does have the power to dissolve the National Council – the more powerful lower house of parliament. That triggers a general election.

The president can only do that once for a particular reason – he cannot use the same grounds to dissolve it again.

It is the chancellor’s job to appoint government ministers. And the chancellor has the power to dismiss the government. But ministers have to be formally sworn in by the president.

Tesla Crash: First Death Potentially Caused by Self-Driving Technology Investigated

Clyde K. Valle
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Tesla Crash: First Death Potentially Caused by Self-Driving Technology Investigated

The first death potentially caused by self-driving technology is now being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The driver of a Tesla car died in Florida in May after colliding with a truck.

Under scrutiny is Tesla’s Autopilot feature, which automatically changes lanes and reacts to traffic.

In a statement, Tesla said it appeared the Model S car was unable to recognize “the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky” that had driven across the car’s path.

Tesla said the crash was a “tragic loss”.

The collision led to the death of Tesla driver Joshua Brown, 40. The driver of the truck, which was pulling a trailer, was unhurt.

Phot Wikipedia
Phot Wikipedia

A video on YouTube, which appears to have been posted by Joshua Brown, shows a dashboard camera recording of a previous incident, with the car steering to avoid a truck in the next lane.

He wrote: “Tesla Model S autopilot saved the car autonomously from a side collision from a boom lift truck.

“Hands down the best car I have ever owned and use it to its full extent. It has done many, many amazing things, but this was one of the more interesting things caught on the dashcam.”

On June 30, Tesla stressed that cars being controlled by Autopilot had travelled 130 million safe miles to date.

Tesla said in a statement: “The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S.”

“Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.”

The NHTSA will look at whether the Autopilot function performed as expected, or was at fault.

Such investigations can sometimes lead to a recall. Should that be the case, it is likely Tesla would put out an “over-the-air” update to its cars, rather than having to physically take the vehicles back.

However, the incident could be a serious blow to the reputation of autonomous technology at a time when regulators across the world are considering how to safely introduce it on public roads.

Tesla’s shares dropped by 3% after the government said it would investigate the crash.

The Autopilot function was introduced by Tesla in October 2016. In a conference call, the company’s enigmatic chief executive Elon Musk urged caution in using the technology.

“The driver cannot abdicate responsibility,” he said.

In June 30 statement, Tesla said: “It is important to note that Tesla disables Autopilot by default and requires explicit acknowledgement that the system is new technology and still in a public beta phase before it can be enabled.

“The system also makes frequent checks to ensure that the driver’s hands remain on the wheel and provides visual and audible alerts if hands-on is not detected.

“It then gradually slows down the car until hands-on is detected again.”

In its statement, the NHTSA stressed: “The opening of the Preliminary Evaluation should not be construed as a finding that the Office of Defects Investigation believes there is either a presence or absence of a defect in the subject vehicles.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8qq5uz8Kcs

SpyStealth Phone Tracking Software

Nancy Clayson
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SpyStealth Phone Tracking Software

SpyStealth phone tracking software gives you the opportunity to track up to three devices, and what those devices are used for, giving you the opportunity to keep track of children or employees and ensure their behaviour is what is expected. The SpyStealth software monitors the device’s actions, even down to small details, giving you the opportunity to comprehensively know what the phone is used for, and to prevent it being used in that way if necessary.

Call and message monitoring

SpyStealth software will allow you to see who is called from the monitored device, what time they call, and for how long the call lasts. It also gives you access to see all of the contacts stored on the phones, allowing you to see anyone they are able to contact. The SpyStealth software also monitors all SMS and MMS messages sent from the device, as well as received, and also allows you to monitor the content of all messages. So the software covers these basic phone tracking needs, but goes even further.SpyStealth monitoring software

Instant messaging and online monitoring

SpyStealth also monitors any instant messaging app, such as WhatsApp or Facebook messenger used through the device. It also lets you see any messages sent or received through Gmail, or any other email supplier, allowing you full coverage of any messages sent through the device. The software also allows you to monitor any websites visited using the device, and sends you links to any YouTube clips viewed on the device. The software goes as far as allowing you to see any notes made on the device, and all photographs and videos taken. It will also allow you to keep track of the device’s location using GPS tracking, letting you view where the device has previously been or currently is, by showing you a map and allowing you to pinpoint exactly where the device has or is being used. SpyStealth can also send you alerts when profanity is used on the device, or when a certain contact is messaged or called.

Blocking

So you’ve monitored the device, and you do not find the behaviour of your child or employee to be acceptable. SpyStealth will allow you to block access to any application on the device, or to limit activity on the application remotely. The software will also allow you remotely lock or completely wipe the device by using SMS commands, allowing you to take steps to intervene, rather than just monitor.

 

SpyStealth offers a wealth of features, allowing you to comprehensively track the devices used by your children or employees. The software is compatible with all major operating system, including Android and Apple systems, and can be installed on up to three devices. After installation on the chosen device you have the option to keep the SpyStealth logo hidden if necessary, allowing you to track the device without the user’s knowledge. Once installed on your chosen device or devices, you can monitor them using your SpyStealth live account, which will allow you to view all previous activity on the device as well as showing activity in real time. Should you have any queries about or issues with the software there is a team available to contact 24/7 to offer support or help resolve any problems. SpyStealth is also constantly updated with all the latest available features, ensuring that the comprehensive monitoring coverage you receive is always up to date.

 

Read more: https://www.spystealth.com/

Istanbul Attackers Are All from Ex-USSR

Roy Siemens
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Istanbul Attackers Are All from Ex-USSR

Turkish sources claim that the three men who carried out the deadly attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport on June 28 were all from parts of the former USSR.

One is said to be from Russia’s North Caucasus region and the others from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Turkey believes ISIS was behind the suicide gun and bomb attack that left 44 people dead and some 240 injured.

Meanwhile, Turkish police detained at least 13 suspects in Istanbul and more in Izmir on June 30.

One image on Turkish media purported to show the three men together at the airport moments before the attack, wearing dark jackets and carrying hold alls. Two are wearing caps, one is smiling.Istanbul airport attackers USSR

An unnamed Turkish official confirmed for Reuters news agency the dead attackers’ countries of origin after Turkish media reports.

Some agencies named one of the men as Osman Vadinov, said to have crossed into Turkey from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria in 2015.

Reports that Osman Vadinov was a Chechen have been denied by an unnamed police source in the North Caucasus, Russia’s Interfax news agency reports.

The organizer of the attack has been named by Turkish media as Akhmed Chatayev, a Chechen believed to have acted as an ISIS recruiter, who is on a US counter-terror sanctions list. His fate was not immediately clear.

ISIS has long recruited members from mainly Muslim parts of the former USSR, with Russian President Vladimir Putin putting the overall number at between 5,000 and 7,000 in October.

However, data published by the Soufan Group security consultants in December suggests the numbers are lower: 2,400 from Russia and 500 apiece from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Turkey’s government has made no official statement on nationalities yet and no-one has said they carried out the attack on June 28.

PM Binali Yildirim said on June 29 that “our thoughts on those responsible for the attack lean towards Islamic State”.

Istanbul Attack: Turkish Police Raids Against Suspected ISIS Militants

Roy Siemens
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Istanbul Attack: Turkish Police Raids Against Suspected ISIS Militants

Turkey has carried out raids against suspected ISIS militants after the deadly attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport.

At least 13 suspects were detained in the raids in Istanbul, with more in the western coastal city of Izmir.

Turkey believes ISIS was behind June 28 suicide gun and bomb attack that left 42 people dead and more than 230 injured.

More details of the victims have emerged, many of them airport workers.

A Turkish official told AFP: “Earlier today, the police raided 16 locations to detain 13 IS suspects, including three foreign nationals.”Istanbul airport attack 2016

Turkish media said counter-terrorism police had raided several areas of Istanbul – including Pendik, Basaksehir and Sultanbeyli.

Arrests were also reported in Izmir, where at least nine people were detained, accused of financing, recruiting and providing logistical support to ISIS.

Separately, Turkish media reported that security forces had killed two suspected ISIS militants on the Syrian border on June 25. They said one was planning an attack on the capital Ankara or the city of Adana.

No-one has yet said they carried out the airport attack.

The Hurriyet newspaper identified one of the three bombers as a Chechen but there is no official confirmation.

Turkey’s PM Binali Yildirim has said again that “our thoughts on those responsible for the attack lean towards Islamic State”.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday a national day of mourning and said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

Detailing the attack, Binali Yildirim said the three men had wanted to pass through the security system but on seeing the controls “took their weapons out of their suitcases and opened fire at random at the security check”.

One attacker detonated his explosives downstairs in the arrivals terminal, Turkish officials said.

The second went upstairs and set off his explosives there while the third waited outside as passengers fled. He then detonated his explosives, causing the most casualties.

A Kalashnikov assault rifle, a handgun and two grenades were found on the bodies, Turkish media said.

In addition to the 42 killed, more than 230 people were injured and dozens remain in critical condition in hospital.

The assault on Ataturk airport – Europe’s third busiest – is the sixth major attack in 2016 targeting either Istanbul or Turkey’s capital, Ankara.

Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo Inauguration

Diane A. Wade
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Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo Inauguration

Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as the new president of the Philippines, after winning election in May.

The 71-year-old overthrew the political establishment at the polls, promising a “bloody war” on crime and corruption.

In his inaugural speech the controversial former mayor of Davao City promised to make sweeping changes to the country’s political system.

However, in a nod to his critics Rodrigo Duterte also insisted that he “knows the limits” of his power.

Rodrigo Duterte, who has barely left Davao in the south since his election win, took his oath at a small ceremony at the Malacanang Palace in Manila.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Only state media were permitted to cover the event, but it was streamed live online.

Rodrigo Duterte told the audience he would tackle an “erosion of the people’s trust” in the leaders, the judiciary and public servants.

He added: “As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.”

“I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.

“My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising. You mind your work and I will mind mine.”

Rodrigo Duterte also promised to honor international treaties and respect peace deals agreed with rebels at home.

The new vice-president, Leni Robredo, was sworn in at a separate ceremony in Quezon City, in the suburbs of Manila.

Both will both serve a single six-year term.

The two swearing-in ceremonies were being held separately for the first time in the Philippines, which local media attributed to Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to a opt for a relatively small event.

However, there is a notable political and personality gulf between the two leaders.

Leni Robredo, an anti-poverty campaigner and human rights lawyer, was sworn in by the chairman of the poorest ward of a district in her province, as well as the chairman of the ward in which her new office is located.

She won her new position by a wafer-thin margin against Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, the son of late former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose family has staged a remarkable political comeback since being toppled in 1986.

Leni Robredo is from the same Liberal Party as outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, who oversaw big improvements in economic growth and foreign investment.

Benigno Aquino had less success tackling endemic corruption and inequality, something Rodrigo Duterte has promised to change.

Alvin Toffler Dies in Bel Air Aged 87

James J. Williams
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Alvin Toffler Dies in Bel Air Aged 87

Futurologist guru Alvin Toffler has died at the age of 87.

He was the author of 1970 Future Shock and other works predicting social, economic and technological change.

Future Shock, which sold 15 million copies, defined people’s anxiety at the pace of social change in the 1960s.

Alvin Toffler popularized terms such as “information overload” and his works led world leaders and business moguls to seek his advice.

He predicted the rise of the internet and decline of the nuclear family.

Alvin Toffler died in his sleep on June 27 at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Although many writers in the 1960s focused on social upheavals related to technological advancement, Alvin Toffler wrote in a page-turning style that made difficult concepts easy to understand.

Future Shock argued that economists who believed the rise in prosperity of the 1960s was just a trend were wrong – and that it would continue indefinitely.

The Third Wave, in 1980, was a hugely influential work that forecast the spread of emails, interactive media, online chat rooms and other digital advancements.

He also foresaw increased social alienation, rising drug use and the decline of the nuclear family.

Not all of his futurist predictions have come to pass. Alvin Toffler thought humanity’s frontier spirit would lead to the creation of “artificial cities beneath the waves” as well as colonies in space.

One of his most famous assertions was: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, China PMZhao Ziyang and Mexican business guru Carlos Slim were among those who sought his advice.

Alvin Toffler was born to Jewish Polish immigrants in 1928 and honed his theories working for IBM and other technology companies in the 60s. He is survived by his wife, Heidi, with whom he collaborated on many of his books.

Istanbul Airport Attack Death Toll Rises to 41

Roy Siemens
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Istanbul Airport Attack Death Toll Rises to 41

The number of people killed the Istanbul’s Ataturk airport attack has risen to 41 with 239 injured, the Turkish city’s governor says.

Thirteen of those killed in the attack were foreign nationals, he added.

Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance late on June 28. They blew themselves up after police fired back.

Turkish PM Binali Yildirim said early signs pointed to ISIS.

However, no-one has so far admitted carrying out the attack.

Turkey has declared June 29 a day of national mourning.

Turkish investigators are examining CCTV footage, witness statements and mobile phone video recorded by terrified passengers to try to determine the identity of the attackers.

According to the Dogan news agency, autopsies on the three dead men suggested they may be foreign nationals but this has not been confirmed.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag says that 128 people remain in hospital, including nationals of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Switzerland, the Associated Press reports.

Of those, 41 are still in intensive care.Istanbul airport attack death toll

Heavily-armed security personnel were patrolling the airport.

Flights had resumed in the early morning, though with many cancellations and delays.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

Reports of the attack vary but it appears the attackers opened fire at the entrance where X-ray machines are positioned, sparking an exchange with police. At least two of the attackers ran into the building.

Footage on social media shows one moving through the building as people around him flee. He is shot by police and remains on the ground for about 20 seconds before blowing himself up. All three attackers were killed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Turkey in a phone call with President Erdogan, as the pair seek to rebuild ties.

France’s President Francois Hollande has confirmed two French nationals were injured in the attack, but not seriously.

Pope Francis also denounced the “brutal terrorist attack”, saying: “May the Lord convert the hearts of the violent ones and support our efforts toward the path of peace.”

#PrayforTurkey began trending on Twitter after the attack on Istanbul international airport.

El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Temporarily Halted

Diane A. Wade
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El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Temporarily Halted

The extradition of Mexican cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the US has been temporarily halted after his lawyers filed appeals.

Mexico agreed to transfer El Chapo Guzman in May after the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty.

However, the ruling means it could be months or even years before the drug lord is sent to the US, where he faces murder and drug smuggling charges.

El Chapo Guzman is being held in a maximum security prison near the US border.El Chapo Guzman extradition to US

He was arrested in January after six months on the run following his escape through a tunnel in his jail cell. He had already escaped a maximum security facility once before, spending 13 years at large.

One of the appeals argues that the statute of limitations has run out on some crimes El Chapo Guzman is accused of in the US, his lawyer Jose Refugio Rodriguez told Associated Press.

El Chapo Guzman’s defense also argues some of the accusations lack direct evidence.

Istanbul Airport Attack Kills 36 and Injures 147

Roy Siemens
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Istanbul Airport Attack Kills 36 and Injures 147

At least 36 people have been killed and 147 others injured in a gun and bomb attack in Istanbul’s Ataturk international airport, officials say.

Three attackers began shooting outside and inside the terminal on the evening of June 28 and blew themselves up after police fired at them, officials say.

Turkey’s PM Binali Yildirim said early signs suggested ISIS was behind the attack.

Recent bombings have been linked to either ISIS or Kurdish separatists.

There are X-ray scanners at the entrance to the terminal but security checks for cars are limited.

Pictures from the airport terminal showed bodies covered in sheets, with glass and abandoned luggage littering the building.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

“The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world,” he said.Istanbul airport attack 2016

The US called the attack “heinous”, saying America remained “steadfast in our support for Turkey”.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “We grieve for the victims. We stand by Turkey.”

Speaking several hours after June 28 attack, PM Binali Yildirim said at least 36 people were killed and many wounded, some seriously, with foreigners likely to be among the victims.

The prime minister said the attackers had arrived at the airport in a taxi.

Footage on social media shows one of the attackers running in the departure hall as people around him flee. He is shot by police and remains on the ground for about 20 seconds before blowing himself up. All three attackers were killed.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag put the number of injured at 147.

Taxis were used to rush casualties to hospital after the attack. Desperate relatives of those missing later gathered outside a local hospital where many victims were taken. Some expressed anger about the lack of information.

Flights in and out of the airport were suspended after the attack. The US Federal Aviation Administration initially grounded all services between the US and Istanbul but the stoppage was later lifted.

Flights have now resumed at the airport, but information boards showed about one-third had been cancelled, with many delays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptz1N_0oh0o

Philips Charitable Organization and the Role Karen Played in Its Founding

Dana R
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Philips Charitable Organization and the Role Karen Played in Its Founding

The Phillips Charitable Organizations is the philanthropic brainchild of Karen and Charles Phillips. As a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization, they aim to provide quick and effective financial support to disadvantaged students who want to enter the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields, single parents, and wounded and army veterans. The board of PCO is made up of Charles Phillips and Charles Phillips’ wife Karen Phillips, Young Huh, and Eric Garvin. Over the past two years alone, the PCO has awarded more than 100 different grants.

The four board members of PCO have been friends since childhood. All four of them have supported charitable organizations individually for as long as they could. What they aimed to do through PCO, however, was to bring all those efforts together. In so doing, people in need are able to access the funds they need quickly and efficiently, and donors don’t need to put in a lot of time or effort. Larger organizations that aim to do similar things are often bogged down by bureaucracy and red tape.

The charity was established by the four board members to combat this. They aimed to create something that did not have any type of administrative overhead, thereby rendering it far more efficient. Furthermore, they wanted all decisions to be made very quickly, focusing on specific groups that the four people are interested in. Furthermore, they all took part in Habitat for Humanity builds across the planet, including in this country, something that tremendously inspired them.

PCO sets itself apart by having 100% efficiency. This is because they don’t have expenses for fundraising, marketing, brochures, office rent, or overheads. Instead, all staff works on a volunteer basis, and 100% of the money collected goes directly to those who need it.

One of the main areas of focus for PCO is single parents. This is because a number of the board members of the non-profit grew up in those types of household themselves, and all of them know people who have grown up in that way. They also wanted to focus on engineering students, because two board members have an engineering degree and have been able to build a significant career out of that. STEM education initiatives for children overall are also supported, as the board feels these are of tremendous benefit for the future. Lastly, they focus on wounded veterans. Four of the board members are army veterans, having met each other at the Air Force Academy. They want to give back to the selfless sacrifice that these brave men and women have made.

Charles Phillips and his wife Karen are two incredibly inspirational people. Coming from an African American background, they have achieved things that few other minority groups have been able to achieve, and they have paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps. This is something that continues to this day, with the Phillips’ frequently giving back to African American communities as well.

How cloud computing is transforming business operations

Dana R
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How cloud computing is transforming business operations

Once upon a time it sounded a novel idea, but cloud computing is anything but that in 2016.

The term has proved to be confusing to some, but that’s not stopped it from soaring in popularity. At first it was winning domestic battles – replacing USB drives and other popular forms of storage with an online alternative. Now, it’s entered the business market – and entered it with a bang.

The capabilities that cloud computing offers means that businesses no longer have to function in the one-dimensional way that they have been used to for centuries. It’s allowed them to expand and at the same time, created a whole host of opportunities for companies to prosper.

Let’s look at the examples. Years ago, a company would be in charge of absolutely everything under its business umbrella – it would take an order, manufacture it, ship it before selling it.

Now, make no mistake about it, the cloud isn’t the reason this process has ended. Over time businesses have realized that specialism is the key – handing processes to third parties in a bid to make their overall approach much more efficient. Now, you might have four or five companies carrying out all of the tasks that we outlined above.

What the cloud has achieved is making this much more scalable. While specializing within these tasks is great, it’s also very complicated. With so many fingers in one pie so to speak, it means that not everything is in the principle company’s control.

Previously, over the last couple of decades anyway, businesses have had to negotiate such problems by communicating as efficiently as possible. Each one will run their own set of software – usually sending emails to the next supply partner when their part is complete.

Suffice to say, it’s a problematic approach. It created a gaping opportunity; one which cloud computing has taken with both hands.

Now, data is freely available. It means regardless of where the company selling the goods is based, they can tap into the logistics information even if their freight firm is based across the other side of the world. The cloud means that everything can be tapped into instantly.

Of course, it’s not quite as simple as that and there are various software considerations that should be made. You only have to take a look at Charles Phillips’ business affairs at Infor, and the immense R&D investment he has orchestrated in such solutions, to see that the industry is complex.

The difference is that it is now just complex for the software vendors – the ones who can, and are ultimately paid, to deal with such complexity.

For business owners, who have been tapping into all sorts of systems in a bid to get on the same page as their supply partners over the years, it’s anything but complex. Cloud computing has allowed them to shine and concentrate fully on their own business – providing them with all of the data they need in, well, the cloud.

IKEA Recalls 29 Million Malm Chests of Drawers over Child Deaths

Nancy Clayson
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IKEA Recalls 29 Million Malm Chests of Drawers over Child Deaths

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has decided to recall 29 million Malm chests of drawers in the US and Canada, after the deaths of three children in the US.

IKEA has stopped selling the drawers in the US and Canada after they toppled over and crushed the children.

Initially, the furniture retailer warned consumers to use wall mounts with them, but a third death in February prompted the recall.

The units being withdrawn are children’s chests of drawers taller than 23.5 inches and adult chests of drawers and dressers taller than 29.5 inches.

Photo IKEA
Photo IKEA

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in addition to the three deaths since 2014, IKEA received reports of 41 tip-over incidents involving the Malm chests and dressers, resulting in 17 injuries to children between the ages of 19 months and 10 years old.

IKEA said that anyone who owns one of the pieces of furniture, and has not attached it to a wall, should take it out of the reach of children.

Consumers can choose between a refund or a free wall-anchoring repair kit.

The deaths caused by the toppling furniture prompted the CPSC to launch an education campaign to promote awareness of the problem across the industry.

The company said that it would help to promote the campaign in the US and around the world.

IKEA said in a statement: “With the Secure it! campaign, launched globally in stores and on IKEA’s website, IKEA urges customers to inspect their chests of drawers and dressers and to ensure that they are securely anchored to the wall according to assembly instructions.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NLtD5GHOwI

Bud Spencer Dies in Rome Aged 86

Sonia Pantiss
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Bud Spencer Dies in Rome Aged 86

Legendary actor Bud Spencer, who starred in a number of spaghetti westerns, has died aged 86.

The Italian actor, whose real name was Carlo Pedersoli, passed away peacefully on June 27 in Rome “and did not suffer from pain”, his son, Giuseppe Pedersoli has announced.

Bud Spencer was known among his fans as the “big friendly giant” of the screen because of his height and weight.

He was also a professional swimmer.

Bud Spencer appeared in more than 20 movies from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

He frequently appeared as part of a double act alongside Terence Hill – whose real name was Mario Girotti.

Bud Spencer’s movies included Ace High, They Call Me Trinity, Double Trouble, Go For It and A Friend is a Treasure.

Bud Spencer’s family said on his Twitter account: “With our deepest regrets, we have to tell you that Bud is flying to his next journey.”

Giuseppe Pedersoli added: “He had all of us next to him and his last words were <<Thank you>>.”

Paying tribute to Bud Spencer, Italian PM Matteo Renzi tweeted: “Ciao #BudSpencer We loved you so much.”

Russell Crowe said: “RIP Bud Spencer. My heart goes out to your family.”

The Hollywood star was a known fan of Bud Spencer’s work – at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year he thanked a journalist for comparing his double act with Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys to Bud Spencer and Terence Hill.

Russell Crowe said: “Dude, now you’re talking. That’s a really flattering compliment, thank you very much.”

Bud Spencer was born in Naples in 1929, but later moved to Rome, where he became a promising swimmer.

In 1950, Carlo Pedersoli became the first Italian to swim 100m in under one minute.

He later abandoned his sporting career and began acting in westerns and comedy movies – appearing alongside Terrence Hill in 16 films.

Bud Spencer said he chose his name as a tribute to his favorite beer Budweiser and Spencer Tracy.

Dieselgate: VW Reaches $15 Billion Settlement with US Car Owners

Clyde K. Valle
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Dieselgate: VW Reaches $15 Billion Settlement with US Car Owners

Volkswagen has reportedly reached a $15 billion settlement with US car owners after admitting it cheated emission tests.

The German auto maker would offer to repair or buy back the affected diesel vehicles and pay owners compensation, according to sources close to the talks.

In 2015, US regulators discovered that VW cars were fitted with software that could distort emissions tests.

VW subsequently said 11 million cars were affected worldwide.

The US settlement is still pending approval by a judge, but it would be the largest car scandal settlement in the country’s history. The details are expected to be announced on June 28.VW CO2 issue 2015

According to news agencies, the legal settlement sets aside $10 billion to repair or buy back around 475,000 affected vehicles with 2-litre diesel engines, and to compensate owners with a payment of up to $10,000.

Car owners would still be able to decline the VW offer and sue the company on their own.

According to the sources quoted by news agencies, the deal also includes $2.7 billion in funds to offset excess diesel emissions and $2 billion for research into green energy and environment-friendly cars.

VW installed software in diesel engines to detect when they were being tested so the cars could cheat the results.

Some models could have been pumping out up to 40 times the legal limit of the pollutant, nitrogen oxide, regulators disclosed.

The company told its shareholders last year it had set aside $7.3 billion to help defray the potential costs of a recall or regulatory penalties.

That amount though might not be enough – VW faces as much as $20 billion in fines for Clean Air Act violations alone.

The increased emissions provision pushed VW to an annual pre-tax loss of €1.3 billion, compared with a profit of €14.7 billion the previous year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpeLLt83ds4

The Contributions of Abraham Lincoln Are Still Important Today

Dana R
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The Contributions of Abraham Lincoln Are Still Important Today

Abraham Lincoln is remembered for changing the course of American history. His greatest contributions include uniting a divided nation and putting a decisive end to the practice of slavery.

In addition to the changes he was able to implement, he is well-known for his oratory, in particular, the Gettysburg Address.  History professionals or Lincoln enthusiasts can view — even purchase — some of his documents and other historical items from the Raab Collection. These pieces can not only be a part of our country’s past, but they can also be a part of the future. Lincoln stands in a select group of our country’s past presidents. Unlike modern Presidents who have a team of professional speechwriters and read off a teleprompter, Lincoln came up with his own ideas, crafted his own words, and spoke from memory.

In fact, for generations, American schoolchildren have been introduced to Lincoln’s remarkable life by memorizing the Gettysburg Address. It is believed to be the finest piece of oratory ever delivered by a leader to a nation.

Many historians view him as the greatest President ever to lead the United States.

The Greatest American President

Here are six primary characteristics historians have traditionally used to determine the quality of a presidency:

  • ·  Leadership skills
  • ·  Accomplishments
  • ·  Crisis management
  • ·  Political savvy
  • ·  Appointments
  • ·  Character and integrity

Using this criteria, Abraham Lincoln is at the top of the list compared to many other illustrious American presidents.

The following presidents are generally considered the most memorable presidents of the United States because they led the nation through the most critical times:

  • ·  Franklin Roosevelt
  • ·  George Washington
  • ·  Theodore Roosevelt
  • ·  Thomas Jefferson
  • ·  Andrew Jackson
  • ·  Woodrow Wilson
  • ·  Harry Truman
  • ·  John F. Kennedy

While there is no doubt that all these presidents accomplished remarkable things, they don’t measure up to Abraham Lincoln.

He even compares more favorably than George Washington or Franklin Roosevelt.

George Washington may have liberated the nation from the British, but he lacked political savvy. If it were not for Benjamin Franklin, the French would never have funded the American Revolution.

Franklin Roosevelt, who led the United States during World War II, did not have as much character and integrity. Although married, he had two mistresses.

Based on the judgment of historians, Abraham Lincoln excelled in every measure applied to judge the value of a presidency.

Winning Over a Divided Nation

Theoretically, Lincoln’s assassination by Confederate sympathizers could have turned the tide for the South. The intent of the assassination was to send the Union government into a state of chaos–but, Lincoln’s words and deeds as a President had so impressed the nation, winning over hearts and minds, that even when he died, the force of change that he had set into motion could not be stopped.

Lincoln’s Canonization

After his assassination, he was immediately canonized as the greatest president of his time.

At that time, extravagant eulogies were the norm and Lincoln was compared to Jesus Christ, hailed as a self-made man, praised as the liberator of slaves, and worshiped as the savior of the Union. He was even referred to as “Father Abraham” and a “Masterpiece of God.”

The Greatest American Activist

While historians don’t elevate Lincoln to the mythic proportions ascribed by popular culture, they still accord him a high level of respect and praise.

Lincoln catapulted the presidency into a powerful position. As the commander-in-chief and the chief executive, he made the President more powerful than the Constitution allowed, acting without congressional approval or the consent of the court. His unilateral action included spending $2 million, expanding the army and navy, and declaring the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Lincoln declared that the nation was in a state of emergency, and it was nonsensical “to lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution.”

In retrospect, if he had relied on the designated power of the presidency, he would not have been able to preserve the Union, vindicate democracy, abolish slavery, and grant all citizens equal rights. The drastic executive authority of the President that he seized did not continue after his death.

A More Subtle Legacy

Lincoln overcame impoverished beginnings. He was self-educated and taught himself grammar and oratory to become a lawyer. He struggled as a lawyer and a politician, witnessed the death of his 11-year-old son, and suffered from overwhelming depression. Despite all these trials and tribulations, both private and public, he saved the union and freed the slaves. He was a humanist in a world where man’s inhumanity to man was considered the norm. He embodied the virtues of humility even at the height of his powers.Consequently, another legacy left behind by Lincoln was of a more personal nature.

Thanksgiving

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving because he declared it a national holiday in the Fall of 1863. So, in a very tangible way, he continues to inspire generations of Americans on how to practice gratitude and other virtues.

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