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Austria Elections 2016: Alexander Van der Bellen Wins Presidency

Diane A. Wade
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Austria Elections 2016: Alexander Van der Bellen Wins Presidency

Independent Alexander Van der Bellen has won Austria’s presidency after beating the Freedom Party’s Norbert Hofer by just 31,000 votes among the 4.64 million cast in May 22 election.

The victor accepted there was a “rift” but said: “We are two sides of the same coin. Together we make up Austria.”

Far-right Norbert Hofer had run on a Eurosceptic, anti-immigration platform.

If Norbert Hofer had won, he would have become the first far-right head of state of a EU nation.Alexander Van der Bellen wins Austria presidency

In his victory speech, Alexander Van der Bellen, a pro-EU candidate backed by the Greens, said he accepted that many people believed that they were not being heard.

Austria’s newly-elected president said: “We need a different culture of dialogue and a political system which deals with people’s fears and anger.”

Alexander Van der Bellen, 72, said he would “work towards winning the trust of Norbert Hofer’s voters” and try to be “a non-partisan president for all the people in Austria”.

He added: “There’s been a lot of talk about this country’s rifts. But I think you can also interpret the split as a sign that we are two sides of the same coin and each side is as important as the other.”

Austria’s Chancellor Christian Kern said the vote was “worryingly close… and therefore it is of particular importance to us that… no voter feels like they have lost.”

Mainstream European politicians expressed relief at the result. Many nations have seen a surge in nationalist and anti-immigration parties amid the migrant crisis and economic uncertainty.

The Austrian presidency is largely a ceremonial post. But the president can dissolve the lower house of parliament and call elections without the need for permission from the ruling party.

Norbert Hofer said on his Facebook page it was a “sad day” but added: “Please don’t be disheartened. The effort in this election campaign is not wasted, but is an investment for the future.”

Alexander Van der Bellen is the first environmental activist to become Austrian president.

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

US Lifts Embargo on Lethal Arms Sales to Vietnam

Roy Siemens
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US Lifts Embargo on Lethal Arms Sales to Vietnam

The US is fully lifting its embargo on sales of lethal weapons to Vietnam, its one-time enemy, President Barack Obama has announced.

Speaking during a visit to Vietnam and talks with its leaders, President Barack Obama said the move removed a “lingering vestige of the Cold War”.

The US is trying to bolster its relationship with its Pacific allies, as China asserts territorial claims.

However, Barack Obama said the embargo decision was not related to US policy on China.

“It’s based on our desire to complete what has been a lengthy process of moving towards normalization with Vietnam,” the president said in Hanoi.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Vietnam is one of several countries in the region involved in maritime disputes with China. The US insists on the right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

In 2014, a row over a Chinese oil rig near the Paracel islands led to clashes between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels and anti-China riots in Vietnam.

According to White House officials, the arms ban, in force since 1984, would be lifted only if human rights in Vietnam improved.

Barack Obama said after talks with President Tran Dai Quang: “Sales will need to still meet strict requirements, including those related to human rights, but this change will ensure that Vietnam has access to the equipment it needs to defend itself.”

Vietnam had been arguing for an end to the embargo, which was partially lifted in 2014.

Barack Obama’s visit comes 41 years after the end of the Vietnam War in which the US sought to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam.

Several million Vietnamese – civilians, communist fighters and South Vietnamese soldiers – were killed, as well as more than 58,000 US soldiers.

By the end of the war in 1975, the communists had gained control of the entire country.

While in Vietnam, Barack Obama is expected to meet dissidents and make the case for Vietnam to remove obstacles to the US-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal.

Barack Obama flies later to Japan for a summit of the G7 industrialized nations. His visit will include a tour of Hiroshima, where the world’s first nuclear attack was carried out in 1945 by the US, killing at least 140,000 people.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Ashes Flown from Mexico to Colombia

Sonia Pantiss
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Ashes Flown from Mexico to Colombia

Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s ashes have been laid to rest in the Colombian city of Cartagena.

The ashes of the late Nobel Prize winning novelist were flown home from Mexico where he had lived for years and where he died in 2014 at the age of 87.

A ceremony was held in the cloisters of Cartagena University, near Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s family home in the city.

The author is best known for his magic realist novels One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.

A bronze bust of Gabriel Garcia Marquez was unveiled by the writer’s son Rodrigo Garcia Barcha in the center of the cloisters of the university as the centerpiece of the memorial.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez was considered the finest writer of the Spanish language since Cervantes
Gabriel Garcia Marquez was considered the finest writer of the Spanish language since Cervantes

“It’s a day of joy mixed with sorrow,” the writer’s sister Aida Rosa Garcia Marquez told the French news agency AFP.

“But there is more joy than sorrow because to see a brother get to where Gabito reached can only bring joy.”

Gabriel Garcia Marquez was born in the town of Aracataca near Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast and started working as a journalist in the late 1940s in Cartagena.

The writer had lived since the 1980s in Mexico but his family decided he should be buried in Cartagena where many of his family members were also interred.

“Cartagena is the city where the Garcia Marquez family is based. It is where my grandparents are buried,” said Gonzalo Garcia Barcha, one of the writer’s two sons, from France where he now lives in an interview with AFP.

“It seemed natural to us that his ashes should be there too.”

Gabriel Garcia Marquez had a love-hate relationship with Cartagena; the city appears in several of his novels often depicted as a decadent place full of conflict with a class-ridden and racist society.

Bayer Makes $62 Billion Offer for Monsanto

Clyde K. Valle
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Bayer Makes $62 Billion Offer for Monsanto

German chemicals giant Bayer has made a $62 billion offer for American multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation Monsanto, in a deal that would create the world’s biggest agricultural supplier.

Both companies confirmed last week that Bayer had launched an offer for the US seeds giant.

Monsanto is primarily known for genetically modified crops, often leading to vocal activist criticism.

The offer comes amid a wave of mergers in the industry.

Rivals DuPont, Dow Chemical, and Syngenta have all announced tie-ups recently, although they have yet to be cleared by regulators.Bayer to buy Monsanto

Bayer said the offer of $122 per share represented a 37% premium on the price of Monsanto shares before rumors about the takeover bid emerged in the media.

When news about the takeover offer broke last week, Bayer shares took an 8% hit and a number of large Bayer investors voiced their criticism of the prospective deal.

Bayer has a market value of about $90 billion, making it the second-largest producer of crop chemicals after Syngenta.

Monsanto, which has a market capitalization of $42 billion, attempted to buy Swiss rival Syngenta in 2015.

However, Syngenta ended up accepting a $43 billion offer from ChemChina in February, although that deal is still being reviewed by regulators in the US.

Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto is expected to be bigger in value than the ChemChina-Syngenta deal.

The biggest merger in the chemicals industry took place late last year when Dow Chemical teamed up with Du Pont to form a new $130 billion company.

Elvis Presley’s Guitar Sells for $334,000 at New York Auction

Sonia Pantiss
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Elvis Presley’s Guitar Sells for $334,000 at New York Auction

One of Elvis Presley’s guitars has sold for $334,000 at an auction in New York.

The guitar was given by his father, Vernon Presley.

It is thought that Vernon Presley changed the finish on the Gibson Dove to black after his son earned a black belt in karate.Elvis Presley guitar auction

Elvis Presley gave the guitar to a fan during a concert in North Carolina in 1975.

Auctioneers Julien’s also sold John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for The Beatles’ Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! for $354,400.

Other items in the sale included a red neoprene vinyl jacket which Michael Jackson wore for his 1996-97 HIStory world tour, and Elvis Presley’s first piano.

Michael Jackson’s jacket sold for $256,000, over four times the pre-sale estimate, while the piano fetched $140,025 – about $60,000 under what had been predicted.

Lady Gaga’s first piano, which had been valued at $100,000, failed to find a buyer, as did Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Fender Broadcaster electric guitar, which was estimated at over $400,000.

Cannes 2016: I, Daniel Blake Wins Palme d’Or for Best Picture

Sonia Pantiss
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Cannes 2016: I, Daniel Blake Wins Palme d’Or for Best Picture

I, Daniel Blake is the biggest winner of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

This year’s Palme d’Or was Ken Loach’s second award for best picture at the festival after 2006’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Ken Loach, 79, attacked the “dangerous project of austerity” as he accepted the award for his movie about a middle-aged widower and the UK welfare system.

Andrea Arnold won the competition’s Jury Prize for her road movie American Honey.

It was the 13th time that Ken Loach, a social campaigner for most of his career and the director of more than 50 movies, has competed at the event.

I, Daniel Blake, which stars stand-up comedian Dave Johns in the title role, was written by Ken Loach’s long-time collaborator Paul Laverty.I Daniel Blake Cannes 2016

The movie documents what happens when an older man living in Newcastle has a heart attack and can no longer do his job.

He is declared fit for work, meaning his benefits are stopped, and he begins to go hungry.

Accepting the festival’s top prize from Mel Gibson, Ken Loach said: “We must give a message of hope, we must say another world is possible.

“The world we live in is at a dangerous point right now. We are in the grip of a dangerous project of austerity driven by ideas that we call neo-liberalism that have brought us to near catastrophe.”

In the movie, Dave Johns meets single-mother of two Katie, who moves to Newcastle from London.

Cannes judges praised the actors’ depictions of the characters who “find themselves in no-man’s land, caught on the barbed wire of welfare bureaucracy as played out against the rhetoric of ‘striver and skiver’ in modern day Britain”.

It was the first movie role for Dave Johns, who said he was delighted by the French film prize.

Dave Johns said: “Ken made a film 50 years ago called Cathy, Come Home and this is actually in the same vein, saying that people who are on the bottom rung of life, you know are struggling.

“I’m a stand-up comic. Working with Ken was just absolutely the most amazing thing and this news that we’ve won the Palme D’Or – I’m just blown away with it. “

Ken Loach was up against directors including Spanish Oscar-winner Pedro Almodovar, Sean Penn and Paul Verhoeven.

Iranian movie Forushande (The Salesman) by Asghar Farhadi won two awards at the 69th staging of Cannes – best screenplay, and best actor, won by Shahab Hosseini.

The Grand Prix went to Juste la Fin du Monde (It’s Just the End of the World), directed by Canada’s Xavier Dolan, while Philippines’ Jaclyn Jose won best actress for her role in Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa.

Andrea Arnold won the competition’s Prix du Jury (Jury Prize) for American Honey.

American Honey, starring Shia LaBeouf, follows a group of wild youths as they travel through US states selling hard luck stories and magazine subscriptions.

Austria Elections 2016: Far-Right Norbert Hofer Faces Alexander Van der Bellen in Runoff

Diane A. Wade
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Austria Elections 2016: Far-Right Norbert Hofer Faces Alexander Van der Bellen in Runoff

Austria is voting in a presidential runoff poll that could elect the EU’s first far-right leader, Norbert Hofer.

Freedom Party’s Norbert Hofer faces 72-year-old independent Alexander Van der Bellen, backed by the Greens.

Norbert Hofer, 45, topped the first vote but fell well short of an outright majority. The runoff is expected to be close.

For the first time since World War Two, both the main centrist parties were knocked out in the first round.

The refugee crisis has become the key issue.

Photo euractiv.com
Photo euractiv.com

In 2015, 90,000 people claimed asylum in Austria, equivalent to about 1% of the Austrian population, and the Freedom Party has run a campaign against immigration.

While the presidency is a largely ceremonial post, the president has powers to dismiss the government – something Norbert Hofer has already threatened to do.

A Norbert Hofer victory could be the springboard for Freedom Party success in the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2018.

Polls opened at 07:00 and close at 17:00, with projected results expected shortly afterwards.

However, postal ballots, which could be crucial if the result is close, will only be tallied on May 23.

In the first round, Norbert Hofer secured 35% of the votes, while Alexander Van der Bellen polled 21%.

At his final election rally on May in Vienna, Norbert Hofer sought to hammer home his message that refugees needed to integrate.

The presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker and Martin Schulz, have both expressed concern that Norbert Hofer could win.

Alexander Van der Bellen told his final rally in Vienna that it was likely to be a close race.

“I think it could be on a knife edge – 50-50 who will win, so this time, as with previous votes, but more than ever for this important election, every vote will count,” he said.

At a news conference, he said: “As you know, I am 72 years old and I’ve experienced how Austria rose from the ruins of World War Two, caused by the madness of nationalism.”

Norbert Hofer and Alexander Van der Bellen had engaged in a TV debate earlier in the week, described as “political mud-wrestling” by commentators.

The Social Democrats and the People’s Party have governed Austria for decades, either alone or in coalition.

At the last general election in 2013, they together won just enough votes to govern in a “grand coalition”.

Incumbent President Heinz Fischer, 77, could not run again after two terms in office.

MH17: Passengers’ Relatives Sue Russia and Vladimir Putin

Roy Siemens
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MH17: Passengers’ Relatives Sue Russia and Vladimir Putin

Relatives of victims of downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 are suing Russia and its President Vladimir Putin in the European Court of Human Rights.

Flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made missile over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 on board.

The West and Ukraine say Russian-backed rebels were responsible while Russia accuses Ukrainian forces.

The claim is based on the violation of a passenger’s right to life, News.com.au reported.

Photo PA
Photo PA

It is for 10 million Australian dollars ($7.2 million) for each victim, and the lawsuit names both the Russian state and Vladimir Putin as respondents.

Jerry Skinner, a US-based aviation lawyer leading the case, told News.com.au it was difficult for the families to live with, knowing it was “a crime”.

He said: “The Russians don’t have any facts for blaming Ukraine, We have facts, photographs, memorandums, tons of stuff.”

They were waiting to hear from the ECHR whether the case had been accepted, Jerry Skinner said.

The Kremlin said it was unaware of the claim, the Interfax news agency reported, but a senator with Vladimir Putin’s party is quoted in state media as saying it was “legally nonsensical and has no chance”.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there are 33 next-of-kin named in the application – eight from Australia, one from New Zealand with the rest from Malaysia.

Sydney-based law firm LHD Lawyers is filing the case on behalf of the victims’ families.

Flight MH17 crashed at the height of the conflict between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatists.

According to a Dutch report released in 2015, the plane was downed by a Russian-made Buk missile, but did not say who fired it.

Most of the victims were Dutch and a separate criminal investigation is still under way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LPMm-Ba99A

MS804: First Pictures of EgyptAir Debris Released

Roy Siemens
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MS804: First Pictures of EgyptAir Debris Released

First pictures of items found during the search in the Mediterranean Sea for missing Egypt Air flight MS804 have been released by the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Photos show life vests, parts of seats and objects clearly marked EgyptAir.

The Airbus A320 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 people aboard when it vanished from radar early on May 19.EgyptAir MS804 debris

Investigators have confirmed smoke was detected in various parts of the cabin three minutes before it disappeared, but say the cause is still not known.

Speaking on May 21 after meeting relatives of victims, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said “all theories are being examined and none is favored”.

The search has also reportedly found body parts and luggage.

The main body of the plane and the two “black boxes” which show flight data and cockpit transmissions have not yet been located.

While no bodies have been recovered, memorials have been taking place for the victims.

A service was held in a Cairo church on May 21 for air hostess Yara Hani, who was aboard the doomed plane.

MS804: Smoke Alerts Activated Before EgyptAir Plane Crash

Roy Siemens
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MS804: Smoke Alerts Activated Before EgyptAir Plane Crash

According to new reports, there were smoke alerts inside the cabin of the EgyptAir MS804 before it crashed in the Mediterranean on May 19.

Data published on air industry website the Aviation Herald has revealed that smoke was detected in the toilet and the aircraft’s electrics, just minutes before the signal was lost.

However, there has been no official confirmation of the data.

Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 people on board.

The Aviation Herald said it had received flight data filed through the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) from three independent channels.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

According to the publication, the system showed that at 02:26 local time on May 19 smoke was detected in the Airbus A320 toilet.

A minute later – at 00:27 GMT – there was an avionics smoke alert.

The last ACARS message was at 02:29, the air industry website said, and the contact with the plane was lost four minutes later at 02:33 local time.

ACARS is used to routinely download flight data to the airline operating the aircraft.

Greece earlier said that radar showed the Airbus A320 had made two sharp turns and dropped more than 25,000ft before plunging into the sea.

Debris and body parts were found on May 20 by teams searching for the wreckage of the Airbus320, Greek and Egyptian officials said.

Items including seats and luggage have also been retrieved by Egyptian search crews.

The debris was discovered about 180 miles north of Alexandria, the Egyptian military said.

ESA satellites spotted an oil slick in the area where the flight had vanished – but the organization said there was no guarantee it was from the plane.

The search is now focused on finding the plane’s flight recorders, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Egypt has said the plane was more likely to have been brought down by a terrorist act than a technical fault.

However, there has been “absolutely no indication” so far as to why the plane came down, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on May 20.

Turrialba Volcano Ash Covers Central Costa Rica

Nancy Clayson
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Turrialba Volcano Ash Covers Central Costa Rica

Turrialba volcano has erupted in central Costa Rica, spewing smoke and ash up to 9,840ft into the air.

Hundreds of people have been hospitalized, complaining of breathing difficulties and skin problems.Turrialba volcano eruption 2016

Some schools were shut and some flights into the country cancelled or diverted.

People in the capital San Jose, about 30 miles west of the Turrialba volcano, said layers of ash had coated buildings and cars and there was a fierce smell of sulphur.

Costa Rica’s National Emergencies Commission has advised people to wear masks and tight clothing to protect their lungs and skin.

Volcanologist Gino Gonzalez told reporters: “It seems to me to be the strongest [Turrialba] eruption in the past six years.”

Costa Rica is home to dozens of volcanoes, but most of them are dormant.

El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Approved

Diane A. Wade
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El Chapo Guzman Extradition to US Approved

Mexico has authorized the extradition of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the US to face charges including smuggling and murder.

El Chapo Guzman’s lawyers have 30 days to appeal and even if it proceeds it could be months before he is sent north.

He was recaptured in January, six months after escaping through a tunnel from his maximum-security prison cell.

Earlier in May the Mexican authorities transferred El Chapo Guzman to a prison near the US border.El Chapo Guzman Altiplano prison

Mexican officials denied the move to Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, Texas, was a precursor to extradition.

El Chapo Guzman faces charges from seven US federal prosecutors. He is also accused of money-laundering, and arms and drugs possession.

The drug lord’s lawyer, Juan Pablo Badillo, told Reuters news agency he would file “many” legal challenges in the coming days.

Mexico’s foreign ministry has said the US has guaranteed El Chapo Guzman will not face the death penalty if the extradition goes ahead.

Born to a farming family, El Chapo Guzman went on to become head of the Sinaloa cartel, at one point thought to be responsible for a quarter of all drugs entering the US via Mexico.

Before his escape in 2015, El Chapo Guzman had already fled prison, going on the run for more than a decade.

MS804: Debris from Missing EgyptAir Plane Found in Mediterranean Sea

Diane A. Wade
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MS804: Debris from Missing EgyptAir Plane Found in Mediterranean Sea

Body parts, personal belongings of passengers and debris from missing EgyptAir plane have been found in the Mediterranean Sea, Greek and Egyptian officials say.

Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew when it vanished on May 19.

Seats and luggage has also been retrieved by Egyptian search crews.

The debris was discovered about 180 miles north of Alexandria, the Egyptian military said.

European Space Agency (ESA) satellites spotted an oil slick in the area where the flight had vanished but the organization said there was no guarantee it was from the missing plane.EgyptAir MS804 debris

The search is now focused on finding the plane’s flight recorders, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has expressed his “utmost sadness and regret” at the crash.

Military units from Greece, Egypt, France and the UK have been taking part in a search operation near the Greek island Karpathos.

Greece said radar showed the Airbus A320 had made two sharp turns and dropped more than 25,000ft before plunging into the sea.

Egypt says the plane was more likely to have been brought down by a terrorist act than a technical fault.

However, there has been “absolutely no indication” so far as to why the plane came down, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on May 20.

Three investigators from the French air accident investigation bureau, along with a technical adviser from Airbus, have joined the Egyptian inquiry.

The missing plane was forced to make an emergency landing in 2013 after the pilot noticed the engine overheating, but an official report said defect was repaired.

In France, the focus is on whether a possible breach of security happened at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

After last year’s attacks in the French capital, some airport staff had their security clearance revoked over fears of links to Islamic extremists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD6fhqRbEyI

Tricks to Making a Small Space Feel Larger

Nancy Clayson
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Tricks to Making a Small Space Feel Larger

When a house, office, or room is small, there is a fine line between comfortable and cramped. While most people appreciate having the room to spread out, a larger space isn’t always possible or affordable in some areas. But this doesn’t mean that one has to settle for living in perpetual clutter. It is possible to make a smaller-than-average space feel roomy and neat. Accomplishing this feat often requires careful consideration and a few creative tricks.

Create a Clean and Clutter-Free Space

Creating extra space is a good time to clean up an area by removing any unwanted and unused items. Generally, these are the things that take up space but have no real purpose. Divide these items into piles that can be given away, sold online or in a garage sale, donated, or thrown out. For unused items that are difficult to part with, consider renting an outside storage unit.

Photo Flickr
Photo Flickr

Add the Right Colors

The idea of adding color to a small space may initially sound like the wrong thing to do; however, the right colors can make a room feel open, airy, and spacious. Generally, lighter colors have the ability to make a space look larger than it is. A monochromatic color scheme, using various shades of one color, is also helpful in adding depth and dimension to a space. If brighter colors are desired, use them sparingly and not on focal pieces.

Bring in Light

Whether artificial or natural, lighting is yet another way to open up a space. At night or in dim spaces, consider a torch lamp, which is often thin and spreads light up and out. Another, even less intrusive way to light a room is to use recessed lighting instead of a floor or desk lamp. Vertical or mini aluminum blinds are a nice alternative to heavy shades or drapes. During the day, open blinds completely to bring in the maximum amount of bright outdoor light.

Use Furniture to Your Advantage

The right type of furniture, and even certain accessorizes, can also make a space feel larger and more spacious. Wall mirrors, for example, can make a room seem longer than it is. Instead of a sofa, use a loveseat, and generally aim to avoid using large items that take up important space. Ideally, items that can be used for more than one purpose are best, as they help reduce the amount of furniture in a room. For example, furniture with hidden compartments provides smart, out-of-sight storage. Glass coffee or side tables take up little visual space courtesy of the clear surface, which makes them yet another option to consider.

Turkey Parliament Approves Bill Lifting Immunity from Prosecution

Diane A. Wade
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Turkey Parliament Approves Bill Lifting Immunity from Prosecution

Turkish lawmakers have voted a controversial bill that will strip them of their immunity from prosecution.

However, pro-Kurdish lawmakers say this is essentially a move to expel opposition members from parliament.

The new law is seen as targeting the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) as well as the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Turkey has led an offensive against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), accused of being a terror group.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses the HDP of being the PKK’s political arm, and has called for pro-Kurdish MPs to face terrorism charges.

This vote could be a first step towards making that happen.

Calling the move “historic” as lawmakers voted, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a crowd in his hometown of Rize: “My people do not want to see guilty lawmakers in this parliament.”Turkey and Russia tensions

Critics also say the move aims to strengthen the ruling AK Party and consolidate support in the assembly for the executive presidential system Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to implement.

HDP co-leader Selahattin Demirtas said the move was a blow against the people’s will and could not be accepted as democratic.

Selahattin Demirtas said his party would challenge the decision at Turkey’s top court.

The bill was backed by 376 lawmakers in the 550-seat legislature, which means it will become law directly without being put to a referendum.

It now needs to be ratified by the president.

Some 138 lawmakers, the vast majority from the two opposition parties, could be at risk of prosecution.

Violent scuffles marred parliamentary debates this month, with frustrated lawmakers exchanging fisticuffs and kicks.

Today’s vote was not without incident as CHP lawmakers walked out in protest.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said she would raise concerns over the state of democracy in Turkey when she met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next week.

Angela Merkel, who has led the push to conclude a refugee deal with Ankara, has been criticized by human rights groups for turning a blind eye to violations in Turkey in return for co-operation.

Make Your Dating Profile More Popular

Lisa.Felice
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Your dating profile is the first impression you’ll make in the online dating world, and you want to make sure that you’re building a profile that sends the right message. If you’re struggling to make many connections through your online dating efforts, you can improve your dating profile dramatically with a few smart swaps and targeted tweaks. Learn what viewers are looking for, then fit some of these keywords and smart photo strategies into your profile.

As you’re completing the text you’ll use to shape your dating profile, pay attention to the words you’re using. Men do best when they describe themselves as sweet, ambitious, thoughtful, spontaneous, and physically fit. Guys will also get attention if they mention tattoos, yoga, puppies and the ocean. Women should use words like physically fit, ambitious, perceptive, passionate and optimistic. They can also mention travel destinations and physical activities to round out their profiles.

While you want to use some of these popular words and phrases in your profile when applicable, you’ll also want to represent yourself accurately. No one wants to meet someone who isn’t as well represented on his or her profile. People tend to add two inches to their height and 20 percent to their income, for example, and many profile photos are out of date. Make yourself stand out as an attractive, honest person in your dating profile. Check out some buzzword and photo tips below that you can use to enhance the quality of your dating profile.

How to Optimize Your Dating Profile Infographic

Originally Published on Review Weekly

 

Salvează

India Heat Wave: Phalodi Records Country’s Hottest Day Ever

Nancy Clayson
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India Heat Wave: Phalodi Records Country’s Hottest Day Ever

Phalodi has broken India’s temperature records after registering 51C, the highest since records began, the weather office says.

The new record registered in the desert state of Rajasthan comes amid a heat wave across India.

The previous record for the hottest temperature stood at 50.6C in 1956.

This year’s heat wave has hit much of northern India, where temperatures have exceeded 40C for weeks.India heat wave 2015

The run-up to the Indian monsoon season is always characterized by weeks of strong sunshine and increasing heat but life-threatening temperature levels topping 50C are unusual.

India’s weather office has issued warnings of “severe heat wave” conditions across large parts of India’s northern and western states through the weekend.

The country declares a heat wave when the maximum temperature hits 45C or five degrees higher than the average for the area in previous years.

This summer, the heat wave has claimed dozens of lives in the south Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Permanent relief from the heat is only expected with the arrival of the monsoon, which normally comes in mid-June.

Tips For Ensuring Your Assignment Grades Are High

Dana R
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Tips For Ensuring Your Assignment Grades Are High

When it comes to completing assignments, many students struggle. The problem is that a lot of assignment topics can be hard to understand, despite attending all your classes and doing the required reading. Professors like to test students, which is why essay topics are often difficult. Seeing a topic that you don’t know how to conquer can cause a lot of stress and anxiety about what grade you’ll get for the piece. However, it doesn’t have to, as regardless of the topic, there are plenty of ways you ensure your assignment returns a good grade.

write

Photo from Flickr

Re-read your notes from the class

The first thing you should do after getting an essay topic you’re unsure about is re-read your notes from the class. This is important as this will refresh your mind about what you’ve learnt so far. And should also make working out how to fit the information into your essay, easier. Any parts of your notes that you think will be helpful, mark with a sticky note. That way, you can flick back to them later on and use them as your supporting evidence.

Research similar essays

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Whatever essay topic your professor has given you, there’s sure to have been similar ones before. Google your essay title and see what comes up – make sure to check the news section as well as the regular search. Anything that comes up, download and read through. This may give you an idea of what you should be focusing on. If nothing comes up, type the main parts of the title into the search bar and see if anything relevant pops up.

It may also be worth searching in the campus library for essays that have been stored there for reference as you might find a similar one. If you are friendly with older students on the same course as you, ask them what they wrote for their essay on the same topic. Once you’ve got a little inspiration, you’ll find your assignment much easier to complete.

Read up on the essay style

There are various types of essays; narrative, expository, critical, and persuasive. Each of these essay types needs to be written in a different way, which can be a little confusing. If for example, you’ve been set a critical essay to complete, take the time to research what it should include. Have a look online for guidance and examples of critical essays. Doing this will help to make sure that your article is structured in the right way and you get the best grade possible. If an essay isn’t structured properly, even if the information is correct, you’ll end up with a lower grade.

Break the topic down

Even the most difficult of assignments can be made easier if you take the time to break the topic down. Use the marking sheet to work out what your professor is expecting and then break the essay into sections. By doing this, you can help to increase your chances of achieving a high grade. Once you’ve broken the topic down, you can then work out what should go into each section.

Come up with an essay plan

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On that note, it’s time to talk about creating an essay plan. After breaking the topic down, it’s a good idea to create an essay plan. This is important as it will allow you to plan out what’s going in each section of your assignment. As well as whether you have the necessary evidence that you need for each part.

Draft your assignment plan out by hand, add notes, and write the addresses of any websites you intend to use as evidence. If you’re unsure whether you’ve missed anything, ask to swap essay plans with a friend. You can mark theirs and get them to mark yours – that way you can both help each other to improve your grades.  If you need help with essay writing or editing, you can use a  custom essay writing service, to get the best results for your paper.

Talk to your professor

Last but not least, if you’re struggling with an assignment, talk to your professor. Show them your essay plan and ask for their constructive criticism – this will give you an idea of if you’re on the right tracks. While your lecturers want you to work independently, they are there to help. So if you’re stuck on something, don’t be afraid to ask them. They may not be able to tell you what your assignment should contain but they will be able to point you in the right direction.

In conclusion, ensuring that your assignment grades are high, doesn’t have to be hard. It’s just a case of going about your work in the right way, and taking the time to get help if you need it.

MS804: Search Continues for Missing EgyptAir Plane

Diane A. Wade
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MS804: Search Continues for Missing EgyptAir Plane

International teams are continuing to search for EgyptAir plane that disappeared over the Mediterranean.

Military units from Greece, Egypt, France and the UK are taking part in the operation near the Greek island Karpathos.

Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew when it vanished on May 19.

Greece said radar showed the Airbus A320 had made two sharp turns and dropped more than 25,000ft before plunging into the sea.

Egypt says the plane was more likely to have been brought down by a terrorist act than a technical fault.

Most of the people on board Flight MS804 were from Egypt and France. A Briton was also among the passengers.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

So far, no wreckage or debris from the aircraft has been found.

Initial reports on May 19, based on Egyptian officials’ comments that wreckage had been found, later proved unfounded.

Greece’s lead air accident investigator Athanasios Binis said items including lifejackets found near Karpathos were not from the Airbus A320.

“An assessment of the finds showed that they do not belong to an aircraft,” he said.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the country’s civil aviation ministry, army-run search-and-rescue centre, navy and air force to take all necessary measures to locate the wreckage.

The French air accident investigation bureau has dispatched three investigators, along with a technical adviser from Airbus, to join the Egyptian inquiry.

In France, the focus is on whether a possible breach of security happened at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport.

Security was already tight, and under review, after last November’s attacks by ISIS in Paris.

Since then, some airport staff have had security clearance revoked over fears of links to Islamic extremists.

Flight MS804 left Paris at 23:09 local time on May 18 and was scheduled to arrive in Cairo soon after 03:15 local time on May 19.

On the plane were 56 passengers, seven crew members and three security personnel.

According to Greek aviation officials, air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot when he entered Greek airspace and everything appeared normal.

They tried to contact him again at 02:27 Cairo time, as the plane was set to enter Egyptian airspace, but “despite repeated calls, the aircraft did not respond”. Two minutes later it vanished from radar.

Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos told reporters: “The picture we have at the moment on the accident as it emerges from the Greek air force operations centre is that the aircraft was approximately 10-15 miles inside the Egyptian FIR [flight information region] and at an altitude of 37,000 feet.

“It turned 90 degrees left and then a 360-degree turn toward the right, dropping from 37,000 to 15,000 feet and then it was lost at about 10,000 feet.”

Egypt’s Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi said: “Let’s not try to jump to the side that is trying to identify this as a technical failure – on the contrary.

“If you analyze the situation properly, the possibility of having a different action, or having a terror attack, is higher than the possibility of having a technical [fault].”

5 Essential Experiences in the Sahara Desert

Dana R
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5 Essential Experiences in the Sahara Desert

sahara

mtsrs

Be honest – have you ever thought about going on a trip to the Sahara Desert? It might be on the bucket list of a few adventurous souls, but hardly in the minds of your average holidaymaker. But, you miss out at your risk. The sprawling desert is an incredible place, and there is a lot more to it than endless sand dunes and mirages. And, it is so big it is spread across twelve countries – each with their unique personality. Here are five essential experiences that you should check out if you get the chance.

The Nile

Egypt’s River Nile is pretty much the lifeline for the many towns and cities that inhabit the Sahara. And, of course, it goes close to the Sahara’s most ancient buildings – the temples of Luxor and Karnak. But, don’t stop there. Moving out, you will hit the world famous Timbuktu, and even follow the river down to the Red Sea. In Africa, the Nile is known as the giver of life – and it’s easy to see why.

The wildlife

When you think of a desert, you don’t think of somewhere teeming with life. But, the Sahara has some incredible creatures that call it home. They are tough little things, too, capable of surviving some of the harshest conditions on the planet. It’s well worth taking a wildlife trip one night with an expert to see if you can catch a glimpse of the locals. You might see a monitor lizard or the cute looking Fennec Fox. There are plenty of other, too. Conservationinstitute.org have a good insight on what to expect.

The bustling cities

Cities in the Sahara are a lot more advanced and comfortable than you might think. El Aaiun, for example, is a beautiful place with plenty of luxury to retreat from the harsh, dry, atmosphere of the desert surrounding it. The likes of tripadvisor.com have rundowns of the fantastic hotels available – and they might just surprise you.

The amazing oasis towns

The Sahara is so big; it shouldn’t be surprising there are so many amazing little towns there. Of course, you can’t go there expecting a raging nightlife and all mod cons, but they are well worth a visit. They are the perfect place to stay when you are planning trips out to the dunes, too. Oasis towns tend to be in the major countries, such as Morocco and Egypt. Some are quaint little places full of a sleepy atmosphere while others are far more colorful affairs. Check out Ksar Ghilane in Tunisia or Tamanrasset in Algeria.

The sand

It’s easy to write off the sheer volume of sand in the Sahara – but it needs to be seen to be believed. The size of the dunes can be mountainous, and many of them will look completely different the next day. If you get the chance, head out with an experienced guide and see it for yourself. It is a little eerie seeing a landscape change before your eyes – and it’s very much alive. You may even find yourself a meteorite if you are lucky.

Have you been to the Sahara? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section below!

Surprising Reasons For Hair Loss In Women!

Dana R
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Surprising Reasons For Hair Loss In Women!

Femeie cu întărirea părului

Public Domain Pictures

Hair loss can happen at any age, and it’s something you should still be watching out for in your twenties. Although it’s more likely to occur in men, you will be surprised to know a high proportion of women can also suffer from hair loss. In fact, 40% of people who are suffering from hair loss are ladies. Here are some reasons for hair loss in women while they are young.

Alopecia areata

The top reason for hair loss in women is down to alopecia areata. It’s a condition which can cause bald patches on your head. The condition stops your hair from growing and can often be passed down via generations. If you are worrying you may have this, the doctors can send you off for a biopsy to confirm whether it is this condition. Often, it can grow back on its own, or they may need to give you a steroid injection or some cream to help treat it. It mostly occurs in young people, and it can happen in people who are healthy otherwise.  

Pregnancy

As your body is going through many changes during pregnancy, your hair can be affected too. You may start to notice you are losing your hair. And surprisingly, it tends to occur after having the baby as your body has been through a lot of stress! As this article reveals, you should go to the doctor if you keep noticing hair loss, but don’t worry too much, it will grow back after a while.

Stress

One of the reasons why women lose their hair in their younger years is down to stress. When we get stressed out with work, we can notice that our hair begins to thin out. As your body is under pressure, it can mean your hair is under stress too. Find ways to keep calm such as exercise and removing yourself from stressful situations to combat the hair loss.

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (aka PCOS) is a condition which can affect your ovaries and hormone level. You may experience irregular periods, acne and hair loss. It affects many young women in their late teens and twenties. As this article explains, your hair can thin out, and this can be one of the first signs that you have the syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you notice hair loss and they will send you to tests to confirm if you have PCOS. Unfortunately, you may experience extra hair on your face and arms while your hair on your head thins out!

Washing hair too much

Another reason for hair loss in young women is because they are washing their hair too much. By washing it too much, you are putting extra pressure on your scalp, meaning your hair might begin falling out. Try and stick to washing your hair every other day rather than doing it every single day. Make sure you are using a decent shampoo which is right for your hair.

A lot of the above is reversible, so if you do notice any hair loss, it’s best to speak to your doctor about your concerns.

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Review on Antimicrobial Resistance: Superbugs Will Kill Someone Every Three Seconds by 2050

Kathryn R. Bown
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Review on Antimicrobial Resistance: Superbugs Will Kill Someone Every Three Seconds by 2050

According to the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, superbugs will kill someone every three seconds by 2050 unless the world acts now.

The global review sets out a plan for preventing medicine “being cast back into the dark ages” that requires billions of dollars of investment.

The report also calls for a revolution in the way antibiotics are used and a massive campaign to educate people.

It has received a mixed response with some concerned that it does not go far enough.

The battle against infections that are resistant to drugs is one the world is losing rapidly and has been described as “as big a risk as terrorism”.Review on Antimicrobial Resistance 2016

The problem is that we are simply not developing enough new antibiotics and we are wasting the ones we have.

Since the review started in mid-2014, more than one million people have died from such infections.

In that time doctors also discovered bacteria that can shrug off the drug of last resort – colistin – leading to warnings that the world was teetering on the cusp of a “post-antibiotic era”.

The report says the situation will get only worse with 10 million people predicted to die every year from resistant infections by 2050.

The analysis was based on scenarios modeled by researchers Rand Europe and auditors KPMG.

They found that drug resistant E. coli, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) would have the biggest impact.

The financial cost to economies of drug resistance will add up to $100 trillion by the mid-point of the century.

The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance said the economic case for action “was clear” and could be paid for using a small cut of the current health budgets of countries or through extra taxes on pharmaceutical companies not investing in antibiotic research.

Staying Comfy and Cozy in Mozambique

Nancy Clayson
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Staying Comfy and Cozy in Mozambique

Africa has always been a magnet for travelers with adventurous spirit and for those eager of unique experiences. Over years some countries have gained the status of must-see tourist destinations (South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, etc.), while other remained shadowed by them. Fortunately, with the power of Internet and changes occurring in the other countries, other destinations can finally get their moment under the spotlight. One of those yet to be discovered gem is Mozambique, a country with a relatively well developed tourist infrastructure that offers great accommodation options, from affordable backpackers’ lodges to world class luxury resorts. If you are headed to Mozambique and worry about accommodation, do not be, here are some of the best options the country has to offer.

Mozambique

Hotels in Maputo

As lifeblood of Mozambique, Maputo should be inevitable on the Mozambique itinerary, and if you decide to stay there you will have many accommodation options available, so you will surely find some that fits your need. The Southern Sun Maputo, for instance, offers you a pleasant experience reasonably away from the city noise. The hotel building tells a story about the country’s history, mixing the charm of colonial style with African heritage. The lack of terraces in the room can be quite annoying, but it is compensated by the large and lush yard. If you are searching for a more luxurious feel, be sure to check in in 5 stars rated Polana Serena Hotel, with an indoor pool, outdoor pull, full service spa, fitness center, and a jetted tub in every room. The hotel is located in a vivid neighborhood, near the Museum of Natural History and Eduardo Mondlane University.

Mozambique

Suburban Rentals in Maputo

Sure, hotels have their perks, like getting everything you need on a plate, but if you prefer your privacy and truly experiencing the spirit of a city like a local, you can try renting a house or an apartment in some of Maputo’s suburbs. You can find a vast offer of such options on property websites such as Casamozambique. You can even have some of the comforts of a hotel, e.g. a swimming pool. Suburban rentals offer you the possibility to live like a citizen of Maputo, discover different restaurants nearby, that are more likely more affordable than the tourist hotspots in the center of the city, communicate with locals, and get to know some of the authentic African bars and pubs around.Mozambique cathedral

The Country Lodges

If you would rather escape the city into lush nature, with a cozy accommodation, you are in luck, since Mozambique is filled with such options, throughout the entire territory. Kara O’Mula Country Lodge is located in Mulanje, and most of the units feature a terrace view on the green vivid garden, while others will also not disappoint with mountain views. In Harare, you can find the Wild Geese Lodge, for those tourists who prefer a truly apartment-like accommodation. Here, the rooms have their own seating and dining areas, and kitchenette equipped with basic appliances.

Mozambique

Island Resorts

The two most famous tourist destinations in Mozambique are Bazaruto Archipelago and Quirimbas Archipelago. Both of them have various options for tourists, both the backpackers searching to save some bucks and regular tourists just keen on enjoying at the beach. One of the most fascinating island escapes is located within Bazaruto Archipelago. The Azura retreat is a true luxury hideaway, with sublime view of the Indian Ocean and no other hotel or tourist spot for miles/kilometers away. Across the country, Quirimbas Archipelago hides its smallest island, Medjumbe, with pristine powdery white beach and turquoise blue sea. The size of the island instantly gives it an aura of exclusivity, while the lodges, on the other side, are quite modest, but still comfy.

scuba Mozambique

Wherever you decide to stay, the “Terra de Boa Gente” as Vasco de Gama called Mozambique, will not disappoint you, but dazzle you with its genuine kindness, staggering beauty and true desire to make the guests’ desires a priority.

George Zimmerman’s Gun Sold in Private Auction

Nancy Clayson
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George Zimmerman’s Gun Sold in Private Auction

George Zimmerman’s auction for the gun he used to kill unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012 has closed.

The handgun has been sold in a private auction, according to the website that hosted the sale.

George Zimmerman, who was acquitted of Trayvon’s murder, auctioned the gun, calling it an “American icon”.

Auction host, UnitedGunGroup.com, did not disclose the sale price.

The auction has drawn criticism from those claiming George Zimmerman was seeking to profit from Trayvon Martin’s death.

George Zimmerman has been arrested on charges he pointed a shotgun at his girlfriend
George Zimmerman has been arrested on charges he pointed a shotgun at his girlfriend

Gun rights advocates have applauded George Zimmerman for exercising his legal rights under current US law.

There were two separate auctions being hosted on UnitedGunGroup.com – one for prequalified bidders and one for the general public.

UnitedGunGroup.com said that the highest public bid of $138,900 by “John Smith” was not authentic.

“He was on the fake auction page, we had two auctions going at the same time,” they said in a tweet.

Another gun auction website and two other prominent gun auctioneers had previously refused to sell the weapon.

Earlier attempts to sell the gun online were hacked and fake bids were placed, causing that auction to be cancelled without a sale.

Last week’s highest bid of $65 million was posted by one “Racist McShootFace”.

Trayvon Martin’s death helped launch the national Black Lives Matter social movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbQQrfPho84

MS804: EgyptAir Flight from Paris to Cairo Disappears from Radar

Roy Siemens
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MS804: EgyptAir Flight from Paris to Cairo Disappears from Radar

EgyptAir flight MS804from Paris to Cairo has disappeared from radar, the airline says.

The Egyptian airline says there are 56 passengers, seven crew members and three security personnel on board.

The plane was flying at 37,000ft when it went missing over the eastern Mediterranean. An official said the plane lost contact with radar at 02:45 Cairo time.

EgyptAir says search and rescue teams have been deployed.

The passengers on board included 30 Egyptians, 15 French citizens, one Briton, as well as people from Belgium, Algeria, Sudan, Chad and Portugal, EgyptAir says.

There were three children on board.EgyptAir hijacking Larnaca

EgyptAir says the Airbus A320 disappeared about 10 miles into Egyptian air space and the relevant authorities have been notified.

Amid fears that the plane has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, the Greek authorities have joined Egyptian armed forces in the search operation.

Flight MS804 left Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport at 23:09 local time on May 18 and was scheduled to arrive in Cairo soon after 03:00 local time on May 19.

An airport official, quoted by Egypt’s state-run newspaper al-Ahram, said the last contact with the plane had been 10 minutes before it disappeared – and no distress signal had been sent.

Egyptian PM Sherif Ismail has arrived at the airport in Cairo, along with the families of those on board, state-run Nile News TV reports.

In October 2015, a Russian passenger plane flying from Sharm el-Sheikh crashed over the Sinai peninsula killing all 224 people on board. Officials in Moscow and Egypt later said the aircraft was brought down by an explosive device. ISIS militants said they had bombed the plane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GjS24bZjuI

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