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Transcription Services Vital for Cardiovascular Physicians

Kathryn R. Bown
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Transcription Services Vital for Cardiovascular Physicians

Who would have thought that something as simple as copying data would create so much fuss and upheaval; but the confusion starts to make sense when it comes down to avoiding inaccuracy regarding a heart patients medical data. Many physicians today are facing the impact of copy forwarding patient data without verifying its accuracy or relevance. This is because most physicians only have limited time to concentrate on medical care and the demanding nature of their work leaves them with little patience to sift through sheets of medical data.

Though highly critical most physicians busy in handling their core activities find it difficult to maintain medical data. Being a time consuming and hectic task they prefer getting transcription services; who being specialists in their field of work; are able to offer expert documentation support for flawless medical documentation.medical-transcription-training-programs

Medical transcription becomes even more vital when it comes to Cardiology; this is because a cardiologist will generally prescribe a large number of tests to a patient with a heart problem. Besides this the physician needs to take down all other data relevant to the patient’s past health records like other illnesses, family history, allergies to drugs and so on. Eventually all the information becomes necessary in managing and treating the patient; hence this huge amount of medical data becomes difficult for the cardiologist to look into and most prefer getting the data sorted from a reliable cardiovascular transcription service.

Growth of cardiology transcription services

There are various professional agencies which have the requisite infrastructure and team of well-trained medical transcriptionist catering to specific requirements of the healthcare provider. For instance, cardiovascular transcription services at Eyered are offered by specialized transcriptionists working specifically on the cardiology segment for providing and maintaining efficient cardiology transcription services.

There are also a large number of heart surgeons and cardiology clinics outsourcing their transcription services to companies based in India; which has become popular destination for providing high quality medical transcription services at competitive prices. Moreover various cardiologists across USA, UK and Canada also prefer seeking outsourced transcription services.
Vital role of a cardiology transcriptionist-

Transcriptionists not only help reduce the overall cost incurred in cardiovascular care but are also play a vital role in streamlining cardiology reports. Heart ailment involves getting various tests and scans done- MUGA scan, echocardiogram, ultrasound imagining, cardiac stress test, halter monitoring, pacemaker evaluations, etc. requiring maintaining a large amount of data and medical files, which is made easier with the help of a transcriptionist.

Hillary Clinton Wins Kentucky Primary as Rival Bernie Sanders Wins in Oregon

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Wins Kentucky Primary as Rival Bernie Sanders Wins in Oregon

Hillary Clinton has won the Kentucky primary while her opponent Senator Bernie Sanders won in Oregon.

The former secretary of state remains the front-runner in the Democratic race to secure the nomination in July, with a significant delegate lead.

However, Bernie Sanders again resisted pressure to drop out of the race, saying he was “in until the last ballot is cast”.

Hilalry Clinton only narrowly won Kentucky. With most of the votes counted she was less than 0.5% ahead.

Alison Lundergan Grimes, chairwoman of the Kentucky State Board of Elections, told CNN that unofficial results confirmed that Hillary Clinton would narrowly win the state’s primary contest.

Shortly afterwards, Hillary Clinton tweeted: “We just won Kentucky! Thanks to everyone who turned out. We’re always stronger united.”

In the Republican race, Donald Trump won the party’s only contest on May 17 in Oregon, which was no surprise as he was the only candidate left in the race.

The Kentucky Democratic primary will award 60 delegates to go to the party’s convention in Philadelphia while Oregon’s primary will award 74.Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton row

Pressure is rising on Bernie Sanders, a senator from Vermont who has historically been an independent, not a Democrat, to drop out of the race.

However, he said he still has a path to the Democratic nomination.

Speaking at the California rally, Bernie Sanders recognized his campaign’s “steep hill to climb” but called for his supporters to remain hopeful and “take our fight into the convention” in July.

Senior party figures are pressing Bernie Sanders to do more to bring his supporters into line, after some of them disrupted a state convention in Nevada last weekend.

Majority leader Harry Reid said the Vermont senator faced a “test of leadership”.

Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz described Bernie Sanders’ response to the violence as “anything but acceptable”.

US Increases Import Duties on Chinese Steel Producers by 522%

Clyde K. Valle
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US Increases Import Duties on Chinese Steel Producers by 522%

The US has increased its import duties on Chinese steelmakers by more 522% after accusing them of selling their products below market prices.

According to the US Commerce Department, the taxes specifically apply to Chinese-made cold-rolled flat steel, which is used in car manufacturing, shipping containers and construction.

Its ruling comes amid heightened trade tensions between the two sides over several products, including chicken parts.

Steel is an especially sensitive issue.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

American and European steel producers claim China is distorting the global market and undercutting them by dumping its excess supply abroad.

A separate filing by major US steelmakers to the International Trade Commission is looking to completely ban all Chinese steel imports.

The US steel industry claims that around 12,000 workers have been laid off in the past year because of unfair Chinese competition.

China claims the weak economy is more responsible for the industry’s problems and that it has taken steps to reduce its steel production.

In 2015, China’s exports of cold-rolled steel flat products to the US were valued at an estimated $272.3 million.

Venezuela Crisis: Opposition Leader Henrique Capriles Appeals to Army

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela Crisis: Opposition Leader Henrique Capriles Appeals to Army

The leader of Venezuela’s opposition, Henrique Capriles, has urged the army to choose whether it is “with the constitution or with [President Nicolas] Maduro”, after a state of emergency was declared.

President Nicolas Maduro has announced a 60-day emergency, giving soldiers and police wider powers to deal with the country’s spiraling economic crisis.

Henrique Capriles said the decree gave the president unconstitutional powers.

The opposition leader called on Venezuelans to ignore it and take to the streets on May 18.

He told reporters: “We, Venezuelans, will not accept this decree. This is Maduro putting himself above the constitution.

“To impose this, he’d better start preparing to deploy the war tanks and military jets.”

“And I tell the armed forces: The hour of truth is coming, to decide whether you are with the constitution or with Maduro,” Henrique Capriles said.

He said the opposition was not calling for a military coup, but instead seeking a legal and constitutional way of ousting Nicolas Maduro through a recall referendum.

The state of emergency is in place for 60 days and can be renewed for another 60.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has rejected Henrique Capriles’ appeal against April's contested presidential election result
Venezuela’s Supreme Court has rejected Henrique Capriles’ appeal against April’s contested presidential election result

The decree was rejected by the opposition-held National Assembly late on May 17, but Nicolas Maduro had indicated that he would not abide by their decision.

At a press conference with foreign journalists in Caracas, Nicolas Maduro said the National Assembly had “lost political validity.

“It’s a matter of time before it disappears,” he added.

Nicolas Maduro also said that the opposition had missed the deadline for the referendum and falsified signatures.

Opposition politicians began the process two weeks ago by handing in a petition signed by 1.85 million people, well above the 1% of voters on the electoral roll needed to kick-start the process.

Venezuela’s constitution says that a referendum will be called to decide if the president remains in power if a second petition is signed by at least 20% of the electorate, or nearly four million people.

However, the government has already made it clear that the referendum will not go ahead.

Nicolas Maduro accused the United States of leading a plot to deploy foreign troops in his country, and force him from office.

He told foreign journalists that a US military plane entered Venezuelan air space twice last week without authorization.

Politicians and media from outside the country have been trying to sow chaos in Venezuela to justify intervention, he said.

“This whole campaign, has a centre. There is an axis: Madrid, Miami and Washington,” he said.

“But there is a centre of planning, of direction, lobbying, strength and funding. That centre is located in Washington.”

Nicolas Maduro promised to fight back and to do everything in his power “to continue winning the battle for internal peace”.

He also made reference to the recent suspension of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff to face an impeachment trial.

Nicolas Maduro described the process as a coup, backed by foreign powers.

Venezuela is facing a serious economic crisis, with high inflation and shortage of many basic goods.

Nicolas Maduro accuses Venezuela’s elite of boycotting the economy to achieve its political goals.

The opposition blames the mistaken policies of Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, for the crisis.

8 Ways to Get More Sleep

Dana R
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8 Ways to Get More Sleep

Sleep is one activity that many people find is hard to get enough of on a regular basis. Although experts recommend for the average person to aim for eight to 10 hours of sleep each night, many people who are able to achieve that still find themselves struggling to stay awake during the daytime. Others can’t seem to incorporate that much sleep into their schedules. No matter which side of the equation you fall on, here are eight actions you can take to wake up feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated.

1. Get in Shape
People who are overweight and out of shape often have trouble sleeping. The more a person weighs, the harder their body has to work to perform its normal functions. People who are sleep deprived are also more likely to gain weight. Get active and in shape so that it’s easier for you to tone your body and get down to a normal weight. Maintaining a healthy weight increases the chances of you sleeping better and longer at night.

Sleeping more than 8 hours may be bad for your health

2. Improve Your Mental Health
Sometimes it can be a challenge to wind down after a really busy or stressful day because your mind is simply too active. It doesn’t matter if your bed time is early in the evening or late at night, meditating and listening to soothing music can help to slow down the gears in your mind and make it easier for you to drift off to sleep when you are ready to and stay sleep.

3. Change Your Schedule
Although there are many reasons why you may have the work schedule you do, sometimes it is necessary for you to make adjustments to it so you can better manage your sleep schedule and health. If you work nights and have trouble getting to sleep, talk to your boss about switching to the daytime shift. No work schedule is worth sacrificing your sleep habits and health.

4. Get Off the Couch and Get Active
If you tend to live a sedimentary lifestyle and struggle to get eight to ten hours of sleep at night, it may be time for you to get busy. Get some hobbies, join some clubs, and go out more. Keep yourself mentally and physically engaged in activity so you can burn off excess energy and regulate your body’s function.

5. Just Lounge Around
When you find yourself tired and unable to shut your mind off after a long day, don’t get up. Just lay there. Sometimes resting can be just as restorative as sleeping. Turn on the radio, dim the lights, and simply breathe in a meditative manner while you clear your mind as you lie in bed. As your body adjusts to this new method of relaxation, it will become much easier for you to drift off to sleep at night.

6. Add a Nap Time or Two Into Your Day
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, it may not be possible for you to modify your schedule the way you want. Setting aside as little as 15 to 20 minutes each day so you can stop what you are doing to take a nap can be very beneficial for your health. You’ll feel more rested and rejuvenated throughout the day.

7. Eat Better Foods
The foods you eat can really do a number on your body and interfere with the way it functions. Foods that are high in fats and unhealthy substances can slow down digestion and nutrient absorption making it uncomfortable and harder for you rest and sleep. Before bedtime, eat lighter meals and avoid alcoholic beverages. Incorporate more unprocessed and plant-based Hampton foods into your diet like their eggless mayonnaise.

8. See Your Physician
Sometimes, even with your best efforts, sleep may still be elusive. It may be necessary for you to seek out medical attention. Your sleep cycle may be off and you may need a little medical intervention in the form of supplements or medication. Before starting any medication and supplements for sleep disorders or regulation don’t forget to inform your physician about any other medicines you are taking to prevent complications.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to combine several of the above suggestions so you can get the sleep you need. There may also be other ways you can improve your sleeping habits. By adding more sleep into your life, you can improve your moods, overall health, and well-being.

South African Parliament Fight over Jacob Zuma Heckling

Diane A. Wade
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South African Parliament Fight over Jacob Zuma Heckling

South African opposition lawmakers have been ejected from parliament after trying to interrupt President Jacob Zuma’s speech.

Security officers were ordered to forcibly remove the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers as a brawl broke out in the parliament on May 17.

Two months ago, a court ruled Jacob Zuma violated the constitution by failing to pay back public money used on his mansion.

It is the second brawl in parliament this month.South Africa parliament fight

Security guards were ordered by the speaker to eject the people who were being disruptive.

Guards surrounded the EFF lawmakers who were dressed in their trademark red boiler suits.

Objects, including bottles of water and a hard hat, were thrown as the guards tried to wrestle the lawmakers out of the chamber.

The EFF has denounced Jacob Zuma as an “illegitimate” ruler who should step down.

South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, ruled that Jacob Zuma had violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money used to upgrade his private home in the rural area of Nkandla.

In a second case, at the end of April, a court said that Jacob Zuma should be charged with corruption.

The case is related to a multi-billion dollar arms deal the government negotiated in 1999.

Jacob Zuma denies any wrongdoing, and says he will continue to “shepherd” the nation. His term is due to end in 2019.

Pfizer to Acquire Anacor for $5.2 Billion

Clyde K. Valle
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Pfizer to Acquire Anacor for $5.2 Billion

Pfizer will acquire California-based Anacor Pharmaceuticals – the maker of a new eczema treatment – in a deal worth $5.2 billion.

The pharmaceutical giant announced it had agreed a deal with the board of Anacor.

Anacor’s flagship product is crisaborole, a cream for eczema which is awaiting approval by US regulators.Pfizer buys Anacor

The deal comes just weeks after Pfizer scrapped a planned $160 billion merger with Irish drugmaker Allergan for tax reasons.

Albert Bourla, head of Pfizer’s global innovative pharma unit, said: “We believe the acquisition of Anacor represents an attractive opportunity to address a significant unmet medical need for a large patient population.”

Crisaborole can achieve $2 billion in annual sales if approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to Pfizer.

Some 18 million to 25 million people suffer from eczema in the US, but currently there are few safe appropriate treatments, Pfizer said.

Anacor shares jumped 57%, rising above the $99.25 a share agreed with Pfizer.

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

Warren Buffett Buys $1Billion Stake in Apple

Clyde K. Valle
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Warren Buffett Buys $1Billion Stake in Apple

Warren Buffett has revealed that his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, has bought a $1 billion stake in Apple.

In a regulatory filing, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a holding of 9.81 million shares in Apple.

Warren Buffett, who has traditionally shied away from tech stocks, is known for buying “value stocks”, so it is being seen as significant for Apple.

Apple’s shares have fallen almost 30% over the past year but rose on May 16 and closed the trading session 3.7% higher at $93.88.

Slowing iPhone sales have led investors to question whether the company can maintain Apple’s huge profit levels.

Last week Apple temporarily lost its place as the world’s most valuable company after a fall in shares pushed its total market value below that of Google parent Alphabet.Apple patent infringement case University of Wisconsin

Warren Buffett did not make the actual investment himself, meaning the order would have been placed by his stock-picking team Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, the Wall Street Journal reports. The paper says they are willing to invest in areas that Warren Buffett himself wouldn’t.

They are each thought to manage a $9 billion portfolio and usually make the smaller investments, while Warren Buffett makes the big bets.

The Apple holding makes Berkshire Hathaway the 56th largest shareholder.

Apple is not Berkshire Hathaway’s only technology investment. It is also the biggest shareholder in IBM and increased its holding in the first quarter.

However, Warren Buffett admitted at Berkshire’s annual meeting last month that his investment firm had been slow to get involved the new tech industry. He has always said he would not invest in companies he doesn’t understand.

On May 16, Warren Buffett also told CNBC that he would consider helping Dan Gilbert, chairman of Quicken Loans, finance a bid for Yahoo.

Thailand: Koh Tachai Island Is Being Closed Before Tourists Ruin It Forever

Nancy Clayson
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Thailand: Koh Tachai Island Is Being Closed Before Tourists Ruin It Forever

Thailand is set to close the island of Koh Tachai as heavy tourism is negatively affecting natural resources and the environment.

Koh Tachai, off Phang Nga province, is part of the Similan National Park.

According to the Bangkok Post, almost all Thai marine national parks close from mid-May to mid-October, for monsoon season, but Koh Tachai will not reopen.

Photo Similan Islands
Photo Similan Islands

The Similan Nationam Park is popular with tourists and divers – who will still have access to a few dive sites in the area.

“We have to close it to allow the rehabilitation of the environment both on the island and in the sea without being disturbed by tourism activities before the damage is beyond repair,” Tunya Netithammakul, director general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation, told the Post.

Local media cited experts saying a beach on Koh Tachai could hold about 70 people, but sometimes the number of tourists was well over 1,000, along with food stalls and tour boats.

That was far in excess of Koh Tachai’s sustainable capacity and was causing damage that threatened to become irreversible, reports said.

Thailand draws tens of millions of tourists a year, many of them to its beautiful beaches and islands.

Twitter to Increase 140-Character Limit

Nancy Clayson
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Twitter to Increase 140-Character Limit

Twitter will stop counting photos and links in its 140-character limit for tweets, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The change could be made within the next two weeks, Bloomberg quoted a source as saying.

Twitter has not yet commented on the report.

Back in January, founder Jack Dorsey said Twitter would explore ways of enabling its users to write longer posts.Twitter technical fault January 2016

Links currently take up to 23 characters of a tweet, reducing the space available to users for their own writing when sharing other online content.

The 140-character limit was originally added to make tweets fit into a text message. When the company launched in 2006, before smartphones were available, many users typed their tweets as texts before posting them.

Jack Dorsey has since described the limit as a “beautiful constraint” that “inspires creativity and brevity”.

However, Twitter has struggled to attract new users and has seen its share price decline by more than 70% in 2015.

In June 2015, Twitter announced it would increase the limit on direct messages between one user and another to 10,000 characters.

In January 2016, China’s biggest microblogging service, Sina Weibo, dropped its 140-character limit, allowing some users to write longer posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnnV4RH1Ejo

Nicolas Maduro Won’t Be Ousted by Referendum, Says VP Aristobulo Isturiz

Diane A. Wade
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Nicolas Maduro Won’t Be Ousted by Referendum, Says VP Aristobulo Isturiz

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro won’t be ousted by a referendum because there will be no referendum, Vice-President Aristobulo Isturiz has said.

Two weeks ago, opposition politicians began the process by handing in a petition signed by 1.85 million people.

However, Aistobulo Isturiz said the opposition had “acted too late, had done it wrong and had committed fraud”.

Members of the opposition have previously warned the referendum may be hard to push through, as they alleged that the National Electoral Council (CNE) is staffed by government loyalists.

Nicolas Maduro has announced that three air force generals have been arrested for plotting an uprising against his government
Nicolas Maduro has announced that three air force generals have been arrested for plotting an uprising against his government

Many Venezuelans blame President Nicolas Maduro for the economic crisis the country is experiencing.

Venezuela’s economy contracted by 5.7% last year and is expected to shrink further this year. Inflation is at 180%, according to official figures, and there are shortages of medicines and basic food items.

On May 13, Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency to “denounce, neutralize and overcome the external and foreign aggressions against our country”, which he blames for Venezuela’s economic problems.

Nicolas Maduro did not specify what powers the state of emergency would give him except to say it would offer Venezuelans “fuller, more comprehensive protection”.

On May 2, opposition politicians handed in 80 boxes containing 1.85 million signatures to the CNE, well above the 1% of voters on the electoral roll needed to kick-start the process.

Opposition politicians say the authorities are trying to stall the process and have called on their supporters to march to the offices of the CNE on May 18 to demand they verify the signatures so the process can go ahead.

The timing of a potential recall referendum is key because the outcome could be radically different depending on when it is held.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, if President Nicolas Maduro were to be removed by a recall referendum in his last two years in office, he would be replaced by his Vice-President, Aristobulo Isturiz.

However, if Nicolas Maduro were to be recalled before that, new elections would be triggered.

The opposition sees it as essential to have new elections rather than have Aristobulo Isturiz take over power, as he is seen as a loyal member of Nicolas Maduro’s Socialist Unity Party.

For new elections to be held, the recall referendum would have to go against Nicolas Maduro before January 10, 2017.

Possible Reasons Why Road Accidents Are on the Rise

Dana R
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Possible Reasons Why Road Accidents Are on the Rise

The fact is that road traffic accidents are on the rise these days. There might be many reasons for this increase, but it’s important to look at a few of the most likely ones. If we can understand the reasons, we can work on preventing and reducing accidents from happening.

Image Source

Drinking Culture

One of the other problems we have these days is the issue of a drinking culture. As a society, weekday drinking has increased, and social drinking has become more prevalent. And, as such, the number of people who drive under the influence has also increased. This has led to an increase in road accidents. It’s a shame because this is so dangerous and yet it seems to be an epidemic at the moment. We can only hope that the penalties dished out for drink driving are severe enough to deter people.

Tech Obsession

It’s pretty clear that as a planet we are obsessed with technology these days. There is so much technology around these days that our lives have become dependent upon it. It’s gotten to the point where people can’t go five minutes without checking their Facebook for something. This has led to an increase in the number of people using technology behind the wheel. This is a very stupid and irresponsible thing to do, but unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to stop people. This is a very real problem in our society and one that looks set to cause many more accidents in the future.

Busy Lives

These days we have done so much to try to make our lives easier, but we seem to be busier than ever. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things that need to be done and everyone is in a rush. This impatience could also be a defining factor in the rise of traffic accidents these days. No one wants to slow down and go at a safe speed, and they all just want to get to where they’re going as quickly as possible.

People Aren’t Careful

It might not be something we like to admit, but these days people are not as careful as they should be. This is true when it comes to driving on the roads, but they also aren’t careful with their cars either. It’s easy to overlook the fact that a car is a machine and machines develop problems. This means we have to be sure we take our cars in regularly to get them looked over. But, a lot of people don’t bother to do this. The consequence is that many cars are becoming less safe, and this is leading to a greater number of accidents on the roads.

Image Via Flickr.com

It’s quite alarming to hear that road traffic accidents seem to be on the rise. There is more awareness than ever before about it, but this doesn’t seem to be helping. There are plenty of reasons that could be attributed to this rise. And it’s up to all of us to try to fight back against this and works on making the roads a safer place to be again.

Narendra Modi Tweets Pictures of His Mother’s Visit to Official Residence

Nancy Clayson
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Narendra Modi Tweets Pictures of His Mother’s Visit to Official Residence

India’s PM Narendra Modi has tweeted pictures of his mother’s first visit to his official residence in Delhi.

Twitter users have praised Narendra Modi’s decision to invite his mother, Heeraben Modi, at his new home.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

Heeraben Modi, who is in her nineties, lives in her family house in a town in Gujarat, the prime minister’s native state.

He tweeted that he “spent quality time with her after a long time”.

Narendra Modi became prime minister after his BJP party won the general election in May 2014.

“My mother returns to Gujarat. Spent quality time with her after a long time & that too on her 1st visit to RCR [Race Course Road],” Narendra Modi tweeted.

Donald Trump Calls on Muslims to Work with Police and Turn People In

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Calls on Muslims to Work with Police and Turn People In

Donald Trump has called on Muslims to work with the police and “turn people in”.

In an interview with the British channel ITV, the presumptive Republican nominee said he was not anti-Muslim, but “anti-terror”.

Donald Trump was reacting to remarks by UK PM David Cameron that he was “stupid, divisive and wrong” in calling for Muslims to be banned from the US.

The billionaire made the call last year, when he was not the GOP’s front-runner.

Donald Trump insisted that when he called for an immediate temporary ban on Muslims being allowed into America, there had been criticism only from politicians. Millions of people from all over the world had called in, he said, saying “Donald Trump is right”.

Asked whether he would re-phrase those comments in the light of the controversy they caused, Donald Trump said: “It got people thinking. Whether it’s good for me or bad for me, I don’t really care.”

“Something very bad” was going on that people pretended didn’t exist, Donald Trump said.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The world had a tremendous problem with radical Islamic terror, he said.

“If you look at it world-wide, the world is blowing up. And it’s not people from Sweden that’s doing the damage, okay?”

It is up to Muslims to turn in people they suspected of extremism, he added.

“They have to work with the police. They’re not turning them in. If they’re not playing ball, it’s not going to work out.”

Referring to David Cameron’s criticism, Donald Trump also said it looked like he was not going to have a good relationship with the UK prime minister.

Donald Trump also criticized the new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for calling him “ignorant”.

The Republican is one of the least politically experienced nominees in US history, having never held elected office.

Many senior Republicans have refused to back Donald Trump. All other Republican rivals have dropped out of the campaign.

Norges Bank Investment Management Sues VW over Emissions Scandal

Clyde K. Valle
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Norges Bank Investment Management Sues VW over Emissions Scandal

Volkswagen is being sued by a Norwegian sovereign wealth fund over the car giant’s emissions scandal.

Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest fund, said it had been advised by lawyers that VW’s conduct “gives rise to legal claims under German law”.

VW admitted last year that it had installed secret software to cheat US emissions tests.

The move, from one of VW’s biggest investors, is the latest in a flood of legal actions over the scandal.VW emissions scandal 2016

VW faces action from US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and its own dealers.

Norges Bank Investment Management is worth $850 billion (€751 billion) and has stakes in more than 9,000 companies.

According to the Financial Times, which first reported the story, the lawsuit is expected in the coming weeks. It will be filed in Germany, joining class-action cases which are being prepared there.

“Norges Bank Investment Management intends to join a legal action against Volkswagen arising out of [the fact that] the company provided incorrect emissions data,” the statement said.

“As an investor, it is our responsibility to safeguard the fund’s holding in Volkswagen.”

In April, VW reached a deal with US authorities in which it agreed to offered to buy-back almost half a million vehicles and provide money for a fund to help develop cleaner car technology.

Norges Bank Investment Management recently announced action to clamp down on excessive executive pay at the companies it invests in, as well as encouraging oil companies to report more on the risks of climate change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay6ueu4mCCE

ISIS Overruns Syrian Hospital in Deir al-Zour

Roy Siemens
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ISIS Overruns Syrian Hospital in Deir al-Zour

ISIS has briefly overrun a hospital complex in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour, reports say.

Activists say about 35 pro-government fighters were killed and some medical staff taken hostage. More than 20 ISIS fighters were also reported killed.

The attack was centered on al-Assad hospital, to the west of the city.

Syrian government forces retook the hospital after several hours, reports say, but the fate of the hostages is unclear.ISIS Deir al Zour

ISIS controls more than of half of Deir al-Zour and is seeking to capture the entire city.

The jihadist group has been besieging government-held areas there for two years, trapping about 200,000 civilians.

ISIS’s Amaq news agency said its fighters had carried out a “major offensive” in Deir al-Zour on May 14, storming the hospital and cutting the route between a Syrian army base and the city’s airport.

Amaq said it had also taken over a fire station, university accommodation, grain silos and territory near the al-Tayyam oil fields.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, government forces retook the hospital after several hours of fierce fighting.

Deir al-Zour is in an oil-rich area and on a vital supply route to the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa.

Venezuela Crisis: Nicolas Maduro Threatens to Seize Closed Factories

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela Crisis: Nicolas Maduro Threatens to Seize Closed Factories

In a speech to supporters in Venezuela’s capital Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro has threatened the seizure of factories that have stopped production, and the jailing of their owners.

Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela had to recover the means of production, to counter its deep economic crisis.

On May 13, the president introduced a new, nationwide state of emergency.

Meanwhile, opposition protesters have been rallying in Caracas to push for a recall vote to eject Nicolas Maduro from power.

The Venezuelan leader said the state of emergency was needed to combat foreign aggression, which he blamed for the country’s problems.

Nicolas Maduro said military exercises would take place next weekend to counter “foreign threats”.

Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves but its economy has been severely hit by falling global oil prices. The country’s economy contracted by 5.7% last year and its official inflation rate is estimated to be topping 180%.

There are severe shortages of food, medicines and basic goods which Nicolas Maduro argues are due to business leaders and the US waging an economic war against his government.Nicolas Maduro imposes visas for Americans

The threat to seize closed factories came after Venezuela’s largest food and beverage company, the Polar Group, halted production of beer, blaming government mismanagement for stopping it importing barley.

The Polar Group’s billionaire owner, Lorenzo Mendoza, is a fierce critic of President Nicolas Maduro.

Nicolas Maduro told supporters at the Caracas rally: “We must take all measures to recover productive capacity, which is being paralyzed by the bourgeoisie.

“Anyone who wants to halt [production] to sabotage the country should get out, and those who do must be handcuffed and sent to the PGV [Venezuelan General Penitentiary].

“We’re going to tell imperialism and the international right that the people are present, with their farm instruments in one hand and a gun in the other… to defend this sacred land.”

On May 13, President Nicolas Maduro declared a full-blown state of emergency, expanding the state of “economic emergency” he had announced in January.

In an address to the nation, Nicolas Maduro said the measures would be in place for three months but would likely be extended over 2017.

The president did not specify if there would be limits to other constitutional rights but he said the decree would provide “a fuller, more comprehensive protection for our people.”

A previous state of emergency was implemented in states near the Colombian border in 2015.

It suspended constitutional guarantees in those areas but did not suspend guarantees related to human rights.

Venezuela’s Minister for Communication and Information Luis Jose Marcano said the state of emergency would allow the government more resources to distribute food, basic goods and medicines.

Luis Jose Marcano added that it also created “mechanisms for the security forces to be able to guarantee public order needed because of the threats by armed groups”.

The opposition has collected and submitted a petition with 1.8 million signatures in favor of a referendum on Nicolas Maduro, but the National Electoral Board (CNE) has so far not verified them.

The verification process was supposed to take five days but 12 days have already elapsed.

Opposition activists say authorities are not letting them proceed to the next stage when they must collect another four million signatures.

Addressing the crowds on May 14, opposition leader and former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said: “We want a country without queues, where we can find medicines. We want change.”

Henrique Capriles described Venezuela as a “time bomb that can explode at any given moment”.

According to the Venezuelan Constitution, if a referendum is held before the end of the year, a recall vote against Nicolas Maduro would trigger new elections.

Eurovision 2016: Ukraine’s Jamala Wins Contest with Crimean Tatars Deportation Song

Sonia Pantiss
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Eurovision 2016: Ukraine’s Jamala Wins Contest with Crimean Tatars Deportation Song

Ukrainian singer Jamala has won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ukraine scored 534 points with Jamala’s song 1944 – about the deportation of Crimean Tatars under Josef Stalin.

Australia finished second with 511 points, while Russia – which was the favorite going into the competition – was third with 491 points.

Jamala is the first ever Crimean Tatar to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest and caused controversy ahead of the show over her political song.

1944 references the year when Josef Stalin deported almost all of the ethnic group from its native region of Crimea in what was then Soviet Russia (later to become part of Ukraine).

Jamala had dedicated the song to her great grandmother who was forced to leave along with a quarter of a million Tatars, as a collective punishment for those who had collaborated during the Nazi occupation.

The song had been expected to finish in the top three but in a surprise result beat favorites Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and had been angered by the song.Ukraine Jamala wins Eurovision 2016

Collecting her award, Jamala thanked Europe for their votes, adding: “I really want peace and love to everyone.”

Speaking about her win backstage after, Jamala said: “It’s amazing. I was sure that if you talk about truth it really can touch people.”

This year, organizer introduced a new scoring system was introduced this year, providing separate scores for each country’s jury and public votes, rather than combining them as in previous years.

At the half-way point after the juries’ votes had been counted, Australia – which had been invited back to perform after last year’s 60th anniversary celebrations – topped the scoreboard with 320 points and a firm lead over Ukraine’s 211 points.

However, Dami Im’s Sound of Silence failed to strike the same chord with the public and was voted the fourth most popular song overall.

The new scoring system highlighted the disparity between the preferences of the juries and the public.

It allowed Poland, which was in penultimate place with seven points from the jury, to leap to eighth when the public’s 227 points were taken into account.

Germany’s Jamie-Lee finished in last place as her song Ghost received 11 points.

Justin Timberlake performed his new single during the interval of the show.

Scooter: World’s Oldest Cat Dies at the Age of 30

Nancy Clayson
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Scooter: World’s Oldest Cat Dies at the Age of 30

Scooter the cat, who was recently named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living has died.

The Siamese cat celebrated his 30th birthday on March 26.

Scooter’s owner, Gail Floyd, who lives in Mansfield, Texas, has said he had died by the time Guinness confirmed his title on April 8.

Local vet Dr. Tricia Latimer says Scooter had lived to the equivalent of about 136 human years.

The owner said Scooter had lived so long because he stays active and keeps busy by travelling.

Photo Abc News
Photo Abc News

Apparently Scooter had visited 45 of the 50 states in America.

Some of Scooter’s favorite activities were said to include getting blow-dried after baths and snacking on chicken every other day.

Gail Floyd adds that as a kitten, Scooter liked to play in her hair and even got used to riding on her shoulder, going with her wherever she went.

The cat used to wake her up every morning at 6am, “talking” and jumping around, and was always waiting by the door when she arrived home from work.

Scooter wasn’t Guinness World Records’ oldest cat of all time though.

That oldest cat of all time honor belongs to a fellow Texan cat, which lived to be 38.

Elfin: Russian Yacht Seized in North Korea

Roy Siemens
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Elfin: Russian Yacht Seized in North Korea

North Korea’s coastguards have detained a Russian yacht in the Sea of Japan, Russia’s foreign ministry says.

According to Russian reports, the yacht Elfin with five crew on board was intercepted as it was returning to Russia after participating in a competition in South Korea.

Russian diplomats have demanded the crew’s immediate release and an explanation.North Korea jams GPS signals

However, Russia is one of the few countries that have relatively friendly ties with North Korea.

The Elfin was on its way from South Korea’s port city of Busan to Vladivostok in Russia’s far east when it was detained 80 miles off the coast on May 13, the foreign ministry said.

The yacht was taken into the North Korean port of Kimchaek and the crew were not in any danger, the ministry added.

The Russian consul-general was waiting for permission to visit them, it said.

Russia shares a short land border with North Korea.

Mustafa Badreddine Killed by Jihadists, Says Hezbollah

Roy Siemens
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Mustafa Badreddine Killed by Jihadists, Says Hezbollah

Mustafa Amine Badreddine was killed in artillery fire by jihadists, Lebanese Hezbollah group says.

The death of the Hezbollah’s top military commander in near Damascus airport was announced on May 13 and initially blamed on Israel, Hezbollah’s chief enemy.

Mustafa Badreddine was believed to have run all Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria since 2011.

Thousands of Hezbollah troops are supporting President Bashar al-Assad.

This has pitted it against several groups of anti-Assad rebels – from ISIS to the al-Nusra Front.Mustafa Badreddine death

Without naming any group, the Hezbollah statement said: “Investigations have showed that the explosion, which targeted one of our bases near Damascus International Airport, and which led to the martyrdom of commander Mustafa Badreddine, was the result of artillery bombardment carried out by takfiri groups in the area.”

Takfiri is used to describe militants who believe Muslim society has reverted to a state of non-belief.

The Lebanese Shia Islamist movement has played a major role in helping Iran, its main military and financial backer, to prop up the government of President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising erupted in 2011.

Thousands of Hezbollah fighters are assisting government forces on battlefields across Syria, particularly those near the Lebanese border, and hundreds are believed to have been killed.

The Hezbollah statement said Mustafa Badreddine’s death “will increase our determination… to continue the fight against these criminal gangs and defeat them”.

Born in 1961, Mustafa Amine Badreddine is believed to have been a senior figure in Hezbollah’s military wing. He was a cousin and brother-in-law of Imad Mughniyeh, who was the military wing’s chief until his assassination by car bomb in Damascus in 2008.

They are alleged to have worked together on the October 1983 bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut that killed 241 people.

Mustafa Badreddine is reported to have sat on Hezbollah’s Shura Council and served as an adviser to the group’s overall leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah was established in the wake of the Israeli occupation of Lebanon in the early 1980s, and has called for the “obliteration” of Israel.

Mustafa Badreddine was also charged with masterminding the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in Beirut in 2005.

An indictment from the ongoing Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague details Mustafa Badreddine’s role in bombings in Kuwait in 1983, that targeted the French and US embassies and other facilities, and killed six people. He was sentenced to death over the attacks, but later escaped from prison.

Pfizer Wants to Prevent Its Drugs Being Used in Lethal Injections

Kathryn R. Bown
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Pfizer Wants to Prevent Its Drugs Being Used in Lethal Injections

Pfizer has decided to take steps to prevent its drugs being used in lethal injections.

In a statement published on its website, the pharmaceutical giant said: “We strongly object to the use of any of our products in the lethal injection process for capital punishment.”

Pfizer stressed that its products were meant to save the lives of patients.

The move reportedly shuts off the last remaining open market source of drugs used in executions in the US.Pfizer Allergan merger talks

According to a New York Times report, the decision follows similar moves by more than 20 US and global drug makers.

Last month, Pfizer said seven of its drugs would only be sold to purchasers on condition that they would not resell them to correctional institutions.

The company said it offered the products because they saved or improved lives, and marketed them solely for use as indicated in the product labeling.

In a statement, the drug maker said: “Pfizer makes its products solely to enhance and save the lives of the patients we serve.

“We are committed to ensuring that our products remain available and accessible to the medical professionals and patients who rely upon them every day.”

Human rights groups have long campaigned against using drugs for the purpose of capital punishment.

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

Donald Trump Denies Pretending to Be His Own Spokesman John Miller

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Denies Pretending to Be His Own Spokesman John Miller

Donald Trump has denied posing as his own spokesman John Miller in the 1990s after an audio tape was published.

The Washington Post has obtained a 1991 phone conversation between a PR man calling himself John Miller, but sounding like Donald Trump, and a reporter.

However, the Republican presidential hopeful said the voice on the tape did not belong to him.

Reporters who covered Donald Trump’s early career say they regularly spoke to a Trump spokesman sounding exactly like him.

They would hear from the “spokesman”, named as John Miller or John Baron, when asking to interview Donald Trump.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

In response to the Washington Post story on May 13, Donald Trump made his denial on the Today Show saying: “No, I don’t know anything about it.

“You’re telling me about it for the first time and it doesn’t sound like my voice at all.”

“I have many, many people that are trying to imitate my voice and you can imagine that. This sounds like one of these scams, one of the many scams. It doesn’t sound like me.

“It was not me on the phone. And it doesn’t sound like me on the phone, I will tell you that. It was not me on the phone.”

However, in 1990, Donald Trump admitted in court he and one of his employees used the name “John Baron” in business dealings during a case about undocumented Polish workers constructing Trump Tower.

A lawyer for the workers said he received a call from someone named “Mr. Baron” who threatened to sue if he did not drop a lawsuit over withheld pay for the workers, the New York Times reported.

A reporter for People magazine contacted Donald Trump’s office in 1991 to interview him about the end of his marriage to Ivana Trump and his relationship with model Marla Maples.

The “media spokesman” called the reporter, Sue Carswell, back and began telling her about why Donald Trump had broken up with Marla Maples for Italian model Carla Bruni.

The man claiming to be John Miller said: “He really didn’t want to make a commitment.

“He’s coming out of a marriage, and he’s starting to do tremendously well financially.”

Once, John Miller slipped out of talking about Donald Trump in the third person in a conversation with Sue Carswell, but quickly corrected himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toruN-61dEU

George Zimmerman Gun Auction Reaches $65 Million

Nancy Clayson
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George Zimmerman Gun Auction Reaches $65 Million

George Zimmerman’s gun has apparently reached $65 million at an online auction, organizers say.

The gun was used to kill unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012.

The sale has been plagued by fake bidders including “Racist McShootface”.

George Zimmerman had planned to auction what he called “an American icon” on the website Gun Broker on May 12.

However, the web posting was removed just as the auction was due to begin with a reserve price of $5,000.

United Gun Group is now hosting the auction.

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

In a statement on Twitter, they defended the sale of the gun on their site: “Unless the law has been violated, it is the intention of the United Gun Group to allow its members to use any of the available features. While not always popular this is where we stand.”

They were “truly sorry” for Trayvon Martin family’s loss but said it was their goal to “defend liberty”.

On May 13, the top bidder was a user named Craig Bryant.

George Zimmerman, 32, a neighborhood watchman, was cleared over the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012 after saying he acted in self-defense.

In an online posting to announce the auction, George Zimmerman said that he would use the profits to “fight” the Black Lives Matter movement and oppose Democrat Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

A lawyer for Trayvon Martin’s family told the Washington Post that “it is insulting to this family that he would decide that he would sell the gun that he killed their child with”.

“Think about what that means: This is a gun that took a child’s life and now he wants to make money off of it.”

On the auction site, George Zimmerman said it was recently returned to him by the Department of Justice.

He claimed that the Smithsonian museums had expressed interest in buying the 9 mm handgun, but Smithsonian officials denied that in a statement.

Speaking to a Florida TV station, George Zimmerman had defended the auction saying: “I’m a free American, and I can do what I’d like with my possessions.”

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura Becomes FIFA’s First Female Secretary General

Clyde K. Valle
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Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura Becomes FIFA’s First Female Secretary General

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has become FIFA’s first female secretary general as she was appointed to succeed former secretary general Jerome Valcke, who was banned from soccer-related activity for 12 years.

The 54-year-old Senegalese spent 21 years working for the United Nations and will start at soccer’s governing body in June.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “It is essential FIFA incorporates fresh perspectives as we continue to restore and rebuild our organization.

“She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organizations perform. Importantly for FIFA, she also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organization.”Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura FIFA secretary general

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura’s appointment, announced at FIFA’s congress in Mexico City, completes a new-look to an organization which has been dogged by corruption allegations under Jerome Valcke and previous president Sepp Blatter.

Sepp Blatter, who had led FIFA since 1998, stood down in 2015 and was later suspended from soccer for six years for breaching ethics guidelines.

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, who will undergo an eligibility check before her role is ratified, currently works for the UN in Nigeria, and speaks four languages.

She started her UN career as a senior logistics officer with the World Food Program in Rome in 1995 and has since served as country representative or director in six African countries, including Nigeria.

At her appointment, Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura said: “Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honored to take on this role.

“This role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience – strategic, high-impact team building in international settings – which I will use to help grow the game of football all over the world.

“I also look forward to bringing my experience in governance and compliance to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at FIFA.

“FIFA is taking a fresh approach to its work – and I am eager to play a role in making that approach as effective and lasting as possible.”

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