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Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Chamber of Deputies Votes to Start Proceedings

Diane A. Wade
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Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Chamber of Deputies Votes to Start Proceedings

Brazil’s lower house, Chamber of Deputies, has voted to start impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff.

Dilma Rousseff is accused of manipulating government accounts.

The “yes” camp comfortably won the required two-thirds majority, after a lengthy session in the capital.

The motion will now go to the upper house, the Senate, which is expected to suspend Dilma Rousseff next month while it carries out a formal trial.

The 68-year-old president denies tampering with the accounts to help secure her re-election in 2014.

Her ruling Workers’ Party has promised to continue its fight to defend her “in the streets and in the Senate”.Dilma Rousseff impeachment 2015

Dilma Rousseff’s opponents secured 367 votes in the lower house – exceeding the 342-vote mark needed to send the motion to the Senate.

The “no” camp secured 167 votes, while seven other deputies abstained. Two deputies were not present during the voting.

Voting began after passionate statements from lawmakers and party leaders in a session broadcast live on television as well as on large screens in city centers.

If the Senate votes for impeachment, Dilma Rousseff will be put on trial in the upper chamber and will be removed from office permanently if found guilty. She has two opportunities to appeal during the whole process.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters watched the voting marathon on huge TV screens in cities across the country – Dilma Rousseff’s supporters wearing red and her opponents wearing the green and yellow of the Brazilian flag.

Some 25,000 protesters from both sides were outside the Congress building – separated by a makeshift 6.5ft high metal wall, that stretches for 0.6 miles.

The “yes” camp burst into celebrations even before the two-thirds of the votes had been secured.

The atmosphere has so far been peaceful and almost festive with music, fancy dress and people blowing trumpets and vuvuzelas.

Dilma Rousseff has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, and on April 16 wrote in one newspaper her opponents wanted to “convict an innocent woman and save the corrupt”.

Axl Rose Replaces Brian Johnson for AC/DC Remaining Tour Dates

Sonia Pantiss
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Axl Rose Replaces Brian Johnson for AC/DC Remaining Tour Dates

Axl Rose will replace AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson for the remainder of their latest tour, the band has confirmed.

They postponed the Rock or Bust tour in March after Brian Johnson, who joined AC/DC after Bon Scott’s death in 1980, was told he was at risk of going deaf.

Axl Rose will join their European and postponed North American dates, before returning to his band in the summer.

In a statement, AC/DC said they were “fortunate” to have Rose’s “support”.Axl Rose replaces Brian Johnson

“As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing,” they said.

“We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years.”

They added thanks to Gateshead-born Johnson “for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years”.

Axl Rose recently reunited with guitarist Slash and bass player Duff McKagan for their first Guns N’ Roses gigs together in 23 years.

The Guns N’ Roses singer broke his foot following the show and has since performed seated on the throne used by Foo Fighters’ frontman Dave Grohl after he broke his leg on stage.

The band headlined the Coachella festival in California on April 16 and were joined on stage by AC/DC guitarist Angus Young for renditions of the Australian band’s classic songs Whole Lotta Rosie and Riff Raff.

AC/DC have suffered a number of setback in recent months, with former drummer Phil Rudd being convicted in 2015 of drug possession and making threats to kill and sentenced to house arrest last year and guitarist Malcolm Young, the brother of Angus, being diagnosed with dementia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMDQonfBC1o

Ecuador Earthquake Kills at Least 77

Nancy Clayson
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Ecuador Earthquake Kills at Least 77

At least 77 people have been killed and more than 500 injured after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, Vice-President Jorge Glas says.

The tremor struck at 18:58 local time on April 16 near the northern coastal town of Muisne.

Widespread severe damage is reported, with a bridge destroyed as far south as Guayaquil about 190 miles away.

A state of emergency has been declared in six provinces and the National Guard has been mobilized.

The earthquake, Ecuador’s largest since 1979, also shook buildings in the capital, Quito.

President Rafael Correa is cutting short his trip to Italy to return home. He called for calm, saying on Twitter: “Our infinite love to the families of the dead.”

VP Jorge Glas said that at least 77 people had died and 588 had been injured, adding that the figures could rise as a number of affected areas had not yet been reached.Ecuador earthquake 2016

He called for calm, particularly in the city of Portoviejo, amid reports of a “lack of public order”.

Gabriel Alcivar, mayor of the town of Pedernale, which is close to the epicenter, said: “We’re trying to do the most we can but there’s almost nothing we can do.”

He said dozens of buildings had been flattened and looting had broken out.

“This wasn’t just a house that collapsed, it was an entire town,” he added.

Serious damage was also reported in the city of Manta, with an airport tower among the buildings destroyed.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a fairly shallow depth of 11.9 miles, about 18 miles from Muisne in a sparsely populated area.

There have been a number of aftershocks, the biggest at 5.4.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has now issued a message saying that the threat of a tsunami has now mostly passed and that any remaining risk should be evaluated by local authorities.

However, it earlier said tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to one meter above the tide level were possible for some coasts of Ecuador. Any damage that had occurred might not be visible until daylight.

Parts of the capital were left without electricity for some time.

Reports say a big oil refinery has been temporarily shut as a precautionary measure.

Neighboring Peru had also issued a tsunami alert for its northern coastline.

The quake was felt in Colombia, where patients in a clinic in the city of Cali were evacuated from the building as a precautionary measure.

Ecuador is prone to earthquakes. It is located along the so-called Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped, seismically turbulent area of the Pacific Ocean.

White House 2016: Ted Cruz Wins in Wyoming

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2016: Ted Cruz Wins in Wyoming

Ted Cruz has won all 14 delegates in contention at a state party convention in Wyoming.

The delegates were chosen by Republican members rather than ordinary voters.

Ted Cruz’s rival Donald Trump – who did not actively campaign in the state – remains the Republican front-runner overall.

However, Donald Trump could fall short of the number of delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination for the November presidential election.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

That would mean a contested convention where voting for candidates starts again from scratch.

Donald Trump is concentrating on New York, which holds a key primary on April 19.

A number of senior Republican leaders have backed Ted Cruz, a Conservative Texas senator, fearing that Donald Trump’s controversial comments make him a weak candidate in the November election.

The result from the Wyoming contest brings Ted Cruz’s tally from 545 to 559 delegates. Donald Trump has 743.

In his victory speech on April 16, Ted Cruz said: “If you don’t want to see Donald Trump as the nominee, if you don’t want to hand the general (election) to Hillary Clinton, which is what a Trump nomination does, then I ask you to please support the men and women on this slate.”

In the Democratic race, Hillary Clinton is still ahead of her only remaining rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Pope Francis Takes Twelve Refugees to Vatican

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis Takes Twelve Refugees to Vatican

Twelve Syrian refugees have been taken to the Vatican by Pope Francis after visiting a camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

The three families, including six children, are all Muslim and had their homes bombed during the Syrian war.

According to a Vatican statement, Pope Francis wanted to “make a gesture of welcome” to the refugees.

Thousands of migrants are now stuck on Lesbos after last month’s EU-Turkey deal to try to ease the flow.Pope Francis refugees Lesbos

All of those leaving with Pope Francis were already living on Lesbos before the deal was implemented, the Vatican said.

They were reportedly selected from lots drawn, and will be looked after initially by the Sant’Egidio community, known for their charity work.

Under the EU-Turkey agreement, refugees arriving illegally on the Greek islands from Turkey after March will be deported unless they successfully claim for asylum.

In return, for every Syrian returned to Turkey, the EU will take another Syrian directly from Turkey.

Pope Francis earlier told migrants living in the Moria camp – some of whom are facing being sent back – “you are not alone”.

About 3,000 people are being held in the camp on Lesbos, some of whom lined the streets with banners pleading for help as Pope Francis arrived.

Some wept, others threw themselves at his feet or chanted “freedom”.

In his speech, Pope Francis acknowledged “the great sacrifice” the people in the camp had made, saying he wanted to “draw the attention of the world to this grave humanitarian crisis”.

The pontiff told the camp’s residents: “Do not lose hope. The greatest gift we can offer to one another is love.”

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, who also met Pope Francis, said the visit “sends a message that surpasses Greece’s and Europe’s borders”.

The Vatican has stressed the Pope’s visit was purely humanitarian and religious in nature and should not be seen as a criticism of the deportations.

In September, Pope Francis made space in the Vatican apartments for two refugee families, urging Catholics across Europe to play their part to resolve the crisis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Kdoa2_cLk

NBA Allows Teams to Sell Advertising Space on Players’ Shirts

Clyde K. Valle
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NBA Allows Teams to Sell Advertising Space on Players’ Shirts

NBA teams will be allowed to sell advertising space on their playing shirts for the first time starting from the 2017-2018 season.

The teams could place a 2.5in square sponsor’s logo, the NBA says.

Until now, they have been unable to exploit this lucrative commercial option enjoyed by many other sports.

Experts predict the deals will generate more than $4 million a year for clubs.

The NBA, which is the first major North American sports league to announce plans to put ads on shirts, said a small patch would appear on the front left of match jerseys as part of a three-year pilot program.NBA shirt sponsorship

“Jersey sponsorships provide deeper engagement with partners looking to build a unique association with our teams, and the additional investment will help grow the game in exciting new ways,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Featuring their brand logo on jerseys will give advertisers more opportunity to be seen by fans watching on TV.

David Carter from the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute said the pilot initiative was part of the NBA’s march towards “aggressively featuring corporate brands” on team shirts.

In June, the NBA signed a $1 billion sponsorship deal with Nike that places the company’s “swoosh” logo on the right shoulder of all the NBA teams shirts.

The NBA’s 30 teams will be responsible for making their own deals with sponsors for this new patch space.

“Anything that makes the individual franchise more viable will pay a positive dividend to the league itself,” said David Carter.

The concern for NBA teams and players will be how any new deal interacts with existing sponsorship agreements. A player, for example, that is endorsed by Pepsi may not be so keen to wear a Coke logo on their shirt.

Company sponsorship is a huge revenue stream for sport globally.

According to Price Waterhouse Coopers, global sport sponsorship revenue was worth $45.3 billion in 2015.

The NBA is the first of the four big US sports to allow on shirt brand sponsorship.

Leagues have been reluctant to put advertising on shirts for fear it will turn off fans.

The new sponsor patch will not appear on the retail version on the shirts sold at team or NBA stores, but the advertisers will be allowed to sell branded shirts at their own stores.

Guatemala: Otto Perez Molina and Roxana Baldetti Accused of Taking Bribes

Diane A. Wade
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Guatemala: Otto Perez Molina and Roxana Baldetti Accused of Taking Bribes

Former Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina and his vice-president, Roxana Baldetti, took at least $25 million in bribes from Spanish port company TCB, an anti-corruption commission alleges.

TCB (Terminal de Contenedores Barcelona) won a contract to operate a new container terminal on Guatemala’s Pacific coast for 25 years.

Otto Perez Molina was arrested in September after standing down amid anti-corruption protests.

The former leader is due to appear in court next week. He and Roxana Baldetti deny wrongdoing.

Attorney General Thelma Aldana said Otto Perez Molina started the approval process for the $225 million project immediately after his election in November 2011. There were no competing bids.Otto Perez Molina and Roxana Baldetti

Otto Perez Molina and Roxana Baldetti “formed a criminal group”, Thelma Aldana added.

Thelma Aldana made the announcement alongside the head of the UN-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Ivan Velasquez, who headed the investigation.

The commission was set in 2006 to help Guatemala reform its justice system and confront criminal gangs that had infiltrated the state.

The Spanish executive in charge of the local branch of TCB, Juan Jose Suarez, has been arrested.

Juan Jose Suarez said he had no idea why he had been detained, EFE news agency reported.

Otto Perez Molina resigned on September 2 and was arrested a day later. He said the contract offered the best deal for the country.

Anti-corruption protests had forced Roxana Baldetti to stand down in May.

In a separate scandal, Otto Perez Molina and Roxana Baldetti were accused of running a bribery scheme at Guatemala’s customs, which became known as La Linea, or The Line.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Insult: Angela Merkel Approves Inquiry Into Jan Boehmermann

Diane A. Wade
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Recep Tayyip Erdogan Insult: Angela Merkel Approves Inquiry Into Jan Boehmermann

German comedian Jan Boehmermann could be prosecuted for insulting Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the Turkish president filed a complaint.

Jan Boehmermann had recited a satirical poem on television which made sexual references to Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Under German law, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government had to approve a criminal inquiry.

Angela Merkel stressed that the courts would have the final word, and it was now up to prosecutors to decide whether to press charges.

The chancellor added that her government would move to repeal the controversial and little-used Article 103 of the penal code, which concerns insults against foreign heads of state, by 2018.

Photo AFP
Photo AFP

Jan Boehmermann is a satirist and TV presenter well-known for pushing the boundaries of German humor. He was given police protection earlier this week.

Some experts say the comedian has a strong defense against potential charges, because his poem could be seen as part of a wider piece of satire about free speech, rather than a deliberate insult.

An earlier remark by Angela Merkel that the poem was “deliberately offensive” had led to accusations in Germany that she was not standing up for free speech.

The poem was broadcast on ZDF TV two weeks ago. The public TV channel has decided not to broadcast Boehmermann’s weekly satire program this week because of the furor surrounding him.

Before announcing that Jan Boehmermann could be prosecuted, Angela Merkel stressed her government expected Turkey to comply with EU democratic norms in the areas of free speech and judicial independence.

“In a state under the rule of law, it is not a matter for the government but rather for state prosecutors and courts to weigh personal rights issues and other concerns affecting press and artistic freedom,” the chancellor said.

“The presumption of innocence applies,” Angela Merkel added, explaining that she was not making any prejudgement about Jan Boehmermann.

In her statement in Berlin, Angela Merkel said that the approval of the federal government was a legal precondition for the prosecution of this specific offence.

“The foreign office, the justice ministry, the interior ministry and the chancellery took part in this review,” she said.

“There were diverging opinions between the coalition partners… The result is that in the present case the federal government will grant its approval.”

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has drawn much criticism in Turkey and internationally for attacking opponents, including harassment of journalists. Many accuse him of authoritarian methods, stifling legitimate dissent and promoting an Islamist agenda.

Some Germans worry that Angela Merkel is compromising on freedom of expression in order to ensure Turkey’s continued co-operation to stem the influx of refugees into the EU.

Brussels Attacks: Belgian Transport Minister Resigns amid Airport Security Controversy

Roy Siemens
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Brussels Attacks: Belgian Transport Minister Resigns amid Airport Security Controversy

Belgian transport minister Jacqueline Galant has stepped down over accusations she ignored lapses in security at Brussels airport before the attacks of March 22.

A confidential document shows security lapses at Belgium’s airports were identified by EU inspectors in 2015.

Jacqueline Galant had denied having seen the report, which was leaked by opposition parties.

ISIS attacks on Zaventem airport and a Brussels metro station left 32 people dead.Jacqueline Galant resignation

Belgian PM Charles Michel had previously defended Jacqueline Galant, and he had told parliament that her office had not seen the critical EU report.

However, on April 15, following the publication of further documents on April 14, Charles Michel said that “contrary to what was communicated to me” the report had been discussed, according to public broadcaster RTBF.

Charles Michel said he had met Jacqueline Galant on April 15 and following the meeting the minister submitted her resignation to the king.

Jacqueline Galant wrote in her resignation letter that “the orchestrated and theatrical confusion of the last 48 hours prevents me from continuing in the performance of my duties”.

The minister’s resignation followed that of Belgian federal transport agency chief Laurent Ledoux on April 14.

Laurent Ledoux had complained of a lack of funding from Jacqueline Galant and said that the minister herself should “take responsibility and step aside”.

Jacqueline Galant said on April 15 that she was shocked by the way Laurent Ledoux had resigned, and said he was carrying out a “media crusade”.

The 2015 European Commission report, published by public broadcaster RTBF, cited “serious deficiencies” and said airport security programs, air carriers and suppliers were “not adequately monitored”.

The two suicide bombers who attacked Brussels airport blew themselves up in the departures area and would not normally have faced any security checks.

The bomb attacks on the airport and Maelbeek metro station occurred just four days after Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was caught near his home in Molenbeek. He had been on the run for four months.

Belgium’s parliament is to hold an inquiry into how the attacks were handled.

The interior and justice ministers both offered to resign in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, following revelations that Turkey had warned Belgian authorities about one of the attackers when it deported him back to Belgium, but the prime minister asked them to stay on.

Panama Papers: Vladimir Putin Apologizes for Sueddeutsche Zeitung Remarks

Diane A. Wade
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Panama Papers: Vladimir Putin Apologizes for Sueddeutsche Zeitung Remarks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized for erroneously claiming that German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung was owned by Goldman Sachs.

Vladimir Putin made the remark in his annual televised question-and-answer session with the public on April 14.Vladimir Putin Panama Papers

It concerned who was responsible for the publication of the so-called Panama Papers, which were leaked to Sueddeutsche Zeitung and revealed massive international tax evasion.

In an apology issued by the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin said he was misinformed by aides.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “It is more the error of those who prepared the briefing documents, my error.”

“There was information there that had not been checked and rechecked again and we gave it to the president. We have apologized [to the bank] and we will also apologize to the publication.”

The Panama Papers, which contained the names of people allegedly involved in tax evasion schemes, revealed a number of offshore companies owned by close associates of Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin has denied “any element of corruption” over the schemes, saying his opponents are trying to destabilize Russia.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung shared the documents with a large group of newspapers and publishers.

Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Brazil’s Supreme Court Rejects Government Injunction

Diane A. Wade
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Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Brazil’s Supreme Court Rejects Government Injunction

The Brazilian Supreme Court has upheld the result of an impeachment vote against President Dilma Rousseff.

Dilma Rousseff, who says her opponents are plotting a “coup”, faces claims she manipulated government accounts.

The president has vowed to fight to “the last minute” despite the desertion of three allied parties ahead of Sunday’s vote in the lower house of parliament.

The Supreme Court made its decision in an extraordinary session.

The impeachment debate in the lower house of parliament is due to start today and continue until April 17 vote. If two-thirds of lawmakers vote for impeachment, the motion will pass to the Senate.

An impeachment vote would pave the way for Dilma Rousseff to be removed from office.Dilma Rousseff impeachment 2015

Yesterday’s injunction to suspend the vote was filed by Attorney General Jose Eduardo Cardozo who claimed that alleged procedural failings had violated the president’s right to a defense.

Seven of 10 justices voted to reject the motion even before the Supreme Court session had finished.

The Progressive Party (PP), which quit the coalition on April 12, says most of its 47 lawmakers would vote for the impeachment, and the Republican Party (PRB) said its 22 members had been told to vote in favor.

The move comes weeks after the PMDB, the largest party in the lower house, voted to leave the coalition. The PMDB’s leader in the lower house, Leonardo Picciani, said on April 14 that 90% of the party’s members would vote to impeach Dilma Rousseff.

Lawmakers from Dilma Rousseff’s own Workers’ Party are said to be increasingly despondent about April 17 vote.

The allegations, which Dilma Rousseff denies, are that she juggled the accounts to make her government’s economic performance appear better than it was, ahead of her election campaign two years ago.

Dilma Rousseff’s supporters say the issue is not valid grounds for impeachment.

On April 12, the president seemed to suggest that her Vice-President, Michel Temer, was one of the ringleaders of the “coup” attempt against her.

Dilma Rousseff said a widely distributed audio message of Michel Temer appearing to accept replacing her as president was evidence of the conspiracy. However, she did not identify him by name.

Brazil is “living in strange times”, she said, “times of a coup, of farce and betrayal”.

Lawmakers are due to start debating on April 15, with voting beginning on April 17 at about 14:00. The result should be known later in the evening.

Security is expected to be stepped up around the Congress building in Brasilia as the vote takes place.

North Korea’s Musudan Missile Test Fails

Roy Siemens
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North Korea’s Musudan Missile Test Fails

A North Korean missile test was conducted off the country’s east coast on April 15.

However, the launch appears to have failed, the US and South Korean officials say.

The rocket has not yet been identified but is suspected to have been a previously untested “Musudan” medium-range ballistic missile.

The launch coincided with the birthday of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il-sung.

It also comes amid particularly high tension on the Korean peninsula.

South Korea’s Yonhap national news agency quoted government sources as saying that the missile was a type of intermediate-range ballistic missile known as a Musudan, also called the BM-25.

North Korean forces were seen recently moving two such missiles.North Korea Musudan missile

According to the Yonhap report , it would be North Korea’s first Musudan test, and that it may have at least 50 more.

The Musudan is named after the village in North Korea’s northeast where a launch pad is sited.

The rocket has a range of about 1,800 miles, which extends to the US Army base on the Pacific island of Guam, but not as far as the mainland US.

The US said it had tracked the latest launch, but could also not confirm details.

“We call again on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations,” a State Department official said.

China also criticized what it called “the latest in a string of saber-rattling that, if unchecked, will lead the country to nowhere,” according to the official Xinhua news agency.

North Korea has made a series of threats against the South and the US since the UN imposed some of its toughest ever sanctions on the country.

The move was a response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January and its launching of a satellite in February, both of which broke existing sanctions.

Czechia: Czech Republic Plans to Change Name

Diane A. Wade
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Czechia: Czech Republic Plans to Change Name

The Czech Republic is planning to change its name to “Czechia” to make it easier for companies and sports teams to use it on products and clothing.

The European country will retain its full name but Czechia will become the official short geographic name, as “France” is to “The French Republic”.Czechia

If approved by parliament, the country’s new name will be lodged with the United Nations.

Along with Slovakia, the Czech Republic was established when Czechoslovakia broke in two in 1993.

Some of the Czech Republic’s best-known exports, including its Pilsner Urquell beer and ice hockey team, currently use the word “Czech”.

However, “Czech” is an adjective and cannot properly be used as a name for the country.

Some have criticized “Czechia” as ugly, or too similar to “Chechnya”, the semi-autonomous Russian republic.

Zimbabwe: Thousands Join Anti-Mugabe Protest in Harare

Diane A. Wade
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Zimbabwe: Thousands Join Anti-Mugabe Protest in Harare

More than 2,000 of Zimbabweans have joined a protest against President Robert Mugabe in Harare.

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai called for countrywide demonstrations against the deteriorating economy.

The march went ahead after a ruling by the High Court. Police had initially denied permission.

It is the biggest such protest in many years.

“Mugabe has no solution to the crisis. We are here to tell Mugabe and his regime that you have failed,” Morgan Tsvangirai said in a brief speech to supporters.

“This is about jobs and improving the economy, which is in dire straits,” he added.

Robert Mugabe has been in power since independence in 1980.

The 92-year-old president remains active but his increasingly fragile health has sparked speculation over his successor and the direction the country will then take.

Zimbabwe’s economy has struggled since a government program seized most white-owned farms in 2000, causing exports to tumble.

Unemployment and poverty are endemic and political repression commonplace. Many Zimbabweans have left the country in search of work in South Africa.

Anti Mugabe protest Zimbabwe

Verizon Workers Go on Strike After Contract Negotiations Fail

Clyde K. Valle
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Verizon Workers Go on Strike After Contract Negotiations Fail

More than 40,000 Verizon workers across six US states went on strike on April 13 after contract negotiations failed to produce a settlement.

The unions organizing the action represent customer service and network technicians.

Verizon called the strike “regrettable” and said it had brought in 10,000 non-union workers.

Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders spoke at a protest in New York in praise of the workers.

Bernie Sanders said they were “standing up to this powerful special interest”.

The workers are members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

CWA representative Bob Master said the new workers would not be able to make up the workload left by those out on strike.Verizon strike 2016

“There’s no way that these 10,000 people … can make up for 40,000 people who have decades of experience [in highly technical jobs],” Bob Master said.

The union workers have been without a contract since August and negotiations have stuck on Verizon’s plan to cut healthcare and pension benefits over a three-year period.

In a statement, Marc Reed, Verizon’s chief administrative officer, said: “It’s regrettable that union leaders have called a strike, a move that hurts all of our employees.”

During the last contract talks in 2011 workers also went out on strike. A deal was eventually reached through mediation.

The strike could effect Verizon’s television, phone and Fios Internet businesses.

It is not expected to impact Verizon wireless, which made up 29% of the company’s 2015 revenue.

 

US Navy and Philippines Conduct Joint Patrols in South China Sea

Roy Siemens
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US Navy and Philippines Conduct Joint Patrols in South China Sea

The Philippines and US Navy are conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, US officials announce.

The US rarely conducts joint patrols with its partners in the region.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the US would also increase rotations of its forces and military support in the Philippines.

Tensions have escalated in the South China Sea in recent years, with China steadily expanding its military presence in the region.

The joint naval patrols, which began last month, “contribute to the safety and security of the region’s waters,” Ash Carter told reporters after a meeting with Philippines President Benigno Aquino.US Navy Philippines

US troops and combat aircraft are currently participating in joint combat exercises with Philippines forces.

The announcement comes just days after a Philippine diplomat asked the US to help persuade China not to build on a South China Sea shoal important to Filipino fishermen.

The US has expanded its support for allies in the South Pacific in recent months, following China’s military build up – which includes construction of islands with airstrips.

China, which claims a wide swathe of the sea, has been reclaiming land around reefs.

The US and other countries have called for the halt of such activities, accusing it of militarization, but China has insisted that the construction is for civilian purposes.

Last week, US military officials announced they would send $40 million in military assistance to the Philippines to increase intelligence sharing, surveillance and naval patrols.

How Can Your Business Free Up Money?

Dana R
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How Can Your Business Free Up Money?

If you can free up money in different areas of your business you’ll be more secure. You will have money in the coffers in case the company requires it. So, it’s important to think about the different places you can save money. Take a look at some of these suggestions, and use them as inspiration to help you save yourself cash.

Outsource

The classic and most popular way to free up money within a business is through outsourcing. It’s something that plenty of your business rivals will be doing so you need to follow suit. In fact, you have to think about the fact that you are probably already outsourcing some things without realising. There are so many areas of the business that you can outsource so you need to make a decision about them.

Pixabay Image

Virtual Assistants

Going virtual these days is always a good way to improve the business at a low cost. You have to consider how you can use this to your advantage. So, you might think about researching virtual receptionist for physicians and other medical professionals. Have a look at you how a virtual receptionist would fit into your business. You also need to think about switching to virtual offices as well. Taking these kinds of approaches works out much cheaper for the company, as well as making you more efficient too.

Downsize

You hear a lot of people talk about downsizing with regards to moving house. You may not have thought about it much in a business sense. But, you can save a lot of cash by downsizing your business. This sounds like a negative, but it really isn’t. The bottom line is you’re going to be spending a lot of money on areas you don’t need to be. With a bit of thought and application you can free up a lot of money by downsizing in particular areas. You can reduce your workforce significantly by outsourcing. You might also wish to move the business to a smaller office to help you save on costs.

Work From Home

If you are really conscious about saving pennies you should think about working from home. One of the biggest costs you’ll face as an entrepreneur is the cost of renting a commercial space. Offices are very useful, but they can also set you back a lot of money. By working from home, you free up having to spend this cash as much as possible. It’s going to mount up to be a lot of money, and you can spend this cash on other things. If you can possibly run your business from home this needs to be something you do.

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There are so many techniques and hints you can employ to try to help your business free up cash. That should be one of the things you strive for as a business owner. You have to understand how important it is to ensure you are financially comfortable. This can have a huge bearing on the way your company progresses in the future.

Chibok Girls: Boko Haram Releases Video Showing Kidnapped Girls

Roy Siemens
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Chibok Girls: Boko Haram Releases Video Showing Kidnapped Girls

Boko Haram has released a video apparently showing some of the schoolgirls kidnapped two years ago from the town of Chibok.

The footage, apparently filmed in December, was sent to the Nigerian government and shows 15 girls in black robes identifying themselves as pupils abducted from the school.

Some of those filmed have been identified by their parents.

It is the first footage of the girls to be seen since May 2014.

The kidnapping of the 276 girls triggered the global social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls, involving First lady Michelle Obama and a host of celebrities.

However, despite their efforts, most of the girls are still missing.Chibok girls Nigeria

Meanwhile, hundreds of parents are due to hold a march in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to demand the government does more to find their daughters.

Boko Haram militants attacked the government boarding school in Borno state on April 14, 2014, seizing the girls who had gone there to take exams.

Shortly afterwards the Islamist group released a video of the girls and demanded a prisoner exchange.

Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the girls had converted to Islam and he threatened to force them into marriage with his fighters or sell them into slavery.

As the months passed, about 57 students managed to escape but at least 219 are still missing.

The latest video, apparently filmed on Christmas Day 2015 and now broadcast on CNN, shows the girls pleading with the Nigerian government to co-operate with militants on their release.

They said they were being treated well but wanted to be with their families.

Two mothers, Rifkatu Ayuba and Mary Ishaya, said they recognized their daughters in the video while a third mother, Yana Galang, identified five of the missing girls, Reuters reported.

They were shown the video at a screening organized by local officials in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.

According to Amnesty International, about 2,000 children have been abducted by Boko Haram since 2014. Many are used as slaves, fighters and even suicide bombers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oHH46wwlGM

Kobe Bryant Final Game: NBA Star Scores 60 Points in Jazz vs Lakers

Clyde K. Valle
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Kobe Bryant Final Game: NBA Star Scores 60 Points in Jazz vs Lakers

Kobe Bryant has retired from the sport after a career spanning two decades with a stunning final performance.

The NBA star scored 60 points to help the LA Lakers make a dramatic comeback against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant, 37, spent his entire career with the Lakers, winning five NBA titles and recording the third highest total number of points in the sport.

Tickets for his final match changed hands for up to $27,500.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to help his team overcome a 15-point deficit to win the game.

He took a career-high 50 shots in the fifth highest-scoring game of his career.Kobe Bryant final game

Addressing the crowd after the game, Kobe Bryant said it was “crazy” to end on such a high note.

“You know, I was really, really tired, but I thought, I just got to continue to push it because the fan support was just tremendous and I think that’s the thing I’ll remember the most,” he said.

Hollywood stars, famous rappers and sports legends were in the sell-out crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The LA transport department has renamed a metro station near the Staples Center “Kobe Station” for the day.

Los Angeles City Hall was lit up in the Lakers’ colors of purple and gold at dusk.

However, correspondents say Kobe Bryant is not universally adored by fans.

His performances could be inconsistent and in 2003 he was accused of rape by a woman with whom he eventually reached an out-of-court settlement.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Kobe Bryant entered the NBA straight from high school at the age of 17.

Kobe Bryant became the youngest-ever player to appear in an NBA game, coming on against Dallas aged 18 years, two months and 11 days.

China Vaccine Scandal: 357 Officials Face Punishment

Kathryn R. Bown
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China Vaccine Scandal: 357 Officials Face Punishment

More than 350 Chinese officials are to face punishment over a scandal involving the illegal sale of vaccines.

According to the Xinhua news agency, 192 criminal cases had been filed over the case, which saw improperly stored or transported vaccines sent to 59 health institutions.

The government has said it will tighten procedures around vaccine-handling.

The vaccine scandal has caused widespread anger in China.China vaccine scandal

The illegal vaccine ring was reportedly in operation since 2011, and in April 2015 two women were arrested for selling some $88 million worth of vaccines.

However, the details were only made public last month, when the authorities issued a call demanding that suppliers come forward to help them trace potential victims.

China’s State Council said the 357 officials faced demotion or losing their jobs and that 202 had been detained so far.

Health authorities have also urged people to continue coming forward for vaccinations.

The China office of t

The World Health Organization (WHO) in China has said vaccines needed to be handled properly or they can become less effective.

It stressed that improperly kept vaccines did not in themselves present much danger.

Donald Trump Accuses Republican National Committee of Conspiring Against Him

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Accuses Republican National Committee of Conspiring Against Him

Donald Trump has accused GOP’s leaders of conspiracy, saying they do not want him to win the presidential nomination.

The system was “stacked” against him, the Republican frontrunner said in New York, accusing the Republican National Committee (RNC) of conspiring against him.

Donald Trump’s comments come after his rival Ted Cruz was awarded all the delegates in Colorado without a state-wide vote.

He leads the race but may fall short of getting enough delegates to get the nomination outright.

That would lead to a contested convention in July, where delegates are free after the first ballot to back whom they want, opening the door for Texas Senator Ted Cruz or even the third candidate in the race, John Kasich.

The Washington Post reported on April 13 that Ted Cruz is likely to win on a second vote, because he has persuaded so many delegates to vote for him when they are “unbound” to vote as pledged.

However, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus rejected Donald Trump’s charge that the rules in states like Colorado had been changed in response to his rise in the polls.

Reince Priebus tweeted that the nomination process had been well known for more than a year.Donald Trump RNC conspiracy

“It’s the responsibility of the campaigns to understand it. Complaints now? Give us all a break.”

Asked at a town hall event in New York whether the RNC wanted him to win, Donald Trump said: “No, I don’t think so. I really don’t.”

He has been criticized for not campaigning hard enough on the ground in states like Colorado.

However, Donald Trump said delegates who wanted to support him were being pushed out by the RNC.

“They don’t like when I put up my own money because it means they don’t have any control of me because I’m working for the people,” he said.

Most states have opted to hold state-wide primaries or caucuses to determine the number of delegates pledged to a particular candidate.

However, Colorado decided last summer to select its delegates in a different way, at its own state convention.

The state-by-state primary contests come to New York next week where a high number of delegates will be up for grabs.

Several senior Republicans have expressed opposition to Donald Trump winning, doubting his ability to win a general election and disagreeing with his hard line on immigration.

The property tycoon has broken an earlier pledge he made to support whoever the Republicans nominate, therefore refusing to rule out a third-party run.

Donald Trump has said there will be “riots” if he is not chosen as the party’s nominee, having headed to the convention with the most delegates.

Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Progressive Party Leaves Coalition Ahead of Vote

Diane A. Wade
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Dilma Rousseff Impeachment: Progressive Party Leaves Coalition Ahead of Vote

Brazil’s Progressive Party (PP) has announced it is quitting the governing coalition ahead of President Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment vote.

The president is now dealing with a further blow to her bid to stave off impeachment.

The PP said most of its 47 lawmakers would vote for Dilma Rousseff to be impeached.

Last month the PMDB, the largest party in Brazil’s governing coalition, also voted to leave.

Dilma Rousseff, who faces an impeachment vote in the lower house on April 17, says her opponents are plotting a “coup”.

They claim she manipulated accounts to hide Brazil’s growing deficit ahead of her election campaign two years ago. Dilma Rousseff denies this and her supporters say the issue is not valid grounds for impeachment anyway.Dilma Rousseff resignation 2016

A PP spokeswoman told AFP news agency on April 12: “The party decided to withdraw from the… alliance, by majority decision.”

The PP is the fourth-largest party in the 513-seat lower house but it is not clear how its departure from the government might affect April 17 vote.

A two-thirds majority – 342 alawmakers – is needed to send the impeachment case to the Senate.

A recent poll, before the PP’s announcement, showed 300 in favor of impeachment and 125 opposed, leaving 88 lawmakers still undecided or not stating their position.

On April 122, Dilma Rousseff suggested that Vice-President Michel Temer was one of the ringleaders of the “coup” attempt against her.

She said a widely distributed audio message of Michel Temer appearing to accept replacing her as president, was evidence of the conspiracy. However, she did not identify him by name.

“They now are conspiring openly, in the light of day, to destabilize a legitimately elected president,” Dilma Rousseff said.

She referred to “the chief and… the vice-chief” of the plot, an apparent reference to Michel Temer and lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha.

Brazil is “living in strange times”, she said, “times of a coup, of farce and betrayal”.

Michel Temer has said that the message was released by accident.

Speaking in an interview with the conservative Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper on April 12, Michel Temer argued that he had spent weeks away from the capital Brasilia specifically so that no-one could accuse him of plotting behind the scenes.

On Monday evening, amid rowdy scenes, a 65-member congressional committee voted 38 to 27 to recommend going ahead with impeachment proceedings.

Lawmakers are due to start debating on April 15, officials said, with voting beginning on April 17 at about 14:00. The result should be known later in the evening.

Security is expected to be stepped up around the Congress building in Brasilia as the vote takes place.

While President Dilma Rousseff’s opponents say the impeachment is supported by most Brazilians, the president’s supporters have labeled it a flagrant power grab by her political enemies.

If Dilma Rousseff and Michel Temer are both suspended from office, the next in line to assume the presidency is Eduardo Cunha.

However, Eduardo Cunha is facing money-laundering and other charges.

How to Improve Attic Ventilation

Nancy Clayson
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How to Improve Attic Ventilation

So much information about making an energy-efficient home is about creating a tight seal with no holes, and that is important, but it’s also important that your attic can breathe a little. Although this means letting cold air enter your attic, it actually improves the efficiency of your home, and if you have enough insulation, it won’t let that cold air enter your living space. If you think your attic needs some extra ventilation, check out these four important tips.

Install Roof Vents

Roof vents are simply vents that are located directly on the roof. Make sure you mark the position of the vents before you start cutting, and mark them from the inside, so you can see where the rafters are located. Just hammer a few nails through the roof from the attic, so they show on the outside of your roof. On the outside of the roof, cut the shingles and roof sheathing in the size and shape of the roof vent. Last, install the vent and nail it with roofing nails.

Install Soffit Vents

Photo Flickr via ArmChairBuilder.com
Photo Flickr via ArmChairBuilder.com

Another option is to install soffit vents if you have an overhang. To start, use a cardboard template to mark where the vent is going to be placed. Make sure the template is about one-half inch smaller on each side than the size of the vent. Once you have the area mapped, start cutting the vent hole with a jigsaw. Once the hole is ready, install the vents.

Install Rafter Vents

One problem you may discover if you have soffit vents and a lot of insulation is that the insulation covers the soffit vents, which makes them useless. You can fix this problem by installing rafter vents. Rafter vents are long vents that span from the soffit vents to above the insulation. This way, you can still add plenty of insulation, but the insulation doesn’t become blocked, so you still get all the great benefits of attic ventilation.

Install an Attic Fan

One last way you can help improve your attic ventilation is to install an attic fan. An attic fan helps air circulate through your attic. When used correctly, it pulls cold air through the vents and pushes it into the attic. At the same time, it pulls hot air from the attic and expels it outside. However, if your vents are blocked because of too much insulation and no rafter vents, the fan loses its efficiency. Instead of pulling cool air from outside and pushing hot air outside, it will pull cool air from your air-conditioned home and push the hot air back into your home, which will force you to use more energy to keep your living spaces cool. Click here to find more.

A tight home with no holes is important, but there are some necessary holes that can help improve energy-efficiency in your home. As long as you use attic ventilation and insulation correctly, the cold air that enters your attic won’t reach your home. Instead, it will help reduce your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. Get started today by learning what (if any) ventilation your attic currently has.

Salvează

South Korea Elections 2016: Governing Saenuri Party Seeks to Strengthen Position

Diane A. Wade
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South Korea Elections 2016: Governing Saenuri Party Seeks to Strengthen Position

South Korea is voting to elect a new National Assembly with the governing Saenuri party eager to strengthen its position in parliament.

The vote is seen as especially important for President Park Geun-hye, whose time in office has been hampered by legislative gridlock.

Saenuri party hopes to win the three-fifths of seats needed before bills can be introduced and passed by parliament.

It currently holds only a slim majority in the chamber.

Voters are casting ballots at nearly 14,000 polling stations to elect 253 of 300 lawmakers. The remaining 47 proportional representation seats are allocated to parties according to the numbers of votes they receive overall.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Park Geun-hye’s administration will gain significant momentum if the governing party gains a majority of seats, The Korea Times reported, enabling it to push through labor and economic reforms before her term in office expires in about 20 months’ time.

South Korea’s youth unemployment rose to 12.5% in February, much higher than the country’s average rate of nearly 5%. At the same time all the main parties have promised measures to reduce poverty among the elderly.

There is speculation in the South Korean media that the polls could end the country’s two-party system, as new parties challenge Saenuri and the main opposition Minju party, which in February set what appeared to be a new world record for a combined filibuster after speaking for 192 hours.

The turnout is estimated to be higher than in previous general elections, local pollsters told The Korea Times.

Panama Papers: Police Raid Mossack Fonseca HQ in Panama City

Clyde K. Valle
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Panama Papers: Police Raid Mossack Fonseca HQ in Panama City

Panamanian police have raided the headquarters of Mossack Fonseca, the law firm at the center of a massive data leak known as “Panama Papers”.

Prosecutors said the operation had been carried out at the company’s offices in Panama City “without incident or interference”.

The leaked “Panama Papers” have shown how some wealthy people use offshore companies to evade tax and avoid sanctions.

Mossack Fonseca has denied wrongdoing. The company says it is the victim of a hack and that the information is being misrepresented.

Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela has promised to work with other countries to improve transparency in its offshore financial industry.Mossack Fonseca raid Panama City

Police carried out the raid along with officials from an organized crime unit. Officers set up a perimeter around the headquarters while prosecutors entered the offices to search for documents.

Afterwards, the attorney general’s office said the aim had been “to obtain documentation linked to the information published in news articles that establish the use of the firm in illicit activities”.

The statement added that searches would also take place at Mossack Fonseca’s subsidiaries.

Panama’s government promised an investigation soon after news reports emerged more than a week ago based on more than 11 million documents from the company.

Mossack Fonseca tweeted that it “continues to co-operate with authorities in investigations made at our headquarters”.

Many other countries are probing possible financial crimes by the rich and powerful in the aftermath of the leak.

The company partner Ramon Fonseca says it had been hacked by servers based abroad and has filed a complaint with the Panamanian attorney general’s office.

Ramon Fonseca served as a minister in Juan Carlos Valera’s government but stepped aside earlier this year after separate allegations linked Mossack Fonseca to the corruption scandal engulfing the Brazilian state oil company Petrobras.

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