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Harvard University to Remove “Master” from Academic Titles

James J. Williams
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Harvard University to Remove “Master” from Academic Titles

Harvard University is planning to remove the word “master” from its academic titles following protests from students who claimed the title had echoes of slavery.

House masters, in charge of residential halls at the university, will become known as “faculty deans”.

Harvard Law School is also deciding whether to change its official seal, because of links to slavery.

Student campuses have faced a series of protests over allegations of racism.

Harvard has not accepted that the use of “master” represented a link to slavery, but it has accepted campaigners’ calls for a name change.Harvard master title row

It will mean changing the job titles of 24 members of staff – but will not affect other uses of “master”, such as a master’s level degree.

Student campaigners are also calling for a change in the official seal of Harvard Law School, with a sit-in being held this week.

The seal includes the coat of arms of 18th Century college donor Isaac Royall, who as well as establishing the college’s first professorship in law, was a notoriously brutal slaveholder.

A decision on whether to change the seal is expected to be made soon.

Disputes about race and identity have affected many campuses.

Last month, Amherst College, in Massachusetts, accepted student demands to drop links with its informal mascot, Jeffery Amherst, an 18th Century general accused of advocating infecting Native Americans with smallpox.

The protests are part of a wider international campaign challenging historical titles, statues and emblems.

EU Refugee Crisis: Greece Recalls Its Ambassador to Austria over Balkan Meeting

Diane A. Wade
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EU Refugee Crisis: Greece Recalls Its Ambassador to Austria over Balkan Meeting

Greek ambassador to Austria has been recalled amid sharp divisions among EU states over the refugee crisis.

The move came after Austria hosted a meeting with Balkan states on the refugee issue, to which Greece was not invited.

Meanwhile, EU and Balkan interior ministers have met in Brussels to try to heal rifts over the refugee issue.

Speaking afterwards, the EU’s migration commissioner warned that the bloc’s migration system could be days away from complete breakdown.

Dimitris Avramopoulos said member states had until a March 7 summit with Turkey to curb the number of refugees.

“In the next 10 days, we need tangible and clear results on the ground,” he told reporters.

“Otherwise there is a risk that the whole system will completely break down.”Eu refugees Greece

Austria, Serbia and Macedonia have taken their own steps to limit entry to refugees, angering Greece, which fears the controls will cause a bottleneck. The measures also threaten Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel area that spans 26 countries.

In a statement, the Greek foreign ministry said that the ambassador was being recalled “in order to safeguard the friendly relations between the states and the people of Greece and Austria”.

It said that problems facing the EU “cannot be dealt with, with thoughts, mentalities and extra-institutional initiatives that have their roots in the 19th Century”.

Speaking in Brussels, Greek Migration Minister Yannis Mouzalas said his country would “not accept becoming Europe’s Lebanon, a warehouse of souls”.

Lebanon is home to about a million of the four million Syrians who have fled to neighboring countries.

More than one million refugees arrived in the European Union in 2015, many of them fleeing the civil war in Syria. So far this year, 100,000 refugees have entered the EU illegally – nearly all of them arriving in Greece. More than 400 have died on the sea crossing from Turkey.

The surge in migration coupled with the failure to agree an EU-wide response has led to warnings about the bloc’s survival.

On February 24, representatives from 10 Balkan states attended talks in Austria and agreed to co-ordinate action to limit the flow of refugees.

The meeting drew an angry response from Greece, with the foreign ministry warning that “responsibility for dealing with the migration and refugee crisis cannot burden one country”.

EU interior ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday have been hearing plans drawn up by Austria and Balkan countries that seek to restrict the numbers entering their borders.

Measures include fingerprinting all entrants and turning back anyone without a passport or holding fake documents.

The countries have also pledged to accept only those they deem to be in need of protection – interpreted by some governments as meaning only Syrians and Iraqis.

Over the weekend, Macedonia barred entry to Afghans at its border with Greece. Angry protests erupted at the border crossings and Greece was forced to transport hundreds of Afghan back to Athens.

The EU has warned of a humanitarian crisis if the disagreements are not resolved.

European Council President Donald Tusk also warned that the failure to make progress towards resolving the crisis could increase the likelihood of the UK voting to leave the EU this year.

Greece has threatened to block all decisions at EU migration summits next month if member states do not agree to take in quotas of refugees.

Hungary announced on February 24 that it would hold a referendum on whether to accept mandatory EU quotas for relocating refugees.

PM Viktor Orban said the quotas “could redraw Europe’s cultural and religious identity”.

In 2015, Hungary’s right-wing government built a razor-wire fence on its borders with Serbia and Croatia to try to limit the flow of refugees.

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

Nissan Suspends Leaf App over Security Breach

Nancy Clayson
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Nissan Suspends Leaf App over Security Breach

Nissan has announced it is suspending the functions of the NissanConnect EV, an app that could have been used to hack its Leaf electric cars.

The action follows the revelation that a flaw with the software meant that an attacker could run down the battery of a target’s car and see data about its recent journeys.

Nissan had been informed of the problem a month ago but only acted after details of the issue were flagged online.

The auto maker denies there was a safety issue.Nissan Leaf app suspension

The security researcher who had alerted Nissan to the problem a month ago believes the company should have taken the step earlier.

The hack allowed an attacker to see details about journey times and distances, but not location details.

Since the hack would not work when cars were moving and did not affect their steering controls, he acknowledged that it would not threaten people’s lives.

Nissan has disabled the service and noted that the app was also used by some of its electric vans.

“The NissanConnect EV app – formerly called CarWings – is currently unavailable,” the company said in a statement.

“This follows information from an independent IT consultant and a subsequent internal Nissan investigation that found the dedicated server for the app had an issue that enabled the temperature control and other telematics functions to be accessible via a non-secure route.

“No other critical driving elements of the Nissan Leaf or eNV200 [van] are affected, and our 200,000-plus LEAF and eNV200 drivers across the world can continue to use their cars safely and with total confidence.

“We apologise for the disappointment caused to our Nissan Leaf and eNV200 customers who have enjoyed the benefits of our mobile apps. However, the quality and seamless operation of our products is paramount.

“We’re looking forward to launching updated versions of our apps very soon.”

Chinese Shares Drop 6.4% on February 25

Clyde K. Valle
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Chinese Shares Drop 6.4% on February 25

China’s stock market dropped more than 6% on February 25, its biggest fall for a month.

The Shanghai Composite index ended the day down 187.65 points, or 6.4%, at 2,741.25 as concerns persisted over China’s slowing economy.

The Chinese shares have fallen by about a half since June 2015, but have enjoyed a modest rally in recent weeks.

Analysts suggested today’s sharp fall was partly down to investors taking profits.

Investors are also said to be cautious ahead of a G20 meeting in Shanghai.

Photo Xinhua
Photo Xinhua

The sell-off in China also affected Hong Kong, with the Hang Seng index closing down 1.6% at 18,888.75.

In Japan, shares in Sharp tumbled following news that the struggling electronics giant had accepted a takeover offer from Taiwan’s Foxconn.

Trading was suspended ahead of the announcement, and when it restarted the shares closed down 15% at 149 yen.

Overall, the Nikkei index rose 1.4% to close at 16,140.34, while the broader Topix index rose 1.79% to 1,307.54.

In Australia, the benchmark ASX 200 index ended the day 0.1% higher at 4,881.18.

Shares in Australia’s biggest casino company, Crown Resorts, fell heavily after it reported a slump in half-year profits, dented by a sharp slowdown at its Chinese operations.

Crown Resorts’ Sydney-listed shares tumbled more than 9% on the profit report, but recovered some of that loss to trade about 4.5% lower in afternoon trade.

Sharp Accepts Foxconn’s $4.3 Billion Takeover Bid

Clyde K. Valle
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Sharp Accepts Foxconn’s $4.3 Billion Takeover Bid

Sharp has accepted a $4.3 billion takeover bid by Taiwanese multinational Foxconn.

The announcement came as Sharp’s board completed a two-day meeting to discuss competing takeover offers.

Foxconn assembles most of the world’s iPhones. Sharp is one of Japan’s oldest technology companies.

It is the first foreign takeover of a major Japanese electronics firm in a historically insular technology sector.

Japanese officials had been reluctant to let Sharp fall under foreign ownership because of the distinctive technology behind its display panels.Sharp and Foxconn takeover

Founded in 1912, innovations by Sharp include a mechanical pencil in 1915 and pioneering developments in TV engineering.

Although recent years have seen a downturn in Sharp’s fortunes with heavy debts, the company continued to be a leader in liquid display technology, a key asset for Foxconn.

Shares in Sharp, which employs more than 50,000 globally, will be issued to Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, also known as Foxconn Technology Group.

Sharp’s shares were halted from trading ahead the announcement. They later reopened and closed down by nearly 15%.

Earlier this month, as it was considering several takeover offers, Sharp posted a bigger-than-expected net loss of $918 million for the April-to-December 2015 period.

In 2012, Sharp came close to entering bankruptcy. It has struggled with heavy debts and has been through two major bailouts in the last four years.

Foxconn first offered to invest in Sharp in 2012, but talks collapsed.

IMF Report: Global Economy Is Highly Vulnerable to Adverse Shocks

Clyde K. Valle
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IMF Report: Global Economy Is Highly Vulnerable to Adverse Shocks

According to a recent IMF report, the global economy has weakened further and warned it was “highly vulnerable to adverse shocks”.

The International Monetary Fund said the weakening had come “amid increasing financial turbulence and falling asset prices”.

The report comes before the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Shanghai later this week.

It said China’s slowdown was adding to global economic growth concerns.

China’s economy, the second-biggest in the world, is growing at the slowest rate in 25 years.IMF report 2016

“Growth in advanced economies is modest already under the baseline, as low demand in some countries and a broad-based weakening of potential growth continue to hold back the recovery,” the IMF said.

“Adding to these headwinds are concerns about the global impact of China’s transition to more balanced growth, along with signs of distress in other large emerging markets, including from falling commodity prices.”

The IMF also noted any future prospects for global growth “could be derailed by market turbulence, the oil price crash and geopolitical conflicts”.

The agency has called on the G20 group to plan new mechanisms to protect the most vulnerable countries.

Earlier this year, the IMF downgraded its forecast for global economic growth. It now expects economic activity to increase 3.4% this year followed by 3.6% in 2017.

Sanjay Dutt Released from Pune Jail

Sonia Pantiss
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Sanjay Dutt Released from Pune Jail

Sanjay Dutt has been released from jail in the western Indian city of Pune.

The 56-year-old Bollywood star was sentenced for firearms offences linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts which killed 257 people and injured 713.

Sanjay Dutt was convicted of buying firearms from the bombers but said the weapons were necessary in order to defend his family during Hindu-Muslim rioting.

He was moved to the Pune jail in 2013 to finish his five-year jail term.

Sanjay Dutt was recently granted a remission of 144 days on the basis of good behavior and activities like running a radio program.

“His remission was worked out in compliance with jail rules and he was treated like any other convict,” the chief of Pune Yerwada Jail Superintendent UT Pawar told the Press Trust of India news agency.Sanjay Dutt released from jail

Sanjay Dutt kissed the ground as he walked out of the prison on February 25 and was driven to the airport on his way to Mumbai, where he lives.

“I am out here because of their [fans’] support. There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends,” he was quoted as telling reporters by the AFP news agency.

One of Bollywood’s most bankable stars, Sanjay Dutt is hugely popular for his role as a lovable gangster in the Munnabhai movies. He has also dabbled in politics.

The son of a Hindu father and a Muslim mother, Sanjay Dutt said he had bought the firearms to protect his family during the 1993 Mumbai Hindu-Muslim riots, which followed the destruction of the Babri mosque by Hindu zealots in the northern town of Ayodhya.

In 2006, a special anti-terror court convicted 100 people for the blasts. Twelve were given the death penalty and 20 others sentenced to life imprisonment.

Sanjay Dutt, the most high-profile among the convicts, was originally charged with five offences, including criminal conspiracy and possession of illegal weapons.

In March 2013, India’s Supreme Court upheld Sanjay Dutt’s conviction, but reduced his sentence from the earlier six years to five.

FIFA Upholds Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Supensions

Clyde K. Valle
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FIFA Upholds Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Supensions

FIFA’s appeals committee has upheld all soccer-related activity bans on Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini.

However, the suspensions have been reduced from eight to six years.

Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s outgoing president, and UEFA President Michel Platini were found guilty of breaches surrounding a $2 million “disloyal payment” to Platini.

They both deny any wrongdoing and have said they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sepp Blatter, 79, and Michel Platini, 60, said the payment honored a verbal or gentleman’s agreement made in 1998 for work carried out by the Frenchman when he was a technical advisor for Blatter.

Photo EPA
Photo EPA

Swiss Sepp Blatter said in a statement that he was “very disappointed by the appeal committee of FIFA”.

Michel Platini said it was “insulting and shameful” and a “political decision”.

The committee said “activities and services rendered to FIFA, UEFA and football” was a mitigating factor.

FIFA’s presidential election is due to take place on February 26 to find Sepp Blatter’s replacement.

Sepp Blatter had already announced he was quitting after reports emerged he was under investigation in the United States.

Michel Platini had been tipped as a future leader of soccer’s world governing body and is a three-time European Footballer of the Year.

In a statement released after the announcement, Michel Platini said the accusations were without foundation and completely made up “beyond reality”.

He said the communication of the decision was done with “an unbearable arrogance” and that Friday’s congress would be remembered in history with the “mark of illegitimacy”.

“I am the victim of a system which has only had one goal – to stop me standing for the president of FIFA,” Michel Platini added.

The decision not to overturn the suspensions follows a 12-year ban imposed on Jerome Valcke, who was sacked as secretary general of world football’s governing body last month.

Jerome Valcke, the man responsible for running FIFA’s day-to-day administration, was found guilty of misconduct over the sale of World Cup tickets, abuse of travel expenses, attempting to sell TV rights below their market value and destruction of evidence. He also denies wrongdoing.

Ways to Improve Your Vision

Dana R
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Ways to Improve Your Vision

Your eyesight is one of your most essential senses, so it’s vital to look after it. There are lots of natural and interventionist ways in which you can improve your vision though. It doesn’t matter whether you have bad short-sightedness, or you just want to see things a little more clearly. There are always things that can be done. Read on to find out more about these ideas and methods.

Wear the Right Glasses at the Right Time

If you go for an eye test, and you’re told that you need to wear glasses, you need to list to this advice. Many people don’t like to wear glasses because they don’t think they suit them or other silly reasons. If this is such a big problem for you, you could always use contact lenses that do the same job for you. But you need to make sure that you are wearing glasses or using lenses that are right for your eyes. Your eyesight changes over time, so you need to make sure you have your sight tested regularly. Any changes might mean you need changes to your prescription. And listen to any other advice you get too. If you’re told that you only need to wear glasses when reading or driving, don’t be tempted to wear them all the time. This can actually damage your eyes in the long-term.

Photo Source

Consume Vitamins and Antioxidants

Your eyes need nutrition if they’re going to stay healthy and functional. The right fatty foods and foods that are low in sugar are good for your eyes, and your body in general. And then you can also add some vitamins and antioxidants to your diet as well. Vitamin A, E and C are the most important when it comes to looking after your eyes. Add plenty of salmon and mackerel to this to provide you with all the omega-3 that you could possibly need. Antioxidants are important as well because they include lots of anti-inflammatory properties. Foods that have antioxidants in them include blueberries, grapes and kale, so eat plenty of those foods. Plus, anything that is green and healthy will help you out, so eat your vegetables.

Do Eye Exercises

Most people don’t even realise that eye exercises exist. But you can exercise pretty much every part of your body, and that includes your eyes. This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve your eyesight naturally. You can do them daily, and if you keep this up, you will strengthen your eyes pretty quickly and effectively. There are many different types of exercise that you can do. First of all, try covering your eyes with the palm of your hand. You simply close your eyes, rub your palms together, put them over your eyes and hold them there for ten minutes or so. You can also roll your eyes around. This is simple to do, but it will get them active. You just look up as far as you can and then down and in each direction.

Have Corrective Surgery

For people who don’t want to use glasses or contact lenses to correct their eyesight problem, there is one more option. Corrective surgery is a good option to consider. It does carry its risks, but it offer you the chance to correct your problem for good. This is what is so appealing to many people who opt for a surgical procedure. You should find out as much about it as possible if you’re interested. It’s not something that will be the right answer for everyone. Visit CIA Medical if you want to get more information on the procedure and what it would entail for you. Then you can weigh up the pros and cons and decide whether or not it is the right path for you to go down right now.

Don’t Smoke and Boost Air Quality

Smoking is bad for pretty much every part of your body. And this is certainly true for your eyes as well. When you smoke, you damage the blood vessels in your body, and there are plenty of these in your eyes. It can also inflame your eyes. So, quitting smoking should be one of your top priorities. The quality of the air in your home and where you work can have an impact as well. If there is not enough humidity in the air, this can cause your eyes to become dry and irritable. But don’t worry because you can easily buy a humidifier that can add some more moisture to the air. This is a big problem in some parts of the world. So, if it applies to you, you should use this solution.

Rest Your Eyes

It’s important to rest your eyes once in awhile. I’m not saying you should sleep during the day, but you can rest them in other ways. Think about it, you use your eyes every minute of the day when you’re awake. So, it’s only natural that they should need to be rested and relaxed from time to time. Sleep is important as well, and making sure that you get enough sleep each night is essential if you want to keep them healthy. But resting them throughout the day is useful as well. You should close your eyes and not use them for a period of three to five minutes. If you do this a few times during the day, you will be able to keep them alert and healthy for longer during the day.

Get the Light Right

The lighting in the room can have a big impact on your eyes. Soft lighting is the best kind for your eyes. This is because harsher and fluorescent lights are bad for your eyes because it provides the wrong light frequencies. Fluorescent light can even make you feel drowsy and tired throughout the day. And that’s exactly what you don’t want. You should also protect your eyes from the direct source of the light. So, if you’re sitting at a desk and there’s a lamp on it, make sure it is aimed towards the work you’re doing. This will make sure that the lamp shade protects your eyes. You don’t want a powerful bulb directly light at your eyes because it could cause them considerable long-term damage.

Photo Source

Limit Screen Usage

These days, the main source of eye strain for most people is their computer. Many of us spend all our time on them, but staring at them for a long time is not a great idea. Of course, many of us can’t simply stop using them though. They are everywhere, and we need them to do our jobs. But there are things you can do to keep your eyes healthy when you’re using a computer for a long period of time. For a start, you should make sure that you keep blinking regularly. This might sound like a strange tip, but it’s important because it keeps the eyes moist and clean. You should also take breaks from staring at the screen once an hour or so. A short break will give your eyes a rest and help you to focus when you return.

Some of the methods discussed above will be able to help you out and others won’t. It’s all about testing your vision and finding out which ones will work best for you. Some of the general tips can be useful to everyone though. For example, everyone can benefit from resting their eyes and changing their environment in ways that affect the eyes.

Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson Apologizes to Oisin Tymon after $140,000 Settlement

Clyde K. Valle
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Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson Apologizes to Oisin Tymon after $140,000 Settlement

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has apologized to Oisin Tymon – the show producer he punched last year – after settling a £100,000 ($140,000) racial discrimination and injury claim.

Oisin Tymon launched the action against Jeremy Clarkson and the BBC after a “fracas” last March that left Tymon with a bloody lip.

“I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath,” Jeremy Clarkson said.

Jeremy Clarkson, 55, was dropped by the BBC following the assault.

The former presenter added: “I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault.Jeremy Clarkson Oisin Tymon

“I would also like to make it clear that the abuse he has suffered since the incident is unwarranted and I am sorry too that he has had to go through that.

“I am pleased that this matter is now resolved. Oisin was always a creatively exciting part of Top Gear and I wish him every success with his future projects.”

Oisin Tymon’s lawyers said the case had been settled but did not give details of the settlement.

It is understood to be in excess of $140,000, an amount to which both Jeremy Clarkson and the BBC contributed.

The “fracas” took place at a North Yorkshire hotel after Jeremy Clarkson was told there was no hot food available at the end of a day’s shooting on location.

An internal BBC inquiry found Oisin Tymon was subjected to an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” by Jeremy Clarkson, who called the producer “lazy” and “Irish” and used a four-letter expletive in the exchange.

At the time of the attack, Oisin Tymon told police he did not wish to press charges. In the days following he was the subject of sustained abuse on social media for his involvement in the dispute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSf6IB1xq4A

Nepal Plane Crash Kills 23 People near Pokhara

Diane A. Wade
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Nepal Plane Crash Kills 23 People near Pokhara

Twenty three people on board of a small passenger plane have been killed after the aircraft crashed in mountainous western Nepal.

The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by Tara Air, was travelling from Pokhara to Jomsom and lost contact with the control tower shortly after taking off.

Most of those on board were Nepalis. It is not clear what caused the crash.

The plane was carrying three crew and 20 passengers, one of them Chinese and one Kuwaiti. Nepal’s aviation industry has a poor safety record.

According to Sanjiv Gautam, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the plane’s wreckage was found near the village of Dana in Myagdi district.Nepal Tara Air plane crash

The aircraft lost contact with the control tower at Pokhara 10 minutes after take-off.

The identities of those on board have yet to be released. Two of those on board were children.

Three helicopters were sent to search for the missing plane, Tara Air said on its website, adding that “the weather at both origin and destination airports was favorable” for the 20-minute flight.

Nepal’s army said, however, that fog had hampered the search for the aircraft.

Pokhara is a resort town some 125 miles west of the capital Kathmandu. Jomsom, a short distance further north, is the starting point for many people trekking in the Himalayas.

Nepal has a limited road network and many areas are accessible only on foot or by air.

Since 1949, the year the first aircraft landed in Nepal, there have been more than 70 different crashes involving planes and helicopters, in which more than 700 people have been killed.

Most accidents have been attributed to bad weather, inexperienced pilots and inadequate maintenance.

In 2013, the European Union banned all Nepalese airlines from flying to its territory for safety reasons.

Bolivia Referendum: Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Diane A. Wade
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Bolivia Referendum: Evo Morales Loses Fourth Term Bid

Bolivian voters have rejected changing the constitution so President Evo Morales can run for a fourth term.

About 51.5% voted against the move with almost all the votes counted, the electoral authority said.

Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first president of indigenous origin, has said he will respect the referendum result.

The constitutional change would have allowed Evo Morales to run for re-election in 2019 and potentially remain in power until 2025.

Observers said the count has been slow but that there was no evidence of fraud.

Pollsters had suggested a victory for the “No” camp based on unofficial quick counts, prompting celebrations by “No” campaigners in various Bolivian cities.

Evo Morales is still a popular leader and the economy has grown steadily over the past decade.Evo Morales Bolivia referendum

However, many, especially in the main cities, think Evo Morales should not be allowed to serve 19 consecutive years as president, analysts say.

Opposition leader Samuel Doria Medina urged Evo Morales to “recognize the results” and focus on solving Bolivia’s problems in his remaining time in office instead of trying to run for another term.

An indigenous Aymara and former coca leaf producer, Evo Morales took office in January 2006, and his current term ends in 2020.

Observers say there is no clear successor to him and that the opposition lacks a single leader.

Despite a drop in the international price of oil and natural gas, the Bolivian economy has performed well in the past 10 years, growing on average 5% a year.

The government’s socialist policies have also been successful in reducing extreme poverty.

Massive Tornadoes Hit Southern US Killing at Least Three People

Nancy Clayson
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Massive Tornadoes Hit Southern US Killing at Least Three People

Several powerful tornadoes hit the southern United States on February 23, killing at least three people, officials said.

Homes and businesses have been destroyed after tornadoes lashed Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

The deaths occurred when mobile homes were destroyed in Louisiana and Mississippi, officials said.

Meteorologists said the storm system could hit Alabama and Georgia later on Wednesday, February 24.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Two people died at a trailer park in Convent, southern Louisiana, where 90% of the homes were destroyed, emergency services said.

“These travel trailers were picked up, thrown a considerable distance and just mangled,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said.

John Bel Edwards said it was a “minor miracle” that more people had not been killed because most of the trailers were occupied when the storm hit.

At least 30 people were taken to hospital in Louisiana, most of them from the trailer park.

The other death occurred near the southern Mississippi town of Purvis, the National Weather Service said.

A tornado was also reported in the northern Florida town of Pensacola, the weather service said.

According to local media, three buildings in an apartment complex had been badly damaged and thousands of people in the region were without power.

Donald Trump Wins Nevada Cementing His Lead in GOP Nomination Race

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Wins Nevada Cementing His Lead in GOP Nomination Race

Donald Trump has easily won Nevada, cementing his lead in the race for GOP nomination.

The Republican presidential hopeful now has three consecutive wins, after victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have been attacking each other this week, are vying for second place.

GOP officials said they were looking into reports of double voting and not enough ballots at one caucus site.

Some volunteers also wore clothing in support of Donald Trump, but officials said this was not against the rules.

Photo AP
Photo AP

In his victory speech, Donald Trump told a roaring crowd of supporters: “We’re winning, winning, winning the country, and soon the country is going to start winning, winning, winning.”

Nevada, typically a swing state with a substantial Latino population, is crucial to the election process. Hillary Clinton won the state on February 20 in the Democratic race.

Some 30 delegates – around 1% of the total – are up for grabs in the Nevada caucuses, the first Republican test in the west of the United States.

Early results show Donald Trump has a 42% lead over the rest of the Republican pack, with his closest rival Marco Rubio getting 25% of the vote.

In the Democrats’ caucus in Nevada last week, Hillary Clinton beat rival Bernie Sanders by five percentage points.

On February 27, both candidates face each other in South Carolina, where they are focusing their campaigns on the black vote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdA4ru5Z1aI

Guantanamo Bay Closure: Barack Obama Presents Plans to Congress

Diane A. Wade
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Guantanamo Bay Closure: Barack Obama Presents Plans to Congress

President Barack Obama has presented to Congress a plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

The Guantanamo Bay closure is one of the president’s long-standing goals.

Barack Obama wants to transfer the remaining 91 detainees to their home countries or to US military or civilian prisons.

However, Congress is deeply opposed to terror suspects being held on US soil and is expected to block the move.

The prison costs $445 million to run annually and closing it was a 2009 promise from President Barack Obama.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Human rights campaigners have repeatedly complained about the prison in Cuba, which has held 780 detainees since it opened in 2002.

Barack Obama told reporters on February 23 it undermined national security.

“This is about closing a chapter in our history,” he said.

“It reflects the lessons we’ve learned since 9/11 – lessons that must guide our nation going forward.”

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio was scathing in his criticism, saying Guantanamo prisoners do not belong on US soil.

“These are literally enemy combatants,” he said, adding he would ship terrorists straight to Guantanamo “to find out what they know”.

It estimates the move would save up to $180 million a year in cost savings.

Barack Obama, who will complete his second and final term in January, said it was important not to pass the problem on to his successor.

“Keeping this facility open is contrary to our values. It undermines our standing in the world. It is viewed as a stain on our broader record of upholding the highest standards of rule of law.”

Guantanamo Bay is located on an American naval base in south eastern Cuba.

Former President George W. Bush opened it to accommodate foreign terror suspects after the 9/11 attacks on the US.

One of the key complaints from human rights groups is that many detainees have been held there without charge or trial.

The plan does not specify where in the US detainees would go.

The Pentagon has considered 13 different locations in the US, including seven prisons in Colorado, South Carolina and Kansas, and six other places on military bases.

Mars Chocolate Recall Spreads to 55 Countries

Clyde K. Valle
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Mars Chocolate Recall Spreads to 55 Countries

Mars Inc. has announced it is recalling Mars and Snickers bars from 55 countries, according to the AP news agency.

The move comes after bits of plastic were found in a product.

Mars initially issued a recall in Germany, but it is believed to have spread to the UK, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain.Mars chocolate recall 2016

Mars Netherlands spokesman Roel Govers is quoted by AP as saying that the recall affects 55 countries.

Other products affected include Milky Way Minis and Miniatures and certain kinds of boxes of Celebrations.

The products involved have best before dates from June 19, 2016 to January 8, 2017.

Mars has not said how many bars are affected or how much it will cost it.

A full list of products affected can be found on the company’s website, www.mars.de, but that address appeared not to be responding on February 23.

Mars said in a statement: “With this recall, we would like to prevent consumers who have purchased one of the above-mentioned products from consuming it.”

Keep Your Business Profit Margins High

Dana R
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Keep Your Business Profit Margins High

The key to running the business you want is to ensure that you keep your profit margins high. If we’re being honest, that’s what running a company is all about. You need to generate as much cash as you can to keep the business running and help it expand.

Remember, when you run a business, your brand is your livelihood, and the profits will also help you to live your life. So you need to make sure your company focuses on keeping high-profit margins. Business owners regularly share their secrets for maximising profits. Here are a few ideas for you to think about and apply to your business.

Source

Low Waste

There are a lot of areas of your business that will cost you a lot of money. And, one of the main offenders in the waste levels of the business. Now, this is something you need to make sure you work on and regulate. High levels of waste can leave you haemorrhaging cash and will adversely affect your profits. Try to sort out your ordering, so it’s a little more efficient and try to make sure you waste as little as possible. This will help improve the day to day running of the company, as well as saving valuable cash to go back into the budget of the business.

Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is the process of making your business more efficient. Essentially, you are running your business in the most efficient way using the least materials and services possible. An advantage of this is that it saves you money and increases the productivity and efficiency of the business. This is a concept that is becoming much more popular among businesses today. Along with outsourcing, it’s another way to increase efficiency and generate greater long-term profits.

Consultants

A lot of business owners know that they need to make more profits, but they often don’t know where to start. That’s why it’s often such a good idea to use business consultants these days. They will be able to give you advice and suggestions to help you improve the business. If you talk to them about the situation then together you can formulate a solution. They might well think of things that you would overlook, or wouldn’t even consider sorting out. This is a great way of making sure you get fresh ideas to help you generate higher profits.

Pixabay.com

Prioritize Your Employees

The most amount of money your business is going to make will be made by your staff. They are the heartbeat and soul of the company. So you need to do what you can to make them your priority as a business owner. This means taking care of the staff and making sure they are okay. It also means encouraging them and making the work environment a pleasant place for them to be. It’s also important to use Advance Systems to monitor their attendance and absences. You need to work together to ensure your employees are at work as much as possible, driving the business and selling to clients.

Upsell

There’s a technique you might be familiar with known as upselling. This is the process of trying to secure additional sales on top of the one the customer is already poised to make. The way to do this is to offer add-ons or reduced items as extra. Upselling is a great way of securing extra business and increasing your profit margins. And it means the customers are going to be more receptive to it the next time you try to do it. Make sure everyone in the business is encouraged to upsell, and understands how it works. You’re using the existing tools you have to try to boost your business profits.

Reduce Expenditure

The best way to make money is to save money, and the same applies in business. So, a great starting point is going to be reducing expenditure. These days it’s so expensive to run a business so you need to try to make savings wherever you can. In order to avoid the financial pitfalls of running a business, you need to focus on profits. Take a look at the different areas of the business where you’re spending a lot of money. Then you can figure out where out where you can make changes and cut costs. Get rid of anything you don’t need, and try to be a little more eco-friendly while you’re at it.

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It is expensive to run a business these days, but even still you need to make sure you keep your profit margins high. Running a successful startup is all about making as many profits as you can. The good news is that there are so many things you can do these days to try to improve your profit margins. Use some of the ideas on this post to help you achieve the best profit margins for your company.

Dutch Train Crash Kills at Least One Person near Dalfsen

Diane A. Wade
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Dutch Train Crash Kills at Least One Person near Dalfsen

At least one person died after a passenger train has derailed near the Dutch town of Dalfsen, officials say.

The train hit a hydraulic crane on a crossing, tilted over and went into a field, leaving several carriages lying on their sides.

According to residents, the crane had been crossing the line, east of the city of Zwolle, when the train ran into it.

The local mayor said one person was dead. Another six were hurt, and one had serious injuries.

Witnesses said the train driver had been killed but there was no immediate confirmation from the operator, Arriva.Dalfsen train crash

Mayor Han Noten told Dutch media that 10 to 15 people had been on board at the time of the crash, shortly before 09:00 local time.

“Luckily it wasn’t the busiest train, so as regards casualties it won’t be as bad as it could have been,” he said, although it was a tragedy for the dead and wounded.

Emergency services said some managed to clamber out of the carriages but they were searching the wreckage for anyone still trapped.

The train had been heading east from Zwolle, RTV Oost reported. Local services on the line were likely to be disrupted for the rest of the day while an investigation was carried out by the Dutch Safety Board.

Police were talking to the crane driver who had managed to jump clear shortly before the accident.

It was not yet clear whether he was being treated as a suspect. Little was left of the crane’s cabin after the crash.

There were 30 accidents on Dutch level crossings in 2015 which claimed the lives of 13 people, reports said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRr9pNCjQiQ

3 Great Tips For SMS Marketing

Dana R
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3 Great Tips For SMS Marketing

Marketing is important for every business, but for small businesses it’s almost everything! If you don’t reel in enough revenue during your opening months, your business could be in danger of failing. With all the modern emphasis on social media and SEO, you might not consider a lot of other marketing strategies. SMS marketing is a highly effective technique you could be tapping into. Here’s how to use it!

phones

Image: Flickr

One popular strategy is encouraging customers to interact with your business. Think about the internet going portable and the speed of modern communications. The average customer expects businesses to be fairly engaged with them. If you received a simple “buy now” message from a company, I’m sure you wouldn’t be won over very easily. A lot of consumers even end up resenting brands for this kind of outreach. You need to make your customers feel valued and rewarded with your SMS campaigns. Try sending out a promotional code or a password to enter into a competition. You don’t even need to offer a solid incentive, just make sure you’re encouraging interaction!

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Image: Pexels

If your business has a few physical outlets, then you might want to try localising your SMS campaigns. This is another way of making your customer base feel special and valued. Plan out a few in-store promotions or competitions, and then limit your SMS campaign to subscribers who are linked to one local outlet. You could use localised SMS marketing to encourage further interaction as well. For example, if you’re selling car accessories, you could set up a dedicated number to help your customers find ones which will fit with their car. Display the number in-store, and ask your customers to text in their model name. Then, have a program which replies with a list of different parts which would fit their car. When you throw in these fun little gimmicks, your customers will be much more receptive to bulk SMS campaigns.

My final tip is to link your SMS marketing with other marketing channels. The world of marketing has come a long way since billboards and newspaper ads. All campaigns are now rooted in the digital arena. You need to fit in with this to make sure you’re not falling behind your competitors. While everyone with a phone can receive SMS messages, not everyone is that involved with social media. Try sending your customer base mentions of exciting social media promotions over time. You’ll find that lot of them become even more invested in your business. Almost everyone can exit their messaging app, and get straight onto Twitter or Facebook with a couple of taps. You need to keep the state of modern technology in mind, and make sure you’re not skipping out any channels. Of course, this is not reserved only for businesses, you could also use it as a mass texting service for nonprofits.

These tips don’t cover everything you need to know about SMS, but they’re certainly the most helpful I can give. I’ll leave it with one little warning: always get permission. Nothing will stir up resentment for your brand faster than a stream of unwanted texts!

United Technologies Rebuffs New Merger Offer from Honeywell

Clyde K. Valle
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United Technologies Rebuffs New Merger Offer from Honeywell

United Technologies has rejected a new merger offer from Honeywell International on concerns it will not be approved by antitrust regulators.

Honeywell is said to have offered $108 per share for United Technologies last week, a more than 20% premium to the share price at the time.

United Technologies said the two companies only held “preliminary” conversations.

A tie up would have created one of the aerospace industry’s largest companies worth more than $160 billion.United Technologies Honeywell merger offer

However, United Technologies broke off talks because a deal “would face insurmountable regulatory obstacles and strong customer opposition”.

“[It] could either be blocked outright or conditioned on significant divestitures after a lengthy and disruptive review period that would destroy shareholder value,” the company said in a statement.

This isn’t the first time Honeywell and United Technologies have held merger talks.

Honeywell and United Technologies explored combining in 2000 but United Technologies ended discussions after General Electric submitted a rival bid.

The subsequent GE and Honeywell deal was rejected by European regulators on fears it would lead to higher prices for airlines and consumers.

Interesting Ways Hospitals Are Trying To Increase Productivity

Dana R
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Interesting Ways Hospitals Are Trying To Increase Productivity

hospital

(Link to picture: https://goo.gl/RXA7mZ)

Hospitals often come in for a lot of stick because they seem unproductive. You have long waiting times and, when you’re a patient, it feels like nothing ever gets done. This is not the case, of course, things are getting done in hospitals, and they’re trying to be more productive.

In fact, I did a bit of research and figured out how they aim to do just that:

Scientific Research

Hospitals rely on scientific research a lot. It’s the only way that cures get found, drugs get created, and diseases can be treated. Without it, there would be a lot of doctors running around trying to figure out what to do. Imagine a hospital with no drugs or treatment for patients? It would be madness. But, luckily, there have been great strides in medical research over the years. More drugs are being developed, and more cures are being found. This means that doctors can treat more diseases, and help more patients. So, they can be more productive as a result of this. Naturally, as the research continues to improve, hospitals will become even more productive.

Quicker Information

Technology makes everyone more productive, and it’s extremely effective in hospitals. On a daily basis, hospitals will use various pieces of technology to remain productive and get more things done on time. For example, they use new x-ray tech that lets them analyse results within seconds. Similarly, they use Radiology Information Systems to help keep track of things in the radiology department. Likewise, doctors keep patient records in online files, so it’s easier for them to obtain. If a patient is transferred to a new hospital, the doctors there can get their records in just a few moments. Life is considerably easier for hospital workers because of the use of technology in the workplace.

Social Media For Doctors

Following on from the point about quicker information, doctors are also using social media to exchange info. Of course, it’s against the law for them to discuss patients on regular sites like Twitter or Facebook. Instead, there are social networking sites that have been created specifically for doctors to use. The only way you’ll be able to access these sites is if you’re a registered doctor. On them, they can speak to one another about certain cases and ask for help to solve them. It means that one doctor is now being helped by numerous other doctors, while still doing their work. While they’re off seeing a patient, loads of doctors from all over the country could be on social media solving the problem they asked. The end result is this; doctors are solving more cases, and in quicker times too. So, productivity increases.

Scheduling

Much is made of the way doctors and nurses work during the day. The scheduling patterns are tough and awkward, but they’re trying to change that. Hospitals are looking for new ways to schedule their staff for shifts. The aim is to ensure the place is fully staffed at all times, and there’s no waiting period between shifts.

As you can see, hospitals are trying to improve productivity. It’s not easy, but they’re trying their best to provide top of the range healthcare to patients.

Delhi Water Supply Partially Restored

Diane A. Wade
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Water has begun to return to Delhi residents, where up to 10 million of people were affected after protesters sabotaged a key canal.

The Indian army took control of the Munak canal in neighboring Haryana state on February 22 after Jat community protesters, angry at caste job quotas, seized it.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said the “crisis was still not over” and urged people to use water carefully.

The city’s schools, which were closed because of the crisis, have reopened.

Sixteen million people live in the Indian capital Delhi, and around three-fifths of the city’s water is supplied by the Munak canal, which runs through Haryana.

Kapil Mishra tweeted on February 23 that “some water has been released” from the canal. This had led to the restoration of partial supplies in north and central Delhi, he said.

He said more than 70 water tankers from these areas had been moved to the western part of the city, where partial supplies would be “hopefully” restored by Tuesday evening.

“The supply will be limited till the time the Munak [canal] is totally repaired. The crisis is not yet over. People should use water carefully,” he said.

Senior water board official Neeraj Semwal told the AFP news agency that four of Delhi’s nine water treatment plants were operating, forcing rationing of supplies to many areas.

“We are hoping to restore partial services in the next two to three days and 100% supply within the next 15 days,” Neeraj Semwal said.

It is not clear how many households are still without water.

Prior warnings meant that people had managed to save water, and tankers had been dispatched to affected areas of the city, but that this has not been enough to make up for the shortfall.

The army took control of parts of the canal on Monday morning, but repairs are expected to take time. Eighteen people have been killed and hundreds injured in three days of riots.

Protesters went on the rampage despite a curfew and the deployment of the army, which is reported to have opened fire on them, in the districts of Rohtak and Jhajjar.

Fiji: Cyclone Winston Death Toll Rises to 29

Diane A. Wade
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Fiji: Cyclone Winston Death Toll Rises to 29

The death toll of cyclone Winston that hit Fiji at the weekend has risen to 29, with officials warning the clear-up could take months.

About 8,500 people are still sheltering in evacuation centers.

Cyclone Winston, a category 5 storm, has flattened many buildings in parts of the main Viti Levu island and Koro islands, Fijian officials said.

It brought winds of over 200mph, torrential rain and waves of up to 40ft.

The storm has been described by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation as the worst to ever hit the country.Cyclone Winston death toll Fiji

Government spokesman Ewan Perrin told Radio New Zealand that the houses of 2,000 families who lived on Koro island had been “pretty much flattened”.

Eight bodies were found there on February 22.

Rescue workers warned that the death toll could rise further as some of the worst-hit outlying islands have yet to be reached.

The New Zealand Air Force has helped Fijian rescuers carry out aerial inspections across almost all the islands, Ewan Perrin said.

Officials say the priority now is to provide water and shelter to Fijians as they begin rebuilding their homes.

Many parts of the country remain without power.

However, officials said the destruction could have been far worse had the storm not changed direction at the last minute, sparing the capital Suva its full impact.

The government has declared a state of emergency and called on private companies to help provide transport and relief supplies.

Officials had also put in place a nationwide curfew, giving police extra powers of arrest, but it was lifted on February 22.

Schools have shut for a week, but the main airport has reopened to receive humanitarian supplies and allow tourists to leave.

Australia and New Zealand have authorized the release of emergency aid supplies held in Suva.

How To Embrace Your New Life As A Mom

Dana R
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How To Embrace Your New Life As A Mom

pregnancy

Image sourced

Becoming a mom is one of the most life-changing things to happen in a woman’s life. It’s one long journey. A journey of sleepless nights and milestones. The never ending questions and anxious feelings of failure. All mixed with having to lead the life you had before. But you’re different, you are not the same person anymore.

How could you be? Now you are not only responsible for yourself but a tiny baby that needs you more than you could ever know. To feed and care for them, to love them unconditionally. To bring them up the best way you can and keep them safe from all harm. You have no choice, and of course, you are happy to do it. You made the conscious decision to become a mom in the first place. But no one ever knows how much their lives will change when they welcome that precious bundle of joy.

A lot of women struggle with this. Few are aware that it’s all normal behavior. But as time goes on you realize you have lost a little bit of yourself. It’s difficult to understand where the baby ends and you as a person begins.

We lose our identity, some of us lose friends, we become isolated and desperate for a little bit of ourselves back.

It’s not all bad. Life as a mom can be fantastic, and witnessing your child grow up is an absolute honor.

But there are ways that you can have the best of both worlds. You can be mom but also have your own identity. Here’s how you can achieve just that.

baby-feet

Image Sourced

Take some time for yourself

Me time is so important as a new mom. If you can get a family member to watch your little one for a while then fantastic, but if you are restricted on childcare don’t let that put you off. Make sure you take advantage of every baby free moment you have. When the baby has a nap, you get some rest yourself. When the baby is in bed at night, run yourself a nice hot bath and take some time for you.

Read a new book and drink a hot drink without being disturbed. Spend some time with your partner or friends. Do what you would have done for yourself before a baby because you still need that time to unwind. As much as we love being with our little ones, we also still have hobbies we enjoy or interests we want to pursue.

mom

Image Sourced

Find your new identity and embrace it.

Your figure may have changed. Maybe your have noticed that your style is a little different. Perhaps you have long hair but want to have a shorter style for convenience. Whatever it is about your identity embrace it and go with it. Love your new figure and rock it. You have just had a baby; you are amazing! If you want a new hairstyle, then go for it. If you are worried about your style and find yourself wearing the same things then now is the time to be experimental. Styled By marie claire could provide you with some inspiration and open up your mind to a whole new you. Fashion and beauty trends that you may not have considered before are now ready for the taking. Don’t let your own opinion of yourself hold you back, what you see in the mirror is definitely not what the world is seeing.

Be aware of your feelings

It’s an ordinary feeling to suffer from the baby blues. The majority of new moms will have a few tears here and there and be worried about how they are doing. But be aware of when it is something a bit more than just a little cry from time to time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If you need someone to help around the house, ask someone. If you need to catch up on some sleep let your partner or family take over for a while and you get some rest.

There is nothing wrong with admitting you need help. It’s when new mom’s try to carry on that the problems can start.

Be aware of your limits

One thing you have to remember is you are not supermon. No one is. We all have our days when we feel like we are winning and we all have days when life can be too much. Accepting this and knowing your limits is one of the best pieces of advice you can follow.

Find your mom tribe

Being a mom can be lonely, so the sooner you can make some friends in a similar situation to yourself the better. Getting out into the park or attending a Gymboree class can help with your mood and feelings, as well as present you with opportunities to chat to other moms.

Once you have your tribe, make weekly arrangements. It will be the advice of these mom’s, their laughter and encouragement, and their confidence that will get you through some tough times. It’s also amazing to have someone there who can relate to how you feel. This will become invaluable to you.

Google is your friend and your foe

Don’t worry about little things and let google searching worry you. Google can have a vast amount of information, some of which won’t be relevant, so use it wisely and sparingly. The truth is you will know what to do as that motherly instinct you have heard so much about will kick in. It won’t be just you going through it. Someone somewhere will have been through exactly what you are going through. So don’t worry.

Being a mom is the most challenging thing you can do as a woman. But at the same time, it’s the most rewarding thing as well. It’s tough but amazing. Yes, embrace your new mom style, own your decisions and rock it. But most importantly enjoy every minute you have, because they really do grow up so quickly. They won’t be babies for long.

Syria Crisis: US and Russia Agree on February 27 Ceasefire

Roy Siemens
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Syria Crisis: US and Russia Agree on February 27 Ceasefire

Russia and the US have agreed on a Syrian ceasefire scheduled to come into effect at midnight on February 27, a draft of the plan reveals.

The timing follows US-Russian talks at the weekend.

On February 12, Russia and the US had agreed a truce to come into effect within a week, but that deadline passed and skepticism remains over the new plan.

Violence has continued unabated in Syria, with 140 killed in bombings in Homs and Damascus on February 21.

More than 250,000 Syrians have died in the conflict which began in March 2011.Syria ceasefire 2016

Some 11 million others have been forced from their homes, of whom 4 million have fled abroad – including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.

Reuters quoted Western diplomatic sources as saying the ceasefire would not include ISIS or the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

US officials said the plan required government forces and the other armed opposition groups to signal their agreement to the truce by February 26.

An official announcement is expected after President Barack Obama speaks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone on February 22.

The deal also sets up a communications hotline and calls for a working group to monitor ceasefire violations.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on February 21 he and Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, had reached a provisional agreement on the terms for the truce. The two powers back opposing sides in the war, with Russia being President Bashar al-Assad’s strongest ally.

On February 20, President Bashar al-Assad had said he would be ready for a ceasefire, if what he termed “terrorists” did not take advantage of the lull in the fighting.

Government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, have been making advances against rebels around the northern city of Aleppo.

Analysts say there will be huge skepticism about the possibility of an effective ceasefire, given the current fighting and failure of the first deadline.

Even if the partial truce holds, Russia is likely to continue its air strikes, which the US coalition says are mainly targeting anti-Assad forces and are hitting civilians.

It is also unclear whether Kurdish forces, which have been making ground in the north, sparking artillery fire from Turkey, will abide by any truce.

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