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Woodside Petroleum Posts 99% Fall in Profits for 2015

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Australia’s largest independent oil and gas company, Woodside Petroleum, has posted a 99% fall in profits for 2015.

Woodside Petroleum put the dramatic decline in profits down to the global fall in oil prices. In 2015, Brent crude prices fell more than 45%.

The company’s net income came to $26 million from $2.41 billion a year earlier.

However, Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said it would be able to withstand the current oil price landscape.Woodside Petroleum profit report 2015

“Woodside, with its low cost of production, is well positioned to withstand this commodity cycle,” he said.

“A strong performance from our operating assets, disciplined financial management and productivity gains reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering value for our shareholders.”

Peter Coleman added that Woodside had maintained strong levels of liquidity and low levels of committed capital expenditure.

Woodside’s Sydney-listed shares finished the day down 7% on the profit report. Over the last 12 months, the company’s shares have shed close to 22%.

The company has a long history of liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations and concentrates much of its domestic production in Western Australia.

Its exploration operations span the Asia Pacific region, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Atlantic margins and Latin America.

Woodside has a Singapore office that supports its trade and shipping activities as well as interests in Canada and Timor-Leste.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIKKB8ppbZE

Barack Obama: “Donald Trump Will Not Be President Because It’s a Serious Job”

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Donald Trump will not be president, says President Barack Obama, because it’s a “serious job”.

Speaking at the ASEAN economic summit in California, the president was asked by a reporter about Donald Trump.

“I continue to believe that Mr. Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people,” said Barack Obama.

Donald Trump is the frontrunner in the Republican race to be his party’s choice for the White House.

He has won one state primary already, and leads the polls in South Carolina, where Republicans vote on February 20.

The electorate will not pick him, said Barack Obama, because “they recognize that being president is a serious job”.

“It’s not hosting a talk show or a reality show, it’s not promotion, it’s not marketing, it’s hard. It’s not a matter of pandering and doing whatever will get you in the news on a given day.” Donald Trump criticized by Barack Obama

Donald Trump responded by saying it was a compliment to be criticized by a president who had done so much damage to the country.

His antipathy to Barack Obama goes back a number of years – he used to demand that the president produce proof that he was born in the US.

His election campaign has continuously made headlines, for controversial remarks and policies.

Donald Trump said he would deport 11 million undocumented immigrants, build a wall on the southern border paid for by Mexico and that Muslims should be stopped from entering the US.

His chief rival is Texas Senator Ted Cruz, but one of his other rivals, the big-spending former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, will be hoping for a better performance after disappointment in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali Dies in Cairo Aged 93

Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has died at the age of 93.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali died at a Cairo hospital on February 16, Egypt’s state news agency said, after reportedly being admitted with a broken pelvis.

His death was confirmed by Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, the Venezuelan ambassador to the UN and current president of the UN Security Council.

As an Egyptian, Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the first Arab to serve as UN chief.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali took office in 1992 at a time of increasing influence for the world body following its decisive role in the Gulf War, serving one five-year term.

The 15-member Security Council observed a minute’s silence after the announcement, which was made at the start of a session on Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

No further details on his death were immediately available.Boutros Boutros Ghali dead at 93

Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s five years in office were clouded by controversy, especially about perceived UN inaction over the 1994 Rwandan genocide and Angolan civil war of the 1990s.

To some, he was an effective diplomat who was caught in a rift between the UN and the United States. Others, most notably in Washington, saw him as a symbol of all that was wrong with the organization.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali was often jeered, and often waded into crowds to confront protesters when security guards permitted.

He shocked many in Sarajevo when he said he was not trying to belittle the horrors in Bosnia but that there were other countries where the “total dead was greater than here”.

After leaving the UN, Boutros Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary general of La Francophonie – a grouping of French-speaking nations.

In 2004, Boutros Boutros-Ghali was named the president of Egypt’s new human rights council, a body created by then-Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak amid US pressure on Arab nations for democratic reform.

Russia Rejects Accusations of War Crimes in Syria

Russia has firmly rejected accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof”.

Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on at least four hospitals and two schools in rebel-held areas of northern Syria on February 15.

The UN said the “deliberate” targeting of such facilities “could amount to war crimes”, according to Reuters.

Russia has been accused, by Turkey among others, of being responsible for the attacks.

Meanwhile, a Turkish official on February 16 said Turkey would back a ground operation in Syria but only “with our international allies”.

Yesterday’s strikes hit two hospitals and two schools in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, and at least two hospitals in Maarat al-Numan, further south.

One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which called the attack a “deliberate” strike.

Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, told Reuters “either the [Syrian] government or Russia” was responsible.

Photo AFP
Photo AFP

The Syrian ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, previously said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as “patently false”.

The strikes came days after world powers – including Russia – agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week.

The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on February 16, and was planning to meet him again later in the day.

They were due to discuss among other things one of the key priorities of the truce – “unhindered humanitarian access to all besieged areas”. There is no word yet on when aid convoys might reach those areas.

Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cast doubt over the “cessation of hostilities” plan, saying it did not mean all the parties would put down their weapons.

“So far they say they want a ceasefire within a week,” Bashar al-Assad said in his first comments of February 12 agreement.

“Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week?”

Syrian government forces – backed by Russian air power – are reportedly continuing to make advances around the northern city of Aleppo, capturing the villages of Ahras and Misqan on February 16.

Manny Pacquiao’s Gay Remarks Spark Controversy

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Manny Pacquiao has sparked controversy for calling gays “worse than animals” in a recent TV interview.

The boxer’s comments drew ire from gay Filipino celebrities and a rights group, as well as heated discussion.

The former world champion, who positions himself as a conservative Christian politician, is running for a senate seat in May elections.

The largely Catholic Philippines remains conservative on gay rights.

Manny Pacquiao, who is a member of the Philippines house of representatives, was speaking to local station TV5 earlier this week for its election coverage.

In a clip posted online, Manny Pacquiao tells the interviewer: “It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?”

“The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”

Photo Instagram
Photo Instagram

Filipino comedian Vice Ganda and singer Aiza Seguerra, who are openly gay, have criticized Manny Pacquiao for his comments, calling him a “hypocrite” and a “false prophet”.

Local gay rights organization and political group Ladlad condemned his remarks and issued a call to voters to boycott Manny Pacquiao.

On February 16, Manny Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight different weight divisions, posted a picture of himself with his wife on Instagram in an apparent response to the controversy.

He said: “I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desires of the flesh. I’m not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says.”

The furor has split the online world, where many Christian followers have shown support for Manny Pacquiao while others have condemned him for his views.

Manny Pacquiao remains hugely popular in the Philippines, and has spoken frequently about his renewed Christian faith. He represents his wife’s home province of Sarangani in the Philippines’ House of Representatives.

Grammys 2016: Taylor Swift Becomes First Woman to Win Album of the Year Twice

Taylor Swift has become the first female singer to win album of the year award at the Grammys twice.

Her 1989 album won the award at this year’s Grammys in Los Angeles.

Kendrick Lamar won the most prizes on the night with five awards.

Taylor Swift also won best pop vocal album and best music video for her track Bad Blood.

Ed Sheeran also won his first two Grammys for song of the year and best pop solo performance for his number one hit Thinking Out Loud.

Photo Instagram Taylor Swift
Photo Instagram Taylor Swift

A surprised Ed Sheeran beat Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, country group Little Big Town and Wiz Khalifa to the song of the year accolade.

Taylor Swift was equally surprised at winning the top honor. Her album, which was released in 2014, came out too late to be eligible for last year’s awards so was finally recognized at this year’s ceremony.

The singer gave a powerful acceptance speech saying: “As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to young women: There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame.

“But if you focus on your work and don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you’ll know it was you and the people that love you that put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Kendrick Lamar’s wins included best rap album for To Pimp A Butterfly; best rap song and rap performance for Alright; best rap/sung collaboration and best music video, which he shared with Taylor Swift for Bad Blood.

Alabama Shakes were triple winners. They collected best alternative music album while their song Don’t Wanna Fight won best rock song and rock performance.

The Weeknd also picked up two Grammys for best urban contemporary album and best R&B performance.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars won two awards for their hit Uptown Funk, including record of the year, while Meghan Trainor was named best new artist.

Muse also won best rock album for Drones, and Tony Bennett collected his 18th Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album.

Justin Bieber also won his first Grammy for his collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo, winning best dance recording for Where Are U Now.

Amy – Asif Kapadia’s documentary on the life of Amy Winehouse – won the Grammy for best music film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TArqLmm8-_M

Grammys 2016: Winners Full List

List of winners at this year’s Grammy awards, presented at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Album of the year

  • Winner: 1989 – Taylor Swift
  • Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes
  • To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
  • Traveller – Chris Stapleton
  • Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

Best new artist

  • Winner: Meghan Trainor
  • Courtney Barnett
  • James Bay
  • Sam Hunt
  • Tori Kelly

Best rock album

  • Winner: Drones – Muse
  • Chaos And The Calm – James Bay
  • Kintsugi – Death Cab For Cutie
  • Mister Asylum – Highly Suspect
  • .5: The Gray Chapter – SlipknotGrammys winners 2016

Best rock performance

  • Winner: Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes
  • What Kind Of Man – Florence & The Machine
  • Something From Nothing – Foo Fighters
  • Ex’s & Oh’s – Elle King
  • Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Record of the year

  • Winner: Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
  • Really Love – D’Angelo and the Vanguard
  • Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  • Blank Space – Taylor Swift
  • Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd

Song of the year

  • Winner: Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge
  • Alright – Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams (Kendrick Lamar)
  • Blank Space – Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift
  • Girl Crush – Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose (Little Big Town)
  • See You Again – Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa)

Best pop vocal album

  • Winner: 1989 – Taylor Swift
  • Piece By Piece – Kelly Clarkson
  • How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence & The Machine
  • Uptown Special – Mark Ronson
  • Before This World – James Taylor

Best pop solo performance

  • Winner: Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  • Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
  • Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
  • Blank Space – Taylor Swift
  • Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd

Best traditional pop vocal album

  • Winner: The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern – Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap
  • Shadows In The Night – Bob Dylan
  • Stages – Josh Groban
  • No One Ever Tells You – Seth MacFarlane
  • My Dream Duets – Barry Manilow

Best music video

  • Winner: Bad Blood – Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar
  • LSD – ASAP Rocky
  • I Feel Love (Every Million Miles) – The Dead Weather
  • Alright – Kendrick Lamar
  • Freedom – Pharrell Williams

Best dance recording

  • Winner: Where Are U Now – Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber
  • We’re All We Need – Above & Beyond Featuring Zoe Johnston
  • Go – The Chemical Brothers Featuring Q-Tip
  • Never Catch Me – Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar
  • Runaway (U & I) – Galantis

Best R&B performance

  • Winner: Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) – The Weeknd
  • If I Don’t Have You – Tamar Braxton
  • Rise Up – Andra Day
  • Breathing Underwater – Hiatus Kaiyote
  • Planes – Jeremih Featuring J. Cole

Best R&B album

  • Winner: Black Messiah – D’Angelo And The Vanguard
  • Coming Home – Leon Bridges
  • Cheers To The Fall – Andra Day
  • Reality Show – Jazmine Sullivan
  • Forever Charlie – Charlie Wilson

Best urban contemporary album

  • Winner: Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd
  • Ego Death – The Internet
  • You Should Be Here – Kehlani
  • Blood – Lianne La Havas
  • Wildheart – Miguel

Best country album

  • Winner: Traveller – Chris Stapleton
  • Montevallo – Sam Hunt
  • Pain Killer – Little Big Town
  • The Blade – Ashley Monroe
  • Pageant Material – Kacey Musgraves

Best country song

  • Winner: Girl Crush – Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose (Little Big Town)
  • Chances Are – Hayes Carll (Lee Ann Womack)
  • Diamond Rings And Old Barstools – Barry Dean, Luke Laird & Jonathan Singleton (Tim McGraw)
  • Hold My Hand – Brandy Clark & Mark Stephen Jones
  • Traveller – Chris Stapleton

Best metal performance

  • Winner: Cirice – Ghost
  • Identity – August Burns Red
  • 512 – Lamb Of God
  • Thank You – Sevendust
  • Custer – Slipknot

Best rap album

  • Winner: To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
  • 2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole
  • Compton – Dr. Dre
  • If You’re Reading This Its Too Late – Drake
  • The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj

Best music film

  • Winner: Amy – Amy Winehouse
  • Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown – James Brown
  • Sonic Highways – Foo Fighters
  • What Happened, Miss Simone? – Nina Simone
  • The Wall – Roger Waters

Best song written for visual media

  • Winner: Glory – Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith & John Stephens (Common and John Legend)
  • Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) – Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville & Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd)
  • Love Me Like You Do – Savan Kotecha, Max Martin, Tove Nilsson, Ali Payami & Ilya Salmanzadeh (Ellie Goulding)
  • See You Again – Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth)
  • Til It Happens To You – Lady Gaga & Diane Warren

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TArqLmm8-_M

George W. Bush Campaigns for Jeb Bush in South Carolina

George W. Bush has started to campaign for his younger brother Jeb’s presidential nomination bid.

The former president met veterans and appeared at a rally in South Carolina on February 15, ahead of the primary election on February 20.

George W. Bush’s legacy has come under fierce attack from Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has spent a lot of campaign cash but failed to make an impact.George W Bush and Jeb Bush campaign

Jeb Bush is struggling to catch up with Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who won the New Hampshire and Iowa contests respectively.

His famous family has largely kept out of his presidential nomination battle and he insisted last year that he was running as his own man.

However, last week his mother Barbara Bush, wife of former President George H.W. Bush, spoke out in his support.

During February 13 Republican debate, Jeb Bush defended his brother’s presidency, saying he had built a “security apparatus to keep us safe”.

Donald Trump tore into George W. Bush’s record, accusing him of lying about the reasons for the Iraq War, which he said had destabilized the Middle East.

Experts say that Donald Trump’s tactic of attacking the former president is risky because he still maintains wide appeal among Republicans in South Carolina, from churchgoers to business leaders and retired military personnel.

On February 15, George W. Bush, alongside his wife Laura, met US military veterans at an American Legion Post in Columbia, South Carolina.

Last week, he praised his brother’s abilities in a radio advert, and Jeb Bush will hope his personal appearance will bring dividends on polling day.

Although George W. Bush remains a divisive figure nationally, he and his father both won primary elections in South Carolina.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who quit the presidential race and is now backing Jeb Bush, said: “The Bush name is golden in my state.”

While Republican voters in South Carolina make their choice for president, the Democratic Party is holding its own contest in Nevada on February 20. Republicans in Nevada and Democrats in South Carolina get to express their views in separate contests the following week.

Infographic: USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

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As you work toward your Public Administration degree, you will study the importance of a multitude of organizations, including the ever-controversial National Security Agency (NSA). When President Harry Truman established this government organization, he had in mind an agency that would collect and decode information from around the world. In the infographic below, learn more about the NSA and how it evolved into its current reputation for exceeding the scope of its power by monitoring US citizens without warrants:


University of Southern California Online

Public Administration | University of Southern California Online

Source: USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Technology Uncovers Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles Original Colors

Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles is getting a digital makeover to show what it would have looked like before its colors faded, Chicago scientists say.

The artist painted three versions of this famous scene, using broadly the same color scheme.

However, time and light degradation have taken their toll on the pigments.

Using a variety of techniques, Chicago researchers have digitally restored the light blue walls and door to their original lilac and purple.

The computer visualization is part of a major new exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago, which brings together all three versions for only the second time since Van Gogh produced them.Van Gogh Bedroom Art Institute Chicago

It is hoped visitors to the exhibition will get a deeper sense of the emotions the 19th Century artist was trying to convey in the works.

“Science is vital in identifying the pigments that have faded, but then there is a lot of interpretation that we rely on from conservators and art historians who really know the hand of the artist, and know how to dial that virtual knob more or less,” explained Dr. Francesca Casadio, Mellon Senior Conservation Scientist at the Chicago institute.

“This is just a visualization of what we think the faded colors looked like, but barring the invention of a time machine it will always still be an approximation.”

Dr. Francesca Casadio was speaking here in Washington at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the bedrooms permanently in its collection. The other two are normally held at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

How Successful Labs Operate Today

Running a laboratory can be very challenging. There are many variables that have to be taken into consideration. But there are things that are improving to make labs safer and more efficient. So, if you want to find out how successful labs operate and function today, read on for more details.

Modern Equipment

Modern technology is changing things rapidly in laboratories across the world. In every type of lab, no matter what it specialises in, technology is advancing. It’s making things quicker, safer and making testing more precise. In some drug testing facilities, for example, machines are being developed that can mimic the human body. This means that soon medicine will be able to be trialled on these machines without the need for human test patients or animals. This could be a big step forward in medical laboratories. And that’s just one example of how things are changing for the better thanks to new technology.

medic

Photo Source

Strong Systems

There are different systems that labs often use to keep things running smoothly and efficiently at all times. These systems can be complicated, but they do help to make sure that everything goes according to plan. It’s all about minimising wasted time and resources and making sure everyone has the best chance possible to do the very best work possible. It’s something that lab employees can really benefit from. LIMS systems are one of the most popular well-known out there. They make sure that the system in place is tailored to the specific needs of the laboratory in question.

Strict Safety Measures

Safety is a big concern in any successful laboratory. If a lab is not safe at all times, it will not function the way it should. In an unsafe environment, things go wrong. And when those things go wrong, there are all sorts of other problems that are caused. It’s not just about making sure that everything is kept ticking over either. What’s even more important is keeping everyone safe from harm. There are all kinds of things that can go wrong in a laboratory environment. The precise risks and dangers involved vary from lab to lab depending on what kind of work is being carried out. But every good lab has one thing in common: strict safety measures.

doctor

Photo Source

Oversights and Communication

One of the main ways in which the modern laboratory is kept safe and functional is through strong communication and oversights. This means colleagues making sure that everyone is doing the job as it should be done. The laboratory is a potentially hazardous environment to work in, so communication becomes essential. When people are not talking to each other and letting everyone know what they’re doing and what’s happening, accidents can happen. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make checks and enquiries if they’re not sure that something is being done the right way.

For a laboratory to be successful, it has to be efficient, organised and safe. If it’s not these things, then it won’t stay around for very long.

Syrian Hospitals Hit by Airstrikes

A number of people have been killed after airstrikes hit three hospitals in northern Syria, doctors and witnesses say.

According to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), seven people died in an attack in Maarat al-Numan. Activists said another hospital in the town was also hit.

Another strike in Azaz near the Turkish border killed 10, reports said.

MSF blamed pro-Syrian government forces for the raid in on its hospital; Turkey blamed Russia for the Azaz strike.

They come days after Russia and other world powers agreed to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria.

Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced.

It has not been confirmed who carried out the latest attacks.Syrian hospital airstrike

However, Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, said the Maarat al-Numan strikes were carried out by forces “loyal to President Bashar al-Assad”.

Mego Terzian told Reuters: “There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we don’t know if they are alive.”

Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian ballistic missile had hit buildings in Azaz, with children among the dead.

Associated Press reported that five people had died at a children’s hospital.

One doctor, Juma Rahal, told the Reuters news agency: “We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital.”

Several more people were killed in an air raid on a nearby village, AP reported.

Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since September in support of President Assad and against what it terms “terrorists”.

Azaz has seen an influx of thousands of people fleeing advances by the Russian-backed Syrian army in Aleppo province.

The Kurdish YPG militia, which has been making advances in the area, has also targeted Azaz.

Turkey has shelled Kurdish positions since the weekend and on February 15 promised the “harshest reaction” if the forces tried to take Azaz.

Turkey views the YPG militia in Syria as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for Kurdish autonomy within Turkey.

Syria said the Turkish shelling was a violation of its sovereignty and has called on the UN Security Council to act.

MSF said four rockets had hit the hospital in Maarat al-Numan, a rebel-held town about 20 miles south of the city of Idlib, within minutes of each other on February 15.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group which relies on a network of sources on the ground, said nine people were killed, including a child. The raid also left dozens of others wounded, it added.

MSF’s head of mission in Syria, Massimiliano Rebaudengo, said the strikes appeared to be a “deliberate attack on a health structure”, warning the attack left tens of thousands without medical care.

Another hospital in Maarat al-Numan was also hit, opposition group the Local Co-ordination Committees said, killing three people.

Japan Stock Market Surges 7% as US Dollar Strengthens against Yen

Japan’s stock market soared by more than 7% on February 15 as the dollar strengthened against the yen.

Last week, the US dollar fell to a 15-month low against the yen and the Nikkei 225 index lost more than 11%.

On February 15, however, the dollar rose to 113.95 yen from 113.25 yen on February 12 in New York.

The bounce for the Tokyo market came despite official figures showing Japan’s economy had contracted by 0.4% in the three months to December.Japan stock market February 2016

The worse than expected quarter-on-quarter figures did not stop the Nikkei 225 closing 7.2% higher at 16,022.5 points – its biggest daily percentage gain since late 2008.

Last week, Japan’s markets traded sharply lower as a stronger yen against the dollar hurt the country’s big exporters.

On February 12, the Nikkei index closed down 4.8% to 14,952.6 points – below the 15,000 points level and its lowest close since October 2014.

However, a retreat of the yen on February 15 sent shares in the country’s big exporters sharply higher.

Toyota finished the trading day in Tokyo up more than 9.5%, Honda gained 8% and Nissan rose 6.7%. Sharp and Sony gained just over 7% and 8% respectively.

Analysts said the yen could continue to weaken this year, which would be good for exporters.

Elsewhere, markets in China were divided despite worse-than-expected trade numbers.

On the mainland, where markets were open after a week off for Lunar New Year celebrations, the Shanghai Composite closed down 0.6% at 2,746.2.

In Hong Kong, however, the Hang Seng jumped 3% to 18,874.5 points after finishing lower on February 11 and 12.

Trade numbers released on February 15 showed China’s exports in yuan terms fell 6.6% in January from a year earlier, while imports dropped 14.4%.

In US dollar terms, exports fell 11.2% from a year earlier and imports fell 18.8%, marking the seventh and 15th month of straight declines respectively.

The numbers mean the country was left with a record trade surplus of $63.3 billion for the month, compared to $60.9 billion in December.

Analysts said the January trade data was a reflection of slower external demand – particularly from trading partners like South Korea.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 finished up 1.6% to 4,843.5 points, while South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index closed up 1.5% to 1,862.2 points.

Nikita Kamaev Dead: Ex-RUSADA Executive Director Dies of Massive Heart Attack

Russia’s anti-doping ex-chief Nikita Kamaev has died, the RUSADA agency says.

Nikita Kamaev’s death comes two months after he resigned his post following a doping scandal in Russian athletics.

RUSADA said Nikita Kamaev’s cause of death was “a massive heart attack”.

Russia was suspended from international athletics last November. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accused Russian athletics of state-backed doping, corruption and extortion.

“He will remain in our memories as an experienced and understanding leader, distinguished by his high professionalism,” the RUSADA statement said, adding that Nikita Kamaev was able to create a “friendly atmosphere” in his team.

Photo AP
Photo AP

“He complained of heartache after a skiing session,” RUSADA’s former director general Ramil Khabriev was quoted as saying by Russia’s Tass news agency.

“He had never complained about heart problems, at least to me. Maybe his wife knew about such problems.”

Russia was provisionally suspended from international athletics, including the Olympic Games, in November by the International Association of Athletic Associations (IAAF).

The IAAF took action following the WADA report.

The suspension will remain in place until Russia convinces athletics authorities it has sufficiently changed its practices.

Along with Argentina, Ukraine, Bolivia, Andorra and Israel, Russia was deemed in breach of Wada codes.

RUSADA was prohibited from carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activity.

Nikita Kamaev resigned from RUSADA in December 2015 along with all the organization’s other top executives as Russia began work on lifting the ban in time for its athletes to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZwiPeUTM6U

Japan’s Economy Shrinks 0.4% in Q4 of 2015

The Japanese economy contracted by 0.4% in Q4 of 2015 compared with the previous quarter, official figures show.

Expectations for the numbers were for a quarterly contraction of 0.3%.

Weaker domestic demand, together with slower investment in housing, contributed to the disappointing numbers.

On an annualized basis, Japan’s economy contracted 1.4% during the period. That compares with expectations for an annualized contraction of 1.2%.

The annualized figure is the rate at which the economy would have contracted over a full 12 months had the December quarter been a reflection of the entire year.Japan economy Q4 2015

PM Shinzo Abe’s plan to revive the economy – dubbed Abenomics – was introduced after his December 2013 election win.

Its aim was to combat deflation, which Japan has struggled with for nearly two decades, as well as boost demand and investment. It also wanted to weaken the yen, so helping big exporters like Toyota become more competitive.

However, growth has remained a concern. Analysts say Japan needs to ensure exports grow in order to support future economic growth – for every 1% that Japan’s economy grows, between 0.5 and 0.7% comes from exports.

Japan also relies heavily on domestic consumption but its population is ageing and shrinking so fewer people are contributing to the economy.

In Q3 of 2015, according to revised numbers, Japan avoided a technical recession. It has already been in recession four times since the global financial crisis.

Some analysts said February 15 numbers should be viewed in context.

“A single negative growth number should not be over-interpreted because the economy remains in rather good shape and continues to get strong policy support,” said economist Martin Schulz.

Investors seemed to shrug off February 15 growth numbers, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 jumping more than 4% shortly after the figures were released.

However, the benchmark shed more than 11% last week, which was a short trading week due to a public holiday on February 11.

Japan’s big exporters were particularly hard hit as a stronger yen against the dollar hurt investor sentiment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPd2VwFgIzM

North Korea Used 70% of Kaesong Wages to Develop Weapons

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North Korea has used 70% of wages earned by workers at Kaesong complex for its weapons program and luxury goods for the elite, South Korea claims.

Last week, South Korea suspended its operations at the jointly-run industrial park following North Korea’s recent rocket and nuclear tests to cut off the money supply.

Pyongyang has called the shutdown “a declaration of war”.

Kaesong was one of the last points of co-operation between the two Koreas.

North Korea reacted to the shutdown by expelling all South Koreans from the complex and freezing the assets of South Korean companies. It has also vowed to cut key communication hotlines with South Korea.

Kaesong saw thousands of North Koreans working for South Korean businesses, making clothing, textiles, car parts and semi-conductors.North Korea Kaesong money

On February 14, South Korea’s unification ministry said in a statement the wages, in US dollars, had been paid to the government instead of directly to the workers.

“Any foreign currency earned in North Korea is transferred to the Workers’ Party, where the money is used to develop nuclear weapons or missiles, or to purchase luxury goods,” said Hong Yong-pyo, the unification minister, in a televised interview, referring to Pyongyang’s ruling communist party.

Hong Yong-pyo added that 70% of the money was kept by the North Korean government while workers were given tickets to buy food and essential items, and local currency. The South Korean government cited “multiple channels” as its sources for these claims but did not divulge how it had arrived at the percentage.

South Korea estimates about 616 billion Korean won ($508 million) had been paid to North Korea over the years.

Hong Yong-pyo was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying that South Korea did not suspend operations earlier at Kaesong because “the international community recognized its significance”, and it shut it down this time because “North Korea was only going to intensify its weapons development, and we needed to make a decisive move to alleviate our people’s security concerns”.

Grilled Dogs: Burger King Adds Hot Dogs to Its US Menus

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Burger King has added hot dogs to its menus in the US.

The fast food giant plans to launch the hot dogs in 7,100 stores in the US, amid growing competition from other fast food chains.

Burger King’s North American president said adding hot dogs was “the most obvious product launch ever.”

This is not the first time Burger King has turned to new product offerings to boost sales.

In March 2015, the company reintroduced “chicken fries” – deep fried chicken strips – first launched in 2005.

Burger King credited them with helping to drive better-than-expected sales in Q2 of 2015.Grilled dogs Burger King

The new hot dogs, called “grill dogs”, will come in two varieties – classic, topped with ketchup, mustard, chopped onions and relish; and chili cheese.

Burger King has suggested franchisees sell the classic for $1.99 and the chili cheese version for $2.39.

The company hopes the new “grilled dogs” are the perfect product as its restaurants can use the same grilling equipment used for burgers, and many of the same toppings.

Burger King is not the only US fast food chain looking to new products to boost sales.

McDonald’s has begun offering its breakfast foods all day long, while Wendy’s restaurants have begun offering a four for $4 menu – allowing customers to pay $4 for four items on an abbreviated menu.

More expensive chains like Shake Shack have put forward new products to attract customers, such as its “Chick’n Shack” chicken burger in January.

Not all new products are a success though. In 2013, Burger King launched “Satisfries” – a low calorie alternative to chips – that failed to attract customers.

Burger King’s parent company Restaurant Brands International will announce its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings next week.

Restaurant Brands was created in 2015, when Burger King’s majority shareholder, 3G Capital, bought Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons for $11 billion. 3G also owns the Heinz ketchup brand.

CBS Republican Debate 2016: Candidates Clash over Foreign Policy

Republican presidential hopefuls traded sharp blows over foreign policy and the future of the Supreme Court in an often unruly and chaotic debate on CBS News.

After Iowa and New Hampshire, the race has now moved to South Carolina before the February 20 primary.

Front-runner Donald Trump repeatedly tangled with Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in a series of tense exchanges.

The lively audience repeatedly jeered and booed the candidates.

As the candidates shouted down and interrupted each other, CBS moderator John Dickerson warned: “We’re in danger of driving this into the dirt.”

Donald Trump and Jeb Bush clashed over the war in Iraq and President George W. Bush’s role during the September 11attacks.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Jeb Bush responded robustly to Donald Trump’s attacks, a departure for the former governor who originally sought a “joyful” campaign.

“We should have never been in Iraq,” Donald Trump said.

“They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none and they knew that there were none.”

Jeb Bush pushed back, defending his brother who will soon join him on the campaign trail before the pivotal South Carolina primary.

“I’m sick and tired of Barack Obama blaming my brother for all the problems that he’s had and frankly I could care less about the insults Donald Trump gives against me,” Jeb Bush said.

Justice Antonin Scalia’s death was addressed early on in the debate most of the six candidates saying the next president should choose his replacement.

Ted Cruz said “we are one justice away” from the court reversing conservative legal gains.

Donald Trump said President Barack Obama would probably pick a replacement, but stressed that Republicans in the Senate should block him.

“Delay, delay, delay,” Donald Trump said.

Later, Ted Cruz contended that Donald Trump, who has supported Democrats in the past, would nominate liberal Supreme Court justices if elected president.

“You are the single biggest liar,” Donald Trump said to Ted Cruz.

“This guy will say anything.”

The next primary and caucus is in South Carolina next week. Other states will have their turn over the coming weeks and months.

Each party formally announces their presidential candidate at conventions in July, four months before the presidential election.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Z33XKWa_w

Cuba Returns Hellfire Missile Mistakenly Received in 2014

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A dummy Hellfire missile that had been wrongly shipped to Cuba in June 2014 has been returned to the Unites States.

The missile, which did not contain explosives, had been shipped to Spain for a NATO training exercise, the Wall Street Journal said.

It was then taken to Germany and eventually to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for onward delivery to Florida.

The missile was instead loaded on to an Air France flight to Havana.

The incident could have led to a serious loss of military technology, officials told the Wall Street Journal.Cuba returns hellfire missile

The whole affair has been embarrassing for the Americans, who have had to ask the Cubans if they could have their highly sensitive missile back.

The missile arrived on a flight from Paris “by mistake or mishandling in the country of origin,” said a Cuban Foreign Ministry statement.

“Cuba acted with seriousness and transparency and co-operated to find a satisfactory solution to this issue,” it added.

The AGM 114 Hellfire is a laser-guided missile that can be deployed from an attack helicopter or an unmanned drone.

US officials were worried that Cuba could share the advanced technology inside the missile with countries such as North Korea, China or Russia, sources close to the investigation told the Wall Street Journal.

The US and Cuba, old Cold War enemies, restored diplomatic relations in July 2015 after more than 50 years.

The two countries have been working to rebuild their economic and trade ties.

An announcement is expected on February 16 about the reinstatement of scores of commercial flights between US cities and Havana.

Pensylvannia I-78 Pileup: Three Dead and Scores Injured as Dozens of Cars Collide in Lebanon County

At least three people were killed and scores were injured in a highway pileup involving more than 50 vehicles in Pennsylvania, authorities say.

The crash, on I-78 in Lebanon County – 75miles north-west of Philadelphia – left trucks and cars strewn across three lanes of traffic and the central reservation.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said 40 people had been taken to hospital and 70 to a temporary shelter.

Drivers have been urged to use caution during the icy weather.I 78 pileup Pensylvannia

A spokeswoman for Penn State Hershey Medical Center said three patients had been brought in a critical condition, three more with moderate to severe injuries and four with minor injuries.

The accident happened at 9:30 a.m. at mile marker 7.5 and the interstate is shut down in both directions, state police said.

Agency spokesman Cory Angell said drifting snow had been reported in the area of the crash, which took place in strong winds on the eastern carriageway of Interstate 78 near Bethel Township.

“You could be driving down the interstate and all of a sudden conditions change because the winds are drifting the snow,” he said.

Witnesses described a scene of devastation with reports that some people remain trapped in vehicles.

“The snow just started and it was a total whiteout. The car in front of us just disappeared,” driver Ashley Fisher told NBC News.

“We were able to stop, but a couple cars slid and hit the shoulder. It was a mess.”

Officials have warned people in the north-eastern US to stay indoors during what the National Weather Service described as “life-threatening temperatures”.

Valentine’s Day Dennounced by Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain

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Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain has denounced St Valentine’s Day, saying the festival has no connection with his country’s culture and should be avoided.

The president told students that it was a Western tradition and conflicted with Muslim culture.

Mamnoon Hussain’s remarks came after a district in north-western Pakistan banned Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Valentine’s Day is popular in many cities in Pakistan, but religious groups have denounced it as decadent.Valentine's Day ban Pakistan

Earlier this week, the local government in Kohat, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told police officers to stop stores from selling Valentine’s Day cards and items.

Kohat district is run by a religious political party and borders Pakistan’s conservative tribal areas.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar local council also passed a resolution to ban celebrations of what it called a “useless” day.

However, officials in both places later said the bans had been discarded or ignored for being unpopular.

Earlier this week, there were unconfirmed media reports that Valentine’s Day gifts had been banned in the capital Islamabad – although this was subsequently denied by the government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l14FEb0s47A

Narendra Modi Wishes Happy Birthday to Ashraf Ghani on Wrong Date

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Indian PM Narendra Modi has wished Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a happy birthday on a wrong date.

Narendra Modi tweeted his best wishes to Ashraf Ghani, writing: “Praying for your long life & exceptional health and a joyful journey ahead.”

Ashraf Ghani gently responded on Twitter only to point out his birthday is, in fact, on May 19: “Greetings from Munich Mr. PM. Although my Birthday is on 19th May, but I’d still like to thank you for your gracious words.”

Ashraf Ghani’s profile on Google lists his birthday as being on February 12, which may explain the mistake.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

It is not known if Narendra Modi himself wrote the erroneous tweet. His posts are reportedly written by his social media manager, Hiren Joshi.

Also, it is unlikely Ashraf Ghani, who is at Munich Security Conference, wrote the polite reply, as any posts written by the president himself are signed AG.

Given there at least 22.2 million Twitter users in India and that Ashraf Ghani has more than 176,000 followers, the mistake was spotted by plenty of people.

One Twitter user in India, replied to Ashraf Ghani: “We don’t care when you b’day is , if our honorable PM has wished you today, we will celebrate it today.”

Another, Richard Rego, said it was “the biggest international joke from someone occupying the biggest chair in the biggest democracy”.

Bexarotene: Cancer Drug Could Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

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A number of drugs could help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, acting like statins for the brain, scientists say.

In experiments on worms, University of Cambridge researchers identified drugs which prevented the very first step towards brain cell death.

They now want to match up drugs with specific stages of the disease.

According to experts, it was important to find out if these drugs could work safely in humans.

Statins are taken by people to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and the Cambridge research team says its work may have unearthed a potential “neurostatin” to ward off Alzheimer’s disease.

Rather than treating the symptoms of the disease, a neurostatin could be used as a preventative measure to stop the disease appearing in the first place.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The cancer drug bexarotene, for example, was found to stop the first step which leads to the death of brain cells in worms genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

In previous trials in humans, researchers tested the drug at a later stage of the disease to see if it would clear amyloid plaques from the brain but the trials were unsuccessful.

Writing in Science Advances, Prof. Michele Vendruscolo, senior study author from the University of Cambridge, said the research team wanted to find out more about the mechanics of every stage of the disease’s development.

“The body has a variety of natural defenses to protect itself against neurodegeneration, but as we age, these defenses become progressively impaired and can get overwhelmed.

“By understanding how these natural defenses work, we might be able to support them by designing drugs that behave in similar ways.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBhGPr60Q0k

Zika Outbreak: Brazil Deploys 220,000 Troops to Warn of Risks

Brazil has deployed more than 220,000 soldiers across the country to warn people about the risks of the Zika virus.

The South American country is at the center of an outbreak of the Zika virus, which has been linked to a surge in babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

Brazil has 462 confirmed cases of microcephaly, and is investigating another 3,852 suspected cases.

Troops will hand out 4 million leaflets advising people about the risks of the virus, carried by mosquitoes.

However, critics have said the move would not helping reduce mosquito numbers or stop the spread of Zika.Zika outbreak Brazil 2016

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency over the possible connection between Zika and microcephaly, a condition marked by abnormally small heads in newborn babies that can result in developmental problems.

The link with Zika has not been confirmed, but the WHO and other public health bodies have said it is strongly suspected.

On February 12, the WHO said it expected that a link would be established within weeks between Zika, microcephaly and another neurological disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The microcephaly cases have been centered in north-east Brazil, but the Zika outbreak has affected people in more than 20 countries in the Americas.

Some governments have advised women to delay getting pregnant. Already-pregnant women have been advised not to travel to the countries affected.

Rio de Janeiro is to host the Olympic Games in August. A diving test event is to take place in the city next week, and organizers said on February 12 that some of the 270 athletes taking part had expressed their concern over the Zika virus.