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Ben Carson Addresses West Point Scholarship Story

Diane A. Wade
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Ben Carson Addresses West Point Scholarship Story

Ben Carson has admitted that he never applied to join the West Point, despite implications in his book that he had.

The Republican presidential hopeful wrote in his 1996 autobiography, Gifted Hands, that he had been offered a full scholarship by the military academy.

However, West Point said it had no record of an application from Ben Carson.

Dr. Ben Carson’s campaign team has denied that he lied about West Point, saying the academy effectively offered him a place.

In his book, Ben Carson recalls a meeting in 1969 when he was a high school student in Detroit enrolled in the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program, which provides preliminary officer training for students.

Photo MSNBC
Photo MSNBC

Then 17 years old, Ben Carson dined with the decorated general, William Westmoreland, and says in his book that a “full scholarship” was subsequently offered.

However, the presidential hopeful’s campaign team on November 6, after inquiries by Politico, said he never applied to join West Point and the scholarship assertion was based on “conversations” he had.

“His senior commander was in touch with West Point and told Dr. Carson he could get in, Dr Carson did not seek admission,” campaign spokesman Doug Watts told Reuters in an email.

The confusion comes as other parts of Ben Carson’s personal story related in his book have also been questioned.

He has stood by his assertion in the autobiography that in his youth he was prone to sudden violent rages that he has overcome as an adult.

In one episode, he lunged with a knife at a close friend but fortunately struck his friend’s belt buckle.

The retired neurosurgeon has made much of his struggling childhood while on the campaign trail.

Ben Carson is the joint frontrunner in the Republican presidential race with Donald Trump, who wasted no time in capitalizing on the latest story.

Donald Trump tweeted: “Wow, one of many lies by Ben Carson! Big story.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6lrvu5y-d8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0iRNRjY_Lk

Mikhail Lesin Death: Vladimir Putin’s Former Press Minister Found Dead in Washington Hotel

Nancy Clayson
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Mikhail Lesin Death: Vladimir Putin’s Former Press Minister Found Dead in Washington Hotel

Vladimir Putin’s former aide Mikhail Lesin has been found dead in a hotel in Washington DC, Russian state media say.

Mikhail Lesin, 57, Russia’s former press minister and a one-time head of the powerful Gazprom-Media Holding group, died on November 5, the RIA-Novosti and Tass news agencies report.

Russian media, quoting Mikhail Lesin’s family, said he suffered a heart attack.

According to the Washington Post, Mikhail Lesin’s body was found in a room at the Dupont Circle hotel.

Police are investigating the Russian’s death.

In 2014, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called for an investigation into Mikhail Lesin, saying his fortune “raises serious questions”.

In a letter to the US Department of Justice, Senator Roger Wicker said Mikhail Lesin bought a $28 million property in Los Angeles for his family after finishing work as a civil servant.Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Lesin

Roger Wicker asked how a former civil servant would have been able to buy and maintain expensive property, and expressed concern their purchase may have involved people and groups on a US sanctions list.

Mikhail Lesin was for a long time considered one of the most influential figures in the Russian media market and in the corridors of power.

He worked as an aide to the Russian presidency between 2004 and 2009, when he helped advise on the creation of the news channel Russia Today.

President Vladimir Putin hailed “the enormous contribution made by Mikhail Lesin to the formation of modern Russian media”, according to Tass.

In 2014, Mikhail Lesin was accused of trying to force a radio station in which he was a shareholder to cut an interview with opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Roger Wicker’s letter said Mikhail Lesin “led the Kremlin’s effort to censor Russia’s independent television outlets”.

Mikhail Lesin, who resigned from Gazprom-Media in 2014, leaves a wife, son and daughter, the Ria-Novosti agency said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bexzLKjvbd4

China and Taiwan Historic Summit Held in Singapore

Diane A. Wade
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China and Taiwan Historic Summit Held in Singapore

China and Taiwan have held historic talks in Singapore – their first in more than 60 years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou shook hands at the start of the talks, which were seen as largely symbolic.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland.

However, many Taiwanese see it as independent and are concerned at China’s growing influence.

“Both sides should respect each other’s values and way of life,” Ma Ying-jeou said as the talks began at a luxury hotel.

Xi Jinping told the Taiwanese leader: “We are one family.”China and Taiwan talks in Singapore

“The meeting between the leaders across the Taiwan Strait has opened a historic chapter in the cross-Strait relations, and history will remember today,” he added.

The meeting took place in neutral territory on the sidelines of a state visit by Xi Jinping to Singapore.

Relations between China and Taiwan have improved under Ma Ying-jeou since he took office in 2008, with better economic ties, improving tourism links, and a trade pact signed.

The two sides split in 1949 when the Kuomintang lost to the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war and set up a new government in Taiwan.

Ma Ying-jeou described the talks as “positive and friendly”, but no major agreements or deals appear to have been reached.

He said in advance that the issue of the South China Sea disputes, which has dominated recent concerns in the region, would not be brought up.

Xi Jinping raised the issue in a speech at the National University of Singapore before the meeting, saying China has always hoped to settle the disputes peacefully.

Ma Ying-jeou proposed reducing hostility across the Taiwan Strait, expanding exchanges and establishing a cross-strait hotline, according to Taiwan’s central news agency.

He said this was part of consolidating the “1992 consensus” – the agreement under which both sides recognize the principle of “one China” but define it in their own ways.

Similar remarks were made by Xi Jinping, who said upholding the consensus would help “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.

In Taipei there were protests before the talks and one group tried to enter the Taiwanese parliament building.

AFP said there were arrests at Taipei’s Songshan airport as Ma Ying-jeou left early on November 7, where opponents of closer ties between Taiwan and China tried to set fire to images of the two leaders.

A small group supporting Ma Ying-jeou also turned up at the airport.

State media in China have heralded the meeting, though Taiwan has had a more divided reaction where opposition parties and activists have called for Ma Ying-jeou to back out.

Ebola Outbreak 2015: WHO to Declare Sierra Leone Free of Disease

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola Outbreak 2015: WHO to Declare Sierra Leone Free of Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to confirm that Sierra Leone is free of Ebola.

The Ebola outbreak killed almost 4,000 people in Sierra Leone over the past 18 months.

Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Freetown, last night marking 42 days without a single declared case of the disease.

Many gathered around a giant cotton tree in Freetown’s center, where some lit candles in memory of the victims, and others danced with joy.

According to the WHO, a country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma is due to address crowds in the city later,

On November 6, Ernest Bai Koroma blamed the WHO for delaying Sierra Leone declaring a state of emergency and restricting movement during the Ebola outbreak.

The president said his government did at the time what it could do and did not have the knowledge to fight the disease.

Ernest Bai Koroma said his government had to put up with the delays because international organizations such as the WHO “were the experts”.

Neighboring Liberia was declared Ebola-free in September following 4,800 deaths there.

A handful of cases are still being reported in neighboring Guinea, and Sierra Leone has said it will take heightened security and health screening measures at their shared border.

Jeremy Mardis Death: Officers Norris Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford Charged with Murder

Nancy Clayson
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Jeremy Mardis Death: Officers Norris Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford Charged with Murder

Two Louisiana officers are to be charged with murder after the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis.

Jeremy David Mardis and his father, Chris Few, were in a car when they were shot in Marksville on November 3.

Officers Norris Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford were arrested after a vehicle chase that left Chris Few, who was driving, critically injured.

Jeremy Mardis died at the scene and Chris Few remains in hospital.

The two officers were arrested on November 6 after body-camera footage taken from them was assessed.Jeremy Mardis death Louisiana

It is still unclear what led them to pursue Chris Few and what triggered the shooting.

Both were working secondary jobs in Marksville as marshals when the shooting happened, Col. Michael Edmonson of Louisiana state police told a news conference.

“He [Jeremy Mardis] didn’t deserve to die like that and that’s what’s important,” Col. Michael Edmonson said.

Referring to the body-camera footage of the incident, he added: “I can tell you, it is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen, and I’ll leave it like that.”

Norris Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford have been charged with murder and attempted murder over the shooting.

Chris Few’s stepfather, Morris German, said that Jeremy Mardis was a delightful child who “loved everything, everybody”, the AP news agency reported.

Jeremy Mardis, who had been diagnosed with autism, had no siblings, Morris German said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAER54hdxTA

Picasso’s La Gommeuse Breaks Auction Record at Sotheby’s

Sonia Pantiss
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Picasso’s La Gommeuse Breaks Auction Record at Sotheby’s

Pablo Picasso’s blue period portrait La Gommeuse has achieved a record $67.5 million at Sotheby’s in New York, as part of their Impressionist & Modern Art sale on November 5.

Van Gogh’s atmospheric landscape, Paysage sous un ciel mouvemente, sold for $54 million, helping to take the evening’s total to $306.7 million.

La Gommeuse, described as most the important blue period Picasso to come to the market in a generation, was painted in 1901.Pablo Picasso La Gommeuse

It features a second portrait on the reverse of the canvas, which was hidden for a century until its discovery in 2000 during conservation work.

The caricature of Pablo Picasso’s friend Pere Manach was apparently intended as a gift for the Catalan anarchist who shared the artist’s studio flat in the Boulevard de Clichy in Paris.

The painting was one of 47 works on offer, with just over three-quarters finding buyers.

At least two of the top 10 lots were bought by Asian private collectors, continuing a trend of recent seasons.

The $306.7 million total comfortably beat the $275 million low pre-sale estimate. Sotheby’s had tagged the high estimate at about $370 million.

This total brings Sotheby’s sales of Impressionist & Modern Art in just the past 24 hours to $575.8 million.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5D4ukiscY

Trevor Noah Undergoes Emergency Surgery to Remove His Appendix

Sonia Pantiss
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Trevor Noah Undergoes Emergency Surgery to Remove His Appendix

The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has undergone emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

Trevor Noah, 31, took over as host of The Daily Show in September replacing Jon Stewart, who stepped down after 16 years.

Comedy Central canceled the live show on November 4 and aired a repeat, but said “the procedure went well” and Trevor Noah was “currently recuperating from surgery”.

The channel tweeted: “We expect he and the show will be back with an original episode tomorrow.”

Fellow late night TV host Jimmy Fallon, of The Tonight Show, was one of the people who wished Trevor Noah well on Twitter.

Photo Comedy Central
Photo Comedy Central

Jimmy Fallon tweeted: “Hey @Trevornoah, tell everyone at the hospital I said hey! Get better soon buddy!”

Before taking over as host on The Daily Show, Trevor Noah made his debut as an international correspondent in December.

Trevor Noah appeared on three different occasions on The Daily Show before being offered the top slot. His first show on September 28 received mixed reviews from critics.

During the first four weeks as host, audience figures rose 20% among young adults aged 18-24.

Trevor Noah is the third host of The Daily Show.

Prior to Jon Stewart, Craig Kilborn was the first face of the series from July 1996 to December 1998.

Trevor Noah, the son of a black South African woman and a white Swiss man, comes from South Africa’s biggest township of Soweto.

Keystone XL Pipeline: Barack Obama Rejects Construction

Diane A. Wade
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Keystone XL Pipeline: Barack Obama Rejects Construction

President Barack Obama has rejected an application to build the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada.

Speaking from the White House, Barack Obama said it would not have served the “national interests” of the US.

The pipeline’s construction has been hotly disputed for seven years, with environmentalists saying it would do irreparable damage.

However, Barack Obama said the pipeline had taken on an “overinflated role” in the climate change debate.

The proposed pipeline would have run 1,179-miles taking 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta, Canada, to Steele City, Nebraska.

Barack Obama said it would not have lowered petrol prices, nor created long-term jobs affected energy dependence.

“The pipeline would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to our economy,” he said.

Republican presidential candidates condemned the news, with Jeb Bush calling it an attack on the US economy.Keystone pipeline

In February, the Republican-led Congress voted to begin construction immediately, but Barack Obama vetoed the bill to await environmental reports.

The decision comes as world leaders plan to meet in Paris at the end of the month to finalize a major global climate agreement.

The agreement, which could be reached at the meeting known as the UN Climate Change Conference or COP 21, would be a major part of the president’s legacy.

While the project is dead for now, the pipeline controversy will not end any time soon.

Proponents will almost certainly challenge the decision in court and if a Republican is elected president in 2016, construction could yet be approved.

The Keystone XL pipeline also generated controversy outside of Washington, souring relations between the former Canadian PM Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama.

President Barack Obama said he had spoken to newly-elected Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and they agreed the issue of climate change trumped any differences of opinion over the pipeline.

Russia Suspends Flights to Egypt following Sinai Plane Crash

Roy Siemens
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Russia Suspends Flights to Egypt following Sinai Plane Crash

Russia has suspended all flights to Egypt following indications that the crash near Sharm el-Sheikh was caused by a bomb.

President Vladimir Putin made the announcement after UK investigators said they believed a bomb was put in the plane’s hold prior to take-off, killing all 224 people on board.

Militants linked to ISIS say they downed the plane.

The Metrojet Airbus A321 was flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg when it came down in Sinai on Saturday. Most of the victims were Russian.

Militants from the Sinai Province group, linked to ISIS, have not said how they destroyed the plane. ISIS has called for a war against both Russia and the US over their air strikes in Syria.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

UK officials received intelligence based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai Peninsula, indicating an explosive device may have been put inside or on top of the luggage just before the plane took off.

Experts in Moscow are investigating pieces of debris from the crash site, Russian officials say.

Russia is also working to repatriate as many as 45,000 Russian holidaymakers currently in Egypt – and an official said it could take up to a month to bring them home.

Since November 4, several countries have joined Britain in restricting travel to Sharm el-Sheikh. They include Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Tourism contributed more than 12% to Egypt’s economy in 2013 and the latest measures will hit it hard, analysts say. One in five foreign tourists in Egypt is Russian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5n_F-7eLdE

Adidas Helps High Schools to Change Native American Mascots

Clyde K. Valle
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Adidas Helps High Schools to Change Native American Mascots

Adidas has announced that it will offer free design resources to the high schools that agree to drop Native American mascots.

The sportswear company has also offered to help pay for the costs of the changes.

The pledge comes on the same day President Barack Obama is hosting leaders from the 567 federally recognized native tribes in Washington.

The use of Native American mascots and symbolism in sports is at the center of a national debate in the US.

Critics say such imagery is racially offensive and it exploits native people through stereotypes.

According to advocacy groups, there are approximately 2,000 schools in the US that have Native American mascots.Adidas and Native American mascots

Over the past two years around 12 have dropped the mascots and about 20 are considering a change.

Adidas, which will have executives in attendance at the White House Tribal Nations Conference, has also said it will be among the founding members of a coalition that seeks to change Native American mascots in sports.

The initiative would give schools wanting to change their mascot access to the brand’s design team, who would provide logo and uniform design services.

“This remarkable stand against racism by Adidas illustrates that the issue of ending the use of the R-word is not going away, but is instead gaining momentum as people understand the damaging impacts of this racial slur,” said Jackie Pata and Ray Halbritter, leaders with advocacy group Change the Mascot, in a written statement.

The Washington Redskins, the professional American football team located in Washington, has resisted changing its name and logo despite increased criticism in recent years.

“We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER – you can use caps,” said Redskins owner Dan Snyder, in an interview in May 2013.

Supporters of the mascots point to long traditions and say that they highlight the contribution of native people to American society.

In 2005, the governing body of university-level basketball warned teams that they would be subject to penalties if they did not change Native American mascots.

In response, some of the teams, including the Florida State Seminoles, were granted permission to use the names and imagery by tribes.

Julian Hernandez: Missing Alabama Boy Found in Ohio after 13 Years

Nancy Clayson
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Julian Hernandez: Missing Alabama Boy Found in Ohio after 13 Years

An 18-year-old boy missing in Alabama since 2002 has been found safe in Ohio with his father, who has been charged with abduction, authorities have said.

Julian Hernandez, disappeared when he was 5 and is now living with his father in Cleveland.

Bobby Hernandez, 53, was arrested and is being held at a jail in Ohio.

The FBI received a tip on October 30 that this teenager may be the long-missing child after problems he had applying for university.

Julian Hernandez was having issues with his Social Security number as he applied to universities and approached a school counselor for help.

The counselor realized Julian Hernandez was listed as a missing child by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.Missing Alabama boy Julian Hernandez

The agency worked with Alabama police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to confirm the boy’s identity.

Julian Hernandez’s mother has been notified of his recovery and was very happy to hear he had been found, but also slightly skeptical because there had been many false leads in the search for him throughout the years.

His father is also charged with tampering with records in Ohio so he could obtain a driver’s license in 2012.

Bobby Hernandez is being held at the Cuyahoga County Jail in Ohio with a $250,000 bail.

Authorities suspected around the time of the boy’s disappearance that his father was possibly the culprit.

A missing persons database shows that Bobby Hernandez said he was taking his son to pre-school in August 2002 but then fled.

It is not known if Julian Hernandez knew he was missing. He lived alongside a woman and two other children in his father’s house.

EU Expects 3 Million Refugees by 2017

Diane A. Wade
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EU Expects 3 Million Refugees by 2017

According to the European Commission, 3 million refugees are likely to arrive in Europe by 2017 as the record influx via the Mediterranean continues.

The EU’s executive arm said the influx would have a “small but positive” effect on EU economic output, raising GDP by 0.2-0.3%.

The influx will raise the EU population by 0.4%, the Commission forecasts, taking account of failed asylum claims.

The flow of Syrian refugees to Europe shows no sign of abating, the UN says.

The weather in the Aegean Sea has got rougher with the onset of winter.

Conflicts and abuses in Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia are also pushing people towards Europe.

The flow of refugees and other migrants from Turkey to Greece is expected to continue at a rate of 5,000 daily this winter, the UN refugee agency UNHCR says.EU refugees

Delivering the EU’s autumn economic forecast, EU Economic Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said extra public spending and the extra labor supply from recognized refugees would lead to a small GDP rise in the EU as a whole.

However, the Commission cautioned that “the uncertainty surrounding the influx thus far and its future development is substantial”.

The Commission said the figure of three million was an assumption rather than a prediction and included those who had already arrived in 2015.

UN refugee officials say more than 750,000 refugees have arrived in the EU by sea this year, up from 282,000 in total in 2014.

The vast majority have arrived in Greece (608,000), which has become the most common destination. Some 140,000 have arrived in Italy in 2015.

Most of the refugees head for Germany, hoping to get asylum there. German officials say their country is likely to host at least 800,000 new refugees this year, and the total could reach 1.5 million.

Sweden has the highest share of refugees per head of population in the EU. The extra cost in public spending is likely to be nearly 0.5% of GDP this year, the Commission says, adding that “the corresponding positive effects on growth would be somewhat smaller”.

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

Live Tapeworm Removed from Man’s Brain

Kathryn R. Bown
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Live Tapeworm Removed from Man’s Brain

A live tapeworm parasite was removed from a 26-year-old California man’s brain during emergency surgery.

Luis Ortiz was admitted to a hospital in Napa with what he called the worst headache of his life.

In a brain scan, neurosurgeon Soren Singel discovered the larva of a tapeworm and told Luis Ortiz he had about 30 minutes to live.

The tapeworm grew inside a cyst that cut off circulation and water flow to the rest of his brain.Luis Ortiz tapeworm

“I stood up and then I threw up,” said Luis Ortiz.

“The doctor pulled it out and he said it was still wiggling, and I’m like <<Ugh, that doesn’t sound too good>>.”

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports larval cysts in the brain – neurocysticercosis – develop after a person swallows microscopic eggs passed in the faeces of a person who has an intestinal pork tapeworm.

Once inside the body, those eggs hatch and the worms can make their way to the brain. The CDC says approximately 1,000 people per year are hospitalized for neurocysticercosis and removal of the larvae.

Luis Ortiz is recovering after the surgery in August and is hoping to return to Sacramento State University, where he was scheduled to begin his final year before the surgery.

Questions Remain About Corey Jones Shooting

Dana R
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Questions Remain About Corey Jones Shooting

On a warm Sunday night in October, a Miami-area church musician named Corey Jones broke down on the side of the highway. While waiting for a tow truck, a plainclothes police officer pulled up behind him. Moments later, Corey Jones was dead—with three gunshot wounds in his body.

The how of Mr. Jones death is plainly understood: Officer Nouman K. Raja fired six shots at Jones shortly after being “confronted” by the man he ostensibly stopped to assist. The why remains less clear. According to Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Stephen J. Stepp, Mr. Jones got out of his vehicle with a gun he had purchased three days earlier.

family-attorney

It’s not clear why the officer eventually felt threatened enough to discharge his weapon six times, nor is it clear why he stopped in the first place—it isn’t standard procedure for a plainclothes officer to stop in such a situation.

An internal investigation is ongoing, and Chief Stepp says he’s reluctant to speculate before more facts become clear.

“We are allowing the investigation to determine the facts of this case, rather than speculating or giving out unverified information,” he said.

“As the officer exited his vehicle, he was suddenly confronted by an armed subject. As a result of the confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm, resulting in the death of Mr. Corey Jones.”

Mr. Jones’s family hired civil rights lawyers and family attorneys Benjamin L. Crump and Daryl D. Parks, both of whom have become famous in recent years for their work on the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Jones, an African American, joins the ranks of black men slain by police. Activist movements like #blacklivesmatter have arisen in recent years as a reaction against the frequency minority groups are the victims of violence at the hands of police.

In a statement, the Jones family expressed resolve to determine what led to the church musician’s death, as well as thanked the public for their support.

“Corey Jones was a God-fearing man who dedicated his life to doing the right thing,’’ the statement reads. “Rest assured, we are working diligently with our legal team to determine exactly why this plainclothes police officer in an unmarked car would approach Corey.”

Erica Gordon, a member of the church choir that employed Jones as a drummer, said at his vigil:

“For this to happen to a good person — he is not a thug. He is not what everybody would imagine a black man to be in this judgmental system that we have. He is a good person, and this should have never happened to him.”

Boris Simeonov , the lead singer of the Future Prezidents , the band Mr. Jones played with, stated: “He was really a special human being, a servant of his community. He was an intelligent man, a composed man who never lost his temper, lost his cool or spoke anything negative.”

His death continues to light up social media websites. Users express their solidarity with the Jones family through hashtags like #Justice4Corey and #CoreyJones.

Italian River Cruises Show You Old and New Culture Alike

Dana R
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Italian River Cruises Show You Old and New Culture Alike

If you want to have a real choice of different river cruises, then you simply must consider Italy. It is a favorite European destination for many people and Globus Tours to Italy are always in high demand. Italy is full of beautiful historical monuments, but it is also the birthplace of the modern world, an industrial powerhouse and a cultural melting pot. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The country is known for its many modern advances. However, it is equally known for its revered ancient culture and art. If you are going on a river cruise, therefore, Italy truly is a treasure trove of discovery. It has wonderful natural sights, priceless works of art, a high historical profile and an exciting modern culture.

italian-river
Photo Source: aluxurytravelblog.com

Italy’s History

When you are on a river cruise, you really cannot miss the fascinating history of the place, particularly if your tour starts in Venice. There, you will find so many different museums and monuments that you could spend a lifetime trying to see them all. On you will travel through the countryside, experiencing the beautiful views and the many ancient and quaint little villages. You will quickly see that many of those are truly old and they have many traces of the ancient Romans and more.

However, you may not be interested in history. Luckily, there is also plenty to see and do for those who really don’t care to know what happened some six centuries ago. Yes, Italy is very proud of its history, but it is equally proud of its present. The modern culture of this country is vibrant and thriving and very much 21st century.

Modern Mantua

Mantua, or Mantova, is a perfect example of this. This city is found just to the east of Venice and is a popular starting point for Italian river cruises. There are many stunning buildings to enjoy here, such as the Ducal Palace. And the city also offers plenty for those with a more modern taste. You can stroll through this city or hire a bike and enjoy the promenade, which is particularly popular with locals. You will usually see local fishermen gathering with their families for fun picnics. Also, don’t miss the little piazzas with bars and restaurants that serve some of the best dishes in Italy. They are the perfect spot to just sit and watch people and the world.

Other forms of culture are also present all around you. Why not spend some time in the Teatro Bibiena, a truly tiny but absolutely stunning theater? This really is an experience that you will never forget. Did you know that the first person to ever perform here was just 13 years old, and that this young person was none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? You can also enjoy the many shops, local markets, galleries and art centers. You can truly experience a day that mixes both the ancient and the modern at the same time.

Is Contemporary Music a Style in Its Own Right?

Dana R
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Is Contemporary Music a Style in Its Own Right?

‘Contemporary music’ is a very vague term. It means different things to different people. In fact, governments around the world have actually brought specialists together to try and create a definition of what it is, and they have so far struggled to come up with something that is acceptable to everybody. Most, however, have defined it as being music that is being performed, recorded and written in the present time. As such, it can include any type of genre, such as country, blues, dance, electronic, folk, experimental, funk, jazz, hip hop, pop, metal, roots, rock, world and more. In fact, even classical music can be included in it, so long as it is written, recorded and/or performed today.

music
Photo Source: hellostage.com

What Do You Learn at College?

A lot of people interested in learning about music are considering entering contemporary music college. But considering the vague and wide definition listed above, it becomes very unclear what they will actually learn while they are there. You may be surprised to find out, therefore, that you will earn a huge variety of different things and that you will have many choices in terms of the programs you can follow.

Perhaps you are interested in performance programs, for instance, of which there are many. This will teach you how to take to the stage and actually become a performing artist. It is up to you to decide the genre and instrument or instruments you would want to play on stage. While you will learn about contemporary music performance, much of the curriculum will be based on traditional disciplines of music, which still influence the world today.

Or perhaps you are more interested in working in the entertainment industry. Not everybody who is interested in contemporary music wants to be a composer or performer, after all. You may be far more interested in the actual creation of music that is written by others. Perhaps you want to start a recording studio or manage a band, for example.

There are also alternative programs, which are far more flexible. These are an opportunity for you to pick and choose the elements that you are personally interested in, creating a program that is all about you and your own strengths. Because contemporary music is so wide-ranging, it stands to reason that degree programs are equally wide and flexible.

These are just a few of the options available to you. It is important to understand that contemporary music is a true discipline that people learn about. It has transcended the world of Julliard, for instance, where people learn about classical music and techniques in today’s world. While that is still important and relevant, it is equally important to bring the modern world into the classical, thereby creating a new discipline in which the music of Mozart is as important and valued as that of Beyonce, for instance. Music is a form of art and a form of expression, in which all genres are valued equally.

Jeb Bush Apologizes for French Work Week Remark

Diane A. Wade
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Jeb Bush Apologizes for French Work Week Remark

Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush has apologized to France for referencing their working week to insult rival Marco Rubio.

Jeb Bush said he had done a “disservice to the French” by using them to mock Marco Rubio’s senate voting record.

“I made the mistake of saying that the Congress operates on a French work week,” he was reported as saying.

Jeb Bush said he had since learned that the French work longer hours than the Germans do.Jeb Bush French work week

“So, my God, I totally insulted an entire country – our first ally – that helped us become free as a nation!” Jeb Bush said, according to Time magazine.

The former Florida governor made the original comments during a Republican presidential debate last week.

Jeb Bush asked Marco Rubio whether the Senate ran on French time and if lawmakers only had to show up for three days weekly.

His campaign spokesman Tim Miller said he had been inundated with emails from French journalists following the debate.

Even Gerard Araud, the French ambassador, responded on Twitter to correct Jeb Bush.

The French officially work a 35-hour week though many employees put in far longer hours.

Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio are trailing behind Donald Trump and Ben Carson in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Deutsche Bank Fined $258 Million for Working with Iran and Syria

Clyde K. Valle
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Deutsche Bank Fined $258 Million for Working with Iran and Syria

Deutsche Bank has been fined $258 million by the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Federal Reserve for working with Syria and Iran.

Employees who worked on the illegal transactions must not work with the bank again, the Federal Reserve said.

Deutsche Bank also violated various New York state laws and is paying the two agencies separately.

“The company did not have sufficient policies and procedures to ensure that activities conducted at its offices outside of the United States complied with US sanctions laws,” an official from the Federal Reserve said.Deutsche Bank fined in US

The Fed is requiring Deutsche Bank to create an “enhanced” program to “ensure global compliance” with US sanctions, characterizing its transactions with Syria and Iran “unsafe and unsound”.

Deutsche Bank said in a statement that the conduct had stopped several years ago, adding: “Since then we have terminated all business with parties from the countries involved.”

Two French banks, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole, received higher fines from the US for working with US-sanctioned countries.

Eoin Colfer Teams up with Marvel to Write New Iron Man Novel

Sonia Pantiss
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Eoin Colfer Teams up with Marvel to Write New Iron Man Novel

Irish children’s books author Eoin Colfer is teaming up with Marvel to write a new Iron Man novel for young adults.

Eoin Colfer, famous for his Artemis Fowl book series, is a former primary school teacher from Wexford in the Republic of Ireland.

Marvel said Eoin Colfer had created “an electrifying new take on the Marvel universe’s most famous billionaire super hero”.

The Iron Man novel is due to be published in autumn 2016.Eoin Colfer Iron Man novel

Announcing the news, a Marvel spokesperson said: “Prepare to strap-in and enjoy these new adventures from some of the most critically-acclaimed authors working today.

“Marvel Comics’ most beloved characters are set to capture the imaginations of young readers everywhere with these brand new novels coming in 2016!”

Kenneth Branagh has signed up to direct the Artemis Fowl movie.

Aimed at the young adult audience, the fantasy books focus on a young criminal mastermind who kidnaps a fairy in order to expand his empire.

Eoin Colfer also penned the sixth installment to Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Serena Williams Chases down Mobile Phone Thief

Clyde K. Valle
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Serena Williams Chases down Mobile Phone Thief

Serena Williams has chased down a man who grabbed her mobile phone while she was in a restaurant.

“Soooooo yesterday at dinner the craziest thing happened to me,” Serena Williams posted on her Facebook page, accompanied by a picture of herself as Superwoman.

Serena Williams, who is taking the rest of the year off to recover from injuries, claimed the man “grabbed her phone and swiftly left”.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

The world No 1 tennis player said: “Not thinking I reacted (hence the superwoman photo), I jumped up, weaved my way in and out of the cosy restaurant (leaping over a chair or two) and chased him down.”

Serena Williams said she was “too fast” for the man and was “upon him in a flash”.

She added: “In the most menacing, yet calm, no-nonsense voice I could muster, I kindly asked him if he <<accidentally>> took the wrong phone.

“He stumbled on his words, probably not expecting this to happen. Eventually he said: <<Gosh, you know what, I did! It was so confusing in there. I must have grabbed the wrong phone>>.”

Serena Williams, who won every Grand Slam singles title except the US Open this year, said she received a “standing ovation” from her fellow diners at the restaurant.

Serena Williams described the moment as a “win for the ladies” and said she showed “every man in there I can stand up to bullies”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri5-SL66qq0

Pakistan Factory Collapse Kills At Least 17 in Lahore

Diane A. Wade
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Pakistan Factory Collapse Kills At Least 17 in Lahore

Dozens of people are thought to be trapped in rubble after a factory collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan killing at least 17 people.

The factory, which was under construction, has collapsed on November 4.

A major rescue operation is under way, cranes and bulldozers are being used and the army is assisting in the rescue efforts.

The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Building safety levels are often below standard in Pakistan.Lahore factory collapse 2015

Two floors of the factory, in the Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city, were operational, while a third was being built.

About 200 laborers are thought to have been in the building at the time of the incident, according to Jam Sajjad Hussain, a spokesman for the rescue services.

Other estimates in the Pakistani media have put the figure closer to 150 people.

Until now, 98 people had been pulled out alive and many were taken to hospital.

According to the rescue services, it was difficult to know exactly how many people were still trapped because the owner and administrative employees were among those inside the building.

The army has said that it is deploying a team of engineers and experts to take part in the rescue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlO4g0y18Rw

VW Emissions Scandal: 98,000 Petrol Vehicles Affected by CO2 Issue In Germany

Clyde K. Valle
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0
VW Emissions Scandal: 98,000 Petrol Vehicles Affected by CO2 Issue In Germany

According to Germany’s transport minister, around 98,000 VW petrol vehicles are caught up in the automaker’s latest emissions scandal.

That follows an admission by VW that it had found “irregularities” in CO2 emissions levels that could affect 800,000 vehicles.

It came to light as a result of an internal investigation by the firm following the diesel emissions scandal.

On November 3, VW admitted that an internal investigation had revealed that carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption were understated during standards tests on about 800,000 cars.

The company said the issue mainly affected diesel cars.VW petrol cars CO2 emissions

However, on November 4, Germany’s Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the country’s parliament: “Today we were told that among the affected vehicles are 98,000 petrol vehicles”.

VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat vehicles could be affected and the company estimates the CO2 problem could cost it about €2 billion.

Volkswagen had already set aside €6.7 billion to meet the cost of the initial emissions scandal.

News of the issue with CO2 emissions sent VW shares down by 5.6% on November 4.

The company’s shares have lost about a third of their value since September, when the scandal first broke.

It came to light after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found VW software had detected when vehicles were undergoing emissions tests, and altered the way they operated to give more favorable results.

On November 2, the EPA also alleged that VW had fitted nitrogen oxide defeat devices on 3.0 liter diesel engines used in Porsche, Audi and VW vehicles – a claim VW denied.

Porsche also denied the allegations, but its North American division announced it is discontinuing sales of Porsche Cayenne diesel sport utility vehicles until further notice.

The carmaker is recalling 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide that were fitted with the software that circumvented tests for emissions of nitrogen oxide.

That recall is for cars with variants of the EA 189 diesel engine built to the “Euro 5” emissions standard.

Meanwhile, VW is recalling 92,000 cars in the US over a mechanical problem that could affect vehicles’ brakes.

The German carmaker said part of the camshaft could shear off, causing loss of vacuum in the power brakes, which could lengthen stopping distances.

Today’s recall includes Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat models from 2015 and 2016. The cars have 1.8 liter and 2 liter turbocharged petrol engines.

VW discovered the problem after getting reports of camshaft failures. A fix is expected by the end of March.

Justin Trudeau Sworn in as Canada’s Prime Minister

Diane A. Wade
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Justin Trudeau Sworn in as Canada’s Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau has been sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, ending 10 years of Conservative rule.

His ascension marks a new era of Liberal politics after an election that saw Stephen Harper’s party ousted.

Justin Trudeau, 43, follows in the footsteps of his father who held the office for nearly two decades.

The move could see an increase in public spending, better relations with the US and an increase in the number of Syrian refugees being taken in.

The new ministers, who are mostly aged between 35 and 50, took their oaths in the bilingual ceremony.

Justin Trudeau whispered “I love you” to his family upon being sworn in.

The former school teacher turned politician was elected to parliament in 2008, and becomes the second youngest prime minister in Canadian history.

Justin Trudeau was elected after running on a plan to reject austerity and spend billions on infrastructure projects that would see Canada run a deficit for three years.

The plan caught the attention of a Canadian electorate hungry for change after a decade under the rule of PM Stephen Harper.

Stephen Harper’s political platform included plans that saw corporate and sales tax rates cut as well as Canada’s removal from a climate change agreement.

The conservative prime minister was also angered by Barack Obama’s reluctance to approve the Keystone XL pipeline that was designed to Justin Trudeau sworn in petroleum from Alberta to Texas.

For his part, Justin Trudeau believes the pipeline should be approved, but does not think that that the disagreement should weigh so heavily on US-Canada relations.

Maldives: President Abdulla Yameen Declares 30-Day State of Emergency

Diane A. Wade
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Maldives: President Abdulla Yameen Declares 30-Day State of Emergency

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has declared a 30-day state of emergency ahead of a planned anti-government rally.

The president’s declaration gives security forces sweeping powers to arrest suspects.

The move comes two days before the planned protest by the country’s main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed was jailed in March after a widely criticized conviction under anti-terror laws.

“President Yameen has declared (a) state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen,” his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.Maldives state of emergency

Attorney-General Mohamed Anil said a cache of firearms and explosives had recently been discovered, as well as plots to use dangerous weapons.

On November 2, authorities said they had defused a bomb planted near the presidential palace.

“The military and police found weapons and an explosive from two locations,” Muaz Anil said.

“Because these would be a threat to the public and the nation, the National Security Council has advised to take immediate steps to protect the people of Maldives,” he added.

The Maldives has been rocked by political infighting in recent weeks, with Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the president by blowing up his boat.

Abdulla Yameen narrowly escaped injury but his wife was hurt when a blast struck the boat, which he was using to return home from the airport last month.

Ahmed Adeeb has been charged with treason.

The FBI in the US investigated the blast and said it found no evidence that it was caused by a bomb.

Taiwan and China to Hold Talks in Singapore

Diane A. Wade
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Taiwan and China to Hold Talks in Singapore

Taiwan and China will hold a historic summit in Singapore as President Ma Ying-jeou will meet his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, on November 7.

The summit will be the first ever meeting between leaders of the two sides.

Ma Ying-jeou and Xi Jinping said the talks would focus on relations across the Taiwan Straits.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and views the island as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland.

However, ties have improved since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008.

The Chinese government threatens to use military force against Taiwan if it ever attempts to gain outright independence.China and Taiwan summit Singapore 2015

Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi-hsin said President Ma Ying-jeou’s aim was “to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo”.

Ma Ying-jeou will hold a news conference on November 5 to explain his decision to hold the talks. More details are also expected from Taiwan’s mainland affairs council on November 4.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said the two sides would “exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations”.

In a sign of how politically sensitive the meeting is, the two leaders will address each other as Mr. Xi and Mr. Ma, rather than president, one Chinese government official has said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US welcomed any steps to reduce tensions and improve relations, but added: “We’ll have to see what actually comes out of the meeting.”

Ties with China have improved under President Ma Ying-jeou, whose Kuomintang (KMT) party is seen as pro-Beijing.

In July 2009, the two leaders exchanged direct messages for the first time in more than 60 years, albeit in their respective party functions, and not as national leaders.

In 2010, China and Taiwan signed a historic trade pact.

However, correspondents say growing fears over China’s influence has led to widespread dissatisfaction in Taiwan.

The KMT party suffered a crushing defeat in local elections in 2015, a result that was widely seen as a rejection of President Ma Ying-jeou’s push for closer ties with China.

Ma Ying-jeou steps down next year having served two terms, and earlier this month the KMT dropped its candidate for January’s presidential election following a series of poor ratings in opinion polls.

Analysts say China is likely to see a meeting between the two leaders as a final chance to press its case for improved ties, in case the KMT loses the election.

China has insisted that countries cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only 21 UN member states.

Taiwan also has no seat at the UN, having lost it to China in 1971. Repeated attempts to regain representation at the UN have been blocked.

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