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AB InBev Makes Takeover Approach for SABMiller

Clyde K. Valle
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AB InBev Makes Takeover Approach for SABMiller

Beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev has announced it had made a takeover move for SABMiller.

The combined value of the world’s two largest brewers is likely to be at least $230 billio based on September 15 share price.

AB InBev’s brands include Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, while SABMiller owns Peroni and Grolsch.

If the deal is successful, the merged company would produce one third of the world’s beer.AB InBev Makes Takeover Approach for SABMiller

AB InBev said it had approached SABMiller’s board about a “combination of the two companies”.

However, the company added that there was no certainty the approach would lead to an offer or an agreement.

Earlier, SABMiller said it had been informed that AB InBev was planning to make a bid, but that it had no details as yet.

“No proposal has yet been received and the board of SABMiller has no further details about the terms of any such proposal,” the company said.

Shares in SABMiller jumped 20% on the news to close at 3,614p, while AB InBev’s shares were 6% higher in New York.

Given the size of the deal both parties would be likely to have to sell off parts of their operations to get it past the regulators, and that may mean sacrificing some of their US and Chinese businesses .

The merged company would be likely to move aggressively into faster growing markets.

AB InBev has an eye on the African markets where SAB Miller dominates in 15 countries, and has a presence in a further 21.

A merger would also strengthen its grip on South America and Mexico which are by far its most profitable markets.

This deal has long been anticipated but analysts believe AB InBev was held back from making an offer because of high levels of debt built up through a string of other purchases.

SABMiller has also been trying to do deals. Last year it made an unsuccessful offer for its smaller rival Heineken in a move that was widely seen as an attempt to ward off a bid from AB InBev.

Beer companies global market share:

Anheuser-Busch InBev – 20.8%

SABMiller – 9.7%

Heineken – 9.1%

Carlsberg – 6.1%

China Resources Enterprise – 6%

Source: Euromonitor, based on 2014 figures

KitKat: EU Court Rejects Nestle Claim to Trademark Four-Finger Shape in UK

Clyde K. Valle
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KitKat: EU Court Rejects Nestle Claim to Trademark Four-Finger Shape in UK

Swiss food giant Nestle has failed to convince European judges that it has the right to trademark the shape of its four-finger KitKat bar in the UK.

The European Court of Justice said that Nestle had to demonstrate the public relied on the shape alone to identify the snack.

The judges concluded this was difficult to prove if goods also showed a brand name such as KitKat.

Rival Cadbury has battled to prevent Nestle obtaining the trademark.

Both Nestle and Cadbury said they were “pleased” with the ruling.KitKat four finger shape trademark

The case will now return to the UK High Court for a final decision.

Nestle claimed that in the 80 years since the chocolate bar was introduced, the four fingers have become almost completely associated with KitKats.

In June, a senior European court lawyer, the advocate-general, disagreed saying such a trademark did not comply with European law.

Nestle has not sought to trademark the two-fingered bar.

Today’s ruling is the latest development in a more than 10-year legal battle between Nestle and Cadbury, which started when Cadbury tried to trademark the purple color it uses on its Cadbury chocolate wrappers.

Nestle objected and finally had the original decision allowing Cadbury to trademark the color overturned in 2013.

Now it would appear Cadbury, which is owned by Mondelez International, has scored a significant but not final victory in the continuing chocolate war.

It has always argued the shape alone was not distinctive enough for consumers to associate it with the rival snack.

A bar called the Kvikk Lunsj, meaning “quick lunch”, launched in Norway in 1937 is available in some UK stores, and although less well known, looks similar to the four-finger KitKat.

A ruling in favor of Nestle would stop other confectionery producers making chocolate bars of the same shape or size.

The most effective method to Have A Remarkable Terrace Open air Motion picture Night

Dana R
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The most effective method to Have A Remarkable Terrace Open air Motion picture Night

Have you ever needed to re-experience the experience of a mid year night spent at a drive-in motion picture? A terrace motion picture occasion is the ideal opportunity to appreciate a motion picture under the stars with loved ones, without expecting to leave the solace you could call your own yard. Here is the means by which to make an exceptional motion picture occasion in your own particular patio.

What kind of occasion would you like to host? A night out to praise a Commemoration, an area piece party, a birthday, family gathering or graduation are only a couple events you can celebrate with a terrace motion picture night. A normal family film night can even be made additional exceptional by making it into a terrace motion picture night with an inflatable motion picture screen.

Photo Source: mymovielab.com
Photo Source: mymovielab.com

When you settle on the kind of occasion you need to have and the visitor show, you can pick a proper film. On the off chance that you are praising a birthday or graduation, let the honoree pick the motion picture. For a sentimental night out, pick a most loved sentimental film. On the off chance that you are having children at your terrace motion picture night, make sure to pick a family benevolent motion picture.

Gear When you have chosen a film, the time has come to make a financial plan and get in contact with a neighborhood outside motion picture generation organization. Numerous sound/visual creation organizations work with a wide mixture of customers; from people who wish to host a little occasion at their home, to customers who need immense inflatable film screens to suit a great many visitors.

The outside film generation organization you pick ought to have a screen measure quite recently ideal for your terrace flick night. The organization ought to likewise have the capacity to give you a projector and sound hardware to make your film night an extraordinary, stretch free experience much like a drive-in motion picture or motion picture theater.try this website MyMovieLab

 Nourishment It’s not film night without sustenance. You have a few alternatives here. You may make your motion picture night a potluck and request that everybody convey a most loved film nibble to share, or you may give snacks or a light feast like popcorn, sausage or motion picture theater style confection. To truly get the drive-in film experience, you may significantly consider leasing concession hardware like a popcorn or sausage machine. You could keep the snacks straightforward or have somewhat more fun with it. Consider themed snacks to run with your film; chocolate to run with “Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing plant” or a meatball hors d’oeuvre with “Shady With a Possibility of Meatballs”. Set the Scene

Finishing and setting up your yard are different regions you can have a great time. Utilization lighting like Tiki lights or even Christmas lights to set a lovely scene and make it more secure for visitors to stroll around oblivious. Consider making a beeline for a neighborhood gathering store or putting your specialty abilities to great utilize and setting up themed adornments to compliment your film. Lights, for instance, would add an additional exceptional touch to a “Tangled” patio motion picture night. On the off chance that you have a pool, a poolside motion picture is simply ideal for a hot summer night. You may have a late evening pool gathering and grill, trailed by an unwinding poolside motion picture night.

Seating There are a few approaches to set up the seating for your motion picture night. For children, covers or bean sacks are a fun decision. Grown-ups may incline toward seats or agreeable pads. On the off chance that you don’t have enough seats for the greater part of your visitors, you could either lease seats or request that visitors bring a most loved seat. Consider low seats like shoreline seats so that everybody can see the motion picture.

Ahmed Mohamed: Irving MacArthur Student Arrested over Clock Mistaken for Bomb

Nancy Clayson
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Ahmed Mohamed: Irving MacArthur Student Arrested over Clock Mistaken for Bomb

A 14-year-old Texas student was arrested after a homemade clock he wanted to show his school teachers was mistaken for a bomb.

Ahmed Mohamed told media that he had made a clock at home and brought it into MacArthur High School in Irving to show his engineering teacher.

Another teacher saw it and, concerned it looked like a bomb, alerted school authorities who called the police.

Ahmed Mohamed’s father fears the incident happened because of his son’s Muslim background.Ahmed Mohamed hoax bomb

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says it is investigating the incident.

There was a strong reaction to the story on social media.

Ahmed Mohamed told the Dallas Morning News that he loved engineering and wanted to show his teachers what he could do.

The boy said his engineering teacher had congratulated him but advised him “not to show any other teachers”.

Ahmed Mohamed said another teacher became aware of it when the device beeped during the lesson.

“She was like – it looks like a bomb,” the teenager said.

The homemade clock consisted of a circuit board with wires leading to a digital display.

Later in the day Ahmed Mohamed was pulled out of class and interviewed by the school’s principle and four police officers.

Police spokesman James McLellan said that, throughout the interview, Ahmed Mohamed had maintained that he built only a clock.

The school has not commented on the case, but issued a statement saying it “always ask our students and staff to immediately report if they observe any suspicious items”.

The boy’s father, Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, who is originally from Sudan, said his son had been mistreated because of his name “and because of September 11”.

Alia Salem of the Council on American-Islamic Relations agreed: “This wouldn’t even be a question if his name wasn’t Ahmed Mohamed. He is an excited kid who is very bright and wants to share it with his teachers.”

Refugee Crisis: Croatia Becomes New Route to EU as Hungary Seals Border with Serbia

Diane A. Wade
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Refugee Crisis: Croatia Becomes New Route to EU as Hungary Seals Border with Serbia

Dozens of refugees have reached Croatia – opening up a new route to northern EU countries, a day after Hungary sealed its border with Serbia.

The refugees crossed into Croatia, an EU member, from Serbia.

Croatia says it is ready to receive them or “direct” them to where they want to go. Many migrants – mainly Syrian – are hoping to reach Germany.

New border restrictions and a row over allocating migrants have shown bitter divisions in Europe over the crisis.

Hundreds of refugees remain stranded outside or in makeshift tents near the Serbian border with Hungary.

On September 15, Hungary declared a state of emergency in the border area, with hundreds of army and police deployed to enforce new laws making it an offence to breach a razor-wire border fence.Croatia refugee crisis

Police sealed a railway crossing point near Roszke which had been used by tens of thousands of migrants to enter the European border-free Schengen zone.

The move has all but stopped the inflow.

On September 16, Hungarian police said they had detained 367 refugees entering illegally – and the first criminal proceedings have been launched.

The EU’s border agency says more than 500,000 refugees have arrived at the EU’s borders so far this year, compared with 280,000 in 2014.

Many are fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.

The refugees have been crossing from Turkey, with about 1,000 in the city of Edirne on September 16, waiting to organize a crossing into Greece. Their journey would then take them to Macedonia and Serbia.

Until September 15, most poured into Schengen member Hungary and crossed into Austria to reach Germany. Both Germany and Austria have introduced tighter border controls to control the flow.

A group of about 40 refugees arrived in the border town of Sid in Serbia on September 16. They had travelled by bus from the Serbian town of Presevo near the Macedonian border in the south.

They crossed into Croatia where police began registering them.

Croatia’s PM Zoran Milanovic told parliament that authorities were “entirely ready to receive or direct those people where they want to go, which is obviously Germany or Scandinavian countries”.

“They will be able to pass through Croatia and we will help, we’re getting ready for that possibility,” he said.

A meeting of the Croatian National Security Council has been called to co-ordinate the response.

Croatian media have warned of the dangers posed by landmines dating back to Croatia’s war of independence in the early 1990s, even though experts say the areas are clearly marked.

The Serbian minister in charge of the government’s working committee on migrants, Aleksandar Vulin, argued that the closure of the border by Hungary was unsustainable for Serbia.

Hungary has said it could extend its fence to the border with Romania – a possible new route.

Romania said this would violate the “European spirit” of co-operation.

Cheng Boming: CITIC Securities Chief Executive Under Investigation

Clyde K. Valle
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Cheng Boming: CITIC Securities Chief Executive Under Investigation

China’s CITIC Securities stocks fell as much as 4% after the state-owned brokerage said three executives, including its president, were under police investigation.

The executives of China’s largest brokerage are being investigated for suspected insider trading and “leaking inside” information.

The investigation comes as Beijing intensifies the scrutiny on irregular stock trading that has rocked Chinese shares.

Mainland Chinese shares have lost about 40% of their value since mid-June.Citic Securities chief Cheng Boming under investigation

Those being investigated are Cheng Boming, the general manager and president of CITIC since 2012, Wang Jinling, the vice manager of information technology, and Yu Xinli, the head of operational management, the company said in a statement on the Shanghai stock exchange website.

In August 2015, four other senior executives admitted to insider trading, according to state media.

CITIC’s Shanghai and Hong Kong listed shares were down over 2% on the news on September 16. Its Shanghai listed shares have lost over 60% of their value so far this year.

Chinese regulators have been cracking down on alleged market manipulation intensely among other restrictive measures since mainland shares started their steep slide downwards in June.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTIbL8gxxZk

China Stock Market Closes Higher on September 16

Clyde K. Valle
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China Stock Market Closes Higher on September 16

China stock market led gains across Asia on September 16, with the Shanghai Composite closing up 4.89% at 3,152.26.

The index recovered much of the ground it lost on September 15 when the mainland benchmark index lost 3.5%.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng index also ended the day higher, up 2.38% at 21,966.66.

Investors shrugged off news that shares in China’s largest brokerage, Citic Securities, had fallen as much as 4%.

Photo Reuters/China Daily
Photo Reuters/China Daily

The share fall came after it was announced three of the company’s executives, including its president, were under police investigation for suspected insider trading and “leaking” inside information.

Elsewhere, investors continued to remain cautious ahead of a decision by the Federal Reserve on whether or not it will raise US interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended up 0.8% at 18,171.60.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index closed 1.6% higher at 5,098.90, also recovering from yesterday’s losses.

South Korean shares were up despite tensions in the region, the benchmark Kospi index finished 2% higher at 1,975.45.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taSBw03M3a0

Vladimir Putin Did Not Speak to Elton John, Kremlin Says

Sonia Pantiss
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Vladimir Putin Did Not Speak to Elton John, Kremlin Says

President Vladimir Putin did not have a phone conversation with Elton John, who has said he wants to talk to him about gay rights, the Kremlin says.

Elton John had said he wanted to talk to Vladimir Putin about his “ridiculous” stance.

Later, a message on Elton John’s Instagram account thanked Vladimir Putin for “reaching out” in a phone conversation.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no conversation between Elton John and the Russian president had taken place – and hinted that the call could have been a hoax.Elton John and Vladimir Putin gay rigts row

Elton John’s Instagram message added: “I look forward to meeting with you face to face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.”

The pop star’s office said that the two men had spoken.

But Dmitry Peskov told reporters that reports of a conversation were “not true”.

“I don’t know who spoke to Elton John but President Putin did not speak to him,” he said.

“I don’t know [what happened] but President Putin did not speak to Elton John and most importantly we didn’t receive any proposals to meet.”

Dmitry Peskov added: “If the president does get such a signal from Elton John, the president has always been open to discuss any… human rights problems, any issues. He is always ready to clarify the real situation.”

Russia has faced international criticism for its homophobic laws.

A report by Human Rights Watch in 2014 said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.

During a recent interview, Elton John admitted he thought it was unlikely he would meet President Vladimir Putin.

“It’s probably pie in the sky. He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.”

White House Warns North Korea over Yongbyon Nuclear Complex Provocation

Roy Siemens
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White House Warns North Korea over Yongbyon Nuclear Complex Provocation

The White House has warned North Korea to refrain from “irresponsible provocation” after it announced its main nuclear facility, the Yongbyon reactor, had resumed normal operations.

The Yongbyon reactor has been the source of plutonium for North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

The White House said North Korea should “focus instead on fulfilling its international obligations”.

The Yongbyon nuclear plant was shut down in 2007 as part of a disarmament-for-aid deal.

However, Pyongyang vowed to restart it in 2013, following its third nuclear test and amid high regional tensions.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the international community would not accept North Korea as a nuclear state.North Korea Yongbyon nuclear site

“We will work with our partners in the context of the six-party talks to try to return North Korea to a posture of fulfilling those commitments that they have made,” he said.

“We will repeat our call that North Korea should refrain from the irresponsible provocations that aggravate regional tension and should focus instead on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments.”

Six-nation talks involving South Korea, the US, China, Japan and Russia aimed at ending the North’s nuclear program have been stalled since 2009.

Experts believe that, when fully operational, the Yongbyon reactor can make one nuclear bomb’s worth of plutonium per year.

A US think-tank said this year that satellite images suggested work had started at the Yongbyon complex.

Yesterday’s announcement was the first official confirmation from North Korea that it had restarted operations there.

The state-run news agency KCNA said North Korea was improving its nuclear weapons “in quality and quantity”.

It said that North Korea was ready to face US hostility with “nuclear weapons any time”.

However, experts say North Korea’s nuclear capabilities are unclear.

Pyongyang claims it has made a device small enough to fit a nuclear warhead on to a missile, which it could launch at its enemies. But US officials have cast doubt on the claim.

North Korea has made bellicose threats against its neighbors and the US before, often to coincide with annual joint military exercises held by South Korea and US forces.

Hewlett-Packard to Cut up to 30,000 Jobs Ahead of Split

Clyde K. Valle
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Hewlett-Packard to Cut up to 30,000 Jobs Ahead of Split

Hewlett-Packard is planning to cut between 25,000 and 30,000 jobs, the company has announced.

The move is part of an effort to split Hewlett-Packard into two units, which is set to take place in November.

The losses will come in Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which is splitting from the company’s printer and personal computer business.Hewlett Packard split job cut

The tech company says the cuts will save it $2.7 billion in annual costs, but it will take a $2.7 billion charge to execute the plan.

At a meeting for Wall Street analysts, chairman and chief executive Meg Whitman said: “We’ve done a significant amount of work over the past few years to take costs out and simplify processes and these final actions will eliminate the need for any future corporate restructuring.”

The company has struggled over the last decade to keep up with changing demands as customers move away from desktop computers.

HP already plans to lay off 55,000 employees as part of the restructuring process that started in 2012.

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

Facebook Dislike Button Coming Soon

Nancy Clayson
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Facebook Dislike Button Coming Soon

Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Facebook is adding a “Dislike” button to its social network.

In a Q&A session held at Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, Mark Zuckerberg, 31, said the button would be a way for people to express empathy.

The Facebook founder said the social network was “very close” to having it ready for user testing.Facebook adds Dislike button

A “Dislike” button has been constantly requested by some users since the introduction of the now-iconic “Like” button in 2009.

“People have asked about the <<Dislike>> button for many years,” Mark Zuckerberg told the audience on September 15.

“Probably hundreds of people have asked about this, and today is a special day because today is the day that I actually get to say we are working on it, and are very close to shipping a test of it.”

However, Mark Zuckerberg went on to say he did not want the “Dislike” button to be a mechanism with which people could “down vote” others’ posts.

Instead, it will be for times when clicking “Like” on “Sad” posts felt insensitive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhLAa3EfhEg

The Lenovo Zuk Z1: the dark horse of smart phones

Ricky Robinson
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The Lenovo Zuk Z1: the dark horse of smart phones

Lenovo’s newest iteration of 4G smartphones is quietly becoming higher demand. Why? Because it does everything the iPhone 6 gets right and fixes all the things it doesn’t. The Zuk Z1 is a smartphone and phablet combination which manages this careful balancing act with surprising precision. It does both of these things and clearly beats on price. The iPhone has developed a cult following and a large percentage of the $700 or so you’ll spend on a new one, reflect this changed reality. But Lenovo has the same quality phone for less than half that. Isn’t that worth checking out?

1439853902739-P-2971191

There are some areas where the Z1 actually puts the iPhone 6 to shame. Its battery life for example is a far cry better than the status quo over at apple. You can surf online for over 12 hours before it putters out and even manage 15 hours of watching video before a recharge. Lenovo designed the battery to be trapezoidal and fit neatly into the back arc of the phone. This allowed them to enlarge the battery without compromising the contour of the frame, so it’s still comfortable to hold.

1441072931748-P-2971191

The Z1 also manages a 5.5 inch display; larger than the 4.7 iPhone 6 Plus and with an equally impressive 1920 x 1080 resolution with a very comprehensive color palette. These combine to give the interface some extra “pop” when you’re using the phone. The other technical specs make the Z1 great for gaming as well; you’ll be blessed with 3 GB of RAM and a lightning fast processor that stacks up very well against Apple’s own chips. It’s double impressive that this device s1441072931241-P-2971191atisfies against a wide range of categories, because people use their smartphones for literally everything these days.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a user experience better as well. Though it has a large screen, it can be comfortably held in one hand and easily navigated with your thumb. Lenovo has smartly designed a small port at the bottom, like Apple, for charging and syncing. It’s also ultra-thin which allows it to comfortably balance in your hand.

1441072931046-P-2971191

If you’re a dedicated smartphone user that sees the overpriced iPhone as a need to break free, you’ve found your calling. With the ability to run both Android and Windows operating systems, you get a phone that’s bigger, better and more reasonably price than the competition. You get your choice of operating systems (instead of being forced into one) and will feel at home with more phone for your buck. Can anyone say win-win?

Main Features:
Display: 5.5 inch FHD Screen,1920×1080 pixels
CPU: Qualcomm 8974AC Quad Core
GPU: Adreno 330
System: Android 5.1
RAM + ROM: 3GB RAM + 64GB ROM
Camera: Back camera 13.0MP OIS anti-shake + 8.0MP front camera
Features: USB Type-c 3.0
Bluetooth: 4.1
GPS: GPS/GLONASS
Sensors: Accelerometer/Proximity /Gyro/Ambient Light/Hall/Magnet
SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby, Dual Nano SIM
Network:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 1800/2100/2600MHz

Robert Mugabe Delivers Wrong Speech at Zimbabwe Parliament Opening

Diane A. Wade
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Robert Mugabe Delivers Wrong Speech at Zimbabwe Parliament Opening

President Robert Mugabe has read out the wrong speech at the opening of Zimbabwe’s parliament.

The 91-year-old president gave the same one during his state of the nation address on August 25, when he was heckled by opposition members of parliament.

Robert Mugabe’ss spokesman told the state-run Herald paper the error was because of a mix-up in president’s secretarial office.

Tensions were high ahead of the speech and the state broadcaster canceled its live feed fearing further disruptions, correspondents say.

At least six members of parliament from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) received a text message from sender called “Death” warning them to behave.Robert Mugabe wrong speech

“Warning: Immunity ends in parliament… act wisely by not disturbing the proceedings of parliament,” the message on opposition MP Nelson Chamisa’s phone said.

Before Robert Mugabe spoke, the parliamentary speaker also warned against disrupting proceedings.

After Robert Mugabe began speaking, it was not long before it dawned on those present that they had heard it all before, our reporter says.

During the speech, the MDC members sat quietly, while ruling Zanu-PF party supporters clapped at regular intervals, Reuters reports.

Robert Mugabe made reference to Zimbabwe’s amending labor laws to protect workers from arbitrary termination of employment, efforts being made to stimulate investment and the country registering modest growth in tourism and agriculture, our correspondent says.

The first time Robert Mugabe read the speech opposition members of parliament sang protest songs against his 10-point plan to solve the country’s economic crisis.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba said the error in delivering the wrong speech was “sincerely regretted”.

George Charamba added that President Robert Mugabe would read the correct speech later at a hotel in the capital Harare, Reuters reports.

Mary Poppins Sequel in Development, Disney Announces

Sonia Pantiss
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Mary Poppins Sequel in Development, Disney Announces

Disney has announced it is making a sequel to its 1964 classic Mary Poppins.

The live-action movie will be based on P.L. Travers’ series of books about the no-nonsense but magical nanny, Entertainment Weekly reports.

According to EW, Mary Poppins sequel will be directed by Rob Marshall and will see Mary return to the Banks family in London.

Anne Hathaway is already favorite to land the lead role, according to bookmakers William Hill.

She is the 6/1 favorite ahead of Emily Blunt at 7/1 while Anna Kendrick, Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep are all 8/1.Mary Poppins sequel in development

“Hollywood’s leading ladies will all be vying for this role but given her striking resemblance to Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway is the early favorite,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.

The action will take place about 20 years after the original, which was set in Edwardian London. The new story will be set in the Depression era.

EW reports that composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will write the songs for the new movie.

The original movie, starring Julie Andrews, was based mainly on the first volume of P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins series.

The new movie will take inspiration from all eight volumes written by P.L. Travers, including Mary Poppins Comes Back, Mary Poppins in the Park and Mary Poppins in the Kitchen.

1964’s Mary Poppins won five Oscars, including best actress for Julie Andrews, best song – Chim Chim Cher-ee – and best visual effects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3F_lw8IUM

Refugee Crisis: Hungary Declares State of Emergency at Serbian Border

Diane A. Wade
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Refugee Crisis: Hungary Declares State of Emergency at Serbian Border

Hungary’s government has declared a state of emergency at the Serbian border as tough new laws to stop refugees entering illegally took effect at midnight.

Hungarian police said they had arrested 60 people accused of trying to breach a razor-wire fence on the border with Serbia.

The state of emergency gives police extra powers and would allow troop deployments if parliament approves.

The EU states are facing a huge influx of refugees, many fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria.

Meanwhile, Germany and Austria are calling for a special meeting of EU leaders next week to discuss the crisis.Hungary state of emergency refugees

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference that “this problem can only be solved together. It is a responsibility for the entire European Union”.

The EU’s border agency said more than 500,000 refugees had arrived at the EU’s borders in 2015, compared with 280,000 in 2014. The vast majority have come by boat across the Mediterranean.

A boat following the most popular recent route, between Turkey and Greece, sank on September 15 leaving 22 people dead, Turkish media reported.

Starting on September 15, the European Union has agreed to relocate 40,000 migrants from Greece and Italy to other EU states. However, it has yet to agree on mandatory quotas for a further 120,000 asylum seekers.

After the new Hungarian laws came into effect at midnight, police sealed a railway crossing point that had been used by tens of thousands of migrants.

Around midday there were tense scenes as hundreds streamed towards the fence, some searching for a way through and others starting a sit-down strike, throwing down food and water in protest at not being granted passage.

Hungarian authorities said more than 9,000 – a new record – crossed into the country before the border was closed on September 14. Some 20,000 crossed into Austria.

From September 15, anyone who crosses the border illegally will face criminal charges, and 30 judges have been put on standby to try offenders.

The laws also make it a criminal offence – punishable by prison or deportation – to damage the newly-built 13ft fence along Hungary’s 110 mile border with Serbia.

Egypt: Mexican Tourists’ Families Travel to Cairo

Diane A. Wade
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Egypt: Mexican Tourists’ Families Travel to Cairo

The families of the Mexican tourists who were accidentally killed by the Egyptian security forces are travelling to Egypt.

Twelve people were mistakenly killed by Egyptian army in an anti-terror operation on September 13.

Egypt says it mistook the tourists for Islamist militants, whom its forces were pursuing in the Western Desert.

The country has apologized, but has insisted the group were in a restricted area. Local sources deny the claim.

Photo AFP
Photo AFP

Egypt has been battling Islamist militants for years, with attacks escalating since the 2013 ousting of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Until recently most of the fighting has taken place in the Sinai Peninsula with occasional attacks taking place in Cairo and other cities.

Egyptian officials put the number of Mexicans killed at eight, but Mexico has so far only confirmed two dead.

They are Luis Barajas Fernandez and Maria de Lourdes Fernandez Rubio.

The relatives of Rafael Bejarano Rangel, another Mexican who was part of the tour group, said they had been told by tour organizers that he was among those killed.

Ten people, among them six Mexicans were also injured in the attack.

The tour group had been travelling in a convoy of four 4x4s near the Bahariya oasis, a popular tourist location. The organizers said they had stopped for a picnic when the group was attacked.

The interior ministry said an Apache helicopter targeted the tourists “by mistake”.

Egypt’s ambassador to Mexico City, Yasser Shaban, said the tourists’ 4×4 vehicles resembled those used by the militants the security forces were chasing.

According to relatives, Rafael Bejarano Rangel was the one who had been organizing the trips from Mexico to Egypt for a decade.

Beppe Grillo Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Slander

Diane A. Wade
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1
Beppe Grillo Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Slander

Italian comedian and leader of the Five-Star Movement party Beppe Grillo has been sentenced to a one year in jail for slandering a science professor.

Prof. Francesco Battaglia said that he had been threatened and his car vandalized after Beppe Grillo, who leads Italy’s second biggest party, criticized him for backing nuclear energy.

Beppe Grillo, who is unlikely to go to jail, also faces damages of €50,000 ($56,000).

He suggested people were afraid his party was getting close to government.Beppe Grillo sentenced to one year in jail

Beppe Grillo also likened himself to two other historical figures who had spent time in jail, Italian anti-Fascist campaigner Sandro Pertini and South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

“If Pertini and Mandela ended up in prison, I can go there too for a cause I think is just and that has been supported by the overwhelming majority of Italians,” he wrote on his blog.

Francesco Battaglia said the maverick leader should carry out community service, just as ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi had done, and should take more care of what he said because of the large number of Italians who listened to him.

Beppe Grillo publicly insulted the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia professor at a rally in 2011, after a TV appearance in which Prof. Francesco Battaglia had supported nuclear energy.

“I’ll kick your backside and throw you off TV,” Beppe Grillo said, urging his supporters to refuse to pay their TV license fees.

Beppe Grillo, who was the driving force behind the Eurosceptic, anti-austerity protest party, is gradually handing over the reins of Five Star to a group of younger leaders.

The Five Star Movement is currently second in opinion polls behind PM Matteo Renzi’s center-left Democratic Party.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5XU7caeV4

North Korea Resumes Operations at Yongbyon Nuclear Complex

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea Resumes Operations at Yongbyon Nuclear Complex

North Korea has resumed normal operations at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, state-run news agency KCNA reported.

The country was improving its nuclear weapons “in quality and quantity”, the KCNA says.

Yongbyon’s reactor was shut down in 2007 but Pyongyang vowed to restart it in 2013, following its third nuclear test and amid high regional tensions.

The reactor has been the source of plutonium for North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Experts believe that if re-started, the reactor could potentially make one bomb’s worth of plutonium per year.North Korea Resumes Operations at Yongbyon Nuclear Complex

The announcement is the first official confirmation from North Korea that it has restarted operations at Yongbyon.

KCNA also said on September 15 that North Korea was ready to face US hostility with “nuclear weapons any time”.

However, the full scope of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities is unclear.

Pyongyang claims it has made a device small enough to fit a nuclear warhead on to a missile, which it could launch at its enemies.

However, US officials have cast doubt on this claim and experts say it is difficult to assess the progress North Korea has made on miniaturization.

The news comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party on October 10, which North Korea is planning to mark with a parade.

Pyongyang has also announced plans to launch a long-range rocket carrying a satellite – something outsiders have described as a military rocket test.

Correspondents say the latest announcements do not mean North Korea has long-range missile capabilities – but do show that Pyongyang has ambitions to achieve this.

Malcolm Turnbull Sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister

Diane A. Wade
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Malcolm Turnbull Sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister

Australia has sworn in new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, after Tony Abbott was ousted by his party in a leadership challenge.

Malcolm Turnbull, who was communications minister under Tony Abbott, is the fourth prime minister since 2013.

After taking the oath of office, Malcolm Turnbull attended his first Question Time in parliament as prime minister.

Tony Abbott on September 15 said his removal was “tough” but promised not to undermine the new government.

In his first public comments since his removal by the Liberal party late on Monday, Tony Abbott said it had been “a tough day, but when you join the game, you accept the rules”.

Tony Abbott said he was proud of what his government had achieved, while also taking swipes at party members who had leaked to the media and carried out “a sour, bitter character assassination”.Malcolm Turnbull sworn in as Australia prime minister

He did not say if he would remain on the backbench or eventually resign from politics.

Tony Abbott’s removal followed weeks of tumbling polls ratings and speculation about a challenge to his leadership.

In a move led by Malcolm Turnbull and his deputy and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Tony Abbott was voted out by the Liberal party by 54 votes to 44.

In his first Question Time session in parliament, Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to Tony Abbott, and said these are “the most exciting times to be an Australian”.

“The future is one of great opportunities and that requires confidence and leadership and it will be lost if we embrace the politics of fear and scaremongering.”

He said policies would “change in the light of changed conditions”, but did not signal any immediate amendments to contentious issues including same sex marriage and climate policy.

Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten said Tony Abbott had been “a formidable fighter” in office, and praised his “generous and personal” nature.

Malcolm Turnbull is not expected to announce a new cabinet line-up until the end of the week.

Following his fierce criticism of Tony Abbott’s economic leadership, there has been speculation that Joe Hockey might lose the Treasury portfolio.

Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday night the government would serve a full term, meaning a general election is likely in mid-2016.

The first real test of how the public has taken the news will be on September 19 in a by-election for the seat of Canning in Western Australia.

The seat is held by the Liberal Party. Opinion polling done before Monday night’s ballot suggested the Liberals would retain the seat but at a reduced majority.

Refugee Crisis: Hungary Migrant Laws Take Effect

Diane A. Wade
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Refugee Crisis: Hungary Migrant Laws Take Effect

Hungary is bringing in tough new laws to stop the entry of illegal refugees.

Hungarian police can now detain anyone who tries to breach a razor-wire fence built on the border with Serbia.

The country has become a key point on the journey north for thousands of refugees from the Middle East and Africa.

The EU has agreed to relocate 40,000 refugees from Greece and Italy to other EU states, starting on September 15.

However, it failed to agree on mandatory quotas for a further 120,000 asylum seekers.

Instead, at the meeting in Brussels, a majority of ministers agreed “in principle” and negotiations will now take place ahead of another meeting in October.

The new Hungarian laws came into effect at on September 14 at midnight.

Police sealed a railway crossing point that had been used by tens of thousands of refugees, and many slept out in the open on the Serbian side of the border.

Police buses will now take asylum applicants to registration centers, but if their applications are refused they will now be returned to Serbia rather than being given passage through Hungary.

Hungarian authorities said more than 9,000 – a new record – crossed into the country before the border was closed on September 14.

From now on anyone who crosses the border illegally will face criminal charges, and 30 judges have been put on standby to try potential offenders.

The laws also make it a criminal offence – punishable by prison or deportation – to damage the newly-built 13ft-fence along Hungary’s 110 mile border with Serbia.Hungary refugees at border fence

Mounted police have been deployed along the border.

“We will start a new era,” government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said shortly after midnight.

“We will stop the inflow of illegal migrants over our green borders.”

Zoltan Kovacs added: “That also means that the official and legal ways to come to Hungary and therefore to the European Union remain open. That’s all we ask from all migrants – that they should comply with international and European law.”

At the Brussels talks, Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, said it was hoped that the relocation proposal could be made law at a meeting on October 8.

Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were reportedly among the nations opposed to mandatory quotas.

“There was no consensus, several countries disagreed,” Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said after the talks.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said “not everyone is on board at the moment”.

He warned the situation in Europe was “urgent and dramatic and time is of the essence”.

Under complex EU rules, a unanimous vote is not required and decisions can be made with a qualified majority.

However, correspondents say that would be a show of disunity that the EU is trying to avoid.

Jean Asselborn said a list of safe countries, to which failed asylum seekers can be returned, had been agreed on principle.

European states have been struggling to cope with a record influx of refugees, who are mainly trying to reach Germany and Sweden.

On September 14, a number of EU countries followed Germany’s suit in introducing temporary border checks.

The moves are a challenge to the EU’s Schengen agreement on free movement, although the rules do allow for temporary controls in emergencies.

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann said troops were also being deployed, mainly to provide humanitarian help within Austria, but would be sent to the border if necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukglYOKy3BE

Shannon Lamb: Delta State Shooting Suspect Kills Himself

Nancy Clayson
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Shannon Lamb: Delta State Shooting Suspect Kills Himself

Shannon Lamb, the gunman who shot dead Delta State Professor Ethan Schmidt as he worked in his university office in Mississippi, has died after apparently killing himself, officials say.

Geography professor Shannon Lamb died following a manhunt.

Shannon Lamb is suspected of shooting Ethan Schmidt, a history teacher at Delta State University (DSU), in an attack in the city of Cleveland.

Police also linked Shannon Lamb to the fatal shooting of a woman 300 miles away earlier in the day.

Amy Prentiss, 41, was found shot dead at the home she shared with Shannon Lamb in Gautier, Mississippi, in the early hours.

Photo Facebook
Photo Facebook

At a news conference on September 14, police in Gautier said they had spoken to Shannon Lamb, 45, who had been an employee of Delta State since 2009.

He had told police he was “not going to jail”.

Shannon Lamb later pulled over as police were following him and jumped out of his car, and when officers gave chase they heard a single gunshot and found Lamb dead, Delta State University police official Lynn Buford told the Associated Press.

Police were called to the university at 10:18 local time when shots were heard.

Prof. Ethan Schmidt, who specialized in Native American and colonial history, was shot in his office inside the university’s Jobe Hall building, police said.

All campus buildings were then locked from the inside and officials advised people to shelter as police cleared students from buildings on campus.

Police helicopters circled the campus and hundreds of officers swept the buildings.

Shannon Lamb was apparently “easy going” and had taken some leave recently for “personal reasons”, Don Mitchell, an associate professor of English at the university, told Fox News.

Don Mitchell called Prof. Ethan Schmidt “a gentleman in every sense of the word” and “a terrific family man”.

Roughly 3,500 students are enrolled at the DSU near the Arkansas border.

Smaller Portions Could Cut Obesity Levels

Kathryn R. Bown
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Smaller Portions Could Cut Obesity Levels

According to researchers, smaller portions offered in supermarkets, restaurants and at home would help reverse the obesity epidemic.

The research team at the University of Cambridge says their review of 61 studies provides the “most conclusive evidence to date” that portion size affects how much we unwittingly eat.

They also said smaller plates, glasses and cutlery helped people eat less.Smaller portions and obesity levels

Experts said people were “reluctant” to leave a plate with food on it.

Their data, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that when people are offered more food they will eat it.

The team also warns that in recent decades portion sizes have been increasing.

The findings, which are based on 6,711 people taking part in a wide range of clinical trials, suggest that eliminating “large portions” could cut up to 279 calories a day out of people’s diets.

Researchers also say government measures to force smaller packs to offer better value for money and upper limits on the size of energy-dense foods would help people lose weight.

Europe Refugee Crisis: More EU Countries to Introduce Border Controls

Diane A. Wade
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Europe Refugee Crisis: More EU Countries to Introduce Border Controls

In order to deal with an influx of refugees, more EU states have said they are imposing border checks.

Slovakia, Austria and the Netherlands said they would tighten controls, hours after Germany imposed checks on its border with Austria.

Hungary also completed a fence along its border with Serbia, and blocked a railway line used as a crossing point.

Meanwhile in Brussels, EU interior ministers agreed in principle to relocate 120,000 asylum seekers.

Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, said the decision was expected to be made law when ministers meet on October 8.Refugees border control

There were no details on how the asylum seekers would be shared out among EU states. Some countries have opposed plans for mandatory quotas.

European countries have been struggling to cope with a record influx of refugees, many aiming for Germany.

In Hungary, a container wagon, with one end covered in razor wire, was rolled along the track to plug the gap in the fence near the town of Roszke. Refugees were directed to an official registration point.

Hungary is due to enforce tougher measures from midnight, including arresting illegal immigrants.PM Viktor Orban told Hungary’s TV2 a state of emergency was “likely” to be introduced in the border area.

The new border checks further north are a challenge to the EU’s Schengen agreement on free movement, although the rules do allow for temporary controls in emergencies.

Austrian police said up to 7,000 people had arrived from Hungary on September 14, and 14,000 on September 13.

Chancellor Werner Faymann said troops were also being deployed, primarily to provide humanitarian help within Austria, but would be sent to the border if necessary.

“If Germany carries out border controls, Austria must put strengthened border controls in place,” Vice-Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner said.

Meanwhile the EU approved a plan for operation in the Mediterranean to conduct “search, seizure and diversion… of vessels suspected of being used for human smuggling”.

Most of the refugees who surged into Hungary in recent weeks fled conflict, oppression and poverty in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

Many have been refusing to register in Greece or Hungary, fearing it will stop them being granted asylum in Germany or other EU countries.

On September 14, Germany’s new border controls were said to be causing traffic jams as long as 12 miles on highways in Austria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=675y3RIJyAs

The Future of Manufacturing Efficiency – Using Linear Actuators

Ricky Robinson
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The Future of Manufacturing Efficiency – Using Linear Actuators

Actuators are generally devices that help in making the movement of some machines easier. For example, electric actuators are devices that apply low voltage DC motor of a rotational motion and converts it into linear motion, usually acting in a pull and push movement. Actuators use less power compared to the immense output they deliver. Linear actuators are efficient and needs less space to install. They are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from the luxury hotels, hospitals, homes and industrial plants to mention just a few. Since there are less to none reported cases of casualty and user hazards, they are then rated user and equally environmental friendly. Maintenance costs are way too minimal as well and to a large extent, no expenses are incurred at all.

manufacturing-efficiency-actuators
In hospitals, emergency department beds are fixed with this device such that the patient suffers less shock during hurried movements, such avoiding further injuries to them. This device again makes it easier for nurses to move easily and safely with medication for instance from one ward to another. Even in the theater, an adjustment of lights during surgery is effective by use of the same. Comfort and required positioning for medication are a major concern best dealt with by this device. In offices, chairs are made adjustable to achieve proper posture during work. It maximizes on work output by creating a conducive atmosphere to the worker.

It is a perfect option to go by in industries, institutions and offices especially areas where precision and accuracy is paramount because it is a quiet device and creates less distraction to the surrounding. In hospitals its use is widely in the intense care unit and in the theaters. Movements in the hospitals are minimized as much as possible to create that peaceful environment. Ambience in luxury hotels is crucial and an added advantage to the general hospitality of the clients and tourists who other than adventure, expect a serene environment. It is in such a manner that companies are designing comfy beds fitted with adjustable rods to satisfy this aspect in the favor of hospitality services and general reputation of classy hotels and resorts.manufacturing-efficiency-actuators2

Due to rise of automobile demand world over, manufacturing companies have resolved on the cheaper production costs to make their vehicles affordable in the market. To counter the challenge of too much manpower, use of robots has been employed. These devices are programmable and each aspect in the system can be monitored. Feedback is sent to the main control unit and experts use this information as an input to perform sophisticated tasks that runs simultaneously in the system.
Power conservation is ranked top to this device. Operating at 70-80% total system efficiency increases the profit margin. They are a true choice to cut down on production cost; this equals favorable pricing of its products in the market. It is a clean option because these workshops relying on these devices are exempts of oily messes on the floors.

manufacturing-efficiency-actuators3

Electric current is highly compatible with actuators compared to piping because cables are easy to install. Actuators require less space to be installed. This is because no pumps and hoses are needed. Usually hoses needs underground foundation and most of these are expensive. Manpower for this investment is tiresome and contractors will take more time installing. Mechanical power supply will need big fuel tankers to sustain the system.

Bangkok Bomb Attack: Suspect Abudusataer Abudureheman Fled to Turkey

Roy Siemens
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Bangkok Bomb Attack: Suspect Abudusataer Abudureheman Fled to Turkey

Abudusataer Abudureheman, the key suspect in last month’s deadly Bangkok shrine bombing, has fled to Turkey, Thai police say.

Police believe Abudusataer Abudureheman, also known as Ishan, organized the bombing, which killed 20 people.

Abudusataer Abudureheman, 27, from China’s Xinjiang province is thought to have travelled to Istanbul at the end of August.Bangkok bomb attack suspect Abudusataer Abudureheman

However, Turkey has denied that Abudusataer Abudureheman fled to the country, saying it was not informed by Thai authorities that he was trying to enter.

Earlier Malaysian police announced the arrests of three people suspected of helping the bombers flee. Thai police have already arrested two suspects.

Over the weekend, an arrest warrant was issued for Abudusataer Abudureheman. Police say he left Thailand for Bangladesh on August 16, one day before the bombing.

“He departed Dhaka on August 30 for Delhi… From Delhi, he continued his travel to Abu Dhabi, and from Abu Dhabi he travelled on August 31 to Istanbul. This is his final destination,” a police spokesperson said.

No group has said it carried out the attack at the Erawan shrine on August 17, but Thailand has alleged that a network that includes foreigners was behind the bombing.

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