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US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats and Closes Seattle Consulate

Diane A. Wade
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US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats and Closes Seattle Consulate

The US and Europe are expelling dozens of Russian diplomats in a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK.

According to experts, it is the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.

More than 20 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.

The US is expelling 60 Russian diplomats, while the EU has announced the expulsion of 33 envoys. Other European countries will expel another 23.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the EU states had decided to expel Russian diplomats as a direct result of a meeting, held last week about the Salisbury poisoning.

“Additional measures, including further expulsions within this common EU framework are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks,” he said.

The state department said in a statement: “On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury.

“This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted in serious injury to three people, including a police officer.”

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

Meanwhile, Russia vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.

It denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. Sergei and Yulia Skripal remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The Russian foreign ministry said the moves demonstrated a continuation of a “confrontational path”.

Earlier this month, the UK announced it was expelling 23 Russian diplomats.

On March 26, various countries announced they were making the same move in solidarity.

Iceland has also announced it is suspending high-level dialogue with Russian authorities, and its leaders will not attend the World Cup, which starts in Russia in June.

The UK said earlier this month it would not send ministers or members of the Royal Family to the football tournament.

EU countries that have said they have no intention of expelling diplomats include Austria, Greece and Portugal, although all have said they support the UK and condemn the poisoning.

The US called the attack an “outrageous violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and breach of international law”.

The US is expelling 48 envoys at the Russian embassy in Washington and 12 more at the UN in New York. It will also order the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

Russia: Mall Fire Kills at Least 64 In Kemerovo

Nancy Clayson
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Russia: Mall Fire Kills at Least 64 In Kemerovo

A deadly fire at a Russian shopping mall has killed at least 64 people in the Siberian coal-mining city of Kemerovo.

According to officials, many of the victims are children, with 10 people still listed as missing.

The fire started on an upper floor of the Winter Cherry complex while many of the victims were at the cinema.

Video posted on social media showed people jumping from windows to escape the flames on March 25.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement: “According to preliminary information, the roof collapsed in two cinemas.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known and authorities have launched an investigation.

The region’s deputy governor Vladimir Chernov was quoted as saying the fire began in a children’s trampoline room.

He said: “The preliminary suspicion is that a child had a cigarette lighter which ignited foam rubber in this trampoline room, and it erupted like gunpowder.”

Image source AP

Nairobi Westgate mall on fire as Kenyan special forces try to bring an end to three-day siege

London Grenfell Tower Fire Kills at Least Several People

Kemerovo, a key coal-producing area, lies about 2,200 miles east of Moscow.

Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Anna Kuznetsova, blamed negligence, and called for urgent safety checks at similar entertainment complexes.

Some 660 emergency personnel were deployed in the rescue effort. Firefighters tackled the blaze for more than 17 hours.

The Winter Cherry complex, which opened in 2013, includes a multiplex cinema, restaurants, a sauna, a bowling alley and a petting zoo. All the animals at the zoo are reported to be dead.

Eleven injured victims are being treated in hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation. The most serious case is an 11-year-old boy whose parents and siblings died in the fire, Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said.

The fire is believed to have started at around 5PM local time on March 25 in a part of the building that contains the entertainment complex, local media report.

Yevgeny Dedyukhin, deputy head of the Kemerovo region emergency department, said the area of the fire was about 1,500 sq m.

Four people have been detained for questioning, including the head of the company that manages the shopping centre, according to the Investigative Committee. The owner of the shopping mall is among those detained.

Russian officials had initially given a figure of 64 people missing but later clarified that this included victims whose remains had not been identified.

At least nine of the bodies found so far are children.

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

March For Our Lives Protesters Rally for Gun Control Reforms

Nancy Clayson
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March For Our Lives Protesters Rally for Gun Control Reforms

Hundreds of thousands of March For Our Lives protesters have taken to the streets across the US to call for tighter gun control.

The movement arose after 17 deaths in a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, on February 14.

The main event took place in Washington DC, where student leader and Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez gave a powerful speech.

After listing the names of the victims, Emma Gonzalez stayed silent on stage for six minutes, 20 seconds – the time it took for them to be killed.

Over eight hundred protests were planned nationwide and abroad, with solidarity events taking place in the UK, Switzerland, Australia and Japan.

As events began to draw to a close on the US east coast, they continued on the west, including a major demonstration in Los Angeles.

Image source Pixabay

Parkland Shooting: At Least 17 Killed and Many Injured in Florida High School Attack

Parkland High School Shooting: FBI Criticized after Failing to Act on A Tip on Suspect Nikolas Cruz

Huge crowds – including a high proportion of young people and children – gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue, with placards reading “Protect kids not guns” and “Am I next?”.

Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind hit musical Hamilton, performed on a stage erected in front of the US Capitol building.

The music was interspersed with speeches from impassioned youth leaders.

The last month’s massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland was one of a long line of school shootings in the US but the worst since Sandy Hook in 2012, when 26 people were killed.

Campaigning by Parkland students gained widespread support, with Emma Gonzalez one of the most outspoken figures, gaining more than a million Twitter followers in a matter of weeks.

How Will US And South Korean Relations Change Over The Next Five Years?

James J. Williams
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How Will US And South Korean Relations Change Over The Next Five Years?

Relations between the United States and South Korea had their beginnings at the end of World War ll in 1945 when the US occupied the south end of the peninsula and the Soviet Union took the north end pending planned national elections. The two sides could not agree on the type of government (Washington was for a democracy and Moscow favored communism;) hence, an election never took place, resulting in the United Nations recognizing South Korea (Republic of Korea) as the legitimate government.

In 1950, North Korea invaded the ROK and the US sent its military to South Korea to help them fight against the communist invasion. By 1953, the war ended in a stalemate, but the US troops remained, and in 1954, both countries signed the ROK/US Mutual Security Agreement, a pact to defend each other in case of foreign attacks. In reality, this was more of a one-sided agreement. South Korea feared another invasion from North Korea and the presence of the US military hindered such plans.

Post-Korean War, the ROK was ravaged. Its per capita GDP plunged to $64, lower than the African nation of Congo, which was then the poorest. Millions of people were injured, killed and separated from their families. The United States was its single biggest contributor, giving its Asian ally a total of $64 billion in grants, aids, and loans from 1948 to 1978. Its economy grew rapidly in the 1960s and today, it is the fourth biggest economy in Asia, and is a member of the OECD and the G20.

Image source Wikimedia

The ties that bind Seoul and Washington have remained strong. Trade between the two countries reached an estimated $144.6 billion in 2016, and Korea is the US’ sixth biggest goods trading partner. Seoul has the second largest contingent of US military personnel, numbering around 23,500 troops.

But 2017 brought in new leaders for the two nations. President Trump took office in January and President Moon Jae-in in May, and one is as different from the other as night is from day. Trump has shown himself to be a racist, misogynist, and favoring isolationism. Moon is a former student activist and human rights lawyer.

Already, some issues are possible areas of contention. While Trump is aggressively hostile against North Korea and threatens to attack it, Moon, a champion of human and civil rights, prefers the soft approach by engaging in talks to reach an agreement.

On the US’ bilateral trade agreement, Trump wants a renegotiation of the KORUS Free Trade Agreement to reduce US’ trade deficit. He has been quoted as saying that the US is losing $40 billion a year on ROK in trade. The White House Chief Executive has also demanded cost sharing on defense spending with Asian allies and talks on the Special Measures Agreement have begun. During his campaign period, Trump was quite vocal in his criticism of the nation’s expenses for the US troops stationed in allied countries.

South Korea’s show of independence from its benefactor was evident in the High Court’s ruling on the lawsuit that former comfort women brought against the ROK government. The women, now in their 70s, claim that they were forced into prostitution for the US military with the tacit consent of their officials. They won their case and Seoul’s court has ordered the government to pay them damages. While the United States was not a party to the suit, and embassy officials would not comment on it, this is the first official acknowledgment that American soldiers are not as faultless as they are portrayed to be.

What hasn’t changed is its arrogance towards Japan. Japan has taken to heart its war crimes and the atrocities its army has committed against the comfort women of World War ll. It has given billions in aid and compensation and offered numerous apologies to the women. But South Korea’s leaders, past and present, never stop asking for more.

The recent case involving their own government selling their own women to US soldiers should make them realize that they should clean up their own backyard instead of throwing garbage on to other countries.

Cambridge Analytica Scandal: Facebook’s Shares Plunge Following Historic Data Breach

Clyde K. Valle
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Cambridge Analytica Scandal: Facebook’s Shares Plunge Following Historic Data Breach

Facebook’s value plunged $58 billion by the end of the week after its handling of a historic data breach that affected 50 million users.

The social media company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg apologized for data breaches.

The apology did not stop investors from selling shares in Facebook, with many wondering just how bad the damage would be for the social network.

The breach was called a “light bulb” moment for users, spawning the social media trend #deletefacebook.

All the negative headlines led to some advertisers saying “enough is enough”.

Facebook shares fell from $176.80 on March 19 to around $159.30 by March 23.

The company’s IPO in 2012 priced shares at $38 each, giving Facebook a market valuation of close to $104 billion.

Image source Pexels

Russian-Planted Facebook Posts Seen by 126 Million American Users

Mark Zuckerberg Rejects Donald Trump’s Comments that Facebook Has Always Been Against Him

Following steady user growth and a dominant space in the digital advertising market ensuring revenues, Facebook’s share price climbed to $190 by February 2018.

On March 21, advertisers Mozilla and Commerzbank suspended ads on Facebook.

On March 23, Elon Musk had the official Facebook pages for his companies Tesla and SpaceX deleted.

Mark Zuckenberg tried to reassure users “the most important actions to prevent this from happening again today we have already taken years ago.”

Cambridge Analytica is at the center of a row over whether it used the personal data of millions of Facebook users to sway the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and the UK Brexit referendum.

In Mark Zuckerberg’s online statement he offered a timeline of how Facebook’s data permission agreements with users and other companies had changed since the 2014 personality quiz app was able to scrape data from quiz takers and their contacts without their expressed permission.

President Trump Fires National Security Adviser HR McMaster Replacing Him with John Bolton

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Fires National Security Adviser HR McMaster Replacing Him with John Bolton

President Donald Trump has fired his National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster replacing him with Bush-era defense hawk and former UN ambassador John Bolton.

The president tweeted to thank General H.R. McMaster, saying he had done an “outstanding job & will always remain my friend”.

John Bolton, who has backed attacking North Korea and Iran, told Fox News his job would be to ensure the president has “the full range of options”.

The former UN ambassador becomes President Trump’s third national security chief in 14 months.

H.R. McMaster is the latest high-profile departure from the White House.

Last week, President Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by a tweet, replacing him with former CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

John Bolton’s appointment does not require US Senate confirmation. He will take the job on April 9.

The National Security Adviser is the key counselor to the president on national security and foreign policy issues, and acts as a conduit for policy proposals coming from various government departments, including defense and state.

John Bolton, 69, said he was looking forward to working with President Trump and his team “to make our country safer at home and stronger abroad”.

He has been a foreign policy hawk in Republican circles for decades, having served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Image source Wikimedia

HR McMaster Replaces Michael Flynn as National Security Adviser

Donald Trump Congratulates Vladimir Putin on Electoral Victory

President George W. Bush appointed John Bolton as US envoy to the UN, during which time diplomats privately criticized his style as abrasive.

A strident neo-conservative, John Bolton helped build the case that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, which turned out to be wrong.

Known for his walrus moustache, John Bolton does not appear to have greatly moderated his views since his last spell in government.

John Bolton stands by the invasion of Iraq and has advocated in newspaper op-eds using military force against North Korea and Iran.

In a brief statement on March 22, General H.R. McMaster, 55, thanked President Trump for appointing him and said he was applying to retire from the US Army later this year.

The three-star general is leaving after just over a year as national security adviser.

The White House said President Trump and H.R. McMaster had “mutually agreed” that he would leave. He had been rumored for weeks to be on his way out.

His departure came a day after someone at the White House leaked to media that President Trump was advised this week in briefing documents not to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent re-election, but did it anyway.

General H.R. McMaster replaced Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who was fired after less than a month in the job for misleading the White House about his contacts with the Russian ambassador.

Best Fashion Trends of All Times

Lisa.Felice
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Best Fashion Trends of All Times

Fashion is a way of thinking, creating and ultimately, a way of life. Hence, it is only natural that it changes with the seasons, and each new creation brings with itself a new trend for the fashionistas to follow. Each design is the fruit of some inspiration, starting from animal skin, through natural landscapes or contrasting urban areas, all the way to unique and specific environments.

No matter whether they were inspired by the sparkling lights of the Las Vegas locals, or it is a modification of typical 19th century school uniforms, trends are recognized for their durability. Some of them have disappeared throughout the years, while others have been altered in order to fit more modern demands. Ultimately, there are those which cannot be denied a place in fashion history due to their lasting existence and apparent influence.

Image source Pexels

Motorcycle Jacket

The black leather jacket decorated with zippers and buttons and pockets used to hold a negative meaning, as bikers were often recognized as troublemakers. However, with a few campaigns and a pair of stitches that made it fitting for a female silhouette as well, the motorcycle jacket has come to stay in trend.

Little Black Dress

Since its appearance in 1926 as a creation by visionary Coco Chanel, the typical short, straight black dress with long sleeves became a symbol of fashion. It has since been used to denote elegance, trend, femininity, power, sensuality and so much more, either directly or through some of its variations.

Animal Prints

As mentioned above, designers often used their natural surroundings and the creatures in them for inspiration. Some have incorporated leaves and floral prints for a more tropical look, but the animal print is the true symbol of exotic designer wear. Zebra and tiger prints are the most widely implemented patterns, although crocodile, snake skins and similar animalistic elements have also been eternalized in fashion trends.

Trench Coats

A creation as old as time, or at least as the British Empire under the reign of Queen Victoria, the trench coat has managed to fight its way to modern department stores worldwide. It has been designed by Burberry, upon official requests to create a coat that would protect soldiers in the trenches from various weather conditions. Long after Britain reached its peak colonial potential, the trench coat originated from the fashion house Burberry is recognized as trendy and fashionable.

Wide Cuffs & Gladiator Sandals

Shifting from clothing to accessories and shoe wear, wide cuffs and gladiator sandals are another all-time fashion trend. The cuffs were initially inspired by ancient Egyptian rulers (Cleopatra, particularly), while the sandals imitate those of Rome’s famous gladiator fighters. Such historical significance practically dictated their fashion success, but it was due to the designers’ unique additions and variations that turned them into a true trend.

Blue Jeans & White T-Shirt

This trend is self-explanatory at the least, but still deserves an honorable mention. It is dominant in casual dress styles, but its immense influence has enabled it to transcend into high-fashion attire.

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

Clyde K. Valle
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White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

The White House plans to announce sanctions against China on March 22 after determining that the country is encouraging the theft and transfer of intellectual property from US businesses.

The Trump administration said the actions come after years of talks about the issue that failed to produce change.

The actions are expected to include tariffs, as well as other measures.

The plans have stoked fears of a wider trade war.

According to media, the White House is considering between $30 billion and $60 billion in tariffs as well as measures that would restrict investment.

Trade officials also said that the US may also seek to bring complaints to the World Trade Organization.

The US’s top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, told members of Congress on March 21 the US is looking to put “maximum pressure on China and minimum pressure on US consumers”.

Image source Flickr

US Launches Investigation into China’s Intellectual Property Policies

A US trade official, who spoke to reporters as part of a briefing, said the US has evidence that China requires companies to create local partnerships to enter the Chinese market, as a way of pressuring them into technology transfer.

The US also found evidence that China steers investments in the US to strategic industries, and conducts and supports cyber attacks.

The findings come from a review of China’s practices that President Donald Trump ordered in August, called a 301 investigation.

According to section 301 of the trade act, the US government has given itself the power to unilaterally impose sanctions against countries which it decides are not trading fairly.

President Trump has repeatedly railed against the massive US trade deficit with China.

There is growing concern in the US that China is seeking technology that could be deployed for military purposes.

Congress is also weighing legislation that would boost the government’s power to review foreign business deals, citing the threat posed by state-backed acquisition of US companies.

China has said there would be no winner from any trade war.

On March 20, the last day of the annual sitting of the National People’s Congress, China’s Premier Le Keqiang said he hoped both sides could remain “calm”.

The Chinese prime minister also said he hoped the US would ease restrictions on exports of high-tech goods to China.

The Importance of Tailor Made: Why Every Man Needs Custom Made Clothing

Dana R
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The Importance of Tailor Made: Why Every Man Needs Custom Made Clothing

No matter what department store or luxury retailer you shop with, the bulk-made fashions they sell simply cannot compare to the luxe fashions offered from tailor-made clothing.

Hand-stitched, custom-made garments perfectly fit every inch of your body, instantly creating a more sharp-dressed man that gains impressions from the likes of his audience. Learn five of the biggest reasons every man needs a few tailor-made clothing items readily available in his wardrobe.

1- Perfect Fit

Clothes custom-made to fit your body shape and size fit you in all those places that the bulk-created shirt doesn’t, like at the bottom of the leg, at the neck and the arms, though these two areas are only the start of many places that shirts and pants are tailored. The result is a more flattering look that creates professionalism and demeanor in every step.

2- Increase Confidence

The rich and elite tailor their clothing. Movies and songs oftentimes include reference to such clothing. As such, tailored clothing is oftentimes associated with an affluent lifestyle. As you go about your day in custom-tailored clothing, you’ll experience an enhanced level of confidence and feel like one of those affluent names that you’ve followed for so long. It is easy to increase confidence when you look your best and there is no way around that task when you’ve hired a tailor to customize your clothing.

3- Make Great Impressions

Do you want other people to remember your name? Do you want instant attraction when you walk into a room? It isn’t hard to set good impressions on everyone, everywhere you go when you’re strikingly handsome in your custom-tailored clothing. You might even find that you strike up a few conversations about your impressive style during the day. Perhaps you may even inspire someone else to dress to impress!

4- Save Time

Some people say that finding a tailor is a hassle, but smart people agree that it is more frustrating to shop at 15 different stores to find one shirt that fits you the way that it should. Choosing to hire a tailor to fit your clothing reduces the time you’ll spend going from one store to the next to find the right piece of clothing. Plus, the clothing looks better on you than it would’ve before.

5- Quality Materials

Clothing is expensive. You want the items that you own to last for as long as possible. Sadly, many companies (even the big names) use low-quality materials that succumb to the washing machine and dryer far sooner than you’d hoped, leaving the task of buying new up to you.  The materials selected to make custom made clothing is of higher quality than you’ll find elsewhere. These materials look good for much longer period of time, aren’t as easily damaged, and certainly adhere to a higher standard in terms of look and impression.

Final Thoughts

Tailor-made clothing can help a man of any age look and feel his best. This inexpensive service is one that every man should utilize, whether for a closet-full of business suits or a few special occasion outfits. The benefits listed above are only a handful of the many that every man enjoys when he finds a tailor!

Are Contact Lenses The Best Option For You?

Kathryn R. Bown
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Are Contact Lenses The Best Option For You?

In the past, few people wore contact lenses. Today, it is a popular choice. Some information can help you decide if they are right for you.

How To Buy Contact Lenses

You can find lenses in many places, including online. However, the sensible approach is to start with a visit to your eye doctor. The eye doctor will perform a complete examination. If he agrees contacts are appropriate for you, he can provide lenses that meet your needs.

How To Care For Contacts

You can choose between hard and soft lenses, reusable and disposable lenses. If you purchase reusable lenses, they must be cleaned regularly. You should only use the cleaning products recommended by your doctor.

Lenses must be removed before bedtime. They should also be removed before engaging in physical activities. For example, take the lenses out before playing sports.

Do not allow the contacts to get wet. Remove lenses before swimming and taking a shower.

The case must be cleaned regularly. Cases can harbor bacteria. Wash the case daily, and replace cases every three months.

Why Contact Lenses Can Be The Best Solution

Many individuals prefer contacts over eyeglasses. Contacts are easier to keep clean and do not affect your appearance. When they are properly cared for, contacts are not as likely to break or become damaged.

Many people also prefer contacts instead of surgery. There is no pain involved when you are fitted for contacts and none of the risks associated with surgical procedures. Contacts are less costly than surgery.

How To Benefit From Contacts

When you wear contacts, you must make regular appointments with the eye doctor. He will be able to determine if your vision has changed and whether your lenses are in good condition. The lenses must be replaced if they are scratched or damaged. Damaged lenses can harm your eyes.

If you purchase lenses from a source other than your eye doctor, ask his approval before making this decision. While you can buy lenses at discount prices, they are not necessarily the best quality. You should not risk harming your eyes or your vision to save money. This also includes fashion lenses, and lenses to change your eye color.

If you experience any difficulties with the lenses, consult with your doctor. This includes pain or discomfort in your eyes, problems with your vision, and similar issues. If a lens does become damaged, it should be replaced immediately.

The good way before the purchase is to write down some list with your diagnosis, doctor prescriptions, and some personal preferences and then will be able to make decision to buy some kind of lenses based on your problems but not fashion trends. Between that, if you have any problem with writing assignments feel free to advice EssayLab for qualified help.

Contact lenses can do more than improve your vision. They can help you look your best, and increase your self-confidence. Nearly anyone who does not have perfect vision can benefit from lenses.

This form of eye wear is more popular than ever before. Teenagers, young adults, and even older people appreciate the ease and convenience of lenses and improving their vision without the burden of eyeglasses or the expense of eye surgery.

Whether you choose clear lenses, so no one will know you are wearing them, or lenses to make a fashion statement, you can be one of the many who benefits from contact lenses.

The Cost-Saving Benefits of a Virtual Office

Dana R
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The Cost-Saving Benefits of a Virtual Office

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Image: http://www.sofritoforyoursoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Photo-Emblem-Calculator.jpg

Getting ahead in business, regardless of what that business is, can seem like an uphill battle. In particular, if you are new or just starting out, looking to cut costs or downsize your office or just need a little help, there are measures you can take to start moving your business in the right direction.

Cutting costs in business can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what you can do without. Using a virtual office for your business needs can save a lot of money and can help you run your operations more efficiently than you ever thought possible. More and more people are turning to a virtual office to take care of their business requirements, and letting them get back to business. With great locations in sought-after locations, like those found here: www.servcorp.com.sg/en/virtual-offices/, you can save money while taking your business to new heights.

Keep reading for some simple ways you can cut costs with a virtual office.

Save on Office Space

If you’re looking to get your operations out into the business world and out of your basement, then a virtual office is the logical next step. Finding an office space that you can afford, but with its location completely wrong for what your needs are, is just a waste of time and money. You need to be in a prime location while staying within budget.

Plus, you don’t want to get locked into an office space for several years. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, a long-term rigid lease can be incredibly damaging to any business. If your business isn’t doing well for one month, or two, you still need to pay the lease. Having no flexibility means you’re tied into making payments that you may no longer, in reality, be able to afford.

Staffing Costs

Having to hire someone new can be a daunting and stressful time. If they are sick or worse, they leave, then you’re stuck and your business can quickly be in a vulnerable position. If you’ve been using family members out of your home until now, you know how that can go. You need professional assistance if your business is going to stand any chance of competing in the marketplace.

A virtual office can provide professional, courteous staff to answer your phone, complete some administrative duties and forward your mail and phone calls as needed. This eliminates the need for you to risk losing staff unexpectedly as your office provider will always ensure there’s someone in the role.

In addition, with a virtual office, you open up the doors to hiring talent from anywhere on the planet. Many times, by hiring a remote team, you can eliminate many of the headaches that come with managing an in-house team. Remote workers are often more productive too as they are happier in their role being able to work from home and have more flexibility in their lives.  

Bonus Savings

There are many additional savings you can enjoy when you opt to go virtual. From mundane things like paying for work clothing and your commuting costs to much bigger savings such as office running and setup costs. No matter what way you look at it, the savings to be enjoyed from a virtual office are huge and these savings can be reinvested into your business to help you grow and move closer to achieving your business goals.

Save and Grow With a Virtual Office

Saving money in any economy is just good business sense and hiring a virtual office can make a big difference to you and your budget. A virtual office allows you improved flexibility in the day-to-day running of your business and allows you to save money on staffing, business costs and having to lease a physical office space.

Going virtual gives you the opportunity to have access to more capital and have more money to reinvest in your business. With these extra funds, you can spend money on the elements of your business that really need it and move your business onto the path to success.

Donald Trump Congratulates Vladimir Putin on Electoral Victory

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Congratulates Vladimir Putin on Electoral Victory

President Donald Trump has called Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his electoral victory two days ago.

Donald Trump said they would meet in the “not too distant future” to discuss limiting a growing arms race, Ukraine and Syria.

Vladimir Putin was re-elected by a landslide, with 76.68% of the vote, for a fourth six-year term.

There was no strong challenger, with the main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, barred from the race.

According to European observers, the poll was conducted efficiently, but there was a lack of genuine choice.

President Trump said the arms race between the US and Russia was “getting out of control… but we will never allow anybody to have anything close to what we have”.

Image NBC News

Russia Elections 2018: Vladimir Putin Seeks Fourth Term in Office

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

According to the Washington Post, citing officials it said were familiar with the matter, the call was made despite warnings from the president’s security advisers, who provided a briefing which included a section that read “DO NOT CONGRATULATE”.

During the call, President Trump did not mention the issue that has sparked growing Western tensions with Russia – the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the UK.

The UK government blamed the nerve agent attack on Moscow, which denies any involvement.

The Kremlin said the conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was “constructive and business-like”, adding that Russia hoped to “overcome problems” that had arisen between the two nations.

Senator John McCain criticized President Trump over the call, saying in a statement: “An American president does not lead the free world by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections. And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country’s future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin’s regime.”

On March 20, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker also wrote a letter of congratulations to Vladimir Putin, pledging to “always be a partner” in improving security co-operation with the Kremlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was among the first Western leaders to “warmly congratulate” the Russian leader on March 19 – a day after his re-election – stressing the need to continue dialogue “to address important bilateral and international challenges and find viable solutions”.

French President Emmanuel Macron wished Vladimir Putin success in “modernizing Russia”, but urged Moscow to shed light on the “unacceptable” attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal in the UK.

3 Ways to Make Your Community Safer When It Comes to the Weather

Dana R
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3 Ways to Make Your Community Safer When It Comes to the Weather

Many of the nation’s biggest and most costly disasters come from natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and more. Severe weather increases the chance of damage to a community, but there are ways that you can augment your community safety.

Monitor the Weather

To reduce the damage that storms cause to your community, you must have a system in place that monitors the weather. This allows you to be proactive and alert the community to enact any action plans. Investing in commercial weather station equipment provides you with real-time alerts about the weather in your specific area. You can even know how close lightning comes with lightning network software.

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Establish an Action Plan

Monitoring the weather on weather screens is not enough; you also need to have an action plan for your community members to follow. Depending on the risk to your community, you might have more than one. For example, you might have plans for:

  • Hurricanes and tropical storms
  • Tornadoes
  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Snow storms
  • Severe hot or cold temperatures
  • Flooding
  • Mudslides

Develop an action plan that includes emergency operation centers, shelters for residents, an alert system, and more. Additionally, create individual emergency readiness plans community members can implement in their homes and businesses.

Educate the Community

The final key action to take to make your community safer is to educate your community. Ensure that residents recognize the biggest threats and implement plans to keep themselves safe, which might include knowing the closest shelter, having emergency supplies at home, putting sandbags down, or otherwise preparing their home for the inclement weather.

When it comes to the weather, you might feel as though there is not much you can do to protect your community. However, with the right monitoring, planning, and education plans, you can minimize some of the risks involved with natural disasters. Learn more about professional weather monitoring at the Earth Networks website.

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody over Presidential Campaign Funding

Diane A. Wade
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0
Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody over Presidential Campaign Funding

France’s ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy is being held for questioning by the police over allegations that he received campaign funding from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Police are investigating alleged irregularities over the financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

Nicolas Sarkozy’s former aide, Alexandre Djouhri, was also arrested in London recently.

The former president failed in a bid to return to power in 2012.

Photo Reuters

Nicolas Sarkozy TF1 interview: “French justice system is being used for political ends”

Nicolas Sarkozy’s phone tapped by French judges investigating Libya donations

According to judicial sources, Nicolas Sarkozy was being questioned in Nanterre, a suburb in western Paris.

In 2013, France opened an investigation into allegations that Nicolas Sarkozy’s campaign had benefited from illicit funds from Muammar Gaddafi. Nicolas Sarkozy has denied wrongdoing.

The sources said one of Nicolas Sarkozy’s former ministers and a close ally, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned by police on March 20.

The allegations came from a French-Lebanese businessman, Ziad Takieddine, and some former Gaddafi regime officials.

7 secrets to being youthful

Lisa.Felice
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7 secrets to being youthful

In this article, we’re going to discuss the most important tips on how to stay young as long as possible. The principal points are related to the importance of physical and mental stress, tips on caring for skin and quantity of sleep.  But there are some others you even don’t guess about them.

So keep reading!

  1. Eat less and slower

According to the British Medical Journal, about 84% of the people who have problems with being overweight, eating considerably faster (1) – on average, they chew one serving of food for 3 seconds, while the more slender people spend on it is about 9 seconds.

Also, many nutritionists believe that reduces obesity uniquely important male hormones, and especially testosterone. There are studies showing that the presence of 15 kg excess weight is equivalent to age ten years.

  1. Play computer games

American Psychological Association research has shown that doctors, surgeons, playing computer games, in operations that were 27% faster and made ​​37% fewer errors than their counterparts who are not taking the game console in hand (2).

In this case, apparently, the ability to develop logical games help the brain to age more slowly, as it took quite a challenging job. As for the simplest puzzles, here there is no clear opinion.

  1. Engage in strength training

The process of muscle loss with age – one of the main drawbacks of aging. It is important that the place of the lost muscle often comes fat because it is the predominant form of energy conservation and power supplies for the organism.

In this case, because adipose tissue is easier than muscle and one pound of fat is about 18% more space than one pound of muscle, aging man seems much more complete, even for the same weight as in his youth.

The good start is to write down your personal training program and work out according to it 3-4 times a week.

Between that, if you worry that don’t know a lot about the sport, there are a lot of information, articles, videos and free book summaries online about training. And you can use them to get new knowledge about any things you’re interested in.

  1. How long does a healthy sleep?

Large-scale scientific study, which lasted for 22 years and examines the state of health of more than 21 thousand subjects, showed that men that set aside for restful sleep less than 7 hours a night have a 26% greater chance of dying before (3).

It is interesting, but it’s the same study found that those who sleep more than 8 hours a day, also have a 24% greater chance of premature death. That is why it is important to sleep at least 7 hours, but no more than 8, while paying attention to the quality of sleep.

  1. Engage in running

Longitudinal studies Stanford University, which lasted more than 20 years, showed that the people of middle and old age, constantly jogging, have a 40% lower risk of heart disease.

Also studies have shown that those who are engaged in running for a long time, long after beginning to experience difficulties with disabilities – on average, they have a chance to be in good shape for 16 years longer (4).

  1. Treat your skin

At least once a week use scrubs as to update the skin, it is important to help her, removing dead skin particles. Try to use not just abrasive scrubs and those that contain weak acids (e.g., glycolic acid).

Get a rule every few months to visit the procedure professional facial massage – interesting, but most of the men had never tried this the easiest way to restore tone and youthful skin. Treat yourself also with a daily skin care routine by using products that can help your skin retain its moisture. Products such as a hyaluronic acid serum can help you keep your skin’s firmness and elasticity.

  1. How to avoid wrinkles?

Men’s skin, unlike women, most often refers to oily or combination type, so that the majority of young men do not have problems with the need of additional hydration of the skin faces.

However, with age, skin type changes, and it becomes dry and thin – skin around the eyes may have a thickness of only 0.02 mm – without the use of moisturizing creams, men reaching 40-50 years old, noticed a sudden and significant increase in wrinkles.

Russia Elections 2018: Vladimir Putin Seeks Fourth Term in Office

Diane A. Wade
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Russia Elections 2018: Vladimir Putin Seeks Fourth Term in Office

Russians go to polls in fresh presidential election, in which incumbent President Vladimir Putin is seeking a fourth term in office.

Voting began in the Russian far-east at 20:00 GMT on March 17, and opened in Moscow nine hours later.

The first results will arrive in the evening. Vladimir Putin has been Russia’s dominant leader since 1999, either as president or prime minister.

Image source Wikimedia

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

The incumbent president is hoping for another six-year term and faces seven other candidates.

Vladimir Putin’s rivals include a millionaire communist, Pavel Grudinin, a former reality TV host, Ksenia Sobchak and veteran nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

Alexei Navalny, the main opposition leader, has been prohibited from standing, because of a fraud conviction that he said was politically motivated.

Victoria City: Morocco’s Greatest Economic Opportunity?

Dana R
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Victoria City: Morocco’s Greatest Economic Opportunity?

Casablanca is looking at a complete transformation with the project of Victoria City, which is almost complete as we are months away from its completion. Casablanca is without a doubt one of the most important cities of Morocco. It is not only of great importance to Morocco,but it is also one of the most important cities in Africa.

Importance of Casablanca

It goes without saying that the success of the city of Casablanca will be the success of Morocco itself. As mentioned earlier Casablanca is of great importance to both Morocco and Africa. It is Morocco’s chief port and is a central hub for many businesses.

It is one of the two largest cities of Morocco,but it is Casablanca that is referred to as the state’s economic capital. Majority of the country’s industrial facilities are based here in Casablanca. Most of the international companies based in Morocco are based here in Casablanca.

Looking at these facts, one can easily understand as to why Casablanca’s success is Morocco’s success.

It is only justifiable in the above paragraph as to why Casablanca is the ideal place for a project like the Victoria City to take place.

Victoria City

This project began in 2014 and is planned to be completed this year in June and is fronted by Saudi businessman Mazen Al Sawwaf along with the help of the government of Morocco and Urban Agency of Casablanca. Victoria City is an advanced and a modern city that has been open for businesses since 2016.

Victoria City would be a place where people from different socio-cultural backgrounds would be living together, shopping from the same places, going to the same schools, being business partners and many other opportunities, which will enhance socio-cultural diversity in the most positive way.

Along with being a city that is home to diversity, it will also be a great deal to invest in since it will have many different shopping centers and other commercial centers.

It is without a doubt a great place to invest.

How could Victoria Citybe Morocco’s Greatest Economic Opportunity?

Morocco needs a socio-cultural society that is diverse but still in harmony. It needs a place where all the leading brands of the world could open their outlets for the people. Even if international investors come to Morocco to invest and start their projects, they still need a place to live that is safe and in harmony.

Victoria City is the answer to all of this. It will not only attract people to come and live there,but it will attract investors from all around the world with its ultra-modernity, unique design,and secure environment.

It is a perfect opportunity for real estate investors to invest too but more importantly, this project is transforming Morocco’s largest and important city from a grey to a more colorful and alive city.

Looking at the cultural and economic aspect of Victoria City, it is obvious that Victoria City would attract many investors and people who wish to live there.

It would benefit Casablanca which is already considered the economic hub of Morocco and with this addition, it will become the economic hub and will benefit Morocco’s economy as the country could be looking at multinational corporations and companies who would invest here.

World Happiness Report 2018: Finland Overtakes Norway as World’s Happiest Country

James J. Williams
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World Happiness Report 2018: Finland Overtakes Norway as World’s Happiest Country

According to this year’s World Happiness Report, Finland overtakes Norway as the world’s happiest country.

The annual UN report measures “subjective well-being” – how happy people feel they are, and why.

According to the survey, Burundi was the least happy, taking over from the Central African Republic.

Burundi was thrown into crisis when President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for re-election to a third term in 2015 sparked protests by opposition supporters who said the move was unconstitutional.

Image source Max Pixel

World Happiness Report 2017: Norway Overtakes Denmark as Happiest Country

World Happiness Report 2016: Denmark Is World’s Happiest Country

World Happiness Report 2015: Switzerland Is World’s Happiest Country

Nordic countries regularly appear in the top five, while war-hit countries and a number in sub-Saharan Africa regularly appear in the bottom five.

The 2018 report by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network also features data about the happiness of immigrants in their host countries, with Finland also coming top as home to the happiest immigrants.

The World Happiness Report ranks some 156 countries by their happiness levels, and 117 by the happiness of their immigrants.

Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland are in the top five. The US came in at the 18th place.

Togo is seen to be this year’s biggest gainer, moving up 17 places, while the biggest loser is Venezuela, which dropped 20 places to 102nd.

Theranos Fraud Case: Founder Elizabeth Holmes Charged With $700 Million Fraud

Clyde K. Valle
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Theranos Fraud Case: Founder Elizabeth Holmes Charged With $700 Million Fraud

Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of American start-up Theranos that promised to revolutionize blood testing, has agreed to settle charges that she raised over $700 million fraudulently.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos deceived investors about the company’s technology.

The financial regulator also said the company had falsely claimed its products had been used by the US army in Afghanistan.

Elizabeth Holmes will lose control of the company and be fined $500,000.

An SEC official called the fallout an “important lesson for Silicon Valley”.

Jina Choi, director of the SEC’s San Francisco regional office, said: “Innovators who seek to revolutionize and disrupt an industry must tell investors the truth about what their technology can do today – not just what they hope it might do someday.”

The company was founded in 2003 when Elizabeth Holmes was only 19, and sought to develop an innovative blood testing device.

Theranos said its Edison device could test for conditions such as cancer and cholesterol with only a few drops of blood from a finger-prick, rather than taking vials from a vein.

Image source Wikimedia

Forbes’ Richest People In The World List

In 2015, Forbes magazine estimated Elizabeth Holmes’ wealth at $4.5 billion.

However, in the same year reports in the Wall Street Journal suggested the devices were flawed and inaccurate.

By 2016 Forbes magazine had revised its estimates of Elizabeth Holmes’ fortune to “nothing”.

The charges were brought against the company and its former president Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani as well as Elizabeth Holmes.

The SEC plans to bring a case against Sunny Balwani.

The agency alleged that Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani made a series of false and misleading statements in investor presentations, product demonstrations and interviews, saying: “Theranos, Holmes, and Balwani claimed that Theranos’ products were deployed by the US Department of Defence on the battlefield in Afghanistan and on medevac helicopters and that the company would generate more than $100m in revenue in 2014.

“In truth, Theranos’ technology was never deployed by the US Department of Defense and generated a little more than $100,000 in revenue from operations in 2014…

“In truth, according to the SEC’s complaint, Theranos’ proprietary analyzer could complete only a small number of tests, and the company conducted the vast majority of patient tests on modified and industry-standard commercial analyzers manufactured by others.”

4 Industries That Are Much Larger Than You Thought

Dana R
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4 Industries That Are Much Larger Than You Thought

The global economy is absolutely massive. Trillions and trillions of dollars are spent and earned by millions of different companies and individuals in thousands of different industries. Sure, we all know just how big the retail, food, oil and pharmaceutical industries are and how important they are.

However, what about the thousands of other different industries? These other industries are responsible for a ton of jobs and while they pale in comparison to the industries in the last paragraph, they are still bigger than you ever could have imagined! With that in mind, this article will look at a few industries that, while small, are likely way bigger than you ever thought possible.

Image result for dolar

The Hard Cider Industry

The alcohol industry is one of the largest on the planet, but there is a certain subset of the industry that is likely much bigger than you thought. Over the last few years, the hard cider industry has transformed from nothing but a gimmick, to something massive, with many different players.

The U.S market for hard cider sits at well over $400 million, and the overall global market is quite a bit bigger. However, it isn’t the size of the market that is so impressive, but the growth. The market has had an annual growth of over 30% over the last five years and look for it to continue as more and more people become interested in transitioning to ciders as their drink of choice.

The Cigar Industry

While the cigarette industry gets most of the attention for its size and the simple fact that hundreds of millions of people smoke every single day, the cigar industry is no slouch. While people don’t often smoke cigars in the same fashion they smoke cigarettes, the markets aren’t all that far off.

In fact, experts believe that that the overall global market for cigars could reach over $13 Billion by 2025, which is far more than most people might have imagined. Also, whereas all cigarettes are more or less the same in terms of flavor, cigars offer a wide range of different flavors, including this cigar here.

The Cryptocurrency Industry

Image result for bitcoin

If you think of 2017, it was largely the year of the cryptocurrency. Currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum became household names and attracted millions of investors from all over the planet. Overall, the cryptocurrency market sits at nearly $500 Billion, and hit over $800 Billion in early 2018.

This is already incredibly impressive, but you need to understand the growth to understand the sheer magnitude of those numbers. At the start of 2017, the market was under $20 billion, which means it experienced a boom unlike anything we have seen in a very long time. As blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies continue to evolve and mature, don’t be shocked to see them only grow in popularity over the coming years.

The Pet Insurance Industry

This is one that hardly anyone thinks about, but once you do, you begin to understand it. We love our pets and most people are willing to spend whatever it costs to keep their animals healthy. So instead of paying everything out of pocket, it makes sense to purchase pet insurance.

Just as humans begin to live longer due to better diets and better healthcare, the same goes for our pets. Those are all just some of the many reasons why the pet insurance industry is likely bigger than you ever thought possible. The industry in the United States is currently valued at nearly a billion dollars and with nearly 13% annual growth over the last five years, it seems like it’s going to continue getting bigger.

UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

Roy Siemens
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0
UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats over Chemical Attack on Sergei Skripal

British PM Theresa May has announced that the UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

She said the diplomats, who have a week to leave, were identified as “undeclared intelligence officers”.

Theresa May also revoked an invitation to Russia’s foreign minister, and said the Royal Family would not attend the FIFA World Cup in Russia later this year.

Moscow denies attempted murder and says it will respond appropriately.

Addressing the UN Security Council, the UK said Russia had used “a weapon so horrific that it is banned in war”.

UK’s deputy UN ambassador, Jonathan Allen, accused Russia of breaking its obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

He said he had heard the threats from Russia but that the UK would not be deterred.

Image source Wikipedia

What Is VX Nerve Agent that Killed Kim Jong-nam?

In response Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, denied his country’s involvement in the attack and demanded “material proof” from Britain to support its charge.

The US ambassador Nikki Haley said Washington stood in “absolute solidarity” with the UK, citing the “special relationship” between the two countries.

The mass expulsion is the largest since 31 were ordered out in 1985 after double agent Oleg Gordievsky defected.

Former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33, remain critically ill in hospital after being found slumped on a bench on March 4.

Russia refused to meet Theresa May’s midnight deadline to co-operate in the case, prompting her to announce a series of measures intended to send a “clear message” to Russia: expelling 23 diplomats; increasing checks on private flights, customs and freight; freezing Russian state assets where there is evidence they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents; ministers and the Royal Family boycotting the FIFA World Cup in Russia later this year; suspending all planned high-level bilateral contacts between the UK and Russia and planning to consider new laws to increase defenses against “hostile state activity”.

Physicist Stephen Hawking Has Died Aged 76

James J. Williams
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0
Physicist Stephen Hawking Has Died Aged 76

Visionary British physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

His family confirmed that he died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of March 14.

The world renowned scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.

At the age of 22, he was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease being given only a few years to live.

The disease left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesizer.

Prof. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, said in statement: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.

“He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.”

They praised his “courage and persistence” and said his “brilliance and humor” inspired people across the world.

A book of condolence is due to be opened at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, where Stephen Hawking was a fellow.

Image source Wikimedia

New attempts to convert Prof. Stephen Hawking’s brainwaves into speech

iBrain, the NeuroVigil device that may be able to read thoughts, tested on Prof. Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics.

He also discovered that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing – a phenomenon that would later become known as Hawking radiation.

Through his work with mathematician Roger Penrose Stephen Hawking demonstrated that Einstein’s general theory of relativity implies space and time would have a beginning in the Big Bang and an end in black holes.

Prof. Hawking gained popularity outside the academic world and appeared in several TV shows including The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons and Red Dwarf.

He was portrayed in both TV and movie – recently by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything, which charted his rise to fame and relationship with his first wife, Jane.

Eddie Redmayne paid tribute to him, saying: “We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

“My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family.”

In his 2013 memoir Stephen Hawking described how he felt when first diagnosed with motor neurone disease: “I felt it was very unfair – why should this happen to me.

“At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realize the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life.”

President Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Replacement

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Replacement

President Donald Trump has decided to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement.

In a Twitter post, the president thanked Rex Tillerson for his service, saying the new state secretary would do “a fantastic job”.

Rex Tillerson, a former chief executive of ExxonMobil, was only appointed to the job just over a year ago.

President Trump also nominated Gina Haspel to become the first woman director of the CIA.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on March 13, President Trump said his differences with Rex Tillerson came down to personal “chemistry”.

He said: “We got along actually quite well, but we disagreed on things.

“When you look at the Iran deal, I think it’s terrible. I guess he thought it was OK.

“I wanted to either break it or do something and he felt a little bit differently, so we were not really thinking the same.

“With Mike, Mike Pompeo, we have a very similar thought process. I think it’s going to go very well.

“Rex is a very good man, I like Rex a lot.”

Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump Challenges Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to IQ Test

Rex Tillerson: “US Is In Direct Contact with North Korea”

Rex Tillerson is the latest in a long list of senior officials who have either resigned or been fired since Donald Trump took office.

The Department of State said Rex Tillerson had not spoken to the president and was “unaware of the reason” for his firing.

Rex Tillerson was on an official tour of Africa last week when he was apparently caught unawares by President Trump’s announcement that he would hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

His team said he was feeling unwell on March 10 and later in the weekend the state department said he would cut short his tour by a day.

Rex Tillerson, 65, arrived back in Washington before dawn on March 13 to learn he was out of a job a few hours later.

According to a senior White House official, President Trump asked for Rex Tillerson’s resignation on March 9, but wanted to wait until he came home to make it public.

Mike Pompeo is a former hard-line conservative Republican lawmaker from Kansas and a Trump loyalist.

In 2014, he defended the CIA officers who waterboarded detainees as “patriots”.

Both the new secretary of state and CIA director will have to be confirmed by the Senate.

President Trump Prohibits Qualcomm Takeover by Singapore’s Broadcom

Clyde K. Valle
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0
President Trump Prohibits Qualcomm Takeover by Singapore’s Broadcom

President Donald Trump has ordered the blocking of a planned takeover of chipmaker Qualcomm by Singapore-based rival Broadcom on national security grounds.

The president’s order cited “credible evidence” that the proposed $140 billion deal “threatens to impair the national security of the US”.

There were concerns the takeover could have led to China pulling ahead in the development of 5G wireless technology.

The $140 billion deal would have been the biggest technology sector takeover on record.

According to analysts, a takeover of Qualcomm by Broadcom would have created the world’s third-largest maker of microchips, behind Intel and Samsung.

The chipmaking sector is in a race to develop chips for the latest 5G wireless technology and Qualcomm is considered to be a leader in this field, followed by Broadcom and China’s telecoms giant Huawei.

Qualcomm is highly regarded for its commitment to research and development (R&D), particularly in the field of 5G technology. Huawei is equally committed to R&D in the area.

Image source Wikimedia

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon Sense ID 3D Fingerprint Technology

Micron Technology buys rival Elpida for $2.5 billion

Broadcom is better known for selling assets and growing through acquisitions, and deemed to be weaker on R&D.

Analysts also say a deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom could have given Huawei the chance to take over the top spot in years to come – a situation US politicians wanted to prevent given their ongoing security concerns around Chinese telecom firms doing business with US carriers.

Broadcom said it was reviewing the order and “strongly disagrees that its proposed acquisition of Qualcomm raises any national security concerns”.

The company had been pursuing San Diego-based Qualcomm for about four months.

Last week, however, Broadcom’s hostile takeover bid was put under investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), a multi-agency body led by the Treasury Department.

Broadcom had rejected approaches from its rival on the grounds that the offer undervalued the business, and also that any takeover would face antitrust hurdles.

Hubert de Givenchy Dies Aged 91

Lisa.Felice
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0
Hubert de Givenchy Dies Aged 91

French fashion icon Hubert de Givenchy has died at the age of 91.

His partner Philippe Venet, a former haute couture designer, confirmed the news to the AFP.

“It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Hubert Taffin de Givenchy has died,” he said via the fashion house.

The designer’s nephews and nieces, and their children, share Philippe Venet’s grief, his statement added.

The House of Givenchy also tweeted: “The House of Givenchy is sad to report the passing of its founder Hubert de Givenchy, a major personality of the world of French Haute Couture and a gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century. He will be greatly missed.”

Hubert de Givenchy created famous looks for Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy.

He was perhaps most famous for creating the iconic “little black dress” worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Image source Wikimedia

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy floral gown bizarrely teamed with matching gloves and heels at Met Ball 2013

The friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn endured for 40 years, and helped cement his place in fashion – and cinema – history.

Audrey Hepburn became his muse, and he designed her suits and woolen dresses for the musical Funny Face in 1957, and the light-hearted heist caper How to Steal a Million in 1966.

Hubert de Givenchy came from an aristocratic background, and worked alongside the then unknown Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior after World War Two.

He was employed by the avant-garde designer Elsa Schiaparelli before leaving to found his own fashion house in 1952. There he introduced the concept of “separates” – blouse, skirt, jacket and trouser combinations that could be mixed and matched.

Hubert de Givenchy, who stood at a towering 6ft 6in, won instant acclaim for his first collection at the age of 24.

He swiftly ventured into menswear, and moved to New York to consolidate his success. There his celebrity customers included First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who wore one of his designs to President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963.

Grace Kelly, who would become princess of Monaco, was another famous client.

Hubert de Givenchy had asked that his friends and admirers make a donation to the children’s charity UNICEF in his memory, instead of sending flowers.

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