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Chester Bennington Funeral Held in Palos Verdes

Sonia Pantiss
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Chester Bennington Funeral Held in Palos Verdes

Chester Bennington’s funeral has taken place in California ten days after his death at the age of 41.

According to TMZ, the private service was held near Linkin Park’s singer’s home in Palos Verdes Estates.

Guests were given wristbands and access passes similar to VIP concert passes, featuring an image of Chester Bennington.

The singer’s body was found at a private home in Los Angeles on July 20. A coroner said Chester Bennington apparently hanged himself.

A stage with a drum kit was set up at the funeral.

Image source Wikimedia

Chester Bennington Dead: Linkin Park Singer Commits Suicide by Hanging

Chester Bennington Death: Linkin Park Cancels North American Tour

About 200 family members, friends and musicians attended the service.

Linkin Park have now become the first US band in 50 years to secure three albums in the top 10.

The band paid tribute to Chester Bennington in a statement last week.

“Our hearts are broken. The shock waves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened,” the statement read.

“You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized.”

Formed in 1996, Linkin Park have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.

Linkin Park had a string of hits including Faint, In The End and Crawling, and collaborated with Jay-Z.

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

Noisy Car Issues: Here Are Signals That Your Car Needs Early Repairing

Nancy Clayson
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Noisy Car Issues: Here Are Signals That Your Car Needs Early Repairing

While newly designed cars are more reliable than ever, sometimes glitches on manufacturing tend to surface on some units. One obvious sign that your vehicle needs early and minor repair even if you just bought it is by noticing how its engine or other parts sounds.

Any unusual sound needs to be checked out, the louder and the constant the noise, the more urgent you need to pay attention to it and subject it for a maintenance check up. These conditions may arise when your car has been in the service for how many years already, but it does not exempt those you just recently bought.

In case you are not particular with the noise that your car was making, here are some sounds that are more likely to occur and what they indicate.

 

Screeching Noise When Applying Brakes

car blue wheels audi luxury

When hearing this kind of sound, it is usually a sign that your brake pads and other parts are worn, resulting in a pad not applying as it should be thereby causing excessive noise and heat. Some vehicle has this weak brake indicator signaling that you already need to replace your car’s brake pads.

This condition needs immediate attention since it is hazardous when your car can’t properly stop when you need it to be. Also if this you will not take action to address this as soon as possible, further damage to your tires and suspension may occur.

You can solve this problem by just asking your mechanic to replace a new set of brake pads and putting the recommended amount of brake fluids.

Rattling and Rumbling Exhaust Noise

car auto vehicle travel trip green grass park outdoor

If you notice that your car sounds unnecessarily louder than it should be and the sound may have come from the underneath the vehicle, chances are this is a hole somewhere in the exhausts pipes or anywhere in its system.

Attending to this issue is easy as changing the exhaust pipe and replacing the corroded section with a new muffler. Serious problems like poor engine performance or breakage may arise if this is left unattended for an extended period.

Noises From Aerodynamic Interference

Most cars are designed to minimize air turbulence resulting in reduced noise coming from the outside of the vehicle as you drive along the road. There may arise unwanted aerodynamic interference when some parts of your car are loosened up over time or been damaged by debris.

A most typical example is a loose door noob or a broken trunk lock. Noises arising from this factor depends on your driving speed and may grow more irritating as you go faster. You can address these problems by having it fixed by a mobile mechanic.

You will surely notice a better ride experience when you resolve this issue right away.

Engine Piston Noise

If you notice an unnecessary noise under the hood, it may be caused by the piston to miscalibrated or having timing issues. This problem needs immediate and severe attention. If not addressed as soon as possible, more and more parts of the engine will slowly crumble down, and you will not like it if it turns into total breakage.

To prevent this issue from happening in your car, make it a habit to regularly change engine oil and be more accurate when shifting gears.

Takeaway

Noises coming out from your car are signals that it needs immediate attention for repair and maintenance. Except saving you a ton of cash from worse damages, maintaining your vehicle in its proper shape will reduce your risk of you getting yourself into accidents. Be more vigilant when it comes to your safety and never let any of these signs pass your attention.

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Jeanne Moreau Dies Aged 89

Sonia Pantiss
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Jeanne Moreau Dies Aged 89

French cinema icon Jeanne Moreau has died at the age of 89.

Jeanne Moreau is best known for her role in Francois Truffaut’s 1962 new wave film Jules et Jim.

She won a number of awards including the best actress prize at Cannes for Moderato Cantabile in 1960.

Jeanne Moreau also worked with Orson Welles on several movies and won the BAFTA Award for best foreign actress for Viva Maria! in 1967.

Image source Wikimedia

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She was found dead at her home in Paris, the district’s mayor told the AFP.

Paying tribute, French President Emmanuel Macron said Jeanne Moreau had “embodied cinema” and was a free spirit who “always rebelled against the established order”.

Jeanne Moreau had a prolific career and continued acting into her 80s.

The actress’ other movie included 1961’s La Notte, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni; Luis Bunuel’s Diary of a Chambermaid (1964); and Tony Richardson’s Mademoiselle (1966).

She famously turned down Mike Nichols’ invitation to play Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, and instead reunited with Francois Truffaut for 1968’s The Bride Wore Black, an homage to Alfred Hitchcock.

Jeanne Moreau won one of France’s highest acting honors, a Cesar for best actress, for The Old Lady Who Walked in the Sea in 1992.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRyOma8c8eY

It Does Matter: 3 Reasons Why It’s Best for a Company to Have an HMO

Nancy Clayson
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It Does Matter: 3 Reasons Why It’s Best for a Company to Have an HMO

Our world as we know it is always evolving. Due to this constant change, a lot of people have to keep up. Large scale companies and enterprises are surely keeping up because the demand for workers is high. Even though there are sufficient people to consider as a proper work force, a lot of individuals still find themselves entrenched in overtime.

Due to the strain brought on by work and the unhealthy surroundings that every one of us has to endure, a lot of us get sick. From simple colds to life-threatening conditions, it’s safe to assume that everyone isn’t safe from experiencing this ordeal. Sooner or later an employee will need to have medical attention and health care. What happens then?

Here is the answer: HMO’s, in a nutshell, is an insurance organization which aims to provide a broad range of medical services from professional health workers and physicians to employees of a company registered with them. Aside from complying with laws and regulations, an enterprise can significantly benefit from having a Health Maintenance Organization.

According to the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, an employer who has 25 or more people in the workforce should give them HMO options. Here are three reasons why a company is better off with a certified HMO.

Having an HMO Boosts Business

business, charts, commerce

Even though U.S. provisions tell us that a company who has 25 or more employees should offer health insurance, those who don’t meet the numbers should also do so to avail of certain benefits. It’s always a good idea to put value not just in the work that employees bring but putting a value for their well being as well.

Employers who contribute to health insurance premiums are tax-deductible which means lesser taxes to cut from the overall profits of a company. To be more specific, those companies who invest in an HMO plan for their employees can qualify and take advantage of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.

HMO not only Attracts Quantity, but it also Attracts Quality

Person Holding Black and Grey Pen

A lot of people will certainly look for jobs everywhere. It’s important to know that having an HMO is a make or break decision for some of these applicants. According to a study done by the Society for Human Resource Management or SHRM, almost 90% of those who applied for a job said that a company that had an HMO was a big factor for them in applying.

It only does not increase the number of people applying for a job in your business, but it also increases the chance of an individual with high talent or exceptional qualities to do so. Having the best from the rest isn’t such a bad idea considering that the world is in a state of cut-throat competition wherein people who have exceptional talent are rarities

Employee’s Morale Increases Exponentially

adult, business, choices

Those businesses that invest in certified HMOs enable their employees to have a sense of importance and belongingness within the workplace. Due to this reason, employees make it a point to work hard to stay with the company for a long time. These people believe that the company treats them more than just workers but partners as well.

Due to this increase in morale, performance increases, which in turn, makes more productivity within the company. Another benefit that raises confidence are the extensive services that are openly available and provided by HMO’s. These services include free screenings, processing of meditouch costs, health lectures, etc.

Having a good HMO also decreases the company’s loss due to most employees who call in sick for work. According to the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated $226 billion in losses was due to these absences. There have also been links confirming that those who missed work did not have any HMO’s or coverage at all.

A good reason why employees work hard when there is an HMO is that the beneficiaries aren’t solely for them, but for their immediate family members too. HMO’s in a way is the company’s way of putting a value on their workers.

This gesture says a lot on how a company treats their employees. These individuals, in turn, do all they can to stay in an environment that not only takes care of them but their family as well.

Takeaway

HMO is indeed a good way for companies to take care of their employees. Whether a requirement or not, it is highly advisable for businesses, regardless of the number of staff to provide an HMO and health insurance. Investing in a certified HMO is more beneficial in the long run due to the benefits that the government gives to those who invest.

Employees would also feel elated that their company has an HMO. For them, this means that the company is giving them the importance and treats them more than just ordinary workers. In fact, an HMO increases an employee’s morale and productivity. More importantly, an HMO reduces the chances of an employee from calling in sick.

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Russia Expels 755 US Diplomatic Staff

Roy Siemens
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Russia Expels 755 US Diplomatic Staff

President Vladimir Putin has ordered 755 US diplomatic staff to leave Russia, in retaliation for new US sanctions against Moscow.

The decision to expel staff was made on July 29 , but President Putin has now confirmed the number who must go by September 1.

It brings staff levels to 455, the same as Russia’s complement in Washington.

This is thought to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.

The number includes Russian employees of the US diplomatic missions across Russia.

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Staff in the embassy in Moscow as well as the consulates in Ekaterinburg, Vladivostok and St. Petersburg are affected.

Vladimir Putin did strike a conciliatory note, saying he did not want to impose more measures, but also said he could not see ties changing “anytime soon”.

The president told Russian TV: “More than 1,000 people were working and are still working” at the US embassy and consulates, and that “755 people must stop their activities in Russia.”

Russia has also said it is seizing holiday properties and a warehouse used by US diplomats.

Vladimir Putin suggested he could consider more measures, but said: “I am against it as of today.”

The Russian president also noted the creation of a de-escalation zone in southern Syria as an example of a concrete result of working together.

However, in terms of general relations, Vladimir Putin added: “We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better.

“But it seems that even if the situation is changing, it’s not for anytime soon.”

The new US sanctions were in retaliation both for Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russian interference in the US election.

In December, the Obama administration ordered the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds and expelled 35 Russian diplomats in response to alleged hacking of the US Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

The new US sanctions on Russia were overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Congress despite objections from the White House.

US intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to sway the election in favor of President Donald Trump and now there are several investigations looking into whether anyone from his campaign helped.

Russia has always denied interfering and Donald Trump insists there was no collusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6rriUjtHM

Venezuela Assembly Elections: Two Officials Killed Before Voting

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela Assembly Elections: Two Officials Killed Before Voting

A candidate in Venezuela’s assembly elections and an opposition activist have been killed on July 30.

The killings took place before voting started to elect a new assembly with powers to rewrite the constitution.

The opposition says it is a power grab by President Nicolás Maduro and is boycotting the vote.

Venezeula’s government says the constituent assembly is the only way to bring peace back to the country after months of violent protests.

José Felix Pineda, a 39-year-old lawyer running in the election, was shot in his home on the night before the election day, a senior Venezuelan minister said.

Ricardo Campos, a youth secretary with the opposition Acción Democrática party, was shot dead during a protest, the head of the national assembly said.

A soldier in the National Guard was also killed in protests in the western town of La Grita, officials and media reports said.

Image source Wikipedia

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The El Nacional newspaper said 13 people had been killed across Venezuela in the past 24 hours.

Protests have continued in defiance of a ban on them taking place. An explosion near one demonstration in Caracas injured several police officers and set a number of their motorbikes on fire.

The security forces have used armored vehicles to dispel protesters in the Caracas district of El Paraíso amid the sound of gunfire, AFP says, citing local reports.

President Maduro cast his own ballot shortly after polling stations opened at 06:00.

In a TV speech, the president predicted a “big victory”, calling the vote “the most important election held in Venezuela’s political system”.

However, electoral council chief Tibisay Lucena acknowledged that some voting machines had been attacked and burned in parts of Venezuela.

Four months of protests against President Maduro and his plans for the assembly have left more than 100 people dead.

The election has been heavily criticized by other Latin American countries as well as the EU and the US, which last week imposed new sanctions on members of President Maduro’s government.

Venezuela, a major oil producer, is gripped by a political crisis, with soaring inflation and daily food shortages.

Many residents in Caracas were stocking up on essential items on July 29 in case unrest left shops closed into July 31, correspondents said.

Europe Bridge: World’s Longest Hanging Bridge Opens near Zermatt

Nancy Clayson
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Europe Bridge: World’s Longest Hanging Bridge Opens near Zermatt

A 1,640ft bridge for hikers billed as the longest hanging pedestrian bridge in the world has opened near Zermatt, Switzerland.

The 494m bridge, named the Europabrücke (Europe Bridge), hangs up to 85m above the Grabengufer ravine.

The Zermatt Tourist Board says it is the world’s longest, although a 405m bridge in Reutte in Austria hangs 110m higher above the ground.

Image source EPA

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The new bridge replaces a previous one that had been damaged by rock falls.

The Europe Bridge, whose cables weigh about eight tonnes, is equipped with a system to prevent it from swinging, the Zermatt Tourist Board said.

The new bridge forms part of a two-day hiking route between Zermatt and Grächen in southern Switzerland with views of the Matterhorn mountain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8iuwWHduKQ

Timeless Beauty Trends Guide

Lisa.Felice
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Timeless Beauty Trends Guide

When it comes to beauty, there are a few styles that will simply never go out of fashion. These timeless looks will allow you to stay beautiful, looking chic and feeling confident, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. While the 80’s shell suits and blue eyeshadow look of the 90’s will probably never venture into the beauty guide ever again (we hope), there are a number of timeless beauty trends that you should remember. Here, we’re taking a look at some of the most timeless makeup and beauty trends for you to consider.

Cat-Eye Liner

The beautiful cat-eye is a look that you can pull off no matter what you’re doing. Whether you’re on a night out and you want a dramatic look of heavy eyeliner and smoky eyes, or you want a day-to-day look to freshen up your face, the cat-eye should never be overlooked. An expertly flicked wing in the corner of your eye lid can really help to attract attention to your eyes and make you seem more awake too. There are a number of products on the market that can provide you with the look that you are looking for, and if you’re looking for something a little more outrageous, you can choose a colour or glitter style eyeliner to really change up your look!

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is almost certain to never go out of style, and with breast augmentation having been the most popular cosmetic procedure for a number of years, it is a choice for you to consider if you are unhappy with the size of your breasts. However, you don’t always have to go for such an extreme plastic surgery option, as there are a number of minimally-invasive procedures that you can choose too, to help you feel more confident in your own skin.

Image source Pexels

Red Lipstick

This timeless classic really does have the power to enhance your facial features, and you can dress it up or dress it down. No matter how you decide to wear it, you’re certain to attract a lot of attention as it highlights all of the right areas of your face. The best part about red lipstick is that you can get in a shade that suits absolutely any skin tone, no matter how pale or tanned you are. Red lipstick is one of the most versatile colours out there, and it is a timeless staple for your make-up kit.

Soft Hair Waves

Sleek hair waves are an extremely important trend to make sure your hair looks gorgeous. Another option for you to dress up or dress down, soft hair waves really are a great option if you’re looking for a versatile look. You can leave your hair unwashed, style with oil, curlers, straighteners, however you wish to do it! All you need is a little bit of hairspray and your soft hair waves are certain to remain in style all year round. No matter the era, you can be sure that soft hair waves will stay in fashion at all times.

Air France Buys 31% of Virgin Atlantic for $286 Million

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Air France Buys 31% of Virgin Atlantic for $286 Million

Air France-KLM is buying 31% of Virgin Atlantic, leaving Richard Branson’s parent company, Virgin Group, with a minority stake in the airline he founded.

Air France-KLM is taking the £220 million ($286 million)-stake in Virgin Atlantic as part of a four-way joint-venture with Delta.

Virgin Group’s share will fall from 51% to 20%, while Delta will retain 49%.

Richard Branson said he would remain “very much involved” after the deal.

In an open letter, he said that the new joint-venture would be “extremely beneficial” to the airline, customers and the brand, and recalled key moments in Virgin Atlantic’s history, striking a valedictory tone.

Image source Wikimedia

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Air France-KLM CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac said the deal would give customers “even more choice between Europe, UK and the United States via twelve hubs on both sides of the Atlantic”.

Virgin and Delta have operated a joint-venture for almost five years, plying the busy routes between Europe and the US.

Competition has intensified in recent years, with newcomers including Norwegian and British Airways’ low-cost Level service offering no-frills long-haul flights.

The new venture, which will also include troubled Italian carrier Alitalia, will operate 300 transatlantic flights per day.

In a joint press release Virgin and its partners said the venture would offer “convenient flight schedules with competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers”.

Virgin Atlantic, set up in 1984, was one of the earliest companies in Richard Branson’s Virgin brand portfolio.

In his open letter, Richard Branson recalled its eventful rivalry with British Airways, the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the financial crisis.

Richard Branson wrote that as he got older he was keen to ensure that “all the necessary building blocks are in place for Virgin Atlantic to continue to prosper and grow for the next 50 years”.

While transatlantic routes are among the most lucrative, Virgin has had mixed fortunes in recent years.

In 2016, Virgin reported its best profits for five years, but the company warned earlier this year that it was likely to go into the red again in 2017 as the weaker pound pushed up costs and put off holiday-makers.

Porsche Forced to Recall 22,000 Cars over Illegal Emissions-Controlling Software

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Porsche Forced to Recall 22,000 Cars over Illegal Emissions-Controlling Software

Porsche has been told by the German transport minister to recall of 22,000 cars to remove what he says is illegal emissions-controlling software.

He said that Porsche would bear the cost of the recalls of the affected 3-liter Cayenne models.

It comes as Porsche’s sister company Volkswagen says it will refit almost a million more diesel cars in Germany.

VW admitted in 2015 that some of its diesel cars were fitted with a “defeat device” to cheat on emissions tests.

Allegations about Porsche first emerged in German magazine Der Spiegel last month.

The magazine said it was told by a source that the Porsche Cayenne had a “warm up mode” whose true purpose was to comply with emissions requirements. It said tests showed that once the car was confronted with small bends or a slope it switched to a different mode and emissions were higher.

German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on July 27: “There is no explanation why this software was in this vehicle.

“These vehicles are equipped with modern emissions-controlling technology so we think these vehicles are technically able to stick to emissions limits and we therefore believe Porsche will quickly be in a position to bring the software into conformity (with the law).”

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Meanwhile, VW will “offer to refit four million vehicles and thereby significantly reduce emissions,” CEO Matthias Mueller said on July 27 after meeting Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks.

Some 2.5 million VW cars are already covered by a recall of diesel vehicles introduced after the firm first owned up to cheating regulatory emissions tests.

Last week it was announced that VW subsidiary Audi would be offering a free software upgrade for 850,000 diesel cars across Europe, some 600,000 of them in Germany.

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That leaves close to a million other cars to be included in the new refit plans. These include models from subsidiary Porsche, VW’s Touareg sport utility vehicles, and some of its Transporter vans.

Separately, VW has been forced to defend its record after allegations that it teamed up with other German car giants to breach EU cartel rules.

Volkswagen said it was normal for manufacturers to exchange technical information to speed up innovation.

However, the company declined to comment on specific allegations that five German auto makers colluded on price and technology.

Daimler has also called the allegations speculative.

EU and German anti-trust regulators are looking at allegations that BMW, Daimler and VW, including its subsidiaries Audi and Porsche, collaborated for decades on many aspects of development and production, disadvantaging customers and suppliers.

Ohio State Fair Accident: One Killed and Five Injured on Fireball Ride

Nancy Clayson
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0
Ohio State Fair Accident: One Killed and Five Injured on Fireball Ride

One person died and five others are critically injured after a reported ride malfunction at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

Fire chief Steve Martin told local media outlets that victims were thrown from the “fireball” spinning pendulum ride.

Ohio Governor John Kasich confirmed at least one death, and said he had ordered all fair rides shut until safety inspections were carried out.

The governor also said a full investigation would be carried out.

The fireball ride swings from side to side while simultaneously spinning passengers in circles at high speed. It is known by the name “afterburner” in European markets.

Speaking to reporters, a doctor treating some victims said: “Passengers were ejected at high speed with high energy, many feet – at least 20 or 30, if not more – into the air, and then crashed at a significant distance from the ride.”

He said the speed of the impact could be similar to a vehicle crash.

Image source Wikimedia

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A video circulating online appeared to show one passenger carriage breaking loose near the bottom of its pendulum swing, tossing passengers into the air as it rose again.

The video has not been independently verified.

The Ohio State Fair confirmed on Twitter that there was “a report of a ride incident” but provided no further details.

Local NBC affiliate WCMH reported that one of the injured is a 13-year-old child. Multiple local news outlets have said the deceased is an 18-year-old.

The accident took place on July 26, the opening day of the fair.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that safety inspections of the rides had taken place earlier in the week.

Chief inspector Mike Vartorella said: “My grandchildren ride this equipment… our guys do not rush through this stuff. We look at it, we take care of it, we pretend it’s our own.”

Mike Vartorella said the ride was inspected “three or four times” in the past two days by both his own inspectors and a “third party”.

Donald Trump Bans Transgenders from US Military

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Bans Transgenders from US Military

President Donald Trump has announced that the government will not accept or allow transgender people to serve in the US military.

The White House has not yet decided how it will implement the ban.

President Trump’s surprise Twitter announcement on July 26 has been met with criticism from rights groups.

Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the administration would work alongside the Pentagon to decide how to proceed.

It is not yet clear how the announcement will affect current transgender service personnel.

“The United States government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US military,” President Trump tweeted.

“Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Asked at a press briefing if troops on battlefields would be immediately sent back, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the policy had yet to be worked out.

She said: “The decision is based on a military decision. It’s not meant to be anything more than that.”

Image source Flickr

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However, some media outlets questioned the spending justification. The Washington Post drew attention to an analysis that the US military spends almost $42 million a year on the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra – several times the total estimated cost of transgender medical support.

Meanwhile, Politico reports that the move was prompted by threats from Republican hardliners over a spending bill which would provide funding for President Trump’s promised military spending and border wall plans.

One Republican lawmaker had already tabled an amendment to the spending bill to prevent the military paying for transgender surgical procedures.

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The decision to allow transgender people to serve openly in the military was made by the Obama administration in 2016, with a one-year review period allowed for its implementation.

The policy included a provision for the military to provide medical help for service members wanting to change gender.

However, last month, Defense Secretary James Mattis agreed to a further six-month delay.

In 2016, the independent Rand Corporation estimated that about 4,000 US active-duty and reserve service members are transgender, although some campaigners put the figure higher than 10,000.

Rand Corporation also predicted that the inclusion of transgender people in the military would lead to a 0.13% increase in healthcare spending (approximately $8.4 million).

President Trump said his decision was based on consultation with his generals, but there has been a mixed reaction.

Broadening Horizons – Your Best Bet Of Surviving Today’s Job Market

Dana R
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Broadening Horizons – Your Best Bet Of Surviving Today’s Job Market

The job market at the moment is unpredictable, we can all agree with that. Graduates are coming out with student debt only to find themselves unable to land a position where they want. People of all levels of experience and training are struggling to find the place for them and choosing to settle. Many want to change careers only to find their options seem limited. That doesn’t have to be the case, however. Let’s look at how savvy job seekers are broadening their horizons so that they don’t stay as job seekers for long.

Pic sourced by Pixabay

Don’t stick to traditional job-seeking methods

We’re all aware of the most obvious of job-seeking methods: looking at listings and applying for whatever jobs appeal to you. However, if you relegate your job search to only those methods, you might be missing more opportunities than you find. There’s no reliable number as to how many jobs aren’t advertised, but it’s enough that taking a different approach can make a real difference. Networking, whether in your own personal group of past colleagues, family members, and alumni can open a lot of doors. Recruitment agencies can often help people with very specialized skills better find a position that suits those skills. If there’s an industry you want to work in, don’t be shy about simply asking to be considered for a place and leaving your resume with them, tailored to the skills relevant to what they do.

Look across the sea

If you have training in a specific industry or method of work, then you aren’t just limited to the market at home. It’s a good idea to look at the industries and skill sets that other countries are looking to build. You can find more job opportunities in a different locale and many are even willing to speed up the visa application and approval process to get you over there. Even the English language is proving a highly marketable skill, with an online ESL masters giving you the qualifications and opportunity to teach abroad. This could fulfill the dreams of many looking to teach in places like Japan, Korea, Italy, or Thailand. You could land safely in a career and experience a whole new culture at the same time.

computers

Pic sourced by Tranmautritam

Take charge of your own career

If you have marketable skills, then you can go about selling them yourself. The internet has allowed more people than ever before to become their own boss and start a career in freelancing. In particular, freelance writers, marketers, graphic designers, web designers, and coders play an important part of the online economy. But your freelance career can involve you doing just about anything, even if it’s working in an administrative role as a virtual assistant for different companies and individuals.  Not everyone is suited to the challenges of a freelancer’s career, but the freedom of working for yourself and the fact you can build your wealth solely off your own success makes it an increasingly attractive prospect.

Put the odds in your favor

There are, of course, careers that are always going to be more likely to land you a job. If you’re considering a career switch, then look at the jobs most in demand nowadays. For instance, many fear that we’re seeing a decrease of trained tradesmen, which could mean that plumbing, electrician work, and construction jobs could end up being more lucrative than in the past. As mentioned, marketing is also becoming a growing force thanks to the online world, but you don’t have to work for yourself if you don’t have the drive. There are plenty of marketing agencies, big and small, looking for creative people.

writing-notes

Pic sourced by Startup Stock Photos

Skills: keep learning and keep evaluating

You might already have skills that make you a fit for more careers than you imagine. For instance, people who have enjoyed some success in engineering roles also tend to make for effective project managers in any other field. Teachers often go on to have a lot of success in corporate training. Managers in organizations can go on to become consultants. Besides evaluating your skills, you should look for opportunities to keep gathering new ones. If you’re unemployed and on the job search, consider looking for internships and apprenticeships. Many of them pay, but even if they don’t, they make sure you keep working on your employability with practical skills instead of just waiting to find a job.

With all the options, looking online can be your best friend. You can find remote working opportunities, networking groups, online learning services and much more. Stay connected and stay hungry. Take the initiative and your chances are a lot better of finding the career you want.

House Votes to Impose Fresh Sanctions on Russia

Diane A. Wade
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0
House Votes to Impose Fresh Sanctions on Russia

The House has voted to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, despite President Donald Trump objecting to the legislation.

Senior Russian officials will be targeted in retaliation for alleged Moscow interference in the US 2016 election.

The bill is likely to complicate President Trump’s hopes of improving relations with Russia.

Russia said the vote could destroy the possibility of “normalizing relations” between the two countries.

The bill needs to be passed through the Senate before it can be sent on to President Trump to be signed.

The White House says it is reviewing the bill, and it is unclear whether President Trump will veto it.

“While the president supports tough sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, the White House is reviewing the House legislation and awaits a final legislative package for the president’s desk,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.

Russia Threatens to Expel 30 US Diplomats in Retaliation for Washington’s Sanctions

Russian Hacking: Donald Trump Praises Vladimir Putin’s Response to US Sanctions

Russia Extends Food Embargo in Retaliation for Western Sanctions

Russia’s relationship with President Trump has dogged his first six months in office, amid allegations Moscow interfered to help him get elected.

Donald Trump has also piled pressure on his attorney general over the Russia inquiry. He has publicly labeled Jeff Sessions “weak” and said he was “disappointed” in Sessions’ decision to recuse himself from the investigation.

Image NBC News

The legislation, which passed by 419 to three, was described by House Speaker Paul Ryan as a sanctions package that “tightens the screws on our most dangerous adversaries in order to keep Americans safe”.

The sanctions on Russia were drawn up in part to further punish its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. If passed, they would:

  • Penalize companies, including those in Europe, that contribute to Russian energy development, affecting companies involved the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany;
  • Shorten the duration of loans to Russian banks and Russian oil and gas companies;
  • Freeze assets of state-owned mining and railway companies;
  • Codify existing sanctions to make them more difficult to lift in the future;
  • Stop President Donald Trump being able to singlehandedly ease the sanctions.

The US already has a range of sanctions in place against Russian individuals and companies over Crimea.

At the end of last year, following claims of election hacking, then-President Barack Obama expelled 35 diplomats and closed two Russian compounds in the US.

The bill will also see fresh sanctions against North Korea and Iran over ballistic missile tests.

However, the new measures against Russia have been criticized in Europe. On July 26, a spokesman for the Germany foreign ministry expressed concern, saying US politicians were conducting industrial policy under the guise of sanctions, according to Reuters.

This version of the legislation still needs to be approved by the Senate, but it is not yet clear when it will consider the bill.

However, if it passes through the Senate mostly intact, the bill would provide a headache for President Trump, who has signaled a more conciliatory approach towards Moscow.

If the two chambers pass similar but slightly different bills, a committee will draw up a compromise version for approval.

Once both House and Senate have approved a bill, it goes to the president to be signed into law.

President Trump could veto the bill, but in doing so would fuel suspicion that he is too supportive of the Kremlin, correspondents say.

The bill has widespread support from both major parties in both Houses – making a veto a potentially unpopular political move.

Additionally, a presidential veto can be ignored if two thirds of both the House and Senate vote to override the president.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump is “going to study that legislation and see what the final product looks like.”

The Kremlin continues to insist it did not interfere in the US elections. One Russian newspaper has described the latest sanctions as “punishment, without a crime”.

UK Could Ban New Diesel and Gasoline Cars from 2040

Clyde K. Valle
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UK Could Ban New Diesel and Gasoline Cars from 2040

The UK’s government is set to announce that new diesel and gasoline cars and vans will be banned in the country from 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution.

Ministers will also unveil a £255 million ($332 million) fund to help councils tackle emissions from diesel vehicles, as part of a £3 billion ($3.9 billion) package of spending on air quality.

The government will later publish its clean air strategy, favoring electric cars, before a High Court deadline.

Campaigners said the measures were promising, but more detail was needed.

They had wanted government-funded and mandated clean air zones, with charges for the most-polluting vehicles to enter areas with high pollution, included in the plans.

Image source Geograph

After a protracted legal battle, the UK’s government was ordered by the courts to produce new plans to tackle illegal levels of harmful pollutant nitrogen dioxide.

Judges agreed with environmental campaigners that previous plans were insufficient to meet EU pollution limits.

Ministers had to set out their draft clean air strategy plans in May, with the final measures due by July 31.

Audi Offers Free Software Upgrade for 850,000 Diesel Cars to Improve Emissions

Renault Recalls 15,000 New Diesel Cars over High Level of Harmful Emissions

UK’s Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the government would give more than £200 million ($260 million) to local authorities to draw up plans to tackle particular roads with high pollution.

Local measures could include altering buses and other transport to make them cleaner, changing road layouts, altering features such as speed humps, and re-programming traffic lights to make vehicle-flow smoother.

It is thought ministers will consult on a scrappage scheme later this year, but there is no firm commitment.

Ministers have been wary of being seen to “punish” drivers of diesel cars, who, they argue, bought the vehicles after being encouraged to by the last Labour government because they produced lower carbon emissions.

The industry trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said it was important to avoid outright bans on diesels, which would hurt the sector.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles was growing but still at a very low level.

The AA said significant investment would be needed to install charging points across the UK and warned the National Grid would come under pressure with a mass switch-on of recharging after the rush hour.

The UK announcement comes amid signs of an accelerating shift towards electric cars instead of petrol and diesel ones, at home and abroad.

 

ObamaCare Repeal: Senate Votes to Start Debating New Republican Healthcare Bill

Diane A. Wade
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ObamaCare Repeal: Senate Votes to Start Debating New Republican Healthcare Bill

In a major step forward for President Donald Trump’s attempts to repeal ObamaCare, the Senate has voted to start debating a new Republican healthcare bill.

In a tight vote, several Republicans previously opposed to aspects of the plan changed their minds.

Prior attempts to replace ObamaCare have collapsed in recent weeks due to divisions in the GOP.

President Donald Trump had made scrapping the policy a key campaign pledge.

On July 25, the Senate began the debate-and-vote process which is expected to last a number of days. Nine Republicans voted against the first amendment – to repeal and replace ObamaCare – and it failed to pass.

Earlier, President Trump had warned GOP’s senators of the repercussions of not pushing through the measures to repeal and replace ObamaCare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act.

Image source Wikimedia

ObamaCare Repeal: President Trump Asks GOP Senators to Stand Behind Their Bill

The GOP, which needed a majority for the motion to go ahead, secured 51 votes after Vice-President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaker in support of the legislation.

Senator John McCain, who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, received a standing ovation as he returned to Congress to cast his “Yes” vote.

Donald Trump tweeted his thanks to the Arizona senator for playing “such a vital role” in the vote: “Congrats to all Rep. We can now deliver grt [great] healthcare to all Americans.”

It remains unclear what measure senators will now debate and vote on.

There appear to be two choices – either a repeal-and-replace bill that has already struggled to win support across the party, or a bill that enacts repeal with a two-year delay, in the hope of finding agreement before that time elapses.

However, senators have also considered a “skinny bill”, a far narrower measure that would scale back some of the more controversial elements in an effort to get a wider consensus.

Republicans have long railed against ObamaCare as government overreach, criticizing the system for introducing government-run marketplaces, where premiums have risen sharply for some people.

The GOP’s proposed alternative includes steep cuts to Medicaid, a healthcare program for the poor and disabled.

It removes ObamaCare’s individual mandate requiring all Americans to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

About 20 million people gained health insurance under former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

The non-partisan Congressional Budgetary Office (CBO) found the bill would strip 22 million Americans of health insurance over the next decade.

If Republican senators elect to repeal key provisions of ObamaCare without immediately replacing it, the CBO estimates about 32 million consumers would lose insurance over the next 10 years.

The UK’s Gig Economy: Why Is It A Problem?

Dana R
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The UK’s Gig Economy: Why Is It A Problem?

gig-economy

(source)

Over the past few months, criticism has been increasing through the UK job market over the so-called “gig economy”. With the UK focused on Brexit, many financial minds in the country have been obsessing over how robust the floundering economy as a whole can be, as they prepare to enter an incredibly turbulent period.

On the surface, everything looks fairly decent. Spending is down and growth is slowing for the UK, but it’s far from the immediate and catastrophic recession that many predicted a year ago in the wake of the Brexit vote. While it’s largely expected that things will get worse before they get better, there is still one great bastion for those who insist Brexit has been nothing but a good thing: the unemployment number.

UK Unemployment

The level of unemployment is usually a big signifier of how well an economy is performing. For the UK government, the current unemployment is an outrider, the one positive speck of financial hope in the midst of an otherwise unclear picture. The percentage of people who are unemployed has been primarily falling since 2012, with 4.5% the most recent figure, the same as the USA.

So what’s the problem? The more people employed, the higher the tax take, people spend more because they are earning, thus the better the economy will perform – right?

Not quite.

The Gig Economy

The problem comes with how people are technically defined as in employment. There has been a huge leap in insecure work in the UK, i.e. people who are defined as “self employed” who actually work for a company on a gig-by-gig basis.

Uber drivers, for example, are part of the gig economy. Deliveroo is another; motorcycle riders deliver food from restaurants direct to people’s doors. There’s no hourly rate; workers are only paid on each job.

From that payment, they have to be responsible for their own sick and holiday pay. They have to pay for their own insurance in case of a car or motorcycle accident while at work. They have to manage their own accounts and pay their own tax. For all this, they can also be fired with little to no notice due to the terms of employment.

Why Is This A Problem?

Capitalist economies – such as the one the UK has – depend heavily on people feeling that they have the freedom to spend money. If they don’t, the economy grinds to a halt – and there’s a sign that the UK consumer confidence is falling. This is due in no small part to the insecure nature of the work that millions of people find themselves in.

Then there is also the fact that while these people may be technically employed, they’re not necessarily earning much money. The UK’s personal income tax threshold is £11,500, so while many people may be employed, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to be paying income tax.

This is why the gig economy is under fire, with the UK – and other countries – examining the employment laws that gig businesses rely on to function. It seems that a low unemployment figure is far from a sign that a country’s economy is healthy, despite the fact it has always been portrayed as such.

Michael Kors Buys Jimmy Choo for $1.16 Billion

Lisa.Felice
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Michael Kors Buys Jimmy Choo for $1.16 Billion

Jimmy Choo has been bought by Michael Kors Holdings in a deal which values the luxury shoemaker at £896 million ($1.16 billion).

The British company, which was put up for sale in April, had attracted attention from a number of suitors.

As well as shoes, Jimmy Choo produces a range of luxury goods.

Its shoes featured the 90s TV hit show, Sex and the City, and are still seen on the feet of the famous, including Kate Middleton, Beyonce and Kendal Jenner.

Malaysian-born Jimmy Choo was trained at the renowned Cordwainers Technical College in London.

He founded the business in 1996 with former Vogue journalist Tamara Mellon.

In 2001, Tamara Mellon and private equity investors bought out Jimmy Choo.

Ten years later, Tamara Mellon left the business to launch her own clothing line.

Image source Flickr

Nicole Kidman features Jimmy Choo Spring/Summer 2014

In 2014, Jimmy Choo listed on the London Stock Exchange, by which time JAB, owned by the German billionaire Reimann family, was the main shareholder.

JAB Holdings is backing this deal.

Michael Kors describes itself as a luxury brand, and, like Jimmy Choo, it is named after its founder and creative force.

Its handbags are priced at between $200-600.

Recent years have been a struggle for Michael Kors, its most recent same-store sales figures were down 14%.

Michael Kors said the acquisition was expected to deliver a number of benefits, including “the opportunity to grow Jimmy Choo sales to one billion dollars” and “a more balanced portfolio with greater product diversification”.

It said Jimmy Choo would also have the opportunity to grow in the men’s luxury footwear category, as well as greater exposure to global markets, “particularly the fast-growing market in Asia”.

ObamaCare Repeal: President Trump Asks GOP Senators to Stand Behind Their Bill

Diane A. Wade
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ObamaCare Repeal: President Trump Asks GOP Senators to Stand Behind Their Bill

In a rare healthcare speech, President Donald Trump has issued a challenge to Republican senators to rally behind their bill, on the eve of a crucial vote.

“Now is the time for action,” he said.

A procedural vote is due on July 25 as Republicans push forward in their attempt to repeal ObamaCare, President Barack Obama’s signature law.

However, among Republicans there is confusion about the bill and it is unclear whether the healthcare will pass.

Senator Ron Johnson told reporters: “I don’t have a clue what we’re going to be voting on.”

Senators will vote on a procedural motion to start debate on a health care bill.

Republicans have a majority in the Senate but there are deep divisions in their party on the issue.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor: “Many of us have waited literally years for this moment to arrive and, at long last, it finally has.”

Donald Trump: “Let ObamaCare Die on Its Own”

ObamaCare Replacement: Republican Efforts to Find Alternative Fail

However, several senators have expressed unhappiness over the process, because it is not clear what they will vote on if the procedure vote passes.

There appear to be two choices – either a repeal-and-replace bill that has already struggled to win support across the party, or a bill that enacts repeal with a two-year delay, in the hope of finding agreement before that time elapses.

Image source Flickr

Senator John McCain, recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, will return to Congress to cast his vote.

President Trump increased the pressure on his party by warning them they had a duty to adhere to seven years of promises.

In a White House speech laced with frustration, he said: “To every member of the Senate I say this: The American people have waited long enough.

“There’s been enough talk, and no action. Now is the time for action.”

ObamaCare Repeal Bill: Some 22 Million Americans Could Lose Health Insurance over Next Decade

The president lambasted his predecessor’s overhaul of healthcare and stood alongside people he said were “victims” of the 2010 law.

ObamaCare extended healthcare insurance to about 20 million people but Republicans hate the way it introduced government-run marketplaces, where premiums have risen sharply for some people.

The GOP’s proposed alternative includes steep cuts to Medicaid, a healthcare program for the poor and disabled.

It removes ObamaCare’s individual mandate requiring all Americans to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

The non-partisan Congressional Budgetary Office (CBO) found the bill would strip 22 million Americans of health insurance over the next decade.

However, if the bill gets to the floor of the Senate, amendments could be added to change the various provisions.

A Republican politician has blamed “female senators” for the spluttering efforts by his party to pass a healthcare bill.

Blake Farenthold, a congressman from Texas, told a local radio station if a man from his state was responsible, he would challenge him to a duel.

“Some of the people that are opposed to this, they’re some female senators from the North East.”

If it was “a guy from south Texas” who was generating so much discord in the party, he said, he would ask them to settle their differences in a gun fight.

Susan Collins of Maine was one of three female Republicans who said they could not back the Senate’s last healthcare plan, a repeal with two-year delay, which hit the buffers last week.

She has been strongly opposed to the Republican bill from the start over the cuts to Medicaid.

Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia also came out against the bill, expressing concerns over plans to weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions and affordability.

There was an outcry when Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell drafted the first healthcare bill in private among a group of 13 that did not include any women.

Despacito Singers Condemn Nicolas Maduro for Using Their Song for Political Gains

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Despacito Singers Condemn Nicolas Maduro for Using Their Song for Political Gains

Puerto Rican stars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have lashed out against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of using their song, global hit Despacito, for political gains.

President Nicolas Maduro presented an altered version of the song during his weekly TV show on July 23.

The reworked lyrics promoted Nicolas Maduro’s plans for a controversial new citizen’s assembly, which will be elected on July 30 to rewrite the constitution.

The singers branded it an outrage.

Nicolas Maduro was seen clapping along to the remix, as his audience danced.

“Our call to the <Constituent Assembly> only seeks to unite the country … Despacito!” go the new lyrics.

Luis Fonsi responded angrily on social media: “At no point was I asked, nor did I authorize, the use or the change in lyrics of Despacito for political means, and much less so in the middle of the deplorable situation experienced by Venezuela, a country I love so much.

“My music is for all those who want to listen to it and enjoy it, not to be used as propaganda that tries to manipulate the will of a people who are crying out for their freedom.”

Image source YouTube

Daddy Yankee posted a picture of President Maduro with a large red cross over it on Instagram and wrote: “That you illegally appropriate a song [Despacito] does not compare with the crimes you commit and have committed in Venezuela.

“Your dictatorial regime is a joke, not only for my Venezuelan brothers, but for the entire world.”

Despacito translates as “slowly”, referring to the speed of the lead singer’s seduction technique.

However, the Venezuelan version strips back the lyrics.

Instead, the new chorus runs: “Slowly, take your vote rather than weapons, and express your ideas. Always in peace and calm.”

Introducing the new take to an audience of supporters, Nicolas Maduro said a creative group had reworked it and he wanted to put it to the test.

“What do you think, eh?” the president asked the crowd.

Despacito Becomes Most-Streamed Song of All Time

Venezuela Protests: New Campaign to Oust President Nicolas Maduro

Marleny Olivo: Venezuela Mango-Thrower Gets Flat from Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela has been shaken by often violent protests in recent months, and millions joined a general strike last week.

Some 100 people have died in the unrest, which has further hammered an imploding economy that is running short of food and medicine.

The constituent assembly President Maduro wants to establish would have power to rewrite the constitution and bypass the opposition-controlled legislature.

Critics say the president is trying to cement a dictatorship. He argues it is the only way to bring peace back to the divided nation.

The original Puerto Rican version of Despacito has been a worldwide success, and a version featuring Justin Bieber recently became the most-streamed song of all time.

Another high-profile member of the governing Socialist Party, Diosdado Cabello, also drew on Despacito recently to score political points.

“As the song says, step by step, slowly and suavely, they [the critics] want to create a coup,” he said, according to local media.

A variety of opposition parodies have also gone viral on social media, including one called Madurito.

Another called Bien Flaquito (Very Skinny) played on Venezuela’s food shortages.

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

Three Square Market Becomes First US Company to Microchip Its Employees

Nancy Clayson
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0
Three Square Market Becomes First US Company to Microchip Its Employees

Three Square Market is to become the first US company to microchip its employees.

The Wisconsin company is offering to implant the tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip into workers’ hands for free – and says everyone will soon be doing it.

The rice grain-sized $300 chip will allow them to open doors, log in to computers and even purchase food.

So far, 50 employees have signed up for the chance to become half-human, half-walking credit card.

Image source Wikimedia

Microchip can suppress appetite and helps cut obesity

Digital pills to monitor medication use

Three Square Market, which provides self-service “micro markets” to businesses around the world, was inspired by the micro-chipping already taking place in Sweden, where so-called “bio-hackers” have been inserting the tiny devices into willing participants for at least three years.

Three Square Market are even working with a Swedish company, BioHax, to deliver the new technology, which they see as one day being simply another payment and identification method – only instead of a credit card or phone, there would be a microchip between your thumb and finger.

While a large proportion of the world might think twice before putting a tiny chip in their hand, it seems those at Three Square Market had no such worries.

The chip will replace everything you might have in your wallet – from your key fob to your credit card and ID. For now, it is just aiming to make life easier for those using Three Square Market’s facilities.

Justin Bieber Cancels All Remaining Purpose Tour Dates

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Justin Bieber Cancels All Remaining Purpose Tour Dates

Justin Bieber has decided to cancel the rest of his Purpose World Tour because of “unforeseen circumstances”, his publicist has announced.

The move will affect 14 dates in Asia and North America over the next three months.

Justin Bieber has performed more than 150 shows since the tour promoting his 2015 album Purpose began in March 2016.

Photo Instagram

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Justin Bieber works with Kanye West on new album

The tour grossed $93.2 million in the first half of 2017, with an average of almost 40,000 ticket sales per date.

Justin Bieber himself has not yet commented on the decision on social media, but unnamed sources told media the singer was “just over it”.

However, a statement on his website read: “Justin loves his fans and hates to disappoint them.

“He is grateful and honored to have shared that experience with his cast and crew for over 150 successful shows across six continents during this run.

“However, after careful consideration he has decided he will not be performing any further dates. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.”

Most of Justin Bieber’s remaining dates were in the US, but he was also due to play in Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.

Chinese officials said last week that Justin Bieber had been banned from mainland China because he had engaged in what they described as “bad behavior”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0CGgZZ7s-4

IMF Revises Down US and UK Economies Growth Forecasts

Clyde K. Valle
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0
IMF Revises Down US and UK Economies Growth Forecasts

According to the International Monetary Fund, the US and UK economies will expand more slowly in 2017 than previously predicted.

The IMF said “weaker-than-expected activity” in Q1 of 2017 meant the UK would grow by 1.7%, compared with an earlier 2% forecast.

The IMF also revised down its US growth forecast from 2.3% to 2.1%.

However, the IMF’s overall global economic predictions – of 3.5% growth in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018 – remain unchanged.

The UK growth forecast for 2018 remains unchanged at 1.5%, but US growth for next year is now predicted to come in at 2.1%, instead of the 2.5% previously forecast.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF said the “pick-up in global growth” that it had anticipated in its previous survey in April remained “on track”.

However, the IMF added that while the global growth projection was unchanged that masked “somewhat different contributions at the country level”.

IMF Cuts US Economy Growth Forecasts

It said that the main factor behind its downward revision for US growth in 2018 was “the assumption that fiscal policy will be less expansionary than previously assumed, given the uncertainty about the timing and nature of US fiscal policy changes”.

“Market expectations of fiscal stimulus have also receded.”

President Donald Trump’s administration had been widely expected to pursue policies including tax cuts and infrastructure investment to try to boost the US economy.

However, the chances of Trump’s administration being able to push through these policies now appears less likely.

The IMF’s outlook for several eurozone economies was brighter than initially thought, with countries including France, Germany, Italy and Spain seeing growth forecasts revised up.

The biggest eurozone revisions were for the Spanish and Italian economies. Spain is now forecast to grow 3.1% in 2017, up from the previous prediction of 2.6%. Italy’s 2017 growth forecast has risen from 0.8% to 1.3%.

Greece Bailout: IMF and EU Reach Common Position on How to Proceed

The euro area as a whole is expected to grow by 1.9% in 2017, up from 1.7%.

The IMF said first-quarter growth in many of those countries was better than expected, and that there was evidence of “stronger momentum in domestic demand than previously anticipated”.

China’s growth projections have also been revised up, reflecting, the IMF says, “a strong first quarter of 2017 and expectations of continued fiscal support”.

Its 2017 forecast has risen from 6.6% to 6.7%, while growth in 2018 is now expected to be 6.4% instead of 6.2%.

The IMF hailed China’s “policy easing and supply-side reforms”, including efforts to reduce excess capacity in the industrial sector.

San Antonio: 8 Found Dead Inside Suspected Human Trafficking Truck

Nancy Clayson
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0
San Antonio: 8 Found Dead Inside Suspected Human Trafficking Truck

Texas police have arrested a truck driver whose vehicle was found in a Walmart car park in San Antonio with dozens of people in the back of it.

Nine men had died inside, and 28 others, including children, were taken to hospital.

They were inside the trailer in San Antonio without access to air conditioning or water while outside temperatures hit 110F.

Police say they believe the incident is linked to people smuggling.

The truck’s driver, named by authorities as 60-year-old James Mathew Bradley Jr. from Clearwater, Florida, is expected to appear in court later.

Video footage from Walmart reportedly showed a number of vehicles arriving to pick up some of the survivors. Several others may have managed to escape on foot into the woods nearby.

One person found in the woods was being treated, local officials said.

Image source AP

Mexico’s government said it was working closely with US authorities to identify the nationalities of the victims.

San Antonio is a few hours’ drive from the border with Mexico, and the US immigration department is trying to establish the victims’ legal status.

Eight people were found to be dead at the scene while another died in hospital, immigration officials said.

Officials were brought to the trailer by a man who had approached an employee of the Walmart and asked for water.

The driver would be charged in connection with the “horrible tragedy”, said San Antonio police chief William McManus in a press briefing.

He said the people ranged from school age to in their 30s.

Local fire chief Charles Hood said the survivors had heart rates of over 130 beats per minute and were very hot to touch. In addition to the 20 people in a critical condition, eight others were taken to hospital in a less severe state.

The fire chief confirmed at least two of the victims were school-age children. Their condition is not clear.

“We’re very fortunate that there weren’t 38 of these people who were all locked inside this vehicle dead,” he added.

Richard Durbin, the US attorney for the Western District of Texas, said the authorities were working to identify those responsible for the incident.

“These people were helpless in the hands of their transporters. Imagine their suffering, trapped in a stifling trailer in 100-plus degree heat,” he said in a statement.

They were victims of “ruthless human smugglers indifferent to the wellbeing of their fragile cargo”, Richard Durbin added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMXRhgYLTm8

Cumhuriyet Trial: 17 Journalists Go on Trial on Charges of Aiding Terrorist Organization

Diane A. Wade
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0
Cumhuriyet Trial: 17 Journalists Go on Trial on Charges of Aiding Terrorist Organization

Seventeen employees of Turkish opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet are about to go on trial on charges of aiding a terrorist organization.

If found guilty, their sentence could be up to 43 years in jail.

A dozen of Cumhuriyet‘s journalists and managers are behind bars in pre-trial detention. Ten of them have been imprisoned for almost nine months.

On July 15, Turkey marked the first anniversary of a failed coup. There were massive commemorations held by thousands of jubilant people, hailing the day as the triumph of democracy.

However, critics argue that day – and the introduction of the state of emergency soon after – were actually the beginning of a massive crackdown, with more than 50,000 people arrested in the last year.

Image source Wikimedia

Press freedom groups say Turkish media has been particularly hard hit during this period, as about 150 media outlets have been shut down.

Turkey is currently listed as the country with the biggest number of imprisoned journalists. Journalism organizations say more than 150 journalists are behind bars, most of them accused of terror charges.

However, the government contradicts that figure.

Cumhuriyet Trial: Can Dundar and Erdem Gul Jailed for Revealing State Secrets

Cumhuriyet Scandal: Can Dundar and Erdem Gul Trial Adjourned until April 1

Can Dundar, the previous editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet newspaper, is the number one suspect in the case starting on July 24.

He was give a three-month jail term last year for espionage in another case but was released on bail. He now lives in exile in Germany.

He too gives the figure of imprisoned journalists as more than 150.

In the indictment against Cumhuriyet, there are accusations such as “changing the paper’s editorial policy”, preparing “violent and divisive news” and “interviewing leaders of terrorist organizations”.

“This is an oddity, it is absurd,” says defense lawyer Adil Demirci.

“This is obviously a political case. They are targeting Cumhuriyet because it is an opposition paper.”

The head of media organization PEN Turkey, Zeynep Oral, believes the state of press freedom in the country is the worst it has been for decades.

“You never know what will happen tomorrow,” she says.

“Anybody can put anybody into jail these days. But even if a single journalist is behind bars for no reason, no-one will ever be free in this country.”

Journalists and press freedom activists all over the world will be watching the Cumhuriyet trial very closely. The hearings are expected to last all week.

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