Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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Donald Trump Allegedly Asked James Comey to Drop Michael Flynn Inquiry

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Allegedly Asked James Comey to Drop Michael Flynn Inquiry

According to recent reports, President Donald Trump asked FBI Director James Comey to drop an inquiry into links between his ex-national security adviser, General Michael Flynn, and Russia.

“I hope you can let this go,” President Trump reportedly told James Comey after a White House meeting in February, according to a memo written by ex-FBI Director James Comey.

The memo was written immediately after the meeting, a day after Michael Flynn resigned, according to media reports.

The White House has denied the allegation in a statement.

The statement said: “The president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn.”

Jason Chafettz, an influential Republican congressman who chairs the House Oversight Committee has called for the FBI to hand over all relevant documents within a week.

He demanded all correspondence relating to communications between James Comey and President Trump be presented by May 24.

Michael Flynn was forced out in February after he misled the vice-president about his conversations with Russia’s ambassador before President Trump took office.

The latest Russian twist, first reported by the New York Times, comes a week after Donald Trump fired James Comey over his handling of the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while at the state department.

Image source Wikipedia

James Comey’s dismissal sent shockwaves through Washington, with critics accusing the president of trying to thwart the FBI investigation into Russia’s alleged interference in the US election and any Moscow ties to Trump associates.

The FBI director reportedly wrote a memo following a meeting with the president on February 14 that revealed Donald Trump had asked him to close an investigation into Michael Flynn’s actions.

James Comey reportedly shared the memo with top FBI associates.

“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” President Trump told James Comey, according to the memo.

“He is a good guy.”

James Comey did not respond to his request, according to the memo, but replied: “I agree he is a good guy.”

In response to the report, a White House official pointed out that acting FBI director Andrew McCabe had testified last week that there had been “no effort to impede our investigation to date”.

Michael Flynn’s departure in February came months after suspicions were raised among intelligence officials.

He resigned as White House national security adviser after just 23 days on the job over revelations that he had discussed lifting sanctions on Moscow with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak, before Donald Trump was sworn in.

It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy.

Since Michael Flynn stepped down, the Pentagon has launched an investigation into whether he failed to disclose payments from Russian and Turkish lobbyists for speeches and consulting work.

Michael Flynn’s Russian ties are under investigation by the FBI and the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, as part of wider inquiries into claims Moscow sought to tip the election in favor of Donald Trump.

Adam Schiff, the highest ranked Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said this intervention by President Trump, if correct, amounted to “interference or obstruction of the investigation”.

Senator John McCain reportedly said at a dinner that the Trump scandals had now reached “Watergate size”.

The key legal statute is 18 US Code Section 1512, which contains a broad definition allowing charges to be brought against someone who “obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so”.

Section 1512 requires a person not only to attempt to obstruct justice but to do it with “corrupt” intent, and legal experts have told the Washington Post that is not clear in this case.

Roseanne Returning to ABC After 20 Years

Sonia Pantiss
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Roseanne Returning to ABC After 20 Years

Roseanne is set for a revival, ABC network bosses have confirmed after competing with Netflix to restart the show two decades after it ended.

Most of Roseanne original cast will return for 2018 eight-episode revival.

Roseanne becomes one of a slate of TV series being revived, including Will & Grace, Twin Peaks, The X Files, 24, Prison Break and The Gilmore Girls.

The sitcom aired for nine seasons in the late 1980s and through the 1990s.

Original cast members Roseanne Barr (Roseanne), John Goodman (Dan), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Michael Fishman (D.J.) and Lecy Goranson (Becky) have all been confirmed.

Image source WETV

However, Johnny Galecki, who played David, is busy with his role as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Roseanne depicted a normal American family, the Conners, led by Roseanne in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois.

The sitcom won many awards and its final episode drew nearly 17 million viewers when it aired in 1997.

ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey wrote in a statement: “The Conners’ joys and struggles are as relevant and hilarious today as they were then, and there’s really no one better to comment on our modern America than Roseanne.”

On Twitter, though, opinions were divided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDMhiFGls48

Constructing Miracles In Inhospitable Terrains

Dana R
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Constructing Miracles In Inhospitable Terrains

Constructing miracles require nerve of steels and special cutting edge equipment. Of course, you cannot compete in marathon without first learning to run.  You might be amazed what human beings have constructed out of sheer will to impress and inspire millions to never give up on their dreams. But to build something, you first need to be able to work safely. That is exactly where companies like www.jwaoil.com, comes in with their premier access solutions. The oil and gas companies usually offer a huge array of Containers, Vessels, Bog Mats along with customized Campsites for solving most complex and nightmarish construction problems. From building skyscrapers in deserts to laying oil pipes across marshes and inhospitable landscapes, they have a viable solution. They usually offer a premier access solution in form of DURA-BASE Bog Mats, which converts an unstable ground, into a workable one, let’s see how?

DURA-BASE Bog Mats  

These Bog Mats are essentially temporary ground covers which lock together and form a stable working ground for men and heavy machinery. These are ‘on site easy to install’ solutions and can be dismantled and used again on another site. You can install up to 400 linear meters in a day and 50 mats, that’s just one trailer load. Your selected company will help you convert 420 sqm of unstable terrain into a stable working environment. Once you are done, matting can be removed for future use and land can be restored to original with minimal effort. Bog Mats may seem like the ultimate tool for laying ground work, there are other very impressive futuristic technologies aiding engineers, here a few

Image result for Leica Pegasus 2

Leica Pegasus 2

Multiple laser scanners and cameras collect real time spatial data from the site at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Instead of spending days and nights collecting data, you just need to equip your vehicle with Pegasus 2.

3D Concrete Printing

Building complex concrete structures with aid of software guided robotic hand has the potential of decreasing development time from weeks to mere hours.

Robotic workers

Analysts are finally coming closer to building robots that can actually be used for construction in real world not just in labs and studios. Researchers at Harvard University have developed TERMES, small termite inspired robots, that can build structures bricks by bricks in a group or independently. A similar research proved that robots can build structure several times faster compared to human workers and can be used in dangerous working conditions and environment like for building skyscrapers.

project-tango-sensors-Terrains

Google Project Tango

Project Tango uses sensors mounted on smart phones for analyzing spatial data. Conceptual applications have already been built that quickly capture and convert data into 3D models available for editing on device and other platforms. Though this platform is still in its initial stages, but its real life applications in construction and design are immense.

BIM Cloud, Building Information Modeling

It might seem a new ground breaking idea to some, but professionals in architecture, engineering and design (AEC) industry have been using BIM for quite some time now. Since 2014, AEC professionals can share their ideas, thanks to cloud computing, which leads to tremendous savings of cost and time as errors can be found and design streamlined in no time over the internet.

 

Don’t Go Breaking Your Heart

Dana R
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Don’t Go Breaking Your Heart

Image Source

610,000 people in the US die of heart disease per year – 1 in every 4 deaths. Whilst some of these are inherent problems, many develop later in life due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. If you want to protect this vital organ, here are just a few of the changes you can make to keep your heart happy.

A hearty meal

Heart problems are generally the result of too much fat, salt and sugar in our diets. Some foods are obvious offenders such as fried meats and cakes. Others include soda, margarine and powdered coffee creams. Eating more organic foods is often the best way to look after your heart, using more natural sugars from fruit and more natural salts from meats. Trading in fries more often for boiled potatoes, pasta and rice can also help.

Pumping iron

Exercise helps to strengthen heart muscles, keep blood pressure low and keep blood flow high. This includes both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Weight lifting has been viewed as bad for your heart in the past, but recent studies have shown that a bit of weight lifting can actually be very good for this organ as it builds those heart muscles up. The general rule of thumb is to stay active and not lead a sedentary lifestyle that will only cause your heart to become lazy.

Beating stress

Stress is also bad for our hearts. The overproduction of adrenalin and cortisol and increased white blood cell production creates an imbalance in our hearts that causes heart attacks. Taking steps to limit stress isn’t always easy and may require counselling. If work is to blame, consider whether the paycheque is worth the years that could be deducted from your life.

Packing in smoking

Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack than those that have never smoked. This is due to a number of reasons. It firstly damages the lining of the arteries by leading to a build-up of fat. Carbon monoxide in cigarettes meanwhile reduces the amount of oxygen in our blood, so that the heart has to beat harder. Nicotine meanwhile increases blood pressure by pumping adrenalin into the heart and causing it to pump unnecessarily faster. All in all, it’s much better for your heart to quit.

Already have a heart problem?

For, those that have already been diagnosed with a heart problem, the risks are heightened. The previous rules need to be followed strictly. Technology meanwhile can help reduce the likeliness. Foremost’s Refurbished AEDs are useful to have as an emergency option. Apps to measure one’s heart rate are also worth downloading and making use of.

There are fortunately many surgery options out there nowadays that can help get rid of heart problems such as bypass operations and stents. For those cases where surgery isn’t an option, a health adviser can be useful for maintaining a healthy regime.

Donald Trump Revealed Classified Information to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Revealed Classified Information to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

According to recent reports, President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about ISIS to Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

The information, related to the use of laptops on aircraft, came from a partner of the US which had not given permission for it to be shared with Russia, the Washington Post reports.

President Trump received Sergei Lavrov in the Oval Office last week.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster dismissed the reporting as “false”.

The Trump campaign’s alleged links to Russia have dogged his presidency and are part of several investigations.

However, Donald Trump has dismissed such allegations as “fake news”.

Image source Russian Foreign Ministry

During the election campaign, President Trump repeatedly criticized his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, for how she handled sensitive material.

In a conversation with the Russian foreign minister and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office, the president revealed details that could lead to the exposure of a source of information, officials told the Washington Post and the New York Times.

The discussion was about an ISIS plot. President Trump reportedly went “off-script”, revealing specifics of the plot, thought to centre on the use of laptop computers on aircraft, and the city from which that threat had been detected.

The intelligence disclosed came from a US ally and was considered too sensitive to share with other US allies, the papers report.

Others present realized the mistake and scrambled to “contain the damage” by informing the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA), the Washington Post reports.

Donald Trump’s actions would not be illegal, as the US president has the authority to declassify information.

The meeting came a day after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, sparking criticism that he had done so because the FBI was investigating alleged Russian ties.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster told reporters that the story, “as reported”, was “false”.

“The president and foreign minister reviewed a range of common threats to our two countries, including threats to civil aviation,” he said.

“At no time – at no time – were intelligence sources or methods discussed. And the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known.”

In a statement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson echoed the point that “the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations”.

The Washington Post, which first broke the story, said this did not amount to a denial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiF7TgLvmW4

Beyond The Paycheck: What Your Boss Should Be Doing For Your Health

Dana R
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Beyond The Paycheck: What Your Boss Should Be Doing For Your Health

Irrelevant of where you work, your boss has a responsibility of care. For the most part, managers put food on our tables. They pay us for our services, and we pay them back with good work and hard efforts. But, do you realize that your boss’s responsibility goes well beyond your last paycheck? As the one in charge, they also have legal obligations to care for your health. Employment law dictates that they have to act in certain ways when it comes to illness and injury. You can find out about their responsibilities on sites like www.epa.gov. Here’s a quick checklist to determine whether your boss is doing what they should.

A SAFE WORKPLACE
Most importantly, your boss has a responsibility to provide you with a safe work environment. Health and safety standards aren’t there for fun, and your boss needs to follow the rules. Loose floorboards, unhygienic conditions, and blocked fire exits can all spell trouble. It’s also their responsibility to ensure you never have to compromise your safety. For example, if they ask you to use equipment you know to be unsafe, you should refuse. They can’t sack you when they’re breaking the law by asking. If you start to notice health and safety issues in your workplace, take note of everything. And, if you do receive an injury, contact companies like the one found at elanlaw.com as soon as possible. They’ll ensure you receive compensation for unfair injuries. And, if you’ve documented all problems beforehand, you should have no problem winning a case. Even if you don’t receive an injury, it’s worth taking your notes to someone who can make the necessary changes. You could organize a health and safety check without your boss’s knowledge.

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THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Workplace aside, your boss has a responsibility for your general wellbeing. And that includes all aspects of your life. They should take the time to ask after your health, and pay attention to your behavior. And, they should be supportive of any issues you bring to them. If you’re suffering from stress, depression, or any other debilitating conditions, your boss should be understanding. Business should always come second to the wellbeing of colleagues. They should offer you time off if necessary, and all the help you might need. And, they should never pressure you to return to work before you’re ready.

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SICKNESS PAY
Your boss also has a financial responsibility to you if you’re off sick. This is an area in which many employers fall short. After all, no one wants to pay somebody who isn’t actually at work. But, their personal feelings aside, they have to pay you if you provide a sick note. If they don’t, you have grounds to take action. If you are off work for an extended period, make sure to keep thorough documentation. Take copies of sick notes, and make a note of when your employer receives them. That way, they won’t be able to wriggle out of paying you what they owe.

North Korea Missile Test Condemned by UN Security Council

Clyde K. Valle
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North Korea Missile Test Condemned by UN Security Council

North Korea’s latest missile test has been unanimously condemned by the UN Security Council, while warning of new sanctions.

In a statement, the 15-member Council demanded that North Korea conduct no further such tests.

Pyongyang earlier said the missile it had tested on May 14 was a new type of rocket capable of carrying a large nuclear warhead.

The missile traveled some 435 miles, reaching an altitude of 1,250 miles and landing in the sea west of Japan.

North Korea said it was a test of the abilities of a “newly developed ballistic rocket”.

South Korea’s military said it could not yet verify North Korea’s claims.

However, it said Pyongyang’s missiles did appear to be able to leave and re-enter the atmosphere, which is crucial to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports.

In the statement on May 15, the UN Security Council stressed on the importance of North Korea “immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action”.

North Korea should “conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests”, it said.

The UN Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions against North Korea since 2006.

North Korea’s KCNA state news agency said the test of a “newly developed mid/long-range strategic ballistic rocket, Hwasong-12” had gone to plan.

“The test-fire aimed at verifying the tactical and technological specifications of the newly developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead,” it said.

North Korea is known to be developing both nuclear weapons – it has conducted five nuclear tests – and the missiles capable of delivering those weapons to their target. Both are in defiance of UN sanctions.

However, it remains unclear whether it has the ability to make the weapons small enough to be mounted on a rocket, and it has never tested an ICBM which could reach, for example, the US.

ICBM’s are considered to have a range of about 3,750 miles, but analysts believe the missile tested on Sunday would have travelled about 2,500 miles if it had been fired at a standard trajectory rather than upwards.

The KCNA report said that, as ever, the test had been overseen by North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un.

It said Kim Jong-un had told the scientists and technicians involved “not to be complacent” but to build further “nuclear weapons and methods of delivery” until the US made “the right choice”.

The White House has mooted talks with North Korea under the right conditions, which would include a halt to missile tests.

Salvează

Barron Trump to Attend St Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland

Nancy Clayson
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Barron Trump to Attend St Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland

President Donald Trump’s 11-year-old son, Barron, will attend St Andrew’s Episcopal School outside Washington when he moves into the White House this summer.

Barron Trump and his mother, Melania, are expected to leave Trump Tower in New York after the end of the current school year.

He will go to St Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland, where tuition costs almost $40,000 per year.

There had been questions about when the First Family would move to Washington.

First Lady Melania Trump said in a statement that St Andrew’s was “known for its diverse community and commitment to academic excellence”, adding: “We look forward to the coming school years.”

Image source Wikipedia

Barron Trump will be the first child of a president to attend the school, which is a 30-minute drive from the White House.

St Andrew’s has refused to comment on their newest student, citing reasons of privacy.

Former First Daughters Sasha and Malia Obama have attended Sidwell Friends, a Quaker school with campuses in Washington and Maryland.

The White House announcement comes after St Andrew’s sent a letter to parents on May 12, informing them of the First Family’s decision.

According to the Washington Post, St Andrew’s had intended to wait until the summer to make the announcement in order to stave off possible protests while school was in session.

However, after parents began to hear rumors, the school sent out a letter, prompting today’s statement from the White House.

WannaCry Ransomware: Cyber Attacks Detected Across 150 Countries

Nancy Clayson
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WannaCry Ransomware: Cyber Attacks Detected Across 150 Countries

The WannaCry computer malware that has spread across 150 countries appears to be slowing down, with few reports of fresh attacks in Asia and Europe on May 15.

However, staff beginning the working week have been told to be careful.

The WannaCry ransomware started taking over users’ files on May 12, demanding $300 to restore access.

Hundreds of thousands of computers have been affected so far.

Microsoft said the attack should serve as a wake-up call.

However, the ransomware warning said that the cost would double after three days, so the payments may increase.

It threatens to delete files within seven days if no payment is made.

Among the organizations targeted worldwide have been Germany’s rail network Deutsche Bahn, Spanish telecommunications operator Telefonica, FedEx and Russia’s interior ministry.

Many companies employed experts over the weekend to try to prevent new infections.

The picture now appears better in Europe.

Senior spokesman for Europol, Jan Op Gen Oorth, told AFP: “The number of victims appears not to have gone up and so far the situation seems stable in Europe, which is a success.”

Renault said its plant in the northern town of Douai would not reopen on May 15 as it dealt with the cyber-attack.

In Asia, a significant slowing of the malware was also reported.

Banking systems across the region were largely unaffected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Russia has absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Companies in Asia and Europe have been warning employees to be careful when clicking on attachments and links in their emails.

Microsoft president and chief legal officer Brad Smith said on May 14: “We have seen vulnerabilities stored by the CIA show up on WikiLeaks, and now this vulnerability stolen from the NSA has affected customers around the world.

“An equivalent scenario with conventional weapons would be the US military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen.”

The computer giant also said that many organizations had failed to keep their systems up to date, allowing the virus to spread.

Microsoft said it had released a Windows security update in March to tackle the problem involved in the latest attack, but many users were yet to run it.

North Korea Claims Test of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Claims Test of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

North Korea claims that the missile it tested on May 14 was a new type of rocket capable of carrying a large nuclear warhead.

The missile, launched at a steep angle, reached an altitude of 1,242 miles and traveled about 440 miles, landing in the sea west of Japan.

North Korea said on May 15 it was a test of the abilities of a “newly developed ballistic rocket”.

South Korea’s military said it could not yet verify North Korea’s claims.

However it said North Korea’s missiles did appear to be able to leave and re-enter the atmosphere, which is crucial to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the Yonhap news agency reported.

Repeated missile tests by North Korea this year – not all of them successful but all a breach of UN sanctions – have sparked international alarm and raised tensions with the US.

The US and Japan have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on May 16.

North Korea’s KCNA state news agency said on May 15 that the test of a “newly developed mid/long-range strategic ballistic rocket, Hwasong-12” had gone to plan.

“The test-fire aimed at verifying the tactical and technological specifications of the newly developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead,” it said.

North Korea is known to be developing both nuclear weapons – it has conducted five nuclear tests – and the missiles capable of delivering those weapons to their target. Both are in defiance of UN sanctions.

However, it remains unclear whether it has the ability to make the weapons small enough to be mounted on a rocket, and it has never tested a long-range ICBM which could reach, for example, the US.

ICBM’s are considered to have a range of about 6,000km, but analysts believe the missile tested on May 14 would have travelled about 4,000km if it had been fired at a standard trajectory rather than upwards.

The KCNA report said that, as ever, the test had been overseen by North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

It said Kim Jong-un had told the scientists and technicians involved “not to be complacent” but to build further “nuclear weapons and methods of delivery” until the US made “the right choice”.

The White House has mooted talks with North Korea under the right conditions, which would include a halt in missile tests.

In a statement on May 14, the White House said Pyongyang had been “a flagrant menace for far too long” and that this “latest provocation” should “serve as a call for all nations to implement far stronger sanctions”.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said on May 14 that until Kim Jong-un meets the US conditions, “we’re not sitting down with him”.

South Korea’s newly elected President Moon Jae-in, who is seeking deeper engagement with North Korea, said it was a “reckless provocation”.

Salvează

Donald Trump Urged to Turn Over Any Recordings of Conversations with James Comey

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Urged to Turn Over Any Recordings of Conversations with James Comey

President Donald Trump is urged by senior lawmakers to hand over any recordings of conversations with fired FBI director James Comey.

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer warned that destroying any tapes would break the law.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the White House needed to “clear the air” about whether tapes existed.

The move comes after President Trump tweeted what appeared to be a thinly veiled threat to the former FBI chief.

Donald Trump warned James Comey last week against talking to the media, saying he had “better hope there are no tapes” of their conversations.

The White House has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of any tapes.

Charles Schumer also warned that Senate Democrats might refuse to vote on a new FBI director until a special prosecutor is named to investigate alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

Image source Getty Images

The FBI is investigating the allegations and possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Donald Trump denies any such links and says James Comey had assured him he was not being investigated. The president says he fired James Comey because he was not doing a good job.

Democrats, however, have accused President Trump of firing James Comey to try to thwart the FBI inquiry.

Charles Schumer told CNN that if any tapes existed “the president should turn them over immediately. To destroy them would be a violation of law”.

“If there are no tapes, he should apologize to both Jim Comey and the American people for misleading them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Graham told NBC that Donald Trump’s tweet was “inappropriate” and called on the president to “back off and let the investigation go forward”.

“You can’t be cute about tapes,” he said.

“If there are any tapes of this conversation, they need to be turned over.”

President Trump has said he could announce a replacement for James Comey later this week.

Eleven people are reportedly being considered for the position, which requires confirmation in the Senate, and interviews began on May 13.

Those under consideration include acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, New York Appeals Court Judge Michael Garcia, Republican Senator John Cornyn and senior lawyer Alice Fisher.

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

Skydrive: Toyota Announces Support for Flying Car Project

Clyde K. Valle
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Skydrive: Toyota Announces Support for Flying Car Project

Toyota has announced its support for a group of engineers who are developing a flying car.

The Japanese auto maker will give 40 million yen ($355, 000) to the Cartivator group that operates outside Toyota city in central Japan.

The Nikkei Asian Review reports Toyota and its group companies have agreed in principle to back the project.

So far, crowdfunding has paid for development of the so-called Skydrive car, which uses drone technology and has three wheels and four rotors.

Measuring 9.5ft by 4.3ft, Skydrive claims to be the world’s smallest flying car.

It has a projected top flight speed of 100km/h (62mph), while traveling up to 10m above the ground.

The team of 30 volunteers developing the Skydrive car hopes its prototype could be used to light the Olympic flame when Tokyo hosts the summer games in 2020.

Flying cars are something of a flavor-of-the-month at present, with companies from the US, Germany, Netherlands, China and Japan looking to turn science fiction into reality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZNLBL7Px4

South Korea is Provoking its Allies

Dana R
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South Korea is Provoking its Allies

As we move past the first 100 days of the Trump administration, focus has started to fall upon President Donald Trump’s Asian foreign policy.

Although many think tanks have not yet evaluated the results of President Barack Obama’s “Pivot to Asia,” they have broadly agreed on its necessity. Now that withdrawal from the TPP has been settled, the major issues concerning the US Asian foreign policy at this time are continuing to maintain the strong military alliance between the United States, Japan, and South Korea and whether or not to oppose the threat of North Korea.

In South Korea, a new president has been elected who wants to revolt against the United States. Speaking in front of his supporters, President Moon Jae-in’s recent remark of “Which president will stand up to America?” can sound as being anti-American and is still fresh in our memories. What is it the new president of South Korea wants to say to President Trump?

Image result for South Korea is Provoking its Allies
Photo source: www.salon.com

President Jae-in has pledged his commitment to easing tensions with North Korea. This path puts President Jae-in in opposition with America’s hardline policy on North Korea and the United Nations’ resolution to impose economic sanctions against the recluse nation. At a parade just after his inauguration, the new president declared his intention to begin talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if the circumstances were right. It will be interesting to see if he can follow through on his promise. With the international community continuing to put pressure on North Korea, President Jae-in’s statements signify a huge difference between his plans and that of the United States which has only hinted at the possibility of negations with North Korea. In what way is South Korea putting pressure on North Korea? Even if talks between the two countries never actually happen, the act itself by President Jae-in’s administration of attempting dialogue without applying pressure is contrary to the Security Council Resolution and could make them the enemies of the world.

President Jae-in has also persisted in pushing his anti-Japanese agenda, suggesting his country withdraws from the Japan-South Korea Agreement on the “Comfort Women” Issue. Were this to happen, it would be an obvious violation of an international treaty as the agreement states that it is “final and irreversible.” South Korea has broken numerous promises before, so it is understandable that the Trump administration would be bothered by this.

South Korea is sparking feelings of victimization and anti-Japanese sentiments among its citizens with its “map of comfort women statues.” Already unnecessary within the country itself, the South Korean government has recent released an international version of this map, expanding such brainwashing abroad. Not only displaying the location of the statues, but of monuments as well, the government propaganda has spread its tentacles to the US, Germany, Australia, and elsewhere. The comfort women issue is between Japan and South Korea, and other nations have no interest in being dragged into a problem with which they have no involvement.

However, the more pressing issue is that the agreement was made a reality through mediation by the United States. Far from just refusing to remove the comfort woman statue in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul as per the agreement, the South Korean government is accelerating the installation of more such statues and monuments. Violating an international treaty is already a huge issue, but President Jae-in’s trampling of the goodwill of his ally in the United States cannot be said to be anything but a complete revolt against America.

South Korea’s escalation of anti-American and Anti-Japanese sentiment will likely cause the relationship between Japan and South Korea to cool even further and force President Trump to make difficult decisions about his Asian foreign policy.

North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile from Kusong

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile from Kusong

North Korea has carried out another ballistic missile test, just few days after Moon Jae-in took office in South Korea.

According to Japanese officials, the missile was launched from north-western Kusong.

South Korea’s newly elected President Moon Jae-in, who campaigned on a platform of better engagement with North Korea, said it was a provocation.

President Donald Trump has called for “stronger sanctions” against North Korea, while China is urging restraint.

A series of North Korean missile tests this year – which are banned by the UN – has sparked international alarm and raised tensions with the US.

Two missile launches last month both failed, with the rockets exploding just minutes into flight.

The nature of the launch is still being determined, but analysts have said the test could suggest a longer range than previously tested devices.

According to the Japanese defense minister, the missile flew for about 30 minutes before falling in the Sea of Japan and could be a new type of missile, Reuters reported.

Tomomi Inada said it covered a distance of 435 miles, reaching an altitude of more than 1,245 miles – higher than that reached by an intermediate-range missile North Korea fired in February.

The US Pacific Command said in a statement the type was being assessed but that its flight was not consistent with that of an intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM], which would have the range to reach the US mainland.

North Korea is believed to be developing two types of ICBM, but neither has so far been flight tested.

After hosting an emergency meeting of his security council, South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in condemned the latest launch as a “provocation”.

“The president said while South Korea remains open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, it is only possible when the North shows a change in attitude,” his spokesman said.

The White House said President Donald Trump “cannot imagine Russia is pleased” because the missile did not land far from Russian territory.

It added that the new launch should serve as a call for stronger sanctions against North Korea.

A Kremlin spokesperson later said Russian President Vladimir Putin was concerned by the test.

China, North Korea’s only major ally, called for restraint by “all relevant parties” in the wake of the latest test.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests despite UN sanctions and is also developing long-range missiles.

Eurovision 2017: Portugal Wins for First Time

Sonia Pantiss
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Eurovision 2017: Portugal Wins for First Time

Portugal’s Salvador Sobral has won the Eurovision Song Contest with his love ballad Amar Pelos Dois, which was written by his sister.

It is for the first time in the competition’s history when Portugal is the winner.

Salvador Sobral, 27, said on receiving the trophy: “We live in a world of fast food music. This is a victory for music… music isn’t fireworks, music is feeling.”

Bulgaria came second and Moldova third.

Salvador Sobral, who has a serious heart condition that saw him miss the first week of rehearsals, reprised his song at the end of the show and was joined by his sister Luisa for a duet.

Their song, which translates as For the Both of Us, won top marks from both from the televoters and the countries’ professional juries, getting 758 points altogether. This dwarfed Jamala’s win last year for Ukraine with 534 points.

Portugal had been one of the favorites to win, along with Italy’s entry, which came sixth.

It wasn’t all about the singing, though – last year’s winner Jamala had her performance briefly interrupted by a man flashing his bottom.

The Ukrainian TV identified him as “scandalous” prankster Vitaliy Sedyuk. Jamala continued to sing “unfazed”, the broadcaster 1+1 TV said.

The stage invader, wrapped in an Australian flag, was swiftly wrestled off the stage by a security guard.

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest took place in the Kiev International Exhibition Center in Ukraine. The host country could only manage 23rd place out of 26 this time round.

Portugal will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018.

Michelle Obama Attacks Trump’s Loosened Nutritional Standards in Schools

Nancy Clayson
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Michelle Obama Attacks Trump’s Loosened Nutritional Standards in Schools

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a fierce defense of the healthy eating initiatives she championed.

At a public health summit in Washington, Michelle Obama hit back after the Trump administration loosened nutritional standards aimed at making US school lunches healthier.

“Think about why someone is OK with your kids eating crap,” she said.

According to government figures, one in five American children is obese.

In thinly-veiled criticism of the policies of the new administration, Michelle Obama told the audience: “This is where you really have to look at motives, you know.

“You have to stop and think, why don’t you want our kids to have good food at school? What is wrong with you? And why is that a partisan issue? Why would that be political? What is going on?”

The former first lady added: “Take me out of the equation – like me or don’t like me. But think about why someone is OK with your kids eating crap.

“Why would you celebrate that? Why would you sit idly and be okay with that? Because here’s the secret: If someone is doing that, they don’t care about your kid.”

While in the White House, Michelle Obama championed the “Let’s Move” campaign, which encourages exercise and healthy eating among young people.

The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act made federal grants for school meals conditional on reductions in calories, sodium and trans fat content and increases in fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

However, earlier this month, US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue postponed reductions in sodium, relaxed requirements for whole grains and allowed sweetened flavored milk back.

Sonny Perdue said some aspects of the standards had “gone too far”.

The agriculture department said the change would give schools “greater flexibility”.

Donald Trump Did NOT Ask James Comey to Pledge Loyalty, Says White House

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Did NOT Ask James Comey to Pledge Loyalty, Says White House

President Donald Trump did not ask fired FBI Director James Comey to pledge loyalty to him, the White House says.

Press secretary Sean Spicer rejected media reports that Donald Trump sounded out James Comey at a private White House dinner in January.

According to the New York Times, James Comey said he would offer the president honesty, but not loyalty.

PresidentTrump has faced a backlash for dismissing Director Comey on May 9.

The FBI probe and parallel congressional investigations into alleged Russian political meddling, and whether any Trump campaign officials colluded with the Kremlin, have dogged his young presidency.

The search for a new FBI director is beginning on May 13, with four possible candidates being interviewed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Image source Flickr

In yesterday’s daily briefing, Sean Spicer refused to comment on questions about whether President Trump had been making surreptitious recordings in the White House.

Donald Trump tweeted hours earlier that James Comey had “better hope there are no tapes” of their conversations.

Sean Spicer denied the tweet was a threat.

“The president has nothing further to add on that,” he told reporters repeatedly when pressed about the post.

“The tweet speaks for itself.”

However, James Comey believes “if there is a tape, there is nothing he is worried about”, a source told CNN.

Donald Trump’s comments provoked fresh comparisons between his administration and that of disgraced President Richard Nixon, who famously recorded conversations, speeding his downfall during the Watergate scandal.

The top Democrats on the House judiciary and oversight committees wrote to the White House on May 12 demanding copies of any recordings.

John Conyers and Elijah Cummings’ letter noted “it is a crime to intimidate or threaten any potential witness with the intent to influence, delay or prevent their official testimony”.

James Comey has declined an invitation to testify to the Senate Intelligence Committee on May 16.

President Trump told NBC News that James Comey requested the one-on-one dinner, but the former FBI director reportedly maintains it was the president who invited him.

James Comey had said he was “uneasy” before the dinner, according to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

James Clapper told MSNBC on May 12 that he had spoken to James Comey before the White House meal.

The FBI chief had confided he was concerned it might compromise his Trump-Russia inquiry, said James Clapper.

President Trump has said James Comey told him three times he was not a target of the FBI inquiry, fuelling accusations the president was interfering in the investigation.

Still chafing at media coverage of the firing, President Trump tweeted on May 12: “Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future <<press briefings>> and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???”

Sean Spicer said the president was a “little dismayed” that his press team’s attempts to give out information were being turned into a “game of gotcha” by the media.

President Trump doubled down in an interview with Fox News by threatening to hold the press briefings only once a fortnight, with himself at the podium.

“Unless I have them every two weeks and I do them myself, we don’t have them,” he said.

“I think it’s a good idea. First of all, you have a level of hostility that’s incredible and it’s very unfair.”

Francesco Schettino Verdict: Costa Concordia Captain’s 16-Year Jail Sentence Upheld by Italy’s Highest Court

Diane A. Wade
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Francesco Schettino Verdict: Costa Concordia Captain’s 16-Year Jail Sentence Upheld by Italy’s Highest Court

Costa Concordia Captain Francesco Schettino’s 16-year jail sentence has been upheld by Italy’s highest court.

The Costa Concordia cruise ship capsized in January 2012 killing 32 people.

Francesco Schettino had handed himself in to the Rebibbia prison in Rome after the verdict, his lawyer said.

He was sentenced in 2015 after a court found him guilty of manslaughter, causing a maritime accident and abandoning ship.

The Costa Concordia cruise ship capsized after hitting rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Francesco Schettino was nicknamed “Captain Coward” by the media, after the coastguard released recordings of him in a lifeboat resisting orders to return to the stricken vessel.

More than 4,000 people were aboard at the time and were forced into a chaotic evacuation.

Prosecutors say Francesco Schettino steered too close to the island to show off to a dancer, Domnica Cemortan, who was with him at the helm.

However, he blamed communication problems with the Indonesian helmsman.

The court ruling was welcomed by a lawyer representing relatives of the victims, who said it represented justice at last.

The sentence included 10 years for manslaughter, five for causing the shipwreck, one for abandoning the ship before passengers and crew were clear, and one month for lying to the authorities afterwards.

Costa Crociere, the company that owned the Costa Concordia, sidestepped potential criminal charges in 2013 by agreeing to pay a €1 million ($1.1 million) fine.

Five of Francesco Schettino’s colleagues were also jailed for up to three years in earlier cases.

Ebola Outbreak Declared in DR Congo

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola Outbreak Declared in DR Congo

An Ebola outbreak has been declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) announces.

At least one person has died after contracting the Ebola virus in the DR Congo’s north-east, the WHO says.

Local health ministry had notified the WHO of a “lab-confirmed case” of Ebola, the WHO said on Twitter.

More than 11,000 people died in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2015, mainly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The last outbreak of Ebola in the DR Congo was in 2014 and killed 42 people.

The case was confirmed from tests on nine people who came down with a hemorrhagic fever on or after April 22 in Bas-Uele province in the country’s far north, a health ministry statement said.

WHO Congo spokesman Eric Kabambi told Reuters: “It is in a very remote zone, very forested, so we are a little lucky. Bu we always take this very seriously.”

Boost traffic to your trade stand

Clyde K. Valle
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Boost traffic to your trade stand

Exhibiting at a trade show is a fantastic way to showcase your business, a chance to interact with customers, generate leads, find new suppliers, allowing businesses and customers to come together and forge new and hopefully profitable relationships. It is important therefore to maximise this opportunity and ensure as much traffic as possible is attracted to your stand.  Here are some tips to make sure your next trade show gives you value for money and maximum customer exposure.

Let people know you are there…

The work of a trade show starts before your set up, you need to let your prospective clients know that you are going to be there, make sure you are featured on the exhibition’s literature and social media channels, link in to your company’s social media, announce a special feature, giveaway or any incentive to encourage traffic to your stand, to raise awareness you are going to be there. You want them to come looking for you.

Presence is everything…

You may have the best product but if your stand does not appeal to customers then you will never have the chance to demonstrate this. To create a show stopping stand, that is unique and generates the right image is important. A well planned and thought out trade show booth design can generate more business that the cost of creating it. You may have the best in house creatives for your marketing campaigns, you may have amazing sales staff that have the product knowledge but a trade stand is a different skill. This may be where you decide to invest in outside help in a professional service, that can design and create a unique stand for you that can surprise and delight your customers and put fear into your competitors.

Know your audience…

Like every good marketing tool, effectiveness is down to knowing your target market. Trade shows attract a wide span of people who have an interest in your industry, what you need to know is who do you want to target, this can then allow your sales team to develop a suitable strategy and for the team to focus and interact with the correct prospects. For example, is your show all about sales on the day or is it about long term relationships. If you have multiple targets make sure your team is briefed on their strategy for the day, providing a more slick and professional result on the day. Make sure your supporting materials are reflective of this and that they cover all basis.

‘Swag’

Everyone loves a freebie, whether it is a pen, a bag (often the most useful giveaway) the client can takeaway your literature and collect ‘swag’ from other stalls and all the while they are displaying your brand as they do so, effectively working the trade show for you. Tune in to what is popular and get some branded ‘swag’.

Trade shows can account for a large portion of a marketing budget therefore you want to make that investment pay. For a cohesive exhibition experience, consider the expertise of a company such as Contemporanea Eventi, they offer a unique and custom service trade show booth service, reneowned for creative designs and they are often reported to have the stands with the most traffic and most attention at tradeshows.

Donald Trump on Firing FBI Director James Comey

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump on Firing FBI Director James Comey

In a recent interview, President Donald Trump has insisted he is not under investigation, while dismissing FBI Director James Comey he fired as a “showboat” and “grandstander”.

President Trump told NBC News it was his decision alone to fire James Comey.

James Comey was leading an inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the last year’s election and possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and Moscow.

Donald Trump has dismissed the probe as a “charade”, a claim directly contradicted by James Comey’s successor.

In his first interview since firing the FBI director, President Trump told NBC News on May 11 he had asked James Comey whether he was under investigation.

“I said, if it’s possible would you let me know, <<Am I under investigation?>>. He said: <<You are not under investigation>>.”

“I know I’m not under investigation,” President Trump told the interviewer, repeating a claim he made in May 9 letter of dismissal to James Comey.

Donald Trump said James Comey first told him this at a dinner at the White House, which the FBI chief had requested because “he wanted to stay on” in his post under the new administration.

However, NBC later quoted an unnamed former senior FBI official close to James Comey as saying it was the White House that had requested the dinner, and that Comey would not have told the president he was not under investigation.

“He would say, <<Look sir, I really can’t get into it, and you don’t want me to>>,” the former official was quoted as saying.

Image source Wikipedia

The White House has rejected concerns raised by legal experts that the conversation, as described by President Trump, may have been improper.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she “did not see it as a conflict of interest”.

According to the New York Times, two people who had heard James Comey’s account – apparently of the same dinner – said the former FBI director declined a request to pledge loyalty to President Trump, but said he would be honest with him.

Donald Trump also appeared to undercut the initial White House explanation that he had fired James Comey on the recommendation of top justice officials.

“He’s a showboat. He’s a grandstander. The FBI has been in turmoil. I was going to fire Comey. My decision,” President Trump said.

White House officials had previously pinned the decision on a memo written by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, which President Trump refers to in the opening paragraph of his termination letter to James Comey, saying: “I have accepted their recommendation.”

However, the president told NBC: “I was going to fire him regardless of the recommendation.”

Donald Trump also denied that he wanted the FBI inquiry on Russia dropped, saying he, instead, wanted it “speeded up”.

“I want to find out if there was a problem with the election having to do with Russia… or any other country, I want that to be so strong and so good, and I want it to happen.”

This is despite what he tweeted on May 8: “The Russia-Trump collusion story is a total hoax, when will this taxpayer funded charade end?”

“There’s no collusion between me and my campaign and the Russians,” the president told NBC.

Donald Trump said he had just sent a letter via a law firm to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stating that he has no stake in Russia.

“I have nothing to do with Russia,” he said.

“I have no investments in Russia. I don’t have property in Russia. I’m not involved with Russia.”

The White House has depicted the Russia inquiry as “probably one of the smallest things” that the FBI has “got going on their plate”.

However, acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe said on May 11 that it was “a highly significant investigation”.

In testimony to the Senate intelligence committee, Andrew McCabe also cast doubt on White House claims that James Comey had lost the confidence of his staff.

“I can confidently tell you that the vast majority of employees enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey,” he said.

Andrew McCabe vowed not to update the White House on the status of the investigation and to notify the Senate panel of any attempt to interfere with the inquiry.

Republican committee chairman Richard Burr asked Andrew McCabe if he had ever heard James Comey tell Donald Trump the president was not the subject of investigation.

Andrew McCabe said he could not comment on an ongoing inquiry.

The acting FBI director did not confirm reports that Director Comey had asked for more resources for the agency’s Russia inquiry.

Andrew McCabe said he believed the FBI had sufficient funding to conduct the probe.

Hyundai and Kia Motors Ordered to Recall 240,000 Cars after Whistleblower Tip

Clyde K. Valle
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Hyundai and Kia Motors Ordered to Recall 240,000 Cars after Whistleblower Tip

Hyundai and Kia Motors have been ordered to recall about 240,000 cars after a tip off from a whistleblower.

The whistleblower, an ex-Hyundai employee, raised concern about defects which affected 12 different car models.

It is the first time South Korea’s transport ministry has issued a compulsory vehicle recall.

Hyundai and Kia had refused to act voluntarily, saying any problems which did exist did not compromise safety.

Hyundai and Kia have agreed to pay a record $100 million settlement for overstating the fuel economy of their cars

Kia is an affiliate of Hyundai, and officials are asking South Korea’s prosecutor to look for any evidence of a cover up at the auto makers.

The models affected include Hyundai’s i30 hatchback, its Sonata midsize sedan, the luxury Genesis and Kia’s Mohave as well as its Carnival minivan. These models and others were found to have issues with vacuum pipes, fuel hoses, parking brake light issues and several other faulty parts.

The planned recalls will add to the 1.5 million cars which Hyundai and Kia offered to fix last month in South Korea and the US over possible engine stalling.

Hyundai Motor said in a statement that it accepted and respected the recall, but that there had been no “reported injuries or accidents from the cited issues”.

“Safety is always Hyundai-Kia’s number one priority and we make decisions on recalls or any other customer protection steps in compliance with regulators around the world and stringent internal procedures.”

Kushner Companies Cancels China Business Pitch after Namedropping Allegation

Nancy Clayson
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Kushner Companies Cancels China Business Pitch after Namedropping Allegation

Kushner Companies, owned by Jared Kushner’s sister, has pulled out of presentations planned for China this weekend.

The company was scheduled to pitch real estate opportunities to investors in the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou at the weekend.

Last week, Nicole Meyer Kushner came under fire for using her brother’s name in a pitch. Jared Kushner is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Ivanka Trump’s husband.

Image source Flickr

Critics accused Nicole Meyer Kushner’s company of playing up the family’s White House links. Kushner Companies was courting investors for a New Jersey development called 1 Journal Square. Ethics watchdogs said Meyer appeared to be leveraging family ties to the White House to enrich the family business.

Kushner Companies said the comments were misconstrued but has apologized.

Nicole Meyer Kushner and Kushner Companies president Laurent Morali had been included in promotional material for the upcoming events.

However, on May 11, James Yolles, a spokesman for the company, said in a statement: “No one from Kushner Companies will be in China this weekend.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p33CNPj4kM

What Is Addiction? The effects of true addiction

Dana R
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What Is Addiction? The effects of true addiction

The word addiction is used in a lot of ways – sometimes fun. You can love watching your sports team, but your sports team might always fall short in every single game. In this instance a close friend might note that you are ‘addicted to pain,’ you’re not – but you always watch your sports team and it is a sure bet that they will lose. You could be addicted to talking and talk too much, or addicted to videogames and spend far too much time glued to the screen. A lot of addictions have positive beginnings, and the word doesn’t always have to be a negative one!

addiction

(source)

What is true addiction though? Well, addiction is a medical and psychological condition that stems from indulgence. There are plenty of substances that are pleasurable to consume including alcohol, junk food, and drugs. However, upon over indulging in these substances, we can become attached to the substance, and thus its consumption can become compulsive. Addiction can be defined as when the ingestion or attachment to a substance or activity becomes compulsive. The effects of this behavior can wreak havoc on our lives and change the fabric of who we are. In fact, a lot of people who have developed an addiction might not be aware that they have one – and even then, they might know they have an issue, but they won’t know the impact of their behavior upon themselves or others.

The effects of true addiction can be incredibly serious. Physical addiction focuses on biology and the reaction of our bodies to substances. When we consume addictive substances, namely drugs, our body can adapt to them so that we no longer gain the same effect from the substance as we did when we initially consumed the substance. This leads to a compulsive quest to feel the same way as we did upon the initial consumption and the following ‘high.’ This almost never returns and means that the addicted person will consume more and more quantities of a substance having built up a certain level of tolerance. Alcohol, for instance, can easily be resisted by the body – this leads to people’s bodies being drunk, but the effects not being felt. People who chase the buzz of alcohol and try to live a normal life while doing so, such as performing a simple task like driving could find themselves requiring a DUI Attorney before long. The effects of addiction can harm more people than just the person who is addicted and it doesn’t have to be something like a car crash to cause harm. Addictions can damage relationships. People with severe addictions will treat objects and substances with greater value than other humans (some addictions will lead to people treating other people like objects or dispensaries). This can cause severe upset, even when the addicted person doesn’t mean to cause any.

(source)

Addiction? It is a very dangerous state of mind and a serious medical condition as well as being something that can cause to severe damage to more than just the addicted person.

Nissan Annual Profits Jump 27%

Clyde K. Valle
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Nissan Annual Profits Jump 27%

Nissan’s annual profits jump 27%, boosted by better sales in China, the US and Europe.

The company had net profits of 663.5 billion yen ($5.8 billion) in the year to the end of March.

However, Nissan forecast profits would drop by about 20% this financial year, partly due to currency fluctuations.

Earlier this week rival Toyota reported a fall in annual profits for the first time in five years, and warned this year risked being tougher still.

Nissan has slashed its full-year profit forecast by 20 percent after car sales slumped in China amid anti-Japanese protests

The yen has been strengthening against the dollar and this tends to hurt Japanese auto makers as it reduces profits repatriated from overseas.

Globally, Nissan sold a total of 5.63 million cars across the year, with the biggest jump in sales being its 8.4% growth in China. Sales were up by 4.2% in the US while sales in Europe excluding Russia were up by 7.2%.

The new financial year at Nissan also marks a new era of leadership, with Carlos Ghosn stepping down as chief executive but remaining as chairman.

Hiroto Saikawa, who was Nissan’s co-chief executive, now has the top job.

Hiroto Saikawa joined Nissan in 1977, and since 1999 has served in a number of senior management positions, including overseeing operations in the Americas and Europe.

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