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Make Money From Home LEGITIMATELY

Dana R
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Make Money From Home LEGITIMATELY

coffee-work

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There isn’t a more appealing career than working from home. Picture the scene. You wake up, you roll out of bed, and you start work. You don’t answer to anyone but yourself, you get to choose your working hours, and there’s no need to wear business attire. In fact, most people tend to wear PJs. But, isn’t this just a pipedream for the lucky few? Nope, working from home can be your reality if you pick a lucrative job that you love. And, there are plenty of positions which fit the category.

Come on and take a look.

Online Surveys

You don’t even have to ask the question because I know what you’re thinking. Yep, you are right – there are bogus survey schemes on the web. Obviously, you want to avoid these like the plague. Still, that doesn’t mean that every provider is a cowboy that isn’t going to pay. The truth is that there are plenty of decent outfits like Opinion Outpost and MySurvey. These businesses pay people a healthy rate, and they pay on time, which is why they are two very reputable companies. As long as you find one that you can trust, there is a lot of money to make.

Declutter

Okay, so it isn’t an official job title, but there is no need to be official. Thanks to eBay and Decluttr, all you need to do is sell your old things to start the ball rolling. In today’s society, this tactic is more effective than ever before for a couple of reasons. The first is the internet. Before the World Wide Web, people had to shop in charity stores to find a bargain, which wasn’t very appealing. Now, online stores make it quicker and easier and negate the stigma. Secondly, retro things are in vogue because of the hipster culture. People will take your old belongings off your hands, and they will pay a lot of money in the process.

college

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Tutoring

There is no need to sell physical items if you don’t have any taking up room in your closet. People think that to sell a product or service it has to be tangible. Well, that isn’t true because you can sell your knowledge. Hopefully, you will have knowledge and experience that other people lack. If so, you can offer to tutor them so as to pass on your wisdom. Music teachers make a killing from this very technique on a daily basis, and so can you. The trick is to think of skills you have that others want.

airbnb

Image source

Sell Your Home

Don’t worry because there is no need to move. In this sense, ‘selling your home’ means selling the floor space. With the help of a site like Airbnb, it is easy to put the property up for rent. All you have to do is choose what your preferences and wait for the offers to flood in. For example, you can rent the whole house out for a few days, or just a single room. Whatever you decide, there will always be people looking to take advantage.

Making money legitimately is never easy, but it’s a lot easier with these tips.

Is a Condo, Town House or Single-Family Home Right for Your Next Move?

Nancy Clayson
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0
Is a Condo, Town House or Single-Family Home Right for Your Next Move?

Whether you’ve done it before or not, buying a home and planning a family move is a stressful time. The cost of rent is skyrocketing all over the country, forcing more and more families to reevaluate the next move they make very carefully. Many potential homeowners are looking at condominiums and town houses as possible substitutes for the traditional single-family home as they are smaller, more modern and will often have group associations that take care of chores like maintenance and landscaping.

The typical family home is no longer the norm, which makes a lot of room for alternative housing that is still just as valuable to the buyer and the overall family experience. Let’s take a deeper look into condos, town houses and single-family homes and weigh the benefits of each.

Image source Flickr

Condominiums

Depending on where you’re looking, you can usually find condos marked at a much lower price-point than single-family homes. They also usually come with desirable amenities that would not typically be affordable for an individual home owner, such as a swimming pool, golf course, or fitness center. Often even the physical location—if it is on a beachfront or close to a ski-resort—can be huge draws.

However, it’s important to note that condos do not appreciate in value at the same speed that houses do. When the time comes to sell, you may take a loss. The potential for depreciation of value over time is without a doubt the biggest downside of purchasing a condo. Especially if many of your neighbors are moving at the same time, you’ll have a hard time differentiating yourself from the competition and may have to sit on the property as it depreciates in value right before your eyes.

Town Houses

On the surface, condos and town houses are very similar. They are communities of homes that share walls and certain communal spaces. The major difference with town houses is that the owner will not only own the interior of the home (as is the case with condominiums), but the exterior of the building, which includes the roof, lawn and drive. When you buy a town house, there is an enhanced sense of ownership. Especially when compared to condominiums, which are essentially apartments that you can buy instead of rent.

Single-Family House

Let’s do an exercise. Close your eyes and imagine the ‘American Dream’—it’s a pretty clear picture, right? A single-family home with a white picket fence and 2.5 children. It’s an image that has been around for a long, long time and isn’t going anywhere any time soon. They are a staple of the modern American suburb. They will typically come with a garage, a big yard, and all the privacy that comes with not having to share walls with anyone else.

However, with all that freedom and space comes the responsibility of maintaining it by yourself. Many people take pride in their lawns and over landscape of their yard, although this is not the case for everyone. Landscaping costs aren’t the only the additional costs associated with owning a home. For example, compare homeowners insurance quotes for all of the above and you will find that owning a home is much costlier than owning a town house or condominium.

Whether you opt for a condo, a town house or a traditional single-family home, the choice is ultimately up to you and what is right for your family. It depends on your stage of life, how much you’re looking to invest right off the bat and what you aim to do in the future.

Emperor Akihito’s Abdication Approved by Japan’s Government

Diane A. Wade
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Emperor Akihito’s Abdication Approved by Japan’s Government

Japan’s Emperor Akihito has made a step closer to his abdication after the government has approved a one-off bill.

In 2016, Emperor Akihito, 83, said that his age and health were making it hard for him to fulfill his official duties.

However, there is no provision under existing law for the emperor to abdicate and be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito.

The bill will now pass to the parliament, where it is widely expected to be passed.

It would be the first time a Japanese emperor has stepped down since Emperor Kokaku in 1817.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on May 19 that the government “hopes for the smooth passage of the legislation”.

Emperor Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989 and is loved and revered by many Japanese.

Image source Wikipedia

In a rare address to the nation in August 2016, Akihito said he was beginning to feel “various constraints such as in my physical fitness” which caused him to “contemplate on my role and my duties as the emperor in the days to come”.

The emperor is constitutionally barred from making any comments on politics, so he could not say explicitly that he wanted to stand down.

The bill approved by the cabinet on May 19 mentions the widespread public support for the emperor’s wishes, Japanese media reported.

It says that on abdication, Crown Prince Naruhito would immediately take the Chrysanthemum Throne, but that neither he nor his successors would be allowed to abdicate under the same law.

The government will set the date for the abdication, which is expected to be in December 2018.

Women are not allowed to inherit Japan’s throne and so Princess Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, cannot succeed her father.

A debate about whether or not a woman should be able to ascend the throne was triggered in 2006 when the emperor had no grandsons, but was postponed after a boy was born to the imperial family.

The discussion about the role of royal women arose again this week when it was announced that Princess Mako – Akihito’s eldest grandchild and Prince Fumihito’s daughter – was to be engaged to a commoner.

Under Japanese law, Princess Mako, 25, will have to give up her royal status and enter private life after her marriage.

US Plane Intercepted by Two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 Jets over East China Sea

Roy Siemens
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0
US Plane Intercepted by Two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 Jets over East China Sea

A US aircraft has been “unprofessional” intercepted by two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 jets, the US military said.

One of the Chinese jets came as close as 150ft to the US WC-135 plane and flew upside down above it, according to US officials cited by CNN.

According to the US military, the plane was on a mission to detect radiation in international airspace over the East China Sea.

Tensions have repeatedly risen over US activity near the resource-rich international waters off China’s coast.

The intercept, which took place on May 17, was deemed unprofessional “due to the maneuvers by the Chinese pilot, as well as the speeds and proximity of both aircraft”, Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Lori Hodge said.

He said the issue was “being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels”, and a military investigation was under way.

Image source Wikimedia

China has not commented on the incident, but it accuses the US of carrying out reconnaissance flights over Chinese coastal waters and regularly calls on the US to reduce patrols in the area.

It claims sovereignty over almost all of the disputed territory in the South and East China seas, though several other countries in the region have competing claims.

China has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols.

The US plane has previously been used to detect evidence of possible nuclear tests by North Korea.

Separately, China and South East Asian countries have agreed a framework for a long-awaited code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea, China’s foreign ministry said, without giving details on the content.

The draft will now be submitted to the foreign ministers of the countries in August.

Over the years, the US, China and several of the South East Asian countries have had disputes over rival activity in the South China Sea.

Chelsea Manning Posts New Photo after Release from Prison

Nancy Clayson
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Chelsea Manning Posts New Photo after Release from Prison

Chelsea Manning has posted a recent photo of herself on Instagram.

The former US soldier, born Bradley Edward Manning, was released from military prison on May 16.

Chelsea Elizabeth Manning served seven years of a 35-year sentence for leaking hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables and military files to WikiLeaks.

Image source Instagram

Since her release, Chelsea Manning had made a few social media posts documenting her life after jail, but none had shown her face.

“Okay, so here I am everyone!!” Chelsea Manning wrote, adding a smiley-face emoji and the hashtag #HelloWorld.

The photo was published on Instagram and cross-posted on Twitter.

The grainy black-and-white photo most often associated with Chelsea Manning was released by the military in 2013 but was taken years earlier.

Times Square Attack: One Dead and 22 Injured after Speeding Car Drove into Pedestrians

Roy Siemens
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Times Square Attack: One Dead and 22 Injured after Speeding Car Drove into Pedestrians

One person is dead and 22 other people injured after a car sped on to a pavement in New York City’s Times Square, the fire department says.

The 26-year-old driver, Richard Rojas, a US Navy veteran and US citizen, is in custody.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “There is no indication that this was an act of terrorism.”

The maroon Honda jumped the kerb and travelled for three blocks before crashing.

Images from the scene showed the sedan partially on its side on the pavement with smoke and flames spewing from the bonnet.

The crash follows recent deadly car-ramming attacks in London, Berlin, France, Israel and Sweden.

The FBI is investigating the incident at the Midtown Manhattan tourist venue, but so far officials say there is no terror link.

NYPD said Richard Rojas is a Bronx resident who was arrested in 2008 and 2015 for DUI.

Police believe Richard Rojas was reportedly was high on synthetic marijuana, known as K2, ABC News reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Initial tests reportedly came back negative for alcohol, but positive for drugs.

“It is believed to be an isolated incident, it remains under investigation,” the NYPD said on Twitter.

Image source Getty Images

City authorities said they would nevertheless deploy extra police from anti-terror units to key locations around the city as a precaution.

The vehicle jumped the kerb at 45th Street and Broadway at 11:55 local time and drove at high speed before crashing into a pole.

Images from the scene showed casualties strewn across the walkway.

One person was covered with a white cloth.

Among those hurt, four were in critical condition and three sustained serious injuries, according to the fire department.

The department said 15 other victims suffered less serious injuries.

According to police, an 18-year-old woman died and her 13-year-old sister was among the injured.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement the event was “nothing short of horrific”.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump had been informed about the incident.

Times Square was the target of an attempted attack in May 2010 when a Pakistani immigrant planted a car bomb at an intersection.

The device failed to detonate and he was arrested shortly after boarding a flight to the Middle East.

Donald Trump Reacts to Robert Mueller’s Appointment as Special Counsel in Russia Probe

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Reacts to Robert Mueller’s Appointment as Special Counsel in Russia Probe

President Donald Trump has reacted to the decision to appoint former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the inquiry into Russia’s influence on his election.

The president tweeted on May 18: “This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history.”

Donald Trump’s reaction differed from yesterday when he was quoted in a White House statement as saying: “I look forward to this matter concluding quickly.”

In naming Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said it was in the public interest to pick an outsider.

Robert Mueller’s appointment has been welcomed by politicians from both sides.

Calls for a special investigation mounted after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last week.

“With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign and the Obama Administration, there was never a special councel [sic] appointed,” he tweeted on May 18.

President Trump later reposted the same tweet, after correcting his misspelling of the word “counsel”.

Image source Wikipedia

A number of times previously, President Trump has likened the investigation into potential collusion between his campaign and the Russian government to a witch hunt.

Donald Trump’s latest tweets came hours before he was to hold a joint press conference with the visiting Colombian president.

On May 17, Donald Trump said no politician in history “has been treated worse or more unfairly” than himself.

The announcement of a special counsel apparently took the White House by surprise, with President Trump only being informed of it after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had signed the order.

The FBI and Congress are looking into potential links between Donald Trump’s campaign team and Russia. Robert Mueller will take over the FBI investigation.

Washington’s intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to tip the US presidential election in favor of Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that former Trump aide Michael Flynn told his transition team at the beginning of January – earlier than was previously thought – that he was under federal investigation for working as a paid lobbyist for Turkey during the election campaign.

Donald Trump appointed Michael Flynn as his national security adviser weeks later despite the warning, but he was sacked after just 24 days.

In his statement announcing Robert Mueller’s appointment, Rod Rosenstein said: “The public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command.”

Robert Mueller, who will have wide-ranging powers, said simply: “I accept this responsibility and will discharge it to the best of my ability.”

Just over an hour after the news of Robert Mueller’s appointment emerged, President Trump predicted the new investigation would clear him and his team.

“A thorough investigation will confirm what we already know – there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMvrCYmMeK8

Chris Cornell Dies After Performing with Soundgarden in Detroit

Sonia Pantiss
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Chris Cornell Dies After Performing with Soundgarden in Detroit

Soundgarden and Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell has died at the age of 52, his representatives have confirmed.

He was also best known for performing the theme song to the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, You Know My Name.

In a statement, Chris Cornell’s representative Brian Bumbery said his death was “sudden and unexpected”.

The statement also also said the family would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause and asked for privacy.

Chris Cornell died shortly after playing a concert with Soundgarden in Detroit on May 17.

Image source Flickr

The show was part of a wider tour and the group had a number of live dates scheduled for later this month.

Elton John led the tributes, tweeting: “Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man.”

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page added: “RIP Chris Cornell. Incredibly talented, incredibly young, incredibly missed.”

Chris Cornell was born on July 20, 1964.

As a solo artist, Chris Cornell released four studio albums – most recently 2015’s Higher Truth.

2006’s You Know My Name, which was the theme song to Casino Royale, made him the first male American artist to write and perform the theme song for a James Bond movie.

However, he was perhaps most famous as the lead singer of Seattle band Soundgarden, which formed in 1984 and went on to release six studio albums.

In 2016, Soundgarden confirmed they were returning to the studio to record new material and a tour was announced for this year.

On May 17, the Fox Theatre in Detroit tweeted pictures of the band while they were live on stage.

Chris Cornell himself tweeted about the show that evening, writing: “Finally back to Rock City!”

In 2001, Chris Cornell joined rock Audioslave, which consisted of Cornell on lead vocals, together with Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk (drums).

Audioslave released three albums, but disbanded in 2007.

Best Bedroom Decorating Ideas that Will Make You Have a Good Night’s Sleep

Nancy Clayson
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0
Best Bedroom Decorating Ideas that Will Make You Have a Good Night’s Sleep

Feeling relaxed in the morning seems to be an asset which only a few people get to experience. Most individuals protest because they don’t get enough sleep at night and feels exhausted when they wake up.

Despite the fact that sleep deprivation can be a medical condition, in many cases, insomnia is the outcome of living in inefficient environments. It means that the atmosphere in your bedroom may be keeping you from sleeping.

With hectic and stressful lives, our emotional, physical, and mental health depend on our sleep. If you are not getting enough Zs, here are some bedroom decorating ideas to help you get back to the time when sleeping was a satisfaction, and waking up was invigorating.

Clean Sweep

apple, bed, bedroom

Remove the mess to have yourself some clear mind. Remember that at night, a filthy bedroom will have an effect on you. Even if you don’t notice it, you know the mess is there. Don’t leave items around or under your bed, and allow the area to breathe. Throw away those things that don’t do a real purpose and get rid of distractions such as overflowing dressers and open closets.

Balancing Act

Place your bed against a solid wall and face away from openings such as windows and doors to feel balanced and centered on sleeping. And use a well-built headboard to establish a sense of stability in your bed.

Mattress Upgrade

If you’re sleeping on an old and run-down mattress, consider getting a new one. Take a look at MattressNerd’s innerspring mattresses, they are a great choice for an upgrade.

Sleepy Colors

A relaxing and serene ambiance uses quiet and muted colors. These colors are soothing and can boost sleep and relaxation. Apply warm and cool shades and utilize neutrals to form a balance. Soft hues of blue, green, peach, and yellow are ideal.

No More Bright Lights

2 Pendant Lamps Turned on

A comforting room that helps you sleep faster must be dark or with a soft lighting. Get dimmer switches that will enable you to manage the light in your room and switch it off when you’re getting ready for bed. Diminish lighting coming from the outside. Incorporate blackout liners on draperies to impede light from interrupting your sleep.

Lose the Electronics

You always bring your phone with you even you’re on your dining tables eating your meal, but you should keep any distractions away by eliminating all electronics inside your bedroom.

There might be cravings for using your laptop, watching television, and having your smartphone in the room, when in fact, they only make problems worse. If you need to have a television, conceal it in an armoire. As for your smartphone and laptop, you should only use them outside the bedroom.

All About You

You can design your bedroom with style and still stick to the ideas provided in this article. Opt for colors that soothe you and aspects which relax you. Use decorations that serve their purpose, but they shouldn’t interrupt your sleep.

Takeaway

The bedroom can be a multifunctional room because you can use it as a library or office, but in the end, it is a haven for sleep. Your bedroom should be the most luxurious and personal area in any home, and a soothing sanctuary that is beneficial to comfort and relaxation. Style does not hinder your sleep, and that’s because of a solid headboard against a solid wall, no clutter, and subtle colors.

Salvează

Robert Mueller to Lead Inquiry into Russia’s Alleged Ties with Trump’s Campaign

Diane A. Wade
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0
Robert Mueller to Lead Inquiry into Russia’s Alleged Ties with Trump’s Campaign

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been named special counsel to oversee an inquiry into Russia’s alleged meddling in the election and any Trump campaign ties.

In naming Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said it was in the public interest to have an outsider.

The appointment was widely endorsed by politicians from both sides.

Calls for a special investigation had mounted since President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last week.

The announcement apparently took the White House by surprise, with President Trump only being informed of it after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had signed the order.

The FBI and Congress are looking into potential links between Donald Trump’s campaign team and Russia. Robert Mueller will take over the FBI investigation.

US intelligence agencies believe Moscow tried to tip the election in favor of Donald Trump.

In his statement announcing the move, Rod Rosenstein said: “The public interest requires me to place this investigation under the authority of a person who exercises a degree of independence from the normal chain of command.”

Robert Mueller, who will have wide-ranging powers, said simply: “I accept this responsibility and will discharge it to the best of my ability.”

Just over an hour after the news of Robert Mueller’s appointment emerged, President Trump predicted the new investigation would clear him and his team. Previously, the White House had said there was no need for an outsider to lead an inquiry.

Image source Wikimedia

“A thorough investigation will confirm what we already know – there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity,” said President Trump.

The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Robert Mueller was “exactly the right kind of individual for this job”.

However, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi was more cautious, saying: “A special prosecutor is the first step, but it cannot be the last.

“He cannot take the place of a truly independent, outside commission that is completely free from the Trump administration’s meddling.”

Republican leaders were also restrained.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the appointment “confirms that the investigation… will continue.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan said: “My priority has been to ensure thorough and independent investigations are allowed to follow the facts wherever they may lead… The addition of Robert Mueller as special counsel is consistent with this goal.”

Normally US prosecutors answer to the attorney general. However, for investigations into high-ranking officials in the executive branch the attorney general – or in this case Rod Rosenstein – can appoint a special counsel with greater independence from the executive.

However, while special counsels are free from day-to-day supervision by the justice department, they must notify the attorney general of any “significant” action and they would need to ask permission to expand the investigation beyond their mandate.

Robert Mueller has the authority to investigate not only links or co-ordination between Russia and Trump campaign officials, but also “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation”.

The role should not be confused with that of independent counsel, a role introduced in legislation by Congress after the 1970s Watergate scandal.

Appointed by a three-judge panel, the independent counsel operated outside the jurisdiction of the justice department.

However, after the experiences of the Iran-Contra investigation during the Reagan administration and the inquiry into President Bill Clinton’s Whitewater land deal, the law fell out of favor with both Republicans and Democrats, and Congress failed to renew it in 1999.

The White House has been engulfed in crisis following James Comey’s abrupt dismissal and allegations that President Trump asked the ousted FBI chief to drop an inquiry into links between his ex-national security adviser and Russia.

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

The White House has denied it put pressure on James Comey but the revelations fuelled Democratic claims that President Trump had tried to conceal his team’s connection to Russia.

Robert Mueller, 72, served as FBI director for 12 years under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama as the longest serving bureau chief since J. Edgar Hoover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scr2dhPLkRs

Princess Mako of Japan to Lose Royal Status after Marrying A Commoner

Diane A. Wade
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0
Princess Mako of Japan to Lose Royal Status after Marrying A Commoner

Princess Mako of Japan will lose her royal status by marrying a commoner.

The 25-year-old eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito will become engaged to law firm worker Kei Komuro, also 25, whom she met while studying together.

Japan’s imperial law requires a princess to leave the royal family after marrying a commoner.

The move is expected to reignite debate on royal succession, with the emperor also possibly abdicating soon.

Princess Mako and Kei Komuro met in 2012 at a restaurant, when they were both studying at the International Christian University in Tokyo.

Image source Wikimedia

The Imperial Household told local media that plans were under way for the princess’s engagement.

According to AP, a public announcement will be made, and then a wedding date will be set. The news agency said the couple would also make a formal report to the emperor and empress.

The engagement will only be official after a ceremonial exchange of gifts, local media said.

Asked about their engagement plans, Kei Komuro on May 17 was quoted as saying: “Now is not the time for me to comment, but I want to speak at the right time.”

Princess Mako’s aunt, Princess Sayako, married a commoner in 2005 – the first time a Japanese royal became a commoner.

Princess Sayako’s wedding to an urban planner for the Tokyo city government, was described as a low key event. She was left to adjust to her more humble surrounding.

The princess moved into a one-bedroom apartment, had to learn how to drive, shop in a supermarket and buy furniture.

Princess Sayako is the only daughter of Emperor Akihito.

Emperor Akihito, 83, hinted last August that he wanted to stand down, saying his age could interfere with his duties.

No Japanese emperor has abdicated for two centuries and the law currently does not allow it, but Japan is currently considering legal changes to allow the emperor to abdicate.

However, the new legislation is expected to leave unchanged a males-only succession law – which has been at the centre of debate for many years.

Because of that law there are only four heirs to the Chrysanthemum Throne: Akihito’s sons Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito (Fumihito’s son) and the emperor’s younger brother, Prince Masahito.

After news of Princess Mako’s upcoming engagement broke, Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was quoted by Reuters as saying: “There is no change in our view to proceed with consideration of steps to ensure stable imperial succession.”

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

Reema Lagoo Dies Following Cardiac Arrest Aged 59

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Reema Lagoo Dies Following Cardiac Arrest Aged 59

Reema Lagoo, famous for playing the role of the “loving mother” in Bollywood movies, has died at the age of 59.

The actress passed away in a Mumbai hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on May 17.

Reema Lagoo was famous for playing the role of the mother of main characters in movies and TV soaps. She also acted in several Marathi language plays.

Image source Wikimedia

She starred in dozens of hit Bollywood movies like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Maine Pyar Kiya.

Reema Lagoo started her career in the late 1970s, and soon became famous for playing the mother of lead characters.

She was also known as the “on-screen mother” of popular actor Salman Khan, with whom she acted in several films.

Reema Lagoo played Salman Khan‘s mother in his first movie 28 years ago at the age of 31.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-u-ikVNw7U

VW Emissions Scandal: CEO Mathias Muller Investigated by Stuttgart Prosecutors

Clyde K. Valle
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0
VW Emissions Scandal: CEO Mathias Muller Investigated by Stuttgart Prosecutors

VW CEO Matthias Muller is being investigated by Stuttgart prosecutors in connection with the emissions scandal that erupted at the auto maker in late 2015.

It is the first time Mathias Muller has been named in connection with official investigations into the affair.

His predecessor, Martin Winterkorn, and the current VW chairman, Hans-Dieter Poetsch, are also under scrutiny.

Mathias Muller became VW chief executive after the scandal broke.

However, at the time he was a board member of Porsche SE, the holding company which owns a majority of voting shares in the Volkswagen Group.

Image source Wikimedia

Mathias Muller was also chief executive of the Porsche sports car business, a subsidiary of the VW Group and Porsche SE.

The investigation is not looking into the causes of the scandal itself, but at how the board of Porsche SE, including Mathias Muller, responded to it.

Prosecutors suspect that executives deliberately delayed releasing information to investors about the scale of the scandal, as well as its financial consequences.

A similar investigation, into possible market manipulation by executives within the VW Group, was launched in Volkswagen’s home state of Lower Saxony in 2016.

In the wake of the scandal, VW’s share price dropped dramatically. Investigators are examining whether executives knew about the magnitude of the unfolding scandal – which began in the US – but failed to inform the markets in a timely manner.

As a rule, executives are expected to keep investors updated as soon as potentially price-sensitive information comes to light.

Porsche SE said the allegations were unfounded, adding it had complied with disclosure rules.

The holding company is based in Stuttgart. It is owned by the Porsche and Piech families – descendants of Ferdinand Porsche, the man who designed the Volkswagen Beetle and founded the sports car business that bears his name.

Salvează

Triumph In The Business World

Dana R
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0
Triumph In The Business World

Being in business can mean a lot of things. It can mean that your work for a firm, are involved in sales or development, or that you have your own company. But there is one thing that unites all of these, and that is the skills that you need to triumph. Read on to find out what they are.

Leadership

As they suggest at https://www.inc.com/, leadership is a vital quality if your aim is to triumph in the business world. This is because you need to be charismatic enough to get people to do what you are asking of them. This might mean that they buy your product. Or that your team does that little bit extra work to hit the deadline that is looming.

paper-boat

Image here

Also, strong personalities are usually well respected in the business arena, and being a good leader will contribute towards this. Remember if you want to get spotted you to be at the head of the herd, and not at the back.

Communication

Another skill that you need to be proficient at in the business world is communication. Not only do you have to be excellent at conveying your points for presentations and sales pitches, but you also need to be able to successfully build and maintain positive relationships with clients and suppliers over the long term.

Of course, that means your spoken and written language skills need to be on point, whether you are working in English or another language. To help you with this, you can take courses like the one on offer at EffortlessEnglishClub.com. Which will ensure you are fully confident in what you are saying and the accuracy and meaning behind it.

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Picture source

Negotiating

Now, negotiation is a skill that is close to communication, but it isn’t quite the same. Whereas communication is about getting your point across, negotiation is about finding an agreement in which both parties are happy. Basically, you are looking for win-win situations.

That means you need to be wary of anyone that says there can only be one winner in negotiation. As most are not done is such a hostile environment. In fact, a lot of negations will be with people that you work with on a day to day basis. So you want to make sure that both parties leave the dialogue as happy and motivated as possible.

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Focus

Of course, another skill that you will need to triumph over your competitors in the business world is the focus. You can be the best at doing something, or have the best idea, but if you can’t edit and focus your attention on what needs to be done right at this time, then you won’t achieve your goals.

Many people think that focus is a talent, but it it’s something that can be learned just like anything else. All you need to do is find the right motivator or system for doing things. For example, some folks swear by the Pomodoro technique where you work for 50 minutes and then break for 10 to improve their focus.

Donald Trump Allegedly Asked James Comey to Drop Michael Flynn Inquiry

Diane A. Wade
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0
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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0
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.

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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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0
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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0
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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0
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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0
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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0
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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0
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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0
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

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