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Borussia Dortmund Bus Attack: Suspect with Islamist Links Arrested in Germany

Roy Siemens
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Borussia Dortmund Bus Attack: Suspect with Islamist Links Arrested in Germany

A suspect with “Islamist links” has been arrested by German police following a bomb attack on the bus of the Borussia Dortmund soccer team.

German prosecutors also said the three explosive devices contained metal pieces.

Two letters claiming the attack on April 11 were being investigated, they said.

Prosecutors are treating the blasts as a terrorist attack, but say the precise motive is unclear at present.

On April 12, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the attack was “an appalling crime” and praised the fans of both Dortmund and their Champions League opponents, Monaco, for coming together.

Fans later filled Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund for the rescheduled quarter-final first-leg, which kicked off at 18:45 local time.

Image source Flickr

There was a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone by both sets of fans before kick-off.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for Germany’s federal prosecutor, Frauke Kohler, said: “Two suspects from the Islamist spectrum have become the focus of our investigation. Both of their apartments were searched, and one of the two has been detained.”

German media are reporting that the suspect detained is a 25-year-old Iraqi, and the second suspect is a 28-year-old German.

The explosion radius of the attack was about 100m. Prosecutors said it was lucky the casualties were not worse.

Frauke Kohler said a piece of shrapnel had embedded itself in the headrest of one of the seats on the team bus.

She said three copies of the same letter were found near the site of the blasts, indicating that the attacker had links to ISIS. The terrorist had said it carried out the attack on a Christmas market in Berlin in December that killed 12 people.

Frauke Kohler said the letter demanded “the withdrawal of [German] tornado fighter jets from Syria and, I quote, the closure of Ramstein airbase.”

Ramstein is a significant US Air Force base. The text is being analyzed to see if it is authentic.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said the letter began with the phrase “in the name of Allah”.

However, the newspaper said it was possible the perpetrators were deliberately trying to mislead the investigation.

A second letter was published online, in which left-wing extremist groups claimed to have carried out the attack, but prosecutors had reason to believe this letter was not authentic.

Borussia Dortmund players were on their way to their Champions League match, when three explosive charges detonated, police said.

Spain international Marc Bartra underwent an operation after breaking a bone in his wrist. No other players were hurt, but a police officer on a motorbike escorting the bus suffered trauma from the noise of the explosions.

Several reports said the explosives had been hidden in a hedge.

Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki told Swiss news outlet Blick that the bus had turned on to the main road when there was a loud noise.

The players ducked to the floor of the bus, not knowing if there would be more blasts, he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6yoPLnGOL4

US Urges Russia to Stop Supporting Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

Roy Siemens
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US Urges Russia to Stop Supporting Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is holding talks in Russia with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as the US urges Moscow to stop supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Rex Tillerson’s visit comes amid tensions over last week’s suspected chemical attack in Syria and American strikes on a Syrian base.

Russia has condemned the US strikes and stands by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its long-time ally.

President Donald Trump has said the US has no further plans there and is “not going into” that country’s civil war.

On April 11, President Trump’s defense secretary made clear the priority remained the defeat of ISIS.

Jim Matiss said: “Our military policy in Syria has not changed.”

Iamge source Times of India

Last week’s air strike has led to confusion over US policy in Syria, with some officials suggesting a more aggressive stance against President Bashar al-Assad.

As they were preparing to meet today, Sergei Lavrov told Rex Tillerson that Russia had “a lot of questions regarding very ambiguous and contradictory ideas (…) coming from Washington”.

Rex Tillerson said he looked forward to a “candid” exchange so that the two countries could better define and narrow their differences.

He has warned that Russia risks becoming irrelevant in the Middle East because of its support for Bashar al-Assad.

The White House also says Russia has been trying to deflect blame for the chemical attack that killed 89 people.

US intelligence reports say the Syrian government used chemical weapons during air strikes on the rebel-held Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun that left 89 people dead.

On April 11, the Turkish health ministry confirmed that the nerve agent Sarin had been used.

Syria denies this and Russia has instead blamed rebel forces, which it says were storing chemical weapons which were hit in the raids.

On April 12, the UN Security Council is to vote on a draft resolution by the US, UK and France requiring the Syrian government to co-operate with an investigation into the chemical attack.

President Vladimir Putin has also called for an independent UN investigation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx68XRCJQUI

United Airlines Scandal: CEO Oscar Munoz Apologizes for Forcibly Dragging Passenger from Flight

Nancy Clayson
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United Airlines Scandal: CEO Oscar Munoz Apologizes for Forcibly Dragging Passenger from Flight

United Airlines President and CEO Oscar Munoz has apologized for the “truly horrific” incident in which a passenger was forcibly dragged, screaming, from a flight.

The airline boss said he “continues to be disturbed” by the incident, captured on a video that went viral on Twitter.

Oscar Munoz said the company would “fix what’s broken so it never happens again”.

The family of the passenger, David Dao, issued a statement expressing gratitude for the “outpouring of support”.

David Dao, 69, is undergoing treatment at a Chicago hospital.

The footage taken inside the plane shows a man being pulled out of his seat and dragged, screaming, down the aisle. He is later seen with blood on his face.

Image source Twitter

The flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, on April 9 had been fully booked, United spokesman Jonathan Guerin told USA Today. The airline wanted to get four passengers to leave the flight to make room for four staff members who were needed in Louisville the next day.

United Airlines had previously described the flight as overbooked.

Three passengers agreed to leave the plane.

But Dr. David Dao said he worked in a hospital and needed to see his patients the next day, an eyewitness tweeted.

A video that appears to show the passenger dazed and with blood around his mouth, saying “just kill me”, having run back on the plane, also emerged online.

Earlier, Oscar Munoz had defended employees’ conduct and said the passenger had been “disruptive and belligerent”. Employees were “left with no choice but to call Chicago Aviation Security Officers to assist in removing the customer from the flight”, he added.

Oscar Munoz came under intense criticism online and the incident reached the ears of the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, who called it “troubling”.

The statement released on behalf of Dr. David Dao said the family “wants the world to know that they are very appreciative of the outpouring of prayers, concern and support they have received”.

It said the family was at present only concerned with David Dao’s medical care and would not be making further statements until he was discharged.

One of the aviation security officers involved in removing Dr. Dao from the plane has been “placed on leave”, the Chicago Department of Aviation said, and his actions were “obviously not condoned by the department”.

It also said it would carry out a review into the incident, which it said was “not in accordance with our standard operating procedure”.

The US Department of Transportation is reviewing whether United complied with rules on overbooking.

Media say David Dao is a medical doctor from Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

United Airlines earlier said it was trying to talk to him directly in order to “further address and resolve this situation”.

United’s parent company’s share price plummeted on April 11.

Stock in United Continental Holdings dropped by more than 4% at one point with nearly $1 billion wiped off its value, but the share prices later recovered and were down just 1% when markets closed.

Dairy-Free Diets Can Be Harmful for Young Adults

Kathryn R. Bown
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Dairy-Free Diets Can Be Harmful for Young Adults

Cutting out or reducing dairy food could be a “ticking time bomb” for young people’s bone health, UK’s National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) is warning.

A NOS survey found a fifth of under 25s are eliminating or reducing dairy in their diet.

The society said it was concerned many young adults were putting their health at risk by following eating fads.

Cutting out milk products entirely can be harmful unless the missed nutrients are replaced, it says.

The society surveyed 2,000 adults, including 239 under the age of 25 and 339 aged 25-35.

Almost 70% of those aged 18-35 year olds were currently or had previously been dieting.

Image source Flickr

One in five 18-25-year-olds said they had cut out or significantly reduced dairy in their diet, although the survey did not find out why.

Milk and dairy food, such as cheese and yoghurt, are important sources of calcium for strong bones.

The survey suggests that many young people seek dietary advice from bloggers and vloggers on the internet.

Although some of this advice can be good, it’s concerned some people become too restrictive about what they eat.

Dairy products are the main source of calcium – for example, milk, cheese and yoghurt.

Cow’s milk is the best source, but soya and almond milk may also contain calcium if they are fortified.

Skimmed and semi-skimmed milk contain more calcium than full fat cow’s milk.

Vegetables, nuts, seeds, boney fish and white flour products also contain calcium.

Choose low-fat cheese and yoghurt to cut down on fat intake, although crisps and biscuits contain much more fat.

For adults, 700mg of calcium per day is recommended but boys and girls between 11 and 18 need up to 1000mg.

According to experts, recommended levels can be achieved by eating three portions of dairy a day, such as cereal with milk, a yoghurt and a small chunk of cheddar cheese.

Borussia Dortmund Bus Hit by Three Explosions

Clyde K. Valle
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Borussia Dortmund Bus Hit by Three Explosions

A bus carrying the Borussia Dortmund soccer team to a home Champions League match has been hit by three explosions.

Player Marc Bartra was injured and has been hospitalized, but is not seriously hurt, reports say.

The Borussia Dortmund team tweeted that the other players were safe and there was no danger in or around the stadium.

Image source Flickr

The game has been postponed until April 12. According to the AFP, the bus’ windows were broken in the blasts.

North-Rhine Westphalia police said they were at the scene.

Borussia Dortmund was scheduled to play a quarter-final match against Monaco.

The match will now be played on April 12 at 18:45 local time.

Borussia Dortmund are currently fourth in the German Bundesliga table.

Toshiba Risks Delisting After Publishing Unaudited Financial Results

Clyde K. Valle
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Toshiba Risks Delisting After Publishing Unaudited Financial Results

Toshiba has published its delayed financial results, warning that the company’s survival is at risk.

The Japanese electronics giant said in a statement: “There are material events and conditions that raise substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

Toshiba reported a loss of 532 billion yen ($4.8 billion) for April to December 2016.

However, the results have not been approved by the company’s auditors.

These latest financial results have already been delayed twice and raise the possibility that Toshiba could be delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The company is expected to hold a news conference later.

Toshiba, originally known for its consumer electronics products, has faced a series of difficulties.

An accounting scandal, uncovered in 2015, led to the resignation of several members of the company’s senior management, including the CEO, after it was found to have inflated the previous seven years’ profits by $1.2 billion.

Toshiba’s problems came to a head again in January 2017, when it became clear its US nuclear unit, Westinghouse, was in financial trouble.

Westinghouse was put into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, which protects it from creditors while it undergoes restructuring.

This week, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn was reported to be willing to pay up to $27 billion for Toshiba’s computer chip business, a move which could help shore up the losses if it went ahead.

However, that has not been enough to resolve Toshiba‘s difficulties.

The company’s auditors, PriceWaterhouseCooper Aarata, have refused to sign off its accounts, resulting in their publication being delayed twice.

Now, faced with a deadline, Toshiba has made the unprecedented move of publishing the results without the auditor’s approval.

Toshiba’s statement added: “At the present time, substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern exists as of the filing date of the quarterly report.”

The loss reported is for the first nine months of Toshiba’s financial year, covering April to December 2016.

The company has previously warned that its net loss for the full year could exceed one trillion yen, which would make it one of the biggest losses in Japanese corporate history.

Toshiba is the world’s second-largest chip manufacturer, with its products used in data centers and consumer goods worldwide, including iPhones and iPads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP31LiVAU08

What’s in Your Wardrobe?

Dana R
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What’s in Your Wardrobe?

Have you ever wondered where all the different styles and fashion senses that people all over the world adorn every second of the day stem from? Have you ever contemplated why people of different cultures dress in different ways to you? Well, here we attempt to figure out the very ambiguous question that is: why do we dress the way we do?

In the answering of this question, first and foremost, you need surely look no further than reasons of practicality. For instance, it is no wonder that Emirati attire (fashion in the UAE) is dominated predominantly by veils and robes; the temperatures that are reached in the Arabian peninsula makes this type of clothing a necessity as it not only allows for a cool air flow but also, most importantly, it offers protection from the burning sun. So, seemingly, the fashion sense of a culture is brought about predominantly through the practical job it can do for those that wear it and the protection it can offer them against the elements that surround them.

Typical Emirati attire

But what about those pieces of clothing that seemingly offer no practical use? When you consider the fact that the Scottish national dress, the kilt, is not the most practical of garments to adorn in that part of the world due to the cold weather that is experienced there, it has to be questioned as to whether or not fashion sense is brought about through an accumulation of rules and traditions set in place in a bygone time instead. In this sense it is seemingly not always the place in which a culture is based, it is the culture itself that chooses the clothes that are worn; this kind of approach to clothing that is chosen by individuals in a certain culture is the one that creates sentimentality. The history of the diamond, for instance, shows no evidence that diamonds benefit everyday life at all but they do offer great significance in regards to what they represent to those that wear them. Whether it be to show an engagement, to attract others, to pay homage to people of the past or to showcase financial prowess, wearing and even giving diamonds is a clear sign, notably in western cultures, that tradition, symbolism and sentimentality play a pivotal role in the clothes and accessories that we wear.

A traditional Scottish kilt

Considering the fact that the human form doesn’t generally vary much it is crazy to understand why there is such a variety in the clothing choices of the human race. One thing is for certain though, despite how crazy it may seem, without the variety displayed in regards to fashion the world that we know today simply would not be the same. So the next time you see somebody wearing something that you wouldn’t wear yourself, instead of berating them for their choice of clothing, applaud them, and yourself, for being different to one another. If you want to delve further into the reasons why there is such a difference in fashions across the globe, and why certain ones are chosen over others, then make sure to check out Colin McDowell’s The Anatomy of Fashion: Why We Dress the Way We Do.

You’ll Need a First Class Design for Your Business Website

Dana R
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You’ll Need a First Class Design for Your Business Website

When it comes time to open up your new business, you’ll need to do it in style. This means that the website you build for your company needs to be as attractive and efficient as possible. There is no room to skimp on quality when it comes to website design. The site you choose needs to be crammed to bursting with all of the latest modern conveniences that customers demand and deserve. A site that looks antiquated is one that customers will slowly but surely begin to pass over in favor of a brand new one from a competitor.

Why Is Website Design So Crucial to the Success of Your Business?

If you are wondering why a matter so seemingly simple as website design is so crucial to the success of your business, consider this: If you log on to an official company website that looks older than a few years, doesn’t it seem sort of antiquated? You may be old enough to remember the days of sites that were built with Geocities. But do you trust such a site to be secure enough to safely deposit your Paypal or credit card details on?

A First Impression Needs to Be as Positive as Possible

The first impression that a potential customer has of your official company website needs to be as positive as possible. They need to know that your site is stocked with all of the latest e-commerce conveniences so that they can order goods and services directly from you. They also need to know that your site is fully secured and safe for them to share their info on. These are the details that you want to quickly communicate to your customers.

What Do You Need to Think About When Choosing a Domain Host?

When it comes to procuring state of the art hosting and web design services, you need to shop smart. You need to make sure that you are signing with the service provider who can offer you the best possible deal for your dollar. This is important because the site that you pay for is the one you are going to be making use of for quite a long time to come. You don’t want to get stuck with a lemon that you need to spend extra money in order to replace.

Where Can You Go to Get Expert Web Hosting Service?

The web is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of potential web hosting providers who can also offer you expert design services. Your concern should be to make sure that the design you request is the one you end up with. You will also need to check the hosting arrangement contract to make sure that you retain the rights to your domain name in case you need to transfer it elsewhere in years to come. These are all valid concerns that you should keep in mind before you decide to sign on the dotted line.

Which Sports Are You Made For?

Dana R
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Which Sports Are You Made For?

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Staying healthy is always a balance. First, there is the diet, and then there is the exercise. Anyone that hopes to achieve their goals needs to eat well and work out regularly. It sounds easy on paper, but it’s far from easy in practice as leaving the house to go to the gym is a constant battle. Not only is it tiring, but it’s also not very fun. And, these are the reasons that people are turning to sports for all of their exercise needs. However, choosing one and sticking with it to the bitter death isn’t an excellent idea. To get the most out of sports, it’s essential to pick the ones which suit the individual the best.

Below are the tips which will help any sports enthusiast choose wisely.

Intensity – Higher Or Lower?

There is no need to run through the pain barrier every time you exercise. The myth that you need to work out at maximum intensity at all times is nonsense. Working out is like a diet – it needs balance. On the whole, less intense sports are just as useful as sports like squash if you don’t fancy bouncing off the walls for half an hour. Walking, for instance, is a great way to lose weight as long as the duration lasts over forty minutes. Golf is also another excellent way to exercise aerobically and use different muscle groups. Don’t feel like you have to look for running shoes because a browse of the best fairway woods for 2017 will suffice. It all depends on what you prefer.

golf

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Pain Barrier

No one likes to feel pain, which is why most people avoid certain sports. Weightlifting is a sport that induces pain even when done properly. However, sports like cycling are also pretty agonizing under certain circumstances. It is all down to the pain barrier, and the barrier differs per person. Some people feel no pain at all, which means they can work out more often and at a higher intensity. Others feel pain quickly, and that will affect their regime. Always pick a sport that incorporates a mix of participation and competitiveness. You want to feel the burn, but you don’t want the burn to be excruciating. After all, the average person should work out more than once a week.

File:Svetlana Podobedova 2012c.jpg

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Competitiveness

Let’s talk about competitiveness because it’s the elephant in the room. Everyone enjoys competition to one extent or another. Some thrive off it and need to feel it in the pit of their stomach while they exercise. Others like to compete, but prefer to get into the sport before they show their hand. The reason this feature is important is that particular environments promote a contest. Lacrosse is a perfect example. You may have all the warrior lacrosse gear you need and be ready to play, but since it’s a team sport, there aren’t many ways to play the game without competing against another team. Boxing, however, is different as you can work in the gym alone.

File:Yoga at a Gym.JPG

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Body Awareness

The one thing that prevents participation more than most is body awareness. It tends to affect women more than men, but boys feel the pressure too. On the whole, you won’t want to take part in a sport if you have body issues. Most people are scared about how they will look and how others will judge them on their appearance. It’s a valid fear and one that everyone needs to take into account. The reality is that some sports don’t care about your feelings, whereas others cater to your needs. There is a new fad called dancing in the dark which epitomizes this point. Participants do circuit drills for fitness purposes, but they do it in a darkly lit room. Sports that are frequented by similar people are also a safe choice. Yoga is a good one for women because lots of women take part. As such, they know there will be no men to put them off.

Focus

Are you focussed, or do you lose concentration after a short while? Far too many people don’t take their attention span into account, and it’s to their detriment. From your point of view, it’s a crucial factor. As soon as you lose focus, you will stop working out. It’s that simple. So, if you’re taking part in a sport which lasts for too long, the enjoyment will soon dissipate. Ninety-minute games of soccer aren’t for people that can’t concentrate on the whole match. Instead, try table tennis or badminton as the points are short and sweet.

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Take all of the above into account and you’ll find your ultimate sport.

Parkinson’s Disease Could Be Reversed with Brain Cell Therapy

Kathryn R. Bown
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Parkinson’s Disease Could Be Reversed with Brain Cell Therapy

Researchers believe they have found a way to treat and perhaps reverse Parkinson’s disease, by making replacement cells to mend the damaged brain.

They say human brain cells can be coaxed to take over the job of the ones that are destroyed in Parkinson’s.

Tests in mice with Parkinson-like symptoms showed that the therapy appeared to ease the condition.

However, many more studies are needed before similar tests can begin in people.

Scientists say the research published in Nature Biotechnology is hugely promising, although at a very early stage.

They still have to check if the treatment is safe, and whether the converted cells, which started out in life as astrocytes, can truly function like the dopamine-producing neurons lost in Parkinson’s.

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the most common movement disorder

People with Parkinson’s lack enough dopamine because some of the brain cells that make it have died.

It is not known what kills the cells, but this loss causes debilitating symptoms, such as tremor and difficulty in walking and moving.

Doctors can prescribe drugs to help manage the symptoms, but cannot treat the cause.

Researchers have been looking for ways to replace the damaged dopamine neurons by injecting new ones into the brain.

However, the international team who carried out the latest work used a different approach that does not require a cell transplant.

They used a cocktail of small molecules to reprogram cells already present in the brain.

When they mixed a sample of human astrocytes with the cocktail in their laboratory, they produced cells that closely resembled dopamine neurons, although not a perfect match.

Next, they gave the same cocktail to sick mice.

The treatment appeared to work, reprogramming their brain cells and lessening their Parkinson’s symptoms.

North Korea Responds to Carl Vinson Strike Group Move

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Responds to Carl Vinson Strike Group Move

North Korea has to the US deployment of a Navy strike group to the Korean peninsula by saying it will defend itself “by powerful force of arms”.

The North Korean foreign ministry, quoted by state news agency KCNA, said the deployment showed “reckless moves for invading” had “reached a serious phase”.

The US Pacific Command says it is aimed at maintaining readiness in the region.

President Donald Trump has said the US is prepared to act alone to deal with the nuclear threat from North Korea.

Meanwhile South Korea and China – North Korea’s closest ally – have warned of more stringent sanctions if Pyongyang conducts more missile tests.

Image source Wikimedia

The Carl Vinson Strike Group comprises an aircraft carrier and other warships. The warship was due to make port calls in Australia but instead has been diverted from Singapore to the west Pacific, where it recently conducted exercises with the South Korean Navy.

“We will hold the US wholly accountable for the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by its outrageous actions,” said the foreign ministry statement quoted by KCNA.

“The DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the US,” it said.

The US naval deployment showed North Korea had been right to develop nuclear weapons capability for use in self defense or in a pre-emptive strike, the statement added.

On April 10, China’s envoy for the Korean peninsula, Wu Dawei met with South Korea’s foreign minister and top nuclear envoy.

Korean officials told reporters that the two countries had agreed to enact “strong additional measures” if North Korea conducts further nuclear or missile tests.

China, which is North Korea’s economic lifeline, has already imposed economic sanctions including a ban of all imports of North Korean coal since February.

Meanwhile South Korea, the US and Japan are arranging a meeting later this month to coordinate a joint response to North Korea, reported South Korean news agency Yonhap.

North Korea has carried out several nuclear tests and experts predict more could be in the offing as it moves closer towards developing a nuclear warhead that could reach the US.

There have been indications from Pyonyang that it may test an intercontinental missile, even though it is banned from any tests under UN resolutions.

North Korea says it is provoked by military exercises between the US and South Korea, which it sees as preparation for an invasion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUz2PSDTN2M

San Bernardino Shooting: Three Killed at North Park Elementary School

Nancy Clayson
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San Bernardino Shooting: Three Killed at North Park Elementary School

Three people, including a child, have been killed in a shooting in a classroom of a primary school in San Bernardino, California, police say.

The gunman, named as 53-year-old Cedric Anderson, shot dead his estranged wife, a teacher, and wounded two children who were behind her, one of whom died of his wounds.

He then turned the gun on himself, police said.

Police chief Jarrod Burguan described the incident as a suspected “murder-suicide” attempt.

The shooting happened at 10:30 local time at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino county, 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

Image source Getty

The gunman had gained entry to the school as a visitor and kept his weapon concealed until he opened fire in the classroom where 15 children with special needs were being taught, authorities said.

Cedric Anderson killed his wife Karen Elaine Smith and fatally wounded 8-year-old Jonathan Martinez, who was airlifted to hospital but later died.

A 9-year-old pupil remains in hospital in a stable condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Jarrod Burguan tweeted shortly after the incident that the suspect was “down” and there was “no further threat”. The school was immediately evacuated.

Up to 600 students were transferred by bus to nearby Cajon High School, where they were later met by their parents.

“Police operations are continuing to secure the area,” Jarrod Burguan said earlier on Twitter.

He added: “However, we do believe the threat is down.”

In December 2015, 14 people were killed and 21 others wounded when a couple entered a disabled service centre in San Bernardino and began firing at a group of county health workers.

Pyotr Levashov: Russian Programmer Arrested in Spain over US Election Hacking

Nancy Clayson
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Pyotr Levashov: Russian Programmer Arrested in Spain over US Election Hacking

A Russian computer programmer has been arrested in Spain for alleged involvement in “hacking” the US election, Spanish media reported.

The man, named as Pyotr Levashov, was arrested on April 7 in Barcelona. He has now been remanded in custody.

A “legal source” also told the AFP that Pyotr Levashov was the subject of an extradition request by the US.

The request is due to be examined by Spain’s national criminal court, the agency added.

Image source Getty Images

Spanish news website El Confidencial has said that Pyotr Levashov’s arrest warrant was issued by US authorities over suspected “hacking” that helped Donald Trump’s campaign.

Pyotr Levashov’s wife Maria also told Russian broadcaster RT that the arrest was made in connection with such allegations.

Several cybersecurity experts have also linked Pyotr Levashov to a Russian spam kingpin, who uses the alias Peter Severa.

A US intelligence report released in January alleged that President Vladimir Putin tried to help Donald Trump to victory.

Donald Trump later commented that the outcome of the election had not been affected.

The report said that Russia’s objectives were to “undermine public faith” in the US democratic process and “denigrate” Donald Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton.

Russia’s efforts to this end allegedly included hacking into email accounts used by the Democratic National Committee; using intermediaries such as WikiLeaks to release hacked information; and funding social media users or “trolls” to make nasty comments.

However, there were no details of Vladimir Putin’s alleged involvement with such interference in the report.

Vladimir Putin has strongly denied allegations that Russia tried to influence the US election.

The Challenges of Investing & How to Contend with Them

Dana R
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The Challenges of Investing & How to Contend with Them

Investing your money is never easy to do. There are plenty of things waiting to trip you up and make your life more difficult. The first step towards dealing with these things is to understand them and how you can contend with them. If you’re about to jump in and start investing, now is the time to think about these issues. Below, you will find details that will help you with each of the major challenges you’ll face as an investor.

The Speed of Change and Development

Things are changing and developing so quickly on the stock market these days. It’s hard to keep up with all of the things that are happening. This may be worse today than ever before. But it’s not a particularly new problem, and investors have always had to juggle these issues. It’s a big struggle trying to stay on top of all the trends and changes that are taking in place. If you can’t keep up with that change, though, you will end up worse off and your investments might not go as well as you would like them to.

Using the Right Tools

Next, you need to make sure that you’re using the right tools as an investor. The options are really varied and very good nowadays. There are so many things you can do to make sure that you are always on the right track and able to invest to the very best of your abilities. First of all, make sure that you’re using a platform that works well for you. If you don’t have the right platform within reach at all times, making changes and backing an investment will be that much harder for you. There are platforms that even use apps, so you can make changes on the go.

Weighing Up All the Options

Weighing up every investment option out there is a big task, and it’s something that takes time. You won’t be able to get the right investments and investment strategy for you if you don’t weigh up all the options and see where the best opportunities for you lie. For example, you might not want to invest in stocks and shares at all. If that’s the case, you might want to consider investing in properties. Browse Sky Five Properties listings on Palm Island, and look at other property options too. Think about every form of investing and try a little of each of them to find out which you prefer.

Dealing with Market Uncertainty

Market uncertainty is a problem that is hard to mitigate. You can’t always be sure how uncertainty will play out. Sometimes, it can be a short-term issue that resolves itself pretty quickly. But on other occasions it can have a bigger impact on your investments than you have anticipated. Finding a way to deal with that uncertainty and make sure that it doesn’t take over your investments and put you in a bad financial situation will be one of the biggest challenges that you’ll face. So, keep this in mind and try not to panic whenever uncertainty arises.

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How Trump Might Shape The Energy Of Tomorrow

Dana R
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How Trump Might Shape The Energy Of Tomorrow

It’s tied into so much of our politics today even if we don’t always fully realize. The right and the left have been pushing back and forth on the issue of energy and the ways that we use it in all aspects of our lives. From the effects of the market on daily economics to the industries we work in and even the future of the world itself. Now that Trump is in power and the right have control over all three branches of government, what can we expect to see in the world of energy?

fire

Picture sourced by Pexels

Is coal becoming viable again?

The ‘war on coal’ has been waged and won again after the battle seemed done and dusted to most people. During the Obama administration, it looked like we were leaving coal behind but as of the end of last month, President Trump has effectively undone the work that President Obama left in place. To some, this represents a chilling step back on the path to shrugging off fossil-fuels. To many Americans, however, the coal industry means jobs. Stripping regulations and bringing back jobs in seemingly abandoned or hamstrung sectors has been a big part of Trump’s campaign promises. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that America’s coal industries start growing again if he continues to keep that promise.

oil

Picture sourced by lalabell68

The price of oil

As https://oilandenergyinvestor.com/2011/04/why-gas-prices-are-outrunning-oil-prices/ states, oil hasn’t been showing serious growth for years now. Under President Trump’s regulation reversing revolution, we might see oil and natural gas prices tumbling further for the consumer. But while that’s good for stimulating local economies, making work more affordable for business owners and employees. However, lower prices are not necessarily good for the oil and gas industries which the US still relies heavily upon. In fact, some say that 35% of all E&P oil and gas companies are at risk of bankruptcy. Such a collapse of huge portions of such a vital industry could very well be the beginning of a new financial crisis not just in the States but across the world.

wind-farm

Picture sourced by Unsplash

A greener future?

To those who care about the impact of human’s use of fossil fuels on the environment, reversing the Obama’s administration’s regulations look like nothing short of a disaster. The current administration certainly hasn’t done a lot to assuage fears that we are at risk of serious climate change. But for those in the throes of despair, there are reports like  http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/24/donald-trump-cant-stop-back-solar-and-wind-power.html  which say that it’s too late to turn the clock back on the rise of renewable fuels. Investors have continued to show more interest in renewable energy projects as opposed to the aforementioned trouble seen in oil and gas companies and lawmakers from all sides have renewed subsidies in many states for solar and wind energy companies.

There’s still a lot of concern over what exactly a Trump presidency will mean for the different ways energy works in our world. In terms of jobs, environmental impact and prices, there’s still plenty of time to be surprised by this administration.

Chuck Berry Funeral: Fans Allowed to View Open Casket

Sonia Pantiss
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Chuck Berry Funeral: Fans Allowed to View Open Casket

Fans paid their final respects to music legend Chuck Berry, who died last month aged 90.

They were allowed to view Chuck Berry’s body at the Pageant club in St Louis, Missouri, before a private family funeral on April 9.

As fans filed past the open casket, a musician played some of Chuck Berry’s greatest hits.

Chuck Berry died in Missouri after a seven-decade career.

Among those paying tribute to the rock and roll legend on April 9 was Kiss rocker Gene Simmons.

Former President Bill Clinton sent letter lauding “one of America’s greatest rock and roll pioneers”.

“He captivated audiences around the world,” the letter said, “and his music spoke to the hopes and dreams we all had in common.

Image source Wikimedia

“Me and Hillary grew up listening to him.”

Chuck Berry played at both of Bill Clinton’s presidential inaugurations.

As the private service for Chuck Berry began, the Rev Alex Peterson told the crowd that the aim of the day was “to celebrate Berry in a rock ‘n’ roll style”.

Among the floral arrangements was one in the shape of a guitar sent by the Rolling Stones.

Seen as one of the fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Chuck Berry influenced generations of succeeding musicians, most notably The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys.

Chuck Berry was known for trademark four-bar guitar introductions and quickfire lyrics that reflected the rebelliousness of 1950s teenagers.

He received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1984 and was among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Chuck Berry was born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1926, and had his first hit, Maybellene, in 1955.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJoaAaU9doM

Hungary Protests Against Closure of George Soros’ Central European University

Diane A. Wade
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Hungary Protests Against Closure of George Soros’ Central European University

At least 50,000 of people have taken part in a protest in Hungary to demand the abolition of laws which could force the closure of one of the Central European University founded by George Soros.

New rules introduced by the government mean the CEU would be unable to award diplomas because it is registered in the US.

The legislation has already been rushed through parliament.

Demonstrators in Budapest on April 9 want President Janos Ader not to sign the controversial legislation backed by the governing right wing Fidesz party of PM Viktor Orban.

The protesters took to the streets both to defend the CEU and protest against attempts by the government to pressure human rights and environmental groups which support refugees.

The government passed amendments to the Higher Education Act last week which would make it impossible for the CEU to continue working in Budapest – 26 years after it was set up by Hungarian-born billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros.

Image source Flickr

The Hungarian government opposes the liberal outlook of both the university and many non-governmental organizations.

The CEU has vowed to fight the legislation. The English-speaking university is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in eight disciplines.

George Soros has a strained relationship with Viktor Orban – a keen supporter of President Donald Trump – who has accused Soros of wanting a role in Hungarian politics and supporting the influx of migrants into Europe.

Viktor Orban recently claimed Hungary was “under siege” from asylum seekers.

However, the prime minister won a scholarship sponsored by George Soros to study at Oxford University and the pair were allies in the days immediately following the fall of communism in 1989.

The Central European University was founded to “resuscitate and revive intellectual freedom” in parts of Europe that had endured the “horrific ideologies” of communism and fascism. It occupies a building that began as an aristocrat’s palace before becoming state-owned offices for a planned socialist economy.

The university has 1,440 students – 335 from Hungary and the rest from 107 other countries and presents itself as a champion of free speech, with links to universities in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Kazakhstan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDzI6O3thE

KT McFarland: Donald Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser Asked to Resign

Diane A. Wade
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KT McFarland: Donald Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser Asked to Resign

KT McFarland, President Donald Trump’s deputy national security adviser, has been asked to resign after just three months.

A former Fox News analyst, KT McFarland, has been offered the role of ambassador to Singapore instead, Bloomberg and Reuters report.

The move comes days after President Trump removed his senior strategist Steve Bannon from the National Security Council (NSC).

Image source Wikipedia

The NSC advises the president on national security and foreign affairs.

Steve Bannon’s appointment in January raised fears that the circle of top advisers was being politicized.

Analysts say the latest moves show President Trump’s new national security adviser, Lt. Gen. HR McMaster, reshaping the NSC team appointed by his predecessor.

The previous national security adviser, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, was fired after just three weeks and three days in the job after it emerged he had misled the vice-president over his conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the US.

Egypt Church Attacks: President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi Declares Three-Month State of Emergency

Roy Siemens
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Egypt Church Attacks: President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi Declares Three-Month State of Emergency

Egypt has declared a three-month state of emergency after attacks on two Coptic churches that left at least 44 dead on April 9.

The measure allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people’s homes, President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said. It needs to be approved by parliament before it is implemented.

ISIS said it was behind the blasts in Tanta and Alexandria on Palm.

The group has targeted Copts in Egypt recently and warned of more attacks.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said made a defiant speech at the presidential palace after a meeting of the national defense council to discuss the attacks.

He said the state of emergency would be implemented after all “legal and constitution steps” were taken. The majority in parliament backs President Sisi.

Image source Getty

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said had earlier ordered the deployment of the military across Egypt to protect “vital and important infrastructure”.

The attacks coincided with one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, marking the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

ISIS said in a statement that two suicide bombers carried out the blasts. One targeted St George’s Coptic church in the northern city of Tanta, where 27 people were killed, the health ministry said.

Hours later, police stopped the bomber from entering the St Mark’s Coptic church in Alexandria. He detonated his explosives outside, leaving 17 dead, including several police officers.

The blasts came weeks before an expected visit by Pope Francis intended to show support for the country’s Christian minority, who have long complained of being vulnerable and marginalized.

The move by President Sisi is likely to raise concerns among human rights activists, observers say. The president, a former army chief, has been criticized by local and international groups for severe restrictions on civil and political rights in Egypt.

Human Rights Watch says tens of thousands people have been arrested in a crackdown on dissent, and that security forces have committed flagrant abuses, including torture, enforced disappearances and likely extrajudicial executions.

North Korea Nuclear Program: US Deploys Navy Strike Group to Korean Peninsula

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Nuclear Program: US Deploys Navy Strike Group to Korean Peninsula

Amid growing concerns about North Korea’s missile program, the US military has ordered a navy strike group to move towards the Korean peninsula.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group comprises an aircraft carrier and other warships.

US Pacific Command described the deployment – now heading towards the western Pacific – as a prudent measure to maintain readiness in the region.

President Donald Trump has said the US is prepared to act alone to deal with the nuclear threat from North Korea.

US Pacific Command spokesman Dave Benham said: “The number one threat in the region continues to be North Korea, due to its reckless, irresponsible and destabilizing program of missile tests and pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.”

The Carl Vinson Strike Group comprises the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, two guided-missile destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser.

Image source Wikimedia

As well as massive striking power, the strike group has the capability to intercept ballistic missiles.

The group was originally due to make port calls in Australia but instead has been diverted from Singapore to the west Pacific – where it recently conducted exercises with the South Korean Navy.

North Korea has carried out several nuclear tests and experts predict more could be in the offing as the country moves closer towards developing a nuclear warhead with a big enough range to reach the US.

On April 5, North Korea test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile from its eastern port of Sinpo into the Sea of Japan.

The test – condemned by Japan and South Korea – came on the eve of a visit by China’s President Xi Jinping to the US to meet President Donald Trump.

President Trump and President Xi discussed how to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs as the US steps up the pressure on China, a historic ally of Pyongyang, to help reduce tension.

However, China has been reluctant to isolate North Korea, fearing its collapse could spawn a refugee crisis and bring the US military to its doorstep.

President Trump said in interview with the Financial Times that Washington was ready to act without Beijing’s co-operation: “If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will.”

North Korea is banned from any missile or nuclear tests by the UN, though it has repeatedly broken those sanctions.

Henrique Capriles Ban: Thousands of Venezuelans March in Protest

Diane A. Wade
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Henrique Capriles Ban: Thousands of Venezuelans March in Protest

Thousands of protesters took the streets in Venezuela to march against the banning from politics of opposition leader Henrique Capriles for 15 years.

In the capital, Caracas, police used tear gas to prevent demonstrators reaching the offices of the national ombudsman.

April 8 protest came after a week of anti-government demonstrations.

They were initially sparked by a Supreme Court ruling to curb the powers of the national assembly, a move which was later overturned.

Security police fired tear gas on one major avenue in Caracas while in the city of San Cristobal they shot rubber bullets towards protestors.

Many demonstrators carried signs reading “No to dictatorship!” and “Capriles for President”.

Image source Flickr

In the Caracas protest there was a moment of silence in memory of a young man shot dead on April 6 by police during demonstrations.

Henrique Capriles has been at the forefront of demands for a recall referendum on President Nicolas Maduro.

A former presidential candidate who has run twice, Henrique Capriles is seen as the oppositions’ best hope of defeating Nicolas Maduro in elections scheduled for next year.

The ruling by the Venezuelan comptroller said the ban on Henrique Capriles was due to “administrative irregularities” in his role as governor.

He is the latest in a series of prominent opposition politicians to be put out of action.

Two years ago, Maria Corina Machado, a former congresswoman was banned from office as was a former mayor, Daniel Ceballos.

In 2015, another prominent opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison on charges of inciting violence during anti-government protests in 2014.

Venezuelans are dealing with the effects of a harsh economic crisis that has millions skipping meals, unable to afford soaring prices for basic goods and facing long lines for scarce products.

President Maduro’s socialist government have said that a US-backed business elite is responsible for Venezuela’s economic downturn and that it is trying to organize a coup to impose right-wing rule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzk7w-hZkmE

March Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level In 10 Years

Clyde K. Valle
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March Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level In 10 Years

The US unemployment rate fell to a 10-year low in March, despite the economy adding a smaller than expected number of jobs.

Employers added 98,000 jobs in March 2017 – far fewer than the 180,000 expected by economists and less than half the figure for January and February.

However, the unemployment rate fell from 4.7% in February to just 4.5% – the lowest since May 2007.

Anything under 5% is considered to indicate “full employment”.

Image source Wikimedia

The US economy needs to create 75,000 to 100,000 jobs a month to keep pace with growth in the working-age population.

It had added more than 200,000 jobs in both January and February 2017, but March brought lower temperatures and a major storm to the North East, which was likely to have hit hiring.

Aberdeen Asset Management investment strategist Luke Bartholomew said the decline in job creation was another sign of a “pretty tight” labor market.

The dollar rose against the euro and pound, while the Dow Jones and S&P 500 were flat in morning trading in New York.

The US Labor Department also revised the number of jobs created in February down from 235,000 to 219,000, while the figure for January was lowered from 238,000 to 216,000.

The percentage of people in work or looking for a job held steady at 63%.

Tupac Shakur, Joan Baez and Pearl Jam Enter Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Sonia Pantiss
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Tupac Shakur, Joan Baez and Pearl Jam Enter Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Tupac Shakur, Joan Baez and Pearl Jam have all entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They were inducted alongside the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Journey and Yes during a concert in New York.

However, it was not just a celebration: a number of artists chose to use the occasion to make impassioned pleas and remember lost friends.

Late rapper Tupac Shakur‘s award was collected by his friend, fellow rapper Snoop Dogg.

Joan Baez – as known for her activism as her singing – made a rallying call for resistance in the face of “the new political cultural reality”.

Image source Flickr

The 76-year-old folk singer, who admitted most younger people had never heard her work, made a return to the spotlight this week when her song Nasty Man went viral.

Joan Baez – imitating Donald Trump’s particular way of speaking – told the audience gathered at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center: “Let us together repeal and replace brutality and make compassion a priority. Let us build a great bridge, a beautiful bridge, to welcome the tired and the poor.”

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder tackled climate change, saying: “We cannot be the generation that history will look back upon and wonder, why didn’t they do everything humanly possible to solve this biggest crisis of our time?”

Snoop Dogg was on hand to collect Tupac Shakur’s trophy, more than two decades after he was shot dead in Las Vegas.

Calling Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time”, Snoop Dogg recalled how they were just “two black boys struggling to become men”, adding: “To be human is to be many things at once: strong and vulnerable, hard-headed and intellectual, courageous and afraid, loving and vengeful, revolutionary and, oh yeah… gangsta!”

Tributes were also paid to 1986 Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Berry, who died last month aged 90, with ELO playing one of his best known hits – Roll Over Beethoven.

Meanwhile, Nile Rodgers – lead guitarist of disco band Chic – was recognized for his contribution to production.

Eta Begins Process of Handing Over Its Remaining Weapons

Roy Siemens
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0
Eta Begins Process of Handing Over Its Remaining Weapons

Eta has begun the process of handing over its remaining weapons, formally ending the last remaining insurgency in Europe.

At a ceremony in the southern French city of Bayonne, an inventory of weapons, and their locations, was passed to the judicial authorities.

The Basque militant group killed more than 800 people and wounded thousands in more than 40 years of violence.

Eta declared a ceasefire in 2011 but did not disarm.

The group’s goal was to create an independent Basque state out of territory in south-west France and northern Spain.

Image source RTE

France and Spain refuse to negotiate with Eta, which is on the EU blacklist of terrorist organizations.

The Bayonne ceremony took place in the presence of the local mayor, an Italian archbishop and an Irish priest, and civil society representatives.

The Chairman of the International Verification Commission, Ram Manikkalingam, said he hoped this important step would help consolidate peace in the Basque region.

Speaking on April 7, Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said Eta “will get nothing from a democratic state like Spain”.

Inigo Mendez de Vigo demanded that Eta not only disarm, but also clarify who carried out past its attacks.

In recent years, police in France and Spain have put Eta under severe pressure, arresting hundreds of militants, including leadership figures, and seizing many of its weapons.

Eta was set up more than 50 years ago in the era of Spanish dictator General Franco. Its first known killing was in 1968, when a secret police chief, Meliton Manzanas, was shot dead in the Basque city of San Sebastian.

In 2014 the International Verification Commission of inspectors said Eta had put some of its weapons out of action, but the Spanish government dismissed the move as “theatrical”.

Salvează

Google Adds Fact Check Feature to Search Results

Nancy Clayson
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Google Adds Fact Check Feature to Search Results

In a bid to help tackle the spread of “fake news”, Google has added its fact check feature to search results globally.

Google will now highlight “authoritative sources” in search results, with a summary of claims that have been fact-checked.

The search giant says sites will be judged authoritative by an algorithm and the company will not be fact-checking news stories itself.

On April 6, Facebook announced a campaign to help people spot fake news.

Image source Google

Google introduced its fact check feature on its News search site in October 2016, but has now added it to its regular search results.

Publishers who have investigated a claim, for example a politician’s statements, will be displayed more prominently.

A summary of the fact-checked statements and whether they are judged to be true or false will also appear.

However, the feature will not affect the order of search results and will not label sites known to spread false information as untrustworthy.

Google acknowledged that different publishers may draw opposing conclusions about the validity of a news story or statement, but said the feature would help people understand the “degree of consensus” on a topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoptzbPUQX8

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