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Joseph Lau Places Full-Page Ads to Announce Split with Yvonne Lui

Lisa.Felice
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Joseph Lau Places Full-Page Ads to Announce Split with Yvonne Lui

Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau Luen-hung has placed full-page ads in local newspapers revealing details of his split with girlfriend Yvonne Lui.

Joseph Lau Luen-hung, 65, said he broke up with Yvonne Lui in 2014 but had given her HK$2 billion ($26o million) worth of gifts during their relationship.

Ranked as the world’s 65th richest man by Forbes magazine with a net worth of $13.1 billion, and convicted money-launderer, Joseph Lau Luen-hung made his fortune in real estate.

His ad sparked a debate in Hong Kong on the meaning of wealth.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

Joseph Lau Luen-hung Lau has two children with Yvonne Lui, who is believed to be 26 years his junior.

The billionaire said his announcement was made in response to “untrue reports” about their relationship.

Yvonne Lui was now “a very wealthy woman” after receiving “lots of money, jewellery and other gifts” from him and no longer needed his “financial support”, he said, though added he would continue to support their children.

A former beauty pageant contestant, Yvonne Lui also has a PhD degree in chemical engineering from King’s College London.

Yvonne Lui had earlier released a cryptic statement on her website: “The children and I hope that you will recover soon and distance yourself from people who have been troubling you.”

Joseph Lau’s very public announcement has become the talk of Hong Kong, with many questioning the motives behind it.

He divorced his first wife in 1992 and has two adult children. He also has two children with his current girlfriend, a former entertainment reporter almost 30 years younger than him.

The billionaire has been seen in a wheelchair and is suffering from renal failure, heart disease and diabetes.

Joseph Lau, who was convicted of bribery and money-laundering in Macau in 2014, is well-known for his love affairs with movie stars and his extravagant romantic gestures.

It is not the first time he has used newspaper ads to get his message across.

In 2006, Joseph Lau bought a full-page ad anonymously wishing happy birthday to an ex-girlfriend.

Nutella Burger: McDonald’s Italy Launches Sweety con Nutella

Nancy Clayson
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Nutella Burger: McDonald’s Italy Launches Sweety con Nutella

McDonald’s Italy has announced it is revamping its menu with a Nutella burger.

The fast-food giant made the announcement on its Facebook page on November 10.

Image source Facebook
Image source Facebook

The new sandwich is called Sweety con Nutella and is really more a dessert than a burger. It features Nutella spread between two hamburger buns and comes in a cardboard box similar to the hamburger containers.

Fans of the chocolate-hazelnut spread have declared the sandwich the best thing since sliced bread.

It’s just Nutella slathered on a bun.

“A soft sweetness has arrived that you will not be able to resist. Try Sweety with Nutella now: soft bread with a creamy, indulgent center,” McDonald’s Italy announced on its Facebook page.

Unfortunately, Nutella burger is only available in Italy.

Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Defends Stephen Bannon’s Appointment

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Defends Stephen Bannon’s Appointment

Donald Trump’s new chief of staff, Reince Priebus, has defended the choice of right-wing media man Stephen Bannon as chief strategist, calling him a “force for good”.

A number of critics have denounced Stephen Bannon as supporting white supremacism.

Reince Priebus said this was “not the Steve Bannon that I know”, adding he was a “very, very smart person”.

His appointment is seen as an attempt by Donald Trump to improve links to the Republican establishment.

Donald Trump himself said he fought the election as the “ultimate outsider”, and it would fall to Reince Priebus, the current chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), to act as a conduit both to the party and to Congress.Donald Trump hails Brexit referendum result

One of Reince Priebus’ first tasks was to defend the appointment of Stephen Bannon, who had stepped aside from his role as chief executive of the Breitbart News Network – a combative conservative site with an anti-establishment agenda – to act as Donald Trump’s election campaign chief.

Adam Jentleson, a spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, said of Stephen Bannon: “It is easy to see why the KKK views Trump as their champion when Trump appoints one of the foremost peddlers of White Supremacist themes and rhetoric as his top aide.”

Jonathan Greenblat, of the Anti-Defamation League civil rights group, said: “It is a sad day when a man who presided over the premier website of the <<alt-right>> – a loose-knit group of white nationalists and unabashed anti-Semites and racists – is slated to be a senior staff member in the <<people’s house>>.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center group said: “Stephen Bannon was the main driver behind Breitbart becoming a white ethno-nationalist propaganda mill… Bannon should go.”

However, Reince Priebus told Good Morning America: “I don’t know where they’re coming from… that’s not the Steve Bannon that I know.”

On November 13, Stephen Bannon on thanked Donald Trump for his appointment, saying: “We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.”

In a statement released by his campaign, Donald Trump described Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon as “highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0am080Z3oEM

Julian Assange Questioned by Sweden’s Chief Prosecutor

Diane A. Wade
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Julian Assange Questioned by Sweden’s Chief Prosecutor

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is being questioning by Sweden’s chief prosecutor about a rape allegation at the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

Julian Assange denies the allegation that he raped a Swedish woman in 2010.

Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren is listening as an Ecuadorean prosecutor puts the questions to Julian Assange.

The WkiLeaks founder took refuge in the embassy four years ago, fearing extradition. He says the relation was consensual and believes the allegations are politically motivated.

The accusations relate to a visit Julian Assange made to Stockholm in August 2010 to give a lecture.Julian Assange assault inquiry dropped

Julian Assange has refused to travel to Sweden for questioning citing concerns he would be extradited to the US over WikiLeaks’ release of 500,000 secret military files on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

However, lawyers argue that his extradition from Sweden would be even less likely than from the UK.

He is accused of raping a woman, named in legal papers as SW, at her home in August 2010.

Swedish prosecutors dropped part of their investigation in 2015 because of a statute of limitations.

At the embassy Julian Assange is beyond the reach of the UK authorities. Sweden has issued an arrest warrant for him, which he has appealed against.

Shortly after Ingrid Isgren entered the embassy, a cat – said to belong to Julian Assange – appeared at one of the windows and began watching the journalists and Assange supporters gathered outside.

The cat has its own Twitter feed, which says it lives with Julian Assange and is “interested in counter-purrveillance”.

A statement on behalf of the Swedish prosecutors, quoted by the Press Association, said the investigation would remain confidential, including the interview at the embassy.

One of Julian Assange’s lawyers, Per Samuelson, said his client “is very happy that he finally will be given the opportunity to give his statement to the Swedish prosecution.

How has vaser liposuction changed lives?

Kathryn R. Bown
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How has vaser liposuction changed lives?

Our bodies are like stroppy toddlers: they’re needy, constantly complaining and categorically refuse to do what we ask of them. As we get older, the struggle to keep our bodies in check gets even more difficult. At every turn something else is going wrong and our efforts to keep up start to feel like a fruitless battle. There is still a lot of stigma around liposuction. We hear about it going on pretty often, but for a lot of us it is still something we associate with Beverly Hills housewives or stars of reality television. We could never imagine actually getting it done to ourselves. Well, that’s about to change.

Image source Pixabay
Image source Pixabay

As we get older, our metabolisms slow down to what feels like a complete stop. The cakes and burgers we scoffed in our twenties are now off limits and even that piece of toast in the morning is starting to feel like a risk. It’s a normal thing that happens to pretty much everyone, but it can still be upsetting to notice things wobbling and drooping that hadn’t before. Times are changing for the older generations, though. The years of grandmas and grandpas wearing corduroys and PVC rain macs are over. Older men and women are breaking down the barriers of fashion, setting trends and showing everyone that beauty really is timeless. Their setting their own standards of fashion and none of those include glossy pop-socks and blankets. What we’re also seeing at the same time is a rise of beauty conscious seniors. Plastic surgery is on the increase in the older generation and there isn’t any shame in that. One treatment that a lot of older men and women are looking into is vaser liposuction. It’s a form of liposuction that uses vibration to break down fat cells in target areas, which is a lot safer and less taxing on the body than traditional liposuction. Because it isn’t as damaging to the body, it’s becoming a favoured option for the slightly less durable older generation and helping them rediscover their love for their body.

Sometimes getting liposuction isn’t about wanting to be thinner. Our bodies distribute fat in very strange ways. A lot of women have an issue with being unable to get rid of the fat on their hips and for a lot of men their stomach is one of the hardest places to get rid of fat. When these little things go wrong in our bodies we might have a tendency to obsess over them. You could be as healthy and as fit as an athlete and these things wouldn’t change, no matter how much work you put in. It’s just the way our bodies work: they’re strange and mysterious and they never do what we want them to do. Sometimes fat distribution can be especially strange; we can find it collecting under our chins and around our ankles and it’s almost impossible to shift it in these sorts of places without dieting to an unhealthy extreme. This is where vaser liposuction can really make a difference. There are cases of people getting fat removed from their knees or from under their arms and feeling like they can finally be proud of their body. It’s the little things that make a difference. Not necessarily to other people, but for the person getting the treatment it could mean finally gaining the confidence to wear what they want to wear and carry themselves with confidence.

Venezuela Crisis: President Nicolas Maduro Rules Out Holding Early Elections

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela Crisis: President Nicolas Maduro Rules Out Holding Early Elections

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has ruled out holding early elections amid calls from opposition groups for him to resign.

In a TV address, Nicolas Maduro said “nobody should get obsessed with electoral processes that are not in the constitution”.

The president’s comment comes a day after the government and opposition groups agreed on a road map to resolve Venezuela’s political and economic crisis.

President Maduro’s term ends in early 2019.

The opposition blames him and his government for the dire state of Venezuela’s economy.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

Venezuela is suffering from sky-high inflation and there are shortages of many basic goods, including medical supplies.

According to a recent poll, more than three-quarters of Venezuelans are unhappy with Nicolas Maduro’s leadership.

However, an attempt by the opposition to organize a referendum to oust Nicolas Maduro from office has stalled after the Supreme Court ruled that there had been fraud during the early stages of the process.

The move caused outrage among opposition groups which then began to call for early elections as an alternative way to remove Nicolas Maduro from his post.

Speaking on his weekly TV program on November 13, Nicolas Maduro asked: “An electoral way out? Way out to where?”

Negotiators for the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) and the government met on November 11 for two days of Vatican-backed talks on how to end the political and economic crisis.

They released a joint statement in which they pledged to “live together in peace” and laid out a road map on how to defuse the situation.

While there was no mention of early elections in the joint statement, opposition lead negotiator Carlos Ocariz later announced that the MUD coalition would stay at the negotiating table only until it obtained early elections or a recall referendum.

After ruling out early elections, Nicolas Maduro mocked Carlos Ocariz’s statement saying that “it makes me very happy that the MUD will continue in the dialogue until December 2018”.

December 2018 is when the next presidential election is due to be held if no early polls are called.

The next round of talks between the opposition and the government is scheduled for December 6.

However, a number of opposition leaders have already called for protests, which had been halted as a sign of goodwill ahead of the talks, to resume.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRsLcQ51Xx8

Supermoon 2016: Earth’s Satellite Makes Its Closest Approach Since 1948

James J. Williams
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Supermoon 2016: Earth’s Satellite Makes Its Closest Approach Since 1948

Observers are preparing for the “supermoon” as Earth’s satellite makes its closest approach since 1948.

Europe’s best chance to see it will be on Monday evening, November 14, although the Moon will be at its closest – only 221,524 miles away – at 11:21 GMT.

To viewers, the Moon will appear about 7% larger than normal and about 15% brighter – although the human eye is barely able to discern that difference.

Yet the Moon won’t be this close again until November 25, 2034.

Extra-supermoon, the largest and brightest full moon of the year, will be rising on the evening of August 10

As the Moon traces its orbit around the Earth, we see different proportions illuminated by the Sun. Once in each orbit, our satellite is totally illuminated – a full moon.

As the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days or so, it travels in an elliptical or oval shape.

This means that its distance from our planet is not constant but varies across a full orbit.

Within this uneven orbit there are further variations caused by the Earth’s movements around the Sun.

These mean that the perigee – the closest approach – and full moon are not always in sync.

However, occasions when the perigee and full moon coincide have become known in popular parlance as supermoons.

To observers, the differences between a supermoon and a normal full moon are quite subtle.

Generally, supermoons can be up to 14% larger and 30% brighter, but only when compared with the furthest point the Moon gets to within its orbit.

Donald Trump Gives Key Roles to Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Gives Key Roles to Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon

Donald Trump has made his first picks for his incoming team.

The president-elect has named Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), as his chief of staff.

In this role, Reince Priebus, 44, will set the tone for the new White House and act as a conduit to Congress and the government.

Stephen Bannon, from the Breitbart News Network, will serve as Donald Trump’s chief strategist.

The 62-year-old stepped aside as executive chairman of Breitbart – a combative conservative site with an anti-establishment agenda that critics accuse of xenophobia and misogyny – to act as Donald Trump’s campaign chief.

In a statement released by his campaign, Donald Trump described Reince Priebus and Stephen Bannon as “highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory”.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

Reince Priebus acted as a bridge between Donald Trump and the Republican party establishment during the campaign.

He is close to House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow Wisconsinite, who could be instrumental in steering the new administration’s legislative agenda.

During the election race, Stephen Bannon saw it as his aim to “bolster the business-like approach of Mr. Trump’s campaign”.

A former naval officer, investment banker and Hollywood producer, Stephen Bannon took over at Breitbart in 2012, when he promised to make it the “Huffington Post of the right”.

Breitbart is linked to the alternative right movement – or alt-right – which tends to reject both left-wing ideology and mainstream conservatism.

The movement often emphasizes free speech and the right to offend. Opponents call it racist, anti-Semitic and sexist.

Stephen Bannon said on November 13: “I want to thank President-elect Trump for the opportunity to work with Reince in driving the agenda of the Trump administration.

“We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda.”

Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff called Stephen Bannon’s appointment “unsurprising but alarming”.

Adam Schiff tweeted: “His alt-right, anti-Semitic & misogynistic views don’t belong in WH.”

Elected chairman of the RNC in 2011, Reince Priebus has acted as the party’s spokesman and chief fundraiser. He said it was “truly an honor” to join Donald Trump in the White House as chief of staff.

“I am very grateful to the president-elect for this opportunity to serve him and this nation as we work to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace ObamaCare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism,” he added.

Correspondents say one of the big challenges of the new administration will be reconciling Donald Trump with the mainstream GOP, where sharp divisions emerged during the primaries.

Both houses of Congress are under Republican control.

Donald Trump will take over at the White House on January 20, when President Barack Obama steps down after two terms in office. He defeated Hillary Clinton in last week’s presidential vote.

On November 13, Donald Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two agreed to meet at “an early date”, Chinese state media said.

Moldova Elections 2016: Pro-Russia Igor Dodon Wins Presidency

Diane A. Wade
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Moldova Elections 2016: Pro-Russia Igor Dodon Wins Presidency

Pro-Moscow candidate Igor Dodon has won the second round of Moldova’s presidential election.

With almost all the ballots counted, Igor Dodon, who wants to restore close ties with Russia, had 52.37% of the vote, while pro-European candidate Maia Sandu, polled 47.63%.

The national vote marks the first direct presidential election in Moldova since 1996.

Since 1996, Moldova’s president has been chosen by parliament.

Image source Publika.md
Image source Publika.md

The election was seen as a battle between those supporting closer ties with Russia and those wanting integration with the EU.

Speaking shortly after the closure of polling stations on November 13, Igor Dodon called on Maia Sandu to preserve public order and abstain from protests.

Igor Dodon, 41, was a deputy prime minister in the Party of Communists government before 2009. He blames widespread corruption in Moldova on the pro-EU parties that have ruled the country since then.

Both candidates criticized the vote as badly organized, highlighting the shortage of ballot papers for overseas voters.

The final voter turnout was 53.3%.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic with has close historical ties with Moscow, declared independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The country also has a breakaway region supported by Russia, Trans-Dniester.

Moldova has moved to forge closer ties with the EU in recent years, a course championed by Maia Sandu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upi-t3Y4mOc

Leon Russell Dies In His Sleep Aged 74

Sonia Pantiss
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Leon Russell Dies In His Sleep Aged 74

Leon Russell died in his sleep at the age of 74 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The rock’n’roll hall of famer was best known for his “gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music”, his website says.

Leon Russell played anonymously as a studio pianist in the 1960s before his breakthrough in the 1970s.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

The singer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Elton John has called him his “biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter”.

Leon Russell’s had a relatively brief period of stardom in the 70s which was later revived in 2010 with the help of Elton John when the two collaborated on an album called The Union.

The record took third place in a list of 2010’s best albums by the Rolling Stones.

Over his career, Leon Russell recorded more than 35 albums and was best known for his A Song for You.

A Song for You was recorded and covered by the Carpenters, the Temptations, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and his good friend Willie Nelson.

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

New Zealand Earthquake Kills at Least Two People in South Island

Nancy Clayson
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New Zealand Earthquake Kills at Least Two People in South Island

At least two people have died in New Zealand after a powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck South Island.

PM John Key said further details were not yet known.

According to US Geological Survey, the tremor hit just after midnight, some 59 miles from Christchurch.

New Zealand’s officials have confirmed that Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake rendered it beyond repair

A tsunami arrived about two hours later. Officials warned everyone along the eastern coast to head inland or for higher ground.

According to Weatherwatch.co.nz, a gauge at Kaikoura,112 miles north of Christchurch, measured a wave of 8ft 2ins in the early hours of the morning.

At one point, the ministry of civil defense suggested tsunami waves as tall as 16ft could hit the eastern coast.

By just after 08:00 local time, the warning was scaled back to a “marine and beach threat” with waves of just 3ft along a small stretch of coast, including the Chatham Islands, an archipelago 423 miles south-east of the mainland.

Aerial images show tunnels along the coastal highway close to Kaikoura, a popular tourist destination, covered by a landslide. Other pictures of the devastated area show at least one collapsed home.

New Zealanders are used to earthquakes. The country lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed the city center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld7lfYKKkRk

Donald Trump to Deport Up to 3 Million Illegal Immigrants

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump to Deport Up to 3 Million Illegal Immigrants

In his first extensive post-election interview on 60 Minutes that will be aired on November 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, President-elect Donald Trump has said he will deport or jail up to three million illegal immigrants initially.

Those targeted would be immigrants with criminal records, such as gang members and drug dealers, Donald Trump said.

The president-elect also confirmed that another election promise, to build a wall with Mexico, still stood but could include fencing.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in November 8 presidential vote.

His victory shocked many who had expected Hillary Clinton to win following favorable opinion polls.

Donald Trump is due to take over at the White House on January 20, when President Barack Obama steps down after two terms in office.

Both houses of Congress are also under Republican control.

Asked about his plans for the Mexican border, Donald Trump said “a wall is more appropriate” in some parts but “there could be some fencing”,

Other undocumented immigrants would be assessed once the border was secured, Donald Trump added.

However, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said earlier that border security was a greater priority than mass deportation.

“We are not planning on erecting a deportation force,” he told CNN’s State of the Union program.

“I think we should put people’s minds at ease.”

Forcing Mexico to pay for a border wall became a rallying cry among Donald Trump supporters during the campaign.

Donald Trump caused outrage by suggesting Mexicans were exporting “their rapists” to the US, along with drugs and other crime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_3xNybXAec

Choi Soon-sil Scandal: South Korean President Park Geun-hye to Be Questioned by Prosecutors

Diane A. Wade
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Choi Soon-sil Scandal: South Korean President Park Geun-hye to Be Questioned by Prosecutors

South Korean President Park Geun-hye will be questioned over allegations of political corruption in a scandal that has engulfed her presidency.

According to officials, this will be the first time a sitting president has been questioned by prosecutors.

Park Geun-hye is accused of allowing her friend Choi Soon-sil to manipulate power from behind the scenes.

Hundreds of thousands rallied on November 12 to demand her resignation.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted officials as saying Park Geun-hye’s questioning should take place no later than November 16.

Prosecutors have also questioned top executives at Samsung, Hyundai and Korean Air.

Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, was questioned over whether Park Geun-hye pressured the company into donating millions to foundations controlled by her friend Choi Soon-sil.

Choi Soon-sil is accused of trying to extort huge sums of money from South Korean companies and is under arrest on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

She is suspected of using her friendship with President Park Geun-hye to solicit business donations for a non-profit fund she controlled.

Park Geun-hye, whose approval ratings have plummeted to 5% because of the scandal, has said she is “heartbroken”.

On November 12, organizers said some one million people encircled the presidential compound in the South Korean capital of Seoul, in the largest anti-government rally the country has seen.

It was the latest in weeks of demonstrations against President Park Geun-hye.

On November 13, the presidential office said Park Geun-hye was “earnestly considering ways to normalize state affairs” and that she had “heard the voices of the people at the rally”.

South Korea’s constitution does not allow a sitting president to be prosecuted, but investigations are permissible.

Park Geun-hye has 15 months left in her term. If she steps down elections must be held within 60 days.

Singles Day 2016: Alibaba Announces Record $18BN Sales

Clyde K. Valle
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Singles Day 2016: Alibaba Announces Record $18BN Sales

Alibaba has announced record sales record its annual Singles Day event.

The e-commerce giant said sales this year had reached 121 billion yuan ($18 billion), a rise of 32% on 2015 sales which were worth $14.3 billion.

However, some have questioned the accuracy of the numbers, amid claims of inflated sales data at Chinese online retailers.

Merchants passing off counterfeit goods as genuine is also a problem in the industry.

The company reported 82% of purchases had been made on mobile phones during Singles Day.Alibaba Singles Day 2015

Alibaba has also been experimenting with new technology including augmented reality and virtual reality to give shoppers other ways of buying items.

This year’s Singles Day had a blistering start with sales hitting $5 billion in the first hour, Alibaba said, though that total included pre-orders made by customers who could “lock in” prices. It took 90 minutes to hit that milestone in 2015.

Singles Day is held every year on November 11. The day is also referred to as Double Eleven because of its date.

Originally claimed as a celebration for China’s young singletons, Alibaba turned it into a shopping bonanza in 2009.

While Alibaba is undeniably the driving force behind Singles Day, other retailers have also started to piggyback off the idea, including extending the concept to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Alibaba’s rival JD.com, which focuses more on electronics, reported receiving more orders in the first nine hours of trading on Friday than it had done during the whole of Singles Day 2014.

JD.com said sales passed last year’s Singles Day total in the early afternoon, but gave no figures.

As has now become tradition, Singles Day was kicked off with a televised gala event which this year included a performances by One Republic and appearances by basketball legend Kobe Bryant, soccer legend David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham.

Katy Perry, who had been scheduled to perform, withdrew citing a family emergency.

Analysts have predicted this year’s Singles Day could see Alibaba rack up sales of $20 billion despite a slowdown in China’s economy, partly due to the event having a broader audience.

Venexodus: Venice Residents Protest Against Rapid Depopulation

Nancy Clayson
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Venexodus: Venice Residents Protest Against Rapid Depopulation

Venice’s residents have staged a protest against the rapid depopulation of the Italian city.

Hundreds of protesters hung a sign over Venice’s famous Rialto bridge and some carried suitcases to symbolize having to leave.

Locals say they are being forced out by high rents, housing shortages and a surge in the number of apartments being rented to visitors at inflated prices.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

Venice’s population has dropped to under 55,000, from about 175,000 in 1951.

Some of the demonstrators were received by the city hall and later said they were encouraged by the meeting.

The number of people in the picturesque and car-free lagoon-side city swells in the daytime, especially in peak season when as many as 60,000 tourists can visit.

Earlier this year, people on small boats tried to stop a cruise ship from docking.

Venice’s mayor has proposed taxing day trippers to help deal with the problem.

“Venice is losing 1,000 residents each year,” said Matteo Secchi, head of the association venessia.com which organized the rally.

“We are turning into Pompei, a town which people come to visit and say it’s magnificent, but no-one lives there.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWPSE1VFi3A

Hillary Clinton Blames Election Loss on FBI Director James Comey

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Blames Election Loss on FBI Director James Comey

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has blamed her surprise election loss on interventions by the FBI director, James Comey.

James Comey had revived the inquiry into her use of email while secretary of state shortly before Election Day had stopped her campaign’s momentum, Hillary Clinton said.

She was speaking to top party donors in a phone call, which was leaked to the media.

Protests are continuing against Donald Trump’s win.

In New York, about 2,000 marchers headed for the skyscraper where the president-elect lives, shouting “not my president”.Hillary Clinton on Brussels attacks

Anti-Trump activists have held daily protests in US cities since his election victory was confirmed on Wednesday.

Donald Trump seems to be rowing back on some of his campaign pledges. Having promised to scrap President Barack Obama’s Affordable Act – ObamaCare – he now says he is open to leaving intact key parts of the act.

The Republican is due to be sworn in on January 20, taking over from President Obama, who will have completed two terms in office.

Hillary Clinton, who served as Barack Obama’s secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, has been keeping a low profile since conceding victory.

On October 28, James Comey informed Congress that the FBI was examining newly discovered emails sent or received by Hillary Clinton, thus reviving an investigation which had been completed in July.

Then, on November 6, two days before the election, James Comey announced in a second letter that he was standing by his original assessment – that Hillary Clinton should not face criminal charges.

“There are lots of reasons why an election like this is not successful,” Hillary Clinton told the donors on a farewell conference call on November 12.

“But our analysis is that Comey’s letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum. We dropped, and we had to keep really pushing ahead to regain our advantage.”

Hillary Clinton added that James Comey’s later recommendation that she should face no charges had energized Donald Trump’s supporters.

Her campaign team said that despite Hillary Clinton being cleared of criminal behavior, the move only revived Donald Trump’s claim that the Democratic candidate was being protected by a rigged system.

Sting Concert Reopens Bataclan One Year After Paris Attacks

Sonia Pantiss
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Sting Concert Reopens Bataclan One Year After Paris Attacks

Paris’ Bataclan hall will reopen for the first time since 90 people were killed by ISIS with a Sting concert.

Scores of survivors are expected to attend the concert, which is being held on the eve of the first anniversary of France’s bloodiest terror attacks.

Organizers said they decided to reopen the famed Paris concert venue to prevent it becoming a “tomb”.

Sting will donate the proceeds from the concert to two victims’ charities.

The Bataclan was the last place the militants targeted on November 13, 2015.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

The co-ordinated attack had already struck the Stade de France and restaurants filled with people enjoying their evening.

The 130 people who lost their lives that night will be remembered in a series of low-key events over the weekend.

The concert at the Bataclan, where about 1,500 people had been watching American band Eagles of Death Metal when the gunmen burst in last year, is one of the most symbolic.

Jules Frutos, who has co-run the venue for the last 12 years, told AFP: “We had to go on after such horror and not leave a mausoleum, a tomb.”

He contacted Sting, who first performed at the Bataclan in 1978, about the concert after reading he wanted to help.

Sting says he hopes the concert will “respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell”.

The 1,000 tickets on offer for the concert sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale.

Hundreds of tickets were held for survivors, and there will be psychologists and counselors on stand-by for anyone who needs.

The concert venue will be closed on November 13, the actual anniversary, when a plaque is due to be unveiled in memory of those who lost their lives.

The Bataclan, the interior of which has been completely replaced, is opening again on November 16 for a series of concerts by Pete Doherty, Senegalese star Youssou N’Dour and British Sixties legend Marianne Faithfull.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_jPJl9MmSA

Invictus Games 2018: Prince Harry Announces Sydney as Event Host

Roy Siemens
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Invictus Games 2018: Prince Harry Announces Sydney as Event Host

Sydney will host the 2018 Invictus Games for injured, wounded and sick armed forces veterans, Prince Harry has announced.

The prince confirmed the chosen city in a video message, which ended with the backing of pop star Kylie Minogue.

The Invictus Games are a Paralympic-style multi-sport event ranging from archery and wheelchair rugby to road cycling and swimming.

The event began in London in 2014 and visited Orlando, Florida, in May ahead of Toronto in 2017.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

In the video message, Prince Harry said: “We have raised the bar higher with each successive games. I am happy to say the Invictus Games journey won’t end there.”

The prince said the competition had “shown us what can be achieved when wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women rediscover their fighting spirit through sport”.

He has been heavily involved in the organization of the event, after attending the Warrior Games, a similar gathering held in the US.

Prince Harry himself served 10 years in the Armed Forces and saw action in Afghanistan twice.

The video message, filmed at the Tourism Australia offices in Australia House, London, shows Prince Harry’s mobile phone ringing to the sound of the Kylie Minogue hit I Should Be So Lucky.

Prince Harry, surrounded by members of the Australian military, announces to cheers that the caller is Kylie.

He says: “Hi Kylie, good timing, the 2018 Invictus Games is coming to Sydney, can I guarantee the Aussies are going to bring it?”

In her own video message in reply, Kylie Minogue says: “Hey Prince Harry, listen – we’re stoked the Invictus Games is coming to Sydney, but you don’t need to tell the Aussies to bring it – it’s guaranteed, no worries.”

Prince Harry, who is patron of the Invictus Games Foundation which oversees the delivery of the tournament, said Sydney was chosen because it is an iconic location with a proud military heritage and a population that is “absolutely sports mad”.

The 2018 Invictus Games are set to take place in New South Wales from October18-29.

Robert De Niro Offered Italy Refuge After Donald Trump Win

Sonia Pantiss
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Robert De Niro Offered Italy Refuge After Donald Trump Win

Ferrazzano, where Robert De Niro’s great-grandparents lived, has offered the actor refuge, after he said he would move there if Donald Trump won the presidency.

Antonio Cerio, the mayor of the Italian town, told local media: “We are ready to welcome him with open arms.”

Robert De Niro has used strong language to describe Donald Trump, saying he would like “to punch him in the face”.

The actor’s ancestors emigrated from Ferrazzano in 1890.

Robert De Niro said he's happy to play supporting roles as his time as a leading actor is over

Nowadays Ferrazzano is home to 3,000 residents, and appears ready to welcome one more.

“If after the disappointment of Trump, he wants to take refuge here, we are ready to welcome him,” said Antonio Cerio.

“Naturally it would be an honor and give us great pleasure.”

The local emigration association has suggested making Robert De Niro president of Molise – the region where Ferrazzano lies – if only for a day.

The association noted that the Oscar-winning actor “is tied to his Molise origins and even speaks a good Italian-Molise dialect, even if he doesn’t like to flaunt it”.

Robert De Niro has both American and Italian citizenship.

“I’m going to probably have to move there,” he joked on the day of the election result.

Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, Robert De Niro conceded that knocking Donald Trump out was now off the table.

“I can’t [punch Donald Trump] now, he’s the president. And I have to respect that position,” Robert De Niro said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZ0r1-mvMY

Donald Trump Pledges to Keep Key Parts of ObamaCare

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Pledges to Keep Key Parts of ObamaCare

Donald Trump has said he is open to keep key parts of President Barack Obama’s healthcare bill, the ObamaCare.

The president-elect, who has pledged to repeal the 2010 law, said he will keep the ban on insurers denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he also favored allowing young adults to be insured on their parents’ policies.

“I like those very much,” he said of the two pillars of the bill.

Photo AP
Photo AP

It was his meeting with President Obama on November 10 that had made him reconsider his calls for an all-out replacement of the Affordable Care Act, he told the newspaper.

Asked whether he would implement a campaign promise to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server while secretary of state, Donald Trump said: “It’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought, because I want to solve healthcare, jobs, border control, tax reform.”

Meanwhile, protesters angered by Donald Trump’s election gathered in several cities for a third night on November 11. Thousands took to the streets of Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, voicing anger at the president-elect’s comments about immigrants, Muslims and women.

In a separate interview with CBS, Donald Trump said the parts of ObamaCare he was “going to try to keep” were “the strongest assets”.

He said that while the bill would be repealed and replaced, the changes would provide Americans with “great healthcare for much less money”.

Donald Trump made the statement during an interview with the 60 Minutes program, which is due to air on November 13.

Also on November 11, Donald Trump put Vice-President-elect Mike Pence in charge of his transition team, replacing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Staying Out of the Red: Potential Solutions to Personal Finance Shocks

Dana R
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Staying Out of the Red: Potential Solutions to Personal Finance Shocks

When your personal financial situation sustains a shock, it can be difficult to get your head around it. How do you pick yourself up and get back to normal? It’s certainly not easy to do that. But it does have to be done. Staying out of the red is a tricky task, but it’s a vital one. By leaping into action immediately, you will be able to put plans in place to protect yourself. Read on to find out more.

Cash Flow Problems Can be Solved by Short-Term Loans

Cash flow can be difficult to manage for some people. For people who don’t have a consistent income, such as people who work for themselves, things can be variable. One month, the money can be flowing easily. And then the next month, there can be a payment delay and everything is thrown into chaos. In situations like those, having a short-term loan to cover you can help a lot. Of course, you should be aware of the high interest rates that are usually attached to this kind of loan.

Unexpectedly High Credit Card Rates Can be Battled by Taking Out a Personal Loan

Credit card rates can go up and down. If they rise sharply and you didn’t expect it, you could find yourself in a tricky situation. Many people rely on their credit cards to get them through the month in a healthy financial shape. Rather than letting everything fall apart as a result of higher than expected rates, you should consider taking out a loan. There are plenty of lenders, such as Lending Tree, that can assist you with this. Just make sure that you don’t borrow more than you can afford to pay back.

Photo Source

If Debts Become Too Much, Consolidate Them

Getting into debt doesn’t need to be a disaster. There are good forms of debt. And most loans can be positive if they are handled in a way that is safe and stable. But, having said that, loans can get the better of some people. This usually happens when they have multiple debts that they have trouble balancing and juggling. There’s no doubt about it; it can be tricky. You just need to consolidate them to begin with. This helps to turn lots of small loans into one big one, making it a bit more sustainable.

When You Lose Your Job, Diversify Your Skills and Cut Back

Losing your job can be one of the most traumatic and worrying things you ever experience. You start to wonder where your money is going to come from and how you will cover the bills. Once you have looked at what welfare help you’re entitled to, you should take action. Start by assessing your spending habits and looking for ways to cut back. If you focus on the essentials and stop spending on things you don’t really need, you should be able to save a lot. Then you should start to look at your skills and diversify them. Consider how they can be used to earn money.

Donald Trump Praises Protesters’ Passion After New Demonstrations Against His Victory

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Praises Protesters’ Passion After New Demonstrations Against His Victory

Donald Trump has praised protesters’ “passion” after a new night of demonstrations against his election victory that included rioting in Portland, Oregon.

The president-elect tweeted: “Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country.

“We will all come together and be proud!”

Donald Trump had previously blamed the unrest on “professional protesters”.

He is in New York, believed to be discussing his future cabinet.

“Busy day planned in New York,” he tweeted.

Image source U.S. Marine Corps
Image source U.S. Marine Corps

“Will soon be making some very important decisions on the people who will be running our government.”

Donald Trump is due to be inaugurated on January 20, taking over the White House from Democrat Barack Obama, who served two terms.

President Barack Obama, one of Donald Trump’s most withering critics during the election campaign, said his priority was to “facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful”.

However, Harry Reid, the Democrats’ outgoing leader in the Senate, said Donald Trump’s victory had “emboldened the forces of hate and bigotry”. It “does not feel like America”, he added.

Protests have taken place across the US on both nights since the result of the election, which Hillary Clinton lost for the Democrats despite enjoying a lead in most opinion polls.

Only on November 10, Donald Trump had tweeted: “Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!”

About 4,000 demonstrators gathered in the centre of Portland, the largest city in Oregon, which voted in favor of Hillary Clinton.

Some protesters smashed shop and car windows, threw firecrackers and set rubbish alight. Objects were thrown at the police, who responded with pepper spray and rubber baton rounds.

Police declared a riot and made 26 arrests.

In Oakland, California, police made 11 arrests after anti-Trump protesters lit fires on streets and in rubbish bins, smashed windows and sprayed graffiti.

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

Cecil the Lion: Zimbabwe Drops Charges Against Theo Bronkhorst

Nancy Clayson
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Cecil the Lion: Zimbabwe Drops Charges Against Theo Bronkhorst

A high court in Zimbabwe court has dropped charges against Theo Bronkhorst , the professional hunter alleged to have helped American dentist Walter Palmer to kill Cecil the lion.

The court ruled that the charges against Theo Bronkhorst “were too vague to enable to him to mount a proper defense”.

Walter Palmer, who killed Cecil the lion last year, was not charged.

Photo AFP/Getty Images
Photo AFP/Getty Images

The famed lion – a favorite at Hwange National Park – was shot by Walter Palmer with a bow and arrow.

Walter Palmer is said to have paid about $50,000 to hunt the lion.

Cecil’s killing sparked international outrage, and prompted a global campaign to end lion trophy hunting.

Theo Bronkhorst said in court that he had obtained all the permits required to kill an elderly lion that was outside the national park boundaries.

Cecil the lion attracted photographic safaris and was part of an Oxford research project into lions at the Hwange National Park.

Singles Day 2016: Chinese to Spend $20BN In World’s Biggest Shopping Event

Clyde K. Valle
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Singles Day 2016: Chinese to Spend $20BN In World’s Biggest Shopping Event

Alibaba looks set to smash the sales record for its annual Singles Day event.

About 12 hours into the event, sales had reached 82.4 billion yuan ($12.1 billion), the e-commerce giant said. Last year’s record was $14.3 billion.

However, some have questioned the accuracy of the numbers, amid claims of inflated sales data at online retailers across China.

Merchants passing off counterfeit goods as genuine is also an industry problem.

Alibaba reported 85% of purchases had been made on mobile phones during Singles Day.singles-day-2016

The website has also been experimenting with new technology including augmented reality and virtual reality to give shoppers other ways of buying items.

Singles Day had a blistering start with sales hitting $5 billion in the first hour, Alibaba said, though that total included pre-orders made by customers who could “lock in” prices.

It took 90 minutes to hit that milestone in 2015.

Singles Day is held every year on November 11. The day is also referred to as Double Eleven (11/11) because of its date.

Originally claimed as a celebration for China’s young singletons, Alibaba turned it into a shopping bonanza in 2009.

While Alibaba is undeniably the driving force behind the event, other retailers have also stared to piggyback off the idea, including extending the concept to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Alibaba’s rival JD.com, which focuses more on electronics, reported receiving more orders in the first nine hours of trading on November 11 than it had done during the whole of Singles Day 2014.

More Anti-Trump Protests Held Across United States

Nancy Clayson
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0
More Anti-Trump Protests Held Across United States

Anti-Trump protests have been held in several cities for a second night, but with smaller crowds.

They were mainly young people saying a Trump presidency would create deep divisions along racial and gender lines.

However, police in Portland said they were dealing with vandalism and aggressive behaviour.

In response, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted that the protests were “very unfair”.

Image source Daily Pakistan
Image source Daily Pakistan

Earlier, Donald Trump met President Barack Obama at the White House and described him as a good man.

However, despite their cordiality, Donald Trump is intent on dismantling much of President Obama’s legacy. That includes ObamaCare, the act extending medical insurance to more Americans than ever before.

Crowds of protesters gathered in cities across the country on November 10.

Police in Portland, Oregon said the protest there should be considered a riot, with shop windows being broken, some demonstrators carrying bats and others arming themselves with rocks.

There were no reports of violence at the other protests, although demonstrators in Minneapolis briefly blocked an interstate highway in both directions.

In Philadelphia, crowds gathered near City Hall holding placards bearing slogans such as “Not Our President”, “Trans Against Trump” and “Make America Safe For All”.

In Baltimore, police said a peaceful crowd of 600 people marched through the city, blocking traffic. In San Francisco, high school students waved rainbow banners and Mexican flags.

A small crowd also gathered outside Trump Tower in Chicago, a day after thousands marched through the city centre. Some passers-by cheered them but at least one driver shouted that they should “shut up and accept democracy”, the AP reported.

Protesters also returned to Trump Tower in New York for a second night.

In his tweet, Donald Trump described them as “professional protesters” and said they had been “incited by the media”.

Meanwhile Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto said he was optimistic his country could have a positive relationship with the US under President Donald Trump, despite his anti-Mexican rhetoric during the campaign.

Enrique Pena Nieto said he and Donald Trump had agreed to meet, possibly during the transition period before President Trump’s inauguration in January.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Donald Trump and the Russian president were “very much alike” in how they see the world.

Dmitry Peskov said Russian experts had been in contact with some members of Donald Trump’s staff during the campaign.

However, he said the Russian government had nothing to do with the theft of emails from the Democratic campaign that were later published by WikiLeaks.

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