Monday, February 16, 2026
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Republicans Ask RNC to Stop Funding Donald Trump’s Campaign

In a letter signed by more than 70 Republicans, the GOP’s National Committee head is being urged to stop funding Donald Trump’s campaign.

The signatories said Donald Trump’s “divisiveness” and “incompetence” risked drowning the party in November’s election.

The letter said that the GOP should instead focus on protecting vulnerable candidates in elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Former members of Congress are among the signatories of the letter.

“We believe that Donald Trump’s divisiveness, recklessness, incompetence, and record-breaking unpopularity risk turning this election into a Democratic landslide,” said a draft of the letter published by Politico.Donald Trump San Diego rally

“Only the immediate shift of all available RNC resources to vulnerable Senate and House races will prevent the GOP from drowning with a Trump-emblazoned anchor around its neck.”

The letter added: “This should not be a difficult decision, as Donald Trump’s chances of being elected president are evaporating by the day.”

Reacting to the move, Donald Trump said he was not concerned that the party could cut him off.

“All I have to do is stop funding the Republican Party,” he said.

According to a Time Magazine report on August 11, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus had threatened to withdraw funding from the Trump campaign, and instead direct it to Congressional campaigns.

Donald Trump denies that this conversation ever took place.

The Republican presidential nominee has endured 10 days of negative headlines after a string of controversial comments.

In recent weeks, several leading Republicans have deserted Donald Trump over his outspoken attacks.

Polls suggest support for Donald Trump has been falling in key battleground states in recent weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1AclI8eIsg

Rio 2016: Silvia Danekova Tests Positive for EPO

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Bulgarian athlete Silvia Danekova has tested positive for banned blood booster EPO at the Rio Olympics.

Silvia Danekova, 33, tested positive in a doping control conducted a few days after her arrival in Brazil on July 26.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

The 3,000m steeplechase athlete has been temporarily suspended pending the test of her B sample.

“Unfortunately, we have a positive test,” confirmed the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, whose weightlifting team was banned from the Games for doping.

Silvia Danekova raced in the 3,000m steeplechase at the London Olympics in 2012 but did not get beyond the heats.

The athletics program at the Rio Olympics will begin on August 12.

Shah Rukh Khan Detained at LA Airport

Shah Rukh Khan has been “detained” by US authorities at Los Angeles International Airport.

It is not clear why the Bollywood star was detained, or for how long.

The US ambassador to India has apologized for the detention and said authorities were working to ensure it did not happen again.

In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan was detained for 90 minutes at the White Plains airport near New York.

Shah Rukh Khan’s detention by US authorities for 90 minutes at White Plains airport near New York has sparked outrage in India
Shah Rukh Khan’s detention by US authorities for 90 minutes at White Plains airport near New York has sparked outrage in India

In 2009, the actor was stopped for two hours at Newark airport. He was released after India’s embassy intervened.

Shah Rukh Khan, who flew into Los Angeles on August 12, tweeted: “I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks.”

However, the actor added: “The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons.”

Although there was no comment from immigration officials, the US State Department’s assistant secretary on south and central Asian affairs, Nisha Biswal, tweeted to Shah Rukh Khan, saying she was “sorry for the hassle”, adding that US diplomats also face this situation.

Later, the US ambassador to India, Rich Verma, apologized to Shah Rukh Khan.

In 2012, Shah Rukh Khan arrived on a private plane and was on his way to Yale University for a function when he was stopped.

An Indian government minister said at the time that this “policy of detention and apology by the US cannot continue”.

US customs and border protection authorities later expressed “profound” apologies for the incident.

Shah Rukh Khan had later made light of the incident and joked about it.

“Whenever I start feeling arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America. The immigration guys kick the star out of stardom,” the Bollywood star told a gathering of students at Yale University.

Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in more than 70 films and is considered one of India’s most recognizable and popular celebrities.

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

South Korea attacks even its allies

–Why does South Korea keep demanding apologies?–

There are only six months left of President Obama’s term in office. While Americans all across the country are caught up in the upcoming presidential elections, several research institutes and media outlets are starting an assessment of President Obama’s policies. He has received much criticism for his domestic policies, such as Obamacare. In terms of diplomacy, one of President Obama’s more important policies has been his “Pivot to Asia.” CSIS has examined this policy and put together a report containing specific proposals. CSIS evaluated the “Pivot to Asia” as “insufficient to guarantee the interests of the United States,” claiming that “a strategy that lacks military backing does not provide sufficient opposition to Chinese and North Korean provocations.” Although President Obama’s foreign policy has been derided as weak, it has nevertheless had some impact. After a 54-year breakup of diplomatic relations, President Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba and became the first American president in 88 years to visit the country. By completely lifting the ban on arms exports to Vietnam, President Obama also dealt with some open wounds left by the Vietnam War, wounds that the United States has been reluctant to even discuss up to now.

President Obama also grabbed headlines by becoming the first incumbent U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, the first city to be struck by an atomic bomb–although it is unclear whether he himself considers this moment the culmination of his foreign policy. President Obama, who launched his foreign policy with a speech in Prague, vowed to build “a world without nuclear weapons” and ends his term in office with a renewed appeal toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Public opinion in the United States is still strongly supportive of the decision to drop the atomic bombs during World War II. Visiting Hiroshima was a difficult choice for President Obama and the White House, because the visit invited backlash from those who claim that the move was tantamount to an apology on the part of the United States. President Obama’s decision to visit was seen as very courageous in both countries, but especially in Japan. American public opinion was also appreciative of the fact that Japanese victims of the atomic bomb and their families did not demand any apologies from the United States.

However, South Korea–an ally of both the United States and Japan–did not consider this historical visit “justified.” Korean media were united in their furious opposition to Obama’s visit, insisting that “Japan should not be made into a victim” and that “Japan should continue to be seen as an aggressor in the war.” These same media also claimed that “the tragedy of the atomic bomb was a result of the war and atrocities caused by Japan’s imperialism.” Although President Obama referred to Korean victims of the atomic bombs during his visit, Korean media insisted that their country was somehow being victimized, lamenting that Obama “did not visit the cenotaph for Korean victims.” South Korea turned its back on the main theme of Obama’s visit, which was the total abolition of nuclear weapons, which is undoubtedly a global concern.

It did not stop there. Before President Obama arrived in Hiroshima, Korean victims of the atomic bombs visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to offer flowers at the cenotaph for Korean victims. The group consisted of five Korean survivors of the atomic bombs and one second-generation survivor. They read aloud a letter in which they demanded an apology and reparations from President Obama, and finally thrust their fists into the air while chanting in Japanese and Korean, “We want apologies from President Obama! We want reparations!”

An American head of state visited Japan, once its greatest enemy, in order to achieve reconciliation once and for all, with an eye on the future. South Korea, an ally to both the United States and Japan, inserted itself into this historic occasion in a truly unseemly display, acting as though only South Korea was a victim in the war. Wars involve countries killing each other’s citizens. Countless precious lives were lost in all the countries that emerged victorious in World War II, including the United States. From that point of view, all countries who were involved in the war are “victims.” The United States and Japan spent the entirety of the war killing each other’s citizens, but today, they demand no apologies from each other. Korea was part of Japan during World War II, and the Korean soldiers who were part of the Japanese army stood side by side with Japanese soldiers as they killed Americans. But no matter how many soldiers the United States lost in the war, they do not demand apologies from South Korea. It defies comprehension that only South Korea is demanding apologies from the United States. South Korea’s insistent agitating for an apology becomes somewhat easier to understand if it is seen as an attempt by its rulers to ensure that domestic public opinion will not turn against the government.

As shown by the country’s demands that Japan apologize for the so-called comfort women, demanding apologies from other countries seems to be a part of South Korean identity in some way. When Japan and South Korea closed an agreement on the issue last year after mediation from the United States, American voices welcomed that agreement. The agreement includes an apology from the Japanese side. However, Japanese officials have already offered around ten different public apologies related to comfort women. Still, there are no indications that South Korea’s demands for apologies from Japan will be satisfied anytime soon. There is strong opposition to the agreement inside South Korea, led by citizen’s groups such as “The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan,” whose voice is highly influential in the debate around comfort women. Because one of the aims of these organizations is to force an investigation of the Japanese government’s legal responsibility, it should come as no surprise that the South Korean government is now a target for their criticism as well. In addition, South Koreans have thoughtlessly dragged American people into the debate about comfort women by complaining to them, even though they have nothing to do with an issue that is essentially a problem between South Korea and Japan only. Even completely unrelated countries such as Canada and Australia have been drawn into the discussion through activism by local Korean communities— the erection of statues memorializing comfort women are one such example.

South Korea is trying to make itself sound more important by involving other countries, like a child that deliberately gets into mischief in order to get attention from its parents. If South Korea wants itself to be recognized as a grown-up country in its own right, rather than the child of the United States or Japan, it would do well to cease these endless demands for apologies that are rooted in a persistent sense of victimization.

Donald Trump Blames Media for Second Amendment Scandal

Donald Trump has blamed the media after being accused of urging supporters to kill Hillary Clinton.

The Republican candidate told Fox News “dishonest” reporters had twisted his remarks, which appeared to suggest that gun rights advocates could stop Democratic rival Hillary Clinton if elected.

Donald Trump denied incitement and said he was exhorting his supporters to vote.

His gun rights comments made on August 9 sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Some interpreted his comments as a dark suggestion that gun owners could take up arms against Hillary Clinton, while others said they were at the very least irresponsible remarks that could have violent consequences.

The highest-ranked Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, said it was an inappropriate joke.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said it was a death threat by a “pathetic coward” who was sore because he was trailing in the polls to a woman.

Photo AP
Photo AP

The controversial remarks were made at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, and refer to a future president’s power to nominate a judge to fill a vacancy on the US Supreme Court.

Donald Trump said of his Democratic opponent: “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment, by the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks.

“But the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

The Second Amendment enshrines the right to bear arms in the US Constitution, and there is no evidence that Hillary Clinton wants to abolish it, although she does want to tighten some restrictions.

Within minutes of him uttering the words, the criticism began to mount and Donald Trump issued a statement saying he was referring to the political power of gun rights advocates.

Hours later, Fox News host Sean Hannity told him the media had been “spinning it” differently.

Donald Trump answered by saying there could be no other interpretation of his words other than the one he had given: “Even reporters have told me, I mean give me a break. But they’re dishonest people.

“What it is there’s a tremendous power behind the Second Amendment.

“It’s a political power, and there are few things so powerful, I have to say, in terms of politics.”

Donald Trump’s remarks come after eight days of negative headlines and falling poll numbers.

Man Arrested After Climbing Trump Tower in New York

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A 20-year-old man has been arrested in New York after trying to scale Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan using rope and suction cups.

Workers removed windows from the glass-faced, 58-storey skyscraper to prevent the man from going higher.

NYPD officers eventually grabbed him as he reached the 21st floor and pulled him inside the building.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

The building is the headquarters of Donald Trump. He also lives in the building but was not in New York.

Police said the Virginia climber wanted to meet Donald Trump. They did not believe the man intended to harm anyone.

In a YouTube video posted earlier this week the man described himself as an “independent researcher” and needed to deliver an “important message” to Donald Trump.

The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital to be psychologically evaluated, police said.

Large crowds gathered outside the building along Fifth Avenue as the incident unfolded over several hours.

Hillary Clinton Accuses Donald Trump of Inciting Violence After Gun Rights Comments

Hillary Clinton has accused Donald Trump of inciting violence when he said gun rights supporters could stop her from winning.

Speaking at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, the Democratic presidential nominee said “words can have tremendous consequences.”

Donald Trump sparked a backlash after suggesting “Second Amendment people,” or gun owners, could take action against her.

Hillary Clinton also said Donald Trump did not have the temperament to be president.Hillary Clinton on Donald Trump anti Muslim rhetoric

She criticized Donald Trump for his recent row with the family of a fallen American Muslim soldier, which the military refers to as a Gold Star family.

Hillary Clinton said: “Yesterday we witnessed the latest in the long line of casual comments from Donald Trump that cross the line. His casual cruelty to a Gold Star family, his casual suggestion that more countries should have nuclear weapons. And now his casual inciting of violence.

“Every single one of these incidents shows that Donald Trump simply does not have the temperament to be president and commander in chief of the United States.”

Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in North Carolina on August 9 when he said Hillary Clinton would put liberal justices on the Supreme Court if she wins the presidency.

The billionaire suggested Hillary Clinton’s liberal nominations would threaten gun ownership rights when he said: “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks.

“But the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

Social media users swiftly responded, condemning Donald Trump for appearing to incite violence.

Donald Trump dismissed the claims, tweeting that he was trying to unify gun rights supporters to turn out to vote to defeat Hillary Clinton.

What You Can Do To Make Your Health A Priority

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Our health is the of the utmost importance to us. We toast our health when celebrating; we hope for good health when it comes to friends and family. But the thing is, we don’t tend to focus on our own health as much as we should. Life get’s busy. We have bills to pay, places to be. However, we need our health to carry on living our lives. Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to highlight why we should focus on our health. How certain things and changes can have a positive effect.

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Increase your fitness levels

Fitness is important. When it comes to our health fitness has a lot to do with our respiratory system, our weight and overall feelings. So many of us don’t make it a priority. Thinking we can’t fit gym sessions into our busy lives. But this is where you are wrong. Improving your fitness levels is more about being more active. So it’s making conscious decisions to be active each day. This might be walking more, or taking up a new hobby like running.

Don’t ignore those niggling problems

We’ve all been there. A headache that won’t go away. A back pain that keeps presenting itself. But these niggling issues are the ones we tend to brush over. We think we can carry on as if nothing’s happening. However, what we don’t realise is that these things can get worse and cause bigger problems. This is why considering seeing specialists like the Los Angeles Spine Group could help with back issues. Or seeking advice from your doctor for more common symptoms like headaches. It may help improve your health in the long run.

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Be aware of what is normal in your body

Many people have underlying health problems they are not aware of. Partly this can be because you ignore symptoms that are unusual. Unusual bleeding or continued bloating; they can all be signs of problems going inside that you just don’t know about. Make your health a priority by noticing things that just aren’t normal.

Improve your diet

Your health can have a lot to do with what you put into your body. An excessive amount of alcohol could lead on to alcohol dependence. Too many fatty foods or sugary treats can increase your weight. Which could then cause added pressure to your body functions. It’s all about taking care of yourself more efficiently. A healthy balanced diet would always be recommended. Making sure you get the right intake of what your body needs to function.

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Consider your mental health

Finally, the one thing people ignore the most is their mental health. But this is a big deal and is just as important as your physical health. Mental health can be affected by many things. Most common being stress, depression and anxiety. All of which if ignored could lead on to have a huge impact on your life, your family and your relationships. Take care of your mind as well as your body.

I hope this helps you make your health a priority going forward.

Donald Trump Sparks Anger After Gun Rights Comments

Donald Trump is again at the center of a new scandal after appearing to suggest his supporters could stop his rival Hillary Clinton by exercising their gun rights.

The republican candidate said that Hillary Clinton would put liberal justices on the Supreme Court if she wins the presidency in November, threatening gun ownership rights.

Speaking at a rally in North Carolina, Donald Trump hinted that gun rights advocates could stop her taking power.

That sparked an online outrage, many accusing the billionaire of inciting violence.

Donald Trump replied that he was only urging gun rights supporters to vote in large numbers.

The remarks that sparked the firestorm were made at a rally in Wilmington on August 9.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Donald Trump said of his Democratic rival: “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks.

“But the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

The Second Amendment enshrines the right to bear arms in the US Constitution.

A man sitting behind Donald Trump as he made the remarks assumed a look of disbelief as he heard them.

Twitter users were quick to respond to Donald Trump’s comments, criticizing him for appearing to encourage gun violence.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said that “unstable people” who hate Hillary Clinton could respond.

Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager, said “what Trump is saying is dangerous”.

Donald Trump was quick to respond, tweeting that he was referring to the political power of gun rights advocates.

His campaign said: “Second Amendment people have amazing spirit and are tremendously unified, which gives them great political power.”

“And this year, they will be voting in record numbers, and it won’t be for Hillary Clinton, it will be for Donald Trump.”

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani backed Donald Trump, saying it clearly was not a threat but the press was involved in a “conspiracy to elect Hillary Clinton”.

Some Trump supporters leaving the rally in Wilmington told CNN they were not concerned by the remarks because they were clearly a joke and they liked the fact he spoke off-the-cuff.

The National Rifle Association also backed Donald Trump and warned Hillary Clinton would pick judges that would not uphold the Second Amendment.

Hillary Clinton has made tightening some gun laws part of her campaign but there is no evidence that she wants to abolish the right to bear arms.

A spokeswoman for the Secret Service said the agency was aware of Donald Trump’s comments but refused to answer additional questions.

Donald Trump’s remarks come after eight days of negative headlines, controversial remarks and some leading Republicans saying they cannot vote for him in November’s presidential election.

10 Bits of Advice for Naughty Dating

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If you’re hoping to try your luck with naughty dating, there are some important pieces of advice you should keep in mind when doing it.

As much as we’d like to believe that we would have no problem hooking up with someone without any strings attached, not everyone is able of naughty dating because the very idea of dating someone without it turning into a relationship seems like a waste of time. However, if you’re among those who feel that naughty dating is just part of the process of finding their “soul mate,” then you’ll be in good company on a naughty dating site.

There are so many singles all over the world who are joining naughty dating sites to find someone fun and awesome to go on a few naughty dates with. You also have a few people who are intrigued by the idea of naughty dating and want to give it a go. If you are a member of the second group, you might be under the belief that naughty dating is a lot like traditional dating. While some things about it are similar, there are a few rules that you should be aware of to make your foray into the naughty dating world enjoyable for everyone involved.

      • Before going out with someone you met on one of these naughty dating sites, you should gather all the information (real name, instant messenger name, phone number, anything that can be used to ID the person should something happen) you can on them and give it to someone you trust.
      • If you plan on dating a few people at once, you have to let people know. You don’t want someone to think that they are your one and only, then find out they are just one of your admirers.
      • Make sure that before you get intimate with someone you’ve met on a naughty dating site, you are both aware and agree upon each other’s boundaries.
      • Always use protection when having sex and get regular tests done to check for STIs and HIV/AIDS.
      • Understand that it is okay to be a little jealous over a partner that you might be seeing casually.
      • If you’re going to be seeing several people casually, it would be a good idea that you keep each other separate. For instance, never agree to go on a group date with people you mess with.
      • When you’re on a naughty dating site, you should be prepared to get hit on. That is, after all, the most common reason people go to those sites!
      • Always keep an open mind. You don’t want to put too much focus on a type of person or what you think you are attracted to. By keeping an open mind, who knows what sort of experiences you’ll enjoy!
      • Don’t be afraid to go on wild and crazy dates. Naughty dating is the perfect opportunity to experience all kinds of new adventures, and the best part is, you can do these fun and exciting activities with someone new and stimulating, too.
      • Always remember that simply because you are casually seeing someone, it doesn’t mean that you have to focus on them and only them. Continue living your life and going out with friends!

Remember, naughty dating should be fun and commitment free, so enjoy it!

How to Choose a Translation Agency that Fits Your Business Needs?

While looking for a professional translation service provider, businesses look for someone they can count on for quality work. Translation content varies from website content to legal documents and booklets for external and internal communication. It is important for a company to be assured that the translated copy meets all parameters of accuracy and quality. In a global business environment, the need of translation service cannot be cut down, as it plays a major role in effective communication. In this scenario, it’s better to pay focus on selecting a translation agency that best understands your needs and requirements.

There are various parameters on which a translation service provider can be judged upon. Affordability of service is one of the criteria, but it works wonders only when it matches the quality standards. Certain traits of a translation agency that makes it a name to rely upon the need to be checked beforehand by businesses.Business Meeting

Industry expertise

Selecting a translation service provider just because it has many big names in its client’s list is not an ideal way. Without the required expertise to fulfill the requirements of your business, a translation service provider is just an added liability. An agency which is familiar with your industry is to be preferred than those that have professionals with minimal industry expertise. An understanding of the technological terminologies of different industries is as important as the knowledge of various languages.

Affordability

An affordable translation service is every company’s priority. Different translation service providers charge on different parameters, some as per the number of words and some based on the number of lines. It’s important for you to find an agency that charges you comparatively less without compromising on the quality of service. Each translation project has a unique requirement, so the variables for price determination vary accordingly. Agencies which provide industry-specific translation service are affordable in the true sense. In the end, a company should get the right value for the money they put into the translation service.

Certification

If you value quality in any translated work that you get from agencies, it’s important that you avail the service of only ISO certified translation service providers. Such agencies which are audited by an outsider for the quality of its translation service and has successfully acquired the ISO certification, like ISO 9001:2008 & EN 15038:2006 is a name to rely upon. ISO certified agencies have a sound workflow management system, ensuring layered quality check of translated works.

Experience in the field

A company may need to get a document translated in different languages, and so, they prefer the service of an agency where experienced translators are available. Agencies that create a balanced employee structure with translators of different foreign languages are a better option. The translators should have equal command on both the native and the source language, along with the command on specific industry terminologies. A translation agency with experienced translators can be more efficient than a newly-established service provider that relies more on the use of technology than on professional expertise.

Availability

The response of a translation agency to short deadlines and frequent client’s feedbacks play a major role in determining its viability. The turnaround time can vary with different projects, but a translation agency needs to be ready to deal with pressed situations. Round the clock service is the demand of the global landscape where organizations in different time zones work in an integrated manner. Quick response to feedbacks from globally placed require an agency to work 24×7 with full commitment.

Confidentiality of service

Intellectual property is an asset that needs to be safeguarded from any misuse. Confidentiality of documents has to be maintained by translation agencies, working with different clients at the same time. Signing a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) is a solution to the fear of the breach of confidentiality, and a reliable translation service provider never hesitates from abiding by this agreement.

Industry-specific requirements of any business need to be achieved effectively by a translation agency to make a mark. An affordable translation service provider that takes care of the above-mentioned factors is bound to act a propellant in the growth of its clients, and prosper itself, at the same time.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Meets Vladimir Putin In St Petersburg

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for the first time since the July 15 attempted coup.

Russia is ready to restore economic co-operation and other ties with Turkey, President Vladimir Putin has announced in St. Petersburg.

It is also President Erdogan’s first foreign visit since an attempted coup last month.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked Vladimir Putin, saying “your call straight after the coup attempt was very welcome”.

Russian-Turkish relations soured last November when Turkey shot down a Russian bomber on the Syrian border.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit comes as Turkey’s ties with the West have cooled over criticism of the purge of alleged coup-plotters.

Before leaving Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Vladimir Putin as his “friend” and said he wanted to open a new page in relations with Russia.

“This visit strikes me as a new milestone in our bilateral relations, starting again from a clean slate,” he told Russia’s Tass news agency.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

Vladimir Putin said their talks would cover “the whole range of our relations… including restoring economic ties, combating terrorism”.

After Turkey shot down the Su-24 jet Russia imposed trade sanctions and suspended Russian package tours to Turkey.

In June, the Kremlin said Recep Tayyip Erdogan had apologized for the downing of the jet and had sent a message expressing “sympathy and deep condolences” to the family of the dead pilot.

Then, after the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, Vladimir Putin expressed support for Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He did not criticize President Erdogan’s crackdown on political opponents and purge of alleged “plotters” in state institutions.

Turkey’s ties with its NATO allies – especially the US – have been strained by disagreements over the Syrian civil war. Turkey’s priority is to weaken the Kurdish separatist forces, while the US is focusing on destroying ISIS.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was angered by criticism from the EU and the US of the mass detentions of suspected plotters. He demanded that the US extradite cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom he accuses of organizing the coup. But the United States says Turkey must provide solid evidence before such a move can be considered.

Turkey’s Justice Minister, Bekir Bozdag, says more than 26,000 people have been detained after the attempted coup.

They back opposing sides in Syria. Turkey is furious at the scale of Russian air support for Syrian government forces, as Recep Tayyip Erdogan reviles Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia has accused Turkey of backing Islamist anti-Assad groups, including some accused of “terrorism” in Russia.

Turkey is at war with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the PKK’s Syrian allies. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Russia of arming the PKK.

For centuries Russia and Turkey have been rivals for influence in the Caucasus and Black Sea region.

Turkey was also angered by Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, accusing Moscow of violating the rights of Crimean Tatars. The Muslim Tatars have long had close ties to Turkey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ONc6yXvW9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VetajDa_8do

5 Reasons That Prove Your Company Sucks At Selling Online

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Many entrepreneurs assume that once they start selling online, they’ll make easy profits. Alas, if only life were so simple and straightforward! People that run successful e-commerce sites will tell you that it took a lot of hard work to get where they are.

It’s not unusual for online stores to not do so well. If that sounds familiar, you might be wondering where you are going wrong! Here are five reasons why your company sucks at selling online:

1. Your site is not user-friendly

Do your web pages have too much “going on” in them? If your content flow isn’t simple and easy, chances are your visitors will go elsewhere. You need to remember that your content should get designed with humans in mind. And not just search engines!

2. It looks spammy

The ugly truth about e-commerce is that many people pack their product pages with spam. You can tell that the content is spammy because of the way some sentences don’t make sense. Or certain phrases seem to get repeated about 100 times in five paragraphs!

3. You haven’t got a clue about online security

How would you feel if I asked you to write your credit card details on a piece of paper and mail them to me? You’d laugh and perhaps ask me if I am joking, right? Believe it or not, many online retailers don’t take online security seriously! All e-commerce sites should use SSL encryption and a trusted payment processor.

4. Your site doesn’t work on a mobile phone

Responsive web design isn’t just about making Google happy. It’s actually about ensuring a rich and easy to follow user experience for people.

5. It doesn’t work at all

Do your customers get errors or directed to the wrong content on your site? If so, people will seldom buy from you unless you fix those errors. Of course, those aren’t the only reasons your site might suck. Here are some more below in this infographic:


Infographic Designed By Red Stag Fulfillment

Rio 2016: South Korean and North Korean Gymnasts Takes Selfies Together

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South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-ju of South Korea and fellow North Korean Hong Un-jong posed for a selfie during the training period before the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The images of the two gymnasts have been widely praised as capturing the Olympic spirit.

North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war with each other and relations between the two countries have been more tense in recent months, with recent missile launches from Pyongyang.

Political scientist Ian Bremmer tweeted: “This is why we do the Olympics.”

Ian Bremmer’s tweet was re-tweeted more than 18,000 times.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

Others hailed it as the “most iconic photo” of the games.

Lee Eun-ju, 17, and 27-year-old Hong Un-jong both competed as individual qualifiers, with the games in Brazil being Lee’s first Olympics.

Hong Un-jong became North Korea’s first gymnast to win a medal at the Olympic Games when she took home the gold in vault in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Many users were quick to point out the contrasting attitudes portrayed by the South and North Korean athlete in comparison to the Lebanese Olympic Team, who allegedly refused to ride on the same bus with Israeli athletes.

According to Udi Gal, a member of Israel’s Olympic sailing team, the organizers intervened and the two teams traveled separately to “prevent an international and physical incident”, he said in a post on Facebook.

“How could they let this happen on the eve of the Olympic Games? Isn’t this the opposite of what the Olympics represents?” Udi Gal said.

Lebanon and Israel are officially at war and have no diplomatic relations.

However, they weren’t the only two countries to get off to a rocky start.

Chinese authorities clashed with Australian Olympic gold medalist Mack Horton, after he called Chinese defending champion Sun Yang a “drug cheat”.

“We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers,” said China’s swimming team manager Xu Qi to Chinese news outlet Xinhua.

“We strongly demand an apology.”

Users on social media also quickly flooded Mack Horton’s social media with angry comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCbFd0dVHhE

List of Republicans Not Voting for Donald Trump

There a lot of Republican defections in the wake of recent controversy surrounding Donald Trump.

Some of them plan to vote for Hillary Clinton while others refuse to vote for the Republican candidate.Donald Trump San Diego rally

Lezlee Westine, a former aide to President George W. Bush, announced her support for Hillary Clinton in a statement to the Washington Post on Monday.

Wadi Gaitan, a prominent Latino official and chief spokesman for the GOP in Florida, announced he would leave the party over Donald Trump’s candidacy.

However, George P. Bush broke with his father – Jeb Bush – to lend his support to Donald Trump on August 7, the Texas Tribune reported.

George P. Bush urged party members to unite behind his father’s former Republican primary rival.

Other Republicans not voting for Donald Trump are:

  • Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, 2012 Republican presidential nominee
  • Barbara Bush, former first lady
  • Jeb Bush, former Florida governor, 2016 presidential candidate
  • Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator, 2016 presidential candidate
  • Larry Hogan, Maryland governor
  • William Cohen, former secretary of defense
  • Jeff Flake, Arizona senator
  • Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida congresswoman
  • Ben Sasse, Nebraska senator
  • John Kasich, Ohio governor, 2016 presidential candidate
  • Mark Kirk, Illinois senator

Donald Trump Would Be Most Reckless President, Say Republican Security Experts In Open Letter

Donald Trump “would be the most reckless president” in US history, a group of 50 Republican national security officials has warned in an open letter.

The group, which includes the former CIA director Michael Hayden, said Donald Trump “lacks the character, values and experience” to be president.

Many of the letter’s signatories had declined to sign a similar note in March.

In response, Donald Trump said they were part of a “failed Washington elite” looking to hold on to power.

The open letter comes after a number of high-profile Republicans stepped forward to disown the New York billionaire.

Donald Trump has broken with years of Republican foreign policy on a number of occasions.

He has questioned whether the United States should honor its commitments to NATO, endorsed the use of torture and suggested that South Korea and Japan should arm themselves with nuclear weapons.

Photo LA Times
Photo LA Times

“He weakens US moral authority as the leader of the free world,” the letter read.

“He appears to lack basic knowledge about and belief in the US Constitution, US laws, and US institutions, including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary.”

“None of us will vote for Donald Trump,” the letter states.

In a statement, the Republican candidate said the names on the letter were “the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess”.

“We thank them for coming forward so everyone in the country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place,” Donald Trump continued.

“They are nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold on to their power and it’s time they are held accountable for their actions.”

Also among those who signed the letter were John Negroponte, the first director of national intelligence and later deputy secretary of state; Robert Zoellick, who was also a former deputy secretary of state and former president of the World Bank; and two former secretaries of homeland security, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff.

The letter echoed similar sentiment shared by some Republican national security officials in March, but the new additions came after Donald Trump encouraged Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s email server, according to the New York Times.

National Security Letter Read here

Donald Trump later said he was “being sarcastic” when he made the remarks about hacking his rival’s emails.

Missing from the letter were former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, James Baker, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.

Some of the latest letter’s signatories plan to vote for Hillary Clinton while others will refuse to vote, but “all agree Trump is not qualified and would be dangerous,” said John Bellinger, a former legal adviser to Condoleezza Rice who drafted the letter.

The open letter follows a fresh round of Republican defections in the wake of recent controversy surrounding Donald Trump.

Lezlee Westine, a former aide to President George W. Bush, announced her support for Hillary Clinton in a statement to the Washington Post on Monday.

Wadi Gaitan, a prominent Latino official and chief spokesman for the GOP in Florida, announced he would leave the party over Donald Trump’s candidacy.

Meanwhile, George P. Bush broke with his father – Jeb Bush – to lend his support to Donald Trump on August 7, the Texas Tribune reported.

George P. Bush urged party members to unite behind his father’s former Republican primary rival.

Rio 2016: Jonas Junius Becomes Second Boxer Detained over Assault

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Namibian Jonas Junius is the second boxer arrested by Brazilian police on suspicion of attempting to assault a maid in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic village.

The maid alleged Jonas Junius, 22, had grabbed her and tried to kiss her. The woman also accused the boxer of offering her money.

Jonas Junius is competing in the light-welterweight division.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Last week, Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada was arrested by police after allegedly assaulting two female cleaners.

A judge has ordered Hassan Saada to be detained for 15 days, pending an investigation, media reports said.

This could mean Hassan Saada is unable to take part in the Games.

Jonas Junius, Namibia’s flag-bearer in the opening ceremony on August 5, is scheduled to fight French boxer Hassan Anzille on August 11.

However, that could also be in doubt if he has to remain in custody.

Athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team are in Brazil to compete in 28 sports. They will be watched by a global audience of billions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGSb7xxF4uk

Zika Outbreak: New Case Investigated In Florida

A new case of Zika contracted in Florida is being investigated by the Department of Health.

The patient lives in West Palm Beach County about 70 miles north of the initial transmission zone.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said the state officials still believe that active transmission zone for the virus is one square mile in Wynwood neighborhood in North Miami.Zika outbreak Brazil 2016

The infected person had recently traveled to the Miami area.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously issued a travel warning for the neighborhood, particularly focused on pregnant women.

Zikavirus is known to cause a severe birth defect called microcephaly, which can infants to develop abnormally small heads.

With the school year about to begin, Gov. Rick Scott said the state is sending mosquito repellent to school districts in affected and neighboring counties.

The outreach covers primary school through public universities.

In Miami, where 16 locally transmitted cases of Zika have been confirmed, the authorities have sprayed against mosquitoes and tried to remove standing water, where the insects breed.

Authorities have also encouraged the public at large to use insect repellent on their own.

Android Bug Could Affect 900 Million Devices

Tens of millions of Android devices have been affected by serious security flaws that could give attackers complete access to phone’s data.

The bugs were uncovered by Checkpoint researchers looking at software running on chipsets made by US-based company Qualcomm.

Qualcomm processors are found in about 900 million Android phones, the company said.

However, there is no evidence of the vulnerabilities currently being used in attacks by cyberthieves.

A flaw in the latest version of the Android operating system has resulted in the month of December disappearing from People app for storing information about contacts
A flaw in the latest version of the Android operating system has resulted in the month of December disappearing from People app for storing information about contacts

Affected devices included:

  • BlackBerry Priv and Dtek50
  • Blackphone 1 and Blackphone 2
  • Google Nexus 5X, Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P
  • HTC One, HTC M9 and HTC 10
  • LG G4, LG G5, and LG V10
  • New Moto X by Motorola
  • OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus 3
  • US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung S7 Edge
  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra

According to the company, it took six months of work to reverse engineer Qualcomm’s code to reveal the problems.

The flaws were found in software that handles graphics and in code that controls communication between different processes running inside a phone.

Exploiting the bugs would allow an attacker to gradually be able to take more control over a device and gain access to its data.

Checkpoint handed information about the bugs and proof of concept code to Qualcomm earlier this year.

In response, Qualcomm is believed to have created patches for the bugs and started to use the fixed versions in its factories.

It has also distributed the patches to phone makers and operators. However, it is not clear how many of those companies have issued updates to customers’ phones.

Checkpoint has created a free app called QuadRooter Scanner that can be used to check if a phone is vulnerable to any of the bugs, by looking to see if the patches for them have been downloaded and installed.

Android owners should only download apps from the official Google Play store to avoid falling victim to malicious programs.

Use your maternity leave to start your own business

If you always dreamed of starting your own business, but never had enough time or courage to do so, 12 months of maternity leave might be the chance you were looking for. Planning a maternity leave can be stressful, taking into account that you will have to abandon your workplace and regular daily routines for a significant amount of time. However, if you discover that you still have a considerable period of maternity leave ahead, you can use that time to rearrange your thoughts and start with something new.
start your own business

Before you start

First of all, you should think about your goals and priorities in life, and in which way your carrier is going. Starting your own business is a big change and it requires careful planning before you actually embark upon this journey. Weigh down the benefits and downsides of being self-employed. Although you choose what, where, and how much is being done, trying to balance home and work can be tiring, so make sure you can rise up to the challenge.

Choose your business

Consider whether you want to keep your job while you are starting another one. When it comes to choosing an area of profession, think about your interests and abilities. Consider your hobbies and skills and try to combine them. Your new business does not have to be radically different from your current job. However, if they are similar, and you choose to keep both jobs, it is best to present your idea to your employers to avoid conflicts and see if you can reach an agreement.

Make a plan

There are many sources of information that can help you opt for a particular area of profession. A significant amount of literature is available in libraries, bookshops, as well as on the Internet. Once you start working from home, you can also resort to the Internet for help with juggling work and family. Also, bear in mind the matter of funding. Starting a new business requires sufficient amount of money, so make sure you have a budget that fits your needs.
start your own business

Computer-based business

One of the most popular and most common types of small business start-ups is computer-based business. It offers a variety of choices, from freelance writing and graphic design to personal accounting and marketing. All you need is a home computer and an Internet connection.

Service business

Service-oriented business is another profitable idea. This type of business encompasses a wide range of jobs, such as tutoring, consulting, carpentry, gardening, plumbing, home health care, and so on. Among these, carpentry might be an interesting idea for a new business.

New business

Carpentry

Carpentry is a long-standing and gainful business. One potential benefit of making it your new business is that you can team up with your partner if he has prior experience in this field. In that way you can start a business together and therefore make the entire process easier. However, for proper woodwork, it is also important to have the right power tools. A quality Jet drill press is designed to achieve maximum performance. In addition, it contains many specific features, such as built-in LED work light. If you opt for carpentry as a start-up business, this drill press should become an essential part of your tool equipment.

Starting a new business on maternity leave can be a stressful and time-consuming process, but with proper organization it can be achieved. Choose a job that suits your interests and skills, get informed thoroughly, make a plan, follow advice on balancing work and family, and start fulfilling your forgotten dreams and ambitions.

Why Do Women Wear Jewelry?

If you’re like most people, you probably wear jewelry without giving a second thought to why you do. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment when jewelry was first worn. Ancient people all over the world have worn jewelry of one type or another throughout history. Some pieces are more glamorous with large precious stones inlaid in precious metal. Others are simple, consisting of only a leather string and a bone or tooth.

 

Why wear jewelry?

According to Maslow’s pyramid, jewelry isn’t a primary need for us humans, and yet, we spend billions of dollars every year on it. Both men and women buy jewelry, but why do women specifically have such an attachment?

 

  1. Jewelry makes women more attractive

Although jewelry is not a primary need according Maslow’s pyramid, it does play a role in encouraging romantic interactions that lead to the fulfillment of some of the primary needs including s**, security and family.

 

Women (and really most people regardless of gender) are conscious about their looks. They do their best to make themselves appear attractive to the opposite sex. This is an inborn instinct that even wild animals have. Women adorn themselves with jewelry and attractive clothes to command attention.

 

As an interesting side note, many of the locations at which jewelry is worn are strongly s**ual (e.g. long necklaces draw the eye to the breasts and earrings draw attention to the ears that are an erogenous region for women.

Photo Flickr
Photo Flickr

 

  1. As a sign of social status

Women also wear jewelry as a sign of the society status in the following ways:

 

  • Symbol of marital status and affection

Certain pieces of jewelry have been used symbolically since pre-historic times. Rings, for example, are used in many societies today as a symbol of an everlasting union between couples. People who view a woman’s engagement ring will know that she’s already spoken for and will not attempt any romantic advances.

 

  • Symbol of wealth

Jewelry can also be a way to exhibit wealth and a high economic status in society. Men give expensive gifts of jewelry to women in an attempt to show their status and therefore attract a mate. According to the National Retail Federation, men spend an average of $150 on jewelry alone on Valentine’s Day. Expensive jewelry is associated with people of high economic and social status.

 

  • Symbol of affiliation

Social status can also be expressed in who you know. Jewelry can be worn as a sign of affiliation to a certain group (e.g. a sorority). Family heirlooms can also be a symbol of affiliation.

 

  1. As a means for self-expression

Many women wear jewelry as a way to show forth their personalities. Women purchase jewelry that expresses their style and ideas. Some like classic earrings while others will wear eccentric pieces to express their quirky personalities. You can therefore tell a lot about a woman by studying her jewelry.

 

  1. For the power in the jewelry

Humans have attached great meaning and significance to certain stones and metals. Some stones are believed to have healing power. Jewelry may be worn for their religious power (e.g. crosses). Others may be worn for the healing properties of the gemstones.

 

Great value for money

Whatever your reason for wearing jewelry, it’s important to ensure that you get the best value for your money. Search online for jewelry deals and compare prices on different sites. Shopping online not only gives you the opportunity to easily compare prices but also to find unique pieces at an affordable price. Jewelry can prove to be an investment not only in your relationship or appearance, but also in your financial future.

Japan Emperor Akihito Suggests Abdication in Rare TV Address

In a rare TV address to Japan, Emperor Akihito has strongly indicated he wants to step down, saying he fears his age will make it difficult to fulfill his duties.

His comments came in only his second-ever TV address to the public.

Emperor Akihito, 82, did not explicitly say he wanted to abdicate as it could be interpreted as political interference.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government would take the remarks “seriously” and discuss what could be done.

“Upon reflecting how he handles his official duty and so on, his age and the current situation of how he works, I do respect the heavy responsibility the emperor must be feeling and I believe we need to think hard about what we can do,” he said.

Japanese Emperor Akihito has undergone a successful heart bypass operation at the University of Tokyo Hospital
Japanese Emperor Akihito has undergone a successful heart bypass operation at the University of Tokyo Hospital

Emperor Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989.

In his 10-minute pre-recorded message, Akihito said he had “started to reflect” on his years as emperor, and contemplate his position in the years to come: “While, being in the position of the emperor, I must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual, have been thinking about.

Ever since my accession to the throne, I have carried out the acts of the emperor in matters of state, and at the same time I have spent my days searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of the emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the state by the constitution of Japan. As one who has inherited a long tradition, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect this tradition.

At the same time, in a nation and in a world which are constantly changing, I have continued to think to this day about how the Japanese imperial family can put its traditions to good use in the present age and be an active and inherent part of society, responding to the expectations of the people.”

If Emperor Akihito were to abdicate, it would be the first time a Japanese emperor has stepped down since Emperor Kokaku in 1817.

Japan’s right wing nationalists who support Shinzo Abe’s government do not want any change to the current law, which insists emperors must serve until they die.

Emperor Akihito said he hoped the duties of the emperor as a symbol of the state could continue steadily without any breaks.

He said one possibility when an emperor could not fulfill his duties because of age or illness was that a regency could be established.

However, the emperor suggested this was not the ideal outcome, saying: “I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the emperor’s acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the state.”

Emperor Akihito’s eldest son, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito is first in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, followed by his younger brother Prince Akishino.

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

Abdication is not mentioned under Japan’s existing laws, so they would need to be changed for the emperor to be able to stand down. The changes will also have to be approved by parliament.

The emperor is constitutionally not allowed to make any political statements, and the desire to abdicate could be seen as being political.

The public seems to support Akihito’s desire to abdicate, with the younger generation in particular saying he should be allowed to relax in his old age.

A recent survey by the Kyodo news agency found more than 85% saying abdication should be legalized.

The move is opposed by some more conservative sections of society.

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

Prince Akishino also called for a debate on whether a retirement age should be set for the Emperor in 2011, but it did not result in a law change.

Under Japan’s constitution, the emperor’s role is defined as “symbol of the state”. He has no political powers and has several official duties, such as greeting foreign dignitaries, holding receptions and handing out awards.

Japan’s monarchy is entwined in the Shinto religion and the emperor still performs religious ceremonies.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Backs Death Penalty at Anti-Coup Rally

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would approve the return of the death penalty if it was backed by parliament and the public, he said during a huge rally in Istanbul.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking to a crowd of at least a million who had gathered in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city.

The rally followed last month’s failed military coup.

President Erdogan also said the state would be cleansed of all supporters of the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Fethullah Gulen is blamed by the Turkish government for the attempted uprising. He denies any involvement.

Religious figures and leaders of two of Turkey’s three opposition parties attended the rally. The Kurdish party was not invited.

More than 270 people died in events surrounding the July 15 coup attempt, which triggered a government crackdown.

Thousands of alleged supporters of Fethullah Gulen have been detained or dismissed from government jobs.Recep Tayyip Erdogan song Germany

Western nations have been critical of the government’s response to the coup. The EU – which Turkey has applied to join – refuses to accept capital punishment in member states.

The parade ground, built to hold more than a million people, was overflowing, with streets of surrounding neighborhoods clogged by crowds, Reuters news agency reports.

According to government sources, five million people had attended, with the event broadcast live on public screens at smaller rallies across Turkey’s provinces.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the rally: “It is the Turkish parliament that will decide on the death penalty… I declare it in advance, I will approve the decision made by the parliament.

“They say there is no death penalty in the EU… Well, the US has it; Japan has it; China has it; most of the world has it. So they are allowed to have it. We used to have it until 1984. Sovereignty belongs to the people, so if the people make this decision I am sure the political parties will comply.”

He then railed against Fethullah Gulen’s movement, hinting of further hard-line measures to come: “July 15 showed our friends that this country isn’t just strong against political, economic and diplomatic attacks, but against military sabotage as well. It showed that it will not fall, it will not be derailed.

“Of course we have to uncover all members of this organization and eradicate them within the framework of the law, but if we content ourselves with just that, then we as a state and a nation will leave weak our defense against similar viruses.”

The “Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally” was the climax of three weeks of nightly demonstrations by Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s supporters around the country.

Speaking ahead of President Erdogan, PM Binali Yildirim told the rally that Fethullah Gulen would be brought to Turkey and made to pay the price for the coup attempt.

“Let all of you know, the leader of this terrorist group will come to Turkey and pay for what he did,” Binali Yildirim said.

In a rare address to a public rally, the head of Turkey’s armed forces, Hulusi Akar, said “traitors” would be punished in the harshest way, and thanked civilians for their role in defeating the uprising.

The crackdown in Turkey has seen tens of thousands of public sector workers suspended or dismissed, with many having their passports cancelled. There has also been a massive reshuffle of the military.

About 18,000 people have been detained or arrested.

Local branches of the AK Party have been told to begin a purge of suspected Gulenists in their ranks.

Fethullah Gulen was a close ally of Recep Tayyip Erdogan until a bitter split between his movement and the party of the president three years ago.

Turkey has listed Fethullah Gulen’s movement as a terrorist organization.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKhAucoep14

Sao Tome and Principe Elections: President Manuel Pinto da Costa Boycotts Own Run-Off Vote

Sao Tome and Principe’s President Manuel Pinto da Costa has boycotted his own run-off election, handing victory to his rival.

The president of the West African state withdrew from August 7 poll, alleging fraud in the first round held on July 17.Manuel Pinto da Costa of Sao Tome and Principe

Manuel Pinto da Costa’s rival, Evaristo Carvalho, a former prime minister, is now certain to win the race.

Evaristo Carvalho had won the first round with 49.8% of the vote while Mamuel Pinto da Costa had taken 24.8%.

Ahead of August 7 run-off, Manuel Pinto da Costa had called on his supporters not to vote, and later reports said many of them had stayed away.

Manuel Pinto da Costa ruled Sao Tome with an iron fist for the first 15 years after independence from Portugal in 1975.

He lost the presidency after introducing reforms in 1990, including multi-party democracy, but in 2011, he was re-elected to office.

Sao Tome and Principe, a former Portuguese colony, consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets lying off the western coast of Africa.Sa

Chuck Schumer Concerned By “Too Slow” FDA Recall Process

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Canned Food, Cans, Supermarket, Food, Canned, Store

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Main Story

The FDA plays a major part in food-based businesses, and the health of the public is its highest priority. However, Sen. Chuck Schumer isn’t too pleased with their latest work when it relates to recalls. In particular, he cites the delays in the process as being a “recipe for disaster”. He went on to explain his viewpoint further.

“…the FDA must come to the table with a healthy, new plan, detailing how they will revamp and execute a reformed food recall process. One that gets potentially contaminated food off the shelves before Americans risk getting sick, not after.”

He also went on to mention that “thousands and thousands and thousands got sick” as a result of a recent recall. He’s referring to a flour-related E.coli outbreak. The outbreak wasn’t recalled for (allegedly) six months after it was first identified.

In some cases, the FDA waits months before issuing recalls on potentially contaminated food products. That’s why I’m urging the FDA to conduct a top-to-bottom review of their contaminated food recall process with an eye towards speeding things up.”

Chuck Schumer also identified other recent cases that had concerned him to back up his suggestions.

“Earlier this summer, New Yorkers were directly impacted in massive beef recalls that had E. coli contamination,” — “This February, New Yorkers saw a mass chicken recall because of Listeria.”

Jam, Preparations, Jars, Fruit, Natural Food, Eating

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FDA In The News

As always, there have been plenty other stories in the press recently regarding the FDA. They’re constantly working hard to monitor food and drug-related establishments. Let’s look at some of the most notable stories.

The FDA has warned that we need to be much more careful with the food we’re giving to dogs. An FDA Veterinarian was quoted as saying that “Our bodies may break down foods or other chemicals that a dog’s can’t tolerate.” Among the list of harmful foods for dogs is raw meat, grapes, fried foods and of course, chocolate. It was noted that cats are much pickier eaters, and you don’t need to be quite as careful with them! You can get the full list of harmful dog consumables at this link.

Hampton Creek won an important case recently regarding their product: ‘Just Mayo’. The FDA’s concerns related to the confusion behind the name for the most part. After meeting and ironing out their concerns, both Hampton Creek and the FDA came to an agreement. “…the FDA considers the issues cited in the warning letter to be resolved…”. The company has now committed to altering their label to prevent any confusion. You can read more on Hampton Creek and this story by clicking here.

The FDA has had concerns regarding the amount of salt in our foods. Now, they want food makers to voluntarily reduce the amount of salt they’re using. Susan Mayne, director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, explained her worries. “There is important work to be done. People will always have the choice to add salt to their foods. What they don’t have now is the choice to take it out.” The ultimate goal is to reduce the average daily salt intake of an American adult to 2,300mg a day. You can read more about this story by clicking here.

Kansas-based North American Enterprises, LLC felt the wrath of the FDA recently. They have been in trouble for repeated food safety violations. Major restrictions have been placed on the company until it improves. The FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs was quoted as saying that “The FDA took action against Native American Enterprises, LLC to protect public health, and as a result, the company’s adulterated food products are prevented from entering the marketplace.”. This link has the full story.

We’ve only picked four examples of FDA stories on the web, and you can find hundreds more by conducting a simple Google search.

Knife, Kitchen, Cook, Wooden Board, Cut, Leek, Food

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FDA Food Handling Tips

The FDA carry out extensive processes to ensure that businesses around the world are operating in a safe manner. They’re also there to stick up for the consumers and make sure they remain as healthy as possible. We’re going to take this opportunity to refresh your mind about the FDA’s advice regarding safe food handling.

Clean To Prevent Bacteria Spreading

Before you engage in any activity, it’s obvious that you must wash your hands. Failing to do this can lead to bacteria spreading. You must also clean your utensils, surfaces and anything else you plan to use. Fresh fruits and vegetables should always be washed before use as well.

Store Food Correctly

It’s important to separate foods in order to prevent cross-contamination. This is particularly important when handling things like seafood and raw meat. Always separate them, whether you’re storing them or preparing them to be consumed.

Cook At The Right Temperatures

The purpose of cooking at the correct temperatures is to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the correct temperatures, times and visual signs.  Having a good understanding of these is crucial to result in fully-cooked foods. A food thermometer is recommended for this task, while those who use the microwave often should be careful also. When using the microwave, always allow standing time to complete the cooking process.

Understand The Signs Of Illness

Despite doing your best to reduce the possibility of illness, it could still strike at any point. You need to be able to identify the signs of food-related illnesses. Normally, illness will result with 1-3 days after consuming the affected food. Sickness can result very quickly, though, and a food-related illness can be lethal in some cases, and a minor annoyance in others. If you suspect a food-based illness, you must inform your healthcare provider immediately. They will assist you with the next steps.

So, to recap. Chuck Schumer is concerned by the FDA recall process, calling for a “top-to-bottom review.” He states thatthe FDA must come to the table with a healthy, new plan, detailing how they will revamp and execute a reformed food recall process.”.