A Russian military helicopter has been shot down by rebels in Idlib, northern Syria, killing five people on board, Russia has said.
The Mi-8 chopper was carrying three crew and two officers, Russia’s defense ministry said in a statement.
The aircraft was returning from delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged city of Aleppo, the statement added.
It is not clear which group brought the helicopter down.
An alliance of rebel groups, including hardline jihadist factions, is the dominant power in Idlib.
Russia has previously, though seldom, lost aircraft since it launched operations in support of the Syrian government at the end of September 2015.
Photo Flickr
In July 2016, two Russian pilots were killed when their helicopter was shot down east of Palmyra by ISIS.
In November 2015, the pilot of a Russian Su-24 fighter plane was killed when the aircraft was shot down by Turkey on its border with Syria.
A Russian marine sent on a mission to rescue the pilot was also killed when his helicopter was shot down.
Pictures on social media purportedly of the latest Russian helicopter downing showed burning wreckage and bodies, with armed men milling around.
Footage showed at least one body being dragged away.
Russia is a key backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and is supporting pro-government forces with air strikes on rebels.
Government forces cut off rebel-held eastern parts of Aleppo last month.
Russia and Syria announced the opening of what they called humanitarian corridors for civilians and rebels wanting to surrender, but few people are reported to have used them, fearing they would be targeted.
A 40-year-old Nigerian behind thousands of online scams around the world has been detained in Port Harcourt, Interpol announces.
The man, known as “Mike”, is alleged to head a network of 40 individuals behind global scams worth more than $60 million.
Photo Flickr
Mike’s operations involve using targeted malware to take over systems, use compromised emails and romance scams.
Nigeria’s anti-fraud agency was also involved in the arrest.
Interpol said in a statement: “In one case, a target was conned into paying out $15.4 million.”
The suspect also allegedly ran a money laundering network in China, Europe and the US.
“The network compromised email accounts of small to medium businesses around the world including in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Romania, South Africa, Thailand and the United States,” Interpol statement added.
“Mike” and an accomplice, who was also arrested in Port Harcourt, face charges including hacking, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.
According to Interpol statement, they are currently out on bail as investigations continue.
Uber China has agreed to sell its business to rival Didi Chuxing.
The cab service app’s China business will retain its separate branding, and Uber’s global business will receive a 5.9% stake in the combined company, Didi Chuxing said.
Uber China launched in 2014 but so far has failed to make any profit.
The two companies have been fierce competitors for years, but Didi Chuxing dominates the market.
Didi Chuxing says it provides more than 14 million journeys a day and claims to have 87% of the market share in China.
The company is backed by Chinese internet giants Tencent and Alibaba, and has also invested in Uber’s rival US cab service Lyft.
Uber has been struggling to break into the Chinese market despite having Chinese search engine Baidu as an investor.
In February, Uber admitted it was losing more than $1 billion a year in China, spending huge sums to subsidize discounted fares.
The fierce rivalry had led Uber and Didi to heavily subsidize their journeys. The merger is likely to see fewer such subsidies.
The deal with Didi Chuxing comes just days after China agreed to provide a legal framework for taxi-ordering apps.
Both Uber and Didi have welcomed the decision, having previously operated in a legal grey area in China.
While the apps are widely popular, they have undermined business for normal taxis and have been met with protests by cab drivers.
The new rules will take effect on November 1, 2016, and will, among other things, forbid such platforms to operate below cost.
Captain Humayun Khan’s mother has hit back at Donald Trump for questioning her silence during a speech by her husband at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Ghazala Khan said Republican nominee Donald Trump was ignorant about Islam and that he did not know the meaning of the word sacrifice.
Her husband, Khizr Khan, attacked Donald Trump in an emotional speech to the Democratic convention on July 28.
Donald Trump later suggested Ghazala Khan may not have been allowed to speak.
Captain Humayun Khan was killed by a car bomb in 2004 in Iraq at the age of 27.
In an opinion article for the Washington Post, Ghazala Khan said her husband had asked her if she wanted to speak at the convention but she had been too upset.
Ghazala Khan wrote: “Walking on to the convention stage, with a huge picture of my son behind me, I could hardly control myself. What mother could? Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?”
Photo LA Times
Humayun Khan’s mother added: “Donald Trump said he has made a lot of sacrifices. He doesn’t know what the word sacrifice means.”
On August 1, family members of eleven service-members killed in action wrote to Donald Trump, expressing dismay at his treatment of the family of Humayun Khan, and demanding an apology.
Their letter said: “When you question a mother’s pain, by implying that her religion, not her grief, kept her from addressing an arena of people, you are attacking us. When you say your job building buildings is akin to our sacrifice, you are attacking our sacrifice.
“This goes beyond politics. It is about a sense of decency. That kind decency you mock as <<political correctness>>.”
Pakistani-born Khizr Khan said during his speech at the Democratic convention that his son would not even have been in America if it had been up to Donald Trump, who has called for a ban on Muslims entering the US.
Responding to the criticism, Donald Trump said in an interview with ABC’s This Week: “If you look at his wife, she was standing there.
“She had nothing to say… Maybe she wasn’t allowed to have anything to say. You tell me.”
Donald Trump also defended himself from Khizr Khan’s criticism.
“While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan, who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim I have never read the Constitution, (which is false) and say many other inaccurate things,” he said.
Donald Trump’s remarks drew condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton attacked Donald Trump’s treatment of the Khans during a campaign stop at a church in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Mr. Khan paid the ultimate sacrifice in his family, didn’t he?” she told the African American congregation.
“And what has he heard from Donald Trump? Nothing but insults, degrading comments about Muslims, a total misunderstanding of what made our country great – religious freedom, religious liberty,” Hillary Clinton said.
In statements released in the Republican camp, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan condemned any criticism of Muslim Americans who serve their country.
Mitch McConnell praised Capt. Humayun Khan as an “American hero”.
Both also rejected the idea of a Muslim travel ban, an idea proposed by Donald Trump earlier in the campaign.
Neither statement mentioned Donald Trump by name or criticized him.
However, Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich, a former rival to Donald Trump for the nomination, tweeted: “Shame on him. He has no decency, he has a dark heart.”
All but one of the soldiers who are accused of trying to seize Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during last month’s failed coup have been captured.
Special forces arrested another 11 soldiers overnight after a two-week manhunt near Marmaris.
President Erdogan was on holiday at the south-western resort on the night of the coup, but fled before his hotel was raided.
Special forces located the fugitives in a forested area, reports say.
Since the failed putsch Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cracked down on those suspected of being linked to the coup.
Tens of thousands of people have been detained or dismissed or suspended from roles in the military, judiciary, civil service and education.
Over the weekend the president announced a sweeping reform of Turkey’s armed forces to bring them under full civilian control.
Turkish authorities accuse US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt, something he denies.
The rebel soldiers were spotted by villagers hunting boar in the forested area near Marmaris. Gunfire was exchanged during the operation but no casualties were reported.
The soldiers arrested in total last night include Major Sukru Seymen, the alleged commander, according to Anadolu news agency.
More than 20 other members of the military squad suspected of involvement had already been remanded in custody to face trial, the agency reports.
During the attempted coup on July 15 Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke live on TV via his mobile phone. He said he had narrowly escaped an attempt on his life.
According to official reports, the president’s security team was tipped off that a squad of soldiers was heading to his hotel and moved him.
Meanwhile, Turkey has summoned Germany’s charge d’affaires to the foreign ministry in Ankara to explain why President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was prevented from addressing a rally in Cologne via a video-link on July 31.
At least 30,000 rallied in Cologne in support of the Turkish president.
The German authorities said such messages could stoke political tensions among the three million ethnic Turks living in Germany.
Saatchi and Saatchi chairman Kevin Roberts has been put on leave for saying the debate on gender bias in the industry is “all over”.
He told Business Insider he did not think the lack of women in leadership roles “is a problem” in the advertising industry.
However, Maurice Levy, the head of the advertising company’s parent group, Publicis, said it would not tolerate anyone who did not value inclusion.
Publicis said its board would decide whether to take further action.
In the interview, published on July 29, Kevin Roberts said the “debate is all over” about gender diversity in the advertising industry.
Photo Facebook
He goes on to say that rather than holding ambitions to progress into the higher echelons of management, many women – and men – simply want to be happy and “do great work”.
Kevin Roberts adds: “…they are going: <<Actually guys, you’re missing the point, you don’t understand: I’m way happier than you.>> Their ambition is not a vertical ambition, it’s this intrinsic, circular ambition to be happy.
“So they say: <<We are not judging ourselves by those standards that you idiotic dinosaur-like men judge yourself by.>> I don’t think [the lack of women in leadership roles] is a problem.
“I’m just not worried about it because they are very happy, they’re very successful, and doing great work. I can’t talk about s**ual discrimination because we’ve never had that problem, thank goodness.”
Publicis CEO Maurice Levy said: “It is for the gravity of these statements that Kevin Roberts has been asked to take a leave of absence from Publicis Groupe effective immediately.
“As a member of The Directoire, it will ultimately be the Publicis Groupe Supervisory Board’s duty to further evaluate his standing.”
Maurice Levy added: “While fostering a work environment that is inclusive of all talent is a collective responsibility, it is leadership’s job to nurture the career aspirations and goals of all our talent.
“Promoting gender equality starts at the top and the Groupe will not tolerate anyone speaking for our organization who does not value the importance of inclusion.”
Game of Thrones will come to an end with Season 8, HBO has confirmed.
HBO programming chief Casey Bloys made the announcement at the Television Critics Association’s conference on July 30.
Game of Thrones Season 7 – made up of seven episodes instead of the usual 10 – is expected in summer 2017, while the final season will be in 2018.
The record-breaking fantasy drama TV series is based on novels written by George R. R. Martin.
Speaking at TCA’s conference in Beverly Hills, California, Casey Bloys said the number of episodes for the final season was yet to be determined.
“We’ll take as many as the (producers) will give us,” he said.
Casey Bloys did not rule out a spin-off, saying that “we’re open to it, (the producers) aren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans right now”.
In 2015, Game of Thrones won a record 12 Emmy Awards for a series in a single year.
Game of Thrones has picked up 23 nominations – another record – ahead of this year’s annual ceremony to be held in September.
Donald Trump has responded to criticism from the father of Captain Humayun Khan, a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq.
In an impassioned speech at this week’s Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan said Donald Trump had sacrificed “nothing and no-one” for his country.
The Republican nominee said he had made “a lot of sacrifices” by creating jobs.
However, he drew more controversy by mocking Khizr Khan’s wife, who had stood silently by her husband’s side as he spoke.
In an interview with ABC’s This Week, Donald Trump said: “If you look at his wife, she was standing there.
“She had nothing to say… Maybe she wasn’t allowed to have anything to say. You tell me.”
Ghazala Khan said on July 29 that she did not speak because she was still overcome with grief and could not look at her son’s photos without crying.
Photo CNBC
Quoted by AP, Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine said Donald Trump’s remarks were inappropriate: “He was kind of trying to turn that into some kind of ridicule.
“It just demonstrates again kind of a temperamental unfitness. If you don’t have any more sense of empathy than that, then I’m not sure you can learn it.”
Donald Trump’s campaign issued a statement on July 30 in which he praised Humayun Khan: “Captain Humayun Khan was a hero to our country and we should honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe.
“The real problem here are the radical Islamic terrorists who killed him, and the efforts of these radicals to enter our country to do us further harm.”
Donald Trump rejected Khizr Khan’s criticism.
“While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan, who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim I have never read the Constitution, (which is false) and say many other inaccurate things,” he said.
In the ABC interview to be broadcast on July 31, a transcript of which was released by the Trump campaign, the New York billionaire was asked what sacrifices he had made.
“I work very, very hard. I’ve created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures,” Donald Trump said.
“…I’ve had tremendous success. I think I’ve done a lot.”
Khizr Khan, 65, told a rapturous crowd on July 28, the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, that his son had sacrificed his life to save those of his fellow soldiers.
Captain Humayun Khan was killed by a car bomb in 2004 at the age of 27.
If it had been up to Donald Trump, Khizr Khan said, his son would not have been in America.
Khizr Khan asked if Donald Trump had “even read the United States Constitution”, and offered to lend him his copy.
Skydiver Luke Aikins has become the first person to jump from 25,000 ft (7,620m) without a parachute, landing safely in a net.
On July 30, the 42-year-old American – who has more than 18,000 jumps under his belt – fell dead centre into the 100x100ft net in Simi Valley, southern California.
During the two-minute fall aired live on Fox television, Luke Aikins reached the speed of 120mph (193km/h).
To loud cheers, Luke Aikins climbed out of the net and hugged his wife and young son.
“I’m almost levitating, it’s incredible,” he said after the jump.
“This thing just happened! I can’t even get the words out of my mouth,” said Luke Aikins, admitting that he was nervous beforehand.
Luke Aikins also admitted that he had nearly had to cancel the jump because he was ordered to wear a parachute for safety and this would have made his landing more dangerous because of the extra weight.
However, the organizers had lifted the ban just minutes before the jump.
His spokesman Justin Aclin said: “Aikins’ leap represents the culmination of a 26-year career that will set a personal and world record for the highest jump without a parachute or wing suit.”
Luke Aikins, who is a safety and training adviser for the US Parachute Association, said his friend came up with the idea two years ago.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he will put the spy agency and the military chief of staff under his own control.
He also said he wants to close the nation’s military academies.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the proposals would be brought before parliament.
The new measures are the latest in a large-scale crackdown launched after the failed coup on July 15.
Photo Reuters
Turkish authorities say US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind the army-led coup in which at least 246 people died. He denies the allegation.
President Recep Erdogan told Turkey’s A Haber television on July 30: “We are going to introduce a small constitutional package which, if approved, will bring the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and chief of staff under the control of the presidency.”
“Military schools will be shut down… we will establish a national defense university,” he added.
President Erdogan said that the size of the gendarmerie would be cut, but its weaponry would be increased.
The president needs a two-thirds majority for the proposals to be adopted and therefore will have to secure support from opposition parties.
Turkey announced a military reshuffle on July 28, including the dishonorable discharge of 1,700 military servicemen. About 40% of generals and admirals have been discharged since the coup.
More than 66,000 public sector workers have been dismissed from their posts and 50,000 passports cancelled, while the labor ministry is investigating 1,300 of its staff.
The government has shut 142 media outlets and detained several journalists.
A three-month state of emergency has also been declared across Turkey.
The first Zika cases contracted within the US has been reported after four people were diagnosed with the virus in Florida, health officials say.
So far, cases outside of Latin America and the Caribbean, where the Zika virus is prevalent, have been spread by travel to that region or sexual transmission.
The four Florida cases mean US mosquitoes may be carrying the Zika virus.
Zika causes only a mild illness in most people but the virus has been linked to severe brain defects in newborns.
The Florida department of health said “a high likelihood exists that four cases are the result of local transmission”, centered on one small area just north of downtown Miami.
Photo AFP/Getty Images
More than 1,650 cases of Zika have so far been detected in the United States, but the Florida cases would be the first in the US not involving foreign travel.
Two of those suffering from the virus are in Miami-Dade county and the other two in neighboring Broward county. They are the most densely populated counties in Florida.
Governor Rick Scott said the cases involved three men and a woman, and that none had been hospitalized.
To confirm whether Zika is being carried by mosquitoes locally, scientists are surveying houses and people within a 150-yard radius of the cases, the flying distance of the insect.
In February, the WHO declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency because of the risk to newborn children.
In severe cases, children can die and babies who survive can face intellectual disability and developmental delays.
Gov. Rick Scott asked all residents of affected areas to get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes thrive, and for residents to wear insect repellent.
According to new reports, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has been hacked as part of a larger cyber attack against Democratic Party institutions.
The latest hack follows two data breaches involving the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
US authorities widely believe that the cyber attacks were committed by agents working for the Russian government.
Some fear that Russia may be trying to influence the presidential election.
Photo Getty Images
However, Russia has denied involvement and denounced the “poisonous anti-Russian” rhetoric coming out of Washington.
According to Hillary Clinton’s campaign, an analytics data program, which it shared with other entities, had been accessed by hackers.
However, there was “no evidence that our internal systems have been compromised”, Hillary Clinton’s press secretary Nick Merrill said on July 29.
The FBI said it was investigating the allegations and the extent of any hacking.
The DNC hacked emails were leaked last week on the eve of the party’s convention in Philadelphia.
The emails showed Democratic Party officials were biased against Bernie Sanders in his primary race against Hillary Clinton.
The hack led to the resignation of the party chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and sparked protests at the convention.
In addition to the attack on the Clinton campaign, the DCCC was also found to have been compromised.
The DCCC works to raise money for Democratic congressional candidates.
According to a statement issued by the DCCC on July 29, they have hired cyber security company CrowdStrike to help with the investigation.
Hackers may have been able to access the Democrats’ political strategy documents as well as opposition research conducted against Republican candidates.
“We have taken and are continuing to take steps to enhance the security of our network,” the DCCC said.
“We are cooperating with federal law enforcement with respect to their ongoing investigation.”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he is withdrawing all lawsuits against people charged with insulting him.
He said he was inspired by the feelings of unity in the wake of the recent failed coup.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stepped up his attacks on nations criticizing his crackdown in the wake of the coup attempt, telling them to “mind your own business”.
The president earlier blasted General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, saying he was “on the side of the coup plotters”.
Gen. Joseph Votel had said in remarks on July 28 that the jailing of some military leaders could damage Turkish-American military co-operation.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the presidential palace: “I am going to withdraw all the cases regarding the disrespectful insults made against me.”
He said it was a one-off gesture of goodwill.
Earlier this year, Turkish authorities said some 2,000 people were facing such prosecutions.
Recep Erdogan was also defiant in the face of criticism over his crackdown, which the interior ministry said on July 29 had seen 18,000 detentions.
He said: “Some people give us advice. They say they are worried. Mind your own business! Look at your own deeds.
“Not a single person has come to give condolences either from the European Union… or from the West… Those countries or leaders who are not worried about Turkey’s democracy, the lives of our people, its future – while being so worried about the fate of the putschists – cannot be our friends.”
Speaking at the same event, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey had now succeeded in removing all elements linked to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen from the military.
Turkey blames Fethullah Gulen for orchestrating the coup attempt, something he denies.
On July 29, President Recep Erdogan had told Gen. Joseph Votel to “know your place”, adding: “You are taking the side of coup plotters instead of thanking this state for defeating the coup attempt.”
Gen. Joseph Votel had said one day before: “We have certainly had relationships with a lot of Turkish leaders – military leaders in particular. I am concerned about what the impact is on those relationships as we continue.”
The next day, replying after President Recep Erdogan’s comments, Gen. Joseph Votel said any reports that he was involved in the coup were “unfortunate and completely inaccurate”.
Gen. Joseph Votel added that Turkey had been an “extraordinary and vital partner” for many years and he was looking forward to their partnership in the fight against self-styled Islamic State.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper had also said on July 28 that Turkey’s crackdown was disrupting Turkish-American military co-operation in fighting ISIS.
Turkey announced a military reshuffle on July 28, including the dishonorable discharge of 1,700 military servicemen. About 40% of generals and admirals have been discharged since the coup.
More than 66,000 Turkish public sector workers have been dismissed from their posts and 50,000 passports cancelled, while the labor ministry is investigating 1,300 of its staff.
Turkey has also shut 142 media outlets and detained several journalists.
Brazil’s ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is to go on trial for obstruction of justice in a case related to the scandal at state oil company Petrobras, court documents show.
The Petrobras affair has already seen dozens of politicians and officials arrested.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with six others, is accused of hampering Operation Car Wash, the investigation into the scandal.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
The date for the trial has not yet been set.
Those also charged on July 29 include former senator Delcidio Amaral and investment banker Andre Esteves.
They have been accused of trying to prevent former Petrobras director Nestor Cervero from testifying in a plea bargain deal.
Nestor Cervero was jailed for being the mastermind of the Petrobras scandal.
It is understood that the accusation against Lula is a result of a plea bargain testimony by Delcidio Amaral.
In May, Brazil’s Attorney General Rodrigo Janot accused Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of playing a key role in the Petrobras case, which is estimated to have cost the company more than $2 billion.
Rodrigo Janot said the corruption could not have taken place without the former president’s participation.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made a comeback to frontline Brazilian politics in March, when President Dilma Rousseff nominated him as her chief of staff.
A judge then suspended Lula’s nomination saying it had been aimed at protecting him from possible prosecution.
Operation Car Wash was launched two years ago by prosecutors focusing initially on money laundering.
They say that their investigations have since uncovered a complex corruption scheme at Petrobras.
Brazilian prosecutors allege the scandal was used to finance the electoral campaigns of senior politicians.
Several politicians and Petrobras executives have been arrested and sentenced.
Some of them have agreed to testify against other suspects in exchange for more lenient sentences, taking the investigation to a new level.
Hillary Clinton made history by accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s national convention in Philadelphia.
The former secretary of state has told voters the presidential election is a “moment of reckoning”.
Speaking on the final night of the Democratic convention, the first woman nominated by a major party said there were huge challenges.
Hillary Clinton accused her Republican opponent in November’s election, Donald Trump, of sowing discord.
“He wants to divide us – from the rest of the world, and from each other.”
Donald Trump tweeted that the speech had failed to address the threat posed by radical Islam, making Hillary Clinton unfit to lead the country.
Before taking the stage, Hillary Clinton’s daughter Chelsea shared personal memories of her mother.
Photo Getty Images
“My wonderful, thoughtful, hilarious mother,” she said.
Chelsea Clinton added: “She was always there for me.”
After embracing her daughter, Hillary Clinton delivered a speech which featured a stark admission about the threats to national unity.
“Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders there are no guarantees. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we’re going to work together so we can all rise together.”
The former secretary of state and first lady added: “We are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have.”
The risk to American prosperity included inequality, limited social mobility, political gridlock, “threats at home and abroad” and frustration over wage stagnation, Hillary Clinton said.
However, the Democratic nominee was confident these challenges could be overcome with the American values of “freedom and equality, justice and opportunity”.
Hillary Clinton acknowledged that too many Americans had been “left behind” by economic forces and addressed them directly: “Some of you are frustrated – even furious. And you know what? You’re right.”
Another highlight at the convention on July 28 was when the father of a fallen Muslim soldier challenged Donald Trump over his Muslim ban, prompting an ovation.
General John Allen, former commander of US forces in Afghanistan, appeared on stage with other military veterans and gave Hillary Clinton a ringing endorsement as commander-in-chief.
Hillary Clinton’s high-stakes remarks on the closing night of the four-day convention followed a rousing speech by President Barack Obama.
Barack Obama said on July 27 there had never been a man or woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are set for an election battle widely considered to be a tight race when voters head to the polls in November.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has become the world’s third richest person, according to Forbes, after strong earnings from the company.
Jeff Bezos owns 18% of Amazon’s shares, which rose 2% in trading on July 28.
Forbes estimated Jeff Bezos’ fortune to be $65.3 billion.
Amazon’s revenue beat analysts’ expectations, climbing 31% from last year to $30.4 billion in Q2 of 2016.
The company’s profit was $857 million, compared with $92 million in 2015.
According to Forbes estimates, Jeff Bezos’ fortune is only surpassed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, worth $78 billion, and the $73.1 billion fortune of Zara founder Amancio Ortega.
Amazon had developed a reputation for announcing little or no profit each quarter, but appeared to hit a turning point last year and has seen improving earnings since.
Amazon shares have spiked 50% since February.
Its Prime membership, which offers extra services including free shipping for an annual fee, saw impressive international growth.
In June, Amazon launched Prime in India to take advantage of the country’s large consumer market.
Jeff Bezos said: “It’s been a busy few months for Amazon around the world, and particularly in India – where we launched a new [Amazon Web Services] Region, introduced Prime with unlimited free shipping, and announced that Prime Video is coming soon, offering Prime members in India exclusive access to Amazon Original Series and Movies – including original content featuring top Indian creators and talent.”
Amazon has boosted Prime membership by improving its video streaming offerings, an area in which it competes with Netflix.
Prime Day, Amazon’s annual promotional shopping festival earlier this month, was the company’s largest ever sales day.
Amazon does not release figures for its Prime membership, but Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimated US membership to be close to 63 million. Members spend an average of $1,200 a year, compared with $500 by non-members, according to the research company.
The company’s cloud computing unit also spiked. Revenue for Amazon Web Services (AWS), climbed 58.2% to $2.89 billion, beating analysts’ exceptions of $2.83 billion.
Sales growth for the unit in North America climbed 10% and 8% in the rest of the world.
Amazon has grown its market share in cloud computing compared with rivals such as Microsoft and Google.
It introduced a new Asia Pacific region for its cloud unit this quarter.
Amazon has also been looking to expand its presence in other areas. The company has now launched its online grocery store in the UK.
Earlier this month, it announced a partnership with US bank Wells Fargo to offer discounts on student loans for members of its Prime Student services.
More than 130 media organizations have been close in Turkey, as a crackdown continues following the failed coup on July 15.
According to Turkish authorities, 3 news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 papers, 15 magazines and 29 publishers will be shut.
In March, Zaman, once one of Turkey’s biggest newspapers, was put under state control. Arrest warrants have been issued for 47 staff.
Many of the media outlets are linked to the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen
The government says Fethullah Gulen was behind the army-led attempted coup, a claim he denies.
Separately, the government announced on July 27 that nearly 1,700 members of the armed forces, including 149 generals and admirals had been discharged.
At least 246 people died during the coup, and more than 2,000 people were injured.
Both the closure of the media outlets and the soldiers’ dismissal were announced in Turkey’s official Resmi Gazete.
While most are relatively small provincial outlets, several with a national audience have also been targeted.
Zaman‘s readers were mostly Fethullah Gulen supporters, who stopped reading it after the state takeover in March, rendering it unprofitable.
In addition to the warrants issued for the 47 Zaman staff, authorities had sought the arrest of 42 other journalists earlier in the week.
Among those discharged from the armed forces are 87 army generals, 30 air force generals and 32 admirals.
The Turkish army also revealed that 8,651 members, or 1.5%, of the nation’s armed forces had taken part in the failed coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to purge state bodies of the “virus” he says caused the revolt.
Last week, Turkey declared a three-month state of emergency, allowing the president and the government to bypass parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms.
President Barack Obama praised Hillary Clinton at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, as the most qualified person ever to run for the White House.
He urged voters to help continue his legacy by carrying Hillary Clinton to victory at the polls in November.
Barack Obama said voters faced a choice between hope and fear, attacking “homegrown demagogue” Republican Donald Trump.
Donald Trump rejected the president’s optimistic portrayal tweeting: “Our country does not feel <great already> to the millions of wonderful people living in poverty, violence and despair.”
Vice-President Joe Biden also delivered his own spirited address, saying Donald Trump “backs torture”, “religious intolerance” and “betrays our values”.
“He has no clue about what makes America great,” Joe Biden said, before the crowd started chanting, “Not a clue!”
President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a rare joint interview for CBS’ 60 Minutes
Barack Obama closed the evening by recounting his key victories over his past eight years in office and painting an optimistic future for the country.
He extolled Hillary Clinton’s character, calling her a “leader with real plans to break down barriers, blast through glass ceilings and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American”.
However, the president also addressed Donald Trump’s grim portrait of America, noting it was “not the America I know”.
Instead, President Obama described his nation as “full of courage”, “decent and generous”, but also concerned about racial divisions and “frustrated with political gridlock”.
Praising the qualities of American people, Barack Obama addressed them directly when he said: “Time and again, you’ve picked me up. I hope, sometimes, I picked you up, too.
“Tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me.”
Hilalry Clinton joined the president on stage for a hug after he finished speaking.
In his response, Donald Trump said in a statement that the Democrats had described a vision of America that did not exist for most people.
Seventy percent of Americans thought the country was on the wrong track, said the Republican nominee, who defied all predictions to win the Republican primary contest.
“Never has a party been so disconnected from what is happening in our world.”
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine took the stage to “humbly” accept his party’s nomination for vice-president and then go on the attack.
“Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth,” he said.
The crowd then erupted into chants of “Not one word!”
Hillary Clinton will officially accept the nomination on July 28, setting up an election fight with Donald Trump that will take them to the presidential election in November.
A North Korean defector has entered the South Korean consulate in Hong Kong seeking asylum, the South China Morning Post reports.
The publication reported that the 18-year-old
Photo Reuters
defector participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Hong Kong recently.
Police patrols around the area have been boosted and security stepped up.
China, which has authority over Hong Kong’s diplomatic issues, has reportedly been notified.
South Korea’s foreign ministry declined to comment, with an official saying the government’s position was not to make any comments related to defectors from Pyongyang.
Local media suggests the Hong Kong government is keen to avoid a similar outcome of a saga in 2013 where US whistle-blower Edward Snowden hid in a Hong Kong hotel before flying to Russia for temporary asylum.
Under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the constitutional document of the territory, China has authority over diplomatic issues.
China usually sends back North Koreans found entering its territory illegally. South Korea usually takes in and rehabilitates North Koreans who escape.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry’s website says more than 29,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the end of the Korean War.
Generally speaking, professional movers like to say that they can do everything to do with your move for you. And this is not untrue. For instance, you can be in a foreign country and ask a removal company here to empty your house and move everything to a new place. However, those are atypical situations and, if you do need them, they will cost you a lot of money. If we stick to a regular, run of the mill, house move, there are a few things that DC movers won’t do, nor should you expect them to either.
What Movers Probably Won’t Help You With
Taking an inventory. While you may find a company willing to do this for you, you shouldn’t ask them to. Taking an inventory is a legal matter that you do in order to prove that everything taken in one place arrives at the next one. It would defeat the object to ask your movers to do this for you.
Liaising with utility companies. You have to take meter readings and have utilities switch off in one property and back on in the next one yourself.
Draining down any fuel. This could be held in cars, motorbikes, scooters, lawnmowers, and other things that you may want to be moved. You usually have to drain them for insurance purposes. Some removal companies will be able to do this for you, but don’t count on it.
Running errands. This would make sense, but you would be surprised how often professional movers are asked to quickly get some cigarettes or a bottle of milk while they are driving to the new property, often “since they are passing anyway”. That really isn’t appropriate.
Speaking to your neighbors before the move. If you live in a narrow street, for instance, and a truck would block off the road, it is your responsibility to forewarn your neighbors about that, not that of your removal company. Remember this is true at both ends of your move as well.
Getting rid of trash and leftover belongings in attics, basements, and garages. Yes, removal men will help you to get things out of those spaces and into the removal van, and they will help you put it into your new property as well. They will not, however, sit down and declutter with you. The expectation is that this will all be done for them, and they only have to do the physical side of moving things.
Professional movers are generally incredibly flexible people. They will be more than happy to go above and beyond the terms and conditions in the contract you sign with them. However, there are certain things that they will not do, such as those described above, and it would actually be quite impolite of you to expect anything else. That said, if you really are incapable of doing anything yourself, for instance if you have a physical disability, then special arrangements can generally be made.
The gastric balloon is an increasingly popular procedure, mainly because it is minimally invasive. It involves a balloon being placed into the stomach through an endoscopic procedure, after which it is filled with a saline solution. This stops people from being able to eat as much, leading to weight loss. As a pretty novel procedure, it is important to learn about what it actually is and how it works.
Gastric Balloon Installation
The balloon is inserted through the mouth into the stomach.
The stomach will first be examined for problems through an endoscopy.
If no issues are present, the balloon will be placed by passing it through the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach.
The balloon is made from a silicone elastomer material and is inserted in a deflated form.
A throat spray will be applied to make the swallowing process easier, as well as medication to relax the muscles.
Once in place, the surgeon will fill the balloon with a saline solution through a catheter.
The catheter will be gently removed from your stomach.
The balloon seals itself and will float in your stomach.
It takes around half an hour for the procedure to be completed.
The balloon’s material will weaken over time due to high acidity levels, deflating it over time.
If the balloon has to be in place for longer than six months, it will have to be replaced.
You may have to take medication to reduce the levels of stomach acid, thereby preventing damage to the balloon.
Removing the Balloon
After six months, the balloon will be removed through an endoscopic procedure.
A catheter will be inserted through the mouth, into the stomach.
The balloon will be punctured and deflated.
The balloon is grasped through special tools and removed through the catheter.
Possible Complications
A number of complications are possible with the gastric balloon. These include:
Minor bleeding.
Back or abdominal pain.
Vomiting and nausea for a few days after the procedure.
Feeling sea sick.
Having a heavy feeling in the stomach.
Indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux.
The balloon rupturing, although this is only a theoretical complication that has not yet happened. Should it happen, however, the balloon would simply pass through the digestive system and out through the stools.
Recovery Period After a Gastric Balloon Procedure
Usually, the gastric balloon is placed on an outpatient ward, meaning you will go home the same day. You will first be checked for a short period of time to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction and, all being well, you will be able to simply go home.
You will only be able to consume liquids for the first few weeks, moving on to soft pureed food and, finally, solid food.
Recovery time after a gastric balloon is usually just one or two days, which means you won’t need too much time off work.
Nausea and vomiting is common, but generally only lasts for a few days.
According to ALS Association, the Ice Bucket Challenge has funded an important scientific gene discovery in the progressive neurodegenerative disease ALS.
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in 2014 and raised $115 million from people, including prominent celebrities, pouring cold water over themselves and posting the video on social media.
The project was criticized as a stunt, but has funded six research projects.
Photo Getty Images
Scientists have identified a new gene contributing to the disease, NEK1.
Research by Project MinE, published in Nature Genetics, is the largest-ever study of inherited ALS, also known as motor neurone disease (MND).
More than 80 researchers in 11 countries searched for ALS risk genes in families affected by the disease.
Lucie Bruijn of the ALS Association says: “The sophisticated gene analysis that led to this finding was only possible because of the large number of ALS samples available.”
The identification of gene NEK1 means scientists can now develop a gene therapy treating it.
Although only 10% of ALS patients have the inherited form, researchers believe that genetics contribute to a much larger percentage of cases.
Social media was awash with videos of people pouring cold water over their heads to raise money for ALS in the summer of 2014.
More than 17 million people uploaded videos to Facebook, which were then watched by 440 million people worldwide.
iPhone sales dropped for a second consecutive quarter, Apple has reported.
However, the 15% drop was not as bad as analysts had feared.
Apple sold 40.4 million iPhones in its third quarter, slightly above forecasts of 40.02 million.
CEO Tim Cook said the results reflected “stronger customer demand… than we anticipated”.
Apple said it expected sales to fall again in Q4 to between $45.5 billion and $47.5 billion.
Demand for Apple’s flagship product has been slowing since the second quarter when the company reported the first drop in iPhone sales since their 2007 launch.
The iPhone makes up for around two-thirds of Apple’s sales and accounts for even more of its profits.
The slowdown in iPhone sales sent profit down 27% to $7.8 billion in the three months to June 25, while revenues fell 14.6% to $42.4 billion.
Apple’s sales in Greater China – defined by the company as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan – plunged 33%.
The company blamed economic uncertainty and people not upgrading their phones as often for the drop.
China accounts for almost a quarter of Apple’s sales, more than all of Europe combined.
Apple chief financial officer Luca Maestri said: “It is very clear that there are some signs of economic slowdown in China, and we will have to work through them.
“We understand China well and we remain very, very optimistic about the future there.”
Results were also hit by the impact of a stronger dollar.
Nonetheless, shares, which have fallen almost 20% over the past year, rose over 7% in after-hours trading because Apple’s overall performance was not as bad as analysts had expected.
Luca Maestri said comparisons to the second quarter of 2015, when iPhone 6 sales surged 35%, made its performance seem worse than it was.
He also pointed to its services business, which includes the App Store, Apple Pay, iCloud and other services, as a bright spot.
The division made nearly $6 billion in revenue, up 18.9% from the same time last year, and is now Apple’s second-largest sales generator after the iPhone.
Bill Clinton has backed why his wife and “best friend” Hillary for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Bill Clinton told the audience that Hillary was the “best darn change-maker I’ve ever known”.
In a very personal speech, the former president spoke warmly about how they met and her dedication to public service.
Hours earlier, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be officially nominated for president by any major US party.
Hillary Clinton ended the night with a video message, saying: “I can’t believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet.
“And if there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say, I may become the first woman president but one of you is next.”
Hillary and Bill Clinton were to headline Senator Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry fundraiser in rural Indianola
Earlier, Bill Clinton shared the story of how he and Hillary met at Yale Law School in the spring of 1971.
“I married my best friend,” said the ex-president.
“We’ve been walking and talking and laughing together ever since.”
Hillary Clinton, a former secretary of state and first lady, was uniquely qualified to be president, her husband said.
“Hillary opened my eyes to a whole new world of public service by private citizens,” Bill Clinton said before recounting her early career.
Hours before he spoke, Hillary Clinton passed the 2,382 delegates needed to claim the nomination after South Dakota announced its delegate vote count.
In a symbolic gesture of party unity, former Democratic rival Senator Bernie Sanders took the microphone to declare Hillary Clinton as the nominee by acclamation, to an eruption of cheers.
The second night of the Democratic convention focused on race and justice, topics that dominated last week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Dissention on the convention floor plagued the first day when Bernie Sanders supporters booed throughout the event.
At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton called for a vote for Barack Obama by acclamation, ending the roll call vote in an effort to unite the party behind his candidacy.
Hillary Clinton will face off against Donald Trump in November.
Recent national polls suggest Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be in a tight race for the White House.
Since entering the financial advice industry in the 1990s, it would be fair to say that Patrick Dwyer has tasted all mannerisms of success.
While his current role is certainly impressive, if one was to scrutinize his past achievements it makes for hugely impressive reading. All of the major financial publications have classed him as one of the best financial advisors in the country, with some going as far as saying he is up there with the best in the world.
Following on from this, here is a breakdown on Dwyer’s career so far and the achievements he has made.
Current role
Patrick Dwyer’s Merrill Lynch role involves serving as managing director in the company’s wealth management division.
This means that a lot of his role surrounds affluent families, who are aiming to build long-term wealth and start to develop diversified portfolios that can survive for years to come.
Education
Having achieved a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Miami in 1993, it would be fair to say that Dwyer’s career started on a strong footing.
From this point on, he proceeded to accrue the relevant professional training before his career in financial advising really kicked off.
Achievements
If you have already mulled over the Barron’s lists prior to reading this page, you’ll probably know all about Dwyer’s status as one of the Top 100 Financial Advisors in the nation. To put this into perspective, between 2007 and 2016 he has been consistently been named in this list – highlighting his worth in the industry.
However, this isn’t the only achievement that can be noted on his CV. Barron’s also classed him as the Top Florida Advisor in four different years (2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016) – and little else needs to be said about that either.
As well as Barron’s, there are other publications which have been keen to credit Dwyer’s achievements. For example, the Financial Times classed him in their list of the top 400 Advisors in both 2014 and 2015. If you then turn to other publications in the industry, such as Fortune and Spears, you’ll quickly see that he is regularly named in the country’s top 100 lists in relation to financial advisory services as well.
Guest speaking
Unsurprisingly, such achievements lead on to a whole host of other opportunities. Dwyer is regularly invited to Providence College, Rhode Island to speak about the industry – while he is also invited back to the University of Miami.
Additionally, on the subject on his links with education, he is on the board of trustees for several schools and foundations including the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation.
Hobbies and interests
As well as his busy schedule, Dwyer is known to be a mountain bike enthusiast and also likes to hike and paddle board.
It’s understood that he tends to enjoy such activities with his family; comprised of his wife Marisa and four children.
