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What You Need To Know About Small Business Taxes

Dana R
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What You Need To Know About Small Business Taxes

Ugh. Taxes aren’t fun, are they? We don’t desire to learn about them, but unfortunately, we all have to. Part of being a business owner is learning how to manage taxes correctly to avoid any potential problems. If you don’t understand what you’re doing, you might neglect important taxes or even pay over the odds when you don’t need to. It’s an important bit of knowledge to have, so we’re just going to scratch the surface of it today for you. We can’t go into specifics of all taxes in every country, so let’s talk about some general things that you need to know.

Taxes aren’t going to go away. It’s going to benefit you to learn everything you can about them before you get started with a small business. Plan ahead and forecast with taxes in mind so that you don’t have any nasty surprises down the road. You may have to think about things like self-employment tax, payroll taxes, and many others. You certainly don’t need to be an expert in these things, but having a basic knowledge will benefit you as you’re starting up.

Tax, Forms, Income, Business, Paperwork, Finance

Pic Credit

So, you might be wondering why it’s so important to know business taxes inside out. I mean, you could always outsource those responsibilities to an accountant, right? Well, that’s certainly one way to do it. If you don’t have the time to learn this stuff, you can pay a bit more money to get that kind of assistance. However, outsourcing comes with its own pitfalls that you need to be aware of. Whatever you do, hire someone that is reputable! By hiring the cheaper option with too-good-to-be-true promises, you could end up drawing the attention of the IRS very easily.

Another reason it’s important to be informed is that you could face issues down the road. For example, you might be taxed the wrong amounts, and you need to be able to spot that. Without the proper knowledge, you’ll just be looking at figures on a piece of paper, and potentially throwing away a lot of money. If you do get into tax disputes, you’re going to need a tax attorney. You shouldn’t be getting into tax disputes without having the experts around you to advise. It doesn’t matter what extent the dispute is; it’s worth pursuing if you think you’re paying too much money.

Let’s wrap this up. Taxes aren’t as bad as they seem when you’re first learning about them. It’ll take some time to understand them properly, but that knowledge will come in handy for the rest of your working career. You can find guides all over the internet or in bookshops to help you get started. Take a bit of time now to get your head around them, and utilize expert help when you’re struggling. Finally, talk to friends and family about their experiences with taxes for additional help. You’ll have a great starting point for financial security if you know what you’re doing in this area. So, get out there and get your business off to a great start!

Brazil: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s Appointment Blocked by Federal Judge

Diane A. Wade
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Brazil: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s Appointment Blocked by Federal Judge

The appointment of Brazil’s ex-leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as chief of staff to President Dilma Rousseff, has been blocked by a federal judge shortly after the former president was sworn in.

Judge Sergio Moro’s injunction said there was a risk a federal investigation could be derailed if Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was a minister.

In Brazil, cabinet members can only be investigated by the Supreme Court, not by federal courts.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is under investigation in connection with a corruption scandal.

Prosecutors filed charges against the former president last week accusing him of money laundering and fraud, which he has denied.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s nomination as chief of staff has divided Brazilians.

Some said it was a move to shield him from prosecution while others welcomed his return to active politics.

Ahead of the former leader’s swearing-in ceremony, groups of supporters and opponents of the government clashed outside the presidential palace.

The ceremony itself was interrupted by a protester who cried “Shame!”.Lula da Silva appointment blocked

The protester was drowned out by supporters of the governing Workers’ Party, who shouted pro-government slogans and Lula’s name.

During the ceremony, President Dilma Rousseff praised Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who she said was “not just a great politician, but a great friend and comrade of many battles”.

“We’ve always stood side by side,” she said.

A visibly angry Dilma Rousseff then criticised federal Judge Sergio Moro, who is leading the investigation into a massive corruption scandal at state-oil giant Petrobras.

On March 16, Judge Sergio Moro made public a taped phone conversation between President Dilma Rousseff and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva which has been interpreted by some to show that Lula was given the post of chief of staff to shield him from prosecution.

In the conversation, Dilma Rousseff told her predecessor and mentor she would send him the official decree naming him as minister “just to use in case it’s necessary”.

The Brazilian president said Judge Sergio Moro had violated the law and the constitution by releasing the tape and that she would order an investigation.

Dilma Rousseff herself is under considerable political pressure.

Her critics want to impeach her over allegations she manipulated Brazil’s account books to hide a growing deficit.

Analysts say she named Lula chief of staff so he could use his influence with members of Congress to convince them to vote against her impeachment.

As more and more members of her Workers’ Party are being investigated over corruption at Petrobras, she is also facing increased questions about what Dilma Rousseff may have known.

Dilma Rousseff was head of the board at Petrobras from 2003 to 2010 and has always denied any wrongdoing.

On March 13, a record number of people took part in anti-government marches across Brazil.

An estimated three million people called for an end to corruption and for Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment.

There have also been rallies in support of the government, but they have been smaller than those opposing the administration.

The political upheaval comes at a time of economic problems, with Brazil going through its worst recession in more than three decades.

SeaWorld Ends Controversial Orca Breeding Program

Nancy Clayson
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SeaWorld Ends Controversial Orca Breeding Program

SeaWorld has announced it is ending its controversial orca breeding program.

The theme park operator’s decision means the orca whales currently at the parks will be “the last generation”.

SeaWorld, which has 12 parks across the US, has faced heavy criticism over the alleged poor treatment of its captive orcas, also known as killer whales.

The company said the orcas would be likely to die if it released them into the wild.

“For as long as they live, the orcas at SeaWorld will stay in our parks,” the company said in a Los Angeles Times op-ed.

SeaWorld has previously announced that it will phase out live orca shows.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Dramatic displays by the whales are the centerpiece of three parks operated by SeaWorld, in California, Florida and Texas.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) worked with SeaWorld on its new policies and said the announcement signaled “that the era of captive display of orcas will end”.

SeaWorld stopped capturing live marine mammals decades ago, with the majority of its 29 orcas having been born in captivity.

The treatment of SeaWorld’s orcas was highlighted in the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which focused on a series of violent incidents involving an orca called Tilikum.

The documentary also raised questions over the ethics of breeding programs and practices such as the separation of calves from their mothers.

Since Blackfish was released visitor numbers have fallen at SeaWorld’s main theme parks and its share price has halved.

SeaWorld described the documentary as inaccurate, misleading and exploitative and launched a multi-million dollar marketing campaign to rebuild its reputation.

Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite was quoted by HSUS as saying the decision to end orca breeding represented “truly meaningful change”.

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

World Happiness Report 2016: Denmark Is World’s Happiest Country

James J. Williams
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World Happiness Report 2016: Denmark Is World’s Happiest Country

According to the fourth World Happiness Report, Denmark is the world’s happiest country while Burundi is the least happy.

The new survey also found that countries where there was less inequality were happier overall.

Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Finland, which like Denmark have strong social security systems, made up the rest of the top five.

The US was the world’s 13th happiest country, the UK was 23rd, China was 83rd and India was 118th.

At the bottom of the 156 countries on the list was Burundi, which is experiencing severe political unrest and the threat of violence. It scored worse than Syria, where a civil war has killed more than 250,000 people over the past five years.World Happiness Report 2016

The survey found Syrians had a better healthy-life expectancy and were also seen as being more generous than Burundians and people in the three other nations – Togo, Afghanistan and Benin – making up the five least happy countries.

Northern America, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe were the happiest regions overall.

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were the only regions where the average rating for wellbeing was less than five out of 10.

The World Happiness Report – compiled by the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) – is an analysis of Gallup World Poll data generated from surveys of 1,000 people in each country every year for three years. They were asked to evaluate their lives on a ladder scale of zero to 10.

The researchers defined six key categories: GDP (a nation’s output of goods and services) per capita, social support, healthy-life expectancy, personal freedom, charitable giving and perceived corruption.

The report found that people are happier living in societies where there is less inequality of happiness. Likewise it found that the bigger the gap – or inequality – in a country’s happiness, the more widespread unhappiness is as a whole.

It also looked at social support – defined as being able to count on someone in difficult times – and the presence or otherwise of corruption.

This Is for My Girls: Michelle Obama to Release Charity Single

Sonia Pantiss
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This Is for My Girls: Michelle Obama to Release Charity Single

A charity single released by First Lady Michelle Obama will be featured by artists including Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Rowland.

The song, This Is For My Girls, was written by Diane Warren – whose previous credits include I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing and Un-Break My Heart.

Diane Warren described the song – a strident, girl power anthem – as “We Are the World meets Lady Marmalade”.

Michelle Obama released the single ahead of her keynote speech at the SXSW festival.Michelle Obama song

The first lady will talk about her Let Girls Learn initiative, which is aimed at boosting education rates amongst adolescent girls around the world.

Several of the performers on the track, including Missy Elliott and Diane Warren, will then join her on a panel about the initiative, as well as Sophia Bush and Queen Latifah, who will moderate the discussion.

This Is For My Girls combines jazzy horn stabs with a propulsive drum beat, giving the song a militaristic feel.

The lyrics mostly comprise generic statements of empowerment – “Don’t take nothing from nobody”; “It’s all about respect”; “Stand strong forever” – which have been a standard component of female-fronted R&B since the turn of the millennium.

Other vocalists featured on the track include Janelle Monae, Glee actress Lea Michele, Disney star Zendaya, 16-year-old Motown artist Jadagrace, and Beyonce proteges Chloe & Halle.

All of the artists waived their fees, meaning proceeds will go directly to the Let Girls Learn campaign.

The single is available exclusively on iTunes, while Michelle Obama’s speech at the SXSW festival will be streamed live on makers.com from 16:00 GMT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJyJ6ZVn7ms

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Appointed as Dilma Rousseff’s New Chief of Staff

Diane A. Wade
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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Appointed as Dilma Rousseff’s New Chief of Staff

Brazil’s ex-leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been appointed as President Dilma Rousseff’s new chief of staff.

The move shields the former president from possible prosecution by a federal judge investigating a massive corruption scandal named Operation Car Wash.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s appointment sparked protests in several Brazilian cities by those angry at the decision.

However, President Dilma Rousseff said that protecting her mentor and predecessor from prosecution was not the motivation for the appointment.

“Lula’s arrival in my government strengthens it and there are people who don’t want it to be stronger,” she said.Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chief of staff

Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be tried by the Supreme Court.

On March 4, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was briefly detained and questioned over allegations of money laundering connected to Operation Car Wash, a massive investigation into corruption at the state oil giant, Petrobras.

The former president denies the allegations and says they are aimed at preventing him from running for president again in 2018.

In a taped telephone conversation released by the judge overseeing the investigation, Dilma Rousseff offered to send Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a copy of his appointment “in case of necessity” – interpreted by some as meaning in case he needed it to avoid arrest.

Hours after the announcement of his appointment, protesters gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Brasilia and in at least three other cities.

In Congress, opposition politicians gathered around a microphone during a chaotic session and chanted “resignation”.

Dilma Rousseff says the appointment is due to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva being a “skilful political negotiator” and experienced leader who will help kick off economic recovery.

During his time in office, the Brazilian economy experienced unprecedented economic growth and wealth redistribution.

“I believe [former] President Lula, who was in charge of the country for eight years, cannot have his reputation destroyed in this manner,” added Dilma Rousseff.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other ministers appointed on March 16 are expected to be sworn in at 10:00 local time on March 17.

As chief of staff, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to lead the fight against moves in Congress to impeach President Dilma Rousseff over allegations she manipulated Brazil’s account books to hide a growing deficit.

EIU: Donald Trump Presidency on Top 10 Global Threat List

Diane A. Wade
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EIU: Donald Trump Presidency on Top 10 Global Threat List

According to the British research organization Economist Intelligence Unit, Donald Trump winning the US presidency is considered one of the top 10 risks facing the world.

The EIU warns Donald Trump could disrupt the global economy and heighten political and security risks in the US.

However, it does not expect Donald Trump to defeat Hillary Clinton who it sees as “his most likely Democratic contender”.

Donald Trump is rated as riskier than Britain leaving the European Union or an armed clash in the South China Sea.

China encountering a “hard landing” or sharp economic slowdown and Russia’s interventions in Ukraine and Syria preceding a new “cold war” are among the events seen as more dangerous.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

“Thus far Mr. Trump has given very few details of his policies – and these tend to be prone to constant revision,” the EIU said in its global risk assessment, which looks at impact and probability.

The EIU ranking uses a scale of one to 25, with Donald Trump garnering a rating of 12, the same level of risk as “the rising threat of jihadi terrorism destabilizing the global economy”.

“He has been exceptionally hostile towards free trade, including notably Nafta, and has repeatedly labeled China as a <<currency manipulator>>,” the EIU said.

It warned his strong language directed towards Mexico and China in particular “could escalate rapidly into a trade war”.

Donald Trump has called for a “big big wall” to be built on the US-Mexican border, paid for by Mexico, to keep its illegal immigrants and drug dealers out of the United States.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump has advocated killing the families of terrorists and invading Syria to eradicate ISIS and appropriate its oil.

“His militaristic tendencies towards the Middle East and ban on all Muslim travel to the US would be a potent recruitment tool for jihadi groups, increasing their threat both within the region and beyond,” the EIU added.

Critics of Donald Trump have raised similar concerns.

However, Donald Trump is moving closer to clinching the Republican presidential nominee ticket after winning most of the popular vote.

Donald Trump, who has no prior political experience, has said his supporters would “riot” if he was denied the nomination.

In the event Donald Trump does win the nomination and presidency, the EIU forecasts that domestic and foreign policymaking will be undermined.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pROxRc4JQns

North Korea Hit by New US Sanctions over Illicit Nuclear Test

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea Hit by New US Sanctions over Illicit Nuclear Test

President Barack Obama has signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on North Korea, after its “illicit” nuclear test and satellite launch.

The executive order freezes North Korean government property in America and bans US exports to, or investment in, North Korea.

It also greatly expands powers to blacklist anyone, including non-Americans, dealing with North Korea.

The January 6 nuclear test and February 7 satellite launch were violations of existing UN sanctions.

Barack Obama’s order includes measures from the recently agreed UN Security Council sanctions – the toughest sanctions in decades against North Korea.North Korea US sanctions 2016

It also contains separate sanctions passed by Congress and enacted by the president in February.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said: “The US and the global community will not tolerate North Korea’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities, and we will continue to impose costs on North Korea until it comes into compliance with its international obligations.”

Barack Obama said the sanctions “did not target the people of North Korea” but suggested that the country’s leadership only had itself to blame.

How much property North Korea has in the US is unknown, and trade between the two is tiny, but the expanded blacklist power is a significant stepping up of the punitive measures available to Washington.

It is also the first time the US has had a blanket ban on trade, as it once had with Iran and Myanmar.

Amid the heightened tensions, North Kroea sentenced American student Otto Warmbier to 15 years hard labor on March 16 for “severe crimes” against the state.

The US demanded North Korea immediately release Otto Warmbier, 21, who was arrested for trying to steal a propaganda sign from a hotel while on a visit in January.

Merrick Garland Nominated to Replace Justice Antonin Scalia at Supreme Court

Diane A. Wade
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Merrick Garland Nominated to Replace Justice Antonin Scalia at Supreme Court

Veteran appeals court judge Merrick Garland has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next US Supreme Court Justice.

The Supreme Court vacancy follows the death of Antonin Scalia last month.

Judge Garland, 63, is viewed as a moderate and has won praise from senior Republican figures.

Barack Obama’s appointment has to be ratified by the Senate, but its Republican majority has vowed to block a vote on any Supreme Court nominee from the current president.

Republicans have called on Barack Obama to leave the nomination to his successor, who will be elected in November.

The death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a staunch conservative, left the nine-member Supreme Court evenly divided between conservatives and liberals.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

It also set off a battle in a presidential election year over Antonin Scalia’s successor.

Urging the Senate to support Merrick Garland, Barack Obama said: “He is the right man for the job. He deserves to be confirmed.”

President Barack Obama said Merrick Garland – chief judge of the Washington appeals court and a former prosecutor – enjoyed respect from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Announcing the nomination in the White House Rose Garden, Barack Obama praised Merrick Garland’s decency, integrity and even-handedness during his long career in public service, and described him as an exemplary judge.

Merrick Garland was prepared to serve on the court immediately, he said.

Barack Obama expressed hope that Republicans would act in a bipartisan spirit and give Merrick Garland a “fair hearing”.

The nomination was the “greatest honor of my life”, Merrick Garland said.

Merrick Garland was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1997, winning confirmation in a 76-23 Senate vote, and served in the Justice Department during the Clinton administration prior to that.

Republicans again stressed they would defer action on a nomination to the Supreme Court until after the election.

Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell said the American people should have a voice in filling the vacancy. He also accused Barack Obama of making the nomination “in order to politicize it for purposes of the election”.

Tailless Humpback Whale Spotted Off New Zealand

Nancy Clayson
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Tailless Humpback Whale Spotted Off New Zealand

A tailless humpback whale has been spotted off New Zealand.

The whale was first seen on March 14 off the coast of Kaikoura on the north-east coast of South Island.

It was not clear how it came to lose its flukes, said local Department of Conservation ranger Mike Morrissey, but “it could have been the result of entanglement” in fishing nets.

Despite what looks like a severe injury, the whale seemed to be doing fine.

Photo Department of Conservation
Photo Department of Conservation

Whales are sometimes caught in fishing gear, which can injure or kill them.

The tears appear to have happened at least a year ago, Mike Morrissey added, as the images show little sign of open wounds.

It is the first time anyone in the area has seen a whale like it, he added, but he held out hope it might return.

Humpback whales have begun their annual migration from Antarctic feeding grounds to breeding grounds in the South Pacific.

Anyone who spots the whale is asked to report it to the Department of Conservation on

+64 800 36 24 68, so it can be tracked.

Washington DC Metro Closed for 29 Hours for Emergency Safety Checks

Nancy Clayson
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Washington DC Metro Closed for 29 Hours for Emergency Safety Checks

Washington DC’s Metro train system has been shut down for 29 hours from March 15 at midnight for emergency safety checks.

The unprecedented closure of the second-biggest US metro network will have an impact on hundreds of thousands of commuters.

Officials will carry out an inspection of power cables after a fire caused major delays earlier this week.

In 2015, a similar incident caused a train to fill with smoke in a tunnel, killing one passenger.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

The 119-mile network will be closed from midnight on March 15 to 05:00 local time on March 17.

All six lines and 91 stations will be affected. Some 700,000 people use the network daily.

Safety teams will inspect about 600 underground electrical cables, Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a statement.

“While the risk to the public is very low, I cannot rule out a potential life safety issue, and this is why we must take this action immediately,” Paul Wiedefeld said, without ruling out further disruptions.

Officials said the closure would be the first shutdown of the service that is not weather related since operations began in the 1970s.

Despite the interruption, federal government offices are expected to open as usual.

Meanwhile, taxi-hailing app Uber said it would cap surge pricing in the Washington area at 3.9 times base fares.

Ride-sharing service Lyft announced it would offer new users $20 off their first ride during the closure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzYrgJzVt0s

Brussels Manhunt after Deadly Anti-Terror Raid Linked to Paris Attacks

Roy Siemens
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Brussels Manhunt after Deadly Anti-Terror Raid Linked to Paris Attacks

Brussels police are hunting for suspects for a second day after a deadly anti-terror raid in the Belgian capital, linked to November’s jihadist attacks in Paris.

A man armed with a Kalashnikov was shot dead and four officers were wounded during March 15operation in the suburb of Forest, an official said.

The Belgian capital has since been on high alert, with police said to be searching for suspects who may have fled the raid.

The November attacks in Paris – involving militants from Brussels – left 130 people dead.

ISIS has said it carried out the attacks.

Photo AP
Photo AP

French police also took part in March 15 operation in Brussels. One of the officers wounded in the raid was a French policewoman, officials said.

Police went to search an apartment in the southern suburb of Forest on March 15.

“During this operation, one or several people opened fire on the police as they came through the door,” the federal prosecutor’s office said.

Three officers were injured then and a fourth in a later exchange of gunfire, it said.

“A suspect armed with a Kalashnikov” was also killed at around 18:00 in the street outside the flat, the prosecutors’ statement said.

The Associated Press news agency quotes prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt as saying that several people fled the scene when the gunshots first rang out, and it was not yet clear if all were bystanders, or if some were suspects.

Belgian media reports say police are searching for two more suspects after the raid.

The dead man has not yet been identified. However, a prosecutor’s spokesman had earlier made clear it was not Salah Abdeslam – one of two suspects still on the run after the November 13 attacks in Paris.

French police sources had said earlier that he was not the target of March 15 raid.

Belgium’s De Standaard newspaper quotes its sources as saying that investigators had been expecting to raid a safe house used in connection with the Paris attacks.

They had not expected the flat to be occupied, as its water and electricity had been disconnected for some time.

The operation brought life to a standstill in the area, close to railway lines used by high-speed trains to London and Paris.

Two local schools and two kindergartens were in lockdown for several hours before being evacuated by police.

The prosecutor’s office said the investigation is “actively continuing, day and night” but gave no other details.

Since the November 13 attacks, officials have identified most of the people they believe to have carried out the assaults.

Most of the suspects either died during the attacks or were killed in later police raids.

In addition, 11 people have been arrested and charged in Belgium in connection with the killings. Another eight are still in detention.

Parts of Brussels were sealed off for days after the Paris massacre amid fears of a major incident. A number of suspected attackers lived in the Belgian capital. Police have also carried out a series of raids in the city.

Otto Warmbier Sentenced to 15 Years of Hard Labor in North Korea

Diane A. Wade
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Otto Warmbier Sentenced to 15 Years of Hard Labor in North Korea

Otto Warmbier has been given 15 years hard labor in North Korea for crimes against the state.

The 21-year-old American student was arrested for trying to steal a propaganda sign from a hotel while visiting North Korea in January.

Otto Warmbier later appeared on state TV apparently confessing and saying a church group had asked him to bring back a “trophy” from his trip.

North Korea sometimes uses the detention of foreigners as a means of exerting pressure on its adversaries.

The 15-year sentence is high compared to those given to foreigners in the past.Otto Warmbier sentence North Korea

North Korean state news agency KCNA said Otto Warmbier was convicted under an article of the criminal code relating to subversion. The verdict was handed down by the Supreme Court.

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested on January 2 as he was trying to leave North Korea. He was accused of committing “hostile acts”.

KCNA said at the time he had gone to North Korea “to destroy the country’s unity” and that he had been “manipulated” by the US government.

At the end of February, at a tearful press conference in Pyongyang, Otto Warmbier said he had “committed the crime of taking down a political slogan from the staff holding area of the Yanggakdo International Hotel”.

“The aim of my task was to harm the motivation and work ethic of the Korean people. This was a very foolish aim,” Otto Warmbier was quoted as saying.

He said it was the “worst mistake” of his life.

The sentencing comes a day after veteran US diplomat Bill Richardson met North Korean officials at the UN in New York to try to push for Otto Warmbier’s release.

Bill Richardson has previously been involved in negotiations to secure the release of Americans from North Korea detention.

North Korea has ramped up its hostile rhetoric in recent weeks, after the UN imposed some of its toughest ever sanctions.

The sanctions were a response to North Korea conducting its fourth nuclear test and launching a satellite into space, which was seen as a covert test of banned missile technology.

Pyongyang has also been angered by the US and South Korea carrying out their annual military drills, which this year involve some 315,000 personnel.

Super Tuesday 2016: Donald Trump Loses to John Kasich in Ohio

Diane A. Wade
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Super Tuesday 2016: Donald Trump Loses to John Kasich in Ohio

Donald Trump has won a decisive victory in the key state of Florida but lost to John Kasich in Ohio.

In the Democratic field, Hillary Clinton extended her lead with wins in Florida, Ohio, Illinois and North Carolina.

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio dropped out of the Republican race after losing in his home state of Florida to Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has also won in Illinois and North Carolina.

The billionaire’s victories cause a headache for the Republican Party because many senior members are concerned by his policies and tone.Donald Trump loses Ohio primary

Donald Trump will need just over half of the hundreds of delegates remaining to win a majority in the Republican race and assure him of the nomination.

Five big states on Tuesday chose their preferred candidate for November’s presidential election.

The winners for both parties in Missouri are yet to be called with Hillary Clinton locked in tight competition with challenger Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump fighting Ted Cruz.

“We have to bring our party together,” Donald Trump said in Palm Beach, Florida, as the results came in on Tuesday evening.

However, John Kasich secured his first win in the Republican contest in the state of Ohio where he is governor.

In his victory speech, John Kasich said he wanted to create a “climate of opportunity” for future generations and praised the campaign of Marco Rubio.

Earlier Marco Rubio announced he was suspending his campaign on stage in Miami.

He said the US was in the middle of a “political storm”, and voters were angry and frustrated.

In Florida, Hillary Clinton gave an upbeat victory speech in which she chastised Donald Trump and said “Americans were hungry for solutions”.

She listed student debt, affordable childcare and inequality as issues she pledged to address.

Florida and Ohio are particularly important in the race for the Republican nomination because the winning candidate gets all of the delegates on offer – 99 in Florida and 66 in Ohio.

Those delegates go to the national convention in July where the presidential nominee will be chosen.

However, Donald Trump’s latest victories come amid increasing condemnation of his campaign within the Republican Party, and after a string of violent incidents at his rallies.

Some senior Republicans have said they would never support him, and on March 15 it emerged that a group of leading conservatives are planning ways of stopping Donald Trump from winning the Republican nomination – including rallying around a third-party candidate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmg-TMVYUcc

Indiana Jones 5 to Be Released in July 2019

Sonia Pantiss
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Indiana Jones 5 to Be Released in July 2019

A fifth Indiana Jones movie will be released in July 2019, The Walt Disney Company has announced.

The as-yet-untitled film will come 11 years after the most recent Indiana Jones movie, 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg are teaming up for the new movie.

They first worked together on Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, in 1981.Indiana Jones 5 release date

Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are to produce the new film.

In the first outing, archaeologist Indiana Jones raced around the world to find the Ark of the Covenant before it fell into the hands of the Nazis.

It was followed three years later by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade coming in 1989.

Harrison Ford, also known for his work as Han Solo in the Star Wars movies, will be 77 when the new installment arrives in cinemas.

The first four movies have made nearly $2 billion at the box office so far.

Mother Teresa to Be Declared Saint on September 4

Diane A. Wade
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Mother Teresa to Be Declared Saint on September 4

Mother Teresa is to be declared a saint on September 4, Pope Francis has announced.

The Roman Catholic nun who worked with the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) founded a sisterhood that runs 19 homes, and won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Teresa died in 1997 – aged 87 – and was beatified in 2003, the first step to sainthood.

Pope Francis cleared the way for sainthood last year when he recognized a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Born in 1910 to Albanian parents, Agnese Gonxha Bojaxhiu grew up in what is now the Macedonian capital, Skopje, but was then part of the Ottoman Empire.

At age of 19, Agnese Gonxha Bojaxhiu joined the Irish order of Loreto and in 1929 was sent to India, where she taught at a school in Darjeeling under the name of Therese.

In 1946, Mother Teresa moved to Kolkata to help the destitute and, after a decade, set up a hospice and a home for abandoned children.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The sisterhood now has 4,500 nuns worldwide.

Mother Teresa achieved worldwide acclaim for her work in Kolkata’s slums, but her critics accused her of pushing a hard-line Catholicism, mixing with dictators and accepting funds from them for her charity.

Five years after her death, Pope John Paul II accepted a first miracle attributed to Mother Teresa as authentic, clearing the way for her beatification in 2003.

Pope John Paul II judged that the curing of Bengali tribal woman Monica Besra from an abdominal tumor was the result of her supernatural intervention.

A Vatican commission found that her recovery had been a miracle after the Missionaries of Charity said that the woman had been cured by a photo of the nun being placed on her stomach. The finding was criticized as bogus by rationalist groups in Bengal.

In December 2015, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle, which involved the healing of a Brazilian man with several brain tumors in 2008. The man’s identity was not disclosed but the man was said to have been cured unexpectedly after his priest prayed for Mother Teresa’s intervention with God.

It often takes decades for people to reach sainthood after their death, but beatification was rushed through by Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis was known to be keen to complete the process during the Church’s Holy Year of Mercy which runs to November 2016.

Crazy Ways Computers Are Taking Over Our Life

Dana R
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Crazy Ways Computers Are Taking Over Our Life

The computer is an iconic piece of technology that revolutionised the world. Sometimes, we take it for granted and don’t realise how much has changed because of computers. Today, I look at some of the ways computers have changed and taken over our lives

Computers Are Making Us Work More Productively

The majority of people reading this will have a life dominated by work. Each day, you’ll wake up and travel to work, where you’ll stay for a fair few ours. Everyone that words has the same mantra; they want to get things done as quickly as possible. If you’re productive, then time goes faster, and you feel like you’ve accomplished more. Thankfully, computers have helped us become more productive people. All manner of work is made a lot easier thanks to computer technology. We can do things much faster than we used to be able to.

Before computers, it would take a couple of days to contact someone and write to a client. Now, we use emails that are sent instantly. Similarly, any reports would have to be written by hand. Whereas, now, you can type them up. It’s a lot quicker, meaning you can do more with your day. Productivity is immensely increased because of the emergence of computers in the last decade.

On this photo a computer mainboard manufactured by Gigabyte is visible. It features different sockets, connectors, coolers, heatpipes, the mainboard battery, DDR memory ram slots and the processor socket.

(Image Source: Pexels https://goo.gl/6k8fms)

Computers Are Helping Us Create Things

Back in the day, if you wanted something created, you had to do it with your two hands. This includes building structures, making parts for things, and everything in between. Nowadays, we have computers on hand to help us with this. There are loads of ways computers assist humans in creating and making things. If you look in any big factory, you’ll see a range of computer machinery and equipment. Things like CNC machinery, laser cutters, and 3D printers are all the rage these days. These things are all powered by computer technology and have been revolutionary. It makes it easier to create things and speeds up the creation process. You can use them to make parts for structures or create small models. There isn’t as much reliance on humans to make and produce things. Instead, there’s a massive dependency on computers and technology.

Computers Are Changing The Way We Shop

Computers have also made a huge impact on the way we shop and buy products. There used to be one way for you to purchase things. You’d go down to the shops, and buy the things you want. It could take a couple of hours walking around different shops and finding the things you wish to buy. However, thanks to computers, this has now changed. We can shop for things online and not have to leave our house. If you want to purchase something, you can go online and buy it within seconds. Then, you get it delivered to you. So, you don’t have to leave your house, you don’t have to travel anywhere, and a lot of time is saved. People do this all the time; it’s common practice in our lives today.

As you can see, computers have completely taken over our life. There are multiple things it has changed and altered the things that we do. In my eyes, our lives are dramatically improved thanks to the advancements in computer tech.

Russian Troops Start Leaving Syria

Roy Siemens
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Russian Troops Start Leaving Syria

Russian troops have started to withdraw from Syria after yesterday’s surprise announcement by President Vladimir Putin.

The first planes left Hmeimim air base in Syria on March 15, the Russian defense ministry said.

Western officials cautiously welcomed the move, saying Russian troops withdrawal could pressure Syria’s government to engage in talks.

Peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict are entering a second day.

Meanwhile, a UN commission will present a report on war crimes in Syria later.

The Russian force reduction was announced during a meeting between Vladimir Putin and his defense and foreign ministers.Russian forces leave Syria

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and his office sought to reject speculation there was a rift between the two countries, saying the move was mutually agreed.

The Russian air campaign started in September 2015, tipping the balance in favor of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory from rebels.

No details have been given on how many planes and troops would be withdrawn from the Hmeimim base, in Latakia province, or a deadline for completing the pullout.

“The first group of Russian planes has flown out of the Hmeimim air base for their permanent bases on the territory of the Russian Federation,” the defense ministry statement said.

Russian TV earlier showed aircraft being refueled and crates being loaded with equipment.

Aircraft from the base would make the flight to Russia – more than 3,000 miles – in small groups each led by Il-76 or Tu-154 transport planes, the ministry added.

They would then go their separate ways to their own bases after crossing the Russian border, it said.

Su-24 tactical bombers, Su-25 attack fighters, Su-34 strike fighters and helicopters were returning home, the TV said.

It is not clear how many military personnel Russia has deployed, but US estimates suggest the number ranges from 3,000 to 6,000, AP reports.

Vladimir Putin, however, said Hmeimim and Russia’s Mediterranean naval base at Tartus would continue to operate as normal.

Russia had long insisted its bombing campaign only targeted terrorist groups but Western powers had complained the raids hit political opponents of President Assad.

In a statement, the Syrian government said the plan was agreed between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria will present its report on war crimes committed by all sides in Syria’s war to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday in Geneva.

In a phone call, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama discussed the situation in Syria and the “next steps required to fully implement the cessation of hostilities” agreed last month, the White House said.

The Kremlin said both “called for an intensification of the process for a political settlement” to the conflict.

The Russian move has received a guarded welcome from Western diplomats and the Syrian opposition.

An unnamed US official quoted by Reuters said Washington was encouraged by the Russian move, but it was too early to say what it means or what was behind it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-s4_h3PHsE

Htin Kyaw Becomes Myanmar’s First Civilian President in More Than 50 Years

Diane A. Wade
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Htin Kyaw Becomes Myanmar’s First Civilian President in More Than 50 Years

Htin Kyaw has become Myanmar’s first civilian president after more than 50 years of military rule.

The parliament has elected Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.

Htin Kyaw said his appointment was “Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory”.

Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway.

Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with lawmakers erupting into applause when the result was announced.

“Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory. Thank you,” Htin Kyaw said after winning.

In second place was Myint Swe, who was nominated by the military and received 213 votes.

Photo AP
Photo AP

A close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe, Myint Swe is seen as a hardliner.

Myint Swe was followed by Htin Kyaw’s running mate and ethnic Chin candidate Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes.

They will serve as first vice-president and second vice-president respectively.

Myanmar’s president is chosen from candidates put forward by each of the two houses of parliament, in addition to a third nominee from the military.

Aung San Suu Kyi’ NLD has a huge majority in both houses of parliament, despite the military occupying 25% of seats, so the candidate it backed was all but guaranteed to win.

However, correspondents warn of increasing confrontation in parliament in the future as lawmakers push against an army determined to hold onto the powers it has under the constitution.

The army still controls key security ministries and also has the power to veto any changes to the constitution as that would require more than 75% of parliamentary votes.

Correspondents say that Htin Kyaw’s election is widely supported among the Burmese people, as he has a solid reputation and is known to be trusted by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Despite Aung San Suu Kyi’s popularity and prominence in Myanmar – also known as Burma – she could not take the presidency herself.

A clause in the constitution, widely seen as being tailored against Aung San Suu Kyi, says anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president. Her children hold British passports.

Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military of Myanmar to remove or suspend the clause to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to take office.

Aung San Suu Kyi has previously said that she would be “above the president” anyway, ruling through a proxy.

Anders Breivik Returns to Court with Nazi Salute

Nancy Clayson
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Anders Breivik Returns to Court with Nazi Salute

Anders Behring Breivik has given a Nazi salute upon his return to court to accuse the government of violating his human rights by holding him in isolation.

The Norwegian mass murderer has compared his conditions in prison to “torture”.

Anders Breivik, 37, killed 77 people in 2011 when he bombed central Oslo before going on a shooting spree at a Labour Youth camp on the island of Utoya.

The right-wing extremist was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 2012.

Entering the court in a grey suit shortly before 09:00 Anders Breivik shook hands with his lawyers. He made the salute after police removed his handcuffs.

Anders Breivik accuses the Norwegian government of breaching two clauses of the European Convention on Human Rights.

One of the clauses guarantees the right to respect for “private and family life” and “correspondence” and the other prohibits “inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

His lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, told AFP news agency that Anders Breivik had been “very stressed due to his isolation” in Skien prison, about 60 miles south-west of the capital Oslo.

“One of his main things to do (in prison) was to study and he has stopped that now, and I feel that is a sign that isolation has been negative to his psychological health,” he said.

Authorities say Anders Breivik’s correspondence is censored to stop him setting up an “extremist network”. His visits are almost all with professionals across a glass partition.

The attorney general’s office has insisted that Anders Breivik’s prison conditions are “well within the limits of what is permitted” under the convention.

The court hearing, which is being held in the gymnasium of Skien prison, is expected to run until Friday.

Anders Breivik is expected to testify on March 16.

If the court decides that Anders Breivik’s prison conditions are so strict that they cause him harm and violate his human rights, it could order an easing of restrictions.

In September 2015, Anders Breivik threatened to starve himself to death in protest at his treatment in prison.

His cell at Skien prison has a TV and computer but he has no access to the internet.

In a letter to media outlets in Norway and Sweden, Anders Breivik said he was kept in almost total isolation, with time outside his cell limited to one hour a day.

The mass murderer said the harsh prison conditions had forced him to drop out of a political science course at the University of Oslo.

Anders Breivik was first held at Ila Detention and Security Prison near Oslo before being moved to Skien in 2013.

At Ila, he also complained of being held in “inhumane” conditions.

In a letter to prison authorities, Anders Breivik said his cell was poorly decorated and had no view.

Anders Breivik also complained that his coffee was served cold, he did not have enough butter for his bread, and he was not allowed moisturizer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsE9HNNGCm8

ISIS Commander Omar Shishani Killed in US Airstrike in Syria

Roy Siemens
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ISIS Commander Omar Shishani Killed in US Airstrike in Syria

Senior ISIS commander Omar Shishani died from injuries sustained in a recent US air strike in north-eastern Syria, the Pentagon has confirmed.

Earlier reports had suggested Omar Shishani, a Georgian whose real name was Tarkhan Batirashvili, may have survived the attack on a convoy.

Several of his bodyguards were killed in the same bombing.ISIS commander Omar Shishani dead

The strike took place on March 4 near the north-eastern town of Shaddadi, where Omar Shishani had reportedly been sent to bolster local ISIS forces.

On March 13, monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the ISIS leader had been “clinically dead” for several days.

In 2015, the US offered a $5 million reward for Omar Shishani.

It said he had held numerous senior military positions within the group, including “minister of war”.

Last week, the observatory’s director, Rami Abdul Rahman, quoted sources saying that Shishani had been badly wounded and had been taken to a hospital in Raqqa province where he was treated by “a jihadist doctor of European origin”.

US officials have said they believe Omar Shishani was sent to the Shaddadi area to reinforce ISIS militants following a series of military defeats.

Shaddadi was captured last month by the Syrian Arab Coalition, an alliance of Arab rebel groups which joined forces with the Kurdish YPG militia to battle ISIS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4-uLG4M3Yo

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Accepts Ministerial Role in Dilma Rousseff’s Government

Diane A. Wade
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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Accepts Ministerial Role in Dilma Rousseff’s Government

Brazil’s ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accepted a key ministerial role in President Dilma Rousseff’s government, media reports say.

Members of the governing Workers’ Party say Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s appointment will strengthen Dilma Rousseff’s beleaguered administration.

In becoming a minister, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will also have some legal protection.

Last week, prosecutors requested the former leader arrest in a money laundering inquiry over a luxury sea-front penthouse.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has denied any wrongdoing and says the claims are politically motivated.Dilma Rousseff and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

The reports, quoting unnamed sources, said Dilma Rousseff and the former president would meet in Brasilia on March 15. There has been no official comment.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva handpicked Dilma Rousseff as a candidate to succeed him in 2010, and has not ruled out running again in 2018.

Dilma Rousseff has faced increasing calls for her removal as a result of a corruption scandal at the state oil company Petrobras and Brazil’s worst recession in decades.

On March 13, hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets calling for her to go. But the president has repeatedly said she will not resign.

Dilma Rousseff could, however, face an impeachment process in Congress, accused of masking the budget deficit, which she denies.

One of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s main tasks, the reports said, would be to negotiate with the main coalition partner in order to prevent an impeachment going ahead.

His appointment could also be seen as bringing some order to what many analysts consider a chaotic administration.

As a minister, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva could only be tried in the Supreme Court, placing him out of the reach of the judge in the southern city of Curitiba responsible for the Petrobras investigation.

Vladimir Putin Orders Russian Troops Withdrawal from Syria

Roy Siemens
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Vladimir Putin Orders Russian Troops Withdrawal from Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has surprisingly ordered his troops to start withdrawing the “main part” of its forces in Syria from March 15.

Vladimir Putin said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives.

The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict.

Russia is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad and his office said in a statement he had agreed to the move.

The pullout was “in accordance with the situation on the ground”, the statement said.

Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria in September 15, tipping the balance in favor of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory from rebels.Vladimir Putin orders Russian troops withdrawal from Syria

“I consider the mission set for the defense ministry and the armed forces on the whole has been accomplished,” Vladimir Putin said in a meeting at the Kremlin.

“I am therefore ordering the defense ministry to begin the withdrawal of the main part of our military force from the Syrian Arab Republic from tomorrow.”

Vladimir Putin said that Russia’s Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and its Mediterranean naval base at Tartus would continue to operate as normal. He said both must be protected “from land, air and sea”.

Syria’s opposition cautiously welcomed the Russian announcement.

“If there is seriousness in implementing the withdrawal, it will give the [peace] talks a positive push,” said Salim al-Muslat, spokesman for the opposition umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee.

The US also gave a guarded response.

“We will have to see exactly what Russia’s intentions are,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

Separately, US officials quoted by Reuters said Washington had received no advance warning of Vladimir Putin’s statement.

Speaking in October 2015, Vladimir Putin said Russia aimed to “stabilize the legitimate authority” of President Bashar al-Assad by intervening and “create conditions for a political compromise”.

Russia has long insisted its bombing campaign only targets terrorist groups but Western powers have complained the raids hit political opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rCwhYshgw8

Todd Palin Injured in Snowmobile Crash in Alaska

Nancy Clayson
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Todd Palin Injured in Snowmobile Crash in Alaska

Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, has been injured in a snowmobile crash in Alaska.

The former Republican vice-presidential candidate had canceled an appearance at a campaign event for Donald Trump in Florida.

However, Sarah Palin appeared at the event on March 14, citing “real life issues that happen” as a reason to back Donald Trump.

In January Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump in the race to be Republican presidential candidate.

A statement from the Trump campaign described the accident as “bad” and said Todd Palin was in hospital.

A former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin retired in favor of a media career, but remains an influential conservative voice.

Photo Facebook
Photo Facebook

On March, Republicans and Democrats vote in primaries in several states including Florida and Ohio.

Sarah Palin made appearances on Donald Trump’s behalf at two events on March 13.

“Governor Palin wishes her best to Mr. Trump in the upcoming primaries,” the Trump campaign said.

Sarah Palin wrote on her Facebook page: “Todd is our rock… toughest guy I know. Thank you for your prayers as he recovers following a snowmachine accident last night. You know, your prayers have meant so much to our family over the years and I’ve not thanked you enough for providing us that shield of faith. God bless you, too!

As any adventurous Alaskan knows, while you may be down, you’re never out. I remember Chris Kyle summed up Todd best – “He’s Rambo. Straight up Rambo!” On the cross country flights taking me back home now, I’m thinking of all of you, and sincerely appreciating your support.

It was an honor to be with so many patriotic Floridians the past two days; you remind me that when “life happens” and we face challenges as individuals and a nation, it’s the strength in unity and a strong faith that let us overcome. Stay strong! ??????

Love,
The Palins”

Eurozone Industrial Production Grows at Highest Rate since 2009

Clyde K. Valle
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Eurozone Industrial Production Grows at Highest Rate since 2009

Eurozone industrial output grew at its highest rate in more than six years during January 2016, driven by a sharp increase in output from Ireland.

Production rose by 2.1% across the 19-member euro area, reversing negative readings in December and November 2015.

It is the highest monthly rise since September 2009, when monthly output jumped 2.3%.Eurozone industrial production 2016

Ireland recorded the biggest increase in production, which rose 12.7% in January 2016 compared with December 2015.

Growth was also boosted by a sharp rise in capital goods, such as equipment and machinery, which are an indicator of future industrial investments.

However, while the rise was above expectations of a 1.7% month-on-month increase, analysts warned that growth might not be sustained at these levels.

In February, manufacturing activity was subdued within Germany and France, the eurozone’s biggest economies.

On an annual basis, industrial output rose by 2.8% compared with January 2015. It was the largest annual percentage increase since August 2011.

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