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Daraprim Case: Martin Shkreli Invokes Fifth Amendment during Congressional Hearing

Diane A. Wade
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Daraprim Case: Martin Shkreli Invokes Fifth Amendment during Congressional Hearing

Former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli refused to answer questions at a congressional hearing on the company’s drug pricing policy.

Martin Shkreli invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination, but sniggered through questions from representatives.

Congress is investigating Turing’s 5,000% price increase of Daraprim, a drug used by many AIDS patients.

Martin Shkreli asked Congress for immunity last month in return for his testimony.

The Federal Trade Commission is also investigating whether Turing violated anti-trust laws when it raised the price of Daraprim.

Turing purchased the patent to Daraprim for $50 million in July 2015, but the company and its former CEO rose to public attention in August when price of a single dose jumped from $13.50 to $750.

Politicians, including Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton criticized Turing for the increase. Hillary Clinton called Turing’s move “outrageous” and called it “price gouging”.

In response, Martin Shkreli said the media and politicians did not understand the pharmaceutical industry.

The industry’s main lobbying group, PhRMA, also spoke out against Turing’s actions. In a statement PhRMA said that Turing “does not represent the values of PhRMA member companies”.Martin Shkreli fifth amendment congressional hearing

Other members of the pharmaceutical industry, including the head of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, were also asked to testify.

Valeant increased the price of Isuprel, a drug used to treat slow heart rate by 500% and Nitropress used to treat hypertension by 200%.

After the hearing Martin Shkreli’s attorney told reporters that his client, a former hedge fund manager, was a “brilliant scientist who had saved many lives.”

Martin Shkreli who is active on social media had already tweeted he would not answer questions.

Before the hearing, Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings called Martin Shkreli’s decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination a “juvenile tactic”.

At the hearing, Representative Elijah Cummings said: “You can go down as the poster boy for greedy drug company executives, or you can change the system.”

After the hearing, Martin Shkreli returned to Twitter to call the members of Congress “imbeciles”.

Turing’s chief commercial officer Nancy Retzlaff did answer Congress’s questions.

Nancy Retzlaff told the House hearing that Turing acquired Daraprim because it was “priced far below its market value” and that the company planned to invest the profits from the price hike into research and development of new treatments.

Martin Shkreli stepped down as Turing CEO in December 2015 following his arrest on separate charges.

The Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission have charged Martin Sjkreli with defrauding investors at a company he previously ran and a hedge fund he managed.

Why you should buy your next vehicle online. . .

Dana R
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Why you should buy your next vehicle online. . .

Apps and internet is even making it possible to order vehicles online, just a few clicks away.

These days we’re all obsessed with buying online. Websites like Amazon have revolutionised the way we think when it comes to getting the stuff we need. Where we used to go down the high street or to our local store, now we log on and ‘add to cart’ from the comfort of our homes. Every market is undergoing a digital revolution – and no traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ business is safe, including in the automotive sector.

car

Recent research has demonstrated that as many as 31% of people under the age of 35 would now consider buying their next car online.The sands are shifting – and quickly. Across the pond, online dealerships have seen growth of 2.9% per year over the last 5 years and it looks like it might be a trend that’s about to hit even more countries.

Buying a car is a big life purchase. One thing that’s absolutely certain is that you want to have complete trust in whoever you’re buying from. Growing popularity of online-only retailers, across a huge number of markets, is showing that providing people have trust in the retailer, they’re more than prepared to buy on the web. In order to break into a market, e-commerce businesses have to counteract the barriers, such as a lack of face to face contact, that might impede potential customers trusting their model. In many sectors this is done with a range of guarantees, online communications and delivery options.

Carspring is a new site that brings the humble car used car dealership to web. The company has come up with an enticing package that genuinely shifts the dealership online and goes someway to allaying concerns their customers may have.

The great advantage of buying a car with Carspring is that prices are fixed at the going rate, rather than linked to sales targets – as is the case with most dealers. What’s more, their price includes more benefits than you might expect – all aimed at making customers feel more comfortable switching to an online purchase. This includes a 6 month AA Gold Warranty, a year’s AA breakdown cover and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, the company offers flexible finance, sorts out all the important paperwork and delivers their cars directly to their customers’ doors.

All of these benefits seem to indicate that the company has created a clearly structured process that ensures the customer can buy online in complete confidence. Those days of trawling around dealerships in the wind and rain are surely numbered. Just like most other markets, the future of buying a used vehicles will include sticking the kettle on, kicking off your shoes and logging online.

The Ultimate Guide to Helping a Relative Move to the US

Dana R
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The Ultimate Guide to Helping a Relative Move to the US

family

Image by Kevin Cramer 2012

Many people with citizenship or permanent resident status have family members outside the country. There are often situations when these people might like to bring their family to live closer. Eligibility for a Green Card allows for some people to petition on the basis of a family member who lives in the US. The method can be a fantastic way to reunite your family. The process of getting them into the country and helping with their new life can be complicated. If you have a family member who wants to move to the US, lending any help you can will be very welcome. You can support their application for permanent residency. And you can give them assistance with integrating once they arrive. Here are answers to some of the questions you might have.

Securing a Green Card

To gain permanent residency in the US, your family member needs to have a Green Card. Being the family member of a US citizen or of someone who permanently resides in the country is one way to apply for it. If you are an American citizen, or you have your own Green Card, you may be able to secure one for your family member. However, if you aren’t a citizen, your relatives won’t receive as a high a priority. There are different categories of priority when it comes to granting residency. First, there are immediate relatives; then there are four “family preference” categories. Immediate relatives are the spouse of a US citizen and their unmarried children under 21. They also include citizens’ parents and adopted orphans.

The four family preference categories are as follows:

  1. First preference: Unmarried children of a US citizen of any age.
  2. Second preference: spouses, minor children and unmarried adult children of permanent residents.
  3. Third preference: married children of US citizens and their spouses and minor children.
  4. Fourth preference: brothers and sisters of a US citizen and their spouse and minor children.

The application process to obtain a Green Card using this route can take a long time. Most families hire an immigration attorney to help them with the process. Doing this will make sure that everything is done above board. The paperwork can be confusing. So an attorney will ensure you don’t make any unfortunate mistakes.

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Image by Joseph Voves

Family Members Already in the Country

You might have a family member who is already legally residing in the US. If so, the process to get permanent residency is different. They need to apply for Adjustment of Status. This method allows them to apply for a Green Card without having to leave the country. For example, they might be on a temporary working visa. Things are slightly different. But it isn’t too far from applying for permanent residence when out of the country. You should still seek legal help to assist your family member with getting their Green Card.

Hiring an Immigration Lawyer

You should hire an immigration attorney. You should do this whether your family member is already in the country or has yet to arrive. Applying for permanent residency can take a while. And the application process involves a lot of paperwork. It can also be useful to find a lawyer if you’re not sure whether your relative can get permanent residency. They can look at their case and give you a better idea of whether they would be successful. It’s also useful if there are any factors that complicated things. For example, if your relative has a criminal record it can be harder to apply.

Visa Interview

One of the last things your relative needs to do to gain permanent residency is to have a visa interview. If you have a Green Card yourself or had one in the past, you will be familiar with how it works. Even if you haven’t done it yourself, you can help your relative with preparing for it. The person applying for residency needs to bring all the relevant documents. These include the documents they have already submitted. They also need proof of their relationship to you. If the applicant is your spouse, they will have to answer questions about your relationship. They will also ask about issues such as health and criminal history. Your relative can use an interpreter for the interview. They don’t have to be trained or qualified. However, it may not be allowed if you want to act as the interpreter.

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Image by David D

Arriving in the Country

If your relative isn’t already in the country, the final part of applying for residency is coming to the US. Arriving at their port of entry means they have to do a final interview. This will be with a Customs and Border Protection agent. Your family member already has permission to enter and remain in the country. But the agent needs to check. They will carry out an interview to ask various questions to verify that they are eligible to enter. These questions might cover issues such as illness, criminal history or any immigration violations.

Finding Housing

Of course, once your relative arrives in the country, they will need somewhere to live. They might live with you at first, but that won’t be ideal for everyone. If they’re your spouse or child, it’s likely they will stay with you for the foreseeable future. However, an adult child or a sibling might want to be more independent. You can help them to find housing. You can look for somewhere before they arrive, and help when they get there. If their English skills still need some work, you could go house hunting with them and act as an interpreter. You can also look for realtors who provide services in Spanish and other languages.

It’s also a good idea to look over their rental contract if they’re renting a home. Even hiring a lawyer could be a good move, to ensure that everything is in order. If they’re buying a home, the process is more complicated. They need the funds to purchase somewhere, and they might need assistance with everything. In many states, it isn’t standard to hire a lawyer because the realtor can help with legal issues. However, sometimes it’s a good idea.

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Image by Alan Cleaver

Helping Them Prepare for Work

Looking for work will be one of the first things someone will do when they get permanent residency. Of course, they might already have a job that they intend to take, or that they already work at. They may already live and work in the US. In which case, they won’t need to deal with this part of living in the country permanently. Your relative now has the right to work in the US, but they first need a social security number. This nine-digit number is essential for anyone who wants to get a job in the country. They should get a social security card with their name and number on it. They will need to apply for their social security card before they can start employment.

What If Your Family Member Can No Longer Work?

One of the reasons a social security number is necessary is to track your relative’s wages. As with US citizens, permanent residents can also receive social securities benefits. If they can’t work because of a disability, they may be able to get disability payments to support them. However, they must have been working in the US for a minimum of ten years. This will also make them eligible to receive other social security benefits. Any of their dependents will be able to benefit too. To receive disability benefits, your relative must have a particular condition. It needs to be on a specific list of disabilities, called the Blue Book. You can find a list of Social Security disabilities in Spanish and other languages. This makes it easier to understand the system. It’s particularly useful because understanding medical terms can be difficult.

Renewing a Green Card

A Green Card must be renewed every ten years. When the time comes for your family member to do this, they should start the process a good six months in advance. It can be done online or on paper, which makes it more convenient. By the time they have been in the country for a decade, they might not require much help from you. However, it’s always worth offering any help you can give.

Applying for US Citizenship

Your family member might decide that they want to apply to be a US citizen. They can do this after having permanent residency for five years. Not everyone wishes to choose this option. But those that do can do so after being a permanent resident for five years. They need to be able to speak, read and write in English. There are several other requirements. For example, they need to pass a US history test, which they will need to prepare for. They process can take a while, but you can support your relative in their aim.

Helping a family member move to America is a kind thing to do, but there can be a lot to sort out. Try to give them as much support as you can, but remember that they will need to do a lot of the work.

Matt LeBlanc Announced as Top Gear Presenter

Clyde K. Valle
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Matt LeBlanc Announced as Top Gear Presenter

Matt LeBlanc has joined Chris Evans as the co-presenter of Top Gear.

The motoring show will return to BBC Two in May.

The former Friends star will be Top Gear‘s first non-British host in its 39-year history.

Additional Top Gear cast members will be confirmed shortly, the BBC said.

Photo Top Gear
Photo Top Gear

“As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honored and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter,” said Matt LeBlanc.

“What a thrill!”

Matt LeBlanc, 48, is best known for his role as Joey Tribbiani in Friends and has more recently been seen, as himself, in BBC Two sitcom Episodes.

He has twice appeared on Top Gear on its popular “star in a reasonably priced car” segment and holds the record for the fastest ever celebrity lap.

Chris Evans was named as Top Gear‘s new host in 2015 after the BBC opted not to renew Jeremy Clarkson’s contract in the wake of his much-publicized “fracas” with a show producer.

Jeremy Clarkson subsequently signed up with streaming service Amazon Prime to present a new motoring show with Richard Hammond and James May, his former Top Gear co-presenters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LEWtwvma4o

Credit Suisse to Cut 4,000 Jobs after Reporting First Annual Loss Since 2008

Clyde K. Valle
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Credit Suisse to Cut 4,000 Jobs after Reporting First Annual Loss Since 2008

Credit Suisse is planning to cut 4,000 jobs after the bank made a pre-tax loss for the year of 2.4 billion Swiss francs ($2.4 billion), which was its first annual loss since 2008.

The bank said that included “substantial charges which are not reflective of our underlying business performance”.

Credit Suisse has written off 3.8 billion Swiss francs linked to its acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 2000.Credit Suisse job cut

It said it planned to save 900 million Swiss francs “from workforce strategy and the rightsizing of the bank’s London presence”.

The bank said that the job losses announced with the results were an acceleration of cuts that were already planned.

Credit Suisse’s shares fell 9% in early trading in Zurich to their lowest level since 1992, because of a gloomy outlook for the current year.

CEO Tidjane Thiam said: “Market conditions in January 2016 have remained challenging and we expect markets to remain volatile throughout the remainder of the first quarter of 2016 as macroeconomic issues persist.”

Shell Cuts 10,000 Jobs on Falling Profits

Clyde K. Valle
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Shell Cuts 10,000 Jobs on Falling Profits

Shell has confirmed it would cut 10,000 jobs after a sharp fall in its annual profits.

The Royal Dutch Shell shares rose 4% as it said it made $1.8 billion for Q4 of 2015, compared with a $4.2 billion profit for the same period the year before.

Full-year earnings have seen their steepest fall in 13 years, from $19 billion in 2014 to $3.8 billion in 2015.

Oil prices have fallen steadily, from more than $100 a barrel 18 months ago to around $30 a barrel now.

Nevertheless, Shell has maintained its dividend payout to shareholders, a move that relieved investors.

Oil companies and their suppliers have been cutting back hard on investment and jobs as the low price eats into profits and makes investment less worthwhile.

Shell’s rival, BP, announced a profits slump of 51% to $5.9bn for 2015 and a further 3,000 job cuts earlier this week.

Shell had already made clear when investors were preparing to vote on its planned takeover of BG that its profit figures for 2015 would be hit.

The company also said thousands of job would go, because of its takeover of BG.Shell job cut 2016

Royal Dutch Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said the company was entering a new phase: “The completion of the BG transaction, which we are expecting in a matter of weeks, marks the start of a new chapter in Shell, rejuvenating the company and improving shareholder returns.

“We are making substantial changes in the company… as we refocus Shell, and respond to lower oil prices. As we have previously indicated, this will include a reduction of some 10,000 staff and direct contractor positions in 2015-16 across both companies.”

Ben van Beurden added he would take further action if necessary: “Shell will take further impactful decisions to manage through the oil price downturn, should conditions warrant that.”

Some analysts question whether Shell can continue to keep paying investors at the rate it does on the back of a shrinking business.

At the time of the proposed BG tie-up, oil was trading at about $55 a barrel, but it is currently trading at about $35 a barrel, leading some shareholders to oppose the plan.

Standard Life, a key investor in Royal Dutch Shell, said last month that the price of oil needed to be $60 a barrel for the takeover to make financial sense, but in January, the majority of shareholders in Shell, which is Europe’s largest oil company, voted in favor of that deal.

Shell said it had cut operating costs over the year by $4 billion, or around 10%, and expected to cut costs by a further $3 billion in 2016.

The company also cut back hard on investment over the year, with capital spending slashed by $8.4 billion from a year ago to $28.9 billion.

Shell sold $5.5 billion worth of assets in the course of 2015 and is planning to sell another $30 billion of assets.

North Korea Ready for Long-Range Missile Launch

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea Ready for Long-Range Missile Launch

South Korea’s defense ministry and Japanese media say North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a long-range missile.

Activity has been spotted at a launch station on the North Korea’west coast of the isolated nation.

Earlier this week Pyongyang announced it was planning to launch a satellite at some point in February.

North Korea’s announcement was internationally condemned – critics saying it is a cover to test banned missile technology.

The isolated country also conducted its fourth nuclear bomb test on January 6.

UN sanctions against North Korea prohibit it from carrying out any nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

South Korean state news agency Yonhap quoted defense ministry officials on February 4 as saying activity had been spotted at a site in Dongchang-ri, where the Sohae launching station is located.North Korea long range missile

Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun also said South Korea’s military was ramping up its air defense readiness so it was ready to intercept any missile or debris falling in its territory. The South has already ordered certain commercial flights to divert their routes.

Japan’s national broadcaster NHK, citing unnamed officials, also reported similar news about activity at Dongchang-ri, and added that a mobile launcher carrying a ballistic missile had also been seen moving near the east coast.

Separately, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said in a statement reported by Yonhap that any long-range missile launch by the North “should never be condoned as it poses a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world”.

Park Geun-hye said the move was “a desperate measure” by the North to maintain its regime, and showed Pyongyang was not afraid of UN sanctions.

The US-based North Korean analysis website 38 North said recent satellite images show recent activity at Sohae suggesting launch preparations.

These include heightened activity at a building used to receive rocket stages, and a complex that appears ready to conduct engine tests.

North Korean state news agency KCNA reported on February 4 that the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea was holding a meeting among central and army committee members where they discussed how to “further strengthen” the party ahead of a rare political meeting scheduled for May.

Analysts say North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activity could be a build-up to the upcoming seventh party congress – the first to be held since 1980 – where leader Kim Jong-un is expected to show off the nuclear program.

Donald Trump’s Private Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Nashville

Nancy Clayson
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Donald Trump’s Private Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Nashville

Donald Trump’s jet made an emergency landing in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 3 because of engine trouble, officials said.

The Boeing 757 was flying to Little Rock, Arkansas, from New York when it landed at Nashville International Airport.Donald Trump private jet emergency landing

Donald Trump traveled the rest of the way in a small charter aircraft, a campaign spokeswoman said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Republican candidate’s plane landed safely at 4:40 PM after reporting engine problems.

The FAA will investigated the incident, it said.

Donald Trump Accuses Ted Cruz of Fraud and Calls for New Election in Iowa

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Accuses Ted Cruz of Fraud and Calls for New Election in Iowa

Donald Trump has called for a new Republican election in Iowa, accusing the winner, Ted Cruz, of fraud.

The billionaire pointed to the fact that during the caucus Ted Cruz’s campaign told voters rival Ben Carson planned to quit the race, which was not true.

The Cruz campaign apologized to Ben Carson, saying it was a misunderstanding.

Donald Trump came second in the first state-by-state contest to pick each party’s presidential nominee.

Next up is New Hampshire, where voters will make their choice in the Republican and Democratic races on February 9.

Donald Trump said: “Ted Cruz didn’t win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!”

Earlier, he wrote on Twitter that Ted Cruz “illegally” won the caucus, but later deleted the tweet.Donald Trump accuses Ted Cruz of fraud

Paul Pate, the top election official in Iowa, condemned Ted Cruz campaign leaflets sent out prior to voting that accused Iowans of “voting violations”.

The leaflets graded Iowans and their neighbors for how much they had voted in the past and told them to turn out to improve their scores.

Paul Pate said Ted Cruz’s leaflets “misrepresent Iowa election law” and that they were “not in keeping in the spirit of the Iowa caucuses,” but he stopped short of any official action.

Donald Trump’s reaction contrasts with his concession speech on February 1, which was seen as a humble departure from his usual bombastic style.

He called second place “a long-shot great finish” in an earlier tweet.

Ted Cruz’s camp is not taking the accusations too seriously.

“Reality just hit the reality star – he lost Iowa and now nobody is talking about him, so he’s popping off on Twitter,” Ted Cruz’s communications director Rick Tyler told Politico in an email.

“There are support groups for Twitter addiction, perhaps he should find his local chapter.”

There is no precedent for re-staging a caucus.

Ben Carson accepted Ted Cruz’s apology about the drop-out rumors, but his campaign called the tactics “dirty tricks”.

The remaining candidates are now in New Hampshire, the next state to hold a primary vote, where Donald Trump is leading in the polls.

Also on February 3, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum dropped out of the Republican race after disappointing finishes in Iowa.

White House 2016: Rand Paul Suspends Presidential Campaign

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2016: Rand Paul Suspends Presidential Campaign

Rand Paul has decided to drop out of the White House race after a disappointing fifth place finish in the Iowa caucuses.

The Kentucky senator often clashed with his Republican rivals over their hawkish views on foreign policy and their support of government surveillance.

Rand Paul ended his bid in part to focus on his re-election to the Senate.

He is seen as representing the Libertarian wing of the party, which promotes individual rights and privacy.

“Across the country thousands upon thousands of people flocked to our message of limited government, privacy, criminal justice reform and a reasonable foreign policy,” he said.

“Although, today I will suspend my campaign for president, the fight is far from over.”Rand Paul suspends presidential campaign

Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist, represents Kentucky in the Senate and is the son of former Congressman Ron Paul, who ran for president several times.

He has said in the past he is the right candidate to “stand up to both the right and the left”.

In 2015, a Time magazine cover labeled Rand Paul “the most interesting man in politics”.

There are now 10 Republicans left in the White House race, down from the original 17.

Rand Paul, 52, hoped to gain the attention of young people hoping for change but was ultimately overshadowed by billionaire businessman Donald Trump.

He is known for holding up the Senate floor for nearly 13 hours to delay the nomination of John Brennan as CIA director because of his opposition to the Obama administration’s use of drone strikes against terrorists.

He also was criticized last year when he said vaccines could give children “profound mental disorders”. He later said his children are immunized.

Rand Paul was passionate about criminal justice reform, saying the US needs to “break the cycle of incarceration for non-violent ex-offenders”.

He was praised for level-headed debate performances, but ultimately was hurt by his non-interventionist polices after terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California and Paris.

Rand Paul had trouble raising money for his campaign, as well, not attracting wealthy donors flocking to candidates like Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz.

With such a large field of candidates, underperforming Republican candidates are under increasing pressure to drop out of the race.

Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee dropped out on February 2 as votes were being cast in Iowa.

Nkandla Scandal: Jacob Zuma to Pay for Mansion Upgrade

Diane A. Wade
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Nkandla Scandal: Jacob Zuma to Pay for Mansion Upgrade

South African President Jacob Zuma will repay some of the $23 million the government controversially spent on upgrading his private rural home in Nkandla.

In 2014, a report by the public protector said Jacob Zuma had “benefited unduly” from the upgrades.

President Jacob Zuma said the auditor-general and finance minister should determine how much he should repay to end the dispute.

The announcement comes a week before a constitutional hearing on the matter.

The refurbishment of the residence in the village of Nkandla, in Jacob Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, has turned into a major political controversy in South Africa.Jacob Zuma Nkandla upgrade

Some of the money was spent on building an amphitheatre, swimming pool, and cattle enclosure.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who have called for a corruption investigation, say they are pressing ahead with their court case regardless of the president’s latest offer.

Following Jacob Zuma’s announcement #PayBackThemoney is trending in South Africa – this was the phrase EFF lawmakers chanted at the president in parliament in 2015.

Many commentators seem skeptical.

Jacob Zuma’s delayed willingness to pay back the money spent on the upgrades to his Nkandla residence could be a calculated move to avoid embarrassment at the Constitutional Court hearing expected next week.

It could also be linked to the forthcoming local government election.

The Nkandla scandal has been a sore point for the governing African National Congress (ANC) which president Jacob Zuma leads, especially as the party faithful go out to campaign for votes.

Ford Europe Cuts Jobs to Save $200 Million

Clyde K. Valle
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Ford Europe Cuts Jobs to Save $200 Million

Ford has announced it is cutting jobs and save $200 million a year in Europe.

The US car giant said it was launching a voluntary redundancy program and improving manufacturing efficiencies.

The company also said it would focus on its most profitable models, such as sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

Ford Europe returned to profit for the first time in four years in 2015, as the parent group recorded record profits of $10.8 billion.Ford Europe job cut

This represented a “good first step”, said Ford Europe executive vice-president Jim Farley.

“We are absolutely committed to accelerating our transformation, taking the necessary actions to create a vibrant business that is solidly profitable in both good times and down cycles.”

The jobs are likely to go at Ford’s main European centers in the UK and Germany.

Ford also said it would be launching seven new or redesigned vehicles this year, including a Focus RS and new Kuga and Edge SUVs.

Ford Europe has closed a number of plants as it struggles to turn around heavy losses. Last year, the company made an operating profit of $259 million in Europe, compared with a loss of $598 million in 2014.

Brandon Astor Jones: Georgia Executes Its Oldest Death Row Inmate

Diane A. Wade
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Brandon Astor Jones: Georgia Executes Its Oldest Death Row Inmate

Georgia has executed its oldest death row inmate, 72-year-old Brandon Astor Jones.

The man was sentenced to the death penalty 36 years ago, after being convicted of killing a shop manager during a robbery.

Brandon Astor Jones’ execution was delayed by several hours after his lawyers filed a last-minute appeal with the Supreme Court.

Georgia has executed about 60 people since 1976, and has dozens of people on death row.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Brandon Astor Jones was given a lethal injection in the early hours of February 3 at a prison in Jackson, after accepting a final prayer.

He and another man, Van Roosevelt Solomon, were both convicted of the killing of store manager Roger Tackett during a robbery in 1979. Van Roosevelt Solomon was executed in 1985.

Brandon Astor Jones’ supporters argued that he had denied shooting Roger Tackett, and that the court had not considered evidence of mental illness and abuse as a child.

In a statement issued before his execution, the Death Penalty Information Center said Brandon Astor Jones was “two weeks short of his 73rd birthday” and that his case “raises questions of proportionality and discriminatory application of the death penalty”.

A federal judge had overturned Brandon Jones’ death sentence in 1989, saying that the jurors had improperly brought a Bible into the deliberation room, which could have influenced their decision.

Brandon Astor Jones was re-sentenced to death in 1997.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPUwH16TdS0

South Korea Warns North Korea over Satellite Launch

Diane A. Wade
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South Korea Warns North Korea over Satellite Launch

South Korea warns North Korea it will “pay a harsh price” if it goes ahead with its plan to launch a satellite into space.

North Korea announced on February 2 it intended to carry out the launch between February 8 and 25.

Critics say it is a cover for a test of ballistic missile technology.

Japan’s defense minister said he had issued an order to shoot down any missile that threatened to fall on Japanese territory.

The US has said any North Korean launch would be an “egregious violation” of a UN ban on missile launches by North Korea, and called for more sanctions.

North Korea has always said its space program is peaceful, but it is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The communist country also conducted its fourth nuclear bomb test on January 6, drawing international condemnation.North Korea satellite launch reactions

Cho Tae-yang, a senior South Korean presidential official, said on February 3 that the satellite plan was considered a “direct challenge to the international community”.

“We warn that if North Korea proceeds with a long-range missile launch, the international society will ensure that the North pays searing consequences for it as the launch would constitute a grave threat to the Korean Peninsula, the region and the world,” he said.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said the launch plan was a “serious provocation” and that he would work with other countries to “strongly demand” North Korea to stop.

China’s top nuclear envoy Wu Dawei, is currently visiting Pyongyang. A Chinese foreign ministry official told the South Korea news agency Yonhap that he planned to discuss the situation with officials there.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on February 2 that it had been notified of Pyongyang’s plans to launch a satellite.

However, North Korean media do not appear to have reported on the DPRK’s letter to the UN maritime agency so far.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Russel said the planned launch argued “even more strongly” for tougher UN sanctions.

Analysts say a new launch would allow North Korea to test some – but not all – of the technology needed for a long-range nuclear strike.

US officials had said last week that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a rocket launch, citing increased activity around the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, also known as Tongchang-ri.

Analysts say that the recent activity could be a build-up to the seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea due to be held in coming months, the first to be held since 1980, where leader Kim Jong-un is expected to show off North Korea’s nuclear program.

North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in December 2012 successfully putting into orbit an object Pyongyang claimed was a communications satellite with the three-stage Unha-3 carrier.

The UN Security Council subsequently called it a “clear violation” of resolutions banning North Korea from missiles tests, and imposed sanctions.

California Methane Leak: SoCal Gas Sued for Safety Violations

Diane A. Wade
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California Methane Leak: SoCal Gas Sued for Safety Violations

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has filed a lawsuit against the Southern California Gas Company, which is responsible for a huge gas leak near Los Angeles.

The charges allege that the SoCal Gas violated health and safety laws by failing to report and contain leaking methane.

Kamala Harris said the impact had been devastating to families in the area.

The leak in Porter Ranch began on October 23 and has forced more than 13,000 people from their homes.

It has been blamed for a variety of health issues and has been described by environmental campaigner Erin Brockovich as the worst environmental disaster in the US since 2010.California gas leak lawsuit

SoCal Gas spokesman Mike Mizrahi has repeatedly insisted that his company complied with all relevant state and federal regulations in the run-up to the leak.

The company has promised that it will be plugged by the end of February and the single well in question, a depleted oil field known as SS-25, will be taken out of use.

The use of old oil and gas wells for storing natural gas is relatively common in the US, according to industry bodies.

However, the state government says that SocCal is entirely to blame for the incident.

“The impact of this unprecedented gas leak is devastating to families in our state, our environment and our efforts to combat global warming,” Kamala Harris said in a statement.

“Southern California Gas Company must be held accountable.”

The lawsuit filed by the attorney general seeks unspecified civil penalties and emulates similar legal moves taken in December by the Los Angeles city attorney.

The leak has been described as the biggest in California’s history, forcing nearly 4,500 families living in the upmarket Porter Ranch area to relocate. About 1,200 more households are in the process of following them.

Repeated efforts to stop the leak by pouring liquid and mud down the stricken well have been unsuccessful. SoCal is now drilling a relief well to seal the damaged well.

Erin Brockovich has described the leak as a “BP oil spill on land”, comparing it to the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico six years ago, in which 11 people died.

The effect of the leak on human health is contested.

SoCal Gas insists there is no evidence that it poses a long-term risk but some scientists say there are not enough data for them to be sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vri5_F_5WnQ

Yahoo Cuts 15% of Its Workforce to Return to Profitability

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Yahoo Cuts 15% of Its Workforce to Return to Profitability

Yahoo has announced its plans to cut 15% of its workforce as the company pursues an “aggressive strategic plan” to return to profitability.

The company says the job cuts will reduce the number of its employees to about 9,000 by the end of 2016.

Yahoo’s announcement came as the company reported a $4.3 billion loss for 2015.

In a statement, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said: “This is a strong plan calling for bold shifts in products and in resources.”

Marissa Mayer added that it would “dramatically brighten our future and improve our competitiveness and attractiveness to users, advertisers, and partners”.

The head-count reduction is the latest part of Marissa Mayer’s attempt to turn around Yahoo, which is struggling to compete against the likes of Facebook and Google.

In December, Yahoo announced it was reversing a plan to sell its stake in the Chinese e-commerce site Alibaba, and would instead look to spin off its core internet business.Yahoo job cut 2016

Marissa Mayer was forced to change course on the Alibaba sale following pressure from several activist investors.

The focus on cutting costs and raising profits is being seen as the latest sign that Yahoo is becoming more serious about selling its core internet business.

As well as shedding much of its workforce, Yahoo plans to sell off some of its product lines – such as Yahoo TV and Yahoo Games – so that it can focus on its search business, email and Tumblr blogging site.

Yahoo is also closing offices in Dubai, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Madrid, and Milan.

That should lead to “modest and accelerating growth in 2017 and 2018,” the company said.

Yahoo has estimated the cutting back of its product line alone could generate $1 billion.

Marissa Mayer has been under pressure from investors to step down as chief executive.

Yahoo’s shares fell 1.4% in after hours of trading.

White House 2016: Candidates Move to New Hampshire for Next Vote

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2016: Candidates Move to New Hampshire for Next Vote

Republican and Democrat presidential hopefuls have arrived in New Hampshire ahead of the next vote.

Iowa caucuses on February 2 were won by Senator Ted Cruz for the Republicans and Hillary Clinton for the Democrats.

Ted Cruz prevailed despite trailing in opinion polls while Hillary Clinton beat Senator Bernie Sanders by just 0.2%.

New Hampshire is seen as a quite different challenge for the parties.

The state’s more moderate and less religious electorate may prove a tougher nut for Ted Cruz to crack in the primaries it is due to hold on February 9.

Long-time frontrunner Donald Trump is expected to do much better than in Iowa, which held the nation’s first vote.

On the Democrat side, Bernie Sanders is seen as having a home advantage in New Hampshire over Hillary Clinton, being a senator of the neighboring state of Vermont.New Hampshire vote 2016

The state-by-state voting will culminate in conventions in July, at which the two parties will confirm their choice of candidate to succeed Barack Obama, the Democratic president who is standing down after two terms in office.

Even before Hillary Clinton’s narrow victory was announced officially, Bernie Sanders was up at 05:00 and aboard a flatbed lorry, being greeted by supporters in the New Hampshire town of Bow.

Telling the crowd that his campaign had “astounded the world” in Iowa, Bernie Sanders promised it would “astound the world again” in New Hampshire.

Hillary Clinton is due to address a crowd at a sports stadium in Nashua.

Final results show Hillary Clinton took 49.8% in Iowa to Bernie Sanders’ 49.6%.

Ted Cruz took 26% of the Republican vote to 23% for Donald Trump, but Senator Marco Rubio finished a surprisingly strong third, just slightly behind.

The Texas senator declared his win a “victory for courageous conservatives”.

Many mainstream Republicans favor Marco Rubio, fearful that Ted Cruz and Donald Trump may alienate voters with their combative style.

North Korea Announces Plans to Launch Satellite

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea Announces Plans to Launch Satellite

According to the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), North Korea has announced plans to launch a satellite later this month.

The IMO says it has been notified of Pyongyang’s plans to launch a satellite between February 8 and 25.

It comes after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test on January 6, drawing international condemnation.

Critics have called North Korea’s last satellite launch a cover for a test of ballistic missile technology.North Korea satellite launch 2016

Last week, US officials said that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a rocket launch, citing increased activity around the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, also known as Tongchang-ri.

North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in December 2012, successfully putting into orbit an object Pyongyang claimed was a communications satellite with the three-stage Unha-3 carrier.

However, the UN Security Council subsequently said that the launch was “a clear violation” of resolutions banning North Korea from missiles tests, and imposed new sanctions.

North Korea has said its space program is peaceful, but it is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could strike the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmere8OVOAA

Iowa Caucus 2016: Hillary Clinton Wins Democratic Race

Diane A. Wade
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Iowa Caucus 2016: Hillary Clinton Wins Democratic Race

Hillary Clinton has won the Democratic Iowa caucuses beating Bernie Sanders with only 0.2% of the votes, the final results have shown.

The Democratic Iowa results page has just updated to show 100% of districts now accounted for:

  • Hillary Clinton 49.8%
  • Bernie Sanders 49.6%
  • Martin O’Malley 0.5%Hillary Clinton Iowa caucus

According to SMG Delta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign and supporters spent $9.4 million on Iowa caucus while her fellow Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders’ campaign spent only $7.4 million.

Ramzan Kadyrov Lashes out at Instagram after Sniper Video Removal

Diane A. Wade
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Ramzan Kadyrov Lashes out at Instagram after Sniper Video Removal

Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Instagram of bowing to US pressure after the social network removed a video he posted showing Russian opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov in a sniper’s gunsights.

Instagram said the video posted by the Chechen leader had “violated the requirement to respect other members” of the social network.

In a new Instagram post, Ramzan Kadyrov said he had been punished for saying “a few words about the USA’s guard dogs”.

Ramzan Kadyrov’s video showed former Russian PM Mikhail Kasyanov as a sniper’s target.

Mikhail Kasyanov is a high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the opposition RPR-Parnas party.

Ramzan Kadyrov has recently called Vladimir Putin’s critics “enemies” and “traitors”.

Photo Instagram
Photo Instagram

In his latest post on Instagram, Ramazan Kadyrov said: “Here it is, the much-acclaimed freedom of speech, American style!

“You can write anything you want, but do not touch America’s dogs, friends of the Department of State and Congress. You know very well whom I am talking about!”

Mikhail Kasyanov and other Russian opposition politicians described the sniper video as a murder threat.

In March 2015, Ramzan Kadyrov spoke out on Instagram about the assassination of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, defending one of the Chechens charged over the shooting.

A day later, President Vladimir Putin gave the Chechen leader a top award.

Boris Nemtsov is among several well-known opponents of Vladimir Putin who have been murdered in the past decade.

Ramzan Kadyrov runs Chechnya with an iron fist – his private militia has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and assassination.

He has close ties to Vladimir Putin, who encouraged him to stamp out a separatist insurgency in Chechnya.

Thousands of civilians died in the North Caucasus republic when Russian troops fought the rebels there in the 1990s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbe0IHWUDg0

How To Raise Funds For Your Small Business

Dana R
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How To Raise Funds For Your Small Business

businessFlickr

Money, as they say, makes the world go round. And, without it, your small business is going to struggle to make an impact. There are countless things you can do to raise money for turning your idea into a genuine business, or achieving the growth you need. Some are obvious – a bank loan, for example,  and others take a little more ingenuity. In this guide, we’re going to take you through some of the best ways to fund your new business of growth. Take a look and see if you can find the right solution for your company.

One effective way is to guarantee funding through a secured line of credit. By offering collateral such as equipment, real estate, or accounts receivable, small businesses can access a line of credit with favorable terms and larger credit limits, providing financial flexibility for their growth and operational needs. A secured line of credit offers a reliable and secure financing option to help your business thrive and achieve its goals.

Family investment

After the last financial crisis, there has been more business looking for other ways of raising funding. One of the most popular methods is a family loan. Let’s say that you have a relative who has a significant amount of savings that they have built up over their life. If it’s just sitting there earning a negligible amount of interest, then you could give them a much better return. And, with interest rates still low enough to irritate the life out of savers, it’s a good time to think about it. You will need to convince your relatives that you are a safe pair of hands and that you have a viable route to success. But, in many cases, the interest you agree on will be much lower than it would be for a bank loan.

The bank

Bank loans have become harder to get in recent years – again, thanks to the financial crisis of 2009. However, it’s worth investigating while interest rates are so low. The trick is to give yourself the best possible chance of acceptance. Make sure your business plan is watertight and exciting enough for the lender to see your potential. Be honest with your numbers, and also, ensure that you have plenty of experience in the industry. For example, you are more likely to find acceptance with trucking company loans if you have experience in a management position. You’ll also need to sharpen up your credit history – or find a partner with a whiter-than-white record.

Private investors

Private investors can be a godsend to entrepreneurs although you will have to give up a significant amount of control of your business. Again, you need a robust business plan – only this time, the focus should be on an exit strategy. No angel investor is going to take a punt on you if they think you will just be around for the next 20 years making a little money here and there. They want to see a lot of growth, and a chance to cash in somewhere between 5-10 years.

Crowdfunding

Finally, if you have a product idea that will go down well with a mainstream audience, then crowdfunding could be the perfect solution. Head over to Kickstarter.com to find out how to get started. One thing to remember is that this will give you a lot of exposure, but it won’t fund your business. Crowdfunding tends to concentrate on product ideas, and the money you raise needs to be put towards delivering that product.

A Few Things You Should Know About CFD Trading

Dana R
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A Few Things You Should Know About CFD Trading

The global financial crisis has resulted in many changes on different markets. For instance, as you probably remember, many large banking organizations have collapsed and their collapse had serious consequences on the financial sector. Numerous elements of this sector that were “reserved” for the big players became available to the ordinary people and on top of that, they don’t have to leave their homes in order to get involved in this activity. Almost every type of trading is now available on the Internet. The financial industry has followed the process of digitalization just like most industries.

Today, any individual with a computer or a laptop and access to the Internet can start trading no matter where they are. Even though there are many different types of trading, the fact is that CFD trading is among the most popular ones. The reason is simple – any person that is willing to learn more about this market and procedure can earn a good amount of money in a relatively short period of time. In addition, if you are able to leave emotions out of this activity the success is almost guaranteed.

On top of that, there are many great companies offering CFD trading like CMC markets that will help you with this process. Now let’s see how you can get the most from this activity.

If we compare contracts for difference or CFD traders to any other type of traders we will notice that CFD traders don’t have to possess some special talents or skills. The things that are important for their success are good training, realistic goals, motivation and having everything under control.

Keep in mind that this financial sector is constantly changing and there are some rapid movements of huge amounts of money that are transferred from one account to another on a daily basis. Obviously, this means that there is a good chance to make good profit from these transactions, but chances are that you will lose huge amounts of money too.

However, this is only possible if you are not sticking to your plan and strategy. This is the reason why so many experts say that good training and preparing goals and plans is crucial before you even start with this activity. There are a huge number of people who think that reading a few articles on the Internet will make them a successful CFD trader, but this is wrong. You should never invest any money on a market that you don’t understand completely. Take some time to check specialized training blogs and sites where you will learn how to trade and how to monitor and analyze the future movements of CFD markets.

It is also a good idea to join forums and discussion boards or any other platform where you can discuss and get tips from CFD traders that have experience and success. The good news is that there are many traders like this who are willing to share their experience.

Finally, it is also a good idea to try the demo account from CFD trading platforms. The most successful CFD trading service providers offer free demo accounts for their users. This is excellent for beginner users because they can see how the trading works without investing real money.

WhatsApp Reaches Milestone of One Billion Active Users Monthly

Nancy Clayson
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WhatsApp Reaches Milestone of One Billion Active Users Monthly

WhatsApp has reached the milestone of one billion active users every month, Facebook has reported.

That’s nearly one in seven people on Earth now use WhatsApp.

The mobile messaging service now outperforms Facebook’s own Messenger mobile app, which has 800 million monthly users.WhatsApp one billion users

Facebook said 42 billion messages and 250 million videos were sent over WhatsApp daily.

Whatsapp was founded in 2009, and it was acquired by Facebook in February 2014, for approximately $19 billion.

The WhatsApp community has more than doubled since joining Facebook. The app waived its annual subscription fee because it has not worked well.

There are only a few services that connect more than a billion people. Google’s Gmail, Android, Chrome, YouTube, Maps, Search and Google Play each have more than a billion monthly active users.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CofZ30drSWw

Asian Stock Markets Trade Lower as Oil Prices Fall Again

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Asian Stock Markets Trade Lower as Oil Prices Fall Again

Asian stock markets were trading largely lower on February 2 following a lackluster lead from the US overnight and as oil prices fell again.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed down 0.64% at 17,750.68 points.

Tokyo’s benchmark index closed up nearly 2% on February 1, its highest close since early January, after a surprise move by the Bank of Japan cut rates to -0.1%.

In Australia, energy-related stocks weighed on the market, hurt by oil price worries.

Australia’s benchmark ASX 200 shed 1%, dragged down by shares in energy giants including BHP, Woodside and Santos.Asian stock markets decline February 2016

Investors also reacted to a move by ratings agency S&P to lower its rating for BHP to “A” from “A+” due to falls in commodity prices, among other issues.

Shares in Woodside closed down 3.2%, Santos lost 4.26%, and BHP ended the trading day down 2.16%.

As widely expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia kept its rates on hold on February 2 at a record low of 2%, where they have been since May 2015.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 0.81% at 19,441.95 in afternoon trade, while the Shanghai Composite was bucking the regional trend to be up 1.93% to 2,741.39.

South Korea’s Kospi index closed down 1% to 1,906.60, in line with the rest of the region.

Mario Woods Death: San Francisco Police Department under Investigation

Nancy Clayson
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Mario Woods Death: San Francisco Police Department under Investigation

The San Francisco Police Department will be investigated over Mario Woods’ death, eight weeks after the fatal shooting of the 26-year-old black man provoked fury in the city, the Department of Justice has announced.

The review follows pressure from civil rights groups to investigate the death of Mario Woods at the hands of police.

Mario Woods’ shooting in a hail of bullets in December sparked widespread outrage.

The San Fran PD is the latest force to face attention over fatalities involving African-Americans.

However, the review will only provide recommendations, not court-enforceable reforms.Mario Woods San Francisco shooting

“We will examine the San Francisco Police Department’s current operational policies, training practices and accountability systems, and help identify key areas for improvement,” US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement.

When the review is completed the Justice Department will give San Francisco police a list of procedures it can follow to insure more fairness in its dealings with citizens.

Local residents and citizen groups had been calling for the federal government to examine video footage of San Francisco police gunning down Mario Woods, who was suspected of carrying a knife.

Videos of his death under intensive fire went viral in December.

San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee wrote to Loretta Lynch asking her to launch an investigation in the interests of openness and maintaining good relations between police and the city’s population.

Police in cities throughout the US have been subjected to intense scrutiny for using excessive and lethal force against suspects, many of them black.

Other American police departments such as Baltimore have asked the Justice Department to conduct similar inquiries following allegations of discrimination.

In Baltimore’s case a review of police practice was already under way when black detainee Freddie Gray was killed in April.

Freddie Gray’s death quickly became a flashpoint in a national debate over police use of force – especially against black men.

Protests raged for several days and at one point turned violent, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency and to deploy National Guard troops across the city of 620,000 people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etq_1xGgYQM

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