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Donald Trump Signs GOP Loyalty Pledge

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Signs GOP Loyalty Pledge

Donald Trump has signed a GOP loyalty pledge agreeing not to run as an independent candidate if he loses the Republican nomination for the 2016 elections.

The presidential hopeful said on September 3: “I will be totally pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party and the conservative principles for which it stands.”

Donald Trump had earlier refused to rule it out.

The billionaire business mogul, who has been soaring in the polls, has come under pressure in recent weeks from the Republican Party to sign the pledge.

Donald Trump’s announcement will be seen as a victory for the party, who may have seen a split in its support and given the Democrats a boost had Trump pressed ahead as an independent candidate.

He said he had received nothing for signing the loyalty pledge, aside from the assurance that he would be treated fairly in the race.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Donald Trump was booed by audience members during the Republican presidential debate last month after he refused to rule out a third-party run. He was the only candidate not to commit to back the winner of the party’s primaries.

The Republican Party National Committee has since sought a loyalty pledge from each of its presidential hopefuls, in what is believed to be a first for the party.

“The best way forward… to win, is if I win the nomination and go direct against whoever (the Democrats) happen to put up. So for that reason, I have signed the pledge,” Donald Trump told reporters gathered at his campaign headquarters in New York’s Trump Tower.

“I see no circumstances under which I would tear up that pledge,” he added.

The Republican Party pledge asks presidential candidates to “endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is”.

Donald Trump has come under attack from his rivals in the race who have questioned his conservative credentials and liberal leanings in the past.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said on September 3 Donald Trump’s views on illegal immigration were “too pessimistic”, despite vowing to support his rival if he won the party race.

Some of the measures Donald Trump has outlined to combat illegal immigration include raising visa fees to pay for a wall along the Mexican border and ending the automatic right to citizenship for US-born children of families living illegally in America.

The latest poll by Monmouth University puts Donald Trump way ahead with support from 30% of Republicans, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson running a distant second with 18%.

The rest of the Republican pack is trailing far behind, with Jeb Bush currently tied with Texas senator Ted Cruz at 8%.

MH370 Crash: Reunion Flaperon Belongs to Missing Plane, Say French Prosecutors

Diane A. Wade
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MH370 Crash: Reunion Flaperon Belongs to Missing Plane, Say French Prosecutors

According to French prosecutors, the plane wing debris found on Reunion Island in July certainly came from Malaysia Airlines missing flight MH370.

The wing section, known as a flaperon, had been examined in France by international aviation experts.

French authorities launched searches on and around Reunion for more debris but none was found.

MH370 flight carrying 239 people veered off its course from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014.

The Malaysian government had previously said it believed that the flaperon belonged to MH370.MH370 flaperon reunion

French investigators had until now been more cautious on the provenance of the debris.

However, on September 3 they said a technician from Airbus Defense and Space (ADS-SAU) in Spain, which had made the part for Boeing, had formally identified one of three numbers found on the flaperon as being the same as the serial number on MH370.

The magistrate charged with conducting the investigation and an aviation expert had gone to ADS-SAU headquarters on September 3.

The families of those aboard – who were mostly Chinese – have been angered by the apparent discrepancies in statements by French and Malaysian officials, and have accused the authorities of hiding the truth.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been co-ordinating the deep-sea search in the southern Indian Ocean, where the plane is believed to have gone down, thousands of miles east of Reunion.

Australia’s PM Tony Abbott has said that the search would continue as “we owe it to the hundreds of millions of people who use our skies”.

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

Japan Stock Market Closes Higher for First Time in Four Days

Clyde K. Valle
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Japan Stock Market Closes Higher for First Time in Four Days

Japan stock market closed higher for the first time in four days, spurred by a rally on Wall Street.

US shares snapped a two-day losing streak overnight, rebounding from Tuesday’s steep losses as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones rose nearly 2%.

An upward revision in US productivity data ahead of the jobs report on September 4 boosted sentiment among investors rattled by slowing growth in China.

Photo AFP/Getty Images
Photo AFP/Getty Images

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.5% to 18,182.39 – leading Asian gains.

Chinese markets are closed on September 3 and 4 for a holiday to commemorate the end of World War II.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index ended down 1.3% at 5,035.70. Shares in department store operator Myer Holdings dived 24% after it announced plans to raise 221 million Australian dollars ($154 million) through a rights issue.

In South Korea, shares closed flat after revised second quarter growth figures came out in line with earlier estimates released in July.

The country’s economy grew a seasonally-adjusted 0.3% from April to June from the previous three-month period, while it expanded 2.2% from a year earlier.

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index finished at 1,915.53.

Mel Gibson Won’t Be Charged in Kristi Miller Abuse Case

Lisa.Felice
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Mel Gibson Won’t Be Charged in Kristi Miller Abuse Case

Actor Mel Gibson will not be charged over allegations that he pushed and verbally abused Daily Telegraph’s photographer Kristi Miller in Sydney.

“At this stage, based on the evidence gathered, no formal action will be taken,” said a statement by New South Wales police.

Kristi Miller, 39, complained to police about an incident outside a movie theater on August 23, saying she thought Mel Gibson was “going to punch me”.

Mel Gibson’s publicist said the actor was “satisfied” at the police decision.

Photo Daily Telegraph
Photo Daily Telegraph

The star’s lawyer in Sydney, Christopher Murphy, was informed of the police decision not to press charges on September 3.

“Mel Gibson has totally denied from the onset these disgraceful allegations,” said a statement issued by publicists Rogers and Cowan.

“He is now satisfied that the police, after speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, have found there is no substance to the claim.”

Kristi Miller claimed Mel Gibson launched into a tirade after she took pictures of the actor and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Rosalind Ross, leaving an Israeli Film Festival screening at the Palace Verona Cinema in a suburb of Sydney on August 23.

Mel Gibson is currently shooting World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge in Australia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvrG14RlT2c

Guatemala President Otto Perez Molina Steps Down amid Corruption Allegations

Diane A. Wade
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Guatemala President Otto Perez Molina Steps Down amid Corruption Allegations

Guatemala’s President Otto Pérez Molina has resigned hours after a judge issued an arrest warrant against the leader in connection to a growing corruption scandal that has plunged the country into its worst political crisis since the end of a brutal civil war.

Presidential spokesman Jorge Ortega has confirmed in a statement on September 3 that the president has stepped down.

On September 1, Guatemala’s congress voted to remove Otto Perez Molina’s immunity from prosecution amid corruption allegations.

Prosecutors accuse the president of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars, allegations he denies.

The judge has barred Otto Perez Molina from leaving the country.Otto Perez Molina resigns as Guatemala president

The president, whose term runs out in January, will now be summoned to appear before a court.

The detention order was signed by Judge Miguel Angel Galvez, the prosecutor’s office said.

On September 1, all members of congress present at the vote endorsed a move to strip Otto Perez Molina of his immunity.

They included members of the president’s own party.

A previous vote to remove Otto Perez Molina’s immunity failed last month.

Since then, more details of the corruption scandal have emerged and calls for the president to resign have increased.

Investigators allege that government officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties.

Guatemala’s VP Roxana Baldetti and a string of top officials have been forced to resign over the scandal.

Roxana Baldetti is in jail awaiting trial on charges of taking millions of dollars in bribes.

Otto Perez Molina was stripped of his immunity just days before presidential elections on September 6.

Some protesters have demanded that the polls be postponed, but officials argue that it would be against the law.

Otto Perez Molina is barred by the constitution from standing again.

Hungary Reopens Keleti Train Station to Migrants

Diane A. Wade
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Hungary Reopens Keleti Train Station to Migrants

Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban says the migrant crisis facing Europe is a “German problem” since Germany is where those arriving in the EU “would like to go”.

He said Hungary would not allow migrants to leave its territory without registering.

Viktor Orban’s comments came as Hungarian authorities opened Budapest’s main rail station to hundreds of migrants after a two-day stand-off.

One train left, but then stopped near a migrant reception centre.

Migrants resisted efforts by police to get them off the train at Bicske, about 25 miles west of Budapest. Some were banging on the windows and shouting “Germany, Germany”.

EU rules place responsibility for assessing asylum claims on the country where a migrant first arrives.

Many of the migrants currently in Hungary have been refusing to register there, in order to continue their journeys to Germany before seeking asylum.Europe migrants Budapest train station

The migrants stuck at Budapest’s Keleti station were prevented from boarding trains on September 1 and 2. Some were involved in scuffles with police.

They had bought tickets after Hungary briefly appeared to abandon efforts to register migrants on August 31, allowing huge numbers to board trains to Vienna and southern Germany.

After the station opened on September 3, rail staff said international trains were indefinitely suspended, but international tickets would be accepted on internal trains.

The number of migrants entering Europe has reached record levels, with 107,500 arriving in July alone. Germany expects to take in 800,000 migrants this year – four times last year’s total.

The surge in numbers has created tension and disagreement over EU migration policy. Germany has been prepared to accept large numbers of asylum seekers, but other countries have not.

Viktor Orban, who heads the anti-immigrant Fidesz party and was in Brussels for talks, said border control was “the number one issue”.

During a tense press conference with European Parliament President Martin Schulz, PM Viktor Orban said that “nobody would like to stay in Hungary, neither in Slovakia nor Poland nor Estonia”.

“All of them would like to go to Germany,” he said.

“Our job is only to register them.”

Martin Schulz countered: “What we are seeing for the time being is egoism instead of common European sense.

“To say <<yeah, you know we have refugees all over in Europe but they all want to go to Germany and therefore we are not concerned>> is effective, but wrong. And therefore I think we need a fair and just distribution.”

China Marks WW2 Victory with Huge Military Parade in Beijing

Diane A. Wade
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China Marks WW2 Victory with Huge Military Parade in Beijing

China has marked the defeat of Japan in World War Two with a huge military parade in Beijing, showcasing its military might on an unprecedented scale.

President Xi Jinping in his opening speech paid tribute to “the Chinese people who unwaveringly fought hard and defeated aggression” from Japan.

He also said the People’s Liberation Army would be reduced by 300,000 personnel, but gave no timeframe.

The country’s growing military power is being keenly watched amid regional tensions.

China has several territorial disputes with neighbors in the South China Sea, as well as with Japan in the East China Sea.

Ahead of the parade, the US said five Chinese ships had been spotted in the Bering Sea off Alaska for the first time.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

More than 30 foreign government officials and heads of state including Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon attended the event.

However, many Western leaders and Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe have stayed away.

Some 12,000 troops and 200 aircraft, as well as tanks and missiles, were on display in Tiananmen Square, including the anti-ship “carrier killer” missile Dongfeng-21D.

More than 80% of the machinery on display was being shown to the general public for the first time, according to state media.

President Xi Jinping, also the commander of the armed forces, was centre stage at the parade’s proceedings.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the world’s largest military, with 2.3 million members. China also has the second biggest defense budget after the US.

In the build-up to the event, state media have published commentaries reinforcing Chinese patriotism and views on historical events.

Entertainment shows were also suspended on television to make way for the coverage.

Beijing’s normally smoggy skies were unusually blue, after factories were closed, barbecues banned and cars stopped from travelling to reduce pollution.

Concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness and the tone of the parade meant many Western and Asian leaders stayed away from the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoC0Xcjko0A

Dean Jones Dies in Los Angeles Aged 84

Sonia Pantiss
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Dean Jones Dies in Los Angeles Aged 84

Dean Jones has died of complications related to Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84.

The legendary actor was best known for his starring role in Disney’s The Love Bug.

Dean Jones performed as a TV and theatre actor, but his career was defined by Hollywood; appearing in 46 films, including 10 for Disney.

He was one of Disney’s major stars of the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in That Darn Cat!, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo and Beethoven.

Photo IMDb
Photo IMDb

The Love Bug was Dean Jones’ most successful film. He plays a struggling racing driver who acquires a Volkswagen named Herbie that shows human traits.

Dean Jones was proud of the family-friendly entertainment that was his hallmark.

In 1995, Dean Jones earned a spot in the Disney Legends Hall of Fame.

He worked regularly into his 70s, appearing often on TV and in movies.

Dean Jones, a native of Alabama, is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lory, and three children.

Donald Trump Responds to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar After Washington Post Article

Nancy Clayson
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Donald Trump Responds to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar After Washington Post Article

Donald Trump has responded to former Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after the NBA legend made his displeasure with the businessman’s presidential campaign.

In a Washington Post editorial on September 2, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar accused Donald Trump of attacking journalists’ First Amendment rights with his bullying style and resorting to personal attacks instead of offering substantial answers on issues such as immigration.

Later in the day, Donald Trump apparently responded, as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar posted an image of his article to his Facebook page with what the six-time NBA champion claimed to be a message from the presidential hopeful:

Photo Facebook
Photo Facebook

“Kareem – 

Now I know why the press always treated you so badly – they couldn’t stand you. The fact is that you don’t have a clue about life and what has to be done to make America great again! 

Best wishes 

Donald Trump”

Along with the text, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shared his thoughts: “This note from Donald Trump in response to my editorial is the best, though inelegant, support for my claims. Here again he attacks a journalist who disagrees with him, not by disputing the points made but by hurling schoolyard insults such as ‘nobody likes you.’ But if you look behind the nasty invective, you find the assault still remains against the Constitution in an effort to silence the press through intimidation.”

Is Rosie O’Donnell Dating Tatum O’Neal?

Lisa.Felice
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Is Rosie O’Donnell Dating Tatum O’Neal?

According to new reports, Rosie O’Donnell and Tatum O’Neal have been dating for two months, and they are “very much in love”.

The two women have been seen together several times over the past few weeks, the Daily Mail reports.

Earlier this year, Tatum O’Neal publicly commented that she is “dating mostly women”.

In early August, Rosie O’Donnell, 53, and Tatum O’Neal, 51, took in the new Broadway musical Hamilton together. A few days later they shared a meal and a bottle of wine at New York’s Da Silvano restaurant.Rosie O Donnell dating Tatum O Neal

Rosie O’Donnell’s rep has denied that there is flourishing romance between the two, saying they are longtime friends.

However, the Daily Mail‘s source says: “Tatum has spent some time at Rosie’s compound over the past month.

“She went back to LA but will fly east again in the next few days.”

Tatum O’Neal has had many high-profile relationships with men. She has three grown children from her eight-year marriage to tennis legend John McEnroe.

In September 2014, Tatum O’Neal told Harper’s Bazaar that she hadn’t dated a man for two and a half years.

“In the physical sense, I’m not attracted to men right now at all,” she wrote, adding that she had experimented with women in the past.

Over the past few months, both Rosie O’Donnell and Tatum O’Neal have used social media to convey the others’ thoughts, often re-tweeting each other’s posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjNm1Zhu8GY

10 Things To Do Before Your Summer Wedding

Lisa.Felice
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10 Things To Do Before Your Summer Wedding

A summer wedding has the advantage of making the weather a little more predictable, but can be a bit tricky for brides and bridesmaids that are no longer in their twenties. For many women, the idea of skipping down the aisle in a short, sleeveless dress is long gone, given the appearance of varicose veins, cellulite and sagging skin.

Don’t let these fears dictate your choice of wedding dress! Instead, make sure to do these 10 things before your summer wedding so you can feel fabulous on your big day.

1. Detox naturally by eating right!

The body becomes less forgiving as we get older, meaning that binge eating due to wedding stress is a sure fire way to pile on the pounds. Avoid the need for alterations to your dress by adopting a healthy diet as soon as that engagement ring is on your finger. Even better, make sure you and your spouse-to-be are eating right as soon as you start cohabiting!

By choosing a healthy, high-fibre, nutrient dense plant-based diet, you can keep the calorie count low, cravings in check, and support your body in the face of stress. What’s more, by focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains, you’ll be giving your body everything it needs to detox naturally. This doesn’t give you carte blanche to guzzle champagne without consequence, but it could help prevent a wedding day skin breakout.

2. Tan without trouble!

Getting a natural tan in the UK can be a little tricky, but most brides (summer or otherwise) would rather not look ghostly white at their wedding. Skip the risk of skin cancer, sunburn and strap lines by opting for an airbrush tan. Just make sure to book in advance and test out your colour, with plenty of time for the tan to dry before you get into your white dress!

3. Eyelash tint and waterproof mascara

Crying at your wedding is pretty much inevitable, but that needn’t mean you look like a panda in your wedding pictures. Get your eyelashes dyed in advance and choose a waterproof mascara that won’t run as you sob through your vows. For women with crow’s feet, waterproof eye make-up is a must!

4. Sleek summer legs

A long dress or a tailored suit is often the wedding outfit of choice for many older brides. If the only reason you’re considering these instead of a shorter dress is because of the desire to hide your varicose veins, though, it’s time to book an appointment with a respected vein surgeon.

Give yourself the option to wear whatever you want on your wedding day. Get safe, effective varicose vein treatment 6-8 weeks before the big day so you have sleek, smooth summer legs to skip down the aisle.

10 things to do before your summer wedding
10 things to do before your summer wedding

5. Sun-kissed hair

Summer weddings call for a light, carefree sun-kissed hairstyle, so talk to your stylist about highlights, ombre or balayage as options for your wedding ‘do.

6. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a great way to reveal fresher, healthier looking skin for the big day. Just be sure to exfoliate thoroughly 7 days before the wedding, so as to give your skin a little time to calm down after sweeping away dead, dull skin cells.

7. Lessen the appearance of cellulite

The decline in collagen synthesis after the age of 30 can lead to increased cellulite that makes many women self-conscious. If this skin issue is a factor in your choice of wedding dress, treat yourself to an effective moisturiser containing pomegranate, vitamins C, E and A to help support healthy collagen synthesis and skin hydration. And, be sure to book yourself in for a spa treatment complete with seaweed wrap before your big day to help improve the tone of your upper arms and legs.

8. Quick-fix body toning

Maintaining muscle tone while planning for a wedding can be a bit tricky, especially when you’re trying all those wedding cakes, choosing wine, and skipping the gym to check out a venue. Find ways to incorporate quick-fix body toning into your day, such as taking the stairs when running errands, lifting (light) weights while you wait on the phone, and choosing a bachelorette activity that is fun and active, like going climbing!

9. Moisturise

Poorly hydrated skin is more likely to look wrinkled, saggy and lifeless, especially in wedding photos after being under bright lights all day. Piling on thick make-up can also accentuate dry skin by creating a caking effect. Keep the caking to the caterers by ensuring that you moisturise regularly in advance of the big day and use a lightweight moisturiser before applying any make-up.

And, appoint one of your bridal party to be your hydration consultant for the day, bringing you water and keeping you hydrated and happy so you can dance the night away.

10. Pedicure

Bunions, corns, callouses and dry skin can seriously undermine your wedding look. Treat your feet to a pedicure at least once a month while you plan your wedding as you’ll be on your feet a lot running wedding errands, and on the day itself. Summer weddings cry out for summer sandals, so polish those nails and buff that skin so you can stride down the aisle with supreme confidence.

China Stock Market Recovers Some Ground on September 2

Clyde K. Valle
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China Stock Market Recovers Some Ground on September 2

China stock market recovered some ground on September 2, with the main share index, the Shanghai Composite, recovering from early losses.

The SSE Composite index came back from a 4% fall to close 0.2% down at 3,160 points.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index closed 1.2% down at 20,934.

On September 1, data suggesting China’s manufacturing sector was shrinking at its fastest pace in three years ignited a global market sell-off, resulting in US stocks closing down nearly 3%.

Chinese markets will be closed on September 3 and 4 for a holiday to commemorate the end of World War Two.

Wu Kan, a Shanghai-based fund manager at JK Life Insurance, told AFP that Beijing appeared to have been buying shares over recent days in an effort to support the market.China stock market September 2015

“But investors have lost confidence… the correction isn’t over yet,” he said.

Mainland Chinese stocks have lost nearly 40% of their value since June, despite attempts by the government and regulators to prop up the market.

Meanwhile, data showing US factory activity fell to a more than two-year low in August added to the already grim sentiment among investors.

The price of US crude oil also fell sharply – down 8% in New York overnight.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.4% to 18,095.40 after leading the region’s losses in the previous session, down nearly 4%.

Australian shares closed up despite economic growth figures for Q2 2015 coming in below expectations.

The economy expanded 0.2% from the previous quarter and was up 2% compared with the same period last year.

Economists were expecting quarterly growth of 0.4% while the annual rate was forecast to be up 2.2%.

The S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.1% to 5,101.50 points – reversing earlier losses.

In South Korea, shares closed up despite government data showing that exports fell 4.3% in July, while imports rose 0.7%.

That led the current account surplus to fall to $9.5 billion in seasonally adjusted terms from a record high of $10.7 billion in June.

The benchmark Kospi index was higher by 0.05% to 1,915.22.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUB7k7kZyxk

Kermit Denies Dating Denise

Lisa.Felice
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Kermit Denies Dating Denise

Kermit the Frog has denied reports Denise, The Muppets show’s marketing executive, is his new girlfriend.

He tweeted to confirm that he is dating again after he and Miss Piggy split up last month.

However, Kermit said that he and Denise were “just good friends” and that he didn’t have a “new girlfriend”.

Kermit tweeted: “While I prefer to keep my personal life private, this is Hollywood, so who am I kidding? It is true that I am dating again. However, at this time no one woman – pig or otherwise – is my official “new girlfriend”. We are simply close friends.”

Photo ABC
Photo ABC

The new series of The Muppets starts this year on ABC with producers saying it will be aimed at an adult audience.

The rebooted docu-series, which looks at the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, premieres on ABC in the US on September 22.

Denise appeared in the trailer for the new Muppets TV show, which was released in July.

In a statement published online last month, Kermit and Miss Piggy said they would continue to work together on The Muppets.

They released the same statements on their Twitter accounts explaining they had been “squabbling”.

In the Muppets trailer released on YouTube, it appeared that Kermit was seeing Denise.

Miss Piggy is in a relationship with the actor Topher Grace.

Bangkok Bomb Attack: Fingerprints Match Suspect Erah Davutoglu

Roy Siemens
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Bangkok Bomb Attack: Fingerprints Match Suspect Erah Davutoglu

Bangkok police investigating the deadly Erawan Shrine bombing say fingerprints on possible bomb-making equipment found at the weekend match those of suspect Erah Davutoglu, who was detained on September 1.

Police believe the foreign man, arrested close to the Cambodian border, is a key part of a network behind the attack.

Police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said the suspect could have carried the bomb to the Bangkok flat or the shrine itself.

Prawut Thavornsiri also said an eighth arrest warrant had now been issued over the blast.

He said the new suspect was Emrah Davutoglu, a Turkish man and the husband of Thai suspect Wanna Suansan.

Her name was on the lease of one of the flats raided at the weekend.Suspect Erah Davutoglu Bangkok bombing

However, a woman claiming to be Wanna Suansan told AFP news agency from Turkey on September 1 that she had not been in Thailand for three months.

No claim of responsibility has been made for the August 17 bomb, which killed 20 people.

Two foreign men are now in detention. Police have not confirmed their nationalities.

However, they say the suspect held on September 1 closely resembles a man wearing yellow seen on security camera footage leaving a bag at the shrine shortly before the blast.

The first detainee was arrested in a raid on an apartment in Bangkok on August 29, which also uncovered detonators, ball bearings, a metal pipe and several fake passports.

The second unidentified man was seized in Sa Kaeo province, east of Bangkok on the border with Cambodia, on September 1.

Deputy police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said he had been speaking Turkish.

Prawut Thavornsiri said police could now “confirm that this man is directly involved with the bomb material”, as his fingerprints matched those on a bottle of suspect material found in the Bangkok flat.

He was also carrying a bank book bearing the same name as a Chinese passport which has been widely circulated by Thai media.

Reports say the passport belonged to the man detained on the border, and shows him as coming from China’s Xinjiang province, home to a significant Muslim Uighur population.

Thailand and China have refused to confirm the passport is that of the suspect.

If it is confirmed that would establish Muslim Uighurs as principal suspects in the bomb attack, a very sensitive issue for both countries after the controversial deportation of more than 100 Uighurs from Thailand to China in July.

China has long faced criticism for the perceived harsh restrictions it places on religion and culture in its western Xinjiang region – where the majority of its predominantly Muslim, Uighur minority live.

The bombing of the Erawan Shrine, a Hindu site popular with Thai Buddhists and tourists, was the deadliest-ever such attack in Thailand.

Australian Economic Growth Lower than Expected in Q2 2015

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Australian Economic Growth Lower than Expected in Q2 2015

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew less than expected in Q2 2015 as the economy struggled to gain momentum.

The Australian economy expanded 0.2% from the previous quarter and was up 2% compared with the same period last year.

Quarterly growth of 0.4% had been widely expected, while the annual rate was forecast to be up 2.2%.

Growth was hit by a “significant” decline in mining and construction activity as exports also fell.

Mining production fell 3% in Q2 2015 as demand slowed from China, Australia’s biggest trading partner.Australia slowdown 2015

The economy had grown a strong 0.9% in Q1 2015, its fastest pace in four quarters.

The data comes a day after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept interest rates on hold at a record low of 2%.

The central bank expects growth of 2.25% this year, but some economists said those forecasts could be too optimistic and that rate cuts could be back on the agenda.

In reaction to the data, the Australian dollar fell to a six-and-a-half year low of $0.6986 against the US dollar, down 0.4% for the day.

It had not fallen below $0.70 since 2009.

However, a lower currency is helping to boost the economy as it tries to move on from its mining-led growth.

Household spending supported growth in the period, rising by 0.5%.

Australian shares were also down with the S&P/ASX 200 index lower by 1.1% to 5,038.80 after the data came out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChyJSl3bY7w

Can Online Experts Help with Organic Chemistry?

Dana R
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Can Online Experts Help with Organic Chemistry?

Of all the areas of chemistry, organic chemistry is undoubtedly the most notorious. With molecule structures, electron flow, interactions and other complicated areas to contend with, some people find themselves unable to wrap their heads around it all.

Assuming you find yourself pretty much ‘stuck’ when it comes to organic chemistry, one of the ways you could try to get help is by finding online experts who are willing to do so. However, can these experts really help or is it all just a gimmick that will end up being a waste of time (and possibly money)?

organic-chemistry
Photo Source: plietker-group.de

Finding ‘Real’ Experts

The first thing you need to take into account is that anyone and everyone can claim to be an expert. If you rely on help from someone who isn’t really an expert, you might very well end up learning the wrong thing – and that could be extremely bad.

That is why it is important that when you do find online experts to help you, you’re able to scrutinize their qualifications including any experience or certifications that they may have. Being able to talk to them directly and ‘interview’ them regarding their qualifications may also enable you to find ‘real’ experts with the skills and knowledge to help you out.

Deciding the Type of Help Required

Next – you should decide exactly what type of help you need. Are you just looking for answers to a few very specific questions, or are you on a deadline for an organic chemistry paper and need help writing it? Maybe your questions are pretty basic and can be answered by a university student, or maybe it is extremely complex and requires someone with an advanced degree in organic chemistry?

Depending on your situation, you may need very different types of help. If you like you could see organic chemistry help here to get an idea of what sort of options are available, and what you can expect to get out of it too.

Learning from Online Help

When you do get help from online experts, you should make full use of what you get. Many students make the mistake of just letting the expert do the work for them, and as a result never actually learn anything in the process.

Instead – go over what they’ve done for you, and ask questions if you don’t understand any part of it. By doing so, you’ll benefit a lot more from the online assignment help that you’re getting and will be better prepared and more knowledgeable in the future. In short, you’ll be learning while getting help too.

Make no mistake, organic chemistry is a tricky field to study, but with help from online experts and a little bit of elbow grease on your part – you should find that you’re able to slowly but surely come to grips with it. Once you figure it out and ‘get it’, you’ll see that it all fits into place quite neatly, and isn’t really all that mystifying at all.

Marissa Mayer Pregnant with Identical Twin Girls

Nancy Clayson
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Marissa Mayer Pregnant with Identical Twin Girls

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has announced she is expecting twin girls in December, but plans to take “limited” time off.

In a blogpost, Marissa Mayer, 40, said that because this was “a unique time in Yahoo’s transformation”, she planned to take a similar approach to when she had her first child and “work throughout”.

Marissa Mayer famously returned to work two weeks after giving birth to her son.

In its corporate blog, Yahoo said it was “extremely happy” for Marissa Mayer.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Marissa Mayer has been chief executive for three years at Yahoo. She is in the process of changing the company’s focus away from the traditional desktop and towards mobile and video adverts, in order to increase sales.

In the company’s last earnings report, Marissa Mayer said she was encouraged by an increase in revenue from that division, despite recording a net loss of $21.6 million in Q2 2015.

Yahoo is also in the midst of spinning off its stake in China’s Alibaba.

Marissa Mayer said she was surprised by the news that she was expecting twins, since there is no history of it in her family, but that she and her husband, start-up investor Zachary Bogue, had “embraced” it and they were “very excited”.

“Moving forward, there will be a lot to do for both my family and for Yahoo; both will require hard work and thoughtful prioritization,” she wrote in her post.

Marissa Mayer added: “However, I’m extremely energized by and dedicated to both my family and Yahoo and will do all that is necessary and more to help both thrive.”

Asian Markets Continue to Fall over China Fears

Clyde K. Valle
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Asian Markets Continue to Fall over China Fears

Asian shares continued to fall on September 2, with Shanghai opening down more than 4% amid continuing worries about China’s growth.

On September 1, data suggesting China’s manufacturing sector was shrinking at its fastest pace in three years ignited a global market sell-off, resulting in US stocks closing down nearly 3%.

The Shanghai Composite recovered some ground to trade down 3.6% to 3,054.17.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was lower by 1.7% to 20,818.22 in early trade.

Chinese markets will close at the end of September 2 for a two-day holiday to commemorate the end of World War Two.Asian markets react to China economic data 2015

Mainland Chinese stocks have lost nearly 40% of their value since June, despite attempts by the government and regulators to prop up the market.

Meanwhile, data showing US factory activity fell to a more than two-year low in August added to the already grim sentiment among investors.

Crude oil futures also continued downwards after an 8% fall in US trade, amid concerns about slowing demand from China.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.8% to 18,296.67 after leading the region’s losses in the previous session, down nearly 4%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was lower by 1.2% at 5,036.60 points as economic growth figures for the second quarter came in below expectations.

The economy expanded 0.2% from the previous quarter and was up 2% compared with the same period last year.

Economists were expecting quarterly growth of 0.4% while the annual rate was forecast to be up 2.2%.

In South Korea, shares were also lower after government data showed exports fell 4.3% in July, while imports rose 0.7%.

That led the current account surplus to fall to $9.5 billion in seasonally adjusted terms from a record high of $10.7 billion in June.

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index was down 0.3% at 1,908.50.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC9TWKNul2w

Guatemala Corruption Scandal: Congress Removes Otto Perez Molina’s Immunity

Diane A. Wade
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Guatemala Corruption Scandal: Congress Removes Otto Perez Molina’s Immunity

Guatemala’s congress has voted to remove President Otto Perez Molina’s immunity following corruption allegations.

The vote paves the way for possible prosecution in a corruption scandal that has sparked huge protests in recent months.

Crowds outside Congress cheered to celebrate the news.

Prosecutors last week accused President Otto Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies wrongdoing.Otto Perez Molina Guatemala corruption scandal

The resolution was passed by 132 votes in favor, well clear of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion in the 158-member congress.

Under Guatemalan law the president will be automatically removed from office if remanded in custody.

Otto Molina Perez’s former vice-president and a string of top officials have been force to resign over the scandal.

It comes as Guatemala prepares for presidential elections on September 6.

Investigators have alleged that officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties.

Kevin Rudd Drawn into Hillary Clinton Email Scandal

Diane A. Wade
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Kevin Rudd Drawn into Hillary Clinton Email Scandal

Australia’s ex-PM Kevin Rudd had “hoped for a sympathetic call” from then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after he was deposed in 2010, an email has revealed.

Kevin Rudd had already been phoned by President Barack Obama.

Part of the email sent by former US ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich is blocked out.

The email was among 4,000 released by the US State department on August 31 from Hillary Clinton’s private email server.

Photo AAP
Photo AAP

“I spoke at length with former PM Rudd on Monday,” Jeffrey Bleich wrote in June, 2010.

“Although he did not raise the issue, his aide called Edgard afterward and noted that Rudd had not heard from S, (shorthand for Secretary of State) and would have hoped for a sympathetic call.

“I have no strong point of view on this one. He has received such a call from POTUS (The President of the United States) already. (The next sentenced has been suppressed).

“But, I think he and S had a good relationship and he may want to talk to her about his future career goals.”

Hillary Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2016 presidential election, says no classified information was sent or received on her personal email account, however, 125 emails were deemed confidential by the state department.

The former secretary of state’s opponents have accused her of putting US security at risk by using an unsecured computer system.

Hillary Clinton has admitted that her decision to use a private email server at her New York home was a mistake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isRmxMFofq4

Gilbert Flores: Video Shows San Antonio Police Shooting Man with Hands Up

Nancy Clayson
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Gilbert Flores: Video Shows San Antonio Police Shooting Man with Hands Up

A video footage obtained by local media in San Antonio appears to show police in Texas shooting and killing a man who had his hands up.

In the video, Gilbert Flores, 41, is seen outside a house with his arms raised before shots are fired and he falls.

Police say the man was armed and officers first attempted to subdue him with a stun gun.

A series of fatal police shootings in the last year have sparked protests and increased scrutiny on police tactics.

Photo Bexar County Sheriff's Department
Photo Bexar County Sheriff’s Department

Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said the video was “disturbing” but told people not to “rush to judgement” over what may have happened.

Police said the officers were responding to a domestic dispute involving a woman who had been cut in the head with a knife. She had been holding a baby who may also have been harmed, they said.

The officers involved, Greg Vasquez and Robert Sanchez, have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the sheriff’s department.

“Certainly, what’s in the video is a cause for concern,” said Sheriff Susan Pamerleau, adding that the investigation must be allowed to run its course.

The fatal shooting a year ago of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked protests and a national debate about police use of force.

There has also been increased awareness in recent days of the dangers facing police, with four officers killed while on duty in the last eight days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJgR0Yhf6Dw

And Then There Were None Named World’s Favorite Agatha Christie Novel

Sonia Pantiss
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And Then There Were None Named World’s Favorite Agatha Christie Novel

And Then There Were None has been named the world’s favorite Agatha Christie novel in an online poll run by the author’s estate.

The 1939 murder mystery received 21% of the votes, with Murder on the Orient Express and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd coming second and third respectively.

Fans were asked to choose a favorite to mark the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s birth on September 15.And Then There Were None voted world favorite Agatha Christie novel

And Then There Were None depicts 10 strangers stranded on an island, all accused of getting away with murder.

As members of the party start to die mysteriously, the survivors realize they may be harboring a murderer among their number.

The book – which does not feature Agatha Christie’s famous detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple – has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most popular novels of all time.

And Then There Were None received 21% of the votes in the online poll which attracted more than 15,000 respondents.

Agatha Christie’s grandson Mathew Prichard, who is also the chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd, said: “It has been genuinely exciting to see fans from all around the world cast their votes for the World’s Favorite Christie.

“In And Then There Were None, my grandmother has crafted a staggeringly complex plot, which has baffled, entertained and surprised readers since it was first published in 1939 and will, I hope, do so for years to come.”

And Then There Were None was also one of Agatha Christie’s own favorites, even though it tested her writing skills.

World Stocks Plunge on China Manufacturing Data

Clyde K. Valle
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World Stocks Plunge on China Manufacturing Data

Global stock markets have been hit by renewed fears over China’s economic growth, with the main indexes falling sharply.

Wall Street traded sharply lower, with the Dow Jones down more than 300 points, or 1.9%, at 16,215.

European markets also fell, with the London’s FTSE 100 closing down 3% and France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX about 2.4% lower.

Earlier, figures for August showed China’s manufacturing contracted at its fastest pace in three years.World stocks crash 2015

The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 49.7 from 50 in July. A figure below 50 indicates contraction.

It follows recent turmoil in the markets sparked by concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.

Energy companies led the way down on the Dow, with Chevron and Exxon Mobil down about 3%. This followed a fall in the oil price, which was down more than 4% at $51.89.

Before Tuesday’s fall, the price of oil had risen by about 25% in the past three trading sessions.

The S&P 500 was also down about 2% at 1,934.18, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ was 1.6% lower at 4,699.21.

Global markets sustained heavy losses in August – for both the UK’s FTSE 100 and the US’s S&P 500, it was the worst month since May 2012.

As well as the weak China factory data, investors are unsure about the US Federal Reserve’s next move. Many had penciled in the a rate rise – the first move since the financial crisis – for September. However, given the recent stock turmoil, analysts seem less certain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rEQfKVLxQ

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