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Chinese Yuan in Record Devaluation

Clyde K. Valle
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Chinese Yuan in Record Devaluation

China’s Central Bank has cut the yuan’s rate against the US dollar for a second day.

The move sent fresh shockwaves through Asian markets, but the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has sought to calm fears, saying it was not the start of a sustained depreciation.

The Chinese yuan fell another 1% on August 12, marking the biggest two-day lowering of its rate against the dollar in more than two decades.

The new rate is meant to boost exports.

Figures released at the weekend showed Chinese exports fell more than 8% in July, adding to concerns the world’s second largest economy is heading for a slowdown.Chinese yuan record devaluation

There were further signs of weakness on August 12, when figures showed industrial production in July rose 6% from the previous year. The rise was smaller than expected and was also below the 6.8% increase seen in June.

Fixed asset investment, a measure of state spending on infrastructure, expanded 11.2% for the first half of the year, also below estimates and at its lowest since December 2000.

However, the action on the yuan has sparked fears of a global and destabilizing “currency war”. There has been criticism from the US, where markets fell sharply overnight.

On August 12, the PBOC fixed the “official midpoint” for the yuan down 1.6% to 6.3306 against the dollar.

The midpoint is a guiding rate, from which trade can rise or fall 2% during the day.

Until August 11, that rate had been determined solely by the PBOC itself. But the rate will now be based on overnight global market developments and how the currency finished the previous trading day.

The bank, which had called Tuesday’s 1.9% cut a “one-off” adjustment, sought to reassure financial markets on Wednesday.

“Looking at the international and domestic economic situation, currently there is no basis for a sustained depreciation trend for the yuan,” it said in a statement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJifZy4QxJo

Hillary Clinton Handing Over Private Email Server

Diane A. Wade
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Hillary Clinton Handing Over Private Email Server

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has agreed to hand over to the FBI the private email server that she used on duty.

Hillary Clinton’s use of private email has generated a barrage of criticism as she runs for president.

Critics say that her set-up was unsecure, contrary to government policy and designed to shield her communications from oversight.

The FBI is investigating whether classified information was improperly sent via the server and stored there.

Hillary Clinton initially handed over thousands of pages of emails to the state department, but not the server.

Her lawyers will also hand over to the FBI memory sticks which contain the copies of the emails.Hillary Clinton private email server

Hillary Clinton’s use of private email has been a major issue in the presidential race. Polls show an increasing number of voters view her as “untrustworthy” due in part to the questions surrounding her email use.

Under US federal law, officials’ correspondence is considered to be US government property.

Government employees are encouraged to use government email accounts although some top officials have used personal accounts in the past.

In March, Hillary Clinton said she and her lawyers made the decision over what would be considered work-related email when the state department asked for records from former secretaries of state.

The emails deemed work-related were about half of the 60,000 emails she sent in total during her time in office. The emails she deemed personal were deleted, Hillary Clinton said.

Since then, the state department has been releasing the emails to the public in batches about once a month.

On August 11, the state department said it would not be releasing a portion of Hillary Clinton’s emails because some of the messages were retroactively determined to be “top secret”.

Brian Williams’ Suspension Officially Lifted

Sonia Pantiss
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Brian Williams’ Suspension Officially Lifted

Brian Williams’ suspension has been officially lifted on August 11, CNN reports.

The former NBC Nightly News anchor received a six-month suspension for telling a falsehood about his experience in Iraq.Brian Williams suspension ended

Brian Williams will begin his MSNBC duties in mid-September though a specific debut date has not been set.

He will now take on a new role of breaking news anchor for cable outlet MSNBC.

Brian Williams has been replaced on NBC Nightly News by Lester Holt.

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

McDonald’s Changed Quarter Pounder Size

Nancy Clayson
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McDonald’s Changed Quarter Pounder Size

McDonald’s has quietly changed the size of one its most popular items, the Quarter Pounder, CNBC reported.

The Quarter Pounder now includes 4.25 ounces of beef, slightly more than its former size of 4 ounces before cooking.

The former 4-ounce patty cooked down to just 2.8 ounces after heating.McDonalds changes Quarter Pounder size

On its most recent earnings call, McDonald’s noted domestic commodity costs rose about 1 percent, mostly due to climbing beef prices.

It will be up to the food chain’s operators to decide whether to raise prices for the bigger burgers, one source told CNBC.

The move comes as McDonald’s seeks to improve its core menu as part of an ongoing turnaround led by CEO Steve Easterbrook.

McDonald’s initiatives include different cooking methods, such as changing how it sears and grills its beef to deliver hotter and juicier sandwiches, and a new drive-through ordering process to improve accuracy.

Kim Kardashian Warned by FDA for Promoting Diclegis

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian Warned by FDA for Promoting Diclegis

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Kim Kardashian’s social media posts violate federal drug-promotion rules.

Kim Kardashian, who is 5 months pregnant with her second child, recently began promoting a prescription pill to treat morning sickness through her social media accounts. Such endorsement deals are relatively common for celebrities.

In posts to Instagram and Facebook earlier this month Kim Kardashian talks about her struggles with nausea due to pregnancy.

The reality star wrote: “I tried changing things about my lifestyle, like my diet, but nothing helped, so I talked to my doctor.

“He prescribed me #Diclegis, and I felt a lot better and most importantly, it’s been studied and there was no increased risk to the baby.”

Kim Kardashian, 34, has over 42 million followers on Instagram and 25 million on Facebook.

The posts link to a company website that includes the FDA-approved labeling information.

Photo Instagram
Photo Instagram

However, FDA regulators say the posts violate rules for promoting drugs because they don’t mention side effects of Diclegis, which include sleepiness that can make it dangerous to drive or perform other activities that require mental alertness. The drug label warns that Diclegis should not be combined with alcohol or other medications that cause drowsiness, such as sleeping aids or certain pain relievers.

FDA regulations require manufacturers to balance benefit claims with information about drugs’ risks, even when space is limited.

The posts also fail to mention that Diclegis is not approved for women with a form of prolonged vomiting that causes dehydration, the FDA notes.

The FDA posted its warning letter online on August 11, addressed to the CEO of Canadian drugmaker Duchesnay Inc., which markets the drug. The letter notes that the privately held company received a similar warning in 2013 for omitting risk information from a letter to doctors.

FDA regulators are “concerned that Duchesnay is continuing to promote Diclegis in a violative manner,” states the letter dated August 7.

The agency calls on the company to remove the social media posts immediately and outline a plan for preventing future violations by August 21

The Quebec-based company said in a statement it “will take quick action in responding to the FDA’s letter and immediately and effectively address any issues”.

The FDA approved Diclegis in 2013 to treat vomiting and nausea in pregnant women who do not respond to more traditional measures. It is the only prescription drug approved in the US for morning sickness.

A different version of the drug was recalled by the agency in 1983 following a series of lawsuits alleging links to birth defects. However, FDA investigations never established any link between the drug and the reported problems.

Kim Kardashian’s posts cited by the FDA no longer appeared on her accounts on August 11.

World Trade Center Jumpers Fined for Sullying Memories of 9/11 Victims

Nancy Clayson
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World Trade Center Jumpers Fined for Sullying Memories of 9/11 Victims

BASE jumpers Andrew Rossig and James Brady, who parachuted off New York’s One World Trade Center, “sullied the memories” of 9/11 victims, a judge has ruled.

Andrew Rossig, 34, and James Brady, 33, were convicted of reckless endangerment and unauthorized climbing in connection with the jump in September 2013.

The jumpers were fined $2,000 each on August 10 and given community service.

They leapt from the top of the 104-storey skyscraper after sneaking through a hole in a construction fence.

A third jumper, Marko Markovich, will be sentenced on August 17.

Base jumping is an extreme sport, which involves leaping from high structures with a parachute.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The jumpers filmed their night-time exploits at One World Trade Center using helmet cameras and posted the video online.

The building, which was still under construction at the time, is located at the same site where 2,700 lost their lives in the Islamist attack on September 11, 2001.

It contains a museum and memorial garden dedicated to those who died.

Judge Juan Merchan said: “These defendants tarnished the building before it even opened and sullied the memories of those who jumped on 9/11, not for sport but because they had to.”

In June, a jury acquitted each of the three men of the more serious charge of burglary.

Speaking after sentencing, Andrew Rossig apologized for his actions and vowed never to parachute in New York City again.

“We understand that what we did could possibly have endangered other people and it’s never going to happen again,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MAGw6vcYPg

How Ciara Lost 60 Lbs in Four Months

Lisa.Felice
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How Ciara Lost 60 Lbs in Four Months

Ciara has revealed she dropped 60 pounds in just 4 months after adhering to a strict diet and a fitness regimen that saw her going to the gym several times a day.

The singer welcomed son Future in May 2014 and she was determined to get back to her pre-baby weight.

In an interview for the September issue of Shape magazine, Ciara said: “When I was pregnant with Future, one thing I learned quickly was, don’t ever let a pregnant lady be hungry, because when I was, I was like the Tasmanian Devil!

“But as soon as the doctor said I could start training again, I was on the treadmill the very next day.”

Photo Shape Magazine
Photo Shape Magazine

Ciara also said she hired popular celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, who helped her shed the baby weight.

“Five days a week, Gunnar puts me through an hour-long plyometric cardio circuit that always includes boxing elements,” she said.

“It’s hitting your muscles; it’s a cardiovascular workout; and it’s a mental exercise… After I’ve done a few rounds, I feel as if I can conquer the world.”

She was doing three workouts a day.

“I would go to Gunnar first for my one-hour training session, then I’d have two more cardio sessions later in the day,” she said.

“That, along with a really clean eating plan, was how I lost 60 pounds in four months.”

Ciara told the magazine that she ate five to eight nutrient-rich meals, but vowed to not go overboard with her diet.

“When I’m on a strict eating regimen, at some point I have to have French fries, a cheese burger and some pizza. And Oreos and vanilla ice cream!” she said.

Ciara said she drinks “tons of water, too.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2smwFz2lnjY

MH17: Russian Missile Parts Found at Ukraine Crash Site

Diane A. Wade
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MH17: Russian Missile Parts Found at Ukraine Crash Site

Parts of a suspected Russian missile system have been found at Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash site in Ukraine, international investigators say.

Investigators in the Netherlands say the fragments, possibly from a Buk surface-to-air system, are “of particular interest” and could help show who was behind the crash.

However, they say they have not proved their “causal connection” with the crash.

MH17 crashed on land held by Russian-backed rebels in July 2014, killing all 298 on board.

It had 283 passengers on board, including 80 children, and 15 crew members.

About two-thirds of those who died were Dutch nationals, with dozens of Malaysians and Australians among the rest.

Ukraine and many Western countries have accused pro-Russian rebels of shooting down the plane, saying they could have used a Buk missile system supplied by Russia.

Russia and the rebels deny any responsibility and say the Ukrainian military was to blame.MH17 crash site Ukraine

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said in a joint statement with the Dutch Safety Board that the parts had been “secured during a previous recovery mission in eastern Ukraine”.

“The parts are of particular interest to the criminal investigation as they can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17. For that reason the JIT further investigates the origin of these parts,” the statement said.

“At present the conclusion cannot be drawn that there is a causal connection between the discovered parts and the crash of flight MH17.”

The investigators would now enlist the help of weapons experts and forensic specialists to examine the parts, the statement added.

The JIT comprises representatives of the Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Malaysia and Australia.

They are meeting in The Hague to discuss a draft report on the causes of the crash, the final version of which is expected to be published by the Dutch Safety Board in October.

The statement comes two weeks after Russia vetoed a draft resolution to set up an international tribunal into the disaster, triggering widespread outrage.

Moscow described the Malaysian initiative as “premature” and “counterproductive”.

Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 777 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was brought down on July 17, 2014, in Donetsk region.

Devil in the White City: Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Serial Killer in Martin Scorsese’s Movie

Sonia Pantiss
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Devil in the White City: Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Serial Killer in Martin Scorsese’s Movie

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio will team up for a big screen adaptation of Erik Larson’s 2003 book The Devil in the White City.

Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to play serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes, who used the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to lure his victims to their deaths.

H.H. Holmes claimed to have killed 27 people – although some later estimates put his death toll at nearer 200.

It will be the sixth time Leonardo DiCaprio has worked with director Martin Scorsese.Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese The Devil in the White City

Their previous films include The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed and Gangs of New York.

Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly bought the film rights to The Devil in the White City in 2010.

It tells the story of Dr. H.H. Holmes, who converted a large building in Chicago and turned it into what became known as a “murder castle”.

The castle had a padded room with a gas pipe to asphyxiate victims, a chute for dispatching bodies to the cellar and, in the cellar, a hidden butcher’s table and oven that had the remains of women’s clothing.

The screenplay will be written by Billy Ray, who scripted Captain Phillips and The Hunger Games.

Greece Agrees Bailout Deal Terms, Says Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos

Clyde K. Valle
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Greece Agrees Bailout Deal Terms, Says Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos

Greece’s finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos has announced his country has broadly agreed the substance of a bailout deal with its creditors.

“Two or three small issues,” are pending with lenders, Reuters quoted Euclid Tsakalotos as saying.

A bailout agreement is needed to keep Greece in the eurozone and avert bankruptcy.

The Greek government is hoping to push the new €86 billion three-year agreement through parliament later this week.Greece bailout deal agreed Euclid Tsakalatos

Greece needs a deal by August 20, when the country has a debt repayment of about €3 billion to make to the European Central Bank (ECB).

The country will not be able to make that payment without funds emerging from its third bailout in just over five years.

Emerging from all-night talks at a central Athens hotel with negotiators representing Greece’s creditors, Euclid Tsakalotos said: “I think we are very close.”

“Two or three very small details remain,” he added.

Earlier, Reuters quoted a Greek official as saying an agreement had been reached.

Greece has agreed the function of a new independent privatization fund, and how non-performing bank loans will be administered, according to the official.

Both issues had been key sticking points in negotiations.

Animas River Turns Yellow After Colorado Mine Waste Spill

Nancy Clayson
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Animas River Turns Yellow After Colorado Mine Waste Spill

Colorado’s Animas River turned mustard yellow as a toxic leak of wastewater is three times larger than officials had originally estimated.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now says that three million gallons of wastewater spilled from an abandoned mine last week.

The EPA does not believe wildlife is in significant danger because the sludge moved so quickly downstream.

Photo Durango Herald
Photo Durango Herald

Local authorities took steps to protect drinking water supplies and farms.

The spill began on August 5 when EPA workers, who were cleaning up the closed Gold King Mine, accidentally sent the toxic water flowing into a tributary of the Animas River.

The Animas River has been closed and local officials have advised people to stay out of the water.

The EPA is meeting with Colorado residents this week and testing local wells for contamination. More than 1,000 wells may have been contaminated.

“We’re going to continue to work until this is cleaned up and hold ourselves to the same standards that we would anyone that would have created this situation,” Shaun McGrath, an EPA official, told residents at one of the community meetings, according the New York Times.

Some residents derided the agency, calling it the “Environmental Pollution Agency”.

The EPA is still investigating the health effects of the leak, which included heavy metals including lead and arsenic.

The discolored water, which is now beginning to dissipate, stretched more than 100 miles into neighboring New Mexico.

Chinese Yuan Devalued at Three-Year Low

Clyde K. Valle
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Chinese Yuan Devalued at Three-Year Low

The Chinese yuan has been devalued to its lowest rate against the US dollar in almost three years.

China’s central bank said the move was a “one-off depreciation” of 1.9% in a move to make the exchange rate more market-oriented.

It comes in the wake of a string of weak economic data from the world’s second largest economy.

At the weekend, China reported a sharp fall in exports and a slide in producer prices to a near six-year low in July.

Exports fell by 8.3% in July, far worse than expected and the producer price index was down 5.4% from a year earlier.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

The midpoint for the yuan is now set at 6.2298 to $1, up from 6.1162 yuan on August 10.

The People’s Bank of China (POBC) manages the rate through the official midpoint, from which trade can rise or fall 2% on any given day.

Until now, it had been determined solely by the central bank itself.

Making the rate more market-based will mean the midpoint will now be based on overnight global market developments and how the currency finished the previous trading day.

The POBC’s move comes amid speculation that China is preparing to widen the trading band for the currency from the current two percent range.

China has long kept tight control of the yuan value on concerns over financial volatility and losing its policy control.

Yet it is also under pressure to reform its currency policy as it pushes to become one of the International Monetary Fund’s “special drawing rights” (SDR) reserve currencies.

These are currencies which IMF members can use to make payments between themselves or to the Fund.

Asian equities outside of China slipped on the news as investors weighed the implications of the surprise move.

King Bhumibol of Thailand Treated for Hydrocephalus

Diane A. Wade
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King Bhumibol of Thailand Treated for Hydrocephalus

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has been treated for hydrocephalus and is now recovering, say Thai authorities.

Hydrocephalus is a condition consisting in an excessive build-up of fluid on the brain.

King Bhumibol, 87, who has been in hospital since May 31, also had a lung inflammation which has since subsided.King Bhumibol hydrocephalus

The king has had frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

He is seen as a pillar of stability in Thailand which saw political strife culminating in last year’s coup.

Though the king has no formal political role, he is seen by Thais as a symbol of unity, having ruled since 1946, and his health is closely watched.

In October 2014, King Bhumibol had his gallbladder removed.

The monarch was in Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital for seven months, and was discharged in May this year, only to return to the hospital a few weeks later for medical tests.

Tyrone Harris Shooting: Ferguson Declares State of Emergency

Nancy Clayson
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Tyrone Harris Shooting: Ferguson Declares State of Emergency

The city of Ferguson has declared state of emergency amid protests marking the first anniversary of the death of black teenager Michael Brown.

Ferguson is reported to be tense after another black teenager, Tyrone Harris, was critically wounded in a gun battle with police on August 9.

Tyrone Harris, 18, was later charged with assaulting police officers.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has appealed for protests to remain peaceful.

Michael Brown was shot in August 2014 by white police officer Darren Wilson, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing by a grand jury and the DoJ.

The 18-year-old’s death triggered a wave of protests over alleged racism and the use of excessive force by police officers.

On August 10, police arrested several protesters who blocked a traffic lane on West Florissant Avenue – the site of previous unrest. Witnesses said some people in the crowd threw water bottles at officers but there were no reports of violence.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Police also arrested about 50 protesters – including civil rights activist Cornel West – who staged a sit-in outside the main courthouse in St Louis.

Other protesters also briefly blocked a major highway – Interstate 70 – during the afternoon rush hour and a number of arrests were made.

The demonstrations were part of a day of civil disobedience called by activists in St Louis and other major US cities.

The state of emergency was issued on Monday afternoon by St Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and authorized county Police Chief Jon Belmar to take control in and around Ferguson.

Sunday’s shooting came after a day of peaceful and somber commemorations in memory of Michael Brown.

According to police, a gunfight erupted between two rival groups in West Florissant Avenue and a suspect, whom they identified as Tyrone Harris, then shot at plain-clothes police who returned fire.

Police Chief Belmar said those who had opened fire on the officers “were criminals, they weren’t protesters”.

However, Tyrone Harris’s father described the police account as “a bunch of lies”, saying his son had been unarmed and was “running for his life”.

Attorney Loretta Lynch denounced Sunday’s violence.

“As we have seen over the recent months and years, not only does violence obscure any message of peaceful protest, it places the community, as well as the officers who seek to protect it, in harm’s way,” she said.

There have been a number of high-profile shootings of unarmed black men in US cities in recent months.

The most recent case involved 19-year-old Christian Taylor who was shot dead by a white police officer after he was spotted on surveillance footage vandalizing cars in Arlington, Texas, on August 7.

Tyrone Harris Charged with Assaulting Officers at Ferguson Protest

Nancy Clayson
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Tyrone Harris Charged with Assaulting Officers at Ferguson Protest

Tyrone Harris, who was shot by Ferguson police during events marking the first anniversary of the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, has been charged with assaulting officers, prosecutors say.

Tyrone Harris, 18, was critically wounded in a gun battle with police on August 9.

The authorities have declared a state of emergency in Ferguson, Missouri.

Michael Brown’s death triggered a wave of demonstrations over the use of excessive police force by officers.

The 18-year-old was shot in August 2014 by white police officer Darren Wilson, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing by a grand jury and the DoJ.

On August 10, some 50 people were shown on local news networks being arrested after blocking the main courthouse in St Louis, including civil rights activist Cornel West.Tyrone Harris Michael Brown protest in Ferguson

Rallies were due to take place in parts of St Louis and other major US cities as part of a day of civil disobedience called by activists.

Hundreds of people stood silent on August 9 for four-and-a-half minutes at the spot where Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson, representing the number of hours that his body lay in the street unattended.

However, the day of peaceful and somber commemorations turned violent late at night when, according to police, a gunfight erupted between two rival groups on West Florissant Avenue.

Police say Tyrone Harris was armed and opened fired, but his father has described their account of events as “a bunch of lies”.

Prosecutors filed 10 counts of charges against him, including assaulting an officer.

Police said Tyrone Harris was among six people who fired at an unmarked SUV with plainclothes detectives inside, who then fired back.

Tyrone Harris’ father told the AP news agency that his son, a close friend of Michael Brown, was shot between eight and 12 times as he was running away.

The gunmen “were criminals; they weren’t protesters,” he said, adding that the officers were not wearing body cameras – a major concern cited by protest groups.

Four police officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Photos from the scene showed a young black man lying bloodied on the ground. He was face down and handcuffed.

Announcing a state of emergency on August 10, the authorities in St Louis county placed police chief Jon Belmar in charge of Ferguson and the surrounding areas.

US attorney Loretta Lynch denounced the incident on Sunday, saying “not only does violence obscure any message of peaceful protest, it places the community, as well as the officers who seek to protect it, in harm’s way”.

It also drew criticism from protest groups, including the Ferguson Action Council and Organization for Black Struggle which described the police response as “excessive”.

John Gaskin III, a member of US rights group NAACP, told AP he did not expect unrest to escalate in Ferguson in the same way it has over the past year.

However, he warned, not many people would believe the police officers’ account of Sunday night’s events as “there’s still a tremendous level of distrust between law enforcement and the community”.

There have been a number of high-profile shootings of unarmed black men in US cities in recent months.

The most recent case involved 19-year-old Christian Taylor who was shot dead by a white police officer after he was spotted on surveillance footage vandalizing cars in Arlington, Texas, on August 7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPbfGuo9jm4

Cecil the Lion: Robert Mugabe Blames Foreign Vandals for Lion’s Death

Nancy Clayson
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Cecil the Lion: Robert Mugabe Blames Foreign Vandals for Lion’s Death

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has blamed foreign “vandals” for the killing of the country’s most famous lion, Cecil.

The president has also said his compatriots failed in their responsibility to protect Cecil.

Cecil the lion was killed last month by American dentist Walter Palmer.

Robert Mugabe said Zimbabweans should protect their natural resources from what he called foreign “vandals”.

In a speech for National Heroes Day he said: “Even Cecil the lion – he is yours. He’s dead!”

Cecil – a favorite at Hwange National Park – died after he was shot by Walter Palmer using a bow and arrow.

The dentist from Minnesota has said he believed the hunt was legal.Robert Mugabe on Cecil the lion death

It is thought Walter Palmer paid about $50,000 to hunt 13-year-old Cecil, who wore a GPS collar and was being studied by Oxford University for conservation purposes.

Robert Mugabe used a speech in Harare to make his first public comments about the lion, whose death sparked international condemnation.

The president said: “He was yours to protect and you failed to protect him.

“There are vandals who come from all over of course… some may be just ordinary visitors, but [there are] others who want to vandalize, to irregularly and illegally acquire part of our resources.”

Prosecutors have said the lion was shot with an arrow after being lured out of its protected zone, and died from a bullet wound inflicted 40 hours later after it had suffered major blood loss.

Zimbabwe is battling to curb illegal hunting and poaching which threatens to make some of its wildlife extinct.

The country is seeking Walter Palmer’s extradition.

Some commentators have criticized the attention that the death of an animal has received when the nation has endemic poverty and unemployment, and political strife and repression are commonplace.

Much of Robert Mugabe’s speech was spent remembering those killed in the struggle for independence.

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

Who Gained from Greece’s Debt Crisis?

Clyde K. Valle
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Who Gained from Greece’s Debt Crisis?

According to a German IWH institute study, the Greek debt crisis has saved the German government some €100 billion ($109 billion) in lower borrowing costs because investors have sought safety in German bonds.

The IWH study says that even if Greece defaults on all its debt, Germany would still benefit.

Greece is hoping to reach a third bailout agreement, worth up to €86 billion, with its creditors this week.

Germany has funded €90 billion so far and wants tough conditions for a new deal.

Greece missed two key payments to the IMF in June and July, before a deal on a bridging loan was thrashed out by EU leaders.Germany and Greece debt crisis

The terms of the third bailout need to be reached by August 20, when Greece’s next debt repayment to the European Central Bank becomes due.

Greek officials said negotiations were in the “final stretch”, prompting shares in Athens to jump more than 2%. But leading figures in Berlin were cautious that a final deal was close.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said “thoroughness comes before speed”.

German officials are keen for Greece to sign up to credible pension reforms and privatization plans, while the Athens government is looking for urgent funding to recapitalize the country’s ailing banks.

Any deal will have to be ratified by German parliament, many of whom object to handing more funding to the left-wing Syriza government of Alexis Tsipras.

However, the study by Halle Institute for Economic Research said Germany had made interest savings of more than 3% of GDP between 2010 and 2015, and much of that was down to the Greek debt crisis.

Greece sought its first EU-IMF bailout in 2010 and Germany provided funding over the past five years either directly or through the IMF or the European Stability Mechanism.

The IWH study says every time this year there was a spike in the Greek debt crisis, which made Greece’s exit from the euro appear more likely, German government bond yields fell. Whenever the news looked better, Germany’s bond yields increased.

Even if the situation were to calm down suddenly, Germany would still be expected to profit from the situation, the IWH argues, because medium- and long-term bonds issued in recent years are still far away from maturing.

How Human Resources Recruitment Works

Dana R
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How Human Resources Recruitment Works

When businesses need highly skilled employees or even a top executive, they’ll often turn to recruitment companies to find those people. It’s usually not cost-effective to advertise for a skilled worker through traditional routes because candidates simply won’t fit the mold. Businesses might look for a particular HR professional, such as Jason Hanold online, to take advantage of their industry contacts. Recruitment is a complex process, but works brilliantly to fit the right person to the perfect job position.

Initial Recruiter Meeting

As businesses narrow down their employee needs, they’ll meet with a recruiter to convey these necessities. This recruiter meeting gives HR professionals a detailed view of company needs. A master’s degree and five years experience in an executive position might be sought, for example. Recruiters will go over the range of skills a person must have to even qualify for an interview. Businesses must offer as much detail as possible during these meetings, allowing them to receive the best applicants for their company requirements.

human-resources
Photo Source: sdhrlimited.com

Works Through Networking Contacts

Recruiters take that meeting information and apply it to their current pool of applicants. They’ll access their database and touch base with networking contacts to see who is possibly in the running for this position. There could be more than two positions open, so recruiters often make it a team effort to narrow down their candidates for the given business. This networking period can take a few days to several weeks, depending on the business’s ultimate demands.

Possible Headhunting

Even with strategic networking, recruiters could still come up short with their candidate pool. Many businesses resort to headhunting to find key applicants. For example, an executive employed at an unaffiliated business may be interested in changing industries. A headhunter could schedule this person to meet with the hiring company and see if a new match can be made. Today’s executives tend to move around after only a few years to allow fresh ideas to flow from new hires.

Sitting Down for Interviews

Only when the HR professional has all the candidates selected does interviewing take place. The hiring company sees all the candidates, meeting with the recruiter afterwards. Both sides will talk about the positive and negative aspects of each candidate. The hiring company may ask for several candidates to return for further interviews. If even a few applicants are strong candidates for the position, the HR recruiter performed well.

Evaluating the Candidates

Background checks on all the final applicants can be performed by the recruiter or hiring company. This process is often negotiated, based on each company’s comfort level. In the end, one applicant stands out above the rest for a successful recruitment process.

More people than ever are using recruitment processes to find their next job. You might want to join a social media website that’s geared toward matching professionals with the right networking contacts. These sites are growing in popularity, allowing you to follow and meet all the perfect people for continued business success.

Gazprom Announces Rise in Profits Thanks to Weak Russian Ruble

Clyde K. Valle
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Gazprom Announces Rise in Profits Thanks to Weak Russian Ruble

Gazprom has announced a sharp rise in profits thanks in large part to a weak Russian ruble.

The Russian energy giant’s net profit for Q1 2015 was 382 billion rubles ($5.9 billion), up 71% on a year earlier. Total sales rose 6% to 1.65 trillion rubles.

Gazprom sells its gas in dollars, so a weak currency means the price of gas in rubles rises.Gazprom profits 2015

The weak ruble helped to offset a fall in the volume of sales of almost 10%, to 132 billion cubic meters of gas.

This fall was partly due to sanctions imposed by the West following Russia’s actions in the Ukraine.

It meant Gazprom shares were down almost 2% in trading in Moscow despite the jump in quarterly profits.

With the price of oil – which is a key determinant of the price of gas – back below $50 a barrel, many analysts believe Gazprom results for the rest of 2015 will be weaker than the first quarter.

French Parents Forget 3-Year-Old Girl at Drome Highway Stop

Nancy Clayson
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French Parents Forget 3-Year-Old Girl at Drome Highway Stop

A French family heading for a holiday in the south of France drove 93 miles before finding out they had left their 3-year-old daughter behind at a highway picnic area.

Even then, they only realized because of an alert broadcast on the radio.

The girl was abandoned on Sunday afternoon at the Bras de Zil rest-stop south of Valence.

By the time another family had found the girl, her parents were already well on their way to their destination.French girl lost on autoroute du soleil

The girl was apparently left at around midday near Loriol, at a picnic stop beside the A7 highway known as the “autoroute du soleil” (highway of the sun).

The family who found the girl waited some time for her parents to return, but then alerted local police.

The girl told officers she was on her way to the beach, had a brother and sister and had seen her dad’s car drive off.

It was not until police broadcast an appeal on a highway radio channel that her father contacted them at around three o’clock. The family had already driven past Aix-en-Provence on their way south.

The family was eventually reunited more than two hours later.

Local prosecutors were considering whether to take action against the parents.

IKEA Knife Attack: Two People Killed at Vasteras Store

Diane A. Wade
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IKEA Knife Attack: Two People Killed at Vasteras Store

Two people have been stabbed to death and another seriously injured in an attack at an IKEA store in Vasteras, Sweden.

According to a Swedish police statement, the dead are a man and a woman.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Photo AP
Photo AP

IKEA spokeswoman Anna Pilkrona-Godden said that the Erikslund shopping centre containing the store had been closed.

Vasteras is about 70 miles west of the capital Stockholm.

“We found a man and a woman who had knife injuries and who later died of their wounds,” police said.

The victims were “ordinary shoppers” in the kitchen accessory section, Mattias Johansson, the store manager, told local newspaper VLT.

Several ambulances were at the scene and the area was cordoned off by police, eyewitnesses told local media.

“Our thoughts are with those affected,” said Anna Pilkrona-Godden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7aB8A6pgag

Netzpolitik Treason Case Dropped by Germany’s Chief Federal Prosecutor

Diane A. Wade
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Netzpolitik Treason Case Dropped by Germany’s Chief Federal Prosecutor

The German chief federal prosecutor has dropped the treason investigation into Netzpolitik journalists suspected of revealing state secrets.

The Netzpolitik website case sparked a huge political row about freedom of speech. Last week the Justice Minister, Heiko Maas, sacked chief prosecutor Harald Range.

Public rallies had backed Netzpolitik.

The chief prosecutor’s office said it now accepted the justice ministry’s assessment that Netzpolitik did not leak state secrets.

However, German media said investigations against unnamed state officials bound to secrecy were continuing in connection with a suspected breach of confidentiality.Netzpolitik treason case Markus Beckedahl and Andre Meister

In February, Netzpolitik alleged that Germany’s domestic intelligence agency wanted additional funds to increase its online surveillance program.

A later article in April investigated the spy agency’s plans to set up a special unit to monitor social networking websites.

In the high-profile case, Netzpolitik founder Markus Beckedahl and blogger Andre Meister were accused of treason.

The decision to drop the investigation had been “long overdue”, Markus Beckedahl said on August 10, but added that “this doesn’t go far enough for us”.

“We want to know concretely whether, as part of the almost three-month-long investigation, we were victims of surveillance. And we want clarity about who knew what, and when, in the German government,” German media quoted him as saying.

Markus Beckedahl called the investigation into his website “a judicial misjudgement”.

“We hope that the intimidation attempt against us and all other journalists who cover surveillance activities… has collapsed big-time,” he said.

Many Germans were outraged by the scale of US National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropping exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, who is now a fugitive in Moscow.

Data protection is always a hot topic in Germany, because of the abuses inflicted by the Nazi dictatorship and the former communist regime in East Germany.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix3FEdUS410

Turkey: At Least Five Killed in Istanbul and Sirnak Attacks

Roy Siemens
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Turkey: At Least Five Killed in Istanbul and Sirnak Attacks

At least five people have been killed in three separate attacks in Turkey’s south-east and Istanbul.

Four police officers were killed by a bomb on a road in Sirnak province and shortly after, gunmen opened fire on a military helicopter, killing a soldier.

Tension between the Turkish government and Kurdish militants has been rising.

One of the Istanbul attacks, on the US consulate, was carried out by two women and linked to a far-left group.

One of the female assailants in Monday’s attack was wounded and detained, and a rifle and other weaponry were seized, Istanbul’s governor said in a statement.

Photo AFP
Photo AFP

She is said to be a member of a radical Marxist group, the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front (DHKP-C).

The DHKP-C previously claimed a 2013 suicide attack on the US embassy in the capital, Ankara.

The US consulate said in a tweet that it was closed until further notice.

In the other attack in Istanbul, on a police station in the district of Sultanbeyli, a car bomb was detonated, injuring 10 people, including three police officers.

Two suspected militants were killed in ensuing clashes with police and an injured police officer died later in hospital, reports say.

Following the attack on the military helicopter in Sirnak province, Turkish helicopters bombed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in retaliation.

A ceasefire in the long-running conflict with the group appeared to disintegrate in July, when Turkey began bombing PKK camps in northern Iraq, at the same time as launching air strikes on IS militants.

PKK leader Cemil Bayik has accused Turkey of trying to protect ISIS by attacking Kurdish fighters.

Kurdish fighters – among them the PKK – have secured significant victories against ISIS militants in Syria and Iraq.

Turkey, like a number of Western countries, considers the PKK a terrorist organization.

India Stampede: At Least 10 Killed at Deoghar’s Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple

Diane A. Wade
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India Stampede: At Least 10 Killed at Deoghar’s Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple

At least ten people have been killed and 20 injured in a stampede at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials say.

Pilgrims have been marking a Hindu religious festival in Deoghar town.

It happened as pilgrims tried to make their way into the complex, a district official said.India stampede Deoghar

The stampede at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple began after pilgrims surged towards the shrine shortly after the doors opened on August 10, an official told the AFP news agency.

Monday is considered an auspicious date to visit the shrine, which includes a main temple and 21 smaller ones devoted to Shiva, the god of destruction.

Pilgrims sleeping in the 4 miles long queue were trampled as others pushed towards the doors, senior police official SN Pradhan said.

“Many tried to rush to the head of the queue which led to chaos and as some of them fell, the devotees got trampled.”

“Ten people including one female devotee are now confirmed dead. Another 15 to 20 people have received injuries,” he said.

Deadly stampedes are common during Indian religious festivals, which attract large crowds with few safety measures in place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djrg2bgsDGQ

Tyrone Harris: Man Shot by Police at Michael Brown Protest in Ferguson

Nancy Clayson
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Tyrone Harris: Man Shot by Police at Michael Brown Protest in Ferguson

A man, who was later named as Tyrone Harris, was shot by Ferguson police at the protest to mark the first anniversary of the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.

Ferguson police said the man had opened fire on them and now is in a “critical, unstable” condition and due to have surgery.

Police also said he was armed with a stolen gun and they had been tracking him. Four officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Photos from the scene showed a young black man lying bloodied on the ground.

He was face down and handcuffed. In a video posted on Twitter, a man can be heard urging the police to “please, get him some help”, as the injured man lies still.

The wounded man’s name and age have not been released by police.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

The St Louis Post-Dispatch identified him as 18-year-old Tyrone Harris, having spoken to his father, the paper said.

The shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson by white police officer Darren Wilson in August 2014 sparked demonstrations across the US.

It fuelled a national protest movement against racial bias by police officers.

Shots were heard at about 23:15 local time on August 9 as a large crowd gathered on West Florissant Avenue, at the end of a sombre, peaceful day of commemorations.

St Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters that after “an exchange of gunfire between two groups” the suspect, believed by police to be armed, left and encountered officers in an unmarked SUV.

The suspect fired on the vehicle, Jon Belmar said, and the plainclothes detectives returned fire from inside the van.

There was then a further exchange of fire after the officers left the vehicle.

The officers were not wearing body cameras, he added.

President Barack Obama announced a federal program to help pay for lapel-mounted cameras for US police to record their interactions in the wake of the nationwide protests on perceived policing injustices.

In the early hours of the morning, police used loudspeakers to urge people still gathered at the scene to disperse, saying “this is no longer a peaceful protest”.

Before this incident, hundreds of people stood silent for four-and-a-half minutes at the spot where Michael Brown was killed, representing the number of hours that his body lay in the street unattended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vcDlStA0gM

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