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  • MTV VMAs: All you want to understand concerning the easiest video nominees

    Cardi B, Childish Gambino and Camila Cabello Symbol copyright BBC / Getty Photographs Symbol caption Cardi B, Childish Gambino and Camila Cabello are all nominated for the primary time

    Drake, Ariana Grande, Cardi B and Childish Gambino are all up for video of the yr on the 2018 MTV Video Tune Awards, which take place at New York’s Radio City Music Corridor later.

    It’s the most powerful line-up considering the fact that 2004 – while Britney’s Toxic went up towards Jay-Z’s incendiary 99 Issues. Each lost, alternatively, to Outkast’s irresistibly technicolour clip for Good Day Ya!

    This yr’s contenders span an analogous gamut, encompassing the whole thing from searing political statement to Latin American melodrama.

    Collectively, they illustrate how videos became an extension of the artist’s imaginative and prescient, basic to the message of the music as opposed to a throwaway piece of fluff.

    Any of the shortlisted six songs may win – although Kanye’s most likely got his cash on Beyonce.

    INFANTILE GAMBINO – This Is America

    This video accommodates language and images some people might in finding offensive.

    CAMILA CABELLO toes YOUNGER THUG – Havana

    THE CARTERS – Apes**t

    This video comprises language a few folks would possibly to find offensive.

    DRAKE – God’s Plan

    BRUNO MARS ft CARDI B Finesse (Remix)

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  • Rockets hit Kabul’s diplomatic house all through Eid speech

    Afghan security forces arrive at the site of a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan August 21, 2018 Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption Afghan security forces patrolled the realm after the rocket assault

    Militants have fired rockets at the diplomatic quarter of the Afghan capital Kabul all over a speech by way of the president to mark a Muslim holiday.

    President Ashraf Ghani was once speaking survive television to have a good time Eid al-Adha whilst explosions were heard, a few of them near the presidential palace.

    Smoke and helicopters may well be observed above the Reka Khana district, an AFP news company photographer said.

    Mr Ghani’s demand an Eid ceasefire was once rejected by way of Taliban militants.

    As troops secured the world centered, it used to be still not clear who had fired the rockets or if any casualties have been brought about.

  • MTV VMAs: Madonna’s ‘self-indulgent’ Aretha tribute & Camila Cabello wins

    Madonna's Aretha Franklin tribute Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption Madonna turning in her Aretha Franklin tribute

    Madonna paid tribute to Aretha Franklin at the MTV VMAs – but her lengthy speech didn’t pass down smartly with some audience who concept she was self-indulgent.

    The Queen of pop was once asked to speak in regards to the late Queen of Soul at Monday’s award ceremony in New York.

    She brought a 5-minute speech ending with her giving thanks to Franklin for “empowering all people”.

    But she confronted grievance on social media for the reality such a lot of the speech was an anecdote approximately her personal profession.

    Symbol Copyright @cthagod @cthagod Symbol Copyright @MsIsisKing @MsIsisKing Image Copyright @Felonious_munk @Felonious_munk Symbol Copyright @kiiajai @kiiajai Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Image caption Camila Cabello dedicated her video of the year award to Madonna

    Arriving on degree, she bowed down to Madonna and dedicated the award to the 60-yr-antique pop legend.

    It was once certainly one of large awards for Cabello – she was once also named artist of the 12 months.

    Journalist Ernest Owens wrote on Twitter: “Camila Cabello got on her knees and praised Madonna and dedicated her undeserved Video of the Year award to her… after Madonna simply gave a self-indulgent ‘tribute’ to Aretha Franklin.

    “And that describes how #VMAs treated Black artists all the evening…”

    Symbol Copyright @MrErnestOwens @MrErnestOwens

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  • UK will also be ’21st Century exporting superpower’, says Liam Fox

    Liam Fox Symbol copyright AFP/ Getty Pictures

    Britain may also be a “twenty first Century exporting superpower”, Liam Fox is expected to say in a speech detailing the government’s submit-Brexit ambitions.

    The world industry secretary will say he desires exports as a share of UNITED KINGDOM GDP to upward push from 30% to 35%.

    Last year exports of goods and services rose to a record top of £620 billion.

    The Federation of Small Businesses praised the aspiration – but mentioned more monetary incentives, corresponding to offers and “export vouchers”, were needed.

    Mike Cherry from the FSB stated small firms may just use the vouchers to speculate in issues comparable to translation services and products or marketplace analysis.

    Carolyn Fairbairn, director-common of the CBI (Confederation of British Business), said the strategy was once “a timely sign” that the government was devoted to making improvements to the united kingdom’s competitiveness.

    “The CBI strongly supports the ambition to make exports 35% of GDP, in order to placed the united kingdom out in front of a lot of our global competition,” she mentioned.

    “We estimate that during each region of the rustic there are round 10% of companies that might export, but don’t, and we look ahead to running along the federal government to make stronger and inspire them to grab the opportunity.”

  • Radioactive tool is going lacking in Malaysia

    A symbol for radioactivity on a radioactively-contaminated container once used to transport nuclear fuel rods Symbol copyright Getty Pictures

    Malaysia is attempting to find a radioactive software which went lacking from a pickup truck in advance this month.

    Government say the radioactive substance throughout the radiography software may unfold dangerous contamination if dismantled improperly.

    There also are fears it would be used as part of a weapon – a so-referred to as grimy bomb – if it fell into the wrong palms.

    Government have showed the tool is missing however have insisted that “the whole thing is under keep watch over”.

    The lacking object is utilized in commercial radiography – it belonged to an organization that does exams, calibrations and inspections for oil and fuel firms and other heavy business corporations.

    The 23kg (50lbs) huge steel tube with a sporting handle had reportedly been used to identify cracks in metal.

    It accommodates the radioactive isotope iridium-192 which is able to cause radiation exposure or be used as a weapon if blended with a traditional explosive tool.

    The Inspector-Normal of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun mentioned an analogous incident took place remaining year and that there has been no data on that instrument either, the Bernama news agency stated.

    the man who hunts ‘hidden’ radioactive objects Reality Check: Where are the world’s nuclear weapons?

    Police and local media have distinct how the instrument was once being carried on the back of a truck within the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

    It were used at one site on the outskirts of the town and was once then pushed to another area.

    Upon arrival, the drivers noticed the tool used to be lacking. the two males have been taken in for questioning however have in view that been released.

    there may be hypothesis the instrument might both were stolen or fallen off the pickup at the same time as driving.

    A police reputable stated an research had been launched with out giving further details, local media mentioned.

    Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman showed the incident had taken position but insisted “everything is under keep watch over”.

  • Cartoon: Planet of Forbidden Prime Ministers

    On a miles-off planet that’s very much like Australia, unfamiliar beings engage in a brutal combat for political domination, on this satirical cool animated film from illustrator Laurent Sanguinetti.

    Not positive what we are on approximately? Australia has run thru a slew of high ministers in latest years and is retaining a federal election on 2 July. You’ll read more about Australia’s revolving-door of political management on these links, however for now, let us adventure to Australis Minor.

    Are Australians able to gamble on yet one more PM? | Coup capital of the democratic international

    Laurent Sanguinetti is a French-Australian illustrator who bases himself among Sydney and Paris. You’ll see extra of his paintings at his website online.

  • Mueller inquiry: Trump fears ‘perjury trap’ in Russia inquiry

    US President Donald Trump speaks at an event in the East Room of the White House, 20 August 2018 Symbol copyright EPA Symbol caption President Trump has many times referred to the Mueller research as a “witch hunt”

    US President Donald Trump has said he’s concerned he would possibly face perjury fees if he offers statements below oath to the investigation into Russia’s alleged function in his election victory.

    He told Reuters news agency he feared any discrepancies between his account and others may well be used in opposition to him.

    Mr Trump additionally advised he may take over the research run by special suggest Robert Mueller, however mentioned he’d determined to stay out of it.

    He has referred to as the inquiry a witch hunt.

    Russia also strongly denies claims it interfered in the 2016 election, which saw Mr Trump defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

    Symbol copyright AFP Symbol caption Legal Professional Rudy Giuliani was once broadly ridiculed for suggesting “fact isn’t reality”

    Mr Giuliani stated: “I’m Not going to be rushed into having him testify so he can be trapped into perjury.”

    He introduced: “while you inform me that he will have to testify because he is going to inform the reality and he will not fear, smartly that’s so silly as a result of it’s somebody’s model of the reality. Not the truth.”

    NBC host Chuck Todd countered: “Fact is reality.”

    Mr Giuliani spoke back by way of saying: “Truth is not reality.” That comment used to be extensively mocked on social media.

    Special suggest Mueller is investigating whether President Trump’s marketing campaign crew colluded with Russia to persuade the end result of the presidential election.

    In 2016, US intelligence companies concluded that Russia had used a state-authorized campaign of cyber assaults and pretend news tales planted on social media in an attempt to flip the election in opposition to Mrs Clinton.

    Thirty-two other folks have now been indicted, together with four individuals of Mr Trump’s marketing campaign team and 25 Russians.

    The president’s former campaign supervisor, Paul Manafort, is the primary person to move on trial as a result of Mr Mueller’s research. Alternatively, the fees don’t seem to be associated with the u.s. election but as a substitute to tax evasion and money-laundering stemming from his political consultancy work in Ukraine.

    The jury in his case is in its fourth day of deliberation to succeed in a verdict.

  • Venezuela tablet shortage triggers rise in teenage pregnancies

    Packets of condoms in a pharmacy in Barquisimeto Symbol copyright BBC Game Image caption There are only a couple of packet of condoms in the pharmacy owned via Margaret Khawan

    In downtown Barquisimeto, Margaret Khawan’s pharmacy is looking a bit empty this present day.

    What merchandise she does have she has spaced out alongside the shelves to lead them to glance a little fuller.

    Ms Khawan has no longer had any deliveries of contraceptive capsules for a 12 months.

    each day folks come searching for them and each day she has to show them away. persons are having to evolve.

    “It used to be just men buying condoms however ladies are shopping for them too now as a result of there’s nothing else,” she says. “the fee of condoms has long past up 200%.”

    Symbol caption Darnellys Rodríguez was 15 whilst she had her first child

    She had her first child while she used to be 15 years old. Then she had a 2d baby, and hoped that may be it, however then she were given pregnant together with her third.

    “My first reaction used to be to cry,” she says. “Getting contraceptive drugs is really hard. There’s nothing and while you can get cling of them, the associated fee is past my achieve.”

    Financially it is a fight. She lives with her youngsters and spouse in a corrugated iron shack in a terrible neighbourhood of Barquisimeto.

    Now she is pregnant, she says her older boys must go without garments and footwear so she will be able to pay for some of her medical assessments.

    “I’m planning to get sterilised,” she says. “the speculation of getting any other baby is too a lot.”

    Teenage mothers

    According to the United Nations Population Fund, round one in four young children in Venezuela is born to an adolescent. the country has the highest price of adlescent pregnancies in Latin The United States.

    “It’s A situation that’s were given worse within the closing 12 months,” says Delia Mondragón, the vice-president of the Affiliation of Circle Of Relatives Planning in Lara state, the place Barquisimeto is located.

    Symbol caption Delia Mondragón’s waiting room is filled with younger ladies looking for recommendation

    “It’s especially onerous for youngsters. A box of contraceptives may value as a lot as what their oldsters earn in a month, and even double that.”

    Every weekday, her waiting room is stuffed with girls coming for advice or clinical help.

    One of the opposite big issues is malnutrition. Latest research means that three-quarters of Venezuelans misplaced weight within the previous year, an average of 9kg (20lb).

    Watch:

    Venezuela’s kid hunger quandary grows Venezuelan hospitals at breaking point Venezuelans searching for new lifestyles in Colombia How people are living in money-strapped Venezuela

    “They Are Not consuming for the reason that family doesn’t have meals, they don’t have anything else to consume.” Ms Mondragón says. “So malnutrition is really critical. once they visit give start, we’re discovering plenty of malnourished ladies.”

    Supply shortages

    Women are often requested to carry a “equipment” of scientific supplies to the cash-strapped public hospitals. Gloves, antibiotics and robes handy to the physician earlier than they provide birth.

    There are not any professional facts but paediatrician Dr Huniades Urbina Medina, the president of the Venezuelan Society of Childcare and Paediatrics, says that of the births he attends, the vast majority are actually unplanned.

    He says it is a public health emergency.

    “a teen at 12 or THIRTEEN or even 15 is a kid giving delivery to another kid,” he says.

    “they don’t consider what it approach to be a mom. It Is like a play for them however it’s a actual drawback for us paediatricians, for obstetrics, for the hospital, for the long run of the country.”

    Dr Urbina blames the issue squarely at the executive. “Whilst a young person provides start, almost 80% leave faculty and that is the reason a big drawback,” he says.

    “the government, in preference to educating intercourse education, offers you money if you happen to are a youngster mom, offers you a house. So a young person thinks if she if will get pregnant, she will be able to go away her house and turn out to be an grownup.”

    The BBC requested to speak to the well being ministry however had no response.

    Fear of unwanted pregnancy

    Betsimar Villalobos Reinosa is definitely growing up in 2017. She grew to become 15 and, like many Venezuelan girls, had a big birthday celebration or quinceañera, marking her passage into womanhood.

    Symbol caption Betsimar desires to go back to university after having her child

    And in two months’ time there may be every other essential date: the delivery of her daughter Josehanny Alicet.

    The circle of relatives says her pregnancy used to be a wonder and a unhappiness to them.

    But her mother Juana is practical and says she is going to do what she can to beef up her daughter.

    “I never imagined it might occur,” she says. “There’ve been a whole lot of younger ladies getting pregnant recently because of the challenge. Some ladies try and to find men as a result of they are going hungry – they would like anyone to provide for them.”

    Betsimar desires to head back to university after the delivery of Josehanny but there aren’t any guarantees for you to occur.

    “I Am afraid,” she says. “As Soon As I supply delivery, as a result of it’s arduous to get contraceptives and condoms, I Am scared if i have intercourse i can get pregnant again.”

  • Venezuela predicament: Extra migrants pass into Brazil despite assaults

    Venezuelan migrant walks out the Brazilian immigration point in the border city of Pacaraima, Roraima, Brazil, on August 20, 2018 Image copyright AFP Symbol caption Many Venezuelans entering Brazil say they have no selection however to depart their united states of america

    The collection of Venezuelans getting into Brazil is rising, officials say, in spite of Saturday’s assaults on makeshift migrant border camps.

    A Brazilian army spokesman mentioned about 900 Venezuelans were expected in the state of Rorarima on Monday, a steep rise in the daily moderate.

    The numbers of individuals seeking to flee Venezuela’s economic collapse are stoking regional tensions.

    There is contemporary uncertainty following the issuing of latest banknotes.

    Banks and shops are as a result of reopen on Tuesday after a public vacation on Monday, when the left-wing executive lopped five zeros off the bolívar and anchored it to a brand new digital forex referred to as the petro.

    Symbol copyright Reuters Image caption Brazil has sent extra safety forces to quell any unrest in Pacaraima

    Lots Of the ones crossing into Brazil say they’re hungry and don’t have get right of entry to to clinical products and services in Venezuela.

    The army stated that on Sunday about 800 Venezuelan migrants arrived in Roraima, approximately 300 greater than the common number crossing each day for just about a yr.

    In Pacaraima on Saturday, a number of migrant encampments were attacked through angry citizens following studies that a local eating place proprietor have been badly crushed by way of Venezuelans.

    Loads of migrants fled back around the border and gangs of guys burned their camps and their belongings. Reviews on Monday stated many had considering crossed back into Brazil.

    There has been rising animosity against the numbers of Venezuelans entering Roraima in contemporary months.

    Where else are Venezuelans heading?

    Other countries within the region together with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru say they’re suffering to care for the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

    Loads of heaps have made the adventure into Colombia and Ecuador and lots of are heading further south for Peru or Chile.

    On Saturday, Ecuador introduced new access restrictions that left masses of migrants stranded on the Colombian aspect of the border.

    Image copyright AFP Symbol caption From Saturday, simplest Venezuelans with legitimate passports had been allowed to move from Colombia in Ecuador

    Amid the confusion, some desperate Venezuelans defied the new laws and entered by means of unguarded crossings however correspondents say they now face fines for having accessed the rustic illegally.

    Over the past three years approximately THREE,000 Venezuelans have entered Colombia on a daily basis and the rustic has granted brief place of abode to greater than 800,000.

    Peru says that last week by myself, 20,000 Venezuelans entered the country.

    What’s taking place with the forex?

    The World Monetary Fund had predicted that inflation in Venezuela may achieve 1,000,000 in step with cent this yr. in step with a recent take a look at by means of the competition-managed National Assembly, prices have been doubling every 26 days on moderate.

    From Monday, new banknotes denominated in “sovereign bolivars” are criminal delicate. However as it was declared a public holiday, consideration is now enthusiastic about how shops and banks react when the drastic measures come into effect on Tuesday.

    The move is effectively a redenomination. President Nicolás Maduro lower 5 zeros off the vintage forex – the “strong bolívar” – and gave it its new name.

    Eight new banknotes and two new cash are being positioned into movement. the new notes could have a worth of 2, FIVE, 10, 20, 50, ONE HUNDRED, TWO HUNDRED and 500 sovereign bolivars.

    most aged bolivar notes will continue to flow into “for a time”, Venezuelan Principal Bank President Calixto Ortega announced. Simplest the bottom current notes, worth less than 1,000 robust bolivars, will be phased out directly away.

    Will the brand new foreign money forestall inflation?

    the federal government hopes that its new financial plan is not going to simplest scale back the country’s hyperinflation but also positioned an end to the “financial warfare” which it says has been waged in opposition to it by means of “imperialist forces”.

    Media playback is unsupported in your software

    Media captionHow to get via in Venezuela, whilst cash is briefly provide

    It says the introduction of the new currency is followed through key measures to be able to assist Venezuela’s battered economy recuperate. Amongst them are:

    Raising the minimum salary to 34 occasions its previous stage from 1 September Anchoring the sovereign bolivar to the petro, a virtual foreign money the government says is associated with Venezuela’s oil reserves Curbing Venezuela’s generous fuel subsidies for those now not in possession of a “Hometown IDENTIFICATION” Raising VAT through 4% to 16%

    President Maduro tweeted in Spanish that his govt could “dismantle neoliberal capitalism’s perverse war to put in a virtuous, balanced, sustainable, healthy and effective economic system”.

    However economists had been caution that the brand new measures do not deal with the foundation causes of inflation in Venezuela and that the printing of new notes may just exacerbate inflation in preference to cut back it.

    they are saying the upward push within the minimal wage will most effective pressure inflation up faster. Some analysts estimate that the benefits of the brand new foreign money may well be wiped out by means of hyperinflation “inside months”.

    (more…)

  • Workers in open-plan offices ‘more active’

    People working in an open plan office Image copyright Getty Images

    Workers in open-plan places of work are extra lively and less wired than those with desks in cubicles or non-public places of work, research suggests.

    This may well be because they make the trouble to find privacy to talk clear of their table, the researchers mentioned.

    The US study used chest sensors to trace movement and center fee in masses of individuals in numerous buildings over 3 days.

    The possible well being advantages won’t be left out, they mentioned.

    But they mentioned the examine was observational best and elements like location of stairs and lifts may well be at play too.

    The University of Arizona study, published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, claims to be the primary to degree task and rigidity in place of business workers, rather than asking them in a survey.

    It stated administrative center workers tended to be a sedentary workforce compared to other workers, making them much more likely to have health problems, including cardiovascular disease, tiredness and low temper.

    Being much less active all the way through running hours has also been linked to greater emotions of rigidity.

    Place Of Job cake is ‘danger to well being’ May Just offices change from sitting to status? Office staff ‘too sedentary’

    within the study of 231 administrative center staff in government buildings in the US, those in open-plan places of work – with no walls between desks – clocked up 32% extra physical process than staff in non-public workplaces and 20% greater than the ones in booths.

    And people who were extra energetic had 14% decrease ranges of tension out of doors the workplace in comparison to folks who have been less energetic.

    Participants in the take a look at additionally responded questions about their current mood each hour on their smartphones during paintings time.

    Older office workers were much more likely to have upper stress ranges. essentially the most wired folks at paintings had been additionally folks that had been highly stressed out at house too.

    On the whole, males were more active than women.

    ‘Healthy behaviour’

    Esther Sternberg, look at writer and professor at College of Arizona Faculty Of Medicine, said: “We All recognise we must always be expanding our activity however regardless of how we attempt to inspire people to have interaction in wholesome behaviour, it doesn’t paintings for lengthy.

    “So changing office design to inspire wholesome behaviour is a passive way of getting other folks to be extra lively.”

    Even If other folks are likely to like particular person workplaces or cubicles extra as a result of they are more private, the researchers discovered open plan offices may have different advantages, reminiscent of better verbal exchange, more impromptu conversations and higher awareness of colleagues.

    The researchers stated other layout features could also impact job levels – comparable to how other folks flow into of their offices, where assembly spaces can be found and how accessible stairs and lifts are.