Amazon announced Thursday in a statement that it will be creating 100,000 U.S.-based full-time jobs over the next 18 months, adding the positions are for workers of all skill and experience levels across the country.
The positions, which will mostly be at fulfillment centers, encompass the fields of cloud technology, machine learning and advanced logistics.
"Innovation is one of our guiding principles at Amazon, and it's created hundreds of thousands of American jobs. These jobs are not just in our Seattle headquarters or in Silicon Valley -- they're in our customer service network, fulfillment centers and other facilities in local communities throughout the country," Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said.
The move coincides with Amazon's efforts over the past several years to expand its workforce. The company, which employed 30,000 workers in 2011, has expanded to 180,000 employees as of the end of last year.
Additionally, 25,000 veterans and military spouses will be hired over the next five years, and the company also said it plans to train 10,000 active duty service members, veterans and military spouses in cloud computing.
Tell us below what you think of Amazon's domestic expansion.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Syria warns Israel after rockets hit air base
The Syrian army has warned Israel of "repercussions" after rockets struck a major military air base outside Damascus.
Explosions were heard in the capital early on Friday and residents in city's southwest suburbs saw a large plume of smoke rising from the area.
Footage on social media showed flames leaping from parts of the Mazzeh military airport compound.
Explosions were heard in the capital early on Friday and residents in city's southwest suburbs saw a large plume of smoke rising from the area.
Footage on social media showed flames leaping from parts of the Mazzeh military airport compound.
Flooding threat forces Essex village evacuation
The village of Jaywick in Essex is to be evacuated due to potential flooding caused by rain and strong winds.
Police officers are calling at homes to warn the village's 4,665 residents of the evacuation, which is to start at 7am on Friday.
A rest centre has been set up for use until homes "are deemed safe to return to".
Chief inspector Russ Cole said: "This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of all residents to ensure their safety until the severe weather passes."
:: UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
Essex Police said officers would patrol the village "to ensure property left unattended is as secure as possible".
It comes as residents along the east coast of England are being warned of the risk of large waves as gale-force winds combine with high tides.
Environment Agency spokesperson Mark Sitton-Kent said the conditions "could cause flooding to coastal roads and could impact properties".
Some 5,200 metres of temporary barriers and 25 pumps have been moved to depots and towns including Newcastle upon Tyne, Blythe, Great Yarmouth, Chelmsford, Rye and Trustthorpe and South Ferriby in Lincolnshire.
The army has been placed on standby, Mr Sitton-Kent added.
Elsewhere across the UK, dozens of flights have been cancelled ahead of possible snowfall later on Thursday.
Police officers are calling at homes to warn the village's 4,665 residents of the evacuation, which is to start at 7am on Friday.
A rest centre has been set up for use until homes "are deemed safe to return to".
Chief inspector Russ Cole said: "This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of all residents to ensure their safety until the severe weather passes."
:: UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
Essex Police said officers would patrol the village "to ensure property left unattended is as secure as possible".
It comes as residents along the east coast of England are being warned of the risk of large waves as gale-force winds combine with high tides.
Environment Agency spokesperson Mark Sitton-Kent said the conditions "could cause flooding to coastal roads and could impact properties".
Some 5,200 metres of temporary barriers and 25 pumps have been moved to depots and towns including Newcastle upon Tyne, Blythe, Great Yarmouth, Chelmsford, Rye and Trustthorpe and South Ferriby in Lincolnshire.
The army has been placed on standby, Mr Sitton-Kent added.
Elsewhere across the UK, dozens of flights have been cancelled ahead of possible snowfall later on Thursday.
Donald Trump dossier: Ex-MI6 officer 'fears for his life'
A former British intelligence officer behind the dossier containing explosive but unverified claims about Donald Trump has fled his home fearing for his life, a report says.
Christopher Steele, a former MI6 officer who now runs an intelligence-gathering firm in London, has been identified as the author of the document, which alleges that Russia had amassed compromising material about the US President-elect.
Mr Trump, in a news conference, denounced the 35-page dossier as "nonsense", "fake news" and "phoney stuff".
Mr Steele, 52, fears a backlash from Moscow now that his name has been made public, the Daily Telegraph said.
He is "terrified for his and his family's safety", an unspecified source close to Mr Steele was quoted as saying in the newspaper.
According to the report, the former spy packed his bags, left his cat with a neighbour and fled his home in Surrey on Wednesday morning.
Mr Steele reportedly was a spy in Russia in the 1990s and has maintained several contacts there.
He serves as director of Orbis, a firm founded in 2009 by former British intelligence professionals.
According to its website, Orbis has a "global network" of experts and "prominent business figures".
The dossier dominated a news conference by Mr Trump in New York on Wednesday, his first in six months.
He suggested spy agencies may have leaked the material and accused them of practices reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
The remark escalates tensions between Mr Trump and US intelligence agencies.
James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, said he had spoken with Mr Trump about the dossier and told the President-elect that he did not believe the leaks come from the US intelligence community.
Former defence secretary Leon Panetta told CBS that US national security was at stake.
Protecting America, he said, requires good intelligence and "demands a relationship of trust and unfortunately I think I see a relationship in which that trust doesn't exist right now".
About the dossier:
:: It was commissioned by a Washington firm on behalf of Mr Trump's political opponents
:: It looks at alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, claiming the Kremlin cultivated and supported Mr Trump for at least five years, also feeding him intelligence on political rivals including Hillary Clinton
:: It claims Russia had gathered embarrassing allegations against Mr Trump during a visit to Moscow years ago that could be used to blackmail him
The claims in the dossier had been widely circulated in recent months among the Washington media and members of Congress, but they could not be verified.
In October, Mother Jones magazine reported that a former Western spy assigned to look into Mr Trump's Russian ties had presented his findings to the FBI.
Both President Barack Obama and the President-elect have received a two-page summary outlining the claims made in the dossier. The summary was attached to an intelligence report into Russian hacking.
News that Mr Trump and Mr Obama had received these documents was broken by CNN, prompting an angry reaction from Mr Trump during his news conference.
On Tuesday night BuzzFeed published the full dossier - a controversial decision since the claims are unverified. The website defended the move saying Americans "can make up their own minds".
Sky News has not been able to verify the authenticity or veracity of the report and is unable to substantiate the claims made within it.
Christopher Steele, a former MI6 officer who now runs an intelligence-gathering firm in London, has been identified as the author of the document, which alleges that Russia had amassed compromising material about the US President-elect.
Mr Trump, in a news conference, denounced the 35-page dossier as "nonsense", "fake news" and "phoney stuff".
Mr Steele, 52, fears a backlash from Moscow now that his name has been made public, the Daily Telegraph said.
He is "terrified for his and his family's safety", an unspecified source close to Mr Steele was quoted as saying in the newspaper.
According to the report, the former spy packed his bags, left his cat with a neighbour and fled his home in Surrey on Wednesday morning.
Mr Steele reportedly was a spy in Russia in the 1990s and has maintained several contacts there.
He serves as director of Orbis, a firm founded in 2009 by former British intelligence professionals.
According to its website, Orbis has a "global network" of experts and "prominent business figures".
The dossier dominated a news conference by Mr Trump in New York on Wednesday, his first in six months.
He suggested spy agencies may have leaked the material and accused them of practices reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
The remark escalates tensions between Mr Trump and US intelligence agencies.
James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, said he had spoken with Mr Trump about the dossier and told the President-elect that he did not believe the leaks come from the US intelligence community.
Former defence secretary Leon Panetta told CBS that US national security was at stake.
Protecting America, he said, requires good intelligence and "demands a relationship of trust and unfortunately I think I see a relationship in which that trust doesn't exist right now".
About the dossier:
:: It was commissioned by a Washington firm on behalf of Mr Trump's political opponents
:: It looks at alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, claiming the Kremlin cultivated and supported Mr Trump for at least five years, also feeding him intelligence on political rivals including Hillary Clinton
:: It claims Russia had gathered embarrassing allegations against Mr Trump during a visit to Moscow years ago that could be used to blackmail him
The claims in the dossier had been widely circulated in recent months among the Washington media and members of Congress, but they could not be verified.
In October, Mother Jones magazine reported that a former Western spy assigned to look into Mr Trump's Russian ties had presented his findings to the FBI.
Both President Barack Obama and the President-elect have received a two-page summary outlining the claims made in the dossier. The summary was attached to an intelligence report into Russian hacking.
News that Mr Trump and Mr Obama had received these documents was broken by CNN, prompting an angry reaction from Mr Trump during his news conference.
On Tuesday night BuzzFeed published the full dossier - a controversial decision since the claims are unverified. The website defended the move saying Americans "can make up their own minds".
Sky News has not been able to verify the authenticity or veracity of the report and is unable to substantiate the claims made within it.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Gambia's President Jammeh vows 'to stay till election ruling'
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has said he will not step down before a Supreme Court decision on disputed elections, a ruling now not expected until May.
In a nationwide TV broadcast, the longstanding ruler also reiterated his concern at "foreign interference".
Regional mediators, led by Nigeria's president, are expected in The Gambia on Friday to urge him to accept defeat following December's election.
President-elect Adama Barrow says he will be inaugurated next week.
Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories
What next for Jammeh?
How Gambians have lost their fear
Mr Jammeh, who initially accepted defeat in the 1 December poll, lodged a case before the Supreme Court after the electoral commission changed some results.
But the commission insists the outcome was not affected by an initial error and property developer Mr Barrow narrowly won.
Mr Jammeh seized power in the tiny country in 1994 and has been accused of human rights abuses, although he has held regular elections.
The president made his speech on Tuesday evening after it was announced that the Supreme Court hearing would be delayed until May because of a shortage of judges, who mostly come from neighbouring countries.
The chief justice suggested mediation would be the best way forward as Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders head to the country in another attempt to end the deadlock.
But Mr Jammeh said his cabinet and the National Assembly would remain in place "to ensure the rule of law is upheld" pending the court's ruling.
"[Under the constitution], only the Supreme Court can review our challenge and only the Supreme Court can declare anyone president," he said.
'Smear campaign'
The president lashed out at the UN, the African Union and the West African regional body Ecowas for their "hasty resolutions" given the peaceful nature of the dispute so far.
"Our review and investigation have revealed an unprecedented level of foreign interference in our elections and internal affairs. And also, a sustained smear campaign, propaganda and misinformation," he said.
The Gambia would not allow any organisation, treaty or law to supersede its constitution, he added.
The 51-year-old leader also appointed a national mediator to meet "all parties to resolve any mistrust and issues" and draft an amnesty bill to ensure there was "no witch-hunt so that we can restore a climate of confidence and security".
The Gambia, a popular tourist destination, has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1965.
Table of results
According to the electoral commission's final count:
Mr Barrow won 222,708 votes (43.3%)
President Jammeh took 208,487 (39.6%)
A third-party candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 (17.1%)
Results were revised by the electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area had been added incorrectly.
In a nationwide TV broadcast, the longstanding ruler also reiterated his concern at "foreign interference".
Regional mediators, led by Nigeria's president, are expected in The Gambia on Friday to urge him to accept defeat following December's election.
President-elect Adama Barrow says he will be inaugurated next week.
Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories
What next for Jammeh?
How Gambians have lost their fear
Mr Jammeh, who initially accepted defeat in the 1 December poll, lodged a case before the Supreme Court after the electoral commission changed some results.
But the commission insists the outcome was not affected by an initial error and property developer Mr Barrow narrowly won.
Mr Jammeh seized power in the tiny country in 1994 and has been accused of human rights abuses, although he has held regular elections.
The president made his speech on Tuesday evening after it was announced that the Supreme Court hearing would be delayed until May because of a shortage of judges, who mostly come from neighbouring countries.
The chief justice suggested mediation would be the best way forward as Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders head to the country in another attempt to end the deadlock.
But Mr Jammeh said his cabinet and the National Assembly would remain in place "to ensure the rule of law is upheld" pending the court's ruling.
"[Under the constitution], only the Supreme Court can review our challenge and only the Supreme Court can declare anyone president," he said.
'Smear campaign'
The president lashed out at the UN, the African Union and the West African regional body Ecowas for their "hasty resolutions" given the peaceful nature of the dispute so far.
"Our review and investigation have revealed an unprecedented level of foreign interference in our elections and internal affairs. And also, a sustained smear campaign, propaganda and misinformation," he said.
The Gambia would not allow any organisation, treaty or law to supersede its constitution, he added.
The 51-year-old leader also appointed a national mediator to meet "all parties to resolve any mistrust and issues" and draft an amnesty bill to ensure there was "no witch-hunt so that we can restore a climate of confidence and security".
The Gambia, a popular tourist destination, has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1965.
Table of results
According to the electoral commission's final count:
Mr Barrow won 222,708 votes (43.3%)
President Jammeh took 208,487 (39.6%)
A third-party candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 (17.1%)
Results were revised by the electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area had been added incorrectly.
Urgent need for CAR justice - Amnesty
'Impunity on a staggering scale' - that's how Amnesty International describes justice or the lack of it in the Central African Republic, as the country tries to get back on its feet after a devastating civil war.
The rights group says people who are suspected of committing war crimes during the conflict - including murder and rape - are evading investigation and arrest.
In some cases, Amnesty says, they are living side by side with their victims. It is calling for major investment to rebuild the justice system, and to help set up a Special Criminal Court.
The first steps to establish the court have already been taken, but Amnesty says more needs to be done, including providing funding and foreign judges.
The situation in the Central African Republic remains extremely fragile, and there are frequent outbreaks of violence.
Although UN peacekeepers have helped arrest nearly 400 suspects for crimes linked to the civil war, many others remain free, heightening insecurity - and the sense of injustice many people feel.
The rights group says people who are suspected of committing war crimes during the conflict - including murder and rape - are evading investigation and arrest.
In some cases, Amnesty says, they are living side by side with their victims. It is calling for major investment to rebuild the justice system, and to help set up a Special Criminal Court.
The first steps to establish the court have already been taken, but Amnesty says more needs to be done, including providing funding and foreign judges.
The situation in the Central African Republic remains extremely fragile, and there are frequent outbreaks of violence.
Although UN peacekeepers have helped arrest nearly 400 suspects for crimes linked to the civil war, many others remain free, heightening insecurity - and the sense of injustice many people feel.
Thousands left without power as winds of up to 93mph batter UK
Thousands of homes have been left without power as gale force winds hit parts of the UK.
Severe weather warnings of wind and snow are in place for Scotland, the North of England and Northern Ireland throughout Wednesday.
Northern Powergrid, which supplies power to homes in the North East and Yorkshire, said 3,000 of its customers had experienced outages as winds reached 93mph in High Bradfield, South Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Scottish Power reported hundreds of outages.
The Forth Road Bridge, near Edinburgh, was closed in both directions at around 2am after a lorry was blown over in strong winds.
Traffic Scotland said the bridge was likely to be closed for "a considerable period" as weather conditions had prevented the use of a crane to recover the lorry.
:: UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
In Northumbria, police said trees and walls had come down overnight, while West Yorkshire Police said there had been several road closures because of fallen trees.
A road in Newcastle city centre was closed off by police after part of a shop roof was torn off by the wind, scattering debris onto the street.
Meanwhile, Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has warned of "heavy disruptions" across its network, with some sailings cancelled for the rest of the day.
Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said the conditions were "awful for high-sided vehicles and anyone travelling over high routes."
She said: "The northwest will have gales and increasingly wintry showers, then over the next 12-24 hours the cold weather surges south.
Severe weather warnings of wind and snow are in place for Scotland, the North of England and Northern Ireland throughout Wednesday.
Northern Powergrid, which supplies power to homes in the North East and Yorkshire, said 3,000 of its customers had experienced outages as winds reached 93mph in High Bradfield, South Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Scottish Power reported hundreds of outages.
The Forth Road Bridge, near Edinburgh, was closed in both directions at around 2am after a lorry was blown over in strong winds.
Traffic Scotland said the bridge was likely to be closed for "a considerable period" as weather conditions had prevented the use of a crane to recover the lorry.
:: UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
In Northumbria, police said trees and walls had come down overnight, while West Yorkshire Police said there had been several road closures because of fallen trees.
A road in Newcastle city centre was closed off by police after part of a shop roof was torn off by the wind, scattering debris onto the street.
Meanwhile, Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has warned of "heavy disruptions" across its network, with some sailings cancelled for the rest of the day.
Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said the conditions were "awful for high-sided vehicles and anyone travelling over high routes."
She said: "The northwest will have gales and increasingly wintry showers, then over the next 12-24 hours the cold weather surges south.
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