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Donald Trump Meets Queen Elizabeth In His First Official Visit to UK

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Meets Queen Elizabeth In His First Official Visit to UK
Image source Wikipedia

Donald Trump’s first visit official visit to the UK as president took place in between the NATO summit in Brussels and a meeting on July 16 in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking after talks with UK’s PM Theresa May at Chequers, President Trump said the US-UK relationship is “the highest level of special”, while PM May said they had discussed plans for an “ambitious” trade agreement.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump later had tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor.

Thousands of people have protested in London against President Trump’s UK visit.

A large balloon, portraying Donald Trump as a baby, has been floated in Parliament Square as part of the demonstrations. Other protests are taking place across the UK on July 13 and 14.

Brexit: Donald Trump Hails UK Referendum Result

Donald Trump on Angela Merkel, Brexit and NATO

The Queen greeted President Trump and the first lady as their motorcade arrived at Windsor Castle. The band of the Coldstream Guards played the Star-Spangled Banner and she invited the president to inspect the guard of honor.

Their meeting lasted nearly an hour and was the final engagement in Donald Trump’s two-day working visit to the UK.

The presidential couple took off from Windsor in a helicopter before boarding Air Force One, which flew them to Ayrshire and a weekend stay at his Turnberry golf resort.

Donald Trump and Theresa May’s talks at Chequers took place after The Sun published its wide-ranging interview with the president in which he was critical of the PM’s Brexit plan.

But standing alongside Theresa May after the meeting at her Buckinghamshire country residence, Donald Trump praised her as an “incredible woman” and a “very tough negotiator” who was “doing a fantastic job”, and said there could be a “great” trade deal between the US and UK.

The president said: “I read reports where that won’t be possible, but I believe after speaking with the prime minister’s people and representatives and trade experts it will absolutely be possible.”

At the news conference, Donald Trump said: “The relationship between our two nations is indispensable to the cause of liberty, justice, and peace.”

President Trump described Brexit as a “very tough situation… between the borders and the entries into the countries and all of the things”, saying: “The only thing I ask is that she work it out so that we can have very even trade.”

The Path To A Great Direct Mail Campaign

Nancy Clayson
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The Path To A Great Direct Mail Campaign
Image source Pexels

The product or service your business is offering has passed the test of consumer acceptance.  You’ve found a niche.  The customer base is growing by word-of-mouth and expanding.  Obviously, you are offering something that consumers want and now it’s time to surge, get the word out, and let the outside world know that what you’re offering is worth considering and, ultimately, buying.  You’ve decided to give advertising by Direct Mail a shot.

The first thing you have to learn about with Direct Mail is the 40/40/20 Rule.  This is the concept of breaking down any Direct Mail campaign into three key components: The Target Market, The Offer and The Creative Design of your mailer.

WHAT IS THE TARGET MARKET?

The Target Market is the group of consumers whom you are trying to reach with your particular offer.  Once you identify them, either by income or location or profession or a myriad of other criteria based upon your product offering, you need to go to professional mailing list provider and work with that supplier to find the right list of direct mail recipients for your product or service.  About 40% of the success of your new business campaign will depend upon the efficacy of this list, which is what the first ‘40’ of the 40/40/20 Rule denotes.  That’s why most direct marketers allocate about 40% of their budget to procuring this list.

The list of consumers and their mailing addresses that you end up buying will probably not be a perfect fit for your campaign.  Direct mailing lists rarely are.  As a matter of fact, it might only satisfy a small part of the criteria that you originally desired.  That is not uncommon because, obviously, the world outside your nascent business’ narrow customer base is a huge, diverse, unpredictable zone.  But that’s part of the beauty of a Direct Mail campaign – you are expanding into the unknown.  These are all new customers with different needs and wants and your company’s offer is being placed right smack dab in front of them at their mailbox.  Who knows what might happen?  There could be a gigantic customer base just waiting to be mined somewhere outside your experience or environs that you never even dreamed of finding.

WHAT IS THE OFFER?

The Offer is a request for your potential customers to consider changing what they have been buying, or to try something completely new.  It is a call to action for mail recipients to eschew what they’re used to and to break new ground.  Your offer could be anything from a discount coupon to an invitation to a grand opening to a logo’d t-shirt to a chance to win a new car.  It is the reward a consumer gets for just walking into your store.  But the more exciting The Offer is, the more likely your direct mail solicitation will yield results, which brings us to the second ‘40’ of the 40/40/20 Rule.  You should allocate at least 40% of your campaign budget to The Offer.  It will add to the Return on Investment (ROI) of this Direct Marketing campaign more than any other single component, so you should think long and hard as to exactly what this enticement is going to be.

WHAT IS THE BEST CREATIVE DESIGN?

The actual Direct Mail card or letter that ends up in the consumer’s mailbox is the ‘20’ in the 40/40/20 Rule and, thus, should be around 20% of your marketing budget.  This is the one-time, brief contact a potentially new customer has with your company so it must be dynamic, colorful and attention grabbing.  If your solicitation takes the form of a letter, with coupon and bonus inserts, you’re going to need personalized envelopes with some eye-catching graphics to make sure that envelope gets opened and to keep it from hitting the trash can, unopened.  The rest of the graphics in your mailer should support a single theme and drive it home with forceful, single-minded purpose – get the customer engaged and entice him or her to follow through on your offer.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR CAMPAIGN?

The typical response rate to a Direct Mail campaign usually ranges from about 1% to 5%.  There are a lot of factors affecting this rate.  If you have a ‘warm’ list, that is, a list that you’ve direct mailed before, meaning that this solicitation would be the second time a consumer has seen your announcement, you should be in the upper extent of that range.  ‘Cold’ (first time) list will probably be less.  To help you decide how much you should allocate for your first campaign, there are Direct Mail Online Calculators that will demonstrate how much you can expect to gain.

Three Ways Small Businesses Can Get Out of Debt

Clyde K. Valle
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Three Ways Small Businesses Can Get Out of Debt
Image source Pexels

If you’re business is struggling, then your business might be in debt. Once that debt starts piling up, then you could find it difficult to get out of debt. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways that you can get out of debt. Follow these tips and improve your financial situation.

  1. Increase your revenue

This might sound obvious. However, increasing your revenue is one of the best ways to get out of debt. As a business owner, changing your revenue doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It’s much different from being an individual on a fixed income.

One way to increase revenue is to run some promotions. Thanks to social media, running promotions is cheap and easy. You can run a few contests on Facebook or Instagram. By doing so, you can draw in more customers. You could also promote special sales that get rid of products that are merely taking up space.

Instead of letting it sit there, you can make a profit on it. Advertise your sale as much as possible. Then, watch the customers come through your doors. You can sell products that would otherwise be a part of the debt problem. With the money that you make, you can pay off your debt and become more successful.

  1. Get a small business loan

When you want to pay off debt, you need more money. However, raising money isn’t always easy. You might need to borrow money to make money. This means that you need to get a small business loan. The funds can completely change your business.

With a small business loan, you can improve your financial situation. There are two ways in which you can do that. First, you could use the money to improve your marketing efforts. With better marketing, your business could get more customers. You could use your new revenue to pay off your loan and pay off other existing debt.

You could also use the money to pay off your current debt. Once you get out of debt, you could open up new doors. Then, you could watch your business succeed. The key is choosing the right type of small business loan.

  1. Collect on late payments

Many business owners need to wait for some time before they collect on money from clients. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems. You might end up with a pile of unpaid invoices. There could be thousands of dollars waiting for you to collect it.

The money that you’re missing out on could help you get out of debt. For that reason, it’s important to collect that money, Go through your finances with a fine-toothed comb. Find out who owes you money and how you can collect that money. Then, use that money to pay off your debt.

It’s also important that you prevent this problem from occurring again. If you don’t, then this could be a continual problem. You might need to invest in a management software or higher a bookkeeper. In either case, you can ensure that you get clients paying their debts on time.

NATO Summit Brussels: President Trump Urges Allies to Commit 4% of GDP to Military Spending

Roy Siemens
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NATO Summit Brussels: President Trump Urges Allies to Commit 4% of GDP to Military Spending

President Donald Trump has asked NATO allies to agree to double the current target of their annual GDP to military spending and to commit to 4%.

The White House confirmed President Trump had made the remarks during the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium.

The meeting also saw Donald Trump single out Germany for criticism over its defense spending.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the main focus should be on all members reaching the current target of 2% of GDP.

He declined to answer a specific question about President Trump’s remarks, but told reporters: “I think we should first get to 2%, focus on that now… the good thing is that we are moving to that.”

For decades after the end of the Cold War, he said, NATO countries had cut defense budgets as tensions fell – and now needed to increase them at a time when tensions were rising.

Image source Reuters

Donald Trump: “All NATO Allies Must Pay Their Fair Share of Defense Spending”

Donald Trump on Angela Merkel, Brexit and NATO

Previous US presidents have urged Europe to take more responsibility for their defense and reduce the burden on US taxpayers of maintaining forces in Europe long after the end of the Cold War – but none as bluntly as President Trump.

Confirming President Trump’s comments, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said: “President Trump wants to see our allies share more of the burden and at a very minimum meet their already stated obligations.”

The NATO summit in Brussels comes less than a week before President Trump is due to hold his first summit with Vladimir Putin, in Helsinki, reviving concerns among US allies over his proximity to the Russian president.

President Trump’s main objection is that all but a handful of member states have still not increased their defense budgets to meet a goal of spending at least 2% of their annual economic output on defense by 2024.

Of NATO’s 29 members, just six meet that target this year: the US, Greece, Estonia, the UK, Romania and Poland.

At a news conference after the first meetings of leaders at the summit, Jens Stoltenberg insisted that more united NATO than divided it.

“We have had discussions, we do have disagreements, but most importantly we have decisions that are pushing this alliance forward and making us stronger.

“In the history of NATO we have had many disagreements and we have been able to overcome them again and again, because at the end of the day we all agree that North America and Europe are safer together.”

All 29 NATO members released a declaration which reaffirmed a commitment to increase military spending.

The communiqué also condemned “Russian aggression”, including the annexation of Crimea, the use of a nerve agent in southern England and “election interference”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZtVVBHQCNQ

Tips for Choosing Good Quality Restaurant Chairs

Dana R
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Tips for Choosing Good Quality Restaurant Chairs

You can find quality chairs online and in local stores for your restaurant. It is just up to you on how you make the most of these choices. You should also look at all possible options before you make the final decision to avoid missing out on top quality chairs.

Given the options available for restaurant chairs, it is not easy to come up with the best choice. You have to be careful in going over the choices as you might miss out on the perfect fit. You could also find the same quality chair at a lower price in a different store.

There are a lot of things to consider as you decide which chair would be perfect for your restaurant. These are some of the tips to take note of so you will end up with quality chairs.

Determine your overall theme

Everything must be based on the theme. Your theme is also anchored to the brand you are trying to promote. You want to make sure that the chairs also complement the overall theme to make the place even more appealing. When you are already searching for the chairs, you will be presented with different choices and it is easy for you to get overwhelmed. You might end up with chairs that don’t match each other simply because you cannot make up your mind.

There is nothing wrong with chairs that have been mixed for as long as that’s the theme you have in mind. Otherwise, it will be messy and less appealing. Stick with the same colour choices or at least the shades should be closer.

Quality must be the priority

It is easy for you to be tempted to opt for more chairs especially if you want to accommodate more people at once. The only problem is that if you buy more seats and you have limited budget, you could end up with low quality chairs. It does not matter even if you only have a few seats for as long as they are of high quality. Besides, you want them to be used for a long time. Hence, quality should not be sacrificed.

Take a closer look at the fabric used on the seat. It should be of high quality. If you can find stain-resistant choices, it would be better. Cleaning up the seats should be quick so that as one group leaves, you can easily serve the next.

restaurant

The construction should also be given enough attention to. Try sitting on the chairs or shaking it just to see if they were constructed well. You don’t want to encounter any incident while your customers are dining as it could create a long lasting negative effect.

Read reviews if buying online

There are great choices available online if you are interested to buy from online stores. The only problem is that you only rely on images and product description for information. You don’t actually see the product or try it out to test how sturdy it is. It helps if you read reviews so you will know if the product is good enough. People are honest when it comes to reviews so you can really remove the options that you are not comfortable with. Stick with stores that have a reputable name in the industry and brands that are already proven to be of high quality.

Consider bar stools

There is a growing number of people who prefer dining alone, but they don’t want to be viewed as pathetic people who have no one to eat with. Therefore, having bar stools inside the restaurant would make them feel more confident and less conscious to eat alone. Given that there are a lot of solo diners in that area, it still feels like they are with someone.

Besides, bar stools are sturdy. They are high so the materials have to be in perfect condition to ensure that the customers will not feel uncomfortable while eating. They will also not suffer from injuries. You can find Restaurant bar stools for sale in local stores or online stores if you want more choices.

There are a lot more to consider when it comes to restaurant chairs. Just remember to have fun while searching for these chairs.

Chinese Dissident Qin Yongmin Sentenced to 13 Years in Jail

Diane A. Wade
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Chinese Dissident Qin Yongmin Sentenced to 13 Years in Jail

Qin Yongmin, one of China’s highest-profile democracy campaigners, has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for “subversion of state power”.

The 64-year-old has already spent a total of 22 years behind bars.

Qin Yongmin had “refused to cooperate with the court” and stayed silent throughout his trial, human rights lawyer Lin Qilei earlier told the AFP.

Image source www.asianews.it

Liu Xiaobo’s Death: China’s Most Prominent Dissident Dies from Liver Cancer Aged 61

The dissident is a co-founder of the China Democracy Party, and was handed a 12-year prison term in 1998 after trying to register it officially. A year later, while still in prison, Qin Yongmin was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Qin Yongmin was leading a pro-democracy group called China Human Rights Watch when he was arrested in January 2015. Its activities included organizing discussion groups and criticizing the government’s policies online.

How Company Culture Can Improve Your Advertising

Dana R
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How Company Culture Can Improve Your Advertising

Company culture is extremely important to a business’s success. A strong, positive company culture can boost productivity and and effectiveness. On the other hand, a bad company culture could lead to a toxic work environment that could eventually derail your entire business. Company culture can improve your business in a lot of areas, but one of the most overlooked aspects of company culture is its effect it has on advertising. Creating a good company culture can actually be a huge boost to your advertising efforts and could be the key to bringing in attracting customers and employees. How exactly does company culture have an effect on advertising, and how can you go about improving your company culture?

advertising

Image Credit: Pixabay

Productivity and Creativeness

It is no secret that a positive company culture can go a long way in making your employees happy and positive. In turn, happy employees tend to be much more productive and efficient than their unhappy and deflated counterparts. Happy employees will enjoy coming in to work every day and will give their all, while dissatisfied employees are much more prone to slacking off and may even leave your company. In addition, happy and positive workers will be much more likely to be creative in an office setting. These employees are satisfied with their current conditions, and are much more likely to be solely focused on creatively tackling the task at hand. On the other hand, dissatisfied employees are much more likely to be stressed out and focused other things, hampering their creativity. If you want your advertising team to be firing on all cylinders, then you better make sure your company culture is positive.

Collaboration

One of the best things about a positive company culture is it creates positive relationships between coworkers. These positive relationships can often lead to some great collaborations as your company’s best minds work together. Studies show that trust and respect are extremely important in business, especially when it comes to collaboration. Collaboration can be a great tool in advertising, as creative minds can work with each other and see things that the other cannot. The result is typically a product that is much better than anything someone could have come up with just by working by themselves. Unfortunately, good collaboration may not be possible if you don’t have a strong company culture. Bad company cultures may result in employee infighting and lead to distrust within your business. This can greatly hinder any collaborative efforts, and could ultimately sabotage the quality of the advertising that your business creates.

A Better Workforce

People want to work in a positive environment, which is why a positive company culture can be a good way to attract some great minds to your advertising team. Potential employees will do research on what is corporate wellness and company culture like at your business. Once they hear about your company’s great work environment, they will be much more inclined to take a job. No one wants to enter a workplace full of toxicity and infighting, so bad company cultures could potentially shrink the pool of people you can hire from. If you want to attract the best minds in advertising then you should work to create a positive company culture for your business.

President Donald Trump Appoints Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court

Diane A. Wade
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President Donald Trump Appoints Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court

President Donald Trump has picked Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a bruising confirmation battle.

In a primetime announcement at the White House, President Trump praised Brett Kavanaugh as a “brilliant jurist”.

Brett Kavanaugh, a District of Columbia appeals court judge, is a former adviser to ex-President George W. Bush.

The decision has far-reaching implications for America on everything from abortion to guns to immigration.

This is President Trump’s second Supreme Court appointment, potentially allowing him to shape the US for a generation.

Donald Trump said: “Judge Kavanaugh has impeccable credentials, unsurpassed qualifications and a proven commitment to equal justice under the law.”

The nominee would replace 81-year-old Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced last month that he will retire soon.

Image source Wikimedia

President Trump Starts Supreme Court Search to Replace Retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy

Brett Kavanaugh, 53, thanked President Trump and said he had “witnessed firsthand your appreciation for the vital role of the American judiciary.”

He has served since 2006 on the influential US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and was formerly a White House aide under President George W. Bush.

Brett Kavanaugh previously worked for Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel who investigated Democratic former president Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

The Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter on contentious laws and disputes between states and the federal government.

The highest court rules on such issues as abortion, the death penalty, voter rights, immigration policy, campaign finance and racial bias in policing.

Each of the nine justices holds a lifetime appointment. As Brett Kavanaugh is relatively young, he could serve for decades to come.

Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment will not change the ideological tilt of a court that already has a 5-4 conservative majority, but he could shift the bench further to the right.

Justice Anthony Kennedy sometimes sided with the court’s liberal members. However, Brett Kavanaugh may not be so accommodating.

Neil Gorsuch, 50, who was appointed by President Trump in 2017, is already one of the court’s most conservative justices.

Brett Kavanaugh must be confirmed by the Senate, which the Republicans narrowly controls 51-49.

A nominee needs a simple majority of 51 votes to be confirmed. With Senator John McCain battling cancer, Republicans can currently only muster 50 votes.

Before a full vote in the chamber, the prospective justice will be grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee in hearings that can go on for days.

The White House and Republicans want the nomination confirmed by November’s mid-term elections.

Prince Louis Christened in Private Ceremony in London

Lisa.Felice
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Prince Louis Christened in Private Ceremony in London

Prince Louis, the youngest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, has been christened on July 9 in a private ceremony in London.

The fifth in line to the throne arrived alongside his family at St James’s Palace wearing the same gown his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, wore to their christenings.

The 11-week-old was baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace.

Guests included newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

However, Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh did not attend, with the decision made “some time ago” and not on health grounds, Buckingham Palace said.

The 92 year-old queen was travelling back from Norfolk on July 9 and has a busy week ahead, with celebrations marking the centenary of the RAF on Tuesday and US President Donald Trump’s visit to Windsor on July 6.

Image source Wikipedia

Princess Charlotte Christened at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Prince George being christened in London

Prince Louis’ six godparents are Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Hannah Carter and Lucy Middleton.

They are all friends or family of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who also picked friends and confidantes as Prince George’s and Princess Charlotte’s godparents.

According to Kensington Palace, Lucy Middleton and Guy Pelly each read a lesson during the service.

Prince Charles, Prince Louis’s grandfather, attended with the Duchess of Cornwall, with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton also among the guests.

Pregnant Pippa Middleton and her brother James Middleton were also at the ceremony.

Prince Louis’s christening gown is the same one that was used by his siblings.

The cream lace and white satin robe is a replica of the robe made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841, which is now too delicate to be worn. The new version was made by the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly.

According to tradition, water from the River Jordan was used at the christening.

Following the 40-minute traditional religious service, guests attended a private tea which included slices of christening cake, from a tier taken from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding cake.

Japan Floods Kill at Least 100 as Rescuers Race to Find Survivors

Diane A. Wade
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Japan Floods Kill at Least 100 as Rescuers Race to Find Survivors

More than 100 people are believed to be dead after record rainfall caused flooding and landslides in western Japan, a government spokesman says.

Dozens more are reported to be missing and electricity supplies have been hit.

Since July 5, parts of western Japan have received three times the usual rainfall for the whole of July. Two million people have been ordered to evacuate as rivers burst their banks.

On July 9, rescuers restarted their search through the mud for any survivors or the bodies of those killed.

An official in Okayama prefecture told AFP that water levels were gradually receding and that emergency teams may be able to access the worst-hit areas on foot.

Image source The Japan Times

Vietnam Floods Kill at Least 37, Thousands Evacuated

North Korea Floods Kill at Least 133 as Thousands Are Displaced

The heavy rains began with a typhoon last week that was followed by days of record-breaking torrential rain.

In the town of Motoyama, on Shikoku island, 23in of rain fell between July 6 and July 7.

Many buildings have collapsed and vast areas have been covered in debris and thick mud.

Kumano is in the Hiroshima prefecture where most of the deaths have occurred.

Meanwhile, Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe has canceled a trip to Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt following the floods.

On July 8, Shinzo Abe said that rescuers were “working against time” and increased the number of personnel deployed to help with the response to more than 70,000.

He told reporters: “There are still many people missing and others in need of help.”

Flood warnings are still in effect for some of the worst hit areas, including in Okayama prefecture.

However, more settled weather is expected over the next few days which is likely to help with the rescue effort.

London Mayor Approves Plans to Fly Trump Baby Balloon for President’s Visit

Nancy Clayson
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London Mayor Approves Plans to Fly Trump Baby Balloon for President’s Visit

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has approved plans to fly a giant inflatable figure depicting President Donald Trump as a baby over the city during his visit in the UK.

President Trump is due to meet PM Theresa May at 10 Downing Street on July 13.

Campaigners raised almost £18,000 ($24,000) for the helium-filled 20ft high figure, which they said reflects President Trump’s character as an “angry baby with a fragile ego and tiny hands”.

The White House did not comment on the issue.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage tweeted that the plan was “the biggest insult to a sitting US President ever”.

Under the plans the inflatable will be allowed to fly for two hours on the morning of Friday, July 13.

Image source WABC

President Donald Trump Re-Tweets Britain First’s Controversial Videos

Leo Murray, who is behind the crowd-funded idea, said: “[President Trump] really seems to hate it when people make fun of him.

“So when he visits the UK on Friday, we want to make sure he knows that all of Britain is looking down on him and laughing at him.

“That’s why a group of us have chipped in and raised enough money to have a six-metre high blimp made by a professional inflatables company, to be flown in the skies over Parliament Square during Trump’s visit.”

He said organizers initially “didn’t get off to the best start with the mayor’s office over this, who originally told us that they didn’t recognize Trump Baby as legitimate protest”.

However, Leo Murray said City Hall had “rediscovered its sense of humor – Trump Baby will fly”.

A statement on behalf of the London mayor said Sadiq Khan “supports the right to peaceful protest and understands that this can take many different forms”.

Sadiq Khan’s city operations team met organizers and gave them permission to “use Parliament Square Garden as a grounding point for the blimp”.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition calling for the inflatable to be given permission to fly, activists said.

Sadiq Khan and Donald Trump have repeatedly clashed on Twitter, including in the aftermath of the London Bridge attack.

Before the inflatable can take off, campaigners will also need permission from the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) as the project constitutes a “non-standard flight in controlled airspace”, a spokesperson said.

Because Parliament Square sits within restricted airspace, additional approvals are also needed from the Metropolitan Police.

Max Wakefield, who is one of the people working on the project, said the group is “confident it will obtain all necessary permits”.

He said the initial crowd-funding target was just £1,000 ($1,300), but this was reached within 24 hours.

The extra cash will now be used to send the balloon on a “world tour” and “haunt” President Trump wherever he goes, Max Wakefield added.

How Seniors Can Cut Cost without Jeopardizing the Basics

Clyde K. Valle
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0
How Seniors Can Cut Cost without Jeopardizing the Basics
Image source Pexels

Whether you made six figures or had a modest income during your working years, you will be concerned about your expenses during the retirement years. The fear of not having enough income to survive the last years of their lives is real for many retirees, but, with proper planning, there are some precautions you can take to make these the most relaxing years. The time to worry about having enough money to protect your family and loved ones is while you still have a regular income. Here are some things you can do to enjoy retirement.

Stay on Budget

Having a set budget and sticking to it will go a long way toward helping seniors stay on top of their expenses during retirement. Depending on your financial situation, you will want to cut as many unnecessary costs as possible. Starting with the home, you can reduce what you spend on utilities by installing a programmable air-conditioning control and using it to maintain a comfortable temperature while you’re away. You can also keep your appliances and furnace in top performance shape to avoid any surprises during the peak heating or cooling season. Deciding whether to have one or two cars, if you are married can also help you reduce the cost of payments, gas, and insurance. Adjusting grocery shopping habits, stopping bad habits such as drinking or smoking, and using discounts available to senior citizens can add up as well.

Choose How to Spend Your Money Wisely

Even though it’s important to save and watch expenses, you are also at a time when you want to enjoy the little things, such as visiting children and grandchildren or taking a last-minute vacation. Saving in some areas can free up money you will need for these small pleasures. Instead of eating out, learn how to cook at home and save money on expensive meals and tips. When going on a trip, keep all receipts to see how much you are spending and try to travel during the off-peak season. Small things add up.

Reduce Life Insurance Benefits

In the late years of your life you really don’t need as much life insurance as when you were younger.  When you are younger and have a family with young kids it’s important to have enough insurance coverage to help get your family through to adulthood. But in your later years when your kids are grown they more than likely have careers of their own. Some seniors have opted for cancelling their life insurance policies and going with a more affordable option like final expense life insurance. This type of insurance covers the basic of burial and will save you a considerable amount of money.

Eliminate Debt

Eliminating debt will reduce your monthly expenses and save you a lot of money in interest charges. If you have debt at any age, the best thing you can do is take care of it as soon as possible. Remember that you will not have additional income when you are retired and unless you are overflowing with cash, you will need to save as much as possible. If you have a mortgage, adding even a small amount to that monthly charge will reduce the number of years in which you will pay it off.

Anyone can cut back on unnecessary expenses if they put their mind to it. It may not be easy, but if you start early in life, you will be able to enjoy your retirement comfortably when that time comes and still enjoy the things that matter most to you. When you examine your monthly payments closely, you will find many areas where you can save money without sacrificing your quality of life. Consider taking money from savings to settle the debt or a mortgage if you have one. Making a budget and analyzing how you spend your money can give you great insights into what you will need for retirement and how you can cut costs without jeopardizing the basics.

Trump’s Trade War: As Options Traders Bank on Volatility, Asia Braces for a Storm

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Trump’s Trade War: As Options Traders Bank on Volatility, Asia Braces for a Storm
“Donald Trump” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

President Donald Trump’s proverbial trade war with China could have far-reaching effects as the new tariffs take hold. With the US now applying additional charges to $34 billion worth of Chinese imports, the Trump administration’s counterparts have responded in kind with their own tariffs. For many, the July 6, 2018 changes are the start of a potentially destructive tit-for-tat battle that could impact Asia as a whole. As they often do, the financial markets have reacted with price fluctuations for a myriad of commodities and stocks. From soy beans and coal to shares in major companies in both countries, the effects of the trade war are already hitting investors.

A Time for Options Traders to Invest

“Graph With Stacks Of Coins” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by kenteegardin

For options traders, a volatile market is a blessing in disguise. But what is options trading on commodities and stocks? It’s buying or selling assets based on a future price. When otherwise stable markets become volatile, traders looking to make a quick buck are often quick to invest. With the US and China typically standing strong as stable economies, the margins on import and export assets is usually fairly low. However, with Trump’s tariffs destabilizing the status quo and spooking businesses, prices now have the potential to vary wildly. Anyone with an interest in options trading now has the ability to capitalize on these unexpected fluctuations and cash in before harmony is restored.

However, when and, indeed, if harmony will be restored is unclear. While that may be good news for traders, it could spell disaster for business owners, consumers and, in turn, economies that rely on the US and China.

“Across Asia, there is a deep regional value chain […] So, trade tensions between the U.S. and China will have a spillover effect through this value chain,” Asian Development Bank’s Cyn-Young Park told CNBC in May.

Tariffs Threaten to Strangle the Asian Supply Line

“Forbidden City, Beijing” (CC BY 2.0) by romanboed

At the heart of the problem is the Asian production line. Although China heads goods exports to the West, it’s a head served by a network of intermediaries. In other words, countries across Asia are manufacturing semi-finished goods which are then sent to China. Once China’s businesses complete the chain, they sell them to the US et al and money trickles down. With Trump’s tariffs squeezing profits at the top, everyone further down the chain suffers. For Park, a meeting with local experts has identified a number of concerns. Assessing the data, the banker believes a 1% drop in China’s economic growth rate will reduce Asia’s financial status by 0.3%.

Of the countries currently eyeing up the trade war, the Philippines could be the most effected. As per the statistics from Malaysian bank RHB, 16.9% of exports from the Philippines go to China. If the new levies forces China to reduce trade with the US and slow production, it would impact almost one fifth of the Philippines’ GDP. For short-term options traders, the escalating tensions between the US and China could allow them to make hay while the sun isn’t shining. However, for Asia as a whole, the consequences could be dire.

What are the advantages of variable frequency drives?

James J. Williams
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0
What are the advantages of variable frequency drives?

Technologies of oil and gas extraction are developing every day. Due to the need of new methods and innovations the world of power electronics is designing more and more equipment that will make the process of extraction more comfortable and productive.

Over past 20 years, Triol Corporation produces equipment which has all the advantages for your business to deliver the best results in a small period of time. And one of them is Variable Frequency Drive.

Variable Frequency Drive is designed to control pumps, fans and general industrial machinery. The drive provides a soft start, motor speed regulation, prolong work at rated speed, reversing and braking of induction and PMM motors, as well as maintaining throughout the range of the nominal operating frequency characteristics for the selected type of motor.

VFDs are successfully operating in a wide range of areas: fuel and energy sector, housing and utilities, infrastructure, mining industry, construction industry, cement production and metallurgy.

Triol Variable Frequency Drive provides operation and protection of drive mechanisms, as well as automatic control, remote and local startup and shutdown.

Triol VSDs has one but big advantage above all the rest manufacturers and it’s the following:

  • Triol VFDs are universal for all the existing types of motors (induction, PMM, PCP, Linear).
  • There’s a possibility to install the Triol downhole measuring system if needed. If the customer wants to install his own ESP gauge it’s also can be performed by our company. We are paying attention to your requests and wishes.

Triol Corporation – triolcorp.com has an individual approach for each client, that’s why we are the leading power electronics manufacturer!

4th of July: Aspen Swapping Fireworks Display for Drone Light Show

Nancy Clayson
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0
4th of July: Aspen Swapping Fireworks Display for Drone Light Show

The city of Aspen is swapping its annual 4th of July fireworks display for a drone show – because of a wildfire risk in the drought-hit area.

According to officials, fifty drones will light up the night sky in patriotic colors to mark Independence Day.

The 15-minute show will start at 21:15 local time.

This comes after Colorado’s fire authorities introduced strict fire restrictions across huge swathes of the western state.

The Drone Light Show is being organized in Aspen’s Wagner Park by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA).

Image source Wikimedia

4 Exciting Uses For Drones

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks: Start time and best viewing locations

ACRA has invited the public to “watch the drones light up the sky choreographed to patriotic music”.

Spokeswoman Melissa Wisenbaker was quoted as saying: “We had to come up with a highlight for our celebrations so we’re doing a drone show. It should be fun, a bit new age.

“If we are having these increased fire dangers and risks every year, then we would like to have alternatives so people can end the night on a good note.”

ACRA may have been influenced by a spectacular drone show during the Winter Olympics 2018 ceremony in Pyeongchang.

A swarm of unmanned aerial machines then formed the five Olympic rings in mid-air.

However, the organizers later said the spectacular sight of 1,218 drones in the sky was pre-recorded because of “possible freezing weather and strong winds”.

Trump Administration to Reverse Obama-Era College Affirmative Action Policy

James J. Williams
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0
Trump Administration to Reverse Obama-Era College Affirmative Action Policy

According to recent reports, President Donald Trump is set to reverse the Obama-era policies promoting diversity in universities, known as affirmative action.

On July 3, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions revoked 24 guidance documents, many involving race in schools and affirmative action recommendations.

The move comes as Harvard University faces a discrimination lawsuit alleging it limits admissions for Asian-Americans.

In 2016, the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of affirmative action.

Meanwhile, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the 2016 opinion, announced his retirement from the top Supreme Court last month.

Justice Anthony Kennedy’s departure gives President Donald Trump a chance to appoint a justice who more closely matches the administration’s views on taking race into account in college admissions.

The Trump administration is expected to tell schools not to consider race in the admissions process, discontinuing the policy former President Barack Obama adopted to promote more diversity at colleges and high schools.

Academic affirmative action, which involves favoring minorities during the admissions process in order to promote campus diversity, has long proved controversial in the US.

The lawsuit against Harvard currently filed by the Students for Fair Admissions alleges that the college holds Asian-American applicants to an unfairly high admissions standard.

The DoJ is also currently investigating Harvard over racial discrimination allegations.

In April, the DoJ called for the public disclosure of the Ivy League college’s admissions practices.

Harvard argues it “does not discriminate against applicants from any group, including Asian-Americans”.

According to the university website, Asian-Americans currently make up 22.2% of students admitted to Harvard.

Image source Wikimedia

Michelle Obama once dated Treasury Department Inspector General J. Russell George at Harvard Law School

The guidelines, jointly issued by the education and justice departments under President Barack Obama, encouraged universities to promote diversity on campuses.

The guidance reads: “Learning environments comprised of students from diverse backgrounds provide an enhanced educational experience for individual students.

“By choosing to create this kind of rich academic environment, educational institutions help students sharpen their critical thinking and analytical skills.”

It features ways to encourage diversity, including granting admission preferences to students from certain schools based on demographics and considering a student’s race “among other factors in its admissions procedures”.

The Obama-era policy replaced the Bush-era view that discouraged affirmative action.

The Bush-era guidance had been removed from the government website during the Obama administration, but it has since reappeared.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told the Associated Press she would not debate or discuss the matter of race and college admissions.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 71% of Americans surveyed in October 2017 have a positive view of affirmative action.

Affirmative action, or the idea that disadvantaged groups should receive preferential treatment, first appeared in President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 executive order on federal contractor hiring.

It took shape during the height of the civil rights movement, when President Lyndon Johnson signed a similar executive order in 1965 requiring government contractors to take steps to hire more minorities.

Colleges and universities began using those same guidelines in their admissions process, but affirmative action soon prompted intense debate in the decades following, with several cases appearing before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has outlawed using racial quotas, but has allowed colleges and universities to continue considering race in admitting students.

4 Things to Think About When Considering Starting Your Own Business

Dana R
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0
4 Things to Think About When Considering Starting Your Own Business

Starting your own business can bring you wonderful opportunities, one of the most rewarding is that you are no longer subject to following other people’s orders, and are free to run your business as you see fit. While the benefits of being your own boss are definitely worthwhile, they also come hand in hand with a lot of new stresses and responsibilities which you don’t face when working for someone else. For example, there are a lot of different factors which need to be considered when setting up a company, from finding your place in the market to getting the financial and emotional support you need to get off of the ground. If you are thinking of pursuing your own start up, then here are four things you might need to think about.

Finding a niche

Most new businesses are either one of two things: a development of a pre-existing product or service which has been made more appealing to the market, or a completely new and original concept. In either case, it is important that your business fills some sort of gap in the market, and is supplying something which consumers will want to buy. In other words, you need to choose a business idea which fills a niche in the market.

The only way to truly know what consumers want is to do extensive research into current and prospective buying trends, and to evaluate what new business would be a good asset to the current climate. A great way to find out what your potential customers are looking for would be to conduct focus groups or interviews and ask members of your target market what they feel is missing from the already available products and services available, and what they would like to see from a new business.

Once you have a business idea in mind, before you commit to your product, you should make sure to research your potential competitors extensively. By looking at your rival businesses, you can make sure that you don’t set up a business in an area where there is too much competition, and also that you can create a product or service which has more customer appeal than what is already currently available.

Finding the startup capital

If you are thinking of starting your own business, then it is possible that you already have some money to put towards the start-up capital you will need. Whether you do or don’t have much money of your own to put towards the initial start-up costs for your business, it is still worthwhile to come up with methods of procuring additional funding, as this venture may be a lot more expensive than you think. After all, there is a lot that goes into building up a company, from finding a base of operations to hiring employees, and collecting all of the necessary stock.

Therefore, it is important to sit down and try to estimate just how much money it is going to take to set up every little detail of the business. If you find that you don’t already have enough money to meet every aspect of your startup, then you need to start thinking of other ways to get the necessary funding.

There are a few different ways you could do this. Firstly, you could look for business investors who would be interested in putting money into your business in hopes of a later return. To get investor backing, you would first need to construct an informed and compelling business plan to present to them, along with being able to pitch a persuading argument as to why your business is worth investing in. You could also try peer-to-peer investing, and acquire smaller amounts of money through your peers in this way. Alternatively, if you have bad credit or are unsure of having investors who may want to influence your business, you could consider getting a loan, such as from Bonsai Finance. Plus, you could always consider using online websites which allow people to raise money from complete strangers, who donate to your startup if they think the idea is good, such as Go Fund Me.

Branding and marketing

Branding your business is what gives your company it’s identity, which is important as this is what your client sees and makes a judgment on before they have even used any of your products or services. The right branding will help to draw your clients in, so it needs to be clear and concise, and accurately portray all the necessary information which you want your customers to know about your service.

Branding is comprised of a number of different attributes, such as company name, logo, color choices, slogans and a recognizable face or mascot of the company. Over time, as your company grows, it is these different factors which will become known across a wider base. In essence, people should be able to look at your company logo and know who you are and what you do.

When you market your business, many of these different branding techniques should be present, such as having your logo on the screen on a television advert or using the mascot or face of your company in all of your advertisement regimes. Try to choose advertising distribution techniques which are most likely to be seen by your clients. For example, a target market of 18-30 is more likely to see an online advertisement than an ad in a newspaper.

Getting support

Running a business can be extremely difficult, which is why it is important to have a reliable team of people who can support you. This could either be in the form of business partners, a hired management team or just simply get the support of your friends and family to help you in the early stages of your business. There can be a temptation to have a personal involvement in all aspects of the business, but it is important to remember to delegate tasks, as this will help your business to run more smoothly.

Starting your own business can bring you wonderful opportunities, one of the most rewarding is that you are no longer subject to following other people’s orders, and are free to run your business as you see fit. While the benefits of being your own boss are definitely worthwhile, they also come hand in hand with a lot of new stresses and responsibilities which you don’t face when working for someone else. For example, there are a lot of different factors which need to be considered when setting up a company, from finding your place in the market to getting the financial and emotional support you need to get off of the ground. If you are thinking of pursuing your own start up, then here are four things you might need to think about.

Finding a niche

Most new businesses are either one of two things: a development of a pre-existing product or service which has been made more appealing to the market, or a completely new and original concept. In either case, it is important that your business fills some sort of gap in the market, and is supplying something which consumers will want to buy. In other words, you need to choose a business idea which fills a niche in the market.

The only way to truly know what consumers want is to do extensive research into current and prospective buying trends, and to evaluate what new business would be a good asset to the current climate. A great way to find out what your potential customers are looking for would be to conduct focus groups or interviews and ask members of your target market what they feel is missing from the already available products and services available, and what they would like to see from a new business.

Once you have a business idea in mind, before you commit to your product, you should make sure to research your potential competitors extensively. By looking at your rival businesses, you can make sure that you don’t set up a business in an area where there is too much competition, and also that you can create a product or service which has more customer appeal than what is already currently available.

Finding the startup capital

If you are thinking of starting your own business, then it is possible that you already have some money to put towards the start-up capital you will need. Whether you do or don’t have much money of your own to put towards the initial start-up costs for your business, it is still worthwhile to come up with methods of procuring additional funding, as this venture may be a lot more expensive than you think. After all, there is a lot that goes into building up a company, from finding a base of operations to hiring employees, and collecting all of the necessary stock.

Therefore, it is important to sit down and try to estimate just how much money it is going to take to set up every little detail of the business. If you find that you don’t already have enough money to meet every aspect of your startup, then you need to start thinking of other ways to get the necessary funding.

There are a few different ways you could do this. Firstly, you could look for business investors who would be interested in putting money into your business in hopes of a later return. To get investor backing, you would first need to construct an informed and compelling business plan to present to them, along with being able to pitch a persuading argument as to why your business is worth investing in. You could also try peer-to-peer investing, and acquire smaller amounts of money through your peers in this way. Alternatively, if you have bad credit or are unsure of having investors who may want to influence your business, you could consider getting a loan, such as from Bonsai Finance. Plus, you could always consider using online websites which allow people to raise money from complete strangers, who donate to your startup if they think the idea is good, such as Go Fund Me.

Branding and marketing

Branding your business is what gives your company it’s identity, which is important as this is what your client sees and makes a judgment on before they have even used any of your products or services. The right branding will help to draw your clients in, so it needs to be clear and concise, and accurately portray all the necessary information which you want your customers to know about your service.

Branding is comprised of a number of different attributes, such as company name, logo, color choices, slogans and a recognizable face or mascot of the company. Over time, as your company grows, it is these different factors which will become known across a wider base. In essence, people should be able to look at your company logo and know who you are and what you do.

When you market your business, many of these different branding techniques should be present, such as having your logo on the screen on a television advert or using the mascot or face of your company in all of your advertisement regimes. Try to choose advertising distribution techniques which are most likely to be seen by your clients. For example, a target market of 18-30 is more likely to see an online advertisement than an ad in a newspaper.

Getting support

Running a business can be extremely difficult, which is why it is important to have a reliable team of people who can support you. This could either be in the form of business partners, a hired management team or just simply get the support of your friends and family to help you in the early stages of your business. There can be a temptation to have a personal involvement in all aspects of the business, but it is important to remember to delegate tasks, as this will help your business to run more smoothly.

3 Unmissable Tips for Saving Money on Your Next iPhone

Nancy Clayson
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0
3 Unmissable Tips for Saving Money on Your Next iPhone
Image source Pexels

Apple iPhones are known for their quality and how useful their features are. FaceTime and iMessage changed the game when it comes to communicating with friends and family, the Siri virtual assistant is an irreplaceable tool for busy people, and the beautiful screens offer crystal clear views when you’re streaming Netflix shows or YouTube videos.

The problem is that this quality comes at a cost. According to a report by Business Insider Intelligence, the average selling price for a brand new iPhone is $800. While that average price is driven by the iPhone X, which retailed for a massive $999 when it was released in November 2017, it underscores the fact that overall, iPhones can be pretty expensive.

However, they don’t need to cost so much money. Price-savvy phone users can shave a considerable amount of money off of their next iPhone, helping you to stay in budget when buying a new handset. Take a look at our unmissable iPhone-buying tips below.

Buy Refurbished iPhones

A refurbished phone is a previously used phone that has been tested extensively, cleaned, and repaired before being sold again. All of the personal data on the phone will have been deleted and it may receive new hardware parts (e.g. a new battery or screen) if necessary. Because phones are unable to be sold as brand new if they have been used at all (even if they have only been used for a single day), retailers opt to test and repair the phones, selling them at a lower the price so that the returned handset doesn’t just languish on the shelves of its store room.

Because iPhones are such a popular device, there are generally some very good offers across the entire range of handsets. There are discounts at the lower-end with a refurbished iPhone SE available for just $169 which is a saving of $230 (58% off of the RRP) all the way up to more recently released handsets, with the refurbished iPhone 7 Plus being available for $470 which is a saving of $190 (28% off of the RRP). You can even find offers for refurbished iPhone X units, bagging yourself a discount of more than $100 despite the device releasing less than a year ago.

What’s important to note however, is that it’s important to check out the reviews of refurbished iPhone retailers before you buy and to make comparisons. This is because different retailers will offer varying prices (products through Apple may be hundreds of dollars more expensive than a reputable third-party such as Amazon, for example) as well as different warranty offers and they may even have different product ranges on offer. So you’ll want to shop around or use a price comparison site such as Refurb.me to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.

Image source Pexels

Buy an Unlocked iPhone

When buying a new phone, it can be tempting to just purchase the phone from your network carrier (e.g Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint) either outright or purchasing it on a contract deal that sees you pay for it over the course of 24 months. Many smartphone shoppers do this due to the convenience – you love the current data plan offered by your carrier so it makes sense to buy a phone through them that is locked to that network.

But if you’re looking to save money, buying a locked phone through a carrier isn’t recommended. The problem with locked phones is that they can only be used with a SIM card from that carrier, meaning that if you were to ever switch from that network, you’d find yourself in trouble. What happens if you find a better deal on your data plan and want to switch networks (while using the same iPhone) in future? You will then have to pay an additional fee to have that phone unlocked.

Furthermore, if you want to sell that phone on to someone, you’ll be limited to buyers who are on the same carrier the phone is locked to. Or, you’ll have to pay to get it unlocked, eating into the potential profit you’d have made by selling the phone to your buddy, your next door neighbor or anyone else who may want to buy it. So, it makes sense to just buy an unlocked phone in the first place, saving you all of this trouble.

Buy an Older iPhone

When buying an iPhone, it can be tempting to spend money on the latest, greatest and most powerful handset on the market. You may have been enticed by the slick, award-winning ads that pull on your heartstrings, or the YouTube videos that feature a group of people having fun with Animojis. While these features are great and are why Apple’s new handsets seem to set sales records when they’re released, in order to save money, it’s important to consider which features you actually need.

If you already have an iPhone then the best place is to start by checking your app usage (take a look at OSX Daily’s guide on how to do that).

if you find yourself mostly checking emails and watching YouTube videos, or playing games such as Candy Crush Saga which don’t require a lot of power to run well, it makes more sense to opt for something such as a refurbished iPhone 6S Plus or even a refurbished iPhone 6. These devices are capable and offer enough power to support your phone usage, without pushing the boat out.


If you play a lot of power-intensive games such as Fortnite Battle Royale and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds then it makes sense to go for an iPhone X or something of that ilk. Even then, you can still save a bit of money by being patient and waiting for the latest phone to become available as refurbished (as detailed earlier in this post). It generally takes around three or four months for newly released phones to be refurbished, so a bit of patience can save you a substantial amount of money.

Top Reasons to Open a Bitcoin IRA

Dana R
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0
Top Reasons to Open a Bitcoin IRA

More and more people want to open a bitcoin IRA. Some believe that this is much too risky of an enterprise because of the volatility of cryptocurrencies. However, financial experts agreed that a diverse portfolio is the best portfolio, which in turn means that at least considering Bitcoin is a good idea. The reality is that it is possible that bitcoin, as well as the other biggest cryptocurrency, which is Ethereum, will absolutely soar in value. In fact, some have predicted an over 3000% increase in next 10 years. Besides the fact that you could end up incredibly rich comma there are a number of other reasons why you may want to consider adding cryptocurrencies to your investment portfolio.

 

Why You Should Open a Bitcoin IRA

 

  1. Cryptocurrencies have only existed for a decade. This means that, compared to other historically major investment and asset classes, they are still incredibly young. It also means that they still have a lot of room to grow. At the same time, they are not so young that they are completely new. Over the past 10 years, cryptocurrencies have shown themselves to be a pretty strong and interesting investment class.
  2. The world is becoming increasingly digital and it seems that this digitalization is never going to stop. Cryptocurrency is a significant digital and technological advancement and it seems logical to assume that they will soon earn a permanent place in the world of technology, which means in the entire world.
  3. Cryptocurrencies are really anonymous and this makes them attractive and appealing to a lot of people. Most would like to prefer the financial identity to remain private at all times period through cryptocurrencies, transactions can be conducted very discreetly and this also means there is less chance of identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
  4. You will not be influenced by the currency interference of the US Federal Reserve. There is no regulating body when it comes to crypto currencies like bitcoin or ethereum because there is no central bank that issued them. Like gold, silver, palladium, platinum, and other precious metals, this is specifically what attracts people to them.
  5. You do not have to pay for transactions or holding. There are some slight exceptions to this. You must hold your Bitcoin in a digital wallet. Some of those wallets are completely free, but the most advanced and most secure are paid for. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to choose a bit for wallet. Similarly, transactions are completely free unless you want them to be conducted within a matter of seconds, in which case you will have to pay a fee to the Bitcoin Miner that completes the transaction. In other words, bitcoin can be completely free.

More and more people want to open a bitcoin IRA. Some believe that this is much too risky of an enterprise because of the volatility of cryptocurrencies. However, financial experts agreed that a diverse portfolio is the best portfolio, which in turn means that at least considering Bitcoin is a good idea. The reality is that it is possible that bitcoin, as well as the other biggest cryptocurrency, which is Ethereum, will absolutely soar in value. In fact, some have predicted an over 3000% increase in next 10 years. Besides the fact that you could end up incredibly rich comma there are a number of other reasons why you may want to consider adding cryptocurrencies to your investment portfolio.

 

Why You Should Open a Bitcoin IRA

 

Cryptocurrencies have only existed for a decade. This means that, compared to other historically major investment and asset classes, they are still incredibly young. It also means that they still have a lot of room to grow. At the same time, they are not so young that they are completely new. Over the past 10 years, cryptocurrencies have shown themselves to be a pretty strong and interesting investment class.

The world is becoming increasingly digital and it seems that this digitalization is never going to stop. Cryptocurrency is a significant digital and technological advancement and it seems logical to assume that they will soon earn a permanent place in the world of technology, which means in the entire world.

Cryptocurrencies are really anonymous and this makes them attractive and appealing to a lot of people. Most would like to prefer the financial identity to remain private at all times period through cryptocurrencies, transactions can be conducted very discreetly and this also means there is less chance of identity theft and fraudulent transactions.

You will not be influenced by the currency interference of the US Federal Reserve. There is no regulating body when it comes to crypto currencies like bitcoin or ethereum because there is no central bank that issued them. Like gold, silver, palladium, platinum, and other precious metals, this is specifically what attracts people to them.

You do not have to pay for transactions or holding. There are some slight exceptions to this. You must hold your Bitcoin in a digital wallet. Some of those wallets are completely free, but the most advanced and most secure are paid for. It is up to you to decide whether or not you want to choose a bit for wallet. Similarly, transactions are completely free unless you want them to be conducted within a matter of seconds, in which case you will have to pay a fee to the Bitcoin Miner that completes the transaction. In other words, bitcoin can be completely free.

 

These are just five reasons as to why you may want to consider investing in Bitcoin for your retirement period at the end of the day, having a diverse portfolio is the best way to make sure that you will have a nest egg to fall back on and this means you should consider alternative investment classes as well. The technological revolution is upon us and you may as well write that wave.

These are just five reasons as to why you may want to consider investing in Bitcoin for your retirement period at the end of the day, having a diverse portfolio is the best way to make sure that you will have a nest egg to fall back on and this means you should consider alternative investment classes as well. The technological revolution is upon us and you may as well write that wave.

3 safety tips before your first mountaineering extravaganza (tip: you’ll need a GPS tracker)

Dana R
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0
3 safety tips before your first mountaineering extravaganza (tip: you’ll need a GPS tracker)

Something that has become increasingly common over the last few years is extreme sports. A few decades ago people may have “wanted to do something different” by signing up for a marathon. Now, the likes of mountaineering tend to be at the top of the list.

As the title may have already given away, today’s guide is all about how you can safely prepare for your first mountaineering trip. Suffice to say, it’s not simply a case of turning up and hoping that everything goes to plan. There’s a degree of planning involved and through the course of this guide we will take a look at the three safety avenues you should tackle to keep you in one piece.

How will you communicate with others?

As you may have noticed from the title of this article, we paid specific attention to the use of a GPS tracker. The main benefit of these devices is that they tend to always track your location and can relay it back to those who might be waiting at home for you, should the unthinkable occur and you succumb to an emergency situation. While mobile phones might lose signal, GPS trackers rely on satellites which can make them a little more reliable.

Of course, you should also take a mobile phone as well. That two-way communication can be absolutely invaluable and while you will lose signal at times, there will also be areas around the mountain where your phone does function completely fine.

The importance of planning safely

Everyone knows the potential dangers associated with mountaineering, but a lot of people new to the sport won’t take safety seriously until they actually reach the mountain. This is their first mistake.

In short, you should be planning from the outset on how to tackle your new hobby. You should be researching exactly which mountains are suitable for beginners, and selecting them accordingly. As well as this, find out if there are other climbers who frequent to these mountains as suffice to say, the more people there, the safer things can become if you do run into difficulties.

Additionally, make sure you keep an eye on the weather. We don’t need to highlight how difficult mountaineering can become if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Take your first aid seriously

The final point we are going to make relates to first aid. Even though you may have only just started with your hobby, you should be making sure that you are adequately trained in case the worst happens. Courses are now much more affordable, and rarely take longer than a day, so they are accessible than ever before.

As well as this, we can’t reiterate enough the importance of a first aid kit. Even if this just contains the bare essentials, this can be a godsend if you do run into trouble and there is no outside assistance that you know of.

Mexico Elections 2018: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Wins Presidency

Diane A. Wade
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0
Mexico Elections 2018: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Wins Presidency

Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced that “profound change” is coming for Mexico after claiming victory in the country’s presidential election.

The left-wing candidate, known by his initials Amlo, is projected to win about 53%. His rivals have conceded in a crushing defeat for the main parties.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s key pledge has been to tackle the “evil” of corruption.

The ex-Mexico City mayor has also been highly critical of President Donald Trump and ties with the US will now be closely watched.

Relations with the US have been hugely strained, with President Trump strongly criticizing Mexico over trade and migration. President Trump has sent a tweet of congratulations.

The 64-year-old promised to respect civil liberties and said he was “not looking to construct a dictatorship, either open or hidden”.

Some opponents have expressed fears that his leftist and populist policies could damage the already sluggish economy and turn Mexico into “another Venezuela”. Mexico is suffering a deep economic crisis and rampant inflation.

Image source Wikimedia

Mexico elections 2012: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will mount legal challenge to the result

Hailing a “historic night”, López Obrador called on all Mexicans to reconcile and repeated his campaign pledge to review energy contracts for signs of corruption.

He said: “Corruption is… the result of a decadent political regime. We are absolutely convinced that this evil is the main cause of social and economic inequality, and also that corruption is to blame for the violence in our country.”

López Obrador has insisted that no-one involved in corruption will be spared, not even those he calls “brothers-in-arms”.

On combating Mexico’s record levels of violence, much of it related to drug cartels, he said he would have daily meetings with his security cabinet, which under him, he said, would be under a “unified command”.

The July 1 election followed one of Mexico’s deadliest campaigns in decades with more than 130 political candidates and party workers killed.

During the campaign Andreas Manuel López Obrador had often used confrontational language when referring to President Trump, but struck a more conciliatory note in his victory speech, saying he would seek “friendly relations”.

López Obrador also tried to reassure the business sector, saying there would be no nationalization and that he would respect private business. He also said his government would be fiscally disciplined and taxes would not be raised.

On social policies, López Obrador said he would double pensions for the elderly upon taking office on December 1 as a first step to reducing Mexico’s disparate income levels.

According to the latest figures from the Mexican electoral institute, Andreas Manuel López Obrador has won more than double the votes of his nearest challenger. It is the widest victory since the 1980s.

His rival, Ricardo Anaya, candidate for the conservative National Action Party (PAN), looked set to be runner-up to López Obrador.

Ruling party candidate José Antonio Meade, who lies in third place according to initial results, told supporters that he wished the winner “the greatest success”.

President Trump Urges Saudi Arabia to Increase Oil Production

Clyde K. Valle
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President Trump Urges Saudi Arabia to Increase Oil Production

President Donald Trump has urged Saudi Arabia to increase its oil production to combat the rising cost of fuel.

He tweeted that he had asked King Salman of Saudi Arabia to raise oil output by up to two million barrels a day.

President Trump said the move was needed due to “turmoil and dysfunction in Iran and Venezuela”.

Oil prices rose last week, partly due to US plans to re-impose sanctions on Iran, a major oil producer.

The OPEC group agreed to increase output, as did Russia, but this failed to reassure markets.

The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that President Trump and King Salman had spoken by phone, giving few details. According to the news agency, they had discussed the need to “preserve the stability of the oil market”.

However, the statement did not confirm that Saudi Arabia had agreed to the two million barrels a day figure.

Image source Public Domain Pictures

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Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest exporter of oil and produced about 10 million barrels a day in May. The country is reported to have between 1.5 million and two million barrels a day of spare capacity – but experts told The Wall Street Journal it might not be keen to meet the president’s request.

A Saudi official told the WSJ: “Saudi Arabia does not really like going beyond 11 million barrels a day and has no intention of expanding its current production capacity. It is expensive.”

Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized OPEC even though US ally Saudi Arabia is a core member.

On April 20, President Trump tweeted that oil prices were “artificially very high”, saying this was “no good” and “will not be accepted!”

Iran, another OPEC member, has accused Donald Trump of trying to politicize the group and has blamed Riyadh for doing his bidding.

On June 30, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the US was trying to drive a wedge between Iranians and their government using “economic pressure”.

He cautioned on his website: “Six US presidents before him tried this and had to give up.”

The value of Iranian currency, the rial, has tumbled since the US backed out of the Iran nuclear deal in May.

Earlier this week, thousands of traders at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar marched in protest against rising prices and the plummeting value of the rial. It was the biggest protest Tehran has seen since 2012.

Immigration Policies: Tens of Thousands Protest Against Families Split Across US

Diane A. Wade
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Immigration Policies: Tens of Thousands Protest Against Families Split Across US

Tens of thousands of protesters have demonstrated across the US over the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies.

More than 630 events were planned, with demonstrators calling for migrant families split at the US border to be reunited.

Some 2,000 children remain separated from their parents, despite President Donald Trump bowing to public outrage and curtailing the policy.

Concerns remain that records were not kept linking parents and children.

Major demonstrations took place in Washington DC, New York, and many other cities, using the hashtag #familiesbelongtogether. Protesters held placards calling for no more family separations and for the controversial immigration agency ICE to be abolished.

In New York, protesters chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”

In Chicago, protesters marched to the local offices of federal immigration authorities.

Image source familiesbelongtogether.org

Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Travel Ban for Muslim Countries

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The original Trump administration “zero tolerance” policy required authorities to arrest and detain anyone crossing the Mexico-US border illegally. That meant separating children from their parents and holding them separately.

However, President Trump promised to “keep families together” in migrant detention centers.

But critics say the order did not address the issue of families already separated, leaving uncertainty over the fate of 2,342 children taken away from their parents between May 5 and June 9 alone. Earlier this week, a judge in California ordered the families to be reunited within 30 days.

It also still requires authorities to detain immigrant families, rather than release them with a court date to return.

Protests’ organizers said they wanted to send a message to President Trump, prompted by concerns that he would renege on his executive order.

As well as the reunification of parents and children, organizers called for an end to immigrant detention – even when families are kept together – and also planned to voice opposition to President Trump’s travel ban targeting five majority-Muslim nations, which was upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this week.

Protests were also likely to focus on the shake-up of the Supreme Court after Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement last week, giving President Trump the opportunity to solidify a conservative majority on the Supreme Court.

On June 30, President Trump defended the agency that played a central role in carrying out the separations – the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The president told its employees: “You are doing a fantastic job of keeping us safe by eradicating the worst criminal elements. So brave!”

Protests’ organizers issued instructions for people to dress in white, to represent peace and unity. The main march is taking place in Washington DC, but one of the people behind the movement, Anna Galland, said separate events were planned in 50 states.

Lead organizers of the march include the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

A number of celebrities expressed their support, including Julianne Moore, America Ferrara and Natalie Portman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit musical Hamilton.

Annapolis Attack: Five People Killed in Shooting at Capital Gazette Office

Nancy Clayson
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Annapolis Attack: Five People Killed in Shooting at Capital Gazette Office

Five people have been killed and many more wounded after a gunman opened fire at the Capital Gazette newspaper building in Maryland.

Staff at the newspaper in Annapolis said he shot through a glass door into the newsroom.

Reporter Phil Davis tweeted: “There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload.”

Police announced that a suspect was now in custody and was being questioned.

“We’ve had a terrible shooting incident here this afternoon,” county executive Steve Schuh said in a news conference.

“There are several people who have died from this incident.”

Image source Youtube/CBSN

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Police could not identify the exact weapon at the time. They said the suspect was being interrogated by law enforcement.

Several federal agencies, including the FBI, were involved in responding to the shooting in the city of Annapolis, just east of Washington DC.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said on Twitter he was “absolutely devastated” and was in contact with authorities.

President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting.

He tweeted: “Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was responding.

The Capital Gazette is a daily newspaper and digital news site that is a part of Capital Gazette Communications.

Capital Gazette Communications publishes several local papers and is owned by the Baltimore Sun Media Group.

President Trump Starts Supreme Court Search to Replace Retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Starts Supreme Court Search to Replace Retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy

President Donald Trump has announced the search for a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy will “begin immediately”.

He said at a rally in North Dakota: “We have to pick one that’s going to be there for 40 years, 45 years.”

The retirement of Justice Kennedy, a conservative who sided with liberals on many votes, gives President Trump the chance to shift the top court’s balance more to the right for decades to come.

The 81-year-old judge will retire on July 31.

Justice Anthony Kennedy made the announcement on June 27, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family after 30 years on the top court. President Trump later praised Justice Kennedy – who held the pivotal vote on many key cases – as “a great justice of the Supreme Court”.

Image source Wikimedia

Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Travel Ban for Muslim Countries

“Hopefully we are going to pick somebody who will be as outstanding,” the president told reporters at the White House. The judge’s retirement gives President Trump his second Supreme Court pick since he became president, and he has said he will choose from a list of 25 conservative candidates.

The Supreme Court plays a key role in American life and is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions.

This week the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s travel ban which covers people from several Muslim-majority countries, in a 5-4 conservative majority ruling. Earlier this month the court ruled in favor of a baker in Colorado who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.

Speaking at the rally in Fargo, North Dakota on June 27, President Trump told supporters that Anthony Kennedy had chosen to retire under his presidency “because he felt confident in me to make the right choice and carry on his great legacy”.

Donald Trump has promised to draw names from the same list from which he picked Neil Gorsuch in February 2017.

Rather than serving fixed terms, the justices serve for life unless they decide to retire. This makes their appointments particularly significant.

Anthony Kennedy, who is the second-oldest justice on the nine-member US Supreme Court, earned a reputation as a swing vote conservative who supported liberal arguments on key decisions, including the 5-4 rulings that decided same-gender marriage and upheld abortion rights.

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