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Ensa Cosby Death: Bill Cosby’s Daughter Dies from Kidney Disease Aged 44

Lisa.Felice
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Ensa Cosby Death: Bill Cosby’s Daughter Dies from Kidney Disease Aged 44

Bill Cosby’s daughter, Ensa, has died at the age of 44, a spokesman for the family says.

Ensa Cosby died from a kidney disease in Massachusetts on February 23, according to spokesman Andrew Wyatt.

In 2017, Ensa Cosby defended her father when he went on trial over allegations he drugged and assaulted a woman in 2004.

The judge declared a mistrial and a new trial will take place on April 2. Bill Cosby denies the allegations.

Ensa Cosby, who once appeared in an episode of her father’s program The Cosby Show, is reported to have had health issues in the past.

Image source Wikimedia

Sridevi Kapoor Dies of Accidental Bathtub Drowning

According to TMZ, which first reported her death, Ensa Cosby had been in line for a kidney transplant.

Ensa Cosby has three surviving sisters – Evin, Errin and Erika. Her brother, Ennis, was murdered in 1997 during a failed robbery attempt as he changed his car tire.

In a statement in May 2017, Ensa Cosby, a mother-of-one, said there was a racist motivation for her father’s prosecution.

She said: “My father has been publicly lynched in the media.”

Bill Cosby, 80, was accused of drugging and assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. His lawyers had argued the act was consensual.

Dozens of women say Bill Cosby assaulted them, but statute of limitation rules mean he was allowed to be tried for Andrea Constand’s allegation only.

Sridevi Kapoor Dies of Accidental Bathtub Drowning

Lisa.Felice
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Sridevi Kapoor Dies of Accidental Bathtub Drowning

Bollywood star Sridevi Kapoor died of accidental drowning, a Dubai post-mortem report has said.

Sridevi Kapoor, 54, known simply as Sridevi, drowned in her hotel apartment’s bathtub following loss of consciousness, the report says.

It had earlier been reported that the actress died of cardiac arrest on February 24 while at a family wedding in Dubai.

According to the Dubai media, the post-mortem analysis had been completed and the cause of death ascertained.

Image source Wikimedia

Whitney Houston possible cause of death: drowning in the bathtub, as prescription drugs were present in her hotel room

Bobbi Kristina Brown Cause of Death: Drowning Associated with Drug Intoxication

The case has been passed to the Dubai Public Prosecution for what officials said were “regular legal procedures”.

Crowds have gathered outside Sridevi’s home in Mumbai to pay their last respects ahead of a cremation.

The Dubai government tweet did not reveal the results of any toxicology tests.

The full post-mortem report has not yet been made public and will be expected to explain how the original report of cardiac arrest and the listing of “accidental drowning” are linked.

Sridevi had been in the United Arab Emirates to attend the wedding of her nephew, Mohit Marwah. Few details had been given about the case prior to the release of the cause of death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBOfGqACh3c

Weinstein Company Plans to File for Bankruptcy

Clyde K. Valle
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Weinstein Company Plans to File for Bankruptcy

According to new reports, the Weinstein Company is to file for bankruptcy after talks to sell its assets to an investor group collapsed.

Talks ended two weeks ago when the New York attorney general’s office filed a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company.

Directors were quoted as saying bankruptcy was the only viable option.

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein faces dozens of allegations of abuse, including rape, but denies non-consensual act.

The company’s board said in a statement: “The Weinstein Company has been engaged in an active sale process in the hopes of preserving assets and jobs.

“Today, those discussions concluded without a signed agreement.”

The statement said “an orderly bankruptcy process” was the “only viable option to maximize the company’s remaining value”.

Image source Wikimedia

#MeToo: New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Weinstein Company

Weinstein Company Investigated for Possible Civil Rights Violation

Harvey Weinstein Resigns from Company’s Board amid Multiple Allegations of Assault and Harassment

The civil rights lawsuit against the company alleges that Harvey Weinstein harassed and abused women employed by the studio for years, as well as making verbal threats to kill staff members.

It accuses senior executives at the company, including Harvey Weinstein’s brother Robert, of failing to prevent the mistreatment of staff despite being presented with evidence.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is seeking an unspecified sum to cover damages, plus penalties, for victims of alleged abuse.

A lawyer for Harvey Weinstein has said a “fair investigation” will show that many of the allegations are without merit, while the company’s board of directors has said many of the allegations relating to the board are “inaccurate”.

The allegations against Harvey Weinstein first surfaced in October 2017, when the New York Times published a story detailing decades of allegations of harassment against the mogul.

Since then, more than 50 women, among them some of the biggest names in Hollywood, have accused Harvey Weinstein of assault, harassment, abuse and rape.

In the wake of the allegations, Harvey Weinstein was sacked by the board of his company.

He has admitted that his behavior has “caused a lot of pain” but has described many of the allegations against him as “patently false”.

Harvey Weinstein is under investigation by UK and US police, but no criminal charges have been brought.

Raj Nair: Ford North America President Resigns over Inappropriate Behavior

Clyde K. Valle
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Raj Nair: Ford North America President Resigns over Inappropriate Behavior

Raj Nair, the head of Ford’s US operations, has resigned following an internal investigation into inappropriate behavior.

Ford said its inquiry had concluded that some of Raj Nair’s conduct had been “inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct”.

The company did not specify why the investigation was started, nor what it uncovered.

Raj Nair said in a statement that he sincerely regrets certain behavior.

In a statement, Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett said: “We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration. Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”

Raj Nair had been President of Ford North America since July 1. He was previously head of global product development and chief technical officer.

He apologized, without elaborating on the reasons for his going.

He said: “I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviors consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused.”

Jim Hackett Replaces Mark Fields as Ford Chief Executive

Ford Cancels Plans for 1.6BN Mexico Plant to Extend Michigan Operations

Raj Nair added: “I continue to have the utmost faith in the people of Ford Motor Company and wish them continued success in the future.”

A company spokesman said Ford would not be commenting on the nature of Raj Nair’s departure.

In August, Ford agreed a multi-million-dollar settlement after an investigation into harassment at two factories in Chicago.

The inquiry was conducted by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which said female and African-American employees had been subjected to harassment and found the Ford retaliated against employees who complained about the harassment or discrimination.

Following the inquiry, Jim Hackett wrote in a letter to employees: “There is absolutely no room for harassment at Ford Motor Company…. We don’t want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behavior like this.”

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

Filling the Bucket List With Iconic, Inspiring Destinations

Dana R
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Filling the Bucket List With Iconic, Inspiring Destinations

Now, it’s fair to say that all travel is good. You can be exploring some quirky small town, your nearest big city, or even your own local town, and still have a good time. Travelling is a state of mind, not a destination! But then, let’s be honest: some destinations really stand out from the crowd. These are the iconic, inspiring destinations, the once in a lifetime places to visit. While it’s just fine to travel anywhere and everywhere, some destinations are worth the extra effort. Below, we take a look at the different type of places that you really should make a priority to visit.

Source: Pexels.com

The Great Cities

A lot of people can think of nothing worse than living in a city; the number of people, the noise, the chaos of the commute…it’s not for everyone. Yet while cities can sometimes reflect the worst in humanity, it’s also true that they’re home to some of the best aspects of human life, too: the art, the energy, the chaos – it’s intoxicating! If you’re looking for a bucket list of megacities you should visit at least once, then write down the following: London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney. If you can’t have fun in those cities, then it’s likely you won’t have fun in any cities!

Nature’s Power

Life on earth can be divided into two different categories: the urban zones, and nature. While urban zones showcase humanity, the natural world showcases the power, beauty, and outright sublimeness of mother earth. There is no shortage of awe-inspiring natural places to visit, but they get no bigger (literally) than Mount Everest. You don’t have to climb to the top to feel its power (which is just as well, because that’s pretty difficult…!). Instead, take a look at Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, Asia – G Adventures, and get up close and personal. There’s nothing that’ll challenge your worldview more than seeing the majesty of nature in all its glory.

Relaxing Spaces

Cities are far from relaxing, and while nature can be, it’s often not – simply because we’re usually so eager to get out and explore all that it offers. However, there are some places on earth that really speak to comfort and relaxation. We’re talking about the paradise islands and beaches where you have nothing to do but sit back, unwind, and enjoy all that the world brings. Take a look at the Maldives, or Seychelles, or those picturesque Caribbean islands; no-one ever regrets visiting these places!

Off the Beaten Path

Finally, remember that sometimes you’ll need to go off the beaten path slightly. Not all rewards come served on a plate! Take the Northern Lights, for instance. They are as magical as anything found on earth, but they’re not guaranteed, so you’ll want to ensure that you maximise your opportunity to see them. Head north, to the high points of Scandinavia or Canada, and give yourself some time to see them. You’ll need to be patient, but it’ll be oh so worth it.

The Dr Will See You Now: Tackling Aging Like A Pro

Dana R
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The Dr Will See You Now: Tackling Aging Like A Pro

Women are obsessed with staying and looking young, as are men for that matter. In today’s society, being old isn’t desirable even though it has its advantages. Knowledge is power, and you only accumulate both as you age. There’s a reason politicians and billionaires tend to be in their fifties when they make a major breakthrough. Regardless, we are slaves to public opinion and want to postpone the process for as long as possible as a result.

In your quest, methods such as face masks may have raised their head. And, in a bid to maintain your youth, you tried it in desperation. Sure, moisturizing and stay hydrated are neat home-based tips, but they don’t last forever. The long-lasting advice comes from the experts, and you need them to stay young for longer.

Don’t fret if your contacts are on the low side because Belle News has got you covered. These are the hacks you have to know.

Renunţe la fumat

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Stop Smoking

Smoking doesn’t apply to everyone, but the vast majority does like a sneaky puff. According to the stats, 1 billion people inhale around the world with 5 million deaths each year. Those that survive aren’t the lucky ones as they have to deal with a bad body image. Toxins and chemicals from cigarettes, such as tar, contribute to free radicals in the body. In layman’s terms, these are singular atoms that are constantly looking for a partner. To find one, they have to break down cells, and the process leads to everything from wrinkles to crows’ feet. Plus, it chips away at hormone production. Studies show that cigarettes damage collagen levels, and that causes lines to form prematurely. There are plenty of reasons to quit, but science is the ultimate factor.

Don’t Reach For The Stars

If you do, you may stray too close to the sun and get burned. Ultraviolet is no joke and should be treated with enormous respect. Aside from the fact it can cause burns and scarring, the sun is also a factor in contracting cancer. Only accounting for 1% of all cancers, melanomas are the most deadly form of skin disease. And, the sun’s rays can transform cells and encourage them to grow and spread. Obviously, a dangerous illness will result in a rapid breakdown of your body, which is why it should be avoided. Therefore, staying inside on a sunny day is a boring yet potential life saving activity. Alternatives for those of you with itchy feet include wearing sunblock and hats. Also, stay away from sunbeds.

Change Your Diet

Anyone who already eats leafy greens and doesn’t consume caffeine can read on. The rest of us need to think about what we put into our bodies on a daily basis. Junk food is delicious but it contains saturated fats and harmful nutrients. Regarding the skin, they often clog pores and kill off cells, both of which are factors in aging. The trick is to eat and drink stuff that has lots of healthy ingredients to help the body grow stronger and more efficient. Vegans and vegetarians benefit from their diet because fruits and veg are packed with vitamins, iron and potassium. Just as importantly, there are omega-3 fatty acids which are known as super-ingredients. With their antioxidant and inflammatory properties, fatty acids reduce redness eliminate acne. Clear skin is tighter and firmer and looks more youthful, and it’s all down to spinach, kale, and white fish.

Give In To Sleep

There is never enough time in the day. At, least that’s what the uber-busy people believe. The truth is that there are plenty of hours to run errands, have fun and laugh, and relax. Your problem is you don’t give equal weighting to significant moments in the day. Take sleep as an example. Career-driven men and women will be lucky to get 6 hours a night. Research states an average adult needs at least 7 and 9 is optimal. The reason is regeneration. During REMS and deep sleep, the body gets a chance to reboot. Therefore, the factors which are causing the signs of aging to show are dealt with before the morning. When you wake up prematurely, the problems still exist and exacerbate over time making the eyes and the face appear weathered. Sleep refreshes the entire body and resets it back to its original settings.

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Troll For Aids

In this situation, trolling doesn’t mean to provoke a reaction unnecessarily. Instead, it recommends searching the World Wide Web for beauty products. Let’s get one thing straight – there is no miracle cure. Going under the knife is risky business, too, because some patients look plastic and unnatural. That being said, beauty products which can stem the tide do exist and are available online. One that you may be unaware of is brightening serum for dark skin. Asians go mad for these cocktails, but westerners don’t want to be whiter; they want their skin to tan. However, it does contain hyaluronic acid and plenty of vitamins. As a result, tests show it does have smoothing benefits as well as helping to minimize pore damage. Aloe vera is another natural remedy to consider as it’s plant-based and is full of antioxidants.

Target The Correct Areas

‘I don’t know why I have bags under my eyes – I moisturize every day!’ Many people say this to themselves and fail to see the obvious. Unless lotion is applied to your eyes, the skin won’t tighten and will continue to look old. As silly as it sounds, people don’t target the problem areas when they try to fight aging. Professionals always recommend focusing on the main issues first and discarding the rest. For instance, the face, the neck and the hands are three notorious body parts regarding rapid aging. Because they show the signs earlier than the rest of the body, they should be at the top of your list. Everything else can wait until they are under control.

Aging is inevitable, but how do you plan on tackling lines and wrinkles when they begin to appear?

Petro: Venezuela Launches Ethereum-Based Cryptocurrency

Clyde K. Valle
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Petro: Venezuela Launches Ethereum-Based Cryptocurrency

Venezuela has launched the “Petro” cryptocurrency in an attempt to bypass tough economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

Petro is intended to bolster Venezuela’s crumbling economy, which has been suffering from hyperinflation and devaluation for years.
Venezuela claims Petro is the world’s first sovereign cryptocurrency.
Critics say the move is a desperate attempt by the government to raise cash at a time when the country lacks the ability to repay its $150 billion of foreign debt.

Image source Wikimedia

US Extends Travel Ban to North Korea, Venezuela and Chad

Venezuela Crisis: Argentine Airlines Becomes Latest Carrier to Suspend Flights to Caracas

Opposition leaders said the sale constitutes an illegal issuing of debt, while the US Treasury Department warned it may violate sanctions imposed in 2017.
The Venezuelan government says the currency aims to circumvent US sanctions on the economy.
President Nicolas Maduro has said each tokens will be backed by a barrel of Venezuelan crude. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
A total of 100 million Petros will be sold, with an initial value set at $60, based on the price of a barrel of Venezuelan crude in mid-January.
On February 20, the official website published a guide to setting up a virtual wallet in which to hold the Petro, but did not provide a link for actually doing so.
There was also no information on exchanges.

North Korea Canceled Meeting with VP Mike Pence at Winter Olympics

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea Canceled Meeting with VP Mike Pence at Winter Olympics

According to US officials, VP Mike Pence was due to meet North Korean officials at the Winter Olympics last week, but the North Koreans canceled the meeting at the last moment.

VP Mike Pence was in South Korea for the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

A spokesman said the vice-president was scheduled to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, among others.

It would have been the first official interaction between North Korea and the Trump administration.

North Korea has made no comment on the reports.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said when the “possibility arose” of a brief meeting with the North Korean delegation, Mike Pence “was ready to take this opportunity to drive home the necessity of North Korea abandoning its illicit ballistic missile and nuclear programs”.

Heather Nauert said in a statement: “At the last minute, DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] officials decided not to go forward with the meeting. We regret their failure to seize this opportunity.”

North Korea’s attendance at the Winter Olympics was seen as a major thaw in consistently tense relations on the Korean peninsula.

Mike Pence was criticized by some for not engaging diplomatically with the North Koreans while in South Korea.

He sat feet away from Kim Yo-jong – who is accused of human rights violations – at the Games but did not interact with her, saying: “I didn’t believe it was proper for the United States of America to give her any attention in that forum.”

Image source Twitter

PyeongChang 2018: Kim Jong-un’s Sister, Kim Yo-jong, to Visit South Korea for Olympics

Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, said North Korea had “dangled a meeting in hopes of the vice president softening his message, which would have ceded the world stage for their propaganda during the Olympics”.

“This administration will stand in the way of Kim’s desire to whitewash their murderous regime with nice photo ops at the Olympics. Perhaps that’s why they walked away from a meeting or perhaps they were never sincere about sitting down,” Nick Ayers said.

On leaving the Games, Mike Pence said the US and its allies remained firmly aligned on North Korea

“There is no daylight between the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan on the need to continue to isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically until they abandon their nuclear and ballistic missile program.”

However, South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has said he is considering accepting an invitation to visit Kim Jong-un in North Korea.

4 Benefits Of A Standalone Photocopier For Your Office

Dana R
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4 Benefits Of A Standalone Photocopier For Your Office

Although most enterprises make use of a multifunction copying device, using a standalone photocopier has its distinct advantages. This is the reason businesses prefer having a high-volume copier along with other accessories like scanners, printers and fax machines. Apart from being cost-effective, a stand-alone copier wraps up a colossal-copying task within minutes; a task that would otherwise have you embroiled in a dilemma whether to outsource the copy job or pay overhead for extra time and energy. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of a standalone photocopier for your office:

Fast Processing & Additional Features

A high-quality photocopier from a reputed brand will entail fast processing features including large, clear display panels and wireless capability that enables a firm to execute high volume copying tasks in less time with minimal effort. Mostly, standalone copy devices of today come equipped with a high page per minute or ppm rating compared to a multifunction device that serves as a printer and a photocopier. High-tech copiers that are slightly expensive can feature ppm up to 90 and more. Most copiers come equipped with built-in memory for easy document backup and retrieval for making necessary amendments to office artifacts.

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Cost Efficiency

Large volume photocopiers can be expensive office accessories but the benefits of a standalone device largely outweigh the option of having a multipurpose one, especially when large volume copying and document finishing attributes such as binding, sorting & stapling and printing cost per page are considered. With a full-time copier, the number of pages copied in a specific time period project a more positive trend that point at low copying per page costs and quick execution time. A third-party to whom you’ve outsourced would probably charge you two or three times more for the same job.

Durability & Longevity

Just like buying a MacBook that allows you to do multiple tasks is feasible, getting a multifunctional device may be tempting but consider the long-term usability and copying costs and you will find that a stand-alone copy machine for your office is a more viable option. Top photocopier brands offer durable machines that include software for installing regular updates for longevity and proper maintenance. This helps keep the photocopier up to date and in optimal condition for your daily copying requirements. Use a guide to choosing the best copiers for small business.

Great Functionality

Apart from fast copying and low costs, standalone copiers entail great functional features including the capability for wireless copying without having to connect to a desktop using a physical connector, a comprehensive user menu to assign tasks and manage copying requirements effectively and added features such as printing on different paper sizes, copying for variable paper thicknesses and selection of alignments etc.

How Helping Your Local Community Can Help You

Dana R
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How Helping Your Local Community Can Help You

It is not secret that helping other people is a way of helping yourself. But, how can you create positive change where you live? There are loads of ways you can do this, and it is far easier than you think. It is one thing to donate money to a local charity, but donating your time is a far more valuable thing to give. Getting involved in local organisations that rely on volunteers, and learning about the kind of issues that concern your community is a great place to start. There are so many ways you could become apart of change, and help to make a positive impact where you live. Who does not want to make their community, and the place where they and their friends and family spend time, a better place? Read on to find out ways you can get involved, and how you can go about creating positive change, for both others and you as well.

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Volunteer

There are volunteering opportunities everywhere you go, and many organisations rely on the participation of volunteers to do what they do best. Giving a bit of time to make sure these organisations can carry on helping people is definitely worth your time. Whatever your concerns, or interests, there are volunteering opportunities to suit you. This could be anything from helping vulnerable people to cleaning up the environment. You could help out in a soup kitchen, or you could help out at AA meetings. You could even volunteer at local arts events, help out at schools, or help groups clean up green places like parks. There are many opportunities for you to incite change and your local community, and helping other people helps yours too. Not only is there the feel-good factor of making a difference, but you are making the place where you live better for yourself, and your family and friend too. Considering what interests you, and thinking about what change you want to see, will give you a good idea of what kind of volunteering opportunity would be right for you.

Learn About Politics

You don’t have to run for president to make change through politics. Simply educating yourself, and becoming aware of the political groups and people in your local area can all help change happen. Start by learning about causes, from the local to the international, like the National Endowment for Democracy, for example. Knowing what issues you feel passionately about, or what issues will affect your community, will help you decide what action to take. This could be anything from voting, writing to local politicians, or even protesting or attending public events. Getting involved in politics is a great way to make a change in your community and a great place to start if you want to have a positive effect on the place where you live.

There are many ways you can incite change, and here are just here a few ways you can get started. Volunteering and learning about politics are great ways to change policies, and help people for the better in your community.

Donald Trump Jr.’s India Business Trip Raises Eyebrows

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Jr.’s India Business Trip Raises Eyebrows

President Donald Trump has been widely criticized after investors in a luxury property development in India are being offered the chance to have “conversation and dinner” with his eldest son, Donald Jr.

Donald Trump Jr. is visiting India this week and will promote the Trump Towers development near Delhi.

Critics say the Trump family is cashing in on the president’s name.

However, Donald Trump Jr. has said he has been building relationships in India for years.

The full-page advertisement, which ran as the front cover of several Indian newspapers over the weekend, featured a picture of Donald Trump Jr. together with text: “Trump is here. Are you invited?” and “Trump has arrived. Have you?”

The 47-storey towers in Gurgaon, close to New Delhi, are being developed by the Trump Organization and local partners – with some apartments selling for more than $1 million.

The Trump Organization, formerly headed up by President Donald Trump, is an umbrella company for hundreds of investments in businesses including real estate. Donald Trump Jr. is now its executive director.

Image source Wikimedia

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India is the Trump Organization’s biggest property market outside the US, and in 2016 the Trump family earned up to $3 million in royalties from ventures in India, according to a financial disclosure report.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) – a watchdog group – added the Indian promotion to a list of instances it believes show the Trump name being used for commercial gain.

In an interview last week, cited by The Guardian, Donald Trump Jr. said he had spent nearly a decade “cultivating relationships in India” and that the company was “now seeing the response of that effort”.

The president’s son said his itinerary was designed to steer clear of politics.

However, Donald Trump Jr. is listed as a keynote speaker at a global business conference, which will be attended by Indian politicians, including PM Narendra Modi and some of India’s business elite.

President Donald Trump handed over control of his business empire to Donald Jr. and Eric Trump before his inauguration last year.

However, the director of the US Office of Government Ethics said at the time that this did not go far enough to ensure there would be no conflict of interest between his politics and personal business.

Since taking office, critics have claimed President Trump is continuing to profit from his family’s business interests.

They have also accused the Trump family of playing up its connections with the White House in order to influence business deals.

In May 2017, the company owned by the family of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, pulled out of a real estate presentation in China.

Kushner Companies had been scheduled to pitch opportunities to real estate investors in China, but Jared Kushner’s sister was widely criticized for using his name in a pitch.

In November 2017, President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, was criticized for speaking at a global entrepreneurs summit in Hyderabad, with some saying the summit had become more about Ivanka Trump and her namesake brand than the wider issue.

Parkland High School Shooting: FBI Criticized after Failing to Act on A Tip on Suspect Nikolas Cruz

Nancy Clayson
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Parkland High School Shooting: FBI Criticized after Failing to Act on A Tip on Suspect Nikolas Cruz

The FBI is under pressure after failing to act on a tip that Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz might carry out an attack.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said the FBI’s director must resign, while Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a review, lamenting FBI “failures”.

Some of those close to the 17 victims of February 14 shooting also voiced dismay at the FBI’s actions.

On February 16, President Donald Trump met survivors of the attack in Parkland.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited a hospital and later the local sheriff’s office, thanking them for their response to the tragedy.

“What a great job you’ve done,” the president told law enforcement officials, adding: “I hope you get credit for it because believe me, you deserve it.”

Suspect Nikolas Cruz, 19, has confessed to carrying out February14 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and has been charged with 17 counts of murder.

It was the deadliest school shooting since 2012 and has re-ignited debates about gun control, with many students from the school weighing in.

It comes after the FBI admitted it did not properly follow up on a warning about Nikolas Cruz.

Image source Fox13

Parkland Shooting: At Least 17 Killed and Many Injured in Florida High School Attack

On January 5, a person close to the suspect contacted the FBI tipline to provide “information about Nikolas Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting”, an FBI statement said.

The FBI said that information should have been assessed as a potential threat to life and passed on to the Miami field office but that “we have determined these protocols were not followed”.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the bureau was “still investigating the facts” and was committed to “getting to the bottom of what happened”.

He added: “We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy.”

The January 5 tip was not the only information the FBI received about Nikolas Cruz.

In September, a Mississippi man reported to the law enforcement agency a disturbing comment left on a YouTube video by a user called “nikolas cruz” which said: “I’m going to be a professional school shooter.”

Ben Bennight said he spoke to FBI representatives for about 20 minutes and that they contacted him again following the Parkland shooting.

On February 15, the FBI said they had conducted “checks” at the time, but were unable to identify the person behind the comment.

Questions are also being asked about how local police responded to concern about Nikolas Cruz.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said his office had received 20 “calls for service” about him.

Each one would be scrutinized, he said, without going into detail about the nature of the calls.

Governor Rick Scott said in a statement that “the FBI’s failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable”.

He said that an apology would never give families “the answers they desperately need” and said that Christopher Wray had to resign.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the FBI’s “failures” had led to “tragic consequences”, and announced a review at the justice department and FBI into how “indications of potential violence” are responded to.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Split after Two Years of Marriage

Lisa.Felice
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Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Split after Two Years of Marriage

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have announced their separation after two years of marriage.

The Hollywood couple, who reportedly met on the set of comedy film Wanderlust, said the mutual decision was “lovingly made” at the end of last year.

Jennifer Aniston, 49, and Justin Theroux, 46, gave no reason for the split and said they intended to continue their “cherished friendship”.

They were married in a secret ceremony in Los Angeles in August 2015.

Image source Wikimedia

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Get Married in Secret LA Ceremony

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux had been together for four years before the wedding, which took place at their Bel Air mansion.

In a joint statement, the couple said they intended to remain friends: “We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.

“Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly.”

“Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another,” the statement added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evO2b-uCSJQ

How To Protect Yourself From Property Liability

Dana R
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How To Protect Yourself From Property Liability

Like it or not, we live in a litigious world. Yes accidents happen, but sometimes they are not entirely blameless, and when those situations occur on someone else’s property, the average citizen will begin searching for a premises liability lawyer. No one wants to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit, so below are a few handy tips so that you can make sure that you can make it extremely unlikely that you would find yourself in court attempting to prove that the blame did not fall with you.

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Start with the obvious

Try to secure and ‘accident-proof’ any obvious hazards on your property. The best way to go about this is to ask if the area would be safe for an unsupervised toddler. No sharp objects, sudden drops, or uneven ground. Make sure that all walkways are clear of debris or spillages and that they are adequately lit. Ensure that all stairs have a handrail, even if there are only two or three stairs, and make sure that the flooring is not slippery, even when wet. Warning signs are a good addition also. Any ditches or areas that you deem particularly hazardous should be separated using a fence so that members of the public cannot stray into danger through lack of due care. If young children frequent the area, moving the door handles out of reach, towards the top portion of the door, will stop youngsters from wandering where they shouldn’t be.

Stay vigilant

Once you have protected yourself and others from the ‘permanent dangers’ at your property, you need to keep an eye out for new situations which could prove dangerous. Any debris or spillages could be a tripping or slipping hazard. In cold weather, you should take the time to grit the walkways in and out of your property to ensure that nobody falls prey to unseen ice patches. Again, look for hazards that might catch out an unsupervised toddler. Do not assume that something will be fine, protect yourself by being proactive.

Add an insurance policy or two

Not insurance in the traditional sense (although a liability insurance policy could never go amiss),  but in the sense of going further to protect yourself. Erecting a fence to keep unwanted pedestrians out can do wonders to prevent you from being liable for someone being where they shouldn’t be. You could also install CCTV cameras to help provide evidence should any incident occur. Many cases boil down to one person’s word against another’s, but with video footage, you can prove beyond all doubt the true nature of events.

Know who you are liable for

If someone is invited onto your property, you are liable for their safety, and so you should make sure that you do everything you can to reduce their risk of coming to harm. However, you are not liable for anyone who is on your property without your permission,  whether you know them or not. This means that you cannot be sued by your ex who has taken to hiding in your bushes, or a burglar who trips over your furniture in the night. The only exception to this rule is children. You are liable for any local children who are playing on your property, so it makes sense to ensure that no one can accidentally stray onto your land.

Have many fail-safes

This is especially true if you have something like an outdoor swimming pool. You should not only cover the pool are over when not in use, but you should also ensure that there is a fence surrounding the pool that is of a sufficient height to stop children easily being able to climb into the pool area. You should also make sure that the area is securely locked and cannot be easily opened by children or unauthorised individuals. If you are having any construction work done on the property, you should have plenty of barriers up to stop anyone wandering into a dangerous area, but you should also have plenty of signs up to warn of the potential dangers to those who wander into places that they should not be.

There you have it, a few simple ways to help you avoid being liable for personal injuries that may occur on your property. Hopefully, these tips have also highlighted the importance of protecting yourself from all eventualities. It is never a nice thing to plan for the worst-case scenario, but by doing so, you are protecting yourself from a huge financial strain. It is better to be over-prepared and not need you fail-safes than it is to under-prepare and wish you had done more.

The Cost of Caring: Elderly Relatives Moving Into Your Home

Dana R
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Picture credit

No one really likes to dwell on getting older, but the reality is it’s a future that we all face. Shifting demographic changes, with people living well past retirement and those in middle-age sandwiched between supporting adult children and aging parents, is bringing the issue into sharper focus than ever. So when it comes time to make a decision about the care of your older relatives, how do you go about finding the right option for you and the ones you love?

While many care homes for seniors provide a supportive environment, your elders may not be keen on some aspects of this arrangement and with recent abuse cases claiming the headlines, you could have found yourself needing a firm of Oklahoma City nursing home abuse attorneys.

So you may be considering taking your elder relative into your own home as an alternative. But what do you need to know?

The Cost of Caring

It may not be what you want to think of, but the costs of caring must be addressed head on, otherwise bottled up tensions about money can surface later and more dramatically. Caring for an older relative involves expense – your home may need modifications, from minor adaptations to significant building work- to make it suitable for them. On top of this, there are added costs to cover with food bills, extra heating costs and any specialist equipment that is needed. In order for any arrangement to work, an honest conversation is needed about finance. Getting independent financial advice for your relative may be key to help them get their affairs in order and work out what they can contribute to the household. Involve them in these discussions and never dictate terms – a new kind of dynamic is needed, but too many people fall into a groove of parent-child communication.

Caring and Your Career

If your relative needs a lot of support and you are working yourself, it’s important to consider the impact on your job. Caring duties may mean that you are tired and find it hard to focus, and your work performance may suffer. It may be that you need to take unexpected leave from a job as well, and while some employers build a certain amount of family leave into a contract, others can be significantly less understanding. Taking extra time off also means that you may find yourself passed over for bigger projects and opportunities for advancement. Your own retirement prospects may also suffer if you end up cutting down on your hours or even giving up work altogether, as you will lose out on a period of time when you should be saving intensely for your retirement. And should you choose to leave the workforce, you may find it next to impossible to return at the same level after an extended period of absence, when your skills will have become outdated and you are older. Consider whether you can afford some in-Home support care. This can allow you both to remain a little independent and free up more of your own time from caring duties. This option can be expansive so consider how you will afford the support, and weigh it up against the costs that may result if you don’t go down that route.

5 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know You Could Do On Your Macbook

Dana R
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5 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know You Could Do On Your Macbook

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Before we get into the crux of this article, please know that this writer doesn’t want to get into that age-old PC vs Mac debate that has raged since dawn began… well, since the early days of Steve Jobs, at least. While the features mentioned use Mac-specific functions, there will be a similar workaround for Windows users as well. So, with that disclaimer over and done with…phew… here are some of the things you probably didn’t know you could do on your Mac.

  1. Let your MacBook read to you

Can’t be bothered reading through pages of text? That’s fine; you can sit back and use your Mac as an audio book. Highlight the text you want your MacBook to read to you, select Edit, and go to the speech options. You can change the narrator’s voice, from calming to comical, and then let the story/article/work doc begin.

  1. Extract music from video sources

While you can download and stream music easily on any number of sites,  you may want to extract sections of music from video sources. This is particularly useful if you can’t find the track anywhere else, or you want to use stretches of music or sound effects for your own video creations. There is a great article here on how to convert video to audio on Mac, though you do need to be careful of copyright issues,

  1. Hide Facebook at work

Facebook is the most popular social networking site in the world, and it is constantly being updated with useful (and not so useful) features, such as it’s latest video streaming service. Still, you don’t want to be caught using Facebook at work, unless you are using it for marketing purposes. So, if your boss or nosey colleague wanders by, you can quickly press H and the command button, and the page will be removed from your screen. Note: works with any other web page you were having a sneaky peek at!

  1. Create customizable shortcuts

Are you constantly typing the same words or phrases? This can be annoying, especially if those words are long and complicated. Still, you can save time with this nifty trick. Go to Systems Settings, click on Language and Region, head to Keyboard Settings and then choose text. You can then customize the common phrases you use, with a shorter number of keystrokes. You will never have to waste time or correct awkward spelling mistakes again!

  1. Restrict your child’s access

Handing over your Mac to your child is a risky business anyway. You don’t know what sites he/she may be visiting, and if you have saved your credit card details, you never know what your child will be buying on your behalf. Thankfully, you can restrict what your child can do on your computer. For starters, password your account and then set up an account for them using your administrative tools. Go to Systems Preferences, head to Parental Controls, and limit what websites or apps your child can use. Then, if bedtime is an issue, you can also set the time that the computer logs off for the evening. Result!

Have you picked up any tips or tricks for your Macbook?*  Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.

* Or Windows – we don’t want to be biased!

 

Parkland Shooting: At Least 17 Killed and Many Injured in Florida High School Attack

Nancy Clayson
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Parkland Shooting: At Least 17 Killed and Many Injured in Florida High School Attack

At least 17 people are dead after a 19-year-old man opened fire at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the small city of Parkland, around 45 miles north of Miami, police have said.

Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school who had been expelled, has been identified as suspect.

As the attack unfolded students were forced to hide as police swooped in on the building.

It is the deadliest school shooting since 26 people were killed at Connecticut school Sandy Hook in 2012.

It is the sixth school shooting incident in 2018 that has either wounded or killed students

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters Nikolas Cruz killed three people outside the school, before entering the building and killing another 12.

Two people later died after being taken to hospital.

According to health officials, three people remain in a critical condition and three others are in stable condition.

The victims are still being identified. Sheriff Scott Israel said a football coach was among the dead but no names have been released.

Image source Fox13

Sandy Hook School shooting: at least 27 people killed in a Connecticut primary school shooting attack

San Bernardino Shooting: Three Killed at North Park Elementary School

On February 14, the local public school district tweeted that “students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire” just before the end of the day at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The attack began at 14:30 local time.

Witnesses said that the suspect set off a fire alarm before the violence erupted.

Police and SWAT team members swarmed the campus and began clearing students from the school in Parkland, about an hour north of Miami, as parents and ambulances converged on the scene.

Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled for “disciplinary reasons”, was taken into custody without incident in the nearby town of Coral Springs about an hour after he left the high school, according to police.

Sheriff Scott Israel said: “We have already begun to dissect his websites and things on social media that he was on and some of the things… are very, very disturbing.”

“Just a horrible day for us,” said Robert Runcie, the superintendent of the county’s school district.

The school has nearly 3,000 students. Classes are cancelled for the rest of this week.

Many students said they thought it was a drill because a fire alarm practice had taken place shortly before the shooting.

Since 2013, there have been 291 reported school shootings in America, which averages out to about one per week.

This is the worst shooting since 2012, when gunman Adam Lanza attacked Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He shot dead 20 young children and six adults before killing himself.

Zimbabwe: Former PM and Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai Dies Aged 65

Diane A. Wade
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Zimbabwe: Former PM and Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai Dies Aged 65

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has died in South Africa, his MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) party has announced.

Morgan Tsvangirai, 65, a former prime minister, had reportedly been suffering from colon cancer.

MDC vice president Elias Mudzuri told Reuters: “He died this evening. The family communicated this to me.”

Morgan Tsvangirai’s career was marked by a long political struggle against former President Robert Mugabe.

The opposition leader had been beaten and imprisoned numerous times.

Announcing Morgan Tsvangirai’s death, Elias Mudzuri tweeted that the MDC had “lost our icon and fighter for democracy”.

Image source Wikimedia

Zimbabwe: Morgan Tsvangirai kicked out of his MDC party

Zimbabwean election result: Morgan Tsvangirai alleges vote-rigging by rival Robert Mugabe’s camp

Zimbabwe election: Robert Mugabe vs. Morgan Tsvangirai

Morgan Tsvangirai founded the MDC in 2000, repeatedly challenging Robert Mugabe during the ex-president’s long grip on power.

In the 2008 election, Morgan Tsvangirai gained the most votes in the first round but not enough to win outright.

Before the second round of voting, Robert Mugabe’s security forces carried out a campaign of violence against opposition supporters, and Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew.

Robert Mugabe was declared the winner, but an international outcry over allegations of violence and vote-rigging led to a power sharing agreement in which Morgan Tsvangirai would serve as prime minister.

Morgan Tsvangirai ran against Robert Mugabe again in 2013 but lost by a landslide.

The MDC is said to be divided over who should lead it into elections later this year against the governing Zanu-PF party, led by Robert Mugabe’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

New Technologies and The Future of Teaching

Nancy Clayson
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New Technologies and The Future of Teaching

Technological innovations have a huge impact on the educational sphere. Discover how new technologies are changing the future of teaching and education itself.

New Technologies and The Future of Teaching

Today, new technologies provide students with unbelievable opportunities for learning and education. If someone wants to learn programming, for instance, there exist a lot free online courses that teach this skill, such as Code Academy. Those who need help with crafting a brilliant essay can use a service like https://essayhelper4you.com, where they can order a custom written essay for whatever purpose they need.

 

Projects like Khan Academy let anyone upgrade his or her knowledge of any school subject free of charge. In general, new technologies have greatly transformed the educational process for students of all ages.

 

But what about teachers? Technological innovations are supposed to increase the productivity of teachers in the same way they help students, writes TechCrunch. In this article, we will analyze how new technologies impact teachers and the future of teaching.

Image source Wikimedia

Investments in Educational Technologies

Recently, educational policy has been focused on assessing and monitoring teachers’ activity and performance. In this regard, a promising gap has emerged in the educational technology market. Technological companies that can create valuable products for assessing and enhancing skills of teachers may succeed at generating significant profits. This is indicated by investment trends in the recent years:

 

  • In 2012, 1 billion 250 million dollars were invested in educational technologies.
  • In 2013, that number rose by another 35%. At the same time, most investors were focused on the start-ups providing open online courses for the general public as well as educational platforms and education software.
  • Things stayed the same in 2014. Back then the capitalization of the market was around 1.36 billion dollars. At the same time, the majority of funds were received by companies developing tools for upgrading personal and mathematical skills. Thus, in 2014 investors were mainly focused on tools for students. The exception was the 64 million allocated for the development of the Teachers Pay Teachers project, an online startup for education professionals.
  • In September 2015, the largest investment in this sector amounted to $60 million. This sum was received by Civitas Learning, which develops office software for educational institutions. Another $13 million was received by Learn Zillion, which is developing a “cloud” system for transitioning to the Common Core initiative’s standards.

 

The Need for Technologies and Tools for Teachers

The products that those companies like develop are indeed useful for educators. However, they do not provide the tools that would help teachers grow professionally or make their work more transparent. In order to really change the educational sphere and improve the performance of students, technology in education should help make teachers’ work more transparent and provide the ability for teacher assessment.

 

The need for teacher evaluation and monitoring their work was widely discussed back in 2010. Back then the Los Angeles Times published a series of articles describing the great differences in student performance, depending on the particular teacher. The research conducted in 2011 confirmed that a teacher’s professionalism improves the learning ability of students.

A recent Stanford study indicates that consistent evaluation increases a teacher’s professional skills. In order to improve the quality of teachers’ performance, their work should be evaluated and be public.

 

Nevertheless, this trend has undeservedly been deprived of attention in the sphere of technology. More recently, several start-ups and non-profit organizations have begun developing the necessary software. For instance, Teaching Channel is a platform for educators, which allows sharing training videos and communicating with colleagues.

 

Kickboard service is usually used at schools with the help of an iPad to track local cultural trends and evaluate the behavior of teachers.  Whetstone is a platform that collects and analyzes data about teachers’ performance, and also provides feedback. The evaluation tools of this kind should be combined with effective tracking tools. This will improve the effectiveness of education. For this reason, educators and influential politicians are interested in these measures.

 

Considering that general investments in the sphere of educational technologies are growing, now is the right time for developing new products in this field. Building services and tools to help students may prove to be a successful business idea. But taking into the account the social demand, the development of technologies for evaluating teachers and monitoring the educational process may happen to be a very successful venture as well.

South Korea: Choi Soon-sil Sentenced to 20 Years In Jail for Corruption

Diane A. Wade
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South Korea: Choi Soon-sil Sentenced to 20 Years In Jail for Corruption

Choi Soon-sil, an old friend of South Korea’s ex-President Park Geun-hye, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for corruption, influence-peddling and abuse of power.

She was at the heart of a massive corruption scandal that brought down Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president.

Choi Soon-sil had acted for years as an adviser to Park Geun-hye, who has been impeached and is also on trial.

Park Geun-hye has denied any wrongdoing.

The Seoul Central District Court also fined Choi Soon-sil 18 billion Korean won ($16.6 million).

Image source Wikimedia

Choi Soon-sil Scandal: Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong Questioned for Second Time as Suspect

Choi Soon-sil Trial Under Way in South Korea

Chung Yoo-ra: Choi Soon-sil’s Daughter Arrested in Denmark

Choi Soon-sil was accused of using her presidential connections to pressure conglomerates – including electronics giant Samsung and retail group Lotte – for millions of dollars in donations to two non-profit foundations she controlled.

She is already serving a three year jail term for a separate charge of corruption, after she was found guilty of using her position to solicit favors for her daughter.

Park Geun-hye meanwhile has been accused of colluding with Choi Soon-sil. She is currently in custody, with a verdict expected later this year.

The court has also found Shin Dong-bin, chairman of the Lotte Group, guilty of offering bribes to Choi Soon-sil, and jailed him for two years and six months.

President Park Geun-hye was officially ousted in March 2017, following parliament’s decision to impeach her. She was the country’s first democratically-elected president to be forced from office.

After losing her presidential immunity, Park Geun-hye was charged with bribery, abusing state power and leaking state secrets, and her trial began in May.

President Donald Trump’s Budget Proposal Unveils Plans to End ISS Funding

James J. Williams
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President Donald Trump’s Budget Proposal Unveils Plans to End ISS Funding

President Donald Trump’s budget proposal has unveiled his plans to end US funding for the International Space Station (ISS) by 2025 with the aim of putting it into private hands.

He also wants to increase NASA spending by 3% next year.

However, the budget proposal includes $150 million to “encourage commercial development” at ISS to replace American payments.

The space station is scheduled to operate through 2024.

Image source Wikipedia

Second Shutdown 2018: Congress Votes to Pass Two-Year Budget

The White House proposal, which was released on February 12, says: “The budget proposes to end direct US financial support for the International Space Station in 2025, after which NASA would rely on commercial partners for its low Earth orbit research and technology demonstration requirements.”

According to the document, the US government would create a $150 million program to help prepare private companies to take over space station operations over the next seven years.

The budget requests $19.6 billion for NASA in 2019, an increase of $500 million from this year.

According to a NASA review, it also calls for $10.5 billion for “an innovative and sustainable campaign of exploration” leading to “the return of humans to the moon for long-term exploration and utilization followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations”.

#MeToo: New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Weinstein Company

Sonia Pantiss
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#MeToo: New York Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Weinstein Company

The state of New York is suing The Weinstein Company, alleging that the studio failed to protect staff from Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein, 65, is facing dozens of allegations of abuse, including rape, but denies non-consensual acts.

The lawsuit filed by New York prosecutors alleges Harvey Weinstein abused female employees and made verbal threats to kill staff members.

However, Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said a “fair investigation” would show that many of the allegations were without merit.

The Weinstein Company’s board of directors said it was “disappointed” by the lawsuit.

On February 11, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that he had filed the suit against The Weinstein Company, as well as Harvey Weinstein and his brother Robert, who co-founded the studio.

Eric Schneiderman is seeking an unspecified sum to cover damages, plus penalties, for victims of alleged abuse by Harvey Weinstein.

The document alleges that Harvey Weinstein harassed and abused women employed by the studio for years.

It accuses senior executives at the company, including Robert Weinstein, of failing to prevent the mistreatment of staff despite being presented with evidence.

Image source Wikimedia

#MeToo: Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd Blacklisted by Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein Used Ex-Israeli Agents to Spy His Accusers

Weinstein Company Investigated for Possible Civil Rights Violation

The suit casts doubt over the sale of The Weinstein Company, which has been battling bankruptcy and is in talks with investors.

Eric Schneiderman said his investigation was continuing, but he had brought the suit out of concern that a possible sale would leave alleged victims without adequate compensation, and could benefit “perpetrators or enablers”.

It is reported that businesswoman Maria Contreras-Sweet has led talks to buy the studio for $500 million.

However, after news of the suit emerged, negotiations are now said to be on hold.

According to Variety, investors baulked at the prospect of the lawsuit adding conditions to the sale.

In October 2017, The New York Times published a story detailing decades of allegations of harassment against Harvey Weinstein.

Since then more than 50 women, among them some of the biggest names in Hollywood, have accused him assault, harassment, abuse and rape.

In the wake of the allegations, Harvey Weinstein was sacked by the board of his company.

President Donald Trump: Israeli Settlements Could Complicate Peace Process with Palestinians

Roy Siemens
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President Donald Trump: Israeli Settlements Could Complicate Peace Process with Palestinians

In a recent interview, President Donald Trump has warned that Israeli settlements “complicate” the peace process with Palestinians and urged “care” over the issue.

The president also told the Israeli newspaper Yisrael Hayom that he did not believe the Palestinians, and possibly Israel as well, were ready to make peace.

He angered Palestinians in December when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Donald Trump also threatened to withhold aid unless Palestinians agreed to talks.

The interview was published on February 11.

Asked by editor-in-chief Boaz Bismouth when the US would present its peace plan, President Trump said: “We will see what happens. Right now the Palestinians are not into making peace, they are just not into it. Regarding Israel, I am not certain it, too, is interested in making peace so we will just need to wait and see what happens.”

Image source Wikimedia

Israeli Settlements: UN Condemns Plans to Build 2,500 More Homes in West Bank

Israeli Settlements: PM Benjamin Netanyahu Condemns as Biased John Kerry’s Speech

Asked whether Israeli settlements would form part of the peace plan, the president said: “We will be talking about settlements. The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements.”

More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel’s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

President Trump said that recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital had been a highlight of his first year in office.

Israel claims the whole of the city as its capital but the Palestinians want East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will no longer accept the US as a mediator following the controversial recognition of Jerusalem.

5 Signs of Bee Infestations

Dana R
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5 Signs of Bee Infestations

Do you have bees around your house?

If you see bees frequently buzzing around your house, you could have a bee infestation. Depending on the type of bee that has invaded your home, it could cause significant damage to the structure of your house.

Here are some signs to look for if you suspect a bee infestation.

Buzzing or Humming Sounds

If you hear faint buzzing or humming sounds in your house, that could be a sign there are bees within the walls. The louder the buzzing, the more bees there may be. If you hear them, go outside to try to spot them.

Check under the eaves of the house for any signs of nests or bees coming in and out of a hole or crack in the siding. If you see them, then you could have a colony of bees within the walls.

https://unsplash.com/photos/qFAEHxevxVE

Piles of Sawdust

If you find sawdust piles near a wooden structure or an object, then you may be dealing with a carpenter bee invasion. Carpenter bees love to bore into wood and make their nests inside of structures, like your house.

Carpenter bees resemble bumble bees, but they are larger and do not have yellow markings. They can also be aggressive if they are disturbed, but only the females can sting, which they will do if provoked.

Look for Landing Stains

When bees fly up to a hive or nest, they first land and then walk into it. This action can leave a landing stain on the side of the house where the opening to the hive is located.

Depending on how long the bees have been inside of your house, the stain may look like a small charcoal rub or a dark sticky substance. The stain is made from propolis that is on their legs and abdomen, which rubs off as they land at the entrance of the hive.

Odd Smell

Beehives give off a distinctive smell that is hard to forget, and you may smell it if there is a bee infestation in the walls of your house. It is slightly sweet and is a mixture of beeswax, pheromones, pollen, fermenting honey, and propolis.

Be careful if you decide to investigate where the smell is coming from because you could happen onto a wasp nest or a honeybee hive. While honeybees are not usually bothersome, if they or the beehive is disturbed, they will swarm and sting to protect themselves.

Nests Under Eaves

Sometimes you may see nests under the eaves of your house if there are wasps, hornets, or bees around your house. While you can get rid of the nest, it could easily reappear if there is a colony of bees or wasps.

If you have a problem with bees around your house, you can go to beekeepersandiegoca.com to find out how to humanely get rid of them. If they are honeybees, the company will save them and put them in a hive where they will be safe.

While the presence of bees can be a symbol of luck in some cultures, for most people, a hive with a large colony of bees in the wall of their house can be scary. If you think you may have bees, wasps, or hornets, call in professionals to remove them.

Israeli F-16 Fighter Jet Shot Down by Syrian Anti-Aircraft Fire

Roy Siemens
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Israeli F-16 Fighter Jet Shot Down by Syrian Anti-Aircraft Fire

According to the Israeli military, one of its F-16 fighter jet has crashed amid Syrian anti-aircraft fire after an offensive against Iranian targets in Syria.

The two pilots parachuted to safety before the crash in northern Israel. It is believed to be the first time Israel has lost a jet in the Syrian conflict.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tweeted: “Moments ago, IAF aircraft, targeted the Syrian Aerial Defense System & Iranian targets in Syria. 12 targets, including 3 aerial defense batteries & 4 Iranian military targets, were attacked. Anti-aircraft missiles were fired towards Israel, triggering alarms in northern Israel.”

Red alert sirens sounded in areas of northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights due to Syrian anti-aircraft fire.

Residents reported hearing a number of explosions and heavy aerial activity in the area near Israel’s borders with Jordan and Syria.

Israel was carrying out strikes after the launch of an Iranian drone into Israel. The drone was intercepted.

Syria accused Israel of “aggression”, as Israel then launched more strikes.

Image source Wikimedia

TPS: Trump Administration Extends Temporary Protection for Nearly 7,000 Syrians

US Urges Russia to Stop Supporting Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

In a statement, the Israeli military said “a combat helicopter successfully intercepted an Iranian UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] that was launched from Syria and infiltrated Israel”.

It said the drone was identified quickly and was “under surveillance until the interception”.

The drone went down on Israeli territory and was “in our possession”, IDF spokesperson Brig Gen Ronen Manelis said.

The military said that in response the IDF “targeted Iranian targets in Syria”. It said the mission deep inside Syrian territory was successfully completed.

After coming under Syrian anti-aircraft fire, the F-16’s two crew ejected and were later taken to hospital. One of them was “severely injured as a result of an emergency evacuation”, the IDF said.

It was not clear whether the F-16 jet was hit by anti-aircraft fire or went down near Harduf for other reasons.

Syrian state media quoted a military source as saying that the country’s air defenses opened fire in response to an Israeli act of “aggression” against a military base on February 10, hitting “more than one plane”.

Meanwhile, Iran, Russia and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon – key allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – dismissed as “lies” Israeli claims that an Iranian drone had entered Israeli airspace, news wires report.

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

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