Monday, February 23, 2026
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Senator Al Franken Accused of Assault

Minnesota Senator Al Franken has responded to Leeann Tweeden’s allegations that he groped her as she slept and “forcibly” kissed her in a rehearsal for a comedy skit.

Leeann Tweeden, a radio host, says the two incidents happened in December 2006 on a tour to entertain US troops overseas, before Al Franken entered politics.

She wrote that the former comic “aggressively” kissed her while saying they had to rehearse a scene.

Al Franken, a former Saturday Night Live writer, apologized for the grope.

However, the Democrat said he has a different recollection of the other incident.

Al Franken: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” he said in a statement.

“As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”

He issued a second, longer statement less than two hours later after a ferocious backlash from critics who accused him of a non-apology and demanded his resignation.

Image source Flickr

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In an article for KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where Leeann Tweeden now works, she recalled feeling victimized by Al Franken during her ninth USO tour of the Middle East.

“When I saw the script, Franken had written a moment when his character comes climbing at me for a <<kiss>>,” she said.

“I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd.”

On the day of the performance in Kuwait, Leeann Tweeden said he was insistent they rehearse the skit.

When the moment came he “put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth”.

“You knew exactly what you were doing,” Leeann Tweeden wrote.

“You forcibly kissed me without my consent, grabbed my breasts while I was sleeping and had someone take a photo of you doing it, knowing I would see it later, and be ashamed.”

Later at a press conference in Los Angeles, Leeann Tweeden went into further detail about how “he stuck his tongue in my mouth so fast”.

“And all I can remember is that his lips were really wet and slimy,” she said.

“In my mind I called him <<fish lips>> the rest of the trip.”

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate, promptly called for the chamber’s Ethics Committee to investigate Al Franken.

The Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell echoed the call for an ethics investigation.

Al Franken said he would “gladly cooperate”.

In his second statement, he said: “I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t.

“And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”

Of the photo, he added: “I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate.

“It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture.”

However, he still begged to differ on her portrayal of him forcing his tongue down her mouth.

“While I don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences.”

As a senator for Minnesota, Al Franken has cultivated an image for himself as a vocal champion of women’s issues, from assault to abortion rights and equal pay.

Leeann Tweeden said she was inspired to come forward more than a decade later after California congresswoman Jackie Speier was interviewed on her morning radio program.

Jackie Speier told about being assaulted as a young congressional aide in Washington.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8vpWuj-QKw

George HW Bush Accused of Inappropriately Touching a Woman When She Was 16

Kevin Spacey Scandal: Old Vic Has 20 Claims of Inappropriate Behavior Against Actor

London’s Old Vic theater says it has received 20 personal testimonies of alleged inappropriate behavior by Kevin Spacey, who was its artistic director between 2004 and 2015.

Those affected said they “felt unable to raise concerns”, and the double Oscar winner “operated without sufficient accountability”.

The theatre said it “truly apologizes” for not creating a culture where people felt able to speak freely.

The Old Vic’s announcement follows recent allegations of harassment and predatory behavior made against Kevin Spacey while at the theatre.

Kevin Spacey has not responded to them.

His behavior was alleged to have ranged from making people feel uncomfortable to inappropriate behavior, the Old Vic investigation found.

No-one alleged rape but three people told the Old Vic they had contacted the police, while 14 of the 20 complainants were told by the investigators that they should consider going to the police.

There were 20 individual allegations and 16 were former staff, all of whom were men.

According to Lewis Silkin – the external law firm engaged by the theatre to conduct the investigation – more than half the allegations were said to have taken place inside the Old Vic.

Image source Flickr

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The investigation also found there was not widespread knowledge of Kevin Spacey’s alleged behavior within the organization, the law firm said.

With the exception of one of the claims, none of the reported incidents were raised formally or informally with management.

Kevin Spacey was invited to participate in the investigation but the Old Vic said he did not respond.

The investigation is continuing so more people can come forward.

Current artistic director Matthew Warchus said he had “genuine and deep sympathy for all those who have come forward”.

He added: “Everyone is entitled to work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation.

“The Old Vic is now actively engaged in the process of healing and the process of prevention.”

Matthew Warchus described the allegations as “a shock and a disturbing surprise to many of us”.

“It is incorrect, unfair and irresponsible to say that everybody knew.

“But as a result of the investigation, what we have learnt is how better to call out this behavior in future.”

He said the findings would help “our industry as a whole, as together we rapidly evolve an intelligent new standard of protection and support in and around the workplace”.

The Old Vic’s executive director Kate Varah added that they did not want to “just rush out a statement”, saying: “We have not slept since this came out because we have been doing it in a robust, careful way.”

Kevin Spacey said on November 2 he was seeking treatment, in the wake of the allegations.  However, there is no information about what kind of treatment the actor is seeking.

Greece Floods: At Least 15 People Killed in Mandra, Nea Peramos, Megara

At least 15 people have been killed after flash floods caused massive destruction in central Greece.

According to Greek officials, the industrial towns of Mandra, Nea Peramos and Megara, west of the capital Athens, were the most affected.

Many of the dead were elderly people whose bodies were found inside their homes, lovcal reports say. Fast-flowing torrents of red mud flooded roads.

PM Alexis Tsipras declared a period of national mourning in the wake of the tragedy.

Mandra Mayor Yianna Krikouki told state broadcaster ERT: “Everything is lost. The disaster is biblical.”

According to the broadcaster, at least 37 people have been taken to hospital and some are still missing.

Image source Wikimedia

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Bad weather has hit parts of Greece for about a week, but particularly heavy rain overnight caused the sudden flooding, for which locals said they were unprepared.

The force of the water moved vehicles, damaged walls and roofing, and left many homeless as their homes flooded to a life-threatening level.

By November 16, Greece’s fire service said it had received over 600 calls for help and dispatched almost 200 firefighters in 55 vehicles to the towns, which have a combined population in the tens of thousands.

Stavros Fotiou, the deputy mayor of Nea Peramos, told ERT: “The water came down the mountain, millions of tones.”

“Our roads are completely destroyed… 1,000 homes have been flooded, that’s a third of the town,” he added.

The region’s deputy governor, Yiannis Vassileiou, told ERT that emergency services had been prepared for poor weather, but then “the Niagara Falls came down and could not be stopped”.

Alexis Tsipras said that declaring a period of national mourning was “the least we can do”.

The prime minister also vowed to provide aid to the victims and ensure they were housed safely.

All Credit Repair Agencies Aren’t Created Equal

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Recognizing the real difference between price and worth is very important because looking for the help of any company in the credit improvement market is more often than not a clear case of, “You get what you pay for.” The following lines make clear the 4 types of credit repair companies that make up the market and what to expect from each.

Credit Repair Agency Type 1

The very first type of credit repair agency is usually a one-person show run out of a home office. Generally, this type of firm promotes significantly lower rates for their solution and will typically have incredible service promises to finish it off. It’s not unusual for this type of credit repair firm to be a complete rip-off and grab the customers’ money without offering any support whatsoever. Furthermore, if you’re coping with acompany that falls into this type, you’re blessed if the only thing you suffer a loss of is your cash and not your identification in the process. In this point in time, id theft is taking place on really dangerous levels.

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Credit Repair Agency Type 2

The 2nd type of credit repair agency generally seems to be legitimate. They’ll have an actual office but similar to credit repair agency type 1; they merely use the same standard challenge correspondence. While usually not intending to operate against the law, conformity issues are usually ignored. The largest distinction between credit repair agency type one and Two is that the second generally utilizes a relatively inexpensive software application which allows it to make volume and handle customers on a much larger scale.

Credit Repair Agency Type 3

Not only is the 3rd type of credit repair agency usually certified with the laws and regulations governing credit repair companies, but it’s also amply trained in the U.S. Code used to challenge unfavorable credit things on the customers’ credit report. Making use of more than just regular correspondence, for instance, table meetings, such type of company can be a lot more useful than the first two above. As this type of credit repair agency has such a great knowledge of the U.S. Code associated with consumer credit, it’s well-known that this type of firm offers custom credit fix efforts to its customers, and that’s a good sign when it comes to finding the right type.

Credit Repair Agency Type 4

The 4th type of credit agency is very much like the 3rd type in that it’s usually certified with federal legislation, quite well experienced in the U.S. Code necessary to work in the credit restoration market and frequently also offers to perform customized claim efforts for its customers. The most significant contrast between credit score restoration company type three and four is that credit repair agency type four has legal professionals in staff members or is contracted with a law company. Credit repair professional type four will also set you back more than the other 3 agency types but will more often than not be more effective.

Infinite Power: The Benefits Of Using Solar Hot Water In Your Home

The sun is an important source of solar energy which provides us with numerous benefits. All of us utilize sunlight to produce vitamin D at the same time, animals and plants depend on the sun for their everyday lives. Various ways of utilizing the energy of the sun are always created, and presently, solar hot water is one of them.

The solar hot water system is not just a meticulous acquisition for the environment because it has obvious and feasible benefits for you as a homeowner too. Certain studies showed that most homeowners who have purchased this system have been thrilled with their expenditure.

A solar hot water system or solar domestic hot water system can be an economical way to produce hot water for your home. You can utilize it in any weather plus the material used on it to provide energy is the sun which is free. Listed below are the benefits that you can get from installing a solar hot water system in your home.

Energy Efficient

Black and Silver Solar Panels

According to some studies, installing a solar hot water system in your home can lessen your monthly energy bills. And by utilizing the sunshine to heat your water, it helps you reduce the hot water costs in half annually.

This innovative product is much more effective than electric or gas heaters. However, solar hot water systems are typically more expensive to install and purchase compared to the traditional water heating systems. But you can save a fortune in the long period.

The solar energy component is determined as the generated power brought by the system divided by the gas or electrical energy embed into the system. The scope of the solar energy factor is from is from 1.0 to 11.0. Generally, the higher the number, the more it saves energy.

Do not merely depend on the efficiency of the system. Consider also the size and the total cost of the solar hot water system.  

Increase Your Homes Worth

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Most people consider their home as their substantial asset and preserving it appropriately is essential to guarantee its value. The various modification and maintenance of your real estate can improve the way you live and probably increase your home’s market value.

Boosting the worth of your property makes much sense, but what is the excellent approach to doing this? Hardly not all improvement increase the worth of your home to keep up with the cost of doing it all.

One of the improvements that will most likely increase the worth of your home is solar power. Everybody needs electricity in their home, and by installing solar power systems, the citizens will prospect your home positively when it is open for sale.

Solar hot water systems have been here for a long period, and most people used to utilize solar power instead of other forms of energy. Furthermore, setting up solar hot water system will not only increase the value of your home, but it helps you market it faster.

Cuts Water Heating Bills

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The best thing about purchasing a solar hot water system is that it mostly save a lot of money throughout the time. However, it relies upon the quantity of hot water a user utilizes and the worth of the traditional fuels.

You can check out the solar hot water panels in many reputable online stores like GStore because they offer the best products with the highest quality. It cuts down your water heating bills as much as 50%.

If you live in a sunny place, then purchasing a solar hot water system is the best move. The solar hot water panels will take in much sunlight that will turn out to be saving plenty of money on your water heating bills instead of using another form of a water heater.

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In wherever part of the house, all of us utilize plenty of liters of hot water each week. If you are compensating for those liters of water to be warmed, the amount of money and environmental effect might be tremendous.

When you are heating your water for whatever you’ll need them, there are 25% of energy utilized in a typical home and is accountable for 23% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the energy used.

Therefore, by using the solar hot water system with its renewable source of energy to heat water is an excellent way to minimize your impact on the environment. And by installing a GStore Solar Hot Water can lessen the greenhouse gas emissions by likely up to 1.8 to 2.8 metric ton per year.

To not danger the environment, use to your advantage the energy that is freely given on Earth which is the sun. Opt for a solar hot water system to absorb the heat of the sun and warm your water naturally with no risk on the environment.

Takeaway

Nowadays, heating water is costly and requires a lot of energy. However, utilizing solar hot water system in your home are cost-effective and environmental-friendly to warm the water for all your needs. It utilizes the sun’s heat to generate hot water.

Solar hot water is energy efficient, increases the worth of your home, cuts water heating bills, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions which can improve your lifestyle and your home.

Zimbabwe Coup: Robert Mugabe Placed Under House Arrest in Harrare

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has been placed under house arrest in the capital Harare, South African President Jacob Zuma says.

Robert Mugabe told Jacob Zuma in a phone call that he was fine, the South African leader’s office said.

Troops are patrolling the capital after they seized state TV and said they were targeting “criminals”.

The move may be a bid to replace Robert Mugabe with his fired deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dismissal last week left Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace as the president’s likely successor.

Robert Mugabe, 93, has dominated Zimbabwe’s political scene since it gained independence from the UK in 1980.

Image source U.S. Navy

Zimbabwe Coup: President Robert Mugabe Detained as Army Takes Control of Country

Zimbabwe: Thousands Join Anti-Mugabe Protest in Harare

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After days of tension and rumor, the army seized the state broadcaster ZBC on November 14.

A Zimbabwean army officer, Major General Sibusiso Moyo, went on air and denied there was a coup, but said the military was targeting “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe.

Maj. Gen. Sibusiso Moyo also said Robert Mugabe and his family were “safe and sound and their security is guaranteed”. It is not clear who is leading the military action.

Since then military vehicles have been out on the streets of Harare, while gunfire has been heard from northern suburbs where Robert Mugabe and a number of government officials live.

In a statement, Jacob Zuma’s office said: “President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier today who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine.”

At heart is a power struggle over who succeeds Robert Mugabe. The rivalry between Grace Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa has split the governing Zanu-PF.

Following a call from Grace Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from the vice-presidency earlier this month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnzxf5mdfmY

Removable Vinyl And Permanent Vinyl: What’s The Difference?

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wall art stickers need no introduction as you see them in many places nowadays. These stickers are mostly seen in homes but even many corporate offices now use vinyl stickers to decorate their walls and floorings.

Homeowners love to decorate their living spaces with these vinyl wall arts as they are affordable and hassle free.

While vinyl stickers are remarkable, one should know that there are two types of vinyl stickers being sold: Permanent and Removable.

Without much ado, let’s have a look at each:

Permanent Vinyl Stickers

As the name says, they are permanent stickers. Meaning, they won’t come off if you want them to. Once stuck, they tend to stay there until they wear off on their own.

Permanent vinyl stickers are never a good idea to use in homes because if you do, it can damage your walls. These stickers can be used in:

Clothing Tags: You can stick these stickers on your favorite clothing items to make a statement. Such clothing items have become a rage and are extremely popular among teenegers.

The process is quite simple, you buy or order a vinyl sticker which is permanent and stick it on a plain t-shirt to have the design print on your clothing.

Food Packs: Many food packs and tins have vinyl stickers on them. If you try to peel them off, you’ll realize that they won’t come off. This is because they are printed by vinyl which is permanent.

Gear And Machinery: If you look closely when you enter a restaurant’s kitchen area, many machinery items have the restaurant name printed on them. This is no paint but vinyl stickers. They won’t come off because they are permanent. Plus, they are water and heatproof as well. Hence, perfect for machinery printing.

Image result for Vinyl Stickers

Removable Vinyl Stickers

Removable vinyl stickers are most suitable to use in home decorations. This is because you might not like the design after you’ve applied it and would want to remove it. In this scenario, a permanent vinyl won’t come in handy, instead, it will cause problems. Therefore, removable vinyl stickers are best for home use as they are very easy to deploy and even more easier to remove, whenever you like, wherever you like.

While they are removable, it doesn’t mean that they come off on their own. The adhesive due to which they are stuck is strong and the stickers won’t come off until you force it to.

They leave your walls unaffected once you remove them so using removable vinyl stickers for home is a great choice.

While these stickers are used to decorate walls, they can be used for other purposes as well. These include:

Bumper Stickers:  All the bumper stickers you come across are mostly made up of vinyl. Bumper stickers are a great way to promote a business or a product and vinyl stickers can help to do that.

Calendar Stickers: Many people like to leave notes on calendars and mark important days. Some people prefer to use calendar stickers to do that. Here’s where vinyl stickers that are removable can be used and once the day arrives, you can remove the sticker.

Verdict

It is important that you realize the individual uses of both of these vinyl sticker types and use them accordingly to avoid any problems in the future.

Are robots taking over storage facilities?

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Having an efficient storage system is the goal of anyone cherishing fast delivery times and quality service. With such values in mind, companies have funded and developed numerous different automatons or “robots” that are already outperforming humans at that task and rewarding the investment of big business in the millions of dollars each years.

Already most of your internet orders are delivered in part by our wired friends. In addition to looking at the intriguing technology behind them, we will analyze the development history behind the automatons as well as the risks to our job market if they indeed replace out warehouse worker.

The giants are in

The clear pioneer in the robotic warehouse business was Amazon. Way back in 2012 the CEO Mick Mountz took Kiva Robots into their storage facilities. The process itself wasn’t completely automated, about half of the work done was still done by human employees. Still, the project was a great success, yielding benefits for Amazon. Their operating expenses were cut, the storage facilities were more efficient due to a lack of weighing presence of human error and their customers were served in a more timely fashion.

The results were quickly palpable. Amazon became the top dog in the E-commerce industry and wanted to seize the moment at hand. They bought off their Kiva manufacturer, rebranding them as Amazon robots, eventually starting the race for the first fully mechanical warehouse. Competition soon started keeping in, with players like E-Bay, Alibaba and others moving towards such facilities due to their own logistic nightmares. Today we truly have a battle. One for convenience, cost and accessibility. However, a winner is far from sight.

They come in shapes and sizes

The heated market battle resulted in a variety of warehouse robots we have today. One such robot that generated traction in the media is the shelf module-to-picker system, using the electric drive to bring shelf modules to a picking post for manual handling. This system was taken by aforementioned Amazon and implemented inside their U.S. facilities.

Models are also designed to function on a multi-level grid-like system where the storage bins are on vertical columns within that grid frame and accessed via robots gliding across the top of the frame. They pick up the desired bin take them to ports at the end of the grid for further transport to a picking station. Fork-lift robots take those pallets to and from racking, completing the storage and delivery process.

Some jobs will be lost

The future does have a ring of convenience, but for some their employment may be jeopardized. A recent analysis by NPR shows exactly who may be at the breadline in the foreseeable future due to automation of the industry.

The field of warehouse related jobs will clearly be impacted by this change. If the current trends continue and the industry wants to pursue low-cost warehouses (which they indeed should), 90% of such jobs will be lost within 20 years. Such thoughts are troublesome, but we should remember that markets usually open a door once one has been closed.

For example, mental health and substance abuse social workers have only a 0.3% chance of being automated. If you’re looking for advice on what jobs won’t be automated, jobs that require creativity of thought, help your fellow man, require negotiation and, surprisingly, require you to squeeze into small spaces are a keeper. But I digress.

Why is it good for you

Talking about big business hardly relates to the benefits this warehouse automation can have for you. Experts developing the storage-systems at Supereasystorage claim the general public is becoming more and more aware of the benefits of such a service.

The technology involved in self-sustained warehouses allows for safe handling of your possessions. The automation of the transport process removes the investment of time and effort to carry your things. In addition, everything is packaged into containers, giving them a pleasant look. Having a robotic storage unit sounds better than a warehouse, that’s for sure.

Conclusion

Times ahead will definitely be turbulent, even within an industry that sounds benign like warehouse storage. Certainly the impact of automation will shake the labor market as big companies try to increase their revenue wherever they can.

It will be interesting to see how this will impact the manufacturing and storage powerhouses like India and China as the race for the mechanical worker slowly erodes the human one. Our population is rising while the demands for actual workers is decreasing. The market will have to adapt in some way, but which the million dollar question.

In any case, the consumers are yielding the benefits when they shop for years. But now they can finally experience themselves to have a self-storage unit.

Is Buying A Home Good For Your Finances?

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Is buying a home good for your finances? A simple question, but is there a simple answer? I’d love to tell you that there is, so you could carry on with your day. However, answering this question is certainly more complex than most people think.

For me, I notice that a lot of people are brought up believing that buying a house is the ultimate financial step in life. It’s seen as the end goal, the moment where you’ve truly made it as a successful adult. In the past, everyone would own a house as early as they could, it was just seen as the right, and smart, thing to do.

Nowadays, perceptions have changed almost to the point where people believe it’s not smart for their finances! Buying a home costs too much money and you’ll be repaying a mortgage for years – this is what many people are saying right now. As such, there’s a trend where more people are renting rather than buying.

But, going back to the original question, the answer depends on what you’re buying your home for. Typically, there are two main reasons to buy a home; to live in or to invest in. To see the true effect of buying a house on your finances, we have to explore both of these reasons.

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Investing In A Home

Is buying a home – purely for investment purposes – good for your finances? The majority of the time, yes, it is a good idea. Real estate investments have a proven success rate, whether you’re buying to let or property flipping. Having said that, you can easily lose lots of money if you make a bad property investment. Ultimately, it boils down to whether or not your investment can make money. Keeping that in mind, here are a few pieces of advice to help you buy a home that will bring a good ROI.

Be Diverse And Buy Foreign Homes

Buying a home in a foreign country is a smart way to guarantee you get a good investment. Mainly, this is because a lot of foreign houses can be much cheaper. It’s well-known that countries in Europe like Spain and Italy offer great value properties to invest in. Plus, as seen here https://rumahdijual.com/cibubur/apartemen-cibubur-village, there are countries in Southeast Asia with thriving property markets too. By purchasing a foreign home, you open yourself up to more benefits too. There are certain tax laws in place here that aren’t in place elsewhere. While you can easily flip a foreign property, they’re usually best invested in as rentals. Become a landlord and earn money from overseas tenants, making your investment good for your finances.

Don’t Buy New When Property Flipping

Property flipping is the age-old method of buying a home, improving it, and selling it for a profit. It’s a tried and tested technique, and there are plenty of examples where it goes well and proves buying a home is great for your finances. However, there are examples of the opposite too. Mainly, this happens when people buy new homes to try and flip. The older a home is, the better it is for flipping. It means there’s more room for improvements, meaning you’ve got more room to boost the value and gain a good profit. But, if you buy a new home for property flipping purposes, you’ve got almost nothing to improve and hardly any ways of boosting the value, meaning you can’t gain a decent profit.

Wait Until The Market Is Stable

Investing in a home is all about waiting for the Goldilocks moment. This is what I like to call the time when the market is just right. Buy a home when the market is booming, and you can overpay quite considerably. Invest when it’s low, and you could snag a bargain but will struggle to sell it on or find tenants because the economic market is poor. You have to wait until the right time, where everything is stable, and you get good value for money and still have chances to make money.

The bottom line is that if you find the right investment, and don’t make any mistakes, you can earn a lot of money from buying a home. In which case, it will undoubtedly be good for your finances! If investment is your choice of approach, check out this article here https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/11/make-money-in-real-estate.asp. It’ll show you how to make money in real estate, and improve your finances.

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Buying A Home To Live In

Now, buying a home with the sole intention to live in it is a different proposition entirely. The aim is not to make any money, so, how can it be good for your finances? Some people argue it’s a positive financial move as you no longer have to pay rent and you’ve gained a physical asset. In this respect, you’ve got something of financial value to pass down to your children and their children too. Also, you can potentially make a profit if you move house in the future, depending on whether your home has increased in value or not.

Then, you have the arguments that buying a home is too much of a financial burden. A mortgage costs a lot, and you may not have rent, but you’ll have those repayments every month instead. You’re also in charge of everything about your house, meaning you pay for all the repairs and maintenance that a landlord would in a rental property.

It certainly divides opinion, but let’s take a look at some points that should be considered when buying a home.

Job Stability

Buying a home is not good for your finances if you don’t have a stable job. This means you might be unable to pay your mortgage and end up in loads of debt. Only consider it if you have a stable, well-paid, job.

Housing Market

Much like investments, buying a home to live in depends on the housing market. This time, you should aim to buy when the market is at its lowest point. This provides you with the best value properties, making it more affordable to buy.

Bill Payments

When you rent a home, you might get your bills included in the monthly rent. I know some landlords like to include the energy bills in here. Or, more to the point, you pay them separately but don’t have much choice. The home you live in could be supplied by one energy company, and you don’t get to change it. If you own your home, you can do this, change to a cheaper supplier, and save money.

Buying a home to live in is good for your finances when you’re fully prepared for it. If you’ve got the money to outright buy a home, then go for it. You’ll never have any rent payments to worry about again. However, if you’re not prepared and can only just afford a mortgage, put a pin in it, as buying a home at this stage can harm your finances.

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The Conclusion

So, is buying a home good for your finances? The truth is, there’s not an answer that applies to everyone. If you invest in a home, there’s every possibility it’s good for your finances as you can earn a lot of money. But, this only happens if you make a smart investment. Likewise, as we’ve just discussed, buying a home to live in can be beneficial for your finances, depending on your current situation.

That’s the key here, you have to look at yourself and decide if buying a home is right for you. But, don’t be forced into thinking you should invest in property or you need to own your home. There are other investments out there and renting is just as good at times!

Zimbabwe Coup: President Robert Mugabe Detained as Army Takes Control of Country

Zimbabwe’s army has seized control in the African country but has said President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, is safe.

After seizing state TV, a military spokesman announced it was targeting people close to Robert Mugabe who had caused “social and economic suffering”.

The move came after Robert Mugabe fired his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in favor of his wife, Grace.

On November 15, heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of the capital Harare.

A statement read out by a general on air denied it was a coup. There was no immediate word from the president himself.

Messages appeared on an unverified Twitter account associated with the ruling Zanu-PF party saying Robert Mugabe had been detained.

Robert Mugabe, 93, has dominated Zimbabwe’s political scene since independence from the UK.

South African President Jacob Zuma said he hoped events in Zimbabwe would not lead to “unconstitutional changes of government”.

The US embassy in Harare advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to “shelter in place” until further notice.

China, Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, says it is closely watching the situation and hopes that the relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs.

Image source U.S. Navy

Zimbabwe: Thousands Join Anti-Mugabe Protest in Harare

Robert Mugabe’s Deputy Submits Correct Speech to Zimbabwe Parliament

Robert Mugabe sacks Zimbabwe’s VP Joice Mujuru over murder plot

Troops in armored vehicles have been out in the streets of the capital Harare since November 14.

After soldiers overran the headquarters of the ZBC broadcaster, Maj. Gen. Sibusiso Moyo went on air to say the military wished to “assure the nation that his Excellency the president… and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed”.

“We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country,” the general said.

“As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”

The statement also said that citizens should remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. The military assures the Zimbabwean judiciary that its independence is guaranteed. Security services should “co-operate for the good of our country” and any provocation would “be met with an appropriate response”. And all leave for the defense forces is canceled and personnel should return to barracks immediately.

It is not clear who is leading the military action.

Army chief Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, who visited China last week, said on November 13 the army was prepared to act to end purges within Zanu-PF.

Some staff at ZBC were manhandled when the soldiers moved in, sources told Reuters.

A government source told Reuters that Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo had been detained.

Ignatius Chombo is a leading member of a faction of Zanu-PF led by Grace Mugabe.

Zanu-PF had accused Gen. Constantino Chiwenga of “treasonable conduct” after he issued his warning that the army might intervene.

Robert Mugabe fired Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, amid a row over succession.

Emmerson Mnangagwa had previously been seen as a potential heir to the president, but First Lady Grace Mugabe had since become the clear front-runner.

Last month, Grace Mugabe accused allies of Emmerson Mnangagwa of planning a coup.

The rivalry between Grace Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa split Zanu-PF.

Gen. Constantino Chiwenga is a close ally of Emmerson Mnangagwa and both are veterans of the 1970s war which ended white minority rule.

The leader of the war veterans, Chris Mutsvangwa, welcomed the military move, telling Reuters: “This is a correction of a state that was careening off the cliff.

“It’s the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHc6BWIUqE8

Rancho Tehama Shooting: Four People Shot Dead and Other Ten Injured in Rampage

Four people have been shot dead after a gunman opened fire in Rancho Tehama, northern California, at several locations, including an elementary school, police have said.

The shooting began at a home in the rural community about 120 miles from Sacramento, on November 14.

Police say the gunman was shot dead by police after four people were killed and 10 others injured in the rampage.

Officials believe the shootings started as a “domestic violence incident”.

Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston told the AP that the gunman tried to enter the Rancho Tehama Elementary School with the intention to shoot more children, but was stopped once staff initiated a lockdown.

School officials heard shots being fired and immediately locked the school down, Phil Johnston said. He added that the decision saved children’s lives.

“The shooter literally took his vehicle and rammed their fence and gate, entered the grounds on foot with a semiautomatic rifle,” he told reporters.

Image source Google Maps

Sutherland Springs Church Shooting: At Least 26 People Killed during Sunday Services

Las Vegas Mass Shooting: At Least 58 Killed and 515 Injured

A motive is still unclear, but police said the attacker had been involved in a domestic violence incident a day earlier.

The assailant, who has yet to be identified, appeared to be “randomly picking targets”, Phil Johnston told the Los Angeles Times.

A student at the elementary school was shot and another child was hit in a truck along a road, Phil Johnston said. A woman driving the truck was also struck and all three were being treated for injuries, he said.

One of the four victims was a neighbor the gunman was accused of assaulting in January, the AP reported.

Phil Johnston said the neighbor, a woman, had a restraining order against the gunman.

A semi-automatic rifle and two handguns were recovered from one of the crime scenes, police said.

The Redding Record Searchlight spoke to a man who said he was a neighbor of the unidentified gunman.

Brian Flint said his neighbor “has been shooting a lot of bullets lately, hundreds of rounds, large magazines”.

“We made it aware [to police] that this guy is crazy and he’s been threatening us,” Brian Flint told the publication.

California Governor Jerry Brown issued a statement saying he and his wife were “saddened to hear about today’s violence in Tehama County”.

“We offer our condolences to the families who lost loved ones and unite with all Californians in grief.”

VP Mike Pence tweeted: “Saddened to hear of the shooting in N. California, the loss of life & injuries, including innocent children. We commend the effort of courageous law enforcement. We’ll continue to monitor the situation & provide federal support, as we pray for comfort & healing for all impacted.”

Donald Trump Jr. Releases Private Twitter Correspondence with WikiLeaks

President Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has released private Twitter correspondence with WikiLeaks after a publication revealed they had communicated shortly before his father’s election.

The Atlantic magazine revealed WikiLeaks had asked Donald Trump Jr. for co-operation and information.

WikiLeaks published leaks of Hillary Clinton campaign emails during the election.

Donald Trump Jr.’s lawyers handed the Twitter direct messages to congressional investigators.

The congressional investigation is one of several looking into allegations of Russian collusion and meddling in the US election.

The largely one-sided transcripts show the president’s son replied only a few times to a series of requests from Wikileaks.

In a series of tweets on November 13, Donald Trump Jr. played down his contact with WikiLeaks, referring to his “whopping 3 responses” which he said one of the congressional committees “has chosen to selectively leak. How ironic!”.

Image source Wikimedia

CIA Hacking Tools Revealed by WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks Publishes CIA Director’s Hacked E-Mails

Donald Trump Jr. Releases Email Chain Showing Russia Communication

Messages show WikiLeaks appeared to have first contacted Donald Trump Jr. on September 20, asking if he knew the origin of an anti-Trump website.

Donald Trump son replied the next day saying: “Off the record I don’t know who that is, but I’ll ask around. Thanks.”

The Atlantic alleges Donald Trump Jr. then emailed senior officials, including Steve Bannon, Kellyanne Conway and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to tell them WikiLeaks had made contact.

The correspondence between September 2016 and July 2017 shows WikiLeaks urging Donald Trump to share their Clinton files; asking him to supply his tax returns to WikiLeaks and advising him to challenge the result if he lost the election.

The Atlantic piece points out that while Donald Trump Jr. didn’t reply to later messages, timestamps from tweets show instances where he and his father appear to have “acted on its requests” by mentioning or sharing WikiLeaks stories shortly afterwards.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has criticized The Atlantic‘s story.

Julian Assange accuses it of selecting messages that were “edited” and failing to show the full context of the conversations.

He also said the messages were part of the group’s promotional efforts.

He wrote on Twitter: “WikiLeaks can be very effective at convincing even high-profile people that it is their interest to promote links to its publications.”

Donald Trump Jr.’s lawyer Alan Futerfas told The Atlantic: “Over the last several months, we have worked co-operatively with each of the committees and have voluntarily turned over thousands of documents in response to their requests.

“Putting aside the question as to why or by whom such documents, provided to Congress under promises of confidentiality, have been selectively leaked, we can say with confidence that we have no concerns about these documents and any questions raised about them have been easily answered in the appropriate forum.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgIYj55Elrc

7 Great Hacks For People Who Hate Doing Chores at Home

Count yourself lucky if you find cleaning and doing chores therapeutic. For the rest of the population, doing chores can be one of the most difficult things. Not because they are any less hygienic, people like to get things done quickly owing to a busy schedule or sometimes unforeseen life events. Some unconventional methods include bizarre tips, such as cleaning the toilet with cola while others require basic ingredients that are almost available in your kitchen cupboards. Here are some easy hacks for people who want to do their chores in a hurry but with perfection.

Steam-Clean Your Microwave

bubbles, citrus, citrus fruit

 

Is your microwave oven smelling bad or in a mess after spaghetti accidentally exploded in it? Take a couple of lemons and cut them in a small glass container with water. Let it heat until the water warms up and starts bubbling up. Switch the microwave off and let it steam for a minute. Open your microwave and you will be amazed how easy it is to wipe it off.

Easy Blender-Cleaner

Close-up of Human Hand

 

For all smoothie lovers who consume them more than once a day, cleaning up the blender can be a tedious chore. Fill it up with water and a drop of dish soap. Turn it on and blend for just a few seconds. Rise using clean water and dry it for using it again.

Removing Oil Stains from Clothing

Flour in a jar

 

Take some corn flour and rub it gently onto the area before brushing it off lightly. After that, cover the oil mark using more corn flour for leaving it for at least a couple of hours. Dust off all the corn flour and use a gentle machine cycle or hand wash to get rid of unwanted oil stains with less hassle. To remove body oil stains from cuff and collars of your favorite blouses or shirts, use your hair shampoo and rub it directly on the stains before washing them as usual.

Cleaning the Sink

For cleaning a stainless-steel sink with little effort, put the stopper and fill it up. Drop in two denture-cleaning tablets and leave it for several hours before draining it. Wash with clean water to get a shiny clean sink.

Cleaning the Windows

If you don’t like doing chores, cleaning the windows is a big no-no. Take one tablespoon of cornstarch and add it to about a liter of lukewarm water. Dip a squeegee into it and remove excessive water before wiping down the glass with it. Dry your windows off using a soft cloth and you get sparkling clean windows in no time.

Use Refrigerator Liners

Tired of cleaning your fridge every week? Use non-adhesive liners which are great for keeping your fridge clean. You can easily replace them or wash them for cleaning them. You can also use a deodorizer that takes care of unwanted smelliness in your refrigerator.

Polish your furniture

Did you know that there are furniture polishing liquid on the market that makes solid wood furniture look like new. Over time, natural wood’s beauty fades away. Varnish and other furniture polishing liquids will always help get back that natural look.

Some More Hacks

chucks, classic, converse

Apart from the above-mentioned hacks, there are various ways of de-cluttering your house and workplaces. Use storage baskets for taking care of stuff you don’t need at the moment. There are a few easy to clean all one in cookers that are great for people who love to cook but hate cleaning up later. There are hundreds of professional tork cleaning products which are great for getting chores done quickly. Have a good stock of cleaning products that are best for multiple surfaces for making cleaning a less hectic chore.

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Why Obesity Is Bad for Your Body?

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Obesity or overweight may increase the risk of many health problems, including certain cancers, bone and joint disease, heart disease, and diabetes. If you are expecting, excess weight may lead to both short and long term health problems for you and your baby. This shows that obesity should be considered as a serious, chronic disease and that can have a negative effect on many systems in your body. Reaching and maintaining a normal weight may help you and your children stay healthier as you grow older.

Overweight is excess of fat storage rather than weight. Women with more than 30% total body fat and men with more than 25% of total body fat are considered obese. There are many ways to classify obesity. For instance, it can be divided into: simple, secondary and drug-induced obesity in accordance with endocrine and pathogen of the metabolic disease. And as I said before this health problem can be the door to a lot of life threatening conditions.

In the US, 35% of women and 31% of men are considered seriously overweight, while 15% of children between ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. The causes of overweight are complex. How your body uses energy, lifestyle and genetics are some of the interrelated factors.

Health Effects

Here are some of the health effects associated with obesity:

Heart Disease. Atherosclerosis or in other words hardening of the arteries is present 10 times more often in obese people compared to those who maintain a healthy weight. Coronary artery disease is also very common as fatty deposits build up in arteries that supply the heart. Narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the heart can cause angina, a heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes. The major cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity. This type of diabetes often begins in adulthood, but nowadays it can begin in childhood too. It can cause resistance to insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar) and when that happens the blood sugar becomes elevated.

Cancer. Women who are obese have an increased risk for a variety of cancers including uterus, gallbladder, colon and breast cancer, while overweight women have a higher risk of prostate and colon cancer.

Psycho-social effects. Overweight girls and boys are often blamed for their condition and may be considered to be weak-willed and lazy. It is not uncommon for overweight people to have fewer or no romantic relationships as well as lover incomes. Disapproval of such people may progress to torment, discrimination and bias.

Arthritis Relief Tied to Sauna Use

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Arthritis affects over 300 million people worldwide. Arthritis is described as joint pain or a joint disease. The symptoms of this joint disease can be painful, inconvenient and even immobilizing and effects men, women, and children often worsening with age. There are numerous treatments being tried and tested to ease the pain of arthritis because it is a condition that has no ‘cure-all’ measure. One treatment is the use of Far Infrared saunas. They are becoming more and more popular because of their astonishing benefits. The benefits far infrared saunas have for symptoms of arthritis make it the best and most safe option for treating the condition.

[Source]
Far infrared saunas use a light that cannot be seen by the human eye but is felt as heat to penetrate deep into your tissues. The light heats up to 2 inches deep into your skin tissues. The depth of heat stimulates the body’s cellular detoxification process. The far infrared lights enrich your tissues with oxygen augmenting your circulation and metabolism. The enhanced circulation may then also loosen mineral deposits from the joints. Far infrared saunas work by warming the body from the inside out. The body absorbs the infrared rays evenly making it a safe and ideal heat therapy option and causing no damage to the joint tissues. Tissues composed of a large amount of collagen become more flexible in increased temperatures. This process is what relieves the symptoms of arthritis, like joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and stress.

Studies were done by Saxion University showing the incredible benefits of far infrared saunas for those suffering from arthritis. The people participating in the study reported less joint pain, increased mobility, less stiffness and less fatigue after 4 weeks of regular home sauna use. The use of saunas is also said to release endorphins in the body. Endorphins cause the person to have increased feelings of well-being. The study concluded that the use of saunas helped relieve symptoms short term and could have long-term benefits as well. Because the majority of benefits are short term it is important to make regular use of far infrared saunas in order to keep enjoying the effects.

An important result of the study done by Saxion University was finding there were no unfavorable effects of the short or long-term use of far infrared saunas. The use of far infrared saunas as arthritis treatment has given the affected an alternative to pain medication. For most people, avoiding physical activity is not an option. The average person depends on painkillers in order to keep up with day to day activities when suffering from arthritis pain. Regular use of pain medication can be harmful to the body and cause a long list of adverse side effects. Regular sauna use is a healthy way to ease the pain, stiffness, and fatigue caused by arthritis rather than masking it with pain medication.

 

[Source]
Stiffness and joint pain relief can make a world of difference for someone suffering from arthritis. It makes daily chores and activities manageable and enables them to enjoy activities they might have given up on being able to do. People can enjoy physical activity without pain holding them back. That means getting off the sidelines and back in the game, being able to play with grandchildren, and being able to keep up at work.

These saunas are often very affordable. If purchasing your own is not an option there are multiple locations like spas and treatment centers that offer packages for use of Far Infrared Saunas.

There are an enormous amount of people suffering from arthritis pain and looking anywhere for relief. Regular visits to a far infrared sauna are a safe and healthy treatment option that can reduce need for pain medication and offer relief of arthritis symptoms. The properties of the light in these saunas have been proven to relieve pain, stiffness, and fatigue for many people. Far infrared saunas are ideal for many reasons. They are affordable, easy to use, have an incredible ability to relieve arthritis symptoms and they’re just plain relaxing to use.

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How A Good Sleep Can Make You Look Younger

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It’s just as Papa used to say: everything in moderation for a healthy life. Unfortunately, the modern world of exercise fads and crash diets doesn’t seem to agree with me. When it comes to good health and good beauty, no one seems to take the role of a good night’s rest into account, though it can be as important as anything else. Diet and exercise are important, of course, but they all work in conjunction with each other, and sleep is an important part of the equation, letting the benefits of the other two parts of the equation work more effectively.

Sleep is something which we still don’t know much about, but we do know that it is when the maintenance of our body takes place. Sleep is important. For more details of sleep as a whole, go here.

Sleep is Relaxing

One thing which can help the way we look immensely is relaxation, and sleep is the ultimate way of relaxing. Many people show their stress on their face and neck, and the skin therefore becomes irritated – dry and itchy, possibly oily in parts – and overall not very aesthetically pleasing at all.

Sleep takes away stress, and being well-rested can act to make you better able to cope with worry in your day to day life, so try and get a good amount of shut-eye every night. Sleep will help your blood flow more smoothly, which will bring fresh blood to the veins and capillaries of your skin, making them bloom and look fresh, rather than looking pale and pasty.

Fewer Wrinkles

Your muscles relax when you sleep – on your face, this means that any wrinkles which they habitually fall into during the day will be gone, or at least be lighter than they were. Take advantage of this by putting on specific creams or moisturizers during the night which act to firm your skin up, and have anti-aging properties.

Putting cream on your face during the night means that you can take advantage of being asleep to help your skin repair itself – there are lots of creams out there to help you, so find one that works for you.

More Moisturising Time

Putting moisturizer on at any time of the day is a good thing, but putting it on during the night gives you the added benefit of being able to stay in one place for a longer stretch of time. Putting moisturizer on your skin at night is good because you have washed all of the accumulated dirt of the day off your skin (and if you think you weren’t dirty, take a bath sometime instead of showering. You might find it enlightening.). The moisturizer has fewer barriers in the way of getting into your skin, and it has longer to do its work, leaving you with fresh and soft looking skin when you get up the next morning.

Roy Moore Scandal: Fifth Woman Accuses Alabama Senate Candidate of Assault

Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore has been accused of assault by a fifth woman as GOP leaders increase calls for him to “step aside”.

Beverly Young Nelson, 56, has revealed she was 16 years old when Roy Moore allegedly tried to force himself on her after offering a ride home from her job as a waitress.

The woman said: “I tried fight him off while yelling at him to stop.”

She also said that he locked his car to prevent her escape.

Roy Moore, now 70, denies the allegations, describing them as a “witch hunt”.

However, Senator Cory Gardner, the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, said on November 13 he believes Roy Moore’s accusers “spoke with courage and truth” and the former Alabama Supreme Court judge should be expelled if he is elected.

“If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate,” Cory Gardner said.

Beverly Young Nelson’s accusation comes after four other women detailed allegations of assault by the conservative firebrand while they were teenagers in Alabama.

The woman said she met Roy Moore during the late 1970s at the Olde Hickory House restaurant in Gadsen, Alabama, where she worked as a waitress while she was a teenager.

Beverly Young Nelson claimed Roy Moore, a 30-year-old deputy district attorney at the time, offered to sign her high school yearbook and wrote: “To a sweeter more beautiful girl I could not say Merry Christmas.”

He signed it “Love, Roy Moore, DA”, according to a copy of the yearbook page provided to reporters by her attorney, Gloria Allred.

About a week or two later, Roy Moore allegedly offered to drive her home and instead drove to the back of the restaurant car park.

At a news conference on November 13, Beverly Young Nelson told reporters: “I was terrified. He was also trying to pull my shirt off. I thought he was going to rape me.”

“At some point he gave up and he then looked at me and he told me, <<You’re just a child>>, and he said, <<I am the district attorney of Etowah County. If you tell anyone about this, no one will believe you>>,” she said, adding that her neck was bruised in the struggle.

“He finally allowed me to open the door and I either fell out or he pushed me out.”

Image source Wikimedia

Roy Moore Campaign Chairman Bill Armistead denied the charges, calling the candidate “an innocent man”.

“This is a witch hunt against a man who has had an impeccable career for over 30 years and has always been known as a man of high character,” he said.

Roy Moore’s wife also vehemently denies the allegations, contending that her husband’s accusers are being paid.

Also on November 13, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said that he believed the women accusing Roy Moore of inappropriate behavior.

Mitch McConnell told reporters in his home state of Kentucky that party officials have considered whether another Republican could challenge Roy Moore in next month’s election, through a so-called write-in challenge.

He said Luther Strange, whom Roy Moore beat in the Republican primary earlier this year, was a possible option.

George HW Bush Accused of Inappropriately Touching a Woman When She Was 16

George H. W. Bush Issues Second Apology Following Assault Claims

Last week’s Washington Post story quoted four women by name, including one who alleged Roy Moore initiated contact with her when she was 14 – beneath the legal age of consent in Alabama – while he was a prosecutor in his 30s.

Roy Moore has said the Washington Post story is a fabricated smear by his political opponents, calling it “a prime example of fake news”.

Mitch McConnell previously said Roy Moore should step aside only if the allegations were proven true.

On November 13, he said flatly: “I believe the women. Yes.”

Roy Moore replied in a tweet: “The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp.”

Roy Moore, an outspoken Christian conservative, had been a heavy favorite to win the December 12 election against Democrat Doug Jones.

However, an opinion poll after the allegations surfaced suggested the race was tightening. Alabama has not elected a Democratic senator in a quarter of a century.

George HW Bush Accused of Inappropriately Touching a Woman When She Was 16

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Former President George H.W. Bush is being accused of inappropriately touching a woman when she was 16.

Rosyln Corrigan said the incident happened in 2003 when she posed for a photo with the former president and her mother.

She is the sixth woman to accuse George H.W. Bush of inappropriately touching her in similar circumstances.

Rosyln Corrigan told Time Magazine she met the former president at a 2003 meeting of CIA officers in Texas, where her father worked.

“My initial reaction was absolute horror,” she said about the incident.

“I was really, really confused.”

“I was a child,” Rosyln Corrigan added.

Image source Wikimedia

George H. W. Bush Issues Second Apology Following Assault Claims

A George H.W. Bush spokesman has previously acknowledged the former president has touched several women on the rear.

Rosyln Corrigan said the incident occurred as George H.W. Bush was posing for a photo with her and her mother at the CIA office in The Woodlands, Texas, in November 2003.

“As soon as the picture was being snapped on the one-two-three he dropped his hands from my waist down to my buttocks and gave it a nice, ripe squeeze, which would account for the fact that in the photograph my mouth is hanging wide open,” she said.

The former president was 79-year-old at the time.

Last month, after several other women came forward with similar stories, George H.W. Bush’s spokesman said that due to the former president’s use of a wheel chair, “his arms fall on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures”.

North Korean Soldier Shot While Defecting to South Korea

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According to South Korea’s military, a North Korean soldier has been shot while defecting to the South at the heavily protected Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The defector was injured by his own military as he crossed to the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom.

The soldier has been taken to hospital.

About 1,000 people from North Korea flee to South Korea each year – but very few defect via the DMZ.

This is the fourth defection by a North Korean soldier via the DMZ – one of the world’s most heavily guarded strips of land – in the last three years.

North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war, since the conflict between them ended in 1953 with a truce and not a formal peace treaty.

Image source Wikimedia

South Korean Court Holds Hearing on North Korean Mass Defection

How Oh Kil-nam’s life was ruined by his defection to North Korea

Thae Yong-ho: Top North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea

According to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the North Korean soldier made it across by passing through the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom, which is the only portion of the DMZ where both forces stand face-to-face.

“He crossed from a North Korea post towards our Freedom House [a building on the South Korean side of the border],” the statement said.

The soldier was hit in the arm and shoulder by gunfire, it added.

According to South Korean media this is only the third defection across the JSA since the end of the Cold War. The last time a soldier crossed was in 2007, and before that in 1998.

The number of North Koreans defecting to the South in the first two-thirds of this year dropped by 13% compared with 2016.

According to South Korean officials, from January to August 2017, 780 North Koreans escaped to South Korea.

The fall is believed to be a result of tighter government surveillance and reinforced border security by both North Korea and China.

The majority of the defectors flee via China, which has the longest border with North Korea that is easier to cross than the heavily protected Demilitarized Zone.

South Korea says more than 30,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

Foot Podiatrist – Healing Your Foot Problems

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The demands are different in cases of child feet and the feet of an adult. The feet of the kids mature and grow at a rapid pace. Thus, when you find that the kid or the adult is having the problem with their feet, you must not forget to visit the best podiatrist at the earliest. The podiatrists are experts in taking care of the variety of the feet related complications. Some peoples are ignorant about visiting the podiatrist at the right time. But, when the problem seems persistent they have no alternative left in hand. The medication can even help in curing the structural abnormality of the feet. In fact, there are many more things the podiatrist can do for you to make you feel better.

Foot Problem

Treating the Feet Birth Defects

Some infants have feet birth defects. They have the feet bending inwards. If you visit the podiatrist just after birth then things can be handled right away. The doctor will rectify the feet abnormality and help in the normal development of the other parts of the body. Thus, there are lesser chances of your suffering from feet pain later on in life. The podiatrist in your locality can take care of other congenital issues just after the child starts to walk. The expert can take care of troubles like pigeon toes, flat fete, toe walking, bow legs and the other abnormalities as well.

Finding out the right Reason for Feet Swelling

Your feet can get swelled due to the sudden rise in the uric acid level in the human body system. This swelling can be due to much water retention and infection. The infections can go to the extent when you need antibiotics to treat the condition properly. When you visit the podiatrist he will tell you about the root cause of the dilemma. The reason can be diet or weight or it can even be an unnoticed medical condition. Your feet can even get swelled due to the intake of certain medicines to which you are allergic.

Feet Infection Due to Diabetes

diabetic foot

Due to diabetes one may even suffer from the ailment of peripheral neuropathy. This is the kind of detrimental of the nerves and it is very difficult to detect this type of foot pain or foot injury. A trained podiatrist will be only able to figure out the prevailing cause behind and that may be due to the lower level of blood circulation and therefore the wounds might take a bit longer time to get healed. The affected tissues can turn serious and form gangrene. This calls for the condition of amputation. In most cases, non-traumatic lower limb amputation results due to the attack of diabetes. Thus, in case you want to stay safe, it would be legitimate to visit the podiatrist near me at the ideal time.

How to Eliminate Bunions?

Heredity and not wearing the right kind of shoes can lead to distressing abnormal growths on the feet. Due to the ill growth, you would not be able to walk properly. The qualified podiatrist can treat the situation of bunions by making use of the conservative methods. They usually apply local cortisone injections and even recommend regarding how bunions can be best removed.

Two things outlined below would aid to get alleviation from your foot problems:

Shoes: – Wearing wrong shoes can be the major factor which makes you feel uncomfortable. Proper selection of shoes can save people from this difficulty. Putting on of high – hill foot wears for a longer time period can develop unpleasant issues for the feet. Before purchasing shoes it should be kept in mind that shoes bought are comfortable enough for your feet, which helps you stand erect.

Discuss with your specialist: – Individuals are unable to know how deep the issue is? It’s better to consult with experts who have the sufficient knowledge about the current problems and must be able to give right treatments to the affected individual. Medicines or surgery is not only the option to get the treatment, but there are other measures also like; few massages are advised by the experts that may help in getting relieved from the uncomfortable pain in the feet.

A number of people often freak out due to suffering from the foot pain. Many ignore the ache and believe it to be just a normal pain. This ignorance can be adverse to the overall health. Professionals disclose that proper treatment options can heal the disease permanently. Few ointments are readily available that one can use for massaging their foot.

 

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Wild, Wild, Wild Thoughts: The Best Lighting Ideas For A Romantic Dinner At Home

Most of the time, you might want to enjoy a romantic dinner in your sanctuary, not in any cafe or restaurant. Of course, it will require immense efforts because you have to organize and embellish your garden or maybe dining room to make it look attractive and feel romantic. With plenty of ideas that you can implement to appreciate such romantic circumstances, you should never overlook lighting ideas.

Preparing for the perfect date can be nerve-racking, but generating the right mood is half the struggle. A date night at home with a great movie and delicious dinner is fine, but going an extra mile to modify your lighting will make it more exceptional.

Well, if you are preparing for a laid-back, romantic night with your better half, then these uncomplicated lighting ideas will help you get the right mood. Some concept below may encourage you. Check them out.

You Can Never Go Wrong With Candlelight

art, bright, burn

Most of you might have heard of the phrase candlelight dinner. Yes, it is a classic plan indeed. A candlelight dinner never goes out of fashion, it always works. Just simply dim the lighting and then allow the candles to illuminate around.

It is one of the most beautiful and passionate dates for any couple. By having a candlelight dinner, you do not need to go out to a jam-packed restaurant. You can commemorate these occasions blissfully at home. Candlelight dinners may be old school, but it never goes out of trend.

String Lights For A Romantic Ambience

curtain, decoration, fabric

Lighting fundamentally influences the atmosphere in our home. It makes the place brighter, livelier and certainly cozier. Some lights do not just act as a lighting factor, but they can serve as decorations too. String lights adapt into that classification. They have an excellent beautification value which turns any place into a romantic paradise.

String lights create a mood lighting in the dining room or kitchen with its different styles. Having these lights in your dining area with basic white string lights is one of the alternatives to candles when you want to have a candlelight dinner.

Pendant Lighting Indeed

Selecting the right modern pendant lighting for your dining room can be complicated. It provides a decorative statement and serves sufficient light for the dining table and refrain unnecessary glare. Its functionality is manageable through the proper placement and the appropriate materials.

Luckily, there is an abundance of modern pendant lighting available which creates a dramatic and romantic effect into your dining room. But take note that one pendant light is not enough to brighten up a dining table. Have at least three of lights grouped altogether so that you can have a modern take on a traditional chandelier.

Unique Colored Lighting

Defocused Image of Illuminated Christmas Tree

For a more exclusive manner to emphasize lighting, change the old light bulbs with colored ones. If you want to indicate a passionate and exciting environment, utilize a color red.  But make sure that it’s not too overwhelming.

When you want it to be a little sophisticated, don’t use lightings with colored illumination. Situating pink light bulbs in some table lamps will generate a more controlled and unique outcome.

Dim Lights Anyone

Why do dim lights feel so romantic? If you prefer this type of ambiance, then you can install dimmer switches to regulate the lighting fixtures to attain a dim mood lighting. If installing is a hassle for you, choose a plugin dimmer switch for convenience.

You can connect your table lamps into the dimmer and utilize a sliding switch to modify the levels of the light in any path you want.

Takeaway

Enjoying a romantic dinner at home is much more satisfying than going out at restaurants. Plus it is less expensive. If you are planning a dinner date at home, plan thoughtfully the things that you need.

Candlelight, string lights, pendant lighting, colored lighting, and dim lights are some of the best lighting ideas to having a romantic dinner at home with your loved one. Treat them with these best ideas to set the perfect mood.

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5 Wild Animals that You See When Camping in South Africa

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South Africa is known for its gorgeous campsites. If you check them out online, you might have a hard time deciding where to go to. Regardless of which campsite you will be going, you need to be prepared.

Aside from packing the important things you need in camping like food, water, and gadgets, you need to equip yourself with safety tools and know the signs that foul weather is approaching. You also need to know the wild animals that you might see in South Africa camping sites and what to do in case you encounter them.

Here are the 5 animals that you will see when camping in South Africa:

The Lion – The King of the Beasts

The lion is one of the most popular animals you will see in the camping sites. It is referred to as the “The King of the Beasts”. The possibility of seeing lions in the South Africa camping sites are high.

The lions are sociable animals. Female lions are usually alongside with the male lions that have won the prize in a competition with other male lions. This wild animal is usually in a group. Lions stay at grasslands, open woodlands, open savanna to desert and arid areas.

What to do if you encounter a lion?

  • If you see one or feel that one is stalking you, don’t panic.
  • You need to look big and scary predator.
  • Hold yourself upright, hold a stick and look straight at the lion’s eyes.
  • Shout, wave your arms and slowly move away.
  • Keep in mind, never turn your back to a lion.
  • Do not run, this can trigger the lion’s prey drive.

The African Elephant

This wild animal is the largest and heaviest land animal in the world. You can see them if you camp in the Kruger National Park or in private reserves. Elephants are very sociable animals and it is the female species that rule. This animal can adapt easily to its environment. You will see them in the woodlands as well as in the savannah shrub-land, and bush thickets where food is abundant and there is enough fresh water in the area.

Elephants are usually found in large areas feeding and congregate at the water. They want to be alone when drinking at pools, rivers or dams. If they see other animals near to them, they will run after them to scare them or sometimes it could lead to killing them. Elephants can run very fast and are good swimmers in spite of their size. When triggered they can run at a speed of more than 45 km per hour. It is known to be the most intelligent animals on earth.

What to do if you encounter an elephant?

  • Do not move, remain stationary.
  • Do not try to chase it away or approach it.
  • If you happened to be in a close encounter with the elephant, stand still for a few minutes then slowly move away.
  • Keep calm, if they see you harmless and not a threat they will ignore you.

The Buffalos

African buffalo is considered as the most dangerous animal in South Africa that you might encounter while camping. This wild animal is moody and mean, particularly if you are on foot.

Just like the lions, buffalo are sociable animals they move around in big herds, and chomping long grass together. If you see a cloud of dust while camping during the dry season, it’s an indication that a herd is approaching.

Buffalos drink water every day usually in the early morning or in the late afternoon. They are usually noisy. The male buffalos are darker in color and bigger in size. They also have huge and powerful horns. The female buffalos have a clashing and crashing noise. They are smaller and more reddish-brown and have much narrower horns.

What to do if you encounter a buffalo?

  • If you see them, freeze, be quiet and observe their movement
  • Do not panic. Keep calm, do not start taking photos and do not talk or make any movement that the buffalo might think you will do something to him.
  • If the buffalo starts to walk, slowly walk away make sure that the animal will not notice that you are moving.

The Rhino

The rhino is the second largest land mammal in the world. This animal weighs around 2500 kg and may live up to 40 years of age. Since it eats thick and tough grass, they need to drink lots of water to help them digest the food. There are cases where you will see a rhino eating soil or mud, it provides them the needed dietary mineral supplement.

They are using their horn to fight and defend themselves. You normally see a white rhino in the shade or in the mud wallowing if the weather is too hot. The dried mud serves as a sunscreen, helps evict parasites and a cooling agent.

This wild animal has poor eyesight but has a fantastic sense of smell and hearing. Observe the rhino’s ears they rotate in all directions continuously to check what is going on around them. Just like the elephant, it can run fast in spite of its size.

What to do if you encounter a rhino?

If you scare or surprise a rhino, their reaction would run away either towards you or in the opposite direction. In case the rhino run straight towards you, it does not mean they will attack you. They are just scared and are confused and they wanted to be left alone. But if in case they are running towards you here are the things you can do:

  • Dive out of its way.
  • Distract his attention by throwing a large object like a huge piece of dead wood or clothing on his path. This will frighten them and change their direction.

The Leopard

Lots of people want to see this dramatic, charismatic and beautiful animal. But this animal is the most elusive among the many animals in the wild. It is a solitary animal and it defends its own hunting territory against other leopards.

This animal is known to be a master stalker. If you are lucky, you may see one at night drive stalking its prey and silently getting near on the prey and then launches itself a surprise attack. Once they got hold of their prey, they would drag it along the trees so no other wild animals like lions and hyenas would pirate it.

You can find them in areas where there are thick overhanging branches of big old trees either snoozing in the hot part of the day or eat its prey.

What to do if you encounter a leopard?

  • If you see a leopard do not get too close to them, particularly if you see cubs, alone or with their mother.
  • If you are camping with your kids, keep them secure at night.
  • If the leopard charges, clap your hands, wave your hands, and shout to make you look bigger.

Always remember that you are only a guest in the animal’s territory. Respect the animals and their land and they will do the same thing to you. Do not party and drink too much as this might disturb them.

You need to equip yourself with the right tools such as a boot knife. The best way to stay safe all the time is to be properly armed. Learn how to wear a boot knife and how to use it in case of emergency. This is only one of the safety measures that you can use in case your encounter with the wild animals turns out bad.

Finding a Local Emergency Roof Repair Contractor

Consider your Sweet home to be your planet. Obviously, your Roofing is your Ozone layer, which shelters you special ones from Rain, Dust, Sun, and Wind. Hence to enjoy a pleasant stay you need to take care of your Roofing. This could be possible by doing a little research regarding the selection of your roofing. Also, you need to select the best Roofing Contractor in town.

Roofing

 You need to consider the following factors before you zero in on your roofing;

Selection – You should select your roof based on the climate of your place. Roofs are specifically designed to withstand a certain amount of snowfall, rainfall, and sunshine. But if you live in a place which receives extreme rain and less snow, you need to go for specific Residential Roofing which can withstand extreme climatic conditions. For extreme snowfall, it is better to go for Shingle Roof Installation. Look for a Roofing Contractor in Chapel Hill or Durham where they offer some of the best roofing for extreme snowfall and rainfall.

Roof Repair

Repair – Sometimes even after selecting the best Roofing from the best roofing Contractor in town, you might need an emergency repair after a storm. So it is always essential to select a Roofing Contractor who offers Emergency Roof Repair and other services like Gutter Repair. Gutters have to be frequently repaired especially in times of the rainy season. So select a Roofing Contractor from Raleigh or Hillsborough where you can get some of the best services including free inspection for nail pops, Plumbing boots, and obvious leaks.

Insurance – Storms and Cyclones can do a lot of damage to your Roofs. It is necessary to select a roofing Contractor who offers Emergency Roof Repair. But before signing the deal with any roofing contractor, enquire about the cost of Insurance for a new flat roof. Also, make sure that they provide insurance for emergency Roof Repair and roof replacement. Ask for reviews from everyone one you about the Roofing Contractor and make sure you get the best one in town.

Other Services – Roofing Contractors offer several different types of Roofing service like Commercial and Residential Roofing. The cost of services differs for both the roofing types. Hence communicate your requirement and purpose with the Roofing Contractor clearly before signing the deal. Also inquire about the cost of other services offered like Gutter Repair, Gutter Installation, Metal Roof Installation, Area of Service in Durham, Raleigh, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill and also the location of other branches. At any point in time, make sure that the cost of repair never exceeds the original cost of the roofing.

Documentation – When it comes to Emergency roof repair, some of the Roofing contractors take advantage of the situation and cheat the customers by asking them to pay on the spot to perform an emergency repair, even though they have insurance. So in order to avoid such problems get everything documented by the Roofing Contractor while signing the deal instead of mere verbal exchange.

Instant Communication – This is the most important factor you need to look for in a contractor offering Emergency Roofing repair. Ask for reviews about the Time of supply and you will know whom to contact when your roof gets damaged. Any damage in Roofing needs to be repaired at the earliest possible. Delay in repairing will always worsen things. Also, the sooner you get it done, the cheaper the cost of labour. If a damaged roofing is not repaired soon you might need to get the entire roof replaced. So make sure your Roofing Contractor is always within reach and also find the one who is ready to act on your command.

Some of the Best Roofing Contractors offer the best services including Emergency Roof Repair at a very nominal rate in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Hillsborough. All you need to do is get down on the streets and search for the best in town.

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Donald Trump Reveals He Has A “Great Relationship” with Rodrigo Duterte

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President Donald Trump has revealed he has a “great relationship” with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, after a highly anticipated meeting in the country’s capital Manila.

It was unclear whether President Trump raised human rights violations in the Philippines, despite calls for him to do so.

Barack Obama’s administration had spoken out against Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which has killed almost 4,000 people.

President Trump is almost at the end of an extensive Asia tour.

The first meeting between Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte, which took place at the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, was closely watched as both are known for striking a controversially outspoken and direct tone.

After the private meeting, President Trump did not respond to questions about whether he had raised the subject of human rights while a spokesman for President Duterte said the topic had not been discussed.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later said the topic was mentioned briefly in their private meeting, in the context of the war on drugs, but did not give further details.

Image source Getty Images

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On November 10, President Duterte said he stabbed a person to death when he was a teenager. His spokesman later said the remark had been “in jest”.

Since coming into office in 2016, Rodrigo Duterte has presided over a massive crackdown on crime in the Philippines, which critics allege undermines fundamental human rights.

The Filipino president has encouraged extrajudicial killings of those involved in the drug trade, and said he would “be happy to slaughter” three million drug addicts in the country.

Police say they have killed almost 4,000 people in anti-drug operations since 2016. More than 2,000 others have been killed in connection with drug-related crimes.

President Trump has previously praised Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, reportedly telling him: “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem. Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing.”

A Philippine government transcript of the April 29 phone call was later leaked to US media.

President Trump and other leaders attending the ASEAN event had already met on Sunday evening at a gala in Manila ahead of the summit.

During the evening, Rodrigo Duterte took to the stage to sing a Filipino hit love song, afterwards saying it had been “on the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States”.

Demonstrators took to the streets in Manila on November 12 and 13, protesting against Donald Trump’s visit and carrying banners like “Trump Go Home” and “Ban Trump #1 terrorist”.

Riot police used water cannon and sonic alarms to repel the protesters.

Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines wraps up the president’s five-country trip to Asia which also had him visit Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

Iran-Iraq 7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 335

At least 335 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake has shaken the northern border region between Iran and Iraq on November 12.

The majority of those who died were in Iran’s western Kermanshah province. Nearly 4,000 were said to be injured.

Seven people died in Iraq, where people fled into the streets in Baghdad.

Mosques in the capital have been broadcasting prayers through loudspeakers.

One Iranian aid agency said 70,000 people needed shelter after the quake, one of the largest this year.

Iranian state news agency Irna quoted an emergency official as saying 3,950 were injured in Iran alone.

Most of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 10 miles from the border, Iran’s emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV channel Irinn.

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Sarpol-e Zahab’s main hospital was severely damaged, leaving it struggling to treat hundreds of wounded, state TV reported.

Many homes in the mountainous area are made of mud bricks and are at risk of collapse in a significant earthquake like the one that struck on November 12.

Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent Organization, Morteza Salim, told the channel.

“Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed,” he said.

Rescue teams were being hampered by landslides, Pir Hossein Koolivand said.

On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 47 miles east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region.

“The situation there is very critical,” Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters.

The Iraqi ministry of health said 321 people had been wounded in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit at 21:18 local time, about 19 miles southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran.

The strike occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 14.4 miles, and tremors were felt in Turkey, Israel and Kuwait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE-d7Y5udEc