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Disability In The Workplace: Have You Got Everything Covered?

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It’s surprising that so many companies do not cater enough for their employees that have a disability, whether a physical one or those that may suffer from an affliction such as anxiety. It should be a priority for companies to make sure that everyone is catered for. There are more charities championing the cause for more accessibility for wheelchairs and those that need the help, it is down to the business themselves to implement these changes. While there are big changes that may need to be made, such as installing ramps and lifts, there are smaller changes that you can make to help cater for that person so they can work better and more comfortably. Here is a little cheat sheet to get you started. This is by no means a replacement for proper research when it comes to your own employees’ individual needs, but here are a couple of things to help.

Sight Impairment

disability

flickr

The first thing that you need to do when you hire somebody with a sight impairment is to do a work based assessment. You can then see what specific adjustments are needed for that person to perform their role better. If you are employing a blind or a partially sighted member of staff, this will need to be completed prior to them starting. Likewise, if you have an employee who is losing their sight this will need to be done.

The assessment may consist of the following:

  • The environment that they work in – so you could think of ways to make the space more accessible for that person.
  • Equipment – depending on their needs, you will need to provide modified equipment or technology like magnification software or screen reading software to help the employee.
  • Do specialist training – this can be for the person with the sight impairment, or for those members of the team that are working with the individual.
  • Systems modification – using different ways to make the work-related systems more accessible to the person.

To help your business with getting the right equipment and resources to help those employees with a visual impairment, there is specific funding available depending on the size of the business. Making sure that the workspace is safe is a priority, as any workplace accidents can result with a lawsuit on your hands. Or if you wish to help an employee make a claim for injury, you can consult a website such as http://www.sigurdsonlaw.com/.

Hearing Impairment

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https://pixabay.com/en/hand-hearing-aid-deafness-listen-287292/

If you have an employee that is developing a hearing impairment, or you are employing someone with this impairment, you need to establish their needs firstly. Making suitable adjustments for them to help them work better will need to be done, and the best way is to speak to them. How would they like to communicate with people during work meetings, in groups or on a one to one basis? For example, lip reading, or visual demonstrations.

Some ways to make things easier for that person can include:

  • Getting employees to face each other. You could use a circular table for this.
  • Ask them where they would like to sit so they can position their interpreter accordingly.
  • Speak one at a time or raise your hand before speaking so the interpreter doesn’t miss any important information.
  • You can set up training for deaf awareness with your colleagues.
  • Learn basic sign language for easier communication.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn: Crown Prince Proclaimed Thailand’s New King

Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been proclaimed the country’s new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The prince accepted the throne in a TV broadcast following an invitation from parliament, formalizing his accession.

King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, died on October 13.

The late king was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn had been expected to become the next king the day after his father’s death, but PM Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn.

Instead, the prince was anointed in a special ceremony 50 days after the death of his father.

The crown prince becomes King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, but will also be known as Rama X.

“I would like to accept in order to fulfill his majesty’s wishes and for the benefit of all Thais,” he said in a TV statement.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

The broadcast showed one official shuffling on his knees to hand a microphone to the new king in the ceremony at the palace in Bangkok.

Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was among top government figures attending, said the new king would become the “heart and soul” of the nation.

Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972.

He is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad.

The prince’s accession to the throne ends a period of uncertainty during which Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former prime minister, has been serving as regent.

Thailand’s monarchy is protected from criticism by tough lèse-majesté laws, which restrict media discussion about the royal family’s role, including in the international press.

Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who the crown prince is and how he lives his life.

In recent years he has tried to improve his profile – important because the king is traditionally seen as a guiding force in Thai politics, which is highly polarized.

Maha Vajiralongkorn’s coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibol’s cremation, expected next year.

Bhumibol’s own coronation took place four years after his brother King Ananda Mahidol died of gunshot wounds in mysterious circumstances.

Tennessee Wildfire: Dolly Parton to Donate $1,000 a Month to Victims

Dolly Parton has announced that her charity, Dollywood Foundation, will donate $1,000 a month to families affected by devastating wildfires in Tennessee.

The 70-year-old country music legend said she would provide help “until they get back up on their feet”.

“I’ve always believed that charity begins at home,” Dolly Parton said in a video statement.

According to authorities, at least seven people have been killed in the fires in Sevier County, Tennessee, and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Dolly Parton’s foundation has set up a fund where people can donate to help victims of the fires.Dolly Parton cancer rumors denied

“I know it’s been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help,” the singer said.

The wildfires came to the doorstep of Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, Sevier County.

A spokesman said guests were evacuated from some of its properties, and that several cabins and holiday structures were damaged.

Around 45 people have been treated in hospital as a result of the wildfires, and over 700 buildings have been damaged.

Mandatory evacuations are under way around Gatlinburg, a city 7 miles southeast of Pigeon Forge.

Dolly Parton appeared in a public service advertisement on November 27, asking people nearby to take steps to avoid spreading the fire.

Later, the singer spoke of her misery at the toll the blazes had taken.

“I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains, and I am heartbroken.

“I am praying for all the families affected by the fire – and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe,” Dolly Parton said.

Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus, also a Tennessee native, sent her sympathies and support to Dolly Parton and the people of the state in an Instagram post.

Sharing a picture of the pair performing together, Miley Cyrus wrote: “Love my fairy god mother @dollyparton and sending protective energy to the ever so sacred Dollywood and all of the homes/folks in TN who are experiencing this devastating fire!”

Dollywood will remain closed until 14:00 local time on December 2, while the Great Smoky Mountains – the most visited national park in the US – said it had closed all park facilities and many trails.

There is also concern for more than 10,000 animals at an aquarium in Gatlinburg, after all employees were evacuated.

The building is still standing, but “workers are anxious to return to check on the animals”, the general manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ryan DeSears, told local media.

According to Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture, 26 active fires have burned nearly 12,000 acres across the state.

Facebook has activated its safety check feature.

Neighboring Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina, are also battling wildfires after months of drought.

OSU Attack: Donald Trump Condemns Somali Refugee

President-elect Donald Trump has said Somali refugee Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who went on a rampage at Ohio State University campus on November 28 “should not have been in our country”.

Donald Trump added that “ISIS is taking credit for the terrible stabbing attack”, which left 11 people injured.

Earlier, a ISIS-affiliated news agency claimed business student Abdul Razak Ali Artan as a “soldier”.

The 18-year-old’s mother says he acted normally on the day of the rampage at Ohio State University in Columbus.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on November 30 that investigators had found “no direct link” between Abdul Razak Ali Artan and any terrorist organization.

FBI special agent in charge Angela Byers said separately that hemay have been inspired by al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed by a 2011 US drone strike in Yemen.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan was a refugee who moved with his family in 2014 to the US from Pakistan, where he had been living since 2007.

Image source The Lantern
Image source The Lantern

According to US officials, no negative information was found during background checks on Abdul Razak Ali Artan when he was allowed into the US and when he became a legal permanent resident in 2015.

Police say Artan drove his car at a group of people on the campus as students were returning from the Thanksgiving weekend.

After his vehicle jumped the kerb, the student then began attacking them with a “butcher’s knife” before being shot dead by a campus police officer.

Donald Trump has vowed as president to institute an “extreme vetting” program to limit immigration to the US from countries that are believed to be at a heightened risk of terrorism.

He had previously called for a “total and complete shutdown” on Muslim immigration to the US.

Hassan Omar, president of the Somali Community Association in Columbus, Ohio, spoke to Abdul Razak Ali Artan’s mother, who said he had driven his siblings to school as usual on the day of the attack.

“He woke up and he went to school,” Hassan Omar said, relaying the conversation that he had with Artan’s mother on November 28.

She told him that she did not know anything was wrong until police arrived at her house.

Minutes before the rampage, Abdul Razak Ali Artan posted to Facebook about “lone wolf attacks”.

He said that “we will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. You will not celebrate or enjoy any holiday”.

Artan’s post also complained about treatment of Muslims around the world.

He warned that some Muslims were in sleeper cells, “waiting for a signal. I am warning you Oh America!”

However, a friend said the attacker “actually loved America”.

Ameer Kadar, who last saw Abdul Razak Ali Artan two weeks ago, told NBC News: “He loved the fact of the opportunity he had here to go to school.

“He loved the fact that he was able to get a college degree.”

Abdul Razak Ali Artan grew up in Somalia, but moved to Pakistan in 2007.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPT6L0vy5Lw

Tennessee Wildfire Death Toll Rises to Seven

At least seven deaths have been confirmed from a ferocious wildfire that erupted across Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park more than a week ago.

The search-and-rescue operations continue in the area.

The resort cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee have suffered the majority of the damage.

More than four dozen people have been injured by the fire, and hundreds of buildings burned to their foundations.

According to authorities, the fire is about 10% contained and “could still rear its head”.

Over 14,000 people have been evacuated, and schools across the region have been closed.

Image source WMSV
Image source WMSV

As the flames die down in some areas, other risks to firefighters are becoming a greater threat, Gatlinburg’s fire chief says.

“A new challenge that the weather is creating for us after the fire is we are experiencing some small mudslides and rock slides because there’s no longer that foliage that’s holding everything together,” Chief Greg Miller said at a press conference.

Police raised the death toll to seven on November 30 after discovering three more bodies.

They did not provide any details regarding the circumstances of the deaths.

Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters told reporters: “We certainly want to pray for those families, the folks involved in the fatalities. We continue to try to identity them. We haven’t been able to yet.”

Officials in Gatlinburg hope to allow residents to return to the town on December 2, but for now the mandatory evacuation order remains in place.

Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner called for tourists to support the area by coming to visit the region which includes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and draws more than 11 million people annually.

Dollywood, the resort owned by country music star Dolly Parton in the mountain town of Pigeon Forge, was largely spared, though the flames licked its doorstep.

There is a rain system currently moving through the area, but officials fear that not enough will fall to stem the spread of the fire, which has already burned for several weeks due to drought conditions.

Kanye West Released from Hospital after More than a Week

Kanye West has been released from hospital more than a week after he was admitted with exhaustion.

The rapper left UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles with Kim Kardashian and his doctor, Michael Farzam, multiple reports say.

Kanye West, 39, was admitted to hospital on November 21 suffering from “temporary psychosis due to sleep deprivation and dehydration”, said TMZ.

People magazine also quoted a source saying Kanye West was “home, getting some rest”.

Photo Instagram
Photo Instagram

Meanwhile, both CNN and the Los Angeles Times reported that he had left the UCLA Medical Center.

The LAPD responded to a report of a disturbance last week but later said it was a “medical emergency”.

Kanye West was admitted to hospital a day after he canceled his Saint Pablo tour after a series of rants on-stage.

The rapper ended a concert after four songs in Sacramento, California, before canceling a performance in LA a day later hours before he was due on stage.

Kanye West spent 10 minutes talking to the crowd about Beyonce, Jay Z, Hillary Clinton and Mark Zuckerberg during another show.

Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian’s half-sister, said the family had been praying for Kanye West as she spoke to reporters at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Paris.

Talking about Kanye West’s condition, Kendall Jenner told Entertainment Tonight: “Yes, of course [he’ll be OK].

“Everyone’s OK. Everyone is doing OK, [we’re] just praying.”

Meanwhile a E! Network representative said in a statement that the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reality show is “currently in production and has not been halted”.

Chapecoense Plane Crashed After Running out of Fuel

The plane carrying Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, which crashed in Colombia killing most of the passengers, had run out of fuel, according to a leaked audio recording.

A pilot can be heard repeatedly requesting permission to land due to an electric failure and lack of fuel.

Just six of the 77 people on board the plane survived.

The team, Chapecoense, had been due to play a cup final on November 30. Fans instead have been gathering at their stadium for a memorial event.

The leaked conversations between the flight crew and a Colombian air traffic controller give a glimpse of the frantic, final moments of the doomed plane.

The pilot and can be heard warning of a “total electric failure” and “lack of fuel”.

Image source Getty Images
Image source Getty Images

Just before the tape ends, the pilot says he is flying at an altitude of 9,000ft (2,743m). The plane slammed into a mountainside near the Colombian city of Medellin on November 28.

That there was no explosion when the plane came down also points to lack of fuel, with one Colombian military source telling the AFP agency its absence was “suspicious”.

It is not known why the plane was out of fuel: whether it was due to a leak or because there was not enough on board.

Investigators have yet to announce any single cause for the crash and a full analysis is expected to take months.

Chapecoense team was flying to Medellin for what would have been the biggest match in their history – the final of regional tournament the Copa Sudamericana.

The team lost 19 players in the crash. Twenty journalists were also killed.

Among the survivors, Chapecoense said that two players remained in a critical but stable condition, while the club’s goalkeeper had had one leg amputated and might still lose his other foot.

An injured journalist also remained in critical condition, the club said.

Another survivor, flight technician Erwin Tumiri, said he was still alive because he followed safety instructions.

“Many stood up and started shouting,” he said.

“I put the suitcases between my legs and assumed the brace position.”

Brazil declared three days of official mourning and thousands of fans in the city of Chapeco held a vigil in their home stadium to mark their loss.

Chapecoense directors say they expect up to 100,000 to attend collective funerals once all the bodies have been identified, most likely on December 2 or December 3.

Keith Scott Shooting: Officer Brentley Vinson Will Not Face Charges

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According to North Carolina prosecutors, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Brentley Vinson acted lawfully when he fatally shot African-American Keith Lamont Scott, in September, and will not face charges.

The shooting triggered several nights of protests across the city.

Keith Scott’s family say he was unarmed but police insist he had a gun.

Image source Facebook
Image source Facebook

In the bodycam and dashcam footage of the shooting released by police, it is unclear if there is anything in Keith Scott’s hands.

At a news conference following the ruling on November 30, prosecutors revealed surveillance footage from a nearby shop of Keith Scott showing the apparent outline of holstered gun on his ankle.

The footage shows Keith Scott getting out of his car to go into the shop and then getting back into his car.

Prosecutors say Keith Scott then parked in the car park at the apartment complex, beside officers.

Plainclothes officers had gone to the complex to look for a suspect with an outstanding warrant – not Keith Scott.

Officers say Keith Scott then proceeded to smoke a joint and hold up a semi-automatic hand gun.

Keith Scott then exited the car when officers approached, they say. At that point they deemed Keith Scott a threat and Officer Brentley Vinson fired his weapon.

Keith Scott was pronounced dead later at a local hospital from gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Et8lPiF8I

Oil Price Surges Ahead of Vienna OPEC Meeting

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Oil price has surged after reports that OPEC members have agreed some details of a production cut.

Oil prices rose nearly 7% as energy ministers attended November 30 OPEC meeting in Vienna.

Ahead of the meeting Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih had said “there are good chances” a formal deal could be struck.

Two months ago, oil ministers had said full details of the agreement would be finalized at the meeting.

OPEC pledged to limit production by about 700,000 barrels a day, but said Iran would be allowed to increase production.

Oil prices rose then, but the absence of detail prompted some traders to have second thoughts about whether the cartel would actually take firm action.Oil prices fall below 28

Saudi Arabia has agreed to cut output by about 500,000 barrels per day at the meeting, Reuters reported.

That would take its output to 10.06 million barrels per day.

Reuters also reported that OPEC has agreed to suspend Indonesia’s membership to allow Iran to set new production levels at 3.797 million barrels per day.

Ahead of November 30meeting, Khalid Al-Falih said “there are good chances” that a detailed deal can be brokered, and that “the spirit is good”.

The Saudi energy minister said his country would have to “take a big cut and a big hit” to current production – and its 2017 forecast – if OPEC production were limited to 32.5 million barrels per day.

“So we will not do it unless we make sure that there is consensus,” Khalid Al-Falih added.

A production freeze for Iran at pre-sanctions levels would be “very considerate of other OPEC members when they’re having to cut,” he said.

“Iran has recovered to its pre-sanctions levels,” Khalid Al-Falih said.

Saudi Arabia has also been discussing a production cut with Russia, he added.

Brent crude rose 6.9% to $50.58 per barrel, while US crude also rose 6.7% to $48.25.

Traders said markets were jittery and prices could swing sharply in either direction depending on developments in Vienna.

A decision to cut has been hindered by a rivalry between Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s top producer, and Iran.

The Saudis have been hesitant to shoulder the lion’s share of a cut, while Iran has resisted reducing its own production, arguing it has yet to recover its output levels after years of sanctions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh0JKxU9Ajo

Lapo Elkann: Fiat Heir Charged with Fake Kidnapping

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Fiat heir Lapo Elkann is facing court in New York after falsely claiming he had been kidnapped by a transgender prostitute.

The Italian called his family from New York to demand a $10,000 ransom “to guarantee his safety”, an official told the Associated Press.

Having found him in Manhattan, investigators now believe Lapo Elkann, 39, concocted the story after he ran out of money following a drink and drugs binge.

The grandson of Fiat’s Gianni Agnelli is now due in court in January.

Lapo Elkann, who was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting an incident, had only arrived in the US last week.lapo-elkann-fake-kidnapping

He had told his Instagram followers he was going abroad to pursue “a lot of projects in development… a lot of new ideas” in a rambling video posted on November 24.

Lap Elkann, dressed in a bright red suit, also said the business trip would bring him into contact with “many very interesting characters”.

Instead, media reports in the US and Italy say Lapo Elkann spent two days with the woman, before calling his family in order to get more money.

He claimed he had been held in a Manhattan flat from about 17:00 local time on November 25, until police arrested him outside a public housing complex at about 02:00 local time on November 26.

Lapo Elkann, who was born in New York, is a Fiat shareholder but has no official role in the company.

Instead, the Fiat heir – who made headlines in Italy in 2005 after he was hospitalized for a drug overdose in Turin – runs a company called Italia Independent.

Lapo Elkann has not yet returned a message seeking comment from AP. His publicist, Alessia Margiotta Broglio, declined to comment.

How Students are Coping with the Increases in Tuition Fees

The rising tuition fees have made attending university a very daunting prospect for many students. When this sharp increase in fees is combined with a high cost of living, it means that managing your finances and ensuring that you can live comfortably can be difficult. Fortunately, today’s students have found a few fantastic way to manage their finances each month and ensure that it does not impact their studies and lifestyle.

  1. Budgeting

The most important tip is to create a budget and stick to it for each week. To establish a budget, you first need to add up your total income. This could include student loan, savings, income from a job, grants or bursaries and money from parents/guardians. Next, you subtract essential outgoings. These include tuition fees, rent, household bills, insurance, phone bill, travel and food. The figure you are left with is what you can then spend on other items such as socialising, household supplies, books for your course and clothes. There are many great online tools or apps that can help with sticking to your budget.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

  1. Part-Time Work

Another way that students have combated the increase in tuition fees is to take on part-time work. This can give a great boost to your income and give you cash to use on yourself, plus it will it may also give you transferable skills and experience that will help in the future. However, it is crucial that this work does not interfere with your studies, so you must be ruthless at organising your time. Ideally, the work will be flexible and you can communicate openly with your employer about your studies.

  1. Short-Term Loans

If you find yourself in need of some fast cash to cover part of your income, you should consider a short-term loan which is what many students are now doing. There are companies that are created solely to help students, including Smart Pig. Companies like this provide same day loans of up to around £350 until your next student finance payment. Student payday loan businesses typically have improved pricing, loan terms and procedures than regular payday loan companies.

These three methods are all great ways for students to manage their finances and handle the rise of tuition fees. With careful planning and regularly checking your finances each week, you should be able to stay on top of your bills and not have your studies or social life impacted by fees and cost of living.

Donald Trump Leaving Business in Total to Focus on Presidency

Donald Trump has just announced he will “business in total” to focus on presidency and avoid perceived conflicts of interest.

The president-elect said he would be expanding on his plans at a press conference with his children next month.

Donald Trump previously dismissed concerns over potential conflicts between his businesses and the presidency.

Meanwhile, former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin confirmed he had been picked as treasury secretary.

Steve Mnuchin, who was Donald Trump’s former campaign finance director, also said billionaire investor Wilbur Ross had been chosen for commerce secretary.

Donald Trump and his transition team have yet to confirm the appointments.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

Instead, the president-elect chose to focus on his plans to distance himself from his business in a series of four tweets released over 20 minutes.

The tweets read: “I will be holding a major news conference in New York City with my children on December 15 to discuss the fact that I will be leaving my great business in total in order to fully focus on running the country in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

“While I am not mandated to do this under the law, I feel it is visually important, as President, to in no way have a conflict of interest with my various businesses.

“Hence, legal documents are being crafted which take me completely out of business operations. The Presidency is a far more important task!”

There is no legal requirement to liquidate assets but past presidents have set aside their business dealings. Donald Trump’s rivals have raised repeated concerns this may cause problems in the coming months.

Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, had previously indicated to the New York Times that he was considering separating his two areas of responsibility but was confident he could run both “perfectly”.

The billionaire’s three eldest children already hold roles within the Trump empire which boasts golf clubs, office towers and other properties in several countries.

However, Reince Priebus, Donald Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, refused to say on MSNBC’s Morning Joe whether he was handing the business to his children or putting it into a blind trust, which would place the management of his assets in the hands of other experts.

Chapecoense Fans Hold Vigil for Plane Crash Victims

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Thousands of fans of Brazil’s Chapecoense soccer team have held a vigil in the city of Chapeco for the victims of a plane crash in Colombia.

People walked from the town center to the stadium where they prayed and sang. A service was also held in Chapeco’s cathedral.

The team was flying to Colombia for the biggest match in their history when their plane went down shortly before landing in Medellin on November 28.

Six of the 77 people on board survived.

It is not clear what brought down the chartered aircraft, but some unconfirmed reports have suggested there was an electrical fault, while others say the plane was low on fuel. Both flight recorders have been recovered.chapecoense-plane-crash

Brazil has declared three days of official mourning, while minute silences have been held at football grounds around the world.

Some 10,000 people – including family members of the players – gathered in Chapeco’s Arena Conda stadium on November 29, still stunned by the news from earlier in the day.

Fans wearing the club’s green and white colors sang the names of the players and shouted “champions”. Families of the players hugged each other on the pitch.

Brazilians doctors have already flown to Colombia in order to identify the bodies, and arrange for them to be brought home.

This could happen in the coming days, as the lack of a fire at the crash site has made retrieving and identifying the bodies of the 71 victims relatively easy, emergency workers say.

Chapecoense team was due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana against the Colombian team Atletico Nacional on November 30.

Atletico Nacional has asked fans instead to come to the stadium dressed in white for a candlelit vigil. They have also offered to concede the game to ensure Chapecoense are declared the champions.

In other tributes, Brazilian first division soccer teams have offered to lend players to Chapecoense free of charge for the 2017 season, and asked the league to protect the club from relegation for the next three years.

Leading soccer players, from Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, to Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, have also paid tribute to the players.

Alongside the soccer team, there were also 21 journalists on board the doomed flight – including well-known Brazilian commentator and former soccer player Mario Sergio Pontes de Paiva.

Three of the six survivors are soccer players:

  • Defender Alan Ruschel, who suffered spinal injuries
  • Defender Helio Zampier Neto, who has injuries to his skull and chest
  • Reserve goalkeeper Jakson Follman, who has had his right leg amputated and is said to be in a stable condition

Two crew members, Ximena Suarez and Erwin Tumiri, and journalist Rafael Valmorbida were also among the survivors.

Hailing from a small city of less than 200,000 inhabitants, Chapecoense soccer club had become an unlikely success stories in recent years, reaching Brazil’s Serie A in 2014 and beating more established teams.

Last week, Chapecoense became the first Brazilian team in three years to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s second most important club competition, after beating Argentine side San Lorenzo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1JiyyiiOJI

Fidel Castro Funeral: Mass Rally Held in Havana’s Revolutionary Square

The late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has been honored with a mass rally in Havana’s Revolution Square.

The gathering began with the national anthem and ended with a tribute from Fidel Castro’s brother, President Raul Castro.

The rallywas attended by a number of world leaders – but some countries sent lower-level officials.

Fidel Castro, who came to power in 1959, died on November 25 at the age of 90. His ashes will be taken to the eastern city of Santiago on November 30.

Opinion on Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century, remains divided.fidel-castro-funeral

Supporters say Fidel Castro returned Cuba to the people and praise him for some of his social programs, such as public health and education.

However, critics call him a dictator, who led a government that did not tolerate opposition and dissent.

This division led to some countries, such as the US, sending lower-ranking emissaries. However, allies including left-wing Latin American leaders were among those attending the ceremony in Revolution Square, where Cubans once gathered to listen to Fidel Castro’s fiery speeches.

On November 29, the crowd chanted “long live the revolution!” and “Fidel! Fidel!” as the rally got under way.

President Raul Castro closed the rally, referring to his brother as the leader of a revolution “for the humble, and by the humble”.

Greece’s left-wing PM Alexis Tsipras was among those who addressed the crowd. The presidents of Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Panama, South Africa and Zimbabwe also attended.

In his speech, South African President Jacob Zuma praised Cuba’s record on health care and education and its support for African countries.

On November 29, the left-wing presidents of Bolivia and Venezuela, Evo Morales and Nicolas Maduro, were among those who signed a book of condolences at the Jose Marti memorial where a photograph flanked by an honor guard has been on display since November 28.

Another admirer of Fidel Castro, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, was joining the two presidents at the commemoration.

However, many Western leaders are not attending the event in person.

The White House announced that its nominee for the post of ambassador to Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, and Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes would attend the commemorative event but that it was not sending an “official delegation” to Cuba.

Ben Rhodes was one of the US officials who negotiated the thaw between the United States and the Cuban government announced in December 2014.

On November 28, President-elect Donald Trump threatened to end the detente if Cuba did not offer a “better deal”.

On November 30, Fidel Castro’s ashes will be taken on a journey to Santiago, which is regarded as the Cuba’s 1959 revolution.

Fidel Castro’s ashes will be placed on December 4 in the Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago, where Cuban independence hero Jose Marti is buried.

Donald Trump to Pick Steve Mnuchin as Treasury Secretary

According to new reports, Donald Trump is expected to pick former Goldman Sachs executive Steve Mnuchin to be treasury secretary.

Steve Mnuchin, who was Donald Trump’s campaign finance chairman and has no government experience, could be named on November 30, according to reports.

On November 29, Donald Trump picked Tom Price as health secretary and Elaine Chao as transportation secretary.

The president-elect is still weighing his options in filling the posts of state and defense.steve-mnuchin-donald-trump

Steve Mnuchin amassed a fortune over 17 years at Goldman Sachs investment bank, before founding a movie production company that was behind such box office hits as the X-Men franchise and American Sniper.

It remains to be seen whether Donald Trump’s first key economic policy move, potentially picking a consummate Wall Street insider to helm the nation’s financial system, will be welcomed by supporters who were energized by the Republican’s vow to “drain the swamp” of special interests.

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross – known as “the king of bankruptcy” for his restructuring of failing industries – is tipped to be named as Donald Trump’s commerce secretary.

Also on November 29, Donald Trump met Mitt Romney for a second time despite one of his top aides launching a public campaign against offering the former Massachusetts governor the post of secretary of state.

Donald Trump had dinner with Mitt Romney and the president-elect’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus.

Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke out against Mitt Romney on November 27, saying Donald Trump’s supporters felt “betrayed” he would consider the 2012 Republican nominee for the prominent role.

Mitt Romney was one of Donald Trump’s harshest critics during the campaign.

The president-elect will also sit down with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

The two men are leading contenders for the all-important diplomatic post.

Earlier, Donald Trump met retired General David Petraeus.

In a tweet after their meeting on November 28, Donald Trump said he was “very impressed” with the former CIA director.

Donald Trump Meets Mitt Romney for Second Time

Donald Trump met Mitt Romney for a second time despite one of his top aides launching a public campaign against offering the former Massachusetts governor the post of secretary of state.

Donald Trump had dinner with Mitt Romney and the president-elect’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus.

Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke out against Mitt Romney on November 27, saying Donald Trump’s supporters felt “betrayed” he would consider the 2012 Republican nominee for the prominent role.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Mitt Romney was one of Donald Trump’s harshest critics during the campaign.

The president-elect will also sit down with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

The two men are leading contenders for the all-important diplomatic post.

Earlier, Donald Trump met retired General David Petraeus.

In a tweet after their meeting on November 28, Donald Trump said he was “very impressed” with the former CIA director.

OSU Attack: ISIS Claims Abdul Razak Ali Artan as Its Soldier

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ISIS claims it was behind the Ohio State University car and knife rampage that left 11 people injured.

The November 27 attack at OSU was carried out by one of its students, Somali-born Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the authorities said.

The ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency called the 18-year-old business undergraduate a “soldier”.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan drove his car at a group of people, then attacked them with a knife before being shot dead.

Amaq posted an image of Abdul Razak Ali Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background, but did not say if the attack was directed from abroad, or if Artan had been self-radicalized.

Most of the victims were injured by the attacke’s car, but two were stabbed with a “butcher’s knife” and another suffered a fractured skull, officials said.

One of the wounded victims, William Clark, an OSU professor, described how Abdul Razak Ali Artan’s vehicle had crashed into a large concrete planter before bouncing off and striking him.

Image source The Lantern
Image source The Lantern

“It clipped the back of my right leg and basically flipped me up in the air and I landed on the concrete,” he told a news conference.

William Clark said Abdul Razak Ali Artan then got out of the car and began attacking students before he was shot down.

Surveillance photos showed the attacker in the car by himself just before the attack, but investigators are looking into whether anyone else was involved.

Dozens of FBI agents have searched Abdul Razak Ali Artan’s apartment for clues as to what may have triggered the attacks.

Neighbors described him as polite and said he attended daily prayers at a local mosque.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who was born in Somalia and was a US permanent resident, arrived in the country in 2014 as the child of a refugee.

He had been living in Pakistan from 2007 to 2014.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan recently posted on Facebook about the US treatment of Muslims, according to the AP, citing a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace” with the Islamic State group, he allegedly wrote.

Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the act was indicative of someone who may have been self-radicalized.

ISIS militants have found recruits in the US Somali community in recent years.

About a dozen young men and women from Minnesota’s Somali community have traveled to Syria to join militant groups.

Nine men in Minnesota were sentenced on terror charges for plotting to join ISIS.

And a Somali-American man attacked 10 people with a knife at a central Minnesota mall before he was killed by an off-duty police officer in September.

Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of Council of American-Islamic Relations’ Minnesota chapter, said some Somali-Americans were concerned about being viewed as “guilty by association”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKUU4l1TmJU

Donald Trump and Mitt Romney to Have Second Meeting

On November 29, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to meet Mitt Romney for a second time despite one of his top aides launching a public campaign against the former Massachusetts governor’s nomination.

Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway spoke out against Mitt Romney on November 27, saying Donald Trump’s supporters felt “betrayed” he would consider the 2012 Republican nominee for the prominent role.Mitt Romney Donald Trump indictment

Mitt Romney was one of Donald Trump’s harshest critics during the campaign.

Donald Trump will also sit down with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

The two men are leading contenders for the all-important diplomatic post.

Earlier, Donald Trump met retired General David Petraeus. He said he was “very impressed” with the former CIA director in a tweet after their meeting on November 28.

David Petraeus pleaded guilty in 2015 to mishandling classified information over documents he had shared with his biographer Paula Broadwell, with whom he was also having an affair.

Donald Trump Plans to Pick Elaine Chao as Transportation Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump reportedly plans to pick ex-Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as his transportation secretary.

Elaine Chao, the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, served in President George W. Bush’s cabinet.

Donald Trump is still weighing his options in filling the posts of state, defense and treasury.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

Elaine Chao, who was born in Taiwan, became the first Asian-American woman to hold a position in a presidential cabinet when she led the Labor Department under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.

The 63-year-old also served as deputy secretary of transportation and director of the Peace Corps in former President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Elaine Chao would become the second person to hold the positions of labor secretary, transportation secretary and the spouse of a Senate majority leader.

Elizabeth Dole previously held that title.

Elaine Chao will play a crucial role under Donald Trump, who has vowed to make infrastructure spending on the country’s roads, bridges and other public transit an integral part of his agenda.

She came to the US with her family at the age of 8 and settled in New York, where her father became a shipping magnate.

3 Top Tips for Online Dating!

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The World of Online Dating

Are you fed up of being single and are you ready to find that special someone? Nowadays, it can be difficult to meet prospective partners the old fashioned way. Bars, clubs, and even the workplace are overpopulated with couples or non-suitors these days, meaning that you could be left on the shelf. So, if you haven’t already entered into the world of online dating, now is the time!

Yes, online dating can be a daunting prospect. Meeting someone new for the first time whether it’s for drinks, coffee or dinner can be nerve wracking. But it doesn’t have to be. Read on to find out how to prepare yourself for a successful online date.

Photo Tumblr
Photo Tumblr

Our Top 3 Tips

  1. Play the Field – so, you’ve signed up to an online dating site and having a browse. For many, finding the right match can take days, weeks or even months. That’s why it’s important to remember why you’re there in the first place; to meet someone special and have fun in the process. With this in mind, don’t be embarrassed to chat to or even meet up with more than one person. How will you ever find the one if you don’t play the field?
  2. Be Open and Honest – it can be really easy to get carried away with yourself when it comes to the online world. Try and avoid making things up or exaggerating about things. Chances are, if you do hit it off with someone then you’ll probably end up meeting them and it can leave you in an awkward situation if your online claims don’t follow through.

When filling out your profile and speaking to people online, sell yourself for the great qualities you have. If someone doesn’t like you for who you are, they’re not worth talking too!

  1. Prepare for the Meet! – if you’re ready to go on your big date, you will have been talking to the person online for a while no doubt, so you’ll have a good understanding of them as a person; their likes, interests, hobbies etc. However, when it comes to the date itself, have some key points that you want to talk about. Pick 5 topics such as family, friends, work, favorite films and music. Anything that allows you to get to know your date a little better and keep the conversation flowing is always a good thing!

It can be hard, especially when the nerves kick in, but try and avoid rambling on about yourself too much. Of course, your date will want to know more about you and may ask questions, but always remember to reciprocate those questions and keep the conversation interesting.  If you’re into your date and he or she seems into you, get your flirt on! Flirting is harmless fun that can make a date a lot more enjoyable. A little footsie under the table or some light stroking can show that you’re engaged in the person and that you’re enjoying the date and their company!

Be Careful but Have Fun!

Particularly on a first date, it’s important not to drink too much. You don’t want to give off a bad impression by getting so drunk that you black out or make a fool of yourself – hey, it might be what you’re into, but we doubt it.

What’s even more important is that you have your wits about you, especially when it comes to online dating. It’s always better to play it safe. That’s not to say you can’t have a great time! Additionally, if you don’t feel 100% into the date, then you don’t need to continue. If for any reason you don’t feel safe or want to leave, you are completely entitled to do so. Always stay safe and follow your instincts! One last thing to remember is that before you go out on a date, tell someone where you’re going.

Go Get Em’ Tiger
If you find these tips helpful and want to get out on the dating scene, check out some online dating sites today and find the right one for you! Why not start off with flirt.com? You never know, the love of your life could be out there waiting for you on a dating site…good luck!

Salvează

Donald Trump Names Tom Price as Future Health Secretary

Donald Trump has named Tom Price as his future health secretary.

The 62-year-old Georgia congressman and orthopedic surgeon is a strong critic of President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms.

He currently chairs the House of Representatives budget committee.

Tom Price will play a key role in Republican plans to replace the Affordable Healthcare Act (ObamaCare).a

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

In his campaign, Donald Trump vowed to repeal and replace the act, considered Barack Obama’s flagship measure.

However, he has since said he favors keeping certain provisions.

Donald Trump said Tom Price was a “tireless problem solver” and “the go-to expert on healthcare policy”.

“He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace ObamaCare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American,” the president-elect said in a statement.

Tom Price said he was looking forward to the opportunity of serving as health secretary on behalf of the American people.

He said his aim was to create a new system that worked for patients, families and doctors, adding that it should “protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit”.

Tom Price will be working closely with Seema Verma, who will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees government health programs and insurance standards.

“Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system,” Donald Trump said.

Earlier this month Donald Trump, who has pledged to repeal the healthcare bill, said he would keep some parts of the law such as allowing young adults to be insured on their parents’ policies and banning insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

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

Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Set to Become King

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Thailand’s parliament has invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to take the country’s throne.

It approved the sending of a formal invitation, which Prince Vajiralongkorn has to accept before becoming the country’s new king.

The deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13, plunging the Asian country into mourning.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was widely expected to succeed his father, but officials had earlier said he wanted to postpone it by at least a year.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

The official reason given was that the prince wanted to give the Thai people time to mourn his father before he became king.

According to correspondents, Thailand was left in an odd constitutional limbo as Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the undisputed heir, should have succeeded his father immediately.

In the past doubts have been expressed by senior officials over how the crown prince can perform the role played by King Bhumibol for 70 years.

The monarchy occupies a pivotal place in Thailand’s political order.

King Bhumibol had been seen as a unifying figure amid periods of political unrest, including during the most recent military coup in 2014.

The leader of Thailand’s parliament, the National Legislative Assembly, is expected to meet Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in the next few days to formally invite him. Once he accepts, his succession would then be announced to the public.

However, it is still not clear when that will happen.

Former PM Prem Tinsulanonda is currently standing in as regent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0SXGtbstJk

The Digital Age: Don’t Take Unnecessary Investment Risks

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nasdaq

(Image Source)

Today’s world is filled with ways to make life easier. From cars that drive themselves to phones that can tell you where to get your breakfast. The Digital Age is most certainly upon us; that’s for sure. With all of these gadgets and gizmos, there’s something for everything; even investment.

Nowadays, you don’t have to put much effort into your stock exchange investments. Most of the leg work and research can be handled completely for you. But, how does this work? Well, it’s a little more complicated than simply throwing your money at the computer. This is where Binary Robots come in. They’re specifically designed for binary exchanges. But, you probably won’t be using another type of exchange, anyway.

Usually, when you start trying to trade on a stock market, you have to learn the ropes. You have to know how to use the software for one. And, you also have to figure out what all of the jargon means. All of this is before you start mastering the trade itself. Of course, research and learning will get you somewhere, but not all the way. With something like a stock exchange, experience will trump most other things.

With a binary robot, you take away the need for that experience. Instead, the robot has the experience for you. Of course, a computer can remember things much more effectively than a human can. They also have access to resources that humans have to sift through manually. All together, this gives the robot the edge that you would only find with a team of skilled and experienced investors.

Now, of course, you don’t have a physical robot sit at your desk and make the decisions for you; we haven’t quite reached that point, yet. Instead, the robot operates on your computer or smartphone. It will usually be integrated with an exchange app so that you do everything from one place. For the most part, these systems are free to use, as well. So, you can use them just like you would use a normal exchange app. But, you will likely have to pay a cut of money that you make. Most companies offering this service will offer a mock account trial. This account will be loaded up with some fake money, and loads of stock options. This is a great way to test the water.

Now, this all sounds a bit too simple, right? Well, that’s because all of the hard work is done behind the scenes. Companies use systems like the Fibonacci sequence and Martingale system to predict the way that numbers will move. The Fibonacci sequence was developed by the famous 13th century Math expert, Fibonacci. The system proves that numbers have a tendency to go up and down, and can help determine how stocks will move. The Martingale system was developed by gamblers and has proven to be extremely successful. If you make a lose on an investment you make another investment at double to value. Once an investment pays out, it will give you the return for failed investments, as well as a profit.

Alongside these systems, complex algorithms are used. Finance is extremely variable. But, it does tend to follow a pattern. With observation of stocks and the economy over a long period, you can start to notice a pattern. Algorithms are used to find the pattern of a particular stock, to see if it is likely to rise in price after you invest.

You will have a choice of brokers when you start using a robot. These are the companies that actually handle the stock exchange. The robot you choose will be more successful with some brokers than others. But, they will be honest with this information, and it won’t be hard to find. You should only use a company that has the correct licensing for your country. And, avoid any companies that require huge deposits.

You’ll have to do some learning to use these tools, but it’s not too bad. Use reviews found online to help you find the right choice. Resources like here can be instrumental in starting off your investment journey. Be careful, though. A lot of reviews online will be based purely on opinion. Only trust experts in the field that can prove they know their stuff.

Of course, with any investment, there is some risk. But, by having a percentage tied to that risk, makes everything much clearer. You’re never guaranteed to make a return on any investment. It’s rare, though, that you can get such a leg up in an area like this.

Samsung Considers Split In Two amid Investors Pressure

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Samsung Electronics said on November 29 it will consider dividing the company in two.

The South Korean tech giant has been under pressure from some investors to break itself into a holding unit and an operating company to boost shareholder value.

Samsung also announced plans to increase dividends and said it would continue to buy back more shares.

Restructuring pressure had been mounting after Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco.

In October, Samsung was forced to stop production of its flagship smartphone model after failing to resolve battery problems leading to overheating and the devices catching fire.

The company it would bring in “external advisers to conduct a thorough review of the optimal corporate structure”.Samsung profits Q4 2015

Samsung pointed out that “the review does not indicate the management or the board’s intention one way or another.”

The company also said it would pay out half of its free cash flow to shareholders for 2016 and 2017 and raise the dividend for 2016 by 36% compared to 2015.

In order to improve governance, Samsung said it would nominate at least “one new, international, independent board member” as well as create a separate governance committee.

Its statement comes after US activist hedge fund Elliott Management called for the company to split into a holding unit for ownership purposes and a separate operating company.

The fund argued that a split would simplify Samsung structure making it easier to get a clear valuation of the company’s assets.

Currently, companies within the wider Samsung Group are linked through a complicated web of cross shareholding, linking Samsung Electronics to many other Samsung’s companies and affiliates ranging from shipping, to heavy industries to insurance business.

That makes it difficult for investors to get a clear idea of what each individual Samsung company is actually worth.

The benefit of splitting Samsung Electronics into two companies would be that the cross-shareholding would affect only the holding company, while the operating unit could be assessed separately – making it a lot easier to arrive at a clean company evaluation.

The proposal has won support from several of the company’s investors and it is also thought that it would give back more control to the founding Lee family behind the company.

Samsung Electronics also said it needed to maintain a net cash position of between 65 trillion won and 70 trillion won, suggesting it is not likely to pay the special dividend sought by Elliott.

Brazil Chapecoense Soccer Team in Colombia Plane Crash

A chartered plane carrying 81 people, including top Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, has crashed on its approach to Medellin, Colombia, officials say.

Reports say there are 25 dead and six survivors.

The chartered aircraft, flying from Bolivia, was carrying members of the Chapecoense soccer team, airport officials said.

The team was due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana, against Colombian team Atletico Nacional.

The first leg of the final of the cup, South America’s second most important club competition, was scheduled for November 30, but has now been suspended.

Image source Getty Images
Image source Getty Images

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said it was suspending “all activities”.

Chapecoense issued a brief statement saying: “May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation.”

It said it would refrain from any further statements until it had assessed the extent of the crash.

Reports suggest that at least two members of the team – Alan Ruschel and Danilo – may have survived.

The sports network Telemundo Deportes tweeted that Alan Ruschel was in shock but conscious and talking, and asked to keep his wedding ring and to see his family.

The mayor of the nearby town of La Ceja confirmed that a 25-year-old player was among the survivors.

He said that 25 people were known to have died.

The team, from the southern city of Chapeco, was promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.

Reports say the British Aerospace 146 short-haul plane, operated by Bolivian charter airline Lamia and carrying 72 passengers and nine crew, crashed in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union shortly before midnight local time.

According to an airport press release, it was reporting an electrical fault to the control tower.

Medellin’s Mayor Federico Gutierrez described it as “a tragedy of huge proportions”.

The Jose Maria Cordova de Rionegro airport, which serves Medellin, posted on its Twitter account: “Confirmed, the aircraft licence number CP2933 was carrying the team @ChapecoenseReal. Apparently there are survivors.”

The airport later said in a statement that “all possible aid was being mobilized because six survivors are being reported”.

Poor weather has meant that the crash site, in a mountainous area, is only accessible by land.

However, there was no fire on impact, which has given rescuers hope that more survivors may be found.

CONMEBOL said in a statement that its president, Alejandro Dominguez, was on his way to Medellin.