Depending on which part of the world you reside, you may have a higher chance of facing certain types of natural disasters. However, whether you have a greater risk of earthquakes, blizzards, tornadoes or hurricanes is inconsequential for some of your prep work as there are a few items that show up across the board when creating an emergency survival kit.
Adequate food and water are must-haves. Calculate the proper sustenance for each family member per day. Include enough to get through a minimum of three days and preferably upwards of a week. Next, keep that first aid kit filled and up-to-date. Have tools such as flashlights, utility knives, batteries and utensils on hand as well as extra cash in case it is impossible to withdraw money from the bank or to access online accounts. Have a pair of sturdy shoes and a jacket that are waterproof or water-resistant, as well as warm clothing that is readily available.
To learn more about other types of things you should include in your emergency kit based on the category of disaster to which you are most prone, as well as how to respond should one occur, check out the following infographic.
If you’ve ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, then you don’t need me to tell you how hard it can be. The food and exercise regimens we have to stick to require so much discipline, that it’s really no wonder there are so many different “miracle” solutions out there. One of the most common solutions in the “get thin quick” market is various weight burning supplements. With more and more of these popping up in our local health shops, many of us are left wondering if they’re too good to be true. Here, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths associated with weight loss supplements.
The first, and most damaging myth everyone needs to be aware of, is that with weight loss supplements you don’t need to diet or exercise as much. Ask any dietitian or weight loss expert, or read the label of any weight loss supplement, and you’ll get the same answer time and time again. If you want to shed those pounds, you’ll need to combine your supplement intake with a healthy diet and regular, vigorous exercise. This is true even for weaker, over-the counter supplements. Sure, you can order orlistat tablets for weight loss easily enough. However, if you’re not combining these with a healthy diet and exercise, you won’t see much difference in your weight loss, and may experience some uncomfortable side effects. Many popular weight loss supplements work by stopping your gut from absorbing some of the fat that you eat. This means that if you eat too much fat in a meal, it will simply be flushed through, and you’ll end up feeling horribly bloated. Weight loss supplements aren’t intrinsically bad, but they can be fairly unhealthy if you don’t back them up with the correct lifestyle.
Another widely believed myth is that if the supplement is on the shelves of a health store, then it must be fine to take. If you have this attitude, then you’ve got a lot to learn! Although there’s certainly some degree of regulation for supplements in the UK, it can often be loose and inconsistent. While there are rules concerning the mineral and vitamin substances permitted for use in supplements, as well as the advertising and labelling, there are still certain supplements that slip through the net, and wind up on the shelves despite being useless or even detrimental to your health. This goes for all vitamins and supplements, not just the ones specifically marketed for weight loss. There have been many weight-loss supplements right from the shelves of health shops which have been found to be tainted with laxatives, prescription weight-loss drugs and diuretics. Various other medications which aren’t listed on the label can also be found in shelf-bought supplements. Before you take anything home and start taking it, always read the label and do your own research. If you notice some new product hitting the shelves, leave it alone for about a month before you consider buying it.
Another commonly espoused myth about weight loss supplements is that they can be used to target the fat on certain parts of your body. As I’m sure you’re aware, there are many products and exercises which are supposed to reduce the fat in certain places. These promise to get rid of belly fat, bingo wings and so on. While you can certainly do exercises which will build muscle in certain areas, you can’t target one specific area for losing weight. When your body sheds weight, it’s shedding it from the entire body. Sure, some areas, like your belly, may have more fat than others. In many cases though, these will be the last stores to go after enough dieting and exercise. Despite what the ads would have you believe, you can’t get rid of the fat in one isolated area of the body by doing certain exercises, buying a muscle stimulation device, or indeed taking supplements. That’s not to say that weight loss supplements won’t help you in getting rid of the fat on certain areas of your body. They will, but they’ll also do the same thing for every other area of your body. We all have certain areas of our body which we’d like to change, but taking a certain supplement won’t get you there.
Hopefully, this post has given you a slightly clearer view of weight loss supplements. The next time you’re going to have a look around your local health store, make sure you’re not taken in by these myths!
Each day developments behind the scenes are continuously moving technology to new heights that benefit the consumer. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that people first got their chance in 13 states to choose their own electric company like Comed utilities, out of Illinois. Many people are now using this to explore other options, bringing competition to the table that for the first time has their interest in mind. Features like 24/7 access to customer service, disclosed hourly kWh rates, and being able to select a billing date and plan, are just a few of the items available to the consumer.
The reinvention of the light bulb
In addition to having the option to select your own electric service provider, many other companies were also inventing things that would greatly affect the electricity consumption per household. The CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) hit stores in the mid-1980s but due to their cost, bulky design and mercury content, they did not receive the billing they expected. It wasn’t until the redesign in the late 1990s that consumers gave them a try.
Today, these CFLs use LEDs, are mercury-free and instead of lasting for 3 to 7 years, they now have a life span of 13, 20 and 25-years. The prices are still higher in comparison to the original light bulb, however, with the reduced energy consumption (some costing less than $5.00 a year per a 3-hour a day usage), it offers you savings on all platforms, including replacements and yearly energy costs.
New technology on the horizon
The age of the “Jetsons” seems to get closer with each passing year. Since the introduction of the home computer in the mid-1990s, more electronic devices are now making life easier. Cell phones, iPads, Notebooks and home security systems are just a few advancements that help families stay connected.
Today, many technicians and scientists are working on ways to boost home energy efficiency through the use of automated control systems for heating and cooling units, lighting and other systems. This technology expects to reduce the cost by allowing you to use data such as outside air and room temperature, humidity, light level and occupancy, at a fraction of the cost offered by similar wireless sensors available today. These companies expect to improve how home appliances communicate and interact with each other with the electric grid.
New and improved electric appliances like heat pumps utilize existing hot and cool air in the home and redistribute them to other areas as needed. This can help to reduce energy consumption anywhere from 30 to 45-percent. This same technology is also in the early stages of development for use with your clothes dryer as well, giving you access to a smart dryer that can potentially lower energy consumption by up to 60-percent compared to dryers used today. Tinted pane windows, magnetic refrigerators and the next generation of foam insulation that leaves no gaps, creating a dense and efficient composition, are all in the late stages of development, soon to become available to the public.
The future of technology is here and it appears very bright for the consumer. These advancements expect to do away with the high energy bills making them a thing of the past, without sacrificing your level of comfort. By utilizing existing energy and placing it where you need it and inventing new ways to efficiently run appliances, the next generation will consume less energy and increase the use of eco-friendly sources.
Shimon Peres’ funeral is under way in Jerusalem before a large number of foreign dignitaries, including Barack Obama and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
The former Israeli president died on September 28 at the age of 93.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu described Shimon Peres, one of Israel’s founding fathers, as “a great man of the world”, in his funeral eulogy.
A security crackdown ahead of the funeral ceremony has led to the “preventative arrests” of several people.
Mahmoud Abbas led a delegation of senior Palestinian officials in his first visit to Israel since 2010.
As a negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas was one of the people who signed the Oslo peace accords in 1993, for which Shimon Peres won a Nobel Peace Prize the year after, along with Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin.
A senior Palestinian official told the Associated Press that Mahmoud Abbas wanted to “send a strong message to Israeli society that the Palestinians are for peace, and appreciate the efforts of peaceful men like Shimon Peres”.
A spokesman for Hamas, the more hard-line Palestinian group which runs Gaza, called on Mahmoud Abbas to “retract his decision to participate in the funeral of the criminal Shimon Peres”.
Shimon Peres’ reputation in the region is complicated by the 1996 shelling of Qana in southern Lebanon that killed more than 100 people who were sheltering in a UN compound.
It happened when, as prime minister, Shimon Peres ordered an offensive against a wave of rocket fire by the militant Hezbollah movement.
He later said it was a “bitter surprise” to find that several hundred people were in the camp at the time.
Shimon Peres’ coffin was earlier escorted by a military honor guard from the parliament building in Jerusalem to Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery, where he will be laid to rest alongside many of the country’s former leaders.
Jordan and Egypt – the only two Arab countries to have signed peace deals with Israel – have both sent official representatives to the ceremony.
President Barack Obama is due to speak at the ceremony, along with Shimon Peres’ three children.
Shimon Peres’ body has been lying in state outside parliament in Jerusalem.
Israeli police say 8,000 officers have been deployed for the security operation as thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral.
Police chief Roni Alsheikh said it was “an operation on an unprecedented scale”.
The funeral is expected to be the largest such event in Israel since the funeral of PM Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by a Jewish nationalist in 1995.
Shimon Peres suffered a stroke two weeks ago and died in a hospital near Tel Aviv.
Saudi Arabia is concerned that 9/11 relatives will be able to sue the kingdom for damages, the foreign ministry says.
On September 28, the Congress voted for a law allowing families of nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks to sue.
In doing so they overrode a veto by President Barack Obama, who said it would set a “dangerous precedent”.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers that day were Saudi nationals, but Saudi Arabia has denied any role in the attacks.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said: “The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States.”
Their argument parallels the one made by Barack Obama.
The president said on CNN after the vote that the law set a “dangerous precedent” and could lead to the US being opened to “a situation where we’re suddenly exposed to liabilities for all the work that we’re doing all around the world and suddenly finding ourselves subject to private lawsuits”.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Republican Party in Congress have said they want to reconsider the law. The Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell admitted that lawmakers had not understood the possible consequences of the legislation.
“Everybody was aware of who the potential beneficiaries were but nobody really had focused on the downside in terms of our international relationships,” he said.
The White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it was “a pretty classic case of rapid onset buyer’s remorse”.
On CNN, Barack Obama also suggested that that voting patterns in Congress were influenced by political concerns.
“If you’re perceived as voting against 9/11 families right before an election, not surprisingly, that’s a hard vote for people to take,” he said.
“But it would have been the right thing to do.”
Saudi Arabia, the US key ally in the Middle East, had lobbied furiously against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism (Jasta) legislation.
It has stopped short of specifying how it might retaliate but has called on Congress to reverse the decision.
Relatives of those killed in 9/11 have welcomed the bill’s passing.
“We rejoice in this triumph and look forward to our day in court and a time when we may finally get more answers regarding who was truly behind the attacks,” said Terry Strada, national chair of the 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism.
After more than 12 years in space, ESA’s Rosetta mission is set to end its flight.
The Rosetta probe that has been tracking a comet for the past two years is going to deliberately crash itself into the 2.5mile-wide ball of ice and dust.
European Space Agency (ESA) scientists say the satellite has come to the end of its useful life and they want to get some final, ultra-close measurements.
Rosetta is not expected to survive the impact with Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
Even if some of its systems remain functional, pre-loaded software on board will ensure everything is shut down on contact.
On September 29, controllers at ESA’s operations center in Darmstadt, Germany, commanded Rosetta to change course.
Rosetta probe has arrived at comet 67P after a 10-year chase
The maneuver altered the mission’s wide orbit around the duck-shaped icy wanderer and put it on a direct collision course.
It is a 12 mile descent that should lead to the probe hitting the comet’s “head” at roughly walking pace at about 11:20 GMT on September 30.
The crash velocity will be low but Rosetta was never designed to land and so various components will almost certainly be crushed as it dumps down.
Rosetta arrived at 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in August 2014, after a 10-year journey from Earth.
In the 25 months the mission has lived alongside the mountainous object it has acquired more than 100,000 images and instrument readings.
These have provided an unprecedented insight into the behaviur of the comet, its structure and chemistry.
Rosetta even dropped a small robot called Philae on to the surface in November 2014 to gather additional information – a historic first in space exploration.
Comets are thought to be the near-pristine leftovers from the formation of the Solar System, and so all the data sent back from 67P will give scientists a remarkable glimpse into the conditions that existed four and a half billion years ago.
At least one person has been killed and other 108 injured, some of them critically, after a New Jersey Transit train crashed into Hoboken station.
The train reportedly went through ticket barriers and into the reception area of the train station.
Footages show extensive damage to the train carriages and station, with part of the building roof caved in.
Witnesses described a scene of horror at the station.
A huge emergency services operation swung into action following the crash, with firefighters and transport staff helping people from wrecked carriages.
Hoboken is across the Hudson River from New York City. Many people use the busy station to travel into Manhattan.
Image source NBC News
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie confirmed there had been one fatality. The woman has been identified as 34-year-old Hoboken resident Fabiola Bittar de Kroon.
Chris Christie said she was struck by debris while standing on a platform.
He said the train’s driver – later identified as 48-year-old Thomas Gallagher – was in serious condition and being treated at a local hospital but was co-operating with investigators.
“We have no indication that this is anything but a tragic accident,” Chris Christie added.
In 2008, the Congress passed a law requiring all trains to install Positive Train Control (PTC) systems by the end of 2015.
However, most rail companies were unable to meet the deadline as the system is expensive and complex to install. Some rail lines – including New Jersey Transit – threatened to shut down completely if it was enforced. In response, Congress extended the deadline to install PTC systems to 2018.
Rail lines can then apply for an additional two-year extension to finalize updates and test the system. Safety targets for New Jersey’s transit trains say PTC installation should be completed by 2018.
According NJTransit’s most recent PTC progress report, none of the 440 trains on the New Jersey Transit rail line are equipped with PTC, nor have any employees been trained on the equipment.
Chris Christie said officials had no estimate on when the NJ Transit section of the Hoboken Terminal would re-open.
The structural integrity of the part of the building used for PATH trains has been deemed safe and was expected to resume service later on Thursday.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) vice chairman, Bella Dinh-Zarr, said the agency would be looking into whether there were any similarities between September 29 crash and one at the same station in 2011 that injured 34 people.
An NTSB investigation found excessive speed to be the main cause of the 2011 accident.
Hillary Clinton has accused Donald Trump of violating US laws, after a report said the Republican presidential candidate broke a trade embargo with Cuba.
According to a Newsweek report, Donald Trump’s company secretly conducted business in Cuba, violating the US trade embargo against the country.
His company allegedly spent at least $68,000 in Cuba in 1998.
Donald Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said the money was not paid, and that he was against deals with Cuba.
The New York billionaire has also repeatedly said he had rejected offers to invest in Cuba.
The Newsweek report says Donald Trump’s company funneled the cash through a US consulting company to make it appear legal.
Photo AP
Hillary Clinton said: “We have laws in our country, and the efforts that Trump was making to get into the Cuban market – putting his business interests ahead of the laws of the United States and the requirements that businesses were operating under with sanctions shows that he puts his personal and business interests ahead of the laws and values and the policies of the United States of America.”
Marco Rubio, the Cuban-American senator from Florida who has endorsed Donald Trump, said: “This is something they’re going to have to give a response to.
“I mean, it was a violation of American law, if that’s how it happened.”
“I hope the Trump campaign is going to come forward and answer some questions about this, because if what the article says is true – and I’m not saying that it is, we don’t know with 100% certainty – I’d be deeply concerned about it,” Marco Rubio told a podcast hosted by ESPN and ABC.
Newsweek‘s front-page – citing company records, interviews with former Trump executives and court filings – alleges that Donald Trump’s company, then called Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, sent a consulting firm to Havana on its behalf in search of business opportunities.
The publication says Donald Trump’s senior officers disguised the cash by making it appear that the trip was connected to a Catholic charity.
If the consulting firm spent US money during the visit, without permission from the government, it would have directly violated the Cuban embargo, which remains in place to this day despite a warming in US-Cuba ties.
Speaking on ABC earlier on September 29, Kellyanne Conway initially said: “As I understand from the story, they paid money in 1998.”
Later in the same interview, Donald Trump’s campaign manager said: “Did his hotel invest in 1998 in Cuba? No.”
There has been no further statement from the Trump campaign.
Kellyanne Conway referred to comments Donald Trump has made in the past that were critical of the Cuban regime, and supportive of the embargo.
In a 1999 column in The Miami Herald, Donald Trump wrote that he had snubbed chances to do business in Cuba, saying: “It would place me directly at odds with the longstanding US policy of isolating Fidel Castro. I had a choice to make: huge profits or human rights. For me, it was a no-brainer.”
Choosing the right career can be difficult, there is always the possibility that you can point your education in the direction of a particular career and end up wishing to change paths years down the line. Those who know exactly what they want to do are often the envy of many but you should aspire to be like those people, being indecisive about your career path can lead to you finding a job that you are simply doing to earn money or for an easy life. The first thing to consider when searching for a career is that it must match your characteristics, if it doesn’t then you are unlikely to succeed to a high level or feel passionate about your work. Today we are going to focus on what careers there are for the creative thinkers, those who wish to design, innovate and create.
Engineering
The ultimate career for creative thinkers, engineers are the ones who shape the World in which we live in, the ones who plan, design and create everything from planes, bridges, spaceships, medicines and software.You can find great success in this career, evidence of which can be found looking at people like Anura Leslie Perera, a master engineer who is an expert in areas of construction and shipbuilding and who has gone on to create a highly successful aerospace engineering company, people like Anura are the benchmark for success in engineering. This field of work will not only get your creative juices flowing but will also earn you good money and give you a steady and rewarding job.
Web Design
With almost every company on the planet seeking to have a strong online presence, web design is a field of work that you should be looking into if you have a gift for computing and for creating something unique and beautiful. Web designing gives you an opportunity to truly flex your design muscles and very often companies will look to you to give them a unique design that sets them apart from the rest. This type of job won’t make you rich in the beginnings but if you continuously strive for high level, innovative and artistic designs then you can charge what you like for your services.
Media Work
Working in the media gives you a great opportunity to let your creative juices flow, whether that be in camera work, writing jobs or set design, there are hundreds of areas of expertise in the media that allow you to make something artistic and put it before the public’s imagination. In general the media can be tricky to get into and you should aim to specialize in a particular field as early as possible, make sure that you are doing everything you can to get noticed, take on free work, build a portfolio and make as many contacts as possible that can hopefully help you out later down the line. Once you have your foot in the door in the media industry then you can shape a very good career for yourself.
When it comes to being a lawyer there are two types, there are those who strive daily for success, taking on every case, working day and night to win them and there are those that show promise and then look for an easy life. If you wish to be not only a lawyer, but a great lawyer then there are certain attributes that you need to have and a certain career path that you need to follow. Today we are gong to take a look at what it takes to become a top lawyer and achieve success in the industry.
Go to a Great Law School
The majority of the United State’s best lawyers come from just a handful of schools, these school pride themselves on excellence and accept only the best candidates. If you want to go to Harvard, Stanford, Yale or even follow the route of JD Dukes at Duke University then you are going to need to be pretty special. These law schools only accept the creme de la creme when it comes to candidates and you will need a GPA score of over 3.8 as well as being able to display that you not only have what it takes to be a successful lawyer but that you have worked hard and gained experience in the industry prior to your application.
Being An Argument Specialist
Being a great lawyer is also being an outstanding arguer, you should be able to look at arguments from all sides, making sure that your argument is water tight and that you are fully prepared for what the opposition plans to argue against you. Your role is to convince the jury that they should agree with your argument and in order to do this you not only need to have a solid case, but also be able to present it in a way that convinces the jury that you are right using a variety of techniques. The best lawyers have this attribute in-built and you are going to need to have it too if you want to be a successful lawyer.
Being a Great Reader
Reading is vital both when you are studying for your law degree and when you are working as a lawyer, you are going to be reading thousands of documents daily and you need to be able to pick out key points and absorb a lot of information at speed. You can work on this part of your character and improve your reading ability through practice.
Take Every Case That’s Available
Great lawyers are the ones with a wealth of experience and in the early days of your career you should take on any case that is available to get your name out there and to grow your knowledge of the industry. Once established you can pick and choose your cases to maintain your reputation but in the beginning you need to work hard on building it.
Even in today’s advanced World the problem of poverty still exists, it is a plight that strikes millions who are unfortunate enough to be born into it and who, though no fault of their own, are forced to live a difficult life. Thankfully the problem is gradually, albeit very slowly, disappearing thanks to kind hearted humans around the World who have started several charities and organizations to try to put an end to poverty. One such kind hearted man is Dr. KP Yohannan, an Indian man who has lead an inspirational life and a man who founded the fantastic charity Gospel for Asia, a charity that has done some tremendous work in the fight against poverty for over 30 years.
KP Yohannan
Dr. KP Yohannan was born in Kerala, India, a Christian since a very young age he began working as a missionary at the age of 16, helping out in some of India’s poorest regions. It was here that Yohannan experienced first hand the problems that poverty causes and inspired him to later create Gospel for Asia.
Yohannan went to America to study theology where he was also ordained as a clergyman and worked as a pastor during his studies, upon graduating with his B.A. in Bible Studies he set up the charity which in the last 30 years has gone on to become the World’s largest evangelical missionary NGO.
Gospel for Asia
In 1978 Gospel for Asia was set up, in its first year it focussed on training 24 missionaries who would work form its first ministry in India. The idea behind the charity was to focus on the individual areas of poverty using its missionaries with the emphasis on giving the poor the necessary tools take lift themselves out of poverty.
Since its inception, Gospel for Asia has gone on to begin operations in over 15 countries throughout Asia and has set up many different individual ministries which work with thousands of people in varying circumstances.
Here are some of the ministries which this great charity currently has in operation.
Slum Ministry – Working in the slums of Asia to offer healthcare and to educate those who live there in literacy and numeracy as well as job skills and offering health advice about addiction, sexual health and the dangers of infections.
Bridge of Hope – Aimed at the children who are affected by poverty, feeding over 75,000 mouths per day and offering free healthcare and schooling in an effort to change the futures of thousands for the better.
Leprosy Ministry – Brave missionaries work across the whole of Asia with those who are suffering from or affected by leprosy. This includes the treatment of sufferers and the education in communities of the prevention of leprosy and the course of action that they can take should they contract it, despite being highly contagious, leprosy is very curable if it is caught early enough, the charity also offers screening to try and catch sufferers early.
Going in for surgery can be a troubling time, even if it is for something mild then it can cause you a bit of stress and anxiety, especially if it i your first time. Usually you are giving quite a bit of warning before surgery and this gives you a lot of time to think about how it might go. I was speaking to a friend of mine, an excellent specialist in colon and rectal surgery called Lisa Marie Cannon, I was due to go in to have my appendix removed and I had few fears before going under the knife. She gave me some great tips and advice which allayed my fears and everything ended up going just fine. If you are due to have some surgery then here are some tips for how to prepare.
Don’t Google Horror Stories
The truth of the matter is that we have some absolutely outstanding doctors in the World who perform amazing things and 99.9% of surgeries work out well. The trouble with Google is that the 99.9% that have no problems have little reason to get online and talk about how well their surgery went and naturally those that are in the 0.1% wish to share their terrible experience online. Do yourself a favor and avoid these horror stories, they are a rarity and reading them will just give you more fear.
Talk With People Who’ve Been Through It
If you have friends family members or colleagues who have had a similar operation to you then talk to them about their experience, this way you can get a full first hand account of what your procedure will look like, how you will feel and what to expect. Speaking a doctor will naturally help to allay your fears but talking to someone who has been on the other end of the operating table will help to calm you down further.
Follow Instructions to a Tee
Your doctor may give you some instructions to follow before your operation, perhaps not to eat anything for 24 hours beforehand, or to avoid liquids before the operation and it is essential that you follow these instructions to the letter. The doctors don’t give out these instructions just because they feel like it, it is to make their job easier by clearing organs or tubes that will enable them to perform the surgery better. Whatever the doctor says, you should do it.
Try to Take Your Mind Off It
On the days leading up to your operation try to take your mind off it, you could throw yourself into work or ask your friends to do something with you. Whatever it takes to stop you thinking about your surgery for a little while you should do, it will leave you more relaxed and calm about what is about to happen. You shouldn’t worry about things you cannot change, it is important that you put your faith in the doctors and just concentrate on staying calm.
It’s been billed as one of the hottest movies of 2016 and following the success of the previous two in the series, it’s really no surprise.
However, as well as the standard cast members and all of the basic information that industry publications like to bore readers with, there are some juicy facts to be had.
Some of these have been taken from experienced writers in the business, with David Berkowitz Chicago being one source, but they are interesting nevertheless.
Whether you’ve seen the movie, or are mulling over whether or not to take the trip to the big screen, sit tight and read some of the best Bridget Jones’ Baby facts we have pulled in over the last few weeks.
If you’ve not seen it, feel free to read the book
There are some people who swear by reading the book before seeing the film itself and if you fall into said category, you don’t need to worry about ruining the surprise.
In the previous two Bridget Jones movies, the plot has at least vaguely been based on the novels. However, to say that this film is different from the original would be an understatement – there are some hugely notable differences this time around.
Interestingly, the writers have taken a different route and based it more on some of the author’s columns that have been penned in newspapers over the years.
This begs the question on whether or not there could be a fourth movie, even though Bridget Jones was just a three-book series.
There’s no Hugh
Let’s be honest, Hugh Grant has played a massive role in this franchise. While Renée Zellweger will obviously always steal all the headlines, Grant has never been far behind.
This time, he’s not to be seen. He declined to be involved and it remains to be seen just how it will be received in his absence.
…But there’s a place for a certain singer
If we stay on the topic of the cast, there is a place for a certain singer. Ed Sheeran is appearing in the movie, as he continues his break from his music career.
Elsewhere, you needn’t feel about any of the other old members returning. Shazza, Tom and Jude are all back, while some will be interested to read that Emma Thompson steps in to play the midwife.
Who’s the daddy?
If you’re not in the mood for any sort of spoiler, it’s time to click the back button. However, as the title of this movie has probably given away, the main theme is of Bridget Jones’ baby.
The story is about who the father to the baby is and incredibly, few people actually know the outcome. The film makers have shot three endings, in a practice very similar to what a lot of TV shows do, in a bid to keep a lid on the outcome. It means that not one member of the cast, even Zelweiger herself, knew who the daddy was before the film was released.
Samsung is in talks with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after a lawsuit against the South Korean company over “exploding” washing machines.
The CPSC warned of problems with some of Samsung’s top-load machines.
It comes as a US law firm filed a suit against the tech giant, saying the fault can lead to injury or damage.
Models sold outside North America are not affected by this issue, a spokesperson said.
The problems follow Samsung’s global recall of its Note 7 smartphone over “exploding” batteries.
Both Samsung and the CPSC said that certain top-loading washing machines from March 2011 to April 2016 were affected.
In a statement, the company said: “In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items.”
Samsung advises consumers with affected models to use the lower-speed delicate cycle when washing those materials.
The company does not name the models, but allows customers to enter the serial number to see whether their machine is among those affected.
Samsung also faces a suit from a US law firm which alleges that some of its “top-loading washing machines explode in owners’ homes,” leading to potential injury or damage, according to attorney Jason Lichtman.
“Users have reported Samsung top-load washers exploding as early as the day of installation, while other owners have seen their machines explode months or even more than a year after purchase,” the firm said in a statement.
The faulty washing machines come right as Samsung is in the midst of a global recall of its flagship smartphone Galaxy Note 7.
Samsung was forced to urge 2.5 million phones to be returned because of faulty batteries causing some phones to catch fire and users reporting “exploding devices”.
The tech giant said on September 29 it would start selling new Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in South Korea this week.
The revamped smartphone will start being sold in other markets, including some European countries, on October 28.
A Samsung spokeswoman said: “We would like to reassure everyone that new Note 7 phones are operating properly and pose no safety concerns.”
SEO – search engine optimization – is ever changing in nature. It is also increasingly large and complex, and people are struggling more and more to get any of it done themselves. This is not necessarily a problem, as there are many professional companies out there who can handle your SEO for you. The issue is, however, that many of those are not genuine companies at all, and simply opportunists who hope to ride on the wave of success of others. In fact, a lot of businesses have had very negative experiences when working with SEO consultants. One way to avoid this, however, is by finding a local SEO company to manage your campaign instead.
3 Top Reasons to Go Local
If you know where your SEO company is based, and it is in your locality it is much easier to build a real business relationship with them. After all, you have the opportunity to actually meet with them face to face, rather than communicating electronically only. Remember that SEO is not a quick process. It can, in fact, take at least six months to a year before you get to see any real results. Once they achieve results, these have to be maintained as well. Hence, having a real relationship with your SEO company and consultant is very important.
It takes less than an hour to create a website to advertise SEO services. It takes even less time to take it back down. Imagine investing in an SEO company and then watching it disappear before your very eyes. This has happened, unfortunately, and there is very little that you can do about it. This is particularly true if the company is out of state, since very few lawyers will be happy to take on the case for you. If, however, you work with a local company, then you know where they are, and you have legal means available to you to help you should they be fraudulent in nature.
The internet has two great benefits: anonymity and speed. When it comes to hiring an SEO consultant, however, those are its two greatest drawbacks as well. You must, therefore, verify who you are working with, something that is much easier to do if someone is local. They can refer you to other local businesses that they have worked with, and you can easily check up on this.
A final added benefit is that local SEO is an art in its own right. A local SEO company actually knows your geographical location, how people shop, what they are looking for, when they are online, and how they behave. They can use this to their advantage, which becomes your advantage, straight away. With a large, national SEO company, even a good one, you will never have that personal connection that you can truly trust and build on. If you are looking for an SEO company, therefore, make sure you go local.
Before you decide to purchase mayo stands stainless steel, or any other medical equipment, you have to do your research. It can be a bit frustrating to do this if it is a subject you don’t know very much about. Luckily, however, assessing the different options that are out there in terms of what is available to you does not have to be difficult. The guidelines below should help you come to the right decision.
How to Buy Mayo Stands Stainless Steel and Other Medical Equipment
First of all, you have to find out what makes and models are out there, and which ones come recommended by doctors and nurses. They are the ones who use these types of tools on a daily basis, which means they know like no one else what works. Go online and look up some medical forums to join in on the conversation. Medical equipment is often not cheap, so you need to make sure that you will invest in something that will actually serve its purpose.
Next, you should look into the customer service that the company offers. It is very important to make sure that you can count on the company to help you should something be wrong with your order. You need to make sure that you can turn to someone if you do have a question or an issue that has to be resolved. Most medical equipment stores are now online, and you should expect to find easy to use contact details for them. This includes things such as a telephone number, postal address, email address, and perhaps even an online contact form or live chat. The better the customer support is, the more you can trust that you will get a good product and the help that you need if you ever need it.
Last but not least, you have to make sure that the manufacturer of the medical products are actually reputable as well. Most of the time, medical equipment stores don’t produce their own items, but rather resell them. You have to make sure, therefore, that the actual manufacturer is equally trustworthy and reputable. Again, you can find out about this online and on forums. It is all about asking the right questions in the right place.
Remember that mayo stands are used during operation, which means that they are vital to the success of medical procedures. In fact, they may just save somebody’s life. After all, if the mayo stand ends up toppling over, of if it were to become rusty or corroded, infections can occur, due to cross contamination.
Overall by doing your research and looking at the available options, you should be able to find something that meets your particular needs. Once you have found a good supplier, make sure that you recommend them to others yourself, as it is likely that you were able to find them thanks to the reviews and recommendations of others when you were looking.
Brent crude oil rose almost 6% to nearly $49 a barrel after Opec has agreed a preliminary deal to cut production for the first time in eight years.
The major oil exporting nations struck the deal at talks in Algeria on September 28 to ease fears of oversupply.
“Opec made an exceptional decision today,” Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said.
While oil saw only small gains in early Asian trade, energy firms across the region soared.
Oil ministers said full details of the agreement would be finalized at a formal Opec meeting in November.
Output will fall by about 700,000 barrels a day, although the cuts will not be distributed evenly across the cartel, with Iran being allowed to increase production.
Disagreements between Iran and its regional rival Saudi Arabia had thwarted earlier attempts to reach a deal.
Many of Opec’s smaller members pushed for the cut after seeing oil prices plunge from $110 a barrel over the past two years due to oversupply and slowing demand.
Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said it was a “very positive deal”, while Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Bouarfaa said: “The decision was unanimous, and without reservations.”
The outline deal will limit output from Opec countries to between 32.5 million and 33 million barrels a day, said Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar’s energy minister and current president of Opec.
Current output is estimated at 33.2 million barrels per day, although Iraq questioned on Wednesday how Opec measures the oil production of its members.
Some oil traders remain skeptical about the deal, saying they want to see the full terms, including the cuts agreed by individual member states, before passing judgement.
According to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, a 10th of children have a “monkey-like” immune system that stops them developing AIDS.
The study found the children’s immune systems were “keeping calm”, which prevented them being wiped out.
An untreated HIV infection will kill 60% of children within two and a half years, but the equivalent infection in monkeys is not fatal.
The findings could lead to new immune-based therapies for HIV infection.
HIV eventually wipes out the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to other infections, what is known as acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The researchers analyzed the blood of 170 children from South Africa who had HIV, had never had antiretroviral therapy and yet had not developed AIDS.
Tests showed they had tens of thousands of human immunodeficiency viruses in every milliliter of their blood.
This would normally send their immune system into overdrive, trying to fight the infection, or simply make them seriously ill, but neither had happened.
Counter-intuitively, not attacking the virus seems to save the immune system.
HIV kills white blood cells – the warriors of the immune system.
When the body’s defenses go into overdrive, even more of them can be killed by chronic levels of inflammation.
For scientists, the way the 10% of children cope with the virus has striking similarities to the way more than 40 non-human primate species cope with simian immunodeficiency virus or SIV.
They have had hundreds of thousands of years to evolve ways to tackle the infection.
This defense against AIDS is almost unique to children.
Adult humans’ immune systems tend to go all-out to finish off the virus in a campaign that nearly always ends in failure.
Children have a relatively tolerant immune system, which becomes more aggressive in adulthood – chickenpox, for example, is far more severe in adults due to the way the immune system reacts.
This does mean that as the protected children age and their immune system matures, there is a risk of them developing AIDS.
Some do, some remain AIDS-free.
People with HIV can have normal life-expectancy if they have access to antiretroviral drugs.
But their super-heated immune system never returns to normal, and they face greater risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia.
According to Forbes magazine, Donald Trump’s fortune dropped $800 million in one year.
The business magazine now estimates Donald Trump’s net worth at $3.7 billion.
Forbes said the decrease was mainly due to the “softening” of the New York property market.
Donald Trump, who once wrote a book called Midas Touch, has said the country needs a dealmaker-in-chief in the White House.
During September 26 presidential debate, he said: “I have a tremendous income … it’s about time that this country had somebody running it that has an idea about money.”
Image source U.S. Marine Corps
The magazine, which has been counting Donald Trump’s wealth for more than three decades, cites the decline of the New York retail and office real estate market for the slump in his wealth.
Of the 28 buildings that Forbes assessed, 18 declined in value, including his flagship Trump Tower on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.
Donald Trump’s property at 40 Wall Street and Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, also lost value, according to Forbes.
However, seven Trump properties, including San Francisco’s second-tallest tallest building, increased in value.
A central tenet of Donald Trump’s candidacy has been that his ability to fund his own White House run meant he was not beholden – like his rivals – to major donors.
The Republican has invested about $50 million of his own money so far in his presidential bid, but has clawed some of that back by, for example, locating his offices in Trump Tower and billing his campaign for rent.
Forbes estimates Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants during his campaign launch cost him about another $100 million in lost deals with NBC Universal, Univision and Macy’s, among others.
When Donald Trump filed his financial disclosure with the Federal Election Commission this year his campaign said he was worth “in excess of TEN BILLION DOLLARS”.
However, Forbes says he is worth $3.7 billion, Bloomberg puts it at $3 billion and Fortune says it’s $3.9 billion.
One reason for the discrepancy is that Donald Trump counts the value of his brand – by his own estimate worth some $3.3 billion.
Critics also accuse the billionaire of routinely overstating his income by conflating business revenue and income.
Donald Trump’s refusal to disclose his tax return has fuelled speculation that his bank balance is not as huge as he claims, or that perhaps he’s not paying his fair share of taxes.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton suggested at the first presidential debate that the return may reveal “something really important, even terrible, that he’s trying to hide”.
Even if Donald Trump did release his tax returns tomorrow, they would be unlikely to give a true sense of his real wealth.
Tax returns report income and taxes paid on that income, but would not provide a full picture of the value of his assets or Donald Trump’s debt.
Hillary Clinton has received another Republican endorsement from former Virginia Senator John Warner, two days after the first presidential debate.
The Democratic candidate was also backed by the Arizona Republic newspaper, the first time it has supported a Democrat since its founding in 1890.
Meanwhile Donald Trump says September 26 debate has led to record fundraising for his campaign.
Speaking on September 27 at a rally in Melbourne, Florida, Donald Trump said that $18 million had been raised in the day since the debate was held.
The Trump campaign is planning to increase advertising spending before the election, and is reportedly considering asking the candidate to make his largest personal financial contribution yet towards it.
Photo Getty Images
John Warner represented Virginia in the Senate for five terms between 1979 and 2009. He also served as Secretary of the Navy and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Speaking alongside Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, John Warner said that he was “distressed” by Donald Trump’s words, and that the Republican nominee does not have respect for the military.
This is the first time John Warner has endorsed a Democrat for president.
Other Republicans to have supported Hillary Clinton include Larry Pressler, a former governor and senator from South Dakota, and former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson.
Today’s endorsement by the Arizona Republic’s editorial board is the latest from a typically Republican-leaning newspaper.
Hillary Clinton has already been endorsed by the conservative-leaning newspapers such as the Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never. This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles. This year is different. The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified,” the editorial in the Republic, Arizona’s largest, says.
Donald Trump has yet to receive the backing of a major publication, with some papers choosing to instead endorse libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.
Hillary Clinton is campaigning today in New Hampshire alongside her former rival for the Democratic ticket, Bernie Sanders, who represents the nearby state of Vermont in the Senate.
Donald Trump is campaigning in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Jeffrey DeLaurentis has been appointed as the first US ambassador to Cuba in 55 years as relations between the countries thaw.
According to President Barack Obama, it was a “step towards a more normal and productive relationship”.
However, the president may face a battle in Congress where some Republicans are opposed to his dealings with Cuba.
Image source Getty Images
Jeffrey DeLaurentis had been working at the new US embassy in Havana, which opened in July 2015.
Barack Obama said there was “no better-qualified public servant”.
President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, have begun to reignite the diplomatic relations that were broken off in 1961 after Cuba’s communist revolution.
Restrictions on flights have been lifted but the US embargo on Cuba remains in place.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is Cuban-American, has previously said the improved relations will go “a long way in providing the economic lift that the Castro regime needs to become permanent fixtures in Cuba for generations to come”.
Brad Pitt has announced he will miss Voyage of Time premiere to focus on his “family situation”.
The Hollywood star has been the focus of press attention since it was revealed that Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce.
Brad Pitt narrated director Terrence Malick’s epic documentary Voyage of Time, about the birth of the Universe.
Image source Wikipedia
The actor said he did not want his presence at the California Science Centre Imax Theatre in Los Angeles on September 28 to “distract attention” from the film.
In a statement, Brad Pitt said: “Terrence’s Voyage of Time is an incredibly beautiful and unique experiential Imax film for children and families chronicling the birth of time.
“I’m very grateful to be part of such a fascinating and educational project, but I’m currently focused on my family situation and don’t want to distract attention away from this extraordinary film, which I encourage everyone to see.”
Cate Blanchett has narrated a different feature-length version of the film.
Brad Pitt, 52, previously appeared in Terrence Malick’s 2011 movie Tree of Life.
Angelina Jolie, 41, has filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences and asked for physical custody of their six children.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie married in 2014 after 10 years together.
Angelina Jolie’s lawyer Robert Offer said the actress had filed for the dissolution of the marriage “for the health of the family”.
You’re ready to do your best to seduce the woman you like, but you don’t have a clue what should be done for it. The first thing to realize is your true aim. You should clearly imagine what you want to get when all is said and done. The second point is to choose the helping tools to achieve the desired result. Body language is the tool that can either save or damage your image. This is a powerful instrument to calibrate one’s feelings, mood, and further intentions. It’s hardwired into our biology and always reveals who we really are.
Fortunately, using your body language to your advantage when dealing with the opposite sex is not a gift but the skill that can be acquired. You can learn to control your body and make it facilitate your flirting. Dating experts from vavabrides.com will give you insight into those non-verbal signs called body language that you can use flirting with women.
Posture
Similar to your eyes and appearance, your posturereveals a lot about how you feel about yourself, whether you’re self-confident or extremely shy, for example. Interestingly, you can use your body to attract the opposite sex simply by standing without doing anything. You just need to know some helpful tips. When you stand straight but keep your feet apart, it means that you’re rather confident and open. It’s not a secret that a person who always keeps their arms crossed is very guarded and reserved, so make sure you don’t put your hands this way. Keeping them in your pockets is a bad idea too. If you feel any difficulties with it, try hooking your thumbs into your belt loops. It will communicate you’re a macho.
Image source Pixabay
Keep tall while walking, keep your shoulders back, and hold your head up high. Don’t be too quick. Slow down some of your movements and pause between your sentences while speaking.
When sitting (either alone or with a company) lean back and try not to look confused. This will demonstrate that you feel completely comfortable in any situation.
Eye Contact
Our eyes are the mirrors of our souls. Open your soul a bit. Keep an eye contact for a bit longer than an average person does. She’ll definitely notice it and reply. For some shy people, an eye contact can be very short – just a gaze, but it’ll work if you make it for a couple of times. BUT! Do not overdose! She might think you’re a chaser or even a maniac.
Smiling
A nice smile is always a pleasant sign to show you like a particular girl. Combine a kind smile with a keen gaze and here you have a working flirting tandem. Watch her face, her body language and you’ll be able to tell if she is ready to meet you. If yes, be more persistent and try to come closer to her. Start a dialogue. Do not use some common phrases like: “Hello/Hi….”, “How are you?” but employ a compliment and show you are interested in your further communication. Ask what her name is and address her by her name several times during your conversation.
Mirroring gestures
It can make her feel more comfortable. When people enjoy similar things and find something in common between each other, an instinctive fondness occurs between them. They find themselves on the same wavelength and automatically start to mimic each other’s gestures or body positions.
Head Tilts
I’m pretty sure you have never thought that the way you tilt your head can be indicative whether or not you’re interested in your interlocutor and the conversation in general. For example: tilting your head towards your companion is a good sign that indicates you’re listening attentively to her. Moreover, it means you’re absorbed in your conversation and you’re trying to capture every word she says. Giggling in response to her jokes is all right. You will emphasize she has a good sense of humor.
Accidental Touch
It’s obvious that you’ll touch only the woman you like. BUT! Do it in a very gentle way. Accidental touches may help you get her attention, find an excuse to strike up a conversation with her, and let her know that you’re romantically interested in her. She may either reply or ignore it. It shouldn’t shatter you.
The first Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump presidential debate was watched by 84 million people, breaking a previous TV record set 36 years ago.
In 1980, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan’s debate drew 80.6 million viewers.
The viewing figures only count those who watched the debate on the 13 TV channels that carried it live, meaning the true figure may be much higher.
Millions are also thought to have watched worldwide through online live streams or in bars and at parties.
The data provider Nielsen said that viewers stayed tuned through the 98-minute debate.
Image source Wikimedia
Donald Trump told supporters on September 27 that he knew the debate would have “one of the largest audiences in the history of television” but he “took a deep breath” and “pretended I was talking to my family”.
“You just block it out,” the Republican said.
In 2015, the NFL’s Super Bowl won the biggest TV audience to date when 114.4 million people watched New England play Seattle.
There are two more presidential debates to come between the candidates – on October 9 and 19 – before the election on November 8.
On October 9, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will have competition for the attention of the US; NFL teams the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants will be playing at the same time as the second debate.
Former Israeli President Shimon Peres has died at the age of 93.
He served twice as Israel’s prime minister and once as president.
Shimon Peres suffered a stroke two weeks ago. His condition had improved before a sudden deterioration on September 27.
His son, Chemi Peres, led tributes to “one of the founding fathers of the state of Israel” who “worked tirelessly” for it.
World figures are expected to attend Shimon Peres’ funeral in Jerusalem on September 29, including President Barack Obama, Prince Charles and Pope Francis.
Shimon Peres was one of the last of a generation of Israeli politicians present at Israel’s birth in 1948.
He won the Nobel Peace prize in 1994 for his role negotiating peace accords with the Palestinians a year earlier.
Shimon Peres once said the Palestinians were Israel’s “closest neighbors” and might become its “closest friends”.
He died in a hospital near Tel Aviv early on September 28, with his family at his bedside.
Shimon Peres had been in the intensive care unit of the Sheba Medical Centre after suffering a major stroke on September 13.
The funeral will be held at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery in Jerusalem.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UK PM Theresa May have all confirmed they will attend, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said.
President Barack Obama called Shimon Peres his “dear friend” in a statement, and said: “He was guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together.”
