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Darrell Ward Dead: Ice Road Truckers Star Killed in Plane Crash

Ice Road Truckers star Darrell Ward has been killed in a plane crash at the age of 52.

Darrell Ward, from Montana, has been one of the featured drivers for the last five of the History Channel show’s 10 seasons.

Ice Road Truckers follows drivers as they battle the elements to deliver supplies to remote communities in northern Canada.

The driver had been traveling from a truck show in Dallas, Texas, to start filming the pilot for new a documentary about the recovery of plane wrecks in Montana, a statement on Darrell Ward’s Facebook page said.

Photo History Channel
Photo History Channel

The statement said Darrell Ward’s co-pilot, who was unnamed, also died in the crash,

“Trucking has always been a large part of Darrell’s life; from running the harvest rigs with his grandparents and family, to driving trucks from Montana to Alaska and all roads in between,” it read.

“In his free time, you could usually find Darrell giving back to the community any chance he got, he had promoted the most recent food drive to help victims in the Louisiana Floods and was scheduled to appear as the grand marshal for the Truck Convoy for Special Olympics in Nova Scotia.”

The message added: “His motto, <<any road, any load>> fits his personality perfectly.”

A History Channel statement said: “We are saddened by the tragic loss of Darrell Ward, a beloved member of the History family.

“He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

How Can Joining a Dating Site Change You

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Discover how joining a dating site can change your life, even if you never get matched with someone from the site.

When you join a dating site, you may not be aware of how it can change your outlook on life, even if you don’t find a match right away. There are thousands of singles on a dating site at any given point in the day, so the odds of finding someone that you can fall in love with is quite possible, even if you have not been lucky in the past.

Here’s some awesome ways that by becoming a member to a dating site can increase your chances of changing the way you approach life and dating, even if you don’t meet someone online.

Photo Tumblr


  1. You become a better flirt. When you’re talking to people online, there is only so much polite conversation that can be had. You aren’t willing to waste your valuable time, and you certainly wouldn’t want anyone wasting yours. Because of this, you’re going to have to make all attempts to flirt really count. Since you’re on a dating site and one of the primary ways you talk to other people is through messages or chat. With messages, you have plenty of time to think of witty and charming things to say before you send the message off. It’s the same with chatting, although you don’t have quite as much time to respond.
  2. You have a much wider pool of singles to talk to. Because you are on a dating site where there are all sorts of people from all over the world, you are bound to talk to someone with a different background as you. This is the perfect way to force you to step outside of your comfort zone and interact with people you may have never talked to before. On top of that, by talking to people from different backgrounds, your ability to socialize in the real world can increase as well.
  3. Your self-confidence will soar. As you are making friends and going on dates with people you’ve met on a dating site, you might notice that your self-confidence will get a healthy boost. When you show people online how incredibly witty and charming you can be, more and more people will take notice. This newfound self-confidence can help you reach out to people that you may not have thought would ever give you the time of day. When it comes to dating, either online or in person, confidence speaks volumes and it goes a long way.
  4. You are more willing to take chances. Before joining a dating site, you may not have stood out from the crowd very much. You may have been that shy person who stood in the back while everyone around you was having fun. However, when you join these sites, you’ve got to talk to people. You have to come out of your comfort zone and be friendly, flirty, and personable if you want to find a date. When you take this out into the real world, you’re more likely to talk to people you meet. You’re more likely to do all of those things because you’ve had practice online. Yes, it may not be entirely the same, but it isn’t all that different, either.

Salvează

Five Business Meeting Looks for Men

The business meetings are a wild world full of dangers and amazing opportunities. People should be prepared for any stressful scenarios where clients are dissatisfied with the way a product is presented or, on the contrary, the outcomes are insightful and open the way to work promotions.

No matter the extreme scenarios a business meeting can have, the image of the participants should always be impeccable. People in a business meeting are working on gaining trust in each other through strategies, research, negotiation, but also through attitudes. While the approach is unique for every kind of meeting, the dress code for men is the same every time and should be respected step by step. One badly mix of colors could mean losing interest from the meeting partners. The next five business meeting looks for men will shed light once and for all over the strict rules of a man’s professional wardrobe.

1. The three piece business suit

This attire is the definition of dress for success. While the modern companies are adopting a more casual style (look at Mark Zuckerberg and his eternal blue jeans and grey t-shirt), the dress code of the business suit  is still ruling the world of business. So, when men are not sure how their meeting partners are going to determine the style of the meeting, it is best to stick to overdressing. The worst case scenario that can happen during a meeting is being the worst dressed person in the room.

Photo pexels.com
Photo pexels.com

So, let’s tackle the color pitfalls that are so easy to fall for. There are five main colors for suits and they are navy, charcoal, mid-gray, brown, and black. One step outside the box and men could trigger a dress code disaster if they don’t pay attention. The suits must be paired with the right pair of shoes:

  • the black shoes go with any suit, except the brown suit;
  • The red or burgundy shoes go with any suit, except the black suit;
  • The brown shoes go only with the blue, mid-gray, and brown suits.

Exceptions exist even for the stack business costume, but they are usually executed by men with an exquisite taste and vast experience in dress code. The good news is that as long as men respect the color etiquette of the business suit, they have nothing else to worry about.

2. The Velvet Coat

The velvet coat will make the owner the main focus of any business meeting if worn appropriately. The velvet coat keeps the man in the professional world, but it also gives a classy look that conveys power and strength. Such a piece is paired with different material of trouser bottoms such as wool, cotton or even corduroy. There is a certain freedom of choice when it comes to the color of the shirt, but the basic rules are for it to have a light nuance. The safe choice is a white dress shirt, while colors of light blue, pink or peach are also acceptable.

3. Smart casual suit

The business casual suit is a mix of formal and casual pieces of clothes that send a message of a relaxed yet self-confident attitude. The safest combination is a gray tweed blazer with a light colored button down shirt. The pair of jeans that represents the casual part of the attire shouldn’t any kind of pants, but raw denim jeans.  Light colored sports shoes are acceptable for the smart casual look, but if you are comfortable with some brown penny loafers, by all means, match them up with the whole outfit and rock that business meeting.

4. Business casual suit

This type of style makes a greater connection between the relaxed and personal style with the working environment from the office.  The tie here has no place for the happiness of most men. The best men can do for this area is bringing a scarf if the weather permits. This attire doesn’t require a blazer either just a good combination between a polo shirt and some nice khakis. Once again, dress shoes are required for a professional look, and the loafers should always be present with the business casual suit. The belt should always match the shoes and if possible, with a professional wrist watch. The outfit can be completed with a personal touch showed through accessories, like some durable leather & canvas messenger bags for men.

5. Casual

If the business meeting is conducted in a relaxed and personal environment for the other participants, especially if everyone is acquainted with each other and are even friends, the rules can be bend, allowing a more personal dress code.

Men can wear the polo shirt with the company logo on it, especially if their main mission is to sell some products to their clients. The outfit can be completed with a pair of dark colored Dockers and a sports jacket. The accessories from a man’s wardrobe are acceptable of course to lend a personal touch to the entire outfit.

So, these are the five business meeting looks that every man should be aware of before entering any meeting room.

Image source: www.pexels.com

NASA Mars Simulation Ends After One Year

NASA has ended a Mars simulation in Hawaii, where a team of six people lived in near isolation for a year.

Since August 2015, the group lived in close quarters in a dome, without fresh air, fresh food or privacy.

Experts estimate that a human mission to Mars could take between one and three years.

The NASA-funded study run by the University of Hawaii is the longest of its kind since a Russian mission that lasted 520 days.

Having survived their year in isolation, the crew members said they were confident a mission to the Red Planet could succeed.

Cyprien Verseux, a crew member from France, told journalists: “I can give you my personal impression which is that a mission to Mars in the close future is realistic.NASA Mars simulation Hawaii

“I think the technological and psychological obstacles can be overcome.”

Mission commander Carmel Johnston said the lack of privacy over the past year had been difficult: “It is kind of like having roommates that just are always there and you can never escape them so I’m sure some people can imagine what that is like and if you can’t then just imagine never being able to get away from anybody.”

Tristan Bassingthwaighte, a doctor of architecture at the University of Hawaii, praised research done into the human element of space travel: “The research going on up here is just super vital when it comes to picking crews, figuring out how people are going to actually work on different kinds of missions, and sort of the human factors element of space travel, colonization, whatever it is you are actually looking at.”

The team consisted of a French astro-biologist, a German physicist and four Americans – a pilot, an architect, a journalist and a soil scientist.

The NASA experiment dealt with the human element of exploration.

Whilst conducting research, the six had to live with limited resources, wear a space-suit when outside the dome, and work to avoid personal conflicts.

They each had a small sleeping cot and a desk inside their rooms. Provisions included powdered cheese and canned tuna.

Missions to the International Space Station (ISS) normally only last six months.

Parkinson’s Disease Test Could Help Diagnose Early Stages

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According to a recent study, a test of how sticky a protein molecule is could help diagnose the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh said early work on a small number of samples proved very accurate.

Sticky clumps of the molecule are found in the brain cells of people with Parkinson’s – and in those of some dementia sufferers.

The study is published in the journal Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology.

Using samples of spinal fluid from 38 patients, researchers looked for a protein molecule called alpha-synuclein using a highly-sensitive technique.

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the most common movement disorder
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the most common movement disorder

The molecule is found in healthy brains but it is only when the protein sticks together in lumps that it causes problems, making brain cells die or stopping them performing properly.

These sticky clumps are called Lewy bodies and are found in the brains of those with Parkinson’s and those of some dementia patients.

In their tests, the Edinburgh researchers correctly identified 19 out of 20 samples from patients with Parkinson’s and three samples from people who were thought to be at risk of the condition.

Healthy samples from 15 people were also correctly identified.

Dr. Alison Green said the technique had already been used successfully to test for Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD), another degenerative brain condition.

She said scientists were interested in whether it could be used to identify people with Parkinson’s, or those with a type of dementia caused by Lewy bodies, in the early stages of their illness.

Dr. Alison Green said the technique was not able to pick up other types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Islam Karimov Hospitalized Amid Serious Illness Rumors

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Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov has been hospitalized, a government statement says, amid rumors that he is seriously ill.

Islam Karimov, 78, was undergoing a full examination and treatment would “take a certain period of time”, without giving further details, the statement added.

He has been leader of the former Soviet republic since before independence in 1991.Islam Karimov Uzbekistan elections 2015

Islam Karimov is known to have health issues, but the government has never previously issued a statement about his health.

Unconfirmed reports quoted by the Fergananews website said that Islam Karimov had suffered a stroke.

Islam Karimov was last seen on state TV on August 17 meeting the South Korean interior minister.

Uzbekistan’s Independence Day celebrations – which the president always attends – are to be held on September 1.

Operation Euphrates Shield: Turkey Kills at Least 25 People in Jarablus

Twenty five Kurdish militants have been killed as Turkey continues to target Kurdish-held areas in Syria, near the border city of Jarablus, the Turkish military says.

However, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 20 people died in strikes on Jeb el-Kussa and another 15 were killed in a separate bombardment near al-Amarneh.

Four local fighters were also killed, the Observatory reported.

It is not yet clear whether the two reports relate to the same incident.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

The strikes came on the fifth day of Turkey’s military operation to target ISIS militants and Kurdish militia inside Syria, dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield.

Speaking in Gaziantep, where ISIS militants killed 54 people at a Kurdish wedding last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “operations against terrorist organizations will continue until the end”.

Turkish tanks and troops backed by Syrian rebels have captured territory from ISIS and clashed with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish militia supported by the United States, which is itself fighting ISIS.

On August 27, Turkey’s military suffered its first fatality of the offensive, when a soldier died in a tank hit by a rocket. Turkish authorities blamed Kurdish militia for the death.

Turkey has been targeting Kurdish-controlled villages around Jarablus, which Turkish-led forces captured from ISIS on the first day of the offensive.

It fears Kurdish fighters gaining an unbroken strip of territory along its border, which would be a huge boost to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a banned Kurdish rebel group fighting for autonomy in Turkey.

Turkey’s operations further complicate the already protracted Syrian civil war. Both Turkey and Kurdish rebels are US allies.

The US has backed Turkey’s anti-ISIS operations in Syria, and both countries have demanded that Kurdish forces withdraw to the east bank of the Euphrates river.

Donald Trump Wants to Develop Immigration Tracking System

Donald Trump has announced he will develop a tracking system to help authorities control immigration.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Iowa, the Republican presidential nominee outlined what he called an “entry-exit” program, which would track those who overstay their visas.

Donald Trump also reiterated his support for building a wall along the southern border with Mexico.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The New York businessman said he would stop illegal immigrants getting welfare benefits.

“I am going to build a great border wall, institute nationwide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing welfare and entitlements, and develop an exit-entry tracking system to ensure those who overstay their visas are quickly removed,” Donald Trump said.

“If we don’t enforce visa expiration dates, then we have an open border – it’s as simple as that,” he added.

Immigration was a central issue in Donald Trump’s primary campaign.

Earlier this week, the controversial Republican signaled he would soften his immigration plans.

Instead of deporting all 11 million people living illegally in the United States as he had suggested before, Donald Trump said only criminals would go.

Donald Trump was immediately criticized by the right of the Republican party, with Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin warning him of “massive disappointment” if he backed down on his plan to deport undocumented immigrants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5IcCoNE3QI

Colin Kaepernick Refuses to Stand for National Anthem

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem in protest at what he sees as racial injustice.

He remained seated as the anthem was played.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Colin Kaepernick explained.

Some fans booed Colin Kaepernick when he took to the field.

The San Francisco 49ers players said they supported Colin Kaepernick’s right to protest, which took place as the team hosted the Green Bay Packers in a pre-season game on August 26.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

“We recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem,” the 49ers said.

An NFL spokesman said players were “encouraged but not required” to stand during the anthem.

Colin Kaepernick has been outspoken on social media about race relations and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

He told NFL Media: “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.

“There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

The NFL player appeared to be referring to police use of deadly force which sparked the Black Lives Matter protests.

In 2013, Colin Kaepernick led his team to the NFL’s title game, the Super Bowl, but has since lost his starting place.

Turkey Lifts Islamic Headscarf Ban for Female Police Officers

Turkey has decided to allow female police officers to wear the Islamic headscarf.

Policewomen will be able to wear a headscarf under their caps or berets, provided it is plain and is the same color as the uniform.

Headscarf bans on university campuses and state institutions – except for the judiciary, military and police – have also been lifted in recent years.

The Islamic headscarf has been controversial in Turkey for years. Secularists regard it as a symbol of religious conservatism.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

Since the 1920s, Turkey has had a secular constitution with no state religion.

The opposition has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) of trying to reinterpret secularism.

However, public debate has also evolved to accept the hijab as an expression of individual liberties, correspondents say.

No strong opposition has been voiced against this latest move.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long embraced Turks’ right to express their religious beliefs openly, but he says he is committed to secularism.

In 2010, Turkey’s universities abandoned an official ban on Muslim headscarves.

In 2013, women were allowed to wear headscarves in state institutions – with the exception of the judiciary, military and police. That year, four lawmakers wore headscarves in parliament.

Most people in Turkey are Sunni Muslims.

Italy Earthquake 2016: Mass State Funeral Held for 35 Victims

Italy has held state mass funeral for some of the 290 people killed in August 24 powerful earthquake.

Thirty-five victims from the town of Arquata were mourned at a sports hall in the regional capital, Ascoli Piceno.

The death toll from the 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which struck a mountainous central region, has again risen as more bodies were found.

Italian PM Matteo Renzi was among those attending the funeral along with President Sergio Mattarella, who earlier visited Amatrice, the town with the most casualties.

One of the children’s coffins contained the body of Giulia Rinaldo, whose younger sister survived the earthquake because she was under Giulia’s body.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

One of the firefighters, Andrea, had left a moving note on Giulia Rinaldo’s coffin, apologizing for arriving too late, and signing it with a heart symbol.

The coffins will be taken for burial to a cemetery near Arquata, a local official told Ansa news agency.

Most of the earthquake’s victims were Italian, but several foreigners were among those killed.

More aftershocks were registered in the early hours of August 27, one with a magnitude of four.

The ground beneath Accumoli, another severely affected village, sank 8in as a result of the earthquake, satellite images obtained by Italy’s scientific authorities show.

The district which sank is shown in red on this image compiled from data from a Japanese satellite and published by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

Flags are flying at half mast across the country as Italy remembers victims of the quake.

More than 200 people died in Amatrice alone. Along with Arquata and Accumoli, Pescara del Tronto was also hard-hit.

Many bodies have also been brought to a makeshift morgue in an aircraft hangar in the city of Rieti, where relatives have been identifying loved ones.

The first funeral for one of the earthquake’s victims was held on August 26, for the son of a state official who died in Amatrice.

At least 388 people have been treated in hospital for their injuries while more than 2,000 people were made homeless.

The earthquake hit in the early hours of August 24, 65 miles north-east of Rome.

Italy’s government has been criticized for failing to prevent deaths after the 2009 earthquake in nearby L’Aquila left 300 dead.

Historic towns do not have to conform to anti-quake building regulations, which are also often not applied when new buildings are put up.

In addition to emergency funds, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi canceled taxes for residents and announced a new initiative, “Italian Homes”, to tackle criticism over shoddy construction.

Matteo Renzi also said that it was “absurd” to think that Italy could build completely quake-proof buildings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFgAzTBTF6o

Donald Trump’s Doctor Wrote Bill of Health in Five Minutes

Donald Trump’s doctor Harold Bornstein has said he spent just 5 minutes on a letter endorsing the Republican candidate’s health, while Trump’s car waited outside.

Dr. Harold Bornstein told NBC News: “In the rush I think some of those words didn’t come out exactly the way they were meant.”

The doctor’s letter said Donald Trump, 70, would be the “healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency”.

Harold Bornstein, of York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, said he “picked up” the candidate’s own “kind of language” when writing it.Donald Trump hails Brexit referendum result

Two weeks before the note was written, Donald Trump tweeted to say he had “instructed my long-time doctor to issue, within two weeks, a full medical report”, adding that it would “show perfection”.

Donald Trump later highlighted the endorsement from Dr. Harold Bornstein, who faced questions about its exaggerated tone.

Dr. Harold Bornstein says he may have overstated the case “so that they [the Trump campaign] would be happy”.

“I think I picked up his kind of language and then I just interpreted it to my own,” he said.

Donald Trump would be the oldest person to be elected US president, were he to win in November. His rival Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is 68-year-old.

The health of two candidates has become a focal point in the campaign, with Donald Trump repeatedly alleging that Hillary Clinton is physically unfit.

Hillary Clinton has hit back at what she says are unfounded allegations, and Donald Trump has faced criticism over the personal nature of the attacks.

Neither candidate has divulged their full medical record. Hillary Clinton released a statement from her doctor, Lisa Bardack, in 2015.

Dr. Lisa Bardack said: “She is excellent physical condition and fit to serve as President of the United States.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdi7OUgkiyQ

Barack Obama Creates World’s Largest Marine Reserve in Hawaii

President Barack Obama has announced the expansion of Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Therefore, the monument has become the world’s largest marine reserve, the White House says.

Barack Obama’s announcement on August 26 quadruples in size a monument originally created by President George W. Bush in 2006.

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument will now span 582,578 sq miles, more than twice the size of Texas.

Photo Flickr
Photo Flickr

The designation bans commercial fishing and any new mining.

The White House says the marine reserve’s expansion is helping to protect more than 7,000 species and improves an ecosystem affected by ocean acidification and warming.

A fact sheet previewing the announcement also states that the expanded area is considered a sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

The expansion was welcomed by environmental campaigners.

Joshua Reichert, an executive vice president at the Pew Charitable Trusts said: “By expanding the monument, President Obama has increased protections for one of the most biologically and culturally significant places on the planet.”

Greenpeace also hailed what it called a “bold decision” that will ban commercial fishing and mineral extraction in the region.

However, some fishing groups have voiced concerns.

Sean Martin, the president of the Hawaii Longline Association told the Associated Press: “We are disappointed that the president has made a decision to close an area nearly the size of the entire state of Alaska without public process.”

“This action will forever prohibit American fishermen from accessing those American waters. Quite a legacy indeed,” he added.

The area is also known for its many shipwrecks and downed aircraft from the Battle of Midway, which marked a major shift in World War Two.

Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, will travel to the Midway Atoll next week.

With this announcement, President Obama will have created or expanded 26 national monuments during his time in office.

In 2014, Barack Obama extended the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument south-west of Hawaii, which now covers 490,343 sq miles.

Sarah Palin Warns Donald Trump over Immigration Plan Softening

Sarah Palin has warned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump of “massive disappointment” if he backs down on his plan to deport undocumented immigrants.

Donald Trump has signaled he will soften his immigration plan, which was a central plank of his primary campaign.

Instead of sending all 11 million people living illegally in the United States, Donald Trump now says only criminals will go.

The former Alaska governor’s backing of Donald Trump in January was regarded as a coup.

Sarah Palin demonstrated as John McCain’s running mate in 2008 that she possesses a rare star power in the Republican Party.Sarah Palin backs Donald Trump

On August 26, Sarah Palin told the Wall Street Journal that “wishy-washy positions” on core positions would result in “massive disappointment”.

“Parts of the message we heard in the last week are clearly not consistent with the stringent position and message that supporters have received all along,” she said.

Donald Trump made his tough line on immigration central to his win in the primary contests, a triumph that was unexpected when he launched his campaign with a controversial attack on Mexican immigrants as “rapists”.

The New York businessman often derided Republican rivals Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio as weak on immigration and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border became a chant at his rallies.

However, this week Donald Trump has openly talked about how tough it is to break up families and said people who have been in the United States a long time and not broken any laws should stay.

Donald Trump has not backed down on the wall, but staunch conservatives like columnist Ann Coulter and radio host Rush Limbaugh have also expressed concerns about his change of stance on deportations.

Rival Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton dismissed his new policy as “a desperate effort” while Jeb Bush called Donald Trump’s repositioning “abhorrent”.

Jeb Bush: “I can only say that whatever his views are this morning, they might change this afternoon, and they were different than they were last night, and they’ll be different tomorrow.”

Trump’s new campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, insists “nothing has changed in terms of the policies”.

Donald Trump is expected to outline his new immigration policy in a speech next week, after postponing one that was due this week in Colorado.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2_ppMKT3fI

Issues Americans May Face if Donald Trump is Elected President

There is a very real chance that Donald Trump is going to become the next President of the United States. And, if this happens, there are going to be significant repercussions for everyone. You need to make sure you prepare for what might occur if this happens. These are a few of the ways the country could be affected if Trump becomes President.

Deportation

If you are living in the USA, but you aren’t a naturalised citizen, Trump may well want you deported. This is a very real risk for a lot of US residents if he becomes President. However, you will have grounds to fight a final deportation or removal order. A lot of the time changes in legislation will need to be debated in Congress, and it’s possible the state could reject Trump’s legislation. However, this is something that you need to make sure you prepare for in case it affects you.

Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg

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Becoming a Laughing Stock

One of the dangers we all face as Americans is becoming a laughing stock of Trump ascends to power. Remember when Jesse Ventura became 38th Governor of Minnesota? Or when Arnie was elected Governor of California? Right, well it will be worse than those two occasions. Much worse. Donald Trump is now almost a caricature of himself. The rest of the world views him as a joke, and if he becomes our leader, we may well be viewed the same way. We have so long been seen as a great superpower of the world, but all that could change if we get a cartoon President.Photo

Economic Downturn

We might also have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of man economic downturn. We’ve had two terms under Obama, and, if Trump takes to office, he is going to want to make big changes. Such a drastic change of direction could lead to a noticeable economic downturn for some time. Especially as Trump is taking an anti-immigration stance. Immigrants provide a pivotal role in the economy of the United States. Indeed, immigrants contribute to over 14% of the US economy. If Trump gets his way and gets rid of the immigrants, then we could see the economy suffer for a while.

Image Source

Spike in Crime

Trump would likely become the most reckless President due to his volatile opinions and incendiary comments. Because of the racist and bigoted views championed by Trump, he has given a voice to unsavoury characters. This means that if he is inaugurated, we can expect to see a huge spike in crime for the first couple of months. People will take to the streets in outrage, while others will use it as a catalyst to air their questionable beliefs and ideals. This is likely to lead to confrontation, rally’s, and hate crime dominating for much of the first few weeks and months. This may well not happen, of course. But, it is the most likely outcome for the country. A spike in crime is something that usually follows political unrest and defining moments in the country’s history.

If the unthinkable should happen, and Trump is elected, it could be a monumental moment in American history. The fallout will be significant, and there is no way of knowing what the future holds. One thing is for sure, and that is that many people may regret their decision when push comes to shove.

Richard Branson Injured In Bike Crash

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Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has been injured in a bike crash.

The businessman says he thought he was “going to die” after crashing his bike on Caribbean island Virgin Gorda.

Richard Branson, 66, said he was “extremely fortunate” only to have suffered a cracked cheek and torn ligaments.

He was cycling down a hill when he hit a speed bump, and “the next thing I knew, I was being hurled over the handlebars and my life was literally flashing before my eyes.”

In a post on the Virgin website, Richard Branson said: “I was heading down a hill towards Leverick Bay when it suddenly got really dark and I managed to hit a sleeping policeman hump in the road head on.

Virgin’s Richard Branson is offering his personal staff as much vacation as they want
Virgin’s Richard Branson is offering his personal staff as much vacation as they want

“I really thought I was going to die. I went flying head-first towards the concrete road, but fortunately my shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the impact, and I was wearing a helmet that saved my life.

“We’ve since recovered the crumpled bicycle, completely destroyed. My cheek has been badly damaged and my knee, chin, shoulder and body severely cut.”

Richard Branson said his assistant, Helen, was first on the scene as he was “lying prostrate on the road” and then another member of his team, George, “sprinted from the bottom of the hill” to assist.

The businessman traveled to Miami for X-rays and scans, and later posted pictures online showing his bloodied face.

The accident happened on the fifth anniversary of a fire which destroyed Richard Branson’s luxury home on Necker Island.

Richard Branson was cycling with his children Holly and Sam as part of his training for the Virgin Strive Challenge endurance event from the base of the Matterhorn in the Alps to the summit of Mount Etna in Sicily.

He still hopes to take part in the event.

“My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you’re moving forward,” he said.

“All you have to do is get back up and try again. At least I’m practicing what I preach – though a little too literally!”

Richard Branson made headlines earlier this week when his Twitter account posted CCTV images appearing to show British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn walking past empty unreserved train seats before he was filmed sitting on the floor complaining about “ram-packed” carriages on a Virgin Trains service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjO-97aJP0

Italy Earthquake 2016: State of Emergency Declared In Worst Hit Regions

A state of emergency has been declared in Italy’s regions worst hit by August 24 earthquake as hopes of finding more survivors fade.

Italian PM Matteo Renzi has pledged €50 million in funds for rebuilding.

At least 268 people are now reported dead and 400 were injured. Rescue teams have continued to search the rubble of toppled buildings for a second night.

However, hundreds of aftershocks have hampered the efforts of the 5,000 rescuers.

Another magnitude-4.7 tremor struck on August 26.

In addition to the funds, Matteo Renzi canceled taxes for residents and announced a new initiative, “Italian Homes”, to tackle criticism over shoddy construction.

Photo ANSA
Photo ANSA

He also said that it was “absurd” to think that Italy could build completely quake-proof buildings.

The move follows criticism in the Italian media over building standards in high-risk areas. Some of the buildings that collapsed had recently been renovated.

Historic towns do not have to conform to anti-quake building regulations, which are also often not applied when new buildings are put up.

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit in the early hours of August 24, 65 miles north-east of Rome in mountainous central Italy.

The worst affected towns – Amatrice, Arquata, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto – are usually sparsely populated but have been swelled by tourists visiting for summer, making estimates for the precise number missing difficult.

More than 200 people died in Amatrice alone.

Bodies are still being found in the town, including one discovered in the rubble of the Hotel Roma in the city on August 25.

An official with the fire department, Lorenzo Botti, admitted they were facing a race against time.

However, other rescuers said there was still hope, noting that one survivor was pulled from ruins in L’Aquila in 2009 three days after an earthquake that killed more than 300 people.

Search teams have asked locals to disable their Wi-Fi passwords to help rescue workers communicate more effectively.

Police have also arrested a man for attempting to break into and loot an empty home in the town, Ansa reported.

Prince’s Paisley Park Mansion to Open for Public Tours

Prince’s Paisley Park mansion and studio complex is to open to the public six months after his death.

The pop star died in an elevator at the 65,000 square-foot complex in Minneapolis in April.

The trust company overseeing his estate announced Paisley Park will open for daily public tours from October 6, provided the city approves the plan.

The singer’s sister, Tyka Nelson, said: “Opening Paisley Park is something that Prince always wanted to do.”

Prince died after an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Officials investigating Prince’s death said earlier this week the pills had been mislabelled as hydrocodone, a weaker type of opioid.

“Only a few hundred people have had the rare opportunity to tour the estate during [Prince’s] lifetime,” Tyka Nelson said.

“Now, fans from around the world will be able to experience Prince’s world for the first time as we open the doors to this incredible place.”

The company that runs Elvis Presley’s Graceland will manage the project.

More than 20 million people have visited Graceland, where Elvis Presley died in 1977, since it opened to the public – with around 600,000 annual visitors in recent years.

The plan says the tours will include studios where Prince recorded and mixed his songs, and the soundstage where he rehearsed for tours and hosted private concerts.

Tickets will cost $38.50 for the 70-minute tour but VIP tours will also be offered to small groups.

As the plan will require approval from the city, a planning commission hearing has been scheduled for September 20.

Ryan Lochte Charged In Brazil with Making False Statement

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Ryan Lochte has been charged by Brazilian police with making a false statement about being robbed at gunpoint during the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

According to the police statement, the court issues a summons for the Olympic swimmer.

The US State Department said it was aware of the request.

Ryan Lochte flew out of Brazil after the Games before he could be questioned about the alleged false claim.

The swimmer initially claimed that he and three fellow athletes were robbed at gunpoint in a taxi by men with a police badge as they returned to the Olympic village from a party.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

However, the police say Ryan Lochte made up the story and officers produced video evidence that the group were actually challenged by security guards after they had vandalized a gas station toilet.

Ryan Lochte, 32, has admitted he was drunk and apologized, but he now has to decide whether or not to return to Brazil to defend the charges.

The crime faces a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and the swimmer can be tried in his absence.

However, it is understood that if Ryan Lochte did attend the hearing he could agree to pay a fine like fellow swimmer Jimmy Feigen, who was with him during the incident.

Jimmy Feigen agreed to donate nearly $11,000 to a Brazilian charity to resolve the case.

The US and Brazil have an extradition treaty which Brazil has flouted in the past. US authorities could take the same stance if Ryan Lochte is found guilty.

Donald Trump Accuses Hillary Clinton of Taking Advantage of African-American Community

In his latest appeal to minority voters, Donald Trump has called Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a “bigot”.

Speaking at a Mississippi rally, the Republican presidential nominee said his opponent “sees people of color only as votes not as human beings worthy of a better future”.

Donald Trump added that Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party had taken advantage of the African-American community.

Hillary Clinton fired back, saying “he is taking a hate movement mainstream”.

She called out Donald Trump for questioning the citizenship of President Barack Obama and for failing to disavow former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, adding that he was “peddling bigotry and prejudice and paranoia”.Donald Trump hails Brexit referendum result

Donald Trump took aim at Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 24, where he was joined by Britain’s outgoing UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

Nigel Farage, who is viewed as a major force behind Brexit, told Trump supporters to “get your walking boots on” and begin campaigning.

In recent days, Donald Trump has attempted to court African-Americans after failing to gain support among this key voting bloc.

Only about 2% of black voters say they will vote for Donald Trump, according to current polls.

Last week, the billionaire made a direct appeal to black voters during a rally in Michigan, where he told a nearly all-white crowd that African-Americans “are living in poverty” and “their schools are no good”.

In an unscripted plea, Donald Trump added: “What do you have to lose?”

Donald Trump has combined his minority outreach with his latest line of attack on Hillary Clinton in the deep-red state of Mississippi.

“She doesn’t care what her policies have done to your communities. She has no remorse,” he said on August 24.

“She’s going to do nothing for Hispanics and African-Americans.”

Hillary Clinton is due to speak later in Reno, Nevada, where she will accuse Donald Trump of “embracing extremism and presenting a divisive and dystopian view of America”.

The polls have Hillary Clinton ahead nationally and in key states, with about 80 days to go before the election.

Italy Earthquake 2016: Death Toll Rises to 247

Italy’s earthquake death toll has risen to at least 247 as thousands of rescuers continue efforts to find survivors.

According to officials, dozens are believed trapped in ruined Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, in mountainous central Italy.

The search went on through the night, and there was a strong aftershock which rocked already damaged buildings.

More than 4,300 rescuers are using heavy lifting equipment and their bare hands.

Many of the victims were children, the health minister said, and there were warnings the toll could rise further.

The 6.2-magnitude quake hit at 03:36 local time on August 24, at 65 miles north-east of Rome.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

There were several hundred tremors after the quake, some of which were felt in Rome.

The latest death toll was given on Thursday morning – 190 deaths in Rieti province and 57 in neighboring Ascoli Piceno province.

Rescuers said they had pulled five bodies from the ruins of the Hotel Roma in the historic town of Amatrice. As many as 70 tourists were staying at the hotel when the quake struck. Many are feared to be in the rubble, though several were pulled out and given medical care.

Yesterday there were cheers in the village of Pescara del Tronto when a young girl was pulled alive from the rubble after being trapped for 17 hours. Almost all the houses there had collapsed, the mayor said.

The earthquake struck small towns and villages in the mountainous area where the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche meet.

Hope Solo Suspended from US Women’s Soccer for Six Months

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US Soccer has suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo for six months for describing Olympic opponents Sweden as “a bunch of cowards”

Hope Solo, 35, was speaking after Sweden knocked her side out of Rio 2016 in the quarter-finals, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Sweden lost 2-1 to Germany in the Olympic final.

US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said Hope Solo’s comments were “unacceptable”.

World Cup winner Hope Solo wrote on her Facebook page that she was “saddened” by the decision.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

“I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I haven’t made the best choices or said the right things,” the goalkeeper added.

Hope Solo will not be eligible for selection until February.

US Soccer has only announced two matches in that period, against Thailand and the Netherlands next month.

Hope Solo could miss several games once the team’s fixture list is finalized – they played 14 games in the same six months of the 2015-2016 season.

Last year, Hope Solo was suspended for 30 days following an incident during a training camp.

Media reports claimed Hope Solo was in the car when husband Jerramy Stevens was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Airlander 10 Crash: World’s Largest Aircraft Nosedives During Test Flight

The Airlander 10, the world’s largest and longest aircraft, has crashed after on landing during its second test flight near London, the UK.

The 302ft long aircraft – which is part plane and part airship – was damaged during the flight from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire.

The £25 million ($40 million) aircraft sustained damage to its cockpit when it hit the ground in a slow nosedive.

The Airlander 10 developer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) said all the crew were “safe and well”.

A HAV spokesman said: “The flight went really well and the only issue was when it landed.”

Photo Flickr
Photo Flickr

The company has denied claims from a witness that a line hanging down from the vehicle hit a telegraph pole about two fields away from its landing.

In a statement HAV said: “The Airlander experienced a heavy landing and the front of the flight deck has sustained some damage which is currently being assessed.”

The Airlander 10 had just completed its planned 100-minute flight when it nosedived as it came in to land.

“Hybrid Air Vehicles runs a robust set of procedures for flight test activities and investigation of issues,” the company said.

“We will be running through these in the days ahead as we continue the development of the Airlander aircraft.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has confirmed it is investigating the crash, but said it would not be sending a team to the site.

The Airlander 10 had its first test flight from the airfield on August 17.

Christened the Martha Gwyn, the Airlander 10 was first developed for the US government as a surveillance aircraft but the project was shelved amid defense cutbacks.

HAV launched a campaign to return the Airlander 10 to the skies in May 2015.

The company claims the aircraft could be used for a variety of functions such as surveillance, communications, delivering aid and even passenger travel.

HAV says the Airlander 10 will be able to stay airborne for about five days during manned flights.

The developer hopes to be building 10 Airlanders a year by 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Slv6E5ntQ

Italy Earthquake 2016: Death Toll Rises to 120

Italy’s earthquake death toll has risen to at least 120, PM Matteo Renzi has said.

Other 368 people have been injured in the earthquake that hit a mountainous area of central Italy, he added.

The 6.2-magnitude quake struck at 03:36 local time, 65 miles north-east of Rome, not far from Perugia.

Many of the dead were in the historic town of Amatrice, where the mayor said three-quarters of the town was destroyed, and in nearby Accumoli.

Many people are still believed to be buried under rubble.

“This is not a final toll,” Matteo Renzi warned as he gave the latest figures.

The prime minister had earlier paid tribute to the volunteers and civil defense officials who had rushed to the scene in the middle of the night and used their bare hands to dig for survivors.

Photo ANSA
Photo ANSA

He promised “no family, no city, no hamlet will be left behind”.

The earthquake was felt across Italy, from Bologna in the north to Naples in the south. There have been dozens of aftershocks.

Hardest hit were the small towns and villages in the mountainous area where the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche meet.

Italy’s civil protection department said that at least 73 people were now known to have been killed.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said it had recorded more than 200 aftershocks by 15:00 on August 24.

Italy is no stranger to earthquakes: in 2009 a tremor killed more than 300 people in L’Aquila and in May 2012 two tremors nine days apart killed more than 20 people in the northern Emilia Romagna region.

Rescue teams from around the country have been sent to the affected region.

The area is mountainous and access is difficult. Tent camps are being set up for those who need shelter, while others will be accommodated in buildings such as gymnasiums.

Many of the people affected are on holiday.

The national blood donation service has appealed for donors to come forward.

Mediterranean seismicity is driven by the great collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates; but when it comes down to the specifics of this latest quake, the details are far more complicated.

The Tyrrhenian Basin, or Sea, which lies to the west of Italy, between the mainland and Sardinia/Corsica, is slowly opening up.

Scientists say this is contributing to extension, or “pull-apart”, along the Apennines. This stress is compounded by movement in the east, in the Adriatic.

The result is a major fault system that runs the length of the mountain range with a series of smaller faults that fan off to the sides. The foundations of cities like Perugia and L’Aquila stand on top of it all.