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A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing an ERP System

Clyde K. Valle
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Getting the most from an ERP system requires two areas of focus: picking the right ERP provider and implementing their services properly (carefully). Neglecting one in favor of the other will limit the impact your ERP has on your organization and expose you to risks and vulnerabilities you wished you avoided.

In this article will focus on the second part of the process, implementing an ERP system. Follow these steps to speed up the process while ensuring the best possible outcomes:

  1. Consider Specialized Support – An ERP implementation can be a long and complex process. If you have a limited in-house tech team or have never undergone a major revision to your IT, you might find the implementation process overwhelming. Consider working with a provider of ERP implementation services from the start. They will evaluate the needs of your business, align those with the capability of your system, and then execute the implementation carefully and systematically. You incur an extra cost but sidestep major pitfalls as a result.
  2. Prepare Your Team for Change – The reason you’re implementing an ERP system is because you want to fundamentally change the way you do things. Once the system is in place, everyone on your team is able to operate more collaboratively, transparently, and innovatively. It’s important to educate your team in advance about the capabilities of the ERP, your motives for implementing it, and your expectations for how it will be used. This kind of open, direct approach helps to get everyone feeling excited rather than resistant about the change.
  3. Get Your Data Ready – Quality ERP systems will flexibly and fluidly adapt to many different kind of data. It’s important to understand, however, that their adaptability is not universal, and that not all your data will be appropriate to enter into ERP databases. Start by making sure that any data you want to integrate is stored in acceptable file formats. Then scour that data for items you may want to exclude like information about old, inactive customers or information that doesn’t need to be shared company wide.
  4. Plan for Change – ERP implementations, like most major IT initiatives, rarely go exactly as planned. Before you actually start implementing the system, identify your major needs and primary end goals. Once the implementation goes into effect, you can amend or revise the process as necessary without compromising the core purpose for the project.
  5. Test Early, Often and Extensively – Given the depth and breadth of an ERP system, it’s easy for problems both major and minor to hide out of plain sight. Throughout every step in the implementation process, invest the time, labor, and resources necessary to test thoroughly for problems with the system, data, or user engagement strategy. The earlier you resolve them the better.
  6. Prioritize Training – The best way to train your team on how to use the new ERP system is hands on, in person. Since this is a resource you want your staff to use extensively on a daily basis, don’t try to rush or abridge the training process. Ideally, they will feel completely comfortable using the system to the fullest starting on day one. Make sure your IT team is also trained in how to monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot the system.
  7. Ensure Ongoing Support – The process doesn’t end after the system goes live. There will almost inevitably be problems that you overlooked, and keeping the system optimized and up to date will now become a priority. It helps to survey your employees to identify possible sources of friction and to identify areas for improvement. You may also need to add staff or resources to your in-house tech team to handle the additional demands for support.

Finally, be sure to track the impact your system has on your business. Look at productivity and efficiency metrics to get a clear understanding of your organization pre and post ERP. If you’ve handled the implementation effectively, your company is in an ideal position to overtake the competition, win new customers, and bolster your brand.

4 Ways to Get Your Brand to Stand Out

Nancy Clayson
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4 Ways to Get Your Brand to Stand Out

From trending product photos with stellar hash tags that get hundreds of likes on social media and eventually shared by celebrities, to a mention on a morning talk show for national recognition reaching hundreds of thousands, there’s a staggering amount of potential exposure in today’s media landscape for all your competition…and you.

 

When it comes to being the most pervasive, share-worthy and memorable brand amidst a plethora of others with access to the same excessive amount of platforms, the pressure is on. Yet, the road to going viral doesn’t have to be a daunting one. Below are some innovative ways to ensure your brand stands out amongst droves of others.

 

Subliminal Connectivity

Dove Chocolate did it with wrappers bearing tidbits and sayings to read while indulging in their treats, Coca-Cola nailed it with names on their bottles suggesting who to share the beverage with, and even the malt-beverage company Mickey’s made a cannon ball of a marketing splash with puzzles under their caps.

Photo Flickr
Photo Flickr

 

These kinds of innovative brand fringes reel consumers in with quirky, highly effective activities that can sear a brand’s image into one’s brain through positive interaction. The fun and cleverness is associated with your brand and could influence future purchases, whether those buying are fully aware of it or not.

 

Giveaways…Done WELL

No one can pass up freebies. So it’s one thing to be the brand associated with generosity, yet it’s a whole new level of promotion when a piece of swag is woven into consumers’ daily routines. They grab the swag from the event tote, or the tote itself, days after the event because it’s of use to them. You want your giveaways to be circulated, to be in use. When that happens the consumer is reminded of your brand continually, while other people coming into contact with them are introduced to your brand. An example of a potential useful promotional product would be portable power banks, which are far from stuff-in-the-desk-drawer material. Throw in an eye-catching design combined with the constant need for people to charge their mobile devices, and your actual return-on-swag investment looks positive.

 

 

 

 

Social Media (#duh)

It’s taking over the world! Well, that’s a bit dramatic. But there’s no denying social media’s direct correlation with a brand’s success, and companies’ constant ploy for prime social media real estate: likes and shares.

 

You want to provide valuable and sharable content first and foremost. Ask yourself if each post is either helpful or entertaining to the reader, as content should do one, or in the most ideal cases, both. This of course comes after you’ve honed in on your target audience, perhaps by conducting surveys.

 

Also be sure to use networks that support your brand image. Just because Snapchat is trending, doesn’t mean it’s aligned with your brand, or your brand’s audience.

 

Personality Is Key

Whether you’re a tech startup or mom-and-pop frozen yogurt store, pervading the personality behind your business is essential in differentiating yourself from the competition. To be effective your brand must be original, and ultimately have the ability to trigger emotions. Your brand persona may be something inspired by the story of how the business got started, or you can be more liberal and curate something unique, humorous, even zany, in order to carve out your own place in the industry, and above all stick out in consumers’ minds.

 

There’s no need to feel overwhelmed by others providing your same service or product, or seemingly limitless platforms from which to boast from. Put your thinking caps on, preferably with your logo on it, dig into what makes your name only yours and get to promoting that fabulous brand!

As Japan and South Korea Move Forwards, North Korea Is A Deadweight

Dana R
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As Japan and South Korea Move Forwards, North Korea Is A Deadweight

The antagonism that exists between South Korea and Japan has a historical background. Contemporary hostility is traced back to 1910 when Japan ruled Korea until 1945 at the end of World War II, when Korea gained independence and became a separate country. The rulers of both Asian nations did try to establish friendlier ties but always ended back at the negotiating table with issues unresolved.

Thus when, in December 2015, Tokyo and Seoul reached a historic agreement, many entities were elated. President Obama was understandably the most pleased, since the United States had been constantly in the background pushing for its key Asian allies to have a warmer relationship. The aforementioned landmark deal concerned the subject of the “comfort women.” These are the Koreans that were allegedly forcibly used by the Japanese soldiers for sexual services. The respective foreign ministers of both countries met in Seoul and announced that the matter would be “finally and irreversibly resolved” as soon as certain conditions were met.

On the other hand, there were elements that were not happy with the agreement, North Korea foremost among them. An alliance between the two, supported by Washington, will make the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang more forceful and their combined military strength to combat Kim Jong-un’s aggressive nuclear weapons deployments will be harder to overcome. Pyongyang has set in motion protests and rallies to incite South Korean sentiments against the comfort women agreement. Chong Dae Hyup, an organization that supports the women and is leaning towards North Korea has gathered people to march to protest the deal and is looking for legal ways to make the agreement invalid. The state-owned media group KCNA has accused the United States government of fooling its Asian allies into entering the deal. A Japan-based North Korean group has called the deal a “humiliating diplomacy” for South Korea. In LA, California, a Korean American civic group launched a petition to have US Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken terminated for aiding in the successful resolution.

Since the Korean War (1950 – 1953) technically never ended even though an armistice agreement stopped the fighting, Pyongyang is still hopeful for a reunification of the two sides. On the surface, it looks like a noble goal. But the North Korean leadership will only entertain a union on its conditions, mainly that its social structure will prevail. Reunification will also be costly for South Korea if it will take on the burden of lifting Pyongyang’s impoverished economy. It will also have to submit itself to the communist rule. This could be why the younger generation of South Koreans is indifferent to a reunion while the older population, hoping to reunite with family members, has shown more eagerness. Moreover, some sectors see South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s openness to a unified Korea as a mere political gambit to earn some of her people’s support. Park is keen enough to realize that it is not in Seoul’s best interest to open talks with the North.

But the agreement between Tokyo and Seoul that resolves the comfort women issue has dashed hopes for a Korean reunification. One positive outcome of the deal is the trilateral ties that now bind the United States and the two Asian powerhouses. The three nations have already agreed to hold joint military drills in Hawaii on the occasion of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise which will be held in the latter part of June. The joint exercise will focus on the detection and tracing of North Korean missiles without actually firing any. Each country will have its own Aegis warship, naval vessels that can defeat enemy ballistic missiles. This activity was decided based on a December 2014 information-sharing agreement between the three countries.

The concerns of allied nations over North Korea are well-founded. Since 2006, there has been a series of rocket launches and ballistic missile tests that have become more frequent in the past few months. In response to a regular joint drill by the US and South Korea in March, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea’s National Defence Commission said, “If we push the buttons to annihilate the enemies even right now, all bases of provocations will be reduced to flames and ashes in a moment…” Even if the recent missile tests failed, Pres. Obama has said they are still taking the matter very seriously.

The “comfort women” issue has been a thorny topic that hindered talks between South Korea and Japan for years.  The key factors are the conflicting versions each nation has of what really transpired during the war and the awaited apologies and compensation for the women which Japan has given countless times. Now that a resolution has been reached, North Korea is posing a dead weight and sowing tension between Japan and South Korea to push for its own agenda.

Panama Canal Officially Inaugurated After Nine Years of Construction

Clyde K. Valle
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Panama Canal Officially Inaugurated After Nine Years of Construction

The first voyage through the newly-enlarged Panama Canal has been made by a giant Chinese container ship.

The vessel was greeted with fireworks and cheers from a crowd that had gathered at the Cocoli locks to celebrate.

Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela described the waterway as a route that would unite the world.

Juan Carlos Varela thanked the nearly 30,000 people who had worked on the canal’s expansion.

Construction on the new lane for Panama Canal, which runs for 48 miles, began in 2007 and was due to finish in 2014.

However, strikes and disputes over costs delayed the $5.2 billion project.

Photo euronews
Photo euronews

The original Panama Canal was first used in August 1914. It was built by the US and handed over to local control in 1999.

The expansion allows a new, much-larger generation of container ships to pass through the isthmus.

Some 35 to 40 vessels transit the waterway everyday.

Panama hopes the expansion will increase the revenues it gets from the canal, reported to have been $2.6 billion in 2015.

However, the canal could face competition from a new passage in Nicaragua.

The controversial 172 mile scheme, being built by a Chinese company, will be longer, deeper and wider than the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal’s construction started in 2014 and it is estimated to cost $50 billion.

How to Choose a Perfect Rug for Your Kids’ Room

Nancy Clayson
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How to Choose a Perfect Rug for Your Kids’ Room

Your children probably spend most of their time in their own rooms, so it’s important to make it kid-friendly. This means that the furniture and the design should be chosen in a way which conducts to playing and learning, while being safe and comfortable. Carpets and rugs are an important piece of the puzzle in setting up the kid’s room, since they’re at the central place of the room where kids will probably sit, roll around and play. When choosing a rug for your kids’ room, you should keep the following things in mind:

Safety

  • Materials: many kids are allergic to synthetic materials and even if they are not, they might develop allergies, so make sure to pick a rug that is made of natural fibers. The best options are wool rugs, or the combination of wood and sisal. They are antibacterial, nontoxic, and don’t cause allergies. Another natural option with the same properties are sheepskin rugs, only they are thicker and softer. In any case, avoid toxic rugs.
  • Thickness: depending on your kids’ age, you will want to consider the thickness of your rug. It is better to have a thick, soft rug for babies and toddlers since they spend a lot of time sitting on it, or lying on their tummies, and you want them to be as comfortable as possible. Also, soft rugs prevent injuries from falls and allow the kids to play and jump barefoot without hurting their feet. If you have older kids, thinner rugs and carpets are fine since they won’t play on the rug as much anymore.
  • Prevent slipping: depending on the surface they are on, some rugs might slip all the time and present danger for your kids. Check the bottom surface to see if the material would be prone to slipping on your floor and get a non-slip rug underlay or rubber shelf liner and paste rectangles underneath the corners of the rug to prevent slipping.

Rug for Kids' Room

 

Design

  • Learning rugs: these are rugs and carpets with different prints that serve educational purposes. They are a great way for your child to play and learn at the same time, and they usually end up being the favourite ‘toy’. By far the most popular ones are traffic and road print carpets, but there are some other options as well, like alphabet, hop-scotch, 3D animal farm, world map, numbers and shapes and so on.
  • Decoration and taste: older kids usually don’t spend much time on the rug anymore, so getting a one that matches well with the room design is a good idea. You can go for solid color rugs or, at least, rugs with fewer details and colors. When they grow out of the toddler phase, your kids will probably have their own taste so you should consult with them to see what kind of color and design they would like. You can leave the choice of the design up to them entirely as long as the rug is safe and functional.

Rug for Kids' Room

 

Maintenance

  • Easy does it: rugs are not always easy to maintain, especially in the kids’ room since spills and stains are common. You should look for a rug that can easily be cleaned or washed. Use only non-toxic, organic cleaning products. If you are not sure how to go about rug cleaning, you can always hire professional who will be able to deal with it quickly and efficiently, than risk ruining it with the wrong chemicals. You should, however, try to use a high-quality steam cleaner and vacuum clean them as often as you can and get that work done with ease.

Rug for Kids' Room

A good rug can completely enliven your kids’ room and make it a fun and useful place. As long as it’s safe, functional, interesting and easy to maintain, you can’t go wrong with your choice.

Spain Elections 2016: Polls Open for Second Vote

Diane A. Wade
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Spain Elections 2016: Polls Open for Second Vote

Spanish voters are going back to polls after the country’s four main parties failed to break the political deadlock from December’s inconclusive general election.

More than 36 million of voters are called on to cast their ballot.

Opinion polls have suggested that June 26 election may still not overcome the stalemate.

Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP) is tipped to win, but to fall short of a parliamentary majority.

Polls indicate the left-wing Unidos Podemos (United We Can) alliance is edging ahead of the Socialists (PSOE) for second place.

The two could potentially form a broad left-wing coalition.Spain elections 2016

The center-right, pro-business party Ciudadanos (Citizens) is forecast to take fourth place.

Analysts say many voters are disillusioned and a high turnout is not expected.

December’s election was a watershed for Spain, because the PP and the PSOE had previously alternated in power since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s.

Unidos Podemos and other leftists argue that the PP, under acting PM Mariano Rajoy, has been discredited because of austerity and the chronic unemployment that has plagued Spain since the 2008 financial crisis.

The PP, however, says the country’s improved economic performance is proof that its policies have worked.

PM Mariano Rajoy said it was “important to convey a message of institutional and economic stability”.

Meanwhile, Unidos Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias said Europe had to “change course”, adding: “No-one would want to leave Europe if it were fair and united.”

Polls open at 07:00 GMT and close at 18:00 GMT with results expected two to three hours later.

West Virginia Flooding: President Barack Obama Declares Major Disaster

Diane A. Wade
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West Virginia Flooding: President Barack Obama Declares Major Disaster

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in West Virginia, where the worst floods in more than a century have left at least 24 people dead.

The president ordered federal aid for three of the worst affected counties following a request by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

West Virginia residents will now receive grants for temporary housing and repairs.

More than 30,000 homes and businesses are without power.

Heavy rain on June 23 turned rivers and streams into torrents, cutting off several towns.

Photo abc7
Photo abc7

The floods are the worst in a century in some areas and hundreds of people have had to be rescued.

President Barack Obama “ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides”, a White House statement said.

Governor Tomblin said the federal help included medical support and housing to Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.

Officials were still assessing the damage in other areas and additional requests for aid could follow, the governor added.

West Virginia received a quarter of its annual rainfall in a single day, the US National Weather Service said.

A storm system dumped up to 10 inches of rain on parts of the state, causing rivers and streams to overflow.

More than 100 homes were destroyed, some of them torn from their foundations and carried away, and an estimated 32,000 residences were still without power.

Teams removed people from upper-floor windows, tops of trees and cars.

According to officials, among those rescued were a 97-year-old woman and a family of five, including an infant.

About 500 people were trapped in a shopping centre as crews scrambled to build a new gravel road to reach them.

Meanwhile, rescue teams continued to try to reach others stranded in devastated areas.

States of emergency have been declared in 44 of the state’s 55 counties, and up to 500 soldiers have been authorized to assist in the rescue operations.

Brexit: EU Explains Leaving Procedure

Diane A. Wade
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Brexit: EU Explains Leaving Procedure

The European Union has explained the way Britain can kick start formal negotiations to exit the union following June 23 referendum.

The EU says Britain can trigger Article 50, which sets a two-year deadline for a deal, by making a formal declaration either in a letter or a speech.

British PM David Cameron has said he will step down by October to allow his successor to conduct the talks.

However, EU foreign ministers have urged Britain to start the process soon.

Since June 23 referendum there has been intense speculation about when, and how, the UK might begin formal negotiations.

A spokesman for the European Council, which defines the EU’s political direction and priorities, reiterated on Saturday that triggering Article 50 was a formal act which must be “done by the British government to the European Council”.

“It has to be done in an unequivocal manner with the explicit intent to trigger Article 50,” he said.

Photo Getty Image
Photo Getty Image

“It could either be a letter to the president of the European Council or an official statement at a meeting of the European Council duly noted in the official records of the meeting.”

On June 25, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU had “no need to be particularly nasty in any way” in the negotiations with Britain.

Angela Merkel said that deterring other countries from leaving the EU should not be a priority in the talks.

She added that she was not in favor of pushing for a speedy withdrawal.

“It shouldn’t take forever, that’s right, but I would not fight for a short timeframe,” Angela Merkel said.

She was speaking after several EU foreign ministers, including Germany’s, had urged Britain to quickly implement its exit.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “This process should get under way as soon as possible so that we are not left in limbo but rather can concentrate on the future of Europe.”

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said the continent could not accept a political vacuum, saying “this will not be business as usual”.

The first summit of EU leaders with no British representation will be held on June 29, a day after David Cameron holds talks with members.

Global stock markets and the pound fell heavily on the news of Brexit, while credit rating agency Moody’s cut the UK’s outlook to “negative”.

Brexit steps:

  1. UK votes Leave.
  2. Within 2 years from referendum the UK notifies the EU invoking Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, then the remaining 27 EU states meet to discuss withdrawal.
  3. Negotiations will begin between the UK and the EU ending with a draft deal put to the European Council. At the end of two years negotiations can be extended further but only if all 27 countries agree. The draft deal needs approval from at least 20 countries with 65% population. Then the deal should be ratified by the European Parliament.
  4. If no agreement to extended negotiations then the EU treaties cease to apply to the UK
  5. The UK leaves the European Union. UK parliament must repeal the 1972 European Communities Act and replace with new agreement.
  6. If the UK wants back in, it has to apply like any other country.

Mogadishu Attack: Al-Shabab Gunmen Take Hostages and Kill Seven at Naso-Hablod Hotel

Roy Siemens
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Mogadishu Attack: Al-Shabab Gunmen Take Hostages and Kill Seven at Naso-Hablod Hotel

Al-Shabab gunmen have attacked the Naso-Hablod hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu taking hostages and killing at least seven people, health workers say.

The Somali army is attempting to retake the hotel after militants detonated a car bomb and stormed it, police said.

Reports said the victims included three security guards.

Al-Shabab militants frequently carry out attacks in the city in their bid to topple the Western-backed government.

The al-Qaeda-linked group said it targeted the hotel which was “frequented by the apostate government members”, Reuters news agency reported.

The Naso-Hablod, in southern Mogadishu, is often used by politicians and tourists.

It is not known how many attackers entered the hotel nor how many guests were inside.Naso Hablod attack Mogadishu

A witness told the Associated Press news agency the gunmen shot randomly at guests.

At least 10 other people have been wounded.

Earlier this month at least 10 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack on another hotel in Mogadishu, which was claimed by al-Shabab.

The group was driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but still remains a threat and frequently carries out attacks in the city.

The Somali government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting al-Shabab militants in several parts of the country.

Venezuela Opposition Petition to Oust Nicolas Maduro Validated

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela Opposition Petition to Oust Nicolas Maduro Validated

Venezuela’s opposition has validated enough signatures on a petition to move to the next stage in a process to remove President Nicolas Maduro in a recall referendum.

Hundreds of thousands of people have given fingerprints to authenticate signatures on the petition.

Referendum co-ordinator Vicente Bello said the number of signatures had “clearly exceeded the minimum needed”.

The process must now be validated by electoral officials.

If that step is passed, a second petition must be signed by 4 million people before a recall referendum can be held.

The opposition blames President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist policies for rampant inflation and shortages of food and basic goods.Nicolas Maduro imposes visas for Americans

The initial petition handed in on May 2 gathered almost two million signatures but election officials said 600,000 of those were fraudulent.

Those who signed the petition had until June 24 to have their identity cards and fingerprints checked in centers set up by the National Electoral Council (CNE).

Only 1% of the electorate – or 194,729 voters – is needed to endorse the referendum in the first phase.

Many people queued for hours to have their signatures authenticated by electronic fingerprinting.

Opposition leaders want the recall vote to be held this year, as its timing is key for what happens next.

If the referendum is held before January 10 and goes against Nicolas Maduro, fresh elections will be triggered.

If the vote were to be held after January 10 – in the last two years of Nicolas Maduro’s mandate – he would be replaced by his vice-president and supporter, Aristobulo Isturiz.

Nicolas Maduro was elected in April 2013 and his term runs until 2019.

West Virginia Flooding Kills At Least Twenty People

Nancy Clayson
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West Virginia Flooding Kills At Least Twenty People

West Virginia floods have killed at least 20 people, including an eight-year-old boy and a toddler, according to state officials.

Heavy storms and flooding have caused widespread damage throughout the state, said Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

A state of emergency was declared in 44 of the state’s 55 counties.

Rescue teams are helping about 500 people trapped in a shopping centre while officials continued to search for others stranded in devastated areas.West Virginia flooding 2016

The flooding has destroyed more than 100 homes and knocked out power for thousands after a storm system dumped nine inches of rain on parts of the state.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said 200 National Guard soldiers were carrying out search and rescue efforts as well as health and welfare checks in eight counties across the state.

A church pastor told the AP news agency an eight-year-old boy slipped, fell into a creek and was swept away.

The boy’s mother attempted to save him but lost her grip on the child, according to Harry Croft, pastor at Marwin Church of the Nazarene at Wheeling.

The child’s body was found about a half-mile from where the family lives.

The body of a 4-year-old boy was also recovered a day after the child slipped into a creek swollen with flood waters.

Ravenswood Fire Department official Bob Bibbee said the toddler was with his grandfather when he fell into the water in Jackson County.

The grandfather jumped into the creek to try and save the boy, but was overcome by the rushing water.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin called the flooding “among the worst in a century for some parts of the state”.

Bernie Sanders Backs Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy

Diane A. Wade
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Bernie Sanders Backs Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy

Bernie Sanders has announced he will vote for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in November’s presidential election.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have fought for the Democratic nomination, which the former secretary of state won this month.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist, told MSNBC he would do everything in his power to defeat the likely Republican nominee, Donald Trump.

However, he stopped short of saying he would end his campaign.

Bernie Sanders said his job now was to “fight for the strongest possible platform” at the party’s convention in July, including a higher minimum wage.Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton row

However, he dismissed the idea that he should withdraw from the race.

“Why would I want to do that when I want to fight to make sure that we have the best platform that we possibly can, that we win the most delegates that we can,” Bernie Sanders said.

Although Hillary Clinton has won enough of the all-important delegates to secure the nomination, she will not be declared the official nominee until July’s convention.

The Vermont senator has failed to give Hillary Clinton a full endorsement.

Last week Bernie Sanders vowed to work with Hillary Clinton to prevent Donald Trump from winning the White House and promised to continue his fight to “transform” the Democratic party.

When asked if his decision to remain in the race hindered Hillary Clinton’s chances in the general election, Bernie Sanders said: “You talk about disunity, I talk about people in the political process and wanting to have a government and party that represents all of us.”

Brexit: Donald Trump Hails UK Referendum Result

Diane A. Wade
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Brexit: Donald Trump Hails UK Referendum Result

Donald Trump has said it is a “great thing” that Britons have “taken back their country” in voting to leave the EU.

The presumptive Republican nominee’s comments came as he arrived at Trump Turnberry in Scotland for the reopening of the refurbished Open venue golf resort.

Donald Trump added his name to the Ayrshire hotel and golf course after buying the resort for an undisclosed fee in 2014.

Comedian Simon Brodkin later disrupted Donald Trump’s news conference by waving golf balls with a swastika on them.

Donald Trump was also the subject of a small protest by those who accuse him of “racism and bigotry” during his bid for the presidency.

Dozens of people, with placards stating “No To Racism”, gathered outside the resort before Donald Trump arrived.Donald Trump hails Brexit referendum result

He was asked about the EU referendum result, which saw Leave beat Remain by 52% to 48%, shortly after he touched down at Turnberry in a helicopter.

Donald Trump said: “I think it’s a great thing that’s happened. It’s an amazing vote, very historic.

“People are angry all over the world. They’re angry over borders, they’re angry over people coming into the country and taking over and nobody even knows who they are.

“They’re angry about many, many things in the UK, the US and many other places. This will not be the last.”

Donald Trump said UK divisions “will heal” as “it is a great place”, adding: “I said this was going to happen and I think it is a great thing.

“Basically, they took back their country. That’s a great thing.

“I think we’re doing very well in the United States also, and it is essentially the same thing that is happening in the United States.

“I want to support my son who really represented me here in building this great great place (Turnberry).”

When asked his opinion on UK’s PM David Cameron announcing he is to step down as prime minister after the Leave vote, Donald Trump said: “Well, that’s too bad.”

Speaking later at a news conference, Donald Trump acknowledged his family connection with Scotland through his mother Mary MacLeod, who was born in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides.

“She loved Scotland, she would be here a lot,” he said.

“She would come every year with my sister Mary and my sister Elizabeth and they just loved it. Her loyalty to Scotland was incredible.”

Donald Trump said his mother would often visit Turnberry for dinner with friends but she never played golf.

He said it was “an honor” to have taken ownership of the resort, which he acquired from Dubai-based Leisurecorp two years ago, before adding his name to the brand.

Donald Trump owns more than a dozen golf resorts in the US and opened his first in the UK, at the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire, in 2012 after controversy surrounding planning, environmental issues and clashes with local people who refused to move.

Turnberry is one of 10 UK golf courses to host the Open golf championship on a rotational basis.

The tournament has been played there on four occasions, most recently in 2009.

The Open is expected to be played in England in 2020 and at St Andrews in 2021, meaning the earliest it could return to Turnberry would be 2022.

Donald Trump’s news conference was interrupted comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, who attempted to hand out golf balls with a swastika on them. He was escorted away by security officials.

Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Immigration Plan

Diane A. Wade
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Supreme Court Blocks Barack Obama’s Immigration Plan

President Barack Obama’s plan to shield millions of undocumented immigrants living illegally in the US failed to pass the Supreme Court.

The court has announced it is split on the president’s plan.

The divide comes as a blow to Barack Obama’s 2014 executive action which he enacted without Congress and will now be assessed in a lower court.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan applauded the news, saying only Congress should write laws.

However, Barack Obama said the deadlock was “heartbreaking” for millions of people.

“They are Americans in every way but on paper,” the president said at the White House, adding that reform will happen, sooner or later.

“Congress is not going to be able to ignore America forever,” Barack Obama added.

Texas led 26 Republican-led states in challenging the program, which would have given the right to work to millions of people.Barack Obama immigration plan at Supreme Court

The deadlock between the eight judges was only possible because of the death of the ninth, Justice Antonin Scalia, leaving a vacancy that is still unfilled.

This is the first tied decision produced by the Supreme Court, as the Senate continues to block Barack Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) initiatives had been on hold since 2015 as the court considered the programs’ legality.

DAPA was considered particularly controversial as it allows the parents of US citizens and permanent residents to remain in the county for up to three years and apply for work permits.

Lawyers for the state of Texas argued that state governments would be overburdened by having to spend more on public services with the addition of the undocumented residents.

The lack of ruling leaves the legal status of about four million undocumented immigrants in limbo.

Barack Obama’s unilateral action would have allowed migrants to obtain work permits and would block them from deportation while their citizenship status was being determined by lawmakers.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton called the courts deadlocked opinion “unacceptable” and said that immigrants “enrich our communities and contribute to our economy every day”.

She said in a statement: “We should be doing everything possible under the law to provide them relief from the specter of deportation.”

Republican lawmaker Paul Ryan applauded the Supreme Court for making “the president’s executive action on immigration null and void”.

“The Constitution is clear: The president is not permitted to write laws, only Congress is.”

Paul Ryan, the top-ranking elected Republican, is at odds with the party’s presidential nominee-to-be Donald Trump over his plans to build a wall on the southern border paid for by Mexico.

Brexit Referendum: PM David Cameron to Resign in October

Diane A. Wade
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Brexit Referendum: PM David Cameron to Resign in October

UK’s PM David Cameron has announced he will step down by October after Britain voted to leave the EU.

In a statement outside Downing Street, David Cameron said he would attempt to “steady the ship” over the coming weeks and months but that “fresh leadership” was needed.

He had urged Britain to vote Remain but was defeated by 52% to 48% despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage hailed it as the UK’s “independence day”.

The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 as the markets reacted to the results.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Flanked by wife Samantha, PM David Cameron said he had informed Queen Elizabeth II of his decision to remain in place for the short term and to then hand over to a new prime minister by the time of the Conservative conference in October.

It would be for the new prime minister to carry out negotiations with the EU and invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal, David Cameron said.

“The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected,” he said.

“The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.”

The Brexit referendum turnout was 71.8% – with more than 30 million people voting – the highest turnout at a UK-wide vote since 1992.

Britain is set to be the first country to leave the EU since its formation – but the Leave vote does not immediately mean Britain ceases to be a member of the 28-nation bloc.

That process could take a minimum of two years, with Leave campaigners suggesting during the referendum campaign that it should not be completed until 2020 – the date of the next scheduled general election.

Once Article 50 has been triggered a country cannot rejoin without the consent of all member states.

The UK’s government will also have to negotiate its future trading relationship with the EU and fix trade deals with non-EU countries.

Brexit Referendum Results: UK Votes to Leave European Union

Diane A. Wade
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Brexit Referendum Results: UK Votes to Leave European Union

The UK voted to leave the European Union with 52% to 48% despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in.

The Brexit referendum turnout was 71.8% – with more than 30 million people voting – the highest turnout at a UK-wide vote since 1992.

Nigel Farage – who has campaigned for the past 20 years for Britain to leave the EU – told cheering supporters “this will be a victory for ordinary people, for decent people”.

Germany’s foreign minister Frank Walter Steinmeier described the referendum result as “a sad day for Europe and Great Britain”.

Leave supporting Tory MP Liam Fox said voters had shown great “courage” by deciding to “change the course of history” for the UK and, he hoped, the rest of Europe.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the EU vote “makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union” after all 32 local authority areas returned majorities for Remain.Brexit wins in UK referendum

Britain is set to be the first country to leave the EU since its formation – but the Leave vote does not immediately mean Britain ceases to be a member of the 28-nation bloc.

That process could take a minimum of two years, with Leave campaigners suggesting during the referendum campaign that it should not be completed until 2020 – the date of the next scheduled general election.

Once Article 50 has been triggered a country cannot rejoin without the consent of all member states.

UK’s PM David Cameron previously said he would trigger Article 50 as soon as possible after a Leave vote but Boris Johnson and Michael Gove who led the campaign to get Britain out of the EU have said he should not rush into it.

They also said they want to make immediate changes before the UK actually leaves the EU, such as curbing the power of EU judges and limiting the free movement of workers, potentially in breach the UK’s treaty obligations.

The UK’s government will also have to negotiate its future trading relationship with the EU and fix trade deals with non-EU countries.

In Whitehall and Westminster, there will now begin the massive task of unstitching the UK from more than 40 years of EU law, deciding which directives and regulations to keep, amend or ditch.

The Leave campaign argued during a bitter four-month referendum campaign that the only way Britain could “take back control” of its own affairs would be to leave the EU.

Leave dismissed warnings from economists and international bodies about the economic impact of Brexit as “scaremongering” by a self-serving elite.

Review of EssayLib Dissertation Writing Company

Nancy Clayson
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Review of EssayLib Dissertation Writing Company

The growing number of essay writing services is completely overwhelming and everyone is striving to be on top. They go ahead to convince their customers from all over. However, only one and genuine thing speaks for the service: quality and reliable.

Many students have turned to essay writing companies when they are faced with essay assignments that they don’t know how to do. If you decide not to submit your paper, you will fail and have to resist the course. This can cause you extra expenses and courses are not cheap nowadays. The best solution is to hire an essay writing company to get the essay written and done in time by the assignment deadline. When you receive the finished essay, you can study it and learn how a proper essay is written. In this way, you can learn how to write it on your own for your next college assignment.

Many essay writing companies offer 24/7 support so you can contact their customer support in regarding to the assignment at anytime.education

How to choose the best essay writing service

Top essay writing services are identified by their reliability and high quality products.

EssayLib is a typical online writing website that offers different services to clients, mostly about articles and essays. They recruit only applicants who have successfully passed their tests and demonstrate good critical thinking, analysis and creativity skills – enough to help you with essay writing.

They take client orders from the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and promises to deliver timed and original contents based on the terms agreed upon negotiation. Their services regularly incorporate writing research and assessment based research essay papers. In uncommon cases anyway, they likewise convey different types of writing the length of it is in accordance with the ability of their writers, who have really good reviews.

What to expect from an essay writing service

EssayLib focuses on making every order unique to avoid similarities with other sources, unless properly cited.

Being a reliable custom paper writing service, EssayLib works on writing samples that will meet your exact requirements, because the purpose is to help you with an actual topic that you are struggling with, and not just some imaginary example. Read about custom dissertation help here.

This online outsourcing firm can also deliver quality contents about different topics like sports, medicine, fitness or even math.

What is the right price?

If you are looking for the lowest possible prices, EssayLib could be a very promising partner for you. They could provide you with custom and high school quality papers for as low as $10 per page only. Other rates may apply if the paper will be for a Master’s ($21/page) or a Ph. D ($28/page) level of expertise.

If you are looking for top essay writing companies, try EssayLib. Students have consistently used these services and have never been disappointed. Let no one lie to you that they are the best without strong evidences. There are many essay writing services that think they are the best, so don’t be cheated and check the true list of the best.

The Link Between Gender And Medical Honesty

Kathryn R. Bown
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The Link Between Gender And Medical Honesty

New study suggests that men’s help-seeking behavior makes them live shorter lives than women

Advances in medical technology and practice theory have led to a notable increase in the average life expectancy for individuals around the world, now at 76 for men and 81 for women in the United States. While the updated averages are promising, the five-year gap between men and women continues to bewilder. Some chock the difference up to a tendency for men to take on more risk throughout a lifetime, while others point to the male population having a greater likelihood of contracting a life threatening disease. It has been questioned, however, if there are other contributing factors in the longevity gap.

Diana Sanchez, associate professor of psychology and Mary Himmelstein, a doctoral student, both of Rutgers University, sought an answer to the question surrounding why men live shorter lives than women. In March of 2016, Rutgers University published research for both Preventive Medicine and The Journal of Health Psychology conducted by Sanchez and Himmelstein that unveiled a potential reason behind the pressing inquiry. The research revealed the following consistent data:

  • Men are less likely to go to the doctor compared to women
  • Men are more likely to select a male doctor when they do go
  • Men are less likely to fully disclose their medical symptoms with a male doctor

The Link Between Gender And Medical Honesty

Parameters of the Research

The study for Preventive Medicine surveyed 250 male participants in an online questionnaire aimed at gathering responses to questions about manhood, generally accepted attributes of men and women, and doctor preference. The results showed that the higher respondents scored on the masculinity scale, the more likely they were to have a preference for a male doctor over a female. Researchers also asked 250 undergraduate men to complete a questionnaire with a similar focus. Each respondent was then interviewed by male and female pre-med and nursing students about current medical conditions. The results tell a similar story: the higher the respondents scored on the masculinity scale, the less likely they were to share their medical symptoms openly with male interviewers.

Similar data was gathered from the student published in The Journal for Health Psychology, with survey responses and interviews elicited from undergraduate students as well as the public at large. Men who believed in more traditional gender norms associated with masculinity were less likely to seek the help of a medical professional, and less likely to share opening regarding symptoms. Not surprisingly, the women respondents who identified the need to be brave and self-reliant were also less likely to seek out medical treatment and more likely to withhold information relevant to current symptoms.

Consequences of Traditional Masculine Views

Sanchez and Himmelstein believe that a long-lived cultural script plays a significant role in why men downplay medical issues or illness. Instead of feeling comfortable speaking with medical professionals and potentially beginning a course of treatment, men are more likely to be less forthcoming and thus, less healthy. More so, both the men and women who followed a path more closely linked to traditional masculinity ideals noted suffering health outcomes not plaguing respondents without those views.

Representatives from a medical solicitors firm explain that the lack of communication from male patients to their healthcare providers presents another potential pitfall in receiving appropriate care. The chance of medical mistakes taking place during treatment of illnesses increases substantially when patients do not feel comfortable sharing the actual symptoms or issues they are experiencing. Miscommunication in these situations runs deep, affecting information passed from staff to staff, staff to patient, or patient to staff. As medical mistakes are left unrecognized or untreated, patients feel increasing discomfort in sharing new or changing symptoms for fear of sounding disrespectful or less than educated. Under these circumstances, the cycle of poor health – and ultimately a shorter life span – continues.

The studies conducted by Sanchez and Himmelstein point to a clear correlation between a reduced longevity in men and the overarching male psyche. Believing that, as a man, one should be able to tough out sickness or medical conditions that surface over time is detrimental to one’s health and ultimately the length and quality of life. Despite the average life expectancy steadily increasing over the years, traditional opinions surrounding masculinity and femininity play a role in maintaining the five-year longevity gap between men and women.

How to Coordinate with Walls that are More than One Color

Nancy Clayson
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How to Coordinate with Walls that are More than One Color

Choosing a paint for your walls is one of the most important things you will have to do when you’re decorating your home. If you’re torn between a few colors, you can always decide to use a couple of them on the same wall. Still, if you opt for multicolored walls, there are some things you will have to keep in mind. Make sure you check all of them out.

Be Careful About Lighting

Without proper lighting, colors will not be much to look at. That is why it is important to make sure the colors on your walls look great both under natural and artificial light. In case your walls look too dark during the day, you can consider installing a couple of new windows. If you do this, make sure you choose the window frames that will go great with the colors on your walls. In case you don’t like the way your walls look like during the night, you can try switching to LED or colored light bulbs.

Lighting

Create Zones

When you use more than one color for the same wall, you are going to create a couple of different zones in the room. For example, let’s imagine you have painted the walls in your kid’s room into blue and yellow. You can create a study zone in the blue area and a sleeping zone in the yellow area. If you do this, make sure you choose furniture and other items that will perfectly fit into the zone they are supposed to be a part of. You should always choose wallpapers first and only then look for furniture and other items for the room.

Create Zones

Do not Go Too Matchy-Matchy

One of the mistakes many people make when it comes to multicolored walls is that they get too matchy-matchy when it comes to furniture. So if your walls are red and white, do not feel obligated to get only red and white furniture. Being excessively color-coordinated can make your home look dull weary. Make sure there is some contrast in all the zones you create with the wall colors. There are many three color combinations that might just be what you are looking for.

Matchy-Matchy

Do not Mix Too Many Colors

Just like you should not stick to only two colors, you also should not include too many colors into your home. Of course, there is no official limit you will have to stick to, but the saying “the more the merrier” does not always have to apply when it comes to colors. You will know that there are too many colors when a room feels opposite from peaceful. If you opt for more than a few colors in the same room, make sure you spread them around evenly, so they carry your eye through the room.

colors

Give Your Eyes a Place to Rest

Another thing you should definitely consider is giving your eyes a place to rest. No matter how cool your colorful space looks like, you will have to find a spot that will let your eyes take a break. First of all, this means you will have to incorporate some empty space in all of your rooms. Some empty space may also be just the thing that was missing from your home. Another thing you can do is get some large elements in neutral colors that will help you achieve balance.

rest your eyes

Coordinating with walls that are more than one color can be quite difficult. Make sure you have all of these things in mind when decorating if you want to make your home as stylish as possible.

Congress Blocked by Democratic Sit-In

Diane A. Wade
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Congress Blocked by Democratic Sit-In

The Congress has been blocked by a Democrat protest over a vote on gun control legislation.

The Democrats’ sit-in comes in the wake of the recent shootings in Orlando, the deadliest in modern US history.

Republican Speaker Paul Ryan tried to regain control of the lower house but was met with chants of “no bill, no break!”

The Republicans switched off the House TV cameras but Democrats continued to feed live pictures via their phones.

The transmissions, broadcast by the C-Span network, technically break House rules, but one Democrat representative, Scott Peters, who provided a feed via the Periscope app, said the sit-in was breaking rules anyway.

The Democrats’ protest follows the gun attack on June 12, when a man claiming allegiance to ISIS, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at the Pulse club in Orlando, Florida.

On June 22, some 168 House Democrats – out of 188 – and 34 senators – out of 44 – were on the floor.Democratic sit in 2016

As the protest reached its 10th hour, Paul Ryan tried to restore control with a recess, and then a return to voting on other legislative business.

Paul Ryan banged his gavel and tried to ignore the outbursts but amid Democrat shouts of “Shame! Shame!” he left the podium.

Democrats began singing “We shall overcome” and held up the names of gun attack victims.

The floor of the House became chaotic, with Republicans and Democrats shouting at each other.

Some Democratic representatives brought in sleeping bags, pillow and blankets, others doughnuts for colleagues.

Outside Congress, several hundred gun-control advocates gathered to voice support for the Democrats, shouting “hold the floor” and “do your job”.

A motion for a brief adjournment was passed at about 01:30 local time and the House then resumed at 02:30, with the majority Republicans hoping to vote on a bill on the Zika virus and then adjourn fully to July 5.

The sit-in is being led by congressman John Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

President Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank John Lewis “for leading on gun violence where we need it most”.

Paul Ryan dismissed the protest as a publicity stunt.

He told CNN he would not bring a gun control vote in the House of Representatives.

“They know that we will not bring a bill that takes away a person’s constitutionally guaranteed rights without… due process,” Paul Ryan said.

Some senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.

Harry Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists.

The bill is due to come before the Senate on June 23.

How To Ensure Your Church Event Is Fully Inclusive

Dana R
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How To Ensure Your Church Event Is Fully Inclusive

Planning a church event takes a lot of thinking about, and every need must be borne in mind when you’re planning. The demographics of the population are such that you have to make sure everyone is catered to.

Photo from Mount Pleasant

For an event to be successful and inclusive, you have to think first about the kind of event and about how long it will take. Then you have to bear in mind how many people you’re accommodating. You’ll also need to give a lot of thought to how far they may have traveled to get there.

Although people’s minds will likely be on higher matters, it is only right to bear in mind their comfort. At this of all times, you don’t want someone’s mind wandering because they’re not sitting comfortably. If you’re expecting a higher turnout than usual, then some extra church sanctuary chairs may be needed. This may be the case for a wedding or a funeral in particular when more people may have traveled for the special event.

The more people there are at an event, the more body heat you have to account for. That being the case, you have also to consider the time of year. Think of a couple of hundred people crammed into a church together in June. Unless you’ve made allowances for air conditioning, it will get uncomfortable for all concerned. And as many of the attendees might be advanced in years, that’s a health concern.

Connected to the number of people in attendance is the importance of having some space for them to move around. Very few church events are purely sedentary experiences – most will involve some standing at least. The communality of the event may mean that people need to go to greet one another, so you cannot have them crammed in like sardines.

The duration of a church event is largely a simple matter – it takes as long as it takes. Particularly considering that the attendees will range from the young to the elderly, it is important to consider access. You may need to make allowances for wheelchairs and pushchairs. This needs factoring into everything – from seating space to room in the aisles. Of course, no-one wants to think about an emergency, but you need to be prepared.

lemon

Photo from Flickr

Again depending on the kind of event, you may be laying on refreshments during the service. This being the case, you have to ensure that you have a clean-up crew planned for the event. Hired hands or willing volunteers, it’s up to you (and them). But anywhere you have a lot of people together is going to leave an imprint. And if that imprint includes crumbs, then you’re liable to have non-human visitors pretty soon.

The most important thing in any church event is that all the attendees can be there together in a spirit of contemplation. Bear this in mind when creating an environment for them and you’ll have a gathering that generates positivity. This will be remembered in the best possible light for years to come.

Solar Impulse 2 Completes Historic Atlantic Crossing

James J. Williams
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Solar Impulse 2 Completes Historic Atlantic Crossing

Solar Impulse 2 has landed in Spain, completing the Atlantic leg of its historic bid to circumnavigate the globe.

The landing in Seville marked the end of the 15th stage of the solar-powered aircraft’s route.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard made swift progress over the ocean after leaving New York on June 20.

Mission managers will now plot a route to Abu Dhabi where the venture began in March, 2015.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

The project had hoped to end the Atlantic leg in Paris, to echo the pioneering flight in 1927 of Charles Lindbergh.

Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis aircraft was the first to make the solo crossing.

As it turned out, the forecast this week in Paris was for storms, and so Seville was therefore chosen as the safest option.

Solar Impulse has moved rapidly around the Earth since renewing its challenge in Hawaii on April 21.

In 2015, the zero-fuel plane flew eight stages from Abu Dhabi to Kalaeloa, including a remarkable four-day, 21-hour leg over the western Pacific – the longest solo flight in aviation history in terms of the time it took.

It was damage to its batteries on that stage that forced Solar Impulse to then lay up for 10 months, for repairs and to wait for optimum daylight length in the northern hemisphere to return.

Solar Impulse is covered in 17,000 photovoltaic cells.

The project is not really intended to be a template for the future of aviation, but rather a demonstration of the capabilities of solar power in general.

Bertrand Piccard shares the flying duties with his business partner, Andre Borschberg.

The former Swiss air force pilot will take charge for the next leg, across the Mediterranean.

Setting off from Seville will be easier than from Paris in this respect, said project team-member Yves Andre Fasel who liaises with air traffic control.

“If we would have arrived in Paris like we wished, it would have been very complicated because we would have had to cross a lot of air traffic controls.

“From Seville, if we go along North Africa, I don’t think there will be a lot of difficulties – from traffic. The difficulties will be more to do with military reasons and things like that.”

EU Brexit: UK Polls Open for Historic Referendum

Diane A. Wade
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EU Brexit: UK Polls Open for Historic Referendum

Polls have opened in the UK for a historic referendum on whether the country should remain a member of the European Union or leave.

An estimated 46,499,537 people are entitled to take part in the vote.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00 BST.Brexit referendum 2016

It is only the third nationwide referendum in UK history and comes after a four-month battle for votes between the Leave and Remain campaigns.

The referendum ballot paper asks the following question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

Whichever side gets more than half of all votes cast is considered to have won.

After the referendum polls close, sealed ballot boxes will be collected and transported to the count venue for each of the 382 local counting areas.

These represent all 380 local government areas in England, Scotland and Wales, plus one each for Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.

Individual areas’ results will then be declared throughout the night, along with results from 11 regional counts.

Depending on how close the poll is, the result may become clear before the final national result is officially declared by the Chief Counting Officer, who will be based at Manchester Town Hall.

The Electoral Commission estimates a final result “around breakfast time” on June 24.

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

Canna Tourism: Marijuana Events Continue to Sprout Up All Over the U.S.A.

Dana R
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Canna Tourism: Marijuana Events Continue to Sprout Up All Over the U.S.A.

There is no more contentious issue in the U.S. than the one about marijuana. Millions of people use it, but few will ever admit to it. Fortunately, there are festivals all over the U.S. celebrating this wonderful little plant. As the marijuana industry continues to boom, sub-industries are emerging. The amount and number of cannabis products out there grows every day.

And, there are events for nearly every one of them. Here’s how you can participate in one of them.

The Cannabis Wedding Expo

With the recent decision over marijuana in Washington still fresh in everyone’s mind, this year should be excellent for the industry, and for you. This is a special one because it’s the first of its kind. It features cannabis-themed wedding products. Everything from cuisine to cannabis flower arrangements. Weed sculptures, weed alcohol, and weed cupcakes. Everything is here and ready for you to buy or just look at.

High Times SoCal Cannabis Group

High Times is coming to California with the 2016 High Times SoCal Medical Cannabis Cup. This is an event dedicated to all things cannabis. This includes all the different permutations to ingest cannabis. Of course, in order to comply with the law, you cannot consume or ingest anything with cannabis in it unless you have a prescription for medical cannabis, have a medical cannabis card, or your doctor’s recommendation. This event definitely seems to straddle the line of legality, but most people here understand what the event is really about.

The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference

This is a good event to attend if you want to invest in the marijuana industry. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission starts accepting applications for wholesalers, growers, and retailers at this event. If you want to get a good view of the business side of things, come here. You’ll learn about all the legal factors, taxation, and the general insight into all things you might want to know before starting your own marijuana business.

Spring Marijuana Business Conference and Expo

This is the largest, and oldest, national marijuana conference in the U.S. It’s good for anyone that’s involved in the medical marijuana industry. It’s aimed at the dispensaries, the growers, and patients, of course. This is one to go to if you want to invest in the industry.

Denver High Times Cannabis Cup

Because High Times wants to bring marijuana all over the country, they are hosting a Cannabis Cup in Denver. It’s something like the one in California, which holds a space to get excited about everything related to marijuana.

Seattle Hempfest

The Seattle Hempfest is hosted in Seattle this year in August on the 19th, 20th, and 21st. It’s celebrating its 25th anniversary. The event is an educational event about cannabis and hemp. All the different applications of hemp will be addressed. And, there will be some education about its legal status. It’s on the Seattle Waterfront during the summer, and is the perfect way to spend your afternoon.

Cannabis Business Summit and Expo

Yet another Californian event being held in Oakland. It’s being called “America’s most important cannabis event. This is because you’ll have the opportunity to meet national policy makers and people with a major influence in the industry. There’s going to be all kinds of speakers and mini-events. But, you have to hurry if you want to go. The event is Jun 20th through the 22nd this year.

Joseph Clark has worked in the tourism industry for close to a decade and has seen many changes over the years. He writes articles for travel and tourism blogs in his spare time.

Chinese Bank Staff Publicly Spanked for Poor Performance

Nancy Clayson
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Chinese Bank Staff Publicly Spanked for Poor Performance

Eight Chinese bank employees have been publicly spanked for poor performance during a training session, a leaked video has shown.

The video, first posted by the People’s Daily, shows a trainer asking the employees why they did not “exceed themselves” at training.

The trainer, Jiang Yang, then spanks them with what looks like a stick. Reports say he later also cut and shaved their hair.

Two executives at the bank have been suspended.

The incident took place at a training session for more than 200 employees at Changzhi Zhangze Rural Commercial Bank in northern China on June 18.

Jiang Yang has issued an apology, saying the spanking was “a training model I have tried for years” and had not been instigated by executives at the bank.

The video, which first surfaced on June 20, appears to have been taken by someone in the audience on a smartphone.Chinese bank staff spanked

Jiang Yang is seen reprimanding eight bank employees on stage, asking them why they received the lowest scores in a training exercise.

The employees give answers including “I did not exceed myself”, “I did not co-ordinate with my team” and “I lacked courage”.

Jiang Yang then says “get your butts ready” and proceeds to spank them with what appears to be a thick piece of wood.

The footage shows at least four rounds of spanking, with one woman recoiling each time, apparently in pain.

At one point, that women places her hands over her behind, but is told to “take your hand off”.

The spanking was followed by a “hair cutting punishment”, a statement by the Changzhi local government said.

Chinese media reports said the men had their heads shaved, while the women had their hair cut.

According to the statement, the Shanxi Rural Credit Co-operatives Union, which regulates the bank, has set up a group to investigate the incident.

The Rural Commercial Bank’s chairman and deputy governor had been suspended for “failing to strictly check the content of the course”, the regulator said, while the bank would help the employees seek compensation from the training company.

Jiang Yang has issued a video apology, and said the spanking had “nothing to do” with the leaders at the bank. Such rumors “had severely harmed his clients and the leaders” at the bank, he added.

People online have been expressing outrage over the treatment of staff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlUe30bFdQE

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