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BAFTA Awards 2020: Full List of Winners

Sonia Pantiss
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BAFTA Awards 2020: Full List of Winners
The BAFTAs can be an indicator of which films go on to win Academy Awards two weeks later

The 2020 BAFTA Awards have taken place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 2. The BAFTAs can be an indicator of which films go on to win Academy Awards weeks later.

Here are the full list of this year’s winners.

Best film

  • WINNER: 1917
  • The Irishman
  • Joker
  • Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
  • Parasite

Outstanding British film

  • WINNER: 1917
  • Bait
  • For Sama
  • Rocketman
  • Sorry We Missed You
  • The Two Popes

Leading actress

  • Jessie Buckley – Wild Rose
  • Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story
  • Saoirse Ronan – Little Women
  • Charlize Theron – Bombshell
  • WINNER: Renée Zellweger – Judy

Leading actor

  • Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
  • Adam Driver – Marriage Story
  • Taron Egerton – Rocketman
  • WINNER: Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
  • Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes

Supporting actress

  • WINNER: Laura Dern – Marriage Story
  • Scarlett Johansson – Jojo Rabbit
  • Florence Pugh – Little Women
  • Margot Robbie – Bombshell
  • Margot Robbie – Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood

Supporting actor

  • Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
  • Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes
  • Al Pacino – The Irishman
  • Joe Pesci – The Irishman
  • WINNER: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

Director

  • WINNER: Sam Mendes – 1917
  • Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
  • Todd Phillips – Joker
  • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
  • Bong Joon-Ho – Parasite

EE Rising Star Award (voted for by the public)

  • Awkwafina
  • Jack Lowden
  • Kaitlyn Dever
  • Kelvin Harrison Jr
  • WINNER: Micheal Ward

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer

  • WINNER: Bait – Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite
  • For Sama – Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • Maiden – Alex Holmes
  • Only You – Harry Wootliff
  • Retablo – Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio

Film not in the English language

  • The Farewell
  • For Sama
  • Pain and Glory
  • WINNER: Parasite
  • Portrait of a Lady On Fire

Documentary

  • American Factory
  • Apollo 11
  • Diego Maradona
  • WINNER: For Sama
  • The Great Hack

Animated film

  • Frozen 2
  • WINNER: Klaus
  • A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
  • Toy Story 4

Original screenplay

  • Booksmart – Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman
  • Knives Out – Rian Johnson
  • Marriage Story – Noah Baumbach
  • Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood – Quentin Tarantino
  • WINNER: Parasite – Han Jin Won, Bong Joon Ho

Adapted screenplay

  • The Irishman – Steven Zaillian
  • WINNER: Jojo Rabbit – Taika Waititi
  • Joker – Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
  • Little Women – Greta Gerwig
  • The Two Popes – Anthony McCarten

Original score

  • 1917 – Thomas Newman
  • Jojo Rabbit – Michael Giacchino
  • WINNER: Joker – Hildur Gudnadottir
  • Little Women – Alexandre Desplat
  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – John Williams

Cinematography

  • WINNER: 1917 – Roger Deakins
  • The Irishman – Rodrigo Prieto
  • Joker – Lawrence Sher
  • Le Mans ’66 – Phedon Papamichael
  • The Lighthouse – Jarin Blaschke

Costume design

  • The Irishman – Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell
  • Jojo Rabbit – Mayes C Rubeo
  • Judy – Jany Temime
  • WINNER: Little Women – Jacqueline Durrant
  • Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood – Arianne Phillips

Editing

  • The Irishman – Thelma Schoonmaker
  • Jojo Rabbit – Tom Eagles
  • Joker – Jeff Groth
  • WINNER: Le Mans ’66 – Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
  • Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood – Fred Raskin

Production design

  • WINNER: 1917 – Lee Sandales
  • The Irishman – Bob Shaw, Regina Graves
  • Jojo Rabbit – Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková
  • Joker – Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran
  • Once upon a Time… In Hollywood – Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh

Make-up and hair

  • 1917 – Naomi Donne
  • WINNER: Bombshell – Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
  • Joker – Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
  • Judy – Jeremy Woodhead
  • Rocketman – Lizzie Yianni Georgiou

Sound

  • WINNER: 1917 – Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
  • Joker – Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic
  • Le Mans ’66 – David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester
  • Rocketman – Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan
  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood

Best special visual effects

  • WINNER: 1917 – Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
  • Avengers: Endgame – Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick
  • The Irishman – Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
  • The Lion King – Andrew R Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy

Best casting

  • WINNER: Joker – Shayna Markowitz
  • Marriage Story – Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler
  • Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood – Victoria Thomas
  • The Personal History of David Copperfield – Sarah Crowe
  • The Two Popes – Nina Gold

British short film

  • Azaar
  • Goldfish
  • Kamali
  • WINNER: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
  • The Trap

British short animation

  • WINNER: Grandad Was A Romantic
  • In Her Boots
  • The Magic Boat

Outstanding Contribution

Andy Serkis

Fellowship

Kathleen Kennedy

Palindrome Day: 02/02/2020 Celebrated Around The World

Nancy Clayson
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Palindrome Day: 02/02/2020 Celebrated Around The World
Image by Rafael Javier from Pixabay

Geeks around the world are celebrating palindrome day, a day so rare that it’s certain to happen only once in their lifetimes.

This is when the date – in this case 02/02/2020 – reads the same way back to front.

However, while palindrome days come and go – 20/02/2002 is another example – this one is special.

Unlike the date in 2002, this one reads the same in the US, where dates are written as month-day-year instead of day-month-year as in much of the rest of the world.

It also works for China and a handful of other countries which put the year first.

The last time a palindrome like this happened was November 11, 1111.

We don’t have to wait quite so long for the next international palindrome day, though – it’s 12 December 2121.

Those who are super-engaged with dates and numbers will have pointed out another anomaly.

Sunday, February 2, is number 33 in days of the year – 33 being another palindrome. And as this is a leap year, it’s also 333 days from the end of the year – a third palindrome.

4 tips for fall prevention

Dana R
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4 tips for fall prevention

As someone ages, their bodies weaken and it becomes more likely that they will fall and injure themselves. We all stumble occasionally, but for an elderly person, this can be serious. Whether they are in a nursing home or still living at home there are steps they can take to try and prevent this from happening.

In the US  fall prevention alarms in nursing homes are being phased out. These alarms are important for elderly residents to be able to call for assistance if they need a drink, the bathroom or if they have an unexpected fall. Without them, they may end up feeling trapped and it can result in more falls if they try to do things themselves. When choosing a nursing home, you should make sure that they are still using an alarm system.

Exercise

Daily exercise has lots of benefits for elderly people. It will keep their bodies stronger and prevent falls. There are many exercises which can be done from their seats or someone should walk with them to make sure they are safe.

Exercise will also keep them feeling better in themselves and give them more independence. One fantastic new trend for people who are still able is aqua sports, as the water takes on any weight whilst eliminating strain – it allows people to do exercises that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. You may be able to find classes at your local gym, or you can find some ideas for exercise for elderly people here.

Home adjustments

If they are still living at home, then some adjustments should be made to their home. One idea could be to have everything on one level so that they don’t have to go upstairs. Handrails are also a fantastic option and can be installed in several places. Being able to sit down quickly could also prevent falling. A seat should be accessible in the shower and even in the kitchen.

Keeping the house tidy and free from clutter is also important as well as any trip hazards, such as removing any rugs. Grip flooring could also be installed such as carpet. Bathrooms and kitchens can be dangerous when wet so high-quality non-slip mats could be a great idea.

It may also be difficult for people to bend down low or reach high so some cupboards should be emptied, and the contents moved so everything is accessible.

Imagini pentru Mobility aid"

Mobility aid

Some kind of mobility aid could make all the difference. A walking stick or walker, for example, they should discuss this with their doctor. This will keep them walking for longer.

Wheelchairs or mobility scooters are great if it means retaining independence for longer, but it also stops people from using their legs, which results in them further deteriorating. Therefore, walk assists should be used if possible.  

Mobility aids could also include remote control chairs and beds to help people stand up, stairlifts and ‘reachers’ to help people to get things that are far away, high up or low down.

Clothes

Socks can be a big cause of slips, so opt for slippers with a strong grip. Furthermore, baggy clothes that can be caught on things are another culprit. Tight-fitting clothes are best.

Coronavirus: US Declares Public Health Emergency

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: US Declares Public Health Emergency

A public health emergency has been declared in the US over the spread of the coronavirus and said it would deny entry to any foreign nationals who have visited China in the past two weeks.

According to authorities, US citizens returning from Hubei province, where the outbreak started, will be quarantined for two weeks.

Nearly 10,000 cases of the new virus have been confirmed, most of them in China, since it emerged in December.

More than 100 cases have been reported outside China, in 22 countries.

On January 31, Beijing said the death toll had risen by 45 to 258 – all of them in China and 249 in Hubei.

Earlier, it emerged that the number of new coronavirus cases worldwide had overtaken that of the SARS epidemic, which spread to more than two dozen countries in 2003.

There were around 8,100 cases of SARS – severe acute respiratory syndrome – during the eight-month outbreak. In total, 774 people were killed by SARS.

On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency over the new outbreak.

WHO spokesman Chris Lindmeier warned that closing borders could in fact accelerate its spread, with travelers entering countries unofficially.

“As we know from other scenarios, be it Ebola or other cases, whenever people want to travel, they will. And if the official paths are not opened, they will find unofficial paths,” he said.

He said the best way to track the virus was at official border crossings.

Coronavirus: Chinese President Xi Jinping Warns of “Grave Situation” as Infection Spreads

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China Virus: CDC Confirms First Case of Coronavirus Infection on US Territory

In a public statement on January 31, Health Secretary Alex Azar said US citizens returning from Hubei province would face 14 days of quarantine while those returning from other parts of China would be allowed to monitor their own condition for a similar period.

He told reporters: “Following the World Health Organization decision, I have today declared that the coronavirus represents a public health emergency in the United States.”

Citing the need to relieve pressure on authorities, Alex Azar said that foreign nationals who had travelled in China in the past two weeks would be denied entry to the US.

He added: “The risk of infection for Americans remains low and with these, and our previous, actions we are working to keep the risk low.”

Another confirmed case in the US on January 31 – in California – brought the number there to seven. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said 191 people were under observation for the disease.

The US announcement came as other countries around the world scrambled to contain the spread of the new virus, 2019-nCov.

On January 31, the UK confirmed its first two cases.

Estimates by the University of Hong Kong suggest the true total number of cases could be far higher than official figures suggest. Based on mathematical models of the outbreak, experts there say more than 75,000 people may have been infected in the city of Wuhan alone, where the virus first emerged.

Most cases outside China involve people who have been to Wuhan. Germany, Japan, Vietnam, the US, Thailand and South Korea have reported person-to-person cases – patients being infected by people who had travelled to China.

Meanwhile in Wuhan, voluntary evacuations of hundreds of foreign nationals are under way.

Australia, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand and the UK are expected to quarantine all evacuees for two weeks to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion.

Brexit: UK Officially Leaves EU after 47 Years of Membership

Diane A. Wade
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Brexit: UK Officially Leaves EU after 47 Years of Membership
Photo Getty Image

Brexit has finally been realized, more than three years after the landmark vote and resulting Parliamentary deadlock.

On January 31, 2020, the UK has officially left the European Union after 47 years of membership.

In 2016, the UK voted to exit the EU in a referendum.

The historic moment, which happened at 23:00 GMT, was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests.

PM Boris Johnson has vowed to bring the country together and “take us forward”.

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Brexit: EU Explains Leaving Procedure

In a message released on social media an hour before the UK’s departure, Boris Johnson said: “For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come.

“And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.

“And then of course there is a third group – perhaps the biggest – who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.

“I understand all those feelings and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward.”

The prime minister said that “for all its strengths and for all its admirable qualities, the EU has evolved over 50 years in a direction that no longer suits this country”.

“The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning,” he said, and “a moment of real national renewal and change”.

Brexit parties were held in pubs and social clubs across the UK as the country counted down to its official departure.

Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square to celebrate Brexit, singing patriotic songs and cheering speeches from leading Brexiteers, including Nigel Farage, the leader of Brexit Party.

He said: “Let us celebrate tonight as we have never done before.

“This is the greatest moment in the modern history of our great nation.”

Pro-EU demonstrators earlier staged a march in Whitehall to bid a “fond farewell” to the union – and anti-Brexit rallies and candlelit vigils were held in Scotland.

Other symbolic moments on January 31 included:

  • The UK flag was removed from the EU institutions in Brussels;
  • The Cabinet meeting in Sunderland, the first city to declare in favor of Brexit when the 2016 results were announced;
  • A light show illuminating 10 Downing Street and Union flags lining The Mall;
  • A 50p coin to mark the occasion entering circulation.

Choosing the Right Season to Charter A Yacht

Kathryn R. Bown
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Choosing the Right Season to Charter A Yacht

If you’ve decided to make the commendable decision to charter a yacht – be it the first time or the twentieth – deciding when to set sail might not be as simple as you might think. There are quite a few variables to consider when planning your voyage – fluctuating seasonal costs, ideal periods to visit certain locations, and what you want to get out of your itinerary can all affect when you decide to embark. To help guide you in deciding what might be the best course of action for you, read on to learn in more detail the factors that can influence your voyage. Remember: good preparation is paramount if you want to have the best trip possible without all of the headaches that often accompany poor planning.

Choosing a time of year that best suits you

Although embarking on a cruise in a yacht in the peak of summer might seem like a good idea on paper – crystal clear skies, tranquil oceans and gorgeous beaches may immediately come to mind – summer may not necessarily be the best option. Instead, consider where in the world you’re wanting to travel to, and how seasons in these locations will affect what you plan to do. For example, if you’re wanting to travel around the Mediterranean and want to primarily swim and sunbathe, it would absolutely make sense to travel in the peak of summer when the weather is scorching. If instead you want to relax aboard your yacht, spring and autumn are still very viable months, and are less vulnerable to intense heatwaves. This is also true if you want to moor your vessel and go on active adventures – sweltering heat makes many physical activities prohibitive, so make sure the weather is cooler before you plan a multi-day hike.

Considering seasonal costs

Another thing people should consider when planning your yachting are costs associated with seasons, particularly if you decide to hire your vessel through a service such as Ahoy Club. The peak of summer, a time during which many will flock to the seas, will attract the highest fees and can throw your budget out of whack. With this being the case, a pre-defined budget could net you two very different yachts depending on the season – would you prefer a more well-fitted out, comfortable yacht to relax on during the cooler months, or a smaller, agile yacht to visit crystal clear beaches during the warmer months? Because the warmer months also tend to attract more keen charterers, you should also expect that mooring may be more of a problem than it would be in cooler months. If you aren’t able to find a convenient spot to anchor your vessel, you might find that getting around won’t be as simple as you anticipated.

Ready to embark on a life-changing voyage?

If you’ve always dreamed about setting sail on a luxury yacht, it should now be apparent how important planning is for your voyage. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that chartering during summer also has its drawbacks. To help give you an idea of what services your needs in the best way possible, it’s recommended to write a detailed list of what you hope to see and achieve while chartering. This way, you’re much less likely to get caught out.

Vanessa Bryant Makes First Comments Since Kobe’s Death

Lisa.Felice
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Vanessa Bryant Makes First Comments Since Kobe’s Death
Image source: Instagram
Image source: Instagram

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has made her first comments since the helicopter crash that killed her husband, one of their daughters and seven others on January 26.

In a post on Instagram with a family photo, Vanessa Bryant said she was “completely devastated” and that there were not “enough words to describe our pain”.

Kobe and Vanessa had four daughters including Gianna, 13, who died in the crash.

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There has been no word yet on funeral arrangements.

The cause of the crash in foggy weather west of Los Angeles is still being investigated.

Kobe Bryant, 41, was on his way to coach his daughter’s basketball team in a local youth tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy.

In the Instagram post, Vanessa Bryant also said: “We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe – the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna – a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.”

The devastated wife added: “I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them.”

Vanessa Bryant also thanked for the public support, and announced the formation of a fund to help support the other families that were affected by the crash, the Mamba Sports Foundation.

The other victims included the pilot, two other 13-year-old girls involved in the tournament, three of their parents and another coach.

Kobe Bryant was a five-time NBA champion for his only team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and a double Olympic gold medalist.

After a 20-year career with the team Kobe Bryant retired in April 2016.

Money Tips for Big City Dwellers

Clyde K. Valle
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Money Tips for Big City Dwellers
finance-business

When the Clampetts moved from Tennessee to Beverly Hills in the 1960’s, the fictitious TV family had $83 million in the bank as a result of their backyard oil strike. Jed and his kin had no money worries, but most people who move to the big city find it hard to adapt to the much higher price levels. In places like New York City, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Los Angeles, the cost of living is escalated than in medium sized towns. If you have recently found yourself dwelling in one of the larger urban areas, here are some reliable tips for how to handle money and, hopefully, end up with some left when the last day of the month rolls around.

Use Public Transit

The golden rule of city life is using public transportation. Even if you own a car, it’s best to use it judiciously and take the bus, train or rapid transit to your destination. In New York, for example, you can spend as much as $2,500 more each year using your car instead of taking public transit. It’s not always a glamorous or convenient way to get from point A to point B, but buses and trains are cheap, and if you reside in the Big Apple or the big anything else, saving cash on in-city travel is a bargain you shouldn’t pass up.

Find No Cost Entertainment Options

One of the many great things about live in highly populated areas is free entertainment. It seems like whenever large groups reside near each other, they somehow figure out that it makes perfect sense to put on free concerts, circuses and public performances of all kinds. There are also museums, vast parks and lots of historic sites to see in the metropolis. That means you can spend at least the first couple years acting like a tourist and seeing the sights of the place you now call home.

Refinance Student Loans

Moving from a smaller town to a larger one entails cost-cutting. One of the most efficient ways to reduce your monthly expenses is by refinancing student loans. Not only will you have more available cash due to the lower monthly payments, but you’ll likely have a lower interest rate and much more time to pay off the entire debt. A refi makes solid sense for anyone contemplating a move to a major metro area.

Track All Spending

When you first arrive in your new residence, sit down and make a simple spreadsheet to track spending. It’s easy to leak money from your budget when you arrive in a place like Dallas, Miami or San Francisco. It’s important to watch every penny for the first month or two so you know where all the cash is going and what tourist traps you need to avoid.

Plan Meals a Week or Two in Advance

One of the most efficient ways to conserve your funds is to only eat out one or two times per week. Plan all other meals as eating in, and shop accordingly. Remember, a written weekly meal plan can save you more than any other lifestyle change.

Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan Rejected by Palestinians

Roy Siemens
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Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan Rejected by Palestinians
Image source Wikimedia

President Donald Trump’s new Middle East peace plan has been dismissed by Palestinians as a “conspiracy”.

The peace plan envisages a Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements.

President Trump said Jerusalem would remain Israel’s “undivided” capital, but the Palestinian capital would “include areas of East Jerusalem”.

Reacting to January 28 announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Jerusalem was “not for sale”.

He added: “All our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain.”

President Donald Trump Presents Middle East Peace Plan

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Thousands of Palestinian protesters held a “day of rage” in the Gaza Strip on January 28, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.

The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, President Trump said his proposals “could be the last opportunity” for Palestinians.

Reports said Benjamin Netanyahu was planning to press ahead with annexing 30% of the occupied West Bank, with a cabinet vote due on February 2.

Israel has settled about 400,000 Jews in West Bank settlements, with another 200,000 living in East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Speaking on Tuesday, President Mahmoud Abbas said it was “impossible for any Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or Christian child to accept” a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital.

He said: “We say a thousand times, no, no, no.

“We rejected this deal from the start and our stance was correct.”

The militant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also rejected the deal which it said aimed “to liquidate the Palestinian national project”.

The UN said it remained committed to a two-state solution based on the boundaries in place before the 1967 war, when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu described President Trump’s plan as the “deal of the century”.

Israel “will not miss this opportunity”, he said.

“May God bless us all with security, prosperity and peace!” the Israeli prime minister added.

Some basic first aid everybody should know

Dana R
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Some basic first aid everybody should know

Emergency can strike at any time. Nobody expects to be the only witness to a car crash, or worse. If you are the only person who can help, not having any first aid training could be the difference in a person is living or dying. It is especially important for parents, or you are in charge of multiple people on a day to day basis. Even if you are not, having the ability to save someone’s life one day, is an ability I think most people should have. Without it, you can end up causing more damage than good. You only have to read about the Boston scientific defibrillator lawsuit to see that.

Here is some basic first aid that everybody should know.

Heavy Bleeding

To stop heavy bleeding, the type where their body will not form a clot. To stop them from bleeding out, first, you must put pressure on the wound. If possible, raise the injury above the heart to slow down the bleed rate. If it is a major arterial bleed, they could die within a couple of minutes. It is crucial that you add cloth to the wound and apply pressure, do not let that pressure off until the paramedics turn up.

CPR

With nearly 90% of cardiac arrests happening at home, away from a doctor or hospital, it is important to know what to do when one happens.

To begin with, it performs CPR with no training, put your hands over the victim’s heart and push. Push to the rhythm of ‘Nelly the Elephant’ or ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees.

You need to do this immediately, as it only takes 4 minutes for a cardiac arrest to lead to brain damage, even if you save them.

Heimlich Maneuver

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, your child has swallowed a small object and its stuck in their throat and they are choking. What do you do?

If this happens, you will have to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Stand behind them with your hand wrapped around them. Turn one hand into a fist and place it between their belly button and their ribcage. Place your other hand over the top. Then perform a quick upwards thrusting motion, making sure to use a good amount of pressure, repeat until the object is dislodged.

Strokes

Strokes are one of those things that increase in severity rapidly from the moment they happen, and they can happen at any time. The best thing to do if you spot the signs of someone you love having a stroke is to call for an ambulance immediately and, if possible, give them an aspirin.

Signs to look for with a stroke are dizzy spells, numbness, drooping of one side of the face. If in doubt, ask them to smile, if one part of the mouth doesn’t rise, the likelihood is they are having a stroke.

Hopefully, with these basic first aid tricks, you have the ability to save a life, not that we hope it ever comes up!

President Donald Trump Presents Middle East Peace Plan

Diane A. Wade
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President Donald Trump Presents Middle East Peace Plan
Photo: Donald Trump Twitter

Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Donald Trump has presented his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, promising to keep Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.

President Trump proposed an independent Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements.

He said his proposals “could be the last opportunity” for Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plans as a “conspiracy”.

He said in a TV address from Ramallah in the West Bank: “I say to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will not pass.”

The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Thousands of Palestinians protested in the Gaza Strip earlier on January 28, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.

President Donald Trump: Israeli Settlements Could Complicate Peace Process with Palestinians

Israel Approves Controversial Jewish Nation State Bill

The joint announcement came as both President Trump and PM Netanyahu faced political challenges at home. Donald Trump is the subject of an impeachment trial in the Senate while the Israeli PM on January 28 dropped his bid for immunity on corruption charges. Both men deny any wrongdoing.

David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel, said that the timing of the announcement was not tied to any political development, adding it had been “fully baked” for some time.

President Trump’s proposals are:

  • The US will recognize Israeli sovereignty over territory that Donald Trump’s plan envisages being part of Israel. The plan includes a conceptual map that President Trump says illustrates the territorial compromises that Israel is willing to make.
  • The map will “more than double the Palestinian territory and provide a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem”, where President Trump says the US would open an embassy. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said President Trump’s plan would give Palestinians control over 15% of what it called “historic Palestine”.
  • Jerusalem “will remain Israel’s undivided capital”. Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the holy city. The Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, be the capital of their future state.
  • An opportunity for Palestinians to “achieve an independent state of their very own” – however, he gave few details.
  • “No Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes” – suggesting that existing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will remain.
  • Israel will work with the king of Jordan to ensure that the status quo governing the key holy site in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims is preserved. Jordan runs the religious trust that administers the site.
  • Territory allocated to Palestinians in President Trump’s map “will remain open and undeveloped for a period of four years”. During that time, Palestinians can study the deal, negotiate with Israel, and “achieve the criteria for statehood”.

President Trump said: “Palestinians are in poverty and violence, exploited by those seeking to use them as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism. They deserve a far better life.”

Jeffrey Epstein’s Accusers Urge Prince Andrew to Co-operate with US Authorities

Diane A. Wade
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Jeffrey Epstein’s Accusers Urge Prince Andrew to Co-operate with US Authorities

Jeffrey Epstein‘s alleged victims have urged Prince Andrew to co-operate with an inquiry into the financier.

Attorney Lisa Bloom, representing five women who say they were abused by the financier, said Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers were “outraged” by the Duke of York not assisting the US authorities.

It comes after the prosecutor in charge of the US investigation said Prince Andrew had provided “zero co-operation”.

The prince has said he did not witness or suspect any suspicious behavior during visits to Jeffrey Epstein’s homes.

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Jeffrey Epstein Case: Prince Andrew Defends His Friendship with US Financier

Prince Andrew named in US lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein

Prince Andrew has come under fire for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein – a convicted sex offender who took his own life in a jail cell in August at the age of 66, while awaiting trial on  trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Last November, the prince said that he was willing to help the authorities into the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.

However, attorney Geoffrey Berman said prosecutors and the FBI have received no reply after contacting Prince Andrew’s lawyers.

Linda Bloom said the duke should “do the right thing”.

Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew’s legal team was dealing with the issue and it would not be commenting further.

Another lawyer representing some of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers, Gloria Allred, said she had sent a letter to Prince Andrew’s home urging him to co-operate but hadn’t received a response.

Bosarge Divorce: Will A Houston Billionaire Face His Accuser in Court?

Lisa.Felice
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0
Bosarge Divorce: Will A Houston Billionaire Face His Accuser in Court?
Image source: edbosarge.com

Press release

A family court showdown in Houston on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 involves the attempt of Ed Bosarge, one of Houston’s richest men, to hide billions of dollars from his wife of 30 years.

The big question for court observers is: Will Ed Bosarge dare to show up in Harris County Family Court?

The 81-year-old Ed Bosarge is accused of vast amounts of fraud by his spouse – a sophisticated effort to hide his mansions, superyachts and private Bahamian Island in secretive trust accounts in South Dakota. The state has become famous as a place for the super wealthy to hide their assets.

During the 2:00 p.m. court hearing, lawyers for Ed Bosarge will ask 312th District Court Judge Chip Wells to throw out the fraud claims. The billionaire’s wife, Marie Bosarge, claims the Medical Center pioneer and famed mathematician started having an affair with his Russian girlfriend who is nearly 47 years younger, and then systematically moved assets to what Marie calls “sham” accounts before trying to end the marriage.

One of the Bosarge mansions was called the most expensive house in Houston by the Houston Chronicle.

“It’s very disappointing. It’s sad,” said Marie Bosarge when questioned by Dolcefino Consulting. “We’ve been married thirty years and he is trying to take everything from me and leave me homeless basically.”

Ed Bosarge is no stranger to allegations of fraud. The Houston entrepreneur was charged decades ago by the Securities and Exchange Commission for securities fraud and market manipulation, and former business partners at Houston trading firm Quantlab filed lawsuits claiming that Bosarge pulled off a “tyrannical coup.” Ed Bosarge lawyers have refused to comment.

The court hearing is set for Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Judge Chip Wells’ courtroom, the 312th District Court on the 16th floor of the Harris County Civil Courthouse.

Grammys 2020: Full List of Winners

Sonia Pantiss
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Grammys 2020: Full List of Winners

Pop star Billie Eilish was the biggest winner of this year’s Grammys with five awards, including best new artist and song of the year.

The 18-year-old also won album of the year for her debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go, which was recorded in her childhood home in LA.

Billie Eilish replaces Taylor Swift as the youngest person ever to win the award.

She triumphed in all of the Grammys “big four” marquee categories – song of the year, record of the year, album of the year and best new artist.

Billie Eilish is the first person to achieve the feat since Christopher Cross in 1981.

The winners for the 62nd Grammy Awards have been announced in Los Angeles. Here’s a summary of the key categories.

Album of the year

  • Winner: Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
  • Bon Iver – I,I
  • Lana Del Rey – Norman F***ing Rockwell!
  • Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next
  • H.E.R. – I Used To Know Her
  • Lil Nas X – 7
  • Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
  • Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride

Record of the year

  • Winner: Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
  • Bon Iver – Hey, Ma
  • Ariana Grande – 7 Rings
  • H.E.R. – Hard Place
  • Khalid – Talk
  • Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road
  • Lizzo – Truth Hurts
  • Post Malone & Swae Lee – Sunflower

Song of the year

  • Winner: Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
  • Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
  • Lana Del Rey – Norman F***ing Rockwell
  • H.E.R. – Hard Place
  • Lady Gaga – Always Remember Us This Way
  • Lizzo – Truth Hurts
  • Taylor Swift – Lover
  • Tanya Tucker – Bring My Flowers Now

Best new artist

  • Winner: Billie Eilish
  • Black Pumas
  • Lil Nas X
  • Lizzo
  • Maggie Rogers
  • Rosalia
  • Tank and the Bangas
  • Yola

Best pop solo performance

  • Winner: Lizzo – Truth Hurts
  • Beyonce – Spirit
  • Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
  • Ariana Grande – 7 Rings
  • Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down

Best pop duo/group performance

  • Winner: Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road
  • Ariana Grande & Social House – Boyfriend
  • Jonas Brothers – Sucker
  • Post Malone & Swae Lee – Sunflower
  • Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – Senorita

Best traditional pop vocal album

  • Winner: Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Look Now
  • Andrea Bocelli – Si
  • Michael Buble – Love
  • John Legend – A Legendary Christmas
  • Barbra Streisand – Walls

Best pop vocal album

  • Winner: Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
  • Beyonce – The Lion King: The Gift
  • Ariana Grande (pictured) – Thank U, Next
  • Ed Sheeran – No. 6 Collaborations Project
  • Taylor Swift – Lover

Best dance recording

  • Winner: The Chemical Brothers – Got To Keep On
  • Bonobo – Linked
  • Meduza featuring Goodboys – Piece Of Your Heart
  • Rufus Du Sol – Underwater
  • Skrillex & Boys Noize featuring Ty Dolla $ign – Midnight Hour

Best dance/electronic album

  • Winner: The Chemical Brothers – No Geography
  • Apparat – LP5
  • Flume – Hi This Is Flume
  • Rufus Du Sol – Solace
  • Weather – Tycho

Best rock performance

  • Winner: Gary Clark Jr – This Land (pictured)
  • Bones UK – Pretty Waste
  • Brittany Howard – History Repeats
  • Karen O & Danger Mouse – Woman
  • Rival Sons – Too Bad

Best metal performance

  • Winner: Tool – 7Empest
  • Candlemass featuring Tony Iommi – Astorolus The Great Octopus
  • Death Angel – Humanicide
  • I Prevail – Bow Down
  • Killswitch Engage Unleashed

Best rock album

  • Winner: Cage The Elephant – Social Cues
  • Bring Me The Horizon – Amo
  • The Cranberries – In The End
  • I Prevail – Trauma
  • Rival Sons – Feral Roots

Best alternative album

  • Winner: Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride
  • Big Thief – U.F.O.F.
  • James Blake – Assume Form
  • Bon Iver – I,I
  • Thom Yorke – Anima

Best R&B performance

  • Winner: Anderson .Paak featuring André 3000 – Come Home
  • Daniel Caesar & Brandy – Love Again
  • H.E.R. featuring Bryson Tiller – Could’ve Been
  • Lizzo featuring Gucci Mane – Exactly How I Feel
  • Lucky Daye – Roll Some Mo

Best country album

  • Winner: Tanya Tucker – While I’m Livin’ (pictured)
  • Eric Church – Desperate Man
  • Reba McEntire – Stronger Than The Truth
  • Pistol Annies – Interstate Gospel
  • Thomas Rhett – Center Point Road

Best Country Solo Performance

  • Winner: Willie Nelson – Ride Me Back Home
  • Tyler Childers – All Your’n
  • Ashley McBryde – Girl Goin’ Nowhere
  • God’s Country – Blake Shelton
  • Tanya Tucker – Bring My Flowers Now

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

  • Winner: Dan + Shay – Speechless
  • Brooks & Dunn ft. Luke Combs – Brand New Man
  • Brothers Osborne – I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)
  • Little Big Town – The Daughters
  • Maren Morris ft. Brandi Carlile – Common

Best musical theatre album

  • Winner: Hadestown
  • Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • The Music Of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
  • Oklahoma!

Producer of the year, non-classical

  • Winner: Finneas
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Dan Auerbach
  • John Hill
  • Ricky Reed

Best music video

  • Winner: Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road
  • The Chemical Brothers – We’ve Got To Try
  • Gary Clark Jr – This Land
  • FKA Twigs – Cellophane
  • Tove Lo – Glad He’s Gone

Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash
Photo Getty Images

Kobe Bryant was among five people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California.

According to reports, the 41-year-old Lakers legend was traveling in a private helicopter when it crashed and burst into flames.

Kobe Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, was widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball’s history.

Tributes from celebrities and fellow sports stars have been pouring in, many expressing shock at his sudden death.

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The identities of the other victims have not yet been released.

In a statement, the City of Calabasas said it was “with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash”.

The statement added: “The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt.”

Gavin Masak, who lives nearby, told CBS News of the moment the helicopter crashed.

He said: “It wasn’t exactly like an explosion sound but it was like a loud boom. It sounded like a helicopter, but it sounded like a jet, like it was loud, so I went inside and told my dad what was happening. So when I came out I saw smoke on the hill but it wasn’t like a big, black cloud of smoke, it was just grey.”

Other eyewitnesses told celebrity news site TMZ they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department shared pictures from the scene of the accident, showing a fire truck and smoke emerging from the hills.

The FAA identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky S-76. It said it was investigating the accident alongside the NTSB.

Officials are set to give further details at a press conference at 2PM, local time.

Kobe Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in April 2016.

His achievements include being the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Kobe Bryant was also two-time NBA scoring champion and a two-time Olympic champion.

Coronavirus: Chinese President Xi Jinping Warns of “Grave Situation” as Infection Spreads

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: Chinese President Xi Jinping Warns of “Grave Situation” as Infection Spreads

The spread of the deadly coronavirus is accelerating, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned, after holding a special government meeting on the Lunar New Year public holiday.

China is facing a “grave situation” President Xi told senior officials.

The new virus has killed at least 56 people and infected almost 2,000 since its discovery in the city of Wuhan.

Meanwhile, the US has announced that staff at the Wuhan consulate will be evacuated on a special flight on January 28.

According to the State Department, private Americans most at risk will also be able to board the flight to San Francisco.

Meanwhile, UK-based researchers have warned of a real possibility that China will not be able to contain the virus.

Travel restrictions have come in place in several affected cities. From January 26, private vehicles will be banned from central districts of Wuhan, the source of the outbreak.

According to Chinese state newspaper the People’s Daily, a second emergency hospital is to be built there within weeks to handle 1,300 new patients, and will be finished in half a month. It is the second such rapid construction project: work on another 1,000-bed hospital has already begun.

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Specialist military medical teams have also been flown into Hubei province, where Wuhan is located.

The urgency reflects concern both within China and elsewhere about the virus which first appeared in December.

Lunar New Year celebrations for the year of the rat, which began on January 25, have been canceled in many Chinese cities.

Across mainland China, travelers are having their temperatures checked for signs of fever, and train stations have been shut in several cities.

Hong Kong has declared the highest level of emergency and school holidays were extended.

Several other nations are each dealing with a handful of cases, with patients being treated in isolation.

A coronavirus is a family of viruses which include the common cold.

However, this virus has never been seen before. It is called 2019-nCov, for “novel coronavirus”.

New viruses can become common in humans after jumping across the species barrier from animals.

The SARS [Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome] outbreak of 2003 started in bats and transferred to the civet cat which passed it on to humans.

This new Chinese virus also causes severe acute respiratory infection.

Symptoms seem to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, lead to shortness of breath and some patients needing hospital treatment.

There is no specific cure or vaccine.

Based on early information, it is believed that only a quarter of infected cases are “severe”, and the dead are mostly – though not exclusively – older people, some of whom have pre-existing conditions.

The Chinese authorities suspect a seafood market that “conducted illegal transactions of wild animals” was the source of the outbreak.

Boeing 777X Successfully Completes First Test Flight

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Boeing 777X Successfully Completes First Test Flight
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Boeing 777X, the world’s largest twin-engined plane, has successfully completed its first test flight.

It comes as Boeing attempts to boost its image after its 737 Max plane was grounded last year following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.

The flight took off near Seattle and lasted four hours. Two attempts were called off this week due to high winds.

Further tests are needed before the aircraft enters service with Emirates in 2021.

The 252-foot-long passenger plane had been due to launch this year but has been delayed by some technical difficulties.

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The 777X is a larger and more efficient version of Boeing’s successful 777 mini-jumbo. Standout features include folding wingtips and the world’s largest commercial engines.

777X marketing director Wendy Sowers said: “It represents the great things we can do as a company.”

Boeing says it has sold 309 of the plane – worth more than $442 million each at list prices.

777X will go head-to-head with the Airbus A350-1000 which seats about 360 passengers.

Boeing has been in crisis since the 737 Max crashes, which occurred within five months of each other – first in Indonesia in October 2018 and then in Ethiopia last March.

The company is facing multiple investigations amid accusations that it sacrificed safety as it rushed to get its jets to customers. Boeing is attempting to have the plane re-approved for flight.

The grounding of the 737 Max, which had been Boeing’s best-selling plane, is estimated to have already cost Boeing more than $9 billion.

Trump Impeachment: Lawyers Accuse Democrats of Seeking to Overturn 2016 Election Result

Diane A. Wade
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Trump Impeachment: Lawyers Accuse Democrats of Seeking to Overturn 2016 Election Result

Donald Trump’s lawyers have begun defending him at his impeachment trial, accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn the result of the 2016 election.

White House Counsel Pat Cipollone said: “The president did absolutely nothing wrong.”

President Trump’s defense will last three days and follows the Democrats’ prosecution case which ended on January 24.

Donald Trump faces two charges linked to his dealings with Ukraine.

The articles of impeachment accuse the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

President Trump is alleged to have withheld military aid to pressure the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, into starting a corruption investigation into Donald Trump’s political rival, Democrat Joe Biden, and his son Hunter.

Democrats also accuse President Trump of making a visit by Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House contingent on an investigation.

The president is charged with obstructing Congress by failing to co-operate with the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry.

He dismisses the accusations as a witch-hunt.

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President Donald Trump Impeached by House of Representatives

What Is Impeachment and How Does It Work?

The trial in the Senate will decide if Donald Trump should be removed from office. This is unlikely as the Republicans control the Senate and any such move would need a two-thirds majority.

Echoing a line heard from many Republicans, Pat Cipollone said Democrats were “asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election… they’re asking you to remove President Trump from the ballot in the election that’s occurring in approximately nine months.”

“They are asking you to do something very, very consequential and, I would submit to you … very, very dangerous,” he said.

Much of the abuse of power charge centers on a phone call in July between President Trump and President Zelenksy.

Donald Trump’s defense lawyer Mike Purpura insisted there was no quid pro quo – as asserted by the Democrats.

He said: “Zelenksy felt no pressure. President Zelensky says he felt no pressure. The House managers tell you they know better.”

In a news conference after January 25 hearing, Adam Schiff, the Democrats’ lead prosecutor, raised the disputed issue of calling witnesses.

He said: “The one question they did not address at all is why they don’t want to give the American people a fair trial, why they want this to be the first impeachment case in history without a single witness and without a single document being handed over.

“That ought to tell you everything you need to know about the strength and weaknesses of this case”.

The leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, told reporters that President Trump’s defense team had inadvertently “made a really compelling case for why the Senate should call witnesses and documents”.

Bosarge Divorce: A Billion Dollar Dose of Family Injustice

Lisa.Felice
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0
Bosarge Divorce: A Billion Dollar Dose of Family Injustice
Getting Divorced Abroad

Press Release

Women across Houston won’t like what local billionaire Ed Bosarge is trying to pull off next week in front of a Harris County Family Law judge.

The 81-year old mathematician helped pioneer groundbreaking work in the Houston Medical Center and is trying to divorce his wife of 30 years and leave her homeless.

Ed Bosarge owns mansions across the world, at least two yachts, and an island in the Caribbean called Over Yonder Cay. He profiles his self-proclaimed visionary work on www.edbosarge.com.

When his largest palacial home on Carnovan was put on the market the Houston Chronicle profiled it as the most expensive mansion in Houston at $42 million dollars.

Bosarge has amassed a multi-billion-dollar fortune despite allegations of fraud along the way. In the early 1980’s the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Bosarge with securities fraud and market manipulation. The case was settled. Former business partners have accused Bosarge of a “tyrannical coup” in a legal fight over Houston based Quantlab, called one of the world’s most secretive and profitable high frequency trading companies. Bosarge is also now deeply invested in stem cell technology.

But it may be his divorce case that raises the most troubling questions about Ed Bosarge.

Court filings claim the Houston billionaire has a young Russian girlfriend – an affair that purportedly started long before the divorce was ever filed. Lawyers for Marie Bosarge claim Ed Bosarge systematically moved assets into South Dakota trusts as part of a scheme to keep the assets from his thirty-year marriage for himself. The Guardian newspaper recently profiled how the mega-rich use South Dakota trust laws to protect and hide their money. Marie’s lawyers say the “sham” trusts were set up to hide his money from his long-time spouse.

“We’ve been married thirty years and he is trying to take everything from me and leave me homeless basically,” Marie Bosarge told Dolcefino Consulting when we saw her outside a Galleria restaurant, “I just want what’s fair.”

Tuesday morning, lawyers for Ed Bosarge will ask Judge Chip Wells of the 312th District Court to dismiss Marie’s claims that Ed is trying to cheat her. 

Will the billionaire show up to face his wife? Stay tuned.

Turkey: 6.8 Earthquake Kills at Least 14 in Elazig Province

Nancy Clayson
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Turkey: 6.8 Earthquake Kills at Least 14 in Elazig Province
Image source: Wikipedia

At least 14 people were confirmed dead and hundreds injured after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, officials say.

The tremor6.8 magnitude quake, centered on the town of Sivrice in Elazig province, caused buildings to collapse and sent residents rushing into the street.

The quake struck at about 20:55 local time, on January 24.

Tremors were also felt in neighboring Syria, Lebanon and Iran.

According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), there were 60 aftershocks recorded after the earthquake.

It said more than 400 rescue teams are heading towards the region, along with beds and tents for those displaced. It warned people not to return to damaged buildings in case of aftershocks.

The governor of Elazig said eight people had died in the province, while the governor of neighboring Malatya said six died there.

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TV pictures showed emergency services frantically searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

The region struck by the quake, some 340 mile) east of the capital Ankara, is remote and sparsely populated, so details of damage and fatalities could be slow to emerge.

Officials have sent beds, tents and blankets to the area, where overnight temperatures regularly fall below zero.

Sivrice, a town of about 4,000 people, is a popular tourist spot on the shore of Hazar lake, the source of the river Tigris.

Earthquakes are common in Turkey – about 17,000 people died in a massive quake in the western city of Izmit in 1999.

Donald Trump Becomes First US President to Attend March for Life

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Becomes First US President to Attend March for Life
Image source The Blue Diamond Gallery

Donald Trump has become the first US president to attend the March for Life, America’s largest annual anti-abortion rally.

The president addressed thousands of protesters at the annual demonstration near the Capitol where his impeachment trial is ongoing.

He said: “We’re here for a very simple reason: to defend the right of every child born and unborn to fulfill their God-given potential.”

The March for Life first began in 1974 – a year after the Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v Wade.

Until now no president had ever attended the rally, which takes place just steps from the White House, though previous Republican presidents, including George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, have addressed the group remotely.

Mike Pence became the first sitting vice-president to attend the rally in 2017.

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President Trump’s appearance at the 47th March for Life delighted protesters.

Voters who support limiting abortion make up a key constituency for President Trump, who is seeking their support at the polls again in the 2020 election.

On January 24, marchers in Washington shouted “four more years” and “we love you”.

On the streets surrounding the National Mall vendors selling Trump flags and Make America Great Again hats were aplenty. Many of the attendees sported pro-Trump merchandise, though for some, there was a distinction between liking the president and liking his anti-abortion stance.

President Trump’s appearance on January 24 has already made a difference for some voters.

In 2016, 81% of Evangelical voters – a group for whom abortion is the biggest political issue – backed Donald Trump for president. He has continued to court them as his re-election campaign ramps up.

March for Life president Jeanne Mancini said President Trump and his administration “have been consistent champions for life”.

However, pro-choice groups said his appearance was a distraction tactic.

Ilyse Hogue, the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said it was “a desperate attempt to divert attention from his criminal presidency and fire up his radical base”.

America’s two main political parties are more polarized than ever on the issue of abortion.

Democrats campaigning for November’s White House election are unapologetically pro-choice – something many March for Life attendees said made the candidates inaccessible to anti-abortion supporters, even if they disliked President Trump.

In 2016, the Democratic Party for the first time included in its platform a call to repeal the Hyde Amendment, a decades-old law that prohibits using taxpayer money for abortions.

In 2019, leading White House contender Joe Biden was sharply criticized by his Democratic rivals for initially backing the Hyde Amendment. Amid uproar from the party’s liberal base, he reversed course in June.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has bolstered support for anti-abortion views within the GOP.

China Coronavirus: Lockdowns Across Hubei Province

Kathryn R. Bown
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China Coronavirus: Lockdowns Across Hubei Province

Chinese authorities have increased lockdown measures across Hubei province to try to control the spread of the new virus that has left 18 people dead in the country.

Wuhan, Hubei’s capital of 11 million people where the coronavirus first emerged, has no trains or planes in or out.

At least five other provincial cities are seeing clampdowns on transport.

There are more than 500 confirmed cases of the virus, which has spread abroad, with Singapore and Vietnam the latest affected.

The new strain of coronavirus is believed to have originated at a market in Wuhan. One resident of the city said the atmosphere there felt like “the end of the world”.

The lockdown measures come as millions of people travel across China for the Lunar New Year holiday.

All the fatalities bar one so far have been in Hubei province. Most of the 17 victims there were elderly and suffered from other chronic diseases including Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

An 18th victim, an elderly patient, was announced on January 23 in Hebei province, near the capital, Beijing.

Wuhan’s public transport lockdown came into force as of 10:00 local time, leaving normally busy train stations and airports empty.

One Wuhan resident said on social media site Weibo that people were on the “verge of tears” when they heard about the closures.

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Health authorities are reported to have made wearing a mask mandatory in Wuhan. They are advising people to avoid crowds and public gatherings.

Demand for rubber gloves and surgical masks has soared. Taobao, the Chinese online retail giant, has warned sellers not to profit from the outbreak by raising prices.

Huanggang, a city east of Wuhan, suspended bus and rail services and encouraged people not to leave the city. Cafes, cinemas, theatres and exhibitions are also being shut.

Ezhou, a city just south of Huanggang, has shut its train stations.

Xiantaohas canceled gatherings, suspended transport and set up temperature detection stations.

Chibi and Lichuanare suspending transport.

Beijing announced it had canceled all major Chinese New Year celebrations.

Davos 2020: Greta Thunberg Attacked By Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin

James J. Williams
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Davos 2020: Greta Thunberg Attacked By Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Greta Thunberg should go away and study economics before lecturing investors on fossil fuels.

Steven Mnuchin said Greta Thunberg’s call for investors to divest fossil fuels showed a lack of understanding about the economy and jobs.

He said at the World Economic Forum in Davos: “After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us.”

President Donald Trump said that campaigners were too pessimistic and should concentrate their fire on countries where emissions are rising. He did not say which countries.

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On January 23, Steven Mnuchin continued the criticism. In response to a question about Greta Thunberg’s call for fossil fuels to be scrapped, he said: “Is she the chief economist?”

The treasury secretary added: “For people who call for divestment, there are significant economic issues – issues with jobs.”

Greta Thunberg joined other young climate activists to speak to world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21.

The World Economic Forum is a massive event where entrepreneurs, scientists, business leaders and politicians come together to talk about how to tackle world problems.

Tesla Displaces Volkswagen as World’s Second Most Valuable Automaker

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Tesla Displaces Volkswagen as World’s Second Most Valuable Automaker
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Tesla has overtaken Volkswagen as the world’s second most valuable automaker, after a dramatic rise in share price pushed its market value to more than $100 billion.

The milestone sets the stage for Tesla’s chief Elon Musk to collect billions in pay tied to hitting that target.

The company’s share price has more than doubled since October, when it reported a rare quarterly profit.

Tesla shares rose 4% on January 22, making its valuation second only to Toyota.

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Elon Musk and Tesla to Build World’s Biggest Lithium Ion Battery in South Australia

Although Tesla has some way to go to catch up with Toyota, the Japanese car making giant has a stock market valuation of more than $230 billion.

Some analysts say the rise in price reflects Tesla’s performance in recent months, during which it has opened a factory in Shanghai and met its production goals.

In January, Tesla said it had delivered more than 367,500 cars in 2019 – up 50% from 2018. Investors expect the new factory to act as a springboard that will allow it to capture more of the Chinese market.

Despite the increase, Tesla’s sales remain small compared to those of its competitors.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen delivered almost 11 million vehicles in 2019, while Toyota sold more than 9 million in the first 11 months of 2019.

Tesla has also never made an annual profit and it is facing investigations after complaints about battery fires and unexpected acceleration.

Elon Musk’s company is due to report its latest quarterly results to investors this month.

If Tesla sustains the $100 billion valuation, it could unlock the first piece of a $2.6 billion compensation package for Elon Musk.

The plans calls for Elon Musk to receive payouts in shares over 10 years, with the first award contingent on the company reaching $100 billion in market capitalization and sustaining that value over both a month, and six-month average.

Tesla also had to reach $20 billion in revenue and earn $1.5 billion, after adjusting for items like taxes – thresholds the carmaker reached in 2018.

Tesla was valued at about $55 billion when the pay deal was approved.

Simple Tips for Speeding up Your Video Editing

Dana R
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Simple Tips for Speeding up Your Video Editing

Video editing is a stressful task especially if you do this as your full time job. There are lots of specifications of the edits your clients request and you wish there is just a faster way to edit the video. If only you could edit your video faster, you will be able to submit all the video editing projects to the respective clients before the deadline and make them happy.

Keep Your Video Files Organized

The video files must be organized into folder and not in a clutter. They should already be sorted out with only the best ones retained. You can organize your files into different folders such as footage, audio, and images. The footage files can also be organized by the date and time they were filmed. You will make lesser mistakes when you sort out your files prior to importing them into the video editor.

Compress Your Video Files in Batch

If you are working on several video clips, you should use a video converter to convert them in batch. The software you use for compressing the video must be reliable. If you use lousy software, the quality of the video will drop after compressing. You can use a free video converter like Handbrake to compress the videos in batch. If you use online converter, you also have to spend time downloading them to the computer after the video is converted.

Master All the Keyboard Shortcuts

You should learn all the keyboard shortcuts that are available in your software. If you know the keyboard shortcut, you don’t have to go to the menu and find the tool. This will save you a lot of time if you often have to navigate to the menu to find different tools for use in editing the video. Usually, the video editor will provide keyboard shortcuts for popular commands such as playback and trimming a video.

Keep Up with the Computer Hardware Specs

Your computer need to be fast if you want to speed up the video editing process. The hard drive has an important role in determining how efficient your video editor software will run. The hardware specs of your computer must be better than the minimum specs requirement of the video editor. Some of the hardware parts you can improve are the hard drive, and RAM. Your computer need to have an advanced USB port like the USB 3.0/USB-C for faster transfer of the video files from your video camera.

Assign the CPU and RAM Appropriately

In addition, you also should ensure all your RAM and CPU are allocated in the right places. There are add-on apps that you can download for free to use for monitoring the allocation of your RAM and CPU. Basically, if you want the video editor software to run fast, you should quit all the other programs that are running in the background. You can allocate more CPU to your video editor by launching the task manager and right clicking on the program to assign high priority.

Edit the Umms and Aahs First in the Dialogues in Video

If you need to edit the dialogues in your video, first look for easiest speaking errors like umm, or pause to delete. You will find that there are a lot of times that people make such mistakes in their conversations without being aware about it. Each time people say umm, it lasts for a few seconds. These few seconds can add up into minutes and you’ll find the video length significantly reduce after deleting all of them.

Add Markers to Music Track Files

You can add markers to your music track files in the timeline to specify the splitting points. This step should be done before you reduce or extend your current music track collections in the timeline. To do this, you must first select the music track and press the play button in the preview area to play back. While it is playing back, drag the marker to select and mark the portion that you want to delete. To shorten the track, you can use the trim tool to delete it.

Invest in Video Editing Peripherals

You can invest in video editing peripherals that help you to speed up your project. For example, you can get a gaming mouse as it offers faster response and it has buttons that you can program to bring up several shortcuts. Video editing keyboard allws you to save time by color grouping similar tools. The keyboard will also display hundreds of shortcuts in icons.

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