Saturday, January 17, 2026
Newsletter
Home Blog Page 96

Samjiyon: North Korea Unveils Newly-Reconstructed “Utopia” Town

Roy Siemens
-
0
Samjiyon: North Korea Unveils Newly-Reconstructed “Utopia” Town
Image source: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has cut the red ribbon at the new town, Samjiyon, near Mount Paektu.

The North Korean media called the town as the “epitome of modern civilization”.

It is hailed as one of the country’s most important construction projects.

State media KCNA said Samjiyon – which is able to accommodate 4,000 families – boasts new apartments, a ski slope, and a stadium amongst other facilities.

However, forced labor is said to have gone into the construction of the new town.

Samjiyon – even if it lives up to state media billing – will be an outlier in North Korea, where the majority of people live in poor conditions.

North Korea’s Food Shortages Exacerbated by Worse than Usual Harvest

Kim Jong-un Climbs Mount Paektu on Horseback

Kim Jong-un climbs Mount Paektu

According to non-governmental organization the National Committee on North Korea, many “suffer from shortages of food, fuel, electricity, running water and other necessities”.

However, Samjiyon has not exactly been built from the ground up.

A town already existed before the reconstruction. Some buildings were remodeled, while many more were torn down and replaced with new buildings.

State media previously reported that more than 450 new buildings would be constructed, including industrial and recreational facilities.

KCNA said Samjiyon had undergone a “drastic change”, describing it as a “utopia town under socialism”.

It is not clear if anyone has moved in, but Samjiyon was previously home to some residents – though it is also unclear how many.

It is not known how much money has gone into construction of the town.

Construction happened at a time when North Korea is under tough sanctions, and its completion shows how much importance the government placed on the project.

The town is important for its proximity to Mount Paektu – considered to be a sacred mountain in North Korea and said to be the birthplace of Kim Jong-un’s father.

Samjiyon has also been presented as a model for other towns in the country to look up to.

In his annual new year’s address this year, Kim Jong-un directly referenced Samjiyon, calling it an “ideal socialist village”.

He said in his speech: “The whole party, the entire army, and all the people should turn out to transform Samjiyon into a model of modern mountainous city, an ideal socialist village.”

Samjiyon opening is just one part of a bigger scheme. It’s the second stage of a three-stage plan to boost the entire county the town is located in.

The three-stage construction project is expected to be complete by October 2020.

Why UK vapers don’t need to worry about US restrictions

Dana R
-
0
Why UK vapers don’t need to worry about US restrictions

The use of E-cigarettes is growing around the world – massively in America and modestly in Britain. In recent years American government at the Federal and state level have made moves to clamp down on Vaping in America due to the huge number of young smokers. In the United Kingdom, however, there has not been a similar move. This can be explained by a number of factors, including different approaches to regulation and advertising. Read on to find out why, despite the increase in the number and severity of restrictions on vaping across the Atlantic, British smokers should not be overly concerned by these restrictions.

Different regulatory approaches and contents of e-cigarettes

In Britain, CNN reports, e-cigarettes are used by around 5% of 11-18 year olds. 3.3% of these children and young people say they vape less than once a week, with the other 1.6% saying that they smoke more than once week. This adds up to a large number of people, but pales in comparison to America’s young vapers. One quarter of American high school students have vaped. This fivefold difference in youth uptake can be explained largely by Britain’s far tighter advertising regulations. Nicotine products cannot be advertised online or on the radio, although they can be advertised in public places and buses and so on.

In America, where five times as many young people vape, the media have recently picked up on an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses, that may be linked to seven deaths in the country from potentially illicit THC fluids, which is behind much of the public health outcry. However, besides the non-regulation THC cannabinoid oils likely responsible for these incidents, nicotine-based e-cigarettes, especially those sold in the United Kingdom, are notably safer.

Along with its far higher uptake, the e-cigarettes available in the United States can often contain as much as double the nicotine as those sold in the United Kingdom. Poor regulatory limits can expose American vapers to unnecessary levels of risk which British vapers are not affected by, due to stricter controls and lower nicotine contents.

E-cigarettes around the world

In the wake of the American media attention Norway and Australia have banned the sale of e-cigarettes with nicotine in them, and there are similar bans in place in Japan, Thailand and Singapore. However, the story of vaping in the United Kingdom gives a different picture to elsewhere, with smoking being used mostly by adults looking to quit smoking, as vaping is considered to be 95% less dangerous than smoking. At present, the number of young people who vape regularly and had never previously smoked is only 1% of vapers. Vaping, therefore, is shown to be playing a largely positive role in British public life.

If you feel unsure about vaping in the wake of hearing about American regulations, remember that in the United Kingdom vaping is far safer than smoking. Due to a well-managed regulatory system, you can be confident that any vape fluid you buy from a recognised seller such as VSAVI will be a strong safe step towards quitting smoking.

How To Cheer Up A Sick Person

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
How To Cheer Up A Sick Person
Image source PxHere

In wedding vows, most couples make promises to stand by each other in both sickness and health, and there is a reason why they include sickness along with health. You will mostly find people who will be there with you in the good times of health, but those numbers deplete in the challenging times of sickness.

Therefore, it is imperative to be with our beloveds who are going through the challenging times of sickness. In this thread, we have compiled a few ways by which you can cheer up those who need happiness the most.

Open up to them:

Sometimes, all you need to comfort someone is to let them know how you feel and how much you are worried about them. Now that you are living in a digital world and are reluctant to have a heart to heart conversation, you can do it on a phone call or may send a text.

There are so many modes of communication these days that not being able to communicate face to face should not be a problem.

Make them a personalized card:

Another heart touching way of communicating your feelings is by making customized cards. Live conversations tend to go off-topic, and one can get carried away with emotions. This can result in your message being conveyed improperly.

But personalized cards do not only give you time to write and express peacefully but also reflect the effort you are making in trying to cheer your beloved up.

Be a good listener

Do not merely focus on being expressive but also work hard to be a good listener. If your downtrodden beloved is not being able to speak, ask open-ended questions, and that will start the flow of discussion inconspicuously.

Try to Help

Most of us have a lot on our plate, and this is the kind of world we live in. So in this setting, sickness can get overwhelming. Hence, try to facilitate those who are in sickness by helping them out in their daily responsibilities like picking up their kids from school, getting grocery and other routine stuff.

This help can go a long way in healing that person much sooner than later.

Keep them engaged

It so often happens that when we are in a negative space, we get flooded with negative thoughts, and it becomes so important to drive ourselves away from this negative dimension.

We must realize that being sick is like being in an extremely negative state of mind, and we should try to engage our sick beloveds so that they do not get a lot of time to think. We can play with them their favorite game, or watch their favorite movie or listen to their favorite songs.

Make them a gift basket:

Another thing you can do to cheer your beloved up is to make them customized get well gift baskets. You can get all of their favorite things, like chocolates, candies, flowers, books, etc. and make them realize that how much you love them.

Sickness can befall any of us anytime, even during relaxing activities like going on vacations, and therefore we must be sensitive to the illness of others.

All of the efforts mentioned above sound manageable, but it is not only the highs and lows of sickness that demand attention, but the middle parts are vital as well. Therefore, ensure that all of your efforts are long term and sustainable because healing takes time and your efforts must span across that time.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder: Maltese Businessman Yorgen Fenech Charged with Complicity in Murder

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder: Maltese Businessman Yorgen Fenech Charged with Complicity in Murder
Image source Malta Today

Maltese prosecutors have charged businessman Yorgen Fenech with complicity in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.

Yorgen Fenech, one of Malta’s wealthiest men, pleaded not guilty to that charge and four others including membership of a criminal gang.

Relatives of Daphne Caruana Galizia were present in the court in Valletta.

The investigation into the blogger’s death has rocked the Maltese government. PM Joseph Muscat is under pressure to resign.

The prime minister’s chief aide, Keith Schembri, resigned this week amid reports he was being questioned by police, while Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi also quit and Economy Minister Chris Cardona took the decision to suspend himself.

Three people are awaiting trial for the journalist’s murder in a car bombing but the police investigation is now focusing on who ordered the killing and why.

Yorgen Fenech has been repeatedly questioned over the killing since trying to leave the island on his yacht on November 20, and sought a pardon in return for providing information but his request was rejected.

Daphne Caruana Galizia: Malta Blogger Dies in Car Bomb Attack

According to Maltese media, Yorgen Fenech was familiar with Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver with links to criminal enterprises who has been described in local media as a potential “middleman” in the murder.

The businessman is a well-known figure in Malta who has served as head of the Tumas business group and a director of energy company Electrogas but recently resigned from both positions.

Yorgen Fenech was identified last year as being the owner of a mysterious Dubai-registered company, 17 Black.

17 Black was listed in the Panama Papers – confidential documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm in 2016 which revealed how the wealthy and powerful use tax havens to get around the law.

Daphne Caruana Galizia had written about 17 Black eight months before her death, alleging it had links to both Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi.

North Korea: “Japan May See What A Real Ballistic Missile Is”

Roy Siemens
-
0
North Korea: “Japan May See What A Real Ballistic Missile Is”
Image source kremlin.ru

North Korea has accused Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe of mislabeling its latest weapons test, branding him an “imbecile” and “political dwarf”.

The Japanese prime minister condemned North Korea for “repeated launches of ballistic missiles” after two projectiles were fired on November 28.

However, North Korea insisted it was testing a “super-large multiple-rocket launcher”.

On November 30, state media said Japan “may see what a real ballistic missile is in the not distant future”.

North Korea is banned from firing ballistic missiles under UN Security Council resolutions.

It is under various sets of sanctions over its missile and nuclear programs. Lifting the sanctions has been a key aim of North Korea in talks with the US – Japan’s ally – but these have stalled since a summit between its leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump broke down in February.

North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile over Japan

North Korea Fires Missile over Northern Japan

North Korea Launches Fiery Attack on US Following UN Sanctions

North Korea fired what observers in South Korea called two “unidentified projectiles” from its South Hamgyong province into the Sea of Japan on November 28.North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile over JapanNorth Korea fired what observers in South Korea called two “unidentified projectiles” from its South Hamgyong province into the Sea of Japan on November 28.

Condemning the launch, PM Shinzo Abe said: “North Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles are a serious defiance to not only our country but also the international community.”

North Korea issued images said to be of Kim Jong-un inspecting the launch.

The KCNA state media said on November 30: “It can be said that Abe is the only one idiot in the world and the most stupid man ever known in history as he fails to distinguish a missile from a multiple launch rocket system while seeing the photo-accompanied report.”

It added: “Abe may see what a real ballistic missile is in the not distant future and under his nose. Abe is none other than a perfect imbecile and a political dwarf.”

Negotiations between North Korea and the US remain stalled since the collapse of February’s summit in Hanoi.

President Trump and Kim Jong-un did meet again in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Koreas in June and agreed to restart working-level talks.

These began in October, but failed to make any progress.

North Korea has demanded the US change its approach by the end of the year, and was lukewarm in response to a tweet by President Trump hinting at another meeting with Kim Jong-un.

In May, Shinzo Abe said he was ready to meet Kim Jong-un “without conditions”, raising hopes of renewed negotiations on the nuclear issue as well as on the lingering historical issue of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens.

The Japanese were kidnapped by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s to help train its spies. Japan believes 17 citizens were abducted, only five of whom have since been repatriated.

However, PM Abe’s offer has not come to fruition. North Korea said this month that the Japanese leader would never set foot in Pyongyang after he condemned an earlier weapons test.

Leonardo DiCaprio Accused by Brazil’s President of “Giving Money to Set Amazon on Fire”

James J. Williams
-
0
Leonardo DiCaprio Accused by Brazil’s President of “Giving Money to Set Amazon on Fire”
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Leonardo DiCaprio has been accused by Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro of “giving money to set the Amazon on fire”.

President Bolsonaro gave no evidence but in the past has accused NGOs critical of his policies of starting fires that ravaged the rainforest this year.

Several arrests have been made in Brazil amid controversial and unproven allegations fires were started to obtain funding.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who has pledged $5 million for the Amazon, denied President Bolsonaro’s claim.

The latest comments appear to arise from the arrest of 4 volunteer firefighters from northern Pará state on allegations they started fires to generate NGO donations.

NGOs, rights groups and critics claimed the police operation against them was politically motivated and an attempt to harass environmental groups.

Fires that burned in August this year caused global concern for the “lungs of the planet”.

Leonardo DiCaprio to Make VW Emissions Scandal Movie

Leonardo DiCaprio makes $3 million donation to WWF to save tigers in Nepal

Jair Bolsonaro’s latest accusation came during brief remarks at the presidential residence on November 29.

He said: “This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon.”

The president gave no evidence and did not elaborate, although the statement appeared to echo a live webcast he gave on November 28.

The live webcast revolved around the environmental organization, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and allegations, denied by the WWF, that it had paid for images taken by the arrested firefighters, who have since been released.

President Bolsonaro said: “So what did the NGO do? What is the easiest thing? Set fire to the forest. Take pictures, make a video. [WWF] makes a campaign against Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, he donates $500,000.

“A part of that went to the people that were setting fires. Leonardo DiCaprio, you are contributing to the fire in the Amazon, that won’t do.”

Leonardo DiCaprio and environmental activist released a statement saying: “Although they are certainly worth supporting, we have not funded the organizations that are currently under attack.

“The future of these irreplaceable ecosystems is at stake and I am proud to be part of the groups that protect them.”

The actor praised “the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage”.

WWF also said it had received no donations from the actor, whose Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation focuses on environmental projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQHJi09zZ8

London Bridge Stabbing Attack Leaves Two Dead

Roy Siemens
-
0
London Bridge Stabbing Attack Leaves Two Dead
Image source: aljazeera.com

At least two people were killed and another three injured in a stabbing attack at London Bridge, police has announced.

Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told a press conference the stabbing attack, which has been declared a terrorist incident, began at an event at Fishmonger’s Hall.

Within five minutes of being called officers confronted the suspect – who was shot dead by police – she said.

The suspect was wearing what is thought to have been a hoax explosive device.

Texas Mass Shooting: Five Killed and 21 Injured in Second Attack in A Month

Santa Fe Shooting: Ten Killed as Student Opens Fire at Texas High School

Dozens of people were in attendance, including students from Cambridge University and former prisoners.

Cambridge University said it was “gravely concerned” about reports of its students and staff being caught up in the attack and was urgently seeking further information.

Cressida Dick said police were working at “full tilt” to understand what had happened and whether anyone else was involved.

Officers were still working to identify the dead, she said.

Of the injured people, one is critical but stable, a second is stable and a third has less serious injuries, the head of the NHS, Simon Stevens said.

Details of what happened are still emerging, but videos on social media appear to show passers-by holding down the suspect on London Bridge.

Another man in a suit could be seen running from him, having apparently retrieved a large knife.

Footage then shows an officer arriving, seeming to indicate to the group to move, and firing a shot.

The actions of the public have been widely praised, including by PM Boris Johnson.

Ambassador Gordon Sondland Accused of Misconduct

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Ambassador Gordon Sondland Accused of Misconduct
Image source: Wikipedia

US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland has been accused by three women of sexual misconduct.

The accusations, co-published by Portland Monthly magazine and ProPublica, date back to before he became an ambassador.

At the time of the alleged incidents Gordon Sondland was developing hotels in Portland and Seattle in the Pacific Northwest.

Gordon Sondland denies all of the allegations, and accuses the women of targeting him for his role in President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearings.

He said in a statement: “These untrue claims of unwanted touching and kissing are concocted and, I believe, co-ordinated for political purposes.

“They have no basis in fact, and I categorically deny them.”

All three women said Gordon Sondland retaliated against them professionally after they rejected his advances – by verbally abusing them at their workplace, reneging on a promised investment, and withdrawing offers of professional introductions.

President Donald Trump Invited to House Judiciary Committee’s Impeachment Hearing

Trump Impeachment Hearings: David Holmes Reveals What President Trump Said on Ukraine Phone Call

Trump Impeachment Hearings: Ambassador Bill Taylor’s Testimony Draws Direct Line to Donald Trump

One of the women, Nicole Vogel, said she met Gordon Sondland for dinner in 2003 in order to secure investment for her new magazine.

Nicole Vogel is the owner of Portland Monthly. The magazine said she was not involved editorially in the story, and it had teamed up with ProPublica, a respected non-profit news group, to report the claims independently.

She said that after dinner Gordon Sondland took her to one of his hotels and invited her to see a room. He then requested a hug, she added, but instead “grabs my face and goes to kiss me”.

Nicole Vogel said she deflected him and left the hotel, and later received an email from Gordon Sondland changing the terms of his investment.

A second acuser, Jana Solis, said she met Gordon Sondland in 2008 when she was seeking work as a hotel safety expert.

When Sondland offered her the job, she said, he called her “my new hotel chick” and slapped her rear. She then said that on another occasion he invited her to his home in Portland to evaluate his art collection, before exposing himself.

On a third occasion, Sondland asked her to inspect his penthouse apartment and then forcibly kissed her, she said.

The third woman, Natalie Sept, was working in local politics in Portland for a candidate Gordon Sondland had donated money to.

After they were introduced through her boss, she claims Gordon Sondland invited her to dinner to discuss work opportunities. She said he asked for a hug at the end of the night, but then pushed himself towards her and tried to forcibly kiss her.

In response, Gordon Sondland described the article as “underhanded journalism” that was “fundamentally false”.

He said he intended to take legal action against the two publications.

Gordon Sondland provided key testimony at President Trump’s impeachment hearing last week, where he said he followed the president’s orders to pressure Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

President Trump Tweets Pic with His Head on Rocky’s Body

Nancy Clayson
-
0
President Trump Tweets Pic with His Head on Rocky’s Body
Image source Twitter

Following the footsteps of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump boasted to his fans at his “homecoming” rally on November 27 in Sunrise, Florida about his “gorgeous chest,” which he claims proves he didn’t have a heart attack on November 17.

The president also claimed his visit to Texas on November 18 was more proof of his good health.

Speculation about the President Trump’s real health status went viral on social media with his unscheduled and sudden visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), which is only some nine miles from the White House. The visit wasn’t on the president’s calendar.

President Trump said that his unannounced trip to Walter Reed was for a “a very routine physical.”

However, rumors about the president’s health problems, and that he might have had either a series of mini-strokes or have suffered a heart attack continued to swirl.

He blasted the media for reporting on his visit to Walter Reed, saying: “They [the media] said he wasn’t wearing a tie; this is a sign of a massive heart attack.

“They said, he went into the hospital – and it’s true, I didn’t wear a tie – why would I wear a tie if the first thing they do is say take off your shirt, sir, and show us that gorgeous chest?”

President Trump then took another step to assuring people he was fine. He tweeted a photoshopped picture of his unsmiling face superimposed on the body of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone.

President Trump Signs Hong Kong Human Rights Act Into Law

Diane A. Wade
-
0
President Trump Signs Hong Kong Human Rights Act Into Law
Image source Getty Images

President Donald Trump has signed The Human Rights and Democracy Act into law as a support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

The bill mandates an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify its special status with the US.

President Trump said he signed the law “out of respect for President Xi [Jinping], China, and the people of Hong Kong”.

He is currently seeking a deal with China, in order to end a trade war between the two countries.

Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry threatened “counter measures” if the US continued “going down the wrong path”.

The Chinese foreign ministry statement said: “The US has been disregarding facts and distorting truth.

“It openly backed violent criminals who rampantly smashed facilities, set fire, assaulted innocent civilians, trampled on the rule of law, and jeopardized social order.”

The foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador to demand that Washington stops interfering in Chinese internal affairs.

Hong Kong’s government also reacted, saying the American bill would send the wrong signal and would not help to ease the situation.

However, a key activist in the Hong Kong protest movement, Joshua Wong, said the US law was a “remarkable achievement” for “all Hongkongers”.

Hong Kong Elections 2019: Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers for District Council Polls

Hong Kong Protests: Five Injured in Knife Attack at Cityplaza Mall

Hong Kong Protests: Police and Protesters Clash in 13th Straight Weekend

President Trump had previously been non-committal about whether he would sign the bill, saying he was “with” Hong Kong but also that President Xi was “an incredible guy”.

However, the bill had widespread congressional support, which meant that even if he vetoed it, lawmakers could potentially have voted to overturn his decision.

President Trump also signed a second bill, which bans the export of crowd-control munitions to the police in Hong Kong – including tear gas, rubber bullets and stun guns.

He said: “[The bills] are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences, leading to long-term peace and prosperity for all.”

The bill was introduced in June in the early stages of the protests in Hong Kong, and was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives last month.

It says: “Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.

“The [annual review] shall assess whether China has eroded Hong Kong’s civil liberties and rule of law as protected by Hong Kong’s Basic Law.”

Among other things, Hong Kong’s special trading status means it is not affected by US sanctions or tariffs placed on the mainland.

The bill also says the US should allow Hong Kong residents to obtain US visas, even if they have been arrested for being part of non-violent protests.

Hong Kong’s protests started in June against a proposed law to allow extradition to mainland China but it has since transformed into a larger pro-democracy movement.

The protests have also seen increasingly violent clashes, with police being attacked, and officers firing live bullets.

The last week elections saw a landslide victory for the pro-democracy movement, with 17 of the 18 councils now controlled by pro-democracy councilors.

Pembrolizumab: Immunotherapy Drug Can Be Effective In Some Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
Pembrolizumab: Immunotherapy Drug Can Be Effective In Some Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer
Image source: Keytruda

An immunotherapy drug can be effective in some men with advanced prostate cancer, a major trial has shown.

The phase II clinical trial, led by the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden, involved 258 men with advanced prostate cancer who had run out of all other options on treatment.

The men had stopped responding to the main treatment options.

According to researchers, a small proportion of men, described as “super responders”, remained well even after the trial ended, despite a very poor prognosis before treatment.

Last week it was reported the same drug had proved effective in treating advanced head and neck cancers.

Immunotherapy uses our own immune systems to recognize and attack cancer cells.

The therapy is already being used as a standard treatment for some cancers such as melanomas – and being tested on many others too.

Nivolumab: Immunotherapy Drug Hailed as Game-Changer in Cancer Treatment

Bladder cancer breakthrough: New immunotherapy drug for terminal patients

The study found that one in 20 men with advanced prostate cancer responded to the drug pembrolizumab – and saw their tumors actually shrink or disappear altogether.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that although a relatively small number, some of the men gained years of extra life.

A further 19% saw some evidence of improvement.

Most patients in the study lived for an average of eight months on the drug.

The most dramatic responses were seen in patients whose tumors had mutations in genes involved in repairing DNA.

Researchers are now investigating whether this group might benefit the most from immunotherapy in a larger trial.

But first, a test to pick out who will respond best is needed, so that doctors know which patients to give it to.

The number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer has been rising over the last 10 years.

This is probably because the population is getting older and more people are having PSA tests.

Around 30% of men with advanced or stage four prostate cancer survive their cancer for five years or more after diagnosis.

Last week, a separate trial found the same drug kept some people’s advanced head and neck cancers at bay for an average of two years – five times longer than under chemotherapy.

Both studies are part of a growing body of research suggesting immunotherapy could offer hope to an increasing number of cancer patients.

Thanksgiving Travel Jeopardized by Heavy Storms

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Thanksgiving Travel Jeopardized by Heavy Storms
Image source ABC News

Two powerful storms are moving across the United States, from the West Coast to the Midwest threatening the holiday plans of millions o Americans on the eve of Thanksgiving Day.

The US National Weather Service is advising millions of people to delay their travel plans due to the weather and hundreds of flights were grounded.

And the “bomb cyclone” that’s been pummeling the West Coast could bring a third storm to the east, the Washington Post reports.

Thanksgiving 2017: Traffic May Be Worst In More Than A Decade

Thanksgiving 2016: Aerial Footage of LA Massive Traffic Jam Goes Viral

Duck Dynasty family shares tips for celebrating Thanksgiving

President Donald Trump Invited to House Judiciary Committee’s Impeachment Hearing

Diane A. Wade
-
0
President Donald Trump Invited to House Judiciary Committee’s Impeachment Hearing
Image source Wikipedia

President Donald Trump has been invited to the Congress’ first impeachment hearing on December 4.

Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jerrold Nadler said President Trump could either attend or “stop complaining about the process”.

If the president does attend, he would be able to question witnesses.

The hearing would mark the next stage in the impeachment inquiry, which centers on a July phone call between PresidentTrump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In that call, President Trump asked Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, currently the front-runner to be the Democratic candidate in next year’s presidential election, and his son Hunter Biden, who had previously worked for Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The probe is looking into whether President Trump used the threat of withholding US military aid to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens. Donald Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has called the inquiry a “witch hunt”.

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee wrapped up two weeks of public hearings, which followed several weeks of closed-door witness interviews.

Trump Impeachment Hearings: Former White House Aide Fiona Hill Claims President Trump Promoted Discredited Ukraine Theory

Trump Impeachment Hearings: David Holmes Reveals What President Trump Said on Ukraine Phone Call

Trump Impeachment Hearings: Ambassador Bill Taylor’s Testimony Draws Direct Line to Donald Trump

Democratic chairman of the Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff said the committees leading the probe – Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs – are now working on their report, which will be issued on December 3.

On November 26, the latest transcript of inquiry evidence was released, detailing testimony by senior budget official Mark Sandy.

Mark Sandy told the House investigators that two White House budget officials had resigned following the withholding of military aid to Ukraine. He said that one, a lawyer, had expressed concern that the action could be a violation of a 1974 budget law.

Jerrold Nadler said in a statement that he had written to President Trump inviting him to the hearing next month.

He said: “At base, the president has a choice to make.

“He can take this opportunity to be represented in the impeachment hearings, or he can stop complaining about the process.

“I hope that he chooses to participate in the inquiry, directly or through counsel, as other presidents have done before him.”

In his letter to the president, Jerrold Nadler said the hearing would be an opportunity to discuss the historical and constitutional basis for impeachment.

He has given President Trump until 18:00 EST on December 1 to confirm whether or not he will be at the hearing, and if so, to let the committee know who his counsel will be.

The Judiciary Committee is expected to begin drafting articles of impeachment – which are the charges of wrongdoing against the president – in early December.

After a vote in the Democratic-controlled House, a trial would be held in the Republican-run Senate.

If Donald Trump was convicted by a two-thirds majority – an outcome deemed highly unlikely – he would become the first US president to be removed from office through impeachment.

3 Tips to Keep Your Holiday Light and Easy

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
3 Tips to Keep Your Holiday Light and Easy

The holiday season is coming. Soon, guests will fill homes to make memories that will last a lifetime. One of the biggest challenges of the holidays is creating magic moments without driving yourself crazy with stress trying to achieve those golden memories. With the right tools, you can enjoy a wonderful holiday without being overwhelmed by stress.

Organization is Key

To keep your sanity during the holidays, you need to plan early. Guests can be stressful and the holidays are no exception. The more details you can handle before the guests arrive, the smoother things will go.

Plan the menu. If you are hosting the main holiday meal, it can take days to shop for and prepare all the food. Start early. Make lists and double-check them. Do all the shopping you can before the guests arrive so you can focus on your guests and enjoying time with your loved ones.

Make a guest list. Details such as who is coming to dinner and any food allergies are important. Use your guest list and compare it to the menu to balance the number of guests with the food. If you invite a dozen people to dinner and serve up one pie, your stress level soar will soar.

Will there be overnight guests? Where will they sleep? The more issues you can iron out before the guests arrive, the better things will go. Unexpected issues will always come up. If you address all the big details before the last minute, you’ll have more time to address the last minute disasters as they occur.

Schedule Downtime

Between cooking meals, entertaining guests, and attending to a million details, holiday entertaining can be overwhelming. To be a good host and keep your stress levels in check, you need to give yourself a few moments to catch your breath. Sneak a few moments of downtime and allow yourself to put your feet up to keep your sanity.

The longer you will have guests visiting, the more you need to schedule downtime. Get creative with efforts to get self-care if you need to. Send guests off shopping together or to visit another relative, and sneak a quick hot bath to soak aching muscles. If there are no options to sneak a few moments of downtime, a family movie with popcorn and holiday-themed candy cane cocoa, using flavoured syrup, can be a good way to enjoy family and reduce stress.

A big part of a warm and fuzzy holiday is being able to enjoy family time without a mental breakdown. While stress is a part of any holiday, giving yourself a few moments to tend to self-care is crucial. Spending time with your loved ones should and can be a joy, but you need to take care of yourself while tending to everyone else.

Stay On Budget

It is easy to get swept up in the season’s magic. A big part of managing stress is keeping your budget intact. Sit down before you plan your holiday and have a serious discussion about what you can afford. Perhaps a potluck meal with everyone bringing a side dish would be best for your budget. Maybe you need to avoid spending on gifts. Figure out what you can afford and stick to it.

It is possible to stay on a budget and have a holiday to remember. Stores often run sales on holiday meal staples just before the holiday season. Take advantage of coupons and cashback offers, if you can. A popular option for many holiday gatherings is for everyone to bring their special dish while the host provides the main course. Most people have a dish they love and will jump at the offer to bring it. Turkey giveaways are also popular. There are many ways to host a holiday meal without breaking the bank.

Gift-giving is another place that the holidays can bust a budget and cause stress. We all want to give a gift that will wow our loved ones. Overspending on gifts is the quickest way to make your stress level rise. The best gifts do not come from stores. If your budget does not allow for a ton of pricey material items, then get creative and go with gifts that don’t cost a thing. Keeping to your budget will help reduce your holiday stress.

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. If you go into the season with the right plan, it will be wonderful and stress-free too.

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer Fired over Navy SEAL War Crimes Controversy

Roy Siemens
-
0
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer Fired over Navy SEAL War Crimes Controversy
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Navy secretary Richard Spencer has been fired over his handling of the case of Edward Gallagher demoted for misconduct.

The case of the Navy SEAL, who was convicted for posing with a corpse, had sparked tensions between President Donald Trump and military officials.

Edward Gallagher had been due to face a disciplinary review where he could have been stripped of his Seals membership.

There have been differing accounts as to why Richard Spencer was asked to resign.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he had lost confidence in Richard Spencer because his private conversations with the White House contradicted his public position.

However, President Trump said he was not happy with “cost overruns” and how Chief Petty Officer Gallagher’s trial was run, and suggested this was why Richard Spencer was fired.

Meanwhile, in a strongly worded letter, Richard Spencer said it was apparent that he and President Trump did not have the same view of “good order and discipline”.

He said: “The lives of our Sailors, Marines and civilian teammates quite literally depend on the professional execution of our many missions.”

Navy SEAL carries out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants

US Navy SEAL accuses Barack Obama of using them as “ammunition” for his re-election campaign

President Trump has drawn criticism from parts of the military after pardoning army officers convicted of war crimes.

Edward Gallagher was accused of stabbing an unarmed 17-year-old Islamic State prisoner to death and randomly shooting civilians while serving in Iraq in 2017.

He was acquitted of those charges and convicted only of the lesser charge of posing with the ISIS prisoner’s corpse.

For that, he was demoted, but President Trump later reinstated his rank.

Edward Gallagher was formally notified by navy leaders last week that he would face a disciplinary review which could result in his being stripped of his membership of the Seals.

On November 21, President Trump tweeted his disapproval, saying the navy would “NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin”.

On November 24, the defense department said Mark Esper had asked Richard Spencer to resign due to “his lack of candor”.

Richard Spencer had made private proposals to the White House, which he did not share with Mark Esper, and had contradicted his public position, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann said in a statement.

Albania: 6.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 13 People

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Albania: 6.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 13 People
Image source: Getty

At least 13 people have died in Albania after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck the country on November 26, bringing down buildings and leaving people trapped under rubble.

According to a defense ministry spokeswoman, one man was killed after jumping from a window in panic.

The quake hit 21 miles north-west of the capital, Tirana, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Hours later, a separate earthquake struck the city of Mostar in Bosnia. There were no reports of casualties.

Albanian PM Edi Rama tweeted: “We have victims. We are working to do everything possible in the affected areas.”

According to Albanian state media, more than 600 people have been treated in hospital, including more than 300 in Tirana and in the coastal city of Durres.

Schools will be closed for the day.

California Hit by 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake

Peru Hit by 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake

Emergency workers told Albanian media that one of the dead was an elderly woman who had managed to save her grandson by cradling him with her body.

The defense ministry spokeswoman confirmed firefighters and army staff were helping residents caught under the rubble in Durres, where four people were killed.

Three of those who died were in the town of Thumane, 25 miles to the north-west of Tirana and close to the epicenter. There are fears more people are trapped under rubble.

The man who jumped from the balcony was killed further north, in Kurbin. Another person died in Lezha.

Rescuers in the city were seen trying to free a young boy trapped in the rubble.

Albania was ill-equipped to deal with the situation, he said, and had appealed for outside help.

There have been a number of aftershocks, including one of 5.3-magnitude, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center said.

The Balkans is in an area prone to seismic activity.

The November 26 earthquake has been described by authorities as the strongest to hit Albania in decades.

In 1979, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Albania leaving 136 dead and more than 1,000 injured.

The Westgate Las Vegas Resort in the City of Las Vegas

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
The Westgate Las Vegas Resort in the City of Las Vegas
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Famous throughout the world such as the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, Las Vegas is also a city visited for its tourism, and commercial and natural resources that surround it. In fact, many people who have visited the city as tourists have decided to stay in Las Vegas to live and even retire as retirees for their good residential areas. Although it is true that Las Vegas and other neighboring towns are in the Nevada desert, the city has important aquifer supplies, both to the east, in the nearby Colorado River and the large lakes it forms, as well as numerous springs. In fact, the name of “Las Vegas” was given by the first Hispanic settlers to discover an area of green and wooded areas.

The Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino

Located in Las Vegas, The Westgate Las Vegas Resort is within a 15-minute drive of McCarran International Airport and features a rooftop pool, hot tub and outdoor tennis courts. Offering free private parking on site, the resort offers unique 3.5-star accommodation and a bar. Built in the 1960s, the Westgate Las Vegas has recently been refurbished to ensure maximum comfort for guests. Services and services include body and facial treatments, 24-hour room service and a sauna.

The modern rooms in Westgate Las Vegas are all air-conditioned and include an iPod docking station, a private bathroom and on-demand movies. In the rooms there is an internet access in the rooms, a telephone and a flat-screen TV. On-site dining options include Benihana, which is the perfect place to enjoy a meal. A variety of breakfasts is available every morning.

Popular Las Vegas attractions are within easy reach of the resort, including Star Trek the Experience which is just minutes away. The Las Vegas Convention Center, Stratosphere Las Vegas and the Greek Isles Hotel & Casino Star Theater are around a 20-minute walk away.

Birth of Las Vegas

As for the birth of Las Vegas, although Mexican and Spanish explorers passed through the area, it was the American John C. Freemont , once the area passed from Mexico to the United States, who first unveiled the Las Vegas valley nationwide so that later it began to be colonized from 1855 by Mormons and the American army itself.

Today, the main street of Downtown Las Vegas is Freemont Street, in honor of the military and which in its western part has numerous accommodations to have fun and stay in Las Vegas .

It must also be said that Las Vegas is not the name given to a single city but to a metropolitan area of almost two million inhabitants and composed of several cities and counties such as Henderson, North Las Vegas and others that we will see later.

As for the geographic boundaries of the Las Vegas Valley, they reach west to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area; to the east, to the Colorado River, which creates Lake Mead, a large aquifer area that is the main water source for the city, and to the south to the Sloane Canyon conservation zone.

And the northern part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area are miles and more miles of arid mountains and desert.

Hong Kong Elections 2019: Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers for District Council Polls

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Hong Kong Elections 2019: Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers for District Council Polls
Image source Wikipedia

Hong Kong voters have turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots in the district council elections.

By lunchtime, the number of voters had already surpassed the final total in the 2015 elections.

The election is seen as a test of support for Hong Kong’s embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Pro-democracy campaigners hope the vote will send a message to the Chinese government after five months of unrest and anti-government protests.

On November 24, long queues formed amid fears polls might be closed by authorities if violence disrupted the election.

In the run-up to the election, pro-democracy protest groups had urged people not to cause disruption. No trouble has been reported so far.

A record 4.1 million people have registered to vote – more than half the population of 7.4 million.

More than 400 councilors are due to be elected to Hong Kong’s district council.

Hong Kong Protests: Five Injured in Knife Attack at Cityplaza Mall

Hong Kong Protests: Police and Protesters Clash in 13th Straight Weekend

Pro-democracy campaigners hope they will be able to increase their representation on the council, which traditionally has some influence in choosing the city’s chief executive.

Pro-Beijing candidates are urging voters to support them in order to express frustration at the upheaval caused by continuous clashes between protesters and police.

Polls opened at 07:30 local time on November 24.

According to government figures, by 16.30 more than 2.1 million people had voted (52.14% of all registered voters) compared to 754,705 (24.18%) within the same timescale in the last such elections in 2015.

In total, 1.467 million people voted in the last poll. Only 3.1 million people were registered to vote in that election.

More than 1,000 candidates are running for 452 district council seats which, for the first time, are all being contested. A further 27 seats are allocated to representatives of rural districts.

Currently, pro-Beijing parties hold the majority of these seats.

Police were seen outside some polling stations and on the streets but correspondents said they kept a low profile.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said after voting: “Facing the extremely challenging situation, I am pleased to say… we have a relatively calm and peaceful environment for (the) election today.”

Counting will start immediately after polls close at 22:30. Results are expected to start coming in before midnight.

How to Make Your Special Day Perfect

Lisa.Felice
-
0
How to Make Your Special Day Perfect

Silhouette, neckline, style – how to not go crazy when looking for your perfect wedding dress

Finding the perfect dress for any occasion is always accompanied by a certain amount of stress. Imagine then that the dress you are looking for is meant for what will most likely be one of the most important days of your life. 

No stress? Yeah, right! 

Thankfully there is help. Regardless of if you are looking for your perfect wedding dress in the US or Europe, there are sites online that will ease your stress by offering near customized alternatives. 

The devil is in the details and in this case, it’s the dress!

It’s all about the dress. Well, perhaps not only but choosing the right wedding dress is going to be one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to your wedding. Rightfully so. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful on their wedding day. 

This is a day that is uniquely yours and you should be able to enjoy yourself.  

The right dress will set the tone for the entire experience and you shouldn’t compromise when it comes to choosing the one that is right for you. One way to not go crazy and stress to much over details such as fabric and waist style, is to go for the path of least resistance.

One decision made is better than no decision made

Finding your path of least resistance means, just as the title suggest to make one decision at a time to not feel overwhelmed. One decision made is better than no decision made. At no time is this truer than when it comes to finding your perfect wedding dress. The level of detail is important as is the design. Online it is possible to find suppliers that will allow you to basically customize your dress to your hearts content. 

You have the opportunity to add in as many details as you like and choose the perfect fit for you. Finding plus size wedding gowns onlinefor instance is no problem and you are able to create a flattering dress to your liking. 

Even though there are a million and one details that will require your attention, choosing your wedding dress should be fun and exciting. By committing to making one decision at a time you are making sure that it stays just that, fun and exciting. 

The perfect dress = the perfect day

Of course it is not as simple as this. However, having the perfect dress will make you feel good about yourself and it will without a doubt enhance the experience. The freedom that comes with the opportunity to near customise your own dress is exhilarating and you should make sure to take full advantage. 

By making one decision at a time (when this is possible of course) you greatly increase the chance of success and if there is ever a day when you deserve perfection it is on your wedding day. With the perfect dress, friends and family as well as your sweetheart, all you have to do is walk down the aisle, relax and enjoy.

Trump Impeachment Hearings: Former White House Aide Fiona Hill Claims President Trump Promoted Discredited Ukraine Theory

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Trump Impeachment Hearings: Former White House Aide Fiona Hill Claims President Trump Promoted Discredited Ukraine Theory

Former White House aide Fiona Hill has told the impeachment inquiry that President Donald Trump disregarded the advice of senior advisers to push a false theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election.

She said the president had instead listened to the views of his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

Fiona Hill called the claims about Ukraine a “fictional narrative”.

The inquiry is assessing if President Trump withheld aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival.

President Trump denies any wrongdoing.

According to a discredited theory, it was Ukrainians or individuals with Ukrainian connections who interfered in the 2016 vote, rather than Russia.

In a phone call with the Ukrainian president, President Trump urged him to look into the claims as well as open an investigation into Joe Biden, one of the main Democratic presidential candidates.

November 21 is fifth and last scheduled day of public hearings by the House Intelligence Committee.

Trump Impeachment Hearings: David Holmes Reveals What President Trump Said on Ukraine Phone Call

Trump Impeachment Hearings: Ambassador Bill Taylor’s Testimony Draws Direct Line to Donald Trump

President Trump Impeachment: Marie Yovanovitch Testifies Before Congress

In her opening statement, Fiona Hill – the former top Russia experts to the White House – accused other Republicans of sowing doubt about Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

She said: “Based on questions and statements I have heard, some of you on this committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against our country – and that perhaps, somehow, for some reason, Ukraine did.”

Fiona Hill urged lawmakers not to promote “politically driven falsehoods” that cast doubt on Russia’s interference in US elections.

“This is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves,” she said.

During Fiona Hill’s testimony, Democratic lawyer Daniel Goldman asked her: “So is it your understanding then that President Trump disregarded the advice of his senior officials about this theory and instead listened to Rudy Giuliani’s views?”

“That appears to be the case, yes,” she replied.

In her later testimony, Fiona Hill warned that Rudy Giuliani had been making “explosive” and “incendiary” claims about Ukraine.

She said: “He was clearly pushing forward issues and ideas that would, you know, probably come back to haunt us.

“I think that’s where we are today.”

Fiona Hill testified that she had a couple of “testy encounters” with Gordon Sondland – the US ambassador to the EU who testified on November 20 – over Ukraine, because the ambassador did not keep her informed of “all the meetings he was having”.

US ambassador to Ukraine David Holmes also testified at November 21 hearing.

In his opening statement, David Holmes said that his work at the embassy in Kiev became overshadowed in 2019 by the actions of Rudy Giuliani.

He said: “I became aware that Mr. Giuliani, a private lawyer, was taking a direct role in Ukrainian diplomacy.”

David Holmes added that he was “shocked” on July 18 when an official from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced that military aid to Ukraine was being withheld.

Israel: PM Benjamin Netanyahu Charged with Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust

Roy Siemens
-
0
Israel: PM Benjamin Netanyahu Charged with Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust
Image source Wikimedia

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases, the country’s attorney general announced.

Benjamin Netanyahu is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favors to try to get more positive press coverage.

He described the charges as an “attempted coup”, blaming them on a “tainted” process.

The prime minister has also insisted he will not resign and is not legally obliged to do so.

In a TV speech, Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities “weren’t after the truth, they were after me”, and called on the country to “investigate the investigators”.

Earlier, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said he made the decision “with a heavy heart”, but said it showed nobody was above the law in Israel.

He said: “Law enforcement is not a choice. It is not a matter of right or left. It’s not a matter of politics.”

The announcement comes amid a political stand-off in Israel following two inconclusive general elections in April and September.

Benjamin Netanyahu Questioned over Corruption Allegations

On November 20, Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival for the premiership, Benny Gantz, said he had been unable to form a governing coalition with a majority in parliament. He had been given the opportunity to try after Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier failed to do so.

On November 21, President Reuven Rivlin asked lawmakers to agree on a candidate for prime minister within 21 days and avoid an unprecedented third election in a year.

After the charges were announced, Benny Gantz tweeted his support for the attorney general and law enforcement agencies, and wrote it was “a very sad day” for Israel.

In February, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said that he intended to indict Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with three cases – known as Case 1,000, Case 2,000 and Case 4,000 – pending final hearings that eventually took place in October.

It is unclear what this means for the prime minister’s future.

Benjamin Netanyahu is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise, and there is currently no legal barrier to him staying in office as prime minister.

It could take many months before the cases are brought before a district court. And even if convicted, Benjamin Netanyahu would not be required to step down until the appeals process was exhausted – something that could take years.

Online Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Online Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know
Image source PxHere

Nowadays, most of us don’t remember the pre-Internet era clearly. Since we are all living in a complex digital world, making the Internet one of the basic human rights, the United Nations declared that the Internet has given us the impeccable level of the freedom of expression and moreover, provided us with the endless possibilities for the development and prosperity of the whole mankind.

However, at the same time, the Internet became the floodgate for all kinds of crimes and fraudsters, which basically turned cybercrime into the fastest growing crime in the world. No matter, whether you’re shopping, chatting with someone or just looking for any kind of information, you may never know who’s on the other end. Kids tend to be more vulnerable to Internet threats if compared to adults, thus we will provide you with the best Internet safety tips every parent should know.

Learn More Yourself


Recent studies show that most of the modern-day parents are likely to be considered Internet-savvy, however, when it comes to the basic Internet safety rules, there’s a clear lack of knowledge in this area. You would only be able to protect your child only in the case you know something about the safety online yourself. You can find plenty of information on the topic online. For example, the US non-profit organization Tech Corps created the list of most-useful Internet safety resources that will help you educate yourself and your kid. There are also such useful websites like SafeKids.org.

Educate your Kid
The best thing you can do for your kids about online defense is to educate them properly. A kid that knows a lot more is not as vulnerable as it may seem. There are a whole bunch of precautions that can be taken to help your kid stay safe online:

  • Never ever let your kid make friends online – one of the most valid points is not to make any friends online. Getting acquainted in real life is among those vital precautions you may take to keep your child safe unless you know someone in person. This does not apply to school friends, next-door kids or brothers, and sisters.

  • Set Up Privacy Setting on Social Media Accounts – teach your kids to set up their social media accounts restricted from everyone’s access and moreover, to check from time to time whether it works properly or not. Leaving your kid’s account open makes him or her a  perfect target for online threats.

  • Avoid Posting Personal Information Elsewhere – you, as a parent, should be extremely careful with what is posted on your kid’s personal social media page. For instance, any content you post can be retweeted or reposted without your permission and you basically lose control over that information. Make sure to turn off Location Settings for both Twitter and Facebook, another lead to get your kid tracked.

  • Deactivate Old Accounts your Kid might have – the list is not only limited to the social media accounts only. God knows how much of personal information could be leaking from the old game profiles, sites like Netflix or Lego-forums. Make sure to remove everything that is not used and you are aware of.

  • Teach them the Basic Knowledge of Critical Thinking – teach your kids to think critically and recognize possible threats they might come across while being online along with not taking anything at a face value.

Don’t Ban Technology

There’s nothing worse for your kid than being cut off from the Internet access, even though you think it is a wise move. You will not gain great results if any at all. Moreover, the kids will probably serf the Internet at their friend’s home or at school, behind your back. In case you fail to help them with answering their questions, they would have no other option but search for the answers online. The Internet can be truly considered one of the inventions that helped the whole humankind to develop as faster as never before. All you need to do is to allow your kids to use it wisely for educational and entertainment purposes.


Set Up Parental Controls Why banning the whole Internet access for your kid when you are able to restrict access to the most sensitive content available online: violence, erotic scenes or simply the content you don’t want your kid to be aware of. All of the most popular streaming services like Netflix, Youtube, Disney or HBO have parental control options available. The same relates to videogames, browsers, and smartphones. You are even able to lock the certain IP address to block the access for your kid. In case you’re not tech-savvy, get help from your local Internet providers, they will be more than happy to help you out with that.

Set Up House Rules and Stimulate Open Communication

Gain trust and become a true friend for your kid. Modern children are pretty well-educated for their age and might know much more than their parents. Especially when it comes to navigating on the Internet and breaking restrictions. Let your kid know to appreciate the rules you set up for the basic Internet safety precautions and explain why obeying them is vitally important. Open communication will help your kid to follow the rules that were installed.

What to Do in Case you Think your Kid is in Danger?

The first thing you should do about that is to identify the kind of threat your kid is affected by. There is a whole bunch of options possible online. In case your kid is being bullied online, it would be a nice chance for you to step in and find the parents of that bully to put out the flame before it gets worse. Online scam or dangerous contacts with a stranger is a lot different story. Once you identify the threat, try to do reverse person lookup on Nuwber and pass the information to the law enforcement authorities.

In conclusion, we would like to stress the fact that the Internet may be quite a dangerous place nowadays in case it’s not treated with care and attention. With the help of the mentioned above, you would reduce the risk of any threats for your kid to minimum.

5 Things You Need to Know about Tooth Bonding Treatments

Dana R
-
0
5 Things You Need to Know about Tooth Bonding Treatments

When you’re having fun and people catch a glimpse of your teeth as you smile or laugh, it would be unfortunate if chips or cracks in those teeth distracted onlookers. After all, no-one wants to draw attention for the wrong reasons, but this is a situation where tooth bonding can help.

“Tooth bonding” is a term for treatments where composite resin is used to cover unsightly parts of the tooth. Here’s what to know about these treatments before you consider them.

What a tooth bonding treatment involves

Once you’re ready to receive this treatment from a dentist, they will use a shade guide to determine a composite resin color closely matching your natural tooth’s color, as Healthline explains.

The dentist might then remove some surface enamel, though this may not be strictly necessary in all cases, as revealed in a Marie Claire article. The dentist will then apply a bonding agent, followed by the composite resin, which will then be cured with a special light before a final polish of your tooth.

Whether tooth bonding is right for you

As an entire tooth bonding treatment can be completed in a single appointment, it has obvious appeal compared to, say, porcelain veneers, the fitting of which could require more than two visits.

However, be careful to research the implications of bonding to help yourself to decide whether it would really be the best move for you. The treatment wouldn’t, for example, be able to correct an over- or under-bite that has lumbered you with a crooked smile.

How to look after your bonded teeth

Once the treatment is complete, you should remember to schedule regular check-ups at your dental practice, as the completed bonding could be prone to chipping or staining.

The chipping could occur if, for example, you bite on ice, hard food – including, yes, hard sweets – or your fingernails, while the resin could become discolored if you are a heavy smoker or coffee drinker. The saving grace here is that bonding can be easily repaired if it is damaged.

How tooth bonding differs from veneers

The ease of repairing damaged bonding marks it out from, say, veneers, which you would need to get replaced entirely were you to damage them. Given that veneers are significantly pricier than tooth bonding treatments to provide in the first place, replacements wouldn’t bode well for your finances.

Nonetheless, veneers do last longer than the results of bonding, so don’t rule them out too quickly.

The risks of tooth bonding treatments

The good news here is that, well, there aren’t any risks – and certainly not any serious ones. However, as the composite resin won’t match your natural teeth for strength even once hardened and finished, you do need to be careful with them, such as by heeding the information in this article.

It’s also recommended that you find a reputable provider of this treatment. London-based people will be in safe hands when receiving teeth bonding from Ten Dental, an esteemed local clinic group.

Jeffrey Epstein Case: New Accuser Jane Doe 15 Calls on Prince Andrew to Talk

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Jeffrey Epstein Case: New Accuser Jane Doe 15 Calls on Prince Andrew to Talk

A new woman has come forward to accuse Jeffrey Epstein of abusing her as a 15-year-old, and called for Prince Andrew to share information on his former friend.

The woman, identified as “Jane Doe 15”, told reporters she suffered a “vicious, prolonged… assault”.

Jane Doe 15, now 31, is the latest of more than a dozen women to sue Epstein’s estate for alleged abuses.

It comes amid controversy over Prince Andrew’s ties to the disgraced finacier.

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

Prince Andrew named in US lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein

In a recent interview, Prince Andrew was pressed on his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, and an accusation made by Virginia Giuffre that he had intercourse with her at Epstein’s house when she was 17.

Prince Andrew denied having any relation with Ms Giuffre, but the interview created a wave of criticism directed at the royal.

Jane Doe 15 gave a press conference in Los Angeles on November 18 with her lawyer, Gloria Allred. She accused Jeffrey Epstein of abusing her at his New Mexico ranch when she was 15, after she had met his secretary during a 2004 school trip to New York.

According to Jane Doe 15’s lawsuit, the secretary told her Jeffrey Epstein was interested in helping girls from poorer backgrounds. She was flown on his private jet to his ranch in New Mexico with several other young girls, she said. Jane Doe 15 alleges he told her to give him a massage, then assaulted her.

Jeffrey Epstein, 66, hanged himself in jail in August while awaiting trial. He was accused of abusing dozens of young girls, some as young as 14. He pleaded not guilty.

Jane Doe 15 did not accuse Prince Andrew of any wrongdoing but called on him to come forward with more information.

She said: “Prince Andrew, and any others who were close to Epstein, should come forward and give a statement under oath on what information they have.”

Attorney Gloria Allred said she had called on Prince Andrew to “voluntarily meet with the FBI and prosecutors who are investigating this criminal case in New York, and also to provide his deposition under oath”.

Why Home Insurance Is A Necessary Investment

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Why Home Insurance Is A Necessary Investment

Because your home is a special place where you and your family can relax while feeling secure. We know that buying your first home comes with plenty of overwhelming responsibilities. So, if you’re planning a big investment, homeowner insurance is exactly what you need to maintain and protect what you already have and gain a sense of security. For those who want to avoid the risk of a huge financial loss in the event of a tragic event or even natural disasters, homeowner insurance is what they need. Protecting your home should be a vital aspect of your investment plans. When it comes to your family’s future and safety this should be necessary, but as other huge investments in your life, this requires planning and patience.

Dwelling Coverage

The best thing about homeowners insurance is that even though something happens to your home, you can avoid huge repair costs. It might take the burden off your shoulders knowing that your home insurance can cover the costs of repair or rebuilding after a natural disaster or a burglary. Sometimes such events are unavoidable therefore looking for signing with the right insurance company is the wisest decision you’ve made. 

It depends very much of the place you live, a reason why you should know what type of insurance you actually need. If you live in Florida, then you’ll be more likely to encounter hurricanes, sinkholes or flood damage. You should consider wind insurance in Florida if you want to assure your family’s safety and peace of mind when it comes to their future. Ensuring your home for such disasters is what you can do best if you want to avoid huge financial losses. 

Other Structures 

Another great aspect of home insurance is that not only your house is covered, but other structures on your propriety too. Because everything can be possible at some point signing homeowner insurance is a smart move. It doesn’t matter if you have a backyard fence, a tool shed, a swimming pool or a detached garage, signing other structures coverage, will cover a fragment of the insurance you have on your dwelling, which is usually 10% of your total coverage. It doesn’t matter where you live as long as your goods and structures are insured. Having your garage covered will make you feel much safer in the event of a natural disaster or robbery.  

It Covers Your Personal Belongings

Because we all valuable items in our home, being afraid of unexpected future events it’s not a solution. Homeowner insurance will protect your goods such as electronics, clothes, fine art pieces and jewellery you certainly don’t want to lose. Before anything, the smartest move would be to plan an inventory. Whenever you sign insurance you want to be sure they pay you fairly for whatever you’ve lost. After an unfortunate event, you should make a list of every valuable item and validate the value of that loss. Your insurance company wants to make sure you’re honest about you loses and their value therefore, the following steps might help you build an idea on what you can do. 

  • Collect all your available receipts or cancelled checks that prove the value of your items. 
  • Most important, create a list with every damaged item and the degree of damage of each possession. You can even photograph or videotape the damage.
  • If possible, collect every surviving photo or video taken with your valuable goods before the damage.

Protects your Liability 

Having liability protection on your home insurance is considered by many a smart investment. Anything can happen on your propriety, maybe the neighbor slips on your icy stairs or maybe your dog bites the mailman. These small unexpected events may cost you more than you think, a reason why you should consider signing home insurance. This will help you cover your essential medical expenses, lost wages and legal fees. This will even allow you to preserve your house equity. Whenever you plan to make renovation and upgrade something in your house, the value of your home will increase. If you wish to protect your investment you should consider this liability protection as being a smart move. 

Additional Living Expenses 

Additional living expenses are an important part of your home insurance policy. It is perfectly developed to help you overcome financial loses and stay safe while your house is under repairs after a disaster. It covers restaurant and hotel bills and even the moving costs you encounter after an unexpected event. This additional living expenses will offer you great comfort in trying times. 

Your Lender May Require It

Even though you don’t have a proprietary yet, planning to invest in home insurance may offer you plenty of benefits. Given the unexpected events, more lenders require proof of your insurance. This should be a necessary move because it protects your home from damage caused by natural disasters, robbery or fire. In case you don’t have insurance, your lender can buy one on your name. But as you probably know, this will add the costs on your monthly expenses. Homeowner insurance will not cause a hole in your budget if you find the option that’s right for you. In most cases, its value adapts with the quality so this will offer you huge satisfaction. 

Because it doesn’t matter if you’ve just bought a house or you’ve just rented, insuring your home it’s a necessary investment. Just thinking about a catastrophic event like a tornado or a fire can be a nightmare. Those who already experienced such unfortunate events know very well what it takes to endure all those repair costs. Fortunately, these things can be avoided if you plan to invest in home insurance. This should be a wise decision if you wish to ensure your financial stability and your family’s safety. Having homeowner insurance will offer you’re a sense of comfort regarding your future and it will take a burden off your shoulders. 

 

1...959697...1,241Page 96 of 1,241