Rescue efforts continue in Turkey following February 6 deadly earthquake that killed more than 24,000 people.
Among those rescued on February 11 were a family of five pulled from the rubble in Turkey’s Gaziantep province.
AP news agency reported the parents, two daughters and son were brought to safety after five days under their collapsed home, to cries of “God is great”.
The same outlet reported that a seven-year-old girl was pulled from the debris in the province of Hatay after almost 132 hours under the rubble.
Another remarkable rescue of two sisters in Antakya, southern Turkey, took place on February 8.
The quake was described as the “worst event in 100 years in this region” by the United Nations aid chief, who was in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras on February 11.
The border crossing between long-feuding Armenia and Turkey reopened on the same day for the first time in 35 years to allow aid through.
And there are reports that the Syrian government has agreed to let UN aid into areas controlled by opposition groups, with whom they have been engaged in a bitter civil war since 2011.
Image source: Reuters
The death toll in Syria from the earthquake now stands at more than 3,500, according to AFP – but new figures have not been publishes since February 10.
There has been criticism that the international effort to send aid to Syria has not been fast enough.
Sivanka Dhanapala, the Syria representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told AlJazeera that as many 5.3 million Syrians may be homeless following the quake.
The death toll in Turkey and Syria from the quake has surpassed 28,000, and hope of finding many more survivors is fading despite some miraculous rescues.
German rescuers and the Austrian army paused search operations on February 11, citing clashes between unnamed groups.
Security is expected to worsen as food supplies dwindle, one rescuer said.
And nearly 50 people have been arrested for looting, with several guns seized, local media reported.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would use emergency powers to punish anyone breaking the law.
An Austrian army spokesperson said that clashes between unidentified groups in the Hatay province had left dozens of personnel from the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit seeking shelter in a base camp with other international organisations.
Photo by Eren Bozkurt/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Hours after Austria paused its rescue efforts, the country’s ministry of defense said that the Turkish army had stepped in to offer protection, allowing the rescue operations to resume.
The German branch of the search and rescue group ISAR and Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (TSW) also suspended operations, citing security concerns.
The Vice President of Turkey, Fuat Oktay announced on February 11 the death toll in Turkey has risen to 24,617.
While President Erdogan hasn’t commented on the reported unrest in Hatay, he did reiterate that the government would take action against those involved in crimes in the region.
“We’ve declared a state of emergency,” he said during a visit to the disaster zone today.
“It means that, from now on, the people who are involved in looting or kidnapping should know that the state’s firm hand is on their backs.”
State media reported that 48 people had been arrested for looting, according to AFP. Turkish state media reported several guns were seized, along with cash, jewellery and bank cards.
Turkish police have also reportedly detained 12 people over collapsed buildings in the provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. They included contractors, according to the DHA news agency.
At least 6,000 buildings collapsed in Turkey, raising questions about if the large-scale tragedy could have been avoided and whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government could have done more to save lives.
With elections looming, the president’s future is on the line after spending 20 years in power and his pleas for national unity going unheeded.
President Erdogan has admitted shortcomings in the response, but he appeared to blame fate on a visit to one disaster zone: “Such things have always happened. It’s part of destiny’s plan.”
The death toll in Syria from the earthquake now stands at more than 3,500, according to AFP – but new figures have not been publishes since February 10.
There has been criticism that the international effort to send aid to Syria has not been fast enough.
Sivanka Dhanapala, the Syria representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told AlJazeera that as many 5.3 million Syrians may be homeless following the quake.
Another unidentified object has been shot down over Canada, PM Justin Trudeau has confirmed.
The Canadian prime minister said the latest object “violated Canadian airspace” and was shot down over Yukon in north west Canada.
Both Canadian and US aircraft were scrambled to track down the object which PM Trudeau says was taken out by a US F-22.
He says he gave the order and he spoke with President Joe Biden.
“Canadian forces will now recover and analyse the wreckage of the object,” he wrote on Twitter.
He thanked the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) which earlier said it had been monitoring “a high-altitude airborne object” over northern Canada. NORAD carries out air defence for the US and Canada.
But, its appearance over North America comes just a week after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down after violating American and Canadian airspace.
On February 10, another object was shot down over Alaska at the orders of President Biden.
In a short statement, the military said US troops, including from the Alaska National Guard, were still conducting search and recovery activities on sea ice for the object.
It said it had no further details about the object’s capabilities, purpose or origin but confirmed the FBI is helping with the recovery near the Alaskan town of Deadhorse.
“Arctic weather conditions, including wind chill, snow, and limited daylight, are a factor in this operation, and personnel will adjust recovery operations to maintain safety,” it added – and that the rescue operation will continue as weather permits.
The latest incident comes a week after the American military destroyed a Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
China has denied the balloon – which first entered US airspace on January 28 – was used for spying purposes, saying it was a weather device gone astray.
The US, however, said the balloon is part of a fleet of surveillance balloons that have flown over five continents.
The balloon incident has strained US-China relations, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceling a planned trip to Beijing.
On February 10, Chinese officials accused the US of “political manipulation and hype”.
In an interview on February 9, President Biden defended his handling of the Chinese balloon, maintaining that it was not “a major breach”.
You just scheduled a new deck to be built byButler Contractors. You’re so excited to finally live in a home that’s surrounded by nature. While a new deck is a great way to reap the benefits of your new environment, you also met a local hiking group. You wonder just what hiking could offer to you.
Fret not, we’re here to teach you about 6 powerful benefits of hiking.
One of the most wonderful benefits of hiking is that it inspires you to be creative. When you’re outside, exploring the wilderness – you tap into the childlike, adventurous spirit within you. In turn, this helps you to think in new ways and find new connections between the world around you. Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or struggling to get into painting, going for a hike is sure to offer you creative inspiration with whatever your artistic heart desires.
Great for Physical Health
It’s no surprise that hiking has wonderful benefits towards your overall physical health. Hiking not only increases your endurance, but it also strengthens your leg, core, and arm muscles. It truly provides a full body workout. Of course, you can modify your workouts depending on how much of a physical challenge you are wanting.
Activity for Everyone
Hiking is not just for the young. This activity is meant for everyone. As we touched on previously, there are many modifications you can make when it comes to hitting the hiking trail. Many popular hiking destinations will let visitors know the difficulty level of each hike, so you can choose accordingly. You’re never too old or young to go out and explore the world!
Improves Mental Health
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a study that shows there’s a strong correlation withspending time outdoors and mental health. They found that more time outside can help relieve anxiety, reduce stress, and even make you at a lower risk for depression. If you’re feeling down, getting in nature is one of the easiest ways to cheer you right up. Hiking can also provide mental clarity, which in turn – can help you focus.
Tap Into Your Inner Curiosity
If you’re a lover of exploring the world around you, hiking is one of the best ways to tap into your inner curiosity. Hiking allows you to observe the natural environment around you while also getting more connected to your thoughts about it. This is why it’s not uncommon for hikers to bring a notepad along with them on their hike. This allows them to write down whatever comes to mind. You should try this the next time you go for a hike!
Mindfulness Benefits
There is a slew of positive benefits that come with practicingmindfulness. And no, you don’t need to sit down and meditate to become more mindful. Hiking in nature brings you back to the present moment. It helps you focus on your surroundings, instead of being trapped in incessant thinking. In essence, it allows you to just be without all the distractions of life and your thoughts.
Take a break from looking at riding gear fromGet Lowered Cycles and read some tips on how to practice self-love. If you find yourself consistently anxious, stressed, or feeling depressed – it might indicate that you haven’t made self-love a priority. That’s why we’re here to help with offering 6 tips to practice self-love.
According to research, practicinggratitude is associated with an increase in happiness, feeling more positive, and building strong relationships. It makes sense as you’re taking the time to acknowledge the good in your life and giving thanks for it. All too often, we tend to focus on what’s not going right. Gratitude journaling switches it up to where you express and feel all you have to be grateful in the present moment.
Practicing Yoga
Yoga is a wonderful practice to use if you’re wanting to strengthen your self-love.Yoga provides a feeling of calmness and helps to relax your mind. By regularly engaging in yoga, you build a deeper connection with your mind, body, and spirit. It helps to alleviate stress by grounding you in your body. In turn, this creates a safe space for self-love to grow.
Scheduled “Me Time”
When was the last time you took a day for yourself? In a busy world, it’s sometimes a challenge to set aside time for ourselves. However, it’s important that you take regular breaks that are dedicated to “me time” if you’re wanting to feel and show more self-love. Pick a day or afternoon where you can let yourself be present. Self-care and self-love days are crucial towards your overall well being.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is your greatest ally to fostering and nurturing self-love. Researchers say thatmindfulness practices give you “the ability to relate to others and one’s self with kindness, acceptance and compassion.” This practice is simple once you get the hang of it. Try and set aside 10 minutes each day to practice mindfulness meditation. There are plenty of guided meditations available online if you’re not entirely sure where to start with it.
Positive Affirmations
It comes as no surprise that positive affirmations are useful when you’re wanting to practice more self-love. You can either write out your affirmations, vocalize them, or recite them in your head. Here are a few to get you started:
I know that I am always divinely and unconditionally loved.
Today, I choose to focus on the love and peace that is always within me.
I love myself, and others love for me who I am.
Something wonderful is on the verge of happening.
Fuel Your Body
If you’re practicing self-love, this also means that you’re taking care of your body. While love is a feeling, it also heavily involves your body. This is why you want to make sure that you’re treating your body with love as well as your mind. Consider if you’re ingesting foods that are good for you. Evaluate if you’re overconsuming or under consuming. Make the conscious choice to practice self-love before each meal.
Sometimes it’s easy to tell if someone is an introvert or extrovert, but not always! Take a break from scheduling your sunroom buildout withClassic Home Concepts, and let’s get into the differences between an introvert and extrovert.
Before we get into the differences between introverts and extroverts, let’s look at some common characteristics of both:
Introverts thrive when they are alone, allowing them time for introspection.Introverts are described as natural listeners, creative, and often carefully consider the world around them.
Extroverts like to explore the world around more often than exploring their inner world like introverts.Extroverts are said to make friends easily and quite adaptable to change.
Energy Supply
One of the key differences between people who are introverts and extroverts is where they get their energy from most of the time. Extroverts often find they get their energy from spending time with others. Introverts, on the other hand, find their energy to be drained after spending too much time socializing. Instead, introverts find they need to spend some time alone to relax and recharge.
Social Skills
There’s a common misconception that introverts have poor social skills. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While introverts tend to be quieter in social settings, this doesn’t mean they aren’t listening. They absorb the information around them, and they usually surprise people once they start talking revealing their insights. Extroverts are social creatures, so they are typically the talkative ones at social gatherings. You’ll find them near the center of the room and are often the ones who plan the events to begin with.
Hobbies
Hobbies between introverts and extroverts can be similar, but there are some that seem to be more prevalent in one than the other. Introverts tend to be avid readers. Reading provides them time to think, reflect on the world around them, in the privacy of their own home. Extroverts typically enjoy hobbies that involve others – like playing sports. They tune into their social side and have fun engaging in healthy competition with others. Again, this doesn’t mean that extroverts don’t enjoy reading or introverts don’t enjoy playing sports – it’s just patterns you will pick up with some.
Work Styles
You’ll often notice that career choices seem to have a correlation depending on a person’s level of introversion or extraversion. It’s not uncommon to see extroverts in a career that involves teamwork and leadership. On the other hand, introverts are typically engaged in solo work.
Common Extrovert Career Choices:
Team Managers
Public Speakers
Real Estate Agents
Business Coaching
Common Introvert Career Choices:
Writers
Web Design
Social Media Managers
Life Coaching
What About Ambiverts?
If you read this article and found that you have a little of both qualities, that might mean you’re an ambivert! An ambivert doesn’t fall on one scale of being an extrovert or introvert. Instead, they match some core qualities of both. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’m an introverted extrovert,” it probably means that you’re an ambivert.
You just scheduled an appointment withConfident Comfort to have them install some specialized heating in your house. This winter has really taken a toll on you, and you’re anxiously waiting for Spring to arrive. We certainly get it, and that’s why we’re offering 5 ways to fight the winter blues.
Let’s get into it!
Bundle Up and Go Outside
The last thing you want to do is go outside when it’s near freezing temperatures. However, one of the best ways to fight the winter blues is to get some exposure to the sun and nature. Even if it’s for 10 minutes a day. Fortunately, we have the ability to bundle up so we can spend some time outside without getting too cold.Studies show that spending time outside helps reduce cortisol levels, heart rate, and even helps with combatting depression and anxiety.
You want to make sure that you have your shutters and blinds open in the winter. While you might want to hibernate, getting the natural light in will help with your mental health. This goes along with spending time outdoors, exposure to natural light has positive effects on your mood and wellbeing. It also helps your body know that it’s time to be awake – which helps with seasonal fatigue that hits in winter time.
Light Therapy Box
There’s certainly a shortage of natural light in the colder months depending on where you live. However, you could invest in alight therapy box. These nifty devices help to mimic natural sunlight. In a way, it’s tricking your body into thinking that there is still daylight out. Light therapy boxes have been shown to help people who experience effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Stay Active
Exercise is one of the fastest and easiest methods to elevate your mood.Experts say that you can feel a positive shift in your mood in as little as 5 minutes after you start exercising. Not only that, but research suggests that physical activity also helps manage and treat symptoms of long-term depression. So, if you’re feeling down in the wintertime, do a home workout or hit the gym! You’re sure to feel better in no time.
Get Creative
It’s hard to find energy and stay positive sometimes when you feel like you’re trapped inside. This is why you should consider tapping into your creative side.Creativity has been linked to higher activated positive affect and a reduction in depression symptoms and anxiety. The more time you spend working on creative goals, the more likely you are to feel better and have an increase in positive emotions.
The Rundown
Winter can be a season that makes us feel isolated and down. It makes sense as we aren’t getting our regular dose of nature and sunlight. However, there are ways to help alleviate some of the symptoms of wintertime blues. Try some of the suggestions above and see what works for you! And remember: Spring is just around the corner.
If you are looking for more ways to enjoy cultural experiences without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. We will look at some of the best ways to save while you still get to have fun! For instance, you can score great deals online for cheaper tickets to shows or even find some free cultural attractions to visit. Moreover, by prioritizing what you spend money on and which events you attend while on vacation, you can make sure not to miss out on what you want to see the most. What’s more, you can resist the urge to buy a new outfit for every event and, finally, search for local cultural events that you don’t need to travel for.
There are various ways that you can keep up with your friends and family and join in with cultural experiences while also managing your money responsibly. One of the best options is to find a website specializing in ticket sales at the best prices and book your events through this platform. You can save a lot of money by buying Broadway tickets from well-reputed low-cost sites. Never miss out on the latest hot show in New York with affordable Broadway tickets.
Another top tip is to be open to sitting further back in the theater. These locations are designed so that everyone can see the stage, so there is no real need to be right at the front in the most expensive seats.
2. Look for Free Events
Another great way to get your culture hit but save some cash is to look for free events wherever you are traveling. Often, especially in big cities, you can stumble across brilliant cultural events in public parks, libraries, and art galleries that are completely free.
Not much can beat the excitement of stumbling across a Jazz festival in a Chicago park or a display of public art in Boston, so make sure to do your research and see what is available free of charge where you are.
3. Cut Your Food and Drink Budget
When visiting a cultural capital, you can save money for cultural events by limiting your budget for meals and alcoholic drinks. This is often a big drain on a holiday budget and when you weigh up the enjoyment of a meal versus the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing a live show or big event, you will agree that it is best to eat for less, cut down on drink, and spend more on the experiences.
So, when you are away from home and trying to soak up as much of the local culture as possible, you can make the experience more authentic and cheaper by buying food from a local grocery store, rather than having all three meals every day in a restaurant.
4. Prioritize Which Events You Attend
If you are still struggling to pay for all of the shows, events, and exhibits you are trying to see, you might also need to start making a priority list of things you must see and cutting out some of the attractions. If there are some things you simply can’t miss out on, make sure they are in your itinerary. Meanwhile, the things that you do not think you will miss can be added bonuses if you decide while you are on your trip that you can afford them. Creating a hierarchy of priority for events will help you gain perspective and focus on what is most important.
5. Outfit Repeat
Another reason that people tend to overspend when they are away from home is that they are tempted to buy a whole new wardrobe for their trip. Especially when you have a show booked, it can seem like a great idea to buy yourself a lovely new evening look. But this can make your trip budget far smaller and really limit how many cultural experiences you can afford. So, if you want to spend more on events, you need to repeat your outfits and resist new clothes!
6. Find Local Cultural Events
Lastly, you do not always need to travel to have a great cultural experience. If you do a bit of research, you might find that there is a great show, exhibit, or event in your local area. Just because you are not flying to a different part of the world all the time, does not mean you are missing out. Culture is all around you.
If you follow these simple but effective tips, you will be able to save money while still getting to enjoy cultural events. When you make these simple changes to how you live and travel, you will find that many new doors open, providing new opportunities to have awesome cultural experiences. So, look online for great ticket deals, search for free events, manage your food and drink budget, prioritize the events you want to attend the most, repeat your outfits, and search for local cultural experiences. Have fun!
Rescuers are desperately searching for survivors in southern Turkey and northern Syria after two huge earthquakes on February 6.
Nearly 8,000 people have lost their lives in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes.
More than 7,800 people have been killed, but there are warnings the death toll could continue to surge. Thousands of buildings have been destroyed and among the buildings damaged by the earthquake is Gaziantep Castle.
As search efforts continue into a second freezing-cold night, time is running out for rescuers to find survivors under the rubble.
Relatives of victims who lived in collapsed buildings have joined frantic rescue efforts in one of the worst-hit Turkish cities, using pickaxes and crowbars.
Some anguished families have said rescue services took too long to respond in some areas.
Photo by Eren Bozkurt/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The first 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of February 6, followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor hours later.
The death toll from the devastating earthquake has now jumped to more than 7,800 people. A breakdown of the figures by AFP news agency says 5,894 people died in Turkey and at least 1,932 are reported dead in Syria.
The north-west region of Syria is home to millions of refugees displaced by civil war since 2011.
Control of the area is divided between the Syrian government, Kurdish-led forces and other rebel groups, hugely complicating the distribution of aid.
The United Nations says damage to roads is also hindering the aid effort.
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, is urging an investigation into those he accuses of trafficking in stolen material from his laptop.
In letters filed on February 1, lawyers representing Hunter Biden named a computer repair shop owner and Rudy Giuliani as among those who they say had broken the law.
He also threatened to sue Fox News’ Tucker Carlson for defamation.
It’s a shift in strategy for Hunter Biden to hit back after years of scrutiny, a source close to him told CBS News.
The laptop’s existence was first brought to the public’s attention by the New York Post less than one month before the 2020 presidential election.
It had allegedly been left by Hunter Biden in a repair shop and never collected.
The Post alleged that emails found on the computer’s hard-drive suggested Hunter Biden’s business dealings abroad were influencing US foreign policy while his father was vice-president.
Former president Donald Trump seized on the laptop as a campaign issue, saying it was evidence of corruption.
Hunter Biden, 52, is a lawyer and lobbyist who has worked abroad including in China and Ukraine.
The FBI has been investigating his business dealings since 2018 and has gathered enough evidence to charge him with tax crimes, and CBS News claim that they appear to have gathered enough evidence suggesting tax crimes may have been committed.
Republicans have vowed to investigate him and the family business now they have control of the House of Representatives.
President Biden and his family have denied any wrongdoing in overseas business dealings.
In the latest development, Hunter Biden’s lawyers wrote letters to the Justice Department, the attorney general of Delaware and the Internal Revenue Service.
They asked them to investigate former computer repair shop owner John Paul Mac Isaac, former Trump advisers Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon and their lawyer, Robert Costello.
Lawyers said they believed various Delaware laws were breached “in accessing, copying, manipulating, and/or disseminating Mr. Biden’s personal computer data”.
But Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said in a statement to CBS News that the letters “do not confirm Mac Isaac’s or others’ versions of a so-called laptop.”
In response to Hunter Biden’s new suite of legal threats, a lawyer for Mr Isaac said “the only thing I see is a privileged person hiring yet another high-priced attorney to redirect attention away from his own unlawful actions”.
Mac Isaac also claims that the laptop was left with him for repair in April 2019, and Hunter Biden never returned to collect it.
He said he reviewed the laptop files shortly after receiving it and discovered information about Hunter Biden’s personal finances. After waiting 90 days – the amount of time that had to pass before something could be considered abandoned property – Mac Isaac considered it abandoned.
He turned the laptop over to the FBI and provided a copy of the contents to Rudy Guiliani, who later would pass it along to the New York Post.
Robert Costello, a lawyer for both Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon, told CBS News the letters to the Justice Department and Delaware were a “frivolous legal complaint trying to intimidate”.
Shell has reported record annual profits after energy prices surged last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Profits hit $39.9 billion in 2022, double last year’s total and the highest in its 115-year history.
Energy firms have seen record earnings since oil and gas prices jumped following the invasion of Ukraine.
It has heaped pressure on firms to pay more tax as households struggle with rising bills.
Opposition parties said Shell’s profits were “outrageous” and the government was letting energy firms “off the hook”. They also called for the planned increase in the energy price cap due in April to be scrapped.
Energy prices had begun to climb after the end of Covid lockdowns but rose sharply in March 2022 after the events in Ukraine led to worries over supplies.
The price of Brent crude oil reached nearly $128 a barrel following the invasion, but has since fallen back to about $83. Gas prices also spiked but have come down from their highs.
It has led to bumper profits for energy companies, but also fuelled a rise in energy bills for households and businesses.
In 2022, the UK government introduced a windfall tax on the “extraordinary” earnings of firms to help fund its scheme to lower gas and electricity bills.
Despite the move, Shell had said it did not expect to pay any UK tax this year as it is allowed to offset decommissioning costs and investments in UK projects against any UK profits.
However, Shell said was due to pay $134 million in UK windfall tax for 2022, and expected to pay more than $500 million in 2023.
Nearly three months after announcing his campaign, Donald Trump made his first campaign foray out of his adopted home state of Florida on January 28.
In New Hampshire, he addressed a meeting of the Republican Party and announced the outgoing state party chair would be a senior adviser to his campaign. And at the state capitol in Columbia, South Carolina, he received the endorsements of the state’s governor, Henry McMaster, and Senator Lindsey Graham.
Lindsay Graham, a Trump confidante who expressed some disillusionment after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, is now back firmly in the fold.
Donald Trump once again denied his 2020 defeat and told supporters that he – unlike any possible Republican alternatives – would be the most effective nominee in 2024.
“To change the whole system, you need a president who can take on the whole system and a president who can win,” he said from the state capitol’s main hall.
In both stops, the former president touted what he said was his record of success during his presidency and attacked President Joe Biden’s record on crime, immigration and the economy.
Image source Wikipedia
Across the street, Todd Gerhardt, a Republican district executive committee member from nearby Charleston, sold honey in Trump-shaped plastic bottles.
Todd Gerhardt was an early supporter of Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, organized a 2016 rally for him on South Carolina’s posh Kiawah Island, and recently visited the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate for a fundraiser and to provide his honey for the campaign’s gift bags.
It’s no coincidence that the first two stops of Donald Trump’s third presidential campaign were South Carolina and New Hampshire. The two states could prove to be central to Trump’s strategy to retake the White House.
While Iowa is the first state to hold a Republican presidential nomination contest in 2024, Donald Trump finished third there in 2016 and the evangelical Christians who dominate the state’s Republican electorate could be eying other possible candidates, like former Vice-President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
New Hampshire and South Carolina, however, provided Donald Trump with a one-two punch that catapulted him to the front in 2016 – a lead he never relinquished.
They could do the same in 2024. In fact, every Republican presidential nominee since 1980 has won the South Carolina primary, making it unique among the traditional early-voting states.
South Carolina could prove to be a unique challenge for Donald Trump this time around, however. He faces potential challenges from Senator Tim Scott as well as the state’s former governor, Nikki Haley.
An Emerson Poll conducted earlier this week found 55% of Republican voters supporting Donald Trump, well ahead of the 29% for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has not announced a presidential bid but is viewed to be the former president’s most formidable rival. A Monmouth poll in December had Mr DeSantis ahead by double-digits.
Earlier this week, Meta announced that it was lifting the suspension it had placed on Donald Trump’s accounts in the aftermath of the attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Although the former president has yet to resume posting to his accounts, his return could provide yet another opportunity for voter outreach – and fundraising – as his still minimally staffed campaign gears up for its 2024 run.
If rallies and Facebook donations were the fuel for Donald Trump’s past White House bids, his South Carolina stop was a different kind of operation.
With only 300 announced attendees, it was a decidedly low-key event compared to his typical arena gatherings, with their carnival atmosphere. Attire tended toward sport coats and dresses, not Make America Great Again hats and Let’s Go Brandon t-shirts.
To win a third Republican presidential nomination, however, Donald Trump will need the support of the political rank-and-file in states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, as well as his rally-going loyalists. And while Donald Trump’s national polls show continued strength, a recent South Carolina survey had nearly half of Republican voters expressing a preference for “someone else” besides Donald Trump.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across the globe, many employers are allowing their employees to work from home. Whether you’re a teacher or a medical professional at The Bunion Cure, there are plenty of benefits to working from home, including greater flexibility and fewer distractions. Here are three more reasons why you should consider working from home, even after the pandemic ends.
Working from home has been gaining popularity in recent years due to technological advances and a growing number of digital startups. For businesses and entrepreneurs just starting out, this could be an excellent way to save costs on office space and equipment. By investing in a laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection, and other important hardware, you can create your own office environment wherever you are. This not only saves on costs associated with renting property but it also eliminates pesky overhead fees for electricity, lighting, and water consumption which could quickly add up over time. Working remotely also enables businesses to access talent from all over the world, further expanding their reach while still remaining cost-effective.
More Control Over Your Environment
Creating an environment that you find both functional and pleasing to the eye is an important part of anyone’s lifestyle. Whether it’s arranging your desk space in a way that makes working in your home office more efficient, or simply rearranging certain pieces of furniture to make a room brighter and easier to move around in, you can use some simple adjustments to greatly impact the atmosphere around you. Taking control of the arrangement of our environments not only improves how we function within them but also has tremendous psychological benefits, as studies show that organization encourages productivity and reduced stress levels. So don’t limit yourself – take charge of your environment and enjoy the rewards!
Eliminate Commuting Time and Costs
Commuting is a time-consuming and costly part of almost everyone’s life. Between the long drives, traffic, parking fees, and the ever-rising cost of gasoline, it seems almost impossible to avoid the additional costs associated with getting to work every day. But there are ways to cut commuting costs and save valuable time – telecommuting is one of these solutions. With technologies such as video conferencing and messaging available, it’s simple to stay connected while eliminating commuting costs. Not only can you take advantage of reduced transportation outlays but you may also enjoy increased productivity without the distractions associated with daily commutes. So why not ditch the congestion and high gas prices? Make the switch to telecommuting today!
Working from home has become increasingly popular over the past decade for a number of reasons. As noted above, you can save money on office space and equipment, have more control over your environment, and eliminate commuting time and costs. If you are considering making the switch to working from home, weigh the pros and cons carefully to see if it is the right decision for you.
In November, UK GDP grew by 0.1%, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data relayed by CNBC. This revelation defied economists’ expectations – as indicated in a Reuters poll – that the British economy would actually contract by 0.2% in the penultimate month of 2022.
Nonetheless, this discrepancy “can hardly disguise the likelihood that whilst recessionary conditions may be shallow, an economic contraction is underway,” strategist Jeremy Batstone-Carr of the US banking institution Raymond James Financial explained to CNBC.
Indeed, economists have warned that the November growth figure might not necessarily be a sign of things to come, and that the long-expected UK recession might be delayed instead of averted. Naturally, this begs the question of when exactly the country should emerge from recession.
What have economic experts predicted about the UK economy?
One projection from the Bank of England has the UK experiencing a recession lasting at least four financial quarters – and Batstone-Carr has pointed out that “the effects of the Bank’s monetary tightening are still to feed through the economy fully.”
Furthermore, as the ONS has noted, UK GDP still ultimately fell by 0.3% across the three-month period running up to the end of November.
Batstone-Carr has continued: “Together with the corporation tax increase to 25% and the expiration of the tax reduction on new investments, the economy only stands to contract further.”
Deloitte expects UK GDP to drop by 1.4% overall in 2023. Stewart acknowledges that this would mark a “rather deeper downturn” than that predicted by economists on average, who anticipate the negative growth figure clocking in at 1.0% instead.
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How can UK businesses help to protect themselves against headwinds in 2023?
Though the UK has hardly been alone among major economies in battling inflation and rising energy costs, more than half a million workers in the UK have opted for early retirement since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
This situation has hampered the country’s productive capacity, while Brexit has made trading with the EU more expensive for many British businesses.
The onus is therefore on companies across the country to look for ways to budget more effectively – ideally, of course, without sacrificing the quality of the products or services provided.
You could seriously consider renting what is known as a serviced office. The Startups. website explains that a serviced office “comes ready-furnished, with internet and phone lines pre-connected and devices already equipped.”
When it comes to customer service, in our tech-savvy society, we can now expect new technologies to assist customer service teams in reducing their workload and improving overall efficiency. For example, chatbots are one way customer support teams are using tech to their advantage.
Another way is through an automated attendant who answers calls instead of a customer service representative answering it straight away. For busy customer service teams, an automated attendant can make a very big difference.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using an automated attendant in comparison to a customer service rep answering the call?
Pros
With an automated attendant, also known as interactive voice response (IVR), businesses can reap a myriad of benefits of which include (but are not limited to):
No missed calls
A big problem for the customer service department is that as soon as it starts getting busy, with calls coming through constantly, there is the possibility that calls may be missed. This may be especially true for smaller teams who do not have enough representatives to cover the amount of calls that they receive. IVR fixes this problem as it automatically answers each and every call that comes through 24/7.
Not just for customer service
Although customer service has been mentioned a lot in this blog regarding IVR, using an automated attendant is not only beneficial for the customer support department, but also for businesses in general. As such, businesses should leverage platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Whether that’s for B2B communication, B2C communication, or communication between employees, Microsoft Teams telephony is the new way of collaboration on Microsoft Teams.
Personalised
IVR allows for a personalised caller experience – it enables the caller to navigate through options via keypad selection, and depending on what they have pressed, their call is routed to a specific department or personnel for their query. For use in customer service, this can be extremely helpful as it directly routes customers’ calls to the appropriate advisor. This solves business inefficiencies and may improve customer satisfaction and experience.
Cons
Unfortunately, using automated attendants also comes with a few drawbacks that you should take into consideration. In particular, some disadvantages of IVR are:
Loss of human connection
Many people prefer talking to a live person instead of an answering machine. Using an automated attendant makes callers lose out on a human connection that simply cannot be replicated with IVR. With a live person, human feelings such as understanding and empathy can be fostered, whereas, this is not possible with an automated attendant. Customers want to feel heard and listened to.
Poor customer experience
One study conducted in 2019 found that 85% of customers abandoned at least one call because they reached an automated attendant. This shows that perhaps an IVR may actually contribute to poor customer experience. This could possibly be due to the fact that customers have to listen to a range of options before pressing the number that their query relates to. This can confuse customers and instead of having their questions answered instantly, they are waiting for the automated attendant to list out the available options again.
Many people like the idea of becoming a sole trader, and it is easy to see why. As a sole trader, you are your own boss, and you can operate your business exactly how you wish. In addition to giving you control over your business, this can also help you to build a healthy work-life balance and choose your own schedule. Operating as a sole trader is also unique and different from running a regular business, which means that you need to know how to succeed with this business model. With this in mind, this article will offer advice for a sole trader that should prove to be useful.
Know How To Network
One of the most important skills that any sole trader can have is networking. To find continued success with your business, you need to build a large network and maintain this network over time. Meeting people face-to-face is the best way to make a positive and lasting impression, and then using social media to maintain these relationships over time is effective. Having a large network can help you to discover new customers/clients, improve your brand reputation, and allow you to find new opportunities.
Outsource
There are many benefits to running your own business, but one of the challenges is that it is up to you to keep on top of all business tasks. For many, this can take away from the service and key competencies that you provide. If you are a builder, for example, then you do not want to be using your time messing around with bookkeeping and marketing! This is why it is a good idea to outsource these areas so that you can focus on other areas while getting these tasks completed by a specialist. A few areas to outsource include:
Accounting
Digital marketing
IT and cybersecurity
Admin
Make Sure You Have Insurance
You might wonder do sole traders need insurance. Absolutely, especially as you are liablefor any losses or debts incurred. Without proper coverage in place, you would be responsible to cover any damages, and this could ruin both your business and life. With insurance in place, you can protect your income, property, and personal assets and enjoy peace of mind. The kind of insurance that you need for your business will depend on the type of operation, but a few of the most common types include:
Income protection
Professional indemnity
Public liability
Tool and equipment
You will want to establish what your risks are and shop around to find the best deals for insurance.
Have An Emergency Fund
Leading on from this, it is also a good idea to have an emergency fund both for the business and for your personal finances (always keep your finances separate). The money that the business brings in can fluctuate over the course of a year, so you need to be able to manage any quiet periods. It is generally recommended to have at least three months’ worth of expenses in an emergency fund, which will help you to stay afloat if you have any issues.
There are many benefits to being a sole trader, but it also has unique challenges, and you need to know how to prepare for these.
The only child of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie, has died at the age of 54, her mother has announced.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley said.
Lisa Marie Presley, also a singer, was rushed to hospital on January 12. According to media reports, she suffered cardiac arrest.
She was found unresponsive at her home in Calabasas, California, sources told TMZ.
“She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement.
“We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss.”
Her mother gave no details about the possible cause of death.
Image source: Getty Images
Citing a source close to Lisa Marie Presley, TMZ reported that the star was found unresponsive in her bedroom. At about the same time her former husband Danny Keough, who also lives at the property, arrived and performed CPR.
The outlet said that the singer had suffered a “full arrest” before a bystander administered epinephrine – commonly known as adrenaline – to help her regain a pulse.
Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards, taking her to hospital.
Born in 1968, Lisa Marie Presley went on to follow in her father’s footsteps and forged a career in music. She released three albums, with her 2003 debut studio album selling hundreds of thousands of copies and receiving generally positive reviews.
Lisa Marie Presley was also well known for a series of high-profile marriages to pop legend Michael Jackson, actor Nicholas Cage and musicians Danny Keough and Michael Lockwood.
She had four children, including the actress Riley Keough. Presley’s son, Benjamin Keough, killed himself in 2020.
Lisa Marie Presley was last seen in public at the Golden Globes Awards in Beverly Hills.
Accompanied by her mother, the pair were seen breaking down in tears as they watched Austin Butler win the Best Actor prize for his portrayal of her father.
With the world becoming increasingly digital and interconnected, it’s more important than ever to understand how to save and invest your money. Unfortunately, many people don’t have a basic understanding of financial literacy and thus may think they know what they are doing but in reality, their actions could be detrimental to their future wealth.
This blog post seeks to address this problem by providing an overview of saving and investing basics for today’s modern era. We’ll start by discussing why having good financial habits is so important, then delve into the different types of investments available and provide guidance on how you can make informed decisions about where to put your hard-earned cash. Finally, we will discuss some strategies for managing risk when it comes to investing as well as some tips for building long-term wealth that you can use over time. So if you are ready to learn more about how to save and invest your money, read on!
Pick The Right Saving Account
When it comes to your finances, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different needs, so it’s important to find a savings account that works for you and meets your requirements. Picking the right savings account can be a daunting task, but with the right information and guidance, you can make an informed decision about which type of account will best suit your needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your savings account:
• Interest Rate – Depending on the bank, different types of savings accounts will offer different interest rates. It’s important to compare the rates offered by different banks and pick an account that offers a competitive rate of return. As seen at https://joywallet.com/article/best-high-yield-savings-accounts, high-yield savings accounts generally offer the best interest rates and can help you build your wealth more quickly. Just make sure to read the fine print and understand any additional fees or requirements associated with these types of accounts.
• Accessibility And Convenience – It’s important to consider how easy it is to access your money when selecting a savings account. Some banks offer online banking, while others may require you to visit a branch in person before making a withdrawal. Additionally, many banks now offer mobile banking, allowing you to access your accounts from anywhere with a smartphone or tablet.
• Safety – It’s important to choose a savings account that is protected by FDIC insurance or the equivalent to ensure that your money is safe and secure. Make sure to confirm that the bank you are considering is FDIC insured before opening an account. Also, if you intend to keep a large sum of money in your savings account, you may want to consider opening a separate account with online-only banks that offer higher interest rates, as they are generally more secure than traditional banks.
• Fees – Many banks charge fees for a variety of services, such as minimum balance requirements or overdraft protection. It’s important to read the fine print and understand all of the fees associated with any account you are considering before making a decision.
Understand Different Investment Strategies
Investing can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have the right information. Knowing different investment strategies is key to making informed decisions when it comes to your finances. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular investment strategies you should know about:
Stock Market Investing
The stock market is one of the most popular and widely used investment strategies. It involves buying and selling stocks, which are shares of ownership in a company. When you purchase stocks, you’re essentially hoping that their value will increase over time so you can sell them at a profit.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a type of professionally managed investment option where your money is pooled with other investors and invested in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other securities. This allows you to benefit from the expertise of professional managers who manage the mutual fund’s investments. Depending on the mutual fund you choose, you may be able to invest in a variety of different asset classes like stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities.
ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)
ETFs are similar to mutual funds in that they are professionally managed investments and can contain a variety of different asset classes. The main difference between ETFs and mutual funds is that ETFs are traded on exchanges like stocks, so they can be bought and sold throughout the day. This means that you can buy and sell ETFs quickly and easily, allowing you to take advantage of market fluctuations.
Real Estate Investing
Real estate investing involves buying, selling, leasing, and managing real estate properties such as houses and apartment buildings. This type of investing can be profitable if done correctly but is also more complex than other types of investments due to the wide variety of factors that can affect the value of a property.
Consider Tax Implications
When it comes to investing and saving, taxes are always a consideration. Depending on where you live and the type of investments you make, the taxes you owe can be very different. Investing in stocks, for example, may result in capital gains tax if you sell your stock at a profit. Additionally, different types of accounts like traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs may have restrictions on how much money you can contribute each year and what types of investments are allowed to qualify for tax benefits. It’s important to understand all of the potential tax implications before making any decisions about investing or saving your money.
Diversify Your Investments
Diversification is an important part of any investment strategy. This means investing in a variety of different asset classes to reduce risk and increase your chances of earning returns. When you diversify, you should consider stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate investments, and other alternatives. This allows you to spread out your investments so that if one fails or performs poorly, it won’t have as big an impact on your overall portfolio.
Monitor Your Progress
Once you’ve made the initial decisions about what types of investments to make and how much money to invest or save, it’s important to monitor your progress over time. You should track the performance of each investment and review your overall portfolio regularly to make sure you’re still on track to reach your financial goals. Luckily you can use a variety of tools, such as budgeting software or a financial adviser, to help you stay on top of your investments.
As you can see, when it comes to investing and saving, there are many different options and considerations. Doing your research and understanding the basics of each type of investment can help you make the best decisions for your situation. With a little bit of planning and discipline, you can ensure that you’re on the path to financial success.
The idea of having an awning on your porch is surprisingly not new. It has been used for centuries, with archeological findings from the ancient Greeks and Romans depicting primitive versions of awnings. Today, however, thanks to advancements in technology and materials, awnings have become more sophisticated and provide many benefits. From providing shade on hot summer days to blocking harmful UV rays that can cause sun damage, the right awning can help you enjoy your porch even more than before. Let’s explore some of the benefits of an awning on your porch.
Increased Comfort
Awnings are a great way to add comfort and convenience to any porch or patio area. An awning can provide shade, protection from the elements, and even protection from insects. When you install an awning on your porch, it will increase the amount of comfort available in the space and create a visually appealing addition that can improve curb appeal and property value.
Shade is one of the main benefits of having an awning installed on your porch. By providing extra shade coverage for outdoor areas, you can drastically reduce the direct sunlight that hits your furniture and guests during certain hours of the day. This helps keep everyone comfortable and prevents sun damage from occurring on items such as wooden chairs and tables.
Additionally, an awning can provide much-needed protection from rain and other elements. Chicago, for instance, has significant seasonal contrasts in terms of temperature and weather conditions. During the summer, the sun can be scorching and unbearable, while temperatures can plummet to below freezing during the winter. An awning from a Chicago awning company effectively regulates these temperatures and makes your porch more comfortable for yourself and visitors year-round. Strong winds, rain, snow, and ice can damage furniture and ruin outdoor gatherings without the proper coverage. With an awning in place, you don’t have to worry about inclement weather ruining your plans or damaging any belongings outside.
Finally, an awning can also help keep out unwanted insects, such as mosquitoes that can make spending time outdoors unpleasant. By blocking or reducing their access to certain porch areas, it will be much easier for everyone to enjoy their time in an insect-free zone.
Added Privacy
Having an awning on your porch is like having your own private space outdoors. An awning-up is a barrier between you and the outside world, allowing for added privacy in your outdoor area. This extra layer of security gives you more peace of mind when spending time outdoors with family or friends. Whether you are just looking to relax on the porch swing, host a BBQ party, or enjoy some fresh air, having an awning can give you the added privacy and comfort needed to make the most out of any outdoor activity.
The additional coverage also keeps unwanted guests away from your outdoor living area. An awning will provide shade and protection from prying eyes while allowing natural light and air to flow through your outdoor space. This allows you to make the most of your outdoor living area without worrying about who may be watching or listening in on your private conversations.
Improved Aesthetics
When you have an awning installed on your porch, it can add much more than just protection from the elements. Because of its structure and design, an awning can also help improve your porch area’s aesthetics. A well-chosen and expertly installed awning can become a beautiful focal point that adds visual interest to your outdoor space. This is especially true if you choose a vibrant color or unique pattern that coordinates with other elements in the surrounding landscape. Not only will this make your porch look inviting and attractive, but it could also boost the value of your home by increasing curb appeal.
Cost Savings
An awning on your porch can save you money in many ways. It not only provides shade from the sun and protection from rain, but it also helps reduce energy bills by blocking out heat and preventing air conditioning units from working overtime during hot days. Additionally, awnings are typically made of durable materials that don’t require frequent maintenance or repairs, thus helping you save on repair costs. Furthermore, certain types of awnings may even offer tax benefits! Finally, investing in an awning today could help you save more money over time due to its added value to your home when it comes time to sell.
Reduced Sun Damage
Having an awning on your porch can provide you with many benefits, but one of the most beneficial is reduced sun damage. Sun exposure damages the skin, contributes to premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer. You can reduce this risk by blocking out harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching your porch and home with an awning. An awning also helps to keep your furniture and other items on the porch from fading due to excess sunlight. In addition, an awning provides excellent shade when you want to enjoy spending time outside without being directly exposed to strong sunlight. This makes it more enjoyable outdoors and reduces glare and heat penetration inside the house.
Increased Resale Value
Installing an awning on your porch is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the value of your home. An awning can add charm and style to your exterior, making it more attractive to potential buyers. It’s also proven to be a great way to save money in energy expenses by providing shade that helps reduce cooling costs during hot days. An awning on your porch can also significantly boost your property’s resale price.
Awnings are highly durable and long-lasting, which makes them stand out when it comes to increasing the value of your property. Since they protect from sun damage and excessive rain, they can maintain good condition even after many years of use. The benefits of having an awning on your porch extend beyond the enhanced resale value. As mentioned earlier, it also adds aesthetic appeal to your home. Improved curb appeal makes your property more attractive, leading to increased demand and higher sale prices in the future.
Having an awning on your porch can provide many benefits. From increased comfort and privacy to cost savings and improved aesthetics, there’s no doubt that the right awning can take your outdoor space to the next level. So if you’re looking for ways to spruce up your porch area, consider investing in a quality awning today! You won’t regret it.
Looking for a simple way to change up your look in the new year? It might be time to dye your hair!
Changing your hair color is a simple way to give yourself a quick makeover and can help boost self confidence; unfortunately, getting this done at a salon can be both pricey and time consuming. While some expert hair stylists might advise against coloring your hair at home, the truth is that it can be done successfully with the right preparation and precautions in place.
Ready to color your own hair at home? Read these tips and tricks to ensure that your hair will turn out correctly and safely, so that you can avoid an emergency trip to the salon or to a medical clinic like ThriveMD.
While many people ignore the “test strand” part of hair dye instructions, this is actually one of the most important steps in ensuring that your DIY hair color will turn out the right shade, and to avoid negative or even allergic reactions of the skin. Testing a strand of hair before dyeing your full head might be an extra step that adds a little time to the overall coloring process, but it will be worth it when you get the exact shade you wanted with no difficulty the first time you apply dye.
Don’t Mix Shades
While some beauty influencers in online tutorials might recommend mixing different colors of hair dye in order to get your perfect shade, this is not recommended! Hair dyes can interact with one another in a way that creates a completely different shade than you anticipate once applied to your hair, and can quickly result in a disaster. Instead, ask an employee at your local beauty store to help you find the closest available shade to the color you want.
Use Vaseline to Protect Skin
If you’re worried about getting dye on your skin, applying Vaseline to your face, ears, and other exposed areas can help prevent dye from staining your skin. Additionally, you can apply this product to countertops, sinks, and other parts of your home to keep dye from staining as much as possible.
Apply Coconut Oil
To keep your hair feeling soft and healthy even while being colored with harmful dye, apply coconut oil before applying color! This will create a barrier between your hair and the harmful chemicals in the dye, to reduce the amount of damage being done to your strands while keeping them feeling soft and silky.
Happy New Year to Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth!
As the new year sweeps across the globe, 2023 is now being welcomed in Asia.
The South Korean capital of Seoul the latest city to celebrate.
Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, which has just entered 2023, saw its official New Year’s Eve fireworks display cancelled due to severe winds and rain across the region.
2022 has been quite a year, and now it’s time to welcome a brand new one; we’ll guide you through the day as 2023 is marked around the globe
Among the first places to see in the new year was Kiritimati Island in the central Pacific Ocean.
Auckland in New Zealand became the first major city to start celebrations welcoming in 2023, with fireworks launched from the city’s Sky Tower
Sydney has also entered the new year, the city’s fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour
Happy New Year to those of you living in Queensland, Australia.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast have becomes the latest cities to welcome in 2023.
New York’s Times Square is set to reach full capacity for the first time in two years when crowds gather to watch the annual ball drop on New Year’s Eve later today.
The event is one of many new year festivities across the globe to be scaled back in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Revellers were allowed to attend last year’s celebrations but crowd numbers were limited to 15,000.
Attendees had to show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test if exempt. In 2020, it was closed to spectators but a small number of health workers were allowed into the square for the event.
The spectacle will go ahead this year without any restrictions.
The ball, made up of nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, will be placed at the top of the pole in Times Square just before 18:00 EST.
The drop, will begin at a minute to midnight and takes exactly 60 seconds.Replacements for the ball’s crystal panels have been made by hand by Irish craftsmen at Waterford Crystal.
Each year a new theme is chosen and this year’s theme is the “Gift of Love”.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, almost a decade after he resigned because of ailing health.
Former Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
He spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away at 09:34 on Saturday, December 31.
His successor Pope Francis will lead the funeral on January 5.
The Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from January 2 for “the greeting of the faithful”.
Bells rang out from Munich cathedral and a single bell was heard ringing from St Peter’s Square in Rome after the former pope’s death was announced.
Benedict XVI was already 78 when he became Pope in 2005. Age and ill health quickly took their toll, prompting his resignation less than eight years later.
No other pope had stepped down since Gregory XII in 1415 and Benedict was the first to do so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294.
When he became 265th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church it was the culmination of the rapid, and highly controversial, rise of Joseph Ratzinger.
Supporters portrayed him as a highly intellectual man who laboured to protect the spiritual inheritance bequeathed to him by Pope John Paul II.
To his critics Benedict XVI was the ultimate exponent and guardian of the Church’s dogmatic approach to issues like abortion and contraception. The outrage he sometimes caused seemed typical of a man who was never afraid of upsetting people – if he believed something had to be said or done.
Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger was born into a profoundly Catholic family on 16 April 1927, in the southern German state of Bavaria. He was the son of a police officer with, as he later put it, “simple country roots”.
His youth was indelibly marked by World War Two. Forced to join the Hitler Youth, he served in an anti-aircraft unit which defended a BMW plant outside Munich.
Joseph Ratzinger became a prime candidate for rapid advancement and it was no surprise when his ideological soul-mate Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Munich, and then cardinal, in 1977.
The call to Rome was not long in coming. In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger as prefect of the Vatican’s office to protect the purity of Church theology – once known as the notorious Holy Inquisition.
Ratzinger had criticised the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as “an all too smoothly functioning [body] which prejudged every question almost before it had come up for discussion”.
But he took to his work with typically energetic enthusiasm.
Soccer legend Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, has died at the age of 82.
The Brazilian player is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.
Pele was the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He was named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has declared three days of national mourning.
Pele had been suffering with kidney and prostate problems in recent years. He had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to hospital in late November 2022.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born on 23 October 1940 in Tres Coracoes, a city in south-eastern Brazil.
His birth certificate states he was born on 21 October, but Pele insisted that was incorrect: “In Brazil we’re not so fussy about accuracy.”
He was named after the inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, because, according to Pele, electricity arrived at his home just before he did.
Later his parents dropped the “i” from his name.
He grew up in relative poverty in the city of Bauru, and contributed to the family income by getting part-time jobs in local cafes.
His father taught him to play soccer, but the family could not afford a ball – so the young Pele often kicked a rolled-up sock around the street.
He made his international debut against Argentina at the Maracana, where Brazil lost 2-1.
Their goal was scored by a 16-year-old Pele, making him the youngest player to score in an international.
His hopes of playing for Brazil in the 1958 World Cup seemed to have been dashed when he suffered a knee injury.
But his team-mates pressured the management to select him and he made his World Cup debut against the USSR.
Inevitably, he became the youngest player to score a World Cup goal, putting one past Wales in the quarter-finals.
In the semi-final, Brazil were leading 2-1 against France when Pele scored a second-half hat-trick to put the match beyond doubt.
It seemed he could do no wrong as he stroked two goals past Sweden in the final, as Brazil won 5-2.
Pele’s name is a brand,it is instantly recognised by those who have no interest in or knowledge of football.
He once even joked that there were only three truly international brands: Jesus, Coca Cola and Pele.
He was one of those rare figures who transcended his sport to become known across the world.
In later life, he struggled to overcome the effects of a hip operation: appearing in a wheelchair and often unable to walk.
In the Pacific Northwest, some residents ice-skated on frozen streets in Seattle and Portland.
Coastal flooding has been seen in America’s north-eastern New England region, inundating communities and downing power lines.
Even the usually milder southern states of Florida and Georgia are experiencing hard-freeze warnings.
The only region that has largely been spared the cold weather is California where continental mountain ranges are helping to protect the Golden State.
In Canada, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec were bearing the brunt of the Arctic blast.
Much of the rest of the country, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, was under extreme cold and winter storm warnings.
A number of the storm-related fatalities have involved road traffic accidents, including a 50-car pile-up in Ohio that killed four motorists. Another four died in separate crashes in the state.
Travel problems across the country were being exacerbated by a shortage of snowplough operators, with low pay rates being blamed.
The NWS says more than 100 daily cold temperature records could be tied or broken over the next few days.
The holiday season can be tough. From spending excessive amounts of money on presents for friends and family to traveling around the country to visit loved ones, the months surrounding the holiday season can be a lot for some people. After all the excitement of visiting family, opening gifts, and ringing in the New Year, it is understandable to feel drained. Taking the time to incorporate a little extra self care into your daily routine at the start of the year can help revive you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Keep reading to learn a few simple but effective tips for self-care after the long holiday months.
This might seem obvious, but many people do not get enough sleep in the months leading up to the Holiday season. From working around the clock to buy and wrap presents, decorating your home, preparing baked goods and even gourmet meals for guests, and traveling to visit friends and family, it’s normal to feel a bit deprived of sleep. For a few weeks after the holidays, free up your plans in the evening to allow for an early bed time, or give yourself permission to sleep in extra late. This is a great way to regulate your mental, physical, and emotional health, and give yourself the extra care you need.
Treat Yourself
After spending months shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones, why not splurge on a little gift for yourself? Whether it’s the luxury hair tool you’ve been eyeing since before Christmas or skincare treatments from inhstl.com, don’t shy away from treating yourself to a physical gift or indulgent experience to reward yourself for pulling off the perfect Holiday season.
Practice Mindfulness
Even after the holiday season has come to a close, you might find yourself dealing with leftover stress from dealing with the hustle and bustle of holiday prep. To help yourself unwind and regulate your emotions, it can be helpful to meditate in order to ground yourself and allow your mind to return to the present. If you’re new to meditation, there are plenty of tutorials and guided sessions you can follow on YouTube or even on special meditation apps like Headspace. If you are struggling to relax and unwind after the chaos of the Christmas season, doing a short, guided meditation can help immensely.
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Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
