A group of 14 Canadian diplomats along with
their families is suing the government for C$28 million ($21.1 million) after
they succumbed to a mysterious illness in Cuba.
The group says the Canadian government took too long to warn, evacuate and
treat them.
In 2018, Canadian and US officials were recalled from Cuba after complaining
of dizziness and migraines.
The cause of the illness is unknown, but Canada has discounted the idea of a
“sonic attack” on its embassy.
In a statement, the group said: “Throughout
the crisis, Canada downplayed the seriousness of the situation, hoarded and
concealed critical health and safety information, and gave false, misleading
and incomplete information to diplomatic staff.”
According to CBC, staff at the Canadian embassy began experiencing symptoms
of the so-called “Havana syndrome” in spring 2017.
Several families were subsequently moved from Cuba, but until April 2018 Canada
continued to post new staff to Havana despite warnings from US counterparts who
had received similar complaints.
The US withdrew most of its non-essential personnel from Cuba in September
2017 and said 21 embassy employees had been affected.
Last month, Canada said it would be cutting its embassy staff by up to half.
At a news conference in Washington, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister
Chrystia Freeland said she was aware of the lawsuit.
She said: “I am not going to
comment on the specifics, but I do want to reiterate that I have met with some
of these diplomats and, as I said to them, their health and safety needs to be
our priority.”
Cuba has repeatedly denied any involvement in the incident.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said US claims were a “political manipulation” aimed at damaging bilateral relations.
A number of Academy Awards ceremonies have had no host. The last time, in
1989, proved highly controversial, not least due to an opening number featuring
Rob Lowe and an actress dressed as Disney’s Snow White.
A group of leading Hollywood figures wrote an open letter after the
ceremony, calling the telecast “an embarrassment to both the Academy and
the entire motion picture industry”.
The Walt Disney Company also filed a legal action against the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, accusing the organization of copyright
infringement.
The role of anchoring the Oscars has thrown up problems for a number of
hosts since then. The Hollywood Reporter
has described it as “the least wanted job in Hollywood”.
The controversy about Kevin Hart’s tweets and the choice not to replace him
with a single host follows a difficult few years for the Academy.
The 2017 ceremony was rocked by the so-called “Envelopegate”
scandal, in which La La Land was
wrongly named best picture instead of the actual winner Moonlight.
Plans to introduce a popular film award category were shelved last year following
widespread criticism.
The Academy has also been stung by the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, prompted by the all-white line-ups in the four categories for acting in 2015 and 2016.
There are plenty of reasons why people are switching from
traditional cigarettes to electronic smoking devices. There’s no ash, no tar,
and based on scientific research, they’re less harmful to your health, too. The
e-devices and the flavorful juices taste and smell wonderful, and smokers get
to choose their preferred level of nicotine. That’s something that’s hard to do
with a cigarette.
Did you know the American Cancer Society, a worldwide renowned expert on the negative health consequences of smoking, has deemed e-cigarettes less harmful than their original combustible counterparts? Today’s top health organizations are exploring how these popular alternatives affect people’s health, as well as how vaporization works in these devices and the science behind what’s going on inside your e-cigarette.
If you’re like any new hobbyist, or you simply want to learn more
about this booming trend, you probably have many questions. To help lead you
through all the hype, we’ve developed a helpful infographic that delves deep
into the science behind vaping. You’ll learn about vaporization, ingredients,
and so much more.
What Is Vaporization?
If you’ve been in the vape scene for any time at all, you’ve heard
the buzz about vaporization. What is it, and what does it have to do with your
overall electronic smoking experience? Learn how it’s your vape pen’s job to
change liquid into steam rapidly.
What Are the Different Components of an
E-Device?
Your inquiring mind wants to know more than just the science
behind vaporization. If you enjoy tinkering, then you’ll enjoy figuring out how
to take your device apart. Our guide goes over the basic parts that make up
your pen and what each piece does in the process. Maybe one day, you’ll be
building and replacing your own coils.
The Atomizer
The atomizer is where the magic really happens. Learn how the wick
and the e-liquid work together to deliver delicious flavor and the voluminous clouds
most vapers are after. Just like the name implies, this handy piece of
equipment turns your favorite vape juice into a fine mist. You’ll learn what
happens next when you browse our enlightening guide.
What’s in Vape Juice?
Our infographic will shine a light on the various ingredients in
your favorite vape juice and the role each plays in delivering the best vaping
experience. This illuminating visual breaks down the difference between
vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol and why their concentration matters to
the average vaper.
Temperature Troubles
Let’s not stop there. There is a ton more science to unearth, such as temperature. What temperature works the best with which ingredients? Learn how to avoid burning wicks, and uncover where vape juice gets converted to liquid.
Determine Ratios and Ohms
For those hardcore hobbyists that really want to dig into the
science of vaping, learn about ohms and how resistance makes a difference inside
your vape pen. You’ll find out which blends lead to which results, and so much
more.
Take a look at our infographic now. You want information, and we’ve got it.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has apologized
after his 1984 student yearbook page emerged, showing a picture featuring men
in racist costumes.
The Democrat governor said in a statement: “I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in
this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now.”
Black politicians in Virginia called the image “disgusting” and
Republicans urged Ralph Northam to resign.
The picture showed a man in blackface and another man in Ku Klux Klan robes.
The image appeared on a page with other photos of Ralph Northam, who was
aged about 25 at the time, as well as personal details about him.
Ralph Northam did not elaborate on which costume he was wearing, but said he
appeared in a photograph that was “clearly racist and offensive”.
His yearbook page, which came from the pediatric neurologist’s time at
Eastern Virginia Medical School, was first published by conservative website
Big League Politics.
The Virginian-Pilot newspaper
tweeted a picture of the page which it said it obtained from the medical school
library.
An official from the medical school
verified the photo and told the Huffington
Post it came from a “student-produced publication”.
The yearbook page, which features
Ralph Northam’s full name and photos of the future doctor and politician, also
included a quote from a Willie Nelson song that read: “There are more old drunks than old doctors in this world so I
think I’ll have another beer.”
In his statement, issued after the
image was made public, the governor said:
“This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have
fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public
service.”
He added: “But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes
Virginians’ faith in that commitment.
“I recognize that it will take time and serious effort
to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important
work.
“The first step
is to offer my sincerest apology and to state my absolute commitment to living
up to the expectations Virginians set for me when they elected me to be their
governor.”
Ralph Northam later released a video statement via Twitter in which he said
he was “deeply sorry” for the offence the image had caused.
He said: “I accept responsibility
for my past actions and I am ready to do the hard work of regaining your trust.”
Before he was elected governor, Ralph Northam served for a decade as a
Virginia state legislator.
Ralph Northam’s responsibilities as governor include implementing state laws, restoring voting rights for individuals who have had them withdrawn and issuing pardons.
The ever-changing technology scene has us constantly scouring the market for the latest in smartphones and AI technology. Though we’d like to imagine ourselves as satisfied with our couple-year old gadgets, the truth is that human’s just love having the next best thing. Even though our iPhone 8s functioned without a single hitch, we still jumped at the opportunity to get our hands on the iPhone X for the sake of innovation—and that’s just how tech fans. We are excited by change and welcome it even if our wallets would rather we didn’t. 2019 is bound to be another year of innovation and excellence in technology, so we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for how to pick your tech upgrades and set yourself up for success in the coming year.
Smartwatch
Smartwatches have been the tech upgrade watch wearers needed for quite some time now. Not only do these devices tell time, but they are capable of tracking sleeping habits, taking calls, calculating heart rates, and connecting to Wi-Fi. Wearable tech might have been a dicey idea when first proposed, but the market spoke, and consumers purchased. When you’re looking to smarten up your wrist candy, ask yourself what you want your smartwatch to do for you. The most important piece of your selection will be if your watch is compatible with your smartphone. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing an Apple watch to pair with a Samsung phone. Whether you’re a work from home mom or a busy-bee CEO, your smartwatch must be perfectly suited for your lifestyle. Do your research on individual features such as app compatibility and battery life to ensure the best purchase.
Virtual assistant
Though it seems that many people are still on the fence about voice-activated virtual assistant tech, we are all aboard. From the Amazon Echo to the Google Home Hub, these smart speakers are the hands-free solution to building a smart home. Just say the word, and your AI assistant has an answer in seconds. While ideal for telecommuters and work from home freelancers, smart speakers differ greatly when it comes to features and functionality. Look for the following when making your decision:
Streaming support
Major audio streaming providers like Pandora, Spotify, and Youtube are supported by most virtual assistants, but some offer more or less than others. Base your decision on your most frequently used apps, and how those apps connect with your VA.
Competency
It’s tough to compete with Google’s search engine sophistication, so it only makes sense that the Home is superior when it comes to pulling up accurate information from the internet.
Speaker quality
Since you’re able to play music from your virtual assistant speaker, it’s worth exploring which offers the best speaker quality. The Amazon Echo features an omnidirectional speaker that allows louder playback, while the Google Home Hub delivers richer bass that fills your room with a concert hall feel.
Tablets
Regardless of whether you are more of a laptop lady or a desktop dame, no proper techie is fully equipped for success without the handy portability of a smart tablet. Tablets have come a long way since being mere internet browsing devices. These mini-computers are capable of complex image manipulation and high-powered coding all in one 13-inch screen. When hunting for the perfect tablet, ask yourself these questions; what operating system is most compatible with my other devices for quick syncing? How much RAM do I need? What features will I add on and what integrated ports will I need? What operating system is most compatible with my other devices for quick syncing? Keep in mind that tablets also come in the form of transformable laptops—so if you’re in need of an additional PC or just need an entirely new one, 2-in-1 PCs could be the solution you never knew you needed.
According to World Health Organization, mental health is “a state
of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can
cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully,
and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” (1)
Keeping the balance
The old Latin phrase “mens sana in corpore sano” (“a healthy mind
in a healthy body”) emphasizes the importance of the physical exercise in
keeping the mental well-being. There are studies that show how a healthy eating
habit and regular exercise can help to maintain the balance of mental and
physical health.
Regular and healthy meals, proper exercises, getting enough sleep,
finding a vocation, and a fulfilling relationship, seeing a movie, listening to
the music, reading a book, hanging out with friends, taking a trip, getting a
massage, or getting a hug, stroking a pet, having a hobby remain the basic
methods to cope with stress, but sometimes is not enough, or may seem hard to
achieve.
In our world full with stressors of all kinds, school or work
responsibilities, unemployment, financial problems, family duties, family
troubles, divorce, the search for a partner, the break-ups, losing a loved one,
or a physical illness can prevent us from doing regular exercises, due to lack
of time, lack of motivation, lack of physical strength.
Signs you may need to
talk to a physician or a therapist
If you often find yourself not feeling in the mood to get out, or
you don’t want to be part of social activities, if your mood swings are
frequent, and the feelings of sadness, fear, worry are persistent, if you
experience memory loss and confusion, delusions, or hallucinations, these
might be signs of a mental condition. Other symptoms may include: eating or
sleeping disorders, a decrease of school or work performances, inability to
cope with daily activities, substance abuse, unexplained physical ailments,
defiance of authority, truancy, theft, or vandalism. (2)
Mental health therapists
The first step is to see your general practitioner, he or she
might give you a referral to a mental health therapist: a psychologist, a
clinical counselor, a psychoanalyst, or a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrists diagnose and treat condition like schizophrenia,
dementia, depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, bipolar disorder. They prescribe medication, but do not offer
counseling, generally they work with a psychologist or a counselor.
The psychologists diagnose and treat conditions like relationship
problems, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, learning
difficulties. They are allowed to prescribe medication only in a few states,
but they usually work with a psychiatrist.
There are all kind of
counselors: marital and family therapists, career counselors, relationship
counselor, drama therapist, or speech therapist, or counselors who work with
social care to help people with disabilities.
If you have a mild mental condition, a counselor can help you to cope with it, offering guidance for you to explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. If you suffer from a mental disorder, you will be referred to a psychologist or to a psychiatrist. At BetterHelp you can find therapists from many states and with a wide range of specializations. Also you can find a lot of useful information about mental health.
Be careful, if you are in a crisis, if you want to hurt yourself
or to hurt other people, or someone else shows these symptoms, do not use the
internet, call 911 for urgent help.
Is hearing the word
“budget” enough to give you chills? Managing finances can be
stressful, but it can be made much easier by creating a system for keeping
track of your expenses and making sure that your bills are paid on time. An
organized budget gives you freedom from financial anxiety.
1. Make a list of expenses
Take a moment to type out a list of any expenses that you have to pay. This could be credit card bills, car loans, or your mortgage. Organize them from most to least in terms of cost. Try to knock out the ones with the lowest balance as quickly as possible. You can also make a separate list for expenses that fluctuate more, such as groceries or gas.
2. Use software
Our brains may be powerful, but they can only remember so many things. That’s why we have computers to do thinking for us. There are all kinds of great budgeting software available. These can keep track of your spending habits and help you make better financial decisions.
3. Set up automatic bill pay
Due dates for bills can come out of seemingly nowhere. Instead of trying to juggle all these obligations, you can set up automatic bill pay. As long as there isn’t any fear of overdrawing, automatic bill pay can make things much easier. Most businesses that offer online billing also have automatic bill pay.
4. Track spending
When you’re looking at your bank account balance or credit card statement, you might shake your head in disbelief, asking where your money goes. It might be a rhetorical question, but it’s one that’s worth investigating. You might find that you’re essentially throwing away money on memberships that you’re not using or brands that are charging more than you should be paying. If you’re running a business, you should invest in a quality receipt scanner to keep better track of your spending.
5. Determine how much money you have
In order to organize your budget, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of your financial situation. A plan to put away $5,000 every month isn’t going to work if that’s your monthly income. You want to estimate your income in terms of net worth and liquid net worth. Work on cutting down your debt and determining how much you need to put away from each paycheck to give yourself more financial stability.
When you’re keeping better track of your budget, the world seems to be open up a bit. You won’t have the dark cloud of financial stress hanging over you. It’s not just a matter of having more money. It’s about making the most of the money that you do have. When your budget is organized, your life is organized.
Picking out a fabric supplier for your clothing brand can be one of the most challenging aspects of starting a new apparel business. Even if you operate an established brand, it’s sometimes necessary to find new manufacturers as you expand your offerings, so the ability to pick out the right textile manufacturer is a skill that will make running your business easier at every stage of its growth. Learn more about how to find a company that’s a good match for your brand to make sure that your daily operations remain smooth and profitable.
Domestic or Abroad?
First, you’ll need to determine whether you want
to work with a domestic or foreign supplier. While China used to be king in
terms of textile production, things have changed in recent years, and it’s
possible that there’s a company in your home country that offers better deals.
Manufacturers who operate in developed nations like
the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany commonly create better
products than companies in developing countries like China, India, Bangladesh,
and Indonesia. However, manufacturers in poorer nations often produce cheaper
wares.
If supporting good business practices is
important to you, you’ll need to pick carefully. While textiles from China and
Indonesia might be inexpensive, the cost to produce these fabrics is often
absorbed by the environment and the workforce instead. Choosing ethical companies
in developed countries is the only way to make sure that you’re defending
workers and the ecosystem while you protect your bottom line.
Once you’ve narrowed down the geographical region
from which you want to order textiles, you’ll need to make a determination
based on price, quality, experience, and shipping times. If you want to work
with a manufacturer who can consistently provide you with the fabric you
require on short notice, you’ll need to pick an experienced domestic manufacturer
that makes communication easy.
On the other hand, if quality is all-important to
your business model, you might want to go out of your way to pick a
manufacturer that offers organic or eco-certified fabrics. Keep in mind that
higher quality demands higher prices, so work out your budget in advance to
make picking the right manufacturer a straightforward process.
To make sure that you get the products you need,
you might want to go so far as to visit the manufacturer in person. Short of
that, you may choose to develop an established contact in the company and ask
for pictures of the factory floor.
Work with Sewport to Find Your Ideal
Manufacturer
While finding the perfect textile manufacturer for your needs can seem intimidating, the sheer size of the pool of companies to choose from at Sewport ensures that you’ll find a partner who understands your needs and delivers the right results. The best way to pick out the perfect clothing manufacturer for your business is to work with Sewport – Find clothing manufacturers for your brand without the hassle!
At least seven people have been killed in several states as US Midwest has
been hit by a cold snap known as a polar vortex.
The arctic weather made temperatures to fall to -22F in Chicago – colder than
parts of Antarctica – and -25F in North Dakota.
Freezing weather will chill 250 million Americans, and 90 million will
experience 0F or below.
On January 30, snow is expected to fall from the Great Lakes region into New
England. As much as 24in is forecast in the state of Wisconsin, and 6in in
Illinois.
States of emergency have been declared in Midwestern Wisconsin, Michigan and
Illinois, and even in the normally warmer Deep South states of Alabama and
Mississippi.
The National Weather Service (NSW)
is warning frostbite is possible within just 10 minutes of being outside in
such extreme temperatures.
Grand Forks, North Dakota, has seen
the lowest wind chill so far at -65F on January 30.
Twenty million people in the
continental US are expected to experience temperatures of -18F or lower by the
week’s end.
On January 30, two Michigan
residents were found dead in their neighborhoods, the
Associated Press reported.
Officials say one may have become
disoriented and wandered into the cold without proper attire.
On January 29, a 55-year-old man
froze to death in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, garage, with the medical examiner’s
office ruling he “apparently collapsed after shoveling snow”, local
media reported.
In Pekin, Illinois, an 82-year-old
man died from hypothermia outside his home, NBC News reported.
On January 28, a 75-year-old man was
killed by a snow plough near Chicago.
In northern Indiana, a young couple
died after a collision on icy roads.
The US Postal Service has called a halt to mail deliveries in parts of 10
states in the Great Plains and Midwest.
Hundreds of schools, as well as colleges and universities, have been closed
in the affected states.
Beer deliveries in Wisconsin have been hit, too, as brewers delay shipments
for fear their beverages will freeze in the trucks.
Weather officials in the state of Iowa have warned people to “avoid taking
deep breaths, and to minimize talking” if they go outside.
Farmers across the Midwest have been taking measures to protect their
livestock, including building igloos for chickens.
Animal rights organization PETA has warned people to bring pets indoors.
Meanwhile, police in the Illinois county of McLean had some fun, announcing that Elsa from the Disney movie Frozen had been arrested.
Telehealth and
telemedicine are considered synonymous. In both situations it’s about the
physical distance between the patient and the health care provider. Both uses
information and communication technologies to deliver and exchange medical
information (or any kind of data related to health) in order to achieve
diagnosis, treatment plan and prevention of disease and injuries. Telemedicine
includes also research and evaluation and continuing education of health care
providers. However, a refined definition regards telemedicine as a
service delivered by physicians only, while telehealth can be provided by
“health professionals in general, including nurses, pharmacists, and others.”
(1)
The way patients see
telemedicine or telehealth showed improvements since the beginning of this
century
In an early study from
2000, telemedicine was used to deliver specialist oncology/haematology care.
Patients were satisfied with their teleconsultations, but also expressed
concerns regarding the limitations of such a service. (2)
Another study, published
in 2004, has shown a better perception of telemedicine. According to the
authors: “Despite concerns regarding its confidentiality and its ability to
approximate the social stimulation of in-person nursing visits, patients in
these pilot trials seemed satisfied with home telecare and appeared ready to
accept its widespread use. “ (3)
Also, a study released
in 2011 concluded that “[…] brief use of a Web-based telemedicine
service has a significant positive effect on patients’ perceptions of this
service. Therefore, as patients do not have prior experience with innovative
telemedicine services, offering patients a risk-free way to explore and
experiment with the service can increase the development of accurate
perceptions and user needs.” (4)
A recent study,
published in 2018, used telehealth for type 2 diabetes management. The patients
were pleased by telehealth improved access to care. Lots of them said they
would prefer telehealth care rather than their regular appointments at the doctor’s
office. However, “they would not want it to fully replace their
contacts with their doctor, especially when it comes to discussing more serious
health issues.” (5)
A short history of telemedicine
It can be said that telemedicine
started in the early 20th century when electrocardiograph data were transmitted
over telephone wires. Then, in the 1960s telemedicine was used for military and
space technology sectors.
Also, consultations
between specialists of a psychiatric institute and general practitioners of a
state mental hospital were made through television.
It is interesting to
mention that in 1925, Hugo Gernsback, a radio pioneer, published an article
about a device called the “teledactyl” (tele, far; dactyl finger, from the
Greek). That device would permit doctors to see their patients through a
viewscreen, and to touch them from miles away with robot arms. That article
predicted telemedicine, we can say. (6)
Nowadays telehealth has
multiple uses
Although the
reimbursement method is not very clear, the telehealth is reaching more
patients, some of them being willing to pay a fee for the teleconsultation.
However, 38 states plus
District of Columbia require private insurance companies to pay for telehealth.
(7)
Intended to be used in disadvantaged areas, like
poor or developing countries, with lack of medical care, telehealth has begun
to spread over the world, as the access to the internet and to the specialized
gadgets and devices becomes more affordable. The patient is able to measure
their blood sugar level, or their blood pressure and the data are transmitted
to the health care provider. Also, the video conferences allow the patient to
speak directly to the physician or to the counselor.
We already mentioned
diabetes type 2 home surveillance. There are also post-surgical follow-ups and
post-hospital discharges where telehealth is used to keep in touch with the
patients. Also, telehealth addresses chronic condition, especially in
seniors, for whom might be difficult to leave the home. Telemedicine can also
be used for a prescription renewal, or for treatment management.
People may use
telehealth for other reasons, like they do not have to pay for the
transportation to the doctor’s office, or they do not have time to wait.
Teleconsultations are scheduled and the patient gets a reminder to ensure he or
she will be online for the appointment.
Telehealth can be useful
for behavioral health, or mental health, because the patient feels in a secure environment talking to the
counselor from his own home. Be careful, though, if you are in a crisis, or
someone is in a crisis, or it’s an emergency, do not use telehealth. Seek for
immediate help by calling 911 in the U.S. or 112 in Europe. Every telehealth
provider should have a list of numbers to call when there is an emergency.
Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has said he is
“seriously considering” running for president in 2020.
Howard Schultz, who stepped down as Starbucks’ boss in 2018, says he is
considering running as a centrist independent candidate in 2020.
In a series of tweets, he said the current two political parties in the US
were “more divided than ever”.
During an interview with CBS’ 60
Minutes, Howard Schultz said he had been a “lifelong Democrat”
but criticized the current two-party dominated system.
He said: “We’re living at a
most-fragile time not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be
the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what’s
necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day,
in revenge politics.”
Democratic presidential candidate
Julián Castro is among those who have criticized the move.
Julián Castro told CNN that Howard
Schultz’s potential run could give President Donald Trump the “best hope
of getting re-elected” by splitting the opposition vote.
He said: “I would suggest to Mr. Schultz to truly think about the negative
impact that might make.”
Howard Schultz rebuffed that
criticism during his CBS interview, insisting: “I wanna see the American people win.
“I don’t care if you’re a Democrat, Independent,
Libertarian, Republican. Bring me your ideas and I will be an independent
person, who will embrace those ideas. Because I am not, in any way, in bed with
a party.”
Howard Schultz, a former espresso
machine salesman, grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, New York.
He started working for the original
Seattle Starbucks chain back in 1982 when it only had 11 outlets selling coffee
beans.
Howard Schultz, now 65, acquired the
company in 1987 and by the time he stepped down in 2018, it had grown to 28,000
cafe in 77 countries around the world.
He frequently used his position to speak out on social issues like
immigration and gun control.
He now has an estimated fortune of about $3 billion and is a regular donor
to Democrat campaigns, including that of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Howard Schultz’s departure as CEO of Starbucks last year sparked rumor of
his political ambitions.
His comments on January 27 prompted coffee-themed criticism by some on
social media.
The Washington State Democrats posted a photograph, without
comment, of a Starbucks cup with: “Don’t do it Howard” written on.
Detainment,
the British film recreating events around the notorious murder of two-year-old
James Bulger, will be allowed to compete at the Oscars, the awards’ organizers
say.
James Bulger’s mother, Denise
Fergus, had called for the movie to be withdrawn, after it was nominated in the
best live action short category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences said it takes Denise Fergus’s concerns “very seriously”
but maintains a “neutral role” in the voting process.
It said academy members applied their
“own judgment” on the film’s merits.
James Bulger was a month short of
his third birthday when he was abducted by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables
and Robert Thompson, at the Strand shopping center in Bootle, Merseyside, the
UK, in 1993.
Detainment,
directed by Vincent Lambe, recreates the police interviews with James’ killers,
by using transcripts from the original tapes played in court during their
trial.
Denise Fergus had said she was
haunted by some of the imagery in the movie and called on the academy to remove
it from next month’s ceremony or for Vincent Lambe to withdraw it.
In statement the academy said it “offers its deepest condolences to Ms.
Fergus and her family. We are deeply moved and saddened by the loss that they
have endured, and we take their concerns very seriously.”
The statement added: “Following
longstanding foundational principles established to maintain the integrity of
the awards, the Academy does not in any way influence the voting process.
“Detainment was voted on by
Academy members. When making their choices, each individual applies their own
judgment regarding the films’ creative, artistic and technical merits.
“We understand that this will not
alleviate the pain experienced by the family; however we hope it clarifies the
Academy’s neutral role in the voting process.”
An online petition calling on Detainment
to be dropped from the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 24 has
attracted more than 100,000 signatures.
However, Vincent Lambe has refused to withdraw his work, saying: “I think it would defeat the purpose of
making the film.”
He said he did not mean any disrespect by not consulting Denise Fergus or
her family but maintained: “The film
was made in the interest of understanding why it happened in order to prevent
something similar happening again in the future.”
Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were convicted of murder after a 17-day trial at Preston Crown Court in November 1993, have since been released from detention and given new identities.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has fired the
country’s ambassador to China, John McCallum.
The move follows controversial comments John McCallum made about an
extradition case involving a senior executive from the Chinese telecoms giant
Huawei.
PM Trudeau said in a statement he had asked John McCallum to step down, but
did not offer a reason.
The detention of Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the US,
angered China and soured Canada’s relations with Beijing.
Meng Wanzhou is accused by the US of evading sanctions on Iran. Both she and
Huawei deny those allegations.
She was arrested on December 1 in
Canada’s western city of Vancouver at the request of the US.
Meng Wanzhou was later granted a
C$10 million ($7.6 million) bail by a local court. But she is under
surveillance 24 hours a day and must wear an electronic ankle tag.
In a statement, Justin Trudeau said:
“Last night I asked for and accepted
John McCallum’s resignation as Canada’s ambassador to China.”
The veteran diplomat, Justin Trudeau
added, had served Canadians honorably and with distinction with many positions
in cabinet.
The prime minister also thanked John
McCallum and his family for their service.
John McCallum caused controversy on
January 22 when he publicly argued that the US extradition request for Meng
Wanzhou was seriously flawed.
The next day the ambassador issued a
statement saying that he “misspoke” and regretted that his comments
had created “confusion”.
However, on January 25, John
McCallum was quoted as saying it would be “great for Canada” if the
US dropped the request.
We’ve got some interesting wedding news for you – the time
of year you get married is going to be epically important. Not just because of
the weather, the climate, or who out of your family can make it to your big
day, but also because time of year dramatically affects how expensive (or how
affordable!) certain wedding aspects are.
If this is news to you, no worries! We try to do everything
in our power to bring the must-know-wedding-secrets directly to you!
We don’t just provide you with tons of options for wedding dresses and cheap wedding dresses, we also try to provide you with every tip, trick, secret, and piece of advice that we possibly can!
Check out some of our wedding season knowledge below as we
dissect which months are likely the most affordable to get married in for the
upcoming year!
Months Not to Get Married
We’re going to be totally blunt — if you’re trying to save
cash when it comes to your wedding budget, then you’re going to want to stay
far away from wedding season.
You’ve obviously heard of wedding season, that ideal window
of time between May and October where the weather is perfect and relatively
predictable (depending on your location, of course, but you get the point).
Late spring to early fall is a hugely popular time for
couples to get married, mostly based on the weather and the time off that
people are able to get to attend weddings, and because of this, wedding venues
and vendors are likely going to take advantage of that. It’s nothing personal,
just smart planning on their part. That being said, if you want to plan smart,
you’re best to avoid this part of wedding season entirely. We also recommend
staying away from December, as Christmas is a hugely popular time to get
married!
The Months That Make the Most Financial Sense
That brings us to the months that make the most financial
sense – December through early May. Why? We’ll explain it all here!
January, February
Unless you live somewhere exceptionally tropical, you’re
likely going to be dealing with a very chilly winter – and most people aren’t
keen on having weddings in the cold, sleet, and snow. If you can deal with the
icy weather, you can basically guarantee cheaper wedding vendors and services.
March, April, May
The weather is a little bit unpredictable in the early
months of spring, so people tend to avoid weddings during these months. This
means that vendors and venues aren’t getting as much business as they normally
would during their popular wedding season, this, in turn, drives the price way
down! Having your wedding in the off-season is an easy, decisive step toward
creating a more budget-friendly wedding. If you’re okay dealing with a little
unpredictability with the weather, you can save a ton of money!
Moscow has condemned foreign powers
for backing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself
interim president, calling it a bid to “usurp power”.
Russia said that the move violated
international law and was a “direct path to bloodshed”.
On January 23, Juan Guaidó declared
himself interim leader – a move recognized by the US and several other nations.
Meanwhile, President Nicolás Maduro,
who retains some other nations’ support, broke off relations with the US in
response.
Nicolas Maduro has been in office
since 2013. He was sworn in for a second term earlier this month, after winning
a May 2018 election marred by an opposition boycott and widespread claims of
vote-rigging.
President Nicolas Maduro’s Istanbul Lunch Sparks Outrage in VenezuelaJuan Guaidó is the head of the National Assembly, who has said articles within Venezuela’s constitution allow him to assume interim power because he believes Nicolas Maduro’s election, and therefore presidency, is invalid.
The opposition leader has vowed to
lead a transitional government and hold free elections.
President Donald Trump recognized
Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s new head of state minutes after his declaration in
the capital, Caracas, on January 23.
President Trump urged other nations
to follow suit – but the move has divided much of the international community.
Seven South American nations, as
well as Canada and the UK, have now backed President Trump’s call.
The EU has stopped short of
recognition, but called for “free and credible elections” and said
Juan Guaidó’s freedom and safety should be respected.
Mexico, Bolivia and Cuba all expressed support for Nicolas Maduro, while
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted: “My brother Maduro! Stand tall, we are standing by you.”
China, a major investor in Venezuela, said it opposed any outside
interference.
Russia sees Venezuela as one of its closest allies in the region. It has
lent billions of dollars and has backed its oil industry and its military.
Russia has also taken part in military exercises in Venezuela.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We
consider the attempt to usurp sovereign authority in Venezuela to contradict
and violate the basis and principles of international law.
“Maduro is the legitimate head of
state.”
A Russian foreign ministry statement said Juan Guaidó’s declaration was a
“direct path to lawlessness and bloodshed”, adding: “Only Venezuelans have the right to
determine their future.
“Destructive outside
interference, especially in the current extremely tense situation, is
unacceptable.”
Russia also warned that any US military interference would amount to “adventurism which is fraught with catastrophic consequences”.
The
Favourite and Roma lead this
year’s Oscar race, with 10 nominations each.
The other contenders include A Star Is Born and Vicewith 8 nominations each, followed by Black Panther with seven.
The Marvel blockbuster is the first superhero movie ever to be nominated for
best picture.
The Favourite actress Olivia Colman is among the acting nominees, alongside her co-star Rachel Weisz and Christian Balefor Vice.
Olivia Colman’s strongest
competition in the best actress category is likely to come from Glenn Close, who is odds-on favorite
to win her first Academy Award for The Wifeafter six previous
nominations, according to bookmakers.
Yalitza
Aparicio is nominated for her first screen
role, as the Mexican maid in Roma. The
Netflix film has also given the media-services provider its first ever best
picture nomination.
The best actress category also
includes Melissa McCarthy for Can
You Ever Forgive Me?and Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born.
Lady Gaga’s co-star Bradley Cooperis nominated in the best actor category, but he missed out on a nod for best director.
The frontrunners for the best actor award are two men who earned acclaim for
portraying real-life public figures.
Rami Malek won rave reviews for playing Freddie Mercury in BohemianRhapsody, while Christian Bale transformed into former Vice-President Dick Cheney with the help of prosthetics in Vice.
Richard E. Grant has received his first ever Oscar nomination, for best supporting actor for his role in the film Can You Ever Forgive Me?.
Rachel Weisz is up for best supporting actress, 13 years after she won the
same award for The Constant Gardener.
The actress will face competition this time from Emma Stone, who played her rival in The Favourite, as well as Roma‘s Marina de Tavira, If Beale Street Could Talk’sRegina King and Amy Adams for Vice.
Drug courts have been around for more than two decades now.
The fundamental premise of these courts is to give individuals with minor
criminal history yet struggling with alcohol or drug addiction a second chance.
Essentially, they allow drug criminals to change their lives by entering into
rehab instead of going to prison. Successful completion of the treatment
program enables these individuals to avoid prison time or criminal conviction
or even both.
Who Are Drug Criminals?
Drug criminals are individuals that commit drug-related
crimes. These are individuals that commit crimes that involve the use of
addictive substances such as illicit drugs and alcohol. When such individuals
are incarcerated, they may quit abusing the addictive substances since they can’t
access them in prison. However, this abstinence from drug abuse may not last.
In most cases, the incarcerated individuals go back to their previous
situations after completing their prison sentence.
Law enforcement and drug treatment is generally a complex
issue. Essentially, when individuals commit crimes they should be punished or
held accountable. However, a small percentage of offenders meet the substance
abuse disorders’ criteria and are allowed to undergo treatment for it. It’s for
this reason that drug courts were established. These programs take an
innovative approach by providing alternatives to lighter sentences or
incarceration to individuals that agree to undergo complete drug
rehabilitation.
How Drug Criminals Are Treated
Drug criminals use drug court facilities (Addiction Resource provides a full guide) to undergo rehabilitation for drug addiction. Basically, drug courts target different individuals depending on their jurisdictions. They also use varying resources to treat drug criminals. Ideally, a team of prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and treatment specialists like professionals in drug rehabs and social workers manage these programs. Defendants’ family members are also allowed a chance to participate in events like graduation from the program and hearings.
In most cases, the courts employ programs that are aimed at
curbing criminal recidivism, encouraging the defendants to work hard towards
recovery from addiction, or reducing drug use. Basically, these programs are
focused on helping the defendants to lead better, healthy lives without
activities that lead to crimes that may cause them trouble with the drug court
system.
Common programs of these courts include needs and risk
assessment, ongoing monitoring, drug rehab, graduate incentives, and follow-up.
Co-occurring mental health disorders treatment can also be part of these
programs.
Drug Courts Eligibility Requirements
Research has proven the existence of a relationship between
drug- or alcohol abuse and crime. This relationship suggests that addiction
treatment can be more effective in reducing crime than incarceration. After
all, incarceration is costly and the prison environment does not allow inmates
to receive treatment. Drug courts allow offenders to undergo treatment for
addiction at a non-adversarial environment.
But, to avoid being imprisoned or ordered to go to jail,
offenders must meet the drug courts eligibility criteria. For instance, to
qualify to enter drug court programs, offenders must:
Not
have a criminal history
Face
drug crime charges
Prove
their drug addiction
Prove
that they would benefit from undergoing treatment for drug addiction
It’s worth noting that only low-level felonies cases such as
theft and shoplifting are considered for drug court programs. What’s more,
these crimes must be tied to the drug addiction problem of the offender.
Offenders with burglary, robbery, and gun cases are not considered for the
programs of drug cases. Such offenders are mostly ordered to go to jail.
Currently, there are different types of drug courts. They include juvenile courts, family courts, veteran courts, DWI courts, tribal courts, co-occurring courts, re-entry courts, federal district, federal veterans, and campus courts. In total, there are more than 3,000 drug courts across the United States of America. Around half of them are targeted at juveniles and the other half at adults. Family drug courts target defendants that have child welfare cases pending. Their goal is to minimize family separation while maximizing recovery chances and enhancing parenting skills.
Effectiveness of Drug Courts and Their
Implications
Drug court programs are based on the recognition of the
great importance of drug rehabilitation in reducing crimes. Participants of
drug courts’ programs enter the abeyance plea. This is a guilty plea on hold
that allows the offender to enroll in the program of a drug court. The guilty
plea is only withdrawn if the offender completes the program successfully and
charges are dismissed or reduced. But, if the offender fails to complete the
program, they still face imprisonment charges or sentencing.
Research has shown that the scheme of drug court is effective because participants are often less likely to commit crimes than similar offenders that are imprisoned or sentenced. What’s more, there is a less likelihood for participants to test positive for the drugs they abused than offenders in traditional correction systems.
The programs of drug courts incorporate drug rehabilitation.
Therefore, they may cost more than incarcerating offenders in regular court
systems. Nevertheless, reduction in re-offending rates enables drug courts to
save more money per offender when compared to the cost of dealing with re-offenses
in the long-term. Programs of drug courts also have a better outcome for
juvenile cases than juvenile courts combined with intensive outpatient
addiction treatment programs.
So, does this imply that drug courts are the answer to the
drug addiction epidemic? Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a single
solution. The fact that drug courts help in the reduction of re-offenses
doesn’t mean they can single-handedly solve the drug addiction problem. Their effectiveness
only implies that they can be a great alternative for some drug offenders that
would otherwise be imprisoned. That’s because it emphasizes the use of drug
rehabilitation to ensure long-term recovery which minimizes re-offenses.
The Bottom Line
Everybody deserves a second chance and that’s what drug
courts offer drug criminals. Sending people that commit crimes under the
influence of drugs or alcohol to prison doesn’t help the society. Drug courts
return drug criminals that are ready to reform back to the community while
providing the support they need to recover from addiction. This enables them to
achieve and maintain sobriety without re-offending and this helps
everyone.
Money is perhaps the most sensitive subject matter in our society. Indeed, with the possible exceptions of sex, religion, and politics, nothing makes people more uncomfortable than talking about finances. To wit, more marriages end as a result of money concerns than any other single factor. Given all that, it’s understandable why so many people are reticent to ask their boss for a raise –– even if they deserve one. The good news is, asking for a raise doesn’t have to be an excruciating process. Rather, just follow these four best practices and you’ll be sure to land the raise you’re looking for with minimal strain:
Pay Your Dues
Sometimes, professionals are so eager to get a job –– any job –– that they don’t concern themselves with base salary. However, you shouldn’t accept a job with an income well below what you need to survive. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in the unenviable position of asking for a raise after a short period of time. This is a bad look for a number of reasons, and you’re unlikely to sway your boss to boost your pay after only a few months on the job.
Do Your Homework
One big mistake many professionals make when asking their manager for a raise is that they fail to do their homework. The last thing an employee can afford to do is submit an unrealistic request at the beginning of a negotiation. It’s important to determine how much professionals in similar positions in your field typically make and to understand the current state of your company or industry. Asking for a raise right after your business suffered a major setback isn’t likely to end well.
Go the Extra Mile
At the end of the day, a raise is something an employee has to earn through years of loyalty and hard graft. If you’re going to convince your boss to elevate your financial status, you should first look for a way to improve work performance on a consistent basis. By making yourself indispensable to the company, you’ll strengthen your bargaining position.
Be Willing to Negotiate
Contrary to popular belief, a negotiation is not an argument; just because you disagree with your boss, it doesn’t mean you can’t get along and still enjoy a solid professional relationship. It’s important for employees to keep an open mind when entering negotiations and be willing to compromise to a certain degree. (You may want to consider trading a hard salary increase for stock options or expanded benefits, for instance.) Few professionals get exactly what they want from an extended negotiation, so make sure to establish a “back-up plan” should management reject your initial proposal. Lastly, remember that showing your boss respect and courtesy will go a long way toward winning their favor. Even if you don’t see eye to eye at first, good manners and patience could help you reach a mutually acceptable arrangement.
2019 is a great year. There’s so much to look forward to. For many people across the world, the 53rd Super Bowl is one of the biggest deals happening this year. If the recorded number of active followers of Super Bowl LII is anything to go by, then expectations for 2019 are higher! The fact that the number of options through which interested viewers can enjoy the live happenings has increased leaves one more elated.
Mark the date; it’s all going down on February 3, 2019. Yes, in less than a month, we will be streaming this big event. If you are in Georgia, you will be pleased to know that the championship will be happening at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Mercedes-Benz stadium is all new noting that it only became operational after recent official commissioning around mid-2017.
Georgia residents know the location of this stadium but just in case you are new to this region, the state of the art stadium is located a few yards from Georgia Dome. Georgia Dome was the host for the year 2000 edition of Super Bowl.
How Can You Watch The Game?
If you got the access and the money, then you can watch the game in person from Mercedes-Benz stadium. But being a world-class event, you have to be prepared to part with a handsome amount of dollars to get a seat in the stadium. I don’t know about your financial position but are there any other options for people who do not want to spend heavily, living on the edge or simply looking for better alternatives?
Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives and they include;
Live Broadcasts
The super bowl 2019 edition will be live on CBS TV. So, yes, as long as you are in the United States and able to access cable TV, CBS got you sorted. They will be bringing the live event.
Live Streaming
Here is some good news, no access to CBS’ live streaming? Don’t stress, you will still have an opportunity to follow the championship through online streaming. For US residents, CBS has promised live streaming via CBSSports.com. They say that you will be able to access the live events of the day without a sign-in prompt. Great news, right? Online streaming is the best way to catch the Super Bowl live online.
CBS Live Streaming Partners
CBS has also promised that it will be guaranteeing access to their live streaming partners like Samsung TVs, Chrome cast, Fire TV, other satellites and telecoms. This only means that you will have enough options to choose from. All you need is your laptop or smartphone and a good internet connection, and then you can enjoy the live streaming from the comfort of your couch.
Can You Stream Live If You Are Not A United StatesResident?
The answer to this is yes and no. Well, it depends on how well you will be pre-positioned. See, the live streaming websites have geo-limitations. What does this mean? You will face blocks if you will be trying to access the content from a location that is not within the set limit. So if you try this, you will not be able to access the super bowl championship. That’s the ‘no’ explanation.
Luckily, there’s another hand, you can have your way through to a live experience of the events that will be going down in Georgia using a VPN. Yes, a VPN is the only way out for non-US residents. All that will be required of you is that connect to a VPN with a server in Georgia. VPN is a network system that among other things masks your real geographical location. What does this mean? That wherever you will be, whether in a small country in Africa, Asia or anywhere in the world, you will be able to enjoy the 2019 Super Bowl. All you need to do is your android device, good internet connection and a connection to a VPN.
Data suggests that there are now some three million people who vape in the UK. However, despite such a high number of people who vape, regulations surrounding vaping are still unclear.
Laws surrounding vaping
No law states that people must vape outside. Establishments such as pubs can introduce should a policy if they wish. All the same, it should be remembered that, if a customer were to vape inside, they would not be breaking the law.
One popular franchise that has banned vaping indoors is JD Wetherspoon. The nationwide pub chain has stated that its reason for doing so was confusion amongst staff over whether customers were vaping or smoking actual cigarettes – but, with the introduction of separate smoking areas for vaping, any confusion would be prevented. MPs have called for pubs, employers and even train operators to rethink bans surrounding the use of e-cigarettes.
As e-cigarettes are designed specifically to help users stop smoking, they do not produce tar or carbon monoxide. As a result, e-cigarettes such as the Smok Alien 220w Box Mod are much safer than traditional cigarettes.
With this in mind, surely businesses should provide separate smoking areas for vaping? It’s a move that would make sense, as this would stop users from smoking in public and causing annoyance to people who don’t smoke or vape at all.
In addition to MPs calling for a reconsideration of the ban, a report from the Commons Science and Technology Committee further supported the use of e-cigarettes in public, or at least solid reasoning for separate smoking and vaping areas, by warning that smokers are dying due to misconceptions concerning the risks of e-cigarettes. This has led the Committee to call for an overhaul of the current regulation.
Views on vaping indoors
Eddie Gershon, a spokesperson for Wetherspoons, claimed that the company’s decision to ban vaping inside its premises is “fair to both smokers and vapers”. Another pubco that has followed in the footsteps of Wetherspoons is Fuller’s, claiming that it is “disconcerting” for non-smokers to see customers using an e-cigarette.
Again, the confusion surrounding e-cigarettes and actual cigarettes would help to justify businesses introducing separate areas for smokers and vapers. While non-smokers may find it disconcerting for customers to use an e-cigarette, those who do vape may find it equally as disconcerting to be amongst those smoking cigarettes.
Additionally, to further prevent confusion surrounding the differences between the vaping category and the smoking of traditional cigarettes, operators should consider educating their staff. This would be to ensure that they are knowledgeable on the subject and, therefore, able to competently handle challenges from customers with little hassle.
According to the NHS, there is no evidence that bystanders are harmed by exposure to e-cigarette vapour. Evidently, any risk of harm appears to be extremely low, especially in comparison to tobacco smoke. However, if such a statement still fails to convince operators to allow vaping indoors, allocating separate areas for traditional cigarette smokers and vapers is a move that makes sense, considering that those who vape would be put at risk from passive smoking.
There’s no question that searching for a job can be extremely overwhelming. This is especially true if you need a job right now. It may feel as though there is just too much that you need to do to make yourself employable.
The good news is, when searching forjobs, regardless of if you plan to take out a loan and open your own business, or be employed by a Fortune 500 company, there are steps and tips you can use to make the entire process easier.
Interested? If so, keep reading. With the tips here, you will have the job you have always wanted in no time.
Take Time to Learn About Yourself
You need to do an assessment of your personal values, the way you enjoy working, and what you wouldn’t mind doing even if you never received a paycheck. Once you are better acquainted with yourself, you can begin thinking about industries and specific careers that would match your interests and beliefs.
Go online, take courses on what you are interested in, and begin working toward your dream job. After all, anything worth having takes work.
Get Ready to Network
There’s no question that an important part of any job search is networking. This is done by reaching out to others in the industry, getting advice and guidance, and asking about any job opportunities they may know about.
There are several different networking strategies you can use. You can turn to LinkedIn, be more active on Twitter, or even go old-school with traditional business cards. The goal is to get your name out there and make contacts in the field where you want to work.
Any Level of Progress is Good – Don’t Give Up
There are even extremely confident people who remain in an unsatisfying job because they begin to feel safe. They may also stay because they are worried they are going to make the wrong decision.
However, the journey to discover meaningful work that you look forward to and are proud of is challenging. The goal is to take this journey one step at a time. Make a commitment to do something each day – such as emailing a contact or even attending an event. These small steps are going to keep getting you closer to the ultimate goal you have.
Together with the water-cooler, the telephone, and the desktop the photocopier is the most common piece of office equipment everywhere. You most likely don’t think there’re a lot of things about the photocopier that could shock you and, to be frank, you’re maybe right. Yet there’re still one or two fascinating facts that may just take you by surprise.
Here are some things you probably didn’t know about your
office-photocopying machine:
1.
Staple and Hole Punch Documents
If your institution or workplace still requires you to hole
punch or staple your own documents, you’re missing out on useful
efficiency-improving state-of-the-art technology.
Modern-day photocopiers can staple documents themselves, using
automatic processes to make the subsequent documents hardwearing and giving
them a professional look.
2.
Track Costs
Copy toner and paper can be one of the most important sources
of spending in any office. These machines on a daily basis produce countless
pages of documents, which is both expensive and bad for the environment.
Your office copy machine makes it easy to track individual,
departmental and company-printing patterns to find out exactly how much is
being spent on printing. This helps cut costs and measure inefficiencies.
3.
Fold Documents from Your Photocopier
If you’ve ever attempted to make a simple, image-heavy flyer
for your business, you know that folding a lot of individual papers gets boring
very fast. Much worse, it is difficult to maintain the same quality when
folding the pages yourself.
Finishing modules can fold papers in different ways, using
repeatable, automated actions to produce flawlessly consistent folds.
4.
Better Document Security
Nowadays, photocopiers can encrypt documents that are scanned
and backed up on your network.
Other great security features comprise the use of proximity
cards, login photos, and individual PIN codes. These advanced security features
restrict access and usage to workflows and documents on the photocopier panel
itself.
5.
Create Mail-Ready Envelopes
You don’t need an envelope printer to create lots of mail-ready
envelopes. Multifunction copy machines with the capability of printing
envelopes can also print images directly onto the envelopes, as well as address
info that differs from envelope to envelop.
This saves a lot time out of the process of starting a direct mail campaign, either for institutional or marketing purposes.
6.
You Can’t Duplicate Money on a Modern Color Copier
Rookie money-launderers beware! If you are considering using
your office’s MFD to copy money, reconsider. Modern-day photocopiers come
equipped with a feature that recognizes an embedded pattern in money.
It then marks all copies rendering them unusable. So, even if you
in some way succeed to get your hands on the rare government paper needed,
starting your own cash factory during your lunch break is off.
7.
Sitting on Your Copy Machine is a Bad Idea
Twenty percent of all photocopier
maintenances are required as a result of damage caused by someone sitting on
them and putting far too much pressure on the glass. Always stay out of the
photocopier room when the drink starts flowing in your workplace.
8.
Scan Hard Copy Documents to Make Editable Electronic
Documents
How many times have you retyped a document to make some adjusts
since it is only obtainable in paper format? Well, this can be such a waste of
precious time. Worst of all, your PC crashed and the document wasn’t saved, and
now it is lost forever, except for the hard copy on your desk.
It is as simple as scanning your hard copy into the office
photocopier directly into PDF or Microsoft Word.
9.
Integrate with Cloud, Email and Mobile Services
Office technology is quickly changing to a paperless
environment. Part of that change includes taking paper documents and converting
them into digital ones. In order to do this, modern-day copiers integrate with
networks to receive and send documents through the Internet.
Now, you can scan editable images of docs to mail, and still
convert them to editable word documents and PDFs. You can print documents and
images from your smartphone, or make physical copies of digital documents
located on a cloud-based platform such as Google Docs.
10. Chronic
Arthritis Inspired the Invention of the Photocopier
Chester Carlson invented the photocopying machine back in 1938.
He was driven to research the process after spending years as a patent attorney
and law student, re-writing legal documents manually.
His chronic arthritis made his work as law student and patent
attorney unbearable. Additionally, when Carlson first started presenting his
invention around the big hardware companies of the day he was turned down.
Carlson later shared his idea with the non-profit Battelle Memorial Institute,
who helped him research the technology.
11. Copy
Machines Were Once a Serious Fire Hazard
Xerox 914, the first popular photocopying machine, took the
business world by a storm in the 50s. Crazily enough, if it were released
today, it would never get past safety and health.
Not only did over-use of the machine risk overheating, the
machine would usually burst into flames after printing too many copies. This
was such a huge problem that Xerox had to give out free fire extinguishers with
each photocopying machine they sold!
12. Copiers
have a Good Memory
More than fifty percent of used photocopiers contain info that
has been left by previous owners. So, when you take into account the amount of
highly sensitive info circulating in the office on a daily basis, the danger
should quickly become clear to you.
Selling your old office photocopier? Remember to wipe out all
images and files from its memory.
13. Renting
a Copier is More Economical Compared to Buying one Outright
For most startups purchasing invaluable office equipment such
as a photocopier may be a scary investment, mostly as a result of the
probability of it becoming obsolete and the huge capital outlay. Leasing or
renting a copier is the smart option with an abundance of good business-sense
advantages.
However, If you make less than seven hundred copies a month, you maybe don’t need to rent photocopiers for your business. You would be better off purchasing small desktop printers.
Conclusion
Copy machines are designed with state-of-the-art technology
that sometimes goes completely ignored and unused. Creating the time to learn
what your copier is capable of can change the way you do everyday tasks and
save you a considerable amount of time.
Boo and his friend Buddy had lived together for 11 years – before Buddy
passed away in September 2017 at the age of 14.
His owners say Boo passed away in his sleep on January 19 and they were
“heartbroken”.
They added: “But we find comfort
knowing that he is no longer in any pain or discomfort.
“We know that Buddy was the first
to greet him on the other side of that rainbow bridge, and this is likely the
most excited either of them have been in a long time.”
As well as releasing a book, Boo met with celebrities such as Seth Rogan,
became an ambassador for a US airline and appeared on several TV shows.
Boo’s owners said they’d received many notes over the years from people
sharing their stories of how Boo “brightened their days and helped bring a
little light to their lives during difficult times”.
They added: “And that was really the purpose of all this…Boo brought joy to people all over the world.”
Nastya Rybka, who said she had evidence of
Russian collusion with Donald Trump’s election campaign, has been detained by
Russian police.
The 27-year-old Belarusian model, real name Anastasia Vashukevich, was
arrested at Moscow’s main airport after being deported from Thailand for
soliciting.
Her lawyer posted a video on Instagram which, he says, shows her arrest.
The video shows a woman resembling Nastya Rybka and looking sedated
struggles as four men push her into a wheelchair, then carry her.
The video clip posted by lawyer Dmitry Zatsarinsky has now been tweeted by
Russian broadcasters and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny.
Dmitry Zatsarinsky said the model had planned to get a connecting flight to
Minsk, the Belarusian capital, but had been seized and dragged from the transit
zone on to Russian territory, then whisked away to a police station.
The lawyer called the Russian action “an international scandal”.
A Russian interior ministry statement, quoted by local media, says Nastya Rybka
and three others detained with her at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport are accused
of “luring into prostitution and practicing it”. The crime can be
punished with up to six years’ jail.
Among the four held is Belarusian Alexander Kirillov, who was in custody
with Nastya Rybka in Thailand.
They spent nine months in custody
before a Thai court handed them a suspended 18-month sentence for soliciting.
Thailand deported them on January 17, taking account of their time spent in
custody.
They and five others – both
Belarusians and Russians – pleaded guilty, after which they were deported.
While in custody, Nastya Rybka and Alexander
Kirillov sought help from the US embassy, fearing extradition to Russia.
Nastya Rybka said she had evidence
of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election campaign,
allegedly obtained through an acquaintance with Russian billionaire
industrialist Oleg Deripaska.
Oleg Deripaska denied the allegations
and successfully sued both Nastya Rybka and Alexander Kirillov.
The billionaire is on the list of
Russian oligarchs and politicians subject to US sanctions for alleged
“malign activities” around the world.
