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Raising Awareness: 5 September Awareness Initiatives You May Have Missed

Kathryn R. Bown
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We’ve all heard of the big ones. Social media feeds are often peppered with links and symbols to draw our attention towards good causes. From ice bucket challenges to no smoking days and Movember, charities are constantly looking for ways to connect with the public. There are now thousands of separate day, week, and monthly initiatives throughout the calendar. With so many, it’s easy to miss out on some of the smaller events which are equally as important. As a way to get conversations started, we look below at five awareness drives taking place this September which may have slipped your attention.

National Sickle Cell Month

10 years ago, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day was proclaimed as being on June 19th. Further to this, there is also a whole month dedicated to the cause through September. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is actually a collection of associated blood disorders. Genetically transmitted, around three-quarters of SCD cases occur in Africa. With only 1 in 5,000 Americans suffering this condition, it’s something which requires more few Americans are acutely aware of at present.

Sepsis Awareness Month

A recent survey revealed around 55% of Americans had heard of Sepsis. Yet more people die in America from Sepsis than from breast cancer, HIV, and prostate cancer combined. Of patients diagnosed with severe Sepsis, around 40% do not survive. Furthermore, half of those who do will suffer ongoing problems. With no known cure for this disease, early detection remains the best chance patients have. As such, increased awareness is needed for a problem which claims a life every 2 minutes across the states.

Sports Eye Safety Month

Many awareness initiatives aim to raise funds for finding cures or educating towards early detection. Some are more concerned with prevention rather than a cure. Use of protective eyewear has become common in the workplace. In sports, however, this is not the case. Around 90% of sports-related eye injuries are preventable. With partial or total blindness a distinct possibility from such an injury, bringing safety to fun pursuits is the main goal of this drive.

National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

Afib, or AF as it is often referred, is a common but relatively unknown condition. Simply put, it is an irregular heartbeat. While not directly life-threatening, this heart rhythm disorder can lead to some serious problems. The most common of which is a stroke which can result from blood clots being formed and spread through the body. With over 3 million Americans believed to suffer this disorder, there are many treatments available to tackle it. The first step, however, is recognizing the signs. This is something the awareness month hopes to achieve.

CMT Awareness Month (Charcot-Marie-Tooth)

April is the month of National Foot Health Awareness. September, however, targets a more specific foot problem. Charcot-Marie-Tooth is a neurological disorder which slowly weakens the bones of the feet. As a rare condition, it can easily be overlooked and diagnosed as something else. Like all other medical conditions, it’s something best treated as early as possible. Through spreading awareness, it’s hoped more people will avoid limb-threatening complications which can arise. For more information, click here to learn more.

5 Signs it is Time for Divorce

Kathryn R. Bown
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5 Signs it is Time for Divorce
Image source Pixabay

There isn’t a one-size-fits all sign that indicates it is time to part ways with your spouse, but a combination of signs and factors instead. When you took your marriage vows, you promised to love until death do you part. Sadly, many couples find it impossible to overcome obstacles in their relationship and break those vows. It is better to end an unhappy, irreconcilable marriage now than it is to prolong the inevitable.  If you’re reading this, divorce is likely something that’s already crossed your mind a time or two before. Pay attention to these five signs that indicate it is time to move forward in life,perhaps without the person you thought would be there forever.

You’re in it for the Kids

Staying together for the sake of the children may seem like the right thing to do but more often than not, it is actually the worst thing that you can do. Kids sense the energy and tension in a broken marriage, despite the belief of their parents. Plus, staying together for the kids causes you to miss out on life and many great experiences.

There is Abuse

Abuse comes in many forms. It is unacceptable in any form.  Verbal abuse, financial abuse, and sexual abuse are often times just as disheartening as physical abuse for those enduring the pain. Remember, abuse is more than a punch. Immediately leave an unsafe situation and speak to an attorney concerning divorce immediately.

You’ve Grown Apart

When you simply do not mingle with your spouse on the same level as you once did, perhaps you should part ways. Don’t allow the small stuff to send you running away from the marriage, however, pay attention to indications that you are no longer one, as you should be during a marriage. Are your values and goals different? Are your hopes, dreams, and views on raising a family or marriage different now? This may be reason enough to get a divorce.

You Want to Be Alone

When your spouse’s touches no longer have any significance or when you daydream of coming home to a spouseless property, it is likely ideal to part ways. It is not fair for either person to endure the hardships of a relationship that is done and over, but you just haven’t let go of yet.  If you want to be alone, that’s your prerogative and you should make the steps to achieve that status.

Nothing has Worked

If you’ve tried counseling, therapy, hoping, praying, and even some tears but you still cannot seem to work things out, you should not wait any longer to reach out to a lawyer to discuss divorce. Sometimes love just isn’t enough to make a relationship work. You cannot force what just  isn’t there.

Call a Divorce Attorney

Divorce is never easy, but rest assured an attorney will minimize the stress of the ordeal so it is easier to close the matter and get on with life. If the signs say that it’s time to split, its probably a good idea to take the next steps to

China Asks US to Withdraw Sanctions for Russian Jets Purchase

Roy Siemens
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China Asks US to Withdraw Sanctions for Russian Jets Purchase
Image source Pixabay

China has asked the US to withdraw sanctions on its military over purchases of Russian jets and missiles or “bear the consequences”.

The US says China has contravened its sanctions on Russia introduced over Russian actions in Ukraine and alleged interference in US politics.

Beijing recently bought 10 Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 missiles.

China has not joined in the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and its Western allies since 2014.

Beijing’s forces took part in giant Russian war games held earlier this month.

China is fast becoming a manufacturer of sophisticated weaponry in its own right but it remains eager to buy advanced Russian weaponry, especially air defense systems and combat aircraft.

Russia – after years of some reluctance – is now more willing to transfer this sort of weaponry to China.

Moscow has also criticized the sanctions on the Chinese military, warning the US against “playing with fire”.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a statement: “It would be good for them to remember there is such a concept as global stability which they are thoughtlessly undermining by whipping up tensions in Russian-American ties.”

US officials have said the sanctions are aimed at Russia, and are not intended to undermine other countries’ defense capabilities and similar action against other countries could be considered.

US to Impose New Tariffs on Chinese Handbags, Rice and Textiles

China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

China’s Equipment Development Department (EDD), which is responsible for improving China’s military technology, and its head, Li Shangfu, are sanctioned for completing “significant transactions” with Russia’s state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

The EDD and Li Shangfu have been added to a Blocked Persons List, meaning any assets they hold in the US are frozen and Americans are “generally prohibited” from doing business with them.

Furthermore, the EDD is denied export licenses and excluded from the American financial system.

The US also blacklisted an additional 33 people and entities associated with Russian military and intelligence.

China and the US countries are currently embroiled in an escalating trade war.

President Donald Trump has imposed three waves of tariffs on about 40% of China’s roughly $500 billion of exports to the US and has also threatened further tariffs.

China has responded with tariffs on about $110 billion of US exports. In 2017, China imported about $130 billion of goods from the US.

There have also been some tensions over disputed territory in the South China Sea, which is subject to overlapping claims by six countries.

China has been accused of militarizing the sea to support its vast claims.

The US says it is “committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific” and has sailed warships close to artificial islands built by China to challenge what it sees as Chinese efforts to restrict freedom of navigation in a strategically important area.

Suge Knight Pleads No Contest to Voluntary Manslaughter over Hit-And-Run Case

Lisa.Felice
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Suge Knight Pleads No Contest to Voluntary Manslaughter over Hit-And-Run Case
Image source Wikimedia

Rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight has pleaded no contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge over the 2015 hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles.

The 53-year-old founder of Death Row Records made the plea to avoid charges of murdering one man and attempting to murder a second with his pick-up truck.

The incident happened after an argument over the making of Straight Outta Compton, a biopic about rap group NWA.

Suge Knight will be formally sentenced to 28 years in prison in October.

His record label helped launch the careers of artists including Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.

Under Californian state law, a no contest plea is the legal equivalent of a guilty plea.

Suge Knight case: Video evidence released by Los Angeles court

Suge Knight charged with murder and attempted murder following hit-and-run incident

Suge Knight arrested for murder

As part of the agreement, the murder charges against Suge Knight will be dismissed by prosecutors, along with separate criminal cases charging him with robbery and making criminal threats.

The deal, in which Suge Knight admitted using a “deadly and dangerous weapon” when he ran down two men with his vehicle, calls for him to serve 22 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter with a further 6 years added because of the US “three-strikes” law relating to repeated violations.

The charge relates to an incident in January 2015 in Compton, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Suge Knight was accused of deliberately running over two men with his pick-up truck outside a hamburger restaurant following an argument on the set of a commercial for Straight Outta Compton.

One of the victims, Terry Carter, died of his injuries while the other, Cle “Bone” Sloan, suffered serious injuries to his feet and head.

Footage of the incident captured by security cameras show Suge Knight’s vehicle pulling up to the drive-in shop, with one of the victims approaching the driver’s side window. Following what appears to be a brief discussion, a struggle then ensues.

Suge Knight’s truck is seen going into reverse, throwing the man to the ground. It then moves forward, driving over his legs and slams into the other victim, who was killed.

The rap mogul turned himself in to authorities a day after the incident. His attorneys had said he was acting in self-defense and was fleeing armed attackers when he ran over Terry Carter and Cle Sloan.

Cle Sloan has denied claims he was carrying a gun during the confrontation.

Suge Knight co-founded Death Row Records with the pioneering producer Dr Dre in the 1990s, but later declared bankruptcy and the company was sold at auction for $24 million.

While his label was initially very successful, his fortunes began to slide in 1996 when rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in the passenger seat of Suge Knight’s car.

Suge Knight has a history of legal problems. He spent time in jail in 1997 and 2003 for parole violations arising from assault charges. He later pleaded guilty to hitting his girlfriend in an incident in 2008.

Top 10 Uses of a Digital Voice Recorder

Dana R
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Top 10 Uses of a Digital Voice Recorder

Note taking is a must if you want to excel in school, and it can also be a huge help for many businesspeople. You may never have used a voice recorder in the past, but you would likely be surprised how useful they truly are should you invest in one and put it to regular use.

In general, for most purposes, you can take better notes with a voice recorder, provided it’s a high quality device and you use it correctly. But you’ll find that note taking in the strict sense is only one of many possible uses for this kind of machine.

Here are 10 ideas on how you might be able to use a digital voice recorder on a regular basis to make your life easier:

coffee

1. Take Notes In School

We mention the most obvious, and perhaps most common, use of a voice recorder device first: simple note taking by students. Why use a recorder? Because it’s faster than writing it out by hand, you might lose or misplace the page if you write it on paper, and quite frankly, it saves a tree.

A high-end voice recorder has a lot of storage space – much more than your cell phone. And it will get a much higher quality of sound than your cell phone too. Plus, it’s easy to listen to your notes anywhere, anytime without fumbling through a bulky notebook.

2. Capture “Passing” Ideas

We’ve all experienced the pain of having forgotten that great idea that was passing through our heads for a moment but then it was gone forever. A voice recorder at your side can prevent that from ever happening again.

Artists, students, businesspeople, home renovators, and anyone who has any kind of passion or project they are working on long term in life – or even temporarily, will find many instances where “idea capturing” is a huge help. You can’t always have a pen and paper ready nor always be by your computer – but a pocket can always be filled with a compact voice recorder!

3. Business & Professional Use

Business plans and schedules are conveniently “jotted down” on an audio recorder, and what better place to sum up the results of a business meeting or a sales interaction with a client?

Also, many doctors, lawyers, investigators, and forensics experts use voice recorders regularly when they meet with clients or while they’re on the scene to ensure they remember things exactly as they were said or as they appeared.

4. Transcriptions

Voice recorders are obviously indispensable to those who transcribe audio content into text. Given sufficient storage space, whole conversations or speeches can be conveniently and accurately transcribed by this method by a professional in the field.

Additionally, translators can base their translations on the actual voice recordings of native speakers, and language research experts can do the same.

5. Improve Speaking/Listening Skills

To really become aware of how you sound to other people, it’s important to record yourself and then be able to quickly play back each sentence or phrase. Then you can do another corrective recording, and another, and another – until you’re satisfied with the results.

If you’re learning a foreign language, you can record native speakers during a conversation (let them know they’re being recorded ahead of time and get permission!) and then keep listening to and playing back the content later on till you recognize the sounds and meanings with ease. This can also help you learn good native-style pronunciation.

6. Make a Voice-over Portfolio

Those who make a living by using their voice need to get serious about perfecting their pronunciation and tone. A voice recorder is the perfect practice device for that purpose. But it’s also a great place to store 5 to 10 of your best voice-over productions as samples for your prospective employers/clients.

7. Work on an Audio Book

You don’t need the most advanced equipment and a fortune to spend on electronics to get started making audio books.

You can begin by making them off of a voice recorder and letting friends and family listen to them and give you feedback. Then, you can transfer content from voice recorder to digital files and self-publish an audiobook online!

8. Create Audio Ads & Podcasts

Along with the right software for digitizing audio content, improving it, and editing it, you can create high-quality podcasts and audio ads for Youtube or other popular social media sites. With the right kind of voice recorder, this king of goal is well within reach of the average person.

If you have an online business or online following, regardless of what interest area it’s in, there’s a place for giving explanations or making audio announcements online. It’s not just for big businesses anymore.

9. Karaoke Music

If you love to sing karaoke but often find the music for some of your favorite songs isn’t on the machine – then consider recording it on a voice recorder device that can connect to speakers and provide the background music you need to sound your best!

Never again will you have to come to a party unprepared. Check out the specs of the voice recorder ahead of time and see if you need any accompanying software, but once you have it set up, it will revolutionize your karaoke performances.

10. Make Your Own Ringtones

Depending on what kind of cell phone you have, it’s possible to record unique sounds on your voice recorder to upload onto your phone and use as ringtone options.

Maybe you want to record yourself singing in the shower – or your spouse doing so; record a dorm room quartet for use as a wake-up alarm at college; or create a ringtone based on your own or a friend’s musical talents? A voice recorder will make it fun and practical at the same time.

We cannot hope to give an exhaustive list of the possible uses of a digital voice recorder, but these 10 rank among the most common, most important, or most fun ways to use this very versatile, very helpful little device!

Five Things Your HR Department Should Be Prioritizing

Dana R
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Five Things Your HR Department Should Be Prioritizing

The Human Resources department is often overlooked as one of the most important aspects of a business. After all, it’s the employees that keep the company moving forward. Ensuring that employees feel appreciated and cared for will improve their productivity and the business’s bottom line.

When it comes to both the short and long-term tasks of your HR department, there are a few tasks that stand above the rest in terms of prioritization. Here are the five things your HR department should be prioritizing (that they probably aren’t).

hr-department

Streamlining Processes

Streamlining processes through the implementation of technology and automation is something that often gets put on the back burner. The research phase for these processes can be extensive, and HR professionals often worry that they’ll work themselves out of a job. However, many of the streamlined processes will free up time for HR professionals to handle other aspects of the job, rather than getting caught up in the day-to-day work.

There are various platforms available to help streamline processes. Humanity is a scheduling platform that empowers employees to manage their own schedules while using analytics to assist with the scheduling process. JazzHR is an online applicant tracking system that streamlines the hiring process, from candidate applications to onboarding. HR should be highlighting these applications to help improve the company’s efficiency.

Developing an HR Strategy

Believe it or not, there are a lot of organizations that don’t have a planned out HR strategy. To ensure cohesion between the needs of the business and the deliverables of the HR department, the members of said department should be working diligently to create a strong HR strategy.

For an HR strategy to be effective, it should outline important business processes that will be overseen by the HR department, as well as KPIs to measure their effectiveness. For example, the employee performance review protocol would be mentioned in this strategy, as well as measurements for success, and compensation. This document would also outline the hierarchy of the organization and the reporting structure.

Sharing the Burden

Your HR department should not be the primary point of contact for managing your employees on a day-to-day basis. Rather, they should be the foundation and support for the managers of your organization as they manage their subordinates. In many cases, especially in smaller or startup businesses, the HR staff members take on a large part of the management process.

Ensuring the proper chain of command is in place (often outlined in the aforementioned HR strategy document) ensures that the workload is divided accordingly and expectations are managed at all levels.

Connecting on a Human Level

HR represents an important connection between the business and its people. To be able to feel confident that employees will bring forth their concerns and pay attention to policy, it’s essential that HR professionals take time to connect on a human level.

There are many ways that an HR professional can connect. Having strong communication skills is of the utmost importance while maintaining an aura of authenticity and trustworthiness will assist in rapport building efforts. Getting on the ground level and having an open door policy is also key.

Keeping Policies Aligned with Social Needs

Society is evolving rapidly, and the past few years have brought to light a lot of issues regarding policies that keep employees happy and safe. It’s time for HR professionals to ensure that the company is aligned with societal and cultural values by implementing strong policies regarding sexual harassment, as well as adding practices to encourage diversity and inclusion.

By keeping policies up to date and relevant, you reduce the risk of a costly, damaging scandal within the organization.

Ultimately, it’s important to make sure that your HR department is taking a high-level approach to the running of the organization, rather than getting caught up in the day-to-day work. By doing so, you’ll ensure that your company’s greatest asset is protected and nurtured.

3 Ways Chatbots Can Facilitate Online Transactions

Dana R
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3 Ways Chatbots Can Facilitate Online Transactions

Entrepreneurs should never discount the importance of human interaction when it comes to making a sale. Despite the many technological advancements of the past twenty years, it’s unwise to rely solely on automated programs generate leads and make sales. Instead, progressive business owners should look for smart ways to integrate tools like chatbots into their customer-service strategy. To that end, here are three tips to deploy chatbots to their maximum effect –– while also avoiding some of the pitfalls normally associated with the technology:

Engaging with Visitors After Hours

A well-maintained professional website can be the greatest asset a modern business has at its disposal. And one of the main benefits websites and blog posts offer is the potential to draw in leads at any time. What’s more, chatbots will allow your business to engage with visitors outside of “normal” hours. By enabling automatic responses to common queries after hours, you can respond to potential customers immediately and let them know you’re going to address their issue. Establishing trust this early on is critical to building a successful relationship with a potential customer.

Image result for chatbots

Leverage Essential Data

Monitoring your chatbots’ interactions with visitors is a tremendous way to pool transaction-related data. People have no problem speaking candidly with chatbots, and, as such, you can use those transcripts to develop in-depth client profiles. With chatbots you can identify common issues and also keep track of your ecommerce store’s inventory.

Streamline Sales Interactions

While valuable, chatbots are not without their foibles. The key to achieving success with a chatbots, then, is to understand their limitations. It’s vital to recognize which queries your chatbot can and can’t handle. Don’t expect to program a chatbot with the ability to answer every question about your online store or specific products. That’s where your sales professionals can excel. The best chatbots are upfront with visitors when they don’t know how to solve a problem. When a chatbot can no longer help, it’s time to let one of your team members take over. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t a bad thing. After all, if your chatbot correctly identifies a qualified lead and passes them off to your sales team, the interaction is already a success.

The Bottom Line

Whether your business manufactures intricate lab equipment like lithium heparin tubes, or everyday office supplies, well-constructed chatbots can help consolidate your sales process and improve lead engagement. Just remember to utilize chatbots with caution. Though they provide massive benefits when built properly, poorly designed chatbots can have a profound, negative effect on your customer service. This mostly occurs when programmers try to do too much with their automated features. Never forget that chatbots are meant to supplement your employees’ efforts –– not replace them entirely.

President Nicolas Maduro’s Istanbul Lunch Sparks Outrage in Venezuela

Nancy Clayson
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President Nicolas Maduro’s Istanbul Lunch Sparks Outrage in Venezuela
Image source Pixabay

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro sparked outrage in his crisis-hit country after he was filmed eating in an upscale steak restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.

The video shows Turkish celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, also known as “Salt Bae” carving meat in front of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at Gokce’s Nusr-Et restaurant in Istanbul.

Almost two-thirds of Venezuelans have reported losing weight as shortages of food worsened in recent years.

Red meat is especially scarce.

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Chef Nusret Gokce posted three videos of Nicolas Maduro’s visit on Instagram, but has since deleted them.

The chef, who has been dubbed Salt Bae for his stylized way of sprinkling salt on his meat, is seen carving meat in front of the couple with dramatic flair.

President Maduro can be heard saying: “This is a once in a lifetime moment.”

Other videos show President Maduro smoking a cigar taken from a box with his name engraved on a plaque, and his wife holding up a T-shirt with the chef’s image.

Nusret Gokce owns several luxurious restaurants in the US, the Middle East and Turkey, and videos of him carving meat have been watched by millions of people.

The chef’s restaurants sell some cuts of meat for several hundred dollars.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife were in Istanbul on a stop-over from China, where the president was trying to drum up investment.

The videos were shared widely by critics of Nicolas Maduro.

Opposition leader Julio Borges, who is living outside Venezuela for fear of arrest, tweeted: “While Venezuelans suffer and die of hunger, Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores have a good time in one of the most expensive restaurants in the world, all with money stolen from the Venezuelan people.”

In Venezuela, 64% of people have reported losing significant amounts of weight, 24lbs on average, amid worsening food shortages.

Child malnutrition is at record levels and 2.3 million people have left Venezuela since 2014.

Nicolas Maduro spoke about the now-controversial lunch during a TV news conference, confirming that he had eaten there during his stopover from China.

He said: “Nusret attended to us personally. We were chatting, having a good time with him.”

President Maduro also said that chef Nusret Gokce had told him that “he loves Venezuela”. The chef has not commented.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8A3pRy62rk

US to Impose New Tariffs on Chinese Handbags, Rice and Textiles

Clyde K. Valle
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US to Impose New Tariffs on Chinese Handbags, Rice and Textiles
Image source Pixabay

The US is imposing new tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods as it escalates its trade war with Beijing.

The measure will apply to almost 6,000 items, marking the biggest round of US tariffs so far.

Handbags, rice and textiles will be included, but some items expected to be targeted such as smart watches and high chairs have been excluded.

The Chinese commerce ministry responded to the move by saying it had no choice but to retaliate but is yet to detail what action it will take.

The US taxes will take effect from September 24, starting at 10% and increasing to 25% from January 1, 2019, unless the two countries agree a deal.

President Trump Threatens $100 Billion More in China Tariffs

China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

President Donald Trump said the latest round of tariffs was in response to China’s “unfair trade practices”.

He said: “We have been very clear about the type of changes that need to be made, and we have given China every opportunity to treat us more fairly. But, so far, China has been unwilling to change its practices.”

President Trump also warned that if China retaliated then the US would “immediately pursue phase three” and impose further tariffs on another $267 billion worth of Chinese products.

Such a move would mean almost all of China’s exports to the US would be subject to new duties.

After opening lower, the Shanghai stock market ended the day 1.8% higher, while Tokyo was up 1.4% and Hong Kong gained 0.6%.

In July, the White House increased charges on $34 billion worth of Chinese products. Then last month, the escalating trade war moved up a gear when the US brought in a 25% tax on a second wave of goods worth $16 billion.

Storm Florence Cuts Off Wilmington, North Carolina

Nancy Clayson
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Storm Florence Cuts Off Wilmington, North Carolina
Image source Wikipedia

The city of Wilmington in North Carolina has been cut off from the rest of the state because of heavy floods following Hurricane Florence.

According to officials, all roads in and out are now impassable and have warned evacuated residents to stay away.

About 400 people have been rescued from flood waters in Wilmington, described as an island within the state.

Two of the first known fatalities – a mother and her seven-month son – were reported in Wilmington on September 14.

At least 15 other people are reported to have died in storm-related incidents across North and South Carolina since storm Florence made landfall on September 13.

In Wilmington, with its population of about 120,000, some 400 people have had to be rescued from flood waters, and most of the city remains without power.

The National Weather Service has warned of at least two further days of possible flash flooding in the area before conditions are forecast to improve.

The area is usually best known as a filming location for One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek.

Storm Florence: Risk of Life-Threatening Flash Floods in North and South Carolina, Virginia

Hurricane Florence Sparks Evacuations in South Carolina and States of Emergency in North Carolina and Virginia

Michael Jordan – who is fundraising to help residents affected by the storm – also grew up in the city.

Many roads inside Wilmington are still passable for residents who defied evacuation orders to ride the storm out.

However, a city-wide curfew has been extended after five people were arrested on suspicion of looting from a store in the city on September 15.

According to the National Hurricane Centre, Florence has now weakened into a tropical depression with winds of 35mph.

Some parts of the Carolinas have seen up to 40in of rain since September 13 – and officials have warned river levels are yet to peak in places.

The US coast guard and volunteer boats have been helping people left stricken by rising flood waters across the states.

Officials in North Carolina have said about 900 people have been rescued from floodwaters there, and about 15,000 people are still in emergency shelters.

President Donald Trump has declared a disaster in several North Carolina counties – a move that frees up federal funding for recovery efforts.

He has praised federal and local law enforcement response to the storm on Twitter several times and the White House has indicated he may visit the affected area in coming days.

Power companies are working to restore power to the almost 650,000 homes and businesses that are still without electricity.

The center of the storm is still over North Carolina but is expected to accelerate north before turning to head toward New England on September 18.

Eleven deaths were reported in North Carolina, and at least six have been reported in South Carolina.

Typhoon Mangkhut Hits Philippines’ Main Island Killing at Least 25

Diane A. Wade
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Typhoon Mangkhut Hits Philippines’ Main Island Killing at Least 25
Image source Wikimedia

Typhoon Mangkhut hit the Philippines’ main island on September 15 killing at least 25 people.

Extensive crop damage is feared in the agricultural province of Cagayan.

Mangkhut, which packs a 550 mile rain band and strong winds, is heading towards southern China.

The storm poses a “severe threat” to Hong Kong, the territory’s observatory said, urging residents to stay on high alert.

In the Philippines, Mangkhut made landfall at Baggao, in the north-east of the main island of Luzon, at about 01:40 local time on September 15 and left some 20 hours later.

Originally a super typhoon billed as the strongest storm of 2018, Mangkhut lost some of its strength on landfall.

Five million people were in its path and more than 100,000 sheltered in temporary centers.

Typhoon Haiyan affected 11 million people in Philippines

A presidential spokesman and disaster response coordinator said almost all the deaths had been caused by landslides in the Cordillera and Nueva Vizcaya regions, adding that reports from other areas were still coming in.

One person was killed by a falling tree in the province of Ilocos Sur, he said.

Almost all buildings in the city of Tuguegarao, Cagayan’s provincial capital, sustained damage, a government official said.

The Philippines is routinely hit during the typhoon season but the strength of Manghukt evoked memories of the deadliest storm on national record – Super Typhoon Haiyan – which killed more than 7,000 five years ago.

However, preparation and evacuation procedures have been improved since then – warnings were issued, travel was restricted, schools shut and the army was put on standby in advance.

Mangkhut is still strong as it heads west toward southern China with current sustained wind speeds of 90mph but fears it will re-strengthen into a super typhoon have receded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FMUFUUqckw

Storm Florence: Risk of Life-Threatening Flash Floods in North and South Carolina, Virginia

Nancy Clayson
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0
Storm Florence: Risk of Life-Threatening Flash Floods in North and South Carolina, Virginia
Image source Wikipedia

Storm Florence is hitting North and South Carolina, and Virginia and weather forecasters warn of the risk of life-threatening flash flooding in parts of the states.

Florence has been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm but continues to soak the East Coast area with rain, downing trees and damaging homes.

It is slowly grinding over the eastern states, with winds of 65mph.

Five deaths have been linked to the storm and thousands of people have been staying in emergency shelters.

Evacuation warnings were issued for 1.7 million people in the region.

All five deaths linked to the storm are in North Carolina.

Hurricane Florence Sparks Evacuations in South Carolina and States of Emergency in North Carolina and Virginia

Florence originally made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on Friday morning as a category one hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center said on September 14 that “catastrophic fresh water flooding” is expected in parts of both the Carolinas.

Some parts of North Carolina have already seen surges as high as 10ft in places.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said the hurricane was likely to “continue its violent grind for days” and described the severity of the downfalls as a “1,000 year event”.

Florence is expected to dump 18 trillion gallons of rainwater on US soil, meteorologist Ryan Maue tweeted.

Almost 800,000 people are reported to be without power already in North Carolina, and officials have warned restoring electricity could take days or even weeks.

More than 20,000 residents have packed into North Carolina emergency shelters, and officials have told those still in the storm’s path to stay in place.

In Jacksonville, North Carolina, officials had rescued more than 60 people overnight on September 13 from a hotel that was collapsing in the storm.

Parts of New Bern, North Carolina, which is home to 30,000 people, were 10ft underwater on September 14 after local rivers flooded their banks.

Scores of residents in the riverfront city were plucked to safety, local reports say.

Turkish Lira Crisis: Government Bans Use of Foreign Currency in Property Market

Clyde K. Valle
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Turkish Lira Crisis: Government Bans Use of Foreign Currency in Property Market
Image source Public Domain Pictures

The Turkish government is banning the use of foreign currencies in the country’s property market as it looks to stem the dramatic fall of its own currency, the lira.

On September 13, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree announcing that contracts for sales, rent and leasing must in future be made in lira.

The president has previously urged people to sell their dollars and euros.

The move came as Turkey’s central bank increased interest rates sharply in an attempt to curb the tumbling lira.

The lira has lost almost a third of its value against the dollar since January.

Today’s decree, which was published in the government’s official gazette, said all current agreements in the property sector made in foreign currencies must be changed within 30 days.

Turkey to Boycott US Electronic Goods Following Punitive Sanctions

Rental and sale agreements in Turkey are often offered in euros and dollars to foreigners living in the country.

However, the property and construction market has become a concern for investors worried that Turkish companies that borrowed heavily to profit from a boom may struggle to repay loans in foreign currencies, as the weakened lira means there is now more to pay back.

In a speech to a traders’ confederation in the capital, Ankara, President Erdogan said on September 13 that nobody should carry out business in foreign currency apart from exporters and importers.

The president also criticized Turkey’s central bank, accusing it of failing to control inflation and urging it to cut interest rates just hours ahead of its announcement that it was raising rates to 24%.

He said: “As of today I have not seen the central bank fix inflation rates as they promised.”

“Interest rates are the cause, inflation is the result. If you say ‘inflation is cause, the rate is the result’, you do not know this business, friend,” the president added.

Turkey’s lira jumped sharply following news of the rate increase.

Last month, Turkey’s weak currency received a small boost after President Erdogan raised tariffs on US imports including cars, alcohol and tobacco.

The US earlier hit Turkey with tariffs on items such as steel and aluminum in an effort to increase pressure on the country to free the detained American pastor Andrew Brunson.

Andrew Brunson has been held for almost two years because of his alleged links to political groups that are outlawed in Turkey, which accuses the US of trying to bring it “to its knees” over the administration’s demands.

The fall in the value of the lira in recent months has pushed up the price of everyday items in Turkey and raised fears the country is sliding into an economic crisis.

9/11 Attacks: President Donald Trump and First Lady Mark 17th Anniversary at Pennsylvania Memorial

Diane A. Wade
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9/11 Attacks: President Donald Trump and First Lady Mark 17th Anniversary at Pennsylvania Memorial
Image source Flickr

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have marked the 17th commemoration of the 9/11 attacks by visiting a memorial in Pennsylvania.

Donald Trump delivered a speech commemorating the airplane passengers who are thought to have charged the cockpit to stop the attackers.

Ceremonies are also being held at NYC’s 9/11 Memorial plaza on the World Trade Center site.

2,996 people were killed in the deadliest foreign attack ever on US soil.

President Trump said in Shanksville on September 11: “America’s future is not written by our enemies. America’s future is written by our heroes.

“As long as this monument stands, as long as this memorial endures, brave patriots will rise up in America’s hours of need and they, too, will fight back.”

He spoke at the newly inaugurated Tower of Voices memorial, a 93ft tall structure with 40 wind chimes.

On September 11, 2001, hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

9/11 Pictures of Pentagon Released by FBI

9/11: Secret Congressional Report to Clear Saudi Arabia of Any Responsibility

Another plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

It is believed hijackers were planning to aim that aircraft at the Congress or White House in Washington DC before it went down, killing all 40 people aboard.

Cockpit voice recordings of the hijackers and mobile phone calls from those aboard to loved ones indicate passengers tried to fight their way into the cockpit to regain control before the plotters nosedived the plane.

President Trump praised the passengers’ “incredible valor” and said their revolt was “the moment America fought back”.

He said: “A band of brave patriots turned the tide on our nation’s enemies and joined the immortal rank of American heroes.”

Donald Trump is the third sitting president to attend the crash site, 70 miles south-east of Pittsburgh.

Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, was among those who noted this is the first year that Americans born after the attacks will be old enough to enlist in the US military.

During remarks at the Pentagon, VP Mike Pence told audience members they “must learn the lessons of 9/11 and remain ever vigilant”.

The ceremony in New York was attended by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Mayor Bill de Blasio, as well as former mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani.

Relatives of victims read out the names of the dead, and moments of silence were observed at 08:46 and 09:03 to mark the times when passenger jets struck the two skyscrapers.

In the years since the attacks, cancer cases in lower Manhattan – especially among first responders who dug through the toxic rubble – have increased.

The 9/11 Victims’ Compensation Fund has paid out $4 billion to fund medical expenses for survivors of the terror attacks.

According to the World Trade Center Health Program, nearly 10,000 of them have had some form of cancer.

Tens of thousands of people inhaled fumes in the days after the attack, and the number of patients coming forward with tumors has increased in recent years, according to the fund.

15 Best Action Movies

Sonia Pantiss
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15 Best Action Movies

In this article, we are going to mention 15 old school movies about real men and their decisive deeds in the name of good. To say shortly, we are going to speak about action movies. Here are 15 best action movies ranking based on opinions of our entertainment specialists.

Rambo: First Blood (1982)

Unlike its simple patriotic sequels, the first “Rambo” movie is a tragic story of a warrior fighting against his own country. And it still has the anti-war idea as the main plot (like its source-book). If it wonders you, then you should definitely watch this movie.

Seven Samurai (1954)

Akira Kurosawa shows his humanistic philosophy through sword slashes and rivers of blood. He turned an old story about Ronin squad protecting the village from bandits into the ode to a disappearing valor: unlike their enemies, samurai do not use firearms.

El Mariachi (1992)

This debut movie by Robert Rodriguez was filmed with a group of amateur actors and the 7 thousand-dollar budget. The director earned them in a Texas clinic, taking part in laboratory experiments on an anti-cholesterol medicine. His later pictures were more popular, bigger, and more epic, but none of them has the original charm of this independent movie.

Commando (1985)

A retired policeman with a heart of gold and muscles of steel stands against a crazy dictator dreaming to hurt the USA and a retired policeman in person. As a result, this rivalry will become the basis of many cult action movies. But this tradition started with Commando, and you never had a childhood if didn’t watch this movie 400 times!

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

This movie by James Cameron became even a bigger breakthrough than the first part of a franchise thanks to unbelievable computer effects, a soundtrack recorded by Guns’n’Roses, epic dynamics, and black humor. It is one of the most famous roles by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Bloodsport (1988)

A story of the American deserter who gains a victory over the Korean Muay Thai master on the tournament in Hong Kong literally flew around cinemas on all the continents. One of the most famous roles by Jean-Claude van Damme.

The Wild Bunch (1969)

A traditional bank robbery story of the American western movies turned into something bigger. Thanks to next gen tricks of Sam Peckinpah, it became a dark story about the violence being absurd and the anti-war pamphlet at the same time.

Police Story (1985)

Jackie Chan connected the warrior mastery of Bruce Lee and the comic talents of Buster Keaton. And a hapless policeman from Hong Kong he showed on cinema screens became liked by millions of people!

Dobermann (1997)

A pretending post-modern gangster action movie “Le Dobermann” was a French answer for Rodriguez and Tarantino. Evil-elegant bandits and crazy cops compete with each other is a senseless violence. Vincent Cassell and Monica Bellucci were able to play dramatic and truthful roles even in this comix movie.

Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)

Two policemen run around Los Angeles to catch the Yakuza leader while breaking bones and catching bandits with the help of Eastern martial arts. A wonderful duet of Brandon Lee and Dolph Lundgren.

Road House (1989)

Even a regular bar bouncer can challenge a criminal boss if the truth is on his side. The hero by Patrick Swayze proves this thesis to be right. The classic battle between good and evil presented in an original manner.

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

The movie about gangsters who rob casinos in Elvis’s suits. Kevin Costner is especially good as the overwhelmingly bad gut and the final gunfire scene should be enlisted in a gunfire encyclopedia, if that book ever appears.

48 Hrs. (1982)

A tough cop and a lower hierarchy bandit join efforts to catch a fugitive in two days. To do that, they’ll need some brains, many bullets, and a Cadillac Sky Blue Convertible. The ideal police action movie from the director of “Red Heat” and the screenwriter of “Commando.”

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Probably, this movie was the beginning of a new subgenre: buddy cop action movies. A hero by Danny Glover goes through the midlife crisis, and a character of Mel Gibson struggles against suicidal thoughts and aggression attacks. The fate decided them to become partners, and their task is to deal with a huge narcotic syndicate.

Adrenaline (2006)

A crazy concentration of action, aggression, and madness pushed into 90 minutes of screen time. The most part of this time is devoted to the Jason Statham’s hero dealing with his enemies or overcoming difficulties. His main problem is a strange Chinese poison circulating in his veins and making him support the high level of adrenaline in blood.

Cam Chat: Find Your One And Only

Lisa.Felice
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Cam Chat: Find Your One And Only

Lots of singles who just start using cam chat wonder whether it is possible for them to find their chosen one there. Guys who are willing to find a girlfriend and start building romantic relationships often give preference to cam chat being aware it’s the most convenient way for meeting beauties from across the world and they don’t even need to leave their house in order to find their soulmate.

Now, every guy gets a real opportunity to meet a girl in a chat roulette. Here, you are able to meet a great number of beauties you can spend quality time in chat or ever start building long-term relationships with. Giving preference to cam chat, you start moving towards happiness talking to random beauties who live in your area, and thousands of miles away.

Enjoy Talking To Random Beauties

Cam chat is a catch for all guys who dream of meeting their chosen one and make every day of their life full of love. Obviously, it’s not that simple to start a conversation with a girl you see for the first time, however video chat simplifies the process of getting to know beauties and finding a soulmate. Here, you will meet girls who dream of the same things as you – find love and attain happiness.

Chatroulette gives you a real opportunity to see a girl you’re chatting with – it boosts your chances on meeting a beauty who corresponds to your preferences and easily figure out whether she is right for you or not.

Nothing can replace an opportunity to hear and see your companion; that’s exactly what makes cam chat so special and attracts people from across the world. Video chat is an excellent place for finding your one and only; here you will be able to meet a girl of your dreams in just a few clicks and enjoy talking to her at all times of the day and night.

What You Should Start With

The hardest part of video chatting with girls is to make a good first impression in order to prevent them from skipping you. In this regard, you have to take the following aspects into account:

  • start with an unordinary, creative greeting which will help you stand out from the crowd and kindle the girl’s interest;
  • avoid using buzzwords, be intelligent and positive in order to impress a beauty who sees you for the first time;
  • find common ground – it is essential to find topics you and your companion are interested in, such a way it’ll be easy for you to maintain a lasting conversation and make your first talk meaningful;
  • make jokes and use your sense of humor – it will definitely make a good first impression on a girl you’re talking to, since no one is willing to video chat with a negative, indifferent person.

Al the above mentioned tips will help you impress beauties in cam chat and find your one and only making minimum effort. Start video chatting right now and get a real opportunity to attain happiness dating a girl of your dreams!

Hurricane Florence Sparks Evacuations in South Carolina and States of Emergency in North Carolina and Virginia

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Florence Sparks Evacuations in South Carolina and States of Emergency in North Carolina and Virginia
Image source Wikipedia

The US East Coast is bracing for Hurricane Florence.

Evacuations have been ordered in what may be the strongest storm to hit the region in decades.

North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency while South Carolina’s governor ordered the evacuation of its entire coastline.

According to officials, Florence is now a Category 5 storm with 130mph winds, and gaining strength.

Florence is expected to strike the Carolinas by September 13.

The storm – which was 1,200 miles southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, on September 10 – started the day as a Category 2 storm.

The weather system could reach Category 5 as its draws strength from the warm Atlantic waters, say forecasters.

Florence would be the first Category 4 storm to hit the region since Hugo ravaged North Carolina in 1989, wreaking $7 billion in damage and claiming 49 lives.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says the hurricane has the makings of an “extremely dangerous” meteorological event.

It may bring catastrophic levels of rain and flooding to coastal and inland regions.

Hurricane Nate Hits Louisiana and Mississippi

Hurricane Maria Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power

The NHC said: “There is an increasing risk of life-threatening impacts from Florence: storm surge at the coast, freshwater flooding from a prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event inland, and damaging hurricane-force winds.”

President Donald Trump has cancelled plans for a rally on September 14 in Mississippi because of the hurricane.

In North Carolina, there have been long queues in supermarkets around communities near waterways and coastlines as residents clear shelves of water, batteries and plywood.

Governor Roy Cooper waived agricultural transportation restrictions in order to allow farmers to move goods more quickly.

Red flag warnings are keeping swimmers off beaches, as residents sandbag their homes in the communities of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval installation in the world, is preparing to send ships away from bases to weather the storm out at sea.

Two other hurricanes are currently churning in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricanes Isaac and Helene are expected to accelerate, but at this point, are not expected to threaten the US mainland.

Dieselgate: VW Goes on Trial over 9 Billion Euros Diesel Damages

Clyde K. Valle
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Dieselgate: VW Goes on Trial over 9 Billion Euros Diesel Damages
Photo Volkswagen

German auto maker Volkswagen has gone on trial in what is the first court case against the company over the diesel scandal.

Investors are pursuing VW for about €9.2 billion in damages, claiming the company should have come clean sooner about falsifying emissions data.

Volkswagen shares crashed after disclosure in 2015 that its diesel technology emitted illegal levels of pollution.

Andreas Tilp, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told the court: “VW should have told the market that they cheated.”

“We believe that VW should have told the market no later than June 2008 that they could not make the technology that they needed in the United States,” he told the Braunschweig higher regional court.

Dieselgate: VW Reaches $15 Billion Settlement with US Car Owners

Dieselgate: VW Sets Emissions Scandal Provisions to €16.2 Billion

Shareholders representing 1,670 claims are seeking compensation for the near 40% slide in VW’s share price triggered by the scandal, which broke in September 2015 and has cost the company €27.4 billion in penalties and fines so far.

The legal action has been brought by the Deka investment fund, which is being used a template for a further 1,600 lawsuits.

The case involves about 50 lawyers, and interest in the hearing is so great that it had to be moved from the court house to a nearby conference centre.

The court case is expected to take at least until 2019 to be fully decided.

Former executives from VW, Porsche and their sister company Audi are under criminal investigation in Germany.

VW has already been fined €1 billion by German prosecutors over its diesel emissions scandal. It has also paid a fine of $4.3billion in the US to resolve criminal and civil penalties.

The auto maker has admitted its responsibility for the diesel crisis.

Russia Inquiry: George Papadopoulos Sentenced to 14 Days In Jail

Diane A. Wade
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Russia Inquiry: George Papadopoulos Sentenced to 14 Days In Jail
Image source Twitter

Former Trump aide George Papadopoulos, whose remarks in a London pub sparked the inquiry into possible collusion with Russia, has been sentenced to 14 days in jail.

The 31-year-old told the court in Washington DC he was a “patriotic American” who made a mistake by lying.

Last year, George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the timing of meetings with alleged go-betweens for Moscow.

He was the first former Trump aide arrested in the probe into an alleged Russia plot to sway the 2016 US vote.

President Donald Trump reacted by taking an apparent swipe at the cost of the investigation into George Papadopoulos.

In September 7 sentencing, George Papadopoulos was also handed 12 months of supervised release, 200 hours of community service, and a fine of $9,500.

Donald Trump’s former aide said in court that his “entire life has been turned upside down” and he hoped “for a second chance to redeem myself”.

George Papadopoulos concluded by saying “this investigation has global implications, and the truth matters”.

He was a London-based petroleum analyst before he joined the Trump campaign in March 2016 as a volunteer foreign policy adviser.

George Papadopoulos soon made contact with a mysterious Maltese academic, Joseph Mifsud.

Professor Mifsud told George Papadopoulos the Russians had “dirt” on Donald Trump’s Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton in the form of “thousands of emails”.

In the following months, thousands of emails linked to the Clinton campaign were published by WikiLeaks.

Donald Trump Plays Down George Papadopoulos’ Role in His Campaign

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Paul Manafort: FBI Wiretapped Donald Trump’s Campaign Chairman

George Papadopoulos told Donald Trump, then a Republican presidential candidate, and other members of the campaign’s national security team that he could set up a meeting with President Vladimir Putin ahead of the 2016 election.

A pre-sentencing statement last week read: “While some in the room rebuffed George’s offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions, who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it.”

George Papadopoulos told CNN in an interview aired on September 7 that Donald Trump “gave me a sort of a nod” and “wasn’t committed either way” about the idea of a meeting with the Russian leader.

However, he said then-senator and now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions “was actually enthusiastic”. Last November, Jeff Sessions testified to Congress that he had “pushed back” against George Papadopoulos’ offer.

American authorities were alerted in mid-2016 after George Papadopoulos told an Australian diplomat during a drinking session in a London pub about his meetings with Professor Mifsud.

The envoy told US investigators, shortly after the emails hacked from the Democratic Party were leaked.

When the FBI interviewed George Papadopoulos in January 2017, he falsely claimed he had met two individuals with Russian ties before he joined the president’s team in March 2016.

He had actually met them after joining Donald Trump’s campaign.

One individual was a Russian woman who George Papadopoulos believed had connections to the Russian government.

In July 2018, the DoJ charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic officials.

Prosecutors said George Papadopoulos’s lack of cooperation with investigators meant they were unable to effectively question or detain Joseph Mifsud. The professor has since left the United States.

No connection between Joseph Misfud and the hacked emails has been proven.

The DNC, which is suing Russia, the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks over the alleged election interference in the 2016, filed a court document on September 7, saying Joseph Mifsud “was missing and may be deceased”, without any further explanation, according to Bloomberg News.

It referred to him as a key figure to have evaded the Mueller inquiry.

George Papadopoulos said: “I made a dreadful mistake, but I am a good man who is eager for redemption.”

He said he lied not to impede investigation but “to preserve a perhaps misguided loyalty to his master”.

Judge Randolph Moss said he took the “genuine remorse” into consideration for the sentencing.

The only other person to be sentenced in the investigation – lawyer Alex Van Der Zwaan – received 30 days in prison. His judge referred to his regret as “muted”.

Outside court on September, George Papadopoulos’ lawyer, Thomas Breen, said his client was a “fool” and had acted “stupidly” in lying to the FBI.

However, the attorney said “the president of the United States hindered this investigation more than Papadopoulos ever could”.

The lawyer said President Trump had hampered the inquiry by calling it a “witch hunt” and “fake news”.

Rapper Mac Miller Dies After Apparent Overdose Aged 26

Lisa.Felice
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Rapper Mac Miller Dies After Apparent Overdose Aged 26
Image source Wikipedia

Rapper Mac Miller has been found dead at his California home after an apparent overdose, a Los Angeles coroner has confirmed.

The 26-year-old was open about his substance abuse.

“The music artist known as Mac Miller died today in his Studio City home,” the LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said in a statement.

“In the late morning of September 7, Malcolm McCormick was found unresponsive…. authorities were called and Miller was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:51.

“At this time, an autopsy is pending and a cause of death has not been determined.”

Mac Miller, whose real name was Malcolm James McCormick, rose to fame after topping US charts with his debut album in 2011.

The rapper released his latest record, Swimming, earlier this year and was due to go on tour.

He went through a well-publicized break-up with singer and girlfriend Ariana Grande earlier this year.

Ariana Grande Engaged to Pete Davidson. Rumors Confirmed

Ariana Grande and Mac Miller, who met in 2012, collaborated on a number of songs and performed together at the One Love Manchester concert in 2017.

Charges were filed against the rapper last month after he was arrested in May for DUI and hit and run.

Ariana Grande spoke out publicly about ending their “toxic relationship” after fans blamed her for his arrest.

She said in a typed message posted on social media:“I am not a babysitter or a mother and no woman should feel that they need to be.”

Ariana Grande said she had “tried to support his sobriety” for years, and was praying that he “figures it all out”.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mac Miller began to focus on his music while still at school and released his first mixtape under the name EZ Mac at just 15.

Maturing in the public eye, he starred in a MTV reality series in 2013 which followed him and a group of friends after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career.

Mac Miller released a series of albums and EPs across the last decade, collaborating with high-profile artists like Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams.

In his final tweets posted on September 6, the rapper promoted the North American tour he was set to embark on next month.

In a statement confirming his death, Mac Miller’s family said that he was “a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans”.

Burt Reynolds Dies In Florida Hospital Aged 82

Sonia Pantiss
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Burt Reynolds Dies In Florida Hospital Aged 82
Image source Wikimedia

Iconic movie star Burt Reynolds has died at the age of 82.

According to Us Weekly, the wisecracking 1970s movie heartthrob and Oscar nominee passed away in a Florida hospital of a heart attack, attended by his family.

Burt Reynolds had undergone heart bypass surgery in 2010. Reynolds is survived by his son, Quinton.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, he died at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida.

Burt Reynolds shot to fame in 1972’s Deliverance, and also starred in Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights and The Cannonball Run.

His career went into freefall in the 1980s and his finances were ravaged by failed investments in restaurants and a Florida football team.

Burt Reynolds Walks with Cane at Wizard World Comic Con in Philadelphia

Burt Reynolds treated in ICU after severe case of flu

Burt Reynolds made a 1997 comeback with his role as a film director in Boogie Nights, which won him an Oscar nomination.

The veteran actor was married twice, firstly to British actress Judy Carne in 1963, but they divorced two years later amid accusations of her over-spending and his infidelity.

Burt Reynolds went on to marry actress Loni Anderson in 1988, but that also ended bitterly in 1993.

After the divorce from Judy Carne, Burt Reynolds filed for bankruptcy with $11 million in debts. In 2014, he was forced to sell many prized memorabilia, including his Golden Globe award.

However, when Vanity Fair journalist Ned Zeman asked him what he would have done differently, Burt Reynolds said: “I would have spent more money and had a lot more fun.”

As a young man, Burt Reynolds was a skilled football player, and it won him a scholarship to Florida State University.

Dolores O’Riordan Died by Drowning Due to Alcohol Intoxication

Sonia Pantiss
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Dolores O’Riordan Died by Drowning Due to Alcohol Intoxication
Image source Wikimedia

The Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan died by drowning due to alcohol intoxication, an inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court has heard.

The inquest coincided with the day that would have been Dolores O’Riordan’s 47th birthday.

In a statement issued after the hearing, the band said: “Dolores will live on eternally in her music.”

Dolores O’Riordan, who died suddenly on January 15 at the age of 46, was found submerged in the bath in her room at a London’s Park Lane Hilton hotel.

She died as a result of a “tragic accident”, the coroner said.

The singer had no injuries or evidence of self harm, and had drunk an excessive amount of alcohol, expert witnesses said.

Dolores O’Riordan had been in the Park Lane Hilton hotel as part of a recording trip ahead of a 2018 tour.

Dolores O’Riordan Death: Cranberries Lead Singer Dies Aged 46

PC Natalie Smart, who attended the scene, told the inquest: “I saw Mrs. O’Riordan submerged in the bath with her nose and mouth fully under the water.”

The inquest heard that there were empty bottles in the room – five miniature bottles and a bottle of champagne – as well as containers of prescription drugs with a quantity of tablets in each container.

Toxicology tests showed only “therapeutic” amounts of medication in Dolores O’Riordan’s blood, but showed up 330mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – meaning she was more than four times over the 80mg legal limit for driving.

The inquest was attended by Dolores O’Riordan’s mother, brother and sister-in-law. She split from her husband of 20 years, Don Burton, in 2014.

Dolores O’Riordan and Don Burton, who is the former tour manager of Duran Duran, have three children together.

The inquest heard that Dolores O’Riordan checked into the hotel on January 14 and was in touch with room service at around midnight and phoned her mother at around 3AM.

The singer was later found unresponsive in the bathroom and confirmed dead at 9.16AM.

The inquest heard that Dolores O’Riordan had bipolar disorder but responded well to treatment.

The hearing was also told that Dolores O’Riordan went through periods of abstention and periods of excessive drinking.

How time & attendance software can help small business owners and their employees

Clyde K. Valle
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How time & attendance software can help small business owners and their employees
Image source PxHere

What is time & attendance software?

At the lowest resolution time and attendance software is a system that requires employees to manually clock in and out of shifts.

Businesses use it, so they can optimize the hours their employees work and pay them more accurately.

Is it micromanaging?

It is reasonable to assume requiring workers to manually clock in and out of shifts and breaks can send the message their manager doesn’t trust them enough to report the hours they work accurately.

Some managers are hesitant to use time and attendance software because they fear their employees will resent them.

In industries like hospitality and retail where turnover is especially high managers don’t want to give their employees another reason to leave.

Ironically, it’s in these industries where workers are paid hourly where time and attendance software would prove most useful.

The fact is time and attendance software is so much more than just a system for employees to clock in and out of shifts and the successful implementation of it lies in managers making this clear to employees.

Benefits to managers

Time and attendance software ensures staff only get paid for the time they actually work, by recording when they clock in and out of shifts, thereby eliminating the guesswork and grey areas associated with using manual time sheets.

Additionally managers get real time alerts when staff are late or have not taken required breaks.

The reporting capabilities of time and attendance allow managers to see which of their employees work the most overtime and which of them are routinely late to start their shifts.

Managers also have visibility of early clock-ins and late clock-outs, instances of over & under scheduling, and which employees have taken more than their allocated breaks.

Time and attendance software provides managers with insight they can use to iron out inefficiencies in their business.

Compliance

Given managers know when their staff clock in and out, time and attendance software like OpenSimSim allows employers to set up compliance rulesets to protect their businesses and themselves from workplace legislation.

Compliance rulesets can be set up to ensure staff don’t work too much overtime, take their legally required breaks and get paid accordingly for working overtime, weekends, and public holidays.

Managers have visibility over their compliance warnings so they can stop them before they happen and stay out of legal trouble.

How employees can get in on the action

The benefits of time and attendance software are certainly not lost on employees.

As the reporting aspect of time and attendance software gives managers full visibility of their labor force in real time, employees that are punctual are more likely to be recognized and rewarded for it.

In this same way time and attendance software also guards against employees being over and under scheduled as employers will be able to see if this is the case and work to fix it.

Another foreseeable benefit to employees is the potential for data collected by time and attendance software to be used to create a resume, especially useful for people moving between jobs which require similar skills.
Time and attendance software offers detailed reports of employee punctuality and experience in a given role down to the minute.

These reports can be used by job seekers to prove their and experience and value to future employers in a concrete, verifiable way instead of relying on the vagueness and inherent unreliability of a resume like others.

Final words

There are a lot of time and attendance solutions out there and picking the right one can be tough but the benefits for employers and employees are clear.

It is however important that employees see it as welcome addition, and this can be achieved by managers taking a little time to explain to them what it is and how it will benefit the business before introducing it.

 

3 Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her

Lisa.Felice
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3 Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her
Image source Pixabay

Does buying an anniversary gift for your loved one get a little harder each year? To succeed, you want to find a gift that is heartfelt and encompasses how much you love her. Consider going down memory lane with your present, getting a stylish item, or planning the perfect vacation to show her how much you appreciate everything she does.

Memory Lane

An anniversary is a great time to tap into your sentimental side. No matter what year you are celebrating, you can plan an anniversary gift for your wife or girlfriend that invites you both to reminisce on your time together as a couple. What better way to reflect on the years than by looking at photographs? This can often be done digitally in these social media days. This option can be easy and fast, but for an added touch of sentiment, try using a website that will help you put together a book. Find one that conveniently helps you narrow down your pictures and adds your own answers to heartfelt relationship questions for a lovely copy of your experiences together. This unique and personalized gift idea will bind memories in a stunning way that you both can look back on for years to come.

Fashion Fun

A beautiful piece of clothing is a terrific gift idea for anyone. Everyone needs a few especially nice items in the closet for those random special occasions. A fancy birthday dinner or other celebration will call for a nice outfit. Provide that outfit for your loved one in the style that they will love. Visit different stores to narrow down what kind of clothing you want to purchase. Use online shopping as an easy tool that provides even more options if you don’t have a lot of time to spare between work and other activities. Try specialty boutiques with online stores for the trendiest – from casual to elegant – looks. You can never go wrong with a clean color and style, such as a white maxi dress. A cute jumpsuit can also be dressed up to go from a daytime to a night-out look. Create an event for the perfect outfit by planning a dancing date night for her. She will love the chance to glam up and go out for an evening of fun.

Dream Vacation

Often, the inclination in planning an anniversary gift is to buy something material. Material items have the benefit of immediate use and satisfaction. You might feel like your loved one will appreciate it more in the moment. But experiences that turn into memories can be just as special. Maybe your loved one has a favorite band or artist she has always wanted to see. Invest in a floor tickets for a show. Or take her away on her dream vacation. Planning is sometimes the most stressful part of any trip, so eliminating this part for her is an added bonus. This gift is a big one that will require a lot of advanced thought for buying plane tickets, booking a hotel room, and organizing sightseeing and other vacation adventures. Plan special experiences or allow them to happen organically for memories that you will both cherish forever.

It’s the thought that counts. So show how much thought you are willing to spend on for your wife or girlfriend. She will see your attention to detail in your gift and appreciate it that much more.

Whether it is simply a happy look at memories or as involved as a dream vacation, something that you can both enjoy is never a bad idea.

TechCrunch Will Host Startup Competition In Nigeria This December

Nancy Clayson
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TechCrunch Will Host Startup Competition In Nigeria This December
Image source TechCrunch

This December 2018, TechCrunch will host TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa 2018. TechCrunch, like many other publishers and businesses, is starting to take notice of Africa’s thriving startup scene. There are several benefits to entering the competition as an African startup. Aside from potentially winning a cash grand prize and trip San Francisco, all participating startups will receive extensive media exposure, and may even meet influential people in the startup world. Some of the most successful—and recent—African startups include:

  • Cellulant, a digital payments solution company raised $47.5 million
  • Branch, a micro lending platform, raised $20 million
  • M-Kopa Solar, an off-grid solar power company which raised $10 million
  • Jamii, a micro-health insurance company that offers health insurance policies for as low as $1, raised $750,000 (half of which came from grants)

Across the continent, there are over 300 tech hubs that are helping startups through mentorships, investment deals, and professional advisement. In the last six months alone, 11 startup incubators and accelerators have been launched to help these startups grow and secure funding. Furthermore, during the first half of this year, African startups managed to raise $160 million, which surpasses all investments made during the entire 2017 year.

TechCrunch welcomes eligible African-based early-stage startups to apply for participation in Startup Battlefield Africa 2018. As TechCrunch sorts through its volume of applications, it will base their decisions largely on which startups have the highest potential for an exit or IPO.

A team of highly skilled editors, who have years of experience analyzing potential high-value startups, will ultimately select 15 startups to compete. According to TechCrunch, eligibility requirements include:

  • Be early-stage companies in “launch” stage
  • Be headquartered in an eligible countries (which you can find on the TechCrunch website)
  • Have a fully working product/beta that’s reasonably close to, or in, production
  • Have received limited press or publicity to date
  • Have no known intellectual property conflicts

Like many startup competitions and programs, it’s important that you have all the little details lined up. Before you apply, you should have a branded website with reliable hosting. You should understand the difference between shared and VPS hosting, as it can mean the difference between a smoothly running site and one that crashes. For example, if you plan to receive an influx of leads after you’ve been accepted into the competition, your website could lag with shared hosting.

Furthermore, it’s important to understand how this particular competition works. These 15 chosen startups will receive free pitch coaching from a team of editors chosen by TechCrunch to help them prepare for their Battlefield presentations. Each team of startups will participate in three preliminary rounds in batches of five. Each team will have just six minutes to pitch their products or service. After each demo, a panel of judges have another six minutes to engage in a Q&A session, where they’ll be able to learn more about what each startup has to offer and what their current or potential future financial trajectory looks at.

Five of the 15 startups will move on to the semi-finals, and one of those five will be chosen as the winner. Winners will receive a $25,000 prize to help grow their startup and will not lose equity in the process (which is what usually happens when startups participate in accelerator or incubator programs). If the winning startup team qualifies, they’ll also receive a free trip to compete at TechCrunch Disrupt 2019 in San Francisco.

You’ll also want to take your time with your application. Have other people read over it to ensure that it makes the most sense, and that aren’t you aren’t missing any integral parts that could be important to the judges.

Another tip for ensuring success with your application and in the competition is to watch other people pitch their startups, and there are plenty of videos online to aid you. Look at pitch decks for other startups, too. By looking at other startup pitch decks, you’ll gain insight into how successful companies are securing investments and spots in competitions and programs. A few necessary components of a pitch deck include:

  • Problem & opportunity
  • Value proposition
  • Business model
  • Marketing plan
  • Competitive analysis
  • Financial projections

This isn’t the first time TechCrunch has turned to Africa to offer local startups a chance. Last year, the publisher held Startup Battlefield Africa in Nairobi and focused on technology that optimized supply chains, strengthened farmer’s revenue, and increased access to education. You can check out the entire event on this YouTube video covering the competition.

Startup Battlefield alumni include Yammer, Dropbox, Mint, LearnVest, Zenefits, Trello, Fitbit, and many others, and they’ve cumulatively raised over $8 billion.

 

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