Monday, February 9, 2026
Newsletter
Home Blog Page 136

President Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Replacement

Diane A. Wade
-
0
President Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Replacement

President Donald Trump has decided to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, naming CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement.

In a Twitter post, the president thanked Rex Tillerson for his service, saying the new state secretary would do “a fantastic job”.

Rex Tillerson, a former chief executive of ExxonMobil, was only appointed to the job just over a year ago.

President Trump also nominated Gina Haspel to become the first woman director of the CIA.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on March 13, President Trump said his differences with Rex Tillerson came down to personal “chemistry”.

He said: “We got along actually quite well, but we disagreed on things.

“When you look at the Iran deal, I think it’s terrible. I guess he thought it was OK.

“I wanted to either break it or do something and he felt a little bit differently, so we were not really thinking the same.

“With Mike, Mike Pompeo, we have a very similar thought process. I think it’s going to go very well.

“Rex is a very good man, I like Rex a lot.”

Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump Challenges Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to IQ Test

Rex Tillerson: “US Is In Direct Contact with North Korea”

Rex Tillerson is the latest in a long list of senior officials who have either resigned or been fired since Donald Trump took office.

The Department of State said Rex Tillerson had not spoken to the president and was “unaware of the reason” for his firing.

Rex Tillerson was on an official tour of Africa last week when he was apparently caught unawares by President Trump’s announcement that he would hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

His team said he was feeling unwell on March 10 and later in the weekend the state department said he would cut short his tour by a day.

Rex Tillerson, 65, arrived back in Washington before dawn on March 13 to learn he was out of a job a few hours later.

According to a senior White House official, President Trump asked for Rex Tillerson’s resignation on March 9, but wanted to wait until he came home to make it public.

Mike Pompeo is a former hard-line conservative Republican lawmaker from Kansas and a Trump loyalist.

In 2014, he defended the CIA officers who waterboarded detainees as “patriots”.

Both the new secretary of state and CIA director will have to be confirmed by the Senate.

President Trump Prohibits Qualcomm Takeover by Singapore’s Broadcom

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
President Trump Prohibits Qualcomm Takeover by Singapore’s Broadcom

President Donald Trump has ordered the blocking of a planned takeover of chipmaker Qualcomm by Singapore-based rival Broadcom on national security grounds.

The president’s order cited “credible evidence” that the proposed $140 billion deal “threatens to impair the national security of the US”.

There were concerns the takeover could have led to China pulling ahead in the development of 5G wireless technology.

The $140 billion deal would have been the biggest technology sector takeover on record.

According to analysts, a takeover of Qualcomm by Broadcom would have created the world’s third-largest maker of microchips, behind Intel and Samsung.

The chipmaking sector is in a race to develop chips for the latest 5G wireless technology and Qualcomm is considered to be a leader in this field, followed by Broadcom and China’s telecoms giant Huawei.

Qualcomm is highly regarded for its commitment to research and development (R&D), particularly in the field of 5G technology. Huawei is equally committed to R&D in the area.

Image source Wikimedia

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon Sense ID 3D Fingerprint Technology

Micron Technology buys rival Elpida for $2.5 billion

Broadcom is better known for selling assets and growing through acquisitions, and deemed to be weaker on R&D.

Analysts also say a deal between Qualcomm and Broadcom could have given Huawei the chance to take over the top spot in years to come – a situation US politicians wanted to prevent given their ongoing security concerns around Chinese telecom firms doing business with US carriers.

Broadcom said it was reviewing the order and “strongly disagrees that its proposed acquisition of Qualcomm raises any national security concerns”.

The company had been pursuing San Diego-based Qualcomm for about four months.

Last week, however, Broadcom’s hostile takeover bid was put under investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), a multi-agency body led by the Treasury Department.

Broadcom had rejected approaches from its rival on the grounds that the offer undervalued the business, and also that any takeover would face antitrust hurdles.

Hubert de Givenchy Dies Aged 91

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Hubert de Givenchy Dies Aged 91

French fashion icon Hubert de Givenchy has died at the age of 91.

His partner Philippe Venet, a former haute couture designer, confirmed the news to the AFP.

“It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Hubert Taffin de Givenchy has died,” he said via the fashion house.

The designer’s nephews and nieces, and their children, share Philippe Venet’s grief, his statement added.

The House of Givenchy also tweeted: “The House of Givenchy is sad to report the passing of its founder Hubert de Givenchy, a major personality of the world of French Haute Couture and a gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century. He will be greatly missed.”

Hubert de Givenchy created famous looks for Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy.

He was perhaps most famous for creating the iconic “little black dress” worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Image source Wikimedia

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy floral gown bizarrely teamed with matching gloves and heels at Met Ball 2013

The friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn endured for 40 years, and helped cement his place in fashion – and cinema – history.

Audrey Hepburn became his muse, and he designed her suits and woolen dresses for the musical Funny Face in 1957, and the light-hearted heist caper How to Steal a Million in 1966.

Hubert de Givenchy came from an aristocratic background, and worked alongside the then unknown Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior after World War Two.

He was employed by the avant-garde designer Elsa Schiaparelli before leaving to found his own fashion house in 1952. There he introduced the concept of “separates” – blouse, skirt, jacket and trouser combinations that could be mixed and matched.

Hubert de Givenchy, who stood at a towering 6ft 6in, won instant acclaim for his first collection at the age of 24.

He swiftly ventured into menswear, and moved to New York to consolidate his success. There his celebrity customers included First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who wore one of his designs to President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963.

Grace Kelly, who would become princess of Monaco, was another famous client.

Hubert de Givenchy had asked that his friends and admirers make a donation to the children’s charity UNICEF in his memory, instead of sending flowers.

US-Bangla Plane Crashes on Landing at Kathmandu Airport Killing 49

Nancy Clayson
-
0
US-Bangla Plane Crashes on Landing at Kathmandu Airport Killing 49

Forty-nine people have been killed as a US-Bangla plane carrying 71 passengers and crew crashed on landing at Nepal’s Kathmandu airport, according to police.

Rescuers pulled bodies from the charred wreckage of the plane, operated by the Bangladeshi airline, after a raging fire was put out.

The plane was carrying 67 passengers and four crew members.

It is now known that 33 of the passengers were Nepalis, 32 were Bangladeshi, one was Chinese and one was from the Maldives.

Among the 22 people injured, some are in a critical condition.

US-Bangla Airlines has blamed air traffic control, but the Nepali authorities say the plane made an “unusual” landing.

Image source www.us-banglaairlines.com

Melbourne Plane Crash: Five Confirmed Dead as Charter Flight Hits Direct Factory Outlets Center

Kyrgyzstan Plane Crash: 37 People Killed as Turkish Cargo Crashes Into Village

Russian Plane Crash: Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 with 93 People on Board Crashes into Black Sea

Flight BS211 veered off the runway while landing on March 12.

One survivor who managed to break through a window says the aircraft gave a violent shake, followed by a bang.

Offering his condolences, Nepalese PM K P Sharma Oli promised an immediate investigation.

The plane, which was flying from the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, was a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop and was 17 years old.

According to flight tracking site FlightRadar24, the plane landed at 14:20 local time.

Sanjiv Gautam, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, was quoted by the Kathmandu Post as saying: “The aircraft was permitted to land from the southern side of the runway flying over Koteshwor, but it landed from the northern side.

“We are yet to ascertain the reason behind the unusual landing.”

However, US-Bangla Airlines chief executive Imran Asif has blamed Kathmandu air traffic control.

He told reporters at his office in Dhaka: “There were wrong directions from the tower. Our pilot was not at fault.”

Airport general manager Raj Kumar Chettri told Reuters that the plane hit the airport fence before touching the ground.

The pilot told flight controllers that everything was OK soon before landing, but did not reply when told his alignment was not correct, he said.

After a normal take-off from Dhaka, the plane had begun to behave strangely as it approached Kathmandu, he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iae-XrcbJAE

The importance of following up your follow up appointment

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
The importance of following up your follow up appointment

The NHS is a national treasure. We use it all the time and never think about the costs associated with our health care. Unfortunately, we are keenly aware of the pressures that our national health service is under. From the perspective of our papers, the NHS is buckling under a lack of funding and according to a recent survey from UK solicitors, Your Legal Friend, 86% of the public is aware of the publicised pressures the NHS is under.

The 2,000 strong survey highlighted an important fallout from this awareness, that we seem to be neglecting to chase up our follow up appointments, or worse, delaying non urgent treatment in order to ease the burden on the NHS. The problem with taking on this burden from a personal point of view, is that you are compromising your health in the process.

Recent NHS data suggested that more people than ever are waiting longer than the official 18 week target for non urgent treatment. According to Your Legal Friend, 80% of us would wait a month before we chase up an expected follow up appointment. So what can we do to be uncompromising when it comes to our health, but still ease the pressure on the NHS?

Image source Wikimedia
  1. Follow up!

Missed follow up appointments can be a huge headache, not just for you but for the NHS. As administrative pressures see more people being exposed to the risks of negligence, it’s important that you stay on top of your own care plan. Ask for important dates during appointments, ask when you should follow up by if you’ve not hear anything and put it all in a diary. You are not being a nuisance!

  1. Keep notes

Keeping a symptom diary before you go to see your doctor shows how seriously you are taking your illness and gives them much more information to work with. The average GP appointment is supposed to be up to 15 minutes. That is a very short amount of time in which to diagnose a problem, keeping a health diary provides both you and your healthcare professional with a reliable account of your symptoms.

  1. Use resources thoughtfully

We’ve all seen the advertisements showing how expensive an ambulance call out can be. Use resources thoughtfully by checking online first to see if you need a GP appointment, a trip to a&e or simply a visit to the pharmacy.

China Removes Presidency Term Limits Allowing Xi Jinping to Remain President for Life

Diane A. Wade
-
0
China Removes Presidency Term Limits Allowing Xi Jinping to Remain President for Life

China has removed the term limits for presidency, in a move that effectively allows Xi Jinping to remain as president for life.

The constitutional changes were passed by the annual sitting of the National People’s Congress on March 11.

The vote was widely regarded as a rubber-stamping exercise. Two delegates voted against the change and three abstained, out of 2,964 votes.

Since the 1990’s, China had imposed a two-term limit on its president.

However, President Xi Jinping, who would have been due to step down in 2023, defied the tradition of presenting a potential successor during October’s Communist Party Congress.

Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump Welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-A-Lago

Xi Jinping biography: from impoverished cave dweller to China’s president

Xi Jinping confirmed as China’s leader for next decade

Instead, Xi Jinping consolidated his political power as the party voted to enshrine his name and political ideology in the party’s constitution – elevating his status to the level of its founder, Chairman Mao.

On paper, the congress is the most powerful legislative body in China – similar to the parliament in other nations. It was widely believed that it would approve what it was told to.

Xi Jinping became president in 2012, and quickly consolidated personal power while cementing China as the regional superpower.

He also fought corruption, punishing more than a million party members – which has helped his popularity among some.

However, at the same time, China has clamped down on many emerging freedoms, increasing its state surveillance and censorship programs. Critics also say Xi Jinping has used the anti-corruption purge to sideline political rivals.

Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano’s Eruption Sparks Evacuation

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano’s Eruption Sparks Evacuation

Japan’s authorities have warned people of the risk of large flying rocks within 2.5 miles following Shinmoedake volcano’s eruption on Kyushu island.

Mount Shinmoedake has been spewing ash for days but eruptions turned explosive on March 10.

According to experts, volcanic activity there could continue for several months.

In the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, Mount Shinmoedake was used to depict the exterior of a criminal organization’s secret lair.

Image source Wikimedia

Bali Volcano: Flights Resume After Three Days of Disruption

Japan: Sakurajima Volcano Major Eruption Predicted

On March 10, the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued new warnings, saying flying rocks could now be expected to reach a 2.5 miles radius around the volcano.

The JMA said large explosions happened at 01:54 local time and at 04:27 local time.

Smoke rose 15,000ft in the air.

Vibrations have caused nearby buildings to shake, and molten lava is running down one side of the volcano.

Japan has 110 active volcanoes.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to Meet in Person by May

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to Meet in Person by May

President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are to meet in person by May, South Korean officials confirmed after talks with the president at the White House.

The South Koreans passed a verbal message from Kim Jong-un, saying the North Korean leader was “committed to denuclearization”.

President Trump hailed “great progress” but said sanctions would remain in place.

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said the news “came like a miracle”.

He said: “If President Trump and Chairman Kim meet following an inter-Korean summit, complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula will be put on the right track in earnest.”

Photo AP

Donald Trump’s Tweet Calls Kim Jong-un Short and Fat

Donald Trump Responds to Kim Jong-un’s Nuclear Button Threaten

China has welcomed the development, saying the Korean peninsula issue was “heading in the right direction” and calling for “political courage”.

However, North Korea has halted missile and nuclear tests during previous talks, only to resume them when it lost patience or felt it was not getting what it demanded.

The latest announcement came days after the South Korean delegation met Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.

Speaking outside the White House after briefing President Trump, South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong said he had passed on a message that Kim Jong-un was “committed to denuclearization” and had “pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests”.

According to a statement sent to the Washington Post, North Korea’s UN ambassador said the “courageous decision” of Kim Jong-un would help secure “peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the East Asia region”.

There is no indication yet of where the Trump-Kim talks might take place, but the Korean border’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) and Beijing are seen as likely options.

Films Or Politics: Which Is The Best To Be Involved In?

Dana R
-
0
Films Or Politics: Which Is The Best To Be Involved In?

Let’s face it; some career choices are far more popular than others. Whether you’re a teenager thinking about the next steps to take or a parent trying to guide your kid doesn’t matter. The world of acting and politics are quite likely to feature quite highly on the list of dream jobs. And that’s in spite of the fact that they are two vastly different areas of expertise.

So, which arena should you aspire to break into? Let’s take a look.

speech

Credit:

Financial Possibilities

There’s nothing wrong with admitting that the financial rewards are at the very top of the wish list. After all, remuneration is ultimately the whole purpose of working in the first place. At the very top of the pyramid, both politicians and film stars can earn millions.

The average member of Congress, like Idaho Senate Mike Crapo, can command a net worth in the high six-figure value. While the Hollywood A-Listers can command seven-figure salaries for just one film, the average actor or actress will be far more modest. In fact, the early years of acting can potentially be lower paid than a standard job in retail.

Conversely, even the junior members of Congress are likely to receive a salary that sits higher than the national average.

Job Security

Politics and entertainment are two industries that come under more scrutiny than any other. As such, being thick-skinned is crucial en route to the top. However, public disapprovals are one thing; insecurities within the job are another.

Achieving any status of real power in politics is tough, and can rely heavily on being voted in. However, there is a clear route to the top. In the world of acting, two people that start out with the same project could encounter vastly different trajectories. In many cases, contracts are very short too, making it difficult to achieve stability in life as well as careers.

on-camera

Credit:

In both careers, though, there is a genuine fear that one foul move could ruin it all. Then again, many thrive off of that passion.

Social & Cultural Impact

Anybody with a sense of ambition will view changing the world in a positive way as a huge factor in their career choice. You needn’t reach a huge audience to make a difference, as nurses and teachers show every single day. Still, the spotlight that comes with acting and politics is attractive.

Whether it’s a local governing position or President of the United States, political influencers have a huge chance to change lives. You can also set winning foundations for future generations in the process. But if you think films are incapable of inspiring people, the Oscars is an example of their importance. Meanwhile, titles like Black Panther can inspire cultural changes.

Whichever option you take, the chance to make a difference can be huge. While the two types of influence are very different, they are both of significant importance.   

Verdict   

So, which path is best? In truth, there is no one right answer. Whichever one you feel most passionate about is the best solution.

Eastern States Traveling: 6 Great Attractions to Visit While You Travel

Dana R
-
0
Eastern States Traveling: 6 Great Attractions to Visit While You Travel

The eastern states of the United States are packed with great attractions and things to do if you decide to take a vacation in this part of the country.

Here are some of the must-see sights and attractions that are well worth your attention when you are making your travel plans.

You will need a head for heights

Hiking at Grandfather Mountain in Linville is an adventure in itself but if you don’t mind looking down from a great height you must try the walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge there.

Your reward for stepping out across the bridge is some awesome 360-degree views that you will remember for a long time to come.

Enjoy an easy route to the top of this mountain

Sticking to the theme of enjoying spectacular views from a great height you should also check out Chimney Rock State Park.

In addition to some enjoying some pleasant hikes that are not overly challenging you can also enjoy a unique experience here by taking an elevator ride inside the mountain that takes you to the top.

It has never been easier to make your way to the summit and enjoy the amazing scenery from your perfect viewing point.

exclamationpoint1

Visit a town steeped in history

Another great place to visit in the east is Greensboro.

This historic town was a key battlefield area in the civil war and you can find out all about those days with a number of sights and museums in the area.

If you stay at accommodation like the Greensboro Marriott Downtown you will be in a good spot for making a few trips to these places of interest in the area, before returning to the town itself and enjoying the attractive urban parks, art galleries, and restaurants, that visitors always seem to appreciate.

Image result for Blue Ridge Parkway

Take a scenic drive

If you want to enjoy a scenic drive where there is always something interesting or beautiful to look at while you drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway fits the bill.

Described as “America’s Favorite Drive”, there are 469 miles to enjoy when you follow the roads that link Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Image result for DuPont State Recreational Forest.

Take a hike through the forest

If you enjoy the great outdoors the eastern states are a great place to satisfy your quest for getting a close-up view of what nature has to offer.

A good example of what the area has to offer would be the DuPont State Recreational Forest.

The forest covers 10,000 acres of cedar mountain in North Carolina and this is your chance to enjoy Mother Nature at her best.

A great city to visit

If you want to spend some time in the city as a contrast to your outdoor adventures Charlotte would be an excellent choice.

This city has a unique atmosphere that seems to appeal to all sorts of people, from families to couples looking for a romantic getaway.

With loads of lively and diverse restaurants and attractions within the city, you won’t be short of things to do for the duration of your stay.

If you take in some of the great attractions you are bound to create some great vacation memories.

Gary Cohn Resigns as President Trump’s Top Economic Adviser

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Gary Cohn Resigns as President Trump’s Top Economic Adviser

The White House has announced that President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser Gary Cohn is resigning.

His resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from President Trump’s team.

There has been speculation that Gary Cohn, a supporter of free trade, was angered by President Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on aluminum and steel imports.

In a statement released by the White House, Gary Cohn said it had been “an honor to serve my country”.

He had helped President Trump push through his sweeping tax reforms late last year.

The 57-year-old former president of the Goldman Sachs bank and President Trump were never believed to be close.

Gary Cohn wasn’t specific about the reasons, saying in a statement it had been “an honor to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in particular the passage of historic tax reform”.

Once that mission had been achieved, a number of differences may have prompted the departure, including the possible looming trade tariff war and his differences on that issue with trade adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Image source Wikimedia

Hope Hicks Resigns as White House Communications Director

White House Speechwriter David Sorensen Resigns over Abuse Claims

White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter Resigns amid Abuse Claims

Gary Cohn had reportedly set up a meeting between President Trump and business executives who opposed the tariffs move. However, the president pulled out of that meeting and on March 6 reportedly asked Gary Cohn in the Oval Office to back the tariffs publicly. Gary Cohn did not answer, sources told Bloomberg.

In August 2017, Gary Cohn had also criticized President Trump over his reaction to a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the administration “can and must do better”.

The president’s economic adviser was reported to have drafted a resignation letter after the event.

Gary Cohn’s exact departure date had yet to be determined.

In a statement, President Trump said: “Gary… did a superb job in driving our agenda, helping to deliver historic tax cuts and reforms and unleashing the American economy once again.

“He is a rare talent and I thank him for his dedicated service to the American people.”

Analysts were pointing to the resignation of Gary Cohn, a free market advocate, as one reason behind a drop in shares across Asia on March 7. The Nikkei closed 0.77% down and the Hang Seng 1.03%.

The dollar continued its retreat against the yen, down from 113 at the start of the year to 105.6 on March 7.

European stocks also opened lower, the FTSE 100 and pan-Europe STOXX 600 falling about 0.5% after opening.

New Claims of Hernia Mesh Complications and Chronic Pain

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
New Claims of Hernia Mesh Complications and Chronic Pain

Each year in the UK, more than 70,000 adults receive treatment for a hernia in the NHS. A combination of both men and women experience the often painful and equally concerning medical issue, although adult men are more apt to be diagnosed with a hernia than their female counterparts. While hernia treatment is meant to provide a fix for the discomfort patients feel before seeing a doctor, many are bringing forth complaints surrounding the way in which hernia treatment is performed and the materials used to do so.

Late last year, thousands of women came together to bring suit against medical providers and NHS trusts throughout the region given their less than positive experiences after receiving pelvic mesh implant surgery. Doctors use pelvic mesh to treat prolapse and incontinence in women, but it has come to light that patients experience life-altering changes post-procedure. Ongoing pain, infection, and other uncomfortable side effects run rampant in female patients who have received mesh implants for treatment. In recent months, men have started to come forward with similar complaints, related to the use of mesh in hernia treatment.

Banded Together

Several men have established groups throughout the UK as a form of a support system in the aftermath of hernia mesh treatment. Members of one particular group in Northern Ireland shared the devastating effects hernia treatment has had on their personal and private lives, citing issues with chronic pain, unending discomfort, and hernia recurrence. Some have said the treatment left them with strained relationships while others have felt hopeless in finding a corrective solution to their ongoing pain. The common thread among the men in the group is that they feel as though their voices are not being heard as loudly as women who have faced complications after similar treatment with pelvic mesh. They’re looking to change that reality by banding together.

Hernia mesh treatment is the go-to recommendation for most hernia patients, and that has been the case for several decades. According to the NHS, hernias can be caused by several different factors, including carrying excessive weight, constipation, and other issues that place undue pressure on the abdomen. When a hernia takes place, an organ is essentially pushing through the muscle and tissue wall in the body, leading to a bulge that is both uncomfortable and potentially harmful to the individual. It is common for hernias to develop at the belly button, along the diaphragm or upper stomach area, or the inner groin area.

For men who experience a hernia, mesh treatment is used to repair the muscle or tissue wall that has been torn or damaged. The plastic-like material is placed at the torn area and over time, it connects with the surrounding tissue to keep future damage from taking place. The harsh reality is that, despite being the first course of treatment, hernia mesh repair is not all that successful in some cases.

A Need for Change

A clinical negligence expert team shares that while some hernia mesh treatments are completed without complication, the problems that can arise after the procedure is performed can be life-altering. Chronic pain is the most cited problem, followed by migration of the mesh to other parts of the body. In some cases, the incision site where the mesh is introduced to the body is a gateway for harmful, difficult-to-treat infections that can rapidly debilitate one’s ability to function. For others, the complications are even more severe, including bowel obstruction and new hernias developing over time.

Whether the hernia mesh treatment complications are mild or severe matters little to the men coming together to find support and encouragement. They have all experienced pushback from medical providers in getting an accurate diagnosis of mesh failure or movement post-procedure, and are now forced to live with the pain and suffering of an inefficient procedure. There is no easy fix to a failed mesh repair surgery, but there are alternative courses of treatment that can and should be recommended. At a minimum, men and women alike with hernias should understand the risks and complications of the treatment option, and they should be offered viable alternatives to ensure their health remains intact after the fact.

State Department: North Korea Killed Kim Jong-nam in Chemical Attack

Diane A. Wade
-
0
State Department: North Korea Killed Kim Jong-nam in Chemical Attack

According to a State Department report, Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed by a chemical attack in Malaysia on the orders of the North Korean government.

Kim Jong-nam died in February 2017 at Kuala Lumpur airport, where two women smeared his face with VX nerve agent.

The two women, who say they believed they were carrying out a prank for a TV show, are on trial for murder.

In response, the US said it would impose new sanctions on North Korea.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: “This public display of contempt for universal norms against chemical weapons use further demonstrates the reckless nature of North Korea and underscores that we cannot afford to tolerate a North Korean WMD program of any kind.”

The US has consistently accused North Korea of being behind the attack on Kim Jong-un’s half-brother.

North Korea denies any involvement.

Kim Jong-nam Murder: Women Suspects Plead Not Guilty in Malaysia Trial

What Is VX Nerve Agent that Killed Kim Jong-nam?

Kim Jong-nam Killed by VX Nerve Agent, Malaysia Toxicology Reports Reveal

The new sanctions, which came into force on Monday (March 5), are largely symbolic, joining a vast array of punitive economic measures the US has taken against North Korea.

The announcement comes a day after a high-level South Korean delegation returned from North Korea where they had cordial meetings with Kim Jong-un.

Capitalizing on warmer ties after the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have arranged a landmark meeting for next month.

It would be the first such meeting for more than a decade and the first since the North Korean leader took power in 2011.

President Donald Trump has said the developments, including North Korea’s suggestion that it might discuss getting rid of its nuclear weapons, “are positive” but might be a “false hope”.

In previous programs to halt its nuclear ambitions, North Korea has failed to keep its promises.

Kim Jong-nam was largely estranged from his family and was bypassed for the leadership in favor of his younger half-brother, Kim Jong-un.

He spent most of his time overseas in Macau, mainland China and Singapore.

Kim Jong-nam had spoken out in the past against his family’s dynastic control of the country and, in a 2012 book, was quoted as saying he believed Kim Jong-un lacked leadership qualities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi34OE-V8GU

McDonald’s to Use Fresh Beef in Burgers Sold at US Restaurants

Nancy Clayson
-
0
McDonald’s to Use Fresh Beef in Burgers Sold at US Restaurants

McDonald’s has started to use fresh beef in burgers sold at its US restaurants.

The fast-food chain is looking to improve food quality and ward off competition from premium burger chains.

Burgers containing fresh beef will be sold at most of McDonald’s 14,000 US restaurants by the end of June.

The move is part of bigger changes at McDonald’s, as new competitors, including burger chains such as Shake Shack, are using fresh ingredients to differentiate themselves.

As part of its turnaround efforts in recent years, McDonald’s has tweaked pricing and added to its menu. The fast-food chain has also ditched ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup in a bid to appeal to health-conscious customers.

Masala Dosa Burger: McDonald’s May Introduce Indian Breakfast Menu

Nutella Burger: McDonald’s Italy Launches Sweety con Nutella

McDonald’s has been testing the appetite for burgers made from fresh beef for about a year. The premium quarter pounder and other offerings are now available at about 3,500 McDonald’s restaurants in the US, including in Miami, Orlando and Nashville.

These products are sold alongside existing burgers made using frozen meat.

Next month, fresh beef burgers will become available at restaurants in Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco.

McDonald’s US president Chris Kempczinski said that offering fresh beef was the most significant change to the restaurant chain’s menu since it started offering all-day breakfast in 2015.

Chris Kempczinski said: “If it slows down the drive-through, that’s the critical part of our business. And so we just had to spend a lot of time really making sure that as we were cooking only when someone ordered, we’d figured out a way to do it that wasn’t going to slow down service time.”

Trump Management Evicted from Panama Hotel In Property Dispute

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Trump Management Evicted from Panama Hotel In Property Dispute

Orestes Fintiklis, the majority owner of the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower in Panama City, has regained control of the building after a legal battle with its management – the Trump Organization.

Within hours of the verdict from a Panamanian court, the luxury hotel’s employees removed the Trump name from its main entrance.

The Cypriot businessman has been fighting to cancel the contract with the Trump Organization, which he blames for a fall in profits.

The Trump Organization said it had appealed against the decision.

Orestes Fintiklis hailed the court’s decision, saying: “Panama has made us proud.

“Today, this dispute has been settled by the judges and the authorities of this country.”

The standoff between Orestes Fintiklis and the management team at the hotel had lasted more than a week.

Image source Wikimedia

Ethics Chief Walter Shaub Criticizes Trump Organization Handover Plan

Donald Trump Jr.’s India Business Trip Raises Eyebrows

On March 5, police and a court official enforced the owner’s claim to the hotel as Trump Organization executives and security staff abandoned the building.

Hotel employees then pried the Trump logo from the entrance.

Tourists later gathered at the spot to have their pictures taken.

The legal battle began last month when Orestes Fintiklis said he intended to force the Trump Organization out before its management contract was up, and to rebrand the hotel.

According to lawsuits filed in the United States, Orestes Fintiklis said the number of guests at the hotel was falling.

For its part, the Trump Organization said Orestes Fintiklis was breaching his contractual commitments.

The Trump Organization said in a statement: “Trump Hotels remains fully confident that it will not only prevail, but recover all of its damages, costs and attorneys’ fees, including those… arising from today’s events.”

5 Methods to Improve Your Health on a Busy Schedule

Dana R
-
0
5 Methods to Improve Your Health on a Busy Schedule

The issue most people face when looking to improve their health isn’t a question of desire; instead, the number one stumbling block to better health is a lack of free time. What with the ever-expanding work day, familial commitments, and maintaining a social life, the modern American has never had more distractions to contend with. So how can you improve your health with such a busy schedule? The good news is, with a little forethought and application, you can fit health-boosting activities into your daily routine with ease. Here are five methods to try out:

Multi-Task

You should explore any opportunity to combine a work task or a social commitment with exercise. So whether you enjoy taking a jog with your partner, or else listening to important work-related resources while at the gym, multi-tasking can help you free up time you’d otherwise not have.

Image result for Eat Right

Eat Right

It’s not the easiest thing to achieve, but adhering to a healthy diet will likely help you lose weight and reduce the risk of certain diseases. And the best part of choosing to eat healthy is that it doesn’t take any extra time –– or effort. This is especially true in an era when vegetarian and vegan options are more plentiful than ever before.

Image result for Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Too many people put off receiving check-ups because they believe themselves to be fully healthy already. Unfortunately, some health-related problems don’t manifest themselves physically until well into their development. It’s in your best interest then to see a professional regularly, and allow them to administer everything from a blood-pressure check to STD tests. Doing so can help you prevent big problems from ever occurring.

Cut out the Commute

If you’re lucky enough to live next to your office, then biking or walking to work is a tremendous way to squeeze in a healthy habit to a busy schedule. But even if you have to drive to work, consider finding errands that are within walking distance and leaving the car in the garage every once in a while. Not only will it be good for you, but it will save you money on gasoline as well!

Work out With Friends

In addition to helping you stay motivated, working out with people close to you will help you synchronize your schedule with those in your social circle. This way, you can begin to develop a routine that works for you. And exercising with friends can help improve your consistency and increase your enjoyment too.

North Korea: Kim Jong-un Hosting Dinner for Two South Korean Delegates

Roy Siemens
-
0
North Korea: Kim Jong-un Hosting Dinner for Two South Korean Delegates

Kim Jong-un is hosting a dinner for two South Korean delegates, the first time officials from Seoul have met the North Korean leader since he took office in 2011, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.

The dinner has been confirmed by a South Korean presidential spokesman.

The South Korean delegation is in Pyongyang for rare talks partly aimed at restarting dialogue between North Korea and the US.

Relations between North Korea and South Korea have warmed following the PyeongChang Winter Games.

In an unprecedented move the delegation includes two ministerial-level envoys – intelligence chief Suh Hoon and National Security adviser Chung Eui-yong.

According to the North Korean state radio, the delegation was met by Ri Son-gwon, North Korea’s reunification chief, who led talks in the weeks before the Winter Olympics.

North Korea Canceled Meeting with VP Mike Pence at Winter Olympics

PyeongChang 2018: South Korean and North Korean Athletes Under Same Flag During Opening Ceremony

During the two-day visit, the South Korean group will focus on establishing conditions for talks aimed at getting rid of North Korea’s nuclear weapons as well as dialogue between the US and Pyongyang.

Chung Eui-yong had earlier told a press briefing he would deliver President Moon Jae-in’s “resolution to maintain the dialogue and improvement in relations between the South and the North… [and] to denuclearize the Korean peninsula”.

On March 3, President Donald Trump said that the US would be prepared to meet North Korea, but reiterated that Pyongyang would first have to “denuke”.

However, North Korea – which has said it wants to talk to the US – said it was “preposterous” for the US to insist on preconditions.

It’s remains unclear who would represent the US in any such meeting.

The top US diplomat on North Korea Joseph Yun announced his decision to retire earlier last week, a departure which could hamper the Trump administration.

The relationship between the US and North Korea were particularly tense before the Winter Olympics, with both countries repeatedly threatening each other with total destruction.

The US has distanced itself from the North Korean overtures during the Games.

VP Mike Pence has said there is “no daylight” between the US and its regional allies on the need to “continue to isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically until they abandon their nuclear and ballistic missile program.

Oscars 2018: Full List of Winners

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Oscars 2018: Full List of Winners

The 90th annual Academy Awards winners, full list:

Best picture

  • Winner: The Shape of Water
  • Call Me By Your Name
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • Get Out
  • Lady Bird
  • Phantom Thread
  • The Post
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best actress

  • Winner: Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water
  • Margot Robbie – I, Tonya
  • Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird
  • Meryl Streep – The Post

Best actor

  • Winner: Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour
  • Timothee Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name
  • Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread
  • Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
  • Denzel Washington – Roman J Israel, Esq

Best supporting actress

  • Winner: Allison Janney – I, Tonya
  • Mary J Blige – Mudbound
  • Lesley Manville – Phantom Thread
  • Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird
  • Octavia Spencer – The Shape of Water

Best supporting actor

  • Winner: Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project
  • Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Richard Jenkins – The Shape of Water
  • Christopher Plummer – All the Money in the World

Best director

  • Winner: The Shape of Water – Guillermo Del Toro
  • Dunkirk – Christopher Nolan
  • Get Out – Jordan Peele
  • Lady Bird – Greta Gerwig
  • Phantom Thread – Paul Thomas Anderson

Oscars 2018: The Shape of Water Wins Four Awards, Including Best Picture

Best adapted screenplay

  • Winner: Call Me By Your Name – screenplay by James Ivory
  • The Disaster Artist – screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H Weber
  • Logan – screenplay by Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green; story by James Mangold
  • Molly’s Game – written for the screen by Aaron Sorkin
  • Mudbound – screenplay by Virgil Williams and Dee Rees

Best original screenplay

  • Winner: Get Out – written by Jordan Peele
  • The Big Sick – written by Emily V Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
  • Lady Bird – written by Greta Gerwig
  • The Shape of Water – screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor; story by Guillermo del Toro
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – written by Martin McDonagh

Best foreign language film

  • Winner: A Fantastic Woman (Chile)
  • The Insult (Lebanon)
  • Loveless (Russia)
  • On Body and Soul (Hungary)
  • The Square (Sweden)

Best original song

  • Winner: Remember Me – Coco (Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez)
  • Mighty River – Mudbound (Mary J Blige, Raphael Saadiq & Taura Stinson)
  • The Mystery of Love – Call Me By Your Name (Sufjan Stevens)
  • Stand Up for Something – Marshall (Common & Diane Warren)
  • This Is Me – The Greatest Showman (Benji Pasek & Justin Paul)

Best original score

  • Winner: The Shape of Water – Alexandre Desplat
  • Dunkirk – Hans Zimmer
  • Phantom Thread – Jonny Greenwood
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – John Williams
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Carter Burwell

Best animated feature

  • Winner: Coco
  • The Boss Baby
  • The Breadwinner
  • Ferdinand
  • Loving Vincent

Best documentary feature

  • Winner: Icarus
  • Abacus
  • Faces Places
  • Last Men in Aleppo
  • Strong Island

Best cinematography

  • Winner: Blade Runner 2049 – Roger Deakins
  • Darkest Hour – Bruno Delbonnel
  • Dunkirk – Hoyte van Hoytema
  • Mudbound – Rachel Morrison
  • The Shape of Water – Dan Laustsen

Best costume design

  • Winner: Phantom Thread – Mark Bridges
  • Beauty and the Beast – Jacqueline Durran
  • Darkest Hour – Jacqueline Durran
  • The Shape of Water – Luis Sequeira
  • Victoria and Abdul – Consolata Boyle

Best make-up and hairstyling

  • Winner: Darkest Hour – Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski & Lucy Sibbick
  • Victoria and Abdul – Daniel Phillips & Lou Sheppard
  • Wonder – Arjen Tuiten

Best production design

  • Winner: The Shape of Water – production design by Paul Denham Austerberry; set decoration by Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin
  • Beauty and the Beast – production design by Sarah Greenwood; set decoration by Katie Spencer
  • Blade Runner 2049 – production design by Dennis Gassner; set decoration by Alessandra Querzola
  • Darkest Hour – production design by Sarah Greenwood; set decoration by Katie Spencer
  • Dunkirk – production design by Nathan Crowley; set decoration by Gary Fettis

Best visual effects

  • Winner: Blade Runner 2049 – John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert & Richard R Hoover
  • Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 2 – Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner & Dan Sudick
  • Kong: Skull Island – Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza & Mike Meinardus
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Neal Scanlan & Chris Corbould
  • War for the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon & Joel Whist

Best film editing

  • Winner: Dunkirk – Lee Smith
  • Baby Driver – Paul Machliss & Jonathan Amos
  • I, Tonya – Tatiana S Riegel
  • The Shape of Water – Sidney Wolinsky
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Jon Gregory

Best sound editing

  • Winner: Dunkirk – Richard King and Alex Gibson
  • Baby Driver – Julian Slater
  • Blade Runner 2049 – Mark Mangini and Theo Green
  • The Shape of Water – Nathan Robitaille and Nelson Ferreira
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce

Best sound mixing

  • Winner: Dunkirk – Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A Rizzo
  • Baby Driver – Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin and Mary H Ellis
  • Blade Runner 2049 – Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill and Mac Ruth
  • The Shape of Water – Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern and Glen Gauthier
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Stuart Wilson

Best animated short

  • Winner: Dear Basketball
  • Garden Party
  • Lou
  • Negative Space
  • Revolting Rhymes

Best live action short

  • Winner: The Silent Child
  • DeKalb Elementary
  • The Eleven O’Clock
  • My Nephew Emmet
  • Watu Wote/All of Us

Best documentary short

  • Winner: Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405
  • Edith + Eddie
  • Heroin(e)
  • Knife Skills
  • Traffic Stop

Oscars 2018: The Shape of Water Wins Four Awards, Including Best Picture

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Oscars 2018: The Shape of Water Wins Four Awards, Including Best Picture

The Shape of Water was the biggest winner at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles with four Oscars, including best picture.

Frances McDormand won best actress for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and persuaded every female nominee to stand with her in a night full of statements about inclusion.

Gary Oldman was named best actor for playing Winston Churchill in World War Two epic Darkest Hour.

In her acceptance speech, Frances McDormand put her Oscar on the floor in front of her and addressed executives as the female nominees got to their feet.

Her request came amid a push for greater equality in film – especially in the wake of the Hollywood harassment scandal.

Frances McDormand finished her speech with the words: “I have two words to leave you with tonight – inclusion rider.”

She received a rousing reception for her best actress win, which came for playing a vengeance-seeking mother who is let down by the authorities after her daughter is raped and murdered.

It’s Frances McDormand’s second Oscar, 21 years after her first for Fargo.

The ceremony also marked the Me Too and Time’s Up campaigns with a segment presented by Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Annabella Sciorra, who have all accused Harvey Weinstein of harassment or assault.

Oscars 2018 Nominations: Full List

Host Jimmy Kimmel addressed the issue head-on in his opening monologue, saying the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, and the reforms that had begun since, had not come soon enough.

He said: “What happened with Harvey and what’s happening all over was long overdue.

“We can’t let bad behavior slide any more. The world is watching us.”

Accepting his first ever Oscar, Gary Oldman mentioned his 98-year-old mother, among other people, telling her: “Thank you for your love and support. Put the kettle on. I’m bringing Oscar home.”

Guillermo del Toro won best director for The Shape of Water, which stars Sally Hawkins as a mute cleaning lady who has a relationship with a mysterious river-dwelling creature. It led the Oscar race with 13 nominations.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who announced the wrong best picture winner in 2017, returned to present the same award this time.

Get Out won best original screenplay for its writer-director Jordan Peele.

Jordan Peele is the first black winner of the award and hailed a “renaissance” moment in Hollywood.

Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk won three awards in the technical categories.

Lady Bird and The Post were among the films that were left empty-handed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-86vgvZGMs4

Davide Astori Death: Italian Soccer Star and Fiorentina Captain Dies Aged 31

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Davide Astori Death: Italian Soccer Star and Fiorentina Captain Dies Aged 31

Italian soccer star and Fiorentina captain Davide Astori has died at the age of 31.

Davide Astori died following a “sudden illness”, Fiorentina confirmed on their official Twitter feed.

The club said in its statement: “Fiorentina are profoundly shocked to have to announce the death of captain Davide Astori after a sudden illness.

“Given this terrible and delicate situation we appeal to everyone’s sensitivity at this time, above all out of respect for his family.”

The soccer team was scheduled to play Udinese in Serie A on March 4 but the game and all other Serie A fixtures were called off.

Image source Wikimedia

Brazil Chapecoense Soccer Team in Colombia Plane Crash

Liberia Elections 2017: Soccer Legend George Weah Wins Presidency

Davide Astori, capped 14 times by Italy, joined the club in 2016 from Cagliari and had made 58 appearances for them.

Cagliari postponed their game against Genoa on March 4.

Davide Astori, who leaves a wife and two-year-old daughter, came through the youth system at AC Milan before joining Cagliari in 2008.

The defender spent eight years at the club and had loan spells at Roma and Fiorentina before moving permanently to the latter two years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0DJFonnEZQ

Oscars 2018 Nominations: Full List

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Oscars 2018 Nominations: Full List

The full list of nominees for the 90th Academy Awards.

Best picture

  • Call Me By Your Name
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • Get Out
  • Lady Bird
  • Phantom Thread
  • The Post
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best actress

  • Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water
  • Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Margot Robbie – I, Tonya
  • Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird
  • Meryl Streep – The Post

Best actor

  • Timothee Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name
  • Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread
  • Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
  • Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour
  • Denzel Washington – Roman J Israel, Esq

Best supporting actress

  • Mary J Blige – Mudbound
  • Allison Janney – I, Tonya
  • Lesley Manville – Phantom Thread
  • Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird
  • Octavia Spencer – The Shape of Water

Best supporting actor

  • Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project
  • Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Richard Jenkins – The Shape of Water
  • Christopher Plummer – All the Money in the World
  • Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best director

  • Dunkirk – Christopher Nolan
  • Get Out – Jordan Peele
  • Lady Bird – Greta Gerwig
  • Phantom Thread – Paul Thomas Anderson
  • The Shape of Water – Guillermo Del Toro

#MeToo: Casey Affleck Pulls Out of Oscars Following Harassment Allegations

Best adapted screenplay

  • Call Me By Your Name – screenplay by James Ivory
  • The Disaster Artist – screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H Weber
  • Logan – screenplay by Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green; story by James Mangold
  • Molly’s Game – written for the screen by Aaron Sorkin
  • Mudbound – screenplay by Virgil Williams and Dee Rees

Best original screenplay

  • The Big Sick – written by Emily V Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
  • Get Out – written by Jordan Peele
  • Lady Bird – written by Greta Gerwig
  • The Shape of Water – screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor; story by Guillermo del Toro
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – written by Martin McDonagh

Best foreign language film

  • A Fantastic Woman (Chile)
  • The Insult (Lebanon)
  • Loveless (Russia)
  • On Body and Soul (Hungary)
  • The Square (Sweden)

Best original song

  • Mighty River – Mudbound (Mary J Blige, Raphael Saadiq & Taura Stinson)
  • The Mystery of Love – Call Me By Your Name (Sufjan Stevens)
  • Remember Me – Coco (Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez)
  • Stand Up for Something – Marshall (Common & Diane Warren)
  • This Is Me – The Greatest Showman (Benji Pasek & Justin Paul)

Best original score

  • Dunkirk – Hans Zimmer
  • Phantom Thread – Jonny Greenwood
  • The Shape of Water – Alexandre Desplat
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – John Williams
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Carter Burwell

Best animated feature

  • The Boss Baby
  • The Breadwinner
  • Coco
  • Ferdinand
  • Loving Vincent

Best documentary feature

  • Abacus
  • Faces Places
  • Icarus
  • Last Men in Aleppo
  • Strong Island

Best cinematography

  • Blade Runner 2049 – Roger Deakins
  • Darkest Hour – Bruno Delbonnel
  • Dunkirk – Hoyte van Hoytema
  • Mudbound – Rachel Morrison
  • The Shape of Water – Dan Laustsen

Best costume design

  • Beauty and the Beast – Jacqueline Durran
  • Darkest Hour – Jacqueline Durran
  • Phantom Thread – Mark Bridges
  • The Shape of Water – Luis Sequeira
  • Victoria and Abdul – Consolata Boyle

Best make-up and hairstyling

  • Darkest Hour – Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski & Lucy Sibbick
  • Victoria and Abdul – Daniel Phillips & Lou Sheppard
  • Wonder – Arjen Tuiten

Best production design

  • Beauty and the Beast – production design by Sarah Greenwood; set decoration by Katie Spencer
  • Blade Runner 2049 – production design by Dennis Gassner; set decoration by Alessandra Querzola
  • Darkest Hour – production design by Sarah Greenwood; set decoration by Katie Spencer
  • Dunkirk – production design by Nathan Crowley; set decoration by Gary Fettis
  • The Shape of Water – production design by Paul Denham Austerberry; set decoration by Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin

Best visual effects

  • Blade Runner 2049 – John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert & Richard R Hoover
  • Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 2 – Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner & Dan Sudick
  • Kong: Skull Island – Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza & Mike Meinardus
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Neal Scanlan & Chris Corbould
  • War for the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon & Joel Whist

Best film editing

  • Baby Driver – Paul Machliss & Jonathan Amos
  • Dunkirk – Lee Smith
  • I, Tonya – Tatiana S Riegel
  • The Shape of Water – Sidney Wolinsky
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Jon Gregory

Best sound editing

  • Baby Driver – Julian Slater
  • Blade Runner 2049 – Mark Mangini and Theo Green
  • Dunkirk – Richard King and Alex Gibson
  • The Shape of Water – Nathan Robitaille and Nelson Ferreira
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce

Best sound mixing

  • Baby Driver – Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin and Mary H Ellis
  • Blade Runner 2049 – Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill and Mac Ruth
  • Dunkirk – Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A Rizzo
  • The Shape of Water – Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern and Glen Gauthier
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi – David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Stuart Wilson

Best animated short

  • Dear Basketball
  • Garden Party
  • Lou
  • Negative Space
  • Revolting Rhymes

Best live action short

  • DeKalb Elementary
  • The Eleven O’Clock
  • My Nephew Emmet
  • The Silent Child
  • Watu Wote/All of Us

Best documentary short

  • Edith + Eddie
  • Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405
  • Heroin(e)
  • Knife Skills
  • Traffic Stop

Razzies 2018: Emoji Movie Given Four Golden Raspberry Titles, Including Worst Picture

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Razzies 2018: Emoji Movie Given Four Golden Raspberry Titles, Including Worst Picture

The Emoji Movie has swept the board at Hollywood’s Razzie awards, which highlight the year’s worst films.

The animated film starring James Corden and Patrick Stewart was given four Golden Raspberry titles, including worst picture, director and screenplay.

In a statement, Razzies organizers branded The Emoji Movie a “talking poop opus”.

Tom Cruise was named worst actor for his performance in the reboot of The Mummy.

The Mummy was poorly reviewed by critics, who described it as “empty headed” and “one-note”.

Image source Wikipedia

Golden Globes 2018: Anti-Harassment Speeches Dominate Awards Ceremony

Mel Gibson was named the worst supporting actor for the comedy Daddy’s Home 2.

In 1990, Donald Trump won the title for his cameo in Ghosts Can’t Do It.

The worst actress award was given to Tyler Perry for his performance as an elderly woman in Boo 2: A Medea Halloween.

Tyler Perry was nominated for the same award last year.

Worst supporting actress was

Kim Basinger was named worst supporting actress for her performance in Fifty Shades Darker. The movie is the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey which won four Razzies in 2016.

The Razzies ceremony is held in Los Angeles every year, the day before the Academy Awards.

Organizers lampoon the nominees, voted for by the public, in a series of comedy sketches and show tunes.

Ahead of the awards, organizers said 87 of the top-earning 100 films in 2017 were “sequels, remakes or rip-offs”.

Donald Trump Threatens to Apply A Retaliatory Tax on EU Cars

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Donald Trump Threatens to Apply A Retaliatory Tax on EU Cars

President Donald Trump has threatened to “apply a tax” on imports of cars from the European Union.

He said other countries had taken advantage of the US for years because of its “very stupid” trade deals.

The trade wrangle began on March 1 when President Trump vowed to impose hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

That brought a stiff response from trading partners and criticism from the IMF and WTO.

EU trade chiefs have reportedly been considering slapping 25% tariffs on around $3.5 billion of imports from the US, following President Trump’s proposal of a 25% tariff on imported steel and 10% on aluminum.

According to European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker, they would target iconic US exports including Levi’s jeans, Harley-Davidson motorbikes and Bourbon whisky.

In a tweet on March 3, President said: “If the EU wants to further increase their already massive tariffs and barriers on US companies doing business there, we will simply apply a Tax on their Cars which freely pour into the US.

“They make it impossible for our cars (and more) to sell there. Big trade imbalance!”

Donald Trump Tax Plan Proposal: Sharp Reduction in Business Tax Rate

Donald Trump Threatens 35% Tax on US Companies that Move Jobs Overseas

Image source Flickr

A second tweet decried the “$800 Billion Dollar Yearly Trade Deficit because of our ‘very stupid’ trade deals and policies”.

The president added: “Our jobs and wealth are being given to other countries that have taken advantage of us for years. They laugh at what fools our leaders have been. No more!”

The US is the largest export market for EU cars – making up 25% of the €192 billion ($237 billion) worth of motor vehicles the bloc exported in 2016.

In the same year, China was second largest market with 16%.

Germany is responsible for just over half of the EU’s car exports, so new US tariffs would hurt the car industry there. However, German auto makers also build hundreds of thousands of cars in the US every year – providing many US jobs that German officials say President Trump overlooks.

A number of Republicans have questioned the wisdom of the tariff proposal and have been urging President Trump to reconsider.

Senator Orrin Hatch said: “I’m very surprised, he’s had very bad advice from somebody down there. The people who are going to have to pay these tariffs are going to be the American citizens.”

Senator Ben Sasse also said: “Kooky 18th Century protectionism will jack up prices on American families – and will prompt retaliation.”

The US Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association have expressed deep concern, saying the benefits from the recent cuts in corporation tax “could all be for naught”.

However, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross stood firmly behind the plans, saying the president was “fed up with the continued over-capacity, he’s fed up with the subsidization of exports to us”.

The new tariffs chime with President Trump’s “America First” policy and the narrative that the US is getting a raw deal in its trade relations with other countries.

On March 2, President Trump tweeted that the US was “losing billions of dollars” and would find a trade war “easy to win”.

He is using a clause in international trade rules which allows for tariffs for national security reasons.

President Trump had already announced tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in January.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Daqs4wzRPo0

Europe Freeze Death Toll Rises to More than 60

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Europe Freeze Death Toll Rises to More than 60

According to officials, the death toll from cold weather has risen to more than 60 across Europe, with at least 23 casualties in Poland alone amid sub-zero temperatures.

Meanwhile most transport and flights have been suspended in Ireland where thousands were left without power.

Several countries continued to face disruption caused by snow and ice.

The unusually cold spell brought by a Siberian weather system was being felt as far south as the Mediterranean.

The system has been given various nicknames – in the UK it is “the Beast from the East”, while the Dutch call it the “Siberian bear” and Swedes the “snow cannon”.

It met Storm Emma on March 1, causing blizzards and strong winds in parts of England, Wales and Ireland.

Army forces were called in to help the civilian workforce in both Britain and Ireland.

Some rail services operated by Eurostar between London, Paris and Brussels were suspended.

Image source Max Pixel

Europe Freeze: Cold Weather Kills at Least 20 Across Continent

Geneva airport was also temporarily shut, but has since reopened – warning that further delays and cancellations should be expected.

In parts of central Italy, ice forced the closure of several roads and railways.

On March 2, at least 4 people were killed in an avalanche near the ski resort of Entraunes in the French Alps.

In Ukraine, all schools and universities were told to close in an effort to save gas, after its Russian supplier refused to deliver more fuel.

Russian energy giant Gazprom said it was severing its contracts with Ukraine after a Stockholm court ruled against it in a long-running legal battle.

In Poland, most of the victims were rough sleepers.

The deaths are partially attributed to a combination of the severe cold and alcohol consumption by homeless people, who drink hoping to warm up.

The night time temperature has been -15C (5F) all week in Warsaw.

Over the past week, the cold weather has killed seven in Slovakia, six in the Czech Republic, five each in Lithuania and France (excluding the avalanche victims) and at least three in Spain, according to AFP.

Romania, Serbia, Italy and Slovenia have all counted two deaths each, while one person has died in Britain. The Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway each also recorded one weather-related death.

5 Ways To Make Funeral Costs Affordable

Dana R
-
0
5 Ways To Make Funeral Costs Affordable

Image Source

Want to give your loved one a worthy funeral, but can’t afford it? For those that don’t leave behind a funeral fund or take out life insurance, the cost of funeral arrangement falls to those left behind. Funerals are expensive, often costing several thousands, however there are ways to bring down these costs. Here are just five ways to make a funeral more affordable.

Take out a funeral loan

One option of paying for funeral costs could be to take out a loan. There are 0% APR funeral loans out there, which can prevent you having to pay out interest. These loans may still require you to have a good credit score, so bear this in mind. Getting in debt over funeral costs isn’t ideal, but could help you to afford the funeral that your loved one deserves.

Collect quotes from multiple funeral directors

Funeral companies all charge different rates. Like any other business, some may offer competitive limited offer deals to draw in customers. It’s worth collecting quotes from multiple funeral companies to find the cheapest deal. You may even be able to negotiate with funeral directors and get a price match.

Shop for urns and caskets online

Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy caskets and urns separately online rather than buying them through a company. Not only could it be cheaper, you’ll also have more variety to choose from. It’s worth getting to grips with the terminology – people will pay a lot of money for gasketed caskets made of certain materials with fabric inner lining. Weigh up whether any of this is really necessary, especially if your loved one is having a cremation.

Know your legal rights

There are a lot of laws regarding funerals that are worth reading up on. For example, a body has to be disposed of, whether its buried or cremated or donated to science, but a funeral ceremony is not a legal requirement. There are lots of laws requiring what funeral homes can offer you. This is worth looking into if you feel like you’re being pushed into making a decision. On top of this, it’s worth taking into account the legal implications of someone’s death. You may be able to get legal help in claiming compensation if the death was the result of someone else’s wrongdoing (i.e. a car accident). There may also be money that you can access belonging to the deceased person that could be used for funeral costs. A probate solicitor may be able to help you with all of this.

Get other people to chip in

If you can’t afford the funeral costs single-handedly, consider asking the other people around you to make a small contribution. In most cases, people will be more than willing to chip in. This could help you to afford a funeral without having to skimp or get into debt.

1...135136137...1,243Page 136 of 1,243