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Manhattan Truck Attack: Suspect Sayfullo Saipov Appears in Court

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Sayfullo Saipov, the main suspect in the Manhattan truck attack that left eight people dead, says he intended to kill as many people as possible during Halloween celebrations.

The 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant, told investigators he “felt good” about the attack, which he had been planning for a year.

Sayfullo Saipov, who faces federal terrorism charges, says he was inspired by ISIS. He was shot and injured by police at the scene.

President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: “NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!”

Image source St. Charles County Department of Corrections

Manhattan Truck Attack: Suspect Sayfullo Saipov Was Inspired by ISIS

Manhattan Truck Attack: At Least Eight People Killed and Numerous Injured

The charges filed against Sayfullo Saipov are federal, which means the government can override New York state’s ban on capital punishment.

Sayfullo Saipov appeared in court in a wheelchair 24 hours after mowing down cyclists and pedestrians on a bike lane in Lower Manhattan on October 31.

Six people died at the scene and two more in hospital. Twelve people were injured, four of whom remain in critical condition.

Prosecutors say Sayfullo Saipov spoke freely to them, waiving his right to avoid self-incrimination while in custody.

According to federal court papers, the suspect said the attack was planned two months ago, and he carried out a trial run with a rental truck last month. He intentionally chose Halloween because he believed there would be more people in the streets. Sayfullo Saipov originally planned to target the Brooklyn Bridge as well and he wanted to display ISIS flags on the truck, but decided not to draw attention to himself.

Sayfullo Saipov was inspired by 90 propaganda videos found on his phone – in particular, one in which ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asks what Muslims are doing to avenge deaths in Iraq.

He is also accused of providing material support and resources to ISIS.

Why ERP Could Act as Your Nerve Center of the Business

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is about bringing all the components of your business together to improve functionality and efficiency, all of which could have a positive impact on your bottom line.

Here is an overview of what ERP is all about together with a look at how it could improve your supply chain strategy and have a positive impact on other aspects of your business, helping you make more informed decisions and reduce wastage.

Understanding the process

Although ERP tends to benefit manufacturing businesses in particular, it is a process that offers a number of streamlining and integration advantages that could benefit many different types of companies if they adopt the principles of the system.

In basic terms, ERP is a description of the process which you use as a virtual nerve center of your business by bringing together all the various components of your operation such as purchasing, sales, inventory, sales and marketing, finance and HR, in a way that allows you to see the whole picture of your setup from one resource rather than individually by department.

Image result for ERP business

The basis of your software system

A good way of looking at what ERP delivers is to see it as the hub that helps you to bring each department together into a centralized communication system.

A software system can be created around the basic principles of ERP and this will make it easier for each part of your business to share information and communicate more easily with each other.

Collating all the data from each department and putting it in one central place has obvious advantages in terms of efficiency and decision-making, as you can see how each decision or activity can impact other areas of the business and overall.

The usefulness of a software system that can update a purchase you make from an online store, for example, and then simultaneously update your inventory, finance records and purchase ledger, is easy to see when it is setup correctly for your business. You can order management software here.

Applying the principles

The analogy about ERP representing the nerve center of your business is no coincidence, as the original system was developed to mimic the functions of the human central nervous system.

If you take that idea and run with it you should be able to create your own system that standardizes and automates certain processes so that you can get access to meaningful data and free up key people to focus on other aspects of the business.

What you get out of a system like ERP depends mainly on what information you put in and how you format that data, but done properly, it can provide some valuable insights into where savings could be made and which parts of the business are most profitable.

Having valuable sales and costings information at your fingertips could make a noticeable difference to how you drive your business forward and if ERP can help you do that, it is worth looking at.

Manhattan Truck Attack: Suspect Sayfullo Saipov Was Inspired by ISIS

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Sayfullo Saipov, the man accused of killing 8 people in Lower Manhattan by driving a truck down a cycle lane, was inspired by ISIS, police say.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller said that notes in Arabic claiming the attack on behalf of ISIS were recovered from the scene of the attack in New York.

Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant, was shot and injured by police.

The suspect is in hospital and under arrest.

John Miller said: “Based on the investigation overnight, it appears that Mr. Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks.

“He did this in the name of ISIS, and along with the other items recovered at the scene was some notes that further indicate that.

“He appears to have followed almost exactly to a ‘T’ the instructions that ISIS has put out in its social media channels before, with instructions to their followers on how to carry out such an attack.”

One of the notes said “the Islamic State would endure forever”, the deputy commissioner added.

Image source Fox News

Manhattan Truck Attack: At Least Eight People Killed and Numerous Injured

Stockholm: Truck Attack Kills at Least Four People

Nice Truck Attack: At Least 84 Killed And More Than 50 Injured

Police have sealed off Sayfullo Saipov’s home in Paterson, New Jersey, and are searching the premises.

ISIS has suffered a series of military setbacks in Syria and Iraq in recent months as US-backed forces take back territory the group considers its “caliphate”.

NYC has increased the police presence at key transport hubs, and there will be additional uniformed and plain-clothes police on duty at Sunday’s New York Marathon.

President Donald Trump said he was taking steps to end the diversity lottery program – the immigration system under which the suspect entered the country.

The president also attacked the US justice system, and said he would consider sending the suspect to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“We also have to come up with punishment that’s far quicker and far greater than the punishment these animals are getting right now,” he said.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have both praised the resilience of New Yorkers – and urged people not to “politicize” a tragedy that took eight lives.

Andrew Cuomo said the attacker was believed to have acted alone, telling reporters: “He is a depraved coward, is what he is, and he was associated with ISIS, and he was radicalized domestically.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Cuomo also suggested New York’s strict gun control laws had ensured that high-powered weapons could not get into the hands of terrorists.

Sayfullo Saipov rented the truck from a New Jersey branch of retailer Home Depot on October 31 before driving to NYC and entering the bike lane, police said.

Video cameras show the truck driving at very high speed, appearing to target bike riders and pedestrians.

Kevin Spacey Facing New Allegations of Assault

A number of men are now accusing Kevin Spacey of assault following Anthony Rapp’s revelation.

Director Tony Montana claims he was groped by Kevin Spacey in a Los Angeles bar in 2003.

The filmmaker says he was left with PTSD for six months following the incident.

It follows an allegation made by Anthony Rapp that Kevin Spacey tried to “seduce” him when he was 14 years old.

Kevin Spacey says he has no recollection of that incident, and was “beyond horrified”.

Tony Montana told Radar Online that he was in his thirties when the incident took place at the Coronet Bar in LA.

The director says he removed Kevin Spacey’s hand from his body and walked away, but claims the actor later followed him into the men’s toilets.

Image source Flickr

House of Cards Production Suspended Following Kevin Spacey Assault Scandal

Kevin Spacey Reveals He Is Living as Gay Man While Apologizes to Anthony Rapp

Linda Louise Culkin: Kevin Spacey stalker sentenced to four years in jail

Incidents regarding Kevin Spacey are also alleged to have taken place in the UK while the Oscar-winning was the artistic director at the Old Vic in London between 2004 and 2015.

Roberto Cavazos, who acted in several plays at the theater, claims Kevin Spacey “routinely preyed” on young male actors.

The Mexican actor wrote in a Facebook post: “It seems the only requirement was to be a male under the age of 30 for Mr. Spacey to feel free to touch us.”

Roberto Cavazos said he fended off two “unpleasant” advances from Kevin Spacey that “bordered on harassment”, but that others were afraid to do so.

“There are a lot of us who have a <<Kevin Spacey story>>,” he says.

The Old Vic has set up a confidential complaints process for anyone connected to the 200-year-old theater to come forward.

The theater said in a statement: “We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment without prejudice, harassment or bullying of any sort, at any level.”

Separately, British Daniel Beal claims Kevin Spacey exposed himself to him in 2010, when he was working at a hotel in West Sussex.

The former bartender, then 19-year-old, claims Kevin Spacey also invited him up to his room, but he rejected the star’s advances.

Daniel Beal says the actor gave him his £5,000 watch later that same evening, and a few weeks later called him asking to meet up.

He told the Sun: “In hindsight, that must have been grooming. He was just like his character in House Of Cards – seedy and a bit weird.”

Meanwhile, House of Cards’ production has been suspended following the assault allegations against Kevin Spacey.

House of Cards was already due to end after season 6, but production is now suspended “until further notice”.

Kevin Spacey has also been dropped as the recipient of a special Emmy award he was due to receive next month.

The International TV Academy said in a statement that it was withdrawing the International Emmy Founders Award “in light of recent events”.

Donald Trump Plays Down George Papadopoulos’ Role in His Campaign

President Donald Trump has played down the importance of his former campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who was indicted in the Russia inquiry.

The president said his onetime foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos was a “low level volunteer” and “liar”.

However, Donald Trump once called George Papadopoulos an “excellent guy”.

George Papadopoulos, 30, this month pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his Russia-related contacts.

Image source Twitter

Robert Mueller Investigation: Donald Trump’s Campaign Adviser George Papadopoulos Lied About Russia Links

Paul Manafort: FBI Wiretapped Donald Trump’s Campaign Chairman

Paul Manafort Allegedly Hid $750,000 Payment Made by Ukrainian Party

Two other ex-aides have been charged as part of the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

Former campaign chief Paul Manafort and Rick Gates appeared in court on October 30 to deny charges including money laundering.

In his October 31 tweets, President Trump attempted to deflect scrutiny on to the Democratic Party, or his tax reform proposals.

The president wrote on Twitter: “The Fake News is working overtime. As Paul Manaforts [sic] lawyer said, there was ‘no collusion’ and events mentioned took place long before he came to the campaign.”

However, the indictment alleges Paul Manafort and Rick Gates conspired financial crimes from 2006-17, which does include the period over the summer when Manafort served as manager for the Trump campaign.

The president’s tweets continue: “Few people knew the young, low level volunteer named George, who has already proven to be a liar. Check the DEMS!”

George Papadopoulos appears in a photo that Donald Trump tweeted of himself in March 2016 hosting a national security meeting with his foreign policy team.

Catalonia Crisis: Spain’s High Court Summons Carles Puigdemont

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puidgemont and 13 other members of his dismissed government have been summoned to appear in Spain’s high court later this week.

The court also gave them three days to pay a deposit of €6.2 million to cover potential liabilities.

The summons comes after Spain’s chief prosecutor said he would press charges including rebellion.

Carles Puigdemont is in Belgium with several former ministers. He earlier said he was not there to seek asylum.

Catalonia’s dismissed president triggered a crisis in Spain by holding an independence referendum on October 1 in the semi-autonomous region despite Madrid’s opposition and the Constitutional Court declaring the vote illegal.

Image source Wikimedia

Catalonia Independence: Madrid Calls on Carles Puigdemont to Participate in Elections

Catalonia Independence Referendum: Carles Puigdemont Says Spanish Region Won Right to Statehood

Spain Suspends Catalonia’s Autonomy and Takes Charge of Its Government

Carles Puigdemont turned up in Brussels on October 30 as Spanish Attorney-General José Manuel Maza called for Catalan leaders to face charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds.

The Audiencia National has now summoned the dismissed Catalan officials – who are yet to be formally charged – to testify on November 2 and 3. If they do not appear, prosecutors could order their arrest.

Meanwhile, the speaker of Catalan’s dissolved parliament Carme Forcadell and other former lawmakers have been summoned to the Supreme Court because they still have parliamentary immunity.

Carles Puigdemont earlier said he would return to Spain if guaranteed a fair hearing.

Several of Carles Puigdemont’s former colleagues who remain inside the country may decide to accept the summons and appear in court.

Prosecutors’ arguments against the group were “serious, rational and logical”, Judge Carmen Lamela said in a ruling, according to the AFP.

The charge of rebellion carries a maximum 30-year jail term.

Speaking at a press conference earlier on October 31, Carles Puigdemont said he was not trying to escape justice by travelling to Belgium but wanted to be able to speak freely.

Carles Puigdemont’s comments came as Spain’s constitutional court suspended the declaration of independence made by the Catalan parliament on October 27.

The former leader also said he would accept the result of snap elections in Catalonia on December 21, which were called by Spain’s central government after it invoked Article 155 of the constitution, temporarily suspending the region’s autonomy.

He told reporters: “I want a clear commitment from the state. Will the state respect the results that could give separatist forces a majority?”

Spain’s central government has previously said Carles Puigdemont is welcome to take part in the fresh polls.

Rose McGowan Facing Arrest for Drug Possession

Rose McGowan is facing arrest for possession of a controlled substance.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the actress following an investigation into belongings left on a United Airlines flight from LA to Washington Dulles airport in January.

The belongings reportedly belonged to Rose McGowan and had traces of a controlled substance.

Washington police obtained the warrant on February 1, spokesman Rob Yingling said.

The authorities say they have been trying to contact Rose McGowan so she can appear in court in Virginia.

Image source Wikimedia

Rose McGowan Accuses Harvey Weinstein of Raping Her

Harvey Weinstein’s Former Assistant Claims She Was Paid for Silence

Rose McGowan, 44, is among the most prominent accusers of Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul facing multiple allegations of assault and harassment.

Writing on Twitter on October 30, Rose McGowan hit out at the arrest warrant, asking: “Are they trying to silence me?”

Rose McGowan has accused Harvey Weinstein of raping her at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997. She received a $100,000 settlement after the incident, according to a New York Times report.

Through a spokesperson, Harvey Weinstein has denied any non-consensual contacts.

According to the New York Times, someone approached Rose McGowan’s lawyer in September to offer $1 million in exchange for her signature on a nondisclosure agreement regarding Harvey Weinstein’s conduct.

Rose McGowan told the Times she countered with a request for $6 million, but withdrew the counter-offer when the newspaper published allegations against Harvey Weinstein from several women.

Manhattan Truck Attack: At Least Eight People Killed and Numerous Injured

A truck mowed down people on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan killing at least eight people.

A man who emerged from the vehicle brandishing imitation guns was shot and arrested by police officers.

Police urged people to avoid the area as a major emergency services operation got under way.

NYPD describe the incident as a terror attack, with reports saying the FBI is now leading the investigation.

Image source Fox News

Stockholm: Truck Attack Kills at Least Four People

Jerusalem Truck Attack: Four Israeli Soldiers Killed and 17 Others Wounded

Nice Truck Attack: At Least 84 Killed And More Than 50 Injured

One witness, identified as “Eugene,” told ABC Channel 7 that he saw a white pick-up truck driving fast down the cycle path alongside the West Side Highway, near Stuyvesant High School, at full speed and hitting a number of people.

The witness also reported hearing about nine or 10 shots.

In a series of tweets, the NYPD described what happened:

“Earlier a vehicle entered the West St. pedestrian/bike path a few blocks north of Chambers St.

“The vehicle struck multiple people on the path. There are several fatalities and numerous people injured.

“The vehicle continued south striking another vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle displaying imitation firearms & was shot by NYPD

“The suspect is in custody. This is preliminary, more information to follow.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMbkte2Bo6E

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House of Cards Production Suspended Following Kevin Spacey Assault Scandal

House of Cards production will be suspended following assault allegations against Kevin Spacey.

Kevin Spacey, who stars in the political drama, has been accused of making inappropriate advances to14-year-old actor Anthony Rapp.

The Netflix show had already said it would end after the 6th season, but now say they will permanently “suspend production”.

Meanwhile, London’s Old Vic theater, where Kevin Spacey worked for 11 years say they are “deeply dismayed” by the allegations.

The 200-year-old theater has set up a confidential complaints process for anyone connected to the Old Vic to come forward.

The Old Vic said in a statement: “We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment without prejudice, harassment or bullying of any sort, at any level.”

The decision to end House of Cards was announced in a joint statement by Netflix and Media Rights Capital (MRC), a production company that makes the series.

The statement said: “MRC and Netflix have decided to suspend production on House of Cards season six, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.”

Image source Wikimedia

Kevin Spacey Reveals He Is Living as Gay Man While Apologizes to Anthony Rapp

House of Cards Season 3 leaked on Netflix two weeks ahead its release

The announcement comes after Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of inappropriately touching him when he was 14 years old.

Kevin Spacey, who is also executive director of House of Cards, said he owed Anthony Rapp, now 46, a “sincere apology” for what he said would have been “deeply inappropriate drunken behavior”.

The Oscar-winning actor also announced that he was now living “as a gay man”, but he has been widely criticized for choosing this moment to come out.

On October 30, producers said House of Cards would end after its 6th season, which they recently began filming at a studio near Baltimore.

A Netflix representative said the decision to end the series in 2018 had been made months ago.

However, according to Variety magazine, producers are considering a spin-off series.

House of Cards first debuted in 2013 and gathered nine Emmy nominations in the first season, becoming the first online streaming series to win such mainstream accolades.

Russian-Planted Facebook Posts Seen by 126 Million American Users

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As many as 126 million American Facebook users may have seen content uploaded by Russia-based operatives over the past two years, the social networking site said.

According to Facebook, about 80,000 posts were produced before and after the 2016 US presidential election.

Most of the posts focused on divisive social and political messages.

Facebook released the figures ahead of a Senate hearing where it – together with Twitter and Google – will detail Russia’s impact on the social networks.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations that it attempted to influence the last US presidential election, in which Republican Donald Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In a separate major development on October 30, an investigation by independent counsel Robert Mueller into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia produced its first charges against three former aides, and a guilty plea.

Photo Getty Images

Robert Mueller Investigation: Donald Trump’s Campaign Adviser George Papadopoulos Lied About Russia Links

Russia Election Hacking: First Charges Filed in Robert Mueller’s Investigation

Trump Vows To “Move Forward” In Relations With Russia

President Donald Trump has dismissed allegations of collusion with Russia, and has repeatedly called on Hillary Clinton to be investigated.

The latest figures released by Facebook have been seen by Reuters and the Washington Post.

The 80,000 posts were published between June 2015 and August 2017.

According to Facebook, they were posted by a Russian company linked to the Kremlin.

Reuters reports that Facebook’s general counsel Colin Stretch said: “These actions run counter to Facebook’s mission of building community and everything we stand for.

“And we are determined to do everything we can to address this new threat.”

The Washington Post reported on October 30 that Google revealed that Russian trolls uploaded more than 1,000 videos on YouTube on 18 different channels.

Meanwhile, Twitter found and suspended all 2,752 accounts that it had tracked to Russia-based Internet Research Agency, a source familiar with the company’s written testimony was quoted as saying by Reuters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QcqqW-rqq4

5 Ways to Nourish Your Skin Using Oil

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So, you want to look at the options that you have when it comes to keeping your skin as healthy as it can be. Thankfully, there are many different ways that you can utilize essential oils and other oils in order to keep everything in order. Here’s a quick look at 5 of the best oils that you can use in order to keep your skin in the best shape possible.

 Need to Cleanse Your Skin? Try Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is known for having cleansing and detoxification properties, which is why many people will use it as a part of their cooking. Consider using it as a part of your skin cleansing routine and you will find that the dry skin issues that you may have been dealing with are much more controllable than they may have been in the past.

Utilize Coconut Oil to Get Rid of Dry Skin Issues

Many people have a lot of problems with dry skin, which can actually result in wrinkles if you aren’t careful. So, you want to make sure that you take some time to moisturize your skin and Coconut Oil can be a great product that will help you to get a bit of life back into your skin yet again.

Image source Public Domain Pictures

Try Using CBD Oil On a Regular Basis

Lately, many people are asking about CBD Oil – What Is It and How It Can Help You. The fact is, CBD oil, which is from the hemp plant, can do your skin a lot of good. It can rejuvenate dry skin, help oily skin to find its balance, and make it so that you don’t have as many issues with wrinkles and the like. Those benefits can be huge as you’re working out what you may need to do.

Is Your Skin Too Oily? Grapeseed Oil Can Help You Out

Grapeseed oil can help your skin to balance out the problems that may come along with oily skin. Not only can that help you to get things in order, but you’ll also find that it’s much easier to make sure that your skin can keep its balance and that you aren’t going to have to worry too much about other problems that can come with oily skin.

Add Rose Oil to Your Daily Routine to Prevent Wrinkles

Rose oil doesn’t only smell good, but it makes it so that you can keep your skin in the best condition possible. Using it on your skin on a regular basis actually, helps to increase its elasticity. Why does that matter? Because the more elastic that your skin is, the easier it will be for you to go ahead and prevent problems that are related to wrinkles. Not only that, but you’ll also find that it’s a lot easier to keep your skin from drying out, as well.

No Pain, No Gain: Things You Need To Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

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Laser hair removal is high tech process of removing your unwanted body and facial hair without the scratches, burns, and redness that comes with waxing and shaving.

Laser hair removal is a popular permanent hair removal solution. It does not entirely remove your body hair, but it does decrease and diminish hair development and the need for shaving. The procedure is safe to use on most parts of the body, including the legs, arms and armpits, swimsuit zone, chest, back, and even the face.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

adult, attractive, beautiful

Any administration with “laser” in its name may appear to be threatening, but it isn’t. The hair follicle picks up the energy coming from the laser which then kills the root,” clarifies New York dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis. Once the root dies, it can no longer produce and grow hair follicle.

What Should You Look For in a Treatment Center?

Do your research and exploration. In the first place, you need to make sure that you go to an experienced, legitimate center that is committed to laser hair removal as they represent considerable authority in this field and have the most experience in conveying permanent outcomes. Second, pick a clinic or hair removal center with high-quality and well-maintained pieces of equipment.

For instance, the best brands are Synchro Excellium 3.4 by DEKA, Cynosure, and Candela. “The Synchro Replay Excellium 3.4 suggested, as its profile and speed take into consideration a quick and viable treatment with negligible inconvenience,” says Karavolas, who likewise prescribes avoiding a strategic distance from IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) gadgets, which aren’t as successful. These devices focus on the epidermis, they work on the skin’s surface and does not target the hair development inside the follicle as adequately as a good laser does.

Consider It An Investment

1 Us Dollar Bill

Indeed, it may appear to be costly compared to a pack of razors, but its benefits are efficient and long-lasting. The effect of laser hair removal lasts up to 90% permanent removal of undesirable hair growth which renders value for your money. In contrast with other hair removal techniques such as electrolysis, laser hair removal is more practical than and saves you from the lifetime expenses of shaving or waxing.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Laser Hair Removal?

If you have a dark hair and have been irritated with how stubborn it can be with regards to the removal process, laser hair removal is the best solution for you. It works best with coarse, thick, dark hair.

It can take a longer process to work at a thicker hair entirely. “Some hair is resistant due to hormonal changes or active hair bulbs amidst the treatment process,” clarifies Dr. Birnur, Director of the Good Beauty Lab, who has personal involvement with laser hair expulsion.

Go For a Consultation

A consultation with an expert of hair removal before your first treatment will enable the center to evaluate your health. They will likewise administer a fixed test to decide if you are a good candidate for the procedure, and which process will work best according to your skin and the type of your hair.

Takeaway

Love smooth skin that is hairless but hates waxing and razors? You’re not the only one who craves for a permanent solution. Laser hair removal is expensive, and it requires several follow-up treatments, yer there are simple steps that you can take before and after your treatment that will help you to maximize the benefits that you gain coming from the process.

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Duck Dynasty: Korie Robertson Claims Family Was Targeted by White Supramacists over Adopted Son

Duck Dynasty’s Korie Robertson claims that she and her family were targeted by white supremacists over their adopted biracial son.

Korie Robertson and her husband, Willie Robertson, adopted their son Will when he was just five weeks old. They have become proponents of adoption and previously told People magazine that their son being biracial hasn’t come up in the way they raise him, only in how the public looks at them.

“Here’s the thing: when we look at him, we don’t see an adopted kid. It doesn’t even cross our minds,” Willie Robertson told People magazine.

“He’s as much ours as our biological children.”

Willie and Korie Robertson on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Willie and Korie Robertson on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Willie and Korie Robertson star in God’s Not Dead

Are Willie and Korie Robertson planning to leave Duck Dynasty?

Willie and Korie Robertson honored at Movieguide Faith & Values Awards

Korie Robertson has become an outspoken voice for racial healing in the US.

She first made a name for herself on the topic of race relations after an emotional interview with CNN in which she called for President Donald Trump to call out white supremacists in the wake of the Charlottesville protests.

Korie Robertson furthered this narrative while speaking to CBN News where she revealed that, as her family’s star rose, so too did the danger from racism.

 “When our family hit mainstream and all the sudden all of America’s watching, they noticed our son’s biracial and we got comments and we got hate and negativity and we were actually targeted by white supremacists at one point. So it’s just shocking and scary and sad to know that that still exists in our country.”

Firewood Guide | How To Split Firewood With A Maul

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Everyone is looking for the best log splitting maul that has multiple uses to meet their different needs. And sure enough, this maul can turn the work of transforming one log into the firewood fast so that we save a lot of time and efforts for the process. Again, with any work, owning the right equipment makes all the difference on the planet!

Just learn how to set things up for success and finish the job properly. In this article, we’ll share the best techniques on how to split firewood with a maul fast and safely, but still help to conserve your energy during the process.

What is a splitting maul?

what is a splitting maul
Via: static1.squarespace.com

One of the fantastic features of a splitting maul here is to turn all heavy-looking tasks of separating huge chunks of wood much lighter and easier than ever! Unlike the camping ax we’ve often used, a maul is just heavier and owning a much longer handle.

The popular length of the tool is around 36 inches, and people want to ensure that it’s long enough to hit the ground successfully after striking it.

And its head gets shaped specially to raise the splitting angle when it’s almost driven down through the wood grain and into the ground. Well, it means cutting the inside of the tree while for an ax, you only use it to cut into the tree bark.

Anyway, what you need is a smooth maul with a rounded edge to lessen your efforts which easily frustrate you in the job of splitting many logs out there! Luckily. The maul makes it much easier for us to split wood, which is an absolute perk. Not only that, but this also triggers almost no part of your wood to be wasted!

Besides, we also have some mauls which are slightly lighter, so they can be availed for tinier pieces of wood if you want.

The Art of Splitting Firewood with A Maul

If you’re a wood chopper, there’s no need to learn how to split firewood with a maul since it will come naturally. However, you’re a fresh trimmer who has to deal with the increasingly popular wood-burning stoves, don’t miss some of the best ways of processing your wood – particularly in the sudden run-up to the festive season.

In this guide, you’ll be taken through how to approach this job correctly and safely. First of all, let’s consider what you might need for the art of splitting firewood with a maul!

Tools:

Via: i.ytimg.com

1. Chainsaw

Choose yourself a good-quality chainsaw initially, which can be seen as one of the most versatile equipment cutting wood so well. If your blade feels dull, get the best chainsaw sharpener since it’s time to sharpen it!

2. Splitting maul

Regarding the best option for diving firewood, the answer is not its sharpness because you won’t cut or chop wood, you’re just splitting it. For this reason, the maul is usually heavier and showing up with a wider head than that of an ax, making itself more superb for any massive wood-splitting work.

How come? Thanks to that sharply tapering top, the maul can push the firewood apart along the grain. Not to mention how rounder the head feels with none of the flat area to dodge being stuck, the maul also owns a wide and flat end that can be utilized as a typical hammer.

In the end, the maul is a must have for wood-splitting and burn among many other splitting wedges and axes. It might be not as interesting as other axes, but it lasts a long time and does not need to be as sharp as your razor.

Techniques:

Use a chainsaw to chop wood

Via : i.ytimg.com

It can help to chop wood approximately three-quarters of all the way through one bulky piece of a fallen tree at the 16-inch groove. Note that you shouldn’t cut through it, or you will only cut into dirt and rocks here, making the cutting chain duller than expected. We recommend you to roll it about 180 degrees and slice through the last ⅓ of wood.

Avail splitting maul to split firewood

Pick up a thicker and sharp maul that is ideally made for your wood-splitting job along the grain. Make sure it to have the blunt edge right on the blade’s back as well to turn the work to be much easier.

Split firewood with a maul

Place your piece of wood on its end or one block if you’ve got it! When it’s not available to use, put it on the ground and maintain it standing still. After that, try to position yourself such that when you’re swinging with arms that have to be extended straight out. And your blade hits the wood right in the middle.

Trim wood to suitable length

As for the ordinary wood stoves and tinier fireplaces, it often takes 16 – 20 inches log. Besides, when that chunk of wood is shorter, it can split more easily. Always cut it to the most reasonable length for your purposes and only trim it at the ends of each firewood piece.

Get support from chopping blockers

Via : firewood.com.au

To create a chopping blocker, use a big segment of the trunk, which will become the surface where you put the logs on for splitting them. This can make it more convenient to swing the maul and release less strain on the back. Bear in mind that block can’t be too high or too short so that it can dodge any ricochet.

Start the work in a safe space

Choosing a secure place will give none of the debris or any limb overhung above you or where you’re supposed to split firewood. Also, never try to split alone by yourself and always get someone around there since he or she could give you support when any accident took place.

Never forget your safety gears

Via : blog.stihl.com

This is important, especially when you’re learning how to split firewood with a maul. We suggest you put on a decent pair of gloves to prevent your hands from being damaged by splinters. Aside from this, bring along your protective glasses and working boots to make the whole process safer and more comfortable.

Conclusion

If you’re still confused about how to split firewood with a maul without wasting too much time and efforts, then get any of these recommendations we’ve just shared for reference. And watch over your stance so that when the maul misses the target, its swing can’t strike any part of your body!

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Discover four cultural activities to experience

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To quote Helen Keller, “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” How many times have you stepped out of your comfort zone and dove into a new experience? In this crazy thing called life, there are millions of opportunities to learn and grow. Take a leap of faith and really challenge yourself. Discover these four cultural activities you need to experience at least once in life.

Taking a Cooking Class in Paris

Get your hands dirty with French cuisine in Paris, France. Most of the cooking classes are conducted in English, they are generally two to four hours long, and a variety of classes are available. Take a bistrot — yes, bistrot — lunch class and learn how to make crêpes, quiche, and soufflés. Or take a classe on gourmet dinners, poultry, sauces, and knife skills. However, the ultimate cultural class to enroll in is for pastries (it’s what the French know how to do best). Macarons, lemon tarts, croissants, and éclairs. When you return home, you can show off your new skills for family holiday gatherings.

Walk Along the Great Wall of China

Image via Flickr by gds

Emperor Qin Shi Huang came up with the idea during the third century B.C. to bar invaders from entering the Chinese Empire. A symbol of China’s strength, the Great Wall is considered one of the most intriguing architectural projects in history. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization deemed it a World Heritage site in 1987. Technically, you can only walk along parts of the wall because it is many thousands of miles long — the most popular section of the wall is Badaling, which is approximately northwest of Beijing. Trip Advisor gives it 4.5 stars, and thousands of tourists visit it daily.

See a Show on Broadway

Hamilton, Wicked, Chicago, The Lion King. These critically acclaimed shows on The Great White Way are the epitome of entertainment, art, and culture all rolled into one. But they only represent a few of the phenomenal shows available. Seeing a show on Broadway is an electrifying experience that you must have in New York City. Quality performances are seen there annually by over 13 million audience members. There is something there for everyone — comedies, dramas, historical pieces, and fantasies amaze and delight viewers of all ages.

Participate in a Tea Ceremony in Japan

Image via Flickr by blmurch

Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, known as Sadō, date back to the days of the Emperor (and the rules are pretty much the same as they were then). It is considered one of of Japan’s most respected artistic traditions. Tea house masters host ceremonies that have influenced many elements of Japanese culture. In Tokyo, you can enjoy a full-course Kaiseki meal first — that’s a traditional upper class Japanese cuisine served with sake and then okashi, a Japanese confectionary. Finally, the tea is served in ceremonial style. Some tea houses supply kimonos and photos of your experience, too.

Once you have indulged in these cultural activities, you may be ripe for more. For a dose of true culture shock, visit a country whose primary language is foreign to you. Put yourself out there and navigate through the unknown. Now, that’s an experience.

Robert Mueller Investigation: Donald Trump’s Campaign Adviser George Papadopoulos Lied About Russia Links

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Donald Trump’s election campaign adviser George Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the timing of meetings with alleged go-betweens for Russia.

He admitted the talks happened while he worked for Donald Trump, not before, court papers show.

George Papadopoulos said he had been told the Russians possessed “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

The charges are the first to be brought by Robert Mueller, the  former FBI director now special counsel investigating alleged links between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Both sides deny any collusion.

Earlier it emerged that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort had been charged with tax fraud in an unrelated case stemming from the Mueller investigation.

The 12 charges brought against Paul Manafort and one of his business associates, Rick Gates, include conspiracy to launder money.

They do not relate to Donald Trump’s campaign but to the pair’s Ukrainian business dealings up to 2015.

According to analysts, the case has the potential to damage President Trump because it relates directly to his campaign.

George Papadopoulos – a Chicago-based international energy lawyer – was close enough to then-candidate Trump to be part of a photograph of his national security team which Donald Trump tweeted on April 1, 2016.

Image source Twitter

Russia Election Hacking: First Charges Filed in Robert Mueller’s Investigation

Russia Election Hacking: Donald Trump Accuses Obama Administration of Inaction

Pyotr Levashov: Russian Programmer Arrested in Spain over US Election Hacking

According to the court documents, George Papadopoulos admitted on October 5, 2017, to having impeded the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion with Russia.

When he was interviewed by the FBI this January, George Papadopoulos falsely claimed that he had met two figures with Russian connections before joining the Trump campaign in March 2016. In fact, the former foreign policy adviser met them after joining the campaign.

One was an unnamed Russian woman who, George Papadopoulos believed, had connections to Russian government officials.

He admitted seeking to use her connections in an effort to arrange a meeting “between the Campaign and Russian government officials”.

The other person was an unnamed, London-based professor who was said to have “substantial connections to Russian government officials”.

The professor only took an interest in George Papadopoulos because of his status within the Trump campaign, the statement says.

Russian “dirt” on Hillary Clinton, in the form of “thousands of emails”, was allegedly mentioned by the professor at a breakfast meeting in a London hotel on or around April 26, 2016.

The professor said he had been informed about the compromising emails when he met senior Russian government officials on a recent trip to Moscow.

President Trump aides have said George Papadopoulos played a limited role in the campaign and had no access to Donald Trump, the Associated Press reports.

North Korea Crisis: South Korea Warns That A Fresh Nuclear Test Could Trigger Radioactive Leak

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South Korea’s chief meteorologist has warned that a fresh nuclear test at North Korea’s mountainous testing site could trigger a leak of radioactive material.

Nam Jae-cheol said that a hollow space of up to 100m in length in the bottom of Mount Mantap could implode.

North Korea’s last nuclear test in early September appeared to have triggered several landslides.

Since 2006, Pyongyang has conducted six nuclear tests, using the same Punggye-ri test site each time.

Image source Wikimedia

North Korea Warns that More Sanctions Will Accelerate Its Nuclear Program

North Korea Claims It Has Developed Hydrogen Bomb

North Korea Planning to Fire Four Missile Near Guam

“There is a hollow space, which measures about 60 to 100 metres in length, at the bottom of Mount Mantap in the Punggye-ri site,” Nam Jae-cheol was quoted by South Korean news agency Yonhap as saying.

“Should another nuke test occur, there is the possibility of a collapse,” he warned.

The Punggye-ri test site, situated in mountainous terrain in the north-east of North Korea, is thought to be Pyongyang’s main nuclear facility and the only active nuclear testing site in the world.

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post newspaper reported on October 27 that Chinese geologists warned North Korean officials after the September test that additional tests there could lead to a massive collapse and a leak of radioactive waste.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has said the country has a sovereign right to launch satellites.

The statement comes amid speculation that North Korea might soon launch a satellite – widely seen as a test of the country’s ballistic missile technology.

President Donald Trump Launches Twitter Tirade About Guilt of Hillary Clinton

President Donald Trump went on a tweet storm about the “guilt” of Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

His Twitter outburst on October 29 came amid reports that the first arrest in the Russian collusion inquiry would be made this week, possibly as early as October 30.

The president insisted allegations of collusion between his campaign and Russia were “phony” and a “witch hunt”.

He said Republicans were united behind him, before urging: “DO SOMETHING!”

According to media reports, the first charges have been filed in the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to assist Donald Trump.

It is not clear what the charges are and whom they are targeting, CNN and Reuters report, quoting unnamed sources.

Image source Flickr

Russia Election Hacking: First Charges Filed in Robert Mueller’s Investigation

Russia Election Hacking: Donald Trump Accuses Obama Administration of Inaction

Senate Panel Investigates Alleged Russian Interference in US Election

On October 29, the president issued four tweets on the subject.

The first tweet said: “Never seen such Republican ANGER & UNITY as I have concerning the lack of investigation on Clinton made Fake Dossier (now $12,000,000?),….”

Then he added: “…the Uranium to Russia deal, the 33,000 plus deleted Emails, the Comey fix and so much more. Instead they look at phony Trump/Russia,….”

Ending with: “…’collusion,’ which doesn’t exist. The Dems are using this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics, but the R’s…”

“…are now fighting back like never before. There is so much GUILT by Democrats/Clinton, and now the facts are pouring out. DO SOMETHING!”

About an hour later President Trump  tweeted: “All of this ‘Russia’ talk right when the Republicans are making their big push for historic Tax Cuts & Reform. Is this coincidental? NOT!”

The president’s critics on Twitter were quick to accuse him of attempting to divert attention from the Russian investigation by complaining about the lack of focus on an opponent he defeated in the presidential election nearly a year ago.

US intelligence agencies have already concluded that the Russian government sought to help Donald Trump win the election.

Robert Mueller’s investigation is looking into any links between Russia and the Trump campaign. Both deny there was any collusion.

His team is known to have conducted extensive interviews with several current and former White House officials.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller was appointed by the department of justice as special counsel in May shortly after President Trump fired FBI director James Comey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slSRG63L3K4

A Complete Buyer’s Guide on Rugs

Rugs add that special touch to your home that is missing otherwise. These days there are so many options out there. Every day a new collection launch. Choosing the right one for your needs has become a daunting task. Do you feel the same? Then you are at the right place.

To help you with this, I am writing this article. In it, you will get a complete buyer’s guide on rugs. Once you read this, you will have the necessary knowledge to find out the very best.

Buyer’s Guide:

Rugs Buying Guide

When you are buying rugs, you need to keep three aspects in your mind. They are quality, size, and look.

Quality:

The first thing you should think about is the quality of the rug. Every rug has a different quality concerning their material and manufacturing techniques. Some are more durable, others feel more luxurious, and many have some other better qualities. Let’s look at the top ones among them.

Durable:

The rugs that are the most durable are the ones that are handmade with wool. Hand-tufted and hand-knotted ones are among the very best in this category. However, they are quite expensive. Rugs with shorter pile heights also last longer than the ones with higher piles. Those rugs often appear matte and dented.

If you want durability, avoid rugs made with synthetic and cotton materials via machine. Their longevity is not very good at all. You will end up changing them pretty often.

Luxurious Feel:

Tufted and hooked rugs made with silk and wool are the most luxurious ones out there. Among them, silk feels, even more, premium, but it is not much durable. On the other hand, wool is a little less soft but is more durable than silk. Cotton is also a cheaper and durable option. They feel quite soft as well.

Sisal and jute do not serve this purpose as they feel coarse to the touch. Synthetic is also not a good option. They look and feel quite artificial.

Ideal For Home With More People:

Do you have a lot of people in your house? Then go with the knotted or flat weaved wool rugs. The reason they are go-to choice in this is they have resilient fibers. So, when you step on them, they spring back, giving you a better and softer feel. This helps them to withstand more wear and tear as well. In addition, cotton and synthetic rugs are also apt for this purpose. They are easy to clean, durable and you can even get a reversible version.

On the other hand, silk rugs are so delicate and should not be used frequently. Jute and sisal are prone to staining, ruling them out of the game. In addition, synthetic high pile rugs flatten pretty easily. As a result, they do not serve the purpose as well.

rugs home decorating

Moisture Resistant:

If you live somewhere with a humid weather, you would want a rug that can withstand moisture. Synthetic and wool are the best options here, especially woos with flat woven styles. They are water repellent by nature. Synthetic rugs also do not absorb the moisture.

High pile ones are susceptible to humidity. Also, silk and jute absorb moisture at a high rate. So, you shuld keep in mind that before making final decision.

Stain Resistant:

If you are worried about your children staining your precious rug, go with the ones that are made of wool, synthetic, and cotton. Also, choose low to no pile weaves at all. Wool resists stain naturally. Cotton and synthetic ones are easy to clean, on the other hand. Low pile weave makes sure you spot the stain in no time.

Size:

Another deciding factor is size when it comes to rugs. The rug size should be in accordance with where it is placed at. Always go for a longer rug when unsure, to avoid the mistake of making your rug look like a handkerchief.

Entry:

The shape of your entry space will determine the shape of the rug you should buy. Depending on the space, it can be round, square, rectangular, and so on. Also, make sure to check the pile height. This would make sure the rug does not get stuck on the door when it is opened.

Hallway:

When choosing a rug for the hallway, make sure to choose a length that no furniture leg sits on the rug. Runners are the best bet here.

Dining Room:

You should always add 36 inches to both the length and width of your dining table to choose the length of your rug. Add them to the diameter in case the table is round. This will make sure that the chairs do not sit on an uneven surface. This, in turn, would save you from accidents and embarrassments in front of others.

Living Area:

Three general rules are present for choosing the rug size. These are the coffee table on the rug, front legs on the rug and all legs on the rug.

Coffee Table on The Rug:

This is appropriate for the smaller rooms. In this arrangement, only the coffee table sits on the rug. Therefore, you can get away with buying a small rug.

Front Legs on The Rug:

In this arrangement, front legs of all your furniture sit on the rug. This is best suited for a medium-sized room.

All Legs on The Rug:

All legs on the rug require a larger rug. As you can imagine, every furniture in the room sits on the rug in here. The rug serves almost as a carpet.

Bedroom:

Again, there are three choices. All legs on the rug, two-thirds of your bed on the rug, and runners beside your bed.

bedroom home decorating

All Legs on The Rug:

This arrangement, as you can imagine, needs a large rug. The rug would cover everything from your bed to nightstands, and everything else that is present in the bedroom.

Two-thirds of Your Bed on The Rug:

In this case, only two-thirds of your bed sits on the rug. You can afford to buy a medium-sized rug in here.

Runners Beside Your Bed:

If you are not fond of bigger rugs, you can place runners on each side of your bed. Just make sure the runner ends where your bed ends and the width is bigger than the nightstand. Otherwise, it would look bad.

Kitchen: 

Do your room have a galley or island layout? Then go for a runner rug. This will cast an illusion of an extended space.

Look:

When it comes to looks, there is no wrong choice. It all boils down to personal preference. However, you can get confused in the vast choices. In that case, here are five looks you can consider.

Basics:

If you are not at all sure, it is better to stick to basics everywhere. Choosing rugs is no different. You can safely buy a solid color rug when in doubt. Also, stripes can add a bit more variation without looking out of place. These two options are great for beginners.

Bold Color, Neutral Rug:

Has a room that is full of bright and bold colors? Go with a neutral rug in a solid color. It will complement the room and do not catch attention. In addition, you can also buy a rug on the secondary color of your room. It would give the room a vibrant feel but still won’t hurt the eye.

Bold Color, Statement Rug:

This one can be a bit tricky to pull off. However, in case you are a person who loves dynamics, go for it. If you have chosen patterns, you need to be aware of one thing. Make sure that any new pattern you introduce to the existing room should be four times smaller or bigger than the ones that are present.

Neutral Room, Statement Rug:

Do you want to be the rug the first thing people notice? There is no better way to that than this. Introduce a statement rug in a neutral kids room. Choose bigger and bolder patterns, such as paisley, geometrical patterns for the rug. Your room would never lack that lively feel.

Neutral Room, Quiet Rug:

I’m a fan of neutrals. If you do not know neutral colors are, then let me tell you, these are the colors that blend easily well together. White, beige, olive, grey are colors to name some of them. So, if you are like me and have a neutral colored room, you can buy the rug in same colors. However, to keep it from boring, buy rugs with subtle patterns such as pinstripes. For material, sisal and jute are excellent choices in this aspect.

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Lil Kesh biography and career path

Lil Kesh is a famous and very talented Nigerian songwriter and rapper. Either you are his fan or not, if you are reading this article you are interested in this young star. Keep reading to learn interesting facts from Lil Kesh’s biography and his career.

Origin and education

Lil Kesh’s real name is Keshinro Ololade. He was born on the 14th of March 1995 in Bariga, Lagos State. Can you imagine that he is only 22 years old? Lil Kesh originates from Yoruba family.

Keshinro Ololade graduated Stockbridge College, Bariga. Now he is a student of the Lagos University where he studies Linguistics.

Image source Wikimedia

Career path

Music of this famous Nigerian singer is for those who like such styles as dancehall, hip-hop, and Afropop. The young star has already released about seven singles, but it is only the beginning of his career, so the best is still coming.

Lil Kesh felt famous after the release of his first single “Shoki” in 2012. Do you know what shoki is? Lil Kesh is also very often called as Shoki Master, as he is an inventor of the street dance with the name Shoki.

In 2014, Kesh’s fans enjoyed his next song “Lyrically”. The song interested Olamide and he invited Lil Kesh to YBNL.

2015 is the year of the third single of Lil Kesh with the cool name “Gbese”. It was at the top of many Nigerian charts for a long time. A bit later was released the single “Efejoku”. In 2016, fans of the star were glad to meet the first album of Lil Kesh titled “YAGI”.

Among nominations of the young star are the following:

  • Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2015) – Best New Act to Watch
  • Tooxclusive (2015) – The Best New Artiste
  • The Headies (2015) – the Best Street-Hop Artiste

Just one click and you will learn more facts about Lil Kesh.

Lil Kesh leaves YBNL

As we have already mentioned Lil Kesh became a part of YBNL in 2014 thanks to the assistance of his friend VIktoh. Keshinro Ololade has signed a contract with YBNL for two years. After the termination of the contract, Lil Kesh decided to create his own music label named after his first album – “YAGI” (Young And Getting It). However, “YAGI” is supervised by YBNL.

Lil Kesh and Olamide

These two bright Nigerian celebrities are not only colleagues but also good friends. There were even rumors that Olamide and Lil Kesh are brothers. In fact, they are not related by blood, but Olamide can be called a mentor and supporter of the Lil Kesh. He was the person who saw something special in this young boy.

Personal life of Lil Kesh

Lil Kesh attracts attention not only by his music but as a handsome young man as well. A lot of young ladies are interested in the private life of this beau and wonder if he has the second half. The marital status of Lil Kesh is single, but his heart is not free. His second half is the singer Chidinma Ekile.

Lil Kesh and Chidinma kept in secret their relationships for a long time, but they were seen together at different events too often. The girl is older Lil Kesh for almost four years, but they feel very comfortable together.

Hope you have found about famous and handsome Lil Kesh something interesting especially for you. We wish the young but very promising Nigerian singer to reach new heights in his career. He is at the very beginning.

Kevin Spacey Reveals He Is Living as Gay Man While Apologizes to Anthony Rapp

Kevin Spacey, who revealed he was now living as a gay man, has made an apology after being accused of making advances toward Anthony Rapp when he was a child actor.

Anthony Rapp, who was 14 at the time, said Kevin Spacey invited him to a party and seemed drunk when the alleged incident happened.

Kevin Spacey, who was 26, said: “I honestly do not remember the encounter… but if I did behave then as he describes I owe him the sincerest apology.”

Anthony Rapp said he was sharing the story now after the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Harvey Weinstein has been accused by more than 50 women of a range of allegations ranging from rape to harassment. The 65-year-old movie mogul has denied any claims of non-consensual contacts.

The accusations have sparked a debate about inappropriate behavior in the entertainment industry and beyond, and encouraged more people to share their experiences.

Image source Flickr

Linda Louise Culkin: Kevin Spacey stalker sentenced to four years in jail

Anthony Rapp’s final tweet said “everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time”.

In his interview with BuzzFeed News, the 46-year-old Star Trek: Discovery actor said he was sitting on the edge of a bed after the party – held in Kevin Spacey’s apartment in 1986 – when Oscar-winning actor, now 58, came into the bedroom.

“He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, <<What’s going on?>>. And then he lays down on top of me,” Anthony Rapp said.

“He was trying to seduce me…”

Anthony Rapp said he was able to go to the bathroom before he left.

Responding to the allegation, Kevin Spacey said he was “sorry for the feelings [Anthony Rapp] describes having carried with him all these years”.

Kevin Spacey also addressed “stories” about his personal life, saying he had had relationships with both men and women and was now living as a gay man.

“I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”

4 Tips for Global Businesses to Go Local Practically

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When a business enters into international market targeting 73% of users, speaking languages other than English, it certainly means targeting lot of money but it needs lot of care and vision. Following are some tips that will help your business go local in number of regions generating the promised bulks of money.

  1. Making Website Local

In order to be an international business, the best way is to make your website local because any global website won’t be of much help, especially when it comes down to communicating to larger number of people internationally.

First off, know as much as you could about the relevant local market such as local rivals, routine language, etc. For example, in Switzerland people use Italian, Swiss-German and French for their routine dealings. So, you have to decide the language of your website, and deep research will help in the right decision.

If in-house resources do not permit you to conduct research yourself, you can always hire number of local agencies to provide you the desired information. These agencies are at an advantage with access to local experts and consequently you can have a superb international website.

  1. Speaking Native Languages

Some local agencies do have a vast pool of good translators. These translators can explain you the difference between unknown cultures. They can help you with local languages and give good advices related to your business success as well, based on their up-to-date knowledge of cultural & political changes.

Remember, translator is a very precious asset because that person is going to convey your message to the new potential customers. No doubt, machines are good translators too, but they will never be able to give you a feel of the local place, and little errors can cost you a lot.

For instance, if a machine translates your message, it may render long sentences and use of ‘or’, ‘but’ and ‘have’ can give it a “translated feeling”, but when a translator translates your message, they will keep local customs and users in mind, and will give it a fresh feel, which surely will result in bringing more customers to your website.

In case, you’re conducting localization yourself, you can find different freelancing translators by language, location or sector, according to your requirements at online sites such as Proz.com or TranslatorsCafe.

  1. Dressing Your Website

You surely wish to make your website unique but remember innovation is as necessary as the content in it. Translators surely help you with getting the content local but its design and style are equally essential. Variation in culture means variation in features of the website as well. So, you must focus on the local culture of your market and accommodate the changes accordingly. Work on colors, textures, layout and interactivity of the website. It is either going to get you users or lose them completely.

To develop a better understanding of any culture’s requirement, the theory of High Context (HC) vs. Low Context (LC) by Edward Hall can be helpful. HC cultures, here, is referring to Asian countries where people expect the content to be interactive and social, having background information and videos. And LC cultures refer to Northern Europe region where content is liked to be easy and aimed at individuals.

You can look at different sites like www.newedgegroup.com.au, www.apple.com, etc to get an idea about the adaptability of your website and get rid of any doubts. Besides, you can take help from other tools like quick language or location indicator function.

  1. Search Engine Friendly Website

SEO is very critical and can be quite hard especially when you’re dealing with different languages. Still you have an advantage here. When it comes down to English, there are bottlenecks of content but the volume of content in other languages is still quite less, which gives your website the chance to be found much easily by the respective Search Engines.

Summary

It’s great to be a global business but you need to be practical as well. So, when you are aware of different novel cultures, becoming a local name won’t take much time.

Consider These Uncommon Heater Types For Your Home

Winter is fast approaching, and now is the time to ensure your home heating systems are in efficient, working order so that you don’t have to go cold through the winter months. Some of you will, unfortunately, find that your current heating systems are well and truly due for replacement.

But wait, before you go and replace your existing heater with the exact same old system you always choose, first consider these relatively unknown heating types that have some fantastic benefits over more conventional heating methods.

Geothermal Heating

Geothermal heating is taking heat from the earth itself and transferring it into your home.

How it works

A heat pump situated above ground moves water throughout a series of buried underground pipes.

These pipes go deep enough below ground to access the earth’s natural heat, this heat is then absorbed by the pipes and the water within.

The heated water is then pumped back to the building where it is used to heat the house.

The water is then recirculated back through the pipes, and the process continues like this.

 

Main Benefits

  • Considered a renewable resource
  • Very efficient
  • Cheap to run

You can learn more about geothermal heating at the EPA website here.

Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves have been around for a while now, but are still relatively unknown despite their impressive efficiency.

They involve burning biomass pellets in a fireplace like system to provide radiant heat.

How it works

Pellet stoves are similar to your standard wood fireplace, but with a few key differences:

  • They burn a pellet fuel commonly made from waste products
  • The pellets are fed automatically into a specially designed burn chamber which burns the pellets very efficiently.
  • The heat is captured by the stove and transferred by a fan to the space to be heated.

Main Benefits

  • Very efficient
  • Pellets are made from waste products that would typically be thrown out
  • Provides radiant heat, just like a wood fireplace
  • Low emissions due to high burn efficiency

 In-Floor Heating

In-floor heating is exactly what it sounds like, heating that is situated in the floor of your home – usually in the concrete slab.

How It works

An in-floor heating system uses a series of electric coils or pipes filled with warm water to heat up the floor itself and radiates heat up through the floor into the desired areas.

Main Benefits

  • Long lasting – will outlast almost any other system
  • With a warm floor, the thermostat can be set to a lower temperature while remaining comfortable
  • Totally silent – no noisy fans
  • Can be selectively installed to heat only specific rooms or areas

Active Solar Heating

Active solar heating involves solar collectors that are placed on the roof or ground in direct sunlight.

How It Works

Water is pumped through these collectors to absorb the solar energy and returned to a holding tank.

The warm water is then pushed through a heating coil, which has a fan blowing air past the heating coil, and then into the area to be heated.

There is a backup electric heating system for when cloudy days prevent the water from heating up to sufficient temperatures.

Main Benefits

  • Cheap to run – Uses only a small amount of electricity
  • Environmentally friendly

Choosing The Right Heating System

As you can see, there are many more options for heating your home than you are probably aware of.

Do yourself a favor and take your time to do the research and pick the right heating system for our home. Remember: just because a heating system is the most popular, doesn’t mean it is the best choice for you.

 

Finding Best Business Broker

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business idea

Selling a company at the highest price has been the dream of many entrepreneurs and that can only be made possible if you have put the right amount of dedication and persistence while building it. To get the best deals out there in the market you need to be aware it would require planning, time and proper execution.

What is a Business Broker?

Many people ask that how can we hire the best broker to sell my business?

Or I want to sell my business fast?

I’ll start with the very basic and I’m making sure at the end of this article, you’ll get the complete information on how should you hire the best business broker of the city.

Business Brokers are the intermediators that help the seller and the buyers to get the best possible deal. We understand each buyer and seller need is different that is why we have created a list of our current businesses for sale to find the best buyers for your business.

Hiring the right man for the right job will help you to save a lot of time and effort. Every business has a different kind of marketing strategy when it comes to selling it. Hiring a right broker can get you a pool of buyers and if you get the right man for the job you can pull the right deal real quick.

Try to hire a full-time broker who can put forward many opportunities, understands the market and knows how to deal with the client. The best broker will help you in advertising the selling of company in the right way.

Our goal is to get a successful deal on the business that you have built. The problem arises during diligence period so maintain all your financial records and papers.

Finding the right business broker:

  1. Get Referrals:If you don’t have a multi million dollar business and a solid contract opportunity in your hand then you should try to get the reference from trusted sources may be your lawyers, accountant, peers, and industry associates.
  2. Do due diligence: Your buyer will practice due diligence before buying your company and so should you on your broker. Get entire information of your broker before you hire them, check previous records and deals, experience, credentials and achievements. Avoid hiring a man with a lawsuit filed on him because that may drop your business value while negotiating with buyers.
  3. Hire a Dedicated Practitioner: Hire the best broker you available in the market he should be a regular practitioner who has the complete idea of the current market situation, who can provide you a pool of buyers, the one who can negotiate with the buyers on your behalf. Hire the broker who has pulled off some great deals in the past.
  4. Keep the deal to yourself: Do not disclose the information that your business is on sale, it will make your business vulnerable to competitors as they will try to hire the best of your staff members. And you should also sign a confidentiality agreement with the person who you share the information with.
  5. Avoid Huge Upfront Fees: Generally, the Business broker takes 10 to 17% of your business for sale price. Avoid hiring the broker that come up to you with a huge fess to access your business process.

The best broker will help you to keep your business running while the deal has been finalized as it takes about 6 to 12 months of time period. To have a successful deal you should have a win-win mindset and keep regular check to market. If you have hired a transaction brokers to keep transparency with the broker, be clear with the idea that you have as a transaction broker works for both the buyer and a dealer.

Hire the broker that has experience of more than 5 years who has the complete knowledge of the market. Keeps your business running while the deal is processing. Keep your record and paper updated for due diligence.

Salvează

Salvează

Cuba Refutes Sonic Attacks Against US Embassy Staff

Cuba denies the existence of any sonic attack against US embassy staff in Havana and says the claims are a “political manipulation” aimed at damaging bilateral relations.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed allegations of any kind of attack as “totally false”.

The US said nearly two dozen embassy personnel had health problems after the alleged attacks and cut its staff as a result.

Reports suggest sonic attacks were to blame, but nothing has been proven.

Image source Wikimedia

Cuba Sonic Attack: US Expels 15 Cuban Diplomats

Cuba Sonic Attack: US Withdraws Embassy Staff

Cuba Sonic Attack: State Department Reveals Details of Suspected Acoustic Attack on US Diplomats

The US has not blamed Cuba for the alleged attacks, and the Cuban government has previously denied targeting embassy staff.

Meanwhile, the US expelled 15 Cuban diplomats, saying that Havana had failed to protect its employees, but Cuba said the move was “unjustified”.

The US government also suspended visa processing in Cuba indefinitely.

Speaking in Washington at a meeting of Cubans living in the US, Bruno Rodriguez said the allegations have caused a “serious deterioration in the relationship between both governments and both countries”.

“It’s unacceptable and immoral, from the point of view of the Cuban government, for people to be harmed by a difference between governments,” the minister added.

The reported health problems ranged from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.