Tens of thousands of people have been affected by a power outage at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson international airport that led to a partial shutdown on December 17.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport is the world’s busiest, handling more than 250,000 passengers and almost 2,500 flights every day.
Passengers were left in darkened terminals or on board planes.
Power is now restored at the airport, but there have been more than 1,000 flight cancelations, with hundreds more scheduled for December 18.
Many flights scheduled to arrive from other airports were being diverted elsewhere or held at their departure airport.
In a statement, the airport confirmed they had suffered a power cut shortly after 13:00 local time on December 17. Flights are expected to resume at 06:00 local time on December 18.
Georgia Power, which supplies the airport’s electricity, said it believed a fire at an underground electrical facility was to blame for the power cut. According to officials, a piece of its switchgear could have failed and started the fire, causing cable damage.
Power was fully restored to the airport late on Sunday, December 17.
Atlanta’s mayor confirmed the fire’s cause was under investigation, and apologized to the thousands affected.
A number of major airlines, including United, Southwest and American Airlines, completely suspended their operations on December 17.
Images shared on social media showed passengers waiting in darkness. Some reported being stuck on board aircraft for six hours.
The local police department confirmed they had sent extra officers to help the airport with the situation.
About 30,000 passengers were reportedly affected by the power cut.
Atlanta is located within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population, making the city a major port of entry into the US and a common stopover for travel within the country.
President Donald Trump has denied he is planning to fire Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Tensions have been rising between the White House and Robert Mueller’s inquiry.
On December 16, a lawyer for Donald Trump’s presidential transition group said thousands of emails had been unlawfully obtained by Robert Mueller’s team.
Responding to questions over the legal row, President Trump said it was “not looking good” and his people were “very upset”.
The president said, while returning from a weekend trip to Camp David: “I can’t imagine there’s anything on them, frankly, because, as we said, there’s no collusion.”
Donald Trump’s administration has denied working with Russia in the 2016 election and the president labeled the investigation “a witch hunt”.
Responding to a media question on the White House lawn on whether he was considering firing Robert Mueller amid his criticism, President Trump responded: “No, I’m not.”
Several Democratic lawmakers had expressed concern, and on December 15 the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, said he feared Republican members wanted to shut the probe down.
Several former members of Donald Trump’s campaign team are facing charges as part of the investigation.
Kory Langhofer, a lawyer working for the Trump for America (TFA) group – who helped Donald Trump’s transition to the White House after his election, complained on December 16 after the group became aware Robert Mueller’s investigation had obtained tens of thousands of their emails.
He sent a letter to congressional committees claiming the records had been obtained unlawfully.
The TFA group had used the facilities, including email hosting, of a government agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), in the period between Donald Trump’s election in November 2016 and inauguration in January.
In his letter, Kory Langhofer, says GSA staff “unlawfully produced TFA’s private materials, including privileged communications” to Robert Mueller’s investigation team.
The emails obtained reportedly involve 13 Trump transition officials, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI earlier this month.
The GSA, Kory Langhofer complains, “did not own or control the records in question” and maintains the constitutional rights of transition officials were violated.
A spokesperson for Robert Mueller said they had done nothing wrong.
Peter Carr said: “When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owner’s consent or appropriate criminal process.”
GSA Deputy Counsel Lenny Loewentritt has denied another of Kory Langhofer’s accusations, that the GSA gave assurances that requests for Trump transition records would go through the group’s lawyers.
Lenny Loewentritt told BuzzFeed that the transition group knew materials would have to be provided to law enforcement “therefore, no expectation of privacy can be assumed”.
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell tweeted that the accusations were “another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens”.
US intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to tip the presidential election in favor of Donald Trump – a charge denied by both Moscow and the president.
Kory Langhofer, a lawyer for a group set up to help Donald Trump’s transition to the White House, has accused special counsel Robert Mueller of unlawfully obtaining thousands of emails.
He made the comments in a letter to congressional committees.
However, a spokesperson for Robert Mueller said the “appropriate criminal process” had been followed.
Robert Mueller is investigating allegations of collusion between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia.
Kory Langhofer works for the Trump for America (TFA) group. It used the facilities, including email hosting, of a government agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), in the period between Donald Trump’s election in November 2016 and inauguration in January.
In his letter, Kory Langhofer, says GSA staff “unlawfully produced TFA’s private materials, including privileged communications, to the special counsel’s office”.
The GSA, he complains, “did not own or control the records in question” and the constitutional rights of transition officials were violated.
Kory Langhofer goes on to ask Congress to act to protect future presidential transitions from having “private records misappropriated by government agencies, particularly in the context of sensitive investigations intersecting with political motives”.
The emails obtained reportedly involve 13 Trump transition officials, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI earlier this month.
A spokesperson for Robert Mueller said they had done nothing wrong.
“When we have obtained emails in the course of our ongoing criminal investigation, we have secured either the account owner’s consent or appropriate criminal process,” Peter Carr said.
GSA Deputy Counsel Lenny Loewentritt has denied another of Kory Langhofer’s accusations that the GSA assured that requests for Trump transition records would go through the group’s lawyers.
He told BuzzFeed that the transition group knew materials would have to be provided to law enforcement “therefore, no expectation of privacy can be assumed”.
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell tweeted that the accusations were “another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens”.
US intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to tip the presidential election in favor of Donald Trump – a charge denied by both Moscow and the president.
President Trump has called Robert Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt” while other Republicans accuse it of bias.
Michael Flynn became the most senior Trump official to be charged as part of the invetigation after admitting making false statements to the FBI about meetings with Russia’s ambassador.
Another ex-aide, George Papadopoulos, has also pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents.
In October, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his business associate Rick Gates were accused of conspiring to defraud the US in dealings with Ukraine. Both deny the charges, which center on relations with a former Ukrainian president who was very close to Russia.
On December 15, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, said he feared Republican members wanted to shut down their own investigation.
According to media reports, President Trump’s private lawyers are expected to meet Robert Mueller and members of his team next week to discuss the next phases of the inquiry.
Lawyer and academic Anita Hill will chair a special commission against harassment in the entertainment and media industries.
The first meeting of the commission, which was created by top industry executives, was attended by a wide range of entertainment industry giants.
Spearheaded by female executives, including Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy, it will reconvene in 2018.
It comes after a string of allegations made against dozens in Hollywood.
The group was announced on December 15 following a meeting convened by Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, Nike co-chair Maria Eitel, lawyer Nina Show and venture capitalist Freada Kapor Klein.
A wide range of industry leaders attended the first meeting, including the chairman of Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony and Universal.
The commission said it will meet in the new year to define its scope and priorities in the wake of weeks of allegations against prominent industry figures, including producer Harvey Weinstein.
Kathleen Kennedy said: “The Commission will not seek just one solution, but a comprehensive strategy to address the complex and inter-related causes of the problems of parity and power.”
Anita Hill brought harassment to national prominence in the US in 1991 when she publically testified that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had harassed her when he was her boss at the Department for Education and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
After her private allegations were leaked to the press, Anita Hill testified publicly at a televised investigative committee where her allegations came under attack. He was eventually confirmed in the position, despite her testimony.
Now a professor at Brandeis University in Boston, she said it was “time to end the culture of silence”.
She said: “I’ve been at this work for 26 years. This moment presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to make real change.
“I’m proud to be leading this newly-formed Commission on a long overdue journey to adopt best practices and to create institutional change that fosters a culture of respect and human dignity throughout the industry.”
“We will be focusing on issues ranging from power disparity, equity and fairness, safety, harassment guidelines, education and training, reporting and enforcement, ongoing research, and data collection,” she added.
Australian authorities have arrested a man for allegedly acting as an economic agent for North Korea.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) said that Chan Han Choi, 59, has been charged with brokering illegal exports from the country and discussing the supply of weapons of mass destruction.
Police allege Chan Han Choi has broken both UN and Australian sanctions.
The case against Chan Han Choi, who has lived in Australia for more than 30 years, is the first of its kind in the country.
It is the first time anyone has been charged under Australia’s 1995 Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act.
Police say there was evidence that Chan Han Choi had been in contact with “high ranking officials in North Korea”.
They allege he had brokered services related to North Korea’s weapons program, including the sale of specialist services including ballistic missile technology to foreign entities, in order to generate income for the North Korean regime.
Chan Han Choi also was charged with brokering the sale of coal from North Korea to groups in Indonesia and Vietnam. He is facing six charges in total after being arrested at his Sydney home on December 16.
In a news conference, police confirmed the man was a naturalized Australian citizen of Korean origin who had been in the country for over 30 years.
They described him as a “loyal agent” who “believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose”.
However, police insisted Chan Han Choi’s actions did not pose any “direct risk” to Australians, with the actions occurring offshore.
“I know these charges sound alarming. Let me be clear we are not suggesting there are any weapons or missile component that ever came to Australian soil,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said.
“Any individual who attempts to fly in the face of sanctions cannot and will not go unnoticed in Australia.”
Chan Han Choi could face up to 10 years in prison and has been denied bail.
In October the Australian government said they had received a letter from North Korea urging Canberra to distance itself from the Trump administration.
North Korea had previously warned that Australia would “not be able to avoid a disaster” if it followed US policies towards Kim Jong-un’s regime.
Mira Sorvino said she is “heartsick” after learning she may have lost out on major roles because of Harvey Weinstein.
According to Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, both Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were “blacklisted” following conversations with Harvey Weinstein’s company.
Both actresses have claimed Harvey Weinstein harassed them.
Harvey Weinstein has denied allegations of misconduct, and of blacklisting the actresses.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy was initially in development with Weinstein’s Miramax company, before being passed to New Line Cinema.
In an interview with Stuff.co.nz this week, Peter Jackson said he was interested in casting both women in the blockbuster franchise.
He told the website: “I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998.
“At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us.
“I now suspect we were fed false information about both of these talented women – and as a direct result their names were removed from our casting list.”
“In hindsight, I realize that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing,” he said.
Mira Sorvino tweeted: “Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying.”
“There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure. Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I’m just heartsick.”
Ashley Judd, meanwhile, recalled how her involvement progressed far enough to be invited by Jackson to see preparation work for the blockbuster trilogy.
She tweeted: “I remember this well.
“They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from them again. I appreciate the truth coming out.”
In a statement through a publicist, Harvey Weinstein denied the allegations that he was involved in blacklisting Mira Sorvino and Ashely Judd, saying that the casting for Lord of the Rings was carried out by New Line Cinema – not Miramax.
The statement said that Ashley Judd was cast in two other movies by Harvey Weinstein, and that “Sorvino was always considered for other films as well.”
Harvey Weinstein’s denial prompted Peter Jackson to write a further response, carried by Entertainment Weekly, calling it a “deflection from the truth”.
“In the 18 months we developed the Lord of the Rings at Miramax, we had many casting conversations with Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein and their executives,” the director wrote.
“The movies changed hands from Miramax to New Line before casting actually got underway – but because we had been warned off Ashley and Mira by Miramax, and we were naive enough to assume we’d been told the truth, [we] did not raise their names in New Line casting conversations.”
Harvey Weinstein is the central figure of the Hollywood harassment scandal, in which dozens of actresses have accused him of misconduct.
Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were among the first women to publicly share her experiences of harassment from Harvey Weinstein back in October.
Harvey Weinstein has “unequivocally denied” any allegations of non-consensual acts.
Canadian billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife have been found dead at their home in Toronto in circumstances that police described as “suspicious”.
The bodies of Barry and Honey Sherman were found in the basement by an estate agent, reports said.
Barry Sherman was the founder and chairman of pharmaceutical giant Apotex, which sells generic medicines around the world.
He was one of Canada’s richest men and a prominent philanthropist.
There was no sign of forced entry to the property, police said in a statement on December 15. Local media reported that investigators were not searching for a suspect at this time.
Detective Brandon Price told Canadian broadcaster CBC that investigators were still trying to determine if there was foul play involved.
Police gave few details and did not confirm the identities of the deceased. However, they were named locally by friends and by officials who reacted with shock at the news.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the couple’s family and friends: “Sophie and I are saddened by news of the sudden passing of Barry and Honey Sherman. Our condolences to their family & friends, and to everyone touched by their vision & spirit.”
Ontario’s Health Minister Eric Hoskins also said on Twitter: “I am beyond words right now.
“My dear friends Barry and Honey Sherman have been found dead. Wonderful human beings, incredible philanthropists, great leaders in health care.”
Senator Linda Frum presented Barry and Honey Sherman with a Canadian 150th anniversary medal in late November, awarded to Canadians for “generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work”.
“Today I am gutted by the loss of Honey and Barry Sherman. Our community is steeped in grief. I am heartbroken,” she said.
A police spokesman said emergency services were called to the house just before noon on December 15.
“The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way,” said Constable David Hopkinson.
Barry and Honey Sherman had recently put their luxury home up for sale and their bodies were found by an estate agent who was at the property to prepare it for an open-house viewing, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported, citing a family member.
Barry Sherman’s company said in a statement: “All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”
The couple had four children.
Barry Sherman founded Apotex Inc in 1974 and the company says it is now the seventh biggest drug maker in the world.
Forbes magazine puts Barry Sherman’s personal net worth at $3.2 billion.
The real estate industry is a popular one because it offers the perfect business model. There are always going to be consumers for this type of business because people will always want somewhere to live. Of course, that’s quite a basic “stripped-back” way of looking at the real estate industry. Getting into this line of business as a property developer and an entrepreneur requires some preparation. You most likely don’t have any experience or expertise but if you have money to invest then you’re good to go. Obviously, you need to do some research to avoid making costly mistakes. Let’s talk through the steps that will lead you towards success in real estate development.
Buying your first property.
Buying your first property is a daunting move but also the start of a new business, in a sense. Your goal is to buy somewhere with the potential for improvement because you want to make a sizeable return on your investment so as to pour more money into the next property. You’re looking to add value to whatever property you buy but you do also need to think about the area in which the property is based. Location has a massive impact on a house’s value. If you’re aiming to sell a property to a family then think about how close it is to local schools, playgrounds, and so on. If you’re aiming to sell a property to working professionals then think about how easy it is to commute from that area to the local town or city.
As for adding value to the property itself, you don’t need to burn additional money in order to do so. You’re aiming to keep your expenses as low as possible so that your gross profit is respectable when you eventually sell the property. If you take the DIY approach to sprucing up your home then you’ll reduce costs and maximize the resale value. You should start by repainting the walls a neutral color to both make the interior look brand new and to brighten up the house. White naturally reflects light. And you should make sure you tidy up the garden too because a property’s exterior makes the first impression on buyers. A vibrant, colorful front lawn could make all the difference to potential buyers.
Expanding your empire.
Buying and selling properties one at a time is time-consuming and you could ultimately make far more money by expanding your business to deal with multiple properties. You’ll probably need help if you’re expanding your empire beyond dealing with one property at a time, of course. It’ll be hard to ensure your business remains a one-person operation if you’re juggling multiple houses or flats. You could look into a company such as LJB Construction to help with constructing and developing a Homeowner’s Association community if you’re ambitious enough to develop and market an entire residential subdivision. Taking that leap is brave but it could definitely be rewarding in terms of the returns on your investment.
Marketing your business.
When it comes to finding success as a property developer, the final piece of the puzzle is marketing. You need to build a name for your brand so as to ensure good future relationships with both buyers and associates with whom you might have a relationship, as a real estate investor. Referrals are key, so you need to make sure you prioritize customer service so as to get the best testimonials possible for your business.
When you decided to lose weight and managed to find a great diet to help you achieve this goal, you also imagined that things were going to run smoothly. But, after a while, you realize that your diet is not making you lose the promised number of pounds. The instant reaction triggered by the bad results of your weight loss diet is to actually blame the diet. While the diet you used may indeed be inefficient in your case, there are a couple of mistakes people frequently do when it comes to losing weight, which can compromise their weight loss expectancies. So take a look at them below and do your best to stay away from making such mistakes.
You didn’t manage to reduce your calories efficiently
The main purpose of a weight loss diet is to allow you to burn more calories than you actually eat. This is why constant exercising is needed, besides just following a diet. But, if you didn’t manage to cut calories efficiently, and you eat more than you consume, then the chances are that you’re going to gain weight instead of losing it. First, you need to determine how many calories you need to eat per day without gaining or losing weight. Once you know this, all you have to do is to cut their number and monitor your daily calorie intake.
Proteins are scarce in your diet
Many people have a wrong perception when it comes to consuming proteins while trying to lose weight. You need to stop believing the myth that proteins are bad for weight loss. They are actually helping you lose weight because proteins need more energy to be broken down so that means more calories burned while suppressing your appetite and building lean muscles.
You’re not having as many vegetables as you should
Vegetables are a must in any weight loss diet, so if you are not managing to lose sufficient weight than probably you’re not eating enough veggies. They contain a lot of fibers, high in water, have a high volume while providing little calories, and rich in macronutrients and antioxidants. In other words, they will keep you full for longer, allow you to eat them in generous quantities, and protect your body’s functions and health.
Your diet is made out of all the wrong foods
Not every diet you find out there is actually a good diet. For instance, although fruits juices are presented as diet-friendly, they are not, because they contain too much sugar and too little fibers. Thus, a good diet consists of whole and natural foods that have a great nutrient input in your diet. Also, do consider getting the help of weight loss supplements if you think that your diet is not sufficient. Forskolin extract is a type of supplement you seriously need to consider, Dr. Oz talked about in many of his shows. You can read more about it at Livin. This supplement is made out of an incredible exotic fruit that stimulates your body to burn fat while keeping cravings at bay.
You’re not eating foods that contain healthy fats
This is one of the biggest mistakes most people do when trying to lose weight. They consider that all fats are bad, so they stop eating foods with any kind of fat, including healthy fats. Your body needs fat in order to function well, so make sure you provide it from healthy sources. Olive oil, avocado, fish, these are all sources of healthy fats that will contribute to a great energy level throughout your diet while reducing the sensation of hunger and promoting weight loss.
Oprah Winfrey will be the next recipient of the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award at the 2018 Golden Globes ceremony.
Golden Globes head Meher Tatna announced: “For generations, Oprah has celebrated strong female characters on and off screen, and has been a role model for women and young girls for decades.”
Oprah’s honor was announced by actor Morgan Freeman – who won the same prize in 2012.
The TV star will receive her award at January’s Golden Globes awards.
They are voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA).
The Oprah Winfrey Show was one of the most-watched programs in US history.
Meher Tatna described Oprah as “one of the most influential women of our time”.
The prize is presented annually at the Golden Globes ceremony, recognizing “a talented individual who has made an incredible impact on the world of entertainment”.
Meher Tatna described Oprah as a “global media leader, philanthropist, producer and actress”, adding: “She has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired figures today.”
Previous Cecil B. DeMille award winners include last year’s recipient, Meryl Streep, along with Audrey Hepburn, Barbra Streisand, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Sidney Poitier and Martin Scorsese.
Along with her famous chat show, Oprah has also enjoyed a career as an actress, including an Oscar-nominated role in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, in 1986.
She also starred in The Butler and Selma, which she produced.
Oprah Winfrey is also well-known for her charity work – this year marks the 10th anniversary of The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
One of the unwritten rules associated with these modern times is that what could be applicable today is often outdated or irrelevant tomorrow. This is particularly true when we consider the situation of the gaming industry. These sector must be able to keep pace with changing technologies alongside the needs of the players themselves.
In other words, the motto of this sector could very well be “change or die”. How can modifications be put into place while simultaneously avoiding the “business-as-usual” mentality? The answers to this question are actually much simpler than many have been led to believe.
Image source Flickr
The Role of Big Data
Some feel that big data is only important within fields such as sales, marketing and analytics. This is a very dangerous assumption. We must envision gaming providers much in the same way as any organization which is trying to understand what its clients desire. Big data is able to address several issues and some examples of important metrics include:
The playing habits of the client base
When customers access a specific page
Which games are the most popular
How often users interact with a dedicated social media page
Knowing how these variables can impact a gaming website is the first step involved with streamlining current processes to adapt to the changing needs of the consumer.
More Variety
One of the most notable trends throughout the gaming industry as a whole is the tendency for large providers to offer more games than ever before. Game developers that are able to supply their clients with a greater number of choices are likely to enjoy higher retention rates; key within such a competitive marketplace.
The Insights of the Players Themselves
Developers need to know what players are thinking and how any recent changes may affect the overall gaming experience. Allowing users to access games can provide invaluable insight into the creation process. By obtaining user-based opinions, it is much easier to know whether or not a specific idea should be implemented. In other words, the customer is (normally) right.
Adding New Life to Traditional Games
It is just as important to highlight the changing needs of home-based games. While their traditional appeal cannot be denied, we need to remember that they are facing rather stiff competition from the digital community. This is why thinking outside of the box is critical.
The role of technology cannot be overstated and when deployed in conjunction with physical gameplay, the results are often truly staggering. However, a good ideal of research is still required in order to determine which modifications will produce the best results over time.
Proactive Versus Reactive
Above all, game developers should strive to actively determine what their audiences enjoy on a regular basis. There is little use in correcting a problem after it has already caused players to lose interest. A proactive approach will provide the insight and clarity required to make the best decisions when the time is right.
Following these intuitive suggestions will help the gaming industry avoid any needless stagnation and to retain its loyal customer base.
Bitcoin is clearly surging right now, with its value currently reaching $17,000 USD and is looking more and more like a sure investment. Yet it’s vital for anyone looking to invest in cryptocurrencies not to get lost in all the promises and actually stay well informed about Bitcoin’s technological progress.
Prior to considering if you should buy Bitcoin (BTC), you should know the history of the technological aspect of Bitcoin as well as what the experts believe lies ahead in its future.
With the biggest value of Bitcoin being its instant and secure P2P (peer-to-peer) payment transactions, it is now more than ever looking like it’s going to become the primary cryptocurrency in the global market, with over a 1,500% increased value in 2017 alone. Or is it? Let’s see what the finance experts have to say.
Is It a Bubble or Not?
According to the UBS Wealth Management, they are not boarding the hype train that bitcoin is ever to become a legitimate currency. Their global chief economist, Paul Donovan, highlights that cryptocurrencies are only valuable when they are accepted as currencies. Add the fact that bitcoin can’t be used for most important transactions plus that cryptocurrency supply can only rise, which makes them a bad store of value. His report further states that there’s no economic backing for the huge increase in bitcoin prices, which almost certainly means that it’s a bubble.
More Coins Means More Value
On the other hand, co-founder of FundStrat Global Advisor, Tom Lee, believes that Bitcoin will only gain in value over the next five years. He compares the Bitcoin to a social network, stating that the more engagement it gets the more it’ll grow in value. The idea behind is that the more coins are being issued, the more people will be using bitcoin as a master ledger – which basically means that bitcoin’s value is growing with the addition of more cryptocurrencies.
An Independent Cryptocurrency
Braden Perry, a partner at Kennyhertz Perry LLC, states that the world may be ready for a currency that’s decentralized and actually controlled by the people, especially since governments are known for power abuse – now more than ever. A currency without borders that’s available to anyone who can buy it might be a solution for the world we’re stepping in. However, he also states that Bitcoin may have a long journey ahead since it still requires greater adoption and more simplicity if it’s ever going to appeal to the general public.
Some Will Get Rich, Some Will Get Burned
At the moment, selling bitcoins probably seems like a great way to quickly raise a lot of money without any questions asked. Of course, some people will get rich out of it. In fact, some already are. But what about fears of being ripped-off? That’s almost as certain, state the experts, as some people will get burned while investing in cryptocurrencies.
Peter Smith of Blockchain company, which already went through the investment period with Bitcoin, is now looking to invest in Ethereum, a new cryptocurrency with a different architecture. Still, he advises people to be cautious and know what they’re doing before they actually start investing. As any leading accounting firm can tell you, you need to understand the market before you actually start investing.
Bottom Line
While there’s certainly going to be nay-sayers when it comes to cryptocurrencies, the concept itself is almost certainly going to survive and advance in the next couple of years. And what about bitcoin? No one can tell for sure, but the fact is that even though its prices are skyrocketing at the moment – it’s still volatile and can’t be easily used for trading. The best advice anyone can give you on cryptocurrencies is to actually know why they’re gaining so much popularity. Understanding them will mean that you can make a safer decision instead of just blindly following the hype train.
Kentucky House Republican Dan Johnson, who defiantly denied allegations that he assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, died in an apparent suicide on December 13, the county coroner said.
According to Bullitt County Coroner Dave Billings, Dan Johnson, 57, died of a single gunshot wound on Greenwell Ford Road in Mount Washington, Kentucky.
Dave Billings said Dan Johnson stopped his car at the end of a bridge in a secluded area, then got out and walked to the front of the car. He said an autopsy is scheduled for December 14.
“I would say it is probably suicide,” he said.
Dan Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016, part of a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly 100 years. He won his election despite Republican leaders urging him to drop out of the race after local media reported on some of his Facebook posts comparing Barack and Michelle Obama to monkeys.
Image source Fox News
The pastor of Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Dan Johnson sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools.
He was mostly out of the spotlight until December 11, when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying the pastor assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.
At the time, the woman told police, who investigated the incident but closed the case and did not file charges.
On December 12, Dan Johnson held a news conference in the pulpit of his church, which he began by leading friends and family in singing a portion of the Christmas carol O Come All Ye Faithful. The lawmaker said the allegations against him were “totally false” and said they were part of a nationwide strategy of defeating conservative Republicans. He referenced Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces assault accusations from multiple women.
On December 13, shortly before 5PM, Dan Johnson posted a message on his Facebook page that asked people to care for his wife. He wrote that PTSD “is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life, BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME.” The post appears to have been removed.
Thousands of taxpayers have yet to file their returns. However, if you happen to be among the 10 million Americans who have a relatively simple tax scenario, you can benefit from some of the best online tax software available.
Here are a few of the industry’s best tax preparation software.
TurboTax
Simple prompts and streamlined instructions make TurboTax the undisputed leader of all the tax software available on the market today. With a reliable customer support tool and intuitive features, tax calculation has never been any more comfortable.
With TurboTax, you get a quick process that guides you to a friend and not a manual. Businesses like Karkanja property management have been using TurboTax for many years with great success. The software is loaded with applicable ‘FYI’s’ and links to TurboTax’s resources. All prompts are aptly placed to make sure nobody misses anything to make significant waves in return.
The Complete Check function does a comprehensive review of your tax return before you file. Therefore, the software guarantees error-free calculations for more accuracy.
TaxAct Online
TaxAct Online Premium offers reliable and affordable personal (and self-employed) tax preparation support that works for all types of tax scenarios. This fact is the reason why it ranks as the second-best tax software after TurboTax.
Not only does it offer excellent support, TaxAct also does all of the necessary calculations when you enter your financial information. It accurately puts all answers onto the appropriate lines. There are all kinds of help options available at every step of the way.
TaxAct efficiently addresses all your queries and prompts you with quick reminders to highlight any potential problems before you print your paper returns. Similar to all other services, you don’t have to pay anything until that point.
TaxSlayer
Tax Slayer has three different types of versions you can choose. The software is critically acclaimed and can be used free of charge for both state returns by 1040EZ filers as well as by federal tax filers. To easily import the data payroll of W-2 tax filers, they can use the Classic version. Moreover, this version supports necessary IRS forms as well. It is also capable of extracting relevant information from the files before the current tax year. However, this is a paid feature. You will have to pay $22 as per the state you are applying for and $17 for all federal returns.
Users can decide on the kind of software version that suits them best. They can then start calculating returns by setting up an account by creating a username and password. Users who benefitted from TaxSlayer last year can save time as the software imports vital information while ensuring accuracy in every area. TaxSlayer provides an easy way to schedule all your needs by selecting the forms you have to complete.
Final Thoughts
There are many horror stories about how time-consuming and sometimes expensive tax preparations and bookkeeping can be. That may be the case if your financial situation is complicated. However, if you do not own multiple businesses or several homes; you can quickly benefit from the tax preparation software mentioned above.
Some of them are free while others charge a small fee, which is pretty much negligible considering the convenience and functionality their features can offer. Before you pay taxes, it’s important to incorporate your business and choose a legal entity that suits your tax budget.
The deal is already under scrutiny by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is expected to publish its provisional findings in January.
It is not clear whether Disney will continue with the takeover if it buys the 39% stake from 21st Century Fox as part of the wider transaction.
The assets being sold by Fox include its FX and National Geographic cable channels, 22 regional US sports networks and the company’s stake in the Hulu streaming platform in the US.
It would also add to Disney’s extensive movie and TV library, with movies such as Avatar and Deadpool, as well as small screen hits including The Simpsons and Modern Family.
The Fox broadcast network, Fox News and Fox Sports would remain under the Murdochs’ control.
As well as its film studio, Disney also owns the ESPN sports network and cable channels.
Rupert Murdoch’s decision to sell most of Fox has surprised many commentators given his desire to continually expand his media empire over the past five decades.
Talks were understood to have been held between the two companies in November but did not result in an agreement.
Shares in Disney rose 0.5% in New York on December 12, valuing the company at $162 billion, while 21st Century Fox added 1%, valuing it at $62.6 billion.
Fox shares have jumped by close to a third over the past three months.
There’s always going to be something that goes wrong with your business eventually. Nothing is ever smooth sailing for long, and if you’ve made it this far without any issues, you really do need to expect the unexpected. The thing is with business owners is that they’re so hyper focused on the success they’re having, they really do forget that anything could happen to damage their business at any moment. So, if you take anything from this article, it’s that you really do need to expect the unexpected, and here are somethings that you really might not expect.
If you’re an online based business, you know how important the internet and the connectivity of your systems are. If you’re a big business, just a few moments of downtime can cause absolute chaos for you. In extreme circumstances it can cause you to lose some of your data. If you hold confidential files that your customers have trusted you with then you’re going to have an absolute nightmare on your hands. Luckily for you, there are people that can help you through it, and recover systems and information that might have been lost during the down time. DRaaS providers are excellent at recovering anything you’ve lost. Things go wrong with technology all the time, so you might be better off having things backed up before it does happen. You can set your systems to do daily backups, which is going to be much better than just waiting for the worst to happen.
Employee Lawsuits
Maybe not as common as the systems down section, but it does happen. When it does happen it can have the ability to massively damage your reputation, as well as costing you a lot of money. It can happen for any reason when you breach what is in the contract, or if an employee feels they aren’t being treated right. The hard thing with having a big company is you’ll have lots of little managers working for you. They might be the ones causing the issue, not necessarily you. So it’s important to instill the values you have onto the managers who work on the shop flow. Try and let all staff know that if they have an issue that you’d like to deal with it. It’ll be better than them taking legal actions against your company.
Money Trouble
You’re either going to be ready for this, or you aren’t. Some companies do so well for such a long time, then boom, a massive crush hits their business and they struggle to recover. It really isn’t wise to just assume your cash flow is going to stay high for a long time, so whilst it is high you need to consider putting in the work to get some savings. Obviously, if your profit is high you’re going to be able to put a lot aside. But even if you aren’t reaching a high profit margin you should still be looking to put a little aside each month, just like you would in your personal life.
Diamonds are often said to be a girl’s best friend, but her soul mate proves to be the lipstick. Women could wear flawless makeup but without lining, glossing or coating their lips, they wouldn’t feel complete. If you want to have the most attractive lips, these seven simple tips should help.
1. Exfoliate regularly. It’s important to exfoliate regularly to maintain the smoothness of your lips and make it easier for you to apply lipstick. For a quick, at-home solution, you can use Aloette Soothe n’ Smooth which costs $24.5. It’s a scrub-and-balm set that helps get rid of flakes and nourishes the lips using peppermint, aloe, beeswax, and safflower oil. Another home remedy is applying Vaseline on a clean, dry toothbrush. Brush your lips gently using the soft bristles to smooth the rough spots.
2. Condition using a lip balm. You will never get that perfect pout you’ve always wanted if you don’t moisturize your lips. Global makeup artist, Gordon Espinet, says that you need to be a lip-conditioner junkie. Thankfully, all it takes is slathering a lip balm that contains beeswax, glycerin or any other moisturizing emollients. It’s also beneficial to get a healthy dose of vitamins C and E. Neutrogena Overnight Lip Treatment costs only $3.49 yet it provides glycerin and vitamin E to help nourish your lips. If you choose, get yourself a hydrating sheer gloss for some extra color. Aveda lip shine works wonderfully well for this because it contains plant lipids and it’s only $13.5.
Switch lipsticks from time to time. President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Ronald Moy, M.D., explains that matte shades last longer because they contain more pigment but fewer moisturizing ingredients. Nonmatte lipsticks may not last as long, but they’re the better option for retaining moisture on your lips. For only $7.5, try Revlon Moisturous Lipcolor. Pick from 24 shades so you can change lipsticks with ease.
Image source Max Pixel
Treat signs of aging early. The lines that develop on the lips are among the earliest signs of aging. As you may know, these lines trap lipstick, but you can make the problem more manageable with daily prevention. If you treat the first signs of aging, the lines wouldn’t be so deep and the wrinkles would be easier to get rid of. When it comes to wrinkles, retinol is your best bet. Consider using anti-aging creams such as Tazorac, Retin-A, and Avage. You can also use a lipstick that contains retinol such as beComing Lip Delux Retinol Lipcolor, which only sets you back $12.
Master the right liner technique. Choose a liner that’s a bit darker than the shade of your lipstick. Proceed with outlining the shape you want. Use a lip brush or the edge of the liner tip to color your lips inward. Next, use a lighter lipstick to fill in the rest of your lips. For starters, you may want to use a pencil in nude color like the Bliss lip liner stick, which costs $15.
Avoid sun damage. New York dermatologist, Dennis Gross, explains that the lips do not have a lot of melanin, which means they are prone to sun damage. It’s recommended to use a lip balm with at least SPF 15. Apply frequently especially if you head outdoors often. The Aveda lip saver with SPF 15 is a fantastic choice for just $7.5.
Develop good habits. Many of your lip problems are often caused by bad habits such as smoking, which increases the speed with which lines around your mouth develop. Licking your lips is another poor habit, as once saliva evaporates, your lips will be left with little to no moisture. You should also avoid biting your lips, no matter how nervous you feel. The skin on your lips doesn’t have a strong outer layer of protection, causing it to get easily damaged.
Democrat Doug Jones has won Alabama election after a bitter campaign against Republican Roy Moore, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate seat for the state in 25 years.
Doug Jones’ unexpected victory deals a blow to President Donald Trump, who backed Roy Moore, and narrows the Republican majority in the Senate to 51-49.
Roy Moore has so far refused to concede, saying “it’s not over”.
The Republican fought a controversial campaign, in which allegations surfaced of assaulting teenage girls.
Roy Moore, a firebrand conservative who has said he believes that gay activity should be illegal, has repeatedly denied the claims against him.
The contest was for the seat vacated by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions earlier this year.
Doug Jones won with 49.9% of the vote, to Roy Moore’s 48.4%. All votes from precincts around the state have been counted.
The margin of victory is well above the half a percentage point which would have triggered a recount.
However, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, quoted by the Washington Post, said a recount could still be ordered if a review of write-in votes and overseas ballots narrowed it to within this range.
Overseas ballots can continue to come in until the seventh day after the election (December 19), the Department of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program says.
There was a total of 1.7% of votes for write-ins, where voters wrote in names of candidates who did not appear on the ballot paper.
Even if the final result is outside the 0.5% margin, either candidate can request a recount if they are prepared to pay the costs.
Roy Moore, a 70-year-old former judge, told his supporters it was not yet over.
“We’ve been painted in an unfavorable and unfaithful light,” he said.
“Realize that when the vote is this close that it’s not over.”
Although Roy Moore did not concede, President Donald Trump congratulated Doug Jones in a tweet shortly after media declared him the winner, adding that “Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time”.
The Senate seat will come up for re-election in November 2020.
Doug Jones, 63, told his supporters in a victory speech that the “entire race has been about dignity and respect”.
“This campaign has been about the rule of law. This campaign has been about common courtesy and decency and making sure everyone in this state, regardless of which zip code you live in, is going to get a fair shake in life,” he said before the crowd erupted in cheers.
Doug Jones is a former lawyer known for helping convict two Ku Klux Klan members who bombed a black church in 1963 in Birmingham, killing four girls. He has never held elected office.
His victory has been credited to an unusually high turnout of black voters. Exit polls also suggest 56% of women voted for him.
After Doug Jones takes his seat, the Republicans can only afford to lose one vote – in the event of a 50-50 split VP Mike Pence will have the casting vote.
Flea comes in tiny packages, which doesn’t lessen their menace even a bit. A flea bite may be just a small irritation, but if the insects carry any diseases, they will transmit them to your body. Some of them are not only unwell conditions, but also fatal strikes.
Below are some problems your pets and you may catch if there are flea around. To get rid of the threats, look at the solutions for some ways to keep the insect away from your family.
Diseases You May Contract Due to Flea Exposure
Plague
You are not misreading; this is precisely the plague causes the annihilation of more than a third of European population in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, there are specific medicines and remedies against the disease and human no longer die because of it. However, it is still a severe threat to our health.
Plague is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas. Mice are the most common carrier of the pandemic since their fur can contain a large number of the insect, both eggs, and adults. Still, your cats and dogs can be infected and bring the bacteria to your respiratory system when you play with them.
Murine Typhus
The disease is also caused by flea living in animal’s fur, which is mainly rats’. Your cat may be the carrier if you let him chase the mice often and then cuddle him. Murine Typhus gets into your body through flea bites. The bitten area would be itchy, and scratching will facilitate the disease acquisition.
Check for these symptoms: a headache, fever, nausea, and body aches if you think you have caught the disease. After five or six days, a rash will start from your body trunk and spreads to your limbs.
The disease can be treated by antibiotics if you see a doctor in time. If you don’t the condition will stay for long and cause much trouble. People with diabetes, kidney problems, and are alcoholic will have more severe symptoms than others.
Mycoplasma Haemofelis
The disease can be transmitted to cats through infected flea or mosquito, causing the symptoms of fever and anemia. Usually, the human is not affected by mycoplasma haemofelis, but there are proofs that it can harm our bodies if our immune systems are compromised.
The disease causes blood cell destruction in cats since it hassles with the immune system of your pet. In the worst cases, treatment for your cat will take four to six weeks with blood transfusion and antibiotics.
The disgusting tapeworms can occupy in adult flea, then move into the intestine of dogs and cats. They can get into the human body, too. Cat eating infected mice are the most likely to swallow the loathsome parasites.
Few cases have shown their appearance in adults, but children have tapeworms more often. Treating them is easy, though, just by a drug named praziquantel.
Cat Scratch Disease
Specific studies show that cats are usually exposed to flea at some points in their life. Some never get sick from the bug; some may have severe symptoms like vomiting, seeming lethargic, swollen lymph nodes, having red eyes, etc.
The disease can be transmitted to people when the infected cat scratches or bites the person playing with it. In some rare cases, the condition may affect human brain, eyes, and other internal organs.
Preventing Flea Bites on Humans
There are several methods to get rid of flea, such as:
Make a lemon spray. By spraying all the corner of your house and your pet with the aroma, you can keep flea away. Besides, it is a calming and comfortable smell.
Buy a diffuser and bless your sweet home with the aromas of lavender, cedar woods, or peppermint. Applying lotions of the scents can prevent flea exposure, too.
Keep the bug away by killing the main carrier: rats. If you are searching for a good mouse poison, go to the nearest grocery store. People there will know what you should have to annihilate the hateful animals.
Use an effective flea fogger to kill the loathsome insects right when you see them. Common insecticide will work, too. However, check the labels carefully to avoid health hazard from the flea fogger.
Let some nematodes live in your yard. The beneficial worms feed in fleas, so the number of the bug will reduce massively with the appearance of the new species. Beautiful ladybugs can be an alternative. You should go the nearest garden center to seek a flea predator which can work well in your local climate.
Bath your pets and take them to the vet regularly to check for any signs of fleas. If they have the bug on, you can use some flea drop and avoid playing with them until the problem is solved.
Last words
Flea is a threat to pet and human’s well-being. You should consider the above measures to find the best way to get rid of the bug.
If you have any other ideas about the solutions, or you have coped with the problems and solved it, please let us know. We are always ready to share your information to people.
Technology is a double-edged sword that certainly has its advantages, but also some negative fallouts—like an increase in technology-related health conditions. Part of this is incidental, but strange as it sounds, part of it is by design. The flicker rate of old televisions was designed with a specific purpose in mind.
Soon things became colorized, and here, too, an archetypal aspect of human psychology became affected. People are more interested in rich, visually satisfying hues. So Technicolor made an effort to provide this sought richness. But the truth is, no image, no film, and no technology can replicate the real thing.
Accordingly, when you’re choosing the color scheme of your wedding, you want it to reflect your passion for the occasion, and the longevity that will be associated with it. For extreme flavor, and longevity, honey has an archetypal quality. It is golden, it lasts perpetually, and it has a deep sweetness to it.
A honey gold is visually, aesthetically, and appropriately pleasing for many wedding ceremonies. This honeyed innovation is beginning to characterize more and more bridesmaid color schemes, as well as those which define other members in a given wedding party.
Dresses And Resources
You can find gold bridesmaid dresses & gold gowns | Azazie has in their offer. This hue will add a touch of glitz and glamour to your wedding since it’s a standout trend for bridesmaid dresses this year.
Speaking of bling, you’re going to need resources for your honeymoon after the ceremony. It is very important to have a memorable vacation with your new spouse. You need to be together, have an adventure, and take in the new reality you’ve become part of.
You’re going to have hard times, and you’re going to have grand times—that’s life. Amplification often defines the married situation—and this is a good thing. Both parties become stronger, more secure, and more dependable all around. Still, if you can avoid some of the hardships pertaining to money during the honeymoon, that’s a good idea.
One online solution to help you with your honeymoon is HoneyFund. This is a crowdfunding platform squarely aimed at assisting newlyweds in their honeymoon endeavors. It has been very successful, and is a perfect way for friends and family to show their support of your new marriage.
Fully Experiencing The Big Day
The truth is, even established couples will experience some adjustment in the new life, and that’s perfectly natural. Anticipating this, and preparing for it in a financial way through solutions like crowdfunding, can help defray unnecessary difficulties.
Something else you can do to increase the sweetness of your honeyed matrimony is to plan the ceremony out as far in advance as it’s feasible to. Additionally, you want to book vendors, get wardrobe squared away, source transportation, send out the invitations, and all those other necessary things as soon as you can.
This way you can get a better idea of the total cost, and defray a great deal of it. You can additionally increase the celebratory nature of the occasion. A wedding is something to remember, to cherish, and to experience. You are able to be more fully in the moment if you have the least amount of stress tickling the back of your mind.
So don’t let the bee stings of financial realities detract from the sweetness of your new life expansion. Plan in advance, look into creative funding solutions, and find the right color scheme to fully silhouette the final day.
Former US Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins, who defected to North Korea and became Pyongyang’s prisoner for nearly 40 years, has died at the age of 77.
Charles Jenkins lived in Japan where he had settled with his family after his 2004 release.
He was among four US soldiers who defected in the 1960s and later became North Korean film stars, but was the only one who was released.
The other three soldiers reportedly died in North Korea, including James Dresnok who was said to have died of a stroke in 2016.
Charles Jenkins died on Sado island on December 11, where he was living with his wife Hitomi Soga, also a former prisoner of North Korea.
According to Japanese media, Charles Jenkins collapsed outside his home and later died of heart problems in hospital. His wife said in a statement that she was “very surprised” by his death and “cannot think of anything”, according to AFP.
Charles Jenkins had led an extraordinary but also difficult life in North Korea, which he would later chronicle in a memoir and several interviews.
In 1965, while stationed with the US Army in South Korea by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Charles Jenkins decided to abandon his unit and defect to North Korea, fearing he would be killed in patrols or sent to fight in the Vietnam War.
He said he thought that once in North Korea, he could seek asylum with the Russian embassy, and eventually return to the US in a prisoner swap.
One January night, Charles Jenkins said he downed several beers, walked across the DMZ, and surrendered to North Korean soldiers there. He was only 24 years old.
However, Russia did not grant him or the other Americans asylum. Instead, they were held as prisoners by the North Koreans.
In a 2005 interview with CBS, Charles Jenkins said: “Thinking back now, I was a fool. If there’s a God in the heaven, he carried me through it.”
The men were forced to study the teachings of then-leader Kim Il-sung; did translation work; and taught English. However, they also became minor celebrities when they acted in North Korean propaganda films, starring as Western villains.
Charles Jenkins said his captors often beat him, and conducted medical procedures on him that were sometimes unnecessary or brutal, including cutting off a US Army tattoo without anesthesia, an experience which Charles Jenkins had described as “hell”.
In 1980, he was forced to marry a Japanese woman abducted to teach North Korean spies her language.
The couple had two daughters, Mika and Brinda. Charles Jenkins said that as foreign prisoners, they were treated better than ordinary North Koreans and given rations, even during the famine that swept North Korea in the 1990s.
In 2002, his wife was freed after negotiations by the Japanese government. Pyongyang then allowed Charles Jenkins to leave two years later, along with their daughters.
The family reunited under intense scrutiny from the press in Japan, where there was widespread sympathy.
In Japan, Charles Jenkins surrendered to the US Army, almost four decades after he had defected, and was court-martialled.
He was eventually given a 30-day prison sentence, and a dishonorable discharge.
The family settled in Sado island Charles Jenkins eventually found work as a greeter in a tourist park.
However, he had to cope with the culture shock of adapting to the modern world, after spending so many years in an isolated country.
He claimed he had never touched a computer, let alone used the internet, and was surprised to see many women serving in the army as well as black people working as policemen, according to CBS.
Charles Jenkins also suffered from lingering complications from medical procedures he received in North Korea and had to be hospitalized after his release, he told the Los Angeles Times in one of his last media interviews published in August.
Even while living in freedom, Charles Jenkins still remained afraid of his former captors, and was constantly worried that he or his family would eventually be assassinated.
Three of President Donald Trump’s harassment accusers have demanded a congressional inquiry.
At a New York City news conference, Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks accused President Trump of groping, fondling, forcibly kissing, humiliating or harassing them.
The trio detailed their allegations shortly beforehand live on TV.
However, the White House said the women were making “false claims”.
The December 11 press conference was organized by Brave New Films, which last month released a documentary, 16 Women and Donald Trump, about the claims made by multiple women.
Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks originally went public separately with their allegations a month before last year’s presidential election.
The claims have been given a new lease of life by the harassment scandals that have engulfed high-profile public figures since October’s fall of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
On December 11, Samantha Holvey told NBC News that Donald Trump had ogled her and other competitors in 2006 at the Miss USA beauty pageant, which he owned.
The former Miss North Carolina, who was 20-years-old at the time, said “he lined all of us up” and was “just looking me over like I was just a piece of meat”.
“It left me feeling very gross,” Samantha Holvey told Megyn Kelly.
She later told the reporters: “They’ve investigated other Congress members, so I think it only stands fair that he [President Trump] is investigated as well
“This isn’t a partisan issue, this is, how women are treated every day.”
Jessica Leeds, now in her 70s, says that when she was 38 she sat next to Donald Trump in the first-class cabin of a flight to New York and he assaulted her.
She said: “He jumped all over me.”
Jessica Leeds said she came forward because: “I wanted people to know what kind of person Trump really is, and what a pervert he is.”
Rachel Crooks said she was kissed on the lips by Donald Trump outside a lift in Trump Tower when she was a 22-year-old receptionist at a real estate company there.
The White House said on December 11: “These false claims, totally disputed in most cases by eyewitness accounts, were addressed at length during last year’s campaign, and the American people voiced their judgment by delivering a decisive victory.
“The timing and absurdity of these false claims speaks volumes and the publicity tour that has begun only further confirms the political motives behind them.”
President Trump rejected such allegations last year and vowed to sue the accusers, though no lawsuit has yet been filed.
However, over the weekend President Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said his accusers “should be heard”.
Speaking to CBS News, Nikki Haley said she was “incredibly proud of the women who have come forward”.
Meanwhile, three Democratic senators – Cory Booker of New Jersey, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York – called on President Trump to resign over the allegations.
When Donald Trump claimed, in the second Republican debate, that vaccines may be linked to autism, he stirred a dispute that began in 1998 and had long been debunked.
Such is the way of the Republican party. Dig up old and discredited arguments. Dust them off and present them as shiny and new.
The approach may not be as harmful when it comes to economic policy, but when it comes to something as potentially life-saving — and life-threatening — as vaccines, then Trump needs to get up-to-date.
The scene of Trump talking about vaccines and autism was unsettlingly familiar.
Many infectious disease specialists have spent their career trying to reveal the lie in the contention that shots can cause severe medical conditions.
A Money Grab?
Years ago, an American traveling overseas would be shown a diagram of where vaccinations were a must. The map designated every country in blue as being one that a visitor must have injections to travel safely. At the same time, Europeans going overseas were also shown a similar representation.
There were just two differences. On the American’s map, every country was shaded blue except the USA. The European tourist’s guide showed every nation in blue — except Europe.
A conspiracy theorist would enjoy explaining the international drive for inoculations — when people travel. You may not be a conspiracy theorist but don’t ignore the idea that all travel vaccinations are suggested with something other than health being the top priority.
Travel anywhere requires documentation that the visitor has had their travel vaccinations. Written evidence of immunization can even be drilled down to the level of what region in which a person traveled. For instance, if a person has just visited a nation with a yellow fever concern — which includes much of South America, they may be obligated to show evidence of vaccination before entering another later. It is seldom asked for, except for yellow fever, but sometimes needed.
Vaccine Or Not To Vaccine
Dr. Randall Neustaedter, the author of The Vaccine Guide, offers three simple prerequisites in deciding about travel vaccines: risk, potential vs. likelihood and efficiency.
Risk
Determine which illnesses you may be at risk for in the area you are traveling. Some nations require proof, but most only recommend and don’t require. The latest vaccine recommendations can be found on the official CDC website.
Potential vs. Likelihood
Think about the likelihood of catching an illness compared to possible side effects of a vaccine. While it doesn’t make sense to get an unneeded vaccine, determine if the risks outweigh the shot.
Efficiency
Consider the efficacy rate of the vaccine you’re studying. It’s simple. What can you catch? How likely are you to catch it and what are the side effects?
Neustaedter says Hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever are the three usually considered for travel vaccinations.
A viral infection affecting the liver. Rarely fatal and doesn’t cause chronic illness. Commonly acquired by consuming contaminated water, rice or raw foods.
A severe viral disease transmitted between humans via mosquitoes. The sickness is fatal if not treated. Over 100 nations require proof of vaccination for yellow fever below entering — even layovers which last more than twelve hours.
Considerations For Vaccinations Prior To Overseas Travel
Pregnancy
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines should be given during pregnancy irredgardless of the woman’s travel plans. The CDC recommendsvaccinations if f a travel itinerary is fixed and specific regions cannot be avoided. The risks for exposure are often believed to outweigh the risks of vaccination.
Children
Vaccinating children for travel requires serious consideration. When possible, children should complete the routine immunizations of childhood on a regular schedule. Travel at a younger age may demand an accelerated timetable of shots and the CDC says not all travel-related shots are useful in infants. In fact, some are specifically contraindicated.
Elderly
Vaccines.govsuggests those over 65 often need one or more vaccines, including:
Influenza (Flu)
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia)
Compromised Immune System
The CDC Travelers Health site lists what vaccines are recommended based on the destination for those with autoimmune disorders. While most vaccines are made from killed bacteria viruses and are safe, they may be less efficient in persons with abnormal immune systems, leaving them unprotected or not adequately protected.
It comes to a surprise to Americans that anyone would have a negative view of what most of us consider to be the best country in the world. But if we could step out of our zones and look at America from the outside with an unbiased opinion, we have to admit, it can look like a mess.
Our leaders have made publicly criticizing each other a national pastime. Crimes are continually splashed across internet screens and more than a few countries are taking issue with our policies.
Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about American that are simply not true and are born from confusion. Here we would like to dispel some of these myths.
It is easy to see why that is a misconception. Americas are often compared to the celebrities that are always in the news. But all Americans are not celebrities, politicians, or millionaires. According to The World Atlas, The United States is actually number 10 in the wealthiest nations of the world. Many Americans travels in style often using private chartered jets like you will find here, but often those trips are used for the convenience and safety or world commerce leaders who have industry concerns around the world.
Most Americans simply take annual vacations like people in other countries. A popular example is an all-inclusive vacation plan at a resort hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. The resort is luxurious, but the packages available make it affordable.
Myth number 2
All Americans are fat
It is true, the United States has a problem with obesity. So does almost every developed country in the world (including the United Kingdom). The numbers of people in the United Kingdom has been on a rise for problems with obesity.
Many Americans began to gain weight when laws began passing that made smoking uncool. It is not usually the richer classes in any nation that fights the battle on obesity. It is usually the poor who cannot afford healthy foods needed to fill your desire for foods of lower sugar, starch, and other fattening foods
Hobbies that encourage the use of energy like swimming, running, biking, and hiking are being utilized. It takes a lot of calories to go exploring the mountains.
Myth number 3
Everyone in America owns a gun.
This is not true. Some states have very strict laws on gun use and others are more lenient. This is a hotly debated topic that gets a lot of media coverage. There is little doubt that the United States has way too many gun deaths. It rates 31st in the world according to WKNO News.
We all know that violence can and does happen everywhere. So while gun violence is too high in the States, it is likely too high in any developed country.
Myth number 4
Americans are fake
This is just a cultural misunderstanding. In Europe, the custom is to be standoffish, held back, and withdrawn when they first meet someone. Once they get to know you, they warm up to you and you become friends.
Americans are not standoffish. When we meet someone, we will like you and include you until you give us a reason not too. If you prove to be the person we assumed you are, our friendship remains. If you prove unworthy of our friendship we will break it off then.
Americans are not fake, they are just real with you from day one.
No matter where your native land is, you are going to show pride in your country. You may fuss and complain about things in your country that you do not like. We all do. But that doesn’t mean you would let someone from another country trash talk yours. Of course not. Americans are patriotic just as Russians, Germans, Africans, and every other country.
There are a lot of myths about the United States that carry little weight. But, come and see for yourself. You will be greeted warmly by people who love to know all about you and will share their lives with you.
The simple fact is this. With modern technology, we are all a global community. Chances are good that you will have more in common with Americans that you ever thought.
