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​Future Proofing Finances – 6 Tips For Developing a Disaster Preparedness Plan For Your Business

Dana R
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​Future Proofing Finances – 6 Tips For Developing a Disaster Preparedness Plan For Your Business

What happens to your business if a disaster hits? The purpose of developing a Business Continuity Plan, is to ensure the continuation of your business during and following any critical incident. If your normal operational capability is disrupted, your plan will ensure that the financial impacts upon your business are minimal. Read on to find six tips for developing a disaster preparedness plan for your business.

1. Organize your finances

Even with the best plan in place, in the event of a disaster it is likely that your business will suffer some financial damage. For this reason, it is important to research loans or fixed deposit amounts before disaster hits. With this research, you can ensure that you receive the best interest rate available and be back on your feet quickly. Have you ever been hit with a disaster and need a debt consolidation loan? Try latitudefinancial.com.au.

finance-business

2. Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

A business impact analysis (BIA) predicts the consequences of disruption to business functions and processes, and is vital in developing a business continuity plan. The planning stages involve gathering information needed to develop recovery strategies, identify time-sensitive and critical business functions, and prioritize the order of events for restoration of the business.

Your BIA should identify both the operational and financial impacts from a disruption of business processes. Some impacts to consider in your plan include:

  • Lost income and sales
  • Increased expenses
  • Contractual penalties
  • Regulatory fines
  • Customer dissatisfaction

The BIA should therefore compare the costs of possible recovery strategies in order to minimize further financial strain on the business.

3. Gather the resources required to support recovery

Minimizing the financial implications of a disaster on your business involves recovering from the interruption as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Recovery of critical or time-sensitive processes to your business requires resources. It is important to consider in advance these necessary resources and alternatives should they become unavailable. Important resources include:

  • Employees
  • Technology
  • Office space
  • Invetory
  • Production facilities
  • Utilities

It is important to therefore estimate the resources that will be needed in the days and weeks following a disaster.

4.  Finalize your recovery strategies

Recovery strategies are alternate means to restore business operations to a minimum level following a disaster. Your strategies may involve:

  • Entering into a partnership or reciprocal agreement with another business
  • Displacing other functions within the company
  • Relocation of operations to an alternate site
  • Telecommuting
  • Using external suppliers
  • Prioritization of production—by profit margin or customer relationship
  • Relocation of existing inventory

5. Insurance

As part of your disaster plan, you need to determine what types of insurance are available, and put in place the insurance that will best protect your business needs. It is important that your policy covers all foreseeable threats to your business. Adequate insurance cover should include both business interruption and general property insurance. If you live in an area that is prone to floods or other natural disasters, it is important to take this into consideration when choosing the right policy.

6. Invest in employee training

In the event of a disaster, your employees are vital to ensuring the continued operation of your business. Therefore adequate training in multiple areas of the business is imperative to reduce key person risk. Informing your employees of the disaster management plan and training them accordingly, ensures that there is minimal disruptions to your business activities. Consulting with your key employees throughout the planning process is also beneficial, as they will have the best idea of what functions and processes are most important for the continuity of the business.

Developing a disaster preparedness plan is an important step in ensuring the continuation of your business in the event of an unforeseen disaster. Taking the time to plan early gives you the peace of mind that your business can withstand any surprising incidents.

Bio: Laura Costello is in her final year of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social media, and the ability to translate her knowledge of both common and complex topics to readers across a variety of mediums, in a way that is easy to understand.

Five ways to overcome testosterone decline

Nancy Clayson
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Five ways to overcome testosterone decline

Testosterone is usually known as the male sex hormone. The testicles produce the hormone. The hormone is also present in women’s bodies. For the female ovaries to function properly, testosterone is a necessary hormone albeit in a minimal amount.

Testosterone is the primary key player in the male’s reproductive and sexual life. This reason is why it has links with manhood. Testosterone is responsible for giving men their defined muscles and helps them grow faster. It is in charge of the bone structure and hair growth in addition to the voice changes and other male features.

Starting from the age of 30, men will start to witness a decline in the levels of testosterone. The decline is not significant. It is gradual but continuous. Men will start to experience a lower sex drive and a decreased libido. This fact will put them at a risk of prostate enlargement and even cancer. The gradual decline in testosterone levels makes men lose their muscle mass. The body starts to store more fat, especially around the belly. The muscles and bones density start to decline. With less testosterone, men will be more stressed and tensed. Pollution, chemicals and unhealthy lifestyle can accelerate the process, thus leaving men with less testosterone and more health threats.

Since maintaining healthy levels of testosterone is not only associated with being a macho man, you need to keep your testosterone levels in check to live healthily. This fact is the reason why there are a lot of ways people can employ to maintain their levels of testosterone for as much as possible.

How to Overcome Testosterone Decline?

Fortunately, researchers and scientists have come up with ways and techniques that can help people counter the adverse effects of declining testosterone. You can consider these to keep your hormonal levels in check for a healthier lifestyle.

 

  • Naturally Boosting Your Testosterone Level:

 

Using the best testosterone booster will not add more testosterone to your body. Steroids will directly add more testosterone to your system, but testosterone boosters encourage your body to produce more of this crucial hormone. So do testosterone boosters work? As a matter of fact, yes and they work way better than steroids because they ensure that your testosterone levels are within the normal range to avoid any side effects.

Most testosterone boosters will contain natural ingredients like zinc, ginseng and Vitamin D3. These natural ingredients are safe to use and will positively influence the production of your testosterone. They can also improve the health of your sperm.

Zinc and D3 are naturally found in food. But in order to get the recommended amount of these substances, you will have to maintain a healthy eating regimen which can be challenging to a lot of people. This is why a lot of people resort to taking the best testosterone booster to keep their hormonal levels in the best shape possible.

 

  • Avoiding Gender-Bending Chemicals:

 

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals are in most of the products that we use every single day. Unfortunately, these chemicals hurt the hormones that our bodies produce. These compounds limit the production of testosterone in the male body and influence the glands to produce more feminine hormones.

These chemicals don’t only affect adults but also children. They fundamentally alter the natural ratio of male to female hormones which hurt sex differentiating traits. Young boys and men will start to have more prominent man boobs and a smaller muscle mass. Avoiding these chemicals can have a positive effect on your body and emotional well-being.

 

  • Maintaining a Healthy Eating Style:

 

A lot of people don’t understand that weight gain has links associated with most health problems, including testosterone decline. Maintaining a healthy weight is not that easy when you have to spend long hours sitting behind a desk. The busy lifestyle will make fast food more appealing.

But the truth is that fast food is packed with unhealthy fats that will be stored in your body. These fats affect the production of your testosterone. An enzyme called aromatase will start to turn the testosterone in your body to estrogen. The estrogen will further encourage the creation of more fat cells that mainly store this extra fat in your belly.This vicious cycle only ends if you start to eat healthily.  Reducing sugar and carbohydrates will prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. You shouldn’t avoid eating fats altogether since they give you the energy you need. Instead, you should opt for the kinds of food that have healthy fats. This diet will include nuts and fatty fish.

 

  • Exercise:

 

Regular exercise will not only keep your body in shape but will also keep your hormones in check. HITT which is a high-intensity exercise followed by short resting periods helps increase your metabolism and accelerate the rate of fat burning. They also improve the production of testosterone.

Compound exercises are excellent because you work a lot of muscles at the same time. This fact means that you will get the best results over a shorter period. As your body starts to burn more fats, it will not convert the testosterone to estrogen.

 

  • Relax and Reduce Stress:

 

Every time you fall under stress, your body will start producing a hormone called Cortisol. It mainly helps you cope with and defend against potential dangers. But as a result, your body will start to produce less of other hormones including testosterone.

A stressful emergency situation will not harm you as much as continuous stress does. This constant and regular stress will keep your Cortisol high, which permanently affects the amount of testosterone in your body. Using yoga and meditation can help you better cope with stressful situations. This fact is essential for your health and well-being.

Testosterone decline is a natural part of ageing. But you don’t have to see the worst side of it. These physical and practical methods can substantially decrease the rate of testosterone decline thus saving your body from the adverse effects. These are natural ways that will not harm your body in the long run and can be applied simultaneously for the best results.

Hurricane Maria Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Maria Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power

Hurricane Maria has left without power to the entire island of Puerto Rico, home to 3.5 million people, emergency officials have said.

Abner Gómez, head of the disaster management agency, said Hurricane Maria had damaged “everything in its path”.

He said that none of the customers of Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority had any electricity.

Maria weakened to a category 3 storm with winds of 115 mph as it moved across the island.

“The information we received is not encouraging,” Abner Gómez told a briefing, urging people to stay in their homes.

Image source Good Free Photos

Hurricane Maria Takes Aim at Caribbean Islands Devastated by Irma Just Days Ago

Hurricane Irma: Six Died at Florida Nursing Home

Hurricane Irma: 6.5 Million Homes Left Without Power in Florida

Earlier, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello asked President Donald Trump to declare the island a disaster area after the storm unleashed heavy flooding and life-threatening winds.

The governor said major damage was inevitable, although 500 shelters had been established to protect people.

Hurricane Maria has already left seven people dead on the island of Dominica, which was badly affected on September 18.

Aerial footage shows flattened houses and the death toll on Dominica is likely to rise, with details remaining scant as communication links are down.

Images shared on social media show roofs being stripped away as winds as strong as 140 mph whipped trees and power lines in Puerto Rico’s capital city, San Juan.

Puerto Rico is facing $73 billionn in public debt and the damage left by Maria could exacerbate its financial crisis. Declaring a disaster would mean the island could receive more federal assistance in its recovery.

According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Maria made landfall in Yabucoa in the east of Puerto Rico on September 20 as a category 4 storm. It was the first category 4 hurricane to directly hit Puerto Rico since 1932.

Hours earlier, Maria barreled through the US Virgin Islands’ St Croix as a category 5 storm, sustaining winds of up to 175mph.

There was flooding in the French territory of Guadeloupe, where one person was killed by a falling tree and another died on the seafront. At least two others were missing after their ship sank near Desirade, the easternmost island in the archipelago.

Hurricane Maria is the second devastating storm to hit the Caribbean this season – the first being category 5 Irma earlier in September. Maria began moving roughly along the same track as Irma.

Officials in Puerto Rico feared the debris left by Irma could prove extremely dangerous in the high winds.

Jake LaMotta Dies Aged 95

Clyde K. Valle
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Jake LaMotta Dies Aged 95

Legendary boxer Jake LaMotta has died at the age of 95.

The former world middleweight boxing champion was portrayed by Robert De Niro in 1980’s Raging Bull.

Jake LaMotta died in a nursing home due to complications from pneumonia, his wife told TMZ.

Based on his 1970 memoir, Raging Bull depicts an emotional fighter struggling with life outside the ring.

Raging Bull, directed by Martin Scorsese, earned Robert De Niro a Best Actor award at the Oscars.

Born on July 10, 1922, to Italian parents in the Bronx area of New York City, Jake LaMotta took up boxing after being rejected by the US military due to a medical condition.

Image source Wikimedia

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Sports commentators praised his willingness to take a severe beating in order to get close enough to land the best punches on his opponent.

His stamina in the ring, which he honed during a prison sentence, earned Jake LaMotta the nickname “The Bronx Bull”.

Jake LaMotta first won national recognition two years after landing on the professional boxing circuit, when he handed Sugar Ray Robinson his first ever defeat in 1943.

His rough style, and strong chin, made him one of the most famous fighters in boxing during the 1940s and 1950s at a time when boxing was one of the nation’s most popular sports.

After resisting Mafia efforts to control him, Jake LaMotta later admitted to intentionally losing a fight at the behest of mobsters in 1947, causing him to suffer a suspension from the sport.

According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Jake LaMotta’s career record was 83 wins, 19 losses, 4 draws, and 30 knockouts.

After retiring from the ring in 1954, Jake LaMotta went on to act in several movies, also touring as a stand-up comedian.

Mexico Earthquake Kills At Least 225 People

Diane A. Wade
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Mexico Earthquake Kills At Least 225 People

At least 26 people, including 21 children, died at a primary school which collapsed in Mexico City during September 19 earthquake, the Mexican government says.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 225 people in total and caused major damage across states in the center of Mexico.

Desperate searches for survivors under the rubble are continuing.

Dozens of buildings collapsed, including several churches where worshippers were killed.

The quake struck shortly after many people had taken part in an earthquake drill, exactly 32 years after another quake killed thousands in Mexico City.

Mexico is prone to earthquakes and earlier this month an 8.1 magnitude tremor in the south left at least 90 people dead.

Though it struck a similar region, September 19 earthquake does not appear to be connected with the quake on September 7, which was at least 30 times more energetic.

Enrique Rébsamen primary school collapsed in Mexico City’s southern Coapa district.

Image source Wikimedia

Mexico Hit by 8.1-Magnitude Earthquake, At Least Six Dead

Italy Earthquake: At Least Two Dead and 39 Injured in Ischia

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Confirming the death toll, Education Minister Aurelio Nuño‏ said 11 people had been rescued while two children and an adult were missing.

Local media had reported a higher death toll earlier.

More than 500 members of the army and navy, along with 200 police officers and volunteers, have been working at the site, Milenio newspaper writes.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said after visiting the rescue operation: “Some voices have been heard.

“In the time I have been here, I have seen how at times they have asked for total silence, solidarity to listen for the voices.”

At least 209 schools were affected by the quake, 15 of which have suffered severe damage.

The epicenter of the latest quake was near Atencingo in Puebla state, about 75 miles from Mexico City, with a depth of 38 miles, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says.

The prolonged tremor hit at 13:14 local time on September 19 and sent thousands of residents into the streets.

Most of the victims died in the capital.  According to government figures, 94 died in Mexico City, 71 in Morelos state, 43 in Puebla state, 12 in Mexico state, 4 in Guerrero, 1 in Oaxaca.

Salvează

Paul Manafort: FBI Wiretapped Donald Trump’s Campaign Chairman

Diane A. Wade
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Paul Manafort: FBI Wiretapped Donald Trump’s Campaign Chairman

According to new reports, Paul Manafort, who was Donald Trump’s campaign chairman, was wiretapped by the FBI due to concerns about his links with Russia, according to US media.

The reported surveillance, granted under a court warrant, occurred both before and after the 2016 election.

Investigators wanted to know if Paul Manafort had sought Russian help with the campaign.

It is not known if the wiretap, which began in 2014, included conversations with President Trump. Paul Manafort is said to be facing an indictment.

The former political consultant, who had worked for Ukraine’s former ruling party, was chairman of the Trump campaign from June to August 2016. He has not commented on the CNN report, which has been confirmed by CBS News.

Image source Getty

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FBI special counsel Robert Mueller is leading an investigation into alleged attempts by Russia to influence the 2016 election.

However, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants were granted before his investigation started, and were first authorized as part of an investigation into Washington consulting firms working for Ukraine, CNN reported.

After the 2014 warrant ended, it was renewed again until earlier this year, in order to allow the FBI to investigate ties between Trump campaign associates and suspected Russian operatives.

Communications collected with the Manafort wiretaps sparked concerns among investigators that he had encouraged the Russians to help with the election campaign, CNN cited three sources as saying – although two of the sources said the evidence had not been conclusive.

The FBI, as well as several congressional committees, are investigating whether Russia attempted to interfere in the US election in order to help Donald Trump.

FBI agents raided Paul Manafort’s suburban Washington DC home on July 26, according to the New York Times.

Agents had picked the lock to his Virginia home as Paul Manafort lay in bed, and were looking for evidence that he had set up off-shore bank accounts, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, who lost the election to Donald Trump, said that she “wouldn’t rule out” questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election if evidence emerged of Russian interference.

North Korea Warns that More Sanctions Will Accelerate Its Nuclear Program

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Warns that More Sanctions Will Accelerate Its Nuclear Program

North Korea warns that more sanctions and pressure will only make it accelerate its nuclear program.

In a strongly worded statement, North Korea called a new set of UN sanctions “the most vicious, unethical and inhumane act of hostility”.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart committed to “maximizing pressure” on North Korea through vigorous enforcement of UN resolutions.

Earlier, the US and South Korea carried out joint military exercises.

North Korea fired its latest missile over Japan on September 15. It traveled 2,300 miles, putting the US Pacific territory of Guam, which North Korea says it has a plan to target, within reach.

Image source YouTube

North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile over Japan

North Korea Launches Fiery Attack on US Following UN Sanctions

North Korea Claims It Has Developed Hydrogen Bomb

The launch followed a fresh round of UN sanctions and was unanimously condemned by the UN Security Council as “highly provocative”.

The foreign ministry statement, carried by North Korea’s official news agency KCNA, said: “The increased moves of the US and its vassal forces to impose sanctions and pressure on the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will only increase our pace towards the ultimate completion of the state nuclear force.”

North Korea also said that the goal of the new UN sanctions, approved on September 11, was to “physically exterminate” the country’s people, system and government.

The sanctions are an attempt to starve North Korea of fuel and income for its weapons programs, and restrict oil imports and ban textile exports.

The fresh measures followed the sixth and most powerful nuclear test conducted by North Korea earlier this month.

However, some critics have raised questions over the effectiveness of the restrictions, as North Korea is still able to trade internationally.

North Korea’s commerce with China, its main ally, was partially responsible for an estimated economic growth of 3.9% in 2016, Bloomberg news agency reports.

The issue of North Korea’s weapons program is expected to dominate President Donald Trump’s address at the UN General Assembly and his meetings with the leaders of South Korea and Japan.

President Trump previously warned that “all options” were on the table and that North Korea would face “fire and fury” if it continued to threaten the US.

In a phone call on September 18, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to “maximizing pressure on North Korea through vigorous enforcement” of UN Security Council resolutions, the White House said.

Russia has also criticized what it describes as “aggressive rhetoric” from the US.

China and Russia only agreed to the new UN sanctions after they were softened by Washington.

Ryanair Cancels Thousands of Flights Due to Shortage of Pilots

Clyde K. Valle
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Ryanair Cancels Thousands of Flights Due to Shortage of Pilots

Ryanair has warned that it could face up to 20 million euros in compensation claims after canceling thousands of flights due to a shortage of pilots.

The low-cost airline plans to cancel 40-50 flights every day for the next six weeks, after it admitted it had “messed up” the planning of pilot holidays.

In a letter to pilots, Ryanair COO Michael Hickey said the company’s crewing forecast to the end of December was “for tighter pilot numbers”.

The letter shows Ryanair pilots were only informed on September 13 of the staff shortage facing the company yet Michael Hickey outlined that it knew last year they may face a leave backlog.

Pilots have been asked to work during their booked holiday to cover the gaps and their rota pattern is also likely to be disrupted.

Image source Wikimedia

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In the letter, Michael Hickey said these pilots would be “helping protect the integrity of the operation during the remainder of the flight year”.

Ryanair also faces pressure to publish a full list of the flights it plans to cancel every day amid growing anger among customers.

So far it has only published a list of affected flights up until September 20.

The airline has blamed a backlog of staff leave for the disruption, which could affect up to 400,000 passengers.

Ryanair is changing its holiday year, which currently runs from April to March, to run from January to December instead.

This has led to large numbers of its staff taking holidays in September and October.

Reports on September 18 also suggested recruitment problems were affecting the airline and that it had lost pilots to rival Norwegian Air.

A Norwegian Air spokesperson said: “We can confirm that 140 pilots have joined us from Ryanair this year. Pilot recruitment is also underway for more pilots for our new Dublin base opening later this year.”

Emmys 2017: The Handmaid’s Tale Wins Five Awards

Sonia Pantiss
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Emmys 2017: The Handmaid’s Tale Wins Five Awards

The Handmaid’s Tale has scooped the top drama honors at this year’s Emmy Awards winning five awards including best drama series, best actress for Elisabeth Moss and best supporting actress for Ann Dowd.

Big Little Lies won five prizes in the limited series categories, including wins for Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern.

Riz Ahmed won best lead actor in a limited series or movie for The Night Of.

Charlie Brooker, who won best writing for a limited series for his Netflix show Black Mirror.

One of the episodes, San Junipero, also won the trophy for best TV movie. Charlie Brooker said it “was a story about love, and love will defeat hate, it will win”.

John Oliver and his writing team scooped two prizes for satirical show Last Week Tonight. He said a show like his could definitely work in the UK.

The Handmaid’s Tale’s win for best drama series means Hulu has become the first streaming service to win that award, beating the likes of big hitters Netflix and Amazon.

Bruce Miller – who won two trophies as the show’s writer and executive producer – thanked author Margaret Atwood, “who created this world for all of us”. The show is adapted from Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel.

Image source Flickr

Emmys 2016: Game of Thrones Breaks Record for Highest Number of Awards

Emmys 2015: Game of Thrones Becomes First Show to Win Most Emmy Awards in One Night

Emmys 2014: Breaking Bad wins outstanding drama series award

In the limited series categories, HBO’s Big Little Lies won best lead actress, (Nicole Kidman), supporting actress (Laura Dern), supporting actor (Alexander Skarsgard), director (Jean-Marc Vallee) and best limited series.

Accepting the award for best limited series, Nicole Kidman said: “The power of television has astounded us, you allowed us into your living rooms… but as much as the show has the entertainment value, it’s about the issues.”

The series, which deals with themes such as domestic violence, also stars Reese Witherspoon, who encouraged the TV industry to provide “more great roles for women”.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus won best actress in a comedy series for Veep for the sixth year in a row – breaking the record for the most Emmys won by a lead actor for the same role.

Veep, which was created by Armando Iannucci, also won one of the night’s top prizes for best comedy series.

Sterling K. Brown’s win for best lead actor in a drama series marked the first time an African-American actor had won in the category in almost 20 years.

He continued his acceptance speech in the press room after being cut off on the main stage.

Host Stephen Colbert and several of the winners made political references on stage.

“At long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy,” said Alec Baldwin as he collected his prize for supporting actor in a comedy series, mocking Donald Trump’s frustration at never having won for The Apprentice.

Alec Baldwin regularly portrays Donald Trump on comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live, which won four awards including best variety sketch series and best supporting actress in a comedy series for Kate McKinnon.

Several high-profile series failed to live up to expectations, including Westworld and Stranger Things, which both went home empty-handed.

Game of Thrones, a big winner at previous Emmys, was not eligible this year because episodes from its last series didn’t air during the Emmys eligibility window.

Likewise, Twin Peaks will have to wait until 2018 to be considered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzIB6TC1Ghw

Hurricane Maria Takes Aim at Caribbean Islands Devastated by Irma Just Days Ago

Diane A. Wade
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Hurricane Maria Takes Aim at Caribbean Islands Devastated by Irma Just Days Ago

Hurricane Maria takes aim at Caribbean Islands devastated by Hurricane Irma just days ago.

Maria, now a category one hurricane, is expected to become a dangerous major hurricane as it nears the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.

It will rapidly strengthen over the next 48 hours and will hit the islands on September 18, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

Hurricane Maria is moving roughly along the same path as Irma.

Warnings have been issued for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique.

A hurricane watch is now in effect for the US and British Virgin Islands, St Martin, St Barts, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.

Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by category 5 Hurricane Irma, which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage.

In its latest update, the NHC says Maria has maximum sustained winds of 85mph.

Image source Good Free Photos

Hurricane Irma: Six Died at Florida Nursing Home

Hurricane Irma: 6.5 Million Homes Left Without Power in Florida

Hurricane Irma Hits Cuba on Its Way to Florida

Maria’s eye is 140 miles north-east of Barbados, and Maria is moving west-northwest at about 13mph.

The NHC says: “On the forecast track, the centre of Maria will move across the Leeward Islands late Monday and Monday night and then over the extreme north-eastern Caribbean Sea Tuesday and Tuesday night.”

The most southerly point of the Leeward Islands – where Maria will first strike – include Antigua and Barbuda. The latter island was evacuated after being devastated by Irma.

The NHC says that “a dangerous storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves will raise water levels by as much as 5-7ft above normal tide levels near where the centre of Maria moves across the Leeward Islands”.

It also forecasts a maximum potential rainfall of 20in across the central and southern Leeward Islands – including Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands – through to Wednesday night.

“Rainfall on all of these islands could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides,” it warned.

Earlier this month, Hurricane Irma left more than two-thirds of homes on the Dutch side of the island of St Martin (known as Sint Maarten) uninhabitable, with no electricity, gas or drinking water.

The French government has said its side of St Martin – known as Saint-Martin – sustained about €1.2 billion ($1.44 billion) in damage, with nine deaths across Saint-Martin and nearby St Barts.

On the British Virgin Islands, entire neighborhoods were flattened.

After a visit to the area, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson described the damage as something “you see in images of from the First World War”.

Virgin boss Richard Branson, who has a home in the Virgin Islands, has been tweeting ahead of the storm’s predicted arrival, warning people to stay safe.

Hurricane Irma also hit the US, with 11 deaths being linked to the hurricane. Nearly 6.9 million homes were left without power in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.

A second hurricane, Jose, is also active in the Atlantic, with maximum sustained winds of 90mph.

The center of the storm was about 335 miles south-east of Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, the NHC said in its advisory on September 17.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for parts of the north-eastern US.

How to Throw the Ultimate End of Summer Pool Party

Nancy Clayson
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How to Throw the Ultimate End of Summer Pool Party

You’re a cool mom. You’re hip, you can identify at least 3 of every 5 songs on the hip hop station and you host the most brag-worthy sleepover parties on the block. It’s clear you know what you’re doing but it’s time to step up your game because you’re about to throw the ultimate pool party. And not just any pool party, no, this will be the pool party of the summer, a party that will boost your kiddo’s coolness level and leave other mom’s reminiscing about it well into the school year.

What’s a Party Without Music?

The best way to set the theme of a party is to pump out beach worthy tunes. We’re talking some ska bands and reggae mixed in with some of the bigger hits on the radio. It’s almost like your own personal DJ, but it’s you so it’s free. Mix up a bumpin’ playlist before the party and save it to your phone so it’s ready to stream over Bluetooth at the click of a button.

If anyone in the house already has the Galaxy S8 or the iPhone 7, then you’re in luck, these phones are water resistant and perfect accessories for your pool party, not to mention for the rest of the year to come. If you don’t have a Bluetooth sound system already in place then you can invest in floating pool speakers, the next best thing. There are multiple version of floating speakers available, but try something that doubles as a neon pool light, like the LED Floating Bluetooth Speaker.

Get the Party Started with a Squirt Gun Station

Having stations around the pool area is a great way to encourage the fun to begin and last all day long. The best way to encourage folks to get into the pool is to start by giving a child a squirt gun, encourage him to super soak his dad and then watch as his dad picks him up and does a cannon ball into the pool with him in his arms.

Get a five-gallon bucket and fill it with warm water (it’s better than being hit with cold water) and dump a handful of guns in there primed and ready to douse.

Pool Party Games and Entertainment

Games for all ages will ensure entertainment at any hour, especially if the party rolls into the evenings. We all know that hot days often result in hot nights, so pool time is never really over. To keep things fun bring some yard games for the kiddos so they can take a break from the pool, and toss a few floating games into the water for adults to encourage a little swim time for them too.

Another brilliant way to spruce up your pool and max out the fun is to add a slide onto the edge. We’re not talking anything permanent or expensive either. There are tons of slide options for pools from inflatables to hard sided slides that can be constructed with ease.

Snow Cone Stand to Keep Things Cool

A snow cone stand is a great accessory for your pool party simply because it can also be used throughout the rest of the summer, pool party time or not. Who doesn’t love a snow cone? Set up a stand so parents can take their kids up their, scoop some shaved snow into a cone, and then let them decorate with various bottles of flavoring put out on the table. Kids love being able to do things themselves, and since your outside it won’t create too much of a mess and the kids can easily clean off with a quick dip in the pool.

Plan for the After Party

If you want your party to be a big hit, consider constructing and outdoor white screen to project a movie onto for kids that are winding down for the night, especially if your pool party is doubling as a sleepover. This is yet another change to give adults a shot at having some fun. Toss floating orb lights into the water or hot tub and enjoy a little relaxation time poolside, or go the cheaper route and throw handfuls of glow sticks into the pool for a delightful evening light show!

If you want to add some other fun lighting options to your pool as the party progresses into the night, consider buying an Aqua Jet Fountain with LED neon lights. Light up tiered fountains are a great way to add personality to your pool and create a fun ambiance for the kids that want to go for an evening swim without worrying about dark water!

How To Prevent Common Electrical Hazards In Your Home

Dana R
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How To Prevent Common Electrical Hazards In Your Home

There is no doubt electricity is an essential part of our modern day lives. We have grown so familiar with it that we don’t even realize its usability to perform different tasks. In addition, we give very little thought to the hazards of electricity and the kind of damage they can inflict upon. Electricity itself is a serious hazard that can trigger very serious accidents. It requires you to be very careful in these matters and never hire unprofessional and uncertified electricians. For safety purposes, we recommend an electrician level 2. Here are a few things you should always take care of regarding electrical safety in your home:

  1. Faulty Wiring

Poor wiring is one of the most common reasons of tragic residential fires, and unfortunately we neglect this aspect. Common signs of poor wiring include untimely flickering of lights, tripping of breakers, warm sockets and sparks. If you notice any of these signs in your home, immediately call a level 2 electrician to get your faulty wiring repaired. Other than that, have a certified electrician check and inspect the electric work in your home after every few years.

  1. Install GFCI Protected Outlets

Two-thirds of all electrocutions in homes could be averted if homeowners employed the GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles. Its purpose is to protect people from electrical shock. This outlet keeps monitoring the difference in the current flow. So, how it works? When it senses the occurrence of a ground fault and shuts off the electricity flow instantly. The good thing is you can do the installation yourself as well, but when it comes to electricity it is always recommended to get help of a certified electrician to do the job.

  1. Avoid Overloading Power Points

Power points or sockets are made to cater only a certain amount of electricity at once. Plugging too many appliances and overloading your electric sockets may cause a very dangerous fire. Plug adaptors are indeed a big help, but never abuse them by plugging in all heavy-duty appliances at once. These small reckless mistakes initiate most of the residential fires. A more safe approach is to install power strips involving a circuit breaker with them, which interrupts the electric flow when overloaded.

  1. Avoid Operating Faulty Appliances

Because of our hoarding habits, we hold onto things as long as we can. When it comes to home appliances, it is almost impossible to get rid of one unless it absolutely stops functioning. Using malfunctioning appliances, such as a smoking toaster or noisy washing machine can be very dangerous. Try simple fixes like resetting the machine, but if those do not make any difference, get it professionally repaired.

Consider getting a new dishwasher if the old one has been unreliable for a longer period.
  1. Avoid Connecting Or Disconnecting Under Load

When you unplug a device while it’s still on, the electricity flow might generate an arc. Always remember to turn off the appliance before plugging it in or out. If the machine malfunctions, cut the main electricity supply and then unplug the machine. With a little precaution, you can avoid the dangerous arcs.

Here are a few more electrical tips to keep your home safe.

London Subway Explosion: Police Respond to Incident at Parsons Green Station

Roy Siemens
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London Subway Explosion: Police Respond to Incident at Parsons Green Station

An explosion has been reported at London’s subway, Parsons Green station, on Friday morning, at 08:20 local time.

Emergency services are at the scene in south-west London.

A picture on social media showed a white bucket inside a supermarket bag, but does not appear to show extensive damage in the carriage.

Image source Wikimedia

Witnesses described seeing at least one passenger with facial injuries.

Others have spoken of “panic” as alarmed passengers left the District Line Underground train at Parsons Green station.

London Ambulance Service says it has sent a hazardous area response team to the scene.

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

North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile over Japan

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile over Japan

North Korea has fired a new ballistic missile over Japan, creating new tension in the region after its nuclear bomb test less than two weeks ago.

According to South Korean military, the missile reached an altitude of about 770km (478 miles), travelling 3,700km before landing in the sea off Hokkaido.

The missile flew higher and further than one fired over Japan late last month.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said his country would “never tolerate” such “dangerous provocative action”.

South Korea responded within minutes by firing two ballistic missiles into the sea in a simulated strike on North Korea.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also condemned the launch and the UN Security Council will meet later on September 15 in New York at the request of America and Japan.

The launch took place from the Sunan airfield north of Pyongyang just before 07:00 local time, South Korea’s military says.

Image source Wikipedia

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As with the last test on 29 August, the missile flew over Japan’s northern Hokkaido island before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. There were no immediate reports of damage to aircraft or ships.

Sirens sounded across the region and text message alerts were sent out warning people to take cover.

According to observers, it is likely to have been an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) though Japanese officials believe there is still a possibility it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

What is so alarming about the new launch is that the US Pacific territory of Guam, which North Korea says it has plans to fire missiles towards, is 3,400km from Pyongyang, putting it within range of the latest missile.

Sanctions on North Korea were tightened this week in response to its sixth nuclear test on 3 September, which reportedly involved a miniaturized hydrogen bomb that could be loaded on to a long-range missile.

After the latest round of sanctions, it is not clear what other course of action is open to the UN Security Council.

Only on September 11, the UN Security Council voted to restrict oil imports and ban textile exports, in an attempt to starve North Korea of fuel and income for its weapons programs.

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Lady Gaga Hospitalized with Severe Physical Pain

Lisa.Felice
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Lady Gaga Hospitalized with Severe Physical Pain

Lady Gaga has been hospitalized as she is suffering from “severe physical pain”.

She has canceled her performance at the festival Rock In Rio in Brazil because of it.

Lady Gaga, 31, wrote to fans on Instagram: “Brazil, I’m devastated that I’m not well enough to come to Rock In Rio. I would do anything 4 u but I have to take care of my body right now. I ask for your grace and understanding, and promise that I will come back and perform for you soon. I’m so sorry, and I love you so much.”

She recently revealed she’s suffering with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes intense discomfort all over the body.

Image source Flickr

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A statement on her Instagram page said: “Lady Gaga is suffering from severe physical pain that has impacted her ability to perform.

“As a result, she sadly must withdraw from this Friday’s Rock In Rio performance.

“Lady Gaga is under the care of expert medical professionals.

“She sends her love to all her fans in Rio and thanks them for their support and understanding.”

Lady Gaga also posted a picture of her arm with a drip in it.

After one hour she announced she has been hospitalized: “I was taken to the hospital, it is not simply hip pain or wear and tear from the road, I am in severe pain. But am in good hands w/ the very best doctors. Please don’t forget my love for you. ? Remember years ago when I tattooed Rio on my neck, the tattoo was written by children in the favelas. ??R✝️O You hold a special place in my heart I love you.”

Lady Gaga also canceled a show in Montreal, Canada, earlier this month after falling ill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxeAHEdV5Ds

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How to Choose Health Care for Your Employees

Dana R
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How to Choose Health Care for Your Employees
stethoscope
Source: https://pixabay.com/en/stethoscope-doctor-health-care-2359757/

Choosing health insurance for your employees is an important decision. It can affect your ability retain employees as well as hire new ones, not to mention greatly improve the health of your current workers. With so many options on the market, how are you supposed to choose?

This guide is here to not only make sure your employees have healthcare, but to have the right healthcare as well.

Does the Plan Meet ACA Requirements?

The first thing to look for when choosing a health care plan is whether or not it meets the Affordable Care Act’s rules. This means that if you have 50 or more full-time employees, you will need to offer affordable coverage at a minimum value to 95% of that full-time staff. Affordable coverage must cover 60% of health costs while keeping the employee’s cost at less than 9.5 percent of their household income.

Any policy following ACA requirements cannot have lifetime caps and must limit out of pocket expenses. All of this can be more than a little confusing. So, make sure to ask your broker for more details.

Should You Choose Fully Insured or Self-Funded Plans?

 

calculator
Source: https://pixabay.com/en/calculator-calculation-insurance-385506/

Self-funded plans are when employers bear the main risk of health claims exceeding the company’s estimate in a given year. Although the risk is higher, the overall cost is usually lower. It is highly recommended to purchase stop-loss insurance to cover unexpected emergency claims when choosing this option.

Fully insured coverage plans require the insurance company to bear the weight of the risk, but cause employers to pay higher premiums. You can choose to offer high-deductible plans in order to spend less money each month on premium when picking this option. While this can cause an increased cost burden on your employees, you can alleviate this by offering generous pretax savings accounts.

Both of these plans require you to choose a group plan and pay a percentage of the premiums every month. Either is a good option, so choose whichever will work best for your business.

The Variety Option

The variety option means going through an insurer that offers a variety of plans. They include PPOs and HMOs along with several different co-pays, premiums, and deductibles. This gives you a chance to avoid excessive costs by setting aside a certain amount of money for each employee every month, which allows any worker who chooses a more expensive plan responsible for covering the difference.

Pay close attention, as not all of these plans meet the ACA minimum requirements. Ask your broker about any you are looking at before making a final decision.

Look For Extras

Specialty plans and benefits can help you lower your long term health care costs while attracting and retaining employees at the same time. Things like dental insurance, life insurance, and accidental coverage are all welcomed benefits by potential employees.

Some of these extras can also encourage your employees to lead healthier lives. In some cases, wellness goals are set that offer premium deductions for those who exercise and diet to meet those goals. This can create an incredibly healthy workforce as well as a happier work environment.

The SHOP Exchange

In some instances, business that have 51-100 employees might have the option of buying their insurance from the SHOP Marketplace. This route is offered on a state by state basis. So, make sure to look into its availability.

Choosing the best health insurance option for your employees can be a complicated and confusing task, but following these general guidelines can help you narrow down your search. Always talk to an insurance broker who can answer your questions and help your business steer clear of less than desirable insurance plans.

Selena Gomez Had Secret Kidney Transplant

Lisa.Felice
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Selena Gomez Had Secret Kidney Transplant

Selena Gomez has revealed that she had a secret kidney transplant linked to her lupus.

In an Instagram post, Selena Gomez says that her friend Francia Raisa donated an organ to her and says she wanted to explain why fans hadn’t heard much from her despite having new music out.

She wrote: “So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering.

“It was what I needed to do for my overall health.”

Selena Gomez also thanked Francia Raisa: “There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa.

“She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.”

Image source Wikimedia

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Selena Gomez released the first single from her new untitled album, It Ain’t Me featuring Kygo, in March.

Since then Bad Liar and Fetish have come out but she hasn’t been out promoting the tracks because of her operation.

Her first public appearance after recovering from the surgery was in New York with boyfriend The Weeknd last Friday night.

She also took time off social media last year to deal with panic attacks, anxiety and depression.

The 25-year-old says her ongoing mental health problems are a side-effect of her lupus diagnosis last year.

Lupus affects the body’s immune system.

The symptoms of the disease include extreme tiredness, rashes (especially on the face, wrists and hands), joint pain and swelling.

In her post, Selena Gomez says not enough is known about the condition: “Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made.”

Gran Canaria and Beyond: A Place for You and Me in The Canary Islands

Nancy Clayson
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Gran Canaria and Beyond: A Place for You and Me in The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a chain of islands off the coast of Africa which are part of Spain. The islands consist of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and the island’s second most populous island, Gran Canaria. Although all of the islands are all tourist-worthy, nothing beats the thrills and adventures of Gran Canaria.

From the name itself, Gran Canaria is a popular destination for tourists all over the world. The island is known as a miniature continent because of the varying climates and landscapes scattered throughout the island. One-third of the island is even protected by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve due to the diverse plants and animals found on the islands.

Gran Canaria is also the focus of most visitors and tourists due to the abundance of activities one can do around the famous island. One of its city centers and capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria which hosts a lot of hotels, restaurants, and activity centers for tourists from all over the world to enjoy. Without further ado, here are a few exciting things to do in Gran Canaria.

Visiting the Historical sites of Gran Canaria

san francisco ocean beach blue pacific birds pelicans flying birds rock water surf

One of the best things to do when in a foreign country as a tourist is to visit historical sites to know more about the people and culture of that country. Gran Canaria doesn’t fall short of culture, and its inhabitants. Here’s a list of some historical sites that you can visit while in the islands.

Vegueta – A city that time forgot. The city virtually is a scene from the past. Buildings are rustic and look pristine. It’s like being in a movie. Lots of tourists recommend walking around the city to enjoy the views and buildings around. The city also boasts of its tapas bars, which serves unique and traditional Spanish delicacies with drinks.

Puerto de Las Nieves – A small fishing town located in the southern part of Gran Canaria. It is one of the few towns that weren’t touched by Spanish conquests in the past. The small town is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the main cities. It’s also a place to get traditional Canarian delicacies and gifts. Puerto de Las Nieves also offers ferries to Tenerife for those who want to see more of the Canary Islands.

Casco Historico de Arucas – Visit this massive cathedral in the town center of Arucas. A lot of tourists visit the church to see the inside of it and aren’t disappointed. The visitor centers are beneficial for those lost in their way. Although there’s a lot of traffic and people going in and out of Arucas, a visit to the cathedral makes it all worthwhile.

Aquatics and Water Sports

sea ocean water waves nature horizon seashore coast beach sand people swimming man surfer surfing board sports adventure sky landscape view

A trip to the Canary Islands wouldn’t be perfect without visiting its lavish beaches. A lot of beaches also offer exciting scuba dives where tourists get to experience the marine life native to the Canary Islands. There’s even a 3-hour snorkeling session from Las Canteras Beach which promises to deliver the best experience to first-time divers and experts alike.

Other water sports that visitors can do in Gran Canaria is Kite Surfing, Wind Surfing, Paddle Boarding, and more. Experts supervise all of these activities. The safety of their guests is their priority, so no untoward incidents occur while you have a great time in Gran Canaria.

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Seeing the Natural Wonders

Gran Canaria boasts of many natural wonders. Visit one of them, and you’ll experience the warmth and beauty that Mother Nature gets to offer. Here are some parks and natural formations that you can visit.

Cocodrilo Park Zoo – Being the only animal rescue center in all of the Canary Islands, the Zoo is a home to a lot of rare and unique animals that are often abused and neglected by their owners. The park has a lot of amazing animals for tourists to see such as iguanas, crocodiles, colorful birds, deer, and even chimpanzees.

Barranco de Guayadeque – Is a high valley located in the deep parts of Gran Canaria. It’s home to cave dwellings which were home to ancient islanders who were the oldest residents of the islands. Barranco de Guayadeque is an excellent place to hike, so definitely get a tour guide to help you course through this majestic valley.

Caldera de Bandama – The Caldera or Crater of Bandama is a unique geological feature that’s a rare sight to behold. When in Gran Canaria, be sure to visit the crater and prepare for a hike down. Once you get down, there’s a lot of interesting plants and animals that live in the inactive mouth of the volcano. Due to the abundant volcanic minerals found in the soil, a lot of people grow vineyards in the adjacent hilltops.

Takeaway

Gran Canaria is home to a lot of amazing things. From the cultural aspects, famous delicacies, and the warmth of the people, it’s no surprise that the Canary Islands and Gran Canaria, in particular, is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Natural formations are abundant in Gran Canaria. Amazing mountains, fantastic beaches, unique plant and animal life all waiting for the curious tourist.

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DACA: Top Democrats Reach Deal with President Trump over Dreamers

Diane A. Wade
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0
DACA: Top Democrats Reach Deal with President Trump over Dreamers

Top Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer say they have agreed to reach a deal with President Donald Trump to protect thousands of young undocumented migrants from deportation.

They said they also agreed to work on a border security package that would exclude President Trump’s proposed wall with Mexico.

However, the White House denied the wall had been excluded from proposals.

President Trump scrapped the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program earlier this month.

The Obama-era DACA scheme was put in place to protect so-called “Dreamers” – migrants brought to the US illegally as children – from deportation.

The DACA program, which protect some 800,000 people in the US, also provide temporary permits for work and study.

On September 4, PresidentTrump announced he would cancel the scheme, while giving Congress six months to enact a replacement plan for DACA recipients.

Image source Flickr

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Following talks over dinner at the White House, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “We agreed to enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that’s acceptable to both sides.”

Democrats have repeatedly said that they will block any legislation that contains funding for the border wall – a key campaign pledge of President Trump’s.

A White House statement was more muted, simply saying that there had been a “constructive working dinner” where tax reform, border security and DACA had been discussed.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later disputed the Democrats’ account.

She tweeted: “While DACA and border security were both discussed, excluding the wall was certainly not agreed to.”

Chuck Schumer’s aide replied: “The President made clear he would continue pushing the wall, just not as part of this agreement.”

Republican support would be needed in any immigration legislation, as they have a majority in both the House and the Senate.

Frank Vincent Dies During Open Heart Surgery

Sonia Pantiss
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Frank Vincent Dies During Open Heart Surgery

Frank Vincent, best known for his roles in The Sopranos series and several Martin Scorsese movies, has died aged 78.

According to TMZ, the veteran actor had complications during open heart surgery in a New Jersey hospital.

In The Sopranos, Frank Vincent portrayed gangster Phil Leotardo, the nemesis to the main character Tony Soprano.

The actor also played tough guys for Martin Scorsese in Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino.

He had a heart attack last week, TMZ reported.

Image source Wikipedia

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Frank Vincent was born in North Adams, Massachusetts and was introduced to show business at an early age by his father, an amateur actor.

He made his acting debut in 1975 in Ralph DeVito’s Death Collector, according to his website. Martin Scorsese saw his work and cast him for Raging Bull, in 1980.

During his 41-year career, Frank Vincent often played mafia characters, most notably in Goodfellas, in 1990, when he portrayed Billy Batts, who famously ended up beaten to death by Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito.

Frank Vincent was also a musician, comedian, producer and author – he wrote A Guy’s Guide to Being A Man’s Man.

Hurricane Irma: Six Died at Florida Nursing Home

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Irma: Six Died at Florida Nursing Home

Six people died at a Florida nursing home after Hurricane Irma left the facility without power for days.

On September 13, police evacuated 115 residents from the facility, whose air conditioning was cut by the storm.

Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said 3 people were found dead at the nursing home in the city of Hollywood. Three others died in hospital.

Ten million people are still without power in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas after Hurricane Irma.

The storm – which has claimed more than two dozen lives in the US – struck southwestern Florida on September 10 as a category 4 hurricane before weakening to a tropical depression on September 11.

Irma earlier left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, where nearly 40 people were killed.

Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez said the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills facility has been sealed off and police are conducting a criminal investigation.

State investigators from the Florida Office of Attorney General were also at the scene, city officials said in a statement.

Hollywood Fire Rescue found several patients “in varying degree of medical distress and immediately began treatment” when they arrived at the Hollywood Hills facility on Wednesday morning, according to the city’s statement.

Image source Wikimedia

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Some residents there awoke sick, the Miami Herald reported.

Kitchen worker Jean Lindor told the newspaper a generator allowed staff to cook but did not provide the facility with air conditioning.

On September 12, temperatures in Hollywood reached 90F, according to the National Weather Service.

The Florida Health Care Association called the deaths a “profound tragedy within the larger tragedy of Hurricane Irma”.

The facility is not the only Florida nursing home that has been left without power by Irma.

An estimated 150 facilities out of the nearly 700 in Florida are currently without full power services, the association said.

The group said it was working with officials to prioritize “the locations with the greatest need”.

More than half of a large retirement community in Pembroke Pines, Florida, still had no electricity by September 13, leaving elderly residents stuck in rooms with no access to lifts.

Pembroke Pines police spokeswoman Amanda Conwell told the Miami Herald that officers were at the scene.

Amanda Conwell said some of the 15,000 residents at Century Village were vulnerable and “we are concerned about their welfare”.

Another assisted care facility for dementia patients in Fort Myers, Florida, was left without power for three days after Hurricane Irma as elderly patients suffered in the rising heat.

Cape Coral Shores kept 20 patients during the storm as part of an agreement with authorities because local emergency shelters had been evacuated as Irma bore down on the coast.

Florida residents are still returning from shelters to their households to count the cost of Irma’s destruction.

According to authorities, preliminary estimates suggest 25% of the homes in the Florida Keys were destroyed and 65% sustained major damage.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the hard-hit city of Naples on September 14 to view the damage, media have reported.

It will be the president’s third trip related to hurricanes in two weeks and he will be joined by First Lady Melania Trump.

Serena Williams Shares First Picture of Daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr

Lisa.Felice
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Serena Williams Shares First Picture of Daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr

Serena Williams has shared the first photo of her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on social media, almost two weeks after her birth.

The tennis star and her fiancée, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, welcomed their first baby together on September 1 at a clinic in Florida.

Serena Williams shared a video clip on her Instagram Stories, Facebook and her official website.

She announced the name of her baby daughter on her Instagram Stories profile. She also shared a montage of memorable moments from her pregnancy, including winning the Australian Open while pregnant and her first ultrasound.

Image source Serena Willimas/Instagram

Serena Williams Welcomes Baby Girl

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Serena Williams’ Instagram post has attracted more than 270,000 likes within an hour of posting and her tweet was re-tweeted more than 1,300 times.

Earlier this year, Serena Williams won her 23rd grand slam tournament at the Australian Open while pregnant.

According to her coach, the tennis star hopes to return to court in time for 2018 Australian Open.

In December 2016, Serena Williams used Reddit to announce that she is engaged to its co-founder, Alexis Ohanian.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Resigns Following Allegations of Child Abuse

Nancy Clayson
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0
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Resigns Following Allegations of Child Abuse

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has announced his resignation following allegations of abuse against teenage boys.

The mayor said he was stepping aside just hours after the Seattle Times reported that his younger cousin, Joseph Dyer, had accused him of abuse.

Joseph Dyer, 54, is the fifth man to accuse Ed Murray of abuse dating back to the 1970s, the newspaper reports.

Ed Murray, 62, denies the allegations, but said he did not want “personal issues” interfering with “public business”.

He said in a statement on September 12: “While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public’s business.”

His resignation will take effect from 17:00 local time on September 13, the statement added.

Image source Wikimedia

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Ed Murray said that he was “proud of all that I have accomplished” but added that due to the reported accusations “it is best for the city if I step aside”.

The first allegation of abuse against Ed Murray was reported in April. Since then, four more men have come forward, the Seattle Times reports.

Joseph Dyer said that he was 13 in the mid 1970s when he was abused by his elder cousin, Ed Murray.

Ed Murray, a former Democratic state representative who is in a gay marriage, says that he is the target of a political campaign aimed at stifling his progressive politics and tarnishing his record as a gay-rights champion.

The next mayoral election in Seattle will take place in January 2018.

Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell will take over as mayor until the election.

What’s The Impact Of Fake News On Marketers?

Dana R
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0
What’s The Impact Of Fake News On Marketers?

Unless you’ve not paid attention to the media in the past months, it’s likely that you’ve heard of fake news, from the Internet hoax about Rowan Atkinson’s death – that’s Mr. Bean for those of you who don’t know him yet – to the famous Pizzagate last December. Fake news is everywhere, and while they are not the main item of information online, they can have a negative impact on your everyday life and your decisions. Imagine reading fake news about the impact of vodka on your diet and switching from a water-only to a vodka only regime? Okay, that’s a little far-fetched, but you get the picture. However, what you might not have considered is how fake news can dramatically affect your marketing efforts.

Spot fake news

Fake news and content marketing

According to the Washington Post, 60% of web users are happy to share a link without even reading its content. What this means is that people only read the first few words in the extracts and decide to share and comment, even though they haven’t read the whole article. Consequently, you are at risk of building your digital presence on facts that are not correct. Therefore it’s important to remember some basics about content marketing: According to Ignite Digital, content marketing gives your business the opportunity to educate your audience with valuable information. In other words, check your facts if you want a strong content strategy.

Don’t link to fake news

Fake news and brand awareness

There’s a double risk about the presence of fake news online. For a start, it’s likely that your website will suffer negative impacts if you’ve been building content that uses fake news. But more importantly, as users are becoming more and more suspicious about what they read online, less than one-third of your visitors will believe what they read about your company. The rest will assume that it’s all part of the big fake news scheme.

Fake news and social media

Unfortunately for you, sharing fake news on social media, as part of your social media activities, can cause viral reactions. Even if your business finds ways of dealing with the negative feedback, as Kissmetrics points out the social media world never forgets. In other words, the post you share on social media will remain online… and so do the conversations that follow. To put it simply, even one mistake that you’ve made about fake news outside of the social media platforms can still be found by users and shared on Twitter, for example. Any faux pas will come back to haunt you on social media, and even more easily if you use viral hoaxes – unwillingly, of course.

Twitter

You’re not on your own

Don’t panic, though. Fake news is a known threat, and that’s why Google has changed its algorithm in April this year, as a way to filter out hoaxes. As a result, Google is ranking primarily authoritative pages and allowing users to report inaccurate or misleading content. Admittedly, it doesn’t mean that it’s the end of fake news, But if you check your facts carefully through high-quality content sources, you’re less likely to fall for a hoax.

Your role as a business is to share authoritative content about your area of expertise. Consequently, the accidental use of fake news – on social media or your website – can damage your ranking, your brand reputation, and your social media presence. Let’s just hope that careful on- and offline research and the latest Google algorithm can help you to stay in the clear.

Star Wars: Episode IX to Be Directed by JJ Abrams

Sonia Pantiss
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Star Wars: Episode IX to Be Directed by JJ Abrams

JJ Abrams is the new director of Star Wars: Episode IX, Lucasfilm has announced.

He launched the new era of Star Wars series with The Force Awakens in 2015.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said: “JJ delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for” in the earlier installment, and she was excited he was returning to “close out this trilogy”.

JJ Abrams replaces Colin Trevorrow, who dropped out of Episode IX last month.

Meanwhile the release has been delayed by six months, to December 2019.

The announcement was made on Twitter by Walt Disney Studios, which owns Lucasfilm, on September 8.

Image source Wikipedia

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Chris Terrio will co-write the ninth installment with JJ Abrams. He won an Oscar for writing Argo in 2013 and his other scripts include Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the forthcoming Justice League.

Episode IX is expected to star Daisy Ridley and John Boyega.

Rian Johnson is directing the second in the current trilogy, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which will be released this December.

According to a Deadline report, Rian Johnson had declined an offer to take over Episode IX before JJ Abrams was approached.

Most Star Wars fans on Twitter welcomed JJ Abrams’ return to the franchise.

Colin Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World, left the director’s chair because he and Lucasfilm had differing “visions”, the company said.

Lucasfilm has a reputation for ruthlessness when it comes to hiring and firing directors. In 2015, Fantastic Four‘s Josh Trank was dropped from directing a standalone Star Wars story.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller also left the Han Solo standalone movie with only a few weeks left in production, and were replaced by Ron Howard.

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