Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Newsletter
Home Blog Page 158

Pros and Cons of Undergoing a Cochlear Implant Surgery

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
Pros and Cons of Undergoing a Cochlear Implant Surgery
Source

Getting a cochlear implant (CI) helps deaf people improve their hearing. The surgery is not meant to restore your sense of hearing, but to improve it so you can have a simpler life experience. A team of professionals will assess your condition and decide whether or not the procedure will be suitable for you. Also, they will advise you on what to expect.

The procedure involves the implanting of electrical devices that convert sound to electrical stimulation. That way, a deaf person can have the sensation of hearing. The procedure has been highly controversial, although it still comes with its advantages.

How do the Implants Work?

The cochlear is the inner part of the ear and is filled with fluid. It also has small hairs that move in response to sound waves.

Each of these hairs responds to sounds at specific frequencies, and the signals are transferred to the brain for interpretation. Deaf people have this system damaged, but the implants work similarly. The surgery will involve the insertion of a small sound processor that converts noises to digital stimulations.

The converted signals are then sent to a cochlear in which many electrodes have been implanted in the place of the tiny hairs. Each of these electrodes will respond to specific sound frequencies, and the results are interpreted in the brain.

Pros of undergoing a CI Surgery

1) Improves your Hearing

Once you find a doctor, you will be advised on how effective the implants will be. Cochlear Implants improve your hearing, even though they don’t fix it completely. In an environment with little noise, you will enjoy communicating with people without necessarily having to use sign language. In addition to the implants, reading lips will make communication easier.

2) Helps to Prevent Danger

Sounds in nature, on the streets, and even at home help to signal danger. For example, a car coming towards you will honk in an attempt to get your attention. With the implants, you will stand a better chance of getting the signal and potentially save your life.

3) Allows you to enjoy Melodic Sounds

After undergoing a cochlear implant surgery, you will be able to relax to the music of your choice. Sounds in nature will also improve your general life experience.

4) Can give you access to Education

People with complete loss of hearing have limited opportunities in education and even at work. Many schools will charge you a lot more if you are deaf since the condition warrants special attention.

5) Can allow you greater Employment Opportunities

Some employment opportunities may not suit deaf people well since the condition might affect their performance in the given roles. Some improvement in your hearing will, therefore, allow you to live a complete life with more opportunities.

Cons of undergoing CI Surgery

1) Does not work for Everybody

The procedure is not recommended for people who were born deaf since they will find it harder to find the meaning of different sounds.

However, it still does not work well for everyone who became deaf at some point in their lives. It is still hard for doctors to predict the success of their procedures. Some work incredibly well, while others become almost useless. That said, most of the procedures have been successful.

2) It might make People forget about your Condition

Some people will imagine that your condition is gone and that you are now normal, just because you got a CI surgery. That will affect your interactions and general life experience since they will stop making efforts in effectively getting messages across to you. In fact, many patients can only get the sound signals in silent rooms.

3) Is very Expensive

Cochlear Implants are very expensive and are well beyond what most people can afford. There is also a good chance that the implants will be a disappointment and all your money will go to waste.

Also, you will need to continuously change the batteries, replace the wires, and cater to many maintenance costs. It is worth noting that some insurance programs cover the cost of the surgery.

4) The Technology is still underdeveloped

The technology used in this procedure is quite poor. If there are many background noises, a person with CI will not be able to engage in a conversation. This is because the electrodes can send signals to the brain through the same neural populations.

As a result, a lot of confused interpretation will occur in the brain, therefore, making communication harder. That said, scientists are working on improving the technology, and we should see improvements in the near future.

5) Requires Maintenance

The batteries and wires need to be occasionally changed. You also need to remap the sound processor.

 Conclusion

Sean Forbes is a 35-year old man who makes rap music, despite being deaf. He has been deaf since he was just a few months old, but none of that is stopping him from living his dream.

Cochlear implants are highly controversial among deaf people. The technology has helped many deaf people experience near-normal hearing once again, although the number of unsuccessful procedures is still very high. Ideally, you should go for a cochlear implant surgery if you spent some years of your life with normal hearing.

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

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Catalonia Independence Referendum: Carles Puigdemont Says Spanish Region Won Right to Statehood

President of the Generalitat of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont says the Spanish region has won the right to statehood following a contentious referendum that was marred by violence.

Carles Puigdemont, 54, said the door had been opened to a unilateral declaration of independence.

According to Catalan officials, 90% of those who voted backed independence on October 1. The turnout was 42.3%.

Spain’s constitutional court had banned the vote and hundreds of people were injured as police used force to try to block voting.

Officers seized ballot papers and boxes at polling stations.

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said Catalans had been fooled into taking part in an illegal vote.

According to Catalan authorities, more than 2.2 million people were reported to have voted, out of 5.3 million registered voters. A Catalan spokesman said more than 750,000 votes could not be counted because polling stations were closed and urns were confiscated.

In a TV address, Carles Puigdemont said: “With this day of hope and suffering, the citizens of Catalonia have won the right to an independent state in the form of a republic.

“My government in the next few days will send the results of today’s vote to the Catalan parliament, where the sovereignty of our people lies, so that it can act in accordance with the law of the referendum.”

He said the EU could no longer “continue to look the other way”.

Image source Wikimedia

Catalonia Independence Referendum Begins Amid Police Crackdown

Catalonia Independence: Thousands Gather for Artur Mas’ Trial

Catalonia Independence: Spanish Government Challenges Secession Bid

Meanwhile, PM Mariano Rajoy spoke of a “mockery” of democracy.

“At this hour I can tell you in the strongest terms what you already know and what we have seen throughout this day. There has not been a referendum on self-determination in Catalonia,” he said.

Large crowds of independence supporters gathered in the centre of the regional capital Barcelona on Sunday evening, waving flags and singing the Catalan anthem. Anti-independence protesters have also held rallies in Barcelona and other Spanish cities.

In another development, more than 40 trade unions and Catalan associations called a region-wide strike on October 3 due to “the grave violation of rights and freedoms”.

TV footage showed Spanish police kicking would-be voters and pulling women out of polling stations by their hair.

Catalan medical officials said 844 people had been hurt in clashes, including 33 police. The majority had minor injuries or had suffered from anxiety attacks.

In Girona, riot police smashed their way into a polling station where Carles Puigdemont was due to vote, and forcibly removed those inside. He voted at another station.

TV footage showed riot police using batons to beat a group of firefighters who were protecting crowds in Girona.

The national police and Guardia Civil – a military force charged with police duties – were sent into Catalonia in large numbers to prevent the vote.

The Catalan police – the Mossos d’Esquadra – have been placed under Madrid’s control, however witnesses said they showed little inclination to use force on protesters.

Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau condemned police actions against the region’s “defenseless” population, but Spain’s Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said police had “acted with professionalism and in a proportionate way”.

Catalan authorities said 319 of about 2,300 polling stations across the region had been closed by police while the Spanish government said 92 stations had been sealed off.

Since September 29, thousands of people have occupied schools and other buildings designated as polling stations in order to keep them open.

Many of those inside were parents and their children, who remained in the buildings after the end of lessons on September 29 and bedded down in sleeping bags on gym mats.

The anti-independence Societat Civil said there were voting irregularities, including the same people voting twice.

Catalonia is a wealthy region of 7.5 million people in north-eastern Spain and has its own language and culture.

However, Catalonia has a high degree of autonomy, but is not recognized as a separate nation under the Spanish constitution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKm3o8iw1Q

Las Vegas Shooting: At Least Two Dead and 24 Injured at Route 91 Harvest Festival

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Las Vegas Shooting: At Least Two Dead and 24 Injured at Route 91 Harvest Festival

At least two people died and other 24 have been injured in a mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas.

A gunman opened fire at an open-air country music festival at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on Las Vegas Strip.

Hundreds of people fled the scene and the sound of what appeared to be prolonged automatic gunfire could be heard on videos posted on social media.

According to police, a suspect “was down”. There are reports of at least one other incident on the Las Vegas Strip.

Image source Getty Images

Iran: Shootings at Parliament Building and Ayatollah Khomeini Shrine

Cameo Nightclub Shooting: One Dead and 15 Injured in Cincinnati

Parts of the area were shut down as armed police arrived at the scene of the attack on the Route 91 Harvest festival.

The shooting took place at around 22:30 local time. Witnesses reported that hundreds of shots were fired.

Some flights have been diverted from Las Vegas McCarran airport while the incident continues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HSNQ9zHRM

O.J. Simpson Leaves Nevada Jail On Parole

Nancy Clayson
-
0
O.J. Simpson Leaves Nevada Jail On Parole

O.J. Simpson has been released on parole after nine years in a Nevada jail.

The former NFL player had been serving time for armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and 10 other charges over a 2007 confrontation at a Las Vegas hotel.

O.J. Simpson was approved for early parole release at a board hearing in July.

In 1995, he was acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

In a Facebook post, Nevada Department of Corrections released an image and video of O.J. Simpson signing documents and leaving Lovelock Correctional Centre on October 1.

They confirmed the 70-year-old had been released from the facility at 00:08.

O.J. Simpson will face restrictions – including up to five years of parole supervision.

He was sentenced to a maximum 33-year prison sentence in 2008 after storming a Las Vegas hotel room with five others in an effort to seize items from two sports memorabilia dealers.

Image source Wikimedia

O.J. Simpson Granted Parole After Nine Years in Prison

OJ Simpson’s Knife Found at His Former Estate NOT a Murder Weapon

O.J. Simpson murder trial evidence unveiled after 20 years

O.J. Simpson said the belongings, which he described as images of his family and friends, were later handed over to him by officials after they were legally deemed to belong to him.

In 2013, the Nevada Board of Parole granted O.J. Simpson parole on some of his convictions, but not for the more violent charges. In July this year, the former football player was granted parole and approved for release in October.

Bruce Fromong, who was one of O.J. Simpson’s victims in the robbery, testified in favor of him being granted freedom.

O.J. Simpson was found guilty in 2008 exactly 13 years to the day after he was famously acquitted in the double-murder case.

Despite the 1995 not-guilty verdict, a civil court jury held O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of Brown Simpson and Goldman, awarding $33.5 million to their families.

A lawyer representing Ron Goldman’s family told Associated Press this amount had nearly doubled with interest under Californian state law, and that the family would continue to seek payment from O.J. Simpson after his release.

O.J. Simpson has expressed his desire to move to Florida after leaving jail.

On September 27, his lawyer Malcolm LaVergne said that he was feeling “very upbeat” ahead of the release.

Catalonia Independence Referendum Begins Amid Police Crackdown

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Catalonia Independence Referendum Begins Amid Police Crackdown

Catalonia’s independence referendum has begun despite Spanish police’s attempt to prevent the vote from taking place.

The Spanish government has pledged to stop a vote that was declared illegal by Spain’s constitutional court.

The interior ministry says police officers began seizing ballot papers and boxes as the polls opened.

Riot police blocked potential voters from entering a polling station in the regional capital Barcelona.

Thousands of separatist supporters occupied schools and other buildings that have been designated as voting centers ahead of the polls opening.

Many of those inside are parents and their children, who remained in the buildings after the end of lessons on September 29 and bedded down in sleeping bags on gym mats.

In some areas, farmers positioned tractors on roads and in front of polling station doors, and school gates were taken away to make it harder for the authorities to seal buildings off.

Police insisted polling stations would not be allowed to open, and that those inside would be evicted.

On October 1, dozens of national police vehicles left their base in the port of Barcelona as officers were deployed.

Referendum organizers have called for peaceful resistance to any police action.

Catalan government officials have predicted a big turnout.

The ballot papers contain just one question: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” There are two boxes: Yes or No.

Image source Wikimedia

Catalonia Independence: Thousands Gather for Artur Mas’ Trial

Catalonia Independence: Artur Mas Steps Down as Regional President

Catalonia Independence: Spanish Government Challenges Secession Bid

Ahead of the polls opening, the Catalan government said voters could use any polling station if their designated voting place was shut.

The referendum has been declared illegal by Spain’s constitutional court, and thousands of extra police officers have been sent to the region.

The Spanish government has put policing in Catalonia under central control and ordered the regional force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, to help enforce the ban.

In a show of force ahead of the poll, Spanish authorities have seized voting materials, imposed fines on top Catalan officials and temporarily detained dozens of politicians.

Police have also occupied the regional government’s telecommunications center.

The head of the Catalan police has urged officers to avoid using force.

Catalonia, a wealthy region of 7.5 million people in north-eastern Spain, has its own language and culture.

It also has a high degree of autonomy, but is not recognized as a separate nation under the Spanish constitution.

Pressure for a vote on self-determination has grown over the past five years.

However, Spanish unionists argue Catalonia already enjoys broad autonomy within Spain, along with other regions like the Basque Country and Galicia.

PM Mariano Rajoy says the vote goes against the constitution, which refers to “the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards”.

Central government spokesman Iñigo Mendez de Vigo accused the Catalan government of being inflexible and one-sided, but it is a charge that Catalan nationalists throw back at Madrid itself.

Demonstrations by independence campaigners have been largely peaceful.

On the eve of the vote, thousands of demonstrators calling for Spanish unity held rallies in cities across the country, including in the Catalan capital Barcelona.

They waved Spanish flags and carried banners reading “Catalonia is Spain”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQL0WuszJE

Donald Trump Slams Puerto Rico Officials for “Wanting Everything Done for Them”

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Donald Trump Slams Puerto Rico Officials for “Wanting Everything Done for Them”

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Puerto Rico officials over their criticism of US relief efforts on the island following Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria a week ago killed 16 people in Puerto Rico and left millions in need of aid.

In a series of tweets, President Trump said that Puerto Rican officials showed “poor leadership ability” and “want everything to be done for them”.

His comments come after the Mayor of San Juan made a desperate plea for federal help.

In a news conference, Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said: “We have no time for patience any more.

“I am asking the president of the United States to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives.

“I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell.”

The mayor then appeared in a T-shirt that said “Help us, we’re dying” for a CNN interview.

Carmen Yulin Cruz, who is living in a shelter after her home was destroyed, said Puerto Rico is set to be without power for six to eight months after the storm damaged 90% of homes on the island.

More bad weather is in the offing, with the National Weather Service in San Juan warning that a strong thunderstorm would imminently affect the east of the island, with torrential rain and strong winds expected.

Almost half Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million-population is without drinking water, the Defense Department said on September 28.

Efforts are being made on the island to clear road access and restore hospitals to working conditions.

Image source defense.gov

Hurricane Maria: Donald Trump Defends His Response to Puerto Rico Disaster

Hurricane Maria Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power

Puerto Rico Defaults on Debt Payment

In a series of tweets on September 30, President Trump suggested the mayor had been told “to be nasty to Trump” by his Democratic opposition.

The president also said he would visit Puerto Rico on October 3 with First Lady Melania.

The visit comes after widespread criticism of his administration’s response to the hurricane.

Responding to President Trump’s tweets in an interview, Carmen Yulin Cruz said: “I was asking for help. I wasn’t saying anything nasty about the president.

“I will continue to do what I have to do, say what I have to say, compliment the people that I have to compliment, and call out the people that I need to call out.

“This isn’t about me. This isn’t about anyone. This is about lives that are being lost.”

On September 28, President Trump announced shipping restrictions had been lifted to help provide aid to Puerto Rico.

The US military general in charge of the relief operation said on September 29 that about 4,500 troops were already involved.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said 95% of Puerto Rico remained without power and 55% of people did not yet have access to drinking water, but that most petrol stations had reopened.

Concerns were raised on September 28 that thousands of shipping containers of aid were sitting in a San Juan undistributed. Ground transportation has been hindered by a lack of fuel and blocked roads.

The US navy has deployed a hospital ship and has assigned engineers to repair the island’s damaged power grid, the Department of Defense said on September 29.

Puerto Rico is a US territory but does not have direct voting representation.

Marilyn Manson Crushed by Giant Stage Prop during New York Concert

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Marilyn Manson Crushed by Giant Stage Prop during New York Concert

Marilyn Manson has been badly injured during a concert in New York when a large prop fell on him on stage.

The prop – apparently two large guns held together with metal scaffolding – fell as the rock star was performing at the Hammerstein Ballroom on September 30.

It appears Marilyn Manson, 48, laid on stage for up to 15 minutes covered by a sheet before he was carried out on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

The singer’s condition is not currently known.

Image source Wikimedia

Dita Von Teese launches new perfume Rouge

Paris Jackson suicide attempt: Michael Jackson’s daughter was upset over boy trouble and Marilyn Manson concert

In videos of the incident posted online, stage crew and band members can be seen lifting the prop off Marilyn Manson but he does not get back up.

A black sheet was put around the singer until he could be taken off stage, when an announcement was made that the show was canceled “due to injury”.

A representative told Rolling Stone magazine: “Manson suffered an injury towards the end of his incredible NYC show. He is being treated at a local hospital.”

Marilyn Manson was three dates into his The Heaven Upside Down Tour. He was due to perform in Boston on October 2.

Business Owners: You Have To Learn To Live With Debt

Dana R
-
0
Business Owners: You Have To Learn To Live With Debt

Debt is a dirty word to a lot of people. In our personal lives, when we think of debt, we think of how to get rid of it as soon as possible. However, in business, you’re playing a financial long game. Sometimes, taking on a little debt is necessary for the long-term financial health of the company. So, how do you live with debt without taking over your life?

Debt

Photo Link

Always have a reason to borrow

Businesses should not be regularly using credit cards for small expenses. It’s an easy way to get caught in a debt trap if your finances take a sudden nose-dive. Rather, all use of credit and loans should be specifically aimed. Reasons to take out a loan include expanding with new real estate, purchasing equipment and inventory, and even to get through periods of poor cash flow. Don’t borrow unless you know exactly why you’re borrowing.

Photo Link

Budget for it

When you borrow, make sure you take very careful note of it. Immediately start budgeting for the payments you’re going to make back, and know how your debts balance with current income and cash flow projections. They should always be on your mind, in part. Otherwise, it’s easier than you think to lose track of them, rack up interest, and get in a dangerous situation.

Photo Link

Keep your credit healthy

The better your credit, the better the terms you can expect from loans. However, many people go into business with a line of credit that’s already unhealthy. What are they to do to get back on top of the situation? For one, small business loans for bad credit won’t only help you get the funding you need when you need it. Successfully sticking to the terms of the agreement can help you start building a credit history if you don’t have one, or can improve your score. That will make more favorable loans available to you in future.

Photo Link

Be responsible

It sounds like a given, but the truth is that unless you start learning the habits of responsible credit use, it’s easy to very irresponsible instead. For instance, use accounting software instead of keeping sums by hand so that the figures are always easy to track. Enforce spending limits on any cards you use. Document a spending policy for employees to follow to avoid charges going where they shouldn’t. Most importantly, keep it very strictly business.

Photo Link

Strategize for reductions at all times

Part of living with debt is being aware you have to constantly make moves to reduce it, especially if you use it often. Beyond budgeting to a repayment plan, this might also mean being aware of tools like debt consolidation to help you get more favorable repayment strategies.

Smart borrowing, realistic expectations, and debt-reduction strategies are going to help you be a lot more financially flexible. You’ll be able to invest when otherwise you couldn’t and survive tough times that would otherwise sink you. There are plenty of perks to sharing a business with debt from time to time.

The Post-Divorce Guide: Help Your Children Cope With Your Separation

Nancy Clayson
-
0
The Post-Divorce Guide: Help Your Children Cope With Your Separation

Divorce is never easy for both parents and children. Everyone in the family feels an immense sense of anxiety and loss. The family who falls under the affliction of divorce will no longer be the same. Parents need to settle their own emotions, particularly the occurring guilt they feel towards their children.

While you cannot take away your child’s pain, you can help them deal with the various disappointments that a separation brings. Here are the things you can do.

How To Break the News?

Have a sincere conversation with your children together with your spouse. Then explain that you two are getting a divorce. Don’t try to sugarcoat, speak honestly but don’t include the ugly details.

Confess that the experience will be sad. See to it that your child understands that a divorce is only between the two of you. And repeatedly remind your child that he or she is not the reason for the divorce and that both of your love for him or her didn’t change.

Expect Different Reactions

It’s normal for children to show interests in concrete things such as “Do I need to change schools?”, “ Where will I live?” or “Who’s going to take me to my extra-curricular lessons?”  You need to maintain your child’s routine as much as possible while working out the terms of the divorce. Your child feels secure when he or she knows what to expect.

When the reality of the divorce finally settles to your children’s mind, expect to receive different reactions such as;

  • Toddlers. A child at this age might respond by becoming clingy, irritable or waking up at night.
  • Preschoolers. A child in this age needs extra help in comprehending that he or she is not the root of the divorce. He or she also needs aid in understanding that there’s nothing he or she can do to bring you and your ex-spouse together.
  • Elementary schoolers. Children in this age bracket are more likely to express anger. They fantasize about you getting back together, might worry about what will happen to you and your spouse and look for someone to blame including themselves.
  • Teenagers and adults. An older child is more likely to feel depressed or worried that he or she will also fall in the same situation someday. Teens might consider risky behavior and question their beliefs.

The situations above are just the common possibilities for a child’s reaction. Hence, it’s vital to encourage your child to open up his or her feelings about the divorce.

Make Sure Your Child Feels Well-loved

According to M. Gary Neuman, author of Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way and creator of the Sandcastles Divorce Therapy Program, children assume that they are somehow to blame when a parent regularly doesn’t come through.

If only they behaved more or do better in school, then surely their parents will stay together and be with them. As a result, their confidence hurdles. Thus, you need to reassure your child that your ex-spouse’s commitment issues have nothing to do with his or her lovability.

Don’t Bend The Rules

It could be tempting to take a break from your parental duties while your child is mourning over the divorce, but it will only generate more insecurity. Children thrive on structure, routine and consistency even if they insist on testing limits and boundaries. If your child divides time between two households, try to retain the same rules in two homes.

Consider Counseling

You can consider using the services of a family or divorce mediator if you and your spouse need help in reaching decisions about your child before, during or after the divorce. Most local and international divorce attorney would recommend you of doing so because your kids could also benefit from counseling especially if he or she is showing signs of anxiety and distress.

Takeaway

Divorce is always a hard blow for everyone, however, if both parents continue to build a calm and stable environment for their children and make them feel loved, children will survive the situation in good shape. And they will be calmer as they gradually accept everything.

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

Roy Siemens
-
0
Rex Tillerson: “US Is In Direct Contact with North Korea”

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that the US is in “direct contact” with North Korea.

He also said Washington was “probing” the possibility of talks with Pyongyang, “so stay tuned”.

During a trip to China, Rex Tillerson said: “We have lines of communications to Pyongyang.

“We’re not in a dark situation.”

In recent months, North Korea and the US have engaged in heated rhetoric, but it was not previously known they had lines of communication.

President Donald Trump has threatened to annihilate North Korea, saying Kim Jong-un, “is on a suicide mission”, which led the North Korean leader to release a statement vowing to “tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire”.

On September 30, North Korea continued the rhetoric, releasing a statement calling President Trump an “old psychopath” bent on the “suicidal act of inviting a nuclear disaster that will reduce America to a sea of flames”.

Photo AP

China to Close Down North Korean Companies Operating In Its Territory

US Denies War Declaration Against North Korea

US Extends Travel Ban to North Korea, Venezuela and Chad

The war of words comes against a backdrop of repeated missile tests and North Korea’s claim that, on September 3, it successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb which could be loaded on to a long-range missile.

The tests were internationally condemned, with the UN bringing in sanctions against the secretive country in an attempt to force it to stop its weapons program.

Rex Tillerson is in China meeting with President Xi Jinping and other officials, hoping to encourage them to implement the sanctions.

China this week told North Korean businesses operating in its territory to close down. However, China remains keen to see negotiations with North Korea.

President Trump said last month that “talking is not the answer”.

However, there were reports of so-called back channels between the two administrations.

According to the Associated Press, the US and North Korea had been engaged in quiet discussions for months, with “diplomatic contact… occurring regularly” between the US envoy for North Korea policy and “a senior North Korean diplomat at the country’s UN mission”.

Rex Tillerson has also previously hinted there are channels available between the two countries, AP added.

More widely known is the role Sweden plays in negotiating with North Korea on Washington’s behalf.

In August, Ulv Hanssen from the Swedish Institute of International Affairs told Reuters Sweden could step in again because it was trusted by both US and North Korea.

“Sweden has done so on numerous occasions before, especially in relation to imprisoned Americans,” he said.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the speculation.

VW Diesel Emissions Scandal Will Cost Company $30 Billion

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
VW Diesel Emissions Scandal Will Cost Company $30 Billion

Volkswagen has announced that the diesel emissions scandal will cost the company an extra $3 billion (€2.5 billion), because engines are proving “far more technically complex and time consuming”.

The additional cost, for fixing engines in the US, takes the total bill to $30 billion.

Two years after the diesel emission cheating scandal first emerged, VW is still struggling to put the crisis behind it.

Separately Munich prosecutors made an arrest in connection with the scandal.

German media reports have named the person taken into custody as Wolfgang Hatz, former board member at VW unit Porsche. But there has been no official confirmation of his identity.

Wolfgang Hatz was head of Research and Development at VW-owned Porsche and had held other roles in the VW group, including in engine development at Audi. He was suspended after the diesel emissions test-cheating was exposed. He then left the company.

VW Emissions Scandal: Company to Provide Two Year Guarantee for Europe Cars

VW Emissions Scandal: CEO Mathias Muller Investigated by Stuttgart Prosecutors

Diesel Emissions Scandal: VW Pleads Guilty to Three Charges in US

In 2016, Porsche said no evidence had been found against Wolfgang Hatz.

Wolfgang Hatz was reportedly close to former VW chief executive, Martin Winterkorn, who has denied any knowledge of the “defeat devices” which allowed vehicles to artificially reduce emissions during tests before their existence was exposed publicly.

Another former Audi executive, Giovanni Pamio, was taken into custody earlier this year, at the request of the US Department of Justice. One man has so far been jailed in connection with the scandal: Volkswagen engineer James Liang received a 40 month sentence in a US court last month.

News of the additional financial burden from dealing with vehicles in the US underlines the difficulty VW is having extricating itself from the scandal.

VW shares initially fell sharply on September 29 although they later recovered most of the lost ground.

The automaker first admitted in September 2015 that it had used illegal software to cheat US emissions tests.

Since then VW has been adapting its cars to meet legal requirements. However,  the process in the US is proving tougher than expected.

It is also amending cars in Europe, but the process there is more straightforward, VW said.

The additional costs will be reflected in Volkswagen’s third quarter results, which will be reported next month.

Health Secretary Tom Price Forced to Resign over Private Plane Use

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Health Secretary Tom Price Forced to Resign over Private Plane Use

Health Secretary Tom Price has been forced to resign after using expensive private planes for official business.

Tom Price previously apologized after making 26 private flights since May at a cost of $400,000 to taxpayers.

Government officials, except those dealing with national security matters, are required to take commercial flights for work related travel.

Three other members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet are under scrutiny for using private planes while on the job. According to Politico and the Washington Post, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke flew from Las Vegas to Montana last June on a private jet that cost taxpayers more than $12,000. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is accused of flying with his wife to view last month’s solar eclipse. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt has spent more than $58,000 on non-commercial travel.

Image source Flickr

Donald Trump Names Tom Price as Future Health Secretary

Democrats Boycott Steven Mnuchin and Tom Price’s Hearing

Hillary Clinton to Unveil Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

A White House statement said President Trump had accepted Tom Price’s resignation, adding that Don J. Wright had been designated as acting health secretary.

An investigation by the political news website Politico found that Tom Price’s travels had cost more than $1 million.

As well as the $400,000 for private flights, that figure includes the cost of military aircraft used for Tom Price’s trips abroad, Politico added.

President Trump had earlier said he was “not happy” with the expense.

Hours before Tom Price’s resignation, President Trump told White House reporters: “He’s a very fine man. We’re going to make a decision sometime tonight. He’s a very, very fine man.”

Cuba Sonic Attack: US Withdraws Embassy Staff

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Cuba Sonic Attack: US Withdraws Embassy Staff

More than half of the people working for the US embassy in Cuba have been withdrawn in response to mysterious attacks which left its diplomats unwell.

Washington is also warning Americans not to visit Cuba because some attacks occurred in hotels.

At least 21 embassy staff reported health problems ranging from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.

Describing the US decision as “hasty”, Cuba said it would affect bilateral ties but co-operation would continue.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the two countries would continue to co-operate in investigating the attacks and said diplomatic ties would be maintained.

Earlier reports suggested that sonic attacks were to blame, but Cuba denies any involvement.

At least two Canadians were also affected.

The US is ordering all non-essential staff in the embassy in Havana to leave, along with all family members. Only “emergency personnel” will remain.

The US has suspended visa processing in Cuba indefinitely.

Image source Wikimedia

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

Cuba Mystery Illness: Canadian Diplomat Treated for Hearing Loss and Headaches

US Expels Two Cuban Diplomats after Mystery Incidents in Havana

A US state department official said: “Until the government of Cuba can ensure safety of our people, we will be reduced to emergency personnel.”

“At least 21 employees have been targeted in specific attacks,” the official said.

Despite an investigation involving the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Cuban authorities, there is still no full explanation as to the cause of the incidents since late 2016.

Earlier reports suggested there were sonic attacks in which staff in Havana were targeted by audio waves, leaving several with chronic hearing issues.

Using an inaudible sound device for a stealth attack “is quite plausible from a technical point of view”, Denis Bedat, a specialist in bio-electromagnetics, told AFP this week.

“Ultrasonic waves, beyond the acoustic capacity of humans, can be broadcast with an amplifier, and the device does not need to be large, or used inside or outside a house.”

He gave as an example the Active Denial System (ADS), an anti-riot gun used by US police forces that emits electromagnetic waves which produce a sudden unbearable burning sensation.

The US has not blamed Cuba for the suspected attacks.

According to the state department official, both the US and Cuban governments “have not yet identified the guilty party”.

“We have not ruled out the possibility of a third country as a part of the investigation but that investigation continues,” he added.

Cuban President Raul Castro had reportedly given his personal assurance to the then-US charge d’affaires in Havana that Cuba was not behind the attacks.

The US reopened its embassy in Havana in 2015 following decades of frozen relations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSy-OSwSdL4

India: Footbridge Stampede Kills At Least 22 at Mumbai Railway Station

Nancy Clayson
-
0
India: Footbridge Stampede Kills At Least 22 at Mumbai Railway Station

At least 22 people have been killed and more than 30 injured in a stampede on a footbridge at a Mumbai railway station, Indian officials report.

The tragedy occurred during the morning rush hour at Elphinstone station, which connects two major local lines.

The incident was triggered by overcrowding and people seeking shelter from monsoon rains, the officials said.

The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital and senior railway officials are at the scene.

“The incident occurred as heavy rains lashed Mumbai and passengers took refuge on the foot over bridge. People at the front slipped and the huge crowd toppled over, leading to the stampede,” Indian Railways spokesman Ravindra Bhakar told AFP.

“Twenty-two dead have been confirmed, 14 men and eight women… Some 32 passengers are injured.”

Image source India.com

India Stampede: At Least 10 Killed at Deoghar’s Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple

Madhya Pradesh stampede kills 89 pilgrims in India

Mecca Stampede: Iranian Citizens Death Toll Reaches 464

Akash Koteja, one of the injured, said: “Trains were rolling in and some people wanted to get out of the station, but others were not making way. When a few tried, it led to a stampede.”

TV footage from the scene showed commuters trying to rescue fellow passengers from the crush and revive people by pumping their chests.

“We put everybody who was injured in cars, police vans and ambulances and tried to take them to the hospital as quickly as possible,” said one witness quoted by AFP.

Indian PM Narendra Modi said in a tweet: “My deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai. Prayers with those who are injured.”

The prime minister added that Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was in Mumbai “taking stock of the situation and ensuring all assistance”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VInDY7NsjZM

Hugh Hefner’s Death: Playboy Founder to Be Buried Next to Marilyn Monroe

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Hugh Hefner’s Death: Playboy Founder to Be Buried Next to Marilyn Monroe

Hugh Hefner, who died on September 27 at the age of 91, will be buried next to Marilyn Monroe’s crypt in the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

The Playboy magazine founder bought a crypt next to Marilyn Monroe’s in 1992, for $75,000.

Now, the situation has divided public opinion, with some seeing a touching gesture and others a sleazy intrusion.

Hugh Hefner fans on social media praised him for appreciating the iconic actress – his first cover girl, who died in 1962.

However, others pointed out that while Hugh Hefner launched his brand and his lifestyle off the back of that first Playboy issue in December 1953, Marilyn Monroe was embarrassed by the shoot that appeared in it – and feared for her future career.

Hugh Hefner Dies at His Playboy Mansion Aged 91

Crystal Harris and Hugh Hefner wedding pictures revealed

Lindsay Lohan’s Playboy issue failed to impress, as no-one is buying it

In 1949, Marilyn Monroe had agreed to pose as a young woman, short on acting work and desperate for money. She received $50 in modeling fees.

Four years later, Hugh Hefner paid a Chicago calendar company $500 so he could show Marilyn Monroe with “nothing but the radio on” – and sold 50,000 magazines almost overnight.

In Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words, the actress wrote: “I never even received a thank-you from all those who made millions off a n**e Marilyn photograph. I even had to buy a copy of the magazine to see myself in it.”

Hugh Hefner never met Marilyn Monroe – though he said they had talked once by phone.

“I’m a sucker for blondes, and she is the ultimate blonde,” he said.

Speaking of his post-mortem plans, Hugh Hefner told the LA Times he had many friends buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park. Screen favorites Natalie Wood, Dean Martin, and Farrah Fawcett are among its celebrity residents.

“I’m a believer in things symbolic,” he told the paper.

“Spending eternity next to Marilyn is too sweet to pass up.”

China to Close Down North Korean Companies Operating In Its Territory

Diane A. Wade
-
0
China to Close Down North Korean Companies Operating In Its Territory

China will close down the North Korean companies operating in its territory as it implements United Nations sanctions against the reclusive state.

The North Korean companies will be shut by early January. Joint Chinese and North Korean ventures will also be forced to close.

China, North Korea’s only major ally, has already banned textile trade and limited oil exports.

The move is part of an international response to North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

The UN Security Council, of which China is a member, voted unanimously for fresh sanctions on September 11.

China’s commerce ministry said it had set a deadline of 120 days from the passing of the resolution for any North Korean companies within its borders to close.

North Korea is politically and economically isolated, and the vast majority of its trade is with China.

Image source Wikimedia

US Denies War Declaration Against North Korea

US Extends Travel Ban to North Korea, Venezuela and Chad

North Korea Warns that More Sanctions Will Accelerate Its Nuclear Program

China has traditionally been protective of North Korea, but has sharply criticized its nuclear tests and escalating rhetoric.

Earlier this year, China clamped down on its purchase of coal from North Korea and on seafood and iron trade across the border.

Coupled with the textile trade ban, Pyongyang has lost several of its scant sources of foreign currency income.

China has been under public pressure to take action from President Donald Trump, who has both applauded and denounced Chinese policy at different times.

President Trump has also been involved in a direct war of words with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, labeling him a “rocket man” on “a suicide mission”. He warned that he would have no choice but to “totally destroy” North Korea if forced to defend the US or its allies.

Kim Jong-un, in turn, has called Donald Trump “deranged” and a “dotard”, and said the US president’s comments have convinced him he is right to seek a nuclear deterrent, and has even accused President Trump of declaring war.

At a news briefing on September 28, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: “We are opposed to any war on the Korean peninsula.”

“Sanctions and the promoting of talks are both the requirements of the UN Security Council. We should not overemphasize one aspect while ignoring the other.”

The Most Popular Beauty Trends Of 2017

Dana R
-
0
The Most Popular Beauty Trends Of 2017

Beauty trends often have a tendency to come and go. At certain points, women become interested in breast augmentation usually to enhance their looks. At other times, women become focused on radiating beauty through better health. With the latter point, women take Nootropics, like this one here https://corpina.com/adrafinil/, to display greater wakefulness, alertness, memory, and improve their beauty sleep.

As we mentioned, beauty trends are always changing, so you have to keep on top of them in order to keep up with the times. There were many wonderful trends taking place during 2017 that will make you feel beautiful and we’ll certainly see new ones as we move into 2018.

Today we’re going to look at the most popular trends of 2017 so you can finish up the year on the right foot. Let’s dive in without any additional delay.

beauty

No Blow Dry Hairstyles

The no blow dry hairstyle has made a comeback in 2017. Many women are rejoicing since using their hairdryers while styling their hair can be quite tedious and damaging to the hair. So they happily embraced this trend and technique. Not to mention how happy they are for not wasting as much time and effort to style their hair as they used to.

In fact, many women today are now just using a dab of styling cream, putting it in their hair and giving it a little twist. This is an amazing, attractive, and wonderful style so many women have finally adopted this year. It’s a trend most women hope continues into 2018 and beyond.

Glitter Lipstick

 beauty

This exciting, fun, incredible fashion trend is certainly not for the faint of heart and it’s understandably not going to be for everyone. But glitter lipstick has taken the world by storm in 2017 and it’s an exciting trend seems to have caught the public’s eye.

What’s the deal with glitter lipstick anyway? For starters, it’s a lot of fun to wear this lipstick when out on the town. There’s nothing like having sparkly lips while in the club, walking down the street and catching the eye of everyone that passes you by.

Are you looking for a good excuse to try out this look? Plan a night out with your friends to go clubbing and give it a whirl. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the way it looks. So many people thought they were going to hate glitter lipstick, only to fall head over heels in love with it in the end.

Metallic Nails Made A Huge Comeback

In the past, everybody loved metallic nails because they looked new, interesting, exciting, and savage. Then, suddenly the trend disappeared. Now it made a huge comeback because trends have a tendency to come around, and usually they come back with a bit of a twist.

The interesting thing about the metallic nails today is that they aren’t typically one colored. You may paint your nails with one metallic shade on the sides or the very tip and fill it in with a different metallic color.

No matter what, just go nuts but make sure you’ll love what you’re looking whenever you see your nails. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have gorgeous metallic nails and you’ll be the talk of the town in no time at all.

Conclusion

Beauty trends are constantly changing and certain things have switched up in 2017. Some old styles have made a comeback and new styles have taken the spotlight. Use this brief guide to try out some of today’s hottest beauty trends and see if they’re a good fit.

Mark Zuckerberg Rejects Donald Trump’s Comments that Facebook Has Always Been Against Him

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Mark Zuckerberg Rejects Donald Trump’s Comments that Facebook Has Always Been Against Him

Mark Zuckerberg has rejected President Donald Trump’s comments that Facebook has always been against him.

President Trump accused Facebook of “collusion” on Twitter, branding it “anti-Trump”.

He made the same claim against the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Facebook will shortly hand over 3,000 political adverts to congressional investigators probing alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

The social network believes the ads were probably purchased by Russian entities during and after the 2016 presidential contest.

Facebook, Twitter and Google have been asked to testify before the US Senate Intelligence Committee on November 1 about the allegations of Russian interference.

Google and Facebook have confirmed they have received invitations to attend the committee hearing, but none of the social media giants have yet said they will be present.

Image source Wikimedia

Mark Zuckerberg and Pricilla Chan Welcome Second Baby, Daughter August

Mark Zuckerberg Returns to Harvard to Get Honorary Degree after Dropping Out

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Pledge $3BN to Fund Medical Research

In a Facebook post responding to President Trump’s criticism, the social network’s founder Mark Zuckerberg said he was striving to make “a platform for all ideas”. He said that aside from “problematic ads”, Facebook’s impact ranged from “giving people a voice, to enabling candidates to communicate directly, to helping millions of people vote”.

Mark Zuckerberg noted that both ends of the political spectrum were upset about content they disliked, and that liberals in the US had accused him of enabling President Trump’s victory.

The 33-year-old said the candidates’ campaigns had “spent hundreds of millions advertising online,” which he called “1000x more than any problematic ads we’ve found”.

Mark Zuckerberg said he regretted saying on the day Donald Trump was elected that it was “crazy” to say that misinformation on Facebook changed the election’s outcome, because it sounded dismissive.

He promised Facebook would “continue to build a community for all people” – and to “defend against nation states attempting to spread misinformation and subvert elections”.

Mark Zuckerberg’s response attracted 65,000 “likes” within two hours of being posted.

Russia has long denied any form of interference in the US election, and President Trump has railed against allegations that his staff had improper links to Russia.

However, US intelligence agencies have concluded Russia tried to sway the vote in favor of Donald Trump. Congressional committees and an FBI inquiry are currently probing the matter.

Saudi Arabia Lifts Women Driving Ban

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Saudi Arabia Lifts Women Driving Ban

King Salman of Saudi Arabia has issued a new decree allowing women to drive for the first time.

Campaigners have hailed the decision with one female activist calling it a “great victory”, while another said things would “never be the same again”.

The US ambassador in Saudi Arabia has described the move as “the right decision at the right time”.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving – and women are still subject to strict dress codes and gender segregation.

Until now, only men were allowed licenses and women who drove in public risked being arrested and fined.

Meanwhile, Latifah Alshaalan, a member of the Shura council, a government advisory panel, told broadcaster Al Arabiya: “This is a great victory for many Saudi women. This was the one file and issue which Saudi women have fought not just years, but decades for.”

A ministerial body will be set up to give advice within 30 days and the royal order will be implemented by June 24, 2018.

Saudi Arabia’s US ambassador, Prince Khaled bin Salman, confirmed that women would not have to get male permission to take driving lessons, and would be able to drive anywhere they liked.

Image source Wikimedia

Saudi Arabia warns women over driving protest

Saudi Arabia’s religious police to employ women

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi Becomes First Saudi Woman Elected

Rights groups in Saudi Arabia have campaigned for years to allow women to drive, and some women have been imprisoned for defying the rule.

Female activists organized collective protests in 1990, 2011 and 2013, and posted online videos of themselves driving.

In recent years, some members of Saudi Arabia royal family have expressed support for ending the ban.

In 2016, the government launched the Vision 2030 plan to modernize the economy – which was seen as a sign Saudi Arabia was moving towards reform.

The move was welcomed by the US state department, which called it “a great step in the right direction”.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres echoed that sentiment.

Manal al-Sharif, an organizer of the Women2Drive campaign who has also been imprisoned for driving, said on Twitter that Saudi Arabia would “never be the same again”.

Not everyone reacted positively, however, with conservative voices accusing the government of “bending the verses of Sharia”.

Hugh Hefner Dies at His Playboy Mansion Aged 91

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Hugh Hefner Dies at His Playboy Mansion Aged 91

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner has died at the age of 91.

According to Playboy Enterprises Inc, Hugh Hefner passed away peacefully at home in Los Angeles, from natural causes.

Hugh Hefner began publishing Playboy in his kitchen in 1953. It became the largest-selling men’s magazine in the world, shifting 7 million copies a month at its peak.

His son, Cooper Hefner, said he would be “greatly missed by many”.

Cooper Hefner paid tribute to his father’s “exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer,” and called him an advocate for free speech and civil rights.

Playboy magazine made Hugh Hefner a multi-millionaire, spawning a business empire that included casinos and nightclubs.

The first edition featured a set of photographs of Marilyn Monroe that Hugh Hefner had bought for $200. They had originally been shot for a 1949 calendar.

The silk pyjama-clad mogul became famous for his hedonism, dating and marrying Playboy models. In his later years he threw decadent parties at the luxurious Playboy mansion in Los Angeles.

“I am a kid in a candy store,” Hugh Hefner famously said.

“I dreamed impossible dreams, and the dreams turned out beyond anything I could possibly imagine. I’m the luckiest cat on the planet.”

Image source Wikimedia

Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris wed in small ceremony at Playboy mansion

Paris Hilton at Playboy annual egg hunt with Hugh Hefner

Christa Speck Krofft, 1962 Playmate of the Year, dies aged 70

From 2005-2010, a reality TV show called “The Girls Next Door” showcased Hugh Hefner’s lifestyle – and the harem of young blonde women who shared it.

In 2012, aged 86, Hugh Hefner married his third wife Crystal Harris – who was 60 years his junior.

Announcing its founder’s death, Playboy tweeted on September 28: “American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef”

The magazine’s most significant interviewees included civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and Fidel Castro.

Its huge sales were certainly driven by glossy color pictures of “playmates”, but it also developed a reputation for fine writing, with Norman Mailer, Kingsley Amis, Kurt Vonnegut, James Baldwin, Vladimir Nabokov and Ray Bradbury among its contributors.

Their contributions allowed men to say they did not buy the magazine only for the pictures.

President Donald Trump appeared on the cover in March 1990, with the tag-line: “Nice magazine, want to sell it?”

In the 1980s, Playboy‘s circulation decline, and Hugh Hefner himself suffered a stroke in 1985.

His daughter Christie took over Playboy Enterprises four years later, and Hugh Hefner retreated to his mansion, living with a bevy of women. Cooper Hefner took on a major role in the company in 2014 after Christie stepped down in 2009.

Last year, a neighbor of Hugh Hefner bought the Playboy mansion for $100 million, but agreed Hefner could continue to live there until he died.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v90yrcg6q9I

5 Solid Facts About Debt Consolidation You Need To Know About

Dana R
-
0
5 Solid Facts About Debt Consolidation You Need To Know About

These days, it seems like you can’t have a financial conversation without meandering into the debt topic. It’s a hot topic for sure, as it is something that plagues more and more people everyday, especially with the rise in credit card usage.

Often, when we hear or read about loan consolidation, whether on a tv commercial or in a magazine, we don’t necessarily know the context surrounding such consolidation. It might just sound like some far away idea you’ll not ever have to grapple with. But, as it turns out, with things such as student debt, house payments, and car payments you might find yourself having to run into the debt consolidation solution.

And this is why it is important to educate yourself on the basics of debt consolidation, what you can and cannot do, what you can expect, and how you can easily get started might your situation demand it.

So, to help with your debt elimination journey, here are 5 basic facts on debt consolidation you need to know about.

1. There are secured and there are unsecured loans

There are usually two basic types of loans: secured and unsecured loans. Secured loans simply means that once your loans are established you use an asset like a car or a home as collateral in case you happen to fail to pay your loans. Unsecured loans are higher risk and are based on your credit history more than anything else.

2. If you consolidate your debt it also means you’ll get a new lender

wallet-cash-credit-

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-rich-travel-shopping-33250/

The way debt consolidation works is through a middle entity, of sorts. You contact a debt consolidator, they work out a plan with you, then they turn around and ‘negotiate’ with your original lenders for a new rate. This means the new entity you are doing business with to consolidate your debt might also be charging you fees and expenses for their consolidation services.

That is, unless you choose the non-profit debt consolidation route. It’s important to know that most efficient debt consolidation doesn’t come as a free perk and you have to make sure you calculate how much debt consolidation fees you’ll add up in the long run.

3. You can’t actively accumulate debt and be able to consolidate

This makes sense right? But not a lot of people know it. The point of consolidating debt is to get out of it. That way you don’t dig yourself into a deeper financial hole.

In order to be able to consolidate debt, you can’t be actively accumulating it at the same time. Not only does this make sense, but it’s also mandatory from debt consolidation entities. You must stop accumulating debt and close those accounts once the debt is paid.

4. You’ll only have one payment to make every month for all your debts

The great thing about debt consolidation is that you’ll only have to turn in one paycheck to take care of all the debt consolidated. This way you won’t be missing payments, or getting late fees on top of it. It makes your financial life so much easier and you can even automate payments with your bank account. This is yet another good reason to visit consolidate.loan and get on board.

5. It can help tremendously with rebuilding your credit

money-card-business

https://www.pexels.com/photo/shopping-business-money-pay-50987/

Besides the stressful mental burden of having debt accumulating every month, there is the toll it takes on your credit score as well. This is one of the other great things about debt consolidation, it helps you rebuild your credit score, which opens you up to new financial opportunities in the future.

Get Financially Educated

It’s always best to be as financially educated as possible. That way you won’t fall into financial traps or make mistakes that could have been avoided. These five facts are just the very basics about loan consolidation and there is always a lot more to learn on the subject and how the process can work for your benefit.

If you are serious about loan consolidation, it’s best to speak to an experienced financial advisor that will guide you through the process and answer any questions specific to your situation.

There are a lot more variables that go into successfully consolidating loans like having a student loan, etc. This is one of the many reasons why it’s always best to be well informed before making any major financial decisions.

Financing A Woman Owned Business

Dana R
-
0
Financing A Woman Owned Business

If you are a woman business owner, you probably already know how difficult it is to make it as a female entrepreneur. The biggest problem is the lack of respect, and investors or fellow business owners may look down on you. While these things can appear to be just minor annoyances, they can have ultimately affect your business. Luckily, now we have plenty of programs that focus on women-owned businesses, and they can provide the needed funding. Here is what you should know if you are a woman and you want to fund your business.

business-women

Make sure that your business is a woman-owned business

A business does not need to have only women owners in order to be considered a woman-owned business. In fact, it is enough if 51% of the shares are owned by one or multiple women. Third party certifier like WBENC can prove this through certification. You can also try self-certification if you want.

Inquire on what the requirements are

Research is the first natural step in this process. You must be aware of the certifications that you need. Most of the time you do not need to apply for a national certification if you operate just in one locality. Make sure that you know what kind of company you want to know, and what is the level of certification needed for it.

After you have all the documents, prepare your paperwork. You should find instructions at your agency. Submit the application only after you are sure that everything is in order and nothing is missing. We also recommend to keep a copy of every document.

Be ready for the interview (and the site visit)

If your papers are in order, you can expect an interview. The committee will want to meet you personally and make sure that a woman is really the one in charge. If you do not feel confident enough you can prepare in advance and rehearse with some possible questions. Don’t forget that those people are there to help your business, so try not to worry and act natural. You should also expect a site visit, so have everything prepared for it.

If your application won’t be accepted you will be informed and they will their you their reasons, and you will receive one month to fix the previous errors.

Funding options

If you want to receive funds like other small businesses, you can try traditional options like a small business line or credit, a bank loan, or you can even check sba loan rates.

However, there are many programs designed for women. For example, you can check out Operation HOPE Small Business Empowerment Program or Key4Women Program.

Or you can take it even further, and apply for a grant. It may appear difficult to get approved for one, but there are many that were created for women-owned businesses, such as Wal-Mart Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative, InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge or The Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program.

Take Me to Church: 7 Unique Transport Ideas for Your Wedding

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Take Me to Church: 7 Unique Transport Ideas for Your Wedding

Finally, you are now tying the knot! You must surely be in jitters about this once in a lifetime moment of your life. From the fact that you are now transitioning from being a bachelor into a married man, you must surely want your wedding to be picture perfect. And one way to make your wedding a memorable one is how you make your entrance before walking down the aisle and your getaway before the reception.

If you have two separate venues for your wedding ceremony and reception, you have likely thought of how to transport yourself and your partner from one location to the other. It is also excellent how to make your entrance and exit impressive and spectacular.

In weddings, you have probably seen different forms of wedding transport from high-end cars, shuttles, to limousines. But, there are other transportation ideas to make your wedding unique. In this article, you will know some excellent and inspiring wedding transport ideas that you might consider for your wedding. Take a read.

Get Classic in a Horse-Drawn Carriage

action, architecture, buildings

A horse-drawn carriage is one of the oldest forms of transportation that you will probably see, and yet many modern brides have fairy-tale visualizations of arriving at their wedding and being whisked away from it by a carriage.

Before opting for it, it is essential that you learn about the weather forecast for your wedding day. By then you can opt for either an open top or covered carriage. Pulled by elegant-looking horses, make sure to decorate it with bright flowers and ribbons to make a spectacular entrance at the most important day in your life.

Have Fun Riding a Tuk-Tuk

thailand tuktuk road vehicle transportation people passengers

If you are planning for an Oriental-themed kind of wedding, arriving in a tuk-tuk is a perfect choice.

Essentially a rickshaw, you can see tuk-tuk transporting passengers in the narrow streets of the countries of Southeast Asia. Nowadays, tuk-tuk is popular in the UK and now being offered as a wedding day transportation. If you want a fun and unique kind of wedding, there isn’t a better way to get around than riding a tuk-tuk.

Sail in a Boat

adventure, beach, boat

A boat is a perfect wedding transportation if you are planning a waterfront wedding ceremony. Various boats can be rented out to take you to your wedding destination. What’s more, you can have your wedding after-party in this sea vessel.

Take a Trolley Ride

Green and White Train Near Train Terminal during Daytime

A trolley is an ideal option if you have a big party and you are looking to get everyone to the wedding ceremony or reception. Not only that they are quaintly stylish, but they are also an economical form of wedding transport.

For example, models of New Jersey trolley cars will not only allow you to carry a large party, but they also provide an excellent background for wedding photo-ops.

Fly Via Helicopter

Helicopter on Side Ways

Well, flying via helicopter to arrive at the wedding ceremony is a little bit of extravagant. But if you think traveling by land will not make an audacious statement, then make an impressive entrance from the skies.

There are many helicopter services that you can book online. Not only that flying in a chopper to your wedding is a unique idea, but it will also give your wedding a glamorous look.

However, before booking one, make sure that you secure permission to land and take off in a particular place. There are many hotels with helipads that you can book for your wedding reception.

Have a Weird Ride in a Pick-Up Truck

blue sky, daylight, diesel

For sure, arriving at your wedding in a pickup truck may not be the most glamorous option, but it can make a bold statement and create some cool photo opportunities.

But if you think we are talking here of a dirty pickup truck, no we are not. Make sure that you rent a modified pickup truck that can complement your wedding theme. For example, choose a vintage Americana style pickup that has bright paint to make your wedding look attractive.

Go Vintage

Blue Beetle Car on Gray Asphalt Road Between Green Leaf Trees

If you have a strong liking to the golden era of cars when gangsters were cool, and prohibition ruled the streets, you can put on a spectacular entrance riding in them during your wedding. For example, you can ride in Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Royal Windsor, or 1960s convertible cars. Despite their age, these cars will surely turn anyone’s head today and will never go out of style.

Takeaway

One important part of planning a wedding is what type of transportation you choose. Unique wedding transport ideas will not only ward off the general and basic wedding ambiance, but it will also make your wedding fun and memorable.

Salvează

Salvează

Importance of Conditioning Your Hair

Dana R
-
0
Importance of Conditioning Your Hair

Conditioning your hair is a must if you want your hair to be smooth, shiny and silky. However, not all conditioners are of equal quality, so you need to search for a conditioner in accordance with your hair type. That way you can achieve best results and will avoid numerous hair problems. If you do not know what kind of conditioner to get, you can always consult professional hairdressers to help you with some advice. Professional hair stylists work all their life with hair and have handled many hair types, so no one is better qualified for advice than them. Many of them have taken start up business loan in order to start their businesses and establish their name on the market. Besides asking professional hair stylists you can also check out the following things why conditioning your hair is so important.

    Conditioning is primarily good for hydrating your hair follicles. Dry hair breaks often, so by applying a conditioner you can increase your hair volume and make your hair become softer and sleeker, without any dry flakes present. A thing to have in mind when conditioning your hair is to try to avoid conditioning the roots of your hair. The best thing you can do is to start from the tip of the hair and then go down slowly, but not all the way to the roots. Stop somewhere in the middle, because that is enough for making your hair fresh and hydrated. If you have a colored hair then you should try a bit different method to keep your hair healthy. You can apply hair mask in order to keep the color you like, but it should stay for longer period of time in order to work properly.

    As previously mentioned, using the right conditioner for your particular hair type is a must for having a healthy hair. There is no one specific conditioner that is good for all hair types and for all people. Different hair types require using different conditioners. For example, if you have thin hair then it is advisable to use a conditioner that can increase the volume. Those that have greasy hair should use a conditioner that contains low number of oils and other chemicals. If you pick correct conditioner you will ensure better appearance and longevity of your hair.

    Another important thing to have in mind is that conditioning your hair before applying shampoo is good if you want to improve the overall state of your hair. Quality conditioners have the ability to soak in deep into the hair and will not wash out easily with water. Regular conditioning before shampooing will give your hair a better bounce and better appearance.

    Final thing to remember is that shampooing your hair daily is not necessary. As a matter of fact it can even damage your hair. Shampooing your hair too often can make your hair very dry and can lead to split hair ends. You will avoid this issue with regular conditioning, so apply conditioner daily and enjoy your healthy hair.

Hurricane Maria: Donald Trump Defends His Response to Puerto Rico Disaster

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Hurricane Maria: Donald Trump Defends His Response to Puerto Rico Disaster

In a series of tweets, President Donald Trump has defended his reaction to the disaster in Puerto Rico, which has been ravaged by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Much of Puerto Rico territory has lost power, while residents say they are running low on medicines and food.

Critics have accused President Trump of being slow to respond, and of showing more concern for Texas and Florida after they were hit by hurricanes.

President Trump has announced he will visit Puerto Rico next week.

Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico on September 20, killing 16 people and knocking out electricity, water and telephone services.

The hurricane tore through the island as one of the most powerful storms in nearly 90 years.

About 44% of the 3.5 million residents living on the island are still without clean drinking water six days after the storm barreled through, the Defense Department said on September 26.

Image source WhiteHouse.gov

Hurricane Maria Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power

Hurricane Irma: At Least 9 Dead In Caribbean Islands, Heads Toward Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Default: $422 Million Debt Payment Suspended as Talks Fail

Puerto Rico’s government has asked a judge to defer key deadlines in its bankruptcy case as it grapples with Maria’s devastation.

President Trump came under fire after he spent the weekend focusing on a feud with NFL players and coaches, instead of acknowledging the Puerto Rico disaster.

He tweeted about the crisis on September 25 – but angered critics by suggesting that Puerto Rico’s $72 billion debt needed to be addressed amid its appeal for relief aid: “Texas & Florida are doing great but Puerto Rico, which was already suffering from broken infrastructure & massive debt, is in deep trouble owed to Wall Street and the banks which, sadly, must be dealt with. Food, water and medical are top priorities – and doing well. #FEMA.”

On September 26, the White House announced that President Trump had increased federal funding and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the storm.

The president said he would visit Puerto Rico on October 3 – nearly a fortnight after the storm struck – because it was the “earliest I can go without disrupting relief efforts”.

President Trump may also visit the US Virgin Islands, which was hit by both Hurricane Maria and Irma.

He said his administration was doing a “really good job” and that the Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, was “so grateful”.

President Trump said rescue efforts were complicated because Puerto Rico was offshore.

“This is a thing called the Atlantic ocean, this is tough stuff,” he said.

He added: “Puerto Rico is very important to me. The people are fantastic. I grew up in New York so I know many Puerto Rican people.”

Ricardo Rossello told Reuters President Trump’s handling of the disaster had been “excellent” and that the government had “responded very quickly” to the crisis.

More than 10,000 US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff are on the ground in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to assist with relief efforts, according to the agency.

1...157158159...1,243Page 158 of 1,243