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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

Ryanair Accuses Lufthansa and German Government of Air Berlin Conspiracy

Ryanair cancels over 250 flights to France ahead of traffic controllers strike

Ryanair jets collision at London’s Stansted Airport

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.

London Mosque Attack: One Person Dies as Van Hits Muslim Worshippers

London Attack: Police Investigate Whether Khalid Masood Acted Alone

London Attack: Two Dead In Westminster Bridge Terrorist Incident

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

North Korea Fires Missile over Northern Japan

North Korea Launches Fiery Attack on US Following UN Sanctions

North Korea Crisis: Kim Jong-un Is Begging for War, Says US Ambassador to UN

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.

Salvează

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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Lady Gaga wears fake moustache in Berlin

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

Salvează

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

Selena Gomez Diagnosed with Lupus

Is Selena Gomez feuding with Jenner sisters?

Selena Gomez spent two weeks in Arizona rehab

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.

Salvează

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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0
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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0
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

Hurricane Irma: 6.5 Million Homes Left Without Power in Florida

Hurricane Irma’s Eye Hits Key West, Key Largo, Naples and Marco Island

Hurricane Irma Hits Cuba on Its Way to Florida

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

Serena Williams Pregnant with First Child

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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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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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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.

iPhone X: Apple Unveils Its High-End Smartphone With No Physical Home Button

Nancy Clayson
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0
iPhone X: Apple Unveils Its High-End Smartphone With No Physical Home Button

Apple has unveiled iPhone X with an “edge-to-edge” screen that has no physical home button.

Details of the high-end smartphone and other forthcoming Apple devices have been revealed via an apparent leak two days ago.

Two news sites were given access to an as-yet-unreleased version of the iOS operating system.

The iPhone X – which is referred to as “ten” – uses FaceID – a facial recognition system – to recognize its owner rather than a fingerprint-based one.

Apple said FaceID could work in the dark by using 30,000 infra-red dots to check an identity, and was harder to fool than its old TouchID system.

iPhone X – which is smaller than iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen – is Apple’s most expensive phone yet.

A 64 GB capacity model will cost $999 when it goes on sale on November 3. A 256GB version will be priced at $1,149.

By contrast, Samsung is charging $930 for its new Note 8 phone, which has 64GB of storage.

Image source Apple

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Apple acknowledged that users might have concerns about using facial recognition to verify purchases via Apple Pay or to access their device.

However, the company claimed that while there was a one-in-50,000 chance that TouchID could be unlocked by a random stranger, the odds rose to one-in-one-million with FaceID.

Nevertheless, one expert said users might still be concerned the handset had no fingerprint sensor as an alternative.

Other features announced about iPhone X included:

  • its 5.8in screen has 458 pixels per inch, making it Apple’s most detailed phone display to date. To mark this it has been branded “super retina”
  • the lack of a home button is dealt with by requiring users to swipe up to access its apps, and to press a side button to summon its virtual assistant Siri
  • portrait mode – in which the camera blurs a photo’s background – and a relighting tool can be used on pictures taken by both the front and rear cameras
  • two hours more battery life than the iPhone 7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4wEI5zhHB0

Hope Hicks Replaces Anthony Scaramucci as White House Communications Director

Diane A. Wade
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0
Hope Hicks Replaces Anthony Scaramucci as White House Communications Director

Former model Hope Hicks has been named White House Communications Director for President Donald Trump.

The 28-year-old was the interim White House Communications Director and now she will serve in the role on a permanent basis.

The longtime Trump aide is the fourth person to fill the position, replacing Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired in July after just 10 days on the job.

Hope Hicks has served as President Donald Trump’s strategic communications director and campaign press secretary. She was one of the first staffers to join Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. The former Ralph Lauren model worked as a publicist for Ivanka Trump’s fashion label.

Her permanent appointment comes after a summer of staff shake-ups at the White House.

Image source Wikimedia

Anthony Scaramucci Removed as White House Communications Director After 10 Days

Sean Spicer Replaced by Anthony Scaramucci as Trump’s Press Secretary

Anthony Scaramucci was fired after he raised eyebrows for calling a reporter to give a profanity-laced tirade against his own colleagues.

President Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and spokesman, Sean Spicer, both left their posts after Anthony Scaramucci’s appointment.

General John Kelly, who replaced Reince Priebus, sacked Anthony Scaramucci after he was sworn in.

Mike Dubke, who was first appointed as communications director, resigned in May.

Sean Spicer also filled in as communications director while the post was open over the summer.

North Korea Launches Fiery Attack on US Following UN Sanctions

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Launches Fiery Attack on US Following UN Sanctions

North Korea has launched a fiery attack on the US, threatening with the “greatest pain” it has ever suffered, following new sanctions imposed by the UN.

Its ambassador to the UN accused Washington of opting for “political, economic and military confrontation”.

President Donald Trump said the move was nothing compared to what would have to happen to deal with North Korea.

The UN sanctions are an attempt to starve the country of fuel and income for its weapons programs.

The new measures restrict oil imports and ban textile exports, and were approved after North Korea’s sixth and largest nuclear test earlier this month.

North Korea’s ambassador to the UN Han Tae Song said he “categorically rejected” what he called an “illegal resolution”.

“The forthcoming measures by DPRK [the Democratic Republic of Korea] will make the US suffer the greatest pain it has ever experienced in its history,” he told a UN conference in Geneva.

“Instead of making [the] right choice with rational analysis… the Washington regime finally opted for political, economic and military confrontation, obsessed with the wild dream of reversing the DPRK’s development of nuclear force – which has already reached the completion phase.”

Photo AP

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The UN resolution was only passed unanimously after North Korea’s allies Russia and China agreed to softer sanctions than those proposed by the US.

The initial text included a total ban on oil imports, a measure seen by some analysts as potentially destabilizing for the North Korean regime.

The new sanctions agreed by the UN include:

  • Limits on imports of crude oil and oil products. China, North Korea’s main economic ally, supplies most of the country’s crude oil.
  • A ban on exports of textiles, which is Pyongyang’s second-biggest export worth more than $700 million a year.
  • A ban on new visas for North Korean overseas workers, which the US estimates would eventually cut off $500 million of tax revenue per year.

A proposed asset freeze and a travel ban on Kim Jong-un were dropped.

Reacting on September 13, President Donald Trump said: “We think it’s just another very small step, not a big deal.”

“I don’t know if it has any impact, but certainly it was nice to get a 15 to nothing vote. But those sanctions are nothing compared to what ultimately will have to happen,” the president added, without giving details.

The US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told the Security Council after the vote: “We don’t take pleasure in further strengthening sanctions today. We are not looking for war.”

“The North Korean regime has not yet passed the point of no return,” she added.

“If North Korea continues its dangerous path, we will continue with further pressure. The choice is theirs.”

The September 11 resolution against North Korea was the ninth one unanimously adopted by the UN since 2006.

Hurricane Irma: 6.5 Million Homes Left Without Power in Florida

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Irma: 6.5 Million Homes Left Without Power in Florida

About 6.5 million homes in Florida have been left without power after Hurricane Irma cut a deadly path through the state, officials say.

Relief operations are under way and engineers are working to restore power, but many areas remain stranded.

The islands of the Florida Keys and western parts of Florida bore the brunt of the category-four hurricane.

Irma hit Florida on September 10 and weakened to a tropical storm before becoming a tropical depression on September 12.

Image source Air Combat Command

Hurricane Irma’s Eye Hits Key West, Key Largo, Naples and Marco Island

Hurricane Irma Hits Cuba on Its Way to Florida

The storm was downgraded as it moved north towards Atlanta, with maximum sustained winds of 35mph later recorded, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in a statement.

The NHC statement said that while heavy rain was expected to continue across south-eastern states, all storm surge and tropical storm warnings had been discontinued.

Media reports link at least four deaths to the storm in Florida. Last week it killed at least 37 people in Caribbean islands.

Meanwhile, White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert has announced that it will be some time before residents in the Florida Keys are able to return to their homes.

“I would expect that the Keys are not fit for re-entry for regular citizenry for weeks,” he said.

Speaking as he went on an aerial tour of the Keys, Florida Governor Rick Scott said: “Power lines are down throughout the state. We’ve got roads that are impassable, so everybody’s got to be patient as we work through this.”

The Keys are cut off from the mainland, as the 42 bridges that link them are being assessed for damage. According to reports, 10,000 people decided to ride out the storm.

8 Modern Lighting Ideas for Your Garden

Nancy Clayson
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8 Modern Lighting Ideas for Your Garden

We invest most of our energy and time on the design and lighting of the interior of our homes, and because of that, we neglect to care for our outdoors. Even if we care for the plants and flowers in our garden often, garden lighting seems to be the last option when it comes to designing our homes.

Perhaps, we just don’t know the importance of an outdoor lighting. Or, maybe, we think more of the cost and labor, and less of the practical and aesthetic benefits that outdoor lights give to our homes.

Just a gist, outdoor lighting brings beauty to our exteriors by highlighting garden focal points such as our marvelous collection of different types of plants, or in creating a particular mood or ambiance for various styles of landscape designs. Aside from that, outdoor lights have safety and practical purposes. For example, they are used to light our frequently used pathways, grill area, and outdoor dining table.

Sounds good, isn’t it?

If you have now a change of heart and eager to bring the focus this time in lighting your outdoor areas, here are some modern lighting ideas that you can utilize to your advantage.

Bollard Lights

Bollards are great modern lights to cast a particular mood to your pathways and driveways. This type of lighting will give your guests a clear direction of where to walk. But it is advisable to place them sparingly at wide intervals to enjoy the contrast of light and shadow during the night.

Lamp Posts

Lamp posts are kind of similar in structure to bollard lights, but the former has more in height than the latter. Like bollards, it can provide direction when you place them in your walkways and driveways. It can also be a great feature not only as a light source but in adding character, charm, and elegance to your garden.

Most lamp posts come in traditional styles, but there are modern ones which are solar-powered that can complement to the contemporary setting of your gardens while also saving energy when you use them.

In-ground Lights

If you want a light for your garden that is concealed and unobtrusive, in-ground light is for you.

In-ground lights are perfect in providing subtle yet essential illumination for both safety and aesthetic appeal.  For instance, it can add drama in casting its light under tall trees and dense foliage in your garden, while it is a staple in lighting pathways for you to walk your garden at night safely.

Garden Spike Lights

Garden spike light is a great modern outdoor lighting that is easy to install on a soft surface in your garden. It highlights a key landscape feature in your gardens such as an elegant palm or pine tree.

Most spike lights are LEDs, so you won’t have to worry about high electricity cost as LED lights are energy efficient. They also come in various colors to suit a particular style of a garden.

Modern Lanterns

If you want to combine a retro and modern style to your garden, modern lanterns will do the work.

Modern lanterns are attractive as garden lighting design because they add a romantic atmosphere to your garden. They are also easy to move if you want to transfer them at will and come in a wide range of style that will suit your aesthetic biases. You can put them at the corners of the garden, beside the outdoor dining table, or on both sides of the pathway.

The traditional lanterns use candles as light, but modern ones use LED for both safety and energy-saving purposes.

String Lights

String lights have the power to turn a simple, ordinary space into something like those you see in the fairy tales. They are also inexpensive and proved to be an easy way to light and beautify your garden. Just hang them in the tree, and your heart will skip a beat when you see them.

For a cozy and elegant ambiance for your garden, string lights are the best!

Orbs and Sphere Lights

If you want to pull another trick to turn your garden into something magical aside from string lights, orb- or sphere-shaped lights will do wonders.

Orbs and sphere lights come in a variety of colors. The more traditional color is the white color. It will set a modern and elegant mood when you hang them to light your garden and patio. But, if you want a more fun atmosphere for your outdoor area, you can go for the colored orbs and spheres.

You can hang them in a branching tree or float them in a small pond in your garden.

Pots and Planter Lights

If you think you know more about pots and planters because you have them in your garden serving as containers for your plants, think again.

Pots and planters don’t do just that. They also serve a dual purpose as both plant containers and light sources. They come in a variety of sizes and colors of light that will surely accentuate your plant collections and will provide an elegant beauty to your garden.

Takeaway
Gardens are an important aspect of our homes. Thus, it is only necessary that we give as much attention in providing beauty to them as we do with our interiors. Choosing the perfect modern outdoor lighting is one way to provide them with that.

Garden Furniture 101: Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Garden

Nancy Clayson
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Garden Furniture 101: Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Garden

Gardens are an important part of our homes. It is where we pass our time for relaxation and spend our bonding time with our family after a long tiring day from work. Therefore, providing it a vibrant and refreshing look should be among our home improvement priorities for us to make these moments more comfortable and memorable.

When looking for furniture, homeowners should keep the size and layout of the garden in mind. If you have a large, open garden, the furniture you need should differ from that of a smaller garden area. Also, you need to remember that garden furniture has three-fold purposes: comfort, style, and function.

It can be tempting to buy furniture right away because it’s 50% off or it looks chic, but buying the right one is not merely focusing on those qualities. You also need to take heed of the quality. Knowing how outdoor furniture was constructed and from what materials they come from, will surely deliver a value-for-money purchase.

Here are some tips for you to buy the right furniture for your garden.

Measure Your Garden Space

The type of furniture you want to display depends on the outdoor space available. For example, a 2-seater bistro set might be ideal for a smaller patio, while a cube set is a better fit for a bigger outdoor area.

Think of What Pieces of Furniture You Need

If you want to get purchase outdoor furniture, you must base it on how you will use your outdoor space. For example, if you want your garden to be an area of relaxation, comfort should be topmost in your furniture consideration. Furniture with cushions is perfect to cater this need.

Storage and Easy Care

Most garden furniture nowadays has ‘all-weather’ as its label. While cast aluminum pieces are specially designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, you still need a spot where you can protect them from the sun, wind, rain, and hail.

So, before buying an outdoor furniture, consider first if you have enough storage space for the winter season. If you lack space for storage, go for smaller furniture pieces that are easy to move indoors, or you can consider buying a suitable cover in the budget.

Quality is Key

Buying furniture should be thought of as an investment. When choosing furniture for the garden, test its smoothness by rubbing your hands over its surface. For metal furniture, check if any welding has cracked and if the coated finish is correctly applied. Also, check if joints are not glued but screwed.

Consider the Different Materials of a Furniture

Wood Garden Furniture

Wood furniture is a perfect choice if you want to provide your garden a casual and natural style. Besides, the look of wood is ideal for an outdoor setting. Woods are sturdy, non-heat-absorbing, and long-lasting if cared properly.

Wood material comes in many varieties. There is eucalyptus, teak, cedar, pine, and oak.

  • Eucalyptus is a versatile hardwood and is resistant to moisture damage and insects. It is also ideal if you are tight on budget.
  • Teak is a dense-grained tropical hardwood. If you are looking for a piece of furniture that is resistant to rotting and shrinkage, teak is the best choice. The only disadvantage of teak is that it is an expensive option.
  • Cedar is a soft wood that has a distinctive scent that is insect resistant. It needs a regular maintenance because its color will turn to gray if left unsealed or unpainted.
  • Pine, like cedar, is also a soft wood. It is used extensively as a material for modern furniture and has color varieties that range from cream to yellow brown with its typical marked growth rings.
  • Oak is hardwood widely valued for its strength and attractive grain. It is used as solid furniture and in modern furniture as veneers. Oaks are moderately expensive and come in two variants of colors: grayish brown and reddish.

Wicker/Rattan Garden Furniture

Wicker and rattan are great as both an indoor and outdoor furniture. If you display it in your outdoor area, it makes a perfect complement to your porches and decks. They are available in a variety of colors that will give your garden a natural and rustic look. Its benefits include comfortable, movable, and flexible.

Plastic Garden Furniture

Plastic furniture is polyethylene-made. It comes from recycled plastic materials such as shampoo bottles and milk cartons.

The best thing with plastics is that it does not require painting or sealing. It can also be made to resemble the materials mentioned above such as wood and wicker. They are resistant to moisture, insects, stains, and mildew. Its weight is perfect if you need to move it around in other spaces.

Aluminum Garden Furniture

Aluminum furniture is good to go when you want to provide your garden a contemporary and modern design. Powder-coated aluminum is durable and only requires low-maintenance. The only catch is that aluminum becomes hot when exposed to the heat of the sun for too long.

Steel Garden Furniture

Steel furniture is heavier than aluminum and can give you a hard time moving it around. It is, however, an ideal complement to contemporary and modern gardens. For comfort, it is advisable that you provide it with cushions.

Takeaway
Choosing the right furniture is essential if you want to provide your garden a comfortable and functional purpose. In achieving this, it is important to know the needs of your outdoor area first, then learn the different materials of the furniture for you to have an insight on how you will complement it to the look of your outdoor area. In this way, you won’t need to waste money and worry that is typical in any furniture mistakes.

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