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Melania and Barron Trump Finally Move into White House

Diane A. Wade
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Melania and Barron Trump Finally Move into White House

First Lady Melania Trump and Donald Trump’s 11-year-old son Barron have moved into the White House – five months after the president took office.

Melania and Barron Trump had stayed behind in New York so the president’s son could finish the school year.

The decision was seen as strange by some, as Melania Trump was the first presidential spouse in recent years not to relocate to the capital immediately.

Her predecessor, Michelle Obama, even moved to Washington early to get her daughters settled in their new school.

Image source Wikimedia

However, it seems Melania Trump is delighted by the move, tweeting a picture looking out across the White House lawn, marking the occasion.

The move will also no doubt be welcomed by New Yorkers, who have footed a hefty security bill keeping Melania and Barron Trump safe in Trump Tower.

Their presence in New York has also been known to create a fair few traffic problems. The New York Post warned of a potential “traffic apocalypse” if they did not make the move.

Meanwhile, President Trump – who did not acknowledge the move on his personal Twitter account – has turned his attention to eldest daughter Ivanka’s appearance on Fox and Friends on June 12.

It is not known what Ivanka Trump will be discussing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xLaG5p48q0

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: Muammar Gaddafi’s Son Freed in Libya

Roy Siemens
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Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: Muammar Gaddafi’s Son Freed in Libya

Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s second son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, is said to have been freed in Libya under an amnesty, in a move which could fuel further instability.

The former Libyan leader’s preferred successor, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had been held by a militia in the town of Zintan for the past six years.

The Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion said Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, 44, had been released on June 9 but he has not been shown in public.

Local reports suggest Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is now in the eastern city of Bayda with relatives.

His lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi, also said he had been released but would not say which city Saif al-Islam had traveled to for security reasons.

The Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion said it was acting on a request from the “interim government”.

Image source Wikipedia

That government – based in the east of Libya – had already offered amnesty to Saif al-Islam.

However, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Tripoli, the west of Libya, where control is in the hands of the rival, UN-backed Government of National Accord.

Previous reports of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s release proved to be false.

Muammar Gaddafi’s son is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during his father’s unsuccessful attempts to put down the rebellion.

Saif al-Islam – who was controversially granted a PhD by the London School of Economics in 2008 – was captured in November 2011 after three months on the run following the end of Muammar Gaddafi’s decades-long rule.

He was previously known for playing a key role in building relations with the West after 2000, and had been considered the reformist face of his father’s regime.

However, after the 2011 uprising, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi found himself accused of incitement to violence and murdering protesters.

Four years later, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was sentenced to death by firing squad following a trial involving 30 of Muammar Gaddafi’s close associates.

Jeff Sessions to Testify in Response to James Comey’s Testimony

Diane A. Wade
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Jeff Sessions to Testify in Response to James Comey’s Testimony

Jeff Sessions announces he will appear before a Senate panel in response to former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony.

The US Attorney General will appear before the Senate intelligence committee on June 13, he announced in a letter.

Jeff Sessions said the decision had been made “in light of Mr. Comey’s recent testimony”.

James Comey told the panel this week that he had asked Jeff Sessions to “prevent any future direct communication between the president and me”.

The testimony made headlines around the world, as it was the first time James Comey had publicly given his side of the apparent fall-out between himself and President Donald Trump in the run-up to his being fired in May.

In his letter on June 10, Jeff Sessions said: “It is important that I have an opportunity to address these matters in the appropriate forum.”

Image source Flickr

Jeff Sessions had been due to appear before the Senate and House appropriations subcommittees on June 6. He said in the letter deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein would attend instead.

He removed himself from the FBI’s inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US election back in March after it emerged he had met Moscow’s envoy during last year’s White House race.

James Comey told the Senate there were a “variety of reasons” why Jeff Sessions’ involvement in the investigation of Russia’s alleged interference would be problematic.

However, he said he was unable to speak about them in an open session of the hearing.

James Comey also told the Senate that the Trump administration’s comments about him and the FBI were “lies plain and simple”.

He said he was “confused” by the “shifting explanations” for his sacking, which came as he led an inquiry into any links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

President Trump later said he never sought to impede the inquiry, and accused James Comey of saying some things that “just weren’t true”.

The president has said he is “100%” willing to speak under oath about his conversations, denying he asked for James Comey’s loyalty or for the inquiry into former White House aide Michael Flynn to be dropped.

President Trump went on to say he was considering releasing further information about possible recordings of the conversations between himself and James Comey.

Shortly after the press conference, leaders of the House intelligence committee said they had asked the White House whether there were any such tapes.

The House panel requested that if the recordings existed, they should be submitted by June 23.

Batman Star Adam West Dies Aged 88

Sonia Pantiss
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Batman Star Adam West Dies Aged 88

Batman actor Adam West has died at the age of 88.

He was best known as the star of the 1960s hit TV series Batman.

Adam West died peacefully in Los Angeles after a brief battle with leukemia, a family spokesperson said.

The actor’s tongue-in-cheek portrayal of Batman and the superhero’s alter ego Bruce Wayne won a cult following.

However, Adam West later struggled to find acting work. He most recently played a character in the animated comedy Family Guy.

Image source Wikipedia

“Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight, and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans’ lives. He was and always will be our hero,” Adam West’s family said in a statement, reported in Variety.

The Batman TV series, with its onscreen fight-scene graphics of Wham! and Pow! became an unexpected hit. Adam West and his co-star Burt Ward, who played Batman’s sidekick Robin, won widespread acclaim for their kitsch portrayal of the Dynamic Duo.

In a 2010 interview with the website Slice of SciFi, Adam West said the TV series had benefitted from very good writers.

“They saw the craziness, the comedy. You know, just as he’s about to put her in (jail), Batman says to Catwoman, <<You give me curious stirrings in my utility belt>>. That’s funny stuff.”

When the series ended, Adam West struggled to break free from the character, but over a long career appeared in nearly 50 movies including Drop Dead Gorgeous, An American Vampire Story and Nevada Smith.

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

How Will Global Foreign Exchange Markets React To Brexit?

Clyde K. Valle
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How Will Global Foreign Exchange Markets React To Brexit?

While Donald Trump has taken center stage within many news circles, the recent Brexit is actually just as important. The Brexit is simply the plan for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (BRitish EXIT). While more political than physical in nature, this movement will impact areas such as travel, trade, financial transactions and even the residency statuses of Britons living abroad.

Although the entire process will take approximately two years to complete, many are wondering how the Brexit will impact the global foreign exchange (Forex) markets. No one is entirely certain and yet, there are a few solid predictions which seem to be the most likely to occur in the near future. Let’s take a closer look.

The Questionable Value of the Pound

This is the most obvious concern, so it should be mentioned first. There are two major reasons why the pound is likely to be hurt from a medium-term perspective. First, investors are concerned about how the UK will renegotiate its current trade relationship with the European Union. This might very well hurt some domestic businesses and as a result, the value of the pound may fall.

The second issue is arguably more psychological in nature. Uncertainty always affects the markets and this situation is no different. The fact of the matter is that while the Brexit has been formally triggered, very few (if any) analysts are exactly sure of how negotiations will take place. This is entirely new territory and therefore, there is much more of a bearish stance.

Americans and their European counterparts are therefore somewhat concerned. Until concrete steps are laid out, it is likely that we will continue to see a weak pound. However, is the pound the only currency to watch?

The Dollar-Pound Relationship

Many Forex traders regularly monitor the USD/GBP relationship. In the past, the pound was normally stronger than the dollar. This was rather predictable and while small fluctuations did indeed occur, it was a worthwhile bet that the British currency would remain relatively stable. This has now all changed thanks to the Brexit (as well as the emerging economic policies of the Trump administration). Many currency traders are looking towards the dollar with a much more favorable attitude when compared to two or three years ago.

The major question is whether or not this American currency will represent a safe haven when compared to its counterparts across the Atlantic. Although the verdict is still out, the fact of the matter is that we will likely see a much stronger dollar in relation to the British pound.

The Euro Question

Forex investors are also keeping a close eye on the value of the euro when compared to the pound. Will a falling pound benefit UK exports and if so, could this harm the value of the euro? Or, might the geopolitical instability within the European Union cause a continued parity with the pound?

These are two very important questions which currency analysts are attempting to answer. Others question whether or not the Brexit will trigger similar moves in countries leaning to the far right such as France. Such a concern could negatively impact the value of the euro in the future.

 

The Markets as a Whole

Up until this point, we have examined potential currency changes and how these might evolve. However, what about the Forex markets as a whole? Can we make an broad predictions about how they will continue to react?

The first viable observation is that this sector will see an increased amount of volatility due to the amount of speculation taking place. Rumors can cause massive rises or falls within a very short period of time. As a result, it is likely that individual investors will embrace a much more conservative stance. On the other side of the proverbial coin, speculators could very well look to take advantage of any short-term swings. Either way, the Forex markets look to be in for a rough ride ahead.

 

Trading Strategies

We should also mention that investors will be looking to adopt more risk-averse trading strategies as opposed to standard open-market positions. One example of this can be seen in the rising popularity of spread betting. Spread betting is better than conventional trading due to the fact that investors can enjoy benefits such as a tax-free income, the ability to “short” a position and the potential to employ margins. The main takeaway point here is that many traders will be forced to rethink their traditional approaches in order to accommodate a rather unclear future.

Of course, the Brexit will not happen overnight and a significant amount of negotiations still need to take place. It is nonetheless an undeniable fact that this move will have a massive impact upon the world of financial trading for years to come.

 

UK Elections 2017 Results Weaken Pound

Clyde K. Valle
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UK Elections 2017 Results Weaken Pound

The pound has fallen sharply after the UK’s general elections resulted in a hung parliament.

The currency’s value had dropped overnight, and as trading began in London it slipped further, standing 2.3% lower at just below $1.27, with markets worried about heightened political uncertainty.

Against the euro, the pound was down 2% at 1.1344.

However, UK’s shares opened higher with the benchmark FTSE 100 index up 1.3% at 7,544.78 points.

Image source Flickr

A fall in the value of the pound tends to boost the FTSE 100 as the majority of companies in the index have significant operations overseas. A weaker pound means profits earned abroad are worth more when converted back into sterling.

Traders had been expecting a clear victory for PM Theresa May’s Conservative Party, but are now concerned about political uncertainty.

The projection is that the Conservatives will be the largest party with 318 seats – eight short of a majority.

While the pound’s move is significant, it is far less striking than that seen in the aftermath of the Brexit vote in June 2016, when it plunged more than 10%.

Some analysts say that might reflect the diminishing prospect of a “hard” Brexit.

Sterling initially fell after an exit poll was released as the polls closed at 22:00 cast doubt on an overall Conservative majority, raising concerns about increased uncertainty and a possible delay to Brexit negotiations.

Sterling has been trading in a range between $1.28 and $1.30 in recent weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzUDYt01AfA

Yahoo Stock Soars 10% after Verizon Merger

Clyde K. Valle
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Yahoo Stock Soars 10% after Verizon Merger

Yahoo shares jumped 10% after shareholders approved sale of its core internet business to Verizon amid a muted day on Wall Street.

After the deal closed, a renamed Yahoo will mainly hold a stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, which had a blockbuster day on Wall Street.

Yahoo’s gains helped lift the NASDAQ 0.4% to 6,321.76 points.

The Dow Jones was almost flat at 21,182.53 points, while the broader S&P 500 fell very slightly to 2,433.79.

Verizon investors appeared more skeptical of the $4.5 billion deal, which was delayed after Yahoo disclosed data breaches, falling 0.7%.

According to reports, Verizon expects to cut about 2,000 jobs after its purchase of Yahoo’s internet business goes through next week.

Consumer-focused companies also closed down despite a 10% bounce for Nordstrom, which said it was considering going private.

However, financial stocks outperformed, as Republicans pressed ahead with a bid to roll back financial rules imposed after the 2008 crisis.

Although the measures are unlikely to become law, the bill’s success in the House signals commitment to some type of reform.

Ocwen Financial rose 2.7% after the loan servicer came under pressure from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which would be seriously weakened under June 8 measure.

Goldman Sachs closed up 1.4%, JP Morgan Chase added 1.25% and Bank of America climbed 1.6%.

The markets generally were overshadowed by political news, as UK voters headed to the polls and former FBI Director James Comey answered questions in Washington about his dealings with President Donald Trump.

President Trump fired Director James Comey earlier this year amid an FBI investigation into Russian ties to the Trump campaign. The move has generated political backlash and hurt Donald Trump’s standing in Washington.

UK Elections 2017 Results: Theresa May’s Conservatives Lose Majority

Diane A. Wade
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UK Elections 2017 Results: Theresa May’s Conservatives Lose Majority

Conservatives have lost their majority in the UK’s snap general election that has resulted in a hung parliament.

With just a handful of seats left to declare, June 8 poll shows gains for the opposition Labour Party.

This is seen as a humiliation for PM Theresa May, who chose to call the election to try to strengthen her hand in talks with the EU on Brexit.

Labour leader and Theresa May’s main rival, Jeremy Corbyn, urged her to resign, but she said her party would “ensure” stability in the UK.

Image source Wikipedia

She said on June 9: “At this time more than anything else, this country needs a period of stability.

“And if, as the indications have shown and if this is correct that the Conservative Party has won the most seats and probably the most votes, then it will be incumbent on us to ensure we have that period of stability – and that is exactly what we will do.”

Theresa May – who had a small majority in the previous parliament – had called an early election to try to improve her negotiation positions on Brexit.

However, EU Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger told German radio he was unsure Brexit talks could start later this month as scheduled. He said discussions with a weak UK negotiating partner could lead to a poor outcome.

Jeremy Corbyn earlier said: “If there is a message from tonight’s results, it’s this: the prime minister called this election because she wanted a mandate. Well, the mandate she’s got is lost Conservative seats, lost votes, lost support and lost confidence.”

“I would have thought that’s enough to go, and make way for a government that will be truly representative of all of the people of this country,” he added.

Final election results are expected on June 9 at midday.

The biggest shock of the night so far has been Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg losing his seat to a Labour candidate. He was deputy prime minister of the UK from 2010 to 2015 in a coalition government with the Conservatives.

Former Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond was also defeated, losing his seat to a Conservative.

A total of 650 Westminster lawmakers are being elected, with about 45.8 million people entitled to vote. A party needs 326 seats to have an overall majority.

Emperor Akihito Expected to Abdicate in 2018

Diane A. Wade
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Emperor Akihito Expected to Abdicate in 2018

Japan’s has cleared the way for Emperor Akihito’s abdication after the parliament has passed a one-off bill.

Akihito, 83, is the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years.

In 2016, he said that his age and health were making it hard for him to fulfill his official duties.

However, there was no provision under existing law for Akihito to abdicate.

The government will now begin the process of arranging his abdication, expected to happen in late 2018, and the handover to Crown Prince Naruhito, 57.

Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989.

Image source Wikipedia

In a rare address to the nation in 2016, Akihito said he was beginning to feel “constraints” on his health which were making it hard for him to fulfill his official duties.

The emperor is constitutionally barred from making any political statements, so he could not say explicitly that he wanted to stand down as that would be considered comment on the law.

The newly passed law says that on abdication, the emperor’s son, Naruhito, will immediately take the Chrysanthemum Throne, but that neither he nor his successors would be allowed to abdicate under the law.

The government is yet to set a date for the abdication, but the bill says it must take place within three years of the law coming into effect.

The handover is widely expected take place in December 2018.

The emperor has no political powers but several official duties, such as greeting foreign dignitaries. Japan’s monarchy is entwined in the Shinto religion and the emperor still performs religious ceremonies.

Most support the emperor’s desire to abdicate – a survey by the Kyodo news agency after Akihito suggested he wanted to step down found more than 85% saying abdication should be legalized.

A discussion about whether or not a woman would be able to ascend the throne was triggered in 2006 when the emperor had no grandsons, but was postponed after a boy was born to the imperial family.

James Comey Testimony: “Trump Administration Lied About FBI”

Diane A. Wade
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James Comey Testimony: “Trump Administration Lied About FBI”

Former FBI Director James Comey told Congress that the Trump administration’s comments about him and the agency were “lies plain and simple”.

James Comey told a Senate committee they were wrong to denigrate the FBI and its leadership.

The ex-FBI chief was also “confused” by the “shifting explanations” for his sacking, which came as he led a probe into any links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

President Trump later said he never sought to impede the inquiry.

Donald Trump’s attorney, Marc Kasowitz, said in a statement James Comey’s testimony “finally confirmed publicly” that the president was not under investigation as part of any probe in Russian political meddling.

In the statement, President Trump also denied asking James Comey for his loyalty or to drop an investigation into fired national security adviser Michael Flynn during private meetings.

Image source Flickr

In his testimony, James Comey said President Trump had repeatedly told him he was doing a “great” job.

The former FBI chief also suggested he was fired to “change the way the Russia investigation was being conducted”.

He remained largely composed throughout almost three hours of testimony but became impassioned when delivering his opening remarks.

James Comey told the panel that the White House “chose to defame me, and more importantly the FBI” by claiming the agency was “poorly led”.

“Those were lies, plain and simple. And I’m so sorry that the FBI workforce had to hear them,” James Comey continued.

“The FBI is honest. The FBI is strong. And the FBI is and always will be independent,” he said in his opening remarks.

James Comey was leading one of several Russia investigations before President Trump fired him.

US intelligence agencies believe Moscow interfered in the US election and they are investigating alleged links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

However, there is no known evidence of collusion and President Donald Trump has dismissed the story as “fake news”.

On June 8, Donald Trump’s spokeswoman Sarah Sanders hit back at James Comey, saying: “I can definitively say the president is not a liar.”

During today’s testimony, James Comey emphasized that Russia’s political meddling was “not a close call”, adding: “There should be no fuzz on this whatsoever.”

When asked by the Senate Intelligence Committee whether the president tried to stop the Russia investigation, James Comey said: “Not to my understanding, no.”

He said he it was not for him to say whether Donald Trump’s actions were an obstruction of justice.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner, the committee’s vice chairman, pressed James Comey on why he decided to keep a record of his conversations with President Trump.

“I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting” he said.

James Comey, who published his prepared remarks a day before the hearing, detailed one meeting with Donald Trump in which the president asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions and White House aide Jared Kushner to leave the Oval Office.

“I knew something was about to happen that I needed to pay very close attention to,” James Comey said.

“I remember thinking that that was a very disturbing development.”

During another meeting with Donald Trump, James Comey said the president appealed to him to “let go” an investigation into fired national security adviser Michael Flynn and his ties to the Kremlin.

After media reported the conversation, the president warned James Comey in a tweet, saying he “better hope there are no <<tapes>> of our conversations”.

James Comey told the committee he hoped there were tapes, calling on President Trump to release them.

“The president surely knows whether he taped me, and if he did my feelings aren’t hurt. Release all the tapes, I’m good with it,” he said.

The White House has refused to say whether any such tapes exist.

After President Trump’s tweet about potential tapes, James Comey said he realized it was important to release his own account of the story.

James Comey revealed that he asked a “good friend of mine” who is a professor at Columbia Law School to share contents of the memo with a reporter, in order to build pressure for a special counsel.

As a result of this episode, former FBI chief Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel to lead an independent investigation into the Trump campaign’s potential ties to Russia.

James Comey said he was “sure” Robert Mueller was also looking at whether President Trump obstructed justice.

Donald Trump attacked James Comey for leaking the documents, saying it showed that members of the US government are “actively attempting to undermine this administration”.

T.O.P. In Critical Condition after Overdose

Lisa.Felice
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T.O.P. In Critical Condition after Overdose

T.O.P., one of the biggest stars in Asian music, is recovering in intensive care from a suspected drug overdose.

The 29-year-old South Korean singer was performing mandatory military service as a policeman when he was found unconscious at his station.

He is not in a life-threatening condition, reports say, but is unresponsive.

T.O.P., whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, is a member of Big Bang, one of the world’s most successful boy bands.

Big Bang’s top five videos on YouTube have a combined 935 million views.

“Choi’s condition is very bad,” one of his doctors told the AFP.

Image source Wikimedia

T.O.P.’s medical team told the Korea Herald that the singer was suspected to have overdosed on benzodiazepine, a range of prescription tranquilizers used to treat anxiety, among other conditions.

“He was in a state of stupor and deep drowsiness and only responded to very strong stimulation,” the newspaper said.

“He is still not breathing properly and is recovering. We are currently attempting to treat him but he’s in an unresponsive state.”

The Korea Herald said that another doctor believed the singer could recover in a week.

T.O.P. had been embroiled in a controversy over marijuana use before his hospitalization. It is alleged he smoked marijuana on multiple occasions, even though the drug is illegal in South Korea.

As a result, T.O.P. was transferred from his compulsory service posting at a police station in affluent Gangnam, where he had been serving for months, to another station.

The singer was found unconscious in the barracks of his new posting on June 6.

T.O.P.’s entertainment agency, YG, released a statement apparently written by the singer a few days previously.

“I deserve punishment for hurting the members, agency, public, fans and family,” he said.

“I’ll regret this for tens of thousands of years.”

UK Elections 2017: Voters Go to Polls In the Wake of Terror Attacks

Diane A. Wade
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UK Elections 2017: Voters Go to Polls In the Wake of Terror Attacks

Voting is under way in the UK at more than 40,000 polling stations across the country.

Polls opened at 07:00 BST on June 8, with counting starting once voting ends at 22:00 BST.

A total of 650 Westminster lawmakers will be elected, with about 46.9 million people registered to vote.

That is up from the last general election, in 2015, when there were 46.4 million registered voters.

Some votes have already been cast, through postal voting, which accounted for 16.4% of the total electorate at the 2015 general election. People with an undelivered postal vote can still deliver it by hand to their local polling station.

Two years ago, when the Conservatives won 331 out of 650 seats, overall turnout was 66.4%, up from 2010.

Most polling stations are in schools, community centers and parish halls, but pubs, a launderette and a school bus have been used in the past.

Police have increased security at polling stations, including patrols by armed officers in some areas, following the recent terror attacks.

A handful of seats are expected to be declared by midnight, with the final results expected on June 9.

Unusually, no local elections are taking place at the same time, so results might come through earlier than in recent general elections.

In 2015, the first seat to declare was Houghton and Sunderland South, at 22:48 BST.

To form a majority in the House of Commons one party must win 326 seats – in 2015 a Conservative majority was not confirmed until 13:34 BST.

Polls close at 22:00 BST, but officials say anyone in a polling station queue at this time should be able to cast their vote.

North Korea Fires Several Anti-Ship Missiles Off Its East Coast

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Fires Several Anti-Ship Missiles Off Its East Coast

According to South Korea’s military, North Korea has fired several anti-ship cruise missiles off its east coast.

Authorities said the weapons, launched on June 8 near the city of Wonsan, appeared to be short-range “surface-to-ship” missiles.

They flew about 125 miles before landing in the water.

Repeated ballistic missile tests by North Korea this year – not all successful but all a breach of UN sanctions – have sparked international alarm.

Photo KCNA

Experts fear the tests indicate progress towards North Korea’s ultimate goal of putting a nuclear warhead on a missile.

The latest firing, however, does not violate the UN Security Council’s resolutions against the North, as those resolutions only ban ballistic missile launches, reported South Korean news agency Yonhap.

South Korean military spokesman Roh Jae-cheon said the latest launch showed the North “likely wanted to show off its ability to precisely target a large warship” after recent military drills involving US aircraft carriers and South Korean troops.

“By testing different types of missiles, North Korea also appears to be aiming to secure the upper hand in relations with South Korea and the United States,” Roh Jae-cheon told reporters.

Anti-ship cruise missiles are guided missiles which generally skim the water. In 2012, North Korea displayed several such weapons known as Styx.

North Korea has also previously unsuccessfully tested anti-ship ballistic missiles, experts believe.

On May 29, North Korea fired a Scud-type ballistic missile from the same location, which flew about 280 miles.

Last week the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution to impose targeted sanctions on certain North Korean officials and state entities.

The US has also ramped up its military presence in the region, conducting drills with Japan as well as South Korea, and is installing a controversial missile defense system in South Korea, known as Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).

However, South Korea said on June 7 it was suspending the further deployment of the system until an environmental assessment is completed.

Checklist: Ready For Your First Camping Trip With Family

Nancy Clayson
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Camping can be hard work, especially when it’s your first camping trip with your family. Getting a reservation, organizing gear, packing the car, preparing food for several days ahead, and making sure there are enough means of entertainment for the whole family are not easy tasks. But having a camping trip is well worth it. You will enjoy lots of laughs with the family, make lasting memories and get plenty of outdoor time. We prepared a camping checklist with useful items to take on your trip as well as some tips that can help you better organize four camping.

checklist goals box notebook pen people man hand to do business writing

Tips For Your First Camping Trip:

Well-planning:

The first step in organizing your trip is to mark down a camping date on your calendar. You need to plan ahead in order to ensure you can get a spot since campgrounds can fill up quickly. It is recommended to try to leave on a day during the work week or on a Friday early in the day in order to avoid commuter traffic. This way you may also get a better chance of setting up your tent in the camp before it gets dark.

While camping with your family alone could be a great experience, you may also invite some friends. Bringing your kids’ friends along or camping with another family can keep everyone occupied and happy.

Prepare essential gear only:

You also need to prepare the gear in advance. Make sure you take everything you need but don’t fill up the limited space in your car’s trunk with anything more than the items of strict necessity. For this purpose, it’s good to make a camping checklist in order to make sure you don’t forget to take anything you need. Check beforehand the tent stakes, tent, lighters or matches, stove, lanterns and vacuum cleaner for working condition.

Prepare the food for your camping trip in advance:

Make a checklist for food as well, writing down the food items you plan to eat for each meal. Then prepare at home in advance anything you can. Wrap the potatoes in foil, cut the vegetables, marinate the meats. This way you save some time and efforts once you get to camp.

Set out apart the foods meal by meal when you pack the cooler. Do not forget the can opener, necessary utensils, condiments, etc.

Get your camping checklist:

A camping trip can become more enjoyable with the help of the check in several ways. In making your camping trip checklist, you get involved the whole family. This way, everyone’s anticipation and excitement will increase. Checklists also help you pack and organize your camping gear, reminding you what to bring along. You can easily see what last few items you need to pick up when you are getting ready to go.

Checklists can help you to not forget any important item that you need to take on your camping trip. It also helps you decide what is not necessary to bring next time. This way you can make even better your next camping trip.

You also need to be aware of the fact that a good checklist may change continually. You will want different items for your camping trip with your family as your experience grows. For example, rather than cooking over a fire, you might want to take a propane stove on your next trip. On another occasion, you might want to bring a Dutch oven to the user over the fire and leave the stove at home.

Type of Camping Checklists:

tools hammer table wood work construction repair thread

You can make different camping trip checklists, depending on the purpose and the specifics of your camping trip. For your trip with your family, these checklists can make excellent starting points. You can print them out then, as you plan your trip, delete or add gear on the list:

Car Camping Check Lists

When you plan to camp next to your car, you can make a car camping checklist. At national and state parks, car camping is typical for most visitors. When you are traveling and stop for the night at a commercial campground, you can also choose car camping. You can carry extra gear for fun activities because you have a car nearby. You may also take a vacuum cleaner for keeping your car and tent dust and dirt free. You can also leave some things at home since you can typically ride easily to a store.

Canoe Camping Check Lists

Canoe camping with your family can be an occasion to have great fun. Such kind of camping trips offers more solitude and privacy. Most often, you can also get to observe some wildlife. You and your family can also experience a sense of adventure. Since you are camped far from your car, the canoe camping checklists should include some extra gear. You may also need to add on your camping list some basic repair kits for the canoe.

Day Pack Check List

You need to include on the day pack check some items you could need when you are away from your base camp. You’ll choose the actual items, depending on what you plan to do during the day. For instance, if your hobby is to take photographs, you would certainly take your film, camera, and some different lenses.

First Aid Kit Check Lists

 

This is one of your most important checklists for a camping trip. The first aid kit checklist helps you prepare for any minor accidents that may happen frequently on a camping trip as well as remind you to pack any personal medication.

Fun and Games Check List

This list includes all the entertainment means for your family. Add music, games for the entire family on a rainy day, games for kids, some toys, and field guides or novels.

Here are some examples of items you may add to your camping trip checklists:

Campsite gear

• Tent

• Tent poles

• Tent stakes

• Tent footprint

• Canopy or extra tarp

• Sleeping pad for each member of family

• Sleeping bag for everyone

• Extra blankets

• Pillows

• Repair kit for tarp, tent, mattress, pads

• Chairs

• Lantern

• Flashlights and headlamps

• Batteries

• Handheld vacuum cleaner

Kitchen

• Lighter or matches

• Fuel for stove

• Firewood

• Stove

• Pot

• Frying pan

• Tablecloth

• Corkscrew

• Portable coffee maker or French press

• Roasting sticks for hot dogs, marshmallows

• Bags, food-storage containers

• Trash bags

• Ice

• Cooler

• Bowls, plates, spoons, forks, knives

• Water bottles

• Mugs, cups

• Cooking spoon, spatula, paring knife

• Foil

• Cutting board

• Dishtowel, dishcloth, sponge

• Biodegradable soap

• Extra bin for washing dishes

• Paper towels

Personal items

• Soap

• Toiletries, toothbrush

• First-aid kit

• Insect repellant

• Sunscreen

• Prescription medication

Other items

• Phone number, campsite reservation confirmation

• Area information, maps

• Toys, bikes

• Camera

• Pet supplies and food

 

Author Bio

Warren Kuhn is an outdoor and camping enthusiast, always out to seek for the thrill and adrenaline that only nature gives. He even took up survival training to prepare him for the worst-case scenarios while outdoors.

Salvează

James Comey to Testify Before Congress

Diane A. Wade
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James Comey to Testify Before Congress

Former FBI chief James Comey will testify before Congress on June 8.

James Comey is expected to say that President Donald Trump wanted a “patronage relationship” and asked for his “loyalty”.

According to his opening statement, James Comey will also testify the president asked him to drop an inquiry into fired National Security Adviser Mike Flynn.

The former FBI chief says President Trump called the Russian probe “a cloud” over him.

James Comey also says he had told Donald Trump three times he was not under scrutiny, confirming the president’s account.

Reacting to the prepared testimony on June 7, President Trump’s private legal counsel on the Russia inquiry, Marc Kasowitz, said the president was “pleased” James Comey had confirmed he was not in investigators’ crosshairs.

“The president feels completely and totally vindicated,” Donald Trump’s lawyer said.

Two national security officials, NSA Director Mike Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, earlier testified to senators that they never felt pressured by the White House to do anything illegal.

However in today’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, James Comey will detail how President Trump made him uncomfortable during a series of encounters leading up to the FBI director’s firing on May 9.

It is one of several congressional panels that, along with the Justice Department, is investigating US intelligence assessments that Russian hackers meddled in last November’s presidential election in an effort to help Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton.

The inquiries are also investigating whether any Trump campaign officials colluded with the alleged Kremlin plot, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.

According to seven pages of prepared testimony, James Comey will say his first meeting with President Trump occurred on January 6 in a conference room at Trump Tower, where Comey briefed him alone on “salacious and unverified” allegations about him.

Image source Wikipedia

A dossier compiled by a former British intelligence official had claimed the Russian security services possessed compromising material on Donald Trump, including that he had been recorded consorting with prostitutes at a Moscow hotel.

James Comey’s says the president “expressed his disgust for the allegations and strongly denied them” during a subsequent meeting.

That denial came in a one-to-one dinner on January 27 at the White House, James Comey will say, adding that he had a “very awkward conversation” with the president that evening.

Donald Trump asked the FBI director during the discussion in the Green Room whether he wanted to stay in his job, James Comey will testify.

He will say he found this “strange” because President Trump had already told him twice in earlier conversations that he hoped he would not step down.

James Comey will testify the question “concerned me greatly” because he felt the dinner was an effort to “create some sort of patronage relationship”.

The former FBI director will say: “A few moments later, the president said, <<I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.>>

“I didn’t move, speak, or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence.”

In testimony, James Comey will detail his next encounter with President Trump, during a meeting attended by intelligence chiefs at the White House on February 14.

The president asked James Comey to stay at the end of the Oval Office meeting and told him: “I want to talk about Mike Flynn.”

President Trump accepted Michael Flynn’s resignation as national security adviser just 24 days into the job after he misled the White House about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.

James Comey will say President Trump told him: “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy.”

The former FBI director will testify that he offered no such assurance.

James Comey will also say the president phoned him on March 30 and said the Russia investigation was “a cloud that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country”.

He will testify that President Trump “said he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia”.

James Comey will say he assured Donald Trump during their discussions on January 6, January 27 and March 30 that the president himself was not under investigation.

He will testify that President Trump told him during the March 30 phone call: “We need to get that fact out.”

James Comey will say President Trump phoned him again on April 11 to press him on this matter. It was the last time they spoke.

He will say he told the president the White House should contact the Department of Justice.

The former FBI director notes that he spoke with President Barack Obama only twice during the more than three years that their time in office overlapped.

However, James Comey can recall nine one-on-one conversations with Donald Trump in four months, three in person and six on the phone.

What You Need to Know about DWI and ALR Hearing

Nancy Clayson
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What You Need to Know about DWI and ALR Hearing

Driving is a privilege bestowed upon us. However, this comes with a responsibility of following traffic regulations and respect for the law. Every offense comes with a sanction. In this post, let us specifically discuss ALR and its correlation with DWI charges.

In a circumstance where police officers arrest a car driver for driving while intoxicated (DWI), the driver will be facing not one but two cases of that particular road violation. First, the police officers will charge the offender with DWI – a criminal trial; second, he or she will be facing ALR – a charge for one’s license.

A lot of drivers are not aware of facing ALR hearing. An Administrative License Revocation hearing or ALR is an added case that springs up from the DWI charge; the driver will be confronted with a civil proceeding for their driving liberties.

How does ALR work?

The license suspension will come to fruition when an erring driver refuses to take a blood or breath testing when an officer asked him or her to do so, or if that driver failed the blood or breath test.

Bear in mind that the defendant only has fifteen (15) days to request for a proceeding if he or she wishes to contest the legitimacy of the seizure of one’s license. Automatic suspension waits for those who failed to do so.  If the driver takes advantage of the ALR hearing, it is more likely that he or she will not lose driving privileges.

Going through an ALR Hearing

By contesting your license suspension, you are giving your lawyer a leeway to subpoena police officers who arrested you to appear at the ALR hearing. Thus, you challenge the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to show evidence on their charges against you.

The DPS, in turn, must prove that the arresting officers who halted and commanded you did so because of reasonable doubt or probable cause. If they cannot present any proof, then you win the case by default.  

It is best for drivers whom the police have caught should demand an ALR proceeding and hire a lawyer, specifically someone who specializes in DWI to protect their driving rights and more importantly, maintain a clean reputation.  

Being Unsuccessful in an ALR Proceeding

According to the Texas Transportation Code, for drivers who fail the case, a ninety-day (90) suspension of your driving liberties will be charged. While for those drivers who refuse to take a test upon the demand of an arresting officer, the offender will get a penalty of a  hundred eighty-day suspension (180) of the license.

A driver charged with an ALR suspension, whether it is automatic or after a proceeding, must provide a fee for reinstatement to the Texas Department of Public Safety together with a unique form of driving rights will be restored.

Takeaway

Driving under the influence of liquor is a threat to your life and that of others. Understanding certain traffic laws that prohibit wrong ways of exercising your privileges and rights is an eye-opener. Being a law-abiding citizen is way better than facing charges left and right. Untangle yourself from the complicated and confusing realm of the state’s policy by avoiding crimes in any form. Respect the law and be a good example to your fellow citizens.  

Santander Acquires Banco Popular for One Euro

Clyde K. Valle
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Santander Acquires Banco Popular for One Euro

Banco Santander has acquired its rival Banco Popular for one euro, becoming the leading bank in Spain.

Buying Banco Popular will cost Santander 7 billion euros – around 2 billion euros more than analysts had expected.

The troubled bank was described by the European Central Bank (ECB) as “failing or likely to fail” due to its dwindling cash reserves.

Banco Popular has struggled after billions in property investments turned sour.

The ECB said: “The significant deterioration of the liquidity situation of the bank in recent days led to a determination that the entity would have, in the near future, been unable to pay its debts or other liabilities as they fell due.”

The Single Resolution Board (SRB) – the body set up last year to deal with winding up struggling banks – pushed forward the sale after it was informed of the seriousness of the problem last night.

Image source Wikimedia

Banco Popular executives have spent the last few months attempting to shore up the bank’s balance sheet by selling various assets.

A bidding process for Banco Popular ended last month, but started to look shaky as a handful of institutions pulled out.

Santander chairman Ana Botin said it was a good deal for the bank: “The combination of Santander and Popular strengthens the group’s geographical diversification at a time of improving economic conditions in both Spain and Portugal.”

However, shareholders appeared to disagree, with shares falling by 3% in early trading.

Banco Popular customers will be unaffected, and the ECB already protects all EU savers with deposits of up to 100,000 euros.

However, shareholders and bondholders will lose out as their investments become worthless.

The SRB was set up to deal with any struggling banks after the 2012 eurozone crisis threatened the economies of entire countries.

In Spain, banks had so much risky debt it worried investors buying sovereign wealth bonds, making borrowing by the country more expensive.

Government ministers were eventually forced to borrow 41 billion euros to prop up its lenders and reassure investors.

With the SRB in place, the risk is supposed to be taken off individual countries when a bank is struggling.

The body’s creation was also aimed at calming tensions, which led to protests and riots against banks in 2013.

Officials in Frankfurt at the ECB monitor the EU’s 125 biggest banks and the SRB steps in when a collapse looks likely.

They can either reorganize the bank’s structure, liquidate it or force through a sale – as they did with Banco Popular and Santander.

Banco Popular unveiled a 3.5 billion-euro loss last year as bosses continued to struggle to deal with nearly $40 billion of toxic property loans.

It launched three rounds of fundraising from investors over the last five years, raising a total of 5.5 billion euros.

Qatar Airways’ License Revoked by Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Authority

Clyde K. Valle
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Qatar Airways’ License Revoked by Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Authority

The Saudi aviation authority has revoked Qatar Airways’ license to land and fly in the country.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation also ordered its offices to be closed within 48 hours.

In a statement, the authority also said licenses granted to Qatar Airways’ employees would be withdrawn.

Saudi Arabia had already suspended flights to and from Qatar on June 5, amid a diplomatic row between the kingdom and Qatar.

Qatar Airways is wholly owned by the Qatari government.

Image source Wikimedia

The airline group employs more than 40,000 people worldwide.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker is also a non-executive director of Heathrow Airport Holdings, which operates London’s biggest airport.

Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf countries have cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism in the region.

Other neighbors, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have closed their airspace to Qatari planes.

Six countries – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives – cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have given Qatari nationals two weeks to leave and banned their own citizens from travelling to Qatar.

Qatar’s capital, Doha, is a major hub for international flight connections.

Other airlines affected by the airspace restrictions include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates.

When avoiding Saudi Arabia, their massive – and only – neighbor, Qatar’s planes are having to take more indirect routes, leading to longer flight times.

Iran: Shootings at Parliament Building and Ayatollah Khomeini Shrine

Roy Siemens
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Iran: Shootings at Parliament Building and Ayatollah Khomeini Shrine

Iran’s parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum in the capital, Tehran, have been attacked by gunmen causing a number of casualties.

There are reports that a security guard has been killed after attackers opened fire outside the parliament building.

Several people were injured in the attack at Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum.

One suicide bomber and two or three other gunmen were involved.

Reports are coming in of a second suicide bombing at the shrine.

Fars news agency posted new pictures showing shooting around the parliament building.

Image source Flickr

An image showing a man with a gun looking out of the window, initially described as an attacker by Iranian media, actually shows a policeman.

However, lawmaker Seyyed Hossein Naqavi-Hosseini told the Isna news agency that three gunmen were still in the building, in lawmakers’ offices.

A photo posted by Fars showed people inside the parliament building lowering a child out of a first-floor window to people waiting below.

State TV news channel Irinn said seven or eight people had been injured at the parliament by four attackers.

The gunmen were carrying Kalashnikovs and one Colt pistol, reports said.

One gunman had been arrested, Irna reported.

The governor of Tehran said one attacker at the mausoleum had detonated a suicide vest and another had been killed by security forces, state broadcaster Irib reports.

Ali Khalili from the mausoleum’s public relations office told the state-run Irna news agency that one of the armed men had blown himself up in front of a bank outside the mausoleum.

However, Fars reported that the suicide bomber was a woman. Images from the scene showed the remains of the bomber, apparently clad in black clothes.

There are conflicting reports as to whether the remaining attackers have been arrested.

Five people were wounded at the mausoleum, and one person was confirmed dead, the Ilna news agency said, though it was unclear whether this included the bomber.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-JVdg3VhQ

Donald Trump Claims Credit for Qatar Isolation

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Claims Credit for Qatar Isolation

President Donald Trump has claimed credit for the isolation of Qatar by its Gulf neighbors who accuse it of supporting terrorism in the region.

The president said his recent visit to Saudi Arabia was “already paying off” and the development might mark the “beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism”.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives have all cut diplomatic and other ties with Qatar.

Qatar strongly denies the allegations.

President Trump’s recent speech in Riyadh, in which he blamed Iran for instability in the Middle East and urged Muslim countries to take the lead in combating radicalization, is seen as likely to have emboldened Gulf allies to act against Qatar.

Image source Wikimedia

He tweeted on June 6: “During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar – look!”

The president later added: “So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding… extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!”

Qatar is home to the biggest US military air base in the Middle East, with about 8,000 personnel based at al-Udeid.

The official statement from White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the US was in communication with all parties “to resolve issues and restore co-operation”.

In the same week as Donald Trump’s Riyadh speech, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE blocked Qatari news sites, including Al Jazeera.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE gave Qatari nationals two weeks to leave, banned their own citizens from traveling to Qatar, and cut all transport links.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on June 6 that the economic measures should persuade Qatar to change its policies and behave “like a normal country”.

Speaking in Paris, he called on Qatar’s rulers to end their support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and what he called “hostile media”.

“We believe that common sense and logic and will convince Qatar to take the right steps,” Adel al-Jubeir said.

The emir of Kuwait – one of the Gulf countries not involved in the dispute – traveled to Saudi Arabia on June 6 in an attempt to mediate. He later left after a “brotherly visit” but there was no word on the outcome of the talks.

Amal Clooney Gives Birth to Twins Ella and Alexander

Lisa.Felice
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Amal Clooney Gives Birth to Twins Ella and Alexander

Amal and George Clooney have welcomed their twins – a girl named Ella and a boy named Alexander – on June 6.

The twins were born in London, George Clooney’s publicist said.

“Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine,” Stan Rosenfield said before joking: “George is sedated and should recover in a few days.”

George Clooney, 56, married Amal Alamuddin, 39, in September 2014 in Venice.

Amal Clooney’s parents said they were delighted to welcome their grandchildren.

“They are in great health, all is perfect,” Amal Clooney’s father Ramzi Alamuddin, who lives in Beirut, told AFP.

“I am very happy for them, they will be great parents.”

Amal Clooney’s mother Baria, who is in hospital with her daughter, said: “We are over the moon. It was a beautiful delivery. The babies are beautiful and are doing well.”

Heidi Klum Launches Clothing Range with Lidl

Lisa.Felice
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Heidi Klum Launches Clothing Range with Lidl

Heidi Klum is launching a new “high-end” fashion range – with the budget supermarket Lidl.

The international supermodel has made a range which is “accessible for everyone,” according to the German supermarket.

Heidi Klum says: “I had so much fun designing the pieces in this collection.”

She presents Project Runway and is a judge on America’s Got Talent and Germany’s Next Topmodel.

Image source Flickr

Lidl says that Heidi Klum’s new range “mirrors her characteristic style”.

Heidi Klum has previously designed for brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Birkenstock and Jordache jeans.

She made her name in the 1990s as a model for Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret.

Heidi Klum also appeared in movies including The Devils Wears Prada and Ella Enchanted, and TV shows such as Parks and Recreation and Sex and the City.

The fashion line will launch across Europe and the US later this year.

The AHCA (Trumpcare) Aftermath: How Will Americans Fund Their Healthcare Now?

Dana R
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The AHCA (Trumpcare) Aftermath: How Will Americans Fund Their Healthcare Now?

(source)

The passing of the American Health Care Act (better known as the abbreviated AHCA or Trumpcare) was a landmark moment in Donald Trump’s youthful presidency. It had initially appeared that the grand operational to rid America of “Obamacare” had floundered, and would be pushed to the back of the legislative agenda for the foreseeable future.

Then, it rose from the ashes, a phoenix of a bill that seemed to settle the concerns that had lead to the original vote being cancelled. It passed with a slender majority, and now goes to the Senate to be considered, before becoming law. In fairness, it is suspected the bill won’t pass the Senate without significant changes, but it still leaves the realistic possibility that Democrats feared: millions could lose healthcare coverage.

In fact, it might be even worse than that. Thanks to the removal of the necessity of coverage for pre-existing conditions (which include, by the AHCA’s definition, pregnancy or even acne – the list is long), there’s a chance that huge amounts of people will be left with ‘junk’ insurance. That is insurance that exists, but which they – thanks to the huge range of pre-existing conditions – can never realistically claim on.

It’s a rough situation, and one that merits a lot of scrutiny in future. There’s a way to go before it becomes law. However, the passage through Congress of the bill has meant that thousands of people are now wondering what happens next – especially those who rely on Obamacare or Medicaid for their healthcare coverage entirely.

Should People Worry?

It would be ideal if the dismissal of this fear was simple, but alas, it’s not. There’s good reason for those who have relied on these government coverage levels to feel concerned. The new AHCA is going to change almost everything, and could cut thousands off from potentially life-saving treatment. While the Senate will likely make changes, it’s not going to wholesale switch the bill back to what Americans recognize as their healthcare today.

The key point to remember if you are concerned about these changes is that you have got time. While the AHCA was passed quickly in its rewritten form, it nevertheless will take some time before it’s signed into law.

So, now is the time to start preparing for what happens if you lose your coverage and can’t afford to replace it.

health-insurance

(source)

How Did Americans Cope Before The Affordable Care Act?

Better known as “Obamacare”, the Affordable Care Act brought in changes to how Americans paid for their healthcare coverage. It gave insurance to millions who had otherwise been unable to afford it, or had been unable to obtain coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It was the biggest shake up of American healthcare since the war.

Before it came into law, the answer to the above question is… they didn’t. Medical expenses were the primary reason for personal bankruptcy in the USA for years. The bills for medical expenses were so high that some just couldn’t afford any kind of healthcare at all, instead resorting to cheap, at-home remedies to try and manage conditions. It was a bad situation, which is why Barack Obama felt it had to change.

How Can People Manage Without Insufficient Healthcare?

So what some Americans now face is a return to the days of lack of coverage. While those on the lowest incomes will still have some level of coverage, it’s those on lower or middle incomes that will miss out.

One thing to keep in mind if you find yourself stuck for coverage is that medical expenses are not something you can ignore. If you receive a bill from a hospital, treat it like a priority, an essential that you have to get cleared – even if that means going without in other areas of life. This can be difficult if you’re suffering an ongoing condition, but it still has to be done. Losing track of what you owe and not scrutinizing your bill can see additional charges and interest added, making a bad situation all the worse.

If you can’t afford coverage and do need medical intervention, then get ahead of it. It’s quick and easy to search for personal loans online, which you can use to clear the hospital bill. It’s still a debt, but it’s a controlled one that isn’t going to put your house on the line.

As you have warning before these changes come into law, now would be a good time to start a savings account. Separate this from your general, everyday banking and contribute to it wherever possible. Use the money in this account for medical expenses only. This is a method known as “self-insurance”, and it might be the best option if you know you’re not going to be able to afford the full monthly premium for full coverage. If you start building up your savings now, then you have a cushion to fall back on if the AHCA changes do impact you.

How Do You Cope With The Uncertainty?

piggy-bank-savings

(source)

The last question is more emotional than practical, but still well worth considering. One of the major issues in this debate at this point in time is the uncertainty: will it pass the Senate? What will the AHCA look like when the Senate have made their changes? Will I – or anyone I care about – be impacted by the changes?

A good rule of thumb is simply to try and prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Figure out how you would borrow money to pay any bills; have a savings stack to fall back on should you become unwell. Bear in mind that, for some people, the AHCA will save them money on their coverage – so it might not all be bad news. Keep an eye on the news and hope the Senate does you a few favors. It’s not ideal, but that’s how lawmaking goes: it takes time.

Qatar Row: Egypt Closes Its Airspace to Qatari Planes

Diane A. Wade
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Qatar Row: Egypt Closes Its Airspace to Qatari Planes

In a growing diplomatic row, Egypt has closed its airspace to Qatari planes and Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are expected to do the same on June 6.

Yesterday, several Gulf countries have cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism in the region.

Qatari nationals in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been given two weeks to leave.

Qatar denies backing militants and its foreign minister has called for “a dialogue of openness and honesty”.

Egypt has announced it was closing off its airspace to Qatar from 04:00 GMT on June 6 “until further notice”.

Travel disruption is expected as the airport in Doha, Qatar’s capital, is a major hub for international flight connections.

Image source Wikipedia

Airlines affected will include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates.

When avoiding the massive neighbor to the west, Saudi Arabia, Qatari planes will inevitably have to take longer routes leading to longer flight times.

However, Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, told broadcaster Al Jazeera the country would “still have access to the world through international sea lanes and international airspace”.

An anonymous Somali official told AP at least 15 Qatar Airways flights had used Somalia’s airspace on June 5, many more than on a normal day.

The states joining the move against Qatar, a tiny but gas-rich peninsula, on June 5 include some of the biggest powers in the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE closed all transport ties by air, land and sea to Qatar.

They gave all Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their territory, and banned their citizens from travelling to Qatar.

The UAE and Egypt expelled Qatari diplomats, giving them 48 hours to leave.

Saudi Arabia closed down a local office of Al Jazeera, but said Qatari citizens would still be allowed to take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Egypt, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives later followed suit in severing diplomatic ties.

Bob Dylan Delivers Nobel Lecture in Literature

Sonia Pantiss
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Bob Dylan Delivers Nobel Lecture in Literature

Bob Dylan has delivered the lecture he needed to give in order to keep the prize money after winning the Nobel Prize for literature last year.

The musician won the 8 million krona ($900,000) prize in October 2016, but did not collect the award until the end of March 2017 at a private event.

It has taken Bob Dylan until now to issue his taped lecture, which cites Buddy Holly as an influence.

Bob Dylan had until June 10 to deliver the lecture or forfeit the prize money.

He mentioned three influential books – Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, Homer’s The Odyssey and Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front – in his lecture.

Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize, wrote in a blog post: “The speech is extraordinary and, as one might expect, eloquent. Now that the lecture has been delivered, the Dylan adventure is coming to a close.”

Bob Dylan said: “If I was to go back to the dawning of it all, I guess I’d have to start with Buddy Holly… He was the archetype. Everything I wasn’t and wanted to be.”

The singer said he “had to travel a hundred miles to get to see him play” and “wasn’t disappointed”.

Image source Wikipedia

Describing the encounter, Bob Dylan said Buddy Holly “was powerful and electrifying and had a commanding presence”.

“Out of the blue, the most uncanny thing happened. He looked me right straight dead in the eye, and he transmitted something. Something I didn’t know what. And it gave me the chills.

“It was a day or two after that that his plane went down… somebody handed me a Leadbelly record with the song Cottonfields on it. And that record changed my life right then and there.”

This lead Bob Dylan on to other Leadbelly artists including Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, the New Lost City Ramblers and Jean Ritchie.

“By listening to all the early folk artists and singing the songs yourself, you pick up the vernacular. You internalize it.”

Bob Dylan then went on to talk about his literary influences: “Specific books that have stuck with me ever since I read them way back in grammar school – I want to tell you about three of them: Moby Dick, All Quiet on the Western Front and The Odyssey.”

The musician described Moby Dick as “a fascinating book, a book that’s filled with scenes of high drama and dramatic dialogue”.

“All Quiet on the Western Front is a horror story. This is a book where you lose your childhood, your faith in a meaningful world, and your concern for individuals.

“The Odyssey is a great book whose themes have worked its way into the ballads of a lot of songwriters: Homeward Bound, Green, Green Grass of Home, Home on the Range, and my songs as well,” Bob Dylan said.

He also spoke about the meaning in songs, saying: “If a song moves you, that’s all that’s important. I don’t have to know what a song means. I’ve written all kinds of things into my songs. And I’m not going to worry about it – what it all means.”

Bob Dylan concluded: “Our songs are alive in the land of the living. But songs are unlike literature. They’re meant to be sung, not read. The words in Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be acted on the stage. Just as lyrics in songs are meant to be sung, not read on a page.

“And I hope some of you get the chance to listen to these lyrics the way they were intended to be heard: in concert or on record or however people are listening to songs these days. I return once again to Homer, who says, <<Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story>>.”

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