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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.

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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

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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

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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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0
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>>.”

Easy SEO Strategies to Boost Your Low Volume Niche

Nancy Clayson
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Easy SEO Strategies to Boost Your Low Volume Niche

As everyone knows by now, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is one of the most integral parts when it comes to finding content online. Targeting the right customer with the right words can boost your content.

There are mainly two kinds of SEO: paid and organic. The paid kind can create a lot of traffic by posting ads on different places over the Internet. Organic SEO doesn’t do that; it generates traffic in a more natural manner.

You can also do the same by producing a perfect keyword for your content that you want to submit on the Internet. In this article, we are going to look at everything you need to know about SEO and how to boost user-engagements on your site.

Keeping Your Keyword Volume High

The number of searches that a particular keyword gets is the volume of that keyword. A keyword is the single most important thing when somebody is searching something on the Internet. If the keyword is not right, obviously the volume will not be good. So when someone is searching on the web, they will not be able to find your content. To make your content automatically visible for the users, you need to have some high keyword.

Order for the Right SEO

writing paper notepad notebook pencil pen hands iphone phone smartphone mobile google seo search macbook laptop computer business office desk people meeting internet

Without the proper foundation, you only cannot build the structure that you want to make. Just like that, you cannot do a great SEO without the right format, especially when it’s geo-targeted. High internal linking is a must to do an effective SEO. The setup of proper tracking is also vital.

Another essential thing is the content of your sites; it must look trustworthy because, without it, it will result in nothing. When you are building any site, you have to keep in mind that keywords vary from season to season, so you need to pick the right keyword which will get the most hit throughout the year. You can also pick the seasonal keyword, for example, game season or some famous movie releasing season such as film fests.

Making the Keywords more Specific

Keywords that are not unique will not be getting many hits, but keywords that are way too specific can get hit close to zero. To prevent that, you need to be specific and general at the same time when you are picking the keywords for your content.

You also need to think about the title long before you start writing your content. That’s why basic keyword search process is so important. You need to research about your product, collect data, and analyze them before managing them in the right order. A specific keyword can get you more volume, and do that you have to think about what the users want to see.

Optimize the Link Profile

Optimizing the link profile is the single most indicator for SEO health. Your pages can go up and up if it has high-authority backlinks. This is not easy because you need to focus on the quality as well as the quantity.

The links which are not desirable for your site should be removed, and only the high profile links should be there to boost your site. The title should be very strong as mentioned before and the subheadings should be related to the heading. Another thing to keep in mind is that different device user such as mobile and PC, search differently, so you have to remember that, too. Make your pages mobile-friendly.

Takeaway

Don’t worry if your niche volume is not too high; you can still manage to make your site a good one by using search engine optimization on it. After reading the whole article, you may get some idea to boost your site even with a low niche volume. You don’t need a paid method all the time to produce significant traffic for your site. What you need are hard work and good strategies. You need to dedicate a good amount of time to make sure your site is one of the best.

Salvează

Five Gulf Countries Cut Diplomatic Ties with Qatar

Roy Siemens
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Five Gulf Countries Cut Diplomatic Ties with Qatar

Five countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen – have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilizing the region.

They say Qatar backs militant groups including ISIS and al-Qaeda, which Qatar has denied.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of Qatar.

Qatar called the decision “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact”.

Image source Flickr

The unprecedented move is being seen as a significant split between powerful Gulf countries, who are also close US allies.

It comes in the context of increased tensions between Gulf countries and their near-neighbor Iran. The Saudi statement accused Qatar of collaborating with Iranian-backed militias.

The diplomatic withdrawal was put into motion by Bahrain then Saudi Arabia on June 5. Their allies swiftly followed.

SPA cited officials as saying the decision was taken to “protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism”.

The three Gulf countries have given Qatari nationals two weeks to leave their territory.

More broadly, there are two key factors driving June 5 decision: Qatar’s ties to Islamist groups, and the role of Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional rival.

While Qatar has joined the US coalition against ISIS, the Qatari government has been forced to repeatedly deny accusations from Iraq’s Shia leaders that it provided financial support to ISIS.

However, wealthy individuals in the emirate are believed to have made donations and the government has given money and weapons to hard-line Islamist groups in Syria. Qatar is also accused of having links to a group formerly known as the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate.

The SPA statement accused Qatar of backing these groups, as well as the widely-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and that it “promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM4poFVez5w

UN Imposes New Targeted Sanctions against North Korea

Roy Siemens
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UN Imposes New Targeted Sanctions against North Korea

The UN has imposed new targeted sanctions against North Korea in response to a series of missile tests conducted by Pyongyang this year.

The measures impose a travel ban and asset freeze on four entities and 14 officials, including the head of North Korea’s overseas spying operations.

The UN Security Council voted unanimously to back the sanctions after weeks of negotiations between the US and China.

North Korea has defied a UN resolution banning all nuclear and missile tests.

The sanctions resolution was adopted by the 15-member council on June 2.

Among the 14 North Korean officials is Cho Il-u, who leads Pyongyang’s foreign espionage operations.

The other blacklisted officials are senior members of North Korea’s Workers’ Party and heads of trading companies funding Pyongyang’s military program.

North Korea’s strategic rocket force, the Koryo Bank and two trading companies were also added to the list.

The Koryo Bank is linked to a party office that manages finances of North Korea’s top officials, including leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korea has been testing its missiles at an unprecedented pace. It says its nuclear program is defensive and intended to counter US aggression.

However, experts fear the tests indicate progress towards North Korea’s ultimate goal of putting a nuclear warhead on a missile that could strike the continental US.

President Donald Trump has warned North Korea that America’s “strategic patience” over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions came to an end.

Washington has recently sent its aircraft carrier to the Korean peninsula.

At the same time, the US has been negotiating with China – North Korea’s ally – to put more pressure on the secretive regime.

The UN Security Council first imposed sanctions against North Korea in 2006 in response to its missile and nuclear programs.

Manila Casino Attack: At Least 36 Bodies Recovered from Resorts World Manila

Diane A. Wade
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Manila Casino Attack: At Least 36 Bodies Recovered from Resorts World Manila

At least 36 bodies have been recovered from a casino and hotel complex in the Philippine capital, Manila, where a lone gunman opened fire overnight.

According to officials, most of the dead suffocated in thick toxic smoke after the man set fire to casino tables.

The attacker, whose nationality is not yet known, began shooting in the casino in Resorts World Manila in the early hours on June 2.

Police said the gunman later killed himself by setting himself on fire.

Authorities initially said there were no casualties, but appear to have only found the bodies while sweeping the complex after the gunman’s body was recovered.

Photo AP

Officials insisted that the incident was a robbery attempt, and was not terrorism-related despite a claim by ISIS.

ISIS, which posted the claim on June 2 via the messaging app Telegram, offered no further details.

The gunman, who has yet to be named, entered the casino shortly after midnight and began firing an assault rifle, sparking widespread panic.

He also set gaming tables on fire and filled a backpack with gambling chips worth 113 million Philippine pesos ($2.3 million).

The gunman later fled to the hotel section of the complex, leaving behind the backpack, and entered a hotel room.

The shooting sparked a security lockdown and a manhunt in the complex, which ended when the gunman’s body was found.

Resorts World Manila said in a statement that the man also shot himself after setting himself on fire, and that he was found dead around 07:00 local time.

Police released CCTV images of the man, showing him dressed in black and carrying his rifle.

There has been some speculation on the part of local media and some officials that the gunman could have been a foreigner on the basis that he spoke English well. Early reports said he appeared to resemble a Caucasian.

Authorities have also told reporters that the man appeared to be “mentally disturbed”. Resorts World Manila has called the casino shooting a “cowardly act of a deranged mind”.

Police say the gunman was acting alone, unconnected to any Islamist group. Over the last week militants allied to ISIS have been engaged in street battles in the far south of the Philippines.

Police said the suspect poured petrol over the furniture and rugs, causing them to catch fire immediately. Although the fire was not large, thick smoke caused the deaths.

Those who escaped the casino have said they saw smoke filling the complex.

Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen Reilly has told reporters that fire safety equipment worked, and that there was “proper ventilation”.

More than 50 people have been sent to a hospital to be treated for injuries, including fractures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sTPmPSR9IM

How to Create a Budget

Dana R
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How to Create a Budget

Contrary to popular belief, creating a budget can be fun. As we get older we need to prioritize what we spend. It’s not fun in the short-term but in the long-term it’s rewarding. Planning allows you to create goals, pay off debt, contribute to an emergency fund and invest. Heed these steps now and you will be on the right track to responsible spending.

 

  • List Essential Expenses

 

Make a list of all of your expenses starting with the most important. Essential expenses like rent, mortgage, debt and insurance are first. Next, evaluate your family expenditures like medical bills, groceries, babysitting and daycare. Compare your income accordingly. Does your income match what you spend? If you can barely keep your head above water every month, it’s time to cut back on spending or earn a second income. Hire a financial advisor to help you find a strategy to keep your budget on track. Ideally you should have enough money at the end of the month to contribute to an emergency fund and a retirement account. If you’re in good financial standing, a financial advisor can even help you invest in the housing or stock market.

 

  • Minimize Unnecessary Spending

 

You may wonder where all your money goes at the end of the month. Without a budget, your paycheck will disappear into the ether. You’ll wonder why some months you have more money and other months you have less. This isn’t a good habit; reckless spending distracts from long term financial goals. To keep track of your spending use an old-fashioned checkbook or download a money management app like Wally and a savings app like Acorns. Wally is one of the best apps to track your spending habits and Acorn automatically invests the change from your daily purchases into your bank account. Download Wally and see how much your small expenses add up. You may be surprised; a hundred dollars can disappear quickly in a weekend. Try simple habits like making your own coffee in the morning instead of going to Starbucks or cutting back grocery spending. If you have enough wiggle room, prioritize the little things you want as a tradeoff for other expenses.

 

  • Envision a Goal

 

Goals move people forward. What good is money for if you don’t have something to strive for? For some it may be purchasing a home or car, and for others it may be a backpacking trip through South America. Wherever your interests lie, create a long-term goal to achieve. Plan your dream wedding on Pinterest or visit travel websites and dream about the possibilities. When you start dreaming, suddenly those small expenses don’t seem as important. Create a goal now and you’ll thank yourself in the future.

 

  • Earn Money on the Side

 

If you’re driven toward a goal and you want to get there faster, try earning some extra income on the side. Turn your knitting hobby into a small business on Et  sy or walk your neighbor’s dogs for extra cash; apps like Wag allow you to create a profile to become a professional dog walker. If you don’t mind driving, Uber and Lyft are great avenues for extra income. Rent out a room in your home to AirBnB or tutor students on weekends. Technology has made it easier to put yourself out there so try something new and earn more money.

 

  • Reward Yourself

 

Budgeting isn’t all about restricting yourself—it’s also about rewarding yourself. Small rewards make budgeting worth it as you work toward a goal. The difference between rewards and frivolous spending is the way you plan it. Rewards are planned expenses. It may be a nice pair of shoes you budgeted a few months for, or it could be a weekend getaway with friends. Rewards make it easier to save and enjoy your new lifestyle.

Budgeting is a way to take control of your future. Beat the budgeting blues by following these steps now. If you need help reach out to a financial advisor or tax experts at a reputable company like Community Tax.

What You Need to Succeed as a Start-up in London

Nancy Clayson
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What You Need to Succeed as a Start-up in London

London is home to more than 4,000 start-ups, creating around quarter of a million jobs and only looking to grow in the coming years. This creates a highly competitive yet potentially fruitful environment for launching a new business. While there may be a lot of competition, there is also plenty of support and infrastructure in place to make your company a success. These are four essentials every start-up in the capital requires to make it big.

Money

Starting capital is vital to get your new business off the ground. Whether this is acquired through grants, loans, savings or any other method isn’t the issue; it’s how you spend it. Along with having enough money to run a start-up, you need a sound financial plan that details where money will come in and go out, ensuring balance. Avoid blowing cash on needless overheads, choosing cost-effective options where possible, and make sure that your business will soon be supported by client revenue rather than initial capital to be a true success.

Image source Pixabay

Strong Recruitment

If your team’s right then your business will run a lot smoother. Again, balance is key, with a good mix of experience and skills required. Identify any areas that are lacking and decide if you need to hire someone full or part-time, can freelance or outsource. Whichever you choose, getting the right people who are motivated and work well together should give your start-up a better opportunity to thrive. Look online or use recruitment firms to get the best match.

Quality

An extra touch of quality is vital for London start-ups to attract new clients, investors and even staff. Especially when money is tight at the beginning, it may be hard to afford some of the finer offices or facilities. A great idea for start-ups is to use societyM meeting rooms when meeting with potential clients or investors. For a one-off they provide that professional image without the associated costs, really impressing them.

Drive

There are many challenges facing London start-ups, from financial to resources and recruitment. Despite its size, the extra costs and competition can make it easy to give up within the first few months. For this reason, a strong drive and belief in your start-up is required to help you overcome the challenges you will face on the way. Even with the best, most innovative product or service, without any drive it could all fall apart quickly.

Ensure you have all these requirements before setting up your start-up in London to improve your chances of success.

World Reacts to US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Change Deal

Diane A. Wade
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World Reacts to US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Change Deal

World’s leaders reacted to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US is withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

UN chief Antonio Guterres’ spokesman called President Trump’s announcement “a major disappointment” while the EU said it was “a sad day for the world”.

However, senior Republicans and the US coal industry backed the move.

President Trump said the accord “punished” the US and would cost millions of American jobs.

In an address at the White House, the presdient said he was prepared to negotiate a new agreement or re-enter the accord on improved terms.

“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Donald Trump said.

The Paris agreement commits the US and 187 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels and “endeavor to limit” them even more, to 1.5C.

Only Syria and Nicaragua did not sign up to the deal.

Donald Trump characterized the Paris agreement as a deal that aimed to hobble, disadvantage and impoverish the US.

He claimed the agreement would cost the US $3 trillion in lost GDP and 6.5 million jobs – while rival economies like China and India were treated more favorably.

Image source Flickr

President Trump said he was fulfilling his “solemn duty to protect America and its citizens”.

He added: “We don’t want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore – and they won’t be.”

Donald Trump did not give a timescale. However, under the agreement, a nation seeking to leave the pact can only give notice three years after the date it entered into force – November 16, 2016.

The process of leaving then takes another year, meaning it would not be complete until just weeks after the US presidential election in 2020.

US payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing countries cope with the effects of climate change, will stop.

Former President Barack Obama, who agreed to the Paris deal, immediately criticized Donald Trump’s move, accusing the Trump administration of “rejecting the future”.

Disney CEO Robert Iger and the entrepreneur Elon Musk both resigned from White House advisory councils.

Elon Musk said: “Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”

However, Republican congressional leaders and the US coal industry backed the move, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell supporting President Trump “for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs”.

The US biggest coal mining company, Peabody Energy, said the agreement would have badly affected the US economy.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the decision “one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st Century because of the huge damage to our economy, our environment and our geopolitical standing”.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said he was “deeply disappointed” by President Trump’s decision.

UK’s PM Theresa May, who expressed her disappointment and told President Trump in a phone call that the deal protects the “prosperity and security of future generations”.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he respected Donald Trump’s decision but believed it was a “mistake both for the US and for our planet”.

Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso said: “I’m not just disappointed, but also feel anger.”

President Trump indicated he was open to another climate deal, saying he would “begin negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States”.

However, Donald Trump’s words suggested this was not a priority.

“We will see if we can make a deal that’s fair. And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine,” he said.

During Donald Trump’s election campaign he dismissed climate change as a “hoax”.

French, German and Italian leaders quickly issued a joint statement rejecting a renegotiation of the agreement.

The statement said: “We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies.”

President Emmanuel Macron reflected the defiance among the remaining signatories, saying “we are fully committed”.

Reworking one of Donald Trump’s own phrases, President Macron added: “Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again.”

The Chinese foreign ministry said the parties to the Paris accord “should cherish this hard-won outcome”.

Meanwhile, the Democratic governors of New York, California and Washington all quickly vowed to respect the terms of the Paris deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z38zuAiBLY

Domestic Violence Charges Reduced to Avoid Deportation of Silicon Valley CEO

Nancy Clayson
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Domestic Violence Charges Reduced to Avoid Deportation of Silicon Valley CEO

Earlier this year, Abhishek Gattani, a Silicon Valley CEO, was arrested and charged with domestic violence for reportedly beating up his wife. Gattani, who has a previous felony charge for domestic abuse, struck a plea deal with the State of California – reportedly in an effort to reduce the chances of his deportation. Rather than face serious repercussions for felony domestic violence convictions, Gattani pled “no contest to felony accessory and a misdemeanor count of offensive touching.”

Gattani was charged with a felony assault in 2013 after a postal worker witnessed him beating his now estranged wife on the sidewalk in front of their home. The charges were reduced to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace – reportedly to avoid adverse immigration action.

It is now four years later and Gattani’s wife has had enough. In support of new charges, provided substantial evidence supporting her allegations of physical abuse and verbal threats against her safety and well-being. Despite the evidence, prosecutors pushed for a “lesser form of a felony.” A lesser felony would allow Gattani to serve as little as two weeks in county jail, expunge his record after a certain period of time, and – once again- keep him in the country.

Image source Wikimedia

Gattani’s estranged wife has been vocal about her thoughts on this domestic violence plea deal. She argues that “justice is being thwarted” simply to keep her wealthy abuser in the country. Gattani’s wife supplied the prosecution with more evidence than victims of domestic violence and abuse are generally able to gather. However, it appears as though her efforts were in vain. Gattani will likely walk away from the situation with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Gattani’s wife, who honestly believes her life to be in danger as long as her estranged husband is a free man, will probably not be able to rest peacefully knowing her abuser could be nearby.

Why would the prosecution want to push a lesser form of a felony when Gattani’s estranged wife had overwhelming evidence of the abusive, violent, and dangerous behavior? Certain crimes are viewed to be more sinister and damaging than others. Domestic violence is one of these morally reprehensible crimes – commonly referred to as crimes of moral turpitude. Conviction of a violent felony and/or domestic violence offenses could trigger immigration issues, including deportation. Even immigrants who are in the country legally could be sent back to their home countries if they are convicted of these morally objectionable crimes.

In 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law that required criminal prosecutors to “consider the avoidance of adverse immigration consequences” when negotiating plea bargains with violent criminals to “reach a just resolution.” The law aims to avoid the routine and/or mandatory deportation of criminals who are charged with a morally objectionable crime, but leaves room for truly violent and dangerous offenders to walk away with a slap on the wrist. In negotiating Gattani’s plea bargain, the prosecution appears to have given his potential deportation a considerable amount of gravity.

The interesting thing is that Gattani had not one – but two – felony domestic violence charges reduced in an effort to keep him in the country. Crimes of domestic violence and abuse are categorized as morally reprehensible. While the 2015 law may be an attempt to keep legal immigrants from adverse immigration action, it appears as though it may grant state prosecutors with far too much latitude and discretion when negotiating plea bargains. Should there be a limit on the number of felony charges that can be reduced for the purpose of avoiding adverse immigration actions?

Vikas Bajaj, a domestic violence lawyer in San Diego, CA, explained that it would be unwise to issue a hard and fast rule limiting the discretion prosecutors were granted under the 2015 law. “Plea bargains present an opportunity to weigh all factors and considerations in complex cases,” Bajaj said “There are far too many cases that are based on false allegations or that have little to no evidence to support a questionable allegation. While the outcome in this particular case is unfortunate, it would be unjust to deny wrongfully-accused persons the ability to stay in a country where they have established a home for themselves and their families.”

Bajaj goes on to emphasize the importance of “balancing the totality of the circumstances, the weight of the evidence, and, if applicable, the criminal history of the accused” when negotiating lesser charges in a plea agreement. “Stripping prosecutors of the ability to weigh the impact of a deportation would be shortsighted,” he explains.

On one hand, it is important to consider that allegations of domestic violence could be unsubstantiated and purposefully raised to cause trouble for an ex-spouse or partner. Alternatively, it is important to ensure that victims of domestic violence have the ability to see their abusers brought to justice for their heinous acts. Given that the 2015 law is relatively new it may take time to see how future plea negotiations proceed.

6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

James J. Williams
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6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident you may be considering a personal injury claim for damages to help pay for the costs related to medical care, lost wages, or repairs to material possessions. There are thousands of personal injury attorneys out there – how do you choose the one who is best suited to handle your claim? We’ve compiled a list of 6 things to keep in mind when choosing a personal injury attorney to represent you.

Personality

It may seem like an odd thing to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney to represent you in your quest for compensation. However, it is important to choose an attorney with whom you can be 100% open and honest. Failure to communicate openly with your attorney can lead to disaster. Most of the time, we tend to be open with people we are comfortable with.

If you are fearful of your attorney or don’t trust them, what are the chances of establishing transparency and good communication? The more comfortable you are with your personal injury attorney, the more successful your case will be.

Experience Matters

A personal injury attorney’s record and experience are great indicators of whether they’ll be well-suited to handle your claim. While experience should by no means be the only factor you consider, it is helpful to gauge whether or not they are equipped to handle your claim. Attorneys with experience understand what to look for, which details can make or break a case, and how to best apply the facts of your specific case to general legal concepts.

New attorneys with little to no experience may have a general idea of how to approach a case, but may not have had the opportunity to really fine-tune their approach. Many times, however, new attorneys will practice under the supervision of older, more experienced attorneys, so it is important to take this into consideration.

Specialization Within Personal Injury

“Personal injury attorney” is a broad title that really captures a great number of areas of specialization. While many personal injury attorneys will be open to handling just about any “personal injury” case, others have specific areas of focus. For example, some attorneys may specialize in slip and fall/premises liability/negligence cases, others focus on medical malpractice claims, while others specialize in claims stemming from car/motorcycle/truck accidents.

While each of these attorneys may advertise him or herself as a personal injury attorney, his or her area of specialization is more specific. Finding an attorney whose specialty aligns with your accident can help to maximize recovery. Attorneys will be familiar with nuances of the specific area of law in which they generally focus.

They’ll Stake Their Reputation on It

Personal injury attorneys develop reputations with clients, adversaries, courts, experts, and just about everyone else they encounter on a daily basis. An attorney with a better reputation will be more likely to be successful in negotiating a better settlement for an injured client. To find the right personal injury attorney for your case, try getting recommendations from friends or family.

Technology and the internet have really expanded our ability to research and learn about personal injury attorneys in our local area(s). Try checking websites such as Avvo, Martindale, Super Lawyers, and Nolo to see what others have to say about your potential personal injury attorney.

Client Load

Busy law offices can indicate a successful legal practice. However, if you have a seemingly minor personal injury claim that won’t generate much of a fee for the attorney you choose, your claim may not receive the attention it deserves if an attorney is overextended. Just because an attorney has a heavy client load does not necessarily mean that they will neglect your case. In many law offices, attorneys are able to assign legal tasks to paralegals or other attorneys in the office so that the caseload can be handled efficiently and effectively.

When deciding if an attorney is right for you, it is simply important to ask questions that will determine whether they have the requisite time to properly tend to your case. Fortunately, research about an attorney’s experience, reputation, and personality may help to shed some light on this ability.

Cost

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they do not charge an up-front fee, but collect a percentage of your settlement or award at the end of your case. This allows injured clients to obtain necessary legal counsel without worrying about paying for unanticipated medical expenses, fixing a car or motorcycle, or dealing with lost wages due to missing work in addition to expensive legal fees. It is important, though, to ask personal injury attorneys for the exact percentage that they will take and whether this percentage covers court costs and fees.

Alternatively, some attorneys may request a small amount of money up-front to pay for filing fees, court costs, expert witnesses, and other expenses associated with a personal injury claim.

What You can Learn from ERP Case Studies

Ricky Robinson
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What You can Learn from ERP Case Studies

ERP is the perfect example of a true enterprise app. It is something that staff at all levels will rely on. And it manages the single most valuable asset your business owns – data. That is why you must carefully and comprehensively evaluate various options before making any formal commitments.

There are lots of ways to go about your due diligence – requesting a demo, reaching out to current customers, getting an expert evaluation of the underlying tech, considering on-premises vs. cloud etc. But one of the most illustrative resources available to you is case studies relevant to specific ERP products.

Case studies reveal a lot about a product and even more about a vendor, even if they have been created by the vendor themselves. A close reading of these documents can tell you much about the level of performance, service, and support you can expect by picking one vendor over another. Here are some features to focus on as you start diving into case studies.

Whether a Product Aligns with Your Business Needs

Most vendors will claim their product is perfectly suited to your enterprise and point to experience in or around your industry to prove it. Case studies allow you to examine how that ERP performs in environments that are as similar as possible to your own. Looking for case studies written about your competitors, about companies with similar sizes/structures, or about companies facing the same issues as you can lead you to products with a proven relevance to your enterprise.

How Smoothly You can Expect the Implementation to Go

You can find countless case studies highlighting both successful and wildly unsuccessful implementation efforts. The outcomes are important, but it is the details that are most instructive. You want to partner with a vendor that streamlines the implementation while troubleshooting the myriad issues that inevitable arise. Don’t look for case studies that describe a perfect process perfectly executed. Look for case studies that describe how the vendor and the client were able to overcome setbacks and mistakes using superior ERP resources.

The Level of Support Your Vendor is Willing to Provide

A lot of case studies taper off after the implementation. They suggest that everything has worked perfectly without a single user having questions or issues. But this is wildly unrealistic, and the second half of the story has been left off for a reason. Quality ERP support is essential, but many vendors are either unwilling or unable to be the authoritative, on-demand resources users are looking for. Case studies that obscure or ignore the importance of support should raise red flags.

Whether Claims are Facts or Fictions

ERP vendors will try and court you by making bold claims and enticing promises. But it is easy to promise anything and much harder to back it up with metrics, facts, and figures. A big reason to scour case studies is so you can put the vendor’s promises in context. For instance, if a vendor claims that its ERP has boosted productivity by 30%, the case study should tell you how, and whether there is more to that story than the figures suggest.

The information in any case study should be taken with a grain of salt. But it should never be ignored. At the very least, case studies can help you to enhance the way you interview and evaluate various vendors. Once you’ve read how they interact with other clients, you’re in a better position to explore the positives and negatives of forming your own relationship. If you want to go beyond the case studies, use them to find contacts for executives and decision makers who can give you honest, unvarnished information.

 

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