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5 Whacky Insurance Claims From Around the World

Dana R
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5 Whacky Insurance Claims From Around the World

We all invest in insurance policies because we have something to protect. Whether it’s our home, the latest electronics or even our lives, we pay a fair chunk of money just to ensure that if we were to lose or break those things, we’d be able to get some compensation back. However, as honest as most of us are with our claims, some people can’t resist the temptation of making an insurance claim on some ridiculous things.

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A for arson

Tramesha Lashon Fox was a high school chemistry teacher that taught in Aldine. She was three months behind on her car payments so she thought up a “brilliant” plan to resolve the issue. She spoke to two students in her class who had failing grades and offered them a deal: torch her car and she’d give them passing grades. Needless to say, the plan failed and she was unsuccessful in her insurance claim. Sadly, she was also jailed for arson and was banned from ever teaching again.

Skype stage fright

All the way in England, a proud grandfather once held his baby grandson up to the laptop in order to show his friend on Skype. As he held the baby, they vomited all over the laptop, getting it caught between the keys and damaging the internals as it seeped into the hardware. He successfully made a claim and received a brand new laptop worth £437 ($545) as compensation. Perhaps the baby just doesn’t like being on camera?

Hail on earth

If you live in a state such as Texas or Colorado, then you’re probably no stranger to hail damage. In fact, they’re so powerful that they can punch massive holes in your home or even your car! Without a professional firm for hail damage insurance claims to back you up, you’re going to be paying a lot in repairs. Just don’t make the mistake that one man did back in the 90s. Block and Hyland Insurance received a claim from a man who claimed his car was battered by hail. His claim was ultimately unsuccessful, as the damage was discovered to have been made by a hammer and a nail, not hail!

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Alone in the dark

A British farmer found himself moving cows across his farm late at night. Due to the lack of light, he was forced to his a torch app on his smartphone in order to see where he was going. Sadly, it somehow got lost in the rear end of one of his cows and he was forced to make a claim. Although it sounds ridiculous, the claim was accepted and the farmer received full compensation for his phone.

Killer house

Due to some unfortunate accidents, a farm owner’s house burned down so he made his first claim to get a new one. However, a couple of weeks in, he noticed that insects would regularly come into the house and die as soon as they approached the basement. Upon further investigation, the farmer remembered that he had been storing pesticides in the basement, and during the fire, it dissolved into the concrete of the basement and created a toxic environment that was harmful to everything. Another claim was made, the house was demolished, and he received yet another home—this time including the basement.

Steve Bannon Removed from National Security Council

Diane A. Wade
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Steve Bannon Removed from National Security Council

President Trump has decided to remove his key adviser Steve Bannon from the National Security Council (NSC).

Steve Bannon’s appointment in January raised fears that the circle of US intelligence chiefs was being politicized.

However, a White House aide said the reshuffle was not a demotion for Steve Bannon, who used to head up Breitbart News.

The aide said Steve Bannon was only given a seat on the NSC to keep an eye on National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was fired in February.

The NSC is the main group advising the president on national security and foreign affairs.

The White House did not announce April 5presidential executive order detailing the shake-up – it only came to light in a regulatory filing.

Image source Wikimedia

The reshuffle also restores the director of national intelligence, CIA director and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to full participation on the NSC’s inner circle, its principals committee.

Critics have branded Steve Bannon as a white nationalist.

In its January 27 memorandum elevating Steve Bannon, the White House had also downgraded the military chiefs of staff, provoking widespread criticism in Washington’s foreign policy and security establishment.

The director of national intelligence and the joint chiefs were advised they only needed to attend NSC meetings when discussions pertained to their areas.

The White House bridled in January at criticism of the Bannon move, pointing out that President Barack Obama‘s former adviser, David Axelrod, regularly attended NSC meetings.

However, David Axelrod was never appointed to the principals committee, as Steve Bannon was.

Lotto 6/49: Canadian Couple Wins for the Third Time

Nancy Clayson
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Lotto 6/49: Canadian Couple Wins for the Third Time

A Canadian couple has won for the third time in the lottery.

This time, the prize was the big one – C$8.2 million ($6.1 million).

Barbara and Douglas Fink had won the lottery twice before, once in 1989 and once in 2010.

However, February’s Western Canada Lottery jackpot was by far the largest, according to a press release from the provincial lottery.

Barbara and Douglas Fink from Edmonton, Alberta say they will use the money to provide for their children.

“Family comes first,” Barbara Fink told the lottery organizers.

“We want to make sure that our daughters and our grandkids are looked after.”

They will also spend some of their winnings on themselves. Douglas Fink says they plan to travel and start house hunting.

“Barbara wants a new house, so she’ll get one,” the husband told the lotto corporation.

Douglas Fink had previously shared a C$128,000 prize with four of his friends in 1989. In 2010, the couple won a C$100,000 prize.

This time, they were just one of two ticket-holders to guess all six numbers correctly.

Barbara Fink says she was the one who discovered they were winners, while her husband was out of town for work.

She tried calling him, but at first he didn’t pick up.

“He didn’t answer, so I waited five minutes and tried again,” Barbara Fink remembered.

“That time, he picked up. I said, <<I did it again!>>.”

“I knew we had all the numbers, but I didn’t know how many winners there were,” she said.

“I called Douglas back before midnight and told him it was more than $8 million.”

Pepsi Pulls Ad Featuring Kendall Jenner

Lisa.Felice
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Pepsi Pulls Ad Featuring Kendall Jenner

Pepsi has decided to withdraw the ad featuring Kendall Jenner after it sparked an outcry and accusations that the drinks maker was trivializing recent street protests across the US.

The ad shows Kendall Jenner leaving a photo shoot to join a heavily policed demonstration.

Kendall Jenner defuses the tension by walking to the police line and handing an officer a can of Pepsi, prompting cheers.

In a statement posted on its website, Pepsi said they did not intend to make light of serious issues.

The much-ridiculed ad was posted to YouTube on April 4 but was no longer accessible there less than 24 hours later.

Image source Pepsi

For nearly two years, there have been protests about the use of force by police against African Americans.

Since last year’s election, there have also been demonstrations against President Donald Trump.

The ad did not specify what the crowds of mainly young, and very good looking, people were marching for. Even their signs only had generic slogans like “conversation” and “voice”.

However, within minutes of the commercial’s launch, observers said it trivialized protests in cities like Baltimore, Maryland, and Ferguson, Missouri, that followed the police killing of black men.

Leading activist in the Black Lives Matter movement DeRay McKesson said: “If I had carried Pepsi, I guess I never would have gotten arrested. Who knew?”

“Pepsi, this ad is trash.”

Pepsi said it was “trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding”.

The company’s statement went on: “Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize.

“We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout.”

Infographic: Top Canine Aggression Warning Signs

Ricky Robinson
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Infographic: Top Canine Aggression Warning Signs

Canine Aggression Warning Signs
Infographic created by Hotdogcollars

Donald Trump Promises to Relax Banking Regulations

Clyde K. Valle
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Donald Trump Promises to Relax Banking Regulations

President Donald Trump has promised to relax “horrendous” US banking regulations that were introduced after the financial crisis.

Referring to the Wall Street and consumer protection rules Barack Obama enacted in 2010, Donald Trump said: “We’re going to do a very major haircut on Dodd-Frank.”

Dodd-Frank aimed to prevent banks taking on too much risk and to separate their investment and commercial arms.

However, President Trump said he wants “some very strong” change to help the bank sector.

“We want strong restrictions, we want strong regulation. But not regulation that makes it impossible for the banks to loan to people that are going to create jobs,” he told a group of about 50 business leaders at a White House meeting.

Photo Reuters

“We’re going to be doing things that are going to be very good for the banking industry so that the banks can loan money to people who need it.”

Donald Trump had promised during his election campaign to relax rules on big banks, and subsequently ordered a review of the industry’s regulations.

The president’s remarks have the backing of Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive of one of the world’s biggest banks, JP Morgan Chase.

In his annual letter to shareholders, released on April 4, Jamie Dimon said the regulatory burden “is unnecessarily complex, costly and sometimes confusing”.

Dodd-Frank was designed to resolve the too-big-to-fail problem that meant banks facing collapse had to be bailed out rather than wound down.

However, Jamie Dimon said banks had essentially solved this issue by boosting the capital they held in reserve and introducing tougher risk controls.

Pepsi Ad: Kendall Jenner Accused of Undermining Black Lives Matter Movement

Lisa.Felice
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Pepsi Ad: Kendall Jenner Accused of Undermining Black Lives Matter Movement

Kendall Jenner has been criticized for her new Pepsi ad.

She is accused of undermining the Black Lives Matter movement in the advert.

In the ad, Kendall Jenner leaves a photoshoot to join protesters calling for love and peace, before handing a can to police as a peace offering.

The officer cracks a smile and the crowd cheers.

Image source YouTube

Critics think the ad is based on recent protests over police brutality against black people in America.

The ad has been criticized for painting a “privileged, white” supermodel as a peacemaker between civil rights activists and police.

Pepsi posted the ad on its YouTube channel.

Some have suggested the ad looks similar to a picture of Ieshia Evans who was charged by riot police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2016.

In a statement, Pepsi said: “This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony.

“We think that’s an important message to convey.”

Kendall Jenner did not comment yet.

In 1971, Coca-Cola made a similar ad based on the Vietnam War.

North Korea Test-Fires Medium-Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Test-Fires Medium-Range Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan

A medium-range ballistic missile has been test-fired by North Korea from its eastern port of Sinpo into the Sea of Japan.

According to South Korea’s defense ministry, the missile flew about 40 miles.

It is the latest in a series of tests which North Korea says is peaceful but is widely believed to be part of a program to develop nuclear weapons.

The launch comes on the eve of a visit by China’s President Xi Jinping to the US to meet President Donald Trump.

The two will discuss how to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea is banned from any missile or nuclear tests by the UN, though has repeatedly broken those sanctions.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described the launch as “yet another” intermediate range ballistic missile, adding: “The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment.”

The US military’s Pacific Command said it appeared to have been a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile.

“The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America,” it said.

Japan called the launch “provocative”, while South Korea condemned it as “a blunt challenge” to the UN and “a threat to the peace and safety of the international community as well as the Korean peninsula”.

Last month, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan from the Tongchang-ri region, near the border with China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it a “new stage of threat”.

Last week, the US Treasury slapped sanctions on 11 North Korean business representatives and one company.

On April 4, US politicians overwhelmingly backed a bill relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terror.

North Korea responded by warning that it will retaliate if the international community steps up sanctions, saying the US was forcing the situation “to the brink of war”.

President Trump warned in a recent interview that the US is willing to tackle North Korea alone if China does not help rein its troublesome neighbor in.

China has long been North Korea’s closest diplomatic ally and trading partner, but the relationship has become increasingly strained over Pyongyang’s refusal to halt nuclear and missile testing.

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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Charged with Money Laundering and Corruption

Diane A. Wade
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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Charged with Money Laundering and Corruption

Former Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her two children are charged with money laundering and corruption.

Two business associates have also been charged in the case and all five are barred from leaving Argentina.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, 64, already faces other charges including fraudulently administering state funds.

The former leader has denied wrongdoing and says she is the victim of political persecution.

In a statement on April 4, legal officials said Federal Judge Claudio Bonadio had brought formal charges against Cristina Fernandez for alleged money laundering in property dealings.

Her daughter, Florencia, and son, Maximo, have also been charged along with businessmen Cristobal Lopez and Lazaro Baez.

About $8 million of Cristina Fernandez’s assets have been frozen, the statement added.

Last month, a judge ruled that Cristina Fernandez, who governed from 2007 to 2015, should stand trial on charges of financial mismanagement while in office.

The ex-president is accused of ordering the central bank to sell dollars on the futures market at artificially low prices ahead of a widely expected devaluation of the Argentine peso.

Cristina Fernandez also faces separate corruption charges alleging that her government steered public contracts to Lazaro Baez – a businessman close to her family.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner insists that all the allegations against her are politically motivated and has accused current President Mauricio Macri of plotting against her.

Syria: Chemical Attack Kills at Least 58 in Idlib

Roy Siemens
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Syria: Chemical Attack Kills at Least 58 in Idlib

At least 58 people, including 11 children, have been killed and dozens wounded in a suspected chemical attack in rebel-held Syrian town of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

The monitoring group reported that strikes on Khan Sheikhoun by Syrian government or Russian jets had caused many people to choke.

Later, aircraft fired rockets at local clinics treating survivors, doctors and activists said.

A Syrian military source denied the government had used any such weapons.

Russia’s defense ministry meanwhile insisted it had not carried out any air strikes in the vicinity.

If confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest chemical attacks in Syria’s civil war.

The warplanes are reported to have attacked Khan Sheikhoun, about 30 miles south of Idlib, on April 4, when many people were asleep.

UN report confirms sarin gas was used in a rocket attack in Damascus last month

Hussein Kayal, a photographer for the pro-opposition Edlib Media Center (EMC), told the Associated Press that he was awoken by the sound of an explosion at about 06:30.

When he reached the scene, there was no smell, he said. He found people lying on the floor, unable to move and with constricted pupils, he added.

The Syrian Observatory (SOHR) quoted doctors as saying that they had been treating people with symptoms including fainting, vomiting and foaming at the mouth.

An AFP journalist saw a young girl, a woman and two elderly people dead at a hospital, all with foam still visible around their mouths.

The journalist also reported that the same facility was hit by a rocket on April 4, bringing down rubble on top of doctors treating the injured.

The source of the projectile was not clear, but the EMC and the opposition Local Co-ordination Committees network said warplanes had targeted several clinics.

The SOHR put the death toll at 58, including 11 children, but the head of a charity ambulance service in Idlib, Mohammed Rasoul, said that 67 people had been killed and that 300 were injured.

The pro-opposition Step news agency meanwhile said 100 had died.

Sarin inhibits the action of an enzyme, which deactivates signals that cause human nerve cells to fire. This blockage pushes nerves into a continual “on” state. The heart and other muscles – including those involved in breathing – spasm.

Sufficient exposure to Sarin can lead to death via asphyxiation within minutes.

The substance is almost impossible to detect because it is a clear, colorless and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its purest form.

The Syrian government was accused by Western powers of firing rockets filled with Sarin at several rebel-held suburbs of the capital Damascus in August 2013, killing hundreds of people.

President Bashar al-Assad denied the charge, blaming rebel fighters, but he did subsequently agree to destroy Syria’s chemical arsenal.

Despite that, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has continued to document the use of toxic chemicals in attacks in Syria.

In January 2016, the organization said blood samples taken from the victims of one unspecified attack showed victims had been exposed to Sarin or a Sarin-like substance.

A joint investigation with the UN concluded in October that Syrian government forces had used chlorine as a weapon at least three times between 2014 and 2015.

It also found ISIS militants had used the blister agent sulphur mustard.

Human Rights Watch also recently accused government helicopters of dropping bombs containing chlorine on rebel-held areas of Aleppo on at least eight occasions between November 17 and December 13, during the final stages of the battle for the city.

Idlib province, where the air strikes took place, is almost entirely controlled by a rebel alliance and the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The region, home to 900,000 displaced people, is regularly targeted by the government and its ally Russia, as well as the US-led coalition against ISIS.

There was no immediate comment from the government, but a Syrian military source told Reuters that it “does not and has not” used chemical weapons.

Nivea Apologizes and Removes Racist Ad “White Is Purity”

Nancy Clayson
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Nivea Apologizes and Removes Racist Ad “White Is Purity”

Nivea has apologized and removed “white is purity” ad that was deemed discriminatory.

The ad was posted on the German skincare company’s Facebook page, geographically aimed at its followers in the Middle East. Nivea accepted the post was “misleading”.

Many on social media complained the post was racist, but it was also widely-shared among alt-right users.

The ad on the Nivea Facebook page (since deleted) was posted alongside the caption: “Keep it clean, keep it bright. Don’t let anything ruin it.”

The Facebook post was directed at its audience in the Middle East, although Nivea has 19 million fans globally on its page.

Many on social media complained about the post’s racist connotations.

Image Source: Facebook

However, the ad was also picked up by alt-right social media accounts who trolled the Nivea account with comments, including of Hitler and Pepe the frog, who was branded a hate symbol in 2016.

One alt-right account said: “#Nivea: the official moisturizer/anti-perspirant of the #AltRight.”

A spokesperson for Nivea’s owners Beiersdorf said: “There have been concerns risen about ethnic discrimination due to a post about NIVEA Deodorant Invisible for Black & White on our NIVEA Middle East Facebook page.

“We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific post. After realizing that the post is misleading, it was immediately withdrawn.

“Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of NIVEA: The brand represents diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity.

“We value difference. Direct or indirect discrimination must be ruled out in all decisions by, and in all areas of our activities.”

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St Petersburg Subway Attack Suspect Is 23 and from Central Asia

Roy Siemens
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St Petersburg Subway Attack Suspect Is 23 and from Central Asia

According to Russian media, he man suspected of killing 11 people in the St Petersburg subway attack is in his early 20s and from Central Asia.

Another 45 people were injured in the explosion between two subway stations on April 3.

The Interfax and Tass news agencies said the suspect had been identified, but there are conflicting reports as to whether he was a suicide bomber.

Meanwhile, St Petersburg authorities have declared three days of mourning.

President Vladimir Putin, who was in his home city when the explosion occurred, visited the scene and laid flowers at a makeshift shrine.

Russian investigators have given few details. No group has said it was responsible.

World leaders rallied behind Russia in condemning the blast.

Image source Getty Images

The White House said President Trump had spoken to President Putin by phone and offered “full support” in bringing those responsible to justice.

A statement said: “Both President Trump and President Putin agreed that terrorism must be decisively and quickly defeated.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the attack as a “barbaric act” and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Europe’s thoughts were with the Russian people.

First images from the scene showed a train at Tekhnologichesky Institut station with a hole blown in its side and wounded passengers on the platform.

Initial reports suggested there had been two explosions, one each at Sennaya Ploshchad and Tekhnologichesky Institut stations.

However, the Russian National Anti-Terrorist Committee later confirmed there had been only one explosion, between the two stations, at about 14:30 local time.

Senior investigator Svetlana Petrenko told Russian media the train driver’s decision to continue to the next station almost certainly helped save lives, as it allowed people to be rescued quickly.

Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said 10 people had died – seven at the scene, one in an ambulance and two in hospital. The death toll was later raised to 11.

Andrei Przhezdomsky, the head of the National Anti-Terrorist Committee, said the blast was caused by “an unidentified explosive device”.

The discovery of an explosive device at another station, Ploshchad Vosstaniya, also suggested a co-ordinated attack.

Interfax said the focus was now on a 23-year-old man from Central Asia known to have links to radical Islam.

The news agency said the man died in a suicide blast and was identified through his remains.

However, President Putint’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not comment on reports a suicide bomber was to blame.

Tass reported that a woman may also have been involved in the attack.

St Petersburg’s subway system, which is used by more than two million passengers every day, has not suffered previous attacks.

Colombia Landslide: State of Emergency Declared as Death Toll Rises to 262

Nancy Clayson
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Colombia Landslide: State of Emergency Declared as Death Toll Rises to 262

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has declared an “economic, social and ecological emergency” as the first victims of the Mocoa landslide were buried.

The president said the government was also putting 40,000m pesos ($13.9 million) towards “addressing humanitarian priorities”.

At the same time, the first funerals were taking place of the 262 victims killed in April 2 landslide.

However, the hunt still continues for any survivors.

The Red Cross told AFP they were still within the 72-hour window where they would hope to find people alive.

Image source Reuters

However, hopes were fading among residents still desperate to find family members swept away in the torrent of mud, rocks and debris which struck the south-western town of 40,000 early on April 1.

The flood came after a night of extremely heavy rain, which raised the water levels of the Mocoa River and three tributaries, sweeping away entire neighborhoods.

Those who remain are now awaiting the arrival of humanitarian assistance.

According to El Espectador, there was at least 40 tons of emergency humanitarian assistance on its way to the town, including 2,000 food kits and 1,000 tents.

Meanwhile, President Juan Manuel Santos said 7,000 blankets and 6,000 mats had just been delivered, El Pais reported.

On April 2, Colombia’s Farc rebel group offered to help rebuild the town, but their involvement has yet to be approved by the government.

President Juan Manuel Santos has vowed investment will be made to make Mocoa better than it was before, and put Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas in charge of the rebuilding of the town.

However the president’s critics said more should have been done to protect the area from such disasters.

St Petersburg Subway Explosion Kills 11

Roy Siemens
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St Petersburg Subway Explosion Kills 11

At least 11 people have been killed and 50 injured in an explosion between two subway stations in St Petersburg, Russia.

According to the head of Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee, the blast hit a train between Sennaya Ploshchad and Tekhnologichesky Institut stations.

The committee said an explosive device was later found and made safe at another station nearby.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev said in a Facebook post that the explosion was a “terrorist attack”.

An anti-terror investigation has been opened, but other possible causes are being investigated.

The first images posted on social media showed a train at a platform in Tekhnologichesky Institut station with a hole blown in its side, along with a number of casualties.

Initial reports suggested there had been two explosions, one each at Sennaya Ploshchad and Tekhnologichesky Institut stations.

However, the Russian National Anti-Terrorist Committee later confirmed there had been only one explosion, between the two stations, at about 14:30 local time.

Image source Getty Images

Senior investigator Svetlana Petrenko told media the train driver’s decision to continue to the next station almost certainly helped save lives, as it allowed people to be rescued quickly.

Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said 10 people had died – seven at the scene, one in an ambulance and two in hospital. The death toll was later raised to 11.

Andrei Przhezdomsky, the head of the National Anti-Terrorist Committee, said the blastwas caused by “an unidentified explosive device” but that the exact cause had yet to be determined.

President Vladimir Putin said all causes, especially terrorism, were being investigated. He was in St Petersburg at the time of the blast, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The discovery of an explosive device at another station, Ploshchad Vosstaniya, indicates the attack was deliberate, and reports in Russia say the explosion came from a briefcase left on the train.

St Petersburg’s subway system is the 19th busiest in the world, with more than two million passengers every day, but it has not suffered attacks before.

Several transport hubs in Russia have, however, been attacked. In 2010, 38 people died in a double suicide bombing on the Moscow subway.

In 2011, a bomb exploded on a high-speed train travelling between Moscow and St Petersburg, killing 27 and injuring another 130.

Both attacks were claimed by Islamist groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv2jrJi1PUg

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S&P Cuts South Africa’s Credit Rating to Junk

Clyde K. Valle
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S&P Cuts South Africa’s Credit Rating to Junk

S&P Global has cut South Africa’s credit rating to junk status.

The ratings agency said that South Africa’s political upheaval, including the recent sacking of finance minister Pravin Gordhan, was endangering the economy.

S&P also expressed concern over government debt, and in particular the expense of supporting the state energy firm Eskom.

The news put more pressure on the rand, which was down 2% against the US dollar.

Pravin Gordhan’s sacking, seen as a safe pair of hands and with a reputation for financial prudence, led to a 4% fall in the rand on March 31 and prompted strong criticism.

His replacement as finance minister by Malusi Gigaba was part of a cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma.

However South Africa’s deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, called Pravin Gordhan’s sacking “totally, totally unacceptable” and the Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), also opposed it.

The financial downgrading is likely to make it more expensive for South Africa to borrow money on the international markets, as lending to the country would be seen as riskier.

S&P explained its decision, stating that: “Internal government and party divisions could, we believe, delay fiscal and structural reforms, and potentially erode the trust that had been established between business leaders and labor representatives (including in the critical mining sector).”

“An additional risk is that businesses may now choose to withhold investment decisions that would otherwise have supported economic growth,” it added.

S&P also raised concern about the level of borrowing by state energy company Eskom.

The government guarantees 350 billion rand ($25 billion) of its debt, which is equivalent to about 7% of the nation’s economic output.

For his part, Malusi Gigaba spoke at the weekend of plans to “radically transform” South Africa’s economy.

While he has a track record of policymaking, most recently as home affairs minister, he lacks a background in economics.

That prompted criticism that Malusi Gigaba was too inexperienced for the job.

It’s Not Embarrassing: Know Your Bankruptcy Option

Nancy Clayson
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Most of the people are having a hard time whether to declare bankruptcy or not. One of the reasons that they consider is it will put them or their business in a bad light. However, will you still be able to think of that reason if it’s your only option?

If you need a legal action, these are the two common types of bankruptcy codes that will totally help you.

Chapter 7

This is the most popular type of bankruptcy. The experts usually sell the property of the debtor to pay her credits. However, since they cannot sell that property that is exempt the law, most of the debtors can still keep the majority of their properties so no need to worry about losing your favorite car, if you have one.

When it comes to the time frame, this code usually takes three up to four months only. The only people who are eligible for this system are those business owners who have low incomes or those who pass the mean assessment. However, those business-owners who have high incomes are not eligible for this code.

You can file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy code even if you don’t have a lawyer. However, if you want a satisfactory result, make sure that you own a little property or no property at all, your income is not higher than the median state and you have not made money or property payments to your preferred creditors. Also keep in mind that even if you didn’t get a lawyer, you are still obliged to pay the $335 Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing fee plus the $50 personal finance management class. The final decision whether to get a lawyer or not will always be yours.

Chapter 13

If you want to pay your creditors through a repayment plan the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy code is the best one for you.  The repayment plan is the agreement between you and your creditor that pinpoint how the debts will be paid back. The timeframe for this usually takes three to five years, depending on your income.

Filing this type of bankruptcy can also be done without a lawyer. However, would you take the time to research all law and represent yourself to the court? Getting an attorney will be easier for you and for your case to be approved.
Unlike the Chapter 7 code, another good thing about filing chapter 13 code is you can still keep all your property so no need to worry about selling your boat, farm house or expensive electronics if you have one.

Takeaway
Declaring a bankruptcy doesn’t mean that you have lost the battle in the corporate world. There are some times that things don’t go with how you wanted them to be, but it doesn’t mean that you, or your business, is unavailing. If you feel like you already need help to save your business or yourself still, then filing for the proper bankruptcy code is always an option.

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Walking Dead Season 8 to Begin in October

Sonia Pantiss
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Walking Dead Season 8 to Begin in October

The Walking Dead Season 7 ended on April 2 and showrunner Scott Gimple is already teasing the next season.

Scott Gimple told fan show Talking Dead: “The first four episodes will melt people’s minds and break their televisions.”

The Walking Dead Season 8 begins in October, with the series premiere also marking the show’s 100th episode.

“It’s gonna be bigger, it’s gonna be more intense. I always mean that, but this year it’s the same thing – more intense,” Scott Gimple said.

Unfortunately, there’s one character who won’t be progressing to season 8.

Viewers watching Season 7 finale on April 2 will have seen Sasha fail to make it out of the episode alive.

Sasha’s death had been predicted by some fans after it was announced in December that actress Sonequa Martin-Green would be joining Star Trek: Discovery.

There was speculation Sonequa Martin-Green wouldn’t be able to juggle major roles in both shows, but her character’s fate was only confirmed on Sunday.

Sasha joined the show in Season 3 as Tyreese’s sister, but her character was never in the comic book series.

Preparing For Retirement: What You Need To Know

Dana R
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Preparing For Retirement: What You Need To Know

Lots of people worry about what might happen to them when the time finally comes to retire. However, there is no need to stress if your financial situation is in order. Retirement could become the best period of your life if you get things right. With that in mind, we’ve listed some tips and information on this page that will help you to avoid mistakes. At the end of the day, financial security will mean you can do the things you’ve always wanted. For example, you might like the idea of spending six months traveling around the world. You might also want to migrate to a warmer country for your last few years on this planet. If you put the advice from this page to good use, there’s no reason you can’t achieve that goal.

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Ensure your pension scheme is in place

Before you do anything else, you need to make sure you have a good retirement plan in place. Ideally, you want to pay for it from when you are as young as possible. However, if you’ve had it in place since you hit the ages of forty, you should be okay. Check the details of the plan to ensure it suits your ambitions. In some instances, you will have the opportunity to take a lump sum on the day you retire. Even so, that will affect your monthly income from the pension. Some employers also offer great pensions. CNBC highlighted the best ones here http://www.cnbc.com/2010/09/21/10-Companies-with-the-Best-Retirement-Plans.html. So, you need to consider all your options and weigh the pros and cons of each. If there is a lot of money on the account, you can probably afford to take a lump sum. That said, sometimes it’s better to leave it alone because you will accumulate more interest. Also, your monthly payments will rise. If you struggle to work out the best solution; speak to a financial advisor as soon as you can.

Pay off all your debts

The last thing you want to do is enter retirement with lots of debts. That would significantly reduce the amount of cash you have to survive. It’s especially important to settle any outstanding balances if your debts have reached a collection agency. Failing to do that could mean your credit score is ruined forever. It’s hard to make an improvement once you’ve retired because you no longer have a high income. It says at https://creditrepaircompanies.com/paying-off-collections/ that you need to make debt a priority. When all’s said and done, you don’t need someone chasing you for money while you’re trying to enjoy your twilight years. So, do yourself a favor and sort it out now. Don’t worry if you haven’t got enough money to cover the obligation. You can always apply for consolidation loans or try to get an IVA. In your situation, it’s likely you will succeed.

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Sell any companies you own

If you were smart enough to start any businesses during your life, you’d want to get rid of them when you retire. That could mean handing them over to one of your children or selling them on the open market. The process of finding a buyer and putting all the paperwork in place can take a long time. So, you’ll want to start advertising the opportunity as soon as possible. Of course, there are lots of websites that help facilitate the action these days. You just need to search Google for the best domains that promote businesses for sale. You can then get in touch with them and inquire about getting a listing. If your company turns over a lot of money, you might want to contact an expert first. Find someone who can make an accurate evaluation of your firm’s value. You should then place it on the market for slightly less than its worth if you want a quick sale.

Consider downsizing your home

When you reach retirement ages, most people have paid their mortgages in full. That means you now own an expensive asset that you can turn into cash. The property will have increased in value considerably since you made the purchase. So, you stand to make a healthy profit if you decide to sell the home now. You could also apply for a loan against your property. Of course, that means you’ll have to buy or rent somewhere new, and your monthly outgoings will increase. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword, and the right move depends on how much your house is worth. If you can make over $200,000 from the sale, it’s almost always a wise move. You wouldn’t spend anywhere near that amount in rent if you decided to lease another property for the rest of your life. So, that leaves thousands of dollars you can use to enjoy life. That round the world cruise doesn’t seem so far away now, does it?

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Make sure you leave a nest egg for the kids

All responsible parents will want to ensure they leave a nest egg for their children. You’ll want to sweeten the news that you’ve passed away with a gift that could improve your children’s lives. In most situations, people choose to leave their homes. However, you might not want to do that if you’re planning to sell yours to raise some cash. Instead, you’ll want to leave them whatever you have left in your bank accounts. Even so, there are rules about cash lump sums, and sometimes your kids will have to pay tax. For that reason, you should contact an expert retirement planner and ask for their assistance. For a small fee, they will highlight the best course of action and ensure you make the right moves. There are lots of ways to guarantee your children will get all the money you leave. In some situations, you just have to be smart.

Save as much as possible

Saving for your retirement is essential, and it’s something you need to start doing as soon as possible. Ideally, you should open a savings account and start adding to it from the age of forty. That gives you the best part of thirty years to build your find. Sure, you might have to dip into it from time to time due to emergencies. However, you should manage to save more than $50,000 without noticing the difference. Alongside your pension payments, that’s money you can use to improve your life when you stop working. Just make sure you contact lots of different banks to ensure you get the best savings account. You need to find the deal that allows you the highest rate of interest possible. That is how you will guarantee your savings work for you.

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Make smart investments

If you’re the type of person who gets bored when there’s no work to do, you might consider becoming an investor. You could use the money from your savings to try to create more. Of course, there is always an element of risk involved. For that reason, you would have to perform a lot of research and increase your knowledge. Still, you can always use the services of a broker if you want a greater chance of success. People make millions from the stock market every single year. Getting involved could give you something interesting to do when you retire. It could keep your mind active and contribute towards you living longer.

Now you know some of the key steps you need to take when preparing for retirement, we hope you get things right. The last few years of your life are the most important. So, you don’t want to spend them sitting alone in a small house with no money to enjoy yourself. Remember that during the next few years and ensure you start to set the wheels in motion. We hope you have a fantastic retirement, and that you get to do the things you’ve always wanted. Just remember to plan, and everything will turn out fine.

Become Anything You Want to Be With the Help of the Internet

Dana R
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Become Anything You Want to Be With the Help of the Internet

The internet is the true land opportunity. Almost anything is possible on the internet thanks to a mix of anonymity and constant technological advances. If you want to study online and obtain a degree in something you love, you can. If you want to become a celebrity known for gaming, then you can do that too. If you want to roleplay as someone of the opposite sex, then there are places to do that as well.

For all the shady things that the internet offers, you can’t deny that there are countless opportunities waiting for you somewhere in the digital realm we refer to as the internet. However, there are of course some limitations to this, but when it comes to legitimate beliefs and dreams you have, there’s almost nothing stopping you from doing something wild or productive.

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Studying online is easy

If you want to stay on the academic path but can’t due to expensive tuition fees or your current location blocks you from doing so, then there are plenty of online resources that can teach you anything from driving a car to designing a website. For instance, you could attend an OLOL college online to learn how to become a nurse. This is great if you want to get a headstart for medical school, if you want to test what it’s like to care for others, or if you’re looking for a career change to something more compassionate. There are countless things to learn online and you can do it for the sake of fun, to start a job, or even to learn new skills for your current choice of career.

Become known for something strange

If there are people on YouTube with hundreds of thousands of subscribers for diving into bathtubs full of slime and hot sauce, then you can carve your own niche and become known for something ridiculous as well. For instance, the infamous HowToBasic channel involves a man behind a camera that throws eggs, makes a mess, and puts his thumb up to indicate his satisfaction with what he’s just done. And the best thing about it? These aren’t just hobbies or silly side activities they do, but they’re actually jobs because of the amount of YouTube views they get. So if you want to do something ridiculous and get paid for it, try starting a YouTubing career.

Live a second life (literally)

There are people who love to play video games not just for fun, but for the sake of escaping reality and sometimes even living a second life. For instance, there is a well-known multiplayer online video game called Second Life which came out in 2003 and has yet to be dethroned despite its somewhat dated appearance. Second Life allows players to not only play as a character but also create their own worlds. It enables players to buy and sell virtual fashion items, become a monster, a fantasy creature, or even a person of the opposite sex. They can dress up, play games, meet people, and quite literally live a Second Life. In the past, there were even talks of Second Life becoming a new frontier for educational uses, such as showing exhibitions inside the game or even starting lectures.

Ecuador Elections 2017: Accusations of Electoral Fraud as Lenin Moreno is Declared Winner

Diane A. Wade
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Ecuador Elections 2017: Accusations of Electoral Fraud as Lenin Moreno is Declared Winner

Accusations of fraud sparks over Ecuador’s presidential elections after early results projected victory for the incumbent party’s candidate.

Results show former VP Lenin Moreno of the Socialist Party has 51.12% of the vote, with just 4% of districts still waiting to be counted.

However, challenger Guillermo Lasso had already begun celebrations after an exit poll predicted his victory.

Guillermo Lasso demanded a recount, and called on supporters to take to the streets.

He also alleged electoral fraud had been used to grant victory to his opponent.

In a series of tweets, Guillermo Lasso told the public to “peacefully defend your vote” and said he was “going to defend the will of the people”.

Final official results have yet to be announced.

If Lenin Moreno is declared the winner, he will continue a decade of left-wing leadership begun by President Rafael Correa in 2007.

Image source Wikipedia

He would also become one of a small number of disabled world leaders – he became paraplegic after being shot in the back during a robbery in 1998.

An apparent victory for Lenin Moreno was welcomed by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange – as Guillermo Lasso had vowed to evict him from his asylum in the country’s London embassy if victorious.

Julian Assange tweeted that he “cordially invites” Guillermo Lasso to leave the country within 30 days – referencing the timeframe the candidate gave for Assange’s own eviction.

Guillermo Lasso, a former banker who wants to promote foreign investment, called for a recount after Lenin Moreno started to take a lead in the preliminary results.

Exit polls released on April 2 had suggested an extremely tight race.

A poll by Periles de Opinion had shown Lenin Moreno leading with 52.2%, while a poll by Cedatos showed Guillermo Lasso winning with 53.02%.

Incumbent President Rafael Correa, meanwhile, tweeted criticism of what he termed “violence” in several cities as early results emerged.

Local media reported that some of Guillermo Lasso’s supporters had gathered in the capital of Quito, as well as the city of Guayaquil. According to The El Comercio newspaper, the crowd removed barriers placed in the road, and bottles were thrown by some in Guayaquil.

When he was first elected in 2007, Rafael Correa was one of a group of left-wing leaders in power in Latin America.

However, in the decade since, conservative politicians have taken power in Argentina and Brazil. A victory for Guillermo Lasso would have continued that trend.

Donald Trump Says US Could Solve North Korea Nuclear Threat Without China’s Help

Roy Siemens
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Donald Trump Says US Could Solve North Korea Nuclear Threat Without China’s Help

President Trump has said the US will “solve” the nuclear threat from North Korea, with or without China’s help.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Donald Trump said: “If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you.”

Pressed on whether he thought he could succeed alone, President Trump replied: “Totally.”

Donald Trump was speaking ahead of a scheduled visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

“China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won’t. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don’t it won’t be good for anyone,” he told the Financial Times.

Asked if he meant “one-on-one” unilateral action, Donald Trump said: “I don’t have to say any more.”

The president did not give any further details on what action he would take.

Donald Trump’s brief comments, published just days before the key meeting with Xi Jinping at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on April 6, are the latest in a series of warnings over North Korea’s nuclear development.

There are fears that North Korea could eventually develop the ability to launch long-range nuclear missiles capable of striking the mainland US.

During a trip to Asia in March, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said pre-emptive military action was an option “on the table”.

A month earlier, Defense Secretary James Mattis warned that any use of nuclear weapons would be met with an “overwhelming” response.

However, President Trump is expected to put pressure on President Xi to do much more at their meeting this week – and he has implied that the issue of trade could be used as leverage.

Donald Trump told the Financial Times that “trade is the incentive. It is all about trade”. However, he said he did not plan to discuss tariffs during the meeting.

At the end of March, President Trump signed two executive orders to deal with the US trade deficit, reviewing current rules and foreign trade abuses.

White House officials insisted China was not the focus of his orders – but it is the largest source of the US trade deficit, accounting for about $347 billion a year, out of a total of $502 billion.

Donald Trump himself tweeted that “the meeting next week with China will be a very difficult one in that we can no longer have massive trade deficits”.

He has not said how he will negotiate trade with China while also pressing them to influence North Korea.

China is a historic ally of North Korea although ties have been strained in recent years. It has taken action in light of the reclusive nation’s latest missile tests.

In February, China banned coal imports from North Korea until the end of 2017, cutting a major source of cash income for Pyongyang.

Analysts say China has maintained its support for Pyongyang as it fears a complete collapse of the North Korean regime could lead to Korean unification, with US soldiers based in a country with a land border with China.

It is thought that China is also concerned at the prospect of millions of North Korean refugees entering its borders.

Colombia Landslide Death Toll Rises to 254

Diane A. Wade
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Colombia Landslide Death Toll Rises to 254

The total death toll of the devastating mudslides in south-west Colombia is now 254, with hundreds also injured.

According to President Juan Manuel Santos, dozens of children are among those killed.

Heavy rain flooded the town of Mocoa in Colombia’s south-west, with mud and rocks burying whole neighborhoods and forcing residents to flee their homes.

More than 1,000 soldiers and police are involved in the relief effort in Putumayo province.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who flew to the area on April 1 after the landslide struck, said: “Until we have the last person identified we are not going to stop.”

The relief efforts continued throughout the weekend.

At least 170 of the dead identified, including 44 children, said the president.

Image source Reuters

The army had previously reported 200 people missing, but the president tweeted on April 2 that there were officially no disappeared persons.

Earlier in the day, video footage from Mocoa showed residents crying over a list of missing children, with their names and aged pinned to a board.

The exact death toll is hard to confirm with the rescue operation still under way – some local media estimate up to 300 people have been killed.

The Colombian Red Cross said it was working to help family members contact each other, and the Air Force has brought supplies.

President Juan Manuel Santos has vowed investment will be made to make Mocoa better than it was before.

His critics said more should have been done to protect the area from such disasters.

The landslide struck in the early hours of April 1, when many people were asleep in bed.

Colombia’s director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit told the AFP that a third of the region’s expected monthly rain fell during one night.

Although rainfall is abundant in the area, this downpour was unusually heavy and caused rivers to burst their banks.

The overflow then picked up mud and debris, creating a cascade.

Video footage of the aftermath showed currents so strong that abandoned trucks were propelled through the flooded streets.

A senior UN official in Colombia, Martin Santiago, blamed climate change, saying it had caused “tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency and magnitude of these natural effects” in the region.

Others said deforestation has also played a role.

With no running water in Mocoa, one resident told El Tiempo newspaper that they had been collecting rainwater. Power lines are also out across the area.

Photos posted to social media by the air force showed some patients being evacuated by air.

Landslides have struck the region several times in recent months.

In November 2016, nine people died in the town of El Tambo, about 90 miles from Mocoa, during a landslide that followed heavy rain.

Less than a month before that, another landslide killed several people near Medellin, almost 300 miles to the north.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldiWMxc-O1A

Russia Protests: At Least 31 People Arrested During Second Opposition Demonstration

Diane A. Wade
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Russia Protests: At Least 31 People Arrested During Second Opposition Demonstration

Another 31 people have been arrested during opposition protests in Moscow, the second Sunday in succession to see such demonstrations.

Last week, at least 1,000 people were detained during protests in Moscow, reportedly the largest in five years.

Russian opposition has called for the resignation of PM Dmitry Medvedev over corruption allegations.

A smaller group of about 100 people began marching through Moscow on April 2, but were blocked by police.

While police said 31 people had been arrested for “breaches of public order”, OVD-Info, a website monitoring detentions, said 56 people including four minors were arrested.

Those who organized the protest via social media are now facing an investigation.

Image source AFP

March 26 demonstrations in Moscow and across Russia were prompted by main opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was later arrested.

Police said 500 people were held, but OVD-Info said at least 1,000 people were arrested in Moscow alone.

Alexei Navalny had published reports claiming that Dmitry Medvedev controlled mansions, yachts and vineyards – a fortune that far outstripped his official salary.

PM Dmitry Medvedev’s spokeswoman called the allegations “propagandistic attacks”, but the prime minister himself has not commented on the claims.

Alexei Navalny has announced his intention to run for president in 2018 against Vladimir Putin. However, he is barred from doing so after being found guilty in a case he said was politicized.

The opposition leader was sentenced to 15 days in prison for his role in March 26 demonstrations. His spokesman said on Twitter that he had nothing to do with the new protest.

Organizers told news agencies that they had planned to march towards the Kremlin on April 2 when they were stopped by police.

Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that about 400 people had taken part in an authorized anti-corruption rally in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.

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

Villepinte Carnival Explosion Injures at Least 18

Nancy Clayson
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Villepinte Carnival Explosion Injures at Least 18

At least 18 people have been injured when a bonfire exploded at the Yellow Carnaval in Villepinte, north-east of Paris.

The explosion occurred at the end of the carnival, on April 1.

Video posted on social media showed the bonfire blowing up seconds after being ignited, sending debris flying.

Image source Twitter

According to Le Parisien, a mother and her child are among those seriously injured and the town’s mayor was also hurt.

An initial investigation had been opened by prosecutors, but the cause of the explosion was not yet known, AFP reported.

A police source told the BFM news network that the blast may have been caused by the petrol used to help start the fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVaEYnNI_3M

Bob Dylan Collects Nobel Prize for Literature at Private Event

Sonia Pantiss
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Bob Dylan Collects Nobel Prize for Literature at Private Event

Bob Dylan has finally collected his Nobel Prize for literature, more than three months after the awards ceremony, Swedish media report.

The musician received his medal at a private event in Stockholm before a scheduled concert in the city.

No further details were given.

Swedish Academy officials previously said Bob Dylan would not deliver his Nobel lecture, a traditional condition of receiving the 8 million krona ($900,000) prize money, at the event.

Bob Dylan, 75, is expected to deliver a taped version of the lecture later.

If he does not deliver a lecture by June, the singer will have to forfeit the prize money.

A member of the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize, told the Associated Press “it went very well indeed”, and that Bob Dylan was “a very nice, kind man”.

In an earlier blog post, the academy’s secretary said the setting would be “small and intimate”. No media were present at Bob Dylan’s request.

After receiving the prize, Bob Dylan performed a concert on April 1 at the Stockholm Waterfront venue. A second concert is planned for April 2.

The Nobel Prize for literature has usually been associated with poets and novelists.

However, the academy handed Bob Dylan the prize “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.

Bob Dylan failed to attend the December ceremony, citing previous commitments. In a speech read on his behalf, he said it was “truly beyond words” and he thought his odds of winning were as likely “standing on the moon”.

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