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Seeing the Sights – Exploring Asia’s Best Tourist Destinations

Dana R
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Seeing the Sights – Exploring Asia’s Best Tourist Destinations

I didn’t start life with the travel bug.

Quite the opposite, I was a bit of a homebody, and the thought of travelling abroad actually frightened me a surprising amount. I was far more comfortable in familiar surroundings, with people who spoke my language, with food and culture that I was used to. It took a crisis to shake me out of my slumber. A few years out of university, my then girlfriend of 3 years upped and left me for my now very-much-ex-best-friend.

Devastated, I did what anyone else would do in that situation – I cut off my long, flowing hair, dyed what was left of it blonde, grew a really annoyingly pretentious goatee, quit my job and took every penny that I had earned and flew off to Asia. I’m not sure if I was running away from reality or trying to find myself. What I do know is that my eyes were opened to the enormous diversity that the world has to offer. The incredible, exotic wonders of Asia gave me my first travel high and I’ve never really come down since. Here is a brief rundown of how my trip panned out.

 Image result for Bali

First Stop: Bali

Given that this was my first time outside of the UK, I played it safe to start with and booked myself on some remarkable tours through https://www.travezl.com.au/bali-tours/t2-d148415. They had a huge number of options available, but the one that struck me the most was the Everyday Living Tour. Through it, I received my first ever look at how people from a culture so vastly different to mine survive and thrive. Needless to say, I was blown away.

Second Stop: Malaysian Borneo

A landed in Kuala Lumpur and, to be honest, found the city to be a little bit dull.

Half a day of walking around was enough for me pretty much see everything there was to see. So, I hopped on a ferry and a few hours later found myself in the most jaw-droppingly beautiful tropical paradise I could ever have imagined.

Whether it was spotting orangutans under the rainforest canopy, or cruising the pristine beaches, very little could have prepared me for the grand, peaceful beauty of this exquisite island.

Third Stop: Phuket

I didn’t think there was much that could impress me after Borneo. However, on the other side of the Andaman sea I discovered the Phi Phi Islands, and fell in love immediately. The sheer limestone cliffs seem to explode vertically out of the warm, pure blue ocean waters. Back in Phuket itself, aside from eating the spiciest curry I have ever encountered, I was incredibly impressed with the stunning architecture, which was a real, intricate blend of local Thai, Chinese and Portuguese influences.
Image result for Singapore

Fourth Stop: Singapore

This was a real change of pace from the more natural settings thus far. The hustle and bustle of one of the world’s great business centres was a real eye-opener and quite exhilarating. I’m not much of a shopper, but the energy of the commercial districts was quite seductive.

Fifth Stop: Kyoto

I actually spent a significant amount of time in Japan, and visited a few different cities, but Kyoto certainly left the deepest impression on me. Japan’s ancient capital really does represent every ideal of Japanese culture. From the majestic beauty of the temples, shrines and castles, to the sophisticated elegance of the entertainment district, Kyoto really seemed to me to be the place where the two Japans, traditional and ultra-modern, co-exist in a perfect harmony.

Image result for Bhutan

Last Stop: Bhutan

This one was a bit of a whim. I’d never even heard of Bhutan previously, but a fellow traveller regaled me with tales of the imperial beauty of the Himalayan country. He wasn’t wrong, as I was simply blown away by the scale of nature in this hidden gem.

The local people are some of the nicest and most welcoming I have ever met, and the culture is a unique mix of Chinese, Sub-Continental and indigenous local elements. The highlight was an overnight trekking tour through the mountains. I wouldn’t recommend it for people who are not fit or are prone to altitude sickness, but it really was almost indescribably special.

It took me until I arrived back in the UK to realise that I hadn’t thought of my ex for months. What started off as an escape from my perceived reality, ended up opening my eyes to a wonderful truth: There is a big, wonderful world out there, just waiting for us to discover it.

2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for World’s Smallest Machines

James J. Williams
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2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for World’s Smallest Machines

This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa for the development of the world’s smallest machines.

They will share the 8 million kronor prize for the design and synthesis of machines on a molecular scale.

Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa were named at a press conference in Sweden.

They have developed molecules with controllable movements, which can perform a task when energy is added.

The machines conceived by today’s laureates are a thousand times thinner than a strand of hair.nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016

They could slip inside the human body to deliver drugs from within – for instance, applying pharmaceuticals directly to cancer cells.

This field of nanotechnology could also yield applications in the design of smart materials.

The prize recognizes their success in linking molecules together to design everything from motors to a car and muscles on a tiny scale.

“They have mastered motion control at the molecular scale,” said Olof Ramström, from the Nobel Committee.

Jean-Pierre Sauvage was born in 1944 in Paris, France. He is currently emeritus professor at the University of Strasbourg and director of research emeritus at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

His work provided early breakthroughs in the area of molecular machines. He had been researching the use of sunlight to drive chemical reactions but this work helped him work out that he could link different molecules together in a chain.

This was the first step towards building molecular machines. In 1994, Jean-Pierre Sauvage’s research group succeeded in making one molecule rotate around the other in a controlled manner when energy was applied.

Sir Fraser Stoddart was born in 1942 in Edinburgh, the UK. He is currently affiliated to the Northwestern University, in the US.

He made a key advance by threading a molecular ring on to a rod-like structure that acted as an axle.

He then made use of the ring’s freedom to move along the axle. When he added heat, the ring jumped forwards and backwards – like a tiny shuttle.

Fraser Stoddart’s group later built on this discovery to build numerous molecular machines, including a lift, a muscle and – in partnership with other researchers – a computer chip.

Bernard Feringa was born in 1951 in Barger-Compascuum, in the Netherlands. He is a professor in organic chemistry at the University of Gröningen, the Netherlands.

Smooth Sailing In The Manufacturing Industry

Dana R
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Smooth Sailing In The Manufacturing Industry

If you are thinking of starting a business in manufacturing, it is a good idea to bear in mind a few things. First of all, you need to make sure that you know exactly what it is that you intend to produce. This might sound basic, but so many people start businesses without a clear understanding of what it is they really want to achieve. Once you know the product that you will make, you can get started on planning out the business. Above all, a strong manufacturing business is dependent upon the owner knowing exactly what is intended in the long term. To help you with that, it might be beneficial to know some of the essential things that such a business needs. Let’s take a look at what those might be.

concept, development, launching

Image Credit

A Clear Plan

This is something which every business in the world needs in order to function properly. However, it is particularly important for this type of business. Knowing how to plan a business out is an art which is learned gradually over time. Yet, you need to be able to do it in the best way possible at the very beginning of the process. If you are struggling with this, you might find it helpful to seek the advice of someone who has been in this position before. There are plenty of guides out there on this entire process. You can also find a lot of business plans and templates for plans which you can use for this part of it. Ultimately, a good plan needs to be as detailed as you can possibly make it. That way, you can be much more certain of the business’ ongoing success.

Gray Iron Steel Rods

Image Credit

Sourcing Materials

It goes without saying that raw materials are a hugely important part of any manufacturing business. No matter what it is that you are going to produce, you need to know what materials you need. You also need to be sure of the quality of those materials. With that in mind, make sure that you learn where to source those materials from. Getting this right is an essential part of the entire process, so it is really important. You need to think about material traceability as well as the reliability of the product. It is worth spending some time shopping around for the best suppliers, as it does make a huge difference.

Tight Focus

One of the most common mistakes that people make in this type of business is trying to do too much at once. It is often tempting to attempt making many different things in one go. However, the truth is that this rarely works out so well. If you want to expand your business at a later time, then that is a great idea. But you need to first ensure that you have a solid foundation on which to do that. In the beginning at least, make sure you keep a tight focus. That way, you can build a much stronger business over time.

binocular, country lane, filter

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The Magical 10%: What Links The New Businesses That Actually Succeed?

Dana R
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The Magical 10%: What Links The New Businesses That Actually Succeed?

The world of modern business can be a very unforgiving environment. In fact, you’ve probably seen the statistics that up to 90% of all new businesses fail to achieve their goals.

But the current landscape isn’t as bad as it may seem. When a startup performs well, it can grow at a faster rate than ever before. Modern facilities form far greater opportunities for modest entrepreneurs. The best ones know how to maximize those possibilities.

Smart entrepreneurs share an array of skills and ideas. Here are some of the most salient.

start-up

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A Starting Platform

For most failed startups, establishing the company proved too hard. Let’s face it; creating something from nothing isn’t easy. So perhaps it should come as no surprise to learn that the vast majority of new companies struggle to make it past the one-year anniversary.

However, there are ways to build a platform before even taking those first steps. Senior home care franchise opportunities allow for entrepreneurs to build upon the success of an existing brand. Meanwhile, crowdfunding offers the opportunity to establish a fanbase and financial support in advance.

Either way, a stronger starting point can only give a business increased hopes of success. That’s something that any good entrepreneur embraces with open arms.

Long-Term Ideas

Virtually all businesses will deviate from their predicted pathway along the road to success. However, it’s important to have long-term goals as well as immediate aspirations. After all, it’s impossible to reach a destination if you aren’t targeted towards it.

As a new business, the biggest mistake is trying to focus on something that has a very short lifespan. This immediately piles on the pressure for quick success. Instead, the best startups are built for sustained success. Most successful entrepreneurs find that working on five-year plans is the ideal way to maintain balance.

Teamwork

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When you read an interview with any successful startup, there will almost always be special thanks reserved for the team. Quality employees are the biggest asset of any successful company. Smart entrepreneurs know that it doesn’t make sense to complete simple tasks. Not when they could be focused on more important elements. Besides, two heads are always better than one.

Direct employees aren’t the only crucial form of support. Outsourcing certain jobs can make the daily running of a company far smoother. Even if it’s embracing influencer marketing, an open mind can make a world of difference to a startup’s future. It doesn’t matter how results are achieved. The important factor is that they are accomplished.

Customer Focus

Arguably the biggest mistake that any new business owner can commit is forgetting to put the customer first. Sadly, it’s also one that far too many fall for.

Consumers deserve and expect positive interactions with the business. A smarter entrepreneur will ensure that the payment methods are designed to generate trust from the customer. They’ll also provide the necessary support before, during, and after a transaction. This is a crucial aspect of building loyal clients.

And once a business has built a strong following, it cannot go wrong.

Election 2016 – Tax Plans & the Economy

Dana R
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Election 2016 – Tax Plans & the Economy

In the opening presidential debate of 2016, the candidate’s economic discussions skewed towards taxation issues. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump had their own versions of what they would do to improve the economy by optimizing the tax system. Although their representation of the tax issues in this country differ, both state that their policy proposals will assure prosperity in America. Here are how some of the taxation issues were explored during the debate.

What’s a VAT?

VAT, which is the acronym of Value Added Tax, was Trump’s focal point as a reason for the trade imbalance with Mexico. In an allegation that America is being “ripped off,” he stated that the VAT tax is 16 percent to Mexico and zero percent to the United States. While the VAT tax is 16 percent in Mexico, that applies to the purchase of both imports and domestic goods. The United States is not paying 16 percent to export goods into Mexico. Forbes as well as other news outlets noted Trump’s inaccuracy.

Many Happy Returns?

Despite the tradition in modern times for candidates to release their tax returns, Trump has not as of yet. Clinton made this an issue at the debate, wondering, “you’ve got to ask yourself, why won’t he release his tax returns? … maybe he’s not as rich as he says he is… maybe he’s not as charitable as he claims to be.”

Clinton then continued on to the point of her pondering, the fact that existing reports from several tax seasons ago show that Trump paid no federal tax for those time periods. ”Or maybe he doesn’t want the American people, all of you watching tonight, to know that he’s paid nothing in federal taxes,” she concluded. Trump’s reply “That makes me smart” may become a campaign phrase that he will regret.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

She Said, He Said

One of the chief debating points when talking about economics is about how much to tax the wealthy. During the debate Clinton stated, “Slashing taxes on the wealthy hasn’t worked and a lot of really smart, wealthy people know that… I think building the middle-class, investing in the middle class, making college debt-free so more young people can get their education, helping people refinance their debt from college at a lower rate, those are the kinds of things that will really boost the economy.” She aims to do this by taxing corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

In reply Trump answered. “Typical politician. All talk no action. Sounds good. Doesn’t work. Never going to happen. Our country is suffering because people like Secretary Clinton have made such bad decisions in terms of our jobs and in terms of what is going on. Now look, we have the worst revival of an economy since the Great Depression.” Trump’s tax plan will reduce the income tax brackets from seven to three, which are twelve, twenty-five, and thirty-three percent.

Each candidate has promoted tax deductions in their economic platforms. Clinton looks more favorably upon small businesses than large corporations and has proposed a new standard tax deduction for them. She also wants to give start-ups additional tax breaks. Trump wants to give a childcare tax deduction to help families out.

A Financial Response

So how does this affect the stock market and investments? According to Fisher Investments on the Presidential Debate, what each candidate says may not actually be what happens. It is best not to drastically change your investment plans for fear of what a political candidate says they will do. Remember George H. W. Bush’s “no new taxes” statement? While the president is the leader of the country, there are checks and balances in our governmental system and the winning candidate will have to work with Congress in order to pass legislation. There may be short-term market fluctuations, but long term, the stock market doesn’t care who’s in office.

State of the Estates

Clinton’s most recent tax policy creates three new tax brackets for large estates. The tax rates would be 50 percent for estates above $10 million dollars per person, 55 percent for estates over $50 million dollars per person, and 65 percent for estates over $500 million dollars per person.

In contrast, Trump wants to do away with the estate tax completely.

Both candidates have sectors of America that they want to increase taxation of, and demographic groups that they want to help out with tax cuts. The aspect of who to tax more or less comes up every election year. Will the economy be affected? Probably in the short term. But in this turbulent election cycle, it’s wise to remember when planning your long-term financial future to not lose sight of your individual financial goals.

Common Misconceptions about Influencer Marketing

Dana R
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Common Misconceptions about Influencer Marketing

With the advance of social media and new forms of communication, it has become increasingly easy to expose other people to a wide variety of products and services. There are billions of users on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, and more, and these users are all interconnected with one another in some way. This vast expanse in communication has allowed for new forms of marketing. Social media influencer marketing is one of the most popular new ways to market and advertise. Businesses and enterprises partner with social media celebrities (people well-known on social media for their social commentary, jokes, singing, dancing, or other talents) to promote their product or service. This partnership is mutually beneficial, as both sides are given the chance to build relationships and trust with each other and their fan base.

marketing-platforms

Despite the success that influencer marketing has had—notable examples being LeBron James for Nike, Kim Kardashian for T-Mobile, and more—there are still some misconceptions about it. People have their doubts, and, in this article, we hope to lay some of those to rest. Here are some of the biggest myths about influencer marketing, debunked:

A high ROI is all that matters.

ROI stands for “return on investment,” and ROI is what businesses may only think of when they consider whether or not to use influencer marketing. However, ROI is not the only thing that businesses should focus on. While it is certainly critical at the end of the day, and this type of marketing will get you a high ROI, it is not the only factor to succeeding with influencers. It is also about providing a quality product and building a relationship with the influencers you choose (and their audiences, by extension) that consists of mutual trust.

These influencers don’t really care about the product; they’re just in it for the money.

This misconception is held by some members of the public, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Social media influencers don’t want to become known for advertising a product or service that is subpar. Their fans trust them, and they want to keep it that way. Influencers won’t advertise a product that would jeopardize that trust; i.e. a product that is terrible or would not do well with their fans. Their fan base is a major reason they are able to enjoy the celebrity they have, and no amount of money can make them sacrifice that.

Also, businesses and influencers build up a relationship. Forming relationships is one of the most important things to do in influencer marketing, and creating one between influencer and business is vital to the success of the campaign. This relationship goes deeper than money—it is based on mutual respect and trust.

It’s impossible to get in touch with celebs.

Influencer marketing platforms like NeoReach provide businesses with the ability to get in touch with social media influencers. It may seem, with influencers’ level of celebrity, as though they are difficult to contact, but that’s not true. These influencers rose to popularity because of their ability to communicate and their relatability. And they’re looking for you, too. Influencer marketing platforms like NeoReach have been developed to further assist with helping brands and relevant influencers find each other.

Influencer marketing is too risky because influencers can go rogue.

People are unpredictable. Influencers, like any other celebrity spokesperson, may say things that cause your company to cringe. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that your company will be harmed. You can always distance yourself from the influencer if need be, and, while the two of you work in tandem, there are safeguards against unpredictability and offensive commentary that can be agreed upon before the contract is signed and the representation begins. Also, if you pick an influencer you trust to remain in communication with you, you can ensure that they are reliable and consistent in helping your business — another reason why treating these partnerships as a mutual relationship is so important.

Any influencer will work; all they have to do is memorize some lines.

Different influencers promote different products. Building relationships and credibility is the fastest way to ensure that a business is successful in their ad campaign with the marketer. In order to build these relationships, the influencer has to take a genuine interest in the company itself, becoming invested in its success and seeing the product as personally important to them. While it’s true that anyone can “memorize some lines,” conveying enthusiasm and real interest in the product is something that only an authentically-dedicated influencer can do. And also, this authenticity (or lack thereof) is easily identifiable by fans.

People who don’t like the influencer will hurt the business that is partnering with him or her.

Every social media celebrity is going to have detractors and people who, for whatever reason, credible or not, dislike them. This dislike shouldn’t affect your business. Dealing with negative reviews to your business is separate from negative reviews of the social media influencer themselves. If you choose your influencer based on their reputation and relatability, you will be able to gauge whether or not they are likable. This likability will factor into your decision, and if you choose wisely and get to know them well, you can exercise a lot of control over how much of a concern this can really be for your business.

The relationship between business and celebrity is one-sided (or lopsided).

This is one of the most common misconceptions about influencer marketing. There is a stereotype that these relationships are one-sided, whether people believe that the business is taking advantage of the influencer or that the influencer is seeing more of an ROI than the company they are supposed to be advertising for. This is not true, and, once again, it comes down to the relationships that you build with one another. These relationships are critical, and without them, any ad campaign is doomed. By understanding what is expected of each party and what the ROI will be, the relationship is mutually beneficial.

These misconceptions about influencer marketing are harmful to businesses and enterprises. Hopefully, this article has helped debunk these myths to show that this type of marketing is beneficial not only for the influencer and the business, but for the public as well. Harnessing the power of social media in this day and age is vital to being successful.

Donald Trump Praised as “Genius” If He Paid No Federal Income Taxes

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Praised as “Genius” If He Paid No Federal Income Taxes

Donald Trump’s allies have said he is a “genius” if a New York Times report is true that he paid no federal income taxes for 18 years.

The New York Times said it had received some of Donald Trump’s 1995 tax documents revealing $915m losses that allowed him to legally avoid paying taxes.

Donald Trump’s camp refused to confirm or deny the report, but said the filing was “illegally obtained”.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton’s campaign called the report a “bombshell”.

Donald Trump’s surrogates took to the airwaves on October 2 to defend him.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the New York Times article was a “very good story” because it showcased the “genius” of Donald Trump.

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

Chris Christie told Fox News Sunday the report would only underline that Donald Trump is best qualified to ease tax policy on working people.

Former New York Rudy Giuliani, a close adviser to Donald Trump, also said the Republican candidate was an “absolute genius” if he avoided federal income taxes.

“A lot of the people that are poor take advantage of loopholes and pay no taxes,” Rudy Giuliani told NBC’s Meet the Press on October 2.

“Those are loopholes also.”

Donald Trump himself played down the report tweeting: “I know our complex tax laws better than anyone who has ever run for president and am the only one who can fix them. #failing@nytimes.”

During the first presidential debate on September 26, Hillary Clinton attacked Donald Trump for not releasing his tax returns, as all previous White House candidates have done since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Hillary Clinton suggested he was hiding “something terrible” and that he had perhaps not paid any federal income tax. Donald Trump replied: “That makes me smart.”

In its article, the New York Times said three pages of documents were anonymously sent last month to one of its reporters who had written about Donald Trump’s finances.

A former accountant for Donald Trump, Jack Mitnick, whose name appears as Trump’s tax preparer of the filings, said the documents appeared to be authentic copies of portions of the 1995 returns, according to the New York Times.

Donald Trump’s campaign did not directly address the authenticity of the excerpts, but the New York Times said a Trump lawyer had emailed the newspaper arguing that publication of the records was illegal.

His camp accused the publication, which has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, of being “an extension of the Clinton campaign”.

Donald Trump, the campaign added, was a “highly skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.

“That being said, Mr. Trump has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes, sales and excise taxes, real estate taxes, city taxes, state taxes, employee taxes and federal taxes, along with very substantial charitable contributions.”

Hillary Clinton’s camp said Donald Trump embodied the “rigged system” of an unfair US tax code.

Her campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement: “This bombshell report reveals the colossal nature of Donald Trump’s past business failures and just how long he may have avoided paying any federal income taxes whatsoever.”

Hillary Clinton has already disclosed nearly 40 years of federal income tax returns, while Donald Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, has made publicly available 10 years of his tax returns.

At an October 1rally, Donald Trump appeared to accuse Hillary Clinton of marital infidelity.

“Hillary Clinton’s only loyalty is to her financial contributors and to herself,” the Republican told thousands gathered in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

“I don’t think she’s even loyal to Bill if you want to know the truth. Why should she be, right?”

Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin has debuted his impression of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, parodying the candidate’s pronunciation of China, among other things.

Sporting a blonde wig and a lip-puckering scowl, Alec Baldwin appeared on the comedy show alongside SNL regular Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, using a walking cane.

Garlic Breath: Scientists Reveal Effective Remedies

Kathryn R. Bown
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Garlic Breath: Scientists Reveal Effective Remedies

Scientists at Ohio State University have found a cure for the stinky garlic breath.

Unsurprisingly, researchers found that chewing on mint leaves was a top garlic breath deodorizer, but the results also showed that raw apple and raw lettuce were just as effective.

The research, which was published in the Journal of Food Science last week, studied the effect of different foods on the volatile compounds responsible for garlic breath (diallyl disulfide, allyl mercaptan, allyl methyl disulfide, and allyl methyl sulfide).

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

Participants were given three grams of garlic cloves to chew on for 25 seconds before drinking water as a control. Scientists then measured the effects of raw, juiced, or heated apple; raw or heated lettuce; raw or juiced mint leaves; and green tea. The results were measured up to an hour after consumption using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, a piece of equipment which analyses trace gases and compounds in exhaled breath. Slightly more accurate than the sniff-and-see test, then.

While green tea didn’t help with smelly breath situations, researchers found that “raw apple and raw lettuce decreased the concentration of volatiles in breath by 50% or more compared to the control for the first 30 minutes”.

Mint leaves had an even higher deodorizing effect on all the compounds measured, but across the foods tested, juiced and heated versions were not as potent.

The researchers suggest that raw foods are better at breaking down garlic’s volatile compounds because they contain both odor-eliminating enzymes and phenolic compounds, which destroy the volatiles.

Ethiopia: Oromo Festival Stampede Kills Several in Bishoftu

Diane A. Wade
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Ethiopia: Oromo Festival Stampede Kills Several in Bishoftu

Several people have been killed in a stampede in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, after police fired tear gas and shots to disperse a protest.

Thousands had gathered for a religious festival in Bishoftu, Oromia region, 25 miles from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

Police responded after anti-government protesters threw stones and bottles, reports said. There was panic and some people fell into a ditch.bishoftu-festival

There have been months of deadly clashes in Ethiopia recently.

People in the Oromia and Amhara regions have complained about political and economic marginalization.

Crowds at October 2 Oromo festival chanted “We need freedom” and “We need justice”, witnesses said.

Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo protests.

The government said in a statement that “lives were lost”, adding: “Those responsible will face justice.”

The unrest was sparked in November 2015 by a plan to expand the capital into Oromia. This led to fears that farmers from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.

The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalization and human rights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZPrtXnRyd0

Hurricane Matthew Sparks Mass Evacuation in Haiti

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Matthew Sparks Mass Evacuation in Haiti

Hurricane Matthew has strengthened into a Category 4 on October 1, with winds reaching up to 145mph, making its way towards Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, forecasters say.

Matthew is the strongest Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since Felix back in 2007.

According to the US National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to hit Haiti and Jamaica on October 3.

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

Haiti has begun evacuating residents from high-risk areas.

Residents have been frantically stocking up on emergency supplies.

Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness has urged citizens to make all preparations before it is too late.

However, he told Reuters that Jamaica was prepared for the category 4 hurricane.

In Jamaica, the powerful storm is expected to bring up to 25 inches of rain, which could trigger life-threatening landslides and floods, according to forecasters.

In the capital Kingston, supermarkets were crowded with people looking for canned foods, water and flashlights.

Officials have warned the high winds could batter the country’s main tourist areas including Montego Bay in the north.

In Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, residents from outlying islands have been evacuated, and officials have banned boating.

The hurricane is expected to cause up to 40 inches of rain in Haiti.

Hurricane Matthew is expected to hit Cuba on October 4, potentially hitting the colonial city of Santiago de Cuba and the US Navy base of Guantanamo Bay.

A mandatory evacuation of non-essential personnel, including about 700 family members of military personnel, was underway at the base and everyone remaining there was being told to take shelter, the Navy said in a statement.

There are about 5,500 people living on the base, including 61 men held at the detention centre.

Cuban President Raul Castro traveled to Santiago to supervise preparations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10jb3rpBHyc

Donald Trump Tax Returns Leaked: Billionaire Declared $916M Loss in 1995

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Tax Returns Leaked: Billionaire Declared $916M Loss in 1995

The New York Times says it has obtained documents showing Donald Trump declared a loss of 916 million on his 1995 federal income tax return.

According to the publication, the loss was so large it may have enabled Donald Trump to avoid paying tax for up to 18 years legally.

The Republican candidate’s campaign has refused to publish his tax returns and neither confirmed nor denied the scale of his losses.

Hillary Clinton has made much of his tax record.

Image source Wikimedia
Image source Wikimedia

During an acrimonious first presidential debate on September 26, Hillary Clinton forced Donald Trump on to the defensive for not releasing his tax returns, suggesting that he was hiding “something terrible”.

When the Democratic candidate accused Donald Trump of not paying federal income tax, he replied: “That makes me smart.”

Hillary Clinton has publicly released nearly 40 years’ worth while Donald Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, has released 10 years of his tax returns.

In its story, the New York Times says the three pages of documents were sent last month to one of its reporters who had written about Donald Trump’s finances.

A former accountant for Donald Trump, Jack Mitnick, whose name appears as Trump’s tax preparer of the filings, said the documents appeared to be authentic copies of portions of the 1995 returns, according to the newspaper.

On October 1, the Trump campaign accused the New York Times of being “an extension of the Clinton campaign”.

Donald Trump, the campaign added, was a “highly skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.

“That being said, Mr. Trump has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes, sales and excise taxes, real estate taxes, city taxes, state taxes, employee taxes and federal taxes, along with very substantial charitable contributions.”

Since 1976, every major party presidential nominee has released tax returns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW-m6bR1GMo

Hungary Votes on EU Refugee Quota

Diane A. Wade
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Hungary Votes on EU Refugee Quota

Hungary is voting in a referendum on accepting mandatory EU quotas for relocating refugees.

PM Viktor Orban opposes plans to relocate a total of 160,000 refugees across the bloc.

Under the EU scheme, announced after 2015 refugee crisis, Hungary would receive 1,294 asylum seekers.

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

According to opinion polls, strong support for a rejection among those who say they will vote. To be valid, turnout needs to be over 50% of voters.

During the refugee crisis, Hungary became a transit state on the Western Balkan route to Germany and other EU destinations.

In an effort to curb the influx, Hungary sealed its border with Serbia and Croatia. The measure was popular at home but criticized by human rights groups.

Voters are being asked: “Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even without the approval of the National Assembly?”

In December 2015, Hungary filed a court challenge against the EU plan, which would see relocations over two years.

In a TV interview on September 29, Viktor Orban said: “If there are more <<no>> votes than <<yes>> votes, that means Hungarians do not accept the rule which the bureaucrats of the European Commission want to forcefully impose on us.”

“The more refugees there are, the greater the risk of terror,” the right-wing prime minister added, according to excerpts published by Reuters.

The EU proposal was meant to ease pressure on Greece and Italy, the main entry points for refugees into the bloc.

Ricardo Medina Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Joshua Sutter

Roy Siemens
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0
Ricardo Medina Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Joshua Sutter

Ricardo Medina has pleaded not guilty to murdering roommate Joshua Sutter with a sword.

Prosecutors say the ex-Power Rangers star stabbed Joshua Sutter several times in the stomach in 2015 at their house in Green Valley, a mountain town north of Los Angeles.ricardo-medina-murder-charge

It is claimed Ricardo Medina and Joshua Sutter were arguing over Medina’s girlfriend.

The 37-year-old actor could face 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

Authorities say after the attack, Ricardo Medina called emergency services and waited for police to arrive.

Speaking three days after the attack on January 31, 2015, Ricardo Medina said he was “very sorry”.

Ricardo Medina, who played the Red Ranger on Power Rangers Wild Force in 2002, said he and a female friend locked themselves in his bedroom after a row with Joshua Sutter.

He claimed Joshua Sutter kicked the door open, at which point he grabbed the sword to protect himself.

Ricardo Medina, who was initially arrested after calling 911, denies murder.

Ricardo Medina was also the voice of Deker on Power Rangers Samurai in 2011 and 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo3NhYQAwfo

Kashmir Dispute: Pakistani Cinemas Stop Screening of Bollywood Movies

Roy Siemens
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Kashmir Dispute: Pakistani Cinemas Stop Screening of Bollywood Movies

Major Pakistani cinemas and film distributors have banned the screening of Indian movies across the country in what they call an act of solidarity with Pakistan’s armed forces.

The movie boycotts have been announced in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

The decision follows a rise in military tensions between Pakistan and India over the divided territory of Kashmir.

It also follows September 29 move by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) to prohibit Pakistani actors and technicians from working on Bollywood sets.

Image source Flickr
Image source Flickr

At least one right-wing nationalist politician has ordered Pakistani actors to get out of India.

Bollywood movies are immensely popular in Pakistan, whose own movie industry is much slimmer.

Big Pakistani cinema chains and screens say they have taken a spontaneous decision not to show Indian movies for at least a couple of weeks, or until what they call normality returns in relations between the two countries.

They admit their cinemas may suffer financially because of the popularity of Bollywood movies in Pakistan.

Disputed Kashmir has been a flashpoint for decades and has sparked two wars.

On September 30, Indian villagers living close to the border with Pakistan fled their homes, the day after India said it had launched strikes targeting militants in Kashmir.

India said it conducted “surgical strikes” along the de facto border. Pakistan denied that, saying two of its soldiers died in cross-border shelling.

People from a number of villages in Punjab state were leaving amid fears the confrontation might escalate.

The current bout of violence was triggered by a September 18 attack on the army base in Uri in Indian-administered Kashmir where 18 soldiers died. It was the deadliest of its kind for years.

Narendra Modi’s BJP government, which came to power promising a tough line on Pakistan, has been under tremendous pressure to retaliate for what many in India believe is state-backed terrorism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7WOFiEVnU

Rosetta Probe Ends Its Mission by Crash-Landing on Comet 67P

James J. Williams
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Rosetta Probe Ends Its Mission by Crash-Landing on Comet 67P

Rosetta probe has ended its mission to Comet 67P by crash-landing on to the icy object’s surface on September 30.

The impact had occurred when radio contact to Rosetta was lost abruptly, mission control in Darmstadt, Germany, has confirmed.

The assumption is that the probe would have been damaged beyond use.

In the hours before the planned collision, the ageing probe sent back a host of high-resolution pictures and other measurements of the icy dirt-ball.

ESA mission manager Patrick Martin said: “I can announce full success of this historic descent of Rosetta towards Comet 67P.”

“Farewell Rosetta; you’ve done the job. That was space science at its best.”

Rosetta probe has arrived at comet 67P after a 10-year chase
Rosetta probe has arrived at comet 67P after a 10-year chase

Researchers expect all the data gathered at Comet 67P in the past two years to keep them busy for decades to come.

The loss of signal, which happened at 11:19 GMT (13:19 CEST), was greeted by muted cheers and handshakes – not so surprising given the bittersweet nature of the occasion.

Some of the scientists watching on here in Darmstadt have spent the better part of 30 years on this project.

The researchers had wanted the descending probe to get a look inside one of the many pits that pockmark the surface.

Some of the images that came back were acquired just seconds before the collision.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is currently heading away from the Sun, limiting the solar energy available to Rosetta to operate its systems.

Rather than put the probe into hibernation or simply let it slowly fade into inactivity, the mission team determined that the venture should try to go out with a bang.

ESA project scientist Matt Taylor said that even if Rosetta was sent to sleep with the intention of waking it up again when 67P next visited the brighter environs of the inner Solar System – there was no guarantee the technology would still be working properly.

Because Rosetta was not designed to land, some of its structures very likely broke on contact with the comet. Controllers left no room for doubt in any case by pre-loading a software sequence that would jump the computers into a shutdown when the probe felt a big jolt.

Rosetta arrived at 67P in August 2014, after a 10-year journey from Earth.

El Chapo Guzman’s Sons Suspected of Launching Sinaloa Attack

Diane A. Wade
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El Chapo Guzman’s Sons Suspected of Launching Sinaloa Attack

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s sons are suspected of launching an ambush on a military convoy in Mexico that left five soldiers dead, Mexican officials say.

The assault in the northern state of Sinaloa involved grenades and assault rifles.

According to officials, the attackers succeeded in freeing a wounded drugs suspect who had been captured earlier and was being taken to hospital.

At least ten people were injured.

Sinaloa is the stronghold of the drugs gang formerly headed by Joaquin Guzman.

El Chapo Guzman was recaptured in January.El Chapo Guzman extradition to US

Officials believe the ambush may have been organized by his sons, who are believed to have taken over the running of the cartel.

“Up this point we are not certain about this group, but it is very probable that it was the sons of Chapo,” said local military commander Gen. Alfonso Duarte.

Up to 60 gunmen set upon the vehicles, beating the soldiers and freeing a drugs suspect who was being taken to hospital.

According to officials, the suspect freed by the gunman has been identified as Julio Oscar Ortiz Vega, also known as “El Kevin”.

The gunmen stole the ambulance and a military truck burst into flames during the assault.

Mexican authorities believe the sons of Guzman have been involved in other violent episodes in recent weeks.

In August, one of them was kidnapped by a rival group. Another son, Ivan, is also said to be involved in cartel activities.

El Chapo Guzman’s brother, Aureliano Guzman Loera, also known as “El Guano”, is struggling for control of drug production against the Beltran Leyva drug cartel in the remote area, officials say.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was arrested in January after six months on the run following his escape through a tunnel in his jail cell.

He had already escaped a maximum security facility once before, spending 13 years at large.

A Mexican judge is considering the case to have El Chapo Guzman extradited to the US.

El Chapo Guzman is expected to appeal against any decision to extradite him and his lawyers say the process could take years to come to a conclusion.

Alfred Olango Death: Videos of El Cajon Police Shooting Released

Nancy Clayson
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Alfred Olango Death: Videos of El Cajon Police Shooting Released

San Diego police have released two videos of the fatal shooting of Alfred Olango, an unarmed black man, outside a shopping center on September 27.

The videos show two officers confronting Alfred Olango before one of them shoots him dead him in a car park the suburb of El Cajon.

According to police, Alfred Olango had been behaving erratically at the time.

However, his mother said he was having a mental breakdown and needed help.

Image source Facebook
Image source Facebook

The shooting of 38-year-old Alfred Olango, a Ugandan refugee, led to violent protests in El Cajon.

Police said they shot the man when he pulled an object that turned out to be an e-cigarette from his pocket and pointed it at a police officer.

One of the videos of the incident was recorded by a surveillance camera mounted at the window of a drive-thru restaurant, while another came from the mobile phone of a bystander.

In the second video, which lasts less than 20 seconds, a woman can be heard shouting: “Officer don’t shoot him!” before at least four shots ring out and she screams.

El Cajon police chief Jeff Davis said Alfred Olango died after one officer fired an electronic stun gun and another officer simultaneously fired his firearm several times.

Donald Trump Attacks Alicia Machado on Twitter

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Attacks Alicia Machado on Twitter

Republican candidate Donald Trump has attacked former beauty pageant winner Alicia Machado who criticized him for alleged sexist and misogynistic remarks as “disgusting”.

In a stream of tweets, Donald Trump urged Americans to examine Alicia Machado’s personal history and her “tape”.

Donald Trump implied rival candidate Hillary Clinton had secured US citizenship for Venezuelan-born Alicia Machado.

In response, Hillary Clinton tweeted: “This is unhinged, even for Trump.”

Image source Wikipedia
Image source Wikipedia

Alicia Machado says she was called “Miss Piggy” by Donald Trump when he owned the Miss Universe beauty pageant, after she put on weight after winning the title in 1996.

She also says Donald Trump called her “Miss Housekeeping” because of her Latina heritage.

Alicia Machado’s case was raised by Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate earlier this week as an example of Donald Trump’s attitude to women.

In his early-morning Twitter outburst, Donald Trump said Alicia Machado had a “terrible” past that a “duped” Hillary Clinton had overlooked before holding her up “as an ‘angel'”.

The Republican added: “Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out s** tape and past) Alicia M become a US citizen so she could use her in the debate?”

In her Twitter response, Hillary Clinton asked: “What kind of man stays up all night to smear a woman with lies and conspiracy theories?”

She added: “When something gets under Donald’s thin skin, he lashes out and can’t let go. This is dangerous for a president.”

According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump’s “s** tape” taunt appears to refer to footage from a Spanish reality show in 2005 in which Alicia Machado appeared on camera in bed with a male contestant. The grainy images were posted this week to a newspaper’s website.

In a statement on Instagram, Alicia Machado said: “The Republican candidate and his team are again generating attacks, insults and trying to resurrect false allegations on my life. Their purpose is to intimidate me, humiliate me and tip me off balance. The attacks are slanders and lies full of bad intentions, with no basis.

“With his hate campaign, the Republican candidate insists in discrediting and demoralizing a woman – one of his worse characteristics.”

Rodrigo Duterte Compares His Anti-Drug Campaign to Holocaust

Diane A. Wade
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0
Rodrigo Duterte Compares His Anti-Drug Campaign to Holocaust

President Rodrigo Duterte has compared the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign to the Holocaust, saying he would kill as many addicts as Hitler did Jews.

The Filipino president said: “Hitler massacred three million Jews… there’s three million drug addicts. I’d be happy to slaughter them.”

At least six million Jews as well as other minorities are known to have been killed by the Nazis.

Rodrigo Duterte has overseen a bloody crackdown on drug users and dealers since taking office in June.

According to official figures, more than 3,000 people have been killed in police operations or by vigilantes.

The bodies of those killed are often left out in public, with signs listing the crimes they were accused of.

Rodrigo Duterte has openly said he would “kill 100,000 criminals” to reduce crime in the Philippines.Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte

He was speaking in Davao, the city where as mayor he implemented a tough anti-crime policy and was accused of sanctioning death squads to kill criminals.

Rodrigo Duterte told reporters he had been “portrayed to be some cousin of Hitler” as he lashed out critics who he said were accusing him of genocide.

“Hitler massacred three million Jews, now, there is three million drug addicts. I’d be happy to slaughter them,” he said.

According to local news website Rappler, the most recent figures in the Philippines – released earlier in the week – suggests the number of drug users in the country is closer to 1.8 million, just 1.8% of the overall population.

Rodrigo Duterte’s rambling speech continued: “At least if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have…” – at which point he is reported to have pointed to himself.

His comments were criticized as “outrageous” by Jewish groups, Reuters reports.

“Duterte owes the [Holocaust] victims an apology for his disgusting rhetoric,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the US-based Simon Wiesenthal Center.

The US-based Jewish group the Anti-Defamation League said the comments were “inappropriate and deeply offensive”.

“It is baffling why any leader would want to model himself after such a monster,” said communications director Todd Gutnick.

Rodrigo Duterte also used the speech to once again accuse the West of hypocrisy over their criticism of his brutal crackdown.

“You US, EU. You can call me anything. But I was never into… hypocrisy like you,” he said.

“There are migrants escaping from the Middle East. You allow them to rot and then you’re worried about the death of about 1,000, 2,000, 3,000?”

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

A Trusted Global Brand in the Making

Dana R
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A Trusted Global Brand in the Making

Le-Vel Brands is generating so much buzz and excitement through its innovative dietary supplements that it is expanding exponentially. Indeed it is the ultimate goal of the Le-Vel Brands to soon have its logo everywhere as its reputation and fame increases in both the dietary supplement and direct sales industries. The rapid rise of Le-Vel Brands owes its success to the innovative weight and health management products that also generate extra income flows for its retailers and affiliates.

What Le-Vel Brands Supporters Say About the Company

Supporters and promoters of the Le-Vel Brands are quite vocal about their belief that this company is its way to becoming a trusted global brand. They are not only excited about the products and commissions rate plan the company offers today, but are also looking forward to having more great and innovative products in the future. Indeed, Le-Vel Brands’ true goal is to be known worldwide for its brand, not just products. The company, which was founded in 2012 by three veterans of the direct sales industry, aims to continue communicating its message of quality and passion to the world. The three founders of Le-Vel Brands, Paul Gravette, Justin Rouleau and Jason Camper never lose sight of the company’s ultimate goal: everything boils down to the quest of becoming a global premium lifestyle brand.

Image result for Le-Vel Brands

Why Everybody Else is Talking About the Le-Vel Brands

Much of the excitement surrounding the Le-Vel Brands is focused on its four core products that are marketed for people who wish to stay healthy and have more energy. The first two products in the lineup are Thrive M (weight management pills for men) and Thrive W (identical to Thrive M but is marketed to women). Both products contain natural ingredients such as green coffee bean and grape seed extracts as well as amino acid, vitamins and minerals. The third product is called the Thrive Premium Lifestyle Mix, which is also a weight management product that comes in whey protein form that can be added to smoothies and other drinks. The fourth product is the one that is generating the biggest excitement: the Thrive Premium Lifestyle DFT (Derma Fusion Technology), a skin patch that is meant to be worn on the skin for 24 hours to deliver its natural components straight to the bloodstream. The Thrive Premium Lifestyle DFT also supports weight and health management thanks to its blend of Cosmoperine (derived from black pepper to increase skin absorption), Garcinia Cambogia (also called the Malabar tamarind, it is a popular fruit that is often used to support weight loss), white willow bark, and green coffee bean extract.

Weight Management Made Even Easier with the Thrive Experience

Everybody knows that staying healthy requires commitment and effort. The Le-Vel Brands is making health and weight management even easier with its “Thrive Experience”, an eight-week plan that provides even more support to achieve fitness and health goal. When users of the Thrive products join the “Thrive Experience”, they will find it easier to stay healthy and have more energy.

The Survivalist Guide Infographic

Dana R
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The Survivalist Guide Infographic

Depending on which part of the world you reside, you may have a higher chance of facing certain types of natural disasters. However, whether you have a greater risk of earthquakes, blizzards, tornadoes or hurricanes is inconsequential for some of your prep work as there are a few items that show up across the board when creating an emergency survival kit.

Adequate food and water are must-haves. Calculate the proper sustenance for each family member per day. Include enough to get through a minimum of three days and preferably upwards of a week. Next, keep that first aid kit filled and up-to-date. Have tools such as flashlights, utility knives, batteries and utensils on hand as well as extra cash in case it is impossible to withdraw money from the bank or to access online accounts. Have a pair of sturdy shoes and a jacket that are waterproof or water-resistant, as well as warm clothing that is readily available.

To learn more about other types of things you should include in your emergency kit based on the category of disaster to which you are most prone, as well as how to respond should one occur, check out the following infographic.

Survivalist Guide Infographic

Weight Loss Supplements: Too Good To Be True?

Dana R
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0
Weight Loss Supplements: Too Good To Be True?

Medication, Pills, Food Supplements

Source: Pixabay

If you’ve ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, then you don’t need me to tell you how hard it can be. The food and exercise regimens we have to stick to require so much discipline, that it’s really no wonder there are so many different “miracle” solutions out there. One of the most common solutions in the “get thin quick” market is various weight burning supplements. With more and more of these popping up in our local health shops, many of us are left wondering if they’re too good to be true. Here, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths associated with weight loss supplements.

A young woman stretching outdoors before exercising : Free Stock Photo

Source: Free Stock Photos

The first, and most damaging myth everyone needs to be aware of, is that with weight loss supplements you don’t need to diet or exercise as much. Ask any dietitian or weight loss expert, or read the label of any weight loss supplement, and you’ll get the same answer time and time again. If you want to shed those pounds, you’ll need to combine your supplement intake with a healthy diet and regular, vigorous exercise. This is true even for weaker, over-the counter supplements. Sure, you can order orlistat tablets for weight loss easily enough. However, if you’re not combining these with a healthy diet and exercise, you won’t see much difference in your weight loss, and may experience some uncomfortable side effects. Many popular weight loss supplements work by stopping your gut from absorbing some of the fat that you eat. This means that if you eat too much fat in a meal, it will simply be flushed through, and you’ll end up feeling horribly bloated. Weight loss supplements aren’t intrinsically bad, but they can be fairly unhealthy if you don’t back them up with the correct lifestyle.

Another widely believed myth is that if the supplement is on the shelves of a health store, then it must be fine to take. If you have this attitude, then you’ve got a lot to learn! Although there’s certainly some degree of regulation for supplements in the UK, it can often be loose and inconsistent. While there are rules concerning the mineral and vitamin substances permitted for use in supplements, as well as the advertising and labelling, there are still certain supplements that slip through the net, and wind up on the shelves despite being useless or even detrimental to your health. This goes for all vitamins and supplements, not just the ones specifically marketed for weight loss. There have been many weight-loss supplements right from the shelves of health shops which have been found to be tainted with laxatives, prescription weight-loss drugs and diuretics. Various other medications which aren’t listed on the label can also be found in shelf-bought supplements. Before you take anything home and start taking it, always read the label and do your own research. If you notice some new product hitting the shelves, leave it alone for about a month before you consider buying it.

Slim burtă şi măsura tape

Source: Public Domain Pictures

Another commonly espoused myth about weight loss supplements is that they can be used to target the fat on certain parts of your body. As I’m sure you’re aware, there are many products and exercises which are supposed to reduce the fat in certain places. These promise to get rid of belly fat, bingo wings and so on. While you can certainly do exercises which will build muscle in certain areas, you can’t target one specific area for losing weight. When your body sheds weight, it’s shedding it from the entire body. Sure, some areas, like your belly, may have more fat than others. In many cases though, these will be the last stores to go after enough dieting and exercise. Despite what the ads would have you believe, you can’t get rid of the fat in one isolated area of the body by doing certain exercises, buying a muscle stimulation device, or indeed taking supplements. That’s not to say that weight loss supplements won’t help you in getting rid of the fat on certain areas of your body. They will, but they’ll also do the same thing for every other area of your body. We all have certain areas of our body which we’d like to change, but taking a certain supplement won’t get you there.

Hopefully, this post has given you a slightly clearer view of weight loss supplements. The next time you’re going to have a look around your local health store, make sure you’re not taken in by these myths!

Improving Technology and its Impact on the Consumer

Dana R
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Improving Technology and its Impact on the Consumer

Each day developments behind the scenes are continuously moving technology to new heights that benefit the consumer. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that people first got their chance in 13 states to choose their own electric company like Comed utilities, out of Illinois. Many people are now using this to explore other options, bringing competition to the table that for the first time has their interest in mind. Features like 24/7 access to customer service, disclosed hourly kWh rates, and being able to select a billing date and plan, are just a few of the items available to the consumer.

The reinvention of the light bulb

In addition to having the option to select your own electric service provider, many other companies were also inventing things that would greatly affect the electricity consumption per household. The CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) hit stores in the mid-1980s but due to their cost, bulky design and mercury content, they did not receive the billing they expected. It wasn’t until the redesign in the late 1990s that consumers gave them a try.

Today, these CFLs use LEDs, are mercury-free and instead of lasting for 3 to 7 years, they now have a life span of 13, 20 and 25-years. The prices are still higher in comparison to the original light bulb, however, with the reduced energy consumption (some costing less than $5.00 a year per a 3-hour a day usage), it offers you savings on all platforms, including replacements and yearly energy costs.

Image result for Improving Technology

New technology on the horizon

The age of the “Jetsons” seems to get closer with each passing year. Since the introduction of the home computer in the mid-1990s, more electronic devices are now making life easier. Cell phones, iPads, Notebooks and home security systems are just a few advancements that help families stay connected.

Today, many technicians and scientists are working on ways to boost home energy efficiency through the use of automated control systems for heating and cooling units, lighting and other systems.  This technology expects to reduce the cost by allowing you to use data such as outside air and room temperature, humidity, light level and occupancy, at a fraction of the cost offered by similar wireless sensors available today. These companies expect to improve how home appliances communicate and interact with each other with the electric grid.

New and improved electric appliances like heat pumps utilize existing hot and cool air in the home and redistribute them to other areas as needed. This can help to reduce energy consumption anywhere from 30 to 45-percent. This same technology is also in the early stages of development for use with your clothes dryer as well, giving you access to a smart dryer that can potentially lower energy consumption by up to 60-percent compared to dryers used today. Tinted pane windows, magnetic refrigerators and the next generation of foam insulation that leaves no gaps, creating a dense and efficient composition, are all in the late stages of development, soon to become available to the public.

The future of technology is here and it appears very bright for the consumer. These advancements expect to do away with the high energy bills making them a thing of the past, without sacrificing your level of comfort. By utilizing existing energy and placing it where you need it and inventing new ways to efficiently run appliances, the next generation will consume less energy and increase the use of eco-friendly sources.

Shimon Peres Funeral Under Way in Jerusalem

Diane A. Wade
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Shimon Peres Funeral Under Way in Jerusalem

Shimon Peres’ funeral is under way in Jerusalem before a large number of foreign dignitaries, including Barack Obama and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The former Israeli president died on September 28 at the age of 93.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu described Shimon Peres, one of Israel’s founding fathers, as “a great man of the world”, in his funeral eulogy.

A security crackdown ahead of the funeral ceremony has led to the “preventative arrests” of several people.

Mahmoud Abbas led a delegation of senior Palestinian officials in his first visit to Israel since 2010.

As a negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas was one of the people who signed the Oslo peace accords in 1993, for which Shimon Peres won a Nobel Peace Prize the year after, along with Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin.Shimon Peres hospitalized

A senior Palestinian official told the Associated Press that Mahmoud Abbas wanted to “send a strong message to Israeli society that the Palestinians are for peace, and appreciate the efforts of peaceful men like Shimon Peres”.

A spokesman for Hamas, the more hard-line Palestinian group which runs Gaza, called on Mahmoud Abbas to “retract his decision to participate in the funeral of the criminal Shimon Peres”.

Shimon Peres’ reputation in the region is complicated by the 1996 shelling of Qana in southern Lebanon that killed more than 100 people who were sheltering in a UN compound.

It happened when, as prime minister, Shimon Peres ordered an offensive against a wave of rocket fire by the militant Hezbollah movement.

He later said it was a “bitter surprise” to find that several hundred people were in the camp at the time.

Shimon Peres’ coffin was earlier escorted by a military honor guard from the parliament building in Jerusalem to Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery, where he will be laid to rest alongside many of the country’s former leaders.

Jordan and Egypt – the only two Arab countries to have signed peace deals with Israel – have both sent official representatives to the ceremony.

President Barack Obama is due to speak at the ceremony, along with Shimon Peres’ three children.

Shimon Peres’ body has been lying in state outside parliament in Jerusalem.

Israeli police say 8,000 officers have been deployed for the security operation as thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral.

Police chief Roni Alsheikh said it was “an operation on an unprecedented scale”.

The funeral is expected to be the largest such event in Israel since the funeral of PM Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by a Jewish nationalist in 1995.

Shimon Peres suffered a stroke two weeks ago and died in a hospital near Tel Aviv.

Saudi Arabia Warns US over 9/11 Lawsuit Bill

Diane A. Wade
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Saudi Arabia Warns US over 9/11 Lawsuit Bill

Saudi Arabia is concerned that 9/11 relatives will be able to sue the kingdom for damages, the foreign ministry says.

On September 28, the Congress voted for a law allowing families of nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks to sue.

In doing so they overrode a veto by President Barack Obama, who said it would set a “dangerous precedent”.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers that day were Saudi nationals, but Saudi Arabia has denied any role in the attacks.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said: “The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States.”

9/11 commemoration ceremony 2011: a minute of silence was held at 8:46 a.m. to mark the instant the first plane went into the North Tower

Their argument parallels the one made by Barack Obama.

The president said on CNN after the vote that the law set a “dangerous precedent” and could lead to the US being opened to “a situation where we’re suddenly exposed to liabilities for all the work that we’re doing all around the world and suddenly finding ourselves subject to private lawsuits”.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Republican Party in Congress have said they want to reconsider the law. The Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell admitted that lawmakers had not understood the possible consequences of the legislation.

“Everybody was aware of who the potential beneficiaries were but nobody really had focused on the downside in terms of our international relationships,” he said.

The White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it was “a pretty classic case of rapid onset buyer’s remorse”.

On CNN, Barack Obama also suggested that that voting patterns in Congress were influenced by political concerns.

“If you’re perceived as voting against 9/11 families right before an election, not surprisingly, that’s a hard vote for people to take,” he said.

“But it would have been the right thing to do.”

Saudi Arabia, the US key ally in the Middle East, had lobbied furiously against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism (Jasta) legislation.

It has stopped short of specifying how it might retaliate but has called on Congress to reverse the decision.

Relatives of those killed in 9/11 have welcomed the bill’s passing.

“We rejoice in this triumph and look forward to our day in court and a time when we may finally get more answers regarding who was truly behind the attacks,” said Terry Strada, national chair of the 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism.

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