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5 Strategies for Improving Your Golf Game

Clyde K. Valle
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5 Strategies for Improving Your Golf Game
Image by HeungSoon from Pixabay

Golf is one of the world’s biggest sports and is a great way to stay healthy and keep fit. It is also an amazingly competitive sport that lets you compete with yourself as you try to get a lower and lower score on your local courses. Here we have five strategies that should help a golfer of any level of ability to improve their golf game.

Know Your Clubs

The chances are you have the right club in your bag for every shot you need to make. Many golfers, even semi-professionals, don’t know enough about their clubs and the distances they are capable of reaching. Practice with your clubs at the driving range to get a better idea of the distances and shots you can make with your clubs, so you are better informed when you are on the course.

Know Your Hazards

The biggest challenge on the golf course for many golfers is getting past the hazards like sand bunkers and lakes and streams.

Hazards like bunkers are usually man-made and have been put there intentionally to make a hole more difficult to play. These bunkers are usually placed before the green to make your approach more challenging, so a good technique is to over hit your shot to fly over the hazard and work back to the green from the far side.

Be careful with water hazards. Many golfers will plan an overhit shot to make sure they land comfortably clear of the water, but then have to hit back towards to get back on the fairway or green. Don’t go with too much club when you are near water; give yourself enough range to get to the other side, just. The worst thing about facing a water hazard is hitting so hard you have to face the same hazard twice to stay on the course.

Practice Makes Perfect

Getting out to the course can be difficult. Weather and family commitments can often prevent you from practicing your shots and getting the extra time you need to improve your game. A golf launch monitor lets you practice at home and provides very precise ball data that can help you correct mistakes and develop your shots.

The Most Important Yard is in Your Head

If you don’t have your head in the right place when you golf, you are going to have a bad day on the course. Golf should be relaxing and fun, and a place you can go to get away from the stresses and strains of life. Taking your trouble to the golf course will cause you trouble while you play.

Don’t play angry is great advice. Use golf as a way to clear your mind and concentrate on one thing – and do that thing well. Your greatest competitor on the course is yourself, so get your head in the right place to play. You will see your game improve and reduce the number of strokes it takes you to get around the course.

Analyze Your Game

The biggest mistake most golfers make is not analyzing their game, replaying their best and worst shots in their head, and looking for places they can improve their technique.

Think about your best shots and what made them work. Posture and swing are important in every golf shot, so you need to know what you did right so you can bring those elements to other areas of your golf game. Know your weaknesses too. You could spend hours practicing your drive, but if your putting lets you down, you are not going to improve. Take some time to strengthen the weaker aspects of your game to reduce the number of shots you have to take.

With these five tips, you should be able to knock some strokes off your game and sink your balls in fewer strokes when you go out on the course.           

Market Research Methods Guaranteed to Increase Your Revenue

Clyde K. Valle
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Market Research Methods Guaranteed to Increase Your Revenue

Market research is one of the most valuable methods to gain insight and data to your target market. By conducting market research, you learn exactly how your customers think, what their habits are, how much they are willing to spend, and how you can stand out from your competition.

With all of this data, you are guaranteed to create a killer strategy for your business and increase your revenue year after year. These are some of the most effective market research methods for your business.

Interviews

There is no better way to gain insight to your consumer market than sitting down face-to-face and interviewing them. Have a list of questions ready to ask them about their spending habits, where they get their news, and what they think about your product.

This insight will help you understand the wants and needs of your customers so you can tailor your product or service to meet them. It also gives you insight on how to position your brand to stand out to your customers.

While this process may be time consuming and tedious, it is worth the effort.

Surveys

How many survey opportunities do you come across every day? There are millions of surveys available online just waiting to collect data. Take advantage of the survey culture and create your own for your market research.

There are a few different ways to go about collecting data from surveys.

The first is to have an online survey with an incentive. This incentive can be a coupon for your product or a free piece of literature.

The second is interactive voice response surveys done over the phone. This allows you to reach consumers directly and gives them an easy way to answer your questions.

Lastly, send out surveys by referral to your own network and your team or employees’ network.

Competitive Analysis

Know where you stand in your industry with a competitive analysis. This type of market research studies your competitors and how they are conducting business within your market.

This data will give you insight on what you need to do for your business to stand out from your competition. Take what your competition is doing and do it better!

Pricing Research

Another essential market research method is to study the pricing aspect of your consumers. You can include these questions in your interviews and surveys or take data from studies that have already been done.

This data will tell you what your target market is willing to spend on your product. With this data, you can price your product or service accordingly to appeal to customers and increase your sales.

Secondary Research

If you are running a small business or startup and don’t have the budget to spend on large market research studies, you can always take data from secondary sources. There are thousands of studies done each year on different markets and this data is available to you either for free or for a minimal cost.

President Trump Discharged from Hospital

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Discharged from Hospital
Image source Flickr

President Donald Trump has been released from hospital and returned to the White House to continue his treatment for coronavirus after a three-night hospital stay.

The president, who is still contagious, removed his mask on the balcony of the White House, while posing for pictures.

Donald Trump’s physician said he would continue treatment from there, and he “may not entirely be out of the woods yet”.

Several of President Trump’s staff and aides have also tested positive for the virus in recent days.

Questions remain over the seriousness of the president’s illness after a weekend of conflicting statements.

The US remains the country worst-hit by Covid-19, with 210,000 deaths and 7.4 million cases.

President Trump’s diagnosis has upended his campaign for a second term in office, less than a month before the Republican president faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the presidential election.

Wearing a navy business suit, tie and mask, President Trump walked out of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the Washington DC suburbs on Monday evening pumping his fist.

After a short helicopter ride, the president was pictured alone on the Truman Balcony of the White House. He removed his protective face mask, before giving a thumbs-up and a military-style salute.

A couple of hours later, he tweeted a campaign-style clip of his return set to stirring music.

President Trump also recorded a video message, urging Americans to get back to work.

“You’re going to beat it [coronavirus],” he told them.

“We’re going to be out front. As your leader, I had to do that. I knew there’s danger to it, but I had to do it. I stood out front, and led.”

President Trump also speculated: “Now I’m better, maybe I’m immune, I don’t know”.

President Trump Criticized for Leaving Hospital for Car Ride

President Trump Flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Covid-19

The WHO says it is too early to know if people who have recovered from Covid-19 are protected from a second infection, and if so, how long this protection might last. President Trump’s own medical team does not consider him to be fully recovered yet.

He also promised that vaccines were “coming momentarily”, although the CDC has said no vaccine is expected to be widely available before the middle of next year.

Before leaving hospital, President Trump told Americans in a tweet not to fear the disease and said he would be back on the campaign trail “soon”.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden said he was “glad” the president appeared to be “coming along pretty well”.

However, Joe Biden criticized President Trump, saying: “Anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying masks don’t matter, social distancing doesn’t matter, I think is responsible for what happens to them.”

According to US public health guidelines, President Trump should remain in isolation for up to 10 days after symptoms first appear. The White House says the president first started to appear ill on October 1, and later tested positive.

His physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said on October 5 that the president, whose oxygen levels dipped twice over the weekend, would be “surrounded by world-class medical care 24/7” at the White House.

Dr. Conely refused to answer questions about when President Trump last received a negative test or to go into the specifics of his treatment. He would not offer details regarding the president’s scans to check for pneumonia, citing patient protection laws.

President Trump Criticized for Leaving Hospital for Car Ride

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Criticized for Leaving Hospital for Car Ride
Image source Flickr

President Donald Trump’s decision to greet supporters in a drive-past outside the hospital where he is being treated for Covid-19 has been widely questioned by medical experts.

There are concerns the president, who wore a mask, may have endangered Secret Service staff inside the car.

However, White House spokesperson Judd Deere said the trip on October 4 had been “cleared by the medical team as safe”.

Questions remain over the seriousness of President Trump’s illness after conflicting statements over the weekend.

Donald Trump has been in hospital since October 2, after he announced hours earlier he had tested positive for the virus.

Covid-19 has infected n

Nearly 7.4 million have been infected in the US and nearly 210,000 people died across the country, according to Johns Hopkins University.

President Trump’s diagnosis has upended his election campaign, as he faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden on November 3.

A growing number of people around the president, including First Lady Melania Trump, senior aides and Republican senators, have tested positive with the virus.

President Trump waved to well-wishers from behind the glass of a sealed car after tweeting that he would leave Walter Reed hospital, near Washington, to pay a “surprise visit” to “patriots” outside. Inside the car, at least two people could be seen wearing protective gear in the front seats, with President Trump sat in the back.

Experts say Donald Trump’s short car trip broke public health advice to quarantine when seeking treatment for the virus, and may have put Secret Service agents inside the vehicle at risk of infection.

“That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of Covid-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures,” tweeted Dr James Philips, a doctor at the same hospital where the president is being treated.

Those inside the president’s car would now need to quarantine for 14 days, he said.

President Trump Flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Covid-19

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Democrats have also criticized the trip, with House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries tweeting: “We need leadership. Not photo ops.”

However, the White House’s Judd Deere defended the move, saying “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it, including PPE [personal protective equipment]”. Meanwhile, NBC News reports that the first lady, who has remained at the White House with mild symptoms, decided against visiting her husband in hospital because of the risks to staff.

“She has Covid,” an unnamed official told NBC on October 3.

“That would expose the agents who would drive her there and the medical staff who would walk her up to him.”

Over the weekend it emerged President Trump’s condition was more serious than previously reported when he went to hospital on October 2.

The White House had said the president was experiencing “mild symptoms” of Covid-19, but then it was confirmed that he had received extra oxygen after his levels dipped twice in two days.

He was also given the steroid dexamethasone, which is normally reserved for serious cases, according to experts.

On October 4, White House Physician Dr. Sean Conley addressed widespread confusion over the state of President Trump’s health, after conflicting accounts from him and the president’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

Dr. Sean Conley had offered an upbeat prognosis on October 3, which was later contradicted by Mark Meadows who said the president’s vital signs the previous 24 hours had been “very concerning”.

Dr. Conley told reporters on October 4: “I was trying to reflect an upbeat attitude of the team and the president about the course his illness has had.

“I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction.”

There is skepticism over the prospect – raised by doctors earlier – that President Trump could leave hospital as early as October 5.

Coronavirus: France to Close Paris Bars as Covid-19 Cases Spike

Nancy Clayson
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Coronavirus: France to Close Paris Bars as Covid-19 Cases Spike
Image source: Max Pixel

Starting with October 6, Paris will shut all bars completely as the French government raises the city’s coronavirus alert to maximum following a sustained period of high infection rates.

The restrictions will last two weeks, with full details to be announced on October 5, PM Jean Castex’s office announced.

On October 4, France reported 12,565 cases of Covid-19.

The southern city of Marseille closed bars and restaurants last week.

France’s maximum alert level comes into force when the infection rate in a locality exceeds 250 per 100,000 people and at least 30% of intensive care beds are reserved for Covid-19 patients.

The prime minister’s office explained in a statement: “These measures, indispensable in the fight to curb the virus’ spread, will apply to Paris and the three departments immediately surrounding it, for a duration of two weeks.”

Paris restaurants will have to put in place new sanitary arrangements in order to stay open and university lecture halls must be no more than half-full.

Restaurants and bistros that serve food as well as alcohol can stay open, as long as they register contact details from customers and shut their doors at 22:00.

Working from home must be prioritized “now more than ever”, the statement said.

On September 26, Marseille, France’s second city, closed all bars, restaurants and gyms for two weeks. Public venues including theatres, museums and cinemas have also had to close unless they could introduce strict anti-viral measures.

The measure prompted anger from local officials who said they were not consulted.

Coronavirus: Partial Lockdown Imposed on Madrid

On October 4, France reported nearly 17,000 infections, its highest rate since the country started widespread testing.

The French government says it doesn’t want to order another nationwide lockdown, but will enforce tougher measures in those cities where the virus is concentrated.

Elsewhere in Europe, a state of emergency has been introduced in the Czech Republic as the government struggles to control a resurgence in coronavirus. From Monday new measures will be in place for two weeks, including closing secondary schools and limiting restaurants and bars to six customers per table. Primary schools will remain open. Over the past two weeks the Czechs had the second highest number of new cases per 100,000 in Europe after Spain, and the fourth highest number of deaths.

President Trump Flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Image source Flickr

President Donald Trump has been flown to Walter Reed Military Hospital for treatment after testing positive for coronavirus.

The president tweeted after his arrival: “Going well, I think!”

According to recent reports, his symptoms include a low-grade fever.

President Trump has so far been treated with an experimental drug cocktail injection and the antiviral medication remdesivir after both he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19.

In exactly one month, President Trump faces Joe Biden in the presidential election.

His diagnosis has upended his campaign and also cast doubt on his attempt to get a new Supreme Court judge confirmed before polling day.

The latest update from President Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, in a memorandum late on October 2, read: “I am happy to report the president is doing very well.”

He said the president was not in need of supplemental oxygen.

President Trump was taken to hospital “out of an abundance of caution” with “mild symptoms” and would be there for the “next few days”, the White House said.

The list of other people to have tested positive around the president include close aide Hope Hicks – believed to be the first to show symptoms – campaign manager Bill Stepien and former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. Republican Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis have also tested positive.

President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Covid-19

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President Donald Trump remains in charge. VP Mike Pence, to whom under the constitution the president would transfer power temporarily should he become too ill to carry out his duties, tested negative.

Wearing a mask and suit, President Trump walked out across the White House lawn on October 2 at 18:15 to his helicopter, Marine One, for the short flight to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center close to Washington DC.

He waved and gave a thumbs-up to reporters but said nothing before boarding the aircraft.

In an 18-second video posted to Twitter, President Trump said: “I think I’m doing very well. But we’re going to make sure that things work out. The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much.”

Ivanka and Eric Trump re-tweeted his post, praising him as a “warrior”. Ivanka Trump added: “I love you dad.”

Donald  Trump Jr. said his father was “obviously taking it very seriously”.

The president was admitted to the presidential suite at Walter Reed, which is where US presidents usually have their annual check-up.

Shortly before midnight, he tweeted again: “Going well, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!”

Dr. Sean Conley, said the president was “not requiring any supplemental oxygen, but in consultation with specialists we have elected to initiate remdesivir therapy. He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably”.

Tests have shown remdesivir, originally developed as an Ebola treatment, disrupts the new coronavirus’s ability to duplicate and can cut the duration of symptoms.

On October 2, Dr. Conley said President Trump had “as a precautionary measure received an 8g dose of Regeneron’s antibody cocktail” at the White House.

Coronavirus: Partial Lockdown Imposed on Madrid

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: Partial Lockdown Imposed on Madrid
Edificio Metropolis

Spain’s federal government has imposed new restrictions on more than three million people living in Madrid as the country tries to control the most serious second wave of Covid-19 infections in Europe.

From this weekend, people living in the Spain’s capital can travel outside their home districts for essential journeys only.

Bars and restaurants cannot serve after 10PM. A maximum of six people are permitted to meet in any setting.

The measures have been demanded by Spain’s federal government.

They also take effect in nine towns around Madrid.

The restrictions have been resisted by Madrid’s city authorities, which tried to use the courts to block their imposition. Madrid’s justice minister said it would cost the capital’s economy €8 billion and regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso wrote on Twitter: “Thanks for the chaos, [Prime Minister] Pedro Sánchez.”

Signs of the second wave of coronavirus infections now breaking over Spain can be seen at the emergency admission unit of the 12 de Octubre hospital, one of the biggest in Madrid.

Every hour ambulances arrive with new patients.

Some of the patients are helped into wheelchairs; others, already needing oxygen, have to be stretchered in by medical staff wearing full protective gear.

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A red warning signal indicating the seriousness of Spain’s predicament is that, at many hospitals across Madrid, existing ICU’s are again full with Covid-19 patients.

Hospitals are being forced to use overflow capacity prepared at the height of the pandemic, including beds usually reserved for burns patients and for post-operative recovery.

At La Paz Hospital, another of Madrid’s biggest, all 30 ICU critical care beds are occupied.

Some 10,000 new Covid-19 cases are now being identified in Spain each day.

On October 2, there were 11,325 new infections and 113 deaths.

Around one in four of all tests being done have been coming back positive, another warning signal about the prevalence of the new coronavirus.

Breonna Taylor Death: Grand Jury Tapes Released

Nancy Clayson
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Breonna Taylor Death: Grand Jury Tapes Released

In a rare disclosure, recordings from the grand jury investigation into the Breonna Taylor police shooting case have been released.

Some 15 hours of audio were made public on October 2, following a lawsuit.

The recent decision not to charge any officers for Breonna Taylor’s killing on March 13 renewed outcry over racial inequities.

Unrest gripped Breonna Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky for days afterward.

With roughly 15 hours of audio released, not all the details have yet been reviewed.

However, early reviews of the tapes reveal testimony from at least two Louisville police officers who said that they knocked several times and announced themselves as police before entering Breonna Taylor’s apartment.

“We knocked on the door, said ‘police’, waited I don’t know 10 or 15 seconds. Knocked again, said ‘police’, waited even longer,” said Louisville police lieutenant Shawn Hoover in an interview recorded on the day Breonna Taylor was shot, later played for the grand jury.

“So it was the third time that we were approaching, it had been like 45 seconds if not a minute,” Shawn Hoover said.

“And then I said, ‘Let’s go, let’s breach it.'”

The officers were so loud, one testified, that a neighbor came outside saying something like “Leave that girl alone,” Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly said.

Whether or not the officers announced themselves before entering has been questioned by Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, and a number of her neighbors.

Kenneth Walker, who fired at police, said he did so in self-defense, believing the officers to be intruders.

In a police interview played for the grand jury, Kenneth Walker said that they had not heard police identify themselves before they entered her apartment. If they had, “it changes the whole situation because there was nothing for us to be scared of,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

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Officer Myles Cosgrove – who the FBI said fired the shot that killed Breonna Taylor – described a chaotic scene to investigators, in which he was “overwhelmed with bright flashes and darkness”, and seemed confused by the precise order of events.

“I just sense that I’ve fired,” he said in a recording, according to the New York Times.

“It’s like a surreal thing. If you told me I didn’t do something at that time, I’d believe you. If you told me I did so something, I’d probably believe you, too.”

When police entered the apartment, they encountered a figure who looked as if he or she was holding some type of long gun, said officer Brett Hankinson in a recorded police interview.

Brett Hankinson has since been charged with wanton endangerment for firing shots into an adjoining apartment.

However, Kenneth Walker was holding a handgun, not a long gun.

He told investigators he was “scared to death” when he heard banging on the apartment door, the New York Times said. He said he fired one shot from his gun before he could see who was at the door.

“All of a sudden there’s a whole lot of shots,” he said.

“Next thing I know, she’s [Breonna’s] on the ground… And she’s right here bleeding. And nobody’s coming and I’m just confused and scared.”

Grand jury deliberations and prosecutor recommendations were not recorded, and so were not included in the released material.

The death of Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical worker, during a police raid in March has been a high-profile case, prompting protests against police misconduct and racial inequality.

Breonna Taylor was shot dead at age 26 when officers Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove stormed her Louisville home. They were executing a search warrant as part of a drugs investigation.

Last week, Brett Hankison was charged with wanton endangerment, but no-one was charged in connection with Ms Taylor’s death.

The decision not to charge any officer with murder or manslaughter has led to repeated Black Lives Matter protests in Louisville and elsewhere.

It also prompted questions over the handling of the case by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with critics calling for greater transparency.

President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Covid-19

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Covid-19
Image source Wikimedia

President Donald Trump has announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for Covid-19 and are now in quarantine.

Donald Trump, aged 74, and therefore in a high-risk group, tweeted: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”

It comes after Hope Hicks, one of the president’s closest aides, tested positive.

President Trump’s announcement comes just over a month before the presidential elections on November 3 where he faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Hope Hicks, 31, travelled with President Trump on Air Force One to the first presidential TV debate with Joe Biden in Ohio on September 29. Some of Donald Trump’s family members who attended the debate were seen not wearing masks.

President Trump has mostly spurned mask-wearing and has often been pictured not socially distanced with aides or others during official engagements.

More than 7.2 million Americans have been infected so far and the new coronavirus killed more than 200,000 of them.

Donald Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, released a statement on October 1, saying the president and the first lady were “both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence”.

“Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments,” the statement said.

The physician provided no further details.

According to President Trump’s most recent physical examination earlier this year, he weighed 244lb. This is considered to be obese for his height of 6.3ft.

However, Dr Conley stated at the time that the president “remains healthy”. President Trump will also have the best medical care available.

The CDC says a person must go in quarantine for 10 days after a positive test.

President Trump said he and his wife, who is 50, were going into quarantine after Hope Hicks’s positive test.

The president tweeted: “Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible!

“The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!”

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It is not clear how President Trump’s positive test will affect arrangements for the second presidential debate, which is scheduled for October 15 in Miami, Florida.

Donald Trump is not the first world leader to have tested positive. Earlier this year, British PM Boris Johnson and Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro were infected. They both have since recovered, although Boris Johnson had to receive regular oxygen treatment to help his breathing during hospitalization.

In May, VP Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller tested positive and later recovered.

That same month, a member of the US Navy who was serving as one of President Trump’s personal valets tested positive.

The White House said at the time that neither the president nor vice-president were affected.

National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, a number of Secret Service agents, a Marine One pilot and a White House cafeteria worker have also tested positive.

The White House tests aides and anyone else who comes into contact with the president daily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-Zossc5vMk

Jimmy K Lauder Case: Will Kim Ogg Deliver Justice In Houston Family Arson Case?

Nancy Clayson
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Jimmy K Lauder Case: Will Kim Ogg Deliver Justice In Houston Family Arson Case?
Image source: Getty Images

Press release

Jimmy Klayton Lauder now admits he set his Houston house on fire while his wife and two little children were inside. Friday morning, October 2nd, we will find out his fate.

For nearly two years Dolcefino Consulting has watched the case closely as the family of the victims seek justice from Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

“Everyone in Houston should be paying attention to this case. Protecting crime victims is what Kim Ogg said she was going to do when she was in office. Instead, she has given get out of jail free cards to so many criminals,” said Wayne Dolcefino, President of Dolcefino Consulting.

“The District Attorney owes this family justice.”

Jimmy K Lauder, 31, has agreed to plead guilty to the arson at his home while his family was inside, but he refuses to take responsibility for the additional crime of endangering a family member. The family demands the District Attorney fight to send Lauder to prison.

“It is my wish that we get justice and that he gets the time that he deserves for the crime that he’s done and for the pain and suffering that he has put our family through,” said Tessie Fraysur, mother of Lauder’s now ex-wife, during a press conference in February of 2019. The fire was set in December of 2018—that is how long this family has waited for justice.

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Kim Ogg has come under fire recently for her soft on crime tactics and has been criticized by former prosecutors for putting politics before justice. Just this week she was dealt another embarrassment as a judge dismissed the criminal case against Arkema executives. There were allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and other ethical violations by the DA’s office in the case.

At 9 a.m. on October 2nd, 2020, Judge Brian E. Warren will set punishment on arson charges. The hearing will be held virtually in the 209th Criminal Court.

Agency Care Or Independent Care? Your Complete Pros and Cons List For Deciding on Caregiving

Kathryn R. Bown
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Agency Care Or Independent Care? Your Complete Pros and Cons List For Deciding on Caregiving
Photo credit Matthias Zomer

When it comes to caregivers, we are spoilt for choices. From family caregivers to home care agencies to independent caregivers; we have numerous options at our disposal.

Generally, family caregivers shoulder the responsibility of taking care of senile members in their family, but a few remain unaware of how to get paid as a family caregiver and have to abandon their responsibilities due to financial issues, leaving home care agencies and independent caregivers as the two viable options.

Both home care agencies and independent caregivers provide an assortment of services, making it difficult for the families to choose the apt one. However, by reflecting on certain factors, you can make a sound choice.  The factors listed below can help you decide which one is the best for you.

Factor #1: Cost                          

The cost of the service is one of the most relevant questions that pop up while choosing between agency care and independent caregivers.

A caregiver agency takes a fat paycheque in exchange for its services, which is duly justified considering the quality of the service they offer. The agencies do not let you worry about the tedious tasks like tax paperwork, insurance requirements, payroll details, employee background checks, reference checks, etc., and hence, save your valuable time and effort.

Independent caregivers, on the other hand, cost you much less as compared to the caregiver agencies. However, they leave you with the responsibilities of all the paperwork and background investigations.

Factor #2: Quality

The quality of care or services is not a debatable factor as it largely depends on the interpersonal skills, background, and training of the caregiver.

However, when talking inclusively, the agencies score better in terms of quality of services. They always send qualified, certified, trained, and licensed caregivers to you. Moreover, they carry out a thorough background check of their employees.

Factor #3: Types of services

Caregivers are trained to provide an array of services to the aging, ailing, and disabled people. They provide medical care like wound care, monitoring vital status, administering injections, etc, and also assist the recipients in their day-to-day activities, like walking, eating, getting dressed, etc.

Independent caregivers go the extra mile by assisting the recipients in the instrumental activities, like running errands, going shopping, taking them for a short walk or to the doctor, etc.

If you are looking for a caregiver, well-versed at providing medical care to the recipient, seeking help from an agency will be a better option as finding a trained and licensed independent caregiver may take months. However, the caregiver assigned by the agency won’t run errands for you as it will be against their company’s rules.

Factor #4: Ease of hiring

Of course, hiring a caregiver from an agency is much easier than looking for an independent caregiver.

With home care agencies, you just need to go through a simple process- tell them what you want, and they lead you to a perfect caregiver who checks all your boxes.

Factor #5: Coverage for sick days or vacations

All human beings, including doctors, nurses, and caregivers, fall sick. When a private caregiver falls sick or takes a break for any reason, you won’t have any backup. You will have to walk into the caregiver’s shoes and take care of things until they resume their duty.

But, with a home care agency, you will always have someone to swoop in for the off duty caregiver. If a caregiver is sick, has a family emergency, or goes on a vacation, the agency appoints someone else to cover for them, brushing all worries off your head. 

Bottom Line

Hiring a caregiver for our loved ones is an inevitable decision that we all make at some point in our lives.  We hope this information helps you in making the right choice.

Presidential Debate 2020: Donald Trump and Joe Biden Clash in Bitter Debate

Diane A. Wade
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0
Presidential Debate 2020: Donald Trump and Joe Biden Clash in Bitter Debate
Image source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Joe Biden have fiercely clashed in the first of the three White House debates.

The Republican president frequently interrupted, prompting the Democratic candidate to tell him to “shut up” as the two fought over the pandemic, healthcare and the economy.

Donald Trump was challenged over white supremacist support and refused to condemn a specific far-right group.

Opinion polls suggest Joe Biden has a steady single-digit lead over President Trump.

However, with 35 days until Election Day, surveys from several important states show a closer contest.

Polls also suggest one in ten Americans have yet to make up their mind how to vote. But analysts said the September 29 debate – the first of three – probably would not make much difference.

Overall, the 90-minute debate in Cleveland, Ohio, was light on serious policy discussion. Both candidates talked over each other but President Trump cut in some 73 times, according to a count by CBS News.

The tenor became clear early on as the two candidates sparred over healthcare. Hectoring from Donald Trump saw Joe Biden call the president a “clown”.

As they moved on to the Supreme Court, the rancor continued, with Joe Biden refusing to answer when asked if he would try to expand the number of judges.

“Will you shut up, man?” Joe Biden snapped at President Trump, later adding: “Keep yapping, man.”

President Trump responded: “The people understand, Joe. Forty-seven years [in politics], you’ve done nothing. They understand.”

Amy Coney Barrett is President Trump’s Nomination for Supreme Court

Notorious RBG: Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies Aged 87

In one of the most talked about exchanges of the night, Donald Trump was asked by the moderator, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, if he was prepared to condemn white supremacists.

President Trump initially said he would but when asked to denounce the far-right Proud Boys group by name, he sidestepped.

He said: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about antifa and the left.”

The Proud Boys, an anti-immigrant, all-male group, took to social media to celebrate.

“Standing down and standing by sir,” it posted on Telegram.

Antifa, short for “anti-fascist”, is a loose affiliation of far-left activists that often clash with the far right at street protests.

Joe Biden said Donald Trump had “panicked” over the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans.

“A lot of people died and a lot more are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter, a lot quicker,” he said.

President Trump objected to Joe Biden using the word “smart”.

“You graduated either the lowest or almost the lowest in your class,” he said.

“Don’t ever use the word smart with me. Don’t ever use that word.”

Local rules required everyone in the room to wear masks but of the president’s family members present, only First Lady Melania Trump donned a face covering during the debate.

Due to the pandemic, the forum at Case Western Reserve University had a small, socially distanced audience and the traditional opening handshake was skipped.

How to Prevent Hair Loss for Men

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
How to Prevent Hair Loss for Men
Image by Sammy-Williams from Pixabay

Root cause

By the age of 35, approximately 66% of men will have experienced hair loss according to the American Hair Loss Association. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Hair loss can be a result of many factors but the most common reason is androgenic alopecia (according to the American Hair Loss Association, 95% of hair loss in men is caused by androgenic alopecia). Androgenic Alopecia is a genetic condition that can affect both men and women. It is also called male pattern baldness (for men). Eventually, the hairline will recede. There will be loss of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. It can start affecting men from as early as their teens or in their early twenties. Other causes of hair loss include hormones, stress, illness, ringworm, drugs, cosmetic products, medical conditions, and even diet. Scientists are only just beginning to understand the process known as miniaturization. Miniaturization refers to the process of hair thinning that leads to pattern baldness.

Is there a cure for hair loss?

Yes, there is. But be careful when choosing hair loss treatment. Many products will be offered as a solution. Despite these numerous offerings, there are still only two medically approved drugs for the treatment of hair loss. The two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are minoxidil and finasteride. There are also several products like shampoos and vitamin supplements that can be useful for resolving hair loss.

Talk to an expert first

There is a tendency for individuals to self-diagnose the cause of their hair loss. With the internet, individuals throw themselves into an avalanche of hair growth products that promise hair restoration with ridiculous timeframes specified. The advisable thing should always be to seek professional opinions on how to restore hair. Always speak to physicians about hair loss problems. As mentioned earlier, the causes of hair loss are several. Different approaches will be required to treat them. Several outfits that offer hair loss treatments have dedicated professionals available for consultation about hair loss. Several organizations offer avenues where you can speak with professionals who work with personal information to provide the right diagnosis for hair treatment. Hair loss information is important. It is advisable to seek expert opinions before taking any step.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Hair loss treatment

Minoxidil had been used in the past to treat high blood pressure. However, scientists would discover that one of its side effects was hair growth in unexpected areas. It has since been approved by the FDA to treat hair loss. The minoxidil lotion is applied. Theoretically, it expands the blood vessels and it opens potassium channels. This allows more flow of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicles. The minoxidil lotion is applied to the scalp, and it is to be used regularly for a positive result. Discontinuation of minoxidil allows hair loss to continue. Note that it does not help the hormonal process of hair loss. Organizations like Myhair.life offer Minoxidil alongside shampoo and supplements to help combat hair loss.

Since 1992, finasteride has been approved for the treatment of hair loss by the FDA. It is still being used to treat enlarged prostates. It is taken orally. It decreases the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate gland and the scalp. It protects endangered hair follicles from being affected by the hormone. It has to be taken daily for effectiveness.

Dutasteride also helps to treat male pattern baldness and is also used to treat enlargement of the prostate, just like finasteride. While it is often more effective than finasteride, it has not been approved by the FDA. It is still used as a treatment for hair loss in other countries. Discontinuation also leads to continued hair loss.

Cosmetic surgery

For hair transplants, hair from thicker parts of the head or even other body parts is grafted to the thinner sections of the scalp. While there are emerging medications to treat hair loss, more people are choosing hair transplants to solve the problem. According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, between 10-80 percent of the transplanted hair will fully grow in an estimated three to four months.

In conclusion

Before taking any steps, it is important to consult an expert. Find a dermatologist close and seek advice. Consultations to get to the root of the problem help narrow down the approach to take. By seeing a board-certified dermatologist, individuals can get in on inside secrets that help with hair loss. These are tailored to individual needs.

Amit Raizada on Healthy Eating in the COVID World

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
Amit Raizada on Healthy Eating in the COVID World

Over the course of six months of quarantine, Americans have been desperate for things to do. To cure some of the boredom, many have taken up new hobbies, learned new languages and started new home improvement projects. But with more free time than ever, many have turned to exercise, seeking to shed a few pounds during quarantine, explore some new trails, or achieve some fitness milestones.

But when it comes to personal fitness, exercise is but one side of the coin. A proper diet is just as integral to maintaining personal fitness as any run or weightlifting routine. But eating properly is easier said than done. Beyond merely counting calories, those seeking to eat healthily should find ways to incorporate fruits, vegetables, and other key nutrients into their diets. 

Since even before the onset of COVID, plenty of innovative startups have been hard at work devising new restaurants and products that offer tasteful, healthy food while catering to the unique preferences of young consumers.

We sat down with Amit Raizada—an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and CEO of Spectrum Business Ventures to talk about how the startup and VC sectors are helping to develop new products that can help fitness enthusiasts enjoy healthy, low-calorie meals that complement their workout routines.

“One of these companies is Tu Me Water, which Spectrum Business Ventures is proud to support,” said Raizada. “Tu Me is an excellent post-workout choice, as it offers flavored water injected with turmeric.”

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Raizada explained that turmeric is a critical, yet often under-consumed, nutrient that helps aid muscle recovery. Turmeric is often used to reduce inflammation, which Raizada said comes in handy after a difficult weightlifting routine or a strenuous run.

“Tu Me really got it right when it came to turmeric,” Raizada said. “The nutrient has long been celebrated for the ways it reduces inflammation in the body. Tu Me combined this with water—which we all drink after our workouts—and unique flavoring to create a healthy, enticing product.”

Raizada cited Tocaya Organica, an SBV-backed venture, as another firm making waves within the health-food sector.  

“Tocaya Organica offers clean, fast-casual Mexican cuisine in an upbeat setting,” said Raizada. “Tocaya’s food is vegan-base, meaning that all meals conform to vegan standards. Customers can add additional, non-vegan ingredients as they wish, but no matter how you build your meal, Tocaya is delicious, healthy, and low calorie.”

Both companies, Raizada said, created innovative models that align with many of Spectrum Business Ventures’ guiding investment philosophies.

“I always seek out ventures that have identified a demand popular among younger consumers and have devised a solution to fulfill it,” Raizada said. “That was the case with both ventures, which saw the ways in which personal fitness and healthful living had become major markets, and developed innovative, health foods that quickly took hold.”

Raizada said that, often, successful ventures need not reinvent an established market to make a sizeable splash.

“Younger generations are particularly health- conscious, and during quarantine, this has become even more mainstream,” said Raizada. “Companies like Equinox, for example, have come up with trailblazing ways to cater to this increasingly well-established trend. By tailoring their cuisines to meet the appetites of an increasingly health-conscious clientele, Tu Me Water and Tocaya Organica became hits.”

Who Is Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s SCOTUS Pick?

James J. Williams
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0
Who Is Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s SCOTUS Pick?
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Amy Coney Barrett, a long-term academic, appeals court judge and mother of seven was the hot favorite for the Supreme Court seat.

Donald Trump – who as sitting president gets to select nominees – reportedly once said he was “saving her” for this moment: when elderly Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and a vacancy on the nine-member court arose.

It took President Trump just over a week to fast-track the 48-year-old conservative intellectual into the wings. This is his chance to tip the court make-up even further to the right ahead of the presidential election, when he could lose power.

Amy Coney Barrett’s record on gun rights and immigration cases imply she would be as reliable a vote on the right of the court, as the Notorious RBG was on the left, according to Jonathan Turley, a professor of law at George Washington University.

Judge Barrett’s vote, alongside a conservative majority, could make the difference for decades ahead, especially on divisive issues such as abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act (the Obama-era health insurance provider).

Her legal opinions and remarks on abortion and gay marriage have made her popular with the religious right, but earned vehement opposition from liberals.

However, as a devout Catholic, Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly insisted her faith does not compromise her work.

Amy Coney Barrett is President Trump’s Nomination for Supreme Court

Notorious RBG: Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies Aged 87

Senate Confirms Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court Judge

Donald Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court

Amy Coney Barrett lives in South Bend, Indiana, with her husband, Jesse, a former federal prosecutor who is now with a private firm. The couple have seven children, including two adopted from Haiti. She is the oldest of seven children herself.

Known for her sharp intellect, Amy Coney Barrett studied at the University of Notre Dame’s Law School, graduating first in her class, and was a clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, who, in her words, was the “staunchest conservative” on the SCOTUS at the time.

Like her mentor Scalia, Amy Coney Barrett is an originalist, which is a belief that judges should attempt to interpret the words of the Constitution as the authors intended when they were written.

Many liberals oppose that strict approach, saying there must be scope for moving with the times.

Amy Coney Barrett has spent much of her career as a professor at her alma mater, Notre Dame, where she was voted professor of the year multiple times.

She was selected by President Trump to serve as a federal appeals court judge in 2017, sitting on the Seventh Circuit, based in Chicago. She regularly commutes to the court from her home – more than an hour and half away.

Amy Coney Barett’s confirmation hearing for the appeals court seat featured a now-infamous encounter with Senator Dianne Feinstein, who voiced concerns about how her faith could affect her thinking on the law. Defiant Catholics adopted the phrase as a tongue-in-cheek slogan on mugs.

Judge Barrett has defended herself on multiple occasions.

“I would stress that my personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear in the discharge of my duties as a judge,” she once said.

LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign has voiced strong opposition to Barrett’s confirmation, declaring her ”an absolute threat to LGBTQ rights”.

The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization, declined comment on Judge Barrett specifically, but said appointing any new conservative Supreme Court justice would “be devastating for sexual and reproductive health and rights”.

To secure the position on the Supreme Court – a lifelong job – Amy Coney Barrett will still have to pass a grueling confirmation hearing, where Democratic senators are likely to take a tough line, bringing up many of their voters’ concerns.

Amy Coney Barrett is President Trump’s Nomination for Supreme Court

Diane A. Wade
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0
Amy Coney Barrett is President Trump’s Nomination for Supreme Court
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Amy Coney Barrett, a favorite of social conservatives, is President Donald Trump’s pick for the new Supreme Court justice.

Speaking by her side at the White House Rose Garden, President Trump described her as a “woman of unparalleled achievement”.

If confirmed by senators, Judge Barrett will replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last week at the age of 87.

Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination will spark a bitter confirmation fight in the Senate as November’s presidential election looms.

Announcing Judge Barrett as his nominee on September 26, President Trump described Amy Coney Barrett as a “stellar scholar and judge” with “unyielding loyalty to the constitution”.

However, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden urged the Senate not to “act on this vacancy until after the American people select their next president and the next Congress”.

He said: “The United States Constitution was designed to give the voters one chance to have their voice heard on who serves on the Court. That moment is now and their voice should be heard.”

If Judge Barrett is confirmed, conservative-leaning justices will hold a 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court for the foreseeable future.

She would be the third justice appointed by the current Republican president, after Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.

The court’s nine justices serve lifetime appointments, and their rulings can shape public policy on everything from gun and voting rights to abortion and campaign finance for decades

President Trump: “Supreme Court Nominee Will Be A Woman”

Notorious RBG: Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies Aged 87

Senate Confirms Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court Judge

Donald Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court

In recent years, the Supreme Court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states, allowed for President Trump’s travel ban on mainly Muslim countries to be put in place, and delayed the US plan to cut carbon emissions.

After graduating from Notre Dame University Law School in Indiana, Amy Coney Barrett, 48, clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. In 2017, she was nominated by President Trump to the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Amy Coney Barrett is described as a devout Catholic who, according to a 2013 magazine article, said that “life begins at conception”. This makes her a favorite among religious conservatives keen to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

LGBT groups have criticized her membership of a conservative Catholic group, People of Praise, whose network of schools have guidelines stating a belief that sexual relations should only happen between heterosexual married couples.

Judge Barrett has ruled in favor of President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies and expressed views in favor of expansive gun rights.

Conservatives hope Judge Barrett will rule against the Affordable Care Act – a health insurance scheme introduced by President Trump’s Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.

Some 20 million Americans could lose their health coverage if the court overturns the legislation, also known as Obamacare.

Following September 26 announcement, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned fellow senators that voting to confirm Judge Barrett could spell the end of Obamacare.

He said: “A vote by any senator for Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act and eliminate protections for millions of Americans.”

On September 26, Judge Barrett said her rulings as a Supreme Court justice would be based only on the law.

“Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy view they might hold,” she added.

The White House has begun contacting Republican Senate offices to schedule meetings with the nominee, sources told CBS.

Hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee – the panel tasked with vetting nominees – are scheduled to begin on October 12, and will last three to four days, committee chairman Lindsey Graham told Fox News late on September 26.

Afterwards committee members will vote on whether to send the nomination to the full Senate. If they do, all 100 senators will vote to confirm or reject her.

Republicans hold a slim majority of 53 senators, but they already seem to have the 51 votes needed to get Judge Barrett confirmed.

Amount of Active Online Traders in Nigeria

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Amount of Active Online Traders in Nigeria

Nigeria has the second biggest Forex market in Africa. The local trading community is robust and ever-expanding. Last year, it was estimated to include 200,000 active Forex traders. In the future, the region may forge ahead and lead the industry.

Facts and Figures

Today, online trading comprises different avenues of financial speculation. The most popular instrument in Nigeria is Forex. The global foreign exchange is the largest and the most liquid market in the world. Its daily volume is spectacular — close to 6 trillion US dollars.

Retail traders account for a fraction of this volume. The market is also assessed by large institutions like banks, hedge funds, and businesses. Until the 1990s, the foreign exchange was off-limits for individuals. Today, FX trading is all the rage.

The BRICS nations account for the largest share of daily trading. On the African continent, South Africa is the leader. Last year, according to Forexbrokers.co.za, its traders bought and sold 20 billion US dollars per day. Nigeria came second with 314 million USD.

Despite the difference in volumes, the two African countries have a similar number of traders. South Africa has 190,000 — slightly fewer than Nigeria. Nigerian traders make deposits of $514.42 on average (it is $742.04 for their South African peers).

Overview of the Markets

The global currency market has no physical centre. It is classified as over-the-counter, which means that buyers and sellers connect directly. Today, foreign exchange has a colossal turnover. World currencies flow between institutional and retail traders. Individuals use digital terminals and gain access through brokers.

Through a live trading account, clients may assemble diverse portfolios. Global brokers give access to Forex, stocks, spot metals, and derivatives. The more instruments are managed — the lower the overall risk.

A sophisticated system like MetaTrader 5 allows convenient trading of different asset classes. Here are the most common options:

  • currency pairs (Major, Minor, and Exotic);
  • spot metals (gold and silver);
  • stocks of US corporate giants;
  • stock CFDs;
  • cryptocurrency CFDs;
  • commodity CFDs;
  • CFDs on market indices.

Through an online trading account, a client may buy and sell different instruments. Stocks allow you to profit from the performance of US-based corporations. It is possible to choose the biggest household names like Apple and Facebook.

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are virtual derivatives linked to underlying assets. They are highly leveraged, which means that trading volumes can be increased by the broker. The holder does not own the asset: instead, they bet on the direction of the market. The broker pays the difference between entry and exit points.

Regulatory Landscape

Despite its rapid growth, the Forex market in Nigeria lacks regulation. Traders may use local or foreign brokers for connection to the marketplace. Due to its popularity, Forex is a gold mine for scammers. Traders must choose providers very carefully.

The safest choice is global brands licensed by foreign regulators. For instance, the ForexTime broker is part of a group which has licenses from different jurisdictions: Cyprus (the CySEC), the United Kingdom (the FCA), and South Africa (the FCSA).

Regulated brokers have to comply with industry requirements. They provide negative balance protection, so traders never lose more than they deposit. In the event of bankruptcy, their clients are eligible for compensation.

Trader’s Arsenal

Modern systems are different from pit trading, which you can see in old Hollywood movies. In the past, the speed was slow. Clients had to call their floor brokers if they wanted to buy or sell shares. Each operation involved several people. Today’s systems offer 1-click trading, which allows you to capitalize on momentary changes.

Everything is managed through an app or a desktop terminal. Traders analyse the market using streaming prices, charts and news updates. They can customize their aids to pursue different strategies. Timeframes may be switched to highlight changes over a certain period, from one minute to one month.

The most popular trading terminals, such as the FXTM Trader app, are all-in-one products. Users can research the market, place trades and withdraw their profits. Every operation is a tap away. The largest global markets are now at your fingertips, and they can be monitored at a glance.

The Bottom Line

Today, the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the local economy. Nigerians are increasingly interested in opportunities for remote work. As the job market is shrinking, online trading is a viable choice.

By 2019, Nigeria had a vast army of online traders. Today, over 200,000 residents buy and sell financial instruments through the internet. Regulated brokers provide access to a broad choice of tools, from currencies to derivatives.

Effective Preparation Materials for Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam

Nancy Clayson
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0
Effective Preparation Materials for Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam
Microsoft said its Nokia division lost $692 million

Passing the Microsoft MS-700 exam is a mandatory step to getting the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate certification. As a Teams Administrator, your duties include configuring, deploying, and managing Office 365 platform workloads. These professionals are involved in the process of planning, deploying, and managing chat, channels, apps, live events, calling, audio conferences, and meetings in Microsoft Teams. The certificate validates that you are capable of setting up an effective collaboration and communication system for your company. Let’s now have a closer look at the Microsoft MS-700 test and how to prepare for it with ease.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/70-764

Key Exam Details

The Microsoft MS-700 exam proves that the candidates possess the following skills:

  • Planning and configuring a Microsoft Teams environment – 45% to 50%
  • Managing meetings, chat, and calling – 30% to 35%
  • Operating Teams and App policies – 20% to 25%

As you can see, the ability to set up a Teams environment accounts for the biggest percentage of the questions asked in the exam. Dedicate more time to dwell on this topic area. However, do not ignore other sections as well. They equally have an impact on your ability to get a satisfactory passing score.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/98-364

When you feel ready for the certification test, schedule it via Pearson VUE. This Microsoft certified testing partner has the centers located all over the globe. Choose one that is nearest to you or take advantage of the online proctored exam.

The Microsoft MS-700 exam fee varies depending on your location. All payments are made in USD. For those in the United States, the fee is $165. The citizens of other countries usually pay lower than this amount.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/98-349

Effective Preparation Resources

When it comes to preparation materials you can choose from two approaches – free online-based training or paid instructor-led training.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/AZ-300

  1. Free Online Training

Microsoft comes with two self-paced learning paths that are offered to the users at no cost. The first course comprises of five modules and provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to manage team collaboration in Microsoft Teams. The second learning path equips you with the expertise required to move your business from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams. You will be trained on how best to plan the upgrade and ensure the coexistence between these two technologies.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/MS-100

  • Paid Instructor-Led Training

Microsoft maintains its own training guided by the certified trainers. In this course, the students are taken through all the six core elements of Teams management. Choose this option if you have the budget for it, sufficient time to go through the training, and prefer being guided by a more experienced coach.

https://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/MD-100

Conclusion

As a final point, consider joining the Microsoft Learning Partners, which is some of the best places to get valuable training for the Microsoft MS-700 exam. The vendor has a wide network of partnering the organizations in every corner of the world, so you can find one of them in your country of living. These companies will provide you with a variety of learning solutions and equip you with vital skills to meet the certification demands. Also, don’t forget about practice tests and exam dumps to make your training all-embracing.

US Election 2020: Is Postal Voting Vulnerable to Fraud?

James J. Williams
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US Election 2020: Is Postal Voting Vulnerable to Fraud?
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

The number of postal votes for the US presidential election is expected to rise significantly this time round due to public health concerns over coronavirus.

Ellen Weintraub, commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, has said: “There’s simply no basis for the conspiracy theory that voting by mail causes fraud.”

There have been isolated cases of postal ballot fraud, such as in the 2018 North Carolina primary, which was re-run after a consultant for the Republican candidate tampered with voting papers.

There was also a case this year in New Jersey which saw two Democratic councilors charged with alleged fraud in relation to postal voting, after hundreds of ballots were found stuffed in a post box.

However, according to a 2017 study by Brennan Center for Justice, the rate of voting fraud overall in the US is between 0.00004% and 0.0009%.

According to a research by Charles Stewart, a political scientist at the MIT, postal ballots are more likely to go missing.

He calculated that the number of votes lost through the vote-by-mail system in the 2008 election may have been as many as 7.6 million, or one in five individuals who attempted to post their ballots.

All postal voting states still have in-person voting options for certain reasons.

Alexei Navalny Released from Berlin Hospital

Roy Siemens
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0
Alexei Navalny Released from Berlin Hospital
Image source Wikimedia

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been discharged from a Berlin hospital where he was being treated for Novichok nerve agent poisoning.

The Charité Hospital in the German capital said it was ending acute medical care because his condition had sufficiently improved.

Alexei Navalny, 44, posted a picture of himself standing unaided with a message saying doctors had given him every chance of a full recovery.

His team alleges he was poisoned on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Kremlin strongly denies any involvement.

Alexei Navalny collapsed on a flight in Siberia on August 20. The Russian activist was later transferred to the Charité hospital in Berlin.

A statement from the hospital said that Alexi Navalny had spent 32 days there, including 24 days in intensive care.

“Based on the patient’s progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible. However, it remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning,” it said.

Earlier this month the hospital revealed that Alexei Navalny had begun to recover, saying that he had been removed from a ventilator and could leave his bed.

At the time, the German government said that laboratories in France and Sweden had reconfirmed German tests showing that the poison used on Alexei Navalny was a Novichok agent.

The Kremlin has said there is no proof of that.

Alexei Navalny’s supporters initially believed that his tea had been spiked at Tomsk airport in Siberia before he caught a flight to Moscow. However, they later said that traces of Novichok had been found on a water bottle in the hotel room where he had been staying.

Alexei Navalny became ill during the flight and the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. Russian officials were persuaded to allow him to be airlifted to Germany two days later.

After tests confirmed poisoning with a Novichok nerve agent, the EU demanded a “transparent” investigation by the Russian government.

Alexei Navalny: Traces of Nerve Agent Found on A Bottle in His Hotel Room, Says His Team

President Trump Refuses to Condemn Russia over Alexei Navalny Poisoning

Russia: Alexei Navalny In Coma After Allegedly Being Poisoned

In an Instagram post on September 22, Alexei Navalny rubbished suggestions – purportedly from President Putin – that he had poisoned himself.

French newspaper Le Monde reported that in a telephone call with President Emmanuel Macron on September 14, President Putin had spoken “with contempt about Alexei Navalny, considering him a simple internet troublemaker who had simulated diseases in the past”.

“Putin has outsmarted me,” Alexei Navalny wrote on Instagram, mocking the Russian president.

“He is nobody’s fool. As a result, I, like a fool, spent 18 days in a coma but failed to achieve what I wanted. The provocation has failed!”

A nerve agent from the Novichok group was also used to poison Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England in 2018. They both survived, but a local woman, Dawn Sturgess, died after coming into contact with the poison.

Recognizing Debt Settlement Scams

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Recognizing Debt Settlement Scams
Money

“Our innovative program will make all of your debt disappear in just a few months for pennies on the dollar. We’ll also stop all collection calls and lawsuits. This guaranteed method is sponsored by the US Consumer Financial Protection Board to help people get relief from COVID-19 related financial woes. Just send us $49.95 and we’ll get right to work for you.”

Each one of the four sentences above contains clues the paragraph is promoting a scam.  Here’s what you can learn from them to help you get better at recognizing debt settlement scams.

Certain Debts are Immune to Settlement

Unsecured debts such as personal loans, credit card debt and even medical debt can be negotiated and settled. However, secured debts, such as car loans, mortgages, boat and motorcycle loans are ineligible.

This is because the lender can repossess whatever asset was used to secure the loan if you can’t make your payments — thus the term “secured debt”. However, public student loans, alimony and child support are also immune to debt settlement.

Thus, anyone saying they can make all of your debt disappear is lying — and operating in violation of the law. 

There Are No Guarantees

One of the first things any legitimate debt relief  company will tell you is there are no guarantees. This is because every situation is different and therefore negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

What worked for one person might not work for another. Thus, anyone guaranteeing positive debt settlement results is lying — and operating in violation of the law.

Government Entities Aren’t Involved 

OK, well that one isn’t entirely accurate. The Federal Trade Commission does keep an eye on the debt settlement industry to make sure companies offering debt relief are on the up and up. The same is true for your state attorney’s general office and your local consumer protection agency.

However, no government organization promotes debt settlement. Nor do any of them offer debt settlement services. Anyone claiming to be working with any branch of government to settle debt is lying — and operating in violation of the law.

Upfront Fees Are Not Permitted

As part of its effort to protect consumers, the FTC has decreed debt settlement firms can only exact fees after they’ve settled debts on a consumer’s behalf.

Yes, you will be required to set cash aside to fund your settlement agreements as they are reached. However, that money is only to be used to fulfill the arrangements your creditors offer.

Any other use of that money is prohibited. Therefore, anyone saying you need to give them money before they’ve settled one of your debts is lying — and operating in violation of the law.

Creditors Will Still Make Inquiries

One of the premises of debt settlement is you’ll stop making payments to your creditors and instead deposit that money into an escrow account to be used to fund your settlement deals.

So you’d best believe your phone is going to ring when those bills go unpaid.

Yes, you can tell your creditors you’re working with a debt settlement program and they should get in touch with your agent there. However, that cannot stop them from calling you just the same. Anyone who says they can is lying — and yes — operating in violation of the law.

Recognizing debt settlement scams is relatively simple when you bear in mind the old adage; “If it sounds too good to be true — it probably is.” Don’t let desperation be a motivator, keep your wits about you. Understand that just as it took time for the debt situation to develop, unwinding it is going to take time too and you will come out of the situation OK.

Emmys 2020: Schitt’s Creek Sets Record at Virtual Ceremony

Sonia Pantiss
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Emmys 2020: Schitt’s Creek Sets Record at Virtual Ceremony
Image source Flickr

Schitt’s Creek, Watchmen and Succession were the big winners at the 72nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which were held virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s ceremony, held on September 20, 2020, was presented from an eerily empty Staples Center in Los Angeles by Jimmy Kimmel, with only a few guest presenters joining him in the studio.

It was a significantly lower-key event this year, with most winners dialing in to make their acceptance speeches from home.

Schitt’s Creek won nine prizes – breaking the Emmys record for most wins in a single season for a comedy.

It was a glowing send-off for the Canadian series, which broadcast its sixth and final season this year.

Succession took home the night’s top prize, best drama series, as well as best actor for Jeremy Strong.

The HBO series also won prizes in the drama categories for best writing and best directing during the virtual ceremony.

The show’s British creator Jesse Armstrong listed a number of “un-thank yous” during his acceptance speech, criticizing President Donald Trump and UK’s PM Boris Johnson for their respective responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

Another HBO series, Watchmen, won best limited series, as well as acting gongs for its stars Regina King and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Twenty-four-year-old Zendaya became the youngest ever winner of best drama actress for her performance in Euphoria, a teen drama which follows a group high school students as they grapple with issues of love, drugs and identity. Zendaya beat stiff competition from the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Laura Linney and Olivia Colman in her category.

Emmys 2020: Full List of Winners and Nominees

Schitt’s Creek won the best comedy series prize, with the show’s creators, father and son Eugene and Daniel Levy, picking up best comedy actor and best supporting comedy actor respectively.

Catherine O’Hara was named best comedy actress, with Annie Murphy winning best supporting actress in a comedy series.

The show follows the wealthy Rose family, who is forced to move to a motel in a small town after losing their fortune.

Schitt’s Creek launched on CBC in 2015 but developed a strong fan following around the world after later being added to Netflix.

Its wins also included outstanding directing for a comedy series for Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy, with the latter also winning outstanding writing for the finale episode Happy Ending.

Regina King was named best actress in a limited series for her performance in Watchmen.

In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Notorious RBG, who died over the weekend, and encouraged viewers to register vote in the forthcoming presidential election.

Regina King wore a T-shirt bearing the image of Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot and killed by police in Kentucky in March.

Uzo Aduba, who won best supporting actress in a limited series for Mrs. America, also wore a shirt displaying Breonna Taylor’s name during her speech.

Regina King’s co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was also named best supporting actor for his performance in the show.

Watchmen, an innovative reimagining of a superhero graphic novel that tackled racism in America, scored the most nominations this year.

The show won a loyal following and critical acclaim last year during its nine-episode run.

Elsewhere, Ozark‘s Julia Garner won best supporting drama actress while Billy Crudup won in the male category for his portrayal of a conniving network executive in Apple TV’s The Morning Show.

Succession‘s creator Jesse Armstrong also won best writing for a drama, while Andrij Parekh won best directing.

Several winners used their acceptance speeches to encourage Americans to register to vote in November’s election, including Mark Ruffalo, who won best actor in a limited series for I Know This Much Is True.

The in memoriam section honored stars including Chadwick Boseman, Naya Rivera, Caroll Spinney, Kirk Douglas, Sir Ian Holm and Dame Diana Rigg.

The Creative Arts Emmys took place earlier this week, with winners announced in categories such as casting, hair, make-up, lighting and sound design.

More than 25,000 members of the Television Academy vote for the awards, which were first presented in 1949.

The name Emmy derives from an early piece of TV equipment called the image orthicon camera tube – or the Immy.

This year marked Jimmy Kimmel’s third time hosting the Emmys, after he fronted the ceremony in 2012 and 2016.

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

Emmys 2020: Full List of Winners and Nominees

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Emmys 2020: Full List of Winners and Nominees
Image source Flickr

The 72nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place on September 20, 2020.

This year’s ceremony was presented from an eerily empty Staples Center in Los Angeles by Jimmy Kimmel, with only a few guest presenters joining him in the studio.

Here are the major winners and nominees:

Outstanding comedy series

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Dead to Me
  • The Good Place
  • Insecure
  • The Kominsky Method
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • WINNER: Schitt’s Creek
  • What We Do in the Shadows

Outstanding drama series

  • Better Call Saul
  • The Crown
  • The Handmaid’s Tale
  • Killing Eve
  • The Mandalorian
  • Ozark
  • Stranger Things
  • WINNER: Succession

Outstanding limited series

  • Little Fires Everywhere
  • Mrs. America
  • Unbelievable
  • Unorthodox
  • WINNER: Watchmen

Lead actor in a comedy series

  • Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
  • Don Cheadle, Black Monday
  • Ted Danson, The Good Place
  • Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
  • WINNER: Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Ramy Youssef, Ramy

Lead actress in a comedy series

  • Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
  • Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
  • WINNER: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
  • Issa Rae, Insecure
  • Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Supporting actor in a comedy series

  • Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • William Jackson Harper, The Good Place
  • Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method
  • Sterling K. Brown, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Mahershala Ali, Ramy
  • Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live
  • WINNER: Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Supporting actress in a comedy series

  • Betty Gilpin, GLOW
  • D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place
  • Yvonne Orji, Insecure
  • Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
  • Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live
  • WINNER: Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek

Lead actor in a drama series

  • Jason Bateman, Ozark
  • Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
  • Steve Carell, The Morning Show
  • Brian Cox, Succession
  • Billy Porter, Pose
  • WINNER: Jeremy Strong, Succession

Lead actress in a drama series

  • Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
  • Olivia Colman, The Crown
  • Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
  • Laura Linney, Ozark
  • Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
  • WINNER: Zendaya, Euphoria

Supporting actor in a drama series

  • Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul
  • Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale
  • WINNER: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
  • Mark Duplass, The Morning Show
  • Nicholas Braun, Succession
  • Kieran Culkin, Succession
  • Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
  • Jeffrey Wright, Westworld

Supporting actress in a drama series

  • Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
  • Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies
  • Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
  • Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale
  • Fiona Shaw , Killing Eve
  • WINNER: Julia Garner, Ozark
  • Sarah Snook, Succession
  • Thandie Newton, Westworld

Lead actor in a limited series or movie

  • Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
  • Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
  • Paul Mescal, Normal People
  • Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
  • WINNER: Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True

Lead actress in a limited series or movie

  • Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
  • Shira Haas, Unorthodox
  • WINNER: Regina King, Watchmen
  • Octavia Spencer, Self Made
  • Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere

Supporting actor in a limited series or movie

  • Dylan McDermott, Hollywood
  • Jim Parsons, Hollywood
  • Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
  • WINNER: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
  • Jovan Adepo, Watchmen
  • Louis Gossett Jr, Watchmen

Supporting actress in a limited series or movie

  • Holland Taylor, Hollywood
  • WINNER: Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America
  • Margo Martindale, Mrs. America
  • Tracey Ullman, Mrs. America
  • Toni Collette, Unbelievable
  • Jean Smart, Watchmen

Outstanding reality competition series

  • The Masked Singer
  • Nailed It
  • WINNER: RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • Top Chef
  • The Voice

Outstanding variety talk series

  • Daily Show with Trevor Noah
  • Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live
  • WINNER: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
  • Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Outstanding variety sketch series

  • A Black Lady Sketch Show
  • Drunk History
  • WINNER: Saturday Night Live

Outstanding television movie

  • American Son
  • WINNER: Bad Education
  • Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones
  • El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend

Writing for a comedy series

  • WINNER: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • David West Read, Schitt’s Creek
  • Michael Schur, The Good Place
  • Tony McNamara, The Great
  • Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil, What We Do In The Shadows
  • Paul Simms, What We Do In The Shadows
  • Stefani Robinson, What We Do In The Shadows

Writing for a drama series

  • Thomas Schnauz, Better Call Saul
  • Thomas Schnauz,
  • Gordon Smith, Better Call Saul
  • Peter Morgan, The Crown
  • Chris Mundy, Ozark
  • John Shiban, Ozark
  • Miki Johnso, Ozark
  • WINNING: Jesse Armstrong, Succession

Writing for a limited series, movie or drama

  • Tanya Barfield, Mrs. America
  • Sally Rooney and Alice Birch, Normal People
  • Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon, Unbelievable
  • Anna Winger, Unorthodox
  • WINNER: Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson, Watchmen

Director for a comedy series

  • Matt Shakman, The Great
  • Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Daniel Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Gail Mancuso, Modern Family • Finale Part 2
  • Ramy Youssef, Ramy
  • WINNER: Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • James Burrows, Will & Grace

Directing for a drama series

  • Benjamin Caron, The Crown
  • Jessica Hobbs, The Crown
  • Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland
  • Mimi Leder, The Morning Show Mimi Leder,
  • Alik Sakharov, Ozark
  • Ben Semanoff, Ozark
  • WINNER: Andrij Parekh, Succession
  • Mark Mylod, Succession

Directing for a limited series

  • Lynn Shelton, Little Fires Everywhere
  • Lenny Abrahamson, Normal People
  • WINNER: Maria Schrader, Unorthodox
  • Nicole Kassell, Watchmen
  • Steph Green, Watchmen
  • Stephen Williams, Watchmen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gobrh_hHXLk

President Trump: “Supreme Court Nominee Will Be A Woman”

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump: “Supreme Court Nominee Will Be A Woman”
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump has announced he will next week nominate a woman to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, escalating a political row over her successor.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18 at the age of 87, just weeks before the presidential election.

Joe Biden insists the decision on her replacement should wait until after the vote.

The ideological balance of the nine-member court is crucial to its rulings on the most important issues in US law.

However, President Trump has vowed to swear in Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s successor “without delay”, a move that has infuriated Democrats, who fear Republicans will vote to lock in a decades-long conservative majority on the country’s highest court.

“I will be putting forth a nominee next week. It will be a woman,” President Trump said at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina on September 19.

“I think it should be a woman because I actually like women much more than men.”

Some supporters chanted “Fill that seat!” as President Trump spoke, urging him to take the rare opportunity to nominate a third justice during one presidential term to a lifetime appointment on the court.

Earlier, President Trump praised two female judges who serve on federal courts of appeals as possible choices. Both judges – Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa – are conservatives who would tip the balance of the Supreme Court in favor of Republicans.

Democrats have vigorously opposed any nomination before November’s election, arguing that Senate Republicans blocked Democratic President Barack Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court in 2016.

At the time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell justified the move on grounds that it was an election year.

On September 18, Senator McConnell said he intended to act on any nomination President Trump made and bring it to a vote in the Senate before Election Day.

Notorious RBG: Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies Aged 87

Senate Confirms Brett Kavanaugh as Supreme Court Judge

Donald Trump Nominates Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately known as “The Notorious RBG”, a liberal icon and feminist standard-bearer, died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at her home in Washington DC, surrounded by her family. She was only the second-ever woman to sit on the Supreme Court.

The appointment of judges in is a political question which means the president gets to choose who is put forward. The Senate then votes to confirm – or reject – the choice.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who served for 27 years, was one of only four liberals on the nine-seat bench. Her death means that, should the Republicans get the vote through, the balance of power would shift decisively towards the conservatives.

President Trump, who has already chosen two Supreme Court justices during his presidency, is well aware that getting his nominee in would give conservatives control over key decisions for decades to come. Justices can serve for life, unless they decide to retire.

He tweeted on September 19: “We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices. We have this obligation, without delay!”

Earlier, Senator McConnell said in a statement – which included a tribute to Ginsburg – that “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate”.

The senator had argued in 2016 that “the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice” which meant “this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president”.

Now he says the Senate was within its rights to act because it was Republican-controlled, and Donald Trump is a Republican president.

Ricin Letter Sent to President Trump Intercepted by White House Screening Facility

Nancy Clayson
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0
Ricin Letter Sent to President Trump Intercepted by White House Screening Facility
Image source Wikimedia

A letter containing ricin poison that was addressed to President Donald Trump has been intercepted before it reached the White House, officials told media.

It was discovered at a screening facility for White House mail earlier this week, the officials said.

They said a substance found inside the envelope was identified as ricin, a poison found naturally in castor beans.

The Trump administration is yet to comment on the reports.

The FBI and the Secret Service are investigating where the package came from and whether others have been sent through the US postal system.

“At this time, there is no known threat to public safety,” the FBI told CNN in a statement on September 19.

Shannon Richardson posted ricin letter to Barack Obama and Michael Bloomberg

Ricin letter sent to Barack Obama at White House

Ricin letter posted to Senator Roger Wicker intercepted at US Capitol

One official told the New York Times that investigators believe the package was sent from Canada. Reports say the presence of ricin was identified after two tests.

Ricin is produced by processing castor beans. It is a lethal substance that, if swallowed, inhaled or injected, can cause nausea, vomiting, internal bleeding and ultimately organ failure.

No known antidote exists for ricin. According to the CDC, if a person is exposed to ricin, death can take place within 36 to 72 hours, depending on the dose received.

The CDC said ricin – which has been used in terror plots – can be manufactured into a weapon in the form of a powder, mist or pellet.

The White House and other federal buildings have been the target of ricin packages in the past.

In 2014, a Mississippi man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sending letters dusted with ricin to former President Barack Obama and other officials.

In 2018, a former Navy veteran was charged with sending toxic letters to the Pentagon and White House.

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