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8 Gifts for Your Friends Working from Home

Nancy Clayson
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8 Gifts for Your Friends Working from Home

We’re still in the early stages of going back out into the world. There’s no certainty when this will all be over and we are being propelled to the new normal. Some are already back at it while some are still being very vigilant and would prefer working from home.

Well, if they have the means and luxury to make a living in the comforts of their home, why not? In this era of Zoom birthday celebrations, we’ve become more creative in gift-giving. And these ones are perfect for your friends you haven’t seen in a while and are grinding in their home offices during this time.

1. Starbucks Gift Basket

Caffeine is a staple in the office and Starbucks is, well it doesn’t need an introduction. This gift basket holds all the Starbucks essentials like chocolate truffles, cookies, shortbread, and a signature tumbler.

It’s a practical gift that can fuel them for work, gaming, or if they just want to kick back and recharge.

 2. Smart Neck and Shoulder Massager

This is a gift anyone needing some pain relief will love and not just people who work from home. The neck and shoulders are usually the most strained during long hours in front of the screen, so a little massager that they can wear and use during breaks will be a lifesaver.

3. Sok-It™ Coffee Sleeves

This is for all of the coffee-lovers on your list. Gift them a stylish and functional Sok-It™ that keeps their iced coffee cold and their hands protected from extreme heat on the go. For cold beverages, JavaSok™ prevents puddles so you can avoid a mess on your desk. And for hot drinks, HotSok™ is insulated to prevent you from burning your hands and stays put unlike wasteful cardboard wraps that tend to fall down on the job. Sok-It is reusable coffee sleeves are easily packable, and come in a variety of different colors and patterns. All designed to give you or someone you care about, a better to-go experience. Drinking coffee never looked so good!

4. Exercise Mat

The rise of Youtube at-home workouts urged a lot of people to finally get on the fitness bandwagon. Although it’s seen as a fad, any fad that’s eventually good for you, is always a good thing.

Whether your friend is just starting out or you want them to start out so you can have a workout buddy, this is a nice gift that they can use not only for exercise but also for yoga and stretching as well.

5. Headspace Subscription

Allow their minds to breathe in this guided meditation app. We know how sometimes it can be confusing for the mind to set a boundary between the office and home.

And even if we’ve created a separate workspace, an office inside the house can be an overwhelming change for someone used to going out for work.

So, even if they can’t physically go out. Their minds can momentarily leave the thousand thoughts inside the head and relax.

6. Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard

Some work from a laptop, others in PC, some in a huge desktop, while others mix and match according to their mood. If your recipient is like the latter, they will appreciate a Bluetooth keyboard they can carry around the house and connect with any of their devices.

7. Scented Candle

Help them feel more relaxed after a day’s work with scented candles that can transport the mind to whatever scent it’s infused with; the woods, the mountains, or the beach.

It can also be an instant booster or a manifestation tool much like when you make a wish and blow out a candle on your birthday.

8. Sleep Mask

This isn’t a typical sleep mask. It has a memory foam that totally blocks out ambient light. You know what this means? Your giftee can take power naps during the day and have a full night’s rest.

There’s both beauty and challenge in working from home. What you can do to show your care aside from checking up on them is to treat them with these gifts that will keep them balanced and on top of their game.

Olivia de Havilland Dies Aged 104

Lisa.Felice
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Olivia de Havilland Dies Aged 104
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Golden Age star Olivia de Havilland has died at the age of 104.

Her career spanned more than 50 years and almost 50 feature movies, and she was the last surviving star from Gone with the Wind (1939).

Gone with the Wind earned her one of her five Oscar nominations.

Olivia de Havilland, who had lived in Paris since 1960, was central in taking down Hollywood’s studio system, giving actors better contracts.

The actress also had a tempestuous relationship with her sister, fellow Oscar-winning actress Joan Fontaine.

At the time of her death, Olivia de Havilland was the oldest living performer to have won an Oscar. She died on July 25 of natural causes at her home in the French capital, her publicist said.

Olivia Mary de Havilland was born in Tokyo in 1916 and soon moved to California with her family.

She made her breakthrough in Captain Blood, opposite Errol Flynn, and the pair developed an immediate chemistry.

Olivia de Havilland was then cast in the role of Melanie in David O Selznick’s epic adaptation of the Margaret Mitchell novel, Gone with the Wind.

She lost the best supporting actress Oscar to Hattie McDaniel, who played Mammy in the movie.

However, she did win a Best Actress Oscar in 1946 for her role in To Each His Own, and then a second for The Heiress in 1949.

Joan Fontaine dies in California at 96

Olivia de Havilland also famously turned down the role of Blanche DuBois in the 1951 adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. Vivien Leigh won an Oscar for the role.

The actress continued to act until the late 1980s, winning a Golden Globe in 1986 for Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna.

Off screen, Olivia de Havilland took on the studios at a time when they had complete control over their stars.

Backed by the Screen Actors Guild, she took Warner Brothers to court in 1943 when it added time to her original contract as a penalty for turning down roles.

The California Supreme Court ruled in her favor in what became known as the De Havilland Law, which loosened the grip studios had on their actors.

Much has been made of Olivia de Havilland’s feud with her sister. The pair reportedly had a difficult relationship from childhood. It was exacerbated by them both being nominated for Best Actress in 1942, with Joan Fontaine winning out.

Olivia de Havilland was also reportedly angered by Joan Fontaine’s comments about her new husband, Marcus Goodrich, whom de Havilland married in 1946. And there was also disagreement over medical treatment for their mother in 1975. Joan Fontaine died in 2013.

Essential Reasons You Need Home Insurance Procedures in Place

Nancy Clayson
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Essential Reasons You Need Home Insurance Procedures in Place
home insurance

There are a lot of ideas you can use to help make your home better, and it is so important to make sure you take the time to get this done properly. Try to think about what it takes to make the home better, and one of the key ways of being able to achieve this is to make sure you have insurance procedures in place. This is important for the future, and you need to look at what you can do to protect your home.

Try to make sure you focus on the best ways of being able to achieve this moving forward. There are a lot of things that play a part in this, and it is so important to make sure your home has some degree of protection. You need to think hard about what it takes to make your home better, and these are some of the essential reasons you need to have insurance.

Financial Protection

One of the major reasons why you need to make sure you have the right insurance for your home is because this is one of the best ways of being able to achieve financial protection. There are a lot of elements that you need to keep in mind here, and it is important to make sure you focus on getting this right. Try to make sure you do as much as you can to improve the process, and this is something you have got to make sure you keep in mind as much as you possibly can right now.

Different Types of Insurance Cover Different Things

Another thing you need to consider is the fact that there are a lot of different types of insurance cover that you will want to think about as a homeowner. Basic home insurance is important, but you’re also going to have to consider things like fire protection and flood insurance are also essential. Then you have policies that cover contents insurance, and some that will pretty much cover you for everything. So, you need to make sure you consider which types of insurance policies suit your needs as a homeowner.  

Always Be Prepared

You have to make sure you are always prepared and that you have planned and readied your home in the event of disaster. Just as things like basement waterproofing repair services are essential for any home, you also need to make sure you have the right insurance premiums in place right now. There are so many things that play a part in this and you need to make sure you are focused on improving the home and looking after it as much as possible.

There are a lot of things you need to think about when it comes to improving the home moving forward, and this is something that you are going to need to work on as much as possible. You have to do as much as you can to protect your home in an array of different ways, and this is something you should look to consider right now.

5 Ways Moms Can Pamper Themselves on a Budget

Lisa.Felice
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5 Ways Moms Can Pamper Themselves on a Budget

If you’re a mom, you know just how busy life can get. Between caring for your younger children and ferrying older children to and from school all the way to paying for college, motherhood can cause quite a bit of stress. Luckily, there are some things that mothers can do, even if they are on a budget, to pamper themselves and refresh themselves after the stresses of motherhood get to them. If you are a mom trying to watch her wallet and need a little break from the kids just to focus on yourself, here are five easy ways to pamper yourself on a budget.

1. Find community, advice, and friendship online.

Even if you don’t think of it, having a community online is a great way to feel supported and pampered. Consider joining the community of mothers online at Truly Mama, an online source for news, advice, and parenting tips for moms. Engaging with others who are going through what you’re going through is a great way to rejuvenate your heart and your energy levels. Being a new mom is hard, so make sure you head online to connect with other new moms and compare notes on motherhood, parenting, and childcare.

2. Get all dressed up even if you have nowhere to go.

One easy—and free!—way you can really pamper yourself is to dress yourself up in your cutest or fanciest clothes, don some makeup, and take photos to document the occasion. Even if you have no plans and nowhere to go, our clothes affect our mood, so dressing up can make a difference that can positively impact your whole day. If you have a spouse or partner, make sure to show off your cute look for some extra words of affirmation that will boost your mood as well. Looking good will make you feel good, as cliche as that may sound.

3. Go for a drink with friends, or alone!

If you’re tight on time and cash, skip the dinner plans and go for a drink, either with friends or alone. If you go with friends, you can feel comfortable to vent about whatever you’ve been going through recently in motherhood and know that your words will not fall on deaf ears. If you go alone, it can give you some much-needed time to yourself just to think, reflect, and recharge.

4. Purchase something shiny for yourself.

Buying something shiny and new just for yourself is a great pick me up no matter who you are, but as a mom, these little luxuries can make a huge impact. If you’re on a budget, opt for lab created diamond rings that emulate the looks of natural diamonds but are created in a lab. The naked eye cannot detect the difference between the physical properties of a mined diamond or a synthetic diamond, and synthetic diamonds have a clean origin. That means that there are very few ethical standards you have to worry about when you buy gemstones that are lab-created.

5. Take a darn nap.

One thing that many mothers lack, whether they are new moms or not, is sleep. The cheapest and healthiest treat you can give yourself as a mom on a budget is to take a darn nap. Set an alarm, clear out a day’s schedule, do whatever you need to do, but carve out some time for you to rest and recharge. Having a proper amount of rest will make you a better and more patient mom. Additionally, it will improve your overall health outside of any parenting responsibilities.

5 Crisis-Management Tips for Business Owners

Clyde K. Valle
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5 Crisis-Management Tips for Business Owners
Image by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to always expect the unexpected. Thriving economies can be stalled at a moment’s notice, lucrative deals can fall apart at the final hurdle, and even the most stable businesses are vulnerable to external pressures. In other words, all business leaders eventually have to address an organizational crisis. The good news is that being prepared for this moment will help you meet it and protect your business from any potential threat. To that end, here are five crisis-management tips all business owners should know:

Install Safeguards

Many business leaders are, by their very nature, optimists. After all, you have to possess a certain amount of self belief to become an entrepreneur in the first place. Nevertheless, even optimists should have contingency plans and internal safeguards ready to go should a big problem arise. Never embark on any project unless you have a backup plan in place. Otherwise, you could end up scrambling to address an issue you don’t know how to solve.

Assemble a Winning Team

The best leaders understand how to delegate important tasks effectively. Of course, in order to delegate assignments, business leaders need to first surround themselves with capable colleagues. So making quality hires is essential to long-term business viability. Ideally, a business leader should feel comfortable trusting their team to handle any major issue that may come up. And if they’re not, they should reconsider their internal structure.

Remain Solutions Oriented

When a big project goes south, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with panic or fear. However, business leaders need to remain calm and solutions-oriented when addressing a serious issue. Staying positive won’t make a problem go away, but it will help you salvage what you can even when things look bleak.

Innovate

New tech, procedures, and ideas could –– in some instances –– provide business owners with a solution to a potential crisis. Naturally, adopting a new methodology at the 11th hour won’t be easy. That’s why business leaders must be willing to embrace innovation and to remain patient with a new process.

Pull Out All the Stops

It should go without saying, but when their organization is in trouble, business leaders should spring into action and do whatever it takes to improve the situation. For example, booking private jet rentals to set up time-sensitive meetings could give you a way to broker an important deal. Or, hiring a third-party expert like a lawyer or financial consultant could help you navigate a tricky set of circumstances. Regardless, going the extra mile could very well prove the difference between saving your business and losing it. So when things get tough, make sure you get going!

Twitter Bans 7,000 QAnon Accounts and Shuts Down Topics Related to Conspiracy Theory

Nancy Clayson
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Twitter Bans 7,000 QAnon Accounts and Shuts Down Topics Related to Conspiracy Theory

Twitter announced that it was banning 7000 QAnon accounts and limiting the spread of 150,000 others in an effort to address violations of their terms of service, and how Qanon activities on Twitter often led to harmful actions in real spaces beyond the internet.

The social media giant said it would also stop recommending content linked to QAnon and block URLs associated with it from being shared on the platform.

QAnon is a sprawling conspiracy theory whose followers support President Donald Trump.

Twitter said it hoped the action would help to prevent “offline harm”.

In a statement shared on the platform, Twitter said it would permanently suspend accounts that violate its policies while tweeting about QAnon.

The suspensions will be applied to accounts that are “engaged in violations of our multi-account policy, coordinating abuse around individual victims, or are attempting to evade a previous suspension – something we’ve seen more of in recent weeks,” the statement said.

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The suspensions are expected to impact about 150,000 accounts worldwide. More than 7,000 accounts have been removed in recent weeks for violations, Twitter said.

Followers of QAnon believe “deep-state” traitors are plotting against President Donald Trump. The conspiracy theory has jumped from fringe social media sites to mainstream attention.

QAnon supporters have been linked to numerous other false claims that have spread online, including a bizarre conspiracy theory involving a US furniture company and allegations of child trafficking.

In 2019, the FBI issued a warning about “conspiracy theory-driven domestic extremists” and designated QAnon a potential domestic extremist threat.

US Accuses China of Hacking Covid-19 Vaccine Labs

Roy Siemens
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US Accuses China of Hacking Covid-19 Vaccine Labs

The Department of Justice has accused China of sponsoring hackers who are targeting labs developing Covid-19 vaccines.

US officials have charged two Chinese men who allegedly spied on American companies doing coronavirus research and got help from state agents for other thefts.

The indictment comes amid a US crackdown on Chinese cyber espionage.

The US, UK and Canada last week accused Russia of seeking to steal research related to Covid-19.

The accusations against former electrical engineering students Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi released on July 21 include charges of trade secret theft and wire fraud conspiracy.

Prosecutors said the two men spied on a Massachusetts biotech company in January which was known to be researching possible cures for Covid-19. They also hacked a Maryland company less than a week after it said it was researching Covid-19.

Officials called the Chinese men private hackers who occasionally received support from Chinese intelligence agents, including an officer from the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS).

Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi previously stole “hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of trade secrets, intellectual property, and other valuable business information” beginning in 2009, prosecutors alleged.

The indictment unsealed in Washington state said Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi – who reside in China – recently “researched vulnerabilities in the networks of biotech and other firms publicly known for work on Covid-19 vaccines, treatments, and testing technology”.

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Countries where companies were targeted include Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

According to the indictment, the hackers were able to infiltrate a British artificial intelligence firm, a Spanish defense contractor, and a Australian solar energy company.

Prosecutors said the men at times acted in their own self-interest – including one occasion when they demanded a ransom from a company in exchange for not releasing its private information – but at other times “were stealing information of obvious interest” to the Chinese government.

According to the indictment, the hackers “worked with, were assisted by, and operated with the acquiescence of” the MSS.

Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi allegedly stole military data and provided the Chinese government with the passwords of a democracy activist in Hong Kong and a former Tiananmen Square protester.

4 Steps to Follow to Ensure You Are Hiring Top-Quality Candidates

Nancy Clayson
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4 Steps to Follow to Ensure You Are Hiring Top-Quality Candidates

Hiring the best employees is critical to your business’s long-term success. But how can you ensure that you’re hiring the right people? When broken down into its most basic components—creating a job listing, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, then hiring the individual you like most—it might seem like hiring is fairly straightforward and difficult to get wrong. But there is actually a strategy to finding the most qualified people to bring onto your team. 

Before you hire anyone else, implement these steps into your recruiting process so you can hire top-quality candidates who will be an asset to your business.

Step 1: Do Your Research 

Before you create a job description, it is advisable that you set aside some time to research the duties, experience level, and expectations for the role. This will help you craft a detailed job description that clearly communicates what you will need a prospective candidate to be able to do and set a realistic standard in their mind. Even when you’re just hiring freelancers, this process is important because you want to have someone who you can trust with the tasks at hand—plus, you never know who could become a part of your full-time team in the long run. Having a clear and informational job listing will also help you remain competitive against other companies who are looking to fill this same position. 

This step is especially important if you’re hiring for a brand-new type of position or it’s your first time hiring someone in general. 

Step 2: Have a Vetting System in Place

One of the biggest mistakes a business can make when hiring is neglecting to vet candidates thoroughly. Why is this important? First and foremost, it can confirm that applicants are being truthful about who they are and their experience. Additionally, it serves as a safety measure. If candidates have a criminal record, especially one that involves violence or theft, it can put your employees and customers at unnecessary risk. 

Criminal background checks for employment can provide reliable reports on prospective employees. If you are going to also search candidates online and review their social media profiles, tread carefully. The information found on these platforms can give you access to information (sexual orientation, religion, etc.) that might be considered a basis for discrimination if you turn them down for the job. 

Another useful vetting measure is conducting phone interviews before bringing candidates into the office. During a phone interview you can ask a few key screening questions that can help you make a quick decision as to whether the applicant is worth investing sit-down interview time in, or if they are no longer in the running. 

Step 3: Make a List of Must-Haves

When it comes to sifting through large stacks of applications, it can be difficult to narrow down your candidates to the few you’ll actually interview—especially if you posted a highly specific listing. One thing you should do before reviewing applications is create a succinct checklist of must-haves for each category.

For example, this could be two years’ experience, the ability to use a certain program, typing speed, etc. This will allow you to quickly go through and disqualify applicants who don’t meet your criteria. This can be done quickly with a search function. Then, you can do a more in-depth evaluation of those applications that made the initial cut. This method should help you cut down on time and effort. 

Step 4: Ask the Right Questions 

The one-on-one time you have with a candidate is limited, so make the most of this opportunity by asking direct questions that will yield useful information about them.  Ask them about specifics like their experience with a program, to give examples of problem-solving skills in a certain situation, and what they believe their best asset is to bring to the table. Most importantly, make the questions you ask relevant to the qualities they need to possess to perform well at their job.

Keep in mind that personality is also an important factor to consider when comparing candidates. Someone who fits your company culture, takes criticism well, and is easy to collaborate and communicate with will likely transition into the position more easily and may even be more likely to remain onboard for longer.

With these four steps in mind, you can refine your hiring process to help you find highly qualified candidates who can help your company reach the next level.

White House 2020: Kanye West Launches Presidential Campaign with Unorthodox Rally in Charleston

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2020: Kanye West Launches Presidential Campaign with Unorthodox Rally in Charleston

Kanye West has officially launched his White House 2020 campaign, with an unorthodox rally in Charleston, South Carolina.

The 43-year-old rapper is running as a candidate for his self-styled “Birthday Party”.

At the event, Kanye West seemed to make policy decisions off-the-cuff and made several rants, including on abortion and on abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Fans have questioned whether his last-minute bid for the White House is actually a promotional stunt.

The Charleston rally did little to clarify whether Kanye West’s run is genuine. But a now-deleted tweet sent from Kanye West’s account on July 18, appearing to show the song list for a new album, added to the speculation.

The event, held at a wedding and conference hall in the city, was said to be open to registered guests only – but Kanye West’s campaign website had no function for people to register or RSVP.

Kanye West appeared with “2020” shaved into the back of his head and wearing a protective security vest, and addressed the gathered crowd without a microphone.

There were no audience microphones either, leading the rapper to repeatedly tell the crowd to be silent so he could hear the questions being asked.

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At one point Kanye West began crying when talking about abortion, saying that his parents almost aborted him: “There would have been no Kanye West, because my dad was too busy.”

He added: “I almost killed my daughter… even if my wife [Kim Kardashian West] were to divorce me after this speech, she brought North into the world, even when I didn’t want to.”

However, the rapper then added that he believes abortion should remain legal, but there should be financial support for struggling new mothers – suggesting that “everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars”.

“The only thing that can free us is by obeying the rules that were given to us for a promised land,” Kanye West said.

“Abortion should be legal because guess what? The law is not by God anyway, so what is legality?”

At another moment, Kanye West gave an impromptu monologue about 19th century abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

He said: “Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had the slaves go work for other white people.”

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery, but managed to escape a Maryland plantation in 1849, at the age of 27. She then returned to the South to rescue other slaves on the network of routes and safe houses known as “underground railroad”, risking her own life to lead people to freedom.

Kanye West also became tearful when talking about his late mother, who died in 2007 from complications during cosmetic surgery.

The speech has been met with anger by some – mostly sparked by the rapper’s comments about Harriet Tubman – but also with concern over Kanye West’s welfare.

Kanye West, who announced his candidacy on 4th of July, has already missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot in several states. He needs to collect enough signatures to appear on the ballot in a number of others.

Last week, he qualified to appear on Oklahoma’s presidential ballot, the first state where he met the requirements before the deadline.

In order to appear on South Carolina’s ballot, Kanye West needs to collect 10,000 signatures by noon local time on July 20.

Coronavirus: Aishwarya Rai Taken to Hospital after Testing Positive for Covid-19

Lisa.Felice
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Coronavirus: Aishwarya Rai Taken to Hospital after Testing Positive for Covid-19

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya have been taken to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

Aishwarya Rai, a former Miss World and one of Bollywood’s most famous faces, is being treated at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital, ANI agency reports.

Aishwarya’s husband Abhishek and father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, both also famous actors, have been in hospital since July 18 with the virus.

On July 12, 77-year-old Amitabh Bachchan – a Bollywood superstar who has achieved global fame during his long and illustrious career so far – tweeted that he had tested positive for the virus.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

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Another series of tweets from Abhishek Bachchan, also a famous actor, confirmed that he, his 46-year-old wife Aishwarya and 8-year-old daughter Aaradhya had also tested positive.

Jaya Bachchan, also a famous actress and Amitabh Bachchan’s wife, tested negative.

Until now Aishwarya Rai and Aaradhya have been isolating at home.

News that the family, often described as Bollywood royalty, had been affected by the coronavirus sent shockwaves across India. This week, thousands of fans have held prayers for the family’s recovery.

On July 17, India recorded a record 35,000 new cases of coronavirus cases in 24 hours, surpassing the one million mark.

India now has the third-highest number of cases in the world, after the US and Brazil. The current death toll is 25,602.

The western state of Maharashtra, where Mumbai is located, is still the biggest hotspot with the highest case count – more than 280,000 – of all the states.

Netflix Stocks Plunge After Quarterly Updates

Clyde K. Valle
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Netflix Stocks Plunge After Quarterly Updates
Image by vicky gharat from Pixabay

Streaming giant Netflix has seen a surge in sign-ups due to the coronavirus lockdown, but the company has warned investors that subscriber growth will slow.

Netflix added more than 10 million subscribers in Q2 of 2020, bringing the total of new subscribers to 26 million in 2020.

In contrast, Netflix saw 28 million new subscribers for the whole of 2019.

The company said: “Growth is slowing as consumers get through the initial shock of coronavirus and social restrictions.”

Netflix shares dropped in after-hours trading as investors received the company’s quarterly update.

Its revenue increased almost 25% to $6.1 billion, while profits rose to $720 million in the quarter, up from $271 million a year ago.

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The subscriber additions were far higher than analysts had expected.

While, some people might still end up quitting the service, the pandemic has clearly shown that Netflix is an indispensable part of viewers lives, analysts said.

Netflix also announced it was promoting chief content officer Ted Sarandos to co-chief executive.

CEO Reed Hastings told investors: “This change makes formal what was already informal – that Ted and I share the leadership of Netflix.”

Netflix was founded in 1997by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California. The company’s initial business model included DVD sales and rental by mail, but Hastings abandoned the sales about a year after the company’s founding to focus on the initial DVD rental business. Today, Netflix produces and distributes content from countries all over the globe.

5 Foods That Will Curb Your Nicotine Cravings Without Causing You To Gain Weight

Kathryn R. Bown
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5 Foods That Will Curb Your Nicotine Cravings Without Causing You To Gain Weight

If you’re taking the journey toward quitting smoking, you’re in for a long road, but no an impossible one. Thousands of people quit smoking every year, and their bodies, minds, and overall health are better for it. Smoking is a dangerous habit, causing addiction to nicotine, exposing your body to harmful chemicals, and even bringing about certain social roadblocks.

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make, but you might need some help along the way. This guide will cover five foods that you can eat while you’re quitting that won’t cause you to gain weight. Empty carbs, high-sugar foods, and high-fat foods aren’t good choices, as they can pack on the pounds and make the quitting process more difficult. Here are our five choices.

1. Spinach and Bananas

Both fresh spinach and bananas are packed with nutrients and vitamins, making them the perfect snack, smoothie ingredients, or meal additive. The best part? Research shows that smokers who consume more fruits and vegetables are up to three times more likely to ditch the habit than those who don’t.

Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients that many smokers lack. In fact, smoking a cigarette affects the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients, making your diet even less effective than it should be. The solution? Pack in those fruits and veggies whenever you can! Morning smoothies make for a great morning cigarette substitute, and will help you feel energized and focused throughout your morning routine.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A, E, K, B6, B2, and even calcium, making it one of the most nutrient-rich veggies you can get your hands on. It’s tasty, too! Spinach can be cooked into casseroles, eaten fresh with fish or steak, or included in a salad. Banana and spinach smoothies offer a powerhouse of nutrition for your morning routine or dessert.

2. Whole Grains

One of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal is constipation (or the opposite, diarrhea). Digestive issues occur when the body is suddenly deprived of nicotine, but whole grains that are rich in dietary fiber can help keep things moving. Even if you’re using alternative tobacco products like tobacco free chew, you’ll still need some whole grains to keep your body operating at full capacity while you quit.

Whole grains offer much more than just dietary fiber, however. Packed with vitamins A, B, antioxidants, protein, and trace minerals, high-quality whole grains are a necessary component to overall health. As long as you regulate how much grain you’re eating, you won’t gain weight from it.

3. Mint

Mint comes in many forms; from candy to gum to peppermint sticks and everything in between. You can even eat mint straight off the plant in the form of mint leaves. These are potent and sugar-free, making them a great cigarette alternative and something that can help you curb your cravings.

If you’re worried about extra calories, you can always opt for sugar-free mints or gum. There are literally thousands of options available, from those tasty little red and white mints to spearmint/peppermint gum and everything in between. You can also try some mint tea as well! Include just a bit of honey and you’ve got yourself a tasty, health-conscious drink to help curb those nicotine cravings without packing on the extra weight.

4. Ginseng

Research is developing on the use of ginseng on the form of tea and other consumables to curb nicotine cravings. Ginseng is already known to boost energy levels and focus, but did you know it can actually help minimize withdrawal symptoms and even help you kick your smoking habit for good?

Ginseng is also an excellent detoxifier for the liver and other organs. When you smoke cigarettes, you’re essentially pumping thousands of harmful chemicals and toxins into your bloodstream, which are filtered and processed eventually by your liver. Ginseng can help remove harmful toxins and curb your cravings so you can achieve a smoke-free lifestyle.

5. Cinnamon Sticks

Sucking on a cinnamon stick might seem a bit unorthodox, but many smokers have reported that replacing their smoking habit with this calorie-free option actually helps occupy their hands and mouths, and keeps those cravings at bay. Cinnamon tastes great and offers little to no nutritional (or non-nutritional) value in small amounts.

When you feel the need to have a cigarette, reach for a cinnamon stick instead. It will feel sort of like a cigarette in your mouth, offer a much better taste, and keep you from lighting up.

Final Thoughts

When you decide to quit smoking, you’re reaching for a better future. A future in which you don’t have to fear cancer, disease, and other health conditions. You won’t have to pay outrageous medical bills for special treatments, and you won’t put your loved ones or yourself through the pain of these maladies.

Twitter Accounts of Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Barack Obama Hacked in Bitcoin Scam

Nancy Clayson
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0
Twitter Accounts of Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Barack Obama Hacked in Bitcoin Scam

Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are among many prominent figures targeted by hackers on Twitter in an apparent Bitcoin scam.

The official accounts of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Kanye West also requested donations in the cryptocurrency.

A tweet from Bill Gates’ account said: “Everyone is asking me to give back.

“You send $1,000, I send you back $2,000.”

Twitter said it was a “co-ordinated” attack targeting its employees “with access to internal systems and tools”.

The company said in a series of tweets: “We know they [the hackers] used this access to take control of many highly-visible (including verified) accounts and Tweet on their behalf.”

Twitter added that “significant steps” were taken to limit access to such internal systems and tools while the company’s investigation was ongoing.Meanwhile, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted: “Tough day for us at Twitter. We all feel terrible this happened.”

Twitter earlier had to take the extraordinary step of stopping many verified accounts marked with blue ticks from tweeting altogether.

Password reset requests were also being denied and some other “account functions” disabled.

By 20:30 EDT on July 15, users with verified account started to be able to send tweets again, but Twitter said it was still working on a fix.

Dmitri Alperovitch, who co-founded cyber-security company CrowdStrike, told Reuters: “This appears to be the worst hack of a major social media platform yet.”

Donald Trump’s Twitter Account Down for 11 Minutes

Donald Trump Twitter account hacked

Donald Trump Sued by Seven People for Blocking Them on Twitter

On the official account of Elon Musk appeared to offer to double any Bitcoin payment sent to the address of his digital wallet “for the next 30 minutes”.

“I’m feeling generous because of Covid-19,” the tweet added, along with a Bitcoin link address.

The tweets were deleted just minutes after they were first posted.

However, as the first such tweet from Elon Musk’s account was removed, another one appeared, then a third.

Others targeted included: Kim Kardashian, Mike Bloomberg, Apple and the ride-sharing app Uber.

The Biden campaign said Twitter had “locked down the account within a few minutes of the breach and removed the related tweet”.

A spokesman for Bill Gates told AP news agency: “This appears to be part of a larger issue that Twitter is facing.”

Last year, Jack Dorsey’s account was hacked, but Twitter said it had fixed the flaw that left his account vulnerable.

Coronavirus: Dr Anthony Fauci Responds to White House Attacks

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: Dr Anthony Fauci Responds to White House Attacks

Dr. Anthony Fauci has described recent efforts by the Trump administration to discredit him as “bizarre” and “nonsense”.

In an interview with The Atlantic,  the infectious disease expert said: “Ultimately, it hurts the president to do that.”

“It doesn’t do anything but reflect poorly on them.”

On July 12, a White House official shared a list detailing past apparent erroneous comments by Dr. Fauci.

However, on July 14, President Donald Trump insisted he had a “good relationship” with him.

“We’re all in the same team including Dr. Fauci,” the president said.

“We want to get rid of this mess that China sent us, so everybody’s working on the same line and we’re doing very well.”

The White House statement attacking Dr. Fauci criticized him for what it said was conflicting advice on face coverings and remarks on Covid-19’s severity.

Responding to the criticism, the expert told The Atlantic that targeting him was “completely wrong”.

“I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that,” Dr. Fauci said.

“I think they realize now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it’s only reflecting negatively on them,” he added.

Image source: Wikipedia

Coronavirus: President Donald Trump Clashes with Dr Anthony Fauci

Coronavirus: Dr Fauci and Other Members of White House Task Force Self-Isolate

Dr. Fauci was also criticized by Peter Navarro, President Trump’s top trade adviser, in an opinion piece for USA Today in which he said the disease expert had been “wrong about everything I have interacted with him on”.

However, the White House distanced itself from Peter Navarro’s remarks, with communications chief Alyssa Farah tweeting that the article “didn’t go through normal White House clearance processes” and was “the opinion of Peter alone”.

Asked about Peter Navarro’s piece as he departed the White House for Atlanta, President Trump said he should not have written it.

“Well he made a statement representing himself. He shouldn’t be doing that,” the president said.

In his interview with The Atlantic, Dr. Fauci said he was not thinking of resigning over the attacks on him.

“I think the problem is too important for me to get into those kinds of thoughts and discussions. I just want to do my job. I’m really good at it. I think I can contribute. And I’m going to keep doing it,” he said.

Dr. Fauci has also told Reuters that he believes the US will successfully develop a vaccine against the coronavirus by the end of the year.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the US has reported more than 3.4 million cases of coronavirus, and more than 136,000 deaths nationwide.

Cecil Rhodes Statue Decapitated in Cape Town

Diane A. Wade
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0
Cecil Rhodes Statue Decapitated in Cape Town

A Cecil Rhodes statue has been decapitated in Cape Town, South Africa.

The bronze bust of the British imperialist in a city park had its head removed with an angle grinder on Sunday night or Monday morning, South African National Parks said.

It is the latest monument associated with imperialism or slavery to be targeted since African American George Floyd was killed in US police custody.

George Floyd’s death triggered huge anti-racism demonstrations around the world.

Cecil Rhodes, a white supremacist, led the British colonization of parts of southern Africa during the 19th Century and made a fortune from mining.

Last month, a college at Oxford University said it would take down a statue of Cecil Rhodes after years of pressure by campaigners, who argued it was a symbol of imperialism and racism.

The Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town was built in 1912 on the slopes of Table Mountain and features eight lion statues alongside steps leading up to a granite building where the bust is.

South African National Parks said it had reported the damage to police.

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Columbus and Confederate Statues Toppled by Protesters

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The statue had previously been targeted and was first vandalized in 2001, when red paint was splashed on it. In 2017 its nose was cut off, but was restored the following year.

Another statue of Cecil Rhodes, at the University of Cape Town, was removed in 2015 after it became the focus of protests against colonial-era leaders.

Cecil Rhodes, a revered figure during the days of the British Empire, founded the De Beers mining company in South Africa and also took control of territory in southern Africa that eventually became Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He believed that the English were the master race.

Both South Africa and the former Rhodesia were ruled by white minorities for many years.

Cecil Rhodes left money to Oxford University’s Oriel College after his death in 1902 at the age of 48. A campaign to remove the statue of the colonialist at the college began after the 2015 protests at Cape Town university.

5 Reasons Why Austin Texas Is a Great City For Electric Bikes

Nancy Clayson
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0
5 Reasons Why Austin Texas Is a Great City For Electric Bikes
Imagine de Bicicletas Electricas de la Pixabay

The capital of Texas has a thriving local economy, several universities and a legendary live music scene. Here are five reasons why electric bikes are the best mode of transportation for experiencing everything Austin has to offer.

1. Austin Is the Gateway To Texas Hill Country

Austin is located in central southern Texas on the southeastern Edwards Plateau in the midst of a region referred to as Hill Country. The center of the city is built on a hill that rises north from the banks of Lady Bird Lake to the Texas State Capitol and the flagship state University of Texas at Austin. An electric bike makes riding uphill a breeze, even in the heat. Choose the right bike for your lifestyle, such as a city, commuter, cruiser or hybrid bike. Select any size up to the best ebike for tall riders.

2. The Austin Trails Pilot Program

City government recently undertook a pilot program to assess the impact of electric-assisted bikes and electric scooters on selected portions of the city’s extensive Hike and Bike trails. Although the Austin Code of Ordinances broadly prohibits the operation of a “motor driven device in a public recreation area,” local laws may change as a result of this program.

3. Electric Bikes Flow Around Traffic

The population of Austin has more than doubled in the last 30 years. The infrastructure of the city has been slower to adjust to this rapid population growth. Increasing population density in and around the city has led to considerable congestion, especially on roads leading in and out of downtown. Electric bikes are useful for commuters who need to travel downtown or around the university.

4. A Powered Bike Makes Transportation Easier

Austin has a public transit system that includes Capital Metro buses and the Capital MetroRail commuter rail systems. Try combining these systems with an electric bike with a battery-powered motor that has sufficient range to make the final leg of trips to and from daily destinations such as school or work. Consider options for traveling with or safely securing the bike you rely on for your commute.

5. Ride to Any Activity

Austin is a very bike-friendly city. Most major streets have bike lanes and there are many less crowded side streets you can take to navigate through most neighborhoods. Whether you need a convenient way to ride to a concert venue or go for a dip at Barton Springs, an electric bike makes it easier and more affordable to get around central Austin. Select a model with a motor that provides a suitable speed and range with pedal assist and the option for full electric power to help you get where you’re going in ease and style.

Austin has a reputation as a city that loves live music where residents can live life to the fullest. Experience riding an ebike between the University and Downtown areas, out to the East Side or across the bridges that span Lady Bird Lake to South Austin. Make a daily commute or cruise in comfort on an electric bike.

How To Find the Right Auto Parts for Your Chevy Avalanche

Clyde K. Valle
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How To Find the Right Auto Parts for Your Chevy Avalanche
Image source: Wikipedia

Keep your Chevy Avalanche exploring new terrain and safely navigating your daily commute with the latest accessories and affordable parts. Reliable Chevy Avalanche auto parts can be difficult to find, so learn where to go to locate the parts you need at the prices you love.

Chevy Avalanche Accessories

There are plenty of accessories that you can use to personalize or repair your Avalanche. Search for accessories that make your life more convenient or prepare your truck for your next camping trip. Here are just some popular options you can find online or at your nearest auto parts store:

  • Floor mats
  • Door handles
  • Exhaust systems
  • Entertainment systems
  • Oil and other fluids
  • Filters

Floor mats are the perfect way to keep the interior of your truck clean. Muddy boots can really do a number of the leather or carpet of your interior, so pick up matching floor mats that are designed to fit your Avalanche.

Entertainment systems are another popular way to improve your ride. Simply pick up additional speakers or other smart devices that fit your Chevy and follow the instructions to personalize your ride.

Filters, oil and other fluids are key maintenance components. Find these online or visit an auto parts store to ask about the correct oil weight, filter size and other specifications. Hassle-free shopping ensures quick and successful DIY auto maintenance projects in the comfort of your own garage.

Be sure to shop for accessories by using your VIN. Your local auto parts technician or an online store will ask for your make, model and year of vehicle to help you find the best part, but a VIN lookup tool is another easy way to ensure the accessories you order match your truck.

Once you have the accessories you need, ask about free repair guides online or in store. An Avalanche firing orders repair guide can help you tune up your own engine to keep your Chevy running like a dream. Other repair guides ensure you have the right tools and techniques to easily install your new accessories. These resources help you shop online confidently knowing that you’re purchasing the right accessory for your truck.

Used Chevy Avalanche Parts

A damaged part can cripple your truck, so order affordable replacement parts for a DIY repair task. Shop for affordable mass air flow sensors, oxygen sensors, tires and other components to keep your older truck running or tune up your new ride.

Aftermarket components can be just what you need to enjoy long-lasting performance. All-terrain tires, replacement body panels and performance exhaust systems are excellent ways to tune up your Chevy. These parts can be an affordable way to repair a damaged ride or they can boost the horsepower, fuel economy and traction of your vehicle.

How do you know if you have a bad mass air flow sensor? Find the answers online or by speaking to a local auto parts expert. Troubleshooting a performance issue is difficult without the right guide, so discuss common issues with your truck and see whether a particular sound or warning light requires immediate attention or preventative maintenance.

Naya Rivera Missing: Body Found During Search for Glee Star at Lake Piru

Lisa.Felice
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0
Naya Rivera Missing: Body Found During Search for Glee Star at Lake Piru

Police searching for missing Glee star Naya Rivera say a body has been found in Lake Piru, southern California.

Naya Rivera, 33, went missing on July 8 after going boating with her 4-year-old son at Lake Piru. He was found alone and asleep in the boat.

Divers and teams using sonar equipment resumed the search on July 13. Police have not given details, and a news conference will be held later.

Naya Rivera is best known for playing the cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee.

Her son told police they had gone swimming but the actress never returned. After a massive search and rescue operation found no trace of Naya Rivera, police moved to a “search and recovery operation”.

They said the actress is believed to have drowned in a “tragic accident”.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Naya Rivera Missing after Boating on Lake Piru

Big Sean denies stealing Naya Rivera’s Rolex watch

Big Sean and Naya Rivera split

Naya Rivera began her career as a child actress and model, appearing in TV commercials in the US.

As a four-year-old, Naya Rivera starred in the Royal Family sitcom on CBS and had a number of other TV appearances.

In 2014, Naya Rivera starred in the horror film At the Devil’s Door.

The same year Naya Rivera married fellow actor Ryan Dorsey – who is the father of her son. When the couple divorced in 2018, they were granted joint custody.

President Trump Commutes Roger Stone’s Prison Sentence

Diane A. Wade
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President Trump Commutes Roger Stone’s Prison Sentence

Leading Democrats have condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of his former adviser and friend Roger Stone.

Joe Biden’s spokesman accused President Trump of abuse of power and “laying waste” to US values.

The move – sparing Roger Stone from jail but not a pardon – came just after a court denied Stone’s request to delay the start date of his 40-month prison term.

Roger Stone, 67, was convicted of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

He was the sixth Trump aide found guilty on charges linked to a justice department probe that alleged Russia tried to boost the Trump 2016 campaign.

Roger Stone had been due to report to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, on July 14.

The White House said Roger Stone was the victim of an attempt by opponents to undermine the presidency.

President Trump has been accused by political critics of undermining the justice system by criticizing criminal cases against Roger Stone and other former aides.

The president has also publicly complained about the prosecutions of onetime campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former White House National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

“Donald Trump” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

Joe Biden’s spokesman Bill Russo said President Trump could not be shamed and could only be stopped at the ballot box.

“President Trump has once again abused his power, releasing this commutation on a Friday night, hoping to yet again avoid scrutiny as he lays waste to the norms and the values that make our country a shining beacon to the rest of the world,” he said.

House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff condemned President Trump’s clemency.

He said: “With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else.”

Donald Trump Fires Campaign Adviser Roger Stone

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said it showed Donald Trump was the most corrupt president in history.

However, President Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, welcomed the news, saying Roger Stone’s sentence was draconian.

Roger Stone himself told reporters that under the terms of the commutation he could now appeal against his sentence, and was confident that he could expose “an enormous amount of corruption” at his trial.

The White House said in a statement: “Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency.”

It said that Department of Justice prosecutors under special counsel Robert Mueller only charged Roger Stone out of frustration after failing to prove the “fantasy” that the Trump campaign had colluded with the Kremlin.

The White House also suggested that the FBI had tipped off CNN about their pre-dawn raid on Roger Stone’s house, noting that a camera crew for the cable network was on the scene to record the arrest.

President Trump had been hinting about a reprieve for Roger Stone for months, including on July 9 in an interview with a Fox News host.

Coronavirus: Protest Rally in Pasadena to Demand the Reopening of Texas Bars

Nancy Clayson
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Coronavirus: Protest Rally in Pasadena to Demand the Reopening of Texas Bars

Press release

Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 4:00 pm

Chuters Dance Hall and Saloon

7337 Spencer Highway

Pasadena, TX 77505

Image source: The Texas Tribune

Tee Allen Parker, the Kilgore bar owner leading the legal fight to reopen Texas bars will be on hand to support Chuters owner James Kopeck and his employees.

Bar owners and employees from all over the Houston area will gather Sunday afternoon to demand the freedom to reopen before any more lives are destroyed.

The Facebook page Texas Bars Fight Back already has 15,000 members.

Here’s Why You Should Use a Storage Unit for Your Next Move

Nancy Clayson
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0
Here’s Why You Should Use a Storage Unit for Your Next Move

Storage units are for stashing out-of-season clothes, family heirlooms, and holiday decorations during the off-season — they’re not for moving, are they? Actually, renting a storage unit can make your move much easier, because it can give you the extra space you need to store clutter during the staging process, find wiggle room in your moving timeline, and even save on a moving truck.

Stage Your Home                                                                              

Is staging your home the worst part of moving? Maybe not, but it sure is a pain. You have to make your home look streamlined, spotless, and well-appointed — despite the fact that you still live there and so do your kids, pets, and belongings. Where are you supposed to put all of your stuff while you’re staging your home for potential buyers to come in and poke around in your closets? Whether you’re looking for storage units in Spokane or Sarasota, it’s easy to find a cheap unit that’s big enough to store all of your clutter during the staging process.

Adjust Your Moving Timeline

When you have a short window to move out of your old place and into the new, moving can get hectic. But you don’t need to pressure yourself to move all at once. When you rent a storage unit, you can move your stuff a little at a time, so you don’t have to cram your whole move into a few days.

Or maybe you’re working with the opposite timeline, where you have to wait a while after moving out of your old house before you can move into your new house. That’s common when you have to sell your previous home before you can close on your new home, and lots of people use storage units to store their things while they’re waiting to get the keys to their next abode. A storage unit lets you stop stressing out about where you’re going to put your stuff so you can focus on figuring out where you’re going to put yourself.

Save Money on a Moving Truck

Few things can be as tiring as moving day — loading everything you own onto a truck, driving it across town or across the country, and unloading it again. If you have even a modest-sized home, you’re going to need a big truck to fit all of your stuff, and that’s going to cost more, as well as being more work on moving day.

You can space out the effort by packing up your smaller stuff into boxes and moving it into a storage unit with your car, saving the truck for just the big stuff. You’ll be able to get by with a smaller truck — and you might even be able to avoid paying for a truck at all, because lots of storage unit facilities will give a free moving truck rental to unit leaseholders. Clean out your closets, garage, basement, attic, and spare bedroom early. Pack up that spare set of pots and pans. Move a little at a time and save your back and sanity.

Simplify Moving Day

Having all your stuff packed up in boxes in one place can help you stay organized while moving, allowing you to get a big picture view of your possessions so you can better plan your move. You won’t have to worry about packing your stuff on the truck in the right order so you can get it out at the right moment when you’re unpacking into your new place. You can organize your storage unit with the stuff you need most at the front, where it’s accessible, and settle into your new home at your own pace, without having to live amongst towers of boxes for weeks while you try to fit unpacking everything into your schedule.

Scale Up or Down Easily

Downsizing? You can harness the extra space provided by a storage unit to organize your stuff while you figure out what fits in your new place and what you want there. You can even hang on to the unit to stash stuff you need to keep but don’t have room for in the new place.

Are you moving into a bigger place? You’ll probably need some new furniture and decor, but you don’t have to wait until you’re moved in an unpacked to go shopping. You can use a storage unit to stash your new stuff while you wait to upgrade your living situation.

Moving is hard enough without expecting yourself to do it all at once in one marathon of packing and carrying everything in your home. Move a little at a time with a storage unit. As you settle into your new home with less stress and less clutter, you’ll be glad you bought yourself the gift of a little extra space.

Trump Taxes: Supreme Court Says Manhattan District Attorney Can Get President’s Tax Records

Diane A. Wade
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0
Trump Taxes: Supreme Court Says Manhattan District Attorney Can Get President’s Tax Records

President Donald Trump’s financial records can be examined by New York prosecutors, the Supreme Court has ruled on July 9.

In a related case, the court ruled that this information did not have to be shared with Congress.

Donald Trump is the first president since Richard Nixon in the 1970s not to have made his tax returns public.

The president’s lawyers had argued that he enjoyed total immunity while in office and that Congress had no valid justification to seek the records.

Two Democrat-controlled House of Representatives committees and New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance – also a Democrat – had demanded several years’ worth of President Trump’s taxes in order to determine whether current conflict-of-interest laws on a US president were tough enough.

President Trump, a Republican, denies wrongdoing and has called the investigation into his tax affairs a “witch hunt”.

He wrote in a series of tweets following the court rulings: “The Supreme Court sends case back to Lower Court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution.”

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In the case regarding the request from the New York prosecutors, the Supreme Court ruled by a majority of seven to two that President Trump did not have absolute immunity from criminal investigation.

“Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding,” the court said.

“We reaffirm that principle today.”

However, the two cases regarding Congressional committees were closely watched, as they could have had implications on how far US lawmakers could scrutinize the activities of a sitting president.

The Supreme Court ruled that Congress had significant, but not limitless, power to request the president’s personal information. In this case, the court returned the case to the lower courts.

Two of the cases centered on the ability of the House intelligence, oversight and financial services committees to compel Deutsche Bank and Mazars USA, President Trump’s long-time accounting firm, to turn over his tax and financial documents. The committees argued that they needed this information to determine whether current conflict-of-interest laws on a US president were sufficiently rigorous.

The case of Trump v Vance was based on Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s criminal subpoena – an order to hand over evidence.

Cyrus Vance argued Donald Trump’s documents were needed to determine if financial records had been doctored to cover up hush-money payments to two women in 2016 who say they had affairs with President Trump.

Following the ruling Cyrus Vance said the investigation into President Trump’s financial affairs would resume.

It is not clear whether this will happen. Even if President Trump’s financial records are turned over to prosecutors, they may remain hidden from public view until charges are filed.

Naya Rivera Missing after Boating on Lake Piru

Lisa.Felice
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0
Naya Rivera Missing after Boating on Lake Piru

Actress Naya Rivera is reportedly missing after her four-year-old son was found alone in a boat on a lake in Southern California.

The Glee star rented the boat on July 8 at Lake Piru, north-west of Los Angeles, the Ventura County Sheriff’s office said.

It said a search and rescue operation was suspended overnight and “will continue at first light”.

Naya Rivera, 33, is best known for playing cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee.

The musical comedy TV series ran on the Fox network from 2009 to 2015.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

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Naya Rivera’s child was spotted by another boater three hours after the actress had taken the boat, CBS Los Angeles reports, quoting the sheriff’s office.

It says the boy told investigators that he and his mother were swimming – but she never got back into the boat.

The missing person was later formally identified as Naya Rivera, a Los Angeles resident.

The sheriff’s department said the lake would be closed to the public as the search resumed on July 9, with dive teams from across the region taking part.

On July 7, Naya Rivera posted on tweeted a picture of herself and her son with a caption “just the two of us”.

Naya Rivera began her career as a child actress and model, appearing in TV commercials in the US.

As a four-year-old she starred in the Royal Family sitcom, and had a number of other TV appearances.

It was playing cold-hearted Santana Lopez in Glee that made Naya Rivera a star in America.

In 2014, Naya Rivera starred in the horror film At the Devil’s Door.

The same year she married fellow actor Ryan Dorsey – who is the father of her son.

Naya Rivera and Ryan Dorsey divorced in 2018 and have joint custody of the boy.

Melania Trump Statue Set on Fire in Slovenia

Nancy Clayson
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Melania Trump Statue Set on Fire in Slovenia

A statue of First Lady Melania Trump is reported to have been set on fire near her hometown in Slovenia, prompting its removal.

Brad Downey, the American artist who commissioned the statue, said it was targeted on the Independence Day.

The Berlin-based artist arranged for the charred statue to be removed the next day.

Police told Reuters they had launched an investigation.

The wooden sculpture of Melania Trump, which could be described as only bearing a crude likeness to the US first lady, was carved out of a tree trunk on the outskirts of Sevnica, her hometown in central Slovenia.

The statue, which depicts the first lady dressed in a blue coat similar to one she wore to President Donald Trump’s inauguration and with a club-like hand gesturing to the sky, received mixed reviews when it was erected in July 2019.

Some residents branded the statue a “disgrace”, complaining it looked more like the Smurfs character Smurfette than the first lady.

Brad Downey told Reuters he wanted to understand who targeted the statue and why.

The artist said he had hoped the statue would open a dialogue about the political situation in the US, including the fractious debate on immigration.

Melania Trump, a model who grew up in Slovenia when it was part of Yugoslavia, moved to the US in the 1990s.

The statue in Slovenia was targeted at a time when monuments of US leaders with links to slavery are being re-evaluated as a result of national reflection prompted by anti-racism protests.

Image source Wikimedia

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In recent speeches, including his Independence Day address, President Donald Trump has taken a hard-line against those who vandalize or tear down statues.

Since Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, Sevnica has become a tourist magnet, as visitors search for an insight into Melania Trump’s early years.

Residents have brought out ranges of Melania-branded merchandise, including slippers, cakes, and Trump-like burgers with fly-away cheese “hair”.

In August 2019, a wooden statue of President Trump was constructed in Slovenia, east of the capital Ljubljana. Like the rendering of Melania Trump, the statue of her husband divided opinion.

Standing nearly 26ft tall, the statue was burnt to the ground by unknown arsonists in January 2020.

Coronavirus: Melbourne Begins Second Lockdown

Diane A. Wade
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Coronavirus: Melbourne Begins Second Lockdown
Imagine de Pete Linforth de la Pixabay

Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, has begun a second lockdown in response to a spike in new coronavirus infections.

The five million Melbourne’s residents will be barred from leaving home for six weeks, except for essential reasons.

Police say they are setting up a “ring of steel” around the city, with “checkpoints anytime and anywhere” to enforce the measures.

Borders between Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, and neighboring states closed on July 7.

PM Scott Morrison paid tribute to Melbournians’ resilience on July 8.

“The rest of the country knows that the sacrifice that you’re going through right now is not just for you and your own family, but it’s for the broader Australian community,” the prime minister said during a news conference.

Scott Morrison also said he was proposing measures to slow the return of Australian nationals from overseas.

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Melbourne lockdown on July 7 after the state saw 191 new infections, its highest daily number since the pandemic began.

The July 8 figure was down to 134, but still much higher than numbers in the rest of the country.

Australia has recorded almost 9,000 cases and 106 deaths from the virus.

Meanwhile, Australian media reported that passengers on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney disembarked on July 7 without being screened.

New South Wales state has banned travel from the greater Melbourne area except under exceptional circumstances, and the passengers should have been required to self-isolate for two weeks.

People will be kept to their homes and will only be able to leave for essential reasons, such as for work, exercise and shopping for food and other necessities.

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Schools will largely return to distance learning and restaurants will, once again, only be permitted to serve takeaway food.

However, shops and hairdressers will remain open.

The lockdown covers only Melbourne and an area to the north called the Mitchell Shire, but the state as a whole has been sealed off from the neighboring states of New South Wales and South Australia.

Police and troops have been stationed at border crossings and patrol the vast borders with drones and other aircraft.

As of July 9, they will also be doing random checks on vehicles in and around the city.

For months Australia had felt optimistic about containing Covid-19 then came the resurgence of the virus in Melbourne.

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