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Donald Trump Declines Further Presidential Debates

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Sep 13, 2024

Donald Trump Declines Further Presidential Debates

Donald Trump is scheduled to be at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, for a news conference soon.

He is holding the event one day after announcing that he will not participate in another presidential debate.

Moments after the former president’s comments, Kamala Harris’s campaign issued a statement saying “we owe it to the voters to have another debate”.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have been on the campaign trail for the first time since they faced-off on ABC News.

Polls suggest that most voters believe Harris won the debate, though Donald Trump claimed victory in his announcement that he would not debate her again.

There are just over 50 days until the US presidential election.

Donald Trump said on September 12 – two days after the pair’s first showdown in Philadelphia – that Kamala Harris only wanted a rematch because he “clearly” won.

Several instant polls taken after September 10 contest indicated voters felt Kamala Harris had performed better than her Republican opponent.

Donald Trump added that Kamala Harris should instead “focus” on her job as vice-president.

Shortly after, at a campaign rally in North Carolina, Kamala Harris responded by saying they “owe” voters another debate because “what is at stake could not be more important”.

Polls suggest the two candidates are in an extremely tight race with just two months to go before the election.

Both claimed victory after the 90-minute debate on ABC News, in which Kamala Harris rattled Donald Trump with a string of personal attacks that put him on the defensive. These included comments about the size of his rally crowds and his conduct during the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

Donald Trump and his supporters have since accused the two ABC journalists that moderated the debate of being unfair and biased in favour of Kamala Harris.

“When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are ‘I want a rematch’,” Donald Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on September 12.

“Polls clearly show that I won the debate against comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ radical left candidate… and she immediately called for a second debate,” he added.

Donald Trump held a rally in Arizona on September 12 and gave an interview with Telemundo Arizona backstage.

“We just don’t think it’s necessary,” he said of a second debate with Kamala Harris.

“We think we’ve discussed everything and I don’t think they want it either.”

The Harris campaign, however, called for a second debate immediately after Philadelphia.

“Vice-President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?” the campaign said.

Speaking after the debate, various Trump campaign surrogates – including Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz – said they believed Donald Trump would welcome another debate.

Both campaigns had reportedly been in discussions over a debate on NBC News on September 25.

Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis Become First Civilians to Perform Commercial Spacewalk

Science & Technology

James J. Williams

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Sep 12, 2024

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Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis Become First Civilians to Perform Commercial Spacewalk

Billionaire Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, an engineer, have become the first non-professional crew to perform one of the riskiest manoeuvres in space – a spacewalk.

They stepped out of the SpaceX spacecraft around 15 minutes apart, starting at 11:52BST, on September 12, wearing specially-designed suits.

“Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” Jared Isaacman said as he exited.

It was commercially funded by Jared Isaacman. Before, only astronauts with government-funded space agencies had done a spacewalk.

Images broadcast live showed the two crew emerge from the white Dragon capsule to float 435 miles above the blue Earth below.

Jared Isaacman, 41, emerged first, wiggling his limbs, hands and feet to test his suit. He returned back inside the hatch, and Sarah Gillis, who works for SpaceX, then climbed out.

Both crew narrated their spacewalk, describing how their suits performed outside of the craft.

The walk, originally scheduled for 07:23BST, was postponed.

Anticipation and tension grew as the crew prepared to open the hatch on the craft that has no air lock, or doorway between the vacuum outside and the rest of the spacecraft.

The four crew members spent two days “pre-breathing” to prevent becoming seriously ill from decompression sickness, known as getting “the bends”, as the pressure changed. That involves replacing nitrogen in the blood with oxygen.

The craft was then depressurised to bring it closer to the conditions of the space vacuum outside.

In recent decades astronauts used an airlock that separates most of a craft from the space vacuum outside – but this SpaceX Dragon capsule was in effect entirely exposed to space outside.

But it was not without major risks.

Jared Isaacman, who funded the Polaris Dawn mission, was the only member of the four-person crew on the Polaris mission to have previously been to space.

He is commander on the Resilience spacecraft with his close friend Scott ‘Kidd’ Poteet, who is a retired air force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.

The Dragon capsule the team have flown in launched to space 46 times before, taking 50 crew in total. However, the capsule and the spacesuits are not subject to regulation and were untested in this environment.

Spacewalks are one of the most difficult manouevres in space, so the fact that a private company has pulled it off is a milestone in the history of space travel.

This walk at 435 miles was higher than any previous walk, and used innovative technology in the new extravehicular activity (EVA) astronaut suits.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Meet in Fiery Debate

Diane A. Wade

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Sep 11, 2024

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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Meet in Fiery Debate

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met in a fiery debate – their first of the 2024 US presidential election.

They debated policy but personal attacks also dominated the 90 minute event in Philadelphia.

Kamala Harris frequently rattled the former president with personal attacks that threw him off message and raised the temperature of this highly-anticipated contest.

She said people leave Trump rallies early “out of exhaustion and boredom” – he said people don’t go to hers in the first place.

Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris’s record on immigration and the border, and also her shifting policy positions – Harris blamed him for “Trump abortion bans” and the January 6 attacks on the Capitol.

The pattern for much of this debate was Harris goading her Republican rival into making extended defences of his past conduct and comments. He gladly obliged, raising his voice at times and shaking his head.

Americans should go to a Trump rally, Kamala Harris said during an early question about immigration, because they were illuminating.

“People start leaving the rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” she said.

That barb clearly rattled Donald Trump, as he then spent most of his answer – on a topic that should have been one of his main areas of strength – defending his rally sizes and belittling hers.

Donald Trump went from there to an extended riff on a debunked report that Haitian immigrants in the town of Springfield, Ohio, were abducting and eating their neighbour’s pets.

But Harris turned the topic to Trump’s proposed across-the-board tariffs, which she labelled a “Trump sales tax”, and then brought up Project 2025, the controversial independent conservative plan for a future Republican administration.

As he has in the past, Trump distanced himself from the project and defended his tariff plan, noting that the Biden administration had kept many of the tariffs in his first presidency. They were valid points, but it kept him from hammering the vice-president on inflation and consumer prices.

Snap polls suggest Kamala Harris won the debate, but Donald Trump says afterwards that she “lost very badly”.

With the election taking place on November 5, Kamala Harris is slightly ahead in national opinion polls – but key battleground states are very tight.

A snap CNN poll of voters watching said that Kamala Harris performed better and betting markets said the same.

This is a snapshot that could be momentary but the Harris tactic of putting Trump on the defensive was clear early in the evening when the topics covered were the economy and abortion.

Public opinion surveys indicate many Americans are unhappy with how the Biden administration – of which Harris is a key member – has handled inflation and the economy.

Venezuela: President Nicolas Maduro Moves Christmas to October 1st

Diane A. Wade

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Sep 4, 2024

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Venezuela: President Nicolas Maduro Moves Christmas to October 1st

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro declared the Christmas season would be moved up to October as he tries to turn people’s attention away from the contested presidential election that has roiled the country.

He declared that he would issue a decree to move Christmas to October 1.

In his weekly television show on September 2, President Maduro said „It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas.”

„That’s why this year, as a way of paying tribute to you all, and in gratitude to you all, I’m going to decree an early Christmas for October 1.”

Nicolas Maduro’s decision is seen as a move to distract people from the turmoil that has engulfed Venezuela following July’s contested presidential election.

Christmas is big in Catholic-majority Venezuela and people were not happy at the idea of celebrating a holiday season amid turmoil in the country.

This is not the first time Nicolas Maduro, 61, has moved up Christmas to an earlier date. He also did so during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opposition parties continue to protest the electoral outcome of July’s election saying that Nicolas Maduro is illegally clinging on to power.

They accuse him of widespread cronyism and corruption which has brought Venezuela’s economy to its knees.

A widespread crackdown on opposition has fueled more concerns about the state of the country.

More than 2,400 have been imprisoned so far, according to news agency AFP, with journalists, politicians and aid workers among those jailed.

The US, EU and several Latin American countries say the results are fraudulent and that opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the real winner.

Kamala Harris Criticizes Donald Trump for Arlington Cemetery Incident

Diane A. Wade

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Sep 1, 2024

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Kamala Harris Criticizes Donald Trump for Arlington Cemetery Incident

VP Kamala Harris is criticizing Donald Trump over a recent controversy involving his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery, saying the military burial site is “not a place for politics”.

Kamala Harris took aim at the former president on August 31 in a post on social media, writing that he “disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt”.

The US Army said a Trump staffer “abruptly pushed aside” a cemetery employee who was trying to warn his team about rules against filming in the cemetery.

The Trump campaign has disputed the cemetery’s version of events and said it received permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film.

The incident happened on August 26, when Trump was at an event honouring 13 US military service members who were killed during the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago.

The VP’s post marks the first time Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has commented on the controversy.

She wrote that she has visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia several times during her tenure as vice-president, and she would never use the site for political gain.

“If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude,” Kamala Harris said.

“And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America.”

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

At a campaign rally in Michigan on August 29, Donald Trump hit back at those who had criticized him over the incident.

He said he had been asked to pose for a photo at the site after the memorial by family members of the soldiers who had died.

“I go there, they ask me to have a picture and they say I was campaigning,” Donald Trump said.

“The one thing I get plenty of is publicity. I don’t need that. I don’t need the publicity.”

On September 1, the Trump campaign released a statement from the Gold Star military families that invited him to the event, saying the former president was there to honour the sacrifice of their relatives who were killed.

They also took aim at Kamala Harris in the statement, saying she has “disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy”.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance used the controversy to attack the Biden administration over its handling of the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that Kamala Harris “can go to hell”.

“Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job,” JD Vance said in response to questions from CBS News.

Federal law prevents use of the cemetery for political campaigning and the US Army said participants were warned of the rules in advance.

The Trump campaign has denied that a physical altercation took place at the cemetery, adding “we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made”.

Film Legend Alain Delon Dies Aged 88

Sonia Pantiss

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Aug 18, 2024

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Film legend Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.

Alain Delon was a star of the golden era of French cinema, known for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits including The Samurai and Borsalino.

“He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family,” a statement released to AFP news agency said.

Alain Delon has been in poor health in recent years and become a virtual recluse. More recently, the breakdown of his family had been making headlines in France.

Once described as the most beautiful man in the movies, Alain Delon starred in hits from the 1960s including The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.

From the 1990s, his film appearances grew rare, but he remained a fixture in the celebrity columns.

In total, Alain Delon appeared in more than 90 films during the course of his career.

A statement from his family said: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.

“He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”

Le Parisian newspaper called Alain Delon “a legend of the cinema”, while Liberation described him as “a leading figure of cinema, symbol of shadowy masculinity, the actor with crazy charisma”.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Alain Delon’s last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d’or at the Cannes film festival in May 2019.

At the event, he made an emotional speech in which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.

More recently, the breakdown of his family had been making headlines in France.

His three children had laid their mutual grievances before the media in a series of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings.

It included disagreements over his medical treatment.

In April this year, a judge placed Alain Delon under “reinforced curatorship”, meaning he no longer had full freedom to manage his assets.

Musk-Trump X-Chat Hit by Tech Glitches

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 14, 2024

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Elon Musk’s much-anticipated X-chat with Donald Trump was marred by technical issues.

The conversation, in which Elon Musk asked friendly questions on subjects such as immigration and inflation, began more than 40 minutes late as many users struggled to gain access.

The event was billed as an interview but the Republican candidate made a series of unsubstantiated claims that went without challenge.

Elon Musk repeated his endorsement of Donald Trump, who faces a resurgent new Democratic candidate, VP Kamala Harris, in November’s election.

He blamed the glitches on a cyber-attack.

The conversation on X comes as Donald Trump, the former president and Republican presidential nominee, is trying to reset his re-election campaign.

The entry of Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden stepped aside has tightened the race for the White House.

Elon Musk meanwhile has become an increasingly influential voice in politics.

He has recently become involved in a new political committee supporting Trump’s campaign.

“America is at a fork in the road and you are the path to prosperity and I think Kamala is the opposite,” said Elon Musk in one exchange.

The two men touched on a range of issues, from the assassination attempt on Trump last month at a Pennsylvania rally, to his wanting the US to get an “Iron Dome” missile defence system like the one in Israel as well as immigration, a key plank of his campaign.

Donald Trump also mused about closing the federal Department of Education and moving that responsibility to the states as one of his first acts if he wins the election in November.

The relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has shifted over the years and they have traded online barbs in the past.

Donald Trump, who has been skeptical of electric vehicles and previously vowed to roll back federal subsidies, praised car-maker Tesla, which Elon Musk also owns.

He recently said he had “no choice” but to support EVs because of Elom Musk’s endorsement and called the Tesla product “great” on August 12.

Many observers detected a difference in Trump’s voice which sounded like he had a lisp, but a spokesman for the Trump campaign said it was no different from normal.

However the Musk-Trump conversation got off to a less than auspicious start.

As many users struggled to access the livestream, Elon Musk blamed “a massive DDoS attack on X” for the problems in a post.

Distributed denial of services attacks – or DDoS attacks – are attempts to overload a website to make it hard to use or inaccessible.

The glitchy beginning was reminiscent of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ entry into the White House race in May 2023, which was held on X and saw the livestream malfunction.

Gwen Walz: Who Is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Wife?

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 7, 2024

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Gwen Walz: Who Is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Wife?

On August 6, America was introduced to a fresh political family when Vice-President Kamala Harris appointed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

While Gwen Walz, the two-term governor’s wife, may not officially be on the ticket, her background is getting plenty of attention too.

An educator for more than two decades and life-long Minnesotan, Gwen Walz was an agenda setter during her husband’s time in office.

She prioritized education and criminal justice reform, initiatives that could see traction in Washington with a Harris-Walz White House.

Gwen Walz, 58, met the Minnesota governor when the two were teaching in Nebraska.

They married in 1994 and share two children Hope and Gus.

Image source: Minnesota.gov

Gwen Walz has previously spoken about the couple’s infertility struggles and how they used IVF to conceive.

While Tim Walz created a social-media forward platform for himself during his time as governor, Gwen Walz appears to have taken on a less-public role.

She only created an Instagram account in recent days. She also participated in few media interviews as Minnesota’s First Lady.

When she does speak publicly, however, it is often about her commitment to education, criminal justice reform and how the two intersect.

Her first public event as first lady of Minnesota was a rally for restoring convicted felons’ voting rights.

Gwen Walz also chaired a task force on recidivism and toured state prisons.

She is said to advise her husband and she is the first Minnesota governor’s spouse to have an office in the state capitol.

Since her launch into national politics this week, she’s also been on the receiving end of criticism from the right, especially for comments she made during Minneapolis’ 2020 racial justice protests following the death of George Floyd.

In a now viral clip, Gwen Walz described the smell of the burning tires and said she kept the window open for as long as she could “because I felt that was such a touchstone of what was happening”.

Republicans are using the clip to cast Gwen Walz, and her husband, as too far-left for voters.

White House 2024: Kamala Harris Picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Running Mate

Diane A. Wade

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Aug 7, 2024

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White House 2024: Kamala Harris Picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Running Mate

Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential nominee.

Tim Walz, 60, is a former school teacher and member of Congress.

Kamala Harris wrote on social media that he stood out from the competition because “his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep”.

But the Trump campaign said Tim Walz was a “dangerously liberal extremist”.

He is viewed as somebody who can win over rural and working-class voters, particularly in crucial Midwestern states.

On August 6, Tim Walz appeared with Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before the pair begin a five-day tour of other key battleground states.

They will also speak at the Democratic National Convention later this month, from 19 to 22 August in Chicago, when the Harris-Walz ticket will be made formal.

Tim Walz said earlier it was “the honor of a lifetime” to join the Democratic ticket.

Kamala Harris was officially selected as the party’s presidential nominee by a virtual roll-call vote that ended on August 5.

They will face Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, in the general election on November 5.

Image source: Minnesota.gov

US media reports indicated Kamala Harris had not decided her running mate until August 6.

Her campaign vetted about a dozen people over the past two weeks.

Announcing the selection, Kamala Harris shared details of Tim Walz’s background “both because it’s impressive in its own right, and because you see in no uncertain terms how it informs his record”.

“As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his own,” she wrote.

“We are going to build a great partnership. We start out as underdogs but I believe together, we can win this election.”

During the vetting process, Tim Walz drew enthusiastic support from pro-labor groups and his party’s progressive wing.

He also gained attention with his description of Donald Trump and ‘Make America Great Again’ Republicans as “weird”.

Financial Information to Know When Updating Your Home

Finance

Clyde K. Valle

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Jul 25, 2024

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Financial Information to Know When Updating Your Home

Planning and Budgeting

When embarking on a home renovation project, understanding the financial implications is critical. One of the key components is setting a realistic budget that can accommodate unexpected expenses. By doing so, homeowners can avoid financial pitfalls and ensure that their renovations proceed smoothly.

A comprehensive plan should include cost estimates for both materials and labor. For instance, according to Forbes, installing a privacy fence can cost on average approximately $22 per linear foot. Knowing such details helps homeowners to better allocate their funds and avoid overspending.

Moreover, it is advisable to obtain multiple quotes from different contractors. This approach allows for careful comparison of financing options and helps in selecting the most cost-effective solutions. Carefully planned projects are less likely to exceed initial budgets.

Materials and Their Costs

Selecting the right materials for your home improvement projects can significantly affect your budget and the overall success of your project. For example, metal roofing has become increasingly popular for both residential and commercial properties. According to This Old House, metal roofing is the second-most commonly used material because of its durability and longevity.

Homeowners should weigh the initial costs against long-term savings. Although metal roofing can be more expensive upfront, its durability reduces the need for frequent repairs, thus making it cost-effective over time. Therefore, balancing initial and long-term costs is crucial.

Sourcing materials locally can also be a cost-effective strategy. It reduces shipping costs and supports local businesses. Furthermore, it’s easier to verify the quality of materials in person, thereby making the investment more secure.

Financing Options

Understanding different financing options is essential for any home renovation project. From home equity loans to personal loans, various options can help fund your improvements. Knowing the interest rates and terms associated with each can aid in making a well-informed decision that aligns with your financial goals.

Some homeowners may opt to use credit cards for smaller projects. While this can be convenient, it is crucial to consider the high interest rates that can accumulate quickly. Using wisely involves assessing the overall cost-effectiveness of such options.

For more substantial projects, securing a home equity line of credit (HELOC) might be a better option. HELOCs often offer lower interest rates compared to personal loans. Conducting thorough financing research can help you choose the best solution for your home renovation needs.

Energy Efficiency Improvements

One of the most beneficial updates you can make to your home is to improve its energy efficiency. Although the initial investment may be higher, the long-term savings on utility bills can be substantial. Moreover, eco-friendly solutions can also increase the resale value of your home.

Replacing old windows with energy-efficient models is a popular choice. According to Consumer Affairs, the North American windows and doors market was valued at $65 billion in 2022, reflecting the rising demand for energy-efficient options. By reducing heating and cooling costs, these windows offer significant annual savings.

Other energy-efficient improvements can include upgrading insulation, installing solar panels, and using smart home technologies. These investments can provide consistent savings and make your home more comfortable year-round. Therefore, they are excellent financial decisions for long-term homeowners.

Return on Investment

When updating your home, considering the return on investment (ROI) is crucial. Not all home improvements offer the same level of financial return. It is essential to prioritize projects that will boost your home’s value and offer a high ROI when funds are limited.

Kitchen and bathroom remodels often top the list for high-ROI projects. These areas are frequently used and can dramatically improve the functionality and aesthetics of a home. Investing in such upgrades can make your home more appealing to potential buyers, ensuring that your investment pays off.

Curb appeal is another factor to consider. Simple improvements, such as landscaping or a fresh coat of paint, can offer substantial returns. These upgrades enhance the overall appearance of your home and create a positive first impression, making them smart financial options.

Finding Balance in Chaos: How to Find Harmony During Rough Times

How To...

Dana R

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Jul 24, 2024

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Finding Balance in Chaos: How to Find Harmony During Rough Times

Life can sometimes feel like a turbulent sea. Waves of challenges and uncertainties can throw us off balance, making it hard to find our footing. However, amidst the chaos, it’s possible to find harmony and maintain a sense of calm. This blog explores practical strategies and insightful tips to help you achieve balance during rough times. Discover how perspective, self-care, and support networks can make a significant difference in navigating life’s storms.

Understanding Rough Patches

Rough times are an inevitable part of life, affecting both personal and professional spheres. From relationship issues and financial struggles to workplace stress and health concerns, these challenges can come in many forms. Recognizing and accepting the presence of difficulties is the first step towards finding harmony.

It’s essential to understand that rough patches do not define you. They are temporary phases that everyone experiences. By acknowledging this, you can begin to see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding the situation and deciding to move forward with a positive mindset.

Gaining insight into the common causes of rough times can also be helpful. Whether it’s a sudden job loss, a major life transition, or everyday stressors, identifying the root cause allows you to address the issue more effectively. By doing so, you can develop targeted strategies to manage and overcome these challenges.

The Power of Perspective

Your perspective can significantly impact your experience during rough patches. A positive outlook can transform a challenging situation into a manageable one. Shifting your perspective to find silver linings can make a world of difference.

One strategy is to practice gratitude. Taking time each day to reflect on the things you are thankful for can shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. This simple practice can elevate your mood and provide a sense of balance.

Another approach is to reframe your thoughts. Instead of viewing a situation as a setback, consider it a setup for something better. Challenges often come with hidden opportunities. By changing the narrative in your mind, you can open yourself up to new possibilities and solutions.

Finally, mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep breathing can help you stay grounded. These techniques encourage you to stay present, reducing the anxiety that often comes from worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

Self-Care and Wellness

Self-care is crucial for improving mood and resilience during tough times. It’s not just about pampering yourself; it’s about taking deliberate actions to nurture your well-being. A strong self-care routine can serve as a foundation for finding balance.

Start by incorporating physical activity into your daily routine. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga session, or a dance class, find an activity that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your life.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in how you feel. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can boost your energy levels and improve your overall mood. Stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine and sugar, as they can lead to energy crashes and mood swings.

Lastly, make time for relaxation and hobbies. Engaging in activities that bring you joy can provide a much-needed break from stress. Whether it’s reading, painting, gardening, or any other hobby, allow yourself to indulge in activities that make you happy.

Seeking Support

No one should have to face rough times alone. Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can provide a much-needed lifeline. Building a support network is essential for emotional health and resilience.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your loved ones. Sometimes, just talking about what you’re going through can lighten the load. Friends and family can offer different perspectives and solutions that you might not have considered.

Professional help can also be incredibly beneficial. Therapists, counselors, and coaches are trained to help you navigate difficult times. They can provide strategies and tools to manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges.

Always remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s a proactive step towards finding harmony and balance in your life.

New Smile Now – A Metaphor for Positivity

Imagine waking up every day with a “new smile now” mindset. This concept encapsulates the idea of finding positivity and resilience, even in the face of adversity. It aligns perfectly with the strategies discussed in this blog.

A “new smile now” represents a fresh start, a renewed perspective, and an unyielding spirit. It’s about choosing to face each day with optimism and a willingness to find joy in small moments. By adopting this mindset, you can transform rough patches into opportunities for growth and happiness.

Conclusion

Navigating rough times is challenging, but finding harmony amidst the chaos is possible. By understanding and accepting difficulties, shifting your perspective, practicing self-care, and seeking support, you can achieve balance and resilience.

Sharing these insights with others can create a ripple effect of positivity and support. If you found this blog helpful, consider sharing it with friends, family, and colleagues who might benefit from it. Together, we can create a community that thrives despite life’s challenges.

Biden’s Withdrawal: Four Candidates Who Could Replace Joe Biden

James J. Williams

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Jul 21, 2024

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Biden’s Withdrawal: Four Candidates Who Could Replace Joe Biden

President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw from the presidential race after weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats.

He says it’s “in the best interest of my party and the country” – but will stay on for the final six months of his term.

Joe Biden has endorsed his deputy Kamala Harris as his replacement for Democratic nominee. But that’s not a done deal and things will play out in the coming days.

A short time ago, Gavin Newsom was one of the names talked about as a potential successor to Joe Biden.

White House 2024: Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race and Endorses Kamala Harris

Here are some of the other key names in the frame:

Kamala Harris

The vice-president has Biden’s endorsement – echoed by Bill and Hillary Clinton.

She proved to be a loyal deputy during the recent weeks of pressure. Since they took the White House in 2020, she has become the face of the administration’s campaign to protect reproductive rights.

Gretchen Whitmer

The Michigan governor is an increasingly popular Midwest Democrat who many pundits had been speculating as a presidential candidate for 2028.

She has campaigned for Joe Biden in the past and has not been shy about her political aspirations. But for now, she says her job “remains the same”.

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California has been quick out of the blocks to praise Joe Biden as “one of the most impactful and selfless presidents” America has known.

He, too, has been suggested as a potential candidate for the White House in 2028, having become one of the Biden administration’s fiercest surrogates who raised his national profile in recent years.

Pete Buttigieg

It’s no secret that the transportation secretary has presidential aspirations.

He ran for the White House in 2020 and is often touted as one of the Biden administration’s best communicators. He’s had to deal with a number of crises while in office.

White House 2024: Donald Trump Reacts to Joe Biden’s Decision to Pull Out of Presidential Race

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 21, 2024

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White House 2024: Donald Trump Reacts to Joe Biden’s Decision to Pull Out of Presidential Race

Republican candidate Donald Trump has reacted to President Joe Biden’s decision to pull out of the presidential race, posting on his platform Truth Social: “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve – and never was!”

“He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.

“All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t,” he writes.

“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

White House 2024: Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race and Endorses Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden, 81, has announced he’s ending his campaign for re-election to the White House.

It follows weeks of pressure from within his party, sparked by a faltering debate performance against Donald Trump in late June.

The president said his decision was “in the best interest of my party and the country” and that it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as the American president.

Joe Biden said he would see out the remainder of his term in the White House and has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take the top of the ticket as the Democratic candidate for president in the November election.

His political opponents, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have called on him to step down straight away. Joe Biden’s rival for president, Donald Trump, says the Democrat is “not fit to serve”.

However, Joe Biden has received tributes from prominent figures within his party, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, and beyond – such as Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who said he “restored honesty, dignity and integrity” to the White House after Trump.

White House 2024: Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race and Endorses Kamala Harris

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 21, 2024

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White House 2024: Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race and Endorses Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential race after weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats.

He says it’s “in the best interest of my party and the country” – but will stay on for the final six months of his term.

Jo Biden endorses Kamala Harris, his vice-president, to be the new Democratic nominee.

The decision comes after weeks of intense pressure from fellow Democrats following a stumbling and sometimes incoherent debate performance against Republican Donald Trump at the end of June.

Joe Biden, 81, had resisted calls to step aside even as concerns over his mental fitness and capacity to beat Donald Trump mounted.

The announcement paves the way for another Democrat to become the party’s presidential candidate, with Vice-President Kamala Harris the most likely successor.

He will remain president until January, when the winner of the 2024 election will take office.

Joe Biden’s full statement pulling out of the race for the White House, which he posted on X a short time ago:

“My Fellow Americans, over the past three-and-a-half years, we have made great progress as a nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.

“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

“I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected.

“I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”

Biden-Trump Debate: Joe Biden Assures Democrat Donors He Can Still Win Election

VP Kamala Harris says she intends to “earn and win” the nomination and do “everything in my power to… unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump”

Kamala Harris, now 59, was the first woman and the first black person to serve as California’s attorney general, the top lawyer and law enforcement official in America’s most populous state.

She gained a reputation as one of the Democratic Party’s rising stars, coming to power after being elected as California’s junior US senator in 2017 before setting her sights on the presidential nomination in 2020.

However, her adept debate performances were not enough to compensate for poorly articulated policies.

It was Joe Biden who returned Kamala Harris to the national spotlight by putting her on his ticket as the Democrat vice-presidential candidate in that same race.

After Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election, she focused on several key initiatives and has been instrumental in some of the Biden administration’s most touted accomplishments, including the launch of a nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour, highlighting harm caused by abortion ban, and calling on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v Wade for abortion rights.

While she struggled to achieve broad appeal among Americans, in recent weeks – as speculation about Biden swirled – she has found a renewed base of support.

President Biden’s aides had been planning campaign events next week upon his return to the White House before he announced his decision to end his election campaign.

The president informed senior White House and campaign aides of his decision to exit the 2024 race shortly before the letter was publicly released, according to a senior White House official.

He told his team he had been reflecting on it over the past couple of days.

Former President Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton, who ran against Trump in 2016, also endorse Harris – saying Democrats must “fight with everything we’ve got to elect her”

Former President Barack Obama says Democrats will name an “outstanding nominee”, but does not endorse Kamala Harris or any candidate.

Americans go to the polls in four months – on November 5.

Sandra Hemme: Missouri Woman Freed After 43 Years in Prison for Murder She Didn’t Commit

U.S. News

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 21, 2024

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Sandra Hemme: Missouri Woman Freed After 43 Years in Prison for Murder She Didn’t Commit

Sandra Hemme, who served 43 years for a murder she did not commit, has been released after her conviction was overturned.

Teh woman was 20 years old when she was found guilty of stabbing to death library worker Patricia Jeschke from St Joseph, Missouri, in November 1980. She was given a life sentence.

There was no evidence that linked her to the crime other than a confession she gave under heavy sedation in a psychiatric hospital, a review into her case found.

Sandra Hemme, now 64, is believed to have served the longest known wrongful conviction of a woman in US history according to her representatives.

Her legal team at the Innocence Project said they are grateful that Sandra Hemme is finally reunited with her family, and they will “continue to fight” to clear her name.

While she is no longer incarcerated, her case is still being reviewed.

Circuit Court Judge Ryan Horsman’s original 118-page ruling overturning her conviction came on June 14. It said Sandra Hemme’s lawyers had clear proof of her innocence, including evidence that was not given to her defence team at the time.

“This court finds that the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence,” Judge Horsman concluded.

Image source: Innocence Project

The review found that local police ignored evidence that directly pointed to one of their own officers – Michael Holman – who later went to prison for another crime and died in 2015.

Michael Holman’s truck was seen in the area the day of the murder, his alibi could not be corroborated, and he used Patricia Jeschke’s credit card after claiming he found it in a ditch.

A pair of distinctive gold earrings identified by Patricia Jeschke’s father were also found in Michael Holman’s home.

None of this was disclosed to Sandra Hemme’s defense team at the time, the review said.

Sandra Hemme was interrogated by police several times under the influence of antipsychotic medication and a powerful sedative after being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. She had been receiving occasional psychiatric treatment since she was 12 years old.

Her responses were “monosyllabic” and she was “not totally cognisant of what was going on”, court documents showed, and at times could barely hold her head up straight and was in pain from muscle spasms – a side effect of the medications.

Judge Horsman’s review noted that no forensic evidence linked Sandra Hemme to the murder. She had no motive and there were no witnesses linking her to the crime.

Se finally left prison on July 19, and the Kansas City Star reports that she will live with her sister.

After her release she was reunited with family in a nearby park, where she hugged her sister, daughter and granddaughter.

JD Vance: Donald Trump Names “Never Trumper” Ohio Senator as Running Mate

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 16, 2024

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JD Vance: Donald Trump Names “Never Trumper” Ohio Senator as Running Mate

Donald Trump has named former “never Trumper” Republican and Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice-presidential nominee.

Republican National Convention (RNC) delegates formally selected JD Vance, 39, on July 15 after Donald Trump announced on his social media platform he had chosen him after “lengthy deliberation and thought”.

JD Vance is a Yale-educated venture capitalist and author of the bestselling memoir-turned-film Hillbilly Elegy.

He has previously criticized his new running mate, once suggesting privately that Donald Trump could be “America’s Hitler”, but has since become an ardent supporter.

In the 2022 midterm elections, he won a seat in the Senate with Donald Trump’s endorsement – his first time being elected to public office.

After his confirmation as Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance took aim at Joe Biden, claiming on Fox News that Americans elected an “empty vessel” in 2020 who is now “an incapacitated president”.

He claimed Democrats had lied about Joe Biden’s health, and voters could “either reward or punish that behaviour” in November.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

JD Vance added that he had said “bad things” about Donald Trump but it was important to admit he was wrong.

A native of Ohio, JD Vance gained attention after the release of Hillbilly Elegy, which tells of his blue-collar upbringing and how it affected his politics.

Donald Trump said on the Truth Social platform that the book “championed the hardworking men and women of our country”.

“As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he continued.

In comments on July 15, President Biden called JD Vance a “clone of Trump” – indicating how Democrats will attempt to portray him for the rest of the campaign.

Shannen Doherty Dies from Breast Cancer at 53

Entertainment

Sonia Pantiss

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Jul 15, 2024

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Shannen Doherty Dies from Breast Cancer at 53

Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed star Shannen Doherty died from cancer on July 23, 2024. She was 53.

Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty.

“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie.”

Shannen Doherty spent over four decades as an actress. She is best known for playing Brenda Walsh on four seasons of 90210. The series followed a group of Beverly Hills teenagers as they faced relationship and family issues.

She was nominated for several awards for her role on the show.

Shannen Doherty later went on to play Brenda in a 2008 reboot of the series where her character grew up to become a theatre actress.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015 and underwent a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She announced she was in remission in 2017, but the cancer returned two years later.

The actress was open about her battle with cancer, documenting it on social media. In a June 2023 Instagram video, she shared that the the cancer spread to her brain. She announced last fall that she is committed to battling the disease despite it spreading to her bones.

“I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating,” she said to People magazine in November 2023.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Born in Memphis, Shannen Doherty started acting as a child. She appeared in TV series including Voyagers, Our House and Father Murphy before starring as Jenny Wilder at the age of 11 in Little House on the Prairie.

Three years later in 1985, she got her first major film role starring in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, which also starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt.

In 1988, Shannen Doherty played Heather Duke in the iconic teen film Heathers alongside Winona Ryder, Lisanne Falk and Kim Walker.

Shannen Doherty struggled at the time with being young and famous, earning a reputation as a troublemaker on the set of 90210.

“I was very confused back then about what I wanted for myself, and the attention was way too much,” she said.

“I didn’t always handle it that well.”

Shannen Doherty later starred in Charmed, a show about three sisters who were witches.

She also played roles in North Shore, set in a Hawaii hotel, and the offbeat film comedy Mallrats.

The actress was married twice before marrying her current husband, photographer Kurt Iswarienko, in 2011.

In the 2010s, she ventured into reality TV appearing on Dancing With The Stars.

Shannen Doherty was a passionate animal rights activist. Her semi-autobiographical book Badass, released in 2010, encouraged young women to live life with attitude and confidence.

Trump Assassination Attempt: Former President Wounded in Ear, One Spectator Killed and Two Critically Injured

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 14, 2024

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Trump Assassination Attempt: Former President Wounded in Ear, One Spectator Killed and Two Critically Injured

Donald Trump has returned to his home in New Jersey after he was injured in an attempted assassination at a rally on July 13.

Shots rang out as the Republican candidate was speaking at an event in Pennsylvania, sparking panic in the crowd as Secret Service agents swarmed the former president.

Donald Trump, who emerged with a bloodied face, says he was shot in the ear, describing a “whizzing sound” and feeling a “bullet ripping through skin”.

The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks – he was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

One spectator was killed at the rally and two others were critically injured.

After the shooting, President Joe Biden released a statement, expressing concern about the “sick” assassination attempt and saying he was “grateful” to hear that Donald Trump was safe.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Joe Biden said.

“I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.

“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it. It’s sick, it’s sick”.

Vice-President Kamala Harris also released a statement, underlining that she is “relieved” Donald Trump was not seriously injured.

“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”

According to a statement published on the Republican National Committee (RNC), external website, Donald Trump is “doing well” and is grateful to law enforcement officers.

It says he “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th president of the United States. As our party’s nominee… [he] will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again,” the statement from the Trump campaign and RNC reads.

Earlier, Donald Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, a platform he founded.

The former president thanked law enforcement officers and the Secret Service for their “rapid response”.

“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” Donald Trump said.

“Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.

“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. God Bless America!”

It has since been confirmed that President Biden has spoken with Donald Trump.

White House 2024: George Clooney Asks Joe Biden to Step Aside

Economy & Politics

Diane A. Wade

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Jul 10, 2024

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White House 2024: George Clooney Asks Joe Biden to Step Aside

Top Democratic fundraiser George Clooney has issued a damning call for Joe Biden to quit the presidential race, hours after senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi swerved questions about whether he should continue.

George Clooney said that the president had won many battles in his career, “but the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time”.

His comments came after Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, joined growing disquiet in the party, saying that time was “running short” for Joe Biden to decide whether to stay in the race against Donald Trump after his disastrous debate.

President Biden has stated, repeatedly, that he is determined to remain as the Democratic party’s candidate and beat Donald Trump in November.

George Clooney wrote in The New York Times that it was “devastating to say it” but the Mr Biden he met at a fundraising event three weeks ago was not the “‘Joe ‘big ****ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020.”

“He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” the actor said.

Image source: Wikimedia

Biden-Trump 1st Debate Wraps Ahead of Donald Trump Immunity Ruling

The fundraising event, held in Los Angeles, brought in a single-night record of roughly $30 million for the Biden campaign.

“Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw.”

“This is about age. Nothing more,” he continued. “We are not going to win in November with this president.”

George Clooney added that his concerns matched those of “every” member of Congress he had spoken to.

Asked to respond, Joe Biden’s campaign referred to a letter the president sent Democrats in Congress that said he was “firmly committed” to his candidacy and beating Donald Trump.

Yet public dissent continues to grow within Joe Biden’s party as he faces scrutiny while hosting the NATO summit in Washington.

Nancy Pelosi, still one of the most powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill, on July 10 appeared to disregard Joe Biden’s insistence that he was determined to continue.

When asked if he should stay in the election race, she told MSNBC’s Morning Joe: “I want him to do whatever he decides to do.”

“It’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short.”

A Biden campaign spokesperson referred to Nancy Pelosi’s comments on July 9, in which she said that she had “always been committed” to the president.

Around a dozen elected Democrats have suggested he abandon his campaign since his June 27 debate with Donald Trump.

On July 9, Michael Bennet of Colorado became the first Democratic senator to publicly dissent.

Although he did not call for Joe Biden to quit outright, he said Donald Trump would win the election, possibly by a “landslide”.

Pat Ryan, a congressman from New York, later wrote on X: “For the good of our country, for my two young kids, I’m asking Joe Biden to step aside.”

Overall support from elected Democrats remains robust, however.

Gavin Newsom, the California governor who was named by George Clooney as a potential replacement, said he was still “all in” with Joe Biden.

The Congressional Black Caucus, a group of roughly 60 politicians, and newer House members like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, have publicly backed him.

Hurricane Beryl Kills At Least 7 as It Batters the Caribbean

U.S. News

Nancy Clayson

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Jul 3, 2024

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Hurricane Beryl Kills At Least 7 as It Batters the Caribbean

A deadly hurricane which has been tearing through the southeast Caribbean is moving towards Jamaica.

At least seven people have been killed by Hurricane Beryl in Grenada, Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Hurricane Beryl became the earliest storm to develop into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic on July 1st, before weakening to a still-destructive Category 4.

It peaked at winds of 165 mph and is expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surges to Jamaica on July 3.

US National Hurricane Center director says storm has “potential for devastating to catastrophic wind damage” as it passes over Jamaica.

So far, the storm has destroyed large parts of two small islands in Grenada, damaging 98% of the buildings there. Officials called the impact “unimaginable”

At least seven people have been already killed in the path of the storm, including in Grenada, as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Beryl is now heading towards Jamaica, where evacuation orders have been issued. Officials estimate the storm is about 45 miles away from Kingston as of July 3. Devastating hurricane force winds of up to 155mph are expected, with life-threatening storm surges as high as 9ft.

The hurricane is then expected to reach the Cayman Islands, before reaching the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico later in the week.

Hurricane Beryl is putting the role of climate change under the spotlight.

With maximum sustained wind speeds of more than 160mph, it became the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane in records going back around 100 years.

In fact, there has only been one previous recorded case of a category five Atlantic hurricane in July – Hurricane Emily, on July 16, 2005.

The causes of individual storms are complex, making it difficult to fully attribute specific cases to climate change.

But exceptionally high sea surface temperatures are seen as a key reason why Hurricane Beryl has been so powerful.

Usually, such strong storms only develop later in the season, after the seas have heated up through the summer.

Jamaica’s met office has issued a warning of “dangerously high water” and “exceptionally high waves” as Hurricane Beryl moves close to the Caribbean island’s southern coastline.

The eye of the storm is expected to move adjacent to the southern coastline of Jamaica, the service says in an update a post on social media.

Biden-Trump Debate: Joe Biden Assures Democrat Donors He Can Still Win Election

Diane A. Wade

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Jun 30, 2024

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Biden-Trump Debate: Joe Biden Assures Democrat Donors He Can Still Win Election

President Joe Biden has assured Democrat donors that he can still win November’s presidential election against Donald Trump, after a poor debate performance fuelled concern about his candidacy.

Joe Biden, 81, attended a series of fundraising events in New York and New Jersey on June 29, and defended his performance in CNN’s Presidential Debate.

Speaking at one event, President Biden admitted: “I didn’t have a great night, but neither did Trump.”

“I promise you we’re going to win this election,” he said.

Joe Biden’s debate performance was marked by hard-to-follow and shaky answers – raising fresh fears among some Democrats over whether he is the right candidate to contest this high-stakes election.

The Biden campaign accepted that the debate had not gone as they had hoped, but said he would not step aside for another nominee.

Campaign chairwoman Jennifer O’Malley Dillon said on June 29 that internal post-debate polling showed “voters’ opinions were not changed”.

Former President Barack Obama, a close friend of Joe Biden, said on social media that “bad debate nights happen”.

“This election is still a choice between someone who fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself,” Barack Obama wrote.

Hours after the debate, Donald Trump told his supporters that he considered the debate a “big victory” for his campaign.

“Joe Biden’s problem is not his age,” the 78-year-old Trump said.

“It’s his competence. He’s grossly incompetent.”

A post-debate poll by liberal pollster Data for Progress found that 62% of likely voters who watched or read about the debate found Donald Trump won. Only 30% of those polled said Joe Biden won the debate.

Until further polling is conducted, fundraising could be another indication of continued enthusiasm for Joe Biden’s candidacy.

In a memo, chairwoman Jennifer O’Malley Dillon said the campaign had raised more than $27 million from June 27 to June 28.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5CVZHAjrW8

Biden-Trump 1st Debate Wraps Ahead of Donald Trump Immunity Ruling

Diane A. Wade

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Jun 28, 2024

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Biden-Trump 1st Debate Wraps Ahead of Donald Trump Immunity Ruling

President Joe Biden gave a stumbling performance in a 90-minute showdown with Donald Trump – the first televised debate of the 2024 presidential election campaign.

Democrats expressed concern at the president’s performance – with party insiders saying his early answers triggered panic.

While Republican candidate Donald Trump faces criticism for the number of falsehoods he uttered, much of the attention has been focused on President Joe Biden’s poor performance.

Joe Biden appeared to struggle in several of his answers. As a result, concerns about his age and mental fitness have only risen further. Some Democrats have even asked after the debate whether the president could be replaced as the party’s presidential candidate.

Speaking to the New York Times, an unnamed veteran Democrat says the president will face a “crescendo” of calls to step down. “Joe had a deep well of affection among Democrats. It has run dry.”

Many of the president’s surrogates have come to his defence, though. Vice-President Kamala Harris told CNN “there was a slow start but there was a strong finish” by her running mate.

Donald Trump’s supporters, meanwhile, declared victory. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “the biggest mismatch” in debate history.

He repeatedly attacked President Biden on the economy and his foreign policy record, Joe Biden took aim at his rival’s criminal conviction and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Donald Trump also repeated falsehoods – from abortion, to taxes and the deficit – and at first avoided answering if he would accept the 2024 election result.

Joe Biden called Donald Trump a “sucker”, a “loser,” and said he had the “morals of an alley cat”.

Donald Trump hit back, and said at one point: “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, and I don’t think he did either.”

On Russian state TV, political talk show “60 Minutes” mocked the debate, referring to it as “a reality show about the lives of pensioners”. The anchor concluded that it had been “disastrous for Joe”.

Meanwhile in China, the state-owned Global Times also described the debate as “like, external a reality show, external”. Chinese audiences did, however, enjoy the pair going “off topic to discuss their golf skills, external”.

In Ukraine, news websites such as Ukrayinska Pravda, external and NV, external, as well as the national United News TV service, gave prominence to Donald Trump’s remark that Vladimir Putin’s conditions for ending the war were “not acceptable”.

Ukranian media generally agreed that Joe Biden “lacked energy”. He failed to show voters that he can be the US president for another four years, the LB.ua website said, external.

The Hindustan Times in India said Joe Biden’s performance was “shaky” and he appeared to be “struggling and even froze several times”. Donald Trump showed “more aggression” and “capitalised on Biden’s missteps”.

Finally in Turkey, the Hurriyet newspaper said: , external“Biden had difficulty understanding the questions and hesitated when answering.”

Academic Hilmi Bolatoglu said in a post on X, external that Joe Biden’s performance suggested a “new Trump era is approaching”.

Kate Middleton Makes First Public Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis

Europe News

Lisa.Felice

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Jun 16, 2024

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Kate Middleton Makes First Public Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis

Kate Middleton has made her much-anticipated first public appearance of the year at the annual Trooping the Colour parade.

The princess, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, could be seen smiling and waving from the Buckingham Palace balcony at the end of a ceremony filled with pomp and pageantry.

King Charles III, who is also receiving treatment for cancer, traveled in a carriage, rather than on horseback.

Thousands waited in the heavy rain for one of the biggest events in the royal calendar.

There were cheers from the crowd as they caught their first glimpse of Kate and the King heading from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.

The carriage procession was met by a sea of mobile phones, with people trying to catch a photograph of the royals through the windows.

Kate Middleton was pictured smiling, sitting alongside her children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.

The ceremonial event marks the King’s official birthday and has been held for over 260 years.

It was Kate’s first public appearance since Christmas and in March she had revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

In a statement released on June 14, the Princess of Wales said she was “not out of the woods yet”, and had “good days and bad days”, but was “looking forward to attending the King’s birthday parade this weekend with my family”.

In a change from last year, she watched the ceremony from a balcony with her children, instead of joining other senior royals on a dais.

Prince Louis danced to a march by the Scots Guards, and was spotted yawning while watching the parade.

His sister, Princess Charlotte, was seen wiping steam off their carriage’s windows, as they made their way back to Buckingham Palace.

King Charles, who also continues to have cancer treatment, traveled with Queen Camilla by carriage.

Since the general election was called last month, the palace has had to postpone some events which might have been seen as a “distraction”, but the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony went ahead.

As the King’s carriage emerged from behind the Buckingham Palace gates, cheers could be heard from the watching crowd.

Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward rode on horseback in military uniform.

How Outsourcing Benefits The Healthcare Industry

Health

Kathryn R. Bown

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Jun 14, 2024

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How Outsourcing Benefits The Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is struggling. Organizations are competing for top talent, and countless medical professionals are choosing to leave the profession. Industry insiders say the outlook for 2024 is dismal. Many organizations are turning to third-party providers for help, and this outsourcing is expected to increase.

Outsourcing in Healthcare

Outsourcing in healthcare is similar to outsourcing in other sectors. Organizations delegate specific tasks to outside sources to improve overall healthcare facility performance. Medical transcription and IT are two tasks commonly outsourced today. The ongoing talent shortage has made outsourcing more popular, as healthcare organizations often turn to third-party providers for help finding the right medical staff. Budget constraints and extreme competition in the healthcare industry also play a role in the need to outsource.

Image source: picryl.com

What Benefits Come With Outsourcing Tasks?

Organizations that outsource tasks find they better control costs. Doing so brings excellent stability to the organization as it can budget for daily operations and plan strategically for the future. Reduced labor costs and lower HR expenses for recruiting, onboarding, and retaining top talent are seen when an organization outsources these tasks.

Outsourcing tasks allows healthcare organizations to focus more on acquiring and maintaining the latest technology. Organizations spend large sums of money to secure this equipment and keep it up and running, but outsourcing this task allows them to turn it over to an independent party. Workers appreciate not having to take these tasks on and are more likely to stay with the organization when it outsources this work.

Independent agencies have access to a wider talent pool. The healthcare organization shares open positions with the agency, which finds the right talent to fill those positions. Agencies maintain a database of qualified professionals, so finding a match is less of a challenge.

Healthcare organizations that outsource find they gain a competitive edge. By turning certain tasks over to outside parties, smaller organizations can keep up with major players in the industry. These organizations can scale resources as needed, and this agility will allow them to grow rapidly and adapt to changing conditions.

Patient care improves when organizations outsource. Turning administrative tasks over to third parties means healthcare workers have more time for direct patient care. Patients benefit, as do healthcare workers. Their morale improves, and they experience less stress as they have more time to help patients, which is why they entered the field initially.

Billing and coding mistakes cost healthcare organizations billions each year. Outsourcing these tasks increases their accuracy. Highly skilled individuals handling billing and coding daily deliver fewer errors, so the healthcare organization receives more of its hard-earned money.

Commonly Outsourced Healthcare Services

Healthcare organizations often outsource specific tasks. Medical coding, quality assurance, and transcription are three sources independent parties can take on for these organizations. Claims processing, chart retrieval, and information technology are additional tasks an organization might want to outsource. Today, countless organizations also use third-party providers for talent searches.

Choosing a Quality Outsourcing Provider

Healthcare organizations must choose outsourcing partners carefully. Provider selections should never be made based on price alone. Ensure the provider can complete the desired tasks and has the experience to do so correctly. Request references and confirm the outsourcing partner has had no compliance complaints or data security breaches. Work with partners that will allow their services to be scaled as needed. If the provider cannot help the organization scale, it might be best to look elsewhere.

Healthcare organizations have different needs. Each organization must determine which tasks it should outsource and which providers best meet its needs. Furthermore, the organization must be prepared to adapt as the industry advances, and the right partners will help it do so. Learn more about outsourcing in healthcare today, as turning specific tasks over to independent providers will increase in importance in the coming years.

6 Health Tips for New Parents

Health

Kathryn R. Bown

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Jun 6, 2024

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When parents bring home a new baby, there will be many challenges for your new family to overcome. A parent’s most vital responsibility is keeping their children healthy. According to the National Institute for Health, one of the best ways to help your children be healthy is to become a healthy role model. Here are some tips to do just that!

1. Choose Healthy Family Meals

Our bodies need nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to be healthy, and healthy food choices will be one of the best ways. If you’re the one planning and cooking the meals and snacks, choose meals that offer healthy portions of lean proteins, whole grains, heart-healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables. Growing children need snacks, too, so be sure to keep healthy snacks – like fruits, raw vegetables, and Greek yogurt – available for your kids to snack on. A fried or sugary snack occasionally isn’t a tragedy, but limit it to an occasional treat.

2. Keep Your Body Healthy with Regular Exercise

Exercise doesn’t just maintain your weight; it helps the vitamins and minerals circulate throughout your body. Be the exercise coach for your family and encourage them to walk short distances or to use their bicycles. If your child is active in school sports, encourage their participation by helping them practice and attend their games. Children who need to lose weight can begin to meet their weight-loss goals by walking about 30 minutes each day three times a week; from there, they can increase frequency and endurance.

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3. Encourage Good Oral Health Habits

When your children’s teeth erupt, give them dental instruction and encouragement. Help them get used to a regimen of brushing and flossing that will keep their teeth and gums as healthy as possible, and take them to the dentist once a year. Once again, you can be a good role model and demonstrate good dental health habits. For example, good at-home oral care and hygiene could help a dental bridge last up to 15 years.

4. Support Good Mental Health and Happiness

Family members of all ages face stress each day. Let your child know they can talk to you about any stress or anxiety they face. Some children face severe issues with mental health disorders such as clinical depression or bipolar disorder. If your loving interventions can’t help your children overcome their mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to help them find a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.

5. Be Mindful of their Needs for School Health

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, chronic school absenteeism is often due to health issues. Be sure your children’s vaccinations and health care precautions are current, according to their physician. Teach your children to wash their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Although statistics show that 25% of all U.S. schools are private, the need for children to maintain good personal health habits at school does not vary significantly between public and private schools.

6. Use Information From Surrogacy to Guide Your Child’s Health

If your child was born using a surrogate pregnancy, your personal health history may not be relevant to your child’s. During your surrogate’s pregnancy, you may have many opportunities to learn about any concerns about your surrogate’s health history. After all, you will be responsible for her pregnancy’s various medical and hospital expenses, including any medical complications. Costs for surrogate pregnancy – and health challenges – will increase if the surrogate gives birth to twins.

According to the Mayo Clinic, loving parents can significantly contribute to their children’s health. Do your best to provide healthy food and encourage healthy levels of activity. Listen to your children when they need mental health support. When your efforts originate from a loving desire to keep them healthy, you can feel assured they’ll be the best you can do.

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Conclusion

1. Choose Healthy Family Meals

2. Keep Your Body Healthy with Regular Exercise

3. Encourage Good Oral Health Habits

4. Support Good Mental Health and Happiness

5. Be Mindful of their Needs for School Health

6. Use Information From Surrogacy to Guide Your Child’s Health