Category: Life

Four federal departments that could be shut down first.

He and Mike Pence have promised, Mother Jones magazine points out, that on Trump’s first day in office he will repeal Obamacare, end the “war on coal,” expel illegal immigrants, begin construction of a “beautiful Southern border wall,” fix the Department of Veterans Affairs, come up with a plan to stop ISIS, get rid of “gun-free zones,” “start taking care of our … military,” withdraw from the TPP trade agreement, cut regulations and designate China a currency manipulator. OK, much of that was probably just campaign talk.

A president from Facebook? Vanity Fair makes a case

Nick Bilton of Vanity Fair writes of indications that Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg will run for president of the U.S. someday. Among the lesser bits of circumstantial evidence: Zuckerberg, who has a habit of posting his annual New Year’s resolution on his Facebook page, declared that after conquering the previous challenges of learning Mandarin, and building an artificial-intelligence butler for his home, this year he was going to meet “people in every state in the US.”

Billions to be paid to affected Marines

After years of wait, veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina may now be able to receive a portion of government disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion.

The US government is letting farmers charge more money for food that’s ‘transitioning to organic’

The US Department of Agriculture on Wednesday took a step toward increasing the production of organic foods – which has not kept pace with demand – by launching a program to certify farmland that growers are in the process of switching to organic. Obtaining certification under the program will allow farmers to sell products raised in accordance with organic guidelines for higher prices than conventionally-grown goods, according to the Organic Trade Association, an industry group.

Veterans care still ‘high risk’ as Trump mulls VA head

” Veterans health care remains a “high risk” issue threatening the federal budget and quality of care for former service members, auditors say in a forthcoming report. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office will place the Veteran Affairs Department’s health system once again on its “high risk” list when it’s released next month.

FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein leads airport case new

The FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein alone for months after the former Iraqi leader’s capture is now leading the investigation into the Florida airport shooting rampage that killed five and is being blamed on an Iraq war veteran. George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, was Saddam’s sole interrogator beginning in January 2004.

Trump’s VA pick pledges to save beleaguered agency

Physician David Shulkin headed toward likely confirmation as President Donald Trump’s veterans affairs secretary, after offering repeated assurances Wednesday to sometimes skeptical senators that he will work quickly to meet the medical care needs of millions of veterans without dismantling the beleaguered department. At his confirmation hearing, Shulkin, the top health official at the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2015, cited efforts during his tenure to improve wait times for veterans needing urgent care, such as same-day services in primary care and mental health at VA medical centres.

Kushner: Trump didn’t believe conspiracy theories

Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, personally assured skittish acquaintances the President-elect didn’t really believe some of the more outrageous claims he was making, according to a new New York magazine profile. “Back when Trump was spinning birther conspiracy theories, which were lapped up by gullible Republicans, one person who talked to Kushner says he offered assurances that his father-in-law didn’t really believe that stuff,” the report says.

Even with increased airport security vulnerabilities remain

This photo taken Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 by passenger Mark Lea and released by Lea Sunday, Jan. 8 shows a handgun which was used by Iraq war veteran Esteban Santiago when he killed five people is seen on the floor at the scene of the attack at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida. In a post-9/11 world, American airports have taken all sorts of steps to keep travelers safe.

FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein leads airport case

The FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein alone for months after the former Iraqi leader’s capture is now leading the investigation into the Florida airport shooting rampage blamed on an Iraq war veteran. George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, was Saddam’s sole interrogator beginning in January 2004.

Iraq war veteran accused of killing five at Fort Lauderdale airport

An Iraq war veteran took a gun out of his checked luggage and opened fire in a crowded baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale’s airport on Friday, killing five people, months after he showed up at an FBI office behaving erratically, according to authorities. Esteban Santiago, 26, who was taken into custody immediately after the shooting and questioned at length, was expected to face federal charges in the shooting rampage, said George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI’s office in Miami.

Iraq war veteran accused of killing five at Ft. Lauderdale airport

News selected on topics and regions – oil and gas, business, politics, IT, the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector An Iraq war veteran took a gun out of his checked luggage and opened fire in a crowded baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale’s airport on Friday, killing five people, months after he showed up at an FBI office behaving erratically, Reuters reported. Esteban Santiago, 26, who was taken into custody immediately following the shooting and questioned at length, was expected to face federal charges in the shooting rampage, said George Piro, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s office in Miami.

Veteran Allegedly Kills 5 at…

A military veteran opened fire in a baggage claim at the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in Florida Friday, killing five and wounding eight others, in a horrific scene that sent people running for their lives, officials and witnesses said. The motive for the shooting, just before 1 p.m. in the baggage claim area at Terminal 2, remained unclear and the alleged gunman appears to have acted alone.

Why your viral a heroesa probably shouldna t be the Twitter accounts of brands

“In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them” – Deuteronomy 32:35 “Our community manager was unaware of the recent evolution of the Pepe meme’s meaning, and this tweet was promptly deleted.” – The Wendy’s brand Twitter account, Jan. 4. Just 24 short hours ago, the Wendy’s brand Twitter account was the Internet’s latest hero, because it “owned” a troll who questioned whether the fast-food company’s hamburgers were really never frozen.

French corruption trial of African leader’s son postponed

Amid reports that Charles Manson has been taken from his California prison cell to a hospital, a state corrections official would confirm only that the 82-year-old killer and cult leader was still alive. Amid reports that Charles Manson has been taken from his California prison cell to a hospital, a state corrections official would confirm only that the 82-year-old killer and cult leader was still alive.

Obama, Pence to Capitol as health care overhaul fight begins

President Barack Obama heads to the Capitol on Jan. 4, to give congressional Democrats advice on how to combat th… Amid reports that Charles Manson has been taken from his California prison cell to a hospital, a state corrections official would confirm only that the 82-year-old killer and cult leader was still alive. Amid reports that Charles Manson has been taken from his California prison cell to a hospital, a state corrections official would confirm only that the 82-year-old killer and cult leader was still alive.

Fourteen people ‘including 12 children’ swept off rocks by a freak…

Inside Ivanka and Jared’s $5.5 million, six bedroom new D.C. home – just two blocks away from the Obamas’ post-presidency digs Put down your fork after three bites, greet people with a kiss and NEVER let guests wash up! Etiquette expert reveals the Duchess of Cambridge’s rules for hosting a successful party Revealed: American hiker who mysteriously died falling off icy cliff in Switzerland was facing child pornography charges in the U.S. Altar boy, 15, who fatally shot a teenage girl in her bedroom during New Year’s attack dies of self-inflicted gun wound The smile that says she’s leaving: Beaming Megyn Kelly heads to the studio hours after announcing she’s moving to NBC ‘after Fox TURNED DOWN her last-minute $25M demand’ ‘We wish her the best’: Murdoch hopes Megyn Kelly has ‘tremendous success’ after it’s revealed she’ll return to Fox News show tonight but is out end of week after … (more)

The US, Europe, Japan and China…where should you invest in 2017?

What the This is Money team would like to see in 2017: From stamp duty cuts, to customers losing misplaced loyalty and rates to rise What next for savings rates in 2017? After a terrible year for returns we get the experts’ view on whether savers are set for further misery Which is the best used family saloon for under A 10k? We put an Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW to the test Round pound coins will cease to be legal tender in OCTOBER: New 12-sided A 1 will hit the streets in March – as will new Jane Austen A 2 M&S shoppers face price hikes of ‘up to 15% on basic goods’ despite a pledge to shield customers from the falling value of the pound Britain’s deserted shopping malls: Visits to stores plunge by HALF on New Year’s Day – as online sales triumph What would you do with a windfall worth A 100,000? Five experts reveal how they would invest a big lump sum How to soften the blow of rising … (more)

Footage shows woman flung to ground after being struck by LIGHTNING in Brazil

Weed belong together: Mariah Carey is pictured at a marijuana dispensary on Christmas Eve – as it’s revealed she DID do a soundcheck before ‘sabotaged’ New Year lip-sync disaster Tearful Colorado mother pleads for help finding her six-year-old boy after he ‘wandered away’ from their home on New Year’s Eve and vanished Elon Musk’s SpaceX blames a fault in helium canister for massive Falcon 9 rocket explosion that destroyed Facebook’s $200m internet satellite Will President Obama use the five-minute break between congressional sessions tomorrow to appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court? The Donald blasts Rahm Emanuel for Chicago’s bloodiest year in almost two DECADES: Trump says the mayor must ask for federal help if he can’t fix the city after a record 762 homicides in 2016 Can sugar really give you CANCER? Diet author reveals how the smallest amount can trigger health problems such … (more)

Homeless Lucas Werner ‘banned from Starbucks’ lies about age on dating websites

Weed belong together: Mariah Carey is pictured at a marijuana dispensary on Christmas Eve – as it’s revealed she DID do a soundcheck before ‘sabotaged’ New Year lip-sync disaster Tearful Colorado mother pleads for help finding her six-year-old boy after he ‘wandered away’ from their home on New Year’s Eve and vanished Elon Musk’s SpaceX blames a fault in helium canister for massive Falcon 9 rocket explosion that destroyed Facebook’s $200m internet satellite Will President Obama use the five-minute break between congressional sessions tomorrow to appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court? The Donald blasts Rahm Emanuel for Chicago’s bloodiest year in almost two DECADES: Trump says the mayor must ask for federal help if he can’t fix the city after a record 762 homicides in 2016 Can sugar really give you CANCER? Diet author reveals how the smallest amount can trigger health problems such … (more)

YouTube’s Tanya Burr shows off complexion and curves during holiday in the Maldives

Weed belong together: Mariah Carey is pictured heading into a marijuana dispensary in Aspen on Christmas Eve – just one week before her Times Square lip-sync meltdown The Donald blasts Rahm Emanuel for Chicago’s bloodiest year in almost two DECADES: Trump says the mayor must ask for federal help if he can’t fix the city after a record 762 homicides in 2016 Texas homeowner shoots and kills drunk guest who refused to leave his son’s New Year’s Eve party at exclusive airport town where every resident has their own plane Are YOU smart enough to ace this school exam? Simple test designed for 10-year-old’s leaves the internet baffled with its trick questions Will Obama use the five-minute break between congressional sessions on Tuesday to appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court? ‘Putin behaves like the only adult in the room’: Former CIA agent claims Obama went too far in expelling … (more)

Trump’s winter nest is lavish Florida club

When President-elect Donald Trump rang in the new year this weekend, he did it with actor Sylvester Stallone, romance-novel cover model Fabio and a crowd of wealthy developers under the swaying palm trees at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. President George W. Bush had his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Trump’s winter nest is lavish Florida club

When President-elect Donald Trump rang in the new year this weekend, he did it with actor Sylvester Stallone, romance-novel cover model Fabio and a crowd of wealthy developers under the swaying palm trees at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. President George W. Bush had his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The Cory Booker Dilemma for Progressive Animal Activists

During the 2016 Democratic primary, I was very much a Bernie Sanders partisan. The candidate was so much on my mind, that when I was writing my biography of Ronnie Lee, founder of the Animal Liberation Front, my subject emailed me on more than one occasion to say I’d accidentally substituted his name with that of the Vermont senator’s in the manuscript draft! Now, there was a period during the primary in which it seemed that the animal activist group Direct Action Everywhere was only protesting at Sanders’ rallies.

AFL Footy Show’s Billy Brownless poses with Sam Newman at Shane Warne’s NYE party

Diva singer’s aides claim faulty earpiece caused Times Square lip-sync disaster – and accuse TV execs of disabling equipment on PURPOSE to create a scandal and boost their audience figures Will a BAG solve the mystery of what happened to six missing plane passengers who vanished over Lake Eerie? Police find luggage in hunt for family of four and their two friends What 2017 means for YOUR love life: A thrilling alignment between Jupiter and Uranus promises magic, reveals OSCAR CAINER in an unmissable series Stand up during the TV commercials and eat purple… just two of an Oxford professor’s essential tips to help anyone over 40 stay fit and well into old age Rosie O’Donnell calls Trump ‘mentally unstable’ on Twitter and warns America that there are ‘less than three weeks to stop him’ ‘No computer is safe,’ warns Trump as he explains how he writes important information down and sends it … (more)

Roxy Jacenko flaunts her SUPER toned abs in a scarlet bikini in Hawaii

Diva singer’s aides claim faulty earpiece caused Times Square lip-sync disaster – and accuse TV execs of disabling equipment on PURPOSE to create a scandal and boost their audience figures Will a BAG solve the mystery of what happened to six missing plane passengers who vanished over Lake Eerie? Police find luggage in hunt for family of four and their two friends What 2017 means for YOUR love life: A thrilling alignment between Jupiter and Uranus promises magic, reveals OSCAR CAINER in an unmissable series Stand up during the TV commercials and eat purple… just two of an Oxford professor’s essential tips to help anyone over 40 stay fit and well into old age Rosie O’Donnell calls Trump ‘mentally unstable’ on Twitter and warns America that there are ‘less than three weeks to stop him’ ‘No computer is safe,’ warns Trump as he explains how he writes important information down and sends it … (more)