Carnival Cruise Line Joins With Operation Homefront And Martina McBride For Special
Carnival Cruise Line, Texas’ number one cruise operator, will welcome Carnival Freedom to its new year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas, on Saturday, February 14, by hosting a celebration to honor U.S. military families.Through a partnership with Operation Homefront, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial and other assistance to military families, Carnival will provide a day of onboard fun and exciting activities for service members and their families. Among the day’s festivities will be a special outdoor Carnival LIVE performance by country superstar Martina McBride.“The arrival of Carnival Freedom to its new Galveston homeport is historic as it marks the first time a cruise line has based three year-round ships in Texas,” said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this occasion by giving back to the great state of Texas and welcoming aboard military families who make our freedom possible.”As part of the festivities, 14-time GRAMMY nominee Martina McBride will perform that afternoon outdoors on one of the ship’s top decks. The country singer has previously performed as part of the line’s breakthrough onboard concert series, Carnival LIVE, which offers guests the best live music at sea from some of the most popular and highly requested music acts.“I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to perform again on a Carnival ship and am thrilled that I was chosen to be part of this wonderful event that honors U.S. service members and their families,” said Martina McBride. “I’ve played for many audiences in my career, but it will truly be a privilege to salute these incredible families and partner with Carnival to bring them an extra special Valentine’s Day.”Military families who have registered through Operation Homefront will enjoy a full day and evening of fun aboard the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom while it is in port, including overnight accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities, all compliments of Carnival Cruise Line.Prior to the concert, Carnival will conduct a special check presentation to Operation Homefront providing $100,000 to the organization.“We are very excited to be partnering with Carnival to honor military families and celebrate the cruise line’s expansion in Texas,” said Tim Farrell, chief operating officer of Operation Homefront. “While we serve military families across the nation, we’re grateful for a partner like Carnival who wants to give back right here in our home state of Texas where we have the second largest active duty and veteran population in the country.”Carnival Freedom recently underwent a $70 million makeover which added an array of Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancements. Event attendees will have access to the ship’s new family entertainment programming including Seuss at Sea, as well as the new Camp Ocean kids facilities. The latest updates also incorporated a number of bar, dining and entertainment innovations including complimentary eateries such as BlueIguana Cantina and Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, poolside bars serving up delicious frozen drinks and cocktails including BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar, as well as the pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar and the line’s Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub.Carnival Freedom kicks off year-round sailings from Galveston February 15, 2015, with a special six-day voyage to Mexico followed by the launch of four- to seven-day cruises that visit beautiful ports throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. Together with Carnival Triumph and Carnival Magic, the line will carry more than 600,000 passengers annually from Texas – more than any other cruise line.For additional information, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.Source:PR Newswire
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19) Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement) Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety) Source: The Andy Morgan Foundation/YouTubeTHE VIDEO ABOVE shows 10-year-old Alex whose father Andy Morgan died by suicide on New Year’s Eve in 2010.Alex is on one of Andy’s three children and made the video with the Andy Morgan Foundation which was set up in the year after his death to “spread the message of hope to everyone who has lost someone to suicide and those suffering with depression”.The foundation places a specific focus on children and teenagers and says that Alex wanted to make the video as a tribute to her father and to let other parents know she feels it’s okay to tell children the truth about suicide.The Andy Morgan Foundation was set up by Andy’s family along with Alex’s mother Joanne.Helplines: Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm, bereavement) Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)Visit Nurture or mail admin@nurturepnd.org (depression surrounding pregnancy and childbirth)Opinion: We are in the midst of a national crisis. How many more deaths before the government acts? >Read: Suicides among young people decreased significantly last year >
RAY D’ARCY WENT on the defensive during his radio show yesterday, after a health expert slated the RTÉ show Operation Transformation.Jacky Jones, who worked in health promotion and health education for almost 40 years, said the show was too much about the individual and is “worse than useless” for the general public watching it.She added that, despite the fact that the show is also meant to be entertaining, it wasn’t even doing that anymore.D’Arcy, however, retorted that the show, which encourages participants to lose weight, was “part of a bigger picture” and was helping to contribute to “having conversations we weren’t having before”.Jones was on the show to discuss health policy in Ireland in a broad sense, but talk quickly turned to her views on the RTÉ show.D’Arcy asked: “You’ve had a go at Operation Transformation, why was that?”Jones responded that, while it wasn’t a “personal gripe”, she did “hate to see people parading out in lycra”.On a professional level, she said: “I just think it’s really bad health promotion.When you look at the research and evidence on changing people’s habits… this isn’t how you go about it.She said that the best way to encourage a more healthy society was through public and fiscal policy.D’Arcy then said that Operation Transformation “would never claim it fights obesity on its own”, arguing that it was “part of a bigger picture”.He then asked if having a show like this was better than having nothing.Jones responded:No, I don’t think so.She added that she had no doubt that the show helped the leaders who participated in it, but wasn’t of much benefit to the people watching it.“If all of the people with weight problems were given the support of four health professionals for however many weeks, they would probably be able to change too,” Jones said.Safefood, who sponsor the show, published a survey which claimed that around a third of people who watched the show did so to help motivate themselves to improve their lifestyle.On these figures, D’Arcy said: “Isn’t it not great that 35% are watching it because they want to lose weight.”He also told Jones to give the show another chance, but she replied that she’d already seen enough of this year’s series.“I’ve watched it three times this year,” she said. “It’s not even entertaining anymore”.So, what do you think? Is Operation Transformation helpful for people trying to live a healthier lifestyle? YesNoNo interest/No opinionVoteRead: LIVE: The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the USA Friday 20 Jan 2017, 2:37 PM Yes (3199) No (3032) Poll Results: Ray D’Arcy defends Operation Transformation from critic who calls it ‘worse than useless’ Health expert Jacky Jones said the show focuses too much on the individual. No interest/No opinion (1151) Image: Rollingnews.ie 32 Comments 
35,099 Views Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Share51 Tweet Email Image: Rollingnews.ie Short URL By Sean Murray http://jrnl.ie/3196446 Jan 20th 2017, 2:37 PM 
Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsApp Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsAppProvidenciales, TCI, December 1, 2016 – It is World Aids Day today and all islands in our archipelago will on Saturday hold a walk a thon to mark the day which started some 28 years ago to remember those lost to and living with HIV/AIDS.The Caribbean Health Agency said AIDS is most rampant among young adults, “Statistics show that eighty-three percent of reported persons with HIV in the Caribbean are in the 15-54 year age group, with 50 percent of that group being 25-34 years old…this means,” said Dr. James Hospedales, Executive Director at CARPHA that, “the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been moving steadily into younger and younger population groups although significant gains have been made in reducing deaths due to HIV/AIDS mainly through treatment…” He said Caribbean countries must not lose the ground gained in prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and called on agencies, educators, health organizations and families to continue efforts to sustain and improve the progress which has been achieved.You can read the full report from CARPHA at our website, MagneticMediaTV.com.In the TCI, from Monday free HIVAids testing begins. Related Items:
Hey there, new driver: I hear you’re wanting to hit the open road and wave around a piece of plastic that proves you’re a licensed Washington driver and don’t look good in florescent lighting. What if I told you that you could take your driver’s test tomorrow — both the written and driving portions — without taking a number, waiting in line or sitting for hours next to a sniveling child?No joke.Battle GroundWake’s Driving School105 W. Main St.360-666-3025Noon – 2 p.m. Monday – Thursday, noon – 2 p.m. Saturday. Scheduling, 1 – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.CamasBig John’s Driving School of Camas3519 S.E. Second Ave.360-210-5323Skills testing by appointment; knowledge test, noon-2:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. or by appointment.Confident Driving Instruction of Camas2033 N.E. Ione St.360-833-2200Hours by appointment.VancouverBig John’s Driving School of Vancouver14020 N.E. Fourth Plain Road360-882-36029 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday.Confident Driving Instruction of Vancouver10637 N.E. Coxley Drive360-944-5940Hours by appointment.Driving 10111701 N.E. 95th St.360-892-698811 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday- Friday.The Washington State Department of Licensing recently expanded a new program that shifts the knowledge and skills tests for new license applicants to driver training schools. This program is the final phase of a bill intended to speed up wait times at the DOL. Drivers with special needs will still go to the DOL for their testing.Last Saturday, if applicants went into one of the two Vancouver licensing offices to take the written test, they were turned away and given a list of area driving schools that offer testing. Several disgruntled applicants ended up at Big John’s Driving School.“The word wasn’t really out there that this was happening,” said Michelle Chetlain, office manager at Big John’s.The DOL is still finishing off existing appointments, with some scheduled well into January. While those applicants have to wait till then to get their license, there’s no crowd at Big John’s.Unlike licensing offices, Big John’s is open Monday and has just one drive scheduled for the afternoon. Hours vary among the area schools and are subject to change based on the volume of business.
Zackery Ray Searcy The U.S. Marshal’s Service has recaptured a man mistakenly released from the Clark County Jail, even though he was wanted in connection with a Vancouver murder case.Zackery Ray Searcy, 20, was arrested at approximately 2:40 p.m. Thursday in Federal Way, south of Seattle.He will be sent back to Clark County, where he is alleged to have been involved in the March 2012 shooting death of Joshua Schenk.Searcy was arrested April 18 in Federal Way on an outstanding Clark County warrant for driving with a suspended license. Vancouver police detectives transported him to the Clark County Jail and booked him on the warrant the same day.Detectives then filed a report recommending Searcy be charged with rendering criminal assistance, a felony.However, after Searcy appeared in court the next day and resolved the misdemeanor warrant, the felony paperwork had not yet gone through. So Searcy was released by jail staff.“The paperwork didn’t get entered correctly or in a timely fashion as it should have been,” said Sgt. Fred Neiman, a sheriff’s office spokesman.
50 Photos 2019 TV shows you can’t miss 1 TV and Movies Tags Comment
Netflix Every second of every day social media rewards us for screaming at each other. That’s what gets the retweets. That’s where the YouTube money is. No one’s sharing your nuanced, political take on Facebook, you centrist coward. In 2019 consensus is a dirty word and the world is pitting us against one another in an algorithm race toward the chaos dimension. Pick up your pitchfork and pick a side.It’s time to get shouty. Time to have an extreme opinion about absolutely everything, “cancel” everyone who even mildly disagrees with you and launch them into the phantom zone.I joke obviously. But I am also exhausted. Exhausted by endless confrontation, by the pressure to be 100 percent right on every single topic. Drained by the threat of permanent exclusion from well-meaning peer groups should I accidentally post a bad tweet about the wrong topic somewhere down the line. Or possibly in my distant past.Which is all just a long-winded way of explaining precisely why I have fallen in love with a Japanese reality TV show on Netflix called Terrace House. 
Tags More on Facebook Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: What’s your relationship… Facebook’s Zuckerberg wants laws to combat harmful content, protect privacy Facebook explores live video restrictions after New Zealand mosque shootings Facebook expands tool that lets you investigate ads Share your voice 1 Sethuraman said in the blog that you’ll be able to let Facebook know what metrics you want to carry the most weight when deciding what shows up on your feed and where.This move for more transparency comes soon after Mark Zuckerberg wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post explaining that Facebook may need regulations to help address its “massive responsibilities.””Lawmakers often tell me we have too much power over speech,” Zuckerberg wrote, “and frankly I agree. I’ve come to believe that we shouldn’t make so many important decisions about speech on our own.” 5:14
Now playing: Watch this: Facebook Social media algorithms are notoriously mysterious. Facebook wants to change that.The tech giant announced on Sunday via a blog a “Why am I seeing this post?” feature that explains why a post from a friend, group or page is popping up on your news feed. It’s an expansion of sorts to 2014’s “Why am I seeing this ad?”, which served the same function but exclusively for ads.”This is the first time that we’ve built information on how ranking works directly into the app,” Facebook Product Manager Ramya Sethuraman said in the blog. “You’ll be able to tap on posts and ads in news feed, get context on why they’re appearing and take action to further personalize what you see.” Comment Tech Industry Though it was announced a day prior to April 1, the new feature is not an April Fool’s Joke, a Facebook spokesperson told CNET. It’ll begin rolling out this week and be available to all Facebook users by mid-May, according to the spokesperson.The function will show you what data led to a post being prioritized on your feed. How often you like a person’s posts and how often you engage with different mediums like video, photo or text are some examples of information that contributes to a post’s prominence. Facebook
By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, mgreen@afro.comWhen Taylor Dumpson broke barriers as American University’s first female Black student body president in 2017, a masked person responded by hanging bananas and nooses around campus the day after her inauguration. As if that blatant act of racism wasn’t enough, Andrew Anglin, publisher of the neo-Nazi site the Daily Stormer, and one of his followers Brian Andrew Ade, added insult to injury by encouraging others to “troll” Dumpson on social media. The pain from the racism and online taunting led to mental and financial damages and now a payday for the young woman. American University’s first female Black student body president Taylor Dumpson won over $725,000 in damages in her case against Andrew Anglin, publisher of the neo-Nazi site, the Daily Stormer and one of his followers Brian Andrew Ade, for encouraging others to “troll” her online after news-making racists actions were directed towards her in 2017.According to a court order by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Anglin, Ade and Moonbase Holdings, a company used for financial dealings for the Daily Stormer are, “jointly and severally liable for compensatory damages in the amount of $101,429.28, punitive damages in the amount of $500,000, and attorneys’ fees in the amount of $124,022.10,” totaling $725, 451.38.In addition to the compensatory ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Collyer order that the defendants are forbidden from, “ (1) communicating directly with Taylor Dumpson; or (2) publishing any public statements involving Ms. Dumpson that (a) are defamatory, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or bully; (b) interfere with Ms. Dumpson’s equal enjoyment of public accommodations; (c) incite unlawful acts; or (d) are otherwise unlawful,” the court ruling said.According to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the organization that represented Dumpson along with pro bono counsel Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Washington Lawyers Committee, Anglin encouraged his followers to harass the former American University president, which, per the lawsuit, allegedly interfered with her quotidian life and educational environment.“Mr. Anglin and Moonbase Holdings interfered with Ms. Dumpson’s access and enjoyment of [American University] by causing Ms. Dumpson to feel constantly unsafe as a result of Mr. Anglin and Moonbase Holdings’ threatening messages and the messages they urged others to send,” Judge Collyer wrote. “The Court finds … that Ms. Dumpson was targeted because of her race and gender.”Emily P. Hughes, P.C., one of the partners who oversaw the Kirkland and Ellis team emphasized the landmark nature of this ruling.“This ruling is a precedent-setting moment in the fight against online hate, bigotry, and harassment. It recognizes that online hate and harassment on the basis of gender and race can and did interfere with our client’s rights to the use and enjoyment of a place of public accommodation and that such interference is actionable and has real consequences for those who engage in such crimes and misconduct,” Hughes said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the effort to secure this victory, which we anticipate will be used by future victims as an important tool against hate,” she added.The Executive Director of Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Jonathan M. Smith, also weighed in on the importance of Judge Collyer’s ruling in this case of racial discrimination and trolling.“Taylor Dumpson was subjected to vile, racist threats solely because she was an African American woman exercising leadership at the University,” Smith said. “The Court ruling today vindicates her rights, and the rights of all people of color, to be free from intimidation and the use of the Internet to terrorize. Ms. Dumpson’s leadership and courage throughout is an inspiration.”
The utility of robotics to aid mankind is currently under study at Nagayo University in Japan. The combined efforts of the University’s Departments of Micro-Nano Engineering, Mechanical Science and Engineering of the Graduate School of Engineering has developed a wearable half-robot to aid carpenters. As initially reported by Digital World Tokyo, this wing of robotic engineering research and technology may not have the cuteness factor as Asimo has garnered. Nonetheless, the design and technology will give worker´s super human abilities in performing arduous tasks.Nagayo University scientists and engineers recently published their findings including a prototype of a half-robot. The study entitled Development of a “Wearable Robot for Assisting Carpentry Worker,” was published in Advanced Robotic Systems International. The research was conducted by Junpei Naito, Goro Nabinato, Atushi Nakayama, and Kazunori Hase preeminent researchers in robotics.The study was successful in proving the utility of the half-robot theme and design in lightening man´s load in the arduous task of fitting ceiling boards in place. This particular task takes extreme brute force. Often, the work requires not only great exertion of strength. The work is inherently counter-human physiognomy as it requires multiple over-the-head manual tasks. These combined factors create varying degrees of muscle fatigue in carpentry workers. The four phases of this type of carpentry work require the following tasks:1. Lifting up of the board2. Setting the board with both hands in the proper plane3. Support the board with one hand and fix the screws4. Leave the board and fix the screws with one hand The researchers found that steps 2 and 3 cause the most muscle fatigue in carpentry workers. This is because the work is repetitive and the physical act of holding heavy boards in place with hands overhead creates fatigue. In previous studies by other preeminent robotic scientists the aim was to assist patients with neuromuscular diseases with wheel chair robotic devices. These designs enabled severely impaired patients with to perform task utilizing the arm rest robotic device. Expanding on this research work with the severely disabled, the current research on aids for construction workers was developed.The scientists at Nagayo University developed the half-robot prototype and found through various phases of experimental study that the arm half-robot did reduce muscle output force and thereby reduced muscle fatigue in workers. The comfort and mobility of the worker was taken into account and design adjusts were made. In addition, the scientists acknowledge that the experiment is confined to the arm. In order to test for overall fatigue rate reduction, modifications to the prototype will be required.Further, the scientists acknowledge that the size, mass and low adjusting speed of the current prototype will require further modifications to make it practical for every day work use. The scientists are confident these modifications can be made. The next phase of the study involves the effective operation of the half-robot For further reading See: Development of a Wearable Robot for Assisting Carpentry Workers; Advanced Robotic Systems International, Nagayo University, Naito, Obinata, Nakayama, and Hase; ISSN-1729-8806-4404, (2008). This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Applied scientists and engineers at Nagayo University in Japan introduced a prototype wearable half-robotic device designed for carpentry workers. The study of carpentry workers utilizing the device in the task of fitting ceiling boards in place concludes marked reduction in muscle output force, thereby reducing arm fatigue. Further study is on going to reduce weight, size and low adjusting speed of the device. The next phase will test the overall effectiveness of the half-robot aid to workers. Prototype of Half-Robotic Device Citation: Wearable Robotics Aid Construction Workers (2008, February 18) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2008-02-wearable-robotics-aid-workers.html
Kolkata: State Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay released the music album of upcoming Bengali feature film Abar Basanta Bilap, on Wednesday. The film will be released on July 13. Chattopadhyay has both acted as well as sung a song in the film. The Power minister is quite popular among his friends as a Rabindra sangeet exponent.The cast of Abar Basanta Bilap includes industry veterans like Paran Bandyopadhyay, Kharaj Mukhopadhyay, Moon Moon Sen and Bishu Mukherjee.Basanta Bilap, a hugely successful comedy film and the upcoming film’s spiritual predecessor, was released in 1973. Directed by Dinen Gupta, the star-studded cast included Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, Rabi Ghosh, Anup Kumar, Kajol Gupta, Sumitra Mukherjee and Chinmoy Roy.
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Travelweek Group SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — The best things in life are free, just ask Princess Cruises. Guests booking select six- to 60-day cruises or land & sea vacations can take advantage of the cruise line’s ‘3 for Free’ sale, applicable on sailings from summer 2017 to spring 2018.The cruise sale includes free stateroom location upgrades, free onboard gratuities, and free onboard spending money – up to US$300 per stateroom.In addition, the sale features a $100 per guest refundable deposit.Sample ‘3 for Free’ cruise deals include: Alaska cruise vacations (seven days, $799 interior, $1,399 balcony; Alaska Land & Sea Vacations (10 nights, $1,349 interior, $2,199 balcony); Caribbean cruise vacations (eight days, $899 interior, $1,399 balcony); Japan cruise vacations (eight days, $1,399 interior, $2,099 balcony); Mediterranean cruise vacations (seven days, $999 interior, $1,399 balcony); and Mexico cruise vacations (seven days, $599 interior, $899 balcony).All prices are per guest and based on double occupancy. The ‘3 for Free’ cruise sale is available now and runs through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Nov. 16, 2016.More news: AMResorts has a new Sr. Dir. of Cdn. Sales & Consortia Rel’nsFor more information go to princess.com/cruisedeals. Thursday, September 8, 2016 
A 24-year-old Costa Rican man who police say was in a two-year “informal romantic relationship” with Sondra Elizondo has been arrested as the primary suspect in the murder of the 45-year-old U.S. aid worker, according to a Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) spokesman. Elizondo’s body was found on Dec. 9 in a bed at Casa 69 hotel in the popular neighborhood Barrio La California, just east of downtown San José. She had multiple stab wounds to the neck and body.Police arrested the suspect, surnamed Obando Vega, at a supermarket in the San José suburb of Guadalupe on Thursday at 2 p.m., some 24 hours after the murder was believed to have happened. Investigators then raided the suspect’s house in Coronado, located northeast of the capital, where they found items that belonged to Elizondo, the spokesman told The Tico Times.Obando Vega was sent to preventive prison on Thursday, a spokeswoman from the Chief Prosecutor’s Office said, where he could remain until June 2016 while the investigation into Elizondo’s murder continues.Elizondo entered the country on Dec. 5 to attend meetings on behalf of Vida Volunteer, the nonprofit organization she co-founded, which sets up mobile medical clinics in needy communities in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala. She was then scheduled to travel to Nicaragua, Vida Volunteer communications manager Ana Salas told The Tico Times.Elizondo’s brother Gregg Payne told The Tico Times that a memorial service is planned for Sunday in Elizondo’s home of Merritt Island, Florida. Elizondo leaves behind two teenage children.“I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news,” Payne said. “She was just a great person.” Facebook Comments Related posts:Suspect in US aid worker’s killing in Costa Rica: ‘I have no fear’ US tourist denounces rape in Puerto Viejo Canadian tourist stabbed to death on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast Public Security Ministry to build police station in Puerto Viejo
california Delinquencies Disaster Relief Disaster Victims Federal Housing Administration FHA hurricanes mortgage Puerto Rico texas wildfires 2018-02-22 David Wharton Share FHA Announces Expanded Mortgage Relief for Disaster Victims The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has provided additional relief to victims of the natural disasters that hit the nation in 2017. On Thursday, FHA announced expanded mortgage relief to FHA-insured homeowners who live or work in areas impacted by the Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well as those affected by the California wildfires and subsequent flooding and mudslides.The bureau is instructing mortgage servicers to offer additional options to eligible disaster victims in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, California, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These steps would allow victims to remain in their homes while reducing losses that would otherwise negatively impact FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Fund, the bureau said in a statement.“It’s clear that FHA homeowners in these areas need more help to get back on their feet as they recover from these storms,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “Today, we offer immediate relief to these borrowers which will allow them to resume their mortgage payments without crippling payment shock and fees while protecting our insurance fund in the process.”According to the FHA, the expanded loss mitigation will also streamline income documentation and other requirements to expedite relief to homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage while recovering from the disasters.As part of this plan, FHA is introducing a new “Disaster Standalone Partial Claim” option to help struggling borrowers resume their pre-disaster mortgage payments without payment shock. This option covers up to 12 months of missed mortgage payments via an interest-free second loan on the mortgage, payable only when the borrower sells the home or refinances their mortgage. It requires no trial period or balloon payment and allows borrowers to keep their existing low-interest rate and loan term as well as their existing monthly mortgage payment.Apart from being disaster victims, borrowers would have to be current on their mortgage payments at the date of the disaster; have income that is equal to or more than their pre-disaster income and have lived in an owner-occupied property to be eligible for this relief, the FHA said.
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Destination NSW, in partnership with NSW Aboriginal tour operators, has produced a new travel industry toolkit featuring more than 50 Aboriginal tourism products and experiences. The Toolkit updates an earlier guide to working with Aboriginal tourism businesses.Destination NSW chief executive officer Sandra Chipchase said the toolkit will provide NSW Aboriginal tourism businesses with greater cut through in the competitive travel marketplace.“Destination NSW has been supporting NSW Aboriginal tourism businesses to become market and export ready and will be working hard to promote these experiences to travel agents and wholesalers around the world who design and sell travel packages for millions of visitors to NSW,” Chipchase said.The popularity of Indigenous tourism experiences in NSW continues to grow. In the year ending September 2016, more than 394,000 domestic and international visitors participated in an Aboriginal cultural tourism experience in NSW – up 50 per cent on the previous year.Click to access the toolkitImage: Taronga Zoo Dest NSWindigenous tourismresources
What’s new on Netflix Canada, CraveTV in March by The Canadian Press Posted Feb 27, 2018 9:44 am PDT Last Updated Feb 27, 2018 at 10:20 am PDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email A monthly look at what’s scheduled to be added to the catalogues of streaming services Netflix Canada and CraveTV:TOP PICKSMarch marks the return of a number of Netflix’s original series including sophomore seasons of “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” (debuting March 8), “Santa Clarita Diet” (March 23) and “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (March 30).CraveTV is also welcoming back “Billions” for its third season (with new episodes streaming weekly starting on March 25), while the first three seasons of the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley” launch on March 2.Here are the lists of movies and TV shows expected in March. Release dates are subject to change.NETFLIXMarch 12 Fast 2 FuriousAdel Karam: Live from BeirutCasinoThe Fast and the FuriousThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo DriftFast & FuriousFast FiveThe ForestLove Beats RhymesThe RundownRuPaul’s Drag Race (season 9)SistersSleeping With Other PeopleSteve JobsStomp the YardThe Tale of DespereauxTrue to the GameMarch 2Girls Incarcerated (season 1)Voltron: Legendary Defender (season 5)March 3The Stanford Prison ExperimentMarch 4Expedition ChinaThe Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale (season 1; new episodes weekly)March 5Broadchurch (season 3)The Brothers GrimmMarch 6Benji (1974)Benji: Off the LeashBlack Lighting (season 1; new episodes weekly)Borderliner (season 1)The Brothers GrimsbyFor the Love of BenjiGad Elmaleh: American DreamMarch 8Ladies FirstMarvel’s Jessica Jones (season 2)Riverdale (season 2; new episodes weekly)March 9Collateral (limited series)Love (season 3)My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman: Malala YousafzaiNailed It (season 1)The Outsiders (2018)Transformers: The Last KnightTrolls: The Beat Goes On! (season 2)Wind RiverMarch 12Kygo: Live at the Hollywood BowlTroy: The OdysseyWhat to Expect When You’re ExpectingMarch 13Ricky Gervais: HumanitySt. VincentStretch Armstrong: The BreakoutTerrace House: Opening New Doors (part 1)March 15Before the FloodThe Hollywood Masters (season 2)Tabula Rasa (season 1)March 16Benji (2018)Edha (season 1)Hitman’s BodyguardThe Legacy of a Whitetail Deer HunterOn My Block (season 1)Spirit Riding Free (season 4)Take Your PillsWild Wild Country (season 1)March 20The Standups (season 2)March 21Bob the Builder: Mega MachinesShadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (season 3)March 23Alexa & Katie (season 1)Dinotrux Supercharged (season 2)Game Over, Man!Layla M.The Mechanism (season 1)RaceRoxanne RoxanneRequiem (season 1)Santa Clarita Diet (season 2)SWORDGAI The Animation (part 1)March 29Alias Grace (season 1)Pride and Prejudice and ZombiesMarch 30A Series of Unfortunate Events (season 2)Eye in the SkyFirst MatchHappy AnniversaryRapture (season 1)The TitanTrailer Park Boys (season 12)Trump: An American Dream (season 1)March 31A Walk Among the TombstonesThe Back-Up PlanBewitchedCatfishClerks 2The CraziesEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindThe Fifth ElementHairsprayHannaLet Me InLucky Number SlevinThe ManPandorumRVSpy KidsSpy Kids 2: The Island of Lost DreamsSpy Kids: All the Time in the WorldTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyTexas Chainsaw MassacreUnderworldUnderworld: AwakeningUnderworld: EvolutionUnderworld: Rise of the LycansWinter’s BoneYou Me Her (seasons 1-3)CRAVETVMarch 2Is O.J. Innocent?: The Missing EvidenceThe Jim Jeffries Show (season 1)Match Game (season 3)Silicon Valley (seasons 1–3)Tosh.0 (season 9)The Trade (episode 5)W5 (season 52, episode 17; new episodes weekly)March 4The Chi (season 1, episode 8; new episodes weekly)Counterpart (season 1, episode 7; new episodes weekly)Our Cartoon President (season 1, episode 5; new episodes weekly)March 9Curiosity: BrainwashedDarcy Michael Goes To ChurchDeadliest Catch (season 12)Gold Rush (season 5)How It’s Made (seasons 24-26)March 16A Crime To Remember (season 1)Beyond The Opposite SexCries From SyriaDa Vinci’s Demons (season 1)The Girlfriend Experience (season 1)Jade Fever (season 1)Moonshiners (season 4)Nightmare Next Door (season 2)Party Down (the complete series)Power (season 1)Survivor’s Remorse (seasons 1-2)The White QueenMarch 23The Truth Is In The StarsMarch 25Billions (season 3, episode 1)March 30Jerrod Carmichael: 8New Wave: Dare To Be DifferentRock And A Hard PlaceStars To The RescueVanity Fair Confidential (season 1)March 31Operation Odessa
In light of the upcoming conference on Cyprus in Geneva, scheduled to start on Wednesday, the island’s five religious leaders pray for “a successful outcome that will ensure the end of the unacceptable status quo,” it was announced on Tuesday.The Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, Mufti of Cyprus, Talip Atalay, Archbishops of the Maronite and Armenian Churches, Youssef Souief and Khoren Doghramadjian respectively, and the Reverend Father Jerzy Kraj, head of the Latin Catholic Church of Cyprus, expressed their conviction that “a settlement should be based on a bi-communal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the High-Level Agreements.”The religious leaders once again reaffirm that “everyone has a historic responsibility to ensure that the political conflict is resolved and the island is reunited.”They restate their conviction that “there is no alternative to communication, co-operation and co-existence to ensure that Cyprus becomes a haven of peace with justice where religion will no longer be a victim of a political conflict, where Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Maronites, Latins, Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths will live, work and worship side by side in total freedom and harmony.”They restate their firm belief that “working together, seeking to overcome differences, and supporting each other are obligations for people of faith and tools to promote faith when there is doubt, love where there is hatred and hope to overcome despair.”You May LikeFigLeaf Beta AppHow to Become Fully Anonymous Online in Less Than 3 Minutes? Better safe than sorryFigLeaf Beta AppUndoClassmates.comLook For Any High School Yearbook, It’s FreeClassmates.comUndoTruthFinder People Search SubscriptionOne Thing All Liars Have in Common, Brace YourselfTruthFinder People Search SubscriptionUndo Pensioner dies after crash on Paphos-Polis roadUndoTurkish Cypriot actions in Varosha ‘a clear violation’ of UN resolutions, Nicosia saysUndoRemand for pair in alleged property fraud (Updated)Undoby Taboolaby Taboola