News for today's 2018

Free Advice for Fed: Raise Rates When Furniture Sales Fully Recover

2:17 PM Tukiyooo 0

The Fed isn't quite sure what threshold it should be using to determine when to raise interest rates. Can't say I blame them. I therefore thought I'd offer some free (deflationary) advice.<br /><br />Furniture sales and new home sales go hand in hand. Right? So simply raise rates when furniture store sales (as a percentage of disposable personal income) reach "normal" levels again. What could be easier? Transparent. Clean. Consistent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6taFX965j0GqBuR89H3VZSpkO19DSqkMmNQPWUw6IxpQSQtuSAEr8QN3_BQScdhNLUZPCeki5d6D2O8QTAigWAZzlEuGOOUDxl4q-SHWzrhXUFq6s06x0wZ-7eydYgXdNJwGINLgbrA/s1600/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Long-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6taFX965j0GqBuR89H3VZSpkO19DSqkMmNQPWUw6IxpQSQtuSAEr8QN3_BQScdhNLUZPCeki5d6D2O8QTAigWAZzlEuGOOUDxl4q-SHWzrhXUFq6s06x0wZ-7eydYgXdNJwGINLgbrA/s320/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Long-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Let's zoom in on that recent trend in red and try to estimate how long it will take to get back to normal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEbjXrO-pmLxwpg2ATVMXDwQlZfel0wtn9AEwGH2FXmdHgzPZX_8QF9UeJ0Ndpngpvzo803hScMRjYd4C8tr45Wh2cz5g_nq9T8Qj6yKa37CRf42jterXRKCXpank4QUexL_5dIqdfM8/s1600/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Short-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEbjXrO-pmLxwpg2ATVMXDwQlZfel0wtn9AEwGH2FXmdHgzPZX_8QF9UeJ0Ndpngpvzo803hScMRjYd4C8tr45Wh2cz5g_nq9T8Qj6yKa37CRf42jterXRKCXpank4QUexL_5dIqdfM8/s320/Furniture+vs.+Income+-+Short-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />The solution is clear. Raise rates just this side of never. Be just like Japan!<br /><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/09/trend-line-disclaimer-time.html">Trend Line Disclaimer</a><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/06/sarcasm-disclaimer.html">Sarcasm Disclaimer</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=sjS">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Free Advice for Fed: Raise Rates When Furniture Sales Fully Recover

The Fed isn't quite sure what threshold it should be using to determine when to raise interest rates. Can't say I blame them. I ther...

Sanctions Have Been Imposed On Ukraine

2:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fgHihCxJE1A" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine Sanctions Imposed Amid Kiev Clashes -- BBC</b></span></div><br /><i>European Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials "responsible for violence and excessive force".</i><br /><br />In a statement, they said targeted sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans would be introduced "as a matter of urgency".<br /><br />At least 21 anti-government protesters died in clashes in Kiev on Thursday.<br /><br />Officials said that one policeman had also died and that 67 police had been captured by protesters.<br /><br />"No circumstances can justify the repression we are currently witnessing," the statement from EU foreign ministers said.<br /><br />EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the "prime responsibility" to get talks between the two sides under way lay with President Viktor Yanukovych.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26280710">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The EU Imposing Sanctions On Ukraine</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/eu-ministers-impose-sanctions-against-ukrainian-officials-responsible-for-violence-1.1696032">EU ministers impose sanctions against Ukrainian officials responsible for violence </a>-- AP<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140220/eu-sanctions-ukrainians-blood-their-hands">EU sanctions Ukrainians with 'blood on their hands'</a> -- Global Post/AFP<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394461852462306?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394461852462306.html">EU Approves Sanctions on Ukraine</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/ukraine-eu-idINDEEA1J0FT20140220">EU hits Ukraine with sanctions, threatens more over bloodshed</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/Ukraine-Crisis-Diplomacy.html?hpw&rref=world&_r=0">European Union Imposes Sanctions in Ukraine Crisis</a> -- New York Times<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140220-715703.html">EU Ministers Approve Sanctions on Ukraine</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/ukraine-eu-foreign-ministers-agree-sanctions-officials">EU foreign ministers agree sanctions against Ukrainian officials </a>-- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/eu-acts-over-ukraine-as-deaths-rise-30027610.html">EU acts over Ukraine as deaths rise</a> -- Belfast Telegraph<br /><a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/united-states-bans-visa-issuance-to-about-20-senior-ukrainian-government-officials-337188.html">United States bans visa issuance to about 20 senior Ukrainian government officials</a> -- Kyiv Post

Sanctions Have Been Imposed On Ukraine

Ukraine Sanctions Imposed Amid Kiev Clashes -- BBC European Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials &...

Unrest And Violence Escalates In Venezuela

1:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS" height="259" id="rcomVideo_280337763" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460"> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=280337763&edition=BETAUS' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' width='460' height='259' wmode='transparent'></embed> </object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Violence Escalates In Divided Venezuela -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces and demonstrators faced off in streets blocked by burning barricades in several cities on Thursday in an escalation of protests against President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government, witnesses said.<br /><br />At least five people have died since the unrest turned violent last week, with scores of injuries and arrests.<br /><br />The demonstrators, mainly students, blame the government for violent crime, high inflation, product shortages and alleged repression of opponents.<br /><br />In affluent east Caracas overnight, security forces fired teargas and bullets, chasing youths who threw Molotov cocktails and blocked streets with burning trash, witnesses said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1J1BX20140220">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="363" scrolling="no" src="http://english.share.voanews.eu/flashembed.aspx?t=vid&id=1855176&w=640&h=363&skin=embeded" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Unrest In Venezuela</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/president-nicolas-maduro-sends-army-venezuelan-state-amid-crackdown-1556969">President Nicolás Maduro Sends Army To Venezuelan State Amid Crackdown</a> -- IBTimes<br /><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/violent-protests-escalate-venezuela-201422020613529913.html">Violent protests escalate in Venezuela </a>-- Al Jazeera<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/latin-america/2014/02/20/tense-venezuela-awaits-ruling-opposition-leader/3N3htG7CeTHSoVyE8wGpaP/story.html">Venezuela opposition denounces 'brutal repression'</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/protests-grip-venezuela-/1855178.html">Protests Grip Venezuela</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-protests/">Murder charges against Venezuela opposition leader dropped</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-19/venezuelan-protests-turn-violent-as-lopez-faces-arraignment">Venezuela to Keep Opposition Leader Jailed Amid Protests </a>-- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648084/Opposition-leader-faces-charges-in-tense-Venezuela.html">Opposition leader faces charges in tense Venezuela; violence heats up</a> -- AP<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/jailed-leader-channels-venezuelans-ire/2014/02/19/d4eb20ee-997f-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Jailed leader channels Venezuelans’ ire</a> -- Washington Post<br /><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/venezuelan-beauty-quee-fatally-shot-head-protest-article-1.1620304">Venezuelan beauty queen Genesis Carmona, 22, fatally shot in head during protest </a>-- New York Daily News<br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/20/280019048/in-venezuela-another-beauty-queens-death-adds-to-anger">In Venezuela, Another Beauty Queen's Death Adds To Anger</a> -- NPR<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-20/leopoldo-lopez-the-venezuela-oppositions-new-hero">Leopoldo López, the Charismatic Face of Venezuela's Opposition</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21596945-after-opposition-leader-arrested-violence-continues-unabated-tale-two-prisoners">Protests in Venezuela: A tale of two prisoners</a> -- Economist<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/americas/venezuela-qa/">Venezuela: What's the crisis about?</a> -- Faith Karimi and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN <br /><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2014/02/nicolas_maduro_s_venezuela_erupts_in_violence_the_venezuelan_president_appears.html">Venezuela Erupts</a> -- William J. Dobson, Slate

Unrest And Violence Escalates In Venezuela

Violence Escalates In Divided Venezuela -- Reuters (Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces and demonstrators faced off in streets blocked b...

Incoming!!

12:55 PM Tukiyooo 0

Incoming!!

Photo: Iyanya looking good in Ankara suit. You like?

12:24 PM Tukiyooo 0

Photo: Iyanya looking good in Ankara suit. You like?

Lagos State Govt Bans Mini Skirts, Other Attires!

12:17 PM Tukiyooo 0

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatki0WnuDhyphenhyphenW3xmX7EmJPuBjA1ioIilsx48qclxXRZHRDQK-624l-xbXv1rxJKHliFfFtM0EJlFfjdjzNaHfq2wqStq-dgcmnBGmCxTjXmZ_slK2jCXwKNSLbePkBe1gsCgBXph0h4Mc/s640/Raji-Fashola.jpg" width="512" /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Governor Babatunde Fashola’s  administration has banned indecent dressing among female public  servants. All forms of dresses that expose breasts, contours and other  sensitive female body parts have been outlawed.<br /><br />The decision was  taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among female  public servants at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa,  Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />P.M.NEWS has observed that all  forms of skimpy dresses or mini skirts, tight trousers revealing the  contours, sleeveless dresses and blouses and body clinging dresses are  worn by some female public servants as they walk about the secretariat.<br /><br />Worried  by this despicable act, the state government had to introduce new dress  code among public servants, especially the female folk.<br /><br />A  circular issued by the Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams dated 7  February, 2014 has been sent to all government Ministries, Departments  and Agencies, MDAs calling on all Directors of Finance and  Administration, DFAs, to immediately move against indecent dressing in  Alausa.<br /><br />The circular, with the reference number  CIR/HOS/14/Vol.1/022, said similar directive was issued through the HOS  in 2005 in a circular number 113 mandating public servants to dress  properly and decently to the office and official functions portray the  good image of the state government.<br /><br />The government warned that it  would begin to take drastic and punitive measures against recalcitrant  public servants who flout the directive.<br /><br />“It has however been  observed with grave concern that some officers have not been complying  with this directive. The noticeable non-compliance of some officers to  this directive should henceforth stop as the extant civil service rules  and regulation on proper and indecent dressing still subsist and will be  applied accordingly on flouters,” the HOS said.<br /><br />Williams listed  what is contained in the new dress code for female civil servants,  saying that skirts above the knee should not be worn by public servants,  saying that dresses allowed are skirts which are of knee level,  moderate slit and not body clinging skirts.<br /><br />According to the HOS,  if female public servants must wear trousers, such trousers should  neither be tight nor revealing and must be worn with a jacket.<br /><br />Also, gowns to be worn by female public servants must be of knee level, moderate slit, not sleeveless and not body clinging.<br /><br />Williams added that if native attires must be worn, they must be worn completely.<br /><br />The  government also reeled out dress code for male public servants. In the  dress code for men, administrative officers must wear suit and tie as  professionals and other officers could wear wear suit and tie or French  suit.<br /><br />Junior and clerical staff are allowed to wear shirts and  trousers and French suit while complete native wear is allowed for all  cadres of public servants.<br /><br />“As a matter of necessity, all  Directors of Finance and Administration are hereby enjoined to ensure  that officers within their purview adhere strictly to moderate and  decent dressing,” said the HOS.<br /><br />Already, the Directors of Finance  and Administration of various ministries have been having urgent  meeting with their staff to intimate them about the new dress code.<br /><br />The development has become a subject of discourse among public servants at Alausa. </span><br />

Lagos State Govt Bans Mini Skirts, Other Attires!

Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has banned indecent dressing among female public servants. All forms of dresses that expose b...

Iranian Nuclear Talks Progressing?

11:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6yo7_m3U-A8M2QROiIHIThIH198MH2V-fWczzxHK1PMLsWJL-HvSYtDOe23pImQQiortBV4gL3MVZK93SpECIP-OXsWd0R_dxrsynX48sK2J6htHjR3IK3Rse8twXO3hXYGWVJkfYNhz/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6yo7_m3U-A8M2QROiIHIThIH198MH2V-fWczzxHK1PMLsWJL-HvSYtDOe23pImQQiortBV4gL3MVZK93SpECIP-OXsWd0R_dxrsynX48sK2J6htHjR3IK3Rse8twXO3hXYGWVJkfYNhz/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif pose before the start of a conference in Vienna Feb. 18, 2014. Photo by <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.575202">Reuters</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Iran <span style="color: #0000ee;">A</span>nd World Powers Agree On Framework For Nuclear Talks -- New York Times</b></span></div><br />VIENNA — In what officials described as a serious, workmanlike and conversational atmosphere, Iran and six world powers have agreed on a timetable and framework for negotiating a comprehensive agreement to end the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program, the European Union’s foreign policy chief and Iran’s foreign minister said on Thursday.<br /><br />While details were vague and the two delegation leaders declined to take any questions at a closing news conference, they said that groups of experts would meet early in March and that the full delegations would meet here again on March 17, with the expectation that they will meet monthly.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/middleeast/iran.html?hpw&rref=world">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/world/europe/iran-nuclear-talks/">P5+1 and Iran agree on nuclear negotiation framework in Vienna</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26269092">Iran nuclear deal framework 'agreed' in Vienna </a>-- BBC<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394430835276744?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394430835276744.html">Iran Agrees on Agenda for Nuclear Talks</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-iran-nuclear-idUSBREA1H0S620140220">World powers and Iran make 'good start' towards nuclear accord</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.575202">Framework for nuke talks agreed upon, Iranian official says</a> -- Haaretz<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-iran-nuclear-talks-20140220,0,3206753.story#axzz2tseORMfW">Iran, world powers off to 'good start' in nuclear talks </a>-- L.A. Times<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140220/iran-world-powers-agree-nuclear-talks-timetable">Iran, world powers agree nuclear talks timetable </a>-- Global Post/AFP<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-nuke-talks-enter-last-day/2014/02/20/e11d048c-9a0a-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">Iran nuke talks end, next round March 17</a> -- Washington Post/AP<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-agreement-reached-on-further-nuclear-talks/1855289.html">EU: Next Round of Iran Nuclear Talks Set to Begin March 17 </a>-- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-20/powers-set-iran-atomic-agenda-with-lots-to-do-before-deadline">Iran Talks Set Five-Month Plan for Race to Final Nuclear Accord</a> -- Bloomberg Businessweek<br /><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/20/p5-1-talks-drill-down-on-the-future-of-iran-s-nukes.html">P5+1 Talks Drill Down On The Future Of Iran’s Nukes</a> -- Michael Adler, Daily Beast<br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0220/Negotiators-put-acrimony-aside-to-pursue-final-Iranian-nuclear-agreement">Negotiators put acrimony aside to pursue final Iranian nuclear agreement</a> -- Christian Science Monitor<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/iran-nuclear-usa-mideast-idUSL2N0LP0U020140220">U.S. negotiator at Iran talks heads to Israel, Saudi Arabia</a> -- Reuters

Iranian Nuclear Talks Progressing?

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif pose before the start of a conference in V...

Video: Omg hear what Gandoki said on AYlive Lagos

10:59 AM Tukiyooo 0

Video: Omg hear what Gandoki said on AYlive Lagos

AY LIVE is an Annual Worldwide Event organised by Ace Comedian Ayo makun AY. Year in Year out, It is being held in different states around N...

Russia Wades In On The Crisis In Ukraine

9:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T4iCpXvttH4" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Russia Warns West Against 'Illegitimate' Sanctions On Ukraine -- L.A. Times</b></span></div><br />MOSCOW -- Russian officials and Kremlin-influenced media stepped up their accusations Thursday that Western countries were fomenting the violence in Ukraine and warned that sanctions imposed by the United States and under consideration by the European Union were tantamount to “blackmail.”<br /><br />A truce between the Ukrainian government and opposition protest leaders fell apart hours after it was reached late Wednesday. Renewed fighting between police and protesters took at least 22 lives Thursday, bringing the death toll from three days of fiery clashes in Kiev to about 50 and possibly more, opposition sources reported. The Ukrainian Health Ministry said 35 were killed Thursday.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-ukraine-russia-warns-west-20140220,0,1129094.story#axzz2tseORMfW">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Russian Reaction To The Ukraine Crisis</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/Ukraine-Crisis-Diplomacy.html">Russia Denounces West’s Sanction Threats to Ukraine</a> -- New York Times/Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-idUSBREA1J0T820140220">Russia calls Western sanctions against Ukraine officials 'blackmail'</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579394641654222958?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579394641654222958.html">Russia Denounces Call for Early Ukraine Elections</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/ukraine-russia-signal-idINL6N0LP21420140220">"Don't be doormat" Russia warns cash-starved Kiev</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2014/Feb-20/247959-putin-sending-mediator-to-ukraine-at-yanukovichs-request-russian-agencies.ashx#axzz2tsM7fGXR">Putin sending mediator to Ukraine at Yanukovich's request: Russian agencies</a> -- Daily Star/Reuters<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140220-710406.html">Russia Dispatched Rights Ombudsman to Negotiate End to Ukraine Violence</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-460843/">Russia Warns Ukraine on Further Financial Aid</a> -- Wall Street Journal<br /><a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2014/02/20/playing-the-ukrainian-card/">For Moscow, Ukraine is always ‘Little Russia’</a> -- Nina Khrushcheva, reuters<br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0220/Is-Ukraine-president-losing-the-Kremlin-s-confidence">Is Ukraine president losing the Kremlin's confidence?</a> -- Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor<br /><br /><b>My Comment: </b>I have trouble believing this news report .... <b><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/putin-has-no-time-watch-coverage-ukraine-turmoil-aide-n34651">Putin 'Has No Time' to Watch Coverage of Ukraine Turmoil: Aide</a></b> -- NBC

Russia Wades In On The Crisis In Ukraine

Russia Warns West Against 'Illegitimate' Sanctions On Ukraine -- L.A. Times MOSCOW -- Russian officials and Kremlin-influenced media...

Ukraine WAR and CHAOS escalates

9:08 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****UKRAINE CONFLICT ALERT*****</span> </span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Government snipers shooting civilians...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">100+ DEAD 500+ INJURED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kO_vT_4BoZY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Zk7Whf1-fbw?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>INTERMITTENT LIVE COVERAGE...</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H3n28jfWoDE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ron Paul on U.S.A. involvement in Ukraine...</b></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zzEyInvXi8k?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BWB8UwEEyJ4?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Ukraine WAR and CHAOS escalates

*****UKRAINE CONFLICT ALERT***** Government snipers shooting civilians... 100+ DEAD 500+ INJURED INTERMITTENT LIVE COVERAGE... Ron Paul on ...

Ukraine's Olympians Denied Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands

9:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QxSII50lFOo" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine's Olympians Refused Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands -- ITV</b></span></div><br />Ukraine's athletes were denied permission to wear black arm bands in memory of the 26 people that have been killed in violent clashes by the International Olympic Committee today.<br /><br />The country's athletes admitted the ongoing unrest was proving to be a distraction.<br /><br />"Yes it's a distraction, everyone's talking about it - even just now at the start, at the finish, people are saying 'what's happened in your country, what's happened?'" Dmytro Mytsak, a Ukrainian giant slalom skier, said.<br /><br />The 18-year-old revealed that the team were grateful to receive support from the Russian spectators.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-02-19/ukraines-olympians-refused-permission-to-wear-black-arm-bands/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140219/olympics-ioc-rejects-grieving-ukraines-black-band-request">Olympics: IOC rejects grieving Ukraine's black band request-</a>- Global Post/AFP<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: The Olympic Committee does not want to take away attention from the Games and they do not want to embarrass Russian President Putin who wants the Sochi Olympics to be all about Russia. Here is a hint to the Olympic committee .... it is not working.

Ukraine's Olympians Denied Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands

Ukraine's Olympians Refused Permission To Wear Black Arm Bands -- ITV Ukraine's athletes were denied permission to wear black arm ba...

J Martins shares new photos of his adorable son

8:54 AM Tukiyooo 0

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_qpE_LXBQhTaSvYxGWJP_0fo6zgaSTe5UIXT3trF_dplQf2uMhosmsXEM3g-_8aMX2eidynmzX_S3eYPpvlSNfzBjJS95G_VHineT_me-GyC5ycH0Ev74OEVbCxdQ-ba6XR33FQusc/s1600/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_qpE_LXBQhTaSvYxGWJP_0fo6zgaSTe5UIXT3trF_dplQf2uMhosmsXEM3g-_8aMX2eidynmzX_S3eYPpvlSNfzBjJS95G_VHineT_me-GyC5ycH0Ev74OEVbCxdQ-ba6XR33FQusc/s640/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="st">On Tuesday 4th of February, Singer J Martins and wife Nnezi Mbila welcomed a son 'Jason'. </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="st">More photos of him and his baby after the cut</span></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnLPQgv3uwOibRI9FOkst7h662WdLvzhHsdqeAid9KFDHTLSTNzidRCCnd4yUyZvRzlruuXMbsw5_MU274V-HHkRk7dIHomGl_ZHMBpKuIQm_SCXuznzBjt8rtbf1GxUGIevknLl8eHI/s1600/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnLPQgv3uwOibRI9FOkst7h662WdLvzhHsdqeAid9KFDHTLSTNzidRCCnd4yUyZvRzlruuXMbsw5_MU274V-HHkRk7dIHomGl_ZHMBpKuIQm_SCXuznzBjt8rtbf1GxUGIevknLl8eHI/s640/jmartins+babylindaikejiblog2.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div>

J Martins shares new photos of his adorable son

On Tuesday 4th of February, Singer J Martins and wife Nnezi Mbila welcomed a son 'Jason'. More photos of him and his baby after the...

Check Out Photos From Mercy Johnson’s New Movie ‘ogbome’

8:35 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-4alWVwVs9lP85KkrDz0WYe66dFWqvTlB4TprhftMOMgWLNvfvQHmZ4Xb1j5yEssE6EgUGfF2bKKD-Tu4-nmqL-p1T7ffGXDuXqHkm_xyZ4pGLkSXoYzaFSSj2Ax6MeitgDA_-_SoHCH/s640/blogger-image-677337314.jpg" width="350" /></div><br /><br /><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson just finished the shooting of a new  movie titled Ogbome where she played the role of the leader of 5 maidens  referred to as ‘the five maidens of honour’</div></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GyVokB_8eKXCGZeuzvK5Z5qhdkvg_Vtx_0uyqVYoFR34AyAlaQ4P8sRgELd2s8fSp3H-upJr3hl_QvydCkTjy1zqHTgqJvIanWA0CGW5b2luFsPYhij0qoJUakZb2DE7kdnuG3MxkPOY/s1600/blogger-image-1498771284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GyVokB_8eKXCGZeuzvK5Z5qhdkvg_Vtx_0uyqVYoFR34AyAlaQ4P8sRgELd2s8fSp3H-upJr3hl_QvydCkTjy1zqHTgqJvIanWA0CGW5b2luFsPYhij0qoJUakZb2DE7kdnuG3MxkPOY/s640/blogger-image-1498771284.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIx9hOggU5pNSxxAHh7moPhDhGBAI3bgmmAQR8Ma4xXgMwYuEjEmo99jgNnKo6gX7u-Vsx06cFzejUE5NuEyCaTEDfJnGdhgpdw8qynUvIrDSZnCVHkxtHXAxcCHY5Az0hx1f635b1Ur/s1600/blogger-image--174976747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIx9hOggU5pNSxxAHh7moPhDhGBAI3bgmmAQR8Ma4xXgMwYuEjEmo99jgNnKo6gX7u-Vsx06cFzejUE5NuEyCaTEDfJnGdhgpdw8qynUvIrDSZnCVHkxtHXAxcCHY5Az0hx1f635b1Ur/s640/blogger-image--174976747.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Check Out Photos From Mercy Johnson’s New Movie ‘ogbome’

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson just finished the shooting of a new movie titled Ogbome where she played the role of the leader of 5 maiden...

Church Members Donates 200 New Prado Jeeps To Bishop Oyedepo Worth N2.1 Billon

8:34 AM Tukiyooo 0

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full" height="358" src="http://akpraise.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/prado_newwide-300x168.jpg" title="prado_newwide-300x168.jpg" width="640" /></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />Enconium Weekly reports that 59 year old clergy, who will turn 60 on  September 27, Bishop David Oyedepo, told his ardent congregation that he  needed 200 new Prado<br />jeeps for ministerial purpose. <br />It was gathered that the exact reasons for the need were undisclosed,  but it might not be unconnected to the fact that it is for use in some  of their<br />branches manned by his ordained Pastors scattered across the country.<br />Inquiries further revealed that a brand new Prado jeep goes for about  N10.6 million thus, the estimated cost of 200 Prado jeeps comes to N2.1  billion. <br />It is revealed that it was an individual contribution by wealthy members  who voluntarily donated the jeeps. Even though the place of purchase  cannot be easily determined nor the identity of the donors revealed, it  is gathered that the jeeps are tucked away inside<br />Cannanland at Otta, Ogun State.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></div>

Church Members Donates 200 New Prado Jeeps To Bishop Oyedepo Worth N2.1 Billon

Enconium Weekly reports that 59 year old clergy, who will turn 60 on September 27, Bishop David Oyedepo, told his ardent congregation that...

Ukrainian Police Have Now Been Authorized To Use Deadly Force

8:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kiEtYmwoFLs" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukrainian Police Given Firearms, Party Of Regions Splintering -- Novinite</b></span></div><br />Ukrainian police were given firearms and were allowed to use them in accordance with the law by the Interior Ministry.<br /><br />In a statement published Thursday afternoon, acting minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, who announced the decision, blamed the unrest "solely on opposition leaders and radicals".<br /><br />He justified his decision to allow police to use combat weapons by saying that the participants in the unrest ignore the demands of Ukrainian officials. The Interior Ministry, in his words, is in charge of maintaining the order and restoring tranquility in the country.<br /><br />Zakharchenko also underscored that oppositional leaders do not wish to disunite themselves from the radical elements and provoke the latter for actions of violence.<br /><br />Tension is still on the rise in Ukraine as hopes for supporting overnight's temporary truce are now completely abandoned.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=158386">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Ukrainian Police Forces Being Authorized To Use Deadly Force</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://rt.com/news/ukraine-kiev-firearms-weapons-police-934/">Kiev allows police to use firearms, demands armed rioters lay down weapons</a> -- RT<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-ukraine-police-weapons-idUSBREA1J17U20140220">Ukrainian police armed with combat weapons: interior ministry</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140220/187726857/Ukrainian-Police-Authorized-to-Use-Live-Ammo-as-Battle-Rages.html">Ukrainian Police Authorized to Use Live Ammo as Battle Rages </a>-- Ria Novosti<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> As I had predicted last night .... the truce has collapsed. With the regions now splintering and government offices being attacked .... the police have now been authorized to use deadly force. My prediction still holds ....we are now one step away from the Ukrainian government authorizing a State of Emergency and declaring Marshall law .... and if the violence continues .... this decree will be ordered once the Olympics are over in Sochi.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/europe/ukraine.html">As Deaths Rise in Kiev, So Do Fears Ukraine Will Use Troops</a> -- New York Times

Ukrainian Police Have Now Been Authorized To Use Deadly Force

Ukrainian Police Given Firearms, Party Of Regions Splintering -- Novinite Ukrainian police were given firearms and were allowed to use them ...

Özil says sorry for Arsenal defeat to Bayern Munich

8:24 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div id="title-main">    <h1 class="headline"><a href="http://dailypost.com.ng/2014/02/20/ozil-says-sorry-arsenal-defeat-bayern-munich/neuer-saves-from-ozil/" rel="attachment wp-att-135017" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Neuer saves from Ozil" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-135017" height="413" src="http://cdn.dailypost.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Neuer-saves-from-Ozil-300x194.jpg" width="640" /></a></h1><span class="post-byline"></span>Arsenal  playmaker Mesut Ozil, has apologised to the club’s fans, after they  were beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, in the first leg of their  Champions League last-16 match.</div>The 25-year-old missed a crucial penalty in the first half, when the score was 0-0 and his confidence faded away thereafter.<br />  <div style="float: left; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0;"> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1390474335980-0"> </div></div>“The next morning doesn’t feel better either. Sorry guys – it wasn’t  planned that way,” he wrote on his official Facebook page. “Outnumbered  it was really hard to win against this team.”<br /> Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, also admitted that Ozil’s zeal zapped  away, after his compatriot Manuel Neuer palmed away his spot kick.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /> “I think it affected Mesut. He was still shaking his head five or 10  minutes after that,” said Wenger. “It had a huge impact on his  performance. Confidence is your petrol in the team – it gives you the  desire to play.”

Özil says sorry for Arsenal defeat to Bayern Munich

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, has apologised to the club’s fans, after they were beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, in the firs...

Videos Shows Ukrainian Special Force Snipers Firing Into Crowds (Graphic)

8:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0DxkDiAcSF8" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine Crisis: Video Evidence of Government Snipers' Massacre of Kiev Protesters [GRAPHIC CONTENT] -- IBTimes</b></span></div><br />Harrowing footage has emerged which shows a group of anti-government protesters being picked off by special force snipers while progressing through Kiev's Independence Square.<br /><br />As medics try to attend to the victims, the snipers continue to fire shots at the group.<br /><br />The footage comes just hours after Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych declared that he had reached a "truce" with the opposition.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-crisis-video-evidence-government-snipers-massacre-kiev-protesters-1437230">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> This video was only posted early today .... and already over a million have seen it. This is only going to harden the opposition forces in Ukraine and increase international opposition to the Yanukovych government.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/20/ukraine-riot-videos_n_4822931.html">No Protester Is Safe From Snipers Or AK-47s In Ukraine (GRAPHIC VIDEOS)</a> -- Huffington Post<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T6IbEIBhb8o" width="560"></iframe></div>

Videos Shows Ukrainian Special Force Snipers Firing Into Crowds (Graphic)

Ukraine Crisis: Video Evidence of Government Snipers' Massacre of Kiev Protesters [GRAPHIC CONTENT] -- IBTimes Harrowing footage has eme...

16 Signs You May Have HIV

7:56 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetrentonline.com/wp-content/themes/stylebook/timthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fthetrentonline.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F01%2FSad-Depressed-Silhouette-The-Trent-e1390586144853.jpg&q=90&w=795&zc=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="16 Signs You May Have HIV" border="0" class="aligncenter full-media nomargin" height="478" src="http://thetrentonline.com/wp-content/themes/stylebook/timthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fthetrentonline.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F01%2FSad-Depressed-Silhouette-The-Trent-e1390586144853.jpg&q=90&w=795&zc=1" title="16 Signs You May Have HIV" width="640" /></a></div><section class="post-lead">   <div class="subtitle">Think you have HIV? The only way to tell is to get an HIV test, but here are some possible symptoms.</div></section>                   <div class="fb-social-plugin fb-like fb_iframe_widget" data-href="http://thetrentonline.com/16-signs-may-hiv/" data-ref="above-post" data-width="450"><span style="height: 20px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 450px;"></span></div><div id="ssba"><a class="ssba_tooptip" href="http://www.simplesharebuttons.com/" id="ssba_tooptip" target="_blank"></a><span class="ssba_sharecount"><br /></span></div>Within a month or two of HIV entering the body, 40% to 90% of people  experience flulike symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).<br /> But sometimes HIV symptoms don’t appear for years—sometimes even a decade—after infection.<br /> “In the early stages of HIV infection, the most common symptoms are  none,” says Michael Horberg, MD, director of HIV/AIDS for Kaiser  Permanente, in Oakland, Calif. One in five people in the United States  with HIV doesn’t know they have it, which is why it’s so important to  get tested, especially if you have unprotected sex with more than one  partner or use intravenous drugs.<br /> ALSO ON THE TRENT: <a href="http://thetrentonline.com/wow-aids-patient-makes-amazing-recovering-using-captured-film-watch/" target="_blank" title="Wow! AIDS Patient Makes Amazing Recovering Using Captured On Film [WATCH]">Wow! AIDS Patient Makes Amazing Recovering Using Antiretroviral Drugs<em> </em>Captured On Film [WATCH</a><br /> ALSO ON THE TRENT: <a href="http://thetrentonline.com/marijuana-may-stop-spread-hiv-new-study/" target="_blank" title="Good News? Marijuana May Stop The Spread Of HIV – New Study">Good News? Marijuana May Stop The Spread Of HIV – New Study</a><br /> Here are some signs that you may be HIV-positive.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /> <strong>Fever</strong><br /> One of the first signs of ARS can be a mild fever, up to about 102 degrees F.<br /> The fever, if it occurs at all, is often accompanied by other usually  mild symptoms, such as fatigue, swollen lymph glands, and a sore  throat.<br /> "At this point the virus is moving into the blood stream and starting  to replicate in large numbers," says Carlos Malvestutto, MD, instructor  of infectious diseases and immunology in the department of medicine at  NYU School of Medicine in New York City. "As that happens, there is an  inflammatory reaction by the immune system."<br /> <strong>Fatigue</strong><br /> The inflammatory response generated by your besieged immune system  also can cause you to feel tired and lethargic. Fatigue can be both an  early and later sign of HIV.<br /> Ron, 54, a public relations executive in the Midwest, started to  worry about his health when he suddenly got winded just walking.  "Everything I did, I got out of breath," he says. "Before that I had  been walking three miles a day."<br /> Ron had tested HIV positive 25 years before feeling so tired; fatigue  during acute, or newly contracted, HIV might not be so obvious.<br /> <strong>Achy muscles, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes</strong><br /> ARS is often mistaken for the flu, mononucleosis, or another viral infection, even syphilis or hepatitis.<br /> That's not surprising: Many of the symptoms are the same, including pain in the joints and muscles and swollen lymph glands.<br /> Lymph nodes are part of your body's immune system and tend to get  inflamed when there's an infection. Many of them are located in your  armpit, groin, and neck.<br /> <strong>Sore throat and headache</strong><br /> As with other symptoms, sore throat and headache can often be recognized as ARS only in context, Dr. Horberg says.<br /> If you've engaged recently in high-risk behavior, an HIV test is a  good idea. Get tested for your own sake and for others: HIV is most  infectious in the earliest stage.<br /> Keep in mind that the body hasn't produced antibodies to HIV yet so  an antibody test may not pick it up. (It can take a few weeks to a few  months for HIV antibodies to show in a blood test). Investigate other  test options such as one that detects viral RNA, typically within nine  days of infection.<br /> <strong>Skin rash</strong><br /> Skin rashes can occur early or late in the course of HIV/AIDS.<br /> For Ron, this was another sign that he might not have run-of-the-mill allergies or a cold.<br /> "They were like boils, with some itchy pink areas on my arms," Ron  says. The rashes can also appear on the trunk of the body. "If [the  rashes] aren’t easily explained or easily treated, you should think  about having an HIV test,” Dr. Horberg says.<br /> <strong>Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea</strong><br /> Anywhere from 30% to 60% of people have short-term nausea, vomiting,  or diarrhea in the early stages of HIV, Dr. Malvestutto says.<br /> These symptoms can also appear as a result of antiretroviral therapy  and later in the infection, usually as the result of an opportunistic  infection.<br /> “Diarrhea that is unremitting and not responding at all to usual  therapy might be an indication,” Dr. Horberg says. Or symptoms may be  caused by an organism not usually seen in people with healthy immune  systems, he adds.<br /> <strong>Weight loss</strong><br /> Once called “AIDS wasting,” weight loss is a sign of more advanced illness and could be due in part to severe diarrhea.<br /> “If you’re already losing weight, that means the immune system is  usually fairly depleted,” Dr. Malvestutto says. “This is the patient who  has lost a lot of weight even if they continue to eat as much as  possible. This is late presentation. We still see a lot of these.” It  has become less common, however, thanks to antiretroviral therapy.<br /> A person is considered to have wasting syndrome if they lose 10% or  more of their body weight and have had diarrhea or weakness and fever  for more than 30 days, according to the U.S. Department of Health and  Human Services.<br /> <strong>Dry cough</strong><br /> A dry cough was the first sign Ron had that something was wrong. He at first dismissed it as bad allergies.<br /> But it went on for a year and a half—and kept getting worse.  Benadryl, antibiotics, and inhalers didn’t fix the problem. Neither did  allergists.<br /> This symptom—an “insidious cough that could be going on for weeks  that doesn’t seem to resolve,” Dr. Malvestutto says—is typical in very  ill HIV patients.<br /> <strong>Pneumonia</strong><br /> The cough and the weight loss may also presage a serious infection  caused by a germ that wouldn’t bother you if your immune system was  working properly.<br /> “There are many different opportunistic infections and each one can  present differently,” Dr. Malvestutto says. In Ron’s case, it was  Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), aka “AIDS pneumonia,” which eventually  landed him in the hospital.<br /> Other opportunistic infections include toxoplasmosis, a parasitic  infection that affects the brain; a type of herpes virus called  cytomegalovirus; and yeast infections such as thrush.<br /> <strong>Night sweats</strong><br /> About half of people get night sweats during the early stages of HIV infection, Dr. Malvestutto says.<br /> These can be even more common later in infection and aren’t related to exercise or the temperature of the room.<br /> Similar to the hot flashes that menopausal women suffer, they’re also  hard to dismiss, given that they soak your bedclothes and sheets.

16 Signs You May Have HIV

Think you have HIV? The only way to tell is to get an HIV test, but here are some possible symptoms. Within a month or...

Voting Opens on American Idol Season 13, and Ooops, I Forgot to Care!

7:51 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ7aqv10qW6uSUaQuuBMiuqpopOuyHW1riDJQzw6f5aERDarLJ3dRHhx5JA9ORYc4vCbcJmuHXnfkB8Ne1VoovXmznPJboPlLvb87bogw_tO-QgCHshtRdSQ7QV6yy8x5U2bgbcYSL2PP/s1600/di-20140220-raw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ7aqv10qW6uSUaQuuBMiuqpopOuyHW1riDJQzw6f5aERDarLJ3dRHhx5JA9ORYc4vCbcJmuHXnfkB8Ne1VoovXmznPJboPlLvb87bogw_tO-QgCHshtRdSQ7QV6yy8x5U2bgbcYSL2PP/s1600/di-20140220-raw.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />American Idol had its first voting rounds last night and I was deciding between, let's see was it Yuna Kim, Adelina Sotnikova or Gracie Gold? Darn it, that was the Olympics, I was not watching American Idol at all! I have no idea who any of the contestants are this year! Apparently I was not alone either as the total usage of <a href="http://www.dialidol.com/" target="_blank">DialIdol</a> has continued to plummet like American Idols viewership. Since I have no idea who any of these contestants are, I was only concerned with the raw numbers. For the first week of voting in last year's season, there were about 15,000 votes cast for the top 10 ladies and 12,000 cast for the top 10 guys. This year, we have less than 3,000 votes for the ladies, and only a little more than 4,000 for the guys. In Season 11 (Phillips year) it was 24K for the ladies and 29K for the guys, and in Season 10 (Scotty's year) it was an even 40K votes for both the ladies and guys. So what can we learn from this? Quite a number of things really:<br /><br />1) People are not using DialIdol to powervote any more. Not that many people have modems in their desktops or laptops now that everyone uses WiFi on just about anything. Anyone who does vote is either using Facebook or text messaging.<br /><br />2) People just are not watching American Idol as much, especially not during the Winter Olympics. Their overall viewership has dropped a lot since Season 8, 9 and 10, and competing against the Olympics does not help.<br /><br />3) If we look at the raw numbers, it looks like the guys have more voters. Even though Season 10 started out close, in Season 11 there were more votes for guys than girls and a guy won, and in the highly manipulated Season 12 there were more votes for girls then guys and a girl finally one. Now in Season 13, it appears Idol is happy to let a guy win again, so it will probably happen. Let's look at the top 3 raw vote receivers for the guys and the gals in the past 4 years for the first week of voting:<br /><br /><u>Season 10:</u><br />Girls: 1) Lauren Alaina, 2) Pia Toscano, 3) Thia Megia<br />Guys: 1) Casey Abrams, 2) James Durbin, 3) Scotty McCreery<br /><br /><u>Season 11:</u><br />Girls: 1) Hollie Cavanaugh, 2) Shannon Magrane, 3) Jessica Sanchez<br />Guys: 1) Phillip Phillips, 2) Colton Dixon, 3) Jermaine Jones<br /><br /><u>Season 12:</u><br />Girls: 1) Angie Miller, 2) Janelle Arthur, 3) Kree Harrison [ Candice was #5 first week ]<br />Guys: 1) Lazaro Arbos, 2) Devin Velez, 3) Nick Boddington<br /><br /><u>Season 13:</u><br />Girls: 1) Jess Meuse, 2) MK Nobilette, 3) Bria Anai Johnson<br />Guys: 1) Spencer Lloyd, 2) Sam Woolf, 3) Caleb Johnson<br /><br />In Seasons 10 & 11 the winner was among the Top 3 guys and the runner up was among the Top 3 girls. In Season 12, the winner was actually #5 among the ladies and the runner up was #3 among the ladies. Now that the votes are again skewed "guy heavy" there is a good chance the winner is one of the top 3 guys, although the votes are close for #3 through #7 (Caleb, CJ, Ben, Dexter and Alex) so I would not discount any of them either. The only gal with a strong showing was Jess Meuse so she should last a while too. But pretty much all the ladies except for Jess and guys like Malcolm, George and Emmanuel are not so likely to win it all.<br /><br />On the other hand the DialIdol numbers may all be completely bogus now that so few people are using it. But I had to post something! Maybe I should figure out who all these contestants are this year...

Voting Opens on American Idol Season 13, and Ooops, I Forgot to Care!

American Idol had its first voting rounds last night and I was deciding between, let's see was it Yuna Kim, Adelina Sotnikova or Gracie ...

Great Week for One Idol Winner, Not So Great Week For Another

7:05 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoQn5Jwld9zQtBLUT_N2207JpgHaZicn7pgEiBlf2ipYbGQQWN-U-PgjX2PLNoOjlzPiPz6NKoRISH3d_P8ACF9A4Q8UBxeYlw1y1HhyJg-gnl3JXznaEyhqYxj54pAnpRIUuxJGR2r0O/s1600/sm-syt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoQn5Jwld9zQtBLUT_N2207JpgHaZicn7pgEiBlf2ipYbGQQWN-U-PgjX2PLNoOjlzPiPz6NKoRISH3d_P8ACF9A4Q8UBxeYlw1y1HhyJg-gnl3JXznaEyhqYxj54pAnpRIUuxJGR2r0O/s1600/sm-syt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I hate to start my post with some not so great news, so let us start with some pretty fantastic news for one fairly recent American Idol winner. This has been an excellent week for Scotty McCreery with his single "See You Tonight" not only <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/scotty-mccreery-s-see-you-tonight-becomes-his-first-top-10-radio-single" target="_blank">officially becoming a Top 10 radio hit</a>, but also a gold selling single, giving him three gold selling hit singles ("I Love You This Big" and "Trouble With Girls" being the other two.) Plus his album of the same name <a href="http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-album-chart-news-the-week-of-february-19-2014-eric-church-blows-doors-off-the-charts-with-the-outsiders-scotty-mccreery-passes-200k" target="_blank">officially breaks the 200K sales point</a>, making that album a solid success after only one single has been released from it, with it still having plenty of time to sell a lot more units. As I mentioned before, he is only the 7th Idol to even have three albums break 200K in sales, and he is the only one since Season 5. All this is happening three years after his own season of American Idol, meaning he is officially <b>NOT</b> just a "one hit wonder" which is definitely a good thing for the longevity of his career. Way to go, Scotty!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH-BcqT2gWjXEei6gXe2zaJQ8o20vhY3O-MZ4xQWozh33Rovdoldjl6PWe78xgiitDmwOFNEi5ml-Zp84gLaZkfJ_hjbQeD_TLuvRrCAisLSKk-dRieX_n0eHmZ4MYyAcY2JqBUmA1_fA/s1600/cg-musicspeaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH-BcqT2gWjXEei6gXe2zaJQ8o20vhY3O-MZ4xQWozh33Rovdoldjl6PWe78xgiitDmwOFNEi5ml-Zp84gLaZkfJ_hjbQeD_TLuvRrCAisLSKk-dRieX_n0eHmZ4MYyAcY2JqBUmA1_fA/s1600/cg-musicspeaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />However, someone who may wish they even were a "one hit wonder" (and in reality many artists would be happy to be one) is Season 12 winner, Candice Glover. <a href="http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi" target="_blank">HitsDailyDouble</a> posted her 1 day sales projections for "Music Speaks" with <a href="http://www.mjsbigblog.com/hits-predicts-17-19k-sales-candice-glovers-music-speaks.htm" target="_blank">17K to 19K in sales</a>. I cannot imagine anyone could possibly be happy with those numbers. Speaking of Scotty, he sold quite a bit more downloads of his single this week <a href="http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-the-top-30-digital-singles-feb-12-2014-miranda-debuts-brantley-gilbert-1-cole-swindell-remains-hot" target="_blank">(21k)</a> than Candice debuted of her album which may be good news for Scotty, but not so great news for Candice. However, if we compare the audience impressions (AI) of their two singles it is easy to explain the difference. Scotty now has a Top 10 single on a big radio segment, country radio, where his weekly AI is now over 40 million which is pretty huge. Candice's single "Cried", however, was released on Urban AC which is a much smaller market (about 1/4 the size of country) so at #22 on the Urban AC chart, her AI is only 0.877. That means less than 1/40th of the people that heard Scotty's "See You Tonight" in the last week heard "Cried" on the radio. That is a pretty noticeable difference. Even the #1 or #2 single on Urban AC only has an AI of 12 or 13, so three times as many people heard Scotty's single as the biggest hits on Urban AC. Since Candice is receiving so little promotion she needs the airplay to help people know her album is out there, and that does not seem to be happening. Poor Candice, she is still an exceptional vocal talent, but it is hard to predict how successful her musical career can last long term.