Top Stories
Mark Zuckerberg Condemns Facebook Staff For Defacing Black Lives Matter Slogans

The Black Lives Matter movement has shed light on the racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality experienced by the African-American community across America. But apparently some of the employees at Facebook’s notoriously white, bro-centric Menlo Park, California office don’t agree.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has warned his employees over a “deeply hurtful” incident in which Black Lives Matter slogans were defaced. 

In a private memo posted on a company announcement page for employees only, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that employees have been scratching out “black lives matter” (sic) and writing “all lives matter” on the company’s famous signature wall. The company, whose staff is only 2 percent black, is facing the issue head on.

“We’ve never had rules around what people can write on our walls,” said Zuckerberg in the post. “We expect everybody to treat each other with respect.”

“Despite my clear communication at Q&A last week that this was unacceptable, and messages from several other leaders from across the company, this has happened again,” Zuckerberg said. “I was already very disappointed by this disrespectful behavior before, but after my communication I now consider this malicious as well.”

Facebook has faced criticism in the past for the lack of diversity in its workforce, which is predominantly white and male. A company census from June 2015 revealed that only 2 percent of staff is black, compared to 55 percent white, 36 percent Asian and 3 percent Hispanic.

Maxine Williams, Facebook’s global director of diversity, said at the time: “It’s clear to all of us that we still aren’t where we want to be. There’s more work to do.”

“There are specific issues affecting the black community in the United States, coming from a history of oppression and racism,” Zuckerberg said. “‘Black lives matter’ doesn’t mean other lives don’t—it’s simply asking that the black community also achieve the justice they deserve.

“This has been a deeply hurtful and tiresome experience for the black community and really the entire Facebook community, and we are now investigating the current incidents.”

Surf Air Expands Unlimited Private Jet Service from California to Europe

Packed in like human cattle. Or human sardines. Forced to wait in long wait lines. Treated to generalized and impersonal service. Suspiciously investigated and monitored. No, that is not the logline for a horror movie but an apt description of enduring modern 21st-century air travel. Lines are getting longer; travel departure delays are increasing and traveler disapproval with airports and airport service and ever more invasive security checks are reaching record highs. If only private jet travel was more affordable. Well, if you fly weekly or on a frequent basis in the California-centric region of the United States and spend over $2000 a month or every few weeks in business-related travel costs, then a new startup boutique airline may be able to offer you a more luxurious and comfortable way to fly.

World’s First Private Unlimited Air Travel Club

Surf Air is actually the world’s first private unlimited air travel club for business and leisure fliers. It was founded in 2011 in California by CEO Jeff Potter. Surf Air strives to maintain quality service by employing a small-scale staff and only flying to small, private regional airports in and around California. The FAA-certified company employs 200 people. All flights are piloted by two pilots, a captain, and first officer. All Surf Air pilots are active or retired commercial, military, charter and small aircraft pilots and experts at their craft. You can arrive 15 minutes before departure and buy your tickets through the website’s app, but you will still follow scaled down commercial airport security and screening procedures. Surf Air’s fleet of aircraft currently consists of over a dozen Swiss-manufactured 8-seater Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft. The aircraft has a 1,200-mile traveling distance range and cruising speed of 320 MPH.

Uber of Skyways and Netflix of Airlines

The start-up airline has been referred to as the “Uber of the Skyways,” and the, “Netflix of Airlines,” because of their efforts to embrace technology and to cater air travel to their clients’ needs in the most comfortable way possible. You can set up an inspection appointment wi, Cath Surf Air to visit one of their private airports and to inspect and check out one of their airplanes yourself. The airline has over 80 daily departures from California. Membership costs $1,950 a month with a $1,000 exclusive membership signup fee. First time members can fly one-way for $500 or two-ways for $1,000 in a promotional discount membership drive until July 31, 2016. Surf Air has over 3,000 exclusive members and counting. In fact, the company will be doubling the current size of their dozen-strong air fleet by the end of the year. The company’s business model concept has been so popular that they will begin expanding their operations to Europe beginning October 2016.

Services Available

Surf Air Europe’s private air travel members will be able to fly unlimited throughout Europe on a monthly basis for USD $3,225, or € 2,500, a month. So, it’s all up to you. If you travel by air frequently and cannot take the rigors of corporate, commercial air travel anymore, it may be in your best interest of travel comfort to arrange an aircraft inspection and information visit with Surf Air today. Surf Air operates out of private and small-sized airports in the Greater Los Angeles Metro Area, San Francisco, Truckee, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, Napa, and Monterrey. Surf Air also flies to private airports in Las Vegas in collaboration with another regional boutique airline called Advanced Air. In October 2016, Surf Air Europe will begin operations in and out of private and small-sized airports in Cannes, Dublin, Geneva, London, and Zurich. Additional cities will be added later. You can learn more about unlimited, monthly air travel membership at the Surf Air website. 

 

 

 

Jennifer Lawrence is Highest Paid Actress

“Hunger Games” star Jennifer Lawrence tops the the list of highest-paid actresses, according to the annual thespian earnings survey by Forbes.

Lawrence moved up from No. 2 last year to lead the field with an estimated $52 million in paydays from June 2014 to June 2015. Her haul is $1 million more than last year’s leader, Sandra Bullock, who dropped to No. 15 this time around with $8 million in earnings.

Scarlett Johansson weighed in at No. 2 with $35.5 million, followed by Melissa McCarthy ($23 million). Newcomers on the list include China’s Bingbing Fan and Amanda Seyfried. Forbes noted that lucrative endorsement deals keep veterans such as Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie in the top 20.

Here’s the top 18:

  • Jennifer Lawrence: $52,000,000
  • Scarlett Johansson: $35,500,000
  • Melissa McCarthy: $23,000,000
  • Bingbing Fan: $21,000,000
  • Jennifer Aniston: $16,500,000
  • Julia Roberts: $16,000,000
  • Angelina Jolie: $15,000,000
  • Reese Witherspoon: $15,000,000
  • Anne Hathaway: $12,000,000
  • Kristen Stewart: $12,000,000
  • Cameron Diaz: $11,000,000
  • Gwyneth Paltrow: $9,000,000
  • Meryl Streep: $8,000,000
  • Amanda Seyfried: $8,000,000
  • Sandra Bullock: $8,000,000
  • Emma Stone: $6,500,000
  • Mila Kunis: $6,500,000
  • Natalie Portman: $6,000,000
HighLights
Ring Doorbell Cameras - Dig Deeper Into The Security Features

Doorbell cameras were once reserved for the wealthy and affluent people, but this is no longer the case in 2022. Today, everyone is concerned about their privacy and wants to secure themselves and their valuables from prying eyes. This made installing security systems and equipment more common than ever before. When it comes to home security, it always starts at the front door. Whether you’re at home or not, you should always know who’s knocking on the door. This is why people install a smart doorbell camera and keep track of all the activities that take place behind their back. While buying the front door surveillance, Ring is the name that pops in mind. 

 

The Ring is an Amazon-owned brand that has gained a significant market share and has become one of the most well-known and established brands offering outstanding home security systems. Ring doorbell cameras are one of its components that are highly recognized for excellent protection. Installing the Ring doorbell is an easy and effective way to improve security. In this article, we are going to discuss more about Ring doorbell cameras. Our team of experts has tested various Ring video doorbells and brought you an honest opinion on the series. Here we will share what we have discovered. This will help you find out whether Ring doorbells are a worthy investment. 

 

Ring Doorbell Cameras Sneak Peek

 

What We Like:

1. Sleek and modern design

2. Easy to use mobile app

3. Wide field of view 

4. Reasonable price

5. Great motion tracking

6. Both wired and wireless options 

7. Numerous options for selection

 

What We Don’t Like: 

1. Low-quality speaker

2. No free video storage 

3. Person detection needs subscription

 

Ring Doorbell Cameras Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?

 

Ring is a top brand that offers multiple models to choose from. Its smart doorbell cameras differ in price and functionality, making it a tedious task to pick the best one. This is why we have compared all the cameras and displayed them to you in the easiest manner. Check out the table and see which product has what to offer.

 

Basis

Video Doorbell Video Doorbell 2020 Releas Video Doorbell Pro Video Doorbell 3 Video Doorbell 4 Video Doorbell Pro 2  Video Doorbell Elite
Price $59.99 $99.99 $169.99 $179.99 $199.99 $249.99 $349.99
Power Source  Hardwired Rechargeable Battery or Hardwired Hardwired Rechargeable Battery or Hardwired Rechargeable Battery or Hardwired Hardwired Power over Ethernet
Two-Way Talk Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes With+Audio Yes
HD Video with Night Vision Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1536p HD+Video Yes
Built-In Alexa - - Yes - - Yes -
Greetings              
Enhanced Duel-Band Wifi - - Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Artificial Intelligence - - Person detection with plans - Pre-Roll viewing - Person detection with plans
Motion Detection and Alerts Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes +3D Motion Detection Yes
Cloud Storage 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans 60 Days With Protect Plans

 

Ring Smart Doorbell Camera Features That You Must Consider

 

Regardless of which security camera you get your hands on, you will get access to a handful of features that will uplift your experience and provide you with better protection. Here are some of the significant features you must consider while buying video doorbell cameras

 

- Sleek Design: Ring smart doorbell camera is ultra-slim and has a space-saving design. Its polished look is eye-pleasing and goes perfectly with the aesthetic of the property. Apart from looking great, the slim design is easy to install. 

- HD Resolution Video Recording: Video is the core of any doorbell camera, and Ring takes extra care of it. The brand ensures quality footage that helps get a clear look at people’s faces. The Ring devices offer 1080p HD resolution images to have a better view. 

- Two-Way Talk: When it comes to front door video surveillance, audio is another critical aspect that you must consider while picking the right product. Hence, Ring designs all its products with two-way talk functionality. This allows the owner and visitor to talk to each other even when they are not physically present. 

- Unbeatable Mobile App: The mobile application is one of the most prominent features of Ring doorbell cameras. It allows you to get real-time notifications, makes it easy to connect with other security devices, and allows you to control the privacy of your home. Using the app, you can get complete control over the surveillance device. 

- Alexa Greetings: Ring smart doorbell camera has built-in Alexa Greetings that makes the product stand out from the competitors. This feature allows Alexa to greet all the people at the door and give a message. You can also provide instructions for leaving the parcel outside or informing the people that you can’t come to the door. 

- Night Vision: Video surveillance cameras are meant to record all the activities and capture the visitors stopping by, both day and night. This is why all the Ring devices are equipped with a night vision feature that allows the camera to record even when it's dark outside. The cameras have LED sensors installed for clear vision at night time. 

- Cloud Storage: Storage is one of the features that people are highly concerned about while buying a security surveillance system. When it comes to video doorbell cameras, storing all the footage becomes more important. When we talk about the Ring cameras, it provides the users with both local as well as cloud storage. Cloud storage provides more space and security to the recordings. 

 

Ring Doorbell Cameras Monitoring Plans

 

 

To get the most out of your Ring Doorbell Cameras, you can buy a comprehensive subscription service. It will help you get access to incredible features and let you save, review, and share the video that the camera has captured. Here we are going to explain more about these monitoring plans. 

 

Ring Protect Basic:

As the name suggests, it is the basic plan that will let you record the video for one surveillance camera or doorbell. It costs $3 per month and $30 if you pay for a year. Some of the incredible features it offers include:

 

1. Check Video History For 60 Days

2. Capture Snapshot

3. Spots A Person

4. Rich Mobile Notifications 

5. Video Saving And Sharing

 

Ring Protect Plus:

This monitoring plan is one level above the basic plan. It is useful in recording videos and footage for all devices. The Ring Protect Plus plan costs $10 for a month and $100 for an entire year. When it comes to features, it includes all the offerings as the basic plan and some additional features, that include:

 

1. Extended warranty on all devices 

2. 10% off on purchase from the official website and Amazon  

 

Ring Protect Pro:

Ring Protect Pro is the highest level of the monitoring plan that allows the user to make the most of their security camera. It starts at $20 per month and $200 per year and can go up according to the add-on services. Some of the additional features that you will get besides the Ring Protect Plus plan are:

 

1. 24/7 Professional Monitoring

2. Alexa Guard Plus

3. 24/7 Backup With Extra Storage 

4. Exceptional Digital Security

5. Alarm Cellular Backup

6. Discount On Home Insurance 

 

Expert Opinion: Final Verdict 

Wondering what we think of Ring doorbell cameras? While looking at all the products and their features, we found it is a great investment. Having it installed will help you answer the door from anywhere in the world. They are convenient and offer peace of mind whether you are at your home or away. Ring surveillance is the next-generation doorbell security system with great features to secure your home or workplace. 

 

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Cholesterol

In the wide world of science and medicine, no other topic seems more widely discussed, more contentious than cholesterol. Cholesterol plays an important role in your overall health, affecting your heart, blood, and organs. But when most people think of cholesterol, they imagine heart attacks and having to be monitored closely by EKG machines. To clear up the confusion about what this mysterious substance is, read the answers to some frequently asked questions about cholesterol below.

1. What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance created naturally in the body by your liver. It’s also, of course, found in the foods you eat, mainly in those that come directly from animals. Cholesterol is found in the cell membranes all over your body, including your skin, intestines, brain, nerves, muscles, and heart.

2. What does cholesterol do?

Contrary to what you think, cholesterol isn’t all bad. In fact, your body actually needs cholesterol to stay healthy and function properly. For one, cholesterol is used in the production of steroid hormones that contribute to normal human development. Cortisol, which regulates blood levels and defends against infection, and the sex hormones testosterone and progesterone rely on cholesterol.

Cholesterol is also used to produce bile, the green fluid made in your liver. Bile is an emulsifying agent that is necessary for digesting foods containing fat. Bile breaks down larger fat “blobs” to mix better with the enzymes that directly break down and absorb fat.

Cholesterol is also the precursor to vitamin D, which, among other things, helps you metabolize and absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth.

In other words, completely eliminating cholesterol from your body isn’t a good idea.

3. So whats the problem with cholesterol?

You definitely need cholesterol in your system, so what’s so bad about it? The thing is, your body can generally produce enough cholesterol with very little help from your diet. Overloading yourself with cholesterol-rich foods causes the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This narrows the amount of room available for your blood to flow to and from your heart. Over time, you can develop atherosclerosis—a hardening of arteries.

You can imagine the troubles this could cause.  These hardened arteries directly affect some serious cardiovascular diseases. See, your heart is getting less blood, which can lead to chest pains. Full blockage of a coronary artery can lead to a heart attack.

4. Whats the deal with goodand badcholesterol?

To make things more confusing, the medical community has identified “good” and “bad” types of cholesterol. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the “bad” kind and is what causes the buildup of plaque and the bad things that follow suit. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered the “good” form of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol actively eliminates the bad cholesterol from your blood to prevent it from building up. You generally want more of the HDL and less of the LDL.

5. How do I keep my cholesterol levels balanced?

Reducing your “bad” cholesterol levels is mainly about diet.

  • Focus on foods that are low in fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol.
  • Instead of frying foods, consider broiling, baking, roasting, or poaching.
  • Take the skin off your meat, fish, and poultry.
  • Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

While diet also affects your HDL levels, the best thing you can do to raise your “good” cholesterol is exercise. Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week can boost HDL cholesterol levels.

If you need help with your cholesterol, don’t be afraid to consult your healthcare provider. Good luck, and stay healthy!

Image:  UrbaneWomenMag on Flickr

Popular Post

Prince Harry, the younger brother of Prince William, announced an engagement with TV Actress and celebrity Meghan Markle, best known for her stint as Rachel Zane in Suits on Monday. With the announcement starts a series of proceedings leading way up to the wedding planned for the next year Spring. While it may seem to be a year away, the planners have started to put in their efforts right away. The Royal Wedding is a subject of international attraction and any slack in the presentation would appear as a dent and to deny any such event, the planners have full proof plans ready. Here are some of the points on which the Planners have started to ponder over-

Date of Wedding

With the exact date not announced, the Spring seems an apt timing for a wedding so much important for the Royal couple. As per the Royal-watchers, it is highly likely to be in the month of May as Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her third child in April. The courtiers will have to sync their diaries keeping in accordance the likes of Queen, the Prince of Wales as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge so that everyone is available for the wedding. All eyes, therefore, would be on Kensington Palace for any confirmation regarding the date of marriage.

Venue

There are few venues at which the regular noted events have taken place for the royal family. If Prince Harry and Meghan follow the course of his brother Prince William and Kate Middleton, they might get married at Westminster Abbey, the place where Harry’s grandmother, the Queen, and Great-grandmother, the Queen mother also got married. In another case, the St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle also seems a distant possibility. The fact the chapel is considerably smaller than Westminster Abbey may deter the royal couple from getting married here.

Guest List

The guest list for the wedding of Prince William was released in the name of Queen in the form of three lists. While 1900 guests attended the wedding, around 600 people were invited to the luncheon reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen, and about 300 people were invited to the evening dinner hosted by Prince Charles. The guest list for this wedding might also look the same only to the exception if the couple wants lesser number of guests in their wedding. But it will rely completely on the like of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to finalize their guest list.

The Best Man and Bridesmaid

While Prince William might be the best man for his brother Prince Harry or may double up as the same with one of closest friends of Prince Harry. Meghan might make her co-star on Suits Sarah Rafferty as her maid of honor. Prince George and Princess Charlotte are likely to hand over the jobs of Page boy and Flower girl respectively.

The Invites

The Lord Chamberlain’s office at the Buckingham Palace has always been the one managing royal weddings. It is expected that Prince Harry’s PS Edward Lane Fox in accordance with the Lord’s office draw up the entire wedding planning. From sending of the usual gold-embossed invitations to arranging any royal carriages, the nuptials and the schedule of the day, the Royal Household staff with their experience are skilled enough at executing smooth ceremonies and celebrations for royal VIPs.

Editor Picks
SCORE: The Best Free Resource Center for Businesses

When it comes to learning how to start or run a business, reading can only take you so far. Yes, there is a wealth of information online, but sometimes you need more than that to really figure things out.

Well, if you’re facing a business dilemma and can’t find what you’re looking for in blogs or books, so may want to try SCORE.org.

SCORE is a nonprofit association that’s all about assisting small businesses. It consists of more than 12,000 volunteers who are more than happy to offer their knowledge and assistance to entrepreneurs who need help.

SCORE provides free mentorship programs that enable people to contact seasoned entrepreneurs and ask for assistance. Aside from that, the organization also offers free, confidential business via phone and emails.

Need sample business plans, budget documents, or personal financial statements? Just head over to the templates section and access numerous free templates to help you base your documents on.

On top of that, SCORE also offers free or inexpensive online and offline workshops for entrepreneurs who wish to learn a new skill or pick up on the latest developments in their industry. 

Apple Unveils iPad Pro

Apple Inc. announced a bigger iPad with a new keyboard and stylus aimed at business customers.

Chief Executive Tim Cook promised a day of “monster” news Wednesday, but shares of the company remained nearly flat as executives showed off the iPad, which will be priced starting at $799.

Cook began by talking up the Apple Watch, saying customer satisfaction for the new product was 97 percent. Apple is working with French luxury goods maker Hermes on a new watch collection, and Facebook Messenger is coming to the device, he added.

He then rolled out the “iPad Pro” with a 12.9-inch screen and said it had performance similar to a desktop computer. Apple showed off a “smart” keyboard and a stylus called “Pencil.”

Apple said it had partnered with Cisco Systems Inc. and IBM to help power the iPad pro, which it said is up to 1.8 times faster and has a 10-hour battery life. Many people on Twitter seemed unimpressed by the new iPad and lamented its large size, however.

Shares of Apple were up less than 1 percent at $112.68.

Cook promised “monster announcements” at the event, which is also expected to feature an updated version of its Apple TV device and of its iPhones, which drove nearly two-thirds of the company’s $49.6 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter.

Apple is widely expected to keep the size of the phones the same but upgrade them with an improved camera and Force Touch, a display technology that responds differently depending on how hard users press their screens.

A year after Apple rolled out iPhones with larger screens, touching off a frenzy of sales that saw revenue in the most recent quarter increase 32.5 percent from the same quarter a year ago, the latest upgrades may leave some investors and consumers underwhelmed.

“It’s getting harder and harder for Apple to compete against itself,” said analyst Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research. Apple shares are up more than 14 percent over the last year, although they are down nearly 12 percent in the last three months.

Fortunately for Apple, most consumers buy smartphones under a two-year upgrade cycle, meaning the company will still likely scoop up a lot of sales, said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy.

“The key point of reference is not how the new phone compares to the iPhone 6, it’s how it compares to the iPhone 5s,” he said.

Expectations have been rising for a revamped Apple TV, a set-top box that has seen few significant updates since its release in 2007. Although Apple has yet to hammer out deals for a long-awaited television service, analysts say the company is poised to overhaul the hockey-puck-sized device.

The device is expected to gain an App Store and an interface that allows users to make requests through the Siri digital assistant and search for specific programs and movies across apps. The company may also discuss the device’s role as a hub for gaming.

“It’s a big day for the big screen!” Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue tweeted before the event.

Nearly 20 percent of US broadband households own at least one streaming media player, and Apple has a long way to go in the market, according to data from research firm Parks Associates.

Roku is the leader in streaming media boxes, accounting for 34 percent of all streaming devices sold in the United States in 2014, according to Parks Associates data. Google Inc.’s Chromecast and Amazon.com Inc.’s Fire TV were next. The Apple TV box came in fourth.

“It’s important that (Apple) come out and really get up to date and potentially eclipse some of the other living room devices out there,” Moorhead said.