Kenya Defense Forces in Control Of Westgate Mall after An Attack by Al-Shabab Militia Photos and Video

Kenya remains strong, as the military forces battle a group of al-Shabab militia who have taken Kenyans and other nationalities hostage inside Westgate shopping Mall in Nairobi. The official death toll released by the government stands at 62 as at the afternoon Monday 23rd September, two days after the siege of the mall began on Saturday 21st September around 11 am.

This attack appears to have been well-plotted and contrary to what was thought; most of the attackers come from different countries. Since Kenya deployed troops to Somalia in 2011, al-Shabab has been pushing for withdrawal of the troops. Kenya has since suffered a series of grenade attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Garissa however, the latest attack of Westgate mall seems to have been the most dangerous. 

A group of al-Shabab militia numbering about 10 to 15 stormed the building and started spraying bullets on people before taking others hostage. Close to over 1000 people have been restored with scores injured and rushed to different hospitals including MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Kenya National Hospital, Aga Khan, and Guru Nanak hospital.

Over 175 people have been reported injured. The situation is delicate and extremely tense as people wait to get the full horror of this beastly attack. Journalist have been barred from coming closer to the building because of the nature of the attack. It is too risky for journalists to move closer and are only reporting some distance from the mall.

 

Rescue operations conducted by the Kenya Defense Forces has so far been very successful and the Red Cross has shown its resilience in helping victims of the attack. There has been a fierce battle on Monday afternoon 23rd with gunshots and explosions being hard repeatedly from the mall. The terrorist are believed to have set a section of the mall on fire to create distortion of the assault.

However, the Kenya Defense Forces have been fiercely engaging the terrorists and have taken control of most of the floors of the building. Among those who lost their lives in this attack are Kenya nationals, Indian nationals, French, South Africans, Canadians, Australians, Britons, and Chinese. The Westgate Mall is a prestigious shopping facility located at Westlands in Nairobi, and is frequented by visitors of different nationalities.

It is believed that Westgate was targeted because it is frequented by many people of all nationalities. Two of the attackers are believed to have been killed in the assault by the Kenya military forces. As the rescue operations continue, Kenyans are urged to remain calm and resilient, and do their business cautiously.

 

The Kenya government has consistently said that there is no need for travel adversaries to be issued by other nations as the situation has been contained. The war against terror is a global war and countries must join their hand to fight these terrorists relentlessly. The terrorists seems to be changing their tactics and shifting to holding of people hostage after the series of hostages in Pakistani and India.

 

Journalists have been asked to be cautious when reporting the development of the attack because the militia could be monitoring the media. The group that claimed responsibility for this attack has been said to have previously recruited Americans in their militia group. This shows the dimension the Al-Qaeda affiliated group Al-Shabab was taking in recruiting young people to join their network.

US officials estimate that dozens of Americans have traveled to Somalia over the last six years where they have joined the Al-Shabab militia group. Kenyans have donated blood to help the victims and this has shown their solidarity in coping with the attack. The Westgate attack Nairobi has left the City in Shock but Kenyans are more united and strong despite the beastly attack. The Kenya Defense Force has said that it planning to end the siege soon. Security has been heightened around the country and in national borders and other towns. 

 

6 Bright Ways To Minimize Your Car Home Insurance Cost

Insurance cover is all but a requirement for those who own and drive cars and therefore, forms part of a regular expense for the people. Auto insurance can stretch your finances. Nevertheless, it is so essential because it saves you money when you find yourself or your car involved in an accident. The best thing to do is to leverage all ways, in which you can keep the insurance premiums low and there are certainly many of them. You can quote reasonably higher deductibles, observe safe driving ethics, and these coupled with Auto Home Insurance discounts, could significantly reduce your overall auto insurance cost.

Car insurance discounts are many and may vary from one insurance company to another. You can carry out a research on every insurance company to find out its range of car insurance discounts. Meanwhile, you can also consult an insurance agency firm that deals with different insurance companies and will perhaps offer you more information on the various discounts out there, which auto home insurance coverage buyers can take advantage of.

All the same, there are common auto coverage discounts that are offered by most insurance companies and include;

• Safe driver discount: If you have maintained safe driving and you have not been involved in any major accident for several years, an insurance company will reward you with low premiums.
• Good student discount: Apparently, if you obtain good grades in college, this can help you get insurance discounts from auto insurance firms. This is based on the assumption that you are a responsible person and can maintain good driving ethics. This discount can extend for many years saving you significantly on your Auto Home Insurance cost.
• Multiple policy discount: When you combine your insurance coverage such as auto, medical, and home insurance into one policy coverage, you get rewarded by insurance company for giving it more business.
• Retirement discount: When you are old you spend less time driving and this reduces your insurance coverage premiums.
• Defensive driving discount: Those people who have undertaken defensive driving course can enjoy reduced premiums. This is because they are more aware of the traffic laws and observe safe driving.
• Vehicle safety discounts: If your car is installed with anti-theft alarm system, anti-lock brakes, airbags and other safety features, insurance companies will offer you reduced premiums.

When all's said and done, the most important aspect that will help you maintain low costs in your car home insurance is safe driving. If you or your car is frequently involved in accidents, this can impact adversely on your insurance coverage premiums.

Install Solar Photovoltaics Cells through Solar Panels Technicians

Consumers are seeking for ways to cut down their regular expenses including utility bills. Some states have a relatively higher cost of electricity than the average America electricity cost. Solar panels provide free energy, something that allows consumers to save money in energy. A  Solar Panels contractor can help you in installing the solar photovoltaics (PV) cells.

Once installed, a solar energy system pays for itself and within a few years, you are able to recover the cost of installation. The cost of energy consumption pushes up the credit card balances and may cause the credit report to be tainted. Sunlight is free and when you use the photovoltaic cells to derive energy from the sunshine, you are saving money.

A solar installation company will explain in a clear-to-understand manner how your system will cost you, how much money you will save, and the financing options available for the project. The solar panels have layers of semi-conducting silicon material that converts sunlight into electric field. Using solar panels will not only reduce the cost of energy but also help in cutting carbon footprint.

Solar energy is renewable and does not emit dangerous pollutants and carbon dioxide into the air. You can also get paid for electricity you are generating even if you are using it. This is achieved through the Feed-in- Tariffs that will pay you for what you are generating. This is one way of encouraging people to install power cells in their homes and business properties.

If you produce more solar energy than you need, you may also sell the electricity back to the national grid and earn yourself money. If your system is able to produce more electricity than you need to use at your premises, then you can sell the surplus to the grid. With help of a Solar Panels technician, you can install your system and begin to enjoy free electricity right away.

Why You Need the Help of Professional Solar Panels Installer

Installing solar panels may not be an easy task because it requires professional skills including construction, electrical wiring, and carpentry. If you cannot bring this level of expertise, then you may encounter problems when installing your solar panels. A reputable Solar Panels installer understands the ins and outs of the building and construction codes and ordinances within your area.

Leaky roofs and electrical connections that do not meet the state code are some of the issues resolved by the installers. Although the do-it-yourself installation brochures may make it sound like any easy task to install solar panels, the reality is that installing and integrating them into your residential or business premise power grid is a complex aspect.

Professional installers are trained in different areas and they are able to optimize your solar system by fitting it in a position where it can receive sunlight that guarantees optimal performance and the least possible electrical bills. Moreover, the expert solar installers know the rebates and incentives available in your area, which could help you reduce the initial out-of-pocket cost.

The installers work closely with you to find the best purchase option that could help you save money. It may not be easy to figure out what exactly you will be saving when you install solar panels. The process is complex and involves proper assessment and evaluation of the installation site, the amount of sunlight, the shading in your home, and the kind of solar panels you install.

The professional installers visit your home and make onsite evaluation that can allow you install the solar system optimally. Moreover, the Solar Panels installers can assist you in obtaining the required documents and permits when installing solar systems. You not only save time and money when you consult expert installers but also ensure that the installation is done properly and in line with the set building standards.

Save Money in Energy Bills with Help of Solar Panels Installation Companies

As countries seek for clean energy and more efficient power deliveries, homeowners and business premises are being encouraged to install solar panels in their premises. You can save money when you install the solar photovoltaics (PV) cells in your home. A Solar Panels installation company can help you determine the right size and place to fit your solar cells.

After you have paid for the initial installation, the running cost of maintenance and repairs are minimal. You start enjoying low cost energy in your home or business. This can enable you save money, which you could use in other ways such as paying for home loan, car loan, or other expenses. The cells do not need direct sunshine in order to produce energy. They can still produce electricity even during cloudy day.

Electricity is expensive and if you have to meet monthly bills for the rest of your life, then it means at you will spend large amount of money in the long run. This is an amount you could save and buy a car or finance your dream house. People do not realize the small monthly bills they pay for energy can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in ten or 20 years.

But why do you have to pay for the costly electricity when you could generate your own power right from your home and you pay nothing. The only amount you have to pay is the installation cost. Although installing the solar panels may be expensive, then immediately they are fitted, you start enjoying free energy from day one.

Within a few years, you are able to recover to the cost of installation of solar panels and then continue enjoying free energy. When you consult professional Solar Panels installation companies, they inspect your home, the roofing structure, and determine the right location to fit the cells.

The Indian Descent Miss America Pageant 2014 Crowning Flocked with Racist Tweets

Who is an American? This is a question many may not be able to answer considering the successive waves of immigration that has seen the nation struggle to define which new immigrants are actually fit for the American society and who should really be called Americans. But for Nina Davuluri, the newly crowned Miss American 2014 may have to understand that although she is an American, there are some who feel she is not. This is not about Nina Davuluri or about American people but is about the perception some people in America have towards others. 



Nina Davuluri is actually American and every American should be proud of her and accord her the much-needed support. However, soon after Nina was crowned Miss America 2014 pageant title, there was a bombardment of racist tweets, which flocked the internet. Some tweets read that if you a Miss American, then you should be American! And others even asked- when will a white woman win Miss American?

                                                                           

     

These comments and questions might have raised redflag by trying to convey to the people of American that if you are an American of certain descent, then you may not be regarded as a real American. But let us face the fact here. When the sports athletes win gold and other medals in the Olympics or other world championship- who do they pride themselves of being? They are Americans although they may be of different descents.

Nina Davuluri is the first Miss America of Indian American origin. Some people might argue that she presents the virtues and culture of Indians more than the American culture and virtues. Does it really make sense to believe that Nina may have represented Indian virtues and not American?

Nani Davuluri, a 24-year-old celebrity from Syracuse won the 2014 beauty pageant where she competed on the platform dubbed "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency". In the talent portion, Davuluri featured classical Indian dance that was fused with Bollywood moves, something that expressed Indian cultural feelings and expressions.

A similar racist feeling was seen in 2010 when Rima Fakih was crowned miss USA 2010. Fakih is Lebanese descent and people tried to quickly associate her with the Hezbollah military group. There was a feeling that Nina Davuluri is a Muslim but she isn’t! Some tweets even tried to link the timing for her pageant win with the Al Qaeda and the 9/11.

The tweets against Nina Davuluri might not have been directed to her but the heritage she is associated with. If you are an American of a particular descent, there are still some connections of your ancestral heritage. But an American whether of black, Indian, Italian, Cuba, or Lebanese descent upholds and represents the heritage and values of America.

Although in the past whiteness remained the test for Americanness, this perhaps has changed, and it is time Americans regardless of their descent should join hands together and uphold their cultural heritage. In the past, America has been struggling in defining who an American is for example, in 1917, Congress drew a line on the globe and declared “Asiatic Barred Zone” , the region from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, as one in which the United States would not accept immigrants from.

Today, these old racial criteria have vanished and America holds a “fit-for-all” immigration framework that encourages people from different spheres of life and regions to settle and live in American as citizens. With the Nina Davuluri racist tweets against her, this is an indication that the citizens of this country might have reached their lowest point and they have to accept the reality. Nina Davuluri is an American regardless of her descent and she upholds American values and virtues. She is a symbol of the great American people and heritage. 

Consumers Up For Payday Loans In Spite of Heavy Payback Interest Rates

Consumers seem to defy their conscience and are willing to pay for the high interest rates being charged by payday loans online lenders. Although this does not come as a surprise considering that traditional banking institutions are turning down many consumers, it means that these consumers are really determined to carry the burden. Interestingly, the aged people who should now be observing strict financial spending are now resulting to using payday loans.

In whichever angle or perspective you think about the fast cash advance, the reality is that they are very costly. With payday loans interest rates reaching as high as 700 APRs or annual percentage rates, then there is a trap here. First, payday loans are only meant for occasional or one time use. In a year, you should not borrow more than one or two fast cash loans simply because the more you borrow or roll over the balance, the more you are paying for the loan.

These loans can save you when you are in trouble and cannot obtain funds from elsewhere. They can make you cross the bridge in that difficult moment but they should never be used every now and then. Payday loans can help you pay for credit balance in time before you face penalties and taint your credit score. They can be used for emergencies such as hospital bills, telephone, and electricity bills.

Remember the way in which you pay your bills says something about your creditworthiness. The solution to good money management is not using payday loans but rather seeking for ways to manage your cash. One reason why millions of consumers are opting for payday cash advance is that they are the easiest to obtain. When you are unexpectedly caught up in an emergency financial situation, you can resolve it within a few hours by seeking for a cash advance online lender.

These lenders are many but you have to be careful when seeking for the right lender. You may be risking your credit card information and therefore you should check through the payday loans reviews to discover the most reputable and trusted payday lenders. The toptenreviews website provides an honest review of the leading and most trusted fast cash advance lenders. You can check them and compare their interest rates.

Another good thing with these fast cash advance online lenders is that they do not put more emphasis on your credit score. Bad credit loans are not easy to obtain and the process may be tedious when you are dealing with traditional banks. The ability to walk on a payday store or log on to the web and apply for a fast cash loan easily and fast is what drives consumers to preferring these credit services.

Within one hour, you can have cash in your checking account and the approval process is very lenient. This means that you can easily meet a troubling and pressing financial need and be able to move ahead with life. The only problem is that the lending structure of payday loans online facilities is very loose. The lenders do not emphasize on the ability of the lender to repay the loan and they are more focused on the collection.

To be able to repay a loan, the lender has to assess your income, your regular expenses, and unplanned expenses and from that perspective, award you a payday online loan that goes hand in hand with your income and expenses. This will prevent you from getting into trouble when repaying the amount back. But it seems that payday loans online lenders want you to become a repeat customer just by making sure that you don’t repay the amount in the next paycheck. You either roll over the balance or take another loan. This is something that is creating a cycle of debts among the payday loans consumers.