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It’s hard to believe that piracy is still a thing in 2021, but shipping expert Victor Restis says piracy is alive and thriving. So how does an industry as critical as shipping protect itself from pirates? Here are 12 ways they keep their ships and fleets safe:

1) By using armed guards

One of the most common ways shipping companies combats piracy is by using armed guards to protect their vessels. This can be an expensive solution, but it has proven effective in deterring pirates.

2) By using technology

Another popular way to combat piracy is through the use of technology. This can include using specially-designed buoys equipped with GPS to send alerts about the presence of pirates or installing acoustic homing alarms on ships’ hulls. These technological solutions can be deployed quickly and at a relatively low cost.

3) By sharing information

Ships need to know which areas are most dangerous, so they must share information. Crew members share intelligence via forums where anyone can post warnings about pirates in specific locations. Sharing information is often an effective way for shipping companies to combat piracy since it allows them to work together instead of working alone.

4) By partnering with local communities

Partnering with local communities is another popular solution because it brings down piracy rates while simultaneously making life better for the locals. This can be done by hiring locals to work onboard the ships, providing medical care and education, or helping to improve infrastructure in the local community.

5) By using private security firms

Shipping companies often employ private security firms to help protect their vessels from pirates. These firms have a variety of methods for dealing with pirates, including employing former military personnel, using armed guards, and using technology.

6) By using naval escorts

Naval escorts are often used as a deterrent against piracy. For example, when warships are deployed in an area plagued by pirates, it often scares them off and prevents them from attacking any vessels.

7) By using tracking devices

Tracking devices can be placed on ships to keep track of their location at all times. This can help shipping companies and authorities quickly locate a ship that pirates have hijacked.

8) By using intelligence networks

Intelligence networks are essential for tracking the movements of pirates. In addition, this information can help shipping companies plan their routes and avoid dangerous areas.

9) By using armed speedboats

Armed speedboats can be used to escort ships through pirate-infested waters. These boats are fast and well-armed, making them an ideal deterrent against pirate attacks.

10) By using deterrents

Deterrents are devices or measures that are used to scare pirates away. This can include installing barbed wire on the railing of a ship, using water cannons, or deploying patrol boats.

11) By partnering with militaries

Partnering with militaries is another way that the shipping industry combats piracy. This can be as simple as providing information about pirate activities to military authorities so they can stop them in their tracks.

 

It is necessary for every car owner to purchase car insurance. One of the main things that policy buyers consider is the premium.

If you are a new car owner, then read this article to understand the factors that impact the car insurance premium.

Car insurance can be of great help to you in many situations. For instance, if you damage a third-party property, then car insurance can cover that. If your car gets damaged in an accident, then your car insurance policy can cover that. Furthermore, a car insurance plan provides cover against theft. It also provides cover against natural and human-made calamities such as lightning, earthquake, burglary, riot, strike, etc.

In order to purchase car insurance, you will have to pay the premium. There are several factors that impact a car insurance premium. Read on to find out about them.

• The Make and Model of Your Vehicle

This is one of the most crucial factors that determine the premium amount. The premium depends on the type of car you have. For instance, if you own an expensive car, then the premium might be high. However, the premium amount might be lower if you have a standard car.

Furthermore, the fuel type of the vehicle can impact the premium. The car insurance prices for diesel, petrol, etc. cars are different.

• Location of the Car Registration

The place you live has a huge impact on the premium. For example, if you live in an area where the traffic is low, then you might have to pay a lower premium. However, if you live in a city, then you will have to pay a higher premium. This is because the likelihood of accidents, thefts, etc. is high in cities.

• The Cubic Capacity of Your Car

Your car’s cubic capacity also affects the premium. The higher the cubic capacity, the higher the premium.

• Type of Car Insurance Policy

While buying car insurance, you’ll have to select between third-party car insurance and comprehensive car insurance. Third-party car insurance provides cover against third-party property damages. However, comprehensive car insurance covers third-party property damages as well as damages to your own car.

Thus, the premium of a comprehensive car insurance policy is higher than a third-party car insurance policy. However, comprehensive car insurance provides extensive coverage.

• Your Personal Factors

Your age also impacts the premium. If you are below 25 years of age, then you might have to pay a higher premium. However, your premium might get low if you are above 50 years of age. Your marital status also affects the premium. You might have to pay a lower premium if you are a married individual, but the premium amount might increase if you are not married.

Furthermore, your driving experience can affect the premium. For example, if you have had an accident, then the premium might be higher for you. Also, if you don’t have an insurance record, then you might have to pay a higher premium.

• Installation of Security Devices in Car

By installing anti-theft devices, you can make your car more secure. Therefore, you might be able to purchase car insurance at a lower premium.

It is of utmost importance to purchase car insurance to protect yourself from various damages. Keep the aforementioned points in mind while buying a car insurance policy.

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A new Persian Gulf conflict has been unfolding since the year 2019, and it has reached new points of intensity as the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran continue to engage in hostilities. Since May 2019, American forces deployed in the Persian Gulf and across the Middle East have been operating in a heightened state of alert, and the same can be said about the Iranian military, particularly the elite Revolutionary Guards. Drones have been shut down, oil transport ships have been sabotaged, boarded, and seized, naval vessels have pointed their guns at each other, airstrikes have been launched on Iraqi soil, militia fighters have been killed, top military officials have been assassinated, and missiles have destroyed equipment and vehicles while trying to minimize American casualties.

If all the above sounds like reports from a war zone, it is because the conflict between the American and Iranian regimes has done more than turning the Persian Gulf into a flash point. In 2020, we can say that it is a powder keg that is just one offensive action away from becoming a declared war or a full-blown armed conflict. There are many concerning issues related to this breach of the peace that has proven so elusive in the Middle East, and one of this issues is that this conflict has a potential of ensnaring other political players in the region.

Since we are living in the 21st century, a time that we will one day sadly remember as the Age of Misinformation, there is a troubling amount of entropy surrounding the U.S. and Iran mess. A good starting point is President Donald Trump and his confounding statements, which seem to shift on a daily basis. Trump’s reasons for giving the green light to assassinate Major General Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking commander of within the Revolutionary Guards, have changed since the drone strike took place in early 2020. The response by the Iranian military, which consisted of launching dozens of ballistic missiles at American military targets in Iraq, has also been shrouded in misinformation and vague reports from official sources. It took the Iranian regime a while to admit that its forces shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 during the missile strikes; the initial reports were mostly lies. Over in the U.S., President Trump continued to downplay the extent of the damage caused by the Iranian missile strikes, but international news organizations not only showed the damage but also reported injuries suffered by American military personnel.

The sentiment of the people in Iraq and Iran has also been misrepresented by their respective governments. The truth is that very large segments of the Iraqi and Iranian populations, not to mention the Americans on the other side of the world, are not happy with the way their leaders are handling the conflict. Amidst all this misinformation, we are fortunate to have geopolitical analysts such as Amir Handjani, member of the Truman National Security Project, who can provide views and explanations that cut down on the obfuscation being presented by both American and Iranian governments. Handjani’s pieces on the Iran – U.S. conflict often shine a light on financial motives, and following the money often is always a good bet in terms of finding out true motives.

To read more on topics like this, check out the news category.

If you enjoy reading about inspirational young individuals who have the brain power, talent and drive to shape the world for the better, continue reading to discover everything that you need to know about Brittany Wenger. Who managed to win the highly competitive Google Science Fair at just 15 years of age.

Everything that you need to know about STEM star Brittany Wenger:

Brittany brought herself her first coding text book when she was still in middle school:

She was passionate about coding and STEM from a young age and actually brought herself her first coding text book when she was in middle school.

She was inspired to pursue a long term career in STEM after she was diagnosed with cancer as a teen:

When Brittany turned 15 years old she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A disease which is typically developed by older women. Instead of letting her diagnosis affect her mindset, Brittany set herself a long term goal of advancing cancer research by developing a system which would allow doctors to input specific data into a new program, which she would code.

Brittany’s AI breast cancer app won first place in the 2012 Google Science Fair:

In 2012 the prototype of Brittany’s first AI breast cancer app won first prize in the hotly contested, highly competitive Google Science Fair.

Only 10% of the 2012 Google Science Fair entrants were female:

Brittany’s win helped inspire further generations of girls to pursue a career in STEM, which is great news as in 2012 only 10% of the entrants who entered a project in the Google Science Fair were female.

Her app achieved a 99.11% accuracy rate:

Brittany’s app stunned the competition’s judges as it had a 99.11% accuracy rate when it came to deciding whether a breast tissue sample was malignant or benign.

Brittany’s tech is now being used in American medical institutions as well as in Italian medical institutions:

Her tech which is named Cloud4Cancer is now being used in American medical institutions as well asian medical institutions all the way in Italy.

Brittany is now training to become a paediatric oncologist and plans on completing her training at one of the USA”s premiere medical facilities, Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is also home to the Icahn School of Medicine, where Brittany plans to continue her research and development of Cloud4Cancer.

She has has inspired countless individuals around the world:

Brittany has had the pleasure of meeting Barrack Obama, when he was the President of the United States and was also given her own TED talk, which Brittany used to highlight her research. She has even featured in Time Magazine as one of Time Magazine’s influential individuals under the age of 30 to watch.

Brittany Wenger parents:

Brittany Wenger’s parents did not push her to enter the Google Science Fair or to study coding and reveal that Brittany was self motivated and self driven to meet the goals which she had set for herself.

Hopefully you are inspired by Brittany’s story and are interested in finding unique ways to use your own natural talents and passions to change the world for the better!

If you’re interested in learning about some of the latest news stories such as the drone attacks on the Saudi Arabian oil fields and the political protests in Egypt, simply continue reading.

The latest news 2019:

Millions of individuals around the world march to protest against global warming:

In September millions of individuals around the world choose to take part in organized marches in order to protest against global warming. The first marches which took place were held in Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Polynesian islands which have seen sea levels increase each year as a direct result of global warming.

Following these protests, similar marches have been organized in Asia, Europe, Africa and the USA. In Germany alone over 500 protests were organized in 500 different German cities.

Saudi Arabia publicly blames Iran for the recent attack on its oil fields:

In September Saudi Arabia was forced to shut down half of the country’s oil facilities as a result of a mysterious drone attack. Due to Saudi Arabia temporarily shutting down half of its oil facilities, gas prices around the world shot up as Saudi Arabia choose to increase the prices of the oil drums which they sell international gas suppliers. It is thought that the attack was a complex assault which was carried out by drones and missiles.

While the individuals or organization behind the oil field attacks are unknown, Saudi Arabia’s government has told the international media that they hold Iran responsible for the oil field attacks.

Prince Andrew has been accused of befriending a prolific sex trafficker:

The crown has had a difficult time trying to sway public opinion about Prince Andrew after one of his friends Jeffrey Epstein was convicted for being a prolific sex trafficker. While Prince Andrew denies that he had a close friendship with Epstein, the two were photographed together on numerous occasions and Prince Andrew has admitted to staying in Epstein’s properties when he travels abroad.

Worse yet, photos of Prince Andrew posing with underage girls at one of Epstein’s parties have also leaked. One of the girls in the photos who was pictured in such a photo has later told the media that she was paid by Epstein to sleep with Prince Andrew. Although no charges have been laid against Prince Andrew and the woman’s claims have not been verified.

Protests have taken place in Egypt in protest of Egypt’s president Fattah al-Sisi:

After the violent protests which took place in Egypt in 2014, Egypt has remained protest free for the last couple of years. However, in September 2019, hundreds of protestors gathered in Tahrir Square in order to demand the prompt resignation of Fattah al-Sisi.

One of the reasons why so many Egyptians have chosen to protest against Fattah al-Sisi is that his regime is planning to extend his political term till the end of 2030, which many Egyptians see as a sign that his party is corrupt. There is also widespread evidence of Fattah al-Sisi using millions of dollars of tax payers money in order to build lavish palaces, which are fit for a king. In response to the large scale turn out of the protest at Tahrir Square, the military has tried to get rid of the protestors by using tear gas.

Hopefully you now feel up to date with some of the breaking news stories which have featured on international headlines around the world. All of which are well worth sharing with your friends and family.