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The new trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story is out and it has all the gunslinging, fast-moving, high-flying action you’d expect from the early story of the Star Wars saga’s much-loved smuggler.

Part 1 – Three decades of creeping anti-capitalistic social-mania and big government expansion/intrusion collapses Greek economy.  

Greece’s massive debt problem didn’t just simply appear overnight due to the Global recession of 2007. This was a tragedy created by over three decades of political battles between the last remnants of the once- principled economic party of the New Democracy (ND) versus the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), a radical party openly opposed to mainstream European social democracy. These battle lines were drawn in the sand after the fall of the Greek military dictatorship way back in 1974.

After Greece’s long-standing military dictatorship government fell in 1974, it created a political vacuum not unlike what we see in Egypt today. In the beginning of this struggle there were two main factions of governmental leaders that were vying for power: Constantine Karamanlis founded the [conservative] New Democracy party, (ND) while Andreas Papandreou had already founded the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), a radical party openly opposed to mainstream European social democracy. ( I call this the irresponsible and undefined Hope and Change political platform and will expound on that in part 2 )
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First let’s take a close look at just what type of government Constantine Karamanlis’ (CK) New Democracy party consisted of in it’s initial creation. CK was elected as the Prime Minister of Greece in 1974 and held that position until 1980.  During this time, the Karamanlis-led ND party ran on a platform which consisted of three main planks:

The first plank of the early ND party was the creation of a solid institutional framework meant to produce a two-party system yielding strong governments, and including a new constitution that reinforced the executive in order to enable governments to work more efficiently.

The second plank of Karamanlis’ project was a strong state that was geared towards national economic development.  So insistent was Karamanlis on the pursuit of this goal that he dared apply a massive program of nationalizations in the Greek economy which both friends and foes dubbed as  social-mania.

The third pland of Karamanlis’ ND party project was Greece’s Europeanization. The problems inherent in what was considered at the time to be a mainly conservative-based theme in the Karamanlis’ style of desired government points to severe contradictions between the three components in his plan. He combines an extravagant increase of governmental power under the guise of creating a strong economic development, all the while moving to nationalize a huge chunk of the private sector. This is a great example of how the supposedly conservative “New Democracy” party was actually heavily rooted in Socio-Liberal ideology right from the beginning. Keep in mind that this all started 37 years ago, thus the reference to Greece’s creeping social-mania in the title of this article. This was the actual start of the Greek erosion of operating on sound economic principles that would rear it’s ugly head in the form of the Greek debt crisis we see today. It is amazing to look back at the main planks of the New Democracy party and see that they basically abandoned all conservative principles while still claiming to represent the conservative style of government at the time of their creation.

Meanwhile, at the root of the Greek social-mania movement at the time, was Mr. Andreas Papandreou and his Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), the very radical anti- European social democracy group. Many economists consider the ND at the time to be actually rooted in left of center ideology ( not conservative by any stretch of the imagination) and the PASOK party, in representing the opposition, as consisting mainly of far left radical social change operatives. That situation could be transposed with America’s current political situation, which we will also explain in parts 2 and 3.

The early PASOK party platform was extremely anti-American and also opposed Greece’s ascension into the EU. ( in the beginning, which they quietly changed later on) As the New Democracy party of Karamanlis won control of the Greek government in 1974 on the three plank platform described above, the PASOK party came out with it’s own platform based on supposedly opposing the ND style of government. The PASOK platform was not well-defined in the beginning, not unlike the Hope and Change platform Americans voted for in 2008. Papandreou was also known as a “brilliant public speaker and political charmer” at the time Greece was struggling to install a new government in 1974. [That should sound eerily familiar to Americans that are today wondering how in the world Barack Obama ascended to his current position of the presidency in America in 2008.]

The first plank in the platform of the PASOK party in the beginning was the elevation of certain people as opposed to citizens in general in which Papandreou promoted the radical economic expansion program based on manipulating the state and it’s resources without giving any thought towards creating a stable tax basis to fund the economic expansion.  This was not unlike the ND party’s first plank in which Karmanlis wanted to expand governmental power towards controlling the private sector under the guise of creating a government-knows-best economic system. Both first planks were rooted in the very same socialistic policies of big government expansion while destroying the private sector revenue-creating economy along the way.

In the initial second plank of the PASOK party platform was a great example of how most politician’s quest for power leads to severe contradictions between promises of a fair government for all, and the supposed PASOK-hated elitist European governmental model opposition. The PASOK party’s second plank turned it’s back on the promised collective national welfare, and instead was heavily rooted in crony-capitalism in which jobs and social benefits were only given to select people, mainly their supporters. That too should sound very familiar to informed Americans today.

The final plank in Papandreou’s initial proposed platform of government is quite difficult to define. It contained an expressed belief in Greek supremacy while at the same time seemed to be rooted in fear of the bigger, stronger nations within Europe. That fear was not unfounded, as we will see the drastic effects of Greece joining the eurozone in 2001 in part 2 of this article. While the ND party seemed to realize early on the importance of joining the eurozone, the PASOK party wanted to rely on what some term protectionism, that would lead Greece to become isolated from doing business with many valuable European markets. Today, when looking back at the Greek debt crisis creation during the past three decades, economists have made cases for both sides of thisa argument. Greece joining the EU opened up eurozone markets for their exports, yet also flooded Greece with products from other European countries, some say at an unfair balance.

During the time of Karmanlis’ ND party rule from 1974-1980, Greece prospered under the new government , as Karamanlis could claim considerable success in all three aspects of his political project. Within a relatively short time, Greece became transformed into a pluralist polity with a democratic constitution, brand new political parties, and a working party system. Its state-led economy brought the country a real GDP growth of 4% a year between 1975 and the second oil crisis of 1979. Crowning his achievements, on January 1, 1981, Greece became a member of the EU, well ahead of her southern European competitors, Spain and Portugal. ( Whom are both also teetering on the brink of insolvency today) We must also keep in mind that pretty much all of the world’s major economies also enjoyed increased prosperity and robust economic growth during the late 70’s. In 1980, Karmanlis resigned as Premier and moved to the presidency of the Rupublic, he had what most people thought to be the prefect successor lined up to replace him in the highly acclaimed moderate George Rallis, who at the time was stated to have impeccable democratic credentials and whom promised the people he would continue the Karmanlis plan of government. Low and behold, the people turned their backs on the recent prosperity they enjoyed under the ND government and instead voted for Andreas Papandreou and his PASOK party’s promise of “allaghi” or the great change.  In a very American-like political platform, Papandreou had campaigned on the platform of a policy plan that was a binding “contract with the people.” Americans should be very familiar with that political motto. Even as Greece and America are separated by thousands of miles of ocean, we see their political campaigns running quite parallel all to often. The political soundbites and media trickery used to get elected to powerful governmental positions have no boundaries, as is proven throughout world political history. The PASOK party platform of “allaghi” ran along the very same rails as FDR’s New Deal progressive big government expansion, and Barack Obama’s “fundamentally transforming America” statement of 2008.  The PASOK party’s fundamental transformation of the Greek economy now has them begging for bailouts from the EU today to avoid a total collapse of their economy.
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How did Greece fair under the far left radical Socialist PASOK party and Andreas Papendreou of the 80’s?  PASOK remained in power throughout the 1980s and, save a brief interval during 1990-93, for most of the 1990s and early 2000s. Papandreou had meanwhile died in 1996 and was succeeded in PASOK leadership by Costas Simitis, a mild-mannered technocrat who desired to replace Papandreou’s populism with a new reformist spirit. He consistently pursued convergence, so that in January 2001 Greece was able to join the eurozone, but failed miserably to reform his party, which was eventually defeated at the polls in 2004. What was to be proven to be even more remarkable, however, was that when the ND came back into power in 2004, led by Costas Karamanlis, the very nephew of that party’s founder, far from trying to restore some of the latter’s project, they instead followed PASOK’s well-charted path of irresponsible populism and free-spending ways, patronage politics and toleration to corruption, along with further divergence from Europe. It was the combination of those three factors that, irrespective of party in office, simmered for a long time until it exploded in the form of the fiscal crisis that has recently hit Greece. Carefully consider the following chart of Greek debt and GDP spending from 1970 – 2010. The only reason we see a hint of a decrease in big government debt near the end of 2010 in this chart is due to the austerity measures forced upon the Greek government by the EU, in which resulted in bloody riots due to the massive budget cuts and increased taxes suddenly laid upon the shoulders of the working class. Eventually, America will also collide with that debt-wall, and trouble will ensue in the form of civil unrest. The green line represents total gross external debt as a percentage of GDP. ( most important figure)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The partial government shutdown initiated after Democrats refused to fund President Donald Trump’s $5.7 billion border wall will not significantly impact the economy, according to a top Trump economic advisor.

Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, told reporters Wednesday that some federal employees may miss a payday because of the government shutdown. Any overall impact on the economy would be minimal after the furloughed workers receive backpay after Congress passes a spending bill.

The federal government went into a partial shutdown Friday night at midnight after Congress failed to come to a consensus on a spending bill. House Republicans passed a version of a spending bill that included $5.7 billion border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. The bill died in the Senate after Democrats largely refused to support it.

Recent volatility in the stock market has led some to blame the government shutdown for the unpredictable market behavior. The U.S. stock market took the largest Christmas Eve plunge in history Monday. On Wednesday, the market bounced back as the Dow rose as much as 562 points.

December is still on pace to post its worst performance since the 1930’s, however, according to CNN.

Though some have blamed the government shutdown for the recent market volatility, economists have pointed to a host of other economic reasons the market could be reacting to.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates four times in 2018, tamping down stock market gains throughout the year. Trump’s trade wars and tariffs may also be dragging down economic activity.

In Britain, the uncertain future of a Brexit deal may be unsettling to investors and companies waiting to see the eventual makeup of an economic relationship between Britain and the European Union.

Federal authorities arrested a U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant after finding a trove of guns and ammunition stockpiled at his home in Maryland along with alleged plans to commit a large-scale terrorist attack targeting politicians and journalists.

Federal authorities recovered 15 firearms, a number of which were rifles and long guns, as well as over 1,000 rounds of ammunition in Christopher Paul Hasson’s basement in Silver Spring, Maryland, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Christopher Paul Hasson firearms and ammo Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland

“The defendant is a domestic terrorist,” read court documents with statements from federal authorities. Hasson allegedly intended to execute “acts dangerous to human life that are intended to affect governmental conduct,” the documents say.

The lieutenant allegedly sought to “establish a white homeland” and thought of ways to “kill almost every last person on earth,” according to court records filed in a U.S. District Court in Maryland. Hasson reportedly considered carrying out bombings, sniper attacks, targeting food supplies and carrying out attacks using biological weapons, according to court documents referring to a June 2017 email draft from Hasson.

He allegedly created a Jan. 19 spreadsheet listing political “traitors” and targets. “Please send me your violence that I may unleash it onto their heads,” Hasson wrote in an email draft, according to the Post. “Guide my hate to make a lasting impression on this world.”

“I was and am a man of action … you can make change with a little focused violence,” Hasson also wrote in a letter.

It is not clear what prompted authorities to begin investigating the lieutenant.

Hasson was allegedly studying terrorist Anders Behring Breivik‘s manifesto. Breivik killed 77 people in Norway in two attacks in 2011. Hasson reportedly was using Breivik’s attack as a kind of blueprint for his own future attack, federal authorities say.

Authorities recovered mass stores of human growth hormone in Hasson’s home, mimicking Breivik’s theory that taking steroids and performance enhancers prior to his attack would heighten his ability to kill as many people as possible. Hasson had ordered synthetic urine and over 4,200 pills of Tramadol, a powerful narcotic, since 2016, according to court documents.

Law enforcement arrested Hasson Friday on charges of illegal weapon and drug possession, according to FBI Baltimore spokesman Dave Fitz, the Post reported.

Prior to his arrest, Hasson worked at U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. He does not work there anymore, according to a Wednesday statement from a Coast Guard spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Scott McBride.

Hasson served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Army National Guard before beginning work for the Coast Guard in 2016.

The lieutenant’s detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. He will be represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender, the Post reported.

Malta is predicted to be one of the leading countries for blockchain and cryptocurrency development. The country offers great IT opportunities, training, and a very wonderful environment. Now, a growing number of blockchain and cryptocurrency companies are considering relocating to Malta.

But what exactly is the reason behind this? What are the things that blockchain and cryptocurrency companies find attractive in Malta? And why is Malta becoming “the” blockchain island.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how Malta is evolving into a cryptocurrency hub, let us first briefly discuss what cryptocurrency is.

Cryptocurrency is a somehow new form of digital currency that has grown in popularity today. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies you may be familiar with are Bitcoin and Ethereum. What made these currencies popular is the fact that they’re not issued by any government nor are they managed by one central authority.

As of last year, an astounding 5.8million people were found to have been using some form of crypto. What attracts people to use it is its decentralized manner that is allowed by blockchain technology.

You see, unlike with physical currencies, cryptocurrency transactions are recorded in a virtual ledger. And unlike centralized establishments like banks, the transaction ledger is processed by millions of computers. Additionally, the transaction records can be publicly viewed. This means no one would be able to manipulate the transaction records. Because of so, cryptocurrency has become a favorite of people looking to make anonymous and secure transactions.

Key Highlights About Cryptocurrency

There’s still a lot to learn about cryptocurrency, especially when numerous cryptocurrencies are starting to pop up everywhere. But to give you a quick definition, here are a couple of key highlights to help you remember how cryptocurrencies work.

• Cryptocurrency can be purchased with traditional forms of money
• Cryptocurrency transactions can be processed anywhere and anytime
• Cryptocurrency funds can be transferred to anyone within a matter of minutes
• Anyone can buy cryptocurrency online
• Finalized transactions are irreversible
• There is no central authority to address complaints and issue refunds.

How Malta Can Become a Cryptocurrency Hub

Now that you’re well aware of what cryptocurrency is, let us now get back to how Malta can become a cryptocurrency hub.

Though cryptocurrency is nothing new, countries that accept it apparently are. Malta happens to be one of the friendliest cryptocurrency companies as of today. In fact, one reason why people believe Malta is on its way to becoming a cryptocurrency Hub is the growing number of blockchain and cryptocurrency companies present in it.

As of today, Malta is home to numerous cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. It’s now also home to several cryptocurrency exchanges. Some famous cryptocurrency exchanges that have moved their operations in Malta are OKex, BitBay, and Binance.

Moreover, Malta is so open to blockchain companies that the U.K. blockchain startup, Omnitude, has actually formed a partnership with the Transport Minister of Malta to enhance their country’s transportation system. There’s even word that Malta has plans of incorporating blockchain technology to their education systems.

Reasons Why Malta Has Become Attractive to Blockchain Companies

Alright, you get it, Malta is such a haven for Blockchain companies that some of the biggest cryptocurrency companies already relocated there. But what could be the reason for this? Apparently, there could be three major reasons why these companies are starting to flock to Malta:

Laws

The first major thing that we’re sure attracted cryptocurrency companies to flock to the island is the Cryptocurrency jurisdiction in Malta. Just recently, the Maltese parliament passed three different bills that can help blockchain companies perform their operations in a regulated environment.

The three bills passed as of July 3 were the Virtual Financial Asset Act, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act, and the Innovative Arrangement and Services Act.

Though according to Joseph Borg, head of the blockchain advisory at WH Partners, it’s still too early to state if Malta’s newly regulated laws will be successful. On the other hand, Borg is still optimistic that if Malta successfully enforces these laws, Malta’s entire blockchain ecosystem could be greatly improved.

Residency

Another great thing about Malta are the different citizenship and residency programs that attract investors from different sectors. Furthermore, Malta’s taxation rate for people who aren’t based in Malta but are working for a company in Malta that is licensed by the authorities are only 15%. Lastly, people who are looking to relocate in Malta can avail the benefit of traveling visa-free to over 50 countries.

Booming Gaming Industry

Malta’s booming gaming industry is one more thing that could be attracting cryptocurrency companies. Especially when Malta’s gaming authority is starting to show efforts in using blockchain technology. In fact, the Malta gaming authority even created a document as a guideline for applying blockchain and cryptocurrency in the country’s growing gaming industry.

During President Donald Trump’s speech at CPAC on Saturday, he took a moment to recognize the discrimination conservative students face on college campuses.

“I turn on my television the other day and I saw somebody that was violently punched in the face,” said Trump to his audience at CPAC. “The man’s name is Hayden Williams … Hayden come up here please.”

Williams jumped on stage to say a few words, but he refused to use his few seconds of fame to talk about himself.

“It’s great that I’m being recognized,” he said, “but there’s so many conservative students across the country who are facing discrimination, harassment and worse if they dare to speak up on campus.”

Williams is a field representative at the Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization out of Arlington, VA, which aims to help fight the liberal bias that has infested America’s campuses.

Williams was on UC Berkley’s campus Tuesday, Feb. 19 helping local student activists when, Zachary Greenberg, 28, assaulted him. Greenberg was arrested by UCPD Friday afternoon for his assault on Williams and is currently being held on a $30,000 bond at Glenn Dyer Jail in Oakland.

“It’s as important now than ever the work at leadership institute and campus reform exposing these liberal abuses to the public,” said Williams, “and these students do it because they have a love of our nation and freedom.”

Williams noted that if progressive socialists had their way, the constitution would be put through a paper shredder. “If you keep defending us, we’ll keep defending you,” Williams said of the President.

The audience roared in approval as President Trump announced a new executive order he will be signing, which requires colleges and university’s to support free speech.

“If they want our dollars, and we give it to them by the billions, they’ve got to allow people like Hayden, and many other great young people … to speak,” said Trump.

FOX Nation, Fox News’ upcoming streaming service, will present long-form programming including documentaries, investigative series and patriotic specials. Debuting later this fall, the new on-demand subscription-based service will be designed to enhance the FOX News viewer experience, offering exclusive content and access to daily short and long-form programming featuring a long list of on-air talent.

In making the announcement, Senior Vice President of Development of Production John Finley said, “We are delighted to be bringing this exclusive, long-form programming to the FOX News super fan, including investigative pieces with never before seen footage and uplifting specials from some of the most iconic places around the country. We are confident there will be an offering for every FOX News viewer.”

A sampling of FOX Nation’s investigative and historic programming will include:

• Borked chronicles the epic 1987 battle for control of the U.S. Supreme Court when Judge Robert Bork’s name entered the dictionary as a verb – meaning “to systematically and savagely defame and vilify your opponent. The special takes viewers inside the brutal fight between conservative Republican President Ronald Reagan and the Democratic Senators led by Ted Kennedy and Joseph Biden. This story examines that acrimonious process 30 years similar to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s recent journey to the Supreme Court. 

• Gregg Jarrett’s: The Russia Hoax will be hosted by FOX News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett, author of the New York Times bestselling book “The Russia Hoax: The Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump,” providing an in-depth analysis of the FBI investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. 

• Hannity’s America: The Clarence Thomas Story will detail the highly contentious confirmation hearings in 1991 and his book “My Grandfather’s Son,” about his own background and the events that brought him to the Supreme Court.

• Hosted by FOX & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade, What Made America Great will reveal the hidden history and ongoing controversies behind some of America’s most iconic locations including, The Alamo, Fraunces Tavern, Fort Jefferson and Mount Rushmore.

• Former Los Angeles detective Mark Fuhrman reveals private thoughts and analysis on criminal cases that have defined America this past half-century in The Fuhrman Diaries. From the cases that he was involved in personally, like O.J. Simpson and Martha Moxley, to the cases he has obsessed over for years such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Fuhrman shares his personal notes and analysis of the criminal cases that have defined the last half-century.

• The First Family features the Trump family beyond the headlines. In the premiere installment of this series, Eric Trump takes us behind the scenes, including an inside look at his office, behind the scenes of business trips and at home with his wife Lara and son Luke. The episode will also feature a sit down interview with the president’s son, speaking with FOX Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo offering his perspective on everything from politics to family life.

• The director’s cut, never before seen extended version of the docuseries, Scandalous, that previously aired on FOX News Channel, covers the investigations of President Bill Clinton by the Office of Independent Counsel and offers a look at the failed 1980’s Whitewater land deal. From the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas to the final determination made by prosecutor Robert Ray on the president’s last day in office, the series documents the political drama that enveloped Washington and captivated the world during the 1990’s.

• The director’s cut of never before seen extended version of the docuseries Scandalous: Chappaquiddick will examine the story of the late night accident with Senator Ted Kennedy. What really happened that night in July 1969? Told through the eyes of the people who were there and in a rare interview, the family of the victim who has been all but forgotten in the popular versions of the story. 

• Scandalous: The Mysterious Case of Tawana Brawley will take a look into the controversial rape case that inflamed racial tensions at a crucial time in our nation’s history.  Civil rights leaders and Brawley’s supporters demanded justice for the teenager, but a grand jury would determine she had fabricated the entire story, damaging innocent lives in the process.

• Scandalous: ABSCAM follows Mel Weinberg and several highly skilled FBI agents as they orchestrate an elaborate undercover sting operation involving a faux Arab sheik, briefcases of cash, hidden cameras, and eventually, six congressmen and one U.S. Senator. The legendary FBI sting known as ABSCAM leads to such shocking revelations and controversy that decades later would inspire the Oscar-nominated film American Hustle.

• Riddle: The Search for James R. Hoffa is a special about the most famous missing man in America, union boss James Riddle Hoffa who disappeared on July 30, 1975. Hosted by Eric Shawn, RIDDLE is the culmination of an extensive FOX News investigation with new forensic details of the crime scene. 

• Helmed by FOX & Friends Weekendco-host Pete Hegseth, Ace of Spades: The Hunt for Saddam Hussein will feature interviews with soldiers, military leaders and intelligence officers who tell the story of how American soldiers tracked down and captured former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.  

• Uncommon Knowledge hosted by Hoover Institution fellow Peter Robinson, will now be available for Fox Nation subscribers.  For more than two decades, the talk show series has brought together fascinating, accomplished guests for thoughtful and informed conversations surrounding their views of the world. Guests have included a host of famous figures, including Dr. Henry Kissinger, Justice Antonin Scalia and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. 

• Watters World will include 20+ hours of the best of host Jesse Watters’ “Watters World” man-on-the street segments that previously aired on FNC, providing viewers with a pulse of the nation on everything from politics to pop culture.

Fox Nation previously announced a massive roster of Fox News personalities that will also be featured on the new streaming service.

Among the FOX News personalities who will be a part of FOX Nation include: FNC primetime stars Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Tucker Carlson; FNC senior political analyst Brit Hume; conservative firebrands Tomi Lahren and Britt McHenry; FOX & Friends co-hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy; The Five’s Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters and Dana Perino; Justice host Jeanine Pirro; The Greg Gutfeld Show staple George “Tyrus” Murdoch; FOX News Radio’s Tom Shillue, Guy Benson, Marie Harf and Todd Starnes; FOX & Friends Weekend co–host Pete Hegseth; The Next Revolution’s Steve Hilton; FOX Business Network’s Stuart Varney and Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery; FOX News digital politics editor Chris Stirewalt;  America’s News Headquarters’ Eric Shawn;  as well as FNC contributors Bill Bennett, Katie Pavlich, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Raymond Arroyo and Mark Fuhrman.

“We are thrilled to announce that our most popular hosts and contributors from FOX News will be among the key talent involved in FOX Nation. FOX News has an incredibly loyal audience and we are confident our super fans will enjoy exclusive content helmed by the personalities they know and trust, which they will have access to watch anytime and anywhere.”

Stay informed and sign up for Fox Nation at FoxNation.com.

While China has pushed for communist-based economic reforms in the East, Vietnam has chosen to approach the North Koreans at this weeks summit in Hanoi with a very different sentiment.

The summit will play host to negotiations between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un regarding nuclear disarmament, which Un has indicated will only happen if American economic sanctions are lifted.

For Vietnam improved diplomatic and economic relationships with the United States has developed Vietnam into an emerging Southeast Asian economy, and they are urging North Koreans to follow suit.

“The success of the Vietnamese economy is due to its decision to normalize relations with the United States in 1995,” Maj. Gen. Le Van Cuong, the former director of the Institute of Strategic Studies at the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, said to the New York Times.

On a trip to Vietnam in July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the president believed North Korea had the capacity to duplicate the same “once-unimaginable prosperity and partnership,” Vietnam now holds with America.

“I would say to our North Korean friends that as long as they have a conflict with the United States, they will not be able to develop their economy properly,” said Cuong.

For Vietnamese exports the United States is a top destination, but China is still Vietnam’s biggest trading partner, according to the NYT.

“China will try every possible tactic to keep North Korea in its arms because it wants a country to control,” General Cuong said to the NYT. “Luckily, North Korea has the necessary conditions to escape China’s grip if it deepens its relationship with America.”

In his interview with the NYT, Cuong pointed out that allies closer to China have not done as well economically, compared to countries with closer American ties.

“We are both Communist countries, but people like me in Vietnam don’t want to develop the same way that China has,” Nguyen Ngoc Anh, professor at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, said to the NYT. “We want to follow the Western-oriented way.”

The Pew Research Center’s Global Indicators Database, indicates that Vietnam’s favorability rating for the United States stood at 84 percent in 2017.

Since the United States has stepped away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Vietnam has become more vulnerable to Chinese economic rule, which can ultimately stifle guarantees for workers and generate less official transparency, according to the NYT.

Paul Anka brought his talent and Vegas-like band to Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, N.J. Wednesday night and what a show it was. Paul Anka is celebrating 60 years as an entertainer and songwriter this year, which makes him the only artist in history to have a song in the Billboard Top 100 during seven consecutive decades. Paul has shown himself to be the consummate, professional showman and entertainer. On Wednesday night he moved the audience from teary nostalgia to utter joy and hand clapping.

Backed by a 10 piece band consisting of a horn section with trumpet, Trombone and saxophone, percussion and bongo set, drums, three guitars, violin, keyboards and grand piano, it was truly a Vegas-style band and one of the best I’ve heard.

Paul opened up with Tom Jones’ song “She’s A Lady” followed by a jazzy version of “Mack the Knife.” Paul then did a very nostalgic look with an onscreen scrapbook of his life from the beginning of his career when he was 16 and meeting all kinds of celebrities from Ed Sullivan to Johnny Carson and Jackie Gleason to pictures of his five daughters and ending with his current now 12-year-old son. Paul showed these while singing  “The Time of Your Life” which made it quite poignant.

When Paul did his hit song “Having My baby” his female violinist sang the woman’s part with a lovely melodious voice. Paul updated it a bit first singing “having my baby,” then singing “having your baby”  then “having our baby.” Maybe this was because at the time when it came out feminists complained of the chauvinist nature of it.

Paul then went into a medley  of his hits singing “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” going into the audience and picking out a young girl who was celebrating her sweet sixteen birthday and dancing with her, then moved into  “They Called it Puppy Love” and  “Lonely Boy.”

Paul recalled when he was approached by film producer Darryl Zanuck who wanted him to do a song for his picture about D Day called “The Longest Day.” Paul then did that song. He also appeared in the movie which was an all-star cast featuring John Wayne and others.

Paul showed his diversity by doing a brand new slow romantic song on the grand piano he just recorded with Michael Buble then segued into a really sensual version of Prince’s “Purple Rain” that featured a very haunting sax solo. He then switched to doing an acoustic guitar set of foot stomping, rousing country songs with the three guitarists that featured a really fantastic, lively violin solo that got a huge applause from everyone.

Finally, Paul started telling about meeting Frank Sinatra for the first time and everyone knew what was coming. Paul told how he was at the Copacabana one night when a very dapper dressed man came up to him and said: “The boys in the back room want to see you.” He said he got a little choked up when hearing “The boys” want to see you. He went and was introduced to Frank Sinatra. He said Frank wanted him to write a song for him and he said “I could change the words from Puppy Love to be “Love is a bitch” to which Sinatra replied ’Keep writing kid.”

A few years later he contacted Frank and asked him if he still wanted him to write a song for him and Frank said he was retiring now. It was then that Paul wrote “My Way” for Frank. He then performed it and the responded with a rousing applause and then became silent.  Paul ended the concert with his hit song “Diana” getting the audience to sing along in the chorus.

It was a two-hour non-stop concert that was one of the best I’ve been to and well worth seeing.  Paul is 76 years old now and still has all the charm, style and grace he always had and sounds terrific. If you get the chance be sure to catch Paul Anka when he comes to a town near you. You won’t be disappointed.

Hear Paul Do “My Way” from August of this year out in San Jose, Calif. This is exactly the band he had tonite when I saw him.

For the first time ever, Americans were hit by more than 4 billion robocalls in a single month during May, crossing a new threshold for the nation’s robocalling dilemma and marking the third straight month that consumers have endured a record-setting pace for robocalls.

The 4.06 billion robocalls received in May marked a 55% increase in calling volumes over May of last year, or roughly 130.9 million calls for each day of the month, or 1,516 calls received every second. It’s also a stunning 20% increase over the previous record of 3.36 billion robocalls in April of this year.

Despite recent efforts to curb robocalls by federal regulators and phone carriers, Americans have received 16.2 billion robocalls in the first five months of this year, up over 25% from the 12.0 billion robocalls in the same period last year. In addition, each of the 50 Most Robocalled Cities in America recorded increases of 12% or more over the previous month’s record-setting results from April.

These latest monthly figures come from YouMail, a free robocall blocking solution for mobile phones helps consumers stop robocalls from ever reaching their phones. YouMail blocks unwanted robocallers by making sure the user’s phone doesn’t ring, and then plays an out-of-service message that leads them to think that the number they dialed is invalid.

The YouMail Robocall Index™ is a compilation of the scope and location of the worst robocalling hotspots across the country by area code, and these statistics are regularly cited by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a definitive source for national data trends.

What’s Driving This Increase

May has seen a huge increase in legitimate alerts and reminder calls, and in telemarketing calls. These two categories of robocalls increased much faster than the overall growth in robocalls as a whole.

Category	Increase Over April	% Of May Robocalls
Alerts and Reminders	+41%	24%
Payment Reminders	+6%	24%
Telemarketing	+47%	25%
Scams	+16%	27%

The YouMail data suggests that this is because consumers are now answering their phone much less frequently and robocallers, especially those from business interests, are making even more calls to try to get through to consumers.

“The barrage of robocallers clearly has consumers not answering their phone for unknown numbers, or using apps to block calls, which in turn is causing the robocallers to call even more to try to get through,” Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail. “It’s sad, but the phone call now appears to be in a slow-motion death spiral.”

Who Gets the Most Robocalls

Atlanta topped the YouMail 50 Most Robocalled Cities in America list for the 30^th month in a row, fueled by a 20% month-on-month increase in robocall volumes, as area residents received more than 177 million robocalls in May. Other cities making the top five list for May included Dallas (up 16% to 148.2 million); Los Angeles (up 20% to 146.3 million); New York (up 17% to 143.0 million); and Chicago(up 14% to 137.3 million).

The biggest “mover” cities on the Top 50 list for May included #12 Charlotte, which was up 158% over April; #14 Fort Lauderdale (up 31%); and #44 West Palm Beach, FL (up 27%).

California clung to its spot as the state getting the most robocalls in May, with 468.7 million calls received, followed by Texas with 425.3 million. North Carolina notched the biggest percentage increase in robocalls month-on-month, jumping 53.3% to 170.2 million. Other states recording large gains in May included Montana (up 36.1%); Vermont (up 35.8%); Rhode Island (up 33.0%); and Wyoming (up 31.3%).

Who Made the Most Robocalls

For the first time since the YouMail Robocall Index was launched in 2015, 12 cities each placed more than 50 million robocalls in a single month. Chicago extended its streak as the city that generates the most monthly robocalls by placing 115.1 million calls in May, followed by Los Angeles (110.6 million), and New York (106.4 million).

California topped the list of states making the most robocalls, with some 333.2 million calls placed.  Other leading states included Texas (290.9 million); Florida (247.5 million); New York (214.0 million); and Georgia (123.9 million).

New Mexico recorded the biggest percentage increase in outbound robocalls in May (up 318.9%); followed by Maine (up 134.1%); Massachusetts (up 125.1%); Idaho (up 80.3; and Alaska (up 68.9%).