Five Slave Rebellions and Acts of Resistance They Forgot To Mention – Black State

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When American kids learn about slavery if they learn anything at all about slavery, they do not learn about the resistance and fight against slavery by those who were enslaved. Captured human beings did in fact wage many uprisings against the slave republic that was the southern United States. Although it took the Civil War to overthrow state sponsored slavery, we want to give a shout to those who fought and died to destroy the regime plantation by plantation. Let us at least attempt to put to rest the myth of the docile slave. A review of slavery uprisings, reveal that our ancestors captured from their homeland and enslaved in a foreign land were anything but docile they were fighters who watched their captors, and when the opportunity presented itself they fought or died trying.

5. Stono Rebellion

Stono Rebellion was a slave uprising that began in the then British colony of South Carolina in September 1739. It was the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies with approximately 25 white slave owners killed. Led by a man named Cato, who with 60 other slaves who may have been soldiers in the Kingdom of Kongo headed south to Florida to secure their freedom. At the time the Spanish offered freedom to those enslaved in Florida. Although they were ultimately defeated by a militia, their uprising created great fear in South Carolina which at the time had a larger slave population than free. This led to the Negro Act of 1740 which among many things prohibited the assembly of enslaved Africans, and prohibited learning to write, earn money, and raise food.

4. Igbo Landing

In May 1803 75 captured Igbo from modern day Nigeria upon arrival to the U.S. captured and killed their enslavers, causing the grounding of the slave ship. Instead of submitting to slavery, the Igbo turned around and marched back to Africa. These ancestors chose to drown in the marsh over a life of slavery. Igbo landing is now a historic site in the sand and marshes of Dunbar Creek in St. Simons Island, Georgia.

3. 1811 German Coast Slave Uprising

The countrys largest slave revolt had been largely omitted by the history books. In January 1811 slaves from what was known as the German coast of Louisiana organized and set out to march to New Orleans and end slavery. Upwards of 500 slaves participated in two day twenty mile march, killing captors, burning plantations and crops along the way. Although, the uprising was ultimately defeated by an army militia. The silence of this history is the legacy of this uprising. It so threatened the slave-ocracy it was the Voldemort of slave rebellions, it could not be spoken of again. On November 8-9, 2019, this uprising was reenacted, bringing again to life the history and recognition who gave their life to end slavery.

2. Poison and Arson

Often not mention in the history of slavery is to the extent to which captives being held as slaves chose the weapons of poison and arson to free themselves.

Poison

Poison was at times used as the weapon of choice in eliminating slave masters. In 1751 South Carolina enacted a law providing the death penalty without benefit of clergy for slaves found guilty of poisoning white people. Georgia passed a similar law in 1770 citing the frequency of poisoning slave masters.

Arson

Arson also posed a huge threat to the slave-ocracy including the remaining remnants in the North. For instance, although New York was on its way to outlawing slavery, For people being held in captivity in Albany, things were not moving fast enough enough. So in November 1793 they burned half the city of Albany down. In March and April of 1814 the city of Norfolk, Virginia was plagued by fires several times a day creating a panic in the city.

Arson was more frequent than poison and according to some scholars represented the greatest danger to Southern society.

1. Im out. Runaway is rebellion.

Americans for the most part know that many people held as slaves escaped, risking life and the life of the family they left behind in leaving the brutal conditions of slavery. But as a culture we fail to connect these acts in their totality. They were not mere individual acts, these acts of defiance when seen as a collective tell a different story. There were networks for escaped people who were held as slaves, and there were heroes like the great Harriet Tubman who led many to freedom. Consider the words of the great historian John Hope Franklin, Runaway Slaves: Rebels on the Plantation. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Few contemporaries would deny the cruel and brutal treatment accorded to those who defied the system. Slaves escaped with the mark of the whip on their backs irons on their ankles, brands on their cheeks and foreheads, and missing fingers and toes. Joe, Bill, and Isaac left the Richard Terell farm in Roanoke County, Virginia, with Irons around their necks.

Escaping the horrors of slavery was too an act of defiance thats due recognition as such.

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Five Slave Rebellions and Acts of Resistance They Forgot To Mention - Black State

Slave trafficking diplomat protected by diplomatic immunity, court holds in Basfar v Wong – Lexology

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Issues

The judgment by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) focused on two issues: that of precedent, and whether Ms Wong's employment by Mr Basfar can be categorised as 'commercial activity' under Article 31(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 (1961 Convention) as enacted under s.2(1) Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964. For the benefit of the readership, this article focuses on the second issue.

1961 Convention

Article 31(1) states:

'1. A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State. He shall also enjoy immunity from its civil and administrative jurisdiction except in the case of

(c) an action relating to any professional or commercial activity exercised by the diplomatic agent in the receiving State outside his official functions.'

Background

Ms Wong (Claimant), of Philippine nationality, was employed by Mr Basfar (Respondent) who was a diplomat serving in Saudi Arabia who subsequently moved to the UK. Claimant she was a victim of international trafficking, exploited by the Respondent and his family, and her working conditions in the UK could only be described as amounting to modern slavery.

Claimant brought various claims in the employment tribunal including wrongful dismissal, failure to pay the National Minimum Wage, unlawful deduction of wages, claims under the Working Time Regulations 1998 and others. The Respondent contended that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear the claims as he was protected by diplomatic immunity as Claimant's employment was not a 'commercial activity outside his official functions'. Employment Tribunal refused to strike out the claims, rejecting the defence of diplomatic immunity.

EAT decision

It held as a preliminary that the law of diplomatic immunity should resist "the natural impulse to provide legal redress for victims of this abhorrent trade" as the "countervailing issues of high international policy" should hold sway over such concerns.

In Reyes v Al-Malki, the facts of which were very similar to this case, the Court of Appeal (CA) found that the employment of a domestic servant was not a commercial activity nor was it exercised outside of a diplomat's official functions therefore the diplomat was immune from suit. On appeal to the Supreme Court (SC), however, it was overturned but on a different ground. EAT held that in such instances the judgment of CA on the issue of commercial activity was not binding.

Having so held EAT then went on to observe that the CA judgment in Reyes on commercial activity nevertheless represented the current law on the issue. Therefore it held that employment and trafficking of the Claimant was not a commercial activity and the diplomat was immune from suit.

Comment

Somewhat puzzling judgment but the significance of the case meant that it has been leapfrogged to the Supreme Court for consideration. We will keep you up to date with its development in the coming months.

Basfar v Wong UKEAT/0223/19/BA

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Slave trafficking diplomat protected by diplomatic immunity, court holds in Basfar v Wong - Lexology

Why The Right Should Make Immigration A Race IssueAnd How – The Federalist

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Over the past few years reports by BuzzFeed News and American Affairs described how some businesses try to hire low-wage immigrants over Americans. They post job ads, as required by the H-2 guest worker program, but in towns far from the job site. They ask for Spanish-speaking workers although the work is in a non-Hispanic area. They set strict requirements that only Americans must meet. Some flat-out say they never hire U.S. workers.

These practices have resulted in multiple complaints from Legal Aid, legal briefs filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and at least one instance of federal imprisonment.

Derrick Green was a casualty of these practices. In 2012 the father of six was fired by Hamilton Growers after just three weeks of picking squash. Greens quick dismissal reflected a pattern. According to the EEOC, in 2009 Hamilton Growers fired or pushed out the overwhelming majority of Americans while few Mexican guest workers met that fate.

Something similar happened in 2010 and 2011. The next farm Green worked for also preferred guest workers over Americans, and he was fired after a few days.

Farms and other low-wage employers often argue they need low-wage immigrants to keep costs down. That argument, however, must be weighed against the fact that mass low-wage immigration hurts American workers, especially poorer ones. Research supports this idea.

A 2016 National Academy of Sciences report stated that a high degree of consensus exists thatspecific groups are more vulnerable than others to inflows of new immigrants. The NAS report identifies nine studies that show harms to Americans with low levels of education.

Given Americas racial politics, it makes sense that the left tends to ignore the racial dimensions of low-wage immigration. You see, Green, and most of the workers fired by Hamilton Growers, are black. Two-dozen black people also brought a lawsuit against J&R Baker Farms. A former employee said they got rid of their black workers in 2010. A supervisor at Hamilton Growers once allegedly said: all you black American people, f you alljust go to the office and pick up your check.

Since blacks are disproportionately represented among poorly educated Americans, they bear the brunt of low-wage immigration. The left, which claims to be both pro-black Americans and pro-low-wage immigration, of course downplays this tension.

Conservatives also downplay this tension. We dont highlight enough how much low-wage immigration harms poor African-Americans. This omission is political malpractice.Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini showed that speaking to working-class minorities70 percent of whom dont have a college degreeis the best way for Republicans to adapt a diversifying America. Simply put, we must become the party of the entire working class, not just the white working class.

To get from here to there, conservatives should recognize that as long as it doesnt cannibalize other ways of understanding our country, and that Americas worst moments dont define us, theres nothing intrinsically wrong with using a racial lens. The fact that the left overuses this analysis does not mean we should underuse it.

Unfortunately, decades of missteps have made us inept at discussing race. Since were going to have to start doing so more, and to learn along the way, we should choose our battles carefully. When doing something new, you must crawl before you walk. We should thus engage on issues that play to our strengths and on which voters already trust us.

Low-wage immigration is perfect in this regard. We almost have no choice but to double down on the issue. Opposition to low-wage immigration will define conservatives for the indefinite future. So we may as well use it to reach black votersthe minority group we should prioritize outreach to.

Further, low-wage immigration is an issue we know how to discuss. When we engage with black Americans, we will be able to reframe a message were already good at delivering.

Conservatives also have well-fleshed out policies to address low-wage immigration. For all the intra-right disagreements, there is a conservative approach to immigration that can rely on decades of right-leaning policy research.

The political calculus is also simpler. Both the left and right agree that many blacks oppose low-wage immigration. So not only does this topic keep our coalition intact, it raises tension within the Democratic one. Especially since Democrats have gone all-in on open borders, blacks who care about this issue have only one viable option, unlike on issues such as lowering crime sentences.

Leftists act as if black politics consists only of police brutality, Civil War statues, and reparations. But low-wage immigration deeply affects blacks and should also be a black issue. Its our job to make the connection.

Consider the liberal trope that American institutions are racist and were designed to hurt blacks. On hearing these arguments, conservatives usually just protest. Although protest may be necessary, it doesnt have to end there. It would be smarter to concede that general point then pivot to immigration.

We should not be afraid of this concession. American slavery was uniquely evil, and its legacy has clearly shaped many American institutions. Although specific liberal arguments can be overwrought, this point is uncontroversial.

If all American institutions are rooted in slavery and discriminate against black people, that includes all institutions, including immigration policy. We should force liberals to explain why they have ignored this, and highlight that people who look like Green are the main victims of our anti-black immigration system.

We must stress how much African-Americans need policies like border security and e-Verify. More than any other group, they need a tight low-wage labor market, and will benefit from conservative immigration policies. Leftist immigration policies have a profound disparate impact against blacks, something we should repeat mercilessly.

We can we also use immigration to expand the debates about reparations. African-Americans themselves dont agree on what it means, and its often viewed as much more than cutting a check. Both scholars and activists argue that reparations must address underlying structures.

That is why social policies as diverse as voting rights, health care, housing policy, student debt, and small business loans have all been framed as reparations. Immigration is always missing from this sort of analysis. But if housing policy and health care can be viewed as reparations, then so can e-Verify. The RAISE Act is a much better reparations bill than anything Democrats have offered.

Centering black outreach on immigration is not just smart politics. Making these arguments will allow us to engage with race in America on our own terms. Instead of running away from the topic, we would broaden our national conversation. America would no longer able to reduce black people to the issues that leftists choose.

Black Americans have always debated how to best achieve economic progress. Many reasonably believe that fighting racism must lead this struggle. But other prefer to focus on socioeconomics directly. Perhaps nothing better illustrates this intra-black tension than the official name of Martin Luther King Jr.s famous 1963 gathering: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

The point here is not to settle this dispute, but to highlight that African-Americans themselves disagree on whether fighting white racism is more important than fighting for black jobs. Democrats have chosen the first path. Until now we have chosen neither, which helps explain why we lose black voters by such a staggering margin.

But there is a sizable black market for the other path, and we should try to reach them. Nationalism and opposition to low-wage immigration will help. At its core, these positions are about valuing all Americans and their jobs before others. This message will resonate with many black Americans.

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Why The Right Should Make Immigration A Race IssueAnd How - The Federalist

Our view: Another celebration for the Berners – The Durango Herald

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We would be remiss, especially now, when the Democratic Party is poised to go farther left than it has been before, if we did not observe the 172nd birthday of the Communist Manifesto, published in London on Feb. 21, 1848.

The pamphlet, written by Karl Marx and the libertine industrialist Friedrich Engels, proclaimed the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. It posited that this struggle would inevitably end all struggles with the triumph of the working class over capitalism. It was slow to catch on at first, but by 1950, almost half the worlds population was living and languishing under Marxist governments.

The manifesto is easy to malign now given what eventually followed in its train, including the hoax of scientific Marxism, but its publication is still a pivotal event in the history of ideas. The standard take is that Marxism is a useful critique of capitalism, even if it is not a substitute for it, any more than you can replace a blender with monkey bars. When Bernie Sanders at the Las Vegas debate said, You know what, Mr. Bloomberg, it wasnt you who made all that money. Maybe your workers played some role in that, he was building on Marxs theory of surplus labor value.

Marx was the first ideologue. Ideology was the creation of Antoine Destutt, a French count and a proponent of the French Revolution until he was caught up in the Terror and imprisoned. With time on his hands, Destutt coined the term ideology for a philosophy that valued individual liberty, property and free markets. Napoleon Bonaparte turned it into a term of abuse for his liberal enemies. Decades later, Marx followed suit, calling Tracy an ideologue and his ideology a fish-blooded bourgeois doctrine and in that moment, Marx owned it in ideologys modern sense of a reductive world view. Marxs first enemy was not capitalism; it was the liberals who countenanced it.

His ideas had tremendous appeal from the start because they were so strikingly original. In the 1850s, he wrote many of the editorials in The New York Tribune, a paper Abraham Lincoln read and which shaped Lincolns view of the preeminence of labor. Marx supported the abolition of slavery in America, as did Lincoln, but Lincoln could not go as far as Marx in believing wage labor was the same thing.For Marx, racism did not exist in the class struggle, any more than morality was real.

In his preface to the English edition of the manifesto in 1888, Engels, who closely guarded Marxs reputation and also led Marxists into some of their more inane and destructive propositions, said he believed the work would do for history what Darwins theory has done for biology.

That is still debatable. Marxism has influenced the writing of history for the better and the worse. But down to the present, it is the confusion of the principles of Marxism with science and the war on liberalism that has defined the left. It is the savagery of the closed mind which covers itself in a mantle of compassion.

After Sanders won the Nevada caucuses last weekend, he tweeted: Ive got news for the Republican establishment. Ive got news for the Democratic establishment. They cant stop us.

In response, the liberal-progressive black filmmaker Ava DuVernay tweeted: Im undecided. But I know this isnt what I want.

As night follows day, Sanders supporters said things to DuVernay such as, How to get yourself on the guillotine list 101. Asked to explain how they could savage a black woman for speaking her mind, one Sanders soldier said, There is no racism in the class struggle.

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Our view: Another celebration for the Berners - The Durango Herald

The Only Way to Stop Bernie Sanders – The National Interest Online

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Moderate Democrats missed a rhetorical opportunity to hit Bernie Sanders on the failures of socialism Tuesday night.

At the South Carolina debate, Sanders defended himself for having pointed out the few policy successes of socialist and communist dictatorships. That is different than saying that governments occasionally do things that are good, he said.

Hundreds of millions of people have been allowed to rise out of poverty in China, since Reform & Opening, and the literacy rate did increase in Cuba. Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, competing to stop Sanders and grab ahold of the moderate mantle, continued to hit the self-proclaimed socialist, suggesting that he is soft on left-wing human rights abusers.

Sanders was right, however, on the essential factual points he made. His opponents attacked him instead on the optics. This is not about what coups were happening in the 1970s or '80s, this is about the future, Buttigieg said. (Similarly, no one disputed his claims that the Soviet Unions Moscow had a properly functioning subway system. And if you think public transportation isnt important, ask people how they get to work if they live 21 miles away and there areno buses running.)

But the moderate Democrats missed a key opportunity to hit him on how Marxist socialism failed in the countries he was referencing, particularly China. His claim that China lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty only applies starting after 1978, when Deng Xiaoping took over as leader and began the series of reforms that would push China in a more free-market-oriented direction. If anything, rather than attempting to dismiss the point, emphasizing the success of Chinas post-1978 economy could point to the success of the market economy.

China reversed its communization of farmland. Farmers, individually managing plots of land under post-Mao reforms, were able to keep their surplus, incentivizing them to produce more efficiently. During the old communist era, everyone was supposed to work the same land, eat in the canteen, and eat similar meals no matter how productive they had been. Naturally, most people didnt work hard.

Although there were some efforts to grade peoples effort, trying to grade work would have been very difficult even if it were done without bias, which it was not. (Marx advocated for the idea of labor vouchers in his Critique of the Gotha Programme, and the Soviet Union and Peoples Republic of China both had to each according to his contribution written into their original constitutions.)

Distributing land use rights to individual farmers vastly increased output. Deng also began the arduous process of ending the iron rice bowlfiring tens of millions of people employed by hulking, unproductive state-controlled factories and enterprises for life.

Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders advocates a federal jobs guarantee to guarantee everyone a stable job that pays a living wage. That is going in the direction of Chinas failed iron rice bowl and in the opposite direction from its successful anti-poverty program. It would be enormously expensive and likely inefficient.

If someone did want to draw a comparison between Sanders and socialism, they could start there. However, if you look at the rest of his agenda, he does not advocate taking over businesses. He does not advocate nationalizing oil or creating a dictatorship of the proletariat. (Trumps plan to take the oil is actually more communist in some ways than Bernies plans.)

In fact, the countries Bernie always cites as models for his agendaSweden, Norway, Denmark, etcare all prosperous capitalist countries. The UK and Canada, with their socialized healthcare systems, are actually more economically free than the U.S., according to the Heritage Foundations Index of Economic Freedom.

So Sanders really isnt much of a socialist. His positions are very close to those of Elizabeth Warren, who explicitly calls herself a capitalist. Sanders, too, advocates for maintaining a capitalist systemjust reforming it. That is what Marx derisively called bourgeois socialism.

Another lesson from China, then: A planned economy is not equivalent to socialism, because there is planning under capitalism too; a market economy is not capitalism, because there are markets under socialism too. Planning and market forces are both means of controlling economic activity, Deng said during his Southern Tour in 1992.

The great social welfare states of Scandinavia Sanders lauds are only possible because they have dynamic economies, built on market capitalism, which create the wealth necessary to afford generous benefits.

If we (and this includes Sanders himself) must insist that Sanders is a socialist, then we have to admit that this kind of socialism is not inconsistent with capitalism. People from left-wing and right-wing persuasion have tried for too long to simplistically define policies into one of the two boxes.

Now the progressive left, including Sanders, has been trying to appropriate socialism, by calling Medicare, Social Security, and FDRs New Deal programs socialist. Inadvertently, they adopt the language of the John Birch Society and the Tea Party.

What has happened is that after social welfare programs have been called socialist for so long, the term has lost or redefined its meaning. If Obamacare is going to be smeared as socialism, and if any proposal to expand social welfare or provide greater protections to consumers and workers is going to be so vilified, then young left-leaning kids think, Maybe socialism isnt so bad.

It is dangerous if one wants to prevent actual leftist policies and even revolution, to constantly block all proposed reforms of the bourgeois system at a time when income inequality is perceived as being at historic levels, when even the Republican Party felt a need to emphasize the plight of the working class in the 2016 election. If grievances go unaddressed and people begin to lose faith in the democratic system, then they might look elsewhere.

Now we get back to what Sanders said about Cuba and Communist China. Well, maybe if dictator Batista didnt abuse the Cuban people so much, neglect their educations, and pay more attention to serving the United States interests than that of his country, then there would not have been so much motivation among the Cuban people to get rid of him?

China, during the Kuomintang reign, was relatively impoverished, if growing in spurts, but what growth did come did not find its way to the peasants, who were largely abused under the semi-feudal system in which landlords ran politics at the local levels. Some landlords were better than others. Others would sell the children of debtors into slavery. But even with the nicest landlord, the system itself was such that peasants were still bound to the land. It is not surprising at all that the peasants embraced revolutionaries who promised to liberate them and redistribute the land.

Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang had not succeeded, lacking the capacity and the will, to do land reform on mainland China, sealing their fates. Then when Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan, he did redistribute the land.

The U.S., during its administration of post-WWII South Korea, began the process of land reform. Right-wing authoritarian Park Geun-hye, staring down communism in the North, established national healthcare. It was not just because they thought it was the right policy, which they did, but also because they did not want to create the conditions that would bring about communism.

Now if the Democratic moderates and the moderate Republicans who fear Sanders more than Trump do not want something worse than Sanders to come about in the future, they must do more than dismiss everything. They must address the grievances that led to Sanders.

Currently based in China, Mitchell Blatt is a former editorial assistant at the National Interest, Chinese-English translator, and lead author of Panda Guides Hong Kong. He has been published in USA Today, The Daily Beast, The Korea Times, Silkwinds magazine, and Areo Magazine, among other outlets. Follow him on Facebook at@MitchBlattWriter.

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The Only Way to Stop Bernie Sanders - The National Interest Online

Bitcoin tumbles along with stocks amid coronavirus, questioning ‘safe haven’ theory – Yahoo Finance

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Stocks have seen two days of steep losses amid concerning new reports about the spread of coronavirus to countries like Italy, Iran, South Korea and Switzerland. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell by more than 1,000 points on Monday, its worst day in two years. On Tuesday, stocks fell again, for two-day losses of more than 1,800 points.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies had a brutal two days as well, calling into question a popular pitch some crypto believers push: that cryptocurrencies are a safe haven, an asset class that offers stability and wealth preservation during periods of heightened uncertainty and market volatility.

Amid the rout in equities on Monday afternoon, bitcoin (BTC) was down by more than 3%, ether (ETH) was down 3%, XRP was down 5% and bitcoin cash (BCH) was down by nearly 7%, creating a sea of salmon-pink on our Yahoo Finance cryptocurrency heatmap, which displays the entire crypto market as a series of color-coded boxes, with the color reflecting each coins movement in the past 24 hours and the box size representing each coins market cap.

On Tuesday, coins fell again, with bitcoin down more than 3% and ether, XRP, and bitcoin cash each down by nearly 6%.

Yahoo Finance crypto heatmap as of 4:30pm EST on Feb. 25, 2020, at the time of the stock market closing bell. (Cryptocurrency markets never close.)

Of course, two down days do not make or break a market trend theory, and bitcoin believers argue that bitcoin has proven itself as a store of value over the longer run.

Even after Monday and Tuesday, bitcoin is up 34% in 2020 so far, and it is up 640% in the last three years. Bitcoin skeptics, on the other hand, will always compare the asset to its all-time-high of nearly $20,000 at the end of 2017, a level it has not neared since.

The coronavirus is exactly the kind of health crisis that should, in theory, boost the value of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. In the past, bitcoin has risen during bank crises in countries like Greece, a sign that people without access to the banking system do see it as an alternative option.

Even before coronavirus, news out of China was already a major driver of cryptocurrency trends in the past six months as Xi Jinping has made clear his aim for China to develop a state-backed cryptocurrency, something that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has warned about and that even Fed Chair Jay Powell has been watching.

SHANXI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 24: (CHINA MAINLAND OUT)The bank workers sanitize the cash to kill the novel coronavirus on 24th February, 2020 in Taiyuan,Shanxi,China.(Photo by TPG/Getty Images)

Bitcoin is often called digital gold, but the price of gold rose this week while stocks and bitcoin fell. It might be most correct to conclude from the last two days that crypto looks uncorrelated to equities, but the jury is still out on whether it is a safe haven asset.

This is still a very nascent, volatile asset class, says Frank Chapparo of bitcoin news site The Block. If Im an investor and I want predictability in my portfolio, Im not going to be outsized allocating to bitcoin and other digital assets. Now, that doesnt mean that this narrative of bitcoin being a hedge against global economic insecurity or political insecurity [is wrong]. Thats still something that could play out over the next ten, fifteen, twenty years.

Story continues

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Bitcoin tumbles along with stocks amid coronavirus, questioning 'safe haven' theory - Yahoo Finance

Bitcoins fork coin led the Futures market on Binance for January – AMBCrypto

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The addition of the Futures market for cryptocurrencies has allowed many investors on the sidelines to jump into the field. Perhaps, the first perpetual contract by BitMEX started it all. Now, as of 2020, there are multiple exchanges offering such products, including Binance, FTX, and Deribit, etc.

These products have clearly contributed to the onboarding of institutional investors and they have hence, helped in improving Bitcoins price discovery.

Binances Futures platform was launched six months ago and it has since recorded a considerable increase in trading activity. In fact, over the past six months, more assets have been added to this market.

Binances latest monthly report outlined the performance of Futures for the month of January and showed that Bitcoins market value jumped by 29.89%. Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and others also recorded a notable rise in their Futures activity.

However, as seen in the attached chart, Bitcoin Cashs performance was the best of the lot i.e. 84.80% in January.

Bitcoin Cash, the fork of Bitcoin closely affiliated to Roger Ver, registered a major spike in its spot prices. The fork of Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, also saw a similar surge in its price. The surge for both of these coins can be attributed to the approaching halvings.

Another common reason attributed to the surge in Futures volume by Binance read,

Many market analysts believe that one of the reasons behind the strong performances of altcoins was due to its low valuation. As prices bottomed in late 2019, mid to small-cap altcoins presented a value-driven opportunity for investors.

Further, the fall in the dominance of Bitcoin also opened a window of opportunity for a brief altcoin surge aka the alt season which stopped midway. Bitcoin Cash has surged by a whopping 148% in 2020. The price hit a peak of $497.53 on 14 February, following which it collapsed.

Futures or other products offered by Bakkt, CME, and Deribit help in discovering the price of the underlying assets. The common narrative with the Futures market is that it helps in price discovery. In fact, this narrative was suggested by many analysts before its launch and the same still holds true.

Additionally, regulated markets like the CME and Bakkt will help bring in institutional money and hence, deepen the liquidity. This may pave the way for the much-awaited ETF for Bitcoin.

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Bitcoins fork coin led the Futures market on Binance for January - AMBCrypto

Peter Thiel-Backed Startup Says Texas Is the Best Place to Mine Bitcoin – Cointelegraph

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Alex Liegl, CEO of Layer1 Technologies, a US-based Bitcoin (BTC) mining company that recently announced its intention to repatriate 30% of Bitcoins hash power by 2022, has described Texas as offering miners the cheapest power in the world, at scale.

Less than two weeks ago, Layer1 commenced mining operations at its facility in western Texas, bringing multiple 2.5-megawatt container rigs online.

Texas is the largest producer of wind power in the United States, outproducing the second, third, and fourth-largest producers combined. If Texas were an independent nation, it would be the worlds fifth-largest generator of wind power worldwide.

Despite the cheap electricity, many miners have avoided the Lone Star state due to its heat with temperatures regularly exceeding 90 degrees for half of each year. To combat the heat, Layer1s mining apparatus comprises 20-by-8 shipping containers filled with miners that are suspended in a non-conductive liquid.

If they were air-cooled, the processors would burn up," Liegl told Forbes.

During October 2019, Layer1 raised $50 million for its venture capital investors, led by Peter Thiel alongside Digital Currency Group and Shasta Ventures.

The cash infusion funded Layer1s acquisition of an electric substation capable of generating 100 megawatts situated on 30 acres in western Texas and rose the companys value to $200 million.

Layer1 also plans to take advantage of skyrocketing summer electricity prices and selling its power to the grid, with Liegl stating: We can stabilize the grid by selling capacity for curtailment at the push of a button.

During January, Whinstone, a subsidiary of Frankfurt-based mining company Northern Bitcoin, announced that it had inked partnerships with Japanese internet provider GMO and financial services company SBI to process transactions at its forthcoming facility in Rockdale, Texas.

Whinstones facility is slated to launch with a capacity of 300 megawatts, with the company to expand to 1 gigawatt before 2021.

When constructed, Whinstones facility will have three times the capacity as Bitmains mining site in Rockdale which is held to currently comprise the largest mining operation in the world.

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Peter Thiel-Backed Startup Says Texas Is the Best Place to Mine Bitcoin - Cointelegraph

Jack Dorsey Should Be Replaced as Twitter CEO, Investor Proposes – Cointelegraph

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Billionaire investor, Paul Singer, is pushing for the removal of Jack Dorsey as CEO of Twitter. According to a CNBC article dated Feb. 28, the Elliott Management founder and activist investor is concerned about Dorseys time being split between two $5 billion-plus companies, and his desire to move to Africa.

The $40.2 billion hedge fund managed by Singer took a major stake in the social media giant recently and has already nominated four replacement directors to Twitters board according to reports.

Dorsey has previously faced criticism for his role as CEO of two publicly listed companies; Twitter and Square, both of which have market valuations of over $5 billion. Singer is also concerned about Dorseys plan to work up to six months a year in Africa.

Dorsey is a long time supporter of Bitcoin and was instrumental in implementing an easy Bitcoin onramp into his company, Squares, Cash App. As Cointelegraph reported this week, a full half of Cash Apps revenue now comes from Bitcoin-related revenue.

Square has also invested in Square Crypto, a team funded by Square, tasked with improving the overall Bitcoin ecosystem. Square Crypto made a number of hires in 2019, including its first hire, Steve Lee, who clarified his position in a tweet recently:

I don't work for Square, I work for Bitcoin. Square pays me so I can spend all my time and energy working on Bitcoin.

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Jack Dorsey Should Be Replaced as Twitter CEO, Investor Proposes - Cointelegraph

Government to Airdrop $9 Billion in Free Money to 7 Million Hong Kong Residents – Bitcoin News

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The government of Hong Kong has decided to airdrop about $9 billion in free money to an estimated 7 million residents in the troubled Chinese territory. From a global perspective, this can be seen as a desperate move to stimulate the local economy while the coronavirus outbreak is hitting markets hard all around the world. At the same time, the move can also be seen as part of the governments efforts to stop the persistent protests in the city.

Also Read: HSBC Closes 2 Branches Following New Protests in Hong Kong

In December 2018, an infamous 24-year old Chinese crypto influencer, Wong Ching Kit, made headlines around the world after he was arrested for throwing stacks of HK $100 bills from the roof of a building in Hong Kong and causing mass hysteria. The self-proclaimed bitcoin millionaire stated at the time that the stunt made him feel as if he is god as he was raining money on the people of one of the poorest areas of the city. Now another guy is planning a similar stunt on a much bigger scale, but dont expect him to be arrested anytime soon.

I have decided to disburse HK $10,000 to Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above, with a view to encouraging and boosting local consumption on the one hand, and relieving peoples financial burden on the other, stated Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Wednesday. With 7 million people who are estimated to fit the criteria set by Chan, this will total about HK $70 billion, which is almost US $9 billion.

This free money airdrop is the central part of a stimulus package totaling over $15 billion announced by the government. Other steps in the plan include helping poor families with a free month of public housing rent and helping struggling businesses with lower taxes and subsidized electricity.

The main reason given for the need to stimulate the local economy is the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has dealt a severe blow to economic activities and sentiment in Hong Kong according to Chan. The pandemic originating in mainland China, interrupting many global supply chains, has hurt the regions tourism industry especially hard and the plan includes specific measures to address this.

Another tough problem for the local economy is the unending protests in the city against what many in Hong Kong see as the loss of their freedom to Beijing. The demonstrations started in June 2019 over a plan to allow extradition to mainland China which many feared will undermine the territorys judicial independence. The controversial extradition bill was dropped in September, but the repeated police violence kept fueling the protest movement.

Social unrest and turbulence have revealed deep-seated conflicts in our community, which cannot be resolved overnight, Chan said. We need to address these conflicts patiently and carefully as they have a far-reaching impact on the stability and development of Hong Kong in the future.

While this free money airdrop by the Hong Kong government is part of a stimulus package, it is important to note that the implementation is quite different from similar plans in other parts of the globe. Hong Kong has long been considered as having one of the most fiscally conservative establishments in the world and this doesnt appear set to change. There is no money printing involved and no borrowing is needed. The plan is easily financed by the Hong Kong governments massive fiscal reserves of HK $1.1 trillion.

Far from being created out of thin air, to be given away, Hong Kongs planned cash handouts have already been paid for, in full, by its taxpayersand with plenty to spare, explained George Selgin, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Georgia. The handouts are nothing more than a government income-redistribution scheme, with no monetary policy implications whatsoever. Those looking for a test of the theory of helicopter money, or for an outbreak of Hong Kong hyperinflation, will have to wait longer for them. With a little luck, theyll wait forever.

What do you think about the government handing out cash to everyone in Hong Kong? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

Verify and track bitcoin cash transactions on our BCH Block Explorer, the best of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, keep up with your holdings, BCH and other coins, on our market charts at Bitcoin.com Markets, another original and free service from Bitcoin.com.

Avi Mizrahi is an economist and entrepreneur who has been covering Bitcoin as a journalist since 2013. He has spoken about the promise of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology at numerous financial conferences around the world, from London to Hong-Kong.

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Disney Is Building an Exclusive Resort on a Private Island in The Bahamas – Yahoo Lifestyle

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From House Beautiful

If you love both Disney World and a tropical beach vacation, you're in luck: Soon, youll be able to experience Disney magic on two tropical islands. Disney Cruise Lines is building an exclusive resort on a private island in The Bahamas. Disney already owns a private island in The Bahamas called Castaway Cay, which is reserved for Disney Cruise Line guests on Bahamian and Caribbean cruises. South of Castaway Cay, Disney is spending between $250 million and $400 million to build a new resort on the island of Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point.

Photo credit: Disney Cruise Lines

Once Lighthouse Point is open, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to enjoy the islands gorgeous beaches and surrounding verdant nature. Renderings of what the resort will look like show numerous umbrellas and chairs along the sandy shore. Amid palm trees and greenery, there are also bungalow-style buildings connected by elevated walkways, which are meant to help reduce environmental impact.

Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde will help bring Disneys vision to life on the island. Having previously designed a Disney Resort Spa in Hawaii and Disneys Animal Kingdom theme park in both Orlando and Aulani, Rhodes is more than qualified to design this new project. He plans on incorporating the existing Bahamian culture into the resort. The Lighthouse Point site is so beautiful and so full of nature that we want to preserve this and use our designs to call attention to the extraordinary quality of the place itselfa place of natural beauty with a rich and fascinating cultural tradition, Rohde said in a press release.

Photo credit: Disney Cruise Lines

Construction is projected to begin this year, and the resort should be open in 2022 or 2023. Dont want to wait a few years to vacation at Lighthouse Point? You can plan a trip at Castaway Cay here.

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You Can Rent This Fully-Staffed Island in the Philippines for Just $97 a NightIf You Bring 15 Friends – HouseBeautiful.com

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With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the perfect destination for a tropical getaway. But with so many gorgeous beaches, it can be hard to choose which one to travel to. Well, if youre looking for both a luxurious and private paradise, you can rent this entire island for just $97 a nightif you bring 15 friends.

Brother Island is located in El Nido, a province on Palawan known for its white-sand beaches, clear waters, and coral reefs. On the island, the two-story ancestral house has seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, two extra toilets and two extra showers. Thats enough room for a large group to vacation comfortably.

Along with privacy, youll get to enjoy the local cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The package also includes housekeeping, library use, board games, and transportation to and from the El Nido airport. On site, you can book snorkeling expeditions, hiking tours on the mainland, local fishing, alcohol and beach massages.

After relaxing on the beach with a drink in hand, youll want to roam the surrounding nature. With rental snorkels and kayaks, you can explore the coral reef that surrounds the entire island, by renting snorkels and kayaks. Theres also a preserved jungle and bamboo forest where you can hike.

Past tenants raved about the location and friendly staff. Brother Island was a great place to disconnect and relax, one former renter wrote. The island is very beautiful and we enjoyed spending our time on the beach, reading on the porch, and snorkeling.

Are you and your friends ready to vacation on your own private island? Book a stay here.

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Always Wanted To Book An Exclusive Private Island For Your Vacation? Here’s How – Singapore Tatler

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Blame Robinson Crusoe. His 300-year-old story of shipwreck, misery, God, cannibals, slaves and savages has, over the course of time, morphed into a dream castaway experience. The deserted island mirage, with sunny days and balmy nights, swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches, sends the best of us into a trance. Transformative travel may be all the rage, but the restorative power of getting away from it all and doing nothing should not be underestimated. Its fuelled a boom in private-island resorts, scattered in cays and atolls across the oceans, offering levels of pampering that would make Mr Crusoe weep with joy on his boy Fridays shoulder.

From Fiji to the Philippines, youll find overwater villas, underwater spas, floating bars, infinity pools, celebrity chefs, personal butlers, yoga gurus, glorious sunrises and spectacular sunsets, minus the hoi polloi. The best nurture the mind, body and soul, while newer breeds such as Wa Ale in Myanmar and Bawah Reserve in Indonesia are grounded in conservation and philanthropy. Upping the ante are exclusive-use private islandsthe Maldives is a fail-safe place to start: Four Seasons Voavah, the Owners Villa at Cheval Blanc Randeli and Ithaafushi Private Island at the Waldorf Astoria are all worth a look. But for the ultimate in exclusivity and privacy, these three islands take it to another level.

(Related: Royal Caribbean Will Build A Luxurious Sustainable Private Island In The South Pacific By 2022)

What do you get for US$100,000 at Banwa? For a start, it buys you a night at this 6ha slice of paradise in Palawan, a two-hour helicopter or seaplane hop from Manila. On it are six contemporary villas accommodating up to 22 people, with floor-to-ceiling windows, private infinity pools and beach frontage. Theyve also thrown in a short golf course, tennis court, water sports, cocktails and organic meals on demand, as well as unlimited messages. And because its within a marine conservation area, look out for Hawksbill turtles, whale sharks, Tabon birds and Mantanani scops owls. Be warned, though, one night is not enoughyoull want more, many more.

(Related: A Travel Guide To Siargao IslandOne Of The Philippines' Best Kept Secrets)

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Top airports for private aviation in the Caribbean* – Travel Daily News International

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The Caribbean is a top destination for private jet travelers, thanks to its mix of sun, sand and nightlife. Whether its famous St. Maarten, Turks & Caicos or The Bahamas, this region delivers its promise of paradise. And the best part is that these islands are very close to South Florida, the natural private aviation hub that serves as the gateway for anyone traveling to this region. Just one-hour separates some of these island-nations from Miami, a fact that explains the high demand of private flights throughout the year.

The private aviation experience is usually connected with jet planes and, although the quickest option, a turboprop aircraft is more efficient for shorter routes thanks to design and overall operational costs. Especially for trips of under two hours like the ones from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to any island, turboprops should be considered as a top option.

Whats the most common destination in the region? For Monarch Air Group, a private jet provider based in Fort Lauderdale International Airport, The Bahamas accounts for most of private flights departing from South Florida, totaling almost 50%. There are 27 other nations in the Caribbean, but the variables that support The Bahamas as the top destination from the South Florida hub is its modern business aviation infrastructure, on one side, and the top-notch hospitality industry that awaits the traveler.

Overall, the Caribbean offers the exclusivity that many travelers seek while providing the first-rate holiday all visitors deserve. Commercial aviation is indeed the most popular means of transportation for millions each year, but the proximity of the Caribbean to South Florida allows private aviation to thrive within both regions. The following are the top airports from a private aviation perspective when accounting for its infrastructure and vicinity to destination.

Top private jet airports1) V. C. Bird International, Antigua and Barbuda (ANU), is the only airport on the island of Antigua and has a solar power plant that provides almost enough energy to power the entire operation.This destination, with exclusive retreats and luxury resorts, offers an ideal location very popular with private jet travelers.2) Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), is one of the busiest terminals in the Caribbean for airline flights and private jet charter operations. It is a popular gateway between the Caribbean and US, while also served by various big-name airlines around the globe.3) Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau, The Bahamas (NAS), formerly known as Nassau International Airport, is the busiest business airport in the region with over 4,000 flights annually, largely thanks to the proximity to South Florida.4) Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, Abaco Islands, The Bahamas (MHH), is located in the northern Bahamas and is the second busiest private jet airport in the nation. It lies 180 miles east from South Florida.5) Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport, St. Kitts (SKB), receives various regional flights from within the Caribbean area. The RLB international terminal also provides facilities for cargo planes, private jets and various other types of aircraft.6) North Eleuthera Airport, The Bahamas (ELH), is known for its pink sand beaches and coral reefs. The small airport serves visitors to the northern stretch of the long thin island (just a mile wide in some places), as well as others nearby in the country such as Harbor Island and Spanish Wells.7) Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten (SXM), is famous for offering one of the worlds most stunning landings, with aircraft coming in low over the beach. The airport serves an important hub in the Caribbean, connecting commercial flights and those in larger private aircraft, with smaller planes headed towards more remote islands.8) Providenciales International Airport in Turks & Caicos (PLS) accommodates private jet flights of all sizes, with travelers attracted to the world-renowned beaches and luxury resorts, plus the attractive conditions for offshore finance.

Established in 2006, Monarch Air Group is a leading provider of on demand private jet charter, aircraft management and long-term aircraft lease. Among Monarchs customers are Fortune 500 corporations, leading entrepreneurs, Government agencies and world leading NGOs.

* Article by MOnarch Air Group

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Top airports for private aviation in the Caribbean* - Travel Daily News International

Where to stay on St. John – The Glen Rose Reporter

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Waking up at Calichi at Picture Point, the new eco-meets-luxury private villa enclave on St. John, is nothing short of a dream. Perched 1,200 feet above sea level on Bordeaux Mountain, I eyeball a fleet of white sailboats gently rocking in Coral Bays sun-kissed harbor and soak in a postcard-worthy panorama of the surrounding islands floating like emerald gems in a sparkling sapphire sea St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Vieques to the west, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke to the north, and St. Croix to the south.

With two-thirds of the island designated as Virgin Islands National Park, St. John boasts a raw splendor that sets it apart from other Caribbean destinations riddled with over-development. You wont find high-rise hotels competing for shoreline space nor all-inclusive resorts splayed across the islands protected beaches. The beachfront cottages fringing the once-luxurious Caneel Bay Resort still stand as hollowed frames on deserted grounds more than two years after back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes devastated the island. Instead, visitors have their pick of a handful of resorts and inns, vacation villas and rentals and the new stunning, self-sustaining development known as Calichi (calichi-stj.com). Boasting an eco-friendly mindset every bit as green as the islands in view, Calichis concept was born from what the island lacked a luxurious yet environmentally friendly St. John getaway.

We wanted to know how self-reliant we could be how we could reduce our carbon footprint, says Tom Buttermore, one of the longtime St. John visitors-turned-locals behind the project designed by Barefoot Design Group. At the same time, we wanted to deliver a high-end experience. Eco doesnt have to mean rustic or sacrifice. Eco can be luxury.

Each of Calichis fully equipped private one- and two-bedroom villas, built with sustainable materials and outfitted with custom artwork, modern furniture and sleek finishes, gourmet kitchens, luxurious linens and expansive decks, encircles the highest and largest private pool complex on the island. Guests enjoy the privacy afforded by their villa but also have the option of gathering with a group at the palatial infinity edge pool, which features a 65-foot lap lane and stainless steel spa flanked by lounge furniture, an outdoor grill, fire pits and a putting green.

On an island that experiences frequent power disruptions and strong storms, Calichi remains completely off-grid capable. More than 240 solar panels power 18 Tesla power walls, enabling the property to produce 98 percent of the energy it requires without guests sacrificing modern comforts all powered by the sun and collected from the skies. While we used air conditioning in the afternoons, we fell asleep each night fanned by the tradewinds, and instead of purchasing bottled waters, we refilled reusable thermoses with rainwater caught and purified on-site. Guests can pack light knowing Calichis villas are equipped with everything needed for a day at the beach or an evening in. Those wanting a completely hassle-free getaway can take advantage of the fully personalized concierge services on offer, ranging from private chef and spa services to grocery provisioning and sailing away for the day aboard Calichis flagship yacht.

Spending a week at Calichi was an undeniably magical way to kick off our month in paradise, but we also stayed at several other spots, including a sprawling resort, a multimillion dollar villa and an affordable condo each appealing to a different type of traveler.

Relish the resort life?

Look no further than The Westin St. John Resort Villas. This 45-acre villa resort stretching across Great Cruz Bay is back and more beautiful than ever after a 16-month-long hurricane recovery and restoration effort. From our oceanview studio, equipped with a kitchenette, washer and dryer and private balcony, we were mere steps from a plethora of resort perks sprinkled around the lushly landscaped grounds roamed by resident iguanas, ranging from a quarter-acre pool and fitness center to an all-new private ferry that takes guests back and forth from St. Thomas and a fleet of complimentary kayaks and paddleboats. Book a studio or villa at westinstjohn.com.

Bunking up with a big group?

For more than 15 years, weve booked villas through Destination St. John, the islands longstanding, locally-operated rental company boasting more than 40 diverse properties. When my parents and siblings joined us for a week, we stayed at the luxurious five-bedroom Villa Tesori perched above the bejeweled waters of Rendezvous Bay. For close-knit groups wanting to stay together, villas offer one of the most authentic ways to experience the island we spent our days beaching and hiking, stopped off at the market on the way back, and enjoyed easy evenings grilling poolside or cooking together inside our dreamy home-away-from-home. Search for the perfect villa at destinationstjohn.com.

RELATED: A treasure trove along Floridas Emerald Coast

Traveling on a budget and for the beaches?

If you plan to spend most of your time exploring the island rather than lounging inside your room, opt for an affordable, independently-owned property listed on Airbnb and HomeAway/VRBO. Weve cherished our repeat stays at the recently-renovated, locally owned condo, Kachi Ra, kachira.com, which offers a cozy and comfortable home base for a couple or small family without the high price tag.

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Witness says he saw Prince Andrew grope Virginia Roberts on Jeffrey Epsteins island – New York Post

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A witness claims to have seen Prince Andrew grope Virginia Roberts Giuffres butt on Jeffrey Epsteins Pedophile Island, a report said Saturday.

Steve Scully, 70, told The Sun that he saw the disgraced prince kissing and grabbing a young blonde woman wearing a bikini someone he believes was Giuffre by a pool on Epsteins private island, Little St. James.

He was grabbing her ass and stuff like that. They were kissing, Scully told The Sun. He was grinding against her and groping her.

Scully, who reportedly worked as Epsteins internet and phone specialist, said that the woman wasnt resisting.

They were bumping and grinding and fooling around for five, six, seven minutes and they then laid back down on the lounge chairs and continued, Scully said.

But the new witness said he was shocked by how young the girl looked.

She stood like a kid would stand behind a parent, he said.

They walked off together and I went the other way.

Last week, the top prosecutor in the US Virgin Islands revealed to Vanity Fair that an employee had come forward as a witness.

An employee told me that he saw Prince Andrew on a balcony out at Little St. James groping girls right out in the open, Attorney General Denise George said.

In legal papers and in television interviews, Giuffre has repeatedly accused the Duke of York of having sex with her three times, including while she was underage. He was removed from his royal duties in November after a disastrous BBC interview in which he denied bedding or even knowing Giuffre and defended his friendship with Epstein.

Andrew and Buckingham Palace havevehemently deniedthe accusations against him. He went as far as to call her a very sick girl to a friend in 2011 after he was first linked to Epsteins pedophile scandal.

In recent weeks, four Epstein accusers have written an open letter to Andrew who has refused to speak to authorities begging him to talk to the FBI about the allegations.

Socialite Christina Oxenberg, who is a distant relative of the royals, said Epsteins gal pal Ghislaine Maxwell once told her that the pair had everyone videotaped, The Telegraph reported Friday.

Ive seen the video rooms- EVERY SINGLE ROOM was being filmed. Ive even seen some of the pics- why are the feds taking so long with arrests, Roberts pleaded on Twitter Saturday. Everyday I wake up hoping that someone has been held accountable and everyday I wake up disappointed. #DoSomethingAlready.

Giuffres lawyer, David Boies, said she does not remember the specific incident described by Scully.

But Boies added that Scully is a very significant witness.

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Cruise Ship Allowed to Dock in Cozumel After Being Denied by Two Other Ports – Cruise Hive

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The MSC Meraviglia which has been denied entry to two cruise ports has finally be allowed to dock in Cozumel, Mexico.

Thousands of passengers aboard the MSC Meravigilia have not had the cruise vacation they expected as the vessel was denied entry to two popular Caribbean cruise ports. You can read our earlier news post about this right here.

With a Filipino crew member who came down with the common flu onboard, authorities in Jamaica and Grand Cayman decided to deny the large vessel from making its scheduled ports of call on February 25 at Ocho Rios and February 26 in George Town.

As a precaution, due to coronavirus fears across the world and sharp increases in cases in Italy were among the reasons the ship was blocked.

The good news is the vessel was allowed to make its call in Cozumel, Mexico today after a final authorization from the local health authorities in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The ship is currently docked at the Punta Langosta pier in downtown Cozumel.

The ship almost didnt make it due to high winds near Cozumel which were 35-40 knots. Also, health officials had to board the vessel to make some checks as maritime protocols.

The cruise line provided Cruise Hive with the following latest statement:

As anticipated, MSC Meraviglia arrived off the West Coast of Cozumel on 26 February around 9:30 PM ET (3:30 AM CET). Due to unfavourable weather conditions, including 35-40 knot winds and stormy conditions, MSC Meraviglia is currently awaiting near pilot station for winds to decrease and the ship to be able to safely board pilot and enter port. The maximum wind speed permitted by the port of Cozumel for berthing is 25 knot winds.

Based on current weather forecast, weather conditions are expected to improve by tomorrow morning at around 8 AM ET (2 PM CET). As soon as this happens, the ship has already agreed with the local port authorities to board the pilot and head into port.

As previously announced, over the course of the day MSC Cruises has received formal and final authorization from the local health authorities in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico to go to Cozumel.

The next port of call is at MSC Cruises private island of Ocean Cay in the Bahamas and the ship is scheduled to arrive back at PortMiami, Florida on March 1. There previously posts on social media of the ship canceling the call in Cozumel and instead of sailing to Honduras but this ended up not being the case.

Also Read: Another 14-Day Quarantine to Begin for Diamond Princess Crew Members

Like other cruise lines, MSC Cruises continues to do health screenings on all passengers before embarkation. This includes checking travel history and anyone who has traveled through, to or from certain countries with coronavirus will be denied boarding.

MSC Meraviglia is a huge ship with a capacity of over 4,400 at double occupancy. The vessel is 172,598 gross tons.

This comes as another large cruise ship operated by Costa Cruises has denied to dock in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands due to sick passengers onboard, read more here.

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Seaside Finolhu becomes the first luxury resort in Maldives to be accepted as a member of Design Hotels – Travel Daily News International

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Seaside Finolhu has become the first luxury resort from the Maldives to be accepted as a member of Design Hotels, the globally-recognised resource for curated design-led hotels. Operated by the German hotel company, Seaside Collection, Finolhu earned its place as the only resort in the Maldives to be included in Design Hotels prestigious international portfolio after successfully meeting the criteria of embodying quality, style, and holistic hospitality concepts.

Embracing its kaleidoscope design concept, Seaside Finolhus aesthetics are characterised by a mesmerising mlange of colours and symmetrical patterns that complement the luxury island resorts pristine natural beauty in a stunning representation of joy, wonder and a feeling of escaping time.

Gregor Gerlach, owner and Managing Partner of Seaside Collection, spoke about the recognition from Design Hotels: "Our vision for Seaside Finolhu is to bring a modern, bright, open sense of feeling where travellers can experience special moments and enjoy themselves. Were proud to be recognised internationally as a member of Design Hotels, not to mention being the first and only Maldives resort in their list. We look forward to improving constantly and transforming Finolhu to align with the Seaside Collection brand.

Translated as sandbank, Finolhu is one of the finest island resorts located in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, famous for its mesmerising diversity of reefs, submerged cliffs, and small, round underwater hills known as thilas. The resort comprises a mix of 125 stylish and private overwater and beach villas, available in one- or two-bedroom options, half of which have their own pools and offer stunning views of the Maldivian seascape. The resorts four beachside dining venues offer a variety of exciting flavours, from laid-back favourites to authentic classics, and delightful fine dining. The fully-equipped spa and wellness facility offer holistic programmes and treatments with a fusion of the East and West. The wide-range of activities available for all ages are as engaging as the stunning scenery of the coral reefs beneath the waves.

Another distinguishing feature of Seaside Finolhu is its iconic Beach Bubble. The first of its kind in the Maldives, the bubble is located in a secluded spot along Finolhus marvellous sandbank. Exclusively available for guests wishing to enjoy a uniquely romantic night under the stars, the one-night-only Dream Eclipse experience includes private dinner and breakfast served on the beach.

With Seaside Finolhu currently undergoing a major upgrade that is due for completion in the second quarter of 2020, the resort aims to develop its distinctive barefoot chic atmosphere that combines Maldivian-inspired touches with ultra-luxury modernity. Previously characterised as a fun and relaxing island playground, the resorts new look will showcase contemporary design mixed with a distinct organic edge. Natural raw materials such as ropes, clay and timbers are being incorporated into Finolhus refreshing new colour palettes to create an interesting visual harmony.

Award-winning London-based design studio Muza Lab has been charged with overseeing the resorts redesign. Muza Labs co-founder Nathan Hutchins told us how excited he is by the challenge. When we first arrived on Finolhu, a beautiful stretch of bijou islands; exotic jewels strung together amongst the ombr shades of the azure, the light and the colour immediately struck us. Colour cannot exist without light. It is this relationship of light and colour that we wanted to explore through our new design direction for Finolhu; the dappled play of sunlight as it hits the water, the transformation of the rays against the colourful underwater scope and above, highlighting the vibrancy of the tropical landscape - the sand and the palms.

Our new design direction focuses on the lens of the Kaleidoscope the changing colours, patterns and textures representing moments of discovery, wonder and delight explained Hutchins. Throughout the resort, we have woven special features; woven textiles, basketwork coloured glass, lanterns and origami, through distinct areas each assigned to a unique colour spectrum. Vibrant pops of colour, contrast against gentle pockets of light and shade and evolving scene as day turns to night. Finolhu has allowed us to play, to experiment, to have fun with the design - to celebrate natures playground.

As the redesign nears completion, Muza Labs co-founder Inge Moore explained what guests can expect from the redeveloped resort: Finolhu is all about fun, for all the family, for the young and the young at heart. From the ultimate party pad that is the Rockstar Suite to the kids own Beach Club to the Crab Shack set on its private island and the Sunset Bar dressed in its raspberry pink and red hues, we have created lots of different little corners to disappear and just be.

Recognising the importance that Finolhu places on being a family resort, Moore added: We have created special places for families to play together; an art studio complete with a kiln, a concept gym, beach bars and, for those seeking a little me-time, a tranquillity spa retreat with its private beach. By applying a mindful approach to the design, we have focused on creating special moments that draw people together through a simple luxury that allows the natural beauty of the island to radiate.

Overseen by Muza Lab, artisans from around the world have produced standout works bespoke to the resort; handmade tiles and handblown glass from Turkey, Chandeliers and basket work from South Africa, and timber artwork from Java complete Finolhus exotic new playground.

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Seaside Finolhu becomes the first luxury resort in Maldives to be accepted as a member of Design Hotels - Travel Daily News International

Bob Hope And James Cagney Partied At This $6 Million Beach House – Forbes

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This South Hutchinson Island beach house was once a hotspot for Hollywood celebrities like Bob Hope, ... [+] Jackie Gleason and James Cagney.

A sprawling Malibu-style beach house with a glamorous Hollywood pedigree comes ashore to the Florida market, specifically Hutchinson Island, an East Coast hamlet known for its loggerhead turtles, seashells, sea glass and celebrities.

This sprawling beach house was once the home of singer-actress Francis Langford-Evinrude and boating ... [+] magnate Ralph Evinrude.

Located on the islands south end, the 7,792-square-foot property is the former home of actress Francis Langford and her boating magnate husband at the time Ralph Evinrude, a prominent couple who entertained 1950s icons like Bob Hope, James Cagney, Jackie Gleason, Perry Como and Don Ameche.

Actress-singer-songwriter Frances Langford who wrote and popularized the song "I'm In The Mood For ... [+] Love." Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Francis Langford was the glamorous singer-songwriter of the classic song Im In The Mood For Love (from her debut film Every Night At Eight) and she was popular during the golden age of radio. As an actress, she starred in Hollywood musicals like Cagneys Yankee Doodle Dandy. She joined comedian Hope on some of his famous USO tours, entertaining military troopseven General George S. Patton.

Frances Langford signs entertains and signs autographs for troops at a USO tour during World War II. ... [+] (Photo By Al Moldvay/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Later in life, she later married Ralph Evinrude, an outboard motor tycoon. By the 1980s, the couple owned a 108-foot yacht called Chanticleer, where they also entertained their celebrity friends.

Frances Langford and Bob Hope during Bob Hope's "Don't Shoot It's Only Me" Special at NBC Studios. ... [+] (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Like the yacht, the Hutchinson Island house was designed for entertainers and beach lovers. This luxury real estate listed for $6 million, by Blaine Doc Ellingson of ONE Sothebys International Realty.

The Malibu-style beach house has unique design elements like Pecky Cyprus walls and a fireplace ... [+] crafted from London Bridge original granite.

The private-gated residence features quirky architectural and design elements such as Pecky Cyprus walls, Green Heart tree trunks imported from South America, a fireplace crafted from London Bridge original granite, and bricks from Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas (barrier islands 70 miles west of Key West).

The 7,792-square-foot property is the former home of late singer-actress Francis Langford-Evinrude.

Its hardly surprising a Hollywood entertainers home was designed for entertaining. Steps from the beach, the oceanfront residence offers five private bedrooms, united by covered patios overlooking sweeping Atlantic Ocean views.

Cabana bar

Outdoor entertainment spaces boast a cabana bar, custom-lit pool and hot spa encircled by Polynesian tiki torches, and landscaped gardens with tropical foliage and coconut palms.

Whimsical kitchen

Hutchinson Island is known for its loggerhead turtle nesting areas. Each season, five species migrate to the island where residents marvel at morning turtle tracks along the beach.

The oceanfront home offers five private bedrooms with a view.

The oceanfront home offers five private bedrooms with a view.

The island is located near offshore natural and artificial reefs that wrecked Spanish galleons during the 17th and 18th centuries, allowing for rare ancient artifacts, seashells and sea glass to wash ashore.

Spa bath

Hutchinson Island rivals Sanibel Island for low tide seashell and sea glass beach combing. Sand dollar beds can be found walking or snorkeling along sandbars.

Outdoor entertainment spaces include a cabana bar, pool, hot spa and this relaxing hammock.

However, discriminating hunters must leave live purplish or greenish sand dollars on the beach. White sand dollars are all yoursfor free.

Hutchinson Island beaches are famous for rare ancient artifacts, seashells, sea glass and loggerhead ... [+] turtle nesting areas. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

But this Ocean Blvd. Hutchinson Island home will cost you a few shekeles more.

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Bob Hope And James Cagney Partied At This $6 Million Beach House - Forbes

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THE TEAM

Bitcoin was created by an anonymous name called Satoshi Nakamoto Other notable names rumored to be part of the team include

The practical uses of Bitcoin

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PoW algorithm-SHA-256 is used for mining. Which utilizes a lot of computational power.

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Bitcoin mining saps energy, costly, uses more power and also the reward delays. For mining, run software, get your wallet ready and be the first to solve a cryptographic problem and you get your reward after the new blocks have been added to the blockchain.Mining is said to be successful when all the transactions are recorded in the blockchain and the new blocks are added to the blockchain.

Bitcoin Price Today

Die-hard BTC supporters believe that bitcoin is the future; we are just scratching the surface.Considering the continuous rise of bitcoin in the market capitalization, it is one investment every investor needs to take advantage of it.

The current market capitalization of bitcoin stands at an all-time high of $109 billion. As at January 2016, bitcoin was traded at I BTC for $970 but today is being traded at $9,600 for 1 BTC.

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MUST READ!

Cryptocurrency investment is speculative, and it involves unquantifiable risks the market is full of uncertainty, susceptible to attack and capital loss, and sensitive to secondary issues, time may do not permit to mention here.Seek advice before investing.

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Bitcoin Price Live, Bitcoin Chart BTC Value Today, BTC to ...