Long Standing Partnership Between NSPA And Ecolog, Now Also Focused On The Environment

Dusseldorf, Germany /PRNewswire/ - NATO's integrated logistics service agency, the NATO Support Agency (NSPA) and Ecolog, the solutions provider in customized life support and logistics solutions, have been closely cooperating on projects supporting the NATO-led mission inAfghanistanfor more than a decade now.

More recently, in the context of the drawdown of troops' and consequent retrograde gearing up towards the end of their mission there, arose the necessity to dispose of, in compliance with international standards, large quantities of hazardous waste material, accumulated during more than eleven years of presence and operations in the country.

Ecolog was able to respond to the challenge, fulfilling the stringent criteria associated to an operation of such a scale and requiring large numbers of personnel, as well as equipment for the project.

A NSPA Operational Logistics Project Manager stated that Ecolog has risen to the challenge, through being flexible, though, and reactive in supporting the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Nations with the drawdown and dismantling of force establishments.

Indeed, the diversity of the waste, to include fuels, oils and lubricants, all types of batteries including lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, dry cells, gel, nickel-cadmium and lithium, compressed gas cylinders, solvents, paints and chemical products such as pesticides and detergents, bulbs, waste containing asbestos and contaminated soils, require an exceptional range of equipment and technical skills to be disposed of in compliance with the European Commission directives and regulations.

The expertise of Ecolog in the field of Hazmat and dangerous goods and experience in operating a diversity of machines such as medical and non-medical waste incinerators, bulb crushers, oil filter crushers, aerosol piercers, refrigerant recovery machines, a wide range of recycling machines, soon to include lead acid battery recycling machine, were determinant.

Peter Esser, Group General Manager of Strategy and Development of Ecolog International, highlighted: "We are very proud to be working to support NSPA inAfghanistanand we feel we are regarded as a partner in this endeavor, which was made possible under their leadership in gathering requirements of the contingents from all the nations under a single umbrella, while safeguarding continuous quality standards."

Today, ensuring compliance inAfghanistanwith the EU directives on the incineration of waste, Ecolog currently operates twelve state-of-the-art waste incinerators, including at Kandahar Airfield and in Mazar el Sherif, equipped with flue-gas treatment and a continuous emission-monitoring system. In total so far more than 600 tons of various hazardous wastes have been collected from multiple camps, transported, consolidated and stored in dedicated centers, then segregated, treated and recycled in country for the large majority of the cases, in collaboration with local partners and otherwise shipped toGermanyto be disposed of appropriately.

Ecolog and NSPA close cooperating on several projects supporting the NATO mission inAfghanistan, of which the longest standing project started in 2007, when NSPA took over managing operations at the Kandahar Airfield on behalf of NATO. Ecolog provides and maintains there more than 600 light vehicles and dozens of heavy equipment and performs services including laundry, ablution and cleaning services for the troops.

The largest laundry facility inAfghanistanis actually in Kandahar Airfield, operated by Ecolog, where over 4,500 laundry bags have been serviced daily.Ecolog utilizes an embedded RFID tracking for automatic management and monitoring of services. Furthermore, Ecolog has provided over 200 hand-washing stations and up to 19001,600 mobile sanitation units are serviced per day, along with cleaning tens of thousands of square meters in various base facilities, in addition Ecolog collects liquid waste and operates the wastewater treatment plant, handling about 4,000 cubic meters every day.

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Long Standing Partnership Between NSPA And Ecolog, Now Also Focused On The Environment

Edward Snowden Robot promises more NSA spying revelations

Edward Snowden appears by robot at a TED conference in Vancouver. Photo: AFP

Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has emerged from his Russian exile in the form of a remotely-controlled robot to promise more sensational revelations about US spying programs.

The fugitive's face appeared on a screen as he manoeuvred the wheeled android around a stage at the TED gathering, addressing an audience in Vancouver without ever leaving his secret hideaway.

"There are absolutely more revelations to come," he said. "Some of the most important reporting to be done is yet to come."

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Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who has been charged in the United States with espionage, dismissed the public debate about whether he is a heroic whistleblower or traitor.

Instead, he used the conference organised by educational non-profit organisation TED, or Technology Entertainment Design, to call for people worldwide to fight for privacy and internet freedom.

Internet creator Tim Berners-Lee briefly joined Snowden's interview with TED curator Chris Anderson, and came down in the hero camp.

When Anderson posed the question to the TED audience known for famous, innovative, and influential attendees the idea that Snowden was a force for good met with applause.

Hero or traitor?

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Guns Are Meant To Kill! Fans Furious After Duggar Family Posts Photo Of Son Jedidah, 16, Holding Large Shotgun

The right-wing Duggar family has always strongly supported the second amendment. In June, married daughter Jessa, 22, was even photographed holding an automatic rifle.

But now many fans think the Christian fundamentalists have taken their gun love too far. Last week, parents Jim Bob and Michelle posted a picture of young son Jedidiah, who just turned 16 on December 30, proudly wielding a 12 gauge shotgun on Christmas morning to their official Facebook page and commenters couldnt believe their eyes.

Worst present ever. I dont care how much gun safety they teach their kids, said Linda Lawless. All it takes is one time of not locking it up properly for one of the dozens of curious young kids in that house to get a hold of it and have an accident.

Dont understand why a Christian family who values life would want to own devices that were specifically designed to destroy it.

PHOTOS: Jill Duggar and Derick Dillards Wedding Day Revealed!

How can they give their child a gun yet cannot allow people to be who they are, fumed Helen Riley, referring to the Duggars fight against same-sex marriage. Guns are meant to kill.

PHOTOS: The Stars Of 19 Kids & Counting Flaunt Cringeworthy PDA

Other posters defended the 19 Kids And Counting parents decision to give their teen son a weapon.

Guns are for survival and protection, argued Kelly Woodrow James. It is our God given right to bare arms. There is nothing wrong with giving a child a gun as long as the responsibility of owning the gun is taught as well.

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Guns Are Meant To Kill! Fans Furious After Duggar Family Posts Photo Of Son Jedidah, 16, Holding Large Shotgun

Is Advice Given Over The Internet Free Speech?

Texas Veterinarian Heads to Federal Appellate Court Tomorrow

With One Of First Amendments Most Important Unanswered Questions

The Texas Veterinary Board punished a disabled veterinarian for giving online advice

Professional, online advice question will ultimately head to Supreme Court

Censorship of online advice grows with national expansion of occupational licensing

NEW ORLEANSDoes the First Amendment apply to licensed professionals who give advice over the Internet? That is the question to be presented to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans tomorrow in a high-profile case that pits a veterinarian against the Texas Veterinary Board.

Dr. Ron Hinesa disabled retiree and Texas-licensed veterinarianhad begun to use the Internet in 2002 to help pet owners from across the the world, often in remote locations and often for free. He uses the Internet to remain productive and share his lifetime of wisdom and experience. But in 2012, Dr. Hines stopped because he discovered that he had been on a decade-long crime spree: In Texas, as in a majority of states, it is a crime for a veterinarian to give advice over the Internet without having first physically examined the animal.

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Is Advice Given Over The Internet Free Speech?

Texas vetenarian heads to Appeals Court in free speech issue

Updated: Monday, January 5 2015, 10:57 AM CST

NEW ORLEANSDoes the First Amendment apply to licensed professionals who give advice over the Internet? That is the question to be presented to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans tomorrow in a high-profile case that pits a veterinarian against the Texas Veterinary Board.

Dr. Ron Hines -- a disabled retiree and Texas-licensed veterinarian -- had begun to use the Internet in 2002 to help pet owners from across the the world, often in remote locations and often for free. He uses the Internet to remain productive and share his lifetime of wisdom and experience. But in 2012, Dr. Hines stopped because he discovered that he had been on a decade-long crime spree: In Texas, as in a majority of states, it is a crime for a veterinarian to give advice over the Internet without having first physically examined the animal.

On March 25, 2013, the Texas Veterinary Board shut Dr. Hines down, suspended his license, fined him and made him retake portions of the veterinary licensing exam because of his Internet advice. Texas did this without even an allegation that he harmed any animal. In response, Dr. Hines joined with the Institute for Justice to file a free-speech lawsuit in federal court to vindicate his First Amendment right to communicate with people about their pets using the Internet.

"This case is bigger than Ron Hines," said IJ Senior Attorney Jeff Rowes. ";It's about protecting Internet freedom and free speech for Americans everywhere. Rons case raises one of the most important unanswered questions in First Amendment law: When does the governments power to license occupations trump free speech?"

The Institute for Justice is currently litigating two similar cases based out of North Carolina and Kentucky. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition wants to use its licensing power to shut down a blogger who uses the Internet to give advice about the low-carb "Paleolithic," or "Paleo," diet. In Kentucky, John Rosemond -- America's longest running newspaper advice columnist -- was

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Texas vetenarian heads to Appeals Court in free speech issue

onecoin crypto | onecoin cryptocurrency | onecoin currency | onecoin bitcointalk – Video


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Bitstamp Suspended — Hot Wallet Hacked? — Bitcoin $275 — 5th January 2014 – Video


Bitstamp Suspended -- Hot Wallet Hacked? -- Bitcoin $275 -- 5th January 2014
If you enjoy this episode please donate in bitcoins: Donate Bitcoin to Jamie at this address https://blockchain.info/address/1NgmjuqegdRkzkXpTcCbQcmk1HriwSucmy Donate to Thom: https://blockcha...

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Bitstamp Suspended -- Hot Wallet Hacked? -- Bitcoin $275 -- 5th January 2014 - Video

Major Bitcoin Exchange Bitstamp Goes Offline After Possible Hack

Not even a year has passed since top bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox collapsed into a pit of burning money, blaming a hacking incident for a nearly half-billion dollar meltdown and bankruptcy. Now another major exchange may be putting its users through a small-scale replay of that crisis.

Early Monday, a UK- and Slovenia-based bitcoin exchange Bitstamp announced that it would be going offline while it investigated a security compromise of some portion of its stored currency that occurred over the weekend. It hasnt offered many details of the hack, but warned users to immediately stop making deposits to any addresses it issued before 4 a.m. ET Monday. Meanwhile, Bitstamp users money remains frozen in the companys accounts.

Bitstamp takes our security and soundness very seriously, reads a statement on the companys website. In an excess of caution, we are suspending service as we continue to investigate. We will return to service and amend our security measures as appropriate.

The company also tried to reassure users in its statement that theyre not facing a Gox-level debacle. Only the exchanges operational wallet was compromised, it says, a fraction of coins that are frequently bought and sold. Careful exchanges (and users) keep the majority of their bitcoins in cold storage, on computers without any connection to the Internet to prevent their theft. As a security precaution against compromises Bitstamp only maintains a small fraction of customer bitcoins in online systems, the companys statement reads. Bitstamp maintains more than enough offline reserves to cover the compromised bitcoins.

Bitstamps chief executive Nejc Kodri didnt immediately respond to WIREDs request for more information, but commented on Twitter: My sincerest apologies to those who are affected by our service being temporary suspended. He continued, Thank you all for your patience. We are working diligently to restore service and hope to have an ETA later today.

Bitstamp is far from Bitcoins biggest exchange; prior to its suspension it accounted for only about 6 percent of transactions according to bitcoin statistics site Bitcoin Charts. But it had become one of the longest-lived and reputable ways to buy and sell currency in bitcoins volatile economy. After Mt. Goxs bankruptcy, Bitstamp became a popular alternative to top exchanges BTC China, based in Chinas uncertain regulatory environment, and BTC-e, a mysterious operation run by unknown owners thought to be based in Bulgaria.

Were the backbone of the entire Bitcoin industry, Kodri told Forbes last year in an interview. The wallet services, ATM machines, mining companies all rely on us. The price of Bitcoin is the de facto price on Bitstamp. Were the go-to exchange.

Its temporary shutdown due to the theft of a still-unknown number of coins could rattle bitcoin at a bad time. On Monday morning bitcoins price hovered below $270, its lowest since 2013 and down from $375 just a month ago. If Bitstamp doesnt quickly emerge from its downtime and replace any lost coins, cryptocurrencys new year could be off to a unpleasant start.

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Major Bitcoin Exchange Bitstamp Goes Offline After Possible Hack

Major bitcoin exchange suspended

Some, however, are not buying this explanation.

"Don't believe Bitstamp. It's a matter of liquidity," Jeffrey Robinson, author "BitCon: The Naked Truth about Bitcoin" wrote to CNBC. "Who's next? It's as if Bitstamp realized they couldn't internalize the risk anymore so just decided, Let's suspend operations until everything settles down."

Others are in agreement that Bitstamp's issues may go well beyond security. A commentary in the Financial Times posited that the issues could lie in the company's financials becoming unhinged by the falling price, or the economics of mining taking their toll on the exchanges.

The price of bitcoin dropped into the $250-range on Sunday after trading for weeks in the mid $300s.

Bitstamp could not immediately be reached by CNBC for comment.

No matter what the cause of the service halt, Monday's news will be of key importance for the future of the cryptocurrency, according to "Fast Money" trader Brian Kelly.

"This is a critical moment for Bitcoin. As Adam Smith said, 'all money is a matter of confidence' and the reaction to this potential hack will either serve to undermine or bolster confidence," he wrote.

While Mt. Gox, the bitcoin exchange that fell apart in 2014, may have seen mismanagement, Bitstamp has a "highly capable venture capital team," according to Kelly.

In a statement to Coindesk, Bitstamp wrote: "Bitstamp takes our security and soundness very seriously. In an excess of caution, we are suspending service as we continue to investigate. We will return to service and amend our security measures as appropriate."

Here's what Bitstamp CEO Nejc Kodri had to say over Twitter:

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Major bitcoin exchange suspended

Major bitcoin exchange suspended after price drop

Some, however, are not buying this explanation.

"Don't believe Bitstamp. It's a matter of liquidity," Jeffrey Robinson, author "BitCon: The Naked Truth about Bitcoin" wrote to CNBC. "Who's next? It's as if Bitstamp realized they couldn't internalize the risk anymore so just decided, Let's suspend operations until everything settles down."

Others are in agreement that Bitstamp's issues may go well beyond security. A commentary in the Financial Times posited that the issues could lie in the company's financials becoming unhinged by the falling price, or the economics of mining taking their toll on the exchanges.

The price of bitcoin dropped into the $250-range on Sunday after trading for weeks in the mid $300s.

Bitstamp could not immediately be reached by CNBC for comment.

No matter what the cause of the service halt, Monday's news will be of key importance for the future of the cryptocurrency, according to "Fast Money" trader Brian Kelly.

"This is a critical moment for Bitcoin. As Adam Smith said, 'all money is a matter of confidence' and the reaction to this potential hack will either serve to undermine or bolster confidence," he wrote.

While Mt. Gox, the bitcoin exchange that fell apart in 2014, may have seen mismanagement, Bitstamp has a "highly capable venture capital team," according to Kelly.

In a statement to Coindesk, Bitstamp wrote: "Bitstamp takes our security and soundness very seriously. In an excess of caution, we are suspending service as we continue to investigate. We will return to service and amend our security measures as appropriate."

Here's what Bitstamp CEO Nejc Kodri had to say over Twitter:

Originally posted here:

Major bitcoin exchange suspended after price drop

Coin Cloud Launches Bitcoin ATM At Gold Spike Hotel & Casino In Downtown Vegas

Bitcoin continues to expand in Vegas as Coin Cloud opens a BitAccess bitcoin ATM in tech-centric Downtown Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) - Following the success ofCoin Cloud's July launch of the Las Vegas Strip's first bitcoin ATM, the Las Vegas-based company unveils its 2nd bitcoin ATM located inside Gold Spike today.

Coin Cloud is deploying an ATM manufactured byBitAccessto provide digital currency enthusiasts a convenient 24-hour downtown location to buy and sell bitcoin with the touch of a screen.

The new kiosk is located within walking distance of downtown casinos and nearby the pedestrian-centric Fremont Street Experience. The BitAccess machine will be owned and operated by Coin Cloud CEO Chris McAlary, a bitcoin trader and former bitcoin miner.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to offer Las Vegas' downtown community the most cutting edge technology found in BitAccess ATMs and am thrilled to contribute to downtown's continuous growth by providing locals and tourists with easy instant access to bitcoin," said Chris McAlary, owner of Coin Cloud.

The BitAccess ATM is open 24 hours, 7 days a week at Gold Spike located at 217 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas, NV 89101.

About Coin Cloud: Founded in 2014, Coin Cloud provides consumers convenient access to bitcoin, allowing customers the easiest way to buy and sell bitcoin. Coin Cloud also provides package deals for those interested in owning their own bitcoin ATMs. For more information visithttp://www.coincloudatm.comor email info@coincloudnv.com. Keep up with Coin Cloud onTwitter/Facebook.

About BitAccess: BitAccess Inc. is a world leader in Bitcoin ATMs based out of Ottawa, Canada. Founded in 2013, BitAccess BTMs are operational in several countries. With in-house technology expertise, BitAccess empowers anyone to buy or sell bitcoin in less than 60 seconds with just a telephone number.

About Gold Spike: Gold Spike is a coworking space with bar and restaurant by day, and transforms into a giant party by night. Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, Gold Spike boasts a bar and cafe, as well as "The Living Room," and "The Backyard," all operating 24 hours a day. The Living Room is equipped with WiFi, a pool table, shuffleboard, corn hole games, and a healthy selection of board games as well as a giant Connect Four game on one wall. The Backyard is also equipped with cornhole, giant Jenga sets, giant beer pong, hopscotch and four square, and both The Living Room and Backyard feature live music several nights per week. Gold Spike is located at 217 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV 89101. For more information, visit goldspike.com.

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Coin Cloud Launches Bitcoin ATM At Gold Spike Hotel & Casino In Downtown Vegas

ACT Comets batsman Matt Condon teams up with idol Michael Hussey for PM's XI against England

ACT Comets batsman Matt Condon has been selected in the PM's XI team to play England. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

If you have to pick one cricketer to model your game upon, there are few better than Australian great Michael Hussey.

That's exactly what ACT Comets batsman Matt Condon did.

The 18-year-old Batemans Bay product will put all his lessons to good use when he lines up alongside Hussey for the Prime Minister's XI against England at Manuka Oval on January 14.

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Condon was a popular choice for the spot designated for a Canberra player.

Although he now plays his club cricket in Sydney with Easts, Condon developed his game with Wests/UC in the Canberra first-grade competition.

He was the competition's leading run-scorer last summer and has become a regular for the Comets in the Futures League.

Condon secured a rookie contract with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and later this month willcaptain the ACT/NSW Country team at the under-19 national championships in Adelaide. That's after he makes his debut for the PM's XI alongside Hussey, Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, international all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Canberra product Jason Behrendorff.

"It's pretty special for me to play with some big-name players against some quality opposition," Condon said.

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ACT Comets batsman Matt Condon teams up with idol Michael Hussey for PM's XI against England

Healthline and National Psoriasis Foundation Partner for Social Media Initiative Aimed to Empower and Support …

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 05, 2015

Healthline.com, a leading source of timely health information, news and resources, today announced it is partnering with the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), the worlds largest nonprofit serving millions of Americans with psoriatic disease, to launch a new social media initiative aimed at supporting and empowering those who are living with psoriasis. Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the U.S., impacting as many as 7.5 million Americans.

Psoriatic disease has a profound impact on peoples emotional and physical well-being, and people with psoriasis often describe feeling lonely, isolated and embarrassed, said Noe Baker, public relations manager at the National Psoriasis Foundation. The more that people with psoriatic disease are able to connect with others through online and share experiences, the less isolating the disease can be. Social media helps many people with psoriatic disease realize that others know just what theyre going through.

People can participate in two ways:

It's imperative for psoriasis sufferers to know they are not alone, said Alisha Bridges, who has been dealing with psoriasis for 20 years. The biggest help in my coming out with this disease was meeting others who were conquering psoriasis and refusing to be ashamed. The You've Got This campaign is a great way to connect others through the use of social media.

We know from creating other support communities for HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder that people living with chronic illness really value hearing from those who are also affected by it. Insights from fellow community members can be extremely impactful, especially for those who are recently diagnosed and coming to terms with their new reality, said Tracy Rosecrans, VP of marketing for Healthline.com. Now, through Healthlines partnership with the NPF, the psoriasis community has its own place to share personal journeys and spread the message to others that they are not aloneand theyve got this.

About the National Psoriasis Foundation National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is the world's largest organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our priority is to provide the information and services for people to take control of their condition, while increasing research to find a cure. In addition to serving more than 2.1 million people annually through our patient and professional education and advocacy initiatives, NPF has funded more than $11 million in psoriatic disease research. Visit us online at http://www.psoriasis.org or call 800.723.9166. Follow NPF on Facebook and Twitter.

About Healthline Healthline provides intelligent health information and technology solutions that help healthcare organizations and everyday people make more informed healthcare decisions, improve outcomes and reduce costs. Powered by the worlds largest medical taxonomy platform, Healthlines Health Data Solutions, Health Engagement Solutions and Health Marketing Solutions leverage advanced concept-mapping technology to deliver accurate, actionable insights. Additionally, the companys consumer website, Healthline.com, delivers relevant, timely health information, news and resources to help consumers manage their health. Healthline is currently used by more than 25 million consumers per month and some of healthcares largest brands, including AARP, Aetna, UnitedHealth Group, Microsoft, IBM, GE and Elsevier. For more information, please visit corp.healthline.com and http://www.healthline.com, or follow @HealthlineCorp and @Healthline on Twitter.

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Woman, 50, has huge patches of silver 'bark' forming all over her body due to 'hideous' skin condition psoriasis

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT Pat Schuerman, 50, was diagnosed with skin condition psoriasis at age 24 Patches of thick, red welts and rough, silvery scales that look like bark or plaster of Paris are forming all over her body, leaving her feeling 'hideous' Has been thrown out of shops as owners worry her condition is contagious Developed psoriatic arthritis in her joints which makes walking difficult Now no longer leaves the house due to insecurities over her looks

By Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published: 09:56 EST, 5 January 2015 | Updated: 15:31 EST, 5 January 2015

Pat Schuerman, 50, says she no longer leaves the house because insecurities over her psoriasis have left her feeling 'hideous' and like a 'leper'

A woman has described how unsightly patches of silvery 'bark' are forming all over her body as a result of the skin condition psoriasis.

Pat Schuerman, 50, is covered in thick, red welts and rough, silvery scales, which she described as 'looking like bark' or 'plaster of Paris'.

She is constantly itching and feels 'hideous', but despite trying a range of treatments to help manage her condition, nothing has worked.

She now no longer leaves the house due to her insecurities, and has also developed arthritis in her joints - a problem related to her skin condition - making walking painful.

Her insecurities grew after she was thrown out a library and swimming pool due to psoriasis, which also affects celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, LeAnne Rimes and The Only Way Is Essex's Jessica Wright.

'I was asked to leave our local library because people complained I was getting flakes on the keyboard,' Miss Schuerman from Arizona, U.S., said.

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Woman, 50, has huge patches of silver 'bark' forming all over her body due to 'hideous' skin condition psoriasis

Wearable tech set to go mainstream among travellers

According to "The Global Trends Report", which is created exclusively for the "World Travel Market" event by Euromonitor International's travel and tourism research team, travel technology, and especially wearable electronic tools - accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies and designed to incorporate practical functions and features - will erupt in tourism business, as they become an important way for travellers to connect with the Internet while on the go.

The report states that wearable Internet-connected devices will allow travellers to constantly receive notifications and services during their trip, as well as make bookings.

Furthermore, the technology represents a challenge for travel companies, which will need to build a flexible technological architecture to follow their customers from one device to another.

Simon Press, World Travel Market's senior exhibition director, said in November at the annual global travel show in London that wearable-electronics technology was now expected to go mainstream by 2016.

The Internet-connected devices are expected to soar from 9 million units sold globally in 2013 to a forecast 180 million in 2016.

Products currently on sale include the Sony SmartWatch, Samsung Galaxy Gear and Google Glass.

Google has also developed Android Wear software for wearable electronics, while the Apple Watch will go on sale early this year and is expected to take the sector by storm, as other Apple products have done for smart phones and tablets.

Asian trends

Meanwhile, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation estimates that more than 500 million tourists travelled to Asia last year, and that the number will continue to surge this year, with China leading the swell.

With the growth of inbound and outbound tourists in the Asia-Pacific region, international arrivals into Asia are increasing by 6.3 per cent per year, higher than the world average of 5.3 per cent.

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Wearable tech set to go mainstream among travellers

Etihad named world's top airline for sixth straight year

Etihad Airways has been awarded the title of Worlds Leading Airline for the sixth straight year at this years World Travel Awards (WTA).

The Abu Dhabi-based airline also scooped a further two awards - Worlds Leading First Class and Worlds Leading Cabin Crew.

The World Travel Awards are decided through a global vote by more than 500,000 travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers from 171 countries, with the ceremony held this year on the paradise island of Anguilla in the Caribbean.

James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways, said: Winning three of the industrys highest accolades is a demonstration of our commitment to be best in class in every market in which we operate.

Etihad Airways strives for continuous innovation and improvement in product and service, because we know that is how we will maintain our industry leadership and create the best possible travel experience for our guests.

In 2014 the airline unveiled its new Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner product and service offering, including The Residence by Etihad, the worlds first three-room suite.

This was followed by the unveiling of the Facets of Abu Dhabi aircraft livery design and the airline rolling out its first Airbus A380 in Hamburg, Germany and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Seattle, US.

During 2014, Etihad launched 10 new routes and also signed a transaction implementation agreement to acquire 49 percent shareholding in Alitalia.

Graham E Cooke, World Travel Awards Founder and President, said: For over 20 years, the World Travel Awards has been rewarding brands which push the boundaries of industry excellence. Etihad Airways has now taken home the Worlds Leading Airline award for six years in a row - a tremendous achievement.

"The airlines strategy of organic growth, codeshare partnerships and minority equity stakes coupled with exceptional customer service, has delivered outstanding results and rising passenger growth.

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Etihad named world's top airline for sixth straight year