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Saturday 29 April 2017

Top 10 Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

For centuries, flaxseeds have been prized for their health-protective properties.
In fact, Charles the Great ordered his subjects to eat flaxseeds for their health. So it’s no wonder they acquired the name Linum usitatissimum, meaning “the most useful.”
Nowadays, flaxseeds are emerging as a “super food” as more scientific research points to their health benefits.
Here are 10 health benefits of flaxseeds that are backed by science.

1. FLAXSEEDS ARE LOADED WITH NUTRIENTS

Grown since the beginning of civilization, flaxseeds are one of the oldest crops. There are two types, brown and golden, which are equally nutritious.
A typical serving size for ground flaxseeds is 1 tablespoon (7 grams).
Just one tablespoon provides a good amount of protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to being a rich source of some vitamins and minerals.
One tablespoon of ground flaxseeds contains the following (1):
  • Calories: 37
  • Protein: 1.3 grams
  • Carbs: 2 grams
  • Fiber: 1.9 grams
  • Total fat: 3 grams
  • Saturated fat: 0.3 grams
  • Monounsaturated fat: 0.5 grams
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 2.0 grams
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: 1,597 mg
  • Vitamin B1: 8% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B6: 2% of the RDI
  • Folate: 2% of the RDI
  • Calcium: 2% of the RDI
  • Iron: 2% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 7% of the RDI
  • Phosphorus: 4% of the RDI
  • Potassium: 2% of the RDI
Interestingly, flaxseeds’ health benefits are mainly attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fiber they contain.
Summary: Flaxseeds are good sources of many nutrients. Their health benefits are mainly due to their content of omega-3 fats, lignans and fiber.

2. FLAXSEEDS ARE HIGH IN OMEGA-3 FATS

If you are a vegetarian or don’t eat fish, flaxseeds can be your best source of omega-3 fats.
They are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a mostly plant-based omega-3 fatty acid (2).
ALA is one of the two essential fatty acids that you have to obtain from the food you eat, as your body doesn’t produce them.
Animal studies have shown that the ALA in flaxseeds prevented cholesterol from being deposited in the blood vessels of the heart, reduced inflammation in the arteries and reduced tumor growth (345).
A Costa Rican study involving 3,638 people found that those who ate more ALA had a lower risk of heart attack than those who consumed less ALA (6).
Also, a large review of 27 studies involving more than 250,000 people found that ALA was linked to a 14% lower risk of heart disease (7).
Numerous studies have also linked ALA to a lower risk of stroke (8910).
Furthermore, a recent review of observational data concluded that ALA had heart health benefits comparable to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two of the more well-known omega-3 fats (11).
Summary: Flaxseeds are a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA. Plant-based ALA fatty acids are proven to have heart health benefits and are linked to a lower risk of stroke.

3. FLAXSEEDS ARE A RICH SOURCE OF LIGNANS, WHICH MAY REDUCE CANCER RISK

Lignans are plant compounds that have antioxidant and estrogen properties, both of which can help lower the risk of cancer and improve health (12).
Interestingly, flaxseeds contain up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods (5).
Observational studies show that those who eat flaxseeds have a lower risk of breast cancer, particularly postmenopausal women (13).
Additionally, according to a Canadian study involving more than 6,000 women, those who eat flaxseeds are 18% less likely to develop breast cancer (14).
However, men can also benefit from eating flaxseeds.
In a small study including 15 men, those given 30 grams of flaxseeds a day while following a low-fat diet showed reduced levels of a prostate cancer marker, suggesting a lower risk of prostate cancer (15).
Flaxseeds also appeared to have the potential to prevent colon and skin cancers in laboratory and animal studies. Yet, more research is needed to confirm this (16).
Nevertheless, the evidence thus far points to flaxseeds being a potentially valuable food in the fight against various cancers. 
Summary: Flaxseeds contain a group of nutrients called lignans, which have powerful antioxidant and estrogen properties. They may help in preventing breast and prostate cancer, as well as other types of cancer.

4. FLAXSEEDS ARE RICH IN DIETARY FIBER

Just one tablespoon of flaxseeds contains 3 grams of fiber, which is 8–12% of the daily recommended intake for men and women, respectively (17).
What’s more, flaxseeds contain two types of dietary fiber — soluble (20–40%) and insoluble (60–80%).
This fiber duo gets fermented by the bacteria in the large bowel, bulks up stools and results in more regular bowel movements.
On one hand, soluble fiber increases the consistency of the contents of your intestine and slows down your digestion rate. This has been shown to help regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol (18).
On the other hand, insoluble fiber allows more water to bind to the stools, increases their bulk and results in softer stools. This is useful for preventing constipation and for those who have irritable bowel syndrome or diverticular disease (5).
Summary: With so much fiber packed in each tiny seed, adding flaxseeds to your diet promotes regular bowel movements and can improve your digestive health.

5. FLAXSEEDS MAY IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL

Another health benefit of flaxseeds is their ability to lower cholesterol levels.
In one study in people with high cholesterol, consuming 3 tablespoons (30 grams) of flaxseed powder daily for three months lowered total cholesterol by 17% and “bad” LDL cholesterol by almost 20% (19).
Another study of people with diabetes found that taking 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of flaxseed powder daily for one month resulted in a 12% increase in “good” HDL cholesterol (20).
In postmenopausal women, consuming 30 grams of flaxseeds daily lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by approximately 7% and 10%, respectively (21).
These effects appear to be due to the fiber in flaxseeds, as it binds to bile salts and is then excreted by the body.
To replenish these bile salts, cholesterol is pulled from your blood into your liver. This process lowers your blood levels of cholesterol (18).
This is definitely good news for those wanting to improve their cholesterol.
Summary: The high fiber content of flaxseeds can help lower cholesterol and may play an important role in improving heart health.

6. FLAXSEEDS MAY LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

Studies on flaxseeds have also focused on its natural ability to lower blood pressure (22).
A Canadian study found eating 30 grams of flaxseeds daily for six months lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg and 7 mmHg, respectively (23).
For those who were already taking blood pressure medication, flaxseeds lowered blood pressure even further and decreased the number of patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure by 17% (23).
Furthermore, according to a large review that looked at data from 11 studies, taking flaxseeds daily for more than three months lowered blood pressure by 2 mmHg (24).
While that might seem insignificant, a 2-mmHg reduction in blood pressure can lower the risk of dying from stroke by 10% and from heart disease by 7% (25).
Summary: Flaxseeds have been proven to lower blood pressure and are especially helpful for those with high blood pressure.

7. THEY CONTAIN HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN

Flaxseeds are a great source of plant-based protein, and there’s growing interest in flaxseed protein and its health benefits. Flaxseed protein is rich in the amino acids arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid (2627).
Numerous lab and animal studies have shown that flaxseed protein helped improve immune function, lowered cholesterol, prevented tumors and had anti-fungal properties (282930).
If you are considering cutting back on meat and worried that you will be too hungry, flaxseeds may just be your answer.
In fact, in one recent study, 21 adults were given an animal protein meal or plant protein meal. The study found no difference in terms of appetite, satiety or food intake noted between the two meals (31).
It’s likely both the animal and plant protein meals stimulated hormones in the gut to bring about the feeling of fullness, which resulted in eating less at the next meal.
Summary: Flaxseeds are a good source of plant-based protein and can be an alternative protein source for people who do not eat meat.

8. FLAXSEEDS MAY HELP CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR

Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem worldwide.
It’s characterized by high blood sugar levels as a result of either the body’s inability to secrete insulin or resistance to it.
A few studies have found that people with type 2 diabetes who added 10–20 grams of flaxseed powder to their daily diet for at least one month saw reductions of 8–20% in blood sugar levels (203233).
This blood sugar-lowering effect is notably due to flaxseeds’ insoluble fiber content. Research has found that insoluble fiber slows down the release of sugar into the blood and reduces blood sugar (534).
However, one study found no change in blood sugar levels or any improvement in diabetes management (35).
This might be due to the small numbers of subjects in the study and the use of flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil lacks fiber, which is credited with flaxseeds’ ability to lower blood sugar.
Overall, flaxseeds can be a beneficial and nutritious addition to the diet of people with diabetes.
Summary: Flaxseeds may lower blood sugar due to their insoluble fiber content. They can be a beneficial addition to the diet of people with diabetes.

9. FLAXSEEDS KEEP HUNGER AT BAY, WHICH MAY AID WEIGHT CONTROL

If you have the tendency to snack between meals, you might want to consider adding flaxseeds to your beverage to stave off hunger pangs.
One study found that adding 25 grams of ground flaxseeds to a beverage reduced feelings of hunger and overall appetite (36).
The feelings of reduced hunger were likely due to the soluble fiber content of flaxseeds. It slows digestion in the stomach, which triggers a host of hormones that control appetite and provide a feeling of fullness (373839).
Flaxseeds’ dietary fiber content may aid weight control by suppressing hunger and increasing feelings of fullness.
Summary: Flaxseeds keep you full for longer and may help you manage your weight by controlling your appetite.

10. FLAXSEEDS CAN BE A VERSATILE INGREDIENT

Flaxseeds or flaxseed oil can be added to many common foods. Try the following:
  • Adding them to water and drinking it as part of your daily fluid intake
  • Drizzling flaxseed oil as a dressing on salad
  • Sprinkling ground flaxseeds over your hot or cold breakfast cereal
  • Mixing ground flaxseeds into your favorite yogurt
  • Adding ground flaxseeds into cookie, muffin, bread or other batters
  • Mixing ground flaxseeds into smoothies to thicken up the consistency
  • Adding ground flaxseeds to water as an egg substitute
  • Incorporating flaxseeds into meat patties
Summary: Flaxseeds are versatile can be easily added to your daily diet. There are a variety of recipes you can try.

TIPS FOR ADDING FLAXSEEDS TO YOUR DIET

Many impressive health benefits are attributed to consuming flaxseeds.
Here are some tips on how you can add these tiny seeds into your diet.

Consume Ground Seeds Rather Than Whole

Opt for ground flaxseeds, as they are easier to digest.
You won’t reap as many benefits from whole flaxseeds, as your intestines cannot break down the tough outer shell of the seeds.
That being said, you can still buy whole flaxseeds, grind them in a coffee grinder and store the ground flaxseeds in an airtight container.

What About Flaxseed Oil?

The resurgence of the use of flaxseed oil is due to its nutritional properties and health benefits.
It’s usually extracted by a process called cold pressing.
Given that oil is sensitive to heat and light, it’s best kept in dark glass bottles and stored in a dark, cool place like a kitchen cabinet.
Because some of its nutrients are heat sensitive, flaxseed oil is not suitable for high-temperature cooking.
Nevertheless, some studies have shown that using flaxseed oil in light stir-frying of up to 350°F/177°C did not cause any reduction in the quality of the oil (5).
It’s worth noting that flaxseed oil contains more ALA than flaxseeds. One tablespoon of ground flaxseeds contains 1.6 grams, while one tablespoon of flaxseed oil contains 7 grams.
Nonetheless, flaxseeds contain a host of other beneficial nutrients that are not included in its extracted oil, such as fiber. To fully reap the health benefits of flaxseeds, ground flaxseeds will make a great first choice.

How Much Do You Need?

The health benefits noted in the studies above were observed with just 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of ground flaxseeds per day.
However, it’s recommended to keep serving sizes to less than 5 tablespoons (50 grams) of flaxseeds per day.
Summary: Ground flaxseeds provide the greatest health benefits. If using flaxseed oil, remember to store it in a cool, dark place and use it when cooking at a lower temperature to retain its nutritional properties.

THE BOTTOM LINE

When it comes to nutritional goodness, flaxseeds are full of it.
Though tiny, they are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, lignans and fiber, all of which have been shown to have many potential health benefits.
They can be used to improve digestive health, lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, reduce the risk of cancer and may benefit people with diabetes.
As a versatile food ingredient, flaxseeds or flaxseed oil are easy to add to your diet.
With many proven health benefits and possibly more, there’s no better time than now to grab some flaxseeds from your local grocery store.

10 Amazing Reasons to Love (and Eat) Grapefruit

Grapefruit is rarely mentioned as a superfood extraordinaire.  Nutrition authors rarely give it a place on their top foods lists.  Few people even consider grapefruit for its health-promoting properties.  Yet, this humble citrus fruit deserves to take its rightful place among the superfood giants. Here are 10 health benefits of grapefruits and why you might want to add them to your daily diet:

HIGH IN VITAMIN C

Let’s start with the most obvious reason—grapefruit is high in immune-boosting vitamin C. Grapefruit’s vitamin C content also naturally boosts the body’s amount of glutathione, which helps to conquer the effects of stress and aging.

HIGH IN ANTIVIRAL PHYTONUTRIENTS

Grapefruit contains a group of phytonutrients called terpene limonoids which have been shown in many studies to have anti-cancer effects.  (Source: Phytozyme Cure). Terpene limonoids also help to give cold and flu viruses the boot and lower high cholesterol levels.

EXCELLENT WEIGHT LOSS FOOD

In one study at John Hopkins University, women who eat grapefruit daily shed almost 20 pounds on average in only 13 weeks, without changing anything else in their diet or lifestyle. 

NATURAL ANTI-PAIN PROPERTIES

Grapefruit is a natural pain reliever, thanks to its natural aspirin content, salicylic acid.

CLEANS ARTERIAL BUILDUP

Grapefruit contains a special type of fiber, called pectin which binds to cholesterol and helps to remove arterial buildup.

ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES

Grapefruit is high in limonene that has natural anti-cancer properties, particularly against stomach and pancreatic cancer. You’ll need to add grapefruit zest to your foods since most of the limonene is found in grapefruit’s skin.

ANTIOXIDANT SOURCE

Grapefruit contains powerful antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from damage.

FIBER SOURCE

As a source of fiber, grapefruit also helps keep you regular and promotes intestinal health.

LYCOPENE SOURCE

Pink grapefruit contains lycopene, which helps protect against bladder, cervical and pancreatic cancer.

HEALING SMELL

Regularly smelling the scent of grapefruit was shown to suppress weight gain, according to research published in Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Other research at the Department of Nursing at the Wonkwang Health Science College in Korea found that abdominal massage with specific essential oils, including grapefruit oil, reduced belly fat in post-menopausal women. The women who used the grapefruit-lemon-cypress oil blend had significantly less abdominal fat at the end of the study. Their waist measurements dropped significantly compared to the control group.

32 Surprising Sources of Toxic Heavy Metals

Heavy metal is a serious threat to the health of your body and brain. I’m not referring to Ozzy Osbourne or Metallica here, although too much head-banging has probably damaged more than a few brain cells.  I’m referring to the metals found in food, water, air and many commercially-available products. Products you or your family or pets may interact with every day.
Don’t panic—power is knowledge. Use this list of toxins, and the surprising places they might be lurking, to inform your buying decisions.

ALUMINUM

Although not technically a heavy metal, aluminum is a metal that can pose a serious threat to health, particularly with excessive exposure. It has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Aluminum is found in:
-Baby formula
-Baked goods and processed foods
-Deodorants
-Over-the-counter and prescription antacids
-Other pharmaceutical drugs as a binding agent
-Aluminum pots and pans
-Shampoo
-Skin cream

 


CADMIUM

Cadmium has serious repercussions for the brain and inhibits the body’s ability to use nutrients like iron, zinc and calcium, leaving people more vulnerable to bone and immune system disorders.  Cadmium is found in: 
-Automobile seat covers
-Black rubber
-Burned motor oil
-Ceramics
-Cigarettes
-Evaporated milk
-Fertilizers
-Floor coverings
-Fungicides
-Furniture
-Refined wheat flour (white flour)
-Silver polish
-Soft drinks from vending machines with cadmium in the pipes
  

LEAD

Linked to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, learning disabilities, seizure disorders, aggression, hyperactivity and many other health issues.  It is found in:
-Canned food
-Cigarette smoke (firsthand or secondhand)
-Colored, glossy newsprint
-Some ceramic dishes
-Lead paint in older homes
-Lead water pipes in older buildings
-Refined chocolate
-Vehicle emissions (yes, even though lead gasoline was banned two decades ago in some countries)
  

MERCURY

Known for its speedy ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to affect the brain, mercury is linked to neurological, psychological and immunological disorders in people, including diseases like Alzheimer’s.  It has also been linked to heart arrhythmias, headaches, blurred vision and weakness. It is found in:
-Dental fillings: Many dentists cite studies that show no mercury particles were released from fillings but numerous studies show that mercury is primarily released as a vapor to gain access to the brain and blood.
-Fish: Not all fish, but many farmed varieties tend to be contaminated with mercury.
-Immunizations: Many vaccines, even those used for children contain the mercury-based preservative thimerosol in excessive amounts, for both children and adults.

Raw Cabbage Juice alkalinizes the body, stimulates the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, heals ulcers, prevents cancer

There is not a lot we can say for sure about ulcers other than they hurt… a lot!  Medical professionals have prognosticated about the root cause of ulcers for years but have not settled on one.  They have claimed ulcers are due to such things as stress, alcohol, pharmaceutical use and most recently genetics.  To sum it up, they have no idea.  Nor do they have a quick solution for you as many conventional treatments take up to 40-50 days!  However, there is one natural solution that has had the support of medical research behind it for decades, but has not been publicized (such is often the case with effective natural remedies that are not tied to a brand nor profitable). 

Cabbage juice one of the most advanced natural treatments for ulcers

In 1950, Dr. Garnett Cheney published an article entitled “Rapid Healing of Peptic Ulcers in Patients Receiving Fresh Cabbage Juice” .  For whatever reason it was widely ignored by the medical community.  In 1952 and 1955 two subsequent studies (one interestingly conducted on inmates of San Quinton Prison) backed Dr. Cheney’s findings.  What Dr. Cheney and  subsequent researchers concluded can be summed up in the following extract from Dr. Garnett’s article:  “The average crater healing time for seven of these patients who had duodenal ulcer was only 10.4 days, while the average time as reported in the literature, in 62 patients treated by standard therapy, was 37 days… The average crater healing time for six patients with gastric ulcer treated with cabbage juice was only 7.3 days, compared with 42 days, as reported in the literature, for six patients treated by standard therapy.”  
 
Dr. Cheney credited the success of cabbage juice to the presence of the amino acid S-methylmethionine (which he called Vitamin U).  Patients in the study consumed 1 quart of raw cabbage juice per day.
Additionally, raw Cabbage Juice alkalinizes the body, stimulates the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, heals ulcers, prevents cancer
Here is how how you can make 1 quart of cabbage juice per day! 
 
Fresh Cabbage Juice (1qt)
First Batch
  1. Boil water
  2. dice 9 cups of raw cabbage
  3. Add along with 4 1/2 cups of boiling water to a blender
  4. blend
  5. strain
  6. pour into a air tight jar or container (cover the jar or container with plastic wrap to ensure it is air tight)
  7. allow to sit at room temperature for 3 days (try to keep it at 72°f +/- ten degrees)
  8. Chill and serve
The above recipe makes a little more than a quart, this is on purpose as you will need to save the last half cup or so make the next batch:
Second Batch +
Now that you have made one batch, the subsequent batches will only need 1 day to ferment as long as you add at least a half cup from the previous batch, etc.
  1. repeat steps 1-5
  2. add 1/2 cup or more of the left over previous batch to the new batch before you ferment it.
  3. allow batch 2 to sit at room temperature for 24 hours
  4. chill
now batch 2 is ready for consumption and repeat for batch 3, etc.

Friday 28 April 2017

NASA to face space suit crunch in future, says report

As per a new study, experts say that NASA is quite ill prepared to have space suit for future missions and it might have to face a crunch in deep-space missions.
The spacesuits NASA astronauts currently use on the International Space Station (ISS) -- known as Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU) -- were developed more than 40 years ago and have far outlasted their original 15-year design life.
"Despite spending nearly $200 million on NASA`s next-generation spacesuit technologies, the Agency remains years away from having a flight-ready spacesuit capable of replacing the EMU or suitable for use on future exploration missions," NASA Office of Inspector General`s Office of Audits said in the report.
"As different missions require different designs, the lack of a formal plan and specific destinations for future missions has complicated spacesuit development. Moreover, the Agency has reduced the funding dedicated to spacesuit development in favour of other priorities such as an in-space habitat," the report said.
Meanwhile, NASA seems to be running out of the space suits it does have for the astronauts on the ISS. Only a fraction of the original space suit supply for the station is fully functional right now, and NASA may risk not having enough space suits to last through the end of the ISS programme, currently scheduled for 2024, The Verge reported on Thursday.

US says time to act on North Korea, China says not up to Beijing alone

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned on Friday that failure to curb North Korea`s nuclear and missile development could lead to `catastrophic consequences,` while China and Russia cautioned Washington against threatening military force.

Washington has recently lavished praise on Beijing for its efforts to rein in its ally Pyongyang, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made clear to the U.N. Security Council it was not only up to China to solve the North Korean problem.
"The key to solving the nuclear issue on the peninsula does not lie in the hands of the Chinese side," Wang told the 15-member council in remarks contradicting the White House belief that it does wield significant influence.
The ministerial meeting of the council, chaired by Tillerson, exposed old divisions between the United States and China on how to deal with North Korea. China wants talks first and action later, while the United States wants North Korea to curtail its nuclear program before such talks start.
"It is necessary to put aside the debate over who should take the first step and stop arguing who is right and who is wrong," Wang told the council. "Now is the time to seriously consider resuming talks."
Tillerson responded: "We will not negotiate our way back to the negotiating table with North Korea, we will not reward their violations of past resolutions, we will not reward their bad behavior with talks."
North Korea did not take part in the meeting.
In Tillerson`s first visit to the United Nations he scolded the Security Council for not fully enforcing sanctions against North Korea, saying if the body had acted, tensions over its nuclear program might not have escalated.
"Failing to act now on the most pressing security issue in the world may bring catastrophic consequences," he said.
The United States was not pushing for regime change and preferred a negotiated solution, but Pyongyang, for its own sake, should dismantle its nuclear and missile programs, he said.
"The threat of a nuclear attack on Seoul, or Tokyo, is real, and it`s only a matter of time before North Korea develops the capability to strike the U.S. mainland," Tillerson said.
Tillerson repeated the Trump administration`s position that all options are on the table if Pyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development, but Wang said military threats would not help.
`FRIGHTENING` CONSEQUENCES
Wang said dialogue and negotiations were the "only way out."
"The use of force does not solve differences and will only lead to bigger disasters," he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov cautioned on Friday that the use of force would be "completely unacceptable."
"The combative rhetoric coupled with reckless muscle-flexing has led to a situation where the whole world seriously is now wondering whether there`s going to be a war or not," he told the council. "One ill thought out or misinterpreted step could lead to the most frightening and lamentable consequences."
Gatilov said North Korea felt threatened by regular joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises and the deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier group to waters off the Korean peninsula.
China and Russia both also repeated their opposition to the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea. Gatilov described it as a "destabilizing effort," while Wang said it damaged trust among the parties on the North Korea issue.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told the council that to bring North Korea back to the table the international community "must send a strong message that provocation comes at a high price."
"There is no doubt that dialogue is necessary ... however under the current situation where North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, meaningful dialogue is clearly not possible," he said.
The Trump administration is focusing its North Korea strategy on tougher economic sanctions, possibly including an oil embargo, a global ban on its airline, intercepting cargo ships and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang, U.S. officials told Reuters earlier this month.
Since 2006, North Korea has been subject to U.N. sanctions aimed at impeding the development of its nuclear and missile programs. The council has strengthened sanctions following each of North Korea`s five nuclear tests.

Hannity Comes Forward with BOMBSHELL WARNING: “End of Fox News Channel As We Know It”

Things haven’t been going well at Fox News.
Bill O’Reilly, the face of Fox News, was pushed out after sexual harassment allegations.
Jesse Watters is in trouble for a comment he made about Ivanka Trump.
We all know how the Roger Ailes situation went down.

Now, rumors are swirling that the co-president of Fox could be on the chopping block.
According to Sean Hannity, that’s a huge mistake that could be the end of FNC as we know it.
From Variety:
Sean Hannity took to Twitter Thursday to defend embattled Fox News co-president Bill Shine following a report that suggested Shine’s future with the network could be on unsteady ground.

“Gäbe i pray this is NOT true because if it is, that’s the total end of the FNC as we know it. Done. Best Sean,” Hannity tweeted, with a link to Gabe Sherman’s New York magazine story citing unnamed sources who claimed that Shine has become worried about what he perceives as lack of public support for him from 21st Century Fox leaders Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch. Hannity then apologized for inserting a diaeresis into Sherman’s name, writing, “Ha. Gabe sorry about the 2 dots. I couldn’t do that again if I tried. Best Sean.”
Hannity and Shine have a long history at the 21st Century Fox-owned cable-news outlet. Hannity recommended that Fox News hire Shine early in the network’s history, and Shine was an early producer on “Hannity & Colmes,” one of the first primetime programs on the network’s schedule.

 Fox has still been killing it in the ratings so they have that to hang their hat on.
However, they need to get it together on the public relations front.