David Beslic just wanted to send a few items back to family in his native Croatia from his home in Toronto.
So he went to Amazon, purchased what he wanted (A blender, one laptop case and two keyboard covers) and listed an Croatian address as the place of delivery.
Sounds simple enough in this ever connected globalized economy. Nothing that Amazon can’t handle.
Yeah, not so much.
Yep. The shipping and handling was 1,000,000 for the four items that only cost $59.96.
Beslic took his surprise and frustration to Facebook where a friend of his who works for Amazon became aware of the situation. The friend is apparently bringing it to the attention of higher ups at the company.
Like this piece? Rise News just launched a few weeks ago and is only getting started. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with global news. Have a news tip? Send it to us- [email protected].
Photo Credit: David Beslic/ Facebook
What Do You Think?
-
5 Valentine’s Day Ideas That Won’t Bore You To Death
By Vanessa Paredes
Approximately 62 percent of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day every year, and it’s safe to say most of them are going out to dinner…snooze!
Restaurants will be crammed with hundreds of grumpy couples and overwhelmed waiters collectively wishing the night would just be over already. Consider these much more creative ways to show your S.O. you care on February 14th.
- Painted Love
Photo Credit: Jeff Kubina/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Make love AND art with the Love is Art Kit. The kit provides couples everything they need to craft a one-of-a-kind abstract painting, while being intimate with one another. Rolling around in paint isn’t only sexy, but a great bonding experience without ever stepping foot outside of the house.
- What’s Cooking Good Looking?
Photo Credit: Jeff Kubina/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Avoiding restaurants but still want to eat? Don’t blame you. Luckily there’s a more unique way to grub with your lover and learn some valuable skills while you’re at it. Find a local spot that offers cooking classes like Sur La Table and cook up some romance together. Extra points if the class focuses on aphrodisiacs!
- Plan A Staycation
Photo Credit: Francine Mastini/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Vacations aren’t cheap, so plan a Staycation with the beau in your favorite nearby city and get away from it all without having to go very far. Order room service, throw on those white fluffy robes, and take advantage of all of the hotel amenities the next day.
- Brew Up Some Romance
Photo Credit: Karen Neoh/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Bonding over some brewskis should be a no brainer for some. Local breweries offer tours, tasting, and events perfect for beer loving duos to sip on some of the local flavors their city has to offer.
- Let’s Get Physical
They say couples that sweat together, stay together, and if that’s true it might be worth a shot to do something physical on V-day with your significant other. Consider something that builds trust like rock climbing, relaxing like kayaking or competitive like shooting some hoops at your local court to score big with your one true love.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. Anyone can write for us as long as you are fiercely interested in making the world a better place.
Cover Photo Credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
What Do You Think?
-
Man Who Asked To See Star Wars Film Early Has Died At 32
Daniel Fleetwood, the terminally ill man who asked to see the upcoming film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” early has died at the age of 32.
Fleetwood’s wife Ashley made the announcement on Facebook:
“Daniel put up an amazing fight to the very end. He is now one with God and with the force. He passed in his sleep and in peace. He will always be my idol and my hero. Please hug uncle Marc for me and give Lucy lots of kisses. Rest in peace my love. This was the last selfie we ever took together.”
Photo Credit: Ashley Fleetwood/ Facebook
Fleetwood, a major Star Wars fan since childhood according to Entertainment Weekly, “had been diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, a connective tissue cancer, and did not expect to live until The Force Awakens’ Dec. 18 release date.”
After a few news articles were published about Fleetwood, a social media campaign under the banner of #ForceForDaniel went viral and eventually reached director JJ Abrams who allowed for Fleetwood to see an unfinished cut of the film.
Like this piece? Rise News just launched a few weeks ago and is only getting started. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with global news. Have a news tip? (No matter how big or small!) Send it to us- [email protected].
Cover Photo Credit: Ashley Fleetwood/ Facebook
What Do You Think?
-
Yeah, Alabama’s Governor Probably Had An Affair. So What?
In politics, matters of morality shouldn’t be adjudicated in the public sphere unless they are connected to illicit rule breaking or are egregious in nature.
And the same should be true in Alabama as well.
Spencer Collier, the freshly fired chief of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency made some pretty explosive public claims to AL.com this week about Gov. Robert Bentley‘s alleged extramarital affair with a senior political aide named Rebekah Caldwell Mason.
There have been rumors of an affair for over a year but Collier is the most high profile official to speak out about it on the record.
Bentley has always maintained that the rumors are untrue.
Yellowhammer News followed up today with a tawdry report that outlined an audio recording that the conservative news organization was given access to.
From the Yellowhammer report:
“In the recordings, the Governor calls Mrs. Mason “baby” and discusses how much he enjoys standing behind her and touching her breasts. He also references a past encounter and says if they are going to do “that” again, they will need to start locking the door and also consider moving “Wanda’s” desk further away, presumably referencing executive assistant Wanda Kelly, whose Capitol office is just outside of the Governor’s.”
Then Collier held a press conference today where he confirmed that he believed Bentley conducted a long-lasting affair with Mason.
Collier was fired from his post as the top cop in the state yesterday after an internal Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigation “uncovered possible wrong doing under Collier’s time as its leader,” according to AL.com.
“Spencer Collier and I have served together a long time, dating back to my time in the Alabama House of Representatives,” Bentley said in a statement announcing Collier’s ouster. “I am disappointed to learn these facts, and today I relieve Spencer Collier of his duties as ALEA secretary.”
From 30,000 feet, Collier’s claims do seem to have a few problems.
First off, Collier is an aggrieved former employee.
Also, the man who Collier alleges first discovered evidence of the affair has said that he doesn’t support Collier’s allegations against Bentley.
“The allegation and implication from Mr. Collier is completely false and without merit,” Stan Stabler, the new ALEA head said in a statement obtained by AL.com. “ALEA is focused on the future and my priority remains the same – to carry out the mission of the agency and ensure our law enforcement officers and support staff honorably provide service, protection, and safety for all of our citizens.”
Of course, it could be equally argued that Stabler had a lot to gain by not backing up Collier.
In any event, not much is clear based on the current “evidence” available in the public sphere.
And that is the point.
Yes, it may be interesting, juicy, scandalous even.
But an affair, even one between a governor and his top political aide is not illegal on its face.
And the affair should not be the focus, especially not in 2016.
What does matter is whether Bentley used taxpayer money or state resources to hide his affair.
Collier said in the press conference that he advised Bentley against doing that when he found out about the affair, but he also hasn’t supplied evidence that the governor has broken the law.
Of course, this should be investigated further.
Collier also claims that Mason has an outsized amount of influence and power in the Bentley administration. That is concerning to be sure, but is it illegal?
What also matters is who or what is behind the shady group that pays for Mason’s salary.
The secret 501(c)(4) that pays for Mason’s salary is called the Alabama Council for Excellent Government. Under Alabama law, the group is under no obligation to disclose who donates to it or where most of its money goes to.
That’s the real scandal.
Have a tip about this developing situation? Send it to [email protected].
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us!
Cover Photo Credit: repmobrooks/ Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
What Do You Think?
