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Jamal Khashoggi Case: Saudi Arabia Admits Journalist Was Murdered

Roy Siemens
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Jamal Khashoggi Case: Saudi Arabia Admits Journalist Was Murdered
Image source www.alaraby.co.uk

Saudi Arabia has admitted journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and blamed his killing on a “rogue operation”, giving a new account of an act that sparked a global outcry.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News “the murder” had been a “tremendous mistake” and denied the powerful crown prince had ordered it.

Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Saudi government, under intense pressure to explain Jamal Khashoggi’s whereabouts, has offered conflicting accounts.

They initially said Jamal Khashoggi had left the consulate on October 2 – but on October 19 admitted for the first time he was dead, saying he had been killed in a fight. This claim met widespread skepticism.

Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed in Consulate Fight, Saudi Arabia Says

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: President Trump Suggests Rogue Killers to Blame

Jamal Khashoggi: Secretary Mike Pompeo Meets King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: Turkish Officials Have Evidence Proving Saudi Murder

Turkish officials believe the journalist, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was murdered by a team of Saudi agents inside the building and say they have evidence to prove it.

Adel al-Jubeir’s comments, describing the incident as murder, are some of the most direct to come from a Saudi official.

He said: “We are determined to find out all the facts and we are determined to punish those who are responsible for this murder.”

“The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority,” he added.

“There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up.”

Adel al-Jubeir also said that Saudi Arabia did not know where the body was and insisted the action had not been ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seen as the country’s most powerful figure.

“Even the senior leadership of our intelligence service was not aware of this,” he said, calling it a “rogue operation”.

However, Yeni Safak, a media outlet close to Turkey’s government, says it has information showing that the office of the crown prince received four phone calls from the consulate after the killing.

On October 21, Reuters reported it had spoken to a Saudi official who said Jamal Khashoggi had died in a chokehold after resisting attempts to return him to Saudi Arabia. His body was then rolled in a rug and given to a local “co-operator” to dispose of.

A Saudi operative then reportedly donned Jamal Khashoggi’s clothes and left the consulate.

China’s Shanghai Composite Sees Highest Daily Spike Since 2016

Clyde K. Valle
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China’s Shanghai Composite Sees Highest Daily Spike Since 2016

The Shanghai Composite, one of China’s leading stock indexes, has seen its highest daily spike in more than two years following signs that the government will step in to support battered equity markets.

It closed up 4.1%, its biggest one-day rise since March 2016.

The moves extend a rally that began on October 19 and after investor confidence surged on assurances from Beijing.

Stocks had been falling as China’s economic growth continued to stutter.

On October 19, top Chinese financial officials – including economic adviser Liu He and the heads of the securities and insurance commissions – issued a statement to buoy investor sentiment in bruised markets.

China Economy Grows 6.7% in Q2 amid Trade War with US

President Trump Threatens $100 Billion More in China Tariffs

China Imposes New Tariffs of Up to 25% on 128 US Imports

Over the weekend, the Chinese government published a draft of new rules for personal tax deductions, Reuters reports.

The moves come as China, the world’s second largest economy, faces challenges such as high debt levels and an intensifying trade war with the US.

The October 19 data showed that in Q3 2018, China’s economy grew at the lowest rate since global financial crisis, expanding by 6.5% from a year earlier.

The rate was a drop from the 6.7% pace in the prior quarter, but remains in line with the government’s full-year target of about 6.5%.

For years China has pushed to wean its economy off exports and rely more on domestic consumption for growth.

At the same time, the Chinese government has been fighting to contain ballooning debt driven by a wave of infrastructure development and a housing bubble without hurting growth.

In recent months the government has taken steps to support China’s economy, including cutting capital requirements to boost liquidity and ease the slowdown.

George Soros: Explosive Device Found at Billionaire’s Bedford Residence

Diane A. Wade
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George Soros: Explosive Device Found at Billionaire’s Bedford Residence
Image source Wikimedia

New York police have safely destroyed a suspected letter bomb found at George Soros’ residence in the town of Bedford, Westchester County.

The letter was discovered in a post box by one of George Soros’ employees who alerted the authorities before taking it to a nearby wooded area, police say.

The incident on October 22 is now being investigated by the FBI.

George Soros, 88, has become a frequent target for criticism by right-wing groups due to his support for liberal causes.

According to reports, the Hungarian-American businessman was not at his home at the time of the incident.

A Bedford Police Department official told the New York Times: “An employee of the residence opened the package, revealing what appeared to be an explosive device.”

George Soros marries Tamiko Bolton at his estate near New York City

George Soros offered Adriana Ferreyr’s lawyer $250,000 to drop $50M lawsuit

Hungary Protests Against Closure of George Soros’ Central European University

According to officials, police received a call about a suspicious package at about 15:45 local time.

Bomb squad technicians later destroyed the package.

FBI New York tweeted: “We are conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time.”

George Soros earned his fortune through shrewd financial speculation.

The billionaire philanthropist has spent billions of his own money funding human rights projects and liberal democratic ventures around the world and has been a large donor to the Democratic Party.

George Soros previously backed the presidential campaigns of Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and labeled President Donald Trump “an imposter”.

Right-wing conspiracy theorists and websites have accused George Soros of secretly engineering a range of recent events in US and global politics.

They have alleged George Soros was involved in recruiting crowds for the anti-Trump Women’s March and even organizing violence in Charlottesville to undermine the country’s political right wing.

George Soros has also become a political target worldwide for nationalists and populists, who paint him as a master manipulator of democracy.

5 Signs You Are Living Beyond Your Financial Means

Clyde K. Valle
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5 Signs You Are Living Beyond Your Financial Means
Image source Max Pixel

In a world filled with every convenience one could desire, an increased appetite for unique experiences and a unquenching penchant for credit usage, it takes serious conviction and discipline to live within our means. Unfortunately, most of aren’t succeeding; the average American carries a credit card balance over $6,000.

Unsure if you’re living beyond your means? Here are five signs that’ll spell out your situation.

You’re Paying the Minimum Balance

Most people don’t pay off their credit card balance each month. This group, known as “revolvers” amount to 65 percent of the credit card-carrying U.S. population. These cardholders are spending more than they have or they’re not paying close enough attention and costing themselves additional money. Worse when cardholders carrying a balance fall victim to the hollow appeal of credit limit increases. Per Time Money, a 10 percent increase in credit is followed by a 1.3 percent increase in debt within one quarter, and nearly a 10 percent increase in long-term debt. Add multiple credit cards and interest rates and you have a quick recipe for personal economic ruin.

 Your Debt Is Growing

This sign may go undetected, as it’s very possible you wouldn’t know the specific terms of your debt if you were living beyond your means. However, if you’re making payments on your balance(s), you can at least tell if the bill is going up or down with each new billing statement. If you’re not making headway on your balance based on your current payments, calculate how far behind you’ll be in a few months, six months, a year. Any increase in debt has the potential to quickly spiral out of control should you start missing payments.

You Don’t Have an Emergency Fund

It’s recommended to save 10-20 percent of income, but any amount is better than nothing. If you’re left with no money at the end of each month after paying your bills, thirsting for another direct deposit, you’re clearly living beyond your means. Perhaps because 69 percent of Americans have less than a $1,000 in savings—some of those people our friends, family, coworkers—we’re conditioned to think it’s more OK than it is. How will you afford the next major car repair or sudden medical bill if you have no stashed funds to your name? Saving the money we work for isn’t about depriving ourselves of the finer things in life; it means empowering us to live the life we want because of added financial protection.

You Don’t Keep a Budget

Different types of budgets will work for different types of people, but not having one is financially careless. Budgets guide our financial decisions and keep us on track toward our long-term goals. Freedom Financial Network CEO Andrew Housser regularly emphasizes the importance of budgeting and to ask ourselves where we want to be in one, three and five years. Doing so forces us to consider how our present-day actions are contributing to our goals. This usually results in more committed, purposeful budgeting and better decision-making.

In your budget, focusing on the value you’re getting for your housing, transportation, and food expenses will net you the biggest monthly savings, but it’s also important to forecast for seasonal events that will impact the budget. Attending a destination wedding? Tax bill coming up? Do you have more people to give gifts to this holiday season? Having a static monthly budget is great, but anticipating your actual calendar and financial obligations will ensure you keep pace with your budget goals, even through higher spending periods.

Your Credit Score Is Shot

Checked your credit score lately? Anything under 670 means you’ve had some dings on your financial record and lenders view you as a subprime borrower. While securing credit isn’t the single most important thing in life, it can make several expected life stages difficult, like buying a house, renting an apartment, purchasing a vehicle, or perhaps most limiting, securing a loan to start a business. If you feel like you’re exercising discipline in your financial life, a quick look at your credit score will cut your work out for you.

 Your risky financial behavior is likely showing through in other ways as well, but these five signs will surely spot an iceberg looming if it’s there.

Turning a Startup Idea into a Real Business in 5 Steps

Clyde K. Valle
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Turning a Startup Idea into a Real Business in 5 Steps
Image source Pixabay

There’s a lot of chatter about how startups are changing the business world. This can be seen across industries. Pretty much anything is vulnerable to disruption by a well-intentioned startup.

In the past, starting a business meant you had a lot of starting capital to put toward building facilities. This is no longer the case in the digital age. While some businesses still require a lot of upfront money, this is no longer necessary or the norm. A startup is basically a business in its incubation period, before it has received large amounts of money and started selling on a large scale.

With lower stakes, it’s possible for entrepreneurs to fine-tune their ideas into something groundbreaking – even if the operations originate in a small studio. Of course, no one wants to stay in their dorm room or parents’ garage forever. Here are five ways to help turn a startup idea into a real business.

Find Mentors

Have you taken a startup idea and turned it into a full-flung business on your own already? Then you probably know a few tricks of the trade. For everyone else, the best thing to do is to find somebody who has undergone the startup experience before. Preferably, this will be someone who has turned their startup into a legitimate brand.

Then again, there are benefits to learning from people who tried and failed to build out their startup. They will likely be able to tell you things that did – and didn’t – work for them along the way.

Have a Scalable Product and Idea

At the end of the day, your startup won’t be able to cut it if your product doesn’t provide something appealing to consumers. One of the most important steps in fleshing out your startup is to have a minimum viable product (MVP).

An MVP allows you to test the product in its most basic form, while receiving input from the people who are most interested in using it. By taking that feedback and incorporating it into later versions of your service or good, you will be able to create something that’s actually desirable to people. You also want to ensure that you’re making something that scalable. Consider this in terms of consumer demand, as well as production costs.

Get a Good Website

A business in today’s world needs to have a solid web presence. You don’t need to spend thousands dollars building your website—especially if you’re a startup. However, you should consider how to build a website for business. It should be easy to navigate, with the most important information or features for prospective customers or investors at the forefront.

The most affordable and flexible option is to leverage website builders catering specifically to small businesses. Services like Yahoo Small Business offer a variety of website themes than can be edited to fit your content and branding.

Be Serious About Social Media

Once you have a live website for your startup, you’ll need to build out your social media presence. Even if you don’t use Facebook or Twitter personally, you should understand that it’s a way for your brand to interact directly with consumers. This is an extremely powerful ability.

In order to really take your startup to the next level, you’ll probably want to hire a dedicated social media expert. They’ll know what’s best in terms of what and when to post. Additionally, you can work with social media influencers to extend your reach to people with interests specifically related to your startup.

Don’t Lose Momentum

It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re just starting out in the business world; especially when money is tight, staff is stressed and operations regrettably go haywire. Even some of the most successful companies find themselves in the midst of a major upheaval from time to time. The key is to not panic when these things do inevitably happen. Keep your eyes on your goals – and figure out what you have to do in order to meet those expectations.

There are few things in life more difficult than starting a business. In fact, about half of businesses fail within the first five years. Don’t let this discourage you, though. There are plenty of opportunities for people willing to put the work into building their startup into a real (and profitable) business.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Safe By Selecting the Right Boarding Home

Dana R
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Make Sure Your Pet Is Safe By Selecting the Right Boarding Home

Leaving Your pet for the Weekend

A Part Of The Family

Your pet is more than just a furry creature that eats up as much as your teenaged son. They’re a close part of the family. For some, they’re basically their children. As such, when you have to leave the house for an extended period, leaving them behind can be a cause of great concern and worry. It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of hiring a dog sitter or asking a friend to stop by the house every now and then, you should consider taking your dog to a boarding home. The staff at these pet boarding homes are usually trained to deal with medical emergencies that may arise which can’t be duplicated with a sitter or friend unless they happen to also be veterinarians. They’re also supervised for most, if not all, of the day. This is different than a sitter or friend who may only check on your pet for a few hours, and then be on their way.

Choosing the right boarding home can be difficult, however. After all, you want to make sure that they are getting daily pet care. Following these suggestions may be able to help you find the boarding home that’s perfect for your pet.


1. Know Your Pet’s Needs

The first aspect you need to consider is the needs of your pet. Do they have medications they need to take? Are they prone to illnesses or injuries? If that’s the case, you may want to find boarding homes that are situated close to your veterinarian’s office in the event that something happens. While most boarding homes have a trained member of staff that can take care of injuries, for your own peace of mind, it may be best to find one that is close to the vet office just in case.

2. Read Reviews

Either through word-of-mouth from your friends who are also pet owners or by looking online, you should research the boarding home you’re thinking of taking your pet to and lodging there. These reviews can give you insight as to the conditions of the home. Cleanliness may be important to you, so if you see a review stating that the home was dirty or not that sanitary, it may be one you can cross off your list. You may want to also consider the friendliness of the staff. Pets like to play, and you don’t want a place that’ll keep them cooped up in a pen all day.

3. Prepare Your Pet

After you’ve selected your kennel, you’ll want to make sure your pet is prepared. This can ease the process. Bring along a toy or blanket that they spend a lot of time with at home to make them more comfortable in the kennel or dog boarding facility. Also, make sure that you give the staff detailed instructions on how to give medication to your pet. By working together, you can be sure your pet is happy.

World’s Longest Sea Bridge and Tunnel Linking Hong Kong to China Set to Open

Roy Siemens
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World’s Longest Sea Bridge and Tunnel Linking Hong Kong to China Set to Open
Image source YouTube

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge – the world’s longest sea bridge and tunnel linking Hong Kong to mainland China via Macau – is set to open on October 22, years late.

Stretching more than 34 miles, the bridge spans the Pearl River Delta and is an unparalleled engineering feat.

From end to end, including its two link roads, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau  (HZMB) is about 20 times the length of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

The bridge’s structure is designed to withstand earthquakes, the seasonal typhoons which tear through the region and accidental ship strikes.

To allow ships to continue passing through the estuary, the bridge plunges underwater for 4 miles midway, via two artificial islands.

The project also crosses the flight path of Hong Kong’s international airport. That meant engineers had to stay within a strict height limitation.

Construction on the project began in 2009 but has been marred by delays and safety concerns. It has repeatedly overshot its budget, ultimately costing more than $20 billion.

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Vladimir Putin Inaugurates Kerch Strait Bridge Between Russia and Crimea

World’s Highest and Longest Glass Bridge to Open in China

The original opening date had been set for 2016 and even the actual opening this month had not been confirmed until just before it happened.

The bridge has not only overshot budget and schedule but also taken a deadly toll on the workforce. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities have each reported nine worker deaths during the work.

It connects three very different parts of China – the two Special Administrative Regions of Macau and Hong Kong and the mainland. That means the project stretches across different legal and political systems.

Buses and commercial vehicles will carry passengers and freight over the bridge. Local taxis are not allowed on it and only a few private cars will get a permit to cross.

Travelling between Hong Kong and the mainland requires passing border controls. Two immigration centers have been built to process bridge users.

The bridge has been built to save time. The land journey around the delta takes at least four hours – the new bridge is to cut it to a mere 30 minutes.

However, some in Hong Kong have questioned the purpose of the bridge, saying no-one really needed it and that it’s largely an attempt to symbolically bring Hong Kong closer to the mainland.

New Report Provides a Detailed Overview of the Data Discovery Market

Clyde K. Valle
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New Report Provides a Detailed Overview of the Data Discovery Market

Data is widely recognized as one of the most important resources in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Understanding how future trends will shape your field in order to efficiently harness the power of data is one of the biggest assets for any professional planning ahead. In this context, the latest Data Discovery Market Report offers valuable insight into the industry.

The State of Play in Data Discovery

Data discovery is a key term for business intelligence professionals and refers to the process of identifying patterns and outliers in sets of data. With data discovery, big datasets can be turned into meaningful information according to the desired objectives. For example, you can take location-based data and use a map maker app to create stunning visualizations in the form of maps.

Data discovery is crucial in the context of data classification, which sees data categorized according to format into structured or unstructured, state, and sensitivity across high, medium and low sensitivity levels. It is also pertinent for big data applications, since every industry is striving to find ways to put immense volumes of information to good use.

Source: Pexels

It is estimated that by 2020 every individual will see roughly 1.7 MB of new data created about them every second, while the total big data volume will reach 44 zettabytes – that is, 44 trillion gigabytes – by that same year, up from just 4.4 zettabytes this year. This figure takes the new internet of things developments into account, as well as the meteoric rise of smartphones and social media: smartphone users will amount to over 6 billion by 2020, and Facebook sees over 31 million messages sent per minute.

The New Data Discovery Market Report

Against this setting, the new Data Discovery Market Report examines and analyzes the market and important players in the field in order to draw conclusions about the current situation. The report also offers an analysis on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for top vendors. Factors that are examined vary from leading companies and key processes to metrics like gross margin, business volume and production value. The approach also outlines information on market competition and focuses on potential trends and growth opportunities in the period from 2018 to 2023. The document breaks down the market by geographical segments across North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Rest of the World (ROW).

Source: Pexels

Interestingly, the report also discusses aspects that are vital yet sometimes overlooked as vague, including strategical activity that ranges across mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and product development processes, while examining pertinent dynamics of the market. By offering a wide spectrum of statistics gathered by the research, which combined primary and secondary data along with feedback from industry professionals, the report is able to draw conclusions about the current state and the future of data discovery trends. New projects are also examined according to their feasibility while the report sheds light on manufacturer profiles, including a business overview. The research is structured across many different aspects, ranging from a comprehensive cost analysis to an exploration of market consumption and share by application.
The report, which is available for a fee, offers a nuanced and comprehensive guide to the data discovery market – one that professionals across industries will find informative and useful.

Why Hire Certified Auto Body Repair Shops?

Clyde K. Valle
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Why Hire Certified Auto Body Repair Shops?
Image source Pixabay

Technological advancement has taken over almost every field in the world, including vehicles. The structure, electronics, and equipment used in cars are uniquely designed by each company and this makes it difficult for a normal repair shop to handle the repairs, services, and maintenance rightly. So to provide the right maintenance & repairing services for car, manufacturing companies have started a chain of certified auto body repair shops around the world. This has made it much more convenient for people who own complex designed cars like Tesla to get the correct kind of repair services while keeping the warranty intact.

What Does Certified Mean?

A car repair shop becomes ‘Certified’ when its team including the manager, engineers, mechanics & painters etc, go through & complete authorized training provided by a specific automobile manufacturing company. This means that they need to follow specific procedures for every vehicle-related job they do. This ensures to keep the warranty intact while not compromising with the quality of services. You can easily find the finest certified shops in Long Island like Keri Coach Works online and get in touch with them.

These shops have been set up all around the globe by automobile manufacturing companies and can be easily found by searching online. You can either visit them or get your car towed away, in case its engine is not starting up. The staff of such firms is really understanding and patient with the customers to ensure full satisfaction.

Training

The training is provided at the authorized centers that have been specially set up in various cities and the car repair firms can get in touch with them to join the training program & get the authorization from them. All the personnel needs to clear the training as only then the certificate will be provided to them.

Services Offered By Certified Auto Repair Shops

Certified shops such as Keri Coach Works have basically been set up to provide a wide range of services including paint jobs, dent removal, cosmetic repairing, servicing, towing services, realignment, towing services, aluminum casting, car rentals, and regular maintenance etc. These shops usually have highly experienced teams to ensure a high quality, hassle free service always. Technologically advanced and uniquely designed cars like Tesla require immense expertise and standard procedures for all kind of vehicular problems and thus a certified shop is the best option for you.

Reasons To Choose CertifiedShops

Choosing a certified shop provides you with a long list of benefits such as:

  • Standard procedures are followed to ensure safe and best services are offered for your vehicle
  • Written documentation is maintained to keep the written records about regular maintenance of your car
  • Warranty remains intact when you get the car repaired or serviced from an authorized center
  • You can get the faster response time from these centers rather than uncertified ones
  • The charges in these centers are quite lesser as standard prices are already set
  • Only manufacturing company equipment & hardware is used to ensure authenticity always
  • There is no compromise with the quality as these represent the automobile firms and any negative feedback can prove too harmful for their status

Finding The Best Certified Shop

You can easily check the online reviews of previous customers about a shop, check their websites for certification detail or you can ask the market experts as they can provide you with a detailed insight about the company. This way you can ensure the best services and repairs for you Tesla car. Mostly, all certified firms ensure to provide the finest quality of services & thus you can visit the nearest one without hesitation.

Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed in Consulate Fight, Saudi Arabia Says

Roy Siemens
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Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed in Consulate Fight, Saudi Arabia Says
Image source www.alaraby.co.uk

Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a fight in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Saudi Arabia’s state TV reported quoting an initial probe.

According to the report, deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide to Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, were dismissed over the affair.

President Donald Trump said what had happened was “unacceptable” but that Saudi Arabia was a “great ally”.

This is the first time Saudi Arabia has admitted Jamal Khashoggi has died.

The acknowledgement follows two weeks of denials that the Saudi kingdom had any involvement in the disappearance of the prominent Saudi critic when he entered the consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to seek paperwork for his upcoming marriage.

Saudi Arabia had come under increased pressure to explain Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance after Turkish officials said he was deliberately killed inside the consulate, and his body dismembered.

On October 19, Turkish police widened their search from the consulate grounds to a nearby forest where unnamed officials believe his body may have been disposed of.

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: President Trump Suggests Rogue Killers to Blame

Jamal Khashoggi: Secretary Mike Pompeo Meets King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: Turkish Officials Have Evidence Proving Saudi Murder

Observers are questioning whether Saudi Arabia’s Western allies will find the Saudis’ account of a “botched rendition” convincing – and whether it will persuade them not to take punitive action against Saudi Arabia.

A statement from the kingdom’s public prosecutor said a fight broke out between Jamal Khashoggi, who had fallen out of favor with the Saudi government, and people who met him in the consulate – ending with his death.

The investigations are still under way, the statement said, and 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested. The Saudi authorities have yet to give evidence to support this version of events.

State media said King Salman had ordered the sacking of two senior officials.

Saud al-Qahtani is a prominent member of the Saudi Royal Court and adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Major-General Ahmed al-Assiri has acted as the top spokesman for Saudi Arabia about the war in Yemen.

King Salman has also reportedly ordered the formation of a ministerial committee, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed, to restructure the intelligence services.

Saudi Arabia said it had acted on information provided by Turkish authorities as part of its inquiry, investigating a number of suspects.

President Trump praised Saudi Arabia for acting quickly, and while he said sanctions were an option against the kingdom, he spoke of the possible effect such moves would have on the US economy. He said the arrests were an important “first step”.

Asked if he found Saudi Arabia’s version of events credible, the president replied: “I do.”

President Trump stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia as a counterbalance to Iran in the Middle East, and pushed back against the need for sanctions against the kingdom in light of the new information, talking about the effect of such a move on the US economy.

Donald Trump spoke of his visit to Saudi Arabia – his first trip abroad as president – and the $110 billion arms deal he signed with the kingdom.

He said: “I’d rather keep the million jobs [in the US] and find another solution.”

Earlier this week President Trump said there would be “very severe” consequences if Saudi Arabia was proved to have killed Jamal Khashoggi.

The White House said in a separate statement the US was “deeply saddened” to hear confirmation of Jamal Khashoggi’s death.

Turkish officials believe Jamal Khashoggi was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the consulate, and his body then removed – and they say they have video and audio evidence to back this up.

Saudi Arabia has denied this, and initially insisted Jamal Khashoggi had freely left the embassy.

Turkish newspapers with close links to the government have published gruesome details of the alleged audio, including what they describe as the sounds of screams and Jamal Khashoggi being interrogated and tortured.

Turkish media say they have identified a 15-member team of suspected Saudi agents who flew into and out of Istanbul on the day of the disappearance.

Mega Millions Jackpot to Hit $1 Billion, Biggest in History

Nancy Clayson
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Mega Millions Jackpot to Hit $1 Billion, Biggest in History

Friday night’s Mega Millions jackpot is expected to hit a staggering $1 billion, continuing a trend of giant jackpots.

It is the second-largest lottery prize in US history and joins 5 other top 10 drawings in the last 3 years.

The previous record of $656 million was set on March 30, 2012. The incredible jackpot comes after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Tuesday, October 16 – the white balls 3, 45, 49, 61 and 69, plus the gold Mega Ball 9.

The jackpot has soared since it was last won on July 24, when a California office pool of 11 co-workers shared $543 million, the largest prize ever won on a single ticket in the game. Three other Mega Millions jackpots have been won this year – $451 million on January 5 (FL), $533 million on March 30 (NJ), and $142 million on May 4 (OH).

Mega Millions $640 M jackpot, the biggest in world history, has at least one winner

Mirlande Wilson sued by McDonald’s workers for losing Mega Millions ticket

What to do after you hit the Mega Millions jackpot

Lottery officials changed the odds in recent years to lessen the chance of winning a jackpot, which in turn increased the opportunity for top prizes to reach stratospheric levels.

States have generally reported increased Mega Millions and Powerball sales since the change.

A total of 4,527,495 winning tickets at all prize levels came out of Tuesday’s drawing.

There were plenty of winners on October 16 as players from around the country jumped into the game at record levels.

Nine tickets matched the five white balls to win the game’s second prize. One of them, sold in Texas, included the optional Megaplier (available in most states for an extra $1 purchase) and is worth $5 million! The other eight are million-dollar tickets – two were sold in Pennsylvania and one each in CA, FL, GA, KY, NJ and NY.

One hundred tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball for the $10,000 third prize; 12 of those are actually worth $50,000 each because they included the optional Megaplier.

10 Stunning Wedding Dresses with Pearls

Lisa.Felice
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10 Stunning Wedding Dresses with Pearls

I’ve always dreamt about my own wedding. I even have a very clear plan in my mind of the theme that it will have, the floral arrangements, the table arrangements, and even the music I want in the background. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Many women fantasize about their big day, and most importantly, about their wedding dresses. I’ve personally always been attracted by the boho chic style, as well as form-fitting gowns that feature delicate pearl inserts.

Pearl-studded wedding dresses are truly something to behold. They flow like soft waves and have a unique fragility to them. Below are my top 10 picks for wedding dresses with pearls:

1. Vintage Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: vintage wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

Vintage wedding dresses have become very popular over the past few years and more and more brides are choosing vintage-inspired gowns for their big day. This is a classic pearl-studded model that comes with a beautiful wrist accessory that’s also pearl-embellished. In case you are planning your own wedding, you can also accessorize with some simple pearl earrings for a modern touch that will go hand in hand with this vintage dress.

2. Sophisticated Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: sophisticated pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

This is probably the epitome of sophisticated but it’s a wedding dress that looks fabulous. The bottom part is very simple and flows all over the body while the top part has middle-length sleeves and no cleavage is shown. The beautiful things about it are the small pearls that are all over the top, including on the sleeves, which offer this gown an even more precious look.

3. Off the Shoulder Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: off the shoulder pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

This is again a very bohemian-inspired wedding dress that leaves the shoulders completely bare and only covers the arms with two beautifully embroidered sleeves. The rest of the dress is simple yet elegant and gives off that mermaid tale impression. The entire gown is covered in small natural pearls which is why no other accessories are needed for it. This dress itself is a real jewel.

4. Carefree Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: carefree pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

Not all women like a very stiff and complex dress for their wedding day. There are some who prefer a much simpler design in which they can feel free of any care in the world. This dress is a perfect example of simple yet sophisticated, thanks to the countless pearls that are spread all over it. With only two thin straps at the top and a long, flowy bottom part, this gown is the obvious choice for those who don’t want corsets or harsh fabrics for their big day.

5. Glam Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: glam pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

Recently, everyone has begun adoring pearl-studded bridal gowns in all of their shapes and sizes. This is yet another example of a beautiful yet very simple such dress that is embellished with lots of tiny white pearls. The top part is very simple leaving all the attention to fall on the middle flower embroidery and on the pearls. The veil has lots of pearls too, completing the look perfectly.

6. Sheer Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: sheer pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

For those who feel brave enough, this type of sheer wedding gown is the best choice. Add some pearls into the mix and you get a truly one of a kind dress. It is completely covered in a sheer material that is embellished with small pearls, leaving a glimpse of the legs to be seen. Put on a nice bracelet and you’re ready for the wedding.

7. Simple Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: simple pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

One of the simplest yet very delicate wedding dresses that a future bride can possibly choose, this pearl-studded bridal gown certainly has a very discreet but gorgeous design. Pearls cover this otherwise basic white dress entirely giving it a whole new purpose and appearance. This is a very safe choice for a bride who loves pearls but is not very flamboyant.

8. Rustic Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: rustic pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

A perfect dress for someone who wants to feel closer to nature while still wearing an elegant and stunning wedding gown. Apart from being embellished with tiny pearls all over the top area, the bridal gown also has an ivory-colored ribbon that’s tied around the waist. This particular bride doesn’t even wear heels, so it’s perfectly fine to follow her example if you want to feel as comfortable as possible.

9. Delicate Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: delicate pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

The entire atmosphere that surrounds this wedding gown is created by that stunning white veil that almost covers the bride’s head. The top part of the dress is covered in a pearl embroidery as the lower part is very simple but very beautiful. A pair of delicate earrings are all you need should you choose to wear such a dress for your big day.

10. Princess-Like Pearl-Studded Wedding Dress

Image: princess pearl wedding dress (Source: Pinterest)

Finally, this is probably one of the wedding dresses that is the closest in resemblance to a real princess gown. Many future brides (not me, though :P) love these puffy designs because, while it looks gorgeous, it’s also comfortable to walk in. This pale pink bridal gown is completely studded with pearls over its entire surface, making it a bit heavier than usual. Still, it’s truly a fairytale dress, one that any bride would love to wear.

Harvey Weinstein’s Accuser Told by Police to Delete Phone Files

Nancy Clayson
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Harvey Weinstein’s Accuser Told by Police to Delete Phone Files
Image source Wikimedia

One of the accusers of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was told by police to delete any files from her phone that she wanted to keep private, prosecutors have admitted.

Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said the complainant was told by a detective to “delete anything she did not want anyone to see”.

Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said the development “undermines” the case.

He faces charges involving alleged assaults on two women. The Hollywood producer denies the charges.

Joan Illuzzi-Orbon wrote in a letter to Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer, Ben Brafman: “My office had asked Complainant 2 to produce any and all cell phones that she might have used during the time she interacted with the defendant.”

However, she adds that the woman said she was then advised to remove files “before providing the phones to our office”.

Despite this advice, the woman still provided the phones used to communicate with Harvey Weinstein “without any deletions”, Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said.

Ben Brafman later released a statement in response to the letter, saying the news “further undermines the integrity of an already deeply flawed indictment of Mr. Weinstein”.

The lawyer earlier requested that the entire case be dismissed.

#MeToo: Harvey Weinstein Expected to Surrender to New York Police

Annabella Sciorra Accuses Harvey Weinstein of Rape and Daryl Hannah Shares a Story

Natassia Malthe Accuses Harvey Weinstein of Raping Her after BAFTA Awards Ceremony

Last week a charge against Harvey Weinstein by actress Lucia Evans was dismissed by a judge in New York after she was said to have given a differing account of events.

Hervey Weinstein has been accused of assault by more than 70 women.

The accusations against the producer helped awaken the #MeToo movement, which has seen hundreds of women accusing high-profile men in business, government and entertainment of sexual abuse and harassment.

Harvey Weinstein, 66, has agreed to wear a GPS tracker and to surrender his passport.

The film mogul also faces additional investigations in Los Angeles and London, and by the US federal government.

Harvey Weinstein, who has been on $1 million bail since his arrest in May, denies having non-consensual contacts, his lawyers have previously said.

4 Emergency Devices for the Elderly

Kathryn R. Bown
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4 Emergency Devices for the Elderly

Technology can be a huge aid to both seniors living at home and to the people who care for them.  At least 40 percent of elderly Americans aged 85 and older live alone. Most of these seniors either have no caregiver or rely on a nearby family member to act as their caregiver.

If you are a senior who prefers to aid in place in your own home, or if you are a caregiver who is concerned about keeping a senior safe and health, there are a number of medical devices that can help.

Here are four examples of useful emergency devices for the elderly.

1. Mobile Alert Device

A mobile alert device is typically outfitted with a GPS tracker and designed for use outside the home. These devices feature a button on a small unit that can be worn around the neck, wrist, or belt. Using a cellular connection, pressing a button connects the user to a representative who can direct assistance to emergencies.

Such a mobile device is a great option for independent elderly who retain their mobility. The device ensures they always have access to help whether they’re running errands or moving around at home. The GPS capability makes it possible to identify an elderly user’s location if they have confusion identifying where they are.

2. Monitored Medical Alert Systems

A common medical alert device is a fully monitored medical alert system. These systems are connected to a subscription monitoring service which provides immediate access to emergency-trained professionals 24/7 in the event of emergencies.

These systems serve an elderly user’s entire home, accompanied by wearable buttons or buttons placed around the home to ensure constant access to immediate assistance. Pressing a button signals a call for help from the system’s base, which is connected to a landline phone or a cellular connection. An operator then communicates with a user to determine what type of response is needed for their emergency.

Some alert systems include automatic fall detection, which contacts emergency operators automatically when a fall is detected and a person may not be able to press the button for help. It’s a good idea to compare available systems and check medical alert review sites for their opinions.

3. Medical USB Device

Technically, a medical USB device is just a USB-based memory stick that is much the same as its non-medical counterparts. However, it can be beneficial for the elderly in spite of its simple nature.

Medical USB devices can be used to store important information about its user’s health status, which can inform medical professionals and help them prevent a wide range of potential complications. These devices can also be used to store other relevant information such as contacts, lab results, and legal documents.

Such resources can play a critical role in ensuring the best care for their users as well as making sure that their wishes are always known throughout the healthcare process. Additionally, this device is valuable for elderly individuals who have Alzheimer’s or other conditions that might impair their ability to recall key medical details that could impact their care.

4. Medication Management Device

Data shows that individuals over the age of 65 take an average of five medications on a daily basis. Considering that each of these medications will come with its own schedule as well as other considerations, taking the right medications at the right times can be complicated.

Technology has facilitated medication management in the form of physical devices. Such devices range from electronic medication caps, to storage containers with built-in alarms, and even full-fledged medication dispensing devices. Any of these devices are useful for the elderly by reminding them when the time comes to take their medications. This is key for avoiding missed doses, extra doses, or unintended combination of medications. Moreover, the right device can be helpful for their users’ caregivers by informing them of medication patterns.

Medications can’t provide their intended effect unless users are following the appropriate dosing and frequency instructions. Thus, a medication management device can greatly contribute to an elderly individual’s quality of life afforded by critical medications.

Further Considerations

Elderly living can be a challenging task, whether providing care to an elderly loved one or helping them retain their independence. Fortunately, technological advances have provided the tools to reduce the challenge of either task. There is a wide range of devices available to promote the independent living of the elderly, or make caregiving an easier experience, both of which promotes the wellbeing of the elderly. It’s worth taking the time to compare the available devices and select one that would benefit your unique situation and loved one.

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: President Trump Suggests Rogue Killers to Blame

Roy Siemens
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Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: President Trump Suggests Rogue Killers to Blame
Image source www.alaraby.co.uk

Speaking to reporters after a phone call with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump has suggested “rogue killers” could be behind the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.

He said the Saudi king had firmly denied knowing what had happened to Jamal Khashoggi.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is flying to Saudi Arabia immediately.

Turkish police have, for the first time, been inside the Saudi consulate where Jamal Khashoggi was last seen.

They entered the building around an hour after a group of Saudi officials.

Turkish officials believe Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate by Saudi agents nearly two weeks ago but Riyadh has always strongly denied this.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed media reports suggest Saudi Arabia is preparing to admit that Jamal Khashoggi died as a result of an interrogation that went wrong and that the original intention had been to abduct him.

Arabic channel Al-Jazeera quotes Turkey’s attorney-general’s office as saying it has found evidence to back claims that Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the mission.

Jamal Khashoggi: Secretary Mike Pompeo Meets King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: Turkish Officials Have Evidence Proving Saudi Murder

Jamal Khashoggi: Missing Washington Post Journalist Killed at Saudi Consulate in Istanbul?

The issue has strained Saudi Arabia’s ties with its closest Western allies.

President Trump addressed snatched questions from reporters over helicopter engine noise at the White House, describing King Salman’s denial as “very, very strong”.

“It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers,” he added.

“Who knows?”

President Trump provided no evidence to back his comment.

Last week, the president threatened Saudi Arabia with “severe punishment” if it emerged that Jamal Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate but ruled out halting big military contracts with Riyadh.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Saudi Arabia will be followed by a stop in Turkey.

Diplomatic pressure is growing on the Saudis to give a fuller explanation.

On October 15, King Salman ordered an investigation into the case.

“The king has ordered the public prosecutor to open an internal investigation into the Khashoggi matter based on the information from the joint team in Istanbul,” a Saudi official quoted by Reuters said.

The official said the prosecutor had been instructed to work quickly.

Last week, Turkey accepted a Saudi proposal to form a joint working group to investigate Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance.

Investigators entered the consulate in Istanbul on October 15 – first a Saudi team followed roughly an hour later by Turkish forensic police.

Turkish diplomatic sources had said the consulate would be searched by a joint Turkish-Saudi team.

A group of cleaners was seen entering earlier.

Saudi Arabia agreed last week to allow Turkish officials to conduct a search but insisted it would only be a superficial “visual” inspection.

Turkey rejected that offer. The Sabah daily newspaper said investigators had wanted to search the building with luminol, a chemical which shows up any traces of blood. It is not clear whether that happened.

King Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone on October 14, officials said, and stressed the importance of the two countries working together on the case.

Crimea Explosion Kills at Least 18 at Kerch College

Diane A. Wade
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Crimea Explosion Kills at Least 18 at Kerch College
Image source Wikipedia

A huge explosion at a college in Russian-annexed Crimea has killed at least 18 people and wounded dozens more.

According to officials, an “unidentified explosive device” detonated at the technical college in Kerch, where Russia has built a bridge between the peninsula and Russia.

Crimea’s Russian-backed leader Sergei Aksyonov said a student was responsible for the attack.

Initial reports had suggested that the blast was some sort of gas explosion.

Sergei Aksyonov told Russian state TV the student had killed himself.

A Russian National Guard official branded the incident as a deliberate “terrorist act” caused by an improvised explosive device.

National Guard units had reached the scene of the “act of terrorism”‘ he told Interfax.

Vladimir Putin Inaugurates Kerch Strait Bridge Between Russia and Crimea

Vladimir Putin admits Crimea annexation plot before referendum

According to a local official, most of the blast victims were students of the technical college, which is a vocational school for 850 teenagers.

Victims have been taken to hospital, and a major emergency response operation launched.

Four military planes were ready to evacuate the wounded and military hospital facilities were ready to accept victims if necessary, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Investigators released a statement saying an explosive device filled with “metal objects” had detonated in the dining area.

The director of the college, who had not been at the scene at the time of the attack, told Russian media that unknown armed men had broken into the building. She compared it to the school siege of Beslan in 2004, during which about 330 people died.

Sergei Aksenov told Tass that reports circulating on social media of a shooting after the explosion were untrue, and said the situation on the scene was calm.

The leader also announced three days of mourning for the victims.

The schools and pre-schools were being evacuated in the city after the blast, Reuters reported.

Crimea, officially part of Ukraine, was seized by Russia in 2014 and annexed after a disputed vote that was widely condemned by the international community.

The speaker of the Russia-backed Crimean parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov, suggested Kiev may have been behind the explosion, saying “the entire evil inflicted on the land of Crimea is coming from the official Ukrainian authorities”.

How Beautiful Smiles and Exercise Boost Self-Esteem

Dana R
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How Beautiful Smiles and Exercise Boost Self-Esteem

We are all told about reasons why we should smile more; however, many of us also struggle with self-esteem issues that can manifest into thoughts that can impact our day to day life. Fear not, however, as low self-esteem can be addressed and managed effectively through some simple lifestyle changes that can see you get back to your best self. You will soon realize there is plenty to smile about; be confident in who you are and what you do by understanding that a simple exercise regime and a smile is all you need.

A New Exercise Regime, A New You

When working out the best exercise regime for you, a simple routine that is easy to implement and even easier to stick to is a great place to start. If you have little experience with an exercise regime, start small and work your way up. You could attend a few classes near you and meet new friends, or insteadjoin your local gym and fit in regular solo gym sessions to your weekly schedule.

The benefits of exercising are something we are all familiar with; there is a boost in your happiness due to the release of endorphins after we exercise, and exercise also results in an increase in our overall productiveness. The social aspect of exercising can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests. When we exercise we feel we have achieved more with our day; it makes us more focused, and regular exercise helps us sleep better due to being physically tired as well as mentally tired, which is certainly a bonus. Sleeping better has a domino effect on how we function, meaning the benefits of this new regime will be noticeable pretty much overnight.

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The benefits of a smile

Smiling is such a simple way that you can boost your happiness. It may surprise you to learn that there are multiple proven benefitsto smiling, including an improved mood, a lower blood pressure, stress relief and pain relief. You can also better your relationships with a strong and confident smile, as we appear happier,more attractive, intelligent and trustworthy when we smile.

Smiling can be encompassed into improving your self-esteem and confidence as you have to be confident with your teethto smile. Finding trustworthy dental surgeries can make sure attain a perfect smile, through procedures that can give you a natural, beautiful smile. A healthy smile that leaves you comfortable and confident is the best way to kick-start your goals and boost your self-esteem.

If you feel your self-esteem is in need of a reboot, consider how you can get back on track by putting yourself first. Exercise regularly, but at a pace you feel confident with, and you will soon see an improvement in how you feel about yourself. The next step is sorting your perfect smile, so you can be confident every time you smile. It is easy to feel like yourself again, and through improving the look and health of your teeth and gums, you will be well on your way to becoming the best version of yourself for years to come.

5 Reasons To Redecorate Your Home

Dana R
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5 Reasons To Redecorate Your Home

It can become extremely easy to turn a blind eye when regarding our own living quarters. Our homes can become so mundane its décor and color scheme doesn’t register, and so we fail to see its potential. There can be many benefits to redecorating your home, though. In fact, it can be incredibly therapeutic for those who are going large life changes.

Here are five reason to redecorate your home and get a new lease of life from your property.

As A Treat

Life has many ups and downs, and there will probably be a time when you go through a bad patch. What happened, or is happening, doesn’t matter. Instead, channel your energy in changing your décor so that you can have a fresh start or something to keep you occupied.

For a simple change, paint the walls a brand new color. You can choose something daring, and if it does not work out, paint it again. Keep going until you find perfection. If you are unable to paint yourself, though, be sure to hire the services of a professional painter with design eye. By doing so, you can have a professional and luxurious finish, and the professional can select colors and shades to match your personality and overall décor.

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Incorporate Your Own Style

Often when you move into a new place, it will be the last owner’s style and taste that you see everywhere. If not, then it might be that everything was painted a neutral color to make it easier to sell. Whichever way it is, the likelihood is that it won’t be to your own personal taste. Therefore, you will want to redecorate when you are settled in to really make the place your own.

You can choose all kinds of ways to do this, such as having feature walls, or refreshing the walls with a fresh coat of paint. You might remove wallpaper or change the floor coverings. Once you have done all of this, you will feel much more at home. Don’t worry if the redecorating is something that has to take place over an extended period of time; the important thing is to get it just right.

Moving On

You may not be moving into a new property, but are insteadmoving out. If this is the case, then you might choose to cover up all of your own personaldécor with something neutral. As mentioned above, this can help to sell your property faster, and increase your curb appeal. If you rent and have decorated during your time in the property, then your rental agreement may well state that you need to put everything back as it was when you moved in. This could extend to repainting the walls, for example. Even though this might be something you would rather not do, if you want to get your security deposit back, then you may just need to do it anyway. The better the professional,the better the finish on the job, and the better everything will look.

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Having Children

It could be that when you moved into the property you were single or perhaps a couple. As time goes on, this can change, and at some point you might even have children to look after. If you do, then you may wish to redecorate at least part of your home to accommodate them. The children’s nursery or bedroom is one place that may require an update – you might want to change the colors so that it suits their personalities or even add some funky wallpaper with their favorite cartoon characters.

Not only that, but other areas of the home may also need to be changedto make them more family friendly. Furniture with sharp edges may not be safe for a small child, for example, and that could mean changing it for something else.

Changing Fashions

The styles of interior design will change over time, and what was fashionable when you moved into the property, or the last time you redecorated, may not be so fashionable any longer. Therefore, you might simply want to update your surroundings so that it feels fresh and modern.

To start with, take a look at some interior design magazines and websites to get a feel for what is in at the moment. Remember, though, that fashions can change quickly, so only do what you feel you want to, rather than what the fashion tells you. It might be that a year further on, and those looks and styles look dated once again.

4 Smart Tips to Help Make Your Business Environmentally-Friendly

Dana R
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4 Smart Tips to Help Make Your Business Environmentally-Friendly

Living sustainably is not only the right thing to do for our environment, but it is also the smart thing to do overall. A more sustainable life is healthier for you and the world, and it will start saving you money down the road.

The same can be said for businesses. Many of the changes you make at home to be environmentally-friendly can also be done at the office. Plus, all the benefits you see and feel at home will also transfer into the corporate world, and then some.

Sustainable businesses will notice an improvement on their bottom line, be looked at as a leader in the push to be more environmentally-friendly, and likely see an increase in customer and clientele. Many people in the public will favor companies that work to be more sustainable than others because being environmentally-friendly becomes more important every day.

Don’t think that making a business sustainable has to be difficult. In fact, with the COMMERCIALCafé sustainability report recently released, we can see more states across the country making the switch.

Implement some of the following smart changes to your business to become more sustainable every day.

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Start With Office Supplies

Take a look at your supply cupboard or closet in the office. How many pens, pencils, and other stationery items are lying around, and how many are likely missing? Every day people lose their pens and go to the stationary room to grab another one. All that plastic turns into waste.

Instead, invest in reusable stationary supplies. Reusable pens allow you to refill their ink when they run out. Instead of throwing away old pens, refill them and continue. You’ll notice it will save you money in the long run.

Review Your Procurement Policies

If you outsource many of your supplies, review your procurement policies. Look to see what your supply company is like and what their stance is on being economically-friendly. You could make a significant adjustment in your sustainability plan by merely making your procurement policy reflects your environmental standards. Go with suppliers that recycle, work towards being energy-efficient and lower their carbon footprint, and refrain from using toxic substances.

Green Web Hosting

To keep all of the servers running for businesses across the country, it requires a significant amount of power. All of that power needed will continue to damage our environment. However, relies on having the serves operating at all times. Instead, make it a part of your company’s policy that you utilize green web hosting.

Green web hosting ensures that the environmental impact is considered when powering your server. The hosting company will utilize environmentally-friendly and renewable power sources. You’ll also find that this option will save you money in the long run as well.

Become Energy Efficient

Your company itself can work towards being more energy efficient as well. There are many easy ways to make the switch. First, simply turning off the lights in rooms no one is using will conserve energy. For areas that do not get used very often, install motion sensors for the lights. When no one is around, they eventually turn the lights off.

You can also change out all of the existing light bulbs with LED ones. LED bulbs are highly efficient and use incredibly less power than other bulbs on the market. Not only that, you will see savings on the utility bills for the company.

 

Turning green doesn’t have to be hard. With small, steady steps, you’ll change your business to be more sustainable every day.

5 of the Best Website Builder Platforms

Nancy Clayson
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5 of the Best Website Builder Platforms
Image source Pixabay

The main purpose of website builder platforms is to simplify the entire website creation process. It is now possible to create a website without much technical knowledge and design talent with their drag-and-drop technology and professionally-designed templates.

Why Use a Website Builder?

Website builders benefit people with little or no technical and design skills. Using these platforms, your website can also be edited and updated at any time.  It is also easy to regularly maintain the website with its easy-to-use interface.

Top Website Builder Platforms

Using a proper website builder, you will be able to create a decent website for your business and have it up and running in no time. Here’s a list of 5 of the best website builder platforms:

  1. com

Wix.com has been consistently voted as the top choice for overall the best all-around website builder. With this website builder software, you can build just about any site imaginable – from a simple blog to an e-commerce store.

Wix has endless customization options. Websites that depend on ad revenue, such as what banner advertising provides, need these numerous design options that provide the necessary screen space and layout for selling ads.

  1. Site123

This simple and straightforward website builder has at least a few hundred templates to choose from. It also delivers a strong uptime at 99.99%. With Site123, everything is tailor-made and customizable. The platform even has plans for creating multiple pages.

Its huge dedicated help section heavily supports e-commerce stores. This is a big plus for website builders who need to be able to design websites that can produce             ad revenue and still meet the needs of visitors. Ads can easily be integrated by those who want to make extra income online through marketing platforms such as Click2sell.co.               

Weebly

Many users claim that Weebly is the easiest website builder to use. It could be used by either growing start-ups or more established businesses. Its intuitive editor makes it easy to customize site options.

Weebly is one of the most versatile website builder platforms because it is compatible with every device. It is also full of e-commerce solutions such as automatic tax calculator, digital gift cards, and Paypal integration.

  1. GoDaddy

GoDaddy’s different design templates are grouped into different categories based on the site you want to build.

One great thing about this site builder is that it offers a free trial for one month. It also offers a great customer support, with its 24/7 phone availability, Live Chat, Forum, and Knowledgebase.

  1. IMCreator

IMCreator has a user-friendly “point and click” interface where you can build e-stores, blogs, and e-commerce websites with a simple click. This is a scalable platform, supporting both single page and multi-page layouts.

Since it has unlimited web hosting and domain services, this is a great option for start-ups. One unique feature of IMCreator is XPRS, which helps users build a website with the use of beautifully-constructed ready-made blocks.

This list of 5 of the top website builders all have one thing in common: they know that there are three most important factors that users appreciate: usability, uptime, and speed. Aside from all of these factors, they should also have top-notch customer support should you need additional assistance.

Jamal Khashoggi: Secretary Mike Pompeo Meets King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh

Roy Siemens
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Jamal Khashoggi: Secretary Mike Pompeo Meets King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh
Image source www.alaraby.co.uk

Pressure is growing on Saudi Arabia to explain what happened to Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met King Salman in Riyadh.

Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Turkish officials believe the journalist was murdered by Saudi agents but the Saudis have denied this.

However, US media are reporting that the Saudis may be preparing to admit that Jamal Khashoggi died as a result of an interrogation that went wrong.

Overnight, Turkish police completed a search of the consulate after being admitted by Saudi authorities.

Mike Pompeo and King Salman have now met in Riyadh.

While much of what was discussed during has yet to be announced, the US State Department said that Mike Pompeo had used the time to thank the king for his “commitment to a thorough, transparent investigation” into Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance.

Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance: Turkish Officials Have Evidence Proving Saudi Murder

Jamal Khashoggi: Missing Washington Post Journalist Killed at Saudi Consulate in Istanbul?

The secretary of state was also expected to seek further clarification over a conversation between the king and President Donald Trump on October 15.

Tweeting earlier about the call, President Trump said: “Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened “to our Saudi Arabian citizen.” He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!”

The president later told reporters: “The denial was very, very strong. It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?”

There is a lot at stake given the strength of Saudi-US ties. President Trump has already ruled out cancelling a lucrative arms deal, although he did threaten “severe punishment” if the kingdom were found to be responsible for the death.

On October 15, King Salman ordered an investigation into the missing journalist. Saudi statements up to now have dismissed allegations of a killing as “baseless” and “lies”.

Mike Pompeo is also expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his day in Riyadh. The secretary of state may then head to Turkey.

The New York Times and on CNN reported, quoting unnamed sources, that Saudi Arabia would acknowledge that Jamal Khashoggi’s death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong and the intention had been only to abduct him from Turkey.

This may explain in part President Trump’s “rogue killers” line.

Who such killers could be and how it fits into reports of a Saudi team being dispatched to the consulate before Jamal Khashoggi’s arrival will presumably need to covered.

Jamal Khashoggi’s family in Saudi Arabia issued a statement calling for an “independent and impartial international commission”.

Meghan Markle Pregnant: Royal Couple Expecting Their First Baby Next Spring

Lisa.Felice
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Meghan Markle Pregnant: Royal Couple Expecting Their First Baby Next Spring
Image source Getty Image

Meghan Markle is pregnant and is due to give birth next spring, Kensington Palace has announced.

The announcement came as the Duchess of Sussex, 37, and Prince Harry, 34, arrived in Sydney on October 15 ahead of a 16-day tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Kensington Palace said the duke and duchess, who got married in Windsor five months ago, were “delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public”.

Royal Wedding: Prince Charles to Walk Meghan Markle Down the Aisle

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Wedding to Be Held at Windsor Castle in May 2018

Their baby will be seventh in line to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royals were told about the pregnancy on October 12, when they gathered in Windsor for Princess Eugenie’s wedding.

That speculation intensified when Meghan Markle was seen clutching two large folders in front of her stomach as she arrived in Sydney with Prince Harry for their first official royal tour, which will also take in Fiji and Tonga.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first engagement is on October 16, when crowds of well-wishers are expected to congratulate the couple.

The Duke and Duchess  of Sussex follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry’s parents – Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales – whose first royal tour was to Australia and New Zealand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mMs3cuD1d4

Paul Allen Dead: Microsoft Co-Founder Dies from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Complications At 65

Clyde K. Valle
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Paul Allen Dead: Microsoft Co-Founder Dies from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Complications At 65
Image source Wikipedia

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has died aged 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Paul Allen had revealed the disease’s return only two weeks ago, after previously being treated for it in 2009.

His friend and former business partner, Bill Gates, said: “I am heartbroken by the passing of one of my oldest and dearest friends… Personal computing would not have existed without him.”

In a statement confirming Paul Allen’s death on October 15, his sister Jody described the businessman as a “remarkable individual on every level”.

The statement said: “Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends.

“At this time of loss and grief for us – and so many others – we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.”

Paul Allen made his fortune alongside school friend Bill Gates, after they co-founded technology giant Microsoft in 1975.

He left the company in 1983 following his first diagnosis of the blood cancer Hodgkin’s disease, but recovered to become a successful venture capitalist with his media and communications investment firm, Vulcan that he set up in 1986.

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Paul Allen’s investment firm confirmed news of his death on October 15.

Vulcan CEO Bill Hilf said in a statement: “Millions of people were touched by his generosity, his persistence in pursuit of a better world, and his drive to accomplish as much as he could with the time and resources at his disposal.”

Paul Allen is estimated to have donated more than $2 billion to philanthropy throughout his life including science, education and wildlife conservation causes, the Associated Press report.

He was also an avid sports fan, owning both the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team and Seattle Seahawks NFL team, who won the US SuperBowl in 2013.

In 2010, Paul Allen pledged to give the majority of his fortune to charitable causes after his death.

Hurricane Michael Death Toll Rises to 17

Nancy Clayson
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Hurricane Michael Death Toll Rises to 17
Image source NASA Earth Observatory

At least 17 deaths have been confirmed so far in a swath of Hurricane Michael’s destruction stretching up to Virginia.

Rescuers have still to search the worst-affected areas of Florida’s flattened Mexico Beach.

Michael, one of the most powerful hurricanes in US history, struck on October 10 with 155mph winds.

So far at least 8 people are confirmed dead in Florida, 5 in Virginia, 3 in North Carolina and one in Georgia.

Rescuers using heavy machinery and trained dogs found the body of a man, the latest reported fatality, while searching through rubble on October 12 in Mexico Beach.

However, Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the number of deaths was expected to rise as teams combed through badly hit areas in Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe and Panama City.

Residents of Mexico Beach had been under a mandatory evacuation order, but it is believed at least 285 people among a population of 1,000 had stayed behind to ride out the storm.

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Florida Senator Marco Rubio said: “You hope that somehow at the last minute a bunch of people got up and left or went somewhere else.”

Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for across the area, but this may simply reflect an inability to communicate with relatives, with mobile phone coverage out in many areas.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said as he visited Mexico Beach on October 12: “It’s like a bomb went off. It’s like a war zone.”

The governor said more than 1,700 rescue workers had been deployed.

Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey said: “When you walk down and see this… your emotions run away. This is just a small unique coastal community.”

Many homes on the affected Florida coastline suffered storm surges of 12-14ft.

The residents of Mexico Beach, those who stayed and those who evacuated and have now returned, were simply trying to come to terms with the destruction.

Thousands of people were still in emergency centers on October 12.

Distribution centers have begun to spring up, but many residents remain desperate for basic services. Long lines had formed in some areas for fuel, food and water.

There are fears of unrest in poorer areas of affected towns and cities. Military personnel could be seen guarding one store in Panama City.

A spokesman for the Tyndall Air Force Base told the 3,600 men and women stationed there not to come back following their mandatory evacuation, with runways and buildings devastated.

At least 33 of its 55 F-22 stealth fighters, which each cost $339 million, had been flown out ahead of the storm.

The air force said some planes remained for maintenance reasons, although it would not confirm the number or type. A spokesman said damage was likely but had still to be assessed.

Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power in Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and in some parts it could be weeks before it is fully restored.

An insurance company, Karen Clark & Company, estimated Hurricane Michael caused about $8 billion of damage.

Michael is now a storm-force post-tropical low and is well out into the Atlantic Ocean, heading towards the Bay of Biscay.

Australia to Ban Religious Schools from Rejecting Gay Students

Diane A. Wade
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Australia to Ban Religious Schools from Rejecting Gay Students
Image source Wikimedia

Australia’s PM Scott Morrison has promised to stop religious schools from rejecting gay students.

The prime minister said new legislation would “make it clear that no student of a non-state school should be expelled on the basis of their orientation”.

Some Australian states allow such schools to reject gay students.

The discrimination of gay students in religious schools has been hotly debated in Australia after recommendations of a report on religious freedom were leaked earlier this week.

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The religious report, commissioned after same-gender marriage was made legal in 2017, suggested that procedures for non-state schools to reject gay students should be made consistent nationwide, raising the possibility of allowing such rejections across Australia.

On October 10, PM Scott Morrison, who leads the center-right Liberal-National coalition, said the proposals – which included some safeguards for gay students – would be considered “carefully and respectfully”.

On October 13, the prime minister made clear that religious schools would not be allowed to discriminate under new legislation.

He said: “Given recent misreporting, we have an opportunity here to bring forward a simple amendment to end the confusion.”

Australian state schools are already banned from discriminating against students on the basis of their orientation.

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