According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 51 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend – the highest travel volume since 2005, and a 3.3% increase from last year. Those traveling this year represent 15% of the US population.
Estimates suggest that 89% of travelers will journey by car. AAA found car rentals average around $70 per day, which is 34% higher than last year.
Those flying to their destination, however, may have booked a cheaper Thanksgiving trip than usual. According to AAA, the average cost for round-trip flights was the lowest in five years.
Lebanon’s PM Saad Hariri has decided to “suspend” his resignation, which sparked a crisis when he announced it while in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.
Saad Hariri said President Michel Aoun had asked him to “put it on hold ahead of further consultations”.
The two men held talks a day after Saad Hariri flew back to Lebanon.
The prime minister has denied that Saudi Arabia forced him to resign and detained him in an attempt to curb the influence of Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is part of a national unity government formed by Saad Hariri in 2016.
Saad Hariri said after November 22 meeting at the Baabda presidential palace: “Today I presented my resignation to his excellency the president, and he asked me to temporarily suspend submitting it and to put it on hold ahead of further consultations on the reasons for it.
“I expressed my agreement to this request, in the hope that it will form a serious basis for a responsible dialogue.”
He said Lebanon required “exceptional effort from everyone” at this time in order to “protect it in confronting dangers and challenges”.
The prime minister also reiterated the need to remain committed to Lebanon’s state policy of “dissociation regarding wars, external struggles, regional disputes and everything that harms internal stability” – an apparent reference to the activities of Hezbollah.
The Shia Islamist movement acknowledges fighting alongside government forces in Syria and Iraq, and arming Palestinian militants. However, it denies advising and sending weapons to rebel forces in Yemen’s civil war and militants in Bahrain.
Saad Hariri was embraced by President Michel Aoun as the two men attended an independence day military parade in Beirut. The president, a Maronite Christian former army commander and ally of Hezbollah who publicly accused Saudi Arabia of detaining the prime minister, appeared to tell him: “Welcome back!”
Saad Hariri left Riyadh for France at the weekend with his wife and one of his three children. He flew to Lebanon on November 21, stopping in Egypt and Cyprus en route.
On November 20, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech that still considered Saad Hariri prime minister and that the militant Shia Islamist movement was “open to any dialogue and any discussing that happens” in Lebanon.
Saad Hariri announced his resignation in a televised address on November 4 from Riyadh, in which he accused Iran of sowing “discord, devastation and destruction” in the region and said he sensed there was an assassination plot against him.
Under the right circumstances, careers in the field of finance tend to pay quite handsomely, and one of these circumstances is related to job location. A financial planner or investment analyst can earn a significant paycheck each month, but the cost of living in certain cities will determine how far the salary will go. In the United States, it is easier for professionals in the finance sector to find job opportunities in the five cities listed below:
Miami
The Magic City is mostly known for tourism, fashion, and entertainment, but it is important to remember that this is the financial capital of Florida and Latin America. Miami is one of the best places for bilingual professionals to find work in the field of finance; an underwriter processing title loans in Orlando will likely earn a higher salary in Miami if they’re fluent in Spanish, but they will also have to adjust to the higher cost of living.
San Francisco
This majestic city in California is the headquarters of the global venture capital industry, which means that there is no shortage of job opportunities for accountants, investment analysts, and portfolio managers. The City by the Bay is also home to the main offices of Charles Schwab and Franklin Templeton, two of the biggest names in retail stock investments. Although San Francisco offers a great quality of life, the cost of living is one of the highest in the country; in 2016, the average rent payment on a one-bedroom apartment was more than $3,400 per month.
New York
Even though London has been considered to be the financial capital of the world for most of the 21st century, the Brexit referendum for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union is causing an exodus of financial firms from this capital city, which means that New York has regained that title. As long as Wall Street continues to operate in Manhattan, there will be plenty of jobs for financial professionals who seek to relocate here. The bullish run of the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 investment benchmarks over the last few years has created ample employment opportunities for investment professionals.
Charlotte
When it comes to retail banking, no other city has a higher concentration of major companies than Charlotte. By virtue of being home to Bank of America, quite a few other major banks have also chosen to make this North Carolina city their headquarters. The best part about Charlotte is that its median annual salary of $67,470 for financial professionals is more than adequate to cover the cost of living; after all, this is a city where a small house can be rented for just $1,000 per month.
Seattle
This city has achieved the distinction of being known as the Silicon Valley of the Pacific Northwest due to its growing tech sector that is spearheaded by companies such as Microsoft and Amazon. Seattle is a major center of innovation and development in the burgeoning financial technology sector, which is becoming known as “fintech.” The median salary in Seattle is adequate for its cost of living, and the quality of life is one of the highest in the United States. Two other cities that financial professionals should consider include Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska, where most of the American insurance industry is concentrated, and where the cost of living is substantially lower than in the rest of the cities listed herein.
Zimbabwe’s former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose dismissal led to the shock resignation of long-time President Robert Mugabe, will be sworn in as the new president on November 24, the state broadcaster announces.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, who fled to South Africa two weeks ago, would fly home on November 22, it added.
The news of Robert Mugabe’s resignation sparked wild celebrations across the country late into the night.
The announcement that Robert Mugabe was stepping down came in the form of a letter read out in parliament on November 21, abruptly halting impeachment proceedings against him.
In that letter, the 93-year-old said he was resigning to allow a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, and that his decision was voluntary.
A spokesman for the ruling Zanu-PF party said Emmerson Mnangagwa, 71, would serve the remainder of Robert Mugabe’s term until elections which are due to take place by September 2018.
The state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) confirmed that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s swearing-in ceremony had been scheduled for November 24.
Nicknamed the “crocodile” due to his political cunning, Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a statement from exile calling on Zimbabweans to unite to rebuild the country.
He told Zimbabwe’s NewsDay on November 21: “Together, we will ensure a peaceful transition to the consolidation of our democracy, and bring in a fresh start for all Zimbabweans and foster peace and unity.”
His dismissal by Robert Mugabe two weeks ago triggered an unprecedented political crisis in Zimbabwe.
The move had been seen by many as an attempt to clear the way for First Lady Grace Mugabe to succeed her husband as leader and riled the military leadership, which stepped in and put the president under house arrest.
Under Zimbawe’s constitution, the role of successor would normally go to a serving vice-president, and one still remains in post – Phelekezela Mphoko.
However, Phelekezela Mphoko – a key ally of Grace Mugabe – has just been fired by Zanu-PF and is not believed to be in the country. In his absence, the Zanu-PF has nominated Emmerson Mnangagwa, the speaker of parliament confirmed.
Uber’s new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said: “While we have not seen evidence of fraud or misuse tied to the incident, we are monitoring the affected accounts and have flagged them for additional fraud protection.”
“None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it,” he added.
“While I can’t erase the past, I can commit on behalf of every Uber employee that we will learn from our mistakes.”
In the wake of the news, Uber’s chief security officer Joe Sullivan has left the company.
The company did not confirm precise details of the hack, but according to Bloomberg‘s report, two hackers were able to access a private area of Github, an online resource for developers.
From there it is understood they found Uber’s log-in credentials to Amazon Web Services. AWS is a cloud computing service used by companies to store data.
As is often the case, it will likely be the cover up that proves more bothersome for Uber than the hack itself.
Companies are required to disclose significant data breaches to regulators, something it has by its own admission failed to do in this case.
In January 2017, Uber was fined $20,000 for failing to disclose a considerably less serious breach in 2014.
The Partridge Family star David Cassidy has died at the age of 67.
He found fame in The Partridge Family before going on to become a 1970s teen pop idol.
A family statement said: “David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long.”
David Cassidy was admitted to hospital last week after suffering multiple organ failure.
Earlier this year, the actor and singer said he had dementia and would stop touring in order to “enjoy life”.
David Cassidy was born in New York to a family familiar with the entertainment industry. His father was a singer and actor and his mother was an actress.
He became a star playing Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family – a 1970s sitcom about a mother and five children who formed a rock and roll band.
The Partridge Family spawned several hit songs, such as I Think I Love You.
Following the sitcom David Cassidy enjoyed a hugely successful career in music and acting. He received multiple Grammy nominations and sold more than 30 million records worldwide.
At the peak of his fame in the 1970s, David Cassidy’s fan club had a bigger membership than that of The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Hundreds were injured in a stampede at one of David Cassidy’s shows in 1974, with a girl dying a few days later.
In recent years the singer has spoken about his struggles with alcohol.
In 2015, David Cassidy filed for bankruptcy. Between 2010 and 2014, he was arrested three times for DUI, and was ordered to rehab as part of his sentence in 2014.
David Cassidy has divorced three times and has two children.
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has announced his resignation ending his 37 years of rule.
The announcement sparked jubilant celebrations in the nation’s streets.
A letter from Robert Mugabe, 93, read out by the speaker of parliament said the decision was voluntary and he had made it to allow a smooth transfer of power.
The news abruptly halted an impeachment hearing that had begun against him.
The ruling Zanu-PF party says former VP Emmerson Mnangagwa will succeed Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dismissal earlier this month triggered a political crisis.
The move had been seen by many as an attempt to clear the way for Grace Mugabe to succeed her husband as leader and riled the military leadership, who stepped in and put Robert Mugabe under house arrest.
After the resignation announcement, lawmakers roared in jubilation.
Robert Mugabe was until his resignation the world’s oldest leader. He had previously refused to quit despite last week’s military takeover and days of protests.
According to the constitution, Robert Mugabe’s successor should be the current vice-president, Phelekezela Mphoko, a supporter of Grace Mugabe.
However, Zanu-PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke told Reuters that Emmerson Mnangagwa would be in office “within 48 hours”.
Speaking from an undisclosed location earlier on November 21, Emmerson Mnangagwa said he had fled abroad two weeks ago when he learned of a plot to kill him.
Charlie Rose is one of America’s most respected broadcasters.
He is known for conducting in-depth interviews, including with such high-profile guests as former President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett, on his eponymous television program which first aired in 1991.
Charlie Rose, whose show goes out on PBS and Bloomberg TV, also co-hosts CBS’s This Morning and is a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes.
His interviews have won him Emmy and Peabody awards, and he was named by Time magazine as one of its 100 most influential people in 2014.
PBS quickly suspended distribution of the Charlie Rose show following the allegations, which they described as “deeply disturbing”.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Charlie Rose said: “I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed.
“I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.”
Numerous high-profile figures, including Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman and Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein have been accused of harassment in recent weeks.
The accusations were sparked by multiple women speaking out against Harvey Weinstein, and a subsequent campaign encouraging victims to share their stories of harassment under the #metoo hashtag.
President Donald Trump has announced that the US is re-designating North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, nine years after it was removed from the list.
In a cabinet meeting, President Trump said the move would trigger “very large” additional sanctions to be announced on November 21.
However, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later admitted that “the practical effects may be limited”.
President Trump blamed North Korea’s nuclear program, and support for what he called international acts of terrorism.
While announcing the decision at the White House, President Trump said it “should have happened a long time ago”.
In September, the US proposed a range of UN sanctions against North Korea, including an oil ban and a freeze on leader Kim Jong-un’s assets.
It followed North Korea’s sixth nuclear test and repeated missile launches.
North Korea joins Iran, Sudan and Syria on a list of countries that are deemed to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
It has been on the list before but was removed in 2008 by the administration of George W. Bush as part of negotiations on its nuclear program.
The campaign to reinstate it intensified after the American student Otto Warmbier died shortly after he was released from North Korean custody.
Speaking to reporters at a White House press briefing, Rex Tillerson said the designation was meant to hold North Korea accountable for recent actions it has taken “including assassinations outside of their country” and “using banned chemical weapons”.
The secretary of state admitted that given existing sanctions it was “very symbolic” but also said new measures could “disrupt and dissuade some third parties from undertaking certain activities with North Korea”.
“The practical effects may be limited but hopefully we’re closing off a few loopholes with this,” he said.
Kim Jong-un continues to pursue nuclear weapons and missile programs in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions.
The North Korean leader has made no secret of Pyongyang’s plans to develop a missile capable of reaching the US mainland and has claimed to have developed a hydrogen bomb.
Last month, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the threat of nuclear attack from North Korea was increasing.
Environmental awareness is almost everywhere. More and more people are getting conscious
of being eco-friendly and are making mindful choices in:
Sustainable development.
Food and food packaging.
Recycling.
Conserving natural resources and so on.
So, it should not be surprising that this choice extends to diamonds too. Indeed, socially
responsible customers are asking for diamonds that are:
Conflict-free.
Lab-created and
Eco-friendly.
Here are some of the top reasons to buy eco-friendly diamonds.
You will own a masterpiece in more ways than one
Imagine telling people the story behind the diamond. It has all the properties of a natural
diamond but it has been nurtured in a lab, in a cleaner environment and using much less
energy than digging up a diamond in some mine. No dirt and mud were displaced to find your
stone. No human beings had to go through sweat and toil and more importantly, there is not
even a whiff of ‘blood diamond’ tag that can be attached to your precious stone.
Getting accurate about its origin
A lot of people have woken up to the reality of conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. You
really would not like your favorite ring or other jewelry to be associated with war and strife
and violence, isn’t it? But, even if you know your diamond store completely, can you be 100%
confident that the stones were not sourced from countries that are troubled?
Well, with eco-friendly diamonds, you can be completely certain that they come with peace
and in peace too! Isn’t that an interesting angle to start a conversation with?
Plenty of choice in the market
Thanks to the ever-rising consciousness about eco-friendly diamonds, there is a veritable
cornucopia of choice in the marketplace today. So, you can look for a seller who is:
Cost-effective.
Can give you support in terms of recycled gold and platinum too.
Design advice when it comes to making and crafting jewelry
Open about his sourcing, creating and selling process and
Willing to give you certifications for your diamonds too.
The point is to minimize diamonds and precious metals sourced from environmentally –
devastating mines. And this is where the vast range of sellers can help you tremendously.
Recycling an heirloom
Apart from lab-grown diamonds, you can also go eco-friendly by looking for an heirloom
diamond. Vintage jewelry and even pieces of jewelry worn by your forefathers will have good
quality diamonds. So, why not recycle these precious stones? In most cases, you only need to
invest a bit of time and energy in cleaning up these stones and re-using them in your choice of
rings, pendants and earrings and so on.
Here again, you will be creating a legacy that you can be proud of. You will not only be
channeling the history and tradition of an heirloom piece but you will also be adding your
unique story to it. Apart from looking at your family, you may also like to look at:
Auctions.
Pawn shops.
Estate sales.
Jewelry stores.
Jewelers and so on.
Cost-effectiveness
A lot of people do buy diamonds as an investment. So, it is difficult to put a price on this
precious stone. After all, it is the value proposition that comes with a stone and not its price
tag isn’t it? But in a lot of cases, eco-friendly diamonds (whether you source it from a labor
from a pawn shop or use a family heirloom) can prove to be much more than their price tags.
The depreciation factor has already been taken care of and you are left with a stone that is
highly valuable but has not cost you an arm and a foot.
Any business regarding agriculture and farming can think about committing in farm machinery finance in order to achieve further growth. Purchasing new machinery can be highly advantageous. Tractors, renewable energy systems milking parlors and vital production machinery can help in steady business growth. But this may encounter with certain unavoidable issues including lack of funds. When you are thinking of funding in farm machinery, a thorough plan is needed which will guarantee on getting the best out of your deal. Thus, investing in new and heavy farm machinery may be a tricky decision so it should be carefully thought of.
Why is Machinery Finance so Popular?
Presently, there are many financial solutions available and many advanced businesses are well aware of it. As a result, they are searching for other forms of funding which can substitute traditional bank loans and are more flexible, involve less risk and are also cost-effective.
In simple terms, a loan which is taken to purchase some tangible assets is termed as asset finance. These assets include machinery required for constructional work, plant and machinery, any equipment necessary for agriculture and farming, even boats and plants and IT equipment. This type of funding is more beneficial than normal banking facility which offers considerable cash flow and other benefits regarding taxes for businesses who are thinking of investing in new equipment or machinery.
Five Points for Funding Your Farm Machinery
Investing in farm machinery should be carefully planned which will ensure a steady cash flow. The below tips are beneficial for any type of farm machinery finance be it tractor finance solution or you are investing in slurry stores.
⦁ Consider your current situation:
One should be well aware of their present business performance. The current functionality of your farm machinery should be well analyzed to know how frequently repairs will be needed. You should also consider the cost of contractors and fuel. This will help you to optimize your budget and keep your farm machinery in good condition. Another factor which may be important is the effect of future business expansion on leasing the machinery. One of the major factors you should consider is the return you are getting from your business. All these factors will help you to allocate your funds accordingly.
⦁ Make an updated business plan:
Once you are aware of your present business situation you can think about future plans regarding the estimated time for repairs and replacements, depreciation of your machinery and also a well-structured outline of any potential restructures which would affect the funding. All these elements will help you in sketching a much better scenario to fit your equipment requirements.
⦁ Consider the available options:
There are many financial options available that you should consider. When it comes to deciding what to opt for you should consider certain factors like whether it is utmost necessity that you buy the asset, or how you will handle the cash flow in case of increased interest rates etc. you should be well aware of all the options available to you as this type of decision involves a certain amount of risk too.
⦁ Monitor budgets:
In order to choose the right deal, you should monitor your cash flow regularly. You should be well aware of the regular income and outgoings and also on the current market scenario. This will help you to deal with the payments required for the funding.
⦁ Seek advice from experts:
Before taking any decision you should always consider consulting with an industry expert. An asset finance specialist is someone who will help you make the right decision regarding farm machinery finance. He will also help you to manage the entire process in an effective manner.
If you are like most business owners, one of the main things you are concerned about is taking your business to the next level. Expanding your company globally is a lot harder than it may sound. Trying to expand too quickly can lead to you getting in over your head. Wading into the global expansion waters will allow you to make the right decisions and avoid biting off more than you can chew. Taking a trip to the places you are thinking of expanding too is important. If you are embarking on a trip to America, obtaining an ESTA with the help of e visa usa is essential. The following are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before expanding into new countries.
Is the Foundation of Your Company Solid?
When trying to decide whether or not to expand your business globally, you will first need to contemplate how solid your company’s foundation is. You need to make sure that the current areas you are in are maxed out in regards to growth potential. Paying close attention to the day to day operations of a business are also important. If it feels like you can barely keep up with the amount of business you currently have, then you may want to hold off on the expansion. Ironing out all of the details of this type of growth is essential. Trying to expand too fast can lead to a lot of headaches and missed sales opportunities.
How Are You Going to Find Talent Overseas?
Another vital thing you need to contemplate before moving into a new country is how you are going to find the talent needed to run this new part of your operation. While finding talent and great employees in your existing area may seem like no big deal, doing the same in a new country can be quite complex. You should take some time to do a bit of research to find out what type of employees are available in the area you will be moving into. Working with recruitment agencies is a great way to find out this type of information. A hiring agency will be able to give you the low down on the qualified candidates they represent. When speaking with a recruitment agency, you should also ask them about what type of pay rate is common in the area. Making sure you are paying a competitive wage is a great way to keep qualified team members loyal.
What needs to be Done to Adapt to Local Culture?
Once you have honed in on what country you will be expanding your business to, finding out more about the local culture is a must. The last thing you want to do is offend people in the area by not abiding certain practices and vital parts of their culture. Getting some guidance from locals in the area on what is acceptable and what is not can help to save you a lot of problems in the future.
Who Are Your Competitors in this New Market?
Finding out who your competitors in this new market are is also something you should take seriously. Getting to know who you are up against can help you devise a plan to market your products or services. Taking a look at how the competitors in the area have built a following can help you greatly. While you need to avoid stealing from your competitors, you can certainly pick up a few pointers that will help you in a new country. Getting the word out about your company is something you need to be passionate about when expanding globally. Having the right marketing tools in place can make or break you in a situation like this.
Making a move into a new country without a game plan can be disastrous. Investing time and energy into devising the right plan of attack will serve you well in the future.
Going on vacation is a great way to relax and get a break from your hectic lifestyle. While a vacation can provide you with a break from your daily life, there are still a variety of problems that can arise. Knowing how to deal with these problems correctly can help you to have a great time on your trip regardless of the issues you face. One of the worst things that can happen during a vacation is getting sick. Instead of packing your things up and heading home, you need to stick it out and have a good time in spite of your sickness. Below are some of the things you can do to deal with getting sick while on vacation.
Check Your Health Insurance before Going on Vacation
Before you leave for your vacation, you need to spend some time checking your health insurance policy. You have to make sure that the policy you have will cover the cost of treatment in another country or state. Usually, you will have no problem extending your coverage to another state, but traveling out of the country can pose some problems. The only way to find out what your insurance policy will cover is by calling the insurance company that handles the policy. They will be able to give you a breakdown of what your policy allows and can answer any questions you may have. By taking the time to call your insurance provider, you can avoid any surprises should you get sick while on a trip to another country.
See a Doctor and Start Taking Medicine Right Away
If you find yourself becoming sick while on vacation, getting to a doctor and starting the right medicine is essential. The faster you are able to start taking the right medicine, the less time you will have to deal with your ailments. Be sure to speak with the doctor about what pharmacies are in the area. If at all possible, you want to choose a pharmacy that can deliver your medicine to your hotel. A service like Kushly will be able to get you the medicine you need in a timely manner. By working with a delivery service, you can avoid getting lost in a new city when trying to find a pharmacy. Paying a bit extra for these services is a great idea due to the convenience it can provide you.
Help To Protect Your Travel Companions
If you find yourself sick while on vacation, one of the main things you should worry about is keeping your travel companions safe. Doing things like removing your toothbrush from the sink or even avoiding touching their things can make a big difference when trying to keep others in your room from catching the ailment you have. Exercising this caution is especially important if you are traveling around with children. You should also encourage the people staying in the room with you to wash their hands frequently to remove any germs that may exist.
Make Your Hotel Room Your Personal Recovery Ward
Another important thing you should do when getting sick while on vacation is turning your hotel room into a personal recovery ward. Most hotel rooms will have everything you need to tough it out until you feel better. Watching television or even getting on your computer is a great way to pass the time. Most of the hotels out there have WIFI and tons of channels for you to take advantage of. Realizing that your illness is only temporary is important. Getting down in the dumps about being sick isn’t going to help your situation, which is why keeping a positive outlook is important.
With some medicine and the right frame of mind, bouncing back from an illness while on vacation will be much easier. Waiting to get medical treatment for your ailment will only make things worse, so schedule an appointment with a doctor’s office in the area as soon as possible.
Charles Milles Manson, the criminal and cult leader who formed what became known as the Manson Family, has died aged 83.
The notorious cult leader directed his followers to commit a string of brutal murders and became a symbol of the dark side of 1960s counterculture.
Charles Manson was admitted to Bakersfield hospital, California, earlier this month and died of natural causes on November 19.
In 1969, the Manson Family killed nine people.
Among the victims of the killing spree was heavily pregnant actress Sharon Tate, wife of Roman Polanski.
Image source Wikimedia
One of Charles Manson’s young followers, Susan Atkins, stabbed Sharon Tate to death and scrawled “PIG” on the home’s front door with the actress’s blood.
Four other people at Sharon Tate’s home were brutally stabbed to death. The next day, a wealthy couple in Los Angeles, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, were also killed by the clan. The killings became known collectively as the Tate-LaBianca murders.
Separately Donald Shea, a Hollywood stuntman, and Gary Hinman, an acquaintance of the group, were killed by members of Charles Manson’s followers.
Charles Manson was not at the scene of the killings, but was nonetheless convicted of murder for directing his followers in seven of the killings. He was sentenced to death in 1971.
He “died of natural causes at 8:13 pm on Sunday” at a hospital in Kern County, the California Department of Corrections said in a statement. He had been in custody for more than 40 years.
Sharon Tate’s sister, Debra told the TMZ that she had received a phone call from prison officials shortly after Charles Manson’s death.
Gathering young followers around him in the late 1960s, Charles Manson claimed to believe in a coming race war in America. He planned to hasten the war and emerge as the leader of a new social order – a vision he nicknamed “Helter Skelter”, after a Beatles song he became obsessed with.
Prosecutors argued that Charles Manson hoped black Americans would be blamed for the Tate-LaBianca killings, heightening racial tensions.
Charles Manson convinced a number of his followers that he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, using a combination of drugs and genuine charisma to bring the “Family” – mainly young, middle-class women – under his control.
Before Charles Manson’s death sentence could be carried out, California outlawed capital punishment and his sentence was reduced to nine life sentences. Over the course of his four decades in prison, Charles Manson applied for parole 12 times.
The last attempt was turned down by the parole board in 2012.
In 2014, Charles Manson was granted a marriage license to wed a 26-year-old woman who said she loved him, but the license expired and the marriage did not go ahead.
Almost half a century on, the Manson Family’s killing spree continues to fascinate many Americans, and has been retold through books, movies and music.
“I wish I had a 48 hour day!” many have said to me during the last eight years as a professional SEO specialist. “I’d be able to get so much more done!”
Of course, we can’t get more than 24 hours out of each day (assuming we don’t take time to sleep) but we can get the equivalent through delegation when we plug into someone else ‘s time stream when we don’t have the time or the expertise, thereby multiplying our results.
Here are Five Ways to Delegate It!
1. STAFF If you are fortunate to have staff, utilize this resource. You don’t have to do it all yourself. People around you tend to rise to your level of expectation for them. Elevate them, that’s how you grew and got to your level. And if YOU are the staff with no one to delegate to, to share the workload and increase your results, think of ways to get a staff. Many high school and college intern programs offer eager assistants, often at no cost.
For example, our local high school will provide a student to most any legitimate for profit or non-profit organization for up to 15 hours per week during the school year to help with the filing, running errands, photocopying, etc., to free you from those tasks to do more productive things with your time.
2. REVERSE DELEGATION Often during my week, co-workers, my students, friends, and even family members will come to me and ask for my help. I’m flattered when that happens, that they would think enough of my opinion to ask. The problem though is I sometimes get all caught up in their problem and don’t have time to get the things done I need to get done. For example, my office manager, Kathy, came to me one afternoon, all in a tizzy because she had two clients requesting that I conduct our time management seminar for the same dates.
Before I get all caught up in this problem I asked, “What do you think we ought to do?” I don’t mind taking my share of the load, but much of the time the person bringing me the problem is just as well equipped to solve it as I am. By the way, Kathy came up with two ways to resolve her situation so the problem was solved, she did it, and I was free to focus on other matters.
3. YOUR INNER CIRCLE Your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are the people who are closest to you, they love and care for you the most and they will help you, if you’ll ask. Neighbors can pool errand running. Children can do laundry. Co-workers will give a willing hand. But remember the adage, “To have a friend, be a friend.” Don’t exploit. Offer to help others first and when you need their help, they’ll be there for you.
4. COLLEGE ASSISTANTS Each of us have 10-20 hours per week of minutia to attend to. We have to go grocery shopping, dust and vacuum, mow the lawn, go to the pharmacy and the cleaners, wash the car, and on and on. Certainly, these are important tasks that are necessary to make our lives work and there’s nothing wrong with performing them ourselves.
All I’m suggesting is if on the one hand, you feel you do not have enough time each week to accomplish what you really need to do, to realize your important dreams and goals, and on the other hand, you’re spending 10-20 hours per week doing these lower level tasks, you may have an alternative and that is to consider hiring a college assistant for 10-20 hours per week, delegate all these little chores to him/her and literally buy an extra 10-20 hours per week to use more effectively.
5. HIRED HELP This is similar to the college assistant idea above, only the next level up. It’s hiring people who have specific expertise. For example, I don’t know if it makes good sense to give up a whole weekend every April to figure out the latest changes in the tax code to file our tax return. Maybe it makes better sense to go to a tax specialist, let them prepare the return, and free up your time to those things that are more important and lacking in your life. (I’m really good at spending your money, eh?)
Hope this helps you be more productive and increase your bottom line!
Wouldn’t it be great to get through Christmas this year without that great big dose of seasonal guilt? Very few of us feel good about the way we spend over Christmas – let’s face it most of us spend too much. That can not only ruin Christmas itself but leave you with a pretty nasty financial hangover well into the New Year and possibly a bad credit situation that affects your future borrowing. If you want to change the record this year then it’s all about healthier Christmas shopping habits.
Just buy what you need
The temptation at this time of year is to just buy everything you come across. Overbuying is a serious problem at Christmas and a very bad habit to get into. Do you really need 60 mince pies? Are you sure that only top of the range toys will do? It’s easy to start panicking that Christmas will only mean something this year if you have all the “stuff” but the reality is that it’s just not about that. Get what you need to have an enjoyable Christmas and leave it at that.
Image source Public Domain Pictures
Break the habit of associating a “good” Christmas with an expensive one
When you start your Christmas shopping think about what it is that really makes this time of year special. Is it having the best champagne money can buy or being surrounded by family and friends? It’s always a good idea to try to keep in perspective what Christmas means to you when you’re doing the buying for it so that you don’t end up overspending for the wrong reasons.
Plan and budget
Yes, it does sound a little Scrooge-like to sit down with your lists and work out exactly where to allocate every last penny. However, the reality is that planning what you’re going to buy and budgeting for all of it will ensure that you keep your Christmas spending under control. This is also a great, healthy spending habit to get into at Christmas because you’ll end up really thinking about the gifts that you buy and the food that you opt for. Plus, when it comes to enjoying the day itself you won’t be sitting there mid-turkey feast thinking “we really can’t afford this.”
Walk away if you’re not sure
At this time of year, advertising goes into overdrive and it can create a state of FOMO that’s difficult to escape. Clever marketing campaigns can make you feel like you really just can’t do without the ultra expensive new outfit or 20 tins of chocolates. Try to keep your head when it comes to the Christmas deals and discounts and don’t get sucked into spending on what you don’t need. Walking away when you start to feel affected by all that advertising is a healthy Christmas shopping habit to get into.
Shop with a friend
If you know that you’re likely to get sucked in to spending more than you should – or turning the whole experience into a stress-filled nightmare – consider shopping with a friend. Share your budgets beforehand and agree to stop each other from overspending. Sometimes having someone there is all that we need to make us feel accountable and to not take that unhealthy step towards bad spending. Plus, if you’re shopping with a friend you can make it a fun and festive affair rather than a mad dash that you dread.
Morrissey has made surprising remarks in an interview in which he defended Kevin Spacey over allegations of abuse.
The former Smiths singer said Kevin Spacey had been “attacked unnecessarily”, adding it was “ridiculous” that the actor was being erased from an upcoming movie.
Morrissey, 58, also argued that definitions of harassment and assault have become too broad.
Speaking to the German newspaper Der Spiegel, he began by stating “rape is disgusting [and] every physical attack is repugnant”.
Last month, Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of harassing him when he was 14.
Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed that Kevin Spacey, then aged 26, laid on top of him at a party at his apartment in 1986 and alleged the star “was trying to seduce” him.
Kevin Spacey said he was “beyond horrified” by the claim, adding that he did not remember the alleged incident.
Morrissey said Anthony Rapp’s claims “did not sound very credible to me”.
“I don’t know about you, but I was never in situations like this in my youth,” he told the publication.
“Never. I was always aware of what could happen. When you are in somebody’s bedroom, you have to be aware of where that can lead to.”
Morrissey also cast doubt on the dozens of women who have accused Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of assault.
“People know exactly what’s going on,” the singer reportedly said when asked about Harvey Weinstein inviting actresses to his hotel room, “and they play along”.
“Afterwards, they feel embarrassed or disliked. And then they turn it around and say: <<I was attacked, I was surprised>>.
“But if everything went well, and if it had given them a great career, they would not talk about it.”
“I hate rape… But in many cases, one looks at the circumstances and thinks that the person who is considered a victim is merely disappointed.”
More than fifty women, many of them some of the biggest names in Hollywood, have accused Harvey Weinstein of assault, harassment, abuse and rape, which allegedly took place over four decades.
Morrissey added that many famous musicians had slept with fans who were under the age of consent.
“Throughout the history of music and rock ‘n’ roll there have been musicians who slept with their groupies,” the singer said, while clarifying that he was not one of them.
“If you go through history, almost everyone is guilty of sleeping with minors. Why not throw everyone in jail right away?”
While it may seem like the US Government is determined to deny everyone social security disability, the number of claimants has in fact risen over the last few years. That makes the Government’s position tenuous as they have to ensure that there is a balance between paying out for people that need it, and the money that is coming in. In turn, this can have a big effect on the life of the average American if they find themselves unable to work. To find out more read the post below.
Unfortunately, we cannot always predict what will happen to our health. That is why the Social Security Disability (SSD) system is in place because it allows those us that genuinely cannot work because of a physical or mental condition some financial assistance. This, in turn, allows us to pay for the necessities of life such as rent, utilities, and food. Something that ensures we do not end up on the breadline just because of ill health.
Applying for SSD
However, as you can see from the title of the piece, just because you apply for SSD doesn’t mean you will get it. In fact, the odds are currently weighted against you, with almost three-quarters of applicants not being granted SSD.
That means if you are applying you must ensure that your forms and evidence are of top quality. To help you with this you need to consult what is known as the Blue Book, or to give it it’s proper name The Social Security Administration’s Impairment Listing Manual. This document covers the mental and physical conditions such as hearing loss and cystic fibrosis that are acceptable as a reason for applying for SSD.
It can also be incredibly useful to employ the services of professionals like David Chermol that specialize in the legality of social security applications and appeals. This is because they will know the system and judges well, something that can increase the chances of a positive result in your case. Also, they are likely to be up to date on the most recent changes in the system, and this could give your application the edge of the thousands of other are received daily.
What to do if your application is denied
Even with the best help and most careful attention to detail, there is no guarantee that your SSD application will be granted the first time.
The legality of SSD appeals can be tricky. Picture here
Luckily, there is something that you can do in this case, and that is to make a formal appeal. To do this, it is always better to go with a professional that understands the strengths and weakness of your particular disability and need for SSD, rather than take on the case yourself.
It can even be useful to use the same company that helped you with your initial application, as they are up to speed on your case. Something that puts them in a prime position to help you move it forward through this next step, and secure you the financial allowance that you deserve.
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has refused to resign and vowed to stay in power for several weeks, despite mounting calls for him to stand down now.
In a live TV address, President Mugabe said he would preside over the ruling party’s congress in December.
Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF earlier dismissed Robert Mugabe as party leader, and gave him less than 24 hours to resign as president or be impeached.
Robert Mugabe’s grip on power has weakened since the military intervened on November 15, in a row over who should succeed him.
The crisis began when Robert Mugabe sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, two weeks ago, angering army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife as his successor.
Earlier in the day, Emmerson Mnangagwa was named as Zanu-PF’s new leader and candidate for the 2018 general elections.
At the same party meeting, Robert Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife, Grace, was expelled from the party, alongside a number of other senior officials.
However, in his speech later in the day, the 93-year-old president made no direct mention of those developments.
“The (ruling Zanu-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes,” Robert Mugabe told the nation, flanked by senior military generals at his official residence in Harare. The president spoke slowly, occasionally stumbling over his words.
Robert Mugabe acknowledged criticism from Zanu-PF, the military and public, and stressed the need to return Zimbabwe to normalcy.
He said, in reference to the army’s move last week to take over the state broadcaster: “Whatever the pros and cons of how they (the army) went about their operation, I, as commander-in-chief, do acknowledge their concerns.”
Robert Mugabe said their actions had not violated the constitution, but he did not mention any possibility of resigning.
Tens of thousands had joined huge demonstrations on November 18, with many believing he was about to step down.
It is not entirely clear how Robert Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF’s congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader.
Party positions are officially decided at the congress and Emmerson Mnangagwa may officially take over leading the country then.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former state security chief, is nicknamed “the crocodile” for his perceived shrewdness. He fled Zimbabwe after his sacking two weeks ago, but has since reportedly returned.
Top leaders of Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF are calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down, as pressure on him intensifies following a military intervention and protests.
Senior party officials have started arriving for a meeting of Zanu-PF in which they will discuss whether to dismiss Robert Mugabe.
The party’s Youth League, previously loyal to the long-term president, has turned against him.
Military leaders are also set to meet President Mugabe.
According state TV, mediation will be led by a Catholic priest.
In a statement, the Zanu-PF Youth League condemned Robert Mugabe’s allies for “looting and plundering” and his wife Grace for “vulgar, cunning and unruly behavior”, and called on him to stand down and to “rest as an elder statesman”.
Nine of ten Zanu-PF party chapters say Robert Mugabe should step down and their decision is likely to be endorsed at November 19 meeting of the party’s top body, the central committee.
The head of the influential War Veterans Association, Chris Mutsvangwa, predicted to Reuters before the meeting that President Mugabe would be removed from the party leadership, and his wife would lose her position as head of its women’s league.
He then threatened to “bring back the crowds and they will do their business” if Robert Mugabe did not step down.
The 93-year-old president has largely been confined to his house since the army took over on November 15.
The army took control of the country after President Mugabe fired his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dismissal made Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace front runner to become next president. He is likely to be reinstated as vice-president when Zanu-PF convene.
Robert Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans, including people from the ruling party and the opposition, took to the streets on November 18 to celebrate the army’s takeover and to urge Robert Mugabe to quit.
They tore up pictures of the president and marched to his office and residence.
President Robert Mugabe may face impeachment in parliament next week if he refuses to step down.
Last month, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Republican chairman, Senator Bob Corker, accused President Trump of setting the US “on a path to World War Three”.
Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, Gen. John Hyten said: “We think about these things a lot. When you have this responsibility, how do you not think about it?”
As for the legality of a strike, Gen. Hyten said that he had studied US laws of armed conflict for many years which stipulates key criteria the president must consider:
Necessity
Distinction
Proportionality
Unnecessary suffering
While Senators and expert witnesses agree the US president has full authority to defend the nation, commentators have pointed out that because there is no all-encompassing definition of “imminent attack”, the president is not given an entirely free hand.
Gen. John Hyten also said: “I provide advice to the president, he will tell me what to do.
“And if it’s illegal, guess what’s going to happen? I’m going to say: <<Mr. President, that’s illegal>>. And guess what he’s going to do? He’s going to say, <<What would be legal?>> And we’ll come up with options, of a mix of capabilities to respond to whatever the situation is, and that’s the way it works.”
He added: “If you execute an unlawful order, you will go to jail. You could go to jail for the rest of your life.”
President Trump has not publicly commented on Gen. John Hyten’s remarks.
David Cassidy, best known for his role as Keith Partridge in the 1970’s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family, is ill in hospital but is reported to be conscious, after suffering multiple organ failure earlier this week.
A spokeswoman said the 67-year-old singer was admitted to hospital in Fort Lauderdale on November 15 after suffering pain.
David Cassidy is reportedly suffering kidney failure and needs a liver transplant.
Earlier this year the singer said he had dementia and would stop touring in order to “enjoy life”.
A spokeswoman for David Cassidy told the Press Association that he was conscious, following reports he had been put into a coma.
She said he was surrounded by family.
David Cassidy’s health has been deteriorating for more than two months, TMZ reported.
He shot to fame playing Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family – a sitcom about a mother and five children who formed a rock and roll band. The show spawned hit songs, such as I Think I Love You.
David Cassidy went on to a hugely successful solo career as a singer and pop idol.
In recent years the singer has spoken about his struggles with alcohol.
In 2015, David Cassidy filed for bankruptcy. Between 2010 and 2014, he was arrested three times for DUI, and was ordered to rehab as part of his sentence in 2014. He has divorced three times.
AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young has died at the age of 64 after a long battle with dementia.
The Australian guitarist died peacefully on November 18 with his family nearby, a statement said.
Malcolm Young will be remembered for his powerful rhythm guitar riffs that were instrumental in propelling the Sydney heavy rock group to stardom.
Three Young brothers have been part of AC/DC’s history, including lead guitarist Angus.
Malcolm’s brother, producer George Young, died in October.
The statement read: “Renowned for his musical prowess, Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many.
“From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans.”
After founding AC/DC in 1973, the Young brothers were credited as co-writers on every song the band recorded by the band between their 1975 debut High Voltage through to 2014’s Rock or Bust.
Malcolm Young was born in 1953 in Glasgow before his family emigrated to Australia when he was 10. His family confirmed he was suffering from dementia in 2014.
The musician wrote much of the band’s the material that enabled AC/DC to become one of the biggest heavy rock bands, including Back In Black, Highway to Hell and You Shook Me All Night Long.
AC/DC is estimated to have sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 71.5 million albums in the US.
A statement by the artist’s brother Angus on the AC/DC website praises Malcolm Young’s “enormous dedication and commitment” which made him “the driving force behind the band” who “always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted”.
“As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had argued that hunting fees could aid conservation of the endangered animals.
According to experts, populations of African elephants are plummeting.
Their numbers dropped by about 30% from 2007 to 2014, according to the 2016 Great Elephant Census.
The non-profit group’s report found a population drop of 6% in Zimbabwe alone.
Despite their listing under the Endangered Species Act, there is a provision in US law that allows permits to import animal parts if there is sufficient evidence that the fees generated will actually benefit species conservation.
In 2015, an American dentist from Minnesota killed the famous Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
Cecil’s death triggered an outrage in the US and Zimbabwe, and briefly forced the hunter into hiding.
