Email Sent by Tim Cook after Trump's Win

America is more polarized today than it was many decades ago.  And Timothy Donald "Tim" Cook , Apple's CEO knew that its employees are likely to be polarized, too. While many of its employees are still in shock at the election results,  Cook wrote an email to the 76,000 US Apple employees reminding them that that "the only way to move forward is to move forward together."

Here’s the letter Tim Cook sent to Apple employees after Trump’s win

Team,

I've heard from many of you today about the presidential election. In a political contest where the candidates were so different and each received a similar number of popular votes, it's inevitable that the aftermath leaves many of you with strong feelings.

We have a very diverse team of employees, including supporters of each of the candidates. Regardless of which candidate each of us supported as individuals, the only way to move forward is to move forward together. I recall something Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said 50 years ago: "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." This advice is timeless, and a reminder that we only do great work and improve the world by moving forward.

While there is discussion today about uncertainties ahead, you can be confident that Apple's North Star hasn't changed. Our products connect people everywhere, and they provide the tools for our customers to do great things to improve their lives and the world at large. Our company is open to all, and we celebrate the diversity of our team here in the United States and around the world—regardless of what they look like, where they come from, how they worship or who they love.

I've always looked at Apple as one big family and I encourage you to reach out to your coworkers if they are feeling anxious.

Let's move forward—together!

Best,

Tim

 Source: Fast Company

How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?

Sleep is like nutrition: it has a required daily allowance (RDA). Like nutritional deficiency, sleep deficiency is not good for our health.

The RDA of sleep is genetically determined and is therefore inherent to the species and to other factors such as age and general state of health.

1. A healthy middle aged adult needs 7 to 8 hours per day.

2. A healthy elderly adult: slightly less.

3. A healthy child and teen: more.

4. A healthy infant: even more.

5. A healthy kitty: a lot more.

6. A person with a flu, an infection, or another illness: a lot lot more.

Variations:

The U.S. National Sleep Foundation says you need this much: 

> 0 to 3 months of age: 14 to 17 hours

> 4 to 11 months of age: 12 to 15 hours

> 1 to 2 years of age: 11 to 14 hours

> 3 to 5 years of age: 10 to 13 hours

> 6 to 13 years of age: 9 to 11 hours

> 14 to 17 years of age: 8 to 10 hours

> 18 to 25 years of age: 7 to 9 hours

> 26 to 64 years of age: 7 to 9 hours

> 65 and older: 7 to 8 hours

Condensed from:  

http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/10/28/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need/#245cdccb59fc

Are you having a hard time falling asleep?

Train yourself to fall asleep in 60 seconds!

How? The “4-7-8” breathing technique, developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard-educated wellness practitioner, may be the answer.

The technique is easy to learn and use. One only has to breathe in through the nose for four seconds, hold the breath for seven seconds, exhale for eight seconds, and then repeat three more times. This exercise will slow down the heart rate and prepare the body for relaxation. It can also counteract stress.

Condensed from the original article -  www.davidwolfe.com

October 2016 Update on the Traffic Laws of Saudi Arabia

New penalties for traffic violations will come into force within the month of October 2016.

The General Department of Traffic is said to be finalizing the new penalties in line with the decision of the Council of Ministers as reported in a news article in Saudi Gazette last October 3.

During the 3rd Quarter this year, the Cabinet made major amendments to the articles of the Traffic Law to give tougher penalties for traffic violations.

The details of the penalties for various violations are:

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR1,000 - SR2,000 fine: 

1. Stopping on railway track
2. Carrying passengers exceeding the permitted number in the vehicle registration card (istimara)
3. Refusing to show driving license or istimara (when asked by authorities)
4. Not displaying number plate of vehicle
5. Failure to wear helmet by motor cyclists 
6. Seizing driving license or istimara of another person
7. Giving istimara of another person on mortgage.

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR3,000 - SR6,000 fine and vehicle seizure: 

1. Jumping red signal
2. Using illegal number plates or number plate of other vehicles
3. Fitting accessories that are permitted only for official vehicles or emergency vehicles
4. Overtaking school buses while they pick up or drop off children
5. Tampering roadsigns, reflectors and poles
6. Refusing to stop at checkpoints or when security patrols ask for it, and 
7. Displaying logos or stickers that are against pubic etiquette.

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR5,000 - SR10,000 fine and vehicle seizure: 

1. Obliterating or attempt to obliterate special features of a vehicle
2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
3. Carrying out any activities on the road without prior coordination (with the concerned authorities).

The following traffic violations carry a penalty of SR10,000 fine and/or 3-month jail: 

1. Failure of a motorist involved in an accident to stop at the scene and failure to take the initiative to inform the competent department and provide possible assistance to those injured in the accident.

Reference: Saudi Gazette - New Traffic Laws in 15 days

Stunt Driving, From Popular Pastime to a Major Health & Safety Hazard

Saudi youths demonstrate their driving stunts/skills, also known as sidewall skiing (driving on two wheels)
Photo Credit: Reuters via Arab News

The long stretch of desert roads and the strong car culture of Saudi Arabia makes stunt driving or "sidewall skiing" (driving on two wheels) a popular hobby of Saudi young people. Drifting or "Haglawah" involves incredibly skilled drivers doing a balancing act of the moving car on one side. It is usually done by driving one pair of wheels up on the road while the other passengers get out on the other side of the car.  There are times when the thrilled passengers change the suspended tires while the car is on drifting process.

Because of the safety risks, the Cabinet has been taking stringent measures against stunt-driving. During their meeting sometime in August this year, the Cabinet made major amendments to the articles of the Traffic Law to give tougher penalties for traffic violations. 

Among those reported amended in Article 69 of the Traffic Law was to make stunt driving a traffic violation. Violators will face the seizure of vehicle for 15 days and a fine of SR20,000 for first violation, the seizure of vehicle for 30 days and a fine of SR40,000 for second violation.

In both cases, the violator will be referred to the court to examine carrying out jail term.

For third violation, the vehicle will be seized and a fine of SR60,000 will be slapped, and the violator will be referred to the court.

The seizure or confiscation of vehicle will not be applicable to rented or stolen vehicles.

Below is a Table of Penalties for Haglawah.