Archives for September 2017

Graffiti Artist Banksy Arrested At Art Exhibit Today In Palestine Today; Identity Revealed – Being Held Without Bond

Banksy arrested is Paul Horner

Paul Horner, also known as Banksy, seen here brought into
court just hours ago where the judge denied bail. (AP Photo/Dennis System)


Banksy mugshot AKA Paul Horner

A mugshot taken by Palestine Police today of Paul Horner AKA Banksy. (AP Photo/Dennis System)


Bethlehem, Palestine (AP) — The elusive graffiti artist, painter, political activist and long time fugitive that for years has gone by the pseudonymous name of Banksy, was arrested early this morning by Palestine Police. After hours of questioning the suspect and a raid of his London art studio by police, his true name and identity have finally been revealed at Paul William Horner.

Palestine Police, working in close connection with a London Anti-Graffiti Task Force say Banksy’s real name is Paul William Horner, a 38-year old male born in Bristol, England. The BBC has confirmed this information with Banky’s PR agent Jo Brooks along with Pest Control, a website that acts as a handling service on behalf of the artist. Horner was arrested at his latest art exhibit in Bethlehem, The Walled Off Hotel, which has been open to the public since March of this year.

Horner is currently being held without bail.

London Police Chief William Edwards held a press conference to answer questions about Banksy and how Horner was finally apprehended after all these years on the run.

“We had a 24-hour Anti-Graffiti Task Force monitoring different groups where Banksy was known to frequent. We had been monitoring his newest exhibit in Palestine. We received word that around 2am a group of individuals left the area and our team went into action. This group was followed by agents and once vandalism had occurred, we then arrested the group, 5 men total. These individuals all had ID on them except for one, and that is the one we believed to be Banksy,” Williams said. “We then raided the hotel where the group was last seen leaving from. Our task force, working with Palestine authorities raided Horner’s studio. Inside we found thousands of dollars of counterfeit money along with future projects of vandalism. We also found a passport and ID of a Paul Horner who matched the description of the man that we are currently holding.” Williams continued, “Horner is currently being held without bail on charges of vandalism, conspiracy, racketeering and counterfeiting. We are also holding the other four individuals whose names we are not releasing at this time. We also have reason to believe that Horner was planning to create an amusement park in the future called MericaLand which is against everything this country stands for.”

The graffiti artist that goes by the name Space Invader told reporters he does not agree with the arrest or outing of Banksy’s identity.

“He’s just doing art, spreading joy and making political statements the best way he knows how. That is what he was doing and I hope that is what he’ll continue to do,” Invader said. “For the Palestine and London Police to setup some 24-hour task force just to catch Banksy is ridiculous. I hope we hear plenty of noise from the good tax-paying citizens of London and Palestine about this.”

After today’s arrest it is unclear who else will be sought in connection with Banksy’s arrest. CNN spoke with John Hawes who is Banksy’s project manager, Hawes says he is worried that more charges could be brought against him as well.

Banksy arrested in Palestine

Paul Horner (seen here) being led away by Palestine and London Police this morning for his initial court hearing where the judge denied bail. (AP Photo/Dennis System)

Jo Brooks, a spokeswomen for Banksy tweeted her concern today about the situation.

Jo Brooks, a spokeswomen for Banksy tweeted her concern today about the situation.

President Donald Trump tweets about Banksy

Donald Trump tweeted his thoughts today about Banksy’s arrest.

Banksy’s identity was long speculated to be Robin Gunningham, a man born in Bristol, England in 1973. Known for his contempt for the government in labeling graffiti as vandalism, Banksy displays his art on public walls and even goes as far as to build physical prop pieces. He does not sell his work directly; however, art auctioneers have been known to attempt to sell his street art on location and leave the problem of its removal in the hands of the winning bidder.

Local resident 37-year old Tom Downey told reporters he was disgusted when he heard news of the arrest.

“What a waste of taxpayers money. Wouldn’t it be better spent fighting the war against drugs or violence? What harm has this man done except produce beautiful thought provoking artwork? The counterfeit money thing has either been planted or its part if his art and not actual real counterfeit cash.” Downey continued, “This is just another move by the Five-Oh to crush anything good and free. People need to work out what side they’re on and if they’re on the side of beauty and freedom, they need to start fighting back. There are simply not enough heroes like Banksy to do it for you. I hope this blows up in the cops’ faces and the rest of the government as well.”

Actor Brad Pitt spoke to NBC about Banksy’s arrest.

“I love his work, I’ve bought a lot of it. Banksy is everything good about planet Earth, it’s truly a shame these close-minded, ignorant cops don’t see otherwise.”

As soon as news of the arrest was made, the City of London Police say they began receiving dozens of phone calls from people either claiming to be Banksy, or claiming to be with him. As of 6 PM London time, hundreds of people were gathered outside the London Police Department chanting “I’m Banksy!” and “Free Banksy!” holding signs demanding his release. Various local news stations have reported witnessing the crowd parting for a blind woman who attempted to turn herself into authorities claiming that she was in fact the real Banksy.

Horner, who was parking cars for the hotel when apprehended told law enforcement officials that he ‘knew of Banksy’ but was ‘not too familiar with his work,’ said he was ‘a fan of his early work when cops had less time on their hands’. The fact that Horner was parking cars is interesting because people were quoted as saying that they saw a man parking cars during Banksy’s last exhibit, Dismaland. People say he likes to associate himself with the average person and get real gut reactions from the guests viewing the artwork.

More charges may follow. Anyone with more information on criminal charges that could be used against Horner, London Police working alongside with the F.B.I. have setup a 24-hour hotline at (785) 273-0325.

CNN spoke to a homeless man by the The Walled Off Hotel who is sad to see Banksy get arrested.

“He’s a great guy, was always friendly with me, just trying to do his thing. They gave me food and helped me out with some clothes and a place to stay. On an unrelated note, I think the aliens are keeping our consciousness trapped in dream world because they currently find our species too stupid and annoying to deal with right now. Anyway, they just need to let Banksy go, he wasn’t causing any harm. Free Banksy!”

We need more activists like Banksy, we need groups like Pyramid Country and their awesome events like this, we need more charities like Sock It Forward that give socks to homeless people around the world. We need more people like Alex Horner who are doing great things like Burlington Code Academy which helps young people learn to code and making the world a better place. Even the locals in Palestine have begun using Cryptocurrencies such as Litra Healthcare Blockchain to bypass the non-transparent monetary system that the Federal Reserve represents.

Employees say that Banksy’s exhibit at the The Walled Off Hotel will remain open, ‘nothing will be effected by his arrest – this will only add to the allure of everything that is Banksy’.

Anyone with more information on criminal charges that could be used against Horner, London Police working alongside with the F.B.I. and the Palestine Police have setup a 24-hour hotline at (785) 273-0325. Horner is currently being held without bail on charges of graffiti, public vandalism, criminal mischief, public indecency, resisting arrest, money laundering, criminal conspiracy and racketeering. More charges may follow.

Loans- Personal Checklist for Finding a Loan

Finding a loan
Taking out a loan is a major decision and commitment. There are several advantages of taking one but you need to note that signing an agreement means that you will be committed to it. You subscribe to the repayment terms and you are bound to this pledge until you pay back the entire amount that you owe. Before you take this important step, create a checklist that will help you make the right choice.

Checklist

  • Begin by working out the total amount that you need to borrow.
  • Calculate the amount that you will be able to afford for your repayments. Work out how much time it will take for you to pay off the loan as well as how often you will be making the repayments.
  • Make a decision regarding whether you need an unsecured or secured loan.
  • Choose between a variable and fixed rate loan according to what will suit you.
  • Compare different loans online and try to find one that has lower fees and lower interest rate.
  • Organize and prepare the documents that you need to attach to your application and make sure everything is ready.
  • When you tick off everything on your checklist, you can go ahead and enjoy the convenience of applying for a loan online.

Compare Loans

All financial products, including loans, require research. When you decide to take out a loan, you need to shop around and make comparisons regarding essential features to get the actual and total cost of a loan. Calculate the interest, other charges and find out when payments will be due. When lenders advertise affordable rates, make an effort to compare and find the best deal. Read about Payday Loans Now here.

Read Everything

Get familiar with the finer details of the loan. Missing any crucial details exposes you to the risk of agreeing to something when you are not fully aware of your obligations. Before you make a loan application, read to see whether you qualify for the product and clarify all the fees and charges involved. Read all the contents and make sure that you understand the conditions.

Credit Rating

When you apply for loans, the lenders will get your credit record from credit bureau before they approve your application. A credit report combines all your debts, ranging from personal loans to credit cards. It provides a list of any missed repayments or loans.

Avoid Multiple Loan Applications

Since loan applications can be tracked, you need to avoid applying for multiple loans. Numerous loans on your record may indicate that you have extensive financial difficulties. Lenders may perceive you as a risk and this can minimize the possibility of your loan application being approved.

Conclusion

Different loans serve as essential resources for the individuals that need them. Regardless of what your reasons may be for needing a loan, you should ensure that you have the ability to pay back what you owe. Failure to make payments can lead to dire consequences that include a lower credit score and being unable to get loans in the future. Determine what you can afford before you choose a particular loan type.

Bio

Rosemary Walker is a freelance writer who says that each opportunity she gets to write about an issue or topic is a valuable learning experience for her. She likes to cook, travel and watch television shows. Visit the site to find out more about Payday Loans Now.

 

Factors that Determine Personal Loan Eligibility

personal loan

You could be thinking of taking out a personal loan for paying the expenses of a special vacation, a wedding, or debt consolidation. No matter what the reason is for you to seek personal loans, it is heartening to note that there is a broad spectrum of personal loan options available in the market today thanks to the various financial institutions and banks offering a host of personal loan options in diverse schemes and ranges. The personal loan eligibility criteria would be varying from bank to bank but there are some fundamental guidelines that are followed by most of the lenders while approving personal loan applications. Here are some of the fundamental parameters that would be determining your eligibility requirements for any personal loan.

Your Age Is a Key Factor

Age of the applicant is a key criterion while your application is being scrutinized for personal loan approval. The most fundamental guideline that is usually followed by the financial institutions and the banks is that the applicant must be a salaried person, at least, 21 years of age and maximum 60 years old. A self-employed man would qualify for a personal loan provided he is, at least 25 years of age and maximum 65 years old.

Job Stability Is a Vital Consideration

The employment status or the job stability is a vital factor that decides whether you are qualified for availing personal loans or not. Job stability is a must if you are seeking personal loans. The eligibility criteria of applicants as followed by most of the banks are if you are a salaried person, you need to be involved in a professional service for, at least, a couple of years with a year in the present job. A self-employed individual needs to have a 5 years business background out of which a minimum of 2 years in the present profession. Remember all these criteria are pretty flexible as per the lenders’ choice of the determining factors. Get in touch with http://www.libertylending.com/ for effective loan approvals and associated loan solutions.

Financial Status Is Important

Your loan application approval largely depends on your previous or current financial status. Minimum income levels have been identified and specified by diverse banks for personal loan applications. The financial condition would certainly help in determining the current repayment capability of the applicant. It is understood that the lenders would put a major emphasis on this particular aspect while approving an unsecured personal loan. The amount of loan that one is eligible for is also decided based precisely on this key criteria.

Credit Rating Plays a Pivotal Role

Your credit score and your credit history are important factors that are meticulously scrutinized before approving personal loans. Defaults and unnecessary delays in the payment of EMIs of some other loans or even credit card dues are factors that would be reducing the personal loan’s eligibility. An impressive credit rating would be enhancing the entire amount which you are eligible for.

Outstanding Credit Liability

If a loan applicant has some other outstanding loan at the time of applying, it might reduce his eligibility for a large amount. The amount granted to you is based on how much the lender thinks you can pay back, and other outstanding loans obviously reduce your ability to repay large amounts. You are likely to be granted a much smaller loan.

Conclusion

The above-discussed factors are important for determining your eligibility for a personal loan. However, the authorities at banks and lenders’ offices have enough discretionary powers to be flexible in their deliberations.

Author Bio: Blake Golding is a finance expert and blogger. He puts his years of experience in the private and corporate finance world to good use by writing informative articles and also recommending top firms like http://libertylending.com/.

Business Debt Settlement – What Do You Need to Know When Availing Loans?

Debt consolidation

Efficient management of debts and finances is essential in running a small business. Whether your business is a start-up or in growth-mode, lack of adequate capital may result in disasters. Business owners may seek finances through many cash advance options like bank loans, credit cards, and other lines-of-credit.

It is not necessarily unusual for businesses to have debts, but falling behind on paying off the different loans may cause serious troubles. When debt becomes unmanageable, it can cause a total financial breakdown. Before the situation gets any worse, you need to think about debt relief and settlement options. Here, we will discuss some of the business debt settlement options you can consider in such situations.

Availing secured vs. unsecured loans

There are two types of small business loans – secured and unsecured. A loan is secured when you have to offer a collateral security against the borrowed sum. For a business, collateral may be anything including physical assets, inventory, real estate, and equipment.  The major advantage of secured loans is that it may demand lower interest rates when compared to the unsecured loans, but it puts the borrower always at the risk of losing the collateral upon defaulting repayment.

On the other hand, unsecured loans do not require any collateral security. The loan is approved purely based on the ability of the borrowers to make the payment without fail. However, lenders may want to check the borrower’s credit report, credit history, and rating before approving the sum. When applying for unsecured loans, you should always check debt settlement reviews of the company.

The most popular types of unsecured loans are credit card advance, small business loans, or personal loans. When compared to secured loans, the interest rates on unsecured loans are typically higher as there is no collateral to support in case of default. The unsecured creditors may have to initiate a lawsuit to obtain a favorable judgment in the event of default to get back their money through liens, garnishments, and bank restraint.

MCA vs. business loans

MCA (Merchant Cash Advance) is another means of getting a cash advance to raise business capital. Even though MCA may appear similar to a typical business loan in which you get money upfront and then need to repay in monthly installments, it is not a conventional loan. In actual, the lender who is offering the finances is purchasing some discounted receivables from the processing account of the business merchant.

When small businesses face a revenue deficiency, daily payments may become unbearable. To make the matter worse, the fair debt collection practices act (FDCPA), which provides extensive protections to consumers, is not applicable to the business debt collectors. So, Merchant Cash Advance lenders may bring in the debt lawsuits quicker than the other credit services, sometimes within just a few months of missed payments.

Regardless of the reasons of financial strain, business owners need to act sooner than later to avoid any serious consequences of business debts defaulting. Good debt settlement agencies and consultants will be able to help you out if you are struggling to overcome the financial burden and stress of debts.

Author bio: Jim McGill is a financial consultant who is working for a leading credit agency in the United States. He also used to write debt settlement reviews and articles for the followers.

 

Set the Right Expectations About Debt Consolidation

debt consolidation loanCredit scores matter a lot for business owners because they have to avail loans for business quite frequently. No matter how much you may dislike the idea of taking loans, if you are into business, you need funding, and loans are the best way to obtain it. However, it is never an easy task to keep track of and manage many lenders. Different loans entail different payment amounts and varying payment dates throughout the month. Added to this are different terms and conditions of the loans. Servicing several loans without defaulting on payments is quite challenging and needs lots of resources and time for doing an error-free job. The possibilities of damaging credit score by faltering on loans are something that no business owner can afford. Instead, they would be happy to continue with the loans but a single lender.

It saves money

When you face such situation, the only way for relief from the hardships of managing multiple lenders is to consolidate the loans and take a fresh loan equivalent to the amount you owe to all lenders. The new loan amount would be useful to repay other creditors, and you are left dealing with one lender only that eases the management of the debt. Every loan you take poses new opportunities, and the latest one would allow you to negotiate the best interest rate that is the lowest of all other interests. Effectively, the new loan generates saving that would not be possible had you not ventured for consolidating loans.

Have one creditor

Remember that debt consolidation provides debt relief but does not do away with debts. Instead of many lender or creditors, you are dealing with a single creditor. To find out a company that gives consolidation loans, you must avail the services of debt consolidation companies that have a network of lenders who specialize in consolidation loans. To know about debt consolidation companies, read debt consolidation reviews that provide elaborate information about the companies, its offers, and capabilities. It is not only for identifying a new lender that you have to depend on debt consolidation companies, but also because they can handle the management of other creditors by working out acceptable debt settlement packages. Even if it entails periodical payments, the company takes full responsibility for paying back the loans using the money available from the new loan.

Debt consolidation is a temporary measure, and you must use it as an opportunity to save money, streamline creditors and organize your finances in a better way. Once you consolidate loans, you get the chance to reinforce financial discipline that is essential for making long-term financial gains. The new loan is a new liability that you create, and it would impact the credit score. It means that you are taking a calculated risk and must have the confidence of working your way towards better financial health so that the damage to the credit score is more than recovered in due course. Having a positive attitude about consolidation is the only way to make proper use of it.

Author Bio: Mary Newcombe is the head of business finance of a leading financial magazine. She began her career in selling financial products for individuals and then shifted to the present domain. She has written quite a few debt consolidation reviews. She is a great lover of antiques and has a beautiful collection at home.