Talitha Vanderhorst's Blog

Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants Review: Tee Wall Art yksi ensisijaisista tavoitteista

Tee Wall Art yksi ensisijaisista tavoitteista suunnittelussa kotiisi

 

Operaattorin Wall Art on usein viimeinen valinta monille tekee niiden sisustus, mutta tama viesti, Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants nimet Wall Art yhdeksi paino pisteista. Tassa muutamia hyvia ajatuksia valita seinan taidetta, joka voi sopivaksi nykyinen tila ja antaa enemman harmoninen tunne talosi:

 

Ensinnakin, valitse seinan taidetta, etta rakastat ja on todellinen arvostusta sille, ja etta taide teos voisi olla kannustin maaritettaessa oman huoneen vari paletti. Tietaen vari paletti oman sisustus usein vie paljon aikaa, koska sinulla on vaikea paattaa, joten jotain saada vari paletti, asiat sitten saada helpommin. Valitse vahintaan kaksi tai kolme savyja seinan taidetta ja valitse hallitseva vari ja muut savyt, jotka haluat tehda niin aksentteja.

 

Laita kohteet huoneeseesi, jotka vastaavat naita vareja. Voit kayttaa mobiilisovellusta, jonka avulla voit tunnistaa vastaavat vari savyt tiettyihin vareihin. Ja jos etsit enemman ammatillista lahestymistapaa, ota hyva taide konsultti kuten Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants.

 

Toiseksi, seina taide voi tayttaa aseman "keskeinen kohta" on huone. Kun kirjoitat huoneen, siella on elementti, joka vetaa sinut sen lasnaolo, ja seinan taidetta voi olla, etta suunnittelu elementti. Se voi olla paapaino koko huoneen tai valtava tila. Mutta muistakaa sen koko on myös valtava merkitys, ja jos se on liian iso tai liian pieni, se ei ehka tuo hyva tunne kavijöita, joten sinun on maaritettava oikeat mitta ukset ensin.

 

Kolmanneksi, seina taide voi tuoda esiin tunnetta tekstuurin. Voit myös laittaa erilaisia taiteen auttaa tarjoamaan erilaisia tunnetta tekstuurin erityisesti tilaa. Jotta on enemman syvyytta huoneeseen, harkitse veistoksia tai varjo laatikot teidan sisustus. Voit olla varma enemman visuaalinen paino teidan sisatilat kanssa ylimaaraisia bittia tekstuuri.

 

Lopuksi, asettaa seinaan taidetta voi myös tarjota tunteen loppuun. Tama taide teos voi vetaa tilaa yhdessa ja tehda se tuntuu taydellinen. Valitse seina taidetta, joka voisi sekoittaa kauniisti valitsemasi koristelu tyyli oman sisustus.

 

Ottaa mahdollisuus sisustaa huone antaa jannittava tunne, mutta sinun on parasta muistaa, etta edella, etta ennakointi, sinun ei pitaisi unohtaa hyva rooli seinan taidetta voi antaa. Jos oikein tehty, seina vaatteita voi tuoda hyvia puitteita talosi, ja kuten aiemmin mainittiin, se voi olla Keski piste suunnittelussa muun elementit voidaan kayttaa huoneessa. Taide on niin hyva aihe, keskustella taiteen ajatuksia Devin Fitzpatrick Art Consultants ja kerata enemman asiantuntija-apua.

Epilepsy Care Group Singapore Awareness Association - Epilepsy and natural treatments: Can they help?

Epilepsy is a disease that disrupts the electrical activity of the nervous system, causing seizures.

 

More than 65 million people in the world have epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation estimate that 1 in 26 Americans will develop the disease during their lives.

 

Children are the group most frequently diagnosed with new cases of epilepsy. In the United States, 300,000 children under 14 are affected by the condition. Some may outgrow the disorder, but most will not. The number of senior citizens with epilepsy is also 300,000.

 

People with epilepsy have a range of treatment options, including alternative therapies.

The illness is a complex condition, however, and all alternative treatment options must be looked at carefully, to ensure they are effective.

 

It is essential to work with a doctor when making changes in treatment, as every epileptic seizure can cause brain damage, and the effects build up. So, any treatment must work to avoid seizures.

 

Causes of epilepsy

 

-electrical activity in the brain diagram

 

-Epilepsy is a complex disease that can disrupt the electrical activity of the nervous system.

 

-Infections, which can cause scarring on the brain that leads to seizures, are among the more common causes of epilepsy.

 

Possible links between autism and epilepsy are also under investigation, as a third of children on the autism spectrum are also likely to have seizures.

 

In the over 65s, strokes are the most common cause of new seizures. Family history and brain injuries account for other cases.

 

However, the Epilepsy Foundation say the cause is unknown in 60 percent of people.

 

Eight natural remedies for epilepsy

 

People with epilepsy and their doctors are expressing growing interest in alternative therapies.

 

Although antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) help most people control their symptoms, these do not work for everyone. Furthermore, some people are concerned about the long-term safety of these drugs.Complementary health practices for epilepsy, such as the eight natural remedies discussed here, are designed for use in combination with AEDs.

 

After talking to a doctor, and before beginning natural treatments, people with epilepsy should ensure they are working with a well-qualified and informed therapist.

 

Common complementary treatments for epilepsy include the following:

 

Medical marijuana

 

Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, as it is commonly known, has been used to treat convulsions for centuries. Today, it is attracting increasing attention from people with epilepsy, clinicians, and researchers.

 

Interest in the use of medical marijuana is particularly strong for the roughly 1 million U.S. residents whose seizures are not controlled by AEDs. Some families with young children, suffering from severe seizures, have moved to one of the 22 states where medical marijuana use is legal.

 

However, since broad-based, well-designed scientific studies have yet to prove the effectiveness of marijuana in treating epilepsy, doctors do not generally recommend its use.

 

Diet

 

The ketogenic diet

 

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that may help to reduce seizures.

Diet is one of the earliest forms of treatment for epilepsy and is used with contemporary variations to make it easier for children and adults to adopt.

 

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has had some success in reducing seizures in children who cannot tolerate or benefit from AEDs. It requires extensive commitment and monitoring.

 

The Atkins diet is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that is less restrictive and has shown positive effects.

 

Low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) is similar but allows for a targeted level of carbohydrate consumption.

 

Herbal treatments

 

Herbs are used for many illnesses by 80 percent of the world's population. Remedies drawing on Chinese traditions have shown promise in treating epilepsy.

 

Some herbs, such as chamomile, passionflower, and valerian, may make AEDs more effective and calming.

 

However, ginkgo, ginseng, and stimulating herbs containing caffeine and ephedrine can make seizures worse.

 

St. John's wort can interfere with medications and make seizures more likely, similarly to evening primrose and borage.

 

It is important to remember that herbs are not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If any herbs are used, they should be researched and bought from reputable sources.

 

Vitamins

 

Low levels of the B6 vitamin have been known to trigger seizures.

 

Magnesium, vitamin E, and other vitamins and nutritional supplements, have been identified as either promising or problematic for treating epilepsy.

 

People taking AEDs are often advised to take vitamin D supplements to keep their systems in balance.

 

Biofeedback

 

When AEDs do not work, some people have successfully used biofeedback to reduce seizures.

 

With the use of extensive training and a machine that detects electrical activity in the brain, the technique teaches individuals to recognize the warning signs of seizures, and train their brains to prevent a full-blown attack.

 

Relaxation

 

Stress and anxiety are both linked to seizures.

 

There are many different practices that people with epilepsy can follow on their own to help them feel calmer, relax their muscles, get better sleep, and enjoy a better state of mind.

 

All these actions taken together can help reduce seizures and make it easier for people to manage their epilepsy.

 

People should be cautious if trying meditation, as this can change the electrical signals in the brain.

 

Some essential oils used in aromatherapy, such as lavender, chamomile, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, have been found to be effective in preventing seizures when used with relaxation techniques.

 

However, the Epilepsy Society report that others may provoke seizures. These include spike lavender, eucalyptus, camphor, sage, rosemary, hyssop, and fennel.

 

Acupuncture and chiropractic

 

While acupuncture does not seem to be helpful in preventing seizures, people with epilepsy find it can reduce the stress of living with the condition.

 

There is little evidence on chiropractic care, but it also may be among the natural treatments people with epilepsy find useful.

 

Education and avoiding triggers

 

Education and avoidance can have a big impact on quality of life for people with this condition.

 

Many of those with epilepsy find that their seizures develop in response to specific triggers. This is the case for people with photosensitive epilepsy.

 

Learning how to avoid situations and stimuli that could spark a seizure can be very helpful. Some children may learn to avoid using video games in dark rooms, for example, or to cover one eye when exposed to flashing lights.

 

Do natural treatments for epilepsy work?

 

For many practices, there has not been enough study to give a definite answer to this question, one way or the other.

 

The following overview of the top natural treatments for epilepsy offers a quick summary of their reported effectiveness:

 

Diet: The ketogenic diet, usually prescribed for children whose epilepsy does not respond to AEDs, has been shown to cut their seizures by half and eliminate seizures completely for 10-15 percent of those studied.

 

Herbal treatments: Two studies of Chinese herbal compounds found them effective at reducing seizures in children and adults. But some herbs, such as St. John's wort, can make seizures worse.

 

Vitamins: Many studies have linked low levels of vitamin B6, magnesium, and vitamin E to seizures. Treating people with supplemental doses helped reduce the frequency of seizures.

 

Biofeedback: Researchers in 10 different studies showed that 74 percent of people whose epilepsy could not be treated with medication, reported fewer seizures after they learned this technique.

 

Relaxation: Fewer seizures and a better quality of life were reported by children who took part in trials, according to research.

 

Acupuncture and chiropractic: Scientific studies have not found acupuncture to be effective for people with epilepsy. However, positive outcomes were reported for some children with drug-resistant epilepsy who tried chiropractic therapy.

 

Education: After learning more about epilepsy, coping strategies for it, and how to take medication, improved quality of life was observed for people of all ages with epilepsy.

 

Conclusion

 

Many reports on the effectiveness of complementary treatments for epilepsy come from personal experience, and from studies that are not considered conclusive.

 

Most importantly, people should always talk to their doctor before trying natural treatments to help ease their symptoms.

 

Tokyo MK Taxi: En behagelig tur hele veien til ditt reisemål

Mange mennesker som reiser i dag velger å velge tjenesten til flyselskaper som de er mye mer praktiske. Mest spesielt hvis du er fra en lang flytur, og du vil ikke stresse deg selv med å finne en drosje og vente i kø bare for å få en tur. Flyplasstransportene sørger for at du får en komfortabel tur helt til destinasjonen, de er et flott alternativ til drosjer og andre transportmidler som du får transporteres med en ren privat bil med en profesjonell sjåfør som gir en generell glede å din tur.

 

Flyplasstransport er nå tilgjengelig for individuelle kunder, familier, ledere, små eller store grupper. Alle kan nyte problemfri transport til og fra flyplassen uten å bekymre seg for noe. Her er noen fordeler med flyplasstransporttjenester og hvorfor du bør vurdere det neste gang du reiser:

 

Tilgjengelig og praktisk

 

Å bestille en flyplasstransport er enkel og en enkel prosess. Det er ikke behov for papirverk fordi alt du trenger å gjøre er å bestille flyplasstransporten på forhånd, og det vil sikkert vente på deg utenfor flyplassen når du har landet. Med bruk av Tokyo MKs online reservasjonssystem, vet du nøyaktig hva du får fra deres utmerkede flyplasstransport. Overføringen din vil foregå på en veldig gjennomsiktig måte som hjelper deg med å spare mye tid og problemer.

 

Sikker og effektiv

 

Hvis du planlegger å reise til et fremmed land der du ikke er kjent med de lokale regler og regler for kjøring, er en flyplasstransport med en kunnskapsrik sjåfør det beste valget. Du kan stole på at sjåføren din skal ta deg til reisemålet ditt trygt og til tider for sjåførene ikke bare er kjent med lokalområdet, men han kan også kommunisere effektivt med deg også ved å bruke vanlig språk som engelsk.

 

Komfort og bekvemmelighet

 

Flying kan være veldig utmattende, spesielt hvis det er en lang og stressende flytur. Derfor er det bedre å velge en tjeneste som vil komme deg helt til reisemålet, mens du leter deg tilbake og lade opp på baksetet på bilen. Dessuten lindrer det ikke tanken på at noen venter på deg utenfor flyplassen for å hente deg i et fremmed land?

 

Luksuriøs bilpark

 

Hvis du går for en flyplasstransport, bør du vite at det finnes forskjellige luksuriøse bilmodeller å velge mellom. Fra SUV til sedans, kan du enkelt bestille den typen kjøretøy som passer best for dine behov alt du trenger å gjøre er å forsikre deg om at du bestiller din overføring online eller på forhånd.

 

Når det gjelder flyplasstransporttjenester, kan du stole på Tokyo MK Taxi, som har gitt trygghet og bekvemmelighet for kunder både i inn-og utland via deres online-bokningssystem (Sky Web Online Service) og deres globale webside Narita / Haneda. Online reservasjonssystem for Los Angeles MK. Tokyo MK Taxi har Lexus-gruppentusiaster som omdefinerer måten du reiser i stil.

Online Security Leaked NSA point-and-pwn hack tools menace Win2k to Windows 8

Picture

 

Microsoft claims it has patched most of the exploited bugs

 

Updated The Shadow Brokers have leaked more hacking tools stolen from the NSA's Equation Group – this time four-year-old exploits that attempt to hijack venerable Windows systems, from Windows 2000 up to Server 2012 and Windows 7 and 8.

 

The toolkit puts into anyone's hands – from moronic script kiddies to hardened crims – highly classified nation-state-level weaponry that can potentially compromise and commandeer systems around the world. This is the same powerful toolkit Uncle Sam used once upon a time to hack into and secretly snoop on foreign governments, telcos, banks, and other organizations.

 

The files range from Microsoft Windows exploits to tools for monitoring SWIFT interbank payments. Ongoing analysis of the leaked documents and executables has revealed Cisco firewalls and VPN gateways are also targets.

 

The Shadow Brokers tried auctioning off the stolen cyber-weapons to the highest bidder, but when that sale flopped with no buyers, the team started releasing the gear online for free anyway.

 

"The shadow brokers not wanting going there. Is being too bad nobody deciding to be paying the shadow brokers for just to shut up and going away," the group said in a typically garbled blog post.

 

"The Shadow Brokers rather being getting drunk with McAfee on desert island with hot babes. Maybe if all surviving WWIII the shadow brokers are seeing you next week. Who knows what we having next time?"

 

For IT managers and normal folks, the Windows-hacking arsenal, which dates to around mid-2013, is the most concerning. It contains exploits for vulnerabilities that can be used to hack into unpatched Windows systems, from Windows 2000 to Windows 8 and Server 2012. In some cases this can be done across the network or internet via SMB, RDP, IMAP, and possibly other protocols.

 

If you have a vulnerable aging machine with those services running, it is possible they can be hijacked using today's dumped tools – if not by strangers on the 'net then potentially by malicious employees or malware already on your network. If you're running the latest up-to-date gear, such as Windows 10, none of this will directly affect you – but not everyone is so lucky. There are plenty of organizations out there that cannot keep every box up to date, for various reasons.

 

The leaked archive also contains the NSA's equivalent of the Metasploit hacking toolkit: FUZZBUNCH.

 

Matthew Hickey, cofounder of British security shop Hacker House, told The Register FUZZBUNCH is a very well-developed package that allows servers to be penetrated with a few strokes of the keyboard. The toolkit has modules to install a backdoor on invaded boxes to remote control the gear and romp through file systems.

 

"This is a nation-state toolkit available for anyone who wants to download it – anyone with a little bit of technical knowledge can download this and hack servers in two minutes," Hickey said. "It's as bad as you can imagine."

 

He pointed out that the timing of the release – just before Easter – is also significant. With much of the Western world taking it easy on Zombie Jesus weekend, some organizations may be caught short by the dumped cache of cyber-arms.

 

It looks as though the NSA is keeping up with its habit of amusing nomenclature. The files include an exploit dubbed ENGLISHMANSDENTIST, which appears to trigger executable code on victims' desktops via Outlook clients. Other examples include but are not limited to:

 

  • ESKIMOROLL, a Kerberos exploit targeting Windows 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 domain controllers.
  • EMPHASISMINE, a remote IMAP exploit for later versions of Lotus Domino.
  • ETERNALROMANCE, a remote SMB1 network file server exploit targeting Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Server 2008, and Server 2008 R2. This is yet another reason to stop using SMB1 – it's old and vulnerable.
  • ETERNALBLUE, another SMB1 and SMB2 exploit. Below is a video showing ETERNALBLUE compromising a Windows 2008 R2 SP1 x64 host via FUZZBUNCH to install a remote command execution tool called DOUBLEPULSAR.
  • ETERNALCHAMPION, another SMB2 exploit.
  • ERRATICGOPHER, an SMB exploit targeting Windows XP and Server 2003.
  • ETERNALSYNERGY, a remote code execution exploit against SMB3 that potentially works against operating systems as recent Windows Server 2012.
  • EMERALDTHREAD, an SMB exploit that drops a Stuxnet-style implant on systems.
  • ESTEEMAUDIT, a remote RDP exploit targeting Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP to install hidden spyware.
  • EXPLODINGCAN, a Microsoft IIS 6 exploit that targets WebDav on Server 2003 only.
  • EASYPI, one of a few files in the dump detected by antivirus packages as containing code from the NSA's nuclear centrifuge-bothering malware Stuxnet, suggesting the spy agency reuses code from mission to mission.

 

Microsoft had no comment on the leaks at time of publication, but its engineers should be scrambling to fix the flaws exploited by the tools, where they can. Most of the exploited software is no longer officially supported. Given Redmond's increasingly secretive approach to patching, we hope they'll be more open about upcoming updates to address the NSA-exploited security holes.

 

Swift on insecurity

 

The second directory is labelled SWIFT but doesn't include tools to hack the interbank payments system directly. Rather it enables the surveillance of payments that go through service bureaus used by SWIFT's banking customers.

 

"SWIFT is aware of allegations surrounding the unauthorized access to data at two service bureaus," a spokesperson for the group told The Reg.

 

"There is no impact on SWIFT's infrastructure or data, however we understand that communications between these service bureaus and their customers may previously have been accessed by unauthorized third parties. We have no evidence to suggest that there has ever been any unauthorized access to our network or messaging services."

 

The data appears to originate in September 2013 and details how operatives could penetrate the firewalls and monitor the transactions of the largest SWIFT Service Bureau of the Middle East, called EastNets.

 

The EastNets hack was dubbed JEEPFLEA_MARKET and includes PowerPoints of the company's network architecture, passwords for the system, and thousands of compromised employee accounts from different office branches.

 

The attackers installed bypasses in the company's firewalls and then worked through two management servers to set up monitoring stations on nine of their transaction servers, and presumably fed that data back to analysts.

 

"While we cannot ascertain the information that has been published, we can confirm that no EastNets customer data has been compromised in any way," said Hazem Mulhim, CEO of EastNets in a statement.

 

"EastNets continues to guarantee the complete safety and security of its customers' data with the highest levels of protection from its SWIFT certified Service bureau."

 

A second weapon, called JEEPFLEA_POWDER, targeted an EastNets partner in Venezuela and Panama called BCG Business Computer Group. Administrator accounts were targeted using attack code dubbed SECONDATE and IRONVIPER. No data was collected at the time, according to the slides in the dump.

 

It's not surprising that the NSA would be targeting banks in the Middle East – given the terrorist threat and the 14-year war the US has been fighting in the regions – and its focus on Venezuela and Panama could be related to drug money or the US' somewhat rocky relationship with both countries. Spies do spying, right?

 

Where's James Bond when you need him?

 

The Equation Group's ODDJOB folder appears to contain spyware that runs on Windows machines up to Server 2008, and, like other NSA software nasties, it is rather modular: you can plug features into it by adding more modules.

 

The directory contains instructions on how to set up ODDJOB with Microsoft's IIS 7 and, once installed, the malware can be updated remotely to gain new attacks and monitoring tools. It can use HTTP and HTTPS to receive and install its new code.

 

"ODDJOB will expect an encrypted payload. To encrypt the payload, open the Builder and navigate down to the 'Payload Encryption' section," the instructions read. "Select an Unencrypted Payload, ie, what you want to run on target. Then select an encrypted payload, which is really a dummy file for now. Then select exe or dll, depending on whether the Unencrypted Payload is an exe or dll."

 

Based on an Excel spreadsheet shared with the malware, ODDJOB is effective on Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008 and Windows 7, although in each case only the Enterprise versions of the operating systems, rather than consumer builds.

 

"This is a worst-case estimate for which Windows releases will work with ODDJOB," the spreadsheet states. "An updated version of bits is available as a download for many of these releases, such as XP SP1. Also, ODDJOB v3 will fallback gracefully from HTTPS to HTTP. So, when in doubt, throw HTTPS at the target."

 

How's that vulnerability hoarding looking now?

 

This latest release is going to be uncomfortable reading for the NSA. Not only has some of its classic exploits – thought to be worth maybe a couple of million on the gray market – been burned in a single day, the agency has also known for months that its Equation Group goodies are in the hands of crooks who are going to leak the files.

 

Could the NSA have considered the programs lost for good, and alerted Microsoft, Cisco and others, to fix the vulnerabilities before the tools were dumped all over on the web? Microsoft says no one has given it any form of heads up on the materials leaked by the Shadow Brokers thus far.

 

Now all these cyber-arms are in the hands of anyone who wants them. Governments with an interest in hacking America – ie, all of them – can now use these. Even worse, every script kiddy on the planet is going to be downloading these tools and using them this weekend for hacking around online for older, vulnerable gear.

 

Updated to add

 

Microsoft reckons it has already patched the exploited bugs except for ENGLISHMANDENTIST, ESTEEMAUDIT and EXPLODINGCAN, which don't work on supported versions of Windows, eg: Windows 7, 8 and 10, and so won't be patched anyway. If you've been keeping up with your Patch Tuesday updates, you should be protected, according to Microsoft.

 

What's rather curious is that a Redmond spokesperson claimed earlier on Friday: "Other than reporters, no individual or organization has contacted us in relation to the materials released by Shadow Brokers."

 

In other words, apparently no one privately tipped off Microsoft about the exploited security bugs so that they could be fixed – not the brokers and not the NSA. And yet it now turns out Microsoft quietly patched a bunch of the SMB vulnerabilities exploited by the US spy agency in March this year. And then the Shadow Brokers went public with the SMB exploits exactly a month later. What fortuitous timing for Redmond!

 

Today, the software giant's principal security group manager Phillip Misner said: "Microsoft triaged a large release of exploits made publicly available by Shadow Brokers ... Customers have expressed concerns around the risk this disclosure potentially creates. Our engineers have investigated the disclosed exploits, and most of the exploits are already patched."

 

How odd, but also: what a relief. If you want to check which exploits affect which operating systems, someone's made a handy table here.

Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Slip and falls, the big waste

Scams suddenly real when guy fakes tumble during bus ride

 

Imagine coming home from a long day at work. You climb on a full bus. Soon the vehicle suddenly screeches to a halt. An elderly man outside falls onto the pavement. The bus hit him at a stop light, he screams in seeming pain. The passengers have to clear out, and you’re still a mile from home.

 

You hear ambulance sirens rushing to the scene. Yet nobody’s fooled. Children and adult passengers are calling out this fraudster. They’re yelling things like, “He just wants to get money!”

 

You remember sitting in the front of the bus, and it never touched the man … at all. No bump, no thump.

 

If you’re wondering if that insurance grab happened … it did … to me.

 

I’m an insurance-fraud researcher with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. I read about and see videos of fraudsters faking slip and falls all the time. They seemed like a fantasy until I saw this guy’s scam first-hand.

 

Slip-and-fall cons may steal billions of dollars a year. Honest businesses are sued. They pay in higher premiums. We pay in higher prices at the cash register.

 

Some fraudsters place liquid detergent or other slippery stuff on supermarket floors. They sit down on the floor and scream they slipped on the mess. They’re blithely unaware that security cams record every false move.

 

Selena Edwards of California claimed a scalding cup of hot coffee with a loose lid slipped off and burned her hand at a McDonald’s drive-thru. But she’d used a photo of someone else’s burned hand. And her medical records also were forged. Edwards was convicted.

 

Some consumers even joke about it on social media.

 

Slip-and-falls are a quick way to make big bucks, people often yack. Search the hash tag #BoutToSlip on Twitter. You’ll see youngsters joking about slipping and falling to claim insurance money. This kind of peer-to-peer chatter can egg others to fake a money-grabbing slips.

 

Or check out the #insurancefraud hash tags on Vine and Instagram. Plenty of quick videos of young people joking how to pay college tuition by scamming insurers with bogus tumbles.

 

My experience on the bus plus my research with the Coalition made one thing clear: Slip-and-falls are a big waste for everyone. This is especially true of scammers who end up with permanent criminal records after their cons slipped, fell and broke.

 

Moss Adams Business Consultants: Sustainability Audits

Whether an internal goal or the result of customer demand, sustainability initiatives are changing the business landscape. We'll help you document your efforts and uncover valuable related incentives.

 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

Expectations are changing. Are you changing with them?

 

Corporate social responsibility reporting is quickly becoming standard. Costco, Walmart, Microsoft, and other US companies are aggressively greening their supply chains, resulting in a raising of the bar for hundreds of thousands of companies who sell through retail channels or provide services to those channels.

 

What’s more, consumer surveys demonstrate a growing buyer preference for environmentally and socially responsible products and services. Strategies for improved sustainability have become critical for ensuring marketplace success, attracting the best employees, and gaining community acceptance.

 

RELY ON THE RIGHT EXPERTISE

 

From working with you to develop a program to helping you make your existing one more robust and meaningful, Moss Adams LLP provides a wide range of sustainability reporting solutions, including:

 

  • Planning and consulting for tax credits, funding grants, and accelerated depreciation for projects meeting environmentally friendly criteria in building construction, renewable energy, waste reduction, and other areas
  • Assistance in meeting supply chain reporting requirements of major customers, including providing independent assurance on reports where required
  • Corporate social responsibility reporting, including defining key performance indicators and establishing data collection and control systems to support business strategy and reporting
  • Independent assurance services on corporate social responsibility reports
  • Planning, compliance, and supply chain assessments/reporting related to the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act

 

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS

 

Our professionals specialize in a large cross section of industries. This helps us understand your industry-specific issues, giving us deeper insight into the key performance indicators and data collection systems necessary to support your corporate social responsibility and supply chain reporting requirements.

Moss Adams Business Consultants: Investment Banking

Creating value. Identifying opportunity. Driving growth. Our seasoned professionals have the experience to guide you every step of the way.

 

MOSS ADAMS CAPITAL

 

Moss Adams Capital LLC is a leading investment banking firm dedicated to helping companies and individuals create business value, sell and acquire businesses, raise equity and debt capital, and evaluate strategic opportunities.

 

Moss Adams Capital principals are senior, seasoned professionals who have a proven track record as advisors for middle-market companies. We focus on middle-market companies with revenues between $10 million and $350 million. Our expertise spans numerous industry sectors representing a wide range of businesses. Our investment banking services are complemented by the extensive experience and skills of Moss Adams LLP, our affiliate.

 

SERVING THE MIDDLE MARKET SINCE 1913

 

Moss Adams Capital is majority owned by Moss Adams LLP, the largest independent accounting and consulting firm located in the Western United States. With origins in Seattle in 1913, Moss Adams has provided advice to middle-market companies for nearly 100 years. Moss Adams is a member of Praxity, a global alliance of independent firms that serve middle-market companies in more than 70 countries.

 

Tips for searching the ideal commercial property by Bacall Development

Some say that location is the most important thing when looking for the perfect property for your business. But Bacall Development claims that there are other essential things to consider that are just or even more important as location. Looking for the perfect property for your business can be arduous, so the Bacall team suggests the following to help you find the right commercial property.

 

Location

 

Reviews show that location holds great importance to some business, but not to every business out there because it depends on the kind of business you have. For instance, location can set a great difference and can greatly contribute to the success or failure of your business in case you depend on customer contact in a retail setting. You must be in a place that is accessible and easy to find.

 

You may choose a serene location if you don't see clients often at your site to offer a peaceful environment to your staff. With this, they can be more focused to finish their jobs. Bacall Development recommends a home office if you don't have any employees on site and don't expect visits from customers. This way, you can save on operating costs and provide potential tax savings.

 

Size

 

Make sure that the property fits your business well and works for the kind of business you have. Size is an important factor whether you're just starting out or moving your business. If the site can accommodate your business then it can be an excellent choice for you. In order to avoid any added expense because of retrofitting, see to it that the place has been outfitted with wiring to meet your electrical and communication needs. Knowing the zoning ordinances of the area is also considered necessary.

 

Surroundings

 

Does the location of the property has a good neighborhood? Bacall Development needs you to prioritize the growth of your business, so even though the rent is high but the location is accessible and suits your needs, it is worth your money. Placing your business near similar businesses can do you good if you have a retail business. Consider a place that is convenient for your customers and offers the chance to combine trips and errands. Parking, safety, and traffic also have great influence to potential customers, so put them into mind. Comfort and safety are crucial for your customers and employees, so see to it that you will choose a property that offers both.

 

Cost

 

Is the property affordable to you? Begin looking at a commercial property for your business after having a particular budget in mind. Bacall associates rental suggests that you consider different alternatives such as renting an existing space, buying a lot and have control over the construction and design, and leasing a build-to-suit. You can buy an affordable piece of property for your business by stopping at the courthouse to get a list of business closings or property foreclosures.

 

Availability

 

Check if the property is really out there. You can schedule a consultation with a real estate broker to help you lessen your options in case you're not certain how to find a commercial property. Going in person is also advisable if you're going to visit some locations that caught your interest. This can help you do some evaluation on some issues that may affect your business such as competition, traffic, and overall convenience. Bacall Development recommends the use of online searching at real estate websites if you want to see what is available on the market without exerting too much effort.

 

Keep in mind that a good commercial property does not stay available for long, so be prepared to act quickly if you find one that really matches your business needs.

Tips for taking care of bespoke furniture - Hamilton Marsden Shop Review

Most homeowners today prefer to extend the lifespan of their bespoke furniture and maintain its appearance and functionality to treasure them for many more years to come. Due to the climatic conditions of your home, wood is often prone to changes in movement and color because of its natural characteristics. Eric Earl Hamilton Marsden will provide specific tips on how to take care of bespoke furniture made from wood in the subsequent paragraphs. Following these simple tips prepared by the team will help you reduce the damaging effects of such changes to your bespoke furniture.

 

Avoid direct sunlight

 

Eric Earl Hamilton Marsden's review regarding this matter was discussed in their previous posts, but the team will elucidate again the importance of keeping away your furniture from direct sunlight. It is apparent that there are damaging effects to the furniture once it is exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time such as cracking and expansion. Shrinkage can also happen to the furniture if the wood dries out because of heat. Strong sunlight can result to bleaching and crumbling of the finish applied to the furniture. The use of shades, blinds and shutters are recommended to control the effect of sunlight to your furniture.

 

Maintain proper humidity

 

To keep the wood in good condition, do not let it dry out because it needs a good amount of moisture since it is partly composed of water. If the climate is in average condition, keeping a small bowl of water or a plant in the same room is enough for your furniture. But if the weather is very dry, a humidifier is needed to maintain the proper humidity of your home.

 

Keep out on sources of heat

 

Placing your bespoke furniture near or front of radiators, open fires or any other source of heat is not advisable. Turning on or off the sources of heat can result in a change in temperature which can greatly affect the dimensional stability of the bespoke furniture. As previously stated, heat can dry out the furniture and it is not good for its condition.

 

Use coasters or mats

 

Don't place hot or cold drinks, plates and crockery directly on the wooden furniture. It’s better to use coasters or mats under such items because even a glass of water can cause damage to the furniture due to the moisture condensing from the air around and underneath the glass entering the surface and causing discoloration.

 

Put protective pads under fixed items

 

You should put protective cork or felt pads fitted underneath the items that you are using for decorating your home such as bowls, figurines, ornaments, and vases, which are sitting on the furniture for a long period of time. It's also wise to regularly move such items to prevent any discoloration on your bespoke furniture.

 

Clean regularly

 

You can remove marks on the bespoke furniture by using a lightly moistened cloth, and dry it with another cloth such as a soft microfiber cloth. Eric Earl Hamilton Marsden recommends dusting regularly to maintain the good condition of the furniture.

 

Quickly handle spillages

 

Use a clean and lightly moistened cloth to remove spillages of drinks or food on your furniture, and then dry the surface with a clean dry cloth. You must act quickly when there are spillages on your furniture because it will be impossible to completely remove them once they are left alone for a long period of time.

 

Silicone spray polishes are a no-no

 

After a certain period of time, aerosol spray polishes that contain silicone will just have a bad effect on the finish of bespoke furniture, so it's better not to use them on your furniture.

 

Don't use abrasive or chemical cleaners

 

Instead of using abrasive cleaners such as a cream cleaner, it's better to consult the maker of the furniture when your furniture needs careful attention because once those cleaners are applied to the furniture they will remove a thin layer of the material. You should not also use chemical cleaners such as stain removers and solvents on your bespoke furniture.

 

Control the temperature and humidity

 

Taking care of bespoke furniture is easy if you just keep the temperature and humidity of your home at relatively stable levels throughout the year.

 

In addition, Eric Earl Hamilton Marsden suggests following some tips on buying online to help you find quality bespoke furniture that will surely last for several years. It's simple to take care of bespoke furniture, simply follow those tips mentioned above and you will surely enjoy your furniture for many more years.

We comment on IOSCO's non-GAAP financial measures - International Organization of Financial Securities Regulatory Commission

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited has responded to the International Organization of Securities Commissions' Consultation 'Proposed Statement on Non-GAAP Financial Measures'. We support addressing the issue of non-GAAP financial measures at a global level as it is pervasive, and believe it is in the best interests of global securities markets if the proposed statement applied consistently in all IOSCO jurisdictions and is not overlaid with local guidance.

 

The comment letter makes a number of additional points, including:

 

  • For the proposed statement to have maximum effect, we encourage IOSCO to develop a common definition of 'non-GAAP financial measure' and to determine which such measures should be subject to the common discipline
  • It is important for the efficient operation of global capital markets that national and regional guidance is consistent and does not contradict the requirements of globally-recognised financial reporting frameworks
  • We agree that the proposed statement should apply to 'any non-GAAP financial measure wherever the measure is disclosed outside of the financial statements' as it recognises standard-setters' responsibility in relation to financial statements, and is a way of achieving consistency in the use of non-GAAP financial measures across the annual report as a whole, but suggest that IOSCO works with the IASB to clarify what is considered to be an 'IFRS measure'
  • We encourage IOSCO to determine a consistent scope, application and enforcement of the proposed statement, as it is assumed that it would encompass information on websites and other non-regulated information, and some securities market regulators regulate press releases and web-based material, but others do not.

Who We Are at Hill & Associates

 

Our Story

 

Hill & Associates has been operating for more than 20 years, with offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

We are owned by G4S plc, the world’s largest private security company, but operate completely independently. Our management, legal and information technology structures are protected by inter-company agreements to protect confidential client information.

 

Our Team

 

Our strength is the breadth of our Asia-based team and depth of local knowledge. Our staff of more than 150 includes experts from around the world in fields ranging from law, accounting and banking to military, intelligence and computer forensics. All adhere to strict ethical and internal codes of conduct. Discretion, effectiveness and professionalism make our team – individually and as a unit – your trusted adviser.

 

Meet some of our team members.

 

Neil Marshall

Managing Director

Neil has more than 30 years of experience in security and business risk consulting across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He helps corporate clients manage internal fraud matters, labor and commercial relationships, and crisis and contingency management issues, working with stakeholders and senior management to create solutions that are logical, ethical and economically sound. Clients include top-tier Fortune 500 organizations during times of exponential growth into new markets and operations.

 

Mike Groves

Security Risk Management

Prior to joining Hill & Associates, Mike completed a 28-year career in the Hong Kong Police Force, rising to directorate rank. During his service, Mike commanded the VIP Protection and Tactical Units, and oversaw operations at events including the Handover of Hong Kong in 1997 and meetings of the World Bank, IMF and WTO. Mike works with clients to pre-empt and address issues that impinge on business operations and reputation risk.

 

John Bruce

Corporate Intelligence

John Bruce runs our Corporate Intelligence service line, which encompasses business intelligence and integrity and background checks. In addition to this, he has specific responsibility for gaming related due diligence, having become involved in the gaming industry due to the burgeoning expansion in worldwide gaming that took place alongside the expansion of the worldwide web. He has considerable experience in providing independent consulting services to companies in the gaming industry on the nature of the industry in Asia.

 

Adelene Wee

Fraud Prevention & Integrity Risk

Adelene has worked throughout Asia and has extensive experience in the practicalities of doing business – both local and cross-border. She is responsible for managing and conducting client engagements focused on the areas of fraud, bribery and corruption, ethics, corporate governance and integrity and compliance matters. Prior to joining Hill & Associates, Adelene worked in tax and legal services in a Big Four firm and in corporate and commercial law at several international firms.

Source: http://www.hill-assoc.com/who-we-are

Mossack Fonseca Explains Changes to Panama’s Bearer Shares Regime

Bearer Share Custody System

 

The bearer share immobilization system was introduced in Panama by means of Law 47 of 6th August 2013 and was substantially amended by Law 18 of 23rd April 2015. Luis Quiel of Mossack Fonseca shall review here the most important aspects of the custody system, as modified by the most recent amendments.

 

Entry into Force is Moved Forward

 

Companies that were formed before 4th May 2015 have up to 31st December 2015 to delete from their articles of incorporation the possibility of issuing bearer shares or to deposit the bearer share certificates with an authorized custodian. The latter would require, either amending the articles of incorporation to expressly allow bearer shares under the custody system, or having such system approved in a board of directors minutes registered at the Public Registry.

 

If any company does not formally approve (before 31st December 2015) a decision to allow the immobilization of bearer share certificates, the bearer share certificates that it has issued shall be null and void by full right.

The deadline of 31st December 2015 applies only to companies formed before 4th May 2015. For bearer shares issued on or after 4th May 2015, the term expired on 4th August 2015.

 

Legal Consequences of Lack of Action

 

Articles of incorporation of companies that envisage the issuance of bearer shares and that have not been amended to provide for immobilization with authorized custodians (save if the decision was adopted through a board resolution duly registered at the Public Registry) will be deemed to have been amended by operation of law as of 1st January 2016. This will cause two important consequences for such companies: 1) bearer shares that are outstanding shall be irrevocably null and void, and 2) the company may not issue new bearer shares.

 

Immobilization or Custody System

 

To benefit from the bearer share custody system, certain requirements need to be complied with as follows:

 

  1. Amendment of the articles of incorporation or registration of the decision of the corporation’s board of directors before 31st December 2015, so as to envisage bearer shares in custody according to the system created by Law 47 of 2013 and Law 18 of 2015.

 

  1. Deposit of the bearer share certificates with an authorized custodian.

 

  1. The authorized custodian shall require a sworn statement from the shareholder that includes information allowing due identification of the owner of the bearer shares and the corporation’s resident agent, including contact details.

 

The law provides for two kinds of authorized custodians: 1) local authorized custodians, and 2) foreign authorized custodians. The former may be banks holding a general license and trust companies authorized by the Panama Bank Superintendence (SBP―its initials in Spanish); brokerage houses and securities clearing houses authorized by the Securities Market Superintendence (SMV―its initials in Spanish); and attorneys at law certified as such by the Supreme Court of Justice.

 

Banks, trust companies, and financial intermediaries may be foreign authorized custodians if they hold a license for practicing their activities as set forth in jurisdictions that are members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Money Laundering or are associated members that are registered with the SBP on a special register that the latter keeps to such end.

 

Rights over Certificates in Custody

 

The ownership of shares in custody may be transferred without need for the physical delivery of the certificates, provided that the owner advises the custodian that he/she has made the transfer and that the acquirer submits a sworn statement to the custodian that includes the required information (name and identification data, as well as contact data).

 

The law provides, likewise, for an interesting pledge system that allows the creation of such encumbrance on bearer shares in custody, by the owner merely giving notice to the authorized custodian whereby he/she advises the pledging of the shares as well as the lienholder’s full name, physical address, telephone number, and email address.

 

Lastly, a special inheritance disposition system has been created for bearer shares that allow owners to dispose mortis cause of their shares, without need for such shares to be the object of a probate process for their transfer upon the grantor’s death.

 

Conclusion

 

As Luis Quiel of Mossack Fonseca has outlined, as of 1st January 2016, bearer shares that are not regulated by the custody system in accordance with Law 47 of 2013, as amended by Law 18 of 2015, shall be irrevocably null and void by operation of law. It is important to take provisions in time and to make corporate decisions in accordance with the formalities set by the law. Otherwise, the legal and financial consequences of the annulment of the rights inherent to such bearer shares may be quite costly.

 

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Mossack Fonseca at UK Territories: Beneficial Owner Info to Stay Put

On 1 and 2 December 2015, the political leaders and representatives of the UK and its 14 Overseas Territories met in London to discuss financial services, international co-operation in tax matters, beneficial ownership, and other matters.

 

According to a communiqué released by the UK Joint Ministerial Council, all of the Overseas Territories agreed to the following:

 

  • A full commitment to international co-operation in tax matters, and to fight against money laundering, tax evasion, illicit finances, and corruption.
  • Adherence to bilateral and multilateral agreements, implementation of the FATF standards, and enforcing legal instruments in everyday practice.
  • A commitment to sustaining successful international finance centres.
  • Acknowledgement of the importance of bilateral engagement on matters affecting Territories’ financial services sectors.
  • Beneficial ownership information will be held in their respective jurisdictions via central registers or similarly effective systems―this is in sharp contrast to the original proposal by Britain that all such information be transmitted to a central registry located in and controlled by the UK.

 

They discussed the details of how the financial control and compliance systems above should be implemented, and agreed that addressing those issues would be given the highest priority and kept under continuous and close review.