The world of finance is difficult to get into and manoeuvre around to your advantage. No matter what business you operate, there are going to be times when you make more money than you expected. However, what about the times when you get a false positive? Your first instinct may be that there is some fraudulent activity going on that you feel unsure about. So, what is a false positive and how will it affect the overall journey for your customers? That’s what we are going to find out below.
What is a false positive in finance?
When a false positive appears, it’s since the business suspects an order is not quite what it seems. In fact, it’s very likely that an act of fraud has occurred. Therefore, it makes sense that the order has been declined. The business does not want to become the victim of fraud. Ultimately, it can be a risk to decline any type of order. After all, it’s extremely hard to know whether it is legitimate. If it is legitimate, then you will simply be declining an order which can reduce sales. Ultimately, this could mean that you are not only losing revenue, but customers in the future.
How does a false positive affect a customer’s journey?
It’s normal that your customer will go through a 5-step journey before they interact with your business. This will include creating an account or logging into an account. They will also show that they have the intention to buy from you by placing an order into their cart. However, if their card transaction fails, it’s likely that they will not be interested in making an order in the future. Therefore, you have potentially lost a customer, as well as any revenue that they planned on spending. Not only does this mean that there are wasted acquisition costs, but it will ultimately damage your brand as a whole.
Image source Max Pixel
What can you do to reduce false positives?
Unfortunately, false positives are a part of business that you will need to try and take care of as well as you can. To understand which sales are genuine and which are false, you will have to keep an eye on your customers to understand their spending habits. Most businesses rely on customers to contact them about false positives, but you may also see genuine buyers try to purchase your products for a second time.
You can help reduce false positives by:
Becoming more aware that not all false positives are examples of fraud
Using AI, Machine learning and automated payment software, like Xelix
Establishing the identity of your customers to prevent fraud
Do you know what to do about false positives?
If you have opened a business, it’s crucial that you understand as much as you can about false positives. They can impact your sales and cause you to struggle with retaining your loyal customers. Thus, with the information in this guide, you will be able to future proof your business and mitigate this risk. The more you understand about your false positives, the more you can increase the amount of business you receive.
Greek composer Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou, known professionally as Vangelis, has died at the age of 79.
Vangelis won an Oscar for the stirring score to 1981’s Chariots of Fire, which was followed by Blade Runner a year later.
Vangelis’s Chariots of Fire theme famously accompanied shots of athletes running along the beach in St Andrews, Scotland, at the start of the film, which was set before the 1924 Olympics.
It went to number one in the US, and later topped the UK’s classical singles chart in 2012 after being performed by Mr. Bean at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
Image source: Facebook
Vangelis’ other film credits included The Bounty, Francesco, Bitter Moon, 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Alexander.
The composer once said: “My interest was not to create a symphony orchestra, which I can very easily, but to go further than that and do things that the symphony orchestra can’t do.
“And I think that I succeeded to create something like this.”
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted: “Vangelis Papathanassiou is no longer with us. The world of music has lost the international (artist) Vangelis.”
Vangelis first tasted fame as the keyboardist in the band Aphrodite’s Child with singer Demis Roussos in the late 1960s.
He went on to be an acclaimed and groundbreaking electronic solo artist beyond his work in film, making his most recent albums with record company, Decca Label Group.
Its presidents Tom Lewis and Laura Monks said: “The world has lost a genius. Vangelis created music of extraordinary originality and power, and provided the soundtrack to so many of our lives.
“We will miss him enormously. His music will live on forever.”
McDonald’s Russia has found a buyer for its local business, after the war in Ukraine pushed it to quit the country.
Alexander Govor, who currently operates 25 McDonald’s restaurants in Siberia, will take on the company’s restaurants and staff, operating them under a new brand, the fast food giant said.
The firm did not disclose the sale price, but has warned investors it would take a more than $1 billion hit from the exit.
McDonald’s had operated in Russia for more than 30 years.
The opening of its first restaurant in Moscow in 1990 came to symbolise a thaw in Cold War tensions.
In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia opened up its economy to companies from the West. More than three decades later, however, it is one of a growing number of corporations pulling out as the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions make it difficult to operate.
McDonald’s, which had nearly 850 restaurants in the country, most of them directly owned, said it expected the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, to close in coming weeks.
Alexander Govor has been a licensee of McDonald’s since 2015. He is also co-founder of Neftekhimservice, a refining company, and a board member of another firm that owns the Park Inn hotel and private clinics in Siberia.
Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said the deal was the result of a “long and difficult” negotiation process and the government would provide Alexander Govor with all the necessary assistance to set up operations.
The terms provide for McDonald’s 62,000 staff in Russia to be retained for at least two years, with their existing pay and Alexander Govor will pay the salaries of corporate staff in Russia until the deal is completed.
McDonald’s will retain its trademark in Russia, it said, while the restaurants will be stripped of their menu, logo and other branding.
Announcing plans for the sale earlier this week, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski called the decision “extremely difficult”.
“However, we have a commitment to our global community and must remain steadfast in our values. And our commitment to our values means that we can no longer keep the arches shining there,” he said.
McDonald’s suspended operations at the restaurants it owned in Russia in March, citing the “humanitarian crisis” and “unpredictable operating environment” caused by the Ukraine war.
The move drew outrage among Russian politicians and prompted threats the business would be seized.
A patent application for an “Uncle Vanya” restaurant chain was filed with Russian authorities shortly after. The name, the same as the famous work by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, was one of several brand knock-offs of Western companies to surface.
In 2021, Russia and Ukraine accounted for about 9% of McDonald’s revenue.
The move by McDonald’s came after French carmaker Renault sold its majority stake in carmaker Aftovaz to a state research institute for a symbolic sum, while its Renault Russia business was taken over by the city of Moscow. Manufacturing at the Renault plant is expected to resume under a Soviet-era brand.
Israeli police have attacked mourners at the funeral of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, whose killing in the occupied West Bank has caused a surge of anger.
The journalist’s coffin almost fell as police, some using batons, waded into a crowd of Palestinians gathered around it.
Police said they acted after being pelted with stones.
Image source: Twitter
Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead in disputed circumstances on May 11, with Israel and Palestinians trading blame. The killing has been widely condemned.
Footage showed a standoff between police and Palestinians gathered around the coffin in the hospital compound, before officers push the crowd back, with some beating and kicking mourners. Police said officers “were forced to use riot dispersal means”.
A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply disturbed” by the confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinians and the behavior of some police.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki also said the images of police hitting mourners were disturbing.
“We regret the intrusion into what should have been a peaceful procession,” she said.
The Palestinian Authority and Al Jazeera claim Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by Israeli forces, while Israel said it was not yet possible to determine what happened and that she could have been killed by Palestinian gunfire.
An Israeli military interim report on May 12 said the fatal shot could have come from “massive fire from Palestinian gunmen”, or possibly from “a few bullets” fired by a soldier “at a terrorist who was firing at his vehicle”.
Shireen Abu Akleh, a 51-year-old Palestinian American, was a veteran correspondent for Al Jazeera’s Arabic news channel and had reported on the Israel-Palestinian conflict for two decades.
The journalist was given the rarity of a funeral at the compound of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on May 12, where her coffin was brought draped in the Palestinian flag. President Abbas paid tribute to her, describing her as a “martyr of the free word” who “sacrificed her life” to defend the Palestinian cause.
He said Israel was “fully responsible for her killing” and that he would refer the case to the International Criminal Court, which investigates potential war crimes.
Israeli PM Naftali Bennett has accused President Abbas of “throwing blame at Israel without any basis”.
Shireen Abu Akleh was in the Jenin refugee camp early on May 11 to report on the Israeli raid. The Israeli military said the operation was to apprehend “terrorist suspects”.
It said: “Tens of Palestinian gunmen fired at and hurled explosive devices toward the soldiers. The soldiers responded with fire toward the gunmen and hits were identified.”
Another Palestinian journalist, Al Jazeera producer Ali Samoudi, was shot and wounded during the violence.
Elon Musk has announced that his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter is on hold after he queried the number of fake or spam accounts on the social media platform.
The world’s richest man tweeted: ”Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users.”
Even before his comments, Twitter’s stock had been selling for less than the $54.20 per share Elon Musk has offered, a sign that the markets were not convinced he would complete the buyout.
He has been vocal about “defeating the spam bots”, identifying it as a key goal following his planned takeover of the company.
Twitter has long faced accusations of not doing enough to address automated, fake accounts posting content.
In a filing more than two weeks ago, Twitter estimated that fake accounts accounted for fewer than 5% of its daily active users during the first three months of this year. It cautioned that the figures were based on estimates and could be higher.
Those claims were not different from what the firm had shared in previous disclosures.
Weeks of market turmoil in the US have wiped billions off the value of many companies – including once favored tech firms.
Tesla, the electric car company where Elon Musk serves as chief executive, has also seen its shares plunge – a hit to Elon Musk, whose status as the world’s richest person is bound up in his stake in the company and who had planned to rely on his shares to help finance the Twitter purchase.
Last month, he raised $8.5 billion by selling shares. He also planned to use the shares to secure $6.5 billion in loans.
After Elon Musk tweeted that the deal was temporarily on hold, Tesla’s share price gained more than 5%.
The first war crimes trial since the beginning of Russia’s invasion has been started in Ukraine.
A 21-year-old soldier appearing in the dock is accused of killing an unarmed civilian.
Vadim Shishimarin appeared at a preliminary hearing in Kyiv. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Ukraine says it has identified thousands of potential war crimes committed by Russia.
Russia has denied targeting civilians and made no comment on the trial.
Prosecutors say Vadim Shishimarin was driving in a stolen vehicle with other soldiers in the north-eastern Sumy region when they encountered a 62-year-old cyclist using a phone.
According to the prosecutors, the soldier was ordered to shoot the civilian to stop them from telling Ukrainian defenders about their location.
When it comes to picking the best nightstand for your bedroom, you have a lot of options. There are plenty of different shapes, styles, and materials to choose from. Some of them have practical purposes. Others are just for looks.
But when it comes to the most favored material for nightstands, wood gets the nod. It’s a material that’s attractive, warm, and easy to care for. And perhaps best of all, it offers character and appeal that you can’t get from metal or plastic.
One of the biggest advantages of a wood nightstand is how easy they are to care for. Many customers prefer wood because it’s easy to clean, doesn’t leave behind streaks, and polishes up nicely.
It’s important to note that metal nightstands certainly have their place if that’s the overall aesthetic of your bedroom. But wood in general is an excellent material for nightstands. And it offers many more benefits, as you’ll see below.
Versatile
Another big advantage of buying a wood nightstand is that they’re versatile. Wood goes well with just about any décor, allowing you to easily match the material with a wide variety of colors, fabrics, walls, carpeting, and bedding.
So if you’re having a hard time deciding on any one nightstand model, you’ll find that any wood-based option is likely to complement your bedroom.
Unique
Wood allows for a multitude of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes. As such, you can be sure to have a nightstand that stands out from all others. What’s more, wood can easily reflect any time period or aesthetic, adding charm, warmth, character, and functionality.
Want a unique nightstand that captures the allure of the Victorian era? There are plenty of wood models to choose from that do just that. Or maybe you prefer something more modern or chic. That’s not a problem for wood.
Furthermore, wooden nightstands allow for far more artistic expression from the manufacturer. Because of that, you can get as close as possible to achieving your vision for your bedroom.
Longevity
Wood is a durable material that will not easily break or crack. It is, therefore, a great choice for your bedroom, as it offers the best combination of both durability and simplicity in one single product.
You want your nightstand to stand the test of time and meet your needs for years to come. Wood is the perfect material to offer such benefits and more.
You Can Customize Your Nightstand
Finally, the customization of wood nightstands is a huge draw. You can add pretty much any design and color to your nightstand. This gives you a lot of freedom when picking out one for your bedroom.
You can even pick a design that reflects your personality far more accurately than metals or plastics. You might want a nightstand with a specific style or design, a checkered pattern, or something else entirely. Only wood offers these customizable traits.
Right now, it’s clear to see that there is a nursing shortage in many areas of the world, including the US. Therefore, there is an effort being made to attract more people to the profession; there is a need for more nurses because the population is getting older, and it’s growing at the same time, meaning that healthcare has to be a priority. The more nurses there are, the better the world can take care of those who need help.
The issue with recruiting people to become nurses is that there are often negative things said about the profession that can cause those who might be interested to think again, and potentially ensure that some people never even consider nursing in the first place. This is a shame, as there are many benefits to being a nurse, and if more people were aware of them, then more people would train to become nurses, and the problem of numbers would be at least some way to being solved. With this in mind, read on to discover what some of the best things about being a nurse are, and it might make you realize that this really is the career for you. If you’re already a nurse, it might make you realize you’ve made the right choice, and push you to do more.
High Job Security
With technology making the world a completely different place to what it was just a few years ago, and this certainly being accurate when you think of career possibilities, it’s not easy to choose a job that will still be valuable and needed in years to come. Something that you can train for today could disappear due to advancements in technology or simply the lack of resources or consumer need. This would be an unfortunate position to be in, and it would mean that you have to effectively start again, and use your skills in a different area.
Nursing isn’t a profession in which you have to worry about that. Although technology does play a part, and although the role of the nurse will change as time goes on, nurses will always be needed and therefore, when you have nursing qualifications, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’ve chosen a secure job.
The Most Rewarding Career
There is a big difference between a career and a rewarding career. In the former, you go to work, do what you need to do, perhaps push yourself further, but really, when you think about it, what you’re doing isn’t that important. If you didn’t do it, it wouldn’t matter. In the latter, what you do definitely matters and you can see that every day. Clearly, nursing is a rewarding career.
If you decide to study to become a nurse, you’ll enter one of the most rewarding careers you can find. There are very few professions in which you actively change people’s lives, and even save those lives, on a daily basis.
Career Advancement
Another great thing about being a nurse is that you have complete control over your career, and if you want to move forward and advance, there are always going to be avenues for you to take that will allow that to happen. Some nurses will want to work in a specific department, and they will gain skills and experience in that so they can take a job when it is offered. Others will want to become a leader and manage a team, in which case they will need a University of Indianapolis DNP degree to help them. In other words, no matter what kind of nurse you want to be or what level of nursing you want to reach, there will be options open to you.
If you’re not sure what you want to do, you can also find plenty of help to advise you and guide you to making the right choice. Nursing is very much based on teamwork, and this extends away from helping patients and into other areas, including career progression.
Transferable Life Skills
When you think of why nursing is a good career and some of the best things about it, it’s a good idea to consider it as a microcosm of the rest of the world. The things you learn during your nursing training and then when you are working are often very specific, but there are many things you’ll learn that can be used in other areas of your life. These transferable life skills can help to make you a happier, healthier, more productive person outside of work as well as when you are nursing your patients. It can be hard to determine exactly what these skills are, especially when you are working and they are simply a natural part of helping others, but they include:
The ability to stay calm in a pressurized situation
Critical thinking
Continuous learning
Once you note them down, it’s much easier to see how a nurse could use these skills – and others – on a daily basis, but also how they might use them in other areas of their lives.
An Inspiring Career
Imagine a career in which you are able to inspire people every day, through even the smallest of actions. Most people would like that feeling, and it is certainly something positive. When you are a nurse, that’s the kind of thing you’ll be doing even without realizing it, and it’s another of the best things about being a nurse.
Nurses are incredibly hard working, and they see both the most joyful parts of life, and the saddest and most difficult. Yet they continue to be professional and dedicated to their patients no matter what. Ofcourse they are going to inspire others. Even if those people they inspire don’t become nurses, they will still understand why doing good and working hard is important, and that can make a big change in someone’s life, and the lives of those around them.
If you are considering buying or selling a property anytime soon then you will want to find a reputable broker who can help guide you through the process and help you navigate the world of real estate. A company that has really made a mark on the industry in the past ten years is Compass Real Estate. Despite the fact that some people have been asking “are the company in trouble?” you can find from looking at their history, values, and reviews that they can help you complete your transaction without issue.
One major concern for people when looking for a reliable real estate company is whether or not the company operates legitimately. When looking to team up with a company you are unfamiliar with you might start to worry about whether it is reputable or if it is possibly a pyramid scheme. This is especially relevant if you are new to real estate trading as it can be difficult to navigate an industry you have no experience in. Whilst there are some companies out there that operate unscrupulously, Compass prides itself on its integrity and honesty.
They work as a broker for real estate agents and this allows them to earn a commission for the work they have undertaken on closing sales. Despite the fact that much of the work Compass does is undertaken online, they actually have approximately 300 physical offices located across the United States. This means that if you choose to, you can visit them in person to discuss your needs.
Compass is a relatively new company and has only been in operation for approximately a decade, but they do have a great number of success stories under its belt. Their great success and massive growth over the years can be attributed to the unique way in which they operate – the hybrid of cutting-edge technology and traditional real estate techniques. In addition to the large number of sales they have made, they have also gained a few awards over the years. They have received two Webby Awards, one for Websites and Mobile Sites and another in the Real Estate 2019 category. They also held on to the title of People’s Voice Winner for websites and mobile sites for two years in a row.
A notable quality of Compass Real Estate is the values that the CEO, Robert Reffkin, brings to the table. Reffkin is an influential PoC making a name for himself in the industry whilst also helping to raise over $1 million for charity through competing in marathons across all 50 states. He even set up his own charity! For this reason alone, many people find that they choose Compass simply because of the impressive and inspirational role model that runs the company based on his own high moral values.
Despite the fact that Compass Real Estate is not a long-running business, they have proven their value and made great leaps and bounds since its inception. Due to their success over the years as well as their ability to use a purpose-built mobile app, and merge in-person and online communication, then they may very well be the right company for you.
Candlestick patterns are one of the essential ways used to study the market. There are several types of candlestick patterns that traders study to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. Mat hold candlestick patterns represent the directional trend of stocks or commodities.
A mat hold pattern can either be bullish when the market is declining or bearish when there is a significant upswing. Let’s read on to understand more about mat hold patterns, their different types, and ways you could use the pattern to your benefit.
The pattern starts with a bullish or bearish trend on day one. The next three days will show a trend opposite to the directional trend of the first day. Lastly, the fifth day mimics the trends of the first day, pushing in the same direction. The mat hold pattern is a dependable indicator seen in market analysis but most of the time, seeing the pattern is rare as it does not appear more often.
Due to its rarity, mat hold patterns are sometimes confused with the rising-three indicator. Still, mat hold patterns are used to predict how long would the market uptrend last. To better understand these patterns, try looking for examples of bullish and bearish trends so you can easily identify these patterns on a chart.
Bearish Mat Hold Patterns
Bearish mat hold candlesticks present as a 5-candle pattern that appears during a rising market. This pattern indicates the bearish market is turning stagnant and will most likely fall down after the pause. As mentioned above, it will be easy to identify a bearish mat hold pattern as the first and last candles will show a downward trend whereas the middle candlesticks will point towards an uptrend.
Bullish Mat Hold Patterns
Similar to the bearish trend, bullish mat hold patterns are also represented by 5 candlesticks but the first and the last candles show an uptrend while the middle 3 candles show a fall. Bullish patterns come during an uptrend and indicate the market will keep rising.
Inverted Mat Hold Patterns
This pattern is a variation that is represented by 5 candlesticks. The first candle starts with a very bearish trend after which three bullish candles follow. Each of these 3 candlesticks represents a bullish trend that is higher than the previous candle. Lastly, the final candlestick should also point towards a bearish trend.
Identifying The Patterns
The structure of a mat hold is composed of 5 candlesticks each representing a bullish or bearish trend depending on the type of pattern. Studying the mat hold pattern is essential for investors and traders as it provides valuable insights to help you make the right decision. If you are an aspiring trader or investor, doing your homework is crucial as it will assist you in understanding the market trends in a better way.
Bullish Mat Holds
This scenario is generated when there is a market uptrend, influencing more investors to benefit from the rising market. As a result, investors flock in on the rising bullish market. At the same time, investors become concerned about too many investors jumping on the bandwagon, resulting in investors bailing out from their positions. This bailout causes a surge in sell orders all during similar times and influences a bearish trend. However, the last candle starts to take life and moves uptrend, indicating a rise in the market that will move up for quite some time.
Bearish Mat Holds
During bearish mat holds, the market trends are negative, making investors think of hitting lower prices. To save their invested capital, investors turn to sell, resulting in a beamish candle. Due to this selling influx, the market becomes oversold so investors stop selling while waiting and expecting to see a pullback. Now, the bullish trend starts, making three candles show a positive trend. However, in the end, this positive trend fades away, indicating the market to fall down even further.
Advantages of Using Mat Hold Patterns
These patterns are truly beneficial for the trader when used correctly. There is a continuous candlestick pattern that can be identified easily when analyzing market trend charts and providing accurate information. Investors and traders use this pattern as an indicator to join in on the market trends and these mat hold patterns can also be used with other technical analysis tools so you can get the best possible outcomes in terms of making a decision. Following the pattern gives you a success rate of around 70% which is quite promising when trading.
Trading Mat Hold Patterns
As mentioned above, traders who want to join in on an existing trend follow mat hold patterns. They make this decision after extensive evaluation of the market, the influencing factors, and any other aspect that can affect their strategy. Leading traders suggest entering the market and opening a position when there is a 5th candle in place and you have already anticipated the market trend. As you open a position, remember to put a tight stop order in place. Using a stop-loss order ensures you will not be affected by additional losses if the market trends go against the proceedings you anticipated. In forex trading, losing is a part of the game but using trading tools like a stop loss can easily help you to be on the safe side and avoid as much loss as possible.
Trading is all about patience, studying the market, and making the right move at the right time. There is so much that goes into making a successful trader. Most people think of trading as simple as buying at low rates and selling when the market rises for profit. However, it’s not true as an extensive analysis of the market is necessary that cannot be fulfilled by simply buying or selling. To get the most out of your time, consider reviewing the basics and getting familiar with the terminology so you can better understand the terms used, ultimately improving your trading game over time.
With the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic having faded in recent months, you could, as a business owner, once again feel comfortable with the idea of meeting potential clients up close and handing them a physical card as a reminder of your company and how to contact it.
However, one statistic shared by Real Wealth Business suggests that about 90% of all business cards distributed are thrown away within a week. So, the onus is on you doing what you can to make sure your card not only catches the eye but also keeps it for as long as possible.
Go for a colored business card
You might not have realized that a colored business card lasts ten times longer than a standard white business card before being discarded.
Hence, it’s worth taking the time to be creative with your card’s design — especially as, according to another statistic, sales grow by 2.5% for every 2,000 business cards given out.
Remember to include the relevant contact details
While opting for a minimalist look with your card might make it stand out in a sense, you should be wary of stripping away too many elements. Designer and illustrator Sam Hampton-Smith advises in an article for Creative Bloq: “You’ll typically want to include at least a business name, phone number and email address.”
He adds that, depending on exactly what communication channels your business has, you should probably also include a website address, a physical address and social media handles.
Make your business card ‘dual-purpose’
Depending on the industry in which you operate, it could be both wise and clever for you to design your card in such a way that it can also serve as something other than a business card.
Whatever that second purpose is, verify that it is genuinely relevant to your company and its target audience. A card for a drinks seller, for example, could also constitute a bottle opener, while an eco-conscious company could make its business card a packet of seeds.
Image source PxHere
Give your card a custom finish
That way, the person you give the card to could quite literally feel the difference as soon as the item touches their hand. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, as the saying goes…
The various custom finishes from which you could choose include foil blocking, metallic and spot-UV finishes. While adding custom finishes to cards can inflate the cost of creating them, you could allow for long-term savings by buying your own print finishing equipment.
Thoroughly spell-check a card before printing it out
Imagine how your heart could sink if you printed out thousands of cards only to realize a silly spelling error sticking out like a sore thumb on each of them.
Hence, before printing business cards in any design, you should repeatedly go through its text with a fine-tooth comb and potentially also ask someone else to check that copy for you, lest you end up having to reprint the entire batch of cards.
If you are someone who wears a lot of jewelry, you might be interested in functional accessories that serve multiple purposes. Accessorizing with multipurpose jewelry is useful – and looks great. Whether you are on the go and want to keep items handy, looking for a tech savvy smartwatch, or feel like splurging on a new way to protect your spiritual energy, we’ve got you covered. Here are 3 ideas of jewelry that serve a greater purpose, while still looking great with other accessories.
Image source Wikimedia
Smart Jewelry
What started as clunky wristbands that monitored daily steps has transformed into clean, elegant pieces that appear to be normal jewelry but can be used to track wellness information, send texts, and even utilize apps like mobile games and social media. The advantages to smart jewelry are endless – they are difficult to lose or damage since they are attached to your body during use, and they can be used on the go in situations or scenarios where using a phone would not be allowed or appropriate.
Energy Jewelry
While some might be skeptical of energy jewelry and its many functions, these pieces can be used to increase energy and raise vibrations. Some pieces, like EMF bracelets, offer protection for your health and inner sense of harmony. Not to mention, these pieces are beautiful and often come in a variety of styles.
Secret Storage Jewelry
A surprisingly helpful style of jewelry is pieces that can discreetly offer minimal storage, such as necklaces that hold or attach to your keys, or fabric bracelets that can hold items like lip balm. These pieces specifically are a great option for anyone traveling or attending major events such as concerts or festivals where large bags or other storage items are prohibited or personal items are at risk of being lost. Keeping these items handy is useful, and storing them in a way that does not look obnoxious (or even noticeable) is a game changer for many people on the go.
If you are looking to add some new jewelry to your wardrobe, why not opt for a few pieces that are functional as well as beautiful? Whether you’re looking to track your daily steps, protect or improve your natural energy, or store personal items on the go, these 3 multipurpose accessories are a perfect place to start.
Costa Rica, a North American country, was attacked by Conti ransomware, a large number of systems in multiple ministries were affected and a large number of sensitive data were stolen.
The Ministry of Finance of Colombia was the most severely affected. The theft of taxpayer information caused public panic, and systems such as taxation and customs were paralyzed for several days, resulting in heavy losses in the country’s export business, at least US$200 million.
The Colombian president said the attackers were trying to destabilize the country, alluding to Russia. However, some security experts believe that this is just an ordinary money extortion, simply because the country’s system has too many loopholes.
In the past week, a ransomware attack has paralyzed the computer system of the government of the Republic of Costa Rica (hereinafter referred to as “Costa”) in the North American country (located in Central America). The Colombian government has refused to pay the ransom and is trying to prepare for the potential fallout as malicious hackers begin releasing stolen data.
Conti, a Russian-based ransomware gang, has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Costa Rican government has yet to issue an announcement on the details.
The Ministry of Finance was the worst affected, with systems paralyzed and taxpayer information stolen
The Colombian Ministry of Finance first reported the cyber attack on Monday (April 18). From the collection of taxes and fees to customs exports, many systems under the Treasury Department were affected by the attack. Malicious hackers then targeted other targets, including the Social Security Department’s human resources system and the Department of Labor.
The attack shut down for hours the Treasury Department’s payment system, which covers most of the country’s public officials and also handles government pension payments. The Treasury Department had to approve tax deferrals as payment services were not working properly.
The Conti gang did not disclose the exact amount of the ransom. There were rumors on social media that the hacker gang offered $10 million, but there was no corresponding evidence on the Conti gang website.
“Costa Rica will never pay any ransom to cybercriminals,” said Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvardao.
Colombian Finance Minister Elian Villegas said on Wednesday (April 20) that hackers accessed “sensitive” taxpayer history information after breaching the finance ministry’s customs platform, without specifying the amount of data leaked.
Colombian companies fear that classified information submitted to the government could be accessed by hacker gangs and then disclosed or misused. Ordinary citizens worry that their personal financial information could be used to hack into their bank accounts.
Platforms such as tax and customs have been suspended for more than 4 days, resulting in heavy losses in export business
According to a Reuters report on April 22, some platforms, including tax and customs, suspended operations for the fourth consecutive day, causing bottlenecks in imports and exports. The Costa Rican Exporters’ Chamber reported a loss of $200 million on Wednesday.
Christian Rucavado, executive director of the chamber, said cyberattacks against customs agencies had already affected the country’s import and export logistics. The goods stranded in the cold storage are slowly decaying. This is a race against time, and the specific economic loss cannot be determined for the time being. Trading operations continue, but at a much slower pace than usual.
Rucavado explained, “Many processes can only be done manually now, and there are delays in work at many border agencies. We have asked the government to take relevant remedial measures, such as extending working hours to ensure that imports and exports are completed in a timely manner.”
He also mentioned that Costa Rica normally exports goods worth $38 million a day.
Attacker with Russian background carried out double extortion
Allan Liska, an analyst at threat intelligence firm Recorded Future, said the Conti gang is carrying out a double extortion: encrypting government documents to disrupt the normal operations of various departments; if no ransom is received, the team publishes the stolen documents on the dark web for extortion sites.
The first point can be solved if these systems have good backups, Liska said, but if the stolen data is highly sensitive, it could be a big problem.
Liska revealed that the Conti gang often rents out its ransomware infrastructure to any “affiliate gang” willing to pay, so the real person behind the attack could come from anywhere in the world.
A year ago, the Conti ransomware attack forced Irish health authorities to shut down IT systems and cancel a large number of appointments, treatments and surgeries.
At the end of February this year, the Conti gang claimed support for Russia in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The move angered an underground hacker sympathetic to Ukraine, a security researcher who claimed to have been monitoring the movements of the Conti gang for a long time, and released a large amount of sensitive data such as Conti’s internal chat records and codes.
President says attackers are trying to destabilize country, security experts think it’s just money extortion
As the country with the most stable political situation, abundant wildlife and beautiful tropical beaches in Central America, why is Costa Rica targeted by hacker gangs? Liska believes it may simply be because there are too many holes in the country’s system. “Hacker gangs hunt for specific vulnerabilities. The most likely guess is that there are a lot of holes in the Colombian government system that ransomware hackers found and decided to attack.”
Brett Callow, a ransomware analyst at Emsisoft, said he had seen a document leaked by Costa Rica’s finance ministry, and “the data in it does appear to be authentic.”
On Friday (April 22), the Conti gang claimed on a dark web blog that 50 percent of the stolen data had been released, including a total of 850 GB of data from the databases of Colombia’s Ministry of Finance and other agencies. “These are good phishing fodder, and hopefully fellow hackers in Costa Rica can use it to make a fortune,” the gang said.
In recent years, network security has gradually become a hot topic. There are many businesses and governments that are also attacked by ransomware. Enterprises and governments should be vigilant, do a good job in data protection and disaster recovery, and use virtual machine backup and other methods to do a good job in data backup.
Obviously, the primary purpose of an electric light is creating light in a space where sufficient light would otherwise be unavailable. However, different light fixtures can vary in exactly what kind of illumination they create — and, of course, the design of the unit in which they are encased.
Hence, it can pay to be picky about precisely what lighting pieces you source for your home. Here are a few things you could do to guide yourself towards making the right choices.
Measure the space itself
“To be sure a ceiling fixture is large enough for your space, especially a chandelier, a quick guideline is to measure the length and width of the room,” designer Billy Ceglia tells The Spruce. “Then add them together and convert to inches, and that will give a standing point for the ideal size for a light fixture.”
He further explains that a fixture of 36-inch width, for example, would suit a room spanning 20 by 15 feet. However, you should also…
Consider the fixture’s visual weight
This needs to be another factor before you decide whether a particular light fixture is just the right size for the room where it is intended to be installed.
Ceglia notes that if the lighting unit in question is “light and airy, it may be better to size up”. Meanwhile, with a “dark and massive” alternative, “sizing down might be a better option.” Fortunately, when you peruse, say, the wide range of Pagazzi lighting solutions, you could boost your chances of a successful find.
Balance architectural lighting with decorative lighting
Designer Barry Goralnick urges you to strike a “perfect” balance here. “Integral lighting on the ceiling gives an overall glow, and is best to light art and sculptures as well as the more mundane tasks like cleaning,” he says.
Goralnick adds that, in contrast, “table and floor lamps illuminate reading, games, and intimate gatherings.” If the room has screens and planters, these “can be even more drastic with lighting on the floor,” he continues.
Mix up the levels of lighting in your home
Naturally, particular lights tend to be designed for use at specific levels. For example, while chandeliers can serve a striking aesthetic purpose, you are unlikely to rely heavily on them when undertaking certain intricate tasks, like unscrewing the battery compartment of a TV remote.
Scenarios like this are one reason why it would be wise for you to vary exactly where in the room you position lighting. Doing so can eliminate dark areas while creating a soothingly ambient lighting effect.
Consider when the lights are likely to be used
During the day, especially in the summer, you could opt to keep many of your home’s lights switched off, given abundant natural sunlight available and appreciable savings you could make on your household energy bills.
However, as an Ideal Home article notes, “a piece may only reveal its full potential when illuminated” — and a light “may become far more exotic once darkness falls, casting wonderful rays and shadows”.
Now more than ever, it’s important to look at ways of making your lifestyle eco-friendlier. Many people do this with numerous aspects of their daily lives, such as altering their diets, travelling, and recycling. But one of the biggest polluters in the world is the beauty industry, and as a result more people are looking for ways to make their beauty routine eco-friendlier. Thankfully, there are many easy changes you can make to achieve this.
Look for more eco-friendly products
Due to the high pollution rate of the beauty industry, more and more companies are making the effort to produce and market their goods in an eco-friendlier way. For example, many beauty and pharmaceutical companies use cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant to make their products. In an effort to be more sustainable, wellness companies like Cellular Goods are using lab-grown cannabinoids instead, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. When shopping for such products, take the time to find out whether they’re produced in an eco-friendly way to ensure a more sustainable beauty routine.
Switch off your water
An easy way to be more eco-friendly is to switch off your water when starting your routine. Too many of us tend to leave the tap running when brushing our teeth or washing our face, which ends up wasting a lot of water. Make sure to switch off the water when it’s not needed and in the long run your routine will be eco-friendlier.
Use what you have
It can be tempting to buy the latest improved product the moment it’s available. Even if it’s an eco-friendlier product, it’s often not worth abandoning what you already have. Try to use what you already have before buying a replacement, but if you do have products that you’re unlikely to use again, consider donating them to a friend so they don’t go to waste.
Refill your empty bottles
Many companies are now offering refillable versions of their products. This means that when you finish using a particular product you can refill using the same container you were using, rather than buying a whole new one. Many products do this by offering refillable pouches or containers with their products. This has the benefit of reducing the amount of plastic used but can also be an economically beneficial solution for both the company and the customer.
Make your bathroom eco-friendlier
To make your beauty routine as eco-friendly as possible, it’s worth looking at ways you can make everything in your bathroom more sustainable. As well as beauty products, many of the items you use every day can be swapped out for more environmentally friendly alternatives. For example, consider a stainless-steel razor in lieu of disposable ones, and toothbrushes with stronger bristles that will last longer. Many toothbrushes also come with replacement bristles, meaning you can simply replace them rathe than buying a whole new toothbrush.
If more people were to introduce these simple changes to their beauty routines, the long-term effect on the environment can be significantly improved.
Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX, launched four more astronauts into orbit on the Crew Dragon capsule on April 27.
The crew includes Jessica Watkins, who becomes the first black woman to serve on an extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS).
In orbit, the crew will work on science experiments and space station maintenance.
According to NASA, experiments will include studies on “the aging of immune systems, organic material concrete alternatives, and cardiorespiratory effects during and after long-duration exposure to microgravity”.
Crew-3, after handing over to the new Crew-4, will return from space on their Crew Dragon capsule in September, shortly after SpaceX launches its Crew-5 mission.
Jessica Watkins, 33, and three other astronauts rocketed into space from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida at 3:52AM EDT.
In November 2021, NASA announced Jessica Watkins would be the fourth and final seat on Crew Dragon for SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission.
The assignment meant Jessica Watkins would be the first Black woman to join an ISS crew for scientific research, station maintenance, training and more over a six-month period. Previously, Victor Glover, part of SpaceX’s Crew-2 mission that launched in November 2020, became the first Black astronaut to join a station crew.
Out of 248 astronauts who have visited the ISS, only seven have been Black and none were included in expeditions lasting several months.
In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first Black astronaut to travel to space. Mae Jemison followed nine years later and became the first Black woman to do the same.
In 2021, NASA also announced that Jessica Watkins was chosen for the Artemis program that aims to put astronauts back on the moon no later than 2025.
The April 27 flight sent NASA’s Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren and the European Space Agency’s Samantha Cristoforetti to orbit.
They’re expected to dock at the ISS at 8:15PM EDT if schedules hold.
On the 63rd day of Ukraine’s defense against a full-scale Russian invasion, Moscow has decided to cut off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.
Hours after this decision, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president,warned that the Țera of Russian fossil fuel in Europe” is coming to an end.
Ursula von der Leyen said it showed Russia’s “unreliability” as a supplier.
Political leaders in Warsaw and Sofia had already said Russian energy giant Gazprom’s move amounted to “blackmail”.
However, the Kremlin said Russia had been forced into the action by the “unfriendly steps” of Western nations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Russia remains a reliable energy partner.
Gazprom’s cut-off follows Poland and Bulgaria’s refusal to pay for gas in Russian roubles – a demand made by President Vladimir Putin in March, which was designed to shore up the faltering currency battered by Western sanctions.
In a statement issued on April 27, Gazprom said it had “completely suspended gas supplies” to Poland and Bulgaria in line with the decree issued by President Putin.
Gazprom also warned the countries – which are transit states for Russian gas – that any unauthorized withdrawal of gas intended for other European nations would see supplies reduced by an equivalent amount.
Polish state gas company PGNiG confirmed that Gazprom’s supplies to the country had been halted and warned that it reserved “the right to seek compensation”.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said “appropriate legal steps” will be taken against Gazprom.
Russia was seeking to “foster divisions” between Western allies.
Bulgarian PM Kiril Petkov said the country was reviewing all of its contracts with Gazprom, including for transit of Russian gas to Serbia and Hungary, emphasizing that “one-sided blackmail was not acceptable”.
Sofia, which relies on Gazprom for more than 90% of its gas supply, said overnight it had taken steps to find alternative sources but no restrictions on gas consumption were currently required for Bulgarians.
Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in Brussels, said Gazprom’s move was “unjustified and unacceptable,” but emphasized that the bloc was “prepared for this scenario”.
She also hit out against reports carried by the media outlet Bloomberg which alleged 10 European energy companies are preparing to make payments for Gazprom gas in roubles, and that four energy companies have done so already.
The EU leader said such moves would be “high risk” for the corporations and would constitute “a breach of our sanctions”.
“Our guidance here is very clear,” she said.
While the EU has been firm that it will not comply with Vladimir Putin’s demands that payments be made in roubles, Hungary has reached a workaround deal with Gazprom.
The countries will pay into a euro-denominated account with Gazprombank, a subsidiary of the energy giant, which in turn will deposit the amount in roubles.
Dmitry Peskov refused to say how many other countries have agreed to make payments in this way.
Ahead of Gazprom’s announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff accused Russia of “beginning the gas blackmail of Europe”.
Meanwhile, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the Duma – the lower house of Russia’s parliament – praised Gazprom’s move and urged it to take similar action against other “unfriendly” countries.
Europe depends on Russia for more than a third of its gas needs and Gazprom holds a monopoly on pipeline supplies in Russia.
The decision to seek money from a bank or credit union is not easy, but it is often necessary. This cash injection can help you get back on your feet, sort out your finances, and solve emerging problems. If used responsibly, lån på dagen can help you back on your feet.
Lenders base their decisions on approval on several factors, including credit score and income, employment status, residence stability, liquidity issues, etc. So they need to check your entire financial standings and make sure you can repay the loan at the agreed time.
Banks and other lenders are happy to work with solvent and responsible clients. But if the mentioned parameters are not by their rules, they can reject your application. You might be denied by mistake, for example, because of inaccurate information on your credit report. So you should always discuss that decision with the lender and do double-check.
Know the Reason for Denial
Getting a denial letter can be heartbreaking, especially if you’re a first-time loan applicant. But that shouldn’t discourage you. If your application is declined, you can ask for an explanation. Luckily, there are ways to get around the reasons for this lender’s decision.
Understanding the reasons behind loan denial will help you avoid repeat rejections in the future. Lenders base their decisions on various factors, including your credit score and income. Suppose you have problems with these parameters, but it’s not too urgent for you to take a loan. In that case, it’s always better to improve your overall credit standings than to accept loans under fairly strict conditions.
Improve Your Credit Rating
Most lenders have second thoughts about loan approval if your credit score is below ‘good’ (usually 680). The lower this parameter is, the stricter lending conditions will be. But in most cases, if your score is below 600, it’s considered poor, and your chances for approval are almost none.
Being turned down won’t change your credit score, but your actions after denial will. But hard inquiries will lower your score. Applying for more than one lo in a short period can also affect your score. So try to reduce the number of applications in the next coupanle of months.
Also, your credit score depends on your payment history and behavior toward financial obligations. If you have a record of late or missed payments, it will negatively affect your credit score. So try setting up an autopay for your account.
Unused credit card limits also lower your rating. So if you don’t use your credit cards, lower your limits or start using them. An even better option is to increase your card limit and use two-thirds of it if you can afford that. Then, paying your balance in full each month will significantly boost your credit score.
Look for Credit Report Errors
There are situations when all your financial parameters are good, but you are still denied a loan. There could be some errors or non-updated information that messed everything up. So reach out to credit bureaus to look for possible omissions and fix these mistakes as soon as possible.
There may be information on your report that contradicts the information you provided, such as an incorrect Social Security number or address. These could be computer errors or fraudster actions, which you shouldn’t be held responsible for.
Assess Your Debts and Income
Too much debt is another common reason why lenders deny loan applications. The parameter in question is the debt-to-income ratio. It compares your monthly debt payments to your gross income. When more than 40 percent of your monthly income is burdened with debts, lenders can be wary of your application.
So if you got ‘No’ from a bank or credit union because you have too much debt, you should focus on paying down current accounts and making on-time payments. Try to solve the highest debts first and don’t make new ones, at least for a couple of months. Or, if you can, find ways to increase your income.
Check the following link for more tips on boosting your income:
A secured loan requires you to place some valuable asset as collateral. Lenders suggest these agreements when your financial standings are not perfect, but they seem promising. They use the collateral to recover their losses if you fail to make your payments. But lenders assume that won’t happen.
Most people wouldn’t risk their cars, retirement savings, or anything they pledged because of missed payments. So if you choose this option, get pre-qualified with them so that you can compare their rates and fees. Once you’ve gotten pre-qualified, submit a formal loan application.
Getting a Co-Signer
Lenders could reject your loan because you’ve asked for too much money without cover. So you could get co-signers to reapply. Also, if you’re young and still don’t have a credit rating but can pay your installments on time, a co-signer can help you qualify for a loan. They will also increase your chances of qualifying for a lower interest rate than you can on your own.
Co-signers are something like a financial cushion if you can’t make payments. While this type of agreement lowers the risk to the lender, co-signers take certain risks. You should discuss the consequences of missing payments, as co-signers have no equal access to the loan funds – just an obligation to pay your debts if you fail to do so. More about co-signers rights and obligations find out from this source.
Look for Other Lender
You can always look for other lenders if your first application has been denied. You can explain the situation and get a second opinion. Some of them might have more lenient requirements or are specialized for applicants with poor credit ratings. So depending on why you’ve been rejected, the lender may be willing to accept your appeal.
Rejecting a loan application is not the end of the world, especially since this decision doesn’t hurt your credit rating and is certainly not final. You can always try again. Meanwhile, identify the reasons for the rejection and work on them to improve your chances of approval.
Fortunately, there are more than a few ways you could help financially cushion yourself against the rocky road ahead — and some of those techniques, like those listed below, might have long eluded your notice.
Think twice about switching energy supplier
While perusing the tariffs available from various energy suppliers would usually be a reliable way of confirming that you are on the best deal possible, many people are currently likely to be in a situation where switching definitely wouldn’t be a good idea.
For example, if you are on a low-priced fixed-term deal, you are unlikely to find anything just as cheap elsewhere. If you do need a new tariff, a variable or default one might be the best bet for now.
Consider buying new, more energy-efficient appliances
If all of your existing appliances currently work fine in terms of their core functionality, replacing many of them now could prove a false economy. However, if any particular device you have needs replacing in any case, you should make sure the replacement is an energy-efficient model.
Keep in mind that, even when two particular machines have the same energy rating, they can still differ significantly in how much energy they consume in practice.
Photo Source: wellsphere.com
Add fresh insulation to the home
As well as adding what you might call ‘proper’ insulation to the loft and to any hot water pipes and tanks in your home, you could insulate the property through other, less direct means — like adding cosy furnishings and installing draught proofing.
As revealed in various statistics shared by the Energy Saving Trust, you can slash your yearly energy bill by about £28 just by using your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle — rather than higher temperatures — and, over the course of the year, reducing your washing machine use by one run per week.
Meanwhile, if you tend to use a shower rather than a bath to wash yourself, showering for just four minutes at a time could potentially save your household £70 a year.
Reassess lighting and how often it is switched on
When you leave a room, remember to switch off any lights fitted in it. Simply getting into this habit can net you an annual saving of approximately £20 — or potentially even more if those lights are LED bulbs rather than standard lightbulbs.
On a similar note, it would be wise for you to turn out-of-use appliances off standby mode, as doing so could save you a further £55 yearly.
The last thing that any business wants is a lawsuit brought against them. So, this means that you have to educate yourself on what the rules and regulations are. In particular, WCAG compliance is going to be very important. This is going to ensure that your workplace is a fair and equal place to work for everyone. How much do you know about WCAG compliance? Let’s take a look at the things you need to know.
Let’s start by discussing what WCAG stands for. This is short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This was created by the World Wide Web Consortium and its purpose is to show websites how they can be accessible to everyone. In other words, you can ensure everyone, whether they have a disability or not, is able to operate your website. This is going to be highly relevant if you have to follow the ADA or Americans With Disabilities Act. This is an important piece of legislation that applies to a lot of businesses and ensures equality in access to public areas and the workplace.
Why Do I Need to Be WCAG Compliant?
So, what are the benefits of being WCAG compliant? Well for one thing, you minimize the risk of potential lawsuits. No one likes being sued as it means the loss of both time and money. As a busy business owner, that is the last thing you want to be dealing with. But, there are also many other benefits you should know about when it comes toWCAG compliance. Let’s take a look at them.
First of all, you are going to have a user-friendly website. This is going to make it easy for everyone to use your site and everything you have to offer. People with disabilities will be able to get the support they need, which allows them to use your site, andeverything is more accessible. When you offer this, you are going to notice a difference when it comes to business. Thus, you are reaching out to a new demographic and allowing them access to your products and services. Plus, when you offer this type of support, you can attract loyal customers that are going to come back.
When it comes to your employees, there are benefits too. In particular, you can create a positive and inclusive workplace where employees are able to get the support they need. This can make a difference to morale. What’s more, when employees feel supported and like they are given the attention they need, they are going to be more loyal to their company. This means that you can enjoy good employee retention rates since you cater for their needs and care about your staff.
Therefore, it is in your best interests to knowabout WCAG compliance. This is going to save you a lot of hassle, as well as offer a variety of benefits. So, it is always worth your while when it comes to your business.
Meditation is linked to many benefits, including reduced anxiety, a foundation for future problem solving, and preservation of relationships. It’s no surprise that so many people are tempted to try it. Maintaining a mindful connection with your breath and the present moment takes patience and commitment, but it’s worth it. You don’t need much to meditate, but you should have a couple of things, such as:
A Place to Sit
You can sit on a legless floor chair or a cushion. If you’re new to meditation, it’s recommended to use a chair for the first time. Au contraire, if you’ve been doing it for years, it’s best to get a meditation cushion. It supports the body in a comfortable seated position while meditating. Meditation cushions fall into two categories:
Zafu pillows. The curved edges allow your legs to drop off at the hip joints. When you sit with your hips higher than your knees, it’s easier for the spine to maintain its natural curve.
Zabuton cushions. The rectangular mats give the knees a comfortable place to rest while you meditate. The Zabuton cushion can be used together with a Zaisu, which has a back similar to a normal chair, but no legs.
Meditating can become uncomfortable as you sit for long periods of time. Use a meditation cushion to avoid back, hip, and knee discomfort.
Incense (And Candles)
Many agree that incense is the ideal companion for meditation. It helps calm the mind, not to mention that it creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Incense is made out of a mixture of oils and spices. Common scents include ylang-ylang, lavender, rose, and chamomile. To burn incense, you have to ignite it slowly. It takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for an incense stick to burn. Using scented candles is also acceptable. Choose the color carefully as certain colors have symbolic meanings. The most relaxing colors to use are blue, green, pink, white, violet, and yellow. To get the most out of your candles, aim to light them for more than one hour.
A Timer
You can use your phone, but turn off the radio first. It’s a distraction and doesn’t happen in the long run. It’s not a good idea to buy an actual physical timer. What’s the point? You can download an app on your phone that does the exact same thing. Use the timer to set the duration of your meditation sessions. It’ll release a sound to indicate the beginning and end of each session. The only purpose of the timer is to eliminate the possibility you’re going to lose track of time. You can set daily reminders and check out your mindfulness statistics.
Start learning a simple technique and practice it every day. There’s no right or wrong way to meditate, and just 10 minutes of meditation a day are enough to take advantage of the benefits. The New York Times, for instance, offers some neat suggestions.
Russian warship Moskva that was damaged by an explosion on April 13 has sunk, Russia’s defence ministry has said.
According to a ministry message, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, was being towed to port when “stormy seas” caused it to sink.
The 510-crew missile cruiser was a symbol of Russia’s military power, leading its naval assault on Ukraine.
Kyiv says its missiles hit the warship. Moscow has not reported any attack. It says the vessel sank after a fire.
The blaze caused the explosion of the warship’s ammunition, Russia says, adding that the entire crew were later evacuated to nearby Russian vessels in the Black Sea. It provided no further details.
After saying initially the warship was afloat, late on Thursday, April 14, Russian state media broke the news that the Moskva had been lost.
“While being towed… towards the destined port, the vessel lost its balance due to damage sustained in the hull as fire broke out after ammunition exploded. Given the choppy seas, the vessel sank,” state news agency Tass quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying.
Ukrainian military officials said they struck the Moskva with Ukrainian-made Neptune missiles – a weapon designed after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the naval threat to Ukraine in the Black Sea grew.
A senior Ukrainian official said as many as 510 crew could have been on board the Moskva.
On the first day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Moskva gained notoriety after calling on a small garrison of Ukrainian border troops defending Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender – to which they memorably radioed an expletive-laden message of refusal.
Originally built in the Soviet-era, the Moskva entered service in the early 1980s. The vessel was actually laid down in Ukraine’s southern city of Mykolaiv, which has been heavily bombed by Russia in recent days.
The guided missile cruiser was previously deployed by Moscow in the Syria conflict where it supplied Russian forces in the country with naval protection.
It reportedly had 16 Vulkan anti-ship missiles and an array of anti-submarine and mine-torpedo weapons.
If the Ukrainian attack is confirmed, the 12,490-tonne Moskva would be the biggest warship to be sunk by enemy action since World War Two.
It is the second major vessel Russia has lost since the start of its invasion. In March, the Saratov landing ship was destroyed by a Ukrainian attack in the harbour of Berdyansk, a Sea of Azov Ukrainian port seized by Russia.
Frank R. James, who is accused of unleashing a barrage of gunfire on a subway train in New York City, will be held without bail until trial on federal terror charges.
The 62-year-old appeared in court on April 14 for allegedly violating a law barring “terrorist attacks or other violence” against mass transit systems.
Frank James was apprehended following a huge manhunt for the lone suspect behind the attack, which injured 23 people.
Image source: YouTube
The suspect did not enter a plea. His lawyer requested a psychiatric report.
If convicted he faces life behind bars.
Frank James “committed a heinous and premeditated attack on ordinary New Yorkers during their morning subway commute”, said US Attorney Breon Pearce in a statement announcing the charges.
Police alleged Frank James donned a gas mask and threw two smoke grenades on the floor of a Manhattan-bound N train before opening fire around 8:30AM local time on April 12.
Frank James is accused of shooting 10 people and injuring at least another 13.
The suspect escaped after the attack, police said, but left behind several personal items connected to Frank James, including a key to a U-Haul van that he had rented, and a bank card with his name on it. There was also a Glock 9mm handgun legally purchased in Ohio under the name “Frank Robert James”.
Frank James reportedly called police himself to report his whereabouts on April 13, media said, citing sources in law enforcement.
The suspect, who had recent addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, had nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey, police said on April 13.
No details about Frank James’ alleged motive have yet been provided.
According to prosecutors, Frank James published a variety of videos online making statements about the New York City subway system, occasionally addressing New York City Mayor Eric Adams as he complained about the “homeless situation” on subway cars.
In one video, prosecutors said, Frank James said: “And so the message to me is: I should have just gotten a gun, and started shooting.”
Social Democratic Party Senator Alfred Laurentiu Mihai attended the meeting of the General Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Security Cooperation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (PA SEECP) in Athens, hosted by the Greek Parliament.
On this occasion, the members of the committee debated the draft report and resolution on “Protection of human rights, in particular the rights of vulnerable persons”.
“I mentioned in my speech in the plenary of the Senate Hall of the Hellenic Parliament during the meeting that we strongly and unequivocally support the defense of human rights and the rights of vulnerable people, and I also mentioned the situation we are facing regarding the wave of refugees in Ukraine following the military aggression of the Russian Federation! In my speech I also mentioned the efforts Romania is making to support Ukrainian refugees by offering them facilities such as: food, accommodation, free access to the health system, free access to the education system for children and the right to work without a permit for a period of 12 months with the right of extension.
Last but not least, I reminded that the Romanian people show solidarity and humanity towards our Ukrainian neighbors and I conveyed that the Romanian Parliament strongly condemned the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, considering the attack in Bucha and other cities as war crimes and crimes against humanity!”
If you talk to a lawyer and have a consultation about taking your case, there are a few reasons they might turn the case down. One is that it could be a potential conflict of interest. That could leave you wondering exactly what that means.
The idea of a conflict of interest is that every client deserves to have ethical representation when they work with an attorney. You expect that you’re going to be represented without bias.
A conflict of interest could prevent that. A conflict of interest is a possible conflict between an attorney’s professional duties and the private interests they may have. There could also be a conflict between an attorney’s duty to one client and another.
The American Bar Association’s Model Rules for Professional Conduct outline the guidelines attorneys must follow to prevent a conflict of interest.
In daily life, there’s the potential for conflicts of interest to occur all the time, but they don’t necessarily violate laws or regulations.
For attorneys, not avoiding conflicts of interest can lead them to be disciplined by their state bar. Conflicts of interest are also one of the main reasons clients sue for legal malpractice.
Some examples that we most commonly see concerning legal conflicts of interest include:
Representing clients simultaneously that have different interests—one particular example of this scenario would be if an attorney is representing both sides in a divorce. Another situation could include an attorney representing both sides in the case of a civil claim.
Personal conflicts of interest—attorneys, before taking any case, should make sure there aren’t current or previous personal issues they’ve had with the client. This could include a friendship. Group member affiliations can also affect this scenario.
Current and former clients—as attorneys grow their practices, this conflict of interest gets harder to avoid. You shouldn’t take on a new client who has interests that go against the interest of your previous clients. Of course, there are a lot of gray areas as far as what time frame indicates a former client, so it’s something attorneys will have to use their judgment on. For example, maybe an attorney worked with a client but hasn’t had anything open on file with them for several years, so they might be able to take on the new client.
Third-party conflicts—attorneys need to be able to represent clients without any effect on their judgment by third parties.
Depending on the state, an attorney could represent a client despite a conflict of interest.
If the lawyer believes they can provide competent representation to everyone affected, and the representation isn’t illegal, they may be able to accept someone as a client.
Attorneys might be able to make exceptions to conflict of interest guidelines if they aren’t representing two clients against one another in the same law and if each client who’s affected provides informed consent in writing.
Exceptions have to be decided case-by-case.
Also, a law firm might be able to represent a client even if one of the attorneys in the firm has a conflict of interest. The firm has to make sure nothing related to the matter is discussed with the attorney with the conflict.
Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney inappropriately handles a case because of negligence or the intent to harm, leading to client damages.
In most cases, attorneys choose their strategies in good faith, and it’s reasonable. Even if you don’t get the outcome you were hoping for, that doesn’t mean you have a case of malpractice.
With malpractice, you have to show that had your attorney not been negligent or acted wrongly, your underlying case would have otherwise been successful.
All of this underscores the importance of working with an experienced attorney and going to your initial consultation prepared.
An experienced attorney will know when to pass on your case, and they can also let you know why.
Often people will get offended, but attorneys will usually have a very good reason for not taking a case, and it can protect you in the long run. A conflict of interest is just one possible cause for not taking your case.
