Lafarge and the Price of Supporting Terrorism and Human Rights Violations

November 20, 2022

Rahman Ravelli’s Angelika Hellweger assesses the main issues in the French company Lafarge’s prosecution for paying terrorists in order to further its business interests.

In the US Justice Department’s (DOJ’s) first corporate material support for terrorism prosecution, French building materials company Lafarge and its Syrian subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS) admitted entering into a revenue-sharing agreement with ISIS and have agreed to pay $778 million in fines and forfeiture.

The companies pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to provide material support and resources in Northern Syria from 2013 to 2014 to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front (ANF). ISIS and the ANF are both US-designated foreign terrorist organisations.

According to court documents, Lafarge and LCS arranged to pay ISIS and ANF in exchange for permission to operate a cement plant in Syria. This enabled LCS to obtain generate approximately $70.3 million in revenue.

The case is noteworthy in its own right for being the first prosecution of its kind to be brought by the DOJ. But it is also notable that Lafarge agreed to cooperate with the investigation. One other issue in the case which, so far at least, appears unresolved is whether any individuals will be charged over the conduct that the two corporates have admitted.

Lafarge is, it should be remembered, is also facing problems in Europe. In France, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the indictment of Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity in May 2022 over alleged payoffs to ISIL (ISIS) and other armed groups during Syria’s war, paving the way for an eventual trial. This decision means that a judge could order Lafarge and eight of its executives to stand trial.

The appeal court sided with prosecutors who said Lafarge had “financed, via its subsidiaries, Islamic State [ISIL] operations with several millions of euros in full awareness of its activities”. It also upheld charges of financing terrorism and endangering the lives of others by putting its Syrian employees at risk as ISIL (ISIS) fighters took over large swathes of the country, before Lafarge abandoned its cement plant in Jalabiya, near Aleppo, in September 2014.

There is the possibility that Ericsson might face similar problems as Lafarge. According to a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing in June 2022, Ericsson also paid bribes to the Islamic State group while trying to secure business in the Middle East. The SEC’s investigation came only months after the DOJ accused Ericsson of making insufficient disclosures about its internal investigation into alleged employee misconduct in Iraq from 2011 to 2019 and possible payments to terrorists.

A shareholder lawsuit has also been filed, accusing Ericsson of misleading investors about its use of bribes to secure business in the Middle East, and thus causing the stock to drop when news about possible bribes to terrorists came to light. The suit accuses the company of making false and misleading statements by failing to disclose that it paid bribes to the Islamic State group to gain access to certain transport routes in Iraq.

These recent developments are a stark reminder to international corporations that they will be held accountable if they are found to be complicit in human rights violations, war crimes, genocide, terrorist financing or sanctions violations.

The problems encountered by Lafarge and Ericsson are high-profile proof that sanctions and terrorist financing are not only issues for financial institutions: they are matters that need to be assessed carefully by every corporation, and especially those undertaking business in war zones and other high-risk areas.

The case of Lafarge has shown that being held to account can result in huge fines being paid to the regulators. But corporates – and those working for them – need to recognise that such actions can eventually lead to the criminal prosecution of individuals. The recent developments may also pave the way for victims of war crime and genocide to claim damages, based on the argument that the money the corporations paid as bribes indirectly allowed ISIS to finance its genocide against ethnic minorities (e.g Yezidis, Assyrian Christians and Shia Turkmen et al).

Moreover, as can be seen in the Ericsson example, shareholders are now increasingly alert to the possibility of suing companies over their policies and false and misleading public statements. In particular, Lafarge is running into the risk of being sued for misleading statements. Lafarge was governed by an internal Code of Business Conduct that held the company to a standard of respect for human rights in the conduct of its business. It committed itself to “reflect the principles and standards enshrined in the UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Human Rights for Multinational Enterprises in its policies and day-to- day business practices.” Noteworthy enough it also claimed that” in 2014 there were no reported corruption cases, no report of human rights breaches nor any new anti-trust prosecutions” which does not seem to have reflected reality when taking into account the above mentioned events.

Go to top

All Roads To a Successful G20 Meet in Indonesia How the World Can Best Follow Our Example and Apply Its Own ‘Bali Balm’

November 20, 2022

By Arsjad Rasjid

Right now, the whole world can use some of what I like to call the Bali balm. That is one reason why it is fortuitous that my country, Indonesia, is hosting the 2022 G20 summit in Bali this week. The slogan “Recover together, recover stronger” is not only the message the world needs right now, but it is also one we are uniquely qualified to deliver.

In sheer numbers, Indonesia is the world’s third largest democracy, and we are poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by the end of this century, experts forecast.

Indonesia has also been an incubator to thousands of the region’s hottest tech start-ups, which have attracted billions of dollars in investment precisely because of the strong upsides they offer. Over the past couple decades, Indonesia has overcome imposing obstacles – a violent insurgency, extreme weather events, and the regional economic meltdown of the late 1990s – and have come back stronger.

Still reeling from the global COVID-19 pandemic, world economies are now trying to find firm footing against recessionary headwinds. Going into its ninth month, the war in Ukraine has already cost over 200,000 lives and threatens to become a wider, regional – if not global – conflict unless Russia and Ukraine can be brought to a just resolution of hostilities.

And in part because of that conflict, we’re looking at turbulence in energy markets, which are on the brink of a necessary transition. In 2007, major global economies signed onto the Bali Roadmap, which charted a path towards confronting climate change. Two years ago, we adopted our first sustainable plan, in which we take action to reduce our own carbon emissions.

Now, we want to seize this opportunity to contribute to positive change beyond our shores. World-renowned CEOs like Elon Musk and Bill Gates are expected to be in Bali as well when the G20 convenes. This past Thursday, Bloomberg hosted an event for top CEOs, because business – and especially high-tech enterprise – is going to be part of the solution.

Last month, Indonesia pledged to have 2 million electric motorbikes on the road by 2025. It’s the first step. Currently there are over 130 million motorbikes on which Indonesians depend for daily transportation. As we make progress towards realizable goals, we are also moving towards our long-term objective of zero emissions by 2060. Getting there will continue requiring our commitment to innovation.

In the last year alone, Indonesia has reduced deforestation by 75 percent. Our economy is adapting to new realities. As PriceWaterhouseCoopers found in a study late last year, we are consistently improving our sustainability practices. For businesses from around the world that share our commitment to the green transition, Indonesia is becoming an even more promising investment opportunity.

International financial institutions have taken note of our rebound and see promise in even faster growth at the same time that we address key climate concerns. This month, we posted our fastest growth this year, and our economy is not slowing down. This is emblematic of our resilience, and for some other global economies, perhaps it could be a model. Because for us today, fighting climate change is an existential challenge just as it will be tomorrow for the rest of the world.

Most of all, we are proud to provide a platform for this critical global summit. The way to better times for all of us depends on new and sustained economic growth. Governments have important roles to play, but so too do businesses. That is why this week we must focus on the collaboration that is key to recovery and strengthening.

Let us each do our part, and together we will rise above the daily crises that consume us and – in concert – chart a new path for responsible, economic growth. Surely if we are resolute in this, 2023 will be brighter for the Asia-Pacific and the world’s well being.

Go to top

Career Guide Finder for You

November 19, 2022

By Ashley Nielsen

Finding the right career isn’t easy. Whether you’re a high school student wondering about your future or considering a career change, your job is essential. Most people work at least 40 hours a week, and some work many more than that, depending on their chosen careers and fields. Your job takes up a significant amount of your time as an adult and can impact your happiness and health.

Working in a high-stress environment can impact your physical and mental health, resulting in more sick days and general unhappiness about your life, especially if you don’t have a work-life balance. Since finding the right career for you depends on many factors, we’re here to help. Here’s our guide for finding the right career:

Factors to Consider

Several factors can impact your happiness at work, and these factors can be used to help you determine which career is right for you.

Interests: What are you passionate about, and how do you like to spend your time? Finding a career that’s associated with your interests can help you form a more positive relationship with your work. For example, if you like helping people, you might consider becoming a nurse or doctor. Meanwhile, if you enjoy being creative, you might want to be a writer or artist.
Skills: Your talent and skills can also help you determine how to find a job you’ll excel at. Being good at your job is important because the better you are, the less stress you’ll have. In addition, the better you perform at work, the less likely it is to be unexpectedly terminated. Some people are naturally talented. For example, artists are naturally creative, which can help in career fields like graphic design or web design.
Lifestyle: how you want to live your life as an adult should also be an important factor. Some people like working a 9-5 job, while others want more freedom and flexibility. Luckily, there are several ways to give yourself the lifestyle you desire. For example, you can choose your shifts as a PRN rather than working full-time. In addition, you can become a freelancer or contractor and decide your own working hours, how much to charge, and how often you’ll work.
Personality: Everyone has a unique personality, so you must consider yours. For example, introverts might not enjoy jobs where they have to work with others or constantly present projects and ideas to clients or associates, so they may prefer a career where they do not have to be as extroverted and can instead work with a tax software, for example. In addition, some people are easily bored by repetitive tasks, so they may enjoy a fast-paced work environment.
Financial goals: Money isn’t everything, but you don’t work for fun. Most people have to work to afford necessities like shelter and food. However, finding the right career can allow you to make more if you’re willing to compromise on some things. For example, some jobs offer overtime, allowing you to earn 1.5 times your hourly rate. At the same time, those with higher education levels can enter industries with a higher starting salary and earn more over time. Consider your financial needs and what you want your future to look like to find a job that will pay enough to ensure your happiness.
Education: Some people love school; others don’t. Consider how much time you want to spend in school and the careers you can have. For example, website developers can get a two-year degree and a high-paying job. However, to become a doctor, you’ll need to spend four years at university and a minimum of four more at med school.

Determining What You Want in a Career

To find the right job for you, you must figure out what you want. Here are a few ways to help you determine what you want your career to be:

Consider Non-Negotiables

Everyone has non-negotiables when it comes to finding a job. For example, maybe you can’t work past five pm because you care for an elderly relative who needs you at night, or you simply don’t want to work weekends because you need some time to yourself. Whatever the case, you should have a list of features that you want in a job.

Take an Assessment Test

Most people are interested in a few different careers when they’re younger and even as they age. To determine which job is best for you, you can take a personality or aptitude test to identify which jobs align with your current skills and personality. Of course, personality tests aren’t perfect, but they can give you a way to gauge your interest and find the right career based on several different factors.

Research Potential Positions

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you should learn as much as possible about different positions. Of course, you don’t have to choose a position immediately; instead, you can choose an industry. For example, if you love pets, you might research different pet-related jobs like veterinary, vet tech, or even working at a pet product company, depending on your unique interests.

You can create a chart to record information like education qualifications, workplace, salary, and opportunities for advancement over time. You should also always look at the job outlook of each career because if you have a high-demand career, you can earn more. Meanwhile, if no jobs are available for your chosen career, you may have to choose another job outside of your interests until you find an opportunity.

Finding the Right Career

Everyone’s needs and wants are different when they’re searching for the right career for them. What you decide may depend on external factors beyond your control, such as job outlook and expected growth. In addition, the older you are, the more challenging it can be to find the right career for you without the right education. Still, anyone can make a career change and do the necessary research to find the right job; just make sure you understand all the requirements before investing in more schooling.

Are you ready to take the next step and determine which career path is right for you? Continue researching different fields, careers, and potential opportunities until you find something you love.

Go to top

About the Author

Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.

Using a Van for Small Jobs, Here and There? Four Rules & Regulations Drivers Must Know Before Getting Behind the Wheel

November 19, 2022

There are some jobs in life that our cars simply can’t cover. Whether it’s moving a larger quantity of materials than usual for a job, or finally getting rid of stock or the rubbish in your backroom you’ve had for ages, it just makes it so much easier. As such, you might be tempted to step into a van for a one-off job.

But did you know that there are rules to driving vans that, if disobeyed, could see you fined upwards of £2,500 in addition to points on your licence?

If you’re a new van driver, its important to understand that there are laws put in place by the government on driving vans, specifically. With some insights from van leasing company, Van Ninja we’ll go through the rules and regulations you need to know before you go through the process of van leasing and driving on the road.

1. Does your licence have you covered?

Depending on when you passed your driving test and when your licence was issued will determine the weight of the van you can drive. All standard car driving licences mean that you can drive a van that weighs up to 3,500kg. Driving without the correct licence type for your van could result in a maximum fine of £1,000 and you could receive three to six penalty points.

To drive vehicles weighing over 3,500kg and up to 7,500kg, or to tow a trailer with your van, extra tests may be required. You can add higher category entitlements to your licence by firstly passing your car (B) driving test. Once you know which category your chosen vehicle falls under, you can get a provisional entitlement for the category and pass the test for the new category for full entitlement.

2. Driving hours

Not only are there rules surrounding what vehicle you can legally drive, there are rules around when you can drive a van and how long for. The length of time that you can spend on the road depends on several factors, but for vans and light commercial vehicles that don’t exceed 35,000 tonnes domestic rules state you can only drive for a total of 10 hours a day.

If you have to drive a van for a particular job at work and it requires more than 4 hours on the road, this also comes with the note that you cannot exceed the daily duty limit of 11 hours towards work for your employer. A day is defined as 24 hours from when your shift starts, and driving is included in the duty time while rests and breaks are not. Failing to adhere to driving hour regulations can result in a fine of up to £300.

3. Speed limits for vans

That’s right, not only are you limited on how long you can drive in a single day, but you’re also restricted on how fast you can travel in your vehicle as well. While you’re still able to drive the same miles per hour limit of 30 in built-up areas, on both single- and dual-carriageways your top speed is reduced by 10mph.

This means that your top speeds on these roads will be 50mph and 60mph respectively, while you can still drive at a top speed of 70mph on motorways. But if your van is also towing a trailer, your motorway top speed is also brought down to 60mph. These limits don’t apply if you’re driving a car-type van, but if you don’t abide by them in traditional vans, they could fetch you a fine of £1,000. This also rockets to £2,500 for motorway offences and could result in three to six penalty points, so keep an eye on your speedometer!

4. Van weight and loading limits

Having a van means you can load it up with as much as I want, right? This isn’t true; your van has a limit to the maximum amount it can weigh in total known as the ‘design gross weight’. The total includes the driver, fuel, load, and the weight of your van itself. This can be found through your van’s vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. GOV.uk also has a service that helps you find your local weighbridge so you can see how much it weighs.

Making sure your van isn’t overloaded is also important not just for safety, but also for performance. Load your vehicle evenly with the items that weigh the most at the bottom, while securing them all in place appropriately and not overloading individual axles can avoid a potential £300 fine and even a court summons.

There are of course other rules and regulations that come with driving vans that are the same as with any other vehicle. Making sure you’re aware of the Highway Code and any changes that may be introduced is crucial to ensuring that you’re driving safely and legally.

References

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-a-van
https://www.gov.uk/adding-higher-categories-to-your-driving-licence
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/drivers-hours-goods-vehicles/2-great-britain-domestic-rules
https://www.gov.uk/find-weighbridge

Go to top

The Holiday Season, Inflation, and the Economy

November 19, 2022

In a typical year, any form of holiday would be an exciting time for retailers and food and drink businesses. Whether it’s Christmas, the end of Ramadan, or Diwali, these holidays incite people to shop for gifts and indulge in celebratory meals and drinks. As a result, the economy is typically booming during times of festivity; however, the unique circumstances of recent years have meant that retailers and food and drink establishments have been struggling all year round.

2020 saw the world being shaken by the global pandemic, forcing these establishments to close their doors, furlough their staff, and refrain from making profits. Finally, we emerged from the other side of the pandemic, but we fell straight into a spiral of supply chain issues. Since then, we’re currently in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, leaving people unable to shop, eat, and drink to the extent they did in previous years.

Retail Holiday Shopping

During November and December, shoppers across the USA anticipate the arrival of Christmas. From this, these months can actually account for as much as a quarter of annual sales in specialty retailers and department stores. In order to keep up with the demand, retailers order their seasonal merchandise many months in advance, leaving many retailers overspending as people aren’t willing to spend with abandon amid the current financial circumstances.

During the pandemic, the largest retailers were able to keep afloat with online shopping orders being higher than they ever have been. What’s more, with the money that people were saving by being restricted to their homes, they were happy to spend a little more on presents. Consequently, inventory for these retailers was low, resulting in fewer discounts.

This year, we’re likely to see the opposite effect: as people are forced to spend extortionate amounts on everyday goods and services, their holiday shopping decisions have shifted. In fact, as many as one in five holiday shoppers will spend less this season due to a changing economic situation. From this, retailers are forced to adopt new habits in order to encourage purchases; this means refining their call to action and offering more discounts. Despite this, discounts chip away at the profit margins for these businesses, leading to a negative impact on the economy.

Selling in a Broken Economy

Unfortunately, any business that sells things is set to suffer this coming holiday season, with inflation rates reaching an all time high. Quite simply, the shelves are filled with items that shoppers no longer want, and this lack of turnover will ultimately result in many companies closing their doors.

In order to cut costs, the biggest companies are freezing hiring and laying off large chunks of their employees. For the remainder of the year, Amazon is no longer hiring corporate individuals for its retail business while Peloton is conducting its fourth round of job cuts in which 12 percent of its workforce is being made redundant. Meanwhile, FedEx is closing its stores and freezing hiring, while Walmart will be recruiting fewer seasonal workers and Gap revokes 500 corporate positions.

What Will 2023 Look Like?

It would be nice to say that the only way is up from here, but it’s set to get worse before it gets better. Retailers are prepared for a disappointing holiday season, influencing them to reassess their business strategies, restructure their companies, and ultimately lay off more staff in the upcoming year.

The entire world is attempting to reset, and retailers are no exception. Foot traffic in retail environments still hasn’t been restored to pre-pandemic levels, and it’s looking unlikely that it will return to this extent. To this day, foot traffic in brick-and-mortar stores is down by as much as 8.8 percent, even though the restrictions of the pandemic are well and truly behind us.

During the pandemic, though, the lack of footfall was made up for by an increase in online sales; however, this isn’t the case for the upcoming holiday season. As a result, we can expect to see a more promotional market this holiday season that leads into 2023 in an attempt to entice shoppers to spend. Essentially, the economic situation is set to be unpredictable for some time.

Go to top

Top Tips to get Debt Relief in Maryland

November 19, 2022

Maryland is always famous for its innovations and tolerance. Several popular abolitionists came from Maryland, like Frederic Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Moreover, Maryland is the home of the first railroad in the US, which was built in 1828. Furthermore, the “Free State” has been a leader in the growth of the Nation. Maryland is situated just above Washington, DC. It is famous for its blue crabs, Old Bay Seasoning, and lively cities.

Maryland ranks fifth in the nation in credit card debt with an average of $7,500. The sprawl of Washington, DC’s proximity to Maryland, increasing housing costs, and other factors are the real challenges for the wallet. Maryland debt relief includes debt laws, debt consolidation, debt management, debt settlement, and bankruptcy.

Debt Statistics and Laws in Maryland

Remember that it is situated just outside of Washington, DC. So, it has a cost of living index as much as 56% higher than the national average. Additionally, the increasing costs of ordinary housing around the country have also been affected and 32% of Maryland households are suffering under the rising cost burdens. Not to preach doom and gloom, but these costs are a big burden to the average Maryland person who is just looking to meet the costs of basic needs.

For people who have young children, daycare can be another huge cost. According to one news report, the average cost of infant care in Maryland is more than $15,000 per year. So, some specific Maryland debt relief laws will provide a fresh start to the residents of Maryland.

Debt Relief Programs in Maryland

Maryland offers several financial services to help its residents who fall in hard times. So, if you live in Maryland and feel like you are drowning in debt, check out these Maryland debt relief programs that everyone needs.

Debt Consolidation

When you qualify for debt consolidation, you can get Maryland debt relief. In this plan, the interest rates on your debts will reduce, and the company many monthly payments into a single one. However, this debt relief plan works by taking out a low-interest personal line of credit like a balance transfer credit card and using that capital to pay off other higher-interest debts. The advantage of it is that the interest rate is reduced, but the real challenge is being able to meet the high credit requirements.

Debt Management Program

This program provides you with expert advice and can reduce your multiple monthly payments into a single one. However, the payment is made to the counseling agency, which then distributes the amount to creditors. The benefit of using this Maryland debt relief program is that the credit counseling agency can negotiate lower interest rates during the process.

Credit Counselling

This entity involves meeting with a credit counselor. You must have to discuss your budget, debt, and finances in the meeting. After that, they will help you create a personalized plan for managing your spending and debt. It is the best way to get Maryland debt relief. A credit counselor will review your spending and debts. Taking help from a credit counselor could be a good fit if you require some help with creating a workable debt repayment plan.

Debt Settlement

Different Maryland debt relief settlement programs are available to people who want to settle their debt. These debt settlement programs provide the debt settlement agency with a list of your unsecured debts. Hire a Debt Settlement Company for the settlements. In addition, the authorized agency will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to pay negotiated portions of the debts.

Bankruptcy

It is often considered to be the last defense line against debt. Filing for bankruptcy will instantly halt the collections process. It will allow you to alleviate some or all of your unsecured debts formally, but substantial damage to your credit profile is done in the process.

Conclusion

Living in Maryland is undeniably very expensive. So, people often escape from debt. But it may be quite useful for you. When you are overloaded with debt, Maryland debt relief could help you find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Go to top

Home Staging: 7 Cost-Effective Ways to Add Style for a Quick Sale

November 18, 2022

It’s frustrating when you put your home on the market, and it just sits there without any offers. It ruins your plans to move and takes a toll on your ego. You may be wondering, “What am I doing wrong?” The answer may be that your home needs a little sprucing up. Home staging makes your home look its best to appeal to buyers and sell quickly. The good news is that it can be cheap. Here are seven tips.

Decorate With Flowers

Flowers are inexpensive and eco-friendly. They add color and life to any room, making it look more inviting. Place a vase of fresh flowers on your dining room table, coffee table, or kitchen counter.

Spruce up the living room with a floral arrangement. You can even put flowers in the bathroom and kitchen. Are you wondering where to find fresh, unique blooms straight from the farm? Check out online flower delivery services with an excellent reputation and positive reviews.

Hanging flowers on the walls is another way to add life to your home. Buy inexpensive floral tapestries or wall art, or create your own with high quality picture rails. All you need is some fabric, batting, and a frame. Remember to hand baskets of flowers to buyers as they leave your home after a showing. It creates a lasting impression.

Live Plants in Every Room

Plants not only add color and life to a room but purify the air. Place a small plant on your nightstand, coffee table, or desk. Put a larger plant in the corner of the room or group several plants together to make a statement. Focus more on rooms visitors will see, such as the living room, dining room, and entryway.

A pot of green plants by the front door creates a welcoming look. Choose plants with lovely fragrances, such as jasmine, lavender, or rosemary. Go on to plant them in pots and place them around.

Extend this exercise outdoors by placing potted plants on your porch or patio. If you have a green thumb, opt for a garden. It improves curb appeal and makes your home more inviting.

Choose plants that are indigenous to your area and require little maintenance. As you do this, repair or fix any unsightly spots in your yard, such as cracks in the driveway or chipped paint on the front door. Clean up any debris and mow the lawn.

Brighten The Space

No one wants to live in a dark and dreary home. Unfortunately, many homes on the market have poor lighting. This is often due to heavy draperies, dark paint colors, and insufficient light fixtures. However, you can brighten your home without spending much.

Start by replacing heavy draperies with lighter ones that let in more light. Go for warm, neutral colors such as beige, ivory, and white. Add a pop of color with sheer curtains. If you have blinds, open them to let in more light.

Next, consider repainting your walls. Go for light and bright colors such as cream, light gray, or white. If you have dark wood paneling, paint it as well. Doing this brightens up the space and makes it look more modern.

Finally, replace old light fixtures with new ones. Choose ones that are bright and airy. Keep the blades clean and in good condition, if you have a ceiling fan. Dusty ones make a room look dark and dingy.

Add a Mirror in Every Room

Mirrors reflect light and make a space look brighter and more extensive. They’re also quite versatile. Use them to add depth, create an illusion of more space, or brighten up a room.

An excellent option is to place a mirror opposite a window to reflect light and make the room look brighter. You can also set a mirror across a piece of art to create an illusion of more space. If you have a small entryway, place one on the wall to make it look larger.

Get Rid of Clutter

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make your home more inviting is to get rid of clutter. It makes a space look smaller dirty and unkempt. Go through each room and remove anything you don’t need or use. This includes old clothes, expired food, unused furniture, and knick-knacks.

Donate or sell items you no longer need. Put away any out-of-season clothes and declutter your closet. Remember to declutter your countertops, shelves, and other surfaces. Store away anything that doesn’t belong in the room.

Once you’ve decluttered, keep it that way. Put away items when not using them, and resist the urge to buy new things you don’t need. A decluttered home will feel more inviting and welcoming.

Rearrange the Furniture

You may be used to your furniture; however, there may be better ways to organize it. You’ll be surprised at how different your home looks when rearranging the furniture. It might make your home more inviting, brighten the space, and allow better traffic flow.

Create a focal point in each room and arrange the furniture around it. For example, set the sofa in front of the fireplace in the living room. In your bedroom, place the bed in the center of the room and arrange other furniture around it.

If you have a small bedroom, place your bed against the wall to create more space. There should be at least two feet of space between pieces of furniture. Doing this will make your home more inviting and prevent cramping.

Depersonalize The Space

Your home should be a reflection of your personality. However, depersonalize the space when selling. Remove family photos, personal mementos, and anything considered offensive. It isn’t easy if your home is full of such; pack and put them away until you move. Potential buyers will easily visualize themselves in your home if it’s not full of personal items.

Even Small Changes Count

Note that the more the property stays in the market, the more it depreciates. You also halt all other plans you might have, like moving to a new location or getting another investment property. Updating your house makes it more marketable and saves you a lot of headaches. You don’t have to spend much money on the update; even small changes can make a big difference.

Go to top

November Portugal Golden Visa

November 18, 2022

Portugal’s Golden Visa program offers a fast track to EU citizenship for non-EU citizens who invest in the country. Launched in 2012, the program has proven to be popular with investors from all over the world, with over 6,000 applications approved to date. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what the program entails and how you can apply for it.

What Is the Portugal Golden Visa?

Portugal Golden Visa is a residence by investment program that grants visa-free travel within the Schengen Area to non-EU citizens who make an eligible investment in Portugal. The program was launched in 2012 and has since been extremely popular, with over 6,000 applications approved as of 2019.

There are two main types of investment that qualify for the Golden Visa: investing in real estate (minimum €500,000) or setting up a business in Portugal (minimum €350,000). There are also a few other options available, such as investing in government bonds or making a financial contribution to a Portuguese research institution.

Background of Golden Visa Portugal

In 2012, Portuguese Golden Visa Residence Permit (ARI) program was established. It is a residence by investment initiative meant to attract non-EU/EEA nationals to invest in Portugal. It gives a rapid way to obtain a Portuguese residency permit.

What distinguishes the scheme from all other European Golden Visa programs is that it may progress to Portuguese citizenship in five (or, more realistically, six) years without requiring actual residency in Portugal.

The program had attracted 10,348 investors as of 2022. As a result, the country received almost €6 billion.

Golden Visa Portugal Requirements and Eligibility

To be able to qualify for a Portugal Golden Visa, you must first;

You must be a non-EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, and you must make an eligible investment in Portugal.
You are over the age of 18. (for the main applicant)
You have a perfect criminal record.
Your cash will originate from somewhere other than Portugal.

Portugal Golden Visa Changes in 2022

In 2020, the Portuguese Parliament indicated that the Golden Visa program will be reformed. For a long time, the detail of the alterations and their timeframe remained obscure.

The specifics were officially announced in February 2021.

What Are the Golden Visa Changes in Portugal?

The program has undergone two notable changes.

The Real Estate Option Has Changed:

Where you purchase your house in Portugal matters
Only the Azores and Madeira Autonomous Regions, as well as the interior areas, are eligible.
The program does not apply to residential property in Lisbon, Porto, or other seaside locations.

Increased Minimum Investment Amounts:

The amount of capital transferred increased from €1 million to €1.5 million.
The size of the Investment Fund increased from €350,000 to €500,000.
The R&D budget increased from €350,000 to €500,000.

What Are the Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?

There are a number of benefits that come with Portuguese Golden Visa. Firstly, it allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for. It also gives holders the right to live, work, and study in Portugal. After 5 of Portugal residency by investment, the applicants eventually citizenship if they meet certain requirements.

Portugal Golden Visa program is an attractive option for non-EU citizens looking to obtain EU citizenship via investment. With a minimum investment of €500,000 in real estate or €350,000 in business, the program provides a fast track to residency and eventually citizenship for those who meet the requirements.

If you want to make a profitable investment in an EU country and get residency, consider investing in Portugal. Thanks to many benefits it offers, it’s emerging as an attractive destination.

Go to top

The Utilisation of VIN in Vehicle Specification

November 18, 2022

Every year, millions of automobiles are created for the market. These vehicles are identified by the government’s unique identifying number. A 17-digit automotive identifying number plate is set during the building of a vehicle and is registered and certified by verified government entities. In addition, by utilizing the 17-digit registration numbers, the GPS connection may be used to trace any missing vehicle and the position of the automobile. The VIN gives huge benefits in accidental cases of cars and doing a life insurance coverage plan for a vehicle. Besides these, crimes related to a car can also be recorded quickly by this unique number.

During purchasing a car, the buyer should adequately check the VIN plate of any vehicle, and for the overall details, one can also take the help of FaxVIN to ensure extra safety and security measures. In case of the absence of a proper VIN, the buyers should not buy that car and should verify the vehicle’s details from the DMV office.

Benefits of VIN to a Vehicle Owner

Tracking the Theft and Recovery Records

With the help of the VIN, the detailed record of any crime with a car can easily be detected. VIN includes the car details records of manufacturing and the location history of any vehicles. With the help of this, police can easily find out any crime suspects in any case.

Finding Vehicle Specifications

VIN includes the vehicle details and also manufacturer details of a particular vehicle. Therefore, after successful decoding of VIN, proper identification of cars can be possible. By decoding this car’s unique identification number, all sensitive data such as vehicle registration details and owner-related data can be easily optimized.

Mileage Rollback

The final mileage that the odometer records before rolling back is the mileage rollback on a car. This number can reveal a great deal about your second-hand vehicle if you find it. A used car’s odometer rollback check, for instance, can show that the VIN code has been altered, indicating that an odometer scam has been performed.

Using the VIN checker and VIN translator features, one may discover a lot about a secondhand automobile. As a result, understanding a lot more about a car is finally possible.

Where Can I Find the VIN Code?

The VIN code is normally located on the inner dashboard near the windshield of an automobile. It is visible in front of the engine if the hood is opened and within a door jamb or by the door post near the driver’s seat.

The VIN code may be found not just on a car’s body, but also in insurance documents, VIN searches, and the driver’s manual. As a result, the genuine owner of a vehicle will have at least one of these documents with a legitimate VIN code.

How Can You Finalize the VIN Utilisation factor?

VIN is located in either the front or the back side of any vehicle, which is also known as the number plate of a car. This unique number is concluded by the manufacturer and government identification of any country. After getting the VIN code, a buyer may quickly look for the car’s data on different websites such as FAXVIN. A VIN check helps you avoid buying a stolen vehicle and determines whether the dealer is selling illegally.

Go to top

Are Live Dealer Casino Games Available in the Free Play Mode?

November 18, 2022

In recent years, live dealer casino games at fully licensed online casinos have become extremely popular, but are they available to play in the real money mode? Here, we will be taking a look at some of today’s best live dealer casino games that are now widely available at hundreds of trustworthy casino sites.

Many of these games have been developed by several multi-industry-award-winning casino games software providers, such as Evolution Gaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and NetEnt. Depending on which online casino you sign up to will determine exactly which of these games you will have access to or you can check in on an online casino review.

Can I play live dealer games for free?

Unfortunately, live dealer casino games are generally NOT available in the free play demo mode (which is also often referred to as the fun play mode, the free-to-play mode, or the practise mode). However, you don’t have to be a high roller to play live dealer games because you can often play from as little as $/€/£0.10 to $/€/£0.50 per round, depending on the game.

Which companies have developed the best live dealer games?

The most notable company that is known for having produced the best live dealer casino games out there today is Evolution Gaming. Additionally, Playtech, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play (all of which generally specialize in developing other online casino games, such as slots, table & card games, instant win games, progressive jackpot games, and video poker games) have also developed an impressive selection of live dealer games. Evolution Gaming has made around 100 state-of-the-art live dealer games, the vast majority of which can now be found at Rootz Limited casinos, such as Caxino Casino, Wheelz Casino, and Spinz Casino, to name just a few.

A look at Evolution Gaming’s live dealer casino portfolio

As mentioned, Evolution Gaming has developed somewhere in the region of 100 unique live dealer casino games (as of 2022), and they continue to release at least one new title every week or two throughout the year. This leading online casino software provider has developed several titles for each of the following categories:

Live dealer blackjack games
Live dealer roulette games
Live dealer poker games
Live dealer baccarat games
Live dealer craps games
Live dealer games inspired by t elevision game show s
Live dealer slots

Most popular live dealer games from Evolution Gaming

If you want to jump straight in and play the most popular live dealer games from Evolution Gaming, then you may want to start by checking out several hit titles, such as Live Crazy Time, MONOPOLY Live, MONOPOLY Big Baller Live, Live XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, Live Crazy Coin Flip, Live Lightning Roulette, and Gold Bar Roulette Live. If you enjoy playing any of these great games, then you also need to keep an eye out for Live Deal or No Deal, Live Mega Ball, Live Teen Patti, Live Craps, Live Dream Catcher, Live Cash or Crash, and Live Dream Catcher.

If that’s not enough to keep you going, there’s also:

Live Football Studio
Live Lightning Baccarat
Live Casino Hold ‘em
Live Side Bet City
Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt Live
Live Double Ball Roulette
Live Immersive Roulette
Live Blackjack Party
Live Super Sic Bo

How to play Evolution Gaming’s live dealer games

Before you can play any of these live dealer games, you must first sign up to a fully licensed online casino that has a range of live dealer games from Evolution Gaming, such as the casino sites mentioned above. To be able to sign up to an Evolution Gaming-powered casino and play the games for real money, you need to be at least 18 years old. The online registration form at these casinos generally takes less than a couple of minutes to complete, and as soon as it’s completed, your new account will be activated within seconds.

Simply log in to your new account from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, and make a deposit in the casino’s cashier section using any of the secure online payment methods (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, NETELLER, MuchBetter, or Skrill), and then head straight to the live dealer to start playing. All you have to do is click on a game for it to start loading. Most live dealer games take just seconds to load, and when you play for the first time, you can watch a mini tutorial video to get you started. Alternatively, you can just skip the video and jump straight into the action.

Go to top