Microsoft warns users of hacker attacks

Microsoft has warned that hackers could exploit a "vulnerability" in its operating system to gain user rights to the affected computers.

It said attackers could exploit this by requesting users to preview or open a specially crafted email or web content.

Microsoft said it was "aware of targeted attacks" and was investigating.

The issue affects Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Office 2003 - 2010, and Microsoft Lync.

The current versions of Microsoft Windows and Office are not affected by the issue - which centres on a graphics component.

Microsoft said it would take appropriate action to address the issue, which "may include providing a security update through our monthly release process or providing an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs".

In the meantime, it has advised customers to apply workarounds - a setting or configuration change that "does not correct the underlying issue but would help block known attack vectors before a security update is available".

'Requires user interaction'
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An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the logged on user"

Dustin Childs
Microsoft
According to Microsoft, the flaw lies in the handling of the Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) image files by a graphics processing component in the affected software versions.

In a blog post on the Microsoft Security Response Centre, Dustin Childs a communications manager, said any move by hackers "requires user interaction".

He said that the attacks are disguised as an email requesting potential targets to open a specially crafted Word attachment.

If the attachment is opened or previewed, it attempts to exploit the issue using a malformed graphics image embedded in the document.

"An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the logged on user," Mr Childs said.

Microsoft added that hackers could also exploit the issue via a web-based attack.

"An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability and then convince a user to view the website," it said.

However, it added that an attacker would have "no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content".

"Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website."

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Soccerex: Fears for Brazil World Cup 2014 as conference axed

Fears about disruption to next year's World Cup have been raised after the key global football conference Soccerex was cancelled because of continuing civil unrest.

It was due to start in just three weeks time at the Maracana stadium.

The England manager, Roy Hodgson, was among a number of high-profile figures who were planning to attend the event.

The organisers and Rio's state government disagreed over why the event is being called off.

In a statement, the organisers said the government took the decision because of "ongoing civil unrest" in Brazil.

This was later "strongly denied" by the state government of Rio, citing instead funding problems.

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I would like to apologise to every business, football club, league, federation and media organisation affected by this news"

Duncan Revie
Soccerex chief executive
"The governor says he encouraged the organisers to seek cultural and sports incentive funding to finance the event, but the organisers failed to do so," it said in a statement read out by Fifa's head of media at a news conference in London.

'Apology'
The event would have been the last of four scheduled Soccerex conventions to be held in Rio.

The organisers said they would be taking legal action against the Rio authorities responsible.

"Preparations for the event at the Maracana Stadium were well advanced with content planned, speakers confirmed and partnerships in place," a statement said.

"To be summarily cancelled in such a cavalier fashion, having hosted 33 events over five continents is extremely frustrating but nevertheless it has happened and is in contravention of all of the contractual obligations of the Rio State Government, who have been notified of our intention to instigate legal proceedings for substantial compensation."

Soccerex chief executive Duncan Revie called the cancellation "cruel" and said he wanted to apologise to "every business, football club, league, federation and media organisation affected by this news".

Despite the sudden cancellation, world football governing body Fifa said it did not suggest heightened security fears for the World Cup.

Fifa's marketing director, Thierry Weil, said: "We do not believe this will have any influence in any way or form on the organisation of the Fifa World Cup."

Brazil, one of the fast-growing Brics nations, has seen its growth rate fall far from the 7.5% recorded in 2010 and is now growing at just short of 3% a year.

That, and a sharp fall in the value of its currency, the real, has sparked a number of often violent anti-government protests this year.

Security
Among the protesters' concerns are corruption in public life as well as spending on hosting the World Cup and Olympics.

People are also asking for more investment in public services, better public schools, hospitals and transportation.

These demonstrations affected the Confederations Cup in June, prompting fears about safety and security for next summer's World Cup finals.

Soccerex has been running for the last 18 years.

It brings together football federations and associations, major clubs, rights holders, leading brands, businessmen and others in the industry.

Next year it moves to Manchester in the UK, which has been the host of Soccerex Europe since 2010.

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Try before you buy with Calais Vins

Bread selection at Pain et Levain

Advertorial for FRANCE Magazine

A step up from the bargain outlets, these classy stores are the joint venture of the friendly and and knowledgeable Pont and Vermisse families, who employ helpful staff who really know their stuff. At the large temperature-controlled tasting bar around 30 wines are regularly available. The prices are competitive on top-end bottles as well as more ordinary stock. There is also a variety of rum, whisky and beers from Northern France as well as regular special offers on buying in bulk. It is also worth asking about the Petits Frres scheme, which sources vintages from small, owner-run vineyards, for less expensive and more unusual alternatives to the big brand names.

Cheese cellar at Phillipe Oliver

Last December, a brand new Fromagerie opened at their site on the outskirts of Calais, alongside their existing bakery, Pain & Levain. This new cheese store has been opened under the brand of Philippe Olivier, one the most respected cheese makers in Northern France.

The Fromagerie is managed and run by Marc Facchinetti, who has spent the past five years developing his craft under the watchful eye of Philippe Olivier. Marcs passion for cheese started when he worked for many years in some of Frances leading Michelin star Restaurants.

Calais Vins

Ive always wanted to set-up my own Fromagerie, and with the backing of Calais Vins and Philippe Olivier, I am very excited about this opportunity. We aim to appeal to local people and customers from the UK with our wide range of excellent regional cheeses, plus other varieties from further afield, says Marc.

Calais Vins owner, Jerome Pont says, We see the opening of this new cheese store as a natural progression for our wine and bakery businesses. We are delighted to be associated with the brand of Philippe Olivier. We now have the perfect combination all on one site, which will definitely appeal to our existing customers and hopefully attract some new ones too.

Pastries at Pain et Levain

The on-site bakery, Pain et Levain opened last year and has proved an instant success. Serving-up freshly baked bread, baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat and an assortment of delicious French pastries, plus freshly made sandwiches, Panini and salads, the bakery offers a great choice for eat-in snacks or takeaway food. The purpose-built unit, which sits alongside the existing wine store, can seat up to 42 in the bistro area, where freshly brewed coffee is served with a range of teas, cold drinks or a glass of wine from the wine store next door, if you prefer!

Calais Vins has been pleasing both local and British customers with a wide range of excellent wines, beers and spirits for over 10 years. With 2000 to choose from, all personally selected by the Calais Vins wine team, there is bound to be something to suit all tastes. Just to be sure, theres a tasting bar where you can try before you buy and with English speaking staff on-hand to help you make the right selection, it really couldnt be easier.

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Blackberry shares plunge after sell-off plan abandoned

Shares in struggling smartphone maker Blackberry have fallen 13% after it announced it had abandoned a plan to sell itself to its biggest shareholder, Fairfax Financial Holdings.

Instead, it intends to raise $1bn (Ј627m) in fresh financing.

Chief executive Thorsten Heins will step down and former Sybase chief executive John Chen will serve as interim chief executive.

Last month, Blackberry reported a second-quarter net loss of $965m.

Those losses were blamed on poor sales of its new smartphone, the Z10.

'Substantial cash'
Fairfax was planning to lead a consortium of firms in a takeover of Blackberry worth $4.7bn.

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But that plan, announced last month, has fallen through.

Last week, Reuters reported that Fairfax was struggling to raise the financing needed for the deal.

Instead, Fairfax, which owns a 10% stake in Blackberry, is contributing $250m to the new fund-raising.

"This financing provides an immediate cash injection on terms favourable to Blackberry, enhancing our substantial cash position," said Barbara Stymiest, chair of Blackberry's board of directors.

In September, the company announced a plan to cut 4,500 jobs, or 40% of its workforce, to reverse giant losses.

The interim chief executive, John Chen, acknowledged the challenge ahead: "Blackberry is an iconic brand with enormous potential - but it's going to take time, discipline and tough decisions to reclaim our success."

Some analysts remain sceptical about the firm's prospects.

"Now we're back to the downward spiral," said BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis.

"They've got $1bn more cash that buys them time. The drumbeat of negativity is likely to continue."

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Should You Put Your Home On Show?

Remember the old days when visiting show houses on a Sunday afternoon was almost a national pastime? Agents pointer boards fairly littered the pavements and traffic jams in suburbs became the norm. At times it seemed that every second home was on the market. Dedicated show house visitors stood the change of bonding with other when they inevitably met up week after week.


Then the Internet came on the scene and suddenly it was no longer necessary to drive around for hours, getting lost when some mischievous child switched the boards around, wandering around house after house in the search for the ideal home.


Virtual tours gave house hunters the freedom to sit in their lounges and to view as many properties as they wanted without having to pay a cent on petrol. Even before virtual tours became the norm, the fact that agents could load dozens of pictures helped the would-be buyer get a good idea of what the property looked like inside and whether it was worth taking a closer look.


So does all of this mean that putting a house on show is going to become a thing of the past? According to a recent report, estate agents are divided on the point. Some believe that show days are still the number one way to market a property, while others feel that the success rate is marginal and the security risks are just too great.


'There are definitely positive and negative aspects to having a show day,' says Dieter Harck of RE/MAX One Hundred.


'Some advantages to having a show day are visibility and accessibility. Show days can also save both the agent and seller time as a number of potential buyers can view the property within the same day. The fact is that irrespective of the brand or advertising, many buyers will visit a show house in order to see for themselves what it has to offer. A show day also offers buyers the chance to interact with the agent and perhaps be put onto their database or make appointments to see other homes within their portfolio of stock.'


Harck notes that sometimes a show day can be a less stressful option for the seller because the cleaning and tidying is only done once a week rather than numerous times to accommodate the potential multiple viewings in the course of the working week. The seller is also not inconvenienced by constantly needing to be home at a certain time or wait to let in buyers who want to view the property.


While the positives are pretty obvious, there are some serious negatives linked to show days. Security in South Africa is a major concern for all and opening up your home to all and sundry is risky. While we may not have got to the stage where armed gangs are storming show houses, overwhelming the agent and ransacking the home, it doesn't mean that they aren't those who visit a home with the sole purpose if casing the joint in order to break in at a later stage.


Criminal elements aside, show houses also tend to attract nosey neighbours, those in search of interior design ideas and those who have nothing better to do than wander around other people's home over the weekend. Yes there may well be the odd serious buyer who has every intention of signing on the dotted line, but agents do seem to spend an awful lot of time trying to weed the serious from the mere 'lookers'.


Interesting though is the fact it appears that the show house concept continues to work well in some areas, while the practice has all but died out in others.


"Every area has its own demographics and dynamics. Harck says that while some agents say that around 80 percent of the sales in their area are from buyers that viewed the property on a show day, others say that they have not sold a property through a show day in the last three years."


Choosing an agent who understands these dynamics and who isn't going to waste the sellers time by insisting on a show day in an area where there is little chance of success may be the way to go. It stands to reason that those who focus on marketing tools that have proved effective in a particular area, will get the property sold in the quickest possible time.

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Kathmandu shares hit new high as rival falters

Kathmandu shares have hit an all-time-high after administrators were called into a major Australian competitor, which is blaming the NZX-listed outdoor clothing and equipment retailer's aggressive discounting - as well as high rents and labour costs - for the problems facing its business.

Adventure wear seller Snowgum, which operates 17 company-owned and eight franchised stores across the Tasman, went into voluntary administration following a rent dispute with the landlord of one of its stores, according to Australian media reports.

The business is now up for sale.

Voluntary administration involves freezing a company's assets while the administrators and creditors determine its fate.

Kathmandu shares rose more than 10 per cent to hit $4.01 - their highest level since the firm's 2009 listing - yesterday following the Snowgum news, before falling back to close at $3.93 last night.

Snowgum managing director Ross Elliot told the Sydney Morning Herald that Kathmandu, which operates close to 90 stores in Australia, had "perfected the art of pricing a product at an exorbitant retail price then offering it at 60 per cent off to attract buyers".


"The adventure wear category has traditionally maintained integrity in retail pricing, but Kathmandu has changed all that," Elliot said. "The Kathmandu high-low pricing model where products are constantly on 50, 60 and 70 per cent discount, all year round, has forced the whole category to follow suit."

Kathmandu relies on a number of major sale events each year for a large portion of its revenue.

Peter Halkett, Kathmandu's chief executive, was unavailable for comment.

Elliot said rent and wage increases had also badly affected Snowgum and the business had never really recovered from the global financial crisis.

Snowgum, which was founded as the Scout Shop in Melbourne in 1926, has operated several stores in New Zealand but decided to pull out of this country to focus on Australia during the recent global financial crisis.

Salt Funds Management managing director Paul Harrison said the surge in Kathmandu's share price was directly related to the Snowgum announcement.

"The market obviously thinks [the problems facing Snowgum] show that the Kathmandu business model is working in the sense that it can compete in a marketplace where others are struggling," he said.

Harrison said Kathmandu's margins and business model were "fair".

Kathmandu shares have gained 124 per cent in the last 12 months. The company reported a 26.6 per cent lift in net profit to $44.2 million in the 12 months to July 31

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Templeton Robinson reveals a new sign that housing market is improving

One of Northern Ireland's longest-established estate agents Templeton Robinson has today 24th April, opened a new office in Lisburn city centre creating two new jobs. The opening coincides with the company's 20th year in business, a corporate rebrand and the appointment of four Associate Directors.

Templeton Robinson now has five offices in Northern Ireland - Belfast, Holywood, Bangor, Ballyhackamore and Lisburn - bringing the total number of people employed by the company to 43. Keith Mitchell, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Templeton Robinson, says:

"We are confident that the housing market is finally showing signs of modest uplift. Recent figures published by RICS revealed the amount of homes sold in the UK reached a three year high last month. The opening of our fifth office represents our commitment to investing in our people and sustaining our network so that we can consolidate our position as market leader in the local residential estate agency market.

"Since our establishment almost 20 years ago it has always been about providing a high level of experience and expertise to our clients. We are also committed to providing on-going training for our staff and rewarding and promoting people within our organisation. The new office in Lisburn will be managed by Jonathan Steen who joined Templeton Robinson on work experience many years ago."

The accustomed Templeton Robinson 'racing-green' colour features in the company's new brand identity which was unveiled at the opening of the Lisburn office. Keith continues:

"As we celebrate our 20th year in business we want to ensure that the next 20 years are just as successful. We reviewed our corporate image, engaged with a specialist marketing-research and decided that rather than revolutionising the brand we simply needed to modernise and refine our corporate identity.

"In 1998 Templeton Robinson was the first estate agent to sell a residential home on the internet. The number of people now using the internet has dramatically increased since then and so we've invested in technology with the launch of a new responsive website which will enhance our services making it easier than ever before for those 'on the move' to view or purchase properties for sale/rent online."

Further signs that Templeton Robinson continue to buck the trend within the real estate sector is the appointment of four Associate Directors. Keith concludes:

"The most important assets to any company are the people. They are the driving force behind the daily operations and delivering exceptional customer service. A number of our employees have been with us for over ten years and their loyalty and commitment has been rewarded with their promotion to Associate Director."

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Flats to rent in London: Electric vehicles charging scheme set for launch

A project to install more than 1,300 new charging points for electric vehicles in the capital has started, which may offer another reason for eco-friendly drivers to live in flats to rent in London. The Greater London Authority pointed out that the charging points which will make up the Source London network will soon start to be installed in the city, which Transport for London has appointed Siemens to manage. Through the initiative, at least 1,300 charging stations will be created in London at a range of partner sites, such as Sainsbury's and Asda stores, NCP car parks, sites owned by Capital Shopping Centres and points run by Scottish and Southern Energy. Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, commented: "By giving increasing numbers of drivers the confidence in electric vehicle technology, we will make a considerable contribution to improving our air quality and cutting carbon emissions." Back in December, Mr Johnson launched a Ј1 million fund to encourage taxi drivers in London to make greater use of electric cars.


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Property sale prices continue to surge in London

Housing prices throughout London have risen yet again, making it harder for people - especially young professionals - to get a foot on the property ladder. Property prices in the capital have risen, on average, by 12 per cent when compared to last year, according to home.co.uk's Asking Price Index. This means that those wishing to live in the city might benefit from looking for rental properties. England and Wales have experienced an increase in residential property prices over the last year, with the average price increasing by 5.5 per cent in 12 months. Even the last month has seen a rise of two per cent on the countries' housing prices, meaning that many people are unable to afford to buy a home.  Not only is the average asking price of residential property reaching sky high levels, but the amount of available housing is falling dramatically, making it more difficult to find a suitable property. Across England Wales, housing availability is down by 18 per cent when compared to last year's figures. While this may seem bad, the state of affairs is much more dire in London, with available property to buy reduced by 31 per cent upon 2012's figures. As demand increases and available properties become few and far between, homes in London are staying on the market for less and less time. Homes now spend around eight per cent less time on the market as buyers snatch them up as soon as possible. Competition for the perfect home is likely to be particularly strong in London as fewer properties meet with buyers' requirements. To save the trouble of trying to buy a home and save up a deposit, those looking for residential properties in the capital might consider renting as an alternative. Rental properties will cost less for an individual and there is a high chance that more will be given for the money spent, in comparison to purchasing cheap properties in the city. -
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Paul's Weekly Column 16th October 2013 - Students are reliable tenants

I think I've reached the point at which nothing property-related can astonish me.  I'm mistaken.  I discover recently that, according to the National Landlords Association,  students are among the most reliable tenants in the land.

If you're as astonished as I am, read on.  Students score highly on a number of different measures.  First, they are least likely to miss a rental payment.  Seventy-one per cent of landlords with housing benefit tenants have experienced rent arrears over the past year; the comparable figure for landlords who let to blue collar workers is 59%; for landlords of students it is just 38%.

Secondly, and perhaps less surprisingly given the regularity with which the academic year comes round, student landlords also experience the lowest incidence of empty properties.  Less than 30% have had vacant properties during the summer months.  This is way down on the figures for those who let to families (40%) and older couples (49%).  

I may have saved the best 'til last.  Renting to students can be very profitable for landlords. Student tenants offer one of the highest rental yields: 6.7% compared with a UK average of 6.1%.

As with any opportunity that looks golden, there will, of course, be pitfalls.  The biggest challenges probably stem from the nature of the tenants themselves.  For many students, going to university is their first experience of independent living.  There's an education job to be done here, and it has absolutely nothing to do with university courses.  

In addition to an extremely explicit tenancy agreement, you will probably also need to explain their obligations to your student tenants in person.  I know of students who genuinely thought they didn't have to pay rent to the new landlord when the house was sold - because they'd signed the tenancy agreement with the previous owner.  Yes, well, it's an education case in point.

I think there are also a number of other givens: furniture, above average wear and tear, regular inspection visits, regular turnover of tenants, internet connection in every bedroom, locks on doors.  These are just the minuses that go with the pluses above.

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The 10 Best garden power tools

1. Draper Log Splitter

This log splitter makes light work of chopping wood. Benefits include reducing the physical strain that using a traditional axe places on your back, as well as saving you hours of effort for less than Ј200. Be warned, it's extremely heavy, but the wheels make it easy to move around.

Ј195.99; protoolsdirect.co.uk

2. Black & Decker Grass Trimmer GLC3630L

This cordless trimmer is twice as powerful as many of its competitors. Longer grass and rough vegetation seem to prove no challenge and it's wonderfully easy to use, either vertically or horizontally. The result is a great finish on the lawn edge, even along fence lines.

Ј169; amazon.co.uk

3. Bosch Shredder AXT25D

Bosch steals the show when it comes to garden shredders. This is a great all-rounder that chops and crushes most plant materials quickly, quietly and efficiently. It rarely stalls and you can remove the feed chute and store it in the collector for compact storage.

Ј259.99; garden4less.co.uk

4. Kдrcher Eco Beast Pressure Washer

Pricey this may be, but it provides over 50 per cent water saving compared to a garden hose and 35 times more power, easily making it the most environmentally friendly way to effortlessly remove mould, grime, mud and dirt from patios, garden furniture, decking and vehicles.

Ј519.99; karcher.co.uk

5. Garden Care Multi-Tool

Whether you want to trim long grass, clear brambles, cut hedges or prune hard-to-reach-branches, this machine does it all. And despite the fact that it's an all-in-one, it's easy to get to grips with and has well-positioned, comfortable handle controls.

Ј296.39; mowermagic.co.uk

6. Flymo EasiCut Hedge Trimmer

It's hard to fault this electric trimmer, which comes with an extra handle to extend your reach for taller hedges. It's fast, leaves a neat finish and can handle larger branches. It's relatively quiet and great value, although it is heavy.

Ј89.98; diy.com

7. Ryobi 18V One Plus Blower

This cordless, lithium-battery leaf blower has enough power to clear leaves swiftly and efficiently, but keeps them under control. It's light, comfortable to hold and the nozzle's length is ideal. Its only fault is that you don't get that much blowing time before the battery runs out.

Ј44.99; amazon.co.uk

8. Mac Allister 2-in-1 Raker  and Scarifier

If you're a perfectionist when it comes to your lawn, be sure to check this raker and scarifier out. It removes matted grass moss and other dead material to encourage healthy grass growth and the powerful motor and large collection bag means it can handle heavy-duty jobs.

Ј99.98; diy.com

9. Makita Chainsaw UC3520A

Slice cleanly and quickly through logs, branches and thick stems with this electric, ergonomic and relatively quiet chainsaw. It's one of the lightest available and the blade is automatically oiled to keep it running smoothly.

Ј109.99; screwfix.com

10. Stihl Sweeper KG550

If you've had enough of sweeping the outside of your home, this intelligent, powerful, low-dust sweeper could just be your new best friend. It easily picks up all kinds of debri, whether fine dust, wet leaves or larger items, six times faster than a standard broom.

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The Heart FM personality is said to be somewhat of an eager renovator, having sold his first project a few years ago and now selling his new masterpiece which allegedly took him over two years to complete.

The detached Victorian house in Chiswick is 5,100ft² of stunning family living space. The property mixes original features with modern open plan rooms and boasts five bedrooms, four reception rooms, a wine cellar and under-floor heating. Theakston’s eye for interior design is clear for all to see – we want to move in now!!!

Jamie, who previously restored a grade I listed Tudor mansion in East Sussex, lives in the West London property with this wife, two young sons and their cat (seen striking a pose in quite a few of the photos).

A quick look at Rightmove’s sold price section shows that he’s set to make a nice little profit for himself after all that hard work… the property was bought for £3.85million back in 2010 and is now on the market for £6.5million.

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Risk of price bubble in some US markets falls back

The risk of a real estate price bubble in some overheated markets in the United States is receding with the latest analysis report from Zillow suggesting that fewer markets are at risk of becoming unaffordable.
The firm's Home Value Index stood at $163,000 as of the end of the third quarter of 2013, up 6.4% year on year and up 1.2% from the end of the second quarter, but unchanged from August. The quarterly pace of appreciation was roughly half that experienced in the second quarter.

The report points out that for months a handful of already expensive metro areas that experienced relatively modest declines during the crash but very robust gains during the recovery, particularly in California, have flirted with being in a bubble.

These markets risked potentially becoming unaffordable for typical buyers as home values grew precipitously, mortgage interest rates rose from record lows and income growth failed to keep pace. In order for homes to remain affordable and to avoid a market bubble, the pace of home value appreciation in these markets needed to slow down or even fall.

As of the end of the third quarter, the national pace of monthly home value appreciation has fallen in each of the past three months, and turned negative in San Diego with a fall of 1.2%, is down 1.1% in Los Angeles and down 0.1% in San Francisco in September, after reaching into the 3% range in all three metros just a few months ago.

Among the top 30 largest metro areas covered by Zillow, half showed monthly depreciation at the end of the third quarter. As recently as July, all of the top 30 metro areas showed positive monthly appreciation, with none exhibiting a monthly pace slower than 1% month on month.

'Far from being a negative sign, we're relieved to see more noticeable signs of cooling in the market. If home values continued to rise as they have, relatively unchecked, we would almost certainly be headed into another bubble cycle, and nobody wants that,' said Zillow chief economist Stan Humphries.

'This is more proof that the market recovery is entering a new phase, transitioning away from the bounce off the bottom we've been experiencing and finding a more sustainable level. This moderation should help consumers feel more at ease in their decisions to buy and sell, and will help keep the market balanced,' he added.



Despite falling monthly appreciation, home values in most areas continue to grow year on year. All 30 of the largest metro areas experienced annual gains in September, with the largest coming in Sacramento with growth of 34.1%, growth of 33.3% in Las Vegas and growth of 31.8% in Riverside, California.

Annual appreciation is expected to slow markedly over the next 12 months as moderation spreads, to an annual pace of 3.8% nationwide by September 2014, according to the Zillow Home Value Forecast.

The data also shows that national rents rose by 1.3% in the third quarter compared with the second quarter. Year on year rents nationwide rose 2%.

A total of 5.12 out of every 10,000 homes nationwide were foreclosed upon as of the end of the third quarter, down 0.2 homes per 10,000 from the second quarter and down 1.4 homes per 10,000 year on year.

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Square roots: Artist Donald Judd's New York apartment opens its doors to the public

Rainer Judd and I are lying on what she calls "the make-out bed", a piece of furniture designed for the space by her father. This might be alarming, were Rainer not young and beautiful and I… Well. She is snapping me on my iPhone, a thing she does deftly and crisply, a sign of her career as a film-maker.

"OK, lie back and… no, further back. Like that," she says, clicking a few more times and then handing over the phone. The images are grimly true-to-life. "You see? People say that my dad's furniture is uncomfortable, but that's because they've never had a chance to use it," Rainer enthuses. "They've never sat on one of his chairs, or spent a whole day lying in this bed."

It is, for various reasons, unexpected. Rainer Judd's father, the one who made the bed, was Donald Judd, a man commonly described as a "minimalist sculptor", although he denied that his work was either sculpture or minimal. You can see several of Judd's "specific objects" (or, sometimes, "discrete objects") at Tate Modern, among them Untitled (1972), an open-topped copper box a metre or so high by two wide, anodised on the inside with a red aluminium gloss.

When this was made, Judd was living here at 101 Spring Street in New York's SoHo - an acronym (SOuth of HOuston Street) he also disliked on the grounds that it sounded like London. The house, a five-storey, cast-iron structure, was the first he owned, bought cheaply in 1968 as a home for his family before he moved them to Texas a decade later. The foundation Judd set up there, in a half-horse town called Marfa, has become one of the sacred places of modern art, visited by pilgrims hardy enough to brave the road from El Paso.

Spring Street, though, has stayed more secret, although Judd owned the house until his death in 1994 and lived and worked there when he was in New York. Now, after a three-year restoration, it will open to the public.

It may redefine Donald Judd as an artist. Visit Marfa and what you see, or think you see, is an urban taste superimposed on the country. There are, most obviously, the half-mile sequence of Judd's concrete boxes marching across Marfa's scrubby fields and his 100 polished aluminium boxes in a glass-sided shed. These last are sublimely beautiful, changing as the sun moves, turning black or glassy or glowing suddenly like flame. They are not domestic, though - and certainly not comfortable.

Which brings us back to Spring Street and the bed. As Rainer Judd points out, this is comfortable, though it doesn't look to be. It looks like a Donald Judd - an unadorned wooden box, open at the front, bigger than the Tate's Untitled, but with similar proportions.

Both are very like the specific object that sits on the floor of Judd's studio, one storey up. It seems hard to believe that this work is here, in a room in a house in a city. Another box, open-sided this time, the piece is huge - perhaps 1?m high by 3m deep and made out of 5cm-thick steel plate. What it weighs or how it got there is anyone's guess. "I spent a lot of my childhood running through boxes like this," remarks Rainer Judd, thoughtfully. "If they were steel or concrete, that was fine. If they were plywood, though, no."

And suddenly, a long-time fan, I see a new Donald Judd. His writings, like his work, are pared-down and clever. Many are to do with the relationship between the space objects occupy and the architecture they sit in. These things have seemed hypothetical, the output of Judd's huge brain, his training as an art historian with two of the subject's great names, Rudolf Wittkower and Meyer Schapiro. Now, they show a different Donald Judd: emotional, human and humane; a Judd who begins at home.

"When Jamie [Dearing, Judd's long-time assistant] first saw this piece here, he said, 'Oh, so that's why you needed Marfa,'" Rainer recalls. He was right. Her father had to measure his objects against a bigger space than SoHo allowed - the West, the desert, the sky. The impulse to do so, though, begins here in this house. It starts, maybe, with the piece over Judd's bed on the top floor.

It isn't the most eye-catching of the works in the room - these including a wall-length Dan Flavin light installation and a crushed-car piece by John Chamberlain. (Judd, a good friend, gave both their own spaces at Marfa.) It is an early work, from the days when he had just moved from painting to object-making - shallow, hung on the wall like a canvas although it is actually a wooden box. The real thing about the piece, though, is that it was made by Donald's father, Roy, a man good with his hands, the last of a line of farmers and craftsmen. For all its hard edges, it is, unexpectedly, a story of love.

A selection of Donald Judd's work, including pieces made at 101 Spring Street, will be on show at the David Zwirner Gallery, 24 Grafton Street, London W1 (020 3538 3165) from 21 June to 3 August. To book a guided tour of the house:
 juddfoundation

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Safe escapes from the timeshare snare

Timeshare may have been all the rage in the Eighties, when masses of Brits snapped up weeks in holiday apartments in Europe, but with households feeling the pinch, many are now trying to sell up and get out. Annual fees have grown unaffordable, and many of those who bought timeshares are aging and can no longer travel.

"We are seeing a growing trend of people trying to get out of timeshare," says Sandy Grey of the Timeshare Consumers Association (TCA). "Many are in their late sixties and seventies, and the arrangement is no longer suitable. Many also believe they were mis-sold."

But getting rid of unwanted timeshares is proving difficult, as few buyers will take them on. As a result, some owners are now falling for cold callers from unscrupulous firms that promise to help them dispose of their timeshares - but fail to deliver.

In some cases, the bogus companies offer to buy owners out of their contract or sell the timeshare for an upfront cash fee of, say, Ј6,000. Some also promise owners a "reclaim" of a percentage of the value of the property. However, those who have fallen for such scams say the firms fail to organise a resale, or demand more money once they claim to have found a buyer. In some cases, the scammers disappear with the cash.

The TCA says there are a million timeshare owners in Europe, 40 per cent of whom are British. For every prospective buyer, there are an estimated 400 owners wanting to sell. "The problem is there are a lot of unscrupulous firms operating in this area, and owners desperate to sell are falling for scams," Mr Grey says.

The Timeshare Association (Tatoc), another consumer group, says more than 50 per cent of people who really need to sell their timeshare fall for resale scams.

"A number of companies are contacting timeshare owners living in the UK and offering to sell their timeshare weeks or points," says Harry Taylor of Tatoc.

"But many of these companies are known to be disreputable or fraudulent. These arrangements almost always end up in disappointment and loss of money."

With timeshare, you buy the right to stay in an apartment on a resort for a certain number of weeks each year, usually for a one-off payment. Some contracts are for a set number of years, but many are in perpetuity. Owners also have to pay annual maintenance charges, which can increase considerably each year.

Many older timeshare owners are finding themselves locked into contracts with high annual fees for a few weeks' holiday each year in a property they no longer can - or want - to visit. But while contracts are notoriously difficult to get out of, if you do want to escape, you should first speak to the resort or company that sold you the timeshare.

"Your best chance of getting out is by telling the resort or firm that you are old or unwell and unable to travel - or that you no longer have the money," Mr Grey suggests.

A timeshare company is likely to have an in-house resale scheme or some other resale process.

"Most will make a charge for transferring ownership," Mr Taylor adds. "You must also be realistic about the price you are hoping for, as the value will depend on a range of factors including your specific product, together with location, time of year, size and facilities.

"Timeshare is a long-term holiday purchase and not a financial investment. It is unrealistic to expect to obtain the original purchase price or anywhere near it."

A list of firms that have signed Tatoc's code of conduct is available at tatoc.co.uk. You can find brokers recommended by the TCA at timeshare.org.uk. You can also check if the resale organisation is a member of the Resort Development Organisation (rdo.org), which has its own code of conduct.

Mr Taylor recommends checking if there is an owners' committee for your resort, and contacting it for guidance. He adds: "You may also be in with a better chance of a successful sale if you own popular weeks at a desirable resort."

You could simply walk away from your timeshare and stop paying the fee but you could then be threatened with debt collectors and court action. So think very carefully before going down that route.

Exercise caution if approached by a cold caller. "If you receive a cold call relating to timeshare resale, takeovers, termination, rental schemes or bonus holidays, check the company out very carefully," Mr Taylor says. "Be very careful if the firm requests any form of upfront payment, or asks for your card details. Be wary if they claim they can obtain an unrealistically high price or if they say they have a buyer waiting. Also be extremely cautious if the firm invites you to a presentation or if it applies undue pressure for a decision within a short time."

While this makes for gloomy reading, a new EU timeshare directive came into force last year, and it is hoped this will help reduce fraudulent activity from bogus resale companies, and protect consumers from being trapped into long, costly contracts.

"If you sign a timeshare resale agreement in a European Economic Area (EEA) country, you're protected by the timeshare regulations," says Gillian Guy of Citizens Advice. "This means firms have to follow certain rules, such as giving consumers a 14-day cooling-off period. The firm must also give you certain important written information about the agreement, including how to cancel it."

Despite the negative publicity, timeshares are still popular, and schemes can still work - as long as people know exactly what they're signing up to. Be sure to read all the paperwork you're given carefully and make sure you understand your rights and obligations. Check, too, that you have a cancellation form with your contract.

If you do attend a presentation, remember you can leave at any time, and don't hand over money up front. If you decide to go ahead with a timeshare purchase, remember that reselling may be very difficult when the time comes, irrespective of what you are told at the outset.

If you think you were mis-sold a timeshare agreement, contact the UK European Consumer Centre (ukecc.net), and if you reckon you've been a victim of timeshare fraud, report it to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk).

independent

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Blonde gypsy girl taken from Roma parents in Ireland to be reunited with family

The seven-year-old had been in state care for two nights after a neighbour told police she looked nothing like her family.

But last night test results proved she belonged to her Roma parents, originally from Romania.

Waheed Mudah, solicitor for the family, said his clients were "absolutely delighted" that their daughter was coming home after having been taken by authorities from a south Dublin suburb on Monday afternoon.

Mr Mudah said the girl's removal had been a cause of huge upset to her parents, brothers, sisters and the young girl herself.

He added: "Her parents greatly appreciate the help and assistance that they have been given by friends and relatives over the last few days. They now intend to concentrate on looking after their family and, in particular, in trying to reassure their daughter that she will be their care."

Earlier a two-year-old boy who was also removed from his family home in Athlone overnight was returned to his parents following inquiries by Irish police.

A human rights group has called for an independent inquiry amid claims the two Roma children had been "abducted" from their families by authorities.

The travellers charity, Pavee Point, claimed "hysteria" has broken out following the finding of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl named Maria with a Roma family in Greece.

maria, gypsy, child, girlThe discovery of a blonde girl named Maria in Greece is said to have sparked a 'hysteria' [EPA]

Police in Greece meanwhile confirmed they have arrested a second Roma couple on suspicion of abducting a child after a two-month-old baby was found living with them on the island of Lesbos.

"The initial evidence strongly indicates that they are not the parents of the baby," local police said.

express

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Mexican architect creates conception pyramid house inspired by the ancients

A Mexican architect has created designs for an unique pyramid house that has been inspired by the ancient Egyptians.
The geometric shaped design by Juan Carlos Ramos was created for an architectural competition and has been widely praised for its vision and innovation.

It has a sleek glass and concrete exterior with a modern open floor plan interior over three levels and connected by a floating staircase. There's even a futuristic carport. The only thing missing is a sphinx.

The glass walls that offer exceptional views of the surrounding landscape and allow natural light to penetrate its deepest corners. There are multiple windows cut out of the four large triangular facades and an enormous window cover one entire side.



In all the design contains two bedrooms, a library, kitchen, bathrooms, garage and even a recording studio. A cantilevered balcony is situated near the top of the building between the bathroom and library. All the rooms have been cleverly designed to fit into what is an unconventional shape for a home.

Ramos used 3D rendering software to create the photo realistic designs that show off how such simple geometric shapes can be deployed in residential architecture.

Although the design was inspired by the ancient pyramids of Egypt, the shape also has a lot of resonance in Mexico with its ancient Mayan architecture.

propertywire

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Silver linings: These mirrors are perfect for moments of quiet reflection

1. Paper mirror

Ј746, Moooi. Classical style gets a childish twist with this papier-mвchй piece. 0844 879 4258, occa-home.co.uk

2. Round Hanging mirror, copper

Ј30, John Lewis. There's something of the school satchel about this strappy design. 08456 049 049, johnlewis.com

3. Filigree round mirror

Ј36, Cargo Home Shop. Add a delicate touch with this frame's finely wrought metalwork. 0844 848 3300, cargohomeshop.com

4. Birdcage mirror

Ј35, Marks & Spencer. Miss Havisham would have loved to have gazed heartbrokenly into this Victoriana looking glass. marksandspencer.com

5. Matchstick mirror

Ј568, Anthropologie. Truly one to light up the living-room. 00800 0026 8476, anthropologie.eu

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