query_id stringlengths 24 420 | query_text stringlengths 46 525k | neighbor_rank int64 0 2 | neighbor_index int64 0 169k | distance float64 0 1.13 | url stringlengths 24 587 | crawl_date stringdate 2022-04-01 13:20:24 2022-09-19 05:17:15 | text stringlengths 45 362k |
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https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/james-mcmahan-obituary?id=32026610 | McMahan, James Harold
Mon., Dec. 27, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Gayle McMahan (nee Lehmen); dear father of Jim McMahan, Steve (Mary) McMahan, Connie (Dan) Guenther, Michelle (Kurt) Fey and Bryan (Lindsey) McMahan. Our dear grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Funeral from Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Fri., Dec. 31, 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Thur. 4-8 p.m. | 2 | 6,228 | 0.762897 | https://www.eastcentraliowanews.com/linn/james-jim-alan-mcmurrin/article_ac035237-0abf-53f9-8f8d-50f3e876710d.html | 2022-08-04 16:42:20+00:00 | James “Jim” Alan McMurrin, 90, of Manchester, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A prayer service with a celebration of Jim’s life was held Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at Alburnett Christian Church. Pastor Dan Peterson officiated. Burial followed at Mt. Clark Cemetery in Central City. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Central City assisted the family.
Jim was born March 19, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, to Elvin and Clara (Stumpf) McMurrin. He graduated from Central City high school and went to serve honorably in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, during the Korean War. On June 6, 1953, Jim was united in marriage to Joan Alyce Brauer in Central City. He worked as a Linn County Deputy Sheriff and at Iowa Manufacturing. A very handy man, Jim also did construction and carpentry on the side. He was a member of the Alburnett Christian Church, Shriners, and a 50-year Mason. Jim enjoyed fishing, fox hunting, and woodworking. He loved the outdoors, camping and traveling. Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Joan McMurrin of Manchester; four sons, Daniel (Karla) McMurrin of Alburnett, Douglas (Linda) McMurrin of Arlington, Tex., Curtis (Dana) McMurrin and Bruce (Kim) McMurrin, all of Manchester; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; brother, Jon (Lyn) McMurrin of Western, Iowa; two sisters, Sharon Corsmeier of Central City and Patricia Williamson of Rowley and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Steve and Duwayne McMurrin and three brothers, Richard, Ervin and Ronald McMurrin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s memory may be made to the family.
Jim’s family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of 5 Center, Palliative Care, and St. Luke’s Hospice, for the care given. |
https://sportspyder.com/nfl/chicago-bears/articles/39057050 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | 0 | 326 | 0 | https://sportspyder.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/articles/39954577 | 2022-07-01 17:50:06+00:00 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. |
https://sportspyder.com/nfl/chicago-bears/articles/39057050 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | 1 | 459 | 0 | https://sportspyder.com/mcb/north-carolina-tar-heels-basketball/articles/39954053 | 2022-07-01 17:50:36+00:00 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. |
https://sportspyder.com/nfl/chicago-bears/articles/39057050 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | 2 | 842 | 0 | https://sportspyder.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/articles/39955885 | 2022-07-01 17:52:25+00:00 | You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. |
https://www.fxstreet.com/news/indonesia-inflation-picked-up-pace-in-march-uob-202204051140 | Economist at UOB Group Enrico Tanuwidjaja comments on the latest inflation figures in Indonesia.
Key Takeaways
“Food, beverage and tobacco, clothing and footwear as well as personal care and other services prices drove inflation much higher in Mar.”
“Average headline inflation in 1Q22 stood at 2.3% y/y, significantly higher than 4Q21’s 1.8%, while core inflation rose from 1.4% y/y in 4Q21 to 2.1% in 1Q22, indicating some degree of recovery in domestic demand has taken place.”
“Going forward, we expect the headline inflation to reach an average of 3.3% in 2022, within Bank Indonesia’s inflation target range of 2.0%-4.0%, but above its mid-point.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
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EUR/USD stays on the back foot below 1.1000
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GBP/USD clings to modest gains above 1.3100
GBP/USD is struggling to make a decisive move in either direction on Tuesday and fluctuating in a relatively tight trading channel above 1.3100. The ISM Services PMI data from the US and comments from Fed officials will be looked upon for fresh impetus.
Gold trades with modest losses, downside remains cushioned
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Key Takeaways
“Significant increases in cooking oil, eggs, fresh fish and meat prices, as well as overall transportation prices drove inflation past the 3% mid-point in Apr.”
“Apr’s headline inflation jumped to 3.5% y/y vs 2.3% average in 1Q22 while core inflation rose from 2.1% y/y average in 1Q22 to 2.6% in Apr, a sign of continued recovery in domestic demand.”
“Going forward, we expect the headline inflation to soon break the 4% upper-limit of BI’s inflation target range, though this has been embedded into our inflation forecast average of 3.3% in 2022.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
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GBP/USD loses traction, closes in on 1.2300
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Gold clings to daily gains near $1,860 amid falling US yields
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https://www.fxstreet.com/news/indonesia-inflation-picked-up-pace-in-march-uob-202204051140 | Economist at UOB Group Enrico Tanuwidjaja comments on the latest inflation figures in Indonesia.
Key Takeaways
“Food, beverage and tobacco, clothing and footwear as well as personal care and other services prices drove inflation much higher in Mar.”
“Average headline inflation in 1Q22 stood at 2.3% y/y, significantly higher than 4Q21’s 1.8%, while core inflation rose from 1.4% y/y in 4Q21 to 2.1% in 1Q22, indicating some degree of recovery in domestic demand has taken place.”
“Going forward, we expect the headline inflation to reach an average of 3.3% in 2022, within Bank Indonesia’s inflation target range of 2.0%-4.0%, but above its mid-point.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
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EUR/USD stays on the back foot below 1.1000
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GBP/USD clings to modest gains above 1.3100
GBP/USD is struggling to make a decisive move in either direction on Tuesday and fluctuating in a relatively tight trading channel above 1.3100. The ISM Services PMI data from the US and comments from Fed officials will be looked upon for fresh impetus.
Gold trades with modest losses, downside remains cushioned
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GGPI soars on Hertz partnership deal
Gores Guggenheim stock soared on Monday as news of a partnership deal with Hertz broke. GGPI soared up to $13.30 before falling back a bit by the close, but it still gained nearly 12% on the day. | 1 | 92,766 | 0.345232 | https://www.fxstreet.com/news/indonesia-inflation-seen-picking-up-pace-in-september-uob-202209021037 | 2022-09-02 14:11:43+00:00 | Economist at UOB Group Enrico Tanuwidjaja assesses the recently published inflation figures in Indonesia.
Key Takeaways
“Aug’s headline inflation fell by 0.2% m/m and eased slightly to 4.7% y/y (4.9% in Jul) while core inflation rose to 3.0% y/y (prior 2.9%).”
“Inflation in Aug continued to be driven by elevated level of food and transport prices, as well as the housing, water, and electricity costs.”
“We keep our 2022 inflation forecast (average) at 4% but now with upside risks on the back of highly probable fuel price hikes in due course. As such, we maintain our view for BI to hike rates to reach 4.50% by year-end.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
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Gold extends rebound above $1,710 amid falling yields
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https://www.fxstreet.com/news/indonesia-inflation-picked-up-pace-in-march-uob-202204051140 | Economist at UOB Group Enrico Tanuwidjaja comments on the latest inflation figures in Indonesia.
Key Takeaways
“Food, beverage and tobacco, clothing and footwear as well as personal care and other services prices drove inflation much higher in Mar.”
“Average headline inflation in 1Q22 stood at 2.3% y/y, significantly higher than 4Q21’s 1.8%, while core inflation rose from 1.4% y/y in 4Q21 to 2.1% in 1Q22, indicating some degree of recovery in domestic demand has taken place.”
“Going forward, we expect the headline inflation to reach an average of 3.3% in 2022, within Bank Indonesia’s inflation target range of 2.0%-4.0%, but above its mid-point.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
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GBP/USD clings to modest gains above 1.3100
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Key Takeaways
“July’s headline inflation jumped to 4.9% y/y, breaching Bank Indonesia (BI)’s 4% target upper bound for the second month in a row and currently at 7-year high, while core inflation rose to 2.9% y/y, a 28-month high, from June’s 2.6%.”
“Inflation in July continued to be driven by upward pressures from food services and restaurants and transport, in addition to housing, water, electricity and household fuel.”
“We revised our 2022 inflation forecast now to average 4% viz. 3.3% previously and for BI to hike rates now in Sep instead of in Jul.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
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https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/high-school-junior-in-wisconsin-earns-perfect-score-on-act | MILWAUKEE — A high school junior just earned a perfect score on her ACT.
In 2021, only 0.31% of test-takers earned a perfect 36, according to PrepScholar.
Eleanor Hannan at Wauwatosa West High School in Milwaukee has taken the test three times.
She said last time was different.
“I actually didn’t do a ton of prep for this last time, because I thought it would be nice to sort of gauge where I was after almost two years of not taking the test,” Hannan said.
There’s more good news.
Eleanor doesn’t have to take the test again since she can’t score anything higher.
The junior plans to go to school for musical theater.
She has not decided yet where she wants to attend. | 0 | 17,819 | 0 | https://www.fox13now.com/news/national/high-school-junior-in-wisconsin-earns-perfect-score-on-act | 2022-04-05 12:54:20+00:00 | MILWAUKEE — A high school junior just earned a perfect score on her ACT.
In 2021, only 0.31% of test-takers earned a perfect 36, according to PrepScholar.
Eleanor Hannan at Wauwatosa West High School in Milwaukee has taken the test three times.
She said last time was different.
“I actually didn’t do a ton of prep for this last time, because I thought it would be nice to sort of gauge where I was after almost two years of not taking the test,” Hannan said.
There’s more good news.
Eleanor doesn’t have to take the test again since she can’t score anything higher.
The junior plans to go to school for musical theater.
She has not decided yet where she wants to attend. |
https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/high-school-junior-in-wisconsin-earns-perfect-score-on-act | MILWAUKEE — A high school junior just earned a perfect score on her ACT.
In 2021, only 0.31% of test-takers earned a perfect 36, according to PrepScholar.
Eleanor Hannan at Wauwatosa West High School in Milwaukee has taken the test three times.
She said last time was different.
“I actually didn’t do a ton of prep for this last time, because I thought it would be nice to sort of gauge where I was after almost two years of not taking the test,” Hannan said.
There’s more good news.
Eleanor doesn’t have to take the test again since she can’t score anything higher.
The junior plans to go to school for musical theater.
She has not decided yet where she wants to attend. | 1 | 18,480 | 0 | https://www.abc15.com/news/national/high-school-junior-in-wisconsin-earns-perfect-score-on-act | 2022-04-05 12:58:13+00:00 | MILWAUKEE — A high school junior just earned a perfect score on her ACT.
In 2021, only 0.31% of test-takers earned a perfect 36, according to PrepScholar.
Eleanor Hannan at Wauwatosa West High School in Milwaukee has taken the test three times.
She said last time was different.
“I actually didn’t do a ton of prep for this last time, because I thought it would be nice to sort of gauge where I was after almost two years of not taking the test,” Hannan said.
There’s more good news.
Eleanor doesn’t have to take the test again since she can’t score anything higher.
The junior plans to go to school for musical theater.
She has not decided yet where she wants to attend. |
https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/high-school-junior-in-wisconsin-earns-perfect-score-on-act | MILWAUKEE — A high school junior just earned a perfect score on her ACT.
In 2021, only 0.31% of test-takers earned a perfect 36, according to PrepScholar.
Eleanor Hannan at Wauwatosa West High School in Milwaukee has taken the test three times.
She said last time was different.
“I actually didn’t do a ton of prep for this last time, because I thought it would be nice to sort of gauge where I was after almost two years of not taking the test,” Hannan said.
There’s more good news.
Eleanor doesn’t have to take the test again since she can’t score anything higher.
The junior plans to go to school for musical theater.
She has not decided yet where she wants to attend. | 2 | 46,054 | 0.672034 | https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/news/education/2022/09/17/campton-hills-resident-earns-perfect-score-on-act-test/ | 2022-09-18 00:38:32+00:00 | A Campton Hills resident has earned a perfect score on his ACT test.
According to a news release from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Sam Andrzejewski, 17, of Campton Hills, earned a 36 on his ACT. Sam is a senior at the school.
Sam said in the news release that he took online practice tests and is enrolled in several honors classes.
“All of St. Francis’ classes have helped me a lot,” he said. “I knew almost everything on the test already so I didn’t have to study as much as I would have.”
According to the release, in 2021, only 0.3% of all ACT test-takers earned a perfect score. Sam’s brother, John Andrzejewski, who graduated from St. Francis in 2021, also earned a perfect score.
On the day of the test, Sam said he felt well-prepared and motivated.
“I had some coffee and mentally prepared myself,” he said. “When I walked out, I was pretty sure I got a 36. I couldn’t think of a question I would have gotten wrong.”
Sam has a few schools in mind for college, namely Georgetown University, where his brother John is now a sophomore, University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis. He plans to major in economics and has long-term goals of serving as a CEO of a company or starting his own business, the release stated.
In the past five years, St. Francis has had five students earn a perfect ACT score, one perfect ACT Superscore and one perfect SAT score. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10687851/Calorie-counts-appear-menus-Government-drive-tackle-obesity.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Calorie counts to appear on menus as part of Government drive to tackle obesity
Diners will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a Government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will be required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers.
Calories will need to be displayed at the point of choice for the customer, such as physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels.
The measures, which form part of the Government’s wider war on obesity, have been introduced to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
It is estimated that overweight and obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese – and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
Restaurant-goers will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation´s health (PA)
In a Public Health England survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drinks.
However, the move has received a mixed response, with one charity warning the move will negatively affect people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He said: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.” | 0 | 18,555 | 0.106527 | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/government-england-obesity-diners-public-health-england-b2051224.html | 2022-04-05 12:58:38+00:00 | Calorie counts to appear on menus as part of Government drive to tackle obesity
Businesses with 250-plus employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, are required to display the information from April 6.
Diners will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a Government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will be required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers.
Calories will need to be displayed at the point of choice for the customer, such as physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels.
The measures, which form part of the Government’s wider war on obesity, have been introduced to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
It is estimated that overweight and obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese – and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
In a Public Health England survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drinks.
However, the move has received a mixed response, with one charity warning the move will negatively affect people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He said: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10687851/Calorie-counts-appear-menus-Government-drive-tackle-obesity.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Calorie counts to appear on menus as part of Government drive to tackle obesity
Diners will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a Government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will be required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers.
Calories will need to be displayed at the point of choice for the customer, such as physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels.
The measures, which form part of the Government’s wider war on obesity, have been introduced to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
It is estimated that overweight and obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese – and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
Restaurant-goers will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation´s health (PA)
In a Public Health England survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drinks.
However, the move has received a mixed response, with one charity warning the move will negatively affect people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He said: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.” | 1 | 121,758 | 0.137852 | https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/calorie-counts-to-appear-on-menus-as-part-of-government-drive-to-tackle-obesity/ | 2022-04-06 09:15:19+00:00 | Calorie counts to appear on menus as part of Government drive to tackle obesity
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese
File photo of an overweight man. (PA)
By Josie Clarke, PA Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Diners will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a Government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will be required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers.
Calories will need to be displayed at the point of choice for the customer, such as physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels.
The measures, which form part of the Government’s wider war on obesity, have been introduced to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
It is estimated that overweight and obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese – and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
In a Public Health England survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drinks.
However, the move has received a mixed response, with one charity warning the move will negatively affect people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He said: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.” |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-10687851/Calorie-counts-appear-menus-Government-drive-tackle-obesity.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Calorie counts to appear on menus as part of Government drive to tackle obesity
Diners will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a Government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will be required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers.
Calories will need to be displayed at the point of choice for the customer, such as physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels.
The measures, which form part of the Government’s wider war on obesity, have been introduced to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
It is estimated that overweight and obesity-related conditions cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or obese – and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
Restaurant-goers will see the calorie content of dishes on menus from Wednesday as part of a government drive to tackle obesity and improve the nation´s health (PA)
In a Public Health England survey on calorie reduction, 79% of respondents said they think menus should include the number of calories in food and drinks.
However, the move has received a mixed response, with one charity warning the move will negatively affect people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He said: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.” | 2 | 57,834 | 0.193081 | https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/calorie-counts-menus-obsesity-b2051305.html | 2022-04-05 16:00:38+00:00 | Calorie counts set to appear on menus as part of government drive to tackle obesity
Physical and online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels will all have to display calories counts for customers
The calorie content of dishes is set to published on menus from Wednesday, as part of the government’s intiative to cut obesity rates and improve the nation’s health.
Businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, will need to reveal the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks.
Physical menus, online menus, food delivery platforms and food labels will all have to display calories counts for customers.
The measures are intended to help consumers make healthier, more informed choices when eating out or ordering takeaways.
Currently it’s estimated that the NHS spends £6.1 billion per year on overweight and obesity-related conditions.
Nearly two-thirds, or 63 per cent, of adults in England are obese or overweight - and one in three children leaves primary school at an unhealthy weight.
A Public Helath England survey on calorie reduction revealed that 79 per cent of respondents said they think menus should list the number of calories in food and drinks.
But the initiative has been criticised for negatively impacting people with eating disorders.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, said the eating disorder charity was “extremely disappointed”.
He told PA: “We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
“For instance, it can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge-eating disorder.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.
“1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and sadly we know that the pandemic has contributed to more people than ever before needing support for these serious mental illnesses.
“Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.
“This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“We are all used to seeing nutritional information on products sold in supermarkets and displaying calorie information on menus can help us consume fewer calories when eating out or getting a takeaway.
“The regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer.”
Additional reporting by PA
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687675/Vulcan-Energy-inks-20-year-geothermal-energy-supply-deal-Germany-s-MVV.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Vulcan Energy inks 20-year geothermal energy supply deal with Germany´s MVV
BERLIN, April 5 (Reuters) - Vulcan Energy has signed a deal with Germany's fifth biggest utility firm MVV Energy for at least 240 gigawatt hours per year of geothermal energy starting in 2025, the company said on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, valid for twenty years, Vulcan Energy will provide up to 350 gigawatt hours of energy per year - enough to supply around 25,000 households - from geothermal wells in the area around the city of Mannheim, transferring heat via grids and underground pipes to local buildings.
"Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale combined with lithium extraction from the same geothermal source can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany's energy security and independence," Vulcan's managing director Francis Wedin said in a statement.
Vulcan Energy, which is listed both in Australia and Frankfurt, has obtained licences for more than 1,000 kilometres of land in southwest Germany where it plans to extract super-hot lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs, using the heat to produce electricity and extracting lithium from the brine.
The company has signed contracts with automakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) as well as Umicore and LG Chem's (051910.KS) battery unit LG Energy to supply up to a combined total of 282,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide over five to six-year terms.
Geothermal power has the advantage of being more stable than weather-dependent renewables, but has not seen equivalent growth or investment to wind and solar in the region in part due to high upfront costs and complex licensing processes for drilling.
Innargi, founded by the holding company behind shipping giant Maersk, signed a deal in January for a geothermal plant in Denmark which it said could provide 20% of the country's second biggest city Aaarhus' heating demand starting in 2029. (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Editing by Madeline Chambers) | 0 | 18,296 | 0.108905 | https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/vulcan-energy-inks-20-year-geothermal-energy-supply-deal-with-germanys-mvv-2022-04-05/ | 2022-04-05 12:57:04+00:00 | Vulcan Energy inks 20-year geothermal energy supply deal with Germany’s MVV
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
BERLIN, April 5 (Reuters) - Vulcan Energy (VUL.AX) has signed a deal with Germany's fifth biggest utility firm MVV Energy (MVVGn.DE) for at least 240 gigawatt hours per year of geothermal energy starting in 2025, the company said on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, valid for twenty years, Vulcan Energy will provide up to 350 gigawatt hours of energy per year - enough to supply around 25,000 households - from geothermal wells in the area around the city of Mannheim, transferring heat via grids and underground pipes to local buildings.
"Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale combined with lithium extraction from the same geothermal source can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany's energy security and independence," Vulcan's managing director Francis Wedin said in a statement.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Vulcan Energy, which is listed both in Australia and Frankfurt, has obtained licences for more than 1,000 kilometres of land in southwest Germany where it plans to extract super-hot lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs, using the heat to produce electricity and extracting lithium from the brine.
The company has signed contracts with automakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) as well as Umicore and LG Chem's (051910.KS) battery unit LG Energy to supply up to a combined total of 282,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide over five to six-year terms.
Geothermal power has the advantage of being more stable than weather-dependent renewables, but has not seen equivalent growth or investment to wind and solar in the region in part due to high upfront costs and complex licensing processes for drilling.
Innargi, founded by the holding company behind shipping giant Maersk, signed a deal in January for a geothermal plant in Denmark which it said could provide 20% of the country's second biggest city Aaarhus' heating demand starting in 2029. read more
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687675/Vulcan-Energy-inks-20-year-geothermal-energy-supply-deal-Germany-s-MVV.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Vulcan Energy inks 20-year geothermal energy supply deal with Germany´s MVV
BERLIN, April 5 (Reuters) - Vulcan Energy has signed a deal with Germany's fifth biggest utility firm MVV Energy for at least 240 gigawatt hours per year of geothermal energy starting in 2025, the company said on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, valid for twenty years, Vulcan Energy will provide up to 350 gigawatt hours of energy per year - enough to supply around 25,000 households - from geothermal wells in the area around the city of Mannheim, transferring heat via grids and underground pipes to local buildings.
"Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale combined with lithium extraction from the same geothermal source can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany's energy security and independence," Vulcan's managing director Francis Wedin said in a statement.
Vulcan Energy, which is listed both in Australia and Frankfurt, has obtained licences for more than 1,000 kilometres of land in southwest Germany where it plans to extract super-hot lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs, using the heat to produce electricity and extracting lithium from the brine.
The company has signed contracts with automakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) as well as Umicore and LG Chem's (051910.KS) battery unit LG Energy to supply up to a combined total of 282,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide over five to six-year terms.
Geothermal power has the advantage of being more stable than weather-dependent renewables, but has not seen equivalent growth or investment to wind and solar in the region in part due to high upfront costs and complex licensing processes for drilling.
Innargi, founded by the holding company behind shipping giant Maersk, signed a deal in January for a geothermal plant in Denmark which it said could provide 20% of the country's second biggest city Aaarhus' heating demand starting in 2029. (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Editing by Madeline Chambers) | 1 | 54,697 | 0.150854 | https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/industry/vulcan-energy-inks-20-year-geothermal-energy-supply-deal-with-germanys-mvv/90669193 | 2022-04-05 15:44:09+00:00 | Vulcan Energy inks 20-year geothermal energy supply deal with Germany's MVV
Under the agreement, valid for twenty years, Vulcan Energy will provide up to 350 gigawatt hours of energy per year - enough to supply around 25,000 households - from geothermal wells in the area around the city of Mannheim, transferring heat via grids and underground pipes to local buildings.
BERLIN:Vulcan Energy has signed a deal with Germany's fifth biggest utility firm MVV Energy for at least 240 gigawatt hours per year of geothermal energy starting in 2025, the company said on Tuesday.
"Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale combined with lithium extraction from the same geothermal source can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany's energy security and independence," Vulcan's managing director Francis Wedin said in a statement.
Vulcan Energy, which is listed both in Australia and Frankfurt, has obtained licences for more than 1,000 kilometres of land in southwest Germany where it plans to extract super-hot lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs, using the heat to produce electricity and extracting lithium from the brine.
The company has signed contracts with automakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) as well as Umicore and LG Chem's (051910.KS) battery unit LG Energy to supply up to a combined total of 282,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide over five to six-year terms.
Geothermal power has the advantage of being more stable than weather-dependent renewables, but has not seen equivalent growth or investment to wind and solar in the region in part due to high upfront costs and complex licensing processes for drilling.
Innargi, founded by the holding company behind shipping giant Maersk, signed a deal in January for a geothermal plant in Denmark which it said could provide 20% of the country's second biggest city Aaarhus' heating demand starting in 2029.
The potential deal comes as demand for lithium hydroxide sees a surge due to shifting preferences towards electric cars, with Vulcan looking to cash in on its position to be a key supplier of raw materials for European automakers, including Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault.
Vulcan, one of a number of companies testing a direct lithium extraction (DLE) method that uses less land and groundwater, will supply between 81,000 and 99,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide to Stellantis starting 2026. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687675/Vulcan-Energy-inks-20-year-geothermal-energy-supply-deal-Germany-s-MVV.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Vulcan Energy inks 20-year geothermal energy supply deal with Germany´s MVV
BERLIN, April 5 (Reuters) - Vulcan Energy has signed a deal with Germany's fifth biggest utility firm MVV Energy for at least 240 gigawatt hours per year of geothermal energy starting in 2025, the company said on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, valid for twenty years, Vulcan Energy will provide up to 350 gigawatt hours of energy per year - enough to supply around 25,000 households - from geothermal wells in the area around the city of Mannheim, transferring heat via grids and underground pipes to local buildings.
"Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale combined with lithium extraction from the same geothermal source can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany's energy security and independence," Vulcan's managing director Francis Wedin said in a statement.
Vulcan Energy, which is listed both in Australia and Frankfurt, has obtained licences for more than 1,000 kilometres of land in southwest Germany where it plans to extract super-hot lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs, using the heat to produce electricity and extracting lithium from the brine.
The company has signed contracts with automakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) as well as Umicore and LG Chem's (051910.KS) battery unit LG Energy to supply up to a combined total of 282,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide over five to six-year terms.
Geothermal power has the advantage of being more stable than weather-dependent renewables, but has not seen equivalent growth or investment to wind and solar in the region in part due to high upfront costs and complex licensing processes for drilling.
Innargi, founded by the holding company behind shipping giant Maersk, signed a deal in January for a geothermal plant in Denmark which it said could provide 20% of the country's second biggest city Aaarhus' heating demand starting in 2029. (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Editing by Madeline Chambers) | 2 | 118,638 | 0.485744 | https://www.moneymorning.com.au/20220407/vulcan-energy-signs-offtake-with-german-energy-supplier-asxvul.html | 2022-04-07 07:34:03+00:00 | Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd [ASX:VUL] on Wednesday announced an offtake with Germany’s ‘largest municipal energy supplier.’
The offtake isn’t for lithium, however.
Vulcan, who aims to be both a lithium producer and a geothermal energy provider, struck a deal with German energy company MVV to supply it with ‘renewable heat’ via Vulcan’s proposed geothermal plants.
VUL was one of the hottest lithium stocks in 2021 as the electric vehicle and battery tech themes gained momentum last year.
VUL shares reached a high of $16.65 a share before facing a negative short report from J Capital.
Investor sentiment has been relatively cool ever since, with Vulcan trading 6% lower year to date.
Still, the lithium stock is up 65% in the last 12 months.
Source: Tradingview.com
Vulcan’s renewable heat offtake agreement
In a corporate presentation released on the day of the offtake announcement, Vulcan mused how best to support Germany as the country faces an energy crisis.
Vulcan thinks part of the solution lies with geothermal energy.
In its presentation, VUL suggested that Germany should ‘make greater use of the potential of geothermal energy for energy supply.’
The deal with MVV Energie is VUL’s first step to realising that geothermal ambition.
Vulcan and Germany energy supplier MVV Energie have signed a 20-year purchase agreement for 240 gigawatt hours per year of renewable heat for the German city of Mannheim.
The 20-year agreement commences in 2025 and includes the supply of at least 240,000MWh per year, with a maximum of 350,000MWh per year to Mannheim households.
This renewable heat will come from Vulcan’s planned geothermal wells in the surrounding area.
VUL said that heat will be transferred via heating grids and underground pipes that will deliver hot water or steam to buildings in the community.
MVV’s management said the agreement with Vulcan ‘secures us substantial volumes of heat from renewable sources – for the good of our climate and for greater security of supply.’
Dr Francis Wedin, Vulcan’s Managing Director, said:
Vulcan is committed to playing a leading role in Germany’s “Wärmewende”, or heat transition as the country looks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
This agreement represents a real and immediate step taken by a German energy utility to achieve energy security whilst not compromising on climate goals.
We believe that Geothermal renewable energy on a mass scale, combined with lithium extraction from the same deep geothermal source, can and will play an important part in achieving Europe and Germany’s energy security and independence.
Vulcan intends to build several further distributed geothermal renewable energy plants across the Upper Rhine Valley region and we are in discussions with other regional communities regarding additional heat offtake agreements.
Source: Vulcan
How did the market react to Vulcan’s geothermal deal?
According to Vulcan, Europe is the ‘world’s fastest growing lithium chemicals market, with zero local supply’.
So Vulcan’s decision to locate its lithium plant in the Upper Rhine Valley of Germany is prescient.
Vulcan also highlighted the strong market for lithium right now, with lithium hydroxide prices skyrocketing this year.
Source: Vulcan
But that’s lithium.
VUL’s offtake announcement was all about geothermal energy and supplying German cities with renewable heat.
Is that why the market didn’t react positively to the MVV deal, with VUL shares down 5% in midday trade on Thursday?
Is the market less enthused about the economics of Vulcan selling renewable heat to the grid than they are about Vulcan supplying Europe’s EVs with lithium?
Vulcan certainly thinks its future lies with lithium and energy, making the case for ‘dual revenues’ in its corporate presentation.
Source: Vulcan Energy
How much will VUL’s energy business contribute to profits compared to its lithium business?
And how capital intensive is its plan to sell renewable heat to customers, given that it admitted ‘proximity is a requirement’?
Since the MVV offtake is only set to commence in 2025, investors will likely have plenty of opportunities in the intervening years to get some answers to the above questions.
In the meantime, are there ASX lithium stocks the market is overlooking right now in favour of high-flying juniors like Lake Resources [ASX:LKE] and Sayona Mining [ASX:SYA]?
In our latest free research report, our team at Money Morning thinks, yes, there are some overlooked lithium stocks out there.
In fact, the research report profiles three such stocks.
Access the report for free here.
Regards,
Kiryll Prakapenka,
For Money Morning |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687747/Poland-blocks-EU-compromise-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Poland blocks EU compromise on global minimum corporate tax deal
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet's Google, Amazon and Meta's Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
France, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal.
"It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time," Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was "absolutely not convinced" by Poland's position, that Warsaw's concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers' next monthly meeting. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Alexander Smith) | 0 | 18,691 | 0.11556 | https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-blocks-eu-compromise-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal-2022-04-05/ | 2022-04-05 12:59:12+00:00 | Poland blocks EU compromise on global minimum corporate tax deal
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PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O), Amazon (AMZN.O) and Meta's Facebook (FB.O) to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
France, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal. read more
"It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time," Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was "absolutely not convinced" by Poland's position, that Warsaw's concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers' next monthly meeting.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687747/Poland-blocks-EU-compromise-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Poland blocks EU compromise on global minimum corporate tax deal
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet's Google, Amazon and Meta's Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
France, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal.
"It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time," Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was "absolutely not convinced" by Poland's position, that Warsaw's concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers' next monthly meeting. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Alexander Smith) | 1 | 101,451 | 0.14267 | https://cde.news/poland-blocks-eu-compromise-on-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal/ | 2022-04-06 07:11:57+00:00 | Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet’s Google, Amazon and Meta’s Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
France, which holds the EU’s rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal.
“It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time,” Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was “absolutely not convinced” by Poland’s position, that Warsaw’s concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers’ next monthly meeting.
Photo – EPA-EFE/Toms Kalnins |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-10687747/Poland-blocks-EU-compromise-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Poland blocks EU compromise on global minimum corporate tax deal
PARIS, April 5 (Reuters) - Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet's Google, Amazon and Meta's Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
France, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal.
"It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time," Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was "absolutely not convinced" by Poland's position, that Warsaw's concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers' next monthly meeting. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Alexander Smith) | 2 | 32,891 | 0.149248 | https://www.brecorder.com/news/40165348/poland-blocks-eu-compromise-on-global-minimum-corporate-tax-deal | 2022-04-05 14:04:58+00:00 | PARIS: Poland on Tuesday blocked a French-proposed compromise on how to implement a minimum corporate tax across the European Union in another blow to a global overhaul of international tax rules.
The Polish revenue chief said that despite amendments, Warsaw still had concerns that the minimum tax could enter into force without the new rules preventing big multinationals from booking profits in the most favourable countries.
Nearly 140 countries, including Poland, reached a two-track deal in October on a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinationals and agreed to make it harder for companies such as Alphabet’s Google, Amazon and Meta’s Facebook to avoid tax by booking profits in low-tax jurisdictions.
Minimum tax rate of 15%: Milestone global corporate tax deal finally gets agreement
France, which holds the EU’s rotating six-month presidency, has pushed for a quick implementation of the deal in the 27-nation bloc, where tax issues require unanimous approval.
Poland was one of four countries to block an attempt last month to find a compromise, but Sweden, Estonia and Malta dropped their opposition after tweaks to the deal.
“It (the proposed compromise) is not a legally binding solution for assuring that both pillar I and pillar II enter into force in a similar point in time,” Polish revenue chief Magdalena Rzeczkowska told a meeting in Brussels.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that he was “absolutely not convinced” by Poland’s position, that Warsaw’s concerns had been taken into account and other member states had also made concessions.
Global corporate tax deal nears as holdouts drop objections
Le Maire said that he would put the issue back on the agenda of the EU finance ministers’ next monthly meeting. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a few hundred protesters gathered holding placards and chanting “Return our stolen money."
“We have to get all the thieves out of Parliament,” said Devani Jayatilaka, one of the protesters. “The president has to go and there must be an audit into the assets of all the leaders.”
A group of lawyers staged a rally near Sri Lanka's main court complex and accused the attorney general of protecting corrupt politicians. Catholic priests and nuns also held a silent protest near the archbishop's house asking authorities to stop oppression and safeguard the rights of the people.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. | 0 | 1,273 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | 2022-04-05 11:35:03+00:00 | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a small number of protesters had gathered holding placards.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a few hundred protesters gathered holding placards and chanting “Return our stolen money."
“We have to get all the thieves out of Parliament,” said Devani Jayatilaka, one of the protesters. “The president has to go and there must be an audit into the assets of all the leaders.”
A group of lawyers staged a rally near Sri Lanka's main court complex and accused the attorney general of protecting corrupt politicians. Catholic priests and nuns also held a silent protest near the archbishop's house asking authorities to stop oppression and safeguard the rights of the people.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. | 1 | 2,325 | 0 | https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | 2022-04-05 11:40:23+00:00 | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a small number of protesters had gathered holding placards.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a few hundred protesters gathered holding placards and chanting “Return our stolen money."
“We have to get all the thieves out of Parliament,” said Devani Jayatilaka, one of the protesters. “The president has to go and there must be an audit into the assets of all the leaders.”
A group of lawyers staged a rally near Sri Lanka's main court complex and accused the attorney general of protecting corrupt politicians. Catholic priests and nuns also held a silent protest near the archbishop's house asking authorities to stop oppression and safeguard the rights of the people.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. | 2 | 3,131 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Sri-Lankan-lawmakers-seek-interim-government-to-17058027.php | 2022-04-05 11:43:25+00:00 | COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A group of Sri Lankan governing party lawmakers called Tuesday for the appointment of an interim government, warning that a failure to do so would lead to violence and anarchy, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
The lawmakers urged the speaker of Parliament to lead discussions with all parties to select an interim prime minister with the support of a majority of legislators.
The largest opposition party, however, said it will not support any interim government and insisted that the president resign immediately.
“We must heed the voices in the streets. The government should go, starting from the president,” said Sajith Premadasa, leader of the United People’s Force, or SJB.
The SJB has 54 of Parliament's 225 seats. The governing coalition controlled nearly 150 seats before the current crisis, but is believed to have lost the support of some lawmakers.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet resigned Sunday night after thousands of people defied a state of emergency and curfew and joined street protests denouncing the government.
The president and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, continue to hold onto power, despite their politically powerful family being the focus of public ire.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, foods and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the island nation's fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts extending up to 7 1/2 hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Parliament met Tuesday for the first time since protests flared earlier this month.
“The first condition to solve this problem is that this government has to leave. In its place there should be an interim government,” said lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa, a former member of Rajapaksa's Cabinet.
“We as members of the government and opposition have a responsibility to solve this problem. If not, there can be a bloodbath in this country,” said governing party lawmaker Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. “If that happens, you and all of us will be responsible.”
Both Weerawansa and Rajapakshe were elected on the governing party ticket but later opted to be independent of coalition instructions in voting.
During Tuesday’s session, nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.
Lawmakers also asked the speaker on Tuesday to ensure their safety after irate protesters surrounded the homes of several governing party members on Monday shouting slogans and pelting stones.
Police barricaded the area around Parliament, where a small number of protesters had gathered holding placards.
President Rajapaksa has assumed emergency powers which give him wide authority to protect public order, suppress mutinies, riots or civil disturbances or for the maintenance of essential supplies. Under the decree, the president can authorize detentions, seizure of property and search of premises. He can also change or suspend any law except the constitution.
On Monday, Rajapaksa invited all parties to join a unity government to resolve the crisis, but the SJB immediately rejected the proposal.
The extent of Sri Lanka's economic crisis became clear when it couldn’t pay for imports of basic supplies because of its huge debts and dwindling foreign reserves. The country’s usable reserves are said to be less than $400 million and it has nearly $7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year alone.
The pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to an economy that depends heavily on tourism and trade, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion over the last two years. The economy is estimated to have contracted by 1.5% in July-September 2021, according to the central bank.
The already dire economic crisis has deepened as oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with the war in Ukraine. Vehicles are stranded with empty tanks, power cuts deprive students of study time for exams and shopping mall air conditioners are being switched off to conserve energy. Sri Lanka was already so short of hard currency that authorities ordered bans on imports of cars and fertilizer and appealed to the country’s expatriates to send money home to help restore its depleted foreign reserves.
Rajapaksa last month said his government was in talks with the International Monetary Fund and had turned to China and India for loans.
Two brothers of the president, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, were among the Cabinet members who resigned on Sunday, along with the prime minister’s son, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Those resignations were seen as the family’s effort to pacify public anger while retaining executive, defense and lawmaking powers. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jilliandara/2022/04/05/from-nyc-to-nationwide-boisson-plans-to-expand-its-alcohol-free-storefront-this-year/ | It may have been unimaginable in a pre-pandemic world that in the city that never sleeps, an alcohol-free store could flourish from Cobble Hill to the Upper East Side—but then again, the last two years have been something quite unimaginable.
Exasperated by the pandemic’s side-effects on drinking habits, the current alcohol-free movement gained space to grow, and even become mainstream, with restaurants prioritizing mocktails on their menus and the sober-curious extending dry months beyond the traditional ‘Dry January’. For New York-based duo, Nick Bodkins and Barrie Arnold, it only made sense to open a brick-and-mortar shop stocked with the best non-alcoholic and alcohol-free alternatives for this rapidly growing audience.
“For us the Boisson brand is really about discovery,” the co-founders told Forbes, explaining that Boisson’s flagship store is in Cobble Hill, which was followed by openings in Williamsburg, West Village, Upper East Side and Upper West Side, with seven to 10 new national markets planned for 2022. “We started the company because we wanted to provide a safe place for any kind of drinker to be able to try new things, and explore the wide world of distinct and interesting beverages that we’ve come to know and love.”
Boisson was born out of Bodkins and Arnold’s post-pandemic lockdown reevaluation of drinking habits, the duo shared; they realized they weren’t alone. In fact, reports at the start of the year, like the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report for 2022, show that 58 percent of global consumers are drinking more non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails (NoLo) than a year ago.
“Experimenting with the wide world of NA drinks ourselves is what inspired us to create Boisson, to allow for the same quality and discovery in one retail destination that one might find with a traditional liquor store,” shared Bodkins and Arnold, adding that online sales are also significant for the brand, as they can serve customers nationwide, however, the current storefronts are important for education.
“It’s so important to our brand to be seen as both an educator and curator, and nothing beats having an in-person conversation to teach, gain trust, and adapt to our customers’ needs,” emphasized Bodkins and Arnold. This is why Boisson offers a free tasting program every weekend, allowing customers to engage even further with ambassadors of non-alcoholic spirits, to connect with the products, taste them, and to explore without intimidation or judgment.
“More and more, we’re seeing people turn to sober options—whether permanently, or for a “dry” month, or just for a night—our goal is to provide delicious products that can help them engage in the same drinking rituals they might with alcoholic drinks, but without sacrifice,” said Bodkins and Arnold.
Below, Boisson’s co-founders share five drinks that showcase the variety of products available in-store and online, for creating these delicious mocktails, from a refreshing sipper to brunch classics and beyond, without sacrificing presentation or taste.
Espresso Martini from The Snow Lodge
Ingredients: 1 oz Optimist SMOKEY; 0.5 oz Rasasvada bergamot and rose; 0.75 oz simple syrup; 1.25 oz cold espresso
Method: Combine all ingredients. Shake and double strain. Garnish with three coffee beans.
She Bites
Ingredients: 1.5 oz Ghia; 3 oz ginger beer; 1 lime wedge; grated lime zest.
Method: Pour 1.5 oz Ghia and mix with 3 oz ginger beer. Stir gently. Serve in highball glass on the rocks and garnish with a fresh squeezed lime wedge. Finish with dusting of grated lime zest. Boisson tip: Use Ghia & Betty Buzz ginger beer. Ghia is such a cool aperitif enjoyed on its own, or you can lighten it up for a perfect spring time drink with this zesty recipe. The Betty Buzz line, from Blake Lively, is acclaimed for its high carbonation but gentle, tiny bubbles which really make cocktails feel alive.
Paloma Makes Me Feel Alive
Ingredients: 2 oz Livener from Three Spirits; 5 oz AVEC Grapefruit & Pomelo; slice of grapefruit.
Method: Pour Livener and AVEC over ice in a high-ball glass; add a grapefruit garnish on the rim or into the drink.
The Malted Opal: made for Boisson by John deBary
Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Oatmeal Stout; 1.5 oz. Gnista Barreled Oak; 0.75 oz. Roots Divino “Rosso”; 0.25 oz. Cheeky Simple Syrup (or homemade).
Method: Combine all ingredients except for the beer in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail coupe and top with oatmeal stout.
Smoky Mary
Ingredients: 2 oz Smoky No. 56; 3 oz top quality spicy bloody mary mix; 1 oz (or to taste) fresh lemon juice
Method: Combine all ingredients and shake over ice. Strain, and garnish with abandon! | 0 | 64,612 | 0.56037 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystern/2022/09/15/boisson-a-non-alcoholic-specialty-shop-in-new-york-city-is-fast-expanding/ | 2022-09-15 12:44:03+00:00 | When I stopped by Boisson, the non-alcoholic beverages shop, in the West Village after it opened, and asked Jesse Fried, the sales associate, whom it appealed to, his answer surprised me. I presumed it would be primarily people who don’t drink, but he replied the clientele consists mostly of people who want to drink less.
Boisson is one of a growing number of non-alcoholic specialty shops in New York, and it has been expanding at a healthy rate. Other non-alcoholic retail outlets in New York City include Curious Elixirs, Spirited Away and Minus Moonshines. And in September, Sechey, a nonalcoholic beverage store based in Charleston with a tasting counter just opened in the West Village.
The impetus for opening Boisson stemmed from the personal experiences of its two owners, Nick Bodkins and Barrie Arnold, who met when they worked together at an insurance software company. They said their inspiration derived from their post-COVID 19’s lockdown drinking habits. Once they realized that a number of people were looking for more sober options, the idea for Boisson percolated.
Bodkins says motivations for reducing alcohol intake included women who are pregnant, training for a race, and going ‘damp’ (a term mean reducing one’s alcohol intake) for a month or cutting out liquor totally. The partners started experimenting with non-alcoholic drinks and after investing in direct-to-consumer sales, they decided to open a neighborhood store. Non-alcoholic shops are proliferating on the coasts and proving that many consumers are looking to cut down on their drinking.
Boisson opened in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn in 2021 and already has added four locations in Williamsburg, West Village, Upper East Side and Upper West Side. Then in 2022 it moved to the other coast, opening a Los Angeles location in Brentwood in August and a second one in Studio City in early September, and is on target for adding Beverly Hills in mid-September.
Bodkins says Los Angeles was a natural location for them because “it’s a major health and wellness hub where sober-curiosity is on the rise.”
Boisson has plans to keep expanding in 2022. It’s looking into the three new locations in San Francisco, Chicago and Miami. Bodkins says “Its’ goal is to hit about 30 to 35 locations in 10 markets by the end of 2023 including the major metro areas of Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Austin, San Diego, Seattle and Portland.”
Boisson’s customers care about product’s ingredients, their overall health and wellness and an active, healthy lifestyle, Bodkins notes.
The owners said funding to open was bootstrapped when friends and family raised the first round to fuel growth. But Bodkins and Arnold have proven quite adept at fundraising; in fact, they raised $12 million in February 2022, led by Connect Ventures and Blue Scorpion. Their goal, Arnold said, “was to begin the expansion of the brand into other U.S. markets and around the world.”
Most people learn about Boisson either through “Google or walking by a store,” notes Bodkins. Now that its popularity is spiking, word-of-mouth and publicity lure people in.
Its top-selling sellers are dealcoholized wines, which account for more than 50% of the company’s revenue. Some of the best performers in that category are Leitz, Thomson & Scott, and Surely.
Walking into the West Village store is Margot Romano, a return customer, who shops there because she “doesn’t like the taste of alcohol. And I don’t like the after effects.”
Sales associate Fried says that many customers buy items such as non-alcoholic sparkling wines for various celebrations. And he adds that non-alcoholic beers are much more varied than the days of just having O’Doul’s for sale.
Many of its customers, Fried says, continue to imbibe alcohol but want a break from it, and will vary their wine and beer intake with non-alcoholic liquor.
Fried says there’s a trend going on where post-pandemic people are drinking less alcohol and there’s no judgment any more about not-drinking so people don’t ask, “Why aren’t you drinking tonight?”
The owners named it Boisson to pay homage to the many French expatriates who reside in Cobble Hill. Boisson translates to “drink” in French, which seemed suitable or ironic, depending on one’s bent. |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jilliandara/2022/04/05/from-nyc-to-nationwide-boisson-plans-to-expand-its-alcohol-free-storefront-this-year/ | It may have been unimaginable in a pre-pandemic world that in the city that never sleeps, an alcohol-free store could flourish from Cobble Hill to the Upper East Side—but then again, the last two years have been something quite unimaginable.
Exasperated by the pandemic’s side-effects on drinking habits, the current alcohol-free movement gained space to grow, and even become mainstream, with restaurants prioritizing mocktails on their menus and the sober-curious extending dry months beyond the traditional ‘Dry January’. For New York-based duo, Nick Bodkins and Barrie Arnold, it only made sense to open a brick-and-mortar shop stocked with the best non-alcoholic and alcohol-free alternatives for this rapidly growing audience.
“For us the Boisson brand is really about discovery,” the co-founders told Forbes, explaining that Boisson’s flagship store is in Cobble Hill, which was followed by openings in Williamsburg, West Village, Upper East Side and Upper West Side, with seven to 10 new national markets planned for 2022. “We started the company because we wanted to provide a safe place for any kind of drinker to be able to try new things, and explore the wide world of distinct and interesting beverages that we’ve come to know and love.”
Boisson was born out of Bodkins and Arnold’s post-pandemic lockdown reevaluation of drinking habits, the duo shared; they realized they weren’t alone. In fact, reports at the start of the year, like the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report for 2022, show that 58 percent of global consumers are drinking more non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails (NoLo) than a year ago.
“Experimenting with the wide world of NA drinks ourselves is what inspired us to create Boisson, to allow for the same quality and discovery in one retail destination that one might find with a traditional liquor store,” shared Bodkins and Arnold, adding that online sales are also significant for the brand, as they can serve customers nationwide, however, the current storefronts are important for education.
“It’s so important to our brand to be seen as both an educator and curator, and nothing beats having an in-person conversation to teach, gain trust, and adapt to our customers’ needs,” emphasized Bodkins and Arnold. This is why Boisson offers a free tasting program every weekend, allowing customers to engage even further with ambassadors of non-alcoholic spirits, to connect with the products, taste them, and to explore without intimidation or judgment.
“More and more, we’re seeing people turn to sober options—whether permanently, or for a “dry” month, or just for a night—our goal is to provide delicious products that can help them engage in the same drinking rituals they might with alcoholic drinks, but without sacrifice,” said Bodkins and Arnold.
Below, Boisson’s co-founders share five drinks that showcase the variety of products available in-store and online, for creating these delicious mocktails, from a refreshing sipper to brunch classics and beyond, without sacrificing presentation or taste.
Espresso Martini from The Snow Lodge
Ingredients: 1 oz Optimist SMOKEY; 0.5 oz Rasasvada bergamot and rose; 0.75 oz simple syrup; 1.25 oz cold espresso
Method: Combine all ingredients. Shake and double strain. Garnish with three coffee beans.
She Bites
Ingredients: 1.5 oz Ghia; 3 oz ginger beer; 1 lime wedge; grated lime zest.
Method: Pour 1.5 oz Ghia and mix with 3 oz ginger beer. Stir gently. Serve in highball glass on the rocks and garnish with a fresh squeezed lime wedge. Finish with dusting of grated lime zest. Boisson tip: Use Ghia & Betty Buzz ginger beer. Ghia is such a cool aperitif enjoyed on its own, or you can lighten it up for a perfect spring time drink with this zesty recipe. The Betty Buzz line, from Blake Lively, is acclaimed for its high carbonation but gentle, tiny bubbles which really make cocktails feel alive.
Paloma Makes Me Feel Alive
Ingredients: 2 oz Livener from Three Spirits; 5 oz AVEC Grapefruit & Pomelo; slice of grapefruit.
Method: Pour Livener and AVEC over ice in a high-ball glass; add a grapefruit garnish on the rim or into the drink.
The Malted Opal: made for Boisson by John deBary
Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Oatmeal Stout; 1.5 oz. Gnista Barreled Oak; 0.75 oz. Roots Divino “Rosso”; 0.25 oz. Cheeky Simple Syrup (or homemade).
Method: Combine all ingredients except for the beer in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail coupe and top with oatmeal stout.
Smoky Mary
Ingredients: 2 oz Smoky No. 56; 3 oz top quality spicy bloody mary mix; 1 oz (or to taste) fresh lemon juice
Method: Combine all ingredients and shake over ice. Strain, and garnish with abandon! | 1 | 76,815 | 0.576622 | https://www.businessinsider.com/boisson-ceo-raises-12-million-dominate-non-alcoholic-retail-sector-2022-8 | 2022-08-03 13:20:15+00:00 | - Nonalcoholic beverages have exploded in popularity as Americans rethink their drinking habits.
- Boisson, a nonalcoholic retailer, aims to replicate the experience of a neighborhood wine store.
- CEO Nick Bodkins told Insider how he sold both customers and investors on the concept.
Nick Bodkins, the CEO of Boisson, first became interested in nonalcoholic drinks when his wife became pregnant and the couple sought out a substitute for their routine Thursday night Negronis.
He found several direct-to-consumer brands that sold nonalcoholic drinks online, but found it difficult to try out several different kinds of nonalcoholic drinks — while tracking multiple packages and dealing with occasional shipping delays.
After talking with Barrie Arnold, his cofounder who had cut back on drinking during the pandemic, the two envisioned opening a store that would look and feel like a neighborhood liquor store or wine shop, where owners know customers and their tastes, while also making nonalcoholic beverages more widely available to the public.
In February 2021, the duo launched the first Boisson store in Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood. As soon as the store opened, Bodkins said it was like "lightning in a bottle."
One store in Brooklyn turned into five locations across New York City in less than 10 months. Now, Boisson is setting its sights on new markets with three new Los Angeles stores slated to open this summer.
Powering the West Coast expansion is $12 million in seed funding, which the company announced on Wednesday. Connect Ventures, a partnership between Creative Artists Agency and VC firm New Enterprise Associates, and Blue Scorpion Investments, a fund that has previously invested in consumer brands like Quip and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, co-led the round.
Even as Boisson aggressively expands its brick-and-mortar presence, Bodkins credits the startup's e-commerce business with helping to establish the store as one of the best-known nonalcoholic retailers in the US. Boisson's revenue is split almost evenly between e-commerce and in-store sales, Bodkins said.
Boisson has further boosted its popularity by serving as the retail-launch partner for several celebrity-backed nonalcoholic brands, including Blake Lively's Betty Buzz and Katy Perry's De Soir.
Boisson distributes nearly two dozen nonalcoholic brands that it carries in its retail stores through wholesale partnerships with restaurants and bars in New York and Los Angeles. The company plans to launch an app later this year that will allow customers to shop Boisson's selections, as well as see bars and restaurants near them that carry items they've purchased. Boisson is also working on rolling out a subscription offering for e-commerce customers by the end of the year, and is continuing to build out its delivery operations for the physical stores, which can often get purchases to neighborhood customers in under an hour.
"We want to be the place where we know what's going on in the industry," Bodkins said. "We're the place where people come whenever they want to come to the United States or they want an exclusive partner at launch, because we are going to give them way more eyeballs that are actually looking for the products that they're carrying or that they're making than getting an end-cap feature at a grocery store."
Nonalcoholic drinks aren't just for a niche market anymore
Demand for nonalcoholic beverages continues to grow as more and more consumers rethink their drinking habits after the height of the pandemic. According to NielsenIQ sales data, customers spent $3.3 billion on low-alcohol and nonalcoholic products in 2021, and analysts recently told Insider they expect the market to continue to grow in 2022.
Movements like Dry January and Sober October attract many "sober-curious" participants each year, and brands like Athletic Brewing have rapidly attracted devoted fans. New York City is also home to several other booze-free bottle shops, including Spirited Away and Minus Moonshine.
Despite the competition, Bodkins says that Boisson has already amassed a loyal customer base, with repeat customers making up almost half of Boisson's revenue, and that its e-commerce business helps them broaden their reach beyond a handful of neighborhoods in New York.
Boisson also doesn't just cater to sober shoppers: Two of Boisson's key customer groups are health-conscious customers and workers who don't want to drink during the week. Bodkins estimates that nine in 10 Boisson shoppers drink alcohol at least some of the time.
For consumers, restaurants, and investors alike, Bodkins says the toughest part of pitching Boisson's business is helping them to understand the products and how they're made by brands.
"We got many of the same questions that our customers ask when they first discover our products, like 'Isn't the wine just juice?'" Bodkins said of pitching investors. "These are products that are made with the same level of sophistication and complexity that regular alcohol is."
Bodkins said that being able to demonstrate the success of the concept through the existing stores was key while fundraising, as well as Boisson's emphasis on customer trust and education.
"Many of the investors we spoke to were interestingly bullish about our hybrid e-commerce and retail model," Bodkins said. "We walked them through our stores and how we think about them: as spaces for education, sources of effective marketing, email and SMS capture, and most importantly, last-mile delivery to customers to get them their products within an hour or so." |
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jilliandara/2022/04/05/from-nyc-to-nationwide-boisson-plans-to-expand-its-alcohol-free-storefront-this-year/ | It may have been unimaginable in a pre-pandemic world that in the city that never sleeps, an alcohol-free store could flourish from Cobble Hill to the Upper East Side—but then again, the last two years have been something quite unimaginable.
Exasperated by the pandemic’s side-effects on drinking habits, the current alcohol-free movement gained space to grow, and even become mainstream, with restaurants prioritizing mocktails on their menus and the sober-curious extending dry months beyond the traditional ‘Dry January’. For New York-based duo, Nick Bodkins and Barrie Arnold, it only made sense to open a brick-and-mortar shop stocked with the best non-alcoholic and alcohol-free alternatives for this rapidly growing audience.
“For us the Boisson brand is really about discovery,” the co-founders told Forbes, explaining that Boisson’s flagship store is in Cobble Hill, which was followed by openings in Williamsburg, West Village, Upper East Side and Upper West Side, with seven to 10 new national markets planned for 2022. “We started the company because we wanted to provide a safe place for any kind of drinker to be able to try new things, and explore the wide world of distinct and interesting beverages that we’ve come to know and love.”
Boisson was born out of Bodkins and Arnold’s post-pandemic lockdown reevaluation of drinking habits, the duo shared; they realized they weren’t alone. In fact, reports at the start of the year, like the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report for 2022, show that 58 percent of global consumers are drinking more non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails (NoLo) than a year ago.
“Experimenting with the wide world of NA drinks ourselves is what inspired us to create Boisson, to allow for the same quality and discovery in one retail destination that one might find with a traditional liquor store,” shared Bodkins and Arnold, adding that online sales are also significant for the brand, as they can serve customers nationwide, however, the current storefronts are important for education.
“It’s so important to our brand to be seen as both an educator and curator, and nothing beats having an in-person conversation to teach, gain trust, and adapt to our customers’ needs,” emphasized Bodkins and Arnold. This is why Boisson offers a free tasting program every weekend, allowing customers to engage even further with ambassadors of non-alcoholic spirits, to connect with the products, taste them, and to explore without intimidation or judgment.
“More and more, we’re seeing people turn to sober options—whether permanently, or for a “dry” month, or just for a night—our goal is to provide delicious products that can help them engage in the same drinking rituals they might with alcoholic drinks, but without sacrifice,” said Bodkins and Arnold.
Below, Boisson’s co-founders share five drinks that showcase the variety of products available in-store and online, for creating these delicious mocktails, from a refreshing sipper to brunch classics and beyond, without sacrificing presentation or taste.
Espresso Martini from The Snow Lodge
Ingredients: 1 oz Optimist SMOKEY; 0.5 oz Rasasvada bergamot and rose; 0.75 oz simple syrup; 1.25 oz cold espresso
Method: Combine all ingredients. Shake and double strain. Garnish with three coffee beans.
She Bites
Ingredients: 1.5 oz Ghia; 3 oz ginger beer; 1 lime wedge; grated lime zest.
Method: Pour 1.5 oz Ghia and mix with 3 oz ginger beer. Stir gently. Serve in highball glass on the rocks and garnish with a fresh squeezed lime wedge. Finish with dusting of grated lime zest. Boisson tip: Use Ghia & Betty Buzz ginger beer. Ghia is such a cool aperitif enjoyed on its own, or you can lighten it up for a perfect spring time drink with this zesty recipe. The Betty Buzz line, from Blake Lively, is acclaimed for its high carbonation but gentle, tiny bubbles which really make cocktails feel alive.
Paloma Makes Me Feel Alive
Ingredients: 2 oz Livener from Three Spirits; 5 oz AVEC Grapefruit & Pomelo; slice of grapefruit.
Method: Pour Livener and AVEC over ice in a high-ball glass; add a grapefruit garnish on the rim or into the drink.
The Malted Opal: made for Boisson by John deBary
Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Oatmeal Stout; 1.5 oz. Gnista Barreled Oak; 0.75 oz. Roots Divino “Rosso”; 0.25 oz. Cheeky Simple Syrup (or homemade).
Method: Combine all ingredients except for the beer in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail coupe and top with oatmeal stout.
Smoky Mary
Ingredients: 2 oz Smoky No. 56; 3 oz top quality spicy bloody mary mix; 1 oz (or to taste) fresh lemon juice
Method: Combine all ingredients and shake over ice. Strain, and garnish with abandon! | 2 | 73,089 | 0.576976 | https://greenpointers.com/2022/06/23/boisson-a-non-alcoholic-beverage-store-offers-sophisticated-sips/ | 2022-06-24 07:10:38+00:00 | Who said you needed alcohol to have fun? Or to enjoy a cocktail? Boisson (148 Bedford Avenue) is challenging that notion.
Boisson is a retail store started during the pandemic by two friends, Nick Bodkins and Barrie Arnold, who wanted to provide non-alcoholic options for others “in a welcoming, judgment-free zone that sparks curiosity.” The location and their website (which does nationwide shipping) is filled with a variety of products such as spirits, vermouths and bitters, or non-alcoholic beers and wines to barware. So you can make mojitos, margaritas, and all the faves in between — without the hangover.
Boisson has five NYC locations, all of which opened in 2021. They have plans in 2022 to open stores outside of NYC. The expanding and rapidly growing brand shows there is a desire amongst people for more non-alcoholic options.
Boisson’s online market account for 50% of their business. From “Dry Januarys” to “Sober Octobers,” people are looking for alternatives. According to NielsenIQ, non-alcoholic beverage sales have increased in 2021. In the last 12 months (in 2021), low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages sold $3.1 billion.
Born in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founders Bodkins and Arnold, like many others, were reconsidering their drinking habits and well-being which led them to experimenting with non-alcoholic options. Boisson’s mission, Bodkin shared with Greenpointers, is to “remains steadfast in providing sophisticated sips to those abstaining from alcohol or just moderating, but are still looking to enjoy the social and satisfying experience of imbibing craft cocktails, wine, beer, and other effervescent elixirs.”
Sophisticated sips is a term Boisson coined and tags on all their Instagram posts. They want to remind people that enjoying the ritual of drinking without alcohol, whether in a group or by yourself, is still an act of sophistication. Drinking alcohol does not have to equate to being an adult. Bodkins mentions how Boisson offers more than water and the sugary drinks most would associate with childhood; they serve “truly adult beverages.”
“In a society where so much centers on drinking alcohol, it can take a re-education moment to reconsider what the act of drinking means for adults” said Bodkins.
While there are many “truly adult beverages”’ to choose from at Boisson, the de-alcoholized wines are Boisson’s most popular products. They come from all around the world — California, South Africa, Germany, and New Zealand. For the Williamsburg location, a ready-to-drink product called Phony Negroni is also very popular. The ready-to-drink product is made in Brooklyn at St. Agrestis distillery.
Boisson means drink in French which is what one will have or learn to make at their brick-and-mortar stores. They even have free tastings, and who doesn’t like free things?
Boisson is making non-alcoholic beverages just as fun and teaching others how to have fun too with recipes. And for folks who want to try hemp-infused and adaptogenic beverages and spirits, Boisson has them as well. Cheers! |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687717/Holidaymaker-claims-Tui-refused-disabled-mother-49-water.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Holidaymaker claims Tui 'refused' to give her disabled mother, 49, water on nine-hour flight to the Dominican Republic 'because of the risk of spreading Covid'
- Ellie Fisher was surprised by Natalie Williams with trip to the Dominican Republic
- The pair, 23 and 49, said their journey with TUI was ruined by the Covid protocol
- Tui told passengers shortly after take-off they would only be serving drinks once
- Natalie takes regular medication but when she asked for water 'she was refused'
A woman has claimed her disabled mother could not take vital medication on a nine-hour flight because staff refused to serve water due to Covid.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic.
The pair said their journey with Tui was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight.
Due to the pandemic, Tui apparently informed all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once.
Passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal but apart from that no other drinks were to be served, Ellie claimed.
And she alleged there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on Tui's website or anywhere else during the booking process.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by her mum Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic
The pair said their journey with TUI was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused.
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic.
'But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading Covid.
'No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security.
'Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem.
'When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed.
'It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable. The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know. The consequences could have been dire.'
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic
Natalie and Ellie said they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11.
When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but this time they went with a bottle of water each.
Information on Tui's website states when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and water is served in between meals.
A spokesman from Tui Airlines said: 'We're very sorry to hear of Ms Williams experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic.
'We're investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter.' | 0 | 133,930 | 0.292854 | https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/tui-staff-ruined-womans-holiday-23608760 | 2022-04-06 10:15:54+00:00 | A woman claims her disabled mum couldn't take vital medication on a nine-hour flight - because staff refused to serve water on board due to covid.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by her mum Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic. However, they said their journey with TUI was ruined just half an hour into the flight.
Due to coronavirus rules, TUI staff are said to have told all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once. Ellie claims passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal, but otherwise no drinks could be served.
READ MORE: Passport warning as British travellers forced to cancel holidays
Ellie's mum Natalie needs to take regular medication on a daily basis. She claims that when she requested a small cup of water to take her pills, staff refused to make an exception to the rule.
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: "We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic. But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading covid.
"No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security. Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem.
"When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed. It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable.
"The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know. The consequences could have been dire."
Natalie and Ellie say they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal, and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11. When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but this time they knew what to expect and came prepared with a bottle of water each.
Ellie claims there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on Tui's website or anywhere else during the booking process. Current information on the holiday provider's website states that, when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and that water is served in between meals too.
A spokesperson from Tui Airlines said: "We’re very sorry to hear of Ms Williams experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic. We’re investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687717/Holidaymaker-claims-Tui-refused-disabled-mother-49-water.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Holidaymaker claims Tui 'refused' to give her disabled mother, 49, water on nine-hour flight to the Dominican Republic 'because of the risk of spreading Covid'
- Ellie Fisher was surprised by Natalie Williams with trip to the Dominican Republic
- The pair, 23 and 49, said their journey with TUI was ruined by the Covid protocol
- Tui told passengers shortly after take-off they would only be serving drinks once
- Natalie takes regular medication but when she asked for water 'she was refused'
A woman has claimed her disabled mother could not take vital medication on a nine-hour flight because staff refused to serve water due to Covid.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic.
The pair said their journey with Tui was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight.
Due to the pandemic, Tui apparently informed all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once.
Passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal but apart from that no other drinks were to be served, Ellie claimed.
And she alleged there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on Tui's website or anywhere else during the booking process.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by her mum Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic
The pair said their journey with TUI was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused.
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic.
'But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading Covid.
'No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security.
'Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem.
'When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed.
'It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable. The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know. The consequences could have been dire.'
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic
Natalie and Ellie said they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11.
When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but this time they went with a bottle of water each.
Information on Tui's website states when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and water is served in between meals.
A spokesman from Tui Airlines said: 'We're very sorry to hear of Ms Williams experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic.
'We're investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter.' | 1 | 3,048 | 0.302037 | https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/tui-passenger-hits-out-mum-6931912 | 2022-04-10 10:26:56+00:00 | A woman has hit out at travel operator Tui as it was claimed her disabled mum could not take vital medication on a nine-hour flight. Ellie Fisher, who surprised mum Natalie Williams with a holiday to the Dominican Republic, said staff had refused to serve water on board as a result of Covid, which meant she couldn't take her medicine.
The pair said their journey with TUI was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict Covid protocol half an hour into the flight. Due to the pandemic, Tui apparently informed all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once.
Passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal but apart from that no other drinks were to be served, Ellie claims. And she alleges there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on Tui's website or anywhere else during the booking process.
Read more: Nottingham shopping street that's attracting hundreds of shoppers every day
Ellie's mum Natalie needs to take regular medication on a daily basis. But bizarrely, she claims that when she requested a small cup of water to take her pills, staff refused to make an exception to the rule.
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey said: "We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic. "But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading Covid.
"No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security. "Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem.
"When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed. "It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable.
"The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know. "The consequences could have been dire."
Natalie and Ellie say they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal, and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11. When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but thankfully this time they knew what to expect and came prepared with a bottle of water each.
Information on Tui's website states that, when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and water is served in between meals too. A spokesperson from Tui Airlines said: "We’re very sorry to hear of Ms Williams experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic. "We’re investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter." |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687717/Holidaymaker-claims-Tui-refused-disabled-mother-49-water.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | Holidaymaker claims Tui 'refused' to give her disabled mother, 49, water on nine-hour flight to the Dominican Republic 'because of the risk of spreading Covid'
- Ellie Fisher was surprised by Natalie Williams with trip to the Dominican Republic
- The pair, 23 and 49, said their journey with TUI was ruined by the Covid protocol
- Tui told passengers shortly after take-off they would only be serving drinks once
- Natalie takes regular medication but when she asked for water 'she was refused'
A woman has claimed her disabled mother could not take vital medication on a nine-hour flight because staff refused to serve water due to Covid.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic.
The pair said their journey with Tui was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight.
Due to the pandemic, Tui apparently informed all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once.
Passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal but apart from that no other drinks were to be served, Ellie claimed.
And she alleged there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on Tui's website or anywhere else during the booking process.
Ellie Fisher, 23, was surprised by her mum Natalie Williams, 49, with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic
The pair said their journey with TUI was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict coronavirus protocol half an hour into the flight
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused.
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic.
'But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading Covid.
'No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security.
'Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem.
'When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed.
'It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable. The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know. The consequences could have been dire.'
Natalie has to take regular medication on a daily basis. But she claims when she requested a small cup to take her pills, staff refused
Ellie, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, said: 'We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic
Natalie and Ellie said they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11.
When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but this time they went with a bottle of water each.
Information on Tui's website states when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and water is served in between meals.
A spokesman from Tui Airlines said: 'We're very sorry to hear of Ms Williams experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic.
'We're investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter.' | 2 | 24,052 | 0.312532 | https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-woman-claims-tui-refused-23650187 | 2022-04-10 13:13:30+00:00 | A woman has claimed her mother couldn't take crucial medication on a nine-hour flight, because staff "wouldn't serve water" on board over COVID-19 fears. Ellie Fisher, from Kingston upon Thames, was treated by her mum Natalie Williams, 49, to a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the Dominican Republic.
However, the pair said their journey with TUI was ruined when they heard about the airline's strict Covid protocol half an hour into the flight. Due to the pandemic, TUI allegedly informed all passengers shortly after take-off that they would only be serving drinks once, HullLive reports.
Passengers were offered a cup of water or juice with the scheduled meal but apart from that no other drinks were to be served, Ellie claims. And she believes there was no pre-warning of the strict water rule on TUI's website or anywhere else during the booking process.
READ MORE : The countries you need to get a PCR test to travel to
Ellie's mum Natalie needs to take regular medication on a daily basis. But bizarrely, she claims that when she requested a small cup of water to take her pills, staff refused to make an exception to the rule. Ellie, 23, said: "We were really excited when we got to the airport to finally be going away after all the restrictions of the pandemic. TUI has since said it is investigating the matter.
"But when we got on board the flight, they told us they weren't serving drinks outside of the scheduled meal time because of the risk of spreading Covid. No one had told us this before, so we didn't think to grab any water at the airport after we went through security.
"Mum has to take medication regularly so this obviously was stressful to hear, but never in a million years did I think it would turn in to such a big problem. When we asked politely for a small cup of water for her to swallow her meds, we were rudely told no and that we'd have to wait till we landed.
"It was a nine hour flight and it made my mum extremely anxious and uncomfortable. The way staff acted was inhumane - how they wouldn't make an exception to the rule under such circumstances I don't know.
"The consequences could have been dire." Natalie and Ellie say they went the entire flight having only had one drink with their meal, and arrived at their destination thirsty and extremely irritated, on January 11.
When they returned to the UK a week later, the rules were still in place, but thankfully this time they knew what to expect and came prepared with a bottle of water each. Information on Tui's website states that, when meals are served on long-haul flights, customers will get a water cuplet on the tray - and water is served in between meals too.
A spokesperson from TUI Airlines said: "We’re very sorry to hear of Ms Williams' experience on her flight to the Dominican Republic. We’re investigating this further with our airline and will be in touch her as soon as possible to resolve this matter." |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) | 0 | 21,041 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | 2022-04-05 13:11:29+00:00 | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) | 1 | 21,893 | 0 | https://www.wowt.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | 2022-04-05 13:15:15+00:00 | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) | 2 | 22,603 | 0 | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/accountants-confidence-edges-higher-q1-2022-cost-concerns-reach-record-high/ | 2022-04-05 13:17:56+00:00 | Finance professionals identify the biggest risks ahead as supply chains volatility and renewed Covid restrictions
NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest edition of the Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) reveals worries about operating costs, with warnings of future economic shocks and increased risks.
The full report is available at https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey.
Conducted just before and at the onset of the war in Ukraine between February 14 and March 1, 2022, the results understandably point to economic turbulence in the coming months.
GECS's index of concern about operating costs jumped again in the latest survey by nine percentage points and is now at its highest level on record at 62%.
This dramatic rise has played out over the last year and tracks the effects of rising energy and transport costs caused by supply chain shortages and disruption.
In the Q1 survey, global confidence and global orders were little changed, up by four points to +9 for confidence and by two points to -3 for orders. Other economic activity indicators, such as employment and capital spending improved. Overall, the Q1 survey continues the trend of modest overall growth through to the middle of the year, following the strong post-pandemic recovery of 2021.
In Q1, the Middle East was the best performing region with jumps in confidence and orders, likely a reflection of the increase in the oil price. Confidence and orders fell back in North America, influenced by the effects of the spread of the Omicron COVID variant.
The level of orders in advanced regions remains above that in emerging regions, as it has throughout the post-pandemic recovery.
GECS's two "fear" indices – measured by concern that customers and suppliers may go out of business – were little changed in the Q1 survey, down by two points and one point respectively. Both indices have fallen back from extreme levels seen in 2020 but are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Economic conditions are expected to continue to shift as the full impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is felt this spring.
"Given the fast-moving and unpredictable nature of the war in Ukraine, it's important to note that the survey may not fully capture the likely effects of the invasion," said ACCA's chief economist Michael Taylor. "But we have a picture of the immediate economic costs of the war in Ukraine and the main conclusion is that the rise in commodity prices, especially for oil, natural gas, and wheat will push inflation even higher in most economies, further squeezing real incomes and slowing economic growth."
Compared with previous forecasts, global growth may be reduced by as much as one percentage point this year, to around 3.25%.
"We again asked respondents to name their two biggest economic risks – 51% said supply chain disruption and 50% said renewed COVID restrictions," said Loreal Jiles, vice president of research and thought leadership at IMA. "Compared with the Q4 survey, there was an increase in rising interest rates as a risk, up to 40% from 26%. We expect U.S. interest rates to rise steadily this year, and this may result in a tightening of global financial conditions."
Both ACCA and IMA warn of the risk of policy mistakes.
"Removing the exceptional policy ease introduced to mitigate the effects of the pandemic was always going to be tricky," Jiles continued. "Over the last year, supply shortages and now the Russia-Ukraine war have resulted in a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s which was a time of weak economic growth combined with high rates of inflation."
"The economic consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are yet to fully emerge," concluded Taylor. "Central banks in advanced economies face a difficult judgement call that could result either in over-tight policy causing recession or too easy policy embedding inflation and inflation expectations. Policies need to be thought through and stress tested very carefully in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
About ACCA
ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We're a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That's why we're committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.
Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we're a not-for-profit organization, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.
Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today's questions and preparing us for tomorrow.
ACCA and CA ANZ have formed a strategic alliance for the benefit of members and to help shape the future of the profession. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices.
Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
View original content:
SOURCE ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS | 0 | 16,410 | 0 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | 2022-04-05 12:46:10+00:00 | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS | 1 | 17,807 | 0 | https://www.kwqc.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | 2022-04-05 12:54:15+00:00 | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS | 2 | 20,081 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/dcps-launches-new-roofing-division-led-by-casey-l-colvin/ | 2022-04-05 13:06:28+00:00 | DENVER, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS), the leading provider of integrated commercial property services across Colorado, announced an expansion of its service offerings with the launch of a new dedicated commercial roofing division. The new division will offer a full suite of services including steep slope, low slope, sheet metal, gutters, and roofing repair and installation. Casey Colvin, the new division leader, is responsible for building a team of dedicated roofing professionals.
"The expansion of our services into roofing is a direct result of listening to our customer's needs. Our customers are at the root of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service. The addition of roofing to our portfolio will allow us to deliver a more comprehensive set of property services to our customers," said Dale Heims, Owner of DCPS. "Casey joins DCPS as the Roofing Division Manager to continue DCPS's success providing commercial property services throughout Colorado. His extensive experience in roofing will be a major asset to us as we continue to grow this division with a team of seasoned industry veterans."
Casey Colvin joins DCPS with over twenty years of experience in the roofing industry across the nation. Casey has earned over two dozen industry and manufacturer certifications, including the International Code Council's Building Contractor and Roofing Professional designations, and received numerous Top 100 Roofing Contractor awards, most recently in 2021. Casey is also a well-respected voice in the industry and was published in Common Ground Magazine.
"I am thrilled to be part of the DCPS team. The majority of my career has been spent in the roofing and renewable industries, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by utilizing my extensive experience in traditional and energy-efficient roofing for multi-family and commercial buildings providing best-in-class service and solutions to Colorado commercial property owners," said Colvin. "I am honored to be leading such an exciting enterprise."
About Denver Commercial Property Services
Founded in 2011, Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to over 1,100 clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado. With multiple offices, more than 500 employees, and 8 divisions - Asphalt and Concrete, Waterproofing and Specialty Coatings, Roofing, Commercial Cleaning, Snow Removal, Parking Lot Sweeping, Landscaping, Painting & Construction Services, and Interior Plantscapes & Holiday Décor DCPS provides specialized integrated service solutions to commercial property owner and managers.
For more information, visit www.denvercps.com or follow DCPS on Facebook at @denvercommercialpropertyservices or on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE DCPS |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168338/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests/ | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.” | 0 | 2,958 | 0 | https://neptunepine.com/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests/ | 2022-04-05 21:50:01+00:00 | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.”
Source Link Headteachers’ leaders call for return of free Covid tests |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168338/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests/ | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.” | 1 | 46,682 | 0 | https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/uk/782377/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests.html | 2022-04-04 14:39:09+00:00 | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.”
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https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168338/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests/ | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.” | 2 | 48,673 | 0 | https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2022/04/04/headteachers-leaders-call-for-return-of-free-covid-tests/ | 2022-04-04 14:46:56+00:00 | Headteachers’ leaders have criticised Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for his “continued failure” to respond to them over the “acute” Covid situation in schools as they call for a reintroduction of free lateral flow tests.
Free lateral flow tests for pupils and staff were discontinued on April 1.
In the open letter from the Association of School and College Leaders and the NAHT school leaders’ union, headteachers’ leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about the Government’s “apparent lack of concern and support” for pupils and staff as they faced the next phase of Covid.
They said that their members had reported greater Covid-related disruption in their schools and colleges over the last few weeks “than at any previous point during the pandemic” and that for many members, it could prove the “final straw”.
One head said that coronavirus had created the longest staff absence list they could remember in over 25 years of teaching.
Another reported that 342 of their 800 pupils had been absent having tested positive for Covid – including 64 out of 150 Year 11 pupils, while 25 out of 51 teachers had also been off with Covid.
“My senior team and myself are covering 3/4 classes in the gym together daily and we have also had to ask year groups to learn from home on a rotation over the last week just so we can get by. Whilst some staff have had mild symptoms some are getting very ill and I find this such a worry,” another said.
General secretaries Geoff Barton and Paul Whiteman highlighted how the latest Government figures on school attendance showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5%, up from 0.7% the previous fortnight, while staff absence was 9.1%, up from 5.8% on 3 March.
“Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period,” they said.
They added that “in the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption” the decision to remove free Covid lateral flow tests for nearly all pupils and staff “feels reckless in the extreme”.
They added that there was no evidence for Government guidance for pupils who tested positive to isolate for three days rather than the five days recommended for adults.
The unions said they had written to Mr Zahawi on 9 March asking for free tests to remain available for school staff with possible coronavirus symptoms to minimise disruption to education, but that they had had no reply.
They said the Government’s decision to publish GCSE and A-level league tables this year was “inappropriate” given the levels of disruption, while sharing the results of SATs tests with Ofsted was “even more inappropriate”.
“This plan seemed misguided when it was first announced; given the current situation in our schools and colleges it now feels frankly absurd,” they said.
They said that publishing “inaccurate and meaningless” data would add to headteachers’ “extreme stress”, exacerbating the recruitment and retention crisis.
“These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high-quality education when they are there,” they added.
They said this was “compounding” the disruption young people had already experienced to their education, while allowing staff and pupils potentially to contract Covid multiple times was harmful for their long-term health.
The heads’ leaders called on Mr Zahawi to reconsider the decision to abandon free tests and commit to “not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A-level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability this year”.
The letter said that they had frequently spoken to Mr Zahawi and the DfE about these issues, adding: “You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said he had written to Mr Zahawi because “school and college leaders increasingly feel abandoned by a government which does not seem to care that Covid is causing chaos in education settings and that the first public exams in three years are just weeks away.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “We have repeatedly warned the government that education is at breaking point. We hear sympathetic words and acknowledgement of the great work our members do but see little actual action to bring relief to the chaos.” |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168464/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” | 0 | 48,602 | 0 | https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2022/04/04/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | 2022-04-04 14:46:36+00:00 | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168464/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” | 1 | 48,637 | 0 | https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2022/04/04/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | 2022-04-04 14:46:45+00:00 | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168464/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” | 2 | 115,925 | 0 | https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/politics/4131368/british-army-to-have-its-first-female-lieutenant-general/ | 2022-04-04 19:54:08+00:00 | The British Army will have its highest ranked female officer in its history when Major General Sharon Nesmith becomes the new Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
When she takes up the post in August she will be promoted to lieutenant general, the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Maj Gen Nesmith was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals 30 years ago and has served in the Balkans and Iraq.
She said: “I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army. I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.”
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: “She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.” |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168536/partygate-ex-ethics-chief-macnamara-fined-and-sorry-for-error-of-judgment/ | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party.
Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020.
Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.
The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.”
Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News.
“And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken.
“The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said.
“I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. | 0 | 55,406 | 0 | https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2022/04/04/partygate-ex-ethics-chief-macnamara-fined-and-sorry-for-error-of-judgment/ | 2022-04-04 15:16:22+00:00 | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party.
Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020.
Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.
The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.”
Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News.
“And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken.
“The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said.
“I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168536/partygate-ex-ethics-chief-macnamara-fined-and-sorry-for-error-of-judgment/ | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party.
Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020.
Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.
The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.”
Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News.
“And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken.
“The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said.
“I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. | 1 | 115,941 | 0 | https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/politics/4131476/partygate-ex-ethics-chief-macnamara-fined-and-sorry-for-error-of-judgment/ | 2022-04-04 19:54:16+00:00 | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party.
Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020.
Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.
The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.”
Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News.
“And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken.
“The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said.
“I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. |
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/politics/3168536/partygate-ex-ethics-chief-macnamara-fined-and-sorry-for-error-of-judgment/ | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party.
Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020.
Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.
The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.”
Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News.
“And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken.
“The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said.
“I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. | 2 | 88,697 | 0.093408 | https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/former-ethics-chief-issues-apology-23595936 | 2022-04-05 07:00:46+00:00 | A former senior Whitehall official has confirmed she has paid a fine for a lockdown-busting party and has issued an apology. Helen MacNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary, said she was “sorry for the error of judgment I have shown”.
She was reported to have received the fixed penalty notice (FPN) in connection with a leaving do held in the Cabinet Office on June 18 2020. Ms MacNamara, who now works for the Premier League, said: “I am sorry for the error of judgment I have shown. I have accepted and paid the fixed penalty notice.”
She was among the initial group of people to be issued with an FPN following the Metropolitan Police investigation into Downing Street and Whitehall parties during England’s coronavirus restrictions and is the first to confirm they have paid a penalty. The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms MacNamara, who was in charge of Whitehall propriety and ethics at the time, received a £50 fine after police concluded she had broken Covid laws by attending a leaving party for Hannah Young, a Downing Street aide, who was moving to New York to take up a role with the British Consulate General.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported others had been fined for a gathering held on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year. The identities of people issued with FPNs will not be disclosed by the Met, although Downing Street has said it will confirm if either Boris Johnson or Cabinet Secretary Simon Case are handed a fine.
Ms MacNamara’s decision to confirm her penalty comes as ministers sought to play down the impact of the partygate row on Mr Johnson’s leadership. Cabinet minister Simon Hart said the “world has moved on” from the saga, while Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested Mr Johnson had not misled Parliament over the row because he had simply been repeating incorrect information provided to him by officials.
Meanwhile, No 10 still declined to say whether Mr Johnson believes coronavirus laws were broken.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister wants to comment at the conclusion of the process and not at the middle of it.” Welsh Secretary Mr Hart said that “of course” the allegations of partying did not sit comfortably with him, but he dismissed calls that anyone should resign if they were issued with a penalty.
“I have 65,000 constituents in west Wales, where I represent, and they are not shy in coming forward and expressing a view about this and a number of other subjects,” he told Sky News. “And throughout all of this saga of the Downing Street parties they have said one thing very clearly, and in a vast majority they say they want contrition and they want an apology, but they don’t want a resignation.”
Mr Hart said “the world has moved on a considerable distance” and he told TalkRadio: “I think we’re now dealing with something of such seriousness and such horror (in Ukraine) that what went on maybe two years ago clearly needs to be dealt with, and should be – it’s a source of irritation for a lot of people still – but I’m glad that this thing is now coming to a conclusion.”
Brexit opportunities minister Mr Rees-Mogg suggested Prime Minister Mr Johnson had been handed incorrect information about the gatherings before he told MPs no rules had been broken. “The Prime Minister said that he was told the rules were followed, but that turns out not to be correct and we know that fines have now been issued, but the Prime Minister can only work on the information he is given,” he told LBC.
Mr Rees-Mogg also defended his dismissal of the partygate row as “fluff” in the context of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. He said some of the coronavirus restrictions imposed during lockdown were “inhuman”.
“I think those words in the context of what’s going on in Ukraine are completely reasonable,” he said. “I don’t think the issue of what may or may not have happened in Downing Street and what we are now finding out is fundamental.
“What I think is fundamental is that we look in the (Covid-19) inquiry at how the rules were devised and the effect that they had, because I think some of those rules were inhuman.”
But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think at all times the Government took action to save both lives and livelihoods and that was always a balanced judgment that sought to be informed by the latest evidence we had.”
The Met is investigating 12 events, including as many as six that Mr Johnson is said to have attended, and has sent out more than 100 questionnaires to people allegedly involved. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson “not only misled the public about this, he has presided over widespread criminality in his home and his office and that is why I am convinced he is unfit for office”.
He called for the names of all senior officials fined for Downing Street parties to be made public. |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox | 0 | 18,707 | 0 | https://www.kwqc.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | 2022-04-05 12:59:16+00:00 | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox | 1 | 21,051 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | 2022-04-05 13:11:33+00:00 | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox | 2 | 22,879 | 0 | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/quinnox-joins-software-ag-partnerconnect-global-partner-program-premier-partner/ | 2022-04-05 13:19:25+00:00 | New Partnership to create a Connected, Intelligent & Resilient Enterprise to Accelerate Clients' Success
CHICAGO, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quinnox, a global provider of full-spectrum IT and digital solutions, today announced its partnership with Software AG, a leader in IoT, Integration, API Management, and Business Transformation software, through its PartnerConnect partner program. This partnership will further support Quinnox's existing efforts in creating robust and highly impactful go-to-market strategies, products, and services for customers by leveraging Software AG's tools, training, & technologies to seize market opportunities.
The Software AG PartnerConnect program empowers partners via self-service enablement to deliver products, solutions and services to meet their customer's needs. Software AG's award-winning software solutions are highly sought after for integration and APIs, the IoT and analytics, and business transformation. Software AG is consistently ranked a "leader" by Gartner, Forrester and other industry analysts.
Jason Johns, General Manager, Global Alliances & Channels, Software AG, commented: "The rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve is playing a major role in revolutionizing how partners connect with their customers. In this connected world, our technology helps organizations operate as truly connected enterprises by creating a fluid flow of data between their people, departments, systems and devices. Through Software AG PartnerConnect, we enable the continued transformation of our customers, as we all work to adapt to these evolving technology trends."
Rekha Raj, President & Country Manager, Quinnox, added: "In today's context, businesses demand speed and agility to respond to real-time situations. A "connected" enterprise plays an important role in integrating business-critical applications that impact most aspects of an organization and establish one source of truth that provides actionable intelligence to make timely decisions. With the combination of innovative tools, intelligent methodologies, tried and tested templates, carefully-designed organizational frameworks, together with our knowledge and experience, Quinnox helps clients build future-ready enterprise integration solutions to create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Software AG, which will bring together the right skills and technologies to further our customers' digital adoption journey and to achieve their desired business outcomes."
Learn more about Software AG's PartnerConnect global partner program, and how you can grow your business through such a partnership or find a partner to advise, implement or build your solution. To enroll in Software AG PartnerConnect, simply complete the application.
About Quinnox
Quinnox is your agile, business-results-driven digital technology partner. With the power of human and applied intelligence, we simplify business processes, improve customer experiences and create exceptional business value for forward-thinking enterprises. Our data-driven digital solutions unlock the hidden potential of your business across your digital value chain, helping to accelerate success, today and tomorrow. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a presence across geographies including UK, Germany, UAE and India.
For more information, visit Quinnox Digital Integration Solutions and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Quinnox Media Contact
Manish Singh,
E: SManish@quinnox.com
T: +91 99303 00609
About Software AG
Software AG is the software pioneer of a truly connected world. Since 1969, it has helped 10,000+ organizations use software to connect people, departments, systems and devices. Software AG empowers truly connected enterprises using integration & APIs, IoT & analytics and business & IT transformation. Software AG's products establish a fluid flow of data that allows everything and everyone to work together. The company has more than 4,700 employees across more than 70 countries and annual revenue of over €800m, with the aim of exceeding €1bn by 2023.
For more information, visit www.softwareag.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Software AG Media Contact
Lisa Coulouris
E: lisa.coulouris@softwareag.com
T: +1.617.413.7062
View original content:
SOURCE Quinnox |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy | 0 | 17,793 | 0 | https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | 2022-04-05 12:54:13+00:00 | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy | 1 | 19,342 | 0 | https://www.kwqc.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | 2022-04-05 13:02:18+00:00 | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy |
https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy | 2 | 21,788 | 0 | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/understanding-hospital-costs-new-tool-makes-data-more-transparent-accessible/ | 2022-04-05 13:14:46+00:00 | Data will be critical to informing effective cost-containment policy options for states.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals provide critical care for many consumers across the states. However, as health care spending continues to rise for consumers and payers—with the largest proportion of those expenditures on hospital services—states and other purchasers are seeking to better understand and address hospitals' costs. Even with increased hospital transparency requirements, it is unclear how hospital prices relate to the expenses hospitals incur to provide services. The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) in partnership with the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Mathematica Policy Research, with support from Arnold Ventures, has developed the Hospital Cost Tool (HCT) to help shed some light on this issue.
The HCT identifies different cost measures including hospital revenue, cost to charge ratios, and profitability across more than 4,600 hospitals nationwide from 2011 through 2019. It is interactive, allowing users to examine data for an individual hospital or specific health system, by state or users can compare data across hospitals and states. The tool is based on NASHP's Hospital Cost Calculator that uses Medicare Cost Report data annually submitted to the federal government by hospitals. Data for 2020 will be added to the tool after more hospitals have completed their reports for that year.
"This new tool provides a view of publicly reported hospital data that isn't otherwise available to policymakers and purchasers," says Hemi Tewarson, NASHP's Executive Director. "NASHP's tool is an important resource for understanding costs of individual hospital and health systems—a critical first step to thoughtfully addressing rising health care costs."
One notable metric within the HCT is hospitals' breakeven point, which is the amount a commercial health plan would need to reimburse a hospital to cover its expenses. In calculating the breakeven, the tool accounts for a hospital's operating costs, profit or loss from public coverage programs, charity care and uninsured patient hospital costs, Medicare disallowed costs, and a hospitals other income and expense. Purchasers of care, including states and employers, can compare the breakeven point to the data point showing what commercial payers pay. Depending on the hospital, the breakeven point and what commercial payers reimburse can be significantly different, indicating an opportunity to renegotiate payment rates.
"Understanding a hospitals' breakeven point allows a purchaser like a state, an employer, or a health plan to negotiate a payment that offers an increase from the hospital's costs rather than a discount from the hospital chargemaster, which is how most payment rate discussions start," said Marilyn Bartlett, Senior Fellow at NASHP and former Administrator of the Montana State Employee Health Plan. Bartlett led the development of the HCT and conceptualized and used the breakeven calculations in Montana's successful efforts to move its state employee plan to reference-based purchasing, saving millions of dollars.
Several employer purchasing coalitions have already begun using data from the HCT to help differentiate charges from costs to leverage the information in payment negotiations. A growing number of states are also using the data to develop strategies that address high costs in order to provide effective cost-containment policy options.
"Peak Health Alliance has used the NASHP hospital cost tool extensively and credits a good bit of the millions of dollars we have saved our members to the insight it provides. This tool helped us go from conceptually recognizing how important it is to understand a hospital's finances to having practical hands-on knowledge that informs our negotiations and ensures a fair and reasonable agreement. It has really leveled the playing field between Peak and our hospitals," said Claire V. S. Brockbank, Chief Executive Officer of Colorado's Peak Alliance.
Jane Beyer, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Washington Insurance Commissioner and the Chair of NASHP's State Academy said, "Addressing rising health costs is necessary but is complicated and one-size does not fit all. States with urban centers and vast rural areas; with large health systems and small to mid-sized independent hospitals, need individualized hospital financial information to develop and implement data-driven policies. NASHP's tool that allows examination of multiple variables by hospital bed size or of hospitals in one health system that cross multiple states, is critical to designing meaningful policies."
NASHP is hosting a demonstration (for press only) of the Hospital Cost Tool with Marilyn Bartlett this Thursday, April 7 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for more details.
For over 35 years, NASHP has been a nonpartisan organization of, by, and for state policymakers, committed to developing and advancing health policy innovations and solutions. NASHP provides a unique forum for the productive exchange of strategies across state government, including the legislative and executive branches.
View original content:
SOURCE National Academy for State Health Policy |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687873/West-London-fire-sparks-chaos-blaze-rips-garage-cars-oil-container.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | West London fire sparks chaos with homeowners evacuated and told to close windows as blaze rips through garage, cars and oil container with plumes of smoke seen for miles
- Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze in Southall
- Most of a garage, an adjoining storage area, cars and oil container set alight
- Over 40 calls reporting blaze were made to London Fire Brigade's 999 officers
- Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke
A fire in west London has sparked chaos today after ripping through a garage, cars and an oil container with homeowners evacuated and told to close their windows.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am.
Footage posted on social media shows plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building.
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade.
There are currently no reports of any injuries, it added.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze (pictured above) on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am today
Footage and pictures posted online show plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building on Tuesday
A 82ft (25m) cordon is in place and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke.
In a tweet, the Brigade wrote: 'The garage fire in Southall is now under control but firefighters will remain on scene damping down.'
Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: 'The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles.
'We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
'There is some disruption to traffic, so we encourage people to avoid the area whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe.'
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm. Pictured: firefighters dampening the blaze
Three cylinders were removed before the Brigade arrived and firefighters were cooling them because they can exploded when exposed to heat.
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm.
Over 40 calls reporting the blaze were made to the Brigade's 999 control officers. | 0 | 58,831 | 0.442468 | https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2562259531083/southall-fire-blaze-near-heathrow-airport-with-huge-black-smoke-clouds-seen-for-miles | 2022-04-08 14:54:29+00:00 | Southall fire: Blaze near Heathrow Airport with huge black smoke clouds seen for miles
A large fire has broken out in west London close to Heathrow Airport, with 10 fire engines and dozens of firefighters sent to tackle the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to a fire at a garage on Tachbrook Road in Southall on Tuesday morning after a huge plume of thick black smoke was seen in the sky.
Around 70 firefighters who attended the blaze were still working at the scene more than an hour after the fire started.
LFB said most of a single-storey commercial garage, an adjoining storage area and several cars are alight, as well as a container of oil.
Three cylinders were removed from the building before the brigade arrived and firefighters are “cooling them to an ambient temperature as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat”, LFB said in a statement. A 25-metre cordon has also been erected as a precaution.
LFB said the fire was “producing heavy smoke” and urged residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: “The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles. We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
“There is some disruption to traffic, so we encourage people to avoid the area whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe.”
LFB was called at 11.45am with fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations at the scene. In total more than 40 calls were made to the fire brigade from concerned residents.
The fire brigade said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Eyewitnesses described the fire as “massive” and said it was visible across west London, including from Heathrow Airport, although flights are unaffected. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687873/West-London-fire-sparks-chaos-blaze-rips-garage-cars-oil-container.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | West London fire sparks chaos with homeowners evacuated and told to close windows as blaze rips through garage, cars and oil container with plumes of smoke seen for miles
- Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze in Southall
- Most of a garage, an adjoining storage area, cars and oil container set alight
- Over 40 calls reporting blaze were made to London Fire Brigade's 999 officers
- Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke
A fire in west London has sparked chaos today after ripping through a garage, cars and an oil container with homeowners evacuated and told to close their windows.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am.
Footage posted on social media shows plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building.
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade.
There are currently no reports of any injuries, it added.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze (pictured above) on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am today
Footage and pictures posted online show plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building on Tuesday
A 82ft (25m) cordon is in place and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke.
In a tweet, the Brigade wrote: 'The garage fire in Southall is now under control but firefighters will remain on scene damping down.'
Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: 'The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles.
'We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
'There is some disruption to traffic, so we encourage people to avoid the area whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe.'
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm. Pictured: firefighters dampening the blaze
Three cylinders were removed before the Brigade arrived and firefighters were cooling them because they can exploded when exposed to heat.
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm.
Over 40 calls reporting the blaze were made to the Brigade's 999 control officers. | 1 | 12,334 | 0.544322 | https://neptunepine.com/southall-fire-blaze-near-heathrow-airport-with-huge-black-smoke-clouds-seen-for-miles/ | 2022-04-05 22:29:51+00:00 | A large fire has broken out in west London close to Heathrow Airport, with 10 fire engines and dozens of firefighters sent to tackle the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to a fire at a garage on Tachbrook Road in Southall on Tuesday morning after a huge plume of thick black smoke was seen in the sky.
Around 70 firefighters who attended the blaze were still working at the scene more than an hour after the fire started.
LFB said the fire was “producing heavy smoke” and urged residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: “The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles.
“We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.”
LFB was called at 11.45am with fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations at the scene.
The fire brigade said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
More follows…
Source Link Southall fire: Blaze near Heathrow Airport with huge black smoke clouds seen for miles |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10687873/West-London-fire-sparks-chaos-blaze-rips-garage-cars-oil-container.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | West London fire sparks chaos with homeowners evacuated and told to close windows as blaze rips through garage, cars and oil container with plumes of smoke seen for miles
- Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze in Southall
- Most of a garage, an adjoining storage area, cars and oil container set alight
- Over 40 calls reporting blaze were made to London Fire Brigade's 999 officers
- Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke
A fire in west London has sparked chaos today after ripping through a garage, cars and an oil container with homeowners evacuated and told to close their windows.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am.
Footage posted on social media shows plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building.
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade.
There are currently no reports of any injuries, it added.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze (pictured above) on Tachbrook Road in Southall, Ealing, at around 11.45am today
Footage and pictures posted online show plumes of black smoke - seen as far as 14 miles away in Windsor - billowing from a building on Tuesday
A 82ft (25m) cordon is in place and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Residents were advised to shut their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke.
In a tweet, the Brigade wrote: 'The garage fire in Southall is now under control but firefighters will remain on scene damping down.'
Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: 'The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles.
'We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.
'There is some disruption to traffic, so we encourage people to avoid the area whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe.'
Most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were set alight, said the London Fire Brigade
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm. Pictured: firefighters dampening the blaze
Three cylinders were removed before the Brigade arrived and firefighters were cooling them because they can exploded when exposed to heat.
Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1.50pm.
Over 40 calls reporting the blaze were made to the Brigade's 999 control officers. | 2 | 13,393 | 0.547627 | https://neptunepine.com/thick-black-smoke-plumes-into-air-as-garage-fire-rages-close-to-heathrow-airport/ | 2022-04-05 22:35:23+00:00 | A fire has broken out at a commercial garage on Tachbrook road in Southall, close to Heathrow Airport.London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that 10 fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters were called to the scene on Tuesday (5 April).”Most of a single-storey commercial garage, an adjoining storage area and several cars are alight. A container of oil is also alight. Around 30 people have been evacuated from neighbouring properties,” LFB said.Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Source Link Thick black smoke plumes into air as garage fire rages close to Heathrow Airport |
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-cabinet-reshuffle-in-april-heres-what-we-know-so-far | Amidst the rumours of internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, a report published in ABP Maza claimed that a cabinet reshuffle is likely to happen in April.
As per the report, a meeting will be held by CM Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the action taken by Central Agencies and the alleged internal unrest within the MVA. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also likely to be present at this meeting.
On April 2, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that there was no internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
"There is no internal unrest in the MVA government. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has its feet firmly on the ground and is working for the state's development and progress in a planned manner," he said.
On Friday, Thackeray had denied reports which claimed that he was upset with state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and the functioning of his department. Thackeray's denial came amid speculation that he was not happy with Walse-Pail's reply in the Assembly to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' allegation that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state was conspiring to frame up BJP leaders in false cases.
In a veiled attack on his opponents, Thackeray further said, "Many times, announcements are made and foundation stones are laid, but nothing happens beyond that...We are starting the work of the building from today and this is very important." He said the MVA government has responded to its critics and to those trying to topple it, through its commitment to work.
(With inputs from agencies)
Published on: Tuesday, April 05, 2022, 06:35 PM IST | 0 | 94,779 | 0.720428 | https://www.oneindia.com/india/maharashtra-political-crisis-cm-uddhav-thackeray-calls-for-cabinet-meeting-tomorrow-at-1-pm-3423540.html | 2022-06-21 16:32:40+00:00 | Maharashtra political crisis: CM Uddhav Thackeray calls for Cabinet meeting tomorrow at 1 pm
Mumbai, Jun 21: A meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet has been scheduled on June 22. All Cabinet Ministers have asked to be present in the meeting, which is to take place amid the rebellion started by Eknath Shinde.
The political crisis started after two candidates each of the ruling coalition allies NCP and the Shiv Sena and four nominees of the opposition BJP on Monday night won elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC), said an official.
The majority mark in the 288-member state Assembly is 144. The BJP currently has a strength of 106 and requires 38 more MLAs to stake claim to form a government.
On Tuesday, CM Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena president, held a meeting where party MLAs Sunil Kadam, Dada Bhuse, Neelam Gorhe, MPs Arvind Sawant and Vinayak Raut, MLC Manisha Kayande and other leaders were present. MP Sanjay Raut asserted that the Sena is a party of loyalists and attempts by the BJP, like in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, to topple the MVA government would not succeed. |
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-cabinet-reshuffle-in-april-heres-what-we-know-so-far | Amidst the rumours of internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, a report published in ABP Maza claimed that a cabinet reshuffle is likely to happen in April.
As per the report, a meeting will be held by CM Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the action taken by Central Agencies and the alleged internal unrest within the MVA. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also likely to be present at this meeting.
On April 2, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that there was no internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
"There is no internal unrest in the MVA government. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has its feet firmly on the ground and is working for the state's development and progress in a planned manner," he said.
On Friday, Thackeray had denied reports which claimed that he was upset with state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and the functioning of his department. Thackeray's denial came amid speculation that he was not happy with Walse-Pail's reply in the Assembly to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' allegation that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state was conspiring to frame up BJP leaders in false cases.
In a veiled attack on his opponents, Thackeray further said, "Many times, announcements are made and foundation stones are laid, but nothing happens beyond that...We are starting the work of the building from today and this is very important." He said the MVA government has responded to its critics and to those trying to topple it, through its commitment to work.
(With inputs from agencies)
Published on: Tuesday, April 05, 2022, 06:35 PM IST | 1 | 132,594 | 0.735287 | https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mva-ministers-maharashtra-bjp-pravin-darekar-governor-intervene-7989212/ | 2022-06-24 12:51:09+00:00 | With the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra feeling threatened following a rebellion in the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, several ministers are hurriedly clearing files and issuing government resolutions, prompting Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council Pravin Darekar to write to Governor B S Koshyari.
Darekar is an MLC from the BJP which is allegedly supporting the Eknath Shinde faction in the Shiv Sena.
In his letter to the governor, Darekar has said that there is political instability in Maharashtra and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has left his official residence Varsha. He has also expressed willingness to resign. He alerted the governor that more than 160 government resolutions have been issued in the last 48 hours and alleged that the MVA government, which was inactive for the last two and a half years, has suddenly sanctioned works worth crores. Claiming that this arouses suspicion, Darekar sought the governor’s intervention.
A top bureaucrat said some IAS officers have not come to the Mantralaya as they do not want to be a part of decisions that can attract controversy later. The secretaries of urban development department, agriculture and water supply are allegedly happy because Shinde, Dada Bhuse and Gulabrao Patil are in Guwahati along with the other rebel MLAs.
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In the state Cabinet held on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar asked the officers to issue government resolutions and not wait for the next Cabinet meeting for the minutes to get confirmed. Usually, when a government is on the verge of collapse, ministers rush to get files cleared.
A senior BJP leader said once the saffron party takes over, the decisions would be put on hold and scrutinised.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards. |
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-cabinet-reshuffle-in-april-heres-what-we-know-so-far | Amidst the rumours of internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, a report published in ABP Maza claimed that a cabinet reshuffle is likely to happen in April.
As per the report, a meeting will be held by CM Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the action taken by Central Agencies and the alleged internal unrest within the MVA. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also likely to be present at this meeting.
On April 2, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that there was no internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
"There is no internal unrest in the MVA government. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has its feet firmly on the ground and is working for the state's development and progress in a planned manner," he said.
On Friday, Thackeray had denied reports which claimed that he was upset with state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and the functioning of his department. Thackeray's denial came amid speculation that he was not happy with Walse-Pail's reply in the Assembly to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' allegation that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state was conspiring to frame up BJP leaders in false cases.
In a veiled attack on his opponents, Thackeray further said, "Many times, announcements are made and foundation stones are laid, but nothing happens beyond that...We are starting the work of the building from today and this is very important." He said the MVA government has responded to its critics and to those trying to topple it, through its commitment to work.
(With inputs from agencies)
Published on: Tuesday, April 05, 2022, 06:35 PM IST | 2 | 71,572 | 0.737087 | https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/1987668-those-trying-to-topple-mva-govt-being-given-befitting-reply-through-development-work-thackeray | 2022-04-02 09:19:57+00:00 | Those trying to topple MVA govt being given befitting reply through development work: Thackeray
Claiming that there was was no internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA government in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said a befitting reply is being given through development works to those trying to topple it.Speaking after virtually laying the foundation stone of the GST Bhavan building at Wadala in central Mumbai, Thackeray also said that those maligning Maharashtra should note that the state is the largest contributor to the national economy.
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Claiming that there was was no internal unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said a befitting reply is being given through development works to those trying to topple it.
Speaking after virtually laying the foundation stone of the GST Bhavan building at Wadala in central Mumbai, Thackeray also said that those maligning Maharashtra should note that the state is the largest contributor to the national economy. Crediting his deputy Ajit Pawar for expediting the GST building project, Thackeray said the MVA government and Pawar pursued the proposals for land and permissions were granted to ensure the building project starts on time. ''There is no internal unrest in the MVA government. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has its feet firmly on the ground and is working for the state's development and progress in a planned manner,'' he said.
In the last two years, the MVA government dedicated itself to time-bound planning of development projects before execution, he said. On Friday, Thackeray had denied reports which claimed that he was upset with state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and the functioning of his department. Thackeray's denial came amid speculation that he was not happy with Walse-Pail's reply in the Assembly to former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' allegation that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in the state was conspiring to frame up BJP leaders in false cases. In a veiled attack on his opponents, Thackeray further said, ''Many times, announcements are made and foundation stones are laid, but nothing happens beyond that...We are starting the work of the building from today and this is very important.'' He said the MVA government has responded to its critics and to those trying to topple it, through its commitment to work. He said the state treasury needs funds to complete the promises of development projects. Goods and Services Tax (GST) is the backbone of the state economy and it should be strengthened, the chief minister added.
Hitting out at the political rivals without naming anyone, Thackeray said, ''Those maligning the state should note that it is the largest contributor to the national economy. If it is not there, the economy of the country would suffer.'' Thackeray said the GST building will be completed by 2025. Greeting people on Gudhi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, Thackeray said his government was inaugurating several new projects of the police department for law and order protection. Also, foundation stone is being laid for the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan and new Metro rail lines are being inaugurated to mark the occasion.
''It is necessary to say it aloud how we are working tirelessly for the state's welfare to counter the attempts to malign the state. We are united in our endevour to ensure the state's development and the development projects inaugurated and launched are a testimony to this fact,'' Thackeray said.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. | 0 | 2,744 | 0 | https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/world-news/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | 2022-04-04 22:27:30+00:00 | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. |
https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. | 1 | 3,179 | 0 | https://www.tristatehomepage.com/international/ap-international/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | 2022-04-04 22:29:15+00:00 | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. |
https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. | 2 | 4,964 | 0 | https://www.kxnet.com/news/russian-former-journalist-on-trial-for-alleged-treason/ | 2022-04-04 22:36:34+00:00 | MOSCOW (AP) — The trial of a former journalist who has remained behind bars for more than 20 months on charges of passing military secrets to Czech intelligence began in a Moscow court on Monday.
Ivan Safronov has vociferously insisted on his innocence, while he and many of his colleagues have dismissed the charges as absurd.
Safronov had written about military and security issues for a decade before becoming an adviser to Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. He as remained in custody since his July 2020 arrest in Moscow by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the KGB.
Speaking to reporters from a glass cage at the Moscow City Court before the start of the closed doors proceedings, Safronov rejected the charges as “nonsense.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In a speech released by his lawyer prior to the trial’s start, Safronov said he had collected all the information from open sources in the course of his work and did nothing illegal. He argued that the FSB has failed to clearly outline the treason charges and explain what secrets he had allegedly revealed.
Many Russian journalists and human rights activists have pushed for Safronov’s release, and some have alleged that the authorities may have wanted to take revenge for his reporting that exposed Russian military incidents and shady arms deals.
The FSB has accused Safronov of relaying sensitive data to a spy agency of an unspecified NATO member that related to “military-technical cooperation, defense and security of the Russian Federation.” Safronov’s lawyers have specified that the FSB has accused Safronov of cooperating with an intelligence agency in the Czech Republic, providing information about Russian arms sales to the Middle East and Africa when he worked as a correspondent for top Russian business daily Kommersant.
Roscosmos has said that Safronov didn’t have access to state secrets, and claimed that the charges didn’t relate to Safronov’s work for the corporation, which he joined in May 2020.
Rights activists, journalists, scientists and corporate officials who have faced treason accusations in Russia in recent years have found it difficult to defend themselves because of secrecy surrounding their cases and a lack of public access to information.
Safronov’s father also worked for Kommersant covering military issues after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his apartment building in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, but some Russian media outlets questioned the official version, pointing to his intent to publish a sensitive report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria. |
https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/mortgage-rising-interest-rates-advisors-51649108710 | - Reprints
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For consumers looking to buy or refinance homes, the upward march of mortgage rates has been tough to watch. The average 30-year loan has climbed to 4.4% from 3.1% this year, while the 15-year rate has risen to 3.6% from 2.3%. With the Federal Reserve in inflation-fighting mode, experts say the 30-year rate could touch 5% by year’s end.
It’s true that rates are still pretty tame by historical standards: The average rate on 30-year loans was in double digits as recently as 1990. But the sharp upward movement this year in the cost of borrowing for homes has many clients looking to their financial advisors for guidance. So for this week’s Big Q, we asked advisors: With interest rates rising, how are you counseling clients about mortgages and other loans?
Parris Hall, head of wealth banking solutions at TD Wealth: The advice we give clients is, first of all, let’s make sure that the acquisition, whether it’s the home or, say, the boat, is in line with your goals-based plan. Secondly, with inventory being as low as it is and rates moving as quickly as they are, the strategic leverage that wealth clients have in securities-based loans gives them a wonderful opportunity to move quickly. They can be in the post position for those purchases, to drive toward an immediate close with no contingencies required. And they have the opportunity to replace that with cash-out permanent refinancing at the back end.
We’ve been in the lowest-rate climate I’ve seen in my lifetime; it’s only going up from here. So the idea of locking in to a long-term fixed rate, whether you’re in a variable-rate loan and looking to refi or are looking to purchase, is one of the important things that I would encourage clients to do. Even today, you can still find 3.5% [rates]. And the Fed has telegraphed that it’s going to raise rates by 150 basis points. When you think about the average size of a wealth planning client’s mortgage—in the $1 million to $2 million range—that’s considerable interest over the life of the loan.
Erin Wood, senior vice president of financial planning and advanced solutions, Carson Group: On mortgages, one thing I see is people not being prepared when they go into the bank, and the interest rate is changing so fast. If you come in and you don’t have your tax forms, you don’t have your employment information, you have bad information on your credit report, all of those things kill you in an environment where rates could rise from one day to the next. [Advisors] need to help clients come in prepared with all of the right documents and make sure that their credit reports are nice and clean.
Most people do not own their homes for 30 years; the average tenure of those who sold late last year was actually 6.3 years. People should consider 15-year mortgages or one of the five-year adjustable-rate mortgages [both of which may have lower rates than 30-year mortgages]. If you know someone is only going to be in a home for three, four, or five years, those are some of the things that clients and their advisors should be discussing. I’d also be watching my variable-interest-rate [credit cards] at this point and be looking for places where I can put them into something that is fixed and going to stay low. If you can get a home-equity line of credit at 7% or 8%, that’s lower than a 20% credit card. It also consolidates those minimum payments down to one payment so your dollars have a bigger impact.
Malcolm Makin, president and CEO, Professional Planning Group: I think most advisors, including me, have been trying to encourage people to refinance, take advantage of the lower interest rates and go into low fixed mortgages. I was just reading that in the past week, the average mortgage rate has gone up by more than 30 basis points. That’s incredible, and it is not going to stop. When I bought my first home, I had an 11% mortgage. It would be very easy for that to happen again.
Randy Carver, president, CEO, Carver Financial Services: If someone has a variable-rate mortgage, we’re recommending that clients lock in today before rates go higher. In most cases we are recommending fixed-rate, 15- or 30- year mortgages. The only exception is if somebody’s not going to stay in a home forever, we’re finding the best rates today are in 15-year adjustable-rate mortgages, typically 15/1 mortgages. The rate is locked for 15 years, and then it can move up once [per year]. But there’s a real sweet spot there right now.
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We’ve had a number of clients using securities based lines of credit, where they are borrowing against the portfolio. That rate is variable. Typically, it’s tied to Libor [the London interbank offered rate] or one of the other rates. And so for people who have larger, outstanding loans at this point, we are looking for alternative fixed-rate financing. If people have higher-interest debt currently, or they’re looking at purchasing something like a vehicle or an airplane or a yacht, again, using a fixed-rate loan, rates are still incredibly low right now. Fifteen- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are pretty cheap, with rates below 4% for the 15-year and below 4.5% for the 30-year. You can get even lower rates on jumbo ARM mortgages, where a 15 /1 loan with a 30-year amortization may be less than 3.5%. Even with the recent increase, rates are still relatively cheap.
Scott Tiras, president, Tiras Wealth Management: The fact that the Fed is raising interest rates is front and center. In anticipation of some of these hikes, we have seen fixed mortgage rates increase already by about 2% even though the Fed has only raised rates by 0.25%. For our clients who have been putting off the refinancing of their homes, we tell them in most cases it might be too late unless they are at least 1% to 2% above the current market rate. Some have adjustable-rate products, and refinancing those now to a fixed product could be warranted based on their situation. Others have home-equity lines of credit, which can float with the prime rate. So many need to be prepared to fit additional payments into their budgets or look at alternative sources of funding. The bottom line is that we are telling all of our clients to look at the different debt products they have outstanding and letting them know it’s time to have a discussion now.
Editor’s Note: These responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Write to advisor.editors@barrons.com | 0 | 27,863 | 0.678616 | https://hauteliving.com/2022/08/neil-anders-talks-mortgage-advice/717835/ | 2022-08-16 06:00:49+00:00 | Not far from the boat-filled harbor of Newport Beach are the offices of Neil Anders, a certified mortgage advisor. For over two decades Anders has called this idyllic Orange County community his home. He has made it his mission to prioritize his clients.
Anders was drawn to the mortgage industry while still in his teens. He had graduated from high school at just 15 years of age and earned his college degree by the time he was 17. When one of his friends opened a mortgage company, Anders recognized that it was a lucrative business and asked to learn the ropes, saying “I loved the financial upside of the business.”
Anders was soon to experience the financial pitfalls of investing in real estate. The global financial crisis of 2008 adversely impacted not only several of his clients but also Anders himself. He found himself in the excruciating position of watching the banks foreclose on some of his properties. However, these challenges only strengthened his resolve to grow personally and professionally. Since then he has been committed to helping every one of his clients meet their financial targets.
In the last several years the mortgage industry has seen significant change, largely due to the global pandemic. Some major changes that have occurred are the rise of mortgage digitization and homebuyer volume. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a major boom in home purchase loans and mortgage refinancing. Refinance volume reached an astounding $2.7 trillion, with the total transaction volume for 2020 rounding off at $4.1 trillion.
As the Vice President of Sales at Trusted Rate in Newport Beach, California, Anders and his team provide every loan product available in the United States. Over the last 18 years, Anders has built strong relationships with all of their partners’ thanks to his hard work and dedication to the business. Anders’ unwavering dedication to each one of his clients is reflected in his five-star Zillow rating. He is quick to say, “We always put the customer first. Good salespeople love their product, but great salespeople love their clients.”
As for what Anders enjoys the most about his job, he says he loves that he can never predict what he will be doing by day’s end. “There are always new situations and guidelines in the industry, and it’s a constant challenge to keep myself and my team educated and up to date on all the current loan availabilities and financing options out there.”
He stresses the importance of follow-through. “We stay in constant touch with everyone involved in a transaction, not just the buyer’s agent, but the seller’s as well, because if you’re a seller’s agent, your clients are nervous, and they want to know what’s going on.” No wonder then that in this fast-paced sometimes stressful world, Anders’ clients are left feeling satisfied; so much so that more than 90% of Anders’ business comes from direct referrals.
Written in partnership with Ascend |
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For consumers looking to buy or refinance homes, the upward march of mortgage rates has been tough to watch. The average 30-year loan has climbed to 4.4% from 3.1% this year, while the 15-year rate has risen to 3.6% from 2.3%. With the Federal Reserve in inflation-fighting mode, experts say the 30-year rate could touch 5% by year’s end.
It’s true that rates are still pretty tame by historical standards: The average rate on 30-year loans was in double digits as recently as 1990. But the sharp upward movement this year in the cost of borrowing for homes has many clients looking to their financial advisors for guidance. So for this week’s Big Q, we asked advisors: With interest rates rising, how are you counseling clients about mortgages and other loans?
Parris Hall, head of wealth banking solutions at TD Wealth: The advice we give clients is, first of all, let’s make sure that the acquisition, whether it’s the home or, say, the boat, is in line with your goals-based plan. Secondly, with inventory being as low as it is and rates moving as quickly as they are, the strategic leverage that wealth clients have in securities-based loans gives them a wonderful opportunity to move quickly. They can be in the post position for those purchases, to drive toward an immediate close with no contingencies required. And they have the opportunity to replace that with cash-out permanent refinancing at the back end.
We’ve been in the lowest-rate climate I’ve seen in my lifetime; it’s only going up from here. So the idea of locking in to a long-term fixed rate, whether you’re in a variable-rate loan and looking to refi or are looking to purchase, is one of the important things that I would encourage clients to do. Even today, you can still find 3.5% [rates]. And the Fed has telegraphed that it’s going to raise rates by 150 basis points. When you think about the average size of a wealth planning client’s mortgage—in the $1 million to $2 million range—that’s considerable interest over the life of the loan.
Erin Wood, senior vice president of financial planning and advanced solutions, Carson Group: On mortgages, one thing I see is people not being prepared when they go into the bank, and the interest rate is changing so fast. If you come in and you don’t have your tax forms, you don’t have your employment information, you have bad information on your credit report, all of those things kill you in an environment where rates could rise from one day to the next. [Advisors] need to help clients come in prepared with all of the right documents and make sure that their credit reports are nice and clean.
Most people do not own their homes for 30 years; the average tenure of those who sold late last year was actually 6.3 years. People should consider 15-year mortgages or one of the five-year adjustable-rate mortgages [both of which may have lower rates than 30-year mortgages]. If you know someone is only going to be in a home for three, four, or five years, those are some of the things that clients and their advisors should be discussing. I’d also be watching my variable-interest-rate [credit cards] at this point and be looking for places where I can put them into something that is fixed and going to stay low. If you can get a home-equity line of credit at 7% or 8%, that’s lower than a 20% credit card. It also consolidates those minimum payments down to one payment so your dollars have a bigger impact.
Malcolm Makin, president and CEO, Professional Planning Group: I think most advisors, including me, have been trying to encourage people to refinance, take advantage of the lower interest rates and go into low fixed mortgages. I was just reading that in the past week, the average mortgage rate has gone up by more than 30 basis points. That’s incredible, and it is not going to stop. When I bought my first home, I had an 11% mortgage. It would be very easy for that to happen again.
Randy Carver, president, CEO, Carver Financial Services: If someone has a variable-rate mortgage, we’re recommending that clients lock in today before rates go higher. In most cases we are recommending fixed-rate, 15- or 30- year mortgages. The only exception is if somebody’s not going to stay in a home forever, we’re finding the best rates today are in 15-year adjustable-rate mortgages, typically 15/1 mortgages. The rate is locked for 15 years, and then it can move up once [per year]. But there’s a real sweet spot there right now.
Advisor Newsletter
The Interview
Take some time Friday afternoons to see what’s on the minds of our top-ranked advisors and senior industry leaders in our weekly Q&A. Plus a round-up of the top wealth management news of the week.
We’ve had a number of clients using securities based lines of credit, where they are borrowing against the portfolio. That rate is variable. Typically, it’s tied to Libor [the London interbank offered rate] or one of the other rates. And so for people who have larger, outstanding loans at this point, we are looking for alternative fixed-rate financing. If people have higher-interest debt currently, or they’re looking at purchasing something like a vehicle or an airplane or a yacht, again, using a fixed-rate loan, rates are still incredibly low right now. Fifteen- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are pretty cheap, with rates below 4% for the 15-year and below 4.5% for the 30-year. You can get even lower rates on jumbo ARM mortgages, where a 15 /1 loan with a 30-year amortization may be less than 3.5%. Even with the recent increase, rates are still relatively cheap.
Scott Tiras, president, Tiras Wealth Management: The fact that the Fed is raising interest rates is front and center. In anticipation of some of these hikes, we have seen fixed mortgage rates increase already by about 2% even though the Fed has only raised rates by 0.25%. For our clients who have been putting off the refinancing of their homes, we tell them in most cases it might be too late unless they are at least 1% to 2% above the current market rate. Some have adjustable-rate products, and refinancing those now to a fixed product could be warranted based on their situation. Others have home-equity lines of credit, which can float with the prime rate. So many need to be prepared to fit additional payments into their budgets or look at alternative sources of funding. The bottom line is that we are telling all of our clients to look at the different debt products they have outstanding and letting them know it’s time to have a discussion now.
Editor’s Note: These responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Write to advisor.editors@barrons.com | 1 | 38,790 | 0.684588 | http://www.ndir.com/cgi-bin/stingynews.cgi?Topic=15584&Name=Home%20sweet%20whatever | 2022-07-06 03:25:29+00:00 | Contact
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Home sweet whatever
07/03/22
Real Estate
"When I sold the house in 2017 and paid off the mortgage, I pocketed roughly $86,000. When I consider the total cash outflow during the time I owned the place, I calculate an internal rate of return of -5.08% - and the return would have been even worse if I adjusted it for inflation. That isn't the sort of performance anyone would want on an investment."
More articles on the same topic . . .
30-year's soar
06/17/22
Bonds
Real Estate
"The 30-year fixed rate for top tier scenarios was 6.13% today, up from 5.55% last Thursday."
A normal housing market
06/12/22
Real Estate
"While the Fed is slowly raising the Fed Funds Rate, mortgage rates didn't want to wait around for Jerome Powell. Rates went from 3% in January to more than 5% by April. And the move higher was basically uninterrupted. The only period in history that comes even close to matching the speed and magnitude of this move was in the early 1980s."
The 6% mortgage
06/12/22
Real Estate
"Current 30-year mortgage rates are around 5.85%. Mortgage rates are probably close to the peak for this cycle (depending on inflation) but might rise to the low 6% range. Mortgage payments - for buying the same home - are up over 50% year-over-year."
The start of a real estate bust
05/15/22
Real Estate
"During the market peak, sellers were receiving so many offers they weren't even considering conditional ones. That pushed some buyers to make high, firm offers just ahead of the market softening. Now, as they near their closing date, appraisals are coming back tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars short, leaving people scrambling to pay the difference or risk losing their deposit - or worse."
Housing and demographics
05/01/22
Real Estate
"The current demographics are now very favorable for home buying - and will remain somewhat positive for most of the decade, although most of the increase is now behind us."
Why homeowners aren't selling
04/24/22
Real Estate
"Nine out of ten mortgages in America carry an interest rate of less than 5%, which is the official level at which most new 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are now being written."
Talk about hot
04/03/22
Real Estate
"I was presented with an all-cash offer of $125,000 over the asking price. All contingencies and inspections would be waived."
Financially independent and renting
04/03/22
Real Estate
"I am often struck by people's obsession with owning a home. We owned a home for 15 years, and it was a wonderful experience for that time in our lives. But owning a home should not be universally equivalent with financial success. Here are seven reasons renting can be much better than owning."
Higher mortgage rates
02/13/22
Real Estate
"With 4% 30-year mortgage rates, we will likely see a slowdown in both new and existing home sales (based on previous periods of rising rates). It also seems likely house price growth will slow."
Investing in banks
12/19/21
Markets
Stocks
Value Investing
Real Estate
"Local real estate prices have not just acted as a predictor over the full period, but they have also been a very consistent predictor. The spread between the top decile and bottom decile of stocks ranked by this factor has persisted through multiple market environments."
The days of cheaper rentals are over
10/07/21
Real Estate
"Rents are up 9.6% nationwide in 2021, to an average of $1,649 a month, according to Dwellsy, which calls itself the largest rental housing platform in the country."
Future housing returns are stark
09/05/21
Real Estate
"I wouldn't have the success of my financial plan be wholly dependent on further prices increases on residential real estate. Speculating on prices increases in real estate is fine - so long as if the amount at stake isn't material to the success of your financial plan."
Death of the starter home
09/05/21
Real Estate
"If we take this to the extreme - the monthly payment for a $1,000,000 home is now $520 lower than the monthly payment for a $750,000 home in 2002. Add in fewer homes being built, a touch of inflation, scarred homebuilders, HGTV messing with our expectations and it's no wonder new home sales prices have risen over the past 20 years."
Hyper zip code inflation
07/04/21
Real Estate
"In its effort to control asset prices, we believe the Federal Reserve has lost control of the real estate market. While they have succeeded in building a floor under home prices, they forgot about the ceiling! Assuming zip code hyperinflation spreads, we expect wealth inequality and housing affordability to become an increasingly hot topic in upcoming elections. In the meantime, the Federal Reserve's balance sheet continues to inflate as millions of potential homeowners are being squeezed out of the market. How much longer will the inequalities created from ultra-easy monetary policy be tolerated and left unchecked? We're not sure, but given the growing extremes, we believe it is the Fed's ability to QE without consequence that has become transitory, not inflation."
Canadian home prices a deal vs US bubble
06/06/21
Real Estate
"Canadian real estate is receiving a big warning sign from an indicator that was an alarm for the US in 2006. The house price-to-rent ratio shows Canadian real estate is overvalued. When contrasted to the US is when you really get a feel for how much Canada went all-in on real estate. It makes 2006 America look like a sleepy backwater market of value investors."
A bad time to be a homebuyer
05/30/21
Real Estate
"Because houses are selling so quickly, buyers are having to make all kinds of concessions to get the place they want. People are waiving inspections, paying in all cash and offering well over asking price in many cases."
Canadian property bubbles
05/23/21
Real Estate
"They found Canada's hottest real estate markets are now less affordable than globally influential US cities. Heck, Canada's property bubble even pushed the tiny steel city of Hamilton to become less affordable than Los Angeles or New York City."
Affordable cities in Ontario
05/09/21
Real Estate
Hello Deep River, Smooth Rock Falls, Rainy River, Marathon, and Englehart.
Canadian systemic risk
03/28/21
Real Estate
"In Vancouver, you currently need to earn at least $147,600 to make the payments on a typical home in February 2020. Over in Fraser Valley, you can get away with $143,700 per year. That's 44% and 40% higher than the current median household income, respectively. Greater Toronto real estate also requires much bigger salaries to carry the mortgages. The payments on a typical GTA home needs a minimum salary of $148,570. In Hamilton, it's estimated at $128,100 at minimum. The minimum income is 45% and 25% higher than the current estimated household income, respectively."
Shill bidding
03/07/21
Academia
Markets
Real Estate
"We find that a price premium of between 16% and 44% can be achieved by shill bidding. Importantly, shill bidding is quite easy to implement and neither the market maker nor bidders showed any indication that they noticed. We conclude that market makers should make a careful re-evaluation of the risks of shill bidding, since only they are in a position to take meaningful action to prevent it from occurring."
Homes in a bubble
11/14/20
Real Estate
"The bad news is all previous history came at higher mortgage rates. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell below 3% for the first time in August 2020, and rates are close to the lowest possible levels given the credit risk and costs of writing mortgages. It's one thing to be a peak valuation, it's another to be at peak valuation with no discernable upside."
Workers cannot afford rent
07/18/20
Real Estate
"Full-time minimum wage workers cannot afford a two-bedroom rental anywhere in the U.S. and cannot afford a one-bedroom rental in 95% of U.S. counties, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition's annual 'Out of Reach' report."
Property ladders
11/03/19
Real Estate
"A few years back, I could do a little experiment with audiences in the UK and the US. I would ask them to raise their hands if they thought stocks are riskier than real estate. Most hands went up. Then, I asked them to raise their hands if they thought stock returns were higher than real estate returns. Less than half raised their hands. In effect, people were telling me that stocks were riskier than real estate and provided less return. I cannot do that exercise anymore today, because after a 10-year bull market in stocks, perceptions have shifted - until the next bear market, when they will change once more."
Real estate vs stocks
04/03/19
Real Estate
"Comparing real estate to the stock market or bonds or any traditional asset class is difficult because there are so many other variables involved in real estate. There are taxes and costs involved just like there are in the stock market, but then you have to consider the leverage involved, the cost of borrowing, the length of time in the home, the imputed rent, the psychic income from home ownership and the fact that you have to live somewhere."
Canadian Government's predatory mortgage scheme
03/25/19
Government
Real Estate
"The Government of Canada is using taxpayer money to invest in real estate at near peak valuations. The Department of Finance revealed the 2019 Budget yesterday, including new housing measures. Most notable is the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, which allows the CMHC, Canada's national housing agency, to become an investor in your real estate. On the surface, it seems like it may provide a boost to the market, and is a generous gift to first-time buyers. The program's timing however, makes it a predatory loan scheme that will do more harm than good."
Rental market nightmare
11/26/18
Real Estate
"The result has been skyrocketing prices. Condo rents soared 7.6 percent to an average C$2,385 in the third quarter over the same period a year ago and were up 17 percent for newly available purpose-built units, according to data from Urbanation. Meanwhile, the apartment vacancy rate sits at about 0.5 percent."
A fifth of China's homes are empty
11/12/18
World
Real Estate
"Soon-to-be-published research will show roughly 22 percent of China's urban housing stock is unoccupied, according to Professor Gan Li, who runs the main nationwide study. That adds up to more than 50 million empty homes, he said."
Rich ghost towns
10/15/18
Real Estate
"These days, walking through parts of Manhattan feels like occupying two worlds at the same time. In a theoretical universe, you are standing in the nation's capital of business, commerce, and culture. In the physical universe, the stores are closed, the lights are off, and the windows are plastered with for-lease signs."
Geoarbitrage
08/28/18
Real Estate
"So the meat of the matter is, how much is the gap between the actual median income for each state, and the income it takes to buy the median priced home in each state?"
The rate of return on everything
01/01/18
Academia
Real Estate
"This paper answers fundamental questions that have preoccupied modern economic thought since the 18th century. What is the aggregate real rate of return in the economy? Is it higher than the growth rate of the economy and, if so, by how much? Is there a tendency for returns to fall in the long-run? Which particular assets have the highest long-run returns? We answer these questions on the basis of a new and comprehensive dataset covering total returns for all important assets classes - equity, housing, bonds, and bills - across 16 advanced economies from 1870 to 2015"
Shadow lending growing in Canada
12/18/17
Real Estate
"They opted for a third route: adding a second mortgage with an interest rate of 10.5 percent to pay off their debt. Their salvation came from a private unregulated lender, a move many other Canadians are making as the government tries to rein in a home-price surge that's driven household debt to a record. But like a giant game of Whac-A-Mole, the risk to the financial system from tapped out borrowers is merely shifting -- this time to a market where there's no oversight from the country's national bank regulator and new stress-test rules don't apply."
Insane Canadian housing numbers
08/20/17
Real Estate
"While leverage can help boost performance on the way up, it becomes very dangerous on the way down. Leverage can turn even the best investments into poor ones when things go wrong, as losses are amplified. Equity can get wiped out pretty quickly on an overleveraged asset."
Addiction to real estate
08/07/17
Real Estate
"Canada's addiction to real estate goes far beyond our obsession with talking about it. Our economy actually relies more on the fees associated with buying and selling houses than it does on agriculture, fishing, forestry and hunting combined."
Low delinquency rates
07/23/17
Real Estate
"The problem arises when house prices stop rising and creating new equity against which stretched homeowners can borrow. People who are tight for cash rob Peter to pay Paul. And shifting debt from one lender to another has just been far too easy to do lately. Even a slowdown in house price appreciation, let alone a correction, would bring an end to that."
The new normal
06/04/17
Real Estate
"These days, the average home price is between seven and eight times income. To return to the ratio of the 1980s, the average household income has to jump to $160,000, or home prices have to fall back to $460,000."
Too much housing
05/14/17
Real Estate
"Don't let the mushrooming condos downtown fool you. There is no housing shortage in Toronto, says new planning research out of Ryerson University."
Fortress fails to silence critic
01/22/17
Real Estate
"In 2011 the Ontario Securities Commission accused the pair, along with a third man, of engaging 'in conduct contrary to the public interest' by selling clients of their debt-management business shares of companies caught up in a B.C. stock scam. Petrozza and Rathore agreed to pay close to $3 million and were slapped with a 15-year ban on trading securities."
Corruption in Canada
09/11/16
Real Estate
"Kathy Tomlinson reveals how loopholes and lax oversight are making it easy for a network of local and foreign speculators to play the system, and, in the process, fuel the steep rise in Vancouver home prices"
Lethargic Canadian economy
08/06/16
Economy
Real Estate
"Real estate and financial services now account for 20 percent of the economy, levels not seen in the data since the early 1960s. That could be a problem, with household debt at a record and policy makers scrambling to slow price gains that are making homes unaffordable for all but the wealthiest buyers."
Homes disappointing
07/17/16
Shiller
Real Estate
"Buy land: They're not making it anymore. That often repeated adage sounds like good financial advice. But over the long run, it hasn't been. Despite solid price increases over the last few years, land and homes have actually been disappointing investments. It's worth considering why."
Housing bubble
06/11/16
Real Estate
"Know a bad deal when you see one. Overextending yourself just to get a piece of the real estate action in Vancouver or Toronto is not just a bad deal, it could spell your financial doom."
Canada's real estate problem
01/31/16
Real Estate
"As a result of its gains in 2015, the real estate industry accounts for 12 percent of Canada's gross domestic product through November."
What the Big Short gets wrong
01/17/16
Markets
Government
Real Estate
"Oscar-nominated director Adam McKay deserves credit for trying to make such complex financial concepts accessible. But since many Americans will be inclined to believe The Big Short's cinematic version of the mortgage crisis, it's worth noting that its analysis of what actually happened to the American economy - even down to the virtuosic little explainer asides- doesn't really add up."
Mansion owners who plead poverty
09/27/15
Taxes
Government
Real Estate
"The tax unfairness caused by the growing phenomenon of mansion owners alleging poverty can be traced largely to Canada failing to catch trans-national migrants who refuse to report their total global income at tax times."
Housing market still not rational
07/25/15
Markets
Real Estate
"The housing market is another matter. It is far less rational than even the often irrational stock market, for a couple of important reasons. First, most investors find it difficult to understand how housing supply responds to changes in demand. Only a small minority of people think carefully about such things. Second, it is very hard for the minority of smart-money investors who do understand such matters to bet against bubble-level prices in real estate markets. In housing, the smart money has relatively little voice."
What's scary about mortgages in Canada
04/21/15
Real Estate
"if real estate disappoints and/or interest rates swell, just when it comes time to renew your mortgage in three to five years, well, I guess these 1.8 million Canadian families will learn what it's like to run their house like a hedge fund."
Sell Oakville, buy Windsor
08/10/14
Hallett
Real Estate
"Investing strategist Dan Hallett has been saying this to friends of his lately: With an eye on retirement, sell your home in Oakville, about an hour's drive west of Toronto, and head another three hours west on Highway 401 to his own city of Windsor."
Why Canada isn't immune
07/12/14
Real Estate
"History has shown, time and again, that 'this time' is not different. We believe the same is true for the future of Canadian residential real estate."
Tiny houses for economic freedom
07/12/14
Thrift
Real Estate
"The 57-year-old schoolteacher's tiny house near Providence, Rhode Island, cost $28,000 - a seventh of the median price of single-family residences in his state."
How much did your house cost?
03/22/14
World
Academia
Real Estate
"In the case of the Irish property market, it would appear that mortgaged households have considerable difficulty in accurately recalling the actual house price paid for their property."
Canada's mixed blessing
06/09/13
Real Estate
"This is a mixed blessing to say the least, since there was already plenty of concern that the Canadian job market had been artificially pumped up in recent years by the building boom - well, double down on those concerns, as construction payrolls now account for a record high of overall jobs at 7.6%."
Why home prices change
04/14/13
Shiller
Behaviour
Real Estate
"In an ideal world, steady and uniform inflation would have no effect on rational decision-making because it affects incomes as well as prices. But in the real world, inflation does affect our psychology. People feel more optimistic when their nominal pay rises or when a neighbor's house sold for more than they paid for theirs. But in thinking about investments for the long term, we should focus on fundamentals - on real, inflation-corrected values and on the economics behind them."
New cough medication
02/09/13
Fun
Real Estate
"It's a suppressant. Sometimes."
Shiller on housing
02/09/13
Real Estate
"Robert Shiller, a professor at Yale University and co-creator of the S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values, talks about the outlook for the U.S. housing market."
A new housing boom?
01/27/13
Real Estate
"After the traumatic collapse of the last price bubble, Americans seem less sanguine about owning versus renting. According to the Census Bureau, the homeownership rate has been falling, from 69.0 percent in the third quarter of 2006 to 65.5 percent in the third quarter last year."
We're number 1
01/26/13
Real Estate
"Canada has a new worthwhile initiative. After years of booming prices, that bastion of politeness north of the border is looking to avoid a catastrophic housing bust for something more, well, boring. Initiatives don't get more worthwhile, and perhaps not more difficult considering Canada just might have the biggest housing bubble in the world right now."
Housing affordability crisis
12/29/12
Real Estate
"For just the second time in the past century, the country's housing market is pushing the limits of affordability, according to key statistical measures, shutting many potential buyers out of the market, and making it harder for those who have already taken the plunge to pay off their mortgages."
Shaky foundations
12/22/12
Real Estate
"When Dennis Gilmore gathered financial analysts and investors on a conference call last summer, the head of California-based First American Financial Corp. had some troubling news. It was what he referred to bluntly as 'the situation' up in Canada. The Los Angeles-area insurance company was losing tens of millions of dollars due to hidden problems in the Canadian housing market, and there were no assurances that the bleeding was going to stop."
Vancouver crash
08/04/12
Real Estate
"The bottom line is that I'm confident that there are many households now reliant on home equity extraction to maintain their current lifestyle and likely to continue making timely payments on debt obligations. I suspect that when the tide goes out, we'll be shocked at how many Vancouver households have been swimming naked:"
Mawer Q1
04/28/12
Real Estate
"In Fairfax Financial's Annual Letter to Shareholders, Prem Watsa observes, "there are more condos in construction in Toronto than in the 12 major cities in the U.S. combined, including New York and Los Angeles." According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, the average condominium in the City of Toronto went for $361,488 in the fourth quarter of 2011, up 7% year-over-year. Condo sales were up 10.5% year-over-year. The average sales price to list price registered 98%, which is well above the historical long-term average. The Toronto condo market is hot. Looking at the situation from a national perspective, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported that the average house price in Canada was $372,763 in February 2012. This compares to the $203,100 average price reported by the National Association of Realtors in the United States. Our question is simple: why should the average house in Canada sell for 84% more than the average house in the United States over the long run?"
Real house prices
04/28/12
Real Estate
"The Shiller graph has suggested to many observers that house prices track inflation (i.e. that house prices adjusted for inflation are stable - except for bubbles). Last year I pointed out the slope depends on the data series used, and that if Professor Shiller had used either Corelogic or the Freddie Mac house prices series, before Case-Shiller was available, there would a greater upward slope to his graph."
Owning too much real estate
04/21/12
Real Estate
"In the past, young families first purchased a starter home, lived in it for a few years and then sold it and upgraded to a bigger home to accommodate a growing family. These days, many families appear to opt to rent out their starter home when upgrading to a larger property."
Pity about your retirement
03/08/12
Real Estate
"Buying a house can wreck your retirement. Did your real estate agent or bank not tell you that? Of course not. All they worry about is whether you're making enough money to carry your debts. The question of whether there's enough money left over to save for retirement is of zero interest to them."
Time to panic
03/01/12
Real Estate
"More worrisome is where consumers have been getting their spending money. As wages stagnate and credit card use levels off, Canadian consumers have increasingly turned to their homes as a source of cash. As of last year, Canadians had pulled roughly $220 billion from their houses in revolving home equity lines of credit, a per capita amount three times larger than the U.S. at its peak."
Toronto condo bubble
02/13/12
Real Estate
"A record 27,504 condo units in the City of Toronto were under construction at the end of last year, according to Canadian Mortgage and Housing annual data, adding to the city's total of 199,000 units. "If builders stopped building today, there's five years worth of supply that is about to be delivered, relative to what normal population growth is," Bank of America's King said."
Look out below
02/03/12
Real Estate
"When the United States saw a vast housing bubble inflate and burst during the 2000s, many Canadians felt smug about the purported prudence of their financial and property markets. During the crash, Canadian house prices fell by just 8%, compared with more than 30% in America. They hit new record highs by 2010. "Canada was not a part of the problem," Stephen Harper, the prime minister, boasted in 2010. Today the consensus is growing on Bay Street, Toronto's answer to Wall Street, that Mr Harper may have to eat his words."
China housing set for hard landing
01/23/12
Real Estate
"The numbers are grim: China's property bubble is heading for a spectacular burst, and its effect on the country's economy will be widespread."
House of horrors
11/26/11
Real Estate
"Based on the average of the two measures, home prices are overvalued by about 25% or more in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, Britain, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden (see table). Indeed, in the first four of those countries housing looks more overvalued than it was in America at the peak of its bubble."
Rising from the ruins
11/07/11
Real Estate
"The economic landscape is unquestionably littered with the wreckage of the crash. Home prices languish near post-bubble lows, over 30% below peak. The plunge in prices has left nearly a quarter of all mortgage borrowers owing more than the value of their homes nearly 10m are seriously delinquent on their loans or in foreclosure. The hardest-hit markets are ghost neighbourhoods, filled with dilapidated properties. Housing markets are far from healthy. Yet current pessimism seems overdone. A turnaround in sales, prices and construction may be closer than many imagine."
Real estate never goes down ...
10/29/11
Real Estate
"In real terms, the National index is back to Q3 1999 levels, the Composite 20 index is back to July 2000, and the CoreLogic index back to June 2000. In real terms, all appreciation in the last decade is gone." [Or to some time in 1988 by my eye.]
Too hefty to handle
08/26/11
Real Estate
"Three years ago, just one out of every nine mortgage-holders borrowed more than 80% of the value of their homes. Today, it's one in six. These are verifiable facts whether they add up to a bubble, I can't say. But given the data and the terrible consequences of real estate bubbles, the Harper government could - at the very least - stop pumping air into the property market. And that means reining in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., the vehicle through which you, dear taxpayer, have assumed the risks for these urban bidding wars and the jumbo mortgages they create."
How long can home prices keep rising?
08/20/11
Real Estate
"I can't tell you when the housing correction will come. But I can tell you that when it arrives it will be correlated with other bad news. And it's the second correlation that worries me."
Rental complex
07/26/11
Real Estate
"The belief that we're not responsible adults until we own our home, whether or not we can afford it, has distorted and stigmatized the cheaper and safer alternative: renting."
Misvalued Chinese land
07/16/11
Real Estate
"In the little-known Chinese city of Loudi - which is home to 4m people - there is a 1.2bn yuan ($185m) leisure project currently being developed, money for which was raised through bonds guaranteed by land valued at $1.5m an acre. Those prices, says Bloomberg, are comparable to acreage values in one of Chicago's plushest suburban neighbourhoods."
Double Dip
05/06/11
Real Estate
"National home prices are officially on the hunt for a new bottom. After beginning to decline again this summer, once the home buyer credit expired, home prices hit a new post-bubble low in April, according to housing industry consulting firm Clear Capital. It reports that national home prices now sit 0.7% below their March 2009 low. Over the past nine months, they're down 11.5%."
T.O.'s unquenchable thirst for condos
05/04/11
Real Estate
"The still-buoyant real estate market hasn't just kept house and condo prices high it's held rents aloft as well. Developers in Toronto and other major Canadian cities stopped building large new rental high-rises in the 1970s. That was partly due to rent controls in Ontario and other provinces, but also because condominiums offered a faster, more certain payoff to a developer - once the building is completed and you've sold the units, you're out. You don't have to manage and maintain it for years, even decades. As for owners, they could either occupy the units or make a pretty penny renting them out. "Condos have become the de facto new rental supply," says consultant Barry Lyon. That supply is much more expensive than old rental high-rises. Lyon and other analysts say that renters typically pay 50% more for a new condo unit than they would on rent for a comparable apartment in an aged building."
Owning Loses Appeal
04/21/11
Real Estate
"The median U.S. home price tumbled 32 percent from a 2006 peak to a nine-year low in February, data from the Realtors show. The retreat surpassed the 27 percent drop seen in the first five years of the Great Depression, according to Stan Humphries, chief economist of Zillow Inc., a Seattle-based real estate information company."
Home Prices Since 1890
03/26/11
Real Estate
"Are you one of those people who still thinks buying a home is a good investment? Perhaps some historical perspective will help. VisualizingEconomics provides a fascinating chart showing how nominal and real home prices have changed since 1890"
A Red Flag On Reverse Mortgages
03/13/11
Real Estate
"It is the saddest of paradoxes: a government-backed financial maneuver intended to free up extra money for struggling older people turns out to have left some widows and widowers on the brink of foreclosure."
Google Map Foreclosure Tricks
12/09/10
Real Estate
"I wanted to demonstrate the full extent of Foreclosures in the US, so after setting GMaps on foreclosure listings, I slowly zoomed out of the map. Voila! Most foreclosures that are for sale in the USA are now showing on your screen."
The 25-Year Foreclosure
12/05/10
Real Estate
"Patsy Campbell could tell you a thing or two about fighting foreclosure. She's been fighting hers for 25 years. The 71-year-old retired insurance saleswoman has been living in her house, a two-story on a half acre in a tidy middle-class neighborhood here in central Florida, since 1978. The last time she made a mortgage payment was October 1985."
Why the housing bulls are wrong
11/22/10
Real Estate
"Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman is the latest prominent investor to jump on the housing bandwagon. But here are four reasons by housing is still not a good investment."
The two key housing problems
09/16/10
Real Estate
"It is important to note that falling house prices helps clear the excess supply, although more jobs and more households is the preferred solution. However falling prices makes the negative equity problem worse."
The lost half decade
08/25/10
Real Estate
"While it has been a 'lost decade' for equities, housing isn't too far behind. The sector is now in the midst of a lost half decade and counting. Following up on yesterday's downright awful release of existing home sales, today's new home sales report for July came in at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of just 276K, which is a record low dating back to 1963. Since peaking in July 2005, new home sales have now declined by more than 80% in five years."
Credit score is the tyrant
07/25/10
Real Estate
"A FICO score, he patiently explained, is merely a tool that lenders use to help manage their risk; criticizing it is akin to criticizing 'a saw because the construction job turned out badly.' With big banks making thousands of credit decisions every day, they couldn't possible do it without some standardized benchmark; a credit score provided that benchmark. Over the years, he added, the algorithm had gotten very good at predicting the odds of a borrower defaulting. In fact, FICO scores are not the best predictor. The amount of equity a person has in his home, his debt-to-income ratio, his job stability and his cash reserves are all better predictors than credit scores, according to Dave Zitting, the chief executive of Primary Residential Mortgage, a leading mortgage lender. And yet, he said, 'The credit score has become the line in the sand for the banks.'"
Vancouver's bubble trouble
06/27/10
Real Estate
"In Vancouver, new developments are pre-sold via "assignment letters," or commitments to buy. Throughout 2009, say Connell and others, assignment letters were being flipped. "The minute I actually heard a taxi driver talking about flipping assignments," says Connell, "I knew something had to give.""
The homeownership gap
06/04/10
Real Estate
"Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of negative equity homeowners - those who owe more on their mortgages than their houses are worth. These homeowners are included in the offi cial homeownership rate computed by the Census Bureau, but the savings they must amass to retain their home or purchase a new home are daunting. Recognizing that these homeowners are likely to convert to renters over time, the authors of this analysis calculate an 'effective' rate of homeownership that excludes negative equity households. They argue that the effective rate - 5.6 percentage points below the official rate - may be a useful guide to the future path of the official rate."
The return of housing
04/27/10
Real Estate
"That brought a dramatic change in the first quarter of 2010. "All of a sudden," says Castleman, "demand stabilized at around 60,000 units a quarter, and stayed there." To be sure, that's an extremely low number. Castleman estimates that in a normal economy, around twice that many units should be selling. But housing starts, by the end of 2009, had dropped to an astounding 30,000 a quarter, an extraordinary one-fourth of what the market normally requires. "Now builders are seeing, for the first time in years, that they don't have enough houses either finished or under construction to meet demand," says Castleman. Result: In Metrostudy's markets, housing starts spiked by 44% in the first quarter of 2010, versus the same period last year."
Don't bet the farm on the housing
04/11/10
Real Estate
"The question now is whether a strong case has been built for a new bull market since the home-price turning point in May 2009. Though there is no way to be precise, I don.t believe it has."
Why house value won't rise
04/08/10
Real Estate
"Like any other well-functioning industry, the construction industry experiences technological improvements and increased efficiency. In the computer industry, technology has meant that affordable laptops have computing power that would have been exorbitantly expensive in 1980. As a result, no one ever buys a computer thinking that it will rise in value. The real cost of building a home declined by about 3 percent in both the 1980s and the 1990s. In principle, declining construction costs could also lead homes to become more affordable year after year."
How Texas escaped the real estate crisis
04/04/10
Real Estate
"If there's one thing that Congress can do to help protect borrowers from the worst lending excesses that fueled the mortgage and financial crises, it's to follow the Lone Star State's lead and put the brakes on "cash-out" refinancing and home-equity lending."
Flaherty's mortgage changes
02/16/10
Real Estate
"On Tuesday, the Department of Finance announced three changes to the standards governing government-backed mortgages, that come into force April 19. Here are a summary of the changes." [Too little too late]
Foreclosures seen still hitting prices
02/16/10
Real Estate
"Some borrowers are catching up on payments after having their loan terms modified, but S&P says current trends suggest that 70% of such borrowers eventually will redefault."
U.S. housing aid winds down
02/16/10
Real Estate
"Over the next six months, the federal government plans to wind down many of its emergency programs for housing. Then it will become clear if the market can function on its own. People here are pretty sure the answer will be no."
Global household leverage
02/09/10
Real Estate
"Household leverage in the United States and many industrial countries increased dramatically in the decade prior to 2007. Countries with the largest increases in household leverage tended to experience the fastest rises in house prices over the same period. These same countries tended to experience the biggest declines in household consumption once house prices started falling."
A new bubble
02/08/10
Real Estate
"As the U.S. struggles to get out of its housing slump, its neighbor to the north faces a different challenge: Canada's housing recovery has been so rapid that some here are worrying about a bubble."
All those little Stuyvesant Towns
02/01/10
Real Estate
"In a letter warning Vantage of impending litigation, Mr. Cuomo's office contended that Vantage, which has bought more than 125 buildings in Queens, Harlem and other areas since 2006, had engaged in a 'systemic pattern of harassment' to generate significant tenant turnover. Increasing turnover was central to Vantage's business strategy, the attorney general's office said, so that it could charge much higher rents after renovating the newly vacant apartments."
A bust with precedent
01/31/10
Real Estate
"The original wave of securitizations took place in the 1920s, when the United States went on the greatest building boom ever. Many investors saw how rapidly real estate prices were rising and wanted in on the action. The builders and brokers were only too happy to oblige."
Unlock the housing market
01/30/10
Real Estate
"In the United States, you can find and bid on a house using an iPhone. So why is it that in Canada, much of the information prospective home owners need is a tightly held secret, unlocked only by real estate agents? It's the question at the heart of a dispute between the industry and the Competition Bureau -- the resolution of which could radically change how houses are bought and sold"
Why Canada's housing bubble will burst
01/27/10
Government
Real Estate
"Reading the newspapers these days, you have to wonder whether Canada was on another planet when the global credit crisis hit. House prices have actually increased in some provinces and now there is a shortage of houses for sale in southern Ontario. Credit is flowing everywhere. But what few Canadians realize is that the housing market has avoided collapse (prices are down 32 per cent in the U.S.) because the Harper Conservatives directed the CMHC to change the mortgage rules to effectively make the Canadian government the biggest sub-prime lender in the world."
International housing affordability
01/25/10
Real Estate
"Vancouver remained the least affordable market of any size in the surveyed nations, at 9.3, worsening from 8.4 last year. Toronto joined Vancouver as severely unaffordable, with a Median Multiple of 5.2. However, Barrie, within the Toronto region was moderately unaffordable, at 3.4. Victoria, Abbotsford and Kelowna (all in British Columbia) were also severely unaffordable. Housing affordability continues to deteriorate in Montreal (Median Multiple of 4.9), where an agricultural urban growth boundary has seriously constrained development on the urban fringe. The most affordable major market in Canada was Ottawa, with a Median Multiple of 3.8 (moderately unaffordable). However, housing affordability has deteriorated materially in Ottawa-Gatineau, which was affordable as late as 2007 (Median Multiple of 3.0). The most affordable markets in Canada were Thunder Bay and Windsor (2.2), followed by Moncton (2.5), Saguenay and Saint John (NB) at 3.0."
Underwater, but will they leave the pool?
01/24/10
Real Estate
"A provocative paper by Brent White, a law professor at the University of Arizona, makes the case that borrowers are actually suffering from a 'norm asymmetry.' In other words, they think they are obligated to repay their loans even if it is not in their financial interest to do so, while their lenders are free to do whatever maximizes profits. It's as if borrowers are playing in a poker game in which they are the only ones who think bluffing is unethical."
In China, fear of a real estate bubble
01/12/10
World
Real Estate
"With property prices soaring in key cities, many investors and bankers worry that China has the next great real estate bubble waiting to be popped."
Walk away from your mortgage!
01/09/10
Real Estate
"Mortgage holders do sign a promissory note, which is a promise to pay. But the contract explicitly details the penalty for nonpayment - surrender of the property. The borrower isn't escaping the consequences; he is suffering them."
Loan effort adding to housing woes
01/02/10
Government
Real Estate
"The Obama administration.s $75 billion program to protect homeowners from foreclosure has been widely pronounced a disappointment, and some economists and real estate experts now contend it has done more harm than good."
Are homes now "cheap"?
12/30/09
Real Estate
"House prices are not cheap nationally. This is apparent in the price-to-income, price-to-rent, and also using real prices. Sure, most of the price correction is behind us and it is getting safer to be a bottom caller! But "cheap" means below normal, and I believe that is incorrect."
Put option: default, then rent
12/11/09
Real Estate
"Thanks to a rare confluence of factors -- mortgages that far exceed home values and bargain-basement rents -- a growing number of families are concluding that the new American dream home is a rental. Some are leaving behind their homes and mortgages right away, while others are simply halting payments until the bank kicks them out."
Why didn't Canada's housing market go bust?
12/03/09
Real Estate
"Housing markets in the United States and Canada are similar in many respects, but each has fared quite differently since the onset of the financial crisis. A comparison of the two markets suggests that relaxed lending standards likely played a critical role in the U.S. housing bust."
Why loan modifications fail
12/03/09
Real Estate
"Why are so few temporary mortgage modifications turning permanent? One reason may be the same one that a lot of bad loans were made in the first place. Borrowers can declare their income, and the banks are willing to grant temporary modifications based on those figures, without any evidence to confirm them. But to make a modification permanent, the banks have to see proof of income, and the borrower has to make three monthly payments of the new lower amount. In most cases, those requirements are not being met."
What are these home owners thinking?
11/19/09
Real Estate
"Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it. Those who ignore very recent experience are just being stupid."
Acorn and the housing bubble
11/13/09
Government
Real Estate
"Fannie and Freddie also acquired $2.2 trillion in subprime loans and private securities backed by subprime loans from 1997 to 2007. Acorn and the other advocacy groups succeeded at getting Congress to mandate "innovative and flexible" lending practices such as higher debt ratios and creative definitions of income. And the serious delinquency rate on Fannie and Freddie's $1.5 trillion in high-risk loans was 10.3% as of Sept. 30, 2009. This is about seven times the delinquency rate on the GSEs' traditional loans. Fifty percent of the high-risk loans are estimated to be CRA loans, with much of the remainder useful to the GSEs in meeting their affordable-housing goals."
CMHC needs to review policies
11/06/09
Government
Real Estate
"Another characteristic similar to the U.S. meltdown is the fact AVMs, RATs, no physical inspections and speedy credit approvals enhanced a form of mortgage fraud known as "boost and flip.""
Subprime mortgages: Myths and reality
10/25/09
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"Subprime is just another boom and bust story; just another example of the manner in which easy money will find an outlet. Usually, of course, easy money will express itself in terms of inflation; since there was not much inflation in the period 2001-07, the Fed missed the underlying problem."
The dog ate your mortgage
10/25/09
Real Estate
"But some judges are starting to scrutinize the rules-don't-matter methods used by lenders and their lawyers in the recent foreclosure wave. On occasion, lenders are even getting slapped around a bit. One surprising smackdown occurred on Oct. 9 in federal bankruptcy court in the Southern District of New York. Ruling that a lender, PHH Mortgage, hadn't proved its claim to a delinquent borrower's home in White Plains, Judge Robert D. Drain wiped out a $461,263 mortgage debt on the property. That's right: the mortgage debt disappeared, via a court order."
Homebuyers' handout
10/22/09
Real Estate
"Following the cash-for-clunkers idiocy, the federal government may extend its subsidy for homebuyers. The $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers is due to expire Nov. 30, but our solons in the Senate are looking to push back that deadline and possibly expand the credit to $15,000 to most homebuyers, not just newbies. As with the clunker cash, Uncle Sam is giving money to folks to do what they would have done anyway."
CMHC's growth fuels worries over new risks
10/18/09
Government
Real Estate
"The federal government has quietly given Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. more financial muscle, raising concerns the multibillion-dollar agency is expanding at an unprecedented pace with little oversight." [CMHC, helping to make Canadian real estate more expensive since 1946.]
A Bounce? Indeed. A Boom? Not Yet.
10/11/09
Real Estate
"At the moment, it appears that the extreme ups and downs of the housing market have turned many Americans into housing speculators. Many people are still playing a leverage game, watching various economic indicators as well as the state of federal bailout programs - including the $8,000 first-time home-buyer tax credit that is currently scheduled to expire before Dec. 1 - in an effort to time their home-buying decisions. The sudden turn could signal a new housing boom, but is more likely just a sign of a period of higher short-run price volatility."
Bob Shiller didn't kill the housing market
07/07/09
Shiller
Real Estate
"Two years into the housing bust, Shiller finally sees some faint rays of sunshine (that's just light, not green shoots yet). When the June Case-Shiller figures were released, he said they showed "striking improvement in the rate of decline." Asked to look ahead, he says, "My guess is that prices will continue to fall for a while, but at a slower pace, and then stabilize. We've become very speculative in our attitude toward real estate, so there could be another boom. But if so, it likely won't happen for another five to 10 years.""
Mortgages made simpler
07/05/09
Government
Behaviour
Real Estate
"In the past year, we have learned the hard way that when people take out mortgages they cannot repay, the entire economy can be disrupted. Fixing the problem is complicated. But a good first step is to make the mortgage lending process Homer-proof."
Tax appeals take rising toll on governments
07/04/09
Government
Real Estate
"Homeowners across the country are challenging their property tax bills in droves as the value of their homes drop, threatening local governments with another big drain on their budgets."
New evidence on the foreclosure crisis
07/03/09
Real Estate
"What is really behind the mushrooming rate of mortgage foreclosures since 2007? The evidence from a huge national database containing millions of individual loans strongly suggests that the single most important factor is whether the homeowner has negative equity in a house -- that is, the balance of the mortgage is greater than the value of the house. This means that most government policies being discussed to remedy woes in the housing market are misdirected."
U.S. home prices down 18%
06/30/09
Real Estate
"The 10-City and 20-City Composites declined 18.0% and 18.1%, respectively, in April compared to the same month in 2008. These are improvements over their returns reported for March, down 18.7% for both indices."
A recession measured by new-home sales
06/27/09
Real Estate
"There have been bad housing markets before, but never in post-World War II history has the market for new homes suffered as badly as it has in this decline."
Return to 0% down
06/03/09
Government
Real Estate
"The days of home buying with little or no money down may be back - this time thanks to Uncle Sam."
A 3rd wave of foreclosures
06/03/09
Real Estate
"The next group of Americans to lose their homes seemed to have good credit and affordable loans. But those families have been walloped by the recession."
Problems with housing data
06/03/09
Real Estate
"Housing is at the epicenter of the financial crisis. Home values affect wealth, personal consumption, and the need for further write downs in "legacy" (formerly known as toxic) assets. We would love to have good data about housing. Forget it. Nearly all of the housing series are flawed with significant discontinuities or conceptual problems. No matter what the data report, there will be plenty of opportunity for pundits to dispute the results for the next year or so."
Home prices began 2009 with record declines
05/26/09
Real Estate
"The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index - which covers all nine U.S. census divisions - recorded a 19.1% decline in the 1st quarter of 2009 versus the 1st quarter of 2008, the largest decline in the series. 21-year history. The 10-City and 20-City Composites recorded annual declines of 18.6% and 18.7%, respectively. These are slight improvements from their returns reported for February."
Job losses push mortgages to foreclosure
05/25/09
Real Estate
"In the latest phase of the nation's real estate disaster, the locus of trouble has shifted from subprime loans - those extended to home buyers with troubled credit - to the far more numerous prime loans issued to those with decent financial histories."
U.S. homeownership by age group
04/27/09
Real Estate
"Back in 1985, the homeownership rate declined significantly after people turned 70. However, more recently, the homeownership rate has stayed above 80% for those in the 70 to 75 cohort, and close to 80% for people over 75. I expect the homeownership rate to remain high for the boomer generation too."
Fannie Mae creates housing mirage
04/24/09
Government
Real Estate
"Give money away. That was a solution to the housing crisis mortgage giant Fannie Mae hit on last year. Faced with growing numbers of homeowners unable to make mortgage payments, Fannie decided to fund loans to borrowers that were instant losers."
Down and out
04/24/09
Real Estate
"British and American consumers have been obsessed with the idea of a house as their main store of wealth, regarding it as a combination of cash cow and pension plan. But the idea that we can all get rich by buying and selling each other.s houses was always an illusion. Maybe it will die out for a decade or two."
Housing is not coming back
04/24/09
Real Estate
"The entire world is hoping that housing is about to "recover" and re-ascend its glorious bubble-era heights of valuation. But it's not going to happen."
Spat over historical trends
04/24/09
Real Estate
"For now, Mr. Lawler says, the government does a better job with its monthly index of pricing for women's undergarments than it does with housing."
The housing crisis isn't a crisis
04/10/09
Real Estate
"His research has revealed three distinct types of housing markets--and only one of the three shows real signs of distress. Even then, that distress is only in a limited number of areas."
New home sales fell 41%
03/26/09
Real Estate
"After incorrectly reporting the Existing Home Sales, the mainstream media misread the Census department report of New Homes. No, New Home Sales data did not improve. In fact, they were not only not positive, they were actually horrific. The year over year number was a terrible down 41%. Sales from this same period a year ago have nearly been halved."
Curse you, Zillow!
03/21/09
Real Estate
"Yes, the market has plummeted at roughly the speed of a large melon dropped from a tall building. But an Internet appraisal can only compare a house's worth to that of other houses. It doesn't see inner beauty. It knows nothing of kitchen renovations or landscape improvements. It is an inherently limited measurement, as shallow and as damaging to homeowners' egos as teen fashion magazines are to body-conscious adolescent girls. Still, when I learned this week that the median Southern California home price in February was just $250,000, I did something that turned out to be a very bad idea from an emotional health perspective. I looked up my house on Zillow."
Attack of the condo craters
03/04/09
Real Estate
"Many project failures are indeed just rumours at this point, but the numbers indicate an imminent oversupply of boxes in the sky. 'It's night and day from just a few months ago,' says Adam Vaughan, a Toronto city councillor. On any given day for two years he'd receive at least one application for a new condo project in his Trinity-Spadina ward, but hasn't seen one in six months. 'There were more 50-storey buildings under construction in my ward than Calgary has ever built,' he says. Will Dunning, a Toronto real estate economist, says that although the fall-off in new projects has certainly been dramatic, it may not have been fast enough. Today, he says, there are roughly 35,000 units on the go in Toronto. But in December, just 198 new condos were sold, a stunning 81 per cent drop from the year before. 'This very large pending inventory is setting the stage for a substantial correction within the condo market,' he warned in a report late last year."
Mortgage delinquencies rise to record
03/04/09
Real Estate
"Mortgage delinquencies increased to a seasonally adjusted 7.88 percent of all loans, the highest in records going back to 1972, the Mortgage Bankers Association said today. Loans in foreclosure rose to 3.30 percent, also an all-time high."
1 in 5 mortgages underwater
03/04/09
Real Estate
"It's bad enough when the value of your house is sinking like a lead balloon. But for a growing number of Americans, their woes are compounded by owing more on the mortgage than what that house is now worth."
Home prices fall 18.5%
02/24/09
Real Estate
"Home prices in 20 U.S. cities declined 18.5 percent in December from a year earlier, the fastest drop on record, as foreclosures climbed and sales sank. The decrease in the S&P/Case-Shiller index was more than forecast and followed an 18.2 percent drop in November. The gauge has fallen every month since January 2007, and year-over-year records began in 2001."
Double trouble
02/21/09
Markets
Real Estate
"House prices, in our bloodshot view, have another 20% or so to fall before hitting bottom and, at the earliest, we're talking sometime next year. And, possibly more important, a meaningful brightening of the current, profoundly bleak jobs picture, isn't in the cards for certainly as long, if not longer."
Housing starts at another record low
02/18/09
Real Estate
"Total housing starts were at 464 thousand (SAAR) in January, by far the lowest level since the Census Bureau began tracking housing starts in 1959."
19 million U.S. homes vacant in 2008
02/04/09
Real Estate
"A record 19 million U.S. homes stood empty at the end of 2008 and homeownership fell to an eight-year low as banks seized homes faster than they could sell them. The number of vacant homes climbed 6.7 percent in the fourth quarter from the same period a year ago, the U.S. Census Bureau said in a report today. The share of empty homes that are for sale rose to 2.9 percent, the most in data that goes back to 1956. The homeownership rate fell to 67.5 percent, matching the rate in the first quarter of 2001."
Rents are falling fast
02/01/09
Real Estate
"Fritz Frigan, executive director of sales and leasing at Halstead Property estimates that when these incentives are considered, rents are actually down some 10 percent to 15 percent since the market peak in mid-2007."
The growing foreclosure crisis
01/18/09
Real Estate
One oft-repeated assertion no longer holds true. Those in trouble are not, primarily, lower-income borrowers. The foreclosure crisis has become a wave, afflicting neighborhoods of every stripe -- but particularly communities created by the boom itself.""
Home prices post record 18% drop
12/30/08
Real Estate
"Home prices posted another record decline in October, falling 18% compared with a year earlier, according to a closely watched report released Tuesday. The 20-city S&P Case-Shiller index has posted losses for a staggering 27 months in a row. In October, 14 of the 20 cities set fresh price decline records."
Former WaMu employees tell of the push to lend
12/29/08
Real Estate
"As a supervisor at a Washington Mutual mortgage processing center, John D. Parsons was accustomed to seeing baby sitters claiming salaries worthy of college presidents, and schoolteachers with incomes rivaling stockbrokers'. He rarely questioned them. A real estate frenzy was under way and WaMu, as his bank was known, was all about saying yes. Yet even by WaMu's relaxed standards, one mortgage four years ago raised eyebrows. The borrower was claiming a six-figure income and an unusual profession: mariachi singer."
A mortgage bailout plan's paltry results
12/26/08
Government
Real Estate
"Basically, the plan was to offer as much as $300 billion in government-guaranteed home loans to people whose current mortgages exceed the value of their houses; 400,000 people would benefit, it was said. Well, the early returns are in, and the program is, at this point, a flop. There have been only 312 applications, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. At that rate, the three-year program would help only about 5,400 borrowers."
U.S. home prices drop by record 13.2%
12/23/08
Real Estate
"Purchases declined 8.6 percent to an annual rate of 4.49 million, from a 4.91 million rate in October that was less than previously estimated, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. The median price dropped 13.2 percent from a year earlier, the biggest decline since records started in 1968. Separately, the Commerce Department reported today that new-home sales fell 2.9 percent last month to a 17-year low."
How high-risk mortgages crept north
12/13/08
Government
Real Estate
"The untold story of how elements of the first Conservative budget in 2006 encouraged big U.S. players such as AIG to make a push into Canada, creating our version of subprime mortgages"
The American Dream?
12/13/08
Academia
Real Estate
"Using a unique data set that links up well-being and housing consumption, this paper sets out to measure systematic differences between homeowners and renters, in term of moment-to-moment emotions, life satisfaction, joy and pain derived from domains of life including home and neighbourhood, family life and time use. A remarkable similarity between homeowners and renters is found. Controlling for demographics and income, homeowners do not report higher levels of well-being by any measure in this data set. In fact, they report to be less healthy, derive less joy from love and relationships, spend less time with friends and on active leisure, and also experience less positive affect during time spent with friends. Their time use patterns reveal little evidence of them being "better citizens". Due to self-selection in the housing tenure choice, these results are likely to represent upper bounds of the causal benefits of homeownership. Homeowners who live in ZIP code areas with higher rates of homeownership report more positive attitudes only if other owners are similar to them in socio-economic terms, lending some support to the idea of beneficial social interaction among owners."
Foreclosures soar 76%
12/05/08
Real Estate
"This means that one in 10 borrowers in America are either delinquent or in foreclosure. Many of those troubled borrowers are in California and Florida, which have among the highest delinquency rates in the nation."
Fed commits $800 billion more to unfreeze lending
11/25/08
Markets
Bonds
Government
Real Estate
"The Federal Reserve took two new steps to unfreeze credit for homebuyers, consumers and small businesses, committing up to $800 billion. The central bank will purchase as much as $600 billion in debt issued or backed by government-chartered housing-finance companies. It will also set up a $200 billion program to support consumer and small-business loans, the Fed said in statements today in Washington."
Home prices in record decline
11/25/08
Real Estate
"The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price national index recorded a 16.6% decline in the third quarter compared with the same period a year ago. That eclipsed the previous record of 15.1% set during the second quarter. Prices in Case-Shiller's separate index of 10 major cities fell a record 18.6%, while its 20-city index dropped a record 17.4%"
Housing market gets even weaker
11/24/08
Real Estate
"The national median existing-home price in October was $183,300, down 11.3% from a year ago when the median was $206,700."
Challenging the crowd in whispers
11/02/08
Markets
Shiller
Real Estate
"I clearly remember a taxi driver in Miami explaining to me years ago that the housing bubble there was getting crazy. With all the construction under way, which he pointed out as we drove along, he said that there would surely be a glut in the market and, eventually, a disaster. But why weren.t the experts at the Fed saying such things? And why didn.t a consensus of economists at universities and other institutions warn that a crisis was on the way?"
Home prices in 20 U.S. cities fall 16.6%
10/28/08
Real Estate
"House prices in 20 U.S. cities declined in the year ended in August at the fastest pace on record as more properties went into foreclosure before the credit crisis deepened this month. The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index dropped 16.6 percent in August from a year earlier, as forecast, after a 16.3 percent decline in July. The gauge has fallen every month since January 2007, and year-over-year records began in 2001."
Home prices seem far from bottom
10/19/08
Real Estate
"Home prices across much of the country are likely to fall through late 2009, economists say, and in some markets the trend could last even longer depending on the severity of the anticipated recession. In hard-hit areas like California, Florida and Arizona, the grim calculus is the same: More and more homes are going up for sale, but fewer and fewer people are willing or able to buy them. Adding to the worries nationwide are rising unemployment, falling wages and escalating mortgage rates - all of which will reduce the already diminished pool of would-be buyers."
Canada may face housing bust: Shiller
10/01/08
Real Estate
"The Canadian housing market could face a similar housing bust to the United States, particularly in more bubbly markets as Vancouver and Calgary, said Robert Shiller, the Yale University professor who predicted both the 1990s stock market boom and bust and the US housing slump."
U.S. home prices declined 16.3% in July
09/30/08
Real Estate
"The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index dropped 16.3 percent from a year earlier, more than forecast, after a 15.9 percent decline in June."
Housing costs: Half your income?
09/25/08
Real Estate
"More than 7.5 million homeowners spend at least half of their income on housing; 19 million are above 30%. That's 53% of all homeowners with mortgages. No wonder Americans feel strained."
The mortgages of the future
09/21/08
Real Estate
"Mortgages could be structured differently, so that adjustments in payments would be made as a matter of routine - systematically, automatically and continuously - starting even before any distress is perceived by borrower or lender. By avoiding thousands and even millions of individual family crises, we might also make institutional crises, like the collapse of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, less likely."
Steeper drop in Canada's existing home prices
09/15/08
Real Estate
"The average price of a home sold in Canada's major markets dropped 5.1% in August from a year ago, the largest decline in more than 12 years, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. House prices have dropped for three straight months and it's probably only the beginning, says Benjamin Tal, senior economist with CIBC World Markets."
Warren Buffett's happy housing story
09/11/08
Buffett
Real Estate
"Not every subprime lender is drowning in red ink. Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary Clayton Homes, the nation's largest maker and financer of prefab and mobile homes, has been a bright light in a mortgage market that has generated $500 billion in write-downs since the start of 2007."
Buffett becomes vulture
09/02/08
Buffett
Real Estate
"Ron Peltier runs HomeServices of America Inc., the second-largest U.S. real estate brokerage, and unlike No. 1 NRT Inc., his company is making money in the worst housing slump since the Great Depression. HomeServices also has a parent, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., with $28 billion of cash to help finance the purchase of brokerages that can't weather the housing recession. By contrast, NRT's parent Realogy Corp., owned by Leon Black's Apollo Management LP, has at least $875 million of debt that has an 89 percent chance of defaulting within five years, credit-default swaps tracked by London-based CMA DataVision indicate."
Real national prices decline to Q4 2002 levels
08/27/08
Real Estate
"In real terms, the Case-Shiller National Home price index is off 25% from the peak. Real prices are now back to the Q4 2002 level (nominal prices are back to mid-2004)."
The giant pool of money
08/23/08
Bonds
Debt
Markets
Real Estate
"A special program about the housing crisis produced in a special collaboration with NPR News. We explain it all to you. What does the housing crisis have to do with the turmoil on Wall Street? Why did banks make half-million dollar loans to people without jobs or income? And why is everyone talking so much about the 1930s? It all comes back to the Giant Pool of Money."
Foreclosure fallout: Houses go for a $1
08/14/08
Real Estate
"So desperate was the bank owner of 8111 Traverse Street to unload the property that it agreed to pay $2,500 in sales commission and another $1,000 bonus for closing the $1 sale; the bank also will pay $500 of the buyer's closing costs. Throw in back taxes and a water bill, and unloading the house will cost the bank about $10,000."
One third owe more than house is worth
08/12/08
Real Estate
"Almost one-third of U.S. homeowners who bought in the last five years now owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth, according to Zillow.com, an Internet provider of home valuations."
'Stealth' housing bailout
08/06/08
Government
Real Estate
"The numbers are staggering and likely to get much larger. What we have here is, through a variety of programs, a stealth bailout where more than a trillion dollars of taxpayer guarantees have been extended to the housing market, both to keep it going and to clean up the mess from the past."
European recession looms
07/15/08
World
Real Estate
"The eurozone is tipping into a deeper downturn than America itself despite the tremors in the US mortgage industry, and may already be in full recession for the first time since the launch of the single currency."
Paulson seeks authority to shore up Fannie, Freddie
07/14/08
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson put the weight of the federal government behind Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the beleaguered companies that buy or finance almost half of the $12 trillion of U.S. mortgages. Paulson, speaking on the steps of the Treasury facing the White House, asked Congress for authority to buy unlimited stakes in and lend to the companies, aiming to stem a collapse in confidence. The Federal Reserve separately authorized the firms to borrow directly from the central bank."
IndyMac seized by U.S. regulators
07/12/08
Government
Stocks
Real Estate
"IndyMac Bancorp Inc. became the second- biggest federally insured financial company to be seized by U.S. regulators after a run by depositors left the California mortgage lender short on cash."
Mortgage giants face pressure
07/11/08
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"One possible scenario if Fannie and Freddie's financial position worsens: Under existing law, if either company were severely low on capital, it could fall under the control of their government regulator, which would then be responsible for the firm. That step -- known as placing it in a conservatorship -- would allow the mortgage company to continue operating, but the extent of its abilities in such a distressed situation remains unclear."
The $5 trillion mess
07/11/08
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"They own or guarantee $5 trillion worth of mortgages- nearly half of all the country's outstanding home loan debt - and they're crashing. Big time. If Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac go under, it will wreak yet more havoc on an already wrecked housing market - making loans tougher to come by and possibly pushing hundreds of billions of dollars in cost on to U.S. taxpayers."
Fannie Mae, Freddie losses make them 'insolvent'
07/10/08
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"While leading the St. Louis Fed, Poole roiled markets in 2003 when he said the government should consider severing its implied backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and said the companies lack the capital to weather financial market disruptions. In 2006 and 2007 he called for lawmakers to strip Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of their charters."
British house prices fall
07/01/08
World
Real Estate
"House prices in Britain have fallen at their fastest annual rate for 16 years, new figures show. Average property values in June stood 6.3pc cent lower than a year before - the biggest such drop since the 1990s crash, the Nationwide building society said."
The housing abyss
06/27/08
Government
Real Estate
"Steve Hawks, owner of RE/MAX Platinum real estate agency in Henderson, Nev., says he has been flooded with calls from people interested in "buying and bailing" - that is, buying an additional house while their credit is still good, then walking away from the old one unless they can cut a favorable deal with the lender. So far the number of people who have done so appears to be small. But Hawks says banks are receptive to lending for such purchases because they figure the buyer will be able to afford the new, cheaper place. Also, says Hawks, they know that, since the buyer's credit will become damaged, he or she won't pull the same trick on them, at least for a few years." [More madness from U.S. lenders.]
SP/Case-Shiller home prices fell 15.3% in April
06/24/08
Real Estate
"Home prices decreased 1.4 percent in April from a month earlier after a 2.2 percent decline in March, the report showed. The figures aren't adjusted for seasonal effects, so economists prefer to focus on year-over-year changes instead of month to month."
Mistaking consumption for investment
06/24/08
Montier
Real Estate
"During the housing bubble a lot of people confused consumption with investment, a fact now becoming painfully obvious in Britain as prices fall and businesses suffer. As in the United States, home owners helped inflate a wider bubble by plowing money into housing-related consumption, from granite kitchen countertops to living room furniture to under floor heating. The illusion, or justification, was that this consumption, often financed via mortgage debt, was actually investment in a can't-miss real asset. It wasn't, it's stopping and the impact on the economy will be considerable."
We ain't got to show you no stinking credibility
06/16/08
Markets
Real Estate
"In short, mortgage foreclosures and defaults are just now hitting their stride, and we are likely to observe a second round of credit fears as those losses mount. The U.S. dollar has enjoyed a brief rebound on tightening talk from the Fed, which is likely to quickly dissipate as soon as those credit concerns revive. Meanwhile, commodity price pressure is likely to diminish by the end of summer as the result of a continuing economic downturn coupled with a flight-to-safety which will reduce monetary velocity."
Downsizing the American home
06/10/08
Real Estate
"During the housing bubble, KB Home priced out first-time homebuyers by building bigger. Its new, more modest model provides a glimpse of what the return of the housing market may look like."
About 1 in 11 mortgageholders face loan problems
06/06/08
Real Estate
"All told, about 8.8 percent of home loans were past due or in foreclosure, or about 4.8 million loans. That is up from 7.9 percent at the end of December. (About a third of American homeowners do not have mortgages.) Delinquency and foreclosure rates started rising from historically low levels in late 2006 and have picked up speed in nearly every quarter since. Analysts say at first past due mortgages represented mostly high-risk loans made to borrowers with blemished, or subprime, credit. Now, as the economy has weakened and home prices have fallen in many parts of the country, homeowners with better loans are also falling behind."
Lipstick On A pig
06/06/08
Real Estate
"Credit scores used by the mortgage industry are often supplied by credit-reporting agencies that also offer borrowers assistance in figuring out how to game the system. They use computer programs that suggest tactics that can lift scores for a few days or weeks. This credit gentrification occurs quietly at the beggining of the loan process, and like a summer-before-college nose job, nobody has to know."
Housing bubbles collapse inward
05/30/08
Real Estate
"The trends that pushed housing demand toward distant suburbs and rural areas were not sustainable. Although housing in outlying areas was relatively less expensive, a few years of double-digit appreciation quickly made these homes unaffordable for most households, especially after the sub-prime mortgage crisis (which started in August 2007) shut down non-conventional lending. Speculators could only profit from flipping when prices were rapidly increasing. When prices stalled and started to fall in 2006, investor demand for residential properties evaporated, and many speculators left holding unsold properties were forced into foreclosure. There is also some evidence that household preferences for larger homes may be shifting. In part, this is simply because of sharp increases in commuting costs."
Through the floor
05/30/08
Real Estate
"As house prices in America continue their rapid descent, market-watchers are having to cast back ever further for gloomy comparisons. The latest S&P/Case-Shiller national house-price index, published this week, showed a slump of 14.1% in the year to the first quarter, the worst since the index began 20 years ago. Now Robert Shiller, an economist at Yale University and co-inventor of the index, has compiled a version that stretches back over a century. This shows that the latest fall in nominal prices is already much bigger than the 10.5% drop in 1932, the worst point of the Depression."
Home prices take record drop
05/22/08
Real Estate
"Though prices have dropped overall, homes still have retained much of the value they gained in the housing run-up that began in 2003. And of course that is a good thing for owners of homes who want to hold on to the value of their investments. But there are those who look at the big picture and predict that the current decline won't end until house prices are again affordable for many more Americans. For that to happen, prices must fall to about where they were before the bubble began, the theory goes. If so, there's still considerable room to drop. Census Bureau figures showed the median price (half cost more, half cost less) as $227,600 in March, having retreated from last year's $262,000. But even that deflated figure is 22% above the median price from 2003."
Subprime in sheep's clothing
05/08/08
Markets
Debt
Real Estate
"Unlike subprime folk with expired teasers who have been putting capital into their homes for months and perhaps years, many Alt-A borrowers with years left on their payment-lite teaser periods are going to wake up one day to homes that have hugely deteriorated in price and have little if any equity in them. That is the exact recipe for foreclosure that bank insiders and credit analysts are warning about. Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com estimates that, by the end of June, 21.0% of all first-mortgage holders in the United States, or 10.6 million homeowners, will have zero or negative equity in their homes. For now, Alt-A loans are performing better than subprime mortgages. The risk, however, is that generally well-heeled Alt-A borrowers will adopt the same flippant attitude to paying their debts as lenders did in evaluating them. An additional pressure: 23.7% of Alt-A loans were not taken out for primary residences are often considered investments and have a higher rate of foreclosure. Only 8.7% of subprime mortgages were for absentee landlords, according to the New York Federal Reserve Bank."
Doubts raised on big backers of mortgages
05/06/08
Stocks
Real Estate
"As home prices continue their free fall and banks shy away from lending, Washington officials have increasingly relied on two giant mortgage companies - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - to keep the housing market afloat. But with mortgage defaults and foreclosures rising, Bush administration officials, regulators and lawmakers are nervously asking whether these two companies, would-be saviors of the housing market, will soon need saving themselves."
Subprime outcomes
05/06/08
Academia
Debt
Economy
Real Estate
"Our second point is that house price depreciation - negative house price appreciation(HPA) - is the main driver of foreclosures. The easiest way to see this is to look at aggregate data. Figure 1 shows that periods of exceptionally high HPA in Massachusetts, as in 2002-2004, are associated with exceptionally low numbers of foreclosures, while periods of negative HPA, such as 1989-1991 and 2005-2007, are associated with high foreclosure rates. Cash flow problems at the household level, driven by job loss, for example, play a role, but only when HPA is low. For example, in 2001, a recession generated a record high number of delinquencies, a sign that many households had problems making monthly mortgage payments. During this time, however, there was a record low number of foreclosures in Massachusetts. Thus, the phenomenal levels of HPA in the early 2000s enabled many borrowers to either refinance or sell to avoid foreclosure."
Foreclosure woes require action
05/06/08
Government
Markets
Real Estate
"Unemployment statistics, according to Bernanke, do not explain the increased delinquencies of many areas, including California, Florida and parts of Colorado, where foreclosure filings have increased even when unemployment generally have fallen. More revealing was the close correlation between declining home prices and high delinquency rates. On the home price decline map, states like California and Florida were drenched in red, indicating the worst losses. On the map revealing the highest foreclosure rates, the same states were also covered in red."
House prices decline
04/29/08
Markets
Economy
Real Estate
"House prices dropped 2.6 percent in February from a month earlier, after a 2.4 percent decline in January, the S&P/Case- Shiller report showed. The figures aren't adjusted for seasonal effects, so economists prefer to focus on year-over-year changes instead of month-to-month. The group's 10-city composite index, with a history back to 1987, fell 13.6 percent in the 12 months ended in February, also the most on record. Nineteen of the 20 cities in the index showed a year-over- year decrease in prices for February, led by a 23 percent slump in Las Vegas and a 22 percent decline in Miami. Charlotte was the only area showing a gain with a 1.5 percent increase. Compared with January, homes in all 20 areas covered dropped in value."
You can't pay them enough to leave
04/24/08
Real Estate
"When the city of Youngstown, Ohio, proposed incentives to move people out of declining neighborhoods, it sounded like a good idea - in theory. The city hoped to lure holdouts living on nearly empty blocks and relocate them to more lively areas, as part of its plan to remake itself in the wake of the steel industry's departure and the foreclosure crisis. It's already cleared some lots for things like playgrounds. Now Youngstown wants to close entire streets and bulldoze abandoned properties so it can shut down city services like street lighting, police patrols and garbage pick-ups that it can no longer afford to maintain. To do this on a large scale, the city needs to get about 100 residents to relocate. Each is eligible for $50,000 in incentives - plenty, in this town, to buy a new home and move. The hitch: Youngstowners don't seem to want to leave their homes, no matter how blighted or abandoned the neighborhood may be."
New-home sales in the U.S. plunge
04/24/08
Real Estate
"Purchases of new homes in the U.S. plunged more than forecast in March to the lowest level in almost 17 years as stricter loan rules and falling prices caused buyers to hold off. Sales dropped 8.5 percent to an annual pace of 526,000, the fewest since October 1991, from a 575,000 rate the prior month, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. The median sales price slumped 13.3 percent from the same time last year, the most in almost four decades."
Here comes the next mortgage crisis
04/17/08
Markets
Debt
Real Estate
"California should be the poster child for a mortgage-loan bailout. In few other places have so many taken on such onerous debts with so little equity. Unfortunately, the crisis in California is going to get much worse, and there is no bailout that will solve it. Why? Because if the first stage of the foreclosure crisis was about people who could not afford their mortgages, the next stage will be about people who have every reason not even to try to pay their mortgages."
Lenders swamped by foreclosures
04/04/08
Real Estate
"Banks are so overwhelmed by the U.S. housing crisis they've started to look the other way when homeowners stop paying their mortgages. The number of borrowers at least 90 days late on their home loans rose to 3.6 percent at the end of December, the highest in at least five years, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association in Washington. That figure, for the first time, is almost double the 2 percent who have been foreclosed on."
Spanish property auction flop
04/04/08
Markets
World
Real Estate
"House prices began their surge in 1998 spurred by falling interest rates as Spain prepared for euro membership. Spain has built about 5 million new homes since then, attracting immigrant labor from Eastern Europe and Latin America to fuel a boom that peaked in 2006. Now the turmoil in global credit markets is cutting demand. The world's biggest financial companies have reported about $232 billion in credit losses and writedowns since the start of 2007 and the credit shortage is filtering through to Spain."
When I'm sixty-four
04/02/08
Bonds
Markets
Gross
Real Estate
Mr. Gross advocates government measures that attempt to stop the slide in housing prices. Oh, and he's turning 64.
Buyers' revenge
03/28/08
Debt
Crime
Real Estate
"Analysts predict that as many as two million homeowners could enter foreclosure this year, caught by a slowing economy, falling house prices and, in many cases, adjustable mortgages with rates rising from high to higher. In Las Vegas, 1.9% of homes in the Las Vegas area were in the foreclosure process in January, almost triple the rate of a year earlier, according to First American CoreLogic Inc., a Santa Ana, Calif., real-estate and mortgage data company."
Grim realty
03/26/08
Real Estate
"According to the newly published S&P/Case-Shiller index, house prices in ten metropolitan areas fell by 11.7% in January compared with the year before, the biggest fall since the index was created in 1987. The larger 20-city index tumbled by 10.7%. Sunbelt cities which earlier saw the most dramatic price rises are now enduring the hardest falls."
The next shoe to drop in housing
03/15/08
Bonds
Debt
Real Estate
"The credit crunch has finally hit the traditional mortgage market. Investors are now shunning mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have been critical in keeping the real estate market from completely falling apart. Some fear this development will make it harder for people, even those with strong credit histories, to get a home loan."
The Fed can't fix home prices
03/12/08
Government
Real Estate
"Where are the speculators, vultures and hedge funds? Where are the big money players willing to buy the exotic but still substantial mortgage-backed securities for which markets have ceased? The Fed's liquidity rush seems only to have convinced them the time is ripe for staying on the sidelines. To get to a real solution, speculators and investors need to believe that home prices are hitting bottom, that any mortgage debt they might buy today for 80 cents on the dollar today won't be worth 30 cents tomorrow. Then the vultures will pile in: The transfer of wealth from the overleveraged banks and hedge funds to those who kept cash handy will be shocking, ugly and cathartic -- but it will also be relatively quick. Credit markets will begin to function again. The economy will grow."
Morgan Stanley, Lone Star stick taxpayers on defaults
03/09/08
Real Estate
"The public's bill for maintaining foreclosed properties abandoned by lenders and investors may reach as much as $50 billion this year, according to Peter Sepp, vice president of the National Taxpayers Union in Alexandria, Virginia. The U.S. Congress is considering various bills to help cover some of the costs to towns and cities for securing and policing the empty homes, Sepp said."
Preparing for a 'real estate apocalypse'
03/09/08
Real Estate
"The year has not been off to a great start. In figures released last week, a blustery February knocked existing home sales down by 11 per cent for the month, while residential building permits were down by a significant 47 per cent in January. Growing uncertainty over the U.S. economy, where housing values have plummeted in some states, has also cast a long shadow over the Toronto market."
Home economics
03/04/08
Real Estate
"Even without lending and borrowing excesses, though, our high rate of homeownership would likely create problems as the economy slows. To recover from recession, economies need prices to fall until they reflect genuine supply and demand. With certain kinds of assets, like stocks, these adjustments take place quickly, sometimes viciously so. Buying and selling houses, though, is a far slower process. The good thing about this is that housing prices never suffer crashes on the scale that you sometimes see in the stock market. The bad thing is that it can take a long time for housing prices to reflect reality. Homeowners, as economists have shown, tend to remain unreasonably optimistic about the value of their homes, and they hate to drop their asking price. As a result, existing-home sales in the U.S. are now at a nine-year low."
Subprime loans defaulting even before resets
02/20/08
Real Estate
"During the boom, rapid price appreciation meant borrowers built up home equity quickly. That minimized defaults, since owners could draw from that equity to pay their bills - including their mortgages - through home equity loans. But prices fell starting in 2006,leaving borrowers with less home equity to draw upon when they run into financial problems. Median home prices fell 5.8 percent nationally, and by double digits in many areas. That, along with the deterioration in underwriting, changed the default math. Owners with mortgages worth more than their homes simply began walking away from their homes when costs become unmanageable."
Can't pay? Just walk away
02/06/08
Real Estate
"Lenders are afraid that borrowers may find it's worth the hit to their credit scores, if they can drastically reduce their housing expenses. Someone with good credit and a $600,000 home in a town with cratering real estate prices could buy a similar house nearby for $450,000, and then let the other $600,000 mortgage go into foreclosure. The stage is set for this kind of thing particularly in California, where huge numbers of buyers used low or no-down deals to buy homes. The trend has even spawned at least one new business, San Diego-based YouWalkAway.com, which for a fee of $1,000 purports to guide clients through the process of ditching their mortgages. It launched in early January, and says it has already signed up 180 clients. California is a bit of a safe haven for these borrowers, since banks that repossess and then sell a foreclosed property for less than the mortgage that was owed on it cannot come after borrowers for the difference - as long as it's the initial mortgage, one that has not been refinanced. So if a borrower owes $200,000 and the bank sells the house for $170,000, the borrower comes out of it debt-free. And for many homeowners, the prospect of becoming debt-free is growing increasingly alluring."
Getting Knocked Down by Prime ARMs
02/05/08
Real Estate
"We've been reading a lot lately about how subprime mortgages have submarined the economy. Lenders and banks have been taken to the woodshed for irresponsibly giving money to home buyers with poor credit just so they could bundle up the mortgages and resell them as toxic residential-mortgage bonds. But, while there's no denying the subprime problem, on closer look it's clear that even prime borrowers were taking on more debt than they could afford. How bad is it? In Arizona, between the third quarters of 2006 and 2007, there was a 902% rise in foreclosures started against homeowners who had prime adjustable-rate mortgages, known as ARMs, according to the Mortgage Bankers Assn. ARMs, whether prime or subprime, are the real culprit in the housing crisis because they've allowed too many people to buy homes with almost no money down, with the hope that they could flip the properties or have rates drop before the loans reset. The rise in prime ARM foreclosure starts isn't isolated to a few states. Nationally, foreclosure starts related to prime ARMs jumped 253% in the third quarter of 2007 when compared to a year earlier."
Housing meltdown
02/01/08
Real Estate
"Brace yourself: Home prices could sink an additional 25% over the next two or three years, returning values to their 2000 levels in inflation-adjusted terms. That's even with the Federal Reserve's half-percentage-point rate cut on Jan. 30 While a 25% decline is unprecedented in modern times, some economists are beginning to talk about it. "We now see potential for another 25% to 30% downside over the next two years," says David A. Rosenberg, North American economist for Merrill Lynch (MER), who until recently had expected a much smaller slide. Shocking though it might seem, a decline of 25% from here would merely reverse the market's spectacular appreciation during the boom. It would put the national price level right back on its long-term growth trend line, a surprisingly modest 0.4% a year after inflation."
Generational housing bubble
01/23/08
Real Estate
"Communities in the United States face an historic tipping point. After decades of stability, we expect the ratio of seniors to working-age residents to grow abruptly, increasing by roughly 30% in each of the next two decades. We also expect that this change will make many more homes available for sale than there are buyers for them. The exit of the baby boomers from homeownership could have effects as significant as their entry, though with different consequences."
Homebuilding: Sharpest drop in 27 years
01/18/08
Real Estate
"Housing starts and building permits plunged in December much more than expected, resulting in a full-year decline in new home construction that was the sharpest drop in 27 years. And there is little sign things will get better soon. According to government data released Thursday, the full-year total for building permits posted the biggest drop in 33 years. The sharp dropoff in building is one of the reasons that many leading economists are growing increasingly fearful that an economic recession is near, if it hasn't already struck. The pace of housing starts in December dropped 14 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.01 million in December, according to the Census Bureau report."
Appraiser exposes toxic debt tie to inflated values
01/18/08
Real Estate
"Perez valued eight unfinished properties at the Deere Lofts development on April 2. Some were missing ceilings, cabinets or sinks. Each had been bought the previous week for $90,000 to $167,000. Perez said they were worth $177,000 to $330,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta."
Lennar's new homes fetch 60% less
01/10/08
Real Estate
"Lennar Corp.'s November sale of 11,000 properties in eight states set a price that may mark the bottom for the U.S. housing market: 40 cents on the dollar."
Dirty deeds
01/05/08
Real Estate
"Still, even with novel and aggressive tactics, the path to resolution for many properties in Buffalo can be tortuous and protracted. A house at 1941 Niagara St. - one of dozens of properties that Cooper examined as a graduate studenthas yet to see its final chapter, though it may be close. In 1998, Elizabeth M. Manuel obtained a $34,500 mortgage on the property from IMC Mortgage (since acquired by Citibank). By 2002, the loan had been sold into a securitization trust administered by Chase Manhattan (now JPMorgan Chase) as trustee. It also went into default, and Chase began foreclosure proceedings. In a court filing, Manuel (who could not be located for comment) said she left the home while the foreclosure action was pending. More than five years later, though, the title remains in her name. The house, although still standing, has become a fire-gutted wreck. In May 2007, Nowak issued a default judgment against Chase for $9,000. But these cases can be notoriously difficult to untangle. Thomas A. Kelly, a spokesman for the bank, notes that Chase sold its trustee business to the Bank of New York Mellon (BK) in October, 2006, and couldn't locate anyone at Chase able to comment. But he reiterates the industry view that Chase can't be held responsible for maintaining a property it never owned. He acknowledges that if a home didn't seem worth taking as collateral, the bank may have made a decision to "just walk away." The value of 1941 Niagara, estimate city assessors, is $4,500, of which $4,300 represents the value of the land. The home, Cooper says, is slated for "imminent" demolition."
Home prices post record decline
12/26/07
Real Estate
"Home prices fell 6.7 percent in October, compared with a year ago, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller 10-city home-price index. It was the largest drop recorded since the index began in 1987. It marked the 10th consecutive month of price depreciation and 23 months of decelerating returns. "No matter how you look at these data, it is obvious that the current state of the single-family housing market remains grim," said Robert J. Shiller, chief economist at MacroMarkets, in a statement. Case-Shiller's 20-city index fell 6.1 percent. Shiller noted that 11 of the markets in the 20-city index posted a record fall."
Pain Street USA: '08 housing outlook
12/21/07
Real Estate
"The United States is deep in its worst housing slump since the Great Depression, and according to a new report, it's not going to get better any time soon. In a new survey, Moody's Economy.com says many metro areas will record losses of 20 percent or more during the downturn, with the national median price for single-family homes dropping 13 percent through early 2009. Factoring in discount offers from sellers, the actual price decline would be well over 15 percent. 80 of the 381 metro areas covered by the report will record double-digit losses, according to the report. Most of the worst-hit markets are in once high-flying areas such as California and Florida."
Lining up to invest? I'm inclined to look the other way
11/17/07
Real Estate
"It is here that memories of gold buyers lining up before Deak Pereira in 1980 keep running through my mind, and bring up the nagging thought: Can this be the top of the million-dollar-condo bubble? It is, of course, possible that it's not, and that a four-room (as yet unbuilt) Toronto condo would be worth $10-million - maybe more - very soon, just as it was possible that an ounce of 1980 gold would be worth north of $800 soon after. But just as the gold of 1980 revisited its price only 27 years later, those lining up to buy downtown Toronto condos today may also find they must wait several years - perhaps many - before they get their money back."
For sale: 2 million empty homes
10/26/07
Real Estate
"The number of vacant homes for sale rose in the third quarter, according to the latest government reading that casts new harsh light on the weakness of the housing market. The Census Bureau report puts the number of vacant homes for sale at 2.07 million in the period, up about 2 percent from the second quarter, and 7 percent above year ago levels."
Housing: that sinking feeling
10/19/07
Real Estate
"For the first time, big builders are offering massive, often six-figure, price cuts in overbuilt developments nationwide, giving the industry a kind of shock treatment designed to move inventory off the books fast. It remains to be seen whether these radical measures will revive the market or deepen the slump, but it's certainly having an impact on the local communities."
Housing woes hit high end
08/20/07
Real Estate
"The jumbos are probably a bigger impediment than fear. The term refers to home loans in excess of $417,000. By rule, they cannot be guaranteed by the government-sponsored mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Of late, if Fannie or Freddie aren't vouching for your loan, there's trouble. As with most mortgages, jumbos are typically bundled together by lenders and then resold to investors (often mutual or pension funds) as mortgage-backed securities. The problem: The rising number of defaults on subprime mortgages -- particularly among borrowers who took out interest-only or other exotic loans -- has laid bare the, um, less than diligent practices of many lenders. That has spooked investors and dried up the secondary market for mortgages -- even those of sterling quality -- that aren't guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie. Unable to resell their jumbo mortgages on Wall Street, lenders are now making far fewer mega-loans, and those they are making charge much more onerous interest."
No assembly required
07/30/07
Dividends
Stingy Investing
Real Estate
"Many of us would love to become landlords - if it just weren't for those darn tenants. Every prospective landlord hears stories about deadbeat tenants who skip town without paying the rent. And even if you have good tenants, the life of a property entrepreneur isn't easy. Nothing takes the shine off a potential investment faster than the thought of fielding complaints at two in the morning about clogged toilets or devoting part of your weekend to fixing the broken-down washing machine at your rental property. Fortunately, there is an easier way to become the next Donald Trump. Rather than buying rental units directly, why not invest in property through Real Estate Investment Trusts?"
Why rent? To get richer
07/22/07
Real Estate
"Shares return 7% a year after inflation because that's how fast companies tend to increase their profits. Houses have their own version of profits: rents. Tenant-occupied houses generate actual rents, while owner-occupied houses generate ones that are implied but no less real: the rents their owners don't have to pay each year. House prices and rents have been closely linked throughout history, with both increasing at the rate of inflation, or about 3% a year since 1900. A house, after all, is an ordinary good. It can't think up ways to drive profits like a company's managers can. Absent artificial boosts to demand, house prices will increase over long periods at the rate of inflation, for a real return of zero."
Florida foreclosure future shock
07/07/07
Real Estate
"A tidal wave of foreclosures may be heading toward Florida, if you judge by the number of homeowners looking to get rid of their homes as fast as they can. Duane LeGate, president of House Buyer Network, arranges quick sales for home owners in distress. He claims he can predict where markets will go bad by looking at the traffic on his Web site. "We can tell you what's going to happen nine months from now," he said. His most endangered market right now is Orange County, Florida, home of Disney World."
Don't buy that house
07/01/07
Real Estate
"The dream of owning your own home is as American as apple pie--and (supposedly) better for you. Over and over, we are told that homeownership will make you happier, healthier and wealthier. Heck, it's even supposed to make you a better citizen. Of course, there are times when, depending on your age, your savings and your income, buying a home can be a smart decision and an excellent way to build wealth. But is buying a home really such a universally good idea?"
Houses cheaper than cars in Detroit
03/24/07
Real Estate
"With bidding stalled on some of the least desirable residences in Detroit's collapsing housing market, even the fast-talking auctioneer was feeling the stress. "Folks, the ground underneath the house goes with it. You do know that, right?" he offered. After selling house after house in the Motor City for less than the $29,000 it costs to buy the average new car, the auctioneer tried a new line: "The lumber in the house is worth more than that!" As Detroit reels from job losses in the U.S. auto industry, the depressed city has emerged as a boomtown in one area: foreclosed property."
Foreclosures force suburbs to fight blight
03/24/07
Real Estate
"In a sign of the spreading economic fallout of mortgage foreclosures, several suburbs of Cleveland, one of the nation.s hardest-hit cities, are spending millions of dollars to maintain vacant houses as they try to contain blight and real-estate panic."
Mortgage liquidity du jour
03/24/07
Real Estate
"We believe that 40% of the market (share of subprime and Alt-A) is at risk of significant fallout from tightening credit and increased regulatory scrutiny. In particular, we believe the most pressing areas of concern should be stated income (49% of originations), high CLTV/piggyback (39%), and interest only/negative amortizing loans (23%). The proliferation of these exotic mortgage products has been disproportionately weighted to former hotbeds such as California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida, which have accounted for the lion share of builder profits."
Is your apartment like a dot-com stock?
03/16/07
Real Estate
"The scariest aspect of today's real-estate market is the conviction that houses are always a good investment. In the nineties, the mantra was "stocks are the best investment for the long haul." This had the benefit of being true, then and now; for 200 years, stocks have outperformed every other asset class, including real estate. But the "long haul" is long. For vast stretches of time.1901 to 1920, for example, or 1966 to 1982 - stocks have performed terribly. And, in New York, the same goes for real estate."
Not in your backyard?
03/15/07
Real Estate
"But Westie's peaceful life was shattered last January when he and his neighbours found beer cans and crudely spray-painted signs on old-growth trees that read "Active Mining Claim" strewn across their properties. It soon became clear that Bruce Essington - a reclusive nearby resident whose only discernible connection to mining is an old leather miner's helmet that locals have seen him wearing as he tromps through the bush - had painted the signs. When Westie began noticing the man walking on his property - even allegedly lurking around his home - he became so concerned for the safety of his family that he briefly moved his wife and 10-year-old daughter into town and bought a second guard dog. When Westie first called police to complain, he was told there was nothing they could do. Essington had secured the mineral rights to Westie's land and much of the surrounding area. Under Canada's "free entry" mining system, prospectors and mining companies have the right to enter both public and private property to explore and develop their mineral claims. That means they can legally cut down trees,dig trenches, drill holes and even use heavy machinery to take away thousands of tonnes of rock samples . all without the permission of a landowner. "A free miner is the last free man in Canada," says Westie- "They have more power than the RCMP to go on your property and do whatever they wish.""
Real estate can only fall 10% to 20%, right? Right?
03/15/07
Real Estate
"You've probably read this before: Even when housing prices slump, they don't fall all that much, at least compared to stocks and other risky investments. I've passed on this bit of "wisdom" myself. And it it's not a totally ridiculous thing to say: Even in the big California bust of the mid-1990s, prices in the L.A.-Orange County metro area fell only 20% peak to trough in the region's worst five years. That's no Nasdaq. But, well, there's a bit more to it than that...."
Renters gloat over the housing slump
12/30/06
Real Estate
"For years, Americans who refused to buy real estate at what they considered excessive prices were ribbed for failing to profit from one of the greatest booms in history. "Are You Missing the Real Estate Boom?" needled the title of a 2005 book by David Lereah, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors. Now, with the housing market in a slump, renters who sat out the boom are finally getting some satisfaction."
The 400-square-foot dream home
11/20/06
Real Estate
"Teeny-tiny houses are the next big thing on the horizon. Those who've downsized say you can save a ton of money and time -- if you can handle the challenges of living small."
Ouch! Your house payment just doubled
10/03/06
Real Estate
"Big, fat surprises are ahead for about 20% of homeowners: Their complicated, often-risky adjustable mortgages are going to soar as introductory interest rates expire."
Read between all those for-sale signs
08/29/06
Real Estate
"Perhaps the biggest reason to be skeptical about a real estate crash is that the country has not really suffered through one before. Not since the Depression has the combined value of residential real estate fallen over the course of a full year. Homes seem to be much less vulnerable to crashes than other assets, because people rarely sell them in a panic. But earlier booms have been followed by modest price declines in some cities that turned into long periods in which increases trailed inflation. After peaking in much of California and the Northeast in the late 1980's, house values fell during the recession of 1990-91 and then drifted for years, often rising more slowly than the price of milk." [Note Shiller's interesting long-term graph at the end of the article]
Getting real about the real estate bubble
08/27/06
Real Estate
"For the past five years, the housing bulls have been trotting out one rational-sounding argument after another to explain why the boom made perfect economic sense. Forget about a crash, they assured homeowners. Expect a "soft landing" where your three-bedroom colonial in Larchmont or Larkspur not only holds onto its huge price gains, but keeps appreciating at a "normal," "sustainable" rate of 6 percent or so into the sunset. Americans wanted to believe, and they did. Now, the giant popping noise you're hearing is the sound of yesterday's myths exploding like balloons pumped up with too much hot air."
Be greedy when others are fearful
08/24/06
Real Estate
"So why are we pounding the table for homebuilding stocks? In short, some homebuilders are well positioned to survive this housing downturn, and current share prices reflect a doomsday scenario that's unlikely to happen."
When homeowners are desperate to sell
08/22/06
Real Estate
"In its report released Aug. 15, the National Association of Realtors reported that 26 of 151 metro areas experienced outright price declines in the March-June quarter. The biggest price drops in percentage terms were in Danville, Ill., where home prices fell by 11.2% in the spring compared with the spring of 2005, and the Detroit area, where home prices were down 8%. For condominiums, 1 in 4 metro areas reported a decline in prices."
The housing bust is here
08/21/06
Real Estate
"It begins with the story of a Detroit accountant who was looking to lower her monthly payments. In 2004, she refinanced a $312,000 mortgage via an option-adjustable-rate mortgage that offered various payment choices, as do so many of these plans. Her (introductory) rate of 2.3% is now up to 8.75%, and her loan balance has grown to $324,000. She claims that the terms weren't clearly spelled out. But if she actually read the documentation, as accountants often do, and didn't get it, you can imagine how many people truly understand their mortgages. (Hint: The number rhymes with "hero.") Since she's unable to refinance (in part, due to a nasty prepayment penalty), she must sell her house. The problem: Because everyone else is pretty much in the same boat and Detroit's economy isn't so swell, she can't -- even with having reduced her original asking price of $470,000 to $270,000. (Note: That would leave her $54,000 in the hole.)"
Housing crash puts sellers in debt crisis
08/21/06
Real Estate
"Auction clearance rates are hovering around 48 per cent since the recent interest rate rise, but plummeting property prices have meant many vendors are confronting negative equity, where they owe more on the property than it is worth."
CMHC's risky mortgage moves a bad bet for taxpayers
07/07/06
Real Estate
"The thing is, CMHC is out of control. Last week, CMHC announced that it was going to enter the sporty world of "sub-prime" mortgages by offering insurance on interest-only mortgages, waiving the application fees on such loans, and also insuring mortgages with 30- and 35-year amortizations. No money down, no principal payments for five years and 35 years to pay: That may work for The Brick, but it's a lousy business model for a taxpayer-funded entity."
Foreclosures may jump as ARMs reset
06/19/06
Real Estate
"Unfortunately, during a runaway market, many buyers, sellers and mortgage brokers were more excited about making deals than making smart deals, and the fallout has just begun. "We are on the front of this ARM problem. It will roll out over the next several years," Boas said. "Owning a home is the American dream, but losing one is the ultimate nightmare.""
Real estate is risky business
06/18/06
Real Estate
"Though U.S home-price gains have slowed, prices still far outstrip fundamentals, according to Yale economist Robert Shiller. Speaking Friday at a press conference in New York, Shiller, the author of "Irrational Exhuberance" and co-producer of the Case-Shiller real estate indexes, pointed to several measures he tracks.In justifying his pessimism, he pointed out that price increases have far out paced rises in construction costs, rents and income. In addition, inventory levels are up, as are interest rates and real estate holdings as a percentage of the gross national product."
Welcome to the dead zone
05/07/06
Real Estate
"Real estate survival guide: The great housing bubble has finally started to deflate, and the fall will be harder in some markets than others."
New home sales soar
04/30/06
Real Estate
"But economist Bob Brusca of FAO Economics said last month's drop in new home prices is a sign that the market for new homes isn't nearly as strong as the jump in sales would suggest. He noted that the report showed an unusual drop in prices from both February and a year earlier, which could be a sign that home builders are cutting prices to move a large supply of new homes now on the market. "New homes sales sprang back to life like a zombie in a cheap horror flick," Brusca said. "And like that zombie, housing really is dead. Don't let all that twitching fool you.""
At long last, a new home sale slump
03/25/06
Real Estate
"Sales in February drop more than expected, as median price falls and supply grows. Is the real estate bubble bursting?"
More Americans are losing their homes
03/12/06
Real Estate
"Risky borrowing is catching up with a number of homeowners across the U.S. Foreclosures rose 45% in January compared to a year ago, and experts only expect the pace to accelerate."
Perils in online real estate
03/11/06
Real Estate
"Buffalo has been particularly hard hit by online flipping, as the city's persistent population decline and high foreclosure rates have created a glut of some 20,000 vacant houses. "Ninety-nine percent of these online ads have some kind of fraud or lies," said Tracy Krug, a building inspector in Buffalo. "They paint a nice rosy picture: 'on a bus line, near a nice market.' They don't tell you you're going to be across the street from a crack house.""
From Dutch history, an exuberant lesson
03/03/06
Real Estate
"What makes Pieter Fransz's neighborhood unique - and uniquely interesting to some economists who are studying today's global real-estate boom and wondering whether the bubble that has been expanding for the past decade and more is in the process of bursting - is what real-estate experts call a constant quality index."
Foreclosures: Bargain hunters beware!
02/16/06
Real Estate
"You might think that a slowing real estate market would make foreclosure investing a snap. Don't bet on it."
Most overvalued housing markets
01/01/06
Real Estate
"Sixty-five of the nation's 299 biggest real estate markets are severely overpriced and subject to possible price corrections."
Hear that hissing sound?
12/08/05
Real Estate
"To judge the fair value of homes, the OECD uses the ratio of prices to rents, which is a sort of price-earnings ratio for housing. If prices are too high relative to rents, potential buyers will rent not buy, eventually pushing down real prices. In Australia this ratio is 70% above its average level over the period since 1970."
Spur growth -- dump mortgage deduction
11/19/05
Real Estate
"Then in 1988, Nigel Lawson, Margaret Thatcher's finance minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, changed the rules. He pulled the top tax rate down to 40 percent and cut back on MIRAS. Property values dropped as much as 20 percent -- for a while. The fact that interest rates were heading up at the time made the pain even worse."
Piggy bank -- or house of cards?
10/08/05
Real Estate
"More and more homebuyers are discovering that in a bull market, acquiring assets with other people's money is the path to riches. They're borrowing a rising percentage of their purchase prices, contributing to the housing boom. The danger is that if prices begin to fall, people who have stretched to buy houses with 100% financing will be under water on their mortgages and at risk of default if they have to sell."
Empty houses, falling prices: A boom dies
10/03/05
Real Estate
"You can see how the housing bubble is bursting in places like Columbus, Ohio, where builders and lenders threw common sense away and enticed people to buy homes they couldn't afford."
When booms go bust...
09/19/05
Real Estate
"A look at the not so distant past reveals numerous examples of cities that went through housing busts -- followed by years of falling prices. Some have never fully recovered."
The three myths of condo investing
08/21/05
Real Estate
"The growth in condo-investing mythology may be more worrisome than the risk of overbuilding. Here are three whoppers that need reality checks."
Is housing too expensive? Blame the government
08/07/05
Real Estate
"Elementary economics tells you that in a competitive environment, the price of a new house should equal: the price of land + construction costs + a reasonable profit for the developer. But in most cities, that sum is not even close to what buyers are paying."
Mortgage insurance: homebuyer beware
08/07/05
Real Estate
"The Crown corporation with the lion's share of the mortgage insurance business is making a killing for Ottawa. And Canadians are paying through the nose."
Housing markets pricing out middle class
07/10/05
Real Estate
"The red-hot housing market in booming cities across the country has made the dream of owning a home out of reach, not only for low-income families but also for white-collar professionals."
The hidden costs of moving
07/10/05
Real Estate
"Not only is moving one of life's most stressful and exhausting experiences, it can cost more than you ever imagined. Here's why."
The danger of a global house-price collapse
06/17/05
Real Estate
"The whole world economy is at risk. The IMF has warned that, just as the upswing in house prices has been a global phenomenon, so any downturn is likely to be synchronised, and thus the effects of it will be shared widely. The housing boom was fun while it lasted, but the biggest increase in wealth in history was largely an illusion."
The global housing boom
06/17/05
Real Estate
"Japan provides a nasty warning of what can happen when boom turns to bust. Japanese property prices have dropped for 14 years in a row, by 40% from their peak in 1991. Yet the rise in prices in Japan during the decade before 1991 was less than the increase over the past ten years in most of the countries that have experienced housing booms (see chart 3). And it is surely no coincidence that Japan and Germany, the two countries where house prices have fallen for most of the past decade, have had the weakest growth in consumer spending of all developed economies over that period. Americans who believe that house prices can only go up and pose no risk to their economy would be well advised to look overseas."
Appraisal fraud: your home at risk
05/23/05
Real Estate
"In theory, it's in a bank's best interest to make sure its loans are based on accurate appraisals, said M. Thomas Martin, of the National Mortgage Complaint Center in Seattle. "But if you're selling the loans to the secondary market, you really don't care," he said. "The higher the value, the better.""
Boomtown USA
05/20/05
Real Estate
"Something strange happens when real estate makes everybody rich. Is this where your town is headed?"
Renting is the real bargain
03/27/05
Real Estate
"Potential home buyers increasingly are facing a difficult economic and emotional quandary: Soaring housing prices in many parts of the country have made renting a bargain."
Gurus want your money
10/04/04
Real Estate
"Among those making money on real estate are the gurus selling (expensive) words of wisdom."
Homeowners should not think they're bubbleproof
09/19/04
Real Estate
"The Canadian housing market is a bubble-free zone right now, but let's not get complacent about it. With concern about housing bubbles now cropping up in the United States, Britain and Australia, you have to wonder how long homes here can continue to deliver the plus-sized gains of the past few years."
Bubble trouble
09/19/04
Real Estate
"Forget book clubs and poker nights. America's property craze has spawned a new social network: the real estate investment club."
Real estate: What could go wrong?
08/09/04
Real Estate
"I think buying the lot next to my house might be a good investment, but could this be a bad choice?"
For rent, cheap
02/11/04
Real Estate
"High vacancy rates, falling rents: music to a renter's ears and causing heartburn for landlords."
Home buying with no money down
12/24/03
Real Estate
"In fact, according to a survey of buyers conducted in early 2003 by the National Association of Realtors, less than half of all buyers put down 20 percent. Among first-time buyers, 33 percent kicked in less than 10 percent of the purchase price, while 28 percent financed the entire price of the home."
The child molester next door
12/07/03
Real Estate
"From the start we had vowed not to skip the inspection, despite prodding from our realtor. Yet by the time this house came on the market, we had already lost out to rival bidders on two other homes. In the first case we were outbid because another couple's escalation clause a stipulation in an offer that a buyer is willing to pay a certain amount above the highest bid up to a specified maximum beat ours by a few hundred dollars. We lost the second house because another buyer waived the home inspection outright. After that experience, we were tempted to throw caution to the wind. Thankfully we didn't."
The seven deadly sins
11/29/03
Real Estate
"In 1929 John D. Rockefeller decided it was time to sell shares when even a shoe-shine boy offered him a share tip. During the past week The Economist's economics editor has been advised by a taxi driver, a plumber and a hairdresser that "you can't go wrong" investing in housingthe more you own the better. Is this a sign that it is time to get out? At the very least, as house prices around the world climb to ever loftier heights, and more and more people jump on to the buy-to-let ladder, it is time to expose some of the fallacies regularly trotted out by so many self-appointed housing experts."
Your home: Worst-case scenario
11/10/03
Real Estate
"Will rising interest rates unravel all of the gains of the recent housing boom?"
The case of the double agent
09/09/03
Real Estate
"How can you make sure your real estate agent isn't working for the enemy?"
Refinancing choke jolts homeowners
08/27/03
Real Estate
"Many homeowners who tried to refinance their mortgages at lower interest rates this summer are seeing the volume of applications choking the process, a report said Tuesday."
Your home: Worst-case scenario
08/09/03
Real Estate
"John R. Talbott, a visiting scholar at UCLA's Anderson School of Business and author of "The Coming Crash in the Housing Markets," has a thesis that will leave you quaking from behind your picket fence."
Malls: Death of an American icon
07/04/03
Real Estate
"If you spent your formative years at the local shopping mall sipping Orange Julius and hanging out near the ubiquitous water fountain, you might be sad to learn that the mall as you know it is headed toward extinction."
Landlordship has its privileges
04/08/03
Real Estate
"Ann-Marie Williamson turned a $6,000 investment in foreclosed property into a six-figure nest egg."
Hot property
06/23/02
Real Estate
"A fierce debate is raging between economists over whether the authorities should try to let the air out of the market, risking a global property crash and possibly a world recession, or whether they should let the market continue to expand, which risks creating a bubble that would inevitably burst."
Going through the roof
03/27/02
Real Estate
"Despite the sharp fall in share prices and a worldwide plunge in industrial production, business investment and profits, consumer spending has held up relatively well in America, Britain and several other economies, supported by low interest rates and the wealth-boosting effects of rising house prices. Over the 12 months to February average house prices in America rose by 9%, and those in Britain by 15%. Adjusting for inflation, this is the biggest real increase on record in America and the biggest in Britain since 1988."
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For consumers looking to buy or refinance homes, the upward march of mortgage rates has been tough to watch. The average 30-year loan has climbed to 4.4% from 3.1% this year, while the 15-year rate has risen to 3.6% from 2.3%. With the Federal Reserve in inflation-fighting mode, experts say the 30-year rate could touch 5% by year’s end.
It’s true that rates are still pretty tame by historical standards: The average rate on 30-year loans was in double digits as recently as 1990. But the sharp upward movement this year in the cost of borrowing for homes has many clients looking to their financial advisors for guidance. So for this week’s Big Q, we asked advisors: With interest rates rising, how are you counseling clients about mortgages and other loans?
Parris Hall, head of wealth banking solutions at TD Wealth: The advice we give clients is, first of all, let’s make sure that the acquisition, whether it’s the home or, say, the boat, is in line with your goals-based plan. Secondly, with inventory being as low as it is and rates moving as quickly as they are, the strategic leverage that wealth clients have in securities-based loans gives them a wonderful opportunity to move quickly. They can be in the post position for those purchases, to drive toward an immediate close with no contingencies required. And they have the opportunity to replace that with cash-out permanent refinancing at the back end.
We’ve been in the lowest-rate climate I’ve seen in my lifetime; it’s only going up from here. So the idea of locking in to a long-term fixed rate, whether you’re in a variable-rate loan and looking to refi or are looking to purchase, is one of the important things that I would encourage clients to do. Even today, you can still find 3.5% [rates]. And the Fed has telegraphed that it’s going to raise rates by 150 basis points. When you think about the average size of a wealth planning client’s mortgage—in the $1 million to $2 million range—that’s considerable interest over the life of the loan.
Erin Wood, senior vice president of financial planning and advanced solutions, Carson Group: On mortgages, one thing I see is people not being prepared when they go into the bank, and the interest rate is changing so fast. If you come in and you don’t have your tax forms, you don’t have your employment information, you have bad information on your credit report, all of those things kill you in an environment where rates could rise from one day to the next. [Advisors] need to help clients come in prepared with all of the right documents and make sure that their credit reports are nice and clean.
Most people do not own their homes for 30 years; the average tenure of those who sold late last year was actually 6.3 years. People should consider 15-year mortgages or one of the five-year adjustable-rate mortgages [both of which may have lower rates than 30-year mortgages]. If you know someone is only going to be in a home for three, four, or five years, those are some of the things that clients and their advisors should be discussing. I’d also be watching my variable-interest-rate [credit cards] at this point and be looking for places where I can put them into something that is fixed and going to stay low. If you can get a home-equity line of credit at 7% or 8%, that’s lower than a 20% credit card. It also consolidates those minimum payments down to one payment so your dollars have a bigger impact.
Malcolm Makin, president and CEO, Professional Planning Group: I think most advisors, including me, have been trying to encourage people to refinance, take advantage of the lower interest rates and go into low fixed mortgages. I was just reading that in the past week, the average mortgage rate has gone up by more than 30 basis points. That’s incredible, and it is not going to stop. When I bought my first home, I had an 11% mortgage. It would be very easy for that to happen again.
Randy Carver, president, CEO, Carver Financial Services: If someone has a variable-rate mortgage, we’re recommending that clients lock in today before rates go higher. In most cases we are recommending fixed-rate, 15- or 30- year mortgages. The only exception is if somebody’s not going to stay in a home forever, we’re finding the best rates today are in 15-year adjustable-rate mortgages, typically 15/1 mortgages. The rate is locked for 15 years, and then it can move up once [per year]. But there’s a real sweet spot there right now.
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We’ve had a number of clients using securities based lines of credit, where they are borrowing against the portfolio. That rate is variable. Typically, it’s tied to Libor [the London interbank offered rate] or one of the other rates. And so for people who have larger, outstanding loans at this point, we are looking for alternative fixed-rate financing. If people have higher-interest debt currently, or they’re looking at purchasing something like a vehicle or an airplane or a yacht, again, using a fixed-rate loan, rates are still incredibly low right now. Fifteen- or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are pretty cheap, with rates below 4% for the 15-year and below 4.5% for the 30-year. You can get even lower rates on jumbo ARM mortgages, where a 15 /1 loan with a 30-year amortization may be less than 3.5%. Even with the recent increase, rates are still relatively cheap.
Scott Tiras, president, Tiras Wealth Management: The fact that the Fed is raising interest rates is front and center. In anticipation of some of these hikes, we have seen fixed mortgage rates increase already by about 2% even though the Fed has only raised rates by 0.25%. For our clients who have been putting off the refinancing of their homes, we tell them in most cases it might be too late unless they are at least 1% to 2% above the current market rate. Some have adjustable-rate products, and refinancing those now to a fixed product could be warranted based on their situation. Others have home-equity lines of credit, which can float with the prime rate. So many need to be prepared to fit additional payments into their budgets or look at alternative sources of funding. The bottom line is that we are telling all of our clients to look at the different debt products they have outstanding and letting them know it’s time to have a discussion now.
Editor’s Note: These responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Write to advisor.editors@barrons.com | 2 | 89,765 | 0.708199 | https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2022/05/six-top-concerns-for-mortgage-bankers/ | 2022-05-04 15:39:03+00:00 | By Rod J. Alba
The mortgage industry is expecting a bouncy ride in the next several months. While the sources of anxiety in mortgage lending operations are varied, they will all require careful attention (and in some cases calibration by bankers) to ensure profitability in the coming months.Rates. Top on the list of concerns expressed by panelists and participants at the recent American Mortgage Conference was rising interest rates. The immediate worry is diminished production volume and increased competition via nonbank affiliations and arrangements (joint ventures, marketing services arrangements, etc.). Inflated interest rates have turned 2022 into a “transition year,” moving the industry from a refinance market to a purchase market. According to keynote speaker Mike Fratantoni, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s chief economist, there is no assurance on how far the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates. He observed that inflation is likely to persist. “Although job markets are strong, inflation rates are high, placing ambiguity on where interest rates will ultimately settle,” Fratantoni said.
Affordability. This top concern contributes to the second: home price increases and loss of affordability. According to the most recent Case-Shiller index release, which tracks home prices in 20 major metro areas, home prices were up 20.2 percent year-over-year, while the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s house price index showed that the price of homes bought with GSE loans rose 19.4 percent YOY. This means that expenses are rising across the board for anyone wanting to purchase a home—and lower-income populations will suffer the most. “Higher home values coupled with increased interest rates create a real challenge for affordable housing,” said Teresa Gregory, president of Traditions Mortgage at York, Pennslyvania-based Traditions Bank and chair of ABA’s Mortgage Markets Committee. “One lender in our committee indicated that customers in their market can afford about 65 percent of the house they could afford just last year,” she observed.
Loan Sustainability. Following on the economic trends above, bankers also identified the long-term sustainability of home loan servicing as a looming concern. The worry, according to Gregory, is that increasing prices put stress on families and weaken their ability to manage mortgage credit. “Servicing operations will have to be attentive to this development,” she warned.
Appraisals. The fourth worry identified by lenders is increasing appraisal shortages affecting multiple housing markets. Banks report that appraisal options are dwindling in many jurisdictions, leading to difficulties in home closing transactions. “Home purchases may be significantly delayed and may even fall through if you can’t find a licensed and approved home appraisers,” said Tyler Gilday, SVP at Mascoma Bank and vice chair of ABA’s Mortgage Markets Committee. Appraisers report that they face very increased demands and are charging more in an attempt to reduce the number of orders. “In light of this shortage, the price for appraisals is increasing very sharply,” said Gilday. According to market experts, appraisers are retiring in a hurry and are not being replaced at rates that will sustain increased demands.
Servicing. The fifth concern cited during the conference was continuing difficulties related to mortgage servicing enforcement and compliance. Even though it appears that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, servicers should still expect significant loss mitigation activity, and therefore, sound and compliant loss mitigation processes should remain at the forefront of servicers’ minds. “Simply put, the regulations related to loss mitigation are voluminous, complex and ever-changing, and servicers must be prepared to handle them with augmented attention from regulators,” said Jason Bushby, a partner at Bradley. Treliant’s Carl Pry added that “regulators will also be placing a focus on the charging of mortgage servicing fees, fair servicing, Limited English Proficiency concerns, foreclosures, and credit reporting.” In short, there will be a red-hot focus by regulators on mortgage servicing activities, and this poses elevated risks to servicing banks.
Policy Environment. Finally, a significant source of unease stems from the increasingly anti-bank tone coming from the CFPB. ABA’ President and CEO Rob Nichols opened the conference by detailing some of the most troubling comments and actions from the bureau. First, Nichols pointed to a request for comments on what the CFPB calls “junk fees” in which it draws on a series of deeply flawed premises regarding the market for consumer financial services and the use of well-disclosed and highly regulated fees. Second, Nichols pointed to recent examination manual changes that vastly expand the reach of CFPB enforcement powers beyond that assigned by Congress. Finally, Nichols criticized the quiet release of revised rules of practice for administrative adjudication that allow Director Rohit Chopra to make decisions in enforcement actions that effectively allow the director to play both prosecutor and judge in all cases. Together, these actions point to “carefully choreographed” media campaign designed to unfairly scare consumers and serve as a pretext for a politicized enforcement agenda, Nichols said.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2022, bankers and mortgage lenders will face a variety of headwinds. These challenges will affect all markets, but will have local distinctions that will be important for market participants to understand as they navigate the uncertain road ahead.
Rod J. Alba is SVP for real estate finance at ABA. |
https://goss.ie/featured/doireann-garrihy-splits-from-boyfriend-paddy-wilson-291370 | Doireann Garrihy has split from her boyfriend Paddy Wilson after three years together.
The RTÉ 2FM star, who moved in with her beau in March 2020, shared the news on the latest episode of her The Laughs Of Your Life podcast with Michael Bublé.
The popular presenter told the Canadian singer: “I am 29, I am 30 next month, I am recently out of a relationship. What would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?”
Michael replied: “I have a feeling that I don’t have to give you this advice because you strike me as a person that already instinctually understands… be in this moment.”
“And enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you are bringing the whole world. Because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you are bringing so much joy and enjoy every second of it.”
“And by the way, those good things, those huge things that happen to you, just stay even. And the bad sh*t that happens to you, just stay even because time is on your side.”
“It was always on your side and everything is going to get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it is going to get better.”
Michael then joked: “Was that too much?”, to which Doireann replied: “I am just trying to stay professional and not well up.”
Doireann and Paddy were first publicly linked in December of 2019.
Irish Love Island star Greg O’Shea later outed their relationship, accidentally bringing it up during the 2FM Breakfast Show. | 0 | 39,592 | 0.279958 | https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/doireann-garrihy-reveals-break-up-with-long-term-boyfriend-paddy-wilson-as-she-asks-singer-michael-buble-for-life-advice-41526729.html | 2022-04-06 13:44:28+00:00 | Radio host Doireann Garrihy has split from her boyfriend Paddy Wilson after three years together.
The pair started dating back in the summer of 2019 but didn’t publicly confirm their romance until January 2020 when they attended their first event together as a couple.
They then moved in together in North Dublin before Covid hit in March 2020 and even share an adorable dog called Bertie, but Doireann revealed that she and Paddy decided to go their separate ways during an interview with Michael Bublé on her 2fm show.
Asking the Canadian crooner for some life advice, the Dubliner explained that she was turning 30 soon and had just come out of a relationship.
Doireann said: “I am 29, I am 30 next month, I am recently out of a relationship, what would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?”
Michael replied: “I have a feeling that I don’t have to give you this advice because you strike me as a person that already instinctually understands.
“Be in this moment and enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you are bringing the whole world. Because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you are bringing so much joy and enjoy every second of it.
“And by the way, those good things, those huge things that happen to you, just stay even. And the bad s**t that happens to you, just stay even because time is on your side.
“It was always on your side and everything is going to get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it is going to get better.
“Was that too much?” he joked.
Doireann was moved by the singer’s advice and said: “I'm just trying to stay professional and not well up.” |
https://goss.ie/featured/doireann-garrihy-splits-from-boyfriend-paddy-wilson-291370 | Doireann Garrihy has split from her boyfriend Paddy Wilson after three years together.
The RTÉ 2FM star, who moved in with her beau in March 2020, shared the news on the latest episode of her The Laughs Of Your Life podcast with Michael Bublé.
The popular presenter told the Canadian singer: “I am 29, I am 30 next month, I am recently out of a relationship. What would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?”
Michael replied: “I have a feeling that I don’t have to give you this advice because you strike me as a person that already instinctually understands… be in this moment.”
“And enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you are bringing the whole world. Because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you are bringing so much joy and enjoy every second of it.”
“And by the way, those good things, those huge things that happen to you, just stay even. And the bad sh*t that happens to you, just stay even because time is on your side.”
“It was always on your side and everything is going to get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it is going to get better.”
Michael then joked: “Was that too much?”, to which Doireann replied: “I am just trying to stay professional and not well up.”
Doireann and Paddy were first publicly linked in December of 2019.
Irish Love Island star Greg O’Shea later outed their relationship, accidentally bringing it up during the 2FM Breakfast Show. | 1 | 53,321 | 0.314497 | https://www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/8610691/rte-doireann-garrihy-split-boyfriend-paddy-wilson/ | 2022-04-07 00:22:53+00:00 | RTE star Doireann Garrihy reveals she has split from boyfriend Paddy Wilson after three years
RTE star Doireann Garrihy has revealed she and her boyfriend Paddy Wilson have split after three years together.
The pair were living together during the pandemic and Paddy even gifted Doireann a puppy for her birthday during their relationship.
The 2fm DJ let the news slip during her podcast the Laughs Of Your Life when asking guest Michael Buble for advice.
She said: "I’m 30 next month, I’m recently out of a relationship, what would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?”
In response, Micheal said: “I have a feeling that I don’t have to give you this advice because you strike me as a person that already instinctually understands, be in this moment.
“And enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you’re bringing the whole world, because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you’re bringing so much joy and enjoy every second of it.
“And by the way, those good things, those huge things that happen to you, just stay even. And the bad sh*t that happens to you, just stay even because time is on your side. It was always on your side and everything is going to. get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it’s going to get better.”
Doireann previously told how she wanted to keep her former beau off her social media at the start of their relationship.
She revealed that it was actually Love Island star Greg O'Shea who blurted it out live on air when he was filling in for Eoghan McDermott during their breakfast show.
The mimic said: "When you do what I do, I think if you're dating someone, you're not going to be as likely to talk about it until you know it's solid but it was solid at that point so Greg just did me a favour.
Most read in Showbiz
"Thank you Greg for revealing that."
She added that she wouldn't want Paddy to get negative comments online because of her.
Doireann said: "For the most part I'm very lucky, I don't get a whole lot of negative stuff online and anything I do get, most days I can just brush it off.
"But I think if you're with someone who isn't in the public eye as well, you're going to be that bit more protective.
"I signed up to do public things and so if people want to bash me then fair enough, I've kind of put myself out there, but I would hate for that to be the case for Paddy.
"I'm very selective about what I do and don't share. I wouldn't show a whole lot of personal stuff." |
https://goss.ie/featured/doireann-garrihy-splits-from-boyfriend-paddy-wilson-291370 | Doireann Garrihy has split from her boyfriend Paddy Wilson after three years together.
The RTÉ 2FM star, who moved in with her beau in March 2020, shared the news on the latest episode of her The Laughs Of Your Life podcast with Michael Bublé.
The popular presenter told the Canadian singer: “I am 29, I am 30 next month, I am recently out of a relationship. What would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?”
Michael replied: “I have a feeling that I don’t have to give you this advice because you strike me as a person that already instinctually understands… be in this moment.”
“And enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you are bringing the whole world. Because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you are bringing so much joy and enjoy every second of it.”
“And by the way, those good things, those huge things that happen to you, just stay even. And the bad sh*t that happens to you, just stay even because time is on your side.”
“It was always on your side and everything is going to get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it is going to get better.”
Michael then joked: “Was that too much?”, to which Doireann replied: “I am just trying to stay professional and not well up.”
Doireann and Paddy were first publicly linked in December of 2019.
Irish Love Island star Greg O’Shea later outed their relationship, accidentally bringing it up during the 2FM Breakfast Show. | 2 | 74,079 | 0.377551 | https://www.shemazing.net/rte-2fm-star-doireann-garrihy-splits-from-long-term-boyfriend/ | 2022-04-05 17:04:52+00:00 | RTÉ 2FM star Doireann Garrihy splits from long-term boyfriend
After three years of dating, Doireann Garrihhy and her boyfriend ended their long-term relationship.
Doireann, a radio host also known for her hilarious impressions of other social media influencers, announced the news of her break-up with Paddy Wilson while talking on the latest episode of her podcast. The episode featured Michael Bublé.
On The Laughs of our Lives podcast Doireann told Bublé, “I am 30 next month, I am recently out of a relationship. What would your advice be to me hurtling into the thirties?". With Michael being almost two decades her senior, he gave her some very sound advice.
The Canadian singer told her to “be in this moment”. The 46-year-old told her, “Enjoy and be grateful for the health of your family, for your beautiful life, for the love that you are bringing into the world. Because obviously so many people watch you and listen to you and you are bringing so much joy”.
His advice didn’t stop there as he told the 29-year-old to “enjoy every second of it”.
He went on to explain how time is on her side and that “everything is going to get better, even when you feel like it could never get better, it is going to get better”. We love that piece of advice!
Michael jokingly asked if his advice was “too much” for her to hear right now, to which the radio presenter answered, “I am just trying to stay professional and not well up”, before thanking him for his advice and moving onto the next topic of conversation.
Garrihy moved in with Wilson to a residence in North Dublin in March 2020 before the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. The pair had been dating since 2019 but did not share their relationship publicly for quite some time after.
Paddy is an account manager for Event Fuel, this led to the two meeting at Electric Picnic, Doireann told EVOKE in 2020. |
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/national-news/criticized-over-finances-in-previous-campaign-stacey-abrams-now-a-millionaire/ | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’” | 0 | 75,227 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/ap-top-headlines/stacey-abrams-reaches-millionaire-status-before-2nd-campaign/ | 2022-04-05 05:35:35+00:00 | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’”
___
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report. |
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/national-news/criticized-over-finances-in-previous-campaign-stacey-abrams-now-a-millionaire/ | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’” | 1 | 80,142 | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/stacey-abrams-reaches-millionaire-status-before-2nd-campaign/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 2022-04-05 06:05:59+00:00 | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’”
___
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report. |
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/national-news/criticized-over-finances-in-previous-campaign-stacey-abrams-now-a-millionaire/ | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’” | 2 | 508 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/stacey-abrams-reaches-millionaire-status-before-2nd-campaign/ | 2022-04-05 11:30:55+00:00 | ATLANTA (AP) — When Democrat Stacey Abrams first ran for Georgia governor in 2018, her lackluster personal finances and a hefty bill from the IRS gave Republicans fodder to question how she could manage a state budget when she struggled with her own debts.
As she launches a second bid this year, that’s no longer an issue.
Abrams now says she’s worth $3.17 million, according to state disclosures filed in March. That’s compared with a net worth of $109,000 when she first ran four years ago.
Her rapid ascent into millionaire status corresponds with her rise in national politics. Since her 2018 defeat to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has become a leading voting rights activist. She was considered as a potential running mate to President Joe Biden and is widely credited with organizing voters in Georgia to help him become the first Democrat to carry the state in the presidential vote in 28 years. Along the way, she has earned $6 million, mostly driven by $5 million in payments for books and speeches.
That wealth has exposed her to a different line of criticism from Republicans, who hope to portray Abrams this year as an elitist out of touch with average Georgians. Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for the national Republican Party, accused Abrams of using her campaign “as a platform for her own financial gain.” During a rally in the state last month, former President Donald Trump knocked her for “living in these gorgeous multi-multi-million-dollar houses.”
Abrams hasn’t purchased a home for a price tag exceeding $1 million, and Trump spends much of his year living at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort. The leading Republicans seeking the nomination for governor — incumbent Brian Kemp and challenger David Perdue — are far wealthier than she is.
In an interview, Abrams said it was ironic for Republicans to criticize her financial success, something the party often praises as the result of hard work.
“It is remarkable to me that success is now being demonized by the Republicans,” she said. “I believe in success. I believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive. And because I had three years where I was in the private sector, I leveraged all three years, and in that time, I’ve done my best to not only be successful personally, but to do what I can to help Georgians.”
Many politicians build their wealth after they reach high office. That’s not the case for Abrams, whose loss vaulted her to a level of celebrity unusual for someone whose highest office so far is minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. She particularly cashed in on her status in 2021 before announcing her second bid for governor, with her income spiking to $3.65 million.
Seth Bringman, an Abrams campaign spokesperson, said she gave 37 paid speeches in 2021, including a 12-stop fall tour of stand-alone appearances. She’s written, co-written or reissued six books since 2019, with another reissue on the way later this year.
Abrams was also paid more than $700,000 over three years as executive director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an affiliate of the Roosevelt Institute that seeks to improve economic equity in the South. Abrams has reported no income from Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group she founded and formerly chaired.
Abrams, who last year released a business book with a longtime business partner, also reports investments in a number of companies. Some are longtime holdings including Now Account Network Corp., which finances businesses by buying invoices. Abrams in November joined the board of Heliogen, a California company that seeks to use sunlight to concentrate heat for industrial processes, electricity generation and hydrogen fuel production. Abrams reported $65,000 in Heliogen stock.
Kemp has a net worth of about $8.5 million, with assets mostly in real estate he developed before running for governor. Perdue is even wealthier, reporting a net worth of $50 million after a career in which he was CEO of corporations including Dollar General and Reebok. Kemp had an income of $551,000 in 2021, while Perdue had an income of $9.3 million.
Kemp criticized Abrams in 2018 for owing $54,000 to the IRS, self-employment taxes she didn’t pay on time. Abrams said then that she skipped the payments because her parents needed financial help with raising a granddaughter and medical bills.
“You can delay IRS payments. You can’t delay cancer treatments,” Abrams said at the time.
Abrams also had $96,000 in student loan debt and $83,000 in accumulated credit card debt in 2018. She only had a positive net worth because a publisher had paid a $150,000 advance on her first nonfiction book. In that book, “Minority Leader,” Abrams wrote that she borrowed at a time when “my understanding of personal finance barely scratched the surface.”
She paid off her student loans and credit card debt in 2019. When she first ran for governor, Abrams had a paltry retirement account of less than $5,000. Now she has more than $725,000 in stocks and bonds.
As her financial picture has brightened, Abrams has also traded up from her old townhouse to a larger new house.
The $975,000 property she bought just outside the Atlanta city limits near Emory University in 2020 is financed by a $760,000 mortgage, according to Abrams’ financial disclosure. She bought her parents a $370,000, 3,300-square-foot house in suburban Atlanta in 2019, owing more than $280,000 on a mortgage, records and disclosures show.
It’s unclear how much Abrams is paying in taxes or how much she is donating to charity, although her assets include $560,000 set aside in a “tax account.” Bringman said Abrams would release her returns later this year after she files her 2021 taxes.
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said the incumbent believes the state financial disclosure is sufficient, but will provide further documentation later “if necessary.” Perdue spokesperson Jenni Sweat said Perdue filled out state and federal disclosure forms and has been “transparent about his finances,” but didn’t directly answer whether he would release his tax returns.
Marko Klasnja, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the causes and consequences of politicians’ wealth, said that “in the U.S., people don’t care about wealth per se, and I don’t think that they would think that’s a negative, necessarily.”
“I don’t think this is going to hurt Abrams that much, and I think, if people know this is coming from things like book deals, they’re going to be thinking about this differently than, ‘She’s lining her pockets because she’s on boards of corporations and things like that.’”
___
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report. |
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-nato-chief-says-more-atrocities-may-surface-1.5848480 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
------
BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
------
BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
------
MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
------
MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
------
PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
------
GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
------
VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
------
BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
------
ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
------
KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
------
BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
------
GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
------
MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
------
LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
------
BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
___
Get in touch
Do you have any questions about the attack on Ukraine? Email dotcom@bellmedia.ca.
- Please include your name, location, and contact information if you are willing to speak to a journalist with CTV News.
- Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story. | 0 | 33,192 | 0 | https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-nato-chief-says-more-atrocities-may-surfaceuping-1.5848480 | 2022-04-05 14:06:17+00:00 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
------
BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
------
BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
------
MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
------
MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
------
PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
------
GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
------
VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
------
BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
------
ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
------
KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
------
BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
------
GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
------
MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
------
LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
------
BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
___
Get in touch
Do you have any questions about the attack on Ukraine? Email dotcom@bellmedia.ca.
- Please include your name, location, and contact information if you are willing to speak to a journalist with CTV News.
- Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story. |
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-nato-chief-says-more-atrocities-may-surface-1.5848480 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
------
BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
------
BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
------
MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
------
MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
------
PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
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GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
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VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
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BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
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ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
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KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
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BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
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GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
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MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
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LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
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BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
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- Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story. | 1 | 53,498 | 0.482351 | https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-macron-to-provide-extra-support-zelenskyy-says-1.5848480 | 2022-04-06 02:19:22+00:00 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
LVIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to provide technical and expert support for an investigation into crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha and elsewhere.
Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he also asked Macron to help the people trapped in the besieged southern city of Mariupol.
In an interview with Turkey's Haberturk television in Kyiv, Zelenskyy accused Russia of trying to hide its actions in Mariupol and didn't want humanitarian aid to enter the city "until they clean it all up."
Zelenskyy spoke following the discovery of bodies of civilians in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces.
Zelenskyy said he also expects European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to visit Kyiv soon.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces still are trying to push deep into Ukraine in the east, but the Ukrainian army is holding them back.
In his daily night-time video address to the nation late Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was aware that Russia was gathering up reinforcements for another offensive.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is outnumbered both in troops and equipment.
"We don't have a choice -- the fate of our land and of our people is being decided," he said. "We know what we are fighting for. And we will do everything to win."
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LVIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Tuesday that he and Western leaders have discussed a new round of sanctions against Russia.
"After what the world saw in Bucha, the sanctions against Russia must be commensurate with the gravity of the war crimes committed by the occupiers," Zelenskyy said in his daily night-time video address to the nation.
In coordination with the European Union and Group of Seven nations, the U.S. will roll out more sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. That reportedly will include a ban on all new investment in the country.
Also, the EU's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first time the 27-nation bloc has sanctioned the country's lucrative energy industry over the war.
The coal imports amount to an estimated 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year.
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KYIV, Ukraine - A Ukrainian official says Russian troops have allowed 1,496 civilians to evacuate the besieged city of Mariupol by private vehicle but blocked a convoy of evacuation buses from entering.
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the Russian forces stopped the buses accompanied by workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross from traveling to the Sea of Azov port on Tuesday. The civilians who were able to leave in their personal vehicles traveled to Zaporizhzhia.
Mariupol has been besieged by Russian forces for a month, cut off from food, water and energy supplies and has faced relentless artillery barrage and air raids that killed thousands.
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LVIV, Ukraine - A regional official in western Ukraine says a Russian missile hit fertilizer tanks, polluting ground water.
Ternopil region Gov. Volodymyr Trush said Tuesday that the Russian missile strike destroyed six reservoirs filled with fertilizers, resulting in an ammonia leak into ground water and the Ikva River.
Authorities are advising residents not to use water wells and stop fishing and officials have organized drinking water deliveries. Trush say the environmental situation is expected to stabilize in a few days.
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MOSCOW - The Russian foreign minister is accusing Ukraine's government of sabotaging talks on ending the fighting in Ukraine, warning that Moscow will not “play cat and mouse.”
Sergey Lavrov specifically warns that Moscow will not accept the Ukrainian demand that a prospective peace agreement include an immediate pullout of Russian troops to be followed by a referendum in Ukraine on accepting the deal.
In televised remarks Tuesday, he says that if the peace deal fails to win approval in a referendum, a new deal will have to be negotiated. He says that “we don't want to play such cat and mouse.”
Lavrov pointed at a 2015 peace deal for eastern Ukraine signed in Minsk, Belarus, that was brokered by France and Germany but never implemented. He says that “we don't want a repeat of the Minsk agreements.”
He also says Ukraine is “sabotaging” the talks by stonewalling Russian demands for “demilitarization” and “denazification” of the country.
The tough statements from Lavrov contrasted with optimistic signals made by both Ukrainian and Russian representatives after the latest round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 29.
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KYIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged all Spanish companies to completely halt business with Russia and called for tougher Western sanctions against Moscow that would include a ban on Russian oil imports.
Speaking in a video address to the Spanish Parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy denounced the Russian atrocities against civilians in Ukrainian cities, saying they represented war crimes for which Russian officers should face an international tribunal.
Zelenskyy said the “sanctions must be really powerful.”
“How can it be allowed that Russian banks generate incomes even as the Russian military tortures ordinary civilians to death in Ukrainian cities, how can European companies engage in trade with the state that deliberately destroys our people?” he asked.
In an emotional speech, he drew parallels between the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and the 1937 bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by Nazi aircraft during the Spanish Civil War.
Zelenskyy said the “fate of the entire European project, the values that unite us all” is being decided in Ukraine, and urged Spanish lawmakers to “do even more to force Russia to start searching for peace and respect the international law.”
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LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a direct appeal to the Russian people, urging them to seek the truth about a war he called “a stain on the honor of Russia.”
In a video message, Johnson said Russians were being kept in the dark about the invasion of Ukraine because Russian President Vladimir Putin “knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war.”
Johnson said Russian authorities were hiding the truth of “sickening” slayings of civilians and other crimes, which “betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly waves goodbye to her son as he heads off to join the military.”
He told Russians they only needed an online VPN connection to gain access to independent information from around the world.
Switching from English to Russian, Johnson said: “Your president stands accused of committing war crimes. But I cannot believe he's acting in your name.”
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. and its European allies will impose stiff new sanctions, including a ban on new investments in Russia on Wednesday, a U.S. official says, in retaliation for Russia's “war crimes” in Ukraine.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement.
The joint action will include a ban on new investment in Russia, toughened sanctions on its financial institutions and government-owned enterprises, and more sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members.
The official said they would further Russia's economic, financial and technological “isolation” from the rest of the world as a penalty for its attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
-- AP writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
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ANKARA, Turkey - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said everyone in the Russian leadership and army who is involved in the war is responsible for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
In an interview with Turkey's Haberturk television in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelenskyy also accused Russia of trying to hide its actions in the besieged southern city of Mariupol and did not want humanitarian aid to enter the city “until they clean it all up.”
Zelenskyy spoke following the discovery of bodies of civilians in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces.
“The Russian military political leadership and everyone involved in the planning of this war and everyone who gave this order, committed war crimes in my opinion,” Zelenskyy said in comments translated into Turkish. “We are not dealing with a situation where only one person can be prosecuted and be found guilty.”
On the situation in Mariupol, Zelenskyy said thousands may have been killed or injured there.
“I think Russia is afraid that we will successfully send humanitarian aid to Mariupol and the whole world will see what's going on there,” he said. “Russia doesn't want anything to be seen until they take control of the city (and) until they clean it all up.”
Zelenskyy said Turkish ships were involved in efforts to evacuate injured civilians from Mariupol, but would not elaborate.
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BUCHAREST, Romania - Authorities in Romania said Tuesday that the country is expelling 10 diplomats from Russia's embassy in Bucharest.
Romania's foreign ministry said the actions of 10 embassy workers, who have been declared persona non grata, “contravene the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relationships.”
The move by Romania follows a string of expulsions of Russian officials across the 27-nation European Union following a wave of criticism and shock after Russian troops are accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
As of Tuesday, more than 200 Russian diplomats or employees had been expelled from at least a dozen countries, including Germany, France and Italy.
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Ukrainian officials are renewing pressure on Chinese consumer drone-maker DJI to block a tool that they say is enabling Russian troops to find and attack Ukrainian drone operators.
Ukraine's top cybersecurity official Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday during a press call that DJI's drone detection tool AeroScope has been “sharing information on Ukrainian drones to Russians.”
Both sides of the war have flown small consumer drones to monitor troop movements and help target attacks. But Ukrainian officials said Tuesday they have evidence that DJI's tool for detecting the location and flight information of nearby drones is working for Russians and not Ukrainians. A government report called for blocking “all DJI products operating in Ukraine that were purchased and activated in other countries” such as Russia.
DJI has previously denied such claims, saying in March that it doesn't apply preferential treatment but also can't switch off the AeroScope tool. It has expressed openness to using technology that could ground its drones in the war zone if Ukraine made a formal request but the no-fly zone would apply to both Ukrainian and Russian drones and some would still be able to fly.
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RICHMOND, Va. - Ukraine's top cybersecurity official says cyberattacks against his country have increased in the last two weeks and there's evidence that Russian military hackers that tried to break into Ukrainian state agencies also attempted to hack Latvian officials' email accounts.
Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday that a major Ukrainian telecommunications provider, Ukrtelecom, suffered an attack on March 28, but was able to restore most of the affected service within a day.
Kirill Goncharuk, Ukrtelecom's chief information officer, said hackers used compromised credentials of an employee in Russian-occupied territory occupied to break in to his company's network. He said the employee was okay but couldn't disclose additional details for safety concerns.
Zhora said hackers had also recently gained access to the emails of staff at Ukraine's foreign ministry. He said despite the increased hacking attempts in recent days, he's not seen any successful “complicated attacks” on any Ukrainian critical infrastructure targets.
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HOUSTON - NASA's record-setting astronaut Mark Vande Hei says he and his Russian crewmates focused on their mission, not the “heartbreaking” news unfolding in Ukraine, while serving aboard the International Space Station.
His 355-day spaceflight ended last Wednesday with a landing in Kazakhstan. He returned to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule with cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov, the latter of whom also spent a year in orbit.
In his first news conference back on Earth, Vande Hei said Tuesday that he did not shy away from the topic with his Russian crewmates while aboard the space station. “They weren't very long discussions, but I did ask them how they were feeling and sometimes I asked pointed questions. But our focus really was on our mission together.”
Vande Hei also cleared up any misunderstandings about the yellow-with-blue-trim flight suits worn by their Russian replacements when arriving at the space station last month. Those were the school colors of their university, Vande Hei said from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and not meant as a political statement. “The folks who wore them had no idea that people would perceive that as having anything to do with Ukraine ... I think they were kind of blindsided by it.”
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UNITED NATIONS - Ukraine's president told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the Russian military must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes, accusing invading troops of the worst atrocities since World War II.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making his plea via video, cited reported atrocities against civilians carried out by Russian forces in the town of Bucha on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv, saying they are no different than other terrorists like the Islamic State extremist group.
Images of slain bodies on the ground, particularly from the town of Bucha, have stirred global revulsion and led to demands for tougher sanctions and war crime prosecutions against Russia.
Zelenskyy, making his first appearance before the UN's highest body, stressed there are more places in Ukraine that have suffered similar horrors. He called for a tribunal to be established that is similar to the Nuremberg tribunal set up to try war criminals after World War II.
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WARSAW, Poland - Britain's foreign secretary says her country will urge the G-7 group to impose more sanctions on Russia, saying that current sanctions have already had a “crippling effect.”
Liz Truss said in Warsaw that sanctions have already frozen $350 billion of “Putin's war chest,” saying that makes more than 60% of Russia's $604 billion in currency reserves unavailable.
“Our coordinated sanctions are pushing the Russian economy back to the Soviet era,” she said at a news conference with her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau.
She observed that Poland had seen more clearly the threat that Moscow posed in past years, even as Western countries embraced doing business with Russia.
“Poland has always been clear-eyed about Russia. You have understood Putin's malign intent. You were right,” she said.
Truss said Britain will encourage the other G-7 countries to ban Russian ships from its ports, crack down on Russian banks, set a timetable to eliminate imports of Russian oil and gas, and try to prevent Russia from using gold to fund its war effort.
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ROME - Italian Premier Mario Draghi is demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as the Russian authorities and the Russian army “answer for their actions” in Ukraine, including the “documented massacre of civilians” in Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns.
In a speech Tuesday in Turin, Italy, Draghi said the atrocities committed in those and other Ukrainian towns “shake deep down the souls” of people who are democratic.
The war crimes “must be punished,” added Draghi. “To President Putin, I say again, `Put an end to the hostilities, interrupt the massacres and make a cease-fire.”'
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UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations chief says it is more urgent by the day to silence the guns in Ukraine, citing rising deaths and a new UN analysis indicating that 74 developing countries with a total population of 1.2 billion people are especially vulnerable to spiking food, energy and fertilizer prices.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that as a result of the global impact of Russia's “full-fledged invasion on several fronts” of Ukraine, he said “we are already seeing some countries move from vulnerability into crisis and signs of serious social unrest.”
“The flames of conflict are fueled by inequality, deprivation and underfunding,” he said. “With all the warning signals flashing red, we have a duty to act.”
On food, Guterres urged all countries to keep markets open, resist unjustified export restrictions, make reserves available to countries at risk of hunger and famine and fund humanitarian appeals.
On energy, he said that using strategic stockpiles and reserves could help ease the energy crisis in the short-term “but the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.”
On finance, he said “international financial institutions must go into emergency mode.” He urged the world's 20 leading economies, the G-20, and international financial institutions “to increase liquidity and fiscal space so that governments can provide safety nets for the poorest and most vulnerable.”
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BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister has spoken out in favor of providing Ukraine with additional weapons to defend itself against Russia.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday that “we are looking at what solutions there are, together with the EU, NATO and in particular the G-7 partners.”
She dismissed criticism that Germany wasn't doing enough to arm Ukraine, saying “there aren't many other countries that have supplied more (weapons).”
Baerbock spoke following a conference in Berlin on support for Moldova, a poor, small eastern European nation bordering Ukraine that has been strongly affected by the conflict.
Participants agreed to take in 12,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in Moldova, provide 71 million euros in aid and almost 700 million euros in loans to the country, and support its efforts to fight corruption and decrease its energy dependence on Russia.
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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any move by foreign countries to nationalize Russian stakes in companies would be “a double-edged sword.”
“We are already hearing statements from officials about a possible nationalization of some of our assets,” he said. “How far will that get us? Let no one forget that it is a double-edged sword.”
Putin also bemoaned what he said was “administrative pressure on our company Gazprom in some European countries.” Germany on Monday put a government agency in charge of a longtime German subsidiary of Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled energy giant.
The move falls short of nationalization because the German state has not taken ownership of the shares, and it is a temporary change of administration through September.
Gazprom said last week it had cut ties with the unit but Germany says that was invalid because the identity of any new owners is unclear and the deal happened without the required government approval.
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JERUSALEM -- Israel's prime minister says he is shocked by the gruesome images emerging from the Ukrainian town of Bucha, but he stopped short of accusing Russia of being responsible or calling the atrocities a war crime.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told reporters Tuesday that “we are, of course, shocked by the harsh scenes in Bucha. Terrible images, and we strongly condemn them.”
He said that “the images are extremely horrible. The suffering of the citizens of Ukraine is huge and we are doing everything we can to help.”
With Israel one of the few countries to have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Bennett has emerged as a mediator in efforts to end the war.
In order to preserve his relationship with Vladimir Putin, Bennett has been measured in his criticism of the Russian president. Instead, he has allowed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to voice harsher condemnations.
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BRUSSELS - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that “we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories” around the capital. “But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes.”
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that “these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources.”
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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Slovenia is reducing the Russian mission in the country and expelling some Russian diplomats.
Slovenia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the Russian ambassador has been informed of the move. The ministry says Slovenia is cutting down the number of staff at the Russian embassy in Ljubljana to the level of Slovenia's embassy in Moscow.
While the ministry did not specify how many Russian diplomats would have to leave Slovenia, Prime Minister Janez Jana tweeted that the number would be reduced “drastically.” The STA news agency says that the Russian mission is the largest in Slovenia with 41 diplomats and other staff.
Slovenia's foreign ministry also has conveyed to the Russian ambassador the“`strongest protest and dismay” over the killing of civilians in Bucha and other towns in Ukraine.
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RICHMOND, Va. - Ukraine's top cybersecurity official says cyberattacks against his country have increased in the last two weeks and there's evidence that Russian military hackers that tried to break into Ukrainian state agencies also attempted to hack Latvian officials' email accounts.
Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday that a major Ukrainian telecommunications provider, Ukrtelecom, suffered an attack on March 28, but was able to restore most of the affected service within a day.
Kirill Goncharuk, Ukrtelecom's chief information officer, said hackers used compromised credentials of an employee in Russian-occupied territory occupied to break in to his company's network. He said the employee was okay but couldn't disclose additional details for safety concerns.
Zhora said hackers had also recently gained access to the emails of staff at Ukraine's foreign ministry. He said despite the increased hacking attempts in recent days, he's not seen any successful “complicated attacks” on any Ukrainian critical infrastructure targets.
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HOUSTON - NASA's record-setting astronaut Mark Vande Hei says he and his Russian crewmates focused on their mission, not the “heartbreaking” news unfolding in Ukraine, while serving aboard the International Space Station.
His 355-day spaceflight ended last Wednesday with a landing in Kazakhstan. He returned to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule with cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov, the latter of whom also spent a year in orbit.
In his first news conference back on Earth, Vande Hei said Tuesday that he did not shy away from the topic with his Russian crewmates while aboard the space station. “They weren't very long discussions, but I did ask them how they were feeling and sometimes I asked pointed questions. But our focus really was on our mission together.”
Vande Hei also cleared up any misunderstandings about the yellow-with-blue-trim flight suits worn by their Russian replacements when arriving at the space station last month. Those were the school colors of their university, Vande Hei said from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and not meant as a political statement. “The folks who wore them had no idea that people would perceive that as having anything to do with Ukraine ... I think they were kind of blindsided by it.”
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UNITED NATIONS -- Ukraine's president told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the Russian military must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes, accusing invading troops of the worst atrocities since the Second World War.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making his plea via video, cited reported atrocities against civilians carried out by Russian forces in the town of Bucha on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv, saying they are no different than other terrorists like the Islamic State extremist group.
Images of slain bodies on the ground, particularly from the town of Bucha, have stirred global revulsion and led to demands for tougher sanctions and war crime prosecutions against Russia.
Zelenskyy, making his first appearance before the UN's highest body, stressed there are more places in Ukraine that have suffered similar horrors. He called for a tribunal to be established that is similar to the Nuremberg tribunal set up to try war criminals after the Second World War.
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WARSAW, Poland -- Britain's foreign secretary says her country will urge the G7 group to impose more sanctions on Russia, saying that current sanctions have already had a "crippling effect."
Liz Truss said in Warsaw that sanctions have already frozen US$350 billion of "Putin's war chest," saying that makes more than 60% of Russia's $604 billion in currency reserves unavailable.
"Our coordinated sanctions are pushing the Russian economy back to the Soviet era," she said at a news conference with her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau.
She observed that Poland had seen more clearly the threat that Moscow posed in past years, even as Western countries embraced doing business with Russia.
"Poland has always been clear-eyed about Russia. You have understood Putin's malign intent. You were right," she said.
Truss said Britain will encourage the other G7 countries to ban Russian ships from its ports, crack down on Russian banks, set a timetable to eliminate imports of Russian oil and gas, and try to prevent Russia from using gold to fund its war effort.
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ROME -- Italian Premier Mario Draghi is demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as the Russian authorities and the Russian army "answer for their actions" in Ukraine, including the "documented massacre of civilians" in Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns.
In a speech Tuesday in Turin, Italy, Draghi said the atrocities committed in those and other Ukrainian towns "shake deep down the souls" of people who are democratic.
The war crimes "must be punished," added Draghi. "To President Putin, I say again, `Put an end to the hostilities, interrupt the massacres and make a cease-fire."'
Draghi said "if we look at the war through the lens of our values" -- peace, respect for human life and solidarity -- "for the great Russian people, the war makes no sense. It means only shame, isolation and poverty."
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UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations chief says it is more urgent by the day to silence the guns in Ukraine, citing rising deaths and a new UN analysis indicating that 74 developing countries with a total population of 1.2 billion people are especially vulnerable to spiking food, energy and fertilizer prices.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that as a result of the global impact of Russia's "full-fledged invasion on several fronts" of Ukraine, he said "we are already seeing some countries move from vulnerability into crisis and signs of serious social unrest."
"The flames of conflict are fueled by inequality, deprivation and underfunding," he said. "With all the warning signals flashing red, we have a duty to act."
On food, Guterres urged all countries to keep markets open, resist unjustified export restrictions, make reserves available to countries at risk of hunger and famine and fund humanitarian appeals.
On energy, he said that using strategic stockpiles and reserves could help ease the energy crisis in the short-term "but the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy."
On finance, he said "international financial institutions must go into emergency mode." He urged the world's 20 leading economies, the G20, and international financial institutions "to increase liquidity and fiscal space so that governments can provide safety nets for the poorest and most vulnerable."
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BERLIN -- Germany's foreign minister has spoken out in favour of providing Ukraine with additional weapons to defend itself against Russia.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday that "we are looking at what solutions there are, together with the EU, NATO and in particular the G7 partners."
She dismissed criticism that Germany wasn't doing enough to arm Ukraine, saying "there aren't many other countries that have supplied more (weapons)."
Baerbock spoke following a conference in Berlin on support for Moldova, a poor, small eastern European nation bordering Ukraine that has been strongly affected by the conflict.
Participants agreed to take in 12,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in Moldova, provide 71 million euros in aid and almost 700 million euros in loans to the country, and support its efforts to fight corruption and decrease its energy dependence on Russia.
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HELSINKI -- Estonia and Latvia will close Russia's consular missions in two cities each and expel a total of 27 Russian diplomats and employees currently stationed in the Baltic countries.
Estonia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the country decided to expel the staff of Russia's consulates in the southern city of Tartu and border city of Narva and close the premises. The combined 14-member Russian staff, including 7 employees with diplomatic status, must leave the country by April 30, the ministry said.
The ministry's undersecretary Mart Volmer said "there can be no talk of business as usual" with Moscow following allegations of atrocities against civilians in Ukrainian cities by Russian forces.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rincevics said in a tweet that Latvia will close Russian consulates in Daugavpils and Liepaja and expel 13 Russian diplomats and employees.
Daugavpils is Latvia's second largest city situated close to the border with Belarus and Lithuania in southeastern Latvia, not very far from the Russian border, and Liepaja is a major port city.
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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any move by foreign countries to nationalize Russian stakes in companies would be "a double-edged sword."
"We are already hearing statements from officials about a possible nationalization of some of our assets," he said. "How far will that get us? Let no one forget that it is a double-edged sword."
Putin also bemoaned what he said was "administrative pressure on our company Gazprom in some European countries." Germany on Monday put a government agency in charge of a longtime German subsidiary of Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled energy giant.
The move falls short of nationalization because the German state has not taken ownership of the shares, and it is a temporary change of administration through September.
Gazprom said last week it had cut ties with the unit but Germany says that was invalid because the identity of any new owners is unclear and the deal happened without the required government approval.
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JERUSALEM -- Israel's prime minister says he is shocked by the gruesome images emerging from the Ukrainian town of Bucha, but he has stopped short of accusing Russia of being responsible or calling the atrocities a war crime.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told reporters Tuesday that "we are, of course, shocked by the harsh scenes in Bucha. Terrible images, and we strongly condemn them."
He said that "the images are extremely horrible. The suffering of the citizens of Ukraine is huge and we are doing everything we can to help."
With Israel one of the few countries to have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Bennett has emerged as a mediator in efforts to end the war.
In order to preserve his relationship with Vladimir Putin, Bennett has been measured in his criticism of the Russian president. Instead, he has allowed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to voice harsher condemnations.
Bennett referred reporters to the comments Monday by Lapid, who said the civilian deaths in Bucha constituted a "war crime."
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BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
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BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
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BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
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MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
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MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
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PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
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GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
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VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
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BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
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ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
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KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
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BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
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GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
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MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
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LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
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BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
___
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https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-nato-chief-says-more-atrocities-may-surface-1.5848480 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
------
BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
------
BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
------
MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
------
MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
------
PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
------
GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
------
VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
------
BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
------
ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
------
KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
------
BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
------
GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
------
MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
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LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
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BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
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- Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story. | 2 | 119,430 | 0.491259 | https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/live-updates-zelenskyy-urges-stronger-sanctions-from-spain-1.5848480 | 2022-04-05 20:14:31+00:00 | What's happened in Ukraine on Tuesday and how are countries around the world responding? Read live updates on Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Warning: These updates contain details that are disturbing.
KYIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged all Spanish companies to completely halt business with Russia and called for tougher Western sanctions against Moscow that would include a ban on Russian oil imports.
Speaking in a video address to the Spanish Parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy denounced the Russian atrocities against civilians in Ukrainian cities, saying they represented war crimes for which Russian officers should face an international tribunal.
Zelenskyy said the “sanctions must be really powerful.”
“How can it be allowed that Russian banks generate incomes even as the Russian military tortures ordinary civilians to death in Ukrainian cities, how can European companies engage in trade with the state that deliberately destroys our people?” he asked.
In an emotional speech, he drew parallels between the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and the 1937 bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by Nazi aircraft during the Spanish Civil War.
Zelenskyy said the “fate of the entire European project, the values that unite us all” is being decided in Ukraine, and urged Spanish lawmakers to “do even more to force Russia to start searching for peace and respect the international law.”
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LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a direct appeal to the Russian people, urging them to seek the truth about a war he called “a stain on the honor of Russia.”
In a video message, Johnson said Russians were being kept in the dark about the invasion of Ukraine because Russian President Vladimir Putin “knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war.”
Johnson said Russian authorities were hiding the truth of “sickening” slayings of civilians and other crimes, which “betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly waves goodbye to her son as he heads off to join the military.”
He told Russians they only needed an online VPN connection to gain access to independent information from around the world.
Switching from English to Russian, Johnson said: “Your president stands accused of committing war crimes. But I cannot believe he's acting in your name.”
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. and its European allies will impose stiff new sanctions, including a ban on new investments in Russia on Wednesday, a U.S. official says, in retaliation for Russia's “war crimes” in Ukraine.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement.
The joint action will include a ban on new investment in Russia, toughened sanctions on its financial institutions and government-owned enterprises, and more sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members.
The official said they would further Russia's economic, financial and technological “isolation” from the rest of the world as a penalty for its attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
-- AP writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
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ANKARA, Turkey - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said everyone in the Russian leadership and army who is involved in the war is responsible for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
In an interview with Turkey's Haberturk television in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelenskyy also accused Russia of trying to hide its actions in the besieged southern city of Mariupol and did not want humanitarian aid to enter the city “until they clean it all up.”
Zelenskyy spoke following the discovery of bodies of civilians in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces.
“The Russian military political leadership and everyone involved in the planning of this war and everyone who gave this order, committed war crimes in my opinion,” Zelenskyy said in comments translated into Turkish. “We are not dealing with a situation where only one person can be prosecuted and be found guilty.”
On the situation in Mariupol, Zelenskyy said thousands may have been killed or injured there.
“I think Russia is afraid that we will successfully send humanitarian aid to Mariupol and the whole world will see what's going on there,” he said. “Russia doesn't want anything to be seen until they take control of the city (and) until they clean it all up.”
Zelenskyy said Turkish ships were involved in efforts to evacuate injured civilians from Mariupol, but would not elaborate.
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BUCHAREST, Romania - Authorities in Romania said Tuesday that the country is expelling 10 diplomats from Russia's embassy in Bucharest.
Romania's foreign ministry said the actions of 10 embassy workers, who have been declared persona non grata, “contravene the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relationships.”
The move by Romania follows a string of expulsions of Russian officials across the 27-nation European Union following a wave of criticism and shock after Russian troops are accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
As of Tuesday, more than 200 Russian diplomats or employees had been expelled from at least a dozen countries, including Germany, France and Italy.
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Ukrainian officials are renewing pressure on Chinese consumer drone-maker DJI to block a tool that they say is enabling Russian troops to find and attack Ukrainian drone operators.
Ukraine's top cybersecurity official Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday during a press call that DJI's drone detection tool AeroScope has been “sharing information on Ukrainian drones to Russians.”
Both sides of the war have flown small consumer drones to monitor troop movements and help target attacks. But Ukrainian officials said Tuesday they have evidence that DJI's tool for detecting the location and flight information of nearby drones is working for Russians and not Ukrainians. A government report called for blocking “all DJI products operating in Ukraine that were purchased and activated in other countries” such as Russia.
DJI has previously denied such claims, saying in March that it doesn't apply preferential treatment but also can't switch off the AeroScope tool. It has expressed openness to using technology that could ground its drones in the war zone if Ukraine made a formal request but the no-fly zone would apply to both Ukrainian and Russian drones and some would still be able to fly.
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RICHMOND, Va. - Ukraine's top cybersecurity official says cyberattacks against his country have increased in the last two weeks and there's evidence that Russian military hackers that tried to break into Ukrainian state agencies also attempted to hack Latvian officials' email accounts.
Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday that a major Ukrainian telecommunications provider, Ukrtelecom, suffered an attack on March 28, but was able to restore most of the affected service within a day.
Kirill Goncharuk, Ukrtelecom's chief information officer, said hackers used compromised credentials of an employee in Russian-occupied territory occupied to break in to his company's network. He said the employee was okay but couldn't disclose additional details for safety concerns.
Zhora said hackers had also recently gained access to the emails of staff at Ukraine's foreign ministry. He said despite the increased hacking attempts in recent days, he's not seen any successful “complicated attacks” on any Ukrainian critical infrastructure targets.
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HOUSTON - NASA's record-setting astronaut Mark Vande Hei says he and his Russian crewmates focused on their mission, not the “heartbreaking” news unfolding in Ukraine, while serving aboard the International Space Station.
His 355-day spaceflight ended last Wednesday with a landing in Kazakhstan. He returned to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule with cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov, the latter of whom also spent a year in orbit.
In his first news conference back on Earth, Vande Hei said Tuesday that he did not shy away from the topic with his Russian crewmates while aboard the space station. “They weren't very long discussions, but I did ask them how they were feeling and sometimes I asked pointed questions. But our focus really was on our mission together.”
Vande Hei also cleared up any misunderstandings about the yellow-with-blue-trim flight suits worn by their Russian replacements when arriving at the space station last month. Those were the school colors of their university, Vande Hei said from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and not meant as a political statement. “The folks who wore them had no idea that people would perceive that as having anything to do with Ukraine ... I think they were kind of blindsided by it.”
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UNITED NATIONS - Ukraine's president told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the Russian military must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes, accusing invading troops of the worst atrocities since World War II.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making his plea via video, cited reported atrocities against civilians carried out by Russian forces in the town of Bucha on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv, saying they are no different than other terrorists like the Islamic State extremist group.
Images of slain bodies on the ground, particularly from the town of Bucha, have stirred global revulsion and led to demands for tougher sanctions and war crime prosecutions against Russia.
Zelenskyy, making his first appearance before the UN's highest body, stressed there are more places in Ukraine that have suffered similar horrors. He called for a tribunal to be established that is similar to the Nuremberg tribunal set up to try war criminals after World War II.
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WARSAW, Poland - Britain's foreign secretary says her country will urge the G-7 group to impose more sanctions on Russia, saying that current sanctions have already had a “crippling effect.”
Liz Truss said in Warsaw that sanctions have already frozen $350 billion of “Putin's war chest,” saying that makes more than 60% of Russia's $604 billion in currency reserves unavailable.
“Our coordinated sanctions are pushing the Russian economy back to the Soviet era,” she said at a news conference with her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau.
She observed that Poland had seen more clearly the threat that Moscow posed in past years, even as Western countries embraced doing business with Russia.
“Poland has always been clear-eyed about Russia. You have understood Putin's malign intent. You were right,” she said.
Truss said Britain will encourage the other G-7 countries to ban Russian ships from its ports, crack down on Russian banks, set a timetable to eliminate imports of Russian oil and gas, and try to prevent Russia from using gold to fund its war effort.
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ROME - Italian Premier Mario Draghi is demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as the Russian authorities and the Russian army “answer for their actions” in Ukraine, including the “documented massacre of civilians” in Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns.
In a speech Tuesday in Turin, Italy, Draghi said the atrocities committed in those and other Ukrainian towns “shake deep down the souls” of people who are democratic.
The war crimes “must be punished,” added Draghi. “To President Putin, I say again, `Put an end to the hostilities, interrupt the massacres and make a cease-fire.”'
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UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations chief says it is more urgent by the day to silence the guns in Ukraine, citing rising deaths and a new UN analysis indicating that 74 developing countries with a total population of 1.2 billion people are especially vulnerable to spiking food, energy and fertilizer prices.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that as a result of the global impact of Russia's “full-fledged invasion on several fronts” of Ukraine, he said “we are already seeing some countries move from vulnerability into crisis and signs of serious social unrest.”
“The flames of conflict are fueled by inequality, deprivation and underfunding,” he said. “With all the warning signals flashing red, we have a duty to act.”
On food, Guterres urged all countries to keep markets open, resist unjustified export restrictions, make reserves available to countries at risk of hunger and famine and fund humanitarian appeals.
On energy, he said that using strategic stockpiles and reserves could help ease the energy crisis in the short-term “but the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.”
On finance, he said “international financial institutions must go into emergency mode.” He urged the world's 20 leading economies, the G-20, and international financial institutions “to increase liquidity and fiscal space so that governments can provide safety nets for the poorest and most vulnerable.”
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BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister has spoken out in favor of providing Ukraine with additional weapons to defend itself against Russia.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday that “we are looking at what solutions there are, together with the EU, NATO and in particular the G-7 partners.”
She dismissed criticism that Germany wasn't doing enough to arm Ukraine, saying “there aren't many other countries that have supplied more (weapons).”
Baerbock spoke following a conference in Berlin on support for Moldova, a poor, small eastern European nation bordering Ukraine that has been strongly affected by the conflict.
Participants agreed to take in 12,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in Moldova, provide 71 million euros in aid and almost 700 million euros in loans to the country, and support its efforts to fight corruption and decrease its energy dependence on Russia.
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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any move by foreign countries to nationalize Russian stakes in companies would be “a double-edged sword.”
“We are already hearing statements from officials about a possible nationalization of some of our assets,” he said. “How far will that get us? Let no one forget that it is a double-edged sword.”
Putin also bemoaned what he said was “administrative pressure on our company Gazprom in some European countries.” Germany on Monday put a government agency in charge of a longtime German subsidiary of Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled energy giant.
The move falls short of nationalization because the German state has not taken ownership of the shares, and it is a temporary change of administration through September.
Gazprom said last week it had cut ties with the unit but Germany says that was invalid because the identity of any new owners is unclear and the deal happened without the required government approval.
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JERUSALEM -- Israel's prime minister says he is shocked by the gruesome images emerging from the Ukrainian town of Bucha, but he stopped short of accusing Russia of being responsible or calling the atrocities a war crime.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told reporters Tuesday that “we are, of course, shocked by the harsh scenes in Bucha. Terrible images, and we strongly condemn them.”
He said that “the images are extremely horrible. The suffering of the citizens of Ukraine is huge and we are doing everything we can to help.”
With Israel one of the few countries to have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Bennett has emerged as a mediator in efforts to end the war.
In order to preserve his relationship with Vladimir Putin, Bennett has been measured in his criticism of the Russian president. Instead, he has allowed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to voice harsher condemnations.
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BRUSSELS - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that “we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories” around the capital. “But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes.”
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that “these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources.”
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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Slovenia is reducing the Russian mission in the country and expelling some Russian diplomats.
Slovenia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the Russian ambassador has been informed of the move. The ministry says Slovenia is cutting down the number of staff at the Russian embassy in Ljubljana to the level of Slovenia's embassy in Moscow.
While the ministry did not specify how many Russian diplomats would have to leave Slovenia, Prime Minister Janez Jana tweeted that the number would be reduced “drastically.” The STA news agency says that the Russian mission is the largest in Slovenia with 41 diplomats and other staff.
Slovenia's foreign ministry also has conveyed to the Russian ambassador the“`strongest protest and dismay” over the killing of civilians in Bucha and other towns in Ukraine.
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RICHMOND, Va. - Ukraine's top cybersecurity official says cyberattacks against his country have increased in the last two weeks and there's evidence that Russian military hackers that tried to break into Ukrainian state agencies also attempted to hack Latvian officials' email accounts.
Victor Zhora told reporters Tuesday that a major Ukrainian telecommunications provider, Ukrtelecom, suffered an attack on March 28, but was able to restore most of the affected service within a day.
Kirill Goncharuk, Ukrtelecom's chief information officer, said hackers used compromised credentials of an employee in Russian-occupied territory occupied to break in to his company's network. He said the employee was okay but couldn't disclose additional details for safety concerns.
Zhora said hackers had also recently gained access to the emails of staff at Ukraine's foreign ministry. He said despite the increased hacking attempts in recent days, he's not seen any successful “complicated attacks” on any Ukrainian critical infrastructure targets.
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HOUSTON - NASA's record-setting astronaut Mark Vande Hei says he and his Russian crewmates focused on their mission, not the “heartbreaking” news unfolding in Ukraine, while serving aboard the International Space Station.
His 355-day spaceflight ended last Wednesday with a landing in Kazakhstan. He returned to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule with cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov, the latter of whom also spent a year in orbit.
In his first news conference back on Earth, Vande Hei said Tuesday that he did not shy away from the topic with his Russian crewmates while aboard the space station. “They weren't very long discussions, but I did ask them how they were feeling and sometimes I asked pointed questions. But our focus really was on our mission together.”
Vande Hei also cleared up any misunderstandings about the yellow-with-blue-trim flight suits worn by their Russian replacements when arriving at the space station last month. Those were the school colors of their university, Vande Hei said from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and not meant as a political statement. “The folks who wore them had no idea that people would perceive that as having anything to do with Ukraine ... I think they were kind of blindsided by it.”
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UNITED NATIONS -- Ukraine's president told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the Russian military must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes, accusing invading troops of the worst atrocities since the Second World War.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making his plea via video, cited reported atrocities against civilians carried out by Russian forces in the town of Bucha on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv, saying they are no different than other terrorists like the Islamic State extremist group.
Images of slain bodies on the ground, particularly from the town of Bucha, have stirred global revulsion and led to demands for tougher sanctions and war crime prosecutions against Russia.
Zelenskyy, making his first appearance before the UN's highest body, stressed there are more places in Ukraine that have suffered similar horrors. He called for a tribunal to be established that is similar to the Nuremberg tribunal set up to try war criminals after the Second World War.
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WARSAW, Poland -- Britain's foreign secretary says her country will urge the G7 group to impose more sanctions on Russia, saying that current sanctions have already had a "crippling effect."
Liz Truss said in Warsaw that sanctions have already frozen US$350 billion of "Putin's war chest," saying that makes more than 60% of Russia's $604 billion in currency reserves unavailable.
"Our coordinated sanctions are pushing the Russian economy back to the Soviet era," she said at a news conference with her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau.
She observed that Poland had seen more clearly the threat that Moscow posed in past years, even as Western countries embraced doing business with Russia.
"Poland has always been clear-eyed about Russia. You have understood Putin's malign intent. You were right," she said.
Truss said Britain will encourage the other G7 countries to ban Russian ships from its ports, crack down on Russian banks, set a timetable to eliminate imports of Russian oil and gas, and try to prevent Russia from using gold to fund its war effort.
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ROME -- Italian Premier Mario Draghi is demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as the Russian authorities and the Russian army "answer for their actions" in Ukraine, including the "documented massacre of civilians" in Bucha, Irpin and other Ukrainian towns.
In a speech Tuesday in Turin, Italy, Draghi said the atrocities committed in those and other Ukrainian towns "shake deep down the souls" of people who are democratic.
The war crimes "must be punished," added Draghi. "To President Putin, I say again, `Put an end to the hostilities, interrupt the massacres and make a cease-fire."'
Draghi said "if we look at the war through the lens of our values" -- peace, respect for human life and solidarity -- "for the great Russian people, the war makes no sense. It means only shame, isolation and poverty."
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UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations chief says it is more urgent by the day to silence the guns in Ukraine, citing rising deaths and a new UN analysis indicating that 74 developing countries with a total population of 1.2 billion people are especially vulnerable to spiking food, energy and fertilizer prices.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that as a result of the global impact of Russia's "full-fledged invasion on several fronts" of Ukraine, he said "we are already seeing some countries move from vulnerability into crisis and signs of serious social unrest."
"The flames of conflict are fueled by inequality, deprivation and underfunding," he said. "With all the warning signals flashing red, we have a duty to act."
On food, Guterres urged all countries to keep markets open, resist unjustified export restrictions, make reserves available to countries at risk of hunger and famine and fund humanitarian appeals.
On energy, he said that using strategic stockpiles and reserves could help ease the energy crisis in the short-term "but the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy."
On finance, he said "international financial institutions must go into emergency mode." He urged the world's 20 leading economies, the G20, and international financial institutions "to increase liquidity and fiscal space so that governments can provide safety nets for the poorest and most vulnerable."
------
BERLIN -- Germany's foreign minister has spoken out in favour of providing Ukraine with additional weapons to defend itself against Russia.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday that "we are looking at what solutions there are, together with the EU, NATO and in particular the G7 partners."
She dismissed criticism that Germany wasn't doing enough to arm Ukraine, saying "there aren't many other countries that have supplied more (weapons)."
Baerbock spoke following a conference in Berlin on support for Moldova, a poor, small eastern European nation bordering Ukraine that has been strongly affected by the conflict.
Participants agreed to take in 12,000 Ukrainian refugees currently in Moldova, provide 71 million euros in aid and almost 700 million euros in loans to the country, and support its efforts to fight corruption and decrease its energy dependence on Russia.
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HELSINKI -- Estonia and Latvia will close Russia's consular missions in two cities each and expel a total of 27 Russian diplomats and employees currently stationed in the Baltic countries.
Estonia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the country decided to expel the staff of Russia's consulates in the southern city of Tartu and border city of Narva and close the premises. The combined 14-member Russian staff, including 7 employees with diplomatic status, must leave the country by April 30, the ministry said.
The ministry's undersecretary Mart Volmer said "there can be no talk of business as usual" with Moscow following allegations of atrocities against civilians in Ukrainian cities by Russian forces.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rincevics said in a tweet that Latvia will close Russian consulates in Daugavpils and Liepaja and expel 13 Russian diplomats and employees.
Daugavpils is Latvia's second largest city situated close to the border with Belarus and Lithuania in southeastern Latvia, not very far from the Russian border, and Liepaja is a major port city.
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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any move by foreign countries to nationalize Russian stakes in companies would be "a double-edged sword."
"We are already hearing statements from officials about a possible nationalization of some of our assets," he said. "How far will that get us? Let no one forget that it is a double-edged sword."
Putin also bemoaned what he said was "administrative pressure on our company Gazprom in some European countries." Germany on Monday put a government agency in charge of a longtime German subsidiary of Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled energy giant.
The move falls short of nationalization because the German state has not taken ownership of the shares, and it is a temporary change of administration through September.
Gazprom said last week it had cut ties with the unit but Germany says that was invalid because the identity of any new owners is unclear and the deal happened without the required government approval.
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JERUSALEM -- Israel's prime minister says he is shocked by the gruesome images emerging from the Ukrainian town of Bucha, but he has stopped short of accusing Russia of being responsible or calling the atrocities a war crime.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told reporters Tuesday that "we are, of course, shocked by the harsh scenes in Bucha. Terrible images, and we strongly condemn them."
He said that "the images are extremely horrible. The suffering of the citizens of Ukraine is huge and we are doing everything we can to help."
With Israel one of the few countries to have good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Bennett has emerged as a mediator in efforts to end the war.
In order to preserve his relationship with Vladimir Putin, Bennett has been measured in his criticism of the Russian president. Instead, he has allowed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to voice harsher condemnations.
Bennett referred reporters to the comments Monday by Lapid, who said the civilian deaths in Bucha constituted a "war crime."
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BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects more atrocities to come to light in Ukraine as Russian troops continue to retreat from areas around Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "we haven't seen everything that has taken place because Russia still controls most of these territories" around the capital. "But when and if they withdraw their troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of of war crimes."
Stoltenberg rejected Russian assertions that the atrocities were staged.
He said that "these atrocities have taken place during a period in which Russia controlled these areas. So they are responsible. Second, we have information from many different sources."
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BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive branch has proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as the "heinous crimes" carried out around Kyiv.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros (US$4.4 billion) per year. She added that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
Von der Leyen didn't mention natural gas. A consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting gas that's used to generate electricity, heat homes and power industry would be more difficult to secure.
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BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Russia is regrouping its troops away from Kyiv only to mass them in the east and south of Ukraine in the coming weeks "for a crucial phase of the war."
Stoltenberg said Tuesday that "Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine" after withdrawing troops from region around the capital "to regroup, arm and resupply and to shift the focus to the East."
He said that "we expect a further push in the eastern and southern Ukraine to try to take the entire Donbas and to create a land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
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MOSCOW -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the expulsions of Russian diplomats by European countries will prompt a response from Moscow and will complicate international relations.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among the countries which have expelled diplomats since Monday.
Peskov said that "we view negatively, we view with regret this narrowing of possibilities for diplomatic communication, diplomatic work in such difficult conditions, in unprecedent crisis conditions."
He added that "it is short-sighted and a step which firstly will complicate our communication, which is required in order to seek reconciliation. And secondly it will inevitably lead to reciprocal steps."
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MADRID -- Spain is joining other European Union countries in expelling Russian diplomats.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced Tuesday that at least 25 diplomats and staff at the Russian Embassy in Madrid are being expelled.
He said the group represents a threat to Spain's security and the timing of the expulsion "is a response to crimes that cannot go unpunished," in a reference to what he said were "barbaric" Russian war crimes in Ukraine in recent days.
Albares said that evidence of massacres of civilians in areas that Russian troops recently left amounts to "a turning point which the international community cannot ignore."
He said the full list of who is to be expelled is being finalized and may amount to more than 25 people.
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PARIS -- French prosecutors say they're opening investigations into possible war crimes committed against French nationals in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded.
The national prosecutors' office that specializes in terrorism cases said it launched three war crimes investigations on Tuesday, against suspects yet to be identified.
French law allows prosecutors to investigate suspected war crimes committed outside of France if they involve French victims or suspects who are French or who reside in France.
The three French probes will look into suspected suspected crimes in Mariupol, Chernihiv and Hostomel.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspected crimes could include deliberate attacks against civilians and deliberately withholding the essentials they needed to survive, physical assaults, and the deliberate destruction of civilian installations.
The statement did not explain how investigators will go about their work or give details about the suspected French victims and what happened to them.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Norwegian publisher says it is handing control of its Russian printing operations to 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor of Russia's leading independent newspaper.
Amedia CEO Anders Muller Opdahl said Tuesday that "it is impossible for Amedia to continue the printing business" because of the war in Ukraine.
Muratov's Novaya Gazeta newspaper used Amedia's presses but said last month it will remain closed for the duration of the Russian offensive.
Amedia, which has four printing houses in Russia, said it was withdrawing from Russia and that Muratov "will exercise all shareholder rights at his own discretion and have full control of day-to-day operations."
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GENEVA -- The UN migration agency now estimates that more than 11 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
The International Organization for Migration, in its first such full assessment in three weeks, reported Tuesday that more than 7.1 million had been displaced within Ukraine as of April 1. That comes on top of the figure of more than 4 million who have fled abroad, reported by the UN refugee agency.
IOM said more than 2.9 million others are actively considering "leaving their place of habitual residence due to war."
Ukraine had a pre-war population of 44 million.
The tally marked an increase from IOM's tally in mid-March of more than 9.7 million displaced internally in Ukraine or driven abroad.
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LVIV, Ukraine -- The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region has urged residents to stay inside, shut windows and doors and prepare wet face masks after a Russian strike hit a tank containing nitric acid.
Serhiy Haidai said on the messaging app Telegram Tuesday that the incident occurred near the city of Rubizhne, which the Ukrainian military says the Russians have been trying to take over. He didn't specify what area the warning applies to.
Haidai warned that nitric acid "is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed and in contact with skin and mucous membranes." The Russian military has not commented on the claim, and it could not be verified independently.
------
VIENNA -- Chancellor Karl Nehammer's office says the Austrian leader plans to travel to Ukraine soon.
Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that the chancellery said Nehammer intends to visit and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in the coming days."
Earlier Tuesday, the European Union's executive Commission said that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Kyiv this week.
------
BERLIN -- The prime minister of Moldova says the poor eastern European nation needs major international support to cope with the influx of people fleeing neighbouring Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita told a donor conference in Berlin on Tuesday that Moldova is hosting about 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, about a quarter of those who have entered since late February.
Gavrilita said Moldova, with a population of 2.5 million, has tried to provide refugees with decent conditions thanks to an "unprecedented mobilization" by the public and private sectors.
But she said "coping with this influx is one of the biggest challenges any Moldovan government has faced over the last three decades."
She said that in addition to financial aid, Moldova also needs help building electricity interconnectors to Romania. She asked the European Union to open its market to agricultural imports from her country as it pivots away from Russia.
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Sweden's foreign minister says the Scandinavian country is expelling three Russian diplomats.
Foreign Minister Ann Lindeannouncement on Tuesday came after Denmark and Italy said they were expelling 15 and 30 Russians, respectively. On Monday, France and Germany announced that they wer kicking out dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
Last month, Sweden's domestic intelligence agency, SAPO, said that "every third Russian diplomat in Sweden is an intelligence officer."
------
ROME -- The Italian Foreign Ministry says Italy is expelling 30 Russian diplomats.
Tuesday's announcement followed expulsions by several other European countries. Germany said Monday that it was expelling 40 Russians with diplomatic status and France kicked out 35.
Germany's interior minister said authorities attribute those who are being kicked out to Russian intelligence services. And Denmark said on Tuesday that it is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
------
KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine says a civilian ship is sinking in the port of the besieged city of Mariupol after Russian forces fired on it.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the ship was struck during "shelling from the sea" by Russia, causing a fire in the engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured crew member, it added.
The ministry said the ship was flying the flag of the Dominican Republic and posted a picture of a cargo vessel. It didn't specify how many people were on board or the nationalities of the crew members.
Russian forces have been bombarding Mariupol for weeks as they try to tighten control over Ukraine's southeastern coastline.
------
BRUSSELS -- Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said Tuesday that her trip will come to ahead of a special pledging meeting in Warsaw over the weekend. It is the second such high-level trip by EU officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola went to Ukraine last week.
------
GENEVA -- An international Red Cross team has shelved for Tuesday hopes of entering the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol after being held overnight by police in a town about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying to get a small team into Mariupol since Friday as part of efforts to escort beleaguered civilians out and aid in, said the team held by police in Manhush was released overnight. It did not identify the nationality of the police involved, but Manhush is under Russian control.
The ICRC said in a statement that the team's focus now is on the evacuation operation, and the "incident yesterday shows how volatile and complex the operation to facilitate safe passage around Mariupol has been for our team."
Jason Straziuso, an ICRC spokesman, said the team was "not planning on trying to enter Mariupol today. Our team's humanitarian efforts today are focused on helping the evacuation efforts in nearby areas."
------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Foreign Ministry says the country is expelling 15 Russian intelligence officers who worked at Russia's Embassy in Copenhagen.
The ministry said the Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday. It said Denmark strongly condemned "Russia's brutality against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha" and stressed that "deliberate attacks on civilians are a war crime."
The officers have two weeks to leave Denmark. Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said "they pose a risk to our national security that we cannot ignore."
The move came after France and Germany on Monday announced the expulsion of dozens of Russians with diplomatic status.
France plans to expel 35. The French Foreign Ministry cited national security reasons for the expulsions, saying the Russian diplomats were conducting "activities contrary to our security interests." It gave no details.
------
MADRID -- A senior Spanish official says it is "very hard" for the European Union to take measures against Russia's natural gas sector because some of the bloc's countries are dependent on it for their energy supply and the EU's strength lies in its unity.
Teresa Ribera, Spain's minister for ecological transition, said Tuesday "it is very difficult to explain to European public opinion and Ukrainian society that we are still importing Russian energy that finances this war" in Ukraine.
The EU gets around 40% of its natural gas from Russia.
She said the energy imports create "obvious moral tension," adding that accusations of Russian war crimes in Bucha in recent days increased the pressure on the EU to act.
She said Spain should invest in industrial-scale solar power facilities to improve the EU's energy self-sufficiency.
------
LVIV, Ukraine -- Seven humanitarian corridors will be open on Tuesday, including from the besieged port city of Mariupol and the Russian-controlled Berdyansk, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the messaging app Telegram.
According to Vereshchuk's post, residents of Mariupol and Berdyansk will be able to leave to Zaporizhzhia on their own transport. Corridors will also be open from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region and cities of Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Popasna and Hirske in the Luhansk region.
Vereshchuk said in the same post that the Russian troops "don't allow anyone to enter Mariupol," and that the Russians "blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross" in the settlement of Manhush just west of Mariupol.
Vereshchuk said that, after negotiations, the Red Cross representatives "were released at night and sent to Zaporizhzhia."
It was not immediately clear from Vereshchuk's statement whether Russia has agreed to halt the fighting along the announced corridors. Some of the Ukrainian efforts to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors had previously failed as fighting along them continued even despite agreements with Russia.
------
LONDON -- British defense officials say Ukrainian forces have taken back more territory as Russian troops continue to retreat in Ukraine's north.
Britain's Ministry of Defence says Ukrainian forces "have retaken key terrain" after forcing Russian units to retreat north of Kyiv and around the northern city of Chernihiv. The ministry says "low-level fighting is likely to continue in some parts of the newly recaptured regions, but diminish significantly over this week as the remainder of Russian forces withdraw."
In an intelligence update posted online, the U.K. says many of the Russian units "are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before being available to redeploy for operations in eastern Ukraine."
Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is refocusing its offensive on the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
------
BERLIN -- Germany's president is admitting mistakes in policy toward Russia in his previous job as foreign minister.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister, most recently from 2013 to 2017, and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. In that time, Germany pursued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cultivated close energy ties.
Steinmeier told ZDF television Tuesday that "we failed on many points," including efforts to encourage Russia toward democracy and respecting human rights.
The president conceded that "there were different assessments" of Russia among European countries. He added: "It is true that we should have taken the warnings of our eastern European partners more seriously, particularly regarding the time after 2014" and the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Sticking to that project was a mistake that cost Germany "a lot of credit and credibility" in eastern Europe, he said. Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended the pipeline in the week Russia invaded Ukraine.
___
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https://phl17.com/national-news/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. | 0 | 33,791 | 0 | https://fox5sandiego.com/news/trending/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | 2022-04-05 01:09:35+00:00 | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. |
https://phl17.com/national-news/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. | 1 | 37,520 | 0 | https://www.wwlp.com/news/political-news/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | 2022-04-05 01:31:01+00:00 | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. |
https://phl17.com/national-news/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. | 2 | 39,786 | 0 | https://wgnradio.com/news/new-york-city-invites-floridians-to-move-over-dont-say-gay/ | 2022-04-05 01:45:02+00:00 | (The Hill) – New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) has announced the launch of a digital campaign in five Florida markets to denounce the state’s new “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.
“I am the mayor of New York City, but I have a message for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community — come to a city where you can say and be whoever you want,” Adams said in a news conference on Monday. “Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest shameful, extremist culture war targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we say to the families living in fear of this state-sponsored discrimination that you will always have a home in New York City.”
Adams also said in the news conference that he partnered with numerous companies to conduct the digital displays in the five Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Adams noted that the city taxpayers will not pay for the new billboard campaign, stating it is being funded by the companies.
“LGBTQ+ youth deserve the same things that all young people deserve: to be seen, to be heard, and to be respected,” said Lambda Legal CEO and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founder Kevin Jennings said in a statement. “Schools and curriculums that are inclusive of all young people and their families literally save lives. We’re here with a welcoming, loud, and proud message to let LGBTQ+ young people know they are not alone.”
The move comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed what is known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, or HB 1557, into law last week.
The new law bars educators in the state from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools. Parents would be able to take legal action against school districts they believe have violated the measure.
In a previous statement, Disney said it will join efforts to repeal the new law, making the announcement after it faced widespread criticism for initially remaining silent on the bill.
The new campaign will run in the five Florida cities starting from April 4 through May 29, the mayor’s office said. |
https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/france-pushing-for-energy-sanctions-against-russia/ | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
Until now, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
The U.S. and United Kingdom previously announced they were cutting off Russian oil. Individual EU countries have announced efforts to draw down their energy reliance on Russia: Poland says it plans to block imports of coal and oil from the country, while Lithuania said it’s no longer using Russian natural gas.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
The proposal still must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries and is included among a new package of sanctions.
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system.”
The bloc also would ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment also were proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
But energy was the focus. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union imported 53% of hard coal from Russia in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than natural gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said last month that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___
AP journalist Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story. | 0 | 37,611 | 0 | https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/international/france-pushing-for-energy-sanctions-against-russia/ | 2022-04-05 14:28:28+00:00 | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
Until now, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
The U.S. and United Kingdom previously announced they were cutting off Russian oil. Individual EU countries have announced efforts to draw down their energy reliance on Russia: Poland says it plans to block imports of coal and oil from the country, while Lithuania said it’s no longer using Russian natural gas.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
The proposal still must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries and is included among a new package of sanctions.
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system.”
The bloc also would ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment also were proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
But energy was the focus. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union imported 53% of hard coal from Russia in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than natural gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said last month that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___
AP journalist Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story. |
https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/france-pushing-for-energy-sanctions-against-russia/ | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
Until now, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
The U.S. and United Kingdom previously announced they were cutting off Russian oil. Individual EU countries have announced efforts to draw down their energy reliance on Russia: Poland says it plans to block imports of coal and oil from the country, while Lithuania said it’s no longer using Russian natural gas.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
The proposal still must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries and is included among a new package of sanctions.
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system.”
The bloc also would ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment also were proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
But energy was the focus. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union imported 53% of hard coal from Russia in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than natural gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said last month that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___
AP journalist Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story. | 1 | 39,227 | 0 | https://www.wpri.com/business-news/france-pushing-for-energy-sanctions-against-russia/ | 2022-04-05 14:36:45+00:00 | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
Until now, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
The U.S. and United Kingdom previously announced they were cutting off Russian oil. Individual EU countries have announced efforts to draw down their energy reliance on Russia: Poland says it plans to block imports of coal and oil from the country, while Lithuania said it’s no longer using Russian natural gas.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
The proposal still must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries and is included among a new package of sanctions.
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system.”
The bloc also would ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment also were proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
But energy was the focus. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union imported 53% of hard coal from Russia in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than natural gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said last month that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___
AP journalist Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story. |
https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/france-pushing-for-energy-sanctions-against-russia/ | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn’t mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes difficult to secure amid opposition from gas-dependent members like Germany, the bloc’s largest economy.
Until now, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
The U.S. and United Kingdom previously announced they were cutting off Russian oil. Individual EU countries have announced efforts to draw down their energy reliance on Russia: Poland says it plans to block imports of coal and oil from the country, while Lithuania said it’s no longer using Russian natural gas.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
The proposal still must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries and is included among a new package of sanctions.
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system.”
The bloc also would ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment also were proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
But energy was the focus. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union imported 53% of hard coal from Russia in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than natural gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said last month that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___
AP journalist Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story. | 2 | 9,287 | 0.16529 | https://www.manufacturing.net/energy/news/22158973/eu-proposes-russian-coal-ban | 2022-04-05 22:15:13+00:00 | BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around Kyiv, with evidence that Russian troops may have deliberately killed Ukrainian civilians.
Von der Leyen said the ban on coal imports is worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year and that the EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.
She didn't mention natural gas, with consensus among the 27 EU member countries on targeting the fuel used to generate electricity and heat homes more difficult to secure.
The EU gets about 40% of its natural gas from Russia and many EU countries, including Germany — the bloc’s largest economy — are opposed to cutting off gas imports.
So far, Europe had not been willing to target Russian energy over fears that it would plunge the European economy into recession. Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, natural gas and coal means finding unanimity on energy measures is a tall order, but the recent reports of civilian killings have increased pressure for tougher EU sanctions.
“To take a clear stand is not only crucial for us in Europe but also for the rest of the world,” von der Leyen said. “A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. A clear stand against the massacre of civilians. And a clear stand against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order.”
Other measures proposed by the EU’s executive arm include sanctions on more individuals and four key Russian banks, among them VTB, the second-largest Russian bank.
“These four banks, which we now totally cut off from the markets, represent 23% of market share in the Russian banking sector,” von der Leyen said. “This will further weaken Russia´s financial system."
If the proposal is adopted unanimously by all 27 EU countries, the new package of sanctions would also ban Russian vessels and Russian-operated vessels from EU ports, with exceptions for essentials such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.
Further targeted export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in sectors covering quantum computers, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment have also been proposed.
“With this, we will continue to degrade Russia’s technological base and industrial capacity,” von der Leyen said.
According to EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, 62% of Russia’s exports to the EU were hydrocarbons last year.
“If we really want to affect Russia’s economy, that’s where we need to look,” he said. “And that’s exactly what is subject to discussions concerning this sanctions package.”
Because of its climate ambitions, the EU has been moving away from coal for years. Coal use fell from 1.2 billion tons a year to 427 million tons between 1990 and 2020, but imports rose from 30% to 60% of coal use.
The European Union gets about 25% of its oil from Russia, while the EU imported 53% of hard coal from the country in 2020, which accounted for 30% of the EU’s hard coal consumption.
Russian coal would be easier to replace than Russian gas because coal comes by ship and there are multiple global suppliers. Germany’s association of coal importers said in March that Russian coal could be replaced “in a few months.”
Analysts at the Bruegel think tank said in March that Germany and Poland were particularly reliant on Russian coal for power generation and that “Russian coal can be replaced because global markets are well supplied and flexible.”
But they added that “replacing Russian coal imports will require the lightspeed deployment of new supply chains to bring the right type of coal where it is needed. Most European coal users already source from different suppliers and should be able to build on existing relationships.”
But the switch would mean more import demand from Europe and higher global coal prices, with significant effects on emerging and developed economies that also rely on coal.
___ |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/article_14cb25ce-7444-554c-9985-a3a2c473e078.html | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California's capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
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“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns," firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said.
Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio, Brian Melley and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Don Thompson in Sacramento, Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this story.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 0 | 43,152 | 0.034087 | https://www.eagletribune.com/region/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/article_eaadb814-ac1e-525b-826d-c21878da9eff.html | 2022-04-05 14:55:16+00:00 | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California's capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns," firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said.
Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio, Brian Melley and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Don Thompson in Sacramento, Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this story. |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/article_14cb25ce-7444-554c-9985-a3a2c473e078.html | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California's capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
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“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns," firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said.
Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio, Brian Melley and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Don Thompson in Sacramento, Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this story.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 1 | 76,372 | 0.034087 | https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/national/news_national/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/article_cb9235de-b4e5-11ec-9383-d7bf6cd5622f.html | 2022-04-05 17:13:56+00:00 | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California's capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns," firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said. |
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/article_14cb25ce-7444-554c-9985-a3a2c473e078.html | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California's capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
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“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns," firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said.
Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio, Brian Melley and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Don Thompson in Sacramento, Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York City contributed to this story.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2 | 59,641 | 0.034397 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/2nd-man-arrested-on-gun-charges-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/ | 2022-04-05 16:09:21+00:00 | SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection to the mass shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and wounded 12 in California’s capital, and police say he is the brother of the first suspect.
Smiley Martin, 27, the brother of the first suspect, was arrested while hospitalized with serious injuries from the gunfire. When he is fit for jail, he will be booked for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun, a police statement said.
More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety. A day later police announced the arrest of Dandrae Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. A court appearance was set for Tuesday.
Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three area homes.
Police said Smiley Martin was located at the scene and was taken to a hospital.
“Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the statement said.
The arrests came as the three women and three men killed were identified. The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday as bars were closing and patrons filled the streets near the state Capitol. The fallen included a father of four, a young woman who wanted to be a social worker, a man described as the life of the party, and a woman who lived on the streets nearby and was looking for housing.
The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg read their names during a vigil Monday evening attended by grieving relatives, friends and community members.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Steinberg said.
Turner, who had three daughters and a son, was a “protector” who worked as the night manager at an inventory company, his mother, Penelope Scott, told The Associated Press. He rarely went out, and she had no reason to believe he would be in harm’s way when he left her house after he visited Saturday night.
“My son was walking down the street and somebody started shooting, and he got shot. Why is that to happen?” Scott said. “I feel like I’ve got a hole in my heart.”
The burst of gunshots sent people running in terror in the neighborhood just a few blocks from the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play.
Police were investigating whether the shooting was connected with a street fight that broke out just before gunfire erupted. Several people could be seen in videos scrapping on a street lined with an upscale hotel, nightclubs and bars when gunshots sent people scattering.
Detectives also were trying to determine if a stolen handgun found at the crime scene was connected to the shooting, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Witnesses answered her plea for help by providing more than 100 videos and photos of evidence.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert noted Dandrae Martin was not arrested on suspicion of homicide, but suggested investigators were making progress.
“The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence,” Schubert said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case.”
Dandrae Martin was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to jail records.
He was freed from an Arizona prison in 2020 after serving just over 1 1/2 years for violating probation in separate cases involving a felony conviction for aggravated assault in 2016 and a conviction on a marijuana charge in 2018. Court records show he pleaded guilty to punching, kicking and choking a woman in a hotel room when she refused to work for him as a prostitute.
It was not immediately clear whether the Martins had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday.
At the scene where the chaos erupted, memorials with candles and flowers began to grow on the same sidewalks where video showed people screaming and running for shelter as others lay on the ground writhing in pain.
A small bouquet of purple roses was dedicated to Melinda Davis, who lived on the streets for years, with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace.”
Politicians decried the shooting, and some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, called for tougher action against gun violence.
California has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on firearms, requiring background checks to buy guns and ammunition, limiting magazines to 10 bullets, and banning firearms that fall into its definition of assault weapons.
But state lawmakers plan to go further. A bill getting its first hearing Tuesday would allow citizens to sue those who possess illegal weapons, a measure patterned after a controversial Texas bill aimed at abortions.
Other proposed California legislation this year would make it easier for people to sue gun companies and target unregistered “ghost guns,” firearms made from build-it-yourself kits.
The California Assembly held a moment of silence Monday in honor of the victims. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Democrat who represents Sacramento, noted lawmakers could see the crime scene from the building’s balcony.
“Tragic is too small of a word to describe what occurred just two nights ago as a devastating loss for our city,” McCarty said. |
https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/milk-shortage-farmers-group-urges-state-to-review-feed-levies-3772460 | Milk shortage: Farmers’ group urges State to review feed levies
The Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation has asked the government to review high levies on animal feeds so as to make them more available amid a biting milk shortage.
Most towns in the North Rift region are facing an acute shortage of raw milk and scarce feeds and water due to drought.
Raw milk in Eldoret retails for Sh80 per litre at milk ATMs, up from Sh60 two weeks ago, while farm-gate prices range from Sh60 to 65 per litre.
“Milk production has drastically gone down by 35 per cent. Those who used to supply 50 litres are now delivering 10 to 15 litres daily due to reduced milk production on farms,” said Ruth Cheruto, who runs milk ATMs in Eldoret.
Drought and high taxes
Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation chairperson Stanley Ngombe said on Monday that, along with drought, high taxes on animal feeds may have contributed to the shortage.
“We also have the problem of most of our dairy cows delaying going into heat. Acaricides also are no longer effective and we appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with another drug to help us tackle ticks,” he said.
Mr Ngombe cautioned against allowing imports of milk powder, saying that would hurt local producers.
Rising prices
A milk shortage was also reported in Bungoma County, with prices rising.
Webuye, Bungoma, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony towns have been hit hardest.
Retailers in those towns and other market centres across the county's nine constituencies attributed the shortage to lower supply from dairy farmers across Kenya.
Retail shops and supermarkets in the county are selling a 500ml packet of fresh Brookside milk for Sh80, up from Sh60 a few days earlier.
The Tuzo brand goes for Sh70, up from Sh50 and Ilara Sh60 from Sh45. Long-life brands retail for Sh60, up from Sh48.
Imports from Uganda
Mr Kelvin Wawire, an attendant at Tridev Supermarket in Webuye, linked the fall in production to the extended dry weather.
Mr Wawire also blamed the ban on milk imports from neighbouring Uganda that was imposed in 2019.
Mr Wycliffe Odhiambo, who operates a shop in Bungoma town, said that the Brookside brand, a favourite of many consumers, sells out within a few hours of supply as people buy in bulk, prompting him to ration the number of packets each customer can buy at once.
He said retailers across the county had reported a shortage of supply, with the stocks available selling at higher prices. | 0 | 32,188 | 0.084236 | https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/milk-shortage-farmers-group-urges-government-to-review-feed-levies-3772436 | 2022-07-20 15:41:41+00:00 | Milk shortage: Farmers’ group urges government to review feed levies
The Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation has asked the government to review high levies on animal feeds so as to make them more available amid a biting milk shortage.
Most towns in the North Rift region are facing an acute shortage of raw milk and scarce feeds and water due to drought.
Raw milk in Eldoret retails for Sh80 per litre at milk ATMs, up from Sh60 two weeks ago, while farm-gate prices range from Sh60 to 65 per litre.
“Milk production has drastically gone down by 35 per cent. Those who used to supply 50 litres are now delivering 10 to 15 litres daily due to reduced milk production on farms,” said Ruth Cheruto, who runs milk ATMs in Eldoret.
Drought and high taxes
Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation chairperson Stanley Ngombe said on Monday that, along with drought, high taxes on animal feeds may have contributed to the shortage.
“We also have the problem of most of our dairy cows delaying going into heat. Acaricides also are no longer effective and we appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with another drug to help us tackle ticks,” he said.
Mr Ngombe cautioned against allowing imports of milk powder, saying that would hurt local producers.
A milk shortage was also reported in Bungoma County, with prices rising.
Webuye, Bungoma, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony towns have been hit hardest.
Retailers in those towns and other market centres across the county's nine constituencies attributed the shortage to lower supply from dairy farmers across Kenya.
Retail shops and supermarkets in the county are selling a 500ml packet of fresh Brookside milk for Sh80, up from Sh60 a few days earlier.
The Tuzo brand goes for Sh70, up from Sh50 and Ilara Sh60 from Sh45. Long-life brands retail for Sh60, up from Sh48.
Mr Kelvin Wawire, an attendant at Tridev Supermarket in Webuye, linked the fall in production to the extended dry weather.
Mr Wawire also blamed the ban on milk imports from neighbouring Uganda that was imposed in 2019.
Mr Wycliffe Odhiambo, who operates a shop in Bungoma town, said that the Brookside brand, a favourite of many consumers, sells out within a few hours of supply as people buy in bulk, prompting him to ration the number of packets each customer can buy at once.
He said retailers across the county had reported a shortage of supply, with the stocks available selling at higher prices. |
https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/milk-shortage-farmers-group-urges-state-to-review-feed-levies-3772460 | Milk shortage: Farmers’ group urges State to review feed levies
The Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation has asked the government to review high levies on animal feeds so as to make them more available amid a biting milk shortage.
Most towns in the North Rift region are facing an acute shortage of raw milk and scarce feeds and water due to drought.
Raw milk in Eldoret retails for Sh80 per litre at milk ATMs, up from Sh60 two weeks ago, while farm-gate prices range from Sh60 to 65 per litre.
“Milk production has drastically gone down by 35 per cent. Those who used to supply 50 litres are now delivering 10 to 15 litres daily due to reduced milk production on farms,” said Ruth Cheruto, who runs milk ATMs in Eldoret.
Drought and high taxes
Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation chairperson Stanley Ngombe said on Monday that, along with drought, high taxes on animal feeds may have contributed to the shortage.
“We also have the problem of most of our dairy cows delaying going into heat. Acaricides also are no longer effective and we appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with another drug to help us tackle ticks,” he said.
Mr Ngombe cautioned against allowing imports of milk powder, saying that would hurt local producers.
Rising prices
A milk shortage was also reported in Bungoma County, with prices rising.
Webuye, Bungoma, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony towns have been hit hardest.
Retailers in those towns and other market centres across the county's nine constituencies attributed the shortage to lower supply from dairy farmers across Kenya.
Retail shops and supermarkets in the county are selling a 500ml packet of fresh Brookside milk for Sh80, up from Sh60 a few days earlier.
The Tuzo brand goes for Sh70, up from Sh50 and Ilara Sh60 from Sh45. Long-life brands retail for Sh60, up from Sh48.
Imports from Uganda
Mr Kelvin Wawire, an attendant at Tridev Supermarket in Webuye, linked the fall in production to the extended dry weather.
Mr Wawire also blamed the ban on milk imports from neighbouring Uganda that was imposed in 2019.
Mr Wycliffe Odhiambo, who operates a shop in Bungoma town, said that the Brookside brand, a favourite of many consumers, sells out within a few hours of supply as people buy in bulk, prompting him to ration the number of packets each customer can buy at once.
He said retailers across the county had reported a shortage of supply, with the stocks available selling at higher prices. | 1 | 114,683 | 0.652773 | https://www.independent.co.ug/kiruhura-dairy-farmers-petition-agriculture-minister-over-milk-prices/ | 2022-05-30 12:38:12+00:00 | Kiruhura, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kiruhura district farmers have petitioned the Minister of Agriculture for immediate intervention over the milk prices.
In the letter addressed to Minister Frank Tumwebaze, the farmers in Kiruhura say the reduction of milk prices from 1,600 to 800 shillings in 7 days has left them worried amidst skyrocketing prices of all other basic needs.
Their chairperson Emmanuel Kishe says that milk prices in the supermarkets and groceries range from 3,000-3500 shillings while the processing costs range from 800-1,200 shillings depending on the product.
He says the current price of all farm input commodities, resistant tick diseases, and the negative seasonal change of severe dry season have hiked-up milk production costs to between 950 and 1,700 per liter and yet farm gate price for milk has remained as low as between 850 and 700 Shillings.
According to Kishe, all the water points have dried up, forcing them to start fetching water for their cows from water wells that are located more than 10 kilometers away from their homes.
Deus Mugume, a farmer in Kikatsi sub county says farmers have suffered the worst of their business in the last two years noting that the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown, the Foot and Mouth Disease quarantine, and the recent armyworm outbreak which have been eating anything green leaving cattle without grass.
Mugume says the government should help farmers to have their income revamped but milk prices are cut below production cost.
Kishe further says the government’s emphasis on the demand for commercial farming will never be achieved in situations where prices of farm products are offered by buyers without considering the cost of production.
Minister Frank Tumwebaze when contacted confirmed receiving the petition noting that he was yet to respond to the farmers.
This is not the first time milk prices have gone down. In 2021 when Kenya slapped a ban on Uganda’s milk, the prices went to as low as 500 a liter, however, the farmers say the processors have this time reduced the prices without justification.
*****
URN |
https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/milk-shortage-farmers-group-urges-state-to-review-feed-levies-3772460 | Milk shortage: Farmers’ group urges State to review feed levies
The Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation has asked the government to review high levies on animal feeds so as to make them more available amid a biting milk shortage.
Most towns in the North Rift region are facing an acute shortage of raw milk and scarce feeds and water due to drought.
Raw milk in Eldoret retails for Sh80 per litre at milk ATMs, up from Sh60 two weeks ago, while farm-gate prices range from Sh60 to 65 per litre.
“Milk production has drastically gone down by 35 per cent. Those who used to supply 50 litres are now delivering 10 to 15 litres daily due to reduced milk production on farms,” said Ruth Cheruto, who runs milk ATMs in Eldoret.
Drought and high taxes
Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation chairperson Stanley Ngombe said on Monday that, along with drought, high taxes on animal feeds may have contributed to the shortage.
“We also have the problem of most of our dairy cows delaying going into heat. Acaricides also are no longer effective and we appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with another drug to help us tackle ticks,” he said.
Mr Ngombe cautioned against allowing imports of milk powder, saying that would hurt local producers.
Rising prices
A milk shortage was also reported in Bungoma County, with prices rising.
Webuye, Bungoma, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony towns have been hit hardest.
Retailers in those towns and other market centres across the county's nine constituencies attributed the shortage to lower supply from dairy farmers across Kenya.
Retail shops and supermarkets in the county are selling a 500ml packet of fresh Brookside milk for Sh80, up from Sh60 a few days earlier.
The Tuzo brand goes for Sh70, up from Sh50 and Ilara Sh60 from Sh45. Long-life brands retail for Sh60, up from Sh48.
Imports from Uganda
Mr Kelvin Wawire, an attendant at Tridev Supermarket in Webuye, linked the fall in production to the extended dry weather.
Mr Wawire also blamed the ban on milk imports from neighbouring Uganda that was imposed in 2019.
Mr Wycliffe Odhiambo, who operates a shop in Bungoma town, said that the Brookside brand, a favourite of many consumers, sells out within a few hours of supply as people buy in bulk, prompting him to ration the number of packets each customer can buy at once.
He said retailers across the county had reported a shortage of supply, with the stocks available selling at higher prices. | 2 | 127,058 | 0.672113 | https://www.tuko.co.ke/business-economy/economy/449875-milk-shortage-hits-different-parts-country-prices-rise/ | 2022-04-05 10:43:05+00:00 | Milk Shortage Hits Different Parts of the Country as Prices Rise
- Milk shortage has hit different parts of the country, including Nairobi, Nyandarua and Mombasa counties and Nyanza and Western regions
- Retailers say the shortage has worsened in the last two weeks, which explains the recent rise in prices
- Experts have attributed the reduced production of milk to several factors, including prolonged drought, unreliable power supply and the use of outdated farming methods
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There is an ongoing shortage of processed milk in different parts of the country that has seen the price of the commodity rise.
Nairobi, Nyandarua and Mombasa counties and parts of Nyanza and Western regions are among parts of the country experiencing the shortage.
Retailers say the shortage has worsened in the last two weeks, explaining the recent price rise.
Milk prices have risen by up to KSh 10 for a 500ml packet, to retail between KSh 60 and KSh 63.
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Drought and old farming methods
According to a report filed by Nation, milk production has decreased in major places, including at Ol Kalou Dairy 2016, where production has dropped to about 23,000kg a day against the usual 60,000kg leaving its processing and packaging equipment idle.
The company's General Manager told the publication that they are having a hard time supplying their traditional customers.
He attributed the reduced milk production to several factors, including prolonged drought and the use of outdated farming methods.
Other factors include unreliable power supply as the firm relies on Kenya Power distribution lines.
Wachira noted that they are limited to producing 100,000 kilos against a potential of 200,000 kilos per day.
Government Allocates KSh 34.4 Billion to Protect Kenyans from High Fuel Prices Amid Ongoing Shortages
The over-reliance on rain-fed farming is also to blame for the shortage.
Ongoing problem
Two weeks ago, TUKO.co.ke reported that milk's price had risen due to the ongoing drought affecting production.
At the time, leading milk processors had been forced to increase prices by KSh 2 to KSh 5 for a packet of 500ml.
The increase saw New KCC and Ilara brands raise their fresh milk prices from KSh 50 to KSh 53 and from KSh 48 to KSh 52.
Meanwhile, the price of most long-life brands jumped to KSh 55 from KSh 50.
Margaret Kibogy, the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) Managing Director, said that the expected rains would reverse the situation.
Kenya is currently facing an extended, multi-season drought driving acute food insecurity.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) data indicates that 12 to 14 million people in the Horn of Africa countries are facing drought.
"Drought cycles are intensifying and occurring with greater frequency. Immediate humanitarian action to support farmers and herders is needed now,” said FAO’s Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol.
Source: TUKO.co.ke |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nitc-develops-smart-solar-stove/article65293280.ece | NITC develops smart solar stove
Product suitable for use at home and roadside eateries
Kozhikode
Researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) have designed and developed an eco-friendly smart solar stove with zero operating cost for domestic and roadside eateries (thattukadas).
An excellent alternative cooking system, especially when prices of domestic cooking gas are rising, the smart solar stove with multiple versions has been tested for practical feasibility and is ready to be launched in the market at an affordable price, a press release said here on Tuesday. The Department of Biotechnology of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology had funded the project. NITC Director Prasad Krishna launched the product on the campus. One of the product versions that can be used directly under the sun has a single and double stove suitable for domestic cooking. Another model, which can be employed for all types of cooking purposes, has a provision to connect an LED lamp. The sufficient illumination will help vendors to extend their business operating hours during night hours. Besides, this model, having a foldable solar panel, can be used by travellers and tourists. Another model has a battery with a control unit for extending the cooking time during overcast weather. V. Karthikeyan, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, NITC, said that the smart stove was similar to a user- friendly induction cooker. It had no thermal or electromagnetic wave radiation. Multiple safety features were added to the product, he said. S. Ashok, Chairman, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, NITC, said that a number of industries had expressed interest to secure the technology for commercial manufacture of the smart solar stove.
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- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 0 | 37,867 | 0.12461 | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nitc-develops-smart-solar-stove/article65293280.ece/amp/ | 2022-04-05 14:29:54+00:00 | NITC develops smart solar stove
April 05, 2022 19:41 ISTProduct suitable for use at home and roadside eateries
Kozhikode
Researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) have designed and developed an eco-friendly smart solar stove with zero operating cost for domestic and roadside eateries (thattukadas).
An excellent alternative cooking system, especially when prices of domestic cooking gas are rising, the smart solar stove with multiple versions has been tested for practical feasibility and is ready to be launched in the market at an affordable price, a press release said here on Tuesday. The Department of Biotechnology of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology had funded the project. NITC Director Prasad Krishna launched the product on the campus. One of the product versions that can be used directly under the sun has a single and double stove suitable for domestic cooking. Another model, which can be employed for all types of cooking purposes, has a provision to connect an LED lamp. The sufficient illumination will help vendors to extend their business operating hours during night hours. Besides, this model, having a foldable solar panel, can be used by travellers and tourists. Another model has a battery with a control unit for extending the cooking time during overcast weather. V. Karthikeyan, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, NITC, said that the smart stove was similar to a user- friendly induction cooker. It had no thermal or electromagnetic wave radiation. Multiple safety features were added to the product, he said. S. Ashok, Chairman, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, NITC, said that a number of industries had expressed interest to secure the technology for commercial manufacture of the smart solar stove. |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nitc-develops-smart-solar-stove/article65293280.ece | NITC develops smart solar stove
Product suitable for use at home and roadside eateries
Kozhikode
Researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) have designed and developed an eco-friendly smart solar stove with zero operating cost for domestic and roadside eateries (thattukadas).
An excellent alternative cooking system, especially when prices of domestic cooking gas are rising, the smart solar stove with multiple versions has been tested for practical feasibility and is ready to be launched in the market at an affordable price, a press release said here on Tuesday. The Department of Biotechnology of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology had funded the project. NITC Director Prasad Krishna launched the product on the campus. One of the product versions that can be used directly under the sun has a single and double stove suitable for domestic cooking. Another model, which can be employed for all types of cooking purposes, has a provision to connect an LED lamp. The sufficient illumination will help vendors to extend their business operating hours during night hours. Besides, this model, having a foldable solar panel, can be used by travellers and tourists. Another model has a battery with a control unit for extending the cooking time during overcast weather. V. Karthikeyan, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, NITC, said that the smart stove was similar to a user- friendly induction cooker. It had no thermal or electromagnetic wave radiation. Multiple safety features were added to the product, he said. S. Ashok, Chairman, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, NITC, said that a number of industries had expressed interest to secure the technology for commercial manufacture of the smart solar stove.
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- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 1 | 143,286 | 0.396084 | https://www.etvbharat.com/english/national/bharat/researchers-at-nit-calicut-develop-solar-cooking-stove/na20220409185918971 | 2022-04-09 13:40:41+00:00 | Researchers at NIT Calicut develop solar cooking stove
Researchers at NIT Calicut develop solar cooking stove
Kozhikode: In a significant development, researchers at the National Institute of Technology Calicut have developed a solar stove in a bid to provide an alternative to LPG gas stoves amid soaring gas prices.
Besides the running cost of the solar stove being low compared to the LPG stove, it is also easy to use, say the researchers of the electrical engineering department of NIT Calicut( NITC ) who developed it. The project to develop a solar stove was headed by Prof. S. Ashok who is the chairman of the center of innovation and entrepreneurship of NITC. The 'smart solar stove' has been tested in the industrial power research laboratories of the institution, they said.
To test the equipment in real settings, the solar stoves had been given for use to some houses and street vendors. The results show that it works efficiently in both settings, say the developers. They are confident that the 'smart solar stove' can be made available at affordable prices in the market.
The stove is suited for household use: The stove has been introduced in two models. First model, the single and double stove products can be used directly under the sun without any electric supply. It is well suited for domestic cooking. This model is well suited for those who are running roadside eateries as well.
Because the solar panels of this stove can be installed on the roof of the roadside establishments. The stove also has a built-in LED light, which can be very helpful to tourists who may go to places where electricity is not available. The overall cost for the single stove with the solar panel is around Rs 10,000 and for the double stove, the cost is around Rs 15,000.
In the second model, a battery can also be included with the control unit for extending the cooking time during non-sunlight hours. During the non-sunlight hours, even if the battery becomes empty, the product automatically switches over to a conventional power supply. The second model will cost a maximum of Rs 15,000 more based on the type of battery it is using.
No radiation: This stove causes less pollution, say the developers. It is smoke-free and does not emit Carbon Monoxide which is harmful to human health. By using this smart solar stove, an average size house can save Rs 12000 per annum.
The touchpad of this stove is akin to an induction cooker. But unlike an induction cooker, there is no radiation. Hence it is safe for the elderly, pregnant women, and children.
There are multiple safety arrangements in the design of this smart solar stove: fire safety, waterproof, and safety against electrical shock. The research for developing this solar stove has been funded by the Biotechnology Department of the central government. A lot of companies have approached the NITC for the technology used in the solar stove for producing the product on a commercial scale, say the developers.
Also read: ITC commissions first offsite solar plant in Tamil Nadu |
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nitc-develops-smart-solar-stove/article65293280.ece | NITC develops smart solar stove
Product suitable for use at home and roadside eateries
Kozhikode
Researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) have designed and developed an eco-friendly smart solar stove with zero operating cost for domestic and roadside eateries (thattukadas).
An excellent alternative cooking system, especially when prices of domestic cooking gas are rising, the smart solar stove with multiple versions has been tested for practical feasibility and is ready to be launched in the market at an affordable price, a press release said here on Tuesday. The Department of Biotechnology of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology had funded the project. NITC Director Prasad Krishna launched the product on the campus. One of the product versions that can be used directly under the sun has a single and double stove suitable for domestic cooking. Another model, which can be employed for all types of cooking purposes, has a provision to connect an LED lamp. The sufficient illumination will help vendors to extend their business operating hours during night hours. Besides, this model, having a foldable solar panel, can be used by travellers and tourists. Another model has a battery with a control unit for extending the cooking time during overcast weather. V. Karthikeyan, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, NITC, said that the smart stove was similar to a user- friendly induction cooker. It had no thermal or electromagnetic wave radiation. Multiple safety features were added to the product, he said. S. Ashok, Chairman, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, NITC, said that a number of industries had expressed interest to secure the technology for commercial manufacture of the smart solar stove.
- Comments will be moderated by The Hindu editorial team.
- Comments that are abusive, personal, incendiary or irrelevant cannot be published.
- Please write complete sentences. Do not type comments in all capital letters, or in all lower case letters, or using abbreviated text. (example: u cannot substitute for you, d is not 'the', n is not 'and').
- We may remove hyperlinks within comments.
- Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name, to avoid rejection. | 2 | 35,174 | 0.60279 | https://www.ibtimes.co.in/lpg-prices-soar-nit-kozhikode-develops-smart-solar-cooker-details-847375 | 2022-04-11 11:00:17+00:00 | Against the backdrop of rising LPG prices, the Department of Electrical Engineering of the NIT, Kozhikode, has developed a new technology to tap solar energy to power a Smart Solar cooker.
S.Ashok, professor of the department who is also the mentor of the project, said the product has been developed based on the idea of his deputy V.A.Karthikeyan who is in charge of the Industrial Power Group of the department.
The entire idea is his and it is going to be a boon to the housewives, small wayside eateries and not to mention of those who travel into the forests and areas where cooking becomes a challenge, said Ashok.
He went on to say that they have developed a single cooker and also a double cooker and it's powered using a 150 W solar panel.
"The solar panel comes in two forms, one is permanent one and the other is one which can be rolled and taken anywhere. This can be used in three ways. It can be used through the panel when the Sun is shining and when it is not, we have a 16 ampere battery pack and when that too runs out, there is an electric plug which can be plugged into a 5 ampere outlet. Hence there is absolute flexibility, said Ashok.
"We have conducted field trials. When we fixed the solar panel on the rooftop of small wayside eateries it proved to be a huge success. This is also good for those who travel and wish to do their own cooking as either the solar panel can be placed on vehicle rooftops or it can be left on the ground," added Ashok.
A boon to households
Karthikeyan said that this is a gift to the women who do cooking and are affected by the increasing price of cooking gas.
On an average by using this solar cooker, every family can save around Rs 12,000 a year. For a small family one needs to buy a single gas stove, which now costs Rs 10,000 and a double stove comes at a cost of Rs 15,000, he said.
The department has applied for a patent and by now several companies are in talks with companies who have approached them for technology transfer and very soon it will be given to a good company and they expect the present price of the solar powered cooker will further come down.
(WIth inputs from IANS) |
http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0405/c90000-10079992.html | Shanghai screens over 24 mln residents for COVID-19 in one day
Residents wait to take nucleic acid tests at a community in Pudong New Area of east China's Shanghai, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
SHANGHAI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai on Monday finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its over 24 million residents in the city's latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest COVID-19 resurgence, local authorities said on Monday night.
"With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4," the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control said in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday. The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging COVID-19 infections were logged in recent days.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the COVID-19 situation, will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening
Han Huifeng, a resident of Xuhui District, went downstairs at 9 a.m. after hearing a notice from volunteers via loudspeakers. He queued up and was tested in just three minutes.
He shared his experience in a WeChat group with his neighbors, saying the efficiency had amazed him. Over 2,100 residents of Han's residential community registered and were tested in just three hours, according to management staffers.
Medics in Shanghai even went door-to-door to take samples for some elderly people and pregnant women, and new moms and their babies were also offered convenient and fast services.
A medical worker from east China's Zhejiang Province takes a swab sample from a child for nucleic acid test at a community in Songjiang District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish citizen living in Changning District, told Xinhua that 390 people from 176 households in his community had completed testing between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m on Monday morning.
Amid the resurgence of COVID-19, Lichtenberg has become a community volunteer to help with testing registration, as nearly half of the residents in his community are foreign nationals.
Lichtenberg said the whole testing process has been facilitated.
"This has a lot to do with the participation of community volunteers. We are one family, and our top priority is to overcome all kinds of difficulties caused by the pandemic and tide over the difficulties together," he said.
Food delivery worker Wen Bao'an visits a testing site on Sinar Mas Plaza in Hongkou District every day. It has been set up for supply workers who are sticking to their posts.
"Everything's going on in an orderly fashion here, like people maintaining 2-meter social distancing, which makes me feel quite relieved," said Wen. He spends about 12 hours per day on the road to meet the huge demand for food delivery services and the distribution of other daily necessities.
According to Zhong Xuefeng, who is in charge of the testing site, hundreds of supply workers take nucleic acid testing at the site every day since late March. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fit workers' schedules and enable them to plan their routes more flexibly.
More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions nationwide have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.
A medical worker from east China's Anhui Province takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a community in Huangpu District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
After a three-hour bus trip, Li Liang and about 40 colleagues from neighboring Zhejiang Province arrived in Fengxian District of Shanghai early Monday morning to join in the sampling work.
All the team members have diapers in their luggage, Li said. "We all have to wear diapers as we do not take any rest until all the sampling work is done," said Li.
The city reported 425 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,581 asymptomatic cases on Sunday, according to the NHC.
As of 9 a.m. of Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and over 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents who also test positive in children's wards, being treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city.
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Copyright © 2022 People's Daily Online. All Rights Reserved. | 0 | 5,589 | 0.18449 | https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/shanghai-screens-over-24mn-residents-for-covid-19-in-one-day/ | 2022-04-04 22:39:12+00:00 | Shanghai screens over 24mn residents for Covid-19 in one day
By IANS | Published: April 5, 2022 03:00 AM2022-04-05T03:00:11+5:302022-04-05T03:20:14+5:30
Shanghai, April 5 Shanghai has finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its more ...
Shanghai, April 5 Shanghai has finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its more than 24 million residents in the city's latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest Covid-19 resurgence, local authorities said.
"With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4," the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for Covid-19 prevention and control said on Monday evening in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday. The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging Covid-19 infections were logged in recent days, Xinhua news agency reported.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the Covid-19 situation will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening.
Han Huifeng, a resident of Xuhui district, went downstairs at 9 a.m. after hearing a notice from volunteers through loudspeakers. He queued up and was tested in just three minutes.
He shared his experience in a WeChat group with his neighbours, saying the efficiency had amazed him. More than 2,100 residents of Han's residential community registered and were tested in just three hours, according to management staffers.
Medics in Shanghai even went door-to-door to take samples for some elderly people and pregnant women, and new moms and their babies were also offered convenient and fast services.
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish citizen living in Changning district, told Xinhua news agency that 390 people from 176 households in his community had completed testing between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
Amid the resurgence of Covid-19, Lichtenberg has become a community volunteer to help with testing registration, as nearly half of the residents in his community are foreign nationals.
He said the whole testing process has been facilitated.
"This has a lot to do with the participation of community volunteers. We are one family, and our top priority is to overcome all kinds of difficulties caused by the pandemic and tide over the difficulties together," he added.
Food delivery worker Wen Bao'an visits a testing site on Sinar Mas Plaza in Hongkou district every day. It has been set up for supply workers who are sticking to their posts.
"Everything's going on in an orderly fashion here, like people maintaining 2-metre social distancing, which makes me feel quite relieved," said Wen. He spends about 12 hours per day on the road to meet the huge demand for food delivery services and the distribution of other daily necessities.
According to Zhong Xuefeng, who is in charge of the testing site, hundreds of supply workers take nucleic acid testing at the site every day since late March. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fit workers' schedules and enable them to plan their routes more flexibly.
More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions nationwide have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the Covid-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.
After a three-hour bus trip, Li Liang and about 40 colleagues from neighbouring Zhejiang province arrived in Fengxian district of Shanghai early Monday morning to join in the sampling work.
All the team members have diapers in their luggage, Li said.
"We all have to wear diapers as we do not take any rest until all the sampling work is
done," he added.
The city reported 425 locally transmitted confirmed Covid-19 cases and 8,581 asymptomatic cases on Sunday, according to the NHC.
As of 9 a.m. of Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and more than 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents who also test positive in children's wards, being treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
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http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0405/c90000-10079992.html | Shanghai screens over 24 mln residents for COVID-19 in one day
Residents wait to take nucleic acid tests at a community in Pudong New Area of east China's Shanghai, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
SHANGHAI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai on Monday finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its over 24 million residents in the city's latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest COVID-19 resurgence, local authorities said on Monday night.
"With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4," the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control said in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday. The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging COVID-19 infections were logged in recent days.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the COVID-19 situation, will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening
Han Huifeng, a resident of Xuhui District, went downstairs at 9 a.m. after hearing a notice from volunteers via loudspeakers. He queued up and was tested in just three minutes.
He shared his experience in a WeChat group with his neighbors, saying the efficiency had amazed him. Over 2,100 residents of Han's residential community registered and were tested in just three hours, according to management staffers.
Medics in Shanghai even went door-to-door to take samples for some elderly people and pregnant women, and new moms and their babies were also offered convenient and fast services.
A medical worker from east China's Zhejiang Province takes a swab sample from a child for nucleic acid test at a community in Songjiang District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish citizen living in Changning District, told Xinhua that 390 people from 176 households in his community had completed testing between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m on Monday morning.
Amid the resurgence of COVID-19, Lichtenberg has become a community volunteer to help with testing registration, as nearly half of the residents in his community are foreign nationals.
Lichtenberg said the whole testing process has been facilitated.
"This has a lot to do with the participation of community volunteers. We are one family, and our top priority is to overcome all kinds of difficulties caused by the pandemic and tide over the difficulties together," he said.
Food delivery worker Wen Bao'an visits a testing site on Sinar Mas Plaza in Hongkou District every day. It has been set up for supply workers who are sticking to their posts.
"Everything's going on in an orderly fashion here, like people maintaining 2-meter social distancing, which makes me feel quite relieved," said Wen. He spends about 12 hours per day on the road to meet the huge demand for food delivery services and the distribution of other daily necessities.
According to Zhong Xuefeng, who is in charge of the testing site, hundreds of supply workers take nucleic acid testing at the site every day since late March. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fit workers' schedules and enable them to plan their routes more flexibly.
More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions nationwide have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.
A medical worker from east China's Anhui Province takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a community in Huangpu District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
After a three-hour bus trip, Li Liang and about 40 colleagues from neighboring Zhejiang Province arrived in Fengxian District of Shanghai early Monday morning to join in the sampling work.
All the team members have diapers in their luggage, Li said. "We all have to wear diapers as we do not take any rest until all the sampling work is done," said Li.
The city reported 425 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,581 asymptomatic cases on Sunday, according to the NHC.
As of 9 a.m. of Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and over 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents who also test positive in children's wards, being treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city.
Photos
Related Stories
- Shanghai races to ensure daily supplies amid fight against COVID-19
- Shanghai port runs normally amid COVID-19 resurgence
- Medical workers from Jiangxi, Shandong to help fight COVID-19 in Shanghai
- Shanghai launches citywide antigen testing amid COVID-19 resurgence
- Shanghai launches citywide antigen testing
- Ruijin Hospital optimizing emergency services in Shanghai
- Farm produce providers in Shanghai ensure supply of vegetables for residents under closed-off management
- Bird's eye view of Puxi area under temporary closed-off management
- Shanghai starts 2nd phase of closed-off management against COVID-19
- Shanghai starts 2nd phase of closed-off management against COVID-19
Copyright © 2022 People's Daily Online. All Rights Reserved. | 1 | 8,415 | 0.35705 | https://www.canindia.com/shanghai-screens-over-24mn-residents-for-covid-19-in-one-day/ | 2022-04-04 22:51:23+00:00 | Shanghai has finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its more than 24 million residents in the city’s latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest Covid-19 resurgence, local authorities said.
“With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4,” the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for Covid-19 prevention and control said on Monday evening in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday. The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging Covid-19 infections were logged in recent days, Xinhua news agency reported.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the Covid-19 situation will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening.
Han Huifeng, a resident of Xuhui district, went downstairs at 9 a.m. after hearing a notice from volunteers through loudspeakers. He queued up and was tested in just three minutes.
He shared his experience in a WeChat group with his neighbours, saying the efficiency had amazed him. More than 2,100 residents of Han’s residential community registered and were tested in just three hours, according to management staffers.
Medics in Shanghai even went door-to-door to take samples for some elderly people and pregnant women, and new moms and their babies were also offered convenient and fast services.
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish citizen living in Changning district, told Xinhua news agency that 390 people from 176 households in his community had completed testing between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
Amid the resurgence of Covid-19, Lichtenberg has become a community volunteer to help with testing registration, as nearly half of the residents in his community are foreign nationals.
He said the whole testing process has been facilitated.
“This has a lot to do with the participation of community volunteers. We are one family, and our top priority is to overcome all kinds of difficulties caused by the pandemic and tide over the difficulties together,” he added.
Food delivery worker Wen Bao’an visits a testing site on Sinar Mas Plaza in Hongkou district every day. It has been set up for supply workers who are sticking to their posts.
“Everything’s going on in an orderly fashion here, like people maintaining 2-metre social distancing, which makes me feel quite relieved,” said Wen. He spends about 12 hours per day on the road to meet the huge demand for food delivery services and the distribution of other daily necessities.
According to Zhong Xuefeng, who is in charge of the testing site, hundreds of supply workers take nucleic acid testing at the site every day since late March. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fit workers’ schedules and enable them to plan their routes more flexibly.
More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions nationwide have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the Covid-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.
After a three-hour bus trip, Li Liang and about 40 colleagues from neighbouring Zhejiang province arrived in Fengxian district of Shanghai early Monday morning to join in the sampling work.
All the team members have diapers in their luggage, Li said.
“We all have to wear diapers as we do not take any rest until all the sampling work is
done,” he added.
The city reported 425 locally transmitted confirmed Covid-19 cases and 8,581 asymptomatic cases on Sunday, according to the NHC.
As of 9 a.m. of Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and more than 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents who also test positive in children’s wards, being treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city.
20220405-030005 |
http://en.people.cn/n3/2022/0405/c90000-10079992.html | Shanghai screens over 24 mln residents for COVID-19 in one day
Residents wait to take nucleic acid tests at a community in Pudong New Area of east China's Shanghai, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
SHANGHAI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai on Monday finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its over 24 million residents in the city's latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest COVID-19 resurgence, local authorities said on Monday night.
"With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4," the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control said in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday. The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging COVID-19 infections were logged in recent days.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the COVID-19 situation, will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening
Han Huifeng, a resident of Xuhui District, went downstairs at 9 a.m. after hearing a notice from volunteers via loudspeakers. He queued up and was tested in just three minutes.
He shared his experience in a WeChat group with his neighbors, saying the efficiency had amazed him. Over 2,100 residents of Han's residential community registered and were tested in just three hours, according to management staffers.
Medics in Shanghai even went door-to-door to take samples for some elderly people and pregnant women, and new moms and their babies were also offered convenient and fast services.
A medical worker from east China's Zhejiang Province takes a swab sample from a child for nucleic acid test at a community in Songjiang District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish citizen living in Changning District, told Xinhua that 390 people from 176 households in his community had completed testing between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m on Monday morning.
Amid the resurgence of COVID-19, Lichtenberg has become a community volunteer to help with testing registration, as nearly half of the residents in his community are foreign nationals.
Lichtenberg said the whole testing process has been facilitated.
"This has a lot to do with the participation of community volunteers. We are one family, and our top priority is to overcome all kinds of difficulties caused by the pandemic and tide over the difficulties together," he said.
Food delivery worker Wen Bao'an visits a testing site on Sinar Mas Plaza in Hongkou District every day. It has been set up for supply workers who are sticking to their posts.
"Everything's going on in an orderly fashion here, like people maintaining 2-meter social distancing, which makes me feel quite relieved," said Wen. He spends about 12 hours per day on the road to meet the huge demand for food delivery services and the distribution of other daily necessities.
According to Zhong Xuefeng, who is in charge of the testing site, hundreds of supply workers take nucleic acid testing at the site every day since late March. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fit workers' schedules and enable them to plan their routes more flexibly.
More than 38,000 medics from 15 provincial-level regions nationwide have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 work in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.
A medical worker from east China's Anhui Province takes a swab sample from a resident for nucleic acid test at a community in Huangpu District of Shanghai, east China, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
After a three-hour bus trip, Li Liang and about 40 colleagues from neighboring Zhejiang Province arrived in Fengxian District of Shanghai early Monday morning to join in the sampling work.
All the team members have diapers in their luggage, Li said. "We all have to wear diapers as we do not take any rest until all the sampling work is done," said Li.
The city reported 425 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,581 asymptomatic cases on Sunday, according to the NHC.
As of 9 a.m. of Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and over 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents who also test positive in children's wards, being treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city.
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Copyright © 2022 People's Daily Online. All Rights Reserved. | 2 | 129,240 | 0.407355 | https://www.urdupoint.com/en/miscellaneous/shanghai-screens-nearly-25-mln-residents-for-1492888.html | 2022-04-05 10:52:38+00:00 | Shanghai Screens Nearly 25 Mln Residents For COVID-19 In One Day
Faizan Hashmi Published April 05, 2022 | 02:20 PM
SHANGHAI, April 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Apr, 2022 ) :Shanghai on Monday finished the basic collection of samples for nucleic acid testing from its nearly 25 million residents in the city's latest effort to cut off transmission in communities and contain the latest COVID-19 resurgence, local authorities said on Monday night.
"With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4," the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control said in a statement.
Shanghai conducted the citywide nucleic acid testing on Monday after a mass antigen testing on Sunday.
The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after surging COVID-19 infections were logged in recent days.
Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the COVID-19 situation, will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.
After all work is completed, follow-up control measures will be released based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening.
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https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002753320 | (3rd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in 7th para)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, 281,262 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 21,626 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END) | 0 | 38,120 | 0 | https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002753320 | 2022-04-05 14:30:40+00:00 | (3rd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in 7th para)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, 281,262 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 21,626 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
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-
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-
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Navy SEAL-turned-YouTuber says he is conducting secret direct offensive operations in Ukraine
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-
BTS member Jungkook cleared to attend Grammy Awards after completing quarantine
-
(LEAD) Pyongyang will not fire 'single bullet' toward Seoul: Kim Yo-jong
-
S. Korea, U.S. sign military document for war plan update
-
(2nd LD) Pyongyang will not fire 'single bullet' toward Seoul: Kim Yo-jong
-
S. Korea hands over 1.1 million rounds of depleted uranium ammunition to U.S.
-
(LEAD) Pyongyang will not fire 'single bullet' toward Seoul: Kim Yo-jong
-
(LEAD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
-
(LEAD) BTS fails to win Grammy for second consecutive year |
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002753320 | (3rd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in 7th para)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, 281,262 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 21,626 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END) | 1 | 134,680 | 0.028492 | https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002752320 | 2022-04-05 11:18:37+00:00 | (2nd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in paras 7-8)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, 218,871 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 16,042 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(2nd LD) Pyongyang will not fire 'single bullet' toward Seoul: Kim Yo-jong
-
S. Korea hands over 1.1 million rounds of depleted uranium ammunition to U.S.
-
(LEAD) Pyongyang will not fire 'single bullet' toward Seoul: Kim Yo-jong
-
(LEAD) BTS fails to win Grammy for second consecutive year
-
(LEAD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000 |
https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002753320 | (3rd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in 7th para)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, 281,262 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 21,626 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END) | 2 | 134,778 | 0.028492 | https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220405002752320 | 2022-04-05 11:18:58+00:00 | (2nd LD) S. Korea's daily infections jump to over 260,000
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in paras 7-8)
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new coronavirus cases jumped to over 260,000 on Tuesday as the spread of the omicron variant slowed down after peaking out last month.
The country reported 266,135 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total caseload to 14,267,401, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.
Tuesday's tally marked a sharp climb from 127,190 reported Monday. The number of new daily cases usually shrinks at the beginning of the week due to less testing over the weekend.
The number, however, is down from 347,554 reported a week earlier, it said.
The death toll from COVID-19 came to 17,662, up 209 from Monday, the KDCA said. The total fatality rate came to 0.12 percent.
The number of critically ill patients stood at 1,121, up 13 from the previous day. The daily tally stayed in the 1,100-1,200 range for four days in a row.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, 218,871 new cases had been confirmed nationwide, up 16,042 from the same time the previous day, according to health authorities and local governments.
Daily COVID-19 cases are counted until midnight and announced the following morning.
Concerns linger that daily infections could bounce back again, as the government eased the social distancing regulations Monday for two weeks in a move to reduce the plight of small merchants and business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
The private gathering limit has been eased to 10 people from eight, and the business hour curfew on restaurants and cafes has been extended by one hour to midnight.
The hospital bed occupancy rate for seriously ill COVID-19 patients came to 65.6 percent. The rate remains manageable within the country's medical response capacity, according to the KDCA.
The number of people receiving at-home treatment stood at 1,379,196, down 147,804 from the previous day.
Of the domestic cases, Seoul reported 51,500 new infections, with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province logging 69,362. The western port city of Incheon reported 15,354.
A total of 27 cases came from overseas, the KDCA said.
As of midnight, 32.83 million people out of the total population, or 64 percent, had received booster shots. Fully vaccinated people came to 44.5 million, representing 86.7 percent, the KDCA said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END) |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10688189/NBA-Expanded-Conference-Glance.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA Expanded Conference Glance
All Times EDT
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
No games scheduled.
Cleveland at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Utah, 9 p.m.
San Antonio at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Utah, 9 p.m.
Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m.
Orlando at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Boston at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Portland at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Detroit, 7 p.m.
New York at Washington, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 8 p.m.
Charlotte at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Utah, 9:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. | 0 | 51,432 | 0.373404 | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10701849/NBA-Expanded-Conference-Glance.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-09 01:37:53+00:00 | NBA Expanded Conference Glance
All Times EDT
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
Charlotte 128, Orlando 101
Toronto 119, Philadelphia 114
Milwaukee 127, Boston 121
New Orleans 127, Portland 94
Minnesota 127, San Antonio 121
Denver 122, Memphis 109
Golden State 128, L.A. Lakers 112
New York 114, Washington 92
Milwaukee 131, Detroit 101
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 8 p.m.
Charlotte at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Utah, 9:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
Indiana at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
New Orleans at Memphis, 6 p.m.
Golden State at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Sacramento at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Houston, 3:30 p.m.
Indiana at Brooklyn, 3:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Cleveland, 3:30 p.m.
Washington at Charlotte, 3:30 p.m.
Boston at Memphis, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Miami at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Toronto at New York, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m.
Golden State at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
Sacramento at Phoenix, 9:30 p.m.
San Antonio at Dallas, 9:30 p.m.
Utah at Portland, 9:30 p.m.
No games scheduled. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10688189/NBA-Expanded-Conference-Glance.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA Expanded Conference Glance
All Times EDT
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
No games scheduled.
Cleveland at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Utah, 9 p.m.
San Antonio at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Utah, 9 p.m.
Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m.
Orlando at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Boston at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Portland at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Detroit, 7 p.m.
New York at Washington, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 8 p.m.
Charlotte at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Utah, 9:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. | 1 | 29,920 | 0.3813 | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10676605/NBA-Expanded-Conference-Glance.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-04-01 15:30:54+00:00 | NBA Expanded Conference Glance
All Times EDT
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
Detroit 102, Philadelphia 94
Atlanta 131, Cleveland 107
Milwaukee 120, Brooklyn 119, OT
Chicago 135, L.A. Clippers 130, OT
Utah 122, L.A. Lakers 109
Dallas at Washington, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Indiana at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Phoenix at Memphis, 8 p.m.
Sacramento at Houston, 8 p.m.
Portland at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m.
Cleveland at New York, 1 p.m.
Brooklyn at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Miami at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Utah at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.
Dallas at Milwaukee, 1 p.m.
Washington at Boston, 1 p.m.
Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m.
Detroit at Indiana, 5 p.m.
New York at Orlando, 6 p.m.
Philadelphia at Cleveland, 6 p.m.
Miami at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Houston, 7 p.m.
Phoenix at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
Portland at San Antonio, 7 p.m.
Golden State at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
No games scheduled. |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-10688189/NBA-Expanded-Conference-Glance.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | NBA Expanded Conference Glance
All Times EDT
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
No games scheduled.
Cleveland at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Washington at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Utah, 9 p.m.
San Antonio at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at Sacramento, 10 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Utah, 9 p.m.
Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m.
Orlando at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Boston at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Portland at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Memphis at Denver, 9 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Detroit, 7 p.m.
New York at Washington, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 8 p.m.
Charlotte at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Utah, 9:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. | 2 | 92,079 | 0.412993 | https://www.clintonherald.com/ap/nba-standings/article_9b9f2b26-b511-11ec-bfcf-e7e34dffec14.html | 2022-04-06 06:15:33+00:00 | EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
Southeast Division
Central Division
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
Northwest Division
Pacific Division
x-clinched playoff spot
y-clinched division
z-clinched conference
___
Monday's Games
No games scheduled.
Tuesday's Games
Cleveland at Orlando, 6 p.m.
Philadelphia at Indiana, 6 p.m.
Atlanta at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Miami,6:30 p.m.
Houston at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Portland at Oklahoma City, 87 p.m.
Washington at Minnesota, 7p.m.
Memphis at Utah, 8 p.m.
San Antonio at Denver, 9 p.m.
New Orleans at Sacramento, 9 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday's Games
Dallas at Detroit, 6 p.m.
Brooklyn at New York, 6:30 p.m.
Boston at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta, 7p.m.
Oklahoma City at Utah, 8 p.m.
Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 9 p.m.
Thursday's Games
Orlando at Charlotte, 6 p.m.
Boston at Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.
Portland at New Orleans,7 p.m.
San Antonio at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Memphis at Denver, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Golden State, 9 p.m.
Friday's Games
Milwaukee at Detroit, 6 p.m.
New York at Washington, 6 p.m.
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.
Houston at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami, 7 p.m.
Charlotte at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Utah, 8:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. | 0 | 34,647 | 0 | https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | 2022-04-05 14:13:38+00:00 | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. | 1 | 34,948 | 0 | https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | 2022-04-05 14:15:15+00:00 | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. | 2 | 35,664 | 0 | https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Iran-stabbing-attack-leaves-1-dead-2-injured-at-17058324.php | 2022-04-05 14:18:42+00:00 | TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An assailant stabbed three clerics at the most revered Shiite site in Iran on Tuesday, according to Iranian state-run media, killing one and injuring two before he was arrested. The motive for the attack remained unclear.
One cleric died almost instantly after being stabbed at the Imam Reza shrine, a major pilgrimage site for Shiite Muslims in Iran's holy northeast city of Mashhad. Two others were hospitalized, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
State media identified the cleric who was killed as Mohammad Aslani. It did not provide information about the conditions of the other victims or identify the suspect.
In a video from the scene that was shared on social media, two men could be seen splayed on the shrine’s gray marbled floor covered with blood. IRNA news agency posted a video of police arresting the assailant.
The attack happened on the third day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that draws Muslim worshippers to communal prayers at mosques across the country.
The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, some 900 kilometers (560 miles) northeast of the capital Tehran, is the largest complex housing a tomb in Iran and its most visited. The shrine draws about 20 million people a year, mostly Iranians and pilgrims from neighboring nations like Iraq and Pakistan.
Such violent acts at the holy shrine are rare. However, one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Iranian history occurred at the shrine in 1994. At the time, the government held an armed opposition group, Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, responsible for the bombing that killed over two dozen people.
The stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this week. On Sunday, two Sunni clerics were shot to death in a mosque in the northern town of Gonbad Kavus. Authorities did not offer a motive for that incident, either. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Upton-who-voted-to-impeach-Trump-won-t-seek-17058448.php | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. | 0 | 40,345 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Upton-who-voted-to-impeach-Trump-won-t-seek-17058448.php | 2022-04-05 14:42:06+00:00 | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Upton-who-voted-to-impeach-Trump-won-t-seek-17058448.php | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. | 1 | 41,935 | 0 | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Upton-who-voted-to-impeach-Trump-won-t-seek-17058448.php | 2022-04-05 14:48:34+00:00 | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. |
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Upton-who-voted-to-impeach-Trump-won-t-seek-17058448.php | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. | 2 | 42,025 | 0 | https://www.journal-news.com/nation-world/upton-who-voted-to-impeach-trump-wont-seek-reeelection/JHU5GGIL2VADXMKQ2B5RCMPUYA/ | 2022-04-05 14:48:51+00:00 | LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican who backed impeachment to not seek reelection, joining Reps. John Katko of New York, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Even the best stories (have) a last chapter. This is it for me,” Upton said during remarks on the House floor.
In February, the moderate Upton had aired a campaign ad that seemed to signal he was more likely to run. The once-a-decade redistricting process had put him and sixth-term Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in the same GOP-leaning seat in the state's southwestern corner.
Trump recently endorsed Huizenga. |
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