Author: Reporter

Quietly staying put: Why some Western companies are finding it not so simple to quit Russia

Quietly staying put: Why some Western companies are finding it not so simple to quit Russia

Posted by | Jun 23, 2023

When Russia invaded Ukraine, global companies were quick to respond, some announcing they would get out of Russia immediately, others curtailing imports or new investment. Billions of dollars’ worth of factories, energy holdings and power plants were written off or put up for sale, accompanied by fierce condemnation of the war and expressions of solidarity with Ukraine. More than a year later, it is clear: Leaving Russia was not as simple as the first announcements might have made it seem. Increasingly, Russia has put hurdles in the way of companies that want out, requiring approval by a government commission...

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A very big bullet: Why the 155 mm round is so critical for Ukraine’s effort to end Russian occupation

A very big bullet: Why the 155 mm round is so critical for Ukraine’s effort to end Russian occupation

Posted by | Jun 23, 2023

The 155 mm howitzer round is one of the most requested artillery munitions of the war in Ukraine. Already the U.S. has shipped more than 1.5 million rounds to Ukraine, but Kyiv is still seeking more. A look at why this particular munition is so commonly used, and why it’s been so critical to the war in Ukraine. WHAT IS THE 155 MM? Essentially, the 155 mm round is a very big bullet, made up of four parts: the detonating fuse, projectile, propellant and primer. Each round is about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long, weighs about 100 pounds (45...

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Against a renewed Russian onslaught Ukrainian air defense teams gain experience with Western weapons

Against a renewed Russian onslaught Ukrainian air defense teams gain experience with Western weapons

Posted by | Jun 23, 2023

By the time Kyiv residents hear the air-raid sirens signaling an imminent Russian attack, Ukraine’s air-defense units are already on the move. From camouflaged positions, they dart out by truck to farm fields around the capital, ready to take down enemy drones or missiles. The scramble has become an almost nightly event since Russia resumed regular air attacks on Kyiv on April 28 after a nearly two-month lull. The units have intercepted every drone and missile fired at the capital since then. It’s a vast improvement since the opening days of the war, when waves of Russian missiles and...

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Global report finds most countries made little effort to solve corruption and its link with violence

Global report finds most countries made little effort to solve corruption and its link with violence

Posted by | Jun 22, 2023

Most of the world continues to fail to fight corruption with 95% of countries having made little to no progress since 2017, a closely watched study by an anti-graft organization found recently. Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the perception of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople, also found that governments hampered by corruption lack the capacity to protect the people, while public discontent is more likely to turn into violence. “Corruption has made our world a more dangerous place. As governments have collectively failed to make progress against it, they fuel the current rise...

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Tax Plan: IRS moves forward with pilot program for a free e-filing system in 2024

Tax Plan: IRS moves forward with pilot program for a free e-filing system in 2024

Posted by | Jun 21, 2023

Most taxpayers are interested in filing their taxes directly to the IRS for free, a new report said, and that option will be tested next year. The IRS has spent the past nine months studying whether U.S. taxpayers want to see a free, e-filing system run by the government, and is now preparing to launch a pilot program. The prospect of a free, government-run, online tax filing system has been debated for a long time. Supporters argue that the option would make tax return services more equitable and accessible for taxpayers nationwide. But there is also been pushback from...

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Financial watchdog warns of vulnerability to money stored in Venmo and other mobile payment apps

Financial watchdog warns of vulnerability to money stored in Venmo and other mobile payment apps

Posted by | Jun 21, 2023

Customers of Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp should not store their money for the long term with these apps because their funds might not be safe during a crisis, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned on June 1. The alert comes several weeks after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, which all experienced bank runs after fearful customers with uninsured deposits pulled their money en masse. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures bank accounts up to $250,000. But money stored in Venmo or CashApp or Apple Cash is not being held in a traditional...

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