Six Russian journalists have been detained by authorities. They include one who covered Navalny


Authorities in Russia have detained six journalists across the country this month, including a journalist who covered the trials of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny for several years, media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders said Thursday.

Antonina Favorskaya was detained and accused by Russian authorities of taking part in an “extremist organization” by posting on the social media platforms of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, the Russian human rights group OVD-Info said. Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony in February.

Favorskaya covered Navalny’s court hearings for years and filmed the last video of Navalny before he died in the penal colony. She is one of several Russian journalists targeted by authorities as part of a sweeping crackdown against dissent in Russia that is aimed at opposition figures, journalists, activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Two other journalists, Alexandra Astakhova and Anastasia Musatova, were also temporarily detained after they came to meet Favorskaya in the detention center where she was being held, Reporters Without Borders said, adding that their homes were searched and equipment seized.

Ekaterina Anikievich, of the Russian news site SOTAvision, and Konstantin Yarov from RusNews, were also detained by police while covering the search of Favorskaya’s home. Yarov was beaten by police, threatened with sexual violence and taken to a hospital, Reporters Without Borders said. Yarov is accused of “disobedience” towards police and risks 15 days of detention, the group said.

In Ufa, 1,300 kilometers (around 800 miles) east of Moscow, Russian authorities detained Olga Komleva, a reporter for RusNews, on Wednesday. They also accused her of extremism and involvement with Navalny and his organization, Reporters Without Borders said.

OVD-Info said that Favorskaya was initially detained on March 17 after laying flowers on Navalny’s grave. She spent 10 days in jail after being accused of disobedience towards the police, but when that period of detention ended, authorities charged her again and ordered her to appear Friday in Moscow’s Basmanny District Court, OVD-Info said.

Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation has been designated an extremist organization by Russian authorities, which means that people associated with it potentially face prison sentences if they continue to be involved in its work.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokeswoman, said that Favorskaya didn’t publish anything on the Foundation’s platforms and suggested that Russian authorities targeted her because she was doing her job as a journalist.

“What darkness,” Yarmysh wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.



Source link

The best bookcases under $500 include one that’s 50% off right now


71rzmfvkf3l-ac-sl1500.jpg

Amazon


Ask any book lover and they’ll say that a home is not complete without a proper bookcase. We agree, which is why we selected the best bookcases that are pretty to look at, perfect for any kind of book collection — and, because most of us prefer to buy books, not shelves — under $500.

These bookcases from Wayfair, Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond are all highly rated, boasting a customer rating of four stars or above. Give your living space a refresh this spring with one of the best bookcases of 2024. 


Latitude Run rotating bookshelf, five shelves: Save 13%

360-rotating-stackable-shelves-bookshelf-organizer.jpg

Wayfair


We love the convenience and unconventional design of this Latitude Run rotating bookshelf. The bookcase spins 360 degrees and provides easy organization for your books, thanks to the built-in book ends on each shelf. This setup may also offer easier organization for readers who like to keep books separate by genre, size, color and more. 

In other words, this option is great for someone with a big book collection but not a lot of space in their home to store them. 

The Latitude Run rotating bookshelf has a 4.3-star rating on Wayfair.

One reviewer wrote, “I am blown away by this bookshelf! I thought we had a ton of kids books as our previous kids bookshelf was bursting at the seams. I ordered the five tier but we stopped assembling at the three tier- this thing holds SO. MANY. BOOKS. Seriously, an amazing storage solution! Highly recommended.” 


Ebern Designs Nyajiah corner bookcase: Save 15%

nyajiah-corner-bookcase.jpg

Wayfair


Corners are underrated spaces for storing books. That’s why we are such fans of this corner bookcase by Ebern Designs. We also like the size of this bookcase, as many corner shelving units tend to be too small to store a sizable book collection. 

The shelf includes six tiers, offering 10 dedicated places to store books, or a mixture of books and display items. It’s also designed to be anti-fall, so you can rest easy knowing this can be anchored to the wall. You can get this bookcase in one of three colors, including white, wood grain and dark gray. 

The Ebern Designs Nyajiah corner bookcase has a 4.5-star rating on Wayfair. 

One reviewer wrote, “Great corner bookshelf. Heavier and more well-built than I was expecting. Love the natural wood finish. Easy to assemble.”


Yoobure tree bookshelf: Save 10%

screenshot-2024-03-26-at-2-36-45-pm.jpg

Amazon


If you’re working with a tight budget, but still want an eye-catching book case, get the unique Yoobure tree bookshelf at Amazon. The six shelves, or, rather, branches, of this book tree are designed to hold books of varying sizes, including heavy coffee table tomes. The bottom shelf, or trunk, of the book tree provides extra storage, and there’s space between the bottom branches to add decorative accents, such as candles or succulents. 

This would work best for people with small book collections. You can get this in various colors, ranging from white to pink. Make sure to add the available 10% coupon to get the best deal. 

The Yoobure tree bookshelf has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. One reviewer wrote, “I was looking for a small funky bookshelf to hold my TBR collection, and this perfectly fit the bill! This product was very easy to install, and the individual boards were really nice quality. It also feels really sturdy.” 


Crosley Sloane two-piece Etagere set: Save 50%

sloane-2pc-etagere-set.jpg

Bed Bath & Beyond


This elegant glass and gold bookcase is a great alternative to built-ins. The style of the book case is based on Art Deco designs, and book collectors have 14 shelves available to store their favorite coffee-table books, novels, biographies and more. 

Each shelf is made of tempered glass, which is four times stronger than regular glass, and has a 20-pound weight limit. We’re sure shoppers will have lots of fun storing and styling their books on the geometric shelves. 

Push this set together to create an extra large bookcase, or keep them separate to create balance with your furniture. Right now, you can get the Crosley Sloane two-piece Etagere set for 50% off on Bed Bath & Beyond for a limited time. 


AllModern Stiles Etagere storage bookcase: Save up to 18%

stiles-etagere-storage-bookcase-1.jpg

Wayfair


This mid-century modern bookcase is a stunner and about $150 less than its West Elm counterpart. The Allmodern storage bookcase offers four shelves to store books and a convenient drawer that you can store other essentials such as documents, tools, keepsakes and more. 

This would work great for someone who lives in a small apartment or home and needs all the extra storage space they can get. The mahogany bookcase is 18% off, while the acorn finish is 8% off. 

The AllModern Stiles Etagere storage bookcase has a 4.5-star rating on Wayfair. One reviewer wrote, “I ordered two of these for my office and I love them. They are the perfect size and style.” 

Another verified customer added, “Beautiful piece and the easiest furniture-assembly process I have ever experienced!” 




Source link

Why your retirement plan should include a gold IRA


why-your-retirement-plan-should-include-a-gold-ira.jpg
Gold IRAs are specifically designed for retirement and offer attractive tax benefits other investments don’t.

/Getty Images


When it comes to retirement planning, diversification is key. By spreading your investments across different asset classes, you can minimize risk and maximize returns. But while most people focus on stocks, bonds and mutual funds, there’s another investment worth considering for your retirement strategy: gold.

Gold IRAs, in particular, are specifically designed for retirement investing, with attractive tax benefits not offered by other gold investments. By opening a gold IRA, you can enjoy these benefits and gain exposure to gold’s many perks as an investment.

Learn how you can incorporate a gold IRA into your retirement plan with a free information kit.

Why your retirement plan should include a gold IRA

Here’s why a gold IRA can be a valuable part of your retirement plan.

You’ll get tax benefits

There are many ways to invest in gold. Arguably one of the biggest advantages of opting for a gold IRA is the tax benefits it provides.

Depending on the type of gold IRA you choose, you can enjoy tax benefits either now or in the future. A traditional gold IRA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars, and your money is taxed when you withdraw it. A Roth gold IRA taxes your contributions when you make them, and your withdrawals are tax-free.

By considering your current and future financial needs, you can select the IRA type that will allow you to keep the most money in your pocket.

It protects your portfolio from market volatility

High-growth assets like stocks can be extremely unpredictable. When the markets dip, investors with a lot of money in these assets can lose significant amounts of money. 

Gold, on the other hand, is not correlated to the stock market. In fact, when stocks are down, gold usually performs well, which can help offset any losses you may experience in other investments. By keeping about 5% to 10% of your portfolio in gold, you can safeguard your retirement savings from risk while allocating room to higher-risk, higher-reward assets.

It’s a hedge against inflation

Inflation can rapidly erode the value of your retirement savings. Gold is a proven hedge against inflation because, unlike paper currency, it can’t be devalued by overproduction. It’s an asset, currency and material and is used in everything from jewelry to electronics, so it’s always in demand. And when investors seek to preserve their purchasing power from inflation, the increased demand drives prices up, making gold investments more valuable.

If you’re concerned about the long-term impact of inflation on your retirement savings, a gold IRA can offer some protection and peace of mind.

Request your free investors kit today to find out if a gold IRA is right for you.

It’s a safe-haven asset

Gold has historically performed well in times of economic turmoil and geopolitical uncertainty, delivering steady, reliable returns as other investments falter. In fact, central banks hold gold specifically because they trust its stability and safety.

In a world where there’s always worrisome news of some type, gold can help your portfolio weather the storms that will inevitably arise between now and your retirement date.

The bottom line

Adding gold to your retirement plan is a wise move for many reasons. It delivers unique tax benefits, protects your money from market volatility and inflation and provides a safe haven from economic ups and downs. These things are crucial when it comes to an investment as important as your retirement.

Of course, as with any investment, you should do your own research and speak with a financial advisor to determine the best way to incorporate a gold IRA into your portfolio. Done right, you can reap the full rewards of this valuable retirement account.



Source link