The annual spring decree calling up around 150,000 conscripts to the Russian military signed by President Vladimir Putin was published in Moscow on Sunday in line with longstanding practice.
The conscripts are called up every year on April 1 to serve for 12 months. A similar call-up occurs in the autumn. The Defence Ministry earlier issued the assurance that they would not be sent to the front in Ukraine.
According to the decree, 150,000 conscripts aged between 18 and 30 are to be called up by July 15.
The Defence Ministry simultaneously published the document releasing from service those who have completed their basic training. These trained troops can volunteer for service on the Ukrainian front, and are seen as coming under pressure to sign the relevant contract.
Russian forces have incurred large losses since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Louis Rees-Zammit, the wicked fast Welsh rugby star and fan favorite, has made an extraordinary crossover to American football, signing a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs,the team announced Friday.
The 23-year-old Welshman announced in January that he was departing from his sport and homeland for his long-shot dream at the NFL — much to the dismay of fierce rugby fans in the U.K.
And it looks like his efforts paid off as the 6-foot-3, 212-pound star known for his ferocious speed has minted a deal with the Super Bowl’s latest winners, the Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit path across the pond started with the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, or IPPP, a bid from the NFL to increase the league’s player base beyond North America and attract around-the-world talent. In January he flew to Florida for 10 weeks of intense training capped by a March showcase day before NFL club scouts.
A daunting task to change sports and country, Rees-Zammit said he had to do it.
“It’s definitely a narrow chance of success,” he told NBC News in January. “Boys in America play the sport when they are 5 years old, they go through the ranks in high school and college, and they get to know the game from pretty young.”
“For me, I’ve got to try to learn the game at 22 years old,” he said, weeks before his 23rd birthday on Feb. 3. “Obviously the odds are against me.”
The star said he “came to the real realization that, if I don’t do it now, I’ll probably regret it for the rest of my life.”
Wales’ wing Louis Rees-Zammit is tackled by Argentina’s flanker Marcos Kremer during the World Cup quarter-final in Marseille, France, on Oct. 14, 2023.Christophe Simon / AFP – Getty Images file
It’s a major feat for Rees-Zammit, who is one of the world’s top young rugby stars, as successful rugby-crossovers are very rare. Perhaps the most prominent success prior to this was Jordan Mailata, who left Australian rugby to join the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive tackle.
In his rugby career, Rees-Zammit — often cheekily referred to by fans as “Rees Lightning” — has played as a winger for Wales, as well as the English club side Gloucester, and international super team the British & Irish Lions.
DETROIT — A new Michigan law aims to ensure that foster youth in the state receive an education that builds toward a high school diploma.
The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, comes nearly two years after NBC News exposed an educational crisis that had forced vulnerable teens to repeat classes they took while living in state-funded residential facilities, delaying graduation for some and leading others to drop out.
The law will, for the first time, require the state to provide children in foster care with “an education that prioritizes meeting the graduation requirements” to earn a diploma. Until now, the state had placed children in residential facilities that were required only to provide “appropriate educational services.” That vague description meant some students took substandard classes that didn’t count toward graduation.
Some were enrolled in classes they’d already taken. Some discovered that their transcripts were missing or incomplete. Others were pulled out midsemester to move to a new home without consideration for whether they’d be able to finish their coursework.
“We’re so excited,” said Saba Gebrai, the program director for the Park West Foundation, which supports the youth-led advocacy organization that lobbied for the legislation.
“The kids have been asking for a real education,” she said, and now “there will be no confusion about what students should be doing to graduate from high school.”
The law won’t take effect until next year, but Gebrai said advocates have been urging the state to start amending its contracts with residential facilities to reflect the new educational expectations. A spokesman with the state Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment.
The law is part of a three-bill package that state Rep. Stephanie A. Young, a Detroit Democrat, introduced last year after seeing what she called “a truly disturbing news report” about the issue from NBC News. Whitmer signed the first two bills last month. One requires the state to track and report data on foster youths’ education. The other compels the state to “regularly review” educational programs in residential facilities to ensure they meet public school standards.
“This could be a game-changer,” Young said. “Now, students don’t have to worry about, ‘Is this class going to help me graduate?’ That’s built into the system. It’s built into the law now.”
The NBC News article “put a fire under me,” to make these changes, she said. Until seeing that report, “I didn’t know this was happening.”
State agencies have also made changes to address the issue, including hiring employees to help foster youth navigate the education system and keep track of their credits.
Christian Randle, 19, a youth advocate who was among the first to raise the issue after learning the ninth and 10th grade classes he took while living in residential facilities wouldn’t count toward graduation, praised the new laws but wishes the process had been faster.
It took nearly a year for Young and her colleagues to negotiate the bills with state agencies and about 10 months to get them passed through the Legislature.
“We finally got these bills passed and it’s such a relief, but then it showed me that we have some work to do. It took us two years to get just these bills passed,” Randle said. “These are real-life issues that are affecting real-life foster youth.”
Randle is still working on finishing high school through an online program nearly a year after he should have graduated. Meanwhile, he said, four of his close friends have had to restart high school in the two years since he and other members of a group called Empowering Foster Youth Through Technology started lobbying for change.
Now, Randle and other members of the group are pushing for additional measures, such as making it easier for youth to access their own transcripts and to quickly enroll in school after a change in placement.
“This is definitely a huge achievement, but it’s just the start,” Randle said. “We’re nowhere near done.”
Judge dismisses nightclubs’ challenge to Miami Beach’s midnight curfew
Judge dismisses nightclubs’ challenge to Miami Beach’s midnight curfew
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Lawmakers in Washington state signed legislation this week known as the “Strippers’ Bill of Rights,” which advocates say includes the most comprehensive statewide protections in the nation for adult dancers.
The measure, which Gov. Jay Inslee signed Monday, creates safer working conditions for people in the adult entertainment industry and makes it possible for the clubs to eventually sell alcohol.
“It’s pretty simple why we are passing this bill. These are working folks — and working people deserve safety in the environment in which they work,” Inslee said during a press conference Monday.
The new law requires training for employees in establishments to prevent sexual harassment, identify and report human trafficking, de-escalate conflict and provide first aid. It also mandates security workers on site, keypad codes to enter dressing rooms and panic buttons in private rooms where entertainers are alone with customers.
Woman fatally shot after argument in NW Miami-Dade adult club leads to gunfire
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“Strippers are workers, and they should be given the same rights and protections as any other labor force,” bill sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle, said in a statement. “If they are employed at a legal establishment in Washington, they deserve the safeguards that every worker is entitled to, including protection from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse.”
Most dancers in the state are independent contractors who are paid by customers, and must pay fees to clubs for every shift. The new law limits the fees owners can charge, capping them at $150 or 30% of the amount dancers make during their shift. It also prohibits late fees and other charges related to unpaid balances.
Strippers Are Workers, a dancer-led organization in the state since 2018, advocated for the regulations — and alcohol sales.
The organization’s efforts began in response to wide regulation gaps for people performing at the 11 adult entertainment clubs across the state, according to Madison Zack-Wu, the group’s campaign manager.
Pornhub blocks access in Texas in dispute over age verification law
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Only one other state has added worker protections for adult entertainers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2019, Illinois started requiring that adult entertainment establishments, along with other businesses, have a written sexual harassment policy.
Lawmakers in Florida are mulling a new measure that would prevent individuals under age 21 from working at adult establishments. The bill passed both legislative chambers and awaits signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Exotic dancers in other U.S. cities have tried to gain worker protections in recent years — including at a strip club in Portland, Oregon, and at a dive bar in North Hollywood, California, where dancers voted to unionize. The Nevada Supreme Court in 2014 ruled that adult dancers at one Las Vegas club are employees, not independent contractors, and are entitled to minimum wage and other protections.
“It is crucial that we confront the stigma surrounding adult entertainment and recognize the humanity of those involved in the industry,” Saldaña said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that will prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state. Those who are 14 or 15 will need a parent’s consent before they join a platform.
The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of those who are under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in damages, according to the bill. Companies found to be in violation of the law would also be liable for up to $50,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.
“Ultimately, [we’re] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that’s been put in,” DeSantis said in remarks during the bill-signing ceremony.
DeSantis previously vetoed a more restrictive version of the bill that would have banned social media accounts for kids under 16. That bill also required Florida residents to submit an ID or other identifying materials in order to join social media.
HB3, which is slated to take effect in January 2025, comes as efforts to regulate social media continue to ramp up across the U.S. amid concerns from some parents that the platforms don’t do enough to keep their kids safe online.
In December, more than 200 organizations sent a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to schedule a vote on the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, which seeks to create liability, or a “duty of care,” for apps and online platforms that recommend content to minors that can negatively affect their mental health.
In January, lawmakers grilled CEOs from TikTok, X and Meta about online child safety. The tech executives reaffirmed their commitment to child safety, and pointed to various tools they offer as examples of how they are proactive about preventing exploitation online.
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and other advocates of the new law argue that social media use can harm children’s mental health and can lead to sexual predators communicating with minors.
“None of us can afford to be on the sidelines when it comes to social media,” Renner said in remarks made at the bill signing.
Several states that have enacted similar laws to limit teen social media — including Ohio and Arkansas — have been challenged by NetChoice LLC, a coalition of social media platforms whose members include Meta, Google and X, among others.
Florida’s law is also expected to face legal challenges over claims that it violates the First Amendment.
“We’re disappointed to see Gov. DeSantis sign onto this route,” Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel for NetChoice, said in an email statement, calling the law “unconstitutional.” “There are better ways to keep Floridians, their families and their data safe and secure online without violating their freedoms.”
Both DeSantis and Renner alluded in their remarks to the potential legal hurdles ahead.
“You will not find a line in this bill that addresses good speech or bad speech because that would violate the First Amendment,” Renner said. “We’ve not addressed that at all. What we have addressed is the addictive features that are at the heart of why children stay on these platforms for hours and hours on end.”
He specifically called out NetChoice, saying, “We’re going to beat them, and we’re never ever going to stop.”
DeSantis argued the bill is constitutionally sound.
“Any time I see a bill, if I don’t think it’s constitutional, I veto it,” he said. He described the bill as “a fair application of the law and Constitution.”
Four men accused of staging the Russia concert hall attack that killed more than 130 people appeared before a Moscow court Sunday showing signs of severe beatings as they faced formal terrorism charges. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.
A court statement said two of the suspects accepted their guilt in the assault after being charged in the preliminary hearing, though the men’s condition raised questions about whether they were speaking freely. There had been earlier conflicting reports in Russian media outlets that said three or all four men admitted culpability.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19, with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the death of others. The offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The court ordered that the men, all of whom are citizens of Tajikistan, be held in pre-trial custody until May 22.
People light candles during a memorial gathering in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, on March 24, 2024, as Russia observes a national day of mourning after a Moscow concert hall massacre that killed more than 130 people.
VALERY MELNIKOV/AFP via Getty Images
Russian media had reported that the men were tortured during interrogation by the security services, and Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda and Fariduni showed signs of heavy bruising, including swollen faces,
Rachabalizoda also had a heavily bandaged ear. Russian media said Saturday that one of the suspects had his ear cut off during interrogation. The Associated Press couldn’t verify the report or the videos purporting to show this.
The fourth suspect, Faizov, was brought to court from a hospital in a wheelchair and sat with his eyes closed throughout the proceedings. He was attended by medics while in court, where he wore a hospital gown and trousers and was seen with multiple cuts.
Court officials said Mirzoyev and Rachabalizoda admitted guilt for the attack after being charged.
The hearing came as Russia observed a national day of mourning for the attack Friday on the suburban Crocus City Hall concert venue that killed at least 137 people.
The attack, which has been claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group, is the deadliest on Russian soil in years.
The Crocus City Hall building was destroyed by fire in the aftermath of a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of at least 137 people.
Vlad Karkov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Russian authorities arrested the four suspected attackers Saturday, with seven more people detained on suspicion of involvement in the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to the nation Saturday night. He claimed they were captured while fleeing to Ukraine, something that Kyiv firmly denied.
Events at cultural institutions were canceled Sunday, flags were lowered to half staff and television entertainment and advertising were suspended, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. A steady stream of people added to a makeshift memorial near the burned-out concert hall, creating a huge mound of flowers.
“People came to a concert, some people came to relax with their families, and any one of us could have been in that situation. And I want to express my condolences to all the families that were affected here and I want to pay tribute to these people,” Andrey Kondakov, one of the mourners who came to lay flowers at the memorial, told AP.
“It is a tragedy that has affected our entire country,” kindergarten employee Marina Korshunova said. “It just doesn’t even make sense that small children were affected by this event.” Three children were among the dead.
Rescuers continued to search the damaged building and the death toll rose as more bodies were found as family and friends of some of those still missing waiting for news. Moscow’s Department of Health said Sunday it had begun identifying the bodies of those killed via DNA testing, saying the process would take at least two weeks.
People lay flowers at the makeshift memorials for the victims of the terrorist attack at the “Crocus City Hall” concert venue on March 24, 2024, in Moscow, Russia.
Tian Bing/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Igor Pogadaev was desperately seeking any details about his wife, Yana Pogadaeva, who went to the attack concert. The last he heard from her was when she sent him two photos from the Crocus City Hall music venue.
After Pogadaev saw the reports of gunmen opening fire on concertgoers, he rushed to the site, but couldn’t find her in the numerous ambulances or among the hundreds of people who had made their way out of the venue.
“I went around, searched, I asked everyone, I showed photographs. No one saw anything, no one could say anything,” Pogadaev told AP in a video message.
He watched flames bursting out of the building as he made frantic calls to a hotline for relatives of the victims, but received no information.
As the death toll mounted Saturday, Pogodaev scoured hospitals in the Russian capital and the Moscow region, looking for information on newly admitted patients.
His wife wasn’t among the 182 reported injured, nor on the list of 60 victims authorities had already identified, he said.
The Moscow Region’s Emergency Situations Ministry posted a video Sunday showing equipment dismantling the damaged music venue to give rescuers access.
Putin has called the attack “a bloody, barbaric terrorist act” and said Russian authorities captured the four suspects as they were trying to escape to Ukraine through a “window” prepared for them on the Ukrainian side of the border.
Russian media broadcast videos that apparently showed the detention and interrogation of the suspects, including one who told the cameras he was approached by an unidentified assistant to an Islamic preacher via a messaging app and paid to take part in the raid.
Putin didn’t mention IS in his speech to the nation, and Kyiv accused him and other Russian politicians of falsely linking Ukraine to the assault to stoke fervor for Russia’s fight in Ukraine, which recently entered its third year.
U.S. intelligence officials said they had confirmed the IS affiliate’s claim.
“ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
People walk past Crocus City Hall on March 23, 2024 in Krasnororsk, Russia.
Getty Images
The U.S. shared information with Russia in early March about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, and issued a public warning to Americans in Russia, Watson said.
The raid was a major embarrassment for Putin and happened just days after he cemented his grip on the country for another six years in a vote that followed the harshest crackdown on dissent since the Soviet times.
Some commentators on Russian social media questioned how authorities, who have relentlessly suppressed any opposition activities and muzzled independent media, failed to prevent the attack despite the U.S. warnings.
IS, which fought against Russia during its intervention in the Syrian civil war, has long targeted Russia. In a statement posted by the group’s Aamaq news agency, the IS Afghanistan affiliate said that it had attacked a large gathering of “Christians” in Krasnogorsk.
The group issued a new statement Saturday on Aamaq, saying the attack was carried out by four men who used automatic rifles, a pistol, knives and firebombs. It said the assailants fired at the crowd and used knives to kill some concertgoers, casting the raid as part of the Islamic State group’s ongoing war with countries that it says are fighting against Islam.
In October 2015, a bomb planted by IS downed a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, killing all 224 people on board, most of them Russian vacationers returning from Egypt.
The group, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq but also in Afghanistan and Africa, also has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Russia’s volatile Caucasus and other regions in past years. It recruited fighters from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Saturday signed legislation funding the government through September, the White House confirmed.
Biden expressed gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other members “for their leadership.”
Earlier Saturday morning, the Senate voted 74-24 to pass a sweeping $1.2 trillion government funding bill after heated last-minute negotiations caused senators to breach the midnight deadline to avert a shutdown.
But the funding lapse was brief and technical, having no meaningful impact as the White House said it had “ceased shutdown preparations” due to a Senate agreement, which came after Republicans demanded votes on a series of amendments.
The legislation passed the House on Friday morning by a vote of 268-134.
Biden’s signing of the measure completes a turbulent government funding process during a divided government, featuring a year of haggling, six months of stopgap bills and intense partisan clashes over money and policy along the way.
The U.S. Capitol.J. Scott Applewhite / AP file
The full government will now be funded through the end of September, after Congress passed a previous $459 billion tranche of money earlier this month. The total spending level for the fiscal year is $1.659 trillion.
“Nothing’s easy these days,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told NBC News after midnight while the Senate was voting, but said it was significant for Congress to pass all 12 appropriations bills in a year.
“Given the dysfunction of the House and slim majorities here, you know, there’s something to be said for the fact that we finally got this done,” Murphy said.
The new tranche will fund the departments of State, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, among other parts of the government that had not yet been fully funded.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said it was “typical” and “juvenile” for the Senate to wait until the eleventh hour to act on the bill.
Earlier on Friday, the Senate indicated it had sufficient support to get the bill across the finish line following a 78-18 procedural vote that advanced the measure. Schumer, D-N.Y., announced just before the deadline that both parties had reached an agreement to vote on multiple amendments and then final passage of the bill early Saturday morning.
“It’s been a very long and difficult day, but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government,” Schumer announced on the Senate floor just before midnight. “It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal.”
The divided Congress has narrowly averted multiple shutdowns this session, passing four stopgap bills that kept extending the deadline.And at nearly six months into the fiscal year, it’s unusually late in the game to be haggling over the funding measures. The latest bill was released Thursday and passed by the House on Friday morning, leaving little time for the Senate to act.
For a while, those talks appeared to fall apart midday Friday, with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., arguing the agreement was scuttled by vulnerable Democrats in key Senate races, claiming they don’t want to have to vote on amendments that could be used against them in their re-election campaigns.
“The bottom line is Democratic senators running for re-election are scared to vote on amendments,” Cotton told reporters, adding without providing evidence: “Jon Tester has said that he would rather have the government shut down and vote on Sunday night then vote on these amendments for you.”
But Tester, a Democrat who is in a tight re-election race in the red state of Montana that could determine the Senate majority, fired back, telling NBC News, “That’s bulls—.”
The back-and-forth came to a head when the two senators were talking to different groups of reporters just feet away from each other off the Senate floor.
“Did Cotton say that they’re holding amendments because of Jon Tester?” Tester yelled at Cotton during the exchange. “Because if he did, he might be full of something that comes off the back of a cow.”
Senators were frustrated by the fact that Congress was able to repeatedly avert funding lapses until now, but struggled to do so on the final funding bill.
“It makes me ill,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in an interview, adding that she felt “like I’ve had too much sugar and bad pizza” after Senate Republicans were served those items for lunch.
“If we had had salmon, we would have been thinking, because it’s like we’ve all those fine omega-3s,” she said. “We’re just like — we’re a mess of a candy-pizza muddle, we’re operating like teenage boys.”
Sticking with the wrong savings account could put a damper on your financial goals.
Getty Images
Let’s face it: Switching your savings account can be a hassle. That’s why many people pick an account and stick with it — even if it’s not the best fit. While that strategy may seem convenient, an underperforming account can actually hinder your financial progress over time. And, what seemed like a good account a few years ago may now be lagging behind, thanks to persistent inflation and interest rates that are at 22-year highs.
The best approach is to put in the work and find a savings account that fits your finances and your short and long-term money goals. After all, your savings account isn’t just a place to store money for emergencies or big purchases. It’s a vital tool for growing your money, which is why you need one that fits your finances while maximizing your interest earnings.
But how can you tell when yours is underperforming? Well, there are a few simple signs to watch for in order to determine whether it’s time to find a better savings account. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for.
Get started with the top high-yield savings account rates available to you here now.
4 signs it’s time to find a better savings account
If you find yourself experiencing any of the following, it might be time to consider finding a better savings account.
You’re earning a low rate of interest
One of the primary purposes of a savings account is to earn interest on your deposited funds. If you’re earning a meager interest rate on your savings, it can significantly impede your ability to grow your wealth over time.
Right now, the average interest rate on regular savings accounts is 0.42%. While that rate may be better than nothing, the reality is that there are better options for earning interest, like a high-yield savings account. As the name suggests, high-yield savings accounts offer much higher rates of interest on your money — and there are numerous options offering APYs of 4.5% or higher right now.
High-yield savings accounts aren’t just limited to high-net-worth individuals, either. Many of these accounts come with no or low minimum deposit requirements in return for that high rate of interest. Online financial institutions typically offer higher yields than traditional banks or credit unions due to having lower overhead costs, but be sure to shop around and compare options to find an account — and an interest rate — that fits your needs.
Explore what you could be earning with a top high-yield savings account right now.
You’re paying unnecessary fees
While some fees are inevitable, certain savings accounts come with excessive charges that eat into your hard-earned savings. This could include fees and penalties for monthly maintenance, transactions, ATM use and more. If your current savings account is laden with fees, it’s time to reassess whether it aligns with your financial goals.
Seek out savings accounts that offer fee waivers or minimal fees. Many online banks and credit unions offer fee-free accounts, including high-yield savings accounts, allowing you to keep more of your money while earning higher rates of interest. Just make sure you understand the terms and conditions before opening a new account to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Your account access is limited
Having limited access to your savings can be frustrating and inconvenient. Some banks impose withdrawal restrictions or require minimum balances that limit your financial flexibility. Or, there may not be easy online or app access to your account, which can be a hassle when you want to access your money. If your current savings account doesn’t provide easy access to your funds when you need them, or limits you to a handful of withdrawals or transfers each month, it’s time to consider alternatives.
Look for savings accounts that offer flexible withdrawal options instead — and accounts that won’t impose excessive limitations on accessing your money. Many banks provide convenient access through mobile apps and online platforms, allowing you to manage your savings anytime, anywhere. These types of banks can be a much better fit if you’re regularly moving money around or withdrawing money multiple times per month.
You’re missing out on lucrative bonuses
Another sign that it’s time for a change is when you’re missing out on lucrative cash bonuses offered by other institutions. The amount of these bonuses tends to range from about $50 to $500 or more, depending on the account. In turn, these promotions and sign-up rewards can be valuable additions to your savings, providing an opportunity to boost your financial growth and maximize your savings potential.
It can pay to stay informed about promotional offers from different banks and evaluate if they align with your financial needs. Just remember to research your options thoroughly and choose an account that provides not just a lucrative sign-up bonus, but also offers competitive interest rates, minimal fees, convenient access and aligns with your unique financial needs. Start comparing the high-yield savings account options available to you right now.
The bottom line
By regularly evaluating your savings account and recognizing the signs that it’s time for a change, you can ensure that you’re making the most of your hard-earned money. In most cases, you’re not making the most of your savings account if you’re earning low interest, paying for excessive fees, have limited account access or are missing out on lucrative promotions.
If you find that your savings account isn’t working hard enough for you, take proactive steps to find a better account that helps you achieve your financial goals faster. That one small change could result in big payoffs over time, making the hassle of changing accounts worth the effort in the long run.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that will block the funds and property of foreign companies against which Russia has imposed sanctions.
Source: Kremlin-aligned media RIA Novosti
Details: The law states that Putin decided to introduce special economic measures against certain Ukrainian organisations and citizens in 2018 “in response to unfriendly actions” by Kyiv. The new law was prepared and adopted on its basis.
It provides for a unified approach to the application of special measures aimed at banning or limiting financial transactions, blocking funds and other property, as well as financial transactions carried out for persons subject to restrictions.
Currently, such measures are applied to foreign states, bodies and officials if their actions threaten the interests and security of Russia and violate the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
The new legislative initiative introduces the concept of “blocked persons”, which means persons whose funds are blocked within the limits of economic restrictions.
Blocked persons, in addition to foreign states, as well as foreign organisations, citizens, and stateless persons, include legal entities controlled by them, in which such organisations and citizens have the right to directly or indirectly control more than 50% of the votes.
Organisations that carry out operations with money and other property will have to block the operations of such legal entities controlled by foreigners.
Organisers of gambling games in a bookmaker office or totalizer will also be obliged to refuse to accept bets and pay winnings to participants of games to which special economic measures are applied.
The law will enter into force 180 days after its official publication.
Background:
Thousands of Russian officials and civil servants were banned from using iPhones and other Apple products at work, and restrictions on using the American technology company’s equipment are increasing due to suspicions of espionage.
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Aug 4 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing for foreign investors from “unfriendly” countries to be barred from holding stakes in major Russian companies and banks, state news agency RIA said on Friday.
It said the government would draw up a list of Russian firms to be covered by the law, including all systemically important banks and firms above a certain size in terms of revenue, employees, assets or taxes paid.
Under the law, the rights of foreign investors from unfriendly countries – meaning those that have imposed sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine – could be suspended, and their shares distributed proportionally among Russian owners.
Russia has moved increasingly in recent months to take control of the assets of Western companies in retaliation for the seizure of Russian-owned assets abroad.
Last month it took control of Danish beer company Carlsberg’s stake in a Russian brewer, as well as a Russian subsidiary of French yoghurt maker Danone. In April it took similar steps against Finnish utility Fortum and Germany’s Uniper. (Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
