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[ad_1] New Zealand, U.S. reiterate concern over China-Solomon Islands security deal [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] It is not clear yet whether the spread of monkeypox can be contained completely, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday, adding that its goal was to contain the outbreak by stopping human-to-human transmission to the maximum extent possible. “Tools to manage it – including readily available diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics – are not likely to be immediately or widely accessible to countries,” it said in a statement. Over 20 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with more than 300 confirmed or suspected infections mostly in Europe. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Last June, Guy Gal was staring ahead at Wall Street. The chief executive officer for real estate brokerage Side announced a fresh $50 million in venture capital money spearheaded by ultra-prolific financier Tiger Global Management. The San Francisco company was now “backed by the top three technology initial public offering underwriters,” Side announced at the time, and the money raise “sets the stage for a future IPO.” Today, though, Side is radio silent on going public. Gal and other company representatives did not return messages for this article. Side is no outlier. After a few years of brokerages going public, a list that includes Compass, Offerpad, Opendoor, and Redfin, real estate companies are now keeping matters private. These include HomeSmart, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based brokerage that disclosed its financials in January, and Keller Williams Realty, which has faced rumors since the beginning of time, or at least the last five years, about going public. Messages left with HomeSmart were not returned. Keller Williams declined to comment. The reason to stay private is twofold, industry experts said. One is people dislike where the economy is headed. “I would largely chalk up any shelving of plans to go public to the macro backdrop including stock market volatility, recession fears and slowing housing,” said Thomas McJoynt, an equity research analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods who focuses upon real estate and mortgage companies. Another, though, is fading enthusiasm from investors and IPO underwriters that a company can upend the notoriously fragmented residential real estate industry. “For many years, everyone thought brokerage was ripe for major disruption,” said Gilles Duranton, real estate professor at the University of Pennsylvania. “New ventures have tried to disrupt it in all sorts of ways. But no one has really managed to make a big dent.” Seeing red The recent brokerage IPO wave started with Redfin in 2017. With a popular listings web site, salaried employees as agents, and eventually iBuying, the Seattle-based company fit to a t the notion of a tech-forward outfit that could shake things up.   CEO Glenn Kelman deemed his company “the Amazon of real estate,” a one-stop shop for all things housing. “We can’t just reinvent half of it. We got to do the whole thing!” Kelman declared at the time of the company’s initial public offering. One year after that, eXp Realty, a brokerage known for its virtual platform and multi-level marketing plan, moved from an over-the-counter Canadian stock exchange to Nasdaq. Then, in the year following COVID-19’s U.S. onset, Compass, a brokerage that billed its tech as providing real estate agents an edge, and Offerpad and Opendoor, iBuyers who are also registered brokerages, went public. These companies debuted on Wall Street amid both the highest home appreciation and most home sales in 15 years. “The 18-month post-COVID period presented an excellent window for any real estate transaction volume-dependent business to entertain attractive initial valuations,” McJoynt said. But those valuations have fallen. Compass, for instance, premiered on the New York Stock Exchange trading at $19 a share with an $8 billion valuation. The company’s stock is currently at just over $5 with a little over $2 billion market capitalization. Redfin stock has seen a lot of fluctuation. The company’s stock began trading at $22 a share in 2017 and zoomed to a $76 share price last February. But today Redfin stock is at just over $9, with a valuation of a little over $1 billion. The stock price has not correlated with either Redfin’s top-line revenue or bottom-line income. Redfin did lose $91 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $36 million in Q1 2021. But the company’s revenue more than doubled to $597 million. The increased revenue but growing losses are both traceable to an internal ramp up of iBuying. What gives with the stock price, then? The company, which declined to comment, has in general connected its fluctuations to investors’ overall thoughts on real estate, not anything Redfin-specific. In other words, the macro backdrop. “With raising mortgage rates, Wall Street thinks housing sales will go in the tank, so they are lowering their earnings expectations for all of them,” said Steve Murray, senior advisor at RealTrends. But there may also be some frustration from investors with Redfin and other real estate outfits, said Jay Ritter, a business professor at the University of Florida who focuses on stock market activity. “Redfin is still a legitimate, possibly successful company,” Ritter said. “But a lot of that run-up has been ever-increasing expectations about the future.” There was some hope among investors, Ritter said, that Redfin, or Zillow or Compass, or some company they were placing a bet on, could emerge as a one-stop stop, “Benefiting from some network effects and become dominant.” But, rightly or wrongly, investors now see no model disrupting a brokerage industry replete with dozens of established entrants. One possible exception, Duranton noted, is Compass, which in a decade has become the largest brokerage by market share. But Compass did this after “making huge investments,” and creating a brokerage model that “differs minimally” from competitors like Sotheby’s International Realty or Douglas Elliman. Said Murray, “Investors finally realize that whether or not these proptech firms are fast-growing on their top lines, there is no path to profitability for some or most of them.” Let’s keep this private Earlier this month, Rainy Hake Austin excitedly charted the future. Her brokerage, The Agency, which has significantly expanded since Austin took over as president in late 2020, had just announced the acquisition of New York brokerage Triplemint. “We’re going to build from the coast and into the middle,” Austin said, about The Agency’s nationwide plans. What about going public? “That’s one option,” Austin replied. “But that’s not the only option.” The executive then went on to talk about first developing The Agency’s mortgage, title, and other ancillary services. Side, according to people at the company who spoke on the condition of anonymity, similarly plans now to see how much it can

[ad_1] Social Security disability benefits can help you keep a roof over your head and food on the table when you become disabled due to an injury, an illness, or a severe medical condition. That said, applying for these benefits can be a cumbersome process, mostly due to the various steps involved, the complicated paperwork required, and the potential for in-person hearings. Also be aware that you have to be “insured” to qualify for Social Security disability benefits for yourself or eligible family members. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, this means “that you worked long enough – and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings.” This guide will explain how Social Security disability benefits work while helping you determine whether your disability, illness, or chronic condition is enough to qualify. We’ll walk you through each step of the process, and tell you what to expect during each stage of your Social Security disability application. If you believe you might qualify for assistance through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, read on to learn more about the process and the steps you’ll need to take. Who Are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Programs Made For? When you’re stuck navigating a disability or a chronic illness prevents you from working a full-time job, planning for the future can seem pointless. Not only that but keeping up with bills and household expenses can truly be impossible when you are no longer able to bring in a guaranteed income. The uncertainty of not knowing when you’ll be paid can make life increasingly difficult, which is why the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs exist in the first place. According to a 2020 report from the Aspen Institute — The True Cost of Caregiving — the costs involved in taking care of adults and children with disabilities are often exorbitant and out of reach. The report notes that disabled adults make up approximately 12% of the nation’s working age population, yet account for more than 50% of those living in long-term poverty. Adults living with a disability are three times more likely to have trouble keeping up with bills and twice as likely to skip important medical care as a result. The financial impacts also apply to caregivers in the home, which could be parents, siblings, or other relatives. The report notes that “family caregivers who work part-time or full-time jobs are more likely to take time off from work due to unreliable or limited affordable access to professional care, leading to foregone household earnings.” Further, approximately 28% of family caregivers provide care to both an adult and a child, which makes it even more difficult to stay on top of bills and other household expenses. According to the Social Security Administration, the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs provide the bulk of assistance to disabled people, which can help take the pressure off of their caregivers as well. While each program works differently, they are both administered by the Social Security Administration and available only to those who meet specific medical criteria. Social Security Disability or SSI: Which Medical Conditions Qualify? The complexity of the application process, along with the hoops one must jump through to be approved, can make it difficult for those who need these benefits most to qualify for assistance through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. This often means those in the worst need of assistance are often stretched too thin to fight when their application is unjustly denied. Before you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI, it makes sense to find out whether your condition is commonly considered disabling, and whether you have a shot at securing benefits for yourself and your family. The Social Security Administration lists a number of illnesses and conditions that are applicable to individuals age 18 and over and to children under the age of 18 when appropriate. Having one of these conditions will usually lead to approval for SSDI/SSI benefits after one completes the application process — including all paperwork, medical exams, and hearings. The following medical conditions are considered severe and a good basis for a disability application, according to the Social Security Administration. However, not everyone who suffers from one of these conditions will qualify. Also, be aware that eligible conditions are updated on a regular basis. This means that some of the conditions on this list may no longer apply, and that new conditions can be added over time. Listing Of Impairments – Adult Listings Category Type Musculoskeletal Degenerative disc diseaseArthritisCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)Joint painBack painNeck pain Cardiovascular Heart failureHeart diseaseHeart arrhythmias Congenital Disorders Down’s Syndrome Digestive System Gastrointestinal hemorrhageHepatic (liver) dysfunctionInflammatory bowel diseaseShort bowel syndromeMalnutrition Endocrine Gland Disorders Pituitary gland disordersThyroid gland disordersParathyroid gland disordersAdrenal gland disordersDiabetes mellitusOther pancreatic gland disorders Genitourinary Disorders Chronic glomerulonephritisHypertensive nephropathyDiabetic nephropathyChronic obstructive uropathyHereditary nephropathies Hematological Disorders Hemolytic anemiasDisorders of thrombosis and hemostasisDisorders of bone marrow failure Immune system Inflammatory arthritisLupus Mental Disorders Schizophrenic, Delusional (Paranoid), Schizoaffective, and Other Psychotic DisordersDepressionPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Bipolar disorderPersonality disorderAnxiety disorder Neurological Seizure disordersEpilepsyMultiple sclerosisAutism spectrum disorder Respiratory System Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Asthma Skin Disorders IchthyosisBullous diseasesChronic infections of the skin or mucous membranesDermatitisHidradenitis suppurativaGenetic photosensitivity disordersBurns Special Senses and Speech Visual disordersStatutory blindnessHearing lossVertigoMénière’s disease If you’re thinking of applying for Social Security disability benefits, having any one of these conditions can help your case. However, the complex nature of each of these conditions makes it possible for someone to be denied SSDI/SSI based on individual factors or incomplete analysis. The way your condition could affect your work may also play a role in whether or not you qualify for benefits, as will the viewpoint of your assigned judge or case reviewer. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits or SSI, you’ll need a full evaluation from a medical professional or existing medical records that

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[ad_1] Leonardo shareholders reject liability action against CEO [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The IMF is in the process of revising India’s growth projection for 2022, which could be lower than its earlier forecast of 8.2 per cent, amid risks of a global stagflation, a senior official of the international organisation said on Tuesday. In April, the International Monetary Fund had lowered India’s growth projection to 8.2 per cent as compared to 9 per cent estimated in January. By 2023, the country is expected to grow at 6.9 per cent, it said. “IMF is currently revising India’s growth forecast for 2022, which may be lower than 8.2 per cent. This is work in progress at the moment,” IMF Senior Resident Representative in India Luis Breuer said at an interactive session on ‘World Economic Outlook’ organised by the MCC here. He said the country is facing high inflation with low employment, which will not augur well for job opportunities. Breuer also called for stabilising debt at higher levels, which was a result of the impact on public finances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to protect vulnerable sections of the society. India is being seen as an emerging economy, which is recovering at the moment, he said.The IMF official said central banks across the US and Europe have started to increase interest rates to fight growing inflation caused by a surge in commodity prices and supply disruptions. “The US Federal Reserve is expected to hike interest rates in future and the world economy is likely to plateau at 3.6 per cent,” he said, adding, the increased cost of borrowing will have its impact on growth rates. “Real interest rates may rise and a hike in US rates will suck in capital from the rest of the world due to high returns,” Breuer said.Stagflation is defined as a situation of high inflation and stagnant growth. He also said the pandemic is not over, and the lockdown in Beijing is yet to be withdrawn unlike in Shanghai.“China, being the factory of the world, the shutdown will disrupt global supplies. There is a risk of China facing a slowdown, which will have a negative impact on India,” he said. A one per cent drop in China’s GDP growth will reduce India’s by 0.6 per cent, more than the combined decline of the UK and US together, Breuer said. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Jury to resume deliberations on dueling Johnny Depp, Amber Heard claims [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Several prominent names including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vasundhara Raje, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, M J Akbar, Shiv Pratap Shukla, O P Shukla were found missing from the BJP’s third list of four candidates announced on Monday for the Rajya Sabha elections. The BJP has already fielded 22 candidates so far for the 57 vacant seats in the Upper House that will go to polls on June 10. Naqvi’s exclusion from the list comes as a surprise as it puts his future as a Union Minister hangs in balance. Naqvi, who had retired from his Jharkhand seat and was expected to be nominated from Uttar Pradesh this time around, is the only Muslim face in the PM Modi’s Council of Ministers. From Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has named state OBC chief K Laxman while fielding Sumitra Valmiki from Madhya Pradesh, Lal Singh Sirhoya from Karnataka and Mithilesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, the party said in a statement. Announcing its first list on Sunday, the BJP had named 16 candidates, including Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal from Karnataka and Maharashtra, respectively, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. The Upper House candidates from both Congress and BJP in Rajasthan will file their nominations today. Earlier this year, the BJP achieved the milestone of touching the 100-mark in the Rajya Sabha, the only party to achieve this feat since 1988. The BJP, which is not in majority in the 245-members strong Upper House, will be looking to inch closer to the 123-mark. Eleven of the 57 seats going to polls lie in Uttar Pradesh, followed by six each in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. After the nomination papers are filed, they will be scrutinised on June 1. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is June 3 and the voting will take place on June 10. [ad_2] Source link