Fraud

3 things to watch for in Russia’s presidential election – other than Putin’s win, that is

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

While the result may be a foregone conclusion, the election offers an important glimpse into the Kremlin’s domestic challenges as it continues a war against Ukraine that recently entered its third year.

Key Points: 
  • While the result may be a foregone conclusion, the election offers an important glimpse into the Kremlin’s domestic challenges as it continues a war against Ukraine that recently entered its third year.
  • As an expert on Russian politics, I have identified three key developments worth paying attention to during and after the upcoming election.

1. Don’t mention the war (too much)

  • With Russian domestic media and politics all but gutted of dissenting voices, the war has become the organizing principle of post-2022 Russian politics, shaping all major policies and decisions.
  • Yet, while the context of the war looms large, its role is largely implicit rather than occupying center stage.
  • There are relatively few ardent supporters of the war, outweighed by a more general sense of fatigue among the public.
  • Yet the war is putting pressure on the government’s ability to juggle ensuring a disengaged population and bolstering support for a grinding war that demands unprecedented resources.
  • That choice surprised some insiders, who expected Putin to weave his announcement into a high-profile, choreographed event focusing on domestic achievements and not the ongoing war.

2. Pressure to deliver results for Putin

  • For officials, the election is a litmus test for their ability to muster administrative resources and deliver Putin an electoral windfall.
  • Most reports suggest the Kremlin is hoping to engineer that the turnout is at least 70%, with around 80% of the vote for Putin – which would surpass his 76.7% share from 2018.
  • For observers of Russian politics, what will be of interest is not the result itself, but how the result is produced during wartime conditions.
  • Moreover, political disengagement and the certainty of a Putin victory means that interest in voting is at an all-time low.

3. Silencing political opposition

  • The death of longtime Putin critic Alexei Navalny in February 2024 was a huge blow to the opposition but is representative of the state of political repression in Russia.
  • Since 2018, some 116,000 Russians have faced political repression.
  • Yet the scale of public mourning for Navalny and the enthusiasm for Nadezhdin reveal that despite draconian wartime censorship and repression, there remains a sizable bloc of Russians eager for authentic political alternatives.


Adam Lenton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Is my water safe to drink? Expert advice for residents of South African cities

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

In early March 2024 the residents of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and the economic capital of the country, were hit by extended cuts in water supplies. This was a new low after months of continuous deterioration. Professor in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand Craig Sheridan sets out the risks this poses to drinking water in the city. What can get into my water that will make me sick?You can have chemicals in the water that are toxic, or you can have pathogenic organisms which can make you ill.

Key Points: 


In early March 2024 the residents of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and the economic capital of the country, were hit by extended cuts in water supplies. This was a new low after months of continuous deterioration. Professor in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand Craig Sheridan sets out the risks this poses to drinking water in the city.

What can get into my water that will make me sick?

  • You can have chemicals in the water that are toxic, or you can have pathogenic organisms which can make you ill.
  • As a general rule, South Africa’s water works are able to remove almost all chemicals such that the water is safe to drink.
  • The water treatment works also disinfect the water, killing harmful bacteria and viruses.

Is my tap water safe to drink?

  • And if the water has residual chlorine in it, that means the supply to your home is good.
  • Unfortunately, this relies on drinking water treatment works functioning properly, which is not always the case.
  • The department of water and sanitation runs an auditing process of the water treatment works and the water they supply.

My water supply has been interrupted a lot. Is my tap water safe to drink?

  • If there is no water in the pipe, and there is an underground sewage leak near the water pipe, or contaminated storm water near the pipe, there’s a real possibility that contaminated water can enter the pipe.
  • As water supply returns, this “first flush” down the pipe has the potential to contain contaminants.
  • If your water remains brown or discoloured, report it and drink purified water.

I get my water from a mobile water tanker. Is this safe to drink?

  • But there are far too many instances of
    unscrupulous, roaming water tanker suppliers selling water, especially in areas with no access to safe tap water.
  • Since water supplies have become less dependable, the state has turned to businesses to supply water to communities.
  • If this is the case, it is sensible to purify the water.

What are the diseases that make drinking water unsafe? How are they spread?

  • When water is sent to a laboratory for testing, the first test is for an organism called Escherichia coli, or E. coli.
  • But if it is found in the water, there is absolute certainty that the water has been contaminated with faecal matter which has not been properly treated.
  • This is why it is used as a screening tool for more serious diseases which are also spread through faecal matter.
  • It is highly contagious and can spread by contact mainly from drinking contaminated water, food or from unwashed hands.

If I store water in bottles, how long before it’s unsafe to drink?

  • How warm is the water?
  • Water safety cannot be fully assured without analysing the actual water.
  • At the Centre of Water Research and Development we are doing research partly funded through the Water Research Commission to develop test strips to give a rapid analysis of drinking water quality that can easily be understood by the general public.

Is purifying water difficult?


At the University of the Witwatersrand we commissioned a short animation in all of South Africa’s 11 official languages as well as French and Portuguese on how to prevent cholera transmission and how to purify your water to ensure you stay safe. We have also shared guidance on how to purify your water to make it safe.
Craig Sheridan receives funding from The Claude Leon Foundation, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), The Water JPI, The BMBF, FORMAS and the Water Research Commission. Craig Sheridan is a member of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE), the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and the International Water Association (IWA).

EQS-News: Aurubis AG: Precious metals theft: Verdict announced at Hamburg District Court

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Hamburg, February 23, 2024 — The verdict was announced in the Hamburg District Court today in the Aurubis precious metals theft trial.

Key Points: 
  • Hamburg, February 23, 2024 — The verdict was announced in the Hamburg District Court today in the Aurubis precious metals theft trial.
  • Aurubis is building a new security area at its Hamburg plant that will integrate the entire precious metals processing chain.
  • The Precious Metals Refinery project in Hamburg is an important investment in the security in precious metals recovery at Aurubis.
  • Aurubis produces a number of other metals as well, including precious metals, selenium, lead, nickel, tin and zinc.

ROSEN, LEADING TRIAL ATTORNEYS, Encourages Brooge Energy Limited Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm - BROG

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, March 10, 2024

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Brooge class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21430 or call Phillip Kim, Esq.

Key Points: 
  • WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Brooge class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21430 or call Phillip Kim, Esq.
  • The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation.
  • 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017.
  • 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017.

ROSEN, GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Brooge Energy Limited Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm - BROG

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Brooge class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21430 or call Phillip Kim, Esq.

Key Points: 
  • WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Brooge class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21430 or call Phillip Kim, Esq.
  • The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation.
  • 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017.
  • 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017.

Noda Presents Report on Key Payment Trends: Diverse PaymentMethods, AI, and More

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2024) - Noda, a global open banking provider, presents a comprehensive report in which key payment trends are brought to the forefront.

Key Points: 
  • London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2024) - Noda, a global open banking provider, presents a comprehensive report in which key payment trends are brought to the forefront.
  • Ms. Kuhtarska sees five key payment trends dominating the industry: diverse payment methods, 1-click checkout, AI and ML, biometric security, and subscription models.
  • Support for various payment methods provides convenience to consumers, making the payment experience simple and convenient.
  • Noda has built a solid in-house AI lab to strengthen payment security and serve hundreds of thousands of active Noda consumers.

ASRT SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Reminds Investors of Securities Fraud Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Assertio Holdings, Inc. (ASRT)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

Radnor, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - February 29, 2024) - The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com ) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been against Assertio Holdings, Inc. ("Assertio") (NASDAQ: ASRT).

Key Points: 
  • Radnor, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - February 29, 2024) - The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com ) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been against Assertio Holdings, Inc. ("Assertio") (NASDAQ: ASRT).
  • The action charges Assertio with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects.
  • As a result of Assertio' s materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Assertio' s investors have suffered significant losses.
  • Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Assertio investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

Investigation of Infinera Corporation (INFN) Announced by Holzer & Holzer, LLC

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holzer & Holzer, LLC is investigating whether Infinera Corporation (“Infinera” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INFN) complied with federal securities laws.

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holzer & Holzer, LLC is investigating whether Infinera Corporation (“Infinera” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INFN) complied with federal securities laws.
  • If you purchased Infinera stock and suffered a loss on that investment, you are encouraged to contact Corey Holzer, Esq.
  • Holzer & Holzer, LLC, an ISS top rated securities litigation law firm for 2021, dedicates its practice to vigorous representation of shareholders and investors in litigation nationwide, including shareholder class action and derivative litigation.
  • Holzer & Holzer, LLC has paid for the dissemination of this promotional communication, and Corey Holzer is the attorney responsible for its content.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of iRobot Corporation (IRBT) Investors – Nationally Ranked Investors’ Rights Firm Holzer & Holzer, LLC Encourages Investors With Significant Losses to Contact the Firm

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A shareholder class action lawsuit has been filed against iRobot Corporation (“iRobot” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: IRBT).

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A shareholder class action lawsuit has been filed against iRobot Corporation (“iRobot” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: IRBT).
  • Holzer & Holzer, LLC, an ISS top rated securities litigation law firm for 2021 and 2022, dedicates its practice to vigorous representation of shareholders and investors in litigation nationwide, including shareholder class action and derivative litigation.
  • More information about the firm is available through its website, www.holzerlaw.com , and upon request from the firm.
  • Holzer & Holzer, LLC has paid for the dissemination of this promotional communication, and Corey Holzer is the attorney responsible for its content.

FINAL DEADLINE REMINDER FOR BNTX INVESTORS: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Announces Final Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Securities Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against BioNTech SE (BNTX)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

The action charges BioNTech with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company’s business, operations, and prospects.

Key Points: 
  • The action charges BioNTech with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company’s business, operations, and prospects.
  • As a result of BioNTech’ s materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, BioNTech’ s investors have suffered significant losses.
  • Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages BioNTech investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.
  • The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel.