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Putin ordered Novichok attack, double agent Skripal tells UK inquiry
By Michael Holden
SALISBURY, England (Reuters) – Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal believes Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his Novichok poisoning, an inquiry into the death of a woman who was unwittingly poisoned by the nerve agent was told on Monday.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury in March 2018 after Novichok was applied to the front door handle of his home.
Four months later, mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess died from exposure to the poison after her partner found a counterfeit perfume bottle which police believe had been used by Russian spies to smuggle the military-grade nerve agent into the country.
The Skripals, and a police officer who went to Skripal’s house, were left critically ill from its effects, but recovered.
Their poisoning led to the biggest East-West diplomatic expulsions since the Cold War. Russia has repeatedly rejected British accusations that it was involved.
Skripal has not spoken publicly since the attack, but in a statement to the public inquiry into Sturgess’s death, he said he blamed Putin, though he acknowledged he had no concrete evidence.
“I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. I therefore think he must have at least given permission for the attack on Yulia and me,” Skripal said in the statement read out by Andrew O’Connor, the lawyer to the inquiry.
Skripal – who sold Russian secrets to Britain, went there after a 2010 spy swap and said he knew Putin personally – said he was aware of allegations that the Russian president had been involved in illegal activity to do with the disposal of rare metals.
“I have read that Putin is personal very interested in poison and likes reading books about it,” his statement said.
It was also the British government’s view that Russian agents carried out the attack in an operation authorised by Putin, lawyer Cathryn McGahey told the inquiry.
Adam Straw, a lawyer representing Sturgess’s family, called for Putin to appear himself.
“He should not cower behind the walls of the Kremlin. He should look Dawn’s family in the eyes and answer the evidence against him,” Straw said.
CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE
British police have charged three Russians in absentia who they say are GRU military intelligence officers, over the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter.
Two of the Russians accused by Britain of carrying out the poisoning later appeared on Russian TV to deny involvement, saying they had been innocent tourists visiting the city’s cathedral. All three have denied any involvement.
No one has been charged over Sturgess’s death.
Earlier the inquiry – which finally began on Monday following a police investigation and other lengthy legal steps – was told that Sturgess, 44, was caught in the “crossfire” of an international assassination attempt.
Evidence suggested the contaminated perfume bottle had contained enough poison to kill thousands, O’Connor said.
“You may conclude … that those who discarded the bottle in this way acted with a grotesque disregard for human life,” he told the inquiry chair, former Supreme Court judge Anthony Hughes.
The inquiry will hear some confidential evidence in secret from the UK security services, including details of Skripal’s relationship with British intelligence agencies, O’Connor said.
The Skripals will not give evidence in person because of fears for their safety.
The Russian embassy in London last week dismissed the British accusations about “the alleged use of the mythical Novichok” as quite preposterous. O’Connor said the inquiry would take full account of the Russian response.
(This story has been refiled to remove extraneous words in paragraph 5)
In a challenging market environment, Allbirds Inc. (NASDAQ:) stock has recorded a new 52-week low, dipping to $7.65. The eco-friendly footwear company has faced significant headwinds over the past year, reflected in a substantial 1-year change with a decline of -55.8%. Investors have shown concern as the brand navigates through a competitive retail landscape and supply chain issues, which have pressured the stock to its current low. The company’s efforts to rebound will be closely watched by market participants looking for signs of a turnaround or further indications of industry-wide pressures.
In other recent news, Allbirds disclosed its Q3 2024 financial results, reporting a net revenue of $43 million. This figure reflects a downturn due to reduced unit sales and transitions to a distributor model in certain regions. Despite these challenges, the company managed to increase its gross margin to 44.4%, attributed to lower freight costs and improved inventory management.
The company also launched two new products, the Tree Glider and Lounger Lift, which have been positively received by consumers. Allbirds revised its full-year revenue guidance to between $187 million and $193 million and anticipates an adjusted EBITDA loss of $75 million to $71 million.
Additionally, Allbirds has signed two new international distributor agreements, expanding its reach in Latin America and Europe from mid-2025. The company’s management, led by CEO Joe Vernachio and CFO Annie Mitchell, remains optimistic about future growth, driven by forthcoming product launches and strategic marketing efforts.
InvestingPro Insights
Allbirds Inc. (BIRD) continues to face significant challenges, as reflected in its recent stock performance and financial metrics. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s revenue growth has declined by 22.67% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, with a quarterly revenue decline of 24.89% in Q3 2024. This aligns with the InvestingPro Tip that analysts anticipate sales decline in the current year.
The company’s financial health is also concerning, with an operating income margin of -48.08% for the same period. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Allbirds is quickly burning through cash, which is particularly worrisome given the current market conditions.
Despite these challenges, InvestingPro Tips indicate that Allbirds holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations. This could provide some financial flexibility as the company navigates its turnaround efforts.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 17 additional tips for Allbirds, providing a deeper understanding of the company’s financial position and market performance.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Quipt Home Medical (TASE:) Corp. (QIPT) stock has reached a new 52-week low, trading at $2.55. This latest price point marks a significant downturn for the company, which has experienced a 46.87% decline over the past year. Investors are closely monitoring the home medical equipment provider as it navigates through a challenging period marked by this notable decrease in stock value. The 52-week low serves as a critical indicator for the market, reflecting investor sentiment and potential shifts in the company’s financial health and operational performance.
In other recent news, Quipt Home Medical Corp has been making notable strides despite facing several challenges. The company’s third fiscal quarter report revealed a steady increase in revenue, reaching $64 million, a 6.1% rise from the previous year. The customer base also expanded by 9%, serving 153,223 unique patients, and adjusted EBITDA grew by 2.7% to $14.2 million.
Benchmark revised its stock price target for Quipt Home Medical, reducing it to $7 from the previous $9, but maintained a Buy rating for the stock. This adjustment was influenced by several factors including the expiration of Medicare’s 75/25 rate relief, a diminished Managed Care contract, and the repercussions of the Change Healthcare (NASDAQ:) cyberattack. However, the firm predicts that Quipt could achieve an 8%-10% organic growth rate by the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.
In the face of these challenges, Quipt Home Medical has reported a 9% increase in resupply revenue for sleep therapy and supplies, which accounts for half of the company’s revenues. The company’s management has also indicated an active mergers and acquisitions pipeline, which could provide further growth opportunities. These are the recent developments that investors should keep an eye on.
InvestingPro Insights
Despite Quipt Home Medical Corp. (QIPT) hitting a new 52-week low, InvestingPro data reveals some interesting insights that may provide context for investors. The company’s revenue growth remains strong, with a 29.31% increase over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, reaching $244.23 million. This growth suggests that QIPT continues to expand its market presence in the home medical equipment sector.
However, profitability remains a concern. InvestingPro Tips highlight that QIPT has not been profitable over the last twelve months, with a negative P/E ratio of -24.61. On a more positive note, analysts predict that the company will become profitable this year, which could potentially reverse the stock’s downward trend.
The current market valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, according to another InvestingPro Tip. This could indicate that the stock may be undervalued at its current price, especially considering that it’s trading near its 52-week low. Investors looking for a deeper analysis can find 7 additional InvestingPro Tips for QIPT, offering a more comprehensive view of the company’s financial situation and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Muslim leaders who supported Republican Donald Trump to protest against the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza and attacks on Lebanon have been deeply disappointed by his Cabinet picks, they tell Reuters.
“Trump won because of us and we’re not happy with his Secretary of State pick and others,” said Rabiul Chowdhury, a Philadelphia investor who chaired the Abandon Harris campaign in Pennsylvania and co-founded Muslims for Trump. Muslim support for Trump helped him win Michigan and may have factored into other swing state wins, strategists believe.
Trump picked Republican senator Marco Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel for Secretary of State. Rubio said earlier this year he would not call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he believed Israel should destroy “every element” of Hamas. “These people are vicious animals,” he added.
Trump also nominated Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and staunch pro-Israel conservative who backs Israeli occupation of the West Bank and has called a two state solution in Palestine “unworkable”, as the next ambassador to Israel.
He has picked Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who called the UN a “cesspool of antisemitism” for its condemnation of deaths in Gaza, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Rexhinaldo Nazarko, executive director of the American Muslim Engagement and Empowerment Network (AMEEN), said Muslim voters had hoped Trump would choose Cabinet officials who work toward peace, and there was no sign of that.
“We are very disappointed,” he said. “It seems like this administration has been packed entirely with neoconservatives and extremely pro-Israel, pro-war people, which is a failure on the on the side of President Trump, to the pro-peace and anti-war movement.”
Nazarko said the community would continue pressing to make its voices heard after rallying votes to help Trump win. “At least we’re on the map.”
Hassan Abdel Salam, a former professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and co-founder of the Abandon Harris campaign, which endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein, said Trump’s staffing plans were not surprising, but had proven even more extreme that he had feared.
“It’s like he’s going on Zionist overdrive,” he said. “We were always extremely skeptical…Obviously we’re still waiting to see where the administration will go, but it does look like our community has been played.”
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Several Muslim and Arab supporters of Trump said they hoped Richard Grenell, Trump’s former acting director of national intelligence, would play a key role after he led months of outreach to Muslim and Arab American communities, and was even introduced as a potential next secretary of state at events.
Another key Trump ally, Massad Boulos, the Lebanese father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, met repeatedly with Arab American and Muslim leaders.
Both promised Arab American and Muslim voters that Trump was a candidate for peace who would act swiftly to end the wars in the Middle East and beyond. Neither was immediately reachable.
Trump made several visits to cities with large Arab American and Muslim populations, include a stop in Dearborn, a majority Arab city, where he said he loved Muslims, and Pittsburgh, where he called Muslims for Trump “a beautiful movement. They want peace. They want stability.”
Rola Makki, the Lebanese American, Muslim vice chair for outreach of the Michigan Republican Party, shrugged off the criticism.
“I don’t think everyone’s going to be happy with every appointment Trump makes, but the outcome is what matters,” she said. “I do know that Trump wants peace, and what people need to realize is that there’s 50,000 dead Palestinians and 3,000 dead Lebanese, and that’s happened during the current administration.”
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