house of travel linkedin

White House's Sullivan expects to travel to Saudi Arabia in next few weeks

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland; editing by Jonathan Oatis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Thai foreign minister resigns after losing deputy PM post

Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has resigned, the government said on Sunday, after losing the position of deputy prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle.

A Hamas delegation will visit Cairo on Monday for talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, a Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday, as mediators stepped up efforts to reach a deal ahead of an Israeli assault on the southern city of Rafah.

Wisconsin DHS confirms case of measles in Dane County

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) -The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed a case of measles in a person living in Dane County, with travel and employment in Rock County. The DHS has released the public locations and times where people may have been exposed to measles:

• Kwik Trip, 603 W Madison Ave. Milton, WI, on Sunday, April 21, 2024, between 2:30 and 5 pm
• SSM Health Dean Medical Group - Janesville, 3200 E. Racine St., Janesville, WI, on Monday, April 22, 2024 between 1 and 5 pm, and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville, 3400 E. Racine St., Janesville, WI, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, between 8 am and 6 pm
• uBreakiFix, 2810 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI on Monday, April 22, 2024, between 5 and 7:30 pm
• Noodles and Co., 110 Limestone Pass, Cottage Grove, WI on Monday, April 22, 2024, between 5:15 and 7:45 pm

Measles cases have been relatively low in Wisconsin in recent years, but this year, there’s been a spike nationally with 125 cases reported.

According to Dr. Stephanie Schaur, the Wisconsin Immunization Program Manager, measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body.

DHS, in coordination with Public Health Madison & Dane County and Rock County Public Health, are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the measles virus.

Doctor Schaur said the rate of people getting the MMR vaccine, which protects from measles, mumps, and rubella, has been on a steady decline by 6% over the past decade in Wisconsin.

“We still have a fair amount of our community that have vaccination rates lower than we’d like,” said Dr. Schaur. “It’s an area of concern that should measles get into one of those pockets that we will have spread. It’s one thing to talk about the statewide rate but what really matters is the vaccination rate of the community you’re living in.”

DHS says cases of measles have been rare in Wisconsin due to high vaccination rates, but measles is highly contagious and can cause serious health complications for those who are not vaccinated.

Wisconsin residents can find their immunization records using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) .

DHS has a full statement here.

Copyright 2024 WBAY. All rights reserved.

Two Badgers from NE Wisconsin drafted on Day 3

Residential fire damages building in downtown Appleton; credits working sprinkler system for minimum damage

The 50 fastest-growing jobs in Wisconsin

RAIN & STORMS BEGIN TONIGHT, HAIL & STRONG WINDS POSSIBLE SATURDAY

NFL Draft Day 2: Packers make a trade, draft 2 LBs, S, and RB

Latest news.

Tomah man arrested for 12th OWI offense

‘Walk MS 2024’ challenge between De Pere and Appleton wraps up

Fond du Lac deputies arrest Shawano man after K9 sniffs out 1/4 of a pound of cocaine

Letters: Labour’s rail plans herald a return to the bad old days of the 1970s

Plus: Humza Yousaf vs the Greens; imprisonment for tech bosses; the Church of England’s reparations muddle; and pigs as mothers

SIR – The news ( telegraph.co.uk, April 25 ) that Labour plans to renationalise the railways if it wins the general election confirms that we are about to return to the 1970s.  The trade unions are to be given more powers, and it is likely that the country will come close to bankruptcy, as was the case when our standing in Europe was at its lowest.  Still, at least we know what to expect, and perhaps we should just resign ourselves to it – given that we did have some good times in the 1970s – while we wait for the next Margaret Thatcher to come along and get us back on track. Brian Cole Robertsbridge, East Sussex

SIR – Labour plans to repeal trade union legislation within 100 days of forming a government and renationalise the railways within five years. What could possibly go wrong?  Roger Gentry Weavering, Kent

SIR – Labour claims that the renationalisation of the railways would save £2 billion, partly in dividends, but strangely it omits to say how much the new executives would cost in salaries and pension pots.  At least it has the sense not to guarantee lower fares, as this will obviously not happen. The plans for unions to have more say in companies is the equivalent of giving children the keys to a sweet shop. The loser in all this, as usual, will be the public.  Charles Penfold Ulverston, Cumbria

SIR – Lord Blunkett ( Letters, April 25 ) argues that the metropolitan elites have learnt nothing, and need to understand that they do not know what is best for people.  This is an excellent assessment. If only the government in which he served had taken this view, we would not be in the mess we are in now. I suggest that, rather than telling us what we already know, Lord Blunkett explains these basic truths to Sir Keir Starmer, who is clearly unfamiliar with them. Jim Doar Consett, Co Durham

SIR – In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, made fun of Rishi Sunak’s height ( report, April 25 ) – as if such things matter. If Labour wins the general election, we can no doubt look forward to much more of this kind of talk from Ms Rayner. Enjoy! Dan Hartley Solihull

SIR – I have never voted Labour and never will.  Despite this, I find Angela Rayner a breath of fresh air in Parliament. The attacks on her over her living arrangements are a distraction. Ray Brooksbank Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire  

Yousaf and the Greens

SIR – Rather than being “political cowardice” ( report, telegraph.co.uk, April 25 ), scrapping the coalition between the SNP and the Scottish Greens is a sign that Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has found some political backbone. One can only hope that he will now swallow his pride and invite Kate Forbes back into the fold.  Dr Richard A E Grove Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire  

Police bureaucrats

SIR – On May 2 the public in England and Wales will be invited to vote for a police and crime commissioner (PCC) for their area, usually based on party-political allegiance rather than deep knowledge of policing.  I have no idea of the administration costs of such a vote, but I can say with confidence that less than 25 per cent of eligible voters will bother to turn out, and many fewer could even name their current PCC. Designed to be the voice of the people, this role has turned into an expensive waste of time. Since 2019, PCCs have cost the public £102.2 million, according to the Liberal Democrats. What people want is to see police officers patrolling, not a load of bureaucrats pontificating from comfy offices.  Would anyone seriously argue that policing is better now that we have these PCCs? Graham Sharp Market Drayton, Shropshire  

Field’s bold thinking

SIR – It was a privilege to work for Lord Field of Birkenhead ( Letters, April 25 ), especially around the time he was minister for welfare reform.  Tony Blair saw that the system required major change, as it discouraged personal responsibility and suffered from widespread fraud, among other things. But the excitement was quickly doused by the hostility of those within the welfare organisation and leaders in the Labour Party, and finally the reform project was axed. Several of the predictions made, including that the system was unsustainable and morally corrupting, have turned out to be correct, and we are now suffering the consequences.  Recently, Lord Field asked me to re-open a dialogue with the Policy Unit, but I was met with silence. I advised him that there was no appetite for reform, an assessment with which he sadly agreed. This is a great shame. His death provides an opportunity to re-examine his legacy, and for political leaders to focus attention on the nature and scope of our welfare provision. The risks of doing nothing are too serious. We owe it to the millions of people who either pay for it or are dependent upon it. And we owe it to Lord Field. Peter Gray Tunbridge Wells, Kent

SIR – We regarded Lord Field as one of only a few politicians who knew better than our Maypole pub (right-hand corner) committee – quite an accolade. Rest in peace. Mike Forlan Hayling Island, Hampshire

SIR – Mark Peaker ( Letters, April 25 ) rightly describes Lord Field as a man of principle, dedication and service. I would add that he was a man of style.  Working in the Whitehall area, I have seen many MPs over the years, including Lord Field numerous times. Unlike some, he was always dressed immaculately in a sharp suit and tie – representing his constituents and the House with class. John Ryder High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire  

Britain’s security

SIR – Admiral Sir Tony Radakin welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of greater spending on defence ( Comment, April 24 ) and made a number of pertinent points. However, I disagree fundamentally with his assertion that the United Kingdom is safe because it is a nuclear power. This may have been the case when we first acquired our “independent” nuclear deterrent, but I am less certain it is so in modern times. Sadly, our nation is no longer the power it was.  When serving, I was proud that the deterrent was in the hands of the Royal Navy. Now, however, I question whether it makes any difference to the worldwide equation of power that the UK has nuclear weapons. We would do much better to use the resources devoted to our deterrent in ensuring that our defence forces are properly equipped and manned. Captain Charles Crawford (retd) Winchester, Hampshire  

Online safety

SIR – I agree with Tom Tugendhat ( Comment, April 23 ), the Minister for Security, that we must protect our children from all forms of online abuse, including self-harm and suicide. Yes, tech companies should take responsibility for their content, but this has not been evident so far. Our own Online Safety Act 2023 not only enables Ofcom to impose fines, but also, under Section 138, provides for the imprisonment of big tech bosses for up to two years, following an amendment put down by myself and Miriam Cates in the House of Commons, endorsed by the NSPCC and accepted by the Government. Indeed, Britain’s legislation is far better than the EU Digital Services Act, which merely imposes a 6 per cent fine. It demonstrates that, now we have left the EU, we can protect our children far more effectively. We do, however, need Michael Grade and Melanie Dawes, chairman and CEO of Ofcom, to use the full powers. Sir Bill Cash MP (Con) London SW1  

The first drink

SIR – When I was 16, my very young father took me out to a respectable local pub and bought me a Babycham ( “Child drinkers rise in ‘generation lockdown’”, report, April 25 ). I thought it was ghastly and could not finish it. It was a salutary lesson. Since then I have always been a sensible drinker, even at art college in the West Country. I now prefer a good sauvignon. Jacqueline Davies Faversham, Kent  

Debunking Jeremy Clarkson’s porky about pigs

SIR – I take issue with Jeremy Clarkson’s claim that, in general, pigs do not make good mothers ( report, April 23 ). In 29 years of breeding on a commercial farm, I have found that these animals, given the right conditions, are extremely good mothers. They are very protective, as can be seen if one tries to remove piglets from a Saddleback.  John Radcliffe Fulbrook, Oxfordshire  

The Church of England’s reparations muddle 

SIR – It’s extraordinary that the Church Commissioners, who run the Church of England’s investments, failed to do their homework thoroughly prior to publication of their report arguing that reparations of £100 million should be made for perceived wrongdoing regarding Queen Anne’s Bounty ( “Is the Church paying reparations on a false premise?”, Comment, April 23 ). Surely it is not too late to reassess, as these funds are needed to keep the Church on its feet in the here and now.  There is more than enough bureaucracy in the Church without recruiting “racial justice” officers. Our excellent vicar is dashing between five churches, one of which is almost certain to close after a mere 1,000 years, as we cannot afford to maintain it and keep it safe. Where is the justice in this? Rosy Drohan Marksbury, Somerset

SIR – Charles Moore’s article on Queen Anne’s Bounty shows yet again how the ever-expanding hierarchy of the Church of England occupies its own private world, divorced from those who built it and sustain it today. On April 17 1124, our village church, St Kyneburgha of Castor, was consecrated by the Bishop of Lincoln, who must have travelled for days along the medieval roads of his vast diocese for the great occasion. Last week the church was packed with children and adults of all ages to recreate the event, exactly 900 years of worship later.  These days Peterborough Cathedral is 20 minutes away by car, but no modern bishop was available to join us. “Other commitments”, apparently. Norman Burden  Ailsworth, Cambridgeshire

SIR – There are 26 bishops in the House of Lords. I can think of no other failing organisation whose leadership is so well-represented in the legislature. Might they consider returning to their dioceses and concentrating on the day job of supporting, preserving and enhancing the parishes under their supervision? They have access, through the Church Commissioners, to £10 billion with which to do that vital work, and, at least for the time being, a large and willing voluntary workforce to assist them. Tim Reid Mayfield, East Sussex  

Letters to the Editor

We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers.   ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT    EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk    FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters on Twitter @LettersDesk  NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive Letters to the Editor here

• RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers),
• Rail Strikes,
• Angela Rayner,
• Keir Starmer,
• Rishi Sunak
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

Best Hotels Near Park Dubrava, Klimovsk

Hotels near park dubrava, property types, distance from, traveller rating.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveller ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveller Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
• Distance from Park Dubrava See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

Etihad's mammoth Airbus A380 has returned to the US after nearly retiring. Take a look at its exclusive $24,000 'The Residence' first-class suite.

• Etihad Airways has returned its beloved Airbus A380 to New York amid booming demand.
• The decision comes after the airline nearly retired the quad-engine superjumbo during the pandemic.
• Etihad's A380 boasts the world's only three-room suite, complete with a bedroom and shower.

Eithad Airways' popular Airbus A380 has returned to the US after the pandemic nearly forced it into retirement .

On Monday, the mammoth plane took off from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport at about 3:20 a.m. local time and landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport more than 14 hours later, just after 10 a.m. ET.

This is the first time Etihad's quad jet fleet has flown the route since 2020 and represents its official re-entry into the US market after four years. The superjumbo also flies between Abu Dhabi and London.

According to Etihad, the A380 will boost capacity between the two metropolitan cities as it takes over one of the two flights presently serving New York-JFK — the second operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

"Our North American portfolio has continued to exceed expectations with the second daily JFK flight introduced last year performing well," Etihad CRO Arik De told Business Insider in December when the route was first announced.

With its return, deep-pocket US travelers once again have access to the A380's crown jewel: The Residence.

Take a look at what up to $50,000 gets you on a roundtrip flight between New York and Abu Dhabi in Etihad's one-of-a-kind first-class suite.

Exclusively installed on its mammoth A380, The Residence is the world's only three-room suite on a passenger plane.

The entire suite can accommodate up to two passengers and is located on the second level of the superjumbo .

Other carriers like Singapore Airlines offer first-class cabins with a separate bed , but Etihad takes luxury to a new level.

According to De, the Residence is only available by upgrading a first class ticket. Fares were priced at over $20,000 one-way pre-pandemic.

When booking on Etihad's website in December for a flight between New York and Abu Dhabi in mid-May, its first-class apartments were priced between roughly $9,000 and $10,000 each way, with another $3,000 per leg on top for the Residence, totaling about $24,000 .

Looking again on Monday, it appears the Residence is already booked up on most days for May, as it cannot be added to first-class bookings .

Demand for The Residence is booming — helping make Etihad's A380 an 'overall commercially profitable venture in New York.'

"We had our first bookings within minutes of the announcement that the A380 was coming to New York," De told BI. "It's a famous experience, and there are plenty of people out there who want to sample it, either as a dream one-off or as part of their overall travel mix."

The first space in The Residence is the livingroom with a giant flatscreen television and a multi-person couch.

The living room has a sliding door to ensure full privacy from the rest of the aircraft.

The space is designed to accommodate up to two people.

Here, travelers can eat, work, or watch movies.

A dedicated cabin crew team serves The Residence passengers. They will set up the dining table and serve meals, as well as prep the space for sleeping.

Passengers will be served luxury meals, including things like caviar, steak, champagne, and wine.

However, the butler service formerly offered in The Residence will not return, aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth said on X in mid-November after an interview with Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves.

Etihad confirmed to BI that a butler would not be onboard.

Down the hall from the living room is The Residence's private bathroom, complete with a shower.

"[The Residence] is a great experience for everyone, whether they are flying for business or pleasure or both," De told BI. "Flights between Abu Dhabi and New York are over 13 hours long, and people flying for business want to arrive refreshed and relaxed."

Monday's flight took a northern route across Russia, putting the trek at more than 14 hours, according to FlightAware.

Showers are rare onboard airliners because the water adds extra weight, with Emirates as the only other carrier offering one.

Like Etihad, Emirates has a first class suite complete with a shower spa. The rival UAE carrier is so loyal to its A380 that it recently announced a $1.5 billion investment to keep them flying.

The last room of The Residence is the bedroom.

The double bed is another rarity onboard commercial jetliners.

Qatar Airways famously flies a double bed in its QSuite business class, voted the best in the world by Skytrax last year.

Considered one of the most luxurious airline offerings in the sky, travelers were worried when Etihad's A380 nearly retired.

The A380's poor economics and fuel-hungry quad-engines make it an expensive jet to fly, and many carriers have ditched it for more efficient twinjets like the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350.

Fortunately, the surge in demand for air travel in 2022 prompted Etihad to add it back to the fleet.

"We are entering a new phase of sustainable growth to meet the demands of our customers, and the A380 is the right aircraft to meet capacity demands on very select routes," De told BI. "We brought it back on our London services earlier this year, and saw tremendous commercial success, with guests loving the experience."

Etihad's new A380 route will be the second in its network following the return to London in July 2023.

According to Cirium data, Etihad has been flying three of its A380s between Abu Dhabi and London as of October, but one was plucked to serve the New York-JFK route.

De told BI that Etihad has a total of four planes in service and, in the short term, "will deploy them where it makes the most sense."

De told BI that the decision to add the A380 to NYC came after the second frequency proved commercially successful.

"Given the commercial performance, and the popularity of the aircraft with our guests, we feel now is the right time to bring the A380 on to our service to New York," he said.

Although some of its A380s are flying again, six of Etihad's 10 superjumbos are still parked but remain 'in reserve.'

The six jets are sitting in airports across France and Spain, according to Planespotters .

"We are focused on sustainable expansion going forward, and having the option of drawing on our A380 fleet is an element of that," De told BI, noting Etihad plans to double its fleet size to 150 planes and carry 33 million passengers by 2030. "We will make sure we choose the right aircraft to achieve that, and the A380s will be part of that mix for a while."

• Main content

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to The House of Culture Mashinostroitel

Hotels near the house of culture mashinostroitel, property types, distance from, traveller rating.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveller ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveller Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
• Distance from The House of Culture Mashinostroitel See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

451. Zamok Domodedovo Hotel

452. Green Palace Vnukovo Hotel

453. Monaco Boutique Hotel

454. troparevo hotel and health center, 455. apartaments na povarskoi, 456. garden hotel, 457. eurociti, 458. new city inn, 459. hotel lorenzo, 460. the 7 dream, 461. the rooms boutique hotel, 462. custos hotel tverskaya, 463. koncert, 464. matreshka hotel, 466. fratelli, 467. sleepers avia hotel, 468. azimut city hotel comcity moscow, 469. novaya mozhaika, 470. moon hotel, 471. almahotel, 472. green-star, 473. master hotel dubrovka, 474. tazik club, 475. apelsin hotel on krasnoprudnaya, 476. otel' trefen arbat, 477. hotel agat, 478. kuzminki hotel, 479. mayakovskiy, 480. rozhdestvenka.

Kansas City officer accused of spending $300k in stolen donations on own expenses

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A grand jury indicted a Kansas City, Mo., police officer for stealing thousands from a charity.

The indictment charges Aaron Wayne McKie, 46, with 14 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering in an effort to steal $300,000 from the charity.

McKie has worked as a police officer for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department for 24 years. Most of that time was with the Crime Free Multi-Housing section, according to the department.

He also served as president of Mid-America Crime Free, Inc. (MACF), from 2009 to 2023. The non-profit worked to train people and landlords with rental property with anti-crime initiatives.

ALSO READ: Kansas City police search for 8 people after shooting on the Plaza

The federal indictment alleges McKie began stealing from MACF and its donors in July 2009 and lasted until October 2023. McKie is accused of using more than $320,000 of the nearly $390,000 donated to the charity for his own personal purposes.

McKie allegedly spent most of the money donated for charitable purposes in the following ways:

• $125,989 in travel, entertainment, restaurants, and bars;
• $57,278 in retail and luxury;
• $41,040 in transfers to personal accounts;
• $36,874 in cash;
• $27,279 pre-2016;
• $23,298 in household expenses;
• $8,299 in personal tax payments.

The charity used an annual golf tournament to raise funds. According to court documents, organizers said the event raised money to help MACF provide free seminars to owners of rental properties and train police officers.

ALSO READ: Kansas City PD: Tesla 3 driver hits oncoming car, killing 1 person

The indictment claims that never happened. The Kansas City Police Department paid the salaries and expenses of Crime Free Multi-Housing unit officers who may have provided training to landlords.

The police department said the investigation into McKie has been underway for months.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office claims McKie used the charity’s funds as his “own personal bank account.”

ALSO READ: KCI reports 1 million passengers through March

McKie made his initial appearance in court Friday, April 26.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

LIVE BLOG: Severe weather exits Kansas City and surrounding areas

FIRST WARN WEATHER: Kansas City transitions to flood threat overnight

Video shows tornado forming in NW Missouri

One arrested after high-risk search warrant served near rural Kansas school

Kidnapping suspect surrenders after high-speed chase ends in Kansas City

Latest news.

Train derails in Lee's Summit, minor injuries reported

FIRST WARN FORECAST: Another round of severe storms possible this afternoon, not as confident and widespread as yesterday

Visibility, road conditions remain poor as severe weather exits Kansas City

Emergency Management officials track severe storms headed into Kansas City

Chiefs draft Defensive Back from Tennessee with history of injury

Suspect in custody after 6 people were shot outside a club in the nation’s capital, police say

WASHINGTON (AP) — Six people were shot late Friday outside a nightclub in the nation’s capital, police said.

The shootings happened around 11:30 p.m. in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington.

Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Ramey Kyle said officers were called after a dispute started inside the nightclub and “spilled into the street.”

The six people who were shot had non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police arrested a suspect nearby and recovered a firearm, Kyle said. Police did not immediately provide additional details about the suspect or what prompted the dispute.

The District of Columbia is struggling with a  sharp increase in violent crime , which rose 39% in 2023. That was largely fueled by a 35% jump in homicides while carjackings nearly doubled.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Fatal crash involving four teens, one dead in Paducah

FBI: Credible threat in Roberts, Gray counties involving Hispanic male ‘intent on kidnapping’

Woman accused of stealing from several stores by ‘skip scanning’ at self-checkouts

Coming Home Amarillo highlights importance of peer support

Watch the Amarillo Venom game live here!

Latest news.

Former coach, MLB outfielder gets 9 years for child solicitation, seduction

Emma Stone wants to be called by her real name

Campus anti-war protesters dig in from New York to California as universities and police take action

Man accused of visiting Starbucks drive-thru while naked multiple times

Man arrested after allegedly driving through Starbucks naked multiple times

Russia Arrests Three Officials Over Heating Outages South of Moscow

A specialist warms a pipe inside a multi-storey block of flats, after dozens of residential buildings were left without central heating due to a housing service accident caused by a cold snap in the town of Klimovsk in the Moscow region, Russia, January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

KLIMOVSK, Russia (Reuters) -Russian investigators said on Tuesday they had arrested three people over heating outages south of Moscow that have sent regional officials scrambling to restore services and drawn scrutiny from the Kremlin.

Authorities blamed the breakdown on failures at a boiler plant owned by a private ammunition factory. The heads of the heating plant and the factory were arrested on suspicion of providing unsafe services, investigators said in a statement.

The deputy head of the local administration was also detained on suspicion of certifying the heating plant as adequate for winter despite allegedly knowing about defects that needed to be fixed.

The situation is embarrassing for authorities at a time when President Vladimir Putin is embarking on a campaign to be re-elected in March and voters are looking for assurances that the state can maintain decent living standards and public services despite the costs of the war in Ukraine.

Putin's victory is not in doubt, but supporters of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny say the campaign offers a chance for them to connect with voters and highlight problems in the country that they blame on his 24-year rule.

The Kremlin said Putin had discussed the situation late on Monday with Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov and other officials, and "titanic" efforts were being made to resolve the situation.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

Residents gathered in a local sports centre on Tuesday to escape their freezing homes. Larisa, a financial manager, said the temperature in her apartment was about 4 Celsius (39 Fahrenheit).

"There has been no heating for six days already. Tomorrow will be a week," she said, adding that the electricity supply was too erratic to turn on a TV or a fridge.

Another woman, Valentina, said the authorities had promised that everything would be fixed in the course of the day "but we don't know whether to believe it or not".

Governor Vorobyov posted a stream of updates on social media and said the boiler plant in question was being taken over by local authorities and would be modernised and restaffed.

It was not immediately clear if the Klimovsk Specialised Cartridge Plant, the factory that owned the heating plant, was being nationalised.State arms corporation Rostec said it was "vital" to proceed with the nationalisation of the factory.

"An appeal to this effect to the president is already being prepared," Rostec said in a statement. "This will allow for all tasks to be fulfilled for production and social needs, both for the plant and in overall terms, and for order to be restored."

Rostec, it said, was prepared to take over the plant as it already had a stake in it and currently brought together about 90% of arms-producing plants in the country.

Moscow and the surrounding region have suffered an unusually harsh winter. The temperature in Klimovsk was -8 Celsius on Tuesday, mild by the standard of recent weeks.

(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones, Nick Zieminski and Ron Popeski)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Join the Conversation

Tags: Russia , crime , Europe

America 2024

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

Cartoons on President Donald Trump

Feb. 1, 2017, at 1:24 p.m.

Photos: Obama Behind the Scenes

April 8, 2022

Photos: Who Supports Joe Biden?

March 11, 2020

RFK Jr.: By the Numbers

Laura Mannweiler April 26, 2024

Biden’s Student Loan Chief to Step Down

Lauren Camera April 26, 2024

What to Know: Bird Flu Virus in Milk

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder April 26, 2024

Inflation a Stubborn Foe for the Fed

Tim Smart April 26, 2024

The Curse of the Modern Vice President

‘A Rule for the Ages’

Lauren Camera April 25, 2024