Crude purchases restarted in July after falling to zero in the previous month

Japan resumed its purchases of Russian oil in July, according to information released on Wednesday by the country’s Finance Ministry.

In the previous month, imports fell to zero as local refiners started to phase out Russian crude amid Ukraine-related sanctions.

While the ministry did not disclose the exact volume, it said July oil imports from Russia were 65.4% lower than the same time last year. The volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia also decreased by 26.1% compared to July 2021, while coal imports dropped by 40.1%.

Despite the decline in physical volumes, the value of Russian fuel exports to Japan increased by 45.1% compared to last year due to rising global commodity prices.

In May, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda vowed that Tokyo would gradually reduce its dependence on Russian energy resources, but said it could not give up Russian oil immediately. Japan also supports the G7 plan to impose a price cap on Russian oil, which is currently under discussion.

Meanwhile, Japan has also significantly increased its crude imports from the Middle East. They rose 10%, while total oil imports from all countries to Japan rose by 3.8%. The Middle East region accounts for over 90% of Japan’s total oil consumption, but due to its proximity Russia is a valuable supplier of energy for the country.

Bailed-out Uniper blames shrinking gas flows from Russia for its disastrous financial performance

German electric utility Uniper suffered a €12.3 billion ($12.5 billion) net loss in the first half of 2022 due to a sharp decline in natural gas supplies from Russia, according to the company’s earnings statement released on Tuesday.

“Uniper has for months been playing a crucial role in stabilizing Germany’s gas supply – at the cost of billions in losses resulting from the sharp drop in gas deliveries from Russia,” Chief Executive Officer Klaus-Dieter Maubach said in the statement, as cited by Bloomberg.

Natural gas flows from Russia, Germany’s largest gas supplier, have been declining over the past several months due to technical issues resulting from Ukraine-related sanctions imposed on Moscow. As a result, Uniper has been forced to buy gas on the spot market at much higher prices, to make up for the shortfall. The company’s financial situation has become so dire that Berlin was forced to step in last month and partly nationalize the company, acquiring a 30% stake.

According to the company’s statement, it is currently unable to issue an adequate forecast for this year’s earnings “because of the volatile environment,” but noted that a “substantial negative result” is likely.

In an effort to tackle the impending energy crisis in the country, Berlin recently urged residents to lower consumption, and launched the process of reviving coal power plants, while placing an additional levy on gas use.

A motorcycle accident is devastating to every party involved, though it’s particularly damaging for the motorcycle driver if the accident wasn’t their fault.

After all, compared to the other driver, you’re more likely to sustain debilitating injuries.

Thankfully, you may recover damages from a motorcycle accident by agreeing to a settlement. This will enable you to seek compensation for economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and motorcycle repairs, as well as non-economic losses like pain and suffering. If you wish to take this route, this article will guide you through the process.

A Brief Overview Of A Motorcycle Accident Settlement 

A settlement is when the at-fault party’s insurance provider offers a motorcycle accident victim compensation for damages. If the at-fault party isn’t insured, then the claim directly goes to the individual responsible for the accident. Through this procedure, victims of motorcycle accidents can receive an average of USD$50,000 as settlement money, though it ultimately depends on the facts and circumstances of the case. In some cases, the amount may reach double this amount.

In exchange for the money, you give up your right to pursue the matter any further. That means upon receiving the settlement money, you can no longer legally sue the at-fault party.

Your other option to recover damages from a motorcycle accident is to file a lawsuit. It can yield more money, but it’s a lot more stressful as you have to appear in court several times. Since you most likely have sustained injuries, it’s not the best course of action in this type of scenario.

Can You Recover All Damages Through A Settlement?

Yes, you can, but it’ll require negotiations as the at-fault party’s insurance provider will likely do their best to minimize the amount they have to pay. They may do so by downplaying your injuries, pointing out the lack of evidence, and other attempts. That’s why it’s often advisable to seek assistance from personal injury lawyers. This post covers that topic in more detail.

Nevertheless, the fact that you won’t always recover all the damages remains. On the bright side, you can maximize the settlement amount you may receive through these precautions:

• Take photos of your injuries before seeking medical treatment if possible. It captures the severity of your injury more clearly and can give you an edge in negotiations.
• Once you receive medical treatment, request a copy of the medical records from your healthcare provider. It should be an objective way of proving the severity of your injuries.
• Seek all kinds of medical treatment, including the ones that examine your emotional state. Emotional damage can also translate to a higher settlement amount.
• Contact witnesses who were at the scene of the accident. This is only possible if you got the contact information right after the incident, so it’s not always applicable.
• Look for the police officers who wrote a police report of the accident. Try to ask for a copy of the report to include as your evidence. Your aim here is to simply collect the facts surrounding the case, which are often included in the report.
• While you’re at the station, you can also ask for possible security footage from cameras around the area. It doesn’t have to be showing footage of the scene directly. As long as it’s footage of the vicinity at the time of the accident, it may prove to be useful.
• Avoid posting any photos on social media. It may give the at-fault party a reason to downplay your injuries if you appear well enough to continue with your daily life.

Since these take a lot of time and effort, many victims of motorcycle accidents hire a lawyer to engage in these activities on their behalf. Not only is it convenient, but it also gives you time to heal, which is especially important if you have critical injuries.

If you don’t want an out-of-court settlement, thankfully, there’s a grace period on how long you have to file a lawsuit.

How Long Do You Have To Seek Compensation?

In the United Kingdom, there is what experts call a limitation period. It corresponds to the maximum amount of time after an incident within which you can take legal action.

The limitation period may vary depending on the incident. In the case of motorcycle accidents, you have three years to file a lawsuit. Consequently, you can seek compensation from the at-fault party during this time. Also, keep in mind that the limitation period may vary from one place to another.

Final Words

Motorcycle accidents don’t always end on a good note. Receiving no compensation is as likely to happen as receiving an exceedingly high settlement amount. Various factors can affect the amount that you may receive as compensation for damages. However, you can follow the tips given above to maximize the settlement amount.

Maintaining an accurate medical inventory list is critical, whether you’re expanding your current medical practice or just reorganizing it.

After all, even if you have a tiny practice, you’ll need to keep track of a lot of things: supplies, materials, and high-value assets like equipment and machinery. We’ll show you how to manage medical inventory using a few different methods.

One way to manage medical inventory is by using a physical inventory system. This involves keeping track of your inventory on paper or in a spreadsheet. You’ll need to physically count everything in your inventory and update your records accordingly. This method is best for small businesses with simple inventory systems.

Another way to manage medical inventory is by using an electronic inventory system. This can be as simple as using barcodes and scanners to track your inventory, or as complex as implementing a full-fledged enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Electronic inventory systems are more accurate and efficient than physical systems, but they can be more expensive to set up and maintain.

Inventory List

First, let’s talk about how to create an inventory list. This is actually pretty simple: just make a list of all the items you need to keep track of, along with their quantities. You can use a spreadsheet for this, or even just a piece of paper. Once you have your list, make sure to update it regularly so that it stays accurate.

Now, let’s talk about how to physically manage your medical inventory. One option is to keep everything in a central location, such as a storage room or closet. This can be convenient, but it can also be chaotic if not managed properly. A better option is to assign each item on your inventory list to a specific location. That way, you’ll always know where to find things when you need them.

The professionals at Avacare Medical tell us that another good way is to use barcodes to manage your inventory. This is a great way to keep track of items, especially if you have a lot of them. Barcodes can be scanned to quickly add or remove items from your inventory list.

Software As a Management Tool

There are also some great software options out there for managing medical inventory. One option is eClinicalWorks’ Inventory Management System, which is designed specifically for medical practices. This software allows you to track inventory levels, set up alerts for low quantities, and generate reports.

Another option is Infor’s CloudSuite Healthcare (formerly known as Lawson Health). This software includes an inventory management module that helps you track medical supplies, equipment, and other assets. CloudSuite Healthcare also includes modules for financials, human resources, and patient care, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution.

How To Decide What Inventory To Buy

Now that we’ve covered how to manage your medical inventory, let’s talk about how to decide what inventory to buy. This can be tricky, especially if you’re just starting out. A good place to start is by talking to your vendors and suppliers. They can give you some great insight into what items are selling well and what items are in high demand.

You should also keep an eye on industry trends. For example, if you notice that more and more practices are using electronic medical records (EMRs), then you might want to invest in some EMR-compatible equipment. Or, if you see that new treatments are becoming popular, you might want to stock up on the supplies needed to provide those treatments.

Of course, you’ll also need to consider your budget when deciding what inventory to buy. Try to strike a balance between what you need and what you can afford. It’s also a good idea to have some extra cash on hand in case you need to make a last-minute purchase.

Conclusion

Managing medical inventory can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable. By following the tips in this article, you’ll be well on your way to keeping track of all your supplies, materials, and assets. And, as always, talk to your vendors and suppliers for insights into what’s selling well and what’s in high demand. Good luck!