Latest news with #CodeofEthics
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NAR Pending Home Sales Report Reveals 1.8% Increase in May
Pending Home Sales: May 2025 WASHINGTON, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Month-Over-Month 1.8% increase in pending home sales All four U.S. regions experienced increases Year-Over-Year 1.1% increase in pending home sales Pending home sales increased in the Midwest and South but decreased in the Northeast and West Pending home sales increased by 1.8% in May from the prior month and 1.1% year-over-year, according to the National Association of Realtors® Pending Home Sales report. All four U.S. regions experienced month-over-month increases – most notably the West. Year-over-year, contract signings rose in the Midwest and South, while they fell in the Northeast and West. This report equips real estate professionals who are Realtors® with valuable information that helps them serve their clients and get to their next transaction. 'Consistent job gains and rising wages are modestly helping the housing market,' said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. 'Hourly wages are increasing faster than home prices. However, mortgage rate fluctuations are the primary driver of homebuying decisions and impact housing affordability more than wage gains.' Regarding regional differences, Yun added, 'The Northeast's housing shortage is boosting home prices, with more than a quarter of homes selling above list price. Conversely, more inventory in the South gives home buyers greater negotiation power. Price declines in the South should be considered temporary given the region's strong job creation.' May 2025 National Snapshot May 2025 Pending Home Sales 1.8% month-over-month increase. 1.1% year-over-year increase. May 2025 Regional Snapshot Northeast 2.1% month-over-month increase. 0.5% year-over-year decrease. Midwest 0.3% month-over-month increase. 2.6% year-over-year increase. South 1.0% month-over-month increase. 2.0% year-over-year increase. West 6.0% month-over-month increase. 1.2% year-over-year decrease. The percent of change in pending home sales is based on the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on home-contract signings. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. About the National Association of Realtors®The National Association of Realtors® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit # # # *The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing. Pending contracts are good early indicators of upcoming sales closings. However, the amount of time between pending contracts and completed sales is not identical for all home sales. Variations in the length of the process from pending contract to closed sale can be caused by issues such as buyer difficulties with obtaining mortgage financing, home inspection problems, or appraisal issues. The index is based on a sample that covers about 40% of multiple listing service data each month. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined. By coincidence, the volume of existing-home sales in 2001 fell within the range of 5.0 to 5.5 million, which is considered normal for the current U.S. population. NOTE: Existing-Home Sales for June will be reported on July 23. The next Pending Home Sales Index will be released on July 30. All release times are 10 a.m. Eastern. View the NAR Statistical News Release Schedule. Information about NAR is available at This and other news releases are posted in the newsroom at Statistical data in this release, as well as other tables and surveys, are posted in the 'Research and Statistics' tab. Attachment Pending Home Sales: May 2025 CONTACT: Lauren Cozzi National Association of REALTORS® 202/383-1178 LCozzi@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia tightens rules on private museums over controversial content
PETALING JAYA: The Museums Malaysia Department has received a wave of applications to establish private museums – some of which raise red flags over content that conflicts with societal norms and national values. Several applicants, the department noted, have controversial backgrounds and are embroiled in ongoing court cases. 'The department supports and welcomes initiatives that contribute to public education on Malaysia's history, culture and heritage,' it said in a statement to theSun. 'However, the intent and content of any museum proposal must align with national aspirations.' The department disclosed that in some cases, proposed exhibitions featured artefacts or ideologies considered at odds with local sensitivities. Examples include the Propaganda Comic Exhibition in one of the northern states, which featured communist and socialist themes, and the Exhibition of Prophet Muhammad's and Companions' Artefacts held in one of the east coast states from October to November 2020. 'Most of the items claimed to have belonged to Prophet Muhammad and his companions could not be authenticated. 'Museums should not display such items as they risk misleading the public and eroding trust in the institution.' Such concerns have prompted the drafting of the Malaysian Museum Bill. 'The proposed Museum Act is designed to ensure all museums in the country adhere to the International Council of Museums (Icom) Code of Ethics and the Unesco 2015 Recommendation on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections. 'It aims to uphold professional and ethical standards while preventing exhibitions that may compromise social harmony, conflict with national values or disseminate false information.' The department said applications have also been rejected on grounds of religious or racial sensitivities, failure to meet museum standards or lack of professional oversight. 'Content likely to offend religious or ethnic communities will not be approved. 'Other disqualifying factors include unverifiable collections, absence of qualified curators or vague educational objectives.' On the Bugis Museum in Pontian, Johor, which falls under the Pontian Municipal Council, the department said it failed to meet the criteria for official museum recognition. Located at the Sungai Rambah Recreational Park, the institution houses 2,616 artefacts, including over 300 authentic, centuries-old items related to the Bugis community. However, following royal advice, it was reclassified as a gallery. The department added that galleries must also meet regulatory standards. 'They are required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law, and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. 'All artefacts must be legally sourced and must not contravene civil or criminal law. Exhibits must not incite hatred, promote obscenity or encourage cult practices. They are subject to enforcement if found to undermine public order or contradict national values.' The department said galleries must also be required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. – Syed Azahar Syed Osman/theSun
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Deterring ‘inappropriate' artefact display applications
PETALING JAYA: The Museums Malaysia Department has received a wave of applications to establish private museums – some of which raise red flags over content that conflicts with societal norms and national values. Several applicants, the department noted, have controversial backgrounds and are embroiled in ongoing court cases. 'The department supports and welcomes initiatives that contribute to public education on Malaysia's history, culture and heritage,' it said in a statement to theSun. 'However, the intent and content of any museum proposal must align with national aspirations.' The department disclosed that in some cases, proposed exhibitions featured artefacts or ideologies considered at odds with local sensitivities. Examples include the Propaganda Comic Exhibition in one of the northern states, which featured communist and socialist themes, and the Exhibition of Prophet Muhammad's and Companions' Artefacts held in one of the east coast states from October to November 2020. 'Most of the items claimed to have belonged to Prophet Muhammad and his companions could not be authenticated. 'Museums should not display such items as they risk misleading the public and eroding trust in the institution.' Such concerns have prompted the drafting of the Malaysian Museum Bill. 'The proposed Museum Act is designed to ensure all museums in the country adhere to the International Council of Museums (Icom) Code of Ethics and the Unesco 2015 Recommendation on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections. 'It aims to uphold professional and ethical standards while preventing exhibitions that may compromise social harmony, conflict with national values or disseminate false information.' The department said applications have also been rejected on grounds of religious or racial sensitivities, failure to meet museum standards or lack of professional oversight. 'Content likely to offend religious or ethnic communities will not be approved. 'Other disqualifying factors include unverifiable collections, absence of qualified curators or vague educational objectives.' On the Bugis Museum in Pontian, Johor, which falls under the Pontian Municipal Council, the department said it failed to meet the criteria for official museum recognition. Located at the Sungai Rambah Recreational Park, the institution houses 2,616 artefacts, including over 300 authentic, centuries-old items related to the Bugis community. However, following royal advice, it was reclassified as a gallery. The department added that galleries must also meet regulatory standards. 'They are required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law, and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. 'All artefacts must be legally sourced and must not contravene civil or criminal law. Exhibits must not incite hatred, promote obscenity or encourage cult practices. They are subject to enforcement if found to undermine public order or contradict national values.' The department said galleries must also be required to obtain business licences from local authorities, secure premise approval and comply with laws such as the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), Syariah law and the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Act where applicable. – Syed Azahar Syed Osman/theSun
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ethics panel: Lawson can serve as Senate president while leading teachers union
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The R.I. Ethics Commission decided Tuesday it is not a conflict for Rhode Island's newly elected Senate president to hold that role while she is simultaneously serving as president of one of the state's biggest teachers unions. Senate President Valarie Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, also serves as the president of the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI), which represents about 12,000 members in 75 collective bargaining units across the state. The 58-year-old was elected to her new position in the Senate in April after her predecessor, Dominick Ruggerio, died at the age of 76. Lawson sought an advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission asking whether she was allowed to hold her current elected position and her union job. In a 7-1 vote on Tuesday, the panel determined she could. Commission member Hugo Ricci Jr. was the only no vote. 'What is before us is the undeniable power that the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House has,' Ricci said. 'This is unique.' Ricci wanted to continue the matter to investigate what other states have done in similar situations, but the motion failed. Commission Chairman Lauren Jones said the panel can only apply Rhode Island statutes and regulations. 'What other states do in this context is really irrelevant to our situation,' Jones said. 'You've got to call balls and strikes as you see them, according to what vests you with the authority to call the balls and strikes,' member Frank Cenerini added. 'I think, with all due respect, we're drifting away from the central issues in this matter.' In a statement, Lawson said she was pleased that the commission 'affirmed the standard' she had been using when she served in less senior Senate positions. 'It helps to distinguish between a vague notion of a perceived, general conflict and an actual, specific conflict requiring recusal under the Code of Ethics,' Lawson said. 'Further, it ensures that one does not have to be retired or independently wealthy to serve in this role. 'This decision supports the operation of our legislative body as the framers intended: a part-time, citizen legislature comprised of a diverse membership from all walks of life, who can draw from their varied experiences to best serve the public,' she added. Common Cause Rhode Island Executive Director John Marion told 12 News he was glad to see that Lawson sought the advisory opinion, which he called an 'unusual' request because it's more typical that legislators would ask whether they can participate in specific legislation. 'The Ethics Commission's opinion that Lawson is not prohibited from holding both roles is not surprising and is consistent with past precedents,' Marion said. 'Common Cause Rhode Island believes the commission's advisory opinion is somewhat naive because it didn't explore the full range of powers exercised by the senate president. It did not examine the full scope of agenda-setting and appointment powers.' Marion said Common Cause expects that it is 'likely' that Lawson will likely need to come before the commission again on specific legislation in the future. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Ted Nesi contributed to this report. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ethics panel says R.I. Senate President Valarie Lawson can lead chamber despite union day job
Rhode Island Senate President Valarie Lawson sought an opinion from the State's Ethics Commission. She got it on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, when the panel voted 7-1 that the ethics code does not prevent her from leading the chamber while also heading one of the state's teachers unions. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island's ethics code does not explicitly prevent Senate President Valarie Lawson from leading the chamber while also heading one of the state teachers unions. That's why the Rhode Island Ethics Commission saw no conflict for Lawson to continue both jobs, affirming the recommendation of its staff in a 7-1 vote Tuesday. The six-page advisory opinion comes in response to a May 23 request by Lawson. Since she was elected Senate president on April 29, Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, has been dogged by doubts over potential conflicts between the legislative power position and her day job as president of the National Education Association of Rhode Island. Senate President Valarie Lawson seeks opinion on ethical conflicts with teachers union job Lawson attended the meeting with her attorney, Nicole Benjamin of Adler Pollock & Sheehan, but did not speak. In a subsequent emailed statement Tuesday, Lawson described the ethics panel's decision as confirmation of what she has previously insisted — that she can hold both positions. 'It helps to distinguish between a vague notion of a perceived, general conflict and an actual, specific conflict requiring recusal under the Code of Ethics,' Lawson said of the opinion. 'Further, it ensures that one does not have to be retired or independently wealthy to serve in this role. This decision supports the operation of our legislative body as the framers intended: a part-time, citizen legislature comprised of a diverse membership from all walks of life, who can draw from their varied experiences to best serve the public.' All members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, including those in leadership positions, earn $19,817 a year. Lawson also earned a $167,869 salary as teachers union vice president in 2022, the most recent data available based on Internal Revenue Service filings from the National Education Association of Rhode Island. She was elected union president in 2023, after more than 30 years teaching in East Providence Public Schools. But it's probably too soon for Lawson to take a victory lap. The ethics opinion offers several caveats, noting that its recommendation cannot be tailored to any specific legislation, since Lawson's request did not reference any bills being considered or discussed. If and when the Senate considers any policy or funding changes that could financially benefit Lawson, her family, or her fellow teachers union members and administrators, she must recuse herself, the opinion states. Recusal is also required on any discussions or votes in which NEARI is involved in lobbying or through verbal or written testimony. Lawson had previously pledged in her May 23 letter to step aside when potential conflicts arise, a promise she followed through on when the Senate took up two labor-backed bills on June 4. The legislation from which Lawson abstained had proposed extending organizing rights to college graduate students and bolstering information-sharing between collective bargaining units and their members' employers. John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, expects the conflicts to continue to crop up given the wide scope of education and labor bills still pending before the chamber this year — and in future sessions. 'Our comments have never been that it's illegal to hold both positions,' Marion said in an interview after the meeting. 'It's just that it's perilous to hold both positions because it's difficult to manage the conflicts.' Lawson is no stranger to the overlap between legislative office and teachers union priorities. Indeed, her ascension through the ranks of the Senate, starting as majority whip in 2023, and in 2024, as majority leader, came months into her role as president of the 12,000-member state teachers union. Last year, she sought ethics advice on potential conflicts between her teachers union job and proposed pension changes under consideration by lawmakers; the commission gave her the go-ahead to vote on the bills in question, invoking the class exception of the state ethics code, which lets elected officials participate in discussions or decisions that benefit themselves within the context of a larger group of people. But the Senate president has outsized influence, setting the daily calendars for the upper chamber, participating as an ex-officio member on every Senate committee, and most importantly, leading behind-the-scenes negotiations to determine which pieces of legislation advance to a vote. Ethics Commissioner Hugo Ricci Jr., who cast the only vote against the opinion Tuesday, cited concerns with Lawson's new 'undeniable power,' as Senate president. Lawson's predecessor, the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, left his own union job when he was elected to the president position, Ricci noted. 'What I am trying to say is, could mere recusal be sufficient?' Ricci asked. 'She is in a class of one. She is not a general member of the Senate anymore. She is president of the Senate. With that comes mass powers.' Ricci's line of questioning set off a brief but testy exchange with fellow commissioners, who insisted that they were limited to Lawson's specific request, as well as state ethics regulations. 'We must accept the good faith of a recusal until a complaint is filed,' Commission Chairman Lauren Jones said. 'If the president is saying, for the record, as she has in her application, that she will appropriately recuse herself when matters come before her, we have to take that.' Commissioner Frank Cenerini agreed, invoking a baseball analogy. 'We have all been appointed by the governor, yet we have no problems reviewing complaints against the person who appointed us,' Cenerini said of the nine-member panel. 'It comes down to an issue of character. You've got to call the balls and strikes as you see them. Ricci proposed delaying a decision to give ethics staff more time to review the potential conflict, including considering what other states have done in similar situations. But his motion failed with no secondary support. Marion, however, acknowledged Ricci's concerns in a later interview. The staff report recommending Lawson could preside over the Senate while keeping her union job was 'somewhat naive' in its consideration of the unique powers bestowed upon the top chamber leader, he said. 'It talked about how she sets the consent calendar, but not the floor calendar,' Marion said. 'It mentioned she is not on any one committee but failed to say she can participate on any committee.' Marion continued, 'I think she'll be back before the commission on specific bills and on actions that she takes that they didn't cover.' Ethics Commissioner Matthew Strauss was absent from the meeting Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
