The FBI has admitted it has a budget of less than $500,000 to defend the nation against waves of suspicious drones plaguing New York City, New Jersey, military bases and the Mexican border. A US Homeland Affairs committee was “mind-boggled” when it was revealed that security forces were shockingly under-resourced to defend against drone attacks, including an incident where up to 30 drones stalked a Coast Guard boat this week. Committee members slammed the FBI for spending only a fraction of its $12 billion budget on “counter-drone” efforts, despite dozens of reports of large unidentified drones looming over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks. “Why isn’t the FBI taking this more seriously? That is obviously reflected in the budget.” Congressman Eli Crane questioned. Mystery drones have been flying over the New York City skyline. Picture: X They’ve also been spotted over the New Jersey skyline. Picture: X FBI Critical Incident Response leader, Robert Wheeler Jr, admitted the FBI still didn’t know the origin of the drones , noting some were “larger than a commercially available drone”. New Jersey Rep. Brain Bergen stormed out midway through the hearing and told reporters it was the “biggest amateur hour I have ever seen about anything.” “The biggest waste of five hours in my life ... this is a complete lack of effort, in my opinion, of trying to figure this out,” he told the press. Congressman Tony Gonzales said the lack of answers made him feel like he was “in the Twilight Zone”. “You’re telling me we don’t know what the hell these drones are in New Jersey. That’s crazy! It is madness that we don’t know,” he said. With authorities offering no explanations, some have come to their own conclusions about the origin of the mysterious drones. A New Jersey congressman claimed that an Iranian mothership off the east coast of the US was launching the drones. The Homeland Security House Committee heard that drones, otherwise known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), were wreaking havoc all across the nation. Congressman August Pfleuger told the room that the FBI had just recently arrested a white supremacist in Tennessee who “planned to use a drone with an explosive payload to attack a power grid”. Customs and Border Patrol top official Keith Jones said his organisation had detected nearly 1000 suspicious UASs at the Mexican border every week, but had only intercepted 60 so far in FY24. The moment a US fighter jet shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon in 2023. Picture: Angela Mosley Some of those UASs were being used by Narcos gangs to smuggle weapons and drugs into the country. Others were spying on the border from Mexican airspace without ever crossing into US territory, which meant Border forces had no power to intervene. Mr Jones said some of the UASs plaguing the border were “potentially collecting information for the government of China”, as most of the drones used by Cartels were made by China. He also revealed that Customs and Border Protection had a “zero” budget dedicated to dealing with the UAS problem. New York Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was “astounded” that there wasn’t more action being taken, noting an incident in 2023 when a Chinese Spy Balloon flew over multiple military installations. “It is very concerning that we could be having this happen again. I, it’s astounding to me that this is even happening without any type of intervention,” Ms Malliotakis said. More Coverage Bombshell claim about mystery drone wave Frank Chung Biden commutes 1500 sentences, pardons 39 AFP Originally published as Congress members blast FBI ‘amateur hour’ response to growing drones threat Gadgets Don't miss out on the headlines from Gadgets. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Designers Surprising Aussie fashion trend revealed Buy-now pay-later giant Afterpay has revealed some surprising Aussie fashion trends in its latest Afterpaid report, with one colour dominating 2024. Read more Technology ‘Deeply personal’: Why Apple says its AI will bring joy to Aussies Can artificial intelligence really bring us joy? Create emotion? Enhance creativity and be personal, useful, intelligent and contextual? Apple thinks so, but there’s a trade-off. Read more
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform, announced today that the company received a formal written notice from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that LiveOne has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and that this matter is now closed. LiveOne's shares of common stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol "LVO". This confirmation follows the Company’s continued efforts to improve its balance sheet by enhancing shareholder value. About LiveOne Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO ) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform focused on delivering premium experiences and content worldwide through memberships and live and virtual events. LiveOne's subsidiaries include Slacker Radio, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC ), PPVOne, CPS, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing, Drumify and Splitmind. LiveOne is available in Tesla vehicles and on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and through STIRR’s OTT applications. For more information, visit liveone.com and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Twitter at @liveone . For more investor information, please visit ir.liveone.com . Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “might,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “target” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: LiveOne’s reliance on its largest OEM customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; LiveOne’s ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, special dividend, merger, distribution or transaction, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; LiveOne’s ability to continue as a going concern; LiveOne’s ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its users and paid members; LiveOne identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; LiveOne’s intent to repurchase shares of its and/or PodcastOne’s common stock from time to time under LiveOne’s announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; LiveOne’s ability to maintain compliance with certain financial and other covenants; LiveOne successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management’s relationships with industry stakeholders; LiveOne’s ability to extend and/or refinance its indebtedness and/or repay its indebtedness when due; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings and/or LiveOne’s ability to pay any amounts due in connection with any such legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of LiveOne’s subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in LiveOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 1, 2024, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the November 14, 2024, and in LiveOne’s other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and LiveOne disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. LiveOne intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. LiveOne IR Contact: Liviakis Financial Communications, Inc. (415) 389-4670 john@liviakis.com LiveOne Press Contact: LiveOne press@liveone.com Follow LiveOne on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter at @liveone .
VALUE LINE, INC. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
To mark her 100 days in office, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack focused on driving the transformation of Nigeria's civil service, introducing modern technology and strategic policies The newly launched Service-Wise GPT and GOVMail platforms are key components in Mrs. Walson-Jack’s efforts to integrate technology into the civil service for enhanced decision-making and communication To further achieve her aim in the HoS, Walson-Jack, at a dinner for newly promoted directors, emphasized that their promotion marked the beginning of a challenging and fulfilling journey to shape the future of the civil service PAY ATTENTION: Got a Minute? Complete Our Quick Survey About Legit.ng Today! Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements. FCT, Abuja - Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), has clocked 100 days in office following her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024. Speaking on Friday, November 22, in Abuja at a Recognition Dinner in honour of newly promoted directors, the HCSF reiterated its critical role in driving the needed Civil Service reforms, especially as it concerns the actualization of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Read also CSO raises alarm over increasing GBV cases in Nigeria, sends urgent message to Tinubu's govt Walson-Jack charged the 332 directors that their promotion heralds “the beginning of a more challenging and fulfilling part where your influence and impact will shape the future of our civil service.” PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Monday, November 25, she urged them to rededicate themselves to the principles of good governance, transparency, efficiency and accountability. “As newly promoted directors, you have reached the pinnacle that reflects not just your achievements, but trust and expectation placed upon you by the Federal Civil Service and the nation.” Mrs. Walson-Jack further charged the new directors to let their leadership inspire confidence among their subordinates and stakeholders, imbibing the highest standards of Public Service. “I urge you therefore to embrace this opportunity for growth and development. I will like to inspire you to reach new heights in your career.” The HCSF urged the directors to foster an environment of collaboration, inclusivity and continuous learning, assuring them of her firm support. Read also Nigeria, Brazil sign MoU to boost agribusiness across all 774 local governments Walson-Jack lists her achievements as Head of Service Interestingly, on Thursday, November 21, Walson-Jack unveiled three groundbreaking initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s civil service as part of the activities of her first 100 days in office under the theme “Marching to Greatness: Celebrating 100 Days”. The initiatives which include Service-Wise GPT, an AI-driven assistant designed to enhance decision-making and efficiency among civil servants, GOVMail, a secure email platform for official communication, and the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy, which offers online courses for skill development. Walson-Jack emphasized that these tools are essential for modernizing the civil service, ensuring that it meets the needs of citizens effectively, and guarantee that the much needed reforms in the civil service are technologically driven. Mrs. Walson-Jack also launched new policies and guidelines aimed at repositioning the civil service. Walson-Jack launches innovative tools for Civil Service Transformation She listed the four transformative policies and guidelines to include: Rewards and Recognition Policy and Guidelines; Incentives and Consequence Management Policy and Guidelines; Mentoring Framework, and the Protocol on the Use of Federal Government Secretariat. Read also Tinubu’s govt, Brazil sign MoU to boost agribusiness in Nigeria Walson-Jack explained that these policies are integral to the Public Service Rules 2021 and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP-25), with each strategically aligned with the reform pillars outlined in these frameworks to ensure coherence, sustainability, and measurable impact. Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Didi Esther Walson-Jack in July 2024. She took over from the incumbent head of the civil service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who retired on August 13, 2024. "19 of 38 directors fail permanent secretary qualifying exam" - HoS Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government's selection process for new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service has seen 19 of 38 candidates fail . A memo signed by Dr Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, and published by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on Tuesday, November 12, said the exams were written on Monday, November 11, 2024. Read also Togo, Benin certificates: Tinubu's govt reacts as Shehu Sani speaks on alleged massive civil servants sack 19 others, according to a statement from the Office of the HCSF, scaled through this first stage of the assessment, which is a written examination, and will be participating in the second stage. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ngNone
Bayan al-Hinnawi, who spent years behind bars in Bashar al-Assad's Syria, joined crowds in the heartland of the Druze minority on Friday to celebrate the president's fall, "a dream" come true for the former prisoner. Hundreds of people descended on Sweida's main square, singing and clapping in jubilation, just days after Islamist-led rebels took the capital Damascus, sending Assad fleeing. The Druze-majority city in Syria's south has been a focal point of renewed anti-government demonstrations over the past year and a half. On Friday, residents waved Syria's pre-Assad flag of white, green and black with three stars, and raised olive branches in a sign of peace. Some of them have lost family members during the anti-government uprising that began in 2011 and spiralled into civil war. Others, like Hinnawi, had languished in prison under the Assad family's five-decade rule. "It was a dream," said 77-year-old Hinnawi of Assad's ouster. Decades ago, a few years after Hafez al-Assad seized power -- which he later handed over to his son Bashar -- a 23-year-old Hinnawi was jailed. He was released 17 years later. The grey-haired man said he had "dreamed that one day the regime would fall", but did not believe that he would live to see the day. "It's a wonderful sight. Nobody could have imagined that this could happen", he said. But his joy was incomplete, remembering the many who have died in jail. "I wish that those who died when I was imprisoned in Mazzeh or Saydnaya could see this scene," said Hinnawi. Since Assad's fall, rebel forces and residents have broken into both detention centres, freeing political prisoners and searching for long-missing loved ones. Activists and rights groups say the Assad government tortured and abused inmates at both facilities. "I got out when I was 40, I missed out of my whole life," said Hinnawi, who served in the Syrian army before being jailed. Recalling torture behind bars, he said that "no oppressor in history has done what they did to us." Since Sunday, the ousted government's security forces were nowhere to be seen in Sweida, and the office of Assad's Baath party has been abandoned, as have army checkpoints on the road to Damascus. Local armed men are present, but not the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham which spearheaded the rebel offensive against Assad. Siham Zein al-Din, who lost her son in 2014 after he defected from the national army to join rebel fighters, said he had "sacrificed his life... for freedom, for dignity". The family was still searching for Khaldun's remains, said his 60-year-old mother. Like her son, some members of the Druze community took up arms against Assad's forces during the war. Beyond defending themselves from attacks in the areas where they live, Syria's Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of the civil war. Many managed to avoid compulsory conscription since 2011. Residents of Sweida have long complained of discrimination and the lack of basic services. Many buildings in the city are constructed from black volcanic stone that can be found in the area, and its roads have fallen into disrepair. Sheikh Marwan Hussein Rizk, a religious leader, said that "Sweida province has been marginalised" for decades, with most of its residents living in poverty. But, surrounded by the joyful protesters, Rizk said better days may be coming. "Today, we look to the future and ask for a helping hand... Our hand is extended to all Syrians." Next to him, resident Hussein Bondok held up a poster of his brother Nasser, a journalist and opposition activist who was last heard from in 2014 when he was arrested. Bondok, 54, said he believes his brother was likely killed under torture in one of Damascus's prisons. Nasser struggled for freedom, Bondok said. "I want to congratulate him now, because the seeds he had planted with his brothers-in-arms has become a tree."DALTON, Ga. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AstroTurf®, the leading provider of premium synthetic turf solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Carroll as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Tri State area of Eastern Pa/ NJ and Delaware . Tom brings a wealth of experience and a passion for enhancing athletic performance to his new role at AstroTurf®. Tom Carroll joins AstroTurf® with an extensive background in sports and sales, spanning over two decades. His impressive career includes sales of over $50,000,000 while working for the top Golf Companies in the world like Taylor Made Golf and Cleveland /Srixon Golf. Most recently, Tom served as the VP of Sales and Operations for the TC Sports Group, a small startup Company he cofounded and sold to Partners. Tom also just finished his first Semester as a Professor Adjunct teaching Golf at West Chester University . "I have been looking for a perfect fit, which is not easy to find in the corporate world. When I came across the Astroturf open position, I was all in. I wanted to bring my successful history of passion and determination to a Company looking for an employee who knows how to grow a territory. My entire career has been based on creating and growing long standing relationships, and this job's success depends on both. I plan to keep my head down and work as hard as I can to continue to make Astroturf the Industry Leader in Synthetic Turfs, Tracks and Courts. I am thrilled to be a part of the AstroTurf® Team." Joe Gaeta , AstroTurf's General Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for Tom's appointment, stating, "Tom has a unique style of selling! He has extensive product knowledge and a network and relationships spanning more than 25 years in the sporting Industry to lean into. Every Account and reference we talked to spoke very highly of Tom's abilities, which will align perfectly with AstroTurf's mission to provide the highest quality sports surfaces, with the best service in the industry. This is a combination Tom is very familiar with. His understanding of the unique needs of our accounts and the athletes using our products will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the Tri State Area. We are excited to welcome Tom to our team." In addition to his professional achievements, Tom holds a B.S. in Business with a minor in Marketing from Widener University . AstroTurf® is confident that Tom Carroll's appointment will further enhance the company's ability to deliver exceptional products and services to the Tri State region. His passion for sports and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit for the AstroTurf family. About AstroTurf® AstroTurf® has been a trusted leader in the synthetic turf industry for sixty years, pioneering advancements in sports surface technology and delivering world-class playing fields. Renowned for innovation, durability, and sustainability, AstroTurf® offers cutting-edge solutions for sports like football, soccer, baseball, field hockey, and more. With a focus on player safety and performance, AstroTurf systems are designed to replicate the ideal playing experience while reducing maintenance and environmental impact. As the preferred choice for schools, colleges, professional teams, and municipal projects nationwide, AstroTurf® continues to set the standard for synthetic turf excellence. Learn more at AstroTurf.com . SOURCE AstroTurfNovanta CEO Matthijs Glastra sells $337,016 in stock
David Hilzenrath, Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group | (TNS) KFF Health News In March, newly installed Social Security chief Martin O’Malley criticized agency “injustices” that “shock our shared sense of equity and good conscience as Americans.” He promised to overhaul the Social Security Administration’s often heavy-handed efforts to claw back money that millions of recipients — including people who are living in poverty, are elderly, or have disabilities — were allegedly overpaid, as described by a KFF Health News and Cox Media Group investigation last year. “Innocent people can be badly hurt,” O’Malley said at the time. Nearly eight months since he appeared before Congress and announced a series of policy changes, and with two months left in his term, O’Malley’s effort to fix the system has made inroads but remains a work in progress. For instance, one change, moving away from withholding 100% of people’s monthly Social Security benefits to recover alleged overpayments, has been a major improvement, say advocates for beneficiaries. “It is a tremendous change,” said Kate Lang of Justice in Aging, who called it “life-changing for many people.” The number of people from whom the Social Security Administration was withholding full monthly benefits to recoup money declined sharply — from about 46,000 in January to about 7,000 in September, the agency said. Asked to clarify whether those numbers and others provided for this article covered all programs administered by the agency, the SSA press office did not respond. Another potentially significant change — relieving beneficiaries of having to prove that an overpayment was not their fault — has not been implemented. The agency said it is working on that. Meanwhile, the agency seems to be looking to Congress to take the lead on a change some observers see as crucial: limiting how far back the government can reach to recover an alleged overpayment. Barbara Hubbell of Watkins Glen, New York, called the absence of a statute of limitations “despicable.” Hubbell said her mother was held liable for $43,000 because of an SSA error going back 19 years. “In what universe is that even legal?” Hubbell said. Paying down the overpayment balance left her mother “essentially penniless,” she added. In response to questions for this article, Social Security spokesperson Mark Hinkle said legislation is “the best and fastest way” to set a time limit. Establishing a statute of limitations was not among the policy changes O’Malley announced in his March congressional testimony. In an interview at the time, he said he expected an announcement on it “within the next couple few months.” It could probably be done by regulation, without an act of Congress, he said. Speaking generally, Hinkle said the agency has “made substantial progress on overpayments,” reducing the hardship they cause, and “continues to work diligently” to update policies. The agency is underfunded, he added, is at a near 50-year low in staffing, and could do better with more employees. The SSA did not respond to requests for an interview with O’Malley. O’Malley announced the policy changes after KFF Health News and Cox Media Group jointly published and broadcast investigative reporting on the damage overpayments and clawbacks have done to millions of beneficiaries. When O’Malley, a former Democratic governor of Maryland, presented his plans to three congressional committees in March, lawmakers greeted him with rare bipartisan praise. But the past several months have shown how hard it can be to turn around a federal bureaucracy that is massive, complex, deeply dysfunctional, and, as it says, understaffed. Now O’Malley’s time may be running out. Lang of Justice in Aging, among the advocacy groups that have been meeting with O’Malley and other Social Security officials, said she appreciates how much the commissioner has achieved in a short time. But she added that O’Malley has “not been interested in hearing about our feelings that things have fallen short.” One long-standing policy O’Malley set out to change involves the burden of proof. When the Social Security Administration alleges someone has been overpaid and demands the money back, the burden is on the beneficiary to prove they were not at fault. Cecilia Malone, 24, a beneficiary in Lithonia, Georgia, said she and her parents spent hundreds of hours trying to get errors corrected. “Why is the burden on us to ‘prove’ we weren’t overpaid?” Malone said. It can be exceedingly difficult for beneficiaries to appeal a decision. The alleged overpayments, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more, often span years. And people struggling just to survive may have extra difficulty producing financial records from long ago. What’s more, in letters demanding repayment, the government does not typically spell out its case against the beneficiary — making it hard to mount a defense. Testifying before House and Senate committees in March, O’Malley promised to shift the burden of proof. “That should be on the agency,” he said. The agency expects to finalize “guidance” on the subject “in the coming months,” Hinkle said. The agency points to reduced wait times and other improvements in a phone system known to leave beneficiaries on hold. “In September, we answered calls to our national 800 number in an average of 11 minutes — a tremendous improvement from 42 minutes one year ago,” Hinkle said. Still, in response to a nonrepresentative survey by KFF Health News and Cox Media Group focused on overpayments, about half of respondents who said they contacted the agency by phone since April rated that experience as “poor,” and few rated it “good” or “excellent.” The survey was sent to about 600 people who had contacted KFF Health News to share their overpayment stories since September 2023. Almost 200 people answered the survey in September and October of this year. Most of those who said they contacted the agency by mail since April rated their experience as “poor.” Jennifer Campbell, 60, a beneficiary in Nelsonville, Ohio, said in late October that she was still waiting for someone at the agency to follow up as described during a phone call in May. “VERY POOR customer service!!!!!” Campbell wrote. “Nearly impossible to get a hold of someone,” wrote Kathryn Duff of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who has been helping a disabled family member. Letters from SSA have left Duff mystified. One was postmarked July 9, 2024, but dated more than two years earlier. Another, dated Aug. 18, 2024, said her family member was overpaid $31,635.80 in benefits from the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides money to people with little or no income or other resources who are disabled, blind, or at least 65. But Duff said her relative never received SSI benefits. What’s more, for the dates in question, payments listed in the letter to back up the agency’s math didn’t come close to $31,635.80; they totaled about a quarter of that amount. Regarding the 100% clawbacks, O’Malley in March said it’s “unconscionable that someone would find themselves facing homelessness or unable to pay bills, because Social Security withheld their entire payment for recovery of an overpayment.” He said that, starting March 25, if a beneficiary doesn’t respond to a new overpayment notice, the agency would default to withholding 10%. The agency warned of “a short transition period.” That change wasn’t automated until June 25, Hinkle said. The number of people newly placed in full withholding plummeted from 6,771 in February to 51 in September, according to data the agency provided. SSA said it would notify recipients they could request reduced withholding if it was already clawing back more than 10% of their monthly checks. Nonetheless, dozens of beneficiaries or their family members told KFF Health News and Cox Media Group they hadn’t heard they could request reduced withholding. Among those who did ask, roughly half said their requests were approved. According to the SSA, there has been almost a 20% decline in the number of people facing clawbacks of more than 10% but less than 100% of their monthly checks — from 141,316 as of March 8 to 114,950 as of Oct. 25, agency spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann said. Meanwhile, the number of people from whom the agency was withholding exactly 10% soared more than fortyfold — from just over 5,000 to well over 200,000. And the number of beneficiaries having any partial benefits withheld to recover an overpayment increased from almost 600,000 to almost 785,000, according to data Tiggemann provided. Lorraine Anne Davis, 72, of Houston, said she hasn’t received her monthly Social Security payment since June due to an alleged overpayment. Her Medicare premium was being deducted from her monthly benefit, so she’s been left to pay that out-of-pocket. Davis said she’s going to need a kidney transplant and had been trying to save money for when she’d be unable to work. Related Articles National News | Traveling this holiday season? 10 things the TSA wants you to know National News | California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child National News | Colorado funeral home owners who let bodies decay plead guilty to 191 counts of corpse abuse National News | Another E. coli recall: falafel bites from Florida, California and 16 other states National News | US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? A letter from the SSA dated April 8, 2024, two weeks after the new 10% withholding policy was slated to take effect, said it had overpaid her $13,538 and demanded she pay it back within 30 days. Apparently, the SSA hadn’t accounted for a pension Davis receives from overseas; Davis said she disclosed it when she filed for benefits. In a letter to her dated June 29, the agency said that, under its new policy, it would change the withholding to only 10% if she asked. Davis said she asked by phone repeatedly, and to no avail. “Nobody seems to know what’s going on” and “no one seems to be able to help you,” Davis said. “You’re just held captive.” In October, the agency said she’d receive a payment — in March 2025. Marley Presiado, a research assistant on the Public Opinion and Survey Research team at KFF, contributed to this report. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Novanta CEO Matthijs Glastra sells $337,016 in stock
So you're gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidaysNone
US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler will step down from his post on January 20. Since taking the lead at the SEC, the commission has been aggressive in its oversight of cryptocurrencies and other regulatory issues. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler, who has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry and repeatedly called for more oversight. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. Elon Musk's budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump's second term WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has put Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of finding ways to cut government spending and regulations. It's possible that their efforts will lead to a constitutional clash. This week, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would encourage the Republican president-elect to refuse to spend money allocated by Congress, which would conflict with a 1974 law that's intended to prevent presidents from blocking funds. If Trump takes such a step, it would quickly become one of the most closely watched legal battles of his second administration. Musk and Ramaswamy also aim to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Stock market today: Wall Street climbs as bitcoin bursts above $99,000 NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are climbing after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 was pulling 0.7% higher Thursday after flipping between modest gains and losses several times in the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 532 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2%. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. The biggest remaining unsanctioned Russian bank hit with U.S. sanctions, nearly three years into war WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia’s third largest bank, Gazprombank and its six foreign subsidiaries were hit with U.S. sanctions on Thursday. The action is intended to curtail Russia’s ability to evade the thousands of sanctions imposed on the nation since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the sanctions targeting Russia’s largest remaining non-sanctioned bank would further diminish Russia’s military effort and “will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military.” In addition, more than 50 internationally connected Russian banks 40 Russian securities registrars, and 15 Russian finance officials were hit with sanctions. Trump's incoming chief of staff is a former lobbyist. She'll face a raft of special interests WASHINGTON (AP) — As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, his election victory is likely to embolden those who think they can get his ear. There's the prospect that his second administration could face many of the same perils as his first, when there were influence-peddling scandals. That will test the ability of Susie Wiles, his incoming chief of staff, to manage a growing number of high-powered figures such as Trump’s children, son-in-law Jared Kushner and billionaires like Elon Musk. Wiles herself is a former lobbyist, but Trump's transition team rejected any suggestion that her past work would make her susceptible to pressure. House passes bill that would allow Treasury to target nonprofits it deems to support terrorism WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House passed legislation that would give the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it claims support terrorism. It is a proposal that has alarmed civil liberties groups about how a second Trump presidency could use it to punish political opponents. The bill passed 219-184, with the majority of the support coming from Republicans who accused Democrats of reversing course in their support for the “common sense” proposal only after Donald Trump was elected to a second term earlier this month. It now goes to the Democratic-controlled Senate where its fate is uncertain. Boar's Head listeria outbreak is over with 10 dead and dozens sickened by tainted deli meat U.S. health officials say a deadly outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to a massive recall of popular Boar's Head deli meats is over. Ten people died and 61 were sickened in 19 states in the outbreak. Illnesses were reported between late May and mid-September. The outbreak is considered over 60 days after the last reported illness. Boar's Head officials recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meat distributed nationwide, shuttered a Virginia plant that made the products and permanently stopped making liverwurst. The company continues to face lawsuits and federal scrutiny.Should the US fear China?
Freiburg survives late onslaught to beat Wolfsburg in Bundesliga thriller FREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Freiburg survived a late comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and move into fifth place in the Bundesliga on Friday. The sides started the day equal on points and Wolfsburg had won its last five games in the league and cup. Canadian Press Dec 13, 2024 2:04 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Wolfsburg's Mattias Svanberg center, scores a goal with an overhead kick during the Bundesliga soccer between match between SC Freiburg and VfL Wolfsburg at Europa-Park Stadium in Freiburg, Germany, Friday Dec. 13, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP) FREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Freiburg survived a late comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and move into fifth place in the Bundesliga on Friday. The sides started the day equal on points and Wolfsburg had won its last five games in the league and cup. But Lukas Kübler scored an opportunist opener three minutes before the break and added a second with his head six minutes into the second half to put Freiburg in the driving seat. Michael Gregoritsch added the third in the 62nd. Jonas Wind came off the bench to score his third goal in two games and Mattias Svanberg cut the deficit seven minutes from time as Wolfsburg desperately looked for a way into the game. But it was too late, and Freiburg moved above Wolfsburg to fifth place on the table and equal on points with Leipzig, which has a game in hand. The match was an important one for two teams vying for a Champions League place next year. Although Bayern Munich have a six-point advantage over second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, only eight points separate the next nine clubs. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Toulouse comes from behind to beat Saint-Etienne Dec 13, 2024 2:21 PM Scottish international Adams scores long-range stunner in Serie A win for Torino Dec 13, 2024 2:09 PM Owners of the Vancouver Whitecaps announce plans to sell the MLS team Dec 13, 2024 12:15 PM
ACA.stmgirlshoops.112624.577.jpgTrump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’
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Trekking to the beach only to find the surf full of stinging bluebottles could soon be a thing of the past as scientists investigate how to predict when they are likely to wash ashore. or signup to continue reading Swell and wind forecasts and machine learning are being used in a bid to build a predictive model for bluebottle movements by researchers at the University of NSW. But it won't be ready this summer as scientists continue testing with plans to make the technology available in late 2025. Bluebottles are biologically closer to coral than jellyfish and cannot swim, placing them at the mercy of ocean currents. Bluebottles deliver a sting which can cause redness and pain but do not generally cause serious harm. They would sink if fitted with the trackers used to keep an eye on sharks and other fish. Scientists instead placed trackers on 3D-printed replica bluebottles placed about five kilometres off the coast of Sydney's Botany Bay in January to get an idea how the stingers could spread. One washed up at Bondi Beach, along with a number of actual bluebottles. Another was picked up by a dog at Palm Beach, at the far end of the city's northern beaches, more than 40km away from the release location. Like bluebottles, the replicas had their sails pointing either left or right, dictating the direction they drifted in the 20km/h winds. But winds over 30km/h overcame those directions, blowing a whole colony of bluebottles the same way. UNSW oceanography researcher Amandine Schaeffer said machine learning and oceanographic models were being used to analyse where bluebottles reached the Australian coast and where they come from. "We're trying to understand how they move with ocean currents, winds and waves, and which conditions bring them to shore," she said. Forecasts for currents, wind and swell could then be used to predict swarms. "The idea is to have a statistical model that is fed with these environmental variables, which will allow us to make predictions about the likelihood of bluebottles being on a particular beach," Dr Schaeffer said. The researchers are working with Surf Life Saving Australia to incorporate the predictions into its Beachsafe app once the predictive model is operational. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementTurkey to reopen its embassy in Syria for the first time since 2012 in wake of Assad's fall