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'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" season 5 episode 12: Watch for freeGuwahati: Assam on Wednesday banned consumption of beef in hotels, restaurants and community gatherings with immediate effect, days after the Congress alleged that BJP distributed beef to win the Muslim-dominated Samaguri constituency during the recently-held byelection. An angry chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , who earlier dared the Congress party to submit a written request, seeking a beef ban, chaired a virtual cabinet meeting from New Delhi, and soon announced the cabinet’s decision to approve the beef ban. “In no restaurant, in no hotel, beef can be served from today. Also, no beef can be served in various social gatherings like religious functions and other public functions. Public consumption of beef has been totally prohibited from today,” Himanta said. A cabinet brief said the decision will further strengthen the Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021. This law bans sale or purchase of cattle within a five km radius of a Hindu temple or a Vaishnavite satra and in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and other non-beef eating communities and their transportation within and through the state without permit. “We found that in our existing cattle preservation law there were no provisions in regard to consumption of beef in community festivals and in hotels and restaurants. So now this cabinet decision will be incorporated in the cattle preservation law,” Sarma said. The ban under the existing law was limited to just five km radius of temples but now it has been extended to public places in the entire state, he added. On Sunday Sarma said he was willing to prohibit beef in Assam after the Congress party’s senior leaders including Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain alleged that the BJP had distributed beef to secure victory in the bypoll. Taking a dig at Congress on Wednesday, Sarma said, “The cabinet today analysed the recent statements of Rakibul Hussian and APCC president Bhupen Borah and it appeared that they too do not support consumption of beef. I hope they will support this decision.” Assam Congress slammed the move by the ruling BJP soon after the cabinet decision. “’After leading the BJP to a humiliating loss in Jharkhand, the Chief Minister of Assam is attempting to obscure his failure. Like the discerning voters of Jharkhand, the people of Assam will also punish the BJP’s corruption, misrule, and obscene wealth in the upcoming election,” Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said on X. We also published the following articles recently Assam govt bans consumption of beef in hotels, public spaces Assam's cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, banned beef consumption in hotels, restaurants, and public gatherings, effective immediately. This expands the 2021 Cattle Preservation Act, which restricted cattle sales near temples. The move follows accusations by Congress that the BJP distributed beef during a recent byelection. Ready to ban beef in Assam if Congress writes to me: Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma challenged Congress to formally request a beef ban after allegations arose of BJP using beef for electoral gains in the Muslim-majority Samaguri constituency. Sarma highlighted Rakibul Hussain's, a defeated Congress candidate, statement against beef consumption, and offered to implement a ban if Congress President Bupen Borah agrees. Will ban beef in Assam if Congress files written request: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma challenged the state Congress to formally request a beef ban, promising to implement it if they do. This followed Congress leader Rakibul Hussain's accusations that the BJP used beef distribution to influence the Samaguri bypoll, which Hussain's son lost. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
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FRENCH CAMP, Calif. — A hospital in San Joaquin County is celebrating some new groundbreaking technology. San Joaquin General Hospital surgeons are the first in Northern California and Nevada to get a new surgical robot called Intuitive Da Vinci 5. The hospital has been using the Da Vinci 4 since 2017 and in that time, it's assisted more than 1,000 surgeries. "It's important to provide our patients with the latest technology," said Dr. Bassem Ghobrial, a colorectal surgeon at the hospital. Ghobrial also noted that the new tech is just an instrument for surgeons to use—not a replacement. "It's not automated in any way. The surgeon controls everything with the hands in order to do the surgery in a minimally invasive fashion," he said. The hospital said robotic surgery has a track record indicating improved outcomes in specific procedures compared to traditional open surgeries or laparoscopic procedures. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
From parties to family-friendly fireworks and hotel discounts, The Mile High City is the place to ring in the New Year DENVER , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver boasts endless ways to celebrate the New Year, from holiday traditions like the free, ball drop-style countdown at the Mile High Tree to New Year's Eve parties and live performances. Below is a list of events. For the most up-to-date information on this growing list, check out the VISIT DENVER website . Celebrate New Year's Eve at one of the more than 20 wonderful Denver hotels offering holiday packages. For a full list, check out the VISIT DENVER website . RTD is once again offering free fares on buses and trains, supported by Molson Coors from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 1 . New Year's Eve Fireworks & Downtown Fun New Year's Eve at The Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9 p.m. , Civic Center Park Join in on the family-friendly celebration as The Mile High Tree will host a special ball drop-style countdown to ring in the new year. The show will begin at 9 p.m. with a 60-second cascading countdown along the seven-story, 110-foot-tall immersive art tree and will immediately precede the first downtown firework display. Admission is free! Downtown Fireworks Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9 p.m. and midnight, 16th Street Mall For more than two decades, the city has been celebrating the new year with fireworks over downtown. Two free shows will start and 9 p.m. and midnight, from two rooftop locations. The best spot to see the shows is from the 16th Street Mall. The fireworks are presented by the Downtown Denver Partnership and co-sponsored by VISIT DENVER and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District. Mile High Drone Show Dec. 31, 2024 ; 5:30 p.m. Downtown Catch the final Mile High Drone Show of the year, when 400 drones soar into the sky, creating breathtaking holiday-themed animations! See these dazzling displays from across the city at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the Colorado Avalanche game on New Year's Eve. From Santa and his reindeer to iconic Denver landmarks like the Mile High Tree and Denver Union Station . Keep an eye out for a surprise or two. New Year's Eve Parties Decadence Dec. 30–31, 2024; Colorado Convention Center America's biggest electronic New Year's celebration is the two-night event of the (end of the) year you won't want to miss! Get your two-day pass and dance your way into 2025. The Clocktower Cabaret's Annual New Year's Eve Burlesque Bash Dec. 31, 2024 ; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. , The Clocktower Cabaret, D&F Tower The Clocktower Clockettes present their best and brightest acts from the past year, with the sassy, classy, high-altitude attitude audiences scream for. This top-shelf, all-star lineup is the best of the best together for one night to ring in the new year! Acts range from classic to modern, from smolderingly sensuous to laugh-out-loud hilarious counting down to a midnight toast and downtown fireworks! 2025 Denver New Year's Eve (NYE) Bar Crawl Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. , Various locations downtown From dance parties to DJs, live bands and the must-have midnight champagne cheers, the New Year's Eve Bar Crawl is the perfect place to wrap up 2024 and celebrate the kick-off of 2025 with those you care for the most. White Rose Gala Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. , The Ritz-Carlton, Denver Kick off the New Year on a triumphant note by creating exceptional moments at the gala and carry that excellence into conquering 2025! Immerse yourself in the Roaring 20's theme, complete with art deco decor and a crowd dressed in the period's finest attire. Be enthralled by the live band, dynamic DJs and dramatic performances, all radiating the allure of the Roaring 20s. Denver NYE Black Tie Party Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. , 1075 Park Ave. W. This NYE, ditch the couch and get fancy at Denver's biggest New Year's Eve party with an open bar, a DJ spinning everything from Top 40 to old-school hip hop and casino games where you can win sweet prizes. Plus, don't miss the epic balloon drop and confetti blast at midnight. 2024 New Year's Eve On Tap at Bierstadt Lagerhaus Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9:00 p.m. , 2875 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205 Ring in the new year with good friends, great beer and a lively atmosphere at New Year's Eve on Tap at Bierstadt Lagerhaus. NYE on Tap 2024 has a jam-packed schedule filled with excitement, from the moment you arrive to the final countdown with an open bar, food buffet and live music. Family-Friendly New Year's Events Larimer Lights Nov. 29–Dec. 31, 2024; Larimer Square Enjoy visits from Santa, live holiday carolers, unique shopping from local artisans at the Holiday BAZAAR and seasonal treats from top restaurants. Zoo Lights – Sensory-Friendly Night Dec. 31, 2024 ; Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance Enjoy a variety of accommodations including reduced crowds, low-volume music, quiet rooms and more, just for those who may feel overwhelmed by typical light experiences. Noon Year's Eve Dec. 31, 2024 ; Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus In conjunction with Snow Days, get all the glitz and glam of New York City's Times Square before bedtime. There will be ball drops at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. , plus music, tasty treats from The Teaching Kitchen and more. Music & Performing Arts Greensky Bluegrass Dec. 30–31, 2024; The Mission Ballroom Don't miss this eclectic bluegrass jam band to close out the year. Since their 2000 formation in Kalamazoo, MI , they have unassumingly progressed into a phenomenon on their own terms with the undying support of a devout audience. Rolling back and forth across North America on successive tours, they recently sold out 3 nights at Red Rocks, a feat unheard of in their genre. 'A Night in Vienna ' Dec. 31, 2024 ; Boettcher Concert Hall A Colorado cultural tradition returns featuring your symphony waltzing along with you into 2025! Start your celebration in style with the Colorado Symphony's presentation of "A Night in Vienna ," a rousing selection of polkas, waltzes and marches. New Year's Eve with the Jacob Larsen Band Dec. 31, 2024 ; Dazzle Join the Jacob Larsen Band for an evening filled with soulful tunes, heartfelt moments and an open dance floor. Whether you're sharing laughs with friends or enjoying a special night with someone close, this event will be the perfect way to ring in the new year. Museum & Gallery Exhibitions Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak Thru Feb. 17, 2025 ; Denver Art Museum One of the most versatile artists of the 20th century, Maurice Sendak is best known for award-winning titles Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There and Nutshell Library. He also designed theater sets and collaborated on films. Wild Things is titled after Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, the beloved children's book he authored in 1963 that became a cultural touchstone, signaling to all the beauty, whimsy and mischief that his art inspired over his 65-year career. Among many other highlights, the exhibition will feature the first presentation of all the original paintings for Where the Wild Things Are and significant additional loans from The Morgan Library & Museum in New York and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Danielle SeeWalker : But We Have Something to Say Thru Dec. 31, 2024 ; History Colorado Center Danielle SeeWalker is a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She is an artist, writer, activist and boy mom of two, based in Denver . This exhibition uses storytelling to explore a variety of issues important to Indigenous peoples and communities. Striking nineteenth-century hair ornaments, beaded spoons and moccasins are paired with SeeWalker's art in ways that illuminate censored and erased histories. The Power of Poison Thru Jan. 5, 2025; Denver Museum of Nature & Science Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature's toxic arsenal in The Power of Poison. Find out how studying poison's effects on human cells can help scientists figure out how to protect, repair and heal our own bodies and improve our health. Whether used as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lifesaving medical treatment, The Power of Poison is sure to surprise you at every turn! Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold Thru Jan. 5, 2025; Denver Botanic Gardens Explore a site-specific installation highlighting the ever-changing qualities of light and shadow. Created specifically for Denver Botanic Gardens, Shadow and Light is an immersive sculptural installation integrating the poetics of space with the luminosity of light. Discover an exhibition that changes with every visit, highlighting the shifting mood of light throughout the day and across the seasons. Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists Thru Jan. 12, 2025 ; Clyfford Still Museum Clyfford Still withdrew his paintings from the Betty Parsons Gallery in 1951, refusing to participate in a market prioritizing the fame of an artist and the price of their artworks. The following year, he surprised many by agreeing to participate in a group show at the Museum of Modern Art. This exhibition considers the nuanced ways in which Clyfford Still was part of an artists' community in the late 1940s and early 1950s, despite his protestations to the contrary, and how his paintings, through their scale and composition, promote ideas of community. Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts Thru Jan. 26, 2025 ; Museo de las Americas The journey of migrants to the U.S. is full of internal changes taking place in the physical body and mental state. This exhibit will explore the internal and external experiences of the immigrant who leaves home in search of a new and better life. Sporting Events Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Dec. 27, 2024 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Dec. 28, 2024 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Dec. 31, 2024 ; 6 p.m. ; Ball Arena Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Jan. 1, 2025 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrating 115 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.4 million visitors in 2023, generating $10.3 billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn more about Denver at VISIT DENVER or Tourism Pays Denve r. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn . With press or photo inquiries, please contact: Taylor Shields , Director of PR & Communications Caroline Campbell , PR & Communications Manager Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communcations Coordinator [email protected] SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Global Air Cooled Generators Market Outlook 2024-2033: Growth Drivers, Share, And TrendsTwo UC Santa Cruz faculty members, Richard (Ed) Green and Chris Benner, have been selected as awardees for the eighth annual Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards , which recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the local tech and entrepreneurial community. Santa Cruz Works, a non-profit organization focused on connecting industry professionals and expanding local startups, will honor the awardees at a ceremony on January 15, 2024 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Pioneering paleogenomics and forensic genomics Ed Green is a professor of biomolecular engineering at the Baskin School of Engineering, director of UCSC QB3 , and co-principal investigator of the UC Santa Cruz Paleogenomics Lab . Santa Cruz Works named Green a "visionary scientist and entrepreneur," recognizing his advancements in DNA technologies and his role in founding local startups and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. Green’s research has uncovered groundbreaking insights into human evolution, including the genetic exchange between early modern humans and Neanderthals. He was a key contributor in the Nobel-Prize winning Neanderthal Genome Project , collaborating with Nobel laureate Svate Pääblo to sequence and compare the genomes of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans. As the faculty director of UCSC QB3 , a nonprofit research and technology institute, Green supports researchers, graduate students, and postdocs to transform research into impactful startups and collaborate with industry partners. Green has also developed several successful startups of his own, contributing to the rich ecosystem of bioengineering entrepreneurship in Santa Cruz. Originally founded at UCSC, Dovetail Genomics, now part of Cantata Bio, enables researchers and clinicians to solve complex scientific problems through advanced genomic approaches. Another local company founded by Green, called Claret Biosciences, focuses on next-generation sequencing technologies to analyze degraded DNA for applications such as cancer research. Green developed a breakthrough method for sequencing DNA from rootless hair to identify human remains, a task once deemed impossible, leading to the resolution of numerous cold cases. He achieved this as co-founder and scientific advisor of Astrea Forensics, which uses new technologies to advance forensic DNA analysis and solve complex cases.. Advancing equity and economic opportunity Environmental Studies and Sociology Professor Chris Benner is the Dorothy E. Everett Chair in Global Information and Social Entrepreneurship, director of the Institute for Social Transformation, and director of the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change. The Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards recognized Benner for his “groundbreaking work champion[ing] equity and economic opportunity by reshaping narratives and policies to highlight collaboration and mutuality.” Specifically, the award recognizes the Solidarity Economics framework that Benner co-developed to challenge neoliberal norms and the application of Solidarity Economics to “transformative initiatives” like the Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative , the state-wide Community Economic Mobilization Initiative , and California’s $600 million Jobs First program. Santa Cruz Works credits Benner’s contributions to these programs with “fostering justice, innovation, and impact.” Benner has taught at UC Santa Cruz since 2015. He originally received his Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley and went on to become a leading scholar of the relationships between technological change, regional development, and the transformation of work and employment. He approaches these issues with a special focus on equity and environmental justice, informed by his background in community-based advocacy and research. Benner has conducted extensive applied policy work related to workforce development, inclusive economic development, and strategies for promoting regional equity. He has also authored or co-authored eight books and more than 100 academic journal articles, chapters, and research reports. Journalists often seek his commentary on how to improve economic well-being, health, and sustainability in communities and how emergent technologies may impact “the future of work.”
More than 20 states and cities designate December as Osteopathic Medicine MonthDavid 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. 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.
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FMC Corporation announces election of Anthony DiSilvestro to Board of DirectorsThe revolution in Syria has achieved its goal, but everything is just beginning. The primary goal of the revolution was to topple the Assad regime. For 13 years, it came very close to toppling the regime from time to time, but what could not be achieved in 13 years was realized in 12 days, and the 61-year-old Baathist regime collapsed. The one responsible for 13 years of tears and bloodshed had to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia. Much will be written about the revolution; many stories will be told. But the most important thing is how the future of Syria will be built from now on. Many dynamics will shape Syria’s future. In terms of internal dynamics, the rapid collapse of the regime constitutes an important starting point. Given that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) played a leading role in the overthrow of the regime, the transitional administration will also be dominated by the HTS. The peaceful transfer of power to the opposition by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali, who remained the only symbolic representative of the regime in Damascus, ensured a relatively smooth start to the transition period. However, the top priority in Syria is to ensure security after the fall of the regime. To achieve full security, the military conflicts in the current controlled areas must be completely ended, and daily life must be made safe. Given that the opposition controls more territory than it did during the revolution, ensuring security in Syria’s most populous cities, such as Damascus, Aleppo, Hama and Homs, is critical for the transition. However, in critical cities such as Daraa, Suveyda, Latakia and Tartous, the primary issue for building a smooth transition is establishing a sustainable security environment. Consensus on the formation of a civilian government and the continued functioning of state institutions is also critical to the stability of the transition. However, Israel’s growing appetite for the Golan Heights, the ambiguous behavior of the U.S.-backed opposition, and the YPG/PKK’s opportunistic approach raise the possibility of a resumption of military conflicts. Even though Iranian-backed militias have left Syria, the possibility that they have left behind asymmetric elements also points to the fragile nature of the security environment. Another important point to be considered alongside security is that the transitional government should develop and implement an inclusive governance model for Syria’s political reconstruction process. It is clear that the HTS has transformed itself. However, there are still divergent views on many issues within the new administration. At this point, coordination and coexistence between different groups are crucial. The consensus between the Syrian interim government, the HTS, and other groups in the transition process will be the most critical issue in the reconstruction process. It does not seem possible for the PKK/YPG to continue with a territorial claim in this transition process. At a time when the support of the U.S. is vital, the PKK/YPG’s continued position on maximalist demands will cause the transition process in Syria to be painful in the northeast of Syria. Building inclusiveness to keep ethnic and sectarian diversity together should be an indispensable criterion for the new era in Syria. Political arrangements, which have many topics, can only be discussed during the transition period on a stable ground. These include the structure of the state, new security sector arrangements, power sharing, building a political system and free elections. Syria can only enter a democratic and conflict-free period in which the territorial integrity of Syria will be ensured if arrangements are made for governance and state structure that is not tied to territorial zones. The reconstruction of the security sector is among the most critical issues. Military groups must dissolve themselves and restructure under an interim defense ministry to be established in the coming period to eliminate potential conflicts. For regional actors, Türkiye’s role has become even more important. It is not possible to understand Türkiye’s role by focusing only on the last 12 days. Türkiye’s role can be more clearly understood by looking at the past 13 years. Ankara’s unwavering hosting of Syrian refugees, creating the military and diplomatic conditions to protect Idlib against the regime’s operations, and limiting and weakening the YPG, especially in the fight against terrorism, made a strong ground for the opposition’s 12-day success. Türkiye has a much more critical role to play in the new process. Türkiye is likely to lead efforts to stabilize northern Syria, secure its borders, and facilitate the return of refugees. Ankara’s ability to mediate and rebuild trust between the incoming government and the different factions will also help shape the political character of Syria’s future. If Türkiye succeeds in preventing YPG/PKK separatism, it could emerge as a dominant stabilizing force in the region. Another priority for Türkiye is to implement a multilateral method to shape regional and global diplomacy and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity. Ankara will continue to coordinate with Moscow and Tehran, even though Russia and Iran are much weakened in Syria. One of the most critical regional actors in Syria is Israel. However, it is doubtful how much Israel wants to remain loyal to Syria’s territorial integrity. The reasons for this are obvious. Israel is keeping a Damascus-centered geopolitical narrative alive and is considering expansion into Syria. The creation of a new military situation in the Golan Heights is the most obvious evidence of this. The new government, which Netanyahu securitizes with the so-called radicals argument, also provides Israel with new legitimacy. The U.S.’ open support for Israel’s possible engagement in Syria also strengthens the possibility of Israel becoming a destabilizing actor in Syria. The only option to balance Israel is to keep the regional diplomacy dynamic against a possible fait accompli. Iran’s position in the new Syria is highly questionable. Iran is aware that it is weakening and losing its depth in Lebanon and Syria. The collapse of the Syrian front, the most important pillar of the proxy doctrine based on territorial expansion and territorial control, may lead Iran to turn to asymmetric elements in Syria. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's framing of the opposition’s success as part of the U.S. and Israeli support is the most important sign of this. It is clear that there is confusion in the Arab countries. It is understood that they will accept the new status quo even if they are not happy with the overthrow of the regime. The critical issue is to develop a new relationship model with Damascus to support the transition process and be part of the process to build a sustainable order in Syria. The way to do this is to work together with Türkiye to put maximum effort into building a stable Syria. At this point, the creation of a new diplomatic platform could be the first step toward coordination. In the new era, the U.S. priorities in Syria include Israel’s security, the continued existence of the PKK/YPG and the fight against Daesh. The weakening influence of Russia and Iran may make it easier for the U.S. to accept the new status quo and cooperate with it. The current balance on the ground may also facilitate U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Syria. Considering that the pre-Nov. 27 plans and possible scenarios no longer have any meaning for the Washington administration, we can say that the new Syria will not be seen as a priority for the U.S. in the Middle East. Still, it is worth being cautious. There are many opportunities for Türkiye and the U.S. to build a new Syria without the PKK/YPG. It is almost impossible for a strategy built on the PKK/YPG to work in the new Syria. It is also clear that Russia is in the midst of a reassessment in Syria. Moscow has had to revise its priorities while analyzing the causes of the new situation. Russia will not have the same position in the new Syria as before, and the smartest approach is to focus on the political process and establish relations with the new administration. It is very likely to use U.N. Resolution 2254 and the Astana format to increase its diplomatic depth. The new Syria is one of the biggest geopolitical ruptures of the Arab Spring. The revolution has achieved its primary objective but establishing a new order in Syria is fraught with challenges. The lessons of Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia are fraught with political and social tragedy. Tunisia and Egypt chose to continue by building new authoritarianism on institutionalized systems. Yemen and Libya were not able to exit the process of political and military conflict over non-institutionalized structures, nor were they able to establish an order. Syria is an exception. It was a regime with a long civil war and a very different practice of institutionalization. If those who succeeded in the revolution build a sustainable model and establish a new order in Syria, the new Syria has the opportunity to produce new results in the geopolitics of the Middle East. The only way to do this is to build a just, democratic and sustainable order. There is no model for this yet. And it will not be easy to build it.
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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. 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.Trump picks former congressman Billy Long as IRS commissioner
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