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Freeland says the two-month GST holiday is meant to tackle the 'vibecession'
Topline President-elect Donald Trump has named Sebastian Gorka as senior director for counterterrorism, after he briefly served in Trump’s first administration, though Gorka has also faced criticism for appearing to support a far-right Hungarian political group the U.S. says is linked to the Nazis. Key Facts Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . What Are Gorka’s Ties To Vitezi Rend? While attending Trump’s Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2017, Gorka was pictured wearing a medal associated with Vitezi Rend, a Hungarian national group the State Department designated as having worked under the direction of Germany’s Nazi government. The group was founded as the Vitez Order in 1920 as a Hungarian nationalist group that contested the country’s communist rule, and is now recognized as a far-right group with antisemitic views. Vitezi Rend spokesperson Andras Horvaz told NBC News the group was “really proud” Gorka wore the medal, while some members told the outlet Gorka was a well-known associate of the group. One of the organization’s leaders told CNN that Gorka was not a pledged member, however, and denied claims the group was linked with the Nazis. Gorka has denied wearing the medal as a nod to Vitezi Rend and said he instead wore it to honor his father, who Gorka said was honored for fighting the communist regime in Hungary. Gorka told the Telegraph that he had “inherited the title of Vitez through the merits of my father,” though he never “swore allegiance formally” to the group. The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, a civil rights group, called for Gorka to resign “or be fired” over his association with the group. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic senators requested the Justice Department and Homeland Security to investigate whether Gorka misled immigration officials about his ties to Vitezi Rend before becoming a U.S. citizen. Was Gorka Fired During Trump’s First Administration? Gorka was forced out of his role as an advisor during Trump’s first presidency after John Kelly, Trump’s chief of staff, became disinterested in keeping him, administration officials told the New York Times. Gorka’s appearances on various talk shows gained favor with Trump, though Kelly opposed his often combative interviews, a person familiar with the situation told CNN . One White House official told CNN that Gorka had resigned, while another disputed this claim and said Gorka was “no longer with the White House.” In a resignation letter obtained by Politico , Gorka said “forces” in opposition to Trump’s policies had forced him out. Tangent In August 2017, several Democratic legislators demanded the White House remove Gorka, Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller from their roles as advisors to Trump. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus accused the three advisors of having supported the views of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups in the lead-up to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a man killed a woman after driving his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. Before the rally, Gorka, who had previously worked under Bannon as an editor at the right-wing outlet Breitbart, suggested white supremacists were not a concern for U.S. counterterrorism efforts, the Times reported . The caucus also cited Gorka’s “extensive ties” to Vitezi Rend. Chief Critic John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, called Gorka a “con man” after Trump tapped him Friday to return to the White House: “I wouldn’t have him in any U.S. government.” Gorka’s new role isn’t “going to bode well for counterterrorism efforts,” Bolton told CNN. Key Background On Friday, Trump announced Gorka would be returning to the White House after serving as a “tireless advocate” for his policies. Gorka earned a doctorate in political science from Corvinus University of Budapest and worked as a national security expert with a focus on Islamist extremism, the Times reported. He has reportedly made claims that violence is a “fundamental” part of the Islamic faith and wrote a book, “Defeating Jihad: The Winnable War,” that argued the U.S. should refer to Islamic terrorism as a “global jihad” instead of “violent extremism.” Several experts have criticized Gorka’s credentials, including Daniel Nexon, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University, who told CNN that Gorka’s claims do not “deploy evidence” and described Gorka’s dissertation on terrorism as “inept.” Further Reading“ Vanderpump Rules ” reality star James Kennedy was arrested earlier this week on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, according to police. The 32-year-old DJ, whose full name is James Kennedy Georgiou, was arrested Tuesday night in Burbank, in Los Angeles County, after police responded to a call at a residence about an argument between him and a woman around 11:30 p.m., Burbank Police confirmed to NBC News. TMZ was the first to report the incident. "The investigation determined it was a domestic incident, leading to Mr. Georgiou’s arrest,” police said. He was booked for misdemeanor domestic violence and later posted bail. Police said formal charges are pending review by the Burbank City Attorney’s office. Kennedy is dating Ally Lewber, who also appeared on the reality series. The pair appeared to have attended "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast member Kathy Hilton's Christmas party Tuesday evening, according to social media posts . Representatives for Kennedy did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment. Last month it was announced that “Vanderpump Rules” will return for Season 12 with a new cast , bidding adieu to longtime familiar faces — including Kennedy — on the heels of an explosive last season that ended with “Scandoval.” The scandal involved cast member Tom Sandoval cheating on his longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix, with their mutual friend Raquel Leviss.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five Below, Inc. FIVE , the trend-right, high-quality extreme-value retailer for teens and pre-teens, today announced the appointment of Winnie Park as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024. An accomplished retail executive with a career spanning more than three decades, Ms. Park has extensive experience in driving customer-centric business strategies, merchandising and brand building across a broad spectrum of specialty and value retail. In her new role, she will partner closely with Kenneth Bull, who will continue as Five Below's Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Thomas Vellios, Co-founder, will continue as Executive Chairman, working alongside Ms. Park, Mr. Bull and the rest of the leadership team to drive the Company's strategic priorities. Ms. Park will be based in Philadelphia. "Winnie is a passionate retail visionary with a deep understanding of the consumer and the power at the intersection of trend and value," Mr. Vellios said. "The breadth of her leadership experience, especially her merchandising expertise, customer acumen, strong global background, and importantly, how she values people and champions organizational culture all make her uniquely suited for the role. Combined with Ken's expertise and deep knowledge of our business, I'm confident that together we will unlock tremendous potential for our customers and shareholders by delivering amazing product at exceptional value in a fun store experience." Ms. Park served as Chief Executive Officer of Forever 21 since January 2022, leading a transformational brand refresh for the fast-fashion company focused on younger consumers with a social-media-first approach to engaging with customers. Under Ms. Park's leadership, the brand launched its omnichannel capabilities, social commerce and an award-winning metaverse partnership with Roblox. She also expanded categories beyond women's apparel to include kid's, gift, beauty and accessories. Prior to Forever 21, Ms. Park was the CEO of Paper Source, where she drove the business from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to an omnichannel lifestyle brand. Under her leadership, Paper Source developed a robust digital presence, encompassing social media, digital content, online subscriptions and affiliate partnerships. Prior to Paper Source, Ms. Park served as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and eCommerce, and Global VP, GMM, Merchandising, at Hong Kong-based international retail leader Duty Free Shoppers, a division of LVMH. At DFS, Ms. Park launched the company's first global eCommerce site, serving customers across China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United States. Ms. Park has also led Women's Merchandising for Dockers at Levi Strauss & Co. and worked at McKinsey in fashion retail and consumer digital. Ms. Park served on the board of Dollar Tree from 2020 to 2024. She earned a BA from Princeton University and an MBA from Northwestern University. "I'm a huge fan of the Five Below brand and its unique ability to connect with and empower teens and pre-teens through an amazing assortment of extreme-value items in a fun shopping environment," said Ms. Park. "There is enormous opportunity to build on the exciting initiatives that are already underway as we elevate our product, value and experience. I am excited to be a part of the continued growth of the brand and to be partnering with Tom, Ken and the rest of the talented team as we execute on the long runway for growth ahead." Mr. Vellios continued, "I would like to extend a deep appreciation to Ken for his support as interim CEO over the past several months. His contributions have been critical in helping us refocus and create momentum in the business. I'm delighted that Ken is continuing in his role as COO, and on behalf of the board and the entire Five Below team, I want to thank him." Mr. Bull said, "I've been honored to call Five Below my home since 2005 and am thrilled to welcome Winnie to the team. Her experience, leadership style and deep focus on people – both customers and crew – make her a great fit. I am excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to partnering with Winnie to unlock our full potential and drive the next phase of Five Below's growth." Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect management's current views and estimates regarding the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning its market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, store count potential and other financial and operating information. Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future" and similar terms and phrases. The Company cannot assure investors that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to risks related to disruption to the global supply chain, risks related to the Company's strategy and expansion plans, risks related to our ability to attract, retain, and integrate qualified executive talent, risks related to disruptions in our information technology systems and our ability to maintain and upgrade those systems, risks related to the inability to successfully implement our online retail operations, risks related to cyberattacks or other cyber incidents, risks related to increased usage of machine learning and other types of artificial intelligence in our business, and challenges with properly managing its use; risks related to our ability to select, obtain, distribute and market merchandise profitably, risks related to our reliance on merchandise manufactured outside of the United States, the availability of suitable new store locations and the dependence on the volume of traffic to our stores, risks related to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions, risks related to increased operating costs, including wage rates, risks related to inflation and increasing commodity prices, risks related to potential systematic failure of the banking system in the United States or globally, risks related to extreme weather, pandemic outbreaks, global political events, war, terrorism or civil unrest (including any resulting store closures, damage, or loss of inventory), risks related to leasing, owning or building distribution centers, risks related to our ability to successfully manage inventory balance and inventory shrinkage, quality or safety concerns about the Company's merchandise, increased competition from other retailers including online retailers, risks related to the seasonality of our business, risks related to our ability to protect our brand name and other intellectual property, risks related to customers' payment methods, risks related to domestic and foreign trade restrictions including duties and tariffs affecting our domestic and foreign suppliers and increasing our costs, including, among others, the direct and indirect impact of current and potential tariffs imposed and proposed by the United States on foreign imports, risks associated with the restrictions imposed by our indebtedness on our current and future operations, the impact of changes in tax legislation and accounting standards and risks associated with leasing substantial amounts of space. For further details and a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the Company's periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov . If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this news release speaks only as of the date on which the Company makes it. Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. About Five Below Five Below is a leading high-growth value retailer offering trend-right, high-quality products loved by teens and pre-teens. We believe life is better when customers are free to "let go & have fun" in an amazing experience filled with unlimited possibilities. With most items priced between $1 and $5, and some extreme value items priced beyond $5 in our incredible Five Beyond Shop, Five Below makes it easy to say YES! to the newest, coolest stuff across eight awesome Five Below worlds: Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Create, Party, Candy and New & Now. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Five Below today has over 1,750 stores in 44 states. For more information, please visit www.fivebelow.com or find Five Below on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @FiveBelow. Investor Contact Christiane Pelz Vice President, Investor Relations Five Below, Inc. Investorrelations@fivebelow.com Media Contact Jessica Liddell Partner, ICR FiveBelowPR@icrinc.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.EXCLUSIVE Kevin Jonas and wife Danielle get in the Christmas spirit as they decorate a stunning New York mansion Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By HEIDI PARKER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:31 EST, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 14:50 EST, 12 December 2024 e-mail 58 shares 4 View comments Advertisement Jonas Brothers singer Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, have gotten in the Christmas spirit this week. They were seen posing in a stunning two-story white mansion as they gave it some Yuletime razzle dazzle before Santa comes to town. They decorated their tree with gold and white ornaments while adding wreaths and stockings by the fireplace. The 37-year-old singer and his 38-year-old spouse of 15 years looked to be in great spirits as they also wrapped gifts for family members from Lowe's. They were seen having fun as they looked at tools and decorative items while by a Christmas tree. 'Creating a cozy, festive home is my favorite holiday tradition. This year, I found everything I needed at @loweshomeimprovement to make decorating effortless and stylish,' Danielle shared. This comes after they revealed they are 'not ruling out' the possibility of having baby number three after focusing on 'health time.' The former Disney channel star, 36 - who revealed his skin cancer diagnosis in June - opened up about the topic during an episode of The Viall Files podcast. Jonas Brothers singer Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, have gotten in the Christmas spirit this week They were seen posing in a stunning two-story white mansion as they gave it some Yuletime razzle dazzle before Santa comes to town The musician notably tied the knot with Danielle, 37, back in 2009 and the couple share daughters Alena, 10, and Valentina, seven. 'If it's God's will, we'll see,' Kevin told host Nick Viall, and explained, 'It's like, we took some health time for my wife. She has Lyme disease, so she really wanted to get that right.' 'She's kind of only coming out of it now, in a good way, which is wonderful. Like all things, it just takes time and figuring out your life. But definitely not ruling it out.' If the couple do welcome a third child, Jonas expressed to Viall that it would feel 'like a firstborn again' due to Alena and Valentina being a little older. 'My oldest daughter came downstairs this morning and she had a cold ice roller on her face while she made herself breakfast. Like, she's 10,' the star stated. 'She came down dressed, made herself breakfast and was getting ready for camp and rolling her face, like, my life is amazing right now. I'll take it.' The father-of-two added, 'Do I want to be changing diapers? Maybe not, but at the same time, I love babies and I love having kids, so why not? Let's go.' However, the Jonas Brothers member revealed that his youngest daughter isn't too thrilled on the prospect of being an older sister. They decorated their tree with gold and white ornaments while adding wreaths and stockings by the fireplace The 37-year-old singer and his 38-year-old spouse of 15 years looked to be in great spirits as they also wrapped gifts for family members from Lowe's They were seen having fun as they looked at tools and decorative items while by a Christmas tree. Here she is seen wrapping a toolbox They were also seen in the dining room as they lit pale lavender candles more videos 1 2 3 Watch video Shawn Mendes talks celebrity relationships with John Mayer Watch video Selena Gomez shows off engagement ring from fiance Benny Blanco Watch video Bella Hadid documents last year and 8 months of horse riding Watch video Ally Lewber with Kathy Hilton before beau James Kennedy arrest Watch video Sophie Rain opens up about companies trying to buy her virginity Watch video Morgan Wallen pleads guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment Watch video Meghan Trainor gets emotional with 'shining light' Hoda on Today show Watch video It's official: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are engaged! Watch video She said yes! Lenny Hochstein proposes to Katharina Mazepa Watch video Serena Williams shows off fit figure in athletic outfit Watch video Bre Tiesi candidly discusses open relationship with Nick Cannon Watch video Juliet Mills and hubby Maxwell Caulfield at 'Landman' premiere Read More Angelina Jolie flashes her chest tattoo as she makes the rare move of discussing her insecurities '[Alena] wants to have another kid. Our second does not. Our second is our little rock star [and] she's like, "No way. No babies."' Kevin and Danielle first met in 2007 while on vacation with their families in the Bahamas, and tied the knot two years later at Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York. The lovebirds welcomed their first child in 2014, followed by their second daughter in 2016. The pair have previously opened up about parenthood during an interview with E! News last year in August 2023. 'Sometimes, what they say is not what really what they mean,' Jonas said of his daughters while talking to the outlet. 'And when they're telling us how they feel, sometimes there's something else really going on. I think you try to listen past the listening. And we're still working on that.' He had on a gray hoodie and sweatpants as she wore a blue suit in velvet The exterior was decorated with multi colored bulbs and wreaths as they changed into sweaters and blue jeans This comes after they revealed they are 'not ruling out' the possibility of having baby number three after focusing on 'health time.' The former Disney channel star, 36 - who revealed his skin cancer diagnosis in June - opened up about the topic during an episode of The Viall Files podcast more videos 1 2 3 Watch video Shawn Mendes talks celebrity relationships with John Mayer Watch video Selena Gomez shows off engagement ring from fiance Benny Blanco Watch video Bella Hadid documents last year and 8 months of horse riding Watch video Ally Lewber with Kathy Hilton before beau James Kennedy arrest Watch video Sophie Rain opens up about companies trying to buy her virginity Watch video Morgan Wallen pleads guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment Watch video Meghan Trainor gets emotional with 'shining light' Hoda on Today show Watch video It's official: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are engaged! Watch video She said yes! Lenny Hochstein proposes to Katharina Mazepa Watch video Serena Williams shows off fit figure in athletic outfit Watch video Bre Tiesi candidly discusses open relationship with Nick Cannon Watch video Juliet Mills and hubby Maxwell Caulfield at 'Landman' premiere Danielle also reflected on their two children growing up, and expressed, 'It's hard to let go.' 'I'm a sucker in that I always want to see them happy, and it's hard because you don't want to give them everything.' The TV personality - who also struggles with eczema - discussed being open and honest with her children. 'I think with them seeing me go through what I've gone through and being like, "I know this is rough right now. But there's something that's going to help me."' Last month in June, Kevin revealed to his fans that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer after a cancerous mole had been found on his forehead - which was removed during surgery. In a video uploaded to his main Instagram page, he got candid with his fans and also encouraged his followers to get checked. (L-R) Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers perform on Day 3 of Festival in Quebec in July 'So today I am getting a basal-cell carcinoma removed from my head,' he explained shortly before undergoing the procedure. After quickly sharing a glimpse of the mole, the music artist said, 'Yes, that is an actual little skin cancer guy that has started to grow. And now I have to get surgery to remove it, so here we go.' He also updated his fans not long after the surgery while sitting inside a vehicle. 'Alright, I'm done. Now it's time to heal. Heading home. Make sure to get those moles checked, people.' In the caption of the post, the actor gave a 'friendly reminder' for others 'to get your moles checked.' The Jonas Brothers were recently on tour. On October 16 with the final concert taking place in Krakow, Poland. 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NoneAs open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through Jan. 15, you’re likely seeing fewer social media ads promising monthly cash cards worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars that you can use for groceries, medical bills, rent and other expenses. But don’t worry. You haven’t missed out on any windfalls. Clicking on one of those ads would not have provided you with a cash card — at least not worth hundreds or thousands. But you might have found yourself switched to a health insurance plan you did not authorize, unable to afford treatment for an unforeseen medical emergency, and owing thousands of dollars to the IRS, according to an ongoing lawsuit against companies and individuals who plaintiffs say masterminded the ads and alleged scams committed against millions of people who responded to them. The absence of those once-ubiquitous ads are likely a result of the federal government suspending access to the ACA marketplace for two companies that market health insurance out of South Florida offices, amid accusations they used “fraudulent” ads to lure customers and then switched their insurance plans and agents without their knowledge. In its suspension letter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cited “credible allegations of misconduct” in the agency’s decision to suspend the abilities of two companies — TrueCoverage (doing business as Inshura) and BenefitAlign — to transact information with the marketplace. CMS licenses and monitors agencies that use their own websites and information technology platforms to enroll health insurance customers in ACA plans offered in the federal marketplace. The alleged scheme affected millions of consumers, according to a lawsuit winding its way through U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale that seeks class-action status. An amended version of the suit, filed in August, increased the number of defendants from six to 12: — TrueCoverage LLC, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based health insurance agency with large offices in Miami, Miramar and Deerfield Beach. TrueCoverage is a sub-tenant of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a building leased by the newspaper in Deerfield Beach. — Enhance Health LLC, a Sunrise-based health insurance agency that the lawsuit says was founded by Matthew Herman, also named as a defendant, with a $150 million investment from hedge fund Bain Capital’s insurance division. Bain Capital Insurance Fund LP is also a defendant. — Speridian Technologies LLC, accused in the lawsuit of establishing two direct enrollment platforms that provided TrueCoverage and other agencies access to the ACA marketplace. — Benefitalign LLC, identified in the suit as one of the direct enrollment platforms created by Speridian. Like Speridian and TrueCoverage, the company is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Number One Prospecting LLC, doing business as Minerva Marketing, based in Fort Lauderdale, and its founder, Brandon Bowsky, accused of developing the social media ads that drove customers — or “leads” — to the health insurance agencies. — Digital Media Solutions LLC, doing business as Protect Health, a Miami-based agency that the suit says bought Minerva’s “fraudulent” ads. In September, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in United States Bankruptcy Court in Texas, which automatically suspended claims filed against the company. — Net Health Affiliates Inc., an Aventura-based agency the lawsuit says was associated with Enhance Health and like it, bought leads from Minerva. — Garish Panicker, identified in the lawsuit as half-owner of Speridian Global Holdings and day-to-day controller of companies under its umbrella, including TrueCoverage, Benefitalign and Speridian Technologies. — Matthew Goldfuss, accused by the suit of overseeing and directing TrueCoverage’s ACA enrollment efforts. All of the defendants have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit. The motions deny the allegations and argue that the plaintiffs failed to properly state their claims and lack the standing to file the complaints. The Sun Sentinel sent requests for comment and lists of questions about the cases to four separate law firms representing separate groups of defendants. Three of the law firms — one representing Brandon Bowsky and Number One Prospecting LLC d/b/a Minerva Marketing, and two others representing Net Health Affiliates Inc. and Bain Capital Insurance Fund — did not respond to the requests. A representative of Enhance Health LLC and Matthew Herman, Olga M. Vieira of the Miami-based firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, responded with a short message saying she was glad the newspaper knew a motion to dismiss the charges had been filed by the defendants. She also said that, “Enhance has denied all the allegations as reported previously in the media.” Catherine Riedel, a communications specialist representing TrueCoverage LLC, Benefitalign LLC, Speridian Technologies LLC, Girish Panicker and Matthew Goldfuss, issued the following statement: “TrueCoverage takes these allegations very seriously and is responding appropriately. While we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, we strongly believe that the allegations are baseless and without merit. “Compliance is our business. The TrueCoverage team records and reviews every call with a customer, including during Open Enrollment when roughly 500 agents handle nearly 30,000 calls a day. No customer is enrolled into any policy without a formal verbal consent given by the customer. If any customer calls in as a result of misleading content presented by third-party marketing vendors, agents are trained to correct such misinformation and action is taken against such third-party vendors.” Through Riedel, the defendants declined to answer follow-up questions, including whether the company remains in business, whether it continues to enroll Affordable Care Act clients, and whether it is still operating its New Mexico call center using another affiliated technology platform. The suspension notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services letter cites several factors, including the histories of noncompliance and previous suspensions. The letter noted suspicion that TrueCoverage and Benefitalign were storing consumers’ personally identifiable information in databases located in India and possibly other overseas locations in violation of the centers’ rules. The letter also notes allegations against the companies in the pending lawsuit that “they engaged in a variety of illegal practices, including violations of the (Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act), misuse of consumer (personal identifiable information) and insurance fraud.” The amended lawsuit filed in August names as plaintiffs five individuals who say their insurance plans were changed and two agencies who say they lost money when they were replaced as agents. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of 55 counts of wrongdoing, ranging from running ads offering thousands of dollars in cash that they knew would never be provided directly to consumers, switching millions of consumers into different insurance policies without their authorization, misstating their household incomes to make them eligible for $0 premium coverage, and “stealing” commissions by switching the agents listed in their accounts. TrueCoverage, Enhance Health, Protect Health, and some of their associates “engaged in hundreds of thousands of agent-of-record swaps to steal other agents’ commissions,” the suit states. “Using the Benefitalign and Inshura platforms, they created large spreadsheet lists of consumer names, dates of birth and zip codes.” They provided those spreadsheets to agents, it says, and instructed them to access platforms linked to the ACA marketplace and change the customers’ agents of record “without telling the client or providing informed consent.” “In doing so, they immediately captured the monthly commissions of agents ... who had originally worked with the consumers directly to sign them up,” the lawsuit asserts. TrueCoverage employees who complained about dealing with prospects who called looking for cash cards were routinely chided by supervisors who told them to be vague and keep making money, the suit says. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began contacting the company in January about customer complaints, the suit says TrueCoverage enrollment supervisor Matthew Goldfuss sent an email instructing agents “do not respond.” The lawsuit states the “scheme” was made possible in 2021 when Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The act made it possible for Americans with household incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level to pay zero in premiums and it enabled those consumers to enroll in ACA plans all year round, instead of during the three-month open enrollment period from November to January. Experienced health insurance brokers recognized the opportunity presented by the changes, the lawsuit says. More than 40 million Americans live within 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level, while only 15 million had ACA insurance at the time. The defendants developed or benefited from online ads, the lawsuit says, which falsely promised “hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars per month in cash benefits such as subsidy cards to pay for common expenses like rent, groceries, and gas.” Consumers who clicked on the ads were brought to a landing page that asked a few qualifying questions, and if their answers suggested that they might qualify for a low-cost or no-cost plan, they were provided a phone number to a health insurance agency. There was a major problem with the plan, according to the lawsuit. “Customers believe they are being routed to someone who will send them a free cash card, not enroll them in health insurance.” By law, the federal government sends subsidies for ACA plans to insurance companies, and not to individual consumers. Scripts were developed requiring agents not to mention a cash card, and if a customer mentions a cash card, “be vague” and tell the caller that only the insurance carrier can provide that information, the lawsuit alleges. In September, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the claims. In addition to denying the charges, they argued that the class plaintiffs lacked the standing to make the accusations and failed to demonstrate that they suffered harm. The motion also argued that the lawsuit’s accusations failed to meet requirements necessary to claim civil violations of the RICO Act. Miami-based attorney Jason Kellogg, representing the plaintiffs, said he doesn’t expect a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case for several months. The complaint also lists nearly 50 companies, not named as defendants, that it says fed business to TrueCoverage and Enhance Health. Known in the industry as “downlines,” most operate in office parks throughout South Florida, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit quotes former TrueCoverage employees complaining about having to work with customers lured by false cash promises in the online ads. A former employee who worked in the company’s Deerfield Beach office was quoted in the lawsuit as saying that senior TrueCoverage and Speridian executives “knew that consumers were calling in response to the false advertisements promising cash cards and they pressured agents to use them to enroll consumers into ACA plans.” A former human resources manager for TrueCoverage said sales agents frequently complained “that they did not feel comfortable having to mislead consumers,” the lawsuit said. Over two dozen agents “came to me with these complaints and showed me the false advertisements that consumers who called in were showing them,” the lawsuit quoted the former manager as saying. For much of the time the companies operated, the ACA marketplace enabled agents to easily access customer accounts using their names and Social Security numbers, change their insurance plans and switch their agents of record without their knowledge or authorization, the lawsuit says. This resulted in customers’ original agents losing their commissions and many of the policyholders finding out they suddenly owed far more for health care services than their original plans had required, the suit states. It says that one of the co-plaintiffs’ health plans was changed at least 22 times without her consent. She first discovered that she had lost her original plan when she sought to renew a prescription for her heart condition and her doctor told her she did not have health insurance, the suit states. Another co-plaintiff’s policy was switched after her husband responded to one of the cash card advertisements, the lawsuit says. That couple’s insurance plan was switched multiple times after a TrueCoverage agent excluded the wife’s income from an application so the couple would qualify. Later, they received bills from the IRS for $4,300 to cover tax credits issued to pay for the plans. CMS barred TrueCoverage and BenefitAlign from accessing the ACA marketplace. It said it received more than 90,000 complaints about unauthorized plan switches and more than 183,500 complaints about unauthorized enrollments, but the agency did not attribute all of the complaints to activities by the two companies. In addition, CMS restricted all agents’ abilities to alter policyholders’ enrollment information, the lawsuit says. Now access is allowed only for agents that already represent policyholders or if the policyholder participates in a three-way call with an agent and a marketplace employee. Between June and October, the agency barred 850 agents and brokers from accessing the marketplace “for reasonable suspicion of fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or unauthorized plan switches,” according to an October CMS news release . The changes resulted in a “dramatic and sustained drop” in unauthorized activity, including a nearly 70% decrease in plan changes associated with an agent or broker and a nearly 90% decrease in changes to agent or broker commission information, the release said. It added that while consumers were often unaware of such changes, the opportunity to make them provided “significant financial incentive for non-compliant agents and brokers.” But CMS’ restrictions might be having unintended consequences for law-abiding agents and brokers. A story published by Insurance News Net on Nov. 11 quoted the president of the Health Agents for America (HAFA) trade group as saying agents are being suspended by CMS after being flagged by a mysterious algorithm that no one can figure out. The story quotes HAFA president Ronnell Nolan as surmising, “maybe they wrote too many policies on the same day for people who have the same income or they’re writing too many policies on people of a certain occupation.” Nolan continued, “We have members who have thousands of ACA clients. They can’t update or renew their clients. So those consumers have lost access to their professional agent, which is simply unfair.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived impeachment on Saturday as his ruling party refused to join an opposition bid to oust him after he shocked the nation and its allies by briefly declaring martial law. The impeachment vote failed to gain the 200-vote hurdle needed to suspend the president from duties, after the ruling party boycotted the vote. A lengthy standoff followed as the opposition waited for ruling party members to change their minds and vote. Despite some of them doing so it eventually became clear the motion wouldn’t pass. The opposition, which controls a majority in the legislative body, has said it will push quickly for another vote. The attempt to oust the president came after Yoon, 63, shook markets and surprised world leaders by declaring martial law for the first time since South Korea became a democracy nearly four decades ago. He rescinded the order six hours later after lawmakers raced to the National Assembly and voted down the decree. While the outcome leaves Yoon in office for now, the ruling People Power Party will need to quickly find ways to shore up the administration and stabilize the situation to avoid the kind of escalating public protests seen in South Korea in the past. PPP leader Han Dong-hun vowed to seek the president’s orderly exit to minimize the turmoil, telling reporters that Yoon will be effectively suspended from duties until he steps down. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take the lead role in running state affairs through close consultations with the ruling party, while communicating with opposition parties, the party leader said. Under the country’s constitution, the prime minister’s role is to assist the president and direct the ministries following orders from the president. Minutes after the failure of the vote, opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung accused the ruling party of betraying the public. He apologized for failing to pass the motion, as other opposition lawmakers stood by him holding banners that read, “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol.” “We will ultimately impeach Yoon Suk Yeol,” Lee said. “We will return the state back to normal for you as a Christmas gift.” The ruling party’s decision to boycott the vote came hours after Yoon apologized for plunging the country into a political crisis, saying he would leave it up to the ruling party to decide his fate. The opposition bloc needed only eight votes from the ruling PPP to impeach Yoon. But Yoon’s conservatives refused to vote in favor of the motion, a move that would’ve likely handed their political opponents a big win in an early election that would have followed if he was removed. The impeachment bid looked set to fail much earlier Saturday evening when members of the ruling party left the National Assembly without voting. But before casting their ballots, opposition members together called on each member of the PPP by name to return to vote. “This incident will be written in our history, one that’s been built by the blood and sweat of our people,” parliamentary speaker Woo Won-shik said, as he urged ruling party lawmakers to return to the chamber and vote. “The head of a conservative group cannot speak alone for individuals’ consciences and values.” In an unexpected twist, two of them did, adding to the one PPP member who already voted. That emboldened the opposition to leave proceedings at a standstill with several hours remaining before the 72-hour limit for the voting period was due to expire. The votes by the three PPP members had prompted protesters outside the National Assembly to chant “five more to go.” As of 7 p.m., police estimated at least 100,000 people were gathered near the parliament to demand Yoon’s impeachment, compared with 18,000 Yoon supporters gathered near Gwanghwamun as of 6 p.m., according to Yonhap News. But the chances of the impeachment failing strengthened when one of the ruling party members who cast a ballot said he voted against it. The crowds started to thin as the likely result became clearer, the temperature dropped and food stalls started packing up having sold out of refreshments. “I had planned to take rest this weekend but I felt so scared after martial law,” said Park Hye-rim, a 33-year-old office worker from northern Seoul. “Even if impeachment is voted down, I will come back to rally again and again. I will not give up.” The political uncertainty in South Korea appears likely to persist, according to Jun Rong Yeap, a market strategist at IG Asia Pte. “Growing public outcries and intensifying pressure from the opposition party could potentially increase the risk of defections among PPP members,” he said, adding that the sustained uncertainty could remain a drag on its equities market into the new week. ——— (With assistance from Sohee Kim, Sangim Han, Sangmi Cha, Jaehyun Eom, Seyoon Kim, Hooyeon Kim, Shinhye Kang, Heejin Kim, Whanwoong Choi, Youkyung Lee, Eunkyung Seo and Min Jeong Lee.) ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Senate Bill No. 2879: Fanning another firestorm
WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.United, Apple rolling out new way to track lost luggage with AirTagsFeds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’
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Excitement for Virginians and New Kent County businesses is already building ahead of the Virginia Derby in March, New Kent County's Lindsay Hurt writes in a guest column.Debt Reduced to Under $155 Million as Company Continues its Technology Transformation ATLANTA, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DLH Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: DLHC) ("DLH” or the "Company”), a leading provider of science research and development, systems engineering and integration, and digital transformation and cyber security solutions to federal health IT and readiness agencies, today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Recent Highlights "As we close fiscal 2024, I believe that DLH is well positioned for the road ahead as we manage through this inflection point in our company's journey," said Zach Parker, DLH President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continued using our operating cash flow to reduce debt and ended the year with a total debt balance under $155 million. Furthermore, we recently announced an amendment to our credit facility that provides the flexibility to effectively navigate the transition of our CMOP contracts to small business contractors. That said, our pipeline of new business opportunities has never been stronger. We continue to actively bid on a host of opportunities leveraging our expanded customer base and capability set, and our recent new business win with the US Navy demonstrates the value our highly credentialed work force provides to our customers. Utilizing the platform of technology-powered solutions and services we have assembled through our acquisition program, we are confident in our ability to generate growth as we navigate the small business transition of a portion of our contract portfolio. We believe that our focus on providing innovative, high-value-added solutions in IT, public health, and digital transformation has put us on the path to greater operating results in the future, expansion in our business base, and higher shareholder value." Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $96.4 million versus $101.5 million in fiscal 2023, once again reflecting strength across the Company's key strategic programs - primarily in public health and IT services - offset by certain work converting to small business set-aside contracts, including the one previously-discussed CMOP location. The Company anticipates additional CMOP contract award decisions during fiscal 2025 to eligible small business bidders. Income from operations was $6.4 million in fiscal 2024, versus $0.1 million in the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter and, as a percentage of revenue, the Company reported an operating margin of 6.6% in fiscal 2024 versus 0.1% in the prior-year period. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company booked a $7.7 million impairment charge on certain long-lived assets, which negatively impacted operating results for such period. General and administrative expenses declined approximately $1.8 million to $8.5 million in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter from $10.2 million in fiscal 2023 as the company continued to strategically scale its indirect costs during this transitional period. Interest expense was $4.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 versus $4.8 million in the prior-year period, reflecting lower debt outstanding due to the Company's use of cash flow generation to de-lever the balance sheet. Income before income taxes was $2.2 million for the fourth quarter this year versus $(4.6) million in fiscal 2023, representing 2.3% and (4.6)% of revenue, respectively, for each period. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, DLH recorded an income tax benefit of $0.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. During the 2024 fiscal quarter and year, the Company benefited from stock-based compensation expense as options were exercised. The Company reported net income of approximately $2.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 versus $(2.6) million, or $(0.18) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. As a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2024 and 2023, net income was 2.4% and (2.6)%, respectively. On a non-GAAP basis, EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $10.7 million versus $4.4 million in the prior-year period, or 11.1% and 4.3% of revenue, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $10.7 million versus $12.1 million in the prior-year period, or 11.1% and 11.9% of revenue, respectively. Key Financial Indicators During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, DLH generated $12.4 million in operating cash. As of September 30, 2024 the Company had cash of $0.3 million and debt outstanding under its credit facility of $154.6 million versus cash of $0.2 million and debt outstanding of $179.4 million as of September 30, 2023. Of the $11.9 million debt reduction during the fourth quarter, $9.5 million were voluntary prepayments. The Company has satisfied all mandatory term amortization payments through fiscal 2025. As of September 30, 2024 total backlog was approximately $690.3 million, including funded backlog of approximately $155.1 million and unfunded backlog of $535.2 million. Conference Call and Webcast Details DLH management will discuss fourth quarter results and provide a general business update, including current competitive conditions and strategies, during a conference call beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow, December 5, 2024. Interested parties may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-347-5290 or 412-317-5256. Presentation materials will also be posted on the Investor Relations section of the DLH website prior to the commencement of the conference call. A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed on the DLH Investor Relations website or by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering the conference ID 4353784. About DLH DLH (NASDAQ: DLHC), a Russell 2000 company, enhances technology, public health, and cyber security readiness missions through science, technology, cyber, and engineering solutions and services. Our experts solve some of the most complex and critical missions faced by federal customers, leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cloud-based applications, telehealth systems, and more. With over 2,800 employees dedicated to the idea that "Your Mission is Our Passion,” DLH brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions. For more information, visit www.DLHcorp.com. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or DLH`s future financial performance. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances or that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management "believes”, "expects”, "anticipates”, "plans”, "intends” and similar expressions) should be considered forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or DLH's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, statements regarding estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings and cash flow. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements made in this release due to a variety of factors, including: the risk that we will not realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions (including anticipated future financial performance and results); the diversion of management's attention from normal daily operations of the business and the challenges of managing larger and more widespread operations; the inability to retain employees and customers; contract awards in connection with re-competes for present business and/or competition for new business; our ability to manage our debt obligations; compliance with bank financial and other covenants; changes in client budgetary priorities; government contract procurement (such as bid and award protests, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the impact of inflation and higher interest rates; and other risks described in our SEC filings. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors” in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 as well as subsequent reports filed thereafter. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry and business. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and may become outdated over time. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. CONTACTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands except per share amounts) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands except par value of shares) 2024 2023Terry Bradshaw has been a constant presence on the television screens of NFL fans for more than 40 years. The 76-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers icon, whose broadcast tenure has been as storied as his days earning four Super Bowl rings, has faced criticism after a series of televised blunders this year. He has been slated by fans for getting the scores wrong , speaking off the wrong autocue, butchering the pronunciation of some players names and even offending some people by trying to impersonate several US accents. Yet, Bradshaw, who has been on television since his days on CBS Sport in 1980, continues to work as a pundit. It's clear from his history and repeated declarations that hanging up the microphone is not on his agenda. Recent declaration With his commitment unwavering, Bradshaw recently opened up on the Dale Brisby's Rodeo Time podcast, when asked if he is planning on retirement. He said: "You know what man, I don't know when that time comes when then they say to me, you know 'happy trails'. Yeah, man, you want to say that's never going to happen. "But I guess when the Cowboys are playing the New York Giants, and you go, 'Well uh... uh today we have uh... uh, our number one game today as you well know, it's this huge game between... uh... you know they are really doing good right now (mimicking someone telling him 'Dallas' off mic) Dallas!' Yeah, you can see that you're pretty much gone. That hasn't happened yet. But, you know what, when you realize that the time has come, that's a sad time." Dying on air When asked if he has contemplated retirement, during an appearance on a radio show, Bradshaw veered away from the seriousness of the subject with a classic joke. In jest, he said he wants to die on air, to ensure he will leave FOX and the rest of his colleagues with sky high ratings. But while he was being funny, there was an underlying statement that he will not be leaving. He said: "I told FOX: 'If I could just die on the show, think about the ratings, right? Are we not about ratings? That'd be huge. Not only that, there would be a huge carryover. Then all the networks would be saying 'Bradshaw died on FOX NFL Sunday. Huge stuff, and then maybe I get a statue out front'. But if I can keep my health together, I love what I'm doing. But we all get old and we're going to get kicked out. I'm not looking over my shoulder, but [Tom] Brady is coming in for $37.5million." 'I'm having so much fun' Bradshaw has made it clear that he is not in the industry for the money - he quite simply enjoys every second of his job. He expressed his enthusiasm unequivocally in another television appearance when he said: "So much fun. I'm one of those people that are lucky to go to work and can't wait to get there. It's so much fun to get up early as you, we work all day, we're 12 hours in the studio working all the games throughout. "The people here in New York may see us do one show but we do 12. You're hanging out with a bunch of jocks that you love like brothers and it is a hoot as you can well imagine. They're all good people." Retirement U-Turn Despite contemplating retirement, a career in broadcasting beckoned, and Bradshaw was quick to seize the opportunity - a choice he looks back on fondly. Reflecting on his past inclinations, Bradshaw said: "I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stumble into broadcasting. "And after a really hard talk and deciding 'Well I'll retire, I'm not gonna do this anymore. It wasn't any fun,' the NFL Today came calling. And that's really where I should've been." Bradshaw's People Pleasing Bradshaw has emphatically stated that hanging up his punditry hat isn't on the cards anytime soon. But he has dropped a hint about what might push him towards stepping back. In a candid revelation to Business Traveller USA, Bradshaw said: "I don't like people to be upset with me. I like people to like me." Considering all of the people that demand his retirement on social meida, the vocality of the fans and his colleagues could perhaps convince him to walk away from the industry. Previous retirement complaints In 2022, Bradshaw experienced a concerning episode of breathlessness live on air, leading to speculation among viewers about his health. Initially, fans speculated he was having a 'senior moment' on television, unaware that he was actually battling bladder and skin cancer. Addressing the calls for his retirement following the incident, Bradshaw responded to his critics with a frank admission about his health struggles. Looking back on what happened, he said: "I couldn't breathe. That's when everybody notices. 'What's wrong with him?' Social media went, 'Get rid of him. He needs to be off the air. He's an embarrassment.' And I was like, 'Embarrassment? I got cancer'." Bradshaw would go on to reveal his cancer diagnosis, after months of keeping the news to himself.
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Children of politicians entering politics common across world: TTVBest Ski Accessories for 2025: High-Tech Gear for the Winter
Biostimulants Market: Trends, Size, Share, Growth, and Demand Outlook to 2031 11-25-2024 08:48 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research (DBMR) Biostimulants Market The biostimulants market is rapidly gaining traction as an essential component of modern agriculture. As the global population continues to rise, so does the demand for sustainable farming practices. Biostimulants are emerging as a game-changer in improving crop yield and quality while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This article explores the biostimulants market, covering its trends, size, share, growth prospects, and demand outlook up to 2031. Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-biostimulants-market Biostimulants are biologically derived products that enhance plant growth, nutrient uptake, and resistance to abiotic stress. Unlike traditional fertilizers, biostimulants work by activating the plant's natural processes rather than directly supplying nutrients. These products include substances such as humic acids, amino acids, seaweed extracts, and microbial inoculants. The growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation is a key factor driving the adoption of biostimulants. Farmers and agricultural professionals are increasingly turning to these innovative solutions to meet the dual challenge of increasing food production and minimizing ecological impact. Key Trends Shaping the Biostimulants Market Several trends are shaping the growth and evolution of the biostimulants market: 1. Shift Toward Sustainable Agriculture Governments and organizations worldwide are promoting sustainable agricultural practices to combat the adverse effects of climate change and over-reliance on synthetic agrochemicals. Biostimulants, with their ability to improve soil health and crop resilience, align perfectly with this shift. 2. Advancements in Biostimulant Technologies Ongoing research and development have led to the creation of innovative biostimulant formulations. Companies are investing in novel delivery systems and bio-based ingredients to enhance the efficacy of their products. These advancements are making biostimulants more accessible and effective for farmers. 3. Growing Consumer Demand for Organic Products The rising demand for organic and non-GMO food products is indirectly boosting the biostimulants market. Farmers adopting organic farming methods are increasingly using biostimulants as a part of their crop management strategy. 4. Increased Focus on Abiotic Stress Management Abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity. Biostimulants are gaining popularity as they help plants withstand these stresses, ensuring stable yields even under unfavorable conditions. 5. Collaborations and Partnerships Companies are forming strategic collaborations with agricultural cooperatives, research institutions, and governments to expand their reach and accelerate product development. These partnerships are fostering innovation and driving market growth. Market Size and Share Analysis The global biostimulants market size was valued at USD 4.63 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 11.39 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include import export analysis, production capacity overview, production consumption analysis, price trend analysis, climate change scenario, supply chain analysis, value chain analysis, raw material/consumables overview, vendor selection criteria, PESTLE Analysis, Porter Analysis, and regulatory framework. Regional Insights Europe: Europe holds the largest share of the global biostimulants market, driven by stringent environmental regulations and the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices. Countries like Spain, Italy, and France are major contributors to market growth. Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing the fastest growth, thanks to increasing agricultural activities in countries like India, China, and Japan. The growing awareness of the benefits of biostimulants among farmers is a key driver. North America: The market in North America is steadily expanding, supported by advancements in agricultural technologies and the adoption of organic farming practices. Latin America and MEA: These regions are also experiencing growth due to increasing government initiatives and rising awareness among farmers. Market Segmentation The biostimulants market is segmented based on product type, crop type, and application method: Product Type: Includes humic substances, amino acids, seaweed extracts, and microbial biostimulants. Crop Type: Encompasses cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and turf & ornamentals. Application Method: Foliar treatment, soil treatment, and seed treatment are the major application methods. Growth Drivers and Challenges Drivers Environmental Regulations: Stricter regulations on synthetic agrochemicals are pushing farmers toward biostimulants. Rising Population: Increasing food demand due to population growth is necessitating higher agricultural productivity. Soil Health Concerns: Depleting soil fertility has created a need for sustainable solutions like biostimulants. Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation is enhancing the performance and affordability of biostimulants. Challenges High Costs: The initial cost of biostimulants can be a deterrent for small-scale farmers. Limited Awareness: Many farmers, especially in developing regions, are unaware of the benefits of biostimulants. Regulatory Hurdles: The lack of standardized regulations across regions complicates market operations. Demand Outlook for 2031 The demand for biostimulants is expected to witness exponential growth by 2031. Factors such as climate change, food security concerns, and advancements in biostimulant formulations will continue to drive adoption. Key sectors fueling demand include organic farming, precision agriculture, and protected cultivation. Emerging Opportunities Digital Agriculture: Integration of biostimulants with digital farming technologies can optimize their application and improve outcomes. Customized Solutions: Companies offering crop-specific and region-specific biostimulants are likely to gain a competitive edge. Government Incentives: Subsidies and support programs for sustainable farming practices will further boost the market. Browse Trending Reports: https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/3d-glasses-market-size-share-trends.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/adrenocortical-carcinoma-treatment.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/agricultural-biologicals-market-size_26.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/aluminium-collapsible-tubes-market-size.html Conclusion The biostimulants market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, underpinned by a global push toward sustainable agriculture. Innovations in product development, coupled with rising awareness and demand for eco-friendly farming solutions, are creating a fertile ground for market expansion. By 2031, the biostimulants market is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming global agriculture, ensuring food security, and promoting environmental sustainability. About Data Bridge Market Research: Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Contact Us: Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 614 591 3140 UK: +44 845 154 9652 APAC : +653 1251 975 Email: corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com" This release was published on openPR.
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