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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
From sea bass to salmon – eight seafood recipes that'll wow your guests
CAMPARI AND VODKA CURED SALMON A classic bar-side drink that I am very fond of is the Garibaldi. Made with Campari and orange juice, the bitter notes and fresh, frothy citrus blend perfectly. I've taken inspiration from this colourful duo and found it works beautifully for curing a side of salmon with juniper, pink peppercorns, a hit of vodka and the subtle green, feathery notes of chervil. SERVES 6 1kg sea salt crystals 400g golden caster sugar 1 tbsp pink peppercorns, crushed 100g chervil, leaves finely chopped 1 tbsp orange zest 150ml Campari 80ml vodka 1 side of salmon, skin on, pin-boned (about 800g) To serve rye bread, in thin slices horseradish sauce salmon roe a small handful of dill lemon slices 1 Combine the salt, sugar, pink peppercorns, chervil, orange zest, Campari and vodka in a large bowl and stir together. Put half of this curing mixture on a large piece of clingfilm in a deep-sided tray. Place the salmon, skin-side down, on the curing mixture, then cover with the remaining curing mixture. Cover the salmon with another layer of clingfilm, then weigh it down using a smaller tray, with tins for weights. Leave in the refrigerator for at least a day – two is even better. 2 When ready, strain away any excess liquid and clean off the cure from the salmon with paper towels. Slice the cured salmon into 1cm pieces, just as you would smoked salmon. 3 Serve on the thin slices of rye bread with the horseradish sauce, salmon roe, dill fronds and lemon slices. CRUMBED SARDINES WITH A TOMATO AND SHALLOT DRESSING Sardines and tomatoes are great housemates and I always find myself bringing them together in recipes. Ask your fishmonger to butterfly the sardines for you. SERVES 4 (as a starter) 200g panko breadcrumbs zest of 1 lemon 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 50g plain flour 2 eggs, beaten 16 sardines, deboned, trimmed and butterfly-filleted 2 tbsp olive oil sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the tomato dressing 350g tomatoes, deseeded and diced 2 banana shallots, finely chopped 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped To serve green salad and bread 1 Make the tomato dressing: put the tomatoes, shallots, parsley, olive oil, vinegar and garlic in a bowl. Stir together and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Taste and adjust if necessary. 2 Put the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and parsley in a shallow tray, season with salt and pepper and combine. Put the flour in a tray alongside, and the beaten eggs in a third tray. Pat the sardines dry, coat in the flour, then the egg and press into the breadcrumbs. 3 Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Cook the sardines in batches for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on each side. Spoon on the dressing and serve with the salad and bread to mop up the tomatoey juices. LEMONY ORZO WITH TUNA, AVOCADO, SPRING ONIONS AND MINT Orzo translates as 'barley'. It makes me think immediately of The Hobbit and I am transported to Bilbo Baggins' house, Bag End – I am sure Bilbo would have whipped up this dish using ingredients from his various larders, which were treasure troves of pastas, pulses and jars. 180g orzo pasta 1 lemon 4 tbsp olive oil 30g mint leaves, thinly sliced, plus extra to serve 220g jar of albacore tuna in olive oil, drained 1 ripe avocado 4 spring onions, thinly sliced sea salt 1 Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and cook the orzo for 10 minutes (or according to the packet instructions). Once it is cooked, drain and run under cold water to cool, then leave to drain in a colander over the pan. 2 Zest and juice the lemon into a bowl, then add the orzo and 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Add a good pinch of salt and mix together, then stir through the mint and taste. Adjust the seasoning if needed. 3 Spoon the orzo on to a platter and break up the tuna over it. Spoon over the avocado flesh, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and garnish with the spring onions and extra mint leaves. HOT-SMOKED TROUT CAESAR SALAD Here's one of my go-to salads (there are many variations). It has hot-smoked trout, croutons and lettuce, and I lighten things up by using crème fraîche in the dressing instead of mayonnaise. Little gem and romaine lettuces are perfect leaves for this salad. If preferred, you can swap out the trout for tinned herring or flakes of mackerel. SERVES 4 2 red romaine lettuces 4 little gem lettuces 2 x 112g tins of hot-smoked trout (if unavailable go for vacuum-packed) 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 tbsp chopped tarragon leaves For the croutons 100g leftover sourdough bread 1 tbsp olive oil 1 sprig of rosemary, leaves picked sea salt For the dressing 1 tsp English mustard 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped 50g parmesan, grated 100ml olive oil 4 tbsp crème fraîche sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Start with the croutons. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Tear the bread into bite-size pieces, place on a baking sheet and drizzle over the olive oil. 2 Scatter the rosemary over the bread along with a good pinch of sea salt. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. 3 Next, make the dressing. In a bowl, mix together the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, anchovy fillets and grated parmesan. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and then the crème fraîche. Season to taste. Add a splash of iced water to loosen the texture, if needed. This dressing can be made up to three days in advance. 4 Separate the leaves of the lettuces, then wash them and spin-dry. To keep them nice and crisp, put them in a bowl, cover with a clean, damp tea towel and keep in the refrigerator until they're needed. Build the salad in layers, starting with the leaves, then the flaked trout and so on. Add the dressing and finally the croutons. Finish with the chopped herbs. SEA BASS WITH MALAYSIAN DRESSING Sea bass is perfect if you are new to fish cookery. While this is perhaps a celebratory recipe, it works if you are short on time, too, as it is so quick and easy to prepare. I have many recipes from my grandmother, inspired by her time in Malaysia, and this one is a favourite. It's a recipe that also works very well with whole bream – simply divide the dressing among four bream instead of one whole sea bass. SERVES 4 800g sea bass, gutted, scaled and trimmed (ask your fishmonger) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 thumb-size piece of fresh root ginger (about 5cm), peeled and cut into matchsticks coriander leaves 1 bunch of spring onions, washed, trimmed and thinly sliced lengthways a handful of mint leaves, finely chopped, to garnish 1 bunch of watercress, to garnish sea salt For the Malaysian dressing 1 tbsp crushed red chillies preserved in vinegar (I always keep a jar in my larder) 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine 1 tbsp dark soy sauce 4 tbsp sesame oil 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/ 200C fan/gas 7. Prepare the sea bass by laying it on a baking sheet on a piece of foil that you can fold up and around the fish to enclose it like an envelope. 2 With a sharp knife, make four or five incisions in the fish, each about 3cm in length, on the diagonal. Lightly rub the fish with the olive oil and season it with sea salt. Scatter the ginger over and place the coriander leaves in the cavity. Bring the foil together and crimp the edges so that the parcel is sealed. 3 Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, then remove and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes. 4 To make the dressing, add the crushed chillies, rice wine and soy sauce to a bowl and stir everything together. In a small pan, gently heat the sesame oil and cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes, then pour the hot garlic oil over the chillies. Set aside. 5 Put the spring onions in a bowl of iced water. This will soften their flavour and make them extra crunchy. Drain and pat dry when ready to serve. 6 When the fish has rested, pull the foil apart, spoon over enough dressing to cover and sprinkle the top of the fish with the spring onions. Garnish with the mint, watercress and extra dressing on the side. ANCHOVY AND THYME PUFF PASTRY STRAWS The anchovies are wearing the trousers in these buttery puff pastry straws. Their salty notes marry perfectly with the heat from the chilli and fragrant thyme leaves. Perfect for a pre-dinner drink or a picnic. 50ml good olive oil 2 x 50g tins of anchovy fillets in olive oil (reserve the oil) 1 tsp dried chilli flakes a handful of thyme leaves 1 x sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry 25g parmesan, grated sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. 2 In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, anchovy oil, chilli flakes and most of the thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper (do not add too much salt as the anchovies are already salty). 3 Unroll the pastry and lay it on the prepared baking sheet. Brush it all over with the olive oil mixture and cut it into about 12 pencil-thin strips, then cut these in half to form 24 short strips. Place the anchovy fillets on the strips. Sprinkle over the grated parmesan and remaining thyme leaves. 4 Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden. CITRUS-STUFFED WHOLE RED MULLET WITH BLACK OLIVE TAPENADE TOASTS Oh-so pretty and eye catching, red mullet really is a beauty. I find it is more of a fishy fish in flavour, in the sense that it is stronger yet still sweet. Roasting it in the oven with citrus and thyme brings zing and colour. The tapenade will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, so it can be made in advance. SERVES 4 4 medium red mullet (about 250g each), gutted, scaled and washed 1 bunch of lemon thyme 4 oranges, thinly sliced 2 lemons, thinly sliced 2 tbsp olive oil For the black olive tapenade 220g jar of pitted black olives 1 garlic clove, peeled 2 anchovy fillets 1⁄2 tsp dried chilli flakes 50ml olive oil For the toasts 1 baguette or sourdough loaf, sliced 1cm thick (allow 2-3 toasts per person) 1 garlic clove good olive oil 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Score the skin of each mullet three times with a sharp knife (just through the skin, not the flesh). Stuff each cavity with a few sprigs of lemon thyme and the orange and lemon slices. Place the fish in a roasting tin and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes until cooked through. 2 For the tapenade, place the olives, garlic, anchovies, chilli flakes and olive oil in a food processor and blitz until roughly chopped together. 3 Toast the bread slices and rub with the garlic clove while still hot. Drizzle with olive oil and top with the tapenade. Serve the red mullet with the olive tapenade toasts. BARBECUED PRAWN TACOS WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND PARSLEY These tacos are filled with tarragon mayo, smoky charred asparagus and blushing pink, garlicky, chilli prawns that are drunk on sherry and cooked over the coals. SERVES 4 1 bunch of small asparagus 1.5kg raw tiger prawns, peeled, cleaned and deveined 1 tsp crushed red chillies preserved in vinegar (shop-bought jar) 4 garlic cloves, crushed 25g unsalted butter juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp dry sherry 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped 8 small wheat tortillas 80g watercress or lamb's lettuce For the tarragon mayo 3 egg yolks juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp Dijon mustard 250ml sunflower oil 1 small handful tarragon sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 For the tarragon mayo, place the egg yolks in a food processor and add the lemon juice, mustard and a good pinch of sea salt. Whizz until just combined, With the motor running, slowly pour the oil through the funnel in a fine slow stream until it is all incorporated and has emulsified. Remove the tarragon leaves from the stalks and roughly chop. Fold through the mayo and taste, seasoning as needed. 2 Prepare a barbecue. Char the asparagus over direct heat for 2-3 minutes and set aside. 3 In a bowl, stir together the prawns with the chilli and garlic. Place a cast-iron frying pan over direct heat and melt the butter until it begins to bubble. Add the prawns and cook for 1 minute, or until just translucent. Squeeze over the lemon juice, throw in the sherry and reduce the sauce by a quarter. Stir in the chopped parsley, then set aside. 4 Pop the tortillas over direct heat and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Dollop some tarragon mayo on to each tortilla and fill with prawns, sliced asparagus and watercress or lettuce. NOW BUY THE BOOK Our recipes are taken from Home Shores by Emily Scott, with photographs by Matt Russell and Emma Bourton (Quadrille, £30). To order a copy for £25.50 with free UK delivery until 22 June, go to or call 020 3176 2937.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Guilty plea sheds light on 'big city crime in small Ontario city'
The mystery surrounding Victoria Dill's violent death last summer has lingered since she was found gunned down near her burning Hiawatha Street home. St. Thomas police investigators talk outside a building at 20 Hiawatha St. in St. Thomas on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Police were investigating a homicide and an arson at the multi-unit building. (Dale Carruthers/The London Free Press) ST. THOMAS – The mystery surrounding Victoria Dill's violent death last summer has lingered since she was found gunned down near her burning Hiawatha Street home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Dill, 39, was only the second homicide victim in St. Thomas in the last nine years and her death and a suspected arson on July 3, 2024, sent shockwaves throughout the community. But on Thursday, some of the questions were answered when Keegan Harvey, 21, one among three men charged in the case, pleaded guilty to possession of a loaded, prohibited handgun, specifically a Taurus G2C 9-millimetre handgun, that was used to shoot Dill. Ontario Court Justice Glen Donald was told Thursday Harvey wasn't the shooter or the firebug who set her apartment unit ablaze, but he and others identified in the case were involved in St. Thomas's drug culture. Outside court, Harvey's lawyer Jim Dean characterized the homicide as 'big city crime in a small Ontario city.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Keegan Harvey There were some precautions taken in court to make way for the guilty plea. Harvey appeared by teleconference from a provincial jail outside the London-St. Thomas area, an unusual step given the violent, high-profile nature of the crime. Elgin County Crown attorney David Rows told Donald 'the Crown has some concerns with respect to the intimidation of witnesses and parties involved in this particular proceeding.' Dean said 'there have been some threats' at past appearances and during one video appearance there were comments made to his client and 'there was someone who made a gesture of the finger across the throat.' Dean said outside of court, there have been 'some credible threats against my client and his family to dissuade him from taking responsibility for his part in this,' both through third parties and social media, and at least one person has been charged with uttering threats. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Uttering threats and intimidation of justice participants are serious allegations and demonstrate the serious and dangerous nature of this type of lifestyle,' Dean said. 'And sending such threats through one's own social media account just defies logic to me,' he said. In the courtroom, Donald ordered anyone observing the court through the teleconference link to turn on their cameras to show their faces online to the court. An agreed statement of facts was read into the record by Rows, who told Donald that on July 2, 2024, Harvey was driving his father's grey Chevrolet Malibu and had three men with him. One of them instructed Harvey to take them to a gas station to buy gas he said was to fill up a motorcycle. Shortly before midnight, the Malibu was caught on video surveillance driving into the Petro-Canada on Wilson Avenue in St. Thomas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One of the rear-seat passenger side got out and walked to the driver's side. He was wearing dark clothing, tan shoes and a mask. Harvey, who also was wearing a mask covering his face, got out and was given money by the passenger, Rows said. Harvey went into the gas station store and bought a 12-pack of water and about 16 litres of gasoline, paying $30 in cash. While Harvey was in the store, the other rear-seat passenger got out. He was not wearing a mask but he used his left hand to pull his T-shirt up over his face. He got back in the car. Harvey left the store and popped open the car's trunk. The passenger took out a red gas can and filled it with gas. Harvey got back into the driver's seat and the passenger put the filled gas can into the trunk. A fourth man in the front passenger seat never left the Malibu. The car left the gas station and headed north on Sunset Drive. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Rows said the car stopped briefly at a residence and the rear passenger who filled the gas can gave Harvey directions to where the motorcycle was that needed filling. Surveillance video from a business captured at about 1 a.m. on July 3 shows the Malibu travelling east on Curtis Street and entering a parking lot at 96 Curtis St. The car was backed into a parking spot at the north end of the lot. But there was no motorcycle to fill with gas, Rows said. St. Thomas police investigate a woman's death near a fire-damaged apartment building at 20 Hiawatha St. in St. Thomas on July 3, 2024. (Jack Moulton/The London Free Press) Instead, one of the two rear seat passengers asked Harvey for his loaded handgun. Harvey first said no, and told the man to take the gun he believed the other rear passenger had in his possession. But that passenger 'directed' Harvey to turn over his gun to the man. 'Keegan Harvey complied,' Rows said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. More surveillance video from a business captured the killing. Rows said a rear passenger is on video retrieving the gas can from the trunk of Harvey's car and carrying it south to the entrance of Unit 4 at 20 Hiawatha St. where Dill lived. He poured the gasoline around the north wall and entrance of the residence and lit the gas 'causing an explosive fireball,' Rows said, and setting the building on fire. The man ran north toward Harvey's car. Dill was making her way home and was at the intersection of Hiawatha and Curtis streets just as the fire was lit. She chased the man, but as she got closer to the car, the man 'turns back toward Victoria (Dill) and shoots her in the head, causing her to fall to the ground, deceased,' Rows said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Harvey was directed by the other rear passenger to drive away. He put the car into drive, but waited for the man who fired the gun to get back in the rear driver's side of the car. The four men went their separate ways and Harvey 'did not retain the firearm used to kill Victoria Dill,' Rows said. Rows said Harvey admits he was in possession of the gun and he knew it was loaded. The gun is a prohibited weapon and Harvey didn't have a licence for it. He also admits he provided the gun to the shooter at the direction of the other rear passenger 'and that this firearm was used to cause the death of Victoria Dill.' Harvey said he didn't disagree with any of the facts read into the court record. No pre-sentence report was requested. Harvey's original charge of accessory to murder remains before the court until his sentencing date that Rows said is 'down the road.' The case was adjourned to Sept. 16 for an update on plans surrounding the next steps. Two other people charged in connection with the case remain before the court. jsims@ World Olympics Toronto & GTA Columnists Music
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. RCMP undercover officer posing as postal employee breached rights of accused
A judge has ruled that Kelowna RCMP violated an accused's Charter rights by sending an undercover officer posing as a Canada Post carrier to deliver a package rigged with an alarm and a dye pack during a weapons investigation. Police devised a plan to deliver the package to Thomas Troy Dill after Canadian border officers in Vancouver alerted Mounties in 2022 to a shipment from China containing two silencers, which are illegal in Canada. Minutes after the package was delivered, Dill opened it, triggering the alarm, and waiting police armed with a warrant entered his apartment. He was later arrested and charged with smuggling firearms and drug possession. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Dill's lawyer alleged his Charter rights were breached and a four-day hearing was held in B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna in April and May to determine whether the evidence was admissible, according to a judgment released on Monday. Justice Edlyn Laurie ruled the delivery of the package constituted an illegal search, even though Dill invited the officer posing as a mail courier into the building. She ruled police overstepped their authority because the general warrant 'did not authorize the controlled delivery of the package by the (undercover agent) to Mr. Dill.' The officer who sought the warrant, identified only as Const. Riley, testified he included that an undercover officer would pose as a postal carrier, but he wasn't aware of details of how that would be done. He said he didn't believe the delivery constituted a search. Dill's lawyer argued it was a search because the undercover officer's purpose in being at the door was to gather evidence, according to Laurie's decision. The Charter protected Dill in his suite but 'the point of contention here … is whether Mr. Dill had a reasonable expectation of privacy in observations made of him and in his interactions with the (undercover officer) at the doorway of the unit. In my view, he did,' wrote Laurie. Dill's privacy interest wasn't 'extinguished simply because he opened the door,' she wrote. 'Courts have found that Section 8 of the Charter protects individuals from unauthorized police surveillance inside residential buildings where it interferes with the person's reasonable expectation of privacy,' she wrote. The prosecutor said the warrant was accompanied by an 'assistance order' that directed Canada Post to provide assistance to the RCMP and that 'implicitly the controlled delivery was judicially authorized,' the decision said. Laurie didn't agree, ruling the assistance order didn't authorize the controlled delivery. Dill's lawyer also argued police had illegally searched Dill's apartment when they entered to retrieve the rigged parcel but also searched the rest of the suite while they were inside. The general warrant had authorized police to replace the contents of the package, install an alarm and a dye pack, and to enter his apartment as soon as the alarm had been activated. The officers had permission to enter the apartment only to retrieve the package and its contents, Dill's lawyer argued, but the prosecution said the warrant didn't specify how the premises were to be searched and the search was therefore 'Charter-compliant.' The judge ruled with the prosecution on that search and on a third Charter breach allegation that Dill's right to counsel was delayed because he wasn't allowed to speak to a lawyer for one hour and 18 minutes after his arrest. Const. Shawn Murphy, who entered Dill's apartment after the alarm was triggered, said he was looking for the package as he went down a hallway toward the bathroom, bedroom and closet, and saw a handgun sticking out from under clothes and a long gun in a duffel bag on the floor. He also saw some Ziploc bags on the bathroom floor and one in the toilet as well as methamphetamine residue on the toilet seat. The existence of those items was then used to apply for a search warrant for drugs and weapons, according to the decision. Murphy testified even though a police emergency response team had checked the apartment, he wasn't certain there weren't animals or booby traps in the suite, and as he moved through the apartment, he was always looking for the package. He said he later saw the empty package in the kitchen and a silencer on a recliner in the living room. The judge accepted the testimony of that timeline in rejecting the defence challenge. Although Murphy was questioned at length about how he could have missed the packaging and the silencer, 'it was never put to him that he had improper motives in searching the unit,' said Laurie. slazaruk@
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘The perfect vehicle to further your crime': Colorado theft victims track their stolen phones to EcoATM kiosks
When Anna Hewson's daughter's iPhone disappeared one weekend, she did what any parent would do — she followed the digital crumbs. Using Apple's 'Find My' app, the KUSA 9News producer tracked the stolen device until it ended up at a Walmart in Arvada, Colorado. Inside the store stood an EcoATM, a kiosk that pays cash for used phones. Hewson had a hunch, so she called the police. Moments later, officers unlocked the machine with help from EcoATM's customer service. Inside the bin sat a pile of locked phones, including her daughter's. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) 'At face value, the idea that you can walk in and turn over, sell stolen property to a machine, it seems like the perfect vehicle to further your crime,' Arvada Police Department Public Information Officer Chase Amos told 9News. EcoATMs are automated kiosks found at major retailers, including Walmart. They offer users instant cash in exchange for used electronics. The machines scan a seller's ID, take a thumb print, snap a photo and send the data to live agents for verification. Devices are held for at least 30 days at a processing center in Louisville, Kentucky, which offers a short window where owners can recover stolen property. EcoATM claims to work closely with law enforcement, logging device serial numbers in national databases and cooperating with investigations. 'EcoATM happily and voluntarily cooperates with law enforcement when requested. If a missing phone does end up in one of our machines, it is returned to the rightful owner,' a company spokesperson told 9News. Still, theft victims say recovery isn't always so simple. Despite robust security measures, the high volume of stolen phones and the anonymity offered by kiosks make investigations challenging for law enforcement. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Michael Dill, a Denver veteran, told 9News that he was mugged on St. Patrick's Day in 2024. Hours later, he tracked his phone to an EcoATM in an Englewood Walmart. Though he reported it, Dill said he spent weeks in a frustrating loop trying to confirm the phone's presence at EcoATM's warehouse. Eventually, the company sent him a replacement device. But, he says his old phone later resurfaced in the hands of someone with a UK phone number who texted him and demanded he remove the device from Apple's security system. When Dill refused, the texter threatened to access his data. He contacted Apple, which assured him the phone would remain locked and his data would remain secure. In a statement to 9News, EcoATM said Dill's phone was not found among any devices in its warehouse. 'Because we were unable to locate Michael's phone, we were unable to return it to him,' a spokesperson said. 'However, we did in good faith, provide him with a complimentary replacement device.' On the bright side, there are several ways to help protect yourself from scams involving services like EcoATM. Log your IMEI. Record your phone's international mobile equipment identity and serial number, which can usually be found in the 'About' section of your device settings. Purchase phone cases with anti-theft features. Or, choose phones with built-in anti-theft features and enable tracking apps, like Apple's 'Find My' app, to locate your device in real time. Choose smart insurance plans. Opt for plans with lower deductibles or comprehensive coverage in case of theft. Secure your phone. Help protect your private data by using fingerprint or face recognition to unlock your phone. Enable remote wipe. Set up remote wipe capabilities to erase your information if your phone is stolen. If your device is stolen, report it to your local police department. If you do track it to an EcoATM kiosk, notify the company via their customer service line. But, authorities warn people should never try to go out and find the phone on their own. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
American Military News
02-06-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Pentagon targets 50% reduction in permanent changes of station
The Pentagon distributed a memorandum last week requiring each of the military branches to submit plans to reduce permanent change of station budgets by as much as 50% by Fiscal Year 2030. In a memorandum sent to the secretaries of the military departments last Thursday, the Pentagon noted that the Department of Defense currently spends roughly $5 billion per year to move military personnel and military families to different assignments. 'While these permanent change of station (PCS) moves support mission requirements, the frequency can reduce quality of life for Service members and their families, harm spousal employment, and disrupt functional communities, unit cohesion, and long-term talent management,' the memorandum stated. 'As we look across the Department for efficiencies, the Military Departments must determine which PCS moves are most critical to support operational requirements and key professional development,' the Pentagon added. 'Lower-priority PCS moves should be reduced for Service members and their families seeking greater geographic stability.' The Pentagon's memorandum directed the secretaries of the military departments to develop plans to reduce 'discretionary move' budgets for permanent change of station moves. The memorandum states that the 'discretionary move' budges should be reduced by 10% by Fiscal Year 2027, 30% by Fiscal Year 2028, 40% by Fiscal Year 2029, and 50% by Fiscal Year 2030. READ MORE: Pentagon changing transgender soldiers' records to biological sex: Report According to Fox News, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Tim Dill told reporters that the Pentagon's permanent change of station budget cut target has not been finalized despite the release of the memorandum. 'We want them to come back and tell us if that seems like the right number for them,' Dill told reporters. 'If they come back and say, well, this specific course of action could be harmful, then we don't want to accomplish it.' Dill told reporters that based on the results of the 2024 Survey of Active Duty Spouses, which showed that 32% of military spouses supported leaving the U.S. military, it was time for the Defense Department to 'look at reducing the frequency of those moves, especially if we want to maintain the momentum that we have today both in recruiting and the retention of service members.' Addressing the issues caused by permanent changes of station, Dill said, 'Families have to go find a home, they need new arrangements for their children… and they're displaced from the community of support that they've developed over the years in their previous duty station.'
