Latest news with #EB1
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Fortnite refunds roll out again: Here's how to claim your share from FTC settlement
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday, June 25, that it is issuing over $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were unfairly charged for in-game purchases they didn't intend to make. So, if you or your child made accidental purchases in Fortnite, here's what you need to know about claiming your refund. To claim refunds for accidental Fortnite purchases, players must submit claims by July 9, 2025. (Representative Image: Unsplash ) Also Read: NBA Draft Day 2: When and where to watch for free? Streaming details, channels and more As part of its 2023 settlement with Epic Games, the FTC is now reopening the claims process for eligible Fortnite players, including parents or guardians of minors. Epic agreed to pay $245 million after the agency accused the company of using 'deceptive practices' that led players to make unintended in-game purchases. The first round of refunds was issued in December 2024 by the FTC, where the agency made over 629,000 payments, bringing the total sum to $72 million. In its latest round of refunds, the agency sent out nearly 970,000 payments, including checks and PayPal transactions. However, these will only reach consumers who have filled out a valid claim. On June 25, the FTC stated, 'Today's announcement brings the total amount of refunds the FTC has issued to consumer related to Epic's deceptive billing practices to nearly $200 million,' in a news release, as reported by USA Today. Also Read: Jasmine Crockett mocks Melania Trump's modelling career, even questions her EB1 visa How to claim Fortnite refunds? According to the agency, consumers chose their preferred payment method, check or PayPal, when completing the claim form. Check recipients must cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated, while PayPal users have 30 days to redeem their funds. Those who haven't filed a claim yet have until July 9, 2025, to do so at Fortnite is known for its popular Battle Royale mode, which allows up to 100 players to fight in one go until there is one last standing. The game is free to download; however, there are in-game purchases, which are known as microtransactions among gamers. These microtransactions can be anything from costumes to certain dance moves, which gamers have understood over a period of time. However, FTC believes that Epic Games used 'dark patterns' to disguise in-game purchase prompts, leading players, often children, to unknowingly make purchases. In some cases, a single button press, such as waking the game from sleep or previewing an item, triggered charges without consent. These practices occurred between 2017 and 2022.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez reportedly lock down hotel floors ahead of wedding: Who's allowed in?
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are ramping up security and exclusivity as they prepare to tie the knot in Venice. According to Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop, the couple has taken over two entire floors of the luxurious Aman Venice hotel, where their high-profile wedding is reportedly taking place, as reported by Reality Tea. As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez prepare for their wedding in Venice, reports suggest that they have secured two floors of the Aman Venice hotel. REUTERS/Yara Nardi(REUTERS) Also Read: Jasmine Crockett mocks Melania Trump's modelling career, even questions her EB1 visa It appears that the soon-to-be-wed couple is taking no chances in their security measures. According to Reality Tea, Bob Shutler's report revealed that Bezos and Sanches have booked two floors of the luxurious hotels for themselves. An insider revealed to the media outlet that the hotel has 'cleared the floors' and no one is permitted to go there. The source also described the arrangements as 'part James Bond, part Vogue wedding shoot.' #ShuterScoop reported to the outlet that every entrance to the hotel is heavily guarded and the elevators have been reprogrammed. The source claimed that it is not just about 'protecting privacy' for the couple. They also revealed that Bezos and Sanchez are managing a 'high-value target list,' which includes celebrities, billionaires, politicians, and others. The insider added, 'This is red-carpet security with CIA flair.' Also Read: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding: Katy Perry to skip Amazon founder's big day, is Orlando Bloom the reason? Hotel reportedly removed other guests for Bezos and Sanchez's wedding Previously, reports emerged that the hotel had removed other guests to accommodate A-list guests who are attending Bezos and Sanchez's wedding. It was also being reported that the couple had not just booked the two floors but the entire hotel. Thus, in preparation for the event, some previously booked guests were reportedly asked to vacate, making way for the bride and groom's elite guest list and a celebration marked by tight lockdowns and strict privacy measures. Moreover, the two secured floors at Aman Venice are reportedly equipped with high-tech surveillance systems, with intelligence agents discreetly monitoring the premises.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kyle Clifford made ominous remark before family massacre; John Hunt recalls
BBC's John Hunt has broken his silence following the tragic murders of his wife, Carol, and daughters, Hannah and Louise, in their Hertfordshire home last July. Speaking publicly for the first time since the brutal crossbow attack, Hunt revealed a chilling remark and a subtle behaviour change that, in hindsight, may have signalled the deadly intent of the killer, Kyle Clifford, his daughter's ex-partner. John Hunt speaks out after the tragic murder of his wife and daughters, revealing chilling moments and subtle signs of the killer's intent. (Screenshot/BBC interview ) Also Read: Jasmine Crockett mocks Melania Trump's modelling career, even questions her EB1 visa In the recent interview with the BBC, Hunt, for the first time, opened up about the killer, the impact of the murder, and the 'turning point' he noticed in Louise and Clifford's relationship. He recalled a disturbing moment during a friend's wedding trip, where Clifford made a cruel jibe at Louise in front of other guests. After she struggled to use the oven the night before, guests asked about her job the next day, only for Clifford to cut her off with a belittling remark. He quipped, 'One thing she doesn't do is know how to work an oven properly,' as reported by The Mirror. Lousie's former partner fatally stabbed Carol, raped Luise and then tried to kill the two sisters with the crosbow. Also Read: Prince William planning to cut Prince Harry's children from any 'Royal roles'. Can they keep their title? Hunt reveals hints of 'manipulation' in couple's texts After the unfortunate incident, Hunt went through Clifford and Louise's texts, which showed signs of 'gentle manipulation.' However, there were no signs that things had turned abusive between them. Surviving sister Amy revealed to the BBC, 'At the point of Louise ending [the relationship], there was absolutely evidence that he had turned out not to be a nice person.' She continued, 'But I want to put it very bluntly now. Did we have any indication that this man was capable of stabbing my mother, of tying Louise up, of raping Louise, of shooting Louise and shooting Hannah? Absolutely not.' Amy added, 'He's often been referred to as 'crossbow killer' and 'crossbow maniac' - but that takes away from the very real issue we know to be true. He was just a person, just a man... who went to the gym, had a family, had a relationship, watched TV. I know it sounds crass, but we often say we wish we'd had some hint that he was capable of this." In his powerful victim impact statement, John Hunt directly labelled Clifford a 'psychopath,' confronting him in court with the full weight of his words.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jasmine Crockett mocks Melania Trump's modelling career, even questions her EB1 visa
During a recent House hearing on 'Restoring Integrity in the Visa Process,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) took a jab at former First Lady Melania Trump. During a House hearing, Rep. Jasmine Crockett questioned the integrity of Melania Trump's visa status, arguing it didn't align with the criteria for the EB1 visa.(AP/AFP) She began by criticizing Trump-era tactics that targeted visa holders. 'Integrity isn't snatching lawful visa holders off the streets and throwing them into unmarked vans,' she said. 'Integrity is not revoking visas based on social media posts that hurt somebody's little feelings because kids decided they wanted to go after Trump or this administration — we have a thing called free speech in this country.' ALSO READ| Melania Trump's nap moment during Donald Trump's $45 million birthday parade goes viral: Watch Then, turning her focus to Melania, she questioned, 'And since we're talking about integrity, I'm confused as to why my Republican colleagues aren't addressing the lack of integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas.' Notably, Melania Trump worked as a model in the U.S. before marrying Donald Trump. Her immigration history came under scrutiny after a 2016 Politico investigation revealed inconsistencies in her visa timeline. The article noted that some photos published in the New York Post raised questions about whether she had been working legally in the U.S. during the early stages of her career. 'And when I say, 'model,' I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford, or Naomi Campbell-level,' she quipped, suggesting that Melania's modelling résumé didn't quite match the extraordinary credentials typically associated with the EB-1 visa she was later granted. What is an Einstein visa? The EB-1, often referred to as the 'Einstein visa,' is typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or achievements. 'Now, for those who don't know, let me tell you how you qualify for an Einstein visa,' Crockett explained. 'You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement — like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer; being an Olympic medalist; or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Last time I checked, the First Lady had none of those accolades under her belt.' 'It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here,' Crockett concluded. ALSO READ| Melania Trump looks chic in floral pants, pink heels at Congressional picnic | Photos 'It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here,' Crockett wrapped up her speech.
