Latest news with #Nazari
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Illinois man was attacked online after scammers shopped at his store with SNAP funds stolen from Texas
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the country's biggest food-benefit program, according to the USDA. In 2023, an average of 42.1 million people received monthly SNAP benefits. The USDA says that over 250,000 retailers across the U.S. accept SNAP benefits. However, one Illinois retailer recently got into trouble for that. 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) According to a CBS News Chicago report, Alsham Supermarket and Bakery in Lombard, Illinois, was on the receiving end of bad online reviews after SNAP recipients in other states had their benefits fraudulently used there. But Ardavan Nazari, who owns the store, insists he did nothing wrong. "People, they point their fingers. They're upset and they're mad because somebody stole their information. But the one who stole the information is not us," Nazari told CBS News Chicago. Unfortunately, it's not difficult for criminals to steal people's SNAP benefits. The process is similar to stealing a credit card or debit card number. Criminals can use skimming devices and hidden cameras to capture SNAP EBT data. EBT is the electronic system that lets SNAP users pay for purchases using their benefits. Think of it as a SNAP-specific debit card. Once criminals have that data, they can replicate actual SNAP EBT cards and use whatever funds are on them to buy things for themselves. That's what happened at Nazari's Chicago-area store. When the situation became clear, customers started writing negative reviews online about Alsham Supermarket and Bakery stealing their money. Nazari was upset when he saw the accusations. "I have been here five years, working very hard on this store," he told CBS News. "We're working hard here to get good reviews, good staff, good inventory." Nazari tried contacting some of the people who wrote negative reviews about his business. "I start asking them over the phone questions like, 'Somebody stole your card? Or you give your card to someone?'" he told CBS News. "And they said, 'No, we have the card in the hand.'" Two of the people whose SNAP benefits were used at Nazari's store live in Houston. In late February, Kimberley Edwards tried to use her SNAP benefits at a local store and was told by the cashier that she only had $13 left. "It was just devastating," she told CBS News. "My main concern was, how was I going to supply food for my son?" Read more: 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 When Edwards checked to see where her balance had gone, she saw a $432 transaction for Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. "I've never been to Illinois," she said. Something similar happened to another Texas resident, Lakeda Cunningham, in April. "I went to Dollar General to purchase drinks, and when I swiped the card and put the code in, the cashier told me that it was insufficient funds," Cunningham told CBS News. "I was like, 'That's not possible because my money just posted on April 18th, six days ago." It turned out someone had used Cunningham's SNAP benefits to charge $162.11 at Alsham Supermarket and Bakery that same day. "I've never been to Illinois," Cunningham said. "Period." The USDA says that in the fourth quarter of 2024, approximately 446,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions were reported, affecting almost 144,000 households. In Illinois, SNAP fraud has been a huge issue. From October 2022 to December 2024, almost $21 million in SNAP benefits were stolen, CBS News reported, citing data from the Illinois Department of Human Services. That amounted to almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions and impacted over 38,000 households. The state urges anyone experiencing SNAP fraud to report it here. But while SNAP fraud clearly has the potential to hurt the program's beneficiaries, it can also hurt innocent retailers, including small businesses like Alsham Supermarket and Bakery. Part of the reason Nazari's store was targeted was that he carries an array of expensive and unique items — something that could attract customers and criminals equally. Jim Morley, assistant special agent-in-charge with the U.S. Secret Service in Chicago, told CBS News that stores like Nazari's tend to be popular with scammers because their inventory isn't just pricey but also hard to find elsewhere. "Oftentimes, we see a particular store getting targeted because they're selling merchandise that the criminal is able to resell," Morley explained. Nazari, meanwhile, is taking steps to prevent future SNAP fraud at his business now that he's aware of the issue. He filed a report with the Lombard police as a starting point. He also gave them video and receipt copies related to the fraud Cunningham experienced in the hopes of helping law enforcement catch the scammer. He also installed 12 security cameras. The USDA has tips for retailers to help prevent SNAP fraud. It says to inspect point-of-sale machines and PIN pads regularly for tampering or skimming devices. It also suggests using cameras to monitor checkout areas and never allowing unscheduled service visits for point-of-sale equipment. The USDA also urges retailers to train employees to spot suspicious behavior. Charging a large amount of luxury items on a SNAP EBT card could be one red flag. Finally, any retailer that thinks it has been targeted by SNAP scammers should contact local law enforcement and its point-of-sale equipment provider. It should also call the USDA Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-424-9121. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it 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 Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Local currency trade a strategic long-term move, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: Conducting up to 20 per cent of trade in local currencies by Malaysia and its regional partners could enhance monetary independence in the region and reduce exposure to global economic fluctuations. Universiti Malaya economist Professor Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail said while the initiative might not yield immediate economic benefits, it is a strategic long-term step. "In the short run, there's no significant benefit beyond reducing dependence on the US dollar. However, in the long term, reducing reliance on the US dollar is vital, especially when President Donald Trump has shown a willingness to weaponise the US dollar, and future presidents may continue this trend. "Over-reliance on the US dollar allows the country to pressure other nations, resulting in challenges for countries to stay neutral in situations of conflicts between the US and other powers, as cross border payments will be disrupted by the US for countries that are deemed to be unsupportive of the US," he said when contacted. He, however, said that the shift to local currencies would not be without risks. "Our regional currencies are generally less stable than the US dollar. Businesses involved in such trade could suffer losses from adverse currency fluctuations." He added while the move aims to challenge the global dominance of the US dollar, it would not necessarily bring immediate stability to international trade. However, Nazari acknowledged potential advantages, particularly in monetary policy. "It could help central banks of Asian countries manage the stability of their currencies." Nazari added, "If we want to reduce our dependency on the US, a very important step is to reduce our external loans, especially loans denominated in US dollars or supplied by US financial institutions. "Countries that are highly indebted to US financial institutions and experience difficulties in servicing the loans will inevitably be seeking help from the International Monetary Fund, which has historically functioned as a tool for US interests." Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with international broadcaster TV BRICS, said Malaysia and several regional partners are targeting to conduct up to 20 per cent of their trade in local currencies. The move, Anwar said, signalled a regional push to strengthen monetary autonomy and reduce overdependence on the US dollar. Anwar added that the move was not intended to replace the US dollar, which remains the dominant global currency, but rather to create financial buffers to safeguard national interests. International relations analyst and senior consultant with Global Asia Consulting, Samirul Ariff Othma,n described the move as a hedging strategy. "This is monetary pragmatism, not monetary rebellion. It's part of a broader vision that sees Malaysia increasing its economic resilience." He said by citing the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation and reviving the Asian Monetary Fund discourse, Anwar is tapping into a long-standing regional aspiration, Asia-led financial safety nets. Asked if the move could affect ties with the US, Samirul Ariff said it could create mild friction, but not rupture. "Malaysia is threading a very careful needle, advancing national and regional monetary autonomy without triggering great power insecurity. Anwar's messaging is consistent with a non-aligned, multipolar outlook. "This is not de-dollarisation, it is diversification. Washington may raise eyebrows, but Malaysia is unlikely to face punitive pushback, especially if it continues engaging with the US constructively on security, investment and regional diplomacy."
The Guardian
24-02-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘Shouting, waving my shirt, screaming': lost Mount Kosciuszko hiker Hadi Nazari speaks about ordeal for first time
Hadi Nazari, who was lost in mountainous bushland in New South Wales for 13 days, believed he had been found by rescue helicopter teams only to realise they were fighting nearby bushfires, the hiker has told the ABC. The 23-year-old Victorian medical student had set out from Kosciuszko national park's Geehi camp on 23 December for a four-day hike with two friends, climbing Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, before returning via Hannels Spur on Boxing Day. That morning, the trio were a short distance from one another on the track, when Nazari met a fork in the track and inadvertently followed the wrong path, he told ABC's 7.30. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The experienced hiker said he soon found himself in 'really thick terrain' and, with no phone battery, no navigation device and no GPS beacon – an accumulation of 'small negligences' – realised he was lost. The next day, he created smoke signals from a clearing in the bush, he told the program which airs on Monday evening. Two helicopters overhead initially gave him hope that he had been found, before he realised that the aircraft had water buckets attached and were fighting nearby bushfires. 'I couldn't wrap my head around it. Surely it doesn't seem like a safe idea for me to hop in the bucket,' he said. He said he came so close to the fires that he could hear 'crackling sounds' and see trees falling around him. 'I'm just a few metres from the fire and doing everything I can — shouting, waving my shirt, screaming, doing everything so the helicopters can spot me.' At the time, a massive search and rescue mission was taking shape, eventually comprising of 300 people across 81 State Emergency Service teams, representing 207 volunteer field days. NSW State Emergency Service bush search and rescue deployed 18 specialist teams, who between them contributed 70 person days in 'very dense, very steep' terrain. When helicopters deployed as part of the search later hovered nearby, Nazari dismissed them, presuming they were also part of fire-fighting efforts. 'After a few days I just totally gave up the idea [that] they'd keep searching for me,' he said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In the interview – the first time Nazari has spoken publicly since the ordeal – he described how when hungry, thirsty and heat-affected, 'all sort of possibilities loomed'. 'That is when you start contemplating basically everything, your life flashes right in front of your eyes,' he said. Using his digital camera, he decided to create a video message for his family. 'I was, I think, expressing my gratitude and forgiveness, a plea for forgiveness,' he said. 'I was pretty reconciled with the idea of the possibility that now could be the end of everything.' Nazari was eventually spotted by a group of hikers on 8 January, about 10km from where he had last been seen. He was dehydrated and hungry – he had survived on berries and two muesli bars, which had been left in a hut by another hiker – but had no obvious injuries and was discharged from the nearby Cooma hospital less than 48 hours after being found. The Hazara former refugee from Mari Abad, Pakistan, arrived in Australia five years ago. Since January, he has signed up to volunteer for the Victorian SES – to give back to the community to which he said he is indebted.
Shafaq News
17-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Taliban makes historic visit to Japan
Shafaq News/ On Monday, a Taliban government delegation arrived in Japan in its first official visit, seeking international recognition following its return to power in August 2021, Afghan Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari announced. The delegation, comprising representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, and Higher Education, departed Kabul on Saturday for a weeklong visit to meet with Japanese officials. Nazari wrote on X, "We seek engagement with the world for a strong, united, and developed Afghanistan." عازم جاپان هستیمهیات بلندپایه امارت اسلامی امروز عازم جاپان است. ما برای یک افغانستان قوی، متحد، پیشرفته، مرفه، توسعه یافته و عضو فعال جامعه بین المللی در پی تعامل عزت مندانه با جهان هستیم. — nazari (@Drnazari18) February 15, 2025 Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing Afghan diplomatic sources, reported that the delegation will hold discussions with Japanese government officials. Japan's Foreign Ministry declined to comment when contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP). While the Taliban has previously sent envoys to Central Asia, Russia, and China, this is their first official engagement with Japan, in addition to limited diplomatic outreach in Europe, with visits to Norway in 2022 and 2023 for international summits. Japan relocated its Kabul embassy to Qatar, where senior Afghan diplomats are now based. Meanwhile, the international community has resumed diplomatic and humanitarian activities in Afghanistan, one of the world's poorest nations, where 85% of the 45 million population live on less than a dollar a day, according to the United Nations.
Al Jazeera
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Afghanistan's Taliban makes debut diplomatic trip to Japan
A Taliban delegation has arrived in Japan on what is the first visit by the group that rules Afghanistan, according to media in the East Asian country. The delegation, consisting of foreign affairs, education, economy and health officials, arrived on Sunday for a weeklong visit, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported. The visit is a rarity for the Taliban, whose diplomatic trips have previously remained close to Afghanistan since regaining power in 2021. The Taliban representatives are expected to seek humanitarian support and potentially discuss diplomatic ties with Japanese officials. Latif Nazari, a deputy minister at the Taliban's economy ministry, described the visit as part of the group's efforts to become an 'active member of the international community'. 'We seek dignified interaction with the world for a strong, united, advanced, prosperous, developed Afghanistan and to be an active member of the international community,' Nazari, who is part of the delegation, wrote in a post on X on Saturday. Citing Afghan diplomatic sources, Japan's public broadcaster NHK said the Taliban representatives plan to 'exchange views with Japanese government officials'. Rare trip outside the region While the Taliban government makes regular visits to neighbouring and regional countries, including Central Asia, Russia and China, it rarely travels outside the region. It has officially visited Europe only for diplomacy summits in Norway in 2022 and 2023. Japan's embassy in Kabul temporarily relocated to Qatar after the fall of the previous foreign-backed government and the takeover by the Taliban in 2021. But it has since reopened and resumed diplomatic and humanitarian activities in the country. The Taliban's visit to Japan comes just days after ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing outside the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing in Kabul, the latest in a series of attacks by the group. Japan's embassy condemned the attack, posting on X on Sunday that 'these attacks of terror must cease immediately'.
