Latest news with #south
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AICPA survey shows 37% of Americans face fraud post-disaster
A survey has revealed that 37% of Americans have encountered fraudulent activities following personal or professional impacts from natural disasters. The survey by the Harris Poll for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) highlights identity theft, government assistance fraud and loan scams among the common types of fraud experienced. It details the types of fraud experienced: identity theft at 14%; government assistance fraud at 11%; loan scams at 11%; vendor fraud at 10%; utility scams at 10%; charity fraud at 10%; insurance fraud at 10%; and contractor fraud at 8%. The findings show that residents in the north-east and south, both at 40%, are more susceptible compared to the Midwest at 31%. The ACIPA survey also reveals that 48% of Americans lack personal insurance coverage for fraud-related losses during disaster recovery. In contrast, 39% have such coverage, while 13% are uncertain. Among business owners, 64% have insurance protection against fraud-related losses, while 32% do not, with 4% unsure. AICPA director of forensic & technology advisory services Christine Cutti-Fox said: 'In the aftermath of a natural disaster, you may see many individuals show positive behaviours, but you may also see unexpected negative behaviours. 'Fraud can manifest in various ways, and whether you are dealing with the impact as an individual, family, or business owner, it is essential to stay informed and develop a comprehensive plan supported by appropriate documentation to facilitate effective recovery.' Last week, the AICPA also emphasised the necessity for enhanced tax relief measures for those affected by natural disasters. The survey, conducted separately, indicated a strong public preference for extending the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax relief measures beyond initial emergency declarations. More than a third (35%) of the respondents value extended tax filing and payment relief periods post-disaster, the findings revealed. The survey further highlighted that nearly 32% of Americans have not taken steps to protect their financial interests against disasters. Additionally, 29% of participants suggested that IRS tax filing extensions in disaster scenarios would be advantageous. "AICPA survey shows 37% of Americans face fraud post-disaster " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Railway power supply in Volgograd disrupted after Ukraine's drone attack, Russia says
July 27 (Reuters) - Falling debris from destroyed Ukrainian drones disrupted railway power supply in part of the Volgograd region, the administration of the region in Russia's south said on Sunday. There were no injuries as a result of the Ukrainian attack, the administration said on the Telegram messaging app, citing Governor Andrei Bocharov. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram that it had suspended flights soon after midnight on Sunday at the airport in the city of Volgograd, which is the administrative centre of the broader Volgograd region. The extent of the damage and the scale of the attack were not immediately clear. Air raid alerts were introduced also in several other regions in Russia's west and south, warning of a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Telegram posts by regional officials.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk 'ordered Starlink coverage blackout' during crucial Ukraine counterattack
ELON Musk allegedly ordered a shutdown of Starlink coverage in parts of Ukraine during a crucial counteroffensive at the beginning of the Russian invasion, it has been reported. The billionaire's command allegedly led to a communications blackout while Ukrainian forces attempted to retake the port city of Kherson in the south of the country in September 2022. The communication blackout, where staff at the American tech firm deactivated at least 100 Starlink terminals after being instructed to, reportedly caused the attack to fail, according to Reuters, which spoke with three people who were familiar with the demand. According to reports, the blackout caused Ukrainian soldiers to panic as drones surveilling Russian forces went dark, and long-range artillery units, reliant on Starlink to aim at their targets, struggled to hit them. READ MORE: 'He belongs in The Hague': Keir Starmer fiercely criticised over Gaza speech Although Ukrainian forces were able to reclaim Kherson, the incident was reported to have damaged the country's trust in the technology, along with shocking Starlink employees. One of the three people who were familiar with the instruction claimed it enabled Musk to take 'the outcome of a war into his own hands'. The Tesla-owner reportedly grew concerned that Ukrainian forces' advancements could provoke nuclear retaliation from Vladimir Putin. A spokesperson for SpaceX, the aerospace company that owns Starlink, told Reuters the reporting of the incident is 'inaccurate'. In March, Musk posted on his social media platform, X/Twitter: 'To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals.' Starlink, which went live in 2019, is a satellite company that beams data across its network and is the world's largest satellite operator. It provides customers with internet access in remote and unreliable locations and has a network of around 8000 satellites in orbit. It has been a key tool in Ukraine's defence, as Musk has provided the country with more than 50,000 Starlink terminals during the war. The network has allowed Ukrainians to speak to relatives across the world, and President Zelensky uses the network to transmit broadcasts to the nation. It is also used by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield to communicate and is used to guide drones and long-range artillery units.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
'Worm In Food Video Staged For Rs 25 Lakh Extortion': Rameshwaram Cafe
Bengaluru: A popular south Indian restaurant brand has filed a police complaint against a group of people who it said allegedly tried to malign the brand and extort money by staging a false incident of food contamination at its Bengaluru airport outlet. A customer had alleged a worm was found inside a dish served to him at the airport outlet of The Rameshwaram Cafe on Thursday. He also shared a purported video of the worm in his food, which quickly went viral on social media. In a statement, The Rameshwaram Cafe's management said a group of five-seven individuals created a public disturbance, falsely alleging that the food served contained an insect. "Reportedly, the individuals then threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were compensated. Shortly after, the team received a phone call demanding Rs 25 lakhs in cash to avoid reputational harm to the brand," the popular restaurant chain said. "In response, The Rameshwaram Cafe has submitted call records, message screenshots, and other documentation to the police, requesting immediate legal action against the blackmail attempt," it said in the statement. The Rameshwaram Cafe founder Divya Raghav said they categorically deny the baseless accusation that a worm or insect was found in their food. "The safety and hygiene of our food preparation are non-negotiable. We operate under the strictest quality protocols, especially at sensitive locations like airports, where routine audits and hygiene checks are mandatory. This is clearly a case of a staged act with malicious intent to extort money and malign our brand," she said in the statement. Press Release — The Rameshwaram Cafe (@RameshwaramCafe) July 24, 2025 She alleged there have been similar attempts in the past where in different instances customers have put stones, insects in the food but were caught red-handed. "We will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will pursue stringent legal action to ensure such unethical acts are exposed and discouraged," she said, and requested the public and media to refrain from sharing unverified content that could mislead consumers and damage the reputation of businesses working with integrity.
CBC
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Riley Laychuk's Manitoba forecast for Thursday, July 24, 2025
A mix of sun and clouds across the province for Thursday. Into Friday, a low pressure system is poised to bring showers or light rain to the north, with the potential for thunderstorms in the south.
