Author: Ethan Johnson

Of the two pillars of the U.S. social safety net, Social Security has overtaken Medicare as the most pressing bankruptcy risk, according to a new government report. But both programs are on track to dry up over the next decade.But the 2024 Social Security and Medicare Board of Governors Report delivered a jolt of good news for Social Security and good news for Medicare.Social Security's main reserves are projected to be depleted first in just nine years. Unless lawmakers act, the program could pay only 79% of benefits to seniors by 2033, the same annual deadline as last year's estimate.A…

Thousands of people protested in Armenia's capital Yerevan on Friday against the government's decision to cede four territories to Azerbaijan.Last month, Armenia agreed to return four villages to Azerbaijan, in a move that has particularly upset some residents of the Tavush region. The decision came as a result of Armenia's peace drive after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia had decided to adjust the border between the two countries and cede four territories to Azerbaijan to avoid war. Ta. Protests have expanded since then, with protesters now demanding Pashinyan's resignation.Bagrat Galstagnyan, a cleric of the Armenian Apostolic Church, became…

The leader of a nascent Cambodian opposition has been charged with inciting social disorder in the third major case this month targeting critics of Prime Minister Hun Manet's government.by Sopheng Chen and Grant Peck Associated PressMay 11, 2024, 11:12 a.m. ET• 4 minute readPHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The leader of Cambodia's nascent opposition party has been charged with inciting social disorder in the third major case this month targeting critics of Prime Minister Hun Manet's government, his lawyer said Saturday. It was announced on .Sun Chanthy of the Nation Power Party, which was formed late last year, was formally charged…

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — The leader of Cambodia's recently formed opposition party has been charged with inciting social disorder in the third major case this month targeting critics of Prime Minister Hun Manet's government, his lawyer announced Saturday. .Sun Chanthy of the Nation Power Party, which was formed late last year, was formally charged by the Phnom Penh City Court on Friday and sent to pre-trial detention in northwestern Pursat province, Choung Chou Ngy said. He said his client could be sentenced to six months to two years in prison if convicted and would seek bail on Monday.The Cambodian government…

Open audio article player To the editor, I am a resident of the Belvidere area and have lived here for over 20 years. I have always been proud of our small community and our ability to care about our residents and what affects them. I have been quietly following everything happening in our local government for over three years. It's alarming to say the least. There are too many office workers to keep track of. Our boss resigned due to health problems. They approved a budget that gave the clerk a raise totaling $28,000 per year (remember, this was approved…

May 10, 2024The Scottish Government has recommitted to introducing legislation to enable people to self-identify their legally recognized gender.The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in December 2022, but the UK Government blocked its passage due to concerns that it would impact on equality laws across the UK. UK ministers used section 35 of the Scots Act to veto the bill.Last year, the Court of Session in Edinburgh rejected the Scottish Government's legal challenge to the veto.In an interview with BBC Scotland News on Thursday, John Swinney refused to say whether he would start talks…

The stakes couldn't be higher.This July, Venezuelans will vote for the first time in more than a decade in a presidential election for an opposition candidate with a good chance of victory, if a narrow margin and a slim chance of victory.In the midst of an economic and democratic crisis that has seen more than 7 million Venezuelans flee their country and become the world's largest displaced population, the country's authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro, has done something few people thought possible: I did it. He allowed an opposition candidate with widespread support to run. It will be listed on the…

Nearly four and a half years after the coronavirus pandemic began, Congress is well informed about U.S. government funding for risky research projects, such as the work done at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. I am determined that I need to. (WIV), to avoid making the same mistake again.Between 118th Members of Congress, I signed a letter requesting that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide information and documentation regarding past and present unsafe research projects and biosecurity practices, including those clearly related to the novel coronavirus. Contains data on the origin of infectious diseases.As chair of the Energy and…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced support for producers with H5N1-infected facilities to improve biosecurity within their facilities to reduce the spread of H5N1 infection. Additionally, USDA is taking steps to provide available financing for milk production losses in H5N1-affected herds.These actions, based on a federal order addressing pre-move testing, give producers tools they can use to keep affected herds and workers healthy and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other herds. More will be provided, the Department of Agriculture said.USDA will provide financial assistance (including The company announced that it will provide up to $2,000 per…

Photo 55347617 © Goory | Dreamstime.comAmerica's tax code is notorious ComplexBut the complexity is even more pronounced when it comes to the federal government's approach to alcohol taxes. Wine, beer, and alcoholic beverages are all subject to different tax rates based on complex criteria. calculationbut the so-called “bubble tax” on hard cider is the star of this regulatory circus.Unbeknownst to most Americans, alcoholic beverage tax rates are based, among other things, on the volume of alcoholic beverages. carbonation Included in drinks.Yes, America Technically there is already a carbon tax; The federal government has literally found a way to tax the…