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beardedmrbean · 7 months

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HUEHUETOCA, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican railway operator announced Tuesday it is temporarily suspending train runs in the northern part of the country because so many migrants are climbing aboard freight cars and getting hurt in the process.

Ferromex said it has temporarily ordered a halt to 60 trains carrying cargo that would fill 1,800 tractor trailers. It said some international trade would be affected by the stoppage.

In recent days, there have been about a "half-dozen regrettable cases of injuries or deaths” among migrants hopping freight cars, the company said in a statement.

The company, owned by conglomerate Grupo Mexico, said some migrants even hopped on moving freight cars “despite the grave danger that represents.”

“There has been a significant increase in the number of migrants in recent days,” Ferromex said in the statement, adding that it was stopping the trains “to protect the physical safety of the migrants,” while it awaited action by authorities to solve the problem.

But the word had yet to trickle down to the migrants themselves, hundreds of whom waited on the tracks and alongside them at a railway yard in Huehuetoca, on the northern outskirts of Mexico City.

Pavel Aguilar Flores, a migrant from Venezuela, was hoping to hop a freight train to Matamoros, a dangerous Mexican border city across from Brownsville, Texas.

“We haven't heard any news,” Aguilar Flores said. “We are going to continue on our journey, and in fact we're waiting for a train.”

“I have heard there have been accidents, but not so many as people say,” he said. “You have to be careful and get on the train when it's stopped, not when it's moving.”

In fact, trains were still running through the railyard at Huehuetoca Tuesday evening, but they weren't heading where the migrants wanted to go.

According to Ferromex, the worst problems appeared to be further north.

The company said there were about 1,500 people gathered at a rail yard in the city of Torreon, in the northern border state of Coahuila. The company also reported about 800 migrants waiting at the freight yards in Irapuato, in the north-central state of Guanajuato.

About 1,000 people were reported to be riding freight cars on the train line that connects the city of Chihuahua and the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez.

Ferromex is Mexico's largest concessionary rail operator and the impact of the train stoppage will be “very important,” said Ana Bertha Gutiérrez, the international trade coordinator for the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness. She noted the measure could hit industrial states like Nuevo Leon, Baja California and Chihuahua hard, given their links to the U.S. market.

Migrants have long used the trains, known collectively as “The Beast," to hitch rides from as far south as Oaxaca state to the U.S. border. About a decade ago, the Mexican government briefly staged raids on the trains to discourage the practice, but later largely abandoned the effort.

The announcement comes as migrants are increasingly desperate to reach the U.S. border.

On Monday, migrants mostly from Haiti burst into an asylum office in southern Mexico city of Tapachula.

Throngs of migrants knocked over metal barricades and pushed past National Guard officers and police stationed at the office. Some of the migrants were trampled by their colleagues in the rush.

Authorities later convinced many to leave, and no injuries were reported.

Crowds of frustrated migrants, including many from Cuba and Honduras, say they have had to wait for weeks in some cases for an appointment at the office in Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala.

At the office, run by the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid, migrants can file claims for asylum in Mexico. Most, however, intend to use the papers to travel more safely and easily to the U.S. border.

Mexico is on track to receive more asylum applications this year than ever before as the flow of migrants threatens to overwhelm governments of several Latin American countries along the migratory route.

Andrés Ramírez Silva, the director of Mexico’s refugee agency, said last week that the number of asylum applications his agency receives this year could reach 150,000, well above the 129,000 record set in 2021.

#nunyas news

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spacetimewithstuartgary · 1 year

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International Sea Level Satellite Spots Early Signs of El Niño Kelvin waves, a potential precursor of El Niño conditions in the ocean, are rolling across the equatorial Pacific toward the coast of South America. The most recent sea level data from the U.S.-European satellite Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich indicates early signs of a developing El Niño across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The data shows Kelvin waves – which are roughly 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) high at the ocean surface and hundreds of miles wide – moving from west to east along the equator toward the west coast of South America. When they form at the equator, Kelvin waves bring warm water, which is associated with higher sea levels, from the western Pacific to the eastern Pacific. A series of Kelvin waves starting in spring is a well-known precursor to an El Niño, a periodic climate phenomenon that can affect weather patterns around the world. It is characterized by higher sea levels and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures along the western coasts of the Americas. Water expands as it warms, so sea levels tend to be higher in places with warmer water. El Niño is also associated with a weakening of the trade winds. The condition can bring cooler, wetter conditions to the U.S. Southwest and drought to countries in the western Pacific, such as Indonesia and Australia. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite data shown here covers the period between the beginning of March and the end of April 2023. By April 24, Kelvin waves had piled up warmer water and higher sea levels (shown in red and white) off the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Satellites like Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich can detect Kelvin waves with a radar altimeter, which uses microwave signals to measure the height of the ocean’s surface. When an altimeter passes over areas that are warmer than others, the data will show higher sea levels. “We’ll be watching this El Niño like a hawk,” said Josh Willis, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “If it’s a big one, the globe will see record warming, but here in the Southwest U.S. we could be looking at another wet winter, right on the heels of the soaking we got last winter.” Both the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organization have recently reported increased chances that El Niño will develop by the end of the summer. Continued monitoring of ocean conditions in the Pacific by instruments and satellites such as Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich should help to clarify in the coming months how strong it could become. “When we measure sea level from space using satellite altimeters, we know not only the shape and height of water, but also its movement, like Kelvin and other waves,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, NASA program scientist and manager for Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich in Washington. “Ocean waves slosh heat around the planet, bringing heat and moisture to our coasts and changing our weather.” More About the Mission Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, named after former NASA Earth Science Division Director Michael Freilich, is one of two satellites that compose the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission. Sentinel-6/Jason-CS was jointly developed by ESA (European Space Agency), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), NASA, and NOAA, with funding support from the European Commission and technical support on performance from the French space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales). Spacecraft monitoring and control, as well as the processing of all the altimeter science data, is carried out by EUMETSAT on behalf of the European Union’s Copernicus programme, with the support of all partner agencies. JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, contributed three science instruments for each Sentinel-6 satellite: the Advanced Microwave Radiometer, the Global Navigation Satellite System - Radio Occultation, and the Laser Retroreflector Array. NASA also contributed launch services, ground systems supporting operation of the NASA science instruments, the science data processors for two of these instruments, and support for the U.S. members of the international Ocean Surface Topography Science Team. IMAGE....This animation shows a series of waves, called Kelvin waves, moving warm water across the equatorial Pacific Ocean from west to east during March and April. The signals can be an early sign of a developing El Niño, and were detected by the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich sea level satellite. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

#science #Astronomy #physics #space #news #nasa #meteorology #noaa

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dontmeantobepoliticalbut · 1 year

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The lawyers that represented U.S. Representative Madison Cawthorn during a legal challenge to his candidacy in the 2022 North Carolina Primary are now suing the congressman themselves.

The Bopp Law Firm filed a lawsuit on December 1, alleging Cawthorn has failed to pay $193,296.85 in legal fees and costs.

The Indiana law firm has accused the congressman of breaching his contract.

The question over Cawthorn’s legal candidacy arose over his involvement in the “Stop the Steal” rally that occurred just before the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

Voters challenged the congressman, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment which was designed to prevent congressmen who had fought in the Confederacy during the Civil War from returning to Congress.

The voters challenged that Cawthorn’s participation in the rally disqualified him from running for Congress.

In March, a U.S. District Judge ruled in Cawthorn’s favor and prevented the North Carolina State Board of Election from looking into whether he should be on the ballot for the 2022 Primary in May.

The voters appealed the ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. The appeals court ultimately reversed the ruling and sent the case back to the district court.

According to the lawsuit, Cawthorn’s attorneys moved to have the district court case “dropped as moot” in order to avoid a possible ruling that could affect any of the congressman’s future campaigns.

The current representative of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is no stranger to legal woes in 2022.

In April, Cawthorn was cited for trying to bring a loaded gun through TSA at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, police said.

CMPD said Cawthorn admitted the firearm was his and he was cooperative with officers. He was issued a citation for possession of a dangerous weapon on city property, which is a City of Charlotte Ordinance.

Cawthorn has also been cited multiple times for various speeding violations. North Carolina Highway Patrol dashcam video released to QCN in April showed a traffic stop involving Cawthorn after he was pulled over in Cleveland County in March and was charged with driving with a revoked license.

Recently, the House Ethics Committee found he financially benefited while purchasing and promoting a cryptocurrency and had violated conflict of interest rules.

According to a report from the Washington Examiner, multiple watchdog groups said Cawthorn (R-NC) may have violated federal laws when he promoted a “pump-and-dump” cryptocurrency scheme.

Late last year, Cawthorn posed with the main investor behind the Let’s Go Brandon cryptocurrency, James Koutoulas.

In response to the photo, Cawthorn publicly said he owned LGBCoin cryptocurrency.

The following day, the cryptocurrency said it would sponsor NASCAR driver Brandon Brown, whose win at Talladega in 2021 kicked off the anti-Biden rallying cry “Let’s Go Brandon,” for the 2022 Xfinity Series season.

“If we do our job right, when you think of us, and you hear, ‘Let’s Go Brandon,’ you’ll think and feel, ‘Let’s Go America,’” Koutoulas said during the announcement.

LGBCoin’s value spiked by 75% following the sponsorship news, the Washington Examiner reported.

Watchdog groups reportedly told the Examiner that Cawthorn’s Instagram post suggested he may have had advanced knowledge of the deal with Brown and said that, combined with Cawthorn’s statement that he owns LGBCoin, “warrants an investigation from the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to see if the freshman congressman violated insider trading laws.”

By the end of January 2022, the value of LGBCoin had dropped from $570 million to $0.

After the committee’s findings in December, Cawthorn was ordered to pay $14,237.49 to charity. He was also told to pay $1,000 in late fees on reports filed for his cryptocurrency transactions.

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newstfionline · 1 year

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Wednesday, April 19, 2023

U.S. eavesdropped on U.N. secretary general, leaks reveal (Washington Post) The United States has eavesdropped on United Nations Secretary General António Guterres’s conversations, according to four more leaked documents. One intercepted conversation details Guterres’s “outrage” over being denied a visit to a war-torn region in Ethiopia. Another said that Guterres’ reported that he was “really pissed off” about a surprise public ceremony in honor of International Women’s Day during his March visit to Ukraine. Aides later said Zelensky had sprung the event—which included the presentation of medals to uniformed soldiers—on him without warning and posted photographs and videos of the event that implied the secretary general was congratulating military personnel on one side of the Russia-Ukraine war.

While some students skip college, trade programs are booming (AP) It’s almost 4 p.m. at the Nashville branch of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, and the students in the auto collision repair night class are just starting their school day. One is sanding the seal off the bed of his 1989 Ford F-350. Another is patiently hammering out a banged-up fender. A third, Cheven Jones, is taking a break from working on his 2003 Lexus IS 300 to chat with some classmates. While almost every sector of higher education has fewer students registering for classes, many trade programs are thriving. Jones and his classmates, seeking certificates and other short-term credentials—not associate degrees—are part of that upswing. Trade programs are often more affordable than a traditional four-year degree, students note, and, for many, skilled trades offer a more obvious path to a job.

Many Older Americans Haven’t Saved Anything for Retirement (Bloomberg) More than a quarter of Americans have no money saved for retirement. That’s according to a new survey from personal finance site Credit Karma, which found older respondents are even less prepared by some measures than their younger counterparts. Nearly one in five people aged 59 and older said they didn’t have a retirement account and 27% of respondents said they haven’t set anything aside for their later years. That compared to a quarter of Gen X respondents.

Antisemitism festers in current US political and social climate, report says (Reuters) The social and political climate in the United States has become fertile ground for antisemitism in recent years, according to a report released on Monday by advocacy group Anti-Defamation League and the Tel Aviv University. Expressions of hatred against Jews have become “mainstreamed and normalized,” and incidents of violence, vandalism, and harassment of Jews have increased, the report said. The report linked the rise of antisemitism to trends such as growing populism, political polarization and an increase in hate crimes nationwide.

Mexico feels the strain as Haitian migrants, caught in limbo, mark time (Reuters) Asylum claims by Haitians in Mexico are on track to hit a record above 50,000 this year, a top official said, further pressuring the country’s already strained migrant services as many begin to contemplate a future there rather than in the United States. In the year’s first three months, 13,631 applied for refugee status, dwarfing claims from other countries and compared to 17,153 in all of 2022, according to data from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR). Part of the explanation for the increase may lie in a toughening of U.S. border controls in January that has made it harder for many migrants to cross by land into the United States, together with a parallel U.S. program allowing a monthly quota of Haitians to cross by air. Haitians without sponsors or who have irregularly crossed into Mexico or the United States would not qualify for the latter program, leaving many effectively stranded in Mexico.

Brazil’s welcome of Russian minister prompts US blowback (AP) Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday expressed gratitude to Brazil for its approach in pushing for an end to hostilities in Ukraine—an effort that has irked both Kyiv and the West, and by afternoon prompted an unusually sharp rebuke from the White House. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has refused to provide weapons to Ukraine while proposing a club of nations including Brazil and China to mediate peace. On Sunday, Lula told reporters in Abu Dhabi that two nations—both Russia and Ukraine—had decided to go to war, and a day earlier in Beijing said the U.S. must stop “stimulating” the continued fighting and start discussing peace. Earlier this month, he suggested Ukraine could cede Crimea to end the war, which the spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, and others rejected.

Flower power draws crowds to Low Countries (AP) Rain or shine, there is no way to keep budding flowers down. From the world-famous Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands to the magical bluebell Hallerbos forest in Belgium, they are out there again, almost on cue to enthrall, enthuse and soothe the mind. All despite the cold and miserable early spring in this part of Western Europe. The beauty is not lost on tens of thousands of visitors thronging the pathways through the riot of color and fragrances. And if the COVID-19 pandemic left the sights eerily deserted for a few years, the challenge now has become how to manage the masses. Gardeners plant and nurture the staggering 7 million bulbs to ensure visitors who flock to The Keukenhof from around the world all get to see a vibrant spectacle whenever they come during the opening season from March 23-May 14.

Putin rallies his troops with 2nd Ukraine visit in 2 months (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday visited command posts of the Kremlin’s forces fighting in Ukraine in an apparent effort to rally his troops as the war approaches its 14th month and Kyiv readies a possible counteroffensive with Western-supplied weapons. A video released by the Kremlin and broadcast by Russian state television showed Putin arriving by helicopter at the command post for Russian forces in the southern Kherson region and afterward flying to the headquarters of the Russian National Guard of the eastern Luhansk region.

Killing of jailed lawmaker on live TV puts spotlight on India’s extrajudicial violence (Washington Post) The slaying of a former lawmaker and his brother in police custody in India’s Uttar Pradesh state over the weekend has placed a spotlight on extrajudicial attacks and killings, driven in part by ethnoreligious divisions fomented at the highest levels of government. Assassins posing as journalists shot and killed at point-blank range Atiq Ahmed, 60, a mobster-turned-lawmaker, and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, a former state lawmaker, as they answered questions on live TV Saturday. In the footage, gunmen continue to shoot the men as they slump to the ground. The Ahmeds, members of India’s Muslim minority, were killed amid a huddle of reporters asking questions. Police moved swiftly to restrain the apparent assailants, including at least one who was chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” or “Hail Lord Ram”—a religious phrase that has become a Hindu nationalist slogan, sometimes heard in crowds carrying out attacks on Muslims. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has developed a notorious reputation for gangland violence as well as a long history of extrajudicial vigilante violence carried out by local authorities. Under the rule of Yogi Adityanath, the state’s right-wing Hindu nationalist chief minister, Uttar Pradesh has seen a surge in such encounters with police.

21 die in Beijing hospital fire (ABC News) A fire killed at least 21 people at a hospital in Beijing on Tuesday and forced dozens of people to evacuate, Chinese state media reported. As clouds of black smoke billowed into the sky, people trapped in the multistory building apparently tied bedsheets into makeshift ropes and escaped by climbing out windows. Others took refuge by perching on air conditioning units just outside. Emergency crews extinguished the fire, which broke out in the Beijing Changfeng Hospital, and at least 71 patients were rescued.

Bangladesh to pay off Russian nuclear plant loan in Chinese currency (Washington Post) Bangladesh has approved a payment of $318 million to a Russian nuclear power developer using the Chinese yuan, according to a Bangladeshi official. The decision offers the latest instance of countries bypassing the U.S. dollar and using the Chinese currency to conduct international payments.

For Palestinians, holiest Ramadan night starts at checkpoint (AP) For many Palestinians, the journey to one of Islam’s most sacred sites on the holiest night of Ramadan begins in a dust-choked, garbage-strewn maelstrom. Tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers from across the occupied West Bank on Monday crammed through a military checkpoint leading to Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Laylat al-Qadr, or the “Night of Destiny,” when Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad centuries ago. The noisy, sweaty crowds at Qalandiya checkpoint seem chaotic—but there was a system: women to the right; men to the left. Jerusalem residents here, disabled people there. And the grim-looking men stranded at the corner had endured the long wait only to be turned back altogether. For Palestinian worshippers, praying at the third-holiest site in Islam is a centerpiece of Ramadan. But hundreds of thousands are barred from legally crossing into Jerusalem, with most men under 55 turned away at checkpoints due to Israeli security restrictions.

Religious Pop Star Singing of ‘God and Faith’ Wins Over Secular Israel (NYT) The singer and his songs were highly religious. His concert venue, on a kibbutz developed by secular leftists, was definitely not. His audience of many hundreds? It was somewhere in between: some secular, some devout, an unusual blending of two sections of a divided Israeli society that rarely otherwise mix. Ishay Ribo, 34, is among a crop of young Israeli pop stars from religious backgrounds, some from Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, whose music is attracting more diverse listeners, and featuring prominently in the soundscape of contemporary Israeli life. In less than two decades, religious singers have moved from the cultural fringe to widespread acclaim, “not only among their people, but in all Israel,” said Yoav Kutner, a leading Israeli music critic and radio presenter. Mr. Ribo is perhaps the clearest example of this shift. Forgoing the erotic and the profane, his wholesome songs are often prayers to God—but sung to pop and rock music played by his band of guitarists. “Cause of causes,” he addresses God in one of his biggest hits. “Only you should be thanked for all the days and nights.”

Hospitals and Aid Groups Become Targets as Sudan Fighting Intensifies (NYT) As two rival generals, each with his own army, grappled for power in Sudan on Monday, even hospitals trying to tend to the swelling numbers of wounded were no longer havens. At one overwhelmed medical center, the morning began with shelling. Then, members of a paramilitary force barged inside, ordered newborns and other patients to be evacuated, and began taking up positions, one doctor said. “The hospital turned into a battlefield,” said the doctor, Musab Khojali, an emergency room physician at the Police Hospital in Burri, northeast of the capital, Khartoum. Many other hospitals were also reported to have come under attack on Monday, the third day of fighting in Sudan. The death toll has risen to at least 180, with about 1,800 others injured. Amid growing reports of random violence and looting, concerns grew that the fighting might embroil other nations in the region, including Egypt, which has troops in the country, as well as Chad, Ethiopia and Libya. Russia has also been trying to make inroads in Sudan, and members of the Kremlin-affiliated Wagner private military company are posted there.

#headlines #news

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giampaoloienna · 17 days

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What Implications Does This Significant Broker Commission Settlement Hold for New York?

The National Association of Realtors has faced significant challenges this spring. In March, the influential trade group settled a lawsuit for $418 million concerning agent commissions, agreeing to abolish its regulations on sales commissions, practices accused of artificially inflating sales commissions. Experts predict wide-ranging repercussions for real estate professionals and homeowners, with some suggesting it could catalyze one of the most significant shifts in the U.S. housing market in a century, as reported by The New York Times.

Subsequently, in early April, a federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Justice could revisit its previously resolved antitrust investigation into the trade group's policies. This ruling stemmed from the government's failure to commit to refraining from reopening the investigation in its initial settlement, according to Reuters.

The lawsuit against Realtor commissions originated from a federal jury's decision in October, which found the National Association of Realtors guilty of conspiring to inflate commissions artificially. The jury ordered the trade group to pay $1.8 billion in damages. The lawsuit, filed by Missouri home sellers in 2019, argued that industry practices, such as mandating sellers to cover both the seller's and buyer's agent commissions, led to a nationwide standard commission rate of 5 to 6 percent, violating antitrust laws.

Facing internal turmoil, including a sexual harassment scandal and leadership turnover, NAR initially planned to appeal the ruling. However, the potential for triple damages and the looming threat of further litigation prompted a settlement. Additionally, other class-action lawsuits against major brokerages, including settlements like the $83.5 million payment by Anywhere Real Estate in September, added pressure.

The settlement's impact on sellers and buyers is expected to include a reduction in commissions, potentially by 30 percent, as sellers gain more negotiating power with agents. Buyers may opt to forgo representation or seek limited services, which could affect their home purchasing experience. While some anticipate a drop in home prices due to reduced commissions, the actual outcome remains uncertain.

Real estate agents are likely to see decreased earnings and a potential industry shake-up, with projections suggesting the departure of hundreds of thousands of agents, according to The Wall Street Journal. The settlement also raises questions about the future of Multiple Listings Services (MLS), as adherence to NAR rules was previously required for listing properties in many markets.

Although New York agents are not part of NAR, the settlement's ramifications are expected to influence the local industry. Separate settlements over agent commissions and new rules implemented by the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) indicate ongoing changes.

Regarding the DOJ investigation, despite the sizable settlement, a Federal Appeals Court ruling allows the government to reopen its probe into NAR's practices. NAR contends that the government should honor the terms of its previous settlement.

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prismmediawire · 8 days

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Auto Parts 4 Less Group Inc. Reports Substantial Revenue Growth and Continued Financial Progress

Las Vegas, NV, April 17, 2024 - Auto Parts 4 Less Group, Inc. (OTC: FLES) ("AutoParts4Less," "the Company"), a technology-driven e-commerce leader in the automotive parts sector, is pleased to announce significant revenue growth following our strategic initiatives.

Christopher Davenport, CEO and Founder of Auto Parts 4 Less Group Inc. stated, "We are thrilled to report a significant increase in our revenue over the first quarter of this year. Our revenue climbed from $48,573 in January to $102,409 in March, marking an impressive growth of 111%. This success is primarily driven through our LiftKits4Less.com platform, which we reactivated just five months ago. Additionally, while our subsidiary, Auto Parts for Less Inc., reported a P&L net loss of approximately $5,500 for March, we are very close to achieving a break-even point, which is a testament to our efforts in controlling the burn rate."

Continuing with his statement, Mr. Davenport added, "These are unaudited figures from our internal bookkeeping, and as such, they will be fully audited and disclosed in upcoming filings with our public accounting firm. We remain committed to transparency and cautious optimism in our public disclosures as we continue to drive growth across all our platforms, including AutoParts4Less.com and LiftKits4Less.com."

Investment and Future Outlook:

The leadership team remains focused on leveraging our blended revenue model and operational strategies to enhance shareholder value and customer satisfaction. We are excited about the future and are determined to maintain our momentum in the competitive auto parts market.

From January to mid-April, we continued to demonstrate strong performance, with total revenue reaching $56,668 through April 15, reflecting a growth of approximately 17% from January. This progress underscores our effective multi-channel strategy, primarily driven through LiftKits4Less, yet effectively extending across all our e-commerce platforms.

About Auto Parts 4 Less Group, Inc.

Auto Parts 4 Less Group Inc. (OTC: FLES) is a leading online marketplace for automotive parts, operating AutoParts4Less.com and LiftKits4Less.com. The Company is dedicated to providing a diverse range of high-quality automotive parts and accessories to customers in the jeep, truck, and off-road enthusiast market. With a focus on growth and innovation, Auto Parts 4 Less Group Inc. aims to be a top destination for automotive parts and accessories.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience and present expectations or projections. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and the trading price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Forward-looking statements also are affected by the risk factors described in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Industry data provided herein is of no predictive value regarding the future sale of the Company’s products. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of the Company’s future financial results, revenues, or stock price.

Contact:

Christopher Davenport, CEO

Auto Parts 4 Less Group Inc.

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Auto Parts 4 Less Group, Inc.

#press release #prism mediawire #stock market #investing #prismdigitalmedia #prismmarketview #otc markets #otc #auto parts #aftermarket #FLES #Auto Parts 4 Less

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jworthingtonreview · 14 days

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Financial Printing Services and Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the Complex Landscape

In the meticulously regulated world of finance, printed materials are more than just static communications—they are legal documents, compliance tools, and a vital part of your institution's reputation. For financial institutions, compliance officers, and investors, navigating the intricate maze of guidelines, revisions, and deadlines can be a daunting challenge. Here's how financial printing services can smooth out the complexities and assist you in achieving seamless, compliant investor communications.

The Evolution of Financial Printing

Once upon a time, financial printing was a matter of producing annual reports and brochures. Those days are long gone. Today, in an environment characterized by globalization, digitization, and increased regulatory scrutiny, the services offered by financial printers are broad and complex. These include:

Prospectus Printing: When new investment opportunities arise, a timely and accurate prospectus is a legal requirement. Financial printers specialize in creating and delivering documents that meet strict content, formatting, and deadline standards.

EDGAR Filing Services: In the U.S., publicly traded companies must submit various forms to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Financial printers ensure that these forms are filed accurately and on time, safeguarding companies from legal repercussions.

Shareholder Communications: From proxy statements to dividend notices, printed shareholder communications must be delivered efficiently and in compliance with local and international mailing standards.

Digital Services: Financial printers offer a range of digital and e-delivery solutions, which streamline the information dissemination process, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and provide a more interactive communication platform.

The Importance of Accuracy

In the financial printing realm, precision is paramount. One misplaced figure, erroneous footnote, or incorrectly formatted page can lead to dire consequences. Whether it's a simple typographical error or a more complex issue, the impact on your institution's credibility and legal standing is significant. Financial printers employ strict quality control measures, technical expertise, and specialized software to ensure that every document is accurate and compliant.

Streamlining Compliance

With each passing year, regulations governing investor communications grow more intricate. The recently revised European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and the upcoming Shareholder Rights Directive II (SRD II) are just two examples of how compliance requirements evolve. Financial printing services stay abreast of these changes, offering you peace of mind that your institution is adhering to the latest regulatory standards.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

Modern financial printers don't just produce documents; they leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline the entire process. Through automated software, content management systems, and standardized templates, the production of regulatory documents can be expedited without sacrificing quality. From data aggregation to printing and distribution, technology takes the manual labor out of the equation, reducing the risk of human error and accelerating time-to-market.

Navigating the financial printing and compliance landscape need not be a solitary, stressful endeavor. By engaging the right financial printing services, you can turn regulatory requirements into an opportunity to shine. These services provide not just printed material, but expertise, precision, and a robust understanding of the regulations that govern your industry. Embrace the partnership with financial printers, and mark one complex domain off your institutional to-do list with confidence and ease.

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enterprisewired · 1 month

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Microsoft’s Copilot AI Faces Criticism for Generating Inappropriate and Harmful Images

Microsoft Engineer Raises Concerns

Late-night testing by Shane Jones, a Microsoft artificial intelligence engineer, has unveiled disturbing images generated by Microsoft’s copilot Designer, the AI image generator powered by OpenAI’s technology. Jones, who actively red-teams the product, found content that contradicts Microsoft’s responsible AI principles, including demons, monsters, and explicit scenes involving sensitive topics like abortion rights, underage drinking, and drug use.

Internal Reports Ignored

Jones, alarmed by his findings, began reporting his concerns internally in December. Despite acknowledgment from Microsoft, the company chose not to withdraw the product from the market. Jones, feeling compelled to address the issue publicly, penned an open letter on LinkedIn, urging OpenAI to investigate. Microsoft’s legal department requested the removal of his post, prompting him to escalate the matter to U.S. senators and later to the Federal Trade Commission.

Calls for Action

In his recent letters to the Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and Microsoft’s board of directors, Jones demands a halt to Microsoft’s Copilot Designer’s public use until improved safeguards are in place. He advocates for product disclosures and a change in Google’s Android app rating, emphasizing the potential risks associated with the AI model.

Public Outcry Amidst Industry Concerns

Jones joins a growing debate surrounding generative AI, which has seen a surge in deepfake creation and concerns about misinformation, especially with crucial upcoming elections globally. Despite over 1,000 daily product feedback messages received by Microsoft’s copilot team, Jones asserts that the team’s response is limited to addressing the most severe issues, leaving many potential risks unexplored.

Controversial Content and Copyright Concerns

Microsoft’s Copilot Designer, available under an “E for Everyone” app rating, continues to generate images deemed inappropriate and harmful. Jones highlights concerns about political bias, religious stereotypes, and conspiracy theories. Additionally, copyright violations arise as Copilot generates images featuring Disney characters, potentially breaching both legal and Microsoft policy boundaries.

Addressing the Crisis

Microsoft, in response to the concerns raised, emphasizes its commitment to addressing employee concerns and enhancing technology safety. However, Jones asserts the lack of efficient reporting channels for employees in case of widespread dissemination of harmful images. As debates on generative AI’s impact intensify, the industry faces challenges in establishing robust safeguards and guardrails to protect against misuse.

The controversy surrounding Microsoft’s Copilot Designer underscores the pressing need for comprehensive AI model oversight, with potential implications for the broader deployment of generative AI in various industries.

Also Read: Microsoft Introduces Copilot Key on Windows Keyboards for AI Conversations

#Microsoft #CopilotAI #AIEthics #responsibletourism #generativeai #deepfake #missinformation #AIrisks #artificialintelligence #EthicalAI #techcontroversy

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tieflingkisser · 2 months

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Microsoft engineer warns company’s AI tool creates violent, sexual images, ignores copyrights

On a late night in December, Shane Jones, an artificial intelligence engineer at Microsoft, felt sickened by the images popping up on his computer. Jones was noodling with Copilot Designer, the AI image generator that Microsoft debuted in March 2023, powered by OpenAI’s technology. Like with OpenAI’s DALL-E, users enter text prompts to create pictures. Creativity is encouraged to run wild. Since the month prior, Jones had been actively testing the product for vulnerabilities, a practice known as red-teaming. In that time, he saw the tool generate images that ran far afoul of Microsoft’s oft-cited responsible AI principles. The AI service has depicted demons and monsters alongside terminology related to abortion rights, teenagers with assault rifles, sexualized images of women in violent tableaus, and underage drinking and drug use. All of those scenes, generated in the past three months, have been recreated by CNBC this week using the Copilot tool, which was originally called Bing Image Creator. “It was an eye-opening moment,” Jones, who continues to test the image generator, told CNBC in an interview. “It’s when I first realized, wow this is really not a safe model.”

[...]

Jones was so alarmed by his experience that he started internally reporting his findings in December. While the company acknowledged his concerns, it was unwilling to take the product off the market. Jones said Microsoft referred him to OpenAI and, when he didn’t hear back from the company, he posted an open letter on LinkedIn asking the startup’s board to take down DALL-E 3 (the latest version of the AI model) for an investigation. Microsoft’s legal department told Jones to remove his post immediately, he said, and he complied. In January, he wrote a letter to U.S. senators about the matter, and later met with staffers from the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Now, he’s further escalating his concerns. On Wednesday, Jones sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, and another to Microsoft’s board of directors. He shared the letters with CNBC ahead of time.

#ai bullshit #microsoft #openai #copilot

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bitcoincables · 3 months

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US SEC Approves Bitcoin ETFs, Próspera Zone Recognizes Bitcoin, Google Removes Exchange Apps

More than a decade after the first application was filed, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States. This is a big step for the crypto industry! 😄 The SEC has given the green light to ETF applications from various companies including ARK 21Shares, Invesco Galaxy, VanEck, WisdomTree, Fidelity, Valkyrie, BlackRock, Grayscale, Bitwise, Hashdex, and Franklin Templeton.

The approval by the SEC has raised questions about the intentions of the commission's chair, Gary Gensler. He has previously expressed concerns about crypto investments, but he was one of the three commissioners who voted to approve the Bitcoin ETFs. Some people think he may have been the deciding vote. Others believe that the SEC was bound to approve the ETFs as it had been mandated by a federal court to review Grayscale's offering. Not everyone is happy with the SEC's decision, though. SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw and the nonprofit organization Better Markets have criticized the approval, calling it "unsound and ahistorical" and describing Bitcoin as inherently worthless. Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff also expressed his disapproval, saying that the approvals provide more opportunities for speculation.

In other news, the special economic zone of Próspera in Honduras has recognized Bitcoin as a unit of account, allowing it to be used for measuring the market value of goods and services. 👏 For now, tax liabilities for Bitcoin-electing entities will still be determined in reference to BTC for internal accounting purposes, but they will be reported to Próspera Zone for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDE) in United States dollars or the Honduras lempira. However, once certain issues are resolved, entities will report and pay their tax liabilities to Próspera ZEDE in BTC. Meanwhile, Google's Play Store in India has removed Binance and OKX crypto exchange apps following a noncompliance notice from the government. The notice stated that any exchange providing services to Indian users must register as a "reporting entity" and submit statements to the income tax department. Apple's App Store had previously taken a similar action in December 2023. ⚠️

For more details on these stories, you can read the original article from CoinTelegraph here.

Hashtags: Bitcoin, ETFs, cryptocurrency, regulation

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ledenews · 4 months

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#belmontcounty #BrookeCounty #hancockcounty #JeffersonCounty #MarshallCounty #ohiocounty #ScamAlertLady #UpperOhioValley

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fin0123 · 5 months

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Navigating Commodity Trading Laws: Your Simple Guide

Understanding the Basics and Rules of Commodity Trading

Introduction:

Commodity trading is a big part of how countries trade essential goods. It's like a marketplace for things we need. But there are many rules that can be confusing for traders. In this blog, we'll break down the complicated rules around commodity trading. We'll look at the important regulations traders must follow for a successful and legal trading experience.

Understanding the Basics:

Commodity trading is all about buying and selling raw materials or basic farm products, known as commodities. These can be things like oil, natural gas, wheat, or soybeans. Because these markets are global, there need to be strong rules to make sure everyone plays fair, the market is honest, and investors are protected.

Key Rules:

1. Commodity Exchange Act (CEA): In the U.S., there's a set of rules called the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) enforces these rules. They control the trading of commodity futures and options, giving guidelines to traders. The aim is to make sure the market is fair, stopping fraud and tricks.

2. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: After the big money crisis in 2008, a law called the Dodd-Frank Act was made. It changed a lot in finance, including how commodities are traded. One important part is keeping a closer eye on special trades called over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. This is to make things more clear and reduce big risks.

3. International Rules: Since commodity trading happens worldwide, there are global rules too. Groups like the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) help make rules that everyone can agree on. This is to keep things fair and similar across different countries.

4. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Rules: Because there's a chance of bad activities in commodity trading, there are rules to stop money-related crimes (AML) and to know more about who's involved (KYC). Traders and companies need strong plans to check and confirm their clients. This is to stop money crimes and keep the market honest.

5. Position Limits: To stop cheating and keep the market fair, authorities often make rules about how much traders can own of certain things. These rules, called position limits, set a maximum amount for traders. This helps to stop market tricks.

Practical Tips for Following the Rules:

1. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on news from rule-making groups and know what's changing in commodity trading rules.

2. Follow Strong Rules: Make good plans that follow AML, KYC, and other rules. Check regularly to make sure everything is still following the plans.

3. Ask for Legal Help: Because commodity trading rules are tricky, it helps to ask experts in law for help. They can give advice on following the rules and help with any legal problems.

4. Use Technology: Use new tools to make following rules easier. This is especially important for things like watching trades and reporting them.

In Conclusion:

Doing well in commodity trading means understanding the rules that control it. Traders need to be careful, keep up with changes, and have good plans to follow the rules. Staying informed and getting help from legal experts can make it easier to deal with the complex world of commodity trading rules.

#finance #investing #commoditytrading #commoditymarket

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mystlnewsonline · 5 months

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Cyber Scam Organization Subject to $9M Seizure

Cyber Scam Organization Disrupted Through Seizure of Nearly $9M in Crypto (STL.News) The Justice Department recently announced the seizure of nearly $9 million worth of Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar. These seized funds were traced to cryptocurrency addresses allegedly associated with an organization that exploited over 70 victims through romance scams and cryptocurrency confidence scams, which are widely known as “pig butchering.” “Through this significant seizure, we disrupted the financial infrastructure of an organized network of scammers who stole millions from victims across the United States. These scammers prey on ordinary investors by creating websites telling victims their investments are working to make money. The truth is that these international criminal actors are simply stealing cryptocurrency and leaving victims with nothing,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department hopes this recovery of assets will bring some closure and a sense of justice to the over 70 victims affected by this series of scams. This seizure should also remind cybercriminals that, although the current landscape of the cryptocurrency ecosystem may seem like an ideal way to launder ill-gotten gains, law enforcement will continue to develop the expertise needed to follow the money and seize it back for victims.” According to court documents, criminal actors worked together to target victims and convince them to make cryptocurrency deposits by fraudulently representing that the victims were making investments with trusted firms and cryptocurrency exchanges. In reality, the purported firms and cryptocurrency exchanges were non-existent trading platforms. Agents and analysts from the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) were able to trace those victim deposits and observed that the funds were quickly laundered through dozens of cryptocurrency addresses and exchanged for several different cryptocurrencies, a money laundering technique often referred to as “chain hopping.” These techniques are used to “layer” the proceeds of criminal activity into new cryptocurrency ecosystems, all to obfuscate the nature, source, control, and ownership of those proceeds. The seized funds were linked to numerous victim reports made via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network. “This seizure is the culmination of the exceptional hard work and collaborative partnership between the Justice Department and the United States Secret Service,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “Silicon Valley remains one of the world’s preeminent locations for cryptocurrency firms. As such, we remain dedicated to using all tools at our disposal to bring justice to the victims of fraud and scams. Even when money and criminals are abroad, we will work with our partners to seize cyber criminals’ illegal proceeds.” “This seizure exemplifies the Secret Service’s mission to protect the financial infrastructure of the United States. We remain determined and vigilant to combat cyber-enabled financial fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet of the USSS San Francisco Field Office. “It is a priority for the Secret Service to protect the financial security that citizens work so hard to obtain. We want to thank the Justice Department for their partnership, dedication, and outstanding work on this case.” SOURCE: U.S. Department of Justice Read the full article

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virginiaprelawland · 5 months

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The Legality of Fast Fashion: Temu and Shein

By Elizabeth Wolnik, George Mason University Class of 2024

November 24, 2023

Low prices have become an increasing draw when it comes to luring customers to a website. The new up and coming retail giants, Temu and Shein, are changing the way people view online shopping by catering to the need for things to be reasonably priced [2].

Temu is known as an “online superstore for virtually everything” and initially garnered mass media attention when they made their advertising debut during the Super Bowl this year [1]. Temu was established in 2022 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Even though it is still a new company, it is currently ranked at the top of the U.S. iOS app store. Temu is an extensive digital marketplace that offers a wide range of products across more than 250 categories. Their primary goal is to “foster a safe and inclusive environment and enable customers to shop with confidence without compromising on quality while enjoying the best online prices available”. Although many people have compared Temu to Shein, the two have some major differences. Temu connects consumers with small businesses who sell directly to them instead of generating fast fashion as Shein does. Temu hosts independent third-party sellers which allows customers to find virtually any product they can imagine [1].

The fashion brand Shein is one of the most popular brands with Gen-Z, due to their trendy clothing being offered at extremely low prices [1]. The brand initially gained exposure through TikTok and Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic through videos of people showing off their vast clothing hauls from the website [3]. As the company expanded, they developed a supply chain with thousands of manufacturing partners. Because Shein doesn’t own the factories that make their products, their high order volume makes them a primary customer. Shein also sells directly to consumers in small batches to maintain their low prices, however this often results in product shortages [1].

Both Temu and Shein have faced scrutiny due to their ties to China [4]. As US-China tensions remain high, American legislators have increased attempts to restrict technology linked to foreign entities. In April of this year, a US congressional commission called out Shein and Temu in a report that suggested the companies were potentially linked to the use of forced labor, exploitation of trade loopholes, product safety hazards, and intellectual property theft. Part of the concern comes from the fact that Temu was launched by PDD Holdings. PDD Holdings was founded in China but has recently begun calling itself a Cayman Islands company by citing new corporate registration there. PDD also owns Pinduoduo, an immensely popular Chinese e-commerce platform that was found in a recent investigation to have the ability to surveil its users [4].

The low prices on Temu and Shein has caused some people to reconsider their purchases from the platforms [4]. Transparency and traceability of a product is becoming more important to consumers to want to shop more ethically. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Around 85% of clothing ends up in landfills or is burned, and the problem is even worse with fast fashion. Fast fashion is defined as the rapid design and production of cheap and low-quality clothes that respond to fleeting trends. The items that fast fashion companies make are not meant to last long, which keeps the consumers coming back when their clothing falls apart or a trend goes out of style [4]. In response to this, Shein states that its business model enables it to reduce waste and overproduction by producing small batches and only responding with larger production if demand is shown. Temu says that they limit unsold inventory and waste by better matching demand with supply. However, researchers who study textile waste and sustainability in global supply chains say that these companies need to go a step further [4].

With the public intensely watching companies like Temu and Shein get into legal and ethical trouble, it brings up conversation about the conditions of fast fashion. The fast fashion industry employs about 75 million factory workers worldwide, but less than 2% of these employees make a livable wage [5]. Many employees work over 16 hours a day and child labor is a prevalent occurrence. To sustain mass production and meet consumer demands, fashion companies often take advantage of legal loopholes, like offshore outsourcing in developing countries. Because of this, employees in the fast fashion industry have limited rights and work in unsafe conditions. Companies commit to offshore outsourcing because labor costs are cheaper and there are less regulations surrounding it. There are currently no U.S. federal laws that regulate offshore outsourcing [5].

In February of this year a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators wrote to Shien, pressing them to disclose their supply chain practices [4]. They said, “We are concerned that American consumers may be inadvertently purchasing apparel made in part with cotton grown, picked, and processed using forced labor”. The inquiry was made following a report that showed lab testing that found garments shipped to the U.S. from Shien were made with cotton from Xinjiang. This is problematic because Washington has banned all imports from Xinjiang over concerns of forced labor. A spokesperson from Shein said that the company has zero tolerance for forced labor and has worked with third parties to audit supplier factories. To ensure compliance with U.S. laws, Shein requires that suppliers purchase cotton from only approved countries and has built tracing systems to get visibility into the origins of the cotton it uses. Shein also made headlines in December of last year when a documentary alleged exploitation at two Chinese factories belonging to its suppliers. The documentary alleged that staff were working 18 hours a day and making pennies on each item of clothing they made. Shein responded by saying that independent audits have refuted most of these allegations, but the investigation showed that employees at two of its suppliers were working longer hours than allowed [4].

On top of the controversies surrounding Temu and Shein, they have also entered into litigation with each other. Beginning in December 2022, Shein sued Temu in Illinois federal court alleging that Temu had enlisted online influencers “to make false and deceptive statements” about Shein to promote its own goods [3]. Temu filed to dismiss the suit, but the case is still pending. Shein has also accused Temu many times of copyright infringement [3].

Temu has also sued Shein, filing a lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts of this year, accusing them of violating anti-trust laws by attempting to monopolize suppliers and engaging in other forms of illegal behavior [3]. Temu claims that Shein has “engaged in a campaign of threats, intimidation, false assertions of infringement, and attempts to impose baseless punitive fines” on apparel makers that were thought to be working with Temu. They also allege that Shein “forced” exclusivity deals on clothing manufacturers to prevent them from working with Temu. A court filing says, “As a result of its fast growth, Shein now views itself as being ‘at war’ with Temu and has engaged in an elaborate and anticompetitive scheme aimed at stymieing Temu’s business”. Temu also alleges that Shein tried to force manufacturers to sign loyalty agreements to vow not to do business with Temu, and that Shein would issue fines to suppliers that worked with Temu [3].

As of late October 2023, Temu and Shein have applied to end their lawsuits against each other. Joint declarations were filed in Chicago and Boston by lawyers representing the companies, requesting that two legal cases be dismissed without prejudice by the judge. The filings did not contain details on why the companies decided to drop the complaints or if any settlements were made [6].

As Temu and Shein continue to make waves in the online retail landscape, consumers should be mindful of the ethical concerns surrounding these companies. Balancing the allure of low prices with the need for responsible and ethical business practices is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of these emerging giants. Only time will tell whether these retail powerhouses can strike a balance that satisfies both the demands of consumers and the expectations of an increasingly conscientious public.

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[1] https://fashionweekdaily.com/temu-and-shein-a-deep-dive-into-their-differences/

[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/talking-points-too-good-to-be-true-deals-on-temu-and-shein/

[3] https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/19/tech/temu-shein-lawsuits-intl-hnk/index.html

[4] https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/23/tech/temu-shein-us-concerns-intl-hnk/index.html

[5] https://www.thenulj.com/nuljforum/fastfashion

[6] https://www.reuters.com/legal/low-cost-e-commerce-rivals-shein-temu-shelve-us-court-cases-2023-10-27/

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ovpwebnetwork · 6 months

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 6, 2023

Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force Issues Warning Letters to Eight VoIP Providers

LANSING – Last week, the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force issued warning letters to eight Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers that transmit calls across the nation, and appear to continue transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic on behalf of one or more clients, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Per the warning letters, the targeted VoIP providers do not “appear to have taken sufficient steps … to identify, investigate, and mitigate suspected illegal call traffic that is accepted onto, and transmitted across,” the provider’s network.

The warning letters are “intended to serve as additional notification” to the VoIP providers “about the Task Force’s continuing concerns regarding its call traffic, and to caution” the providers they “should cease transmitting any illegal traffic immediately.” They were issued to the following providers:

All Access Telecom, Inc.,

Lingo Telecom, LLC,

NGL Communications, LLC,

Range, Inc.,

RSCom Business, LLC,

Telcast Network, LLC,

ThinQ Technologies, Inc., and

Telcentris , Inc. dba Voxox.

Attorney General Nessel announced the formation of the Task Force in August 2022. The nationwide Task Force is comprised of 50 attorneys general and was formed to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. This bipartisan nationwide Task Force has one goal: to cut down on illegal robocalls.

For any Michigan residents who suspect they may have been the victim of identity theft perpetrated by robocalls or other means, or would like to learn more about how to protect themselves, the Department has guidance for Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery available on its website. The Department has also issued guidance on Michigan’s telemarking laws and the Do Not Call Registry.

Attorney General Nessel has established her own in-state initiative to crackdown on Robocalls. According to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center, over 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day. These scam calls include Social Security Administration fraud against seniors, Amazon scams against consumers, and many other scams targeting all consumers, including some of our most vulnerable citizens. An estimated $29.8 billion dollars was stolen through scam calls in 2021. Most of this scam robocall traffic originates overseas. Since 2019, a substantial reduction in Do Not Call Registry complaints from Michigan residents has been recorded and reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Alongside the FTC, Attorney General Nessel announced the nationwide Operation Stop Scam Calls in July of this year, a 50-state law enforcement sweep to crackdown on illegal telemarketing targeting operations responsible for billions of calls to U.S. consumers.

Attorney General Nessel offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:

Be wary of callers who ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. For example, the Internal Revenue Service does not accept iTunes gift cards.

Look out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make phone calls to individuals.

If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang-up and do not provide any personal information.

Contact our Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388.

File a Do Not Call or Text complaint here.

In March of 2023, Nessel won judgments shutting down a massive robocall operation based in Texas. The company’s owners had directed billions of illegal robocalls to people across the country and had bombarded Michigan consumers with more than 42 million robocalls in 2019 alone, including more than 19 million calls to people whose numbers were on the Do Not Call list. A judgement was secured against other parties involved in this scheme in August 2023. Nessel most recently joined a coalition of state attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify the rules requiring telemarketers to obtain consent from a consumer before making robocalls.

Nessel also has joined a multistate lawsuit against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people and violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and other federal and state telemarketing and consumer laws. Avid Telecom is alleged to have sent or transmitted more than 7.5 billion calls to telephone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

In 2022, Nessel hosted the Second Annual Robocall Summit along with Ohio AG Dave Yost. The summit highlighted the problem of robocalls, what Michigan has accomplished in its efforts, and discussed tools to help reduce robocall numbers. Also in 2022, Nessel partnered with YouMail, a platform that uses traceback technology to determine the source of robocalls.

In addition, AG Nessel has joined efforts to cut down on unwanted text messages by supporting the FCC’s proposal to require wireless providers to block texts from invalid, unassigned, or unused numbers and from numbers on a Do Not Originate list. This is consistent with the Attorney General’s belief that the FCC’s illegal text message enforcement should be in line with its enforcement of illegal robocalls.

AG Nessel is committed to further reducing the number of illegal robocalls and texts coming to Michigan residents so that they become part of our state’s distant past.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General accepts complaints about robocalls via its online complaint form.

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