World

Social Security Recipients Will Receive a 2.5% Cost-Of-Living Boost In 2025, Less Than Recently.

Published

1 month ago

2024-10-10

(VOR News) – On Thursday, the Social Security Administration announced that a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment will be implemented in January for millions of Social Security recipients.

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, provides retirees with an average monthly increase of over $50, according to agency officials.

Social Security benefits are received by approximately 72.5 million individuals, including retirees, incapacitated individuals, and children. Nevertheless, retirees expressed concern that the increase would not be sufficient to counteract the increasing costs even before the announcement.

Sherri Myers, an 82-year-old retiree from Pensacola City, Florida, is currently seeking an hourly position at Walmart in order to supplement her income. “I am unable to consume nutritious food, despite my desire to do so.” While at the grocery store, I simply disregard vegetables due to their exorbitant cost.

The woman commented, “Even McDonald’s is expensive, so I have to be extremely selective about my food choices.” In 2024, recipients experienced a 3.2% increase in benefits, following an unusually high 8.7% increase in 2023 as a result of the highest inflation rate in 40 years.

Moderating inflation is indicated by the reduced increase in 2025.

Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley anticipates that the impending increase will provide recipients with some relief, as the agency is currently managing a record number of retirees, while funding is at an all-time low and inflation has decreased.

We tell those who believe the Social Security adjustment is insufficient, “You are not wrong.”

He pointed out that “in their older years, they have to spend their money on a different array of costs and expenses, including prescription drugs.” “I’ve heard the stories and it is a struggle for seniors,” said the representative.

He asserted that the actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration should result in a reduction in prescription drug expenses for a significant number of individuals.

The organization will commence informing beneficiaries of their revised benefit amount via letter in early December. Approximately 7.5 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income will commence receiving adjusted benefits on December 31.

It is anticipated that payroll taxes, which are withheld from employees and their employers to support the program, will increase to $176,100. The utmost earnings that were subject to payroll taxes from Social Security in 2024 were $168,600, a rise from $160,200 in 2023.

The announcement is being made in anticipation of the significant financial deficit that the national social insurance plan is expected to encounter.

The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report, which was released in May, indicates that the program’s trust fund will be unable to sustain full payments beginning in 2035. The research indicates that the government will be able to cover only 83% of the scheduled payments if the trust fund is depleted.

Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, stated in a statement, “There is more we must do to ensure that older Americans can continue to rely on Social Security.” AARP continues to advocate for Congress to collaborate across party lines in order to strengthen Social Security and establish a sustainable long-term solution for the nation.

Social Security proposals from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump differ.

Harris and Trump were interviewed by AARP in late August to ascertain their strategies for protecting the Social Security Trust Fund.

Harris pledged to compensate for the deficit by ensuring that billionaires and large corporations pay their equitable share of taxes and allocate the proceeds to the long-term protection and enhancement of Social Security.

Trump declared, “We will safeguard it through expansion.” I have no inclination to participate in any activities that are associated with the process of aging. That is not the course of action I will take. I was there for four years, as you are aware, and I never gave it a second thought. I will refrain from implementing any modifications to Social Security.

O’Malley asserts that there is a movement to implement an alternative index by the Social Security Administration that evaluates price fluctuations by analyzing the spending patterns of older individuals on commodities such as food, medicine, and health care. Subsequently, this index would be implemented to ascertain the increase in the cost of living.

The COLA is currently calculated using the Consumer Price Index, which is a market basket of consumer products and services. O’Malley asserts that lawmakers who advocate for the modification are “promoting an exceptionally sound policy.”

SOURCE: AP

World

Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns Over Christian Camp Abuse

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-13

Geoff Thomas

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned “in sorrow” on Tuesday.

Archbishop of Canterbury resigned on Tuesday, claiming he failed to oversee a thorough inquiry into allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago.

Justin Welby, the senior bishop of the Church of England and spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, faced calls to quit after a report last week revealed that he had taken insufficient action to stop a man characterized as the Church’s most frequent serial abuser.

“The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England,” Welby said in a news release.

“I hope this decision demonstrates how seriously the Church of England takes the need for reform and our deep commitment to building a safer church. As I step down, I do so with grief for all victims and survivors of abuse.”

Welby’s term spanned a decade of considerable change, during which he had to navigate disagreements over homosexual rights and women clergy between liberal churches, primarily in North America and Britain, and their conservative counterparts, particularly in Africa.

The Anglican churches in African countries such as Uganda and Nigeria will likely celebrate Welby’s resignation, having stated last year that they no longer trusted him. His successor’s key responsibilities will be to unite the more divided global Anglican Church and reverse a fivefold decrease in church attendance in Britain since 2019.

Archbishop resigned after Makin Report.

Welby resigned five days after the independent Makin Report singled him out for criticism of his treatment of abuse complaints dating back to the 1970s. According to the investigation, John Smyth, a British lawyer, subjected over 100 boys and young men to “brutal and horrific” physical and sexual abuse over 40 years.

According to the investigation, Smyth beat some victims with a cane for up to 800 strokes and provided diapers to absorb the bleeding. He would then drape himself over his victims, occasionally kissing them on the neck or back.

Smyth chaired the Iwerne Trust, which financed Christian camps in Dorset, England, and Welby worked as a dormitory officer there before becoming an ordained minister.

According to the study, Smyth moved to Africa in 1984 and continued to torture people until shortly before he died in 2018.

In 2013, the Church of England was fully aware of sexual abuse allegations at the camps. According to the study, Welby became aware of the claims at least in the same year, months after becoming archbishop.

Recommends two candidates

If the claims had been brought to the police in 2013, there may have been a thorough investigation, and Smyth could have faced prosecution before his death, according to the study. The Makin Report was commissioned in 2019.

Welby apologized for “failures and omissions” but stated that he had “no idea or suspicion” of the claims before 2013. The report stated that this was improbable and accused him of failing to uphold his “personal and moral responsibility” to conduct a thorough investigation.

Church protocols for appointing a new archbishop of Canterbury involve a committee of clerics and a chair, selected by the British prime minister, to recommend two candidates to him.

Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, and Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, are expected to follow Welby and become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

Usher supports homosexual rights and has been outspoken on the need to address climate change.

Francis-Dehqani was born in Iran and has spoken about her brother’s assassination following the Iranian Revolution. She would be the first woman to hold the position.

Pope Francis Issues Apology for Faggot Comment

Pope Francis Issues Apology for “Faggotness” Comment

Geoff Thomas

Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

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World

Trudeau Condemned in India By Sikhs and Hindus

Published

3 days ago

2024-11-11

Geoff Thomas

A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday.

A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday, November 10, in response to the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada. Hindus and Sikhs united to protest in front of the Canadian embassy in Delhi.

During the protest, a member of the Sikh Global Forum stated, “We are here to demonstrate that Sikhs have not attacked Hindus; we are both linked by blood relations.”

For Hindus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed for their religion. How can they fight with one another? We are here at the Canadian Embassy to deliver a memorandum,” PTI reported.

VIDEO | Members of Hindu Sikh Global Forum stage protest at Canada Embassy in New Delhi, condemning the violence that occurred near a temple in Canada’s Brampton on November 4.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/P4BLJnSYKW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2024

People from the Hindu Sikh Global Forum were on their way to the High Commission of Canada, Chanakyapuri, to condemn the attack on a Hindu Temple in Canada when they were stopped near Teen Murti Marg by Delhi Police.

#WATCH | Delhi: People of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum on their way to the High Commission of Canada, Chanakyapuri, to protest against the attack on a Hindu Temple in Canada, were stopped at Teen Murti Marg by Police. pic.twitter.com/ONaXu46gJi

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2024

Notably, Khalistanis stormed a prominent Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, with Canadian police officials implicated. The incident raised concerns about the safety of Hindus in Canada.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained for more than a year, and there is little indication of improvement as recriminations persist.

Because Sikhs play an important role in Canadian politics, both the ruling Liberal Party and the opposition parties court them. India accused Trudeau of engaging in “vote bank politics.” Canada respects India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but cannot restrict its citizens’ political activity.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with members of the Sikh Caucus.

Recent Indian statements have once again portrayed Trudeau as responsible for the worsening of relations. However, even under a different government, India cannot be certain or optimistic that Canada will comply with its demands for restrictions on Sikh activism.

In April this year, Prime Minister Trudeau, Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and several legislators attended a Sikh event in Toronto, demonstrating the community’s clout.

India opposed the use of “Khalistan” slogans on the day. Years ago, it was clear that relations between Canada and India were strained.

Trudeau traveled to India in February 2018 as part of a high-profile tour. The Indian media claimed the state visit was “downgraded” because Modi did not join his guest on a tour to Gujarat.

The media also noted that Modi did not send a tweet greeting Trudeau.

Surprisingly, the Indian Foreign Ministry addressed Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2018 visit in a statement in October, claiming that it was “aimed at currying favor with a vote bank,” but “rebounded to his discomfort.”

In recent days, Canada and India have exchanged additional allegations. The most significant of these concerns are those of Home Minister Amit Shah, often regarded as the most powerful man behind Modi in the Indian government.

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India Slams Trudeau for Leaking Baseless Allegations

Geoff Thomas

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World

Hamas Leaders Ordered to Leave Qatar

Published

3 days ago

2024-11-11

Geoff Thomas

Qatar has instructed Hamas leaders to leave the country

Qatar has ordered Hamas leaders to leave the country in response to a US request to stop Qatar’s support for the terrorist organization.

In a series of high-stakes communications, Washington informed Qatar that Hamas’ continued presence in Doha is no longer acceptable in light of the militant group’s rejection of recent ceasefire and hostage exchange proposals, prompting Qatar to deliver a similar message to Hamas leaders about ten days earlier.

A US official emphasized the US stance, telling Reuters that “after rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner.” We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas’ rejection weeks ago.”

Despite US pressure, three Hamas officials have denied that Qatar formally requested their departure, Reuters reports.

Since 2012, Qatar has sheltered Hamas leaders as part of a deal to encourage negotiations, particularly during times of heavy tension between Hamas and Israel.

In recent months, Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has led many rounds of discussions to end the carnage in Gaza—a goal that has proven elusive since Hamas rejected a previous cease-fire agreement in mid-October.

The Biden administration’s effort for a resolution in Gaza has acquired urgency as Israel’s retaliatory strikes have ravaged the area, killing an estimated 43,000 Palestinians and causing enormous destruction.

Meanwhile, the recent election of Republican Donald Trump as the next US president has reportedly reduced President Biden’s clout in the last weeks of his presidency.

Previous rounds of talks collapsed when Israel imposed new criteria, including a prospective military presence in Gaza, which Hamas interpreted as changing “last-minute goalposts.”

Last year, similar discussions mediated in Doha resulted in a seven-day cease-fire in Gaza, allowing captives to be released and humanitarian aid to be delivered, but hostilities immediately resumed.

Qatar’s long-standing stance as a mediator has come under growing scrutiny from US politicians. Fourteen Republican senators recently wrote to the Department of State, seeking penalties on Hamas officials in Qatar, their extradition, and a demand that Qatar “end its hospitality” to Hamas.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, has defended his country’s hosting of Hamas officials, claiming that their presence promotes crucial diplomatic conversations.

Source: Reuters