Banks should prepare to spend big on cyberdefenses as ransomware payments reach record levels

The news: US banks and financial institutions spent almost $1.2 billion in ransomware-related payments in 2021—almost triple the previous year, according to the US Treasury Department. Cyberattackers target Wall Street: The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said in a new report that ransomware posed a “significant threat” to banks. The number and total value of ransomware-related payments reached…

Hillary Clinton said voters ‘don’t really understand’ the consequences of electing Republicans in the midterms

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a Planned Parenthood clinic in San Francisco on October 13, 2022. Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images Hillary Clinton questioned whether voters “really understand” what’s at stake in the midterms.  She said Social Security and Medicare are under threat should control of Congress change….

The world could face the worst financial crisis since World War II as hyperinflation looms, hedge fund says

Getty Images Hyperinflation could tip the global economy into the worst financial crisis since World War II, Elliott Management says.  The fund said the end of cheap borrowing will spur financial extremes in a letter viewed by the Financial Times.  “Investors should not assume they have ‘seen everything,’” the letter said.  Hyperinflation could spur the…

16 million student-loan borrowers have now been approved for debt cancellation, Biden says — but they won’t see relief ‘in the coming days’ due to a GOP lawsuit

President Joe Biden speaks during a Fourth of July celebration for military families on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2022. Evan Vucci/AP The Education Department has so far approved 16 million student-loan borrowers for debt relief, Biden said. But while they should be getting relief in the next few days,…

Responding to yet another Trump lawsuit, New York’s attorney general says he’s still committing fraud

Donald Trump / Letitia James Getty Images New York Attorney General Letitia James responded to Donald Trump’s new lawsuit filed against her Wednesday night.  James alleged Trump is still committing fraud and is “seeking to put assets beyond this Court’s reach.”  Trump accused the attorney general of abusing her power by investigating him and his…

This 25-year-old actor converted an ambulance into a home-on-wheels with $15,000 and now lives in NYC rent free — see inside

25-year-old aspiring actor Eli Young converted a $4,000 ambulance into a home on wheels. Courtesy of Eli Young 25-year-old actor Eli Young lives full-time in an ambulance he renovated with $15,000. It’s allowed him to live a nomadic lifestyle and escape NYC’s skyrocketing rent prices.  See inside the converted ambulance complete with a fold-out bed,…

Putin says he hasn’t decided on a 2024 presidential run, a power move that a Russia expert says is how he keeps opposition ‘off balance’

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Commonwealth of the Independent States Summit, October 14, 2022, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Photo by Contributor/Getty Images Putin still hasn’t decided if he’ll run for president in 2024, his spokesperson said.  Western officials have suggested the Ukraine war has weakened his position, per The Times of London. But keeping people…

Bond billionaire Jeffrey Gundlach says the Fed will only hike rates to 4.5% – and he sees an 80% chance of a US recession next year

Jeffrey Gundlach. CNBC/Getty Images Jeffrey Gundlach only expects the Fed to raise interest rates to a peak of 4.5%. The DoubleLine Capital CEO said the inflation threat is fading and the US economy is faltering. Gundlach put the chances of a US recession next year at 80%. Jeffrey Gundlach has predicted an early end to…

We’re closer to getting the first new pill to treat UTIs in over 20 years

An experimental antibiotic to treat UTIs showed it worked, leading drugmaker GSK to stop trials early. Darwin Brandis/Getty Images An experimental antibiotic helped treat urinary tract infections, pharma giant GSK said Thursday. It would be the first new pill to treat uncomplicated UTIs in 20 years, GSK said. The drugmaker plans to apply for approval…