Thursday, January 29, 2026

GAO finds that one third of federal agencies lack fraud monitoring or evaluation;

"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine."

- Abraham Lincoln


 Justice Department to set up new federal fraud section.   DOJ already has a consumer protection branch of its Civil Division, and that unit can also do criminal cases. And it has a Criminal Division.  Presumably this new unit is designed to tackle benefit fraud. But will this new unit include consumer fraud?

 
Aspen Institute releases survey they did in the US on consumer fraud
  • 33% of US adults were victims of a fraud last year
  • Losses were $42.7 billion; average loss $2499
  • 10% of US adults lost money to more than one scam last year
  • Only 1 of 12 reported this to police or law enforcers
  • Many people felt blamed by banks or other institutions
GAO finds that one third of federal agencies lack fraud monitoring or evaluation; easier to prevent fraud than prosecute afterwards; losses to fraud estimated at between $233 and $521 billion per year
 

Fraud Studies: Here are links to the studies I’ve written for the Better Business Bureau: puppy fraud, romance fraud; BEC fraud, sweepstakes/lottery fraud,  tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud, gift cards,  free trial offer frauds,  job scams,  online shopping fraud,  fake check fraud and crypto scams
 
Fraud News Around the worldHumorFTC and CFPBArtificial Intelligence and deep fake fraudBenefit Theft Scam CompoundsIRS and tax fraudBitcoin and Crypto FraudRansomware and data breachesJamaica and Lottery FraudRomance Fraud and Sextortion 
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The gold plating of American water

 Can't be Whiskey Friday fast enough.


‘60 Minutes’ finally aired the story that stirred up a storm inside CBS News

The delayed report aired after weeks of internal conflict over editorial independence between veteran journalists and new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss






The gold plating of American water Works in Progress

 

Half the world’s 100 largest cities are in high water stress areas, analysis finds The Guardian


The Prague-based company, which manufactures munitions and armoured vehicles, floated 15.2 per cent of its shares in the offering on Friday, in one of Europe’s largest listings in recent years. Artisan Partners, BlackRock and Al-Rayyan Holding — a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority — acted as cornerstone investors, committing a total of €900mn to the initial public offering. 

The deal is Amsterdam’s biggest listing of the past decade, according to Bloomberg data, and Europe’s first major IPO of 2026, which investors are hoping will be a busy year for the continent’s equity capital markets. “The breadth of demand was extraordinary for a European IPO,” said Ashish Jhajharia, head of Emea equity capital markets at JPMorgan, who worked on the deal. 

“It can only be helpful for the healthy pipeline of IPOs to come this year.” European defence stocks have been on a storming rally this year, and CSG is the first in a wave of defence IPOs expected in 2026, as companies aim to capitalise on high valuations.

Shares in Czech ammunition group surge 29% on stock market debut 


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Kouzina Bebe

Little Bay filming 🎥 the best kept secret NOT

This year is Tom Hank’s  second trip to Australia in several years, as he was here in 2020 to film his role as Colonel Tom Parker in Baz Luhrmann's epic movie Elvis 


The 69-year-old Toy Story star, who is in Australia to film the sequel to his 2020 World War II movie Greyhound, was flanked by a muscular tattooed member of his security team, who worked hard to keep the Hollywood icon shielded from crowds.

The strapping security guard cut a striking figure in a fitted black T-shirt, which showcased his heavily tattooed and impressively muscular arms. 

Meanwhile, Tom opted for an all-black ensemble, comprising a zipped-up jacket paired with matching trousers and dress shoes.


“Great to see Tom Hanks saying hello to the locals and having a little chat, very cool,” wrote the official Facebook page of Site Bar Pizza in Little Bay, NSW




Greek cuisine is highly regarded for its fresh, wholesome ingredients—such as olive oil, feta, lemon, and oregano—often described as a healthy, Mediterranean, and comforting, ranked as the second best in the world for 2026. Popular dishes include gyros, moussaka, and spanakopita, with a strong emphasis on grilled meats and seafood.

Chef Sylvia’s  Greek restaurant Kiribati Little Bay is as close to ‘summer in Europe’ as you can get walking with Turbo the English stuffy. With big serves, water views, friendly better half Matt, ninth generation Irish Australian, and a wine list that reads like a holiday wish list.

Kouzina Bebe

Bon Appétit"  "Kali Orexi" (καλή όρεξη)


Grilled Fillet snapper is divine and order with a side of garlicky roast potatoes and a fresh village vegetable zucchini and broccoli and you’ve got yourself one heck of a brilliant Greek feast.



Eastern Suburbs – Little Bay

Kouzina Bebe is an authentic Greek restaurant in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, located in beautiful Little Bay. Inspired by the Greek table where family and friends gather to share food, stories, and memories, we celebrate time-honoured flavours through thoughtfully prepared dishes with a modern touch.

A Place for Sharing & Connection

Food in Greek culture is about connection — bringing people together to share moments, stories, and care for one another. It is at the heart of family life and a way traditions are kept alive across generations.
We cook with love, respect, and joy, placing quality at the heart of everything we do.




Fresh Produce & Honest Cooking

Taste and quality are never compromised. We personally source and select our produce from the freshest local markets, complemented by select ingredients imported from Greece and its islands.
Growing up in a Greek home, surrounded by the aromas of dishes lovingly prepared by my Giagia and mother, shaped the way we cook today. These experiences continue to guide Kouzina Bebe as a place of warmth, connection, and generosity.

Seafood at the Heart of Our Cooking

Coming from Lesvos — a Greek island where seafood is part of everyday life — our cooking naturally celebrates the sea. Fresh seafood plays a central role in our menu, prepared simply and respectfully to highlight natural flavours.
This island influence shapes the way we cook today, combining coastal Greek traditions with carefully sourced local seafood.

Recipes Passed Down Through Generations

To honour that heritage, we proudly bring to life recipes from my Grandmother Marika’s treasured Tselementes, passed down through generations and now finding pride of place in our home — Kouzina Bebe.

Welcome to Kouzina Bebe


Kali Orexi!






Overview

At Kouzina Bebe, taste and quality are never compromised. We are passionate about crafting dishes that honour tradition while celebrating the freshest local ingredients. 

Their produce is sourced directly from Sydney’s finest markets: seafood hand-selected from the Sydney fish markets, fruits and vegetables from the Sydney produce markets, and premium meats from award-winning suppliers renowned for their exceptional quality, tenderness, and flavour.

The menu is inspired by the cherished memories of growing up in a Greek home, where the enticing aromas of cooking filled every corner. Many of their dishes come straight from Grandmother Marika’s treasured Tselementes (Greek cookbook), lovingly passed down through generations. From her recipes to the table, they proudly serve nostalgic favourites like moussaka, fresh seafood creations, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder that melts in your mouth.

Set in the picturesque coastal suburb of Little Bay, Kouzina Bebe is the perfect destination to indulge in the vibrant flavours of Greece. Pair your meal with a curated selection of wines and enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. Whether you’re savouring a hearty lamb shoulder, or a comforting moussaka, every bite is crafted with care and tradition.

Specialties: Authentic Moussaka, fresh seafood dishes, tender lamb shoulder, and premium wines.

Vibe: Warm, nostalgic, and perfect for coastal dining with friends and family.

  • Cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek
  • Dietary: Dairy free options, Gluten Free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
  • Features: Highchairs available, Wheelchair accessible, Waterfront, Table service, Street parking, Indoor & outdoor seating
  • Good for: Families, Groups
  • Price: $$$$
  • Venue type: Restaurant
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Labor must use its mandate to reform our unfair tax system

Alexander Hamilton warned that when a government betrays its people, the right of self-defense remains.

“If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is no resource left but the original right of self-defense.”(Federalist Papers, No. 28)

 



Culture is like a forest. The seeds are your core values. Once they take root as behaviours, they can grow into trees, populating your cultural forest. Bad seeds produce unhealthy forests, infertile, and plagued by infestations. Good seeds produce a healthy forest and ecosystems that support life. One is sustainable, the other is simply not.
Diane Kalen-Sukra, Save Your City: How Toxic Culture Kills Community & What to Do About It

As we’ve seen – especially over the past decade or so – population growth isn’t inevitable.
While the global population has grown every year for the past seven decades, some countries have seen their numbers shrink. And increasingly, those with falling birth rates (including Australia) have relied on immigration to keep their populations growing.


Hirschhorn warns ATO staff that they, not AI, are on the hook for decisions

When the all-staff email goes beyond housekeeping, it delivers a pointed lesson on AI, judgment, and trust.

Labor must use its mandate to reform our unfair tax system
Millie Muroi’s suggestion that we should move away from taxing workers and move to a land tax is a good one that was proposed in Ken Henry’s taxation review of 2010 (“Immigration’s a fix, not a panacea”, January 28). After Tony Abbott’s successful campaign to remove the carbon tax, federal governments of both persuasions have not been brave enough to make any major changes to our tax system. The tragedy is that if the carbon tax had not been abolished, we would be raising an additional $70 billion a year. Similarly, the federal government was pressured by mining companies to dilute the effect of the resources rent tax (PRRT) to the extent that it now receives more revenue from HECS fees than the PRRT. With the opposition in chaos and Labor being expected to win at least the next election, surely it is time that our government started implementing some of the serious changes that our system of taxation desperately needs. Peter Nash, Fairlight

Gordon de Brouwer leaves a disappointing legacy

OPINION | Gordon de Brouwer exits the APS having strengthened processes, but substantial reform is still waiting in the wings.


Two huge ships are floating off the coast of Sydney. This is what they’re doing

Slovak Fico on Amerikan President::
“Robert Fico, one of the few EU leaders to frequently support Trump’s stance on Europe’s weaknesses, was concerned about the U.S. president’s “psychological state,” two of the diplomats said.”
European leader spoke of shock at Trump’s state of mind after Mar-a-Lago meeting

8 Years ago Slovak PM Robert Fico resigns

Owl: ‘Poetry is my true métier’ — Blake Morrison on Afterburn

In a dip on the A12, late at night,
no warning, the kids asleep in the back,
an owl flew into the windscreen.
I’d hit flying creatures before,
soft-winged insects mashed to splut
that furred up the headlights like kettle scale.
This was a downy white pillow flap
yet hard enough to score the glass
with a crack running side to side.
I slowed, pulled up. The owl was surely dead
but its body wasn’t lying in the grass
nor ahead on the beam-lit tarmac.
I searched for an age while the kids slept,
longing for a bright accusing eye
and a pulse in a cloud of feathers.
Wherever it lay, I couldn’t atone:
driving home I felt the future grow dark
as the crack widened and I fell inside.
From ‘Afterburn’, published by Chatto & Windus
‘Afterburn’ by Blake Morrison is published by Chatto & Windus, £12.99

CBP Murdered Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis MN on January 24, 2026

[Trigger Warning] There have been dozens of social media posts and articles written in the past two days about the brutal murder of 37 year of American Citizen Alex Pretti, an RN who worked at the VA in Minneapolis. This court filing, dated January 24, 2026, USDC, District of Minnesota, includes a redacted declaration of a licensed physician [he fears for his safety and remains anonymous in the filing] who witnessed the murder, and attempted to provide medical assistance to Mr. Pretti after he was beaten, whipped with a pepper sprayer cannister, and shot ten times in five seconds, at point black range, in the back and chest, by possibly four unidentified ‘agents.’ The doctor describes the scene, the actions of the agents, the lack of medical care provided to the victim, and his horror and distress during and subsequent to the murder. Please read this sworn first person testimony. Facts matter. Immediately after the murders of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, government spokesmen stated, falsely, that the two individuals were “domestic terrorists.” DHS has covered up and refused access to state and local investigation teams to forensic evidence connected to these murders, as well as to the identity of the murderers of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. The family does not have possession of their son’s body for burial. Mr. Pretti was licensed to carry the gun he had with him, and did not at any time make an effort to use it, threaten or brandish the gun. He was using his cell phone to take video of agent brutality, and protecting two women, when he was seized, pepper sprayed in the face, thrown to the ground and beaten by up to 6 unidentified men. One or more of these men then murdered Pretti, execution style, having dragged his body into a semi upright position, whereupon they placed and discharged their weapons into his neck and chest, brutally and illegally killing him.

On the left is the text of an Affidavit by a witness to the shooting who also recorded the events from a distance or no more than five feet from the shooting. The are many postings of audio and video on social media on social accounts. Caveat – All the claims to date made by DHS and Trump Administration about the shooting are false. [Trigger Warning] Selected videos and information on the event are as follows…this is a developing story:

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