Amazon releases some seller funds after complaints

 Amazon has started releasing some sellers' funds back to them after many UK and EU sellers complained of money being held unexpectedly.

The change in policy comes after the BBC reported it led to some sellers' business being close to collapse.

Amazon told some sellers it will now delay the temporary holds on money until January 2024.

But one ink seller, Daniel Moore, who had £230,000 frozen, said Amazon were only "delaying our anguish".

Amazon wrote in an email to one seller in the early hours of Saturday: "We understand that the transition to this policy on 3 August has caused a one-time cash-flow issue for your business. To support you in preparing for the policy change, we have extended your policy transition until 31 January 2024".

Amazon's initial policy update sent in May stated it would temporarily hold seller funds to cover customer refund demands. It said sellers' would be able to withdraw their money only from the delivery date plus a further seven days.

The policy was implemented on 3 August across the UK and EU for sellers registered before August 2016.

But its email about the change was not seen by many EU and UK sellers, and in many cases was automatically sent to their junk folder.

The change comes at a time businesses are struggling with the soaring costs of living and increases in energy bills, materials and operating costs.

'Gobbledegook'

Andy Pycock, 53, from Buckinghamshire, has been selling home, garden and leisure products on Amazon and had £25,000 frozen on 3 August.

He had taken out a loan with Amazon Lending to cover the period of withdrawals being frozen - and paid fees to have it restructured.

But hours later on early Saturday morning, he was told of Amazon's policy change, meaning his takings were available again.

He said his business had suffered a slowdown as he was unable to afford to restock and fulfil orders during the period his money was frozen.

Andy, who has been selling on Amazon since 2016, said the lack of notification, and last-minute changes from Amazon, has made him question his future involvement with the firm.

He said Amazon's explanations as to why it will be holding money from established sellers like him sounded like "corporate gobbledegook".

"This doesn't make any sense," Andy told the BBC. "Amazon is toxic as equally as it is brilliant - but we also feel they're our greatest enemy right now".

He says he "dreads" looking at his Amazon Seller account due to its various changes and "confusing" implementation of policy.

Amazon said the policy was introduced to align all sellers worldwide on to the same policy.

However, some UK and EU sellers have been told it will be implemented in September, whilst others are now being told it will be implemented in January next year.

One seller on Amazon's Seller Forums called the situation "shambolic".

Daniel Moore said that amount of his takings which Amazon had frozen was "disproportionately high versus the potential refunds processed by customer returns or non-delivery".

Having hundreds of thousands of pounds of his takings frozen meant he was unable to pay his VAT bill on time, or order new stock.

He says he received notification on Saturday saying all of his takings had now been released, but that the pause in income led to issues along his whole supply chain that could take up to two further weeks to resolve.

He said the delay in the implementation of Amazon's temporary hold policy was "initially good news", but that "it simply kicks the can down the road to a month where corporation tax and personal tax is due. January is a very difficult month".

Daniel said the policy "is still unfair" and that established sellers like his firm Ink Jungle posed "no risk" to Amazon.

"If items are being delivered tracked or by FBA what is the risk? It makes no sense to hold onto the funds for so long after delivery", Daniel added.

FBA, Fulfilled by Amazon, is where sellers keep their stock in Amazon's warehouse, and Amazon delivers the goods to buyers once sold.

Amazon's change in policy implementation for affected sellers comes after small business minister Kevin Hollinrake had demanded the tech giant explain how it will "mitigate" the effects of the policy on many sellers, in a letter seen by the BBC.

Seller Mario Katz says he has now had £5,000 released from his frozen funds. He was "happy" that he could now resume withdrawing amounts daily for the day-to-day running of his business.

"But I cannot celebrate, as I cannot trust Amazon.

"I'm still scared about the policy taking effect in January", he said.

Amazon said the vast majority of its sellers were not affected by the temporary hold implemented on 3 August.

It is not yet clear if those companies will receive compensation for any losses incurred during the period that their withdrawals were frozen.

Amazon has been contacted for comment.

The issues are similar to those faced by Etsy sellers after that marketplace began withholding 75% of sellers' funds for around 45 days. Hundreds of sellers complained it was undermining their businesses. Etsy reduced the amount it was holding after a BBC report in to the problem.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66486803

Biden Admin Plans Grand Canyon Monument That Will Inhibit Crucial Uranium Mining

 Its a love story as old as the ages: mindless regulations that inhibit business and squandering your tax dollars.

We all know that if there's anything Democrats are good at, its both tearing down monuments that have been in place for decades while at the same time using taxpayer cash to designate additional, useless - and in this case counterintuitive - monuments of their liking. 

In the case of President Biden's latest proposed monument at the greater Grand Canyon, it'll inhibit crucial uranium mining in the area.

Biden is expected to announce plans to preserve 1,562 square miles outside of Grand Canyon national park, a new report from Fortune says. It marks his fifth monument designation, the report says as thought that is some way of keeping score of the effectiveness of a Presidency. 

National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi confirmed the designation, the report says. 

The monument is going to be called "Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni" meaning "where tribes roam" and "our footprints" in two different native languages. Republican lawmakers and the mining industry have both pushed back on the idea of the monument. 

Ranchers have also argued that the monument strips them of private land. 

Havasupai Tribal Councilwoman Dianna Sue White Dove Uqualla has made it clear she wants to stand in the way of such mining, stating: “It’s really the uranium we don’t want coming out of the ground because it’s going to affect everything around us — the trees, the land, the animals, the people. It’s not going to stop.”

But a U.S. Geological Survey from 2021 showed that most springs and wells in areas of Northern Arizona known for its uranium mining meet federal drinking water standards despite decades of mining. 

Currently there are no uranium mines operating in Arizona, though one just south of Grand Canyon National Park has been in development for years, the report says. 

Buster Johnson, a Mohave County supervisor, told Fortune that the monument feels like its politically driven and that mining uranium could make the country less dependent on Russia. 

He concluded: “We need uranium for the security of our country. We’re out of the game.”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/biden-administrations-planned-grand-canyon-monument-designation-would-inhibit-crucial

Naming David Weiss To Special Counsel Widely Called "Whitewash" of Biden Family Corruption

 by Debra Heine via American Greatness,

Critics of the Biden regime on Friday blasted Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss to serve as special counsel investigating the Biden family’s shady business schemes. Republicans said Weiss is the wrong person for the job after offering Hunter Biden a sweetheart plea deal that fell apart under a judge’s scrutiny.

During a press conference Friday, Garland said Weiss requested the appointment earlier this week.

“On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that in his judgment, his investigation had reached a stage at which he should continue his work as a special counsel, and he asked to be appointed,” Garland said.

“This move by AG Garland is part of the Justice Department’s efforts to attempt a Biden family coverup in light of @GOPoversight’s mounting evidence of President Biden’s role in his family’s schemes selling ‘the brand’ for millions of dollars to foreign nationals,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said in a written statement.

“The most immediate impact of this appointment will be to insulate the Department itself,” explained George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley on Fox News Friday evening.

“Weiss was supposed to testify in Congress. That’s highly unlikely. If he does, it’s unlikely that he’s going to give any real information,” he added.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said: “David Weiss can’t be trusted, and this is just a new way to whitewash the Biden family’s corruption. Weiss has already signed off on a sweetheart plea deal that was so awful and unfair that a federal judge rejected it.”

House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.)also  called the appointment “an attempt to whitewash the Biden family corruption.”

Fox News host Jesse Watters put it even more bluntly.

“This isn’t an investigation, it’s a cover-up,” he said on “Watters’ World” Friday night.

“Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland handpicked the same Delaware prosecutor who has been covering for the Bidens for the last 25 years.”

He added: “David Weiss, who just spent the past five years squelching this investigation is still in charge!”

New York Post reporter Miranda Devine told Watters that appointing Weiss special prosecutor in the Biden corruption case is “like putting the fox in charge of the hen house.”

Even CNN’s Jake Tapper questioned the move.

“I think there are some legitimate questions about this whole situation,” Tapper said on “CNN News Central.”

“First of all, I do think it’s fair to question why would U.S. Attorney Weiss be appointed to special counsel. Usually, a special counsel is an outside attorney. Now, it has happened before. Durham came from inside, and the attorney general has the right to do that, but it is odd.”

Tapper acknowledged that it was problematic that Garland had stuck with the very person who was responsible for the “colossal failure” of the Hunter plea deal and that the original deal did not appear to be “strong enough.”

The CNN anchor also argued that Garland’s messaging now appears inconsistent regarding Weiss’ jurisdiction and whether he previously had the power to charge outside of Delaware.

“The Justice Department and Weiss denied what the whistleblowers were saying, but this move makes it seem as though, well, maybe the whistleblowers were right. Maybe what they were alleging is true, and he didn’t have the ability to charge whatever he wanted to charge, and now he does. So I do have a lot of questions about that, and I do think some of the political questions being raised by Republicans have merit,” Tapper said.

While most fair observers derided the appointment, a lawyer for Hunter Biden expressed confidence that Weiss will administer justice fairly.

“Whether in Delaware, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, we expect a fair resolution not infected by politics,” Biden lawyer Christopher Clark said.

Weiss is the federal prosecutor who brought charges against President Biden’s son in Delaware. Last month, he announced a probation-only plea agreement for Hunter Biden, which was rejected by a judge.

In June, Hunter Biden struck a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid prison by pleading guilty to two tax crimes and admitting to a gun charge that could be dismissed. Weiss’ team on Friday asked the judge to disregard that deal because the two sides were at an “impasse.”

Garland did not take questions after the press conference.

*  *  *

[ZH: Babylon Bee headlines are getting closer and closer to reality every day... Garland Appoints Special Counsel To Cover Up Biden's Crimes

In a press conference today, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced he will be appointing a new special counsel, David C. Weiss, to investigate the Bidens and then cover up all their crimes.

"I have given Mr. Weiss full power and authority to investigate Hunter Biden and the Biden family. We must conduct a thorough investigation so we can know which crimes to sweep under the rug," said Garland.

"After a thorough inquiry, Mr. Weiss will be in charge of destroying all evidence, bringing no serious charges, and granting Hunter Biden immunity forever. He is a man of the utmost integrity and I trust him to do this job to the best of his ability."

The new Special Counsel will be given access to all damning evidence of corruption and bribery against the President, which he will retain and then destroy. All remaining witnesses will then be invited to a surprise paddle-boarding party at the President's beach estate.

Former President Trump, who nominated David Weiss to his DA position in Delaware, reacted on Truth Social, saying:

"MILKTOAST GARLAND HAS APPOINTED DAVID WEISS AS 'SPECIAL COUNCIL' TO INVESTIGATE LITTLE HUNTER'S CRIMES AND TRUST ME — WEISS IS NOT EVEN THAT SPECIAL. HE'S A PHONY PROSECUTOR WHO'S BEEN HIRED TO TOTALLY LET THE BIDENS GO FREE! SAD!"

At publishing time, President Biden had thanked the Special Counsel for his outstanding service to the nation and wired him some bribe money.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/gop-critics-call-appointment-david-weiss-special-counsel-attempt-whitewash-biden-family

Damar Hamlin expected to play in Bills’ preseason opener in latest recovery step

 Damar Hamlin’s comeback is expected to hit another milestone Saturday afternoon.

Bills coach Sean McDermott told the Associated Press that Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Bengals on Jan. 2, is scheduled to start Buffalo’s first preseason game against the Colts.

“This is to some extent uncharted territory for me as well, and all of us. So we’re just trying to do the best we can to be there for him,” McDermott told reporters earlier this week.

“I try to keep a close eye on where he is and where he’s showing up and how he’s responding. And he’s done a great job.”

Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a seemingly routine tackle on Bengals wideout Tee Higgins in early January.

He said earlier this week that he is trying to take his comeback one step at a time.

Damar Hamlin is slated to play for the Bills in their first preseason game against the Colts on Saturday afternoon, marking another step in his comeback.

Getty Images

“Trying to look forward, it just creates a lot of anxiety, a lot of unnecessary feelings,” Hamlin said.

“If you stay in the moment, it allows you to process it when you’re there.”

Hamlin was fully cleared to rejoin the Bills in April.

Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field after tackling Bengals wideout Tee Higgins.

Getty Images

Bills GM Brandon Beane said that Hamlin was cleared by three separate specialists.

”They’re all in agreement — it’s not two to one or three to one or anything like that — they’re all in lockstep of what this was and that he is cleared to resume full activities just like anyone else that was coming back from an injury,” Beane said at the time.

“He’s fully cleared. He’s here. And he is of the mindset — he’s in a great headspace — to come back and make his return.”

https://nypost.com/2023/08/12/damar-hamlin-expected-to-play-in-bills-preseason-opener/

COVID victims’ families sue NYC-based EcoHealth for ‘funding, releasing’ virus

 The families of four people who died from COVID-19 are suing the Manhattan-based nonprofit that funded coronavirus research in China for “creating” the bug — and “releasing it, either intentionally or accidentally.”

EcoHealth Alliance and its president, Peter Daszak, knew the virus was dangerous and “capable of causing a worldwide pandemic,” according to the Aug. 2 Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit.

Despite partially-funding the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where the virus originated, EcoHealth failed to make sure critical safety measures were in place — then worked to cover up the origins of the outbreak, they claimed in court papers.

“If we had known the source or origin of this virus and had not been misled that it was from a pangolin in a wet market, and rather we knew that it was a genetically manipulated virus, and that the scientists involved were concealing that from our clients, the outcome could have been very different,” Patricia Finn, the victims’ attorney, told The Post.

The families of four people who died of coronavirus sued Peter Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance on Aug. 2 in Manhattan Supreme Court.

AFP via Getty Images

The families of Mary Conroy, of Pennsylvania; Emma D. Holley, of Rochester, NY; Larry Carr, of Crossville, Tennessee; and Raul Osuna, of Bennington, Nebraska, are seeking unspecified damages.

“[The families of the deceased] are definitely in mourning, but moreover they’re enraged because the truth of what really happened appears to be coming forward,” Finn added.

Paul Rinker, of Pennsylvania, is also suing Midtown-based EcoHealth and Daszak over the “serious injuries” he suffered from his bout with the bug.

Raul Osuna died Sept. 2021.

legacy.com

Emma Holley died in Aug. 2021

Family handout

Larry Carr died in Aug. 2021.

Family handout

Finn has also filed lawsuits against EcoHealth and Daszak in Nassau and Rockland Counties on behalf of the families of four other people killed by the virus, as well as two who survived.

“This particular case is highly offensive because it appears they knew and concealed the origin of the virus,” Finna said. “The treatment or approach taken in dealing with the virus could have been radically different than it was.”

In a June report, the Government Accountability Office said that EcoHealth Alliance  — which doles out money given to them by the National Institutes of Health — gave $1,413,720 to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, while a separate investigation found the government may have paid millions in duplicating grants to the Wuhan-based research institutions through EcoHealth.

https://nypost.com/2023/08/12/covid-victims-families-sue-nyc-based-ecohealth-over-virus/