Latest news with #Damian
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Health
- Bloomberg
The Problem With an As-Seen-on-TV Brain Supplement
By Hi, everyone. It's Damian in New York, where my habit of watching Jeopardy! led me down the rabbit hole of a frequently advertised brain supplement. But first ... You've probably seen the commercials for Prevagen memory support capsules. Acoustic guitars underscore a relatable retiree explaining how, as the years go by, it was much harder to remember things.
Geek Dad
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Trinity, Daughter of Wonder Woman #1: Continuity, Corgis, and Chaos
Trinity, Daughter of Wonder Woman #1 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Tom King is known for his deeply emotional, intense comic books, but his Wonder Woman run reminded me of one thing about him – he's also very funny. His Trinity backups, which saw the young daughter of Wonder Woman (and Steve Trevor) being supervised and trained by an older Damian Wayne and Jon Kent, were some of the highlights of the first era of that run, particularly an issue where Jon and Damian were turned into super-corgis. When a solo title was announced, I wondered if this offbeat tone could truly be translated into an ongoing series. I shouldn't have worried – this issue is just as frantic as the backups, but with a strong emotional core. When we pick up, pint-sized Trinity is bopping through the multiverse in search of Jon and Damian – who have once again been turned into Corgis for reasons unknown. She encounters a despairing Pariah, in the midst of the collapse of a world, and proceeds to confuse him further. The great corgi chase. Via DC Comics. From there, we flash back to how all this chaos began. If I have one quibble with this series, it's that Jon and Damian should probably be adults by the time Trinity is around five (Jon already is), but they acts like squabbling, immature teens here. But it's very funny – and it leads them to not noticing that Trinity is very sad about not getting to meet her dad. Through a chaotic series of events, this leads to her meeting her teen self – and the two then go and track down their adult self, pulling her into an adventure to rescue Steve that has unintended consequences on the timeline. Corgi-shaped consequences. But the ending of this issue is a big surprise, playing on the events of another Tom King-penned backup and setting the stakes high for this series. Trinity is obviously a new character without many defining stories, but this issue was a strong start combining real pathos with some great Silver Age-style silliness. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Pink Villa
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Young and the Restless, June 5 Episode Recap: Amy Moves to Genoa City and Cole's Health Worsens
The Young and the Restless episode that aired on June 5 was filled with major character decisions, heartfelt moments, and rising tension surrounding Dumas. From Amy's big move to Genoa City to Cole's worsening condition, the episode brought significant developments for multiple storylines. In the park, Amy shares with Audra and Nate that she's decided to relocate to Genoa City, much to their delight. Audra hugs her and Nate is happy for both Amy and their growing bond. Amy expresses her joy in being closer to her son and spending more time with Audra and Nate, whom she now sees as close family. The three share a heartfelt group hug. Later, at the club, Amy talks with Damian about Holden. She encourages him to follow his heart to fix things with Holden. Damian feels responsible for what happened between them. Audra later receives a call from Victor, who demands to meet immediately, disrupting her lunch plans. Damian tells Holden the truth Damian opens up to Lily about being fired and how he fears losing his best friend, Holden. Lily offers to help by exploring a position for Holden in the hotel division at Winters. Damian is grateful, and their conversation hints at growing closeness. When Holden arrives, Damian tells him the truth, that both of them were fired by Dumas. Holden accuses Damian of betrayal, believing he took the fall for Damian's plans to leave for Winters. Their conversation ends with Holden cutting ties, saying it's time to go their separate ways. Cole's condition worsens as Claire and Victoria worry At the tack house, Cole's flu symptoms worsen, and Victoria and Claire grow increasingly concerned. When the doctor arrives, he suspects pneumonia and insists Cole must go to the hospital. Claire and Cole exchange 'I love yous' in an emotional moment. Kyle later comforts Claire, assuring her that her dad is strong and will recover. At the ranch, Victor meets with Kyle, surprisingly approving his contract but warning him that if he hurts Claire, he'll owe USD 5 million and must leave town. Kyle signs the agreement, proving his commitment. He questions Victor's distrust, but Victor remains cold. Later, Victor scolds Audra for not doing enough to show Claire that Kyle isn't good for her. She urges Victor to get her and Kyle invited to Dumas' gathering in France, believing it could help her strategy. Victor agrees but reminds her time is running out. At the park, Nate offers Amy a place to stay until she finds her own. Amy accepts, and Lily joins them, pleased to hear about Amy's move. She and Nate also discuss the mysterious Dumas invitation. While Lily is curious, Nate suspects Dumas may be manipulating her. At the coffeehouse, Audra meets Holden, who vents about Damian's betrayal. She comforts him by holding his hand, showing their connection might grow. Finally, back at the ranch, Victor stares at the Dumas invitation and tosses it aside in frustration, signaling the rising stakes in Genoa City.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As feds resume student loan collections, states try to catch borrowers before they sink
New York University students celebrate at their graduation ceremony in 2022. After a pandemic-era pause, repayments on defaulted student loans restarted last month, and many borrowers are running into barriers. (Photo by Seth Wenig/The Associated Press) Over the past few months, Celina Damian's phone has been ringing off the hook with one bewildered, anxious question after another: 'What kind of loan is this?' 'Am I in default?' 'Will the government really take my wages?' 'Sometimes they just don't know where to start,' said Damian, California's student loan servicing ombudsperson. 'I'm talking to borrowers from all ages, from new borrowers to — I have 80-, 90-year-old borrowers,' she said. The federal government last month restarted collections on defaulted loans. State student loan ombudspersons such as Damian have become some of the only sources of contact for worried borrowers lost in a tangle of conflicting information at the federal level about their loan status and repayment options. The U.S. Department of Education began collecting on defaulted student loans in May for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education come with fixed rates, set repayment plans and borrower protections. Private servicers handle billing, repayment-plan enrollments and defaults. More than 5 million borrowers are in delinquency, and nearly 10 million — about 25% of the federal student loan portfolio — are at risk of default within months, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. States can't cancel that debt, but they do register and oversee servicers operating in their states, run ombuds offices, tweak tax rules and offer outreach or limited grants — actions aimed at reducing defaults and the economic fallout. Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money When borrowers default, states will likely feel the economic impact. They might lose tax revenue as homebuying stalls. They could end up paying more for Medicaid and social services if borrowers need to rely on them. And students with loan debt may be reluctant to go into lower-paying public-sector work, leading to staffing shortages at state agencies. A borrower is considered delinquent after missing a payment to the servicing companies that handle billing, repayment plan enrollments, and defaults. Damian's office, established under California's Student Borrower Bill of Rights, began as a narrow statutory role but now serves as a hub for outreach, 'Student Loan 101' workshops and escalated complaints to federal agencies. Roughly 16 states plus the District of Columbia have followed suit, creating ombuds offices to guide borrowers through confusing paperwork and misinformation. Damian believes these ombuds offices should be in every state, as borrowers across the country will likely have similar questions and little help at the federal level. 'If you don't have an ombudsperson or even just a person at the state level who can educate borrowers, that will make a difference,' Damian told Stateline. 'These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way.' Student loans became a key issue during last year's election race, with President Joe Biden blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in his effort to offer relief to 40 million Americans. In its waning days, his administration did forgive loans for some 150,000 borrowers under previous programs. But President Donald Trump opposes most loan forgiveness programs, and in May, the U.S. Education Department issued a 'Dear Colleague' letter to higher education institutions, reminding them of their legal obligations to help former students understand repayment responsibilities and access support. These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way. – Celina Damian, California student loan servicing ombudsperson Some conservative economists say that federal loan forgiveness and financial aid hurt all students, offering colleges an incentive to raise tuition or lower their own institutional aid. Winston Berkman-Breen, the legal director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit aimed at protecting borrowers and improving the repayment system, said that more than 2 million borrowers are stuck in a backlog of unprocessed applications for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans — calculated pay structures meant to keep payments affordable based on a borrower's income. Other borrowers have called federal agencies for help only to find that U.S. Education Department staff, including servicer-oversight teams, have been laid off as the Trump administration works toward dismantling the department entirely. 'There was an expectation to repay,' Berkman-Breen said. 'But there was also an expectation that people would have access to affordable plans. That promise has broken down.' States now have three primary tools to address student loan debt, Berkman-Breen said: enforcement actions to protect consumers, such as the 39-state lawsuit against servicer Navient; legal oversight by suing to uphold or challenge federal policy; and direct outreach to help public servants access Public Service Loan Forgiveness and similar programs. Nineteen states now require registration for companies that service student loans, he said. And more than a dozen states align with federal policy to exempt forgiven loan balances from state income taxes. Connecticut state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat, calls student debt 'a drag on the economy,' and said states can't afford to wait for Congress — mired in partisan gridlock over student loan forgiveness — to find common ground. '[Student debt] is stopping people from buying homes, starting families and fully participating in the economy,' she told Stateline. 'That hurts us as a state, as a city, and we can't wait for Washington to figure it out.' Last year, Connecticut created a bipartisan reimbursement program that provides up to $20,000 for graduates of local colleges who make payments and complete community service. The state has distributed more than $2 million so far. More public colleges admit high schoolers even before they've applied Kavros DeGraw hopes the program can serve as a model, and has already talked with lawmakers in other states on possibly developing their own versions of it. 'These were people who were already paying,' Kavros DeGraw said. 'It just made sense. I think it's something that other states could explore this session, and it would provide an immense deal of relief.' Lawmakers in other states also have considered student loan legislation. This year, New Jersey introduced bills to register education lenders and cap interest rates. Lawmakers in New Mexico, New York and North Carolina have proposed Borrower Bill of Rights legislation. Arizona has a registration bill for private servicers. None of these measures has advanced far. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 20 states have enacted laws expanding loan forgiveness, repayment programs and servicer oversight in recent years. Several states are also investing directly in workforce-aligned loan forgiveness: Georgia expanded its service-cancelable loan program to cover dental students working in rural areas. Idaho created a loan repayment incentive for rural nurses. Kentucky now offers $5,000 stipends to attract new teachers. Maryland authorized Anne Arundel County to launch a local forgiveness program for public school educators. Student loan stress is not evenly distributed. Seven states, all with Republican‐controlled legislatures, report delinquency rates above 30% among borrowers required to make payments. Mississippi leads the nation with a conditional delinquency rate of nearly 45% — meaning borrowers who should be making payments are late. That's just ahead of Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, all of which have rates above 31%, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. By contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire maintain delinquency rates below 15%. Experts say this chasm reflects deeper systemic differences, such as lower median incomes in higher delinquency states, along with weaker consumer protections and a higher share of students attending for-profit institutions or leaving college without a degree. States also have promoted the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, established in 2007, that offers help to public service professionals. New Mexico has an outreach campaign that includes prospective teachers and health care workers. Maine has provided guidance to public defenders on how they can take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and touts a related state tax credit on a marketing site to lure new residents. Transparency bills seek to reveal the true costs of college 'States can regulate and enforce, but they can't fix the structural problems in how repayment is administered,' said Michele Zampini, senior director of college affordability at The Institute for College Access & Success, a research organization that advocates for students. 'They're helping around the edges, but the core system is still broken.' A November report from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found at least 3.9 million borrowers received misleading or inaccurate bills from servicing companies. 'The repayment system is not in a good place to provide the services and repayment options borrowers are legally entitled to,' Zampini said. The Student Loan Borrower Survey, conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, found that 61% of borrowers who received debt relief made a beneficial life change earlier than they otherwise could have. Yet borrower awareness remains dangerously low: Nearly 42% of federal borrowers have only been on the standard repayment plan, and 31% of those didn't know other options, such as an income-based plan, existed. In California, a major part of Damian's job in the past few months has been to help borrowers access existing forgiveness programs. Meanwhile, new federal policy proposals could reshape repayment entirely. The Trump-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act would consolidate existing IDR plans into a single tiered structure, with lower-income borrowers paying flat monthly rates and higher earners contributing 8% of their income. The bill also proposes extending standard repayment terms to 30 years — raising concerns it could delay forgiveness and inflate total interest costs. The bill passed the U.S. House and is pending in the Senate. Andrew Gillen, a Cato Institute research fellow who recently testified before Congress, argues that any meaningful fix must address the incentives driving rising tuition — namely, federal aid being tied directly to college sticker prices. 'The link between rising tuition and increasing aid is what drives the Bennett Hypothesis, where federal student aid, in the form of loans, can lead to higher tuition costs at colleges and universities,' Gillen said in an interview. 'If we instead use the median cost of attendance to calculate aid eligibility, we remove colleges' incentive to hike prices just to capture more aid.' Even without agreement on blanket forgiveness, experts agree on smaller bipartisan steps: streamlined repayment, stronger servicer oversight and targeted help for borrowers with the greatest need. 'We don't want people defaulting. We don't want payments that are too high for people just out of school. That should be the bipartisan starting point,' Zampini said. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
AU Financial Review
04-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Freehills' M&A rainmaker lands at Ashurst in law firm shake-up
Tony Damian says he hopes a personal following among clients will translate into new business for Ashurst, the top-tier firm that lured the mergers and acquisitions rainmaker from its rival last year. While The Australian Financial Review 's Street Talk column reported the move in December, Ashurst announced the appointment of Damian to staff on Wednesday. The recruitment of a high-powered partner from Herbert Smith Freehills was a major coup for Ashurst and part of a plan to build the firm's high-end corporate capabilities and jettison less profitable work.
