USA Update

THIS is the moment a helicopter plunged out the sky and crashed into a car after it lost control during a flying lesson.

Dashcam footage shows the Robinson R22 chopper falling to the ground before crash-landing on a road in Australia.

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It then crashed into a tree and a car[/caption]

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The trainee pilot survivor but his instructor was killed[/caption]

The trainee pilot and his instructor had been doing a low level flying class when the machine clipped a power pole.

Desperately trying to keep the chopper steady, they then lost control and hurtled to the ground.

Ripping through the trees- the chopper crashed down onto the road onto a car.

The car was left with a massive dent from the impact.

Cops and paramedics rushed to the scene at Bankstown Airport car park on Birch Street about 1.30pm on Friday. 

The 62-year-old instructor died at the scene – and the pilot, 19, suffered serious injuries.

He was taken to Liverpool Hospital, where he remains in serious condition.

One witness recalled hearing a loud bang and rushing to the scene.

He said: “People start running, running along those with were scared, looking up. Maybe a bomb happened like.”

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said it was too early to determine who had been operating the helicopter.

He said: “We know that circuit training is generally done at sort of 800 to below 1,000 feet.

“But until we actually have some of that data to verify, I wouldn’t like to speculate at this stage what may have gone wrong.”

Ambulance chief Audie Jousief said the trainee pilot suffered spinal injuries and a broken jaw.

He praised the “bravery” of the people who rendered assistance, saying “they probably helped save his life”.

TWO US states are set to join the new grocery store “ban” law that will completely upend how Americans shop.

The rule is causing controversy among consumers, and it directly impacts those with lower incomes.

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People on SNAP will no longer be able to buy sugary drinks[/caption]

It restricts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries from getting processed food and drinks at retailers, per The Hill.

Earlier this year, Trump announced 12 states had joined in the new law, including Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.

Missouri and Ohio have now been added to the list as they revealed plans to ban SNAP recipients from buying sugary drinks with their funds.

Finance head Brian Stewart said: “I don’t think we should have a policy in this state where we are essentially subsidizing diabetes in children by buying pop with food stamps.”

The ban is likely to affect drinks that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient or as the second ingredient.

Meanwhile, Republican Governor Mike Kehoe said in a statement his aim with the waiver is to “prioritise” healthy foods and “discourage” foods that are high in sugar.

NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT?

US Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary has also said he “hopes to see all 50 states join this bold commonsense approach.”

“For too long, the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic have been addressed with lip service only,” Makary argued.

Even with the bans, some researchers have argued that restrictions on SNAP benefits are not likely to change eating patterns.

Schanzenbach also argued that it would cost the government some serious money to track the 650,000 food and beverage items currently available and 20,000 new options introduced every year.

MIXED FEELINGS

News of the bans has also garnered a mixed response from shoppers.

“Good it’s there for nourishing foods and drinks, you can’t live on candy bars and pop,” a consumer argued in a Facebook thread.

“It’s about time they did this,” another echoed.

Others blasted the SNAP restrictions as a major overstep from the USDA.

“Is this freedom? North Korea also limits what you’re allowed to eat,” a shopper commented.

“Yeah well kids deserve treats…ridiculous,” someone else added.

“So children don’t deserve snacks or a birthday cake? How insensitive. They act like that’s all that’s bought with SNAP,” wrote a third.

A fuming shopper also claimed it would be like “sucking the fun out of life” for SNAP recipients.

At least four states have also expanded laws banning another common grocery item this summer.

Twelve states also implemented a new law on July 1 that bans a common product at restaurant chains and stores, with violators facing a $50 daily fine.

Russian strikes have hit Ukraine's rail and power grids, with a drone attack injuring dozens of train passengers at a station in the country's north.

Buyers say the Government’s 5 per cent deposit scheme has worsened the affordability crunch it aimed to fix.

DRIVERS have been warned their keyless car could disappear within minutes with thieves able to break in and drive away using special tech.

However, there are affordable preventative measures, including a little gadget that costs a mere $10 that can protect vehicles from being targeted.

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Drivers have been warned their keyless car could disappear within minutes[/caption]

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Modern car keys make life easy for car thieves – who can use relay tech to break into keyless vehicles[/caption]

According to Shaun Carse, Director at Trackershop UK, criminals are able to use signal amplifiers and relay devices to intercept communications between key fobs and vehicles.

This allows them to drive away without needing the physical keys.

“Car thieves operate in twos, with one member standing next to your home to receive the signal from the key fob while their colleague waits next to the car,” Carse said.

“They magnify and reproduce this signal and fool the car into believing the key is there.”

He also says that cars with keyless entry are equally at risk as luxury models.

“The whole theft takes less than five minutes and may happen while the owner sleeps,” he added.

“After stealing your vehicle, robbers will often sell it at ‘chop shops’ or ship it out of the country.

“Both of these options bring high gain with low chance of getting caught.”

He does, however, have a solution in the form of a signal-blocking Faraday bag or even a simple metal container to store key fobs.

This inexpensive yet effective method can ultimately prevent signal interception.

Best of all, Faraday bags can be purchased from hardware stores or even online, at places like Walmart or Amazon, for around $10.

Other devices, including an old school mechanical steering wheel lock, can act as a visible deterrent, encouraging thieves to move on to easier targets.

“Keep your keys inside a signal-blocking Faraday bag or metal tin,” said Carse.

“Mechanical steering wheel locks provide a conspicuous deterrent that encourages robbers to target another car.”

What’s more, a GPS tracker provides another layer of security by enabling car owners to receive immediate alerts if their vehicle is moved without authorisation.

These trackers also allow law enforcement to act swiftly, significantly increasing the chances of recovery.

Carse emphasised the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements used by thieves, noting that traditional tools like crowbars are rarely needed anymore, as modern criminals rely on Wi-Fi and electronic devices to bypass security systems.

In the US, vehicle thefts have risen sharply, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

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Placing your key fob inside a metal tin could help protect it from relay thieves[/caption]

AMERICANS in the state of Alaska will receive a one-time payment to help them with their heating costs.

Alaska’s Heat Assistance Program is open to low-income households in the state and supports recipients between October and April every year.

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Alaska is supporting residents who cannot pay their energy bills[/caption]

It comes shortly after Alaska paid out its Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) to residents who stayed in the state for an entire calendar year.

There are two main criteria that you need to meet to qualify for the Heat Assistance Program.

Firstly, you must spend at least $200 a year on heating costs.

You must also not exceed the monthly income thresholds set by the program.

This determines that the more people per household, the lower the monthly threshold is that they cannot cross.

The thresholds are:

• 1 person = $2,350
• 2 people = $3,192
• 3 people = $4,033
• 4 people = $4,875
• 5 people = $5,715
• 6 people = $6,556

For households of more than six people, they need to add an extra $841 per person.

A new application will be opened after October 1, and you can find it by clicking this link.

An application can be submitted at a local Public Assistance Office, and it can also be sent by mail or email.

You can find your local Public Assistance Office by heading to the website.

MORE SUPPORT

This form is the same one used to sign up for other financial support programs in Alaska, including Crisis Assistance and the Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit (SRHUD). 

SRHUD helps with deposits to establish subsidized rental buildings where heat is included in the rent.

Renters do pay for their own electricity and gas for cooking, and applications are open year-round.

Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment paid in specific crises, and applications are also accepted all year round.

PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND

Alaska started sending out its PFD to citizens back in August worth $1,702.

The payment is made up of two components: $1,440 from the actual fund, and $262 as a bonus due to rising oil prices.

It is still being sent out in waves to those in Alaska based on when they had the “Eligible-Not Paid” status on their application.

The first wave went out on September 11; the second will not go out until October 2.

Those in the final wave will not be paid until October 23.

The only borough command in NYC that saw an increase in murders this year was Queens North – with a 62% rise from 13 to 21 so far, new police data show.  

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JUSTIN Jefferson has a special celebration lined up for London fans after missing out in Dublin.

The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver spoke to The Sun ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

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Justin Jefferson has a special celebration lined up this weekend in London[/caption]

The US Sun YouTube

The Vikings have hopped over the Irish Sea having faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin.

Jefferson, 26, was held out of the end zone as Minnesota were beaten 24-21.

The receiver is known for his “Griddy” celebration after scoring touchdowns.

He showed it off when he scored against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham in 2022.

Speaking on The US Sun’s show Ain’t That Our Ball, Jefferson said, “I had one for Ireland and I didn’t get a chance to pull it out.

“Hopefully I can get in the end zone again and show the fans the Griddy again.”

The Vikings are 2-2 this season after struggling with injuries and missing key players.

“It’s been different,” Jefferson said.

“Having our adversity of injuries and different people being in different positions.

“I feel like our team is in a good spot.

“We understand the pros and the cons that we’re doing and we’re just trying to put everything together and understanding the formula for this team.

“I feel it’s a transition and 2-2 is a great start but we’ve got to kick it up a notch.”

Quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

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The wide receiver scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022 against the New Orleans Saints[/caption]

Minnesota will also be without four offensive lineman while backup quarterback Carson Wentz will start again.

One key player who returned last week was fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison.

The 23-year-old was suspended for three games after violating the league’s substance of abuse policy.

Addison caught four passes for 114 yards in his season debut last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I love having him out there,” Jefferson said.

“He’s definitely a talented player and for him to be an option for us opens it up for everyone else, not just me but the whole entire offence.

“Having him out there, TJ Hockenson, Jordan Mason in the backfield – having all these different guys out on the field means Wentz can go anywhere with the ball and we can make something happen.

“It’s been great having him back and having an extra person to help out.”

AMERICANS are due to receive security payments of up to $5,108 within days.

However, a new rule could mean thousands face delays in receiving their money.

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People may face delays in receiving their social security payments[/caption]

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The potential delays are thanks to a new law phasing out paper checks[/caption]

Social Security payments are due on October 8 and October 15, depending on where the recipient’s birthday falls in the month.

However, these dates could be delayed.

As of September 30, paper checks have been phased out as a payment method.

Anyone who had checks as their default method, and failed to set up an alternative in time, could face waiting around for their money.

Americans were urged to provide a bank account for direct deposit, or to enroll in a pre-paid debit card program, in order to access benefits without any pauses or delays.

Experts mostly recommend direct deposits, as this can safely and securely link a checking or savings account or debit card.

With the Direct Express Prepaid Debit Card option, a credit check isn’t required, and the card can be used like a standard debit card.

The SSA will deposit cash onto it every month.

Only less than one percent of all recipients still got the physical checks, but that’s still about 400,000 people.

The Trump administration announced the decision to move away from paper checks in an executive order on March 25.

It was taken in order to reduce costs, delays, fraud risk, lost money, and theft.

According to data from the government, the paper checks are at least 16 times more likely to be reported stolen or lost.

They’re also more likely to be altered or returned deliverable than electronic payments, per First Citizens Wealth.

US Treasury estimates showed that the paper check discontinuation could save the government about $750 million yearly as well.

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Anyone who did not set up an alternative to paper checks could face delays[/caption]

ADVANCE NOTICE

The SSA has been working to make sure there would be no disruptions since this summer, however.

“We have been communicating directly with beneficiaries since July 1, and we have worked diligently to ensure that the less than one percent of individuals who receive paper checks have ample time to enroll,” a spokesperson for the federal agency told CBS News.

Several notices were also sent to affected households.

Social Security technicians are also still on hand to assist with the transition and answer any questions.