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777 fortune gems We thought last month's US budget deficit was bad. Boy, were we wrong. It is only fitting that the twilight days of the Biden admin would exhibit more of the same fakeness that defined not only all of the past four years, but certainly the fakeness of that Kamala Harris presidential campaign which had a billion dollars a month ago and ended up in failure, broke... and millions in debt. We are talking, of course, about the relentless debt-funded spree that somehow became synonymous with economic success in the US. According to the latest Treasury data released today , in November - the second month of fiscal 2025 - the US spent a massive $584.2 billion, a 14% increase from the prior year, and a record for the month of November . For those who remember out outrage from a month ago , will also remember that the latest deficit number follows what was also a record government outlay for the month of October. On a trailing 6 month moving average basis, to smooth out outliers months, the spending hit $586 billion, effectively at an all time high with just the record spending spree during covid pushing government spending higher. The surge in spending was driven primarily by higher spending on health, defense and Social Security, but mostly a huge $50BN spike on Medicare outlays! The long-term chart of government spending shows what we all know: DOGE or not DOGE, there is no stopping this train . The surge in spending was far greater than the much more modest increase in tax revenues: in November, the US government collected $301.8 billion in taxes, up 9.8% from the $274.8 billion last November. As shown in the next chart, while spending continued to grow exponentially, tax receipts have flatlined, and the 6 month average in October was just $380 billion, the same as three years ago! To be sure, there were some calendar effects in play. Recall that last month we said that October 2023's tax receipts were unusually higher due to deferred tax receipts that were received that month from companies and individuals affected by disasters including wildfires in California. Taking that into account, the October budget deficit would have been 22% higher (and would offset the freak September surplus which we are convinced was staged to make the last month of fiscal 2024 look abnormally good for the Biden admin). And since some of this calendar effect also nets in November, to avoid the calendar shifts across months we combined the first two months of fiscal 2025. What we got was this shocker of a chart: It shows that in October and November, the US deficit exploded to a staggering $624.2 billion, and even though this included several calendar adjustments - which explains the freak September surplus which as we said was due to calendar effects - the November deficit of $367 billion was $14 billion more than consensus estimates of $353 billion. Worse, combining October and November we find that not only was the combined number of $624 billion some 64% higher than the corresponding period one year ago, but it was also the highest deficit on record for the first two-months of the year (and that includes the spending insanity during the covid crisis). Putting the deficit in context, the budget deficit in October and November - the first two months of fiscal 2025 - are now officially the worst start a year for the US Treasury on record. Taking a closer look at what has been the most terrifying trend in the US income statement for some time now, the Treasury’s debt-servicing costs rose once again in November. Gross interest costs totaled $87 billion, up $7 billion from $80 billion in the same month a year before. And if the November print seems low by recent standards, just wait one month: the December gross interest payment will be an absolute shocker as that's when the bulk of interest payments take place. For December, expect a number north of $150 billion in interest alone! And while we wait, this is what a chart of LTM spending across the main categories looks like. Yes, gross interest spending is not only the second largest outlay for the US government, just shy of $1.2 trillion, it's also the highest it has ever been, and will continue rising, especially if/when the Fed ends its easing cycle prematurely due to rising prices sparking the next meltup.... in US interest payment. The good news is that for now (certainly until the December explosion), the surge in US interest payments has been delayed. That's because the weighted average interest rate for total outstanding debt at the end of November was 3.36%, at roughly 15-year highs, but down slightly from the month before, the third monthly decline. However, don't expect this decline in interest spending to persist because even though the Fed has cut rates twice since September, this has been more than offset by the surge in debt which at last check was now $36.2 trillion, up half a trillion from a month ago, and unless Elon's Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) manages to somehow slash trillions in both spending and interest, this is what US debt will look like for the next few years, guaranteeing that interest on said debt will very soon become the single largest spending category for the US government. It's either going to work or it's not. Here is the alternative https://t.co/cHZA2wHnPB pic.twitter.com/LMEI4tISZL For those who were still unsure if buying votes has a cost associated with it, now you know. The mindblowing figures illustrate the monumental challenge for Trump and all those promising to rein in US debt, which has exploded to 120% of GDP after four years of Biden's "drunken-sailor" spending ways. The last hope for the US is that Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to look at ways to cut spending. Alas, these figures show that the bulk of the outlays are in areas that are bound to be a politically explosive to address, in other words any cuts even remotely close to the $2 trillion suggested by Vivek would lead to a full-blown deep state revolt... and government cataclysm. It's also why attempts to reroute the US from its inevitable collision with the iceberg of fiscal devastation will likewise end in ruin.

Trump expected to name Kelly Loeffler for Agriculture secretaryThe holidays loom large. Parties, gift-shopping, school programs, recitals, family gatherings — there’s really no time to cook. But there is! Here are three quick and easy recipes you can hustle to the table in 30 minutes or less. Relax, take a deep breath and know that dinner is served. Making grilled cheese for more than one can be tricky. Here, the sheet pan does the work; the sandwiches are ready all at once. Try our suggested fillings or just enjoy them plain in all their gooey deliciousness. Crispy–Garlicky Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese 1⁄4 c. butter, softened 8 slices bread, cook’s choice 8 slices Gruyère and/or Cheddar cheese 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 c. fillings, such as sliced pickled peppers, sliced cherry tomatoes, olive tapenade or sauerkraut or kimchee Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the butter to the edge of 4 slices of bread. Place the slices butter-side down on the sheet pan. Top with the sliced cheese and add a layer of the filling, then top with the remaining slices of bread. Put the pan in the oven and cook until the butter is thoroughly melted and bottom slices are turning golden and the cheese is melting, about 8 to 10 to minutes. Flip the sandwiches. Continue cooking until the top layer of bread begins to turn golden and the cheese is melted. Turn the oven to broil and toast the top layer, watching closely, this goes quickly, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip the bread and toast the other side, about 15 to 20 seconds or so. Remove, cut and serve. Serves 4. A simple marinade of pantry staples — lemon, tahini, olive oil and a little honey — keeps the chicken moist and becomes the sauce for finishing Quick Skillet Chicken with Lemon, Tahini and Warm Spices. Serve on a bed of dark greens or cooked rice. Quick Skillet Chicken with Lemon, Tahini and Warm Spices 1⁄4 c. fresh lemon juice 1⁄4 c. tahini 1 tbsp. honey 2 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for skillet 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 6 oz. each Pinch coarse salt Pinch freshly ground black pepper 3 tbsp. chopped parsley or cilantro (or a mix) Lemon slices for garnish In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon, tahini, honey and olive oil. Measure out 1⁄2 of the mixture into a separate bowl. This is to sauce the chicken after it’s cooked. If it seems too thick, whisk in a little water. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and pound with the flat edge of a knife to even out the width a bit. Put the chicken into the bowl of marinade and turn to coat. Film a heavy skillet with more oil and set over high heat. When the oil begins to ripple, add the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and cook, flipping after about 5 to 7 minutes, and continuing, until cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. (The chicken should reach 165 on an instant-read thermometer when done.) Remove the chicken from the skillet, set on a cutting board to rest for about 10 minutes. Slice the meat in long strokes against the grain. Serve on a bed of greens or rice, garnished with a drizzle of sauce, chopped herbs and a few thinly sliced lemons. Pass additional sauce on the side. Serves 4 to 6. You only need one pot for a simple pasta with sausage, tomatoes and spinach. The sausage adds the seasoning, the onions turn sweetly golden, cherry tomatoes burst into a luscious sauce. A squeeze of lemon at the end livens things up. One-Pot Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Spinach 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1 lb. ground Italian sausage 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 5 to 6 c. chicken stock Water as needed 1 lb. pasta of choice 1 large handful fresh spinach 4 oz. shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese Lemon juice, to taste Chopped parsley, for garnish Film a large heavy pot or Dutch oven with the oil and set over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it turns limp and golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage, breaking apart with a spatula until it crumbles, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and the stock, scraping up the bottom of the pan to release browned bits that stick to the bottom. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta, stirring well and continue boiling for about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to a brisk simmer, stirring to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. If the sauce becomes too thick and the pasta begins to stick, stir in water, about 1⁄4 cup at a time. Simmer until the sauce is mostly absorbed and the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the spinach, then stir in the cheese. Add lemon juice to taste. Serve garnished with the chopped parsley. Serves 4 to 6. Beth Dooley is the author of “The Perennial Kitchen.” Find her at bethdooleyskitchen.com .ATLANTA — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats grappled Monday with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes, with some calling the move misguided and unwise after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. She, along with Biden and other White House officials, insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump, who argues that indictments and a conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote on social media. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., posted: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Certainly, the president has Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential power to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and first administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper wrote on social media. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said there “is no standard for Donald Trump, and the highest standard for Democrats and Joe Biden.” Harrison pointed to Trump’s apparent plans to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray and replace him with loyalist Kash Patel and suggested the GOP’s pursuit of Hunter Biden would not have ended without clemency. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House: “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Blocking Chinese spies from intercepting calls? There ought to be a lawBefore you dive into holiday shopping, learn how to spot common scams and protect yourself. Fraudsters commonly send phishing emails and text messages impersonating delivery services or popular retailers like Amazon. These messages, which typically claim there’s an issue with processing or delivering the order, may request payment information or include malicious links. A message might say something like, “Part of your address is missing. Please click on this link to complete the address,” says Raj Dasgupta, senior director of global advisory at BioCatch, a fraud-prevention firm. If you get a similar message when you’re not expecting a package, that should raise doubts, Dasgupta says. But even if you have ordered something, don’t overlook warning signs. It’s unusual for delivery services to hold up packages or seek payment, because shipping costs are almost always charged to the shipper, not the receiver, says Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Alliance. Avoid clicking on links in texts or emails, and don’t share personal or payment details. To verify whether an order update is genuine, “go back to your original order on the site,” Steinhauer says. You can log in and check the order status and reach out to customer service directly if there’s a problem, he says. When shopping online, carefully scrutinize sellers and products to avoid winding up with counterfeit items — or nothing at all. Sponsored ads on social media sites and search engines aren’t always vetted enough, Steinhauer says, which means you may come across scams. Fraudsters buy Google ads for desirable products, such as exercise equipment, Dasgupta says. When people click on these ads, they might land on a “sophisticated-looking fake website” that mimics a well-known site, such as Macy’s, or on a made-up company’s page, he says. Shoppers never receive the product they’re attempting to purchase, or they get an inferior product. Ignore “sponsored” links, and read URLs closely. There will usually be “something off,” Steinhauer says, such as a slight misspelling or dashes in the website name that aren’t normally there. “The best thing is to go to the legitimate website or app that you know is the right one, and just shop there,” he says. Watch for third-party seller scams on legitimate websites, too. Some companies, such as Walmart and Target, allow outside vendors to sell merchandise through their platforms — and the reliability can vary. Reading seller reviews before you buy can help you avoid bad actors. Be wary of sellers who ask for gift cards or peer-to-peer payments. If a service like Venmo or Cash App is the only payment method accepted, that’s an immediate red flag, Dasgupta says. And if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. “Quishing” is when scammers create QR codes that link to fraudulent websites or install malware on devices. These codes may show up on parking meters, in mysterious packages delivered to your physical address or in your email inbox. For example, a scammer posing as your bank might email you a code and instruct you to update your login credentials. Email services often filter out known malicious links or domains and send them to your spam folder, Steinhauer says, but a QR code can get past these filters because it’s an image. Don’t scan codes you receive unexpectedly, and closely inspect QR codes in public places for signs of tampering. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Ajit Pawar defeats nephew by 1 lakh-plus votes in Baramati, wins battle against uncle

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Bamanga Usman Jada, Nigeria, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 13, 2023. A seasoned administrator with a robust educational background in economics and oil and gas operations management, Jada has significantly impacted Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Under his leadership, OGFZA established two major oil and gas free zones in 2024: the 50,000 MT LPG Notore Oil and Gas Free Zone Facility in Onne, Rivers State, projected to attract over $5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and create approximately 15,000 jobs; and a 20,000 MT LPG facility in Akwa Ibom State, expected to generate over $10 billion in investments and more than 7,000 jobs. These initiatives underscore Jada’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic landscape to attract strategic foreign direct investments. Jada’s tenure has also been marked by the attraction of over $24 billion in FDI to OGFZA. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; OGFZA received the Best Federal MDA for Ease of Doing Business Automation award from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in recognition of his leadership in transforming OGFZA into a model for digital governance within Nigeria’s public sector. Educated at Federal University of Technology Yola and the University of Central Lancashire, Jada’s career spans various roles in finance and project management within Nigeria’s energy sector. His affiliations with professional institutions reflect his dedication to continuous improvement and governance excellence. Born on March 2, 1983, in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Jada is married with children and remains committed to public service and national development.AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:13 p.m. EST

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