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WASHINGTON — Russell Vought is well-known on Capitol Hill and thus far at least looks like a shoo-in to be confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s budget director, as he was during Trump’s first term on a party-line vote in 2020. The hard-charging Vought is a revered figure on the right with his pledges to upend the “deep state” and dismantle “woke and weaponized government,” including by refusing to spend all the money Congress appropriates. He’ll need to be vetted again in the new year, where Democrats on the Senate Budget and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panels will be poring over Vought’s writings and speeches since leaving the Trump administration to found a new pro-Trump think tank, the Center for Renewing America. Vought is also one of many contributors to the Heritage Foundation-led Project 2025, which Trump disavowed during his presidential campaign and is a major lightning rod on the left. Since Trump’s Nov. 22 announcement that Vought was his choice to once again lead his Office of Management and Budget, a parade of conservative GOP senators have come out in support, such as Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Incoming Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, is not among those openly praising Vought. “I would not have anticipated that choice, because wasn’t he associated with the Heritage study that the president very much stepped away from? So, seems unusual to choose him,” Collins told reporters last month. But Collins didn’t rule out supporting him either as she has twice before — in 2020 as well as in 2018, when he was confirmed as deputy OMB director on a tie-breaker vote by then-Vice President Mike Pence. “I give deference to all presidents as they try to build their Cabinets,” Collins said. “But there are certain standards, and that’s why the advice and consent role of the Senate is so important.” Collins’ Democratic counterpart on Appropriations, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, has made her opposition to Vought clear. She called him a “far-right ideologue” seeking to unlawfully expand executive spending powers, fire “tens of thousands” of federal workers and “gut programs that help working families” in a statement after Trump announced his selection. ‘Grinding halt’ If confirmed, Vought would play a key role in next year’s budget reconciliation and appropriations debates, as well as in a new set of negotiations to lift the debt limit. Senators are sure to scrutinize Vought’s past commentary, including his no-compromise approach to spending deals. He’s called for shutting down the government rather than accepting a bipartisan stopgap funding bill the last two years, for instance. “The Biden regulatory agenda comes to a grinding halt with a government shutdown,” he posted on X in September 2023. Vought called the 2023 debt ceiling and spending caps deal “terrible,” and backed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for speaker later that year. “The American people deserve a Speaker that represents them and not the DC Cartel,” Vought wrote. After Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was elected and cut a deal to continue spending levels negotiated by Biden and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., Vought bashed “Mike Johnson’s spending deal” that Democrats were “celebrating.” Here’s a look at what Vought has proposed, including as part of Project 2025 and in a budget blueprint he and his think tank drafted in 2022 that could become a template for Trump’s new budget due early next year. Project 2025 President Joe Biden put apportionments back into the hands of the career officials after Trump OMB officials signed off on the Ukraine aid holds that became the basis for Trump’s first impeachment, in 2019. Vought and his team always held that the moves were lawful uses of apportionment authority, and further, they want to push the envelope of what constitutes an illegal “impoundment” of federal funds under a 1974 law. Trump has suggested that could involve vast clawbacks of previously-signed spending laws. The first Trump administration implemented the policy on its own, where Vought is said to have used it to discourage pricey rulemakings by the Department of Health and Human Services, for instance. Republicans criticize the Biden administration for expanding food-stamp benefits and student debt relief via regulatory actions and believe a tighter “administrative pay-as-you-go” policy would keep regulatory spending in check. And his agency will work hand in hand with the new, informal “Department of Government Efficiency” advisory group, with a stated goal of reducing the federal employee headcount through return-to-office mandates, building relocations and more. “There certainly is going to be mass layoffs and firings, particularly at some of the agencies that we don’t even think should exist,” Vought said in an interview last month with Tucker Carlson. ‘Fiscal brokenness’ Lost amid the focus on Trump’s other prospective nominees and Project 2025 is the detailed budget blueprint Vought and his team at the Center for Renewing America released in December 2022. It’s a clear rejection of traditional GOP orthodoxy calling for higher defense budgets and overhauling Social Security and Medicare, though it’s more aligned on tax policy. But virtually every other entitlement and discretionary program would be on the cutting board, with a stated goal to “consciously and indelibly link the efforts of getting our nation’s finances in order with removing the scourge of woke and weaponized bureaucracy aimed at the American people,” Vought wrote. The budget compares its proposed fiscal 2023 spending agency by agency to enacted spending in fiscal 2021, so its numbers are not up to date. Nevertheless, the scale of reductions gives a sense of the magnitude of changes Vought contemplates. Here are some highlights of Vought’s budget plan, which he wrote in a preface would cure “America’s fiscal brokenness” by cutting trillions of dollars from federal spending. Vought makes no secret of his views on this budget category. “When families decide to get on a budget, they do not target the largest and immovable items of their spending, like their mortgage, first. They aim to restrain discretionary spending — they eat out less, shop less, and find cheaper ways of entertaining themselves,” Vought writes. “Politically, a similar approach is the only way the American people will ever accept major changes to mandatory spending.” The blueprint doesn’t outline all of the cuts over a decade, but in the first year of implementation, nearly every domestic agency would see double-digit appropriations cuts: a 54% reduction at the National Science Foundation, 45% to the State Department and foreign assistance, 43% at the Department of Housing and Urban Development; 40% to the Labor Department and more. Cuts would be more muted at NASA and the Justice Department, while the only nondefense agencies receiving discretionary increases are Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Transportation. He would downsize the “bloated overhead of the Pentagon, the general officer corps, the civilian workforce, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense,” and shift responsibility for Ukraine’s defense to a European-led effort. And it would slash about $1 trillion, or 7%, from Medicare payments to providers, which could cause them to limit access and pare back services, as well as through pharmaceutical price restraints opposed by many in Trump’s own party. A small piece of the cost savings would come from charging new user fees to cover the cost of USDA meat, poultry and egg inspections. The plan would keep in place the current $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, unlike Vought’s boss who has called for some level of unwinding for the “SALT” cap. And it says nothing of Trump’s new campaign trail innovations like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay. The budget also assumes the tax cuts would pay for themselves through economic growth — an assumption that isn’t shared by nonpartisan budget scorekeepers and most mainstream economists.
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Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”THE black lace party dress from Asos is perfect for Charlotte. She’ll wear it at the weekend and then, if she feels like it, she might order another dress for the party season. Advertisement 4 A growing number of women are buying clothes, wearing them once or twice, then sending them back (stock image) Credit: Getty 4 The practice has become so widespread there’s a word for it: Wardrobing Credit: Getty Money doesn’t come into it — Charlotte has no intention of paying. Once she’s worn the dress she will stick it straight back in the post. Around a week later, a full refund will hit her bank. Charlotte, a 28-year-old support worker from Manchester, is one of a growing number of women who buy clothes, wear them once or twice, then send them back. Advertisement READ MORE ON FASHION BACK IN FASHION Iconic noughties brand returns to UK high streets after disappearing WRAPPED UP Fashion fans praise soft and cosy stylish winter jacket that costs just £26 More often than not, the item will be something glitzy for a special occasion. The practice has become so widespread there’s a word for it: Wardrobing. Shops label it “tag tuck fraud”. Charlotte has been doing it for ten years and admits she has worn — then returned — between 100 and 150 items. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous TU COSY 'Soft as cashmere' cry shoppers as they run to Sainsbury's for bargain winter coat HOT WINGS People urged to protect bird feeders from garden pests with 75p kitchen staple VOM CENTRAL I got so drunk at the office Xmas party that my male boss had to JET WASH me SEX SHOCK I slept with 100 men a day but had no idea HIV was sexually transmitted She pays for everyday clothes but says she wouldn’t dream of forking out for something she’ll only ever wear once. It’s saved her up to £2k. A shop manager quit her job to resell second-hand clothing - and now makes up to £3,900-a-month “It’s usually party dresses, or something nice for a wedding or the races — one-off dresses I’d never wear again,” says Charlotte. “Because I’m not paying for it, I can go for something a bit different, something I wouldn’t normally wear. Advertisement “There was this little green cropped top with a matching skirt I got once. “It was bold, very out there, and it got a lot of compliments.” For Charlotte, who mainly shops online at the likes of Pretty Little Thing, Shein, ASOS and Boohoo, it’s not just about looking glam for free. Sometimes I do get a kick out of it, I think ‘I’ve just got to wear a really nice outfit for free and now I’m sending it back Charlotte She now gets a thrill out of her underhand habit. Advertisement “Sometimes I get a kick out of it, because I think: ‘I’ve just got to wear a really nice outfit for free and now I’m sending it back’,” she says. “I’ve saved hundreds of pounds — my friends do it as well. I do feel a bit bad sometimes, but not enough to stop.” The only inconvenience, she says, is having to put up with irritating clothing labels rubbing against her skin. “I’ve only had a return rejected once. Advertisement “A blue bodysuit had one of those hygiene stickers on it and I’d removed it. “I had to pay for that — it was about £15.” A survey in October by logistics company Zigzag, and researchers at Retail Economics, found serial returners send back £6.6BILLION worth of online purchases a year. Most of these are items that don’t fit, or the buyer has changed their mind, but 16 per cent of buyers surveyed admitted they had bought the items to wear at a social event, only to return them. Advertisement Cardiff student Sarah, 18, started wearing and returning items two years ago after getting a part-time job in a high-street clothing store. In that time she has “borrowed”, as she puts it, around 50 items. “At work, I realised how easy it was to take things back — staff wouldn’t really check,” she says. “We’d have things coming in a little damaged, with tags ripped off, or minor stains, but they still got a refund. Advertisement “Then a friend saw something on TikTok about wearing clothes once before sending them back, and I thought it was a good shout.” Usually it’s something I don’t want to splash out on Sarah Like Charlotte, Sarah normally returns items she plans to wear once, to a party. “Usually it’s something I don’t want to splash out on,” she says. “I tuck in the labels and wear the piece for a day or two. I’ve bought stuff then taken it back from shops such as Pull&Bear, H&M, Primark — large stores where it’s easier to get away with.” Advertisement 4 Charlotte has been wardrobing for ten years and admits she has worn — then returned — between 100 and 150 items Credit: Getty Sarah only sends returns to larger shops. She adds: “These are all chain stores that don’t really need the extra cash. More people are struggling to buy clothes than there are [chain stores] struggling to make profits, so I’ve never felt too bad about it.” Retailers might not see it quite the same way, as people like Sarah cost them money. Advertisement In September, ASOS said it was introducing a return fee for frequent returners. Julia, 42, a model and writer from Derby, grew accustomed to having a large wardrobe. But in recent years she has had cancer and her husband lost his job. With money in short supply, she started wardrobing five years ago. Advertisement While she does it out of a perceived necessity, she admits she also gets a kick out of it. “It’s like playing dress-up – it’s kind of thrilling,” she says. “It’s usually more showy things, like glitzy party dresses. I needed something for a wedding recently, so bought a nice sequinned skirt for £60 from Zara.” Sarah admits to not telling her husband what she’s doing as he doesn’t agree with it. Advertisement She adds: “He once saw a label sticking out of my dress. I tried to say I was keeping the label on in case the dress didn’t fit, and he just rolled his eyes and said, ‘It fits fine, you’re not doing that again’. “Since then I’ve carried on without him knowing, but I do feel bad. Read more on the Scottish Sun WARMING UP Scots set for 21C swing as temperature rise to bring an end to sub zero freeze HOT BUY Shoppers race to Primark for fleecy £14 hoodie will keep you cosy on frosty days “As long as I’m not hurting anyone, though, I’ll do it.” Names have been changed 4 Retailers label the trend as 'tag tuck fraud' Credit: Getty Advertisement ‘RETAILERS LOSE OUT’ Industry expert Clare Bailey says: “It does create a potential loss of revenue. Retailers have to check the product and process it back into the stock, and then there is the cost of the admin of the refund.”
Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PMPatient advocates call for more support for Australian workers living with a chronic condition/s following the release of a new insights report SYDNEY , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today has found that of the one in two Australians living with a chronic health condition/s, over a third (37%) have left a job due to their condition/s. The two leading reasons individuals leave are: stress from work exacerbating their condition/s (56%); and lack of support in the workplace (44%). The new Insights Report: Working Well - Creating Workplace Cultures to Unlock the Full Capabilities of Australians Living with Chronic Health Conditions, commissioned by AbbVie, explores the experiences of Australians in the workforce living with chronic health conditions. In addition, the report analyses the broader attitudes of Australians in the workplace towards working and supporting those with chronic conditions, and where opportunities lie to improve or introduce workplace education and support measures. The report uncovered that stigma and discrimination towards those living with a chronic condition/s is still highly prevalent in Australian workplaces, with almost one in five (19%) of Australian workers with a chronic health condition admitting they left their job because they were discriminated against. Concerningly, 77% of Australian workers believe individuals living with a chronic condition/s experience discrimination and stigma at work, and fear of stigma and discrimination is the most common reason those living with a chronic condition/s do not disclose their condition/s to their employers (51%). Deidre Mackechnie , Executive Officer at the Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance (APAA), said: "The Working Well Insights Report launched today provides crucial insights into the unique experiences and challenges of Australian workers living with chronic health conditions: including why individuals may or may not choose to disclose their condition; where workers go to for advice and support; and the impact their condition/s have on career planning and progression." "The report also highlights the key areas that Australian workers believe their employers can do more to support people with chronic conditions, such as improving flexible working hours, support to take time for medical appointments or treatments and workplace policies to support individuals. "We understand that every individual has their own unique needs based on their condition, and there is no standard workplace policy or support measure that will cater to all these needs. However, our hope is that this report can be used to start a conversation in the workplace on how employers and co-workers can better support those with chronic conditions and that these conversations will help to reduce the stigma and discrimination these individuals face," said Ms Mackechnie. Positively, data in the report shows a clear consensus from the broader Australian workforce that it is important for people with a chronic health condition to have opportunities to stay in the workforce (85%). More than four in five (83%) want training to learn how to support better individuals living with a chronic condition at work. Nathalie McNeil , Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Australia & New Zealand, said: "We know that the burden of chronic health conditions is continuing to rise, with data released earlier this month showing Australia spent $82 billion on chronic health conditions between 2022 and 2023. However, there has been little research into the role workplaces play to maximise workplace participation, especially for those living with chronic health conditions, to help reduce the financial, social and emotional burden." Australia's expenditure on managing chronic health conditions accounted for nearly half (48%) of total healthcare expenditure in 2022-23. Furthermore, from 2013-14 to 2022-23, total spending on disease and injury rose by $70.5 billion , 54% of which was driven by increase in spending for chronic conditions. "At AbbVie, we are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all our employees, including those living with chronic conditions. We are using the findings of the Working Well report to explore how we can better support those colleagues living with chronic health condition/s in order to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees. "In 2025 we aim to work with other employers and organisations to discuss how we can better support Australians living and working with a chronic condition/s," said Ms McNeil. The full Insights Report: Working Well - Creating Workplace Cultures to Unlock the Full Capabilities of Australians Living with Chronic Health Conditions is available here .
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok ‘challenge’ known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students. Konstantin Testorides, The Associated Press10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump
Billionaire Elon Musk poured more than $20 million into a mysterious super PAC at the end of the 2024 campaign, part of more than $250 million he spent overall to boost President-elect Donald Trump, new campaign finance reports show. Musk financed RBG PAC, according to the group's report filed Thursday night with the Federal Election Commission. The super PAC, which did not disclose its donors before the election, launched ads contending that Trump did not support a federal abortion ban. All of the money the group pulled in — $20.5 million — came from a single donation from the “Elon Musk Revocable Trust” located in Austin, Texas. RBG PAC spent almost all of its funds on digital ads, mailers and text messages, according to the campaign finance report, which covered Oct. 17 through Nov. 25. The group's website states that Trump and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg agree on the abortion issue, drawing criticism from Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara Spara, who told the New York Times that the message was "nothing short of appalling." Trump took credit for the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, a decision that came after three Trump-appointed justices voted with the majority to overturn the national right to an abortion. (One of those justices, Amy Coney Barrett, was appointed to replace Ginsburg weeks before the 2020 election, after Ginsburg died in mid-September.) As president, he supported a federal ban on abortion after 20 weeks. But during this campaign, Trump backed away from that position and instead declared he supported states' rights to decide abortion laws . Democrats still hit Trump hard on those past positions to argue that if elected, he and a Republican Congress would act to restrict abortion nationwide. The late ad blitz from RBG PAC only represents a fraction of Musk's total election spending this year: He also financed America PAC, a super PAC which reported spending $157 million supporting Trump in the presidential race. America PAC's latest campaign finance report showed Musk donated $238 million to the group throughout the election cycle, including $120 million in the final weeks of the race alone. Federal disclosures show America PAC spent heavily on canvassing, text message-based get-out-the-vote efforts, printing and postage (likely for direct mail) and digital advertising too. It also ran a controversial cash giveaway that gave out $1 million each day to someone who signed the group's conservative-leaning petition. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and America PAC in late October trying to halt the giveaway, but a judge in the state didn't agree to stop the program . The Justice Department also warned the PAC around the same time that the giveaway might be illegal, but it's taken no public action on it. America PAC’s campaign finance report lists each of those $1 million prizes as payments for a "spokesperson consultant." Musk also gave $3 million to the MAHA Alliance , a super PAC affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" push, in late October. It's possible that Musk donated more to pro-Trump efforts too, as political committees continue to file fundraising reports pegged to Thursday night's deadline. The Space X and Tesla founder is one of Trump's top donors this cycle , but he's also been among his most visible. He's been a regular presence at Mar-a-Lago and by Trump's side during the transition (to the consternation of some in Trump's orbit ). Trump tapped Musk to advise him on cutting spending across the federal government as the co-chair of his " Department of Government Efficiency " initiative. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News: Family of Missouri teen who fell to his death on Orlando free-fall ride gets $310 million verdict Ex-Proud Boys Leader dodges questions at trial of officer charged with feeding him intel House votes against releasing Matt Gaetz ethics report for nowRuben Amorim hints Marcus Rashford is not doing enough after being dropped again for Manchester United
A previous offer of €20,415 of general damages was rejected in court Stock image A young boy who suffered a serious hand injury in a Co Donegal creche while playing a bizarre game with other children has been awarded €25,000. The case of the bit came before Donegal Circuit Court as part of an infant ruling case. A barrister outlined the case to Judge John Aylmer explaining the boy was five years old when the accident happened in July 2021. The child was taking part in the game known as 'danger play' at the creche along with two other children. The court was told that the game involved a plank of wood being placed on a log. The boy was standing on one side of the plank and two children stood on the other end, causing him to fall off. The injured child was brought to hospital, where an x-ray confirmed a fracture to a wrist. Under anaesthetic, a corrective procedure was carried out and a plaster of Paris cast was applied. A follow-up appointment showed that the fracture position deteriorated and a further procedure was required. The boy was taken to theatre and the injury was stabilised using K-wires. The court heard that the boy has since started primary school and all injuries have been resolved. He has suffered no further complication and has a full range of motion, the barrister said. A previous offer of €20,415 of general damages was rejected in court. However, the barrister was happy to recommend approval of the new offer of €25,000. Judge John Aylmer said the offer was “very good” and granted its approval.AI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness it
TEL AVIV, Israel , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (Nasdaq: WAVE ) (" Eco Wave Power " or the "Company"), a leading innovator in onshore wave energy technology, today announced that it has closed its previously announced offering of 300,000 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs")(or ADS equivalents), each representing eight common shares of the Company, at a public offering price of $10.00 per ADS (or ADS equivalent) for gross proceeds of $3.0 million (the "Offering"), before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole placement agent for the Offering. Eco Wave Power currently intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to advance its groundbreaking projects, including the execution of its first commercial-scale wave energy installation in Portugal . The Offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3, as amended, (File No. 333-275728) previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on December 6, 2023 . A prospectus supplement relating to the ADSs issued in the Offering was filed by the Company with the SEC on December 12, 2024 . Copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the Offering, together with the accompanying prospectus, can be obtained at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Maxim Group LLC, at 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, or via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 895-3745. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) Eco Wave Power is a leading onshore wave energy company revolutionizing clean energy with its patented, smart, and cost-efficient technology that converts ocean and sea waves into sustainable electricity. Dedicated to combating climate change, Eco Wave Power operates the first grid-connected wave energy system in Israel , co-funded by EDF Renewables IL and the Israeli Energy Ministry, which recognized the technology as a "Pioneering Technology." Expanding globally, Eco Wave Power is preparing to install projects at the Port of Los Angeles , Taiwan , and Portugal , adding to its impressive project pipeline totalling 404.7 MW. The Company has received support from prestigious institutions such as the European Union Regional Development Fund, Innovate UK, and the Horizon 2020 program, and was honoured with the United Nations' Global Climate Action Award . Eco Wave Power's American Depositary Shares (WAVE) are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Learn more at www.ecowavepower.com . Information on, or accessible through, the websites mentioned above does not form part of this press release. For more information, please contact the Company's CFO at: [email protected] +97235094017 Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the use of proceeds from the Offering. These forward-looking statements and their implications are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and are based on the current expectations of the management of Eco Wave Power and are subject to a number of factors, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and may be outside of Eco Wave Power's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Eco Wave Power undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting Eco Wave Power is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in Eco Wave Power's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 , filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024 , which is available on the on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov , and other documents filed or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/ewpg-holding-ab--publ-/r/eco-wave-power-announces-closing-of--3-0-million-registered-direct-offering-to-accelerate-commercial,c4081747 The following files are available for download:
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For those who made their money on PayPal, Venmo, Cash App or another third-party payment app last year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has some new rules that you will need to follow when you file your tax return next year. If you earned more than $5,000 in untaxed income in 2024 and were paid via a third-party payment app, you will need to complete tax form 1099-K. This is not the first time this rule has been mentioned, but the IRS confirmed that it will be applicable to 2024 taxes. This number will then drop to $2,500 in 2025 and then $600 in 2026. The reasoning is to bridge the gap between the current and the future reporting requirements form these apps. As Mark Steber, chief tax information officer for Jackson Hewitt explains , “The US Department of the Treasury are still moving forward on the 2024 rules that came from the Inflation Reduction Act. Prior to 2024, the earnings threshold was $20,000 and 200 transactions to receive a 1099-K tax document and in 2025 the income threshold earned from a third-party platform will be $600.” Self-employed individuals are required to report their total income for tax purposes, even if they don’t receive a 1099 form for all earnings. This long-standing rule is now supported by a tax reporting change, with the IRS shifting the focus to third-party payment apps to track unreported transactions. A 1099-K tax form is issued for income received through platforms like Venmo or Cash App from side jobs, freelance work, or contractor roles where taxes aren’t withheld. Currently, these apps must issue a 1099-K if a user earns over $20,000 in commercial payments across more than 200 transactions in a year. The American Rescue Plan announced the new $600 earnings limit, but the rollout has been a bit slower than anticipated to reduce the risk of inaccuracies and give the agency time to work out how the penalties will be discovered and implemented. As Steber continues “The taxation and tax treatment requirements for taxpayers has not changed. This taxable income has always been considered by the IRS to be taxable and should be reported on a tax return. The new change requires the online platforms to provide 1099-Ks to both their users and the IRS at a lower threshold than in prior years.” The reason for this delay is the fact that with this new technology widely available, distinguishing between taxable and nontaxable transactions through third-party apps isn’t always easy. With PayPal, Venmo, Cash App or Zelle being part of every day friendly transactions, it is hard to see if the money has been exchanged for rent or for an art commission, and people lie on the reason for the transactions all the time not because they have anything to hide, but because there is no need to tell the truth between friends. An active user may just be someone who values financial transparency with their friends and not a business. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in a November 2023 statement showed that the agency is working on solving the problem “We spent many months gathering feedback from third-party groups and others, and it became increasingly clear we need additional time to effectively implement the new reporting requirements.” For the avid users, Steber cautions that “This is only for self-employment income. You should not receive a 1099-K for personal transactions but be aware that some platforms could accidently include personal transactions in the 1099-K and that will need to be corrected on the users tax return .” The most common ones are PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and Cash App, but the agency will also work with freelance platforms like Fivver or Upwork to report payments that freelancers receive throughout the year. If you are a user, keeping separate business and personal accounts will be useful and will make IRS reporting easier, although if in those apps you click the “sending money to family or friends” option, it will not be included in the money you need to report to the IRS.The world’s oldest known wild bird is back in her familiar stomping grounds — this time, with a new beau. Wisdom, a Laysan albatross who is at least 74, returned to her annual nesting site at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge on the Hawaiian archipelago late last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region announced on social media this week . This year, Wisdom not only laid an egg, but was seen “interacting with a male” that the wildlife agency identified as her new mate. (The septuagenarian was previously linked to a mate named Akeakamai for decades, but he hasn’t been seen in years.) If all goes well, Wisdom’s egg will hatch in around two months . She’s been mother to about thirty surviving chicks over the years, with her most recent offspring hatching in 2021. The fact that this elder bird is still alive, let alone still laying eggs, is astonishing. In 2021, after Wisdom’s latest chick hatched, seabird ecologist Richard Phillips told The New York Times the next-oldest albatross he’d ever heard of was 61. Wisdom was fitted with an identification band around her ankle in 1956, and scientists have monitored her ever since. There are some skeptics who believe that something is amiss with the story, like perhaps the identification band was swapped out to another albatross at some point, as The Washington Post noted previously. But the numerous scientists interviewed in news stories over the years have generally treated Wisdom’s advanced age as fact. “I think it’s impossible for us to look at that bird and not be stunned that she is still breeding and has laid an egg,” marine ecologist Dr. Carl Safina told the Times . Related From Our Partner
