Modi’s party wins Maharashtra state polls, loses JharkhandThe acrostic poem, a form of poetry in which the first letter of each line spells out a word or message, has long been used as a tool for conveying hidden meanings and messages. In this case, Yang Shize's use of the acrostic poem allowed him to communicate a clear and unambiguous message about his relationship status while also adding an element of intrigue and playfulness to his post.
Benzema, in particular, has been a standout performer for Real Madrid, finishing as the team's top scorer and playing a crucial role in their title-winning campaign. Courtois, known for his shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in goal, has been a key figure in Real Madrid's defensive line. Meanwhile, midfield maestros Modric and Casemiro have been instrumental in controlling the pace of the game and providing creative spark in the middle of the park.
A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets
Coleen Rooney reveals remark Trump made about her at White House meeting
Check Out What Whales Are Doing With ZIM
The Bu Mou incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and accountability in society. By holding those responsible for wrongdoing to account, authorities send a clear message that illegal activities will not be tolerated, and that those who engage in such behavior will face the consequences of their actions.
NVIDIA Under Investigation: A Result of Its Own Actions or a Casualty of the US-China Tech War?Premium portfolios to serve neat margin gains for liquor companiesIn a shocking turn of events, the jury, comprised entirely of white individuals, deliberated for less than 24 hours before delivering their verdict of not guilty. The decision was met with disbelief and anger from the victim's family, civil rights activists, and community leaders, who condemned the outcome as a miscarriage of justice and a clear example of racial bias in the legal system.
NoneWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats' momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledgedhis rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. "He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn't. Stupid." The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November's election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump's planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump's promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump's threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers," she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” ___ Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report. Josh Boak, The Associated Press
First and foremost, medical aesthetics procedures are medical treatments that carry potential risks and complications. It is crucial for individuals considering such procedures to understand that these treatments involve intervention in the body, and therefore should be approached with the same seriousness as any other medical procedure. Medical professionals performing aesthetic treatments must prioritize patient safety above all else, ensuring that the procedure is suitable for the individual's health status and that all necessary precautions are taken to minimize risks.has been ripped into by boxing fans after the Puerto Rican fighter tried to mock whilst calling out the interim WBC light-heavyweight champion, online. The 27-year-old, dubbed The Chosen One, took to social media to suggest resembles the iconic Halloween character, with a hairline that isn't doing much for the WBA interim light-heavyweight champion as he posted a photo of the Cuban's side profile " [laughing emoji]. Listen man, @benevidez," wrote via X.com, formerly known as Twitter. "Stop the cap that we ain't want to fight you bro. "And don't lose to this n**** man look at that fucked up hairline. If you lose to you done with boxing." Fans mock Berlanga The development comes as prepare to face off for the chance to fight the winner of a rematch, which is yet to be made because is also looking for a shot at the undisputed light-heavyweight champion. had previously suggested that Berlanga didn't deserve his own shot against Canelo on September 14, when he lost the bout for the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles by unanimous decision (118-109, 118-109, 117-111). But the mockery backfired as fans took the side of the Mexican Monster on social media by jesting that the Chosen One could not beat either if he stepped into the wrong against them. One user wrote, " would finish you, you next bum." A second added, "Before you criticize any boxer, you need to achieve something in boxing besides getting your ass whipped by . Fight another top challenger and prove you belong in the conversation." Whilst a third wrote, "You're going to fight 17 loss, coming out of retirement aren't you?"
As the teams prepare to take the field at the iconic San Siro stadium, the spotlight will be on Conte and Inzaghi as they deploy their tactical masterstrokes to outwit each other. The battle between Inter's attacking firepower and Lazio's defensive resilience promises to be a spectacle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blows.Ex-Prime Minister stood out for his gentle demeanour: former studentsThe General Services Administration spent $5.3 billion on grants and contracts this September, according to OpenTheBooks’ review of federal disclosures. It was the agency’s most expensive month for such purchases since at least 2007, and presumably in history. The number includes $1.27 billion spent in the three-day span from Sept. 25 to Sept. 27, an extreme example of “use-it-or-lose-it” spending at the end of the fiscal year. The GSA supports all federal buildings and office space with supplies, transportation and more. The offices should be well-stocked after the agency spent $4,727 on foot rests and $2,875 on an 85-inch, “ultra-HD” Samsung TV in September. Another $17,600 went toward iPhone 13 screen protectors. To support the Army’s “musical instrument project,” the GSA also spent $7,000 on saxophones and $10,000 on piccolos, complete with carrying cases, cleaning brushes, “cork grease” and more. The GSA spent $1.8 million on gloves of all varieties: disposable, leather, anti-vibration and more. Calendar purchases were just as varied. $1.9 million went toward wall calendars, desk calendars and dry-erase calendars. Another $56,000 was spent on liquid hand soap. Scents included cranberry, honeysuckle and “rainwater.” Other supplies included $708,000 for toilet paper rolls and dispensers, and $1.8 million worth of batteries. September purchases also included $14.6 million for new chairs, $17.6 million for filing cabinets and $1.4 million on sofas — even though only 6% of federal employees actually show up for in-person work . Another $32.7 million went toward “elevator modernization” in Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota and more. Congress funds federal agencies based on how much money they spent the previous year. If an agency does not use its entire budget, Congress assumes it needs less funding and appropriates less — “use-it-or-lose-it.” To maintain their funding, agencies make sure to spend their entire budget before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. That often includes absurd purchases like flatscreen TVs and lobster dinners: anything that gets the money out the door. The Department of Defense is typically responsible for a large portion of use-it-or-lose-it spending, though its data from September has yet to be published as of Dec. 13. Federal agencies besides the DoD spent $150 billion on grants and contracts this September. Unneeded funding should be returned to taxpayers, not used for extravagant purchases. At least GSA employees have new foot rests to recover from the hard work of spending the public’s money. (The #WasteOfTheDay is from forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com via RealClearWire.)
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Another stowaway caught on Delta flight raises major concerns about airport safetyThe community has rallied together in support of Samantha and her family during this challenging time. Friends, classmates, and concerned citizens have volunteered to distribute flyers, organize search parties, and provide emotional support to the distraught family. The outpouring of solidarity and compassion has been heartwarming, demonstrating the power of unity and community resilience in times of crisis.The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Related video above: Matt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nomination The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers only have a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison.2. The Quality vs. Quantity Debate
In a scathing statement released by a group of disgruntled developers, they accused Ubisoft of creating a toxic work environment rife with politics and power struggles that ultimately stifled creativity and innovation. They lamented the loss of what could have been a groundbreaking game that pushed the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay on the PS4 platform.
President-elect Donald Trump has named Billy Long, a former Republican congressman from Missouri, to head the Internal Revenue Service, signaling plans to oust current Commissioner Danny Werfel before his term expires in 2027. Replacing Werfel, who was picked by President Joe Biden, could mean a major shift at the agency, which has been undergoing a massive transformation that’s become a political football in Washington. Democrats have argued the agency, after facing years of budget cuts, needs more money to go after tax cheats and modernize its technology. And Republicans, many of whom – including Long – have supported shutting down the agency altogether , are skeptical that new enforcement actions won’t unfairly target middle-class Americans. Last year, Republican lawmakers successfully clawed back $20 billion of the $80 billion provided to the IRS by the Democrat-backed Inflation Reduction Act that passed in 2022. Further cuts to the IRS’ budget could be a priority for Trump, who has put Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of a new commission to cut federal spending . IRS revamp could slow While the Inflation Reduction Act spells out how much money can be used for enforcement activities and taxpayer assistance, it’s largely up to the IRS, which is housed in the Department of Treasury, to decide how exactly the money is spent . One of the biggest projects under Werfel – the launch of a free tax filing program called Direct File – doesn’t have the backing of many GOP lawmakers, some of whom have criticized the program as “illegitimate and unnecessary.” There are Republicans who have also voiced concern about the effort to ramp up enforcement. Some, including Trump , have misleadingly suggested that the IRS is hiring 87,000 new auditors to target middle-class Americans and small business owners. But Democrats say the IRS needs the influx of money to successfully go after tax cheats. Prior to the Inflation Reduction Act, the agency did not have the staffing or resources to pursue high-income earners that the agency knew owed taxes, Werfel said earlier this year . So far, the IRS has collected nearly $1.3 billion in overdue taxes from wealthy households due to the new enforcement efforts. Less controversial efforts undertaken under Werfel’s leadership have been aimed at making it easier for Americans to file their federal taxes, like hiring thousands more customer service representatives and updating the agency’s archaic technology so that it can digitize paper forms . The independent Congressional Budget Office and other budget experts say that spending money on tax enforcement can reduce the deficit by bringing in more tax revenue. Long’s tax experience Long served 12 years in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. He ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 2022. During his time in Congress, Long served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Homeland Security Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – but not on the House’s main tax-writing committee. He co-sponsored, along with dozens of other Republicans, bills to abolish the IRS and replace the federal income tax system with a national sales tax. Long currently works as a certified tax and business adviser, according to his X bio . “DM me to save 40% on your taxes. We have a new traunch of tax credits just out!” it says. “Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations,” Trump said in a statement Wednesday announcing his pick. In the private sector, Long has been helping people file for the employee retention tax credit, a pandemic-era benefit. The IRS temporarily paused processing of those claims in 2023 amid concerns of fraud . In a 2023 podcast interview , Long talked about how he only helps people who are eligible to claim the tax credit. “If they don’t qualify, we do not tell them they do. And we do not to get them through the process,” he said. “Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate ‘people person,’ well respected on both sides of the aisle,” Trump said in his statement. A former professional auctioneer, Long once used his skills to drown out a protester who was disrupting a committee hearing on Capitol Hill.