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It's not enough to simply have a home these days. Everyone needs a smart home outfitted with the latest technology that promises to make your life substantially easier. To be honest, there are definitely some must-have devices you need for your smart home , from smart doorbells to see who's visiting to smart lights so that you can control everything right from your phone. Gone are the days where you have to worry about whether you remembered to turn off all the lights before you went on vacation. With the right apps, you can see and adjust as needed from anywhere. A smart home doesn't even necessarily need to be a proper house. Even apartments, condos, and townhouses can benefit greatly. Of course, this depends on the proper installation of every device. It's natural to get excited over the prospect of how much easier your life will become with all these items set up, but even a single error can significantly hamper a device's usefulness. Before you go nuts buying every smart gadget you can find on Amazon, it helps to familiarize yourself with the myriad mistakes that can come when installing smart home products. You may have never even considered some of these before, so get started on the right foot so you can feel confident about your new products. As you browse through Amazon, Home Depot, Best Buy, and other retailers out there, you may become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of smart home products available. It can be exciting to see what you can retrofit your house with, and you may feel like going on a shopping spree, adding numerous items to your cart without a care in the world. This can add up quickly, and you may find yourself at a crossroads with what products you truly feel like you need. Before doing anything, you should establish a budget. There should be a set amount you can comfortably spend right now. Remember, even if you can't get everything all at once, you can start saving once more to get something else down the line. It's all about reeling in expectations so that you don't become overwhelmed. Plus, setting a budget also helps you figure out what items you need right this second. Some smart home gadgets will seem essential, while others would be nice, but you could ultimately wait on them. It's also good to slow down for a beat to get more information on what all is out there. Even if you don't have a ton to spend at the moment, there are still plenty of affordable smart home devices to make your space look luxurious . It may seem contradictory to talk about sticking to a budget and avoiding the cheapest smart home products, but the true lesson is about being a savvy shopper. You don't want to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks, so it's vital to conduct due diligence and ensure the item you're getting will benefit you for years to come. A cheaper product doesn't inherently mean it's automatically inferior. Perhaps it merely comes from a brand that isn't as well-known as something like Samsung. It is important to look at reviews to see what other people who have purchased it have to say. It's also good to see how long ago a certain item came out. A smart home gadget that's a year old may be cheaper now but still perfectly viable. In contrast, something that came out five years ago may be incredibly cheap, but its technology could be woefully out of date. You don't want to put your house at risk with older tech. In some instances, it may be beneficial to splurge on something you can feel confident in, especially if it's a product designed to lock your doors for greater security. In the interest of having a true smart home where all your devices can communicate, everything you purchase must be compatible. That doesn't necessarily mean everything has to be from the same brand. On the contrary, you may find it more advantageous to mix and match because one company may have a better smart doorbell while another has a smart thermostat you've had your eye on. Ultimately, you'll want to establish a central smart home platform that can communicate with devices made by different manufacturers. The platforms to look into include Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. Google Home, for instance, is compatible with many great devices , like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and the Nest Doorbell. Alexa and HomeKit have similar wide breadths when it comes to implementing devices. If you don't already have one of these platforms, you'll want to determine which one to get first before purchasing any specialized gadgets. The platform is effectively the centralized hub that you can administer commands, such as telling an Alexa device to turn off the lights in the living room. You can also sync everything via an app on your smartphone to do things remotely. A smart home platform isn't the only thing to ensure all of your devices can connect with one another. You also need to ensure your Wi-Fi capabilities can reach to every end of your property, and in some cases, they can reach outside in case you have any gadgets located outside the home. Additionally, the fact that you're adding a bunch of devices that need to connect with Wi-Fi means there will be a greater strain overall that could impact how fast things like streaming become. You may want to consider upgrading your internet speed. If it's at 100 megabits per second currently, you may want to think about going up to 300 Mbps if you're planning a total smart home retrofit. Even with that, ensuring the Wi-Fi signal can reach every corner of the house is still a necessity. It can be good to learn how to extend Wi-Fi range outside of your home , which can sometimes be achieved by simply moving the router to a more ideal location. Extenders and mesh networks can also aid you in getting the Wi-Fi signal further. This will definitely be a necessity if you live in a particularly large home with multiple stories. With so many smart home options out there, you may feel like getting everything under the sun. However, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, especially considering every house is going to be formatted a bit differently. Before getting started, it helps to understand what's most important to you and your family so that everything serves a purpose. If your primary concern is security, then look at smart home gadgets that'll aid with that, like cameras. A thermostat may be neat, but you may be able to delay getting that for the time being so that you can get cameras installed around your property. If you're interested in reducing your energy usage, you'll want to learn how to adjust the settings for every device. Smart lights may come with a predesignated brightness level, but you should look into how to adjust it, especially in rooms that may not benefit from having the most light possible. Anyone unsure of their priorities should consult their family. They may have opinions on what devices would provide the best, most immediate benefit. One of the main reasons why people install smart home gadgets is to enhance their abode's safety and security. Cameras monitor everything on your property, and you can install keypads onto all of your exterior doors, requiring a password to unlock rather than a key. All these devices can provide you with greater peace of mind, but they come with their own security threats you need to be cautious of. As with any device connected to Wi-Fi, your smart home devices can get hacked. As always, it's critical to implement strong passwords that aren't easy to guess. You also want to be aware of potential malicious links sent to you via email. When you click on the link, the hacker gains access to your network, including any gadgets connected to it. This is just one of many things to know when installing a smart lock to your home . Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself. Two-factor authentication may be more work on your end, but it makes your network harder to get into. You also want to be cautious of purchasing older products that may have out-of-date security features. You may even want to consider connecting your devices to a secondary network as opposed to the main one you use for your laptops and TVs. That way, even if a hacker gets onto one network, they're still separated from everything else. Regularly updating the software regularly is another essential component of ensuring your smart home can't get hacked. You're probably used to your laptop and smartphone needing updates every so often to fix bugs and give you greater security features. As much as you may want to delay such updates because it puts your devices out of commission for a while, it's critical to do so for peace of mind. The same holds true with any smart home devices you purchase. The companies behind these products regularly put out security updates to handle the latest cyber threats, meaning if you delay updating them, you're at an even greater risk of getting hacked. This includes any third-party apps you may need to download to use certain devices. In addition to updating a device's firmware, you also need to be on top of updating that app to stay safe and ensure everything works as it should. None of this is meant to scare you, by the way. Most people should be used to updating their devices regularly anyway, but smart home items merely add some extra products to be mindful of. Whether you live with a spouse or several roommates, it's good that everyone understands how to use any smart gadgets you install. It can even work to your benefit to get everyone up-to-speed on the latest devices. For example, one person may want it a certain temperature in their bedroom while another housemate wants a completely different temperature for their room. Everyone can be happy if everyone knows how to utilize the smart thermostat. When you buy something new, it's a good idea to review the basics with your family or friends, such as which app they need to download. It's also beneficial to keep housemates in mind when deciding where the central hub should be located. Ideally, you'll place it in a common space so that people can voice their commands in a place they already go to often. Even more important is informing other people about a code to get inside the house. The last thing you want is for someone to get locked outside, especially if they can't reach you otherwise. Lastly, it's good to walk everyone through the basic security measures mentioned above so that no one inadvertently allows hackers onto your Wi-Fi. Homeowners can start benefitting immediately by installing smart home products. However, if you rent, you'll want to double-check with your landlord to ensure everything's good before getting started. There are plenty of renter-friendly smart home gadgets , like lights and vacuums, that shouldn't be a problem since you're not permanently impacting anything like the wall or door. But if you want to install a smart doorbell to your unit, you may want to get approval first just to be safe. Conversely, plenty of renters have encountered landlords who transform their units into smart homes without any input from the tenant. There can be advantages to this, such as an in-unit washer and dryer being hooked up to an app automatically so that your landlord knows immediately when something breaks. However, it's understandable if tenants have reservations about giving too much control away to their landlords. After all, a system-wide issue could impact what you can and can't use in your home, like having a keypad to get into your apartment only for a bug to prevent entry. Plus, it's your landlord who's primarily in charge of ensuring all security updates are followed. If you have any concerns about the products your landlord wants to install inside your apartment, it's good to have a conversation in advance. A DIY project can be a fun endeavor — provided you understand what you're doing. You may not be dealing with hammers and saws when it comes to smart home gadgets, but it can still be the best course of action to have professionals at least help you out for more complicated setups. You probably don't need any outside assistance if you're only getting a few items, like an Amazon Alexa to sync up with some lights. However, a total smart home makeover may be a bit beyond your capabilities. However, an expert can ensure everything connects to your home's Wi-Fi properly. When you're dealing with something as critical as a home security system, it's always a good idea to make sure everything works properly. Additionally, gadgets like smart thermostats may require alterations to the pre-existing wiring, which you should never tamper with if you don't have the expertise. Naturally, hiring a contractor for this work will cost you additional funds, which you'll need to factor into your budget if that's the route you want to go. You also don't need to do absolutely everything right off the bat. You can start with a few gadgets you know you can handle installing on your own, and if that works out, you can move on to more advanced tech to have the smartest home on your block.
NoneAn 83-year-old short story by Borges portends a bleak future for the internetFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accompanied by his wife Pastor Dorcas and family members address journalists at Karen hospital after being discharged from the facility where he had been admitted after falling ill during the Senate proceedings on October 20, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he will give the Mount Kenya people a new political direction in January as his allies revealed plans to craft a new political party and coalition for 2027 election. Gachagua described his 2022 support for President William Ruto as a "political miscalculation" and vowed not to repeat the same mistake as he works with like-minded leaders to unveil a new political direction . Speaking at AIPCA Church in Kangari Muranga the impeached former DP launched a broadside against Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government alleging its out of touch with the reality of economic hardship facing Kenyans. Gachagua said Ruto defied his advice against awarding the Indian Group conglomerate, Adani Group, tenders to expand the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and power transmission lines. The former DP said Ruto was following the footsteps of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Government which was note-deaf to the plight of Kenyans despite complaints or advice from other leaders. He said Ruto betrayed his trust, and his ouster was due to his stand on the Adani deals. Speaking at Kangari AIPCA Church in Kigumo, Murang'a, Gachagua said he was holding a meeting with other leaders to chart the way forward. “I faced the President with courage on issues that were not in order but he defied. Speaking for the interest of Kenyans and my people in the mountain led to my impeachment ,” said Gachagua. He added: "I am holding deliberations with traders, professionals, and leaders from the mountain, and in January next year I will give direction the mountain will follow to chart our destiny,” said Gachagua. Present were host Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro, Senators Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Karungo Thangw’a(Kiambu), John Methu (Nyandarua), Kamau Murango( Kirinyaga). Other MPs were James Gakuya, Benjamin Gathiru Embakasi Central), Amos Mwago(Starehe) and Edward Muriu (Gatanga). He said it was a shock that the majority of the leaders in the mountain were still living in denial as some have failed to resonate with the needs of the community they represent. “Ruto is today doing what used to be done by the former region,” said Gachagua, adding that the heckling in Embu and Murang’a should not be blamed on them, but the aftermath of the disturbed mountain. “I had warned them against playing around with the mountain and the people are speaking their minds,” said Gachagua. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter The MPs called for investigations into state officers who allegedly received the Sh9.2 billion bribe from Adan. Gachagua's allies also revealed that they were working on the formation of a political party ahead of the 2027 general election to ensure they had freedom. Gakuya said there was a need for the region to have a political party to ensure its interests would be respected. "We need to chart our destiny to avoid the scenario we are in today in UDA," said Gakuya. Muriu said the government should be told that SHIF is nonperforming thus exposing the residents to challenges. “Leaders should stop being lazy and instead seal the loopholes to siphon and should be courageous and point at the ills in the government,” said Muriu. Thangw’a said the Fundraising Act, before the Senate, was designed to ensure that money raised would be subjected to taxation. “With no performing health sector , those intending for a Harambee must seek a permit two weeks before. I will introduce amendments to ensure it will be friendly to the residents,” said the Kiambu senator. The host, Munyoro, told the government that the leadership will always stand by the truth. "There are a lot of ills happening in Kenya, and tea farmers in Kigumo are demanding a refund of Sh100 Million for the subsided fertiliser," he said. Nyutu said the incidents at Embu and Kirogo villages were actions of the people expressing themselves without being pressurised by the politicians. In Kirogo, during the burial of nominated MCA Mark Wainaina, Nyutu said the residents booed the representative reading the deputy president Prof Kithure Kindiki. "Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang’ata read the sign and handed President William Ruto a message of condolence to the family of Mark to avoid any embarrassment,” said Nyutu.
Jaipur : The Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani on Saturday spoke out on the recent allegations faced by him and other executives after being linked to an alleged bribery case in the US, saying that every attack has made the group stronger, and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group. Speaking at the 51st India Gem and Jewellery Awards in Jaipur, the Adani Group Chairman said, “Less than two weeks back, we faced a set of allegations from the US about compliance practices at Adani Green Energy. This is not the first time we have faced such challenges. What I can tell you is that every attack makes us stronger, and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group.” “The fact is that despite a lot of the vested reporting, no one from the Adani side has been charged with any violation of the FCPA or any conspiracy to obstruct justice,” the Adani Group Chairman added. The Adani Group Chairman also reflected on the consistent allegations made against his companies, including the attempt made by US short seller Hindenburg. “January last year, just as we were getting ready to launch our Follow-on Public Offering. We faced a short-selling attack initiated from abroad. This was not a typical financial strike; it was a double hit–targeting our financial stability and pulling us into a political controversy,” he said. “But even in the face of such adversity, our commitment to our principles remained strong. After successfully raising 20,000 crore rupees from India’s largest-ever FPO, we made the extraordinary decision to return the proceeds. We then further demonstrated our resilience by raising capital from several international sources and proactively reducing our Debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.5 times, an unmatched metric in the global infrastructure space,” he added. Gautam Adani stated that the company’s all-time record financial results in the same year showcased its commitment to operational excellence. “Our all-time record financial results in the same year showcased our commitment to operational excellence. Not a single Indian or foreign credit rating agency downgraded us. Finally, the Supreme Court of India’s affirmation of our actions validated our approach,” he said. Gautam Adani also mentioned the 2010 controversy when the company made a move to invest in a coal mine in Australia. “The resistance from NGOs was huge and lasted almost a decade. In fact, it was so intense that we ended up funding the entire project of 10 billion dollars with our own equity. While we now have a world class operating mine in Australia and it could be seen as a great sign of our resilience, the fact is that 100% equity funding took away over 30 billion dollars of debt financing from our green energy projects,” he recollected. Gautam Adani further added that he had come to accept that the roadblocks were the price of pioneering. “I have come to accept that the roadblocks we face are the price of pioneering. The more bold your dreams, the more the world will scrutinize you. But it is precisely in that scrutiny that you must find the courage to rise, to challenge the status quo, and to build a path where none exists. To pioneer is to embrace the unknown, to break limits, and to believe in your vision even when the world cannot yet see it,” he asserted. In his speech the Adani Group chairman gave the audience three guiding thoughts, “First, embrace technology and sustainability as the twin pillars of progress.... Second, empower and uplift the skilled workforce at the heart of our transformation.... And finally, the future belongs to our youth. The younger generation brings fresh ideas, unshakeable energy, and a willingness to disrupt the old ways of thinking. We must nurture them.” “Let us create an India where the wisdom of tradition, and the promise of innovation come together to challenge the status quo. And let us move forward with confidence to create a future where India’s gems illuminate the world with their brilliance,” Gautam Adani concluded. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also Read: US indictment against Adani ‘legal matter’, no request for cooperation from America, says MEA var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. People are also reading... The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. States with gains By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. States that lost At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Why it matters Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." 20 political cartoons draw out Donald Trump's win November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Botafogo overcame playing with 10 men to win its first Copa Libertadores title after beating fellow Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the final at Monumental de Nunez Stadium on Saturday. After just 30 seconds, midfielder Gregore, one of Botafogo’s best players, hit the head of Fausto Vera with his foot and was given a straight red card. Winger Luiz Henrique scored first in the 35th minute from close range, and was fouled for the penalty shot converted by Alex Telles in the 44th. Eduardo Vargas headed Mineiro’s only goal in the 46th while Junior Santos, the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 10 goals, capped Botafogo’s historic night with the third in injury time. Brazil was assured of a sixth consecutive Copa Libertadores title and its 24th in history, just one less than Argentina. It was also the third straight title for Rio de Janeiro clubs, after Fluminense in 2023 and Flamengo in 2022. Despite sensationally losing Gregore, Botafogo reset and Luiz Henrique scored the opener. Henrique surged on the right flank and crossed to Marlon Freitas, who took a shot that was deflected. Henrique was in the right place to strike through the legs of goalkeeper Ederson. Henrique and Ederson met again near the end of the first half when the striker surprised the keeper on the edge of the box. A penalty was given after a video review and left back Telles calmly slotted the ball. Mineiro came back with a more aggressive formation in the second half and was rewarded when veteran Hulk took a corner kick and Vargas, who replaced midfielder Gustavo Scarpa during the break, didn’t even need to jump to score with his head. Mineiro had more chances to equalize through Deyverson in the 53rd, Hulk in the 56th, and Vargas in the 86th and 88th, all from close range. But it was Botafogo’s Júnior Santos, who was sidelined by injury during the Copa, who scored the last goal. Botafogo coach Arthur Jorge joined Portuguese compatriots Jorge Jesus (Flamengo, 2019) and Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras, 2020 and 2021) as European coaches with a Copa Libertadores title. Mineiro’s Gabriel Milito missed the chance to be the first Argentine to win the tournament with a Brazilian club. Botafogo also gave American owner John Textor his biggest trophy yet. Textor has been subject to criticism after unproven allegations about match-fixing when Botafogo squandered a 13-point lead last year and missed out on the league title. Next week, his team could win its first Brazilian title since 1995. Botafogo was relegated from the league in 2020 but has risen to prominence again with Textor’s investment. He was part of a wave of foreign owners who came into Brazilian soccer after a 2021 law change paved the way for private investors. Mineiro also has wealthy owner in Brazilian billionaire Rubens Menin, a construction mogul. ___ AP soccer:WASHINGTON -- A tax break for millionaires, and almost everyone else. An end to the COVID-19-era government subsidies that some Americans have used to purchase health insurance. Limits to food stamps, including for women and children, and other safety net programs. Rollbacks to Biden-era green energy programs. Mass deportations. Government job cuts to "drain the swamp." Having won the election and sweeping to power, Republicans are planning an ambitious 100-day agenda with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House and GOP lawmakers in a congressional majority to accomplish their policy goals. Atop the list is the plan to renew some $4 trillion in expiring GOP tax cuts, a signature domestic achievement of Trump's first term and an issue that may define his return to the White House. "What we're focused on right now is being ready, Day 1," said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., after meeting recently with GOP colleagues to map out the road ahead. SEE ALSO | Trump, Trudeau meet at Mar-a-Lago amid tariff threats The policies emerging will revive long-running debates about America's priorities, its gaping income inequities and the proper size and scope of its government, especially in the face of mounting federal deficits now approaching $2 trillion a year. The discussions will test whether Trump and his Republican allies can achieve the kinds of real-world outcomes wanted, needed or supported when voters gave the party control of Congress and the White House. "The past is really prologue here," said Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, recalling the 2017 tax debate. Trump's first term became defined by those tax cuts, which were approved by Republicans in Congress and signed into law only after their initial campaign promise to "repeal and replace" Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law sputtered, failing with the famous thumbs-down vote by then-Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The GOP majority in Congress quickly pivoted to tax cuts, assembling and approving the multitrillion-dollar package by year's end. In the time since Trump signed those cuts into law, the big benefits have accrued to higher-income households. The top 1 percent - those making nearly $1 million and above - received about a $60,000 income tax cut, while those with lower incomes got as little as a few hundred dollars, according to the Tax Policy Center and other groups. Some people ended up paying about the same. "The big economic story in the U.S. is soaring income inequality," said Owens. "And that is actually, interestingly, a tax story." In preparation for Trump's return, Republicans in Congress have been meeting privately for months and with the president-elect to go over proposals to extend and enhance those tax breaks, some of which would otherwise expire in 2025. That means keeping in place various tax brackets and a standardized deduction for individual earners, along with the existing rates for so-called pass-through entities such as law firms, doctors' offices or businesses that take their earnings as individual income. Typically, the price tag for the tax cuts would be prohibitive. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that keeping the expiring provisions in place would add some $4 trillion to deficits over a decade. Adding to that, Trump wants to include his own priorities in the tax package, including lowering the corporate rate, now at 21% from the 2017 law, to 15%, and doing away with individual taxes on tips and overtime pay. But Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, said blaming the tax cuts for the nation's income inequality is "just nonsense" because tax filers up and down the income ladder benefited. He instead points to other factors, including the Federal Reserve's historically low interest rates that enable borrowing, including for the wealthy, on the cheap. "Americans don't care if Elon Musk is rich," Roy said. "What they care about is, what are you doing to make their lives better?" Typically, lawmakers want the cost of a policy change to be offset by budget revenue or reductions elsewhere. But in this case, there's almost no agreed-upon revenue raisers or spending cuts in the annual $6 trillion budget that could cover such a whopping price tag. Instead, some Republicans have argued that the tax breaks will pay for themselves, with the trickle-down revenue from potential economic growth. Trump's tariffs floated this past week could provide another source of offsetting revenue. Some Republicans argue there's precedent for simply extending the tax cuts without offsetting the costs because they are not new changes but existing federal policy. "If you're just extending current law, we're not raising taxes or lowering taxes," said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, on Fox News. He said the criticism that tax cuts would add to the deficit is "ridiculous." There is a difference between taxes and spending, he said, "and we just have to get that message out to America." At the same time, the new Congress will also be considering spending reductions, particularly to food stamps and health care programs, goals long sought by conservatives as part of the annual appropriations process. One cut is almost certain to fall on the COVID-19-era subsidy that helps defray the cost of health insurance for people who buy their own policies via the Affordable Care Act exchange. The extra health care subsidies were extended through 2025 in Democratic President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which also includes various green energy tax breaks that Republicans want to roll back. The House Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, scoffed at the Republican claim that they've won "some big, massive mandate" - when in fact, the House Democrats and Republicans essentially fought to a draw in the November election, with the GOP eking out a narrow majority. "This notion about some mandate to make massive, far-right extreme policy changes, it doesn't exist - it doesn't exist," Jeffries said. Republicans are planning to use a budgetary process, called reconciliation, that allows majority passage in Congress, essentially along party lines, without the threat of a filibuster in the Senate that can stall out a bill's advance unless 60 of the 100 senators agree. It's the same process Democrats have used when they had the power in Washington to approve the Inflation Reduction Act and Obama's health care law over GOP objections. Republicans have been here before with Trump and control of Congress, which is no guarantee they will be able to accomplish their goals, particularly in the face of resistance from Democrats. Still, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has been working closely with Trump on the agenda, has promised a "breakneck" pace in the first 100 days "because we have a lot to fix." ___ The story has been corrected to reflect that Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative spoke of 'income inequality,' not 'income equality.' The video in the player above is from a previous report.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, a man whose name is etched in the annals of Indian history as one of its most transformative leaders, stands as a beacon of economic and social change. Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan), Singh’s journey from a brilliant economist to the Prime Minister of India is a story of dedication, resilience, and intellectual rigor. His early academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his future as a key policy maker. Singh’s advanced education at Panjab University, Oxford, and Cambridge in economics prepared him to navigate India’s complex economic challenges. Dr Singh credited with successfully anchoring the sinking ship of the Indian economy by ushering in bold economic reforms under Prime Minister P V Narasimha. It is in this backdrop.”No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come. The emergence of India as a major economic power is one such idea,” he had said in his 1991 Budget Speech. Facing a severe balance of payments crisis and an economy on the brink of collapse, he implemented bold reforms that laid the foundation for the country’s economic transformation. Singh’s liberalization measures, such as dismantling the License Raj, reducing trade tariffs, devaluing the rupee, and promoting foreign direct investment, were revolutionary. These steps, though initially controversial, unleashed the potential of India’s economy, spurring growth and positioning the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Under his leadership, India witnessed unprecedented economic reforms that are often credited with changing the global perception of the Indian economy. Beyond growth, Dr. Singh’s tenure was marked by a profound commitment to inclusive development. His government focused on bridging the gap between economic growth and social welfare. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), passed in 2005, provided 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households, drastically improving livelihoods in India’s heartland, and Provided bedrock support during Covid 19 cricis. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 further reflected his vision for an equitable society by ensuring subsidized food for over two-thirds of the Indian . Moreover, the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which made education free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14, ensured that the fruits of India’s economic success reached the most marginalized sections of society. In the political arena, Dr. Singh’s leadership was characterized by a steady and pragmatic approach to governance. Known for his calm demeanor and intellectual depth, Singh often navigated through turbulent political waters with grace. Singh was also instrumental in the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2005, which empowered Citizens against State and made Govt Accountable and Transparent. His tenure as Prime Minister (2004-2014) saw India grow at an average annual rate of 8%, lifting millions out of poverty, even as he faced multiple challenges, from coalition politics to global economic crises. Yet, despite the controversies that often surrounded his government, Singh’s contributions to India’s rise on the global stage remain undeniable. As he once remarked, “I have no regrets,” his legacy as a key architect of modern India’s economic and social development endures, cementing his place as one of the nation’s most influential leaders. This recognition of his own contributions, however, has grown considerably in the years following his tenure. Addressing a press conference in January 2014, in what was one of his last media interactions, Singh had said, “I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister ... I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter the Opposition in Parliament. Surely history is kinder to him. Adil Jameel , AA(P), Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj UT of J and K
Oh for heavens’s sake, get a room. Actually don’t. This is, on reflection, a global spectator sport. But show a little restraint. People are watching. Including, it seemed for much of the first half at the London Stadium, the entire West Ham defence. There were times during those 49 wild minutes when Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard seemed to be playing pretty much in the same pocket of air, like a pair of hummingbirds, beautifully conjoined. Footballers who work together like this are often said to have an understanding or a relationship. This was the real thing. You complete me. No, seriously. Just look at the numbers. This was Ødegaard’s third start in eight days since slipping back into the team just before the international break. There had been so much talk about what his return might mean, with all due caution about overloading one player with superhero problem‐solving powers. But the team really has bloomed under his hand, or in Saka’s case rebloomed, bloomed a little more. By the break here Arsenal were running at 13 goals in their last two and a half games, nine of them assisted or scored by Saka and Ødegaard, with Saka’s personal tally three goals and four assists. Ødegaard’s return hasn’t just been a boost. This has been a homecoming. It’s the end of The Railway Children out there. Daddy’s back, walking out of the steam in his tweed coat and homburg hat. And everything’s going to be different now. At least, it is against this West Ham defence. For long periods in that first half the home team simply didn’t apply any resistance to this process, reduced to the football equivalent of one of those paper‐thin wasabi seaweed crackers, all branding and plastic, a little colouring and sheen, but basically not really there. By half-time Saka and Ødegaard had taken 60 touches between them, just under a third of West Ham’s total from one to 11. Those are all touches near your goal, by the best players in the opposition team, often in space, allowed to dream and twirl and basically dance in each other’s eyeline. Around this Arsenal and West Ham dished up a genuinely crazy game of football. It took 10 minutes to open the scoring. Pablo Sanz, West Ham’s designated set-piece sidekick, had appeared next to Julen Lopetegui for Arsenal’s first corner, matching up the Arteta‐Tover double act. As the ball was sent fizzing into the back of the West Ham net Sanz just turned and walked back, shoulders hunched, and it really is a long way in this ground, the walk of set‐piece shame. The delivery from Saka was a flat, hard skimmer. Arsenal had lumped the back post with the usual knot of black shirts, kettling West Ham in their own area. There was the familiar phalanx advance as the ball came in, all blocks and closed lanes, players there just to eat up space while Gabriel, the running back in this scrimmage, goes hunting for the ball. His marker Michail Antonio was still pressing through the crowd like a flustered shopper as the ball was headed past Lukasz Fabianski. The London Stadium had been at its cavernous best at kick-off, a vast hanger of cold, white light, still weirdly angled, as though someone has just jammed this giant Lego structure down on its base and crunched it about until it sticks. At which point, enter: the madness. By half-time the scoreline read West Ham 2-5 Arsenal, as it would stay to the end, five of those goals in the space of 13 minutes. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Arsenal’s second was the high point of the Ødegaard-Saka fever, a goal so elegant it felt almost sarcastic. Saka started and ended the key combination, cutting inside down one of those wormholes that is somehow invisible to every opponent, laying the ball back to Ødegaard, then carrying on because he knows now what happens when you do this. The pass back into Saka’s path was a thing of beauty, floated like a soap bubble through the damp Stratford air, and also through the human props posing as West Ham defenders. Saka took the ball on his thigh then laid it sideways to Leandro Trossard to score. Six minutes later it was Saka again, this time slaloming through the claret flags and winning a penalty kick that he then presented to Ødegaard, not actually down on one knee in the restaurant but almost. Ødegaard duly buried it. That made it a 34-minute hat‐trick of goal involvements for Saka, which presumably means he gets to take home the pump that blew up the match ball. Arsenal’s fourth two minutes later was more fine play but also a little sickly because it involved West Ham just standing and watching Trossard’s perfect pass over the top for Kai Havertz. Even training cones have some kind of presence. This was frankly a disgrace to the cone. West Ham pulled a couple of goals back. Saka put away a penalty right on half-time after Fabianski decided to deal with another inswinging corner by punching Gabriel in the head. Go for the high ball, but it’s not a free hit. This isn’t purge night. And that was pretty much that, prelude to a languid postcoital cheroot of a second half. Ground may have been lost in the meantime. But this felt like the full resumption of a beautiful friendship.Forrest's 30 lead N.C. A&T past North Carolina Central 85-72
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Vor Biopharma Inc. recently disclosed in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that on December 26, 2024, the company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors. Under this agreement, Vor Biopharma agreed to issue and sell an aggregate of 55,871,260 shares of its common stock, along with accompanying warrants, to purchase up to 69,839,075 shares of common stock. The price per share and Common Stock Warrant was set at $0.99425, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $55.6 million from this private placement. The Private Placement is scheduled to close on December 30, 2024, with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company acting as the sole placement agent for the transaction. The proceeds from this offering are intended to fund the clinical and preclinical development of Vor Biopharma’s pipeline candidates and for general corporate purposes. Additionally, Vor Biopharma announced its expectation to release updated clinical data from its Phase 1/2 VBP301 trial of VCAR33 ALLO in the first half of 2025 and from the Phase 1/2a VBP101 trial of trem-cel in combination with Mylotarg in the second half of 2025. The net proceeds from the Private Placement are anticipated to extend the company’s cash runway through the announcement of updated data from these trials in 2025. The securities offered through this Private Placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are sold in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The company emphasized that the Private Placement did not involve a public offering and was made without general solicitation or advertising. The company also issued a press release on December 27, 2024, disclosing the details of the Private Placement. This information, including the press release, is not deemed filed for regulatory purposes and is not incorporated by reference into any future filings with the SEC. Investors should note that forward-looking statements found in this report are subject to various risks and uncertainties, as detailed in the company’s filings with the SEC. Vor Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read Vor Biopharma’s 8K filing here . About Vor Biopharma ( Get Free Report ) Vor Biopharma Inc operates as a clinical-stage cell and genome engineering company. Its lead product is tremtelectogene empogeditemcel (trem-cel), an engineered hematopoietic stem cell (eHSC) product candidate that is in phase 1/2 trial to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hematological malignancies. See Also( MENAFN - IANS) Jaipur, Dec 1 (IANS) Micron India delegation on Saturday met Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at his official residence on Saturday. The delegation informed the Chief Minister about the Semiconductor plant being set up in Gujarat. On this occasion, detailed discussions were held regarding providing employment opportunities to skilled engineers, technicians and operators from Rajasthan in the plant. Sharma said that the youth of Rajasthan are making a distinct identity in every field with their skills and efficiency by acquiring technical and higher education. The Chief Minister directed the officials to get Micron India to enter into an agreement with the Industrial Training Institutes of the state government so that along with the preparation of necessary training modules, the youth can also get employment opportunities in the company. The delegation members said that Micron India has plants operating in various countries of the world. Skilled youth of the state will also get excellent employment opportunities in these plants. The Chief Minister said that he is happy to know that the company wants to invest in the field of skill development in Rajasthan. On this occasion, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Ajitabh Sharma, Principal Secretary, Chief Minister's Office, Alok Gupta, Joint Secretary, Chief Minister's Office, Siddharth Sihag, Micron India's Assembly and Test Operation Global Head, Gursharan Singh, Director and Amarinder Sidhu were present. It needs to be mentioned here that officials of several companies have been visiting Rajasthan in the wake of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit which is scheduled to be held from December 9-12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Summit in Jaipur on December 9. Chief Minister Sharma said that the three-day event will be inaugurated by PM Modi at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Sitapura. He said that the state government is engaged in mission mode to complete the preparations and arrangements. Sharma took stock of the preparations for this event here on Thursday. He reviewed various arrangements by travelling from Jaipur Airport to the venue in a bus and gave instructions to the officials. Sharma was accompanied by industry minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and a team of officials MENAFN30112024000231011071ID1108941640 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.'Christmas comes early for SC:' Graham hopeful for economy under Trump