I'm A Celeb star Marvin Humes shares baby plans with This Morning presenter wife RochelleTrending celebrity relationships in 2024
WASHINGTON — When Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the businesspeople whom President-elect Donald Trump tapped to lead his new Department of Government Efficiency, met with lawmakers in early December, they laid out their plans for cutting federal spending and eliminating waste. Less than two weeks later, they helped topple a 1,500-page spending bill and brought the federal government to the brink of a shutdown over objections to the billions of dollars of so-called pork spending in the legislation. But the streamlined package that lawmakers ultimately passed failed to offer spending restraint. During the negotiations, Trump even called for abolishing the nation’s statutory debt limit, which Republicans have long used as a tool for forcing painful budget cuts. The frenzy demonstrated the clout Musk and Ramaswamy have as they establish their new waste-cutting enterprise. But the outcome also underscored the limits the initiative will face as it tries to curb spending. In recent decades, the federal government has become increasingly sprawling and Congress has become more fractious, making it difficult to put a dent in a national debt that has topped $36 trillion. In under a month, Trump will assume the presidential megaphone with Musk and Ramaswamy as his spending enforcers. But budget experts see little hope that the three will be able to meaningfully shift the nation’s fiscal trajectory. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the national debt will reach 166% of gross domestic product by 2054, up from about 99% of GDP at the end of 2024. “They have no authorities whatsoever,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who served as chief economist in President George W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers. “They don’t control the scope of government. They don’t control the size of government.” Holtz-Eakin, who also served as the director of the Congressional Budget Office, noted that Congress has the power of the purse and suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency would be little more than a think tank. “They have the bully pulpit, but that’s truly it,” he said. Musk and Ramaswamy have said that they want to cut $2 trillion of federal spending over an unspecified period of time by shrinking government agencies and eliminating fraud and waste. That is nearly the size of the 2024 fiscal year deficit alone and just a sliver of the $20 trillion that the U.S. is projected to borrow over the next decade. House Republican leaders have floated a pledge to cut $2.5 trillion in “mandatory” spending, which typically goes toward programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, and to raise the debt limit in separate legislation next year. The United States spent $6.7 trillion in 2024, including more than $800 billion on the military. But the bulk of the country’s spending comes from mandatory programs including Social Security and Medicare, along with soaring interest expenses. Those costs are expected to continue rising as the population ages and more people begin claiming retirement and health care benefits. Trump has pledged not to cut entitlement programs, and Republicans are loath to slash military spending. That leaves scant space to scale back the biggest drivers of the debt. “While it’s good to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, to the extent that you are not focusing on the 50% of the federal spending, which is entitlement programs, you’re not really going to make a big dent in our debt and deficits,” said William Hoagland, a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Hoagland recalled that fiscal commissions had been tried before and often with only limited success. In 1982, for instance, President Ronald Reagan created the Grace Commission, in which a group of business leaders were asked to work like “tireless bloodhounds” to root out inefficiency. Most of the group’s recommendations never came to fruition, however, because Congress would have been required to change laws. A slew of fiscal reform commissions have been formed and disbanded over the past 40 years as the national debt as a share of the economy has only continued to grow. The United States has not had an annual budget surplus since 2001. The Department of Government Efficiency is not an official government agency and will have no formal power to cut federal spending. The group intends to work with lawmakers in Congress and the Office of Management and Budget to look for federal rules that can be changed to reduce spending. Trump has also discussed “impounding” funds that were allocated by Congress for certain programs and redirecting the money to pay down debt. And Musk and Ramaswamy have been combing through Government Accountability Office reports as they seek out parts of the government that they believe are mismanaging taxpayer money. Groups that promote fiscal restraint such as the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget have suggested as much as $700 billion of deficit reduction measures, but many of them would be politically arduous to enact. Some of the policies of Trump and Republicans are at odds with the public mantra of belt tightening and eliminating fraud. The president-elect has made clear that he wants to weaken the enforcement powers of the IRS, which would make it harder for the agency to track down tax evaders and to efficiently collect tax revenue. Rescinding more of the $80 billion the IRS was allocated in 2022 to crack down on tax cheats and modernize technology is projected to add to deficits. As lawmakers talk about spending cuts and deficit reduction, they are preparing an expansion of the 2017 tax cuts that could cost more than $4 trillion over a decade. That would far surpass the $2.5 trillion of spending cuts that House Republicans pledged during the latest spending fight to enact early next year. “I do worry that they’re going to talk about government efficiency and trying to lower spending and then use that money to pay for things like tax cuts,” said Keith Hall, who served as director of the Congressional Budget Office from 2015 to 2019. Despite Trump’s recent interest in shrinking government, the self-described “king of debt” has not shown a propensity for fiscal restraint. The national debt grew by nearly $8 trillion during Trump’s first term as a result of tax cuts and increased government spending, including two rounds of pandemic aid. In 2018, Trump called for a return to earmarks, the practice of stealthily stuffing funding for pet projects into legislation, to help ease gridlock in Congress. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that his policies could add as much as $15 trillion to the debt over a decade. During the most recent spending fight, Trump broke with conservative orthodoxy on the debt limit. The borrowing cap has long been a prized source of leverage for Republicans to exact spending cuts from Democrats, but Trump urged his party to suspend the cap beyond his term or do away with it entirely. “For years Congress, and everyone else, wanted to terminate ‘the Debt Ceiling,’ and this is the time to do so!” Trump wrote on social media. Fiscal hawk Republicans rebuffed that idea this time, but Trump could in the future try to work with Democrats, who have for years called for abolishing the debt limit, to eliminate it. Bharat Ramamurti, who was deputy director of the National Economic Council in the Biden administration, said the outcome of the fiscal showdown showed that Musk and Ramaswamy would have minimal influence to force Congress to spend less. The changes that they helped impose on the legislation, he added, did not actually lower its cost. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you see largely a repeat of Trump Term 1, where at the end of the day, it’s a bunch of spending increases, tax cuts and a large increase to the debt,” Ramamurti said.
With nearly a century's worth of marches under its belt, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be celebrating its 98th run this week. It's been a New York City tradition since the 1920s. Amid your Black Friday shopping and recipe planning, you can add the televised event to your watchlist and stream it from home. In addition to North Pole celebrity Santa Claus, this year's parade is set to include appearances and performances from the Rockettes, Broadway's Death Becomes Her and Hell's Kitchen, Chlöe, The Roots, Coco Jones, Idina Menzel, The Temptations, The War and Treaty, Tom Kenny, Ellie the Elephant, Jennifer Hudson and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Viewers can expect to see floats and balloons returning from last year's parade, but a few new stars will hit the streets. Look out for giant inflatable versions of Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, Dragon Ball's Goku and Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man among the balloons and don't miss Netflix's Wednesday float. Whether you're hosting guests this holiday or relaxing on the couch , you can follow along the route as the festivities kick off from the Upper West Side to Macy's 34th Street Herald Square flagship store. Here's when you can tune in and watch without cable. Read more : Here's How Most People Screw up the Turkey on Thanksgiving, According to an Expert The 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade featured characters from The Nutcracker. What time does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade start? Tune in to the parade on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 a.m. ET (5:30 a.m. PT) until 12 p.m. ET . If you're worried about missing it, don't fret because NBC will air an encore at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Today's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker are hosting the event, which will stream exclusively on Peacock at the same time that it's broadcast on NBC. Football fans can then lock in for the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, which will stream later that evening. Peacock offers two plans: Premium for $8 a month with ads, or ad-free Peacock Premium Plus for $14 per month. We'll note there are some ads on Premium Plus subscription due to content licensing agreements. Students should check to see if they qualify for a discount and some subscribers may be eligible to get Peacock Premium for free if you're an Instacart or Xfinity customer. Watch the parade on a live TV streaming service Are you a cord-cutter who's dropped cable? Watch this year's parade with a subscription to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Fubo or Sling . Bear in mind that NBC is only available in select cities on Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange subscriptions. The live TV streaming service carries NBC and you can watch content live or on-demand. The platform costs $73 per month, and you can type in your ZIP code to see which local networks are available in your area. Not ready for a full commitment? The service offers a free trial, and right now, new subscribers can receive a limited time discount. Read our YouTube TV review . How to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade using a VPN Perhaps you're traveling abroad and want to stream Peacock while away from home. With a VPN , you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the parade from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too. A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that's passed our tests and security standards. You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you're using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN , but you may opt for another provider from our best list such as Surfshark or NordVPN . If you're looking for a secure and dependable VPN, our Editors' Choice is ExpressVPN. It's fast, works on multiple devices, and provides stable streams. It's normally $13 a month, but you can save money with ExpressVPN's annual plan. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our review of ExpressVPN . Follow the VPN provider's instructions for installation and choose a country where the parade will be streaming on Peacock (i.e. the US). Before you open the streaming app, make sure you're connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the event on more than one device, it's possible you'll need to configure each one to ensure you are signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you're logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you're ready to open Peacock to stream. If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you've followed installation instructions correctly and you've picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access. For more, here's how to prepare for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping this year .Israeli forces have 'killed 704 athletes in Gaza including 94 children'
Propel Holdings Inc. (TSE:PRL) Senior Officer Noah Buchman Sells 18,800 Shares
The Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi Municipal Corporation conducted a massive anti-encroachment drive and targeted about 40 vegetable shops. On December 26, the municipal authorities bulldozed approximately 40 shops near the Chitra intersection under the Nawabad police station, destroying vegetables worth lakhs of rupees. The drive sparked immediate public outrage and protest. In response to the demolition, local shopkeepers and residents staged a protest and blocked the road, raising slogans against the municipal administration. The street shopkeepers alleged the municipal authorities did not give them a chance to remove their vegetables before bulldozing. The protesters argued that they often lack alternative spaces to conduct their businesses, and such sudden demolitions severely impact their livelihood. Amid the chaotic scene, the municipal commissioner rushed to the spot to intervene. He condemned the incident and sought clarification from the encroachment in-charge. The senior official stated that departmental action would be taken. #झांसी पूंजी पतियों भ्रष्टाचारियों की शब्जी दुकानों में चला योगी जी का बुलडोजर, सीपरी पुल के पास नगर निगम की निगरानी में हुई बड़ी कार्यवाही। pic.twitter.com/o0GBiZ3wit Such anti-encroachment drives are common in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has been constantly pursuing a bulldozer policy for the removal of “unauthorized structures” and encroachments from public properties. However, the officials claim that vendors are usually given several warnings before such measures are taken.NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exciting Black Friday event filled with exclusive discounts and unbeatable offers on Monport Laser's cutting-edge machines, the excitement isn't over just yet. Monport Laser is keeping the momentum alive with a highly anticipated Cyber Monday Sale . This December 2 , get ready for exclusive savings, premium deals, and unparalleled opportunities to upgrade your laser engraving game. 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Shoppers are encouraged to sign up on Monport's official website to stay informed about Cyber Monday updates. By signing up, you'll receive exclusive reminders, ensuring you're the first to know when the sale goes live. About Monport Laser Monport Laser is a global leader in laser engraving and cutting solutions, providing reliable and innovative tools for hobbyists, professionals, and businesses. With a focus on precision, durability, and customer support, Monport is committed to empowering creators and helping businesses grow with their state-of-the-art engraving technology. Contact Information Email : [email protected] Website : www.monportlaser.com Address : Monport Tech Inc., 300 Lenora St 878, Seattle, WA 98121-2411, United States SOURCE Monport Laser
GRAND FORKS — Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley isn't particularly excited to see Carter Wilkie again this weekend. "I had a couple of goals and good games against them," said Wilkie, a UND senior center. ADVERTISEMENT That's an understatement. Wilkie, a junior at RIT last season, played six games against the Colonials. He scored six goals and tallied 12 points. That means 37.5 percent of his goals and 29.3 percent of his points last season came against Robert Morris. Wilkie, who transferred to UND in the offseason for his final year of college eligibility, will get one more shot at the Colonials. UND and Robert Morris will play in a two-game nonconference series at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena. "They're a hard-working team," Wilkie said. "They definitely know how to play simple and fast. They move the puck north really well. Their team has obviously had a lot of changeover. They had a lot of fifth years (last year). I don't know exactly what they have brought in this year, but they're pretty well-coached and I'm expecting a hard match." Wilkie has been a consistent two-way player for UND but his offense has dried up recently. He enters this weekend on a six-game point drought and a nine-game goal drought. His line with Mac Swanson and Ben Strinden had strong analytics last weekend against the University of Denver. ADVERTISEMENT "I just want to see us play a dominant game and a full 60 minutes," Wilkie said. "We've had a lot of consistent stretches, it's just losing it after a couple moments. It's costing us goals. I really want to see 60 minutes out of our group and piece together two solid games, get back on the same page and get our season rolling, especially in the wins column." Wilkie said he expects to get Robert Morris' best. "Playing in Atlantic Hockey and coming to games like this and in an atmosphere like The Ralph, they're obviously going to be excited and tuned in to play their best game," Wilkie said. "We've got to be ready." Wilkie said a key is playing simple against the Colonials and not trying to be too fancy. "Hopefully, I can keep the lasting memory of them not wanting to see me anymore," Wilkie said. Injured players progressing UND is slowly progressing on the injury front. Defenseman Tanner Komzak is expected to be available this weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Komzak was cleared for practice Thursday last week. He dressed for Saturday's series finale but didn't play any shifts. "That was more about if something went wrong or if someone got hurt, he could be put into play," UND coach Brad Berry said. "It was probably unfair to him to play him, because he only had one practice. He's been out two or three weeks. "(Now), he's had a full week of practice." Berry said freshman defenseman Andrew Strathmann, who was injured Nov. 1 at Cornell, is "way ahead of expected." Strathmann has returned to practice. "When he got diagnosed coming out of Cornell, it looked like it was maybe longterm with a surgery included," Berry said. "The surgery didn't take place. He's really responded from therapy. He's in some heavy contact drills, some we're keeping him out of." Strathmann won't play against Robert Morris, but he could play before Christmas break. UND plays a home-and-home with Bemidji State next week, then travels to Miami before hosting St. Cloud State. ADVERTISEMENT Forward Cody Croal practiced for the first time Thursday. He did not take contact. Defenseman Bennett Zmolek still is not practicing. UND expects to know more on his timeline next week. He's currently listed as "out indefinitely." Goalie Kaleb Johnson also is "out indefinitely." Center Cameron Berg also will miss this weekend's series. The Fighting Hawks have yet to win this season without Berg in the lineup (5-2 with him, 0-4 without him). Will Dane Montgomery stay on defense? Junior forward Dane Montgomery has been moved to defense to fill in for the injured blue liners. He had points in his first four full games on defense. Once UND starts to regain health on the blue line, will UND leave him there? "It's a great question," Berry said. "As of now, yes. He's done a lot to help out or D-corps back there, not only defensively but offensively. Once we get guys back, we'll make that decision. That depends what our forward group looks like here, too. ADVERTISEMENT "As of now, he will be (on defense). At the end of the day, we'll keep looking forward. But I'll tell you what — what a positive, positive impact he's had on our group." Robert Morris at No. 12 UND When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday. Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena. TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD). Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Stream: NCHChockey.com.
Share prices for Hasbro stock shot up on November 29 after Elon Musk teased his interest in purchasing the company to secure the rights to Dungeons & Dragons. The billionaire CEO of Space X and X/Twitter first hinted at the prospect of purchasing the toy company on November 28 after taking issue with comments made by D&D Product Lead Jason Tondro in the 40th Anniversary ‘Making of D&D’ book. Hasbro acquired the Dungeons & Dragons IP in 1999 when it purchased rights holder Wizards of the Coast, which also publishes Magic: The Gathering. In response to further comments made by Tondro, Musk queried on November 28, “How much is Hasbro?”, suggesting his interest in purchasing the multi-billion dollar company. Serious or not, Hasbro’s share price subsequently shot up after Musk’s post. Hasbro’s stock shoots up Following a largely unremarkable period of minor peaks and troughs, Hasbro’s stock price spiked on November 29, less than a day after Musk questioned the company’s worth. Between November 29 and 30, the share price rose by 1.97%, peaking at over $66 per share before closing. While Musk’s casual interest in acquiring yet another global brand isn’t conclusively the reason that Hasbro’s value increased, the timing is correlative, to say the least. Were the world’s richest man to seriously consider putting in an offer for Hasbro, a more substantial increase wouldn’t be surprising. How likely that outcome would be is anyone’s guess, but Musk isn’t unfamiliar with the hobby. His love of Diablo 4 has been well-documented, ranking as 46th on Helltides.com ‘s global Artificer’s Pit leaderboards for Season 6. On November 20, Musk posted footage of himself conquering level 150 of Artificer’s Pit with a total time of 1:52 . If recognized by Helltides, the achievement would put Musk several seconds ahead of the current pole position, Resistance, whose time currently sits at 1:59. Related:PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Decreases Stake in Zebra Technologies Co. (NASDAQ:ZBRA)