New York: Low-income Americans who voted for Donald Trump say they are counting on him to keep their benefits intact even while his Cabinet picks and Republican lawmakers call on him to reduce federal spending, reported The Washington Post on Thursday. Fifty percent of voters from families with an income of less than 50,000 U.S. dollars a year cast their ballots for Trump, according to Census data, compared with 48 percent for Vice President Kamala Harris. Four years ago, Joe Biden carried those voters by 11 percentage points; Hillary Clinton won them by 12 points in 2016 and Barack Obama by 22 points in 2012. "Americans of all backgrounds elected President Trump because of his plans to lower costs, end the financial drain of illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can continue to care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security," said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for his transition team. "Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Trump has chosen to lead a new nongovernmental advisory panel, the Department of Government Efficiency, have said they want to trim $2 trillion from the government's annual budget, a cut that some experts say could be accomplished only by slashing entitlement programs," noted the report. Trump's pick for White House budget director was a key architect of Project 2025, a plan drawn up by conservatives to guide his second term that calls for steep cuts to programs such as food stamps. And GOP leaders in Congress and Trump advisers are considering significant changes to Medicaid, food stamps and other federal aid, it added.
LEADER OF THE LABOUR Party, Ivana Bacik has hit out at Sinn Féin and said that she has “difficulties” describing it as a left-wing party. In an interview with , the Dublin Bay South TD said her party has “huge ideological differences” with the three biggest political parties in the State – Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. On Sinn Féin, Bacik said she would describe the party as “populist” and argued it has taken positions, particularly on taxation and climate change, that are “at odds with left-wing parties” and not “credible”. “They themselves would acknowledge their guiding force is nationalism and not social democracy or socialism,” Bacik argued. Sinn Féin has long described itself as a left-wing nationalist party, with its members sitting in The Left group of the European Parliament. However, in recent times, the party has struggled internally with a clash in values. In particular, Bacik pointed to the party’s record on climate change; its “flip flop” on the Nature Restoration Law at EU level and its opposition to the carbon tax nationally (something other parties on the left, such as People Before Profit are also opposed to). On the Nature Restoration Law, Bacik said: “I mean, the biggest innovation on tackling climate at EU level and Sinn Féin vote against it? Bacik also pointed to the party’s proposal to scrap the property tax as a stance that doesn’t align with traditional left-wing ideology. “That’s a wealth tax. It’s a tax on assets. And I always had the belief that for us on the left, the party of work, party of the trade union movement, our focus in taxation must be on wealth and not on work,” Bacik said. As part of its pitch to voters in this election, the Labour Party is not proposing any increase in income tax, but Bacik said she does believe that a solid and fair tax base should be a priority for government. The Labour Party currently has six TDs in the Dáil, with one, Seán Sherlock not seeking re-election. In this election, it is running 32 candidates and Bacik is hoping to build on what they have. The party was once one of the “big three” parties in the country, but after dropping to just seven TDs in 2016 after its stint in government it has not yet managed to return to its 2011 high of 37 TDs. During this election, it has been reported that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been eyeing up the Labour Party as a possible junior coalition partner to replace the Greens, an idea Bacik has dismissed as “arrogant”. But Bacik has long talked about her party being “serious” about going into government. Is she willing to do that no matter the cost to her party’s future? On the suggestion that Labour would risk a hammering from the electorate, similar to 2011 if it went into government with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, Bacik makes the point that both parties have “wasted a decade of prosperity” and what she and her Labour colleagues want to see is real change in communities. “And the best, the only way, to deliver change is through going into government,” she said. She is firm though that her first priority, if re-elected, will be to form a “common platform” on the left, namely with the Green Party and the Social Democrats, to go into any government formation talks together. Taoiseach Simon Harris rejected this idea on Friday in an interview with the Irish Times, but Bacik said it is “presumptuous” and “arrogant” for him to categorically rule anyone out at this point. She also pushed back on the idea that a coalition involving a number of smaller parties on the left would be unstable, arguing that a clear policy platform would counter this. Bacik’s “biggest fear” is that the next government would be any of the three biggest parties in coalition with a group of Independents or “far-right Independents”. “Then we will see not only a lack of stability in government, but a really, seriously dangerous set of policies being adopted that will set us back on climate action. That’s a real fear, as we see with Trump, and will not guarantee the state investment in housing and care that is needed and that people are looking for.” In particular, Bacik said she would be “very worried” about the prospect of Aontú or Independent Ireland being in government. On incoming US President Donald Trump, Bacik spoke of how, as the mother of teenagers, she was “deeply distressed” to see Trump re-elected. She said his presidency for the next four years will likely set back climate action “irrevocably” and argued that this means greater action is needed domestically. “The Greens have been talking about their time in government, but even with their efforts, at best, the EPA are saying we’re only on target to achieve 29% emission reductions by 2030. The EU binding goal is 51%. That’s absolutely terrifying. “So we need to see a collective mass, a critical mass, of TDs in the next government who are committed to climate action, whatever party they’re from. We need that common platform on environmental issues, as we do on housing and on childcare,” Bacik said. Elsewhere, Bacik made the point that some of the criticism of Justice Minister Helen McEntee from political candidates in this election has been gendered. “I would be very concerned about that. As a former criminal practitioner, I have a lot of criticisms of the Justice Minister’s approach, particularly on policing,” Bacik said, highlighting in particular a failure to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of gardaí. “So I have criticisms for the Justice Minister, but I absolutely refute any attempt to make gendered criticisms. And to suggest, as , in this sort of phony war that’s going on between the two [parties], that she’s somehow at fault for having taken time of for maternity leave is unacceptable.” Earlier this week, Tánaiste Micheál Martin defended comments made by junior minister James Browne, that referenced times McEntee was replaced by colleagues while on maternity leave, and said they wereAI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness itShares of food and beverage maker Kraft Heinz Co ($KHC) were down 0.3% on Monday as the company received a price target reduction by analyst firm Mizuho, with retail sentiment sliding. Mizuho lowered the firm's price target to $38 from $41 with an Outperform rating, The Fly.com reported, citing “continued uncertainty about demand related to GLP-1s and new regulatory concerns” that are likely to limit investor appetites to own the space in the near term. According to the firm, 2025 will begin with near 20-year valuation lows compared to the S&P 500 and has softer expectations for earnings per share as volumes and pricing power are constrained. Retail sentiment on the stock has turned bearish from neutral a week ago. Message volumes have remained low. According to Investing.com, the stock appeared undervalued as it reflected a significant retreat from its previous levels, showing a strong contrast from its track record and performance last year. In November, Kraft was reportedly facing a possible class action lawsuit about its Mac & Cheese product based on claims it misled consumers about containing no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes. "We stand fully behind our product and are proud of its quality," the company said. "We strongly believe that this lawsuit has no merit and look forward to our day in court." For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com. Celta fight back to hold 10-man Barca to 2-2 drawIsraeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from Gaza hospital, officials sayAitken Spence Travels walked away with the coveted title of Best Travel Agent Inbound – Large Category, Best Cruise Lines Operator and Best Professional MICE Organizer at the recently concluded Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024 organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels Nalin Jayasundera receiving the award for the Best Travel Agent – Inbound/ Large to Aitken Spence Travels These accolades underline Aitken Spence Travels’ leadership and commitment to the continuous development of the tourism sector. They highlight the company’s dedication to destination marketing, innovation, best practices, and its significant contributions to uplifting industry standards and driving growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. As the Best Travel Agent in the large category, Aitken Spence Travels exemplifies excellence. Furthermore, the company leads the way in cruise line operations, accounting for over 65% of the market and setting the standards for Sri Lanka as a premier multiport destination. Solidifying its strength, Aitken Spence Travels was also recognized as the Best Professional MICE Organizer. The judging criteria encompassed a broad spectrum of key performance areas, including audited financial performance, corporate social responsibility initiatives, environmental stewardship, business and marketing strategies, customer care, human resource management, and sustainability practices. Nalin Jayasundera Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels stated, “Our unparalleled contribution has enabled us to serve over 234,976 happy visitors beyond boundaries during FY 23/24.” “We were the largest room inventory buyer during this period, purchasing the highest number of room nights and helping to keep the wheels of the nation’s tourism industry turning by working closely with transport, accommodation providers, and other suppliers.” Furthermore, we have been the largest contributor to the Tourism Development Levy (TDL) and have significantly contributed to the growth of foreign exchange from the tourism sector. Stasshani Jayawardena, Head of the Tourism Sector for Aitken Spence PLC commented, “We are immensely grateful to our joint venture partner, TUI (the world’s largest integrated tourism company), led by TUI Travel PLC Sebastian Ebel, for their continued unwavering support.” Apple’s latest iPhones get the gift of more AI as holiday shopping season heats up SL exporters participate in SIAL Paris 2024Trump's TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app's fateThe 50 best wines under $50 from our critic, who tasted 4,223 NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes got back to climbing on Wednesday after the latest update on inflation appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the Federal Reserve . The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to break its first two-day losing streak in nearly a month and finished just short of its all-time high. Big Tech stocks led the way, which drove the Nasdaq composite up 1.8% to top the 20,000 level for the first time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, lagged the market with a dip of 99 points, or 0.2%. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.FSK Completes Public Offering of $100 million 6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2030 Manmohan Singh's father may have believed his bookworm son would one day lead India, but the understated technocrat with the trademark blue turban, who died Thursday at the age of 92, never dreamed it would actually happen. Singh was pitchforked into leading the world's largest democracy in 2004 by the shock decision of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to turn down the role after leading the party to an upset win over the ruling Hindu nationalists. He oversaw an economic boom in Asia's fourth-largest economy in his first term, although slowing growth in later years marred his second stint. Known as "Mr Clean", Singh nonetheless saw his image tarnished during his decade-long tenure when a series of corruption cases became public. As finance minister in the early 1990s, he was hailed at home and abroad for initiating big-bang reforms that opened India's inward-looking economy to the world. Known as a loyalist to the Gandhi political dynasty, Singh studied economics to find a way to eradicate poverty in the vast nation and never held elected office before becoming PM. But he deftly managed the rough and tumble of Indian politics -- even though many said Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born widow of the assassinated Rajiv Gandhi, was the power behind the throne. Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah in what is now Pakistan, Singh moved to the holy Sikh city of Amritsar as a teenager around the time the subcontinent was split at the end of British rule into mainly Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. His father was a dry-fruit seller in Amritsar, and he had nine brothers and sisters. He was so determined to get an education he would study at night under streetlights because it was too noisy at home, his brother Surjit Singh told AFP in 2004. "Our father always used to say Manmohan will be the prime minister of India since he stuck out among the 10 children," said Singh. "He always had his nose in a book." Singh won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and Oxford, where he completed his PhD. He worked in a string of senior civil posts, served as a central bank governor and also held various jobs with global agencies such as the United Nations. Singh was tapped in 1991 by then Congress prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to reel India back from the worst financial crisis in its modern history -- currency reserves had sunk so low the country was on the brink of defaulting on foreign loans. Singh unleashed sweeping change that broke sharply with India's Soviet-style state-directed economy. In his first term he steered the economy through a period of nine-percent growth, lending the country the international clout it had long sought. He also sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the US that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs. But by 2008 there was growing disquiet among the ruling alliance's left-leaning parties about the pact, while high inflation -- notably food and fuel prices -- hit India's poor hard. Still, voters remained drawn to his calm, pragmatic persona, and in 2009 Congress steered its alliance to a second term. Singh vowed to step up financial reforms to drive economic growth, but he came under increasing fire from critics who said he had done nothing to stop a string of corruption scandals on his watch. Several months before the 2014 elections, Singh said he would retire after the polls, with Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul earmarked to take his place if Congress won. But Congress crashed to its worst-ever result at that time as the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Narendra Modi, won a landslide. More recently, an unflattering book by a former aide titled "The Accidental Prime Minister" portrayed him as timid and controlled by Sonia Gandhi. Singh -- who said historians would be kinder to him than contemporary detractors -- became a vocal critic of Modi's economic policies, and more recently warned about the risks that rising communal tensions posed to India's democracy. pmc-grk/abh/fox/leg/smsTaoiseach Simon Harris said he also wanted to tell Nikita Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh, that her case had prompted an increase in women coming forward to ask for support. Ms Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital on Friday. The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro (£206,714.31). Mr McGregor said in a post on social media on Friday that he intends to appeal against the decision. That post has since been deleted. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mr Harris said he told Ms Hand of the support she has from people across Ireland. “I spoke with Nikita today and I wanted to thank her for her incredible bravery and her courage,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that she knew how much solidarity and support there was across this country for her bravery. “I also wanted to make sure she knew of what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre had said yesterday – that so many other women have now come forward in relation to their own experiences of sexual abuse as a result of Nikita’s bravery.” The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the case has had a “profound effect” on the people the charity supports, and that over the first 10 days of the High Court case, calls to its national helpline increased by almost 20%. It said that first-time callers increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, and were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence who were distressed and anxious from the details of case and the views people had to it. Mr Harris said: “I wanted to speak with her and I wanted to wish her and her daughter, Freya, all the very best night, and I was very grateful to talk with Nikita today. “Her bravery, her courage, her voice has made a real difference in a country in which we must continue to work to get to zero tolerance when it comes to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “I don’t want to say too much more, because conscious there could be further legal processes, but I absolutely want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her courage, for using her voice.” Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Ms Hand’s bravery and said she had shown “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. She said: “I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been – I’ve no doubt – a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family. She added: “Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day.” Ms Hand said in a statement outside court on Friday that she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to keep “pushing forward for justice”. Describing the past six years as “a nightmare”, she said: “I want to show (my daughter) Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” During the case, Ms Hand said she was “disappointed and upset” when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to prosecute the case after she made a complaint to the Irish police. In a letter to her in August 2020, the DPP said there was “insufficient evidence” and there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous. Asked about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Mr Harris and Ms McEntee stressed the importance of the DPP’s independence on whether to prosecute. “There are obviously structures in place where the DPP can meet a victim and can outline to them their reasons for not taking the case,” Mr Harris said. “But there’s also always an opportunity for the DPP in any situation – and I speak broadly in relation to this – to review a decision, to consider any new information that may come to light, and I don’t want to say anything that may ever cut across the ongoing work of the DPP.” Ms McEntee stressed that there should “never be any political interference” in the independence of the DPP’s decisions. “I have, since becoming minister, given priority to and enabled a new office within the DPP to open specifically focused on sexual offences, so that this issue can be given the focus and the priority that it needs,” she said.