Re-grading every NBA Draft night trade from 2022
The 2022 NBA Draft featured several influential trades. With the benefit of hindsight, let's grade each move that was made.The 2022 NBA Draft introduced several future stars into the league. Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick, is already the centerpiece of the Orlando Magic rebuild. Chet Holmgr...
1970-01-01 08:00
Rahul Gandhi in US: Why Indian politicians woo the diaspora
Experts say Indian politicians' engagement with the Indian American diaspora is "unique".
1970-01-01 08:00
Women's Champions League final: Pain of defeat 'motivating' Barcelona ahead of clash with Wolfsburg
The pain of defeat from last season's Women's Champions League final has lingered at Barcelona.
1970-01-01 08:00
Union Action Shuts Some Key West Coast Ports, Employers Say
Labor actions have disrupted work at several key US West Coast port terminals, all of which are part
1970-01-01 08:00
Biden calls for national unity as he hails debt limit agreement in Oval Office address
President Joe Biden on Friday urged Americans not to give up on working across the political aisle to solve national problems as he hailed the bipartisan legislation passed by Congress to stave off a catastrophic default on the nation’s sovereign debt as a good compromise that will protect the economic progress of the past two years. Speaking from the Oval Office during the prime-time television viewing hours — the first time he has addressed the nation from behind the iconic desk hewed from timbers taken from HMS Resolute — Mr Biden said he’d chosen to speak to the American people that night to “report on a crisis averted” and explain what his administration and Congress “are doing to protect America’s future” by enacting the spending agreement negotiated between his aides and top House Republicans. The president said he would sign the legislation on Saturday. “Passing this budget agreement was critical. The stakes could not have been higher,” he said, just moments after he told Americans that the goals of the agreement — “keeping the full, faith, and credit of the United States” and enacting “a budget that continues to grow our economy and reflects our values as a nation” – are “essential” to continuing the progress made during the first two years of his presidency. The president said “nothing” would have been more irresponsible or catastrophic than a failure by the US to pay its bills and laid out the dire consequences that a default would’ve brought on Americans of all stripes. “Our economy would have been thrown in recession. Retirement accounts for millions of Americans would have been decimated, eight million Americans would have lost their jobs. Default would have destroyed our nation’s credit rating, which would have made everything from mortgages to car loans to funding for the government much more expensive and it would have taken years to climb out of that hole — and America standing as the most trusted, reliable financial partner in the world would have been shattered,” he said. While Mr Biden said it was “critical” to reach the agreement he will sign into law and called it “good news for the American people,” he also stressed the necessity of compromise given the realities of Republican control of the House of Representatives and the thin one-seat majority by which his own party controls the Senate, as well as the importance of provisions in the bill that will ensure key social programmes will receive full funding in the next two years. “No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed. We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse,” he said. “We’re cutting spending and bringing deficits down. And, we protected important priorities from Social Security to Medicare to Medicaid to veterans to our transformational investments in infrastructure and clean energy.” He also touted the fact that the agreement preserved legislation like the PACT Act– which extends veteran benefits to service members who suffered health complications from burn pits – and the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the CHIPS and Science Act, which promotes manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States. “Remember at the beginning of this debate, some of my Republican colleagues are determined to get the clean energy investments,” he said. “I said no, we kept them all.” Mr Biden’s remarks came less than 24 hours after the Senate approved the compromise bill by a margin of 63-36, and just over two days after the House of Representatives voted to advance the legislation. They represent the most extensive public comments the president has made on the now-resolved crisis after weeks of silence from the White House. Many in the president’s own party had criticised his reluctance to inject himself into the public discourse surrounding the negotiations. But a source close to the White House end of the process told The Independent on Thursday that Mr Biden’s silence was a deliberate choice, made out of necessity to avoid inflaming Republicans who would need to vote for the legislation to avert what most experts say would have been a worldwide economic disaster brought on by a US debt default. In the end, Mr Biden’s strategy proved successful in preventing Republican opposition from sinking the 11th-hour deal to save the US and world economies, and the White House was able to cajole all but a limited number of Democrats to give their support as well. Of the 51 members of the Senate Democratic caucus, just five joined 31 Republicans in opposition to the measure, which will suspend the nation’s statutory debt limit through the entirety of the 2024 election cycle while implementing limited spending cuts sought by the GOP and enacting some work requirements for non-disabled adults without children between the ages of 50 and 54 to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP and formerly known as food stamps. A number of arch-conservatives in the House of Representatives had criticised the bill as giving away far too much to the White House, and in the end 71 members of the GOP conference voted against it, necessitating Democrats to contribute enough support to pass the GOP-controlled chamber. The bipartisan legislation, which was unveiled earlier this week following marathon negotiations between the White House and the Republican-led House of Representatives, will be signed into law with just two days remaining before the 5 June “X Date,” the day on which Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had projected that the government would exhaust its ability to pay its outstanding debt obligations absent intervention from Congress. The spending and debt ceiling deal is the first major bipartisan agreement between the White House and the House since Mr McCarthy was elected Speaker after a record 15 ballots in January. The president had for months pledged not to negotiate while the GOP held out the possibility of a default as leverage to force him to endorse rolling back much of the legislative accomplishments enacted during his first two years in office, while Mr McCarthy had committed not to allow any bill that would lift the debt limit to move through his chamber absent concessions from the White House. The impasse persisted for months until Mr Biden extended an invitation to Mr McCarthy after the House passed what the GOP dubbed the “Limit, Save, Grow Act” — a bill to lift the debt ceiling and enact massive cuts to government programmes. Negotiations kicked into high gear late last month after the president tapped Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Counsellor to the President Steve Ricchetti — one of his longest-serving and most trusted aides — to engage with two GOP House members chosen by Mr McCarthy, House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry and Louisiana Representative Garret Graves. The president praised House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for undertaking good-faith efforts to move the bill through their respective chambers with deliberate speed. “They acted responsibly and put the good of the country ahead of politics,” he said. “A final vote in both chambers was overwhelming.” He closed his address by emphasizing unity and the importance of “see[ing] each other’s not as adversaries but as fellow Americans” and “treat[ing] each other with dignity and respect” as a way to “lower the temperature” so both parties can “work together ... to pursue progress, secure prosperity and keep the promise of America for everybody”. “I know bipartisanship is hard, and unity is hard, but we can never stop trying because in moments like this one, the ones we just faced, where the American economy in the world economy is at risk of collapsing,” he said. “There’s no other way. With reporting from Andrew Feinberg in New Hampshire and from Eric Garcia in Washington Read More Senate passes debt limit bill after marathon 11 amendment votes to avoid default Angry progressives and conservatives hit out as Democrats push through Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling deal FBI offers to show GOP chairman document that purports to relate to Biden, his family Republicans schedule 1st presidential debate for Aug. 23, but there's no guarantee Trump will attend DeSantis wraps up 1st early states tour as candidate with more personal touch in South Carolina
1970-01-01 08:00
Pregnant influencer in coma after suffering from ruptured aneurysm one week before due date
Social media influencer Jackie Miller James is fighting for her life after entering a medically induced coma just one week before she was set to give birth to her first child. The 35-year-old content creator suffered from an aneurysm rupture, which led to severe brain bleeding and injury. According to a GoFundMe campaign established by her sister Natalie Miller, James was found immediately by her husband, Austin, at their California home. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed an emergency C-section to deliver her daughter, while simultaneously performing brain surgery. The newborn, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she remained for 12 days. James remains in a medically induced coma, her sister said, and has since undergone five separate brain procedures one week after the incident. “Jackie is expected to remain in the ICU for weeks and will continue to be hospitalized for months,” she wrote. Alongside the GoFundMe page, her family included a picture of James meeting her newborn daughter while still in a coma. “Jackie’s husband and family have not left her side since the incident,” Natalie said. “They are navigating taking care of a newborn in the ICU while fighting to keep Jackie alive.” The family members added that they likely would have lost both James and her daughter if they “arrived a few minutes later at the hospital”. “Jackie is continuing to fight for her life each day and we are optimistic she can beat the odds by surrounding her with the right specialists and methods of therapy. While the road will be long, we are committed to bringing Jackie home to her daughter and husband.” The GoFundMe, which has since raised more than $170,000 towards its $250,000 goal, was started to “provide a way for family and friends to help Jackie secure the highest level of care,” including speech therapy, physical therapy, home modifications, and alternative therapies once they know the effects of her aneurysm. Jackie Miller James is known for her beauty and lifestyle social media content with 36k followers on Instagram. She and her husband Austin, who were married in April 2022, announced their baby news on Instagram earlier this year. In March, they revealed they were expecting a baby girl. “I still can’t believe it! Can’t wait to meet this angel in May,” she captioned the video. Fans have since flooded James’ comments section with well-wishes for the influencer. “Praying for you and your family Jackie and can’t wait for the day you get to see your beautiful baby girl,” read one comment under her most recent Instagram post. “Sending all the prayers possible around you and your family,” said someone else. Read More TikTok influencer hospitalised for traumatic brain injury after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Miss Universe finalist Sienna Weir dies aged 23 from tragic horse riding accident Influencer films travel nightmare as hostel fire claims luggage and passports TikTok Influencer hospitalised for after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Alix Earle claims she was ‘stranded’ in Italy after villa turned out to be ‘scam’ Bioré apologises after influencer references school shooting in pore strips ad
1970-01-01 08:00
Trump wants New York judge removed in Manhattan hush-money case
Hours after he was criminally charged with 34 courts of falsifying business records in New York City, Donald Trump retreated to his Mar-a-Lago resort to lambast the “Trump-hating” judge presiding over his case in Manhattan criminal court. Now, lawyers for the former president and frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination are pressing Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself from the case, pointing to his daughter’s political consulting work and small-dollar campaign donations. A court filing made public on 2 June – days after Mr Trump’s virtual court appearance for a hearing to abide by a court order prohibiting his sharing of evidence in the case – also took issue with Mr Merchan’s role in a case involving convicted former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to 15 tax violations in what prosecutors called a years-long fraud scheme. In April, Mr Trump was criminally charged in connection with repayments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen in an alleged hush-money scheme to prevent the release of potentially damaging stories about Mr Trump and his alleged affairs. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty. Attorney for Mr Trump argued that the judge’s daughter’s political consulting work could be seen as an actual or perceived conflict of interest for the judge, and his potential role in the case could “result in a financial benefit” for his daughter who “stands to profit from negative rulings or a conviction” against Mr Trump. Mr Trump’s lawyers also want Mr Merchan to “put on the record relevant information surrounding what appear to be certain political contributions.” Mr Merchan appears to have donated $15 to President Joe Biden campaign and $20 to two advocacy groups in 2020, according to federal campaign finance records. Mr Trump, Cohen and the former owner of the National Enquirer David Pecker allegedly worked in concert to “identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects” leading up to the 2016 presidential election, according to prosecutors. The alleged payments were used to cover up sex scandals as part of a “conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election,” according to prosecutors. Hours after he first appeared in criminal court on 4 April, and after the judge warned him against making any incendiary remarks or personal attacks, Mr Trump immediately flew back to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he went on to do just that. “I have a Trump-hating judge, with a Trump-hating wife and family,” he said that night. He called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg “a local failed district attorney” and a “criminal” who should resign. Prosecutors have argued that a protective order was necessary to keep Mr Trump – who already has repeatedly lashed out at the judge and prosecutors – from broadcasting information about the case before a jury has been selected and a trial begins. Last month, the former president made his first appearance in court since his indictment, appearing on a video screen in front of two American flags with golden fringes seated next to his attorney. Mr Trump, who continues to rely on his online bully pulpit with an audience of obedient followers to broadcast veiled threats and insults at his perceived enemies, is prohibited from disseminating “covered materials” on social media platforms “including, but not limited, to Truth Social, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Snapchat, or YouTube, without prior approval from the court,” according to a protective order issued last month. A trial is set to begin on 25 March 2024 – days after voting begins in presidential primaries. Read More Trump news - live: Classified document noted on tape is reportedly missing as Trump reacts to no Pence charges Trump investigation in Georgia could include other states in sweeping racketeering case, report says Trump and DeSantis must pledge to support eventual White House nominee as first debate announced Trump reacts to report Pence won’t face charges for classified documents: ‘I’m at least as innocent as he is’
1970-01-01 08:00
Biden to Say Debt-Limit Deal Prevented ‘Economic Collapse’
President Joe Biden plans to say the debt-limit agreement he struck with Republicans was “essential” to avoiding an
1970-01-01 08:00
Frank Founder Charlie Javice Says JPMorgan Documents Will Exonerate Her
Frank founder Charlie Javice is seeking access to JPMorgan Chase & Co. documents she says will exonerate her
1970-01-01 08:00
Amazon fires Alabama warehouse worker who led union push
An Amazon worker who helped lead a milestone organizing effort to form what would have been the company's first US union at a warehouse in Alabama said she has been fired by the e-commerce giant.
1970-01-01 08:00
OPEC+ Gathers to Make Choice Between Patience and Preemption
OPEC+ gathered in Vienna to decide whether to give their existing production cuts more time to take effect,
1970-01-01 08:00
Congo Homes In on Peru’s World No. 2 Copper Ranking
The Democratic Republic of Congo all but closed the gap with Peru in terms of copper shipment volumes
1970-01-01 08:00
