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A Big Social Security Change Proposed by President Donald Trump May Be Bad News for Retirees A Big Social Security Change Proposed by President Donald Trump May Be Bad News for Retirees President Trump while on the campaign trail proposed eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits. “Seniors should not pay taxes on Social Security,” he commented on social media in July. He reiterated the point during a Fox & Friends interview in August. Importantly, Trump is not the only politician to float that idea, nor is support limited to one political party. For instance, Rep. ****** Craig (D-Minn.) introduced a bill in January 2024 that would repeal the taxation of Social Security. And Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced a bill in February 2025 with the same goal. However, Congress is unlikely to approve changes to Social Security tax law in the near future. And if the federal government did stop taxing benefit income, that seemingly positive change would come with a major downside for retired workers and other beneficiaries. Here are the important details. President Donald Trump listening to a reporter’s question. Image source: Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks. Congress first approved the taxation of Social Security benefits in 1983 because the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Fund was in serious financial trouble. Specifically, a bipartisan commission estimated the OASDI Trust Fund — which holds and disburses funds for benefits payments — could run out of money that same year. Initially, half of Social Security benefits were taxable for people with modified adjusted gross income above certain levels. But Congress in 1993 added a second series of income thresholds, above which 85% of Social Security benefits are taxable. Lawmakers have never adjusted those thresholds for inflation. That’s a problem. Social Security benefits tend to increase each year because recipients get annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to offset inflation. But the thresholds that determine whether benefits are taxable have been fixed for decades. Consequently, the percentage of beneficiaries that owe tax on Social Security has increased from less than 10% in 1984 to more than 50% in 2024. Social Security is once again facing a serious financial problem. The aging population has created a situation in which the number of beneficiaries drawing payments from the OASDI Trust Fund is growing faster than the number of taxpaying workers that support the OASDI Trust Fund. Put differently, Social Security is spending more money than it makes. The program receives about 91% of its revenue from a dedicated payroll tax. The remaining revenue comes from interest earned on OASDI Trust Fund assets (5%) and taxes on Social Security payments (4%). While retirees undoubtedly got a bad deal in the way benefits are taxed, repealing that tax would effectively cut program funding at a critical time. Story Continues Congress is unlikely to approve such a change in the near future because the program is already operating at a loss, meaning cash outflows from benefit payments exceed cash inflows from taxes and trust fund interest. In fact, Social Security’s Trustees estimate the funding shortfall over the next 75 years at about $23 trillion. The Board of Trustees estimates the OASDI Trust Fund will be depleted in 2035, at which point the remaining revenues from payroll and Social Security taxes will support only 83% of scheduled benefit payments. In other words, without Congressional intervention, Social Security benefits will be cut by 17% in the next decade because the program will lose one of its three funding sources. Ending taxes on Social Security benefits would make the financing problem worse by eliminating a second funding source, and it would advance hypothetical benefit cuts. To elaborate, that change would cut program revenues by up to $1.8 trillion over the next decade, and accelerate trust fund insolvency by more than one year, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Here is the bottom line: While eliminating taxes on Social Security sounds like a good thing, it would actually come with a big downside for retirees and other beneficiaries. In the worst case scenario, benefit cuts would happen one year earlier than anticipated. In the best case scenario, Congress would have less time to find a solution for Social Security’s $23 trillion financing problem. Either way, that’s bad news. If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the “Social Security secrets” » The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A Big Social Security Change Proposed by President Donald Trump May Be Bad News for Retirees was originally published by The Motley Fool Source link #Big #Social #Security #Change #Proposed #President #Donald #Trump #Bad #News #Retirees Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Here’s what Taylor Swift said after she was booed at Super Bowl 2025 – New York Post Here’s what Taylor Swift said after she was booed at Super Bowl 2025 – New York Post Here’s what Taylor Swift said after she was booed at Super Bowl 2025 New York Post View Full Coverage on Google News Source link #Heres #Taylor #Swift #booed #Super #Bowl #York #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UAE eyes quantum computing for financial services UAE eyes quantum computing for financial services The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is raising awareness of the potential of quantum computing in financial services to make sure they don’t miss out on a huge opportunity. The financial sector is known for using huge amounts of data to improve services and, at the same time, make a profit. Naturally, finance companies in the UAE are looking very closely at how they might take advantage of quantum computing, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a big financial centre, and like Abu Dhabi, invests heavily in technological innovation. According to Oswaldo Zapata, theoretical physicist and consultant for quantum computing in finance in the UAE, Abu Dhabi has made significant investments in the development of quantum computing. “The Quantum Research Center [a subsidiary of the Technology Innovation Institute] is known today as one of the main research centres in the world,” he says. While the research at the Quantum Research Center is not specifically applied to finance, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is aware of the future of quantum computing and has hired a leading team that has carried out research and is committed to promoting quantum computing for finance. “One of its directors in particular – a well-known quant named Marcos Lopez de Prado – is an active participant and strong advocate for investing in a workforce that understands the transformative power of quantum computing,” says Zapata. In January 2024, a technical conference dedicated to discussing current research in quantum computing for finance took place in Abu Dhabi. The conference was organised by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). “This is at least the second conference of this type they have organised in recent years,” says Zapata. “This is an example of the degree of commitment that the UAE has to the subject.”  How financial services companies could benefit from quantum Zapata adds: “Quantum computers are expected to speed up many of the most expensive computations – by that, I mean computationally demanding tasks, slow and resource intensive in other words. In many sectors, experts are already trying to figure out how quantum algorithms, particularly those that can be implemented on near-term quantum computers, can help accelerate many processes. And finance is no exception.” According to Zapata, quantum computing could be applied to three application areas in finance. The first is in optimising portfolios. As the number of assets that could be included in a portfolio grows, the job of optimising the mix becomes exponentially more complicated, to the point where it becomes impossible for classical computers to accomplish within a human lifetime. The second application area is in speeding up Monte Carlo simulations, which are used, for example, to predict prices. By analysing historical price movements, data analysts try to make predictions about future changes, which could give them a huge advantage in the market. Like portfolio optimisation, Monte Carlo simulations grow exponentially in complexity as the number of data points grow. Here again, quantum computing technology would give a company a big advantage. The third areas where quantum computing might be applied in financial services is machine learning. Finance companies typically have a huge amount of data to train artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Quantum machine learning would help companies in the sector gain an advantage. There is a lot of talk about how, once they can solve practical problems, quantum computers will be able tackle many problems that cannot be solved by traditional computers. However, even if both classical computers and their quantum counterparts can solve the same problems, there are still three other scenarios where companies in the finance sector might opt for quantum, according to Zapata. The first is that even if a classical computer can find a more accurate answer than a quantum computer, the quantum machine might find a close approximation must faster. Speed is very often of the essence in financial services. The second is that in cases where a classical computer can solve a problem, it may require an exorbitantly expensive one – a less costly quantum computer might do the job. And third is that a quantum computer may consume less energy. The transition to quantum Zapata says that one of the main obstacles to exploring the use of quantum computing in finance comes from experts in other fields who are sceptical about the potential of the technology. Some people think that quantum computing is too far in the future and will never become a reality. “The ‘supremacy’ of quantum computers is already a reality,” says Zapata. “Even though, for now, they are exclusively applied to mathematical problems with no practical use, the rapid development of both hardware and software gives us good reasons to be optimistic. “Moreover, most of these pessimistic arguments come from people who are still thinking in terms of algorithms that require fault-tolerant quantum computers. The fact is that today, quantum computing experts – especially those in the financial sector – are more focused on developing the so-called Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum [NISQ] algorithms, a hybrid approach that combines quantum and classical computing. “These could become practical within the next five to 10 years. As long as research continues to show concrete results, both on the theoretical and practical fronts, there’s every reason to remain optimistic.” Despite being the commercial and financial capital of the UAE, Dubai has seen limited development in quantum computing, let alone its application in the financial industry. Until now, the UAE government has focused its attention on Abu Dhabi. However, the Quantum Innovation Summit, which will be held in late February 2025 in Dubai, may go a long way towards filling the gap. “I believe this is an excellent initiative to take the first steps toward the adoption of quantum computing in Dubai, particularly in its bustling financial sector,” says Zapata. Because of the huge amounts of data and the strong computational knowledge that experts in the financial sector already have, along with the large sums of money at stake, Zapata believes the financial sector may be the first industry to truly benefit from quantum computing. At the very least, the UAE should invest in educating people in the industry on the technology and potential applications. “I’m sure that when the time comes, the UAE will be at the forefront of quantum computing research for finance,” says Zapata. Source link #UAE #eyes #quantum #computing #financial #services Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Six Nations 2025: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso & George Furbank could return for England Six Nations 2025: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso & George Furbank could return for England Meanwhile full-back Furbank is recovering from fracturing his arm in Northampton’s Champions Cup win over the Bulls in December. “He is going well,” said Borthwick of Furbank. “He had [another] X-ray on his arm last week and we are waiting on the specialist to give his view on that. “Hopefully he might be available at the end of the tournament but we are still waiting for the specialist’s report.” England will attempt to end Scotland’s four-match winning streak in rugby’s oldest international fixture when the two teams meet at Twickenham on 22 February. Borthwick’s side continue their campaign at home against Italy on 9 March before travelling to Wales on 15 March in the final round. Ollie Sleightholme has deputised for Feyi-Waboso so far in the tournament. Freddie Steward played 15 in the defeat by Ireland, before Marcus Smith shifted from his usual fly-half role to play full-back in Saturday’s win over France. Source link #Nations #Immanuel #FeyiWaboso #George #Furbank #return #England Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

NSW police officer found dead in station in Surry Hills, Sydney NSW police officer found dead in station in Surry Hills, Sydney NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb says ‘it’s a very sad day’ after a police officer was found dead inside the Sydney Police Centre. Source link #NSW #police #officer #dead #station #Surry #Hills #Sydney Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

University of Tennessee dorms will open with cool new names. One of them is ‘Torchbearer’ University of Tennessee dorms will open with cool new names. One of them is ‘Torchbearer’ The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has selected names for three new dorms, two of which are nearing completion, a “Beacon” of hope for students who have struggled to find housing in recent years. Beacon Hall: This new dormitory will be on Caledonia Avenue and will accommodate up to 1,166 students. Although the residence hall is split into two sections, UT considers it one dormitory on a hill that separates the Lake Avenue and Terrace Avenue parking garages from campus. The name reflects how the Torchbearer lights a beacon for students, a metaphor adopted by the student newspaper, The Daily Beacon. Poplar Hall: The new dormitory will be located along Andy Holt Avenue and will accommodate up to 788 students. The name pays homage to Tennessee’s state tree, the tulip poplar, which fits nicely considering the new dorm is located near Magnolia and Dogwood halls. Construction update: Both halls are on track to open by the fall 2025 semester, with construction on each dorm nearly 75% complete. Torchbearer Hall: This dormitory will be located along Volunteer Boulevard and will accommodate up to 1,028 students. The name comes from the iconic Torchbearer statue, just a short walk away from the dorm. The ground level will include a retail center, with hopes of including a “satellite UT Creamery location” to complement the main location in the UT Culinary Institute, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Life Frank Cuevas said. Construction update: The dorm is nearly 25% complete and is expected to be ready by fall 2026. “I’m pleased to share that all three of these projects are on schedule and on budget,” Cuevas said during the Chancellor’s Advisory Board meeting. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is on track to finish two new residence halls by the fall 2025 semester, with Beacon and Poplar halls nearly 75% complete. The third dormitory, named Torchbearer Hall, is scheduled to open by fall 2026. Fast-tracking dorm development: UT entered into what Chancellor Donde Plowman called a “historic” public-private partnership with project owner Provident Resources Group and developer RISE to fast-track the development of the dorms. The dormitories will add much-needed accommodations for nearly 3,000 students, alleviating student housing pressure as the university continues to grow its enrollment. Lower costs than estimated: The estimated cost for all three dorms is $320 million. That’s more than $50 million less than the estimated cost reported last year. Dorm amenities: Each new dormitory will provide suite-style rooms with either single or double occupancy. Meeting spaces, lounge areas and semi-private bathrooms also are in the plans. Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at *****@*****.tld. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: New University of Tennessee dorm names: Beacon, Poplar and Torchbearer Source link #University #Tennessee #dorms #open #cool #names #Torchbearer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Senate gives Trump his Cabinet — and their compliance – POLITICO The Senate gives Trump his Cabinet — and their compliance – POLITICO The Senate gives Trump his Cabinet — and their compliance POLITICOHow Each Senator Has Voted on Trump’s Nominees So Far The New York TimesOpinion | These Republicans should be ashamed of themselves The Washington PostHow Republican skeptics in the Senate got to ‘yes’ on RFK Jr. and Gabbard YahooPresident Trump Meets With Japanese Prime Minister at White House C-SPAN Source link #Senate #Trump #Cabinet #compliance #POLITICO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Wildcats legend Bryce Cotton claims fifth NBL MVP title Wildcats legend Bryce Cotton claims fifth NBL MVP title NBL legend Bryce Cotton has added to his growing legacy by claiming a fifth MVP award as he prepares to spearhead the Perth Wildcats’ latest title bid. Only Andrew Gaze (seven) has more MVP nods than Cotton, who was confirmed as the league’s best player again with 119 votes at the annual awards ceremony in Melbourne on Monday night. Adelaide guard Kendric Davis (82 votes) and South East Melbourne forward Matt Hurt (65) filled out the placings after producing stellar individual campaigns. But Cotton was the outstanding candidate, having overcome a serious rib injury to average a career-high 28.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, leading the Wildcats to an 18-11 record in another outstanding season. The 32-year-old guard has scored 40 or more points six times this term – the first player to do so in a single season since Melbourne Tigers great Gaze in 1993. Already a three-time NBL champion and two-time grand final MVP, Cotton previously won the Andrew Gaze Trophy in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2024. He shapes as one of the key figures in the championship race, with third seeds Perth to host South East Melbourne in a Seeding Qualifier on Tuesday night. Cotton did not attend Monday night’s awards ceremony, opting to remain in Perth with his teammates to prepare for the finals opener. Cotton was also voted the NBL fans’ MVP and named in the All-NBL First Team, which included Davis, Hurt and Illawarra Hawks pair Trey Kell III and Tyler Harvey. Illawarra coach Justin Tatum (78 votes) claimed the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as coach of the year, having guided the Hawks to a top-of-the-ladder finish for the first time in the NBL foundation club’s history. South East Melbourne’s Josh King (39 votes) was second after signing mid-season and steering his team into the finals, following a 0-5 start and the sacking of predecessor Mike Kelly. Sydney Kings forward Alex Toohey won the next generation award ahead of Perth’s Ben Henshall and Cairns’ Taran Armstrong. Melbourne United’s Shea Ili was named the league’s best defensive player for the second year running, while Sydney’s Kouat Noi was selected as the best sixth man. Brisbane Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison was named most improved player. Source link #Wildcats #legend #Bryce #Cotton #claims #NBL #MVP #title Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

North Korea used student visas to send thousands of workers to Russia, Seoul says North Korea used student visas to send thousands of workers to Russia, Seoul says North Korea likely used student visas to send a large number of workers as well as troops to Russia in 2024, South Korea’s intelligence agency has said. The sanctioned east Asian country sent at least “thousands of workers to construction sites in various parts of Russia” over the past year, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on Sunday, confirming a major influx of North Korean nationals being sent to Russia. In a briefing, the NIS official said around 4,000 North Korean workers – each being paid a monthly stipend of approximately $800 (£645) – were already believed to be in Russia, The Korean Herald reported. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have been accused of violating a UN Security Council Resolution, by using student visas and other gaps, which bans employment to North Korean labourers. Under the UN Security Council Resolution 2375, the UN member nations are banned from issuing work permits to the labour force of North Korea. The resolution mandated all existing North Korean workers to return home by the end of December 2019. South Korean lawmaker and former Seoul’s ambassador to Russia, Wi Sung Lac, said Russia may be recruiting North Korean workers to fill gaps in the construction industry created by its prolonged aggression against Ukraine. “I think North Korean workers may have been recruited to make up for the labour shortages after many were drafted for the war,” the Democratic Party of Korea representative said. The latest round of North Korean workers dispatched to Russia was lesser than what was the scenario before the UN slapped sanctions on the hermit kingdom, he said. “But now that there are sanctions, they are not supposed to be sending workers at all,” Mr Wi said. Pyongyang sent roughly 11,000 soldiers to help with Vladimir Putin’s war effort in November last year, four months after Kyiv’s troops seized Russian territory in Kursk. Last week, Ukrainian and Western officials said North Korean troops have been pulled back from the frontline amid devastating losses but Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said they were back again on the frontline. Kim Jong Un’s forces were not seen on the battlefield for around three weeks, Ukrainian special forces said. The reports have been backed by South Korea’s spy agency, which said the North Korean troops had been withdrawn from the war frontline around the middle of January, the National Intelligence Service said earlier last week. But on Friday, Mr Zelensky said the Russian Army had “brought back in North Korean soldiers” who were carrying out “new assaults” in the region partially occupied by Ukraine. Source link #North #Korea #student #visas #send #thousands #workers #Russia #Seoul Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

BP shares pop 6% after reports activist hedge fund Elliott has taken a stake in the struggling British oil major – CNBC BP shares pop 6% after reports activist hedge fund Elliott has taken a stake in the struggling British oil major – CNBC BP shares pop 6% after reports activist hedge fund Elliott has taken a stake in the struggling British oil major CNBCActivist Elliott Said to Build Stake in Struggling Oil Major BP Yahoo FinanceBP targeted by activist investor as Trump unshackles US oil giants The TelegraphBP shares hit highest since August after Elliott’s stake build Reuters.com Source link #shares #pop #reports #activist #hedge #fund #Elliott #stake #struggling #British #oil #major #CNBC Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

UBS upgrades this HVAC equipment maker after the appointment of a new CEO UBS upgrades this HVAC equipment maker after the appointment of a new CEO UBS turned bullish on Johnson Controls shares after the company appointed a new chief executive. Analyst Amit Mehrotra upgraded the maker of HVAC and fire suppression equipment to buy from neutral and upped his price target by $13 to $103. The new forecast signals the stock could climb 17.5% from Friday’s close. Mehrotra’s call comes after Johnson Controls announced last week that Joakim Weidemanis would take the CEO role beginning in March. Mehrotra cited Weidemanis’ success expanding operating margins at Danaher’s diagnostics business and the potential to replicate that success for Johnson Controls. “The bottom line is we see meaningful incremental margin potential, and we view the company’s ability to execute as better following strategic actions and new management appointments,” Mehrotra said. The analyst said that Weidemanis’ installations provides “greater confidence” in the potential for profit improvement. But Mehrotra also noted the challenge in this work, given that it will require a “structural change” within the company. Mehrotra said earnings per share could hit $6 in the 2028 fiscal year, which would be around 6% above consensus estimates. What’s more, it would mark a compound annual growth rate of about 20% compared with the 2025 fiscal year. Johnson Controls shares were unchanged before the bell on Monday following a losing Friday. U.S.-listed shares of the Irish company have jumped just over 11% in 2025, adding to last year’s gain of around 37%. Analysts are split on the stock. LSEG data shows that of the 23 who cover it, 12 rate it a buy or strong buy. The remaining 11 have a hold rating on Johnson Controls. Source link #UBS #upgrades #HVAC #equipment #maker #appointment #CEO Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Philip Newsholme: Former Curtin University professor, 64, jailed for vile online child sex offending Philip Newsholme: Former Curtin University professor, 64, jailed for vile online child sex offending A former Curtin University professor who groomed a pre-pubescent girl online and collected thousands of child ******* exploitation images has been jailed for five-and-a-half years. Source link #Philip #Newsholme #Curtin #University #professor #jailed #vile #online #child #sex #offending Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Health insurance for millions could vanish as states put Medicaid expansion on chopping block Health insurance for millions could vanish as states put Medicaid expansion on chopping block Republican state Rep. Jordan Redman speaks on the Idaho House floor in March 2024. This month, Redman reintroduced a bill that would repeal Medicaid expansion next year unless a set of strict conditions are met. Legislators in other states are also considering shrinking or eliminating Medicaid expansion. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) Republican lawmakers in several states have Medicaid expansion in their crosshairs, energized by President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and a GOP-controlled Congress set on reducing spending on the public health insurance program for low-income people. As the feds consider cuts to Medicaid, some states are already moving to end or shrink their expanded Medicaid programs. Legislators in Idaho have introduced a bill that would repeal voter-approved expansion, while Republicans in Montana are considering allowing their expanded program to expire. Some South Dakota lawmakers want to ask voters to let the state end expansion if federal aid declines. Nine other states already have trigger laws that will end their expansion programs if Congress cuts federal funding. Meanwhile, discussions have stalled in non-expansion states such as Alabama, as lawmakers wait to see what the Trump administration will do. Many conservatives argue that Medicaid expansion has created a heavy financial burden for states and that reliance on so much federal funding is risky. They argue that expansion shifts resources away from more vulnerable groups, such as children and the disabled, to low-income adults who could potentially get jobs. In South Dakota, where voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022 by a constitutional amendment, Republican state Sen. Casey Crabtree wants to bring expansion before voters again with a trigger measure. He told Stateline via text that his proposed amendment to the state constitution “empowers voters to maintain financial accountability, ensuring that if federal funding drops below the agreed 90%, the legislature can responsibly assess the state’s financial capacity and the impact on taxpayers while still honoring the will of the people.” But even some Republicans are uneasy about what repealing expansion would mean for their constituents. “Quite honestly, I have received hundreds of emails from constituents that have said, ‘please do not repeal.’ I have received zero asking me to repeal, which I think is very telling,” said Idaho state Rep. Lori McCann, a Republican who represents a swing district in the northern part of the state. McCann said she’s interested in reining in Medicaid costs, but skeptical about a full expansion repeal. More than 89,000 Idahoans could lose their coverage if the state repeals its expansion, according to the latest numbers from the Idaho Department of Health and ********. McCann said she learned this month that only a fraction of those would qualify to buy discounted insurance on the state exchange. “For the rest, what’s going to happen to them? They will utilize the emergency rooms again, and we’ll be back to the same problems we had prior to the Medicaid expansion.” Before President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010, traditional Medicaid insurance was mainly available to children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. But under the ACA’s Medicaid expansion program, states can extend coverage to adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level — about $21,000 a year for a single person — and the federal government will cover 90% of the costs for those newly eligible enrollees. States kick in the rest. All but 10 states, most of them controlled by Republicans, have taken the deal. Nationwide, more than 21 million people with low incomes get their health insurance because of expanded Medicaid eligibility. But the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress are seriously considering options for shrinking Medicaid as they look for ways to pay for extending tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first term in office. Proposals include reducing the federal 90% funding match, which could shift a greater chunk of Medicaid spending onto states, and greenlighting extra hurdles such as requiring enrollees to work in order to qualify for coverage. The swirl of uncertainty at the federal level is supercharging efforts by Republican state lawmakers who have long opposed the program, despite its popularity. I have received hundreds of emails from constituents that have said, ‘please do not repeal.’ I have received zero asking me to repeal, which I think is very telling. – Idaho Republican state Rep. Lori McCann In a public address last month, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, announced the state would ask the federal government for permission to institute work requirements for adults to qualify for coverage. “If you want to receive free health care — paid for by your fellow taxpayer — able-bodied, working-age adults have to work, go to school, volunteer or be home to take care of their kids” she said. Sanders argued coverage without such requirements discourages people from working and being self-sufficient. But advocates and experts point to a wide body of research that links Medicaid expansion to lower uninsured rates, better health care outcomes and economic benefits for states, hospitals and other providers. Without expansion, they say, many of the working poor who don’t have employer-sponsored insurance exist in a coverage gap: They don’t earn enough to afford private insurance, and yet they earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Expansion bridges that gap. And, advocates argue, yanking health insurance from tens of thousands of people in a state would have far-reaching consequences for families, hospitals and state finances. “It would be absolutely disastrous for everybody at all levels of the state,” said Idaho Democratic state Rep. Ilana Rubel, the House ********* leader, who is on the committee considering bills that could repeal the state’s Medicaid expansion. “We would go right back to people being unable to seek preventative care until it’s too late, back to loss of life, loss of health and financial catastrophe.” A coordinated national effort Many of the attempts to repeal Medicaid expansion in states such as Idaho and Montana are coordinated by national conservative-backed groups, said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. “It’s important to understand this is part of a well-orchestrated and financed effort to undermine Medicaid generally, especially for adults,” said Alker, who is also a research professor at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, where her work focuses on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Conservative-backed think tanks, including the Foundation for Government Accountability and the Paragon Health Institute, have testified before several state legislatures against Medicaid expansion and have worked to thwart state ballot initiatives. In Montana, where Medicaid expansion is set to expire this year unless the legislature and governor opt to renew it, representatives from the foundation and the institute urged state lawmakers to scrap Medicaid expansion. Montana Republican state Rep. Jane Gillette, a dentist, appeared in a video produced by the foundation advocating for the state to allow its expansion to expire. Neither organization responded to interview requests. In Idaho last year, state Rep. Jordan Redman, a Republican, ceded most of his time introducing his Medicaid bill to a representative from the Foundation for Government Accountability. That bill later failed to advance out of committee after intense public pushback. ‘Repeal in sheep’s clothing’ This month, Redman revived his Medicaid bill. It would repeal Medicaid expansion next year if the federal government does not maintain the 90% match and the state does not receive federal permission to enact work requirements and a host of other new restrictions, including a 50,000 cap on expansion enrollment — just over half of its current enrollment — and a three-year limit on receiving benefits. “This safeguard approach will strengthen Idaho’s Medicaid program while maintaining flexibility,” Redman told the Idaho House Health & ******** Committee earlier this month. “If the federal government or state agencies fail to meet the program’s safeguards, this legislation ensures those Medicaid dollars will be redirected to serve the truly needy.” Redman did not respond to an interview request from Stateline. Rubel, the Democratic leader, described Redman’s bill as “Medicaid repeal in sheep’s clothing.” “It’s a type of trigger law with incredibly unlikely-to-be-met conditions,” she said. “Basically, they’re saying unless you can fly a unicorn to the moon and back, Medicaid expansion will be repealed.” Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion by ballot measure in 2018, with nearly 61% in favor. The law took effect in 2020. Conservative lawmakers in Idaho have tried without success to repeal Medicaid expansion ever since, including introducing another repeal bill last month. But this could be conservatives’ year. Before the session, Idaho’s Republican House speaker expanded the committee from 13 seats to 15. It’s a move that some state Democrats say was an effort to ram through Medicaid expansion repeal. At least eight committee members have pledged support for the Idaho Republican Party’s platform, which calls for repeal of Medicaid expansion. Medicaid is popular nationally, in expansion and non-expansion states. Three-fourths of Americans have a favorable view of Medicaid, according to a January 2025 health tracking poll from KFF, a health research organization. It’s a preference that crosses political boundaries: 63% of Republicans, 81% of independents and 87% of Democrats view it favorably. Polling in Idaho in 2023 found 75% of voters — including 69% of Republican voters — held a favorable view of Medicaid. “Citizens should not have to work this hard to get something passed that they want and need so desperately, and then keep imploring legislators not to take it away again,” said Rubel. Trigger laws If Congress reduces the 90% federal match rate for Medicaid expansion, more than 3 million adults could immediately lose their health coverage. That’s because nine states have so-called trigger laws that would automatically end Medicaid expansion if federal funding is cut: Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia. Three additional states — Iowa, Idaho and New Mexico — would require the government to take cost-saving steps to ease the financial impact of federal cuts. Alker is skeptical that Congress would be able to get such legislation passed before most state legislative sessions end this spring. But if cuts are made, the impacts could start showing up in 2026. Regardless of possible cuts at the federal level, states including Arkansas and Idaho are looking at ways to reduce the number of Medicaid-eligible people by instituting work requirements or benefit caps. States need federal approval to impose such additional conditions on Medicaid eligibility. The first Trump administration approved work requirements in 13 states, but the courts later struck those down and the Biden administration rejected such requests. States, including Arkansas, are trying again, hoping they’re more likely to get what they want under the new Trump administration. Redman told Idaho legislators that he expects the Trump administration to grant the waivers that would be needed under his proposed bill. “I actually spoke to several folks at the new federal administration, and they said they’re looking for waivers that are unique and creative, that they want to grant,” he said. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in non-expansion states have in recent years warmed to the idea of expansion. It was arguably the biggest issue of last year’s legislative session in solidly red Mississippi, and was backed by Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. Expansion is back on the table this year, though lawmakers have said they won’t consider a plan unless it includes work requirements. But in Alabama last month, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a Republican, said expansion would no longer be a priority this session because Medicaid was likely to see changes at the federal level. “I think we are better off seeing what they are going to do,” he told reporters. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Source link #Health #insurance #millions #vanish #states #put #Medicaid #expansion #chopping #block Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

High-stakes AI summit in Paris: World leaders, tech titans and challenging diplomatic talks – The Associated Press High-stakes AI summit in Paris: World leaders, tech titans and challenging diplomatic talks – The Associated Press High-stakes AI summit in Paris: World leaders, tech titans and challenging diplomatic talks The Associated PressParis AI summit forecast: more talk than action AxiosParis AI summit draws world leaders and CEOs eager for technology wave ReutersPM Modi News Updates: PM departs for France, US; issues statement on his planned meet with US president D… The Economic Times Source link #Highstakes #summit #Paris #World #leaders #tech #titans #challenging #diplomatic #talks #Press Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: A mammoth acting challenge Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: A mammoth acting challenge Tom Richardson BBC Newsbeat Warhorse Studios Luke Dale (left) and Tom McKay have spent the last nine years working on the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games You’ll often hear about actors and the role of a lifetime, but for Tom McKay and Luke Dale it’s especially relevant. For the past nine years they’ve dedicated most of their working lives to two video games – Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) and its sequel. Added together, the scripts for the role-playing epics set in 15th Century Bohemia run to more than three million pages and thousands of lines. It’s thought that KCD 2, which came out last week, could be the longest video game script ever written. Both actors spoke to BBC Newsbeat about what it was like to be part of such a huge project and working with the game’s controversial director. Warhorse Studios The original KCD was something of a slow-burn sleeper hit. Its review scores were respectable when it released in 2018 but it wasn’t universally acclaimed. However, it found a passionate fanbase in the months and years afterwards and the appetite for a sequel grew. KCD 2 arrived to positive reviews and sold one million copies within 48 hours of launching. The sequel follows the story of Tom’s character Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith’s son turned knight, and Luke’s character, the impulsive Sir Hans Capon. It’s a sprawling, open-ended game that allows players to carve their own path through it. This means it’s possible to find important characters or items outside of the storylines that revolve around them, and the game will respond to these variable possibilities. That’s something the game’s developers have to account for, and something that Tom in particular, as the main playable character, needs to act out over and over again with subtle differences each time. It meant hundreds of hours of studio time and repeat trips to Prague, where developer Warhorse Studios is based. He says it was “one of the most amazing and unusual acting challenges” he’s faced. “You would kind of go down one channel of a decision and then come halfway back up and go down another one and then maybe all the way back up to the beginning and back down,” he says. “And that’s not an acting challenge that you ever would have in TV or film.” ESO_Danny Youtuber ESO_Danny posted an image of himself and KCD 2’s script The video games industry is secretive, and both Tom and Luke spent three years under a non-disclosure agreement as they made the second game. “It was almost like working for GCHQ or something,” says Tom, referring to the British intelligence agency. “You couldn’t talk to anyone about it and people in the studio couldn’t even talk to their partners in some cases about what they were doing.” Tom says he would occasionally bump into fans of the game when he was working on other projects, and would have to dodge the question when they grilled him about a sequel. He says it was more difficult when he bumped into fans of the game in the Czech Republic, where the game is celebrated as a national success story. When they asked why he was spending so much time in Prague, Tom admits he had to bend the truth a little. “I’d be like: ‘I just love Prague. And I come here very often for lots of holidays,” he says. Warhorse Studios Henry’s adventure takes him away from his original destiny Luke says many fans “gave up hope” that a sequel was on the way, given the six-year gap between the two titles. But when the new game was revealed, he says, there was “this incredible reception and everyone went absolutely crazy”. It also reignited an online discourse that had erupted around the release of the original KCD. Daniel Vávra, the co-founder and creative director of Warhorse, is a regular poster on social media and is quick to answer critics. He defended the first KCD, when it was criticised for its lack of diversity, as being historically accurate to the time and location of its setting, although there is not universal agreement about this. At the time he also made public statements against perceived attempts to force diversity into games, saying his upbringing in ********** Czechoslovakia had made him an opponent of “censorship in the name of good intentions”. This won him supporters among the so-called Gamergate movement, which emerged online in 2014 and is widely seen as a backlash against attempts to make gaming more inclusive. Members celebrated Vávra for his outspoken, uncompromising approach. But as the release of KCD 2 approached some of those voices turned against him as it emerged that the sequel features a ****** character and a gay love scene that can play out if players make certain decisions. “I think it’s quite a quite an interesting thing that’s happened,” says Luke. “With the first game there was a backlash from a more left-wing mentality and then there’s been something of a backlash this time around from the right-wing mentality.” Both Luke and Tom, having spent the days after KCD 2’s release meeting fans, say they believe the complaints are from an unrepresentative *********. “It’s a really good barometer of the distortion between online interaction and real world interaction,” says Tom. “We did nine hours and it didn’t come up once.” Luke adds: “I think to be honest with you, the people that are true big fans of gaming and this game aren’t bothered about that sort of stuff. “It seems to be people that are really politically involved and they care very much about politics and not gaming and they’ve just used this as a weapon, but they’re not necessarily into gaming.” Both actors praise Vávra for his “forensic understanding” of his vision for the game. Luke points out that, although the director had the final say, many people were involved with making the game. “So you do the scene and you’ve got three four different people coming over to you,” says Luke. “Can you do that? Can you just be aware of this? “Me and Tom are like: ‘OK can we distill this down?’ “And Daniel is really good at helping us to do that because it’s his brainchild and he knows exactly what he wants every time.” Aside from their relationship with their boss, the other question is whether the co-stars also get on after all that time together. “Definitely,” says Tom. “There’s something really organic about spending that amount of time together. “So you kind of get that friendship for free.” Luke adds: “It is like putting on a really comfortable pair of clothes. “Which is ironic because in the motion capture studio you’re literally wearing head-to-toe lycra.” Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here. Source link #Kingdom #Deliverance #mammoth #acting #challenge Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Cassius Turvey ******* trial: Accused Jack Brearley ‘fuelled with fury’ over broken car windows Cassius Turvey ******* trial: Accused Jack Brearley ‘fuelled with fury’ over broken car windows Cassius Turvey was allegedly bashed in a creek bed with a pole by a man who was so ‘fuelled with fury’ about his broken car windows that he had set out to deliberately hurt someone that day, a court was told. Source link #Cassius #Turvey #******* #trial #Accused #Jack #Brearley #fuelled #fury #broken #car #windows Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

69-Million-Year-Old Fossil Bird Skull in Antarctica Sheds Light on Waterfowl Evolution 69-Million-Year-Old Fossil Bird Skull in Antarctica Sheds Light on Waterfowl Evolution A fossilised skull found in Antarctica has provided fresh insight into the evolution of waterfowl, with scientists reporting that it belonged to a bird that lived approximately 69 million years ago. The specimen, identified as Vegavis iaai, is considered a close relative of modern ducks and geese. Researchers state that the skull, which is nearly complete, offers the most substantial evidence yet of the bird’s classification within the waterfowl family. The discovery adds to previous findings that had suggested the species exhibited characteristics of modern avian species, such as a syrinx, the voice box used for vocalisation. Analysis of the Fossil Skull According to a study published in Nature, researchers led by Christopher Torres, a paleontologist at the University of the Pacific, examined the skull and highlighted several features linking it to modern waterfowl. The skull, estimated to be between 69.2 and 68.4 million years old, exhibited a toothless beak and a small upper jaw. The structure of the braincase, particularly the position of the optic lobes, was noted to be similar to those of present-day birds. Scientists believe these features suggest an advanced level of vision and motor coordination, potentially aiding the bird in pursuit hunting. It has been suggested that Vegavis iaai may have dived for fish in the coastal waters of Cretaceous Antarctica. Implications for Bird Evolution Research indicates that Antarctica may have served as a refuge for avian species during the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event around 66 million years ago. Experts propose that some early bird species could have survived the aftermath of the Chicxulub asteroid impact due to their location in the Southern Hemisphere. The skull’s characteristics reinforce theories that certain lineages of birds were already highly evolved before the mass extinction. Debate Over Classification Paleontologist Daniel Field from the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the study, told Science News that while the fossil is significant, uncertainties remain regarding its classification. He acknowledged that Vegavis iaai may be a modern anseriform but expressed skepticism about whether the skull fully supports this conclusion. Field pointed out that some traits identified in the study could also be shared by more primitive bird species, emphasising the need for further evidence. The discovery contributes to ongoing research into avian evolution and the survival of birds during a ******* of significant environmental upheaval. While questions remain, the fossil provides a rare glimpse into bird anatomy during the late Cretaceous *******. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Google Pixel 9a Price in Europe, Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Anticipated Debut Mistral Introduces Le Chat AI Assistant Apps on iOS and Android Source link #69MillionYearOld #Fossil #Bird #Skull #Antarctica #Sheds #Light #Waterfowl #Evolution Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Northern Ireland facing shortage of 5k workers a year Northern Ireland facing shortage of 5k workers a year Northern Ireland needs over 5,000 more workers a year in order to grow the economy, a report has suggested. Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre has published a report which looks at what future skills employers will need and potential supply gaps. It has forecast a high growth scenario which would see the creation of 8,000 new jobs a year for the next 10 years. But it has also highlighted a shortage of 5,440 workers a year which, if not addressed, could hold back economic growth. ‘High value’ jobs in demand The report says this reflects the need to tackle economically inactivity, those people who are not in work nor looking for a job including long term sick, as well as increasing the migrant labour supply. The fastest growing occupations in terms of demand are “high value ” jobs such as roles in data analytics, cyber security and IT. These roles have typically higher wages, higher levels of productivity and require a higher level of qualification. The health sector is expected to see the largest absolute growth due to its size and expected additional government spending to address longer-term strain on the health service. Care workers and home carers are expected to increase employment by over 4,000 over the next decade – that is the largest absolute increase across all occupations. In contrast, employment growth is forecast to be flat in retail due to trends including the increased use of automation and the rise of online shopping. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the report highlights the “long-term challenge posed by our ageing population”. She continued: “The number of young people coming into the labour market isn’t enough to meet the increased demand for jobs. “The shortfall is such that an undersupply of people is anticipated at all skill levels. Given that Brexit has limited our ability to recruit from the EU, it is all the more important to help people who face barriers to work or training into employment. “The traditional answer is upskilling people who are out of work, and that remains important. But it is also vital to support people once they are in employment.” More on this story Source link #Northern #Ireland #facing #shortage #workers #year Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Courting Global Talent: How can Web3 Startups Attract the Best Developers in the World? Courting Global Talent: How can Web3 Startups Attract the Best Developers in the World? One of the interesting developments right now is the intersection between AI and Web3. From the creation of AI agents integrated into Web3 decentralised applications to the impact of generative AI on Web3 gaming, Web3 is once again at the forefront of technological innovation. However, if Web3 companies want to capitalise on these exciting possibilities with AI, they must nurture their most valuable asset— global talent. Building a team of the best talent is one of the most challenging aspects of any business in almost every sector – especially in Web3. Much has been said about the critical shortage of Web3 developers and how demand for Web3 expertise far exceeds the available talent pool. Consequently, Web3 companies must cast their net far and wide with their recruitment efforts. However, the need to fill roles should not come at the expense of merit-based recruitment or minimize the need to assess the candidates suitability not only for the position but also for the company’s culture. A clear philosophy and transparency must underpin the hiring process Any company without concrete values guiding its recruitment will often hire quickly and in the end obtain regrettable results. Web3 projects are no exception. Fortunately, there are a number of pre-established values in Web3 that can help offset this tendency: community, inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration. These beliefs should be the guiding frameworks behind any Web3 startup’s hiring policy, enabling them to assess candidates with a clear understanding of whether the applicant’s character aligns with the company’s DNA. High-performing people are needed in Web3 who can not only bring their own unique experiences to an organisation, but whose broader values very much align with the company’s guiding principles. The focus of any hiring strategy should never be quantity over quality, as this will almost always result in disappointment and wasted time. Hiring people who are the right fit – measured by how well the candidate exemplifies the company’s overarching values – should be non-negotiable. Likewise, transparency, another of Web3’s core tenets, should be baked into every step of the hiring funnel, and it comes in two modes. Firstly, Web3 companies should be aware of their unique value proposition and amplify this in their external marketing efforts. It is important to highlight what makes your project unique, as it will help candidates determine if they will be a proper fit, particularly from a cultural perspective, for the organisation – essentially self-selecting themselves for the role. Secondly, Web3 startups must be transparent about the challenges, and opportunities, inherent within a role. The fact is that Web3 is a unique space, and not every candidate will be familiar with the range of concepts, technologies, and programming languages, such as Cairo, zero knowledge proofs, and validity rollups, hence increasing the recruitment challenges. But, rather than downplaying the more challenging aspects, Web3 startups should be upfront about them while also highlighting how the role will positively impact career growth. Hire for a variety of experiences but still be driven by merit Innovation, another touchstone of Web3, often comes from a workforce with various voices, backgrounds, and experiences working harmoniously to produce new ways of thinking, seeing, and connecting with the world. Representation of underrepresented demographics across an organization, from top to bottom, prevents bias when designing systems, promotes ethical governance, and encourages meritocracy — all crucial to a flourishing Web3 ecosystem. However, pushing for different experiences in your team should not come at the expense of quality — a tricky balancing act. Hiring managers should prioritise finding the best person for the role by putting candidates through a comprehensive interview process to mitigate any systematic bias. Some practical methods include giving candidates trial projects, asking competency-based questions, requesting previous samples of work, and carrying out reference checks. From an operational context, Web3 companies can implement tried-and-tested remote collaboration tools like Slack, Discord, Notion or Telegram. These tools enable people from different geographic regions to interact and collaborate seamlessly, helping to overcome a number of challenges for distributed teams. Web3 companies can attract talent globally by offering grants, investing in educational programmes, providing access to open-source projects, and attending global conferences. These initiatives also give Web3 startups a chance to showcase their cutting-edge technology to pique the interest of talented candidates and convince them to apply for vacancies. The ultimate goal of Web3 – which separates it from its traditional counterpart – is a decentralised ecosystem that promotes participation and removes inequalities. Yet to achieve this, Web3 must attract the best people from all walks of life and parts of the world. It is undeniably a tall order, but by having a concrete philosophy and ethos that weaves through the company – which stays true to the principles of Web3 – ensuring a variety of backgrounds are represented across the organisation and possessing a global outlook that is exemplified in business’ operations – attracting and retaining global and talent will be a much smoother process. James Strudwick is executive director at Web3 tech startup Starknet Foundation, an independent Web3 organisation dedicated to supporting and advancing Starknet, a developer platform and ecosystem where builders and entrepreneurs come together to reinvent the digital world. Source link #Courting #Global #Talent #Web3 #Startups #Attract #Developers #World Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Global winners and losers of Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs Global winners and losers of Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs An employee stands at a blast furnace. In November, Thyssenkrupp Steel announced that the number of jobs in the steel sector would be reduced by 11,000 to 16,000 within six years. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday told reporters that he planned to announce new 25% tariffs on Monday, targeting imports of steel and aluminum. The proposed levies would be in addition to existing duties. No timeline for implementation was specified at this time. The two metals are vital components in various industries, including transportation, construction, and packaging. Here’s a look at the biggest potential winners and losers if Trump goes ahead with his 25% steel and aluminium tariffs. This developing story is being updated. Source link #Global #winners #losers #Trumps #steel #aluminium #tariffs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

France’s answer to Stargate: Macron announces AI investment France’s answer to Stargate: Macron announces AI investment French President Emmanuel Macron greets journalists after meetings with guests at the Elysee Palace before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Yara Nard Yara Nardi | Reuters France’s artificial intelligence sector will receive 109 billion euros ($112.6 billion) of private investment in the “coming years,” President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday ahead of the country’s global AI summit. Speaking with French broadcaster TF1, Macron described the multibillion-euro pledge as “the equivalent for France of what the United States announced with Stargate,” referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s massive $500 billion private AI investment project. The U.S. joint venture, dubbed Stargate, will see OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank spend up to $500 billion on AI infrastructure in America over the next four years. Meanwhile, the French financing will include commitments from the United Arab Emirates, American and ********* investments funds and French companies like telecommunications firms Iliad and Orange, and aerospace and defense group Thales. A few days before France’s AI Action Summit, which kicked off on Monday, the UAE said it would invest between 30 billion euros and 50 billion euros in the construction of a one-gigawatt AI data center in France as part of a campus focused on the technology’s development. Iliad committed to spending 3 billion euros on AI infrastructure, while Paris-based AI firm Mistral announced plans to invest billions to build its own data center in France. Victor Riparbelli, CEO of British AI startup Synthesia, said Macron’s 109-billion-euro investment plan was a “great” thing for the European AI ecosystem — but added that more is needed to ensure the continent is able to compete with tech heavyweights like the U.S. and China. “We need to set the right foundations for Europe to thrive as an ecosystem,” Riparbelli told CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal Monday. “It’s great that we invest more in infrastructure. I don’t think it’s the sole solution to the problem. There’s lots of other things we need to worry about as well. But what I think is really great, is there’s political will to actually do something,” he added. Global AI race in focus The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit will see world leaders and bosses from some of the leading companies developing the technology gather in Paris. Big-name attendees include U.S. Vice President JD Vance, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, ******* Chancellor Olaf Scholz, ********* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft President Brad Smith, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Elon Musk is currently not slated to attend. On Saturday, Axios reported that OpenAI’s Altman will this week warn world leaders they need to widen their AI mindset so that, rather than just focusing on risk — as has often been the case in Europe — leaders will instead look to embrace growth and opportunity. The emergence of ******** firm DeepSeek’s breakthrough open-source AI model R1 in recent weeks has stirred debates in the industry around the huge capital expenditures companies are committing toward computing infrastructure to train their systems. DeepSeek said total training costs for its newest AI model amounted to $5.6 million. However, doubts have been raised about DeepSeek’s claims. Last month, semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis estimated that DeepSeek’s hardware spend is higher than $500 million over the company’s history, adding that the startup’s research and development and ownership costs are significant. On Sunday, Google DeepMind’s Hassabis said DeepSeek’s AI model is “probably the best work” he’s seen out of China — but added that, from a technology point of view, it was not a big change. “Despite the hype, there’s no actual new scientific advance … it’s using known techniques [in AI],” Hassabis said, adding that the hype around Deepseek has been “exaggerated a little bit.” Nevertheless, with companies spending billions on data centers filled with advanced semiconductors from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, DeepSeek’s new model has led to worries of a potential bubble in the AI space. Ahead of the AI summit, Mike Capone, CEO of U.S. software firm Qlik, told CNBC that DeepSeek is likely to be a major discussion point this week as world governments grapple with China’s AI advances. “This summit isn’t just about AI—it’s about influence,” Capone told CNBC on Friday. “Expect a strategic messaging war as U.S., French, and *** AI leaders downplay DeepSeek’s relevance while China works to prove it’s not just catching up — it’s setting the pace.” “AI diplomacy is now as critical as AI development. The power struggle won’t be about who builds the best model; it’ll be about who controls the AI narrative,” he added. – CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report Source link #Frances #answer #Stargate #Macron #announces #investment Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

This Man Won Birthright Citizenship for All This Man Won Birthright Citizenship for All In August 1895, a young cook named Wong Kim Ark was about to disembark from the S.S. Coptic, after a long journey home to San Francisco from China, when U.S. customs officials denied him re-entry. He was not a U.S. citizen, they said. Never mind that Mr. Wong had been born in San Francisco’s Chinatown, not far from the port where he was now being held. The 14th Amendment’s provision for automatic citizenship for all people born on U.S. soil did not apply to him, officials later argued, because he and his parents were not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. at the time he was born. Rather than back down, Mr. Wong took his case to the courts — and won. In Mr. Wong’s case, the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional guarantee of automatic citizenship for nearly all children born in the United States, a right that has deep roots in common law. Since that 1898 ruling, that expansive understanding of birthright citizenship has been the law of the land. Now, the Trump administration wants to roll back the Wong Kim Ark ruling — and birthright citizenship more broadly — as it moves to crack down on immigration. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order declaring that the government would stop treating U.S.-born children of parents who are undocumented or are in the country temporarily as U.S. citizens. The order prompted a flurry of lawsuits, mostly from Democratic attorneys general and civil rights groups. Last week, the order was indefinitely blocked. One federal judge called it “blatantly unconstitutional.” The Justice Department has already appealed one of the injunctions. The Trump administration is pushing forward a reinterpretation of the 1898 decision, drawing on ideas from a small group of legal scholars like John Eastman, a lawyer known for drafting a plan to block congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election. It is not clear that the Supreme Court, even with its conservative majority, would be inclined to take up such a case. Still, the recent moves may lay the groundwork for a protracted legal battle that critics of birthright citizenship hope will chip away at the longstanding precedent. The Wong Kim Ark case “is settled law, or at least it’s as settled anything possibly could be,” said Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia and an expert on immigration and citizenship law. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t get unsettled.” Mr. Wong’s case arose during a similar moment of heightened national anxiety around immigration. His parents were part of a wave of ******** laborers who flocked to the United States starting in the mid-1800s in search of economic opportunities. Mr. Wong’s father ran a grocery store in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood, and in an apartment above that store, his son Kim Ark was born in 1870. The growing numbers of ******** workers on the West Coast soon gave rise to economic competition and virulent racism. Vigilante mobs regularly terrorized and at times even lynched these immigrants, who were often portrayed as unassimilable, inferior and disease-ridden. Federal laws reflected that bias as well, like the ******** Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred most ******** people from entering the country and banned them all from becoming naturalized citizens. Around that time, Mr. Wong’s parents went back to China, taking their son with them. Lured by the promise of higher wages, though, Mr. Wong soon returned to the United States. He was able to do so, despite the ******** Exclusion Act, because lawmakers had adopted the 14th Amendment in 1868, two years before his birth. It states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The amendment overruled the 1857 Dred Scott decision, which declared that African people who were enslaved in the U.S., and their descendants, were not American citizens. For Mr. Wong and his supporters, the amendment’s broad language — especially the phrase “all persons” — meant that U.S.-born people like Mr. Wong were citizens, despite the ******** exclusion laws. And the first few times he traveled, he was able to re-enter the United States by proving that he was born in San Francisco. But the government, seeking to close what they saw as a loophole, set out to find a test case, and landed on Mr. Wong. The government’s lawyers seized on another phrase in the amendment — “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” — to argue that because Mr. Wong’s parents were citizens of China at the time of his birth, they were subject to the jurisdiction of the emperor of China, making their son the subject of a foreign power as well. The lawyers for Mr. Wong cited congressional debates to argue that the amendment’s authors intended for birthright citizenship to apply broadly. The exceptions made under the jurisdiction clause were very few: the children of foreign diplomats; hostile foreign forces occupying U.S. territory; and initially, some Native Americans (Congress extended citizenship to all Native Americans in 1924.) Mr. Wong’s lawyers also had an important political insight: If Mr. Wong lost his case, the U.S.-born children of white European immigrants would also be denied citizenship. It was unclear how the Supreme Court would decide the case. Two years before, in Plessy v. Ferguson, the court had endorsed the “separate but equal” doctrine, giving legal backing to the Jim Crow laws that segregated and disenfranchised ****** Americans in the South for decades. The court had also upheld several ******** exclusion laws. After more than a year, the court, in a 6-2 vote, sided with Mr. Wong. In the decision, Justice Horace Gray explained that the 14th Amendment’s reference to “all persons” were words that were “restricted only by place and jurisdiction, and not by color and race.” Since that ruling, birthright citizenship has generally been not just accepted, but also lauded as a symbol of the country’s commitment to a fundamental American value: that all people born in the United States are equal at birth, regardless of their race, religion, or the immigration status of their parents. Still, there has been some dissent, especially lately, as the country has struggled with an influx of migrants. The Trump administration’s lawyers have argued in recent court filings that birthright citizenship should extend to the children of noncitizens only if the parents are lawfully domiciled in the U.S., as Mr. Wong’s parents were at the time of his birth. The lawyers have also said that undocumented immigrants and people on temporary visas, like tourists and students, retain political allegiances to foreign governments and are thus “subject” to their “jurisdiction,” making their U.S.-born children ineligible for automatic U.S. citizenship. Rogers M. Smith, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, is among the small group of legal scholars who have argued for a narrower interpretation of the 1898 ruling. “The decision did not discuss the children of unauthorized aliens,” he said. “It’s ambiguous.” Mr. Smith said that personally, he was in favor of automatic birthright citizenship, including for the children of undocumented immigrants. And like most legal scholars, he believes that the president — Mr. Trump in this case — does not have the authority to use an executive order to decide questions under the 14th Amendment. Most legal scholars think it is unlikely that the current Supreme Court would want to reinterpret a precedent that dates back more than a century. The constitutionality of birthright citizenship has not been a particularly ideological issue. Among those who have argued in favor of an expansive understanding of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause are John Yoo, a noted conservative law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. There are signs, though, that the ground may be shifting. Judge James C. Ho, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and has been mentioned as a candidate for the Supreme Court, once argued forcefully in favor of automatic citizenship for nearly all U.S.-born children. But in an interview last fall, Judge Ho seemed to back away from that broad interpretation, invoking another argument that the Trump administration has cited in its recent legal filings. “Birthright citizenship obviously doesn’t apply in case of war or invasion,” he told an interviewer. “No one to my knowledge has ever argued that the children of invading aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship.” Some scholars see something more nefarious. Erika Lee, a professor of history at Harvard University, said President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship needed to be seen in the broader context of his efforts to curb immigration, much as the Wong Kim Ark case came out of a ******* of intense anti-******** sentiment. “That is, I think, a very clear parallel between then and now,” she said. Until recently, the Wong Kim Ark case was so rarely discussed publicly that even Mr. Wong’s descendants knew little about their history-making forefather. Now, the renewed debate over the decision could lead to a redefinition of what it means to be an American, and who gets to be one. As for Mr. Wong, after his victory in court, he — like many ******** Americans — continued to face lengthy interrogations from federal immigration officials to prove that he was a citizen. Eventually, he moved to China. Source link #Man #Won #Birthright #Citizenship Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Court blocks administration from deporting 3 Venezuelan immigrants held in New Mexico to Guantanamo Bay Court blocks administration from deporting 3 Venezuelan immigrants held in New Mexico to Guantanamo Bay Albuquerque, N.M. — A federal court on Sunday blocked the Trump administration from sending three Venezuelan immigrants held in New Mexico to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba as part of the president’s immigration crackdown. In a legal filing earlier in the day, lawyers for the men said the detainees “fit the profile of those the administration has prioritized for detention in Guantanamo, i.e. Venezuelan men detained in the El Paso area with (false) charges of connections with the Tren de Aragua gang.” It asked a U.S. District Court in New Mexico for a temporary restraining order blocking their transfer, adding that “the mere uncertainty the government has created surrounding the availability of legal process and counsel access is sufficient to authorize the modest injunction.” During a brief hearing, Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales granted the temporary order, which was opposed by the government, said Jessica Vosburgh, an attorney for the three men. “It’s short term. This will get revisited and further fleshed out in the weeks to come,” Vosburgh told The Associated Press. A message seeking comment was left for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. The filing came as part of a lawsuit on behalf of the three men filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and Las Americas Immigrant Advisory Center. The Tren de Aragua gang originated in a lawless prison in the central Venezuelan state of Aragua more than a decade ago and has expanded in recent years as millions of desperate Venezuelans fled President President Nicolás Maduro ‘s rule and migrated to other parts of Latin America or the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that flights of detainees had landed at Guantanamo. Immigrant rights groups sent a letter Friday demanding access to people who have been sent there, saying the base should not be used as a “legal ****** hole.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that more than 8,000 people have been arrested in immigration enforcement actions since Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. He has vowed to deport millions of the estimated 11.7 million people in the U.S. illegally. More Source link #Court #blocks #administration #deporting #Venezuelan #immigrants #held #Mexico #Guantanamo #Bay Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

In Europe, New Trains and a Streamlined Booking App In Europe, New Trains and a Streamlined Booking App European passenger rail travel continues to expand, with a flurry of new routes opening and competition heating up on key routes, including on the rail line that runs below the English Channel. Plans to streamline the booking process across Europe could also make rail travel easier and more efficient. The European Commission is encouraging the push. At his confirmation hearing in November, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the new European commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, said that connecting European cities by high-speed rail is “a top priority.” He also vowed to present draft regulation for a single digital booking and ticketing system for European rail before the end of his first year in office, which will fall on Dec. 1. Demand for train travel is strong and growing. Cross-border passenger rail traffic within Europe increased 7 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, a Brussels-based industry group. Passenger rail traffic within individual countries increased by about 3 percent. Victor Thévenet, the rail policy manager at Transport and Environment, a Brussels-based environmental group, described the possibility of a single booking and ticketing system as “the big thing on the agenda in 2025.” “In a single ticket, you will be able to buy a journey that links different train operators, and you will be sure to have your passenger rights protected if something goes wrong during the journey,” Mr. Thévenet said, noting that the system would work for all long-distance and regional trains across Europe. He added that public consultations on such a plan are happening this year, and that the proposed legislation should go to the European Parliament in 2026. Paris to Milan, and beyond For rail-loving travelers, there are plenty of new routes to choose from. A direct daytime service between Paris and Berlin that clocks in at roughly eight hours started in December. Tickets for the route — which also stops at Strasbourg, France, and Karlsruhe and Frankfurt in Germany — start at 60 euros, or about $62. The new route is in addition to the slower overnight service that connects the French and ******* capitals, which opened in late 2023. Alberto Mazzola, the executive director of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, the industry group, described the new Paris-Berlin route as “an important connection between two major European capitals.” But he added that the route is only partially high speed; with the right infrastructure, the travel time could drop to as little as five hours. “There is an opportunity to do even better,” he said. Paris will soon see other new services, particularly as the Italian rail operator Trenitalia increases its presence in the French market. Trenitalia and S.N.C.F., France’s national railway company, will reopen competing services between Paris and Milan this spring, more than 18 months after a landslide in the French Alps forced the line to close. S.N.C.F.’s Paris-Milan service will begin on March 31, with tickets starting at 29 euros; Trenitalia’s service will open the following day. Both operators will include stops in Lyon and Turin, among other cities, along the route. Elsewhere in France, and also in competition with S.N.C.F., Trenitalia will begin running a service between Paris and Marseille on June 15, with stops in Lyon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The Spanish operator Renfe is also making inroads in France. The company has announced that it will soon begin running a high-speed service between Barcelona and Toulouse, in southwestern France. The three-and-a-half-hour journey will include stops in Perpignan and Carcassonne in France, and Girona in Spain, among other cities. It will run seasonally, beginning in the second quarter of this year and continuing through mid-September. High-speed connections are also in the works between Belgrade and Budapest; Lisbon and Porto; and Prague and Brno in the Czech Republic. New sleeper services are also getting started this year. The private operator European Sleeper has opened a seasonal overnight rail connection between Brussels and Venice, offering two services per week in February and March. The company already runs a year-round sleeper train between Brussels and Prague, a service that began last year. The resurgence of sleeper trains has spread to Portugal and Spain, where the governments are working to reopen overnight service between their two countries. The services — which link Lisbon, Madrid and the French town of Hendaye, on the border with Spain — were discontinued when pandemic lockdowns hit in March 2020, but they could begin running again as soon as the first half of this year. Cross-Channel competition Competition is heating up along one of Europe’s iconic rail routes: the line that runs under the English Channel. Travelers hoping to go by train between London and the continent might one day travel with a rail operator other than Eurostar, though not before 2029 at the earliest. Eurostar, which has had a monopoly on the cross-Channel route since the line opened in 1994, is seeing strong demand. Across its network — which includes connections between London and Paris, and London and Brussels, among other services — the operator hosted 19.5 million passengers in 2024, an increase of more than 5 percent from the year before. The company could see another boost this year, as its direct service between London and Amsterdam starts up this month, following a pause of nearly eight months because of infrastructure upgrades at Amsterdam’s Centraal Station. But the company, which shrank its network during the pandemic, is still facing challenges. In a December report released by Transport and Environment, Mr. Thévenet’s nonprofit, Eurostar came last in a ranking of 27 European rail operators, earning low points for price, reliability and its strict policies on bicycles. (Fully assembled bikes aren’t allowed on the Paris-London service, because of security restrictions beyond Eurostar’s control. On other routes, Eurostar permits bicycles “in limited numbers and under certain conditions,” including the removal of both wheels.) Eurostar’s chief executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, wrote in an email that she disagreed with the findings of the report, and noted the ranking “failed to acknowledge Eurostar’s major environmental contributions,” including “eliminating flights between Brussels and Paris and sharply reducing flights between London and Paris.” Competitors are lining up. The two out front are Virgin Trains — part of Virgin Group, founded by Richard Branson — and Evolyn, a new operator led by the Spanish Cosmen family, travel-industry heavyweights. Phil Whittingham, the managing director of Virgin Trains, said the company expects to close a deal for 12 high-speed trains in the first half of this year. He added that Virgin has applied for access to Temple Mills, a maintenance depot in London, where Eurostar trains are currently serviced. Gaining access to the depot is an essential step to launching a cross-Channel service. “We do believe there’s room to get in there,” Mr. Whittingham said. “We think competition would be good for them, and good for us.” Lisa O’Brien, a spokeswoman for Britain’s Office of Rail and Road, confirmed that both Virgin and Evolyn had applied for space in the Temple Mills Depot. She added that the government regulator has appointed external consultants to determine the depot’s capacity to handle more trains. “Our next steps will depend on the outcome of that capacity study,” she said. Richard Bowker, a former chair of Britain’s Strategic Rail Authority and now a co-host of the Green Signals railway podcast, said that there have been unsuccessful challengers to Eurostar in the past, but “this time feels different.” Mr. Bowker, who has also worked for Virgin Group, noted the company’s “well-earned track record of being a disrupter” as well as the Evolyn team’s depth of experience in the transport sector. “It’s exciting,” he said. “It suggests growth, and more journey opportunities, and potentially better deals for the consumer.” Paige McClanahan is the author of “The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel.” Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025. Source link #Europe #Trains #Streamlined #Booking #App Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

France’s answer to Stargate: Macron announces AI investment France’s answer to Stargate: Macron announces AI investment French President Emmanuel Macron greets journalists after meetings with guests at the Elysee Palace before the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Yara Nard Yara Nardi | Reuters France’s artificial intelligence sector will receive 109 billion euros ($112.6 billion) of private investment in the “coming years,” President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday ahead of the country’s global AI summit. Speaking with French broadcaster TF1, Macron described the multibillion-euro pledge as “the equivalent for France of what the United States announced with Stargate,” referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s massive $500 billion private AI investment project. The U.S. joint venture, dubbed Stargate, will see OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank spend up to $500 billion on AI infrastructure in America over the next four years. Meanwhile, the French financing will include commitments from the United Arab Emirates, American and ********* investments funds and French companies like telecommunications firms Iliad and Orange, and aerospace and defense group Thales. A few days before France’s AI Action Summit, which kicked off on Monday, the UAE said it would invest between 30 billion euros and 50 billion euros in the construction of a one-gigawatt AI data center in France as part of a campus focused on the technology’s development. Iliad committed to spending 3 billion euros on AI infrastructure, while Paris-based AI firm Mistral announced plans to invest billions to build its own data center in France. Victor Riparbelli, CEO of British AI startup Synthesia, said Macron’s 109-billion-euro investment plan was a “great” thing for the European AI ecosystem — but added that more is needed to ensure the continent is able to compete with tech heavyweights like the U.S. and China. “We need to set the right foundations for Europe to thrive as an ecosystem,” Riparbelli told CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal Monday. “It’s great that we invest more in infrastructure. I don’t think it’s the sole solution to the problem. There’s lots of other things we need to worry about as well. But what I think is really great, is there’s political will to actually do something,” he added. Global AI race in focus The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit will see world leaders and bosses from some of the leading companies developing the technology gather in Paris. Big-name attendees include U.S. Vice President JD Vance, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, ******* Chancellor Olaf Scholz, ********* Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft President Brad Smith, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Elon Musk is currently not slated to attend. On Saturday, Axios reported that OpenAI’s Altman will this week warn world leaders they need to widen their AI mindset so that, rather than just focusing on risk — as has often been the case in Europe — leaders will instead look to embrace growth and opportunity. The emergence of ******** firm DeepSeek’s breakthrough open-source AI model R1 in recent weeks has stirred debates in the industry around the huge capital expenditures companies are committing toward computing infrastructure to train their systems. DeepSeek said total training costs for its newest AI model amounted to $5.6 million. However, doubts have been raised about DeepSeek’s claims. Last month, semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis estimated that DeepSeek’s hardware spend is higher than $500 million over the company’s history, adding that the startup’s research and development and ownership costs are significant. On Sunday, Google DeepMind’s Hassabis said DeepSeek’s AI model is “probably the best work” he’s seen out of China — but added that, from a technology point of view, it was not a big change. “Despite the hype, there’s no actual new scientific advance … it’s using known techniques [in AI],” Hassabis said, adding that the hype around Deepseek has been “exaggerated a little bit.” Nevertheless, with companies spending billions on data centers filled with advanced semiconductors from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, DeepSeek’s new model has led to worries of a potential bubble in the AI space. Ahead of the AI summit, Mike Capone, CEO of U.S. software firm Qlik, told CNBC that DeepSeek is likely to be a major discussion point this week as world governments grapple with China’s AI advances. “This summit isn’t just about AI—it’s about influence,” Capone told CNBC on Friday. “Expect a strategic messaging war as U.S., French, and *** AI leaders downplay DeepSeek’s relevance while China works to prove it’s not just catching up — it’s setting the pace.” “AI diplomacy is now as critical as AI development. The power struggle won’t be about who builds the best model; it’ll be about who controls the AI narrative,” he added. – CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report Source link #Frances #answer #Stargate #Macron #announces #investment Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]