Harsh realities quotes

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The House of Representatives voted 220-207 to approve the $437 billion Inflation Reduction Act on Friday after months of torturous negotiations among Senate Democrats that finally resulted in a landmark climate, health and tax package that passed that chamber Sunday, giving President Joe Biden and the Democrats a key win ahead of midterm elections in November. Key Facts The House vote ran along party lines, with no Republicans joining the 220 Democrats who voted to approve the package. The bill , which is a slimmed-down version of Biden’s Build Back Better plan that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) hammered out with key holdout Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), includes $369 billion in spending on climate and energy programs–the biggest clean energy investment in U.S. history. It also contains ambitious measures to reduce health care costs, giving Medicare the power to negotiate with … [Read more...] about House Approves Democrats’ Ambitious $430 Billion Climate And Health Bill

- A + A PARIS (Aug 12): The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun preliminary technical discussions with Elon Musk's SpaceX that could lead to the temporary use of its launchers after the Ukraine conflict blocked Western access to Russia's Soyuz rockets. The private American competitor to Europe's Arianespace has emerged as a key contender to plug a temporary gap alongside Japan and India, but final decisions depend on the still unresolved timetable for Europe's delayed Ariane 6 rocket. "I would say there are two-and-a-half options that we're discussing. One is SpaceX, that is clear. Another one is possibly Japan," ESA director general Josef Aschbacher told Reuters. "Japan is waiting for the inaugural flight of its next generation rocket. Another option could be India," he added in an interview. "SpaceX I would say is the more operational of those and certainly one of the back-up launches we are looking at." Aschbacher said talks remained at an exploratory … [Read more...] about Europe eyes Musk’s SpaceX to replace Russian rockets

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12): The GDP growth in second quarter of 2022 (2Q22), which came in at 8.9% year-on-year (y-o-y), has exceeded market consensus expectation of a 7% increase. Despite the "above expectation" economic growth, economists are warning that the pace of growth is likely to slow in the second half of 2022 (2H22) on possible weaker consumer spending and external uncertainties. RHB Bank said that it is anticipating a slower growth momentum into 2H22. "The momentum in consumer spending might be tapered towards the year end amidst weaker discretionary spending following the tightening of monetary conditions, higher costs of living due to intensifying inflationary pressures coupled with the expiry of some pandemic-related measures," said RHB Bank economist Chin Yee Sian and associate research analyst Wong Xian Yong. On top of that, Chin and Wong expect a slower momentum ahead for the gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) with downside risks from lower … [Read more...] about Economists see slower growth in 2H22 following stellar 2Q22 GDP data

Cherie Gil True to Cherie Gil’s iconic line, “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat,” she’s a tough act to follow. The primera contrabida left a void in the biz that nobody else can fill. Bravo, Cherie, for a life well-lived and for being so well-loved. As my little tribute to Cherie, I asked some of her peers to share their fondest memory of the incredible Eigenmann woman. Vilma Santos Vilma Santos: I will always remember Cherie as a true friend, a very sincere person, a real artist, kalog at napakasayang kasama. Nabawasan tayo ng icon. Ricky Davao Ricky Davao: When I was 16, I would always go to the house of Tita Rosemarie Gil to spend the whole day with Michael and Mark. One time, I saw a very shy Cherie, who was around 13 years old at the time. Hindi pa kami nag-uusap nun, “hi, hello” lang, but she was now making these jokes on the set. She always shone bright, and I feel blessed to have this and so many other memories with her and her … [Read more...] about Tough act to follow: Celebs ’fond memories of Cherie Gil

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin People are concerned about money. More than half ( 54% ) of the United States workforce cite money issues as a larger cause of stress than their health and relationships. Finding unique wealth-building strategies is an excellent way to feel ahead of the game, and the strategies don’t even have to be complex! Here are some simple tips for staying on top of your money game. Invest Your Spare Change in Crypto Crypto is a word people all around the world are now familiar with. However, the use of cryptocurrency is still a mystery to many. Bitcoin BTC was the first cryptocurrency to be outlined in principle in 2008 and is by far the most popular, with $1.03 trillion invested in it, representing around 40% of all crypto investments. The project was described by its creator, operating under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto , as “an electronic payment system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust.” IRS … [Read more...] about 3 Wealth-Building Strategies You Haven’t Thought Of Yet

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin As Congress is about to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, Washington is once again having a breathless debate over very little. This one is about whether Democrats are violating President Biden’s pledge to not raise taxes on households making $400,000 or less annually. But here’s the secret: This is yet another ridiculous political argument. The Tax Policy Center analyzed the big climate, health, and tax bill three different ways. The bill is quite progressive every time. On average, the after-tax incomes of low- and moderate-income households either would go up a bit or not change in any measurable way. The average after-tax incomes of high-income people would decline. But on average, the vast majority of households will barely notice any tax change, one way or the other. Effectively zero tax change In one TPC analysis , average taxes of middle-income households would fall by $100. In another, they’d go up … [Read more...] about Ignore The Debate Over Whether The Inflation Reduction Act Raises Taxes On Those Making $400,000 Or Less

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Abortion rights advocates and providers asked the Florida Supreme Court to decide whether the state’s 15-week abortion ban should be blocked in court, after an appeals court allowed the ban to stay in effect—the first test of whether the court will overturn its decades-old precedent protecting abortion rights and let the state enact harsher bans. Key Facts The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers asked the Florida Supreme Court to consider a July ruling from a state appeals court, which allowed the ban to remain in effect as the litigation moves forward and denied a request to fast-track the case to the Supreme Court. The plaintiffs said the Florida Supreme Court has jurisdiction to review the ruling because it directly conflicts with its own precedent, as the state’s highest court ruled in 1989 that the Florida Constitution and its right to privacy protects … [Read more...] about Florida Supreme Court Asked To Consider Blocking 15-Week Abortion Ban After Appeals Court Lets It Stay In Place

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Justice Department filed a motion in federal court Thursday afternoon to unseal the search warrant that was the basis for Monday's FBI raid on President Donald Trump's Florida home Mar-a-Lago, with Attorney General Merrick Garland saying the decision to seek to release it was in response to “the substantial public interest in this matter.” Key Facts Garland said he personally made the decision to apply for the search warrant. The motion came after media outlets, including the New York Times , requested the search warrant be made public. The Justice Department has also asked to unseal a redacted property receipt listing items seized in the search. Garland offered few other updates of the federal investigation into Trump during a short press briefing Thursday afternoon, but he did take time to blast what he called “unfounded” attacks on agents that carried out the raid and prosecutors … [Read more...] about Justice Department Requests Mar-A-Lago Search Warrant Be Made Public

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Iowa could become the latest state to prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) asked a state court Thursday to let the state’s abortion ban take effect after it was blocked in 2018. Key Facts Reynolds filed a motion in state district court asking a judge to lift an injunction that blocked Iowa’s six-week ban, which was enacted in 2018 but then struck down in court, after the governor previously vowed in June that she would do so. Abortion is now legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks into a pregnancy, and the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that abortion rights are protected under the state Constitution. The Iowa Supreme Court then overturned its precedent in June after Reynolds appointed new justices to the court and it became more conservative, ruling abortion rights are not protected in a case concerning a mandatory 24-hour waiting period law that’s now been allowed … [Read more...] about Iowa Could Outlaw Abortion As Governor Asks Court To Let 6-Week Ban Take Effect

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A California federal judge preliminarily approved the $24 million equal pay settlement between the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Soccer Federation, helping close an over 5-year-long dispute for wage equality. Key Facts Judge Gary Klausner of California’s Central District Court granted a motion to approve the settlement on Thursday. The U.S. Soccer Federation, the governing entity for the national soccer team, has committed to equal pay between the national men and women’s soccer teams per the agreement’s terms. The agreement includes $22 million to be evenly distributed between the team’s 30 players , with another $2 million to be set aside in a fund for post career goals and charities for women’s and girl’s soccer, according to Reuters . Klausner set a December 1 deadline for final approval of the settlement. Key Background In 2016, members of the National Women’s Soccer … [Read more...] about U.S Women’s National Soccer Team Scores $24 Million Settlement And Equal Pay For Women’s And Men’s Players