4 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on US govt dodges crippling shutdown with last-minute spending deal – saving Xmas for 800,000 workers at risk of no pay
THE US government has managed to dodge a crippling Christmas shutdown for over 800,000 workers with a last-minute spending deal.
Congress narrowly avoided the major public service nightmare as they passed a bill to fund federal agencies through till March.
APSenate majority leader Chuck Schumer celebrates at the Capitol after the deal was passed in the final moments[/caption]
ReutersUS House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the media following the government shutdown being narrowly avoided[/caption]
Plans to approve the new budget were thrown into chaos just days ago when billionaire Elon Musk and new pal Donald Trump hit out at a billAP
Without the agreement the government would have plunged into chaos on Saturday for the festive period with workers risking not getting paid.
All non-essential operations would have been postponed with up to 875,000 workers being put on furlough.
Up to 1.4 million staff would have also been made to work without any pay.
Many parks, monuments and national sites would have been forced to close due to payment woes.
The deadline for granting a spending package had actually passed by the time politicians decided to act but they managed to fast-track it just minutes later.
It was approved after senators agreed to bypass the normal procedure in order to find a solution.
Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made a celebratory speech on the Senate floor following the bill.
He said: “It’s good news that the bipartisan approach in the end prevailed.
“It’s a good outcome for America and the American people.”
The Democrats hold a majority in the Senate so they are often in control of the big decisions.
The party was also crucial in helping the Republican majority in the House get the bill through earlier in the day.
It was supported by 336 votes to 34 in the House before also earning 85 votes in favour compared to 11 against in the Senate.
Plans to approve the new budget were thrown into chaos just days ago when billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk hit out at a bill.
Musk has quickly become one of the constant faces of US politics after aligning with president-elect Donald Trump for his election clean sweep.
Trump has even gifted the Tesla chief a role in his team as “efficiency czar”.
Musk pressured the Republicans into going back on a funding bill they had spent weeks trying to finalise and clear with Democrats.
His feelings were soon backed by Trump who wanted to increase the debt ceiling and help cap the amount the government can borrow.
Lawmakers finally agreed on the festive-time spending boost as they pledged a $110billion package to be carried out until March 14.
It will also include money for disaster aid and financial relief for farmers.
It is essentially the same as a previous failed bill that was rejected but now excludes a two-year suspension of the country’s self-imposed borrowing limit demanded by Trump.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said following the bill: “This is a good outcome for the country.”
He added he has spoken with Trump who was “certainly happy about this outcome”.
The bill will now be sent to the White House where President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law later on Saturday.
What is a government shutdown?
A GOVERNMENT shutdown would have been terrible for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
If the Senate failed to approve the needed spending bill then the government would have been unable to provide payment to their staff.
Federal employees and the public services they work in would have all been badly affected.
This could mean places run by the government who often see high numbers of visitors across Christmas won’t be open die to staffing issues.
Some would be placed on furlough and not work at all whereas others would simply work without pay until the money is found.
One of the worst affected areas would be the courts.
Civil proceedings would be paused with just criminal prosecutions continuing – likely resulting in a lengthy backlog.
Luckily essential government agencies like the FBI, Border Patrol and the Coast Guard would still stay open despite the financial woes.
The last government shutdown was also the longest in history.
Between December 2018 to January 2019 the US went through weeks of turmoil during Trump’s first term in the White House.
APRepublican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Trump was ‘happy about the outcome’[/caption]
4 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Shawshank Redemption star William Sadler’s wife dies after cancer battle as he shares pic of wedding day 46 years ago
SHAWSHANK Redemption star William Sadler has announced the death of his wife Marni Joan Bakst after 46 years of marriage.
Sadler, 74, shared the news to his Facebook, alongside a heartwarming photo of him and Bakst on the morning of their wedding in 1978.
GettyActor William Sadler and wife Marni Joan Bakst[/caption]
FacebookThe Shawshank Redemption star William Sadler is mourning the death of his beloved wife[/caption]
In the image, the couple are pictured in their bathrobes at a breakfast table before getting married later that day.
In the message accompanied with the photo, Sadler said Bakst tragically died on Wednesday after a two year battle with cancer.
Sadler added on Facebook: “Early yesterday morning, my wife, Marni Bakst, finally lost her two year battle with cancer.
“After what has been an amazing forty five years of marriage I don’t think I can fathom or put into words much of this yet.
“Maybe with time and a little distance I’ll find it easier to describe this extraordinary artist, feminist, wife, and mother, but for now I want to thank you all for your patience and kind words.”
Sadler and Bakst welcomed a daughter together during their marriage called Sadler Colley Bakst, 38.
Sadler previously posted the same picture in a heartwarming tribute to his wife on their anniversary last year.
He wrote alongside the photo last May: “This picture was taken the morning of our wedding, exactly forty five years ago today.
“The extraordinary looking young woman with the huge eyes is Ms. Marni Bakst. The lucky young man is me.
“All these years later I still bring her coffee, she still has those beautiful eyes, and I’m still the luckiest man on this, or any other planet. Happy Anniversary Marni!”
Bakst was with Sadler throughout his acting career – before he made his Broadway debut in Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues in 1985.
Sadler’s most famous role is playing the character Heywood in the acclaimed 1994 drama The Shawshank Redemption.
Based on the Stephen King novel, the movie starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and is labelled as one of the best motion pictures ever made.
Sadler is also in movies like the 1990 Die Hard 2 and the 2013 Marvel movie Iron Man 3.
This year he could be seen in the Max horror movie dubbed ‘Salem’s Lot’ – another Stephen King adaptation.
This is to refer back to The Shawshank Redemption.
FacebookThe Shawshank Redemption star William Sadler with his late wife Marni Joan Bakst[/caption]
4 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Drivers face increased parking fines under new January 1 rule as fees are hiked for first time since 2011
RESIDENTS in a major city are facing an increase in parking fines in the New Year – for the first time since 2011.
Drivers in Seattle will now need to be extra careful where they leave their vehicle, or face fines that are going to be as high as $73.
GettySeattle is set to raise fines for nearly all of its parking violations for the first time since 2011[/caption]
GettyCurrently, the smallest fine is just $29, but now it could be as high as $73[/caption]
According to Komo News, the Seattle Municipal Court is introducing a rise in fines for most parking violations across the city, starting from January 1.
Currently, most parking fines range from $29 to $53, depending on the violation.
But these will be increased to $43 through to $73.
Most violations currently cost drivers an amount of $47, but this will go up to $69 from New Year’s day.
It appears the largest fine currently is $250, which can be given for violations such as illegally parking in a marked disabled bay or with an invalid placard.
Indeed, the $250 fine is the only amount that won’t be increasing in 2025.
Seattle isn’t the only city that’s introducing a hefty change to parking laws.
Police on patrol routes across the city will spend the next several weeks issuing written warnings to cars that are caught violating commonly broken parking laws.
City Police Chief Jim Lester said: “We just felt that, you know, maybe it’s time we spend a little more time addressing these issues while we’re on patrol.
“Rather than being a little more complaint-based, being a little more proactive in our approach.”
To this end, officers will likely ramp up their efforts by the start of 2025, with $25 fines to be handed out that can rise to $50 during snow emergencies.
Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
This latest Illinois lottery winner isn’t alone in not claiming their prize.
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
4 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Blake Lively sues ‘It Ends With Us’ co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, campaign to ‘destroy’ her reputation
They starred in "It Ends With Us," but their legal battle is only just beginning.
