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BY MELISSA GOLDIN Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont’s high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents’ wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella’s suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella’s son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school’s assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct” that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn’t want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn’t say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court’s mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.”Explore the sectors Africa’s riches billionaires dominate, the lifestyles they lead, and the journeys that brought them success, revealing how their influence extends far beyond their financial worth to drive change across the continent. Africa’s top billionaires have amassed their wealth through innovation, resilience, and visionary business strategies, transforming industries along the way. From manufacturing and mining to telecommunications and consumer goods, these industry leaders are not only shaping Africa’s economic landscape but also leaving a global impact. Explore the sectors they dominate, the lifestyles they lead, and the journeys that brought them success, revealing how their influence extends far beyond their financial worth to drive change across the continent. 1. Aliko Dangote Net Worth: $15.6 billion Sector: Manufacturing (Cement, Sugar, Flour, Oil and Gas) Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa for over a decade, built his wealth through Dangote Group, a conglomerate that dominates the African market in cement, sugar and flour production as well as oil and gas refining. Despite his immense wealth, Dangote maintains a relatively low-profile lifestyle. His journey began with trading commodities, and today, he is spearheading projects like the Dangote Refinery, which will significantly impact Nigeria’s oil industry. 2. Johann Rupert Net Worth: $10.7 billion Sector: Luxury Goods Johann Rupert, a South African billionaire, heads Compagnie Financière Richemont, known for luxury brands like Cartier and Montblanc. His understated yet luxurious lifestyle reflects his company’s high-end clientele. Rupert’s journey was rooted in his father’s tobacco business, which he diversified into the global luxury goods empire it is today. 3. Nicky Oppenheimer Net Worth: $8.4 billion Sector: Mining (Diamonds) Join the Premium Times WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. Open in WhatsApp Nicky Oppenheimer, a diamond magnate, made his fortune through the Oppenheimer family’s 40% stake in De Beers, the world’s largest diamond producer. His family sold its stake in 2012 for $5.1 billion. Though private, Oppenheimer enjoys philanthropy, particularly in environmental conservation. His journey started in the diamond mines, and he eventually steered De Beers to global prominence. 4. AbdulsamadRabiu Net Worth: $8.1 billion Sector: Manufacturing (Cement, Sugar, Real Estate) AbdulsamadRabiu is another Nigerian industrialist who made his wealth through BUA Group, a conglomerate in cement, sugar, and real estate. Known for his quiet and modest lifestyle, Rabiu expanded his family business into one of Nigeria’s largest manufacturing companies. His journey highlights his ability to navigate Nigeria’s complex business environment. 5. Nassef Sawiris Net Worth: $7.2 billion Sector: Construction, Chemicals Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris, part of the wealthiest family in Egypt, runs Orascom Construction and is heavily invested in global giants like Adidas. His journey in construction has made him one of the world’s most influential investors. Despite his vast fortune, Sawiris prefers to keep a low profile. 6. Mike Adenuga Net Worth: $6.1 billion Sector: Telecommunications, Oil Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s second-richest man, made his fortune in telecommunications and oil, founding Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom company. He also owns Conoil, a major oil exploration firm. Known for his opulent lifestyle, Adenuga’s journey is marked by his relentless ambition, starting with small ventures and growing into a telecom and oil powerhouse. 7. Issad Rebrab Net Worth: $5.1 billion Sector: Food and Beverage Algeria’s IssadRebrab made his fortune through Cevital, the country’s largest privately-held conglomerate. Cevital operates one of the world’s largest sugar refineries. Known for his down-to-earth lifestyle, Rebrab’s journey began in humble beginnings before establishing a food empire that spans across continents. 8. Naguib Sawiris Net Worth: $3.3 billion Sector: Telecom, Media Naguib Sawiris, Nassef’s brother, has a stronghold in the telecom industry with Orascom Telecom, which was sold to Russia’s VimpelCom in 2011. A lover of luxury, Naguib is known for his flamboyant lifestyle and sharp business acumen. He now focuses on media and political ventures in Egypt. 9. Patrice Motsepe Net Worth: $2.9 billion Sector: Mining South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe, the first Black African billionaire, founded African Rainbow Minerals, which mines gold, platinum, and other precious metals. Known for his philanthropy, Motsepe has pledged half of his wealth to charity. His journey started in the law, before transitioning to mining, where he saw massive success. 10. KoosBekker Net Worth: $2.5 billion Sector: Media, Technology KoosBekker transformed Naspers from a South African newspaper publisher into a global e-commerce and media giant, investing in platforms like Tencent. Bekker’s modest lifestyle contrasts with the digital empire he’s built. His journey underscores visionary leadership, taking calculated risks in emerging markets. 11. Mohamed Mansour Net Worth: $2.5 billion Sector: Diversified (Automotive, Retail) Mohamed Mansour oversees the Mansour Group, a family-owned conglomerate with interests in automotive and retail sectors, including the distribution of General Motors vehicles. Mansour is known for his reserved yet philanthropic lifestyle, with investments spanning Africa, Europe, and beyond. 12. Strive Masiyiwa Net Worth: $1.9 billion Sector: Telecommunications Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean billionaire, founded Econet, one of the largest telecom companies in Africa. Masiyiwa is a prominent philanthropist and advocate for African entrepreneurship. His journey is marked by resilience, overcoming regulatory challenges in Zimbabwe to create a telecom giant that serves millions across the continent. 13. Mohammed Dewji Net Worth: $1.5 billion Sector: Manufacturing Tanzania’s Mohammed Dewji, CEO of MeTL Group, transformed a small trading business into a $1.5 billion conglomerate. Dewji, Africa’s youngest billionaire, is known for his active lifestyle and philanthropy. His journey reflects the power of family legacy and strategic investment in manufacturing. 14. Prateek Suri Net Worth: $1.4 billion Sector: Consumer Electronics, Investment, Manufacturing Prateek Suri, founder of Maser Group and MDR Investments popularly known as technology tiger of Africa, made his fortune in the consumer electronics and tech space after valuation crossing $5bn after acquired by SCG, focusing on frontier technologies and large-cap ventures in Africa mining and infrastructure, shipping and AI and the GCC region. Known for his high-energy lifestyle, Suri’s journey highlights innovation in manufacturing and technology, with an eye on transforming Africa’s tech landscape. Suri is Africa’s youngest billionaire with net worth $1.4bn 15. Youssef Mansour Net Worth: $1.1 billion Sector: Retail, Consumer Goods Youssef Mansour, part of Egypt’s wealthy Mansour family, has built his wealth through Metro, Egypt’s largest supermarket chain, and other consumer goods ventures. He lives a low-profile lifestyle, focusing on expanding his family’s retail empire across Africa and the Middle East. 16. Othman Benjelloun Net Worth: $1.1 billion Sector: Banking, Insurance Othman Benjelloun, a Moroccan banking magnate, founded BMCE Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. Benjelloun is known for his classic and traditional lifestyle. His journey through finance has positioned him as one of the most influential bankers in North Africa. 17. Michiel Le Roux Net Worth: $1 billion Sector: Banking Michiel Le Roux founded Capitec Bank, one of South Africa’s most successful retail banks, revolutionizing affordable banking for the masses. Le Roux enjoys a relatively simple lifestyle, focusing on the banking sector and making banking accessible for all. His journey reflects his focus on innovation in financial inclusion. 18. Christoffel Wiese Net Worth: $1 billion Sector: Retail Christoffel Wiese, South Africa’s retail giant, made his fortune through Shoprite, the continent’s largest retailer. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Wiese’s journey has seen both remarkable successes and setbacks, but his influence on African retail remains unmatched. 19. Youssef Dewji Net Worth: $900 million Sector: Manufacturing, Real Estate Youssef Dewji, part of the influential Dewji family in Tanzania, has seen tremendous success in the manufacturing and real estate sectors, expanding his family’s business legacy. His modest lifestyle belies his impressive business acumen. 20. Aziz Akhannouch Net Worth: $900 million Sector: Oil and Gas Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s oil and gas magnate, is also a politician, serving as the country’s Prime Minister. His family owns Akwa Group, a conglomerate focused on petroleum products. Akhannouch maintains a relatively low public profile, balancing his political and business commitments. Conclusion Africa’s leading billionaires are at the forefront of driving economic transformation, channeling investments into critical sectors and shaping industries that will define the continent’s future. Their inspiring journeys highlight the impact of resilience, innovation, and a shared vision for a more prosperous and dynamic Africa.
Will Fagg was waiting for a Christmas miracle. The owner of Federal Hill pizzeria, TinyBrickOven, Fagg was getting ready to close his shop on Christmas Day after being unable to secure a liquor license. But now, the family-run pizza business is set to remain open for another year after Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, said he would give the shop $60,000. Portnoy visited Tinybrickoven earlier this month to review its pizza and met Fagg, who said the pizzeria would close unless it obtained a liquor license. In a video posted to social media Monday, Portnoy praised the pizza, describing it as “thin, New York kind of style” with a “good undercarriage.” “There’s no way this place should be going out of business, none,” Portnoy said in the video. When Fagg came outside to shake Portnoy’s hand, the social media personality had one question for the pizza shop owner: how much would he need to stay open for another year? “I think we could probably get our liquor license and continue to stay open if we had $60,000,” Fagg said in the video. “Done,” Portnoy said, reaching out for a handshake. Fagg was in disbelief. “Wow,” he said. “I’m gonna cry, man, I’m gonna cry.” The slice of cheese pizza earned a 7.9 out of 10 on Portnoy’s scale. The review posted to YouTube has racked up more than 220,000 views in less than 24 hours. The pizza shop has asked the community to write to Senate President Bill Ferguson and Del. Luke Clippinger, both Baltimore Democrats, to voice support for the business. Portnoy’s review has also spurred an outpouring of support on social media. Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, a hedge fund, called on Gov. Wes Moore to help in a post on X, formerly Twitter . “How about fast-tracking Tiny Brick Oven’s liquor license so they can stay in business and serve customers?” he wrote on the social media site Tuesday morning. “It would be a wonderful holiday gift and a good demonstration of efficient and responsive government.” A GoFundMe created by Fagg to support the shop’s pay it forward program, an effort to provide free pizza to people in need, had raised nearly $60,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. Have a news tip? Contact Natalie Jones at najones@baltsun.com , 443-679-7818 and x.com/nataliemjones.MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo was available for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Washington Wizards Saturday night after missing one game with swelling in his left knee. Antetokounmpo sat out the Bucks’ 106-103 NBA Cup victory at Miami on Tuesday. The two-time MVP had been listed as probable with tendinopathy in his right patellar tendon. “He’s good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game. Antetokounmpo entered Saturday as the league’s leading scorer at 32.4 points per game. He ranked fifth in rebounds (11.9) and 20th in assists (6.4). ___ AP NBA:
Manulife announces Subordinated Debenture issueIf you’re sitting on a pile of travel or credit card rewards with no immediate travel plans, donating them to a charity is an easy way to have a positive impact. And it's a popular way to give: In 2021, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members donated around 94 million miles to charities at an approximate cash value of $2.6 million, according to the airline. Beyond the social benefits, miles donations also qualify as activity on your loyalty account and can prevent the rest of your rewards from expiring . But if you’re in the habit of maximizing points and miles, you might also want to stretch the value of your charitable donations as far as possible. And by that measure, some methods of donating points and miles fall short. Here’s what to consider before donating your miles and points . Many loyalty programs make it easy to redeem your points and miles for a donation directly through their rewards portals. But some portals — especially those from airline and hotel programs — don’t publish the cash value a charity will receive for your miles or points. That means the charity may receive less value for your donation than you’d think, while also making it hard to compare the value of a donation with the value of other options for redeeming your points. Best Western Rewards is one of the few loyalty programs that publishes a cash value for charitable points donations. The charity will receive $2 for every 500 points you donate, for a point a value of 0.4 cent each. NerdWallet values Best Western points at 0.6 cent apiece, so you would receive 33% less value for your donation relative to using them for a hotel stay. Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t count points and miles as a source of income, so if you donate them, you can't deduct the cash value of your gift. This lack of favorable tax treatment for the consumer combined with the uncertain value you’ll often receive for miles and points donations should have you at least consider other avenues for your philanthropic endeavors. Keep in mind that this drawback only matters for taxpayers who itemize deductions on their income tax returns. If you're like most people and take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, you wouldn't be able to get a charitable tax deduction from any donation. Some rewards programs have a minimum donation amount for select charities. For example, you’d have to donate at least 2,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. That minimum amount makes it tougher to donate points that may be collecting dust in your loyalty account. To maximize the value of your donation, consider a charity that books travel directly with your miles or points rather than donating directly through your loyalty program's portal. For example, Miles4Migrants uses donated airline miles and credit card points to directly book award travel for refugees and asylum seekers. “Instead of maximizing points and miles to book a dream trip, we do it to help refugees reach safe new beginnings,” said Patrick Stouffer, partnerships manager at Miles4Migrants, in an email. Miles4Migrants has redeemed over 775 million donated miles in pursuit of their mission, with a cash value of over $17 million. That expertise allows them to get more value out of every donation. “Our team has the specialized knowledge necessary to stretch the value of every point or mile, ensuring donations go as far as possible,” Stouffer said. “Even if you aren’t able to reap any tax advantages of donating your points, at least you’ll know they made the largest possible impact.” Direct cash donations help avoid the downsides of donating miles and points. If you have a credit card that earns cash back , or if you earn cash rewards through a shopping portal like TopCashBack or Rakuten , consider cashing out and donating those rewards instead of your miles and points. With a cash donation, you’ll know the exact value a charity will receive from your donation and likely qualify for a potential itemized deduction on your taxes. Some rewards programs make this process simple and transparent. Travel rewards programs sometimes incentivize charitable giving by offering bonus points for your cash donations. For example, American Airlines offers 10 AAdvantage miles for every dollar members contribute to the charity Stand Up To Cancer. That extra incentive can be an individual boon for your charitable donation. Just be aware that any points or miles you receive from such promotions will reduce the tax deductibility of your contribution. American Airlines values those bonus miles you receive through donations at 3 cents each. So if you donate $100 and receive 1,000 AAdvantage miles, American values those miles at $30. You’ll receive a tax form declaring those rewards as $30 in income, giving you a qualifying tax deduction of $70. When you donate cash and receive bonus points, the charity still receives your full donation and you get a slug of points. While you'll have to pay taxes on those points, it can still be a big win for your future travel plans. More From NerdWallet Craig Joseph writes for NerdWallet. Email: cjoseph@nerdwallet.com . The article Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? originally appeared on NerdWallet.