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From US to UK to Germany, Elon Musk cosies up to the right wing WASHINGTON: There is no denying the importance of billionaire Elon Musk in American politics as he grows closer to US President-elect Donald Trump. Musk has largely been credited for Trump’s victory in the recent elections, which saw a defeat for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. His support went beyond broadcasting for Trump to over 208 million followers on his social media platform X. He also donated $277 million to back Trump and other Republican candidates. However, Musk is not done playing kingmaker. Last week, the Financial Times reported that the billionaire was considering donating to Reform UK, a right-wing political party founded by Nigel Farage. A rallying voice behind Brexit, Farage shares ideological views with Trump, especially his staunch anti-immigrant stance. Farage is among the growing list of populist rightwingers that Musk has cosied up to recently. A photo of Farage and his party’s treasurer, Nick Candy, with Musk at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence has stirred British politics. Speaking to FT, Candy said on Sunday the party promises “political disruption like we have never seen before”. He added that Musk was among several other billionaires who back Reform UK. Nigel Farage’s politics Farage managed to win a parliamentary seat for the first time in the 2024 UK elections. He had failed in his previous seven attempts. However, he remains an influential figure in UK politics, having a two-decade career in the European Parliament. At the time, he used his position to campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. In the 2024 elections, Reform UK dealt a sizeable blow to the Conservative Party, cutting its votes. One of the key planks of Farage’s party is its anti-immigrant stance. Farage has a clear plan. He advocates that the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights so that asylum-seekers can be deported. He wants to freeze “non-essential immigration”, bar international students from bringing in families to the UK, and push back any refugees illegally arriving on boats to flee war, conflict or poverty. Farage has also praised Trump’s para-governmental body, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. He said that their plans to sack vast numbers of people was a blueprint for what the UK needed, The Guardian has reported. Musk, Trump and Farage have also often positioned themselves against “wokism”. Musk in July went on a public rant against his transgender daughter, saying that the “woke mind virus” had killed his son. Similarly, Trump and Farage have spoken against the transgender community. Musk endorses AfD On Monday morning, Musk wrote on X, “Only AfD can save Germany,” reiterating his endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. This comes as Germany is headed for snap elections in February. AfD managed to win state elections in Thuringian in September, becoming the first far-right party to secure a victory in the country since World War 2. Many have criticised Musk’s endorsement of a party that was labelled a suspected extremist group by a German court. AfD members are proponents of extreme nationalism and have challenged the German guilt over the Holocaust. A senior member of the party was found guilty twice for using banned slogans related to the Nazi regime during his speeches. AfD has voiced staunch opposition to immigrants and advocated for Germany to leave the European Union. Musk’s growing influence Musk, who once backed Hilary Clinton’s presidential bid and called Trump “not the right man” for the United States, has had a dramatic shift in his politics. His leanings towards the right wing, however, are not new. Earlier this year, Musk came under fire from the Brazilian Supreme Court after he refused to follow an order to remove certain accounts of supporters of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. These accounts were accused of spreading disinformation on X. Musk had met Bolsonaro in May 2022. Recently, Musk’s friendship with Italian premier Giorgia Meloni, another far-right leader, was also questioned. Amid the speculation, Meloni was forced to issue a statement on December 18 saying, “I can be a friend of Elon Musk and at the same time the head of the first Italian government that made a new law to regulate private activity in space.” Meloni added that she “did not take orders from anyone”. The speculation comes close on the heels of a growing clamour in the US over Musk overshadowing the President-elect. Just last week, Musk was faulted for tanking a bipartisan funding proposal that sought to keep the US federal government afloat till March. He had taken to social media platform X to air his objections to the Bill, which was later endorsed by Trump. The House eventually passed legislation averting a government shutdown on Saturday. Notably, the plan excluded Trump’s demands for raising the government’s borrowing limit, which was opposed by Republicans and Democrats. Musk has also been accused of influencing Trump’s cabinet picks through his social media posts and has been reportedly sitting in on calls between Trump and foreign leaders. Even Trump has sat up and noticed the social media chatter which dubbed the X CEO “President Musk”. Addressing the concerns, Trump on Sunday said, “No he’s not taking the Presidency. They are on a new kick... the new one is President Trump has ceded the Presidency to Elon Musk... nah, that’s not happening.” Daily newsletter specially tailored for Indian Express global readers “No, he’s not going to be President, that I can tell you,” he added. “I am safe, you know why? He can’t be (President). He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said, ending with a chuckle. AgenciesWhen it comes to diversifying portfolios and building long-term wealth , there is one precious metal in particular that investors turn to: gold. These and the other unique benefits that gold offers have made the previous metal a sought-after asset decade after decade, but gold's remarkable price performance over the past year, in particular, has helped to boost the allure for both new and experienced investors. Starting the year at about $2,000 per ounce , gold prices spent much of 2024 on an upward trajectory, eventually landing at today's price of about $2,650 per ounce — while hitting numerous new records along the way. That type of swift, short-term price growth is unusual for gold, as the precious metal has historically grown in value over the long term . As a result, investors have been flocking to a range of gold assets, from gold stocks and exchange-traded funds to gold bullion , to try and capitalize on the opportunity for quick returns. But while the market offers various gold investment vehicles, 1-ounce gold bars , in particular, stand out as a particularly compelling option as we close in on 2025. Below, we'll explain why. Start adding gold to your investment portfolio today . 5 reasons to invest in 1-ounce gold bars before 2025 Adding these physical assets to your portfolio now could be a strategic move for both 2025 and beyond for the following reasons: After months of price increases, gold recently experienced a correction that caused the price of gold to fall from the late October high of $2,716.64 per ounce to where it sits today at $2,647.65 per ounce. While prices have shown signs of recovery in the time since, the price drop has created a rare opportunity for investors to acquire gold at a relative discount. After all, historical patterns suggest that such corrections are often followed by sustained periods of price appreciation, making this temporary dip an attractive opportunity for those looking to establish or increase their physical gold holdings . Find out more about the benefits of gold investing now . Despite the recent moderation in inflation rates, a recent uptick in consumer prices has renewed some of the concerns about inflationary pressures. There's no guarantee that the inflation uptick will continue, but it's still important to be prepared in today's uncertain economic climate, and that's what 1-ounce gold bars can help with. Gold bars can serve as an effective hedge against inflation , as they have historically maintained their purchasing power even as fiat currencies depreciate. The standardized weight and purity of 1-ounce gold bars make them particularly effective for this purpose, as their value is easily calculated and universally recognized. So if you add them to your portfolio now, before 2025, while the price is down, you'll get both the inflation-hedging properties and the opportunity to buy in while the price is dipping . Another benefit of adding 1-ounce gold bars to your portfolio before the new year is that they offer an ideal unit size for portfolio management and strategic investing. Unlike larger bars, 1-ounce gold bars provide greater flexibility in terms of buying, selling and portfolio rebalancing. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the current market environment, where being able to adjust positions quickly in response to market movements can be crucial. The standard size also makes them easier to store securely and transport if necessary. Major financial institutions and central banks have significantly increased their gold holdings over the past year to diversify their reserves and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, a trend that's expected to continue into 2025. This trend underscores the strategic importance of gold in a rapidly changing global financial landscape. When central banks increase their gold holdings, it typically signals long-term confidence in the precious metal. This trend also drives up demand, putting upward pressure on prices, and as institutional demand grows, the availability of physical gold could become more limited, potentially driving prices higher. By investing in 1-ounce gold bars now, you may be able to align your strategy with these institutional moves and benefit from the resulting market dynamics. With ongoing global tensions and political uncertainties looming, gold bullion, including 1-ounce gold bars, offers a unique form of wealth insurance . As a universally accepted asset that operates independently of the traditional banking system, these standardized gold assets provide both portability and instant recognition — critical features during times of geopolitical instability when conventional financial markets may face disruption. The bottom line The combination of current market conditions, economic uncertainties and gold's strong performance trajectory makes a compelling case for investing in 1-ounce gold bars before 2025. While all investments carry risk, the unique advantages of physical gold ownership, particularly in the standardized 1-ounce format, warrant serious consideration for investors looking to strengthen their portfolios against potential market volatility while positioning themselves for possible appreciation in the precious metals sector. Angelica Leicht is senior editor for Managing Your Money, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers activated linebacker Dre Greenlaw to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams for his first action since tearing his left Achilles tendon in last season's Super Bowl . Greenlaw had been practicing the past few weeks and was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday. San Francisco placed offensive lineman Ben Bartch on injured reserve with an ankle injury to make room on the roster. Greenlaw was one of the emotional leaders of San Francisco's defense before the freak injury in the first half of the Super Bowl loss to Kansas City. Greenlaw bounced up and down on the sideline and then started to run onto the field with a few teammates when he collapsed holding his left leg. He was then helped off in a cart. Greenlaw was drafted in the fifth round in 2019 and emerged as one of the key defenders for San Francisco in 2022. He started 30 games the past two seasons with 247 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed and three takeaways. The Niners have missed his intensity and physical play this season, especially against the run. The Rams and 49ers both promoted players from the practice squad for the game with Los Angeles adding defensive back Charles Woods and San Francisco promoting running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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Biden Deports More Immigrants Than Trump in 2024 ICE Nearly Doubles Deportations From Previous Year DHS Records Highest Removals Since 2010 The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden deported 271,484 immigrants during fiscal year 2024, which ended this past September. This marks the highest figure in a decade and surpasses the deportation numbers from the previous administration of President-elect Donald Trump (2017–2021). According to the annual report cited Thursday by The Washington Post , the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) nearly doubled its deportations from the previous year. They sendt 142,580 individuals back to their countries of origin. Biden Reaches Record High in Deportations Biden Reaches Record High in Deportations – PHOTO: Shutterstock This number also exceeds Trump’s highest annual deportation count, recorded in 2019, when 267,258 immigrants were removed. In 2017, the start of Trump’s presidency, ICE deported 226,119 immigrants—a lower figure than the 240,255 individuals deported in 2016 under the Obama administration (2009–2017). You may also like: Mexico reinforces consular support in the US in the face of Trump’s deportation threats In 2018, ICE deported 256,085 individuals, while in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number dropped to 185,884. Under Biden’s administration, the first fiscal year (2021) saw 59,011 deportations, increasing to 72,177 in 2022. By 2024, ICE had conducted deportations to 192 countries. Massive Deportations and Removals Under Biden Administration Patrick J. Lechleitner, ICE’s principal official, stated that the agency is «apolitical» and operates to enforce laws established by the U.S. Congress. He also expressed concerns about «chronic underfunding,» which could hinder the mass deportation plans promised by the incoming president, who takes office on January 20. During fiscal year 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) returned over 700,000 individuals to their countries of origin, including other types of removals. This figure surpasses any fiscal year total since 2010, according to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). An Uncertain Future Deportations and removals by DHS include operations conducted by ICE and CBP. The increase in deportations during Biden’s administration may signal a trend, especially as the administration changes. Meanwhile, DHS and its agencies face challenges in balancing law enforcement with limited resources and growing political pressure. SOURCE : EFE CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ABOUT THIS AND OTHER NEWS PHOTO: MundoNOW if(typeof custom_paginate == "function")custom_paginate()
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5 top tech gifts for the holidays(The Center Square) – Adoption of institutional neutrality is supported by better than 6 in 10 tenured and nontenured faculty at the University of North Carolina, Wake Forest University and Duke University, a report says. Nationally, 66% of faculty say “colleges and universities should not take positions on political and social issues,” says Silence in the Classroom, the 2024 FIRE Faculty Survey Report. At Duke, the percentage is 71%, at Carolina 65%, and at Wake 64%. Higher education is facing mounting challenges, from the costs to the positions it favors. Silencing students or faculty has drawn sharp criticism from Capitol Hill to every corner of the nation sending people to the ballot box. Carolina, established in 1789, is the nation’s oldest public university. It also earlier this year became embattled in free speech controversy tied to the war between Hamas and Israel. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression , as FIRE is more formally known, is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization billing itself as “defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.” Surveys on topics related to free expression and academic freedom were made of 6,269 tenured, tenure-track and nontenure faculty at 55 four-year colleges and universities in America. In North Carolina, the sampling was of 145 at Carolina, 80 at Duke, and 55 at Wake Forest. For each campus, respondents said the top “difficult issue to discuss” is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Asked for top three issues, the Middle East saga was 79% at Carolina, 71% at Wake Forest and 68% at Duke. Each campus was split on the second and third choices. At Duke, 57% said affirmative action and 51% transgender rights. At Carolina, 54% said affirmative action and 53% racial inequality. And at Wake, 63% said racial inequality and 55% transgender rights. All were talking points of various candidates, particularly the presidential race, in the election cycle climaxing last month. In response to faculty feeling “they could not express their opinion because of how others would respond,” the choices of “occasionally,” “fairly often” and “very often” drew a combined 69% at Wake Forest, 69% at Duke and 67% at Carolina. Fairly often and very often were 35% at Duke. Statements pledging commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is rarely or never justified of faculty job candidates, said 61% at Duke, 44% at Carolina and 42% at Wake Forest. Nationally, the response was 50%. Academic freedom leaned more toward secure than not at all three institutions on a split of about 60%-40%. As for faculty feeling a need to “hide their political beliefs from other faculty in an attempt to keep their job,” answers of “never” were chosen by 43% at Duke, 42% at Carolina and 36% at Wake Forest. Among the national findings of the FIRE survey: • More faculty (35%) than during the McCarthy era (9%) say they toned down their writing for fear of controversy. • Threats of discipline for teaching, research, academic talks or other off-campus speech was incurred by 14%. • Faculty feeling unable to speak freely for fear of how others would respond was 27%. • Fear of damaged reputations because of misunderstandings with something said or done was 40%. • Fear of losing jobs because of misunderstandings with something said or done was 23%.
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