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Archive April 30, 2025

Trump blames predecessor as US economy hit by tariff policies

In response to Trump’s widespread disruptions caused by his tariff policies, former president Joe Biden is to blame for the decline of important economic indicators during his first months in office.

The US economy experienced its first-ever quarterly decline in three years, contracting by 0.3% in the process. The economy increased by 2.4% over the previous three months of 2024.

Trump stated in a post on his website Truth Social that “this is Biden’s stock market, not Trump’s.” “Tariffs will soon start to kick in, and businesses are registering record numbers of new business in the USA. Our nation will prosper, but we must eliminate the “Overhang” between Biden and him. This will take some time because he only left us with subpar numbers, but it will be unlike any other boom when it starts. AGREE! “!

Trump’s policies, which he introduced as president, have stymied financial markets amid concerns about an escalating trade war and uncertainty surrounding the tariff policies.

Imports increased in the first quarter as US companies sought to avoid higher costs that might come with upcoming tariff increases. However, inflation is still at a low. Consumer prices increased by 2.3 percent in March from 2.5% in February, up from 2.3 percent in February.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted Trump’s claims that Biden was to blame for any trouble in a press release from the White House, adding that the Wednesday economic report showed “strong economic momentum.”

The underlying statistics reveal the true extent of the strong momentum President Trump is delivering, Leavitt said. “It’s no surprise that the leftovers from Biden’s economic disaster have been a drag on economic growth.

The US’s declining economic indicators are attributable to Trump’s chaotic approach to tariffs, according to many economists. The S&amp, P 500 has decreased by about 7.3 percent since taking office.

According to Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, “If the blowout on trade was the result of firms pre-buying imported inputs to beat the tariffs, the decline in the trade balance will reverse in the second quarter.” That will lead to some GDP growth, the author predicts. By the end of this year, the GDP will be back in decline due to the corrosive uncertainty and higher taxes, which are a tax on imports.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated last week that current rates were not “sustainable,” suggesting that the White House might reduce tariffs with important US trading partners like China.

Spain’s grid denies renewable energy to blame for massive blackout

As Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is under increasing pressure to explain what went wrong, Spain’s grid operator has denied that solar power was to blame for the country’s worst blackout.

On Wednesday, Red Electrica de Espana (REE) stated that two separate instances of generation loss have been reduced to substation losses in southwest Spain, but that it is too early to make any conclusions because it has not yet located them in its exact location.

Former Socialist minister Beatriz Corredor, the head of REE, claimed that Spain’s high level of renewable energy was to blame for the failure.

She continued, adding that she was not thinking about leaving because “these technologies are already stable and they have systems that allow them to operate as a conventional generation system without any safety issues.”

After a power outage on Monday that temporarily halted trains, shut airports, and trapped people in lifts in Spain and Portugal, life was returning to normal.

According to REE data, Spain’s solar energy contributed almost a third of the country’s electricity production just before the system crashed, with wind and nuclear energy accounting for almost a third.

After his left-wing coalition government invested in expanding the renewable energy sector, his political opponents criticized Sanchez for putting forth an overly lengthy explanation of the blackout and suggested he was hiding behind mistakes.

We can only point to the malfunction of REE because it has state funding and its leaders are appointed by the government, according to Miguel Tellado, a People’s Party parliamentary spokesperson in an interview with RTVE.

Tellado demanded that Spain’s parliament conduct an independent investigation rather than Sanchez’s government investigation. Despite REE rejecting this, the prime minister has not ruled out a cyberattack.

The grid’s instability, according to Antonio Turiel, an energy expert at the state-owned Spanish National Research Council, is the main cause of the energy crisis, according to Antonio Turiel, a researcher with the state-owned Spanish National Research Council.

He claimed that “a lot of renewable energy has been integrated without the responsive stabilization systems that should have been in place.” He added that vulnerabilities resulted from “the unplanned and haphazard integration of a host of renewable systems.”

To upgrade the power grid to handle the rise in demand from data centers and electric vehicles, the government had predicted private and public investments of about 52 billion euros ($59 billion) through 2030.

Quick-drying carpet cleaner hailed a ‘game-changer’ by shoppers has over £100 saving

Although carpet cleaners are frequently regarded as rental items from hardware stores like B&amp and Q, purchasing one might be more affordable than you might think. The SpinScrub Power Plus is one of several models available from Vax, a company renowned for vacuum and carpet cleaning equipment.

It’s a good investment, but thanks to Amazon’s spring sale, it’s now reduced by £108.83, even at its attractive price tag of £249.99. The cleaner is being offered for a limited time for £141.16, which seems to be a bargain hunter’s delight.

READ MORE: “I adore the original Wonderskin lip stain, so I decided to get the new shade to see if it’s as good.”

With this wardrobe classic, Kate Middleton borrows from Meghan’s stylebook. Shop styles starting at £35.

Power Plus Vax SpinScrub from Amazon

This cleaner, which uses five rotating brushes, effectively cleans carpets from all angles, giving you deep cleaning. As if that weren’t enough, Birmingham Live reports that it comes with a six-year guarantee when you sign up with Vax.

If you’re short on space, consider using a compact spot cleaner. The StainStriker Stain and Spot Cleaner is priced at a reduced price of £149.99 on Shark’s official website. If that doesn’t appeal to you, Curry’s sells BISSELL’s SpotClean Pet Pro for £149.

Vax’s SpinScrub Power Plus is gaining 4.5 stars on Amazon, surpassing 1, 000 sales in the month of August, and is growing in popularity. A satisfied customer exclaimed, “Absolutely fantastic. Carpets are instantly revived thanks to it. It is simple to use and set up. Use of the hose attachment on stairs is simple. It offers excellent value for money.

This cleaner is fantastic, and it is very user-friendly, according to a third buyer! It’s a little loud, but not intolerable, like all carpet cleaners! Easy to set up and to change the dirty water. Overall, a fantastic cleaner.

Another customer, who gave it three stars, said, “My carpet wasn’t too dirty yet; it took me several attempts to clean it; it’s just good enough.” The hand tool is not powerful enough, and the machine’s weight is a lot, as well as my dirty stairs. The hand tool had to be removed and inserted repeatedly for the water pressure to return if the pressure was interrupted between cleans.

Maintaining clean carpets is always a challenge, according to a fourth shopper, who elaborated in length, but this machine has been a game-changer. In the past, I’ve used other carpet cleaners, and it’s always annoying to have to stop and refill the tank. This one saves me a lot of time because it allows me to clean large areas without having to stop. Although the machine is heavy, the setup and use is simple.

According to them, “SpinScrub technology removes stubborn stains and ground-in dirt. I was completely shocked by the amount of dirt it removed from my carpets! My carpets immediately appeared to be much brighter and more refreshed after using it, almost like brand-new. The quick drying time is a feature that I adore. Although I was concerned that the carpets would take hours to dry, they turned out much more quickly than I had anticipated. Since I have animals around, this is particularly important to me.

The 6-year guarantee gives me more security, they added. Vax has a strong product support system, which is admirable. This investment will last me a long time, in my opinion. The only drawback is that the machine is a little heavier, if I had to pick one. Given the powerful cleaning it provides, I believe that’s a fair trade-off. Additionally, it’s not too cumbersome to use because of the large wheels’ ease of maneuverability. I highly advise trying Vax SpinScrub. It has made a fantastic addition to our home.

BGT finalist says his sex is ‘fast, energetic, maybe a bit passionate’ as he denies rape

Andrew Johnston, a former Britain’s Got Talent finalist, has denied rape and sexual assault charges, describing his sex as “fast, energetic, maybe a little passionate.”

Andrew Johnston has denied two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

A former Britain’s Got Talent finalist has described his sex as “fast, energetic, maybe a pit passionate” while in court as he is accused of raping two women. Andrew Johnston, 30, cried at London’s Southwark Crown Court as he denied two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He claimed to never be aggressive, never engage in sexual activity, and that the sex was consensual. Johnston, who won third place in the ITV talent show in 2008 with his rap and sexual assault assault, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting both women.

He claimed to have been messaging and dating frequently at the time of the alleged crimes. Johnston, who signed a record deal with Simon Cowell, admitted to having depression.

Andrew Johnston arriving at Southwark Crown Court, London,
Johnston described his sex as ‘fast, energetic, maybe a bit passionate’(Image: PA)

He added that his mental health is “terrible” and he has broken up with a girlfriend. While in court on Wednesday, he said: “I was in a bad place. I was just in a really bad place.”

When asked how his life had changed, he said, “I had lost everything over this time, both my girlfriend and my career.” I quickly entered a terrible state. Since then, I have never sung a note. I am unable to control myself.

Continue reading the article.

He shook his head before dropping his head, saying, “I just can’t bring myself to.”

During sex, Johnston’s alleged victims allege that he continued to have the relationship. One of them claims that when she saw him at a club, he kissed and groped her.

The charges are “on my mind every single day,” Johnston, who is now a full-time roofer, told the court. Rupert Kent, the defense attorney, posed the question, “Are you guilty of these three charges?” Johnston responded, “I’m not at all.”

Mr. Kent inquired about the first rape allegation when he could determine whether he could reasonably assume that she wouldn’t consent. In response, Johnson said, “It was always consenting.” Johnston responded, “no, never,” when asked if he had touched her.

Johnston stated earlier, “I have waited to have my say on this. Although it’s difficult for me to provide evidence, I have waited.

He went on to say that the situation was “awful,” adding, “It is not me.” I was raised differently than I was. It doesn’t sound like me at all, and it’s not something I would do.

Johnston placed third on his British Got Talent contest and signed a record deal with Simon. His mother had given him access to the talent show where he performed his rendition of Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton and Pie Jesu.

He released a record that reached the top four of the charts. Johnston’s early fame came to an end as his voice changed as he adapted his signature.

He claimed before the court that “it continued for a few years until my voice started to change.” The songs I was singing in the show eventually became a little challenging to sing.

Continue reading the article.

If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

Blue Ivy’s life from stage debut to Guinness World Record as she joins Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter tour

We take a look at Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé’s and Jay-Z’s daughter, for her other noteworthy accomplishments so far, including her participation in the Cowboy Carter tour.

Blue Ivy Carter is following in her mum’s footsteps when it comes to stardom(Image: Getty Images)

The eldest of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s children, Blue Ivy Carter, has come a long way since making her stage debut and is now touring with her world-famous mother.

On April 28th, Beyoncé, 42, opened the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium for her Cowboy Carter Tour. The tour debut featured both chart-topping singles like Levii’s Jeans and American Requiem, as well as more recent singles like Formation and Crazy in Love.

The iconic cowboy hats, chaps, diamond denim, and a glitzy bodysuit with fringing to match the cowboy theme made up the superstar’s entire outfit. However, her daughter’s performance in America Has a Problem stole the show in a truly unforgettable way.

As her mother belted out the hit behind her, Blue Ivy, who is almost as tall as her mother, soared to the stage in a far cry from her first stage debut. We’ve watched Blue Ivy’s rise to global fame as she continues to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a superstar as she joins her mother on tour.

READ MORE: Beyoncé brings Blue Ivy and excited Rumi on stage for first night of tour

Blue Ivy joined her mum on stage during her Cowboy Carter Tour, alongside her sister Rumi
Blue Ivy joined her mum on stage during her Cowboy Carter Tour, alongside her sister Rumi(Image: Instagram)

Blue Ivy is the eldest daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and was born on January 7, 2012, making her now 13 years old. She has two twin siblings, Rumi and Sir, who her famous parents welcomed on June 13, 2017.

Continue reading the article.

Although Blue Ivy was regarded as one of the world’s most well-known children when she was younger, she has since established her own brand in the field.

Blue Ivy quickly jumped on the dance scene, appearing in her mother’s Spirit and Formation music videos. She sang Be Alive from the movie King Richard at the Academy Awards in 2022 as Beyoncé.

This resulted in widespread success for her performance on Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, which included her first notable performance in Paris since 2012 when she danced to My Power and My Parade. Throughout the tour, she continued to perform alongside her famous mother.

Blue Ivy has been in the spotlight since she was young
Blue Ivy has been in the spotlight since she was young (Image: Getty Images )

Her mum shared a rare post on Instagram in tribute to her daughter’s performance, writing: “My beautiful first born. I’m so proud and thankful to be your mama. You bring us so much joy, my sweet angel.”

Her grandmother Tina Knowles sweetly stated to People in July 2023, “She’s having the time of her life, and I couldn’t be more proud of her because she really worked hard.” She is 11 years old, and her preparations have only been going for a week, and she is only getting better. So I’m always the proud grandma.

Her acting abilities have increased, and her stage presence has frequently gone viral. One fan wrote on TikTok about her improved footwork, saying, “Watching her confidence grow throughout the tour has made me so proud! ” She has greatly improved.

Another noted Blue Ivy’s stardom and humouredly remarked: “It’s so beautiful that Blue allowed Beyoncé to dance at her concert.” She also danced during Beyoncé’s NFL 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show in Texas, which sent fans into a frenzy with her impressive moves.

Beyoncé performs with daughter, Blue Ivy
The teenager performing during Beyoncé’s NFL 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show in Texas(Image: Getty Images)

Blue Ivy also holds two Guinness World Records, which further enhances her success. One of her recordings, which her father, Jay-Z, did when she was just two days old, made her vocals available on his song Glory. As her father released the song in her honor, she became the youngest person to do so to reach the top of the Billboard chart.

The second is for her vocals on Brown Skin Girl, which she co-wrote and premiered with Beyoncé. She won the Grammys for best music video, making her the youngest recipient to be named after her mother.

She also made her movie debut in 2024 in Mufasa: The Lion King as Princess Kiara’s voice, and her mother played Queen Nala.

Blue Ivy, a budding fashion enthusiast, modeled for her mother’s Adidas x IVY PARK collection in 2021 and teamed up with Beyoncé in a similar-dressed-up ad for the label.

Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy at the Grammy Awards (Image: Getty Images)

The gifted teen has won two BET Awards. She first won the YoungStars Award in 2024 and the YoungStars Award in 2020 for her contribution to the song Brown Skin Girl.

Tina Knowles, who is proud of her granddaughter, extended an elaborate Instagram post that provided more information about Blue Ivy’s life. “Congratulations, Blue Blue!” was the message. I admire your talent, beauty, and intelligence, but I’m especially proud of your kindness and sincerity.

Never seeks attention; stay cool and chilled like a cucumber all the time. You taught me how to play the piano yesterday, just like someone who has taken piano lessons for years. You are, however, self-taught. I’m hoping you will allow me to post it and boast like other grandmas do. You have already obviated my commitment to not share.

“You dance like a pro in front of 80k people, play the piano, and play sports. paints like a master of fine arts, sings beautifully, and draws so well. (As an angel voiced) Voiced a children’s book that has been best-selling for years. You’ll be appearing in Lion King, a upcoming blockbuster film. one of the youngest Grammy Award winners. And you only just turned 12 a few months later.

Continue reading the article.

In true Carter/Knowles/Beyonce tradition, “and in spite of all the challenged adults who struggle with the green-eyed monster disease, it just motivates you to keep it moving.” Congratulations, BIC, you owe everything you put in a lot. For this honor, BET #betawards, thank you.

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