Latest news with #Teixeira
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Nashville headliner Derrick Lewis says he 'damn near had to beg' to get fight booked
Derrick Lewis is confused by inactive state of UFC's heavyweight division. It will have been a 14-month layoff for Lewis (28-12 MMA, 19-10 UFC) when he returns against Tallison Teixeira (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 70 headliner on July 12 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Lewis was scheduled to face Jhonata Diniz this past November at UFC Fight Night 246, but withdrew due to a medical issue which he refused to disclose. Advertisement Lewis vs. Teixeira will be the first heavyweight main event of 2025. "It's crazy that nobody's fighting right now," Lewis told MMA Junkie. "Heavyweight, I don't know what's going on. I damn near had to beg to get this fight, so I don't know what's going on. Hopefully we can stay active after this." The former title challenger is taking on another rising contender in Dana White's Contender Series graduate Teixeira, as he looks to string together his first winning streak since 2021. "I know he's Brazilian, and he's a tall guy," Lewis said of Teixeira. "He's a heavyweight, so pretty sure he's got knockout power. I didn't watch any of his fights yet, nothing like that, but my coach told me he's got a lot of first-round knockouts. ... I've been training for like four months now, non-stop really, down to every day, and I never did that before. I'm coming into this fight, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in great shape. My six pack will be back." Advertisement The two times Lewis fought an opponent who's 6 foot 7 or taller, he was able to knock out both Alexander Volkov and Travis Browne. "Yeah, I'm comfortable," Lewis said. "I like fighting tall guys. It aligns with my right hand. The way I throw my right hand, it aligns with it." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Derrick Lewis: 'I damn near had to beg' to get UFC Nashville headliner
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Nashville headliner Derrick Lewis says he 'damn near had to beg' to get fight booked
UFC Nashville headliner Derrick Lewis says he 'damn near had to beg' to get fight booked Derrick Lewis is confused by inactive state of UFC's heavyweight division. It will have been a 14-month layoff for Lewis (28-12 MMA, 19-10 UFC) when he returns against Tallison Teixeira (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 70 headliner on July 12 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Lewis was scheduled to face Jhonata Diniz this past November at UFC Fight Night 246, but withdrew due to a medical issue which he refused to disclose. Lewis vs. Teixeira will be the first heavyweight main event of 2025. "It's crazy that nobody's fighting right now," Lewis told MMA Junkie. "Heavyweight, I don't know what's going on. I damn near had to beg to get this fight, so I don't know what's going on. Hopefully we can stay active after this." The former title challenger is taking on another rising contender in Dana White's Contender Series graduate Teixeira, as he looks to string together his first winning streak since 2021. "I know he's Brazilian, and he's a tall guy," Lewis said of Teixeira. "He's a heavyweight, so pretty sure he's got knockout power. I didn't watch any of his fights yet, nothing like that, but my coach told me he's got a lot of first-round knockouts. ... I've been training for like four months now, non-stop really, down to every day, and I never did that before. I'm coming into this fight, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in great shape. My six pack will be back." The two times Lewis fought an opponent who's 6 foot 7 or taller, he was able to knock out both Alexander Volkov and Travis Browne. "Yeah, I'm comfortable," Lewis said. "I like fighting tall guys. It aligns with my right hand. The way I throw my right hand, it aligns with it."
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How the National Budget is impacting South African consumers
The recent National Budget reveals significant challenges for South African consumers, with rising fuel levies and sin taxes exacerbating inflation. Experts advise reassessing budgets and exploring tax-efficient savings options. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers The National Budget and an increase in the cost of living will hit consumers, who should reassess their budgets now and start saving as much as possible before more taxes come in next year. On Wednesday, both the inflation numbers and the National Budget came out. The Consumer Price Index showed that inflation climbed from 2.7% in March to 2.8% in April, while Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana indirectly reduced people's take-home pay and added more subtle taxes. Godongwana had a R75 billion revenue hole, which he needed to fill somehow after two proposals to increase VAT were swept off the table. Harry Scherzer, actuary and CEO of Future Forex, said the National Budget is a 'mixed bag for South African consumers. On the positive side, the decision to hold VAT steady at 15% avoids placing additional strain on household budgets. However, the increase in the fuel levy will hit consumers hard.' Scherzer explained that, in a low gross domestic product environment, higher fuel taxes will have a direct impact on food, transport, and other costs. 'On top of that, above-inflation hikes in sin taxes will further dent disposable income, especially for lower-income earners'. Ricardo Teixeira, COO at BDO Wealth Advisers, said National Treasury estimates that by keeping the tax brackets unchanged, it will raise an additional R15.5bn in personal income tax in the current tax year. He stated that 'anyone earning R96,000 or more will inevitably have less take-home pay each month' due to unchanged income tax thresholds and reduced medical tax credits. Teixeira noted that a 4% increase in the fuel levy and 6.75% on 'sin' taxes will impact monthly budgets. From the fourth of June this year, the general fuel levy will increase by 16 cents per litre for petrol, and by 15 cents per litre for diesel. The increase in fuel costs may negate any potential savings in monthly expenses of a potential decrease in prices at the pump. The Central Energy Fund's latest figures show that 93 octane fuel should go down by 22c, with diesel set to decline 50c, although these numbers could change depending on exchange rates and the price of oil, both currently favourable. Nokukhanya Madilonga, associate director of Employees Tax and Global Mobility Services at SNG Grant Thornton, said the announcement that the basket of tax-free food would not include more items is 'not good for the consumers, especially the low earners'. Teixeira advised consumers that 'staying mindful of your spending is a prudent strategy for every South African to adopt, helping to prevent taxes from eroding your wealth'. Savers are likely to breach the tax-free interest threshold more easily, and Teixeira said that 'structuring your savings using tax-free savings accounts, endowment policies, or retirement annuities is a good option to keep your savings tax-efficient'. Madilonga said: 'All is not lost as the taxpayers will still be able to reduce their taxable income using some of the incentives available'. She cited contributions to retirement funds and tax-free savings accounts as mechanisms to help with money issues. Teixeira also advocated for extra retirement fund contributions: 'Contributions are tax-deductible, lowering your taxable income now while securing your future. You can contribute up to 27.5% of your taxable income or R350,000, whichever is lower.' Regarding tax-free savings accounts, 'let the magic of compounding maximise this amazing tax benefit for you,' said Teixeira. Boipelo Ndimande, Consult by Momentum's CFO, said the importance of having a well-diversified, long-term financial plan cannot be overstated. 'Investors should avoid knee-jerk decisions, she said, advocating that consumers work with a qualified financial professional to 'weather these headwinds'. Now, more than ever, understanding how macroeconomic shifts affect day-to-day financial decisions is crucial, said Scherzer. On property transfers, Teixeira calculated an average saving of around R3,500 per every R1 million of the value of your property purchased. Yet, Citadel portfolio manager, Mike van der Westhuizen, said the National Budget left out several items that could pose fiscal risks in the near future, noting that there is 'no mention of National Health Insurance, likely due to affordability concerns'. Van der Westhuizen added: 'These omissions represent a significant risk if any of them materialise later this year without a matching revenue plan.' For 2026, when the government needs to find extra money seriously, Teixeira said, 'without a reduction in government spending, this shortfall is likely to be borne by the consumer again in the form of additional tax collections'. On avenue will be closing in on tax defaulters. Teixeira noted that the South African Revenue Service (Sars) is receiving more funding, with Godongwana stating the government will provide an extra R4 bn over three years and expects to collect 'R20bn to R50bn in additional revenue per year.' Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop said that the potential income is not included in the revenue estimates. In the 2024/25 fiscal year, Sars collected R95bn in debt owed by taxpayers, she added. 'Unless growth improves and spending pressures are permanently resolved, the risks will only grow,' Van der Westhuizen said. 'It's a fine balancing act, and right now, the balance remains precarious.' 'Budgeting matters for everyone – and if South Africa's national budget tells us anything, it's that getting it right isn't always easy! The year ahead looks challenging, with higher taxes likely to affect both your income and everyday spending,' said Teixeira. PERSONAL FINANCE
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘I'm a patriot': Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira defends actions in interview
Jack Teixeira, the now 23-year-old serving a 15-year prison sentence for leaking classified documents on Discord, told 'Good Morning America' in an interview published Thursday morning that he did not regret his actions, and he never intended to harm his country. Teixeira, of North Dighton, was a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard who had access to top-secret documents as a cyber transport systems specialist at the Otis Air National Guard Base on Joint Base Cape Cod. Last March, he pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to the national defense. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani sentenced him to 15 years in prison. In the interview with ABC News' Linsey Davis, Teixeira said he felt a need to educate the American people about the country's involvement in Russia's war with Ukraine. 'My intent was to educate the United States populist people about what was going on. It was not to harm the United States or the country because I love my nation. I'm a patriot,' he said. 'I did believe that I needed to educate the people about what was going on because I believe they were being lied to.' He claimed the Biden administration was pushing false and misleading information about the war, and he wanted to show an 'unvarnished' look at what was taking place. At the sentencing hearing last November, Teixeira apologized for his actions. 'I understand that all of the responsibility and consequences falls upon my shoulders alone,' he said. 'My behavior has created such a maelstrom.' 'I can't really sum up how contrite I am,' he added. But in the interview with ABC, Teixeira struck a different tone. Teixeira said the apology was aimed at family and friends, but he didn't regret leaking the documents, and would do it all again. 'I still believe in my actions,' he said. 'I've tortured myself over and over and over again about what would happen if I didn't do this, or what would happen if this and that. And in reality, it doesn't really matter.' A lawyer representing Teixeira said at the hearing that his primary motivation was to share his experiences with a group of friends he found on Discord. Yet Teixeira told Davis that was a 'secondary motivation.' In the interview, Teixeira accused the Biden administration of politicizing his case. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy, a Biden appointee, prosecuted Teixeira's case. 'I just feel like there are people who have done far worse things as far as what they did with similar information, and they didn't get as bad of a treatment as I did,' he said. 'I think that I was used as a sacrificial lamb, and I was crucified to be made of as an example.' In a press conference following Teixeira's sentencing, Levy said the full impact of his crime wouldn't be known for years. Texeira put himself over his country, and in doing so violated one of the core tenets of public service, Levy said. 'Jack Teixeira made the deliberate choice day after day, week after week, year over a year, to share the nation's secrets that were entrusted to him and make them available to all comers,' he said. 'He was callous to the fact that he put our national security at risk.' 'Today, Mr. Teixeira has paid a very heavy price for the laws he broke, or for the incredible damage that he caused,' Levy continued. Man killed in Marlborough fatal house fire identified Wastewater overflow in Connecticut River falls to 543 million gallons in 2024 PVPC working on two-decade plan for bikers and pedestrians Man faces assault charge in Northbridge fatal shooting Mass. weather: Heavier rain from nor'easter to fall during evening commute Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon Leaker Says He'd Do It All Again and Begs Trump for Pardon
The man who pleaded guilty to leaking top-secret military information online said he would do it all again. Former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira, 23, used his high-level security clearance as a cyber transport systems specialist to access classified information, which he then posted online. He pleaded guilty in a plea deal and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November. In his first interview from prison, Teixeira told ABC News that he regrets nothing. 'I've tortured myself over and over and over again about what would happen if I didn't do this or what would happen if this and that. And in reality, it doesn't really matter,' he said. 'I still do believe that, yes, I would have done it again.' Beginning as early as February 2022, Teixeira leaked sensitive intelligence on the social media platform Discord about North Korea, Israel, and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Leaked material included assessments of military actions, troop movements, and details of arms shipments—putting fellow soldiers' lives at risk in addition to jeopardizing strategic planning. Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said Teixeira did all of this 'in an attempt to impress anonymous friends on the internet.' Texeira struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors, agreeing to plead guilty to six charges of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. As part of the deal, he wasn't charged with additional counts under the Espionage Act. In the interview with ABC, Teixeira said he wants President Donald Trump to pardon him. His lawyers filed an application for a full pardon—not just a commutation of his sentence—on Wednesday. 'I think they'll look at someone like me as a supporter and someone who really used what I thought was going to be my last vote in county jail for Trump during 2024,' he said. Directly appealing to the president, he said: 'Please give me back to my family, to reunite with my family with my rights as an American and with my freedom.' His mother, Dawn Dufault, echoed his remarks: 'If he [Trump] agrees that it was unfair treatment, give him a pardon,' she said. Calling himself a 'patriot,' Teixeira added: 'It was by no means meant to harm my country, but I did believe that I needed to educate the people about what was going on because I believe they were being lied to.' He said he believes he accomplished his goal. 'I don't feel that I betrayed my country at all—just the opposite,' he said. 'I believe that I educated a lot of the people who have been kept in the dark and who were being lied to about this concerning all of the things that had been going on.' Teixeira added that an apology he made previously was intended for his friends and family, not the nation—because he still doesn't think he did anything wrong. 'I still believe in my actions,' he said, adding that the Biden administration made him a 'sacrificial lamb.' 'I was crucified to be made of as an example,' he said. Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019 and obtained top secret security clearance two years later, the Justice Department said.
