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San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Today in History: June 18, War of 1812 begins
Today is Wednesday, June 18, the 169th day of 2025. There are 196 days left in the year. Today in history: On June 18, 1812, the War of 1812 began as the United States Congress approved, and President James Madison signed, a declaration of war against Britain. Also on this date: In 1778, American forces entered Philadelphia as the British withdrew during the Revolutionary War. In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo as British and Prussian troops defeated the French Imperial Army in Belgium. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter and Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II strategic arms limitation treaty in Vienna. In 1983, astronaut Sally Ride became America's first woman in space as she and four other NASA astronauts blasted off aboard the space shuttle Challenger on a six-day mission. In 1986, 25 people were killed when a twin-engine plane and helicopter carrying sightseers collided over the Grand Canyon. In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Georgia v. McCollum, ruled that criminal defendants could not use race as a basis for excluding potential jurors from their trials. In 2018, President Donald Trump announced he was directing the Pentagon to create the Space Force as an independent branch of the United States armed forces. In 2020, the Supreme Court, in the case of Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, rejected by a 5-4 decision President Donald Trump's effort to end legal protections for more than 650,000 young immigrants. In 2023, the submersible vessel Titan, on an expedition of view the wreckage of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean, imploded, killing all five people aboard. Today's Birthdays: Musician Paul McCartney is 83. Actor Carol Kane is 73. Actor Isabella Rossellini is 73. Singer Alison Moyet is 64. Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith is 62. Hockey Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis is 50. Actor Alana de la Garza is 49. Country musician Blake Shelton is 49. Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates is 45.
Pink Villa
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Top 10 Hollywood Biopics on Netflix: From Blonde to Oppenheimer
Biopics, or biographical dramas, are the best options to get a little motivation. They offer a glimpse into the lives of real people by portraying their struggles, victories, and larger-than-life personalities. Whether the biopics depict the lives of famous men and women dealing with their personal struggles or lesser-known people quietly leading extraordinary lives, biopics teach us how resilience and hard work can help anyone defy the ordinary and achieve greatness. They serve as a reminder that most interesting stories often come from real-life experiences. And what's more exciting than learning about public figures who shaped history? On Netflix, there are dozens of biopics worth watching. If you are looking to add some to your binge-watch list, check out our list below! Shirley Director: John Ridley Release Year: 2024 Starring: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, André Holland, and Terrence Howard IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 Shirley depicts the life and struggles of the first-ever Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm (Regina King), who competed against Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential run. She was the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. The film shows how she fought against misogyny and racism to become one of the most significant figures in American politics. The film also touches on her relationship with her sister and Alabama segregationist governor George Wallace. Maestro Director: Bradley Cooper Release Year: 2023 Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Vincenzo Amato, Michael Urie, Miriam Shor, and Sarah Silverman IMDb Rating: 6.5/10 Maestro tells the story of famed American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) and his complicated relationship with his wife and actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). The film also dives into the composer's inner battles with sexuality and how he comes to terms with his identity. Cooper's performance in the biopic garnered him widespread acclaim, and many praised him for his acting prowess. The film earned several Academy Award nominations in 2024, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Blonde Director: Andrew Dominik Release Year: 2022 Starring: Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson IMDb Rating: 5.4/10 Blonde is based on the 2000 eponymous biographical novel by Joyce Carol Oates. Dominik's film is a fictionalized interpretation of American actress Marilyn Monroe's life and career. The film delves into the actress' struggles with mental health that come with fame. Armas was highly praised for her portrayal of Monroe, however, the film's screenplay polarized critics due to its deviations from the real-life story of Monroe. Armas received a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nomination for her performance. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Director: Chiwetel Ejiofor Release Year: 2019 Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Maxwell Simba, Felix Lemburo, Aïssa Maïga, Lily Banda, Robert Agengo, and Joseph Marcell IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind tells the story of a young William (Maxwell Simba) as he tries to bring water to his village of Kasungu, Malawi, by building a windmill. The biopic is based on the memoir by Malawian inventor/author William Kamkwamba. William's complicated relationship with his father (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is explored in the film. With strong performances and a compelling story, this biopic is a must-watch. Moneyball Director: Bennett Miller Release Year: 2011 Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 Moneyball is about the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their general manager, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), as he tries to assemble a competitive team with half as much money as his rivals. Based on the 2003 book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, the biopic shows how Beane and his deputy Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) scout for undervalued talent by taking a sophisticated sabermetric approach. The move triggered skepticism and resentment within the baseball community. The biopic also touches upon Beane's relationship with his ex-wife Sharon and estranged daughter Casey. Bohemian Rhapsody Director: Bryan Singer Release Year: 2018 Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 Bohemian Rhapsody revolves around British singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury and his rock band, Queen, and how they achieved superstardom. The film shows Mercury's struggles with his ego, sexuality, and a fatal illness that hindered his skyrocketing success. The biopic was a box-office hit, and it received multiple awards and nominations. At the 91st Academy Awards, Malek won the Best Actor award while the film also scored wins for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. Erin Brockovich Director: Steven Soderbergh Release Year: 2000 Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Tracey Walter, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Conchata Ferrell, Adilah Barnes, Scarlett Pomers, and Michael Harney IMDb Rating: 7.5/10 Erin Brockovich is a dramatization of the true story of American paralegal, consumer advocate, and environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who was instrumental in filing a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) for its involvement in groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California, in 1993. The biopic emerged as a critical and commercial success. It bagged five nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (Albert Finney). Frida Director: Julie Taymor Release Year: 2002 Starring: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mía Maestro, Ashley Judd, Antonio Banderas, Edward Norton, Diego Luna, Margarita Sanz, Patricia Reyes Spíndola, Roger Rees, Valeria Golino, Omar Rodriguez, Felipe Fulop, Saffron Burrows, and Karine Plantadit-Bageot IMDb Rating: 7.3/10 The biopic tells the bold and controversial life of artist Frida Kahlo. It is set in Mexico City and traces her lifelong, troubled relationship with her mentor, along with her illicit affairs with Trotsky and various women. Her forward-thinking artistic, political, and sexual attitudes are explored in the biopic as it shows the hard-drinking, passionate woman of the early 1900s. Hayek earned an Oscar nomination for the biopic. Oppenheimer Director: Christopher Nolan Release Year: 2023 Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh IMDb Rating: 8.3/10 Oppenheimer traces the journey of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned American theoretical physicist instrumental in the development of the first nuclear weapons during World War II. Inspired by the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, it dramatizes key phases of Oppenheimer's life — from his academic pursuits and leadership at the Los Alamos Laboratory to the intense scrutiny he faced during his 1954 security hearing. The Theory of Everything Director: James Marsh Release Year: 2014 Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney, Christian McKay, Harry Lloyd, and David Thewlis IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 The Theory of Everything tells the story of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Adapted from the 2007 memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking, the biopic deals with Hawking's relationship with his ex-wife and his diagnosis of motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The film also shows his success in the field of physics. It received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne, Best Actress for Jones, and Best Adapted Screenplay, among others. These 10 biopics will help you step into the lives of real people who have left a mark on history. They not only entertain but also educate and inspire.
News18
19-05-2025
- Business
- News18
US Remittance Tax Proposal: How Will A 5% Levy Affect NRIs Sending Money To India?
Last Updated: US Tax On Foreign Remittance: A bill currently being considered in the United States Congress proposes a 5% excise tax on all remittances sent from the US to any foreign country. Tax On Remittance From US To India: For many Indian families, receiving money from relatives working in the United States has been both a matter of pride and a crucial financial support system. But that support might shrink if a new tax proposal in the US becomes law. A bill currently being considered in the United States Congress proposes a 5% excise tax on all remittances sent from the US to any foreign country. If passed, this could directly impact millions of Indians working in the US under various visa categories. With Indians among the top three immigrant communities in the US, and with $23 billion in remittances sent to India from the US in 2023 alone, the ripple effect could be significant. What the Bill Proposes The proposal, backed by House Republicans, is part of a larger economic vision aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda. It seeks to levy a 5 per cent excise tax on outward remittances made by non-citizens, including those on H-1B, F-1 visas, green card holders, and other non-resident Indians (NRIs). The proposed levy will not be applicable to US citizens. For instance, an Indian worker in the US who sends $1,000 home each month would now either have to pay $50 in tax. The provision is part of a broader legislative package titled 'The One Big Beautiful Bill' introduced in the US House of Representatives on May 12. The tax will be collected by qualified remittance transfer providers, who must remit the tax quarterly to the US Treasury. 'The proposed US tax on remittances sent abroad by non-citizens is raising alarm in India, which stands to lose billions in annual foreign currency inflows if the plan becomes law," the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. For India, the stakes are high as the country received $120 billion in remittances in 2023-24, with nearly 28 per cent originating from the US, it added. 'A 5 per cent tax could significantly raise the cost of sending money home. A 10-15 per cent drop in remittance flows could result in a $12-18 billion shortfall for India annually," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said. He said that the loss would tighten the supply of US dollars in India's foreign exchange market, putting modest depreciation pressure on the rupee. 'The Reserve Bank of India may be forced to intervene more frequently to stabilise the currency. The rupee could weaken by Rs 1-1.5 per US dollar if the remittance shock plays out fully," he added. In states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, millions of families rely on remittances to cover essential expenses like education, healthcare, and housing. Srivastava said that a sudden decline in these flows could hit household consumption hard, at a time when the Indian economy is already navigating global uncertainty and inflation pressures. The development assumes significance, as India has proposed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to lower the cost of cross-border flow of capital or remittances. The proposed tax is not limited to monthly remittances. It could also affect transfers of investment income or proceeds from stock options, which are often used by NRIs to support families or invest back home. First Published: May 19, 2025, 11:46 IST
Axios
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Here are the bills Gov. Brian Kemp signed and vetoed for 2025
While Gov. Brian Kemp has already signed into law the major bills that dominated headlines during this year's legislative session, the status of a few notable pieces of legislation remained up in the air. Why it matters: Wednesday was the deadline for Kemp to sign or veto any remaining legislation that passed before Sine Die. ✅ What Kemp signed HB 123: Helps keep people with intellectual disabilities off death row. SB 244: Allows President Trump and his co-defendants in the Fulton County election interference case to recoup legal fees. HB 296: Requires law enforcement agencies to accept digital driver's licenses during traffic stops. SB 291: Creates Georgia's "America First" speciality license plate. HB 426: Requires nonpartisan elections for magistrate court judges. 🚫 What Kemp vetoed HB 308: Allows judges to require people to install an "intelligent speed assistance device" in cars they used for illegal street racing. HB 433: Gives Georgia Department of Human Services employees the authority to access people's full criminal histories. SB 238: Changes Rockdale County's governing structure from a countywide elected chairperson and two commissioners to five at-large commissioners who choose their own chair. What they're saying: Kemp cautioned state lawmakers to use subpoena powers outlined in Senate Bill 255, another bill the governor signed Wednesday, "judiciously and sparingly." "Americans of all political leanings have lamented the ineffectiveness of the United States Congress, in no small part due to the abundance of politically motivated 'investigations' which only generate sound bites and distract from important legislation," Kemp wrote in the only signing statement. "I sincerely hope that in the future, Georgians do not similarly lament the General Assembly." Catch up quick: Kemp earlier this year signed into law his wide-ranging civil lawsuit reform package, a bill banning transgender student athletes from playing on teams that match their gender identity and a controversial measure aimed at protecting Georgians' religious beliefs.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House works overnight on Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill'
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – House Republicans are pushing ahead with a sweeping budget plan that aims to advance key components of President Donald Trump's agenda, including controversial changes to Medicaid and federal food assistance programs. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hailed the proposal as a major legislative milestone. 'This will be one of the most consequential pieces of legislation ever passed by the United States Congress,' Johnson said. The bill includes provisions that would bar new taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits. It also increases funding for security at the southern border, a move Johnson says promotes fiscal responsibility while addressing national priorities. 'It is large, it is comprehensive, and it deals with reconciling the budget in a way that will be fiscally responsible,' Johnson added. Democrats quickly criticized the plan, citing deep cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance programs. 'These devastating cuts will make Americans, particularly children, sicker, hungrier and poorer,' said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif,). According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposed health care changes would save $715 billion over the next decade but could leave 8.6 million more Americans uninsured. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) accused Republicans of going back on earlier promises. 'We now know that the Republicans lied when they said that they weren't going to cut Medicaid,' Lieu said. Speaker Johnson has denied that the bill includes direct Medicaid cuts. 'We are not going to cut Medicaid,' Johnson said while exiting a press event. Concerns about the bill aren't limited to Democrats. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) voiced opposition to aspects of the plan that he said could hurt rural communities. 'I don't want to see any more rural hospitals go out of business,' Hawley said. 'And I don't like the idea of taxing poor people for their health care plans, which is what some people in the House are proposing to do.' The House aims to hold a vote on the budget package by Memorial Day but with mounting criticism and uncertain support in the Senate, the bill's future remains unclear. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
