US President Biden used the term 'Maganomics' to describe the Republicans' proposed budget cuts, before a possible government shutdown. EPA
US President Biden used the term 'Maganomics' to describe the Republicans' proposed budget cuts, before a possible government shutdown. EPA
US President Biden used the term 'Maganomics' to describe the Republicans' proposed budget cuts, before a possible government shutdown. EPA
US President Biden used the term 'Maganomics' to describe the Republicans' proposed budget cuts, before a possible government shutdown. EPA

Joe Biden criticises 'Maganomics' amid shutdown threat


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US President Joe Biden on Thursday promoted his economic achievements and attacked far-right Republicans as the threat of a government shutdown looms.

"We've created … over 13 million jobs, more jobs in two years any president's created in a four-year term," Mr Biden said in his speech in Maryland.

"We've had 19 straight months of unemployment under 4 per cent for the first time in American history.

"Now, we have the fastest economic growth from the pandemic of any world economy with the lowest inflation rate among the major economies. We have a lot more to do."

He told of how federal budget cuts would affect Americans, weeks before the September 30 deadline to keep the federal government open.

"The country should know the facts, they should know the choice between Bidenomics and Maganomics," Mr Biden said.

He was referring to "Maga," or Donald Trump's Make America Great Again slogan adopted by far-right Republicans.

"They have a very different vision for America."

House Republicans are demanding that the administration cut federal spending to a level lower than what Mr Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had agreed to in May.

Mr Biden spoke to the crowd about disagreements over the deficit and tax cuts for wealthy people.

He also criticised Republican proposals to cut funding in education, infrastructure, social security, Medicare and Medicaid.

“A deal is a deal,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.

“The President, House Democrats, Senate Democrats, and Senate Republicans have stood by that agreement, with bipartisan movement in the Senate today.

“But Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans have taken a different approach, ignoring the agreement that a majority of them voted for and advancing extreme partisan bills that break their promise and gut investments in America.”

Mr Biden also faces an impeachment inquiry. He continues to portray himself as a president more concerned with governing than political theatrics.

House Republicans opened the inquiry after investigations into the business dealings of the President's son, Hunter Biden.

Republicans accuse the President of profiting from his son's business dealings while vice president, between 2009 and 2017.

The White House says Mr Biden has done nothing wrong.

Speaking in Virginia on Wednesday, Mr Biden said House Republicans had launched an impeachment inquiry against him to instigate a government shutdown.

“I don’t know quite why, but they just knew they wanted to impeach me," he said. "And now, the best I can tell, they want to impeach me because they want to shut down the government.”

“So, look, look, I got a job to do. Everybody always asked about impeachment. I get up every day, not a joke, not focused on impeachment. I’ve got a job to do.

"I've got to deal with the issues that affect the American people every single solitary day.”

Mr Biden has embraced the term “Bidenomics”, which the White House has said involves taxing the wealthy, tackling junk fees and investing in key areas.

His speech on Thursday will be the latest effort by the Biden administration to convince American voters of his economic record, which remains a challenge in his 2024 re-election bid.

So far, such efforts have failed.

And recent government data could make it even more difficult to change opinions.

Inflation increased to 3.7 per cent last month on surging petrol costs – another talking point against Mr Biden – even as core inflation declined.

Only 34 per cent of Americans approve of Mr Biden's handling of the economy, according to a recent USA Today poll.

More Americans also trust Donald Trump – the 2024 Republican front-runner – than the incumbent president to improve the economy.

A large majority of Americans also believe the economy is getting worse and that their cost of living is rising, according to the poll.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Famous left-handers

- Marie Curie

- Jimi Hendrix

- Leonardo Di Vinci

- David Bowie

- Paul McCartney

- Albert Einstein

- Jack the Ripper

- Barack Obama

- Helen Keller

- Joan of Arc

Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

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%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Updated: September 14, 2023, 8:42 PM