Ray Dalio joined Michael Dell in supporting the Trump administration’s proposed Trump accounts for children, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying Dalio would help fund accounts in Connecticut as states and private donors nationwide provide support. Ray Dalio will help fund the bills in Connecticut, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, as more US states consider adding support. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has joined Michael Dell in supporting the Trump administration’s proposed investment accounts for children, known as Trump Accounts, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday (Dec. 17). At an event promoting the initiative, Bessent said Dalio will help fund the accounts for eligible children in Connecticut as the administration works to line up private donors for each U.S. state. State-Level Funding Bessent said the administration is encouraging states and private philanthropists to supplement the federally backed accounts, describing the effort as a public-private partnership aimed at promoting long-term wealth creation for American families. “Twenty other US states are considering adding funds to the Trump accounts,” Bessent said, indicating growing interest after the initial federal contribution. What are Trump accounts? Trump accounts are government-backed, tax-advantaged investment accounts for American children born between 2025 and 2028. Each eligible child will receive an initial $1,000 seed deposit from the federal government, with families able to make additional voluntary contributions. Funds will be invested in US companies, with the aim of allowing the accounts to grow over time and be accessed once the child turns 18 for purposes such as education, housing or continued investment. Growing list of supporters Dalio’s support adds to a growing list of high-profile supporters, including Dell and other corporate and philanthropic supporters. Bessent said the administration is actively seeking commitments statewide to ensure broad geographic participation. The program is positioned by the Treasury as a pro-family, long-term savings initiative, which aims to give children an early financial foundation and reduce wealth gaps over time.

The court expressed strong concern over the massive traffic congestion at Delhi entry points, noting that the resulting long queues of idling vehicles significantly worsen vehicular emissions and overall pollution levels. A drone image shows the Mayur Vihar-1 area, with the air quality index remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Wednesday, according to the Central New Delhi Pollution Control Board. (ANI) Taking a stern view of the “annual feature” of severe air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at providing pragmatic solutions, including the possible temporary shutdown or relocation of nine key toll plazas managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The court expressed strong concern over the massive traffic congestion at entry points, noting that the resulting long queues of idling vehicles significantly worsen vehicle emissions and overall pollution levels. The Supreme Court specifically directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the MCD to urgently consider either temporarily closing or shifting the nine toll collection booths on the borders of the national capital. One-week deadline for MCD During the hearing, the SC was informed that MCD toll collection points, including one at the Gurugram border, were causing traffic snarls of more than hours. It questioned the necessity of the current collection model, noting that while tolls generate revenue, they also cause litigation and serious environmental damage. The SC suggested that the MCD devise a “concrete plan” to ensure “absolutely no toll plaza till January 31 next year.” The MCD has been given a strict deadline, told to take a decision on the temporary closure of the nine toll plazas within one week and place that decision on the court record. The court also suggested that the NHAI investigate the management of these plazas and divert a portion of the collection to the MCD to compensate for the temporary revenue loss. “We have also asked the NHAI to consider the possibility of shifting the nine toll collection booths of the MCD in Delhi to such places which can be manned by NHAI and the part of the toll collected by it can be diverted to the MCD to compensate for the perceived temporary loss,” it said. “Meanwhile, the MCD is directed to cooperate on the issue and consider suspending the toll plazas for a temporary period; such a decision will be taken within one week and placed on record,” the SC said. Strict action against older vehicles In a significant amendment to its August 12 interim order, the Supreme Court has allowed authorities to take coercive action against older vehicles that do not meet Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) emission standards. This step targets pre-BS-IV vehicles, which are considered to disproportionately contribute to air quality degradation.

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Google Pay looks beyond distribution, wants to create a credit ecosystem As of date, Google Pay allows users to sign their existing cards and connect them to their GPay account for ‘tap and pay’ transactions on the platform, but does not offer its own cards. Summary Google Pay is evolving its business model in India from a simple distributor of third-party personal loans to a comprehensive credit ecosystem provider. Mumbai: Google Pay has been distributing personal loans on behalf of its lending partners for several years and has now expanded its product line to include credit cards. However, while personal loans are a third-party product, the credit card launch is the first native product launched by the payments giant, which aims to go beyond distribution and create a credit ecosystem on the platform. “We’re not doing this simply because we have distribution power. If that was the case, I would have gone to a whole bunch of lenders three years ago,” said Sharath Bulusu, senior director of product management at Google Pay or GPay. Bulusu sees the credit card launch as an extension of the personal loan offer and an additional product within GPay’s credit ecosystem. Starting with one lending partner, the platform today sells personal loans on behalf of four banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). As of date, the platform allows users to sign their existing cards and link them to their GPay account for ‘tap and pay’ transactions on the platform, but does not offer its own cards. “We support all of this on GPay, but we never built a product ourselves. Today we are launching Flex, which is our first co-branded card on the RuPay network,” he said. The first card under the ‘Flex’ program is being launched in partnership with Axis Bank, and the platform will add more issuers in the coming months. “The way I see them connected is part of a goal to say we want to develop the entire credit ecosystem,” Bulusu told Mint, adding that eventually the platform could also look at other form factors for loans, such as lines of credit on UPI. More value for customers Another area that the company is trying to address is ease of access to a variety of repayment options. “What we’ve done is a few clicks from right within the app, the user can see and compare the options they have. In fact, what we expect, and if the research comes out, will happen, is that users will actually discover the faster repayment option, because they will realize that there is more value in paying off the outstanding money sooner.” GPay’s approach remains cautious. The credit card product has been rolled out to a select group of customers and will later be made available to the entire customer base, as well as new-to-credit customers. “There are 50 million cardholders in the country. That number hasn’t changed much, it’s moved by a very small percentage, which means we’re giving more credit to the people who already have credit,” he said, adding that the real test will be bringing more people into the fold, which will take some work. “Only about 20% of creditworthy customers get access to formal credit. We are working to serve the other 80%,” Bulusu added. The strategy is not only to bank on others’ products, but also to offer value to credit customers through other solutions, such as its rewards program to continue to drive transactions. The idea, Bulusu said, is to standardize rewards and give them a “predictable value.” “We do want to create an experience, and that’s why we do what we did with rewards and refunds.” “You earn stars for transactions, each star is a reward, and you can redeem it on any transaction you do after that,” he said, adding that there is no additional eligibility criteria or waiting period to use the rewards. “It comes back to the statement as an immediate credit. So you don’t wait to see it happen.” Get all the industry news, banking news and updates on Live Mint. Download the Mint News app to get daily market updates. more topics #upi Read next story

While Cedric Lodge was jailed for 8 years, his wife Denise was sentenced to one year after she admitted taking part in the sale of stolen human remains. The organs they traded included internal organs, brains, skin, hands, faces and dissected heads. Ex-Harvard morgue manager sentenced to 8 years for theft, sale of body parts donated for research (REUTERS) A former morgue manager at Harvard Medical School has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the theft and sale of body parts donated for research purposes. The US Department of Justice said in a statement that Cedric Lodge, 58 years old, pleaded guilty to trafficking in the stolen remains. His wife, Denise Lodge, was also sentenced to one year in prison after she admitted taking part in the sale of stolen human remains. The organs he stole and sold included internal organs, brains, skin, hands, faces and dissected heads. He stole body parts from Harvard Medical School from 2018 until at least March 2020. He was dismissed from the university in May 2023, Harvard said. Cedric Lodge and his wife Denise stole body parts from the medical school and took them to Goffstown, New Hampshire. They also took it to locations in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, “without the knowledge or consent of his employer, the donor or the donor’s family”. They then shipped the body parts to other states. “Today’s sentencing is another step forward in ensuring that those who orchestrated and carried out this heinous crime are brought to justice,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. The Justice Department said many of the human remains sold by Lodge were subsequently resold at a profit. Several of these buyers have been sentenced to prison or are awaiting sentencing, the statement said. The prosecutors demanded a 10-year sentence for the accused. They said the performance was “for the entertainment of the disturbing ‘funny’ community.” “He deeply emotionally injured an untold number of family members who were still left wondering about the abuse of their loved ones’ bodies,” they said. The lawyer representing the Lodges urged the judge to avoid such a “severe” sentence. However, he also acknowledged “the harm his actions caused both to the deceased whose bodies he gruesomely dismembered and their grieving families.” How did Harvard respond? In a statement, Harvard Medical School called Lodge’s actions “abhorrent and inconsistent with the standards and values ​​that Harvard, our anatomical donors and their loved ones expect and deserve.” It added that it was “deeply saddened for the families of donors who may have been affected.” Massachusetts’ highest court in October allowed several families to file lawsuits against Harvard, alleging that it mishandled the bodies of their loved ones. (With agency input)

Jakarta – PT Pertamina (Persero) received the Informative title with a score of 98.67 and the best in the top 5 in the category of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) of the Central Information Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (KIP). The award was received by Pertamina’s vice president for corporate communications, Muhammad Baron at the Public Information Award and launch of the 2025 Public Information Index, in Jakarta, Monday (15/12). The Public Information Award is an appreciation for public bodies that consistently apply the principles of transparency and accountability in public information services. Baron said Pertamina remains committed to the disclosure of public information implemented by all Pertamina Subholdings and subsidiaries. According to him, this informative predicate is the momentum for Pertamina’s 68th Anniversary (HUT) gift for its achievements in a series of assessment processes starting from self-assessment questionnaires to public test presentations during the 2025 Openness Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Information (Monev). Scroll to continue content “This achievement is a manifestation of Pertamina’s commitment to society and the country,” said Baron in his statement, Wednesday (17/12/2025). Baron continued to increase Pertamina’s informative ranking in 2025, followed by a series of innovative works to make it easier for the public to access Pertamina information. Among them, the improvement of the information system by launching the new face of the Pertamina website in June 2025, the launch of the disability website feature in September 2025 and the launch of the Information Services mobile applications in October 2025. “Through the use of digital, empowerment and increasing HR competence, Pertamina is transforming information services in various aspects of information services to the improvement of digital information systems,” explained Baron. According to Baron, behind the work to transform public information also contributes to educational literacy for the public regarding Pertamina’s role in maintaining national energy security and supporting energy self-sufficiency in accordance with the Asta Cita of President Prabowo Subianto’s government. Pertamina also provides easy access to disability-friendly information as a form of inclusivity, to ensure that all people, including people with disabilities, have easy and accurate access to information. “This award is Pertamina’s mandate to continue to educate the public, to serve wholeheartedly, making it easy for the public to access information through various official Pertamina communication media channels,” Baron added. Information transparency, Baron added, is a strong foundation in building public trust so that it can become the energy that drives Indonesia’s progress. “As a driver of national economic growth, Pertamina is committed to continuing to uphold the trust of the Indonesian people with transparency, openness and professionalism in carrying out its mandate to manage national energy,” Baron added. For Pertamina, mass media, whether print, online, TV or radio, are strategic partners that play an important role in providing education to the public. Through mass media, the public can follow Pertamina’s developments from time to time until it is now 68 years old. Pertamina also regularly recognizes media people through the Pertamina Journalistic Award (AJP), which has entered its 22nd year. This appreciation also encourages journalists to continue working and deliver quality work for the public. Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition sector, is committed to supporting the 2060 net zero emissions target and continues to encourage programs that have a direct impact on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All these efforts are in line with Pertamina’s transformation focused on management, public services, business sustainability and the environment, through the implementation of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) principles in all Pertamina business lines and operations, in coordination with https://www.danantaindonesia.co.id/. (acn/ega)

Jakarta – Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian MPR, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) conducted an electoral district visit (Kundapil) to Bangunrejo Village, Ngawi, in the context of a national dialogue with the Vice Chairman of the Indonesian MPR entitled ‘Food price stability as a pillar of national resilience’. This activity is part of the Democratic Party’s commitment to absorbing people’s aspirations, while ensuring that national food policy truly supports the people, especially farmers and consumers. In this series of activities, the chairman of the Democratic Party faction of the DPR RI took the time to directly inspect the chili plantations in the local village, as well as to conduct an open dialogue with the farmers. From this dialogue, Ibas got a true picture of the dynamics of chili prices in the field, from production costs, harvest patterns, to fluctuations in selling prices in the local market. Local farmers explained that the price of red pepper reached IDR 100,000 to IDR 130,000 per kilogram, while the ideal price at the farmer level was in the range of IDR 60,000-IDR 70,000 per kilogram so that it remained profitable but did not burden the community. With a twice-weekly harvest pattern and yields reaching around 50 kilograms per yard, chillies are a promising commodity if managed well. In response, this member of the KADIN Advisory Board emphasized that food price stability must be a meeting point between the interests of farmers and consumers. Scroll to continue content “If prices are too low, farmers will be depressed. However, if they are too high, people will also face problems. We must look at fair and balanced prices,” emphasized Ibas in his statement, Wednesday (17/12/2025). According to him, market mechanisms must be kept healthy, with state supervision so that there are no distortions that harm any of the parties. Ibas also emphasized the importance of using heritage land as a real solution to maintaining the supply of chillies and reducing price fluctuations. He appreciated Bangunrejo farmers who were able to innovate by utilizing non-rice lands without disrupting the function of primary food agriculture. “This is an example of forward thinking, thinking outside the box. Success stories like this should be transferred to other towns,” he said. Apart from that, this PhD graduate from IPB University touched on the challenges farmers face such as limited subsidized fertilisers, pest attacks and the need for business capital. He emphasized that the Democratic Party will ensure that fertilizer distribution is fairer, access to capital is expanded, and local agricultural products can be properly absorbed, among other things to support the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). “If food can come directly from local farmers, quality is maintained, prices are friendlier, and farmers are also prosperous,” he explained. Taking the opportunity to deliver his speech in front of residents, this member of the East Java VII Constituency stressed that villages are the foundation of the nation’s progress. He encouraged the development of education, agriculture, infrastructure and decent housing to continue to be strengthened up to the village level. Ibas also opened up space for community aspirations regarding educational scholarships, the Home Improvement Program (BSPS), as well as the strengthening of irrigation and agricultural equipment, to be transferred directly to the Democratic Party. Apart from that, this master’s degree graduate from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, also highlighted the state of food prices towards the end of the year, where the price of chillies and a number of other basic necessities experienced a significant increase, sparking great public interest in the cheap market in Ngawi. He emphasized the importance of monitoring distribution, targeted market operations and strengthening local production so that food security is maintained. “National resilience starts in the people’s kitchen. If food prices are stable, farmers are prosperous and society is calm, then this nation will be strong,” Ibas concluded. Furthermore, he also invited all elements of the society to continue to maintain optimism, mutual cooperation and the spirit of village independence. For information, this activity was attended by DPRD member of the Democratic Party for Ngawi Regency, Haris Agus Susilo; Head of the Ngawi Regency Agricultural Service; Head of the Ngawi Regency Trade and Industry Service; Head of Regional Market Management UPT; as well as the head of Bangunrejo Lor Village and local community leaders. Also watch the video ‘Minister of Agriculture aims for Papua to be self-sufficient in food within 2 years’: (akn/ega)

Jakarta – Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Benjamin Paulus Octavianus revealed that a number of health facilities in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra were already operational after the disaster. In Aceh, Benjamin said out of a total of 65 hospitals, 62 of them have resumed operations. “In Aceh there are 65 hospitals, today 62 hospitals are operational. There are 3 private hospitals that are still not,” Benjamin told journalists at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (17/12/2025). The number of community health centers in Aceh that have started operating is much larger. Of the 305 community health centers in Aceh, only 37 are still not operational because they were badly damaged by floods. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Furthermore, Benjamin said that almost all hospitals in North Sumatra and West Sumatra have resumed their operations. According to him, only 4 community health centers in North Sumatra have not yet resumed operations. “So the emergency is resolved, but what we need to prepare is post-disaster medicine, including medicine to treat diarrhea and how to deal with the consequences of lack of clean water,” he said. According to Benjamin, the provision of complete medicines and the control of diseases are currently the Ministry of Health’s main priority. For this reason, the Ministry of Health places each representative at the disaster point to facilitate coordination. “So we are deploying people so that there are no excuses, because the people from the Ministry of Health can go immediately at any time, because the order is for this crisis, anything that is emergency must be sent to the place immediately, this has been going on for 22 days,” said Benjamin. “I think today the crises can be overcome, all that remains is to repair the badly damaged equipment, yes, it should be replaced with a new one,” he added. Watch the video ‘BNPB Update on Sumatran Disaster Victims: 1,059 Dead, 192 Missing’: (fas/fas)

Jakarta – Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered illegal abortion practices operating in an apartment unit in the East Jakarta area. In one day, this illegal clinic aborts up to 3 patients at a rate of millions of rupiah. “(The number of patients per day) is uncertain, it could be up to 3 patients,” Jaya Kombes, Edy Suranta Sitepu, director of criminal investigation at Polda Metro, said in his statement on Wednesday (17/12/2025). Edy said that the suspects have been practicing abortion since 2022. The clinic charges up to IDR 8 million per patient. Scroll TO GO WITH CONTENT “The fees set range from IDR 5 million to IDR 8 million per action,” he explained. Polda Metro Jaya named 5 main suspects in this case, namely wife NS as the executor or ‘doctor’ who performed the abortion, wife RH who helped NS, and wife M who picks up and drops off the patient. There is also a LN man who rents an apartment and a YH man who runs the website. Apart from that, two patients with the initials KWM and R were also suspects in this case. The suspects were charged under Act Number 17 of 2023 on Health, with a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison. Polda Metro Jaya emphasized that it will continue to act firmly against illegal health service practices and appealed to the public not to be tempted by online health services that do not have official permits. Promotion via website Kombes Edy explained that the suspects promoted abortion via the website. This clinic has been in operation since 2022 and has served 361 patients. “Prospective patients contact the admin via the website, then communicate via WhatsApp. Patients are asked to send ultrasound results and personal identification before being given a schedule, location and pick-up point,” explains Edy. Meanwhile, Jaya Kombes, head of public relations of Polda Metro, Pol Budi Hermanto, said this disclosure is a form of Polri’s commitment to transparent law enforcement and protection of public health and safety. “The practice of illegal abortion is an act that violates the law, endangers women’s health and goes against moral values, ethics and religious norms,” ​​said Commissioner Budi Hermanto. From the scene of the incident, investigators seized a number of pieces of evidence, including abortion equipment, medicine, blood-stained cotton wool, a vacuum device, six mobile phones and a car used for surgeries. The results of DNA testing and post-mortem examination confirmed the existence of illegal abortion practices at this location. See also the video ‘The perpetrator has operated since 2015 and helped many people with abortions’: (mea/idn)

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto arrived in West Sumatra (Sumbar) to review the handling of flood and landslide disasters. Prabowo immediately held a limited meeting (ratas) with a number of ministers, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The moments of the meeting were uploaded on the Cabinet Secretariat’s Instagram account on Wednesday evening (17/12/2025). The meeting was held behind closed doors at the West Sumatra Regional Military Command Headquarters. “Three days after visiting Aceh for the third time and North Sumatra for the second time. Tonight, President Prabowo Subianto landed in West Sumatra again for the second time in the past 2 weeks,” the post said. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT The meeting was held after Prabowo arrived at the Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman Regency. Greeted by a number of officials at the airport, Prabowo went straight to the West Sumatra Regional Military Command to hold a limited meeting. “The President arrived at Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman Regency at 18:30 WIB on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 and immediately held a limited meeting at the West Sumatra Regional Military Command Headquarters,” he said. Cabinet Secretary Teddy said that this time Prabowo will visit three points during his inspection activities in West Sumatra. Prabowo is scheduled to go to Agam Regency, Padang Pariaman Regency and Tanah Datar Regency. “After spending the next day in Padang, the President will visit 3 districts affected by the disaster, namely Agam Regency, Padang Pariaman Regency and Tanah Datar Regency,” he said. “During this visit, the head of state is scheduled to visit a number of places affected by the disaster, including temporary shelter construction points, evacuation points, bridge construction points, while ensuring the acceleration of recovery of all infrastructure,” he said. Present at the meeting were Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Head of BIN M Herindra, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, TNI Commander General Agus Prawo Listyo, Chief of National Police, TNI General TNI Simanjuntak, KSAL TNI Admiral Muhammad Ali, and KSAU TNI Marshal Tonny Harjono. Watch the video ‘BNPB Update on Sumatran Disaster Victims: 1,059 Dead, 192 Missing’: (fca/idn)

Jakarta – The owner of the Terra Drone building that caught fire and killed 22 people has been questioned by the police. The owner admitted that his building did not have an emergency staircase. For information, the fire occurred on Tuesday (9/12/2025) afternoon. The fire started in the inventory room on the 1st floor where lithium polymer (LiPo) type drone batteries were stored. Batteries that have already been damaged are stored in a pile in that room. The battery then fell and a spark appeared and grabbed a usable battery that was also stored in the room. The fire then grew and spread to other floors of the building. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT The total death toll from this fire incident was 22 people. The victim died because he was trapped on the top floor of the six-story building. The victims who died were unable to get out because the building was filled with smoke coming from the lower floors and there were minimal evacuation routes. Police investigating IMB and SLF Owners are also being questioned by the police. The police are investigating the building construction permit (BCP) and functional fitness certificate (CFC). “The owner came and was questioned,” the head of criminal investigation unit for the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police AKBP, Roby Heri Saputra, told reporters on Wednesday (17/12/2025). Roby said the investigation was carried out on Saturday (13/12). He said his party was investigating building ownership, IMB and building supervision. “(What is being studied) relates to ownership, control of the building, IMB and SLF, knowledge of tenant activities, surveillance and prevention, and action after knowing the risks,” he said. Other potential suspects Roby said there are other potential suspects in the case. But he said evidence was still being gathered. “It does not rule out that there are other suspects, but we are still first strengthening the evidence,” he said. Currently, according to him, his party has interviewed 12 witnesses. Including the survivors was also investigated. “(A total of) 12 witnesses (were investigated). Including employees who survived,” he said. Police said the owner admitted the building did not have an emergency staircase. Meanwhile, the permit was issued in 2014. “Yes, that’s true, that’s the situation (there are no emergency stairs). But the permit is a building construction permit with a certificate of functional feasibility, it was issued in 2014, 2015,” Roby continued. The building owner also admitted that there was no further maintenance on the building because it was rented by PT Terra Drone Indonesia. He said building owners leave maintenance to tenants. “So, if it’s rented, there’s no maintenance from the building owner. The tenant takes care of that,” he said. Examining expert witnesses The police will also examine expert witnesses. He said investigators are still looking into whether there was any alleged negligence on the part of the building owner. “The results of the inspection show that he (the building owner) answered questions, but we still haven’t found the element of negligence, we are still looking for it,” he said. Also watch the video ‘Terra Drone employee allegedly tried to break glass but failed during fire’: (rdp/fas)