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Axios
09-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
How Trump's megabill affects Illinois' environment
Illinois environmental advocates are decrying President Trump's megabill, calling it a "misguided" plan that " puts polluters first," while Republican Rep. Mary Miller has praised it as a policy that "unleashes American energy." Why it matters: Both sides agree that it will have a major impact on Illinois. The big picture: The bill rolls back Biden-era policies that supported wind, solar and battery-stored energy as well as electric vehicles. It replaces them with eased permitting and more tax credits for coal, oil and other fossil fuels. At least 4 million additional acres of federal land will be available for mining, and the hydrogen tax credit will be available through 2028. What they're saying: "Lowering families' energy costs and making our air cleaner should be something we all agree on, and yet Trump and his cronies would rather gut clean energy and pollution reduction programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires," Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said in a statement. The other side: In a news release, Miller characterized the changes as "ending radical 'Green' New Scam tax subsidies." Axios reached out to all three Illinois Republican representatives who voted for the bill, including Miller, Mike Bost and Darin LaHood, but none commented. Timeline: The bill includes termination dates for clean energy programs, including these, which the Illinois Environmental Council flagged as some of the most important: Sept. 30, 2025, marks the last day you can buy an EV and still qualify for a $4,000 to $7,000 federal tax credit. Dec. 31, 2025, is when you must have started construction on energy-efficient home improvements — including insulation or installation of solar, wind and heat pump technology — to get tax credits worth up to 30% of project cost. Dec. 31, 2027, is when hydrogen energy production facilities must start operating to qualify for tax credits. By the numbers: The federal Joint Economic Committee estimated that the expiring tax credits helped the average American family save $1,080 per year. According to state figures, the megabill could endanger 300 clean energy projects and 26,000 jobs by 2030 in Illinois if already initiated manufacturing and construction projects that would have benefitted from tax incentives fold. Under the bill, Illinois households could see average energy bills increase by $168 this year, according to the Citizens Utility Board. Zoom in: Illinois solar associations are urging state lawmakers to help soften the federal losses with state legislation to add more wind, solar and battery-stored power to the grid. A bill that would have done that came close but failed in the last session.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Hansal Mehta questions the efficacy of formulaic film promotions: 'Is it really success or just an illusion?'
Veteran filmmaker Hansal Mehta has sparked a timely conversation about the changing nature of film and series promotions, questioning whether the current publicity playbook truly serves the art or simply feeds a superficial perception of success. Mehta took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to express concern over the repetitive and formulaic approach to promoting films and web series. Without singling out any particular film, actor, or campaign, the Scam 1992 director highlighted how the industry has adopted a generic promotional template—where the same set of actors make rounds on identical platforms, answer the same questions, and appear at city events with little variety or genuine engagement. 'Do these generic, template promotions for films and series actually work? Do they make people watch? Do they make the film/series any better? Or do they simply sustain an ecosystem built on illusion—PR agencies, costume designers, event planners, influencers, sponsors, red carpets, press conferences, paid 'reviews', social media fluff. It all looks like success,' Mehta wrote in his post. He further pointed out how the machinery of promotions now seems more focused on maintaining visibility and popularity, rather than letting the film's merit drive audience interest. 'It feels like popularity. But is it? Shouldn't a good trailer stir curiosity? Shouldn't compelling promo units and—most importantly—a good film or series be enough?' Mehta questioned. In a climate where promotional events are increasingly used to flood social media with visual buzz and influencer endorsements, Mehta's observations strike a chord with many in the industry who are seeking more authentic forms of outreach. 'Instead, we're stuck watching the same actors answer the same 10 questions on the same podcasts in the same studios, flying from one city to another, chasing a perception,' he added. Concluding his reflective post, Mehta wrote, 'This isn't a rant—it's a question: What's the best way to promote a story today without becoming part of a machinery that serves neither the art nor the artist?' Known for his candid views and artistic integrity, Hansal Mehta is acclaimed for films like Shahid, Aligarh, Faraaz, Chhalaang, and the critically acclaimed series Scam 1992. His recent film The Buckingham Murders also drew attention for its mature storytelling and international narrative approach. Mehta's observations have reignited a broader discussion within the film fraternity about the relevance and return-on-investment of large-scale promotions. As storytelling continues to evolve across streaming platforms and theatres, industry stakeholders may need to reconsider whether traditional promotional strategies remain effective or have become outdated spectacles with diminishing impact. In an era where audiences often form opinions based on content quality rather than media buzz, Mehta's questions are a timely reminder to prioritize storytelling over spectacle.
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Irish Independent
The ‘cyber slaves' forced to scam you
If you, or anyone you know, have fallen victim to an online scam, you're unlikely to have wondered whether the con artists themselves were having a difficult time. Yet, as Ivan Franceschini, Ling Li and Mark Bo show in their fascinating new book Scam, if the perpetrators are operating out of Southeast Asia, there's a high likelihood they'll be tortured themselves if they don't successfully trick enough people out of their data or cash.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"Familiar screenwriting" but it works "in parts"- Hansal Mehta: reviews Brad Pitt's 'F1'
The well-known filmmaker Hansal Mehta has reviewed actor Brad Pitt's new film, 'F1,' and shared his point of view at length about what has worked for the film and what has not. What did the Scam 1992 maker say? Sharing from his social media handle early on Monday, Hansal praised Brad Pitt, saying that there's "something moving about watching a star who knows how to carry silence and wear fatigue with grace. " Hansal said that "the treatment of the supporting cast" in the film "definitely doesn't work." Hansal said that even though 'F1' has "familiar screenwriting," but it works "in parts." He said, "My thoughts on F1. F1 applies every familiar screenwriting trope from the underdog sportsperson playbook: the tormented past, the fractured team, the old-vs-young dynamic, and the predictable trajectory from rock bottom to redemption. You can almost hear the structure ticking away beneath the surface." What works in 'F1' as per Mehta He added it with "And yet, despite all that, it works - at least in parts. The racing sequences are thrillingly constructed, shot with the kind of kinetic precision that makes you forget the cliché for a while. The film treats its beautifully ageing lead with near-reverence and rightly so. There's something moving about watching a star who knows how to carry silence and wear fatigue with grace." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Hansal says 'F1' didn't do justice to Javier Bardem's character Hansal also said that the film has "same drug, different packaging." Further adding, "What definitely doesn't work is the treatment of its supporting cast. Take Javier Bardem—an actor capable of thunder—and reduce him to one of the laziest character sketches in recent memory. A waste really. And yet, for all its worn-out tropes and narrative shortcuts F1 had the audience glued for most part, willingly swept up in the spectacle. Somehow the clichés didn't matter. The crowd wanted the hit and the film delivered. Same drug, different packaging but the high still lands."
News18
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
After Deepika, Hansal Mehta Reviews Brad Pitt's F1; Says Javier Bardem Was Reduced To…
Last Updated: Hansal Mehta reviewed Brad Pitt's F1, critiquing its underused cast. Previously, Deepika Padukone, too, praised the film. 'Brad Pitt. That's it, that's the post. IYKYK," wrote Deepika Padukone, while expressing how she liked the film, F1. A day later, filmmaker Hansal Mehta reviewed the film, carefully writing about how the story and its characters were treated. In his honest opinion of the Hollywood blockbuster, the Scam 1992 director wrote that Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem was 'wasted' in the film. 'My thoughts on F1", was how Hansal Mehta began his review. He continued, 'F1 applies every familiar screenwriting trope from the underdog sportsperson playbook: the tormented past, the fractured team, the old-vs-young dynamic, and the predictable trajectory from rock bottom to redemption. You can almost hear the structure ticking away beneath the surface." He continued, 'And yet, despite all that, it works – at least in parts. The racing sequences are thrillingly constructed, shot with the kind of kinetic precision that makes you forget the cliché for a while. The film treats its beautifully ageing lead with near-reverence and rightly so. There's something moving about watching a star who knows how to carry silence and wear fatigue with grace." Mehta then went on to write about what he felt didn't work for the film. 'What definitely doesn't work is the treatment of its supporting cast. Take Javier Bardem—an actor capable of thunder—and reduce him to one of the laziest character sketches in recent memory. A waste really," he penned. 'And yet, for all its worn-out tropes and narrative shortcuts F1 had the audience glued for most part, willingly swept up in the spectacle. Somehow the clichés didn't matter. The crowd wanted the hit and the film delivered. Same drug, different packaging but the high still lands," he concluded. Take a look: My thoughts on F1F1 applies every familiar screenwriting trope from the underdog sportsperson playbook: the tormented past, the fractured team, the old-vs-young dynamic, and the predictable trajectory from rock bottom to redemption. You can almost hear the structure ticking… — Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 29, 2025 Social media users couldn't agree more with Hansal Mehta. 'God has spoken!", wrote a fan. 'I felt the same. The romantic track was also half baked. I don't know if it was necessary too," said another. Yet another user drew parallels between Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Pathaan: 'Absolutely apt review @mehtahansal sir! This is what SRK did with Pathaan and Jawan but rest of the Bollywood kind of forgotten!" What is Brad Pitt's F1 about? Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former racing legend making a comeback to F1 after decades away, in a film directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for the action-packed Top Gun: Maverick. Premiering internationally on June 27, the movie has already garnered rave reviews for its mix of emotional narrative and realistic racing scenes. With Lewis Hamilton as a co-producer, F1 doesn't just tell a racing story—it immerses viewers in the sport. The film features an impressive cast including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, and Sarah Niles. Bardem portrays Ruben Cervantes, Sonny's former teammate and now the struggling owner of a team, who persuades Hayes to make an unlikely return. First Published: June 30, 2025, 12:07 IST
