The Daily Populous

Wednesday December 17th, 2025 morning edition

image for Trump’s chief of staff confirms Trump is in the Epstein files as she torches Bondi

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed that President Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files, claiming the late sex offender and Trump were “young, single playboys together.”.

In wide-ranging interviews with Vanity Fair, Wiles also torched Attorney General Pam Bondi for her handling of the Department of Justice’s investigation into Epstein.

During the sit-downs, the Florida-born chief of staff, whom Trump calls the “ice maiden,” said she misjudged the importance of the scandal surrounding Epstein.

Wiles, who also managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, told Vanity Fair she has read what she described as “the Epstein file.”.

open image in gallery White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles confirmed that President Donald Trump is in the Epstein files, telling Vanity Fair that the late sex offender and Trump were "sort of young, single playboys together."

“They were, you know, sort of young, single, whatever — I know it’s a passé word but sort of young, single playboys together,” she said of the pair.

“I can’t explain The Wall Street Journal, but we’re going to get some discovery because we sued them,” Wiles added. »

The perfect plastic? Plant-based, fully saltwater degradable, zero microplastics

Authored by eurekalert.org

Last year, Aida and his team developed a plastic that could quickly degrade in salt water within several hours, without leaving any microplastics behind.

In the presence of salt water, the bonds holding the two polymers together came apart and the plastic decomposed.

“From this abundant natural substance, we have created a flexible yet tough plastic material that safely decomposes in the ocean. »

A woman is suing the IRS to get pets classified as dependents and eligible for tax deductions

Authored by the-independent.com

A lawyer and her golden retriever are suing the Internal Revenue Service to try and get pets classified as legal dependents – a change that would have some tax benefits for pet owners.

While the IRS defines pets as property, Reynolds says this does not reflect Finnegan’s role in their household, according to QZ.

This includes Child Tax Credit (and Additional Child Tax Credit), the Credit for Other Dependents, and the Earned Income Tax Credit, the outlet reports. »

Half-Life 3 is rumored to be a Steam Machine launch title and could arrive in spring 2026

Authored by engadget.com

For the diehard fans out there, the latest test of patience comes from Insider Gaming Weekly's podcast, which claimed that the third installment in the Half-Life franchise is set to release with the launch of the Steam Machine sometime in spring 2026.

"The window I was specifically told was spring 2026 for the Steam Machine, for the Frame, for the Controller, for Half-Life 3," Mike Straw, one of the hosts of the Insider Gaming Weekly podcast and senior editor at Insider Gaming, said.

Straw added that all the previous dates for an announcement of the next Half-Life game have passed, but that his sources "are still adamant this is a game that will be a launch title with the Steam Machine." »

British government backs the BBC as Trump sues it for billions

Authored by politico.eu

The BBC apologized to Trump last month, but argued that the claim from Trump did not provide a basis for a defamation suit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is already under some domestic pressure to raise the defamation case directly with the U.S. president.

The BBC is funded through a mandatory annual payment to watch television, and BBC online content, in the U.K. »