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Hunter Schafer, a well-known actress and transgender woman who stars in HBO’s hit series Euphoria, recently revealed that her new U.S. passport incorrectly lists her as male, despite her selecting female when filling out the paperwork. Schafer shared her frustration in a TikTok video, where she displayed the travel document and expressed disbelief over the mistake.

Schafer, 26, said she had previously held a passport listing her as female, but after misplacing it while filming overseas, she applied for a replacement. When she received the new passport, she was shocked to find that it had an “M” marker instead of an “F.”

She attributed the error to changes in U.S. government policies regarding gender identity under the administration of President Donald Trump. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order reinstating policies that define gender strictly based on biological sex at birth. As a result, U.S. passports now only list “M” or “F,” based on the sex assigned at birth, and no longer accommodate gender identity changes.

Schafer criticized the policy shift, stating that she had initially been skeptical about whether it would have real-life consequences. “I just didn’t think it was actually going to happen,” she said in her video. “Today, I saw it.”

Previously, under the Biden administration, the U.S. had introduced an option allowing passport applicants to choose their gender identity, including an “X” designation for non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals. That policy has now been overturned, reverting to a stricter definition of sex as immutable.

For Schafer, the situation is not just an inconvenience but also a source of anxiety. She explained that she was planning to travel internationally in the coming days and anticipated difficulties at airports due to the discrepancy between her passport and her gender identity. “I’m pretty sure this is going to mean having to out myself to border patrol agents way more often than I’d like,” she said, highlighting the personal impact of the policy change.

Schafer’s documentation issues stem from the fact that while she legally updated her gender markers on her driver’s license and previous passports when she was a teenager, her birth certificate was never amended. Because the new passport policy relies on the sex recorded at birth, this appears to be the reason for the incorrect designation.

The U.S. State Department has updated its website to reflect the new guidelines, stating that it now issues passports only with “M” or “F” markers that match the applicant’s biological sex at birth. This marks a stark departure from the previous administration’s policy, which allowed self-identification of gender on travel documents.

Schafer emphasized that the issue affects transgender individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of their social status. “No one—no matter how wealthy, white, or pretty—is excluded from this,” she stated, making it clear that these policy changes have tangible effects on people’s lives.

In addition to her work as an actress, Schafer has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights. Her portrayal of Jules Vaughn, a transgender teenager in Euphoria, has been widely praised for its authenticity and depth, helping to bring more visibility to trans experiences in mainstream media. Now, she finds herself at the center of a real-life issue that echoes the struggles faced by many transgender individuals.

While the full impact of the new passport regulations remains to be seen, Schafer’s experience has already sparked conversations online about the challenges faced by transgender people navigating bureaucratic systems that fail to recognize their identities. Many of her fans and supporters have expressed solidarity, calling for a reversal of the policy and advocating for a more inclusive approach to gender recognition in official documentation.

For now, Schafer is preparing for her upcoming travel with an incorrect passport, uncertain about the difficulties she may face at border checkpoints. “This is real, and it’s happening,” she said, underscoring the broader implications of the policy change for the transgender community.

Reading Time: 3 minutesSouth Africa faced a setback ahead of their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday as Heinrich Klaasen was ruled out due to a left elbow soft tissue injury. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the decision was made to prevent Klaasen from escalating the situation. Meanwhile, Tristan Stubbs was also absent from the playing XI, though his omission was not unexpected, as he was not considered a frontrunner for a spot in the starting lineup.

South Africa still fielded a strong batting lineup despite Klaasen’s absence. The inning was started by Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi. A strong middle order of Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and David Miller followed. All-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen added depth at numbers seven and eight, giving South Africa a well-balanced combination against Afghanistan.
Due to his exceptional performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) over the past few months, Klaasen’s absence was significant. He had been one of South Africa’s most reliable batters, particularly against spin bowling. In his last four ODIs, all played against Pakistan—both in a home series last year and in the tri-series preceding the Champions Trophy—Klaasen delivered consistent and explosive performances. His scores of 86 off 97 balls, 97 off 74 balls, 81 off 43 balls, and most recently, 87 off 56 balls showcased his ability to dominate opposition attacks.

Overall, Klaasen has been a formidable performer in ODIs, amassing 2074 runs in 54 innings at an impressive average of 44.12. He was an important asset for South Africa because of his strike rate of 117.44, which further demonstrated his capacity to score quickly. His outstanding record against spin bowling, which could have been crucial against Afghanistan’s strong spin attack, made his absence even more significant. Klaasen has averaged 57 runs per dismissal and a strike rate of 125.31 against spinners in one-day internationals since 2020. Among batters who have faced at least 500 deliveries of spin in this period, his strike rate is the highest, significantly surpassing the next best—Rohit Sharma’s 111.59.
With Afghanistan likely to deploy at least 20 overs of spin in the match, Klaasen’s ability to handle their top bowlers, including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, would have been an invaluable asset. Mohammad Nabi, another experienced spinner in Afghanistan’s lineup, further added to the challenge South Africa was expected to face in the game. Without Klaasen in the middle order, the rest of South Africa’s batters had the responsibility of handling Afghanistan’s spin-heavy bowling attack.

Management would have been keeping an eye on Klaasen’s recovery in advance of their next crucial game as the team concentrated on their first game. The second Champions Trophy match between South Africa and Australia is scheduled for February 25 in Rawalpindi. The team is hoping that Klaasen’s injury isn’t too serious and that he can get back to full fitness in time to face a strong Australian team. While South Africa had depth in their batting lineup, Klaasen’s aggressive stroke play and ability to accelerate the scoring rate made him a game-changer. His exclusion from the playing XI was a precautionary move, but his presence in the remainder of the tournament could be vital for South Africa’s success.

In the days leading up to the match against Australia, the team’s medical staff and selectors would likely continue to closely monitor his condition. However, Tristan Stubbs’ absence was not particularly surprising. Although a talented player, he was not a guaranteed pick in South Africa’s preferred XI. With several experienced batters and all-rounders in the lineup, Stubbs might have had to wait for his opportunity later in the tournament, possibly depending on team combinations and injuries.
Despite these setbacks, South Africa remained confident in their ability to start their Champions Trophy campaign on a positive note.

It was anticipated that their balanced team, which included skilled all-rounders, experienced batters, and a potent bowling attack, would compete with Afghanistan. Every team must be at full strength in order to have the best chance of winning the Champions Trophy, which is known for its unpredictability. Keeping Klaasen fit for the upcoming matches and making the necessary tactical adjustments to navigate their early tournament fixtures are South Africa’s primary priorities right now. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure would ultimately determine their progress in the competition.

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Elon Musk has shown interest in a proposal that suggests using the savings generated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to issue a “DOGE dividend”—a tax refund payment for hardworking American taxpayers. This idea was put forward by James Fishback, a user on X, who argued that 20% of the savings identified by DOGE should be returned to taxpayers in the form of a check.

Fishback’s post laid out a scenario where, if DOGE successfully cuts $2 trillion in federal spending, approximately 78 million taxpaying households in the United States could each receive around $5,000. The remaining savings, under this plan, would be allocated toward reducing the national debt. Musk responded to this suggestion by saying, “Will check with the President,” indicating that he was open to discussing the idea further with Donald Trump.

Musk has been vocal about the importance of reducing the national deficit. Speaking on Fox News’ “Hannity” during a joint appearance with Trump, Musk explained that DOGE aims to cut a trillion dollars from the deficit. He warned that if the deficit is not brought under control, the United States could face financial ruin, comparing the country’s financial situation to that of an individual.

“The overall goal is to try to get a trillion dollars out of the deficit,” Musk said. “If the deficit is not brought under control, America will go bankrupt. A country is no different from an individual in that if an individual overspends, they can go bankrupt. And so can a country.”

He highlighted the massive waste, fraud, and abuse contributing to the country’s growing deficit, which currently stands at around $2 trillion annually. Musk believes that addressing these inefficiencies is crucial to ensuring the country’s financial stability.

DOGE, which has been working to identify and eliminate unnecessary federal expenditures, claims to have already achieved approximately $55 billion in savings. These savings have come from actions such as canceling unused federal leases and contracts, selling off government assets, identifying and eliminating fraud, streamlining regulations, and reducing workforce redundancies.

While Musk appeared to support the idea of a DOGE dividend when he first responded to Fishback’s post, he later clarified his stance. On Wednesday morning, he posted a response to Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, who raised concerns that the DOGE dividend might result in the government treating DOGE savings as a “piggy bank” instead of focusing on necessary budgetary discipline. Musk’s reply emphasized that balancing the budget should be the first priority. “We need to balance the budget as first priority,” he wrote, signaling that while returning money to taxpayers is an appealing idea, his primary concern remains tackling the overall deficit.

The federal government reported a budget deficit of over $1.8 trillion in the fiscal year 2024, according to data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Projections indicate that this deficit is expected to exceed $2 trillion annually in the coming years. This poses a significant challenge for both DOGE and the Trump administration, should they aim to close the budget gap entirely.

During Musk’s interview with Trump on Hannity, the conversation revolved around fiscal responsibility and government spending. Musk argued that the key to saving taxpayer money lies in two essential factors: competence and genuine care for the country’s financial health. He pointed out that many government inefficiencies stem from bureaucratic mismanagement and a lack of accountability in spending decisions.

DOGE has also taken steps to involve the public in its cost-saving mission. The agency recently launched accounts on X that allow citizens to submit tips on ways the government could reduce wasteful spending. This crowdsourced approach aims to identify inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed by bureaucratic oversight.

Despite the growing conversation around the potential for a DOGE dividend, Musk’s latest comments indicate that he believes it is more important to focus on balancing the budget rather than issuing refund checks. While some Americans may have welcomed the idea of a tax refund generated from government savings, the broader fiscal challenge remains at the forefront of Musk’s and DOGE’s priorities.

Musk’s position underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of the deficit before considering additional financial incentives for taxpayers. Although he initially appeared intrigued by the proposal, his subsequent statement suggests that he views budgetary responsibility as the more pressing issue. The coming months will determine whether DOGE can achieve its ambitious cost-cutting goals and whether any portion of those savings will ultimately be returned to taxpayers.

For now, the focus remains on reducing unnecessary spending, tackling fraud, and ensuring that the federal government operates with greater efficiency. With the national deficit continuing to rise, the success of DOGE’s mission will be crucial in determining the country’s financial trajectory in the years ahead.