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ubet login A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday (9 p.m. EST Tuesday). Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the U.S. would monitor compliance by all sides. Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL , does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. A Hezbollah leader said the group's support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signaling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in grave condition. Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the U.N. read by his ambassador.Louis, Athanaze agony as Windies build Test edge over Bangladesh

The Albanese government has faced mounting opposition to its proposed social media ban for children under 16 as a growing number of politicians have spoken out against it. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and independent MP Andrew Wilkie both revealed on Wednesday their intention to oppose the bill. Ms Thorpe said, “I won’t be supporting Labor’s social media ban. Young people use social media to participate in politics and activism”. Mr Wilkie backflipped on his prior approval and said, “I got it wrong and I’ve changed my mind”. He told ABC Radio National, “I realise the whole thing’s nonsense and frankly I’m doubtful it will ever be realised”. This comes after Liberal MP Alex Antic and Nationals Senator Matt Canavan defied broad party support for the ban and said they would cross the floor. Nationals MP Keith Pitt and Senator Bridget Archer have both criticised the bill but have not confirmed a final position. Education Minister Jason Clare called on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to ensure the bill received Coalition endorsement at a press conference on Wednesday. “The opposition has said they want to pass the legislation this week as well. And I hope that that support sticks,” he told reporters. “I hope that the opposition leader can bring his party behind this.” Given Labor and broad Coalition support, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 has still been expected to pass through the parliament. The backlash has extended to the crossbench as the Greens and One Nation have accused Labor of being “rushed and reckless” with the bill. Many of the Teal Independents have not confirmed their final position, although David Pocock, Kylea Tink and Zoe Daniel have criticised the government’s approach. The government provided only 24 hours for the public to make submissions in response to the legislation and about 15,000 submissions were made. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth denied the government was hurrying the bill and called on the opposition to pass the ban on Tuesday. “I thought there was bipartisan support... Just a couple of weeks ago, Peter Dutton said he would facilitate this important piece of legislation,” she told the Today show. The majority of submissions published in the 24 hour period – including from UNICEF, Amnesty International and Shooters Fishers & Farmers Tasmania – opposed the bill. While most agree that social media can harm young people, there has also been widespread criticism of the government's blanket ban. The Australian Human Rights Commission argued social media offered young people “opportunities for inclusion and participation”. The Free Speech Union of Australia also condemned the bill as “draconian” and “authoritarian”, warning it could infringe upon fundamental online privacy rights. Digital Rights Watch similarly expressed concern the legislation “inadequately safeguards privacy and data protection”. The Digital Industry Group (DIGI), which represents tech giants like Meta, TikTok, Google, and X, also recently told Sky News the harms of a ban were as real as online harms. “A 21st-century response to these challenges means keeping young people safe when they’re on the internet,” Ms Bose said. “A 20th-century response aims to keep them off it.” The attempt to ban social media access for minors has included Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. YouTube, WhatsApp and Messenger Kids have been flagged as exemptions . The legislation will make it illegal for children under 16 to access banned platforms unless they meet specific age verification criteria. Social media companies will be threatened with $50 million fines for systematic failure to enforce the ban. Platforms will bear the onus of responsibility, and no penalties will be enforced against underage users who bypass the restrictions. The ban will come into effect 12 months after legislation passes parliament and will not be grandfathered in, meaning children already on social media will also be banned. This will impact millions of children and teenagers as some 97 per cent of youth use social media across an average of four platforms, surveys show.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday. Bilal Hussein/Associated Press JERUSALEM – Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. President Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL ‘ATTACK WITH MIGHT’ IF HEZBOLLAH BREAKS TRUCE Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu’s office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” WARPLANES BOMBARD BEIRUT AND ITS SOUTHERN SUBURBS Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta – the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three more in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel claims it only targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut’s bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 yards from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah’s financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. ISRAELI FORCES REACH LITANI RIVER IN SOUTHERN LEBANON The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousSunday, December 29, 2024 As Colorado’s ski season reaches its busiest period, a significant snowstorm looms, promising thrilling ski conditions but causing widespread travel chaos. With New Year’s celebrations drawing thousands to the state’s premier ski resorts, this weather event underscores the challenges for drivers navigating Colorado’s mountainous terrain. Treacherous travel disruption is anticipated across key routes, including the heavily trafficked I-70 corridor, as snow and high winds complicate journeys. The snowstorm is forecast to bring waves of snow across Colorado’s mountainous regions from Friday night through early next week. While these weather patterns are typical for the area, this particular storm is compounded by extreme wind conditions that will amplify travel hazards. Interstate 70, especially the 113-mile stretch between Georgetown and Glenwood Springs, will be a hotspot for deteriorating road conditions, reduced visibility, and blowing snow. The storm’s initial wave is expected to bring light snow to the mountains starting Friday night. Despite minor accumulations, the accompanying winds, reaching up to 70 miles per hour, will create significant challenges for drivers. Blowing snow is likely to reduce visibility drastically, making even brief trips potentially hazardous. Conditions are expected to improve slightly after 1 a.m. Saturday morning, providing a short window of relative calm before snow picks up again later in the day. Travelers are advised to avoid unnecessary trips during this period and monitor weather updates closely. For the latest travel news, travel updates and travel deals, airline news, cruise news, technology updates, travel alerts, weather reports, insider’ insights, exclusive interviews, subscribe now to the daily TTW newsletter . The snow will intensify Saturday afternoon, creating treacherous travel conditions that extend into the evening and overnight hours. Winds, although slightly calmer than Friday night, will still reach speeds of 60 miles per hour. Actively falling snow combined with blowing snow will make for difficult navigation, particularly on mountain passes and high-elevation routes. Travelers heading to ski resorts are encouraged to: Sunday morning and early afternoon will bring a temporary lull in snowfall, offering a much-needed break for travelers and snowplow crews alike. However, this calm will be short-lived. By Sunday evening, the storm’s heaviest snowfall is expected to move in, continuing into Monday morning. This final wave will likely bring substantial accumulations to ski resorts and further complicate road conditions. Colorado’s ski resorts are gearing up for a surge in visitors during this peak holiday period. The snowstorm, while disruptive for travel, is a boon for skiing enthusiasts eager for fresh powder. Resorts across the state have issued their own advisories, urging guests to plan their journeys carefully and take advantage of shuttle services to minimize road traffic. Top Tips for Skiers: For the latest travel news, travel updates and travel deals, airline news, cruise news, technology updates, travel alerts, weather reports, insider’ insights, exclusive interviews, subscribe now to the daily TTW newsletter . The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is working around the clock to keep major routes clear. Plow crews are prioritizing high-traffic areas like I-70 but caution that conditions can change rapidly. Drivers should be prepared for: As this snowstorm unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the dual nature of Colorado’s winter wonderland: a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and a challenge for those navigating its rugged terrain. The travel industry is encouraging visitors to embrace the beauty of the season while respecting its dangers. Whether you’re heading to the slopes or simply enjoying the holiday season in Colorado’s stunning mountain towns, preparation and vigilance will be your best allies. Stay tuned to weather forecasts and road condition updates to make the most of this winter adventure—safely. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.What's New The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are preparing to close down for Christmas Day on Wednesday, December 25. Why It's Important Stock markets always close on U.S. federal holidays, but opening hours can be adjusted in the days surrounding times of significant national importance. What To Know Regular trading hours on U.S. stock markets are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. But there will be some minor changes over the next few days. Is the Stock Market Open or Closed on Christmas Eve? Yes—the U.S. stock and bond markets are both open today, December 24, although trading hours have been cut down. The stock market in the U.S. will close at 1 p.m. ET, while bond and over-the-counter markets will close two hours earlier than usual at 2 p.m. ET. Is the Stock Market Open or Closed on Christmas Day? The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will not be open December 25. Bond markets and over-the-counter markets will also be closed. The stock and bond markets will resume operations on Thursday, December 26, with regular trading on Wall Street for the following days. The next planned stock market closure will take place on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in celebration of the New Year. On New Year's Eve, bond markets will close early at 2 p.m. ET. The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will close as usual at 4 p.m. ET. Foreign Markets Some foreign exchanges will also shut earlier than usual today and remain closed tomorrow for Christmas. 2025 The stock market will also be closed on the following dates throughout 2025: What's Next The Santa Claus trading window—the last five trading days of the year and the first two trading days of the new year—officially kicks off after Christmas Day, and is expected to deliver a year-end rally for the stock market, which has been performing reasonably well throughout December so far .

Clay's 15 help Morehead State take down Alice Lloyd 94-63DEMESNE RESOURCES LTD. ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF A THIRD TRANCHE OF PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING

The Patriots were without three starters during Tuesday’s practice, while five other players were limited ahead of Saturday’s game with the Chargers. Center Ben Brown is in concussion protocol, so he won’t return until he passes all the necessary testing. If he isn’t cleared and is unable to go, that might open the door for Cole Strange to see time. Strange, who was on the game-day roster for the first time in over a year last week in Buffalo, was a limited participant Tuesday. Cornerback and punt return specialist Marcus Jones, who missed Sunday’s loss to the Bills, didn’t practice while safety Kyle Dugger, who has been playing with an ankle injury, with a quad problem added to the mix, also wasn’t present. Here’s the practice report for both teams: DID NOT PARTICIPATE C Ben Brown, Concussion S Kyle Dugger, Ankle / Quad CB Marcus Jones, Hip LIMITED PARTICIPATION LB Curtis Jacobs, Concussion S Jabrill Peppers, Hamstring OL Cole Strange, Knee LB Jahlani Tavai, Groin OT Caedan Wallace, Ankle FULL PARTICIPATION RB JaMycal Hasty, Ankle DID NOT PARTICIPATE TE Hayden Hurst, Illness DL Otito Ogbonnia, Pelvis LB Denzel Perryman, Groin G/T Trey Pipkins III, Hip P JK Scott, Illness More Patriots ContentSJHL game postponed in Weyburn over ammonia leak

DK Metcalf is happy to block as Seahawks ride streak into Sunday night matchup with Packers

Every December, as it has since 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, Time magazine selects and features the most consequential Person of the Year (13 United States presidents, other world leaders, popes). Sometimes it has not been a person, as such, but a tectonic societal shift (the personal computer, the #MeToo movement). Donald Trump, just named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year , was first elevated to that title after his 2016 election victory. He is consequential because he has returned to power even after attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, even after supporting the insurrection on January 6, 2021, and notwithstanding being twice impeached and convicted of a felony. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during Time magazine’s Person of the Year announcement at the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: AP This year, no one else was on so many people’s minds as Trump. In Time’s judgment , Trump was “the person who had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year”. Time might have conferred the accolade jointly on Trump and Elon Musk, given Musk’s astonishing fusion of more than $US250 million in campaign contributions with his dominance over his X platform to help make Trump president. If influence is power, Musk has it. With ceaseless hours at Trump’s side to help shape his presidency, and his establishment and funding of a Musk think tank that will generate edicts for Trump to impose to re-sculpt the government, Musk has effectively supplanted JD Vance to become Trump’s vice president. Musk’s power is second only to Trump’s. For the next two years, Trump will be at his zenith. He will never have to face the voters again, which means he can act with impunity as he makes decisions to advance Trumpism and all that he wants to accomplish. Trump’s Republican Party, which he now owns, controls both houses of Congress, so there will be no more impeachments. His attorney-general and chief of the FBI will go after his political enemies . His secretary of defence will ensure that his generals follow his orders – overseas and in the streets of America’s cities. Public servants will take loyalty oaths or be purged. Trump will take money appropriated by the Congress away from programs he does not like and divert it to his priorities. On the world stage, Trump will present more like Putin, Xi and Orban than Starmer, Macron and Albanese. Trump has already broken the norm of the US having “one president at a time” with his pre-inaugural threats to Mexico, Canada and China on trade and his forays into concluding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East on his terms. His first inaugural address eight years ago featured the dystopian theme of “American carnage”. We will see how deep he wallows in that dark pool on January 20, 2025. Immediately after his address, when he arrives in the Oval Office, Trump’s march through the first 100 days will formally begin. Political newsletter Axios reports that “Trump advisers are running out of words to describe what’s coming in January”. “They say he feels empowered and emboldened, vindicated and validated, and eager to stretch the boundaries of power.” Trump will sign dozens of executive orders repealing everything he can that Biden did with his executive démarches four years ago, such as on climate, abortion rights, immigration, gun control and student loans. Trump’s nominees will face confirmation hearings and votes in the Senate. There will be firestorms around Kash Patel to head the FBI, who wants to close the FBI’s building, expel its agents around the country and prosecute Trump’s enemies; Robert Kennedy Jr as secretary of health and human services, who wants to take a baseball bat to how Anthony Fauci practises medicine, but is opposed by 75 Nobel laureates ; Pete Hegseth at Defence, under fire for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement; and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, who many see as an asset to Putin. Any who are knocked back will be replaced by other loyal Trumpists with the same mandates. They will do all that Trump wants. Trump will move to pardon and release from jail hundreds of his foot soldiers who stormed the Capitol on January 6. After Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, Trump will not even be singed by the critics. Trump will begin the detention and process of deporting hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the country. He will unveil legislation to get his budget, close the borders, cut taxes and fight over the public debt limit to avoid a default of the United States. Trump will begin to implement his campaign promises – over and above the threats against Mexico, Canada and China – to impose across-the-board tariffs of up to 20 per cent on all goods coming into the US and up to 60 per cent for imports from China. Will Australia be in these crosshairs? There is absolutely no basis on which Trump’s tariffs on Australia can be justified. Trump loves a trade surplus. Australia has a structural trade deficit with the US. Australia has a free trade agreement with the US. New higher tariffs are incompatible with the letter and spirit of that trade pact. But there is a real threat here. Trump has just ripped up the trade agreement he negotiated in his first term with Canada and Mexico. If Trump can do that to those allies he can do it to Australia. This could be the first hard test in the Australia-US, Albanese-Trump relationship. Trump – let’s call him Person of the Century, so far – is on a high. The year ahead will be savage. The waves of Trump’s first 100 days will hit Australia’s shores too. Bruce Wolpe is a senior fellow at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre. He has served on the Democratic staff in the US Congress and as chief of staff to former prime minister Julia Gillard.14-minute implosion makes it another night to forget for Man CityWASHINGTON/BEIRUT/JERUSALEM — A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. The accord cleared the way for an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year. Biden, who made remarks at the White House shortly after Israel's security cabinet approved the agreement in a 10-1 vote, said he had spoken to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Fighting would end at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), he said. "This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden said. "What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.” Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days as Lebanon's army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said. "Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron cheered the signing of the deal on social media platform X, saying it was “the culmination of efforts undertaken for many months with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, in close collaboration with the United States.” Lebanon's Mikati issued a statement welcoming the deal. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib earlier said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw. Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal and would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah. Netanyahu, who faces some opposition to the deal from within his coalition government, said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, replenish depleted arms supplies and give the army a rest, and to isolate Hamas, the militant group that triggered war in the region when it attacked Israel from Gaza last year. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory," Netanyahu said. "In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively." Netanyahu said Hezbollah, which is allied to Palestinian militant group Hamas, was considerably weaker than it had been at the start of the conflict. "We have set it back decades, eliminated ... its top leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and obliterated years of terror infrastructure near our border," he said. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the ceasefire deal in a statement, commending the parties to the agreement. "Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement." A senior U.S. official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. and France would join a mechanism with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force that would work with Lebanon's army to deter potential violations of the ceasefire. U.S. combat forces would not be deployed, the official said. The Lebanon ceasefire came after a change of attitudes on both sides in late October, the official said. Biden, who leaves office in January, said his administration would continue to push for an elusive ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza, where Israel is battling Hamas, as well as for a deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. HOSTILITIES CONTINUED ON TUESDAY Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged as Israel dramatically ramped up its campaign of airstrikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 killed. The Israeli military said it struck "components of Hezbollah’s financial management and systems" including a money-exchange office. Israel issued more evacuation warnings late on Tuesday, just hours before the ceasefire was due to take effect. Hezbollah also kept up rocket fire into Israel. Israel's air force intercepted three launches from Lebanese territory, the military said, in an extensive missile barrage on Tuesday night that led to warning alarms in approximately 115 settlements. Alia Ibrahim, a mother of twin girls from the southern village of Qaaqaiyat al-Snawbar, who had fled nearly three months ago to Beirut, said she hoped Israeli officials, who have expressed contradictory views on a ceasefire, would be faithful to the deal. “Our village – they destroyed half of it. In these few seconds before they announced the ceasefire, they destroyed half our village,” she said. “God willing, we can go back to our homes and our land." A poll conducted by Israel's Channel 12 TV found that 37% of Israelis were in favor of the ceasefire, compared with 32% against. Opponents to the deal in Israel include opposition leaders and heads of towns near Israel's border with Lebanon, who want a depopulated buffer zone on Lebanon's side of the frontier. Both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have insisted that a return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon is a key tenet of the truce. Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's government, said on X the agreement does not ensure the return of Israelis to their homes in the country's north and that the Lebanese army did not have the ability to overcome Hezbollah. "In order to leave Lebanon, we must have our own security belt," Ben-Gvir said. —Reuters

No More Crowns! Why The Netherlands Saying Goodbye To Its Beauty Pageant Competition

Akhilesh Yadav questions BJP government's preparedness for Mahakumbh, offers helpAnd single people are more likely to use mobility tools compared to those who are married, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Researchers looked at information from a group of more than 12,000 adults in England aged 50 to 89 who were tracked over a 13-year period. At the start of the study, 8,225 adults had no mobility difficulty and did not use mobility assistive products (MAPs). Some 2,480 were deemed to have “unmet need” and 1,375 were using mobility aids. During the follow-up period, there were 2,313 “transitions” where people went from having no mobility issues to needing some help with getting around. And 1,274 people started to use mobility aids. Compared with men, women were 49% more likely to transition from not needing mobility aids to needing to use them, according to the study which has been published in The Lancet Public Health. But were 21% less likely to go on to use mobility aids when they needed them. The authors said their study showed “barriers to access” for women. For both men and women, with every year that passed during the study period the need for mobility aids increased. People who were older, less educated, less wealthy or reported being disabled were more likely to “transition from no need to unmet need, and from unmet need to use”, the authors said, with this indicating a “higher prevalence of mobility limitations and MAP need overall among these groups”. They added: “Finally, marital or partnership status was not associated with transitioning to unmet need; however, single people were more likely to transition from unmet need to use compared with married or partnered people.” Jamie Danemayer, first author of the study from UCL Computer Science and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub, said: “Our analysis suggests that there is a clear gender gap in access to mobility aids. “Though our data didn’t ascertain the reason why participants weren’t using mobility aids, other research tells us that women are often more likely than men to face obstacles such as cost barriers as a result of well-documented income disparities between genders. “Many mobility aids are designed for men rather than women, which we think may be a factor. “Using mobility aids can also make a disability visible, which can impact the safety and stigma experienced by women, in particular. “There’s a critical need for further research to identify and break down the barriers preventing women from accessing mobility aids that would improve their quality of life.” Professor Cathy Holloway, also from UCL, added: “Not having access to mobility aids when a person needs one can have a big impact on their independence, well-being and quality of life. “Our analysis suggests that women, in particular, regardless of other factors such as education and employment status, are not getting the support that they need.” Professor Shereen Hussein, senior author of the study and lead of the social care group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The research provides compelling evidence of gender disparities in accessing assistive technology, suggesting that cost, design bias, and social stigma are likely to disproportionally affect women. “This underscores the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the design, production and inclusivity of assistive technologies.”President Joe Biden hailed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah as a significant positive development in the region. In a Rose Garden address on Tuesday, Biden expressed optimism that the cessation of hostilities could lead to broader peace efforts in Gaza, following over 13 months of conflict. He underscored the importance of the agreement being a permanent end to hostilities but stressed that Israel retains the right to resume military operations should Hezbollah breach the truce. (With inputs from agencies.)