Canada Prepares for Possible Retaliatory Tariffs Amid US Trade Tensions
Reforms should be carried out by elected govtHP Stock Is Falling Wednesday: What's Going On?
ATLANTA (AP) — Ahmad Robinson scored 21 points as Mercer beat Georgia State 71-68 on Saturday. Robinson had nine rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals for the Bears (7-6). Tyler Johnson went 7 of 15 from the field (3 for 10 from 3-point range) to add 19 points. Cam Bryant shot 4 for 7, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. The Bears outscored the Panthers 10-4 over the final 4 1/2 minutes. The Panthers (4-9) were led in scoring by Cesare Edwards, who finished with 20 points and two steals. Georgia State also got 14 points from Malachi Brown. Zarigue Nutter also put up 14 points and four assists. The Panthers prolonged their losing streak to six straight. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .Ghassan Charbel From faraway Moscow, he looks into Damascus — the city whose keys and destinies of its people he once held. It is only natural that he rubs his eyes in disbelief. The scene is difficult to comprehend, let alone endure. He knows this place line by line. It is the chair his father sat on 54 years ago. The same chair he himself came to occupy 24 years ago. A chair whose occupant vowed it would forever remain synonymous with the Assad name and legacy. But history has a way of turning against its makers when they gamble recklessly, and when their machinery of oppression indulges excessively in cruelty. How bitter it is to lose the palace, its seals, and its symbols of authority. To watch people rip statues and tear down images. Neither the czar nor the supreme leader intervened to challenge destiny. No ally rushed to rescue him, and he could not save himself. What a devastating scene for the distant observer: Syria without Assad, without Iran, without Hezbollah. Time has completed its full circle. He knows this place line by line. This is Hafez Al-Assad’s chair, and after him, Bashar Assad’s. Now it is occupied by the person who is described today as “the strong man.” A man who has shed the cloak of “Abu Mohammed Al-Golani,” donned the suit of Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and has begun distributing reassurances and guarantees. What makes the scene even more striking is the name of the visitor: Walid Jumblatt. The son of Kamal Jumblatt. The companion of Rafik Hariri. The bearer of two coffins and the wounds of two Assads. When Jumblatt shook hands with Al-Sharaa, an entire era on the Beirut-Damascus axis came to an end. For half a century, presidencies and leaderships were shaped along the Beirut-Damascus route. The Damascus political factory produced ministers, parliamentarians, and generals for Lebanon. The prestige of the Lebanese presidency, government, and parliament faded, as the Syrian officer stationed in Anjar held the reins of the lost republic and managed relations between its fractured components. But Walid Jumblatt’s story is different. The leadership of his family spans four centuries, and it defies submission. Kamal Jumblatt refused to recognize Hafez Al-Assad’s claim to control Lebanon’s destiny, subjugate it, and recalibrate its political balances. His presence became an obstacle to the ability of Assad Sr. to exercise the mandate he had been granted regionally and internationally to stabilize the turbulent small country. Jumblatt told Mohsen Ibrahim: “I know my fate and will not avoid it. I do not want history to record that I signed Lebanon’s entry into the great prison.” The bullets came swiftly. In March 1977, they pierced Kamal Jumblatt in his mountainous stronghold, and fate summoned his son Walid to don the mantle of leadership. The young man, a lover of life and its bustle, managed to temper his anger and prevent his supporters from seeking vengeance. About 40 days after the assassination, he entered Assad’s office, where the Syrian leader noted the striking resemblance between father and son. Walid opted not to drag his sect into a confrontation it could not endure. Preserving its historical existence became his overriding priority. He buried his wound, pretended to forget, but never truly did. His relationship with Assad Sr. evolved into an alliance during the “Mountain War” in 1983. Later, Assad tolerated Jumblatt’s unpredictable moods whenever he sought to assert independence, protest, or diverge. Walid Jumblatt’s relationship with Bashar Assad was marked by suspicion and caution, overshadowed by the legacy of Rafik Hariri. Unlike his father, Walid did not recognize Bashar’s authority to control Lebanon. Neither did Hariri. As Hariri would later put it: “I tried to be Bashar’s friend, but he refused. Walid tried too, and the result was the same. From the start, Bashar trusted the whisperers and those who wrote reports.” Hariri’s assassination in 2005 became a dangerous turning point in Jumblatt’s relationship with Assad’s Syria. Jumblatt took the lead and went far. From Martyrs’ Square in Beirut, he struck at Assad’s image and launched sharp criticisms using the harshest terms. Jumblatt dances with storms. He charges, retreats, and lies in wait. He exaggerates, apologizes, and recalibrates. He quiets himself, observes the winds, and then resumes his strikes. His veins burned when his mother shared with him a Chinese proverb that advises the wounded: “Sit by the riverbank and wait for your enemy’s corpse to pass.” Jumblatt sat and waited for a long time. He retraced the Beirut-Damascus path after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah managed to subdue Assad’s opponents for a few years. Yet, no amount of reconciliation and rapprochement could heal what was in the heart. After the Syrian revolution erupted, Jumblatt visited Assad’s office and advised him to prosecute the killers of Hamza Al-Khatib, the boy who became a symbol of the revolution. Assad’s response only deepened Jumblatt’s despair. His distance from the regime widened further after he heard a chilling warning from former Syrian army chief Hikmat Al-Shihabi: “This boy will lead Syria into civil war and division.” Even after Russia and Iran succeeded in salvaging Assad’s regime, Jumblatt resolved to “stand on the right side of history,” permanently closing the chapter on meetings with Assad, no matter the cost. Assad’s absence brought Jumblatt back to the Beirut-Damascus road. Leading a delegation of lawmakers, party members, and clerics, he expressed his hopes for a united, stable Syria that respects diversity and accommodates all its components, including the Kurds, under the rule of law. The composition of the delegation reflected Jumblatt’s enduring concern for safeguarding the Druze community’s place within the Arab and Islamic context, particularly in light of recent moves by Benjamin Netanyahu. Jumblatt hopes for normal relations between Lebanon and a new Syria, with meaningful cooperation on issues such as refugees, missing persons, border demarcation, and resolving the Shebaa Farms dispute. The neighbors woke up to a new Syria. Iraq grappled with the implications and potential consequences. Jordan was similarly preoccupied. Questions abounded in Lebanon, especially among those concerned about the severing of the “Soleimani route” between Tehran and Beirut. Israel responded with overwhelming aggression. Only Turkiye appeared unfazed, having played a role in shaping the new reality. Meanwhile, the West began probing the intentions of the man now seated in Assad’s chair. Can Al-Sharaa dispel fears and anxieties both inside and outside Syria? Only time will tell. Al-Sharaa shook hands with the bearer of two coffins and the wounds of the two Assads. A whole era waved farewell and slipped into history. Courtesy: arabnewsAP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:14 p.m. EST
The Federal Election Commission on Thursday elected Democrat Ellen Weintraub its new chief, making her a four-time chair for the agency she has been criticized for politicizing. In its 4-1 vote, the FEC elevated Weintraub from vice chairwoman, also a position she has held before. She was initially named to the elections watchdog in 2002 and her term expired in 2007, but she has never been replaced. Chairs serve one-year terms. BIDEN TO USE LAME-DUCK SESSION TO ‘TRUMP-PROOF’ LEGACY She has led the agency’s liberal wing for years in criticizing Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump. Unless Trump, in his second administration, moves to name a replacement, Weintraub is on a path to becoming the longest-serving FEC commissioner ever. Another Democrat, Danny McDonald, was a commissioner for nearly 25 years and also was its chairman four times. HOW TRUMP COULD IMPACT THE PENTAGON Trump has promised to “drain the swamp” and his incoming White House counsel, David Warrington, is a noted elections lawyer who may push his boss to replace Weintraub. In 2019, when Weintraub criticized Trump, Warrington was the head of the Republican National Lawyers Association , and he hit her attack on Trump. He said, “If she wants to be a political activist, she should immediately resign and join the democratic process rather than try to control it or remake it according to her own whims from her perch at the FEC.” FEC chair Ellen Weintraub says Pres. Trump's baseless claims of election fraud undermine people's faith in the system. "The end result is that it becomes harder to vote and more citizens end up disenfranchised...[Our democracy] will be stronger if we can get more people to vote." pic.twitter.com/ZvnEvPz24H — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) MEET THE NEW CONGRESS: THE HOUSE AND SENATE FRESHMEN ELECTED TO SERVE NEXT YEAR In an awkward moment leading up to her election today, Republican Commissioner James E. "Trey" Trainor III, elected vice chairman, criticized tactics used by Weintraub before announcing his opposition to her election as the new chair. “Back in August 2020, just two months into my tenure here, I wrote about the dangers of procedural dysfunction that were evident at the time. At that moment, a minority of commissioners were endangering the careful balance Congress crafted with [Federal Election Commission Act] by preventing the agency from defending itself in court. Today, we see a similar scenario unfolding: once again, a minority is blocking or delaying a vote on two directive changes that would empower commission members to expedite the consideration of matters before us,” he said. Trainor cited two directives that he believes are being slow-walked by Weintraub. “We have encountered the delaying tactic of postponing the discussion of these directives until a future meeting. We have been provided no explanation as to why the directives are being held up, when our colleagues will be ready to vote, or what objections they may have. To me, it appears to be delay for the sake of delay,” said Trainor. SEE THE LATEST POLITICAL NEWS AND BUZZ FROM WASHINGTON SECRETS And without naming Weintraub, he also hit the long tenure of some commissioners. “I believe these tactics are symptomatic of the tenure of commissioners who have served far beyond the statutory limits envisioned by FECA. Some might point to the statutory provisions that allow commissioners to remain in office beyond their term, a situation I am currently experiencing as I approach my fifth year of service. But I can assure you, as certainly as the sun will rise tomorrow, I will never be 20 years into a six-year term,” he said. In response, Weintraub called holding issues over “routine" and described her relationship with Trainor as “congenial.” She added, “I personally look forward to continuing to work with you.”Amazon tries again, with another $4 billion, to get Anthropic to use its AI chips rather than Nvidia GPUs
Legislature passes bill allowing collection of Ohio native plant seeds
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Ontario mulls U.S. booze ban as Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut electricity OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Dec 12, 2024 2:02 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to members of the media at Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on Thursday December 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. "That's okay if he that does that. That's fine," Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that," Trump added. "And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country," he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it's considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. "It's a last resort," Ford said. "We're sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that." Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to "end power sale into the U.S. market" the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. "Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," she said. "Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats." Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said "it's not our current intention" to cut off Quebec's exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. "Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they're legally binding, but also because it's part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States," he said. "It's a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. "We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like," he said. "I'm not going to make specific news today about items that we're looking at." Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn't work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said "we have no interest in stopping" the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. "We hope it is just bluster; we're preparing as if it is not," he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump's border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Alberta News Alberta to put $29M into border security patrol unit with sheriffs, dogs, drones Dec 12, 2024 1:48 PM Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee hired as Alberta premier's top bureaucrat Dec 12, 2024 12:03 PM Man who set fires at Calgary city hall lost testicle during police standoff: watchdog Dec 12, 2024 10:51 AMThe connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level MediaMika Singh was apparently left unimpressed by the unprofessional behaviour displayed by Bollywood couple Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basu during the production of his web series Dangerous. The renowned singer recently opened up about the difficulties he faced during the shoot because of the duo. New Delhi: Singer Mika Singh is known for candid and heartfelt conversations. The 47-year-old star never holds back, whether praising or criticising colleagues in the entertainment industry. Recently, the renowned vocalist opened up about the horrible experience of working with Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover. For the unversed, Mika co-produced their web series titled Dangerous alongside Vikram Bhatt. However, when he decided to go ahead with the OTT show, he did not anticipate the challenges that lay ahead. In a conversation on the YouTube channel Kadak, Mika revealed that he had initially planned to cast a newcomer actress opposite Karan Singh. However, Bipasha Basu later joined the project. “The whole affair turned out to be a nightmare,” he said. Mika said that he took a crew consisting of 50 members to London for a shoot initially scheduled for one month but ended up taking two months. He added that the celebrity couple insisted on separate rooms despite being husband and wife. Mika stated that filming was further delayed when Karan Singh Grover fractured his leg at the time of a stunt sequence. “These small issues led to a lot of troubles. As a result, I have decided never to produce any project in the future,” he mentioned. Dangerous on OTT The crime thriller, released in 2020, is available for streaming on MX Player. Directed by Bhushan Patel, the show also features Sonali Raut, Natasha Suri, Suyyash Rai and Nitin Arora in pivotal roles. Its storyline revolves around a business tycoon whose wife suddenly goes missing. Unexpected plot twists unfold as his former lover takes charge of the case as the investigating officer. Click for more latest Celebrity news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Raghav Jaitly is a seasoned digital journalist with over 10 years of experience. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the largest news outlets in India, including Times Internet, Zee News, News18, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhaskar Digital, and Jagran Group. With an extensive portfolio, Raghav covers a variety of beats, from Entertainment and Politics to Tech and Sports. In the digital journalism landscape, Raghav Jaitly has established himself as a driving force with a track record of successful storytelling.
RBL Bank Share Price Today Live Updates : On the last trading day, RBL Bank's shares opened at 164.2 and closed lower at 162.5, with a high of 164.2 and a low of 157.05. The bank's market capitalization stood at approximately 9715.78 crore. Over the past year, RBL Bank reached a peak of 300.5 and a low of 147.55. The BSE recorded a trading volume of 731,053 shares for the day. RBL Bank Share Price Live Updates: RBL Bank volume yesterday was 23 mn as compared to the 20 day avg of 15889 k RBL Bank Share Price Live Updates: The trading volume yesterday was 45.03% higher than the 20 day average. Yesterday’s NSE volume was 22 mn & BSE volume was 731 k. RBL Bank Share Price Live Updates: RBL Bank closed at ₹162.5 on last trading day & the technical trend suggests Bearish near term outlook RBL Bank Share Price Live Updates: The stock traded in the range of 164.2 & 157.05 yesterday to end at 160.2. The stock is currently experiencing a strong downtrend
Berkeley County Schools celebrates community partnerships with 'Bright Lights, Big Thanks'Knicks look to stand tall vs. Victor Wembanyama, SpursNew Year 2025 is here and so is the time to start your days afresh, with utmost energy. And the best way to do so is by revamping your surroundings a bit. This New Year, are you planning to revamp your house? Have you been wondering how to start it? How about starting it with your kitchen? You read that right. We have got some amazing tips and tricks that you can follow and give your old kitchen a new look, which is elegant and aesthetically pleasing as well. Fret not, this won't make you shell out a fortune. All you need to do is, plan it well and envision how you want the kitchen to look. Let's help you out a bit. Also Read: 9 Genius Ways To Keep Your Kitchen Clean 5 Ways You Can Re-Arrange Your Kitchen Without Much Hassle: 1. Pick a colour theme of the kitchen: To make a space look bright, cosy and elegant, the first thing you need to do is pick the right kind of colour. We suggest going for colours that make a space look bigger and don't get spoilt easily. For a kitchen setup , it is yet more important to pick a colour mindfully to avoid stains or any kind of grease. 2. Colour the racks and cabinets accordingly: Don't need to dispose of the racks and cabinets. If you think the colour of the racks and cabinets doesn't go with the theme of your kitchen, simply colour them. You can also buy laminates that are easily available in the market and paste them on the racks to make them look new and chic. 3. Add some plants and decorative for a splash of colour: You can never go wrong with a splash of greens. If you have old glass bottles, clean them and grow some plants to decorate your kitchen setup . You can also grow microgreens and herbs instead. Alongside, buy some colourful posters and frames and paste them on the kitchen doors and walls. Also Read: Kitchen Tips: 9 Smart Ways To Save Time In Kitchen 4. Change the old storage jars: Dispose of the plastic containers and the disposable containers where you have been storing spices and other kitchen ingredients for so long. Instead, go for some glass or ceramic storage jars of different shapes and sizes to organise the pantry section easily. 5. Exchange the worn-out utensils: We use different types of utensils daily. This is why, they get worn out after some time. It is important to keep changing them from time to time to make the cooking process easy, healthy and hygienic. Sounds easy, right? So what are you waiting for? Follow these tips and re-arrange your kitchen this New Year. And yes, do share the picture of your new kitchen setup with us on social media.
AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:04 p.m. ESTSquid Game Season 3: Release timeline for the final chapter, what to expect & more
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and soon to be Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.-S.D.) need to go huge in first budget reconciliation act , because this might be the only bite of the apple they get. The political reality in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is that the majority margin is unstable and might not exist in October 2025 if resignations, illness or even naturally occurring deaths winnow their current 220-to-215 majority . As of now, due to presidential appointments ravaging the House majority, the count at the beginning of the upcoming Congress is expected to be as thin as one vote at 216 to 215. (RELATED: STEPHEN MOORE: You Say You Want A Revolution? Watch Trump) The internal political debate that is raging in Washington, D.C. is how far the Republican trifecta of House, Senate and Executive Branch control can go in the first swing at passing a budget reconciliation bill which is not subject to the filibuster in the Senate. Should the Republicans include in this bill the entire wish list of extending the Trump tax cuts from the first term, ending taxes on tips , overtime and Social Security , bolstering border security, restoring sane energy policy by ending Green New Deal tax laws implemented under the Inflation Reduction Act , ending the expansion of the Internal Revenue Service by 87,000 agents , reducing the size of the federal workforce and many other issues? Or should the Republicans wait to tackle many of these issues — particularly holding off keeping the Trump tax cuts which is important to the incoming president’s economic growth plan — until October or November? The instability of their House majority demands that they choose the boldest plan possible and pass it, leaving little undone. From a political and economic standpoint, it is in every Republican’s interest that the economy be thriving when they come up for re-election in 2026. Creating tax uncertainty by failing to extend the first-term Trump tax cuts for the corporations who the president will be trying to incentivize to invest in growing America’s industrial and resource-development base undermines the Trump economic-growth plan. It would also be very unwise to not immediately keep President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to end the taxes on tips and overtime. The Social Security tax issue may need to be part of a separate, independent bi-partisan deal, but it would be a slap in the face to those hourly wage and tip workers to not deliver on a promise that directly and immediately impacts their take home pay. The private Department Of Government Efficiency is calling for cutting the number of federal government employees along with many other changes. If Congress is going to act on any of their recommendations, it is critical that they start with a ten percent reduction in force or more in the budget reconciliation act with a projected savings of about half a trillion dollars over a ten-year period. Border security was a fundamental divide between the president-elect and his opponents and needs to be handled through budget reconciliation which does not require the votes of Senate Democrats. So, anything in this area that can be included in the reconciliation bill must be in the first one Republicans pass into law. Unwinding the tax incentives to produce unreliable energy sources is essential for inclusion as well. These incentives act as a disincentive to invest in fossil-fuel energy generation — and are designed to push out fossil fuels and nuclear energy from the all-of-the-above energy strategy that Republicans are fond of talking about. For Trump’s energy policy to work, government must take its thumb off the scale in favor of renewables, and the only place that can get done is through the budget reconciliation act. Failure to do so will leave in place a tax system designed to drive capital investment away from oil and natural gas and toward wind and solar. We have an abundance of domestic natural gas, oil and coal. What Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act did was squeeze capital investment away from developing and using this abundance. Ultimately, anything left out of the first budget reconciliation act may not find a place in any subsequent bill, even if the House and Senate majorities hold for the full two years. In late 2025, many members of Congress will be turning their eyes toward the 2026 election as the primary season will be a few months away. No one knows if, with their razor-thin majorities, the historically contentious House and Senate GOP conferences can politically hold together for a future BRA. In 2017, Republicans attempted to partially keep their promise by using the budget reconciliation bill to try to partially repeal Obamacare. It fell apart as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) surprised the Senate GOP leadership by voting against the bill , causing it to fail and proving that legislative coalitions are fragile. That is why the old saying to strike while the iron is hot should be Republican leadership’s and Trump’s battle cry. They might not get another chance to keep their 2024 election promises and being tepid on the first budget reconciliation bill will only lead to failure to make the changes needed to restore America’s greatness. Republicans need to go big. They were elected to solve problems and the budget reconciliation process is one of the few vehicles which allow the majority party to assert its will in Congress to make change. So, just do it. Rick Manning is the President of Americans for Limited Government. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org .
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. Jet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company’s jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday’s incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, an airline consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011.
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