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WASHINGTON — Less than 10 minutes was all it took for a large pile of toys donated by the White House staff to disappear as Jill Biden and children from military families sorted them into boxes as part of the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign for less fortunate children. The White House is a longtime supporter of the program, which has been helping families for 77 years, since 1947, said. Lt. Gen. Leonard Anderson IV, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. “We’re making a significant impact right here in the nation’s capital, where these toys will go to kids in need,” he said at a White House event hosted by the first lady. Last year, the program delivered more than 25 million toys to more than 10 million children nationwide, he said, “and this year we think we’re going to set another record, so we’re really excited.” Jill Biden told several dozen military children who sat directly in front of her on the floor of the East Room facing two large, glittering Christmas trees flanking the doorway that they are loved. Her father and late son served in the military. “If you only remember one thing for the holidays, after all the wrapping paper is cleaned up, let it be this: You are loved,” she said. “There are so many people who care about you, from your family and your friends, from your teachers and your classmates, to the president and me.” “And the best thing that we can do with that love is to let it overflow, to share it with others who might really need it,” she added. After her brief remarks, the first lady asked the children: “Are you guys ready to get sorting?” And off they went toward the large pile of dolls, stuffed animals, sports gear, vehicles, books, puzzles and other items, including a copy of “Delaware Opoly” — a Monopoly-style board game themed after President Joe Biden’s home state.FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
[Lim Woong] The allure of the past vs. AI anxietyWith China continuously increasing its military presence in the region, Taiwan has remained vigilant and ready to respond to any potential threats to its security and sovereignty. The deployment of PLA aircraft carriers, warships, and fighter jets in the vicinity of Taiwan has raised alarm bells in Taipei, prompting the Taiwan authorities to heighten their surveillance and defense measures.
Calls for accountability and soul-searching have reverberated across the country, as people grapple with the implications of this tragic event. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked privilege and entitlement, and the need for a more just and equitable society.
The political circumstances that surrounded the publication of "Ultimatum," once a best-selling novel that imagined an American effort to annex Canada, may ring familiar to anyone following recent headlines. A US leader announces tariffs on Canadian imports, signaling a more confrontational relationship, and a prime minister named Trudeau scrambles to respond. But the American, in this case, was former president Richard Nixon and the Canadian leader was Pierre Elliott Trudeau -- father of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Nixon and the elder Trudeau are long dead, but the author of "Ultimatum," published in 1973, is D-Day veteran Richard Rohmer, the honorary lieutenant general of the Canadian Armed Forces, who recently turned 101. Still an avid news consumer and writer, Rohmer told AFP that remarks by President-elect Donald Trump implying that Canada could be absorbed by the United States should not be laughed off. "This man has to be taken seriously," he said. "He is a man with great imagination who has ideas about what he can do and what he cannot do, and as far as Canada is concerned." Trump mocked Trudeau this week as the "governor" of a state, rather than prime minister of the giant US neighbor -- a taunt beyond any seen during Trump's first term. The president-elect's jibe followed Fox News reports that, in talks with Trudeau in Florida, he had suggested that if Canada could not withstand his threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports, then it should be absorbed as the 51st US state. While some analysts dismissed the barbs as "Trump being Trump," it hit a sensitive nerve in Canada. Days after meeting Trudeau, Trump posted an AI-generated image showing himself standing high atop a mountain next to a Canadian flag, gazing forward. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest responded on X by tartly cautioning Trump to "think twice before invading Canada." Charest recalled the War of 1812, when US advances on Canadian territory ended in defeat -- and the torching of the White House. Yet not everyone in Canada views US annexation as a terrible idea. A poll by the Leger research firm conducted after Trump's comments found that 13 percent of Canadians would like the country to become a US state, with support strongest among men and Conservative Party supporters. Trudeau has not publicly responded to Trump's taunts. An op-ed piece in the Toronto Star said Trump was behaving "like a toddler," and the prime minister was wise to not "rise to the bait." For Laura Stephenson, chair of the political science department at Western University, Trump's musings amount to an escalation compared to a tariff threat. "We're in a different world now. Annexation isn't the same as 'I'm going to hurt your industry.'" Even if an active confrontation with the US remains unthinkable, Stephenson told AFP that such mockery can be "humiliating" to Canadians. She said many Canadians identify themselves explicitly as "not American," and Trump's poking at the issue "has all sort of implications for Canadian identity." University of Toronto political scientist Renan Levine, on the other hand, suggested Trump's ribbing could be a "good sign" for Canadians, as it implies a bond with Trudeau. "He's basically signaling, 'I have a certain level of comfort with you and we can exchange wisecracks,'" Levine told AFP. Rohmer said the moment calls for patriotism. The success of his book "Ultimatum" came at a curious time in Canadian fiction, with a flurry of books, including a novel by acclaimed author Margaret Atwood, exploring conflict with the US. Rohmer said his book likely tapped into a thirst for national pride that Canadians crave but are notorious for suppressing. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland responded to Trump's mockery by saying "Canada is the greatest country in the world" -- while adding that such a boast was not "appropriately Canadian." When asked if he thought Trump's insults should prompt Canada to assert its strength, Rohmer said: "I think we should, but I have no idea how." bs/bbk/bgs
President-elect Donald Trump nominated many leading healthcare experts who opposed coronavirus-era lockdowns, focused on ending chronic illness, and want to overhaul America’s healthcare bureaucracies. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Trump in mid-November nominated former third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department. If confirmed, Kennedy would have purview over many critical healthcare regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and more. Trump has promised to let Kennedy “go wild” with healthcare policy over food after the third-party candidate dropped out and endorsed Trump’s bid to become the 47th president. Kennedy would likely have sway at HHS to enact his “Make America Healthy Again,” or MAHA, agenda. This would include ending what he believes is the regulatory capture plaguing agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the hands of the pharmaceutical industry. He wrote in October: Dr. Marty Makary for Food and Drug Administration Commissioner On Friday, Trump nominated Makary, a Johns Hopkins transplant surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns, to lead the FDA. “He will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic,” Trump said in a statement. Makary became famous during the coronavirus pandemic as an experienced medical expert willing to challenge the medical establishment’s orthodox stance on policies pushing lockdowns and other strict pandemic-era measures. The transplant surgeon frequently questioned the efficacy of lockdowns and enforcing mask-wearing for children. He has opposed the vaccine mandates and questioned the utility of booster coronavirus vaccines. Makary argued that many Americans likely became immune to the coronavirus through “herd immunity” by April 2021, which would reduce the threat that the virus posed to the country. “One reason public health officials may be afraid to acknowledge the effectiveness of natural immunity is that they fear it will lead some to choose getting the infection over vaccination. That’s a legitimate concern. But we can encourage all Americans to get vaccinated while still being honest about the data,” Makary wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post . Makary, like Kennedy, has often criticized America’s food supply, believing it makes Americans sicker and unhealthy. “We’ve got a poisoned food supply. We’ve got pesticides. We’ve got ultra-processed foods and all sorts of things that have been in the blind spots in modern medicine,” Makary said in September. If confirmed by the Senate, Makary would seek to overhaul the FDA’s “erratic” bureaucracy, stating that the agenda was often too eager to approve opioids and too cautious to approve antiviral pills to treat the coronavirus. He also called for a ban on cell phones in schools and questioned prescribing anti-anxiety and anti-obesity medications for children. “For too long, FDA leaders have acted like a crusty librarian who gets annoyed when someone wants to borrow a book. But then give preference to people they like,” the FDA nominee said in a 2021 op-ed for Fox News. “What he is really focused on is this concept that we can’t keep drugging our nation’s children,” Makary said of Kennedy. Dr. and former Rep. Dave Weldon (F-FL) to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting,” Trump said his Friday announcement. The president-elect added, “Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC. Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos.” Weldon, a physician who served in Congress for 14 years from 1995 to 2009, often raised concerns about potential risks with vaccines, similar to Kennedy. During his tenure in office, he introduced legislation to move oversight of vaccine safety from the CDC to an independent agency within HHS. He notably raised issues about the alleged independence of the government’s vaccine safety review process and suggested that the mercury-based preservative once commonly used in vaccines, thimerosal, was linked to autism. Weldon served on the Labor and HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, focusing largely on accountability, which may give Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force more options to remove waste and inefficient bureaucracy. Trump taps Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a Fox News contributor who serves the medical director at CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. “Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” Trump said in a statement on Friday. Nesheiwat, like the other Trump healthcare nominees, criticized the CDC’s guidance on coronavirus vaccine mandates, arguing that, especially for children, the risks associated with the vaccine may outweigh the benefits. She has also attacked the government coronavirus mandates during the pandemic. The surgeon general nominee also slammed the American Academy of Pediatrics’ push to treat children with gender dysphoria with puberty blockers, calling it “unethical” in August 2022. Dr. Mehmet Oz was nominated for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) On Tuesday, Trump nominated Oz to lead CMS, an agency that has more than a $1 trillion budget and can influence drug price negotiations medication coverage, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and much more. Oz has criticized the CDC’s recommendations that young people get booster coronavirus vaccine shots. The CMS nominee will play a part in the next drug price negotiations, which was created through the Inflation Reduction Act. Oz has strongly backed Medicare Advantage, an increasingly popular option for seniors. This runs in strong contrast to the Biden-Harris administration, which cut Medicare Advantage while claiming that a potential future Trump administration would cut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Oz would also work to reform Obamacare to the extent President-elect Trump wants to reform President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation. Make America Healthy Again Many of Trump’s picks serve as part of Trump’s mission to end chronic disease, handle issues surrounding America’s food supply, and combat bloated and potentially captured bureaucracies. Trump said in his statement announcing Robert F. Kennedy as his HHS nominee: The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. He added, “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on X @SeanMoran3 .DOHA, Qatar , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 25, 2024 , the First JETOUR Fan's Festival and the Launch of T2 i-DM was held in Qatar , themed "Think Future". During the event, JETOUR launched its user brand "Traveler" in the Middle East and its first hybrid model, JETOUR T2 i-DM. The launch event highlights JETOUR's commitment to exploring sustainable travel modes and ambition to become the "The World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles" under the "Travel+" strategy. JETOUR T2 i-DM not only inherits the strengths of T2 series, but also achieves high energy efficiency, high performance, high safety, and high intelligence with its advanced hybrid technology, i-DM. With a maximum combined power of 280kW and torque of 610N•m, T2 i-DM boasts a NEDC pure electric range of 139km and an overall range exceeding 1,000km at just 0.8L/100km, addressing range anxiety and promoting green travel. Mr. Dai Lihong, executive vice president of JETOUR Auto, emphasized technology's role in producing world-class products. The launch also introduced "Traveler", enriching user experience through diverse products and superior performance. This year, JETOUR has ranked third in sales across the Qatari auto market. The Fan's Festival invited user representatives from across the Middle East to witness the unveiling of "Traveler", experiencing "Travel+" culture through city tours and co-creation workshops. JETOUR prioritizes users, listening to their needs and co-creating products, brand, and lifestyle. Through "Traveler," JETOUR aims to provide richer travel experiences and benefits globally, leveraging the platform to spread the "Travel+" culture worldwide. Mr. Alex Tan , Vice President of JETOUR International, said, "Serving 'JETOUR users' and being 'a user-oriented JETOUR' are JETOUR's development philosophy. JETOUR will continue to build a travel community centered around users, cars, and lifestyles, sharing the joy of traveling together with users." JETOUR also partnered with Diamond League to promote athletics in Qatar and the Middle East , embodying JETOUR Speed and the brand's image of breakthroughs and innovations. With T2 selling over 150,000 units globally, T2 i-DM will continue its success to meet customers' needs and reshape the hybrid SUV market. The launch of T2 i-DM marks JETOUR's new journey towards "the World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles." JETOUR plans to introduce more hybrid and off-road models, providing customers with eco-friendly and diversified travel choices. With its innovative spirit and user-oriented philosophy, JETOUR will lead the global automotive industry towards a more sustainable and smarter future. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-launch-of-jetour-t2-i-dm-reshaping-the-hybrid-suv-market-302339886.html SOURCE JETOUR AUTO
The move by the PBOC to increase its gold holdings is part of a broader trend among central banks to reevaluate their reserve allocations in light of changing global economic dynamics. As the world becomes more interconnected and interdependent, central banks are becoming increasingly vigilant about the composition of their reserves and the potential risks they face in a rapidly changing environment.The federal government is planning a ‘GST holiday’ — a two-month federal sales tax break on a slew of items. It’s a move the prairie director of the Retail Council of Canada says comes with pros and cons. John Graham told 680 CJOB’s Connecting Winnipeg he’s hopeful the announcement does what it’s intended to do. The feds say the initiative would start in mid-December and last for about two months. “There’s a fair bit of time required to make sure you’re accurately removing or adding GST, and it is a short window — a couple of months,” Graham said. “The upside is that it may put more money in people’s pockets, and some of that’s going to land in retail stores and restaurants.” Graham said he wishes the announcement had been made earlier in the year, as it would have benefited more people ahead of the holiday season. “The majority of Manitobans, about two-thirds, are going to shop this month for their holiday shopping, because Black Friday sales are increasingly the best deals of the year,” he said. “So, a lot of retailers are aggressively competing to get your business now, and not two weeks before Christmas. “It’s good for some of the items — like snack foods, beer, wine, pop, food platters — all of that stuff is certainly closer to Dec. 25.” A political scientist at the University of Manitoba, however, says he’s not a fan of the decision. “I suppose, to be charitable, you could look at this as a quick win — so to speak — for the government,” Malcolm Bird told 680 CJOB, “to help embattled citizens with some immediate and tangible revenue and relief. “But these things are largely done for political benefit rather than as an effective policy means.” And even then, Bird said, the policy has only limited value on the political stage.As China's aging population continues to grow, the importance of pension and retirement planning has never been more critical. China People's Pension Insurance Co., Ltd. plays a vital role in providing financial security and stability to millions of retirees across the country. With Xiao Zhengyan's appointment as an independent director, the company is well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the evolving pension landscape.By FARNOUSH AMIRI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.
Canadians bristle - or shrug - at Trump's trolling
Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Liverpool to top Girona; Real Madrid playing with fire
Starring the charismatic duo of Zhang Yimou and Li Wei, the movie tells the story of two lovers who are separated by fate, only to find themselves longing for a chance to reunite and make amends. The final trailer offers a glimpse into the soul-stirring performances of the lead actors, as they navigate the complexities of their characters' emotions and struggles.Thailand is in the middle of a demographic crisis of unprecedented proportions: with its birth rate ranking among the lowest in the world, the kingdom is at risk of seeing an irreversible decline that will see its population shrink by 50% in just a few decades. Recent figures published by Chulalongkorn University's Sasin School of Management say Thailand -- where the national birth rate has declined by 81% over the past 74 years -- is third globally in terms of declining birth rates. Only South Korea (-88%) and China (-83%) saw bigger drops in birth rates over the same period, while Japan -- long seen as the epitome of demographic decline -- performed slightly better at -80%. If the trend is not reversed, the kingdom's population could shrink by half, from about 66 million people to about 33 million, in just 60 years, according to the study. The implications of this decline extend far beyond mere academic concerns. A rapidly ageing population will dampen economic growth, strain healthcare systems and undermine Thailand's competitiveness on the global stage. Failure to act decisively today risks triggering a domino effect. The acute demand for labour could lead to an uncontrolled influx of foreign workers, which in turn could trigger social, economic and security challenges, destabilising the entire nation. These concerns aren't new; in fact, experts have been urging the government to act for years. Despite their repeated urgings, Thailand still do not have a comprehensive set of policies to address the situation. Past governments placed too much focus on short-term, populist policies that neglect to address the root cause of the demographic crisis. It is time for the government to start looking at the population decline as a top priority. This issue transcends political cycles and requires long-term cooperation from all stakeholders. Establishing a dedicated ministerial-level organisation to focus exclusively on reversing this trend is no longer optional, but essential. Addressing the crisis requires an integrated approach that combines tax incentives, subsidies for families with children, and targeted campaigns to promote having children, particularly among the younger generations. The government must also reduce the costs associated with raising children, from healthcare to education, while working to improve household incomes. Past administrations have introduced subsidies for first cars and houses. The current government should consider a similar financial incentive for couples to have children, making it the cornerstone of a broader, long-term family planning initiative. Thailand's 20-year strategic plan must also be revised. More investment in automation technology will help ease the pressure posed by a shrinking workforce. However, they cannot replace the need for human capital. As such, the education system also be adapted to equip future generations with the skills needed to remain competitive. Thailand can learn from other nations experiencing a similar decline. Singapore, for one, has rolled out extensive financial incentives, while the introduction of family-friendly policies in France has helped improve fertility rates. Adapting these strategies to fit Thailand's context could prove to be the answer that the country needs to solve its demographic woes. Unless the government acts now, Thailand's stability and prosperity may be in jeopardy.
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