388vf SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. The unsealed document provides a first glimpse of several testimonies that describe the former president as one of the key leaders of the plot, and not a mere observer. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former president was formally accused of three crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup d'etat and forming a criminal organization. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Rios told The Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated PressWhen it comes to staying warm on a football field, NFL players will go to extra lengths to ensure being comfortable. And that was the case with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who chose to wear a mask in Week 16. During the game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Gibbs was sporting a mask to keep his face warm in the cold temperatures. The Lions running back's mask was huge and covered everything but his eyes. After the 34-17 win over Chicago, the Lions shared a photo of quarterback Jared Goff and Gibbs on social media and his face covering was on full display in it. Gibbs got wind of the photo and went on to roast himself. Gibbs is the funniest mf in the world 😭 #OnePride https://t.co/pDuU8xKDbQ pic.twitter.com/txAPbXX5nZ Gibbs' mask didn't last long, as it appears he took it off after a drive or two. Mask or no mask, Gibbs was sensational in the Lions' first game without fellow running back David Montgomery. Gibbs took on the workhorse role against the Bears, carrying the ball 23 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, while also adding four catches for 45 yards. "I think for him it's going to be, we've got to use and maximize the reps that we have for him, and be careful that we don't give him too much," head coach Dan Campbell said of Gibbs before the Bears game. "We've still got to be able to be smart with him, but we need him -- we need him and that's the trick. So, those other guys, Craig's going to need to help us, which, he'll be ready, and Vaki, potentially, as well." While Gibbs took on a lot of work, the Lions were able to give some reps to guys like Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson, who combined for nine touches. Rookie Sione Vaki also handled a pair of receptions. The hope is that Montgomery, who was initially believed to have suffered a season-ending torn MCL, will make it back by the playoffs . In the meantime, the Lions are in good hands with Gibbs. MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS Dan Campbell has emphatic answer about Lions resting starters Lions rookie Christian Mahogany looks like a gem after impressive debut NFL power rankings Week 17: Where Lions sit after convincing win over Bears

Analysis: If Jets don't want Rodgers, others willCowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) done for year

The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player. Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of drones from two dominant Chinese manufacturers, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry. A defense bill that passed Congress last week would bar new Chinese drones from DJI Technology and Autel Robotics should a review find them to pose an “unacceptable” risk to U.S. national security. But American users, from police officers to farmers, mappers and filmmakers, have come to rely on Chinese-made drones, especially those by DJI. Here are things to know about the debate. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be U.N. ambassador, has led House efforts to ban new Chinese drones, saying Americans have become too dependent on them. “It is strategically irresponsible to allow Communist China to be our drone factory,” she argued. It was the role of drones in everyday life that drove Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to get Congress to restrict the purchase of Chinese drones by federal agencies. Those restrictions were included in a bill that Democratic President Joe Biden signed last year. Scott has compared Chinese drones to spy balloons that could “gather data or carry harmful payloads” across America, posing risks to military bases, critical infrastructure and natural resources. DJI, named in the bill, is the best-known Chinese drone brand. The company has the lion’s share of the global drone market and is a dominant player in the U.S. market. Its drones have been used by first responders to locate disaster victims, mappers to survey roads and utility lines, mosquito control officers to reach swarms of larvae, and filmmakers to capture aerial footage. Founded in 2006 and based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, DJI makes devices that are known for their affordability and high performance. They are even used on the battlefield in Ukraine by both sides, even though DJI does not make military drones. As U.S.-China relations soured, DJI drones have come under scrutiny. The U.S. government has put the company on several blacklists citing human rights concerns as well as alleged links to the Chinese military. DJI has denied any wrongdoing, and is suing the Pentagon over the designation that it is a Chinese military company. U.S. customs officials have also blocked some DJI shipments over concerns that the products might have been made with forced labor. DJI has called it “a customs-related misunderstanding." DJI has also expressed concern about the review of Chinese drones included in the defense bill., saying it doesn't allow the company to defend itself. It called for "a fair right of reply to any findings.” Russell Hedrick, a North Carolina farmer, flies drones to spray fertilizers on his corn, bean and wheat fields at a fraction of what it would cost him to use a conventional ground spreader. A drone spreader costs $35,000, while a ground sprayer would cost $250,000, he said. As a volunteer rescuer, Hedrick uses thermal drones to search for people trapped by mudslides and cargo drones to send water and baby formula to those who are stranded — something he did after Hurricane Helene. “I am not going to say I won’t love to have U.S. drones, but I don’t see the American drones as anywhere close to the DJI drones in terms of reliability, ease of use, and just the user-friendly software,” Hedrick said. “The U.S. drones are not as good as DJI ones but cost twice as much.” At the Interior Department, the ban on foreign-made drones has resulted in a “loss of opportunities to collect data on landscape, natural and cultural resources, wildlife and infrastructure,” according to a September report by the Government Accountability Office. Michael Robbins, president and chief executive officer of AUVSI, an advocacy group for unmanned vehicles such as drones, argues against an immediate ban. Instead, the group has urged the government to support the domestic drone-making industry through investment so it can catch up with its Chinese competitors in both capability and cost.Article content By the Trudeau government’s own logic, by now it should be considering invoking the Emergencies Act in response to the growing lawlessness of so-called “pro-Palestinian” demonstrations Canadian authorities seem powerless to stop. Recommended Videos After all, it did so two years ago to end a month-long truckers’ convoy, mainly in Ottawa, protesting vaccine mandates. Compare that to what’s been happening on the streets of Canada for more than a year — the latest example being a riot in Montreal on Friday while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was attending a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto. Canada’s tiny Jewish community — less than 1% of our population— is under growing threat from these hate-filled protests, where some demonstrators have gone beyond calling for the destruction of Israel to advocate for the extermination of Jews in Canada and around the world. Police say hate crimes against Jews have skyrocketed. Jews have been targeted and threatened in the communities where they live, work, worship and go to school — both at the elementary and university levels. The public expression of hatred aimed at Jews in Canada — who are being blamed by many in these “pro-Palestinian” protests for the actions of the Israeli government and military in Gaza — has become normalized. This is textbook antisemitism. While all this was happening, too many political leaders ran for cover, apparently hoping it would all go away. The mayor of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, to cite just one of many examples, missed three opportunities to publicly stand with her Jewish constituents, including at a public rally calling for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. As concerning, the scope of this “pro-Palestinian” rage and the violence and vandalism that accompany it, has been steadily expanding to include denunciations of Canada and of Canadians in general. The time for all levels of government to address this was more than a year ago in the immediate wake of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — in which seven Canadians were murdered — with methods other than Trudeau and other politicians declaring, ad nauseam, that such displays of Jew hatred are not who we are as Canadians. To the contrary this is exactly what a significant number of Canadians are, or have become, and it’s too late to stop it.

Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-JanuaryFort Bend County officials broke ground on a new Information Technology building for county staff in Richmond on Dec. 16, according to a December news release. Two-minute impact Fort Bend County Judge KP George hosted the ceremony for the new facility, which will support the county's current 91 employees and 83 county departments and offices who serve over 900,000 residents and businesses, per the release. The landmark project is a "critical step in Fort Bend County's commitment to advancing technology and fostering innovation and talent in the information technology field," according to the release. Officials did not provide a completion date for the construction by press time. The details Designed by firm FS Group Architects, the 60,000-square-foot building will feature multiple stories and consider both aesthetics and functionality to create an inviting and efficient workspace, according to the company's website . The building will be located next to the Richmond tax office, per the news release. 1419 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond www.fortbendcountytx.gov

China’s economy has demonstrated robust resilience over the past five years despite headwinds, with the latest national economic census pointing to significant strides in key areas including economic scale, structural optimization, and innovation-driven and digitally fueled development. Looking forward, officials and experts said China’s economy is on track for steady and sustainable growth in the long run, given its ultra-large domestic market, the advancement of industrial transformation and upgrading, a thriving digital economy and comprehensive deepening of reforms. The fifth national economic census showed on Thursday that China’s GDP for 2023 was revised up to 129.4 trillion yuan ($17.7 trillion), an increase of 3.4 trillion yuan compared with the earlier, preliminary calculation. Revising GDP data is a common practice worldwide, as GDP figures are not fixed after the initial calculation. Instead, they are continuously updated based on more complete and reliable data, as preliminary figures typically prioritize timeliness and rely on the availability of basic data, which may result in sacrificing some degree of completeness and detail. “China’s GDP reached nearly 130 trillion yuan in 2023, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest economy,” said Kang Yi, head of the National Bureau of Statistics. “Over the past five years, China’s contribution to global economic growth has averaged around 30 percent, making it the largest driver of growth for the world economy.” Kang told a news conference held in Beijing on Thursday that compared with the results of the fourth national economic census, China’s economic development has shown significant positive changes in aspects such as overall scale, structural optimization, innovation-driven growth and green transformation, demonstrating strong resilience and tremendous potential. Data from the fifth national economic census showed that a total of 33.27 million legal entities were engaged in the secondary and tertiary industries as of the end of 2023, up 52.7 percent compared with the figures at the end of 2018. The role of technology in driving industrial upgrading has become more evident, with a noticeable acceleration in the application of new technologies and processes. The number of patent applications filed by industrial enterprises above the designated size reached 614,000 in 2023, up 65.1 percent compared with 2018. Enterprises above the designated size are those with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan. Meanwhile, the research and development expenditure of industrial enterprises above the designated size hit 2.1 trillion yuan, an increase of 61.9 percent from 2018. Notably, industries related to strategic emerging sectors saw robust growth, with 96,000 large industrial enterprises in these fields by the end of 2023, representing nearly one-fifth of the country’s major industrial companies. While dismissing some pessimistic views on the Chinese economy propagated by some Western media and scholars, experts said China still has the conditions and capabilities to strengthen economic momentum and foster steady and high-quality growth in the long term. Joe Ngai, chairman of management consultancy McKinsey China, reaffirmed his belief that “the next China is still China”, saying that there is no substitute for the Chinese market, whether as a market for products or in terms of demand. In fact, China’s economic structure has continued to improve in recent years. The added value of China’s tertiary industry, a term for the services sector of the economy, accounted for 56.3 percent of the country’s GDP in 2023, an increase of over 2 percentage points compared with 2018, NBS data showed. Meanwhile, the number of legal entities in the manufacturing sector reached more than 4 million by the end of 2023, a 23.8 percent increase from 2018, with total assets in the sector growing 41.7 percent to 151 trillion yuan. Zhang Ming, deputy director of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Finance and Banking, said that looking ahead, China’s annual GDP growth rate is likely to reach 4.7 percent to 5 percent in 2025 if the government takes expansionary moves in macroeconomic adjustments. Source: China Daily

Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’

Ian Schieffelin, Clemson topple Penn State to win Sunshine SlamAs Texas Chief Justice Nathan Hecht prepares to retire, he reflects on the Supreme Court he helped change

Microprocessor Market Size to Worth USD 126.91 Billion by 2032, Driven by Growing Consumer Demand and Expanding Industry Applications | Research by SNS InsiderCondolences poured in from around the globe Sunday as word spread of the death of former President Jimmy Carter in his hometown in Georgia at the age of 100 — with all the remaining living US presidents offering personal tributes. “Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement . “He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. “In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, ‘God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace,'” Obama said. “He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.” But the messages came from across the political spectrum. “I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday . “Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump wrote. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” President Joe Biden also reacted to Carter’s death, calling him “an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” in a statement released by the White House . “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. “He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism,” he said. “We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.” Follow the latest on President Jimmy Carter’s death Among the scores of others offering condolences was former President George W. Bush, who issued a statement on X through the Bush presidential center . “James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions,” the statement said. “He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency. “His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations,” Bush wrote. “We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family.” Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton also honored Carter for being “guided by his faith.” “From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia, to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama,” Clinton said in the statement , “he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.” Also commenting was New York’s senior senator. “Today we mourn the loss of one of our most humble and devoted public servants,” US Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote on X . “President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion and through integrity. “He taught us that the strength of a leader lies not in rhetoric but in action, not in personal gain but in service to others,” Schumer wrote. Carter, 100, was the longest-living former president in US history . He died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, after spending nearly two years in hospice care — and more than a year after former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died at the age of 77. The former president’s death was announced by the Carter Center. The 39th president, a former peanut farmer, remained active in civic duties until he was sidelined by ill health in recent years, including his work for Habitat for Humanity. He was also a former recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, earning the award in 2002 for his ongoing work as a global humanitarian. In a post on X Sunday House Speaker Mike Johnson also paid his respects. “President Carter’s story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation,” Johnson wrote. “Because of his work in brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home. “No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country,” he said. Former Vice President Al Gore said Sunday that Carter’s legacy is marked not just by his elected service but also “his leadership over the 42 years after he left office. “It is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world,” Gore said. With P ost wiresA novel design concept for fuel cell electrolytes

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Monday, limiting his ability to practice this week for the Philadelphia Eagles and casting doubt on his availability for Sunday’s game against Dallas. If Hurts can’t play, the Eagles would turn to backup Kenny Pickett — who suffered a rib injury and couldn’t protect a big lead in a 36-33 loss to Washington — with third-stringer Tanner McKee on deck. The Eagles (12-3) need to win one more game over the final two to clinch an NFC East title and one of the conference’s top two seeds. Coach Nick Sirianni gave no additional health update on Hurts but did say the QB who led the Eagles to 10 straight wins before he was forced out with the head injury wouldn’t need much time this week to get ready against the Cowboys, if he was cleared. “Jalen knows how to prepare,” Sirianni said. “He knows how to get himself ready. He’s a true pro.” The Eagles are 9 1/2-point favorites over the division rival Cowboys (7-8), per BetMGM Sportsbook. Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. Hurts was ruled out early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. “He’s always done a good job of protecting himself both as a passer and a runner,” Sirianni said. “Any time you lose one of your best players, you wish they’d do something else or not take that hit.” Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. “Every time there’s a player out,” Sirianni said, “there’s an adjustment to be made.” What’s working Saquon Barkley and the running game. Barkley was held to 41 yards after the first quarter but 150 yards is 150 yards and he still has a shot at NFL history. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,838 yards rushing and is 268 yards away from passing Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984 for the season mark. Barkley is 162 yards shy of becoming the ninth player in NFL history with 2,000 yards rushing in a season. What needs help Backup QB. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in relief, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Pickett played his first meaningful football in a year. The Eagles use McKee as the emergency QB, but the sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft could be in the mix if Hurts sat out against Dallas. Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. “I was impressed by Pickett, honestly,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said Monday. “I thought he threw the ball with good accuracy to the right spots. He’s a nice athlete (who can) move, so I can see why they would want him in that system. I thought he got outside and had good scramble ability. Wasn’t surprised they didn’t run the sneaks to go through that.” Stock up Zack Baun. The linebacker barely caused a ripple on the transactions wire in March but has been arguably the MVP of the defense. He forced a fumble in the third quarter that set up a score, one of five turnovers for the Eagles. He also had two tackles for losses. Stock down The No. 1 seed. The Eagles all but cost themselves a shot at the top spot in the NFC and a bye with the late-game collapse in Washington. The Eagles will clinch the division with a victory over the Cowboys or Giants and most likely will finish with the No. 2 seed. They are one game behind both the Detroit Lions (13-2) and the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in the NFC standings. Eagles fans can still chant, “We’re No. 1!” but it’s a long shot. To clinch the No. 1 seed, the Eagles need to beat Dallas and the Giants. And the Lions need to lose their last two games against San Francisco (6-9) and Minnesota. And the Vikings needs to lose to Green Bay (10-4) and beat the Lions in Week 18. Should the status quo remain, the Eagles would host Washington in a playoff game. Injuries Beyond Hurts, edge rusher Josh Sweat left with an ankle injury and defensive tackle Jordan Davis limped off in the second quarter. ... Pickett said he had his ribs X-rayed and would undergo further testing. Sirianni had no update Monday on Pickett’s condition. Key number 1,000 — Brown became the first Eagles receiver to top 1,000 yards in three straight seasons since Mike Quick from 1983-85. Next steps The Eagles can clinch the division and a home playoff game with two lightweights left on the schedule, both at home. The Eagles play Dallas on Sunday in a game bumped to a 1 p.m. kickoff and end the season against the New York Giants. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved

Republicans have dealt a pair of stinging rejections to President-elect Donald Trump over the past week, a sign of how Trump’s immediate lame-duck status could limit his influence despite his enormous sway over the GOP’s most dedicated voters. There’s little doubt Trump, like any president, remains the leader of his party, and is certain to have a mostly unified GOP rooting for him as he pushes for tax cuts for the wealthy, conservative judicial appointments and assaults on democratic norms. And there have long been limits to how far Republicans would actually go in service of a man many of them privately find ridiculous even as they lavishly praise him in public. But the two prominent rejections in the past week ― Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis resisting Trump’s entreaties to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to Florida’s open Senate seat and more than three dozen House Republicans denying his request to include a debt ceiling hike in a government funding bill ― show how Trump lacks the power to simply dictate the GOP’s behavior in either politics or government, and function as warning signs for Trump allies hoping for seamless enactment of his agenda, from his plans for a complex piece of tax legislation to his vision for trillions in spending cuts engineered by Elon Musk. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told HuffPost the GOP would obviously remain by Trump’s side, but noted some of his requests ― like a debt ceiling hike ― simply aren’t feasible. “I think he’s going to continue to lobby, and I think they respect the fact that he’s the incoming president of the United States, and they all want to have a good relationship with him, but they also know that certain things are doable and some things are not doable, and in the political process, there is no way at this stage of the game to effectively address the debt ceiling,” he said. “And so it was a matter of we do the best we can, and we’re all on the same team.” “We want to make things work out, right?” Rounds said. Trump’s demand that Republicans add a debt ceiling provision to their government funding bill tanked House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial legislation, but set up a standoff that he wound up losing. Republicans hate raising the debt ceiling, and they weren’t willing to abandon their stubborn position just because Trump wanted them to. Thirty-eight Republicans voted against the legislation that Johnson hastily assembled to placate their leader. The president-elect even threatened to back a primary opponent against Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), only to see Roy openly defy him. “My position is simple - I am not going to raise or suspend the debt ceiling (racking up more debt) without significant & real spending cuts attached to it. I’ve been negotiating to that end. No apologies,” Roy wrote on X, tagging Trump to make sure he saw. Trump’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of House lawmakers followed a stiff-arm by Senate Republicans, who refused to support scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz for attorney general, forcing the would-be nominee to withdraw from consideration. In that confrontation, Trump backed down even after threatening to try to go around the Senate and use recess appointments to fill his cabinet. DeSantis’ resistance was less explicit. Lara Trump was never firmly rejected, instead withdrawing her name from consideration on Saturday night. The Washington Post reported Trump had pushed DeSantis to name her to the seat , which will become vacant when Sen. Marco Rubio is presumably confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State. But when asked about it at a press conference earlier this month, Trump was skeptical he would get his way. “I probably don’t, but I don’t know,” the president-elect said at Mar-a-Lago. “Ron’s doing a good job and that’s his choice. Nothing to do with me.” Trump likely lost leverage over DeSantis when it became clear he was sticking by his troubled nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who stands accused of workplace drinking and sexual assault. Trump allies had floated DeSantis as a potential replacement nominee if Hegseth faltered. Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.), a Trump critic, said DeSantis and other Republicans were already looking past the time when Trump ruled the party. “That episode clearly reflects Trump’s lame duck status when it comes to who will be fighting for control of the party starting in December of 2026,” Jolly said. “DeSantis clearly sees Trump as a lame duck with fading currency, and the Florida Governor still has plans to demonstrate his own Republican leadership. Surely DeSantis isn’t alone.” Another prominent Florida GOP consultant noted the “ceiling” of Trump’s ask could also decline in the future. “If there is obvious cognitive decline from Jan. 20, [his problems] will accelerate,” said the consultant, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about his party’s leader. Mike Davis, a former Senate GOP staffer known for his pro-Trump bombast, insisted the president-elect was charging full steam ahead. “Trump forced Biden, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a barely Republican-controlled House to surrender on their annual end-of-year spending frenzy,” he said. “Trump’s just getting warmed up.” Still, it’s clear there’s also something of an indirect challenger for Trump’s throne atop the GOP. While Trump did not get any of what he requested from House Republicans, his top donor, tech billionaire Elon Musk, did. And Musk’s trillions may be able to power political careers years in the future when Trump’s social media missives have disappeared from the scene. Trump, in a speech in Arizona on Sunday, aimed to downplay the idea Musk could somehow supplant him, noting ― correctly, for once in his life ― that Musk is ineligible to be president. “I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said jokingly.A huge crocodile that rose to fame with a cameo in hit film Crocodile Dundee has died. Burt died over the weekend, the Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia, said. He was at least 90 years old. “Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor – an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote in social media posts. The aquarium added: “He wasn’t just a crocodile, he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years.” A saltwater crocodile, Burt was estimated to be more than 16 feet long. He was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and became one of the most well-known crocodiles in the world, according to Crocosaurus Cove. The 1986 film stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile before being saved by Dundee. Burt is briefly shown lunging out of the water. But the creature shown in more detail as Dundee saves the day is apparently something else. The Internet Movie Database says the film made a mistake by depicting an American alligator, which has a blunter snout. The Australian aquarium where Burt had lived since 2008 features a Cage of Death which it says is the nation’s only crocodile dive. It said it planned to honour Burt’s legacy with a commemorative sign “celebrating his extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park”.

SOME frustrated shoppers have had enough of Trader Joe's store operations. They argued that two crucial aspects make for difficult grocery trips, at least at their local stores. Trader Joe's operates over 600 stores nationwide, sprouting from humble beginnings in Pasadena, California, back in 1967, per Tasting Table . It quickly grew over the decades, with California still having the most locations at over 200. While Trader Joe's has become known for signature food and drink offerings, special holiday items, and its self-checkout-less checkouts, one disgruntled customer said they've come to know it for having too many people and not enough space to hold them. After complimenting the "variety" and "seasonal options" offered at Trader Joe's, the customer claimed shopping at the retailer is mostly a "hellish experience" in a recent post on Reddit. Read More on Trader Joe's "It's a very small space with a large amount of people that are rude and pushy and seem to have no knowledge of personal space," they wrote. "And I don't know if it's just in my town, but there are NO consistently quiet times to shop." "It's almost always a frenzy," the customer added. They went on to note there are two Trader Joe's locations in the large city where they reside, adding to the congestion issues. Most read in Money NOT ALONE "Does anyone else feel this way?" they asked. Several echoed similar complaints, while others noted that they try to navigate the busy times to shop by going early or late. "This is why the only time I can go is the second that they open in the mornings," someone commented. "I usually have luck if I have a list to get in there and out fairly quickly." Another argued Trader Joe's was "going downhill" because of the crowded aspect and other operational criticisms. "Agreed! Feels like Armageddon every time I go there," a third noted. Trader Joe's is a one-stop shop for all the best holiday treats this season. Some fan-favorite products include: Gingerbread People Cookies - $4.49 Jingly Jangly Candy Treats - $1.49 Jingle Jangle Candy Treats - $9.99 English Toffee Ice Cream - $3.79 Petit Fours Mousse Cakes - $4.99 Cocoa Truffles Collection - $4.99 Peppermint Pretzel Slims - $3.49 Peppermint Crunch Popcorn - $3.99 HOLIDAY MUST-HAVES While the shopping experience is being called out by some, others were thrilled to see seasonal Christmas items brought back earlier this month. A few were elated to see the Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Polar Bear back on shelves for just $2.69 each, making for an ideal stocking stuffer. The item features a white and milk chocolate outside with marshmallows and milk chocolate drops on the inside. It melts in a hot cup of milk for a perfect hot chocolate concoction. Not only is it popular, but the Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Polar Bear is only available for a limited time, so interested shoppers must act fast. Read More on The US Sun A Trader Joe's super fan also recently offered fellow customers a crucial tip on its holiday bags . Some popular holiday cookies are also temporarily available at Trader Joe's locations this month.