Kate Wyler’s political future takes a dramatic turn in 'The Diplomat' Season 3
The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”
Pep Guardiola admits Man City looking to ‘survive the season’
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Jaylen Reed’s hands were still dirty and his face smeared with eye black as he took a seat in the Beaver Stadium media room. The hard-nosed veteran of nearly 50 college football games looked weary after Penn State pounded Maryland on Saturday, but lit up as he watched media members gather around teammate Audavion Collins next to him. The sophomore was excitedly describing his first career interception. Reed grinned, his pride was evident. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
Believe it or not, Cowboys might have hope yet after chaotic win at WashingtonTraveling this holiday season? 10 things the TSA wants you to knowPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have congratulated John Dramani Mahama on his electoral victory in Ghana’s December 7 presidential election. The Nigerian President’s message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Tinubu spoke with Mahama to express his hopes for continued regional stability under Mahama’s leadership. “In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahama’s ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Tinubu is the chairman,” the statement read. President Tinubu commended Ghanaians for their commitment to democracy and praised the peaceful and transparent conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections. “He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa,” the statement added. Read also: Police rescue kidnapped 4-yr-old, arrest suspect who used snacks to lure children He also recognized the courage and sportsmanship of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana and candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), who conceded defeat before the official results were announced. Tinubu remarked that Bawumia’s actions underscored Ghana’s democratic values and maturity. Reflecting on Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, Tinubu noted it as a testament to the Ghanaian people’s confidence in his leadership. “President Tinubu noted that President-elect Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.” The Nigerian leader also emphasized the importance of the historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Ghana. He reaffirmed his commitment to fostering stronger bilateral relations and working together to achieve shared goals in areas such as economic integration, democracy, and the rule of law. Tinubu extended his gratitude to outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo for his leadership and significant contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional stability. “The President looks forward to working with President Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region,” the statement concluded. In a separate statement, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, also congratulated the people of Ghana on their successful and peaceful elections. Touray praised the nation’s democratic maturity and highlighted the smooth transition of power. “The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Touray, congratulates the Ghanaian people on their successful and generally peaceful elections,” the statement read. Touray extended his congratulations to John Mahama on his victory and commended Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his prompt concession. “The president equally commends Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for country,” the statement added. As Mahama prepares to assume office, both President Tinubu and ECOWAS expressed optimism about the future of Ghana and its role in fostering regional cooperation and stability. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate Now
Washington (CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump has named Billy Long, a former Republican congressman from Missouri, to head the Internal Revenue Service, signaling plans to oust current Commissioner Danny Werfel before his term expires in 2027. Replacing Werfel, who was picked by President Joe Biden, could mean a major shift at the agency, which has been undergoing a massive transformation that’s become a political football in Washington. Democrats have argued the agency, after facing years of budget cuts, needs more money to go after tax cheats and modernize its technology. And Republicans, many of whom – including Long – have supported shutting down the agency altogether , are skeptical that new enforcement actions won’t unfairly target middle-class Americans. Last year, Republican lawmakers successfully clawed back $20 billion of the $80 billion provided to the IRS by the Democrat-backed Inflation Reduction Act that passed in 2022. Further cuts to the IRS’ budget could be a priority for Trump, who has put Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of a new commission to cut federal spending . While the Inflation Reduction Act spells out how much money can be used for enforcement activities and taxpayer assistance, it’s largely up to the IRS, which is housed in the Department of Treasury, to decide how exactly the money is spent . One of the biggest projects under Werfel – the launch of a free tax filing program called Direct File – doesn’t have the backing of many GOP lawmakers, some of whom have criticized the program as “illegitimate and unnecessary.” There are Republicans who have also voiced concern about the effort to ramp up enforcement. Some, including Trump , have misleadingly suggested that the IRS is hiring 87,000 new auditors to target middle-class Americans and small business owners. But Democrats say the IRS needs the influx of money to successfully go after tax cheats. Prior to the Inflation Reduction Act, the agency did not have the staffing or resources to pursue high-income earners that the agency knew owed taxes, Werfel said earlier this year . So far, the IRS has collected nearly $1.3 billion in overdue taxes from wealthy households due to the new enforcement efforts. Less controversial efforts undertaken under Werfel’s leadership have been aimed at making it easier for Americans to file their federal taxes, like hiring thousands more customer service representatives and updating the agency’s archaic technology so that it can digitize paper forms . The independent Congressional Budget Office and other budget experts say that spending money on tax enforcement can reduce the deficit by bringing in more tax revenue. Long served 12 years in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. He ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 2022. During his time in Congress, Long served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Homeland Security Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – but not on the House’s main tax-writing committee. He co-sponsored, along with dozens of other Republicans, bills to abolish the IRS and replace the federal income tax system with a national sales tax. Long currently works as a certified tax and business adviser, according to his X bio . “DM me to save 40% on your taxes. We have a new traunch of tax credits just out!” it says. “Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations,” Trump said in a statement Wednesday announcing his pick. In the private sector, Long has been helping people file for the employee retention tax credit, a pandemic-era benefit. The IRS temporarily paused processing of those claims in 2023 amid concerns of fraud . In a 2023 podcast interview , Long talked about how he only helps people who are eligible to claim the tax credit. “If they don’t qualify, we do not tell them they do. And we do not to get them through the process,” he said. “Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate ‘people person,’ well respected on both sides of the aisle,” Trump said in his statement. A former professional auctioneer, Long once used his skills to drown out a protester who was disrupting a committee hearing on Capitol Hill. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.