Comment on Pope's Christmas message focuses on Mideast, China

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2024. There are 13 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 18, 2019, the U. S. House impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, sending his case to the Senate for trial; the articles of impeachment accused him of abusing the power of the presidency to investigate rival Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election and then obstructing Congress’ investigation.

Palm Beach County officials are moving forward with a plan to curb homelessness through the introduction of tiny cottages. Beyond a place to sleep at night, these tiny homes would provide people with a bathroom, shower and kitchen. And in the face of Florida’s new law banning people from sleeping in public spaces such as in parks, bus stops, on the beach and on sidewalks overnight, this may provide a tangible solution, county officials say. “My job is making sure we have a workable solution to cure homelessness that doesn’t cost the taxpayers any more money,” said Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Sachs, who has championed the tiny cottages idea. Palm Beach County would be the latest local government in South Florida exploring the idea of offering that type of housing.

Here are the top stories for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. Former bridge tender who pled guilty in woman’s deadly fall sentenced to 10 years in prison Which Pier Sixty-Six restaurants will open first — and when Swampy land deal to wildlife refuge: School district to turn over land in Southwest Ranches Virtual reality in the courtroom: Broward lawyers and judge don headsets in stand-your-ground hearing Florida’s Republican electors tout Trump’s victory.

I voted for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020 and most recently, this past November. I am a fan of his economic policies as well as his position on immigration and his overall strategy behind “Making America Great Again.” Nevertheless, I would like to offer caution to President-elect Trump regarding his trade policies, specifically import tariffs aimed at China. When aspiring 2012 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump weighed in with his threat to slap a 25% import duty on all Chinese manufactured goods, stating “that’s going to do a number of things,” I wondered if he understood China’s ubiquity in the domestic beef, pork and poultry industry, and what such a tax could do to the price of a meal for every family in the U.

Q: The NBA game has gotten so 3-point driven. I love Tyler Herro’s game and for the most part his shot selection this year. But his mid-range game was working, too, and he shoots 80%-plus from the free-throw line. Would love to have seen him get in the paint and shoot an 8-to-10-foot jumper for the win.

The alleged killer of the United Healthcare CEO is a “folk hero” to many. This was done not by the public, but by our politics and our government. Rich or poor, we all need health care. Our health care providers are money-making machines. The more money they take in, the less they pay out — this is their and their shareholders’ goals.