FLORIDA — A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders, and Randy Fine is resigning from the Florida legislature to run for congress in Florida’s 6th District.
Let's get into it.
Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire deal, Biden says
The United States has successfully brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon to halt the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, President Biden announced Tuesday.
"We're determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence," Biden said. "The United States with the support of France and our other allies have pledged to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this arrangement is fully implemented."
Effective at 4 a.m. Wednesday in the Middle East, fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end as part of what is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities, said Biden, who announced the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon had agreed to the U.S. proposal.
Over the next 60 days, Israel forces will gradually withdraw from Lebanon and civilians on both sides of the border will be able to safely rebuild their communities, the president said. Hezbollah will be barred from rebuilding its infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire marks the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. More than 3,600 people have been killed in Lebanon and nearly 600,000 have been displaced since Israel invaded southern Lebanon in early October, according to the United Nations.
Saying the ceasefire deal "heralds a new start for Lebanon," Biden said the people of Gaza also "deserve an end to the fighting and displacement."
Biden said he will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a so-far-elusive ceasefire and hostage release and end the war in Gaza.
Trump proposes more tariffs on Canada and Mexico
President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders.
The tariffs, if implemented, could dramatically raise prices for American consumers on everything from gas to automobiles to agricultural products. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data.
Trump made the threats Monday in a pair of posts on his Truth Social site in which he railed against an influx of illegal migrants, even though southern border apprehensions have been hovering near four-year lows.
He said the new tariffs would remain in place "until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!"
"Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power," he went on, "and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!"
It is unclear whether Trump will actually go through with the threats or if he is using them as a negotiating tactic before he returns to the White House in the new year.
Trump's nominee for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent — who if confirmed, would be one of several officials responsible for imposing tariffs on other countries — has on several occasions said tariffs are a means of negotiation.
Randy Fine throws hat into CD-6 race while Lara Trump says she would be 'honored' to fill vacant Senate seat in Florida
A longtime member of the Florida House now wants a seat in congress.
Tuesday morning Randy Fine announced he will run for congress in Florida’s 6th District.
That seat will open up because President-Elect Trump picked congressman Michael Waltz to be his National Security Advisor.
Fine spent eight years in the Florida House, and just got elected to the Florida Senate in November, but instead will resign to run for congress.
The Republican has Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Meantime, Waltz’s congressional seat isn’t the only vacancy.
Trump’s selection of Sen. Marco Rubio to Secretary of State is the highest profile open seat now.
Gov. Ron DeSantis will get to appoint someone to it and one of the possibilities is Lara Trump.
The President-Elect’s daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee says she has not been contacted by DeSantis for the position.
Recently, during this year’s Global Women’s Summit, she told Washington Post Live she would be honored to be considered.
“Obviously, if I am appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis and he feels that I’m the right fit to take up for the U.S. Senate seat for Marco Rubio, those are big shoes to fill, but I would take it very seriously,” she said. “And it would truly be an honor to be considered for that. Obviously, I have not heard one way or another from Governor DeSantis, but in the same way that I was able to serve at the RNC, I would be humbled and honored in the U.S. Senate should he decide to.”
Other names being tossed around for the seat include Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moddy, Former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva, DeSantis’ Chief of Staff James Uthmeier and Congresswoman Laurel Lee.