A moderate House Republican is raging against his own party after negotiations over a vote on extending COVID-19-era Obamacare subsidies fell apart. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told reporters Tuesday morning that it was "idiotic" and "political malpractice" to not hold an "up-or-down vote" on the subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year. He also turned his ire on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who he accused of rejecting moderate Republicans' compromise solutions in order to keep the issue alive as a political cudgel.

The mainstream media was predictably quick to denounce the labor market as weak according to November's jobs report, but the talking heads are simply wrong. That alleged weakness is almost entirely confined to government bureaucrats and foreign workers, while private industry is employing more Americans. These latest data were delayed because of the Democrat-imposed government shutdown, but nevertheless paint a very clear picture: the Trump administration is making good on its promise to right-size government and "reprivatize" the economy, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has put it. This was the best November ever for employment among native-born Americans, up more than 2.6 million over the last 12 months and setting a record, albeit on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. Conversely, the number of foreign-born workers with jobs declined over this period by 21,000.

Warner Bros. Discovery's board of directors has unanimously recommended shareholders reject a hostile $108-billion takeover bid from Paramount Skydance and advised them to back a previously agreed deal with Netflix instead. Netflix struck an $83-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios in early December in a deal handing one of Hollywood's most prized assets to the streaming giant, before Paramount Skydance tabled a rival offer. The pair had been in an auction with Comcast before Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) opted to go for Netflix's cash and stock deal valued at $27.75 per WBD share, resulting in a total enterprise value of around $82.7 billion and an estimated equity value of $72 billion.

Jack Smith wants to make his case against Donald Trump to Congress — but he's walking into a political and legal minefield. The Biden-era special counsel who brought the first and only federal criminal charges ever leveled against a former president is set to testify behind closed doors Wednesday to the House Judiciary Committee. To do so, he must navigate Byzantine secrecy laws and rules that limit what he can disclose to lawmakers. All the while, Republicans are looking to trip him up and incriminate him, to portray him as a tool of a weaponized Justice Department — an allegation they've brandished amid recent revelations that Smith obtained phone records of at least eight GOP senators as part of his probe into Trump's efforts to subvert the 2020 election results.

President Trump's intense pressure campaign on Venezuela isn't just about drugs, or oil and natural resources, or even a long-term plan to reinvigorate the U.S. dominance of its own hemisphere and strangle the growing regional influence of China and Russia. Instead, analysts and foreign policy insiders say, Mr. Trump's fixation on Venezuela reflects a unique combination of factors, including geopolitical, economic and personal, that has led the White House to pursue a multipronged push to squeeze what many see as the illegitimate government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. That strategy could include direct U.S. military strikes on Venezuela itself in addition to the continued targeting of boats allegedly transporting drugs or more seizures of Venezuelan tankers moving illicit oil.

Warner Bros Discovery's (WBD.O), opens new tab board spurned Paramount Skydance's (PSKY.O), opens new tab $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid on Wednesday, calling the offer "illusory" as it accused the studio giant of misleading shareholders about its financing. Paramount has been in a race with Netflix to win control of Warner Bros, and with it, its prized film and television studios, HBO Max streaming service and franchises like "Harry Potter." After Warner Bros accepted the streaming giant's offer, Paramount launched a hostile offer to outdo that bid. In a letter to shareholders on Wednesday, the Warner Bros board wrote that Paramount had "consistently misled" Warner Bros shareholders that its $30-per-share cash offer was fully guaranteed, or "backstopped," by the Ellison family, led by billionaire and Oracle (ORCL.N), opens new tab co-founder Larry Ellison.

Tariffs are unpopular, prices remain stubbornly high and Americans are souring on President Trump's handling of the economy. So Mr. Trump has reprised a familiar political strategy: promise people cash. The White House is trying to tamp down Americans' economic anxieties by dangling the prospect of checks and other paydays next year, hoping that the money might assuage voters who blame the president for their rising cost of living.

On October 20, rumors spread among victims held captive in a massive 520-acre scam center in Myawaddy Township, Myanmar, across the border from Thailand. "The gates are open," people whispered, according to later-recorded statements. "The guards have abandoned their posts." The foreign workers at KK Park, many of whom had been tricked into online scamming and held captive by Chinese criminal organizations, hurried to the front gates of the compound to confirm the rumors. It was true. Myanmar's military had raided the compound, and the guards had left their post. The workers ran.

At first glance, you'll see Chloe brimming with enthusiasm: she loves piano, art class, and Sour Patch Kids. But behind her bright smile is a deeper story — one of resilience and strength. Adopted at age 4, Chloe was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate, a complex condition that makes eating and speaking difficult. Chloe was home in the United States for only a month before her adopted family began setting up a care plan for her eventually leading to Shriners Children’s™. For Chloe and her family, specialized care is about far more than repairing her cleft lip and palate — it’s about giving her the freedom to follow her dreams without anything holding her back.Bridging Care GapsLike Chloe, approximately 1 in 1,700 babies in the United States are born with cleft lip and palate. While it might seem like a straightforward surgical issue, in reality it’s a complex condition that affects multiple systems of the body during all stages of a child’s growth. Shriners Children’s provides specialty care for cleft lip and palate, which can include surgeries, dental care, speech therapy, and more. For Chloe’s condition, as well as many others, Shriners Children’s provides care, regardless of the families' insurance status or ability to pay. Thanks to generous donors, families whose children have complex conditions can access expert medical care as well as assistive devices, long-term rehabilitation, custom orthotics or prosthetics, and surgeries, among other things. In one year alone, Shriners Children’s performed more than 24,000 surgeries, 446,000 procedures, and welcomed 62,000 new patients. Donor gifts also help Shriners Children’s provide medical care at international outreach clinics, as well as provide telehealth services to children in underserved areas of the world.A Future TransformedThousands of children who pass through Shriners Children’s receive care that transforms their health and their future. And Chloe — who now smiles and speaks confidently after multiple surgeries, therapy, and dental care provided by Shriners Children’s — is one of them. “I want Chloe to be confident with herself and her speech,” said Casey, Chloe’s mom. “Shriners Children’s has gone a long way in helping us get there.” Now, Chloe can pursue her dreams — big and small — with confidence. Whether she’s creating art and working toward her dream of becoming an art teacher, or hoping to travel to China to see where she was born, the care she received from Shriners Children’s has opened the door for her to chase any path she chooses. For Chloe, Shiners Children’s has become more than just a hospital — it’s a place where her smile, her voice, her confidence, and all of her dreams can develop and grow alongside her.Shriners Children’s helps children heal and thrive so they can chase their dreams. Learn more about how they’re making it possible here and share this article to inspire others to join you. Shriners Children’s relies on generous donors to make a difference. Donate today during the 3X Match Challenge to make 3X the life-changing impact for patients.

The Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) has a number of unique habits and a less-than-positive reputation among younger generations. Millennials have stated that Boomer grandparents are all but absent and glued to their phones. And younger generations have coined the phrase "boomer panic" to describe what they see as Boomers becoming rather unhinged when facing minor life problems.But what do Boomers have to say? One Gen Zer on Reddit gave Boomers the floor to try to understand their experience and perspective better. They posed the question: "Why do boomers act angry all of the time when they had the happiest lives out of every generation alive today?"They went on to explain that from a Gen Z point of view, Boomers have had it pretty good. "Boomers literally had the easiest life out of every generation that came after it. They got out of the house at 18. They got jobs by walking into stores and asking for a job. They got jobs in the field that they got their college degree in. They didn't deal with dating apps," they wrote. Angry Boomer couple.Photo credit: CanvaAnd they concluded the post with an earnest assessment: "Like, I don't understand why they are always so angry and act like they had the hardest life out of every generation alive today when they had the easiest."The post prompted an honest discussion, with many Boomers explaining where their "angry" disposition comes from in ways that may be enlightening to younger generations. Most challenged the perception that Boomers are angry, and some offered humorous responses:"I am a baby boomer. I did move out at 18 years old. I started working full time at 17 years old. I am pretty happy most of the time. But, it has NEVER been easy for me. I am the only one of my two siblings that did not get a college education. I just retired at 65 this year. I slept for three weeks-due to stress and exhaustion. I am so poor now, but that happiest I’ve ever been in my life now! Goldie Happy Holidays! P.S. I have always worked 2-3 jobs all of my life." - rgold02"As an aging boomer and student of history, one of my greatest achievements is that I have developed a keen sense of empathy and compassion. Everyone struggles, no one makes it alone, and we need to share whatever resources we have to keep the game going." - IndicationCurrent869"Not 'easiest', just more fun. Boomers remember hope in the air. They're pissed that everything's turned to sh*t." - Responsible-War5600"Life is not always easy for everyone, boomer or not. When you are a boomer, obviously you know you are going to die at some point. However don't know what health issues come up or things that go wrong with your body. I am not an angry person, it's just not in my nature, I strive to be kind to everyone." - Samurai_Cupcake"I'm a boomer. I'm not angry as most of the time im rather happy and enjoy knowing the young uns. I did have a happy childhood but also had a mom who abused all us kids. Drove my brother to become an alcoholic to cope with his trauma from her. He died young from it. It was a tragedy. Its hard to know or judge others lives even if it may seem great from your pov. All I want is to get on with others. Conflict and fighting really hurts my soul. I saw a lot of it growing up. Despite that I chose not to be like that. Not to be angry and have conflict if I can avoid it. We're all different despite being boomers or gen x . Whatever." - AcrobaticProgram4752"I'm not angry. I got out of the house at 18 by working one or two part time jobs while going to college. It was not easy to find jobs. I worked in a blue collar job right out of school. I didn't get a job in my field 'til I was well into my 20s because there was a recession. Every generation has sh*t to get through." - schnozzberryflop"Retired boomer here. Definitely not an angry person. In fact, I'm really happy and thankful my efforts have paid off. My kids (four of them) will do well also. Why? Cuz I taught them what my dad taught me: Earn it! And, don't be a drain on others." - OrlandoEd An angry Boomer woman.Photo credit: Canva"Lead Poisoning." - grethro"Lead, plastics, entitlement, wealth." - theMEtheWORLDcantSEEAnd some Boomers offered brutally honest reasons why they may come across as angry:"Wait until your kids or grandkids work to upend everything you've fought for and see how you feel then." - Ok-Profit6022"Why does seem to think that all boomers are living high on the hog? I live in a cheap apartment, have no savings, my car is 20 years old, and I can barely afford food. Not every boomer grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth. There are plenty of us that are just scratching by." - HopefulButHelpless12"Because we've seen those opportunities we had disappear, all so we can have a bunch of billionaires hoard our collective wealth and hide it in tax shelters for bragging rights." - RealBLAlley63"Weak times create weak people." - AdStrange6636"You have no clue. I worked 3 jobs. Lost my main one and couldn't find another. We didn't have internet to see jobs. I asked for the job I lost back and they gave it to me. I started working at 14." - ClearUniversity1550"Boomer here. Yeah i get angry. But i just don't give a sh*t anymore. I’ll say 'on my mind w/o worrying abt offending others. So there's that. But I wasn't handed a damn thing. Worked my *ss off for everything." - Most_Nothing_1017