online game scatter (The Center Square) – The majority of Americans generally support the idea of cutting back on the federal government, polling finds. The Pew Research poll from this summer found that 56% of Americans say the government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient.” Gallup’s recent polling data shows that 55% of Americans say the government is doing “too much” while only 41% say it should do more. Americans are more evenly split how big the government should be, but increasing government efficiency has more broad support. “Gallup polling earlier this year showed that 58% of Americans are dissatisfied with the size and power of the federal government,” Gallup said. “A slight majority of Americans say the government has too much power. Seven in 10 Americans in 2019 agreed that businesses can do things more efficiently than the federal government.” The survey comes after President-elect Donald Trump won the White House and issued broad, sweeping plans to decrease the scope of the federal government. To accomplish this task, Trump appointed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and billionaire Elon Musk to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency. “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement,’” Trump said in his announcement. Both Ramaswamy and Musk have publicly issued scathing remarks about the waste of federal resources currently occurring in Washington, D.C. Ramaswamy, for instance, has laid out a specific plan on how thousands of federal workers could be fired. The pair of businessmen have said publicly DOGE could cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Ramaswamy and Musk visited Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet with lawmakers to discuss the potential cuts, which could even include ideas as drastic as eliminating the Department of Education and returning that responsibility to the states. Trump's allies have also discussed cutting spending on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, which are seen by Trump's camp as taxpayer-funded investment in woke ideology. Whether such stark actions would be supported by Americans remains unclear, but for now the latest polling shows Americans want something to be done. On top of that, Americans’ desire for smaller government seems to be more than a momentary political phase. “Gallup has asked this question annually over the past 24 years. On average, 52% of Americans have said the government is doing too much, compared with 42% saying the government should do more...” Gallup said. “Only twice have more Americans chosen the ‘government should do more’ alternative over the ‘government doing too much’ alternative -- in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in 2020 after the outbreak of COVID-19.”

At 82, I have lived through countless political and social upheavals, enough to become somewhat inured to history's recurring cycles. But recent developments have left me profoundly shaken and afraid. The bedrock principles of international law, established in the aftermath of World War II, are being flagrantly undermined. The ban on acquiring territory by force, the obligation to protect civilians during conflict, the limitations on the right of self-defence, and the United Nations Security Council's mandate to "maintain international peace and security" are all unravelling, with little regard for the consequences. In Ukraine and Gaza, occupation has been weaponised as a means of settling disputes, with civilians used as cannon fodder and the right to self-defence distorted to justify acts of retaliation and revenge -- in Gaza, these actions border on genocide. Meanwhile, the United States and Russia routinely abuse their veto power at the UN Security Council, reducing it to a toothless body incapable of calling for a ceasefire in either conflict. Amid this geopolitical turmoil, extrajudicial killings, once universally condemned, are celebrated as triumphs. This breakdown reflects the rapid transformation of the multilateral security system into a multipolar order dominated by three major powers, each singularly focused on protecting its interests and expanding its sphere of influence, leaving the rest of the world increasingly insecure. In today's global landscape, the cardinal rule seems to be: With enough power, governments can get away with murder. The erosion of international rules and norms is compounded by glaring double standards. Western powers' unconditional support for Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon -- repeatedly justified by the refrain, "Israel has the right to defend itself" -- contrasts sharply with the harsh economic sanctions imposed on Russia. Admittedly, Russia initiated the war in Ukraine, just as Hamas did in Gaza, but Israel's violations of international law have been so numerous and egregious that it has effectively assumed the role of aggressor. These double standards have been acutely felt across the developing world, where the common perception is that major democracies' commitment to human rights ends at their own borders. Consequently, a profound sense of injustice and hypocrisy has intensified the long-standing distrust between the Global North and South. Alarmingly, geopolitical tensions are deepening just as humanity is grappling with three existential threats that require close international cooperation: climate change, the nuclear arms race, and the rise of artificial intelligence. The climate crisis has already escalated into a full-blown environmental catastrophe, marked by increasingly frequent and severe storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. Without drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming is projected to surpass the 2° Celsius threshold set by the 2015 Paris climate agreement and reach 3C by the end of the century. Yet the international community is unable to agree on the actions and financing needed to avert disaster. US President-elect Donald Trump, who withdrew from the Paris accord during his first term, is widely expected to do so again, jeopardising progress towards effective climate action. Similarly, efforts to mitigate the nuclear threat have regressed into a frantic arms race. In stark contrast to Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev's assertion that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought", some nuclear-armed states now openly flaunt their stockpiles. Russia, for example, has repeatedly threatened to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Adding to these dangers, the New START Treaty -- the last remaining agreement regulating the arsenals of the world's two largest nuclear powers -- is set to expire in early 2026. Like nuclear power, addressing the risks posed by AI requires global oversight and collaboration. But in today's climate of confrontation and brinkmanship, meaningful cooperation between the US, China, and Russia is highly unlikely. Rising inequality, both within and between countries, is another major driver of global instability. Economic disparities, coupled with growing public distrust of elites, have fueled the recent surge of populism. This is particularly concerning since history has shown that unchecked inequality creates fertile ground for the rise of authoritarian and fascist leaders. A new mindset is urgently needed. In the absence of an effective and inclusive security order, the global arms race will intensify, increasing the likelihood of nuclear war. Isolationism and trade wars, which would stifle economic growth and replace the rule of law with rule by force, are not the answer. Instead, governments must recognise that the only path forward is through cooperation and compromise. It is also necessary to recognise that globalisation, while not without its flaws, brings significant benefits. In the face of today's monumental challenges, we can either work to ensure freedom and security for all or watch the world descend into chaos. To those who would call this pie-in-the-sky idealism, here is some hardheaded realism: without a renewed commitment to freedom, equality, human dignity, and solidarity, we face the very real prospect of collective ruin. ©2024 Project Syndicate Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a former vice president of Egypt, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, jointly with the IAEA.Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has set his sights on automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig. Ross Barkley’s 85th-minute goal gave them victory in Germany after goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran early in each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. That sent them up to third in the new league phase of the competition ahead of Wednesday’s games and with matches against Monaco and Celtic to come, Villa have an excellent chance of finishing in the top eight. Job done... in the end 😅 #RBLAVL #UCL pic.twitter.com/PRD1Hi1Q3A — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 That would mean they would avoid a play-off round to make it through to the last 16 and Emery says that is the target. “Today was key. Juventus at home, we were thinking more to win but in the end we accepted the draw because it was important for a point to be more or less in the top 24,” he told Amazon Prime. “Today was a match we were thinking at the beginning was key to be a contender to be in the top eight with the last two matches to be played. “It is going to be difficult and we have to get some more points but we now have the possibility to achieve this option. “We are going to enjoy and try to get top eight but we have to be happy because we are in the top 24 and maybe even the top 16. “We weren’t contenders in the beginning to get there but now we have to accept it.” Leipzig, who are flying high near the top of the Bundesliga, are out after losing all six matches. They did pose a threat to Villa, who inflicted some of their own problems on themselves, notably a rare gaffe from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for Openda’s equaliser. But Emery was happy with his side’s performance. “I try to enjoy and always we want to improve and sometimes it is hard but today the team were performing well, playing seriously and I was enjoying it,” he added. “We tried to overcome the mistakes we made and we did. More or less we were playing consistently. One mistake and they score but then we played very well. “Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination.”

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The Atlanta Braves lost out on Max Fried earlier this offseason and they're likely to miss out on Charlie Morton as well. Atlanta struggled with starting pitching depth in 2024, and it could become an even bigger problem heading into 2025. FanSided's Cody Williams recently pitched an intriguing idea for the Braves. Williams suggested the Braves could look to trade for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who's more than likely headed out of Arizona this winter. "With Burnes now in Arizona, there frankly isn't a spot in the D'Backs rotation for Montgomery after his ill-fated signing with the club after missing spring training," Williams wrote. "It was an abject disaster for the southpaw in the desert, pitching in 25 games to a dismal 6.23 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP. Now, the Diamondbacks front office has made not bones about the fact they want to move on but, after Montgomery opted in, they'll have to trade him. "But that's where the Braves could be interested. Yes, last year was a disaster for Montgomery. However, it also looks like the outlier based on his previous three seasons." Montgomery would be very easy to trade for. The Diamondbacks seemingly want him gone so bad that they'll eat a large chunk of his deal to trade him. It likely wouldn't cost the Braves any top 30 prospects either. With Montgomery's upside being as high as it could be, this might not be a terrible idea for the Braves to pursue. More MLB: Giants Predicted To Go All-In On Blockbuster Trade For Padres $108 Million AcePhotos: Remembering former President Jimmy CarterTORONTO — Darko Rajakovic cut straight to the chase in his pre-game news conference: yes, Scottie Barnes is back. Barnes was inserted into the Toronto Raptors starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena. He had been out since Nov. 4 with a fractured right orbital bone. "I don't want Scottie Barnes to be anything outside of Scottie Barnes," said Rajakovic in his pre-game news conference. "I just need him to be best version of himself and when he's that, he's really raising the people around him to another level. "He's making everybody around him better." Barnes was injured in the fourth quarter of Toronto's 121-119 overtime loss to the Nuggets on Nov. 4 when he caught an errant elbow from Denver centre Nikola Jokic. Barnes was expected to be out at least three weeks with the injury but came back slightly ahead of schedule. The 23-year-old all-star forward was averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists per game before he was hurt. Rajakovic said Barnes would play limited minutes and that he'd have to wear protective goggles. Rajakovic was coy when asked who would be moved to Toronto's bench to make space for Barnes. "Scottie will start. Who knows who won’t," laughed Rajakovic. Rookie combo guard Ja'kobe Walter was also made available for the Raptors. He had missed Toronto's last six games with a sprained right shoulder. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

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NoneLAS VEGAS — With a restructuring at Andretti Global that pushed Michael Andretti into a smaller role, the chances of his organization landing a Formula 1 team have substantially increased. So much so that F1 and Formula One Management could have a decision to grant the General Motors-backed entry a spot as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks. Dan Towriss, now the majority owner of the Andretti organization, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday scoping his chances of entering the top motorsports series in the world. So was the FBI, allegedly, as part of a Department of Justice investigation into why F1 denied the Andretti organization expansion into the series. F1 currently has 10 teams that field 20 cars and only one — the organization owned by California businessman Gene Haas — is an American team. Las Vegas marks the third race this season in the United States, more than any other country, as F1 has exploded in American popularity over the last five years. Even so, Andretti could not get approval from F1 to enter the series. But, the situation changed in September when Andretti scaled back his role with his namesake organization. Now with Towriss in charge, talks have amplified, even though it is not clear what the name of an Andretti-less F1 team would even be. Cadillac would do the engines — but says it won't be ready until 2028 — which means a 2026 Towriss-led F1 team would be GM branded but with a partner engine supplier. Most of the existing teams have been largely opposed to an 11th team entering F1, citing a dilution in prize money and the massive expenses they've already committed to the series. But, Andretti among others believed the teams' position was personal in that they simply didn't like Andretti, who ran 13 races in the 1993 season. His father, Mario, is the 1978 F1 world champion. The Andretti application had already been approved by the FIA, which is F1's ruling body, but later denied by F1 itself. F1 promised to revisit the issue once General Motors had an engine ready to compete. The existing 10 F1 teams have no actual vote or say in if the grid is expanded, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated Thursday when The Associated Press asked why the sudden chance of acceptance in a potential 11th team. "We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors, to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we've done that," Wolff said. "I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story. "And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there." Wolff has been eager to hear from Towriss directly on what the plans for the organization are now that Andretti has a smaller role. "No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the creative part is," he said. "But they don't need to because the teams don't decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA, we have no say. If I want to be invited to a party and go to the party, I'm sitting down at the table and telling who I am and why I'm really good fun and sitting here and everybody will enjoy my presence. "That hasn't happened, but you know, that's now my personal point of view, not a professional, because there's nothing we can do, nothing we can say," Wolff continued. "And I don't know the people. I've obviously spoken to Mario. I didn't speak to his son. I didn't speak to any other people that are behind that. I don't know who they are. So I know GM, GM is great." Fred Vasseur, team principal at Ferrari, said he's not opposed to another team if it adds value to F1. "The discussion is between FIA, the team, and FOM. It's not our choice," he said. "For sure, as Toto said, that if it's good for the sport, good for the show, good for the business, and adds value on the sporting side, that we are all OK." Get local news delivered to your inbox!Notable quotes by Jimmy Carter

Trae Young leads Hawks past Raptors 136-107; Toronto has season-high 31 turnoversNewly-appointed members of the Bichkunda agriculture market committee (AMC) took oath on Sunday. Committee chairman Dodla Kavitha, vice chairman Kongala Shankar and directors took charge in the presence of Zaheerabad MP Suresh Shetkar, Jukkal MLA Thota Laxmikanth Rao. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Thota Laxmikanth Rao said development programmes have been taken up in backward Jukkal Assembly constituency. Sanction of an integrated residential school and an advanced technology centre will boost development in the constituency, he said. A sports school and a nursing college will be brought to Jukkal segment, he said, adding proposals for construction of a highway from Gulla village to Sircilla were sent to the government. Funds for Madnoor-Bodhan NH works will be started soon, he said.