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DALLAS — Next year will feature President-elect Donald Trump’s America First agenda and a Texas legislative session that could reignite the power struggle among state Republicans. The year will abound with national and local intrigue. The Legislature kicks off its 140-day session Jan. 14. Lawmakers are required to pass only a budget during that time. However, they’ll also approve scores of other bills that will impact the lives of everyday Texans. Trump’s policies — from immigration to energy — are expected to influence the laws and policies developed in Texas. Locally, the upcoming year will feature municipal elections and the selection of new executives to lead Dallas City Hall. Here’s the 2025 political drama to watch. The race for Texas House speaker State Rep. David Cook, the former mayor of Mansfield, is a leading contender for House speaker. His contest against Lubbock’s Dustin Burrows is the latest chapter in a GOP power struggle that highlighted the 2024 election season. Cook has the support of a majority of House Republicans, while Burrows says he has enough bipartisan backing to become speaker. The Texas Republican Party, led by Plano’s Abraham George, is mounting a pressure campaign to achieve a united GOP front for Cook. A major issue is whether to allow Democrats to chair House committees, a practice opposed by many conservative activists. Democrats, of course, are against Cook’s candidacy because he’s made it clear he won’t appoint them to committee leadership roles. If Republicans are not united for the Jan. 14 vote, House Democrats will influence who becomes the next speaker. Outgoing House Speaker Dade Phelan was the last casualty of the 2024 Texas Republican infighting. Though he narrowly won reelection in his Beaumont-area district, Phelan opted against another term as speaker. The far right wing of the GOP blamed him for conservative priorities failing in the House. Phelan also was criticized for the 2023 House vote to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was cleared on corruption charges by the Senate. School choice, the Texas grid and casinos One of the biggest issues for the upcoming session is the funding of public education, along with a voucherlike plan that would allow Texas students to use public dollars to attend private schools. After helping to oust eight Republicans who opposed his school choice plan, Gov. Greg Abbott says he now has the votes to get a bill to his desk. With the writing on the chalkboard, public school advocates and administrators are trying to cut the best deal possible. They hope it includes a robust increase in public school funding and pay raises for teachers. Abbott has refrained from backing such proposals until his school choice legislation is approved. Along with education, expect lawmakers to use much of a projected $20 billion surplus to give Texans another property tax reduction. In 2023, Abbott signed a bill for an $18 billion property tax reduction. Meanwhile, lawmakers likely will consider more fortifications to the Texas energy grid, legislation to ensure the availability of water and policies that place guardrails around artificial intelligence, an emerging technology that is changing the way we live. Other possibilities include improving access to health care for rural Texans. Conservatives may seek ways to bolster anti-abortion laws, which are already some of the toughest in the nation. There will be an attempt to put the issue of casino gambling before Texas voters, though analysts believe such a proposal won’t pass the Senate. Trump’s immigration policy The election of Trump as president will impact Texas politics. Trump vowed to stage the largest mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants in U.S. history. Texas legislators and law enforcement officials must determine what role, if any, they play in that process. Abbott has said he expects Trump to start with deporting criminals and dangerous sorts, a move he supports. Texans are waiting to see if raids on businesses and homes will occur as well as how deep federal officials will reach in trying to remove the estimated 2 million people in the state without authorization. With Trump in the White House, Abbott says it’s likely that funding for Operation Lone Star, launched in 2021, will decrease. The operation focuses on arresting undocumented immigrants on state charges, such as trespassing, and on making border crossings more difficult by installing razor wire and other physical barriers along the Rio Grande. The initiative’s cost has climbed to $11 billion, and Abbott wants another $2.9 billion to run the program through 2027. How bruised Democrats regroup It was a rough election year for Texas Democrats. Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz scored an easy reelection win over U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas. In what was billed as a close race, Cruz won by 8.5 percentage points, a setback given that in 2018 he beat Democrat Beto O’Rourke by only 2.6 points. Trump overwhelmed Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas by 14 points, a far greater victory than his 5.6-point Lone Star win in 2020. Democrats also lost 25 out of 25 appellate court races. Democrats inside and outside of Texas are pondering the path forward. In March, Texas Democrats will elect a new chairman to replace Gilberto Hinojosa of Brownsville, who resigned in November. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, was elected to lead House Democrats, who must strategize how to effectively navigate a Republican-controlled Legislature. Dallas politics It will be a busy year in Dallas politics. Council members are up for reelection in May. And though Mayor Eric Johnson is not on the ballot, observers are watching to see how — or if — he finishes his second term, which expires in 2027. There’s been speculation that Johnson, who in 2023 switched to the Republican Party, could find opportunities elsewhere, perhaps with the Trump administration. He has said he’ll finish his term. Meanwhile, Dallas council members must select a city manager, who then must hire a new police chief. The council and next city manager face pension fund shortfalls, as well as the impact of two propositions approved by voters in November. Proposition S allows anyone to file a lawsuit against the city – even if they have no stake in the alleged grievance. Proposition U mandates a police force of 4,000 cops, which will surely have budget implications.Part 1: Bill’s NBA Six-Pack. Plus Peter Schrager on the Jets’ Downfall, Buffalo’s Leap, and Drake Maye.

In recent years, Afghanistan has been not only a battleground for war and political conflicts but also a stage for silent disasters that, under the shadow of government neglect, societal indifference, and even the inaction of international organizations, have claimed heavy human tolls. These disasters, manifesting as traffic accidents, mine collapses, and silent killings, claim more victims every day. Yet, no matter how frequent or devastating these events may be, they fail to provoke collective outrage within Afghan society. It seems such deaths, just as insignificant to the ruling regime, hold little importance for the community as well. One of the most significant examples of this “silent tragedy” is traffic accidents, which have become an unending nightmare for the people of Afghanistan. In a recent incident in Ghazni province, two fatal collisions occurred within just an hour. These accidents left over 100 casualties. Initially, the Taliban reported 52 deaths, but later it was revealed that at least 12 injured individuals also succumbed to their injuries. Such incidents are preventable, but due to disregard for people’s lives, no one or organization takes any action. The causes of these tragedies are well known, and addressing them is not impossible. Substandard roads, lack of enforcement of traffic regulations, and inadequate rescue and emergency services have normalized these deaths as part of daily life. These problems, however, are not unique to the current Taliban regime; they persisted during the republican era without any serious efforts to address them. While the current Taliban regime claims complete control over the country, it has failed even to manage the most basic aspects of public safety and welfare. Amidst this, the irrational competition among passenger transport companies is a significant cause of traffic accidents. It is said that some of these companies reward drivers who reach their destinations ahead of schedule. Moreover, many drivers are reportedly under the influence of drugs, including cannabis, while driving. The author has personally witnessed this alarming situation. The competition among bus drivers for winning quick transport prizes, coupled with the fact that many of them drive under the influence of narcotics, has turned Afghanistan’s pothole-ridden roads into deadly paths. On the other hand, mine collapses represent another aspect of this silent tragedy. Afghanistan’s mines, often exploited illegally and without adherence to even the minimum safety standards, have become graveyards for workers risking their lives to provide for their families. The recent incident at a mine in Herat province, which resulted in one death, and the entrapment of 35 individuals in a mine in Samangan, are mere examples of the chronic neglect by governments and regimes regarding worker safety and rights. The lack of rescue equipment, weak oversight, and unrestrained exploitation of natural resources have made such incidents repetitive and seemingly inevitable. However, the dimensions of this tragedy do not end here. Alongside these incidents, killings carried out under the guise of “unknown individuals” constitute another facet of this humanitarian disaster. In many cases, these so-called unknown gunmen are none other than Taliban fighters who commit murders for various reasons. The victims of such killings include women, men, and even innocent children who are either targeted for political reasons or fall victim to local hostilities and abuses of power. Despite the constant flow of news about the murder of innocent people, there is no visible reaction from society, the Taliban regime, or even international monitoring organizations. This silence in the face of these killings provides implicit legitimacy to the Taliban and other perpetrators of violence, paving the way for the continuation of such atrocities. This negligence perpetuates the vicious cycle of these killings and tragedies, with no measures being taken to prevent them. Public Indifference And The Negligence Of Rulers In The Face Of These Dormant Tragedies not only endanger human lives but also highlight a profound crisis in social and political accountability in Afghanistan. Whether during the era of the republic or under the current Taliban rule, ineffective governance and a lack of commitment to human lives have normalized these preventable deaths. Such tragedies have become a routine part of daily life. Even large-scale incidents, such as the recent road accidents in Ghazni, fail to elicit public outrage and are accepted as ordinary events. These silent disasters will persist until governments, society, and international organizations take their responsibilities toward these tragedies seriously and replace their silence with sustainable and practical actions. A future where human lives are valued beyond political games and personal interests remains a distant vision on Afghanistan’s horizon. You can read the Persian version of this analysis here: فاجعه خفته؛ بی‌تفاوتی مرگبار در برابر حوادث و کشتارهای قابل پیش‌گیری در افغانستان | روزنامه ۸صبح

CHICAGO (AP) — Cairo Santos had a field goal blocked — again. DeAndre Carter muffed a punt in the second half. And those were just the special teams mistakes for the struggling Chicago Bears. Santos’ blocked field goal and Carter’s turnover were part of another sloppy performance for Chicago in its fifth consecutive loss. The pair of miscues helped set up two of Minnesota’s three touchdowns in a 30-27 overtime victory . The Bears (4-7) closed out a miserable three-game homestand after they won their first three games of the season at Soldier Field. They were in position to beat Green Bay last weekend before Santos’ 46-yard field goal attempt was blocked on the final play of the Packers’ 20-19 win . “It’s tough. ... When things just aren’t going your way, you gotta put your head down and just keep going to work,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “It’s not easy to do but that’s kind of where we’re at.” Chicago and Minnesota were tied at 7 when Caleb Williams threw incomplete on third-and-4 at the Vikings 30 early in the second quarter. Bears coach Matt Eberflus sent Santos out for a 48-yard attempt, but it was knocked down by defensive lineman Jerry Tillery. RELATED COVERAGE NBC’s Mike Tirico calls Eagles-Rams game after suffering Achilles injury last Monday Rams once again fall flat in prime time with a chance to move into a tie atop the NFC West Brandon Graham expects to miss rest of season after tearing triceps in Eagles’ win over Rams “I think it was the penetration with the trajectory of the ball,” Santos said. “Had the ball started 3 or 4 inches to the right of both those guys’ hands, I think it still goes in through the uprights.” Brian Asamoah returned the blocked kick 22 yards to set the Vikings up with good field position. Sam Darnold then capped a six-play, 53-yard drive with a 5-yard TD pass to Jalen Nailor for a 14-7 lead with 6:29 left in the first half. It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. Santos also had a 43-yard try blocked in the fourth quarter of a 35-16 victory over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . The Bears became the first NFL team to allow three blocked field goals in a season since the Browns and Ravens each had three blocked in 2022. “Whenever that happens two games in a row we’ve got to make sure we take a hard look in terms of the protection, the technique and who we have in there,” Eberflus said. “So it’s going to be a big thing to look at.” Chicago trailed 17-10 when it forced a Minnesota punt midway through the third quarter. Carter warned his teammates to get out of the way, but it hit the ground and bounced off the inside of his right leg before it was recovered by Bo Richter at the Bears 15. The Vikings turned the mental error into Aaron Jones’ 2-yard touchdown run and a 24-10 lead. “Gotta get out of the way of the ball. That’s on me,” Carter said. “I let the team down today. Game shouldn’t have been in the situation it was in. I felt bad for the guys.” Santos and Carter both played a role in a late rally for Chicago. Carter had a 55-yard kickoff return, and Santos got an onside kick to work before making a tying 48-yarder on the final play of regulation. But the Bears stalled on the first possession of overtime, and Darnold drove the Vikings downfield to set up Parker Romo’s winning 29-yard field goal. “We’re losing in the most unreal situations,” Bears receiver DJ Moore said. “Now it’s like the luck’s got to go in our favor at some point.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLEfforts underway to determine exact number and location of Azerbaijani citizens in Syria - MFA

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One of the government’s most senior female staffers is suing Defence Minister Richard Marles and the prime minister’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, for allegedly ousting her after she complained of bullying by other colleagues. The legal team for Jo Tarnawsky, who is still technically Marles’ chief of staff, confirmed she had launched legal proceedings against Marles, Gartrell and the Commonwealth on Monday. Jo Tarnawsky and Richard Marles. Credit: AAP, Alex Ellinghausen Tarnawsky’s lawyers – solicitor Michael Bradley and barrister Rebecca Davern – claim under the Fair Work Act that the government engaged in adverse action against the staffer by effectively pushing her out of her role after she raised concerns about bullying in Marles’ office. Last month, the chief of staff alleged she was effectively ousted from her job after seeking help for alleged bullying by her colleagues that left her with suicidal thoughts. Marles himself is not accused of bullying Tarnawsky – who is a former diplomat and one of the most senior women in government – but she claims he shunted her aside in April to work in a lesser government role despite never previously taking issue with her performance. “My workplace situation remains unresolved,” Tarnawsky said at a press conference in Parliament House on Monday. “Today, after untenable delays and inaction from the government, I’m lodging legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.” “Taking legal action has come at the end of a very long and traumatic road,” she said. “The government has been afforded multiple opportunities to rectify the wrongs done to me, but it has done nothing except duck and cover, collude and delay.” The legal action represents a major test for Labor’s commitment to creating a more respectful workplace culture in parliament as well as a major distraction from the government’s agenda to pass up to 20 pieces of legislation in the last sitting week of the year.

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