Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nationsChasing those childhood summer feels? From reinvigorated motels to bush cabins laced with luxury, here are some of our favourite nostalgia-inducing spots across the state. MOTEL MAGIC Sunnymead Hotel, Aireys Inlet Why If the bright-yellow Billy Buttons and kangaroo paw plantings swaying in the breeze don’t win you over, the sunshine-shaded rooms of this retro motel in Aireys Inlet, an hour-and-45-minute drive from Melbourne, will. This 20-room motel is also home to a boutique day spa (with an ochre-toned steam room, communal bathhouse and treatment menu); a restaurant, Santara, which serves up “sunny hour” $12 cocktails and chicken-salted crispy oyster mushrooms from Friday through Tuesday; and a pool that’s studded with loungers and yellow umbrellas. Plan in advance and order a continental “breakfast bag” featuring local sourdough, butter, jam and juices. In the cooler months, a fire pit blazes. Rooms from $150. See sunnymeadhotel.com.au Nearby Pick up a new beach read at Great Escape Books . Sandy Gully Beach is a 10-minute walk away. A 30-minute drive up the road, farming social enterprise and cafe Common Ground Project offers pastries and scenic vistas; the hub of Lorne – with its beach and eateries – is 25 minutes in the other direction. Holbrook Motel, Holbrook Why The ideal stopover for Melbourne-Sydney road trips, the recently renovated Holbrook Motel is a small-town gem. Just 40 minutes north of the Victorian border, 18 meticulously refreshed (and generously sized) rooms are anchored by king beds, blue-tiled showers with shampoo scented with native botanicals, and a patio overlooking a central pool. Your undercover parking spot features a bucket with a squeegee: a thoughtful addition that makes clearing the bugs collected on the Hume that little bit easier. Rooms – including one accessible – from $130. See holbrookmotel.com.au Nearby Famous for its 90-metre landbound submarine, HMAS Otway, Holbrook is also home to two ripper second-hand bookstores and the National Pottery Museum . Order locally reared steak at the Holbrook Hotel , just down the road. Soak in the view from the Yambla View “Wambariga” Lookout. River Drive Motel, Tarwin Lower Credit: Nicky Cawood Why This five-room boutique motel in Tarwin Lower, on the way to Wilsons Prom, packs a punch for its size. The one-acre property enjoys gardens shaded by established trees, big hooded barbecues and the quintessential summer song of string tennis games. It’s all about the family here, so grab a cruiser (and helmet) or a game from the garden shed and head down to the beach, or settle in and cook up with the full kitchen and minibar. It’s all style in the rooms, with angular timber detailing, dark shades of blue and green (and bubblegum pink retro bathroom tiles), and eclectic modern art on the walls. Rooms from $320. See riverdrivemotel.com.au Nearby Swim at Walkerville South Beach. Grab dinner at the Riverview Pub . Pick up produce at Flock, Stock & Basil ’s Saturday farmgate shop. Cast a line from one of Tarwin’s many wooden fishing platforms along the Tarwin River Boardwalk. Pick up a one-of-a-kind handmade mug at Valley Plains Pottery . PUB LIFE The Victoria, Rutherglen Credit: By George Photography Why Transformed over two years by a Corowa local and her husband, this 1894 pub in Rutherglen – a three-hour drive from Melbourne – is now a decadent High Country hotel with a fire-inspired restaurant turning out venison tartare and flame-licked scotch fillet. Generous rooms (including eight more by mid-2025) sport king-size beds, brass fixtures, sitting areas and – in some – soaking tubs. History oozes from the original double-hung windows, bounces between walls covered with custom pony-patterned wallpaper, and echoes beneath the heritage-listed four-metre ceilings. Sit out on the guest-only verandah, wrapped with a replica of the original wrought iron balustrade, and you’ll be transported to yesteryear. Rooms from $245. See victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au Nearby Experience Rutherglen’s wine bounty at female-owned Stanton & Killeen . Explore the heritage facades now home to a candle shop, eateries (including Grace. ) and boutiques. Pick up an e-bike from Rutherglen Radler and cycle around to see them all. Portarlington Grand Hotel, Portarlington Why This 18-room beachside hotel an hour-and-45-minute drive from Melbourne has been a part of Portarlington since 1888, once a resting place for weary travellers – whether visiting by ship or horsedrawn buggy. Now a boutique hotel, it features sumptuous wood-toned interiors, custom Australian-made furniture and dramatic carpet fashioned with William Morris art. Grand Bay rooms enjoy harbour views from private balconies, but all have generous bathrooms and minibars stocked with Geelong-based Love Tea and Sideroads coffee. Indulge in bowls of Portarlington mussels and play giant Jenga on the lawn (which was once a drive-through bottleshop). Rooms – including two accessible – from $255. See portarlingtongrandhotel.com.au Nearby Jump on a Portarlington Mussel Tours boat for a seafood journey or visit in January for the annual mussel festival. Grab potato and broccolini pizza at Staple Eatery . Visit the historic Portarlington flour mill. Bunyip Hotel Cavendish, Cavendish Why Currently hosting guests from Thursday through Sunday, this country hotel a 31⁄2-hour drive west of Melbourne is a powerhouse of good food and regional hospitality. The head chef shears sheep on his days off and the hotel celebrates produce – from flowers to eggs to cured meats – from hyper-local suppliers. (The owners’ other business recycles plastic farm refuse, such as bale wraps and discarded drip lines, so they walk the regional talk.) Three rooms share communal bathrooms, which feature vintage meat safes as cabinetry, and an 11am checkout. Add an affordable five-course dinner onto your stay: it’s well worth it. Rooms from $120. bunyiphotelcavendish.com Nearby Wander Settlers Walk to go (way) back in time, or skip rocks along the Wannon River. Buy stamps, fishing bait and a coffee at Bridge Cafe . Time your visit to co-ordinate with local festivals in April (Red Gum Festival) and November (Fleece & Flower Show). CAMPING OUT Bright Discovery Park, Bright Why Wake up to birdsong and spot roaming wild deer at this family-run caravan park on the banks of the Ovens River in Bright, a 31⁄2-hour drive north-east of Melbourne. Newly built cabins enjoy rain shower heads, four-burner gas cooking, gas fireplaces and personal patios (perfect for a game of Sequence). Kids bounce off the kanga pad in the gated playground or ride on bikes beneath snow gums, but you’ll feel like a kid with a game of tennis or a song around the brick-and-steel campfire. The owners planted garden beds stocked with rosemary, mint, oregano and lettuces; take what you need to elevate your dinner. Campsites from $34. Cabins – including one accessible – from $153. See discoveryholidayparks.com.au Nearby Buy locally made cheese at The Peak Artisan Cheesemakers . Wander alongside baby emus at Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm . Pick up gems at the monthly Bright Farmers Market. Soak in the view from Sullivans Lookout. Anywhere, Parks Victoria Credit: Tourism Victoria Why Grab the tent and pack the ute: from December 30 until June 30, 2025, travellers can enjoy free access to 131 normally paid campsites across the state with Parks Victoria. That includes dog-friendly camping at designated sites at Banksia Bluff campground, beach-access camping at Blanket Bay, and camping closer to the inner city, including at picturesque Lake Eildon. Further afield, top spots to take advantage of include hike-camping in Alpine National Park (for experienced, self-sufficient campers – and even those with horses through the Bogong High Plains) and Tidal Bluff, a 484-site-strong campground at Wilsons Prom. Bookings are essential to manage demand and access. Some campsites have access to hot showers and shelters, but many do not; research and plan accordingly. See parks.vic.gov.au The writer travelled as a guest of some properties; other travel was self-funded.10 Famous People Who Actually Admitted To Using Ozempic And 9 Who Flat-Out Denied Itjili 337 。

Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipAfter assuming the role of chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis has begun strengthening his team by appointing trusted and capable bureaucrats to key positions. Ashwini Bhide, known for her significant contributions to key infrastructure projects, has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to the CMO. Bhide, who previously served as the managing director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), is credited with the successful implementation of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz line) and the Mumbai Coastal Road project as additional commissioner of the BMC. Her new appointment comes as a replacement for Brijesh Singh, the current Principal Secretary. According to her appointment letter, Bhide will assume her new duties at the CMO immediately while continuing her role as MD of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation. A 1995-batch IAS officer with nearly 30 years of experience, Bhide has earned a reputation as a pioneer in metro rail development and is often referred to as the “Metro Rail Woman.” Bhide was removed from the post of managing director of the MMRC and transferred as the additional municipal commissioner in the BMC in 2020 by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, after she fought to implement the Aarey project. The MVA government had stayed the construction of the Metro3 crashed project being developed in the Aarey Colony citing protection of forest cover there. Bhide’s defence of the metro shed had drawn flak from activists as well as political parties. After the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti was formed in June 2022, Bhide was transferred again as the MD of MMRC assigned the job of completion of Metro 3 project. In addition to this reshuffle, Fadnavis recently held a review meeting with senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary, to strategise on making Maharashtra the top state in India. He instructed officials to set up dedicated war rooms for the state's flagship and infrastructure projects, with Bhide expected to oversee the infrastructure project war room.

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By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:31 p.m. ESTLetter: Federal budget - what a joke!Man dead after truck, two cars crash on NSW highway

As Donald Trump prepares to take office for a second term, former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster has expressed optimism about the enduring strength of the India-US relationship. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Juster emphasised that the partnership, built over the past 25 years, is now a cornerstone of both nations’ foreign policy agendas. “The India-US relationship is very strong. Like any two countries, there will be issues that arise from time to time,” he noted. He lauded the breadth of cooperation, which spans defence, trade, energy, technology, education, and counterterrorism. However, the former envoy acknowledged that trade and tariffs could pose an immediate challenge under Trump’s renewed leadership. Trump’s administration has been vocal about addressing what it perceives as imbalances in trade with India, particularly India’s high tariffs and the trade deficit. Juster indicated that these issues, a priority during Trump’s first term, will likely dominate the agenda in the early days of the second term. “Trump has indicated that tariffs are an important issue to him, and he seeks a level of reciprocity,” Juster said. While these disagreements could lead to initial friction, he urged both nations to view them as opportunities for mutual economic growth. He pointed to sectors like energy, where US exports could meet India’s rising demand, and services, where greater collaboration could enhance trade relations. Reflecting on the first Trump administration, Juster underscored that despite trade disputes, progress in other areas of the partnership remained steady. He expressed confidence in the ability of the Trump 2.0 team to build on this foundation, noting the strong pro-India orientation of key figures like Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Michael Waltz, who were nominated for Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, respectively. The outgoing Biden administration has expressed confidence in the strength of the India-US relationship and its ability to withstand transitions in leadership. Juster’s comments echo this sentiment, highlighting that the partnership is rooted in shared interests and values. Edited Except from the Interview: Q: How would you describe the current play between India and the United States? In the past few months, while there has been momentum, there is also an indication that Indo-US ties have come under strain, maybe because of the Pannun case. We've also seen the Adani case play out in US courts. While these are legal matters, how would you describe the current relations and the sentiment in the bureaucracy in America vis-à-vis India? Juster: I think the India-US relationship is very strong. Like in any two countries, issues will arise from time to time. But what's amazing about the US-India relationship is that it's been a bipartisan effort in the United States. I think the same has been the case in India. It has progressed remarkably over the last 25 years in ways that people could never have foreseen and now covers virtually every issue of human endeavour. We are not allies. We are partners. We work together on defence, trade and investment, energy and the environment, counter-terrorism, science and technology, the ocean, space, agriculture, education, you name it, we're involved, and that had continued under the first Trump administration, that I was proud to be involved in. In the second Trump administration, if you look at the individuals nominated for Secretary of State (Senator Marco Rubio) and the National Security Advisor (Representative Michael Waltz), they both have a strong and positive orientation toward the US-India relationship. Q: I would also like to ask you about Donald Trump's priorities. From Trump, 2.0 the cabinet that has been put together and his messaging during the campaign. What do you think will be his immediate priorities vis-à-vis India? Juster: He has indicated that tariffs are an important issue to him, and he seeks a level of reciprocity. He feels the tariffs in India are too high and the trade deficit with India is too large so that issue will be on the agenda. It was on the agenda in the first term, and unfortunately, we could not reach agreement. It didn't stop progress in other areas, but I think a continued focus will be on this. I would urge the parties to see this not as an issue of conflict but as an opportunity to not only have some market access measures that will respond to the concerns of President Trump but to look at a variety of economic issues where we have mutual concerns and can complementary skills and can work out arrangements to our mutual benefit, whether that be energy where the United States can supply all types of energy to India, from clean coal to liquefied natural gas, oil and renewables. India needs energy for its security and the amount it needs to import from overseas. The United States is also India's largest trading partner, so lock down the benefits in the services sector and elsewhere. I could go on, but I think that trade will be an issue of initial friction, but if managed properly, it can also be an area of great opportunity. Watch the accompanying video for the entire conversation.

Dejan Kulusevski cannot wait for the opportunity to play against Manchester City again after Tottenham ran riot at the Etihad Stadium. The Sweden midfielder hailed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of the champions as the best game of his career. The 24-year-old delivered an outstanding performance as Spurs shattered the champions’ 52-game unbeaten home run, helping start the rout with a superb cross for James Maddison’s opening goal. Kulusevski said: “I believed (we would win) this because in the past years, we’ve come here and played really well. “So this is the game I look forward to most in the year and, once again, it happened – glory to God. “I’d say it’s the best result ever in my career. It’s a big night for the whole club, for the coach, for the players. “Because City have a lot of the ball sometimes, we can rest when we defend. There’s also so much space up there, we play one against one and then it’s always dangerous because we have a lot of quality. “It’s always great to play great teams because they always want to play football. When you play lower teams, sometimes it’s not. There’s not much football played because they are a lot of fouls, a lot of injuries and it’s slow going.” Maddison stole the show with two goals in quick succession in the first half while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson later got on the scoresheet. Kulu-chef-ski cooked 👨‍🍳 📊 @KumhoTyreUK pic.twitter.com/CsrTh5oUgn — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 24, 2024 Yet Kulusevski’s performance was also eye-catching and the player himself believes there is plenty more to come from him. Asked if his form made him feel “unstoppable”, Kulusevski said: “I feel like that. I feel very good and I’m trying to keep this way. I’m very happy, I’m trying to improve. “I started the season good but there is over half of the season left and I hope I can do much better. “I think I have something that no other player has. With my engine, with my heart – I don’t get tired – I feel like I can do a lot still in my career.” Spurs have won more matches against Pep Guardiola's Man City than any other side 👀 pic.twitter.com/BHLZqde9sP — Premier League (@premierleague) November 23, 2024 Tottenham’s scintillating performance marked a spectacular return to form after their dismal loss to Ipswich in their previous Premier League outing. Kulusevski said: “We have to be much more consistent. It’s not a turning point. We just have to be better in other games. “This game suited us perfectly but we have a lot of improvement to make in the other games.”