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Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
PARKER: Breaking public-school monopoly on education overdue
President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for Republican members of Congress in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Washington. Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP Photo The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has been pursuing, on two fronts, the critical objective of fixing America's broken education system. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account One, an executive order by Trump, issued shortly after he assumed office, is to dismantle the Department of Education. Outright closing of the department is only possible by an act of Congress. However, the president is moving to accomplish the same objective administratively by closing offices and major staff eliminations. The Supreme Court recently upheld the president's authority to do this. The second front is the advancement of parental choice in education. Give parents the power and authority to educate their children as they choose and send their children to a school that reflects their values. One need not look further to see the problem than by examining the so-called Nation's Report Card, the biannual test results administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Results from 2024 are as follows: Grade 4 math, 39% at or above NAEP proficiency standards; Grade 8 math, 28% at or above proficiency; Grade 4 reading, 31% at or above proficiency; Grade 8 reading, 30% at or above proficiency. To those parents who think these are good results, I invite you to continue to allow public schools and teachers' unions to control your child's education. But recent Gallup polling shows most understand there is a problem with our public schools and major change is overdue. Only 29% say they have a 'great deal' or 'quite a lot' of confidence in our public schools. The beginning of important change was recently passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The new law contains a provision allowing taxpayers to direct funds to support school choice vouchers. The provision allows a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction up to $1,700 that can be sent to a qualifying Scholarship Granting Organization that can distribute scholarships to qualifying applicants (households earning no more than 300% of their county's median income) who have been accepted and registered in a private school. There is no limitation to the total funds that can be disbursed through the program and no expiration date for the credit, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Although Trump and congressional Republicans deserve major kudos for getting this passed, it still falls short of the mark. It's not enough. The version in the House bill had the credit up to $5,000, but this got whittled down to $1,700 in the bill that finally passed. Per the Education Data Initiative, average tuition in private schools, combining both primary and secondary schools, is $13,302. So, it will take eight $1,700 contributions to reach this. Further, there are some 50 million students in elementary and secondary public schools. To get just 5% out, at an average private tuition of $13,302, means $33.3 billion. That's 19.5 million individual $1,700 contributions. Can this happen? We'll see. But, again, we're just talking about 5%. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. How about using the $82.5 billion discretionary budget of the Department of Education to fund scholarships? Another major obstacle is the provision that requires states to opt into the program. Many believe that blue state governors won't do it. Sad, but possibly very true. Of course, education is more than math and reading. It is a platform of 12 years in which values are transmitted to our youth. If you want to know the values being transmitted, log on to the websites of the two major teachers' unions — the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers — and the hard-left agenda emerges loud and clear: DEI, LGBTQ, Trump being called a fascist, advocating liberation from the public schools being called an attack on democracy, etc. With all the horror about what's happening at our universities, Kindergarten-Grade 12 is where it starts. It's time to break the public-school monopoly and give parents control over educating their children. Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists Sunshine Girls Columnists
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Trump claims cashless bail increases crime, but data is inconclusive
President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for Republican members of Congress in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) JE JDN flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: Fact Check : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Diplomats to meet in Turkey to discuss Iran's nuclear programme
Iranian and European diplomats are set to meet in Istanbul on Friday to embark on the latest drive to unpick the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear programme. Representatives from the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3 nations, will gather at the Iranian consulate building for the first talks since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June, which involved US bombers striking nuclear-related facilities. The talks are centred on the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Iran that were lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear programme. The return of sanctions, known as a 'snapback' mechanism, 'remains on the table', according to a European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 deal to lift sanctions on Iran (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) 'A possible delay in triggering snapback has been floated to the Iranians on the condition that there is credible diplomatic engagement by Iran, that they resume full co-operation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and that they address concerns about their highly-enriched uranium stockpile,' the diplomat said. European leaders have said sanctions will resume by the end of August if there is no progress on containing Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran, meanwhile, has said the US, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during President Donald Trump 's first term, needs to rebuild faith in its role in negotiations. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran's engagement was dependent on 'several key principles' that included 'rebuilding Iran's trust – as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States'. In a social media post on Thursday, he also said the talks should not be used 'as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action2. Mr Gharibabadi insisted that Iran's right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' be respected and sanctions removed. Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which commits it to refrain from developing nuclear weapons, if sanctions return. Friday's talks will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. A similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May. The identity of the E3 representatives were not immediately clear but the European Union's deputy foreign policy commissioner is expected to attend.
National Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Travellers headed to the U.S. will now have to pay a 'visa integrity fee.' Here's what it is
The U.S. Capitol is seen past American flags on the National Mall, June 6, 2025. Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Included in the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was recently enacted, is a provision about some travellers having to pay $250, a so-called 'visa integrity fee,' to enter the country. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The act includes a plan to secure the U.S. border and gives Homeland Security the resources it needs, per the White House. It promises to provide more funding for ICE agents, for detention centres, as well as funds for completing the U.S.'s border wall. The visa integrity fee is meant to go toward supporting 'enforcement and administrative efforts related to U.S. visa policy and border security,' USA Today reported. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Another travel policy that was previously announced by the Trump administration, the alien registration requirement for foreigners, was later updated to exempt most Canadians from being fingerprinted. Currently, in most cases, Canadians do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, according to the Canadian federal government. Here's what to know so far. The visa integrity fee applies to 'any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of such issuance,' according to the act. It must be paid in addition to any other fee authorized by law. The fee is currently set at $250, although it can be increased, and will be adjusted for inflation. 'Attaching an additional $250 fee has the very real potential to significantly reduce the number of people that can afford to do that,' managing director of programs and strategy at the American Immigration Council Jorge Loweree told USA Today. 'There are hundreds of thousands of people who receive visas and permission from the Department of State to come to the U.S. every single month temporarily.' No. According to the bill, it will not be waived or reduced. However, the secretary of Homeland Security can provide a reimbursement if the person has complied with all of the conditions of the nonimmigrant visa. This means the person has not tried to extend the period of admission and has left the United States no later than five days after the visa's expiry. A person can also be reimbursed if they were granted an extension of nonimmigrant status or if their status changed to 'a lawful permanent resident.' 'The intent behind this refund provision is to incentivize compliance with U.S. immigration laws by treating the $250 as a refundable security deposit — essentially rewarding those who follow the rules,' lawyer Steven Brown wrote online. Brown is a partner at U.S. immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC based in Houston.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
House votes on trio of cryptocurrency bills aimed at legitimizing the industry
The U.S. Capitol is reflected in a puddle outside of the Rayburn House Office Building, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) WASHINGTON — The U.S. House is voting on a trio of bills Thursday intended to boost the legitimacy of the cryptocurrency industry with new regulations as U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed to make the U.S. the ' crypto capital of the world.' One of the bills, which would regulate a type of cryptocurrency called stablecoins, has already passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support and will head to Trump's desk if it passes the lower chamber. The other two — legislation to address cryptocurrency market structure and a bill to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency — have yet to be passed in the Senate. The stablecoin bill sets initial guardrails and consumer protections for the cryptocurrency, which is tied to a stable asset, often the U.S. dollar, to reduce price volatility. It passed the Senate with bipartisan support in June. 'Around the world, payment systems are undergoing a revolution,' said House Financial Services Chair French Hill of Arkansas as lawmakers debated the stablecoin legislation Thursday morning. Hill said the bill will 'ensure American competitiveness and strong guardrails for our consumers.' After Trump declared it 'crypto week,' the bills were stalled for more than a day amid disagreements among House Republicans about how to combine the legislation. In the end, GOP leaders put the three bills for a separate vote, leaving the fate of the other two bills unclear. The internal dissent could foreshadow challenges ahead for the more sweeping crypto legislation that Trump has demanded and the industry has poured millions into advancing. The stablecoin measure is seen by lawmakers and the industry as a step toward adding legitimacy and consumer trust to a rapidly growing sector. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in June that the legislation could help that currency 'grow into a US$3.7 trillion market by the end of the decade.' The bill outlines requirements for stablecoin issuers, including compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions laws, and mandates that issuers hold reserves backing the cryptocurrency. Without such a framework, Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee in a statement warned, 'consumers face risks like unstable reserves or unclear operations from stablecoin issuers.' Despite some bipartisan support, the bill faced pushback as it made its way through Congress. Democrats felt that it did little to address Trump's personal financial interests in the crypto space. 'No one should be surprised that these same Republicans' next order of business is to validate, legitimize, and endorse the Trump family's corruption and efforts to sell the White House to the highest bidder,' said California Rep. Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services panel. A provision in the stablecoin bill bans members of Congress and their families from profiting off stablecoins. But that prohibition does not extend to the president and his family, even as Trump builds a crypto empire from the White House. In May, the Republican president hosted a private dinner at his golf club in Virginia with top investors in a Trump-branded meme coin. His family holds a significant stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto project that launched its own stablecoin, USD1. Trump reported earning US$57.35 million from token sales at World Liberty Financial in 2024, according to a public financial disclosure released in June. A meme coin linked to him has generated an estimated US$320 million in fees, though the earnings are split among multiple investors. Some Democrats also criticized the bill for creating what they see as an overly weak regulatory framework that could pose long-term financial risks. They've also raised concerns that the legislation opens the door for major corporations to issue their own private cryptocurrencies. 'If this bill passes, it will allow Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to issue their own money. The bill still permits Big Tech companies and other conglomerates to issue their own private currencies,' said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee. ___ Mary Clare Jalonick And Joey Cappelletti, The Associated Press Associated Press writer Alan Suderman contributed to this report.
