Category: 3. Business

The woman who oversaw the operation to keep coach travel as smooth as possible during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Fatima Benzbir from Horley, Surrey, is a senior transport manager for National Express and is based at Gatwick Airport, specialising in organising coaches for major events such as festivals.

During the funeral coach services that normally ran from Victoria were relocated to Wembley Stadium, an operation she led which her manager described as “one of the most significant and logistically demanding transport operations in recent history”.

Ms Benzbir has been awarded an MBE, something she said left her “thrilled and humbled”.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

1.  On July 1, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (collectively, wood products) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that wood products are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States and provided recommendations for action under section 232 to adjust the imports of wood products so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

2.  In Proclamation 10976 of September 29, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products Into the United States), I concurred in the Secretary’s finding that wood products are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States and adopted a plan of action to adjust the imports of wood products so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States.

3.  In Proclamation 10976, I directed the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative), in consultation with the Secretary and any senior official the Trade Representative deemed appropriate, to pursue negotiations of agreements or continue current negotiations of agreements to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imported wood products from any country and from time to time update me on the status or outcome of those negotiations.  I also imposed a 10 percent ad valorem tariff on imports of certain softwood timber and lumber and a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on imports of certain upholstered wooden products, kitchen cabinets, and vanities.  I further stated that on January 1, 2026, the duty rate for upholstered furniture would increase from 25 percent to 30 percent and the duty rate for kitchen cabinets and vanities would increase from 25 percent to 50 percent except for countries with which the United States reached an agreement that addresses the threatened impairment of the national security posed by imports of wood products.

4.  The Trade Representative has informed me that the United States continues to engage in productive negotiations of agreements with multiple countries to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imports of wood products.  After considering the information the Trade Representative has provided me, among other things, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to continue these negotiations and to delay for an additional year the increase in the duty rates for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities.  In my judgment, the action in this proclamation will result in more productive negotiations of agreements to address the threatened impairment to the national security found in Proclamation 10976, while the tariffs imposed in Proclamation 10976 will continue to adjust the imports of wood products and address the threat to impair the national security found in Proclamation 10976.

5.  Section 232 authorizes the President to take action to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security.  Section 232 includes the authority to adopt and carry out a plan of action, with adjustments over time, to address the national security threat.  That initial plan of action may include negotiations of agreements with foreign trading partners along with other actions to adjust imports to address the national security threat, including tariffs.  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, do hereby proclaim as follows:

(1)  Proclamation 10976 is amended by revising clause 5 to read as follows:

“(5)  The rates of duty established in this proclamation shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on October 14, 2025.  Effective January 1, 2027, the duty rate in clause 2 shall increase to 30 percent and the duty rate in clause 3 shall increase to 50 percent, and shall continue in effect, except for countries with which the United States reaches an agreement that addresses the threatened impairment of the national security posed by imports of wood products.  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, the tariffs imposed in this proclamation are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported wood products.”

(2)  The Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary and any senior official the Trade Representative deems appropriate, shall pursue negotiations of agreements or continue current negotiations of agreements to address the threatened impairment of the national security with respect to imported wood products from any country.  The Trade Representative shall, from time to time, update me on the status or outcome of the negotiations described in Proclamation 10976 and this proclamation.  The Trade Representative shall provide one of these updates shortly before the date that is 180 days after the date of Proclamation 10976.

(3)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.  If any provision of this proclamation or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                               DONALD J. TRUMP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas will host a series of in-person customer care events across the state beginning Monday, Jan. 5, connecting customers with tools, resources and community partners focused on providing on-site assistance and energy savings options.

Entergy Arkansas works with community partners that administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial assistance to eligible households to help cover energy costs.

The events are designed to help customers better manage their utility bills, learn about available assistance programs and access trusted community resources—all in one place. Customers can speak directly with Entergy Arkansas representatives, partner utilities and nonprofit organizations about payment options, energy efficiency programs and other support services.

“These events are about meeting people where they are, listening to their needs, and helping them access resources and tools that can help manage their household budgets,” said Ventrell Thompson, VP of customer service. “By bringing resources together in one place, we can help people better understand their options so they get the assistance they need.”

At each location, Entergy Arkansas customer service representatives will be available to help customers sign up for LIHEAP assistance; answer billing questions; provide details about flexible payment options, energy-saving tips and information about programs designed to help customers reduce monthly energy costs.

Customers interested in applying should bring the following items:

• A driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Social Security card or number
• Proof of all income
• A copy of their most recent electric bill
• Lease agreement (if living in subsidized housing or if utilities are included in rent)

The events are open to the public, and no appointment is required. The event schedule and locations is as follows:

Monday, Jan. 5 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Arkansas State Fairgrounds – Little Rock

Resources include:

• LIHEAP application assistance
• Entergy Arkansas customer support
• North Little Rock Electric
• Summit Utilities
• Arkansas Hunger Alliance
• Child Support Office representative
• Arkansas Department of Human Services
• Energy Efficiency programs
• Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Informational tables:

• Bill Toolkit and payment assistance programs
• Single Stop information
• Kids to College resources

Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
828 Visor St. – Camden

Resources include:

• LIHEAP application assistance
• Entergy Arkansas customer support

Informational tables:

• Bill Toolkit and payment assistance programs
• Single Stop information
• Kids to College resources

Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
100 W. 8th St. – El Dorado

• LIHEAP application assistance
• Entergy Arkansas customer support

Informational tables:

• Bill Toolkit and payment assistance programs
• Single Stop information
• Kids to College resources

Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
100 Meadowbrook Lane – Magnolia

• LIHEAP application assistance
• Entergy Arkansas customer support

Informational tables:

• Bill Toolkit and payment assistance programs
• Single Stop information
• Kids to College resources

For more information about Entergy Arkansas programs such as the Bill Toolkit, visit entergyarkansas.com or call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749). The Bill Toolkit consolidates helpful resources for customers interested in exploring ways to lower their electric use and costs and learn more about different payment options the company offers. It also provides information on energy efficiency programs and the incentives and rebates associated with these programs.

 

About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR). Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.

A new year is an opportunity to start fresh — to right some wrongs, or to do things differently. That doesn’t just apply to you, but your home and yard too.

Resolve to show your home and landscape some love! Here’s a short and simple checklist to help you get started.

• Keep fats, oils and grease out of your pipes! Learn more at saws.org/pipes.
• It’s cool to compost — toss uncooked fresh fruit and veggie scraps into your green organics cart. Learn more at sa.gov/swmd.
• Plan your landscape upgrade. Visit GardenStyleSA.com for lots of design ideas!
• Save stamps and time — pay your water bill online. It’s easy with saws.org/myaccount. Or better yet: download the SAWS My Account mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• Look for leaks and waste to keep winter water use low — and to save money on your 2026 sewer bill.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026!

Poorly built irrigation systems waste 20% of the water they use. To make sure we’re thoughtfully managing our resources, SAWS will begin inspecting all new in-ground sprinkler systems in 2026 to ensure they’re designed and installed according to state and local regulations.

These systems are complex — so much so that Texas is one of the few states that requires a license to work on them.

It’s important to make sure the workers designing and installing these systems are licensed and have undergone rigorous training on irrigation regulations. City code and the SAWS Utility Service Regulations require that a licensed individual be present and supervise the installation of a new system, and that a city permit has been issued for the work.

For more information about the requirements for both plan review and inspections, including the checklists we use, visit saws.org/irrigationplan.

There’s not much time left to prune your oak trees this winter, especially if you want to minimize the chance of oak wilt. During the coldest days of the year, the beetles that carry the spores of the oak wilt fungus are very few and unlikely to fly.

Pruning is done for three reasons (in order of importance): safety, tree health and appearance.

Some helpful dos and don’ts:

• Prune narrow branch junctions that are V-shaped. These are structurally weak, especially if two or more of the branches are of equal diameters. Long branches that have been repeatedly stripped of their lateral branches should be shortened or removed completely.
• Look for the “3-D” branches: dead, diseased and dying. These are a source of illness and insects, as well as a food source to attract more disease and insects.
• Never cut through the branch collar. This donut-shaped ring at the junction of two branches or trunks is a zone of specialized cells and chemicals that reduces the potential for decay and disease.
• Always paint fresh oak wounds. This is a must to preventing oak wilt. You don’t need to paint the wounds for elm, ash, sycamore, pine, tallow or pecan trees.

The largest single-day waterway cleanup in Texas has been rescheduled for better weather — Basura Bash 2026 will happen March 7!

Every year more than 1,500 volunteers diligently dedicate a Saturday morning to collect as much trash as possible from San Antonio’s rivers and streams — recycling what they can and discarding the rest.

You can join these trash-slashing superheroes in the citywide effort. Visit basurabash.org for more information and to sign up!