Things To Do In SW Florida

By SIMINA MISTREANU

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The first time China faced Donald Trump in the White House, there was a trade war, a breach of protocol involving Taiwan’s former leader, and a president-to-president bromance that turned sour.

As President-elect Trump prepares to start his second term in office, China is bracing for unpredictability in its ties with the United States and renewed tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan.

A new tariff war looms

Perhaps the biggest consequence for China — if Trump stays true to his campaign promises — is his threat to slap blanket 60% tariffs on all Chinese exports to the U.S.

Tariffs like that would be a blow to China’s already unstable economy, which is suffering from high youth unemployment, a lengthy property slump and government debt. A 60% duty on Chinese imports could shave off 2.5 percentage points, or about half, of China’s projected economic growth, according to an analysis published earlier this year by UBS.

During Trump’s previous term in office, the U.S. imposed tariffs on more than $360 billion of Chinese products. That brought Beijing to the negotiating table, and in 2020 the two sides signed a trade deal in which China committed to improve intellectual property rights and buy an extra $200 billion of American goods. A research group a couple of years later showed China had bought essentially none of the goods it had promised. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

The Boss Transport LLC, 353 Chicago Woods Circle, Orlando. Filed: Nov. 4. Assets: $310,000. Liabilities: $708,089. Major creditors: CSX Transportation Inc., Atlanta, $170,761; Bus & Truck Repair, Orlando, $16,193; Capital One, Salt Lake City, $9,570. Creditors meeting: Dec. 6.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

XRC LLC doing business as Xtreme Roofing & Construction, 147 Parliment Loop, Suite 1001, Lake Mary. Filed: Oct. 31. Assets: $1,000,001-$10 million. Liabilities: $1,000,001-$10 million. Major creditors: U.S. Small Business Administration, Birmingham, Ala., $1,500,000; Libertas, Richardson, Texas, $535,937; U.S. Small Business Administration, Birmingham, Ala.,  $481,137. Creditors meeting: Dec. 2.

Islands International Group Inc., 900 Airport Road, Merritt Island. Filed: Nov. 1. Assets: $100,001-$500,000. Liabilities: $100,001-$500,000. Major creditors: Titusville Cocoa Airport, Titusville, $255,631; Estate of Leon Lee, Roslyn, N.Y., $24,150. Creditors meeting: Dec. 9. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Thursday by a quarter-point in response to the steady decline in the once-high inflation that had angered Americans and helped drive Donald Trump’s presidential election victory this week.

The rate cut follows a larger half-point reduction in September, and it reflects the Fed’s renewed focus on supporting the job market as well as fighting inflation, which now barely exceeds the central bank’s 2% target.

Asked at a news conference how Trump’s election might affect the Fed’s policymaking, Chair Jerome Powell said that “in the near term, the election will have no effects on our (interest rate) decisions.”

But Trump’s election, beyond its economic consequences, has raised the specter of meddling by the White House in the Fed’s policy decisions. Trump has argued that as president, he should have a voice in the central bank’s interest rate decisions. The Fed has long guarded its role as an independent agency able to make difficult decisions about borrowing rates, free from political interference. Yet in his previous term in the White House, Trump publicly attacked Powell after the Fed raised rates to fight inflation, and he may do so again. read more

Five restaurants in Central Florida shut down following health inspections the week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Orange

Forest Lake Golf Club at 10521 Clarcona Ocoee Road in Ocoee shut down on Oct. 29. Inspectors found 10 violations, one of which was a high priority for rodent activity. A second inspection the same day had nine inspections, but none was a high priority. The restaurant requires a follow-up inspection but was not an immediate threat to the public.

Seminole

Timacuan Club at 550 Timacuan Blvd. in Lake Mary shut down on Oct. 31. Inspectors found 18 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations include roach activity, roach excrement, rodent activity, a stop-sale on food due to temperature abuse and food held at the wrong temperatures. A second inspection occurred on Nov. 1. There were eight violations but none was a high priority. The restaurant met inspection standards.

Heathrow Country Club at 1200 Bridgewater Drive in Heathrow shut down on Nov. 1. Inspectors found 13 violations, five of which were a high priority. Those violations included rodent activity, a stop-sale on food due to its lack of wholesome condition and a missing vacuum breaker. A second inspection the same day found six violations. One violation was a high priority for the missing vacuum breaker but the restaurant received a time extension. A follow-up inspection is required but there was no immediate threat to the public. read more

By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet

With the holiday shopping season inching earlier every year, one of the biggest questions for shoppers comes down to timing: When should you start buying gifts?

If you start too soon, you could miss out on some of the best sales. But if you start too late, you could pass up your chance at discounts and free shipping offers before the cutoff dates. And if you shop all season long, you risk racking up spending over three months.

To strike the right balance, money experts say plan early, but wait until prices drop to buy items on your list. That means having a conversation with friends and family about your holiday budget and expectations now.

“Budgets can be a great tool for communication,” says Daniel Goodman, certified financial planner and founder of Good Better Best Financial Planning in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He suggests talking early with the entire family, including children, about everyone’s values and priorities for the holidays. Then set reasonable gift budgets. read more