• Sat, November 30, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to replace FBI director Chris Wray

by: Brian Stokes

Trump nominates loyalist Kash Patel to serve as FBI director

Patel, who still must be confirmed by the Senate, has promoted the false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and that a secret "deep state" cabal tried to overthrow Trump.

by: Brian Stokes

Some way to go before final election picture emerges

With counting after Friday's election still in the relatively early stages - after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck - there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise.

by: Brian Stokes

'We didn't have a good day': Greens set to suffer significant election losses

The Green Party is set to suffer significant losses in the Irish General Election, with its leader expecting just a handful of parliamentarians to be returned.

by: Brian Stokes

Trudeau and Trump talk trade, border security at Florida dinner, but PM receives no promise tariff pledge will be shelved

Trump's team appeared to like the border investments that Canada has said it's planning, a source said, and the plan now is for the country to follow up with concrete actions

by: Brian Stokes

Keir Starmer to unveil plan for change with tough new targets on NHS, crime and living standards

Keir Starmer will use a major speech this week to set specific goals to meet on his flagship 'missions' by the election as the PM seeks to hammer home 'change' message to voters

by: Brian Stokes

'Clear route back to government' declares Martin as FF & FG set to keep SF out of power again while Hutch still in fight

BEAMING Micheal Martin declared he has a "clear route back to government" as Fianna Fail aim to become the most popular party in the country. But as the count continued late into the night, Fianna

by: Brian Stokes

Counting is underway in Ireland's election as 3 parties battle for top place

The outgoing government was led by the two parties that have dominated Irish politics for the past century: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. They have similar policies, but are longtime rivals with origins on opposing sides of Ireland's 1920s civil war. After the 2020 election ended in a virtual dead heat, they formed a coalition.

by: Brian Stokes

New abandoned shopping cart retrieval program draws criticism from outgoing city councilor

Tulsa City Councilor Jayme Fowler questions why Tulsa taxpayers, not retailers, are footing the $100,000 bill for the abandoned shopping cart pilot program.

by: Brian Stokes

Harris: Fine Gael 'will gain seats' amid further fragmentation of Irish politics

Irish premier Simon Harris has said Fine Gael will gain seats in the General Election despite a further fragmentation of Irish politics. Fine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday's poll.

by: Brian Stokes

Donegal General Election 2024 updates: Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher delighted to be returning to politics

Senator Niall Blaney, who is Charlie McConalogue and Pat the Cope Gallagher's Director of Elections said the tallies revealed that Charlie McConalogue's vote in Inishowen was down but his vote has increased in other areas such as Letterkenny.

by: Brian Stokes

Government formation will not be pretty when dust settles

The first time line to form a coalition will be on 18 December when the Dail next sits. It is unlikely a government will be voted in on that day. Micheál Martin has hinted at another deadline, suggesting during the campaign that a government should in place by the time Donald Trump is inaugurated as US President, on 20 January.

by: Brian Stokes

Top pollster warns Keir Starmer will struggle to convince public with his 'plan for change'

Sir Keir Starmer will set out a "plan for change" this week as part of what he is calling the next phase of government after a tumultuous start in No 10 - but Britain's top pollster has raised serious doubts about whether he can convince the public.

by: Brian Stokes

Carmel Sepuloni says coalition Government needs a 'kuia' at Christchurch Labour conference

Labour Party deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told Labour members the coalition Government needs a "nana, tinÄ? or kuia" to keep its three leaders together. At the Labour Party conference in Christchurch today,

by: Brian Stokes

How Kristi Noem, Trump's homeland security pick, became an immigration 'zealot'

Throughout the country, Noem's focus on the border has endeared her to the Republican grass roots. The Shelby County GOP, in Tennessee, honored Noem at its annual Lincoln Day dinner over the summer, said the local party's chairman, Cary Vaughn, because, "She's a great zealot and advocate for fighting for border control."

by: Brian Stokes

Australia has overtaken New Zealand and Canada as the West's most authoritarian nation

There is something deeply odd and unsettling about Australia and New Zealand's attitude to their citizenry. Perhaps it's that they are so far away from the rest of the Anglosphere. Or perhaps historically-rooted insecurity about their national identity drives them to it.

by: Brian Stokes

How did SA's political donation ban gain such widespread support from MPs?

The South Australian parliament has backed laws to strip money out of politics - essentially, out of their own pockets. So how did the bill attract broad political support?

by: Brian Stokes

Keir Starmer attempts to 'reset' his government after disastrous start

Sir Keir will also signal that Government departments could face cuts in a tough spending review next spring that will include a "line by line" review of every item of spending.

by: Brian Stokes

Sinn Fein leader is 'very actively pursuing' trying to form a government in a bid to topple Ireland's ruling coalition after 'incredible performance' in Irish election - as ...

Mary Lou McDonald made it clear she wanted to engage with other parties about the 'possibilities of government' as Ireland's ruling coalition of centre-right parties closed in on victory.

by: Brian Stokes

Keir Starmer has shown he is ruthless and dislikes being challenged

Jason Beattie says that following Louise Haigh's resignation, Cabinet ministers will have noted Prime Minister Keir Starmer's reluctance to back a colleague in difficulty

by: Brian Stokes

Election 2024: Five things we learned from the first day of the counts

Those numbers won't be finalised until the last counts finish. But the outcome of the election is already clear. The Greens may not actually lose all their seats; there are hopes that they might cling on to one.

by: Brian Stokes

So how did Trudeau and Trump's dinner meeting go? Here's what we know

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to Palm Beach, Fla., to meet with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.

by: Brian Stokes

Donald Trump wants tax cuts and more in first 100 days

Trump's first term became defined by those tax cuts, which were approved by Republicans in Congress and signed into law only after their initial campaign promise to "repeal and replace" Democratic President Barack Obama's health care law sputtered, failing with the famous thumbs-down vote by then-Sen. John McCain.

by: Brian Stokes

Jeffrey Goldberg: Can People Working At Cabinet Departments "Thwart" What Trump's Nominees Want To Do?

President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have plans to overhaul the federal government after winning the popular vote, but his victory was far from overwhelming. How will Americans react to Trump's changes?

by: Brian Stokes

Sinn Fein actively pursuing route into government, insists leader McDonald

Outgoing coalition partners Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, however, claim they are well placed to return to power following Ireland's General Election.

by: Brian Stokes

It looks like the latest form of protest, and Lidia Thorpe is its master

Is taking offence the new form of protest? If so, then Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Green-turned-independent whose disruptions of parliament have become commonplace, could teach a masterclass in it. Under Thorpe's model, the more performative the offence-taking, the better the protest.

by: Brian Stokes

Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting

Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News.

by: Brian Stokes

Alex Salmond: the political and personal side remembered

by: Brian Stokes

Labour 'hit job' against Louise Haigh had been brewing for months

Insiders believe Left-wing MP had a target on her back since 'going rogue' with unauthorised pay deal for train drivers

by: Brian Stokes

Over 1000 Spaza Shops Closed Since Food Poisoning Saga

President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed during his annual National Council of Provinces address in Parliament that over 1000 spaza shops were shut down.

by: Brian Stokes

U.P. govt doing politics of self-service: Mayawati

Mayawati urges BSP members to intensify efforts for power, criticizing the UP government for self-serving politics and alleging casteist tactics by the BJP.

by: Brian Stokes

Housing and homelessness biggest issue for voters, exit poll shows

Economic stability (9%), climate change (4%), crime (2%), local transport and roads (2%) and childcare (2%) all played lesser roles

by: Brian Stokes

Rafael Perez: Americans really need to relax and stop taking national politics so seriously

This is a time to appreciate your loved ones despite whatever flaws you believe them to have, so retire the pitchfork and relax a little bit.

by: Brian Stokes

Eknath Shinde suffering from fever, throat infection for 2 days: Family doc

by: Brian Stokes

Athawale comments on Shinde's dissatisfaction and ministerial roles

Athawale addresses Shinde's dissatisfaction and suggests the decision of CM's role lies with BJP. Attention shifts to key portfolio distribution in Maharashtra.

by: Brian Stokes

Sinn Fein leader wants to engage with left-wing parties 'about possibilities of government'

Early tallies in the Irish election have suggested some senior figures from the last government may struggle to retain their seats.

by: Brian Stokes

Albanese preparing January reshuffle to replace Shorten before election

The prime minister will unveil a refreshed frontbench line-up in late January to replace the retiring Bill Shorten.

by: Brian Stokes

Libby Mettam promises power bill relief if Liberals win 2025 WA State Election

WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has promised more cost-of-living reprieve if she wins the next election, saying she will slash power bills by $169 a year.

by: Brian Stokes

Labor makes housing major issue at WA and Federal election, unveiling $450m package

Albanese and Cook announce a $443m plan for affordable housing in WA, aiming to build 360 social houses and 1440 residential units.

by: Brian Stokes

Ireland headed for coalition government, exit poll suggests

by: Brian Stokes

Iceland votes for a new parliament after political disagreements force an early election

Icelanders are electing a new parliament after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and

by: Brian Stokes

Bilawal urges political stability in country, either through dialogue or by use of force

"Political stability is essential for the country's future, whether achieved through dialogue or, if necessary, through firm measures," Bhutto stated. He also called for a new National Action Plan (NAP) to combat terrorism, recognising the country's urgent need to address growing security threats.

by: Brian Stokes

Time for Britain to follow the Aussies and take kids offline

Britain should follow Australia's lead and ban young people from social media, according to a leading campaigner for the protection of childhood. The Australian Parliament last week backed the world's toughest measures to stop under-16s using social media - and tech companies could fines of nearly £26million if they do not enforce new rules.

by: Brian Stokes

Doctors and charities lobby for safeguards after MPs back assisted dying

Government warned palliative care needs urgent improvement to stop terminally ill feeling suicide is only choice

by: Brian Stokes

Election 2024: First count result announced eight hours after boxes open - let the race begin

"themeId": "lct_64772ae4d1d7dec0c5b716ac", "clientId": "64772ae4d1d7dec0c5b716af", "liveblogId": "6731fe0de08adfb2b595bec7"}

by: Brian Stokes

Rachel Reeves' 'tax on jobs' is about to see prices surge at supermarkets

EXPERTS have called on the Labour Government to step back from an "assault on business" which they warn will lead to higher prices, lower wages and fewer jobs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves's plans to hike up National Insurance contributions on employers will go before MPs on Tuesday and leading voices are calling for an urgent u-turn.

by: Brian Stokes

Extend full support to interim govt: Dr Kamal

by: Brian Stokes

Great British Railways fiasco with only 15 staff and nationalisation months away

Industry insiders warning that new body's 'thin structure' will mean the taxpayer being billed for expensive private consultants

Great British Railways fiasco with only 15 staff and nationalisation months away

Industry insiders warning that new body's 'thin structure' will mean the taxpayer being billed for expensive private consultants
The article from MSN discusses the ongoing issues surrounding the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR), which is set to nationalize the UK's rail network. Despite the government's plans to have GBR operational by the end of 2023, the organization currently has only 15 staff members, significantly less than the 300 to 500 initially projected. This staffing shortfall has raised concerns about the feasibility of meeting the nationalization deadline. The delay in setting up GBR has been attributed to political and bureaucratic hurdles, including the need for new legislation which has not yet been introduced. Critics argue that this slow progress reflects poorly on the government's commitment to rail reform, especially amidst ongoing rail strikes and public frustration with the current state of rail services. The article also mentions that the Department for Transport has been criticized for its handling of the transition, with fears that the lack of preparation could lead to further chaos in the rail sector.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/politics/government/great-british-railways-fiasco-with-only-15-staff-and-nationalisation-months-away/ar-AA1v1q9R

Like: 👍