• Sun, December 1, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Mehbooba Mufti Sparks Controversy, Says 'No Difference Between India And Bangladesh'

Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has ignited a political storm with her controversial statement comparing the situation of minority communities in India to those in Bangladesh,

by: Brian Stokes

North Carolina Gov-elect 'eager' to work with Trump administration on Hurricane Helene relief

North Carolina Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D) said he is "eager" to work with the incoming administration to access federal relief for his state as it recovers from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.

by: Brian Stokes

Should taxpayers continue to pay for the State's $700 million tv and film tax break?

Should New York taxpayers continue to pay for the State's $700 million tax break for TV and Film Productions? A recent study says the return hasn't been worth the investment, so lawmakers convened for an economic incentives hearing in November to examine the State's incentive plans.

by: Brian Stokes

President Biden pardons son Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden was convicted in June of three separate felony charges related to his purchase of a revolver in 2018 and pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges in a separate case.

by: Brian Stokes

How Republicans And Democrats Reacted to Surprise Hunter Biden Pardon

Reaction to President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter has led to a predictably polarized response along party lines.

by: Brian Stokes

Government takes new approach to pay for infrastructure

The Government is keen on user charges to fund new infrastructure like roads. The coalition Government is putting pressure on government agencies to find other ways to pay for infrastructure, rather than simply expecting the Crown to fund it all.
  • Mon, December 2, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Trump's promised tariffs sow uncertainty for Kansas farmers

Incoming President Donald Trump wants to enact protectionist trade policies to boost U.S. industries. It could be a destabilizing factor for Kansas agriculture.

by: Brian Stokes

Laws on immigration, masking and more take effect Dec. 1 in NC. Here's what they do.

New laws taking effect include requirements for sheriffs to comply with immigration detainers, restrictions on mask use for health and safety, and changes in juvenile justice.

by: Brian Stokes

Delhi assembly polls: AAP faces tough battle as BJP, Congress gear up for three-cornered fight

The BJP was in power in Delhi between 1993 and 1998 and has given three Chief Ministers — Sahib Singh Verma, Madan Lal Khurana and Sushma Swaraj — during that period. The Delhi voters, however, in 1998,

by: Brian Stokes

Royal Navy told to 'patrol Channel, return migrants to France and destroy dinghies'

When migrants and people smugglers get the message the English Channel is closed they will stop using the route, a military expert claims.

by: Brian Stokes

Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani are BJP's central observers for Maharashtra

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that the oath-taking ceremony of the new Mahayuti government will take place on December 5 evening at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

by: Brian Stokes

Eknath Shinde's power play and 'home' truths

Eknath Shinde pushes for the home department amid power shifts in Maharashtra, while speculation rises on the new finance minister and leadership changes

by: Brian Stokes

Minister does not rule out jail for landlords who miss cladding targets

Dangerous cladding will be fixed on all high-rise buildings on government schemes within the next five years, ministers are expected to pledge on Monday.

by: Brian Stokes

Democrats are turning to governors to block Trump and be the party's faces ahead of 2028

Democrats are turning to governors to block Trump and be the party's faces ahead of 2028 - With major deportation push on the horizon, state leaders prepare to lead a second resistance against a Trump

by: Brian Stokes

Euro drops vs strengthening dollar, French politics weigh

The euro dropped on Monday versus a strengthening U.S. dollar on growing concerns about a possible government collapse in France, which would stall plans to curb a burgeoning budget deficit.The risk p

by: Brian Stokes

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questions Shinde's intentions, asks BJP on Maharashtra CM

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has questioned the intentions of caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP over the Chief Minister's post in Maharashtra. Further, she asked that it is all going to be run from the headquarters of the BJP?

by: Brian Stokes

Amirudin reappointed Selangor PH chairman

by: Brian Stokes

Shankarrao Chavan to Fadnavis, Maharashtra CMs who had to give up post & settle for a downgrade

There have been many tall leaders who have first served as CM and then taken up relatively junior positions in the government to accommodate political compulsions from time to time.

by: Brian Stokes

Kash Patel will expose America's 'two-tiered' justice system

Comedian Alex Stein has praised President-elect Donald Trump's appointment of former national security official and loyalist Kash Patel as the head of the FBI.

by: Brian Stokes

PM Modi to watch Sabarmati Report at 4 pm in Parliament

PM Modi to watch the Sabarmati report at 4 p.m. today, focusing on 2002 Gujarat incident.

by: Brian Stokes

Election 2024 live updates: Stephen Donnelly loses seat as count enters final stretch

The big news over night was Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly losing his Dáil seat after being eliminated in Wicklow. Taoiseach Simon Harris's running mate Edward Timmins was deemed elected at 5.25am without reaching the quota after benefiting enormously from a huge surplus from Harris, who topped the poll with more than 5,000 votes to spare.

by: Brian Stokes

Free vaccine to protect Qld mums and kids from RSV

Pregnant Queenslanders can now be vaccinated against a potentially deadly respiratory virus for free under a $13.5m state government program.

by: Brian Stokes

Bernie Sanders praises DOGE boss Elon Musk over defense spending

Bernie Sanders praises DOGE boss Elon Musk over defense spending - The veteran Democratic Senator, from Vermont, tweeted criticism for the department on Sunday, claiming it had managed to 'lose track

by: Brian Stokes

Politics a 'sea of unsatisfied souls': Gadkari

NAGPUR: Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said politics is a "sea of unsatisfied souls" where every person is sad and aspiring for a higher post than his current position. Life is a game of compromises,

by: Brian Stokes

'No difference between India and Bangladesh': Mehbooba Mufti's remark sparks row

The PDP chief said that if Bangladesh committed atrocities against its minorities, and if India did the same, how could India be different from Bangladesh?

by: Brian Stokes

SA takes G20 helm amid global political instability and shifting world order

South Africa's G20 presidency - the first for an African nation - may perhaps be the most challenging yet, given the broader political climate.

by: Brian Stokes

Irish Incumbents Set to Hold Power, Bucking Global Vote Trend

Ireland's dominant political parties appear to have bucked the global trend of frustrated voters ousting incumbents, helped in part by a large pile of cash at their disposal to back election promises.

by: Brian Stokes

Politics latest: Ministers vow to take 'decisive action' on dangerous cladding

Dangerous cladding will be fixed on all high-rise buildings on government schemes within the next five years, ministers are expected to pledge on Monday.

by: Brian Stokes

GPU's actions a step towards restoring the integrity of local government in KZN

KZN's local government faces a turning point as recent actions against corruption aim to rebuild trust and accountability.

by: Brian Stokes

Annamalai on actor Vijay's party TVK's foray into politics: Khichdi politics

Speaking at a conclave in Coimbatore, Annamalai dismissed TVK's ideological approach as "khichdi politics," referring to its blend of various political philosophies.

by: Brian Stokes

Centre holds as FF and FG preferred by majority in stable economic situation

Exit poll data showed that almost two-thirds of people said their economic situation had either remained stable or improved over the past 12 months

by: Brian Stokes

Govt moves to boost MCMC's powers, enforce stricter oversight, accountability and clearer separation of roles

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — The government today tabled a Bill to amend the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act 1998 or Act 589. The proposed amendments seek to make changes to the composition of the commission, to expand the ...

by: Brian Stokes

John Dean Reveals 1 Biden Move That Could Doom Trump's 'Revenge' Plot

The Watergate figure said the president could "take the wind" out of Trump's plans for revenge and retribution with a stroke of his pen.

by: Brian Stokes

A power vacuum in Gaza could empower warlords and gangs

Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, the war in the Gaza Strip has been dogged by a persistent question: What happens after the conflict ends?

by: Brian Stokes

Lebanon struggles with war wounds, economic losses and shrinking GDP amid uncertainty

Lebanon's economy, already struggling, faces collapse amid war with Israel. Recovery hinges on urgent international support.

by: Brian Stokes

I'm a planning expert and have reviewed the SRL business case. It's no wonder the feds won't fund it

The state government is frustrated at Canberra's refusal to pay up, but the reasons are simple: the Suburban Rail Loop business plan - and what it lacks - is of major concern.

by: Brian Stokes

Will Donald Trump use Kash Patel to attack his critics and the First Amendment?

Will Donald Trump use Kash Patel to attack his critics and the First Amendment? - Limitations of US law shield most journalists, but long-term use of the Espionage Act to prosecute leakers provides Trump an alleyway to attack critics.

by: Brian Stokes

Desperate Democrats turn on Kamala Harris as post-election debts crush the party

The Democrats are crumbling after a catastrophic election defeat at the hands of Donald Trump and there's only one person they're all blaming - Kamala Harris.

by: Brian Stokes

Sex offenders to be booted from Defence Force in sweeping overhaul

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was time to act to combat an "epidemic" of suicide among former and current military personnel.

by: Brian Stokes

Trey Gowdy on Biden pardoning his son: 'The breadth of it surprises me a little bit'

by: Brian Stokes

California Democrat: State law enforcement has 'no obligation' to assist ICE with deportation, identification

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) emphasized that California law enforcement has "no obligation" to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with deportation or identification processes. During an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation,

by: Brian Stokes

Ireland's ruling parties set to hold power after tight election

The two parties that have dominated Irish politics have likely been returned by voters. Read more at straitstimes.com.

by: Brian Stokes

Plea to break Australia's violent cycle behind closed doors

A Perth mother-of-four, who survived being set alight, has issued a powerful plea to men to help offenders break the cycle of violence.

by: Brian Stokes

Pharmac minister and chairwoman refuse to express confidence in chief executive Sarah Fitt

It comes as Seymour believes Pharmac still has time to correct its decision but is warning the board of a "very different conversation" if a similar situation occurs again. "Fool me once, but don't fool me twice,

by: Brian Stokes

Hunter Biden's lawyers launch apparent 11th-hour bid to land pardon from Dad

Lawyers for scandal-scarred first son Hunter Biden have issued a new public diatribe whining he is the alleged victim of "political prosecutions" — an apparent last-ditch push for his dad to

by: Brian Stokes

Does SNP have an impossible task? easyJet and Jet2 fly high

by: Brian Stokes

Inside Kampala's garbage management politics

Zoomlion Ghana Limited, which commenced operations in 2007, has contracts with all local government assemblies in Ghana for waste management. The company is one of the subsidiaries of Jospong Group of Companies, founded by Mr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, with business interests in waste management, ICT, and banking.

by: Brian Stokes

Politics News News Today Live: Parliament Winter Session: Congress, Opposition MPs split over stalling proceedings over Adani bribery charges

Stay engaged with the latest in politics, covering government policies, political debates, and legislative updates. From breaking developments in national governance to international diplomatic relations,

Government takes new approach to pay for infrastructure

The Government is keen on user charges to fund new infrastructure like roads. The coalition Government is putting pressure on government agencies to find other ways to pay for infrastructure, rather than simply expecting the Crown to fund it all.
The article from the National Business Review discusses the New Zealand government's new strategy for funding infrastructure, particularly focusing on the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act (IFFA). This approach allows for the creation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to finance infrastructure projects through mechanisms like targeted rates or levies on properties that benefit from the new infrastructure. The government's initiative aims to address the significant infrastructure deficit by attracting private investment without adding to public debt. Key points include the establishment of the Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to oversee these projects, the use of IFFA to fund projects like the $1.3 billion Warkworth to Wellsford road upgrade, and the potential for this model to be applied to other sectors like housing and water infrastructure. The approach is seen as innovative but also raises concerns about the long-term financial implications for ratepayers and the equitable distribution of costs and benefits.

Read the Full The National Business Review Article at:
https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/the-governments-new-approach-to-paying-for-infrastructure/