Wed, December 4, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Trump Appointees Kash Patel and Massad Boulos Are Not Neocons (opinion)

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and reports of intoxicated behavior, The New Yorker reported on Sunday. The incidents — relayed in a trail of documents and corroborated to…

by: Brian Stokes

The British state is blind

If statistics enable the state to see, then the British government is increasingly short-sighted. Fundamental questions, such as how many people arrive each year, are now tricky to answer. How many people are in work?

by: Brian Stokes

Scottish Budget 2024 LIVE as SNP Government confirms it will lift two-child cap

The Scottish Government faces tough spending decisions to fix struggling public services despite an increase in funding from Westminster.

by: Brian Stokes

EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should 'clear the slate' and pardon Trump

President Joe Biden's 180-degree flip on Sunday from his promise not to pardon his son Hunter Biden prompted fierce backlash from politicians and pundits, calling the move a "tremendous strategic blunder that will haunt Democrats,

by: Brian Stokes

Rise above politics, help landslide-hit Wayanad people: Priyanka to Shah

by: Brian Stokes

Should U.S. Strip Presidents of Pardon Power?

In light of President Joe Biden's controversial pardon of his son, Hunter, Newsweek put the question to experts.

by: Brian Stokes

Bangladesh needs comprehensive reforms in economy, governance, bureaucracy, judiciary: CA

by: Brian Stokes

Patience, loyalty to party leadership and strategic acumen pay off for Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis, the political stalwart who rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in Maharashtra politics, is set to become chief minister -- a position he has held twice before

by: Brian Stokes

A terrible set of numbers for a treasurer and Reserve Bank governor

No matter how much Jim Chalmers tries to find a golden thread in these bleak economic numbers, there's no getting away from the fact consumers are scarred.

by: Brian Stokes

Shock martial law edict in South Korea follows chaotic recent history: A look at the crucial context

It may seem that the wild predawn scenes in Seoul, with hundreds of armed troops and frantic lawmakers storming South Korea's parliament building after the president suddenly declared martial law, came out of nowhere.

by: Brian Stokes

Jackson Ole Sapit orders Bungoma bishop to return Ruto's KSh 5m offertory: "It's unfortunate"

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of ACK has urged the return of KSh 5 million donated by President William Ruto, citing concerns over unclear sources of funds.

by: Brian Stokes

Keep politics out of city markets, minister tells Kampala leaders

The minister threatened to arrest leaders who request for funds from vendors in order to register them to benefit from the new market

by: Brian Stokes

North Korea, Russia and China watch on as crisis unfolds in key US ally South Korea

A night of political upheaval in South Korea has upended stability in a key democratic US ally - sending shock waves through the region and Washington at a moment of acute global tension.

by: Brian Stokes

Akal Takht moves to reset itself and Akali Dal. But will it succeed?

Akal Takht, the seat of the highest temporal power for Sikhs, has ordered former Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and a host of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders to perform sewa for atonement. It has also formed a committee to revamp the SAD.

by: Brian Stokes

I'm Not Hindi Bhashi Either: Nirmala Sitharaman Responds To Gaurav Gogoi

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday (December 3) night in a move that stunned South Koreans and triggered a short-lived attempt by troops to enter parliament, as lawmakers and protesters quickly voiced opposition to the most serious challenge to the country's democracy since the 1980s.

by: Brian Stokes

Philippines and China in South China Sea confrontation

China has alleged that Philippine vessels attempted to enter China's territorial waters near the contested Scarborough Shoal while the Philippine coast guard said Chinese vessels took "aggressive actions.

by: Brian Stokes

Election 2024: So who are the Independent TDs and what price their support?

The ex-Green Party TD's priorities included "faster, fairer climate action" and stopping the waste of public money. He believes it is "incumbent" on TDs to discuss government formation but predicts the talks will involve "largely parish pump-oriented" rural Independents.

by: Brian Stokes

It's not just Kash Patel. Many Trump picks have suggested retribution.

But the Florida Republican was hardly the only Trump selection apparently girding to use political and legal power against perceived MAGA enemies. Trump made a Gaetz-esque pick fo

by: Brian Stokes

Trump considers replacing Hegseth with DeSantis to run Pentagon, WSJ reports

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering dropping his nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, and nominating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his place, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday,

by: Brian Stokes

Key US allies paralyzed awaiting Trump's return to world stage

I think the sad thing is that if Donald Trump had been president this year, the UN government would have had a lot of victories to brag about," Fleitz said.

by: Brian Stokes

'Prepare for real justice': MAGA senator issues threat to DOJ and FBI

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a threatening message to the Justice Department and the FBI, warning them to preserve all documents from the Biden administration — and warning them that "accountability is coming" under the second Trump administration.

by: Brian Stokes

Tokyo gov't employees to get 4-day workweek option from April 2025

Gov. Yuriko Koike on Dec. 3 announced plans to introduce a system that would give metropolitan government workers the option to take three da･･･

by: Brian Stokes

China stacked the deck against Augusta-made golf carts. Here's what America did about it

The world's top two golf cart manufacturers, both based in Augusta, are praising a government finding that China is unfairly subsidizing its low-speed vehicle industry. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced recently that China's government has engaged in antidumping

by: Brian Stokes

Vietnam government plans to reduce 5 ministries in streamlining effort

The Vietnamese government plans to reduce five ministries and the National Assembly will cut four committees as part of a major administrative overhaul, according to a Communist Party's top official.
Tue, December 3, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

New York is 'broke' and can't afford these migrants, columnist explains

by: Brian Stokes

Jonah Goldberg: Why the American media and their critics won't stop telling the same lie

The American media has a bootleggers-and-Baptists problem. "Bootleggers and Baptists" is one of the most useful concepts in understanding how economic regulation works in the real world. Coined by economist Bruce Yandle,

by: Brian Stokes

Tarrant County OKs another $800k in response to jail death and mistreatment lawsuits

With 15 outside lawyers and the firm to represent the county, the commissioners have approved up to $550,000 on legal fees alone in the case brought by the family of Anthony Johnson Jr.

by: Brian Stokes

Albanese government put 'enormous gulf' between Australia and US with its Israel stance

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson says the Labor Party has "abandoned" Australia's values when it comes to its stance on Israel.

by: Brian Stokes

Musk and Ramaswamy Want to Do One Good Thing

The two businessmen, whose new mission is gutting federal regulations, have mused about nixing daylight saving time.

by: Brian Stokes

DOGE leaders Musk and Ramaswamy float ditching daylight saving time

Sen. Marco Rubio has been at the forefront of trying to "lock the clock," as he puts it. He has introduced legislation to try to make daylight saving time permanent. It's called the Sunshine Protection Act and he reintroduced in 2023. Congress hasn't passed the bill.

by: Brian Stokes

Biden's pardon of Hunter: A flip-flop or a lie?

by: Brian Stokes

Who Is On Kash Patel's 'Random Enemies List'?

Donald Trump's pick to lead the FBI, ultra loyalist Kash Patel, has signaled he wants to help Trump get revenge on his political opponents, and has even produced a list of targets for the president-elect to get his own back.

by: Brian Stokes

Musk and Ramaswamy suggest ending time changes, reviving an effort that has failed in the past

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are suggesting the country stop its biannual ritual of falling back and springing forward - advocating a permanent end to time changes in a move that has garnered broad support in the past.

by: Brian Stokes

How Polarized Politics Led South Korea to a Plunge Into Martial Law

Yoon Suk Yeol's decree, and his reversal under pressure from lawmakers, were the culmination of years of feuding between the country's two main political camps.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump team agrees with Justice Dept to begin background checks

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team said it reached an agreement on Tuesday with the Justice Department that will allow it to submit names for background checks and security clearances,

by: Brian Stokes

Thune lays out plan for separate border and tax reconciliation bills

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) laid out an ambitious plan at the Senate Republican retreat Tuesday for Congress to move first next year on a budget reconciliation package that would be focused on border security and defense,

by: Brian Stokes

Inslee freezes hiring in state agencies amid $400M budget shortfall

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued a directive on Monday that freezes some hiring, service contracts, and purchases in state agencies amid a projected revenue shortfall in the state.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump signs agreement to allow Justice Department to conduct background checks on nominees, staff

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access

by: Brian Stokes

New disability ministers will 'champion' inclusion and accessibility - minister

Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive 'real improvements' for disabled people.

by: Brian Stokes

BNP voice concern over attack on Bangladesh mission

BNP expressed deep concern over India's remarks surrounding the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and subsequent attacks on Bangladeshi diplomatic missions

by: Brian Stokes

What is Hegseth's strategy to win senators over ahead of confirmation hearings?

CBS News' Nikole Killion has asked Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense, about the allegations made against him involving sexual and financial misconduct. Killion reports from Capitol Hill on his responses as a potential government shutdown looms.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump Says He Will Block Acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japanese Firm

The announcement reiterated sentiments the president-elect expressed on the campaign trail, and further imperiled a deal that had already run into widespread political opposition.

by: Brian Stokes

Speaker schedules opposition motions after Tories opt against own non-confidence vote

The House of Commons Speaker has intervened to end a parliamentary impasse, ruling that members of Parliament must debate and vote on opposition motions and government spending before returning to a Conservative filibuster that has dragged on for two months.

by: Brian Stokes

'An improper use of power': Peters, other Michigan Democrats rip Biden's pardon of his son

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters called President Biden's pardon of his son an "improper use of power." Other Michigan Democrats oppose Biden's action.

by: Brian Stokes

Justice Dept.'s Apolitical Tradition Is Challenged by 2 Presidents

The post-Watergate norm that political leaders should steer clear of criminal cases is being tested from opposite ends of the political spectrum.

by: Brian Stokes

Cuomo: Me, Trump and Adams are the same.

President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter Biden — and his admission that the Department of Justice has been beset by "raw politics" and "selective prosecution" — is breathing new life into the claims from Trump, Adams and Cuomo that they are targets of a weaponized justice system.

by: Brian Stokes

Progressives' Plan for Handling Trump Is Too Clever to Work

Sanders, Warren, and other progressives are looking to steal some of Trump's populist street cred. Their plan will just deny Democrats a united front.

by: Brian Stokes

Singh says NDP election campaign will be 'gutsy' and 'unapologetic'

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joined MPs Tuesday to lay out his vision for the NDP's 2025 federal election campaign. Citing the need to address the struggles of Canada's working class, Singh said his campaign will not be one that's careful or cautious,

10 highlights from the Ontario auditor general's searing report on the Ford government's performance

Auditor general flagged problems with the Ontario Place redevelopment and a massive backlog of school repairs, among other issues.

The Ontario Auditor General's report, as highlighted by The Star, criticizes the Ford government's performance across various sectors. Key points include the government's failure to meet housing targets, with only 10% of the promised 1.5 million homes built by 2031; significant delays and cost overruns in major infrastructure projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and the controversial decision to dissolve Peel Region, which could lead to increased costs and service disruptions. The report also notes the government's lack of transparency in healthcare, particularly with the expansion of private clinics, and the mismanagement of the Greenbelt land swap, which was found to favor certain developers. Additionally, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the government's emergency response during natural disasters, the handling of long-term care homes, and the oversight of the province's finances, with a noted increase in the deficit. The Auditor General's findings suggest a pattern of poor planning, inadequate oversight, and decisions that might prioritize political interests over public welfare.

Read the Full Toronto Star Article at:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/10-highlights-from-the-ontario-auditor-generals-searing-report-on-the-ford-governments-performance/article_52007a72-b187-11ef-b7fd-4f1073ba092a.html