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

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,

by: Brian Stokes

France's government looks on the brink of collapse. What's next?

by: Brian Stokes

Syrian rebels advance close to Hama city, piling pressure on Assad and his allies

By Maya Gebeily and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) -Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad.

by: Brian Stokes

Thousands of Federal Employees Land Work From Home Deal Ahead of Trump

A Biden administration appointee has agreed to lock in hybrid work protections for tens of thousands of Social Security staff, part of a slew of organized labor efforts that complicate President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to reshape the federal workforce.

by: Brian Stokes

How Trump's Cabinet Picks Compare To The Selection Of Corporate CEOs

President-elect Donald Trump's selections to serve in his cabinet and head government agencies sent shockwaves in some quarters and provided important leadership lessons.

by: Brian Stokes

Illegal immigrant from China shipped weapons to North Korea from California: DOJ

An illegal immigrant from China allegedly shipped weapons from California to North Korea, according to federal prosecutors.

by: Brian Stokes

Republican senators torn over FBI background checks for Trump Cabinet picks

Republicans senators returned to Washington after Thanksgiving recess to a renewed peppering of questions about President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks.

by: Brian Stokes

Attack on agartala mission: Protests mount, Yunus moves for national unity

Amid demonstrations in the capital and different districts over the attack on Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has initiated a series of dialogues to achieve national unity.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump (and Canada) would not actually like it if Canada joined the U.S.

The president-elect's flippant comment to the Canadian prime minister might worry Canadians, but the scenario would also not be good for Republicans.

by: Brian Stokes

South Korea president declares emergency martial law, sending shockwaves across country

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unannounced late-night TV address Tuesday, accusing the country's main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities.

by: Brian Stokes

Wisconsin judge strikes down law stripping government workers of collective bargaining rights

A Wisconsin judge overturned a state law that prevented public employees from collective bargaining Monday. The legislation, known as Act 10 and passed in 2011 under former Gov. Scott Walker (R), was declared unconstitutional.

by: Brian Stokes

Junet Mohamed slams Kenyans criticising his support for Ruto's policies: "Bwana mdomo ni yangu"

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has defended his political choices, asserting his right to support President William Ruto's administration despite criticism.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp., and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker.

by: Brian Stokes

Ontario spent highest-ever amount on government ads, auditor says

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government spent three times the amount of money on government advertising in the last fiscal year as it did the year before - the highest amount ever - and most campaigns were more partisan than informational,

by: Brian Stokes

Cayuga County Republicans choose new elections commissioner

At the local level in New York, county election boards are led by bipartisan commissioners — one representing the Democratic Party and one representing the Republican Party. The party committees select the commissioners, who are formally appointed by the county Legislature.

by: Brian Stokes

Jill Biden's final foreign trip as first lady will close with her and Trump at Notre Dame cathedral

Jill Biden was departing Tuesday on her final solo foreign trip as first lady, a six-day, four-country jaunt through Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that wraps with her and President-elect Donald Trump joining other dignitaries in Paris to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral.

by: Brian Stokes

"Caleb Amisi warns opposition leaders against arrogance toward Kenyans: "That is not who we are"

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has warned opposition leaders in the Kenya Kwanza regime to stop their grandiosity and arrogance while addressing the public.

by: Brian Stokes

Liberal MP Paul Fletcher sees red over teals, but look deeper and there's more at play

On Monday night at the Sydney Institute, Paul Fletcher ripped off a fiery denunciation of the "teals" - the independent candidates who two and a half years ago tore a significant hole in the ranks of the parliamentary Liberal Party.

by: Brian Stokes

Biden acknowledges horrific history of slavery that has connected the US and Angola while projecting optimism for future ties

President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged how the horrific history of slavery has connected the United States and Angola while delivering a hopeful vision for the future in a major speech from a country that was the point of departure for millions of enslaved Africans.

Economy stuck in first gear as government spending prevents downturn

Despite tax cuts and government energy handouts, the economy grew by just 0.3 per cent in the September quarter.

The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses Australia's economic performance, highlighting that the economy is growing at a sluggish pace, with GDP growth at 0.2% in the September quarter, down from 0.4% in the previous quarter. Despite this slow growth, a recession has been avoided due to significant government spending, particularly in infrastructure and social services. The article notes that while household consumption remains weak, government expenditure has been a key driver in preventing a downturn. Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized the government's role in supporting the economy through these challenging times, although critics argue that this spending might not be sustainable in the long term. Additionally, the piece touches on the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to maintain interest rates, reflecting a cautious approach to monetary policy amidst these economic conditions.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/economy-stuck-in-first-gear-as-government-spending-prevents-downturn-20241204-p5kvo8.html