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

ANU report on voter satisfaction reveals 'troubling' results for Albanese Government

A new survey reveals trust in the Government has plummeted to levels not seen since the final months of the Morrison administration.

by: Brian Stokes

'Brave and bold': Labor slammed on $275 power bill reduction promise anniversary

Sky News host Paul Murray discusses the "brave and bold" Labor Party for promising three years ago today to lower power bills for Australians.

by: Brian Stokes

Live Updates: South Korea's President Faces Fury After Imposing Martial Law

South Korea's National Assembly voted to lift an emergency declaration of martial law just hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced it on Tuesday, in a swift rebuke of the president's response to the political deadlock that has hobbled his tenure.

by: Brian Stokes

Current and former Fox News employees say Hegseth's drinking raised concerns

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's reported pick for defense secretary, exhibited drinking behaviors that raised concerns among his colleagues at Fox News, according to statements from 10 current and former Fox employees interviewed by NBC News.

by: Brian Stokes

Democrats blast Republicans for 'fueling a political agenda' with Covid report and push back on lab leak claim

Democrats blast Republicans for 'fueling a political agenda' with Covid report and push back on lab leak claim - Republicans and Democrats on the House subcommittee to evaluate the pandemic response,

by: Brian Stokes

Martial law reversed in South Korea after president's surprise decree sent shockwaves

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backtracked on his shortlived decree in the early hours of Wednesday local time and withdrew the troops deployed to carry out the order. South Korean lawmakers are now calling for resignations.

by: Brian Stokes

Public sector cuts: What government agencies are spending on staff Christmas parties, if anything

As the Government continues its drive to cut costs, many public servants are going without a Christmas do this year or are dipping into their own pocket to fund one - minus alcohol. Their replies made it clear spending is front of mind when it comes to festive celebrations,

by: Brian Stokes

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.

by: Brian Stokes

Citing Hunter Biden pardon, Trump asks judge to dismiss his criminal hush money case

Donald Trump's criminal hush money case should be dismissed because it "threatens the functioning" of the U.S. government, Trump's attorneys argue in a new filing.

by: Brian Stokes

Harris Officials Shot Themselves in Foot 'Propping Biden Up': Nate Silver

Nearly a month after the election that Harris lost to Donald Trump in both the Electoral College and the popular vote, Silver released a Substack post on Tuesday dissecting what w

by: Brian Stokes

The latest on Trump's presidential transition as Cabinet picks head to Capitol Hill

President-elect Donald Trump continues to prepare for his return to the White House as some of his Cabinet picks meet with senators on Capitol Hill. Follow for live news updates.

by: Brian Stokes

Bernie Sanders says he supports making Canada a state with one caveat

Sanders signals he would support Canada joining the U.S. on a condition Sign up for the latest with DailyMail.com's U.S. politics newsletter Senator ... country has much more affordable options as the government there regulates drug prices.

by: Brian Stokes

Maharashtra government formation highlights: Devendra Fadnavis meets Eknath Shinde at his official residence

Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde continues to recover from illness, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed two central observers and has called for its Legislature Party meeting on Wednesday (December 4, 2024) in Mumbai, likely paving the way for the appointment of Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister.

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,

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.

The article from The Irish Times discusses the role of Independent TDs (Teachtaí Dála) in the upcoming 2024 Irish general election. It highlights the increasing influence of these non-party affiliated politicians, who often hold the balance of power in forming coalition governments. The piece profiles several key Independent TDs, detailing their backgrounds, political stances, and the potential price of their support in government formation. It notes that these TDs can command significant concessions in policy or funding for their constituencies in exchange for their support. The article also explores the diverse ideologies among Independents, ranging from left-wing to right-wing, and their impact on policy-making, particularly in areas like housing, health, and local development. The overall narrative underscores the strategic importance of Independents in Irish politics, especially in a fragmented political landscape where no single party might secure an outright majority.

Read the Full The Irish Times Article at:
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/12/04/election-2024-so-who-are-the-independent-tds-and-what-price-their-support/


Similar Politics and Government Publications
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.
The final of the 174 Dáil seats were filled on Monday evening following last Friday's election. Fianna Fail will have 48 seats in the next Dáil, followed by Sinn Féin on 39 and Fine Gael on 38.
The three biggest parties, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are all expected to hold their first post-election parliamentary party meetings on Wednesday, where newly-elected TDs will get their say about government formation options. The Labour Party, meanwhile, will hold a parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.
The Greens leader has put the prime minister on notice that his party would seek "in advance" to lock in a "stable and progressive" deal with Labor to form a potential minority government.
Michael Lowry indicates he is open to supporting next government while Independent Ireland say they would want policies addressed before discussing ministerial positions
However, no one party fielded enough candidates to win the majority in the Irish General Election 2024, paving the way for another coalition Government - the outgoing Dáil Éireann, elected in 2020, saw Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and The Green Party come together in a coalition.
Close-fought races and the tantalising prospect of power brought relief for the victorious but crushing lows for those rejected by the electorate
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.
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.
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.
The leader of Ireland's opposition Social Democrats party has given birth on the day of voting in the country's general election.