• Thu, December 5, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Why Michel Barnier was ousted as French prime minister just after 91 days

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has overwhelmingly been voted out of power by lawmakers over his controversial budget. The 73-year-old now has the dubious honour of being the shortest-serving PM since the Fifth Republic,

by: Reuters

A look back at the notable deaths of 2024

Below is a compilation of some of the most notable deaths of global figures from the worlds of showbusiness, politics, sports and art in 2024.

by: The Independent

Why is the Legacy Act being abolished and what does it mean for Northern Ireland?

Hilary Benn is scrapping a brand new law. Sean O'Grady explains why, and looks at what it could mean for UK and Ireland relations

by: Brian Stokes

Trump picks Billy Long to head IRS, Kelly Loeffler to lead SBA and Frank Bisignano to lead SSA

by: Brian Stokes

8th Pay Commission: No Salary Hike for Government Employees This Year

The debates over the 8th Pay Commission has finally come to a pause with the Finance Ministry officially clarifying that there is currently no plan to set up the 8th Pay Commission. Minister of State for Finance,

by: Brian Stokes

German government approves strategy for defence industry - media

The federal government wants to strengthen the German defence industry and prepare it for the new challenges posed by the war in Ukraine. Source: German TV news service Tagesschau, as reported by European Pravda Details: The German government has approved a new National Security and Defence Industry Strategy to prepare the defence industry for the

by: Brian Stokes

'Nasty politics': anger from council leader as rural services grant scrapped

The leader of Wiltshire Council has said he is "extremely angry" over Labour's decision to scrap the rural services grant, which he says will cut £4.5 million from Wiltshire Council's budget.

by: Brian Stokes

Barnier latest: French PM set to resign today after losing no-confidence vote; Macron to address nation

Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, is expected to submit his resignation to Emmanuel Macron this morning after a vote of no-confidence against his government last night. Macron is due to address the nation this evening.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump Organization Plans an Ethics Policy Without Banning Foreign Deals

The family business of President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to announce some restrictions on transactions but is not likely to accept as many limitations as it did eight years ago.

by: Brian Stokes

Prison population in England and Wales projected to top 100,000 by 2029

Prison population in England and Wales projected to top 100,000 by 2029 - The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published fresh estimates on Thursday.

by: Brian Stokes

Fall of government leaves France without clear path on cutting deficit -S&P

The fall of the government leaves France without a clear path toward reducing its budgetary deficit, credit rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) said on Thursday. "With less than four weeks until the end of the year,

by: Brian Stokes

How Starmer and Reeves risk harming British living standards

It's become known as the Reagan question. More than 40 years ago, the then-Republican presidential hopeful stood in front of an audience at the Cleveland Music Hall in Ohio and uttered the dozen words that won him the election: "Ask yourself,

by: Brian Stokes

How Lee Jae-myung and South Korean opposition rallied in defiance of martial law

When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, lawmakers from the main opposition party raced special forces soldiers to the parliament building to hold a vote against the measures. N

by: Brian Stokes

When will South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol be impeached and what happens next?

When will South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol be impeached and what happens next? - Opposition Democratic Party introduces impeachment bill against Yoon

by: Brian Stokes

Questions remain over what government's devolution plans would mean for Bedford

Bedford Borough Council is still waiting to find out what devolution would mean for its residents and businesses.

by: Brian Stokes

Why Trump and the Federal Reserve could clash in the coming years

President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the promise that his policies would reduce high borrowing costs and lighten the financial burden on American households. But what if, as many economists expect,

by: Brian Stokes

45 jailed democrats: 3 more seek to challenge convictions and sentences in landmark subversion case

Three more Hong Kong democrats are seeking to challenge their convictions and sentences in Hong Kong's largest national security case, which ended with the jailing of 45 prominent pro-democracy figures.

by: Brian Stokes

The 'perverse' red tape scuppering 160,000 homes - and sending prices soaring

Crippled council planning departments, devoted "Nimbys" and the plight of the great-crested newt all stand in the way of Labour's pledge to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. But one of the biggest hurdles is the mountain of red tape surrounding environmental regulations for housebuilders.

by: Brian Stokes

France's Macron to address nation day after no-confidence vote topples government

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation Thursday, a day after the National Assembly ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a historic no-confidence vote that has left France without a functioning government. Macron is expected ...

by: Brian Stokes

Domestic abuse at the centre of housing and homelessness policy

by: Brian Stokes

Planning commission approves permit for memory care facility in home near 42nd and Prescott

by: Brian Stokes

Who will it be? Some insiders believe Iowa Gov. Reynolds' lieutenant governor pick will come from outside government

Discussions with Iowa political insiders attempts to shed light on who Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds may name as her second-in-command.

by: Brian Stokes

Kier - this is utterly ridiculous! Bin your pointless lists and do some governing

This time it's: Raising real household disposable income, ensuring 75% of children are "school-ready" by reception, recruiting 13,000 police officers, building 1.5 million homes, decarbonizing the electricity grid by 2030, and treating 92% of NHS patients within 18 weeks of referral.

by: Brian Stokes

Republicans meet with Musk and Ramaswamy on government efficiency

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill today to discuss government efficiency reforms. President-elect Donald Trump has tasked the two entrepreneurs with leading an advisory committee called the Department of Government Efficiency.

by: Brian Stokes

Greek Politics Rewinds: The New Democracy-PASOK Dipole Returns

Developments in Greek politics in the last month brought a reshuffle in parliament as main opposition Syriza lost several MPs, ushering back the New Democracy-PASOK dipole

by: Brian Stokes

Mayor Parker faces pressure to reassert Philly's sanctuary status as Trump threatens Democratic cities

"This is not a time for lack of clarity, in terms of actions or intentions," said the leader of one immigrant-advocacy group

by: Brian Stokes

Jalan Besar residents question MP Josephine Teo on Gaza and border policies

Two Jalan Besar residents confronted MP Josephine Teo during a Meet-the-People Session about Gaza-related concerns, border policies, and grieving spaces. While empathetic, MP Teo offered no concrete solutions,

by: Brian Stokes

Trump Transition Updates: As Hegseth Vows to Fight, Trump Considers His Options

The Trump transition team had also delayed signing other agreements with the Biden White House that are part of the normal handoff process. One enables a transition team to use government resources, like office space and email; Mr. Trump has decided instead to use private donations to pay for administrative support.

by: Brian Stokes

Starmer and Badenoch clash on immigration and budget during PMQ's

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Leader of the Opposotion Kemi Badenoch clash on immigration and budget during Prime Minister's Questions.

by: Brian Stokes

'The party changed, and I didn't': Mainstay Republican leaves Idaho Senate

by: Brian Stokes

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy take their DOGE government efficiency pitch to the Hill

by: Brian Stokes

Barnier's downfall: The day of a foregone failure

The left and the far right came together to overthrow the shortest-serving prime minister in the French Fifth Republic.

by: MSN

Marine Le Pen condemns the fall of Barnier's "ephemeral Government" during the motion of censure debate

The French Assembly debates and votes on the initiative with which the left and the far right hope to bring down the Government. This Wednesday morning, a television showed images of the French President,

by: MSN

'Patience and perseverance key to his success': Amruta on husband Devendra Fadnavis' return as CM of Maharashtra

Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, credited her husband's political success to his patience and perseverance as he assumed office as CM for the third time following the BJP's landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls.

by: MSN

Starmer seeks to relaunch his Government with a "plan for change": "People are tired of being promised the world and solutions that are like band-aids"

The advantage over the Conservative Party that allowed him to achieve a wide majority in July has completely vanished: polls show a virtual tie at 27% of popular support for the two major parties. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is trying to relaunch his government with the momentum of the so-called "plan for change".

by: MSN

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow Bids Farewell: A Legacy of Service, Unity, and Hope

by: MSN

Trump has disturbing plans for Canada and no one is happy

His second term hasn't even started, and Trump is already embarrassing the United States before other national leaders. The president-elect reportedly told Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, that the entire sovereign nation should consider becoming the 51st state.

by: MSN

St. Mary's County Commissioners Review Transit, Parks, and Grants

The Commissioners of St. Mary's County (CSMC) commenced their December meetings with a joint session alongside Captain Doug Burfield, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX),

by: MSN

Is Russia able to fight in both Ukraine and Syria?

Due to the war against Ukraine, Russia is unable to easily step up its support for Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Yet Moscow will not abandon Assad either, as Syria is too important to the Kremlin.

by: MSN

At least six Ukrainian mayors and heads of settlements remain in Russian captivity - Zelenskyy

At least six Ukrainian mayors and hromada heads are currently held captive by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the international community to make every effort to free those in captivity.

by: MSN

Political crises in France and Germany spell more trouble for Europe's ailing economy - analysis

Government collapses in Berlin and now Paris will hamper efforts to address Europe's burgeoning deficits and spluttering competitiveness. View on euronews

by: MSN

Musk, Ramaswamy visit Capitol Hill to discuss Trump's DOGE vision for cutting government waste

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are expected to visit Capitol Hill Thursday morning to meet with Republican lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.

by: MSN

French Government Collapses After No Confidence Vote

Capping off a week of extraordinary international events, the government of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier collapsed Wednesday afternoon in a vote of no confidence from a broad-based opposition coalition of parties on both the left and right.

by: MSN

Barnier ousted: what does France's latest political crisis mean for Macron and the country?

Barnier ousted: what does France's latest political crisis mean for Macron and the country? - Prime minister Michel Barnier's government has lost an historic no-confidence vote - what comes next?

by: MSN

Op-ed: If Trump reverses TikTok ban, donors win and U.S. national security loses

If President Trump reverses the TikTok ban passed by Congress and signed by Biden, he's siding with corporate influence and risking our national security.

by: MSN

Namibia's president-elect pledges 'radical shifts' on poverty and unemployment

Namibia's President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged "radical shifts" to fix the country's high levels of poverty and unemployment, speaking on Thursday in her first press conference since winning last week's election.

by: MSN

Kim and Xi Propaganda Warning Amid South Korea Turmoil

President Yoon dismissed his defense minister as an expert warns turmoil in South Korea could fuel propaganda from North Korea and China.

by: MSN

Joy Achungo: Meet fearless Maseno student leader playing oversight role in politics and leadership

Joy Achungo, a fourth-year education student at Maseno University, is redefining leadership through her advocacy for integrity and transparency in governance.

Barnier's downfall: The day of a foregone failure

The left and the far right came together to overthrow the shortest-serving prime minister in the French Fifth Republic.
The article from *Le Monde* titled "Barnier's Downfall: The Day of a Foregone Failure" discusses the political decline of Michel Barnier, a prominent French politician known for his role as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator. The piece details how Barnier, once seen as a potential presidential candidate for the French right, faced a significant setback in his political career. It describes the events leading up to his failure to secure the nomination for the 2022 French presidential election, highlighting internal party strife, strategic missteps, and a lack of broad voter appeal. The narrative captures the atmosphere of inevitability surrounding his political demise, with insights into his campaign's miscalculations, the shifting dynamics within the French political landscape, and the broader implications for the conservative movement in France. The article paints a picture of a seasoned politician whose time in the spotlight was overshadowed by newer, more dynamic political figures and changing voter priorities.

Read the Full Le Monde.fr Article at:
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/12/05/barnier-s-downfall-the-day-of-a-foregone-failure_6735241_5.html