• Fri, December 6, 2024

by: rediff.com

What You Can Now Expect Every Election

A freebie once granted can hardly be discontinued. All that can happen is to substitute it with a bigger freebie, notes A K Bhattacharya.

by: Richmond

More personnel decisions lie ahead in Richmond elections office, board chair says

One employee was allegedly "absent for an extended period but was still being paid by the city," while others allegedly drank alcohol during work hours.

by: KGOU

Trump nominates Rodney Scott to lead Customs and Border Protection

by: dw

Why are tensions flaring between India and Bangladesh?

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Bland and fake: Why the electorate has given up listening to politicians

Nobody should take tips from a politician, but after a decade spent watching them get more and more bland, I have some suggestions.

by: Reuters

Pakistan's jailed former PM Imran Khan threatens civil disobedience movement

Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on his supporters to hold a rally next week and threatened to start a civil disobedience movement days after his party led a deadly protest march in Islamabad.

by: Manx Radio

Health Minister defends joining government after no-confidence vote

by: ABC

Musk, Ramaswamy eyeing federal remote work policies to help slash $2T from budget

Work from home policies came under fire from Elon Musk as he and Vivek Ramaswamy took their plans to reduce government waste to the floors of Congress Thursday.

by: Inside Higher Ed

House Republicans Aim to Pass Higher Ed Overhaul

The wide-ranging legislation likely won't move forward in the Senate but serves as a marker for Republicans' higher ed priorities in the next Congress.

by: The Indianapolis Star

Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun names his cabinet

by: gloucestershirelive.co.uk

Have your say! As Starmer promises more police are you 'scared to walk your streets?' Share your stories with us

Keir Starmer has pledged to put a personal police officer in every neighbourhood in a bid to win back trust, after the Mirror revealed people's fears about walking the streets

by: McClatchyDC

'Taking the ax out': Kentucky's Comer huddles with Elon Musk on shrinking government

Rep. James Comer says cutting government waste will be his No. 1 priority during the first year of Trump's second term.

by: USA Today

The week in politics: Sen. Marsha Blackburn announces DOGE legislation

Plus, can there be new rules for the Tennessee House and a three-way battle is brewing for leadership of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

by: AOL

France politics live: Emmanuel Macron to pick new PM in coming days after Michel Barnier resigns

Mr Macron is racing to find a replacement prime minister after Michel Barnier was forced to resign, with the French president fends off calls for him to step down too

by: Slate

Here's What's Been Going On at the Supreme Court While We've All Been Distracted

Trans rights, capital punishment, and climate regulations are all on the docket. And we'll be keeping a close eye on Leonard Leo.

by: London Evening Standard

Donald Trump ally Elon Musk warned against trying to be 'political puppet master' picking US presidents

Elon Musk was warned against seeking to be a "political puppet master" trying to choose Republican candidates to be US president. The Tesla boss was already playing an "outsized role in both the election and now the formation of the new US administration," said former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg.

by: The Mirror

'Vlad the Invader is scenting total victory in Ukraine and will cost UK dear'

How far is the anti-Russia coalition prepared to go in Ukraine, asks Mirror columnist Paul Routledge, with our government recently committing another £600million in aid, bringing the total to £12.8bil

by: The Raw Story

'Cracked under the pressure': Alarm sounded as postal worker suicides quadruple

Discussing suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis and needs emotional support, help is available 24/7 via call or text at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

by: Crain's Chicago Business

Durbin and Ramaswamy trade barbs over federal loan to Rivian

As Elon Musk's cost-cutting partner takes aim at loans offered to Rivian and Stellantis, the Illinois senator calls out previous government loans to Tesla.

by: USA Today

Sentencing in President-elect Trump's hush money case indefinitely postponed | The Excerpt

Plus: Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is Trump's pick for ambassador to Israel - a big win for Christian Zionists. More top stories on The Excerpt.

by: The Daily Star

34 years of Ershad's fall: Bangladesh with another chance for democracy

Ershad's fall was a significant turning point in Bangladesh's political history, ushering in hope among the people that they would finally be able to build a democratic nation. One key source of this hope was a compact of three alliances, united in their mission to oust Ershad through a rare political consensus.

by: CBS News

See the list of Trump Cabinet picks and more White House appointments so far

Here's a list of people President-elect Donald Trump has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs.

by: The New York Times

Britain's Starmer Is Trying to Fight Populism From the Lonely Center

One of the last centrist leaders left on the global stage, Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week outlined his plan to deliver change for people in the U.K. Will it be enough?

by: MSN

Musk heads to US Congress to discuss slashing government costs

Elon Musk, the world's richest person and one of Donald Trump's closest allies, met with US lawmakers Thursday on his plans for overseeing radical government spending cuts under the incoming administration.

by: MSN

Map Shows States Where Millions Could Lose Coverage if Trump Cuts Medicaid

Nine states are at risk of having millions lose Medicaid coverage if President-elect Donald Trump makes cuts while in office next year. Trump, who has pledged to reduce government spending, could put Medicaid on the chopping block.

by: MSN

There's a rude awakening in store for the DOGE bros

Once upon a time, a brash outsider entered the Oval Office with a promise to "drain the swamp." He brought in a posse of businesspeople, led by a leading industrialist, to work like "tireless bloodhounds" to root out inefficiencies in Washington's vast bureaucracy.

by: MSN

US neighbors balk at Trump plan for deported migrants

The Bahamas on Thursday said it had rejected a proposal from the incoming Trump administration to receive deported migrants, with Mexico and Panama also stressing they would only take back their own citizens.

by: MSN

Kamala Harris mocked for continuing to put on 'dozens' of accents

Sky News contributor Beau Davidson says Kamala Harris was "never destined" to be president and never will. Mr Davidson and Sky News host Danica De Giorgio reacted to the US Vice President's Christmas message at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

by: MSN

Trump's billionaires set to take government by storm

by: MSN

Mel Stride says triple lock is 'unsustainable' and cannot last forever

The triple lock is "unsustainable" and cannot last forever, Mel Stride has said. The shadow chancellor refused to commit the Conservatives to the policy in the future, insisting the party would review all aspects of how pensioners can be helped.

by: MSN

'Getting really bad': Tensions mounting between Australia and Israel

Sky News host James Macpherson says things are "getting really bad" between Australia and Israel. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticised Labor's support for Palestine at a UN meeting in New York this week.

by: MSN

DA Hike Tips- The Modi government gave a big gift to central employees and pensioners, 18 months of DA arrears will be available in the budget.

We are in the last month of the year and now only a few days are left for the new year to come, meanwhile, central employees and pensioners may face a disappointing financial update regarding their dearness allowance (DA).

by: MSN

British government has 'turned back on Troubles victims'

The British has "turned its back on victims" after it failed to move immediately to reinstate legacy inquests, the wife of a murdered Catholic man has said. Martina Dillon, whose husband Seamus was killed by loyalists near Dungannon in 1997,

by: MSN

Americans support increasing government efficiency

by: MSN

Gigafactories, solar farms and railways - Labour's 150 infrastructure projects

The Prime Minister said the commitment on 150 schemes would 'triple the number of decisions on national infrastructure' compared with the last parliament

by: MSN

Hegseth hits out at media as confirmation doubts linger; Johnson looks to Musk to axe 75% of government: Live

Trump still backs Hegseth as nomination doubts remain; Musk and Ramaswamy talk DOGE plans on Capitol Hill: Live - President-elect's pick for defense secretary dogged by allegations of sexual assault,

by: MSN

VIDEO: Afghanistan's Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia

On December 5, the Center for the National Interest launched its latest report, "Afghanistan's Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia." This report argues that efforts by the incoming Trump administration to provide technical assistance and facilitate regional diplomacy could help reduce the risk of conflict,

by: MSN

Trump taps MAGA loyalist and ex-senator David Perdue for US ambassador to China

President-elect Donald Trump has named political ally and former Georgia senator David Perdue as his pick to be ambassador to China.

by: MSN

Elon Musk warns US government employees of BIG changes as Trump 2.0 set to take office

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with Republican lawmakers to discuss downsizing the federal government. They advocate shifting employees from "low productivity" government jobs to the private sector,

by: MSN

Trump selects border commissioner and China ambassador in flurry of selections

by: MSN

Elon Musk shows off fatherhood with son Lil X on his shoulders at historic government meeting

Elon Musk, with his son in tow, visited Capitol Hill to discuss President-elect Trump's government efficiency initiative, DOGE. He and Vivek Ramaswamy proposed streamlining the federal government, drawing praise and attention on social media for Musk's display of fatherhood amidst the political discussions.

by: MSN

Biden is considering preemptive pardons for officials and allies before Trump takes office

President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump's administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president's extraordinary constitutional power.

by: MSN

New information in a lawsuit filed by Iowa's top election official against the federal government

What Local 5 is learning from an email "back and forth" between the state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

by: MSN

Macron hits out at 'irresponsible' opposition and 'anti-Republican' front after French PM Barnier ousted

The Elysee Palace said Mr Macron had asked Mr Barnier and his government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed. Though Mr Macron took months to appoint Mr Barnier earlier this year, it has been reported that the French ...

by: MSN

'Ladka Bhau' Eknath Shinde Is Maharashtra Deputy CM: Journey Of A Rebel-Turned-Action Man

Mumbai: From a Shiv Sena rebel in 2022, veteran politician Eknath Sambhaji Shinde went on to acquire the image of a doer and man of actions as chief minister in a short span of two-and-a-half years when he headed the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra.

by: MSN

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough fires back at critics still outraged over Trump meeting

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough unleashed on media critics still upset over his and co-host Mika Brzezinski's meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.

by: MSN

'It's a joke': Top Dem slams Elon and Vivek's 'DOGE' as government 'cosplay'

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, through their "DOGE" agency, seek $2 trillion in cuts to federal spending. Joy Reid and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) discuss the implications.

by: MSN

Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM for third time; Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar sworn in as deputies

Days after the Mahayuti alliance swept the Assembly elections in the state, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday along with two deputy chief ministers,

What You Can Now Expect Every Election

A freebie once granted can hardly be discontinued. All that can happen is to substitute it with a bigger freebie, notes A K Bhattacharya.
The article by A.K. Bhattacharya discusses the evolving nature of Indian elections, highlighting how they have become more frequent, expensive, and complex due to several factors. Key points include the increase in the number of elections due to the formation of new states, the rise in voter turnout, and the significant financial investment required for campaigning. The piece notes the influence of money in politics, with election spending soaring, and the role of technology and social media in shaping voter behavior. Bhattacharya also touches upon the Election Commission's challenges in managing these elections, including issues like voter bribery, the Model Code of Conduct, and the need for electoral reforms to address these growing complexities. The article suggests that future elections will likely see even more technological integration, increased costs, and possibly more stringent regulations to ensure fairness and transparency.

Read the Full rediff.com Article at:
https://www.rediff.com/news/column/a-k-bhattacharya-what-you-can-now-expect-every-election/20241206.htm