Wed, December 11, 2024

by: RTE Online

FF and FG engage in 'positive and constructive' government formation talks

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have said they had "positive and constructive" initial discussions as both parties continue to hold government formation talks.

by: Irish Daily Mirror

Social Democrats to decide future by end of week as Independents set out Government formation stall

The Social Democrat's leadership, including Cian O'Callaghan, Gary Gannon and Jennifer Whitmore, met Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris in separate meetings in Government Buildings on Wednesday.

by: justthenews

Trump cheers Wray resignation as end to 'weaponization' of FBI

Wray announced his resignation on Wednesday after Trump named Kash Patel as his nominee to replace Wray, whom Trump was expected to fire had he not resigned.

by: The Local

Full employment and no bureaucracy - what Hollande's government predicted for France in 2025

Back in 2013, then-president François Hollande set his ministers some homework before they went on their summer holidays - predict what France will look like in 2025. Here's what they said.

by: National Post

Former Blue Jays win multi-million-dollar tax battle against Canadian government

OTTAWA — Former Toronto Blue Jays all-stars Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin scored a major win against the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a Tax Court judge cried foul over the agency's attempt to tax millions of dollars in additional income.

by: ABC

Convicted Jan. 6 rioter says retired congressman invited him to Trump inauguration

A man who pleaded guilty to a felony for participation in the Capitol riot filed a letter showing he was invited by a retired congressman to attend the inauguration.

by: CBS News

Blinken defends Afghanistan withdrawal at contentious House hearing

The secretary of state's testimony comes months after Republicans issued a scathing report on the Biden administration's handling of the exit from Afghanistan.

by: The New York Times

North Carolina G.O.P. Brushes Aside Democratic Governor to Expand Power

After cloaking a bill that strips key powers from Democrats as hurricane aid, the state's Republican-controlled legislature overrode a veto from Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, to pass it into law.

by: New York Sun

Trumpism Goes Global: America's Peaceful Citizen Uprising Inspires Political Rebellion Across the World

Entrenched political leaders and parties are being tumultuously evicted in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.

by: The Conversation

US secretary of education helps set national priorities in a system primarily funded and guided by local governments

If Republicans manage to achieve a long-standing goal by getting rid of the Department of Education, there wouldn't be a secretary of education anymore.

by: Ghanaweb.com

No official vehicle shall be acquired by appointees of the current administration - Government

The Office of the President has reiterated its directive prohibiting political appointees from acquiring official government vehicles as the current administration comes to an end.

by: Le Monde.fr

Syria's new government makes first steps, searching for legitimacy

By appointing Mohammed al-Bashir as Syria's transitional prime minister on Tuesday, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seems intent on cementing its control.

by: WBAL-TV

Justice Department ignored some policies when seizing reporters' phone records, watchdog finds

A watchdog report reveals the Justice Department sidestepped rules in media leak investigations under the Trump administration, raising concerns about press freedom.

by: pulse.com.gh

Check full list of Akufo-Addo and John Mahama's 2024 Transition Team

President Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama have both announced their respective members of the 2024 transition team

by: Buffalo News

Legislators want a policy on who can use Erie County suite in new Bills stadium

In light of past controversies related to the use of New York State's luxury box at Highmark Stadium, Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin wants there to be a clear policy on how the county's suite will be used two years from now.

by: Richmond

Del. McQuinn announces reelection bid, faces primary challenge

Henrico, announced her bid for reelection Tuesday evening standing alongside most of East End Henrico's elected officials. McQuinn faces a primary challenge from Henrico School Board Chair Alicia Atkins.

by: Click2Houston

Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year.

by: Politico Europe

How France's political crisis threatens military expenditures

"The military is worried, and that's normal, everyone is in a bit of a wait-and-see mode," Hélène Conway-Mouret, a Socialist senator who co-drafted a report on France's 2025 defense budget, told POLITICO.

by: Charlotte Observer

Why this Western NC lawmaker flipped his vote, helping Republicans pass power-shift bill

Rep. Mark Pless' problems with the bill had nothing to do with its restructuring of power in state government. How he was reassured after originally voting "no."

by: Raleigh News & Observer

Tillis kicks off 2026 campaign season, potentially his most expensive Senate race yet

Sen. Thom Tillis planned to make his 2026 reelection campaign for the Senate official Wednesday with an event in Washington hosted by around 20 of his colleagues.

by: Yahoo

NC Republicans pass law shifting government power, overriding Cooper's veto

North Carolina lawmakers approved a wide-ranging bill to shift executive power in state government on Wednesday, cementing a Republican override of Gov. Roy Cooper's veto a month before new elected officials are sworn in.

by: Associated Press

Macron seeks political deal to name a new prime minister and restore France's stability

A spokesperson for France's outgoing government says President Emmanuel Macron is seeking a political deal that would allow him to both name a new prime minister and "guarantee the stability of the country.

by: Charlotte Observer

Key executive leaving city of Charlotte for new job with CLT Business Alliance

Assistant City Manager Tracy Dodson is leaving city government to help lead the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as the group's new chief operating officer and head of economic development. Dodson will start the new position in early February, according to a statement from the alliance announcing her hiring.

by: Politico Europe

Macron working to strip far right of influence on next French government

The French president is trying to limit the far-right National Rally's influence and find a way forward with the center left, but a path ahead remains elusive.

by: Charlotte Observer

NC Republicans overturn Cooper's veto, taking power from Stein and other Democrats

With North Carolina Republicans set to lose their veto-proof supermajority come 2025, state lawmakers took their final vote Wednesday on a bill that takes away power from incoming Democrats in the executive branch, overturning a veto with a party-line 72-46 vote.

by: The Independent

Trump set to be named Time's 'Person of the Year' with 40 days to inauguration: Live

This will mark the second time Trump has been named Time's "Person of the Year," and to celebrate, he will reportedly ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning. The honor comes as Trump continues to fill out his administration before he takes office January 20.

by: MSN

County commissioners honor Steven Michael Quezada's service to Bernalillo County

County commissioners honor Steven Michael Quezada's service to Bernalillo County

by: MSN

Zelenskyy: Russians killed 50 priests and destroyed 700 churches in Ukraine since war began

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russians have killed 50 priests and destroyed about 700 churches in Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with CBN Quote: "The Russians treat some Ukrainian churches similarly to the way they treat schools.

by: MSN

Republicans Introduce Bills to Cut Federal Workforce, Salaries as Musk, Ramaswamy Begin Government-Efficiency Work

Republican lawmakers are introducing a package of bills to improve government efficiency as businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy spearhead President-elect Donald Trump's advisory commission on curtailing government waste.

by: MSN

NC lawmakers pass constitutional amendment requiring voter photo ID in-person and by mail

Before ending the short session, Republican legislators pushed through a constitutional amendment that NC voters will see on the 2026 ballot.

by: MSN

Canada Post and postal workers union still far apart in negotiations

The two sides in the Canada Post strike appear further apart than ever with the company saying the most recent offer by the union takes 'major steps backwards.' And as Alexandre Silberman shows us, that's cause for concern for those whose essential documents are now caught in the middle.

by: MSN

Hochul travels to rival's turf and attacks critics of MTA's congestion pricing plan

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Garrison to tout renovations at a Metro-North station and answer critics of her support for a $9 Manhattan toll on drivers.

by: MSN

'Draconian and brutal': Trump to rescind ban on ICE arrests in schools, hospitals, churches

Despite public opinion polls that find the majority of Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the incoming Trump administration is forging ahead with President-elect Donald Trump's vow to begin his mass deportations of millions of people "on day one.

by: MSN

Trump reportedly plans to toss policy blocking ICE arrests at schools and churches

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to scrap a policy that stops ICE officers from making arrests at places like schools and churches.

by: MSN

Joe and Jill Biden share major family announcement!

First Lady Jill Biden has revealed that she and President Joe Biden are to become great-grandparents, as their granddaughter, Naomi Biden, is expecting!

by: MSN

Minneapolis City Council passes budget that comes with increased property taxes and with criticism from the mayor

More than 70 amendments later, the Minneapolis City Council passed a 2025 budget late Tuesday night. It comes with a property tax hike that that is lower than Mayor Jacob Frey says is needed, and the mayor is critical of the proposal.

by: MSN

Assad's fall in Syria will further weaken Hezbollah and curtails Tehran's 'Iranization' of region

The fall of President Bashar Assad will not only affect the 24 million Syrians who lived - and largely suffered - under his brutal rule. Over the border in Lebanon, the impact will be felt, too. The collapse of Assad's government provides another blow to its Lebanese ally,

by: MSN

Lawmakers talk 2025 General Assembly outlook at biannual 'Pancakes & Politics' breakfast

Local business leaders and lawmakers gathered at Liberty University Wednesday morning for the biannual "Pancakes and Politics" breakfast, hosted by the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. They're looking at next year's legislative session in Richmond to best serve you and your family.

by: MSN

White House warns Trump could 'gut-punch' economy and spark 'tidal wave of opposition'

With Donald Trump's inauguration fast approaching, President Joe Biden's White House has rushed to ensure his flagship policies aren't immediately undone in the new administration. A memo circulated by a senior White House official urged Trump against repealing laws that Republicans have vowed to target when the incoming president takes office.

by: MSN

How the DACA ruling could impact health coverage in Texas, and beyond

A ruling that blocked thousands of undocumented immigrants from enrolling in federally available health care plans could reverberate on vulnerable groups, by reestablishing a common barrier to medical care.

by: MSN

Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador ready to sign Churchill Falls energy deal

The premiers of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador are ready to sign an energy agreement, ending a long-running dispute over the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant in Labrador.

by: MSN

New inflation numbers threaten Trump and GOP's plans for tax cuts and tariffs: report

New Labor Department data released Wednesday showed stubborn inflation continued, which could make it difficult for President-elect Donald Trump and his GOP allies to pass certain legislation they've planned.

by: MSN

Federal and state governments to fund long-awaited upgrades to Yass Valley water treatment infrastructure

The last upgrade of the Yass Valley's water treatment plant was in 1990, with residents dealing with ongoing issues with the quality of their water.

by: MSN

Government says DOJ subpoenaed Apple without authorization

DOJ demands for message and call data from Apple during the Trump administration, failed to obtain authorization, says the Office of the Inspector General in the current Biden administration.

by: MSN

Talks to avoid government shutdown are underway

The year for lawmakers is winding down and there is still a lot to do including keeping the government open. That deadline is next Friday.

by: MSN

Raju reports on details of McConnell's fall and injuries

GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell tripped, spraining his wrist and sustaining "a minor cut to the face," his office said in a statement. CNN's Manu Raju reports.

by: MSN

Donald Trump back to taunting and trolling, mocks Justin Trudeau as the governor of the great state of Canada

Latest reports have revealed that US President- elect Donald Trump has recently mocked the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau on social media while terming him as the Governor of the Great State of Canada.

by: MSN

Southern Syria groups overthrew Assad and control areas near the Golan

An exclusive look at the Southern Syria former rebels who were key to defeating Assad and who met with Syrian leader Jolani on December 11.

FF and FG engage in 'positive and constructive' government formation talks

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have said they had "positive and constructive" initial discussions as both parties continue to hold government formation talks.

The article from RTE discusses the ongoing government formation talks in Ireland following the recent general election. Key points include the involvement of major parties like Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party in negotiations to form a coalition government. There's mention of significant policy disagreements, particularly around climate action, housing, and economic recovery post-COVID-19. Leaders from these parties have been meeting frequently, with some progress reported but also considerable hurdles. The talks are described as complex, with each party trying to secure key ministerial positions and policy commitments. There's also mention of public and internal party pressure to reach a deal swiftly to address urgent national issues. However, no final agreement has been reached, and the discussions are set to continue.

Read the Full RTE Online Article at:
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2024/1211/1485889-govt-talks/