Wed, December 11, 2024

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Federal politics live: Tech giants to be fined if they don't pay for Australian news under fresh government plan

Facebook and Google will be forced to pay for Australian news content or risk fines under a new scheme expected to be announced by the government later today. Follow live.

by: Time

The History of North Carolina Exposes the Truth About Swing States

Tight electoral margins might be thought to foster centrism. In reality, partisan power grabs are incentivized.

by: coloradopolitics

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis criticized for blaming wolf reintroduction program costs on ranchers

Governor Jared Polis faces backlash for blaming ranchers for the cost of Colorado's wolf reintroduction program.

by: Oregonian

New Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read hires top staff from treasury, Senate

Tobias Read, a Democrat elected in November, spent the past eight years as state treasurer before being elected secretary of state.

by: THE WEEK

Inside Trump's billionaire Cabinet

A billionaire himself, Trump's decision to staff his pending White House with fellow ten-figure figures (eight so far) has made his administration worth "more than the GDP of 169 different countries," at least $350 billion,

by: Pew Research Center

Global Elections in 2024: What We Learned in a Year of Political Disruption

Voters in more than 60 countries went to the polls in what turned out to be a difficult year for incumbents and traditional political parties.

by: Time

Trump's and Biden's Advisers Had the Same Problem: a Stubborn Candidate

Take the Democrats. Jen O'Malley Dillon, who ran Joe Biden's 2020 presidential race and served as the deputy chief of staff in the West Wing, was dispatched to reprise the role earlier this year, despite widespread concerns that his age, among other concerns, would keep him from drawing the support he needed.

by: Mint

Politics News News Today Live: Sitharaman rejects Rahul Gandhi's claim that PSBs only helping the rich

Stay engaged with the latest in politics, covering government policies, political debates, and legislative updates. From breaking developments in national governance to international diplomatic relations,

by: BBC

Government recommends 2.8% pay rise for public sector

Government departments have recommended a pay rise of 2.8% for millions of public sector workers including teachers, NHS staff and senior civil servants next year. Unions responded by saying the proposed pay increase was too low, with one threatening strike action.

by: boston25news

The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises

But a funny thing happened on Trump's way back to the White House: The Biden and Trump national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife's edge.

by: Toronto Star

Ford government's bill to clamp down on homeless encampments to be introduced Thursday

NDP Leader Marit Stiles, whose Davenport riding includes Toronto's largest encampment in Dufferin-Grove Park, noted the premier's "legacy is homelessness and encampments in every community" since he was elected in 2018.

by: The New York Times

How Romania's Fascist and Communist Pasts Haunt Its Politics

An ultranationalist politician's surge shows how many people would rather forget the country's fascist past, experts say. On Wednesday, a new government was announced that pledged a pro-European path.

by: The West Australian

Katina Curtis: Politicians need both style and substance in their toolkits

Too far towards style-only and you fall into #scottyfrommarketing territory. Too far the other way and people feel abandoned no matter what practical actions leaders are taking.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

As Dutton goes low, Albanese goes nowhere. We're trapped in an era of one-and-done PMs

Shifting and dodging is working for Peter Dutton, even if it foreshadows a Bizarro World election and a dog's breakfast of policies should the Coalition win.

by: FOX59 News

Nation's largest labor union for federal employees rebukes GOP's efforts to end telework

AFGE, the country's largest labor union for federal employees, is fighting back against Republican criticisms that government workers are abusing remote work policies.

by: MSN

Will Trump ban H-1B visas? The issue could divide him and Elon Musk

Immigration attorneys are bracing for President-elect Donald Trump to revive the restrictive immigration policies of his first term, including a 2020 attempt to ban H-1B visas, the temporary work visa for high-skilled foreign workers.

by: MSN

Here's how much Ted Cruz and Colin Allred have raised in their U.S. Senate race

In 2024, Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred have collectively raised almost $193 million for the U.S. Senate race, making it the most expensive Senate race in the nation.

by: MSN

Governor Moore backs lifting Maryland's ban on grocery store beer and wine sales

Imagine heading into a grocery store to pick up what you need for dinner, maybe some snacks, and beer. Or maybe a bottle of wine. For most Americans, that may n

by: MSN

Scholz confirms Ukraine will receive sixth IRIS-T system and Patriot launchers by year-end

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Germany's total assistance to Ukraine has reached 37 billion euros, the largest of any European country. He thanked Germany for its contribution to Ukraine's security,

by: MSN

Bill Clinton and James Patterson Announce New Thriller "The First Gentleman": 'We Really Take the Gloves Off'

The First Gentleman,' a stand-alone novel, follows the cowriters' previous books, including 'The President is Missing'

by: MSN

Ford government faces constitutional challenge over bike lane law

Cycle Toronto has launched a charter challenge claiming the Ford government is engaging in a "legislative campaign against people who ride bikes"

by: MSN

DOJ Misled Courts To Spy On Lawmakers And Staff During 'Russiagate' Probe, Watchdog Finds

Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has revealed that DOJ personnel misled courts in order to obtain gag orders that prevented dozens of elected officials and Congressional staffers from knowing they were being spied on during the Russiagate investigation.

by: MSN

Kemp lists hurricane relief and lawsuit limits as top 2025 priorities

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp told lawmakers Tuesday that he will emphasize relief efforts for Hurricane Helene and attempts to limit lawsuit verdicts in the state legislative session that begins Jan. 13.

by: MSN

Parliament denies asking EACC to vet Fred Matiang'i, Mutahi Kagwe and 3 others for CS posts: "Fake"

The National Assembly flagged as fake a letter purported to have come from it and addressed to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for vetting.

by: MSN

What is medical misogyny? Government and NHS face 'urgent wake-up call' on women's health services

What is medical misogyny? Government and NHS face 'urgent wake-up call' on women's health services - A cross-party group is calling for an overhaul of women's reproductive health services

by: London Evening Standard

Two Government ministers to sit on assisted dying Bill scrutiny committee

The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live be legally allowed to end their lives.

by: Daily Express

Take back criminals or lose out on foreign aid and visa deals, countries told

The Shadow Justice Secretary said deporting 10,500 foreign national offenders is the "number one thing we can do to free-up prison capacity".

by: The Economist

British politics enters the "death zone"

In British politics the death zone is less visceral, but no less serious. Any party that spends too long in the 20s or below in the polls is in deep trouble. Usually only one major party is unlucky enough to be so disliked.

by: Express & Star

Streeting seeks to reassure trans youth amid indefinite puberty blocker ban

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria (Ben Whitley/PA) The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said legislation was being updated on Wednesday to make that order indefinite, and that the ban will be reviewed in 2027.

by: MSN

JESSE WATTERS: Democrats haven't learned a thing and are still living in a bubble that popped five weeks ago

Fox News host Jesse Watters offers his criticism of the current state of the Democratic Party, and their perceived reliance on identity politics, failure to connect with average voters, and financial troubles following Vice President Kamala Harris' election loss.

The global players in Syria before and after Assad

The overthrow followed a 13-year civil war, which started after Assad crushed pro-democracy protests, killing more than half a million people and displacing millions more, and embroiled international powers and their proxies.

The article from MSN discusses the complex geopolitical landscape of Syria, detailing the involvement of various global and regional powers both before and after the rise of Bashar al-Assad. Initially, Syria under Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, was a key player in Middle Eastern politics, aligning with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and maintaining a strategic balance against Israel. Post-Cold War, Syria's role shifted with Bashar al-Assad's leadership, which began in 2000. The article outlines how the Syrian Civil War, which started in 2011, transformed the country into a battleground for international influence. Key players include:

  • Russia: A long-standing ally, Russia has provided military support to Assad, including air strikes and diplomatic backing at the UN, aiming to maintain its naval base in Tartus and counter Western influence.

  • Iran: Supporting Assad to preserve its influence in the region, Iran has provided military advisors, funds, and militias like Hezbollah, seeing Syria as a crucial link in its "axis of resistance" against Israel and the U.S.

  • United States: Initially involved in supporting opposition groups to counterbalance Assad's regime, U.S. policy has oscillated between direct military action, support for rebels, and later, focusing on defeating ISIS, while also imposing sanctions on Assad's government.

  • Turkey: Initially backing the Syrian opposition, Turkey's involvement has been driven by concerns over Kurdish autonomy in northern Syria, leading to military incursions to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state.

  • Saudi Arabia and Qatar: Both have supported various opposition groups, often with differing agendas, aiming to reduce Iranian influence and promote Sunni governance.

  • Israel: While not directly involved in the civil war, Israel has conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian and Hezbollah positions in Syria to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons.

  • European Union: Has imposed sanctions on Assad's regime and provided humanitarian aid, while also dealing with the refugee crisis resulting from the conflict.

    The article concludes by noting that the Syrian conflict has not only reshaped the country's internal dynamics but has also significantly altered the geopolitical strategies of these global players, with ongoing implications for regional stability and international relations.

    Read the Full MSN Article at:
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/the-global-players-in-syria-before-and-after-assad/ar-AA1vCucJ