• Fri, December 13, 2024

by: McClatchyDC

'Enough is enough': After Mitch McConnell's latest fall, MAGA calls for his retirement

A Tuesday fall marked another health episode spurring calls for 82-year-old Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's retirement.

by: Rolling Stone

Meet the New FBI Boss. He Sued the Old Boss. And Got Laughed Out of Court

Patel nonetheless casts this memo as a world-shaking unmasking of the "Deep State" — which he describes in his 2023 book Government Gangsters as a "cabal" of "incestuous, power-hungry, unelected oligarchs in Washington who hate us."

by: Channel 4 News

France's fourth PM in a year: what challenges lie ahead?

A Macron-ally and leader of the centre-right MoDem party, François Bayrou is disliked by the left and distrusted by the right. In other words he faces the same problems as his predecessor.

by: BBC

Macron picks centrist Bayrou as French PM in bid to end political instability

President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist leader François Bayrou as France's next prime minister, in a bid to end months of political turmoil. A Macron ally, Bayrou is a mayor from the southwest and leads the MoDem party. The president's task is to ensure he lasts longer than his predecessor.

by: Mother Jones

The Trump Conflicts of Interest Policy Could Be Even Worse Than Last Time

Truth-telling independent media is one remaining bulwark against an autocrat's unrestrained exercise of power. At a time when billionaire owners of corporate media are making accommodations to political leaders, our nonprofit newsroom cannot be bought, bent, or broken. Depend on it, and please stand with us.

by: WTHR

Journey to the governor's office | Mike Braun talks life, politics and legacy

News' Dustin Grove sat down with Mike and Maureen Braun at their home in Jasper to discuss their life, their politics and the legacy they hope to leave behind.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Inside the fiery meeting that would define the government's relationship with Israel

Fallout from the war in Gaza has created a deepening rift in relations between Australia and Israel. The hostilities are political and personal.

by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Coalition is playing voters for mugs once again with its nuclear costings

The opposition finally unveiled its much-promised nuclear energy costings yesterday. It will be hoping Labor continues to prove it is not very good at politics.

by: Toronto Star

Doug Ford to crack down on homeless encampments with fines for drug use and more funding

The premier said his government will earmark an additional $75.5 million on shelters and ensure cities are spending the money to help those in need.

by: Graphic

Last-minute mass recruitments will burden the next government - John Mahama

President-elect John Mahama has expressed concern over reports of last-minute mass recruitments and contract signings by the outgoing government, warning that such actions could create liabilities for the incoming administration.

by: NBC News

Trump Cabinet picks sand down their conservative media personas: From the Politics Desk

With Trump saying the U.S should avoid involvement in Syria, Gabbard told reporters Tuesday as she met with senators: "I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statement President Trump has made over the last few days with regards to the developments in Syria."

by: Washington Examiner

Oct. 7 changed the Middle East forever

by: RealClearPolitics

Free Speech: Why a Tech Titan Backed Trump

Why did Marc Andreessen -- inventor of the first internet web browser, and perhaps the prime venture capitalist in Silicon Valley today -- switch from

by: PBS

What does a Trump administration mean for crypto

Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the second time ever on Wednesday, after hitting the milestone the first time in early December, a surge fueled by optimism that the Trump administration would be more friendly to the cryptocurrency industry.

by: PBS

Only 3 in 10 Americans highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military, AP-NORC poll says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may have recently elected Donald Trump to a second term, but that doesn't mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet — or effectively manage government spending ...

by: MSN

'Huge victory for journalism': Oklahoma station wins lawsuit against MAGA education officials

Oklahoma State Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, a far-right Christian nationalist and MAGA Republican, has drawn scathing criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for separation of Church and State,

by: MSN

Everyone Biden Has Granted Presidential Pardons and Commutations

The lame-duck president will continue to announce pardons and sentence commutations before he leaves office on January 20. Biden has already pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, as well as dozens of other people convicted of nonviolent crimes.

by: MSN

A look at the political storm caused by South Korean president's martial law decree

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree in fiery comments made ahead of a second impeachment attempt and growing investigations into whether his short-lived power grab amounted to a rebellion.

by: MSN

RFK Jr. brings JFK conspiracies to heart of Trump team

Conspiracy theories about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy have floated around the fringes of US politics for decades. - 'Big discussion' - But a belief in conspiracy theories has never been a bar to a job with Trump,

by: MSN

Outgoing US Envoy to China Says Fentanyl Efforts on 'Right Road'

America's top diplomat in China said he spends 80% of his time on competition with Beijing and 20% on engagement, calling it the right balance just as Washington prepares for a new administration.

by: MSN

Long-awaited bill to oust misbehaving councillors falls short, say advocates

Ontario politicians who've long advocated for a way to fire councillors who harass their staff are feeling a mix of relief and frustration with the government's new bill.

by: MSN

'Syria freed!': thousands cheer at famed Damascus mosque

Thousands of jubilant Syrians converged on Damascus's landmark Umayyad Mosque for Friday prayers, waving opposition flags and chanting -- a sight unimaginable a week ago before rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

by: MSN

F1 governing body approves rule changes to its ethics and audit committees

The FIA confirmed Friday that rule changes to the ethics and audit committees have been approved by the FIA General Assemblies in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the end-of-year awards ceremony. According to the FIA,

by: MSN

'Unlikely' Labour will go into government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail - Bacik

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said they have not yet had a 'substantive' response to their policy priorities outlined during formation talks.

by: MSN

Three-day Capitol climate sit-in ends with HEAT Act push

Demonstrators gathered at the State Capitol in Albany for a three-day sit-in, urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act and the New York HEAT Act

by: MSN

Quebec, Ottawa announce $100-million deal to fight homelessness

The federal and provincial governments have announced a $100-million agreement to help fight homelessness in Quebec.

by: MSN

Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall

Thousands of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus' historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital's largest square.

by: MSN

Turning up the heat on Chinese government hackers requires a new approach, experts say

Nation-state hackers continue to exploit the weak U.S. response to cyberattacks, according to experts. Why it matters: The ongoing Chinese hack of U.S. telecommunications networks is considered the "worst telecom breach" in American history — but it remains to be seen if the U.

by: MSN

'Moderate' Rebels Destroy and Desecrate Assad Family Tomb

A contingent of the rebel force that recently took power in Syria has destroyed the tomb of the founder of the Assad ruling family. According to the BBC, the tomb of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad -- whose son,

by: MSN

Rhode Island leaders attend Rhode Island Energy, Environment and Oceans Leaders Day

Numerous Rhode Island leaders will attend a discussion about energy and environmental policy on Friday. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will house the 15th Rhode Island Energy, Environment and Oceans Leaders Day.

by: MSN

Who was in ousted Syrian President Assad's inner circle and where are they now?

After insurgents toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad this month, many senior officials and members of his dreaded intelligence and security services appear to have melted away. Activists say some of them have managed to flee the country while others went to hide in their hometowns.

by: MSN

Hungary's Foreign Minister and his Russian counterpart discuss Ukraine

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the conversation, they discussed Ukraine, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

by: MSN

Half of Americans have no confidence in Trump's Cabinet picks: Poll

About half of U.S. adults are "not at all confident" in President-elect Trump's ability to appoint qualified people to his administration, per an AP-NORC poll released on Friday. Why it matters: The lack of confidence from respondents undercuts Trump's claim to have won a mandate from voters as he finalizes Cabinet picks and fine tunes policy proposals.

by: MSN

Tren de Aragua terrorism tool of Venezuelan government, says former Venezuelan military officer

A former high ranking Venezuelan military officer is sounding the alarm about the migrant gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) being used as a tool of the Venezuelan government to sow violence and discord throughout the United States.

by: MSN

Voters split on whether Trump is serious about going after political enemies: Survey

Voters are split on whether President-elect Trump is serious about going after his political enemies during his second stint in the White House, according to a new survey released on Thursday. The Monmouth University poll found that 48 percent of respondents said Trump is serious about going after his political foes,

by: MSN

GOP rep calls to strip power from DC and for Black Lives Matter Plaza to be 'paved over'

One House Republican who has long sought to curtail Washington, D.C.'s sovereignty is now pushing for President-elect Donald Trump to help him not only tighten Congress' screws on D.C.'s elected government,

by: MSN

Senate Democrats livid with exiting Sinema, Manchin: 'Pathetic'

Senate Democrats were livid after Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), two longtime members of their caucus, voted Wednesday to block President Biden's nominee, Lauren McFerran, to serve another five-year term on the National Labor Relations Board.

by: MSN

Two Virginia women who came to Congress on a mission prepare to leave at a critical moment

Democratic Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton roared into Washington six years ago as part of a record wave of women vying for House seats, many on a mission to push back against the politics of Donald Trump.

by: MSN

Trump's Cabinet picks: When did this all begin and why

The president's Cabinet includes officers of the executive branch departments and is a vital and foundational element of the United States government. Though the word "cabinet" is not mentioned in the Constitution,

by: MSN

German federal government and states agree digital education package

Germany's federal government and the 16 states have agreed a package that provides funding for equipping schools with laptops and modern IT infrastructure for the next six years, Education Minister Cem Özdemir announced in Berlin on Friday.

by: MSN

Trump's new 'AI czar' really doesn't want MAGA world to remember his reaction to Jan. 6

Trump announced he would appoint David Sacks as his "AI and crypto czar," despite his pushback against the president-elect just a few years before.

by: MSN

Ottawa, provinces prepared to hit U.S. 'where it hurts' over tariffs, Holt says

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says the federal and provincial governments are prepared to hit the U.S. "where it hurts," if president-elect Donald Trump moves forward with a pledge to slap tariffs of 25 per cent on goods from Canada.

by: MSN

Syria's rebels face a new battle: Winning over the West

The emerging transitional government in Syria faces a daunting road ahead as it looks to unite a vast coalition of rebel groups and appeal to Western nations concerned about whether the country will suppress minority communities or become a haven for violent extremists.

by: MSN

Winton calls premier's rhetoric 'embarrassing' as protests target Woodside and federal minister's office

Dozens of protesters descended across multiple locations on Friday as writer Tim Winton accused the state government of "doublespeak", over a major gas project approval.

by: MSN

Politicians split on increase in housing targets

Politicians in Essex have been reacting to the government increasing the target of the number of homes the county must build. Essex needs to build 14,088 homes a year, rising from its previous target of 10,

by: MSN

France's Macron Names New Prime Minister in Bid to End Political Gridlock

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou as prime minister on Friday, picking a seasoned centrist to referee between France's rowdy political factions and find a way out of the political crisis that has paralyzed the country for months.

by: MSN

Biden's full list of clemency and commutation recipients revealed

by: MSN

US Fish and Wildlife Service proposes federal protections for Monarch butterfly

Texas' state insect, the black and orange-winged Monarch butterfly, could be granted federal protections after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed this week to list the animal as a threatened species.

Free Speech: Why a Tech Titan Backed Trump

Why did Marc Andreessen -- inventor of the first internet web browser, and perhaps the prime venture capitalist in Silicon Valley today -- switch from
The article from RealClearPolitics discusses how a prominent tech industry leader, known for his libertarian views, has decided to support Donald Trump in the upcoming election, primarily due to concerns over free speech. The tech titan, whose identity is not disclosed, believes that the current administration's policies and the broader cultural shift towards regulating online speech pose a significant threat to the First Amendment. He argues that Trump, despite his controversial style, has been a vocal advocate for free speech, especially in the context of social media platforms and their content moderation practices. The article highlights the tech leader's disillusionment with Silicon Valley's increasing alignment with progressive ideologies, which he perceives as stifling open discourse. This support is seen as a strategic move to counter what he views as an encroaching censorship culture, emphasizing the importance of free expression in maintaining a healthy democracy.

Read the Full RealClearPolitics Article at:
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2024/12/13/free_speech_why_a_tech_titan_backed_trump_152082.html