Fri, December 13, 2024

by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Friends and partners weigh up Canberra's 'relentless' Pacific push

The federal government has closed out the year with a flurry of Pacific announcements designed to shore up Australia's strategic position and push back on China's ambitions in the region.

by: PBS

IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes, braces for cuts under Trump and GOP majority

However, the legislative mechanism keeping the government afloat inadvertently duplicated the one-time cut. Treasury officials warn of dire consequences if the funding is effectively rescinded through inaction. Trump last week announced plans to nominate ...

by: The Independent

Survivors 'let down' by Government as it rejects proposals to ban deepfake abuse

Survivors will feel "let down" by the Government's rejection of proposals to crack down on deepfake abuse, Parliament has heard. Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge said she was "devastated" that ministers were not backing her proposed legislation banning the creation and solicitation of intimate images of people without their consent.

by: The Bismarck Tribune

Lt. Gov.-elect Michelle Strinden ready for new role in Bismarck

Michelle Strinden will soon resign from the North Dakota House and officially become the state's next lieutenant governor on Dec. 15. Here's a glimpse into her background.

by: USA Today

What is Voice of America? What to know about US news agency Trump wants Kari Lake to lead

Here's a look at what Voice of America does ahead of Kari Lake possibly taking over as director under Donald Trump.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Washington Examiner

Oct. 7 changed the Middle East forever

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: 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: 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: Yahoo

Starmer promised change - we didn't know he meant the bad kind

Change takes time. There is no significant part of the electorate that is unaware of this, of the truth that a country cannot be transformed overnight, however adept and radical the new government happens to be.

by: Yahoo

President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron's centrist alliance,

by: National Post

Immigration minister plans reforms to asylum system to stop it being 'gamed'

Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.

by: KCUR 89.3 FM

Missouri Rep. Cori Bush criticizes fellow Democrats for not speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza

St. Louis County, gave a farewell address to Congress on Thursday. Bush lost the Democratic primary earlier this year to St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, who was backed by pro-Israel groups.

by: MSN

What is grey belt land and what is the green belt? Sir Keir Starmer announces plan to transform house building

What is grey belt land and what is the green belt? Sir Keir Starmer announces plan to transform house building - 'Builders and not blockers' approach for government in house-building push

by: MSN

Why some House Democrats are showing interest in Trump and Musk's DOGE plan

President-elect Trump and Elon Musk are finding a wellspring of unexpected cooperation from Democrats in their plans to crack down on government waste and inefficiency. Why it matters: Trump's "Department of Government Efficiency,

by: NBC News

Trump has invited China's Xi Jinping to his inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration in January, though it's unclear whether he plans to attend. In an interview Thursday on Fox News' "Fox and Friends," incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the invitation had been extended to Xi.

by: The Financial Times

South African politician Helen Zille: 'The ANC has to come apart'

The Democratic Alliance chair on governing in coalition, battling corruption under Jacob Zuma — and the trouble with 'everything must fall'

by: MSN

Syria updates: EU launches 'air bridge' for humanitarian aid

The European Union announced a major humanitarian effort for Syrians after the overthrow of Assad. G7 leaders are also set to discuss support for an "inclusive and nonsectarian" government in Syria. DW has more.

by: MSN

Amazon, Meta Are Both Donating $1 Million to Donald Trump's Inauguration Fund

Amazon and Meta, seeking to get in Donald Trump's good graces, are each giving $1 million to the president-elect's inauguration fund. Trump has previously lashed out at both Meta and Amazon, among other Big Tech companies,

by: MSN

Himanta Biswa Sarma cautions Mamata Banerjee against leading 'dead' INDIA bloc

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday declared the INDIA bloc "dead" and urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to avoid leading a coalition that, he claimed, "will never be revived.

by: MSN

Switching to Traditional Medicare Costs Government More: KFF Study

Study also suggests some older Americans may struggle to access care through Medicare Advantage private for-profit insurers.

by: MSN

'Kurdish leaders warnings went unheeded for years and years'

Since the fall of Assad, western capitals have been voicing concern about the risk of ISIS militants exploiting the political vacuum in Syria. FRANCE 24's Emily Boyle reports. Thousands of former militants are currently being detained in prisons and camps controlled by the Kurds.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Millions fewer Australians to drive electric cars or have rooftop solar under Dutton's vision

The opposition leader has declared, if elected, he will shift the energy grid to net zero emissions by 2050 for $331 billion - $260 billion less than the Albanese government's plan.

by: Time

How Estrangement Has Become an Epidemic in America

According to our research, today, 1 in 2 adults is estranged from a close relative,' write Joshua Coleman and Will Johnson.

by: floridaphoenix

DeSantis dilemma on Senate pick and the MAGA-Florida connection

When Ron DeSantis sidles up next to Donald Trump Saturday in Landover, Maryland, to watch the Army-Navy football game, the topic of whom the Florida governor appoints to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio might be a topic of conversation.

by: 10 News

Vanderbilt Poll highlights Tennesseans' concerns and views post-election

Overall, the poll shows the election had little impact on Tennesseans' stances on key issues. A notable difference was the increased approval for state lawmakers since May, despite the poll showing leaders often holding positions on some issues that are out of step with Tennesseans.

by: USA Today

Who is Ron Johnson? What to know about Trump's nominee for US ambassador to Mexico

President-elect Donald Trump selected Ron D. Johnson, former U.S Army Green Beret and diplomat, as his choice for U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

by: The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Pressure on Ernst, a veteran and senator, shows what's next for those who oppose Trump

Ernst faced an onslaught of criticism from within her own party, including threats of a potential primary challenge in 2026, when she appeared cool to Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth

by: MSN

Kurds and HTS: Tensions rise in Syria's fragile new government

Led by the former Harakat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) member Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the rebels' efforts are currently focused on transitioning into the provisional Syrian Salvation Government (SSG). Following the collapse of Assad's regime, Syria has embarked ...

by: MSN

Durham MP pens letter to Government amid financial crisis at St Cuthbert's Hospice

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy has written a letter to the Government asking them to "urgently step in" and help St Cuthbert's Hospice.

by: MSN

Gauteng government's R52 million land acquisition sparks controversy over heritage site

Gauteng's decision to allocate R52 million for land acquisition in Cullinan faces backlash from the DA, citing concerns over unmarked graves and the preservation of cultural heritage.

by: MSN

Tariffs, crypto, and interest rates set to dominate 2025 economic agenda

by: MSN

US News Live Today December 13, 2024: Don Jr and new GF Bettina Anderson visit Mar-a-Lago, greeted by Trump as the pair 'paraded their love for all to see'

Get real-time breaking news updates on the biggest event unfolding in the United States, including election, politics, economics, crime, viral and more.

by: The Globe and Mail

Trudeau accused of throwing Freeland under the bus as he courts Carney for government

Conservatives accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of throwing Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland under the bus just days before she is set to table the fall economic update, as he tries to recruit former central banker Mark Carney into his government.

by: MSN

What Americans think about Trump nominees Gabbard, Hegseth, Kennedy and Rubio: AP-NORC poll

Americans may have elected Donald Trump in November, but that doesn't mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his cabinet according to a new AP-NORC poll. (AP

by: MSN

Fracking approved in Ohio State Park amid protests and community outcry

Despite community backlash and protests from the anti-fracking groups, the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved a nomination for hundreds of acres in Salt Fork State Park, northeast of Cambridge.

by: MSN

Neighbours have their domestic politics, we should be mature: Jaishankar

Jaishankar was responding to a query from Congress lawmaker Manish Tewari regarding the state of India's relations with its neighbours during question hour in the Lok Sabha

Oct. 7 changed the Middle East forever

While the massacre of Oct. 7, 2023, was one of the most traumatic events in modern Jewish history, it's obvious now that it was a massive, perhaps existential, blunder by Islamic State, and a stunning defeat for its allies both in the Middle East and Washington.

The article from the Washington Examiner discusses the profound impact of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which has fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. It describes how this event, marked by unprecedented violence and the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, has shattered the illusion of peace and stability in the region. The attack not only led to immediate military responses from Israel but also exposed the vulnerabilities of Israel's security apparatus and the failure of intelligence. The piece highlights the shift in regional dynamics, with countries like Saudi Arabia pausing normalization talks with Israel, and a broader reevaluation of security alliances and strategies. It also touches on the international reactions, the potential for escalation, and the long-term implications for peace processes, suggesting that the Middle East might be entering a new era of heightened conflict and strategic reorientation.

Read the Full Washington Examiner Article at:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/3255724/oct-7-changed-the-middle-east-forever/