• Mon, December 16, 2024

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Dutton says nuclear will cost $331 billion. Chalmers adds $4 trillion to that

The Coalition's nuclear power plan forecasts much lower energy use than Labor's renewables-focused policy. That could hit growth by up to 12 per cent annually.

by: USA Today

Randy Fine files bill again to ban Pride, Palestine, other flags at government buildings

Randy Fine, now a state senator, wants to try again to bar state agencies and local governments from putting up flags with a "political viewpoint."

by: justthenews

Trump transition calls for gutting subsidies for EVs and charging stations: report

Transition team document reportedly recommends shifting remaining money in Biden's $7.5 billion plan to battery-minerals processing, national defense.

by: The Mirror

Every region in England to get a mayor with powers on housing and transport, vows Angela Rayner

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said regional mayors will be handed more powers over housing, transport, education and employment under major devolution plans

by: The Australian Financial Review

Government departments pushed to defer spending ahead of election

Bureaucrats say they are being asked to "re-profile" spending to minimise the size of deficits in time for the federal polls.

by: The Boston Globe

Jim Leach, Iowa Republican who opposed Iraq invasion, dies at 82

Mr. Leach would later serve as head of the National Endowment for the Humanities during the Obama administration and as interim leader of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

by: Toronto Star

Chrystia Freeland's resignation triggers chaos and Liberal calls for Justin Trudeau to step down

Deputy Prime Minister Freeland said in a statement that PM Trudeau told her he no longer wants her to serve as Finance Minister and offered another position in cabinet, leading to her resignation.

by: CBC.ca

Federal deficit balloons to $61.9B as government tables economic update on chaotic day in Ottawa

The federal government's fall economic statement — tabled just hours after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit cabinet and questioned her government's recent handling of the economy — calls for more than $20 billion in new spending and says the deficit has grown to $61.

by: Mother Jones

Trump Sounds Down to Pardon Eric Adams

On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump said that he would consider pardoning Eric Adams if the New York City mayor is convicted on charges related to accepting bribes and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.

by: Charlotte Observer

NC electors to cast votes on Tuesday for Trump and Vance ahead of 2025 inauguration

North Carolina won't be the only state: Electors across the country will meet in their respective state capitals Tuesday to cast their votes, finalizing necessary formalities before congressional certification next year and the subsequent Jan. 20 inauguration.

by: CBC.ca

Chrystia Freeland resigns from Trudeau's cabinet and sources say Dominic LeBlanc will replace her

In a shocking move, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Monday she's resigning from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet — just hours before she was set to deliver the government's fall economic statement.

by: The Globe and Mail

Why did Chrystia Freeland resign and other questions about Trudeau's cabinet crisis, answered

The finance minister's resignation is the latest in a string of ministers who have left Justin Trudeau's cabinet or said they will not run again in recent months

by: The New York Times

TikTok Asks Supreme Court to Block Law Banning Its U.S. Operations

The company and its Chinese parent invoked the First Amendment in urging the justices to step in before a Jan. 19 deadline to sell or be shut down.

by: MSN

The Latest: Events unfold on Parliament Hill after Freeland's cabinet resignation

Chrystia Freeland has resigned from cabinet, leaving her post as deputy prime minister and finance minister on the same day she was expected to deliver the government's fall economic statement, leaving the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau roiling.

by: MSN

Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday thanked deep-pocketed Democratic donors who raised record sums in last month's election loss to President-elect Donald Trump and urged them not to lose hope and to remain politically engaged.

by: MSN

Pressure mounts for Trudeau to step aside after Freeland resigns from cabinet

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is reeling after suddenly losing its top cabinet minister, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, reigniting calls for Trudeau to step down and call an election.

by: MSN

Trump talks TikTok, tariffs, drones, and RFK Jr.: Ten takeaways from press conference

by: MSN

Rail, Tram and Bus Union votes to strike in Sydney on New Years Eve

People could be stranded in Sydney on New Year's Eve as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union votes to strike. 75 per cent of members voted to commit to industrial action from December 28, as they seek a better pay deal.

by: MSN

Governors are lining up behind Trump and pledging to use national guards to boot immigrants from US

Governors are lining up behind Trump and pledging to use national guards to boot immigrants from US - 'We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal—whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard—to support President Trump in this vital mission,

by: MSN

Federal government deploying more resources to deal with drone sightings

For the last few weeks, people in New Jersey have reported repeated drone sightings, which have expanded to New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

by: MSN

Live updates: Trump talk drones, vaccines and Cabinet in wide-ranging press conference

Congress has a looming deadline of Friday to avert a government shutdown, and lawmakers are sprinting to reach a deal to keep the government funded. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was expected to unveil the text of a stopgap on Sunday,

by: MSN

Where Ryan Poles' Master Plan Sits and Still Must Take Shape

Now they have GM Ryan Poles and have a president in charge in Kevin Warren who, it appears, has given his GM a chance to move forward into the final year of his deal, with a pat on the back, a very firm hand on the shoulder and no contract extension.

by: MSN

Fact check: Trump makes false claims about immigration, tariffs and global conflicts

President-elect Donald Trump made numerous false claims in a Monday news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

by: MSN

New Jersey Gov. Murphy pardons 33 and commutes 3 women's sentences in first use of clemency

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pardoned 33 people and commuted the sentences of three women, one of whom was supported by Kim Kardashian, in the first use of his clemency authority during his administration.

by: MSN

Trump Hints at Government Conspiracy Behind Mystery Drones

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed without evidence that the government knows where the mysterious N.J. drones are from—but won't tell the public. "For some reason, they want to keep people in suspense,

by: MSN

Trump calls rebel victory in Syria 'unfriendly takeover' by Turkey

Turkey has carried out military strikes inside Syria and has said it is ready to provide armed support to the country's new Islamist-led government set up by the rebels. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top priority in Syria was to rid the country ...

by: MSN

Former Obama adviser says Donald Trump 'smarter' than him and all his critics

Ex-Obama adviser Van Jones said during an interview that President-elect Donald Trump was smarter than all of his critics, pointing to his successful election campaign.

by: MSN

Trump Eyes Privatization of the United States Postal Service Amid $9.5 Billion Loss

Trump seeks to privatize the USPS after a $9.5 billion loss, citing financial struggles and $80 billion in liabilities. Privatization could reshape consumer shipping, focusing on profitable routes and leaving rural areas underserved.

by: MSN

Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago

In a freewheeling press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club, President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, declared the country was "not going to lose" the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey.

by: MSN

Russian military has begun large-scale withdrawal from Syria, US and Western officials say

Russia has begun withdrawing a large amount of military equipment and troops from Syria following the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to two US officials and a western official familiar with the intelligence.

by: MSN

Editorial: Keep Kash Patel away from the FBI: Departing Director Chris Wray is the right kind of leader

FBI Director Chris Wray is resigning several years before the end of his statutory 10-year term for one, terrible reason: Donald Trump had promised to fire Wray when he's sworn in as president next month and install the unqualified and unfit Kash Patel,

by: MSN

Poilievre calls for vote on the fall economic statement after Freeland leaves cabinet

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, speaking after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's surprise resignation from cabinet, called on the Liberals to introduce the fall economic statement and allow for an up-or-down vote in the House.

by: MSN

Italian government approves 10th military aid package for Ukraine

The Italian government has approved its tenth military aid package for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Source: European Pravda with reference to ANSA Details: As on previous occasions,

by: MSN

Rising numbers of Indian and Asian Pacific Islander voters in Arkansas

In the United States, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing group of eligible voters, according to the Pew Research Center. Arkansas has had a 16% increase in Asian voter eligibility in 10 years.

by: MSN

Top aide to NYC mayor resigns months after prosecutors search her home and seize her phones

A top aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams abruptly resigned less than three months after investigators from the Manhattan district attorney's office took her phones and searched her house as part of one of several probes that have enveloped City Hall.

by: MSN

Lt. Governor says Texas may purchase border wall material auctioned by federal government

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Texas will buy any pieces of border wall that are being auctioned off in Arizona and donate it to the incoming Trump administration if it makes "economic sense."

by: MSN

Florida Senator Randy Fine files bill to ban political flags in government buildings

Florida State Senator Randy Fine (R-Melbourne Beach) has introduced legislation to prohibit the display of political and ideological flags in government buildings, including schools.

by: MSN

Kent could get mayor and lose district councils as Angela Rayner proposes devolution as part of local government reforms

The government has announced the biggest shake-up in local councils for half a century - but Kent's future direction is far from clear. The English Devolution White Paper launched this afternoon outlines new structures which could see a new mayor for the county and the abolition of all 12 borough and district councils.

by: MSN

Trump claims 'there's something wrong' with autism rates when asked about vaccines: 'We're going to find out about it'

Trump claims 'there's something wrong' with autism rates when asked about vaccines: 'We're going to find out about it' - Trump also says he is not a fan of mandates as Robert F Kennedy heads to Capito

by: MSN

Trump defends health pick RFK Jr over vaccine stance

Donald Trump defended his nomination of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy for health secretary as the US president elect offered up debunked data linking vaccines and autism in his first post-election news conference on Monday.

by: MSN

In his first post-election news conference, Trump boasts of his popularity

President-elect Donald Trump was upbeat at his first post-election press conference Monday, saying there was a big difference between now and when he took office in 2016: Some of his former adversaries are now being nice to him.

by: MSN

Trump repeats support of polio vaccine, as RFK Jr., allies come under fire

The president-elect told reporters Monday he supports the polio vaccine, as his pick for health secretary is scrutinized for anti-vaccine stances.

by: MSN

German Chancellor Scholz loses no-confidence vote, paving way for election

The German parliament accepted Chancellor Olaf Scholz's invitation to withdraw its confidence in him and his government on Monday, clearing the way for an early election on Feb. 23 necessitated by the collapse of his government.

by: MSN

Trump Says He'll Consider Pardoning NYC Mayor Eric Adams: 'Treated Pretty Unfairly'

I said he's going to be indicted, and a few months later he got indicted. So, I would certainly look at' pardoning Adams, Trump said.

by: MSN

Trump says federal workers who don't want to return to the office will be fired

President-elect Donald Trump said federal workers who don't want to work in the office will be fired, despite a union deal to allow federal workers to continue to telework into 2029.

by: MSN

Syria's ousted leader Bashar Assad says he wanted to keep fighting but Russians evacuated him

Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a statement Monday he wanted to stay in the country after rebels captured the capital Damascus a week ago, but the Russian military evacuated him from their base in western Syria after it came under attack.

by: MSN

China 'spy' live updates: Judge considers naming suspected agent H6 linked to Prince Andrew as hearing begins

Judge considers naming suspected agent H6 linked to Prince Andrew as hearing begins - The suspected spy has been banned from Britain on security grounds but is understood to have visited Buckingham Pa

by: MSN

Robert F. Kenndy Jr. on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers ahead of Senate confirmation hearings

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on Capitol Hill this week as he seeks to garner support from lawmakers ahead of his confirmation hearings to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. (Scripps Ne

Dutton says nuclear will cost $331 billion. Chalmers adds $4 trillion to that

The Coalition's nuclear power plan forecasts much lower energy use than Labor's renewables-focused policy. That could hit growth by up to 12 per cent annually.
The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the ongoing debate over nuclear energy in Australia, focusing on the financial implications as outlined by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Dutton has proposed a nuclear energy plan, estimating the cost at $331 billion over 25 years, which he claims would be offset by savings from not building new transmission lines and the benefits of cheaper electricity. However, Treasurer Chalmers has countered this by suggesting that the true cost could be significantly higher, potentially reaching $4 trillion, when considering the full scope of expenses including decommissioning, waste management, and the opportunity cost of not investing in renewable energy. Chalmers argues that this would be an enormous financial burden on taxpayers and that renewable energy remains the more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. The debate highlights the stark differences in energy policy between the opposition and the government, with implications for Australia's energy future and economic strategy.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-says-nuclear-will-cost-331-billion-chalmers-adds-4-trillion-to-that-20241216-p5kymd.html