• Mon, December 16, 2024

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: The Globe and Mail

Eight highlights from the Liberal government's fall economic update

Business-focused tax incentives, $1.3-billion for the border over six years, and putting Terry Fox on the $5 bill

by: The Real News Network

'Incredibly hypocritical': Hunter Biden's pardon and his father's mass incarceration legacy

Hunter Biden's case was always outrageously partisan, but his pardon inevitably casts a harsh light on President Biden's past as a proponent of the War on Drugs.

by: The New York Times

German Government Collapses at a Perilous Time for Europe

Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote, deepening the political turbulence in one of the continent's most powerful economies.

by: The New York Times

Fact-Checking Trump's First Post-Election News Conference

Musk's DOGE Playbook: Since Trump named Elon Musk to help lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, the tech billionaire has turned to X to single out federal employees and agencies for cuts. Kennedy's Lawyer: Aaron Siri, who is helping Robert F.

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

Drones spark concerns in New Jersey and beyond: 5 things to know

Concerns about drones — also called unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned aerial systems — have grabbed the attention of politicians on the East Coast as well as media outlets. In reviewing the issues gripping Washington,

by: MSN

TikTok asks Supreme Court to step in and halt looming ban

TikTok filed an emergency application on Monday imploring the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law that would effectively ban the popular social media app. Under bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in April,

by: MSN

German government dissolves after no-confidence vote, triggering snap elections

by: MSN

Massachusetts senator to refile bill to expand rules and regulations on drone operations

Massachusetts Senator Velis says who can fly these drones, how high they go, and where they are flown should be considered in these regulations.

by: MSN

The bridge, health care and taxes: RI House leaders lay out their priorities for next session

In fact, they were all top-of-the agenda during the last legislative session that ended in June. But they remain big unsolved problems Rhode Island

by: MSN

Senators, Representatives Introduce Bill That Would Ban Joint Ownership of PBMs and Pharmacies

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley and Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Jake Auchincloss introduced the Patients Before Monopolies Act on Wednesday.

by: MSN

Trump proposes ending daylight saving time

President-elect Donald Trump proposed Congress end the practice of daylight saving time, saying adjusting clocks is inconvenient and costly.

by: MSN

TikTok Asks US Supreme Court to Block Government Ban

TikTok and its Chinese parent company asked the US Supreme Court to block a government ban set to take effect next month, making a late push to keep the social-media platform operating in a market with more than 170 million users.

by: MSN

Trump takes questions on TikTok, Hegseth, drones, vaccines, RFK Jr. and more

President-elect Donald Trump took questions on several subjects Monday at Mar-a-Lago, speaking about the drone sightings that have been reported in several states, the vaccine views of his pick for HHS secretary and more.

by: MSN

New rules for wind and solar power in Alberta

Three major regulatory changes were announced this month regarding land reclamation bonds, visual impact assessments and agricultural land assessments for renewable energy. Some say the province should do the same for oil companies.

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.

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.
The article from the Australian Financial Review discusses how the Australian government, in anticipation of the upcoming federal election, has instructed various departments to defer spending. This directive comes as part of a broader strategy to manage the budget and potentially present a more favorable financial position before the election. The move involves delaying or reallocating funds for projects and programs, which could impact the timing and delivery of public services and infrastructure. This approach is not uncommon as governments often seek to control fiscal optics in the lead-up to elections, aiming to either showcase fiscal responsibility or to have more funds available for pre-election promises or adjustments. However, this strategy has raised concerns about the potential negative effects on public services and the economy, with critics arguing that such deferrals could lead to inefficiencies and delays in essential services.

Read the Full The Australian Financial Review Article at:
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/government-departments-pushed-to-defer-spending-ahead-of-election-20241216-p5kyl4

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