• Mon, December 16, 2024

by: Politico Europe

Slovakia's leaders have started trading insults, revealing a country 'falling apart'

In Bratislava, the president and prime minister don't like each other much. That has repercussions for democracy.

by: The New Zealand Herald

Oranga Tamariki reviews of bootcamp participants' death and abscondings not due until 2025

Oranga Tamariki's reviews into one bootcamp pilot participant's death and absconding incidents from two others won't conclude until the new year, the Children's Minister expects. It comes as Minister Karen Chhour accepts she and Oranga Tamariki underestimated the level of scrutiny the 10 pilot participants would be put under,

by: MSN

Video: What a second Trump presidency might mean for the Golan Heights and the West Bank

What a second Trump presidency might mean for the Golan Heights and the West Bank ABC News' Britt Clennett reports on how the second Trump presidency could impact whether Israel allows Jewish settlers to stake claims to disputed territory in the Golan Heights and the West Bank.

by: Lincoln Journal Star

Affordable homes and animals: Rooster can remain despite 'wise-size' Lincoln houses

The City Council approved a plan to build 81 "wise size" homes in northwest Lincoln and got assurances from the health department that a rooster on adjacent land can remain.

by: MSN

Bill Clinton Warns Of 'War' On 'Diversity' In American Politics

Former President Bill Clinton warned on a podcast Monday that he believes there's a "war" on "diversity" within American politics following President-elect Donald Trump's win in November. During Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign,

by: MSN

Drone sightings a combination of 'lawful' drones, other aircrafts and stars, officials say

Recent drone sightings include a combination of "lawful" drones, other aircrafts and stars, federal government officials said in a statement on Monday. In looking into "the technical data and tips from concerned citizens,

by: MSN

RGV border wall bollards won't be auctioned, CBP says

Piles of rusted border bollards are stacked high in several holding yards throughout the Rio Grande Valley. But a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official on Monday told Border Report that this material will not be auctioned off.

by: MSN

The purse and the sword

The separation of powers in the main branches of government is a hallmark of democracies, allowing checks and balances. I recall learning about the three branches—the executive, the legislative, and the judicial—as early as high school,
  • Tue, December 17, 2024

by: Detroit News

DTE Energy-linked nonprofit quietly gave $100,000 to House speaker fund amid outage anger

Legislation requiring new penalties for utility companies over prolonged power outages has stalled out in the Michigan House under Speaker Joe Tate.

by: i24NEWS

'Ben-Gvir is destroying the government' - budget passes despite protest vote

The budget passed 59-57 opponents after Ben Gvir abstained in first reading and voted against in the next readings • Ben Gvir and Smotrich's parties clashed amid the protest vote

by: Firstpost

Why did German Chancellor Olaf Scholz face no-confidence vote and lose? What next?

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a no-confidence motion, paving the way for early general elections on February 23, 2025. Scholz's defeat had been expected after his three-way coalition collapsed last month.

by: NPR

Canada's finance minister resigns, posing biggest test of Trudeau's political career

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

by: Business Insider

TikTok's CEO met with Trump as the fight to delay ban heads to Supreme Court

The meeting between Shou Chew and Trump is the latest in TikTok's legal fight to remain available in the US.

by: CBC.ca

Trudeau faces frustrated MPs after Chrystia Freeland's shock resignation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced frustrated MPs at a hastily arranged caucus meeting late Monday following Chrystia Freeland's shocking decision to resign from cabinet just before she was poised to deliver the government's much-anticipated fall economic statement.

by: The Marietta Times

Canada's finance minister resigns: Unpopular Trudeau faces biggest test of his political career

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced the biggest test of his political career after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long his most powerful and loyal minister, announced Monday she was resigning from the Cabinet.

by: Business Standard

How Priyanka Gandhi's Palestine bag reignited Israel-Gaza debate in India

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra faces criticism and praise after carrying a Palestine bag, sparking renewed discussions on the Israel-Gaza conflict

by: The Financial Times

German frontrunner Friedrich Merz faces row over unfunded tax cuts

Opposition CDU and governing SPD offer starkly competing visions as they prepare to unveil election manifestos

by: Politico

High noon and FES o'clock

— FES o'clock: Meanwhile, Freeland has a fiscal update to unveil at 4 p.m. Need a metaphor for her task at hand? The Star's RYAN TUMILTY offers up a tightrope. The fishbowl's biggest question about that document: What's the federal deficit? Legions of observers in closed-door lock-ups will flip to the FES tables for the answer.

by: Yahoo

The key candidates to be Germany's next Chancellor

Olaf Scholz's government was officially brought down on Monday after he lost a vote of confidence, paving the way for an election on Feb 23.

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Never mind negative gearing. Australians pushed $67b through this tax vehicle

The record amount has flowed through a growing number of trusts to help Australians, mostly high-income earners, reduce their tax bills.

by: The New York Times

The Ordinary Explanations Behind the Mysterious Lights in the Skies

As tips roll in, most reported incidents involve piloted planes and hobby drones, not foreign spying or secret programs, officials say.

by: The New York Times

As Adams and Trump Get Cozier, Some N.Y. Republicans Recoil

Donald J. Trump is speaking sympathetically about Mayor Eric Adams, but Republicans in New York still view the mayor with skepticism.

by: The New York Times

Biden Administration Takes First Step to Retaliate Against China Over Hack

The Commerce Department is banning the few remaining operations of China Telecom in the United States, a move that appears unlikely to deter Beijing from conducting sophisticated cyberoperations.

by: MSN

China Reacts Strongly to U.S. Solar Tariff Increase, Claims It Will Only Hurt Consumers and Fuel Inflation

The U.S. plans to double tariffs on Chinese solar products, prompting strong opposition from China and warning of inflation and instability.

by: MSN

Government breached environmental rules over sewage overflows, watchdog finds

Government breached environmental rules over sewage overflows, watchdog finds - The Environment Department and regulators have two months to confirm they will take required steps to remedy the situation - or face court.

by: MSN

Trump: We will talk to Putin and Zelenskyy about ending war

US President-elect Donald Trump plans to hold negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is necessary to end the war, according to Trump's press conference.

by: MSN

Will Justin Trudeau become first victim of Trump's tariff war?

Canadian Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland's shocking resignation throws Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government into turmoil amidst economic woes and US trade threats. Freeland's scathing criticism of Trudeau's fiscal policies,

by: MSN

GUJCET 2025 registrations begin today at gujcet.gseb.org, direct link to apply and important details here

GUJCET 2025 registrations have begun on the official website at gujcet.gseb.org. Candidates can apply via the direct link below.

by: MSN

MWGF 2024 ends with 6 key resolutions for female equity in politics, public life

by: MSN

Trudeau taps LeBlanc as finance minister after Freeland resigns

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped his top fixer in cabinet, Dominic LeBlanc, to replace Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland after she suddenly tendered her resignation from cabinet Monday morning in a fight over the nation's finances.

by: MSN

Philly Council's vote to green-light the 76ers' arena plan revealed new power dynamics and reaffirmed old truths

City Council's preliminary vote last week to approve the 76ers' Center City arena plan was the most contentious legislative battle since Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson took office in January.

by: MSN

Trump uses press conference to slam Biden over drones, says he's considering pardon for Eric Adams: Latest updates

Trump uses press conference to slam Biden over drones, says he's considering pardon for Eric Adams: Latest updates - President-elect's nominee for health secretary seeks to reassure dubious senators over stance on vaccines,

by: MSN

Government's new English Devolution White Paper is 'grim day for Cornwall'

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

by: MSN

MPs react to public naming of alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo

H6 spent two decades embedding himself in the fabric of UK politics, business, education, industry and royalty. Security Minister Dan Jarvis responded to MPs Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Philps, Lee Anderson,

by: MSN

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives at Cochin International Airport

Kochi, Ernakulum (Kerala) December 17 (ANI): Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived at Cochin International Airport

by: MSN

Yeovil MP criticises Government's planning framework

Yeovil MP Adam Dance said these changes undermine local democracy and ignore the requirements of communities in Yeovil and South Somerset.

by: MSN

Concerns and conflicting bids over devolution

The UK Government has said devolution will give regions a bigger voice, unlock economic growth and help build 1.5m homes across England. The Labour leader of Brighton & Hove City Council previously said devolution would be an "excellent opportunity" for the city.

by: MSN

First Palestine, Then Bangladesh: What's Up With Priyanka Gandhi And Her Bags

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra carried a bag to the Parliament that had "Palestine" emblazoned on it. Gandhi was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word "Palestine" and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon -- seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

by: MSN

B.C. byelection held as Trudeau government reels from Freeland's stunning resignation

LANGLEY, B.C. — Polls have closed in a federal byelection in British Columbia amid turmoil in Ottawa as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces calls to resign after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet on the day she was to deliver a fall economic statement.

by: MSN

German election: Scholz loses confidence vote

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called a confidence vote following the collapse of his coalition government. He has lost the vote, paving the way for elections in February. DW has the latest.

by: MSN

Starmer's diplomacy downplays "epic scale" of Chinese spying

Yang Tengbo insists that he is not a spy and that he would "never do anything to harm the interests of the UK." He was speaking yesterday after instructing his legal team to disclose his identity following the "high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere.

by: MSN

Langkah Zafrul: PKR and Umno must resolve tensions for Unity Government stability - Analysts

SHAH ALAM - Political analysts had called on PKR and Umno, two major entities within Unity Government to prioritise camaraderie and resolve tensions to avoid jeopardising the coalition's stability. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Associate Professor Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain had warned that mutual distrust could lead to larger issues beyond the alleged 'poaching' of party members.

by: MSN

SSC Stenographer Answer Key 2024 Out at ssc.gov.in: Get Direct Link Download Answer Key PDF and Raise Objections by Dec 18

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' Examination 2024 (Paper I) . The Commission had conducted the Compute Based Examination (Paper-exam for Stenographer Grade 'C' & 'D' posts on December 10,

by: MSN

Polls close in B.C. federal byelection as Trudeau government reels from Freeland's stunning resignation

Polls have closed in a byelection for the federal seat of Cloverdale-Langley City, in British Columbia's Lower Mainland.

by: MSN

Morning bid: Investors look past politics to central bank moves

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee Political upheaval is jolting governments from South Korea to Germany to Canada, but for now investors are keeping cool and Europe's markets are set for a sedate open,

by: MSN

Biden speaks of Oct. 7 and commitment to getting hostages home at Hanukkah reception

During his last Hanukkah reception as president, Biden spoke of the Oct. 7 attack on Isreal and his commitment to get hostages home.

by: MSN

Trump Sues Iowa Pollster Ann Selzer for 'Brazen Election Interference' and Fraud

Donald Trump sued prominent political analyst and pollster Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register and its parent company Gannett Monday for "brazen election interference" and fraud after she incorrectly predicted a swing-state win in Iowa for Vice President Kamala Harris just a day before the presidential election last month.

by: MSN

Canada overshoots deficit target by C$20 billion as finance minister resigns

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's spending related to the pandemic and other one-off costs blew a bigger than expected hole in the government's budget last year, its fiscal update showed on Monday,

The purse and the sword

The separation of powers in the main branches of government is a hallmark of democracies, allowing checks and balances. I recall learning about the three branches—the executive, the legislative, and the judicial—as early as high school,
The article "The Purse and the Sword" discusses the complex relationship between economic power and military might, exploring how financial resources influence military capabilities and national security strategies. It delves into historical and contemporary examples where economic strength has either bolstered or undermined military endeavors. The piece highlights how nations with robust economies can sustain prolonged military engagements, invest in advanced weaponry, and support allies, thereby extending their geopolitical influence. Conversely, it also examines cases where economic downturns or sanctions have weakened military power, leading to strategic retreats or shifts in foreign policy. The narrative underscores the symbiotic yet sometimes contentious relationship between a nation's economic health and its military prowess, suggesting that while the "purse" can fund the "sword," economic constraints can also dictate military limitations.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/politics/government/the-purse-and-the-sword/ar-AA1vYlIg