• Mon, December 16, 2024

by: The Irish Times

Why does the Regional Group of Independents want the cean comhairle position?

Nomination of Verona Murphy for the key role may be part of an elaborate plan by the Independents to seek ministerial positions once a government is formed

by: CTV News

Freeland quits cabinet: Poilievre is expected to address reporters shortly

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's finance minister, said in an explosive letter published Monday morning that she will quit cabinet. Follow along for live updates.

by: thelondoneconomic.com

Susanna Reid nails the immigration debate

Susanna Reid delivered a pointed critique of the government's immigration policy during her appearance on the BBC.

by: PBS

Supreme Court declines appeal from Peter Navarro, the former Trump aide set to return to White House after prison term

The Supreme Court has turned back an appeal from Peter Navarro, the former Trump White House official who is set to return in his second term after serving prison time on contempt of Congress charges.

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

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: Mother Jones

The FAA Head's Resignation is Another Massive Gift to Elon Musk

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: The New York Times

Trump Covers Autism, the Border Wall and Drones in First Post-Election News Conference

Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, the president-elect announced a $100 billion investment from SoftBank, a Japanese company. He also jumped from one topic to another in an hourlong appearance.

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

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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

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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'

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by: MSN

Trump defends health pick RFK Jr over vaccine stance

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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

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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

by: MSN

Chrystia Freeland's roles in Trudeau's Liberal government

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on Monday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked her to take a lesser cabinet position, bringing more uncertainty to an already unpopular government.

by: MSN

Elon Musk Denied Access to SpaceX's Biggest Government Secrets Over Drugs and Foreign Contacts

Not even Elon Musk knows exactly what is on the U.S. spy satellite rockets his company blasts into space. SpaceX executives decided their founder and chief executive shouldn't apply for the highest-level security clearance after lawyers warned his alleged drug use and regular contact with foreign governments could create problems for the company's defense contracts,

by: MSN

CNN's Jim Acosta and Brian Stelter Torch ABC Over 'Disturbing' $15 Million Trump Settlement: 'Embarrassing' Way to 'Bend the Knee'

CNN's Jim Acosta and Brian Stelter slammed ABC over its decision to reach a $15 million settlement with President-elect Donald Trump. The post CNN's Jim Acosta and Brian Stelter Torch ABC Over 'Disturbing' $15 Million Trump Settlement: 'Embarrassing' Way to 'Bend the Knee' first appeared on Mediaite.

by: MSN

Chairperson of the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons dies

Kim Frederick, Chairperson of the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons has passed away. Frederick was the representative of the Seventh Congressional District originally appointed by the Governor.

by: MSN

SNAP Benefit Reform Proposed by Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The Arkansas Governor said food stamps should only be used to purchase healthy food items and not "soda, candy and dessert."

by: MSN

AOC makes play for top Democrat on House Oversight Committee

Senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's fight with Rep. Gerry Connolly to be the top Democrat on House Oversight Committee.

Why does the Regional Group of Independents want the cean comhairle position?

Nomination of Verona Murphy for the key role may be part of an elaborate plan by the Independents to seek ministerial positions once a government is formed
The article from The Irish Times discusses the motivations behind the Regional Group of Independents' desire to secure the Ceann Comhairle position in the Irish parliament. The group, composed of TDs from various rural constituencies, believes that having one of their members as Ceann Comhairle would ensure better representation and advocacy for regional issues often overlooked in national politics. They argue that the role, traditionally seen as ceremonial, could be leveraged to influence parliamentary procedures and agendas in favor of rural and independent voices. The group points out that the current system tends to favor larger parties, and by having an independent in this key position, they could push for more equitable distribution of speaking time, committee assignments, and legislative priorities. This move is also seen as a strategic play to increase their visibility and influence within the Dáil, especially as they feel marginalized by the dominance of the major political parties.

Read the Full The Irish Times Article at:
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/12/16/why-does-the-regional-group-of-independents-want-the-cean-comhairle-position/

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