Tue, December 17, 2024

by: Politico Europe

Britain's Winston Churchill shortage

LONDON — In 1974, the Tory MP and noted diarist Alan Clark declared himself "sick of Plymouth" — the town on England's south coast he represented for 18 years — and its "introspective, minuscule horizons."

by: Sky News Australia

Victorian government to implement recommendations for construction crackdown after damning reports of CFMEU corruption

Contractors will be required to report criminal activity on Victorian government worksites in a new crackdown on construction industry corruption after damning reports arose about the Construction, Forestry,

by: Irish Examiner

Murphy endorsement meets criticism as FF and FG accused of using Ceann Comhairle role as a 'bargaining chip'

At their respective parliamentary party meetings, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris proposed members support Ms Murphy's candidacy

by: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Federal politics live: Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveils mid-year budget update, deficits $21.8bn billion deeper than expected

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will unveil the mid-year budget update today, which is expected to confirm the budget is headed back into years of deficits after two consecutive surpluses. Follow all the updates in our live blog.

by: MSNBC

Indiana congresswoman says she will spurn GOP caucus to help Elon Musk's DOGE group

I do not need to be involved in circuses," Rep. Victoria Spartz wrote on social media, suggesting she'll be prioritizing the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

by: National Post

Freeland defended by Liberal MPs, as Trudeau's feminist reputation is questioned

Trudeau has been largely out of public view grappling with the fallout from Freeland's bombshell decision to resign from his cabinet the same day she was set to present the Liberals' fall fiscal update on Monday, saying she was doing so after the prime minister told her last Friday that he no longer wanted her in the role.

by: USA Today

Elon Musk and SpaceX face federal reviews over security, NYT reports

The New York Times reported that Musk and SpaceX had violated federal reporting protocols by not fully reporting his contacts with foreign leaders.

by: CNN

Trump formally clinches Electoral College victory

Over 530 presidential electors will meet in all 50 states and DC to cast their votes for president and vice president. After the meetings, the official votes will be sent to Congress to count on January 6,

by: The Australian Financial Review

A decade of deficits and a modest $5.5b election war chest

The budget is not estimated to return to surplus for at least a decade, and cumulative deficits over the next four years will be almost $22 billion larger than forecast in May.

by: The Age

Review finds entrenched union issues on government construction sites

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Builders will be contractually required to report and stamp out criminal behaviour on government worksites as part of a plan to tackle entrenched cultural issues with unions. A new alliance ...

by: The Daily Mirror

'Government betrays WASPI women by rejecting recommendation to cough up cash'

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and PM Keir Starmer turned their backs on 3.5 million women by rejecting ombudsman's recommendation to pay them compensation

by: The Australian Financial Review

Labor lifts company takeover fees and bolsters phoenixing crackdown

Jim Chalmers' midyear budget update has increased fees for company takeovers and provided funding to boost penalties for dodgy behaviour.

by: The New York Times

The Trump Factor Further Shakes Up Canada's Politics

The president-elect's threat to impose major tariffs on Canadian goods and other pointed comments have tapped into a treacherous moment in domestic politics.

by: Sky

Nigel Farage meets Elon Musk and JD Vance at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort

The Reform UK leader also reveals he met vice president-elect JD Vance on Monday. The meeting with Musk comes amid reports the tech tycoon is considering donating £78m to Mr Farage's party.

by: MSN

Hamas says Gaza truce talks in Doha 'serious and positive'

Hamas said talks in Qatar on Tuesday aimed at a truce and hostage-prisoner exchange in Gaza were "serious and positive", a day after an Israeli delegation flew in to meet with mediators. "Hamas affirms that,

by: MSN

'Open season': Experts slam Trump's 'disgusting' lawsuit against Iowa newspaper and pollster

President-elect Donald Trump announced multiple lawsuits against media organizations, including one against the Des Moines Register and now-retired pollster Ann Selzer. As Puck News' Tara Palmeri reported Monday night,

by: MSN

US imposes penalty on companies who bribed Indian Organizations

The US Army Golden Knights delivered a stunning aerial display during pre-game festivities at the 125th Army-Navy football game, parachuting onto the field in Landover, Maryland on December 14.

by: MSN

Gay Trump donor & former Democrat Bill White tapped as Belgium ambassador

Donald Trump announced his selection of Bill White — a gay businessperson and Republican donor who dropped Hillary Clinton the night she lost the 2016 election — as Ambassador to Belgium. White, 57, along with his husband,

by: MSN

RFK Jr. says he plans to also meet with Dems in bid to get confirmed as Trump HHS head

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat turned independent, said he plans to meet with Democratic senators in his effort to be secure votes for confirmation as HHS secretary.

by: Jewish Insider

Elon Musk praises Tucker Carlson interview with Jeffrey Sachs featuring antisemitic conspiracy theories

In the interview, Sachs blames 'the Israel lobby' for American foreign policy, and defends ousted Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad

by: MSN

Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after inaccurate poll

President-elect Donald Trump sued the Des Moines Register and its pollster for "brazen election interference" in publishing a survey the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris with a surprising lead of three percentage points in the state.

by: Daily Express

Pensioners blast Labour government over latest winter fuel payment snub

EXCLUSIVE: They say Keir Starmer's party is 'devoid of Christmas cheer' amid concerns that ministers have changed their attitude towards the elderly

by: MSN

York City Council to vote on ordinance to protect immigrants and refugees

The York Trust Act would prohibit city employees, including police, from asking about residents' immigration status.

by: MSN

New bill would ban sex toys from major retailers in Texas, including Walmart and Target

In a bill introduced by newly-elected Republican Rep. Hillary Hickland, she calls the devices "obscene" and wants a law limiting where they're sold.

by: MSN

Polk County Board of Supervisors approves new immigrant and refugee welcome center

A new immigrant and refugee welcome center is coming to Des Moines after receiving approval from the Polk County Board of Supervisors. The board unanimously approved the welcome center, Global Neighbors,

by: MSN

Gov. DeSantis and Cabinet approve new state park for northwest Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet Tuesday voted to create the first new state park in seven years. It will be in Walton County in northwest Florida. The Upper Shoal River Florida Forever project includes 2,

by: The Globe and Mail

The country isn't bankrupt. But the Trudeau government is completely spent

Canada has hit the point of intellectual bankruptcy from which a government, having run out of higher purpose, is merely chasing after survival

by: MSN

Saini accuses Congress and AAP of resorting to politics on farmer issues

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday flayed the Congress and AAP and their leaders while accusing them of doing politics in the name of farmers.Saini was interacting with media after releasing vultures in air at vulture breeding centre at Pinjore.

by: MSN

A former governor and GOP heavyweights: Who cast MS electoral votes, and how were they chosen?

Mississippi's six electors cast their ballots Tuesday for President-elect and Vice President-elect Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. How were electors chosen?

by: Modern Healthcare

Telehealth and doctors win, PBMs lose as government funding deal nears

The last-minute agreement to keep government funded until March likely also includes hospital-at-home provisions and more.

by: NJ.com

N.J. needs to 'calm down' about drones, Gov. Murphy says. Sightings are down.

Murphy also said drone sighting reports in the state were "down meaningfully" of late — to just 12 on Saturday night and one on Sunday night. That's a drop from 49 last Sunday. Murphy did note there was "bad weather" this weekend, with rainy, foggy conditions that could have affecting sightings.

by: MSN

North Carolina joins mystery drone conversation

White House dismissal notwithstanding, mysterious drones are the talk of the nation. And North Carolina has entered the chat. "We are actively communicating with federal and local agencies about residents' reports of drones spotted in eastern North Carolina and are working to find answers,

by: MSN

US Congress shuffles toward stopgap funding bill as deadline approaches

U.S. congressional negotiators reached a tentative deal on Tuesday on a stopgap funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown, provide about $100 billion in fresh disaster aid and $10 billion in economic aid to farmers,

by: MSN

'Total dumpster fire': Republican destroys speaker's 'garbage' CR to keep government open

MAGA U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) is blasting Mike Johnson over the Speaker's bipartisan legislation to keep the government running past the Friday midnight deadline and through the middle of March,

by: MSN

Town leader on Cape Cod apologizes for comment caught on hot mic

A United Airlines pilot was reunited with the woman who donated bone marrow to him eight years ago. The pilot learned right before takeoff that his donor was onboard his flight and called her a "true hero." TODAY's Hoda Kotb shares this Morning Boost.

by: MSN

'People deserve answers': Growing frustration over mysterious drone sightings

The White House says there are no signs that the drone activity around New Jersey and New York is a threat to public safety. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., joins Chris Jansing to share what his constituents are saying and what his concerns are.

by: MSN

Trump Accuses Biden Admin of Withholding Drone Info, Alleges Biden Is Selling Off Border Wall Materials

President-elect Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of withholding information about drones, causing public concern. He also announced a $100 billion SoftBank investment in U.S. AI and emerging technologies,

by: MSN

Decision on women hit by pension age rise condemned

Plaid and the Welsh Lib Dems attack refusal of payouts for women over state pension age changes.

by: MSN

After Palestine bag, Priyanka Gandhi carries 'stand with Bangladesh' bag: Why is it controversial?

Priyanka Gandhi, sported a stylish tote bag, walking straight into Parliament and a big controversy at the same time.

by: The New York Times

Elon Musk Met With Nigel Farage at Mar-a-Lago

The British politician shared an image on social media that showed him at Donald Trump's Florida resort with the tech billionaire.

by: Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada electors cast votes for Trump, Vance in 2024 election

Nevada's Republican electors — two of whom were labeled 'fake electors' based on actions after the 2020 election — legitimately cast electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice

by: MSN

Biden administration says expanding LNG exports could increase emissions and drive up prices

Almost a year after pausing new permits on LNG export terminals, the Biden administration released a report Tuesday warning of serious environmental and economic risks to increasing exports of the commodity.

by: MSN

RFK Jr.'s nomination could be a tough pill to swallow for these Republicans and Democrats. Here's why.

From his stances on vaccines to industrial farming and abortion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may be a tough pill to swallow for GOP senators.

by: MSN

Ending use of WhatsApp is 'clear admission' Government was wrong, claim Tories

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced the Scottish Government will stop using mobile messaging applications by the spring.

by: MSN

Big gaps remain between Israel and Hamas in Gaza deal talks

Despite optimistic public statements, a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal is not imminent, three Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: The U.S., Israel and the Egyptian and Qatari mediators are trying to reach a deal before President-elect Trump's ...

by: MSN

Nelson Mandela Bay council scraps punitive water tariffs - after two floods and a petition

The impact of the tariffs was harsh, and was unnecessarily prolonged by the [metro] government, costing families dearly at a time of a cost-of-living crisis," said Van der Westhuyzen, from the DA. "This outcome proves that when the people of Nelson ...

by: MSN

India's Foreign Policy Is Failing, Both At Home And Abroad

Syria is the latest in a series of Indian foreign policy disasters. But can the government's clear lack of vision on that front explain the flagrant haplessness of the Indian state on the global stage?

by: briefly

Papa Penny Claims Government Is Destroying Jacob Zuma's Legacy Because of Jealousy, Mzansi Laughs

Papa Penny claimed government are destroying everything Jacob Zuma put together during his presidency because of jealousy, but South Africans found it laughable.

Review finds entrenched union issues on government construction sites

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Builders will be contractually required to report and stamp out criminal behaviour on government worksites as part of a plan to tackle entrenched cultural issues with unions. A new alliance ...

The article from The Age discusses a review conducted by the Victorian government, led by former Fair Work Ombudsman Murray Kellam, which found "entrenched" union issues on government construction sites. The review highlighted that union officials were engaging in practices such as demanding payments from contractors, threatening industrial action, and exerting undue influence over site operations. These actions were found to potentially breach industrial laws and undermine the integrity of government projects. The report recommends stricter enforcement of existing laws, better oversight, and the introduction of new measures to curb union overreach. It also suggests that the government should consider legislative changes to address these issues, aiming to ensure fair and efficient delivery of public infrastructure projects.

Read the Full The Age Article at:
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/review-finds-entrenched-union-issues-on-government-construction-sites-20241218-p5kz6y.html