• Wed, December 18, 2024

by: Sydney Morning Herald

Albanese has taken hits but isn't a terrible PM. Cut him some slack

Despite the media pile-on, it has not been a terrible first-term government. The Labor leader brings substance to the job and is moving Australia forward after years of inaction.

by: MSN

Failed bill included disaster relief and other key funding measures

The bill was laden with dozens of add-ons making it resemble the massive end-of-year spending packages that GOP leaders have vowed to avoid. House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of the measure's release on Tuesday that it was originally intended to be "a very simple,

by: The New York Times

Trump Denounces Spending Deal as Shutdown Looms

President-elect Donald J. Trump tapped Herschel Walker on Tuesday to be the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. Mr. Walker is a longtime Trump ally and former football star who generated national headlines in his failed run for a Senate seat in Georgia in 2022. Read more ›

by: MSN

Report ranks countries where religion faces highest government and social persecution

The Pew Research Center's annual report on government restrictions on religion highlights that governmental attacks on religion and social hostility toward religion usually 'go hand in hand.'
  • Thu, December 19, 2024

by: The West Australian

The Mocker's 2025 predictions: Peter FitzSimons, Tony Armstrong and PM Peter Dutton

Albo gives the Solomon Islands an NRL team, Wayne Swan appoints Tim Pallas as Cbus exec and Tony Burke publishes an biography titled: 'Australia's First Palestinian MP'.

by: Sky News Australia

NSW government to begin pill testing at music festivals from early 2025 as contents of illicit drugs become more unpredictable

The New South Wales government has agreed to a 12-month trial of pill testing at music festivals in a bid to "reduce harm and save lives" of young people.

by: The Hindu

Elon Musk's possible meddling in U.K. politics stirs concern

Elon Musk's involvement in U.K. politics raises concerns, with fears of influencing ties with Washington and party donations.

by: The Daily Mirror

'Women hit by state pension age rise had right to expect better from this government'

Millions of women had the right to expect things would change under a Labour government but now Keir Starmer is ignoring their plight claiming the cost is unaffordable

by: Daily Record

Deal struck to save shipbuilder Harland and Wolff which has two Scottish yards

The Belfast-based company - which has yards at Methil in Fife and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis - was placed into administration in September for the second time in five years.

by: Lincolnshire Live

RAF Scampton, elections and farming: Why 2024 was a year of change in Lincolnshire

As the year came to an end, eyes turned towards the big political event of 2025 - the election of the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. Years of negotiations finally led to approval for a devolution deal that would move powers from Whitehall to Lincolnshire, along with £24m per year.

by: Florida Politics

Fiona McFarland wants politics out of child welfare and transparency introduced to AI

Rep. Fiona McFarland wants proper funding around child protection and an easier ability to identify artificial intelligence-created content. As she starts a third term in the House, the Sarasota Republican will tackle those topics and improvements to transportation policy.

by: Florida Politics

Personnel note: Nikki Whiting to lead government relations for Miami Dade College

Nikki Whiting's workload at her alma mater just got heavier. Miami Dade College (MDC) just promoted Whiting to Assistant Vice President of Communications and External Affairs, a role in which she'll oversee all the institution's government relations.

by: The Daily Signal

Here's How Trump Can Make America Beautiful Again

This week on The Signal Sitdown, National Civic Art Society president Justin Shubow explains how Trump can make America beautiful again.

by: RTE Online

Trump opposes deal to avert government shutdown

US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Republican politicians to scupper a cross-party deal to avert a fast-looming US government shutdown.

by: The Boston Globe

Trump brings chaos back to Washington by attempting to kill bipartisan budget deal with Musk's help

Billionaire Elon Musk joined calls by Trump to kill a bipartisan spending bill that would avoid a Christmastime government shutdown.

by: CNN

GOP scraps government funding bill after Trump demands changes

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed Wednesday that the current government funding plan that was negotiated by Speaker Mike Johnson is officially scrapped after President-elect Donald Trump came out against it.

by: CNN

Trump slams government funding bill, undermining efforts to avoid shutdown

President-elect Donald Trump received enough electoral votes to officially clinch the presidency, as lawmakers unveiled a stopgap spending bill to prevent a shutdown. Follow the latest updates.

by: The New York Times

Here Are 4 Reasons China Meddles in Local U.S. Politics

American intelligence agencies have warned of influence operations targeting city halls and statehouses. But what's in it for Beijing?

by: FOX59 News

Oklahoma lawmakers on board with abolishing the Department of Education

The Oklahoma delegation is all in on abolishing the Department of Education after President-elect Donald Trump floated the idea. However, one of them doubts he'll get the Senate votes.

by: The New York Times

Chaos Consumes Drive to Avoid Government Shutdown, With 2 Days to Go

By Chris Cameron Reporting from Washington President-elect Donald J. Trump denounced a bipartisan spending deal that would fund the government until mid-March, telling Republican lawmakers that it would be "suicidal" to vote for it. His intervention ...

by: MSN

Government launches major review of Ofgem to boost its role as consumer champion

Government launches major review of Ofgem to boost its role as consumer champion - The watchdog's biggest shake-up since Ofgem was founded in 2000 will be completed by February

by: MSN

London politics LIVE: Sadiq Khan faces grilling at final Mayor's Question Time of 2024

Sadiq Khan faces grilling at final Mayor's Question Time of 2024 - Mayor set to be grilled on affordable rents, the Met police and plans to improve TfL services

by: MSN

Justice Secretary and family member 'driven to Old Firm in Government car'

Justice Secretary Angela Constance travelled with a close family member in a ministerial car to the Old Firm league cup final on Sunday.

by: MSN

Who is Scott Turner? Donald Trump's latest cabinet pick is a former NFL star, a Texan pastor - and the first Black person to join the president-elect's second administration

A rare example of a former Trump appointee returning for the sequel, Turner is a father to his nephew, who he adopted at age 8, and was tasked with helping the needy in the first Trump administration Scott Turner,

by: MSN

Zelenskiy Urges Unity Between US and Europe to Achieve Peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a call for a common line between the US and the European Union and an increase in military production in the face of the Russia's nearly three-year invasion of his country.

by: MSN

Andrew J. Lewis: Josh Shapiro must stand with Pa. workers and support Nippon deal

Despite the blistering cold conditions and national opposition, hundreds of Pittsburgh steelworkers gathered last Thursday to support a multimillion-dollar deal to save their plant, jobs and communities.

by: MSN

Zelenskiy says unity between US and EU needed to achieve peace in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, arriving at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, said unity between the EU and United States was necessary to bring peace to Ukraine. "For us, it's very important,

by: MSN

Explainer-What is US birthright citizenship and can Trump end it?

Donald Trump has said he plans to end birthright citizenship as part of his promised crackdown on immigration when he becomes president on Jan. 20. Below is a look at U.S. birthright citizenship and Trump's legal authority to restrict it.

by: MSN

US Government shutdown: Know what closes and what stays open

US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are pushing for a government shutdown, urging Republicans in Congress to reject a stopgap funding bill that would keep federal agencies running through March 2025.

by: MSN

Romanian ruling Social Democrats withdraw from government coalition talks

Romania's ruling leftist Social Democrat Party (PSD) has withdrawn from government coalition talks, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Thursday, extending a political crisis triggered by the annulment of a presidential election this month.

by: MSN

ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscast coverage of Trump's Cabinet picks 'almost uniformly negative,' study finds

by: MSN

Transgender people working in U.S. government see peril under Trump

Transgender military officers, diplomats abroad, others, believe progress and acceptance built over a decade may be destroyed

by: MSN

Unearthed Video Shows How Richard Tice Has Changed His Tune On Foreign Interference In UK Politics

A newly-unearthed video shows how Richard Tice has changed his tune over foreigners getting involved in British politics. The Reform UK deputy leader has welcomed speculation that Elon Musk could donate up to $100 million to his party.

by: MSN

German arms exports: Churches question U-turn

German arms exports have risen sharply, including to the Middle East. Both major churches are calling for stricter licensing rules.

by: MSN

Germany's political earthquake: what it means for Ukraine and Ukrainians

Germany faced a political earthquake. The Bundestag passed a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Scholz, resulting in the collapse of the coalition government made up of the SPD, the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

by: MSN

I'll 'Sip My Tea': Jasmine Crockett Lights Up 'Unproductive' GOP Amid Spending Bill Chaos

Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) called out Republicans for their part in the "most unproductive Congress" on Wednesday after Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump paraded House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.

by: MSN

'Slack': Federal government fails to pay $50 million in super to ADF psychologists

Sky News host Caleb Bond criticises the federal government for failing to pay $50 million in superannuation to ADF psychologists and mental health workers over the last 12 years.

by: MSN

Constitutional Court attempts again and fails again to serve Yoon summons

The Constitutional Court said Thursday that it had tried twice over the course of the day to serve President Yoon Suk Yeol with papers regarding his impeachment trial, marking its third and fourth attempts to deliver the documents.

by: MSN

"Unfortunate and biased": Pakistan on US sanction on its entities involved in long-range missiles programme

The US sanctioned four Pakistani entities for alleged involvement in a ballistic missile program. Pakistan's Foreign Office called the sanctions unfortunate and biased. The US cited concerns about Pakistan's long-range missile development.

by: MSN

Mauritius wants to rethink a deal with the UK over remote islands housing a key US base

The British government said Wednesday it still plans to hand over a contested Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important military base, to Mauritius, after that country's new leader backed away from the contentious deal.

by: MSN

Trump trashes must-pass funding bill as Musk calls for the GOP to shut down the government

Musk wrote that "any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!"

by: MSN

Government funding plan collapses after Trump issues demands

With a shutdown looming by the end of the week, Republicans face pressure from Trump and his ally Elon Musk to drop the funding bill they negotiated with Democrats.

by: MSN

Congress claims Centre asked X to remove Amit Shah's video from their platform as it violates Indian laws

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Thursday alleged that social media platform 'X' has told them through an e-mail that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the IT Ministry has asked them to remove the video of Amit Shah as it violates Indian Laws.

by: MSN

Tech giants, Wall Street, and corporate elite are pouring millions into Donald Trump's inauguration

The president-elect's inaugural fund donors range from CEOs like Sam Altman and Ken Griffin, to Meta, Amazon, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

by: MSN

New Electricity Act from January and loadshedding predictions

There are two new updates regarding electricity supply in South Africa, both of them said to come into effect from January 2025.

by: MSN

Grassley comments on Hegseth nomination, says he and Ernst have a duty to vet candidates

Iowa spoke about Trump's Dept. of Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth during his weekly call on Wednesday.Hegseth has been fa

by: MSN

As shutdown looms, government funding plan in jeopardy after Trump demands

With a shutdown looming by the end of the week, Republicans face pressure from Trump and his ally Elon Musk to drop the funding bill they negotiated with Democrats.

by: MSN

Trump and Musk unleash a new kind of chaos on Washington

Welcome to the new Washington of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The president-elect and the world's richest man combined Wednesday to smash a short-term spending compromise orchestrated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the government open until early in Trump's new term.

Report ranks countries where religion faces highest government and social persecution

The Pew Research Center's annual report on government restrictions on religion highlights that governmental attacks on religion and social hostility toward religion usually 'go hand in hand.'
The article from MSN, citing a report by the Family Research Council, discusses the global persecution of religion, highlighting that Afghanistan, North Korea, and Somalia are among the countries where religion faces the highest levels of government and social persecution. The report ranks countries based on various forms of persecution, including government restrictions on religious practices, societal hostility towards religious groups, and the legal environment for religious freedom. Notably, Afghanistan has seen a drastic increase in persecution since the Taliban regained control, with severe restrictions on religious minorities and women. North Korea continues its policy of state-enforced atheism, while in Somalia, the ongoing conflict exacerbates religious tensions. The report also notes that in many of these countries, persecution is not only from government policies but also from societal pressures, making religious practice dangerous and often clandestine.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/report-ranks-countries-where-religion-faces-highest-government-and-social-persecution/ar-AA1w7h1B