• Wed, January 8, 2025

by: i

Trump and 'toxic' borrowing costs could force Reeves to hike taxes or cut spending

Rachel Reeves is under mounting pressure over a spike in the UK's borrowing costs which is likely to force her to come back for further tax rises or spending cuts. Economists said that the Chancellor was facing a "toxic combination" of circumstances including flatlining growth, high interest rates and geopolitical tensions.

by: Reuters

Canada's main opposition leader Poilievre rides wave of anti-Trudeau discontent

Justin Trudeau's successor as Liberal leader and Canada's prime minister will soon face a bruising election against a sharp-tongued populist riding a wave of anti-Trudeau sentiment.

by: Sky

MPs vote against new national inquiry into grooming gangs

The vote was largely symbolic - aimed at putting pressure on Labour after comments by Elon Musk brought grooming gangs back into the spotlight.

by: BBC

Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch clash over a national inquiry into grooming gangs

Talking about why she thinks a new national inquiry is needed into grooming gangs, Kemi Badenoch said the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), which concluded in October 2022, "wasn't about the rape gang scandal". She said: "in its 468 pages it mentioned Rotherham just once".

by: Richmond

Water-less, but not grumbling, Virginia legislators meet briefly

Some joked about not showering as others shrugged and just said stuff happens. Virginia legislators pledged to finish their work on time despite a delay caused by Richmond's water crisis.

by: MSN

Ethical questions arise over Trump's business and presidency

In the two months since the election, President-elect Donald Trump has urged his nearly 8.5 million followers on Truth Social to buy limited edition guitars that bear his signature and Trump-themed fragrances that "represent winning.

by: MSN

It's the first major decision of Trump 2.0 and Republicans are split

That's the tricky question facing Republicans in Washington, who claim they've been given a mandate to enact sweeping permanent change after November's election, but have one of the smallest congressional majorities in history to work with.

by: MSN

Biden briefed on LA wildfires, vows federal gov't will 'do anything and everything' to help

President Joe Biden attended a wildfire briefing at a Santa Monica fire station Wednesday and pledged the federal government will "do anything and everything" to help contain the fires and assist the community with rebuilding.

by: MSN

Ex-Illinois Speaker Madigan testifies he 'would not be involved in a quid pro quo'

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood "the quid pro quo" of hiring Madigan's law firm.

by: MSN

Trump Goes On Puzzling Truth Social Rant About California Wildfires

In what appears to be his first public statement addressing the multiple, devastating wildfires that have burned more than 1,000 structures in the Los Angeles area and killed at least two people, President-elect Donald Trump did nothing but blame California Gov.

by: MSN

White House withholds $3.6 million in promised funding to World Anti-Doping Agency

WADA and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. had declined to pay the $3.6 million it had pledged to WADA as part of its normal funding process fo

by: MSN

U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Mississippi resigns

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi announced his intention to resign his position. Todd Gee said he will resign his position as U.S. Attorney effective 11:59 p.m. on January 17,

by: MSN

Scoop: Schumer's plan to fire back at Trump's Senate nominees

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is privately pressing his senators to create fireworks when they question President-elect Trump's nominees in the coming weeks, Axios has learned. Why it matters: "Republicans spent four years attacking the Democratic brand and we need to use the hearings to begin returning the favor,

by: MSN

Jailed Belarus opposition figure seen for first time in months

Viktor Babaryko was arrested in 2020 after challenging authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko at the polls.

by: MSN

NATO membership only credible security guarantee for Ukraine, Finnish foreign minister says

Membership in NATO is the only credible long-term security guarantee Ukraine can receive against future Russian aggression, Finland's top diplomat said on Wednesday. Donald Trump's return to the White House on Jan.

by: MSN

GOP introduces bill to let people sue trans folks for using the bathroom

The bill — which is co-sponsored by 35 of the state House's 58 Republican members and was introduced by a legislator who said she'd rather have a dead child than a trans one

by: MSN

Political chess or true beliefs? Zuckerberg's surprise Trump pivot

The clean cut hair has grown, his college kid's hoodie is now a gold chain, and his politics have swerved hard right. And it also might reflect a position that is closer to his political instincts.

by: MSN

The House GOP's first bill of 2025 could enable a Ken Paxton power grab

The Laken Riley Act would hand state attorneys general, like Ken Paxton in Texas, veto power over large swaths of federal immigration policy.

by: MSN

Drain the swamp? Yes, 61% of voters say

by: MSN

Lawmakers call for reforms as California electricity costs climb

The report points to wildfire-related costs and the state's policies and programs to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

by: MSN

Trump says he wants to get rid of 'artificially drawn line' between U.S. and Canada

From goofy AI-generated social media posts to threats of 'economic force,' Donald Trump has been taking jabs at Canada's sovereignty for weeks. CBC's Ellen Mauro breaks down the president-elect's escalating rhetoric against Canada.

by: MSN

Cabinet ministers say take Trump threats seriously, but don't overreact

Several federal cabinet ministers say Canada should not overreact to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's comments about annexing Canada — but should still take them seriously.

by: MSN

Lithuania to strengthen infrastructure security before disconnecting from Russian energy system

Lithuania will strengthen the protection of power lines with Poland. This will happen on the eve of the planned disconnection from the power grid shared with Russia and Belarus, according to LRT. Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said that the government supported the decision to provide additional physical protection for certain

by: MSN

Austria in 'new situation' after far-right leader Kickl asked to form government, analyst says

Austria in 'new situation' after far-right leader Kickl asked to form government, analyst says The family of a young Quebec boy who nearly drowned claim doctors in Montreal gave up on their son - but say they've found new hope south of the border. Dan Spector reports.

by: MSN

Colorado governor walks a tightrope in approaching Trump. Deportations likely to be the first test

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis donned safety glasses and seized the handle of the electric saw, guiding the buzzing blade down through a stack of printed-out executive orders dating back decades. Polis' pre-Christmas news conference was designed to highlight how he was repealing unnecessary regulations,

by: MSN

Obamacare enrollment doubled under Biden as battle over subsidies begins

by: MSN

No, Parents Didn't Spend Child Tax Credit Money On Drugs, Study Finds

The child payments were discontinued amid concerns from some lawmakers, especially then-Sen. Joe Manchin, that parents spent the money on drugs.

by: MSN

Scholz Rejects Expansionist Agenda Laid Out in Trump Remarks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pushed back on comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump, including a threat to use economic force to annex Canada and seize Greenland.

by: MSN

Industry groups sue over Biden ban on medical debt from credit reports

Two groups representing the credit reporting and credit union industries have filed a lawsuit challenging a new rule adopted by U.S. President Joe Biden's outgoing administration banning the inclusion of medical debt in American consumers' credit reports.

by: MSN

Biden will defer to Trump on terror label for Syria's Islamist leaders

The U.S. will keep HTS on the list of terrorist organizations for the remainder of President Biden's tenure, leaving the decision to Donald Trump, officials say.

by: MSN

Madigan testifies Ald. Solis comment about 'quid pro quo' gave him 'surprise and concern'

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan testified in his corruption trial Wednesday that he was taken aback when then-Ald. Daniel Solis told him over the phone that the developers of a West Loop condo tower understood "the quid pro quo" of hiring Madigan's law firm.

by: MSN

I'm a Canadian listening to Trump. Let's talk about 'the 51st state'

Both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 featured U.S. ambitions for Canadian annexation. Such talk rose again following the Civil War five decades later—a threat so grave that it motivated Canada's political leadership to incorporate as a new country,

by: MSN

Blinken on US taking over Greenland: 'Not going to happen'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed President-elect Trump's idea of the U.S. owning Greenland, saying it's "obviously" not going to happen. "The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one,

by: MSN

Historian reveals how Hitler 'dismantled' democracy in less than two months

After Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, he promptly packed the government full of loyalists and used Weimar Germany's constitution to turn himself into an absolute dictator.

by: MSN

Maduro Cranks Up Venezuela Repression, Drawing Neighbor's Rebuke

Venezuela's government has unleashed a fresh wave of repression as the opposition plans nationwide protests to denounce Nicolás Maduro's inauguration as president this week.

by: MSN

Trump says he wants to rename Gulf of Mexico and retake Panama Canal during press conference: Live

Trump says he wants to rename Gulf of Mexico and retake Panama Canal during press conference: Live - President-elect held baffling — at times alarming — press event at Mar-a-Lago, wandering from topic

by: MSN

Trump delivers first remarks as certified election winner

President-elect Donald Trump gave remarks on Tuesday morning focused on his economic agenda from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida

by: MSN

FACT CHECK: Did the U.S. Ever 'Own' The Panama Canal?

A post on X claims that the U.S. never "owned" the Panama Canal. Verdict: Misleading The U.S. signed a treaty in 1903 that allowed it to build and operate the Canal. President Jimmy Carter gave control back to Panama in 1978 under a new treaty.

by: MSN

Newfoundland and Labrador Opposition calls to halt vote on Quebec energy deal

Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives asked the premier today to suspend a vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is reviewed by independent experts.

by: MSN

Nigel Farage accepts award from far-right US Republican after racist 'sink the ships' rant

The Reform UK leader says he didn't hear the vile speech of young Republican Nathan Berger just 45 seconds before he introduced him onto the stage in New York last month

by: MSN

The Toxic Legacy of Jean-Marie Le Pen

Obituary / The elder Le Pen is dead, but far-right populists across the world still echo his mix of violent rhetoric, brazen lies, and outreach to mainstream conservatives. David A. Bell Donald Trump probably doesn't know it,

by: MSN

Kamala Harris to visit Singapore, Bahrain and Germany on final vice-presidential overseas trip

By bno - Taipei Bureau US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to conclude her term with a global trip spanning Singapore, Bahrain and Germany, according to the Associated Press. The journey, scheduled to run from January 13 to 17,

by: MSN

Trump will not rule out force to take Panama Canal, Greenland

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov.

by: MSN

Young Americans More Concerned About Inflation Than Older Adults: Poll

Younger Americans are much more concerned about inflation when compared to their older counterparts, a poll released on Tuesday found. The economy was one of the most important issues for voters during the 2024 presidential election.

by: MSN

US to announce $500M in weapons to be sent to Ukraine

The U.S. is set to provide Ukraine an additional $500 million in weapons quickly pulled from its existing stockpiles as the Biden administration works to get Kyiv in a stronger negotiating position before President-elect Donald Trump takes office,

by: MSN

France urges EU to get tough on Musk's political comments as bloc struggles for a response

France urged the European Union to use its laws more robustly to defend itself against outside interference and Spain's prime minister lambasted Elon Musk on Wednesday, as the U.S. tech billionaire steps up his comments about European politics.

by: MSN

DOJ To Release Special Counsel Jack Smith's Findings In Trump Jan. 6 Probe

But prosecutors say an expected two-volume report detailing charging decisions for Donald Trump should be partially held back.

by: MSN

Maddow Blog | ACA enrollment reaches new heights, but Republican threats remain

The White House boasted in a written statement about the latest Affordable Care Act enrollment totals: The president and his team have every reason to boast, and it'd be a mistake to see the latest good news is some kind of accident.

Maddow Blog | ACA enrollment reaches new heights, but Republican threats remain

The White House boasted in a written statement about the latest Affordable Care Act enrollment totals: The president and his team have every reason to boast, and it'd be a mistake to see the latest good news is some kind of accident.
The article from MSN, written by Steve Benen for MSNBC's Maddow Blog, discusses the record-breaking enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the year, with over 20 million Americans signing up for health insurance through the ACA marketplaces. Despite this success, the article highlights ongoing threats from Republican lawmakers who continue to push for the repeal or significant alteration of the ACA. These threats include efforts to undermine the program through legal challenges, budget cuts, and policy changes that could destabilize the insurance markets. The piece underscores the political tension surrounding healthcare policy, noting that while the ACA has proven its resilience and popularity, its future remains uncertain due to persistent opposition from Republican legislators.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/maddow-blog-aca-enrollment-reaches-new-heights-but-republican-threats-remain/ar-AA1xbe85

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