• Wed, January 15, 2025

by: Reuters

Trump's Greenland bid stirs debate in China about what to do with Taiwan

For years, the U.S. government has urged China to show "restraint" in pushing its claim on Taiwan and to drop military threats to bring the democratically governed island under its control.

by: AOL

UK politics live: Surprise inflation fall eases pressure on Reeves as markets predict interest rate cut

Inflation has fallen to 2.5 per cent in a boost for Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she faces criticism over market turmoil and volatility in the value of the pound. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure is still above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target, but is lower than November's 2.6 per cent.

by: Sky

Labour MPs told to 'put their money where their mouth is' and back EU youth mobility scheme

The Lib Dems are seeking to put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer for an EU youth mobility scheme, saying it is a "no brainer" for economic growth.

by: i

UK and Iraq open talks on 'ambitious' asylum returns deal

Within hours of the Iraqi prime minister leaving Downing Street, it was announced three men with alleged links to people smuggling were arrested in Iraq

by: PBS

What Americans think about Hegseth, Rubio, Musk and RFK Jr.

Several nominees face critical tests in the U.S. Senate before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday. Here's a look at what Americans said in this latest poll.

by: CNN

Rubio, Bondi and other Trump Cabinet picks face confirmation hearings

Sen. Marco Rubio and Pam Bondi face questions from senators in their respective confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Follow for live news updates.

by: MSN

Russia planned 'acts of terrorism' in the air, Polish PM says

Russia planned 'acts of terrorism' in the air against Poland and other countries, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Warsaw. S

by: MSN

Trump nominee Chris Wright to lay out top 3 goals as energy secretary

Chris Wright, President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the Energy Department, will celebrate his 60th birthday Wednesday by introducing himself to senators as a "science geek, turned tech nerd, turned lifelong energy entrepreneur.

by: MSN

Let bereaved grieve in peace, says Swinney after plea from Salmond's widow

Moira Salmond has said recent criticism of her late husband Alex is causing distress for herself and the family.

by: MSN

Steel, health services and 'all over the place' potholes - Scunthorpe MP's priorities for 2025

Sir Nic Dakin has spoken about the constituency issues top of his list for the year ahead, and also asked about his ministerial role in the Ministry of Justice

by: MSN

Impeached Yoon says he agreed to questioning to 'avoid bloodshed'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is painting a bleak picture of the potential impact of American tariffs on the province's job market. CBC's Lane Harrison has reaction from trade experts. Impeached President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol says he only agreed to questioning to 'avoid bloodshed'.

by: MSN

At OMB, some head for exit ahead of Trump, Vought

Several staffers with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are heading for the exits before President-elect Trump takes office, two sources familiar with the matter told The Hill, amid concerns that the incoming administration plans to prioritize loyalty and upend government agencies.

by: MSN

Democrats fail to land decisive blow against Hegseth

Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee failed to land a decisive blow against Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee to serve as secretary of Defense, after several hours of tense questioning about his qualifications,

by: MSN

Farage and Truss in rightwing plot to derail Chagos Islands deal at the last minute

Farage and Truss in rightwing plot to derail Chagos Islands deal at the last minute - Exclusive: Chagos Islands row has 'laid the groundwork' for future cooperation between Tories and Reform, a leadin

by: MSN

Team Trump faces the Senate: Six top picks in confirmation hearings

Senators will grill Trump's choices to lead the Justice, State, Transportation and Energy departments,as well as the CIA and the top budget office.

by: MSN

Inside the White House building where Elon Musk will work closely with Trump

As Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House for the second time next week, Elon Musk will enter his new digs. After he was re-elected, Trump confirmed Elon Musk would head a new department aimed at creating a more efficient government.

by: MSN

Starmer arrives for PMQs after Siddiq resignation

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested six weeks after attempting to impose martial law. 'There was a lot of wind, there was a lot of fire, a lot of heat and there weren't enough resources to manage it so we weren't going to leave,' said Brian Stewart.

by: MSN

House Oversight report says telework is 'wasting billions' in taxpayer cash ahead of 1st hearing

The House Oversight Committee found that prolonged pandemic-era telework has been "detrimental" to government agencies and new employee training.

by: MSN

Greenland open to talks with Donald Trump

Greenland has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the United States on territorial defense and the development of local mining resources. Prime Minister Múte Egede stated that his government is exploring ways to engage in discussions with Donald Trump,

by: MSN

Erdogan says Turkey can 'crush' all terrorists in Syria

President Tayyip Erdogan warned on Wednesday that Turkey had the power and ability to "crush" all terrorists in Syria, including Islamic State and Kurdish militants, while urging all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.

by: MSN

France's PM Bayrou weakened by Socialists' threat to back no-confidence vote

The prospects of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's minority government surviving in the long term appeared slimmer after the Socialist Party raised the threat of backing a no-confidence vote on Thursday.

by: MSN

Transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy's confirmation hearing: How to watch

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, is set to have his confirmation hearing on Wednesday morning.

by: MSN

Trump's new Ukraine envoy issues warning to Iran, says 'maximum pressure must be reinstated'

President-elect Donald Trump's designate to serve as his Ukraine and Russia envoy says the U.S. must reapply the maximum pressure campaign and the Iranian people have a chance for a new future.

by: MSN

Russian missile attack forces Ukraine to shut down power grid

Russia on Wednesday launched a major ballistic and cruise missile attack on regions across Ukraine, targeting energy production and compelling authorities to shut down the power grid in some areas despite freezing winter weather,

by: MSN

DWP warning: Fears new AI rollout risks 'serious harm' for state pension recipients and benefit claimants

State pension recipients and claimants of benefits, such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), are at risk of "serious harm" due to the rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) across Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) services,

by: MSN

Greek PM nominates parliament speaker for presidential post

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas from his centre-right New Democracy party for the Greek presidency on Wednesday. President Katerina Sakellaropoulou's five-year term expires in March and an initial parliamentary vote on the largely ceremonial post is expected on Jan.

by: MSN

Irish parties secure 'comfortable majority' for new government

By Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) -Talks between Ireland's two historically dominant centre-right parties and independent lawmakers have reached an agreement that will give a new coalition government a "comfortable majority,

by: MSN

'That's not my fault': Minister pushes back on suggestion she could insist on gender-balanced Cabinet

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that women politicians should not be made to "be responsible for everything" related to women.

by: MSN

Trump aims for $500 million war chest in post-election windfall

President-elect Trump is being inundated with so much money from corporations and wealthy donors that his team expects to raise about $500 million by summer — even though he can't run again, sources in his operation tell Axios.

by: MSN

PM-Surya Ghar Yojana: Free Solar Panels for Homes - A New Initiative by the Government

The government has introduced a groundbreaking initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, bringing good news for homeowners. As part of this scheme, solar panels can now be installed on rooftops at no cost,

by: MSN

Analysis-Trump's US presidency return ushers in new era of volatile markets

Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday could herald a more volatile period for markets, with the Republican seen moving quickly on a wide swath of issues including trade and immigration that are expected to swing asset prices.

by: MSN

After Trump's executive action vow, here's what presidents can and can't do with these orders

President-elect Trump is expected to launch his second term with a slew of executive orders — 100 in 100 days. The big picture: As Monday's Inauguration Day approaches, Trump has made clear he is ready to roll with orders on Day 1 of his presidency — and he has expressed every intention of using executive power to address the border and immigration.

by: MSN

Tulip Siddiq: Allegations of corruption, a dramatic resignation and still serious questions to answer

Allegations of corruption, a dramatic resignation and still serious questions to answer - Inside a torrid week for the MP for Hampstead

by: MSN

On the ground in the Colorado city where President-elect Trump promises to remove 'savage gangs' of illegals

An apartment complex overrun by crime linked to Venezuelan gangs put Aurora, Colorado, in President-elect Donald Trump's crosshairs. Here's how locals view the situation.

by: MSN

Chuck Todd: Rebuilding Los Angeles will (and should) be a national priority

Just days before Washington officially transitions back to the Trump era, the folks trying to plot out a successful first six months of his second term have a big new problem they will have to deal with and embrace — rebuilding America's second-largest city.

by: MSN

BP nears deals for oil fields, curbs on gas flaring in Iraq

Iraq and British oil giant BP are set to finalise a deal by early February to develop four oil fields in Kirkuk and curb gas flaring, Iraqi authorities announced Wednesday. BP is one of the biggest foreign players in Iraq's oil sector,

by: MSN

Joy: Hegseth 'meets the demographic characteristics for the right not to call him DEI'

Republicans decried the reduction of military standards during the Senate confirmation hearing for Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth--while spelling the word military wrong. The GOP obsessing over DEI and standards,

by: MSN

Tarnished legacy? How Biden's age and refusal to pass torch earlier hangs over his exit

President Joe Biden wants his legacy to be defined by his big legislative wins but his initial decision to run for reelection hangs over his exit.

by: MSN

Trace Gallagher: The Democrats have said goodbye to the 'joy and unity vibe'

We don't think there's any 'joy' left in the Democratic Party with the way they've been going after Carrie Underwood for agreeing to perform at Trump's inauguration.

by: MSN

Ahead of farewell address, Biden declares nation is 'stronger, more prosperous, and more secure'

As he prepares to deliver an Oval Office address for the last time after a single term in the White House and a full half-century of service in the federal government, President Joe Biden declared Tuesday that America now stands "stronger, more ...

by: MSN

EU considers ban on Russian LNG and aluminum in 16th sanctions package - Bloomberg

The European Union considers the gradual introduction of restrictions on importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and aluminum. The new measures will be part of the EU's 16th sanctions package against Russia for its war in Ukraine,

by: MSN

BJP, SP and Cong using all kinds of tricks to weaken BSP's Dalit vote bank: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on January 15 slammed BJP, SP and Congress and said that these parties are using all kinds of tricks to weaken BSP's Dalit vote bank. She also alleged that Congress are trying its best to end reservation of SCs,

by: MSN

UK politics live: Boost for Reeves as inflation falls after No 10 refuses to rule out emergency budget

Boost for Reeves as inflation falls after No 10 refuses to rule out emergency budget - The Consumer Prices Index figure fell to 2.5%, still above the Bank of England's 2% target

by: MSN

Dem senator who bashed Hegseth's qualifications stands by DOD sec who oversaw botched Afghan withdrawal

by: MSN

External Revenue Service: Donald Trump now wants to create a new agency to collect revenue from foreign sources

Donald Trump announced he will establish the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and revenues from foreign sources. This move comes as he prepares to introduce new import tariffs. Trump believes America has taxed itself for too long and aims to change this.

by: MSN

Mediators make final push for Gaza truce deal

Mediators were making a final push Wednesday to seal a Gaza truce and hostage release deal, after a Qatari official involved in the talks expressed hope an agreement could be reached "very soon". Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Tuesday that negotiations were in their "final stages" and mediators were hopeful they would lead "very soon to an agreement".

by: MSN

Chris Bowen slammed as 'worst cabinet minister' in Australia's political history

Geologist Ian Plimer has slammed Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen as one of the "worst cabinet ministers" in Australia's political history.

by: MSN

Mbalula reignites public spat with Helen Zille, addresses SACP and yacht controversy

ANC secretary-general reignites tensions with Helen Zille, asserting the ANC's dominance in the Government of National Unity while addressing coalition dynamics and a luxury yacht controversy.

Mbalula reignites public spat with Helen Zille, addresses SACP and yacht controversy

ANC secretary-general reignites tensions with Helen Zille, asserting the ANC's dominance in the Government of National Unity while addressing coalition dynamics and a luxury yacht controversy.

The article from MSN discusses a public feud between South African political figures Fikile Mbalula, the ANC Secretary-General, and Helen Zille, the DA Federal Council Chairperson. Mbalula reignited the spat by addressing comments made by Zille regarding the ANC's relationship with the South African Communist Party (SACP). Zille had previously suggested that the ANC was using the SACP to maintain its grip on power, a claim Mbalula refuted by emphasizing the historical and ideological ties between the ANC and SACP. Additionally, Mbalula responded to Zille's remarks about his personal life, specifically her insinuations about his ownership of a yacht, which he denied, clarifying that he does not own one. This back-and-forth highlights ongoing tensions between the ANC and DA, showcasing personal and political disagreements that often spill into public discourse.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/mbalula-reignites-public-spat-with-helen-zille-addresses-sacp-and-yacht-controversy/ar-AA1xdPYC