• Fri, January 17, 2025

by: Politico

Pipeline politics and tariff threats

2025 PREDICTIONS — Playbook is asking politicos to pronounce on their predictive prowess in a show of sagacious speculation. We'll roll out their forecasts in a pair of Playbooks next week as you acclimatize to the coming chaos of 2025.

by: RealClearPolitics

Scarborough: Elon Musk Is The Last Person To Trust With TikTok, Because He Would Do Exactly What The Chinese Would Want

Joe' host Joe Scarborough expressed on Thursday's show that he has "always been horrified" by the Chinese-owned app TikTok and said Elon Musk should not be the person to take over American operations for the social platform.

by: Reuters

Former Canada finance minister Freeland running to replace Trudeau

Former Canadian finance minister Chrystia Freeland on Friday announced that she would take part in the contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.

by: WHYY

How Trump's political and business interests will intersect in the White House

Here's a look at the various connections and potential conflicts in President-elect Donald Trump's second administration.

by: Sky

Kemi Badenoch hits back at claims she would means test pensions triple lock

Kemi Badenoch has denied the Conservatives would consider means testing the pensions triple lock, as she accused her opponents of trying to "scare people".

by: KING5

The Trump effect: What will Washington state look like in a second term?

From the economy to immigration, President-elect Trump promises big changes that will be felt in western Washington and beyond.

by: Slate

The Supreme Court Nailed Its Decision to Uphold the TikTok Ban

This ruling will disappoint the app's 170 million users in the United States. But it reflects eminently reasonable deference to the judgment of Congress.

by: Richmond

It's freezing outside. And many of Richmond's homeless don't have a place to go.

In 2024, there were nearly 600 homeless Richmonders. Compare that figure with 100 beds, available on a walkup basis, for inclement weather situations.

by: WLRN

After judge removes Riviera Beach candidates from March ballot, one councilman wants law changed

A Riviera Beach Councilman is pushing to change an election statute after an appeals court upheld a ruling disqualifying him and four other candidates from the March 11 ballot.

by: Vox

The bright side of TikTok's downfall

The end of one wildly popular platform is a chance to overhaul the broken social media industry.

by: ABC

Biden administration will leave it to Trump to implement TikTok ban

The Biden administration doesn't plan to take action that forces TikTok to immediately go dark for U.S. users on Sunday, an administration official told ABC News.

by: CNN

Trump pick Kristi Noem to appear at confirmation hearing

Kristi Noem, Donald Trump's pick to oversee the Department of Homeland Security, will appear before senators for her confirmation hearing. Follow for the latest news about Trump's presidential transition.

by: RealClearPolitics

Student Governments Must Ditch National Politics

As politics have become increasingly nationalized and polarized, more and more local political bodies are being swept up by the news of the day to

by: Richmond

Key bill on data center oversight fails; rural-suburban split emerging

A centerpiece of a bipartisan push to strengthen Virginia's oversight of data centers failed in a early General Assembly test.

by: Slate

Trump's Biggest Political Liability Is Hiding in Plain Sight

The Los Angeles Times' billionaire owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, declared on X that "the Mayor cut LA Fire Department's budget by $23M." The right-wing social media account Libs of TikTok lambasted a political leadership team that "defunds the fire dept," and Elon Musk boosted a post that lamented "LAFD underfunding."

by: Reuters

Nvidia CEO says not attending Trump's inauguration

Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang said on Friday he will not be attending U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, but will instead be "on the road" celebrating the Lunar New Year with employees and their families.

by: CNN

American Battleground: Trump and his quest for power prepare to confront the realities of winning

The music is majestic. The setting is glorious. Many of the top power players from DC are in attendance, and the words of praise for the president up front are unending.

by: CNN

Federal employees quietly edit job descriptions to protect roles from DOGE scrutiny

Some federal employees are quietly changing the language of job descriptions and performance reviews in an effort to protect roles and critical government functions in the face of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

by: MSN

MLK Day 2025: What's Open And Closed In Columbia

Here's what open and closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Howard Co. will have regular Monday curbside trash pick-up.

by: MSN

US Treasury to take 'extraordinary measures' to avoid debt default

The US Treasury Department will start taking "extraordinary measures" next week to avoid risking a default on government debt, Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday, days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

by: MSN

Rising borrowing costs set to batter UK government - why does it matter?

As borrowing costs rise, the government has less money to spend on the country's creaking National Health Service, military, emergency services and schools. View on euronews

by: MSN

What is open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in the United States on the third Monday of January. This year coincides with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Here is what to know about what businesses and services will remain open and which ones will take the day off.

by: MSN

What has Netanyahu won and lost by agreeing to Israel-Gaza ceasefire?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have finally relented. After more than a year of refusing to agree to an end to the war in Gaza, he is now pushing through a ceasefire that - mediators insist - will do just that.

by: MSN

The chancellor must ignore the blips and get on with long-term growth

The chancellor must ignore the blips and get on with long-term growth - THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: Much like the UK economy itself, the embattled chancellor ends the week in a much stronger position than when it started.

by: MSN

Is Inauguration Day a federal holiday? Why this year is different and what it means

NOTE: Details on how to watch special coverage of the inauguration live can be found here. Inauguration Day will mark a pivotal moment for Americans, but is the day considered a federal holiday? The answer is complicated this year.

by: MSN

Delhi Elections: The Thin Line Between 'Freebie' And Empowerment That Gets Blurred For BJP During Polls

For a party, which has been dissing 'revdi politics' since the last Delhi elections, there seems to be a big lot of freebies in its manifesto for this year's elections. Since 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been slamming "freebie politics".

by: MSN

Israel-Hamas deal shows limits of US influence - and the unpredictable impact of Trump

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to take effect on Jan. 19, 2025, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Even as Israel's cabinet delayed until Jan. 17 its vote to ratify the complex deal,

by: MSN

Biden team resolves its final Title VI antisemitism and anti-Arab cases

In the final days of the Biden administration, the federal Department of Education has resolved a small number of its many remaining Title VI cases involving allegations of antisemitic and anti-Palestinian discrimination.

by: MSN

Starmer visits 'harrowing' Auschwitz and vows renewed fight against antisemitism

Sir Keir Starmer has visited Auschwitz, a place he described as "utterly harrowing", and said he was determined to fight the "poison of antisemitism". The Prime Minister visited the former Nazi concentration camp as he travelled to Poland to meet the country's political leaders.

by: MSN

Kenyan Youths Ask Ruto to Appoint Gabriel Oguda, Osiany and Vincent Kigen as PSs

Kipkorir Brian, the national youth leader of the UDA Youths Comrades Chapter, asked President William Ruto to consider the young generation in his appointments.

by: MSN

China's population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its government and economy

China's population fell last year for the third straight year, its government said Friday, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world's second most populous nation, which is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people.

by: MSN

Raids targeting anti-corruption chief rock Hungary's government

The chief prosecutor has announced that its chairman, Ferenc Biro, is suspected of corruption and abuse of authority. Police also raided Biro's home, and took away documents. He has admitted to "lending his official car to his wife to go shopping" but rejects the allegations and says he is being targeted for political reasons,

by: MSN

Timeline of FBI investigation into ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Thao's home was raided by the FBI in June, though at the time, the agency would not confirm what they were investigating.

by: MSN

Trump's business ties raise questions in second term

As he assumes the presidency for a second time, Donald Trump brings with him a broad expanse of business relationships and financial entanglements — and the possibility that those associations could influence his decision-making in the White House.

by: MSN

Russia's gas pipeline politics risk alienating its European allies

Russia has long used its plentiful energy resources as a tool to exert control over the region, where independence from Russian energy is tied to political sovereignty.

by: MSN

Ozempic, Wegovy and other new drugs are selected for Medicare's price negotiations

Ozempic, Wegovy and other new drugs are selected for Medicare's price negotiations - The Biden administration says popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been added to Medicare's list

by: MSN

Scottish and Welsh voters could soon apply for postal votes online

Voters in Great Britain can apply for a postal ballot paper for certain elections online but residents of Scotland and Wales must use a paper form.

by: MSN

Kent Politics Podcast: Medway Council's chief executive Richard Hicks explains the process of local government reorganisation and what it means for services and staff

On the 50th episode of the Kent Politics Podcast, our reporters talk with Medway Council chief executive Richard Hicks for the inside take on what devolution will actually mean for Kent's current authorities.

by: MSN

'A bonfire of climate regulations': What Trump's first days in office could mean for the environment

As Donald Trump prepares to become the 47th president of the United States, what will his first actions be on climate and energy, and how will they impact the rest of the world? View on euronews

by: MSN

Central Government Greenlights 8th Pay Commission, Major Boost For Employees And Pensioners, Promise Of Better Salaries Ahead | ABP News

The Central Government has granted a significant gift to its employees by approving the 8th Pay Commission. Government employees and pensioners have been eagerly awaiting this announcement, and the government has now fulfilled their long-standing demand.

by: MSN

Government: 'Grooming gangs audit not because of Elon Musk pressure'

Lisa Nandy pushes back against claims that billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has pushed the Government into launching a new audit into grooming gangs. The Culture Secretary says 'we govern for the real world' and not social media.

by: MSN

Supreme Court upholds law that could force TikTok to shut down in U.S.

Congress and now the Supreme Court say TikTok must separate itself from its Chinese owners or shut down operations in the U.S.

by: MSN

Russell Vought could expand power of Trump's budget office

If confirmed again as White House budget director, Russell Vought would likely do more than oversee spending, policy and regulations. Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 who served as budget director in Donald Trump's first term,

by: MSN

Trump Plans to Designate Cryptocurrency as a National Priority

President-elect Donald Trump is planning to release an executive order elevating crypto as a policy priority and giving industry insiders a voice within his administration, according to people familiar with the plans.

by: MSN

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years in jail for corruption

The 72-year-old, who has been imprisoned since 2023, says the latest ruling is politically motivated and that he will appeal the decision. View on euronews

by: MSN

Delhi Projected To Go Into Revenue Deficit After 30 Years | Subsidy Bill Explodes | Watch

Delhi, a state which has amongst the highest per capita income in the country, is on the verge of a severe financial crisis. Delhi's subsidy bill has risen by 600% in the last 10 years. And its set to balloon further as all the political parties from the BJP to Congress and the Ruling AAP have promised more freebies if they come to power.

by: MSN

Democrats' defeat leads to "demobilization and surrender" ahead of Trump's inauguration

Immediate action will be required to slow down Trump's "shock and awe" campaign against American democracy, civil society, the Constitution, the rule of law, and those individuals and groups he has targeted as "the enemy within.

by: MSN

Government at work: How experienced are Chittenden County's representatives in Montpelier?

Chittenden County has quite a few state representatives with five or less years of experience. How does that compare to the rest of the State House?

Pipeline politics and tariff threats

2025 PREDICTIONS — Playbook is asking politicos to pronounce on their predictive prowess in a show of sagacious speculation. We'll roll out their forecasts in a pair of Playbooks next week as you acclimatize to the coming chaos of 2025.
The article from POLITICO's Ottawa Playbook discusses several key political and economic issues in Canada. It highlights the ongoing debate over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pushing for a faster regulatory process to increase oil production and exports. The piece also covers the potential U.S. tariff threats on Canadian softwood lumber, which could reignite trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. Additionally, it touches on the political landscape, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet shuffle and the implications for his government's direction. The newsletter also mentions the upcoming visit of U.S. President Joe Biden to Canada, focusing on discussions about trade, energy, and environmental policies. Lastly, it provides insights into the internal dynamics of the Liberal Party and the opposition's strategies, reflecting the complex interplay of domestic and international politics influencing Canada's policy decisions.

Read the Full Politico Article at:
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook/2025/01/17/pipeline-politics-and-tariff-threats-00198893

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