• Wed, February 12, 2025

by: Slate

Mitch McConnell Could Have Stopped This

It's a toss-up which is more pathetic: that just one Republican senator opposed the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence or that the GOP's lone naysayer was Mitch McConnell.

by: redstateobserver

Kansas Governor's Veto Threatens Children's Health and Safety

Democratic Governor Vetoes Bill to Protect Kansas Children** Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has taken a controversial stand by vetoing a Republican-

by: MSN

Spain to grant residency and work permits to as many as 25,000 immigrants hit by Valencia floods

The October disaster destroyed countless homes and businesses and killed more than 200 people. View on euronews

by: MSN

Tariffs, trade and visas on agenda as Indian prime minister Modi set to meet Trump

Tariffs, trade and visas on agenda as Indian prime minister Modi set to meet Trump - Indian prime minister to meet Donald Trump this week

by: MSN

The wall Trump wants to tear down isn't on the border: The fight over church and state

The president wants to round up, remove, and wall off those who, for the most part, are not White and don't practice his approved brand of Christianity.

by: MSN

As pace of arrests and deportations slow, Donald Trump ramps up pressure, removes top ICE officials

In a latest development it has reportedly come to light that the top ICE officials are being reportedly removed as the US President Donald Trump administration and the White House ramps up the pressure while the amount of arrests and deportations actually become slow in the US.

by: MSN

Why Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs could make US housing shortage even worse and spike home prices

Why Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs could make US housing shortage even worse and spike home prices - Trump's 25 percent tariffs could 'exacerbate the nation's housing affordability crisis, drive up consumer costs,

by: MSN

As DOGE hammers away at the US government, Republicans stir with quiet objections

Republican Sen. Katie Britt has been working to make sure the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency doesn't hit what she called "life-saving, groundbreaking research at high-achieving institutions,

by: MSN

Rafale Jets, Scorpene Submarines And Pinaka Rocket Systems: PM Modi's Big Defence Outreach To France

Strengthening India-France defence ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered France the indigenous Pinaka multi-launch artillery rocket system while finalising key defence deals, including Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines.

by: MSN

Will Trump get tough and go to war with China?

TOUGH, yes. War, no. That's the short answer to the headline question — the most important security, economic and political concern for Asia this decade. The full answer is far more complicated, of course — but thankfully far less worrisome than it would have been if Donald Trump weren't president of the United States.

by: MSN

US lawmakers join Trump-Musk government shakeup effort

Republicans vowed Wednesday to tackle the "stunning" US national debt, as lawmakers began work on President Donald Trump's plan for the most radical downsizing of the federal government in decades. Democrats have upbraided Republicans for making strident pledges to save money while proposing a budget that would raise the national debt limit by $4 trillion.

by: MSN

White House official says he 'never agreed' Canada won't be 51st state in meeting with premiers

A team of Canada's premiers met with senior White House officials on Wednesday as they continue to make the case against tariffs on Canadian goods.

by: MSN

Why are Hong Kong government buildings slated for demolition filling up again?

Is allowing temporary occupants a good way to use available premises? Some say it just points to poor planning Two Hong Kong government buildings in Wan Chai heading for demolition have begun filling up again with temporary occupants,

by: MSN

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, an avid Trump backer, will join the 2026 governor's race

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, an avid supporter of President Trump and fierce critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom, will run for governor in 2026.

by: MSN

Elon Musk ripped after SpaceX gets new $40m defense contract amid his cutting of federal budgets

Elon Musk ripped after SpaceX gets new $40m defense contract amid his cutting of federal budgets - 'Hey, @elonmusk, I found some corruption for DOGE to take a look at,' on X user quipped
  • Thu, February 13, 2025

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live: Australia protests 'unsafe' incident after Chinese jet targets RAAF plane

Australia has 'expressed its concerns' to China after an 'unsafe and unprofessional' incident in which flares were released in close proximity to an Australian Defence Force aircraft.

by: CounterPunch

High-Tech Capitalism and Neo-Feudalism

This oligarchy/plutocracy constitutes 0.1% of the American population. It owns 14% of the nation's wealth, $22 trillion in stocks, bonds and real estate, while 50% of Americans own 2.4% of the national wealth ($4 trillion).

by: Forbes

5 Must-Read Books To Understand Russia And The War In Ukraine

Recently published books can help readers better understand Russia and the war in Ukraine. Here is a list of must-read books.

by: STAT

The biotech news stories you need to read today

The risk of pharma bribery, the risk of brain drain, and other risks (and rewards) in the biotech landscape this week.

by: katv

'Waste, fraud, and abuse': National Taxpayers Union praises DOGE efforts

A DOGE subcommittee held its first hearing focused on "improper payments" as the group takes a deeper look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

by: Reuters

Exclusive: JPMorgan CEO Dimon derides in-office work pushback, demands efficiency

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon scorned calls from some employees to soften the bank's five-day return-to-office policy in an animated town hall meeting on Wednesday, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters.

by: CNN

Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary

The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health and Human Services secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Modi's visit, expected new tariffs and RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote

President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Thursday and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House as his Cabinet picks face key votes. Meanwhile, court hearings on challenges to the president's changes to USAID and ICE are set to take place.

by: CNN

In Congress, what's the difference between a budget resolution, reconciliation and spending bills?

There's understandable confusion over Capitol Hill lingo discussing the budget process and appropriations/spending process — which are two distinct things.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Modi's visit, new tariffs expected and RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote

President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Thursday and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House as his Cabinet picks face key votes. Meanwhile, court hearings on challenges to the president's changes to USAID and ICE are set to take place.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Putin call on Ukraine war, federal cuts and Cabinet pick votes

President Donald Trump is working to enact his agenda and shrink the federal government, despite a host of legal challenges. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intelligence chief, faces a confirmation vote Wednesday.

by: MSN

White House attacks judges as Trump, Musk flout checks and balances

But their approach — which one prominent Democrat characterized as "flagrantly violating the law" — is drawing legal challenges and carries political risks.

by: MSN

Who is Paula White-Cain, Trump's faith adviser, and what's her connection to Polk County?

And Trump also issued an executive order forming a White House faith office and appointed controversial Florida pastor Paula White-Cain to lead it. White-Cain, a pastor at StoryLife Church and president of Paula White Ministries,

by: MSN

Trump and Putin to begin negotiations on ending Ukraine war

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said that in addition to plans for him and Mr Putin to visit one another,

by: MSN

Musk's 'ignorance' is setting Trump up for a fall: columnist

President Donald Trump's decision to let billionaire Elon Musk enforce his agenda by dismantling the government and gutting popular programs will likely come back to haunt him. That is the opinion of the Washington Post's Philip Bump who suggested that the man who bought Twitter,

by: MSN

Americans skeptical of Trump's tariffs on foreign goods

Americans do not believe that imposing tariffs on foreign products will help the US economy. Nearly half of those surveyed think that actions taken by Donald Trump could actually harm the American economy.

by: MSN

Nepal's social media bill raises free speech concerns

Critics argue that Nepal's proposed social media bill could stifle free speech, with provisions that grant the government sweeping powers to regulate online content.

by: MSN

US judge allows Trump to proceed with government employee buyout

A U.S. judge on Wednesday allowed Donald Trump's administration to move ahead with a buyout program for federal workers that could usher tens of thousands of workers off government payrolls as part of a sweeping effort to downsize the U.

by: MSN

USAID employees want a judge to keep blocking Trump's effort to pull most of them off the job

Employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development are asking a federal judge on Thursday to keep blocking an effort by President Donald Trump's administration meant to pull all but a fraction of worldwide staffers off the job.

by: MSN

'Panic, confusion and anger': Federal workers 'flipping out' over Trump's 'brazen' attacks

Federal agencies are trying to keep funding frozen despite court orders temporarily blocking Donald Trump's executive orders pausing trillions of dollars in government assistance. Administration officials insist the suspensions are lawful,

by: MSN

'BJP and NDA won't form government in Bihar after state polls', claims Lalu

Earlier, his son and leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP "should not get too excited" about its win in Delhi because "it's difficult to understand Bihar".

by: MSN

Elon Musk calls for US to 'delete entire agencies' from federal government

Musk's comments came during his video call with the World Governments Summit in Dubai, in which he also made several references to "thermonuclear warfare" and the potential risks of artificial intelligence.

by: MSN

Elon Musk's takeover of federal systems could blow cover of American spies: report

President Donald Trump's close associate and billionaire benefactor Elon Musk is doing more than crippling the civil service and infiltrating government IT networks with his Department of Government Efficiency project,

by: MSN

What to know about the federal workforce under Trump

Since President Donald Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on dramatically reducing the federal workforce at a breakneck pace.

by: MSN

"What happened with us, Kejriwal, could happen with Nitish and...": Aaditya Thackeray alleges EVM fraud

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday said that the future of the country is in doubt as the BJP's dream is to break up and finish off every regional party in the country.Addressing a press conference here today,

by: MSN

US Congressman says Trump's aid freeze SA is 'driven by racist information and political bias'

Congressman Jonathan L Jackson condemns President Trump's decision to freeze financial aid to South Africa, labelling it as racially motivated and harmful to vital healthcare programmes.

by: MSN

Raila Odinga's AU Commission dream: 100 MPs in Addis Ababa, cost of flights and accommodation

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga is intensifying his bid for the AU Commission chairmanship. At least 100 MPs will travel to Addis Ababa to support him.

by: MSN

Behind the Curtain: Trump and Musk's masculine maximalism reshapes government

President Trump and Elon Musk, arguably the two most unorthodox and influential American leaders of the 21st century, are practicing and fine-tuning a fused theory of governing power: Masculine maximalism.

by: MSN

Ukraine's return to pre-2014 borders and NATO membership are 'unrealistic,' Hegseth tells allies

An argument escalated into a violence when a man attacked another with a meat cleaver near Jalan Meldrum, Johor Baru on Tuesday (Feb 11) afternoon. Police investigation indicated that the fight stemmed from a heated argument while both were inebriated. Read more at WATCH MORE: SUBSCRIBE: LIKE:

by: MSN

Priyanka Gandhi attacks BJP-led government, says border security rules changed for Adani's energy park

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday questioned the BJP-led government over a media report concerning the relaxation of protocols for a renewable energy park near the Pakistan border being developed by Adani Group and asked if "one person's business interest bigger than the question of national security".

by: MSN

Elon Musk calls for US government to 'delete entire agencies'

Elon Musk called Thursday to "delete entire agencies" from the United States' federal government as part of his push under President Donald Trump to radically cut spending and restructure its priorities.

by: MSN

Clinics to close, doctors and nurses to lose jobs as a result of Donald Trump's funding cuts

US President Donald Trump's decision to cut funding in South Africa will severely effect health and environmental initiatives which receive almost $320 million annually for essential services, says Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus,

by: MSN

Clinics to close, doctors and nurses to lose jobs as a result of Trump's funding cuts

US President Donald Trump's decision to cut funding in South Africa will severely effect health and environmental initiatives which receive almost $320 million annually for essential services, says Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus,

Mitch McConnell Could Have Stopped This

It's a toss-up which is more pathetic: that just one Republican senator opposed the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence or that the GOP's lone naysayer was Mitch McConnell.
The article from Slate discusses the surprising vote by Mitch McConnell against the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard for a position in the Trump administration. Despite Gabbard's shift from a progressive Democrat to a more conservative stance, which might have appealed to McConnell, he voted against her confirmation. The piece explores the reasons behind McConnell's decision, suggesting it could be due to Gabbard's controversial past statements and actions, her perceived lack of loyalty to the Republican party, or strategic political calculations. It also touches on the broader implications of Gabbard's political journey and her attempt to reinvent herself within the GOP, highlighting the complexities of political alliances and confirmations in the Senate.

Read the Full Slate Article at:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/tulsi-gabbard-confirmation-vote-mitch-mcconnell-republican-voted-against.html