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☆ New Zealand PM-Elect Says 'Significant Milestone' Reached in Forming Govt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's Prime Minister elect Christopher Luxon said on Monday that a "significant milestone" had been achieved in forming a government overnight with the National Party, ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First agreeing on policy programmes. National won the largest share of votes in New Zealand's Oct. 14 general election but needs both NZ First and ACT to form a government. Luxon told reporters in Auckland that National had agreed their policy programmes with ACT and NZ First. Website Newshub reported that Luxon said he was very relieved to have finished that part of the coalition talks. Luxon said he did not expect that to take too long, and discussions would focus on these decisions this afternoon.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, Luxon, Newshub, Lucy Craymer, Miral Fahmy Organizations: WELLINGTON, Reuters, Zealand's, National Party, ACT New, New Zealand, National, NZ First, ACT, NZ Locations: ACT New Zealand, New, Auckland

(Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)Republican Rep. George Santos of New York said Thursday he will not seek reelection in 2024 in the wake of a damning House Ethics report that found "substantial evidence" of campaign fraud and other violations by the embattled congressman. Santos "blatantly stole from his campaign" and "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit," according to the report from the investigative body of the House Ethics Committee. The full ethics panel, led by Republican Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, unanimously adopted the report and voted to refer its findings to the Department of Justice. The scathing, 56-page ethics report is only the latest blow to Santos, the scandal-plagued freshman lawmaker who is facing a raft of criminal theft and fraud charges in New York federal court. Last month, Santos' former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud charges related to her work for Santos.

Persons: George Santos, Jabin Botsford, Santos, Michael Guest of, Joe Murray, Sam Miele, Miele, Kevin McCarthy, Nancy Marks Organizations: House Republican, Washington, Getty Images, Republican, Republican Rep, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Department of Justice, FBI, Santos Locations: Washington, DC, Washington ,, George Santos of New York, OnlyFans, New York, Long

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada's attorney general is investigating six Republican electors who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 presidential election, a person with knowledge of the case said Wednesday. But the probe adds to official scrutiny of so-called fake electors in several swing states won by President Joe Biden in 2020, including investigations in Georgia, Michigan and Arizona. So-called “fake electors” were charged in Georgia and Michigan, and Trump faces charges both in Georgia and in a federal investigation of his conduct related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He told the Democratic Attorneys General Association last January he feared that making any comment would be seen as partisan. Efforts by AP to reach the other two fake electors, Durward James “Jim” Hindle III and Eileen Rice in northern Nevada, were not successful.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Aaron Ford, Joe Lombardo, Michael McDonald, Jim DeGraffenreid, Jesse Law, Shawn Meehan, McDonald, Durward James “ Jim ” Hindle III, Eileen Rice, ”, Brian Hardy, Biden, State Barbara Cegavske, Cegavske, DeGraffenreid Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Associated Press, Politico, NBC News, Democrat, U.S . Justice Department, Trump, Democratic, Nevada Gov, Republican, Nevada GOP, AP, . House, State, Republican Party, Government, Biden Locations: Georgia , Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Clark County, Douglas, Las Vegas, Nevada, Carson City

New Hampshire Democrats announced on Wednesday that they will hold their presidential primary on Jan. 23 – flouting President Joe Biden and the national party’s plans to anoint South Carolina with the first primary contest. Biden had already elected not to register in New Hampshire, and his name won’t appear on the Democratic presidential primary ballot next year. But the move isn’t without repercussions by the Democratic National Committee, including the potential loss of state delegates to the party convention. The Granite State has held the so-called “first in the nation” primary for more than a century, and a state law enacted in 1975 requires it to occur at least seven days before any other state’s primary or on the second Tuesday in March. Roughly 93% of New Hampshire’s 1.4 million residents are white, according to the U.S. Census, compared to 75% of the U.S. overall.

Persons: Joe Biden, ” Ray Buckley, Biden, David Scanlan, ” Scanlan Organizations: New Hampshire Democrats, Granite State, New Hampshire Democratic Party, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, South Carolina, Iowa Democrats, Jan, New, Republican, U.S Locations: anoint South Carolina, Granite, New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan, . Iowa, Iowa, Hampshire

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's Labour Party, speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain November 15, 2023. But the backing of so many Labour lawmakers showed the levels of disquiet in the party over the Middle East conflict. Eight members of Starmer's 'shadow' ministerial team left their roles in order to defy the party position. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand," Starmer said after the vote. A large protest by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign outside parliament demanding lawmakers back a ceasefire took place while the vote was going on.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Maria Unger, Handout, Rishi Sunak, Jess Phillips, Starmer, Elizabeth Piper, Kylie MacLellan, Deepa Babington Organizations: Britain's Labour Party, REUTERS Acquire, Labour, Scottish National Party, European Union, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Israel, United States, Gaza, Britain's, Palestine

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister-elect unlikely to attend APEC as coalition talks continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christopher Luxon, leader of New Zealand's National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon said on Monday that it was unlikely he would attend the APEC meeting in San Francisco later this week as coalition negotiations are ongoing. Luxon told 1News that he does not expect to attend APEC as "good progress" is being made by the two parties and he wants to ensure negotiations conclude and a government is formed. I think that's why it's unlikely I'll head out to APEC on Wednesday evening," he said. If Luxon does not attend APEC, New Zealand will send a representative from both the caretaker government and a National Party member.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Luxon, 1News, Lucy Craymer, Diane Craft Organizations: New, National, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand’s, APEC, National Party, ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, San Francisco, Zealand, New Zealand

☆ Thousands in Honduras march in anti-government protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Gustavo Palencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Thousands of people took to the streets of the Honduran capital on Saturday in anti-government protests against leftist President Xiomara Castro, angered by attempts to engineer what they say is an unconstitutional power grab. In a demonstration sponsored by opposition parties, protesters in the Central American country accused the Castro government of seeking to transform Honduras by hand picking public officials. Roughly 10,000 people gathered in Tegucigalpa, the capital, according to a Reuters eyewitness, in a march that ended without incident. The opposition protest was sparked after the ruling party elected a new interim chief prosecutor on November 1, without holding a congressional vote. Castro, who was sworn in as Honduras' first woman president in January 2022 and describes herself as a democratic socialist, has sought to strengthen diplomatic relations with the governments of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Persons: Xiomara Castro, Castro, David Chávez, Gustavo Palencia, Lucinda Elliott, Diane Craft Organizations: Central, National Party, Honduran, Castro's Liberty, Refoundation Party, Thomson Locations: TEGUCIGALPA, Honduran, Central American, Honduras, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Tegucigalpa

Manchin never defended the remark but was criticized by West Virginia Republicans for what his party’s nominee said. By 2022, coal mining employees in West Virginia made up nearly 30% of all coal employees in the country. John Deskins, director of the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research, said 75% of West Virginia’s coal jobs were disappearing before coal production dropped because of mechanization. West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said Trump never fulfilled his promise. He said the state Democratic Party was branded “anti-jobs and anti-coal” because of environmental policies coming from the national party.

Persons: Joe Manchin’s, Robert C, Byrd, Jennings Randolph, Jay Rockefeller, Manchin, Joe Biden's, Jim Justice, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Trump, Hillary Clinton, John Deskins, ”, Mike Pushkin, “ Donald Trump, Robert Rupp, " Rupp, ” Rupp, Rupp, “, “ He’s, Biden, Jim Crow, William Hal Gorby, you’re, ” Manchin, Pat McGinley, ” McGinley, Democratic Sen, Mike Caputo, Kavish Harjai Organizations: U.S, Senate, West Virginia's, Democratic, Mountain State, Republican Gov, Biden, Senate Energy, Natural Resources Committee, West Virginia Republicans, West Virginia University, of Business, Economic Research, West Virginia Democratic, Democrats, Retired West Virginia Wesleyan, New, Democrat, Immigrants, Black, West Virginians, ” West Virginia University, Big Branch, Big, Mine Safety Administration, Massey Energy, West Virginia Democrats, United Mine Workers, America, Democratic Party, Press Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, Washington, Manchin, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, West, Towns, Europe, ”, Randolph, Los Angeles

Harris was joined in the state capital by South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of the leading Black voices in Congress. Since announcing his reelection bid in April, Biden has made far more frequent official visits to Pennsylvania — a key battleground in the general election — than states that will decide Democrats' 2024 primary. “It was South Carolina that created the path to the White House for Joe Biden and me,” Harris said. Harris spoke in a crowded room at state party headquarters, flanked by cheering supporters holding Biden-Harris and South Carolina Democratic Party signs. Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, the only elected Democrat to challenge Biden in 2024, has already filed to appear on both the New Hampshire and South Carolina ballots.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Harris, Jim Clyburn, Biden's, Clyburn's, Biden, ” Harris, ”, “, Black, Jaime Harrison, Clyburn, “ The, MAGA, ” Biden, Michael Tyler, Donald Trump, “ We’re, Dean Phillips, Weissert Organizations: COLUMBIA, —, Democratic, Black, South Carolina Rep, South Carolina, Biden, Tuesday, White, Black Colleges, Universities, Democratic National Party, DNC, Super, Harris, “ The Biden, Republican, South Carolina Democratic Party, Democrats, Palmetto State, Iowa, New, Minnesota Locations: South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, South, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Columbia, Spain, Washington

☆ Bernie Sanders scoffs at Dean Phillips' apology for dismissing his 'rigged' primary claims: 'He's changed his views now that he's a candidate?'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Dean Phillips claims the 2024 Democratic primary is rigged against him. AdvertisementAdvertisementRep. Dean Phillips is offering an apology to Bernie Sanders — but the Vermont senator isn't all that interested. "I had long dismissed his complaints about the rigged Democratic Party primary system," Phillips wrote on X. I have an apology to make to @BernieSandersI had long dismissed his complaints about the rigged Democratic Party primary system. AdvertisementAdvertisementAs for ballot access, Phillips launched his campaign on October 27, missing the October 16 deadline to file in the early state of Nevada.

Persons: Dean Phillips, Bernie Sanders, who's, Sanders, Phillips, —, Bernie Sanders —, isn't, Bernie, He's, I'm, Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 ( Organizations: Democratic, Service, Democratic Party Locations: Vermont, Minnesota

☆ Sen. JD Vance says Republicans have to 'recognize how much voters mistrust us' on abortion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ohions just voted to enshrine abortion rights into the state's constitution. JD Vance, Ohio's GOP senator, says his party needs to recognize people don't trust them on abortion. AdvertisementAdvertisementRepublican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio has some tough advice for his own party after his state voted to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. "We have to recognize how much voters mistrust us (meaning elected Republicans) on this issue," Vance wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Currently in Ohio, abortion is banned after 22 weeks.

Persons: Ohions, JD Vance, —, Republican Sen, Vance, Mike DeWine, Roe, Wade Organizations: Ohio's GOP, Service, Republican, Republican Gov, Ohio GOP, Republicans Locations: Ohio's, Ohio

☆ How Democrats can win big in red states
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Democrats are finding ways to advance their candidates and causes in traditionally red states. Tuesday's elections show that while the party may never reach its former heights in increasing red states, it can still notch victories that continue to claw back power. Some states have long elected Democrats at the local level while rejecting Republicans at the national level and vice-versa. AdvertisementAdvertisementHere are some of the ways Democrats are still winning:Keep it local. Issue 1's proponents, like other previous red state movements, couched some of their appeals in broader language that would welcome Republicans.

Persons: Roe, Wade, —, Andy Beshear, Laura Kelly, Raphael Warnock, Tip, Daniel Cameron, Katie Hobbs, Donald Trump's, Hobbs, Sen, Mark Kelly, John Bel Edwards, Kelly, Gabby Giffords, Gretchen Whitmer's, Beshear, it's, Steve Beshear, juiced, Nan Whaley, Sabato Crystal Ball, Perry Bacon Jr, Cameron, Reagan, Glenn Youngkin, Floridians Organizations: Service, GOP, Trump, Democratic Gov, Democratic, Gov, Democrats, Republicans, Louisiana Democrats, Michigan Gov, Ohio, Force, Midwesterners Locations: Ohio , Kentucky, Kansas, New York, Kentucky, In Kansas, Arizona, Louisiana, In Arizona, America, Ohio, Cleveland, Virginia

☆ The Trump Era has been an electoral fiasco for Republicans. What comes next might not be any better.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Trump has created a Republican Party that struggles mightily when he's not on the ballot. At the same time, the former president's unpopularity can make him radioactive to once-loyal GOP voters. It's unclear how the Republican Party will chart its future out of this current trap. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Republican Party is in disarray. "Daniel Cameron lost because he couldn't alleviate the stench of Mitch McConnell," Trump wrote on Truth, his social media platform, just days after effusively praising Cameron.

Persons: Trump, he's, —, Donald Trump, Andy Beshear, Joe Biden, Glenn Youngkin's, Nate Silver, Erick Erickson, Daniel Cameron, Mitch McConnell, Cameron, McConnell, Romney, MAGA, Obama, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tuesday's Organizations: Republican Party, GOP, Service, Kentucky Gov, Trump, Alabama, Republican, Tea Party, House Republicans, Republicans, Beshear, Chamber, Commerce, Party of Locations: Virginia, Georgia, Arizona, Lincoln, Iowa, Florida

Off-year elections held Tuesday will decide governors in Kentucky and Mississippi, the fate of abortion and marijuana amendments in Ohio, legislative control in Virginia and mayoral races in two of the nation's biggest cities. Andy Beshear is hoping that his support of abortion rights will persuade voters in his Republican-leaning state to look past their skepticism of the national party and give him another term in office. Ohio is the only state to consider a statewide abortion rights question this year. Voters there will decide whether to pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing an individual right to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care. In Virginia, party control of the state legislature is up for grabs in what Republican Gov.

Persons: Elvis, Andy Beshear, Glenn Youngkin Organizations: GOP, Democratic, Republican, Republican Gov Locations: Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Virginia, America ’ Ohio, . Ohio, America

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most-watched races in Tuesday’s off-year general election have all been dominated by the ongoing debate over abortion rights. Here's a look at three major races and how abortion has shaped each contest. Andy Beshear seeks a second term in a heavily Republican state Donald Trump carried twice. Ohio constitutional amendment on abortionOhio voters will decide whether to amend the state Constitution to protect access to abortion services. The date for the new primary has not been set but will take place after Tuesday’s general election.

Persons: Wade, Here's, Andy Beshear, Donald Trump, Daniel Cameron, Beshear, Cameron, Steve Beshear, Matt Bevin, Mitch McConnell, ”, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Elvis Presley, Presley outraised Reeves, Reeves, Carolyn Carluccio, Daniel McCaffery, Gabe Amo, Republican Gerry Leonard, David Cicilline, Cicilline, Democrat Patrick Kennedy, Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sen, John Whitmire, Kimberly Mata, Rubio, Cody Smith, Veronica Martinez, Joe Ganim, Tuesday’s, Richard Dziekan, Gino DiGiovanni, Yusef Salaam Organizations: WASHINGTON, Supreme, Roe, Kentucky, Democratic Gov, GOP, U.S, Trump, Black Republican, Reconstruction, Associated Press, Republican Gov, Democrat, Republicans, Pennsylvania, Court, Rhode, Rhode Island U.S . House, Republican, Democratic U.S . Rep, Mayors, U.S . Rep, Robb Elementary School, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Tuesday’s, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, U.S, Kentucky , Ohio, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Houston, Uvalde , Texas, Bridgeport , Connecticut, Derby , Connecticut, New York

☆ George Santos pleads not guilty in federal court. But in Washington, some of his colleagues are forcing a vote to kick him out.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jacqueline Swift | Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NY Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty to 10 new charges in federal court on Friday. GOP lawmakers from New York moved this week to force a vote on whether to kick Santos out of Congress. AdvertisementAdvertisementRepublican Rep. George Santos dodged protestors and kept silent after pleading not guilty to a slew of new criminal charges in federal court in New York on Friday. But in Washington DC, his congressional colleagues from New York are forcing a vote on whether to kick him out. AdvertisementAdvertisementSantos had previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges in May, and has called the federal case a "witch hunt."

Persons: George Santos, Santos, —, Long, Prosecutors, Nancy Marks schemed, arm's, Marks, I'm, Joseph Murray —, Murray, Joanna Seybert, Tom Williams, Anthony D'Esposito, Mike Johnson, Tom Kearney, Elizabeth Holmes, he's, Kearney, Rich Osthoff, Osthoff, Lisa Sevilmi, Andrew Garbarino Organizations: NY, Service, Washington DC, Central, GOP, Department of Justice, Republican, Capitol, Getty Images Santos, New York GOP, Long, Congress, Fox News, New Jersey Navy Locations: New York, Washington, Long Island's, Central Islip, George Santos of New York, Santos, East Patchogue

Rep. Dean Phillips, who for months urged Biden not to seek reelection before encouraging others to challenge the president, finally seized upon the moment himself on Friday. Cartoons on the Democratic Party View All 443 Images“President Biden is a good man and someone I tremendously respect. “If President Biden is the Democratic nominee, we face an unacceptable risk of Trump being back in the White House.”But with little name recognition, Phillips’ bid sets up an underdog challenge for the Democratic nomination. “To run in the primary against Biden from the right is somewhat puzzling. Biden himself won’t appear on the ballot in the state, due to a disagreement between New Hampshire Democrats and the national party over a new primary calendar that would have its first-in-the-nation primary status rescinded.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Dean Phillips, Biden, Phillips, Donald Trump, don’t, ” Phillips, Trump, Steven Webster, “ Dean Phillips, ” Webster, “, ”, ” Phillips isn’t, Marianne Williamson, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, he’s, –, won’t Organizations: Hamas, Rep, White, Trump, Gallup, Democratic Party, Democratic, Indiana University, Biden, CBS News, New Hampshire Democrats Locations: Minnesota, Israel, lockstep, New Hampshire, New, Nevada

☆ Dean Phillips launches primary challenge against President Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Arit John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announced Thursday that he is running for president, kicking off a long-shot Democratic primary challenge to President Joe Biden. “I think President Biden has done a spectacular job for our country, but it’s not about the past. Phillips is expected to formally announce his campaign Friday in Concord, where he’ll file to run in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary. Biden will not file to appear on the New Hampshire Democratic primary ballot because the state isn’t complying with the national party’s revised nominating calendar, which demoted its first-in-the-nation primary status to second. And it all points to the same thing,” Phillips told CNN after he stepped down from leadership.

Persons: Dean Phillips, Joe Biden, “, Biden, ” Phillips, Phillips, Jeff Zients, Biden “, ”, Zients, —, Steve Schmidt, Schmidt, George W, Bush, Arizona Sen, John McCain, ‘ I’m Dean Phillips, ” Schmidt, he’ll, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Abigail Van Buren, Abby, ” Phillips ’, he’s, Ron Harris, I’m, Trump, Biden —, Kamala Harris, That’s, Marianne Williamson, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump, Kennedy, hasn’t, Karine Jean, Pierre, CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Arlette Saenz, David Wright Organizations: CNN, Minnesota, Democratic, CBS News, House Democratic, Biden, White House, New Hampshire Democratic, New Hampshire Democrats, New, GOP, California Gov, Michigan, Democratic National Committee, Palmetto, South Carolina Democratic, Affordable, Communications Committee, Granite State, Democratic Party, Incumbents, Environmental, Republicans, Allies Locations: Concord, New, AdImpact, New Hampshire, Arizona, Washington, California, South Carolina, “ South Carolina, Spain, Minnesota, Twin Cities, ”, New York, Ohio, Granite

Although several key details about next year’s New Hampshire primary have yet to be determined, the event has begun to take shape. The South Carolina Democratic primary on Feb. 3 is the earliest contest on the Democratic National Committee's official calendar. Why won’t Biden’s name appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot? Will Biden still be a factor in the New Hampshire primary? Biden’s name will not appear as a printed option on the New Hampshire primary ballot.

Persons: Joe Biden wasn't, David Scanlan, Biden, Will Biden, Lyndon Johnson, Raymond Buckley, Joe Biden, ”, Republican Sen, Lisa Murkowski’s, Murkowski, Scanlan, “, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, it’s, Holly Ramer, Will Weissert Organizations: WASHINGTON, New Hampshire, South Carolina Democratic, Democratic National, New, Democratic Party, DNC, Carolina, Democratic, State Democratic, Republican, New Hampshire Democratic, Hampshire’s Democratic, Delegates, New Hampshire Democrats, Biden, Marianne Williamson . Minnesota U.S . Rep, Associated Press, AP, Republican New, Washington , D.C Locations: New, year’s, Hampshire, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Carolina, Nevada, , New Hampshire, Chicago, Alaska, Michigan, Florida, Sens, Marianne Williamson . Minnesota, Republican New Hampshire, Concord , New Hampshire, Washington ,

☆ New Zealand's Prime Minister-elect Luxon says coalition negotiations continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday that negotiations were ongoing with potential coalition partners ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First, as the country awaits final results of the general election. Luxon’s conservative National Party and preferred coalition partner ACT won a one-seat majority in the general election Oct. 14. However, this majority could be eroded after special votes are counted and final results are released Nov. 3. He said once special votes are counted, the parties will move quickly to form a government.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, ” Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Rod Nickel Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand’s, ACT New, New Zealand, ACT, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, New, Zealand

☆ No Longer Scotland’s Leader, Sturgeon Focuses on Learning to Drive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Eduardo Medina | More About Eduardo Medina | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

She resigned her post as Scotland’s leader in February, citing exhaustion and her status as a polarizing figure as her reasons. Then in June, she was arrested by police officers investigating the finances of the Scottish National Party, which she had led as it dominated the country’s politics. The driving-test milestone highlighted the sheltered, chauffeured lifestyle of heads of state who often travel in well-secured vehicles. It also was a reminder of just how hard such tests are in the United Kingdom compared to other countries, including the United States. Rob Harper, the chair of the Association of Approved Driving Instructors, told The Telegraph in 2019: “I think it’s a dangerous maneuver, and so do many of my members.”

Persons: Sturgeon, Rob Harper, ” Organizations: Scottish National Party, Association Locations: United Kingdom, United States, U.S, Britain

☆ Scotland's leader says dream of independence alive despite his party's troubles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Andrew Macaskill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Scotland's First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Humza Yousaf speaks during an interview with Reuters ahead of his party's annual conference in Aberdeen, Britain, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gerhard May Acquire Licensing RightsABERDEEN, Scotland, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Scotland's leader Humza Yousaf is confident his dream of independence will come true in the next decade despite his governing party haemorrhaging support over the worst crisis in its modern history. The dominant political party in Scotland for almost two decades, the pro-independence Scottish National Party has been damaged by infighting, voter fatigue and scandals, including the arrest of its charismatic former leader Nicola Sturgeon. Even with support for the SNP in decline, opinion polls show Scotland is still roughly split over independence. "Support for independence is rock solid but support for the SNP has dipped," he said.

Persons: Humza Yousaf, Gerhard, Nicola Sturgeon, Yousaf, YouGov, Scots, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak's, isn't, Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton, Ed Osmond Organizations: Scotland's, Scottish National Party, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Labour Party won, Labour, Scotland, England, European Union, Scottish, Westminster, British, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Britain, Rights ABERDEEN, Scotland, Europe, European, London

☆ Safe-haven dollar steady near one-week high on Middle East conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The dollar held near a one-week high on Monday with fragile sentiment against a backdrop of conflict in the Middle East supporting demand for the safe-haven currency. "The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues and is providing volatility to the financial markets with the traditional safe-haven flows. There was some respite for the euro and sterling, which were off one-week lows touched on Friday against the dollar. YEN WATCHINGThe yen was flat at 149.54 per dollar, close to the sensitive 150-level. The yen is still perceived as a safe asset along with the Swiss franc and U.S. dollar, Kanda added.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Jens Peter Sørensen, Benjamin Netanyahu, Poland's zloty, Lukazs Janczak, Christopher Luxon, Masato Kanda, Kanda, James Malcolm, Joice Alves, Rae Wee, Vidya Ranganathan, Kirsten Donovan, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Hamas, Danske Bank, country's, Sterling, Erste Group, National Party, ACT, New Zealand, Swiss, ., UBS, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Israeli, Poland, New, London

☆ Scottish leader says wife's parents risk running out of food in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Andrew Macaskill | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Yousaf's parents-in-law live in Scotland but were visiting relatives in Gaza when Hamas militants poured into Israel and killed 1,300 people last weekend. "There is no doubt that collective punishment is a breach of international law," he said. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told parliament on Monday that Israel must defend itself in line with international humanitarian law. Diplomatic efforts are continuing to get aid into the enclave as food, fuel and water run short. He added that his brother-in-law, who works as a doctor, is having to make decisions about who should be treated, while the hospitals in Gaza run out of body bags.

Persons: Humza Yousaf, Yousaf's, Israel, Yousaf, Elizabeth, Maged, Nakla, Gerhard, Rishi Sunak, Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Reuters, Scottish National Party, REUTERS, London ., Thomson Locations: Gaza, ABERDEEN, Scotland, Israel, Aberdeen, Britain, British, London, London . British, Dundee, Palestinian, Scottish, Glasgow, Pakistan, Kenya

☆ New Zealand PM-elect Luxon says Willis 'locked in' as finance minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - New Zealand's prime minister-elect, Christopher Luxon, said that Nicola Willis was "locked in" to become the country's next finance minister, at a Tuesday news conference as talks continued with likely coalition partners. Luxon's centre-right National Party and preferred coalition partner ACT New Zealand won a razor-thin electoral victory on Saturday, together securing 61 seats in 121-seat parliament. Willis, National's finance spokesperson, was widely expected to become minister of finance, according to media reports. "The only two people we've locked in is Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis," Luxon told reporters, without giving details on the rest of his cabinet.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Nicola Willis, Luxon, Willis, Chris Luxon, Renju Jose, Aurora Ellis Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, ACT New Zealand, ACT, New Zealand, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealand, Sydney

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