NoneFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, a veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . “I think she’s compromised," Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union," citing Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III." Duckworth's comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard's selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC's “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine : the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.Concerns have also been raised about the “renormalisation” of smoking. Dr Rachel O’Donnell, senior research fellow at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said restrictions on smoking in outdoor places can “reinforce” a message that smoking “isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do” and could also help smokers to kick the habit. In November, it emerged that the UK Government is to scrap plans to ban smoking in the gardens of pubs and restaurants in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the hospitality industry has “taken a real battering in recent years” and it is not “the right time” to ban smoking outside pubs. But smoking and vaping could be banned in other public places in England – such as in playgrounds or outside of schools – under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. According to the World Health Organisation, there is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure. In a briefing for journalists, Dr O’Donnell said decision-making “should be on the basis of all the evidence that’s available”. She added: “Any debate about legislation on smoking in outdoor settings shouldn’t only focus on air quality and second-hand smoke exposure levels, because the impacts of restrictions in outdoor settings are also evident on our social norms.” Smoke-free outdoor environments “reinforce smoke-free as the acceptable norm”, she said. “This, I think, is a critically important point at a time where in the media, over the last year, we’ve seen various reports and questions as to whether we might be on the cusp of renormalisation of smoking for various reasons, and so smoke-free public environments still have a critically important role to play. “If you reduce opportunities to smoke, it can also help individuals who smoke themselves to reduce the amount they smoke or to make a quit attempt.” Dr O’Donnell said visibility of tobacco products and smoking is a “form of marketing for tobacco companies” as she pointed to studies highlighting the increasing number of tobacco depictions on screen. She went on: “The more often young adults observe smoking around them, the more likely they are to believe that smoking is socially acceptable, which feeds back into this idea of renormalisation of smoking. “So, restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places have other positive knock-on effects, potentially for young people as well, just sending out that clear message that this isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do and see, and this could help to discourage smoking initiation among young people at quite a critical time.” On being exposed to second-hand smoke at work, she added: “I think sometimes when we think about exposure to second-hand smoke in outdoor settings, in pubs, in restaurants, we think about that sort of occasional customer exposure, the nuisance element of it when people are out enjoying a meal with friends, but we also need to be reminded that this is a repeated occupational exposure for those who are working in hospitality and serving drinks and food. “Now, as we’ve already seen, concentrations of second-hand smoke in these settings are generally low, and they’re likely to present a low risk to health for most healthy people. “But ... there’s no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and so any individual with pre-existing heart, lung or respiratory conditions may be particularly vulnerable even to low levels of exposure. “We know that second-hand smoke is its known carcinogen, and on that basis those exposed in the hospitality sector have a right to be protected. “On that basis, there’s a need to protect them, as there is anybody in any workplace setting from second-hand smoke exposure in all areas of workplaces and spaces.” Sean Semple, professor of exposure science at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said: “I think that if I were a policy-maker, which I am not, then I would be looking at those occupational exposures as well. “I have asthma, if I was being occupationally exposed to SHS (second-hand smoke), and knowing that I was one of a very small number of workers now being legally exposed to SHS in the workplace, then I might not be very happy about that.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As part of our 10 Year Health Plan we are shifting focus from sickness to prevention, including tackling the harms of smoking and passive smoking. “The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill is the biggest public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track towards a smoke-free UK.”
Social Bonds May Save Our Lives
Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
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BMT, a global leader in maritime design, technical consultancy, and engineering, has acquired Australian Maritime Technologies (AMT), an independent, wholly Australian-owned naval design and marine engineering consultancy based in Melbourne. Specialising in engineering, design, and consulting services for marine projects, AMT has built a strong reputation for high-quality service delivery, which strengthens BMT’s capabilities in ship design and engineering for defence and commercial maritime customers. The synergies between BMT and AMT position them to deliver advanced solutions, combining BMT’s global reach with AMT’s depth of Australian expertise. Founded in 1987, AMT has earned a strong reputation as an innovative naval engineering consultancy, delivering high-impact design and engineering solutions to clients such as the Royal Australian Navy and leading defence primes like Luerssen and BAE Systems. Through its strategic partnership with Luerssen Australia, AMT has played a key role in establishing in-country design capability for the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) programme, supporting a smooth transition to through-life OPV design and engineering. This collaboration supports the growth of Luerssen Australia’s sovereign design expertise, including the transfer of Design Authority for the OPV programme. AMT’s experience in naval ship design spans a wide range of combatants, auxiliary, and specialist vessels. It played a key role as the ship designer in the mid-life combat and platform systems upgrades for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates, a programme it was initially part of 35 years ago. With a team of around 60 highly skilled professionals, AMT is known for its customer-centric approach, supporting the Royal Australian Navy and a host of other customers in the APAC region. Their expertise has made a lasting impact on defence initiatives, including the ANZAC Frigates and OPV programmes, solidifying AMT’s position as a trusted partner in the defence sector. Now, joining forces with BMT, AMT is poised to leverage BMT’s global resources while continuing to deliver world-class naval engineering expertise in Australia and beyond. Graeme Nayler, Regional Business Director, APAC, at BMT, said: “We are thrilled to welcome AMT into the BMT family. Their extensive expertise in multidisciplinary naval ship design, mechanical systems, and combat systems integration aligns seamlessly with BMT’s vision to deliver innovative, comprehensive solutions to clients worldwide. This acquisition strengthens our maritime engineering and design capabilities and expands our commercial reach, driving growth across the Asia-Pacific region.” Rob Dunbar, Managing Director of AMT and Graeme Nayler, Regional Business Director, APAC, at BMT. Rob Dunbar, Managing Director of AMT, added: “Joining BMT offers an exciting opportunity for AMT. Our shared values and BMT’s focus on innovation will enable us to further advance our sovereign Australian naval design and maritime engineering capabilities while creating new growth opportunities for our expanded team.” Sarah Kenny OBE, Chief Executive of BMT, commented: “This acquisition is a key step in our strategy to enhance our capabilities and expand our presence in the defence and maritime sectors across the Asia-Pacific. BMT’s extensive experience in naval programmes – including the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships, Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, Tide Class, Norwegian Logistics Support Vessel, and Type 31 Frigate – complements AMT’s specialised local expertise. By combining BMT’s global reach with AMT’s Australian capabilities, we are well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions that meet our clients’ evolving needs. This partnership not only strengthens our support for the Royal Australian Navy but also opens new avenues for growth and innovation in the regional market.” Both BMT and AMT are committed to employee ownership, with BMT operating as an Employee Benefit Trust and AMT as a staff-owned company. This approach ensures that AMT, as a wholly Australian and staff-owned entity, will maintain its independence and core values while leveraging BMT’s global resources. This creates an environment where employees are empowered to drive continued success. Source: BMTNone
Trump’s counter terror pick Sebastian Gorka is a ‘conman’ who needs FBI background check, Bolton saysWeekly Horoscope Your weekly horoscope is here to provide you with the insight and guidance you need to navigate the ups and downs of life. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you. Aries In the starting of the Week, The influence of a negative moon may bring feelings of sadness and boredom. You may face confusion in making important decisions, and could fall victim to hidden enemies or conspiracies. Be cautious with your speech, as it could affect your relationships. Avoid risky investments, as they might turn into losses. It's advisable to meditate and chant mantras to calm anxiety. Lovebirds should avoid arguments over trivial issues, and refrain from rushing or traveling far distances for now. In the last few days of the Week, With a positive moon, things improve. Your losses could turn into profits, improving your financial situation. Business decisions will be supported by your subordinates, and you may receive praise from your seniors, possibly leading to a promotion. Be polite and patient to complete difficult tasks with ease. Watch your arrogance at home to maintain harmony in family life. Taurus In the starting of the Week, a positive moon will keep you busy at work. You'll be able to make tough professional decisions with the help of destiny, and your mother's health will improve. Support from those around you will increase your confidence, but overworking might make you feel tired, leaving little time for family. In the last few days of the Week, The moon turns negative, bringing feelings of sadness and frustration. You may struggle to complete your commitments, which could affect your reputation. Impatience and nervousness may arise, and you'll need to be cautious of rivals and hidden enemies. It's a good time to avoid making new investments. Be mindful of your parents' health, and lovebirds should keep their distance to avoid unnecessary arguments. Students should focus and avoid laziness. Gemini In the starting of the Week, The positive moon brings peace and happiness. Your creative energy will boost your work, and your spiritual guidance will give you clarity. You'll be motivated to improve your home or workplace, enhancing your social status. Single natives might meet their soul mate, and students are likely to receive good news. Family disputes, particularly with siblings, may also resolve. In the last few days of the Week, The moon’s influence turns negative, bringing confusion and sadness. Avoid making hasty decisions and be careful of hidden enemies and conspiracies. Control your speech to avoid creating unnecessary enemies. Refrain from making new business investments. The weekend will bring some clarity and confidence, which will help you initiate tasks at work. Cancer In the starting of the Week, With a positive moon, you'll find inner strength to make important decisions. Your confidence will increase, and you may plan a visit to a religious place with family or friends. You may feel inspired to donate or engage in spiritual activities, and your siblings will offer strong support. Your family business is expected to grow, boosting the family’s standing. In the last few days of the Week, Sudden gains may come your way, such as inherited property or the sale of long-stuck assets, improving your financial health. Cash that was previously tied up may be recovered, increasing business liquidity. There will be improvements in your relationships with your spouse, fostering harmony at home. Students will find clarity in choosing a career path, and lovebirds may take significant steps in their relationship, such as marriage. Leo In the starting of the Week, The negative moon may bring feelings of sadness and negativity, making you feel uncertain. Patience will be required, as work may feel stagnant and you might face sudden issues. It's advised to postpone investments in land, machinery, or other production-related projects. Be cautious of hidden worries and avoid rush driving. Lovebirds should avoid arguments over trivial matters, and students must study diligently for success. In the last few days of the Week, The moon becomes positive, lifting your spirits. You'll take an interest in spiritualism or occult sciences, seeking knowledge that gives you inner strength. Guidance from advisors may help you in your career, and overseas contacts could benefit your business or job search. Family life will improve, and singles may find a suitable match. Lovebirds will enjoy happy moments together. Virgo In the starting of the Week, A positive moon brings happiness, particularly in your relationships. Health issues with your parents will improve, and you'll receive good news in legal matters. Your hard work will impress your boss, possibly leading to a promotion. You’ll have good control over your rivals and competitors. Singles may meet their soul mate, and students will excel. In the last few days of the Week, Projects that had stalled will pick up again, and you may go on a business trip. A new partnership could bring future benefits, and investments in properties or other assets may prove fruitful. Your bond with your spouse will improve, bringing harmony at home. Lovebirds will enjoy each other's company, and students may start planning for higher education. Libra In the starting of the Week, With a positive moon, you'll feel calm and focused. Your self-analysis will boost your confidence and work ethic. You'll be more inclined to gain knowledge and control your arrogance and short temper. New sources of income may open up, bringing happiness, though you should exercise caution before investing in real estate. Kids’ health may cause concern. Lovebirds will enjoy romantic moments, and students will stay focused on their studies. In the last few days of the Week, Projects may unexpectedly stall, lowering your confidence and focus. Avoid making important decisions for a few days, as you may feel uncertain and fearful. A visit to a spiritual place or chanting prayers may help you regain peace of mind. Be cautious of rush driving and avoid risky journeys. Pay attention to opponents and business rivals. Lovebirds are advised to avoid unnecessary arguments, as this could lead to a breakup. Scorpio In the starting of the Week, Expect mixed results as dissatisfaction may cloud your mood. Your patience will be tested, and you may rush tasks, which could affect your work. Your projects could be delayed, and family and work responsibilities may feel burdensome. Take care of your parents, and postpone making any new investments. Seek advice from elders before making important decisions. You may even contemplate changing jobs. In the last few days of the Week, With a positive moon, creative ideas will help you excel in your work. Your reputation will grow as you assist others, and new innovations will come to mind. Financially, you may recover money that was previously stuck, improving liquidity. New responsibilities at work will pave the way for future success. Students will perform well in their studies. Sagittarius In the starting of the Week, With a negative moon, you may feel nervous and bored. You'll spend money on unnecessary items, affecting your savings, but your wisdom will help you avoid risky investments. You might buy artistic items that elevate your social status. Avoid arguments and arrogance with your spouse to maintain harmony. Disputes in partnerships may be resolved, and you could consider investing in fixed assets or planning a relocation. Take care of your parents' health, and singles should trust their intuition regarding marriage. In the last few days of the Week, Your focus will shift to children’s education, and a new child may enter your family. Past investments will bring profits, including fixed asset investments. You may also plan to further your education to enhance your professional skills. Lovebirds will enjoy happy moments, and singles could find their soul mate. Capricorn In the starting of the Week, With a positive moon, you'll have strong inner confidence. You’ll be polite with others, and your communication skills will resolve conflicts. Tough business decisions will be easier with your team’s support. Your savings and expenditures will be balanced, boosting your savings. You might buy artistic items for home or office renovation. Avoid being overly straightforward to maintain domestic harmony. Lovebirds may decide to marry, and students will hear good news about admissions. In the last few days of the Week, You'll be energetic and focused on your goals. Completing tasks on time will increase your confidence. New innovations could provide an edge in your career. You may decide to renovate your home or workplace, tapping into your creativity. Past investments will bring good returns, improving your financial health. Job seekers may find suitable opportunities, and singles might meet their soul mate. Aquarius In the starting of the Week, The planetary alignment will focus your energy on children’s health and education. You’ll be able to manage expenditures, increasing your savings, and investments will yield good profits. Children’s education may demand your attention, and you might hear positive news regarding their admissions. You may implement new business plans and take short work-related trips. Control your straightforwardness to avoid tension with others. Lovebirds will be involved in family events. In the last few days of the Week, With a positive moon, you’ll experience happiness and satisfaction in both work and family life. New sources of income will enhance your financial health. You may plan new innovations in the family business, leading to profits. A big order in your business will increase your revenue, and you may receive new job responsibilities. Domestic harmony will improve as you enjoy quality moments with your spouse. Pisces In the starting of the Week, A positive moon will bring inner strength and vitality, helping you regain control over last week’s chaotic situations. You’ll feel at peace, and health will improve. Stalled projects will get back on track, and your hard work will be supported by your subordinates. You’ll implement new innovations with the help of your professional network. Students will perform well. In the last few days of the Week, The end of the week may bring challenges, as you’ll feel bored and frustrated. Patience will be tested, and you may face health issues, possibly leading to stress and anxiety. Your arrogance could negatively affect your personal and professional relationships. You may spend money unnecessarily, impacting your finances. Be mindful of your straightforwardness, as it could strain family and work relationships. Lovebirds should avoid pointless discussions, and students should stay focused on their studies.
IPO action ahead: Rajesh Power and Rajputana Biodiesel and more. All the detailsBlame it on the food and drink?There’s a buzz around Rahm Emanuel — the former Bill Clinton adviser, former Illinois congressman, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, former mayor of Chicago — possibly becoming the next head of the Democratic National Committee. The progressive left despises his pragmatism and liberal centrism. He has a reputation for abrasiveness. And his current job, as ambassador to Japan, has traditionally served as a posting for high-level political has-beens like Walter Mondale and Howard Baker. But he also has a gift for constructing winning coalitions with difficult, unexpected partners. More on that in a moment. When I met him for breakfast this week at a New York City hotel, what he wanted to talk about is a looming crisis in Asia. “What started as two wars in two theaters is now one war in two separate theaters,” he said of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. “We need to ensure that it does not expand into a third theater.” How soon might that happen? I mention 2027, a year that’s often seen as China’s target date for reunification with Taiwan, if necessary by force. “I think it’s actually 2025,” he said. What Emanuel has in mind are Asia’s other flashpoints, including along the 38th parallel that divides North and South Korea, where Russia is “poking” Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, “to do something” and where South Korea’s president briefly declared martial law, and also in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines are coming to blows over Beijing’s illegal maritime claims. Unlike with Taipei, to which America’s obligations are deliberately ambiguous, with Manila and Seoul our defense commitments are ironclad. That could mean war for the United States on multiple unexpected fronts. Emanuel’s tenure as ambassador was distinguished by his role in engineering two historic rapprochements — last year between Japan and South Korea and this year between Japan and the Philippines — that, along with the AUKUS defense pact with Britain and Australia, form part of a broad diplomatic effort by the Biden administration to contain China. The Chinese, Emanuel said, “have a theory of the case in the Indo-Pacific. We have a theory of the case. Their attempt is to isolate Australia, isolate the Philippines and put all the pressure on that country,” often through abusive trade practices. “Our job is to flip the script and isolate China through their actions.” That seems like a tall order now that Donald Trump is returning to Washington promising to impose exactly the kinds of abusive trade practices that drive allies and potential allies away. That topic provides an opening for me to change the subject to how Democrats might repair their fortunes. “I was waiting,” he wisecracks. “I knew that was foreplay.” Emanuel recognizes the anti-incumbent mood along with missed messaging chances by Kamala Harris’ campaign. But there was a larger mistake by Democrats, he said, many years in the making. In 2006, when as a congressman Emanuel was recruiting veterans to help flip Congress to the Democrats, the party was “anti-Washington, anti-establishment.” It opposed the war in Iraq, and it later channeled some of the outrage Americans felt toward the bankers who never paid a price for the 2008 financial crisis. (Emanuel, who had his own stint in investment banking, said he argued for “Old Testament justice” for those bankers when he was in the Obama White House.) Then came the pandemic. “In COVID, the Democrats put on the outfit of the establishment. ‘We’re going to close schools, you’re going to close these jobs, you listen to the scientists, listen to the science,’” he said. “As both a child of a doctor and a brother of a doctor, sometimes you need a second opinion.” So how do Democrats reclaim their old advantages? “From ’68 to ’88, a 20-year run, you had ‘law and order,’ ‘welfare queens,’ Willie Horton — that was the Republican message,” Emanuel recalls. “Bill Clinton comes around and takes the equation of crime, immigration, drugs, welfare, the whole basket of cultural issues, and gets them off the table.” All of these required Clinton to pick at least as many fights with his party’s left as he picked against Republicans, and even now there are parts of the Democratic Party that are still sore about it. “As I always say to the left, what part of the peace and prosperity were you most upset with?” he asked. “Which part did you hate? Was it the income growth, the employment growth, the drop in welfare rolls, the drop in crime, the fact that America was respected around the world, peace in the Middle East? Which part did you hate most?” Emanuel doesn’t think it’s impossible for Democrats to repeat Clinton’s feat, though whether it will take one bad election or more remains to be seen. As in his views about the geopolitics of Asia, where Chinese blundering and bullying should play to America’s advantage, so too in domestic politics. Trump “is going to turn the Oval Office into eBay,” he predicts. It will be the Democrats’ challenge to illuminate the fact. The trick in both cases is not to undermine your own side as you try to defeat the other. “I think Democrats prefer losing and being morally right to winning,” he said. “Me, I’m not into moral victory speeches. I’m into winning.” — This article originally appeared in . c. 2024 The New York Times CompanyThis Maharashtra Assembly election result marks a significant shift from the Lok Sabha elections, held earlier this year where the Mahayuti trailed behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) by a considerable margin. The Assembly outcome highlights Mahayuti’s strong performance , clearly scoring over the competition and securing a clear mandate. Given this decisive victory, it is important to examine key voting issues that shaped the electorate’s choices and contributed to the election outcome. Related Stories In Maharashtra, government formation may take time Meticulous planning helped Ajit Pawar retain Baramati Lost votes to Ladki Bahin Yojana campaign and Yogi Adityanath’s slogans: Sharad Pawar The survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS reveals that inflation emerged as the dominant concern for voters, with a quarter of voters identifying it as the key issue influencing their vote. Close behind, two of every ten (21%) voters pointed to unemployment as a major factor. Agricultural issues also played a significant role, with a little over one of every ten (13%) citing them as a critical concern. Other noteworthy issues highlighted included the lack of development, which was flagged by one of every ten, and the question of reservation, was mentioned by 5% (Table 1). The Mahayuti was the leading choice among voters prioritising any of these five key issues. This implied that voters saw the alliance that won as being more likely to effectively deal with these issues or prioritised others. While it lost some support on the unemployment front, where MVA was a close contender (Table 1). Although around three-fourths of voters acknowledged that inflation had risen in the State, it did not significantly harm the Mahayuti alliance. When asked who was responsible, half of these respondents blamed both the State and Central governments, while over one in five pointed to the Central government alone. A similar trend was observed with unemployment, where one third voters felt job opportunities had decreased. However, a clear majority—three-fifths of them—blamed both the State and Central governments for the decline (Table 2). This shared responsibility on key issues like inflation and unemployment helped prevent these concerns from becoming decisive factors against the ruling alliance in the State. Further, it could well be an expression of the level of confidence of the people in the winning alliance to resolve these issues. The choice of candidate emerged as a significant consideration in the voting choice. An interesting aspect of Maharashtra elections was the focus on the candidates, rather than the political parties, when it came to voting decisions. Nearly half of the voters said that their choice was primarily influenced by the candidate, while around four in ten considered the party affiliation. Only 6% cited CM candidate as the main factor in their decision-making (Table 3). There was a noticeable difference in the voting patterns of those who preferred a party or a candidate. Among those who preferred a candidate, over half voted for the Mahayuti alliance, compared to nearly one in three for the MVA. This suggests that candidates played a key role in the voter support for the Mahayuti alliance. (Table 4). The Mahayuti’s ability to appeal to voters across multiple concerns, combined with a focus on leadership, played a crucial role in securing this decisive mandate. (Vibha Attri is a Research Associate at Lokniti-CSDS) Published - November 25, 2024 12:30 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Women voters: The ‘silent voter’ factor in the Maharashtra election Raut blames former CJI Chandrachud for MVA’s defeat in Maharashtra polls In a first in six decades, no Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 / Maharashtra
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