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President-elect Donald Trump is set to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday as Republicans near control of both Congress and the White House , potentially achieving a full GOP trifecta in Washington. Trump’s agenda includes a speech to House Republicans, coinciding with his planned visit with President Joe Biden at the White House . Republicans are four seats away from a House majority , with 214 seats secured out of the needed 218, according to AP. Although a majority is within reach, it could be narrow , adding challenges for the GOP’s agenda, especially with Trump eyeing congressional members for key roles in his administration. Trump’s Picks and Leadership Contests Trump has chosen Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser and intends to nominate Rep. Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN. This will create vacancies in their House seats, requiring special elections. In the Senate, Trump ally Senator Rick Scott is challenging John Thune and John Corny...

The United States , alongside South Korea, Japan , and eight other nations, launched a new initiative to monitor North Korea’s nuclear weapons development . This plan follows the dissolution of a UN panel of experts earlier this year, after Russia's veto prevented the continuation of international monitoring. The newly formed Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team includes Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand , and the UK , along with the US , South Korea , and Japan . Its goal is to ensure the full implementation of UN sanctions on North Korea by rigorously investigating and publishing findings on sanctions violations and attempts to evade them. This announcement comes amidst rising tensions on the Korean peninsula , with North Korea recently destroying roads connecting to the South and Kim Jong Un ramping up threats against South Korea . Kim has claimed the right to "annihilate" the South, intensifying hostilities between the na...

Billionaire Miriam Adelson has contributed US$95 million to the Preserve America PAC supporting Donald Trump , according to the latest Federal Election Commission disclosures. This donation surpasses the US$75 million that she and her late husband, Sheldon Adelson , gave during the 2020 election cycle. Adelson’s financial backing places her among the largest Republican donors supporting Trump in the 2024 presidential race. Preserve America has focused its advertising efforts on the critical battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin , which Trump won in 2016 but lost in 2020. With just US$7.4 million remaining in the PAC’s bank, the bulk of Adelson’s funds have been used for these targeted efforts. Trump's fundraising lags behind that of Vice President Kamala Harris , whose campaign has outspent Trump’s by a significant margin, including US$314 million in media buys compared to US$173 million for Trump in the battleground states since Labor Day . Harris has also been...

  Former President Donald Trump recently discussed his economic policies and plans during an interview with Bloomberg at the Economic Club of Chicago. He defended his proposal for higher tariffs on foreign imports, claiming they would stimulate the US economy by bringing manufacturing back to the country. Trump also expressed the need for more influence over the Federal Reserve's monetary decisions, though he did not specifically say whether he would attempt to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell if re-elected. Trump's plans include imposing substantial tariffs on China and other nations, arguing that they would protect American industries. He also dismissed concerns over the potential economic impact, such as inflation or supply chain disruptions, while asserting that his leadership would generate loyalty among allies. Trump continued to argue that tariffs would be an effective tool for growth and that his immigration policies would balance the labor market. Moreover, Trump highlig...

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Faces Backlash Over BlackRock Deal Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a vocal critic of Israel due to its conflict with Hamas, is now defending a multi-billion dollar airport privatization deal involving BlackRock Inc., despite pressure from domestic critics to cancel the agreement over BlackRock's ties to Israel. Key Takeaways: Investment Concerns:  Anwar addressed parliament, stating it is "not realistic" to sever ties with companies over their links to Israel, aiming to reassure U.S. investors about the government’s stance on BlackRock, which acquired Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) — part of the consortium taking over Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd — for 12.3 billion ringgit ($2.6 billion). Strategic Partnerships:  “The collaboration between Malaysia Airports and GIP is critical for us,” Anwar said at an American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He emphasized the importance of foreign investments from the U.S., including Bla...

  Check out the key highlights of Trump vs Biden first Presidential Debate 2024.  You can read some key takeaways from here:  https://money-made-ez.blogspot.com/2024/06/key-takeaways-from-trump-and-bidens.html

Biden’s Struggles Raise Questions About Candidacy President Joe Biden's debate performance was widely seen as disappointing, with numerous misspeaks, bouts of coughing, and a perceived lack of energy. This has intensified concerns about his age and ability to lead for another term, prompting discussions within the Democratic Party about the possibility of replacing him on the ticket. Trump Seizes the Momentum Former President Donald Trump capitalized on Biden's missteps, maintaining energy throughout the debate and delivering sharp attacks. Despite his characteristic exaggerations and falsehoods, Trump managed to stay focused and avoid the outbursts that marred his previous debates. This has strengthened his position as the frontrunner, with undecided voters showing increased support for him. Key Issues Highlighted Abortion : Biden missed an opportunity to leverage this strong Democratic issue, instead pivoting to immigration, a weaker area for him. Economy : Trump attacked Bid...

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11): The following are the highlights of Budget 2020: Malaysian economy Budget 2020 has four thrusts including boosting economic growth in new economy and digital era, investing in people. Approved foreign direct investment has inreased to RM80.1 billion in 2018 from RM54.1 billion in 2017. Proctrated trade war offers Malaysia unique opportunity to become choice destination for FDI with high added value Overall debts and liabilities ratio to GDP lowered to 75.4% in 2018 from 79.3% in 2017, but is expected to rise to 77.1% as at end-June 2019. This is largely due to the increase in the committed government guarantee to continue to MRT and Pan Borneo Highway, and RM20 billion bailout of Tabung Haji. Govt saved at least RM46 billion in capex from rationalising megaprojects including LRT3, MRT 2 and ECRL. Malaysian economy to grow at 4.8% in 2020 vs 4.7% in 2019 The government revises Budget 2020 deficit target to 3.2% of GDP, which is slightly hi...

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11): The following are the highlights of Budget 2020: Civil servants' cost of living allowance or COLA to be raised by RM50 a month starting 2020 for support group, with an additional RM350 million a year Civil servants will be allowed early redemption of accumulated leaves (gantian cuti rehat) for up to 75 days as replacement pay for those who have served at least 15 years Public Sector Home Financing Board to offer free personal accident insurance for up to two years to new government housing loan borrowers The Bureau of Public Complaints will be replaced by the Malaysian Ombudsman to enhance govt's governance and delivery systems Govt to move forward with the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to increase public confidence and trust in police. Govt to allocate RM330 million to the Property and Land Management Division under the Prime Ministers Department to repair and maintain the pub...

As we usher in the New Year after the benchmark FBM KLCI closing in the positive zone in 2017  — the first time in three years, many investors would ponder whether the strong momentum could continue into 2018. The following is the list of factors that could possibly swing the market moving forward: Malaysia’s GE14 The much anticipated 14th general election (GE14) did not materialise in 2017, will definitely take place in 2018 before Aug 24 this year as the mandate of the ruling Barisan National (BN) coalition will end in June 2018. Analysts have in general expects the GE14 to be the main driver of investors’ sentiment in early 2018 before a return to fundamentals post GE14. So far, most research analysts view that the poll is likely to be in between February and April. The pre-election rally is expected to lift sentiments and improve the “feel-good” factor, which is important for incumbent governments. The election-play counters, companies that are perceive...

* Najib: Malaysia has created 2.26 million jobs, representing 69% of the 3.3 million target by 2020 * Budget 2018 allocates a sum of RM280.25b, up from RM260.8b in 2017 * Per capita income expected to rise to RM42,777 in 2018, from RM40,713 now, says PM * Federal government's revenue collection projected at RM239.86b in 2018 * Budget 2018 to see RM234.25 billion allocated for operating expenditure, RM46 billion for development expenditure * Additional RM200m allocated to Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia in Budget 2018, raising fund size to RM2.7b * Budget 2018 allocates RM6.5b to assist farmers, fishermen, smallholders and rubber tappers * Budget 2018 allocates RM200m to SMEs for training programmes, grants and soft loans under the SME Corp * Najib declares 2020 as Visit Malaysia Year with APEC, WCIT, CHOGM being held * Najib: Works on ECRL to start by January 2018 * Budget 2018 allocates RM2b to SME Tourism Fund to provide soft loans to tour operators with interest subsidy of 2% * Najib: ...

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has targeted budget spending at his coalition’s most loyal voters, seeking to limit any damage from more than a year of political turmoil as talk turns to a potential early election. Najib Razak chases 'ultimate' win as supporters get budget goodies The premier allocated more funds for his cash handout program to the poorest 40 percent of Malaysians, promised civil servants a bonus and introduced extra assistance for farmers. He pledged more roads, bridges and better electricity and water supply for rural regions, and sought to woo younger voters with discounts on outstanding student loans and access to cheap housing in urban areas. After weathering funding scandals and attempts to topple him for a good part of his second term as premier, Najib must balance a slowing economy with keeping voters happy ahead of an election that could come as soon as March. While the opposition is fractured, it has sought to lure ethnic Malays from Na...

MAHATHIR & Co: "THE CITIZENS DECLARATION" Four days after quitting UMNO, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sat with his old political allies and foes at a packed press conference last Friday to get the people's support to sign a declaration seeking Najib's removal. The Citizens' Declaration This sounds a lot like "Avengers" in real life...haha!! Well, Mahathir is definitely no angel himself but it's interesting to see how this will eventually turn out. Anyway, among those present were Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, DAP parliamentary chief Lim Kit Siang, former deputy minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former MCA president, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. 58 individuals called "The Citizens Declaration" that day. The former and longest Malaysia's prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir said Najib's removal from office must be through "non-violent legally permissible means." Asked if his collaboration with...