Donald Trump launches new $TRUMP meme coin
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially announced the launch of his own cryptocurrency—a meme coin named $TRUMP.
Ireland's two large centre-right parties are set to begin their search for a coalition partner this week after Friday's election looked likely to leave them just short of the 88 seats needed to govern, a choice that will help determine their policy platform.
Ireland's two large centre-right parties are set to begin their search for a coalition partner this week after Friday's election looked likely to leave them just short of the 88 seats needed to govern, a choice that will help determine their policy platform.
Prime Minister Simon Harris' Fine Gael and coalition partner Fianna Fail bucked a global trend of voters rejecting incumbents when they won 20.8% and 21.9% of the vote respectively, a broadly similar level to the last election in 2020.
With outgoing junior coalition partner the Greens set to lose all but one of its seats, the choice is between one of Ireland's smaller left-leaning parties or a number of more conservative independent lawmakers.
The final seats are likely to be filled on Monday.
"There is certainly the possibility for this additional partner to have an outsized impact on the ideological direction," said Theresa Reidy, senior lecturer in politics at University College Cork.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have ruled out a deal with the other main party Sinn Fein, the leftist opposition whose vote fell to 19.0% from 24.5% in 2020 and 35% in opinion polls a year ago when it appeared on course to lead the next government.
Harris called the election on the heels of a 10.5 billion euro ($11 billion) giveaway budget, but will be under pressure to heed widespread frustration at the outgoing government's inability to turn the healthiest public finances in Europe into better public services.
POTENTIAL MAJOR THREAT
Senior Fine Gael and Fianna Fail ministers have said talks on forming a new government would take weeks at least. Party figures have said they would like a deal before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, but that it is not a hard deadline.
Trump's pledges to slash corporate tax and impose tariffs pose a potentially major threat to Ireland's economy, which is heavily dependent on the taxes and jobs of a cluster of U.S. tech and pharmaceutical multinationals.
"Ideally if we can form a government prior to that (Trump's inauguration), that's positive, but I think we need to form a government that can last," Finance Minister Jack Chambers of Fianna Fail told Reuters, adding that negotiations should not take the 4-1/2 months needed in 2020.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have formed stable governments in the past backed by independents and both have governed with one of the two possible centre-left partners, Labour. The other, the relatively new Social Democrats, has never been in power.
While 88 votes are required to pass legislation and approve ministers, parties will really need around 94 to have a comfortable majority capable of going the full five-year term, former prime minister Bertie Ahern told state broadcaster RTE.
"The reality is they have plenty of choices," giving them plenty of bargaining power, Ahern said.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
Coast Guard divers Chuck Fox and Corey Smith from the US Cutter *Polar Star* successfully repaired a leaking shaft in the freezing waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
As we welcome the new year, it’s time to focus on species needing urgent conservation in 2025. From delicate lizards to mighty hornbills and massive sharks, all face the threat of extinction.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
The Weeknd, one of the biggest music stars of our time, has announced that his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, releasing on January 24, 2025, will be his final project under the “The Weeknd” name.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially announced the launch of his own cryptocurrency—a meme coin named $TRUMP.
At least 17 people were arrested while attempting to enter the Western District Court in Seoul during a rally in support of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol. The protesters, demanding his release, climbed over the courthouse fence but were detained by authorities. A crowd of 12,000 gathered out
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew thanked President-elect Trump for his efforts to save the app in the U.S., as a January 19 deadline looms for ByteDance to sell or shut it down.
Brazil announces Nigeria's acceptance as a partner country in BRICS, highlighting shared interests and Nigeria's growing role in global governance and the Global South.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Briefing: here are the top news stories for January 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment