Australian towns evacuated over Christmas as bushfires rage

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As emergency crews work to contain the blaze, people in a bushfire-torn region of Australia were given two days to return home on Tuesday to pick up their possessions before Christmas.

Populations around the Grampians, in Victoria, have been evacuated amid instructions from authorities that problems there in the days back could be the worst since Australia’s most significant fire year on record, the so-called” Black Summer” of 2019-20.

The bushfires have already burnt over 41, 000 hectares ( 101, 000 acres ) of land in the past week, however there have been no deaths or loss of property.

Boxing Day’s anticipated high temperatures have also resulted in a number of fireplace instructions across the nation.

Parts of South Australia and New South Wales could experience bushfire conditions on Thursday into Friday, while temperatures are expected to reach 40C ( 104F ) and be accompanied by strong dry winds throughout Victoria.

” We’re expecting to see extreme fire danger across about the whole state”, Luke Hegarty, a spokesman for Victoria’s State Control Centre, said.

This is the most important fire hazard that the state has experienced since Black Summer, across all the different areas of the state we’re talking about. It’s significant that people understand that Thursday is a day with major potential”, he added.

In Victoria in the upcoming days, four federal fire forces and two event management teams, each with over 100 members, will get to offer a break from the constantly-active crisis crews that are battling the current fires.

The state’s Country Fire Authority ( CFA ) chief officer, Jason Heffernan, made the decision to grant families in the Grampians temporary access to their homes on Tuesday morning to “get Christmas items… presents and the like.”

“]This is ] to ensure if the residents of Halls Gap will be relocated for Christmas, at least they will have what they need”, he told Seven’s Sunrise programme.

As the holidays approach, Mary Ann Brown, a resident on the southern edge of Grampians National Park, told ABC.

It’s going to be a long summer because we are not out of the woods until we get a really good drop of rain, which might not arrive until March or April.

Parts of Australia have been on high alert for bushfire danger this summer, following several quieter seasons compared with the 2019-20 fires which were linked to hundreds of deaths and swept across 24 million hectares of land.

In recent years, the nation has experienced record-breaking floods and extreme heat as a result of climate change.

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Biden fires grand finale chip war salvo at China – Asia Times

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The Biden administration announced a deal exploration into Chinese tradition semiconductors, which generally refer to 28 millimeter or higher chips, to defend America’s chip-making business. &nbsp,

According to a fact sheet released by the White House on Monday ( December 23 ), the Office of the US Trade Representative will launch a Section 301 investigation to examine the People’s Republic of China ( PRC )’s ( PRC ) plan to target foundational semiconductors or mature node chips for dominance and the impact on the US economy. &nbsp,

The USTR probe will protect Chinese semiconductors integrated as components into upstream products for vital industries like defense, mechanical, medical devices, aerospace, telecommunications, and power generation and the electric grid. &nbsp,

It will also examine whether the impact of China’s actions, policies, and methods on the production of silicone carbide materials ( or other chips used as inputs to semiconductor fabrication ) contributes to any unjustifiableness, discrimination, or burden or restraint on US commerce.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the Biden-Harris Administration’s official, praised the investigation as” a powerful tool for standing up for American workers and firms, strengthening the resilience of important supply stores, and supporting unmatched investment in this sector.”

The Biden presidency was reportedly preparing to investigate China’s identity cards, according to a December 16 article in The New York Times. According to the report, the investigation does take at least six months to complete, so the incoming Trump leadership will be in charge of making that decision.

The USTR’s upcoming tradition chip sensor was criticized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MC) on Monday.

Through the Device and Science Act, a MoC director claimed that the US part has given its chip business “heavy incentives.” The US accuses China of having so-called non-market techniques and exaggerates the risk of the Chinese chip industry, noting that its businesses account for nearly half of the global chip industry.

Washington should take into account the fact that American chips are imported from China much more than American chips are.

” The Biden administration wants to create a fine net to contain China’s chip sector”, Lai Jiaqi, a columnist at Guancha.cn, said in a recent article. &nbsp,

” In the past, the US government’s curbs against China’s chip industry were focusing on the ban of the shipment of advanced US chips”, Lai said. China is gradually increasing its investments in the production of its own mature chips as the US tightens its regulations.

According to the author, it’s unlikely that there will be an oversupply of Chinese mature chips in the next two to three years, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS), a think tank based in Washington.

Overcapacity concerns

The three reasons why overcapacity concerns are either exaggerated or misunderstood as coming from China are described in the CSIS report:

  1. The purpose of Chinese companies expanding their capacity is to primarily supply domestic demand. China still imports the majority of its domestic semiconductor consumption requirements.
  2. Domestic demand in China is still high and will increase significantly through 2030. Domestic chip capacity will be able to meet about 90 % of domestic demand by 2030, compared to 37 % in 2020, assuming all of the previously announced factories in China are finished and operational by 2030.
  3. For some consumer electronics applications, Chinese foundries ‘ products are becoming more expensive, but they are still far less reliable for end-use applications like cars. Foreign companies will continue to dominate the Chinese market.

The White House announced on Monday that it would strengthen federal supply chain security in addition to looking into Chinese legacy chips by forbidding executive federal agencies from purchasing or obtaining products or services that include chips from specific Chinese factories and other relevant entities. &nbsp,

Additionally, it added that it will work with its international partners to improve cooperation in semiconductor supply chains and address shared concerns about China’s alleged unfair practices.

CHIPS for America

The Biden administration has introduced a number of new measures to combat China’s chip sector ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

Following two previous rounds in October 2021 and 2022, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security ( BIS ) released a third package of chip export regulations against China on December 2. &nbsp,

Additionally, the BIS added 140 Chinese chip manufacturers and suppliers to its” Entity List,” as well as new export controls for 24 different types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, three different software tools for creating or producing semiconductors, and high-bandwidth memory ( HBM ) chips. &nbsp,

To determine the best ways to encourage government contractors, especially those with commercial IT products and services, to increase their use of domestically produced chips, the US Office of Management and Budget ( OMB) released a Request for Information ( RFI ) on December 10.

The White House released its first-ever Quadrennial Supply Chain Review on December 19 to provide an in-depth analysis of the nation’s crucial supply chains, recommendations for improvement over the past four years, and recommendations for further improvements to US resilience in the future. &nbsp,

Additionally, US President Biden has accelerated the pace of funding qualified chipmakers for the construction of foundries. &nbsp,

According to the government, the CHIPS for America initiative has so far provided over US$ 26 billion in incentives to boost domestic production of semiconductors and their supply chains. It said this made America home to all five of the world’s leading-edge logic and memory providers, while no other economy has more than two. &nbsp,

‘ A fool’s errand’

Four Chinese industry organizations demanded their members not to purchase American legacy semiconductors due to” safety” concerns after the US announced new export controls to prohibit the shipping of high-end US chips to China on December 2. &nbsp,

The Internet Society of China, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the China Association of Communications Enterprises, and the China Association of Semiconductor Industry Association are just a few of the industry groups. &nbsp,

Concluding the Biden administration’s four-year efforts to boost the US chip sector, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told the Wall Street Journal on December 21 that” trying to hold China back is a fool’s errand”.

She claimed that China’s export controls were only” speed bumps” and could not slow China’s development of its own semiconductor capabilities. She claimed that the only way for the US to win the chip war is to out-innovate China and stay ahead of it. &nbsp,

Liu Lanxun, a military columnist from Hubei, claimed that Raimondo finally admitted at the conclusion of her term that the US chip ban against China is a waste of time. However, he claimed that because China is also investing heavily in its chip industry, the US might not always succeed in the end.

Yong Jian contributes to Asia Times. He is a Chinese journalist who specializes in Chinese technology, economy and politics.

Read more about the anti-US chips campaign by China-based business groups.

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Mediacorp announces it will offer contracts to 8 additional finalists from Star Search 2024

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In a speech, Doreen Neo, Mediacorp’s general talent agent, said:” Star Search has once again uncovered numerous rising celebrities, and we are thrilled to welcome these nine talents to the Mediacorp home.

” From young actors and visitors to content creators, each of them brings unique strengths, love, and personality to the table, making for a party that reflects the dynamic nature of yesterday’s celebrity image. We are eager to see how far they may advance by providing personalized workshops and special opportunities that are tailored to their aspirations. Keep tuned to see these rising actors make their mark on Mediacorp’s systems and over!”

The great episode of&nbsp, Star Search 2024 took position on Nov 24 and saw Tiffany Ho walking away with&nbsp, a Mediacorp commitment and a BYD Seal electric vehicle.

Watch every episode of Star Search 2024 on Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube network.

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‘Trumpflation’ already wreaking havoc on Bank of Japan – Asia Times

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Before it even arrives, the Bank of Japan has a very common feud with Donald Trump’s 2.0 White House.

Tokyo is now putting the brakes on the following Trump presidency, which will take place in four weeks. Governor Kazuo Ueda is leading Asia’s second-largest business toward the total unfamiliar at BOJ office in Tokyo, where it is more evident.

Certainly, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may dispute this classification. However, Ueda is securely in the driver’s seat with approval levels in the 20s and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party rarely hanging on to power.

The issue is figuring out when Trump will visit the White House on January 20. Door No. 1 is contextual Trump, ready to negotiate a “grand deal” business cope with China and perhaps others. Door No. Second: a” Tax Man” period that sparks trade wars that no one has seen before.

This doubt explains why Ueda’s plan board kept rates unchanged next year. And why it’s probably not even a question to consider a price trek for January. The BOJ stated in a speech last week that “uncertainty persists regarding the country’s economy and rates.”

Local problems are bad much. Team Ishiba is scrambling to implement innovative fiscal stimulus to boost domestic demand as Chinese growth declines. Not exactly a good place for the BOJ to raise prices.

China’s economic downturn is its own conundrum. Tokyo is deeply alarmed by the recession that Asia’s biggest sector exports. For years, Japan was accused of generating more challenges than development. Then it’s China, by much Japan’s leading export market.

India fears about the mix of Trump’s affected trade conflict and domestic plans to arrest millions of illegal immigrant workers. The great possibilities this will make what industry observers have coined” Trumpflation” has Ueda’s BOJ in a spin.

That includes legislators from European Central Bank Governor Christine Lagarde to Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong.

” In Japan, industrial production likely fell 3 % in November from October”, says Stefan Angrick, an economist at Moody’s Analytics. ” Business forecasts for November have looked bad, with companies pointing to falling production across machinery, autos and technology”.

The bigger issue is income. The enthusiasm over the previous year’s wage negotiations for the spring has long since waned. The union workers ‘ biggest increases in 33 years didn’t stop the virtuous cycle of inflated salaries and increased use that many had hoped for. As 2024 begins, inflation-adjusted give is smooth.

Chinese CEOs could be prevented from raising pay in the coming year by competing concerns about China’s decline and Trump’s bombardment of tariffs. This danger is making the BOJ’s price increase timeline more challenging.

Previously, economists thought a December price climb was a done deal. Finally, a group of BOJ officials stepped up to the microphone to announce that there would be no tightening. Though” Trump business” challenges weren’t highlighted particularly, they were written between the lines in bold font.

With the Trump threat to impose$ 60 transfer taxes on Chinese goods, Japan would be at the middle of the collateral damage area. Any significant decline in the biggest customer for Japan had destroy it in 2025.

Japan Inc concerns, also, that Trump may teach his tariffs its approach. Trump has refused Ishiba’s noted many demands for a pre-inauguration meet. Due to this, Japan is concerned that Trump doesn’t view Ishiba as a crucial mate in the same way that he did Shinzo Abe, the prime minister for 2020.

And that the 100 % taxes Trump plans for Mexico-made trucks might remain aimed next at Toyota, Honda and Nissan. That may hinder the former two businesses ‘ efforts to combine to raise global market share.

For Ueda’s BOJ, dread must be the experience of the time. Ueda dragged his legs on raising prices to 0.2 %, where it is now, in the 15 weeks after taking the helm in April 2023. Despite robust economic growth and the favorable environment for higher Asian rates, this is true.

Having squandered that window of opportunity, Ueda today finds himself on the defense. With Ishiba’s gathering on the run, social pressure against price hikes is definitely mounting. The LDP’s current reliance on criticism party help to hold onto power is not all that helpful.

On the other side, there’s a real danger of” Trumpflation” that lingers back Japan’s manner. As Trump introduces laws that appear to be sure to increase global sales pressures, the threat has been brought up by economists, including Nobel prize Paul Krugman.

Trump’s taxes “would lead to a significant increase in consumer prices in the US.” We estimate that the proposed tariff increases would increase core PCE prices by 0.9 % if implemented using our rule of thumb, which states that every 1[percentage point ] increase in the effective tariff rate would raise core PCE prices by 0.1 %.

Or even more if Trump makes good on capturing millions of undocumented workers, thereby tightening US workers markets even more.

The author of” The Contest for Japan’s Economic Future,” Richard Katz, claims that domestic price trends, along with Trumpflation and a weaker yen, are putting the BOJ at a disadvantage. The BOJ is therefore holding off until more proof is available.

Ueda’s plan board “faces a dilemma”, Katz says. Objectives of higher prices in Japan typically lead to the BOJ raising interest rates. That would not only filter the level gap, but also help to counteract the yen’s yen’s upward pressure, and also help to combat inflation.

Katz continues, adding that” for the most part, the weaker yen and other components have been reducing true wages and, consequently, customer paying for the past five years. That prevents economic development, and the BOJ must maintain low interest rates to maintain afloat the business.

Katz adds that it’s even more concerning how and when Trump may put the laws he campaigned and won on into practice.

It’s unclear whether the benefits in minimum wage increases that employers granted this year will be repeated following year on the local Japan entrance. Because of the magnitude of imported inflation, it’s unclear whether minimum increases will result in higher real wages.

All of this is putting pressure on the renminbi. Last year, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said he was “deeply” concerned about the dollar’s new fall.

Katz argues that the BOJ’s entire prices plan depends on maintaining minimum wage increases at 3 % annually in the hopes that this will result in increases in real income. It will take many months to see the 2025 fiscal pay picture. Therefore, at least for this month, the BOJ is adopting a wait-and-see attitude”.

Daisuke Karakama, general business analyst at Mizuho Bank, says” I’m not certain if yen failure may be contained until March”. He adds that there’s” no assurance” the yen didn’t break through 160 to the money by January.

Trump Japan may encounter this in January, but there is no guarantee. And the degree of the” Trumpflation” that might follow.

Following William Pesek on X at @WilliamPesek

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71-year-old man charged with attacking 2 people with knife in Lavender

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SINGAPORE: A 71-year-old man was charged on Tuesday ( Dec 24 ) with attacking two people in Lavender using a knife.

Lim Tee Tee was given two charges of deliberately causing hurt with a 50cm blade at&nbsp, Block 805, King George’s Avenue.

This reportedly happened at the building’s eighth-floor passageway at about 11.30am on Sunday.

Mr. Chua Kin Tong and Mr. Hussin Mohamed were the subjects named in the accusations.

A 69-year-old gentleman was earlier reported to the authorities as being injured in the event and taken unconscious to the clinic, where he later passed away.

According to preliminary studies, Lim and the 69-year-old man allegedly got into a fight and reportedly fought with one another.

Charge bedding did not specify the victim’s demise and the death was not disclosed in court proceedings.

Lim made an appearance from Remand via a movie website. He appeared to have a scar that was dressing-covered above his left eye.

A policeman counsel requested that Lim be held in custody for a week and that he be allowed to leave for work on investigations.

According to the attorney, Lim was required to be in prison to travel to the image of the alleged murder and perform reenactments.

Lim asked the court if his nephew may be made aware of the situation while speaking Mandarin. He was informed that the investigation official did inform his family.

Lim may appear in court again on December 31.

A dangerous weapon that is intentionally used to inflict pain with a prison term of up to seven years, which may include a great, a punishment, or any blend of these penalties.

If found criminal, Lim may be caned as he is above 50.

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YouTube populists driving South Korea’s political instability – Asia Times

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In the past three weeks, South Korea has experienced a brief period of military rules, its abrupt reform, and Yoon Suk Yeol’s senate.

One underrated driver of the current crisis is the increase of YouTube-based agitators, activists and influencers, who both profit from and power a new brand of populism. South Korea has a severe impact, but the pattern is widespread.

An exceedingly online electorate

In South Korea’s 2022 poll, Yoon trailed his opposition for much of the plan. His intense populist policies attracted some help, but he appeared to be going to fail.

Then he discovered a novel district: a group of passionate young people who are passionate about abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. These protestors used platforms like YouTube and others to transmit their ideas.

This demographic, in addition to traditional liberal voters, allowed Yoon to get a close election and retain control of South Korea’s most potent social position. The female department was then formally overthrown, and he claimed architectural discrimination was” a thing of the past.”

Yoon issued arrest warrants for a number of his alleged political competitors after gaining strength. Among these was Kim Eo-Jun, a vital and aggressive YouTube blogger, and a controversial populist find tied to progressive politics. Kim’s regular videos send millions of active followers reports, guest appearances, and sleazy commentary.

We’ve come to terms with the notion that social media platforms influencing political processes by promoting specific content and spreading reports and analysis. However, the rising social acclaim of platform actors like Kim suggests that the impact is becoming more clear.

Populist systems

Social media platforms give access to a wide range of news and media producers, from established newspapers to separate commentators at the most extremes of the social spectrum. However, not all of the information gets similar interest.

Research indicates that fake news receives more loves and interactions than factual information, at least in South Korea. ” Real information” tends to collect dislikes and scorn.

More recent research from South Korea indicates that people may contempt political decisions or groups on platforms to find out conspiracy theories. Customers are also infamously primary against issues like women’s rights.

South Korea is just one of these issues. International trends exist in populist and controversial news and analysis.

Traditional news media’s reputation is declining, in part because of concerns that it is associated with prominent and elite figures. These concerns are frequently confirmed by social media influencers who are attempting to get the new view leaders.

Online celebrities are fantastic tools for populist politicians. They have personal contacts with their viewers, tend to suggest straightforward solutions, and often resist responsibilities and fact-checking.

Platforms are frequently more likely to persuade viewers to watch controversial and perhaps radical content, eroding otherwise more balanced content.

Nevertheless, these polarising numbers are not alone in these areas. Native editors and outsiders are adapting to systems while maintaining accuracy of information.

On YouTube, past major journalists, such as Australia’s Michael West and the British Phil Edwards, have amassed followings while blending private and informal articles with more standard journalism.

Non-journalists, such as Money &amp, Macro and the English Tom Nicholas, have expanded their control through adopting some main editorial techniques. With the help of their numerous viewers, they create articles that investigates, explores, and explains current affairs reports and evaluation.

These YouTube news influencers demonstrate how literary content can help the new news media ecosystem and draw huge audiences without relying on nationalist and polarizing content.

” Newsfluencers” producing news on systems, such as YouTube, tailor their information to the norms of the websites.

Newsfluencers and the upcoming

Newsmakers frequently shoot in casual settings rather than conventional models, and they establish a friendly rapport with their viewers. They utilize “authenticity”, going out of their approach to “avoid looking like smooth business media”.

Their many revenue channels include ads, sponsors, product and, most importantly, primary audience contributions. These efforts may be made through members or through third-party programs like Patreon and Substack.

Even major media outlets have begun to follow YouTuber guidelines, including ABC from Australia. The current matters radio If You’re Listening, for instance, significantly outperforms traditional written material because of its everyday style and focus on giving the visitors what it wants while being produced under the canopy of the national presenter.

YouTube channels in South Korea like VoiceOfSeoul use avenue reporting, casual talk-show panels, and investigative reporting to combine road coverage. Video and breaking news styles are combined on OhMyTV, which includes links for individual donations and sponsorships.

Legacy advertising like KBS maintains a strong following through TV and site websites like Naver at the same time. KBS’s traditional format, but, struggles to maintain viewership on these extremely popular platforms, where these innovative journalists have succeeded.

On YouTube and other related websites, there is a distinct place for news. But, it will need to adjust. The moment may be nearing when program journalism is essential for democracy, as the North Korean experience demonstrates.

Timothy Koskie is doctoral researcher, School of Media and Communications, University of Sydney and Christopher James Hall is PhD Researcher, Centre for Media Transition, University of Technology Sydney

The Conversation has republished this essay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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CDA ‘cannot be set up any time soon’

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‘ Cooling off-period ‘ may go second

PUBLISHED: 24 Dec 2024 at 06: 03

A replica of the charter in the form of an accordionstyle parchment, symbolizing constitutional monarchy, sits on a golden tray under a spotlight at Democracy Monument. (File photo)
At Democracy Monument, under the spotlight, is a copy of the contract in the form of an accordion-style paper, which represents constitutional king. ( File photo )

According to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, the creation of a charter drafting assembly ( CDA ) cannot be completed until the 180-day suspension period for the public referendum bill has passed.

Following Parit Wacharasindhu’s claim on Monday that a policy act bill laying the groundwork for the formation of a CDA may soon be scrutinized by parliament, Mr. Wisut, a list-MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, clarified the explanation.

On his Twitter, Mr Parit wrote that the legislature government’s commission, asked to provide opinions about a contract update, decided that a policy article costs related to the setting up of a CDA may be put on the parliament agenda.

Mr. Parit argued that the committee’s decision was critical because it would save time and money by allowing the proposed amendment to have two polls instead of three. The cost of organizing a election is about three billion ringgit.

Additionally, Mr. Parit expressed hope that this would reduce the time it would take to modify the charter, and that a new one might be created before the upcoming general election. The second reading of the policy act bill is scheduled for January 14 and 15.

While acknowledging the possibility of two separate charter referendums, Mr. Wisut said a force for a charter modify would have to wait after the 180-day disqualification period. The House and Senate failed to reach a consensus on the guidelines for holding a contract amendment referendum, according to the general government whip, who stated that the law amendment bill could not be debated by parliament during the cooling-off period.

He claimed to have spoken with legislature’s legal team and Thin Muhamad Noor Matha, who both claimed that the 180-day suspension must have expired before any further action can be taken. He added that it’s unlikely to be finished before the 2027 election’s upcoming contract update.

The main opposition party claims that two polls are enough to amend the proposed contract rewrite and would not violate a new Constitutional Court decision. This may make it possible for the nation to adopt a new law before the following elections. However, experts believe often, especially after the debate between the House and Senate over the election laws.

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

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Charter drafting process stalled

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180-day ‘ cooling off-period’ must go second before MPs may take up debate once

PUBLISHED: 24 Dec 2024 at 06: 03

A replica of the charter in the form of an accordionstyle parchment, symbolizing constitutional monarchy, sits on a golden tray under a spotlight at Democracy Monument. (File photo)
At Democracy Monument, a duplicate of the charter, which is presented in the form of an accordion-style parchment, stands under a spotlight next to a gold tray. ( File photo )

According to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, the creation of a charter drafting assembly ( CDA ) cannot be completed until the 180-day suspension period for the public referendum bill has passed.

Following Parit Wacharasindhu’s claim on Monday that a policy act bill laying the groundwork for the formation of a CDA may soon be scrutinized by parliament, Mr. Wisut, a list-MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, clarified the explanation.

On his Twitter, Mr Parit wrote that the legislature government’s commission, asked to provide opinions about a contract update, decided that a policy article costs related to the setting up of a CDA may be put on the parliament agenda.

According to Mr. Parit, the agency’s decision was important because it would save time and money by allowing for two referendums rather than three. A referendum’s planning expenses about three billion ringgit.

Mr. Parit hoped that this would reduce the process of writing a new charter before the upcoming general election. The second reading of the law article bill is scheduled for January 14 and 15.

While acknowledging the possibility of two separate charter referendums, Mr. Wisut said a force for a contract modify would have to wait after the 180-day disqualification period. The general government whip claimed that the law amendment bill could not be debated by congress during the cooling-off interval, which must be followed after the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on the guidelines for holding a charter amendment referendum.

He claimed to have spoken with parliament’s legal team and Thin Muhamad Noor Matha, who both claimed that the 180-day suspension must have expired before any further action can be taken. He added that it’s unlikely that the contract update process will be finished before the 2027 election.

The main opposition party claims that two polls are enough to amend the proposed contract rewrite and would not violate a new Constitutional Court decision. Before the following elections, the nation do have a new law in place. However, experts believe often, especially after the debate between the House and Senate over the election laws.

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

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Military downsizing gets nod

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plans to reduce some top positions by 50 %

PUBLISHED: 24 Dec 2024 at 05: 53

A white report that describes a plan to relocate the armed forces and cut spending on weapons was approved by the Defense Council on Monday.

The government, which is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, reviewed the military’s strategic program for 2026-2037 at its final meeting of the year.

According to Mr. Phumtham, each organization under the control of the Defense Ministry has its own corporate ideas that do not conflict with one another.

But, to achieve the goal of military shrinking, they all may operate under a unified manner and in line with a nationwide plan, he said.

The committee acknowledged a costs to update the Defence Act that was created by former defense secretary Sutin Klungsang, he said.

The costs, which has received some opinions, may be improved before being resubmitted to the Defence Council for revision, he said.

It would then be forwarded to the government for assent as part of the process and finally made a proposal to the House.

According to Mr. Phumtham, the lieutenant defense secretary and the permanent secretary of defense were given the task of managing the situation.

He claimed that the government also discussed the global situation and that it endorsed the country’s commitment to maintain its neutrality and act in the interests of the land.

He continued, mentioning that crisis rescue operations and deliberate enlistment were other topics that were brought up during the conference.

Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, stated on Monday that the white paper may provide a platform for developing martial cohesion and readiness.

According to him, the model may help each unit come up with plans and projects and get a better knowledge of the military’s role.

According to Maj. Gen. Thanathip, the military has begun to reduce personnel and will have a 5 % reduction by 2027.

By 2028, the government hopes to reduce the number of commanders holding professional jobs and officials by 50 % through an early retirement program.

The program also includes replacing military personnel in support and combat units with volunteer recruits, limiting the number of personnel from the agency’s education institutes, and changing the number of conscripts to meet mission demands and threats.

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