Politics

Political and General News Events from May 4 – National Post

Published

5 years ago

May 4, 2020

Harry Miller

May 4 (Reuters) –

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—————————————————————- This diary is filed daily. ** Indicates new events —————————————————————-

MONDAY, MAY 4

** TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold a news conference on Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak – 0900 GMT. ** PARIS – French prime minister Edouard Philippe presents bill extending health emergency in the country to June 24th to the Senate lawmakers. Presentation followed by debate – 1230 GMT.

BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for internal market Thierry Breton and for education, culture and research Mariya Gabriel debate the impact of covid-19 on culture, education and media with EU lawmakers – 1300 GMT BRUSSELS – EU hosts an international pledging conference with the aim of raising at least 7.5 billion euros to fund global research in vaccine, treatments and diagnostics to tackle COVID-19 – 1300 GMT BRUSSELS – EU Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager discusses EU measures to tackle the COVID-19 crisis and ways the digital transformation can boost recovery will be discussed with EU lawmakers. – 1200 GMT

PARIS – OECD to update on progress rewriting international tax rules – 1200 GMT

– – – – – – – – –

TUESDAY, MAY 5

** BRUSSELS – EU employment and social affairs ministers hold video conference on pandemic effects on jobs – 0800 GMT. BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for energy Kadri Simson speaks at the Hydrogen Europe and GEODE webinar ‘Towards the new age of gas networks – Hydrogen and CO2 free gas infrastructure by 2050’. BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for energy Kadri Simson gives a keynote speech at the Energy Solutions high-level videoconference debate ‘The role of industry in the implementation of the European Green Deal and the Climate Law.’ GLOBAL – World Asthma Day.

ZAGREB – EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb (to May 7).

– – – – – – – – –

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

** DUBLIN – European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan to discuss role of international trade in the EU’s post-COVID recovery – 1100 GMT. BRUSSELS – A summit between the leaders of EU member states and six Western Balkans countries takes place via video conferencing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are all hoping to become members of the bloc. BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks after meeting with the Prime Ministers of the German federal states to discuss corona measures amidst a discussion on whether the regulations need relaxing or not.

ZAGREB – EU heads of state or government and leaders of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo meet in Croatia to discuss EU accession (to May 7). TAIPEI CITY – Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung speaks to the Taipei Foreign Correspondents Club about Taiwan’s battle against the coronavirus – 0200 GMT BRUSSELS – Diederik Samsom, head of the European Commission’s climate cabinet, delivers remarks on whether the coronavirus can be a “catalyst” for action to tackle climate change – 0900 GMT.

BRUSSELS – European Commission Vice-President Dombrovskis presents Action Plan on Anti-money Laundering. – – – – – – – – –

THURSDAY, MAY 7

** DUBLIN – Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney addresses Brexit in parliament – 1230 GMT. BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for home affairs Ylva Johansson speaks on the EU’s response to fighting cybercriminals that are exploiting the coronavirus crisis at a Bruegel event – 1000 GMT BEIJING – The EU Ambassador to China Nicolas Chapuis will hold a virtual press conference on EU-China relations, in light of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China (May 6), and Europe Day (May 9). – 0300 GMT BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for economic affairs Valdis Dombrovskis participates in the World Economic Forum videoconference on the EU’s Green Deal. BRUSSELS – EU Commissioner for economic and financial affairs Paolo Gentiloni speaks in online edition of the annual “the state of the Union conference,” organized by the European University Institute.

– – – – – – – – –

FRIDAY, MAY 8

** DUBLIN – Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney to dicuss challenges now facing the EU, including the response to COVID-19 inside the Union and trade negotiations with the UK. BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a wreath laying ceremony at Berlin´s Neue Wache memorial marking the end of World War II. – 0900 GMT BRUSSELS – Euro zone finance ministers hold video conference on the EU’s response to the coronavirus epidemic – 1300 GMT

GLOBAL – World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.

– – – – – – – – –

SATURDAY, MAY 9

MOSCOW – The Czech President Milos Zeman visits Moscow to attend the events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

– – – – – – – – –

SUNDAY, MAY 10

POLAND – Referendum election.

– – – – – – – – –

MONDAY, MAY 11

BRUSSELS – EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting – – – – – – – – –

TUESDAY, MAY 12 SYDNEY – Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers a ministerial statement to the parliament outlining the economic and business impacts from the new coronavirus crisis. GLOBAL – International Nurse’s Day.

BRUSSELS – EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) meeting

BRUSSELS – EU General Affairs Council meeting

– – – – – – – – – THURSDAY, MAY 14

WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s finance minister delivers budget that aims to tackle the long-term challenges facing the country while also preparing the economy for the future.

BRUSSELS – EU Foreign Affairs Council (Development) meeting.

– – – – – – – – –

FRIDAY, MAY 15

GLOBAL – U.N. International Day of Families. – – – – – – – – –

SATURDAY, MAY 16

LISBON – 8th anniversary of 78 billion euro bail-out of Portugal by eurozone leaders. – – – – – – – – –

SUNDAY, MAY 17 GLOBAL – World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Referendum election DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Dominican Chamber of Deputies DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Dominican Senate – – – – – – – – – MONDAY, MAY 18 GLOBAL – International Museum Day. BRUSSELS – Eurogroup meeting

BRUSSELS – EU Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council meeting (to May 19). – – – – – – – – –

THURSDAY, MAY 19 BRUSSELS – EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting. MALAWI – Referendum election.

– – – – – – – – –

FRIDAY, MAY 20

BURUNDI – Referendum election. – – – – – – – – –

SUNDAY, MAY 22

GLOBAL – International Day for Biological Diversity. – – – – – – – – –

TUESDAY, MAY 26

BRUSSELS – EU General Affairs Council (Cohesion) meeting.

– – – – – – – – – WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 MIAMI, FL – Miami Beach International Fashion Week (to May 31). – – – – – – – – –

SUNDAY, MAY 31 GLOBAL – World No Tobacco Day. – – – – – – – – –

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

BRUSSELS – The European Commission’s climate chief, Frans Timmermans, presents an assessment of the EU member states’ national energy and climate plans.

– – – – – – – – – THURSDAY, JUNE 4

LUXEMBOURG – EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (to June 5). – – – – – – – – –

MONDAY, JUNE 8

Nur-Sultan – EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade). – – – – – – – – –

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

FREDRICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES – U.S. President Donald Trump hosts G7 leaders at Camp David (to June 12)

– – – – – – – – – THURSDAY, JUNE 11

** FREDRICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, U.S. – U.S. President Donald Trump hosts G7 leaders at Camp David (to June 12).

LUXEMBOURG – Eurogroup meeting. – – – – – – – – –

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 LUXEMBOURG – EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council – – – – – – – – –

MONDAY, JUNE 15 BRUSSELS – EU-UK officials meet to assess progress in Brexit talks ahead of EU summit

LUXEMBOURG – European foreign affairs minister meet in Luxembourg. – – – – – – – – –

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

LUXEMBOURG – EU General Affairs Council – – – – – – – – –

THURSDAY, JUNE 18

BRUSSELS – European Council meeting (to June 19).

– – – – – – – – –

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan Parliament election. – – – – – – – – –

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

Iceland – Referendum election.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NOTE: The inclusion of diary items does not necessarily mean that Reuters will file a story based on the event.

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Politics

RFK Jr. says Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water. ‘It’s possible,’ Trump says

Published

19 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

PHOENIX (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent proponent of debunked public health claims whom Donald Trump has promised to put in charge of health initiatives, said Saturday that Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected president.

Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

Kennedy made the declaration Saturday on the social media platform X alongside a variety of claims about the heath effects of fluoride.

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Kennedy wrote. Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, “want to Make America Healthy Again,” he added, repeating a phrase Trump often uses and links to Kennedy.

Trump told NBC News on Sunday that he had not spoken to Kennedy about fluoride yet, “but it sounds OK to me. You know it’s possible.”

The former president declined to say whether he would seek a Cabinet role for Kennedy, a job that would require Senate confirmation, but added, “He’s going to have a big role in the administration.”

Asked whether banning certain vaccines would be on the table, Trump said he would talk to Kennedy and others about that. Trump described Kennedy as “a very talented guy and has strong views.”

The sudden and unexpected weekend social media post evoked the chaotic policymaking that defined Trump’s White House tenure, when he would issue policy declarations on Twitter at virtually all hours. It also underscored the concerns many experts have about Kennedy, who has long promoted debunked theories about vaccine safety, having influence over U.S. public health.

In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and continued to promote it even after fluoride toothpaste brands hit the market several years later. Though fluoride can come from a number of sources, drinking water is the main source for Americans, researchers say.

Officials lowered their recommendation for drinking water fluoride levels in 2015 to address a tooth condition called fluorosis, that can cause splotches on teeth and was becoming more common in U.S. kids.

In August, a federal agency determined “with moderate confidence” that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. The National Toxicology Program based its conclusion on studies involving fluoride levels at about twice the recommended limit for drinking water.

A federal judge later cited that study in ordering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned that it’s not certain that the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing lower IQ in kids, but he concluded that mounting research points to an unreasonable risk that it could be. He ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but didn’t say what those measures should be.

In his X post Saturday, Kennedy tagged Michael Connett, the lead attorney representing the plaintiff in that lawsuit, the environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch.

Kennedy’s anti-vaccine organization has a lawsuit pending against news organizations including The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy is on leave from the group but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.

What role Kennedy might hold if Trump wins on Tuesday remains unclear. Kennedy recently told NewsNation that Trump asked him to “reorganize” agencies including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and some agencies under the Department of Agriculture.

But for now, the former independent presidential candidate has become one of Trump’s top surrogates. Trump frequently mentions having the support of Kennedy, a scion of a Democratic dynasty and the son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy traveled with Trump Friday and spoke at his rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Trump said Saturday that he told Kennedy: “You can work on food, you can work on anything you want” except oil policy.

“He wants health, he wants women’s health, he wants men’s health, he wants kids, he wants everything,” Trump added.

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Politics

Danielle Smith receives overwhelming support at United Conservative Party convention

Published

19 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

Danielle Smith receives overwhelming support at United Conservative Party convention

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Politics

America’s Election: What it Means to Canadians

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2024

Steven Kaszab

Americans and Canadians are cousins that is true. Allies today but long ago people were at loggerheads mostly because of the British Empire and American ambitions.

Canadians appreciate our cousins down south enough to visit them many millions of times over the year. America is Canada’s largest and most important trading partner. As a manufacturer, I can attest to this personally. My American clients have allowed our firm to grow and prosper over the past few decades. There is a problem we have been seeing, a problem where nationalism, both political and economic has been creating a roadblock to our trade relationship.

Both Democrats and Republicans have shown a willingness to play the “buy only American Made product” card, a sounding board for all things isolationist, nationalistic and small-mindedness. We all live on this small planet, and purchase items made from all over the world. Preferences as to what to buy and where it is made are personal choices, never should they become a platform of national pride and thuggery. This has brought fear into the hearts of many Canadians who manufacture for and service the American Economy in some way. This fear will be apparent when the election is over next week.

Canadians are not enemies of America, but allies and friends with a long tradition of supporting our cousins back when bad sh*t happens. We have had enough of the American claim that they want free trade, only to realize that they do so long as it is to their benefit. Tariffs, and undue regulations applied to exporters into America are applied, yet American industry complains when other nations do the very same to them. Seriously! Democrats have said they would place a preference upon doing business with American firms before foreign ones, and Republicans wish to tariff many foreign nations into oblivion. Rhetoric perhaps, but we need to take these threats seriously. As to you the repercussions that will come should America close its doors to us.

Tit for tat neighbors. Tariff for tariff, true selfish competition with no fear of the American Giant. Do you want to build homes in America? Over 33% of all wood comes from Canada. Tit for tat. Canada’s mineral wealth can be sold to others and place preference upon the highest bidder always. You know who will win there don’t you America, the deep-pocketed Chinese.

Reshaping our alliances with others. If America responds as has been threatened, Canadians will find ways to entertain themselves elsewhere. Imagine no Canadian dollars flowing into the Northern States, Florida or California? The Big Apple without its friendly Maple Syrup dip. Canadians will realize just how significant their spending is to America and use it to our benefit, not theirs.

Clearly we will know if you prefer Canadian friendship to Donald Trumps Bravado.

China, Saudi Arabia & Russia are not your friends in America. Canada, Japan, Taiwan the EU and many other nations most definitely are. Stop playing politics, and carry out business in an unethical fashion. Treat allies as they should be treated.

Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca