Canada
Chrystia Freeland, popular with some MPs, criticized by others
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland drew sharp criticism from two cabinet ministers for the way she quit cabinet but many backbenchers hope she succeeds Justin Trudeau. “Chrystia Freeland’s actions are deeply disappointing,” said Brampton, Ont., Liberal MP Kamal Khera who is also the minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities.
Scenario planning for the fall of the government
The author of this LinkedIn Post is Yaroslav Baran, who, among other things in the early days of the Conservative Party of Canada, was chief of staff to the Government House Leader from Dec 2008 until Dec 2009 which meant he and his minister at the time, Jay Hill, were right at the centre of not one, but both of the controversial Stephen Harper prorogations. (The first being more controversial than the last). And, as chief of staff to the House leader, he would have carefully considered the House calendar and the imperatives that the government seek the approval of the House to raise revenue and spend money. Here, he lays out his scenario for the coming weeks and, in his view, an election beginning in late February or mid-March seems impossible to avoid. I think his analysis his excellent and my only quibble is that I think the use of Special Warrants (read the article for that reference) could get a Liberal government with a new prime minister to April. -DA
No confidence in Trudeau means no confidence in the Liberal Party
Marcel Wieder: "Right now, people -- Canadians -- don't have confidence in Trudeau. And when they don't have confidence in Trudeau, they don't have confidence in the Liberal Party."
The Provinces
Popularity continues for Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, but challenges lie ahead
But there are some tough choices ahead as he tries to fulfil promises to improve health care, address poverty and get the government's finances in order. Kinew has carried through on election promises to hire more health-care workers, expand school nutrition programs and temporarily suspend the provincial fuel tax for a one-year period that is to end Jan. 1.
Gas tax to return to Manitoba on New Year's Day, premier says
Rate will be 12.5 cents a litre following yearlong fuel-tax holiday
Edmonton Public Schools support staff reject new recommendations
Eligible members of CUPE Local 3550 voted 83.6 per cent in favour of rejecting the recommendations in a vote held Dec. 17-19. Voter turnout was 87.3 per cent. The results became official on Monday afternoon.
Elsewhere
At a secret Ukrainian drone command post, Russian soldiers are hunted
NPR visits a secret drone command center near the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where crews are using remote-controlled aircraft to hunt Russian soldiers on the battlefield.
Over 3000 North Korean troops killed and wounded in Russia’s Kursk region, Zelenskyy says
He added that increased collaboration between Russia and North Korea threatens to destabilise the Korean Peninsula and nearby regions. “There are risks of North Korea sending additional soldiers and military equipment to the Russian army, and we will have tangible responses to this,” Zelenskyy added.
Greenland rebuffs Trump, says country is ‘not for sale’
President-elect Donald Trump is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark.
Media
Azerbaijani journalist says he was jailed over his work
Farid Mehralizada, an economist and journalist with VOA’s sister outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been jailed since May on charges including conspiring to smuggle foreign currency. The journalist, his employer and press freedom groups believe the case is retaliatory and part of a wider crackdown in Azerbaijan.
Trump signals plans to use all levers of power against the media
Press freedom advocates say they fear that the second Trump administration will ramp up pressure on journalists, in keeping with the president-elect’s combative rhetoric.
Reader Notes
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This newsletter publisher plans to take it easy tomorrow. So we're going to pause publishing and we will be back in your inbox on Boxing Day. To those who have the day off, I hope it's restful. And to those journalists who know that the news gods never sleep, I hope for you a quick clean file with no late updates required!
Science and tech
Flu surges in Louisiana as health department barred from promoting flu shots
Flu season is ramping up across the US, but Louisiana—the state that has reportedly barred its health department from promoting flu shots, as well as COVID-19 and mpox vaccines—is leading the country with an early and strong surge.