Investigation reveals political parties continue using personal data for targeted ads despite legal questions.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday he planned to call an election "imminently" as his centre-left government rushed through the parliament a bill on fresh tax cuts in a bid to lift support and win back aggrieved voters. Three-year term limits mean Australia needs to go to the polls at least by May 17 to elect a new parliament. Opinion surveys show a close-run election with the opposition Liberal-National coalition ahead of Labor by a narrow margin. "It will be in May, I can guarantee that. And it will be called pretty imminently," Albanese told radio station Triple M. "I’m not calling it today but I will call it soon. I think that Australians want to get on with it." The Albanese-led Labor government has been announcing a slew of measures aimed at pleasing families and businesses grappling with high costs as it seeks to win a second term. In the federal budget on Tuesday, the government surprisingly launched two new rounds of tax cuts, worth A$17.1 billion ($10.7 billion). That meant a worker on average earnings could get a new tax cut of A$268 in the fiscal year ending June 2027 and A$536 in the next year, though it is modest than the A$1,654 relief introduced this fiscal year. The tax cuts bill was introduced in the lower house on Wednesday morning, and was cleared in a late night sitting in the Senate - where Labor does not have a majority - with the help of the Greens party and independents. The opposition Liberal-National coalition said it would repeal the bill if elected to power, replacing it with their own plan to halve the fuel excise for a year. Opposition leader Peter Dutton called it a "real, immediate relief" saving families around A$750 a year. But Treasurer Jim Chalmers argued the opposition’s plans would only provide a limited relief and that Australians would be worse off. "This decision will haunt them every single day of the election campaign," Chalmers told reporters. ($1 = 1.5924 Australian dollars) Which stock should you buy in your very next trade? With valuations skyrocketing in 2024, many investors are uneasy putting more money into stocks. Unsure where to invest next? Get access to our proven portfolios and discover high-potential opportunities. In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. That's an impressive track record. With portfolios tailored for Dow stocks, S&P stocks, Tech stocks, and Mid Cap stocks, you can explore various wealth-building strategies.

Political analyst Rui Tyitende says Swapo’s strong showing in Tuesday’s by-elections signals not only positive momentum but also a major test ahead of the November elections. Residents in the Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Sesfontein, Kamanjab and Kabbe South constituencies went to the polls, following vacant positions left by councillors who went to parliament after the November National Assembly elections. Swapo took the Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein and Kabbe South constituencies. The party also took back the Kamanjab constituency, a previous stronghold of the United Democratic Front (UDF). UDF, however, retained the Sesfontein constituency. “Swapo remains a dominant political force within the country, even though it has a serious image problem. The opposition is weak and Swapo remains the only party that is able to spread its political tentacles across the country. It remains the only political party that is able to distribute patronage in the form of jobs, in the form of tenders, in the form of other economic activities,” Tyitende says. “Whenever people join a political party, they make a conscious decision of what really is at stake here materially for themselves,” he adds. He says although Swapo won four out of the five constituencies in the by-elections, it would be a real test for the party to make inroads into territories that are currently being controlled by the opposition, like the Landless People’s Movement in the southern parts of the country and the Independent Patriots for Change in the Erongo region. Tyitende expresses worry over low voter turnout in the regional and local authority elections, placing the responsibility on civil society, academia, and the media, as voter turnout typically falls below 50%. “The regional and local authority should actually be where the bread and butter issues play themselves out, but people don’t take it so seriously. The question is what are we doing as civil societies, academics, as the media, as political parties. Civil society organisations are really trying to sensitise people in terms of the importance, or rather the significance, of regional and local authority elections but we need to do more,” he says. RESULTS Swapo secured 7 438 of the 14 512 total votes cast across the four constituencies, excluding Kabbe South whose official results are yet to be announced. According to Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) spokesperson De Wet Siluka, the delay of the Kabbe South results is because of logistical challenges due to the location of the Kabbe South counting centre. “The officials are being transported via airlift and the helicopter can only do two trips at a time, to pick the officials and drop them and then go back to pick up the materials,” he says. He assures that once all results have been concluded, the ECN will officially announce the results. UDF received 2 389 votes, followed by the Popular Democratic Movement with 2 207 votes and the Independent Patriots for Change gunning only 2 182 votes cast. NEW COUNCILLORS UDF’s new councillors are Uitani //Hoeb for Sesfontein, Paulus Nekundi for Otjiwarongo, Nelao Amagulu for Grootfontein and Nikodemus Amutenya for Kamanjab. Otjiwarongo’s new councillor, Nekundi, believes the win signals that the masses are backing Swapo and come the November elections, he expects the same support. He says his focus is to deliver on work left half way done in the term vacated by Marlyn Mbakera who joined the National Assembly. “Now the hard work begins immediately, and in these few months I will ensure we deliver services to the masses. I am not new to the community, I have served them in various portfolios, and I am honoured to serve them,” he says. The post By-election wins signal momentum, November test appeared first on The Namibian.

CANDIDATE THIS ROUND TOTAL STATUS Sumbul Siddiqui -1019  2334   ELECTED -- 1st count Burhan Azeem +84  2334   ELECTED -- 2nd count Marc C. McGovern +189  2253   CONTINUING Patricia M. Nolan +69  2225   CONTINUING Paul F. Toner +29  2016   CONTINUING E. Denise Simmons +168  1618   CONTINUING Jivan G. Sobrinho-Whee. +125  1611   CONTINUING Ayesha M. Wilson +155  1323   CONTINUING Joan F. Pickett +6  938   CONTINUING Ayah A. Al-Zubi +48  877   CONTINUING Dan J. Totten +32  802   CONTINUING Catherine Zusy +11  795   CONTINUING Joe McGuirk +24  723   CONTINUING John Hanratty +3  613   CONTINUING Adrienne Klein +22  477   CONTINUING Douglas P. Brown +6  413   CONTINUING Vernon K. Walker +13  365   CONTINUING Federico Muchnik +3  337   CONTINUING Robert Winters +4  320   CONTINUING Hao Wang +6  262   CONTINUING Carrie E. Pasquarello +3  259   CONTINUING Frantz Pierre +11  235   CONTINUING Peter Hsu +6  157   CONTINUING Gregg J. Moree +1  28   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 1 +1  23   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 2 0  1   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 3 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 4 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 5 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 6 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 7 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 8 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count Write-in 9 0  0   DEFEATED -- 2nd count EXHAUSTED PILE: 0  0    TOTALS: 0  23339    Burhan Azeem has been ELECTED because s/he has met the quota. Write-in 9 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 8 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 7 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 6 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 5 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 4 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 3 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 2 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Write-in 1 is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. Gregg J. Moree is declared DEFEATED, as s/he has less than 50 votes. <<  Previous Count Next Count >> Friday, November 17, 2023 7:40 PM ChoicePlus Pro -- Version 2.3.4 (c) 1993-2009 Voting Solutions -- All Rights Reserved Voting Solutions Web Site

Voters in several communities across Metro Detroit will head to the polls Tuesday to decide on everything from school bond proposals to one measure to maintain the size of the city council in one Oakland County community. Five school districts are putting bond proposals before voters — Ferndale, Lamphere Schools, Mt. Clemens, Redford-Union, and Southgate. Ferndale voters will actually decide on two measures: a $114.8 bond proposal for Ferndale Public Schools to update its middle and high school, and a separate measure to renew the city's operating millage at the amount it was originally set at in 2015, 5.4452 mills. Ferndale's current millage expires at the end of 2025 and has dropped to about 4.2808 mills thanks to the Headlee Amendment, a Michigan law that requires local governments to reduce millage rates if taxable property value rises faster than the rate of inflation. If adopted, funds would be used to maintain public services, said Assistant City Manager James Krizan. The measure would cost the owners of a $150,000 home $816.30 in taxes, up from $642.12 in 2024, according to the city's website. "It'll go to help fund the police department. It'll help fund our fire department, Public Works and City Hall staffing," Krizan said. "Hopefully the plan is there should be a little bit left over that we can use to address some long standing maintenance issues on city facilities." The maintenance investments would focus on one of the city's fire stations and the Department of Public Works buildings, Krizan said. If the millage is not approved, the city will still have its original charter millage, but the city will likely have to make up a $4 million funding gap, Krizan said. "If that's the case, then for sure, we're going to continue to defer the capital projects," Krizan said. "There will, for sure, be service level cuts. Now, what exactly that looks like, we're not 100% sure yet, but you know, the fact is, local government provides services, and services mean people, and so that's our biggest expense, is people." After Ferndale voters rejected an initial millage proposal in November 2024 that would have increased the rate to 8.3 mills, the city made adjustments, Krizan said. "In the fall, we were looking at building some new facilities, a new public safety headquarters, a new recreation facility," Krizan said. "The residents spoke, and we've listened. They don't want us to wrap it all in the same millage. So you know, on this election, it's going to be a very simplified millage. It is going directly into services and maintenance of the current buildings." Ferndale Public Schools, meanwhile, is asking voters for $114.8 million, 30-year bond for the public school district. The funds would be used for additions to the middle and high schools, safer entry points, improved fine arts spaces, remodeling classrooms and athletic facilities, and re-equipping them with new technology. "Our students deserve learning spaces that inspire curiosity, collaboration, and confidence," said Superintendent Camille Hibbler in a statement to The Detroit News. "This bond proposal is about more than buildings — it’s about creating environments that prepare our students for the future and reflect the values of our community. We have a unique opportunity to make this happen, and it’s a step forward for every student, every family, and the future of Ferndale Schools." The city's annual debt millage would likely stay the same at 7 mills, and a 1.35 mill tax would be levied to pay for the school bonds, if approved. Other measures in Oakland County In Clawson, voters will decide on a charter amendment that would continue to limit the city government to four City Council members and one mayor, preventing a charter revision plan adopted in 2023 that would expand the council to six members from going into effect. If the first amendment is approved, City Council members would be elected to four-year terms every two years, preventing a charter revision that would allow the three highest City Council vote-getters in the 2025 city election to hold office for four years, and the fourth highest to hold office for two years. Lamphere School District, meanwhile, is pursuing an $85 million bond proposal to add a gym to the high school, remodel and furnish school buildings and athletic facilities, and buy equipment for the middle school robotics teams. The 4.15 mill measure would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $207 a year in taxes. The district hasn't sought a bond proposal since 1997. “Our focus is on creating safe, modern, and engaging spaces that support student learning and growth,” said Superintendent Dale Steen in a statement on the district's website. “This bond proposal outlines improvements that will enhance our schools and provide updated facilities for our students and the community.” Wayne County In Wayne County, two school districts — Redford Union and Southgate — are seeking bond proposals. Redford Union School District will ask voters for $44.375 million in bonds to be paid for over 30 years. District officials say the measure would not increase taxes and would be used to cover infrastructure work, instructional technology and HVAC updates. If the measure doesn't pass, "Redford Union Schools would have to delay much-needed improvements and enhancements," said the district on its website. "In addition, emergency improvements would have to be paid for with general operating funds that would otherwise go to support educational programs for students." Southgate Community Schools is asking voters for $28 million in bonds over 25 years. District officials said voters would see no net increase in taxes from the .35 mill measure and it would be used to installed air conditioning and HVAC in all school buildings, update athletic facilities and do other improvements. Southgate schools also is asking voters to renew for 10 years an operating millage of 18.1262 mills, which by law is capped at 18 mills. This would prevent a decrease caused by the Headlee Amendment. Wyandotte voters, meanwhile, are voting on a new mayor. Incumbent Robert DeSana is facing Curtis Kile. Macomb County Mount Clemens Community School District is seeking a $91.82 million bond over 20 years to preserve a century-old historic building that it calls the "gateway to community." It would also pay building repairs across the district; improve athletic facilities; create separate entrances for the high school and middle schools; and create security "vestibules" at building entrances. District officials say if the measure is approved, its debt millage would decrease from 11.8 mills to 10.8 mills. "This bond reflects a careful balance of investing in critical improvements without placing an unnecessary financial burden on our community," said the district on its website. This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Five school districts seek bond proposals in Tuesday election, one city aims to limit council size

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The City of Decatur has announced that a polling place is being relocated.

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A Mobile City Council candidate, accused in a lawsuit of being a Georgia resident, said the claim is not true. “This is a frivolous lawsuit, a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Samantha Ingram. "Let's be crystal clear. I am a resident of Mobile." Ingram is running in District 2 against incumbent [...]

Niraj Antani, Critical Of Fellow GOP Candidates Suspends Run For One Office, Announces Another.

ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — Unofficial results point to Ronnie Marks retaining his spot as Mayor of Athens for another four years. On Tuesday, residents in many North Alabama cities hit the polls. While in many cities, incumbent mayors had chosen not to run again, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks once again put his name on the [...]

Calls for Malaysia’s 16th General Election (GE16) to be held concurrently with state elections in Melaka, Sarawak, and Johor are gaining widespread support from leaders spanning the political spectrum. For many, the proposal makes both financial and logistical sense. It could streamline operations for the Election Commission, reduce costs, and improve voter participation — challenges […]

JACKSON, Ala. (WKRG) — Jackson residents have voted for challengers Eldridge Jackson Jr. and Audra Raybon to partake in a run-off for Jackson's next mayor. With both candidates being born and raised locals, Jackson Jr. and Raybon are running for the love of their city. Raybon's main campaign points revolve around supporting local businesses, education, [...]