To earn American help, allies are told to elect nationalists
A CORE SKILL in MAGA diplomacy is the making of offers that cannot be refused. Karol Nawrocki 'needs to be the next president of Poland. Do you understand me?' Kristi Noem, America's Homeland Security Secretary, urged voters in Poland on May 27th. Ms Noem was addressing a rally in Jasionka, a logistics hub near the frontier with Ukraine, days before a presidential election pitting Mr Nawrocki, a nationalist historian, against the progressive, pro-European mayor of Warsaw.
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Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
NI tax advisory firm acquired by Texas-based global business
Inspired Corporate Advisory, based in Dungiven, has now been acquired by tax services and software provider, Ryan. The team at Inspired includes partners Eugene O'Neill and Michael Heinicke, now principals at Ryan. And 16 other members of the team will also join the team at Ryan, including Colm Cavanagh, a former Tyrone GAA footballer. The deal means Ryan will now add two new offices in Holywood and Dungiven. Inspired Corporate Advisory was founded in 2020 as a tax advisory and compliance services firm specialising in research and development (R&D), capital allowances, and patent box incentives. Its acquisition will expand Ryan's regional capabilities and add specialisms in engineering, construction, and building supply sectors. Tom Shave, president, European and Asia-Pacific operations, said: 'As one of Northern Ireland's only dedicated tax firms, Inspired is well aligned to Ryan's commitment to providing bespoke client services focused on business taxes. 'This acquisition strengthens our growth strategy as, together, we look to expand our presence in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.' Mr O'Neill added: 'As a global firm, Ryan's focused commitment to providing strategic tax solutions with local expertise backed by extensive technology is tremendously beneficial for our clients. 'Ryan's results-based approach to client service, wherever they operate in the world, offers the best platform to grow Inspired and maximize tax savings for our clients.' Ryan employs more than 5,900 professionals and associates serving over 77,000 clients in more than 80 countries. Many of its clients are prominent Global 5000 companies.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
European Central Bank cuts interest rate as Trump tariffs threaten economy
The bank's rate-setting council cut interest rates by a quarter of a point on Thursday at the bank's skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt. Analysts expected a cut, given the gloomier outlook for growth since Mr Trump announced a slew of new tariffs on April 2 and subsequently threatened to impose a crushing 50% tariff, or import tax, on European goods. The bigger question remains how far the bank will go at subsequent meetings. Bank president Christine Lagarde's remarks at a post-decision news conference will be scrutinised for hints about the bank's outlook. Much depends on whether trade tensions can be resolved through negotiations, the bank indicated. 'A further escalation of trade tensions over the coming months would result in growth and inflation being below the baseline projections,' the bank said in its accompanying monetary policy statement. 'By contrast, if trade tensions were resolved with a benign outcome, growth and, to a lesser extent, inflation would be higher.' While the trade war and the uncertainty that goes with it is holding back growth, the ECB said the economy should get additional stimulus from higher government spending on defence and infrastructure. European governments are stepping up plans for defence purchases to counter Russia and its invasion of Ukraine. The spending boosts arrive amid concern that the US is no longer a fully committed ally in support of Ukraine. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend a recent meeting of allied nations created to organise Ukraine's military aid. It was the first time the US was not present since the group was set up three years ago. Mr Hegseth's predecessor, Lloyd Austin, created the group after Russia launched all-out war on Ukraine in 2022. Given the different possible outcomes the bank said that it was 'not committing to a particular rate path' for future policy meetings. Thursday's decision took the bank's benchmark rate to 2%, down from a peak of 4% in 2023-24. The bank raised rates to suppress an outbreak of inflation in 2021 to 2023 that was triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and by the rebound from the pandemic. But as inflation fell, the bank shifted gears towards supporting growth by lowering rates. With inflation now down to 1.9%, below the bank's target of 2%, analysts say the bank has room to take rates even lower to support growth.
ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
Reform infighting as chairman appears to call MPs' burqa ban question 'dumb'
Reform UK is being rocked by more infighting after the chairman said MP Sarah Pochin's first question at PMQs was "dumb" because it did not align with party policy. Parliament's newest MP, who recently won the Runcorn & Helsby by-election, urged the prime minister to "ban the burqa" in the interests of public safety. But the party has since made clear to other news outlets that there is no policy to ban the Islamic head covering, despite fellow MP Lee Anderson backing Pochin on social media. Anderson retweeted Pochin's post, writing "ban the burqa? Yes we should. No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public". But party chairman Zia Yusuf, who was hired to "professionalise" the party ahead of the next general election, hit out at his colleague's question. The businessman, who himself is Muslim, said the question had "nothing to do" with him, adding: "I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do." Reform party sources have suggested that he was not calling the question "dumb," but have not yet explained exactly what he meant. Party Leader Nigel Farage, whose past party, Ukip, did call for a burqa ban under his leadership, did not say a burqa ban was a Reform policy, but did say the issue should be debated. Appearing on GB News after PMQs on Wednesday, the Clacton MP said: "I think people do feel uncomfortable, actually, around people whose faces are covered". "I don't think face coverings in public places makes sense – and I think we do deserve a debate about that, of which I see the burka as being a part." Pochin had asked the prime minister to follow the example of other European nations which have outlawed the burqa. France introduced a ban in 2010, and several others have since followed, including Denmark and Belgium. Keir Starmer appeared to rule out a ban when responding to Pochin in the Commons chamber, saying he's "not going to follow her down that line". And a Labour Party spokesperson said: "Nigel Farage could fit all of his MPs in the back of a cab, yet he can't stop them fighting among themselves." It is, of course, not the first instance of infighting to hit the new party. Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe claims he was booted out for criticising Farage, but the party insisted the real reason was that he'd threatened chairman Yusuf with violence. The allegations against Lowe were reported to police, but officers said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. ITV News has contacted Reform UK for a response.
