Latest news with #PBS
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump accuses foreign nations of ‘freeloading' on drug prices as Australia insists PBS prices won't rise
Donald Trump has threatened a crackdown on major pharmaceutical companies who fail to sell cheaper drugs to the US, and criticised nations 'freeloading on US innovation'. Trump wrote to 17 pharmaceutical companies, demanding they treat the US as the 'most favoured nation' and lower prices of drugs for the US Medicaid scheme, and threatened to use 'every tool in our arsenal' to crack down on pharmaceutical giants if they fail to cut drug prices for Americans within 60 days. In Australia, under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS), pharmaceutical companies negotiate directly with the department of health on pricing. The Australian government hasn't said whether tariffs or restrictions from the US on pharmaceuticals would impact the PBS. Pharmaceuticals are already covered under Australia's existing free trade agreement with the US. Medicines on the PBS are capped for the public, with the government subsidising the rest of the cost. The government recently announced another drop in the price of prescriptions within the scheme, to $25 per script from 1 January. 'The PBS is not up for negotiation,' a government spokesperson said. 'Our government is getting on with the job of delivering cheaper medicines for Australians.' Labor has said repeatedly that prices wouldn't rise in Australia. Health minister Mark Butler said on Tuesday the US administration had been changing its position 'a lot' on pharmaceuticals. 'It's still shifting around a bit. I think it's fair to say our officials are working hard to get a sense exactly of the nature and the timing of any tariffs on pharmaceutical exports,' he told ABC radio. 'Which … is a particular sector or industry that the US administration has been focused on.' The US pharmaceutical lobby has complained to the Trump administration that the PBS undervalues drugs, and have criticised the long lead time for drug approvals in Australia. Trump has also threatened countries globally to increase baseline tariffs to 15 or 20%. The administration's latest tariff deadline was recently delayed to 1 August. Trump has said countries that didn't negotiate a trade deal directly with the US before that deadline – which was set to come into effect on Friday afternoon, Australian time – could face new levies. On Friday morning in Australia, Trump issued an executive order confirming new tariff deals for several trading partners, as well as revised tariffs for a number of other countries. Australian goods imported into the US will continue to attract the baseline 10% tariff, under the new tariff regime which will take effect in seven days. In the executive order, Trump indicated he was open to further negotiations on tariffs for countries he saw as in accordance with his America First agenda. The opposition has heavily criticised the prime minister for not having sat down with Trump for a meeting since he was elected president. The two were supposed to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June, but the president left early after an escalation in tensions in the Middle East.
Los Angeles Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Billionaires could be the unlikely savior of public radio amid Congress' cuts
To the editor: The Trump administration's cuts to NPR and PBS are another signal that the White House is trying (and in some cases, succeeding) to control the media ('California's NPR and PBS stations will cut staff and programs after funding slashed,' July 29). The $1.1-billion cut is obviously a lot of money and will be difficult to make up. One idea would be for one of our billionaires to step up and donate to avoid the inevitable damage to our country that comes from a weakened public radio, especially in the rural areas. And if one billionaire is not willing to shoulder the contribution, maybe several of them could join forces. Contributing some of their money wouldn't affect their lifestyle very much, and they'd benefit psychologically from their own generosity. It would also show their gratitude for the economic system that enabled them to become ultrarich. In the absence of billionaires' contributions, it's up to those of us in the middle class to make small but invaluable contributions to fill the gap created by the shortsighted and vindictive actions of the president and the Republican-dominated Congress. Domenico Maceri, San Luis Obispo
Fox News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
DAN GAINOR: Liberal media tried to destroy Trump. He crushed them instead
David defeated Goliath. But it took President Donald Trump to crush the goliath of liberal media. In recent weeks, Trump has defunded the leftist public media at NPR and PBS and NPR's top editor quit right afterward. CBS announced that late-night host Stephen Colbert is being let go, sending the left into F-bomb-laced meltdowns. Long-time Washington Post staffers are fleeing the outlet because it promises to use its opinion pages to support the scary combo of "free markets and personal liberties." Major news outlets are settling Trump lawsuits and paying up millions of dollars. And The New York Times just reported that the progressives at Media Matters are considering shutting down, as well. And those are only the highlights. Sure, Trump is not alone. He has had lots of allies helping him. Elon Musk, in particular, has gone to war with Media Matters on a global level, causing the group to rack up "about $15 million in legal fees," according to the Times. But none of this would have happened with another Republican in the White House. No president since President Ronald Reagan has been willing to tangle with the press like Trump. President George H.W. Bush pushed being "kinder and gentler" and watched the media spin the economic recovery away enough that he lost reelection after he had 90% popularity. President George W. Bush suffered similar media mistreatment and mockery, but he pushed "compassionate" conservatism and tried to be friendly to journalists covering him, even nicknaming them. Only Trump has been willing to fight back. Then again, he also had the best reasons. The American media joined their fellow travelers and hounded Trump out of the White House in 2020. They thought they had won. They used the phony Russia collusion claims throughout his presidency, targeted every member of his administration they could and ripped into his agenda and legacy. In the four years that followed, journalists hyped every bit of lawfare, every legal charge and every claim. But, to paraphrase a liberal line, he persisted. Trump devastated President Joe Biden in a debate that pushed the often-incoherent leader out of the race entirely. Most in the press finally had to admit it. Then came Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump beat her, too. More than that, he defeated their press supporters by relying on alternative media like podcasts and influencers. Here we are, barely six months into Trump's second term and he's having undeniable success. The border is effectively closed to illegal immigration. He's stood by our ally Israel as it has devastated Iran and Iran's terrorist supporters Hezbollah and Hamas. For good measure, he had the U.S. military bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. No boots on the ground. And then he moved on. Like a boss. The fears of tariffs crushing the economy have proven wrong. Instead, Trump is gradually cutting deals that show his strategy was always about forcing other nations to the table to treat Americans fairly. The economy isn't just functional, it's strong. The stock markets recovered and the EU just caved on trade that the media are widely reporting as "a lopsided deal" benefitting the U.S. Meanwhile, leftist areas devastated by massive disasters like Hawaii and Beverly Hills aren't even being allowed to rebuild. The comparison is so stark, that if this were the second Obama term, the press would already be urging politicians to let him run for a third. But none of those incredible accomplishments stands out as much as Trump beating the press at their own game. Defunding NPR and PBS has been a decades-long dream of the right. Trump didn't just talk about it, he got it done. The Post, one of the right's perennial enemies, is one of the hardest hit. The paper that once proclaimed "Democracy Dies in Darkness" is now paying aging liberals to leave. The list of columnists running away from the Post reads like a Who's Who list of liberal media types – Jonathan Capehart, Jen Rubin, Ann Telnaes, David Shipley, Ruth Marcus and Eugene Robinson. None of them was willing to work for the section that now supports "free markets and personal liberties." The paper's oft-mocked fact spinner ("fact checker") Glenn Kessler is also taking the buyout. Facts of the world, rejoice! They haven't found a replacement, probably because Baghdad Bob has retired. Things are so bad, the Post's obit section is on life support with only one staffer who hasn't taken a buyout. Then there are the lawsuits. Trump forced CBS News to settle and give his foundation at least $16 million over election interference claims. He also squeezed ABC News for falsely claiming he was "liable for rape." That cost them a $15 million donation to his presidential museum and a million for lawyers. Journalism has been in a decades-long downward spiral. That's true. But nothing like this. Readers have tuned out media attacks on the president and there have been repeated layoffs at outlets that once made bank off of it. Huffington Post, Bloomberg, LA Times and Vox have all cut staff. Gannett joined the Washington Post in offering buyouts. Trump's FCC Chairman Brendan Carr even called for news organizations to get back to "unbiased, trustworthy journalism." And if the media don't do that, all Trump has to do is go looking for a few more stones for his slingshot.
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Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Collective decision to work with PH: Hajiji
Published on: Thursday, July 31, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 31, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji addressed the matter following speculation that the cooperation was his sole initiative, which he firmly denied. - Bernama pic Kota Kinabalu: CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), clarified that the decision to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the coming 17th State election was made collectively. He said all GRS component party leaders were consulted before finalising the move, countering claims that the agreement was made without consulting component parties. Hajiji addressed the matter following speculation that the cooperation was his sole initiative, which he firmly denied. He explained that discussions within the GRS leadership led to the decision, in line with their practice of consensus-based decision-making. 'We have already discussed this. In GRS, all party presidents are involved in making decisions,' he said. Last Sunday, the Chief Minister announced that GRS and PH had agreed to work together in PRN17 to reinforce the existing State Government. GRS comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) which Hajiji is the President, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Sabah Progresssive Party (SAPP), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS). Sabah PH comprises Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah). Meanwhile, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary-General Datuk Julita Majungki said the decision to work with PH was collectively agreed upon by GRS component parties. She explained that the decision emerged from meetings between Hajiji and the presidents of the component parties, including PBS acting President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. 'This is on the basis that GRS would be the dominant partner as discussed and decided in the meetings. PBS also concurs with GRS Chairman Hajiji's statement that GRS would be working with PH in the coming state election,' she said in a statement. The current five-year term of the 16th State Assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th State Election. Meanwhile, Julita clarified that PBS has not endorsed any individuals as candidates for the coming state election at this juncture, stressing that any statement claiming PBS has named or supports particular individuals does not represent the party's official stance. 'The process of identifying and finalising potential candidates is still ongoing and will be decided collectively by the PBS leadership, with official announcements to be made through proper channels,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Working with PH jointly decided by GRS component parties
The decision emerged from meetings between GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the presidents of the component parties, including PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. 30 Jul 2025 02:56pm The decision emerged from meetings between GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the presidents of the component parties, including PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. - Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU - The decision to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming Sabah state election was collectively agreed upon by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component parties, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki. She explained that the decision emerged from meetings between GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the presidents of the component parties, including PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. "This is on the basis that GRS would be the dominant partner as discussed and decided in the meetings. PBS also concurs with GRS chairman Hajiji's statement that GRS would be working with PH in the upcoming state election," she said in a statement here today. Last Sunday (July 27), Hajiji confirmed that an electoral pact will be formed between GRS and PH for the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. GRS consists PBS, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Parti Maju Sabah, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu, Parti Liberal Demokratik, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Cinta Sabah. The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah state assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11, paving the way for the 17th Sabah State Election. Meanwhile, Julita clarified that PBS has not endorsed any individuals as candidates for the upcoming state election at this juncture, stressing that any statement claiming PBS has named or supports particular individuals does not represent the party's official stance. "The process of identifying and finalising potential candidates is still ongoing and will be decided collectively by the PBS leadership, with official announcements to be made through proper channels," she said. - BERNAMA More Like This
