Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 30 April 2017
Econintersect: Here are some of the headlines we found to help you start your day. For more headlines see our afternoon feature for GEI members, What We Read Today, which has many more headlines and a number of article discussions to keep you abreast of what we have found interesting.
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U.S.
Trump using executive orders at unprecedented pace (The Hill) President Trump signed the 30th executive order of his presidency on Friday, capping off a whirlwind period that produced more orders in his first 100 days than for any president since Harry Truman. The rash of executive orders underlines Trump’s focus on reversing as much of the Obama administration’s policy agenda as he can, even as the new administration struggles to find legislative victories in Congress. It fits Trump’s showman persona, as well: signing ceremonies for his orders are often in the Oval Office or in a well-furnished executive building, and see the president surrounded by administration officials, members of Congress or everyday Americans who, Trump says, he’s trying to help. Trump and his aides have touted the orders as they have put a shine on his first 100 days in office. See also Grading President Trump’s First 100 Days: B!
Trump blames constitution for chaos of his first 100 days (The Guardian) On his 100th day in office on Saturday, facing historically low popularity ratings, a succession of intractable foreign crises and multiple investigations of his links with Moscow, Donald Trump reminded the nation that 1 May was Loyalty Day. The day is a US tradition dating back to the cold war, when it was a bolster to stop May Day becoming a rallying point for socialists and unionised workers, but for an embattled president learning politics on the job it has an added resonance. In an interview with Fox News to mark the 100-day mark, he declared himself “disappointed” with congressional Republicans, despite his many “great relationships” with them. He blamed the constitutional checks and balances built in to US governance. He said:
“It’s a very rough system. It’s an archaic system … It’s really a bad thing for the country.”
In Trump’s absence, White House Correspondents’ Dinner briefly overshadowed by Bee’s bash (Chicago Tribune) For the first time in 36 years the president did not attend the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The last time was 1981 when President Ronald Reagan was in the hospital recovering from an assasination attempt. This time President Trump didn’t want to associate with “fake” and “dishonest” media which he has even called “the enemy of the people“. See also next article.
Trump celebrates first 100 days as president, blasts media (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump hit the road on Saturday to celebrate his first 100 days in the White House with cheering supporters at a campaign-style rally, touting his initial achievements and lashing out at critics who have given his tenure poor marks. Trump told a Pennsylvania crowd he was just getting started on meeting his campaign promises. He repeatedly attacked an “incompetent, dishonest” media, saying they were not telling the truth about his administration’s accomplishments. He shrugged off his failure to score major legislative victories on his core campaign promises, such as repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act and construction of a Mexican border wall. He blamed Democrats for the legislative failures so far and said all of his promises would be kept eventually.
Child poverty in the US is a disgrace. Experts are embracing this simple plan to cut it. (Vox) Most rich countries besides the US have hit on a surprisingly simple approach to reducing child poverty: just giving parents money. This idea, known as a child benefit or child allowance, exists in almost every EU country as well as in Canada and Australia. In many countries, the payments are truly universal; you get the money no matter how much you earn. In others, like Canada, the payments phase out for top earners but almost everyone else benefits. France has a weird scheme where only families with two or more children get benefits, as an incentive to have more kids. The chart below helps explain why European countries are so much better at fighting child poverty than the US is. While about 11.8% of US children live in absolute poverty (as indicated by the US poverty line), only 6.2% of German children do, and only 3.6% of Swedish children. The numbers get even worse when you define poverty like most European countries do, as living under half the median income. By that standard, 20% of children in the US live in poverty, compared to only about 10.3% in Germany or 4.9% in the Netherlands. This isn’t exclusively due to child benefits, but they play a crucial role.
Winter lingered in northern New England, and so will the mud (Associated Press) Mud season is an annual mucky rite of passage in the lives of northern New Englanders. This year, it’s gloppier than usual in places, and hanging around longer. Mud season sets in when snow melts, ground softens and spring rains come. Parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont had a snowier winter than usual, followed by a wetter-than-average spring, making for a longer lasting muddier mess. See also next article.
Final Day for Jay Peak Season is 01 May (jaypeakresort.com) The resort may have out-snowed all other eastern U.S. ski resorts for the 2016-17 season with natural cowfall exceeding 40 feet, but unseasonably warm weather has decimated the once-deep base and the last day of skiing will be tomorrow. The finale will be celebrated with an all-day lift ticket for only $5 if you are going to be in the area (about 70 miles northeast of Burlington, Vermont and 85 miles southeast of Montreal Quebec). You will havr portage some barespots on the lower mountain. Photo below of trails on Little Jay.
UK
Labour gains in British polls, but May’s party keeps strong lead (Reuters) Three polls on Saturday showed a rise in support for the opposition Labour party, although the governing Conservative party maintained a commanding lead.
The polls showed the party of British Prime Minister Theresa May remained between 11 and 17 points ahead of Labour, still enough to deliver a clear victory as she seeks a mandate ahead of negotiations over Brexit, due to begin in the summer.
However, the polls showed the gap had closed from leads of up to 25 points reported last weekend.
One poll by YouGov showed the Conservative lead over the Labour had fallen to 13 points, compared to the 23 points that the same polling firm found last week.
China
Trump says China pressuring North Korea on missile, nukes (Associated Press) President Donald Trump said in a television interview to be aired Sunday that he believes China’s president has been putting pressure on North Korea as it pursues its missile and nuclear weapons programs. In an interview with CBS‘ “Face the Nation,” Trump said he won’t be happy if North Korea conducts a nuclear test and that he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping won’t be happy, either. Asked if that means military action, Trump responded: “I don’t know. I mean, we’ll see.”
