UK: MI5 spy service warns pols that Chinese spies are posing as headhunters

Source: Reuters

“Britain’s MI5 security service issued a new warning to lawmakers on Tuesday about attempts by Chinese agents to collect information and influence activity, its latest accusation that Beijing was trying to spy on the nation’s parliament. Lawmakers were told Chinese spies were targeting them by posing as headhunters or companies to make contact, with two individuals reaching out on LinkedIn to ‘conduct outreach at scale on behalf’ of the Chinese government. The speakers of the lower and upper houses of parliament said MI5 had said the Chinese Ministry of State Security ‘was actively reaching out to individuals in our community.’ Britain’s Security Minister Dan Jarvis told parliament the alert revealed ‘a covert and calculated attempt’ by Beijing to interfere in UK politics and said the government would launch a counterespionage plan to address the threat.” (11/18/25)

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-security-service-warns-lawmakers-chinese-spy-risk-2025-11-18/

Steve Trinward

The real Trump proposals are as ridiculous as the fake 15-year car loan

Source: Orange County Register
by Matt Fleming

“I was duped into thinking President Donald Trump was considering advocating for 15-year car loans, but when put into context it’s hard to blame me. A fake image of a White House statement circulated social media last week saying that Trump had tasked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with making ‘vehicle ownership for all a reality by introducing 15 year car loans!’ … I was one of many people to fall for it. Big if true, as they say. Of course it wasn’t, but it’s hard to tell these days. After all, the fake 15-year auto loan news came right on the heels of real announcements that Trump was considering 50-year mortgages and a $2,000 tariff refund (which he called a dividend). All of these ideas are ridiculous.” (11/17/25)

https://archive.is/4q262

Thomas L. Knapp

As Trump presses for its closure, Education Department offloads some work to other agencies

Source: SFGate

“The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March. Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that will put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities. Department officials said the programs will continue to be funded at levels set by Congress.” (11/18/25)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/education-department-offloads-some-work-to-other-21194739.php

Steve Trinward

Republicans Will Never Find a Health Care Replacement

Source: The American Prospect
by Ryan Cooper

“Republicans, for once, are sounding downright squeamish about onrushing massive cuts to Obamacare subsidies, with premiums on the exchanges expected to more than double on average starting next year. GOP House committee chairs are reportedly having some ‘brainstorming sessions’ about what to do, and House Speaker Mike Johnson claims that they ‘will be rolling out some of those ideas’ at some point. So far, the genius idea in the lead is Trump’s pitch to reroute subsidies from health insurance companies to the American people, so they can buy health care. … Congratulations, folks, you now get to be your own private dealmaker with the health care system, and with your purchasing power and risk pool of one household, I’m sure you’ll get the best price!” (11/18/25)

https://prospect.org/2025/11/18/republicans-will-never-find-health-care-replacement/

Steve Trinward

Fed Governor Waller backs December rate cut as support for weakening labor market

Source: CNBC

“Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller on Monday voiced support for another interest rate cut at the central bank’s December meeting, saying he’s grown concerned over the labor market and the sharp slowdown in hiring. In an increasingly divided Fed, Waller’s comments put him squarely in the camp of those looking to ease monetary policy to head off further danger in the jobs picture. Others, including multiple regional presidents, have expressed opposition in recent days to more cuts as they view inflation as a persistent economic threat that could be reignited by additional easing.” (11/17/25)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/fed-governor-waller-backs-december-rate-cut-as-support-for-weakening-labor-market.html

Thomas L. Knapp

The Politics of Price Controls

Source; Cato Institute
by Ryan Bourne

“Aweekend NYT op-ed by Neale Mahoney and Bharat Ramamurti has caused a stir. It argues that policymakers should be open to considering price controls, given voters’ discontent about the cost of living. Price controls, the authors say, are a ‘tool’ to be used carefully. The key is to ‘design’ them to avoid the classic long-term consequences of ‘less investment’ in supply, but keep the benefits of providing ‘immediate relief’ to customers through lower prices. … Would ‘immediate relief’ via price controls really prove temporary as new supply is brought onboard? Mahoney-Ramamurti provide no historical or contemporary examples of such a bundle.” (11/17/25)

https://www.cato.org/commentary/politics-price-controls

Thomas L. Knapp