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Political observers appear to be on the same page that the path has been laid for fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to return home. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's latest comments about the possible return of his sister in April next year have rekindled public attention about the issue. Nikkei Asia on Monday published an interview Thaksin gave in Udon Thani province, where he helped campaign for a local election. Thaksin was quoted as saying that he did not see any obstacles to her return, possibly during or just prior to the Songkran festival in April, depending on timing and opportunities. Yingluck, 57, has been a fugitive since August 2017, when she failed to appear before the Supreme Court's Criminal Case Division for Holders of Political Positions for the reading of its ruling on a charge of dereliction of duty in a rice-pledging programme that ran up at least 500 billion baht in losses. She was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison, and a warrant for her arrest in the rice-pledging case remains active. Talks about her possible return began to gain momentum in March this year following the Supreme Court's failure to uphold the malfeasance and collusion case involving her government's 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) decided not to appeal the ruling. In December last year, the Supreme Court also acquitted her of malfeasance in relation to the 2011 transfer of a National Security Council secretary-general. Furthermore, the NACC's investigations into cases stemming from her tenure have been terminated, intensifying speculation she is closer to returning home. The only remaining obstacle is Yingluck's five-year jail term. The Bangkok Post spoke to analysts about the possible avenues Yingluck may pursue to the escape criminal penalty, including the "Thaksin's model" and an amnesty bill. The road home Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Political and Public Policy Analysis Institute, said a Yingluck return in April next year is not so far-fetched. The fugitive former prime minister can follow the same course of action as Thaksin, who sought a royal pardon and was released on parole after six months of hospital detention, he said. Department of Corrections (DoC) regulations regarding parole and the detention of inmates outside prison will benefit Yingluck, he said, noting the detention venue may even be announced before her arrival. Mr Thanaporn said the DoC also has regulations in place concerning sentence reduction, meaning Yingluck's detention might be far shorter than five years. "I don't think an amnesty law will be in effect by that time. Her return is likely to follow the model of the 'big boss' [Thaksin]. The DoC has the procedures in place that will be applied to others as well to avoid criticism," he said. The academic said there are more than 100 others who will benefit from the DoC's regulations on the detention of inmates outside prison, and their families will be more than happy to accept the arrangement. "If Yingluck meets the criteria, it's the end of the debate. Critics will keep nagging but that's also understandable," he said. He said the justice minister, who oversees the DoC, will have to address all questions presented by the public over the matter. Mr Thanaporn also said it remains to be seen how the ruling Pheu Thai Party will capitalise on Yingluck's situation to boost its popularity. Asked about Thaksin's goal of Pheu Thai winning 200 MP seats in the next polls, he said the outcome of the election for the Udon Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman will be key. The election, which takes place on Sunday, is a two-horse race between Pheu Thai and the main opposition People's Party (PP). Both parties sent their heavyweights to help canvass in the province. Mr Thanaporn said the Pheu Thai Party must secure a landslide win, and anything less would signal that the party is losing its grip on this northeastern province, which is seen as the "capital" of the red-shirt group in the Northeast region. With 80% of MPs in parliament representing Pheu Thai, the party will face a tough time ahead if it loses, as it must also compete with the Bhumjaithai Party, he added. Thanaporn: Families will be happy No amnesty expected Pheu Thai list-MP Wisut Chainaroon said an amnesty law is unlikely to be in effect by April because the bills have made little progress. Pheu Thai is expected to propose its own version of an amnesty bill and the issue must be brought before the party's strategic committee first to determine the party's position and direction, he said. "There are four amnesty proposals to be submitted for the House review and the party will compare them with the party's strategy and decide on the direction it should take," he said. While the party has yet to take an position on the amnesty, having it cover lese majeste offences is off the table, while political cases will be thoroughly considered, Mr Wisut insisted. Besides internal discussions, Pheu Thai will have to hold talks with coalition partners, and the government cannot focus on one individual, Mr Wisut said. Early this month, PM's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil said the party is expected to table an amnesty bill to parliament along with other versions from other parties on Dec 12 when the next parliament session starts. Mr Chousak, who is also Pheu Thai's legal expert and head of the House committee studying an amnesty bill, said four other amnesty bills have been separately proposed by other parties. Mr Wisut, who is also chief government whip, said Yingluck's possible return has not been discussed because MPs are back to work in their respective provinces during the parliament break. He also rejected speculation Yingluck's return would strengthen the party and help it fend off the opposition PP. "We're happy if she comes back after several years [in self-imposed exile]. But we have no expectations about what she'll do," said Mr Wisut. Wisut: We have no expectations A matter of how Pol Maj Gen Supisal Pakdinaruenart, deputy leader of the PP, said Yingluck's return is plausible given the comments from various figures, including Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Pol Col Tawee was quoted as saying that if Yingluck returned home, she would have to follow legal procedures which start with going through a court process and following the Corrections Department's rules. However, Pol Maj Gen Supisal said it remains to be seen how the regulations will create a pathway for her to avoid spending time in jail. He said the justice administration system long ago collapsed and the country's conservatives and elites have used all means possible to retain power and protect their own interest. Yingluck's comeback may also help bolster Pheu Thai's support base in the northern province of Chiang Mai, but it does not threaten his party, Pol Maj Gen Supisal said. "We could see them consolidating to fight the PP. But Pheu Thai has other strong opponents too, like Bhumjaithai in the Northeast," Pol Maj Gen Supisal said. The PP deputy leader raised the possibility of a Pheu Thai-PP coalition when asked about Thaksin's comments that Pheu Thai aims to win 200 seats in the next general election. If the Pheu Thai Party grabs as many as 200 seats, it will have to take the additional seats from the Bhumjaithai Party, not the PP, he noted. Supisal: No threat to People's Party
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OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won’t play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion that quotes Singh’s own criticism of the Liberals, and asks the House of Commons to declare that it agrees with Singh and has no confidence in the government. The motion is expected to be introduced on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday. Singh says he is not going to vote non-confidence and trigger an election when he believes Poilievre would cut programs the NDP fought for, like dental care and pharmacare. The non-confidence vote was scheduled after Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause a filibuster on a privilege debate about a green technology fund. The Conservatives have said they would only end that debate if the NDP agree to topple the government or if the Liberals turn over unredacted documents at the centre of the parliamentary gridlock. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Advertisement
Tensions high as U.N. climate talks result in new dealLINCOLN — What was once a major event of the college football season has, in the first week of December, just become one of the subplots. Early signing day is here for Nebraska and every other program, many of which, including NU, have their attention split several ways. Conference title games haven’t even been played yet. The transfer portal — not officially open until Dec. 9 — has nevertheless been whirling with at least seven Husker departures since Monday. NU has lost one coordinator, locked another up for two years, and set its sights on Kentucky assistant Daikiel Shorts to coach receivers. Matt Rhule’s early afternoon press conference may focus just as much — perhaps more — on topics as the 2025 recruiting class, which stood Tuesday evening at 19 members. By the time Rhule talks about the class, it could grow by a few or in theory shrink, were commits inclined to balk at the departure of Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. That hasn’t been the case so far, as some of the highest-rated prospects in the class — four-star linebackers Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones — had reaffirmed their commitment to Nebraska through social media statements. Nebraska awaits final answers from at least three prospects, though Dalkiel’s imminent hiring could, in theory, bring more options into play. »San Antonio Alamo Heights High School five-star athlete Michael Terry, a prospect of few interviews who has narrowed his list to home-state Texas, Nebraska and Oregon, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s top three schools for months. He’ll announce a choice at his 8:15 a.m. signing ceremony on Wednesday. At NU, Terry projects to wideout. »Homestead (Florida) High School four-star receiver Cortez Mills has long been committed to Oklahoma, but recruiting site reporters have him trending to flip to Nebraska. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Mills caught 79 passes for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, breaking Miami-Dade County single-season marks. Mills’ signing ceremony takes place between 8:05-9:30 a.m. in the school’s auditorium. »Kahuka (Hawaii) High School three-star safety Aidan Manutai remains a Husker target, though he’s currently committed to California. The 6-foot, 170-pound Manutai would be part of a defensive backs group that could vie for early playing time. »Another potential prospect to watch is Kentucky receiver commit Dejerrian Miller, who verbally pledged to Shorts and the Wildcats last week and plays prep football at St. Louis Cardinal Ritter, the same school as Husker running back commit Jamarion Parker. Miller did not previously have Nebraska among his top group of suitors and may stick in the SEC. In total, NU plans to sign six in-state commitments — headlined by Jones, an Omaha Westside linebacker — to financial aid papers, as the NCAA in October eliminated the national letter of intent, which binds prospects to school. The group of six — Jones, Omaha North defensive tackle Tyson Terry, Millard North athletes Pierce Mooberry and Caden VerMaas, Wahoo Neumann running back Conor Booth and Lincoln Southwest receiver Jackson Carpenter — are part of one of the strongest corps of in-state recruits in years. Fifteen prospects are poised to sign with FBS programs, with 12 of those headed to power conferences. Unless Terry or Mills flips to NU, Merritt, out of Overland Park (Kansas) Blue Valley High School, is NU’s highest-ranked player in the 2025 class. Thirteen of the 19 prospects in the class have a four-star according to at least one of the four major recruiting services — 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals. And all but 247 Sports, as of Tuesday evening ranked NU’s class as No. 20 in the nation. 247 Sports had the Huskers 22nd. Get local news delivered to your inbox!