French official due to lead ‘yellow vests’ debate quits in pay furor

PARIS (Reuters) - The official appointed by the French government to lead a national debate over the grievances raised by 'yellow vest' protesters quit on Tuesday following a controversy over her salary.

Former sports minister Chantal Jouanno said she could not guarantee conditions for a calm debate as she had become a focus of attention after a news magazine revealed she was paid 14,700 euros ($16,800) per month to head France's National Commission for Public Debate.

The Commission is a consultative body on environmental issues.

The 'yellow vests' debate is due to be launched next week, giving President Emmanuel Macron little time to appoint a successor.

http://www.foreigndesknews.com/news/politics/french-official-due-to/

Malaysian royals to vote for a new king after surprise resignation

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Members of Malaysia's royal families agreed on Monday to vote for a new king on Jan. 24 to replace King Muhammad V, who has stepped down unexpectedly, the national news agency Bernama reported.

The king resigned on Sunday after just two years on the throne, the first time a monarch has stepped down before completing their five-year tenure.

No reason was given for the resignation.

King Muhammad, 49, had only just resumed duties last week after spending two months on medical leave.

http://www.foreigndesknews.com/elections/malaysian-royals-to-vote/

Ever since they instituted the no fault divorce we have seen nothing but the American family structure decline and society deteriorate. Why aren't we doing this yet

Saudi courts to notify women of divorce by text message

BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – Saudi courts will be notifying women on divorce rulings via text message, the UAE-based The National publication reported on Sunday.

According to the publication, Saudi Justice Minister Sheikh Waleed bin Mohammed Al Samaani said the text message system will help make legal proceedings in divorce more transparent.

“It’s a simple solution to the problem of women sometimes not being aware of the legal procedures that are taking place in the divorce,” Abdulla bin Ateeq, a divorce lawyer in Saudi Arabia told The National.

As per Saudi law, a man can file for divorce by making a verbal statement of intent and getting the divorce verified by a court; however, the woman’s consent is not required.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-courts-to-notify-women-of-divorce-by-text-message/

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The Pentagon apparently has more money than it knows what to do with as tens of billions of dollars are getting left unspent

The Pentagon failed to spend an eye-popping $27.7 billion of the funds it was allocated for fiscal year 2018 even though President Donald Trump intends to give the U.S. military even more taxpayer cash to play with next year.

According to a report from the Department of Defense Inspector General on the department's first-ever audit, the unspent $27.7 billion represents 4% of the $692 billion defense budget Trump signed into law in December 2017.

How did this happen? Defense officials literally didn't spend the money fast enough. "Money appropriated by Congress expires if it isn't spent within certain time frames and typically can no longer be used for new spending," as Bloomberg Government explains. "For example, money in procurement accounts is available for three years, research accounts for two years while money in personnel and operations and maintenance accounts expires after one year."

https://www.businessinsider.com/dod-cant-spend-money-fast-enough-as-28-billion-gets-left-unspent-2019-1?r=UK&IR=T