One of the things I love to do while driving is listen to the monologues of the American night-time talk shows, as they can be hilarious, yet informative.
Stephen Colbert, Seth Mayers, the two Jimmys – Kimmel and Falon – John Oliver and Jon Stewart, and the rest of The Daily Show cast usually discuss or focus on what is happening in the United States.
But they do have a sprinkling of news from around the world.
The ‘hottest’ news is the hush-money trial of former US president Donald Trump, where there is so much crazy information coming out of the courtroom. But Trump is not the only politician in trouble with the law.
Senator Robert ‘Bob’ Menendez and his wife Nadine, were charged with bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice, functioning as foreign agents, and giving up his political position in return for presents that included money, gold bars, a convertible Mercedes, furnishings, and mortgage payments.
Menendez has been a New Jersey senator since 2006. He also served as the ranking Democrat on the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee for nearly five years, a position that allowed him to have a big say in US foreign policy.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges when the trial began on May 15. His wife will be tried separately.
Meanwhile, New York Mayor Eric Adams is under investigation for corruption. He faces allegations that his campaign laundered illegal donations from the Turkish government into their accounts.Adams was a police officer for 22 years, reaching the rank of captain before turning to politics.
In the United Kingdom, Jess Phillips informed the House of Commons on May 14 that two women had reported being raped by Members of Parliament.
The Labour Member of Parliament said this during a debate on proposals to exclude MPs from Parliament if they have been arrested for a serious offence – rather than charged. The proposal was passed 170-169 and will revert to the threshold being an arrest.
Earlier, on May 14, Carol Volderman, a Welsh broadcaster and media personality alleged that 10 per cent of the 650 Members of Parliament were under investigation for rape or sexual misconduct. Of course, there are many more scandals involving these politicians, but these are the current ‘hot’ topics.
Listening to these shows lowers my blood pressure while enduring the never-ending traffic jams in the Klang Valley.
I have also downloaded some of the videos, and I listen to them during the fun runs I enter. It can be stressful finishing the 10km runs, but laughter is the best medicine.
MERDEKA EXPRESSION MONTH PROGRAMME KICKS OFF IN KUALA LUMPUR, SABAH AND SARAWAK
The Information Department’s Merdeka Expression Month programme kicks off tomorrow, May 19, at Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, while the Sabah and Sarawak state-level events are on the same day.
Communications Minister Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil will be attending the event in Kuala Lumpur where there will be performances from artists and buskers, a Colours of Malaysia performance by the National Department for Culture and Arts, poetry about Merdeka, a children’s colouring competition, and a national day exhibition by various government agencies.
The KL event is from 10am-4.30pm, and there are plenty of prizes and gifts for early birds. Entrance is free!
Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun will officiate the state’s event at the International Technology and Commercial Centre in Penampang.
Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayal, Minister in Sarawak’s Premier Department, will lead the state’s function at Mydin Petra Jaya hypermarket in Kuching.
The programme is to instil a sense of patriotism ahead of the Merdeka Day, and Malaysia Day celebrations.
SELANGOR’S NATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION
The Selangor Youth and Sports Department, in collaboration with the Selangor Youth Council (MBS) and Selangor Youth Council of the Hulu Selangor District, is holding a state-level National Youth Day Celebration at the National Youth Skills Institute in Peretak, Kuala Kubu Baharu.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari will officiate the event tomorrow, May 19, at 10am.
The official National Youth Day celebrations are at Dataran Pahlawan, Banda Hilir, from May 24-26.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be in Melaka on May 25 for the opening ceremony. The theme for this year’s National Youth Day celebrations is ‘Yakin Boleh’.
