Trump lawyer suggests hush money payment was extortion
Fact: A lawyer for Donald Trump sought to portray the hush money payment at the center of his criminal trial as extortion.
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Corporate Taxes Before and After the Trump Tax Law
– America’s largest, consistently profitable corporations saw their effective tax rates fall from an average of 22.0 percent to an average of 12.8 percent after the Trump tax law went into effect in 2017.
– The 296 largest and consistently profitable U.S. corporations paid 0 billion less in taxes from 2018 to 2021 compared to before the Trump tax law.
– While profits for these corporations rose by 44 percent after the Trump tax law, their federal tax bills dropped by 16 percent.
– The number of corporations paying tax rates of less than 10 percent increased from 56 to 95 after the Trump tax law.
– Many well-known corporations, including Walmart, Verizon, Disney, and Meta, had the largest tax reductions after the Trump tax law.
Ministerial meeting addresses fireworks regulations
A meeting was held on Maundy Thursday with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, along with the Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Police. They discussed tightening the framework for the use of fireworks following recent fires in Limassol and Paphos provinces caused by fireworks. Permits for fireworks have been revoked temporarily, and further discussions and meetings will take place to address the issue and potentially implement stricter measures. The investigation into the recent fire in Limassol province is ongoing, and statements will be made once it is completed.
Ministers meet on fireworks regulation
Fact: Agriculture and Justice Ministers Maria Panayiotou and Marios Hartsiotis held a meeting with representatives of the police force to review the framework governing fireworks usage and discuss potential enhancements. Panayiotou announced the revocation of all permits for fireworks following large fires near Limassol and Paphos caused by explosives and fireworks. They will decide how to address the whole issue in the coming days.
Interior ministry rejects monastery appeal on protected land
The interior ministry rejected an appeal by the Famagusta Constantia bishopric to build a monastery on environmentally protected land in Cape Greco.
US lawmakers table bill to extend lifting of Cyprus arms embargo
Fact: A group of United States congressmen tabled a bill to extend the waiver renewal period for the country’s arms embargo on Cyprus from one year to five years.
Limassol protest: Detainees speak of police verbal and physical abuse
Ten individuals arrested at a Limassol demonstration speak of an unprovoked police attack, horrible detention conditions, and abuse by the police. They were arrested following scuffles between protesters and police officers demanding a fair investigation into the death of Bangladeshi immigrant Anisur Rahman. Protestors and lawyers dispute the police’s account, describing the clash as an “unprovoked attack” and accusing the police of abuse.
Russia-US judicial thriller in Cyprus
A legal battle over the extradition of businessman Artur Petrov, who is accused by the US of supplying microelectronic components for Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, has been ongoing in Cyprus since last August. The Court of Appeal recently overturned a decision blocking his extradition, leading to a potential appeal to the Supreme Court. This case has political dimensions and international implications, with Russian news agency TASS closely following the developments.
US Justice Department takes step to make marijuana use a less serious crime
The U.S. Justice Department is moving to make marijuana use a less serious federal crime by recommending it be reclassified as a schedule three drug with lower penalties. This shift could bridge the gap between state and federal cannabis laws, leading to more research, medical use, lighter criminal penalties, and increased private investment in the cannabis sector. President Joe Biden initiated a review of the drug’s classification, and public support for marijuana legalization has significantly increased. Reclassifying marijuana could also benefit cannabis businesses by allowing their shares to be listed on major stock exchanges, receiving more generous tax deductions, and facing fewer restrictions from banks.
Biden administration takes step to make marijuana use a less serious crime
The U.S. Department of Justice is considering reclassifying marijuana as a schedule three drug, which would indicate a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. This potential policy change could be the biggest shift in federal cannabis policy in 40 years.