Monks involved in a money laundering scandal at the Osiou Avakoum monastery have filed an appeal to have €807,000 cash seized in an investigation returned to them. They also want their bank accounts unfrozen and their property returned. The monks claim the money was part of a property donation for the construction of a multi-purpose building in Lythrodontas. A hearing date has been set for April 26.
India’s two main political parties are making promises to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the upcoming general election. However, activists feel that both parties are avoiding the key issue of same-sex marriage. The ruling BJP opposes same-sex marriage and has pledged more support for transgender rights, while the opposition Congress party plans to recognize same-sex civil unions. LGBTQ+ activists are disappointed with these promises, calling them “lip service.” Discrimination and abuse against LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans people, are still prevalent in India. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has the most LGBTQ-friendly manifesto, but all parties fall short of proposing marriage equality. LGBTQ+ activists emphasize the need for greater inclusion and protection for marginalized communities in India.
Residents of Strovolos are urging the Mayor and Municipal Council to reopen Kissavou Park, suggesting that part of it be converted into a dog park to meet the needs of families and children. They believe this would be a cost-effective solution and provide entertainment for pet-friendly residents without causing disturbances in the evening.
€807,000 found at the Habakkuk Monastery was handed over to the police by bishop Isaiah. The money was intended for the construction of a multi-purpose building in the Lycrodontas area for the residence of monks and clergy, as well as an educational center. The monks claim the money came from the sale of immovable property owned by third parties and was managed by the abbot Nektarios for a specific purpose. The freeze orders issued on the money and the monks’ accounts are being challenged in court.
Hezbollah, a heavily armed non-state group in Lebanon, is a key player in the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance” alliance against Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Hezbollah possesses a vast arsenal of over 150,000 missiles and rockets, including precision weapons, anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-ship missiles. The group also has around 45,000 fighters and has used drones in hostilities with Israel.
Israeli tanks re-entered parts of northern Gaza and carried out air strikes on Rafah, killing and injuring several people. Tanks surrounded schools where displaced families were seeking refuge, ordering evacuations and detaining men. The Israeli military continued operations in central Gaza, targeting gunmen and destroying terrorist infrastructure. Israel is still imposing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite some claims of increased aid flows. The Palestinian health ministry reported over 33,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since October.
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged all sides in the Middle East to avoid actions that could lead to a new confrontation with catastrophic consequences for the region. Putin spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi about Iran’s retaliatory measures against Israel and emphasized the need for restraint to prevent further escalation. The root cause of instability in the Middle East was attributed to the unresolved conflict between Palestinians and Israel. Both leaders confirmed their support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a political settlement of the crisis. Iran has provided Russia with powerful missiles and drones used in Ukraine.
The Daleela passenger and car ferry will resume its sailings from Limassol to Piraeus from the end of May to early September, with ticket prices slightly up from last year. The ferry carried 7,407 passengers, 2,496 vehicles, and 455 pets last year, earning the operator an annual subsidy of €5.5 million. The ferry will depart on Wednesdays and Sundays from Limassol and Tuesdays and Fridays from Piraeus. Ticket sales will start on April 17.
Tax prep companies like Intuit’s TurboTax and H&R Block are taking an extra 9 hours and 0 from their average customer in low-income neighborhoods. These companies target low-income Black and Brown communities, coercing them into paying for services that are actually available for free. They use deceptive advertising, overcharging, and hiding free options to exploit economically disadvantaged communities. The companies primarily hire unqualified preparers and saturate neighborhoods with their services. The IRS Direct File pilot program offers a free alternative to costly tax preparation services in 12 states, empowering working-class people to keep money in their pockets.
– Corporate taxpayers with billion in income would pay 21 percent on their first 0 million in income, 25 percent on 0 million of their income, and 30 percent on billion of their income, resulting in a total tax bill of 6 million and an average tax rate of 27.3 percent.
– Graduated rate of corporate taxation was a feature of the corporate tax until recently.
– Approximately 99.7 percent of corporate taxpayers fall below the thresholds of million in tax payments.
– 87 percent of tax payments are made by corporations above the million tax payment threshold.
– Companies with tax payments of more than 0 million generate about billion in additional tax revenue.
– Tax revenues would increase by about billion in 2019 with the proposed reform.
– The tax code can discourage market power by levying a higher tax on firms likely to exercise it.
– International tax cooperation can limit tax competition pressures and reduce profit-shifting incentives.
– Market power provides a rationale for reconsidering tax preferences for very-high-profit large companies.
– Graduated corporate tax brackets would be straightforward to administer, especially for large companies.
– Tax policy should distinguish the normal return to capital from the above-normal return to capital to improve efficiency and equity of capital taxation.