republican

Columbia extends protest deadline after students agree to dismantle some tents

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Columbia extends protest deadline after students agree to dismantle some tents

Columbia University students agreed to take down a significant number of tents set up on the school’s main campus as part of a protest against Israel’s incursion into Gaza. The university agreed to extend the deadline for the encampment to be dismantled, citing significant progress in negotiations. The protesters had demanded disclosure and divestment of financial holdings supporting the war in Gaza and amnesty for suspended students. Columbia also required that non-affiliated individuals leave campus and that all activities comply with fire safety rules.

Long-awaited aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan poised to pass US Congress

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Long-awaited aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan poised to pass US Congress

The U.S. Senate is set to approve billions of dollars in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan this week, following the House of Representatives’ approval of the assistance in a rare Saturday session. The package includes billion for Ukraine, billion for Israel, .12 billion to counter communist China in the Indo-Pacific, and potential measures such as a ban on TikTok. The aid is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, allowing for the quick delivery of military assistance to Ukraine.

Don Wooten: Taxes are dues we pay to be part of this society

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Don Wooten: Taxes are dues we pay to be part of this society

The author, Don Wooten, reflects on his attitude towards paying taxes and the importance of contributing to society through taxes. He mentions his belief that taxes are necessary for the common good and expresses a willingness to pay them, despite some frustrations with how tax money is sometimes used.

Trump uses hush money trial to squeeze small donors, court big spenders

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Trump uses hush money trial to squeeze small donors, court big spenders

A fundraising group run by Trump has spent more than million on legal bills since the start of 2023.

Trump group spends big on legal fees; Biden leads at fundraising

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Trump group spends big on legal fees; Biden leads at fundraising

Donald Trump’s political group, Save America, spent .6 million on lawyer fees in March, draining the finances supporting his White House bid. The group, largely funded by small donors, has clawed back million from a super PAC, reducing funds available for TV ads supporting Trump. Since the start of 2023, Save America has spent over million on lawyer fees for Trump’s four criminal trials. Trump is facing charges related to falsifying business records, mishandling classified documents, and a civil fraud judgment. Despite raising million in March, Trump’s campaign still lags behind Biden in fundraising, with Biden’s campaign ending the month with million in the bank compared to Trump’s million. Trump has been holding fundraising events to court big donors, helping the Republican Party raise over million in March.

House passes $95 billion Ukraine, Israel aid package, sends to Senate

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House passes $95 billion Ukraine, Israel aid package, sends to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with bipartisan support. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to be considered next week. The legislation includes funding for conflict in Ukraine, humanitarian needs in Israel, and support for Taiwan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for the aid, stating it will prevent the war from expanding and save lives. President Biden urged Congress to approve the aid, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Despite some opposition, the bill passed with strong support.

Man dies after setting self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway

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Man dies after setting self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway

A man died after setting himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush-money trial was taking place, but officials said he was not targeting Trump. The man, identified as Max Azzarello, did not mention Trump in pamphlets he threw before setting himself on fire. The incident occurred after jury selection for the trial was completed, with 12 jurors and six alternates set to consider evidence in the case. Trump is accused of covering up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Minnesota Legislature Weighs Corporations’ Role in State’s Economy

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Minnesota Legislature Weighs Corporations’ Role in State’s Economy

The Minnesota Legislature is considering several bills targeting corporations, including proposals to require large corporations to disclose their state income tax filings and to cap the number of single-family rental units a company can own. Rep. Esther Agbaje is pushing a bill that would cap the number of single-family homes one business entity can own, primarily corporations. Governor Tim Walz has stated that he is not interested in raising or cutting corporate taxes, but rather maintaining a proper balance. Minnesota has the highest corporate tax rate among the states, but the effective tax rate is lower due to deductions. Several bills are moving in the Legislature aimed at regulating corporations, including those related to single-family home ownership, tax transparency, hospital salaries, debt collection, corporate tax studies, health care acquisitions, and employee classification. Critics argue that the bills and underlying philosophy behind them are anti-business.

INSIGHT-Deconstructing the spectacle and stagecraft of a Donald Trump rally

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INSIGHT-Deconstructing the spectacle and stagecraft of a Donald Trump rally

Donald Trump held a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where some of his supporters camped out overnight in their cars to see him. Trump’s rallies are a key feature of his campaign, designed to create an emotional experience for his base and attract new supporters. The rallies are meticulously planned and Trump is involved in every detail, including the music. Attendees register with the campaign to attend the rallies, which are also used to collect data, attract media coverage, and recruit volunteers. The rallies are held in battleground states like Wisconsin, where Trump narrowly lost to Biden in 2020. The events are carefully stagecrafted to entertain the crowd and reinforce Trump’s message that the country needs to be fixed. During the rally, Trump repeated false claims about the 2020 election being stolen and made promises about deportations and building a wall. The speech had a religious tone and included pledges of loyalty and protection between Trump and his supporters. The rally ended with Trump exiting the stage to an R&B song.

US Senate votes to reauthorise surveillance programme

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US Senate votes to reauthorise surveillance programme

The US Senate approved the reauthorization of a controversial surveillance program, narrowly avoiding its midnight expiration.