Biden jokes Trump should have injected himself with bleach
Fact: U.S. President Joe Biden joked about former President Donald Trump suggesting injecting bleach as a treatment for COVID-19.
coronavirus
Biden White House highlights a coming showdown with GOP over 2017 tax cuts that are due to expire
The winner of November’s presidential election will face a challenge with the expiration of nearly trillion in tax cuts next year. Biden’s White House is highlighting the issue and emphasizing differences with Republicans over taxes. Biden wants to raise taxes on corporations and the ultra-wealthy to support the middle class. Trump argues that tax increases would harm the economy. The 2017 tax cuts failed to deliver the promised growth. Biden wants to extend middle-class tax cuts while raising taxes on profitable companies and the richest Americans. Trump believes growth comes from choices made by companies and wealthy investors, while Biden believes it comes from spending and saving by middle-class households. Extending all of Trump’s tax cuts would add .6 trillion to budget deficits through 2034. Biden’s plan does not include the cost of extending tax cuts for those making under 0,000. Republicans may need to consider spending cuts to address the higher debt load from extending tax cuts.
Holiday home prices hit 8-year high
The vacation home sector in Cyprus has fully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, with rental rates and sale prices reaching eight-year highs. Rental rates for vacation homes have surged, with prices more than doubling in Limassol. Sale prices for holiday homes have also climbed, with prices increasing by about 40% for apartments and 20% for homes.
Hard right wants more EU power to reflect likely election gains
French right-wing lawmaker Jean-Paul Garraud expects nationalist and eurosceptic parties to gain influence in the upcoming EU assembly election. Polls predict radical right parties will increase their seats across the EU, including France, Germany, and Italy. Garraud anticipates far-right parties could have positions in committees or even hold key roles in the European Parliament, allowing them to influence policies related to green initiatives, free trade, and immigration. The rise of radical right parties is fueled by a growing gap between mainstream parties and distrustful voters, as well as concerns over issues such as the cost of living, illegal migration, and changing geopolitical dynamics. Critics warn that the influence of the hard right could weaken Europe and potentially lead to closer ties with China and Russia.
The European Parliament’s achievements through the eyes of the Cypriot MEPs
The European Parliament has been instrumental in enacting reforms to enhance the lives of people in Europe, including managing the COVID-19 pandemic by endorsing the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism and contributing to the NextGenerationEU financial plan. Key achievements also include advancements in Green and Digital Transitions, implementing measures for health, welfare, and daily experiences of EU citizens, and supporting young people through initiatives like the European Year of Skills.
Climate change another challenge for tourism
The tourism industry in Cyprus is facing challenges from climate change, geopolitical developments, and economic conditions. The president of the Pancyprian Association of Hotel Managers emphasized the need for support from the state, including training programs and tax incentives. The Deputy Minister of Tourism highlighted the importance of addressing climate change and improving the quality of services through education and skill development.
Warehouse flood ruins , €880,000 worth of medicines
– Government officials estimated the damage to medicines in the flooded warehouse at €880,000.
Rich and retired: the boom beneficiaries who finance Germany’s far right
Germany has seen a decline since the 1970s, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gaining support. The party relies on private donations, with wealthy, elderly backers like Hartmut Issmer, who gave 250,000 euros last year. These donors, mainly businessmen, have views they are unafraid to share and are disproportionately influential. AfD’s treasurer mentioned a positive trajectory for donations, but if the party fails to replace its ageing donor base, that could change. The party is under scrutiny for extremism and racism, making it toxic for potential sympathizers. Mainstream parties receive more significant donations from large companies and associations compared to the AfD.
Cyprus lifts final Covid restriction, masks in hospitals
Cyprus has lifted the last COVID-19 restriction, which was mandatory testing for visits to hospitals and care homes, on the fourth anniversary of the coronavirus reaching the island. The decision was announced by Health Minister Michalis Damianou after a Cabinet meeting. The change will take effect on Friday, with the amended decree to be published in the government’s Official Gazette. However, wearing a mask will still be required in hospitals, care homes, and other closed structures. This decision comes as the positive test results were a few hundred out of 80,000 samples, and hospitalizations were minimal. The coronavirus has taken 1,365 lives in Cyprus to date.
Pensions and state salaries paid together , ‘illegal’
The auditor-general’s office has called on the Treasury to immediately stop the practice of paying pensions to currently serving state officials, as it violates relevant laws. This issue was highlighted in the Audit Office’s special report on the Treasury for the year 2022. The report also mentioned that about 160 state officials, both retired and currently serving, are receiving multiple pensions, including high-ranking officials like the president and four ministers. Additionally, the report criticized the Treasury for not applying public-sector wage cuts, as stipulated in the 2013 bailout deal, to judges hired after the legislation was passed, a practice that continued until August 2021. Furthermore, the Treasury was found to have inadequately checked adherence to schemes for subsidized loans for businesses and new home loans during the coronavirus pandemic, with some cases lacking necessary supporting documentation.