Donald Trump said he would have reacted the same way as Israel did after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, but believes Israel should wrap up its war against the Islamist group in Gaza.
Sen. Warren reintroduced her “Ultra-Millionaires” wealth tax proposal to the Senate, inspired by the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget which includes its own version of a wealth tax. The tax proposals are part of the upcoming contest for the White House and focus on tax avoidance by the wealthy. Business owners should familiarize themselves with the proposed changes to federal income tax and develop plans in response as there is a possibility that the Democrats may have another opportunity to turn their income tax agenda into law.
– Donald Trump lost his bid to delay a criminal trial related to hush money payments to a porn star.
– He won a pause in a 4 million judgment in a separate civil fraud case.
– The judge set an April 15 trial date for the criminal case.
– Trump pleaded not guilty in both criminal cases.
– A mid-level state appeals court paused enforcement of the civil fraud judgment on the condition that Trump post a 5 million bond within 10 days.
The richest Americans should expect multiple tax increases if President Joe Biden is reelected in November and the Democrats end up in control of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to a leading taxation expert.
President Biden has called for trillion in new taxes on corporations and high earners, but his record so far shows that he has actually cut taxes overall. The analysis by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center estimates that the tax changes Mr. Biden has implemented will result in a net tax cut of about 0 billion over four years.
The U.S. Congress passed a .2 trillion budget bill early on Saturday, which keeps the government funded through the fiscal year that began six months ago, avoiding a partial shutdown. The bill was sent to President Joe Biden for his signature. The vote for passage was 74-24. The bill ensures funding for key federal agencies including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Treasury through September 30. However, it did not include funding for military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, or Israel. Senate leaders negotiated amendments to the budget bill, which were ultimately defeated. The White House Office of Management and Budget was confident the Senate would pass the bill. The bill provides 6 billion in funding for the Defense Department, including a raise for U.S. troops. The bill passed the House with a vote of 286-134, showing more Democratic support than Republican. The government had been funded with four short-term measures for most of the past six months. The bill is seen as a national security bill, with 70% of the funding for defense, including investments in military readiness and support for allies. Opponents criticized the bill as too expensive and inflationary. The last partial federal government shutdown occurred from Dec. 22, 2018, until Jan. 25, 2019.
– A shooting rampage occurred at a concert hall near Moscow, resulting in dozens of deaths, and was claimed by Islamic State militants.
– The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack and emphasized the need for justice against those responsible.
– White House spokesman John Kirby expressed condolences for the victims.
– Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called for global condemnation of the crime.
– Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied Ukraine’s involvement in the incident.
– Yulia Navalnaya demanded justice for the crime.
– Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the massacre.
– The French Foreign Ministry expressed sympathy for the victims and called for clarity on the acts.
– The German Foreign Ministry offered condolences and called for a quick clarification of the attack’s background.
– Polish Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned monitoring the situation for its impact on Poland’s security.
– Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed horror at the terrorist act and offered thoughts to the victims and Russian people.
– Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and offered solidarity with Russia.
– Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned the attack and expressed condolences.
– Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the terrorist act and offered condolences to Russia.
– U.S. Senator Mitt Romney condemned the targeting and murder of civilians.
– U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss aid flow into Gaza amid tense relations due to the six-month-old war.
– Israel claimed to have killed or captured hundreds of Hamas fighters in a five-day operation at the Al Shifa hospital complex in Gaza, which Hamas and medical staff deny.
– Blinken has been engaging in diplomacy in the Middle East, including meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia and officials in Cairo, aiming for a ceasefire.
– U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “over the top” due to its toll on civilian lives.
– The war started with a Hamas raid into southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages. Over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments.
– Blinken emphasized the need for increased and sustained aid deliveries to Gaza, where the entire population faces severe food insecurity.
– Israeli Colonel Moshe Tetro denied food shortages in Gaza, claiming sufficient food enters daily.
– Discussions include Israel’s intention to launch a ground offensive on Rafah, with Washington objecting to the plan.
– An airstrike on a house in Al-Naser, east of Rafah, killed eight people, including a family with five children.
– Senior Israeli and U.S. officials are set to meet in Washington to discuss alternatives to a full-on assault on Hamas.
– Talks in Qatar focus on a proposal for a six-week halt to fighting, exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
– Israel aims to eradicate Hamas, while Hamas wants a permanent end to the war and Israeli troop withdrawal.
– Israeli troops claim to have killed or detained hundreds in the Al Shifa hospital, including senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, though Hamas denies fighters were in the compound.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. Republican senators that Israel will continue its efforts to defeat Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This statement was made during a videolink address to the senators. The meeting highlighted the political nature of U.S.-Israel policy, with Netanyahu having a long-standing alignment with Republicans. The Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, considered inviting Netanyahu to address Congress. The conflict in question began with an attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 253 captives according to Israeli counts. Schumer, the Senate’s Democratic majority leader, declined an offer for Netanyahu to speak to Democrats, emphasizing a non-partisan approach to supporting Israel. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to nearly 32,000 Palestinian deaths. Netanyahu discussed civilian casualties and supported plans to deliver aid to Gaza via a temporary pier. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized that the U.S. should not advise a democratic ally on election timing or military campaigns.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed support for a 15-week national ban on abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother, citing the importance of winning elections. This stance was shared during a call-in radio interview on the “Sid & Friends in the Morning” show on WABC. Trump’s three appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. He has not committed to signing a national ban into law but indicated a consensus around the 15-week mark. The Biden campaign has criticized Republican restrictions on reproductive rights, particularly after the Supreme Court’s decision, which led to restrictive abortion laws in nearly two dozen states. Trump mentioned he would discuss his views on a 16-week abortion ban soon, following a report by The New York Times about his private support for such a ban.