coalition

Next Congress Must Overhaul Tax Code to Make Corporations Pay: Coalition | Common Dreams

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Next Congress Must Overhaul Tax Code to Make Corporations Pay: Coalition | Common Dreams

– More than 100 public interest groups wrote to congressional leaders urging them to pass bold new tax reforms following the expiration of the Trump-era tax cuts in 2025.
– The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has been proven to be a failure, with the average worker not seeing the financial benefits promised.
– The groups outlined three goals for tax reform in 2025: making the tax code fairer, raising more revenue for investments in Americans, and supporting economic growth.
– Extending the individual and real estate tax cuts from the TCJA past 2025 would add .6 trillion to the national deficit.
– The coalition believes that Congress should reject the failed approach of the Bush and Trump tax cuts and create a fairer tax code that supports necessary investments and inclusive growth.
– There is strong public support for making the tax system fairer and using the revenues raised to invest in care for families.

Israel stops Spanish consulate from providing services to Palestinians

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Israel stops Spanish consulate from providing services to Palestinians

Israel is blocking the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in the West Bank after Spain recognized Palestine. Israel accuses Spain, Ireland, and Norway of rewarding Hamas for attacking Israel. Spain’s Labour Minister used an expression that Israel sees as a call for its destruction. Spain is analyzing Israel’s decision to limit the consulate’s abilities to serve Palestinians.

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill Announces Support for Corporate Transit Fee – Insider NJ

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Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill Announces Support for Corporate Transit Fee - Insider NJ

– Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill announced support for the Corporate Transit Fee.
– The fee would fund NJ Transit by taxing corporate profits over million.
– The Essex County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution urging the enactment of the Corporate Transit Fee.
– The fee would only affect the 600 wealthiest corporations and would help avoid fare hikes and service reductions for public transportation.

On This Day: Leading Nazi Heinrich Himmler committed suicide in 1945

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On This Day: Leading Nazi Heinrich Himmler committed suicide in 1945

On May 23, 1934, notorious American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed in a shootout with police.

Livingston Chamber Criticizes Proposed NJ Business Tax Hike

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Livingston Chamber Criticizes Proposed NJ Business Tax Hike

The Livingston Chamber of Commerce opposes a proposed 2.5 percent tax hike on high-earning businesses in New Jersey, which would fund NJ Transit.

Israel pushes further into parts of north Gaza; new cracks in Netanyahu coalition

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Israel pushes further into parts of north Gaza; new cracks in Netanyahu coalition

Israeli troops and tanks entered parts of the northern Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians. The Israeli forces also took over ground in Rafah, a city by the Egyptian border. Benny Gantz threatened to resign if Netanyahu does not agree to a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8. The recovery of the body of a hostage taken by Hamas triggered the latest incursions. Israeli forces have continued operations in Gaza, conducting precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure. Netanyahu has faced criticism for failing to articulate an endgame in the war. Gantz proposed a six-point plan for Gaza’s civil administration. The strain on Israel’s coalition has increased, with demands for clarity on post-war plans. Armed groups attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah, resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel’s military reported 281 soldiers killed in fighting, while over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes. UNRWA stated that nearly 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the ground operation began. Israel aims to capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure security.

South African election: the fall of the ANC

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South African election: the fall of the ANC

– The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa is facing a decline in support and is expected to receive less than 50% of the vote in the upcoming election.
– The decline of the ANC has not led to the emergence of new parties with new ideas, but rather the same old parties with the same old ideas.
– South Africa remains a country with high levels of poverty and inequality, with official unemployment at 32%.
– Former president Jacob Zuma has founded a new party that is expected to attract Zulu votes and further decrease the ANC’s support.
– The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, led by Julius Malema, is polling at 11.5% and has a radical platform that includes nationalizing banks and mines.
– Malema’s best chance of gaining power may be through a coalition with the ANC.
– Despite challenges, South Africa still has resources and potential for change.

New coalition in The Netherlands brings clear break with past economic policies

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New coalition in The Netherlands brings clear break with past economic policies

– An objective assessment of the plans is not yet available.
– The coalition wants to increase public spending in the short term, especially in 2025.
– Over a longer time horizon, spending will decrease somewhat.
– The targeted government deficit of 2.8% of GDP increases the likelihood of not remaining within the European 3% deficit norms.
– Budget cuts such as scrapping civil servants and reducing EU contributions seem unrealistic.
– Ad-hoc cuts to budgets may be made on a pro-rata basis if necessary.
– This could lead to political tensions and policy uncertainty.

Hundreds more French police start deploying to secure New Caledonia

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Hundreds more French police start deploying to secure New Caledonia

French police reinforcements arrived in New Caledonia to regain control of the capital after riots resulted in four deaths and hundreds of arrests. The unrest was triggered by anger over an electoral reform, complicating President Macron’s plans to increase French influence in the Pacific. The number of police on the island will increase to 2,700 from 1,700. The government has food stocks for two months but faces distribution issues. Protesters demand the withdrawal of the electoral reform for peaceful talks to resume. France has declared a state of emergency, arrested suspects, and banned TikTok.

Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

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Netanyahu presses bill on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present a bill to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military to a ministerial committee. The issue is sensitive due to ongoing conflicts and high casualties among secular draftees. Ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition oppose the exemptions, leading to protests. Economists argue that the conscription waiver keeps ultra-Orthodox out of the workforce, creating a welfare burden. Israel’s Arab minority is also largely exempt from the draft.