House Republicans hoping to extend the 2017 tax cuts are beginning to systematically examine tax provisions in the Democrats’ landmark climate law. Whether those climate provisions will land on the chopping block remains to be seen. On Wednesday, a Ways and Means Committee “tax team” focused on manufacturing and energy will meet for the first … Read more
President Nikos Christodoulides has been briefed about the meeting of the UN secretary general with his personal envoy. The Turkish Minister of Defence, Yasar Guler, made a provocative statement regarding the Turkish troops’ “peace operation” in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side is steadfast in requesting the resumption of talks, despite indications that negotiations may not be positive. The UNSG will also meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to convey specific messages on behalf of the Republic. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar claimed that peace prevailed on the island in 1974 and that the Turkish Cypriots made significant gains. Turkish Cypriot MPs participated in discussions at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the issue of Varosha, claiming that the 1984 UN Security Council resolution is outdated.
Lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party brawled in parliament over the detention and replacement of a DEM Party mayor in southeast Turkey.
Hunter Biden’s criminal trial on gun charges began with a government lawyer stating that he was being prosecuted for lying on a form to purchase a handgun and not above the law. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to three felony charges related to failing to disclose his drug use when purchasing a gun. The trial is taking place in Wilmington, Delaware, and Hunter Biden’s attorney argued that the gun was never used and was disposed of shortly after purchase. Hunter Biden has publicly discussed his drug addiction, and FBI agent Erika Jensen is expected to testify about his messages discussing drug use. If convicted on all charges, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison.
Fact: A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including both liberal and conservative members, supported a bill that would change the rules allowing corporations wide discretion to choose who gets their online sales taxes, potentially funneling billion in tax kickbacks back to communities across the state.
Fact: Some of the most liberal and conservative members of the state Senate agreed that online sales taxes should go to the local government where the transaction took place, not to cities that could be hundreds of miles away.
The European Parliament elections in Cyprus allow Turkish Cypriots to participate as equal citizens, influencing the post-election political scene within the Greek Cypriot community. Turkish Cypriots have a significant privilege in electing six members of the European Parliament, potentially impacting the outcome. AKEL, with the support of leftist Turkish Cypriot parties, aims to leverage this advantage in the upcoming elections, while DISY faces the risk of a significant defeat if it cannot attract Turkish Cypriot voters. DISY’s strategy is to mobilize dissatisfied and disengaged voters to avoid an internal party crisis.
Sihame Denguir enrolled her teenage son and daughter in France’s largest Muslim private school, Averroes, in Lille, which lost government funding due to not complying with secular principles.
Fact: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has joined TikTok, the short video social media platform owned by China-based tech giant ByteDance, ahead of the U.S. elections in November.
The political landscape in Cyprus remains uncertain a week before the double election showdown. The top spot in the European elections is a close contest between DISY and AKEL, with DIKO and ELAM battling for third place. The percentages that DIKO and ELAM achieve are crucial, as their race could result in higher-than-expected percentages for both parties. The smaller parties are also uncertain about the support they will receive. A key factor in the upcoming elections is the turnout of Turkish Cypriot voters, with an estimated increase in participation expected. This increase could potentially influence the final results, especially in the battle between AKEL and DISY for the top spot. DISY’s level of voter consolidation will also play a critical role in the election outcome, as it could impact the percentages of other parties. Discontent and disagreements within DISY may lead to alternative votes going to parties like ELAM or independent candidate Phidias Panayiotou.