Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a bill that raises income taxes for the rich, part of efforts to help fill government coffers depleted by the war in Ukraine. The tax hikes were being presented domestically as “systemic reforms”. Issued on: 12/07/2024 – 18:12 2 min Advertising Read more Russian President Vladimir Putin on … Read more
Debate beat: New Rules Helped Trump “Staged by CNN in an audience-free soundstage in which even competing reporters were banned, the Biden-Trump debate had more ground rules than an Ultimate Fighting match,” grumbles Politico’s Jack Shafer. In advance of the debate, “many assumed that these new rules would hurt Trump” given that “he feeds off live … Read more
The Rafah border crossing cannot operate unless Israel returns control to the Palestinians, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Israel took over the crossing last month during its offensive against Hamas in Rafah, which serves as the only connection to the outside world for Gaza’s residents. Shoukry emphasized the importance of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty for regional security and stability. Egypt suggested European monitors at the border if Palestinian authorities resume control. Israel is attempting to destroy tunnels between Gaza and Egypt used by Hamas, but Egypt denies their existence. Shoukry urged Hamas and Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Joe Biden. Israel has accepted the framework deal for ending the Gaza war but believes it requires more work.
A 35-year-old man in Paphos was sentenced to seven years in prison for burglaries, car thefts, possession of a weapon, and explosives.
16 people were killed and 35 wounded in U.S. and British strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah province. The strikes targeted a radio building in Al-Hawk district and port of Salif. The U.S. and British militaries launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen to deter the militant group from disrupting shipping in the Red Sea.
Stacy Gilbert, a U.S. State Department official, resigned in protest after a report to Congress falsely claimed that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Gilbert, who worked in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, stated that the report’s conclusions were incorrect. The report was submitted in accordance with a new National Security Memorandum issued by President Joe Biden. Gilbert’s resignation came after she disagreed with the final version of the report, which she believed did not accurately reflect the situation in Gaza.
Israeli tanks continued to raid Rafah for a second day, defying the World Court’s order to end attacks on the city. The United States did not believe a major ground operation was underway, despite Israel’s incursion into Rafah. Residents reported Israeli tanks entering various areas before retreating towards the border with Egypt. The Palestinian health ministry called for immediate healthcare assistance in Rafah and northern Gaza, where hospitals had stopped functioning. UNRWA reported that around a million Palestinians had fled after Israeli evacuation orders. The Red Crescent Society evacuated medical teams due to ongoing bombardments. The World Court criticized Israel for not ensuring the safety and well-being of the evacuees from Rafah. Israel proposed a ceasefire and hostage release to Qatar, but Hamas insisted talks were pointless unless Israel ended its offensive on Rafah. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Two men, aged 46 and 35, were remanded in custody and committed for trial on July 1 in connection with a large weapons cache found in an Oroklini cemetery. The defendants face serious charges related to possessing explosives and firearms without a license. The cache, believed to be linked to underworld figures, included an array of weapons such as missiles, explosives, and a silenced pistol. Police are awaiting forensic results to determine if the weapons were used in past crimes and to identify potential accomplices through fingerprints or DNA evidence. Bail was rejected for both suspects, who will await trial in Central Prisons.
Two men, aged 46 and 35, were arrested as suspects after a large weapons stash was discovered in a cemetery in Oroklini. They will remain in custody until their next court date on July 1. The weapons cache included various firearms, ammunition, explosives, and silencers, making it possibly the largest amount of weapons and explosives found in Cyprus to date.
A year has passed since the introduction of the UAE’s 9 per cent federal corporation tax.