President Biden has signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The measure also includes a provision that could force TikTok to be sold or banned in the U.S. The announcement ends a long and contentious battle with Republicans in Congress over the urgently needed assistance for Ukraine.
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a groundbreaking project spanning 210 feet over the 101 freeway, is making significant progress. Supporters gathered on Earth Day to commemorate the ongoing construction, highlighting its importance in preserving mountain lion populations and enhancing wildlife diversity in the area.
The Manhattan district attorney’s case against former President Donald Trump is a politically motivated prosecution that ignores a panoply of evidentiary matters that severely undermine its credibility. The prosecution relies on flimsy assumptions, ignores exculpatory evidence, and conveniently overlooks the fact that there are no victims in this matter. This case is a clear example of the danger posed by prosecutors who pick the people they think they should get, rather than pick the cases that need to be prosecuted.
Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman has launched a super PAC, Clear Choice PAC, to oppose independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid for the presidency. The PAC has raised $375,000 and disbursed $34,075 to digital media firm Gambit Strategies. Kennedy has secured ballot access in Michigan and is also on the ballot in Utah and has gathered the required signatures in several other states. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and other liberal outside groups are also organizing campaigns against Kennedy and other independent and third-party candidates.
President Joe Biden has granted clemency to 16 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses. This includes pardons for 11 people and commuted sentences for 5 others. Among the recipients are two Floridians: Beverly Holcy and Jophaney Hyppolite. Holcy was pardoned after serving her sentence and completing probation, while Hyppolite’s life sentence was commuted to 360 months. Many of the other individuals pardoned had non-violent drug charges as juveniles or young adults and had spent significant time in prison. Under current law, their sentences would have been shorter. All of the individuals granted clemency must still abide by their respective years of supervised release.
The Indian National Congress has released the names of 14 candidates who will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. For the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, the party has nominated KBR Naidu for Narsapuram, SK Basheed for Rajampet, and M Jagapathi for Chittor.
In a bipartisan victory, the Senate passed a package totaling $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Tuesday night. The legislation, which includes four bills that passed in the House over the weekend, will provide approximately $26 billion for Israel, $61 billion for Ukraine, and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The package also includes measures to ban TikTok, impose sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, and seize Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s recovery efforts. President Biden has stated that he will sign the legislation into law on Wednesday.
Todd Blanche, the attorney representing Donald Trump, has drawn criticism for his performance during Tuesday’s contempt hearing, with experts questioning whether he can emerge from the case without damaging his reputation. Blanche has been accused of crossing ethical boundaries in defending Trump, who is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal ahead of the 2016 election. Despite these concerns, Blanche appears to be fulfilling his client’s wishes, as there is no evidence that his work has been unethical. However, legal experts argue that Blanche could have done more to present a plan to the judge that would have given Trump some wiggle room. Blanche’s failure to do so has left him vulnerable to criticism, with some speculating that Trump may be seeking to represent himself due to his dissatisfaction with his attorney’s performance.
The debate over inheritance tax has resurfaced in India ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with both the Congress and the BJP accusing each other of supporting the idea in the past. The controversy stems from a deleted tweet by BJP leader Amit Malviya in 2014, where he expressed support for the idea of taxing inheritance wealth. Congress leaders took to social media to share screenshots of the tweet, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. The BJP has denied the accusations, claiming that the tweet was only an idea open for debate. Meanwhile, Telangana Congress spokesperson Asma tweeted a screenshot of the tweet, claiming that the BJP had unsuccessfully tried to erase the evidence. The controversy comes amid a broader debate over the need for inheritance tax in India, with some arguing that it could help reduce inequality and increase revenue for government spending. However, others argue that it would be a burden on families and discourage savings and investment.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to prioritize defense spending, reaching 2.5% of GDP by 2030. While the commitment will be funded by cutting 72,000 civil service jobs and increasing R&D spending, economists warn that it may also require deep cuts in other public spending areas. Sunak declined to rule out further cuts, stating that the government is committed to maintaining investments in the NHS and schools. He believes that the world is now more dangerous than ever since the Cold War, warranting a shift in priorities. Sunak’s plan has drawn mixed reactions. While the Tories hope it will differentiate them from Labour in the upcoming election, Labour has criticized the Conservatives’ handling of defense procurement, army size, and recruitment targets.
