House approves tax exemption
The ways and means committee of Philippine Congress approves House Bill 6367, which seeks to exempt Wurtzbach from payment of taxes arising from her winnings from the international pageant. The Bill filed by the Cagayan de Oro representative is approved unanimously. During the hearing, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) lawyer says there will be no double taxation on Wurtzbach’s earnings from the pageant as long as she submits the necessary documents.
The US may have already taxed Wurtzbach on the prizes she received there. If she wants the tax she paid there credited in the Philippines, she has to submit the documents as proof of the same.
Norway deports migrants
Norway deports 60 migrants to Russia under new rules that allow them to deport any migrant originating in a country deemed to be “safe.” The new rules are expected to see 5,500 people deported to Russia. Many of the migrants are fleeing the war in Syria, but they crossed into Norway through Russia via the Arctic Circle. Human rights groups say that Russia should not be considered a safe place for refugees and condemned the move.
Denmark plans refugee property seizure
Denmark announces plans to demand refugees’ valuables in an attempt to make Denmark less appealing as a place of refuge. The rule is not different from laws that apply to Danes receiving welfare benefits, but lawmakers supporting the bill admit that the goal is to discourage people seeking asylum in Denmark. 20,000 people applied for asylum in Denmark in 2015, compared with 1.1 million in neighboring Germany and 163,000 in neighboring Sweden. Immigration Minister:
Denmark must become significantly less attractive for asylum-seekers.
Elected
Taiwan elects its first female president. Ms. Tsai leads a party that seeks full independence from China. In her victory speech she thanked the U. S. and Japan for their support of Taiwan, and vowed to maintain the status quo between the two nations, warning that:
any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations.
Halts coal leases
The Obama administration announces plans to halt new coal mining leases on federal land until it completes a review of fees. The administration wants to ensure that those fees secure a fair price for the mining rights and that the fees charged reflect the environmental costs of coal mining and use. Coal mining companies at present pay a $3 fee for each acre of federal land leased and a royalty on the sale price of strip-mined coal. The rate was set in 1976. 40% of coal mined in the US is mined on federal land.
Increases education budget
Gov. Brown will increase California spending on schools by $1.4 billion in the coming fiscal year. The increase still leaves California in the bottom ten states in terms of spending per student. Assemblywoman Weber (D-San Diego):
We have to be aware of the fact that even though we have increased our funding in education, we’re still number 40-something in the nation, so we’re still far, far behind in terms of adequately funding our schools in comparison to other states.
Elected head of parliament
Catalan lawmakers elect Puigdemont, mayor of Girona, and a pro-independence parliamentary leader. The move signals a move toward more autonomy for the region, which is opposed by Spain. Girona, is expected to push for a unilateral split from Spain. Puigdemont
We begin an extremely important process, unparalleled in our recent history, to create the Catalonia that we want, to collectively build a new country.
Endorses Clinton
Planned Parenthood formally endorses Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Presidential race. It is the organization’s first endorsement during a presidential primary.
Told adviser to send sensitive messages ‘nonsecure’
According to one of 1,262 emails released by the State Department, on June 17, 2011, Clinton told Jake Sullivan, one of her top advisers, to send her a sensitive message ‘nonsecure’. The batch also contains 66 classified messages, bringing the total from her email server to 1,340. The exchange happened when Sullivan had trouble sending a faxed set of talking points to Clinton securely. Clinton responds:
If they can’t, turn into nonpaper w no identifying heading and send nonsecure.
It is unclear whether the talking points themselves contained classified information. The State Department says a review showed that the document in question was sent “apparently by secure fax, after all,” and was never was sent to Clinton by email. Clinton’s campaign:
It is false that Hillary Clinton asked for classified material to be sent over a nonsecure system.
Will appear in debate
After a poll by Fox News shows him with 5% nationally, Paul will appear at the GOP debate in Las Vegas Nevada.
Polls: Cruz leads Trump in Iowa
0 0 Bella Bradson Bella Bradson2015-12-17 03:24:332015-12-17 03:28:41Polls: Cruz leads Trump in IowaDavi: Trump is John Wayne
In an editorial on Breitbart.com, Davi compares Trump to actor John Wayne.
I cannot sit back and listen to the media continually outright defame Donald Trump. I will not remain silent any longer. I am watching the pundits and media hosts continually bash Donald Trump and call him a liar over his claim that Muslims in New Jersey were cheering and celebrating over the Towers coming down…Trump is the only one who has continually challenged the media, and that now has rubbed off on other candidates. He has empowered others. The difference is in authenticity. Trump leads the pack and sets the agenda. The others follow…If Ronald Reagan was the Gary Cooper of politics, Trump is the John Wayne. So, pilgrim, I’d rather have a President Trump who tells it like it is than a deceiver who feeds us sugarcoated poison at bedtime, only to have us wake up dead.
Drops out of presidential race
Jindal tell Fox News‘ Baier that he is dropping out of the race. He never topped 2% in any CNN/ORC poll and never advanced past the “undercard” round at the Republican debates held to date. Jindal reached his decision, two aides said, because he didn’t want to go into debt and realized there was no credible path to the nomination.
I’ve come to the realization that this is not my time, so I’ve come here to announce that I am suspending my campaign for president of the United States.
Marijuana bill passed
The Senate approves funding bill to allow doctors in the Veterans Administration to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where it is legal. It passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee with an 18-12 vote. Marijuana has been shown to help veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
France: gay men can donate blood
By Spring of 2016, gay men in France will be allowed to donate blood, ending a 33 year ban that was put in place in1983. Under new rules, men who haven’t had sex in four months before donating, or have only had one partner will be allowed to donate. If this restriction shows no risk within the year, they will be able to donate blood regularly like the general population. French health minister:
Giving blood is an act of generosity, of citizenship, which cannot be conditioned to sexual orientation. While respecting complete patient safety, today we are ending a taboo and discrimination
Scholarships funded by marijuana
Starting in 2017, graduates from Pueblo County, CO, high schools can be eligible to receive a scholarship funded by the states marijuana tax. With 60% of the county voting in favor, growers should be expecting to pay 5% more in taxes by 2020. These taxes are expected to generate $3.5 million in taxes, half of which will go towards funding towards scholarships. Pueblo County spokesperson:
The whole point of the scholarship program was to make higher education a reality for families who can’t afford to send their kids to school because of debt.
Goes on hunger strike
Butler goes on hunger strike as a response to the lack of action from UM System President Wolfe to several instances of racism and discrimination in past months. He says he will end the strike when Wolfe is no longer in office, or when his internal organs fail. He cites MSA President Payton Head being called a racial slur on campus, the removal of Planned Parenthood services, the #ConcernedStudent1950 protest and the drawing a swastika in feces in a bathroom in Gateway Hall.
Let it be known I have no ill will or thoughts of harm toward Mr. Wolfe. But I do have an urgency to make the campus I call home a more safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all identities and backgrounds. Although these incidents individually are not (Wolfe’s) fault as a collection of incidents at the university, they are his responsibility to address…In each of these scenarios, Mr. Wolfe had ample opportunity to create policies and reform that could shift the culture of Mizzou…Being sound of mind and heart, I have committed myself fully to this endeavor because I believe that the University of Missouri System and all of its constituents deserve a leader who is competent enough to perform at all levels of the position including administrative, political, financial and emotional.
Endorses Rubio
GOP mega-donor, Singer, endorses Rubio in a letter sent to dozens of other donors. He praises Rubio’s message of optimism about America’s future, his work on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his ability to make a persuasive case to voters as key reasons to support him. Singer describes Rubio as the only candidate who can ‘navigate this complex primary process, and still be in a position to defeat’ Hillary Rodham Clinton in a general election.
This combination of appealing substantive views well suited to both the primary and general electorate, deep command of foreign and domestic policy details, hopeful confidence in America, grasp of 21st century realities and opportunities, political courage, and rhetorical style and talent, make him an exceptional candidate, perfect for this moment, and a potentially transformative governing figure.
Bush and several other candidates, including Christie, were reportedly competing for Singer’s support.
Elected first female prime minister
Bhandari is elected as Nepal’s first female prime minister, by a vote of 327-214 against Congress party leader Kul Bahadur Gurung. Bhandari says her goals are to draft a new constitution which will move Nepal away from a traditional-male dominated society to a more equally balanced one.
Endorses Trump
In an interview with HuffPost Live, Tyson says he supports Trump.
He should be President of the United States. That’s what he should be. He should be President of the United States…[So he’s got your vote?] Hell, yeah. Big time…Why wouldn’t anybody like [him]? A guy that came from where he came from and doing what he’s doing and now this is where he’s at now. Know what that means? That doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. Or that people don’t know what they’re doing. That means people are tired of what you’ve been doing. What we’ve been doing the last 20 years. Let’s try something new. We tried Obama, time for a change, so we gotta change. Let’s run America like a business. No colors matter. Whoever can do the job, gets the job.
