Kamala Harris Pledges Support for Bitcoin Growth Amid Crypto Industry Discussions

The recent statements by Vice President Kamala Harris regarding support for the cryptocurrency sector have captured significant attention within the financial landscape.

Brian Nelson, a senior advisor to Harris, revealed that the Vice President intends to endorse policies that bolster the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.

“We will support policies that will allow emerging technologies and industries like this to continue to thrive,” Nelson remarked during a roundtable discussion at the Democratic National Congress.

This article explores Vice President Kamala Harris’s commitment to furthering the growth of the cryptocurrency sector and the sector’s evolving political influence.

Harris’s Commitment to Cryptocurrency Growth

In a notable shift, Vice President Kamala Harris is aligning with the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry, signaling a potential for policy support to accelerate its growth. Such alignment comes amid increased dialogue surrounding the regulation of digital currencies, heightening the industry’s visibility in the political spectrum. Harris’s senior advisor, Brian Nelson, emphasized the need for “stable rules,” highlighting the administration’s intention to create a conducive regulatory environment for digital assets.

The Political Landscape of Cryptocurrency

As cryptocurrencies increasingly become a focal point in electoral discussions, their financial stakes are rising. A report from public advocacy group Public Citizen indicates that crypto companies have spent a staggering $119 million in 2024, predominantly directed toward super PACs like Fairshake PAC. This expenditure ranks second among all election-related spending, indicating the industry’s significant influence on political campaigns as stakeholders strive to shape the regulatory framework governing digital assets.

Key Figures Backing Trump

Prominent players in the crypto industry are gravitating toward former President Donald Trump, who is perceived as favorable towards crypto initiatives. Notably, Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss contributed $2 million in Bitcoin to Trump’s campaign, with Cameron publicly stating his intention to support Trump. He described the former president as “pro-Bitcoin, pro-crypto, pro-business,” reflecting a growing alliance between major cryptocurrency advocates and political figures.

Trump’s Promises to the Crypto Sector

Trump has positioned himself as a friend to the crypto industry, pledging to abolish what he calls “illegal and anti-American pressure” on the sector. His recent selection of pro-crypto Republican J.D. Vance as a vice presidential candidate further amplifies his commitment to promoting Bitcoin mining and fostering a more favorable environment for digital currencies. This political landscape underscores the increasing integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream political discussions.

Democrats Step Up Their Game

On the other side of the aisle, Vice President Harris has begun taking actionable steps toward understanding and engaging with the crypto market. Through the grassroots movement termed “Crypto4Harris,” she has signaled an intent to become more informed on digital assets. A gathering held on August 14 aimed to catalyze “a formal reboot,” suggesting a proactive approach toward creating a more informed policy framework surrounding the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Grassroots Movements and Future Implications

Jonathan Padilla, one of the organizers behind the Crypto4Harris initiative, articulated optimism regarding the potential for tangible advancements stemming from collective efforts within the industry. “I believe we are witnessing the initial phase of rebooting our influence,” he expressed, encouraging stakeholders to observe how the developments continue to unfold. The collaborative pushes from the crypto sector towards the current administration could set a new precedent in the intertwining of finance and politics.

Conclusion

As the political narratives surrounding the cryptocurrency market evolve, the implications for policy and regulatory frameworks become more pronounced. With key figures such as Vice President Harris and former President Trump taking stances on the matter, stakeholders must remain attuned to shifting dynamics. The future of cryptocurrency may very well hinge on legislative developments and the growing interconnection between finance and politics.

Will Harris Finally Kill Wall Street’s Infamous Tax Break?

Democrats have pledged to close a tax loophole benefiting private equity billionaires — but amid millions in Wall Street donations, the party has failed to do so for years.

Helen Santoro
As part of their new 2024 party platform, Democrats have promised to close a notorious tax loophole that has long allowed Wall Street billionaires to pay a far lower tax rate than most Americans. Likewise, Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly signaled she supports ending this tax break, which could net billions in government revenue.

But Democrats have been promising and failing to close the so-called “carried interest” loophole for more than a decade, even though any president, including President Joe Biden, could do so immediately via executive action.

Meanwhile, an ever-increasing flood of financial-sector money is flowing into party coffers. Will it be enough to preserve Wall Street’s favorite tax loophole through another potential Democratic administration?

Political contributions “are absolutely a factor in the reason that lawmakers haven’t closed this loophole,” said Joe Hughes, senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a liberal think tank. “People should be taxed the same whether they are working a 60-hour shift or sitting on the couch monitoring their investments on their laptop.”

The Democratic platform, unveiled ahead of the party’s National Convention this week, vows to eliminate this tax break, which allows investors to shield their earnings from higher taxes.

“Democrats will close the “carried interest” loophole, which wealthy fund managers have long used to halve tax rates on their own personal pay, so they pay a lower rate than some teachers or firefighters do,” notes the platform.

And late last week, the nonprofit think tank the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget told Semafor that the Harris campaign was backing Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal, which includes eliminating the Wall Street tax break.

“The campaign specifically told us that they support all of the tax increases on the high earners and corporations that are in the Biden budget,” said the think tank’s senior vice president, Marc Goldwein.

But at the same time, Harris is being showered in cash from business interests that would prefer to preserve the loophole.

So far, the financial sector has spent $256 million on Democratic races this election season, considerably more than it had shelled out to the party at this point four years ago. Harris has received $80 million from the finance, insurance, and real estate sectors this year, while former President Donald Trump has brought in $134 million from these industries.
The Lingering Loophole

The carried-interest loophole allows private equity, venture capital, and hedge fund managers to categorize their share of investment earnings as capital gains, which is taxed at only 20 percent. In comparison, regular income is taxed at 37 percent.

Consequently, Wall Street billionaires are paying far less in taxes than typical employees. In fact, since 2000, the world’s largest private equity firms have avoided paying income taxes on more than $1 trillion in carried-interest pay, according to a study from Oxford University.

Since George H.W. Bush was in office, each president has “repeatedly asked Congress to close ‘loopholes’ in the tax laws,” New York University law professor Daniel Hemel wrote in a 2016 journal article. However, according to Hemel, presidents themselves could use existing statutes that give “them ample (or at least arguable) authority to enact a desired change, and even when legislative gridlock made it exceedingly unlikely that Congress would act.”

In 2013, a perfect opportunity to do so arose: A court case involving a private equity firm and a metals manufacturer authorized the federal government to sidestep Congress and close the carried-interest tax loophole. Yet President Barack Obama failed to act, even though he used his administrative power to address other issues like carbon pollution and minimum wage.

Similarly, in 2021, Biden pledged to end this tax loophole, but refused to use his executive authority to do so.

Instead, Democratic senators that year proposed legislation they claimed would close the carried-interest loophole. At the time, lawmakers said that ending the tax break would generate $63 billion in revenue over a ten-year span — although that number could be as high as $180 billion, according to calculations by Victor Fleischer, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine.

But in truth, the resulting legislation would have preserved most of the loophole — and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) forced her colleagues to kill even these watered-down provisions after receiving nearly $1 million from Wall Street.

Even if Democrats take control of Congress this November, it seems unlikely they would pass legislation to dismantle the tax break, given the more than $70 million Wall Street has donated to Democratic lawmakers since 2020, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) long-standing promise to protect the private equity industry.
Wall Street Has Questions

Tax policy will likely be a major talking point this election season, especially since many provisions from Republicans’ 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act — a major tax code overhaul that cut individual income and corporate tax rates — are set to expire next year.

Consequently, Wall Street is placing bets on which presidential candidate will benefit them the most: Harris or former President Donald Trump, who has previously spoken out against the carried-interest tax loophole.

According to a recent article by Business Insider, support for Trump and Harris is “pretty evenly split across an array of firms, from private equity giant Blackstone to investment bank Evercore.”

The National Venture Capital Association, a lobbying group for the venture capital community, argues that the tax break is needed to promote vital business investments that are essential for the economy.
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The carried-interest loophole is “the incentive that really drives these high risk-type investments,” said the association’s vice president of government affairs, Caroline Schellhas.

Similarly, the American Investment Council, which represents the private equity industry, supports the tax break, saying “it encourages long-term investment.” The organization’s political action committee has spent more than $780,000 in 2023 and 2024, an all-time high. The National Venture Capital Association’s political action committee has spent $131,000 on contributions to politicians over the same time period.

Other than signaling she supports Biden’s budget, Harris has not revealed many details of her tax plan — although she has proposed raising the corporate tax rate to 28 percent. It remains to be seen whether Harris will take further steps to act on her campaign promise to “ensure billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.”

TEAMSTERS VS. CN/CPKC  STRIKE

Labor dispute stops Canadian rail freight and could cause economic disruption in U.S.

August 22, 2024
By  The Associated Press

A worker climbs aboard a locomotive at a CPKC rail yard on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/AP

TORONTO — Both of Canada’s major freight railroads have come to a full stop because of a contract dispute with their workers, an impasse that could bring significant economic harm to businesses and consumers in Canada and the U.S. if the trains don’t resume running soon.

Canadian National and CPKC railroads both locked out their employees after the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Thursday passed without new agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference that represents some 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers.

All rail traffic in Canada and all shipments crossing the U.S. border have stopped, although CPKC and CN’s trains will continue to operate in the U.S. and Mexico.

Billions of dollars of goods each month move between Canada and the U.S. via rail, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“If rail traffic grinds to a halt, businesses and families across the country will feel the impact," Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said in a statement. "Manufacturing workers, their communities and consumers of all sorts of products will be left reeling from supply chain disruptions.”

There will be other impacts as well, including on the more than 30,000 commuters in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal who will be scrambling to find a new way into work because their trains won’t be able to operate over CPKC’s tracks while the railroad is shut down.

Business groups had urged the government to intervene, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declined to force both sides into arbitration yet.

CN said it was waiting for a response on one final offer made late Wednesday when it locked the workers out. CPKC spokesperson Patrick Waldron said the union rejected its last offer that CEO Keith Creel made at the table in person. Both railroads have said they would end the lockout if the union agreed to binding arbitration.
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“Despite the lockout, the Teamsters remain at the bargaining table with both companies,” the union said in a statement.

CN had been negotiating with the Teamsters for nine months while CPKC had been trying to reach an agreement for a year, the unions said.

Many companies across all industries rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products, so without regular rail service they may have to cut back or even close.

That’s why the U.S. government kept rail workers from going on strike two years ago and forced them to accept a contract despite their concerns about demanding schedules and the lack of paid sick time.

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Canada’s railroads have sometimes shut down briefly in the past during contract negotiations — most recently CPKC was offline for a couple days in March 2022 — but it is rare for both railroads to stop at the same time. The impact on businesses will be magnified because both CN and CPKC have stopped.

Both CN and CPKC had been gradually shutting down since last week ahead of the contract deadline. Shipments of hazardous chemicals and perishable goods were the first to stop, so they wouldn't be stranded somewhere on the tracks.

As the Canadian contract talks were coming down to the wire, one of the biggest U.S. railroads, CSX, broke with the U.S. freight rail industry’s longstanding practice of negotiating jointly for years with the unions. CSX reached a deal with several of its 13 unions that cover 25% of its workers ahead of the start of national bargaining later this year.

The new five-year contracts will provide 17.5% raises, better benefits and vacation time if they are ratified. The unions that have signed deals with CSX include part of the SMART-TD union representing conductors in one region, the Transportation Communications Union, the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen and the Transport Workers Union. TCU President Artie Maratea said he’s proud that his union reached a deal “without years of unnecessary delay and stall tactics.”

Trudeau has been reluctant to force arbitration because he doesn't want to offend the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and other unions, but he urged both sides to reach a deal Wednesday because of the tremendous economic damage that would follow a full shutdown.

“It is in the best interest of both sides to continue doing the hard work at the table," Trudeau said to reporters in Gatineau, Quebec. “Millions of Canadians, workers, farmers, businesses, right across the country, are counting on both sides to do the work and get to a resolution.”

Numerous business groups have been urging Trudeau to act.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a statement on the potential rail strike following an event in Gatineau, Quebec, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.Sean Kilpatrick/AP/The Canadian Press

Trudeau said Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon met with both sides in the CN talks in Montreal on Tuesday and would be on hand for the CPKC talks in Calgary, Alberta. MacKinnon later said he wrapped up his meetings with the rail companies and the Teamsters.

'Workers, farmers, commuters and businesses can’t wait. Canadians need urgency at the table. The parties need to get deals done now," he posted on the social platform X.

The negotiations are stuck on issues related to the way rail workers are scheduled and concerns about rules designed to prevent fatigue and provide adequate rest to train crews. Both railroads had proposed shifting away from the existing system, which pays workers based on the miles in a trip, to an hourly system they said would make it easier to provide predictable time off.

The railroads said their contract offers have included raises consistent with recent deals in the industry. Engineers make about $150,000 a year on Canadian National while conductors earn $120,000, and CPKC says its wages are comparable.

Similar quality-of-life concerns about demanding schedules and the lack of paid sick time nearly led to a U.S. rail strike two years ago until Congress and President Joe Biden intervened and forced the unions to accept a deal.

Canadian workers reach deal to end strike that shut down Great Lakes shipping artery

Manufacturing companies may have to scale back or even shut down production if they can't get rail service, while ports and grain elevators will quickly become clogged with shipments waiting to move. And if the dispute drags on for a couple weeks, water treatment plants all across Canada might have to scramble without new shipments of chlorine.

“If railways are not picking up the goods that are coming in by ships, then pretty soon your terminals get filled up. And at that point you cannot take any vessels at the terminal anymore,” said Victor Pang, chief financial officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
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He pointed to the 13-day strike by 7,400 British Columbia dockworkers last summer, which manufacturers said blocked the flow of $500 million Canadian (US$368 million) worth of goods each day.

Some companies would undoubtedly turn to trucking to keep some of their products moving, but there's no way to make up for the volume railroads deliver. It would take some 300 trucks to haul everything just one train can carry.

Canada's largest railroads have ground to a halt. Here's what you need to know.

August 22, 2024

Canada's two largest railroads have ground to a halt after an ongoing labor dispute couldn't be resolved before the overnight deadline Thursday.

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have shut down all their trains in Canada and stopped shipments into the U.S. after failing to reach new agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union. The impasse could bring significant economic harm to business and consumers in both countries, which rely on billions of dollars of goods running on trains each month.

The big questions are how long the shutdown will last and whether the government will intervene. Some Wall Street analysts said that previous rail halts suggest the impasse might be resolved in a matter of days.

"While a longer strike duration period is a possibility, we think history makes the probability of a shorter strike period much more likely (i.e., less than a week and more likely a few days of work stoppage once strike occurs)," Goldman Sachs analysts said in an August 20 report.

Here's what to know.

What is the dispute about?

It boils down to a labor-contract dispute.

CPKC and CN locked out nearly 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers after the deadline passed. As a result, none of their trains are moving in Canada, but both railroads continue operating in the United States and Mexico.

Bargaining resumed Thursday, with picketing already underway. Both railroads have said they would end the lockout if the union agrees to binding arbitration. But in a Thursday post to X, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference President Paul Boucher accused CPKC and CN of "holding the Canadian economy hostage" in order to pressure the government to impose binding arbitration.

What are the railroads offering?

Both railroads are offering raises to what are already well-paying jobs that they say are consistent with other recent deals in the industry. The negotiations are primarily hung up on issues related to worker schedules and concerns about rules designed to prevent train crew fatigue.

CN had been negotiating with the Teamsters for nine months while CPKC had been trying to reach an agreement for a year, the unions said. While the full stop came to head Thursday, both railroads began shutting down shipping networks last week.
What is the impact on businesses and consumers?

Billions of dollars of goods move between Canada and the U.S. via rail each month. The current impasse is halting all rail traffic from CPKC and CN in Canada as well as shipments from these two railroads crossing into the U.S., although trains will continue operating within in the U.S. and Mexico.

Chemical businesses and food distributors will be among the first to be affected. The railroads already stopped accepting new shipments of hazardous materials when they began gradually shutting down last week, in order to keep dangerous commodities from being stranded along the tracks. Perishable goods were also put on hold early.

But Greg Moffatt, executive vice president of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, said most chemical manufacturers have said they will be OK for about a week. It just depends on how many supplies they have on hand, how much room they have to store their products, and whether they can cut production.

The auto industry may see problems, too. If the lockouts last more than two weeks, people who want to buy a new vehicle in the U.S. and Canada could start to see spot shortages, industry analysts say.

That's because General Motors, Stellantis, Ford, Honda and Toyota either assemble whole vehicles in Canada or ship engines and other components across the border. About 80% of vehicles put together in Canada are shipped to the U.S., largely by rail. Michael Robinet, executive director at S&P Global Mobility, notes that most auto assembly plants operate on "just-in-time" inventories of parts — making it difficult to stockpile farther out.

Automakers could try to divert vehicles built overseas to U.S. ports, or ship parts over the border by truck, but capacity is limited, Robinet added.

Is there an impact on the U.S.?

Yes, although the rail hike will likely only disrupt a small part of U.S. trade, according to Goldman Sachs analysts, which estimated the disruption at 1% to 2% of total U.S. shipping.

Some shipments between the U.S. and Canada are likely to be rerouted onto trucks, while other companies may bypass the situation by diverting shipments into U.S. ports, they added.

Does it impact more than cargo?

Yes, as more than 30,000 commuters in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal were the first to feel the pain of the lockouts. They had to scramble Thursday morning to find ways to get to work because their commuter trains aren't operating while CPKC is shut down.
What is the Canadian government doing?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to immediately force the parties into binding arbitration, out of fear of offending the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and other unions.

But that could change.

"We are not taking this lightly because Canadians across the country are worried about it," Trudeau told reporters in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Thursday. He added that "we will have more to say" shortly on finding a solution.

Still, the lack of early government intervention angered business leaders.


"When you completely shut down the coast-to-coast supply chain, nothing good can come from that," said John Corey, president of the Freight Management Association of Canada. "This is infuriating. People are going to lose their jobs."
How long will the rail halt last?

It's hard to predict. Most previous Canadian rail stoppages have only lasted a day or two and usually involved only one of the big railroads, but some have stretched as long as eight or nine days.

Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said the biggest problems will emerge if the lockout drags on. But many companies will likely be able to withstand a short disruption, partly because of changes they made to their supply chains after the pandemic, he said.

Still, pressure for government intervention will increase as the lockout continues, with the impact magnified because both railroads are stopped.

For now, all eyes are on the ongoing contract talks and whether there will be any significant government intervention.

"It won't take much time for it to become untenable," said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, noting potential economic consequences for both Canada and the U.S. "Pressures to end it ASAP come from both sides of the border and they can only increase rapidly over time if and when the situation on the ground deteriorates."

At least 17 dead after explosion at India pharma plant

Blast likely caused by vapour leak in chemical reactor

Reuters

File. Indian rescue workers at the scene of an accident (AP)

India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh wrapped up rescue work on Thursday at a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant where an explosion the previous day killed 17 people, a senior state official said.

The incident at privately held Escientia Advanced Sciences in Anakapalli district was the state’s worst such in recent years.

Nearly 40 people were injured and rescue operations had been completed, industries secretary N Yuvaraj told Reuters.

Escientia did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but government officials said they suspected an explosion in the chemical reactor.

Authorities said they were scanning CCTV footage and questioning the injured to decide if human error was responsible for the blast.

A preliminary investigation showed “there was some vapour leak that led to chemical reactions which caused the explosion”, said Yuvaraj, who identified the solvent involved as methyl tert-butyl ether.

In a post on X, prime minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the relatives of the dead.

India, known as the pharmacy of the world, is home to many plants that make pharmaceuticals.

A fire in the same district last year in a unit of Sahithi Pharma killed two people and injured five.

Video of Putin kissing the Quran goes viral (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

IT IS AN ORTHODOX TRADITION

Aug 22, 2024 | 


Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Chechnya for the first time since 2011, making a significant appearance in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic. The visit, widely publicized through a viral video, captured Putin receiving and kissing a gold-encrusted Quran, a gesture that generated a wave of positive reactions across Arab social media.

In the video, Putin is seen holding the Quran and posing for photographs alongside Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally who has ruled the region since 2007. Despite Kadyrov’s forces frequently facing accusations of human rights violations, the display of reverence for the Quran resonated strongly in many Arab countries.

Putin’s visit to Chechnya comes at a time of escalating military tensions, as the Ukrainian army continues operations in Russia’s Kursk region. In a surprise attack on August 6, Ukrainian forces seized dozens of communities in the area. Chechen forces, loyal to Kadyrov, have been deployed alongside the Russian army to counter the Ukrainian advance, underscoring their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas

BREAKING: Insecurity Worsens As Terrorists Kill 12 Persons At Mining Site In Niger State, Abduct Several Others


August 22, 2024

The gunmen reportedly found the miners at the site and immediately opened fire, leaving a trail of death.

Suspected terrorists locally dubbed as bandits have attacked Unguwar Magero village in Gurmana ward of Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, killing about 13 people at a local mining site.
The gunmen reportedly found the miners at the site and immediately opened fire, leaving a trail of death.
Unguwar Magero, a community close to Madaka and Magami communities that has been ravaged by the bandits was the scene of this tragic incident.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the bandits shot indiscriminately, killing the miners.
Other sources suggest the number of deaths could be higher, saying, "There are more than 12 people killed."
In another related incident, on Tuesday in Bassa community, also within Shiroro Local Government Area, bandits kidnapped an unspecified number of people.
The back-to-back attacks have left residents in fear, as the bandits continue their violent activities in the region.
“Niger State Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba condemns the attack on Rafi and Shiroro local government areas of the State that led to the loss of some lives.
“The Acting Governor in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, describes the attack as satanic, insensible, atrocious and callous.
“He says it is very disheartening and disturbing for fellow humans to carry out such a barbaric and vicious act on their fellow humans.
“The Acting Governor, while commiserating with the affected families, community members and the entire people of Shiroro local government area over the unfortunate incident, prays Allah to repose the souls of the departed, comfort their loved ones and grant quick healing to those injured.
“He restated the Bago-led administration's unwavering determination and commitment to taming the tide of insecurity in the State even as he encourages the Security Agencies not to be discouraged by the attacks on communities by the men of the underworld, assuring them of every support that would lead them to victory over evil.”

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

Iran Court Sentences Three Baha'i Citizens to Prison

August 22, 2024

Arshia Rouhani, Hamid Monzavi, and Arash Nabavi, all residents of Isfahan, have been sentenced to two years in prison each by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court


An appeals court in Iran's central Isfahan province has sentenced three Baha'i citizens to prison terms and additional penalties amid an ongoing persecution of religious minorities in the country.

Arshia Rouhani, Hamid Monzavi, and Arash Nabavi, all residents of Isfahan, have been sentenced to two years in prison each by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court.

In addition to the prison terms, each defendant faces a fine of 24 million tomans ($400), a two-year ban on leaving the country, and restrictions on online activities for the same period.

This ruling significantly reduces earlier, harsher sentences handed down by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

Previously, Rouhani and Monzavi had been sentenced to five years in prison each, along with fines and asset confiscation. Nabavi had received an even more severe sentence of ten years.

Arash Nabavi, 38, was initially arrested in August 2023 and held for two months before being released on bail, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

In September 2023, businesses owned by Rouhani and Monzavi were temporarily sealed by the Ministry of Intelligence, only to be reopened a month later.

Subsequently, on October 30, 2023, both men were summoned and arrested by the Isfahan Public Prosecutor's Office.

Baha’is have been systematically persecuted in Iran for 44 years because of their faith and are often accused of being spies or opposed to the Iranian government.

The Baha’i International Community notes that generally no evidence is provided to demonstrate these charges.

The Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on members of the Baha'i faith, imprisoning dozens of them on spurious charges over the past year, as well as denying access to higher education and livelihoods, and confiscating or destroying personal properties.

 

Attempts to Remove Nuclear Fuel Debris from Fukushima Plant Delayed on First Day

Written: 2024-08-22 

Photo : YONHAP News

Operators aborted an attempt to remove nuclear fuel debris from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday.

According to Kyodo News and NHK, Tokyo Electric Power Company(TEPCO) began its preparation, but soon suspended the operations due to an error during the installation of the removal device.

TEPCO explained that it does not plan to resume its removal process on Thursday and that it has yet to reschedule another attempt.

Thursday was supposed to be the first day of removing nuclear fuel debris, considered the most difficult task for decommissioning the cripple nuclear power plant.

Less than three grams of nuclear fuel debris is slated for collection in the first stage and it is expected to take another week for a new removal device and a total of two weeks to complete the removal.

UN nuclear agency head to visit Russia's Kursk plant next week

This photographs shows a view of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, in southern Ukraine on June 15, 2023.

U.N. nuclear agency chief Rafael Grossi is set to visit Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant next week, according to an agency spokesperson's statement on Thursday.

Haberin Devamı

The visit comes in the wake of Ukraine's recent surprise counteroffensive in the region.

"We can confirm (it's planned for) next week," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spokesperson said, without providing additional details.

On Aug. 9, the IAEA urged both Russia and Ukraine to exercise "maximum restraint" to "avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences" as fighting approached the power plant.

Grossi stated that he was "personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries" and would "continue to update the international community as appropriate."

The Kursk nuclear power plant consists of six units. Two are currently in shutdown, two are fully operational, and two are under construction, according to IAEA information.

Two and a half years into the conflict, Ukraine launched an unprecedented cross-border assault on Aug. 6, catching Russia off guard and surprising even its close allies. Kiev claims to have captured dozens of settlements, prompting tens of thousands of Russian civilians to flee the area.

The IAEA has consistently warned about the risks posed to nuclear plants by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. On Saturday, the agency cautioned that the safety situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was "deteriorating" following a nearby drone strike.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, seized by Russian forces early in the war, has been the target of repeated attacks, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out these strikes. IAEA is concerned about nuclear safety in the region amid continued military operations.

Thousands of Indonesians attempt to storm parliament to protest changes to election law

Protesters attempt to storm Indonesia's parliament during a protest against controversial changes to election laws that could further enhance the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

 (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Dita Alangkara and Edna Tarigan
The Associated Press
Published Aug. 22, 2024 


JAKARTA, Indonesia -

Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters who attempted to storm parliament on Thursday after they tore down a section of fence and threw stones at police. The unrest forced the legislature to delay a vote on controversial changes to election laws that could further enhance the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo.

Parliament met in an emergency session to overturn one decision made by the Constitutional Court on election procedures, while amending another.

Protesters occupied roads in front of the parliament building. Some held banners and signs, while others started a fire and burned tires.

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to an age limit that prevents people under 30 from running for regional governorships, which would prevent Widodo's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, 29, from running in a regional contest in Central Java.

The court also made it easier for political parties to nominate candidates by cutting back a requirement that they hold 20 per cent of a local legislature.

Parliament on Wednesday passed an emergency motion to change the minimum age to serve as governor to 30 at the time of inauguration and further ease nomination requirements, and planned to ratify the vote in a plenary session on Thursday.Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts and video on all the top stories

The moves triggered widespread condemnation on social media and raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis.

The legislature was forced to delay passing the law after failing to achieve a quorum.

Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is the incoming vice president after the same court created an exception to the age limit for the post for former regional leaders. The decision was made while Widodo's brother-in-law, Anwar Usman, was serving as chief justice. Usman was criticized for participating in a case involving a close relative and later dismissed.

Activists, students, workers and Indonesian celebrities and musicians also joined the protest on Thursday, voicing concerns about democracy in Indonesia.

Protests were also reported in other big cities, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Makassar.

In Yogyakarta, at least 1,000 protesters rallied in front of Yogyakarta’s parliament building, the state palace and the city's ceremonial centre. Their demands included voting down the regional election bill, respecting the Constitutional Court's ruling and rejecting political dynasties.


The simultaneous protests in major cities showed anger at parliament’s efforts to overrule the Constitutional Court decision to allow more candidates to compete in the regional elections, said Yoes Kenawas, a political analyst at Atma Jaya Catholic University. Follow the CTV News channel on WhatsApp

"They also opposed the dynastic politics carried out by President Jokowi,” Kenawas said.

Protests across Indonesia as parliament delays change to election law

A demonstrator reacts as he holds a cutout of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, during a protest outside the Indonesian Parliament against the revisions to the country's election law, which analysts believe goes through a rushed process of legislation and is designed to block a popular candidate from running as the capital's governor in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug 22, 2024.

PHOTO: Reuters
August 22, 2024

JAKARTA — Indonesia's parliament postponed ratifying changes to an elections law on Thursday (Aug 22) amid protests in multiple cities, following outcry over legislation seen to strengthen the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo.

The plenary session to pass the changes was delayed due to a lack of a quorum, legislator Habiburokhman told reporters outside the parliament building.

It is unclear if parliament will reconvene to pass the law before the registration for regional elections opens next Tuesday.

The parliament planned to ratify changes that would have reversed a ruling by the constitutional court earlier this week. The legislative changes would have blocked a vocal government critic in the race for the influential post of Jakarta governor, and also paved the way for Widodo's youngest son to run in elections in Java this November.

The power struggle between the parliament and the judiciary comes amid a week of dramatic political developments in the world's third-largest democracy, and in the final stretch of the president's second term.

Widodo downplayed the concerns, saying on Wednesday the court ruling and parliamentary deliberations were part of standard "checks and balances".

The home affairs minister said the changes were intended to provide legal certainty.

More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered on Thursday outside the parliament building in Jakarta and across multiple cities in Java, some holding banners accusing Jokowi of destroying democracy. Authorities fired tear gas at demonstrators in Semarang, according to footage from Kompas TV.

"This is the peak of my disdain," said Afif Sidik, a 29-year-old teacher who joined the protest outside parliament.

"This is a republic. It's a democracy, but if its leadership is decided by one person, or an oligarch, we can't accept that."

Legal experts and political analysts have described the power struggle as bordering on a constitutional crisis.

Elections analyst Titi Anggraini characterised the manoeuvre as "constitutional insubordination".

The street protests follow a wave of criticism online, with blue posters featuring the words "Emergency Warning" above Indonesia's national eagle proliferating on social media.

The rupiah and Jakarta's main stock index slumped by midday Thursday, hit by concerns of protests as well as the country's widening current account deficit.

A man carries a placard that reads "In the Constitutional Court's ruling on the wannabe dynasty, know your place" during a protest outside the Indonesian Parliament against the revisions to the country's election law, which analysts believe goes through a rushed process of legislation and is designed to block a popular candidate from running as the capital's governor in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug 22, 2024.
PHOTO: Reuters

'This is a power struggle'

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday revoked a minimum threshold requirement to nominate candidates in regional elections and kept the minimum age limit of 30 years for candidates.

That ruling effectively blocks the candidacy of the president's 29-year-old son from contesting the race for deputy governor in Central Java, and would allow Anies Baswedan, the current favourite, to run in Jakarta.

But within 24 hours the parliament had tabled an emergency revision to annul the changes.

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All parties except one, the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), have agreed to the revision of the law.

"Indonesian democracy is once again at a crucial crossroads," Anies posted on social media platform X, urging legislators to remember its fate rested in their hands.

The parliament is now dominated by a big-tent coalition aligned to the outgoing president, popularly known as Jokowi, and president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo, who won a landslide victory in February's elections, will be inaugurated on Oct 20, with Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice president.

Jokowi is facing mounting criticism for the increasingly bold ways his government is consolidating power, and over the creation of his own political dynasty.

"The ruling of the constitutional court is final and binding," said Bivitri Susanti, from the Jentera School of Law,

"It is not possible for the legislative body to violate the judiciary's ruling. This is a power struggle."

First elected in 2014, Jokowi was at the time hailed as a democratic hero, in large part because he was seen as untethered from the country's entrenched oligarchy and military elite.

The president has been praised for his solid economic record but increasingly criticised for the democratic decline of the country's institutions during his decade in office.

Russian climbers reach hospital after rescue in Pakistani Himalayas

Officials say a Pakistan army helicopter has evacuated two Russian climbers from the base camp of one of the highest mountains to the northern city, a week after they were stranded on a remote peak after being hit by a formation of ice

ByRIAZ KHAN

Associated Press
August 22, 2024

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Two Russian climbers who were injured on the slopes of one of northern Pakistan's highest mountains reached a hospital in Peshawar on Thursday, a week after they were stranded after being hit by falling ice.

The climbers were part of a five-member team of Russian climbers that was attempting to climb one of Gasherbrum’s peaks to retrieve the body of a fellow climber who died there last year when it was hit by a pile of ice on Friday.

Rescuers airlifted two of the mountaineers Monday, but two others remained stuck on the base camp because of their injuries and bad weather until Wednesday. Akhtar Hussain, a police official in Skardu, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, said the Russians were transported to a hospital by ambulance, and were in stable condition.

Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told The Associated Press that climbers Mikhail Mironov and Sergei Mironov are getting the best medical care at a hospital in Skardu. He said the search for the fifth climber, Sergei Nilov, had been called off as he is presumed dead.

Hussain said doctors provided medical care to the two injured climbers. “They are sad over the death of their fifth colleague, but are thankful to the Pakistani rescuers and the army for making efforts to save their life,” he said.

He said one needed only minor medical care, while the other had bruises on his arms and legs because he was hit by the pile of ice on Friday

Haidri said the climbers were fully aware of the dangers linked to the mission when they began expedition to retrieve the body of their colleague whodied in 2023 on the same mountain while trying to scale it.

Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. This month, a Pakistani climber Murad Sadpara, 35, known for taking part in high-altitude rescue missions died during a descent from one of the country’s tallest mountains in the north.