Israel's Netanyahu Dodges Early Election as Iran Tensions Rise
The bill was voted down 61 to 53 after hours of negotiation during which Netanyahu persuaded some ultra-Orthodox allies to stick with him despite their anger over attempts to draft religious men into the military, ending a long-time exemption. Details of the compromise weren't immediately made available.
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What to know about the African kingdom of Eswatini where the US sent 5 deportees
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The United States has deported five immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and Laos to Eswatini, a small country in southern Africa where the king still holds absolute power. Eswatini says it is holding the men in correctional facilities until they can be sent to their home countries, after it became the latest nation to accept third-country deportees from the U.S. Here's what to know about Eswatini: Eswatini is one of a handful of countries that are still absolute monarchies, and the only one in Africa. That means the king has absolute power over government and is not just a figurehead or a ceremonial ruler. King Mswati III has ruled Eswatini since 1986, when he turned 18 and was allowed to take his place as the monarch. He can make decisions by decree. He succeeded his father, Sobhuza II, who died in 1982. The 57-year-old Mswati III has long been criticized for ruling over a government that suppresses political dissent while he lives a lavish lifestyle in one of the poorest countries in the world. The king is reported to have 11 wives and has been the subject of scrutiny for buying luxury cars. His wealth has been estimated at between $200 million and $500 million, while the World Bank says more than half of Eswatini's 1.2 million people live on less than $4 a day. Political parties were banned by Sobhuza II in 1973. Some exist now, but they are not allowed to play any role in elections or the political process and have been reduced to civic society groups. Candidates seeking public office in Eswatini's Parliament or Senate have to stand as individuals without any party affiliation and are generally approved by traditional leaders loyal to Mswati III. Pro-democracy protests have grown in recent years and Eswatini authorities under Mswati III have been accused of crushing them using the security forces. Many dissidents live in exile. The country was previously known as Swaziland but changed to Eswatini in 2018 after the king announced it should revert to its traditional name in the Swazi language. It was Swaziland when it was under British colonial rule, which ended in 1968. Eswatini has been severely affected by HIV and has the highest prevalence in the world, with an estimated 26% of the adult population HIV positive, according to the United Nations AIDS agency. It has made significant progress in confronting that scourge but has been highly reliant on foreign aid to do that, including assistance from the U.S., which has now been cut by the Trump administration.
San Francisco Chronicle
34 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pro-Palestinian protester takes issue with Israeli team at Tour de France
TOULOUSE, France (AP) — A man protesting the participation of an Israel-based team in the Tour de France ran onto the course as the leaders raced for the finish line on Wednesday. Norwegian rider Jonas Abrahamsen won the 11th stage in a photo finish just ahead of Swiss rider Mauro Schmid, but their final sprint was accompanied by a man running alongside who wore a T-shirt saying, 'Israel out of the Tour,' and who waved a keffiyeh, the black-and-white checkered headscarf that has become a potent symbol of the Palestinian cause. A security guard ran out to apprehend the man. The Israel-Premier Tech team is racing at this year's Tour with eight team members from other countries. The team acquired the right to enter the Tour de France in 2020 when Israel Start-Up National took over Katusha's WorldTour license and has since claimed three stage victories, though none yet in this year's race. Team members previously faced protests because of the team's association with Israel, which has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians in 21 months of war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Finnish Government announces second supplementary budget
The Finnish Government submitted its second supplementary budget proposal to the Parliament on 28 May 2025, which was approved on the same day. The proposal focuses on transport investments, civil defense upgrades, emergency warning systems, and strengthening the Finnish Border Guard's maritime capabilities. These changes will raise government spending by €757m ($824.8m) and reduce revenues by €187m ($203.8m), thereby increasing the net borrowing requirement by €944m ($1bn). As a result, total net borrowing for 2025 is estimated at €13.2bn ($14.4bn). This second supplementary budget follows a first supplementary budget, which was announced in February 2025. This first supplementary budget focused on boosting defense material aid to Ukraine and revising the 2025 revenue forecasts. The proposal added €113m ($123.1m) in spending and increased estimated revenues by €324m ($353m) at that time. Alongside spending plans, the 2025 budget proposal outlines several tax-related changes to support fiscal goals and economic transitions. The VAT exemption threshold for small businesses will increase from €15,000 ($16,343.8) to €20,000 ($21,791.7). To encourage large clean energy projects, new tax credits will be introduced. In 2025, transfer tax rates will be set at 3% for real estate purchases and 1.5% for specific share transactions. From 2026, vehicle taxation will rise for electric and hybrid cars as well as motorhomes. Under the second supplementary budget, the government allocated funding to strengthen internal and external security, support transport projects and other key sectors: Government allocation for transport infrastructure sector: €20m ($21.8m) budget authority (total amount of money that can be spent) and a €1m ($1.1m) appropriation (allocation for 2025) announced for European track gauge rail links (Tornio–Haaparanta–Kemi). €17m ($18.5m) budget authority and a €0.5m ($0.5m) appropriation allocated to upgrade main road 25 (Meltola – Mustio) with a median barrier road. €14m ($15.3m) budget authority and a €1m ($1.1m) appropriation proposed for the construction of an overpass on the main road 27 in southern Ylivieska. €11m ($12m) budget authority and a €1m ($1.1m) appropriation announced to improve main road 67 and main road 19 between Kivisaari and Atria. An appropriation of €4.8m ($5.2m) is proposed for upgrading road links to the battery materials plant to be constructed in Keltakallio, Kotka. Additionally, the government revised the funding for some transport infrastructure projects that are already part of its investment plan: The budget for the Tampere passenger rail yard will increase by €20m ($21.8m), to €183m ($199.4m). €5m ($5.4m) has been set aside to carry out improvements to the Ingå fairway. The funding for phase 3 of the main road 68 project between Edeso and Pietarsaari will increase by €2m ($2.2m), to €9.5m ($10.4m). The Savonia railway project, focused on improving speed and capacity between Kouvola and Kuopio, will get an extra €1.2m ($1.3m), bringing the total to €4.2m ($4.6m). Government allocation for development of internal and external security: €35m ($38.1m) allocated for the Finnish Defense Forces to improve maintenance and repair of equipment. €21m ($22.9m) of additional funding allocated to develop civil defense systems. €14m ($15.3m) in funding, including budget authorities and appropriations, for the Finnish Border Guard to boost maritime capabilities. €8.1m ($8.8m) is proposed for the Prison and Probation Service of Finland. Government funding for other sectors: €16m ($17.4m) for Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) to test a healthcare freedom-of-choice pilot for people aged 65+. €12m ($13.1m) to support forest growth, carbon capture, and upgrade forestry data systems. €8.1m ($8.8m) for research to support policy making and improve carbon sink monitoring. €5m ($5.4m) to expand the Finnish leisure activity model for young people. €5m ($5.4m) for developing the Diana 6G Test Centre. €2.8m ($3.1m) to cover damages caused by large carnivores to reindeer, livestock, crops, and property. €2.6m ($2.8m) for Metsähallitus' nature tourism programme. €2.5m ($2.7m) for renovating and expanding the Tampere Theatre. €1.6m ($1.7m) to compensate fur farms for losses due to disease-related animal restrictions. €1m ($1.1m) for planning the copper roof renovation of the Finnish National Theatre. The latest supplementary budget is anticipated to boost the construction sector, with GlobalData expecting the Finnish construction industry to grow by 2.6% in real terms in 2025. Furthermore, it is expected to register an annual average growth rate of 3.5% between 2026 and 2029, supported by the government's focus on the development of infrastructure, as well as energy and utilities construction projects. In December 2024, the European Investment Fund (EIF) announced that it would provide a syndicate of loans to Finnish companies totaling up to €437m ($476.1m); specifically, these loans will support green energy and digitalisation projects for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the guarantees are backed by the European Commission's Invest EU program, which aims to mobilise over €370bn ($403.1bn) in public and private investment between 2021 and 2027 to support EU policy priorities, including the green and digital transitions. Growth will also be supported by the National Transport System Plan for 2021–2032, under which the government plans to spend €20bn ($21.8bn) to upgrade the country's transport infrastructure over 12 years, with €6bn ($6.5bn) of spending towards infrastructure network development projects. Furthermore, in April 2025, the government announced the General Government Fiscal Plan (2026–2029), which includes significant tax cuts aimed at stimulating investment, which is likely to benefit the construction sector. Key measures include €1.1bn ($1.2bn) in income tax cuts from 2026 and a reduction in the corporate tax rate to 18% by 2027, potentially improving business conditions for construction firms. Although the government expects these steps to boost economic activity, uncertainty remains around offsetting savings and weak consumer demand due to high unemployment. This could limit the positive impact on construction demand and investment confidence. "Finnish Government announces second supplementary budget" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
