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India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Indias Consulate General In Chicago Condemns Desecration Of BAPS Temple, Calls It Reprehensible
The Consulate General of India in Chicago on Wednesday strongly condemned the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana, involving the vandalism of the temple's main signboard, marking the fourth such anti-Hindu act of desecration against a temple in the US in the past year. Describing the act as "reprehensible", the Consulate, in a statement on X, confirmed that it was in close contact with the local Hindu community and had taken up the matter with US law enforcement agencies, urging swift action against those responsible. "Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership including Hon'ble Mayor of Greenwood, calling for unity & solidarity and vigilance against miscreants there," the Consulate stated. Earlier, the Public Affairs division of the socio-spiritual organisation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, called the act a "hate crime" and reaffirmed the community's commitment to stand united against anti-religious bigotry. "For the 4th time in less than a year, one of our Mandirs has been desecrated by a hateful act. The anti-Hindu hate crime against the BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN has only strengthened our community's resolve, and we remain united in our stand against anti-religious behaviour," it stated in a post on X. US Congressman Nick LaLota also condemned the act, stating, "Religiously motivated crimes like these must be condemned and those who commit them must be held accountable. Live and let live!" in a post on X. US Congressman Tom Suozzi also condemned the act, urging the prosecution of the perpetrators and further calling out "hatred and bigotry". "This is the third hateful attack on a BAPS Temple. We must prosecute the perpetrators and educate against hate. We must all call out hatred and bigotry when we see it," Suozzi stated in a post on X. This incident follows a series of similar attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, drawing sharp condemnation from Indian authorities and community organisations. Earlier this year, on March 9, India strongly condemned the vandalism at a Hindu temple in California. Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the act "despicable" and urged US law enforcement agencies to take stringent action against those responsible.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Another Hindu Temple Defaced In US' Indiana, 4th Incident This Year
Washington: A Hindu temple was defaced in the US city of Indiana earlier this week. The "hateful act" took place at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood City on August 10, according to the temple's official public affairs account. The Indian Consulate in Chicago took strong note of the incident, calling it "reprehensible". In a statement, the consulate noted that the main signboard of the temple was defaced and called for vigilance against troublemakers in the temple area. "Desecration of the main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana, is reprehensible," it said in an X post, adding that it has raised the matter with the law enforcement authorities for "prompt action". Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible. The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with law enforcement authorities for prompt action. Today Consul General addressed a gathering of devotees… — India in Chicago (@IndiainChicago) August 12, 2025 It added that the consul general also addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership, including the Mayor of Greenwood, "calling for unity & solidarity, and vigilance against miscreants there." The temple administration in its post also said that the act has "strengthened our community's resolve, and we remain united in our stand against anti-religious behaviour." The Public Affairs division of the socio-spiritual organisation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, also called the act a "hate crime" and reaffirmed the community's commitment to stand united against anti-religious bigotry. US Congressman Nick LaLota also condemned the act, stating, "Religiously motivated crimes like these must be condemned and those who commit them must be held accountable. Live and let live!" in a post on X. "For the 4th time in less than a year, one of our Mandirs has been desecrated by a hateful act. The anti-Hindu hate crime against the BAPS Mandir in Greenwood, IN has only strengthened our community's resolve, and we remain united in our stand against anti-religious behaviour," it stated in a post on X. This was reportedly the fourth time in less than a year that a BAPS temple has been targeted. It came just days away from Krishna Janmashtami, which falls on August 16. In March, the BAPS Hindu temple in California was desecrated by an unknown person in another such incident in the US. At the time, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the act "despicable" and urged US law enforcement agencies to take stringent action against those responsible.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta Plane Carrying 192 Passengers Clips Another Aircraft at Atlanta Airport
"We apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels," a Delta spokesperson saidNEED TO KNOW A Delta Air Lines flight clipped another aircraft while at an airport The wing of Delta Flight 1830 "reportedly made contact with another Delta aircraft during pushback at the gate" at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport "There are no reports of injuries for crew or customers on the flight. We apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels," a Delta spokesperson saidA Delta Air Lines flight clipped another aircraft while at an airport. On Sunday, August 10, the wing of Delta Flight 1830 "reportedly made contact with another Delta aircraft during pushback at the gate" at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, according to a Delta spokesperson. "There are no reports of injuries for crew or customers on the flight. We apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels," the statement said. The aircraft – a Boeing 757 – had 192 customers onboard with two pilots and four flight attendants. The customers were later transferred to another 757 plane. The other plane involved in the incident was empty, per the airline. Delta said that the incident did not impact its operations. FlightAware stated that the flight, which left at 10:41 a.m. local time, was headed to Guatemala City. The flight arrived at its destination over three hours late, per the flight tracker. In May, two planes clipped wings at California's San Francisco International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that at about 12:35 a.m. local time on May 6, United Airlines Flight 863 was "pushing back from the gate at San Francisco International Airport [when] its right wingtip struck the left wingtip of United Airlines Flight 877." The incident occurred "in an area where air traffic controllers do not communicate with flight crews," the FAA continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. The month prior, two planes made contact on the tarmac at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Several members of Congress, including Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Ritchie Torres, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, were aboard Delta Flight 1830 when it clipped the other plane. Read the original article on People
Miami Herald
29-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
SALT income tax deduction takes key step forward on Senate deal
A much followed tax break improvement is inching toward becoming a reality. A proposed tweak to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction - capped at $10,000 since 2018 - could soon offer relief to taxpayers in high-tax states. If passed, the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill of America (OBBBA) would give taxpayers a temporary boost in their ability to deduct SALT payments, especially for those who've felt the sting of the cap since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) took effect. And as lawmakers inch toward a deal, taxpayers - and their accountants - are watching closely. Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash What is the SALT income tax deduction cap? Under the TCJA, the SALT deduction was capped at $10,000 annually - including the combined total of property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes. That cap, still in place today, is set to expire at the end of 2025. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter But since its enactment, it has disproportionately affected residents in states with high property values and/or income tax rates. Think: New YorkCaliforniaNew JerseyConnecticutMassachusettsMarylandIllinois In these states, many middle-and upper-middle-income households have long paid more than $10,000 in state and local taxes. Related: How the IRS taxes Social Security income in retirement As a result, despite the higher standard deduction that was part of TCJA, some families have been unable to fully deduct those expenses on their federal tax returns-a costly outcome. Both the House and Senate versions of the OBBBA seek to expand the SALT deduction, but with key differences. In the House proposal, the cap would rise to $40,000 for married couples, phased out for households earning over $500,000. The new cap would last until 2034. Related: Social Security income tax deduction clears critical hurdle Not all lawmakers are on board. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), for instance, told Axios he was a "no" on a temporary deal. "I need $40K for my constituents, and it has to be $40K forever," he said. The Senate version takes a different approach. It proposes a temporary SALT cap increase from 2025 through 2029, followed by a return to the $10,000 cap: 2025: Cap rises to $40,0002026: Adjusted to $40,4002027–2029: Cap increases annually by 1%2030 and beyond: Cap returns to $10,000 For married individuals filing separately, these caps are halved. High-Income taxpayers face phase-down of SALT deduction The Senate plan includes a phase-down for high earners, starting in 2025. Here's how it works: The benefit phases down once your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $500,000 (or $250,000 for married filing separately).The reduction equals 30% of the amount your MAGI exceeds the the SALT cap cannot fall below $10,000 - even for the wealthiest filers. This means high-income households would still see some benefit from the temporary cap hike, just not the full amount. "For a lot of people, this cap is the difference between taking the standard deduction and itemizing deductions," said Michael Lofley, a financial adviser with HBKS Wealth Advisors. "If they itemize, they now get some additional tax benefit for other deductions, like charitable giving or mortgage interest." Related: Medicare recipients face a growing problem While some taxpayers - particularly small business owners - have used pass-through entity taxes (PTETs) to bypass the cap, W-2 earners such as corporate executives don't have that option. For them, this proposal offers real financial relief. Standard deduction increases under Senate tax plan The Senate tax bill includes more than just SALT deduction relief. It also proposes permanent extensions of the TCJA's higher standard deduction amounts. And for the years 2025 through 2028, it adds an extra boost: $1,000 for single filers$1,500 for heads of household$2,000 for married couples filing jointly That means in 2026, the standard deduction could be: $16,000 for singles$24,000 for heads of household$32,000 for married joint filers After 2026, these amounts would adjust with inflation. Retirees also have reason to pay attention. The Senate bill includes a larger senior tax deduction - $6,000 per eligible filer aged 65 or older (up from $4,000 in the House bill). This enhanced deduction would apply through 2028 and would phase out for incomes above: $75,000 (single filers)$150,000 (married filing jointly) Before the TCJA, about 31% to 32% of taxpayers itemized deductions. But after the law took effect in 2018, that figure dropped significantly: 2018: 11% to 11.5%2020–2022: Just 9% to 10% If the SALT cap is temporarily expanded, even if the standard deduction increases, more taxpayers - especially in high-tax areas - may once again find it beneficial to itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. "If Congress meets President Trump's July 4th deadline for passing the final bill, taxpayers will soon be able to update their 2025 tax projections," says Jean-Luc Bourdon, CPA. "This could prompt some taxpayers to revise their estimated quarterly payments or tax withholdings for the remainder of the year." Related: Workers struggle with one big problem when they retire The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Key SALT Republicans reject latest offer from Senate GOP, White House
A trio of key moderate House Republicans say they are rejecting the latest offer from Senate Republicans and the White House on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, heightening the cross-chamber standoff over one of the thorniest issues in the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill.' Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) — who has been one of the most vocal members of the SALT Caucus — told The Hill that the Trump administration, on behalf of Senate Republicans, presented the group with a SALT proposal that was valued at $200 billion, far less than the $344 billion value in the House-passed bill. The Hill first reported on the offer. 'It's such a terrible offer that is nowhere near the realm of possibility,' LaLota said. 'If you all were buying a car and you were presented a number by a salesman like it was presented by those folks today you would never go back to the lot ever again. You'd be so humiliated, disgusted and you would never go back again. I'm close to that point. They need to get real in what they will present us or this bill ain't ever gonna happen.' Shortly after, Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), a co-chair of the SALT Caucus, and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), another key member of the group, also rejected the latest offer. 'We rejected that,' Lawler told reporters. 'We're continuing to dialogue with them and we'll see where it goes.' The House-passed measure included a $40,000 deduction cap — quadruple the number in current law — for individuals making $500,000 or less. Senate Republicans, however, reverted the proposal back to $10,000 in their version of the legislation, sparking a fierce fight between the two camps. In recent days, however, talks have zeroed in on keeping the $40,000 deduction cap in place but changing the income threshold and inflation index. SALT Caucus members would not disclose the contours of the latest offer, but he said it included a lower income cap and lower indexing for inflation. LaLota said the latest offer is 58 percent of the value of the SALT provision in the House bill. The rejection of the latest offer by the three SALT Caucus lawmakers deals a blow to ongoing negotiations over the deduction cap, which has emerged as one of the most difficult hangups in the party's sprawling tax cuts and spending package. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who has been the lead negotiator for Senate Republicans on SALT, brushed off LaLota's rebuff of the most-recent offer, exuding confidence that the two groups will reach consensus. 'We're still looking for a spot. We're gonna be good,' Mullin said. 'We'll make it work, we'll get to [a] landing spot.' Time, however, is running out. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pushing to put the legislation on the floor for an initial vote on Friday, which would kick off the consideration process as Republicans race to meet their self-imposed July 4 deadline. After the Senate clears the bill, the House has to give it a final stamp of approval. Aside from SALT, Senate Republicans are still grappling with a handful of disagreements, including Medicaid cuts and the rollback of green-energy tax credits. The Senate Parliamentarian delivered GOP lawmakers a significant setback Thursday morning when she shot down key Medicaid provisions in the bill, including a proposal to cap states' use of health care provider taxes to collect more federal Medicaid funding — a provision championed by conservatives that would have generated billions of dollars in savings to pay for President Trump's tax cuts. Asked if he thinks the Senate will still be able to vote on the bill this weekend, despite the lingering hangups, Mullin responded: 'Yes.' Al Weaver and Alex Bolton contributed. Updated at 4:21 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
