Latest news with #legislation
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Romanian top court overturns president's challenge to hate speech bill
BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romania's top court on Thursday struck down a challenge brought by centrist President Nicusor Dan against a bill seeking harsher punishment for antisemitism and hate speech after a divisive election in which the far right gained ground. Parliament updated legislation outlawing the celebration of fascist leaders or imagery in June, introducing prison sentences for the promotion of antisemitism and xenophobia via social media platforms. The bill also increases jail terms for creating or belonging to racist organisations. However, the president argued the bill did not properly define fascists, which would lead to judges interpreting the law arbitrarily. The court unanimously ruled against his objections. An annual report released by the Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania on Wednesday said the country's election season was marked by a sharp increase of hate speech and aggression against Jewish, Roma, Hungarian and LGBT minorities - while also noting authorities were more actively enforcing legislation. Romania cancelled a presidential election in December after allegations of Russian interference – denied by Moscow - in favour of far-right contender Calin Georgescu, who was later banned from running in the May re-run and has since been sent to trial for promoting Romania's wartime fascist leaders. He has denied all wrongdoing. Romania had one of Europe's most violent antisemitic movements of the 1930s, the Iron Guard, known for political assassinations and pogroms. The country was also an ally of Nazi Germany until August 1944, when it changed sides. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US House poised to send stablecoin bill to Trump after 'crypto week' drama
(Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives appeared poised to pass key crypto legislation on Thursday, including the creation of a regulatory framework for U.S.-dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins, after two days of fraught negotiations. House lawmakers in Washington were due to convene on Thursday afternoon to consider passing the stablecoin bill and another that would develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies more broadly. The stablecoin measure, which has already been agreed to in the Senate, is expected to pass and move on to be signed by President Donald Trump as soon as Friday. That would be a major victory for the digital assets industry, marking the first major crypto law enacted in the United States and paving the way for greater integration of crypto into traditional financial markets. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds. They have gained much momentum in recent years, offering faster and cheaper transaction costs than moving money through a bank. Their use has grown rapidly in recent years, and proponents say they could be used to send payments instantly. The week's negotiations to consider the legislation - dubbed "crypto week" by Republican lawmakers - ran into unexpected hurdles after some conservative hold-outs voted against considering the measures. Trump huddled with skeptics at the White House on Tuesday to try to save the initiative. Even after Trump announced an agreement, it still took about nine hours for the bills to clear key procedural hurdles late on Wednesday as private talks continued. In negotiations that went late into Wednesday evening, lawmakers decided to include language to prohibit the United States from issuing a central bank digital currency in an unrelated defense spending bill as a compromise to conservatives who strongly supported the ban. The anti-central bank currency bill had become a sticking point for conservative Republicans. While central banks in some nations have explored issuing their own digital currencies, the topic has been met with quick resistance in the United States from conservative Republicans, who argue it could allow the government to monitor Americans' spending. The Fed has studied the issue, but Chairman Jerome Powell has said that the central bank would never pursue one absent explicit approval from Congress. House lawmakers have said they are aiming to vote on all three crypto measures later in the day. When asked if he expects the crypto bills to pass on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters: "I do." Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
US House poised to send stablecoin bill to Trump after 'crypto week' drama
The U.S. House of Representatives appeared poised to pass key crypto legislation on Thursday, including the creation of a regulatory framework for U.S.-dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins, after two days of fraught negotiations. House lawmakers in Washington were due to convene on Thursday afternoon to consider passing the stablecoin bill and another that would develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies more broadly. The stablecoin measure, which has already been agreed to in the Senate, is expected to pass and move on to be signed by President Donald Trump as soon as Friday. That would be a major victory for the digital assets industry, marking the first major crypto law enacted in the United States and paving the way for greater integration of crypto into traditional financial markets. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds. They have gained much momentum in recent years, offering faster and cheaper transaction costs than moving money through a bank. Their use has grown rapidly in recent years, and proponents say they could be used to send payments instantly. The week's negotiations to consider the legislation - dubbed "crypto week" by Republican lawmakers - ran into unexpected hurdles after some conservative hold-outs voted against considering the measures. Trump huddled with skeptics at the White House on Tuesday to try to save the initiative. Even after Trump announced an agreement, it still took about nine hours for the bills to clear key procedural hurdles late on Wednesday as private talks continued. In negotiations that went late into Wednesday evening, lawmakers decided to include language to prohibit the United States from issuing a central bank digital currency in an unrelated defense spending bill as a compromise to conservatives who strongly supported the ban. The anti-central bank currency bill had become a sticking point for conservative Republicans. While central banks in some nations have explored issuing their own digital currencies, the topic has been met with quick resistance in the United States from conservative Republicans, who argue it could allow the government to monitor Americans' spending. The Fed has studied the issue, but Chairman Jerome Powell has said that the central bank would never pursue one absent explicit approval from Congress. House lawmakers have said they are aiming to vote on all three crypto measures later in the day. When asked if he expects the crypto bills to pass on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters: "I do." (Reporting by Chris Prentice and David Morgan; Editing by Pete Schroeder and Mark Porter)
CNA
2 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
US House poised to send stablecoin bill to Trump after 'crypto week' drama
The U.S. House of Representatives appeared poised to pass key crypto legislation on Thursday, including the creation of a regulatory framework for U.S.-dollar-pegged cryptocurrency tokens known as stablecoins, after two days of fraught negotiations. House lawmakers in Washington were due to convene on Thursday afternoon to consider passing the stablecoin bill and another that would develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies more broadly. The stablecoin measure, which has already been agreed to in the Senate, is expected to pass and move on to be signed by President Donald Trump as soon as Friday. That would be a major victory for the digital assets industry, marking the first major crypto law enacted in the United States and paving the way for greater integration of crypto into traditional financial markets. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds. They have gained much momentum in recent years, offering faster and cheaper transaction costs than moving money through a bank. Their use has grown rapidly in recent years, and proponents say they could be used to send payments instantly. The week's negotiations to consider the legislation - dubbed "crypto week" by Republican lawmakers - ran into unexpected hurdles after some conservative hold-outs voted against considering the measures. Trump huddled with skeptics at the White House on Tuesday to try to save the initiative. Even after Trump announced an agreement, it still took about nine hours for the bills to clear key procedural hurdles late on Wednesday as private talks continued. In negotiations that went late into Wednesday evening, lawmakers decided to include language to prohibit the United States from issuing a central bank digital currency in an unrelated defense spending bill as a compromise to conservatives who strongly supported the ban. The anti-central bank currency bill had become a sticking point for conservative Republicans. While central banks in some nations have explored issuing their own digital currencies, the topic has been met with quick resistance in the United States from conservative Republicans, who argue it could allow the government to monitor Americans' spending. The Fed has studied the issue, but Chairman Jerome Powell has said that the central bank would never pursue one absent explicit approval from Congress. House lawmakers have said they are aiming to vote on all three crypto measures later in the day.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats to Intro ‘Presidential Library Anti-Corruption' Bill After Paramount, Disney Lawsuit Settlements With Trump
A group of Democrats in Congress is introducing legislation to close 'loopholes' that allow for unchecked donations to presidential libraries. The new bill comes after Paramount Global and Disney each agreed to pay $16 million to President Donald Trump — with most of the money earmarked for Trump's future presidential library — to settle lawsuits he had filed against the media companies. The bill, the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act of 2025, is spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has called Paramount's settlement with Trump tantamount to bribery, alleging the payment represents a quid-pro-quo to secure the administration's approval for the Skydance Media deal. (Paramount, Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr have said the FCC's review of the Skydance transaction is unrelated to Trump's suit against Paramount and CBS.) More from Variety Defeat the Press: How Donald Trump's Attacks on News Outlets Undermine the First Amendment Donald Trump Says Obama, Ex-FBI Director James Comey 'Made Up' the Jeffrey Epstein Files Kevin Spacey Says 'Release the Epstein Files' After Being Cited in Epstein's 2024 Unsealed Court Docs: 'For Those of Us With Nothing to Fear, the Truth Can't Come Soon Enough' In addition to the Paramount and Disney payments toward Trump's presidential library, the Democrats cited Meta's $25 million deal with Trump to settle his lawsuit over the Facebook and Instagram ban on his account after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and a similar $10 million settlement with Elon Musk's X. Most of those funds are also targeted for Trump's presidential library. In addition, Warren called out President Trump's accepting a free Boeing luxury jet valued at $400 million from the government of Qatar, a gift that would subsequently be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office. Trump also reportedly plans to funnel leftover inaugural committee donations from corporations to his presidential library. The Democrats noted that other presidents, including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, have also faced scrutiny over questionable donations to their libraries while in office. 'Presidential libraries should be monuments to history, not backdoor vehicles for influence,' the Democrats said in a brief outlining the legislation. The Warren-led bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). It's not clear the bill has a chance of getting through the Republican-controlled Congress, as GOP members have shown fealty to President Trump. Warren on Tuesday released an analysis finding that companies 'seeking favorable outcomes from the Trump administration have pledged to funnel at least $63 million into Trump's future presidential library.' Including the $400 million jet from Qatar, the total value of 'gifts flowing into Trump's library' is at least half a billion dollars, Warren claimed. According to the Democrats, unlike donations to presidential campaigns or inaugural committees, there are virtually no restrictions on donations to presidential libraries in U.S. law. Even while still in office, presidents can solicit 'unlimited, undisclosed donations from anyone,' including foreign nationals, lobbyists, federal contractors and corporations with business before federal agencies, for their libraries. The Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act would specifically: Delay fundraising to start after the president leaves office, with a carveout for nonprofits: This would require that presidential libraries wait until a U.S. president leaves office before fundraising or accepting donations, except from 501(c)(3) organizations (mirroring the standard adopted by the Obama Foundation). Establish a contribution cap of $10,000 total for 501(c)(3) organizations that can donate while a president is still in office. Impose a 'cooling-off' period for donations from foreign nationals, lobbyists, contractors, and individuals seeking pardons: For an additional two years after the president leaves office, the legislation would prohibit donations from foreign nationals or foreign governments, registered lobbyists, federal contractors, and individuals seeking presidential pardons. Ban the use of presidential library donations for personal expenses or unrelated financial obligations. Mandate quarterly disclosures: During the president's time in office and for five years after, require all donations of $200 or more to be disclosed to the National Archives each calendar quarter. Publish donor information (including name, employer, and date and amount of the donation) online in a searchable, downloadable format. Prohibit straw donations: Make it illegal to donate in someone else's name or to knowingly allow your name to be used for a straw donation. According to the congressional Democrats, the bill is endorsed by: the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Democracy Defenders Action (DDA), Campaign Legal Center (CLC), Freedom of the Press Foundation, Public Citizen, Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, Demand Progress and the American Governance Institute. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
