President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traded threats last week, ramping up the tension between the two countries. Trump on Tuesday warned that he would unleash “fire and fury” on North Korea – a la Daenerys Targaryen from “Game of Thrones” – if the country threatened America. Kim responded that he is considering a strike on Guam, where American military forces are stationed. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the American nuclear arsenal has been modernized and is “far stronger and more powerful than ever before.”
Squadron, Squadroff
(William Alatriste for the New York City Council)
State Sen. Daniel Squadron unexpectedly announced that he would resign on Friday in a Daily News op-ed published on Wednesday morning, followed by an email to constituents. Squadron wrote in his email that he feels motivated to take on a more national role in “pushing policies and candidates that will create a fairer and more democratic future.” He explained in the Daily News that he would start an initiative with entrepreneur Adam Pritzker and Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University to address what he sees as a national “crisis” of polarization and special interest politics. Apparently, there just isn’t enough polarization and special interest politics for Squadron to take on as state senator in New York.
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Millionaires tax makes few happy
(Edwin J. Torres / Mayoral Photography Office.)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a so-called “millionaires tax” to provide revenue for subway system improvements and subsidized MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers. However, the plan to raise the income tax for high-earning individuals was dismissed out of hand almost as soon as it was raised, with many public officials saying that it does not provide an immediate solution, and most likely won’t pass the state Legislature. Nevertheless, de Blasio persisted, ramping up his feud with Gov. Andrew Cuomo over who is responsible for the city’s broken subway system.
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Warrant peace
More than 644,000 old warrants for offenses committed at least 10 years ago were nullified on Wednesday in a coordinated effort by the district attorneys for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Although it will lead to fewer citizens passing through the city’s prison system, the dismissals highlight divides within the city, as the district attorney for the most conservative borough, Staten Island, declined to join the effort.
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