Editor's note

If you itemize deductions on your 1040, you’re probably familiar with the so-called “SALT deduction,” which allows you to write off state and local taxes. The Republican tax plan currently making its way through Congress may eliminate this deduction – while also capping the deduction for property taxes at US$10,000. Capri Cafaro, a former state senator in Ohio, now an executive in residence at American University, considers why this change may make it harder for state and municipal governments to spend money.

And, researchers from the Centre from Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University foresee trouble in Donald Trump’s controversial decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. It has the potential to raise tensions across the region, destabilize the Palestinian authority, and stoke anti-Western Islamic movements around the world.

Emily Costello

Deputy Editor/Politics + Society Editor

Top stories

The Capitol is lit up at dawn on Nov. 30, 2017 as Senate Republicans work to pass their sweeping tax bill. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

The GOP tax plan, state and local taxes deductions – and you

Capri Cafaro, American University

If you own property and make less than US$200,000, the Republican tax overhaul is likely going to eliminate a tax deduction you use.

via shutterstock.com

What Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel means for the Middle East

Spyros Sofos, Lund University; Vittorio Felci, Lund University

The city is key to both Israeli and Palestinian identity.

Environment + Energy

  • Exposure to wildfire smoke: 5 questions answered

    Richard E. Peltier, University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Intense wildfires in southern California are triggering air quality alerts. Health experts know surprisingly little about how inhaling smoke affects human health, especially over the long term.

Science + Technology

Arts + Culture

Politics + Society

Health + Medicine

Trending on site

Today’s quote

Smoke tends to become more diluted with distance from the source, but there really isn’t any way to estimate a safe distance where the pollutants are so diluted that they pose no risk.

 

Exposure to wildfire smoke: 5 questions answered

Richard E. Peltier

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Richard E. Peltier