Biden’s doctor arrives for closed-door interview in House health probe
Biden White House Physician Kevin O’Connor arrived for a closed-door deposition Wednesday. The House Oversight Committee wants answers from Biden’s former doctor. He did not answer a battery of questions from Fox News about doctor-patient confidentiality or the former president’s mental state as he walked into the meeting. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, the progressive firebrand who recently lost her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, made a surprise appearance at the event, though she said nothing to reporters on the way in. She and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., were the only lawmakers seen arriving. The White House has waived executive privilege, making it harder for him to refuse to testify on the grounds that his conversations with the president were protected. WHITE HOUSE WAIVES EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGES FOR BIDEN DOCTOR KEVIN O’CONNOR IN COVER-UP PROBE Still, O’Connor’s lawyers warn that testifying could violate doctor-patient confidentiality and risk his medical license. GOP Sen. Roger Marshall, a physician, said both sides have valid concerns, but the committee called it a stall tactic and warned that no-showing could lead to contempt charges. Republicans want to know what tests were done—and whether Biden’s inner circle pressured O’Connor to say he was fit for office. BIDEN AIDES PUSHES FOR EARLY DEBATE TO SHOW OFF BIDEN’S ‘STRENGTH’, EXPOSES TRUMP’S ‘WEAKNESS,’ BOOK SAYS Jill Biden’s so-called “work husband,” Anthony Bernthal, has been subpoenaed after backing out, with top insiders—Ron Klain, Steve Ricchetti, and Ashley Williams—next in line. So far, the committee has held just one interview — with former Domestic Policy Director Neera Tanden, who said she was authorized to use the autopen but didn’t know who in the president’s inner circle gave the final green light. Comer said Wednesday, “We have a lot of questions. i think everybody in America has questions about, learning about the recent cancer diagnosis…did he have cancer while he was president? With the Tapper book and what we believe is going to be in the Jean-Pierre book, that would suggest that people were covering up the president’s mental decline. But yet Dr. O’Connor’s reports were glowing with, you know, how healthy the president was.” “I think the president, the state of the president’s health is the transparency that we all expect. The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the world. The American people have a right to know the health condition of the president, both physical and mental,” he said. “There’s more and more evidence that comes out every day that would suggest that the president was in a pretty severe mental decline. So we’re going to ask about that and see what the doctor has to say.” Comer said he did not “believe” O’Connor could “hide behind” doctor-patient confidentiality, citing Biden’s position as president.
The revolution will be livestreamed: How Zohran Mamdani won the NYC primary online
Socialist 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani’s primary victory shocked the Democratic Party establishment this June, as his campaign played into the hands of an evolving – and chronically online – New York City electorate. Scrolling through Mamdani’s social media, his TikTok and Instagram pages resemble that of a New York City influencer. From the film-like filters and consistent fonts on his vertical videos to the cameos from celebrities, including model Emily Ratajkowski and comedian Bowen Yang, Mamdani’s videos have amassed millions of views. However, if his social media strategy wasn’t enough to attract voters’ attention, the primary colors of his campaign graphics are likely to turn heads. Mamdani’s cobalt blue, poster-like red and taxi-cab or MetroCard yellow are bright compared to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s muted red, white and blue color scheme. Mamdani’s politics are a departure from the establishment Democratic Party, as the self-described Democratic socialist campaigned on taxing the 1% and creating government-run grocery stores, among other radical proposals. If Mamdani wins in November, he will not just become the first Muslim mayor, but the first millennial mayor of New York City. DEMS AT A CROSSROADS AS ESTABLISHMENT PLANS ‘PROJECT 2029’ WHILE SOCIALIST CANDIDATE WINS NYC MAYORAL PRIMARY Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress. She was 29 years old when she took office in 2019, in a blue wave that elected progressive “Squad” members during President Donald Trump‘s first midterm elections. DEM SOCIALIST’S NYC PRIMARY UPSET SIGNALS ‘GENERATIONAL’ SHIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STRATEGISTS SAY Known by her supporters and detractors as AOC, the progressive Democrat was quick to seize on her millennial social media sixth sense. She has made plenty of headlines from her off-script Instagram lives and stories as her supporters and constituents chime in with questions for the Bronx and Queens representative. The social media strategy is one used by influencers, but in an ever-evolving media landscape, more politicians have seized on viral moments to send their message to the masses. Trump successfully used new media during the 2024 presidential election, appearing on long-form podcasts and creating viral TikTok videos. Ocasio-Cortez, along with her fellow Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, endorsed Mamdani ahead of New York City’s primary election. On primary day in New York City, Ocasio-Cortez hosted an Instagram Live conversation with Mamdani, who had a simple but effective message: “If I win, that rent’s getting frozen. If Andrew Cuomo wins, the rent’s going up.” On the Friday before the election, Mamdani walked the entire length of Manhattan, shaking hands with ordinary New Yorkers and supporters alike. However, Mamdani didn’t just walk through Manhattan, he documented the journey, bringing his followers along for the ride just like an influencer would. The walk, from Inwood to Battery Park, has become somewhat of a rite of passage for New York City influencers over the past few years, as walking clubs like City Girls Who Walk NYC, and “Hot Girl Walks” have gained popularity in the fitness space. Mamdani appeared on the popular “Subway Takes” podcast, sharing his campaign pitch to Kareem Rahma’s 1 million followers. Additionally, he joined 25-year-old progressive Democrat star David Hogg for man-on-the-street-style interviews in Washington Square Park, the site of popular TikTok series like, “What’s Poppin?” Hogg recently left the Democratic National Committee (DNC) after stirring up tension over his $20 million plan to primary older incumbent Democrats he said were “asleep at the wheel” through his outside political group, Leaders We Deserve. Mamdani also created his own viral moments on the campaign trail, riding side-by-side on CitiBikes with NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, whom Mamdani cross-endorsed on the ranked-choice ballot to secure his win over Cuomo and when he posted his subway-to-courthouse wedding photos covered by The Cut. While another such article by The Cut, “It Must Be Nice to Be a West Village Girl,” by Brock Colyar, carefully articulated the changing landscape and demographic of New York City, Mamdani also met “outer borough voters,” including older and immigrant New Yorkers, online. “One week ago today, we shocked the establishment and redrew the political map of New York City with a campaign relentlessly focused on the needs of working people,” Mamdani said in a social media video, speaking directly to his followers and supporters alike. In the video, Mamdani explained how he won back voters “many had written off,” including Trump voters and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams voters. Mamdani said he built a “coalition” campaign by speaking voters’ languages, or at least trying to, to reflect the “mosaic” of New York City. Speaking in Hindi in another two-minute video with his signature filter, Mamdani even broke down ranked-choice voting ahead of the primary by pouring juice into cups with his and Cuomo’s faces photoshopped on top, to show how consolidating his vote could land Mamdani a victory, and ranked-choice voting did just that.
Senate Republican moves to give US an edge on China in harvesting minerals for weapons systems
FIRST ON FOX: A Senate Republican wants to give the U.S. a leg up in its race against China and to ween the nation off of its reliance on imports of key raw materials needed for weapons systems. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., would like to fast-track the harvesting of raw materials in the U.S. needed for the nation’s defensive capabilities, and plans to blow through federal and judicial red tape to do it. Cotton plans to introduce legislation that would allow critical mineral mining projects deemed necessary to bolster the nation’s military and defensive readiness by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to skirt environmental laws and possible blockages by the courts. ‘WHO WOULDN’T WANT IT?’: NETANYAHU OPEN TO RECEIVING STEALTH BOMBERS, BUNKER-BUSTERS FROM US His bill is designed to give the U.S. an edge against China, the world’s largest producer of critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, graphite and other rare earth minerals used in weapons systems, electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Currently, China produces roughly 60% of the world’s critical mineral supply, and processes up to 90%. SEN. STEVE DAINES SAYS REGIME CHANGE IS THE BEST LONG-TERM PLAN IN IRAN “Current environmental laws put our readiness to counter Communist China at risk and waste taxpayer dollars on projects that stall out and die on the vine,” Cotton said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This bill will create jobs, better arm and prepare our soldiers, and spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently.” Cotton’s bill, dubbed the Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act, would create a waiver for mining activities and projects related to countering China and to allow the Pentagon to “operate with maximum agility and efficiency to ensure it is prepared to deter and, if necessary, fight and win a conflict with the Chinese Communist Party,” according to bill text first obtained by Fox News Digital. Among the regulations and environmental review standards that could be skirted with the waiver are the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act. SENATE SHUTS DOWN KAINE’S ATTEMPT TO CHECK TRUMP’S WAR POWERS Cotton argued in his legislation that the aforementioned regulations “frequently and unnecessarily delay” the preparedness of the military without “substantial benefit to the environment or protected species,” and that time is of the essence when it comes to national defense. The projects that would fall under the umbrella of the regulation exemption include testing and production and deployment of technologies, systems or equipment and the construction, maintenance, expansion, or repair of facilities or Defense Department infrastructure, among others. It would also prevent projects from being snarled in the courts, as long as the initiative is deemed necessary for military preparedness by the Secretary of Defense. The bill fits into the White House’s broader plan to jump-start critical mineral mining in the country, be it through executive action, a bid to buy Greenland, a minerals agreement with Ukraine, or opening up more offshore mining in the Gulf of America. It also comes after President Donald Trump reached a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resume trade of critical minerals after shipments were stopped earlier this year following the White House’s slew of tariffs against China and other countries.
Wildfires shut airport near Marseille in France
NewsFeed Wildfires near Marseille, France have forced the airport to close and injured nine firefighters as more than 700 hectares burned. Officials urged residents to stay indoors as heatwaves and strong winds fuel fire risks across southern France. Published On 8 Jul 20258 Jul 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
Netanyahu discussing ‘opportunities for peace’ in Gaza with Trump
NewsFeed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would meet with President Trump again on Tuesday to discuss a Gaza ceasefire. He also praised Washington’s “unprecedented” military ties with Israel following a meeting with Capitol Hill lawmakers. Published On 8 Jul 20258 Jul 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
US envoy Steve Witkoff suggests Gaza ceasefire deal is close
Trump aide says Washington ‘hopeful’ a 60-day truce between Israel and Hamas can be reached by the end of the week. An aide to United President Donald Trump has suggested a Gaza ceasefire is close, saying Washington hopes to see an agreement finalised by the end of the week. “We’re in proximity talks now, and we had four issues, and now we’re down to one after two days of proximity talks,” special US envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “So we are hopeful that by the end of this week, we will have an agreement that will bring us into a 60-day ceasefire.” Witkoff said the deal would see the release of 10 Israeli captives and the bodies of nine. He added that the Trump administration thinks the deal “will lead to a lasting peace in Gaza”. Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters in Washington, DC, that while Israel “still has to finish the job in Gaza”, negotiators are “certainly working” on a ceasefire. Trump and Netanyahu dined together on Monday at the White House during the Israeli leader’s third US visit since the president began his second term on January 20. The two leaders are to meet again later on Tuesday. “He’s coming over later. We’re going to be talking about, I would say, almost exclusively Gaza. We’ve got to get that solved,” the US president told reporters at a cabinet meeting in the White House on Tuesday. “It’s a tragedy, and he wants to get it solved, and I want to get it solved, and I think the other side wants to.” Qatar confirmed on Tuesday that Hamas and Israeli delegations are in Doha to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Advertisement “There is a positive engagement right now. The mediation teams – the Qataris and the Egyptians – are working around the clock to make sure that there is some consensus built on the framework towards the talks,” Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 57,500 Palestinians, internally displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave and placed hundreds of thousands of people on the verge of starvation. United Nations experts and rights group have described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a genocide. Netanyahu suggested on Monday that the US and Israel are working to ensure the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza – an idea first proposed by Trump in February. Israeli officials have been framing the push to remove all Palestinians from Gaza Gaza as an effort to encourage “voluntary migration” from the territory. “If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave. It shouldn’t be a prison. It should be an open place and give people a free choice,” Netanyahu told reporters. Rights advocates said the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, which would amount to ethnic cleansing, cannot be considered voluntary. Prominent legal expert Ralph Wilde said that with the widespread destruction, siege and daily attacks in Gaza, the concept of free choice to stay there or leave “is a lie”. “It’s forced displacement because that isn’t a choice that is made freely,” Wilde told Al Jazeera. Adblock test (Why?)
What is ERASR? Indigenous anti-submarine rocket system successfully tested by Navy, will benefit…
India has tested an extended range anti-submarine rocket system that is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s fire power. The user trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) have been successfully carried out from INS Kavaratti.
This British-era bridge has been named after India’s Operation Sindoor, it is located in…
A bridge in western India has been renamed as “Sindoor Bridge,” a nomenclature inspired by India’s military action in early May against Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. Read on to know more about it.
PM Modi makes BIG statement in Brazil, says, ‘There is no place for…’
India and Brazil strongly oppose terrorism and those who support it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday while asserting there is no place for double standards on terrorism, in a veiled reference to Pakistan and its all-weather ally China. Read on to know more.
Bharat Bandh LIVE Updates: Nationwide strike today, banks, public transport, power supply to get affected; check what’s open and what’s not
Bharat Bandh today: A nationwide Bharat Bandh has been on July 9 by a united front of 10 central trade unions along with farmer’s organizations. Over 25 crore workers are expected to participate across India. Here’s what’s shut and open.