WATCH: Texas state senator argues redistricting showdown could decide balance of power in future US Congress
GOP Texas state senator Mayes Middleton told Fox News Digital that the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to Republicans’ redistricting fight with Democrats in Texas, arguing that the effort to redraw the maps in Texas could “save America.” Middleton pointed out that if the results of the 2026 mid-term elections lead to another razor-thin majority for Republicans, the Congress “will know” that the Texas redistricting bill was responsible for the GOP maintaining its power. Meanwhile, despite Democrats’ attempts to halt the GOP redistricting effort by fleeing the state, Middleton expressed little concern that these challenges would amount to anything. “Literally, this redistricting bill could save this entire nation. This is why this fight is so important to me,” Middleton said. “I will fight with everything in me to make sure that this map becomes law, and we get those five more Republican seats … It could literally save America.” GOV. GREG ABBOTT THREATENS TO REDISTRICT 8 SEATS FOR GOP IF DEM LAWMAKERS DON’T RETURN TO TEXAS Despite the stakes, according to Middleton, he did not express concern about Democrats’ efforts to challenge the Republican redistricting bill, which has included dozens of Texas House Democrats fleeing the state to prevent the legislature from being able to conduct official business. He called their challenge “meritless,” pointing to litigation stemming from his home county of Galveston that found that “coalition districts” — districts formed by combining multiple minority groups to reach a majority — were in violation of the Voting Rights Act. As a result, Democrats cannot claim an obligation to create such districts to preserve minority voting power, Republicans argue. “Before the Petteway case was decided, basically you could add together various minority groups to get above 50% and then, under [Democrats’] interpretation of the Voting Rights Act, they said that was a protected district,” Middleton explained. “And that actually began when Galveston County Commissioners Court redistricted, and the last Democrat in the Commissioners Court was drawn out of office, and they sued and said that was racist. But yet, not long after, maybe a month after, Harris County redistricted and drew out a Republican, and they said that was fine. So that shows you just the ridiculous hypocrisy of the left in this case.” OBAMA LABELS TEXAS REDISTRICTING PUSH ‘A POWER GRAB THAT UNDERMINES OUR DEMOCRACY’ Civil arrest warrants were issued by the Texas House Republican majority earlier this week in an effort to compel the absent Democrats to return, but they are only enforceable within state lines and do not lead to jail time, since the warrants are not criminal. Still, Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has called on a court in Illinois, where a large swath of the Texas House Democrats fled, to enforce the warrants against Democrats. In addition to blocking Texas Republicans’ redistricting bill, the exodus of Texas Democrats is obstructing crucial legislation from making its way through the legislature, Middleton told Fox News Digital. Middleton pointed to one bill being held up, Senate Bill 7, which aims to protect all-female spaces from being used by biological males who identify as transgender females. Others include a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, an election-crime enforcement bill and critical flood relief legislation. “These are the conservative priorities that we were elected to get done. And the Democrats, of course, are looking for ways to block that are unlawful,” Middleton argued. “Frankly, they’re doing it in a way that will cause their office to be vacated if they don’t come back.”
Pilots can now fly until 65 as Air India raises retirement age; non-flying staff to work till…
Air India has raised the retirement age for pilots to 65 years and for non-flying staff to 60 years. Currently, the retirement age for both pilots and non-flying staff at the airline is 58. Aviation regulator DGCA permits commercial pilots to work till the age of 65 years at the maximum.
After Bihar and Bengal, THIS state prepares for SIR of electoral rolls with 38% Muslim population due to…
The poll body’s plan to roll out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country is causing discomfort in Assam, which is due for assembly election early next year.
Cuomo calls out NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani over rent-stabilized apartment: ‘Move out immediately’
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed Big Apple mayoral opponent Zohran Mamdani Friday for living in a rent-stabilized apartment, despite being “very rich.” “Somewhere last night in New York City, a single mother and her children slept at a homeless shelter because you, assemblyman [Zohran Mamdani], are occupying her rent-controlled apartment,” Cuomo posted to X on Friday along with a video of the lawmaker saying his monthly rent totals $2,300. MAMDANI’S FORMER DEM COLLEAGUE RAILS AGAINST HIS SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN PROMISE: ‘NAIL IN THE COFFIN’ Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani but is taking him on again as an independent in the general election, called on his opponent to surrender his apartment to someone more deserving of a subsidy. He cited Mamdani’s affluent upbringing, more than six-figure income and international property ownership. Cuomo also noted Mamdani’s wife is employed — driving their household income even higher. “No matter which way you cut it: Zohran Mamdani is a rich person,” Cuomo said in the post. “You are actually very rich. Yet you and your wife pay $2,300 a month, as you have bragged, for a nice apartment in Astoria. That should be housing for someone who needs it.” EXPERT FLIPS SCRIPT ON KEY MAMDANI HOUSING PROBLEM HE SAYS WILL MAKE CRISIS WORSE: ‘BASIC ECONOMICS’ The former governor also cited New York City’s affordability crisis, noting that millions of the city’s low-income residents need reasonably-priced apartments. The median rent in New York City has reached $3,397, a nearly $200 increase since 2024, according to Realtor.com. “Today, I am calling on you to move out immediately and give your affordable housing back to an unhoused family who need it,” Cuomo said. “Leaders must show moral clarity. Time to move out.” ANDREW CUOMO TALKS REMATCH WITH MAMDANI, SAYS SOCIALIST’S POLICIES WILL CAUSE ‘DEATH’ OF NYC Earlier this week, Cuomo called out Mamdani for owning property in Uganda despite the country’s anti-LGBT policies. “Up until now, Zohran Mamdani and his campaign have successfully evaded any scrutiny: He talks like Bernie but lives like Bezos,” a spokesperson for Cuomo told Fox News Digital in an email. “It turns out handing the keys of New York City to a no-show, do-nothing assemblyman hypocrite is a bad idea. Andrew Cuomo is running to protect our streets, for REAL affordability, and to build a new New York City by giving opportunity to those who actually need it.” A spokesperson for Mamdani did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Trump nominates State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as UN deputy representative
President Donald Trump said Saturday he was nominating U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce to become the next deputy representative to the United Nations. “I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador,” the president wrote on social media. “Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!” Bruce has defended the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its position on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. SENATE DRIVES OFF FOR RECESS, LEAVING TRUMP’S 150+ STALLED CONFIRMATIONS IN ITS WAKE Last week, she warned Russia on Fox News that it needs to take Trump “seriously’ on his deadline for a ceasefire. Bruce has been with the administration since Trump took office. Before Trump tapped her as State Department spokesperson, she was a longtime conservative commentator and contributor to Fox News. When Trump chose her for the State Department, he described her as a “highly respected political analyst who understood the power and importance of ‘MAGA’ early on.” HERE’S HOW WE TAKE AMERICA FIRST TO THE UNITED NATIONS “As one of the longest-serving News Contributors, Tammy has brought TRUTH to the American People for over two decades,” Trump added. “I know she will bring that same strength of conviction and fearless spirit to her new position as State Department Spokesperson.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Dorothy Shea, who served as deputy ambassador last year, is the current acting ambassador. Trump’s nominee for U.N. ambassador, Mike Waltz, is still awaiting confirmation.
Can Israel have a ‘normal’ place in the Middle East?
As Israel’s war on Gaza rages, chances of normalising ties with its neighbours are fading. Nearly every state in the Middle East has condemned Israel’s war on Gaza. Saudi Arabia says normalising relations with Israel hinges on a Palestinian state. Jordan, Egypt and some Gulf nations have diplomatic ties with Israel, but have criticised it publicly. In Europe, a growing number of countries are recognising Palestine and the EU is reviewing economic relations with Israel. But are words enough to make Israel stop killing and starving Palestinians? And what would it take for countries to cut ties with Israel? Presenter: James Bays Guests: Daniel Levy – President of the US/Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator James Moran – Former European Union ambassador to Egypt and Jordan Jawad Anani – Former deputy prime minister and former foreign minister of Jordan Adblock test (Why?)
Iran rejects planned transit corridor outlined in Armenia-Azerbaijan pact
Iran has said it will block a corridor planned in the Caucasus under a United States-brokered peace accord between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which has been hailed by other countries in the region as beneficial for achieving lasting peace. Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on Saturday that Tehran would block the initiative “with or without Russia”, with which Iran has a strategic alliance alongside Armenia. US President Donald Trump “thinks the Caucasus is a piece of real estate he can lease for 99 years”, Velayati told state-affiliated Tasnim News, referring to the transport corridor included in the peace deal. “This passage will not become a gateway for Trump’s mercenaries — it will become their graveyard,” he added, describing the plan as “political treachery” aimed at undermining Armenia’s territorial integrity. The terms of the accord, which was unveiled at a signing ceremony at the White House on Friday, include exclusive US development rights to a route through Armenia that would link Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani enclave that borders Baku’s ally Turkiye. The corridor, which would pass close to the border with Iran, would be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, and operate under Armenian law. Velayati argued that it would open the way for NATO to position itself “like a viper” between Iran and Russia. Trump, centre, brokered the deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia [File: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo] Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing concern about the negative consequences of any foreign intervention in the vicinity of its borders. Advertisement While it welcomed the peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the ministry said any project near Iran’s borders should be developed “with respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and without foreign interference”. For its part, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautiously welcomed the deal, saying on Saturday that Moscow supported efforts to promote stability and prosperity in the region, including the Washington meeting. Similarly to Iran, however, it warned against outside intervention, arguing that lasting solutions should be developed by countries in the region. “The involvement of non-regional players should strengthen the peace agenda, not create new divisions,” the ministry said, adding that it hoped to avoid the “unfortunate experience” of Western-led conflict resolution in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Turkiye on Saturday said it hoped the planned transit corridor would boost exports of energy and other resources through the South Caucasus. A NATO member, Turkiye has strongly backed Azerbaijan in its conflicts with Armenia, but has pledged to restore ties with Yerevan after it signs a final peace deal with Baku. The Turkish presidency said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the peace agreement with Ilham Aliyev, his counterpart from Azerbaijan, and offered Ankara’s support in achieving lasting peace in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also addressed the planned corridor during a visit to Egypt, saying it could “link Europe with the depths of Asia via Turkiye” and would be “a very beneficial development”. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a series of wars since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan that had a mostly ethnic Armenian population at the time, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Armenia last year agreed to return several villages to Azerbaijan in what Baku described as a “long-awaited historic event”. Ahmad Shahidov, of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, told Al Jazeera that he expected a final peace declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be signed in the coming weeks. Shahidov said Friday’s US-brokered deal constituted a “roadmap” for the final agreement, which appears imminent given there are no unresolved territorial disputes between the two neighbours. Adblock test (Why?)
Who are Premier League title favourites: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Utd?
The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday, August 15, when champions Liverpool entertain Bournemouth. Arne Slot’s Reds will be favourites to lift the trophy once more, but can Arsenal improve on three consecutive second-placed finishes? Manchester City are expected to bounce back from an uncharacteristically quiet season under Pep Guardiola, while Chelsea are the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) champions. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the likely candidates. Liverpool Slot’s side stormed to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title last season. The Reds finished 10 points clear of Arsenal – and that after taking their foot off the gas in a winless four-game run to finish. Florian Wirtz is the big name summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen and comes with a hefty price tag of $156m. The German midfielder follows French forward Hugo Ekitike and Dutch wide man Jeremie Frimpong through the Anfield gates. The latter will be utilised both in covering for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined Real Madrid, and Mohamed Salah, who will depart midseason to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Securing the ongoing services of both Salah and Virgil van Dijk, however, was undoubtedly the biggest piece of business the Reds needed. Egyptian forward Salah was heavily linked with the Saudi Pro League and, having topped the goalscoring charts against last season with 29 goals, would have been a huge loss. Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates with the trophy after winning the Premier League as the now-departed Trent Alexander-Arnold, centre, watches on [Phil Noble/Reuters] Dutch defender and Liverpool captain van Dijk has been the rock upon which the Reds’ fortunes have been built since his arrival from Southampton in 2018. Advertisement The pursuit of Aleksander Isak from Newcastle United has been ongoing for some time. Slot has teased the Reds may return with a second bid, and if one position has been in question, it is an out-and-out striker – Isak’s 23 goals last season proved he is one of the hottest talents in that role. “Every team in the Premier League is spending money,” Slot said in the run-up to the new campaign. “So if we are only favourites because we’ve spent a bit, I would see that as weird because we’ve lost a lot as well. But that we are favourites because we won it last season and we played so well, that’s clear.” The tragic death of Diogo Jota, in a car crash in Spain in July, supersedes all concerns of success. Coming to terms with his loss will be painful in training and in matches, with his absence felt in ways far beyond the gap the Portuguese forward leaves in the starting XI each week. Arsenal Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been the form team of the last three seasons in the Premier League, but three second-place finishes in a row are starting to burn deeply in north London. Substantial reinforcements have been sought to help the Gunners end their 22-season wait to lift the Premier League title once again. Viktor Gyokeres is the headline news, given Arteta made little secret of his frustration with the club’s lack of striking options last season. Viktor Gyokeres is pictured in the stands during Arsenal’s preseason tour of Singapore [Caroline Chia/Reuters] The signing of the Swedish striker from Sporting Lisbon for 63 million pounds ($85m) will be seen as the best chance to close the gap on Liverpool. Noni Madueke’s capture from Chelsea, meantime, divided Arsenal fans. The England international does, however, bring further depth and additional quality to a forward line, whose top scorer last season was Kai Havertz with a paltry nine goals. The arrival in midfield from Real Sociedad of Martin Zubimendi, a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, can only solidify the already meticulously manufactured system Arteta has arranged. Chelsea Chelsea will surely hit the ground running following their stunning FIFA Club World Cup success against European champions Paris Saint-Germain last month. Enzo Maresca’s side stormed to a 3-0 win against the Parisians, who swept through the UEFA Champions League – culminating in their own 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan – to complete the treble. Joao Pedro’s three goals across the semifinal and final at the CWC have already gone a long way towards validating his 60-million-pound ($80.7m) signing from Brighton before the tournament. That move came on top of the capture of fellow strikers, Liam Delap from Ipswich and Estevao from Palmeiras. Chelsea captain Reece James was presented with the trophy by US President Donald Trump after winning the FIFA Club World Cup [Hannah Mckay/Reuters] Estevao scored against the west London club in his last game with his Brazilian outfit during the quarterfinals of the CWC. Advertisement Disjointed has long been a word associated with Chelsea on and off the pitch, certainly since their last Premier League title win in 2017. Whether Maresca can continue to tie the team together following the CWC triumph, and whether that tournament will test the legs of the Blues players later in the season, could well be deciding factors in Chelsea’s title challenge. Manchester City Will Pep Guardiola’s team bounce back to the form that saw them claim a record fourth consecutive Premier League title only a season ago? Or will the light blues of Manchester continue to feel the heavy burden of a side that conquered all before them, only to seemingly lose control of their own success last season? The injury to Ballon d’Or holder Rodri undoubtedly hit City hard last term, and the news that he will miss the start of the new campaign will also come as a huge concern to Guardiola. For a team that won an unprecedented five trophies in 2023, and the record-setting Premier League title the following year, to fall so far last season came as a huge shock to all, not least their manager. Indeed, many believed last season may well have been Guardiola’s final term. Even with a two-year contract extension signed midway through the last campaign, a slow
Delhi commute alert! Traffic police team up with Google for real-time alerts for accident-prone zones: Check details
The Delhi Traffic Police are working with Google to mark accident-prone zones as black spots on Google Maps, providing real-time alerts to commuters. Know more details here:
Nagpur: At least 12 injured as under-construction temple gate collapses, NDRF team deployed
A portion of an under-construction structure collapsed during the construction of a gate located on the Khaparkheda to Koradi Temple route in Nagpur on Saturday. A few construction workers were feared trapped there. No casualties have been reported so far. Read on for more details.