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NYC socialist would-be mayor Zohran Mamdani throws lavish wedding bash in Uganda

NYC socialist would-be mayor Zohran Mamdani throws lavish wedding bash in Uganda

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani reportedly celebrated his recent marriage this week with a three-day-long exclusive bash in his native Uganda that included masked military security and a cellphone jamming system.  The party took place at Mamdani’s family’s private compound in the east African country in a wealthy area outside of Kampala, the capital, according to an exclusive report by the New York Post.  The socialist candidate eloped with illustrator Rama Duwaji, with whom he lives in an apartment in Queens, earlier this year.  “Outside the Mamdani house were more than 20 special forces command unit guards, some in masks, and there was a phone-jamming system set up — and all for the strictly invite-only Mamdani event,” a witness told the Post. “One gate had around nine guards stationed at it,” they added. DAVID MARCUS: WHY SOCIALIST NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE’S UGANDA TRIP MAKES SURPRISING SENSE Last Sunday, he posted in a video on his X page that he was “going back to Uganda. I’m heading there in a personal capacity to celebrate Rama and I’s marriage with our family and friends.” He joked, “But depending on your perspective, don’t worry or I’m sorry: I’ll be back by the end of the month. See you soon, NYC.”  On Tuesday, buses, several Mercedes and a Range Rover bused partygoers into the celebration, according to the Post.  The revelers enjoyed music, food and dancing during the celebration, and when the bash was over, Mamdani’s personal security reportedly appeared to take over as the military guards left.  The celebration came at the same time the country was mourning the death of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who was a neighbor to Mamdani’s family and died on July 14.  “People are still in mourning,” one person told the Post, calling the wedding celebration “insensitive.” ‘NOT A DEMOCRAT’: JOHN FETTERMAN CALLS ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S NYC PRIMARY WIN A ‘GIFT’ TO THE GOP At one point, the street was blocked off by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s caravan when he came to the neighborhood to pay his respects.  Mamdani’s family’s home sits on two acres of land with views of Lake Victoria, in a wealthy area known as Buziga Hill. Mamdani’s father is a Columbia University professor and his mother is a movie director. One of their neighbors includes Ugandan billionaire businessman Godfrey Kirumira.  Masked security guards policed the entrances to the compound, which reportedly has at least three security gates.  The U.S. State Department, in its travel advisory on Uganda, urges Americans to “reconsider travel” to the country due to the threat of “crime, terrorism, and laws targeting persons on the basis of sexual orientation.  Exercise increased caution due to potential security risks and the unpredictable nature of public demonstrations.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Mamdani was born in Uganda but moved to New York when he was 7 years old, and got his U.S. citizenship seven years ago.  Mamdani surprised by handily winning New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary last month, but many in the Democratic establishment have yet to fully embrace the socialist nominee. 

Trump calls for immediate ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand amid escalating violence

Trump calls for immediate ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand amid escalating violence

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had spoken to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, urging a ceasefire, adding the U.S. would not get back to the “trading table” with the southeast Asian countries until fighting stops. “I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday while in Scotland as part of a five-day trip to the United Kingdom.  “Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the ‘Trading Table’ with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS.”  The president said Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to meet immediately and “quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE! It was an Honor to deal with both Countries. They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” HAMAS PUSHES BACK ON TRUMP AND WITKOFF’S CRITICISMS, DEMANDS US PRESSURE ISRAEL Border clashes between the two countries continued for the third day Saturday, leaving at least 33 dead and displacing 168,000.  Tensions flared Thursday after a landmine on the border injured five Thai soldiers and both countries blamed each other for the fighting.  Thailand has closed its border with Cambodia, and both countries have recalled their ambassadors.  On Saturday, Cambodia said 12 more people were killed, and Thai authorities said a soldier was killed. RUSSIA, UKRAINE AGREE TO PRISONER SWAP AS CEASEFIRE TALKS COLLAPSE The U.N. Security Council has also called for a de-escalation to the fighting, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had called for a peaceful resolution.  Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of ASEAN, said the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are open to a ceasefire.  “Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully and in accordance with international law,” Sangiampongsa said Saturday, urging Cambodia to “return to the negotiating table with sincerity and in good faith.” He said, however, that Cambodia will need to stop fighting before Thailand considers a ceasefire.  Cambodia’s Defense Ministry on Saturday, however, condemned what it called an “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression” after five heavy artillery shells were fired into a Cambodian province.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law at great expense to civilians,” John Sifton, the Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. “Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritize protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Texas congressional candidate dragged out, arrested after explosive redistricting hearing: ‘It is a shame!’

Texas congressional candidate dragged out, arrested after explosive redistricting hearing: ‘It is a shame!’

Tensions boiled over at the Texas Capitol Thursday night, when a Democratic congressional candidate was forcibly removed and arrested during a volatile redistricting hearing. Isaiah Martin, running for Houston’s 18th Congressional District, defied repeated warnings to stop speaking after testimony accusing Republicans of rigging the redistricting process to appease President Donald Trump. Footage from the hearing shows Martin collapsing as he was pulled from the room by authorities. “History will NOT remember you for what you have DONE! It is a shame!” he yelled, prompting audible gasps from the crowd. He was charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass and disrupting a public meeting.  RED STATE MAP BATTLE HEATS UP AS TRUMP PUSHES TEXAS PLAN TO RESHAPE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS Martin was released from the Travis County Jail Friday, and all charges were dropped. He later posted a video on X thanking supporters and pledging to continue speaking out. Martin began his testimony Thursday by challenging the legitimacy of the hearing.  “It just seems as if many are just sitting here going with their motions, and it makes sense because the game is rigged,” he said. He then accused Texas Republicans of gerrymandering at Trump’s request.  “You gotta get Trump’s endorsement. That’s the name of the game to be a Republican nowadays,” Martin said. “Trump told every single one of you that he needs five seats. … But the real conversation we should be having … is that there will be a retaliation for that.” Martin cited blue states he claimed are redrawing maps in response.  “Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she will be gerrymanding Republicans out,” he said. “The same thing is gonna happen in New Jersey.” Martin also attacked Texas’ leadership over economic issues.  “We live in a state that is unaffordable … property taxes going up … despite the fact that you Republicans have been in office for nearly 30 straight years,” he said. BETO O’ROURKE CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE ‘RUTHLESS’ IN PURSUIT OF POWER, BACKS NEWSOM’S GERRYMANDERING PROPOSAL Criticizing the timing of the redistricting process, he added, “After one of the worst mass casualty events in our state’s history, you choose to go and gerrymander people out of their seats.” Rep. Cody Vasut, the House Redistricting Committee chair, attempted to regain order, but Martin refused to yield.  “No, I’m not going to finish. Because I’m … I’m NOT finished!” Martin then turned his ire toward Trump.  “You can thank your failed, senile, dilapidated, Epstein-partying with president for all of the work that we’re about to do to every single one of you,” he said. “You did this, you caused this and this is the result of you and your work.” Vasut instructed state House sergeants to remove Martin. As Martin was dragged from the room, audience members shouted, “Get off of him!”  Martin continued shouting, “America will rise up against you!” The committee resumed without commenting on the disruption.  Neither Martin’s campaign nor Gov. Greg Abbott‘s office responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.  Abbott has previously described the redistricting effort as a compliance move following court rulings against coalition districts. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In a July 7 letter cited by The Dallas Examiner, the Department of Justice flagged TX‑18 as one of four congressional districts in Texas that may involve unconstitutional racial gerrymandering through “coalition district” configurations. Trump has publicly called on state lawmakers to secure five additional Republican House seats through redistricting.  The map remains unfinished, with hearings continuing Saturday in Houston and Monday in Arlington. Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Incoming NGA Chair ‘disappointed’ in Dem governors ‘playing politics’ in bipartisan group

Incoming NGA Chair ‘disappointed’ in Dem governors ‘playing politics’ in bipartisan group

Incoming chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., is “disappointed” that some Democratic governors might stop paying their dues to the bipartisan group.  The Atlantic reported ahead of the NGA’s summer meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo., that at least two Democrats, Govs. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Laura Kelly of Kansas, plan to stop paying their dues when asked to renew their membership this month over the NGA’s response to President Donald Trump’s second term.  “We shouldn’t be playing politics like they do in Washington, D.C.,” Stitt told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview at the summer meeting. “But sometimes, if you’re a governor running for president or a higher office, you make it political.” Kelly is chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), the partisan gubernatorial arm that has been vocal in resisting the Trump administration. As Walz weighs a third gubernatorial run, the former vice presidential candidate has remained a leading critic of Trump’s administration since losing the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris last year.  TIM WALZ LEADING DEM EFFORT TO TURN BIPARTISAN GROUP AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP: REPORT The Democratic discontent comes as Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado prepares to cede his chairmanship to Stitt, a Republican, at this weekend’s summer meeting. Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., is set to become vice chair.  DEMOCRATS FORGE STRANGE BEDFELLOWS AS PARTY FLOUNDERS IN TRUMP’S 2ND TERM “I would tell anybody, listen, do you want your leaders to take their ball and go home just because they get mad at something? That’s not the way to solve problems,” Stitt said, adding that he likes both Walz and Kelly.  “Listen, this isn’t the time to take our ball and go home. Let’s sit down and debate what the best policies [are] going forward,” Stitt added.  The Oklahoma governor said it can be “frustrating” when Democrats are constantly targeting Trump, but as a business leader, he said there are plenty of instances in which governors can find common ground, including a reduction of the United States’ more than $36 trillion in debt.  Ahead of the summer meeting, Eric Wohlschlegel, NGA communications director, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the NGA and told Fox News Digital the NGA’s “mission hasn’t changed.” According to The Atlantic report, Democratic members of the NGA complained the group “did not respond forcefully enough” when the Trump administration paused federal funding early this year, as Gov. Janet Mills of Maine clashed with Trump over biological men playing in women’s sports and, more recently, when Trump authorized the National Guard to California to amid the anti-ICE protests.  “Every public statement NGA issues reflects bipartisan consensus. So far this year, all but one statement has had that consensus, and when governors don’t agree, we simply don’t issue one. That’s how we preserve our role as a bipartisan convener, a principle we won’t compromise,” Wohlschlegel explained.  Thirteen Republican and seven Democratic leaders planned to attend the summer meeting, featuring discussions with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  A source familiar with the situation blamed the controversy on “Democratic infighting, unspoken campaign jockeying and a few anonymous voices looking to reshape a nonpartisan institution into a political one.” The source added that “no governors are on the record expressing discontent with the NGA. No allegations of misconduct, governance failure or mismanagement have been raised.” And without addressing the controversy directly, Conor Cahill, a spokesperson for Polis, told Fox News Digital the governor “has been honored” to lead the NGA and to “work across the aisle with governors on education, permitting reform, standing up to federal efforts to strip away gubernatorial authority around the National Guard and elevating the priorities of states.” He added that “during this polarizing time, bipartisan organizations are needed more than ever, and NGA must continue to demonstrate value to all governors and effectively communicate governors’ opinions on various matters with the public and the federal government.”  Abegail Cave, a spokesperson for Stitt, told Fox News Digital ahead of the NGA that “people seem to forget NGA is a bipartisan organization, not a political one.” Fox News Digital reached out to Walz and Kelly for comment but did not immediately receive a response.