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Elon Musk accuses Ilhan Omar of treason over Somalia comments in viral social media post

Elon Musk accuses Ilhan Omar of treason over Somalia comments in viral social media post

Elon Musk accused Rep. Ilhan Omar of committing treason over past comments in which she vowed to safeguard Somali interests in the U.S. while assuring her constituents the administration would “do what we ask it to do.” “This sounds like treason,” Musk wrote on X, reposting a clip of Omar speaking to Somali constituents in Minnesota in 2024. The video circulated widely online and was highlighted further by the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s retweet Wednesday. Omar originally made the remarks in January 2024, when she told supporters in the Twin Cities she would fight to prevent the breakaway Republic of Somaliland from allowing Ethiopia to create a naval base on its coastline. ILHAN OMAR PRESSED TO EXPLAIN HOW FRAUD IN MINNESOTA GOT ‘SO OUT OF CONTROL’ Minnesota is home to the largest Somali refugee community in the U.S., with most members of that community living in Omar’s district. “The U.S. government will do what we ask it to do,” a translation of Omar’s speech said. “We should have this kind of confidence in ourselves as Somalis. We live in this country. We are taxpayers in this country. This country is one where one of your daughters sits in Congress. While I am in Congress, no one will take Somalia’s sea, and the U.S. government won’t support others to rob us. Don’t stress over it, Minnesotans.” DAVID MARCUS: SOMALI POWER SURGE RAISES THE QUESTION MINNESOTA AVOIDS — WHERE’S ASSIMILATION? Omar’s resurfaced video gained traction shortly after President Trump spoke at a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where he said she prioritized Somalia over the U.S. “I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban,” Trump said. “She comes in, does nothing but b—-. She comes from her country, where, I mean, it’s considered about the worst country in the world, right? “We ought to get her the hell out.” And the crowd chanted, “Send her back!” TIM WALZ FIRES BACK AT TRUMP ACCUSATION OF ‘INCOMPETENCE,’ DODGES ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FRAUD IN MINNESOTA Trump also criticized Omar and the Somali population more broadly, referencing the fact that dozens of Somali immigrants in Minnesota have been arrested or charged with fraud schemes. He also targeted Gov. Tim Walz since the alleged fraud schemes, which cost the state around $1 billion, happened under his watch.  On Tuesday night, Omar responded to Trump’s comments, writing on X: “Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help… He continues to be a national embarrassment.”  Fox News Digital has reached out to Elon Musk and Ilhan Omar for comment.

Bondi shares heart-pounding footage of US seizing Venezuelan oil tanker in rare action last seen in 2014

Bondi shares heart-pounding footage of US seizing Venezuelan oil tanker in rare action last seen in 2014

Attorney General Pam Bondi released video footage Wednesday of U.S. forces seizing a Venezuelan crude oil tanker, a bold move last ordered more than a decade ago. Video footage showed FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, along with U.S. Coast Guard members, with support from the Department of War, executing a precise seizure of the tanker, which was being used to move sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Armed personnel in tactical gear rappelled from a helicopter above the vessel off the Venezuelan coast Wednesday, landing on the deck of the ship and entering with weapons drawn. DEMOCRATS ESCALATE WAR CRIME ACCUSATIONS AS WHITE HOUSE CALLS ‘INNOCENT FISHERMAN’ THE NEW ‘MARYLAND MAN’ HOAX “For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations,” Bondi wrote in a statement on X.  “This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues.” FBI Director Kash Patel said in an X post the administration’s “efforts to crush FTO’s” and cut off their resources will “continue day and night.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added, “If you threaten our nation or break the law, there is no place on land or sea where we won’t find you. Thank you to our brave service members. America FIRST.” President Donald Trump noted at the White House Wednesday that the tanker was the “largest one ever seized action,” adding “other things are happening.” “You’ll be seeing that later,” Trump said. “And you’ll be talking about that later with some other people.” The Navy confirmed to Fox News Wednesday that 15% of U.S.-deployed Navy ships are in the Caribbean region.  It is unclear what percentage of U.S. Naval assets are in the region. The Venezuelan government condemned Wednesday’s U.S. action, calling it “a blatant theft and an act of international piracy,” in a statement.  MARCO RUBIO SAYS TRUMP WILL NOT BE ‘SUCKERED’ BY MADURO LIKE BIDEN The last time the public was made aware of the U.S. military seizing a foreign oil tanker was in 2014, when Navy SEALs boarded and took over a ship previously seized by three armed men at a Libyan port who were attempting to sell the nationalized Libyan oil on the black market, Fox News Digital previously reported. About 30 men from Navy SEAL team 2 embarked from the USS Roosevelt, using inflatable boats and ladders to get on board the MV Morning Glory oil tanker and detained the rebels. There were no casualties during the 2014 mission, which was carried out on orders from former President Barack Obama in international waters southeast of Cyprus at the request of the Libyan and Cypriot governments. The administration’s latest action is expected to further strain ties with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s government, which is already under sweeping U.S. oil sanctions, and follows 22 U.S. strikes on alleged narco-traffickers near Venezuela that have killed 87 people.  The Trump administration is also weighing land strikes to increase pressure on Maduro, whom the administration deems Venezuela’s illegitimate leader, after recent talks between the two countries failed to produce a deal for his exit. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Fox News’ Morgan Phillips and Justin Fishel, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Trump’s $12bn aid package: Are tariffs bleeding US farmers?

Trump’s bn aid package: Are tariffs bleeding US farmers?

US President Donald Trump has announced a $12bn aid package for farmers, offering financial assistance to a core part of his political base that has been hit hard by falling crop prices and the impact of his trade policies. Unveiling the plan at the White House in Washington, DC alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and several farmers on Monday, Trump said: “Maximising domestic farm production is a big part of how we will make America affordable again and bring down grocery prices.” Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Rollins said the Farmer Bridge Assistance programme’s initial phase would provide $11bn for row crop farmers – those who cultivate crops such as corn, soya beans and cotton in rows. An additional $1bn has been earmarked for farmers who grow some speciality crops not covered by this. The aid money is expected to be made available by the end of February. The package is Trump’s latest effort to defend his economic record and respond to public anxiety about rising food costs. It also comes after China curbed its purchases of US soya beans in retaliation for steep US trade tariffs, which have also caused the cost of fertiliser and other agricultural products to soar. How will this aid be distributed to farmers? The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will calculate per-acre payments for different crops using a formula that estimates production costs. Payments will be capped at $155,000 per farm or individual, and only farms earning less than $900,000 annually will qualify. The USDA’s formula is designed to bolster small-scale producers who may be struggling more than others. “We looked at how they were hurt, to what extent they were hurt,” Trump said. Advertisement Farmers will begin receiving funds on February 28, according to Rollins. Meanwhile, applications for funds will open in the coming weeks so that farmers “will know exactly what that number looks like”. Trump said the money for the scheme will come from tariff revenues. Though Trump has, at times, downplayed cost-of-living issues, he visited Pennsylvania on Tuesday to explain to voters how his administration is addressing this concern. At the same time, he defended his record on trade and the sweeping reciprocal tariffs he has imposed on countries around the world this year. “It’s amazing,” Trump said of tariffs at a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. “It’s the smart people who understand it. Other people are starting to learn, but the smart people really understand it.” Why is this aid package being introduced now? Many farmers continue to support Trump. The country’s most farming-dependent counties overwhelmingly backed him in last year’s presidential election by an average of 77.7 percent, according to the USDA. Experts say his anti-establishment rhetoric has resonated with rural communities that feel overlooked by political elites in Washington, DC. His promises of deregulation also appealed to many farmers who feel frustrated by federal rules they view as burdensome. But the president’s trade agenda and the imposition of trade tariffs to address the country’s trading deficit with many other countries have hit farmers hard. Trump’s “liberation day” tariff announcement earlier this year provoked steep retaliatory duties on US products, particularly from China, including on US agricultural exports. Trump’s latest package is an echo of a $12bn programme he offered to farmers in 2018 during his first-term administration’s initial trade dispute with China. Which crops have been hardest hit by trade tariffs? Soya bean farmers have been badly bruised by the US-China trade spat this year. Trump was the principal architect of recent tensions – his sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, launched earlier this year, targeted China more than any other country. Historically, more than half of all soya beans produced in the US – mainly in the Midwest – have been sold to China. But after Trump imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing raised duties on US soya beans to 34 percent. Last year, China bought slightly more than 50 percent (27 million metric tons) of the $24.5bn of produce that US soya bean farmers sold to international markets. This year, US exports to China have so far fallen by more than half. Advertisement Instead, China has begun buying more soya beans from Brazil and other South American nations. The American Soybean Association has also warned that tariffs are driving up costs for soya bean producers. In particular, US tariffs on Moroccan fertiliser, which have been hiked from 2.1 percent to 16.8 percent, have squeezed farmers. In October, following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump said Beijing had committed to buying 12 million metric tons of US soya beans by the end of this year, and 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years. Trump is also facing pressure to address rising beef prices. On November 7, he asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meatpackers in the US, which he claims are driving up costs, though he has provided no supporting evidence for this. Then, on November 20, Trump announced he would peel back trade tariffs of up to 50 percent on certain Brazilian agricultural products, including coffee and beef. The reversal was broadly interpreted as an acknowledgement that the tariffs were fuelling inflationary pressures at home. More broadly, US consumer sentiment remains near record lows. In November, data released by the University of Michigan showed that Americans view their personal finances as the weakest they’ve been since 2009. High inflation is the primary cause of concern. Prices of other food staples have also risen recently. Compared to last year’s Thanksgiving Day, potatoes this year on the November US holiday were up by 3.7 percent, bread rolls 3.9 percent and apples 5.3 percent – all outpacing the 3 percent annual inflation rate, government data shows. Will Trump’s bailout package be enough to rescue farmers? While farmers have generally welcomed Trump’s bailout package, many view it as a temporary reprieve rather than a solution to long-term challenges like rising costs and the decline of small-scale farming. “[It’s]

Zelenskyy warns Russia, China stepping up military-industrial cooperation

Zelenskyy warns Russia, China stepping up military-industrial cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that China is moving to “intensify cooperation” with Russia, particularly in the military-industrial sphere, amid deepening ties between the strategic partners since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour. In comments on social media on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said a report from the head of Kyiv’s foreign intelligence had noted the dependence of the Russian state on “Chinese investment, technologies, and political priorities”. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The Ukrainian leader said that Kyiv’s partner intelligence services had also noted the moves by Beijing and Moscow to ramp up their cooperation in the military-industrial sector, adding he had instructed Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service to monitor the cooperation “more substantively” for how it related to Ukraine’s and its Western allies’ interests. “Global security must not be undermined because Russia’s appetite for aggression remains unabated,” he said. The report also observed a growing trend of the “de-sovereignisation of parts of Russian territory” in Beijing’s favour – primarily through the use of resource-rich land, and the sale of precious resources to China, he said. Despite pressure from the West, Beijing, Moscow’s key strategic partner, has drawn closer to Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has claimed neutrality in the conflict, maintaining a low profile amid international efforts to negotiate peace, despite calls for it to use its influence over Moscow – which relies heavily on China to blunt the impact of Western sanctions – to help bring an end to the conflict. Advertisement In September, the Chinese and Russian leaders outlined their vision of a new, multilateral international order at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, while last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to expand investment and deepen economic relations between the countries in a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, describing the enhanced ties as a “shared strategic choice”. Xi highlighted industries including aerospace, energy, agriculture, and the digital economy as sectors where the countries could cooperate. ‘Coalition of willing’ to meet Zelenskyy’s warning came as he said Ukrainian officials ​​were expected to hand US negotiators their latest proposals to end the war shortly, amid US President Donald Trump’s push for a settlement. Zelenskyy is due to discuss the status of those negotiations in a video call on Thursday with the leaders of about 30 of Ukraine’s allies, members of the so-called “coalition of the willing” led by France and the United Kingdom. The French presidency confirmed on Wednesday that the call would take place. Ukraine’s European allies are backing Zelenskyy’s effort to ensure that any deal to end the war is fair and deters future Russian aggression in Europe, amid concerns that Trump’s push for a swift settlement will result in an outcome heavily weighted in the Kremlin’s favour. Responding to comments from Trump that suggested the Ukrainian president was using the war as an excuse not to hold an election, Zelenskyy also said the country would be ready to hold a vote within three months if its partners guaranteed security during wartime, and provided its electoral law could be altered. “To hold elections, two issues must be addressed: primarily, security – how to conduct them, how to do it under strikes, under missile attacks; and a question regarding our military – how they would vote,” Zelenskyy said. “The second issue is the legislative framework required to ensure the legitimacy of elections,” he said, referring to the fact that elections cannot be held during times of martial law. Hospital shelled in Russian-held Kherson Meanwhile, as efforts continued to reach a settlement in the war, hostilities continued to play out on the battlefield. In a Russia-controlled part of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, three people were killed and two wounded by Ukrainian shelling of a hospital, a Russia-installed governor, Vladimir Saldo, said on Telegram. He said all the victims worked at the facility, and one of the injured was in intensive care. Advertisement Elsewhere, Russian drones hit the gas transport system in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk said, while heavy fighting was continuing to rage in Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donbas region, where Ukraine’s military said it was fending off a Russian mechanised assault. Adblock test (Why?)

Are Israel, Hamas entering the second phase of Gaza ceasefire?

Are Israel, Hamas entering the second phase of Gaza ceasefire?

NewsFeed The Gaza ceasefire agreement is preparing to enter phase two, even as the first phase fell short of its promises; with Israel limiting aid deliveries and continuing to kill hundreds of Palestinians in strikes across the Strip. Al Jazeera’s Simon Speakman Cordall explains what we know. Published On 10 Dec 202510 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)

Goa restaurant owners Luthra brothers ran 42 companies from one place

Goa restaurant owners Luthra brothers ran 42 companies from one place

The owners of Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra ran 42 shell companies covered under their legal restaurant empire reportedly. The brothers fled to Phuket in Thailand after which the Interpol issued a Blue Notice against Gaurav Luthra and Sourav Luthra.