Is a nuclear conflict possible?
A report finds nuclear powers have increased spending on a scale never seen before. A report by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons shows spending on such munitions has ballooned. Nearly $100bn has been spent by the world’s nine nuclear-armed nations in a single year. Nuclear warhead stockpiles have reduced since the peak of the Cold War. But soaring new expenditures beg the questions of why these countries are willing to spend such incredible sums of money on atomic weapons – and whether they are making the world any safer. Presenter: Neave Barker Guests: Nikolai Sokov – Senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Gary Samore – Professor at Brandeis University Victor Gao – Vice president of the Center for China and Globalization Adblock test (Why?)
Top Senate Republicans demand answers from Mayorkas after suspected ISIS terrorists released into US at border
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., led a group of 21 senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to demand answers after people with suspected ties to ISIS were apprehended at the southern border, vetted and then released into the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently arrested eight people after one was reportedly caught on a wiretap talking about bombs. “President Biden is derelict in his duty to protect and defend our country,” Budd said in a statement. “These incidents highlight the extreme national security risks posed by the open southern border. We need to expose what happened here, and make sure it never happens again. We need to secure the border and stop the chaos.” In the letter that was sent to Mayorkas on Tuesday morning, Budd and the other senators expressed concerns over reports of the arrests of eight people from Tajikistan suspected to have terror ties to ISIS who crossed the southern border to enter the U.S. last year and this year. FBI DIRECTOR WRAY PRESSED ON 8 ISIS-LINKED BORDER CROSSERS RELEASED INTO US “We are deeply concerned by reports that a wiretap shows that one of the now-arrested individuals was talking about bombs and that the target of the wiretap was previously released by federal authorities at the southern border with a court date of next year,” the letter reads. “We are further concerned by reports that federal authorities vetting these individuals upon entry into the U.S. did not detect any ties to ISIS at the time and only discovered these ties “[l]ater and in recent weeks.” The letter also details other recent releases of illegal immigrants on the terrorist watch list into the U.S. It also highlights a November 2023 hearing where FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “There are certainly individuals who are the subject of terrorism investigations that we are searching for.” AUTHORITIES NAB 8 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS WITH TIES TO ISIS IN MULTICITY STING OPERATION Due to the nature of the threats to the American public, the senators requested that DHS brief the senators or their staff and answer several questions by June 25. The senators are requesting that Mayorkas release the identities of all the arrested individuals, explain when, where and why they entered the U.S., and if they claimed asylum when they entered the U.S. They are also requesting that they explain what the vetting process included for these individuals, answer if they are part of ISIS or another terrorist group, and are they part of a broader network inside the U.S. They also are requesting that DHS tell them if they were planning a terrorist attack and if they possessed any weapons. FBI DIRECTOR WRAY WARNED OF TERROR THREAT POSED BY OPEN BORDER DAYS BEFORE 8 ISIS SUSPECTS ARRESTED ACROSS US This letter comes a week after Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., sent a similar letter to Wray to demand answers on how the eight Tajikistan nationals — who crossed the border illegally and were later arrested in three major American cities — had been released into the U.S. interior in the first place. The senator wrote that he and Wray shared “the same concern about suspected terrorists and watch-list subjects crossing the border.” “Last week, I questioned FBI Director Wray regarding steps the FBI is taking to protect Americans from terrorists illegally crossing the southern border,” Moran wrote. “I appreciate the FBI’s work to track down these eight potential terrorists, but the fact of the matter is, the Biden administration should never have allowed these suspected terrorists onto U.S. soil in the first place. The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and a defenseless border has left our country vulnerable to attack.” LINDSEY GRAHAM REQUESTS FULL SENATE BRIEFING ON ISIS BORDER THREAT AFTER TERRORIST BUST Wray warned the Senate Appropriations’ subcommittee during a meeting last week that since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel, a “rogue gallery of foreign terrorist organizations” have been calling for attacks on Americans, the U.S. and U.S. allies. “And given those calls for action, our most immediate concern has been that individuals or small groups will draw a twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,” Wray said. “But now, on top of that, increasingly concerning is the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, not unlike the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russian concert hall back in March.” The letter authored by Sen. Budd was co-signed by Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., John Thune, R-S.D., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Tim Scott, R-S.C., JD Vance, R-Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Mike Lee, R-Utah, Roger Marshall, R-Kan., John Hoeven, R-N.D., John Kennedy, R-La., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Todd Young, R-Ind., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
Melania will ‘most certainly’ have influence on Trump’s VP pick, says former White House aide
Former First Lady Melania Trump will “most certainly” have an influence on who her husband selects as a running mate for the 2024 presidential election, according to one former White House insider. “Mrs. Trump will most certainly speak her mind when it comes to which person she thinks would be best to serve alongside her husband as he attempts to take back the White House,” the source, who previously served as an aide to Trump during his presidency, told Fox News Digital. “Whether or not Trump takes her advice when selecting his running mate will be determined later down the road. It’s safe to assume, though, based on what I’ve seen in the past, that she will be upfront and candid about whether certain people are fit to serve as vice president,” the source said of Melania. Should she make clear who she believes fits the bill best, it won’t be the first time Melania influenced her husband’s thinking when it comes to his vice presidential pick. TRUMP HAS ‘SORT OF A PRETTY GOOD IDEA’ OF VP PICK, WILL PROBABLY ANNOUNCE DURING RNC CONVENTION In her 2018 book, “First in Line: Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Pursuit of Power,” Kate Andersen Brower noted that Melania played a pivotal role in ensuring a “clean” and “safe” candidate was chosen to serve as Trump’s running mate in the 2016 election. “That meant no affairs and no messy financial entanglements. In short, it meant no drama. She realized her husband had enough of that already,” Brower noted at the time. Though they now have a troubled relationship marred by the results of the 2020 presidential election, Trump ultimately selected former Vice President Mike Pence to serve as his running mate for both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Brower said Melania was “decidedly in Pence’s corner” due to his record of having “absolutely no skeletons.” Though it is still unclear who Trump will select as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election, which is less than five months away, a report published last week touted the former president and first lady’s relationship with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and his family. The Puck report highlighted Melania’s relationship with Burgum’s wife, Kathryn, and pointed to how she “worked with Melania on multiple occasions, including on building recovery-friendly workplaces” during Trump’s presidency. ‘GREATEST THREAT’: FORMER TOP KAMALA HARRIS AIDE REVEALS WHICH TRUMP VP PICK COULD SINK HER CANDIDACY The report also highlighted how the Burgums were invited to the White House to celebrate the signing of the First Step Act criminal justice reform initiative, an issue the outlet said is “particularly important to Kathryn.” Additionally, the outlet noted how the two couples “bonded” with one another at Mar-a-Lago for an Easter brunch this year. It is not yet known whether Melania will speak on Burgum’s behalf as the former president weighs his options in the crowded contest for vice president, but she’s had success in offering suggestions to her husband in the past. Petitioning the former president on particular topics was something the former first lady is said to have done often, typically on issues dealing with public perception and trust. “There were definitely times when he sought Mrs. Trump’s counsel, and those occurrences were typically dealing with what I’d consider to be public perception,” the former White House insider told Fox. “He knew when not to also. He wouldn’t usually seek her advice on issues that he had specific knowledge about — like the economy, business, trade and other dealings of the sort.” “She is in many ways, I think, like Nancy Reagan behind the scenes,” the source added. “Though she wasn’t seen by the public each day, she played roles in several decisions that were made for the better regarding public perception, trust, and advocacy during the Trump presidency.” Speaking to Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Republican National Committee last week, Trump said he has “sort of a pretty good idea” of who his vice presidential running mate will be. His decision, however, isn’t expected to be made public until this summer’s Republican National Convention, which is slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wis., from July 15 to 18.
VA Dem Tim Kaine warns against taking election for granted as Trump eyes blue state
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he is taking Virginia elections seriously in November, despite the state’s recent trend of going blue. “Nobody should take anything for granted in Virginia,” the senator told Fox News Digital. “I know I’m not taking it for granted,” Kaine added. “I don’t think anyone should.” SENATE GOP STOPS DEM ATTEMPT TO BAN BUMP STOCKS AFTER SCOTUS REVERSES TRUMP-ERA RULE Kaine is up for re-election in November. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. The Virginia Senate race is currently rated as “Solid Democratic” by nonpartisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report. “We’ve gone four presidential elections in a row behind a Democrat, but that was after 44 years of going red in presidential races, and we have a Republican governor,” Kaine explained, referencing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s successful campaign in 2021. SCHUMER PUSHES FOR BUMP STOCK BAN AFTER SCOTUS REVERSES TRUMP-ERA RULE The lawmaker’s remarks come as Republicans are eyeing Virginia going into the 2024 elections. “Joe Biden is so weak, and Democrats are in such disarray, that not only is President Trump winning every traditional battleground state, but longtime blue states such as Minnesota, Virginia, and New Jersey are now in play,” claimed Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in a recent statement to Fox News Digital. ELIZABETH WARREN WARNS DEMS TO STAND FIRM ON TAX HIKES AS FIGHT LOOMS OVER TRUMP-ERA CUTS “President Trump is on offense with a winning message and growing his movement every single day. Joe Biden’s campaign should be terrified,” she added. Youngkin also telegraphed confidence in Virginia being up for grabs in a recent interview, saying, “I think Virginia is in play. Let’s just remind ourselves – Joe Biden won Virginia by 10 points in 2020. I ended up winning by two the next year.” TRUMP SELLS SENATE REPUBLICANS ON PLAN TO WIN OVER WORKERS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING Kaine will face off against a GOP contender in the Senate election, which voters are selecting in Tuesday’s GOP primary election. The top contenders for the nomination are retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao, former DeSantis staffer and Club for Growth employee Scott Parkinson, and constitutional attorney Jonathan Emord. Cao is notably endorsed by former President Trump. An added factor in the matchup is that Kaine and his opponent will need to share a ticket with their party’s presidential candidate, expected to be Biden and Trump. In a recent Fox News Poll, Biden and Trump were tied in Virginia, shocking some. The two were each at 48% in the survey, despite Biden winning 54.11% to Trump’s 44% in 2020.
Texas’ maternal mortality committee questions recent changes after anti-abortion doctor’s appointment
The committee’s chair also raised concerns about the state’s possible departure from a federal system to share data about maternal deaths.
White House press briefing interrupted by medical emergency
The White House press briefing on Tuesday was briefly interrupted by a medical emergency. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stopped a reporter in the middle of his question and rushed down from the podium to assist after a person declared, “We have an emergency!” “Hold on, did somebody pass out?” Jean-Pierre asked as White House medical staff attended to the individual, who appeared to have passed out due to the heat. After a few minutes, Jean-Pierre returned to the podium as the person in need received medical attention. KARINE JEAN-PIERRE SLAMMED FOR CLAIMING BIDEN VIDEOS ARE DEEPFAKES: ‘DON’T BELIEVE YOUR LYING EYES!’ “Sorry about that. Hopefully she’s okay,” Jean-Pierre said. A reporter then made a comment about the heat, to which she replied, “You are correct. It is hot in here.” Before resuming questions, Jean-Pierre asked the gathered White House correspondents if anyone needed water. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the individual’s condition. Temperatures in Washington, D.C., hit a high of 92 degrees Tuesday but felt closer to 98 with humidity. The sweltering temperatures are part of a heat wave impacting tens of millions of people in the Midwest and Northeast this week. CHILD HOT CAR DEATH PUSHES PARENTS WHO LOST DAUGHTER TO SOUND ALARM ABOUT ‘PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY’ A massive high pressure system has moved over the east coast, sending temperatures in the nation’s capital, New York City and Boston into the 90s, FOX Weather reported. The heat is forecast to linger for the rest of the week and will increase in D.C. in the next few days, FOX 5 DC reported. By the weekend, it is possible D.C. will issue a heat advisory as temperatures are predicted to reach 100 degrees or higher. GEORGIA BOY, 3, DEAD AFTER GRANDMA FORGETS ABOUT HIM IN HOT CAR; UNCLE MAKES GRUESOME DRIVE-THRU DISCOVERY More than 76 million people are already included in heat alerts that stretch from Iowa in the Midwest to the Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley into the Northeast and New England, according to FOX Weather. A majority of the population are under a heat advisory, including in cities like Davenport in Iowa; Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati in Ohio; Buffalo and Binghamton in New York; Newark in New Jersey; Providence in Rhode Island and Boston. Heat advisories are also in place in northern New England, including Vermont, central and southern New Hampshire and central Maine. Excessive heat warnings have been issued for Pittsburgh, Detroit and Fort Wayne in Indiana, while excessive heat watches have been issued for the Philadelphia area, western Massachusetts and central Connecticut, and for communities in New England from eastern Massachusetts to southern Maine. Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston and Caribou, Maine baked Tuesday with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to the 90s. New York City Mayor Eric Adams advised residents to seek cooling centers open throughout the city to “beat the heat.” FOX Weather’s Steven Yablonski contributed to this report.
Migrants in ‘urgent humanitarian’ need flown to US from Bahamas, other vacation hot spots
A Biden administration program to offer migrants “humanitarian” commercial flights directly to dozens of American airports has seen supposedly endangered migrants fly to the U.S. from some of the world’s richest countries. Migrants are being flown in from rich European countries such as France and Germany and vacation hot spots like the Bahamas and Jamaica under the Biden administration’s CHNV Program, according to data obtained by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The CHNV Program, which allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly commercially directly to dozens of U.S. airports, was launched in 2022 and was created to give nationals from those countries and their family members sanctuary in the U.S. for “urgent humanitarian reasons.” FBI DIRECTOR WRAY WARNED OF TERROR THREAT POSED BY OPEN BORDER DAYS BEFORE 8 ISIS SUSPECTS ARRESTED ACROSS US The program has led to over 460,000 migrants being flown to the U.S., according to the CIS report, with the migrants being released on temporary humanitarian parole for renewable two-year periods and given work permits. The migrants are also assumed to be using that time to apply for asylum, though the CIS report notes they are not required to submit an asylum application. But the list of departure countries used casts doubt on claims that the migrants are in any sort of urgent danger. In addition to Germany and France, migrants have flown to the U.S. from Australia, Iceland, Fiji, Greece, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Other popular vacation hot spots include the Caribbean, Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia. St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In all, migrants have been flown to undisclosed U.S. airports from 77 countries, a list that also included Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. FORMER ASSISTANT FBI DIRECTOR WARNS AGAINST ‘HUGE VULNERABILITY’ ASSOCIATED WITH BORDER SURGE “I would say this data is evidence that the parole program is not being used to help aliens flee to safety but, rather, as a secondary immigration system that has not been authorized by Congress,” Elizabeth Jacobs, the director of regulatory affairs for the Center for Immigration Studies, said of the findings. “The Biden administration is likely paroling in aliens who are already ‘firmly resettled’ in safe and orderly countries but are nevertheless benefiting under the guise of urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.” Nevertheless, the administration has defended the program as a humanitarian success and also argued there is a “significant public benefit” from the program, noting that the flights make it less likely for the migrants to attempt crossings at the southern border. But CIS notes that some of the departure countries call into question whether a migrant would have shown up at the U.S. border at all if not for the program, instead arguing that it is possible the migrants had already resettled in other, safer countries but later chose to go to the United States. “This information suggests that these people are firmly resettled and if they need to seek protection, then they can seek it in the countries they’re living in,” Andrew Arthur, a CIS fellow and former immigration judge, said of the data. “If they are coming from anyplace other than Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, they’re simply trading up from the third country that they’re coming from. This literally has nothing to do with asylum claims or anything else.” The White House did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. Get the latest updates on the ongoing border crisis from the Fox News Digital immigration hub.
Fox News Politics: The Gag Stays
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. What’s happening… -White House offers ‘condolences’ but no solutions to migrant crisis -‘Squad’ member at risk of losing Democratic primary -NATO Chief credits Trump for members meeting spending goals The New York Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected former President Trump’s bid to have the gag order against him lifted, citing that “no substantial constitutional question is directly involved.” Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order that restricts the former president and presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee from speaking about witnesses and the case now that Trump’s trial has concluded. Trump’s lawyers cited the November presidential election and the first debate against President Biden later this month, as well as the First Amendment rights of the former president and his supporters as reasons for the order to be lifted. When Merchan refused to lift the gag order, Trump appealed that decision, which the appeals court rejected Tuesday. NOTHING TO SEE HERE!: WH press secretary skewered for claiming controversial Biden videos are deepfakes …Read more GUIDIN’ BIDEN: WATCH: Obama’s offstage escort just latest example of allies directing president …Read more ‘SOCIAL FABRIC’: Biden plan offers sweeping protections to hundreds of thousands of migrants …Read more ‘ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE’: Biden DHS faces GOP senator’s fury over new ‘amnesty’ proposal …Read more ‘IT’S JUST INSANE’: White House offers ‘condolences’ but no solution amid migrant murder allegation …Read more ‘FUNDING TERRORISM’: Biden’s new $404M Gaza aid package spurs concerns it could fall in Hamas’ hands …Read more ‘HE SAT NEXT TO DAD’: Hunter Biden revealed top CCP leader wanted him to visit China to ‘discuss business opportunities’: emails …Read more ‘WILL NOT BE TOLERATED’: Man who left threats and racist voicemails for Rep Maxine Waters learns sentence …Read more ‘PURE ATTACK’: Fauci recounts reaction to his congressional testimony as ‘vitriol and pure hostility’ …Read more ‘PUSHING AN IDEA’: Rand Paul grills doctor on COVID-19 origins during Senate hearing …Read more ETHICS REVIEW: House Ethics Committee gives critical update in Matt Gaetz investigation …Read more BLUE ON BLUE: ‘Squad’ rep in danger of losing primary as Dems back challenger …Read more TRUMP’S REVENGE?: Trump’s revenge? House Freedom Caucus chair targeted by former president after endorsing DeSantis …Read more ‘POLITICAL SYMPATHY’: Lawmaker questions 0 arrests after pro-Palestinian violence …Read more WHAT ARE THE ODDS?: James Carville says he’d bet Trump will be a ‘no-show’ at first debate …Read more RAZOR THIN: Trump holds slight edge nationwide as 1st debate with Biden nears: poll …Read more ‘UNTHINKABLE’: Trump says ‘Biden’ migrant attack in New York ‘should never have happened’ …Read more ‘PROVEN FIGHTER’: Trump tosses support behind Alaska House candidate looking to unseat Dem …Read more KICK OFF KAMALA?: Democrats could replace Kamala Harris with Hillary Clinton before November: column …Read more DEFENSELESS: As migrant cases surge, more unaccompanied minors are fending for themselves in court hearings …Read more SUSPECT NABBED: Ecuadorian migrant arrested in broad-daylight sex assault of 13-year-old girl in NYC …Read more ‘GIVE US THE TOOLS’: Netanyahu invokes Churchill, urges US to renew weapons supply to Israel …Read more PULLING THEIR WEIGHT: NATO chief credits Trump for record number of members meeting spending targets …Read more ALARMING DISCOVERY: Newly reported Iranian activity could ‘upend’ US assessment of nuclear weapon progress: expert …Read more BLOCKED BY THE COURT: Federal judge halts Iowa law that would allow criminal charges against illegal immigrants …Read more Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Texas Ethics Commission will require influencers to disclose when they’re paid for advertisement
The action comes after The Texas Tribune reported that influencers were being paid to defend impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Conservative groups launch 6-figure campaign to defeat Dem crackdown on Zyn: ‘Save our pouches’
FIRST ON FOX: Two conservative nonprofits have teamed up to deploy resources at major sporting events across the country this summer to criticize and bring attention to a push by Democrats to crack down on Zyn nicotine pouches. Americans for Consumer Protection and Building America’s Future have launched a six-figure campaign that began with a team on the ground at golf’s U.S. Open in North Carolina over the weekend as operatives with signs and promotional materials called on lawmakers to “Save Our Pouches.” “Nicotine pouches have been found to help adult smokers transition ‘to safer alternatives.’ Sweden has virtually eradicated usage of traditional cigarettes by ‘enabling this transition to safer alternatives’ and the country’s openness to allow the sale of smoke free alternatives (like nicotine pouches) to cigarettes,” the nonprofits said in a press release. “Instead of banning nicotine pouches, alternative products to cigarettes such as nicotine pouches have helped accelerate the rapid decrease of smoking rates among adults in Sweden.” EXPERTS SAY SCHUMER ATTACK ON ZYN IS ‘MORAL PANIC’ ABOUT SMOKE-FREE NICOTINE PRODUCTS THAT CAN ‘SAVE LIVES’ Operatives on the ground at the U.S. Open pushing the “Save Our Pouches” message passed out merchandise and collected signatures for a petition to stop the Zyn ban proposed by Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for a federal crackdown on Zyn nicotine pouches earlier this year, eliciting strong backlash in return. FETTERMAN REJECTS TOP DEMOCRAT’S ATTEMPTED CRACKDOWN ON ZYN: ‘ON THE SIDE OF MORE FREEDOM’ While Schumer did not call to ban Zyn nicotine pouches outright, he issued a warning to parents about their popularity and announced he was asking the FTC and the FDA to investigate Zyn for concerns related to marketing and health effects on children. The U.S. Open was the first event of the “Save our Pouches Summer Tour,” which is expected to target 10 similar sporting events during the coming months to “continue building opposition for a ban on nicotine pouches.” The press release explains that the Save our Pouches Summer Tour will “help engage low propensity conservatives ahead of the 2024 election” and “the events they will prioritize have an abundance of conservative pouch users who may not normally attend traditional political events such as rallies or state party conventions.” Upcoming events the groups are considering attending next include UFC 303, WWE SummerSlam and NASCAR events, such as the Great American Getaway, Firekeepers Casino 400 and Quaker State 400. Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall and Joe Schoffstall contributed to this report.