Biden, after Navalny’s death, says ‘no doubt’ that ‘Putin and his thugs’ were behind it
President Biden said on Friday, following news of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, that there is “no doubt” it was a “consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.” Russian officials said Navalny reported feeling unwell following a walk at the penal colony where he was jailed in Siberia before losing consciousness and dying. “Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible,” Biden told reporters at the White House. “What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality. No one should be fooled, not in Russia, not at home, not anywhere in the world.” “The answer is, we don’t know exactly what happened, but there is no doubt that the death of Navalny was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did,” Biden added. NAVALNY SEEN GRINNING, LAUGHING IN COURTROOM VIDEO A DAY BEFORE HIS DEATH “People across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today, because he was so many things that Putin was not,” Biden continued. “He was brave, he was principled, he was dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed and where it applied to everybody. Navalny believed in that Russia, that Russia, he knew it was a cause worth fighting for and obviously even dying for.” In 2021, President Biden, after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva, Switzerland, was asked about what would happen if Navalny were to die in Russian custody. “I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia,” Biden said at the time. GEN. KEANE SAYS PUTIN BELIEVES US, EUROPE ‘TAKING A KNEE’ ON UKRAINE When asked about that remark Friday, Biden said, “That was three years ago,” and, “In the meantime, they faced a hell of a lot of consequences,” referring to Russian troop losses in the war in Ukraine and international sanctions waged against their government. “I just want to say ‘God bless Alexei Navalny,’” Biden concluded. “His courage will not be forgotten.”
Biden to speak in East Palestine, Ohio, a year after toxic train derailment led to environmental disaster
President Biden will visit East Palestine, Ohio, on Friday for the first time since a hazardous train derailment released more than a million gallons of toxic chemicals in the area, causing health and environmental concerns. The president has been heavily criticized by Republicans and local residents for not visiting the rural Ohio village, which is located in Columbiana County on the state’s border with Pennsylvania, in the weeks and months that followed. The incident involving a Norfolk Southern train resulted in many residents on both sides of the border having to abandon their homes and suffering from various ailments. OHIO RAILROAD WORKER CRUSHED TO DEATH BY REMOTE-CONTROLLED TRAIN The National Transportation Safety Board said 38 cars derailed on Feb. 3, 2023, and a fire damaged another dozen train cars. Biden claimed in September that he simply had not had time with his busy schedule to visit the Ohio town. His lack of a visit came in contrast to former President Trump, who met with residents of East Palestine on Feb. 22, 2023, just weeks after the incident. Joining him was Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. “You are not forgotten. We stand with you. We pray for you. And we will stand with you and your fight to help ensure the accountability that you deserve,” Trump told the crowd at the time. “The community has shown the tough and resilient heart of America. And that’s what it is. This is really America right here. We’re standing in America.” This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Biden blasts House for two-week ‘vacation’ despite facing criticism for his frequent beach trips
President Biden excoriated the House of Representatives on Friday for taking a two-week recess, which he referred to as a “vacation,” despite facing criticism himself for the number of vacations he has taken during his presidency. “No, but it’s about time they step up, don’t you think?” Biden told a reporter on Friday when asked whether there is anything he can do to get more ammunition to Ukraine without Congress. “Instead of going on a two-week vacation. Two weeks, walking away. Two weeks? What are they thinking? My God, this is bizarre, and its just reinforcing, and it’s just reinforcing all the concern and, and almost I won’t say panic, but real concern about the United States being a reliable ally. This is outrageous.” Biden, who has been heavily criticized by conservatives for the amount of time he has spent on vacation at his Delaware beach house over the years, faced backlash online from conservatives over his Friday comment. CNN DEFENDS BIDEN’S ‘ROUTINE’ VACATION AGAINST ‘REPUBLICAN BACKLASH’ IN RIDICULED PIECE: ‘CAN’T MAKE THIS UP’ “Wait — Biden, the man who has spent more of his term on vacation than working and has been MIA on vacay during nearly every major event of the past years — is mad that the House is out for two weeks?” Conservative author and commentator Dana Loesch posted on X. “In a related story, Biden will be taking another long weekend at the beach and has spent 40% of his presidency on vacation,” Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted on X. “REALITY CHECK: Joe Biden has spent 40% of his presidency on vacation,” GOP strategist Steve Guest posted on X. 50 CENT RIPS BIDEN FOR DELAWARE BEACH TRIP AMID ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: ‘WE GOT SOME REAL S— GOING ON’ According to a New York Post report last fall, Biden is on pace to spend about 40% of his presidency on vacation, compared to former President Trump who spent 26% of his time outside Washington, D.C., and Obama’s 11%. Biden was home in Delaware during several tumultuous moments, including the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and during the first discovery of Chinese spy balloons over the United States. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Biden has been chiding GOP leadership in the House over the last few days to pass a $95 billion national security supplemental package to assist Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific that recently passed in the Senate by a vote of 70-29. “The Republican-led House will not be jammed or forced into passing a foreign aid bill,” Johnson said at a press conference afterward. Johnson, who rejected a border-security compromise that was eventually stripped from the final product, said the Senate’s package “does nothing” to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, which has been the GOP’s priority. Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump barred from operating business, ordered to pay over $350 million in NY civil fraud case
Former President Donald Trump was barred from operating his business in New York for three years and was found liable for more than $350 million in damages in the civil fraud case brought against him, his family and the Trump Organization by New York Attorney General Letitia James. New York Judge Arthur Engoron handed down his ruling Friday after a months-long trial beginning in October and stemming from James’ lawsuit alleging the former president inflated his assets and committed fraud. Engoron fined Trump $364 million Engoron also barred Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation or legal entity in New York for two years. New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the lawsuit accusing Trump and the Trump Organization of fraudulent business practices. The court proceedings were contentious, with Engoron repeatedly placing Trump under a partial gag order to prevent him from criticizing court staff. James had sought $370 million, plus 9% interest in penalties from Trump. Any awarded funds would go to the New York State Treasury, unless directed elsewhere by the state comptroller. Trump dismissed the trial as a “witch hunt” throughout the process, accusing both Engoron and James of serving as political operatives for Democrats. Trump’s legal team also repeatedly blasted the lack of a jury in the trial. TRUMP VISITS MANHATTAN COURT TO BLAST NYAG CASE, PRAISES APPELLATE RULING IN HIS FAVOR “There was never an option to choose a jury trial,” a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital last month. “It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” TRUMP’S GAG ORDER CHALLENGE IN NEW YORK AG LETITIA JAMES’ CIVIL SUIT REJECTED Trump and his family denied any wrongdoing, with the former president saying his assets had been undervalued. Trump’s legal team insisted that his financial statements had disclaimers, and made it clear to banks that they should conduct their own assessments. Trump has said his financial statements were “perfect,” and stressed that the bank loans were repaid and are “as happy as can be.” Throughout the trial, Trump attorneys brought witnesses, including former Deutsche Bank top executives, who testified the banks sought additional business from Trump, who they viewed as a “whale of a client.” Trump’s defense also brought in expert witnesses, including New York University accounting professor Eli Bartov, who reviewed the Trump financial statements at issue in the case and said he found no evidence of accounting fraud. Bartov testified last month that Trump’s financial statements did not violate accounting principles, and he suggested that anything problematic — like a huge year-to-year leap in the estimated value of his Trump Tower penthouse — was simply an error. “My main finding is that there is no evidence whatsoever of any accounting fraud,” Bartov testified. Trump’s financial statements, he said, “were not materially misstated.” James’ office had requested that Engoron ban Trump, his sons and the other defendants from applying for loans in New York for five years, in addition to blocking the Trump Organization from handling any real estate business for the same period. JUDGE IMPOSES PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN TRUMP ORG TRIAL, BLOCKING PARTIES FROM VERBAL ATTACKS AGAINST COURT STAFF Trump and his team have pointed to James’ comments to supporters as she ran for her position. “We’re definitely gonna sue him, we’re gonna be a real pain in the a–,” James once told a supporter on video. James also once said Trump was an “existential threat,” and said “the No. 1 issue in this country is defeating Donald Trump.” “Nothing else matters,” James said. In September, Engoron ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization had committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing. “He ruled against me without knowing anything about me,” Trump said on the stand during the trial last year. “He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me.” Engoron’s ruling comes weeks after Trump was ordered to pay over $83 million in a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault.
Biden calls for an end to impeachment inquiry after indictment of FBI informant: ‘Outrageous effort’
President Biden called for House Republicans to drop their impeachment inquiry against him, saying on Friday that it has been “an outrageous effort from the beginning.” The president’s comments came after the indictment of FBI informant who alleged that Joe Biden and Hunter Biden had been paid millions of dollars in exchange for their help firing the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Burisma Holdings. “He is lying, and it should be dropped,” Biden said after a reporter asked about the indicted FBI informant. House Republicans told Fox News Digital that their impeachment inquiry has much more evidence that does not rely on the indicted FBI source. FBI INFORMANT CHARGED WITH GIVING FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN IN 2020 Special Counsel David Weiss charged Alexander Smirnov, 43, with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record during FBI interviews. According to the indictment, Smirnov gave “false derogatory information” to the FBI despite “repeated admonishments that he must provide truthful information and that he must not fabricate evidence.” The indictment says that Smirnov had told an FBI agent in March 2017 that he had had a phone call with Burisma’s owner concerning the firm potentially acquiring a U.S. company and making an initial public offering (IPO) on a U.S.-based stock exchange. In reporting this conversation to the FBI agent, Smirnov said that Hunter Biden was a board member of Burisma, though that was publicly known. In June 2020, Smirnov is accused of having told the FBI, for the first time, about two meetings he had had four to five years earlier, in which executives associated with Burisma had supposedly admitted that they had hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.” During this meeting, the indictment alleges that Smirnov said the executives had paid $5 million to each of the Bidens while Joe Biden was still in office. The indictment alleges that Smirnov falsely claimed that the Bidens had been paid so that Hunter Biden, with his dad’s help, could take care of a criminal investigation being conducted by the then-Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Viktor Shokin, into Burisma. BIDEN, NOT SPECIAL COUNSEL HUR, BROUGHT UP SON’S DEATH IN QUESTIONING The allegations were recorded on an FBI FD-1023 form, which is used by FBI agents to record unverified reporting from confidential human sources. The form is used to document information as told to an FBI agent, but recording that information does not validate or weigh it against other information known by the FBI. The FD-1023 form containing the allegations last year became a key document in the House investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley were approached by a whistleblower last summer who alleged that the FBI was in possession of a document — an FD-1023 form, dated June 30, 2020 — that explicitly detailed information provided by a confidential human source alleging that Biden, while serving as vice president, had been involved in a multi-million-dollar scheme with a foreign national in exchange for influence over policy decisions. On Friday, Biden was asked about the indictment of Smirnov—and whether it should bring the impeachment inquiry to an end. “He is lying, and it should be dropped,” Biden said, referring to Smirnov’s allegations and the impeachment inquiry. “It’s just been a — it’s been an outrageous effort from the beginning.” Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell, earlier Friday, said the same: “For months we have warned that Republicans have built their conspiracies about Hunter and his family on lies told by people with political agendas, not facts. We were right, and the air is out of their balloon,” Lowell said in a statement. “This is just another instance of Chairmen Comer and Jordan peddling falsehoods based on dishonest, uncredible allegations and witnesses.” But Comer, who is leading the impeachment inquiry, said that the FBI’s FD-1023 form containing Smirnov’s is not being used in an impeachment inquiry against the president. SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT HUR TO TESTIFY PUBLICLY AT HOUSE HEARING ON BIDEN CLASSIFIED RECORDS PROBE The impeachment inquiry, he said, “is based on a large record of evidence, including bank records and witness testimony, revealing that Joe Biden knew of and participated in his family’s business dealings.” “We have over $30 million reasons to continue this investigation and not one of those reasons relies on the corrupt FBI or an informant. Bank records don’t lie,” Comer told Fox News Digital on Friday. “Bank records and witness testimony reveal Joe Biden knew about and participated in his family’s business schemes, and he has repeatedly lied to the American people about these facts.” Comer added: “The American people demand the truth and accountability for any wrongdoing. We will continue to follow the facts to propose legislation to reform federal ethics laws and to determine whether articles of impeachment are warranted.” Coming up in the impeachment inquiry is testimony from the president’s brother, Jim Biden, on February 21, and a deposition of Hunter Biden on February 28. Both testimonies will take place behind closed doors. Smirnov is accused of repeating some of his false claims during an interview with FBI agents in September 2023, while changing other bits of information, and promoting a new false narrative after claiming to have met with Russian officials. If convicted, Smirnov faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Kremlin critics: What happens to Putin’s most vocal opponents?
Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny is just one of many Kremlin critics to have fallen foul of the government under President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Navalny, 47, who Russian prison authorities said had died on Friday, was jailed in early 2021 after returning from Germany, where he was recovering from a near-fatal poisoning attack. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison on “extremism” charges that rights organisations widely condemned. In late 2023, he was moved to the remote prison colony in the Arctic Circle where he reportedly died. But Navalny is not the first opposition figure or Kremlin critic to die or be penalised for speaking out against Putin’s government. Here are a few others. Alexander Litvinenko, 43, died in London in 2006 after drinking polonium-210 [File: EPA] Alexander Litvinenko The former Russian FSB spy and Putin critic was killed in 2006 after drinking tea that had been poisoned with polonium-210, a radioactive isotope. Litvinenko had accused Putin, who was prime minister at the time, of corruption and of orchestrating the Moscow apartment bombings which were used as an excuse to start the 1999 Chechen War. Litvinenko, who had claimed citizenship in the United Kingdom, drank the poisoned tea during a meeting with two Russian spies in London. The murder is said to have been approved by Putin, but he has denied the allegation. Mikhail Khodorkovsky Some of Putin’s high-profile critics have been in exile for years. They include former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who spent a decade in prison after challenging the Russian leader early in his rule. Khodorkovsky left Russia after his release in 2013. He lives in London and has financed media projects critical of the Kremlin. Many of Navalny’s prominent allies similarly fled Russia after his organisations were banned as “extremist”. But the decision in February 2022 to send troops into Ukraine, which ushered in an unprecedented crackdown at home, proved to be a final nail in the coffin for Russia’s opposition movement. Russians opposed to Moscow’s attack on Ukraine are now scattered around the world. Many have fled to Europe and Israel. Boris Nemtsov In 2015, Boris Nemtsov, the former prime minister, was shot dead as he walked home across a Moscow bridge near the Kremlin. The 55-year-old had spoken out about Putin’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and regularly taken part in opposition protests. Five Chechen men were convicted of killing Nemtsov, but the mastermind of the murder was never found. Nemtov’s allies pointed to the Kremlin and to Chechen leader and Putin-ally Ramzan Kadyrov, who denied the accusation. Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed for 25 years in April 2023 [File: Moscow City Court/Handout via Reuters] Vladimir Kara-Murza Opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed in April 2023 for 25 years, the harshest sentence so far, for comments critical of the Kremlin and the military operation in Ukraine. Since the Ukraine war began nearly two years ago, the Kremlin has passed strict anti-defamation laws that make it illegal to speak out against the military and can result in long-term sentences. Kara-Murza, 42, was jailed on charges of treason, spreading “false” information about the Russian army and being affiliated with an “undesirable organisation”. His lawyers say he suffers from serious health problems due to two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017. Yevgeny Prigozhin Although not a critic of the Kremlin, the Wagner mercenary group founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, fell foul of his ally Putin months into the Ukraine war. Prigozhin first rose to prominence in Russia for his fighter role in the war. But he died in a plane crash in August 2023 after criticising the army for failing to accomplish its military goals. After taking control of Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine, Prigozhin, 62, became more vocal about his dissatisfaction with the Russian defence ministry, and in June, ordered his troops to march towards the Russian border city of Rostov-on-don. In an address at the time, Putin said that the “armed mutiny” amounted to treason. The Kremlin has rejected accusations that it assassinated the mercenary chief. Boris Akunin Famous author and outspoken Putin critic Boris Akunin, real name Grigory Chkhartishvili, lives in self-imposed exile in Europe. he was added to a list of “terrorists and extremists” by Moscow last month due to his views on the Ukraine war. The Russian justice ministry said he had spread “false information” and accused him of helping raise money for Ukraine. On Friday, Akunin said that Navalny’s death had made him “immortal” and he was now a more significant threat to Putin’s regime. “I also think that a murdered Alexei Navalny will be a bigger threat for the dictator than a living one,” Akunin said. “Most likely, to drown out voices of protest, he [Putin] will launch a campaign of terror in the country.” Adblock test (Why?)
At Rio’s Carnival parades, Yanomami activists fight ‘genocide’ with samba
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Yellow and green feathers radiating from his headdress, Davi Kopenawa strode onto the parade route with a mission in mind. All around him, the city of Rio de Janeiro was pulsing with music and merry-making: It was February 12, and the world’s largest Carnival celebration was under way. But Kopenawa was not in town to party. Rather, he had travelled more than 3,500 kilometres (2,000 miles) from his village in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest to spread a dire message: His people, the Yanomami, were in trouble. For decades, the Indigenous Yanomami have suffered at the hands of illegal gold miners, who destroyed vast stretches of their homeland and polluted their rivers with mercury. But since 2019, the crisis has reached new heights, with hundreds of Yanomami dying from conditions related to the mining. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has gone so far as to declare the situation a “genocide”. “Every day, we face death in our villages and attacks from illegal miners,” Kopenawa, a shaman, told Al Jazeera. Davi Kopenawa, centre, poses with parade participants in Rio de Janeiro [Monica Yanakiew/Al Jazeera] So this year, Kopenawa and other Indigenous leaders took an unusual step. They teamed up with Salgueiro, one of Rio’s celebrated samba schools, to stage an awareness campaign, right in the middle of the annual Carnival festivities. The result was unveiled in the early hours of Monday at Sambadrome, one of the premier destinations for Carnival parades. Floats dedicated to the “people of the forest” sailed down the Sambadrome’s wide parade avenue, surrounded by stands packed with thousands of spectators. Some of the floats featured larger-than-life depictions of Indigenous peoples, arms outstretched as if to soar above the pavement. One float, however, represented the death and destruction wrought by the miners, with feathered headdresses crowning skulls. Adblock test (Why?)
How likely is a regional conflict in the Middle East?
Israel has ramped up attacks in Lebanon – and Hezbollah has promised to retaliate. The Israeli military has been exchanging almost daily fire with Lebanese group Hezbollah since the war on Gaza began on October 7. Hezbollah says it is acting in solidarity with its ally in Gaza, Hamas, and that it will continue attacks as long as Israel bombards the besieged Palestinian strip. This week, Israeli attacks killed 10 civilians – including children – in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has promised to retaliate. Both sides say they are not looking for all-out war, but increasingly, attacks are happening far beyond the border area. So what does each party want to achieve? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Elijah Magnier – Military and political analyst who has covered conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa for more than 35 years Hala Jaber – Award-winning journalist and author of the book, Hezbollah: Born With A Vengeance Gilbert Achcar – Professor of development studies and international relations at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies Adblock test (Why?)
T-Squared: An update from our CEO
The Texas Tribune has voluntarily recognized the Texas Tribune Guild and looks forward to negotiating a contract.
Judge rejects attempts to toss indictments against Texas AG Ken Paxton, keeps April trial on course
Paxton’s securities fraud trial will kick off on April 15. He has been under indictment for nearly nine years. He has pleaded not guilty.