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Billionaires planning new California city unveil further details of proposal

Promoters of a secretive Silicon Valley-backed ballot initiative to build a new city on farmland between Sacramento and San Francisco are releasing more details of their plan as they submit paperwork Wednesday to qualify for the November election. California Forever, the company that stealthily snapped up more than $800 million of Solano County land in recent years, envisions a new community on roughly 30 square miles (75 square kilometers) between Travis Air Force Base and the tiny city of Rio Vista, according to a presentation by the group. The development would start with nearly 20,000 homes for 50,000 residents. It could grow to 400,000 people — which is nearly the current population of Solano County — but only if the project creates at least 15,000 jobs that pay above average wages, the group’s backers say. Plans call for a medium-density downtown with rowhouses and apartment buildings, and jobs, schools, bars and restaurants and grocery stores all within walking distance. SCAMMERS USE SOPHISTICATED NEW TECHNOLOGY TO TERRORIZE CALIFORNIA FAMILY: ‘WHERE IS MY SON?’ But none of that can happen without approval from county voters, who in 1984 backed protections against turning farmland into urban space. That’s why Jan Sramek, CEO and founder of California Forever, and the project’s backers are turning to the ballot. He’ll speak about the project and the proposed ballot initiative Wednesday, and the group must collect about 13,000 signatures from county voters to place it on the November ballot. California and the San Francisco Bay Area are desperate for more housing, especially affordable homes for teachers, firefighters, police and other municipal workers who make a city run. Situated between the Bay Area and the state’s capital, Solano County is an attractive location for military contractors, agriculture technology and construction tech companies seeking to innovate, said Gabriel Metcalf, head of planning for California Forever. Metcalf said if “we can provide companies with a pathway to growth, we think we’ll get some major employers creating jobs here that would otherwise go out of state, to places like Texas.” Created in 2017, California Forever has purchased more than 78 square miles (202 square kilometers) of farmland in Solano County. The plan calls for $400 million to help Solano County residents buy homes in the proposed community. But critics say existing cities such as Vallejo and Fairfield could use investment from Silicon Valley and they remain skeptical of Sramek and the project’s backers, who include philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. “This is a pipe dream,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, who was furious with backers for their secrecy about property close to a U.S. Air Force base. He said the proposed development, which he also was briefed on, makes no sense “in the middle of areas surrounded by wind farms, gas fields, endangered species, no water, no sanitation system and no road system let alone a highway system.”

‘Understand actions that countries take in self defence’: India on Iran missile strike in Pakistan

Pakistan on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Iran and suspended all planned high-level bilateral visits.

Feds approve 12 months of Medicaid coverage for low-income Texas moms

The move caps a yearslong effort to extend coverage. Medicaid covers half of all births in Texas.

California voters overwhelmingly say US border is ‘not secure,’ poll finds

An overwhelming majority of Californians say the U.S.-Mexico border is “not secure,” according to a new poll from the Los Angeles Times and Berkeley. The survey of registered voters found that 62% of respondents believed that the border was not secure, while just 30% said it is. The issue deeply divided the state’s Democrats as well, with 54% of people who identify as “strongly liberal” saying the border is secure and 30% saying it is not. Among California Republicans, 88% say the border is not secure and just 8% say it is. Furthermore, over 70% of registered voters agree that illegal immigrants are a “burden” on the U.S., with 42% saying they are a “major burden” and 30% saying they are a “minor burden,” according to the poll. TEXAS BEGINS FLYING MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES WITH FIRST FLIGHT TO CHICAGO Just 22% said illegal immigrants do not present any burden for the U.S. The Berkeley IGS poll was conducted from Jan. 4-8. It surveyed 8,199 randomly sampled registered California voters and advertised an estimated 1.5% margin of error. TEXAS MIGRANT FLIGHT HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY DIVERTED TO PHILADELPHIA Frustration with illegal immigration in a liberal bastion like California is in line with President Biden’s poor polling on immigration issues since gaining office. Republicans on Capitol Hill are currently seeking to impeach Biden’s Homeland Security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. Polls have also shown that voters overwhelmingly believe former President Trump could handle the border crisis more effectively. NYC MAYOR ADAMS SUES TEXAS BUS COMPANIES FOR TRANSPORTING MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITY, SEEKS $700 MILLION A surge in illegal immigration in the final months of 2023 saw over 240,000 migrant encounters per month for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Republicans on both the state and federal levels have grown increasingly aggressive on the immigration issue. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has altered the political landscape entirely with his program of bussing migrants to major Democratic cities like New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Top GOP lawmaker slams Hochul for billions in spending on migrant crisis: ‘Putting illegal immigrants first’

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY., is accusing NY Gov. Kathy Hochul of “putting illegal immigrants first” after announcing billions in spending to deal with the migrant crisis it is facing — with Stefanik claiming it’s a result of “far left” immigration policies. “Kathy Hochul’s bloated budget adds $500 million to address New York’s raging illegal immigration crisis, a direct result of the Far Left’s failed open border and sanctuary city policies, which have rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants,” Stefanik, who is chair of the House Republican Conference, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Hochul announced this week that her $233 billion budget proposal includes $2.4 billion “to continue to support efforts in New York City and elsewhere in the state to safely manage the influx with the appropriate humanitarian response” It’s a $500 million increase from the last fiscal year. NEW YORK GOV. HOCHUL TO TRAVEL TO DC TO PLEAD FOR ‘STRONGER BORDER,’ BLAMING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CRISIS “We also know that companies won’t do business in New York if there are thousands of people sleeping on the streets, where the quality of life is dramatically impacted, because the city is forced to cut essential services,” Hochul said, unveiling the proposal. She also said she wanted to focus on securing work authorizations for migrants. “Put them to work, that’s exactly what they came here for,” she said. HOCHUL TALKS CRIME, HOUSING AS NATIONAL DEMS LOOK TO NEW YORK FOR BIG HOUSE GAINS IN NOVEMBER She said that New York continues to carry the burden of sheltering more than 69,000 migrants. New York City has been hardest hit, having seen 160,000+ arrivals since the middle of 2022 — some of whom have been bused in by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Stefanik said that the crisis is a creation of the “far left.” “While New Yorkers continue their mass exodus from New York City, Kathy Hochul’s solution is to ram through a $2.4 billion budget for FY2025 to accommodate a crisis of the Far Left’s creation, exposing New York Democrat leadership’s true priorities, putting illegal immigrants first and taxpaying New Yorkers last,” she said. Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams blame the federal government for the crisis. Hochul announced she will be traveling to Washington D.C. this week to plead with Congress and the White House to find a border security deal. “Since day one, I have said this is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to address this crisis,” Hochul said. “Congress, the House of Representatives in particular and the White House, must remain at the negotiating table until they restore the rule of law at our border, fix our asylum system, and provide relief to states like New York, who have been shouldering this burden for far too long.”

Johnson will prioritize border crisis in meeting with President Biden on national security package

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., plans to focus on the border during a closed-door meeting with President Biden and congressional leaders at the White House Wednesday afternoon. “We’re not playing politics with this, we’re demanding real, transformative policy change, because that’s what the American people need and deserve, and that they’re demanding as well,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday morning. “House Republicans are standing on that line. I will tell the president that today —I’ve been saying it consistently since the moment I was handed the speaker’s gavel.” Johnson told reporters, just hours before top bicameral leaders plan to meet with Biden to discuss the national security supplemental package, that he will ask for clarity on Ukraine’s endgame and strategy, accountability for funds, and assurance that Ukraine “will not be another Afghanistan.” “So, I’m going to push for those, but before we even talk about Ukraine, I’m going to tell the president, and I’m telling all of you… border, border, border,” Johnson said. “We have to take care of our own house. We have to secure our own border before we talk about doing anything else.” BIDEN INVITES KEY CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO ‘CRITICAL’ MEETING ON ADDITIONAL NATIONAL SECURITY SPENDING After the GOP conference meeting, Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital that Johnson was “pretty close” to saying it was either the House’s version of border security that was passed last year, or no more Ukraine funding. “Basically, the bottom line is Biden wants Ukraine to be funded,” Murphy said. “And we’re not talking about it at all until we do something about the border.” Alongside Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., are expected to be in attendance at the meeting.  Biden first requested Congress to pass the supplemental package in October, which would unlock billions in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. However, this week, the Senate also has another priority: averting a partial government shutdown by Friday when funding runs out for some agencies.  SPEAKER JOHNSON GIVES BIDEN AN ULTIMATUM ON UKRAINE FUNDING, IMMIGRATION The proposed national security package includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel (with $10.6 billion allocated for military aid), $13.6 billion for some border security provisions and significant investments in Indo-Pacific security assistance, totaling around $7.4 billion. Additionally, there is $9 billion earmarked for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. Last year, Senate GOP lawmakers threw a wrench in plans to unanimously pass a supplemental that ties Ukraine and Israel aid together and argued they should be separate. However, Republican lawmakers have now linked the $60 billion additional aid to Ukraine with changes in border security policies as a prerequisite for its passage, despite Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy making several pleas on Capitol Hill for continued assistance. The U.S. has reportedly sent more than $100 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. 

No. 3 House Republican backs White House declaring Houthis a terror group: ‘No time like the present’

EXCLUSIVE: The No. 3 House Republican is throwing his support behind the Biden administration’s decision to redesignate the Houthis as a terror group, though he suggested the label should never have been stripped. “Though it took Joe Biden three years to figure out what Republicans already knew, there’s no time like the present to ditch the failed foreign policy that led to unprecedented attacks on American troops and international commerce,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital. “Hopefully the president has learned an important lesson: When terrorists show you who they are, believe them.” HOUTHI CRUISE MISSILE FIRED FROM YEMEN TOWARD US WARSHIP SHOT DOWN BY FIGHTER JET: CENTCOM The U.S. and U.K. led a coalition of countries in striking Houthi positions in Yemen on three occasions this month, most recently on Tuesday. Iran-backed Houthi fighters have been attacking ships in the Red Sea they accuse of being tied to Israel. The rebel group has said it is in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. President Biden called the Houthis terrorists when answering questions by reporters on Friday. WHO ARE THE HOUTHI REBELS ATTACKING COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST? His administration lifted the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) label against the militant group in February 2021. The designation was made under former President Trump. Biden officials announced Wednesday morning that the Houthis would be added to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list over their actions in the Red Sea recently.  The SDGT designation is slightly less severe than FTO. For instance, immigrants associated with FTO designees can be denied U.S. visas and in some cases deported, while there is no immigration provision associated with SDGT. TOP BIDEN ADVISER VISITS BEIRUT AS ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH NEAR ALL-OUT WAR “We’ve taken this action to pressure the Houthis to cease their terrorist activity, including missile and drone attacks against international shipping,” a senior administration official said. “The ultimate goal of sanctions is to convince the Houthis to de-escalate and bring about a positive change in behavior. If the Houthis cease their attacks, we can consider delisting the designation.” Biden has faced criticism from both the right and the left over his administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Republicans have accused the president of not taking a stronger stance toward Israel, while progressives have staged protests against what they view as insufficient aid to Gaza.

IndiGo fined Rs 1.20 crore, Mumbai Airport Rs 90 lakh over incident of passengers eating on tarmac

Earlier, DGCA had issued show-cause notices to IndiGo and MIAL saying that they were not proactive in anticipating the situation.

Lloyd Austin aide asked EMS to be ‘subtle’ en route to hospital, 911 call reveals

An aide to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked EMTs responding to the secretary’s home to be “subtle,” according to audio of a 911 call. The aide requested that the ambulance not use its sirens or lights during the trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The newly-released 911 call is the latest development in Austin’s secret hospital visit, which was kept even from President Biden and other top members of the administration. “Can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens? We’re trying to remain a little subtle,” the aide told first responders in the call. The dispatcher replied that ambulances are legally required to use lights and sirens when driving on main roads, but added that, “Usually, when they turn into a residential neighborhood they’ll turn them off.” WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHING REVIEW OF CABINET PROTOCOLS AFTER DEFENSE SECRETARY’S SECRET HOSPITALIZATION: MEMO Austin first arrived at the hospital on New Year’s Day and stayed for two weeks before being released on Tuesday. He is expected to work from home for a “period of time.” DEFENSE SEC. LLOYD AUSTIN IN ‘GOOD CONDITION’ AS HOSPITALIZATION APPROACHES TWO-WEEK MARK: PENTAGON OFFICIALS “The Secretary will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon. He has full access to required secure communications capabilities,” the Pentagon said in a statement. Doctors offered information on the nature of his stay after he was released this week. Dr. John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research, said he did not undergo surgery. DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER “Secretary Austin progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding,” the doctors said. “He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains.” It was confirmed that Austin had been diagnosed with prostate cancer last week. Despite the apparent lack of communication, President Biden told a group of reporters outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Friday that he has confidence in Austin as he resumes his duties as Defense Secretary. “I do,” President Biden answered, when asked about whether he trusted the Pentagon chief’s leadership. Fox News’ Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.

Hollywood producer who introduced Hunter Biden to art dealer raised at least $25K for Joe Biden’s campaign

The Hollywood producer who introduced Hunter Biden to his art dealer, George Bergès, previously helped President Biden raise over $25,000 for his campaign, a Fox News Digital review of a cached version of his campaign website found. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer identified California-based producer Lanette Phillips as the individual who had linked the first son up with Bergès following his closed-door interview this month before the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees as part of the House impeachment inquiry against President Biden. According to Bergès’ interview transcript, which was reviewed by Fox News Digital, the art dealer said he met Phillips a “couple of years ago” at a French restaurant near his New York City gallery and knew she was involved “to some degree” with Democratic politics but did not know the entire scope. Phillips, whose website states she has produced music videos for musicians such as Elton John, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Jennifer Lopez, told Variety in 2019 that she has known President Biden for some time. ART DEALER REVEALS HUNTER BIDEN KNEW ‘SUGAR BROTHER’ WAS TOP BUYER, MAKING WH ETHICS PLEDGE A ‘SHAM’: COMER “I’ve known Biden for many years and I believe in his policies,” Phillips said. “We need to bring our parties together and work together, and he’s proven to be able to do that very successfully.” In fact, Phillips helped Biden round up at least $25,000 in donations from individuals for his 2020 campaign, according to a cached version of his campaign website showing its “volunteer fundraisers.” The money presumably came from a November 2019 fundraiser she hosted at her Los Angeles home alongside actress Alyssa Milano, which Variety detailed in its article. In addition to fundraising for Biden, Phillips has also donated $5,000 to the Democratic National Committee and thousands in support of John Kerry’s failed presidential campaign. Phillips, meanwhile, has also communicated with Hunter Biden since at least 2010, according to emails from his abandoned laptop. Her earliest email was sending condolences to Hunter in 2010 after his grandmother passed away. In October 2015, a couple of days before Biden announced he was not running for president, Phillips wrote to Hunter saying she is “keeping her fingers crossed your father will announce” a run for president, adding that if he did, she has a team of “really exciting and dedicated people who are eagerly awaiting to jump in and give 100% support!” She wrote to him again in January 2018, wishing him a Happy New Year and asked if he would be in attendance for his father’s book tour stop in Los Angeles at the time. It does not appear that he responded, so she emailed him again a few days later and noted his book tour was “sold out” and wanted to know if Hunter would be “able to sort us out for passes.” It is unclear whether she was able to attend the Los Angeles book tour event. HUNTER BIDEN GALLERIST TELLS LAWMAKERS HE NEVER SPOKE TO WHITE HOUSE ABOUT PAINTINGS: SOURCES Bergès’ testimony seemingly contradicts earlier statements from Phillips. The New York Times reported in February 2020 that Phillips had initially worked with Hunter Biden to find him an art dealer. She, however, told the publication that Hunter Biden did not sign with anyone under her guidance, that she was no longer advising him and he was still looking for a gallery. Phillips and Biden’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. Hunter Biden’s artwork has reportedly brought in at least $1.3 million, and one of the buyers was Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a real estate investor from Los Angeles who is a prominent Democrat donor whom President Biden appointed to a prestigious commission. Phillips also introduced her to Bergès, according to his testimony. President Biden appointed Hirsh Naftali to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in July 2022 – eight months after the first son’s first art opening. It is not clear, however, whether her purchase came before or after the appointment.  Naftali donated over $200,000 to the Biden Victory Fund during the 2020 election cycle and over $30,000 to the Democratic National Committee in 2023. She also maxed out to the Biden campaign with two $3,300 donations last April. Bergès also testified that Hunter Biden knew the identities of approximately 70% of his art buyers, contradicting earlier narratives from the White House.  The most lucrative was from Kevin Morris, the Hollywood lawyer dubbed Hunter Biden’s “sugar brother” due to his financial support, help writing a book and lending a private jet to the president’s son. He purchased $875,000 worth of artwork in a January 2023 deal. Bergès testified that Morris only paid 40% commission on the $875,000 purchase and that the lawyer worked with Hunter to figure out the financial implications. He admitted to never having done an art deal like that before.