New George Soros-backed, Democratic PAC aims to turn Texas blue
The group is “helping to build party infrastructure at the regional level, because the various regions of our state are distinct and therefore require different strategies,” a PAC official said.
“I don’t wish this on anyone”: Two families mourn their losses after a record year for Texas heat deaths
More than 300 Texans died from heat in 2023, the most since the state began tracking such deaths in 1989.
US and UK launch air strikes against Yemen’s Houthis
NewsFeed US and UK forces have launched air, ship and submarine strikes against Yemen’s Houthis in response to the group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping over Israel’s war in Gaza. Published On 12 Jan 202412 Jan 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
ICJ genocide case: South Africa’s five-point argument against Israel
South Africa’s landmark case against Israel for its war on Gaza began on Thursday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the World Court based in The Hague. Pretoria is accusing Israel of committing the crime of genocide in breach of the 1948 Genocide Convention. More than 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the enclave’s health ministry. That includes nearly 10,000 children. In its three-hour long presentation to ICJ judges, the South African team, led by international law academic and barrister, John Dugard, articulated the harrowing plight of Palestinians in Gaza who are trapped under siege, bombarded by continuous Israeli air strikes and attacked by a deadly Israeli military ground invasion. It could take years for the ICJ to reach a final judgement. But this week’s initial proceedings are focused on South Africa’s specific request for an emergency order against the continuing killings and destruction in the Gaza Strip. Experts say an interim sentence could be out in weeks. Adila Hassim, one of the advocates representing South Africa, said that it’s not necessary for the court to come to a final sentence on the genocide allegations now, but that it could conclude that at least some of Israel’s actions fall within the definition of the convention, and thus, intervene. Here are the five main “genocidal acts” that Hassim accused Israel of having perpetrated during the war: Mass killings of Palestinians The “first genocidal act is the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza”, Hassim said, showing the court pictures of mass graves where bodies were buried, “often unidentified”. She said Israel has deployed highly destructive 2000-pound bombs in parts of Gaza that it has itself declared safe. More than 1,800 families have lost multiple family members, while some families do not have any survivors left, Hassim said. No one has been spared, not babies, and especially not children, she added. Bodily and mental harm The second genocidal act, Hassim said, “is Israel’s infliction of serious mental and bodily harm,” on the people in Gaza. Close to 60,000 people have been wounded and maimed, most of them women and children, in a place where the health system has collapsed, she added. Hassim cited the arrest of large numbers of Palestinians, including children, who were undressed and loaded onto trucks going to unknown locations. “The suffering of the Palestinian people, physical and mental, is undeniable,” she said. Forced displacement and food blockade Hassim said Israel has deliberately imposed conditions that cannot sustain life and that are calculated to bring about the destruction of Gaza through its forced displacement of most of the population. Hassim said thousands of families have been displaced multiple times, with half a million now having no homes to return to. She cited how Israel gave entire hospitals orders to evacuate within 24 hours with no assistance in moving the injured or in moving medical supplies. It did the same with large parts of northern Gaza, where more than one million people were asked to move at short notice. “The order itself was genocidal,” Hassim said. The lawyer said Israel has also blockaded food and water from the Strip, causing widespread hunger and that it has removed the ability to distribute what is available by restricting the movement of aid workers. Hassim played a clip that showed hundreds of Palestinians running after a truck carrying aid into Gaza. Israel, Hassim added, has also deliberately imposed conditions denying Palestinians in Gaza adequate shelter, clothes, bedding and other critical non-food items. She said there’s no safe water to drink, clean and cook, and that disease cases, including diarrhoea, are soaring. She said more Palestinians may die from hunger and disease, yet the siege continues. Destruction of the healthcare system The fourth genocidal action, Hassim said, is Israel’s military assault on Gaza’s healthcare system that renders life there unsustainable. Gaza’s healthcare was already crippled by years of attack by Israel, she said, and now, it is simply unable to cope with the sheer number of injured people who need life-saving treatment. Preventing Palestinian births Lastly, Hassim added, Israel is blocking life-saving treatment needed to deliver babies. This, she added, amounts to preventing births in Gaza, and is an act of genocide. Hassim also cited Reem Alsalem, UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, who had earlier warned that the “reproductive violence inflicted by Israel on Palestinian women, newborn babies infants and children … could be qualified as acts of genocide”. What next? Israel will present its oral argument on Friday and British Lawyer Malcolm Shaw will lead its presentation. Legal experts say Tel Aviv is likely to argue that its actions are in self-defence, following Hamas’s October 7 attacks that killed 1,139 and saw more than 200 people taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. Israeli officials have railed against the South Africa suit. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said South Africa presented hypocrisy and lies at the court. “We are fighting terrorists, we are fighting lies,” Netanyahu said. “Today we saw an upside-down world. Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting against genocide.” To drive its arguments home, the South African legal team needs not only to prove that the indiscriminate mass killings it calls a genocide are indeed happening, but that there is an intent to commit these acts by Tel Aviv. “Genocides are never declared in advance,” Hassim, the advocate said in her presentation, adding that all the Israeli actions she detailed were enough proof of genocidal intent. Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a second lawyer, cited Israeli officials’ statements as further proof of intent. In particular, he recalled Netanyahu’s comments on October 28 when the prime minister urged troops preparing to enter Gaza to “remember what Amalek has done to you,” – a biblical command from God to entirely destroy a group. “The destruction of Palestinian life is articulated state policy,” Ngcukaitobi added. Several countries and international organisations have rallied behind South Africa in its case. Malaysia, Bolivia and Turkey are among
Myanmar’s military, ethnic armed groups agree to China-mediated truce
Both sides agree to cease fighting and not harm residents along Myanmar’s northern border with China. Myanmar’s military government and an alliance of ethnic armed groups have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following peace talks brokered by China. “China hopes the relevant parties in Myanmar can conscientiously implement the agreement, exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. Both sides held talks on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, a Chinese provincial capital about 400km (250 miles) from the border with Myanmar, Mao said, adding that they also pledged not to harm residents at the Chinese border. Myanmar’s military, which overthrew an elected government almost three years ago, has been battling an alliance of ethnic minority armies fighting to end its control of their regions since late October, with intense violence along the northern border with China. A leader of one of the rebel groups, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), also confirmed that a ceasefire had been reached, adding that the talks involved an envoy from China. The clashes in northern Shan state posed the biggest battlefield challenge to the military since the coup and caused concern in China about the prospect of border trade disruptions and a refugee influx. In talks facilitated by Chinese envoy Deng Xi Jin, the Three Brotherhood Alliance – which launched the Operation 1027 offensive against the military – agreed to “cease fire without advancing further,” the TNLA leader, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks, told the Reuters news agency. “From the (alliance) side, the agreement is to refrain from offensive attacks on enemy camps or towns. From the military side, the agreement is not to engage in attacks through air strikes, bombardment, or heavy weapons.” Myanmar’s military, and the two other groups in the alliance – the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) – have yet to comment on the development. Beijing had also said last month the parties had agreed on a temporary truce and to maintain dialogue. However fighting continued in northern Shan state and other regions in the country, with the rebels taking control of a key commercial town, Laukkai, on the Chinese border last week. The United Nations says it fears thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting with some fleeing across the border into China. Myanmar has been plunged into crisis after the military removed the government of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Within months, the military’s lethal crackdown on nonviolent protests had sparked an armed uprising that has since grown to an unprecedented scale. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has been monitoring the crackdown, more than 25,730 people have been arrested for opposing the coup, and almost 20,000 are still in detention. Adblock test (Why?)
DNA Verified: Are Rs 500 notes with star symbol fake? Know truth here
The star symbol was introduced on the new Rs 500 banknotes in December 2016.
PM Modi prays at Shree Kalaram Mandir in Nashik, listens to Ramayana’s ‘Yuddha Kanda’ ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration
There was a remarkable confluence of tradition and technology as the recitation was done in Marathi and the Prime Minister listened to the Hindi version through AI translation.
WARNING: Lawmaker’s bill mandates automatic death penalty for child sex crimes following Epstein files release
WARNING: GRAPHIC REFERENCES TO SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN EXCLUSIVE: A Republican lawmaker in New Mexico introduced a bill Friday that would mandate an automatic death sentence for people convicted of certain child sex crimes. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, state Rep. Stefani Lord, who has advocated strengthening existing laws to protect children from sexual predators, said she was inspired to introduce HB 109 following the recent release of documents related to a lawsuit against the late Jeffrey Epstein’s former lover and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that included the names of many high-profile people. “When I got elected, I was horrified that every time the legislature tried to pass a soft on crime bill, I would say, ‘Well, can we exempt pedophiles and rapists?’ And every time the Democrats said no,” Lord told Fox. JEFFREY EPSTEIN FBI RECORDS TARGETED IN SENATE JUDICIARY PROBE AFTER DOCUMENT DUMP “I was horrified, so I went back and said, ‘You know what? There is no cure for pedophilia. There’s no cure for these rapists. So we might as well do like Florida did and give them the death penalty,’” she said, referencing Florida’s law implemented last year that expanded capital punishment to include people who sexually abuse children. If passed, Lord’s bill would implement an automatic death sentence for people convicted of a first degree felony for aggravated criminal sexual penetration of a child and a first degree felony for criminal penetration of a child. It would also require the death penalty for people convicted of a first degree felony for human sexual trafficking against a victim under 18 years of age. JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILES: GHISLAINE MAXWELL’S LAWYERS FOUGHT AGAINST SEARCHING HER EMAILS FOR HUNDREDS OF TERMS Additionally, the bill would change the definition of “criminal sexual penetration of a child in the first degree” to apply to all children under the age of 18, instead of the current age of 13, and mandates that anyone who commits criminal sexual penetration of a child in the first degree is guilty of a first degree felony for criminal sexual penetration of a child, providing for the death penalty. “There is no life. There’s no option for life in prison. You rape a child that is under 18, then you get the death penalty,” Lord said. She explained that the changes to the law were especially important to New Mexicans because some of the most horrific allegations of sexual abuse against Epstein allegedly occurred on his ranch, known as the “Zorro Ranch,” which is located in a rural area south of Santa Fe and east of Albuquerque. CLINTON, CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM SEEN VACATIONING AT POSH MEXICO RESORT AMID EPSTEIN DOCUMENT DUMP: REPORT Lord also noted that the late-former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, was named in the final set of Epstein-related documents released earlier this week, which revealed the plaintiff in the lawsuit had accused the former governor, along with others, of sex trafficking her in a 2016 deposition. “The consequences of that would be the death penalty,” she added. When asked if the bill had enough support to pass through the Democrat-controlled state legislature, Lord said she hoped her Republican colleagues wouldn’t be “squeamish,” but that she doubted any Democrat would support it. “I would gladly hand this bill over to a Democrat if they could get this passed. I have no problem with that. I don’t need to take credit for it. The issue is we need to stop the sex trafficking. We need to stop that. There’s so much leniency against pedophiles and people that rape children. This needs to stop,” she said. “We have to draw the line. We have to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. If you do this, you’re going to get the death penalty,” she added.
Lloyd Austin hospitalization: House Republicans demand more details as pressure builds on Pentagon
FIRST ON FOX: A group of House Republicans is going directly to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for more information on the decision-making that led to senior officials in the White House and Pentagon reportedly being in the dark for days about Austin’s recent hospitalization. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., led a group of two dozen GOP lawmakers in writing a letter to Austin with questions about who was part of the decision to delay disclosure, how Austin would respond “if one of your combatant commanders was unable to discharge the duties of their office for three or four days and you were not informed” and who was in the loop about his situation from the beginning, among other details. “First and foremost, we wish you a speedy recovery and are sorry to hear about your recent cancer diagnosis. We are glad to hear that you are now recuperating and have been moved out of the ICU,” reads the letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. PENTAGON OFFICIALS STUNNED BY DEFENSE SECRETARY KEEPING CANCER DIAGNOSIS SECRET FROM BIDEN “However, we are gravely concerned about the lack of transparency from the Department of Defense (DOD) regarding your recent hospitalization, which included a four-day stint in the intensive care unit,” it continues. “According to reports, congressional leadership, the Deputy Defense Secretary, the President, the National Security Advisor, and other members of the National Security Council were not informed about your hospitalization until three days after your hospital admission. Given your critical role in protecting our nation as Secretary of Defense, it is deeply concerning that you kept your extended hospital stay a secret from the President and other senior national security officials.” MEDIA, DEMOCRATS, BIDEN OFFICIALS RIP DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FOR HIDING AUSTIN’S ICU STAY It comes as pressure mounts on the Pentagon over Austin’s hospitalization and cancer diagnosis, and how they were disclosed. The Defense Department’s inspector general said Thursday they’re looking into the matter. The Pentagon publicly revealed on Jan. 5 that Austin had been in the hospital since Jan. 1 due to complications from elective surgery. But a Politico report later revealed that not only was the media kept in the dark, the highest levels of the White House and top officials in the Pentagon itself were not aware until Jan. 4 that Austin was in the hospital. The non-disclosure prompted a flurry of bipartisan concern, with top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services committees calling for more transparency about the incident. Austin’s doctors announced on Tuesday that he had been treated for prostate cancer. On the same day, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “Nobody at the White House knew that Secretary Austin had prostate cancer until this morning.” Meanwhile, Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., led a letter to Austin on Wednesday, similarly pushing him to give Congress more answers. “With conflicts around the world, it is preposterous that you and others in the Department allowed this to occur. This level of confusion surrounding not only your whereabouts, but your capacity to lead the Department has shaken what little confidence existed in any previous commitment to transparency,” the letter reads.
California sheriff blasts Newsom’s ‘pro-criminal agenda’ after court blocks latest gun control law
A California sheriff blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week after a court blocked the governor’s latest gun control push that would have banned concealed carry in many public places. “It was definitely a relief because having that go into effect and the potential of what was going to possibly happen to law-abiding residents was really unacceptable,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Fox News Digital this week. Bianco spoke after the U.S. Court of Appeals from the 9th Circuit blocked a California law signed by Newsom that would ban concealed carry in public places like parks, churches and playgrounds from going into effect. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsom’s office called it a “dangerous” decision that will risk the lives of Californians, but Bianco said the legislation is part of an “anti-gun ownership” agenda that is “extremely dishonest.” GAVIN NEWSOM GIVES NEW HANDOUT TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND TAXPAYERS COULD BE ON THE HOOK “The fact about everything we’re doing taking away the gun rights and ownership and the (carrying a concealed weapon) aspect of the whole thing — where you can carry and where you can’t — it flies in the face of what they do with criminals,” Bianco said. “They have a very pro-criminal stance in California, and they have for years, all of the laws. Newsom’s goal is to close as many prisons as he can, to not prosecute and to not sentence anyone to state prison. They blame law enforcement. They blame society. So, there’s never a personal responsibility on someone’s criminal behavior. It’s always someone else’s fault. And there is this agenda that is extremely pro-criminal in Sacramento. NEWSOM’S CHINA TRIP REIGNITES RUMBLINGS OF A ‘SHADOW CAMPAIGN’ AS CRISES MULTIPLY ON BIDEN’S WATCH “They took the exact opposite stance for law-abiding residents here who have gone through background checks, who have proven over their lifetime that they’re good, law-abiding residents, to say that somehow or imply somehow that they’re a danger to the public when they have a gun out in public. “It’s very dishonest, and I think he needs to drop his gun agenda, his anti-2A agenda. And he needs to concentrate on the skyrocketing crime in California and the quality of life issues for the residents of California that are being destroyed by the policies that he is promoting.” Fox News Digital asked Bianco what his constituents tell him about Newsom’s goal of restricting where law-abiding citizens can exercise their Second Amendment rights. “People that would relate it to the governor are basically saying he should resign,” Bianco said. “He is absolutely against residents. He does everything about destroying the quality of life in California by creating policies that increase crime that cause us to be in more danger when we are out in public. And yet he refuses to allow residents to protect themselves or to have the tools to protect themselves. So, really, they want him gone. They want him to resign.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Bianco explained that while many point fingers at the liberal legislature, the governor “has quite a bit of power” in Sacramento behind the scenes and could immediately implement significant public safety changes with respect to crime if he wanted to. “He’s the governor of the state. He can do anything he wants. He can exert his political influence over the legislature to fix crime in California,” Bianco said. Bianco said he is deeply concerned about the crime trajectory in California in 2024 if things don’t change. “We know from history the past several years that all the horrible public safety bills they’ve tried to pass or that they tried to get through that didn’t make it. We know they’ll bring them back the next year with a little twist. And they’ll use the political off-season to gain allies and make promises to the people that wouldn’t vote for it before,” Bianco said. “So, we know those horrible bills are coming back. So, we want to fight them. We have to be on guard. “California, in my opinion, is the greatest state in the country, and we are, unfortunately, being ruined by a political agenda. And the reality of our country now is that the rest of the country knows that California is broken, and they know that he’s responsible for it,” Bianco added. “The rest of the country does not want to be California, and we’ve become a laughingstock.” Newsom’s office directed Fox News Digital to a recent study that it says shows California gun safety laws have been “effective.”