Kamala Harris roasted for Christmas pic: ‘Is that another gas stove?’
Vice President Kamala Harris faced criticism online this week after sharing a picture of her and second gentleman Doug Emhoff posing next to a gas stove despite the Biden administration’s proposal earlier this year to limit use of the appliance. “Merry Christmas to all. May your day be filled with love, family, and good food,” Harris wrote on X, adding: “P.S. We are making Christmas beef Wellington.” MORE THAN TWO DOZEN DEMOCRATS JOIN GOP IN OPPOSING BIDEN GAS STOVE BAN Conservatives quickly spied what appeared to be a gas range in the casual kitchen picture. “Is that another gas stove?” Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., responded. Other conservatives pointed out that the vice president’s choice to cook beef may be at odds with previous statements she made about reducing red meat consumption. FLASHBACK: KAMALA HARRIS SAID SHE WOULD SUPPORT EATING LESS MEAT IF ELECTED PRESIDENT “I thought we’re supposed to eat less red meat for the climate?” Mary Vought wrote. Harris received similar criticism after posting a photo on Thanksgiving showing her and Doug’s kitchen. The Biden administration previously claimed it planned to ban gas stoves after U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s top leader, Richard Trumka Jr., told Bloomberg “a ban on gas stoves is on the table” over health concerns. “This is a hidden hazard,” Trumka told Bloomberg. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.” Trumka later said it would not apply to existing stoves, but only to new products. That idea was scrapped, but it was followed by a proposed Department of Energy (DOE) regulation that would impose tough new energy efficiency standards for gas stoves. The House of Representatives approved an amendment in March – with help from several Democrats – that would prevent the DOE from implementing strict new regulations that most gas stoves on the market today would not be able to meet. The House voted 251 to 181 in favor of the amendment from Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., to a larger energy policy bill, and 29 Democrats voted with the GOP. About 38% of American households, or roughly 40 million, use natural gas to cook in their homes. The White House and vice president’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Trump Jr says he’d go to ‘great lengths’ to prevent this Republican from joining dad’s campaign
Donald Trump Jr. said Monday he would go to “great lengths” to prevent GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley from joining his father’s campaign. Trump Jr. said during a Christmas Day interview that he views Haley as the “preferred candidate” of the Washington establishment. “I wouldn’t have her on, and I would go to great lengths to make sure that that doesn’t happen,” Trump Jr. said on Newsmax’s “The Balance.” TRUMP SHARES CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR OPPONENTS ON TRUTH SOCIAL: ‘MAY THEY ROT IN HELL’ “Nikki Haley wants never-ending wars,” he continued. “She’s a puppet of the establishment in Washington D.C. She’s the new favorite candidate of the billionaire class, because they want control — no different than academia at Harvard and using, you know, their billions to exercising influence. They want someone they control. Ron DeSantis has proven that he doesn’t have what it takes to be on that stage. He’s embarrassed himself that way. She’s now the preferred candidate.” Trump Jr. suggested Haley would try to sabotage Trump’s campaign “from within” if she was chosen as his running mate. “No, I would not want Nikki Haley to be there,” he added. “By the way, all you’d get is her and team trying to destroy Donald Trump from within, forever. The second she ever got that, you know, anointment, it would be a disaster of epic proportions. So, I would hope that never is on the table, and I don’t think it is.” Trump Jr.’s comments came after Haley said she didn’t want the former president in the White House again, arguing that he would only bring “chaos” to the country. “Our world is on fire,” she said during a recent post-debate interview. “And you can’t defeat Democrat chaos with Republican chaos, and Donald Trump brings us chaos. So it’s not about being fit, it’s just I don’t think he’s the right person to be president.” Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, previously told Newsmax that she wouldn’t rule out Trump choosing Haley as his running mate. “Crazier things have happened,” she said. “I don’t know. I would never say never with Donald J. Trump. Never say never.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the Haley campaign for a response to Trump Jr.’s comments. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
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Michigan Supreme Court rejects attempt to remove Trump from ballot
The Michigan Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to remove former President Trump from the state’s 2024 Republican primary ballot. The decision comes after the Colorado Supreme Court last week disqualified Trump from appearing on that state’s ballots in 2024. The disqualification, which was made under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, is related to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. “Significantly, Colorado’s election laws differ from Michigan’s laws in a material way that is directly relevant to why the appellants in this case are not entitled to the relief they seek concerning the presidential primary election in Michigan,” Justice Elizabeth Welch wrote Wednesday, explaining the court’s ruling. Welch said, “appellants argue that the political parties are state actors for purposes of putting forward candidates for the presidential primary, and thus, the political parties are subject to the United States Constitution.” TRUMP PROMISES TO REPLACE OBAMACARE WITH HIS OWN HEALTHCARE ‘ALTERNATIVE’ “The appellants have also notified this Court that on December 19, 2023, a majority of the Colorado Supreme Court held that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and that therefore, under the Colorado Election Code, it would be wrongful for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the Colorado Republican presidential primary ballot in 2024,” she continued. Welch noted that the Colorado ruling “was preceded by a lengthy evidentiary proceeding in a trial court that developed the factual record necessary to resolve the complicated legal questions at issue,” and that the “effect of the decision from Colorado has been stayed for a short period, and Trump has indicated his intent to seek leave to appeal in the United States Supreme Court.” FBI, DENVER POLICE INVESTIGATING THREATS AGAINST COLORADO JUDGES WHO BARRED TRUMP FROM STATE’S BALLOTS She added, however, that “appellants have identified no analogous provision in the Michigan Election Law that requires someone seeking the office of President of the United States to attest to their legal qualification to hold the office.” The 14th Amendment states, “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.” Disqualification lawsuits relating to Trump’s appearance on the ballot are pending in other states, including Texas, Nevada and Wisconsin. Fox News’ Adam Sabes. Bill Mears and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
North Dakota Republican lawmaker under scrutiny after slurs to police at DUI stop
Republican leaders have called on a North Dakota lawmaker to resign after he lashed out at police with homophobic and anti-migrant remarks during a traffic stop earlier this month in which he was arrested for drunken driving. Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said Tuesday he called on Republican state Rep. Nico Rios, of Williston, to resign over the weekend. His statement cited a police officer’s report of Rios being “verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” toward him “for the entire duration of the incident following road side testing.” Lefor also said Rios attempted to use his position as a lawmaker to intimidate police and avoid an arrest. “There is no room in the legislature, or our party, for this behavior. I understand people make mistakes, but his comments and defiance to law enforcement are beyond the pale. In addition, any lawmaker attempting to use his or her elected position to threaten anyone or skirt the law is completely unacceptable,” Lefor said in a statement. NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR’S SON FACES UPGRADED CHARGE IN CRASH THAT KILLED SHERIFF’S DEPUTY Rios replied to an email seeking comment, but he had no immediate response. His attorney did not respond to a phone message. In previous comments, Rios said his behavior toward the police was unacceptable, that he was sorry and vowed “to make sure this never happens again.” North Dakota Republican Party Chairwoman Sandi Sanford joined Lefor, saying, “Rep. Rios’ actions and words fall short of the basic decency we expect from any of our neighbors. He endangered the community he was elected to serve and disrespected peace officers. This violates our core values as Republicans.” NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR’S SON CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER FOLLOWING POLICE CHASE THAT KILLED OFFICER Police body camera footage requested by and provided to The Associated Press shows Rios cursing the officer, questioning his English accent, and using homophobic slurs and anti-migrant language. He also said he would call the North Dakota attorney general about the situation. He told the officers they would “regret picking on me because you don’t know who … I am.” Forum News Service first reported on Rios’ comments. Rios said he was leaving a Christmas party before the Dec. 15 traffic stop. He was charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and refusing to provide a chemical test. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Feb. 5 in municipal court. Rios, who works in an oil field position involved in the hydraulic fracturing of wells, was elected in 2022 to the state House of Representatives. He sits on the House Judiciary Committee, a panel that handles law enforcement legislation. Republicans control the North Dakota House, 82-12.
Who are the Israeli refuseniks picking jail over the Gaza war?
He’s a baby-faced 18-year-old with a heart full of idealism. When Tel Aviv teen Tal Mitnick refused to enlist in the Israeli army, he was put on trial: on Tuesday, he was taken to military prison to serve a 30-day sentence. Standing alone in a country on a determined war footing is an agonising decision. But, speaking at Tel Hashomer, a base near the Gaza fence in central Israel, Mitnick staunchly defended his decision. “I believe that slaughter cannot solve slaughter,” he said. “The criminal attack on Gaza won’t solve the atrocious slaughter that Hamas executed. Violence won’t solve violence. And that is why I refuse.” Tal Mitnick, an activist in the Mesarvot network showed up today at Tel Hashomer base and was sentenced to 30 days in military prison. Listen to what he had to say before he walked in. Support him and other refusniks: https://t.co/drRtLjk4U3 pic.twitter.com/zu1XZJqmhG — Mesarvot מסרבות (@Mesarvot_) December 26, 2023 The statement appeared on the X account of Mesarvot, a support network connecting refuseniks in a campaign against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. In an earlier interview posted on the account, Mitnick laid out his universalist stance on the conflict. The solution, he said, would not come from corrupt politicians in Israel or from Hamas. “It will come from us, the sons and daughters of the two nations,” he said. Friends came out in support of Mitnick, holding placards with phrases like: “You cannot build heaven with blood”, “An eye for an eye and we all go blind” and “There is no military solution.” Military service is mandatory for most Jewish Israelis, viewed as a rite of passage. In the country’s highly militarised society, so-called refuseniks risk being labelled traitors. Are refuseniks common? No. Generally speaking, refuseniks may end up serving repeated prison services, ordered to return to recruitment centres again and again. Some wind up doing months behind bars before they are eventually discharged. The Israeli military does have a conscientious objectors committee, but exemptions are usually only granted on religious grounds – the ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews, for instance, are legally exempt. Refusing to serve as a matter of political principle is not considered a valid objection. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks behind Israeli soldiers at the entrance to a military recruiting office in Jerusalem on July 4, 2012. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s largest coalition partner had issued a veiled threat to quit the government over a dispute on amending Israel’s compulsory draft policy, which grants exemptions to ultra-Orthodox men studying the Torah in religious colleges [File: Baz Ratner/Reuters] Earlier this year, Amnesty International released a report on Yuval Dag, a 20-year-old who had made his political objections clear before his summons. The army classified his refusal as disobedience and sentenced him to 20 days at Neve Tzedek military prison in Tel Aviv. The rights group named four other individuals – Einat Gerlitz, Nave Shabtay Levin, Evyatar Moshe Rubin and Shahar Schwartz – who were repeatedly detained in 2022. Conscientious objectors commonly serve five months or more in prison – a high price to pay for young people doing what they believe to be right. Many objectors come to their decision after participating in protest movements, whether on LGBTQ rights, climate change or Israel’s occupation, violence and discrimination against Palestinians — a system that many rights groups have compared with apartheid. Are there any famous refuseniks? In 2003, a group of Israeli Air Force pilots provoked national fury when they refused to take part in operations in the West Bank and Gaza. Submitting a letter to the media, they branded attacks on the territories as “illegal and immoral”. The case was noteworthy, involving elite army members like Brigadier General Yiftah Spector, considered a legend in the forces for his attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1982. The government accused the pilots of “pretentious snivelling”. That same year, the country’s elite commandoes also defied orders to carry out attacks on the occupied territories. Setting out their position in a letter, 15 reservists from the Sayeret Matkal unit, often compared with the British army’s SAS, said: “We will no longer corrupt the stamp of humanity in us through carrying out the missions of an occupation army. “In the past, we fought for a justified cause (but today), we have reached the boundary of oppressing another people.” In 2007, swimwear model Bar Refaeli married a friend to avoid military service, later telling the press that “celebrities have other needs”. Later, to avoid damage to the companies she worked for, she agreed to participate in an enlistment campaign. The case ignited a debate on how easy it is to dodge conscription. Hang on, wasn’t there dissent in army ranks this year? Yes, but it was not linked to the occupation. In early March, about 700 reservist soldiers – including some top brass – resigned en masse during widespread protests over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul. Critics accused him of curtailing Supreme Court powers to shield himself from corruption charges. People take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government’s judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 22, 2023 [File: Corinna Kern/Reuters] Explaining his refusal to serve in the army, Dag said that reservists had resigned because they were afraid of living in a dictatorship. But, he pointed out, “We need to remember that in the occupied territories there has never been democracy. And the anti-democratic institution that rules there is the army.” Responding to rebellion in the ranks, Netanyahu said: “There’s no room for refusals.” Military service was, he said, “the first and most important foundation of our existence in our land …The refusals threaten the foundation of our existence.” Netantahu’s view is not unusual. Across the political spectrum, with the exception of some left-wing and Arab groups, parties condemn the refusal to serve for a number of reasons. Left wingers worry about polarisation, claiming that refusing to serve will encourage right-wing resistance to removing settlements. Right wingers
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Russia accuses US of threatening global energy security
Russia has claimed that US sanctions levied against the Arctic LNG 2 project undermine global energy security. The Russian foreign ministry’s spokeswoman hit out on Wednesday at Washington’s “unacceptable” move to clamp down on the massive Arctic LNG 2. The sanctions are just the latest measure implemented as the West seeks to limit Moscow’s financial ability to wage war in Ukraine. The remarks came after Washington announced sanctions against the new liquefied natural gas plant that is under development on the Gydan Peninsula in the Arctic last month. “We consider such actions unacceptable, especially in relation to such large international commercial projects as Arctic LNG 2, which affect the energy balance of many states,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. “The situation around Arctic LNG 2 once again confirms the destructive role for global economic security played by Washington, which speaks of the need to maintain this security but in fact, by pursuing its own selfish interests, tries to oust competitors and destroy global energy security.” Russia is the fourth-largest producer of sea-borne LNG behind the United States, Qatar and Australia. The Arctic LNG 2 project is a key element in Russia’s efforts to boost its share of the global market to a fifth by 2030-2035 from 8 percent now. However, the sanctions saw partners from China, Japan and France who hold a combined 40 percent of the project suspend participation last week. Project developer Novatek was also forced to declare force majeure over LNG supplies from the project, which was slated to start production in early 2024. Western countries, seeking to cripple Moscow’s military might, have imposed wide-ranging sanctions against Russian firms and individuals following the Kremlin’s decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February last year. However, Russia insists that Europe has been hit harder by the sanctions due to raised energy prices, while it has been successful in swiftly finding new markets in Asia. Almost all of Russia’s oil exports this year have been shipped to China and India, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday. Wave of drones Russia hopes that the income from Asian energy customers can continue to help drive its invasion, as it eyes Ukraine’s struggle to access funds and weapons from Western partners. On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities said two people were killed after Russian forces sent a wave of attack drones against the country in an overnight raid. The Ukrainian air force said that 32 of 46 Iranian-made drones deployed by Russia had been shot down. The air force said the military had destroyed drones over parts of central, southern and western Ukraine. Most of those that got through defences struck near the front line, mainly in the southern Kherson region. Oleh Kiper, the governor of Ukraine’s Odesa region, said that a 35-year-old man was killed by debris from a downed drone in a residential area. Another man died in the hospital from his injuries. Four others, including a 17-year-old boy, were injured, according to Kiper. More than 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with about half of recent deaths occurring far behind the front lines, according to the UN Human Rights Office. Adblock test (Why?)
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