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Nike probed by Trump appointee over claims of bias against white workers

Nike probed by Trump appointee over claims of bias against white workers

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s probe seen as latest effort by Trump administration to roll back diversity and inclusion policies. Published On 5 Feb 20265 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Nike is being investigated in the United States over claims that it discriminated against white workers through its diversity and inclusion policies. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said on Wednesday that it had filed a court motion to compel Nike to produce information related to allegations of “intentional race discrimination” against white employees. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The allegations relate to a suspected pattern of discrimination in “hiring, promotion, demotion, or separation decisions, including selection for layoffs; internship programs; and mentoring, leadership development and other career development programs”, the US government agency said. The agency said it took the action after Nike had failed to respond to a subpoena for various information, including the criteria used in selecting employees for redundancies and setting executives’ pay. EEOC chair, Andrea Lucas, an ardent critic of racial diversity initiatives who was appointed last year by President Donald Trump, said US anti-discrimination law is “colour-blind” and protects employees of “all races”. “Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to enforcing our nation’s civil rights laws, the EEOC has renewed its focus on even-handed enforcement of Title VII,” Lucas said in a statement, referring to a section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, colour, religion or sex. Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The EEOC’s action is seen as the latest move by the Trump administration to roll back policies promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Advertisement In one of his first acts upon returning to the White House, Trump signed an executive order to abolish “radical” and “wasteful” DEI initiatives introduced under his predecessor, Joe Biden. Like many corporate giants in the US, Nike publicly backed social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter prior to Trump’s re-election in 2024. Between 2020 and 2021, Nike’s share of non-white employees rose more than four percentage points, the most among firms apart from healthcare provider Danaher, according to a Bloomberg analysis of company data reported to the EEOC. Adblock test (Why?)

Australia charges teen over online threat as Israeli president due to visit

Australia charges teen over online threat as Israeli president due to visit

‘Mass, peaceful’ demonstration are planned across Australia to protest the visit of Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. Published On 5 Feb 20265 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share An Australian teenager has been charged for allegedly making online threats against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose visit to the country on Sunday has been met with planned protests, police complaints over alleged war crimes, and efforts to have his invitation revoked. Australian Federal Police said in a statement on Thursday that the 19-year-old allegedly made the threats on a social media platform last month “towards a foreign head of state and internationally protected person”. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Police did not name the intended target of the alleged threats, but Australian media widely reported they were directed at Herzog. The teenager was refused police bail and will appear before a court in Sydney on Thursday. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail, police said in the statement. Herzog is due to arrive in Australia on Sunday for a five-day visit, following an invitation by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the shooting of 15 people attending a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December. The visit by Herzog – who is expected to meet survivors and the families of the victims of the shooting – has drawn strong opposition from pro-Palestine groups and those opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza, with protests against the visit planned across some two dozen Australian cities, according to reports. David Shoebridge, Greens party senator for New South Wales (NSW), home to Sydney, said the Albanese government “needs to withdraw this invitation now”. “They should not have invited Herzog to Australia. Now the police are saying they have concerns about how his visit will cause ‘significant animosity’,” Shoebridge said in a post on social media on Wednesday. Advertisement Shoebridge had tried in the state Senate to move a motion calling on Prime Minister Albanese’s government to revoke Herzog’s invitation. “He has literally signed bombs used in the genocide in Gaza,” Shoebridge said of the Israeli president. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced on Tuesday that restrictions on protests would be extended in advance of the Israeli leader’s visit, stating, “I know that there is significant animosity about President Herzog’s visit.” The Palestine Action Group has called on supporters to attend a rally in Sydney on Monday, urging people to march to the New South Wales state parliament in what is described as a “mass, peaceful gathering”. An Australian and two Palestinian legal groups formally called on the Australian Federal Police last month to investigate Herzog for his alleged role in war crimes in Gaza. The Australian Centre for International Justice, Al-Haq and the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights said that they had written to “urgently alert” Australian police of their concerns “in light of serious and credible criminal allegations of incitement to genocide and advocating genocide” by Herzog amid Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7, 2023. Adblock test (Why?)

Georgia GOP Rep Barry Loudermilk to retire, adding to wave of House exits

Georgia GOP Rep Barry Loudermilk to retire, adding to wave of House exits

Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term, becoming the latest Republican lawmaker to step aside amid a growing wave of GOP retirements ahead of the next election cycle. Loudermilk released a statement announcing his retirement, saying it has been a “tremendous honor” to represent the people of Northwest Georgia for six terms. He also said that during his tenure, he focused on upholding the U.S. Constitution and representing the 11th Congressional District. “I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a career; and although I continue to have strong support from the people of the 11th Congressional District, I believe it is time to contribute to my community, state, and nation in other ways,” he said. “Therefore, I have decided not to seek reelection at the end of my current term in Congress.” HOUSE GOP MAJORITY ON THE BRINK AS ALL-DEMOCRAT TEXAS SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION UNDERWAY Loudermilk said he learned throughout his life that doing what is right is not always easy, popular or convenient, and that he and his wife prayed and discussed the decision extensively. “This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one,” he said. “While serving my constituents in Congress ranks among my greatest honors, being a husband, a father and a grandfather holds even greater importance to me, and at this time I wish to spend more dedicated time with my family.” He concluded by thanking the people of his district for allowing him to serve, as well as his staff for their “outstanding service” to the district, state and nation. REP. LAMALFA’S DEATH FURTHER SHRINKS REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY Loudermilk’s decision comes as lawmakers in both parties consider the toll of another election cycle, with redistricting, an early primary calendar and an increasingly national political climate influencing decisions ahead of the next midterm elections. Loudermilk is at least the 29th Republican to announce plans not to seek re-election at the end of the current term, part of a broader wave of departures from the House. Twenty-one House Democrats have also announced they will not seek re-election. REP. LAMALFA’S DEATH FURTHER SHRINKS REPUBLICAN HOUSE MAJORITY Last Tuesday, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said he would not seek re-election, ending a two-decade career in Washington at age 74. “After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life,” Buchanan said in a statement. Other Republicans not seeking re-election include Reps. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Troy Nehls, R-Texas. Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

Hochul primary challenger picks democratic socialist, once arrested for harassment, as running mate

Hochul primary challenger picks democratic socialist, once arrested for harassment, as running mate

New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is mounting a longshot Democratic primary challenge against his boss, Gov. Kathy Hochul, as she runs for re-election, is choosing a far-left politician with a history of legal and financial troubles as his running mate. Delgado on Wednesday named former Buffalo mayoral candidate India Walton, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, as his running mate in an effort to beef up his support among progressives as he runs from the left against Hochul, a moderate Democrat. “India Walton represents exactly the kind of transformational and morally courageous leadership New Yorkers are hungry for,” Delgado said in a statement. “She has never been afraid to challenge the status quo, stand up to powerful interests and put working families first.” Walton grabbed national headlines in 2021 by pulling off an upset victory over Buffalo Mayor Bryon Brown in the Democratic primary. Her primary victory was seen as a sign at the time of the rise of the progressive movement. But she ended up losing in a landslide in the general election to Brown, who ran as a write-in candidate. WHERE THE NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL SHOWDOWN STANDS IN THE POLLS It was during that heated campaign battle that her past troubles, including a 2014 arrest, in which she was charged with second-degree harassment, grabbed attention. Walton said at the time that the charge was due to a disagreement with a fellow student at a children’s hospital. “When I politely told them I’d like to speak with them personally and handle the situation like adults, one claimed that they were threatened by me and feared for their life despite the fact that I am (4-foot-11) and was going on disability for surgery,” Walton told WIVB-TV. The case was later dismissed in court. A year later, Walton was ticketed for aggravated unlicensed operation during a traffic stop. And Walton had two earlier legal controversies. The Erie County Department of Social Services brought a fraud case against her over food stamp assistance in 2003, and, a year later, Walton and her husband at the time appeared on a tax warrant issued by state officials over unpaid back taxes. Documents show it took them five years to pay off the penalties and interest owed. Fox News Digital reached out to the Delgado campaign for comment but did not receive a response before publication. TRUMP TAKES SIDES IN NEW YORK’S RACE FOR GOVERNOR Delgado launched his bid for governor in June, a rare instance of a lieutenant governor taking on a sitting governor. His move to name Walton as his running mate will likely be overshadowed later this week if New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, endorses Hochul. The governor backed Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, in September as he battled former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in the mayoral race in the nation’s most populous city. Politico reports that Mamdani will return the favor and endorse Hochul later this week. The latest public opinion poll in the Democratic primary race from Siena University indicated Hochul has a massive 53-point lead over Delgado. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL Hochul also named her running mate on Wednesday, choosing Adrienne Adams, who served as New York City Council speaker from 2022 to 2025. The all-female ticket is a first for a major party in the Empire State. And if elected, Adams would make history as New York State’s first Black lieutenant governor. “I’m grateful to begin building the next chapter of New York’s future with Adrienne Adams, our next Lieutenant Governor,” Hochul said in her announcement on Wednesday. “Raised by two union workers, Adrienne knows what it means to work hard and stand up for those who need it most.” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is the all-but-certain GOP gubernatorial nominee. President Donald Trump endorsed Blakeman in December after Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped her bid for governor. Blakeman, in a statement, took aim at Hochul’s running mate. “Leave it to Kathy Hochul to select a radical running mate that welcomed the migrant crisis, defunded the NYPD by a billion dollars, and chased away thousands of jobs to other states,” Blakeman argued.

Democrats say Clintons’ agreement to testify undercuts subpoena push, won’t bring new Epstein answers

Democrats say Clintons’ agreement to testify undercuts subpoena push, won’t bring new Epstein answers

Democrats believe Bill and Hillary Clinton’s decision to appear before the House Oversight Committee will put to bed accusations of noncompliance with congressional investigations on Jeffrey Epstein while strengthening precedents related to subpoena power that Democrats could use down the line. At the same time, lawmakers cast doubt that their testimony would provide answers that Republicans are looking for. “I think House Republicans want this to be performative and a public show,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the No. 3 Democrat in the chamber, said. “I think it satisfies the [subpoena] requirements … as long as they are indicating that they are willing to answer questions,” he added, referring to the congressional request compelling their testimony. HILLARY CLINTON EXPECTED TO DEFY EPSTEIN PROBE SUBPOENA, RISKING CRIMINAL CHARGES Republicans hope to learn more about the relationships Bill and Hillary Clinton may have had with Epstein, the disgraced financier who killed himself while incarcerated on charges of sex trafficking minors in 2019. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will appear before the House Oversight Committee for a deposition Feb. 26, while former President Bill Clinton will appear Feb. 27. The Clintons’ decision to testify follows Republican efforts to hold them in contempt of Congress. The Oversight Committee teed up contempt resolutions along bipartisan lines last month after the pair failed to appear for scheduled depositions in January. If put to the House and passed, the resolution would have referred the Clintons to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, and, if convicted, they could have faced a $100,000 fine and up to a year behind bars. Notably, even a handful of progressive members of the “Squad” joined to support teeing up consideration of the contempt resolution, revealing bipartisan frustrations about their absence. Aguilar said he believes the Clintons have now nixed that possibility. BILL, HILLARY CLINTON RISK CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGES AFTER DEFYING HOUSE SUBPOENAS IN EPSTEIN PROBE “If people receive a lawful subpoena, they should comply, and they should share [testimony],” Aguilar said. “There’s absolutely no way that contempt can move forward if they’re cooperating.” He noted that the mere use of contempt resolutions to compel testimony might play into Democrats’ hands in the future. “It sets an interesting precedent on who is subject to come into Oversight, and we will see what the next year holds for Trump Inc. and the Trump family,” Aguilar said, alluding to the requests Democrats might make if they hold a majority in 2027. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., was one of the nine Democrats who voted to advance contempt considerations out of committee. He said that while he probably would have opposed the measure had it reached the floor, he had voted for it in committee, hoping to reinforce the congressional subpoena power. “I think no matter who you are, if Congress wants you to testify, you should testify,” Frost said Wednesday. Like Aguilar, he believes a new bar has been set by Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on whom the committee can request an appearance from. “It sets new standards. It’s a new precedent that will follow for anyone — former presidents, their family, their spouse, whoever — depending on investigations that we do in the future,” Frost said. CLINTONS AGREE TO TESTIFY AFTER HOUSE THREATENS CONTEMPT IN JEFFREY EPSTEIN PROBE Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., a top Democrat in the House of Representatives, echoed his colleagues’ thinking on the Clintons’ compliance with the subpoenas. “I think it’s a positive development. You know, they had a chance to look it over, and they made the choice that ‘I’ll come testify,’ and I applaud them for doing it,” Thompson said. “No,” Thompson said simply when asked if he expected their testimony to reveal new information about the pair’s relationship with Epstein. “I don’t think they have anything to be worried about. I look forward to hearing what they have to say.”