News and Headlines. In The News, Politics, World News, Commentary/Opinion.
In The News:
New York officials discuss crime stats after pulling $1B from NYPD budget
NY Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LiPetri holds a media availability regarding the monthly crime statistics.
Fourth of July weekend shootings result in the deaths of at least 6 children
The fatal incidents come as shootings are on the rise in places like New York City – and continue to persist in Chicago, where a girl attending a holiday party was among the recent victims.
The violence began Friday afternoon in Hoover, Ala., when 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. was shot in the head at the Riverchase Galleria Mall, police say.
Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Montez Coleman, a 22-year-old who is now facing a murder charge in connection to the death, had gotten into an argument with a group of other males near the mall food court on the first floor and fired a handgun that had been concealed in a backpack. Derzis said several of the others had handguns and immediately returned fire.
Five more fatal shooting incidents involving children then occurred on Saturday’s Fourth of July holiday – one of which was Wallace’s.
SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester
Temporary exemptions for the fall 2020 semester include:
Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States.
The U.S. Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.
Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status.
If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.
Man shot dead in Bronx while walking with 6-year-old daughter
Clasping his young daughter’s left hand in his right, Robinson, 29, stops at a crosswalk to eye a dark sedan slowing next to them, appearing to check whether the driver was turning into their path.
But the driver continues to roll along next to father and daughter as they cross Sheridan Avenue, the video shows.
Nearly out of the crosswalk, Robinson turns as though to say something to his daughter — leaving his back to the sedan.
Texas looking to beckon Tesla with more favorable regulatory environment, tax structure
Questions center on where and when Tesla wants to move. Tulsa and Austin have emerged as top contenders, but a Tesla representative told Travis County commissioners late last month that high property taxes presented a barrier.
Neighboring Hays, Caldwell or Williamson counties are more conservatively governed and could prove more appealing, DeVore said.
“Tesla could save 32 percent on operating costs, not just on expenses, but taxes, regulatory and labor costs.
That’s a lot of money because it translates into profit, that’s the poll you hear from business analysts,” DeVore said.
Country music legend Charlie Daniels dies at 83
According to a press release from his representatives, the acclaimed Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member died at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn., where doctors determined his cause of death.
While The Charlie Daniels Band had numerous hits and remained a staple in Country music radio, his most enduring hit was a tale of a young man named Johnny who challenged the devil to a fiddle-playing contest and came away with a violin made of gold.
“Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than Charlie Daniels
ABC claims ‘luxury car’ responsible for killing protester on highway, excludes fact that the driver was black
The story was reminiscent of when a white nationalist plowed into a crowd of demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, killing Heather Heyer.
Except that’s not what happened on Seattle’s I-5 highway late Saturday. The reported driver of the “luxury car” was Dawit Kelete, a black man.
ABC News was subsequently bashed on social media for excluding the key detail about the driver to instead claim his car was responsible for striking the demonstrators.
Newton Falls declares itself sanctuary city for historical statues
City Manager David Lynch signed the proclamation Saturday declaring a general amnesty for statues of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, Patrick Henry, Francis Scott Key, Theodore Roosevelt, and Christopher Columbus.
Newton Falls has volunteered to accept the statues of these historical figures that have been removed throughout the country and place them in a location of honor in the community.
The proclamation says the great leaders of our country were flawed in many ways but made great achievements, citing the founding of the country and the ending of slavery as some of the achievements.
Gun-related online businesses bemoan growing Big Tech’s suppression of the Second Amendment
“The issue of oligarchical control over the Internet and all the impact over the ability to use it for free speech is going to only get worse,” Kasarda told Fox News, alluding to the “big five” — YouTube, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“It is unclear what the rules are,” he added. “Specifically, with YouTube, they pretty much enforce whatever they feel based on their bias of the day.
Regardless of your personal belief, firearms and their accessories are legal in the United States.
So why are we seeing continuing restrictions and challenges towards content about something demonstrably legal yet not against that which is clearly illegal?”
Frederick Douglass statue vandalized in New York park on anniversary of famous Fourth of July speech
The statue of Douglass was dismantled and taken on Sunday from Maplewood Park, a site along the Underground Railroad where Douglass and Harriet Tubman helped shuttle slaves to freedom.
The statue was abandoned an estimated 50 feet away from where it had stood, according to the report. There was damage to the base and a finger.
President Trump condemned the vandalism on Monday, saying in a tweet: “This shows that these anarchists have no bounds!”
U.S. service sector rebounds strongly in June
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. services industry activity rebounded sharply in June, almost returning to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, but a resurgence in coronavirus cases that has forced some restaurants and bars to close again threatens the emerging recovery.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Monday its non-manufacturing activity index jumped to a reading of 57.1 last month, the highest since February, from 45.4 in May.
It has bounced back from a reading of 41.8 in April, which was the lowest since March 2009.
7 men arrested after harassing black family with Nazi salutes on Oregon beach: police
The incident began with officers responding around 9:30 p.m. to a report of a group of people shooting off illegal fireworks and causing a disturbance, Lincoln City police said.
More officers arrived after the cops who initially responded were surrounded by the group, taunted and challenged to fights, police said.
The family left the beach safely after officers formed a line between the group and the family, police said.
These coronavirus relief benefits expire at the end of July
By the end of July, a slew of provisions put in place to help American workers and businesses weather the coronavirus pandemic are set to expire — even as layoffs from the most severe and abrupt economic downturn since the Great Depression persist.
That includes the sweetened $600 a week in unemployment benefits, protections for renters and homeowners in federally backed properties, and an extended filing deadline for taxpayers.
The end of the relief comes as Republicans and Democrats grapple with another relief package.
The Senate is not scheduled to return from its two-week summer recess until July 20, making it unlikely that a fourth relief package is passed before then.
Supreme Court rules states can sanction or remove ‘faithless’ presidential electors
The cases come after a group of Democratic electors that called themselves the “Hamilton Electors” voted for moderate Republicans instead of Hillary Clinton in 2016, in an unsuccessful effort to convince Republican electors to vote for somebody besides President Trump.
“Among the devices States have long used to achieve their object are pledge laws, designed to impress on electors their role as agents of others,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote in the court’s opinion.
“That direction accords with the Constitution—as well as with the trust of a Nation that here, We the People rule.”
Though many voters don’t realize it, when Americans cast their ballots in presidential elections they are actually voting for “electors” who later cast the official ballots that decide the presidential election. They almost always rubber-stamp the popular vote winner in their state, but at times have voted for a different candidate, as the Hamilton Electors did in 2016.
US District Court orders Dakota Access Pipeline shutdown, emptied
The pipeline must be emptied by August 5, the court ordered Monday, after finding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated “the National Environmental Policy Act when it granted an easement” for the pipeline’s construction and operation of crude-oil running beneath Lake Oahe.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg wrote in a 24-page order that he was “mindful of the disruption such a shutdown will cause,” but said he had concluded that it was necessary.
“Clear precedent favoring vacatur during such a remand coupled with the seriousness of the Corps’ deficiencies outweighs the negative effects of halting the oil flow for the thirteen months that the Corps believes the creation of an EIS will take,” Boasberg wrote.
Outrage after California bans singing in churches amid coronavirus pandemic
Sean Feucht, a Bethel Music worship leader and pastor in Northern California, called the order an “unprecedented attack” on the freedom of worship and said he is defying the Democrat governor’s ban.
Sean Feucht, a Bethel Music worship leader and pastor in Northern California, called the order an “unprecedented attack” on the freedom of worship and said he is defying the Democrat governor’s ban.
“For the last several weeks, tens of thousands of people have been gathering outdoors in cities all across California and they have been screaming and chanting and protesting, and all the while state officials are encouraging them as they do this,” Feucht said.
Politics:
NEW: Judicial Watch Sues DC Mayor over Black Lives Matter Street Mural!
Judicial Watch filed a civil rights lawsuit against DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials for First Amendment violations over their refusal to allow Judicial Watch to paint the message “Because No One Is Above the Law!” on a DC street. (Judicial Watch. v. Muriel Bowser,
Democrats raise the stakes in Confederate statue fight via funding bill
House Democrats insist that public areas of the Capitol building be rid of Confederate statues as a condition in funding the government this year, adding to the issues that could collectively doom spending negotiations ahead of Election Day.
In addition to ousting Confederate statues, the measure would also scrap markers that honor people with “unambiguous records of racial intolerance.”
Top appropriations leaders include Charles Aycock, John C. Calhoun, James Paul Clarke and Roger B. Taney on that list.
It does not include a pay increase for Congress, following Republican balking last year over consideration of a cost-of-living adjustment for lawmakers.
Trump-Connected Lobbyists Reap Windfall in COVID-19 Boom
WASHINGTON – Forty lobbyists with ties to President Donald Trump helped clients secure more than $10 billion in federal coronavirus aid, among them five former administration officials whose work potentially violates Trump’s own ethics policy, according to a report.
The lobbyists identified Monday by the watchdog group Public Citizen either worked in the Trump executive branch, served on his campaign, were part of the committee that raised money for inaugural festivities or were part of his presidential transition.
Many are donors to Trump’s campaigns, and some are prolific fundraisers for his reelection.
“NAM carefully adheres to the legal and ethical rules regulating lobbying activity, including ensuring that its employees comply with all applicable prohibitions on contacting their former employers,” Linda Kelly, the organization’s general counsel, said in a statement.
Kayleigh McEnany Snaps On Media Over Confederate Flag Questions
The president criticized NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag Monday, and also ripped driver Bubba Wallace after an FBI investigation concluded that Wallace was not the victim of a hate crime.
“I’ve explained to you. This is I guess the fourth attempt, but we’ll try it again,” McEnany told a reporter.
“In aggregate, what [Trump] was pointing out is this rush to judgement to immediately say that there is a hate crime as happened in this case, as happened with Jussie Smollett, as happened with the Covington Catholic boys.”
“We should not have this rush to judgement, knee-jerk reaction before the facts come out,” she continued. “The FBI did their job and determined there was no hate crime.”
Will Tucker Carlson Run For President?
Commentary/Opinion:
The buzz around Tucker’s chances for the presidency is growing.
Mark Meadows previews Trump’s upcoming rally in New Hampshire
Commentary/Opinion:
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss the news of the day and his agenda in his new role.
Joe Biden Promises To ‘Transform’ America If Elected
“We’re going to beat Donald Trump. And when we do, we won’t just rebuild this nation — we’ll transform it,” Biden tweeted Sunday.
The former vice president has promised sweeping reforms if elected, but has also attempted to distance himself from protest movements that have called for police departments to be defunded and statues of U.S. founding fathers to come down.
Biden also promised to protect statues of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, which have been targeted by protesters in recent weeks.
World News:
5-year-old who lost both of his legs from childhood abuse walked over 6 miles in June to raise over $1 million for the hospital that saved his life
Tony Hudgell had both of his legs amputated and was on life support at Evelina London Children’s Hospital after being abused by his biological parents as a newborn. The doctors weren’t certain he would live, much less ever be able to walk.
But Tony did survive, and after receiving a set of new limbs in February, he has been making incredible walking progress.
Tony reportedly was inspired to begin his walk for charity after he saw 100-year-old British war hero Captain Tom Moore raise tens of millions for health care workers by walking 100 laps outside his home north of London.
The UK will freeze assets and place travel bans on officials from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, and North Korea in a new plan to target ‘thugs and despots’
Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, on Monday said the government would immediately impose a series of sanctions on a total of 49 individuals from Russia, Myanmar, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, which include asset freezes and travel bans.
The UK’s move on sanctions closely mirrors that of the US Magnitsky Act, a 2012 Bill designed to punish Russian nationals linked to the death of Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian whistleblower who made allegations of corruption against Kremlin officials before he died in police custody in 2009.
Those named on the UK list include 20 Saudi nationals who the UK Foreign Office says were linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, including Saud al-Qahtani, who was a close adviser to Mohammad Bin Salman.
Russian Journalist Convicted of ‘Justifying Terrorism’
Despite the guilty verdict and fine, there was clear relief among Prokopyeva’s supporters at the outcome: prosecutors had been asking for 6 years imprisonment and a 4 year ban from the journalism profession.
Prokopyeva had arrived at the court with a bag packed expecting the worst.
But emerging onto the courthouse steps following the decision, Prokopyeva was greeted with applause and a box of donations to help cover the court ordered fine of 500,000 rubles — approximately $7000.
“I wouldn’t be walking out this door right now if it weren’t for all of you,” said Prokopyeva.
Dressed in a t-shirt that said “We Will Not Shut Up,” Prokopyeva insisted she would appeal the guilty verdict.
Hong Kong Denies Bail to First Defendant Under China’s New Security Law
Tong Ying-kit, 23, was arrested last week carrying a sign that read “Liberate Hong Kong” and allegedly drove his motorbike into police.
Tong was unable to appear in court Friday because of injuries sustained from the incident, but appeared Monday in a wheelchair and was charged with inciting secession and engaging in terrorism.
Hong Kong police said last week that 370 people were arrested at a July 1 demonstration which had previously been banned.
July 1 marked the 23rd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. It was also the first day of the official implementation of the national security law for Hong Kong.
Israel launches new Ofek 16 spy satellite
Ofek 16 is an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced technologies, all Israeli made.
Once operational, the satellite will be run by the Israel Defense Forces and will orbit along with other Israeli military satellites.
The satellites will give Israel a better coverage and early warnings of any Iranian activity such as planned Iranian missile launches and tests, and information on activities at sites where components of Iran’s nuclear program are developed and produced.
Chinese tabloid tweets about ‘aircraft carrier killer’ missiles, US Navy responds
“And yet, there they are,” the Navy Chief of Information Twitter account posted. “Two @USNavy aircraft carriers operating in the international waters of the South China Sea. #USSNimitz & #USSRonaldReagan are not intimidated #AtOurDiscretion.”
A Navy official told Fox News that the two carriers are in the disputed South China Sea to conduct military drills.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report about the drills, which Rear Adm. George Wikoff said was to “signal to our partners and allies that we are committed to regional security and stability.”
China begins pulling back troops near site of India border clash, Indian sources say
China has yet to confirm whether it suffered casualties.
The Indian deaths are the highest along the border in more than five decades, a dramatic escalation that led to weeks of talks between senior military officials on how to ease tensions.
On Monday the Chinese military was seen dismantling tents and structures at a site in the Galwan valley near to where the latest clash took place, said the Indian government sources, who declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.
Mexican military finds plane in flames and truck carrying drugs
Nearby, military officials said they also found a truck carrying drugs that appeared to be cocaine, packaged into 13 parcels weighting 30 kg (66 pounds) each, and likely coming from the plane.
With an estimated value of more than 109 million pesos ($4.9 million), the loss would have a “significant” impact on criminal organizations, said a statement from the Mexican military.
Commentary/Opinion:
Op-Ed: U.S. civil unrest a reflection on public education
“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.”
– Vladimir Lenin
In the 1920s, Hitler’s Nazi Party targeted Germany’s youth to maturate their holocaustic movement.
Their message misrepresented the party as a youth movement: dynamically resilient, futuristic and enterprising. Millions of young Germans were ushered into the world of Nazism in their classrooms.
The system was purged of teachers unwilling to proselytize this doctrine. The Nazis seized control of public education for the sole purpose of creating a society Hitler could use to advance Nazism.
“Now we can only teach what the Democrats allow us to teach.”
– David Byrd, Oakland, California teacher.
Until Carter federalized education, public school and state college curriculum was developed and controlled by local school boards and states.
Although leftists had infiltrated education for years, it was not until the election of Barack Obama that they succeeded in exterminating traditional education.
In 2008, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano led a squadron of liberal educators, governors, politicians and corporate officers to literally rewrite public education methodology into the monster it is today…..
It’s Not Just Face Masks. Everything Is Now a Political Death Match
Somehow, it became a sign of bedrock conservative principles to refuse to wear a face mask anytime, anyplace, in the middle of a pandemic.
Likewise, it’s now a marker of devout progressivism to shriek like banshees at anybody who fails to don a mask even for a stroll along a deserted path.
DellaPosta has been on this beat for a while, co-authoring a 2015 study finding that “as people congregate with the like-minded, they reinforce their shared views “producing a stereotypical world of ‘latte liberals’ and ‘bird-hunting conservatives.'”
For his data, DellaPosta crunched data from the General Social Survey, which is overseen by the University of Chicago and has been compiling information about Americans’ opinions since 1972.
He found growing evidence not only that Americans are increasingly at odds with one another, but that they’ve chosen partisan sides over things that have no obvious political content.
Dems and Media to Blame for Countless COVID-19 Deaths After Anti-Hydroxychloroquine Hysteria
Hydroxychloroquine offered hope, but since Trump was the messenger, the media was desperate to quash it.
They claimed an elderly Arizona couple had ingested chloroquine after seeing President Trump talking about it during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing. The incident left the husband dead and the woman in intensive care.
Eventually, it was revealed that the media hadn’t reported the fact that they didn’t take the medication at all, but had actually ingested poisonous fish tank cleaner because it contained a chemical variant of chloroquine, chloroquine phosphate, as an additive.
But that didn’t stop the media from pretty much accusing Trump of murder.
In March, Gretchen Whitmer banned the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine to treat coronavirus patients, threatening doctors with “administrative action” if they prescribed it for that purpose.
Eventually, she reversed course.
Steve Sisolak, the Democrat governor of Nevada, also signed an emergency order restricting the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to treat the coronavirus.
Think about this: Had Democrats cared more about saving lives than the November election, more people would have been comfortable taking hydroxychloroquine as treatment. More people would have participated in clinical trials.
More people would have recovered from the coronavirus. Instead, immediately after Trump started touting the drug, he was criticized and mocked by Democrats, the media, and even government officials.
They ignored studies that showed it worked, pretended not to hear anecdotal evidence from patients who were successfully treated by the drug, and told people that hydroxychloroquine could kill them.
The Democrats and the media need to be held accountable for this. How many people died because they chose to make the public afraid of hydroxychloroquine?