National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG

EU politicians look to impose a travel ban on Tucker Carlson following his trip to Moscow to interview President Putin –According to a member of the EU’s parliament, Carlson could be subject to economic sanctions and a ‘travel ban’ | 7 Feb 2024 | Talk show host [and journalist] Tucker Carlson could be subjected to sanctions from the European Union due to his activities in Russia, a new report says. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been interviewed by Carlson, the Kremlin confirmed Wednesday… Carlson released a video from Moscow on Tuesday in which he said he would be interviewing Putin; less than 24 hours later, the Kremlin confirmed the sit-down took place. Former Belgian Prime Minister and current member of the European Union Parliament Guy Verhofstadt told Newsweek as the Russian president is considered a “war criminal,” it’s “logical” that an investigation be held into Carlson. Verhofstadt has also called for a “travel ban” against Carlson and described the host as a “mouthpiece” for Donald Trump, who has long been criticized for his pro-Kremlin views. Any investigation into Trump would be conducted by the EU’s European External Action Service, or EEAS, which is essentially the 27-nation bloc’s foreign ministry.

Musk responds to calls for Tucker Carlson’s arrest | 7 Feb 2024 | Anyone calling for the arrest of US journalist Tucker Carlson over his plan to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin should themselves be detained, tech billionaire Elon Musk has suggested. Carlson arrived in Moscow last weekend, saying he intended to show Americans an unfiltered Russian position on the Ukraine conflict and the broader tensions between Moscow and the West. The former Fox News host accused the mainstream media of failing to provide the full picture due to political reasons, and said Musk had promised not to suppress the distribution on X of his planned interview with Putin. There has been speculation about the potential risks to Carlson in his homeland due to his trip to Russia. Conservative blogger Ian Miles Cheong has suggested that he “could become the next Julian Assange,” noting that “politicians and establishment media shills” have been calling for Carlson’s arrest. “Arrest those calling for his arrest!” Musk responded in a post on X.

Tucker Carlson’s Popularity on the Increase in Russia – Here’s Why | 5 Feb 2024 | U.S. political commentator Tucker Carlson came to Moscow on February 3, amid speculation that the goal of the visit is to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin, boosting the ex-Fox News host’s popularity in the country. Sputnik explores why. In one video of Tucker Carlson meeting one of his Russian fans in Moscow, a man’s voice can be heard praising the 54­-year-old conservative commentator as the “best U.S. journalist.” The former Fox News anchor is then seen thanking the man and lauding Moscow as a beautiful city that he had planned to visit for a long time.

U.S. ‘involved’ in deadly Ukrainian attack on Russian bakery – envoy –Washington gives target clearances for all of Kiev’s attacks that use HIMARS missiles, Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia has claimed | 7 Feb 2024 | Washington is partially responsible for Ukraine’s missile strike on a bakery in the city of Lisichansk in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) last week that killed over two dozen civilians, Moscow’s permanent envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia stated on Tuesday. On February 3, the Armed Forces of Ukraine used high-power precision weaponry, presumably U.S.-supplied HIMARS missiles, to target the bakery. The attack almost completely destroyed the two-story building and left some 40 people buried in the rubble, according to Nebenzia. Some 28 civilians died in the strike, including a pregnant woman and her five-year-old child. LPR Minister of Emergency Situations Aleksey Poteleschenko was among those killed in the attack. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council initiated by Russia in response to the strike, Nebenzia stressed that the U.S. is to be considered an accomplice in the attack, which Moscow has described as an “act of terrorism.”

Death toll rises to 28 from Ukrainian strike on bakery –Sunday has been declared a day of mourning in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic | 4 Feb 2024 | The death toll from a Ukrainian missile strike on the city of Lisichansk in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) has risen to 28, the region’s acting head and the emergencies services have said. The attack on a bakery occurred during a busy period on Saturday, partially destroying the building. Sources in Russia’s Investigative Committee told the media that the bombardment was likely carried out with the use of a U.S.-made HIMARS multiple rocket launch system, supplied to Kiev by the West. “As a result of a strike on a bakery by the Ukrainian nationalists, 28 civilians were killed, including one child,” the acting head of the LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, wrote on Telegram on Sunday.

U.S. and UK bomb 36 targets in Yemen –The latest raids follow a series of airstrikes on Iraq and Syria | 3 Feb 2024 | The U.S. and UK have carried out a series of combined air – and sea-launched strikes against at least 36 targets at 13 locations across Yemen, the U.S. Central Command announced on Saturday. The joint operation was carried out by Tomahawk missiles launched from US Navy ships, and F/A-18 fighter-bombers launched from the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower. The U.S. Central Command said the raid targeted “multiple underground storage facilities, command and control, missile systems, UAV storage and operations sites, radars, and helicopters.”

Federal agencies refuse to cooperate with Florida grand jury investigating COVID-19 vaccines, interim report reveals | 2 Feb 2024 | Federal agencies have declined to help a Florida grand jury convened by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis investigate the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, the panel said Friday. In their refusal to participate, some witnesses have told the grand jury that “professional or personal consequences” may arise from their cooperation with the probe, while others have been critical of the “fairness” of the investigation, the panel noted in a 33-page interim report on the inquiry. “Unfortunately, not all our investigative efforts have been met with fulsome cooperation,” the grand jury report states… None of the federal agencies involved in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines have been forthcoming with information, the grand jury has discovered, and the panel said it has no legal power to force the agencies to furnish information.

Cancer cases set to soar by 77% – WHO –More than 35 million cases are expected in the next quarter-century, a new study warns | Global cases of cancer will surge to 35 million by the year 2050, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer agency has predicted – a 77% increase over figures reported in 2022. The predictive data, published on Thursday by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cites the use of tobacco and alcohol, as well as obesity and poor air quality, as the primary factors driving the expected increase in cases by 2050. “Over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050,” the IARC said in a statement on its website, adding that this number is 77% higher than the 20 million diagnosed in 2022.

Mike Gill, former Trump official, dies days after being shot in DMV carjacking spree | 3 Feb 2024 | Mike Gill, a married father of three who was also a member of former President Donald Trump’s administration, has died. He was shot during a deadly carjacking rampage in Washington, D.C., last Monday night. It was around 5:45 p.m. Monday when Gill was attacked. Police say he was sitting inside his vehicle that was parked in the 900 block of K. Street in northwest Washington when the suspected gunman, identified by police as 28-year-old Artell Cunningham, entered and shot him. The attack on Gill was the first of many reported in a carjacking rampage.

Video shows woman dragged along NYC street by migrant moped gang linked to dozens of brazen attacks, 62 grand larcenies | 5 Feb 2024 | Two men were busted in the Bronx as part of a moped-riding migrant crew that has been snatching cellphones right out of New Yorkers’ hands in daring bursts of street crime — and police sources say they’ve already flipped on the group’s ringleader. The two suspects — Cleyber Andrade, 19, and Juan Uzcatgui, 23 — are allegedly part of a wider ring whose members are connected to 62 different instances of grand larceny throughout the Big Apple — including a shocking caught-on-video heist where a 62-year-old woman was brutally dragged down a Brooklyn street, police sources told The Post. But cops are still searching for the ringleader, a Venezuelan migrant named Victor Parra, 30, of the Bronx, who was cut loose by a judge in December after getting picked up for grand larceny, sources said.

Washington state diverted $340M in federal COVID funds to immigrants, including via $1,000 checks | 3 Feb 2024 | A new report is highlighting how federal COVID funds were used in Washington state to give 1,000 checks to illegal immigrants who were ineligible to receive federal economic impact payments during the pandemic due to their immigration status. The report, by the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), points to m-ney administered by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), which was created by the American Rescue Plan Act and was intended to help state and local governments with their response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington state received 4.4 billion in funding overall from that program. The report from the group…highlighted how 340 million in funding went to a program that sent 1,000 checks to illegal immigrants in the state. The funds, approved by the Washington state legislature in April 2021, provided “another round of funding for undocumented Washingtonians,” according to an impact report on the program.

Adams defends pre-paid migrant cards – 40% more than the state gives to low-income and elderly New Yorkers –The migrant 53 million pilot program also hands out more than two times the amount the state gives monthly in services for single veterans | 6 Feb 2024 | New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday defended a reported 53 million pilot program to hand out pre-paid cards to migrant families housed in hotels despite public outcry. Appearing before a state legislative budget hearing in Albany on Tuesday, the Democratic mayor said he sought to dismiss “misinformation” [LOL] about the program. “We’re not giving people American Express cards,” Adams said… Under the pilot program, migrants will be getting 40% more than the state gives to low-income and elderly New Yorkers under SNAP benefits. Each migrant would receive about 350 a month to spend on food and baby supplies. As noted by Newsweek, that’s more than the maximum allotment that low-income New York residents receive in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. According to the state’s website, single households are eligible for up to 291 a month in SNAP benefits aimed at providing “low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others” m-ney to buy food products. The migrant pilot program also hands out more than two times the amount the state gives monthly in services for single veterans, Fox News reported.

Take Our Border Back convoy ends with rallies in 3 states over ‘national security crisis’ | 3 Feb 2024 | Hundreds of protesters gathered for prayer-filled rallies in three border states Saturday to demand an end to illegal immigration — capping a cross-country convoy that dubbed itself “God’s Army” as it rolled from Virginia to Texas this week. “This is a national security crisis,” organizer Scotty Saks told a crowd of about 200 in San Ysidro, Calif., at the first of three “Take Our Border Back” demonstrations in the Golden State, Arizona, and Texas. In Texas, rally-goers at the Cornerstone Children’s Ranch in Quemado waved American flags and banners supporting former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg defends releasing migrants who ‘attacked cops in Times Square’ – as Supreme Court judge slams him for prosecuting COVID-19 vaccine card dodgers while letting violent perps walk free | 3 Feb 2024 | Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has defended the decision to release a group of migrants who allegedly attacked police officers in Times Square, as a Supreme Court justice slams him for prosecuting COVID vaccine card dodgers. Seven suspects were arrested and charged with Robbery and Felony Assault following a vicious attack on NYPD officers in Times Square last Saturday. Four of those believed to have been involved were released without bail are now feared to have fled by bus to California using a church-affiliated migrant charity… Earlier this week, state Supreme Court Judge Brendan T. Lantry slammed Bragg and dismissed felony charges brought by his office against two New Yorkers who bought fake COVID vaccine cards. In a ruling, Lantry called the case overkill and threw out the charges against them, the two unknown individuals.

Three House Republicans torpedoed Mayorkas impeachment vote | 7 Feb 2024 | House Republicans were dealt a crushing defeat on Tuesday when a months-long effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the crisis at the southern border failed — with three GOP lawmakers breaking ranks and voting against the measure. The vote was 214-216. Lawmakers voted on a resolution combining two articles of impeachment that accused Mayorkas of having “refused to comply with Federal immigration laws” and the other of having violated “public trust.” While the House voted mostly along party lines, with Democrats remaining united against the measure, three Republicans voted against it, with another lawmaker switching his vote at the last minute to allow for the resolution to be brought back to the floor.

GOP senators call for McConnell to step down, declare border bill ‘unadulterated bull—-‘ –Cruz says ‘I think it is’ when asked if it’s time for McConnell step down | 6 Feb 2024 | A group of Senate Republicans is growing weary of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s leadership and called for him to step down as they aired their grievances over what they called a “dead” bipartisan border bill slated for the first floor procedural vote on Wednesday. Sens. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told reporters Tuesday afternoon in a press conference that McConnell, R-Ky, should have “walked away” from the border agreement, which they argue expands Joe Biden’s power and does not fully close the border. “We’re not committing ourselves to voting for this thing just because we entered the negotiation, and you hear this from some of our leadership — and hopefully they will stop — the idea that we committed to supporting whatever came out of this negotiation is pure, unadulterated bull—-,” said Vance, one of Congress’ loudest critics against aid to [more wasted billions for] Ukraine. He added, “We supported a negotiation to bring commonsense border security to this country. We did not agree to a border fig leaf to send another 61 billion to Ukraine.”

Knives out for Mitch McConnell over border bill: Republicans start calls to kick him OUT of leadership and accuse him of a ‘bromance’ with Democrats on package that’s a ‘betrayal’ of American people –Sen. Mike Lee called it a ‘disqualifying betrayal’ after bipartisan negotiations –Donald Trump called it a ‘Death Wish’ for the Republican Party | 5 Feb 2024 | The bipartisan border deal that is dividing congressional Republicans is already leading to angry calls to shake up the Senate leadership and furious claims by Donald Trump that it represents a “death wish” for the party in 2024. The fury came in the hours since negotiators put out details on their new bipartisan deal to provide new authority for the administration to “close” the border when crossings spike, while [also insanely] sending billions to Ukraine and Israel. Among those to heap the most scorn on the agreement was Utah Sen. Mike Lee — who even appeared to demand a change in his party’s leadership after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell helped oversee the deal with Majority Leader Sen. Charles Schumer. “This feels like an elaborate practical joke. But it’s not funny. Not one bit. I cannot understand how any Republican would think this was a good idea–or anything other than an unmitigated disaster. WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP — NOW,” he wrote on X. “Senate leadership screwed this up — and screwed us,” he wrote in another post. Even while refusing to let us see the bill they claimed to be negotiating on our behalf — for MONTHS — they were never in doubt, insisting we’d be dumb and even unpatriotic NOT to support it. This is a disqualifying betrayal.”

Nevada primary: ‘None of these candidates’ gets more votes than Nikki Haley | 7 Feb 2024 | In an embarrassing setback, former South Carolina governor [neocon] Nikki Haley lost the Nevada GOP presidential primary Tuesday to “none of these candidates.” The loss is largely meaningless, because former President Donald Trump decided to skip the Nevada presidential preference primary and instead is expected to win the GOP-run caucuses Thursday night. That victory will give him all 26 of the state’s delegates. But it’s a symbolic hit to the former governor… She captured almost 32% of the vote, while “none” claimed nearly 62% with close to two-thirds of the state’s votes counted. A number of Republican voters, initially confused about why Trump wasn’t on their ballot, said they voted for “none of these candidates” in support of the former president.

Bill that could ban Trump from Hawaii ballot passes first test –The bill drew more than 300 pieces of negative testimony and only about 20 testimonies in favor. | 6 Feb 2024 | A proposal that would allow Donald Trump to be disqualified from the Hawaii ballot for causing an insurrection survived a close vote in a state Senate committee Tuesday. While other states have tried to block Trump because of his role in sparking the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol. Hawaii law doesn’t provide for that. The measure, Senate Bill 2392, would establish a process through the chief elections officer. The bill drew more than 300 pieces of negative testimony and only about 20 testimonies in favor. The conference room was dominated by Trump supporters, who often cheered each other’s testimony.

Trump scores ‘the biggest lead’ yet against Biden in new NBC poll | 4 Feb 2024 | Former President Donald Trump scored his largest lead yet against Joe Biden Sunday in a new NBC poll, as voters gave the incumbent poor marks across the board. Trump, 77, notched a 47% to 42% lead over Biden, 81, with registered voters, marking an increase from his 46% to 44% edge recorded in a November poll from the outlet. “This is the biggest lead NBC has ever had in 16 polls for Donald Trump over Joe Biden,” NBC’s political correspondent, Steve Kornacki, told Meet the Press on Sunday. NBC has conducted polling on Trump vs. Biden for roughly five years.