GOP seeking power over elections in Wisconsin, Minnesota
Republicans who are running to be secretary of state in Wisconsin and Minnesota in primaries Tuesday are repeating Donald Trump’s false claims about the last presidential election and they've suggested they want more authority over how elections are run, especially in Democratic-leaning counties.
National groups flooding local prosecutor races with money
Election 2022 District Attorneys Jackie Sartoris, candidate for Cumberland County district attorney, stands for a photograph, in Portland, Maine, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. A sleepy race for district attorney in Maine has been jolted by money from Democratic billionaire donor George Soros. Money also poured into this week's recall election that gave the boot to San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a Democrat. Because both district attorney candidates are running as Democrats, and there are no other candidates, the race effectively will be decided during Tuesday's primary. While he's registered as a Democrat, an attack ad noted he won the previous race for district attorney as an independent.
wftv.comNational groups flooding local prosecutor races with money
Election 2022 District Attorneys Jackie Sartoris, candidate for Cumberland County district attorney, stands for a photograph, in Portland, Maine, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. A sleepy race for district attorney in Maine has been jolted by money from Democratic billionaire donor George Soros. Money also poured into this week's recall election that gave the boot to San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a Democrat. Because both district attorney candidates are running as Democrats, and there are no other candidates, the race effectively will be decided during Tuesday's primary. While he's registered as a Democrat, an attack ad noted he won the previous race for district attorney as an independent.
wftv.comNational groups flooding local prosecutor races with money
A local district attorney's race in Maine wasn't generating much attention until a political action committee linked to a deep-pocketed liberal donor with international name recognition suddenly took an interest. A super PAC funded by George Soros, the billionaire investor, philanthropist and conspiracy-theory target, dropped $300,000 on behalf of the challenger, dwarfing the $70,000 combined that had been raised by both candidates until then. The cash infusion — a stunning sum for a local race in Maine — shows how national groups are seeking to influence district attorney's contests across the country.
news.yahoo.comDavos updates | Climate top of the agenda amid key speeches
Switzerland Davos Forum The Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, second from left, arrives at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos from May 22 until May 26, 2022. Tuesday’s agenda in Davos is packed with sessions on one of the meeting’s key themes — climate change. There also will be addresses by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Later, billionaire financier George Soros is hosting a dinner for media — a non-official forum event but a fixture outside the Davos meeting.
wftv.comBiden encourages vaccinations as Omicron variant spreads in other countries
On Monday, President Biden indicated why he imposed travel restrictions from South Africa and 7 other countries due to the Omicron coronavirus variant. Biden said the variant was a cause for concern, but not a cause for panic.
news.yahoo.comBerlin's vaccinated Santas begin work as Christmas nears
The Santas working at the Berlin Santas Central open the season with their first night of work, passing an inspection and receiving their bags of gifts. Until 25 December, these Santas vaccinated against Covid-19 will be putting on a show for families, kindergartens, schools and companies, priced anywhere between 45 and 120 euros.
news.yahoo.comSpecial Report: Biden says Omicron variant is "cause for concern, not a cause for panic"
President Biden on Monday urged Americans to remain calm as scientists work to determine the strength and the transmissibility of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, saying the U.S. has the ability to deal with the new strain that is circulating the globe. Jan Crawford anchors a CBS News Special Report with chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes and medical contributor Dr. David Agus.
news.yahoo.comIn London, people react to new anti-Covid measures
People in London react to the UK government reintroducing anti-Covid measures in a bid to curb the spread of the new variant Omicron within the UK. From Tuesday 30 December 2021, passengers on public transport and customers in retail shops will have to wear masks once again. The government has however stopped short of advising people to work from home and imposing movement restrictions.
news.yahoo.comLeak of billionaires' tax data draws GOP outcry over privacy
Republicans in Congress are alarmed by the leak of confidential IRS data to ProPublica that has enabled the investigative news organization to reveal that famous billionaires including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg paid little in U.S. income tax at times.
EU court urged to rule against Hungary's asylum policy
(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)BUDAPEST – The advocate general for European Union's highest court on Thursday urged the court to rule that Hungary violated the bloc's laws on asylum when it passed legislation narrowing the possibilities for asylum-seekers to receive international protection. The non-binding opinion from the European Court of Justice's Advocate General, Athanasios Rantos, states that the 2018 amendments to Hungary's asylum laws — which prohibited asylum-seekers who passed through safe countries en route to Hungary from receiving international protection — violated EU law. Opinions by advocates general are often but not always followed by the European Court of Justice, which will make a final ruling on the case at a later date. AdRantos also advised the court to rule that a Hungarian law that cracks down on organizations and individuals that provide legal assistance to asylum-seekers violates EU law. The country's prime minister, Viktor Orban, claims he is seeking to protect Hungary's conservative Christian identity and to defend Europe from immigration from the Mideast and Africa.
EU moves to fine Hungary for flouting ruling on NGO law
The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, is sending a “letter of formal notice” to the nationalist government in Budapest giving it two months to explain why it’s not complying. But Amnesty International, among those targeted, has described it as a “vicious and calculated assault on civil society” meant to silence critical voices in Hungary. Civil society organizations are key part of our democracies. We must support them, not fight them.”Eve Geddie, the Director of Amnesty’s European office, said Hungary's “shameful harassment of civil society has gone on for too long. The Hungarian government must repeal the law immediately and end their smear campaigns against NGOs.”Ad___Spike reported from Budapest.
A farewell to @realDonaldTrump, gone after 57,000 tweets
This Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 image shows the suspended Twitter account of President Donald Trump. It began with a May 4, 2009, tweet promoting Donald Trump's upcoming appearance on David Letterman's show. “I said, ‘Let’s call you @realDonaldTrump — you’re the real Donald Trump,’” recalled Costanzo. In its most popular tweet, on Oct. 2, 2020, @realDonaldTrump announced that Trump and first lady Melania Trump had contracted the coronavirus. Trump deleted 1,166 tweets and, in his final months on the platform, had 471 tweets flagged by Twitter for misinformation, according to Factba.se.
A farewell to @realDonaldTrump, gone after 57,000 tweets
This Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 image shows the suspended Twitter account of President Donald Trump. It began with a May 4, 2009, tweet promoting Donald Trump's upcoming appearance on David Letterman's show. “I said, ‘Let’s call you @realDonaldTrump — you’re the real Donald Trump,’” recalled Costanzo. In its most popular tweet, on Oct. 2, 2020, @realDonaldTrump announced that Trump and first lady Melania Trump had contracted the coronavirus. Trump deleted 1,166 tweets and, in his final months on the platform, had 471 tweets flagged by Twitter for misinformation, according to Factba.se.
Fox, Newsmax shoot down their own aired claims on election
Many Republican voters in Georgia are angry; certain that widespread voter fraud claims of which are baseless cost President Donald Trump the election. The companies deny several statements made about them, and there is no evidence any voting system switched or deleted votes in the 2020 election. That came days after Smartmatic sent a letter threatening legal action to Fox and two other networks popular with Trump supporters, Newsmax and One America News Network. A statement aired by Newsmax anchors on Monday, and also printed on the company website, was much broader and concerned both Smartmatic and Dominion. “No evidence has been offered that Dominion or Smartmatic used software or reprogrammed software that manipulated votes in the 2020 election,” Newsmax said.
US Embassy in Hungary slams article likening Soros to Hitler
BUDAPEST – The U.S. Embassy in Budapest on Monday condemned an article published by a Hungarian official that drew parallels between American-Hungarian billionaire George Soros and Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. The statements prompted strong reactions from several Hungarian Jewish groups and Hungarian opposition politicians while the Israeli Embassy condemned the article. More than 12,000 people including numerous Hungarian public figures like Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony have so far signed a petition demanding Demeter’s resignation. Demeter retracted the article on Sunday following the backlash and said he would delete his Facebook account. He wrote that (his article) could harm the memory of the victims, so he admitted his mistake,” Varga said, and accused the opposition members of parliament of “applying a double standard.”
Hungarian official retracts comparing George Soros to Hitler
BUDAPEST – After facing strong condemnation, a Hungarian commissioner on Sunday begrudgingly retracted an article comparing American-Hungarian billionaire and philanthropist George Soros, a staunch critic of Hungary’s government, to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. “Europe is George Soros’ gas chamber,” Szilard Demeter, ministerial commissioner and head of the Petofi Literary Museum in Budapest, wrote in an opinion Saturday in the pro-government Origo media outlet. In a statement Sunday on Origo, Demeter said he would retract his article “independently of what I think" and will delete his Facebook page. Government media campaigns targeting Soros have led to charges of anti-Semitism. The article also noted the conflict over the European Union’s next budget, which Hungary and Poland are holding up over provisions that could block payments to countries that do not uphold democratic standards.
Georgia Republican who supports QAnon wins US House seat
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)A Republican congressional candidate who expressed racist views and support for QAnon conspiracy theories has won a U.S. House seat representing northwest Georgia. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s candidacy was bolstered by President Donald Trump. He called her a “future Republican Star.”Greene was heavily favored in the conservative district even before Democratic challenger Kevin Van Ausdal suddenly dropped out in September. Greene has claimed in online videos that Black and Hispanic men are being held back by “gangs and dealing drugs.” She has also alleged an “Islamic invasion” of government offices and accused Jewish billionaire George Soros of collaborating with Nazis.
Georgia Republican who supports QAnon wins US House seat
Republican candidate for Georgia's 14th congressional seat Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks from the bed of a pickup truck during a campaign rally Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Roswell, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who expressed racist views and support for QAnon conspiracy theories in a series of online videos, has won a U.S. House seat representing northwest Georgia. Greene is a businesswoman and political newcomer who’s gained large followings on social media in part by posting incendiary videos and comments. “Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER!”Greene initially started campaigning for a different House seat, challenging Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, made up of suburbs north of Atlanta. She switched to the more conservative 14th District after Republican Rep. Tom Graves announced that he wasn’t seeking reelection. The seat has been open since Graves stepped down in October.
Justice Thomas' wife boosts unsupported claims against Biden
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arrives to watch Amy Coney Barrett take the Constitutional Oath on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. Ginni Thomas is using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by Joe Biden. She is a longtime conservative activist who asked her more than 10,000 followers Oct. 26, 2020, to consider sharing a link focused on alleged corruption by Biden and his son, Hunter, as well as claims that social media companies are censoring reports about the Bidens. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Justice Thomas' wife boosts unsupported claims against Biden
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arrives to watch Amy Coney Barrett take the Constitutional Oath on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. Ginni Thomas is using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON – The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by Joe Biden. On Oct. 12, she linked to a video by conservative commentator Dan Bongino asserting that Biden is suffering from dementia. A few hours earlier, Thomas complained about apparent collusion between the media and the Biden campaign to shield the candidate from tough questions.
Race for Los Angeles district attorney increasingly bitter
FILE - In this June 2, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti arrives to appeal to Black Lives Matter protesters in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel,File)LOS ANGELES – After a scrappy debate that Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey believed lifted her campaign and was a “disaster” for her opponent, she got a text message from the LA mayor with unwelcome news: He was switching his endorsement to her challenger. A little more than half is for Gascon, the vast majority from a handful of well-heeled backers supporting justice reforms. Gascon has gained support from protests over the death of George Floyd at the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. Lacey said Gascon is pandering to supporters and that when he was San Francisco DA he never prosecuted a police killing case.
EU court rules against Hungary's Orban over Soros university
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. European Union leaders will be assessing relations with China during their final day of a summit meeting which already saw bruising talks on foreign affairs issues. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, Pool)
EU court rules against Hungary's Orban over Soros university
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. At the heart of the conflict is the fate of the Central European University established by Soros, a Hungarian-American financier. “The decision comes too late for CEU," Soros said. Foreign universities were also compelled to carry out educational activities in their home countries. In light of Orban's views on Soros, the amendments to the academic rules were widely seen as targeting CEU.
Challenger to QAnon supporter bows out of race in Georgia
Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal bowed out of the race for “personal and family reasons,” his campaign manager Vinny Olsziewski told The Associated Press. Georgia law says a candidate who withdraws less than 60 days before the election cannot be replaced on the ballot. Van Ausdal faced long odds in Georgia’s deep-red 14th Congressional District. She has also expressed support for law enforcement and railed against Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place nationwide in recent months in support of racial justice and equality. After winning her Republican primary runoff in August, Trump tweeted congratulations for Greene, calling her a “future Republican Star.”
Georgia candidate's post removed for inciting violence
ATLANTA Facebook removed a photo illustration showing a Republican congressional candidate in Georgia posing with a rifle next to three Democratic House members, saying Friday that it violated the social media platform's policy against inciting violence. Greene's post featured four separate photos that had been combined to show her posing with a rifle next to Democratic U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. After her Aug. 11 runoff victory, she inveighed against spineless Republicans" and promised to kick Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of Congress. But she denied in a statement Friday that she was trying to incite violence. Those videos brought her criticism in the primary, with some Georgia Republicans pulling their support, but opposition eased after her runoff win over neurosurgeon John Cowan.
Orange-Osceola State Attorney candidate Monique Worrell wants to change the culture of prosecution
Monique Worrell beat out three democratic candidates to win the Aug. 18 primary election for state attorney in what was considered a crowded field with 42% of the vote. Asked if that handed her the primary election win, she said the momentum began well before those commercials aired. “I was sworn in as an Assistant State Attorney. I carried a badge in the same way that all other Assistant State Attorney’s did.”AdWorrell also had the endorsement of the current 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Aramis Ayala. After the primary election Ayala eliminated the position of Chief Assistant State Attorney which Barra held.
Trump spins baseless tale of thugs flying to protests
Thousands of social media users shared posts suggesting a covert network was coordinating the protests and rioters were descending on communities across the country. Trump is picking up on unproven conspiracy theories that began spreading earlier this year during protests for racial justice. A social media message sent to Wade on Tuesday was not immediately returned. Other social media posts claimed that throngs of antifa, a term for leftist militants, were plotting to violently disrupt cities and towns. In Facebook and Twitter posts earlier this summer, Trump also blamed antifa for violence that broke out during racial justice protests.
Trump dodges question on QAnon conspiracy theory
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday twice ignored a question about whether he supports QAnon, a convoluted, right-wing, pro-Trump conspiracy theory. A reporter asked the president about the theory at a White House briefing Friday after Trump tweeted his congratulations to a QAnon-supporting candidate. So absolutely, I did congratulate her, Trump said, sidestepping the question and ignoring a follow-up before moving on to another reporter. Trump has retweeted QAnon-promoting accounts, and shirts and hats with QAnon symbols and slogans are not uncommon at his rallies. Green still faces a Democrat in November, but the GOP primary was considered the real contest in a district Trump won handily in 2016.
Trump congratulates QAnon supporter Greene on Georgia win
Supporters take photos with construction executive Marjorie Taylor Greene, background right, late Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Rome, Ga. Greene, criticized for promoting racist videos and adamantly supporting the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, won the GOP nomination for northwest Georgia's 14th Congressional District. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Trump congratulates QAnon supporter Greene on Georgia win
Supporters stand with construction executive Marjorie Taylor Greene, right, as she's on the phone, late Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Rome, Ga. Greene, criticized for promoting racist videos and adamantly supporting the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, won the GOP nomination for northwest Georgia's 14th Congressional District. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)ATLANTA President Donald Trump on Wednesday tweeted support for congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene, a supporter of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory whos been criticized for racist comments, following her Republican primary victory in Georgia. Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent, Trump said on Twitter. !Greene has amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media, where she often posts videos of herself speaking directly to the camera. Republican Rep. Tom Graves, who did not seek reelection, last won the seat with over 76% of the vote in 2018.
Wealthy donors pour millions into fight over mail-in voting
Meanwhile, a well-funded conservative group best known for its focus on judicial appointments is spending heavily to fight cases related to mail-in balloting procedures in court. They reveal vast infrastructure that funnels money from wealthy donors, through philanthropic organizations and political groups, which eventually trickles down to smaller nonprofits, many of which operate under murky circumstances. That includes educating the public about vote by mail, a difficult task when door-to-door canvasing isn't an option. The firm recently registered a handful of trade names for groups that appear to be focused on voting rights, records show. The group is preparing for potential foreign hacking of state voting systems, election day or post-election day violence, as well as contested results.
Facebook groups pivot to attacks on Black Lives Matter
FILE - In this June 19, 2020, file photo, protesters wear protective masks as they march after a Juneteenth rally outside the Brooklyn Museum, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. A loose network of Facebook groups that took root across the country in April to organize protests over coronavirus stay-at-home orders has become a hub of misinformation and conspiracies theories that have pivoted to a variety of new targets. Their latest: Black Lives Matter and the nationwide protests against racial injustice. (AP Photo/John Minchillo