THREAD: arizona lawmakers overturn near total abortion ban

UK’S ABORTION Law IGNITES Fiery Debate Over Free Speech and Safety

01 November 2024 — A new law in England and Wales bans protests within 150 meters of abortion clinics, aiming to protect women from harassment. Similar measures have been enacted in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The law penalizes those obstructing or influencing individuals seeking abortion services, with offenders facing unlimited fines.

The legislation, part of the previous Conservative government’s Public Order Act, faced delays due to debates over silent prayer protests and a government change in July. The Crown Prosecution Service states that silent prayer near clinics may not always be criminal, leaving police to evaluate each situation individually. Anti-abortion groups argue this infringes on religious freedom, while pro-choice advocates claim such demonstrations can intimidate women entering clinics.

In March 2023, lawmakers rejected a proposal by some conservatives to allow silent prayer within buffer zones explicitly. This decision leaves room for legal challenges as both sides prepare for potential court battles over the interpretation of these rules. Crime and Policing Minister Diana Johnson expressed confidence that the new safeguards will help women feel safer accessing essential services without fear of intimidation or distress.

TRUMP RALLY Draws Huge Crowd In Arizona: Supporters Ecstatic

24 August 2024 — Videos and pictures on social media show the arena, which holds 18,000 people, nearly full ahead of former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Turning Point Action rally. Supporters lined up for miles hoping to gain entry.

The venue previously hosted an event by Harris earlier this month, drawing a crowd of 15,000. The Trump rally comes shortly after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and urged blue state residents to vote for him while supporting Trump in battleground states.

Trump hinted at a “special guest” for the rally on Truth Social, leading many to speculate that it could be Kennedy. “Heading to Arizona where I will soon be speaking at Turning Point — BIG CROWD, AND EVEN BIGGER SURPRISE!” he posted.

NEBRASKA COURT Upholds Abortion And Gender Care BAN: Aclu Loses Fight

26 July 2024 — Nebraska’s LB574, combining the Let Them Grow Act and Preborn Child Protection Act, was upheld by the state’s highest court. The bill initially faced a filibuster but was revised to include a ban on gender-affirming treatment for children. The ACLU sued, claiming it violated the single-subject rule, but the court disagreed.

Chief Justice Mike Heavican stated that both abortion and sex-change procedures fall under medical care, satisfying the single-subject requirement. He emphasized that as long as a bill has one general objective and its title reflects its content, it does not violate constitutional rules.

Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman dissented strongly, accusing the majority of hypocrisy based on a 2020 ruling against medical marijuana legalization for violating the same rule. ACLU attorney Matt Segal argued that abortion and transgender care were separate issues until combined out of necessity by legislators.

IRANIAN DRONE Strike In TEL Aviv Kills ONE Near US Embassy

19 July 2024 — An Iranian-made drone sent by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Tel Aviv on Friday, killing one person and injuring at least 10 others. The attack occurred near the U.S. Embassy, causing shrapnel and glass to rain down over a large area.

Israel’s military believes the drone was an upgraded Samad-3 from Iran, launched from Yemen. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that an investigation is ongoing to determine the origin of the threat and appropriate responses.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike, calling it retaliation for Israel’s war with Hamas. Until now, Israel and its Western allies had intercepted all previous Houthi drones and missiles aimed at Israel during this conflict.

ANTI-ISRAEL Protests Erupt In Violence Near LA Synagogue

09 July 2024 — A violent anti-Israel demonstration near the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles erupted into chaos on June 23. Clashes between pro-Israel supporters and anti-Israel protesters resulted in at least one arrest. Agitators allegedly blocked the synagogue entrance and harassed congregants.

Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, criticized the demonstrators for alienating potential allies among left-leaning Jewish-Americans. “They’re alienating one of their potential major allies,” Swart told Fox News Digital. He argued that these actions do nothing to help the Palestinian cause.

President Biden condemned the violence, calling it “dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic and un-American.” Demonstrations have intensified since Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds more. The conflict has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

SUPREME COURT Shocker: Emergency Abortions Allowed in Idaho

26 June 2024 — The Supreme Court is set to permit emergency abortions in Idaho when a pregnant patient’s health is at serious risk. A draft opinion briefly posted on the court’s website indicates a 6-3 vote to reinstate a lower court order allowing such procedures. Conservative Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissented.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that this decision does not resolve the core issues of Idaho’s strict abortion ban. She emphasized that today’s ruling is merely a delay, not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. The case will continue at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court and may return to the Supreme Court later.

The Supreme Court acknowledged an inadvertent posting of the document and stated that an official opinion would be issued “in due course.” This development leaves many key questions unanswered, prolonging uncertainty around Idaho’s abortion laws.

TIKTOK On The BRINK: Biden’s Bold Move to Ban or Force Sale of Chinese App

02 May 2024 — TikTok and Universal Music Group have just renewed their partnership. This deal brings UMG’s music back to TikTok after a short break. The agreement includes better promotion strategies and new AI protections. Universal CEO Lucian Grainge said the deal will help artists and creators on the platform.

President Joe Biden has signed a new law that gives TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, nine months to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. This decision is due to worries from both political sides about national security and protecting American youth from foreign influence.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, announced plans to fight this law in U.S courts, claiming it supports their constitutional rights. Yet, ByteDance would rather close TikTok in the U.S than sell it if they lose their legal battle.

This conflict shows the ongoing struggle between TikTok’s business goals and America’s national security needs. It points out big worries about data privacy and foreign influence in American digital spaces by China’s tech sector.

CYBERATTACKS Unleash CHAOS on UK Parliament: Lawmakers’ Privacy Invaded

07 April 2024 — Conservative MP Luke Evans was hit by a cyberattack, receiving unwanted explicit messages. He described the attack as “cyber flashing and malicious communications.” Another member of Parliament, William Wragg, was tricked into giving out colleagues’ contact details after being approached on a dating app.

This is part of a wider phishing scam targeting politicians, their teams, and journalists. The attackers send flirty messages to get personal details. This method is called “spear phishing,” because it aims at specific people or groups.

The news outlet Politico revealed that several MPs and political figures got messages from someone pretending to be someone else. The scammers used fake profiles with names like “Charlie” or “Abi” to trick their victims.

These incidents show big security weaknesses in how British lawmakers communicate. There are growing worries about how well their sensitive information is protected against these threats.

NETANYAHU’S BOLD Blueprint for Gaza: IDF Dominance and Total Demilitarization

23 February 2024 — Netanyahu has recently disclosed his strategic blueprint for Gaza. The plan ensures that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will supervise Gaza’s borders, thereby ensuring an unhindered operation to suppress terrorism within the region.

The strategy also advocates for a comprehensive demilitarization of the Gaza Strip from a Palestinian standpoint, leaving only a civilian police force operational. A proposed kilometer-wide buffer zone within Gaza is also part of the plan, acting as a defensive shield for Israeli border communities that were targeted by Hamas last October.

While Netanyahu’s blueprint does not explicitly exclude a role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) or propose a Palestinian state, it leaves these contentious matters undefined. This strategic ambiguity seems to be designed to balance demands from both the Biden administration and Netanyahu’s right-leaning coalition partners.

GAZA CONFLICT Intensifies: Netanyahu’s ‘Total Victory’ Pledge Amid Soaring Death Toll

19 February 2024 — The ongoing military offensive in Gaza, led by Israel, has resulted in over 29,000 Palestinian fatalities since October 7, as reported by the local Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains unwavering in his resolve for a “total victory” over Hamas. This follows their assault on Israeli communities earlier this month. Plans are now being made for an advance into Rafah, a southern town bordering Egypt where a significant portion of Gaza’s populace has taken shelter.

The United States is persistently collaborating with Egypt and Qatar to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages. However, recent developments have been slow-moving with Netanyahu facing criticism from Qatar after suggesting it exerts pressure on Hamas and implying its financial support for the militant group. The ongoing conflict has also sparked regular exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants.

In response to a drone explosion near Tiberias, Israeli forces executed at least two strikes near Sidon — a major city in southern Lebanon.

As the conflict escalates further in Gaza, civilian casualties continue to rise alarmingly with women and children making up two-thirds of the total

SECOND AMENDMENT Assault: California’s Public Gun Ban Rolls OUT Despite Legal Firestorms

01 January 2024 — As the New Year dawns, a contentious California law banning firearms in most public places is set to take effect. This move comes hot on the heels of a U.S. district judge’s ruling on December 20, declaring that the law infringes upon the Second Amendment and citizens’ rights to self-defense.

The district judge’s verdict was momentarily stalled by a federal appeals court, paving way for the law’s enactment while legal battles rage on. Lawyers are gearing up to present their cases before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in January and February.

Spearheaded by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, this controversial law prohibits concealed carry in 26 locations such as public parks, churches, banks, and zoos — irrespective of permit status. The only loophole is for private businesses that explicitly permit firearms within their boundaries.

Newsom hailed the appeals court’s decision on X (formerly Twitter), asserting it maintains 'common-sense gun laws’ during appeal processes. However, dissenting voices like U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney contend that this sweeping legislation is “repugnant to the Second Amendment,” and flouts Supreme Court precedent.

TIKTOK’S SHADOW BAN: Suppressing Content Critical of Chinese Communist Party?

28 December 2023 — A recent investigation by Rutgers University’s Network Contagion Research Institute has unveiled unsettling details about TikTok’s content guidelines. The popular social media platform, notorious for its data collection and sharing with its parent company in China, now stands accused of stifling content that criticizes the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The research team found a stark contrast in the number of posts featuring contentious hashtags such as China’s conflict with India over Kashmir, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and the Uyghur genocide on TikTok compared to other platforms like Instagram. For instance, there were 206 Instagram posts tagged #HongKongProtests for every single one on TikTok. Similar ratios were observed for #StandWithKashmir, #FreeUyghurs, and #DalaiLama.

The report suggests that there is a high likelihood that TikTok either boosts or suppresses content depending on how it aligns with the Chinese government’s interests. This is worrisome since many Generation Z users rely on TikTok as their primary news source — interestingly enough, this is also the only generation reported not to take pride in being American.

TikTok cannot deny these findings as they mirror the methodology used by them last month to prove their platform was not biased against Israel. This revelation raises serious questions about

ASYLUM-SEEKERS Shock: UK Lawmakers Vote to Send Refugees to Rwanda Despite Heated Controversy

13 December 2023 — In a move that has stirred up considerable controversy, British lawmakers have given their approval to the government’s controversial plan. This plan involves sending asylum-seekers on a one-way journey to Rwanda. Human rights groups have expressed strong disapproval, and the policy has already cost the U.K. a staggering $300 million without any flights having taken off yet. The House of Commons gave its nod to the government’s Rwanda bill by 313-269 votes, thereby preventing a defeat that could have undermined Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s authority.

The primary aim of this bill is to bypass a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that declared it illegal for migrants who reach Britain via boats across the English Channel to be sent off to Rwanda. This vote was pivotal for Sunak’s Conservatives who command an impressive majority and haven’t seen a government bill defeated at its first Commons vote since 1986.

However, not everyone in the Conservative party is onboard with this decision. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill faces opposition from Conservative centrists who argue it teeters on violating international law, as well as lawmakers on the party’s authoritarian right who believe it doesn’t go far enough in ensuring unauthorized migrants can be deported. Earlier this week, many hard-liners threatened

TEXAS Supreme Court DISMISSES Abortion Challenge: Pregnant Woman with Fetal Anomaly Forced to Leave State

12 December 2023 — Kate Cox, a pregnant woman from Texas, found herself in a dire situation when her unborn child was diagnosed with trisomy 18 — a fatal condition. With the state’s strict abortion ban in place, she had no choice but to leave Texas and seek an abortion elsewhere. This happened just before the Texas Supreme Court rejected her challenge against the stringent abortion legislation.

Cox spent nearly a week trying to get court approval for ending her pregnancy due to health risks and potential fertility issues in the future. However, Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that Cox didn’t provide enough evidence that her pregnancy complications were life-threatening.

Even after leaving Texas, Cox’s case was dismissed by the state Supreme Court. The court ruled that while Cox’s pregnancy complications were severe, they didn’t pose an immediate threat to her life as required by law for an exception.

The Center for Reproductive Rights represented Cox during this ordeal. They reported that she had been frequently visiting emergency rooms due to health concerns related to her pregnancy. However, they did not reveal where she eventually went for the procedure.

BACK Online: Trump’s Facebook and Instagram Accounts to be REINSTATED

25 January 2023 — Meta has announced that it will lift the ban on Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks. The president of global affairs at Meta and former deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom, Nick Clegg, announced that they “don’t want to get in the way of open debate on our platforms, esp in context of democratic elections.”

Clegg stated the company had assessed the risk of allowing the former president back on the platform according to their “Crisis Policy Protocol” and had consulted experts. The decision was caveated with the statement that “new guardrails” are now in place to stop “repeat offenses.”

The announcement comes not long after Twitter, now under the control of Elon Musk, also reinstated Trump; however, he is yet to return to use the platform.