INTERNACIONAL
Abbott scores big win in redistricting battle as Texas Democrats’ blockade collapses
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The Texas State House on Wednesday passed a new congressional map, blasting through a Democratic roadblock in a bid to bolster the GOP’s chances of holding onto the U.S. House next year.
The map passed the Republican-controlled House in a 88-52 vote, setting up a new look for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections with the addition of five Republican-leaning congressional districts in the Lone Star State.
Still, the map must make its way through the Texas State Senate before it lands on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
TEXAS DEMS END WEEKSLONG QUORUM STANDOFF IN REDISTRICTING FIGHT
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol April 23, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Abbott pushed for the creation of a new map to adhere to President Donald Trump’s desire to not see a repeat of the 2018 election cycle, when Democrats handily regained the majority in the House and acted as a foil to the president’s legislative desires toward the end of his first term.
While Republicans control a supermajority in deep-red Texas and already passed the map through the state Senate, Democrats still needed to create a quorum in the House to actually move the process along.
ABBOTT, TEXAS REPUBLICANS LAUNCH NEW TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING PUSH AS FLEEING DEMOCRATS PLAN TO END WALKOUT
President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
Dozens of Texas Democrats fled the state to stall the process, creating a national media frenzy and generating support from Democratic donors, including groups linked to George Soros and Beto O’Rourke, to help pay for their fines, travel and lodging.
It generated pushes to have them arrested by Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as a request from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to have the FBI track them down and the DOJ to launch an investigation into the political action committees funding their escape.
O’ROURKE, SOROS-LINKED GROUPS FACE CALL FOR DOJ PROBE OVER ALLEGED FUNDING OF TEXAS DEM WALKOUT
Democratic leaders announced Monday they would return for the second special session following California’s plan to redraw its maps to soften the blow from the Lone Star State, ending the blockade and allowing Republicans to charge ahead.
Texas House Democrats accused the GOP of crafting a map that was illegal and racially discriminatory, and they tried and failed on the House floor to add amendments to the bill that would have halted the process. Despite Democrats’ best efforts, Texas House Republicans shot down a dozen amendments to the bill.
«Members, it breaks my heart to see how this illegal and rigged, mid-decade redistricting scheme is dividing our state and our country,» Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat, said. «This is Texas, it’s not Washington D.C. The impulses of outside politicians and their billionaire backers shouldn’t dictate what we do in this chamber, in this House.»
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom (Reuters)
Rep. Todd Hunter, a Republican who wrote the bill for the new map, countered that four of the five new districts were «majority-minority Hispanic,» noting that each of the new districts now trended Republican. Still, he had no qualms as to why Republicans were pursuing changes to the congressional maps.
«The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward, [to] improve Republican political performance,» he said.
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The Democrats’ blockade ended on Monday, when Abbott called for a second special session after their demands for California to also begin a redistricting cycle were met in an effort to nullify the map Texas Republicans were creating.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Democrats unveiled their new map last week, which, if passed, would create five new Democratic-leaning congressional districts that would counteract the Texas legislature’s new map.
donald trump,texas,greg abbott,politics
INTERNACIONAL
La Justicia de Brasil dio un plazo de 48 horas a Jair Bolsonaro para justificar su intento de asilo en Argentina
El juez Alexandre de Moraes, del Supremo Tribunal Federal de Brasil, concedió el miércoles un plazo de 48 horas a la defensa del ex presidente Jair Bolsonaro para que explique el “incumplimiento de las medidas cautelares, la reiteración de conductas ilícitas y la existencia comprobada de riesgo de fuga”.
La decisión judicial surge en el contexto del proceso penal contra el ex mandatario, acusado de intentar un golpe de Estado tras perder las elecciones de 2022 ante el actual presidente, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
El requerimiento se dictó después de que la Policía Federal encontrara en uno de los celulares de Bolsonaro incautados un “documento de 33 páginas” cuya finalidad era solicitar asilo político al gobierno argentino de Javier Milei. El texto, sin fecha ni firma, pero dirigido al presidente argentino, permanecía en el teléfono de Bolsonaro desde 2024, año en que comenzó la investigación por el caso de intento de golpe de Estado.
Según la investigación, los elementos reunidos señalan que Bolsonaro, bajo régimen de prisión domiciliaria, “tenía en su poder un documento que posibilitaría su evasión de Brasil hacia la República Argentina, especialmente tras el inicio de la investigación”. Además, en el escrito, el ex mandatario sostiene que sufre “persecución por motivos y por delitos esencialmente políticos” y alega que vive bajo medidas cautelares desde entonces.
Las autoridades consideran que la autora del archivo con el pedido de asilo sería la esposa del senador Flavio Bolsonaro, hijo del ex presidente. De Moraes incluyó en su resolución que la Policía identificó también “el reiterado incumplimiento” de Bolsonaro a la medida cautelar que prohíbe el uso de sus redes sociales.
Estos hechos integran las conclusiones de la investigación que abarca al propio ex mandatario y a otro de sus hijos, el diputado Eduardo Bolsonaro, por actos de coacción contra el Supremo Tribunal Federal en el juicio por golpismo.
La Policía sostiene que ambos intentaron interferir en el proceso, lo que podría configurar los delitos de coacción y tentativa de abolición del Estado democrático de derecho mediante la restricción de los poderes constitucionales.
De acuerdo con las autoridades, Bolsonaro y su hijo Eduardo, radicado en Estados Unidos desde hace unos seis meses, buscaron “inducir, instigar y ayudar” al gobierno estadounidense de Donald Trump a realizar actos hostiles contra Brasil para lograr el archivamiento de la causa judicial contra el ex mandatario.
Bolsonaro enfrenta un juicio penal ante el Supremo por presuntamente liderar una conspiración con el objetivo de mantenerse en el poder e impedir la asunción de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva después de perder las elecciones generales. De acuerdo con la causa, la instrucción del proceso penal se encuentra en una fase avanzada.
El Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos endureció el lunes su posición en la disputa abierta con Brasil en torno al juez Alexandre de Moraes. A través de su Oficina de Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental, advirtió que “ningún tribunal extranjero puede invalidar las sanciones de Estados Unidos, ni salvar a nadie de las graves consecuencias de violarlas”.
En el mismo mensaje, publicado en X, la oficina añadió: “Alexandre de Moraes es tóxico para todas las empresas legítimas e individuos que buscan acceder a los Estados Unidos y a sus mercados. Personas estadounidenses tienen prohibido realizar transacciones con él, y personas que no son estadounidenses deben actuar con cautela: quienes brinden apoyo material a violadores de derechos humanos enfrentan riesgo de sanciones”.
Con esa advertencia, Washington buscó dejar en claro que sus sanciones tienen efectos extraterritoriales y que el fallo emitido horas antes por el Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) de Brasil no altera el alcance de la legislación estadounidense.
(Con información de EFE)
South America / Central America,Government / Politics,BRASILIA
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced a transformation of the agency Wednesday that will cut the «bloated» ODNI by more than 40% by the end of the year and save taxpayers more than $700 million annually, all while executing its core national security and intelligence mission «in the most agile, effective, and efficient way.»
Gabbard, on Wednesday, announced what she described as a «long-overdue» transformation, that will refocus ODNI and eliminate offices that were involved in the politicization of intelligence.
GABBARD ESTABLISHES NEW INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TO RESTORE TRANSPARENCY
«Over the last 20 years, ODNI has become bloated and inefficient, and the intelligence community is rife with abuse of power, unauthorized leaks of classified intelligence, and politicized weaponization of intelligence,» Gabbard said. «ODNI and the IC must make serious changes to fulfill its responsibility to the American people and the U.S. Constitution by focusing on our core mission: find the truth and provide objective, unbiased, timely intelligence to the President and policymakers. Ending the weaponization of intelligence and holding bad actors accountable are essential to begin to earn the American people’s trust which has long been eroded.»
Gabbard said that «under President Trump’s leadership, ODNI 2.0 is the start of a new era focused on serving our country, fulfilling our core national security mission with excellence, always grounded in the U.S. Constitution, and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.»
ODNI was first created after the 9/11 terror attacks and exposed systemic failures across the intelligence community. ODNI’s purpose was to integrate intelligence from and provide oversight over all intelligence community elements in order to ensure the intelligence provided to the president and policymakers was «timely, accurate, and apolitical.»
«Unfortunately, two decades later, ODNI has fallen short in fulfilling its mandate,» an ODNI spokesperson said.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on Tuesday the revocation of former intelligence officials’ credentials. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
ODNI 2.0 is set to eliminate «redundant missions, functions and personnel,» and is set to make «critical investments» in areas that support Trump’s national intelligence priorities.
GABBARD ESTABLISHES NEW INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TO RESTORE TRANSPARENCY
ODNI officials said that ODNI 2.0 will focus on rebuilding trust, exposing politicization and weaponization of intelligence, holding bad actors accountable, saving American tax dollars, and focusing on their «core mission,» which is to protect «the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.»
As part of the effort, Gabbard is closing ODNI’s Reston Campus and moving the National Intelligence Council to the main ODNI campus, which will ensure the all essential intelligence functions are kept «under one roof,» which officials say will «enable savings,» and will ensure «greater efficiency and oversight, and integration across the ODNI and IC.»
Gabbard is also leading intelligence community-wide reforms for «efficient and effective operations.» Gabbard is expected to issue guidance to create a streamlined contracting authority for companies that pursue emerging technologies, and that are already approved for business with the IC to provide services quickly.
Gabbard is also leading an IC-wide effort to «rebalance and optimize» its civilian and contractor workforce to «reduce bloat, increase analytic capability, remove stovepipes, eradicate politicization and analytic bias, accelerate information sharing, and increase efficiency to ensure mission success,» officials said.
Meanwhile, Gabbard has also ended non-merit-based recruitment of intelligence community professionals.
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As for ODNI components, the National Counterterrorism Center is building capability to increase two-way information sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement to secure borders and communities.
As for the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, Gabbard is calling for a renewed focus on security clearance reform, deterring counterintelligence threats, and oversight of investigations and probes of unauthorized leaks of classified information.
tulsi gabbard,intel,national security
INTERNACIONAL
NATO defense chiefs stress commitment to Ukraine, discuss security guarantees during virtual summit
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The NATO Chiefs of Defense reaffirmed support for Ukraine in a virtual meeting Wednesday in Brussels that included all 32 allied military leaders and featured the first briefing in this format led by U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the new Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine attended the meeting virtually, along with Grynkewich, who also leads U.S. European Command, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday.
NATO officials said in a statement that the «candid discussion» centered on what security guarantees the alliance might provide Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement to end Russia’s three-year war.
Col. Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, wrote on X that «the Supreme Allied Commander was honored to brief the Chiefs of Defense, his first in such a format. As he has said before, ‘these are consequential times.’»
JOINT CHIEFS, NATO COUNTERPARTS TO DISCUSS UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEES AFTER TRUMP SUGGESTS US AIR SUPPORT
NATO military leaders meet during a virtual session with all 32 allied defense chiefs on Wednesday. (NATO)
«NATO has faced important times before — and these have only made our Alliance stronger. As we work through these important issues, we will all stay informed, engaged, and united in the defense of the Euro-Atlantic region and with NATO’s ongoing support to Ukraine as progress towards peace continues,» he added.
The Chair of NATO’s Military Committee also praised the discussions, writing on X that it was a «great, candid discussion among NATO Chiefs of Defence» and an «excellent update on the security environment from our new SACEUR, his first with us.»
The chair added that the meeting confirmed support for Ukraine, emphasizing the alliance’s focus on a «just, credible and durable peace» and praising the «relentless courage» of Ukrainian forces.
EUROPEAN ‘COALITION OF THE WILLING’ FORMS UNITED FRONT AS TRUMP PUSHES PUTIN-ZELENSKYY SUMMIT
NATO Chiefs of Defense meet Wednesday in a virtual session. (NATO)
NATO SCRAMBLES WARPLANES AS RUSSIA HITS NEAR ROMANIAN BORDER IN UKRAINE
According to the Associated Press, assurances that Ukraine won’t face another invasion are seen as central to any settlement, with Kyiv pressing for Western-backed military commitments, including weapons and training. European allies are working on options for a multinational security force that could backstop a peace deal.
Wednesday’s virtual session unfolded against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s push to steer Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward a settlement. Trump met with Putin last Friday in Alaska and hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House on Monday.
The reaffirmations come a day after Caine convened a smaller meeting in Washington with defense chiefs from Germany, the U.K., France, Finland and Italy to prepare for Wednesday’s broader NATO discussions.
NATO military leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine in a virtual meeting with 32 allied chiefs on Wednesday. (NATO)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized NATO discussions on Ukraine’s security conducted without Moscow’s involvement, warning that «this will not work» and vowing Russia would «ensure its legitimate interests firmly and harshly,» RIA Novosti reported, according to AP.
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The White House did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
nato,ukraine,russia,world,wars
Mientras Diputados avanzaba contra los vetos, Milei escuchó ópera y canciones de películas en la Casa Rosada
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