This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A judge in Georgia on Thursday heard testimony that seriously undermined the integrity, even honesty, of the Fulton County prosecutor who hired her boyfriend to assemble a RICO case against President Donald Trump and a dozen others.

The judge, Scott McAfee, held the hearing after listening to arguments on Monday that sought the removal of Fani Willis from the case.

He said at the time he had to determine the facts about Willis' behavior and influences before he could decide whether she, and her office, could continue the case.

He could rule at any time as the hearing concluded late Thursday, or issue a decision later.

On Monday, he confirmed that Williams could be disqualified over her relationship with Nathan Wade, a lawyer with no RICO experience she paid $650,000 of tax money to create the allegations against Trump.

His experience, however, did include a long relationship with Willis, multiple trips to exotic locations with her, and more.

Willis, on the stand late in the hearing, raged furiously about what she claimed were "lies" about her.

She lashed out angrily at the media for "printing lies" and disavowed a onetime friend who told the court Willis' relationship with Wade began in 2019, after Willis claimed in sworn documents to the court it started in 2022.

Wade, on the stand earlier, contended that Willis paid him "cash" for her share of lavish outings, including vacations to Aruba, that they took together.

One of the points of concern was that if Willis set up that $650,000 to be paid to Wade, and he funded trips, which she enjoyed.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

There long have been suspicions that there were a multitude of federal agents at the U.S. Capitol during that riot on Jan. 6, 2021, egging on protesters who eventually did break a few doors and windows and left behind other evidence of vandalism.

The fact the federal government repeatedly has refused to provide details about those provocateurs just adds to the concern there was such an agenda.

Now there's another situation that raises eyebrows: A man apparently climbing a scaffolding and firing a handgun into the air on the fateful day, but no evidence of his eventual arrest.

NBC outlines the details stemming from "newly unearthed footage from Jan. 6."

It "appears to show a rioter — a man identified in an NBC News story nearly two years ago — firing a gun into the air outside the Capitol during the attack. Online sleuths who have aided in hundreds of Jan. 6 prosecutions say he is the same man they identified to the FBI, who is currently individual no. 200 on the bureau's Capitol Violence page, which he first appeared on three years ago. Videos and photographs from the Capitol on Jan. 6 showed him with what appears to be a gun in his waistband. As NBC News previously reported, that man, John Emanuel Banuelos, told Salt Lake City police that he was at the Capitol and had been captured on film with a gun. 'I was in the D.C. riots,' he told the investigators, according to a police transcript. 'I'm the one in the video with the gun right here.'"

But, the report noted, he's not been arrested or charged in any way for actions on that day.

The report said Salt Lake City police did arrest him in connection with a fatal stabbing of Christopher Thomas Senn on July 4, 2021, but he later claimed self-defense and was released.

The report noted, according to police transcripts, when he was arrested he told police, "Man, should I just tell the FBI to come get me or what?"

The report explained the video appears to show Banuelos firing a gun into the air – twice – while a crowd milled around outside the Capitol that day.

The reported noted the footage was the first showing a rioter firing a gun that day.

This was just a few minutes before a police officer shot and killed an unarmed Ashli Babbitt inside the Capitol.

The report explained the video was released by Derrick Evans, a former West Virginia legislator who now is running for Congress.

The report continued, "Informed by NBC News that the man he posted a video of had been identified, Evans told NBC News that he thought it was 'fishy' that Banuelos wasn't arrested. While Banuelos has an extensive online history of being a Trump supporter, Evans described him as an 'agitator' and said he thinks he might be a federal agent."

report at Breitbart explained, "The news comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump’s legal team battling claims of Trump inciting 'insurrection,' which some states — namely, Colorado — are using to try to kick him off the ballot. However, the Supreme Court argument forecasts a major victory for Trump in the Colorado case 'after the beating the lawyers against him received Thursday from the justices."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

After court victories in North Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania in fights over foreigners voting in America, the Public Interest Legal Foundation has sued in California.

The leftists there allegedly have refused to release records revealing foreign nationals who are registered – and could vote – in the state.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Much of today's high tech, for computer, automobile, communications, and military applications, requires ingredients called rare earth minerals.

They are not widely available and China, with an estimated 44 million metric tons of resources, has been the source for some 95% of those components used around the world.

That makes the U.S. dependent on an unfriendly Communist regime for significant advances in its technology.

But that could be changing, as a report in the Daily Mail reveals that a mining company has announced the discovery of "more than 2.34 billion metric tons" in Wyoming.

"American Rare Earths Inc. announced that the reserves near Wheatland dramatically surpass the Asian nation’s 44 million metric tons, saying it 'exceeded our wildest dreams' after drilling only about 25 percent of the property," the report said.

It explained the results come from the company's stake in hundreds of mining claims across 6,320 acres of land in the Halleck Creek Project, in southeastern Wyoming not far from Nebraska and Colorado, as well as mineral leases on another 1,844 acres of the Cowboy State Mine.

Already confirmed are minerals like neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, dysprosium and terbium.

Such are used in smartphones, hybrid vehicles, military applications, and more.

For example, the report noted magnets made from neodymium "are used in hard disc drives and mobile phones, while praseodymium is used in high-strength alloys in aircraft engines. Dysprosium is used to make control rods in nuclear reactors, and terbium is used in low-energy lightbulbs and mercury lamps."

Company CEO Don Swartz said China wants "market dominance," but the issue now is "a race."

The company began test drilling a year ago, with positive results right away.

Now, plans are being made for open pit mining, the most common method for mining projects, a process that allows mining of up to 20,000 tons a day.

The report noted that this is not the only positive news about rare earths coming out of Wyoming.

"U.S.-based Ramaco Resources has a stake near Sheridan, Wyoming that could be worth around $37 billion, " the report noted.

There, Ramaco CEO Randall Atkins explained resources had been tested only down to about 200 feet, but research now is going down to 1,000 feet.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A grand jury in Florida that reviewed the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which killed millions around the globe after it emerged from a Chinese lab experimenting on bat viruses, found it was all about "control."

"This first report from the grand jury only confirms what we knew from the beginning of the COVID crisis," explained Liberty Counsel chief Mat Staver, whose organization has battled the unconstitutional actions taken by the government against private and religious individuals and organizations because of COVID.

"It is no surprise that the government’s response inflicted [devastating] collateral damage on Floridians and the nation. Common sense tells us that extended use of masks, lockdowns, social distancing, and school closures harm people and result in severe social distress.

"The government’s response to the crisis had nothing to do with science, rather it was about control. We must never allow this again."

Staver's comments were in response to the release of an initial report from Florida's 22nd statewide grand jury.

Its itnerim report found that "masks, social distancing, and lockdowns were ineffective and 'did not significantly change the overall risk' from the SARS-CoV-2 virus."

The report stems from a request in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis for the Florida Supreme Court to call a grand jury to "investigate pharmaceutical manufacturers and other medical associations or organizations for crimes and wrongdoing committed against Floridians related to the COVID-19 shot."

Members called to convene were "apolitical" and were not public officials, having "no specific agenda" regarding COVID and those shots, Liberty Counsel reported.

Grand jurors were picked at random, with a requirement being their impartiality and their ability to commit large amounts of time, over months, to the task at hand.

"Our main uniting feature is that each of us believes the citizens of the state of Florida deserve unbiased answers to the important questions raised by the petition…Moreover, we concur that if violations of Florida criminal law occurred with respect to COVID-19 vaccines, they must be addressed by the appropriate authorities," the report said.

On the issue of masks, the jurors charged, "We have never had sound evidence of their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 transmission."

Jurors confirmed masks do help prevent the spread of aerosols, but noted it would require the correct kind of mask, and then found, 'it would still be virtually impossible for us to conduct our affairs with the rigidity necessary to receive the full measure of benefits the mask would provide ... ”

Further, the jurors said that very small particles of 400 nanometers or smaller can hang in the air for hours, meaning masks have limited application.

"People should have been told that masks, like any protective device, have limitations," said the report. "Public health agencies failed to adequately explain this important distinction to the American public in favor of a broad mask recommendation that did not make nearly enough distinction between the types of masks available and put at risk those it sought to help. Well-financed federal agencies chose to fill the discourse with flawed observational and laboratory studies."

Jurors found on the dispute over social distancing, "In enclosed interior spaces for extended periods of time, a distance of six feet or sixty feet is not going to make any difference."

They found, according to Liberty Counsel, that "public policy should have focused on the data showing how certain filtration systems work effectively indoors to prevent aerosol clouds containing enough of an infectious viral load from accumulating, all while also taking advantage of outdoor spaces which help accomplish the same thing."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

An editorial from the propaganda department of the Chinese Communist Party is openly speculating, even warning, about a coming "World War" with NATO.

It was a piece called, "NATO is pushing the Russia-Ukraine conflict toward a 'world war,'" that was published in the Global Times, an English-language publication run by the Chinese Communists.

The commentary cited comments by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a recent visit to the U.S. about NATO's "readiness."

According to a report from Newsweek, that article said the Russia-Ukraine conflict could grow into a "world war."

The report said tensions have been high between Russia and NATO, especially after NATO last month announced its largest-ever military exercise, called "Steadfast Defender 2024."

Those events started late last month and are scheduled to run through May, and they are supposed to involve some 90,000 members of militaries from 31 NATO nations, plus Sweden.

Being "tested," the report said, is the allies' ability to move forces quickly and stage defense procedures.

The report said, "Military analysts have speculated Steadfast Defender is meant to prepare alliance members for the potential of a future Russian invasion on NATO territory."

While the announcement of the plan did not mention Russia, the regime of Vladimir Putin is viewed as a major security threat to NATO.

The propaganda piece charged that the NATO chief's visit "is not just about NATO seeking funds."

It continued, "This is a clear preparation of public opinion to expand the Russia-Ukraine conflict into a world war."

The propaganda continued, "This strategic adjustment by NATO may enhance its internal cohesion in the short term and continue to maintain its position as the world's most powerful military force held by the U.S. and the West. However, in the long term, it may lead to more divisions and confrontations globally, profoundly affecting international relations and the security environment around China."

Newsweek said it sought comment from NATO and the Russian foreign ministry.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Students at Notre Dame University have gone to court seeking $178,000 to be reimbursed for fees and costs associated with defending a failed defamation case that was brought against them.

Students who run the independent The Irish Rover publication are being represented by The Bopp Law Firm.

The publication is "devoted to preserving the Catholic identity of Notre Dame" and requested a court order requiring Tamar Kay, a teacher at the school, to pay that sum for legal fees over the "frivolous" defamation case brought against the publication.

The state court in South Bend, Indiana, just days ago dismissed the case, based on Indiana's "Anti-SLAPP" law that protects someone when exercising their right of free speech against a frivolous suit dismissing the case.

The legal team explained, "The Anti-SLAPP law also requires the person who filed the meritless suit to pay the attorney's fees for the defendant. That is exactly what happened to The Irish Rover and is why the court dismissed Dr. Kay's lawsuit. Now, Dr. Kay will be obligated to pay The Irish Rover's attorney's fees."

"Indiana's Anti-SLAPP law provides a way for defendants who are accused of defamation without any basis in law and fact to recoup their attorney fees and is intended to be a deterrent for people bringing these types of frivolous cases," explained James Bopp, Jr.

"My firm concentrates on defending First Amendment rights—we were happy to defend The Irish Rover's right to free speech in this case."

The publication had written about Kay, accurately quoting public statements by the noted abortion rights promoter.

"Kay posted a sign on her Notre Dame office door which stated, 'This is a SAFE SPACE to get help and information on ALL Healthcare issues and access—confidentially with care and compassion.' Her Twitter account regularly shared information supporting her pro-abortion stance—including information about 'Plan C Pills' (a common term for pills used to induce abortion, often at home)."

The court concluded the reporting was accurate and lawful.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A new video reveals the impact on consumers, in this case in France, when bureaucrats adopt climate ideology such as pesticide bans that pose a threat to the livelihoods of farmers.

It's empty shelves in food stores.

Lots of empty shelves, broken only occasionally by a single package, or a few small packages, of food.

Supermarket shelves in France and Belgium are starting to be empty. No farmers, no food. pic.twitter.com/9w5nUHGMGM

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) February 1, 2024

According to a report from ABC, the crisis soon could be receding.

That's because two major farmers' unions announced they would lift the nationwide blockades after government officials proposed new ideas to protect the farmers.

The report explained before the newly reported breakthrough, farmers snarled traffic along major highways, especially around Paris, and had promised to stay there another day.

Their demands were a commitment, in writing, from the government, to help.

"We don’t want to hear words of love. What we want is proof of love," explained Thierry Desforges, a farm union member who was assisting at a blockade just south of Paris.

The demonstrations have developed over the past few weeks because of what the farmers have characterized as low earnings, too many rules, and unfair competition from overseas.

Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, had failed to defuse the problem earlier, then then this week announced new concessions, including tens of millions of euros in aid, and tax breaks.

And critically, his plan included a promise not to ban pesticides.

That climate agenda point, farmers charged, would produce unfair competition, as growers outside of France still could use what they could not.

The concessions prompted Arnaud Rousseau of France’s biggest farmers union, FNSEA, and Young Farmers Union chief Arnaud Gaillot to suggest to members they suspend their protests.

The report expanded, "Attal promised there would be no new pesticide ban 'without a solution' and said no pesticides would be banned in France that are authorized elsewhere in the EU. Also, Attal announced that France was banning, starting immediately, imports of fruits and vegetables coming from outside the EU that have been treated with Thiaclopride — an insecticide currently banned in the bloc."

 

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

One cannot even mention gender, race, religion, or a dozen other subjects, it seems, in conversations these days.

And whatever you do, DON’T suggest by compliment that someone is doing a good job.

That’s according to a new video posted at Liberty Daily.

It’s a portion of a podcast about “microaggressions.”

The scenario is outlined that a worker who had replaced a co-worker who didn’t make a meeting, and is told she was doing “very well.”

While that “could” have just been a “nice compliment,” the analysis offered shows otherwise.

We are warned to watch for “impact,” “intent” and “precision of language.”

”Would she have felt compelled to say the same thing to a straight white male? We don’t know because we can’t guess her intent,” we are told.

Offended?

Nope, “But that doesn’t mean other people wouldn’t be.”

So, we find out, the comment was both a compliment AND a “microaggression.”

”Because of implicit bias.”

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

It’s not unusual for a political candidate, in this case Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, to take subtle jabs when an opponent, like President Trump, takes a hit in a legal fight.

But Haley is raising eyebrows with her citations of whom she “trusts” in a recent court decision that Trump is expected to appeal.

The jurors in the East Coast establishment.

These jurors are from the same elite social and economic class that a survey earlier showed were willing to see Jan. 6 protesters executed.

Watch:

She said, during an interview, “I absolutely trust the jury, and I think that they made their decision based on the evidence. I just don't think that should take [Trump] off the ballot. I think the American people will take him off the ballot.”

That decision from the New Yorkers was that Trump must pay, pending affirmation on appeal, $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for calling her a liar when she accused him of rape, a charge another jury rejected.

That first jury awarded Carroll $5 million, accusing Trump of belittling her when she accused him of rape. She sued again after he continued to deny her claims after the first verdict. He says both decisions will be appealed.

The New York jury’s decision wasn’t a surprise, as the judge already had claimed that Trump defamed Carroll by denying her claims.

WND had reported only days ago the same type of jury pool, but in Washington instead of New York, was surveyed.

polling reported in the Epoch Times reveals nearly half of potential D.C. jurors would be happy to see those protesters sent to prison for life – or executed.

The report points out multiple Jan. 6 defendants attempted to have their trials moved out of Washington because they wanted what the American justice system is supposed to provide, a fair hearing.

But judges there, largely of the Democrat persuasion, have claimed repeatedly that D.C. juries are neutral. And they’ve claimed there’s no evidence of a bias.

But the Epoch Times revealed, “There is now.”

”A survey (pdf) conducted by Triton Polling and Research between Jan. 1-8 and obtained exclusively by The Epoch Times reveals an extreme level of bias among potential jurors living in Washington toward anyone who participated in the protests at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.”

The Times documented that 422 “jury eligible residents” people were surveyed, and 27.5% said the protest participants were “insurrectionists.”

Another 13% called them “criminals” and nearly 15% called them “domestic terrorists."

Nearly 12% called them “traitors.”

The Times revealed, “The overwhelming majority also ‘strongly’ (75 percent) or ‘somewhat agree’ (14.4 percent) that former President Donald Trump is to blame for what happened, and 76.6 percent ‘strongly agree’ that Mr. Trump’s supporters are racists.

Two out of three said the day was “terrorism.”

”After informing survey participants that ‘the penalty for insurrection, treason, or committing an act of domestic terrorism is life imprisonment or death,’ 26.9 percent said they ‘strongly agree’ and 21.1 percent said they ‘somewhat agree’ that those penalties would ‘be a fair punishment for anyone who participated in any of the events of January 6,” the Times reported

Dangerously, 80.1% said they would serve as a juror if called and many said they actually want to be on a jury to make sure defendants are found guilty and punished.

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