Day: January 23, 2026
Russian oil tanker, the Grinch, intercepted as US, allies escalate sanctions crackdown
A Russian oil tanker was intercepted between Spain and Morocco as western powers intensify efforts to disrupt Moscow’s sanctions-evading shadow fleet operations.
American OnlyFans star with Mexican cartel ties kidnapped at gunpoint outside mall
An Arizona OnlyFans star was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in Mexico, according to video. Nicole Pardo Molina’s abduction may be linked to a cartel rivalry in Sinaloa.
Tom Homan vows to work around new Dem Virginia Gov. Spanberger’s executive order ending ICE cooperation
On the “Ruthless” podcast, White House border czar Tom Homan slammed Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger for her executive order ending the commonwealth’s cooperation with ICE.
76 Republicans Vote To Keep Carveouts For Groups Who Do Child Sex Changes In Spending Package
‘against every conservative value that is known’
Double standard no more? Clintons face Congress over Epstein subpoenas
The House of Representative’s Oversight Committee has formally brought articles against the Clintons for contempt of Congress, and BlazeTV host Liz Wheeler believes it’s what the Clintons deserve.
“If anyone’s in a position to know whether Jeffrey Epstein was, in fact, belonging to intelligence as is reported … it would be the Clintons in a position to testify, and they defied that subpoena, which is a crime. It is a crime,” Wheeler says.
“The Clintons’ testimony is critical to understanding Epstein’s sex trafficking network and the ways he sought to curry favor and influence to shield himself from scrutiny. Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking,” Comer said.
“Since issuing the subpoenas, this committee has acted in good faith. We’ve offered flexibility on scheduling. The response we received was not cooperation, but defiance marked by repeated delays, excuses, and obstruction,” he continued, noting that the Clintons have claimed to have been treated “unfairly.”
Comer also pointed out that photographs, flight log records, wedding invitations, and other materials serve as evidence of the couple’s well-documented relationship with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Remember, to defy a congressional subpoena is a crime. When two Republicans committed this crime, [Steve] Bannon and Peter Navarro, what happened to them? [Steve] Bannon was sentenced to federal prison. Peter Navarro was sentenced to federal prison,” Wheeler comments.
“Why should Hillary Clinton be treated any differently? Why should there be a double standard of justice that holds Republicans to account when crimes are committed and lets Democrats off the hook?” she asks.
While some critics of the move against the Clintons are warning that this might open the floor for Democrats to target Republicans politically when they’re in power, Wheeler couldn’t disagree more.
“That’s nonsense. The Democrats have been targeting us already. We’ve spent the last decade being targeted by Democrats. It’s not going to suddenly give them permission and they’re going to start targeting us,” she says. “They already have.”
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Trump invites pope to ‘Board of Peace’ charter for Gaza with 17 countries that have already joined
President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to his “Board of Peace” charter for Gaza, according to a spokesperson for the Vatican, who said they are considering how to respond.
The charter is intended to seek to end the conflict in Gaza and currently has leaders from 17 countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
‘The pope has received an invitation, and we are considering what to do.’
On Wednesday, the Vatican’s diplomatic official Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that Trump had invited the pope.
“The pope has received an invitation, and we are considering what to do,” Parolin said to reporters. “I believe it will be something that requires a bit of time for consideration before giving a response.”
He added that nations joining the charter are asked to contribute financially but that the Vatican would not be able to do that.
“We are not even in a position to do that,” Parolin added. “However, evidently we find ourselves in a different situation with respect to other countries, so it will be a different consideration, but I think the request will not be to participate financially.”
On Thursday, many of the world leaders joined a signing ceremony for the peace charter on the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The president has also invited other countries into the compact, including Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, Vietnam, Finland, and Ukraine.
Trump is chairing the board, which will also include his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
The conflict in Gaza has raged on since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and slaughtered more than 1,000 while taking hostage more than 200 people, including some Americans. Israel has responded with an extensive military campaign to wipe out the leaders of the terror group.
RELATED: Pope Leo calls out gambling addiction and ‘demographic crisis’ in Vatican meeting
Leo is the first pope from America in the church’s entire history. Some have praised him for his conservative stances, but others worry that he has displayed some sympathy for what many would consider “woke” attitudes.
Reuters reported that the pope “rarely” joins international boards.
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New York Democrat tries to dunk on agriculture secretary over food stamp benefits — and gets obliterated on social media
A debate over food welfare benefits in the U.S. erupted on social media after a Democrat senator from New York tried to challenge Agriculture Sec. Brooke Rollins on whether $15 could feed a person for a day.
A video posted to social media showed Rollins explaining herself after she was attacked for saying a $3 meal could consist of chicken, a tortilla, and a piece of broccoli.
‘Tell us you’re an out-of-touch elite politician without saying you’re an out-of-touch elite politician.’
“We had run almost a thousand simulations, and between $3 and $4 is a fair number if you can have access to that food,” said Rollins to reporters.
“So just about an hour ago, I just saw new numbers that were run: a full day, meaning three full square meals and a snack, is about $15.64. That’s all three meals and a snack,” she added.
“Part of me sort of cringed at the criticism that I got, because it wasn’t what I meant,” Rollins said. “I grew up with a single mom in a really small town and certainly never meant to be flippant. But I also think that the left or those that were attacking me perhaps know that this is an issue that 90% of Americans agree on.”
Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York challenged Rollins to defend how someone could live on the food stamp allowance, and thousands responded online.
“Ok, run the simulation for us yourself,” she wrote. “I challenge Secretary Rollins to eat three meals a day on 15 dollars. Show the American people.”
Many on the left agreed with Gillibrand and said so on social media.
One person called Rollins’ estimate “preposterous,” while another reported that buying three roast beef sandwiches from Arby’s cost $32. A third person said being asked to spend less on food was a “class war,” and yet another complained that buying a meal at McDonald’s cost $12.
But others reported easily being able to meet that standard for food spending.
RELATED: Able-bodied 38-year-old man goes viral over food stamp restrictions: ‘That’s some bulls**t!’
One user said the user’s family of five adults was easily fed by a weekly grocery budget of $300, which would come to $2.85 per person per meal. Another said costs add up to $5 per person per meal while shopping at Costco.
“Let’s be honest — one of the main reasons we have such an obesity and poverty epidemic in America is that people are spending more than $5 per meal on average,” said another detractor.
“My family of 4 runs a household grocery budget of $400/week,” reported another user. “We cook every meal and eat very well including snacks and desserts. Where’s the problem here? It’s more than feasible if you’re capable of cooking your own food.”
“Wtf how’s that even a challenge. I’m in California (highest cost of living state because of incompetent democrats) and I could make healthy meals for half that,” said another.
“Tell us you’re an out-of-touch elite politician without saying you’re an out-of-touch elite politician. My neighbor feeds her family of 4 on less than that every day,” read another response.
Others pointed out that Americans who depend on the taxpayer for their food should be asked to budget at least as much as those who provide for their families and also pay taxes to fund SNAP benefits.
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Insurance fraud and used underwear? Zynex execs allegedly stole $873M — and company allegedly tried to silence media about it
The FBI announced on Wednesday the arrest of two medical device company executives, accusing them of conspiracy to commit fraud and other offenses.
Special agents with the FBI Boston and Denver field offices arrested Thomas Sandgaard and Anna Lucsok, the respective former CEO and former COO of Zynex Inc.
‘This case represents a troubling abuse of patients seeking care, as well as the federal health-care benefit system.’
“The former CEO and COO of Zynex are accused of operating with a single-minded focus, their own financial enrichment,” Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of FBI Boston Division, stated. “Today, we arrested them for allegedly defrauding the government and insurance companies out of hundreds of millions of dollars and using vulnerable patients seeking relief from their pain to do it.”
“Health care fraud should not be a quick and easy way to boost a corporation’s bottom line and fund lavish lifestyles for its executives. It’s a federal crime with serious consequences, and the FBI will continue to work with our partners to bring anyone fleecing the U.S. government to justice,” Docks added.
A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island revealed further details about the federal investigation and the suspects, including that they allegedly collected more than $873 million from 2017 through 2025.
The two allegedly devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain money from the government and private health care patients. They were also accused of defrauding Zynex investors by hiding some of the company’s billings and revenues.
Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images
Over $600 million of the defrauded funds were for supplies that were improperly and unnecessarily billed, the attorney’s office alleged.
“The indictment alleges that supplies were shipped in excessive volumes, sometimes as large as 32, 64, or 128 electrode pairs per patient each month. Sandgaard and Lucsok used these fraudulent billings, and the revenues derived from them, to fraudulently inflate the company’s financial reporting and drive up the stock price of Zynex,” the attorney’s office wrote.
“They continued these practices despite being notified many times that their billing practices were fraudulent, and even when patients told Zynex to stop sending those supplies because they already had too many,” it added.
One patient submitted a complaint in 2022 to the Better Business Bureau, writing, “[T]hey kept mailing me supplies and I kept getting denials. I called today and was informed that I owe a tremendous amount of money. … I live on $1,100.00 dollars a month and cannot afford much. … She informed me that there still would be a rental fee and supply fees. I told her that I could not even afford food at this point.”
Another patient told the BBB that they felt the company is “a total SCAM.”
“I received the product and then continued to receive batteries and electrodes. AFTER NINE MONTHS I received a bill with 27 charges for supplies. This was the first bill I ever received, they just kept racking up the charges and they waited nine months to send the bill. The minute I received it, I called the company, and they were unable to connect me with the billing department, we set up a call back — still waiting,” the individual wrote.
When reporters started investigating Zynex, the company allegedly hired someone to “disrupt the reporters’ personal lives.” This allegedly included signing reporters up for therapy sessions, listing conditions such as erectile dysfunction. In another alleged instance, used women’s underwear was sent to a reporter’s home, addressed to their spouse, with a note outlining the reporter’s claimed “illicit behavior,” seemingly to make the reporter appear unfaithful.
RELATED: What investigators still haven’t asked about Minnesota’s fraud
Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Sandgaard, 67, is a Colorado resident and a dual U.S. and Danish citizen. Lucsok, 39, is also a Colorado resident with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ukraine.
The alleged co-conspirators are facing one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and securities fraud; nine counts of health care fraud; two counts of mail fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.
The government has attempted to restrain the suspects’ assets, including properties in Colorado and Florida, several bank accounts, a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft, two Porsches, and a few other vehicles.
Zynex and its teams have received numerous awards, including the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Trust, the Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs, and Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare Technology, according to the company’s website.
“This case represents a troubling abuse of patients seeking care, as well as the federal health care benefit system,” U.S. Attorney Charles Calenda said. “As alleged, the defendants’ conduct undermined programs intended to serve patients in need. Our office remains committed to protecting the integrity of these programs and holding accountable those who seek to exploit patients, payors, and investors.”
Zynex did not respond to a request for comment.
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Exclusive: GOP lawmaker seeks crackdown on illegal trucker licenses to end ‘preventable’ deaths
Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona is proposing new legislation to crack down on illegal aliens obtaining commercial driver’s licenses.
Americans have witnessed many preventable deaths inflicted by illegal alien truck drivers who often obtained CDLs in blue states that seemingly ignore citizenship or work requirements. The tragic death toll was exacerbated by former President Joe Biden’s administration, which allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood the country within a span of just four years.
‘They gamble with American lives.’
Biggs believes the VERIFY CDL Act will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“American citizens should not have to worry that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ border failures are showing up on our highways,” Biggs told Blaze News. “When millions of unvetted, unknown illegal aliens were allowed into the country — which is exactly what the Biden regime turned a blind eye to — the federal government created serious public safety risks far beyond the border.”
“Until every illegal alien is deported by President Trump’s hard work, Congress has a responsibility to close dangerous loopholes. My VERIFY CDL Act ensures commercial driver’s licenses are issued only to individuals legally authorized to work in the United States.”
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Biggs’ legislation would look to change that. According to the bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News, the VERIFY CDL Act would require applicants’ employment to be authorized through the E-Verify program before they can be issued a CDL, adding additional safeguards and closing a highly abused loophole.
“Operating a commercial vehicle is not a right — it is a serious responsibility,” Biggs told Blaze News. “When states issue CDLs without verifying work authorization, they gamble with American lives. My bill puts an end to that recklessness.”
“If you are legally authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify confirms it,” Biggs said. “If you are not, you do not get behind the wheel of a 40-ton vehicle.”
RELATED: Illegal alien truckers with California licenses accused of hauling $7M in cocaine across state lines
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Biggs noted that mass immigration is not limited to the border, but rather it needs to be addressed at every level, including CDLs.
“It’s not complicated,” Biggs said. “We have seen what happens when verification fails — preventable deaths, broken families, and a system that has lost its integrity.”
“One preventable death is one too many,” Biggs added. “Congress has a duty to act, and this bill does exactly that.”
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Ariana snubbed and Chalamet supreme? Five Oscars takeaways
“Sinners” set a new Oscars record with 16 nominations on Thursday, but that was not the only surprise from the Academy’s announcement.
