Georgia GOP senator, banned by House speaker, arrested at governor’s speech
A Republican state senator in Georgia was arrested Thursday, Jan. 16, after attempting to attend Gov. Brian Kemp’s “State of the State” address in the state Capitol chambers. Video posted to the senator’s X account shows a scuffle outside the chamber doors before he was escorted out by police and taken to jail, according to the senator’s team.
In the video, the senator can be heard saying, “It has gone too far. I have an obligation to be in that room. I represent 200,000 people in northwest Georgia who duly elected me to be here today.”
Senator Colton Moore, who exposed and defeated corrupt District Attorney Fani Willis last year, has been arrested by the Anti-Trump Speaker of the Georgia House.
Colton is being held in the same Atlanta jail as President Trump.
The incident is the latest in a series of controversies involving Colton Moore, whose career has been marked by intense disputes, including a growing divide with members of his own party.
Moore was expelled from the Republican Caucus in the state Senate in 2023 and was banned from the House floor the following year.
In 2023, after then-former President Donald Trump’s indictment in the state, Moore called for a special session to investigate and potentially impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. However, Moore’s fellow Republicans disagreed and said he launched verbal attacks against them for not supporting his efforts.
In response, the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus indefinitely suspended Moore.
“The Georgia RINOs responded to my call to fight back against the Trump witch hunts by acting like children and throwing me out of the caucus,” Moore said in response to his suspension.
In March 2024, following a remembrance ceremony for late Speaker David Ralston, Moore was banned from the House chambers. At the memorial, Moore criticized Ralston, calling him “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders we’ll ever see in our lifetimes,” due to allegations that Ralston leveraged his political power as an attorney to delay cases for high-paying clients.
Moore’s remarks were interrupted by Republican colleagues who deemed the comments inappropriate for the occasion. Speaker Jon Burns condemned Moore’s statements, calling them “vile,” and ordered Moore banned from entering the House chambers.
The altercation Thursday occurred ahead of the governor’s address, after Burns sent Moore a letter reminding him that the ban from House property remains in effect. The letter referred to Moore’s March 2024 comments about Ralston, and reinforced the order barring him from entering the House chamber.
In response, Moore posted a letter on his social media claiming that the ban was “unconstitutional” and “illegal” and reaffirmed his intention to attend the address.
Moore now faces a charge of “willfully obstructing law enforcement officers.”
Controversy follows Meta’s move to roll back some rules on hateful content
Meta is making some sweeping changes to its policy on what Facebook and Instagram users can and cannot post. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the company not only announced it is doing away with professional fact-checking and replacing it with community notes but it also made updates to its hateful conduct policy, rolling back some content restrictions.
For example, the company removed a line in its policy that prohibited “dehumanizing speech” in the form of “certain objects” – including “women as household objects or property or objects in general; Black people as farm equipment; and transgender or non-binary people as ‘it.’”
Meta did, however, amend a different part of the policy related to “harmful stereotypes historically linked to intimidation or violence” to ban comparing Black people to farm equipment.
The company added a new section to the policy allowing “allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation,” saying transgenderism and homosexuality are both highly debated topics in politics and religion.
Meta also eliminated a ban that prohibited people from saying transgenderism does not or should not exist.
The company also got rid of a ban on blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese or Asian people. The now-deleted policy had told users not to post “content targeting a person or group of people on the basis of their protected characteristics with claims that they have or spread the novel coronavirus, are responsible for the existence of the novel coronavirus, or are deliberately spreading the novel coronavirus.”
Additionally, Meta is adjusting its automated systems that scan for policy violations, which the company says resulted in “too much content being censored that shouldn’t have been.” The systems will now only focus on extreme violations, such as child sexual exploitation and terrorism.
The changes follow allegations from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers that Meta was “censoring” conservatives. President-elect Trump responded Tuesday to the news of Meta’s policy changes.
“I watched their news conference, and I thought it was a very good news conference,” he said. “I think they’ve, honestly, I think they’ve come a long way. Meta. Facebook. I think they’ve come a long way. I watched it, the man [Mark Zuckerberg] was very impressive.”
Critics of the new policy changes say they’ll likely lead to more hate speech and more false claims going viral.
Meta accused of censoring Palestinian content on Instagram and Facebook
Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta is facing accusations of censoring pro-Palestinian content, according to a report on Sunday, Jan. 5. The allegations came from news outlets like the BBC and a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.
HRW said that it found more than 1,000 cases of what it called suppression of pro-Palestinian content shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The organization said that the suppression of content has been “systemic and global,” and started before Hamas’ terrorist attack.
A separate BBC report in December 2024, found the Facebook pages of 20 “prominent” Palestinian-based news outlets saw their engagement drop by nearly 80% shortly before and a year after the Oct. 7 attack, while engagement for Israel’s 20 largest news outlets grew by nearly 40%.
The BBC report includes leaked documents from current and former Meta employees who say the company launched a crackdown on Palestinian users’ comments after Hamas’ terrorist attack.
Meta confirmed the crackdown but said the measures were necessary to respond to a “spike in hateful content” coming out of Palestinian regions.
Meta argued it wrestled with freedom of speech and the fact that Hamas is a designated terrorist organization. The tech giant noted that pages posting exclusively about the war in Gaza were the most likely to see engagement take a hit.
“We acknowledge mistakes, but any implication that we deliberately suppress a particular voice is unequivocally false,” a Meta spokesperson told the BBC.
One of the Palestinian photojournalists in Gaza told the BBC, “In spite of the challenges, the risk and the content bans… We must continue sharing Palestinian content.”
‘Your body, my choice’: Harassment of women spikes in wake of election
In the week since President-elect Donald Trump was reelected, sexist and abusive attacks on women have ramped up on social media. That’s according to a new analysis from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), an international advocacy group that describes itself as “dedicated to powering solutions to extremism, hate and disinformation.”
Phrases like “your body, my choice,” “get back to the kitchen,” and “we own your body” have been trending on platforms like X and TikTok.
The group says the uptick in online harassment signals far-right internet trolls and extremists feel emboldened by the outcome of the election, which also heavily featured women’s rights issues.
In its report, the ISD said harassment is already moving offline, with young girls and parents sharing real-world experiences involving the phrase “your body, my choice” on social media, including “the phrase being directed at them within schools or chanted by young boys in classes.”
The analysis also found posts about repealing the 19th Amendment. The amendment guaranteed women the right to vote, rose 663% on X last week, compared to the week before.
Australian man sentenced to prison for holding up Nazi salute
A man who describes himself as a Nazi has been sentenced to prison in Australia for performing a banned Nazi salute. Australia outlawed the Nazi salute in October 2023.
Jacob Hersant, 25, was convicted of making the salute to a group of people and media cameras outside a Victorian courtroom just days after the ban went into effect.
The magistrate on the case said Hersant also praised Adolf Hitler, adding that he declared “Australia is for the white man.”
The magistrate noted that Hersant is a member of a white supremacy group called “The National Socialist Network.” They described his actions as “clearly racist and seek[ing] to promote white supremacy in Australia.”
Hersant was sentenced to one month in prison on Friday, Nov. 8.
However, Hersant’s lawyer, Tim Smartt, filed an appeal, and Hersant was released on bail while the appeal process is underway in court.
The defense team argued that the salute constitutes political speech, which is protected under Australia’s constitution.
“I don’t show any remorse for giving a political gesture, no,” Hersant said outside the courtroom. “The fact that I’ve been sentenced to a month in prison, for a political gesture, is just farcical really. These laws are insane, they’re emotional, they’re anti-white, and they should be ruled invalid. That’s what we’re going to be appealing on.”
Intelligence officials have warned that more Australians are being drawn to neo-Nazi ideologies as extremist groups step up their recruitment efforts.
Swedish court sentences activist to prison for insult of Muslims
A Swedish court has sentenced Danish activist Rasmus Paludan to four months in prison for making offensive remarks about Muslims and Arabs, as well as for burning copies of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, on multiple occasions. His actions sparked outrage among Muslims, though burning religious texts is permitted under Swedish law.
Paludan, leader of the Danish political party Stram Kurs and a citizen of both Sweden and Denmark, held a political rally in the Swedish city of Malmö in 2022, where he made lewd comments about Islam and Muslims.
This week, a Swedish court convicted Paludan for incitement against an ethnic group and one instance of insult. Under the Swedish Penal Code, an “insult” is defined as vilifying another person with an insulting epithet or accusation.
The judge presiding over the case stated that Paludan’s actions went beyond criticism of Muslims and the Islamic faith.
The judgment said Paludan “expressed disrespect for a people group or other such group of people with allusions to creed, national origin, or ethnic origin by putting bacon in and around a Quran and then setting fire to, kicking, and spitting on the Quran.”
Last month, the chair of the court stated, “It is permitted to publicly make critical statements about, for example, Islam and also about Muslims, but the disrespect of a group of people must not clearly cross the line for a factual and valid discussion.”
Paludan has denied the charges and is expected to appeal the court’s decision.
X’s community notes failing to fact-check posts: Report
X’s Community Notes is failing to fact-check posts containing inaccurate information, according to a new report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate. According to X, “Community Notes aims to create a better-informed world, by empowering people on X to collaboratively add helpful notes to posts that might be misleading.”
The Center for Countering Digital Hate conducted an analysis of election posts on the social media platform. It found 209 out of 283 misleading posts in their sample had accurate Community Notes that aren’t shown to all X users. This equates to about 74%.
The report states some of the inaccurate claims include allegations Democrats are importing illegal voters and false claims about former President Donald Trump. Other claims assert voting systems are unreliable and claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Misleading posts about election information have garnered 2.2 billion views. That’s 13 times more views than their Community Notes, the report states.
X’s owner, Elon Musk, hasn’t yet publicly commented on the report. In the past, he has said X’s Community Notes feature isn’t perfect. However he claims it’s the best fact-checking he’s seen on the internet.
Musk describes himself as a free-speech absolutist. He has stated several times that free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, NWSL, MLS, and NASCAR to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday Night Football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
Senator tells witness ‘hide your head in a bag’ during heated hate crimes hearing
A contentious exchange occurred on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Sept. 17, during a hearing focused on the rising incidence of hate crimes, particularly in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict that began nearly a year ago. The confrontation involved Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana and Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute.
Berry testified as one of the witnesses. During questioning, Kennedy asked her about her views on Hamas, to which she responded that she does not support the organization.
The senator then shifted the focus to her support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The organization, to which the U.S. has provided hundreds of millions of dollars, has faced its share of controversy after international investigation found that nine employees within UNRWA were working for Hamas.
Kennedy questioned Berry’s support for UNRWA and tied it directly to Hamas. Berry reiterated her stance against Hamas and expressed concern that the questioning reflected broader issues.
In a pointed moment, Kennedy said, “You should hide your head in a bag.” The comment drew immediate backlash from Democratic members of the committee. Berry had a chance to respond later in the hearing.
“This has been regrettably a real disappointment but very much an indication of the danger to our democratic institutions that we’re in now,” Berry said. “I deeply regret that and I hope my testimony today has been helpful to understanding the need to respond to hate.”