The American people have every right to know who is funding their candidates and what agendas those backers represent. A growing web of financial connections now links a controversial Muslim civil rights network—long scrutinized for its ties to radical organizations—to one of the largest donors backing a Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate.
At the center of this story is the Unity and Justice Fund, a political action committee that pumped $120,000 into the campaign of Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist running for New York City mayor. What raises immediate concern is not just the amount but the deeper affiliations behind that check.
The Unity and Justice Fund shares addresses and leadership personnel with CAIR Action, a political arm operating under the broader umbrella of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR, which has long positioned itself as a Muslim civil rights organization, has also faced years of scrutiny over its alleged radical ties.
Despite claims that CAIR Action is legally distinct from the non-profit CAIR, the overlapping addresses and shared individuals blur the lines. This looks less like a separation and more like a shell game, designed to mask political operations behind a non-profit veil.
Additional PACs linked to the same network are involved as well. Unity Lab PAC, which donated $23,500 to Mamdani’s PAC, is run by an individual who also operates as a spokesperson for a regional chapter of the parent organization. These interconnections raise red flags about coordination and transparency.
Meanwhile, the Unity and Justice Fund is run by a former chapter leader of the parent group, who also serves as treasurer for its political wing. This is not mere coincidence. It reflects a deliberate strategy to create political influence pipelines using groups that purport to be civil rights advocates.
Radical anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour openly celebrated the influence of these PACs in Mamdani’s campaign, boasting that a large majority of his financial backing came from Muslim-American donors mobilized by these very organizations.
That statement alone should have set off alarms among ethics watchdogs and campaign-finance authorities. Yet, the only action taken by the involved parties was to add a legal disclaimer—hardly the kind of meaningful transparency the public deserves.
This network of political activity is also housed at the same address as the national office of the civil rights organization, further cementing suspicions that these entities are working hand-in-hand despite the technical distinctions on paper.
This is more than just politics as usual. It’s a sophisticated funding apparatus working to shape U.S. elections using money from groups that have faced serious questions about their allegiances and activities.
The background of these groups is not irrelevant. Leaders of their affiliated networks have previously been convicted of financing foreign terrorist organizations. Several high-profile trials have exposed the extent to which some of these so-called charities were functioning as financial channels for radical Islamist movements.
Yet these same networks are now pouring funds into the campaign of a mayoral candidate with openly radical positions, including praise for individuals convicted of funding terrorism. That should be deeply troubling to every American.
One such case involved a now-defunct charity whose directors were sentenced for funneling money to Hamas. During that trial, the civil rights group connected to the Mamdani campaign was named as an unindicted co-conspirator.
Even more disturbing is Mamdani’s own record. Years ago, he released a song in which he explicitly praised the convicted directors of that radical charity, telling listeners to “look ’em up.” That’s not a slip—it’s a declaration.
The message being sent here is that it’s perfectly acceptable to glamorize convicted criminals, accept funding from groups under investigation, and advance a political platform that aligns with far-left ideologies and radical sympathies.
This entire operation represents a gross manipulation of campaign finance laws, exploiting nonprofit protections to funnel massive political donations into the coffers of socialist candidates.
The American people are being kept in the dark about who is really backing some of the most extreme voices rising in today’s political ranks. And when those backers have controversial, even dangerous, affiliations, the implications become urgent.
This isn’t about smearing one religion or community. This is about national security, campaign integrity, and the need for full transparency in our electoral system.
Every dollar entering a political campaign should be traceable, accountable, and free from the shadow of extremism. When we allow dark-money operations tied to radical networks to go unchecked, we threaten the very foundations of our democracy.
The candidate in question has not refuted the source of the donations, nor has he returned the money. That silence is as telling as any endorsement. It signals complicity or, at the very least, indifference to the origins of his campaign’s financial backing.
Congress must act. Campaign finance rules must be updated to prevent nonprofits from serving as political fronts. Audits must be conducted. PACs with suspicious affiliations must be shut down.
Voters deserve to know who’s trying to buy influence in American cities—and for what purpose. In this case, the answer appears to be power cloaked in radicalism.
Senator John Kennedy is once again cutting through Washington’s theatrics with brutal honesty.
The Louisiana Republican accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of staging political drama instead of doing his job to reopen the government.
In an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, Kennedy described the shutdown as a “political performance,” not a genuine policy disagreement.
He said Schumer is more concerned with keeping up appearances for his party’s radical wing than with serving the American people.
“It will end eventually,” Kennedy said, “when Senator Schumer goes to six or eight of his members and Democrats and says, ‘Do me a favor. Vote to open it back up. I may have to criticize you. I’m not going to vote with you, but I need a way out of this.’”
Kennedy made clear that Schumer’s priority isn’t compromise — it’s saving face.
“He’s gonna tell ‘em, ‘Now, look, I gotta vote no. And I gotta dogcuss you a little bit. We gotta have some play acting and make this look good. And then we come out of the shutdown,’” Kennedy said, describing how Schumer will secretly orchestrate the outcome he publicly opposes.
According to Kennedy, the government shutdown is less about real disagreements and more about political optics. Schumer, he said, is acting out a script to appease the far-left members of his caucus — what Kennedy calls the “moon wing” of the Democratic Party.
“I know him. Well, this shutdown is not about policy. It’s about politics,” Kennedy said.
“And Senator Schumer, this is what’s going on. He is trying to get the moon wing, the socialist wing of the Democratic Party, which is in control, to love him. And they will never love him.”
That blunt assessment paints a damning picture of the Democratic leadership. Schumer, Kennedy argues, is beholden to extremists who refuse to compromise, even at the expense of the country.
The Louisiana senator said Schumer’s strategy is simple: keep the government closed until Republicans and President Trump agree to hand over billions in new spending — spending that Democrats will control. “What he’s saying,” Kennedy explained, “is we’re going to keep government shut down until you Republicans and President Trump give the Democrats $1.5 trillion, and they’re going to tell us how to spend it.”
Kennedy ridiculed the idea that Schumer is fighting for “the people.” In his view, Schumer is fighting for power, money, and media attention — and the shutdown is just another stage for him to perform on.
“He’s boning if it looks contrived,” Kennedy warned. “He can’t look like he’s having a mutiny.” That’s why, Kennedy says, Schumer must choreograph his next steps carefully, pretending to fight while quietly coordinating votes behind the scenes.
Kennedy’s description of this “play acting” matches what many Americans have long suspected: that the partisan battles on the Senate floor are largely theater designed to manipulate the public.
Schumer, Kennedy said, is obsessed with being seen as strong by the socialist faction of his party — even though that same faction will never accept him. “He’d be better off doing what he did back in March and just calling it like he saw it and keeping government open,” Kennedy added.
The senator’s comments came after Schumer led most Democrats in voting down the Republicans’ spending bill earlier in the week, prolonging the shutdown. Kennedy said that move was pure political posturing.
“Schumer knows exactly what he’s doing,” Kennedy said. “He’s trying to look tough for his base while still leaving himself a backdoor exit.”
Kennedy argued that Schumer is being held hostage by his own party’s extremists — the same people who demand funding for what Kennedy called “wasteful foreign projects” and ideological programs.
The Louisiana senator said Democrats are fighting to reinstate spending for overseas LGBTQ initiatives, electric buses in Rwanda, Palestinian media operations, and sterilization programs abroad — all things Republicans already removed from the budget.
“He’s not fighting for the American taxpayer,” Kennedy said. “He’s fighting for his image and for foreign projects nobody asked for.”
ROSELAND, La. (AP) — A fire at an automotive supply plant in Louisiana was 90% contained Sunday, but a mandatory evacuation order remained in place as crews tried to address remaining flames, law enforcement officials said.
The fire at Smitty’s Supply just north of the town of Roseland ignited Friday after an explosion at the facility sent flames into the air and black smoke billowing over the surrounding rural area. No injuries have been reported.
Everyone within a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the plant was ordered to evacuate. The order remained in place at noon Sunday, state police said. During a press conference Saturday, police urged residents to minimize their contact with soot from the fire.
Louisiana State Police wrote in the update Sunday that all air monitoring for contaminants has shown “either non-detectable readings or levels well below health-based or actionable thresholds.”
Response crews were removing structural debris and addressing covered hotspots. Environmental response efforts were ongoing in the Tangipahoa River and surrounding waterways.
Smitty’s Supply delivers “high performance lubricants and automotive parts,” including oils, brake fluid, power steering fluid and antifreeze, according to the company’s website. Local officials said the plant employs about 400 people.
Roseland, which is home to about 1,100 people, is roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Baton Rouge.
A towering column of dark smoke was visible across Melbourne’s skyline this week after a large industrial fire broke out at a factory complex in Derrimut, in the city’s western suburbs. The incident prompted one of the most extensive firefighting operations in Victoria in recent years, with authorities warning the clean-up and recovery could take weeks.
The blaze began late Wednesday morning at a factory on Swann Drive, an industrial zone surrounded by warehouses, transport depots, and distribution centers. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) confirmed that multiple chemical storage drums inside the facility were caught in the flames, triggering bursts of heat and debris.
Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling said firefighters received reports of a rapidly spreading fire just after 11 a.m. Within minutes, thick smoke was visible for kilometres, with residents from both Melbourne’s west and inner suburbs reporting they could see the plume stretching across the horizon.
“This was an aggressive fire requiring a large-scale response,” Cowling said. “The warehouse contained a range of chemicals, and as a result, our crews had to take every precaution to protect both themselves and the wider community.”
In total, more than 180 firefighters were called to the scene, supported by dozens of fire trucks and aerial units. Crews from both FRV and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) worked side by side under intense conditions.
By mid-afternoon, authorities confirmed the fire was officially “under control,” though smaller hotspots would continue to burn for days. Firefighters are expected to maintain a presence at the site until the risk of reignition is fully eliminated.
“This is not something that will be resolved overnight,” Cowling said. “Our teams will remain here for as long as necessary to ensure the site is safe.”
As a precaution, factories and offices in the immediate area were evacuated. Several major roads were also closed, including sections of the Western Freeway, which caused delays for drivers during the busy afternoon commute. Power outages in nearby suburbs disrupted traffic signals, adding to congestion.
By Wednesday evening, some arterial roads were reopened, but police urged motorists to avoid the area if possible to give emergency services clear access.
Witnesses described dramatic scenes as barrels and containers inside the warehouse overheated and launched into the air. Ravenhall worker Trent Chamberlain, whose office is three kilometres away, said the fire’s scale was alarming.
“Every few minutes, there was another burst that went high into the air,” he told reporters. “The smoke was thick and heavy — it was impossible to miss.”
Residents as far away as St Kilda, more than 20 kilometres from the scene, reported seeing the dark plume against the afternoon sky.
Despite the scale of the fire and the hazardous materials on site, authorities confirmed there were no injuries among factory workers, nearby residents, or emergency personnel. Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were stationed at the site from the early stages of the emergency but did not need to transport anyone for treatment.
“This is a positive outcome considering the risks our teams faced,” Cowling said. “All staff are accounted for, and no firefighters have been seriously harmed.”
As dark smoke spread across Melbourne’s west, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued warnings for surrounding suburbs. Residents were urged to remain indoors where possible, close doors and windows, and switch off heating or cooling systems that draw in outside air.
EPA monitoring units were deployed to measure air quality. While the smoke was expected to dissipate with changing wind conditions, residents with respiratory sensitivities were advised to take precautions.
The fire prompted concerns from community groups, particularly given the site’s industrial nature. The factory is understood to belong to ACB Group, a company that has previously experienced fire-related incidents. The company did not provide comment during the immediate aftermath.
Authorities stressed the importance of keeping the community safe while crews continued to manage the site. “We ask that people stay away from the area,” Cowling said. “These are hazardous conditions, and the fewer people nearby, the safer it is for everyone involved.”
Beyond the immediate firefighting efforts, attention quickly turned to the potential environmental impacts of the incident. The factory stored large quantities of chemical substances, including kerosene, fuel products, and ethanol. When such materials are exposed to heat and water during firefighting, there is a risk of runoff entering nearby creeks and storm drains.
EPA officials confirmed they were working closely with Melbourne Water to contain contaminated water and prevent it from spreading into natural waterways. Trucks and pumps were deployed to capture excess water, while sandbags were installed to slow runoff.
“Right now, we are focused on limiting the impact on local creeks,” an EPA spokesperson said. “Monitoring will continue for as long as needed.”
This is not the first time Melbourne’s western suburbs have faced major industrial blazes. In recent years, sites in Footscray, Tottenham, and West Footscray have experienced large-scale fires that raised long-term questions about storage practices and regulatory oversight.
Experts say these incidents highlight the challenges of balancing industrial growth with environmental safety. “The community has every right to be concerned,” said one environmental specialist. “We need stronger prevention measures to ensure these events are less likely to happen in the first place.”
Authorities have confirmed that investigators will enter the site once it is deemed safe. At this stage, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but early indications suggest it was not deliberately lit.
“This will be a thorough investigation,” Cowling said. “It’s important that we determine exactly what occurred so that steps can be taken to reduce future risks.”
WorkSafe Victoria is also expected to review the incident as part of its ongoing oversight of industrial sites.
Although the fire is largely contained, its aftermath is expected to stretch into the weeks and months ahead. Environmental clean-up, workplace inspections, and community reassurance will all form part of the recovery process.
For now, firefighters remain stationed at the factory, ensuring the site is stable and preventing any chance of reignition. Residents are being kept updated through official emergency channels, with regular air quality and traffic bulletins issued.
While Melbourne has seen industrial fires before, the Derrimut blaze serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with large chemical storage facilities. The incident has reignited calls for tighter safety measures and stricter enforcement to protect both the environment and local communities.
Craig Melvin has delivered breaking news to millions, but nothing prepared him for the emotional headline that struck his own household. His wife, choking back tears, shared a life-altering announcement that brought the normally composed “Today” anchor to his knees. Friends say they’ve never seen him like this. The “unexpected blessing” came without warning, turning their quiet moment into something unforgettable. What exactly is
Few could have imagined that the closing chapter of Rob Burrow’s extraordinary life would align so poignantly with the birth of a new legacy.
As news of his battle with motor neurone disease (MND) quietly spread through Leeds, plans were already in motion to inaugurate an MND research center in his name—mere hours before his passing.
For fans and friends, the timing was both heart-wrenching and profoundly meaningful, symbolizing a life that continues to inspire beyond the pitch.
Family, friends, and supporters gathered in Leeds to honor Rob