Latest news with #People'sForum
International Business Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- International Business Times
Elias Rodriguez: DC Jewish Museum Shooter Has Links to Radical Socialist Groups Funded by Millionaire Chinese Sympathizer Neville Singham
The suspected terrorist who shot dead two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington on Wednesday is linked to radical socialist groups that receive funding from far-left Chinese sympathizer and millionaire, Neville Singham, and his activist wife, Jodie Evans. Elias Rodriguez, 31, who admitted to killing the couple near the Capital Jewish Museum while shouting "free, free Palestine," was part of the broader network through his involvement with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), a communist political group that has been running presidential candidates since 2008. Rodriguez also raised $240 in 2018 via a GoFundMe campaign to join the March to Fight Poverty in Washington, D.C, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Suspicious Liaisons Rodriguez was also earlier active in protests and rallies around Chicago in 2017 and 2018 as part of the ANSWER Coalition, another far-left socialist group. The PSL and the ANSWER Coalition are both linked to the People's Forum, a nonprofit organization based in Manhattan that has ties to the Chinese Communist Party, primarily through financial backing from Singham, 71. All three groups have taken part in anti-Israel demonstrations, and previous reports indicate that the People's Forum has placed several cadres at Columbia University, which has become a major hub for such protests. The People's Forum has reportedly received over $20 million in grant money from Singham, with a large portion funneled through the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, a fiscal sponsor, according to earlier reporting by The Post. Besides, the Bronx Antiwar Coalition, another group linked to organizations within Singham's network, publicly praised the killing of the Israeli diplomats in a post on X on Thursday. "What Elias Rodriguez did is the highest expression of anti-Zionism," a tweet from the group proclaimed. The Bronx Anti-War Coalition was founded by Dee Knight, a far-left socialist and pro-China advocate who has worked with the People's Forum, according to reports. Knight's latest book, "Befriending China: People to People Peacemaking", received advance praise from 70-year-old Jodie Evans, a prominent activist who advocates for stronger ties between the U.S. and China. "He reveals in so many ways that China is not our enemy, but has an abundance to share with us," wrote Evans, who has written her own book about embracing China in conjunction with Tricontental Insitute for Social Research, a Marxist think tank center funded by her husband and the Communist Party of China (CCP), according to the Network Contagion Research Institute. Singham at the Center of Controversy According to a report by the New Jersey-based think tank National Contagion Research Institute, Singham's son, Nate Singham, works as a researcher at the center. "The People's Forum... and ANSWER Coalition serve as the conduit through which CCP-affiliated entities have effectively co-opted pro-Palestinian activism in the US, advancing a broader anti-American, anti-democratic, and anti-capitalist agenda," according to NCRI's 2024 report, "Contagious Disruption: How CCP Influence and Radical Ideologies Threaten Critical Infrastructure and Campuses Across the United States." According to public records, donations to these extremist organizations are funneled through the Progress Unity Fund, a far-left fiscal sponsor. Singham, who is reportedly now living in Shanghai, is married to activist Jodie Evans, the founder of Code Pink—an anti-war women's group that has lately adopted a pro-China stance. Originally from Chicago, Singham previously served as the chairman of ThoughtWorks, an IT consulting firm he sold in 2017 for an estimated $785 million. He is known to be a socialist and a follower of Maoist ideology, and was formerly affiliated with the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, a Maoist organization, according to sources. Meanwhile, the PSL tried to distance from Rodriguez on Thursday, saying that his "brief association" with one of their branches ended in 2017. "We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL," the group told The Post Thursday. "We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it." Claudia de la Cruz, a socialist activist from the Bronx, was listed as the first president of the People's Forum in 2017 and ran for U.S. president in 2024 under the Party for Socialism and Liberation banner. During her campaign, De La Cruz raised close to $400,000. She stepped down from her leadership role at the nonprofit in 2023, according to federal records. Ben Becker, one of the party's founding members, is listed as a board member of Breakthrough Media—a nonprofit linked to the People's Forum and located at the same Midtown address, according to public documents. De La Cruz is also listed as a board member of Breakthrough Media in its 2023 federal filings.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Israeli diplomat shooter had links to Neville Singham funded radical anti-Israel groups
The suspected terrorist charged with gunning down two Israeli embassy workers in Washington Wednesday is associated with radical socialist groups funded by the far-left Chinese sympathizer, millionaire Neville Singham and his activist wife Jodie Evans. Elias Rodriguez, 31, who allegedly confessed to killing the couple outside the Capital Jewish Museum and chanted 'free, free Palestine!' was part of that network through his association with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), a Communist political organization that has fielded presidential candidates since 2008. In 2018, Rodriguez also raised $240 in a GoFundMe campaign to join the March to Fight Poverty in Washington DC and took part in demonstrations and protests around Chicago as a member of the ANSWER coalition around 2017 and 2018, another radical socialist group, according to the Anti-Defamation League. 6 Alleged DC shooter Elias Rodriguez was once affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which backed its own candidates for US president since 2008. Katie Kalisher via Storyful Both the PSL and ANSWER Coalition are connected to People's Forum – a Manhattan-based non-profit which has ties to the Chinese Communist Party – through funding from Singham, 71. All three groups have been involved in anti-Israel protests, with the People's Forum having a cadre of operatives embedded at Columbia University — an epicenter of protest — according to previous reports. The People's Forum received more than $20 million in grants from Singham, much of it filtered through the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, a fiscal sponsor, as The Post has previously reported. Another group, the Bronx Antiwar Coalition is also connected to groups in Singham's orbit. The Bronx group applauded the murders of the Israeli diplomats on X Thursday. 'What Elias Rodriguez did is the highest expression of anti-Zionism,' a tweet from the group proclaimed. 6 Jodie Evans (L) and husband Neville Singham pictured at a 20th anniversary celebration of 'The Vagina Monologues' in 2018. Getty Images for V-Day The Bronx Anti-War Coalition was founded by Dee Knight, a radical socialist and pro-China activist, who has worked with People's Forum, according to reports. Knight's latest book, 'Befriending China: People to People Peacemaking,' garnered advance praise from Evans, 70, who lobbies for closer relations with China. 'He reveals in so many ways that China is not our enemy, but has an abundance to share with us,' wrote Evans, who has written her own book about embracing China in conjunction with Tricontental Insitute for Social Research, a Marxist think tank center funded by her husband and the Communist Party of China (CCP), according to the Network Contagion Research Institute. The research center employs Singham's son, Nate Singham, as a researcher, according to a report from the National Contagion Research Institute, a New Jersey-based think tank. 'The People's Forum… and ANSWER Coalition serve as the conduit through which CCP-affiliated entities have effectively co-opted pro-Palestinian activism in the US, advancing a broader anti-American, anti-democratic, and anti-capitalist agenda,' according to NCRI's 2024 report, 'Contagious Disruption: How CCP Influence and Radical Ideologies Threaten Critical Infrastructure and Campuses Across the United States.' Donations to the radical groups are filtered through Progress Unity Fund, a radical-left fiscal sponsor, according to public records. 6 Former presidential candidate Claudia de la Cruz stands at a lectern draped with a PSL flag. Getty Images 6 Abigail Disney, Jodie Evans and Neville Singham in 2016. WireImage Singham, who is now believed to be based in Shanghai, is married to activist Jodi Evans, founder of Code Pink, a women's anti-war group which has also taken a pro-China stance in recent years. Born in Chicago, Singham is former chair of ThoughtWorks, an IT consulting company which he sold for a reported $785 million in 2017. He is a socialist and Maoist, who was a former member of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, a Maoist group, according to sources. He did not respond to The Post's request for comment, but previously told the New York Times: 'I categorically deny and repudiate any suggestion that I am a member of, work for, take orders from, or follow instructions of any political party or government or their representatives. 'I am solely guided by my beliefs, which are my long-held personal views.' On the GoFundMe page for the March to Fight Poverty, Rodriguez had said he was joining to protest US involvement in foreign wars after his father, a National Guardsman, was sent to Iraq when Rodriguez was 11 years old. When his father returned, Rodriguez was angry he had brought back a small Iraqi flag he ripped off a dead Iraqi's uniform. 6 The Party for Socialism and Liberalism has close ties to the People's Forum, a radical non-profit that organized anti-Israel demonstrations in Manhattan a day after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. AFP via Getty Images 6 Suspected terrorist Elias Rodriguez is charged with shooting two workers from the Israeli embassy at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. REUTERS 'I don't want to see another generation of Americans coming home from genocidal imperialist wars with trophies,' he wrote at the time. Meanwhile, the PSL tried to distance themselves from Rodriguez Thursday, saying his 'brief association' with a branch had ended in 2017. 'We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL,' the group told The Post Thursday. 'We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.' Claudia de la Cruz, a Bronx-born socialist activist, is listed as the first president of People's Forum in 2017 and ran for president of the USA on the Party for Socialism and Liberation's ticket in 2024. De La Cruz, who raised nearly $400,000 during her presidential run, stepped down from the top position at the non-profit in 2023, according to federal filings. Ben Becker, a founding member of the party, is listed as a board member of Breakthrough Media, a non-profit affiliated with People's Forum which also shares its Midtown address, according to public records. De La Cruz is also listed as a board member of the media group on its federal filings for 2023.
Sky News AU
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Federal Election 2025: Inside Labor and the Coalition's plans for cost of living, energy, housing, and the economy
The federal election campaign has drawn to a close as millions of Australians cast their ballots to decide the next prime minister. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both embarked on a gruelling five week campaign, hoping to convince voters of their plan for the nation. Sky News has summarised the key policy issues dominating the campaign and where the leaders stand. The policy debate Along the campaign trail Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton have wrapped up their whirlwind tour of the nation, crisscrossing the country in a bid to secure the 76 seats needed to form government. In classic election fashion, there was no shortage of baby cuddling, beer pulling, awkward handshakes — and a protester or several making their voices heard. Mr Albanese kicked things off to a shaky start when he stumbled off the stage in Lovedale, NSW. Despite video footage capturing his tumble, he later insisted that, in fact, no, he did not fall over on his backside. From there, it did not get much smoother, with protesters dogging him at polling booths, hospitals, health clinics, hotels— both inside and out—and everywhere in between. Meanwhile, Mr Dutton made pit stops at more than a dozen petrol stations, fuelling up both vehicles and his pitch to cut the fuel excise by 25 cents per litre. That was until his campaign sputtered briefly when the Liberal Party bus found itself wedged in Sydney's CBD. Mr Dutton was also caught in another mishap when he accidentally booted a football straight into a cameraman's head. The would-be prime ministers also met in four debates across the election campaign, highlighted by the Sky News People's Forum where Mr Albanese won a small victory. Race to The Lodge The final Newspoll of the federal election—conducted for The Australian—showed Labor ahead of the Coalition 52.5-47.5 on a two-party preferred basis. The primary vote of the major parties fell to a combined record low of 67 per cent, with Labor at 33 per cent and the Coalition at 34 per cent. Both Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton suffered poor net approval ratings at negative 10 and negative 28, respectively. Despite the poll predictions, Mr Dutton has maintained that he believes he can still win off the back of voters angry with the Albanese government's poor performance. 'I feel good. I feel that we've had a good reception as we've gone around the pre-polling (stations),' he told Sky News on the final day of the campaign. 'The stories coming back from our candidates and our members is that there's been a very positive response. 'I think Australians realise that this is a very important election. People can't afford three more years of Labor.' Mr Albanese told media he was running on adrenaline after 36 days of the 37 day election campaign. 'We have a mountain to climb. History shows us that since 2004, we've had every election a different Prime Minister as the result,' he said. 'I think Australians in uncertain times need continuity. The country needs continuity as we go forward.' The 48th Parliament of Australia Sky News will host rolling coverage of the 2025 Federal Election, with expert analysis and political guests joining the panel. The Australian Electoral Commission will commence counting of the votes at 6pm with a record number of 18 million registered voters across 7,000 polling places in 83 countries. As many as half of all voters casted their votes during the early voting period, through in-person early voting and mail-in ballots. The results of the election, based on the outcome in the House of Representatives, could be clear within a few hours, but could take several days if the count is close. The Albanese government held 78 of 151 seats in the outgoing House of Representatives, giving it a narrow majority. Mr Albanese has been the favourite to win the 2025 election, but with no guarantee of another majority. If neither Labor nor the Coalition secure enough votes to form a majority government, they will need to rely on confidence and supply from the crossbench. This means extended negotiations would take place after polling day, potentially lasting several days or even weeks.
Sky News AU
23-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Doctor rubbishes Labor's 'see the GP for free' promise as Anthony Albanese comes under fire over Medicare pledge
A doctor has rubbished the government's "see the GP for free" campaign promise as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to come under fire for his Medicare pledge. Mr Albanese has repeatedly claimed that "you just need your Medicare card" to see a GP amid a multi-billion dollar pledge to boost bulk billing rates over the next five years. But a GP who spoke to Sky News in Melbourne's south-east on Wednesday doubted the government would be able to live up to its key election promise. "For me, I'm a GP, and I do not like the rhetoric that's out there at the moment - this see your GP for free rubbish," she told Sky News Election Analyst Tom Connell. "We're private people trying to run our own private businesses so I'm not too sure how the government think they're actually going to do that." The GP, who was outside a pre-poll centre in the Labor-held seat of Chisholm, was asked by Connell whether she was worried it would lead to people demanding a free appointment. "Yes, that's what's going to happen. And it's asking us to take a pay cut," she said. "We are on the edge trying to run a business and trying to keep people fit and well and healthy. And they're making empty promises. "Both sides – I just don't understand how either of them can say we're going to make sure you see a GP for free, it makes no sense." Amid recent efforts to boost the bulk billing incentive, only 48 per cent of Australians have reported being able to access bulk billing for every visit. These rates have declined under the Albanese government, falling about 11 per cent in three years. Labor has since pledged $8.5 billion to boost bulk billing up to 90 per cent by 2030, with the Coalition matching this investment. The plan includes higher GP incentive payments, new training programs for health workers, and a 12.5 per cent practice bonus for clinics that bulk bill all patients. Mr Albanese has promoted his "see the GP for free with Labor" promise throughout the campaign, including on his social media channels. "You just need your Medicare card not your credit card, because Labor created Medicare, we'll strengthen Medicare and we'll make sure that in the future, we get those bulk billing rates back up to 90 per cent," Mr Albanese said at the Sky News/The Daily Telegraph People's Forum earlier this month. However, there are doubts about the plan's effectiveness. "I'd like to see them actually talk to us and see how that's going to work. We're all private businesses," the GP said. "And they rely on us to keep people out of public hospitals. It's this constant stoush between the state and federal government with funding for health. "And they're relying on us to keep people out but they're not making any, I guess adequate promises that are actually going to work." Dr Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), last week warned expanding incentives would not necessarily result in wider access to bulk-billed consultations. "Patient rebates are still too low to cover the cost of care," he told Sky News. "Ultimately, we need to make sure GPs are enabled to deliver high-quality care that is sustainable and doesn't put unreasonable pressure on practitioners to see people quickly or make it harder for people to get more time with their GP. "More targeted funding to support people with chronic and complex conditions is still the most cost-effective way to improve Australia's healthcare system. The RACGP has instead called for a 25 per cent increase to patient rebates for mental health, which are one of the most common consults, and a 40 per cent increase to patient rebates for longer consults. The $8.5 billion bipartisan commitment has also drawn criticism from Morgan Begg, Director of Research at the Institute of Public Affairs for being too costly. He described the proposal as a "feel-good" political move that risks financial mismanagement. "The cost of seeing a GP is borne by taxpayers, and today, we are living through the fastest growth in government spending since the Whitlam era," he said. "We are facing a debt and budget crisis. Our political leaders need to be reining in government spending, which is at its highest levels as a percentage of GDP in 40 years outside the pandemic."
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dutton's election hopes hinge on $11.25bn vow
After an election start that was defined by a debate loss, more questions than answers, and a work-from-home policy backflip, Peter Dutton has hedged his re-election efforts on a $11.25bn cash splash to cajole critical undecided voters to the Coalition. Speaking to Liberal Party faithfuls, who included former Liberal prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, the Opposition Leader announced a major $10bn plan to give low and middle class income earners a one-off tax cut of $1200. Aussies earning between $48,000 to $104,000 will get the full $1200, about half of all taxpayers, however people earning up to $144,000 will benefit too. On Sunday, Mr Dutton argued Australians needed 'immediate cost-of-living relief,' shooting down Labor's two-year successive and permanent tax cuts which total to $268 in the first year and $536 in the second year. 'Anthony Albanese's plan is to spend $17bn of taxpayers' money to give you back 70 cents a day which you'll get – wait for it – in 15 months' time,' he said. 'Frankly, Dr Chalmers's so-called tax cut is insulting.' Although the spending does little to address Mr Dutton's other election platform – reducing government spending – he is wooing voters with, as he says, a plan 'to get the country out of Labor's cost-of-living crisis, permanently'. Another $1.25bn policy aimed at first home buyers would allow tax deduction on mortgage interest repayments for new homes, applicable on $650,000 of their loan, and for the first five years of their mortgage – a critical period borrowers tend to find most challenging. Singles earning up to $175,000 and joint applicants with a combined income of up to $250,000 will be able to partake, with a couple on average full-time earnings (about $196,000) set to recoup about $55,000 over five years, or $11,000 a year. The pledge was as much of a pitch to young voters, as well as aspirational middle-class families, with Mr Dutton promising to be the 'Prime Minister who restores the dream of home ownership,' a tagline that received raucous applause from his party allies. It competes with Labor's plan to spend $10bn to build 100,000 homes just for first-home buyers and open their co-ownership Help To Buy scheme to all Australians looking to get on the property ladder, regardless of income. Price limits will be extended on homes as well, with houses of up to $1m in Sydney eligible. For a Coalition ailing in the polls, the high-spending election pledges will hopefully reboot and kickstart their campaign. The result from Tuesday's Sky News and Daily Telegraph's People's Forum provides a strong clue into what prompted Mr Dutton's Sunday sugar hit. While both contenders performed well, a roomful of 100 undecided voters gave the debate to Anthony Albanese. The Prime Minister scored 44 votes, Mr Dutton 35, while 21 remained undecided. However, with polls tipping a minority government, it's telling even the victor failed to woo more than half the room, and it's the voters who have yet to make up their mind who will be key to the Coalition securing majority government. Heading into the election hump week is also YouGov polling released on Friday which found Labor had increased its lead against the Coalition 52.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, increasing its margin by 1.5 per cent. The result was Labor's best performance in 18 months, and surpassed the 2022 federal election results which secured them a majority government. Its primary vote also increased by 2 per cent to 32 per cent, while the Coalition dropped 1.5 per cent to 33.5 per cent. YouGov director of public data Paul Smith attributed the slump to its unpopular WFH policies and proposal to sack 41,000 public sector workers. 'The Coalition, which only in February was in a strong position to win government, is now struggling to hold onto the seats it won in 2022,' he said. The week to date: Dutton's week of difficult personal news Mr Dutton was also forced to contend with a family emergency after his father Bruce was rushed to hospital on Tuesday, just an hour before his debate with Mr Albanese. On Friday, Mr Dutton said his dad was 'on the mend' and should be discharged from hospital in the coming days. Speaking to 2GB on Thursday, he described his father as a stoic man. 'He was a great student of Churchill and of military history, and taught me from a very young age never to give in, and I've lived by that every day,' he said. 'I hope that I've been able to instil it into my children as well.' On Friday, The Australian also reported that Mr Dutton was the target of an alleged terror-bomb plot devised by a 16-year-old Brisbane school student. The teenager has since been charged and arrested. Speaking to reporters, Mr Dutton said 'my thoughts were always first in relation to my family' after the allegations were first detailed to him. And while Mr Dutton has retained an around-the-clock security detail since his days as home affairs minister, he acknowledged the impact on his family. 'That's been the case since I cancelled the visas of a lot bikies, rapists and organised crime figures and I wouldn't change that,' he said of his security. 'There's been an impact on my family but they've been stoic and have never complained about the security that's been around me and my family.' Coalition pedal to the metal on the fuel excise While near-daily fuel stops may be shelved for more spruiking of the $1200 tax cut and first-home buyer pledge in the coming weeks, halving the fuel excise has so far been the Coalition's most popular policy. Mr Dutton dutifully visited seven fuel stations across six states and territories (sorry Queensland and the ACT) in eight days. The near-daily trips revealed the prime ministerial hope's fondness for a crumbed sausage (his go-to servo snack) and a Peppermint Magnum – his ice cream of choice while campaigning in 33C degree weather in the Perth seat of Tangney. Howard Ong, the Liberal Party's pick to oust Labor's Sam Lim, a former dolphin trainer, was also on the trail and went for an Almond Magnum, just in case you're curious. The appearances have also allowed media to capture photo after photo of Mr Dutton promoting the Coalition's petrol policy which will effectively make fuel 25c a litre cheaper for households and businesses, andon average will save drivers about $750 per vehicle for the year that's it's implemented. Complementing the policy was also Mr Dutton's announcement that the Coalition government would repeal the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard which aims to incentivise cars which aims to incentives car manufacturers to bring more fuel-efficient and low, or zero emissions vehicles onto the market. The Opposition said the Labor policy would increase the cost of utes and 4WDs. As Coalition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie argued on Friday, it also '(taxes) Australians for that privilege and you shouldn't be expecting great companies like Toyota, Ford and other to be effectively subsidising Chinese EV manufacturers and Elon Musk'. Key policy questions remain Questions still remain around the Coalition's other policy areas, including its once keystone pledge to scrap 41,000 public sector jobs, after campaign spokesperson James Paterson said the Opposition's plan had always included voluntary redundancies. Interests were piqued by the claim, with the Coalition previously claiming the workforce reductions would be achieved through a hiring freeze and natural attrition. Just hours after Senator Paterson's early morning radio spot on Friday, Mr Dutton deflected questions from reporters trying to determine how much money had been budgeted for said redundancies and whether there was modelling around how many workers would take up the offer to flee the public service. Asked again he said: 'We have worked with the PBO (Parliamentary Budget Office) to look at where we can have an employment freeze and where we have a natural attrition that helps us achieve that'. Notably neither response included the word voluntary redundancies. As has been the pattern with the Coalition's policies, details are drip fed and at the time of their choosing. Case in point: The revelation this week that the push to get more gas into the grid, and away from international markets would lower gas bills by 7 per cent, and electricity bills by 3 per cent. While Mr Dutton said relief would start flowing by the end of the year, a question mark still looms over when the full benefit would be felt. With only three weeks to go before voters take to the ballot boxes on May 3, time is running out for the Opposition to provide the answers.
