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Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas

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Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas


Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Monday, directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target and arrest people trying to execute influence operations on behalf of the Chinese government to return dissidents to China.

Abbott’s action is in response to “Operation Fox Hunt,” a Chinese government initiative that is intended to root out corruption in that country but in practice has also been used to intimidate Chinese citizens living abroad, harass Chinese pro-democracy activists and even forcibly repatriate dissidents and government officials in some cases. The U.S. justice department has successfully prosecuted individuals in connection to the Chinese initiative.

“The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China,” Abbott said in a news release. “Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies.”

Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Conor Hagan, a spokesperson for the FBI office in Houston, said the agency has pushed a public campaign since January to stop the harassment, intimidation and assault of people in the United States by foreign governments. The FBI is looking for potential victims in the Houston area who have been harassed by agents of the Chinese government.

Hagan said the Chinese government has targeted its own citizens living within the United States as well as naturalized and U.S.-born citizens who have family overseas.

“Their actions violate U.S. law and our treasured American individual rights and freedoms,” Hagan wrote in an email.

The FBI office in Houston has set up a hotline for people who believe they are victims of these types of actions by the Chinese Communist Party: (713) 693-5000..

State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States applauded Abbott’s move Tuesday.

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“The ability to speak your mind and live freely are the core promises of the American Dream; and any who seek to take that away stand against Texas values,” Wu said.

Last year, Wu criticized Texas Republicans for pushing legislation that would ban citizens and foreign entities from countries including China from buying land in Texas. He urged Abbott to also support Chinese immigrants by opposing such legislation.

The Chinese government has set up “police service stations” across the world, according to Abbott’s executive order, and one such station was rumored to be in Houston.

“We will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party,” Abbott said.

Abbott charged DPS with identifying and charging people suspected of crimes related to Operation Fox Hunt; work with local and federal authorities to assess incidents where foreign governments are harassing Texans; provide policy recommendations on how to counter these threats and set up a hotline to reported suspected acts of coercion related to “Operation Fox Hunt.”

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On Thursday, Abbott issued a second executive order aimed at hardening the systems of state agencies and public higher education institutions from being accessed by hostile foreign nations.

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This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Texas Tribune.



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Lawyers for wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing Porsche into man on first date argue her designer heels caused deadly crash

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Lawyers for wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing Porsche into man on first date argue her designer heels caused deadly crash


The wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing into and killing a man on a first date while drunk and high claims her expensive high heels got stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche 911 Carrera.

Kristina Chambers, 34, went on trial Friday for manslaughter in connection with the April 2023 crash that killed 33-year-old Joseph McMullin as he and his date were leaving a Voodoo Doughnut shop in Houston.

Prosecutors allege Chambers had been bar-hopping with friends that night, was four times over the legal alcohol limit, and had small baggies of cocaine in her car and purse, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Kristina Chambers was charged with manslaughter in connection with the April 2023 crash that killed 33-year-old Joseph McMullin as he and his date were leaving a Voodoo Doughnut shop in Houston. Houston Police

But her attorney, Mark Thiessen, argued her designer shoes caused the fatal crash.

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Thiessen claims his clients expensive Christian Louboutin heels had gotten stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche as she drover down “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.”

However, prosecutors Andrew Figliuzzi refuted the argument to the jury — believing Chambers was “itching to show off her sports car” to her two friends inside the Porsche at the time of the fatal wreck.

About an hour after the crash, Chambers registered a blood alcohol level of .301, nearly four times the legal limit, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing medical records.

Audio tech Briana Iturrino, who was on a date with McMullin that night, told the court they’d just left Voodoo Doughnuts around 2:25 a.m. when she saw blinding headlights barreling straight at them.

Iturrino testified that she realized the speedy sports car — estimated to be traveling over 70 mph at the time of impact — was about to make a sharp turn directly toward them.

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Joseph McMullin was killed while on a first date in Houston.

In the blink of an eye, the Porsche whipped past, missing Iturrino by inches — and when she turned to shout a warning to McMullin, he had vanished.

“I thought he had gotten out of the way, because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said.

Iturrino said she felt something brush against her hip, which she first thought was the car, but later realized was McMullin being thrown about 30 feet as Chambers drove on and slammed into a pole.

She then called 911 and a dispatcher instructed her to perform CPR until paramedics arrived, but McMullin died at the scene.

Chambers and her two passengers were injured in the wreck.

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About an hour after the crash, Chambers registered a blood alcohol level of .301, nearly four times the legal limit, according to medical records. KHOU 11

The general manager of the nearby Slick Willie’s pool hall, Alfredo Ponce, also testified, telling the court he heard the crash and ran outside to help, the outlet reported.

“I’ve seen so many accidents on that road,” Ponce said. “Every time, I get out and help whoever needs help and is injured.”

Ponce testified that the crash was one of the worst he had seen and said when he reached the sports car to help those inside he remembered it reeked of alcohol. 

Chambers was charged with manslaughter in McMullin’s death. She has pleaded not guilty, with prosecutors alleging she was driving at an excessive speed and lost control of her vehicle.

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In the two years since her arrest, Chambers’ case has seen a string of legal battles.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by McMullin’s parents against Chambers in June 2023 remains pending.

The suit also partly blames Chambers’ former partner — hedge fund manager, Xuan Si, who filed for divorce from her just days after she was released on bail — for purchasing the luxury sports car just months before the fatal crash.

Chambers and her two passengers were injured in the wreck.

However, Si has denied purchasing the sports car for his ex-wife, claiming instead that she bought the car herself using cash from their joint account.

Si also denied that his wife had a drinking problem, and said he had never seen her consume drugs or drive drunk.

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Sebastian Lopez — a close friend who was riding with Chambers the night of the fatal crash — described her as an “alcoholic” in his deposition and claimed Si knew she regularly drank and did drugs.

He added that she’d driven drunk “a handful” of times, even after getting the luxury Porsche.

McMullins grieving parents are seeking over $1 million in compensation for their son’s death.

Lawyers in Chambers’ criminal trial have been forbidden from mentioning the explosive claims in the civil lawsuit, which is slated for an April court date.

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Texas Oil Men Catch the Buzz About New Nuclear Technology

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Texas Oil Men Catch the Buzz About New Nuclear Technology


Welcome to our guide to the commodities powering the global economy. Today, Will Wade looks at how soaring energy demand is making Texas excited about nuclear power.

Country music was playing during lunch as conference attendees wearing cowboy boots talked energy. But the chatter wasn’t about oil — all the buzz was for “electrons.”



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Here’s how to buy LSU vs. Texas A&M college football tickets

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Here’s how to buy LSU vs. Texas A&M college football tickets


There’s not many undefeated teams left at the top of the college football rankings, but Texas A&M is one of them. LSU will be looking for redemption when the Aggies roll into town, after losing to Vanderbilt and dropping nine spots in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Vanderbilt defeated LSU, nearly dropping the Tigers to sub-20 ranking. On the other hand, the Aggies have only faced one ranked opponent, squeaking by Notre Dame earlier in the season. Texas A&M is coming off a close win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Don’t miss this top-20 SEC matchup, tickets are available now.

Here’s everything you need to know to buy LSU vs. Texas A&M tickets:

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LSU vs. Texas A&M college football tickets

The LSU Tigers will host the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets are available now, starting at $117. For a slightly better view, tickets on the east or west sides are starting at $327.

LSU vs. Texas A&M game information



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