Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How Azam Khan forced SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to give ticket to Ruchi Veera from Moradabad
Samajwadi Party leader Ruchi Vira files her nomination from the Moradabad constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls
Board approves first-of-its-kind NYC traffic pricing program as Democratic lawmaker vows to sue
New York’s Metro Transportation Authority (MTA) voted to impose a first-in-the-nation traffic congestion pricing program on Wednesday. The MTA will now charge $15 for vehicles driving in certain areas of the city. The move, which passed on an 11-1 vote, outraged Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., who argues the new policy is nothing more than a “cash grab.” “Today’s vote was just a rubber stamp on the MTA’s unprecedented cash grab. It just proves what we knew all along — the MTA doesn’t care about less traffic, helping the environment, or supporting families. They will do anything to cover their historic mismanagement — and the billions of dollars they bleed out every year. Today, they ignored the voices of tens of thousands of families who begged them to do the right thing,” Gottheimer said in a Wednesday statement. “From the NAACP to nurses to teachers to law enforcement to small businesses, families from across the Tri-state area have spoken in unison: please don’t raise our taxes. Please don’t pollute our children. Please don’t force through the Congestion Tax. MTA CEO Janno Lieber and the MTA had one response: go fly a kite. Well, Janno, we’re not backing down. Buckle up for the lawsuits and the public outrage, because no one messes with Jersey,” he added. BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS NYPD OFFICERS SPRING INTO ACTION TO PULL MAN FROM SUBWAY TRACKS Protesters attending Wednesday’s meeting shouted down proceedings just prior to the vote, demanding that the MTA at least create exemptions for yellow cab drivers, according to ABC News. NEW YORKERS RAIL ON LOSING BATTLE AGAINST CRIME AFTER GOV. HOCHUL DISPATCHES NATIONAL GUARD The MTA hailed Wednesday’s vote as “historic” in a statement on social media, arguing the plan will “reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, reduce pollution, and provide critical funding for transit improvements.” “The vote follows an extensive outreach period—with tens of thousands of people weighing in through comments and at public hearings—and the FHWA’s Finding of No Significant Impact. We are grateful to those who took the time to share their views,” the MTA added. The MTA crackdown on private vehicles comes as the city has struggled to ensure the safety of its public transportation systems. The New York National Guard were called in to monitor subway stations earlier this month as a surge in crime threatened commuters. NYPD OFFICER SHOT, KILLED DURING CAR STOP IN QUEENS BY SUSPECT WITH MULTIPLE PRIOR ARRESTS: POLICE On Monday, a deranged criminal with a long rap sheet shoved a 54-year-old man onto the tracks in Harlem, with the victim then being struck by an oncoming train, according to police. There were also three stabbings across the subway system on the same day. New York City also deployed 800 additional police officers to patrol the subway system, even after the boost in security from the National Guard. Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report
Board approves first-of-its-kind NYC traffic pricing program as GOP lawmaker vows to sue
New York’s Metro Transportation Authority (MTA) voted to impose a first-in-the-nation traffic congestion pricing program on Wednesday. The MTA will now charge $15 for vehicles driving in certain areas of the city. The move, which passed on an 11-1 vote, outraged Rep. Josh Gottheimer, R-N.J., who argues the new policy is nothing more than a “cash grab.” “Today’s vote was just a rubber stamp on the MTA’s unprecedented cash grab. It just proves what we knew all along — the MTA doesn’t care about less traffic, helping the environment, or supporting families. They will do anything to cover their historic mismanagement — and the billions of dollars they bleed out every year. Today, they ignored the voices of tens of thousands of families who begged them to do the right thing,” Gottheimer said in a Wednesday statement. “From the NAACP to nurses to teachers to law enforcement to small businesses, families from across the Tri-state area have spoken in unison: please don’t raise our taxes. Please don’t pollute our children. Please don’t force through the Congestion Tax. MTA CEO Janno Lieber and the MTA had one response: go fly a kite. Well, Janno, we’re not backing down. Buckle up for the lawsuits and the public outrage, because no one messes with Jersey,” he added. BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS NYPD OFFICERS SPRING INTO ACTION TO PULL MAN FROM SUBWAY TRACKS Protesters attending Wednesday’s meeting shouted down proceedings just prior to the vote, demanding that the MTA at least create exemptions for yellow cab drivers, according to ABC News. NEW YORKERS RAIL ON LOSING BATTLE AGAINST CRIME AFTER GOV. HOCHUL DISPATCHES NATIONAL GUARD The MTA hailed Wednesday’s vote as “historic” in a statement on social media, arguing the plan will “reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, reduce pollution, and provide critical funding for transit improvements.” “The vote follows an extensive outreach period—with tens of thousands of people weighing in through comments and at public hearings—and the FHWA’s Finding of No Significant Impact. We are grateful to those who took the time to share their views,” the MTA added. The MTA crackdown on private vehicles comes as the city has struggled to ensure the safety of its public transportation systems. The New York National Guard were called in to monitor subway stations earlier this month as a surge in crime threatened commuters. NYPD OFFICER SHOT, KILLED DURING CAR STOP IN QUEENS BY SUSPECT WITH MULTIPLE PRIOR ARRESTS: POLICE On Monday, a deranged criminal with a long rap sheet shoved a 54-year-old man onto the tracks in Harlem, with the victim then being struck by an oncoming train, according to police. There were also three stabbings across the subway system on the same day. New York City also deployed 800 additional police officers to patrol the subway system, even after the boost in security from the National Guard. Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report
As Texas students clash over Israel-Hamas war, Gov. Greg Abbott orders colleges to revise free speech policies
The governor singled out pro-Palestine groups and said they should be subject to discipline.
South Carolina found a state bank account with $1.8B, but they have no idea what it’s for
Lawmakers in South Carolina are trying to untangle a state bank account that inexplicably holds $1.8 billion, with officials saying they do not know where it came from or what it was intended to fund. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster assured the public on Tuesday that “no money was lost.” The bank account seems to be the result of ongoing accounting troubles for the state arising from a computer system transition in the late 2010s. The South Carolina Senate has established a panel to investigate the funds. Leading the effort is Republican state Sen. Larry Grooms, who likened the situation to “going into your bank and the bank president tells you we have a lot of money in our vault, but we just don’t know who it belongs to.” Investigative accountants are still trying to untangle the mess, but it appears that every time the state’s books were out of whack, money was shifted from somewhere into an account that helped balance it out, according to lawmakers. EDUCATION VOUCHER EXPANSION PASSES SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE, BUT CHANCES IN SENATE ARE UNCERTAIN Republican Treasurer Curtis Loftis has failed to provide answers regarding the cash, saying only that he succeeded in accruing some $200 million in interest for the state. He argues the lack of information regarding where the money is supposed to go is the fault of the comptroller general, Brian Gaines. SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO WEIGH HOUSE-APPROVED $13.2 BILLION BUDGET Loftis argued earlier this month that Gaines “is attempting to shift responsibility to clean up its mess to the Treasurer.” Both Loftis and Gaines have been summoned to appear before Grooms’ panel. Grooms noted Gaines has responded to every question posed by lawmakers so far in the investigation, while Loftis has not. Gov. McMaster says the state will hold off on any plans to spend the $1.8 billion until it can verify whether it was intended to be spent elsewhere. “That’s a lot of money and there is no need to hurry up and try to spend it,” McMaster said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Key battleground state Dem announcement stuns political world: ‘Big surprise’
CONCORD, N.H. – In a surprise announcement, longtime Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire says she won’t seek re-election to the House of Representatives this year. “I always said I was not going to stay in Congress forever – I will not be seeking re-election in 2024,” the six-term representative in the key general election battleground state said in a statement released on Wednesday. Kuster, an attorney and lobbyist with clients in the health care and pharmaceutical industry before winning election to the House in 2012, highlighted that her tenure in Congress “has been many things – rewarding, frustrating, inspiring, and challenging. But, more than anything, it has been an honor.” HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE 2024 ELECTIONS During her years on Capitol Hill, Kuster became known for working across the aisle on key issues, and for her openness in sharing personal experiences, including that she was a survivor of sexual assault during her youth. Kuster’s announcement ignited surprised reactions across the political sphere and the media Wednesday morning on social media. “Wow. I think Kuster might be the last member still in office who I helped get elected when I worked at the DCCC in 2012,” Josh Schwerin, a longtime Democratic political operative, posted on X. “Wow!” Michael LaRosa, a former spokesman for first lady Jill Biden, posted on X. “Big surprise out of New Hampshire this morning – Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster won’t seek reelection, opening up NH-02,” one Politico reporter posted on X. “Wow. Rep. Kuster is Chair of New Dems, one of the largest Democratic caucuses in the House,” an AP reporter posted on X. “The number of retirements in the House just continues to multiply.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., praised Kuster as a “friend of mine” and said she “has been a tremendous source of strength to me and countless others in the House Democratic Caucus family.” “She will be sorely missed in the next Congress. I wish her and her family the best in this new chapter,” he added. Kuster represents New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers the western half of the state from the border with Massachusetts north to the border with Canada. Concord and many of the surrounding communities are represented by Kuster. It’s likely several Democrats will step forward in the days and weeks ahead to try and succeed Kuster in a district that leans blue. Kuster may play a key role in the battle to succeed her, but she steered clear of such discussion in her statement. “I will continue serving the people of New Hampshire until the end of my term in January 2025. In the months ahead, I will use my time to help Congress build on the progress we have made and finish the job for the American people,” Kuster said. Republicans aim to defend their razor-thin House majority in November’s elections. The GOP currently holds a 218-213 majority in the House of Representatives. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Fetterman charts a different path, breaks with fellow Democrats in the Senate
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., cuts a different figure in the U.S. Senate. And we’re not referring to his hulking, 6-foot-7, nose tackle frame. Or Fetterman’s signature, ever-present hoodie. We’re talking about Fetterman crafting a distinct image in the Senate. Not a “progressive,” as most voters thought. A Democrat who is willing to endorse most of H.R. 2, the House’s strict border control bill. A Democrat who opposes the left wing of his party when it comes to Israel and Hamas. And a senator who, unlike most of his Democratic colleagues, skewers indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. – in the most frank terms. “A real sleazeball,” said Fetterman of Menendez. CONGRESS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY SPENDING MEASURE TO REPLACE BALTIMORE BRIDGE AFTER COLLAPSE After his stroke, Fetterman struggled to process audio and words. He now uses an app that presents the exact words you are saying to him on his phone. The app then also shows the words Fetterman speaks. The captions help Fetterman take part in conversations and understand what is being said around him. Fox News had the chance to sit down with Fetterman for an interview. The exchange has been lightly edited for context and clarity. Chad Pergram: In your short period of time in the Senate, you have sometimes plowed a different road than some of your Democratic colleagues on different issues. Talk about how you arrived at those decisions that differ from what some people expected from you politically when you came to the Senate. Fetterman: I know that some people were caught by surprise. And, you know, even when I just said, you know, in passing that I’m not a progressive, I’ve been saying that for years, actually. I’ve just really been committed to really being on what I thought it was like the right side on these things. And no, maybe politically it might be less popular with our base. Pergram: It kind of seemed like, when we saw the change, when you and I first talked, it was on the border and border security. That was something that you differed from some of your Democratic colleagues. Fetterman: When you started just following the numbers that are coming again and then when you’ve reached 200,000 or 250,000 folks that are encountered at the border – I mean that’s astonishing. And then just putting that in the context of Pennsylvania. I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. That’s nearly the size of Pittsburgh.’ And that’s our second-largest city. You can be very pro-immigration, but also demand and require that we have a secure border there as well too. I don’t know why that’s really controversial for a Democrat or any American to be pro-immigration. Pergram: Another area where you differed was on the Middle East. And just the other day, I guess you talked to some of the Republicans saying, could you sit in on the meeting when they had a virtual meeting with (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu? Who did you approach on that? What did they say? Fetterman: I was very disappointed that our caucus didn’t have the opportunity to do that. I really wanted to hear from Netanyahu. In fact, I even asked the Republicans, you know, back channels, like, ‘Hey, can I just sit there? And I don’t even have to (ask) any questions.’ And I’ve always been incredibly surprised why we’re not talking about where this was because of Hamas and the things that they’ve done. And that why there isn’t a protest kind of a surge to demand that Hamas surrender on this. If you really want to end all of the misery and the death and the destruction – if they would just surrender, it would end tomorrow. Release everybody (the hostages). Send them home. And that’s been very frustrating. And then we’re talking about now there’s 31,000 Palestinians that were were killed. And what you’re not talking about (is) 13,000 or more are actually Hamas fighters on that. So why aren’t you breaking that out as well too? And then if you do and talk about the casualty ratio, it’s actually very clear that this isn’t a genocide or that the Israelis are targeting civilians. In fact, the only ones that target civilians? That’s Hamas. Pergram: Here’s a name and I want you to respond: Bob Menendez. Fetterman: At this point, it’s almost moot. His trial is in less than two months from now and that’s going to address that. I can’t imagine how with the kinds of evidence. I also remind everybody to remember that this is his second trip to the prom. You know, he barely just got out from that. And now he’s been credibly accused of being a foreign agent for three nations. In fact, two of them are critical and negotiation partners in the Gaza situation with Hamas. And how is this individual allowed to attend classified briefings on that? It’s astonishing. And it’s been frustrating where someone’s more concerned that I could wear a hoodie (in the Senate). That’s why this seems to be more urgent. Making sure that the Senate reputation isn’t damaged. Pergram: Why do you think that members have kind of not called for him to be expelled or gone as far as you? You’ve been the most outspoken person when it comes to Menendez. Fetterman: I don’t know. But what I can say is that (former Rep. George) Santos, R-N.Y., was expelled and Republicans did the right thing on that. That actually cost them a seat. So I thought that was a principled stand. Pergram: When you came into the Senate, you had the health issues on the campaign trail. Then you were hospitalized for a while. Talk about the challenges that posed as you were trying to represent the people of Pennsylvania, take on this new job understanding the folkways of the Senate. That’s a lot. Fetterman: Those health issues (were) weaponized and it was categorized as something that really (wasn’t) actually true. We’re having a
ACLU sues Ohio over law banning minors from puberty blockers, hormone replacement
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the state of Ohio for a law slated to take effect next month that bars gender transition surgeries and hormone blockers for minors. The lawsuit — filed by the ACLU and global law firm Goodwin against Ohio State Attorney General Dave Yost and the state’s medical board — is on behalf of two 12-year-old transgender girls and their families who are asking the court to block the law from being enacted on April 24. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Yost, a Republican, said his office is prepared to defend the law. “We protect children with various restrictions that do not apply to adults — from signing legal contracts to buying alcohol and tobacco and more,” Yost said. “As I promised during the veto override, my office will defend this constitutional statute.” VIRGINIA COUNTY DECLARES TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY ON EASTER THIS YEAR The state’s medical board told Fox News Digital it does not comment on pending litigation. The law, passed as House Bill 68, will also ban biological men who identify as transgender women from participating in women’s sports. Ohio Republicans overrode Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of the bill in January. Freda Levenson, a legal director at the ACLU, said in a statement that the ban on “gender-affirming” procedures and treatments “will cause severe harm to transgender youth.” “These personal, private medical decisions should remain between families and doctors; they don’t belong to politicians,” Levenson said. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges the bill is “unconstitutional” because it combines two bills and violates the single-subject rule in the state’s constitution, since the first part would bar transgender women from participating in women’s sports, and the second would ban physicians from carrying out gender transition surgeries or providing puberty blockers to minors. MAINE CONSIDERS BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH ‘LEGAL RIGHT’ TO ABORTION, TRANSGENDER SURGICAL PROCEDURES The ACLU further argues that preventing these “medically necessary” procedures will cause kids with gender dysphoria to suffer, and also violates their rights under the state’s equal protection clause. “Treatment with gender affirming hormone therapy is demonstrated to result in improvement in symptoms of gender dysphoria, depression, and anxiety in transgender youth, as well as improved psychological functioning among transgender young adults who receive treatment for gender dysphoria,” the lawsuit states. “In the absence of intervention, distressing physical changes of puberty will progress,” it continued. “To not intervene, when gender-affirming medical care is indicated, thus causes significant harm to the patient in the form of increasing gender dysphoria associated with the development of secondary sex characteristics that do not match the person’s gender identity.” NEBRASKA GOVERNOR TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS ON GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR MINORS In December, DeWine vetoed the bill, arguing it was about “protecting human life.” Before the veto, DeWine spoke with healthcare professionals — all of whom support puberty blockers for minors — as well as families with transgender children. “I have also been told, by those that are now grown adults, that but for this care, they would have taken their lives when they were teenagers,” DeWine said at the time. “Parents are making decisions about the most precious thing in their life, their child, and none of us should underestimate the gravity and the difficulty of those decisions.” More conservative states have begun ramping up laws restricting both surgical and hormone blockers for minors. States such as Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida have gone a step further to criminalize such procedures, deeming it a felony to perform sex change surgeries on minors or provide them with any hormone-altering treatments. Meanwhile, several more liberal states have created “shield laws” that protect these procedures and gender-transition drugs for transgender people and children. Those states include California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland, Illinois and Massachusetts.
Meet woman who was married at 8, became a scholar without attending school, spent over a year in jail due to…
Ponaka Kanakamma was a social worker, activist and freedom fighter, who was imprisoned for over a year, as a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, in India.
Biden Cabinet secretary latest official to be targeted by protesters’ manure dump: ‘You ain’t s—‘
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was a victim of a manure dump outside his Washington, D.C., home on Monday that ultimately led to a bomb squad response. However, it turns out he was not the only Biden administration official who had fallen victim to the foul stunt. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was also targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters who poured a “significant heap of manure” in front of his Virginia residence, Politico reported. BIDEN ADVISER’S HOME TARGETED WITH MANURE, PROMPTING BOMB-SQUAD CALL A video of the incident posted online shows a small congregation of protesters outside of Austin’s home chanting, “Austin, Austin, you ain’t s—, we’ll keep fighting until you quit” and “Austin, Austin, rise and shine, occupation is a crime!” The event reportedly occurred around the same time as the stunt outside Sullivan’s house. A law enforcement official told Politico on Monday that a suspect tossed a “small amount” of manure from a car window, which led to a quick response from the Secret Service and Washington, D.C., police with a bomb squad. The video, however, also shows the pro-Palestinian protesters outside of Sullivan’s home. “Sullivan, Sullivan, you can’t hide, you’re committing genocide!” they chanted. SULLIVAN RIPS REPORTER’S QUESTION ON BIDEN SWEARING AS ASKING ‘WHEN DID YOU STOP BEATING YOUR SPOUSE?’ Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told the New York Post that the Sullivan incident is currently under investigation. Last April, Sullivan also dealt with a dazed and intoxicated man who wandered into his house in the middle of the night in what the New York Post called a “stunning security breach.” Sullivan told the man to leave and alerted his Secret Service detail about what had transpired after he exited his house. The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Lloyd incident.