Taj Mahal earned over Rs 98 crore through ticket sales in FY24, Qutub Minar, Red Fort earned Rs…
This made it the highest-earning monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), according to government data shared in the Rajya Sabha.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s former aides win $6.6 million in whistleblower case
Paxton vowed to appeal the “bogus ruling” that found he improperly fired the four plaintiffs after they reported him to the FBI on allegations of corruption.
Trump touts airstrike on Houthis, showing video: Will ‘never sink our ships again’
Trump on Friday shared video of a recent airstrike on Houthi rebels, writing, “They will never sink our ships again.” “These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis! They will never sink our ships again!” The black and white aerial footage appeared to show a group assembling before a massive blast leaves nothing but a crater. The Trump administration has been conducting daily airstrikes on the Iranian-backed rebels for the last 20 days following renewed Houthi threats against Israeli vessels last month after Jerusalem cut off humanitarian aid headed for the Gaza Strip. IRANIAN-BACKED HOUTHIS SHOOT DOWN THIRD US REAPER DRONE AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES DAILY STRIKES Late last month, the group took responsibility for attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and several U.S. warships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have also shot down three U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones since March 3, sources previously told Fox News. The State Department put forward sanctions after the Houthis shot down the first Reaper in early March, and on Tuesday, the State Department announced sanctions on “financial facilitators, procurement operatives, and companies operating as part of a global illicit finance network supporting the Houthis.” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CBS’ “Face the Nation” late last month: “These guys are like al Qaeda or ISIS with advanced cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and some of the most sophisticated air defenses, all provided by Iran. Keeping the sea lanes open, keeping trade and commerce open, is a fundamental aspect of our national security.” AFTER DEBILITATING STRIKES, TRUMP TELLS HOUTHIS: STOP SHOOTING AT US AND ‘WE WILL STOP SHOOTING AT YOU’ On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Houthis have been “decimated by the relentless strikes over the past two weeks.” “Many of their Fighters and Leaders are no longer with us,” he continued. “We hit them every day and night — Harder and harder. Their capabilities that threaten Shipping and the Region are rapidly being destroyed. Our attacks will continue until they are no longer a threat to Freedom of Navigation. The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran.” The terrorist network, backed by Iran, began escalating its attacks on Western ships in the Red Sea following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Notably, security experts have pointed out the Houthi attacks are not indiscriminate as they do not routinely target Chinese or Saudi Arabian vessels. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump also issued a message to Iran on Monday and warned if the attacks do not stop, Washington will come for Tehran next. Fox News’ Rachel Wolf, Liz Friden, Caitlin McFall and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Sec Hegseth to visit Panama after Trump’s demands for canal’s return
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to meet with Panama leaders next week amid President Donald Trump‘s continued efforts to regain control of the key strategic and military resource. The Trump administration has been outspoken about national security threats presented by alleged Chinese interference. During a February visit to the country, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an X post that “the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area.” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed on Friday the secretary of defense will attend the 2025 Central American Security Conference, participating in discussions that will “drive ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S.’s partnerships with Panama and other Central American nations,” according to a report from the Associated Press. PANAMA DENIES STATE DEPT CLAIM THAT IT IS ELIMINATING FEES FOR US GOV VESSELS USING CANAL The president, who has criticized the six-figure premiums imposed on U.S. ships traveling along the vital waterway, previously suggested repurchasing the canal. It was built by the U.S. over the span of multiple decades, but was eventually handed over to Panama during the Carter administration. The “Panama Canal Repurchase Act,” a bill that was recently introduced in Congress, would give Trump the authority to negotiate with appropriate Panamanian government officials to reacquire the Panama Canal. CHINA, HONG KONG THREATEN TO THWART SALE OF PANAMA CANAL PORTS TO AMERICA’S BLACKROCK Panama President José Raúl Mulino previously said China does not have influence over the canal and accused Trump of “lying” about potentially acquiring it, according to the AP. BlackRock, Inc. later announced a $23 billion deal with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson to take ownership of the Panamanian ports of Cristobal and Balboa, along with 43 ports in 23 other countries, Fox News Digital previously reported. The canal could be used as leverage for China in U.S. tariff negotiations. Hegseth will also visit Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to meet with military members and leadership at the 7th Special Forces Group, according to the AP. Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
GOP’s Kennedy compares dire Trump tariff predictions to ‘late-night psychic hotlines’
While senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., cited economists’ projections that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will cost American families an extra $5,000 per year, GOP Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., insisted, “We don’t know,” suggesting those who claim they do are making fools of themselves. “I followed what all these economists are saying. Most of them make these late-night psychic hotlines look respectable,” Kennedy told Fox News Digital at the Capitol. “They don’t know any more than anybody else. We’re in uncharted waters here.” According to Schumer and Luján, Americans can likely expect to see costs rise enough to equate to a $5,000 per year tax on American families. STEPHEN MILLER SAYS AMERICANS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW ‘BADLY’ WE’VE BEEN RIPPED OFF AS A COUNTRY “When the average American family sits down and tries to figure out how they’re going to pay for things, and they hear they may pay $5,000 more than they’ve had to pay before — and they may not be able to buy a new car, they may not be able to support that new drug that grandma needs, they may not be able to take that vacation they were planning for a year — they’re going to be outraged,” Schumer told reporters. “It’s a huge tax on American families. All – all – to help billionaires get a tax cut.” Luján seconded the sentiment from Schumer, pointing to the economists that Kennedy blasted as less respectable than a “late-night psychic hotline.” TRUMP’S CHINA TARIFFS FACE LEGAL CHALLENGE FROM CONSERVATIVE GROUP CALLING THEM ‘UNLAWFUL’ “There’s no question that the American people are the ones that are going to be paying the brunt of this,” Luján argued. “The actuaries that have been putting out reports and other economists are suggesting that this is going to be a national sales tax on the American people of about 5,000 bucks year. That’s just not right. “If the president would be open to using targeted tariffs as a tool — something that I’m open to and I think others are — that’s one thing,” Luján added. “But when he’s arbitrarily just going across the board and trying to slap on numbers … I’m very concerned for my constituents that are going to be paying out of pocket.” Kennedy argued such projections had no basis in fact. “The truth is we don’t know. These economists don’t know,” Kennedy insisted. “These are uncharted waters. We’ve not had these kind of tariffs in a long time. It may be a net positive. President Trump implemented tariffs in his first term. Didn’t seem to hurt the economy. It could be a negative. All I’m saying is that in Washington, D.C., for every economist, there’s an equal and opposite economist, and they’re usually both wrong.”
Dem prosecutor lets off illegal immigrant charged with strangulation, kidnapping
A Democratic prosecutor in Fairfax County, Virginia, dropped a felony charge against a twice-deported illegal immigrant charged with strangulation and kidnapping, cutting a plea deal that let him off with a misdemeanor. According to local outlet ABC7 News, Democrat Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano advertises on his website that “wherever possible, Steve will make charging and plea decisions that limit or avoid immigration consequences.” Guatemalan national Wilmer Osmany Ramos Giron was facing 360 days in prison for a felony charge involving abduction by force, strangulation and assault on a family member. Ramos Giron was accused of assaulting his ex-wife during an argument. According to the victim’s testimony and court documents, Ramos Giron allegedly took his ex-wife’s keys, keeping her from leaving; placed two hands on her throat, impeding her breathing; and brandished a knife over her legs. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT, 21, KILLED IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH INVOLVING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT: DHS After the incident, the victim filed for an emergency protective order against Ramos Giron, which was granted. Despite this, Descano’s office dropped the felony charge against Ramos Giron and allowed him to plead guilty to brandishing a blade, a misdemeanor. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE According to a statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ramos Giron is in the country illegally after previously being deported twice. The ICE statement said Ramos Giron has a prior federal conviction for a gun crime and has an ICE detainer filed against him. Descano’s move has been harshly criticized by other local leaders who say he is contributing to a two-tiered justice system in favor of illegal immigrants. TOM HOMAN: PEOPLE WHO TERRORIZE MY FAMILY WILL BE ‘HELD ACCOUNTABLE’ Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, slammed Descano, saying, “If someone’s here illegally and they have committed a violent crime, or they’re a drug dealer and you can pick them up on an illegal weapons charge, you shouldn’t treat them more leniently than you would an actual U.S. citizen. “He is willing to treat those that have broken our laws and come here illegally and give them a lenient sentence or plea deal than somebody that’s actually a legal citizen of the United States,” said Miyares. “That’s unconscionable to me that someone would think that is in some way protecting our community.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fairfax County Criminal Justice Advisory Board member Sean Kennedy also commented on the case, saying, “It’s appalling that Fairfax’s prosecutor would protect and abet this dangerous, violent offender precisely because he is illegally present. “How does breaking one set of laws provide you immunity to break more? It shouldn’t, but it does in Fairfax’s two-tier justice system.”
DOGE says GSA saving $1M by converting decades-old information storage technology to digital records
The U.S. General Services Administration has saved $1 million by converting decades-old information storage technology, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said Friday. In a post on X, DOGE said that the agency, which supplies office space, transportation and other basic services to federal agencies, saved money by converting 14,000 magnetic tapes to permanent modern digital records. The move is part of the Elon Musk-led group’s mission to get rid of wasteful government spending. MUSK NOT LEAVING YET, WRAPPING UP WORK ON SCHEDULE ONCE ‘INCREDIBLE WORK AT DOGE IS COMPLETE’: WHITE HOUSE Earlier this week, the group said The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a month for website changes before canceling the contract and having an internal staffer take over. While combing through loads and loads of data, DOGE discovered a previous contract by the VA for its website maintenance. JD VANCE FIRES BACK AT CRITICS OF TRUMP TARIFFS, ADDRESSES ELON MUSK’S DOGE FUTURE “Good work by @DeptVetAffairs,” DOGE said in an X post on Wednesday. “VA was previously paying ~$380,000/month for minor website modifications. That contract has not been renewed, and the same work is now being executed by 1 internal VA software engineer spending ~10 hours/week.” GAS said on Thursday it will save $4.5 million by “optimizing leases & reducing our footprint” with less unused office space. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Smart moves like this mean more efficiency & better spaces for agencies to deliver for the American people,” a GSA post on X states. Fox News Digital has reached out to the GSA, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
Senate kicks off all-night ‘vote-a-rama’ as Democrats plan to press GOP on Trump, DOGE
The Senate kicked off a marathon vote series on Friday night, which Republicans need to get through in order to approve their changes to the House’s plan for President Donald Trump’s budget. The endless amendment votes began after nearly a day of debate concluded. Republicans passed a key motion on Thursday to begin the process, which will end with a vote on their adjustments to the House GOP’s budget. DEM SENATOR LOOKS TO HIJACK KEY TRUMP BUDGET PROCESS WITH TARIFF CHALLENGE During the “vote-a-rama,” senators of both parties are able to introduce an unlimited number of amendments, and many are expected to get floor votes. Democrats are planning to use the marathon of votes as an opportunity to force Republicans to go on record on Trump’s tariffs and the actions of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). REPUBLICANS CHARGE AHEAD ON TRUMP BUDGET, SETTING UP MARATHON SENATE VOTES On Thursday, the Senate agreed on a motion to proceed by a vote of 52 to 48, along party lines. The only exception was Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who voted against it. He has notably criticized the budget amendment’s provision on the debt ceiling, which would raise it by up to $5 trillion. During the last such series in February, the Senate voted for about 10 hours, into the early morning. The budget they passed was the Senate GOP’s preferred strategy of having two budget reconciliation resolutions for the border and extending Trump’s tax cuts. TED CRUZ CLASHES WITH KEY DEMOCRAT OVER ‘SECOND PHASE OF LAWFARE’ THROUGH FEDERAL JUDGES’ ORDERS But the House’s plan to address both in one bill ultimately won out after getting Trump’s blessing. It’s unclear how long the voting will last, as it depends on how many amendments get votes and when Democrat and Republican leadership in the Senate come to a time agreement. GOP DEFECTORS HELP SENATE ADVANCE RESOLUTION TO CANCEL TRUMP TARIFFS DESPITE WHITE HOUSE VETO WARNING When the voting series ends, a final vote will take place to approve the Senate amendment to the House’s budget. If this passes, it will still need to return to the lower chamber before taking effect. In addition to raising the debt ceiling, and in doing so taking leverage away from the Senate Democrats, the Senate budget amendment makes Trump’s tax cuts permanent by what’s known as a current policy baseline, determined by Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Cruz says a trade war would cost jobs, spur prices and be terrible for Texas
The Texas senator also highlights a potential “upside,” saying the Trump tariffs could entice other countries to negotiate lower trade barriers.
IRS cutting its workforce by 25%, eliminating agency’s civil rights office
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will slash its workforce by at least 25% beginning Friday with layoffs as the Trump administration continues to shrink the size of the federal government. In addition to the layoffs, the agency said in a letter to employees that it is eliminating its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, which is responsible for protecting taxpayers from discrimination, audits and investigations. The remaining employees in the division will be transferred to other departments. “In a stark contrast to the previous administration’s wildly unpopular plan to hire thousands of additional IRS agents, President Trump is focused on saving tax dollars, eliminating bloat, axing useless DEI offices, and increasing the agency’s efficiency,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said to Fox News Digital. TRUMP FLOATS GUTTING THE IRS, MOVING AGENTS TO THE BORDER ARMED WITH GUNS “This action is being taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS in accordance with agency priorities and the Workforce Optimization Initiative outlined in a recent Executive Order,” the letter states, referring to President Donald Trump‘s executive order directing the Department of Government Efficiency to get rid of wasteful spending. The agency said it was approved to offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP). Information about those programs will be shared with employees at a later date, the message said. TRUMP VOWS TO DELIVER ON ‘NO TAX ON TIPS’ CAMPAIGN PROMISE DURING LAS VEGAS SPEECH: ‘100% YOURS’ “This calendar year to date, approximately 5% of this office left through the Deferred Resignation Program and attrition,” the message said. “An additional 75% of the office will be reduced through a RIF (Reduction in Force).” A Treasury Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the reductions are part of, and driven by, “process improvements and technological innovations that will allow the IRS to collect revenue and serve taxpayers more effectively.” “The roll back of wasteful Biden-era hiring surges, and consolidation of critical support functions are vital to improve both efficiency and quality of service,” the spokesperson said. “The Secretary is committed to ensuring that efficiency is realized while providing the collections, privacy, and customer service the American people deserve.” The layoffs were expected, as the agency announced in February its intention to slash nearly 7,000 probationary workers in Washington, D.C. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Those employees have since been reinstated by a court order. The IRS has roughly 90,000 employees in total across the United States, according to the latest IRS data.