Kolkata Warehouse Fire Tragedy: 7 dead, 21 missing in Anandapur blaze; rescue operation underway
According to reports, the fire broke out around 2.30 am at the warehouse in Nazirabad, where 25 people had stayed overnight inside the decorators’ unit, while three others were in the momo factory.
Delhi-NCR weather: Rain, gusty winds lash city, AQI remains poor; check IMD forecast
Delhi-NCR on Tuesday morning experienced light rainfall accompanied by a thin layer of smog that covered parts of the area, registering a ‘poor’ Air Quality Index (AQI) of 294, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). During the early hours, the India Gate and Kartavya Path witnessed smog settling over the area.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants Texas universities, schools to disclose information on H-1B visa hirings
The Texas governor expects an action plan later this week, saying he doesn’t see “any reason” visa holders should be employed in schools.
GOP Sen. Cruz, Rep. McCaul call for investigation after federal agents fatally shoot man in Minneapolis
Other Texas Republicans have called for the Trump administration to double down on sending immigration officers to Minnesota and blamed Democrats for the violence, while others have remained silent.
Steelworkers union leader emerges as sleeper in Texas’ Democratic lieutenant governor primary
Facing state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, Marcos Vélez has landed the Texas AFL-CIO’s endorsement and support from a donor trail that leads back to the state party’s top campaign partner.
Judge orders early voting in Houston congressional election extended after winter storm disruptions
Harris County must extend early voting to Wednesday and Thursday for the 18th Congressional District runoff after polling locations closed for the winter storm.
Plane tied to prominent Houston law firm crashes in Maine, killing six
Officials have yet to identify any of the six victims of the crash. The law firm’s PAC has donated to lawmakers fighting tort reform.
Mamdani’s early moves as mayor clash with affordability pledge: ‘Ripple effects are significant’
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ran on a message of making the Big Apple more affordable for everyday Americans, but some of his actions in the first few weeks of his tenure have served to undercut that reality. In the early days of his time as mayor, Mamdani has already shown a penchant for vehemently defending low-wage, unskilled delivery-app workers in a manner that industry executives and business experts think will hit consumers’ pocketbooks. He sued a delivery app startup earlier this month for allegedly violating the city’s worker-rights laws, and warned the broader range of delivery app companies operating in the city to abide by ramped up worker rights being imposed at the end of the month, or else. At a press conference announcing the lawsuit and accompanying demand letters issued to delivery app companies warning them to follow the updated worker protections, Mamdani also accused the delivery-app startup, MotoClick, of stealing workers’ tips. Among the reforms Mamdani has signaled he plans to vigorously enforce is a mandated tipping framework that estimates show could push more than half-a-billion in additional costs on consumers annually. The updated protections will also add more delivery-app companies, such as those that deliver groceries, to the list that must follow the delivery-app worker rights laws, including a mandated minimum wage higher than what some emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in the city make. ‘ZOHRANOMICS’: NYC MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S SOCIALIST MATH DOESN’T ADD UP “We know affordability is not just about the cost of goods — it’s about the dignity of work,” Mamdani’s Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Sam Levine told companies including DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber. “Today’s lawsuit against Motoclick is not just an action against one company, it’s a warning to every app-based company from this Administration. You cannot treat workers like they are expendable and get away with it. We will seek full back pay and damages. We will seek full accountability.” Mamdani pointed to a recent report put out by Levine, which showed disobeying city mandates going into effect later this month, requiring apps to give the opportunity for customers to tip before or at the same time that an order has been placed, significantly impacts the amount of incoming tip revenue. Levine’s report that Mamdani touted estimates alternative tipping frameworks, such as only allowing tips upon completion of a delivery, have altered tipping revenue by an estimated $550 million per year. Mamdani also stood by in tacit agreement during the press conference as delivery-app worker advocates called for an increase to their already mandated minimum wage they have that is approximately $4.50 higher for delivery-app drivers than the city’s base minimum wage of $17 per hour. The workers said they wanted a mandate that they get paid $35 per hour, to which Mamdani replied: “closed mouths don’t get fed.” Mamdani campaigned on raising the base minimum wage to $30 per hour for all New Yorkers by 2030. Meanwhile, his eager enforcement to protect delivery-app drivers will include making sure a wider breadth of delivery-app companies, such as those who deliver groceries like InstaCart and Shipt, abide by New York City’s extended minimum wage laws for their workers – plus the other mandates related to the tipping structure and more. DCWP has indicated plans to set a minimum pay rate for all delivery apps by early 2027. HOURS AFTER TAKING OFFICE, NYC MAYOR MAMDANI TARGETS LANDLORDS, MOVES TO INTERVENE IN PRIVATE BANKRUPTCY CASE “The challenges facing delivery workers, small businesses, and consumers are real, and deeply interconnected. That’s why this issue cannot be reduced to a single policy lever or viewed in isolation,” a spokesperson for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce told Fox News Digital. “Small businesses across the Bronx and throughout New York City are already under extraordinary pressure. When additional costs are layered on without a full economic analysis, those costs are predictably passed down to consumers or absorbed through reduced hours, reduced staffing, or closures. When businesses close, communities lose jobs, services, and economic anchors, and the ripple effects are significant.” The Chamber of Commerce spokesperson added that Mamdani has an opportunity “to lead by tackling affordability in a holistic way,” which they said would require “comprehensive cost analysis and coordinated solutions that support workers while ensuring the small business ecosystem and consumer affordability are not unintentionally harmed.” When reached for comment about the discrepancy between Mamdani’s message of making New York City more affordable for everyone, versus his push to protect delivery-app worker rights that could impact consumer pricing, a New York City Hall spokesperson argued that “the insinuation that putting more money in the pockets of delivery workers undercuts affordability is absurd.” “Delivery Workers are important members of our city’s economy, and deserve to be paid fairly – anything less is unacceptable,” the spokesperson added. “As Mayor Mamdani continues to stand up for everyday New Yorkers and actualize his ambitious agenda to make New York City truly livable for families. Affordability has been, and will continue to be, a guiding light.” But DoorDash’s head of public policy for North America, John Horton, said that ensuring delivery-app workers “earn double what many first responders in the city make” is not a policy solution they believe will make New York City more affordable. Currently, a local fire technician and emergency medical services union in the city is in the midst of a public awareness campaign to raise their wages because they make less than delivery-app drivers at $18.94 per hour. “A thriving New York will take a partnership between elected officials, the business community and workers to ensure we are all working in the best interests of New Yorkers in the midst of the city’s affordability crisis,” Horton added. Fox News Digital followed up with Mamdani’s campaign to inquire about the complaint that EMS and some firemen in the city are making less than delivery-app workers, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Trump admin wins court victory freeing ICE agents from Minnesota protest restrictions
A federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration Monday in a ruling that blocks restrictions on tactics being used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while dealing with anti-ICE agitators in Minnesota. The ruling by the three-judge panel 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals put a stay on a lower court ruling that prevented officers from arresting, detaining, pepper-spraying or retaliating against protesters in Minneapolis without probable cause as anti-ICE agitators continue to confront authorities carrying out enforcement operations. “We accessed and viewed the same videos the district court did,” the appeals court said in the ruling. “What they show is observers and protesters engaging in a wide range of conduct, some of it peaceful but much of it not. They also show federal agents responding in various ways.” GO BIG, THEN GO SMART: TRUMP, ICE AND THE LAW. HOW TO SKIP THE LEFT’S PR TRAP The lawsuit alleged that federal authorities violated the civil rights of six protesters. Last week, the court temporarily lifted restrictions on ICE agents’ use of force against protesters in Minnesota. Monday’s ruling grants a “FULL STAY,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said. WHITE HOUSE BLAMES DEMOCRATS FOR ICE VIOLENCE AS MINNEAPOLIS ERUPTS, INSURRECTION ACT THREAT LOOMS “Liberal judges tried to handcuff our federal law enforcement officers, restrict their actions, and put their safety at risk when responding to violent agitators,” she wrote on X. “The DOJ went to court. We got a temporary stay. NOW, the 8th Circuit has fully agreed that this reckless attempt to undermine law enforcement cannot stand.” In a Jan. 16 ruling, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez sided with the protesters and issued the preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE over their treatment during immigration enforcement operations. In her ruling, Menendez found the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on claims that federal agents violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights during protests and observation of ICE activity tied to Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. She cited incidents in which ICE agents allegedly used pepper spray, pointed weapons, made arrests and conducted traffic stops against individuals who were peacefully observing or protesting immigration enforcement. Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Trump has ‘very good’ call with Minneapolis Mayor Frey, announces border czar Homan meeting
President Donald Trump said he had a “very good” call with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and announced that border czar Tom Homan will meet with him, as riots continue to erupt in the city amid a federal immigration enforcement operation. Trump shared the update in a post on Truth Social, signaling increased federal engagement with city leaders as authorities respond to the unrest. “I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis,” the president wrote. “Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Frey offered his own account of the call later Monday, outlining his position on the federal immigration enforcement operation and the conditions under which the city will continue cooperating with state and federal authorities. JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN FROM ‘DESTROYING OR ALTERING’ EVIDENCE IN DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING “I spoke with President Trump today and appreciated the conversation. I expressed how much Minneapolis has benefited from our immigrant communities and was clear that my main ask is that Operation Metro Surge needs to end,” Frey wrote. “The president agreed the present situation can’t continue. “Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go,” he continued. “Minneapolis will continue to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on real criminal investigations — but we will not participate in unconstitutional arrests of our neighbors or enforce federal immigration law.” Frey said violent criminals should be held accountable for the crimes they commit, not based on where they are from. ICE SAYS VIOLENT MOB HELPED CRIMINAL ESCAPE AND LEFT ICE AGENT PERMANENTLY MAIMED “I will continue working with all levels of government to keep our communities safe, keep crime down, and put Minneapolis residents first,” he wrote, confirming he also plans to meet with Homan on Tuesday to discuss next steps. The social media posts came hours after Trump spoke with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about the unrest gripping Minneapolis in the wake of federal immigration enforcement actions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the call during her Monday briefing, saying Trump wants to “let cops be cops” as authorities respond to the unrest. TRUMP DEPLOYS BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN TO MINNESOTA AS ICE OPERATIONS FACE VIOLENT CHAOS She criticized Walz and Frey for what she described as encouraging anti-ICE agitators, which she argued contributed to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by law enforcement this month. Leavitt said Trump wants the unrest to end immediately and outlined what she called a clear path to restoring law and order in Minnesota, beginning with a demand that state and local officials turn over illegal aliens who are incarcerated or have active warrants or known criminal histories. Trump is also calling on local law enforcement to assist federal authorities by transferring custody of arrested illegal aliens and helping locate suspects wanted for crimes. “We want to let cops be cops,” Leavitt said.