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Year: 2026

SBA suspends nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers over suspected $400M pandemic loan fraud

SBA suspends nearly 7,000 Minnesota borrowers over suspected 0M pandemic loan fraud

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Thursday that it suspended 6,900 Minnesota borrowers after uncovering what it says is widespread suspected fraud. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the agency reviewed thousands of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans approved in Minnesota, and identified nearly $400 million in potentially fraudulent loans tied to borrowers in Minnesota. “These individuals will be banned from all SBA loan programs, including disaster loans, going forward,” Loeffler wrote on X. Loeffler said the agency will refer appropriate cases to federal law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. TRUMP TARGETS MINNESOTA FRAUD ALLEGATIONS, SAYS ‘WE’RE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT’ “After years, the American people will finally begin to see the criminals who stole from law-abiding taxpayers held accountable — and this is just the first state,” she stated. The suspected fraudulent activity included 7,900 PPP and EIDL loans approved during the COVID-19 pandemic, Loeffler said. The announcement comes as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his administration face scrutiny over billions of dollars in social services fraud. MINNESOTA FRAUD COMMITTEE CHAIR CLAIMS WALZ ‘TURNED A BLIND EYE’ TO FRAUD WARNINGS FOR YEARS Loeffler sent a letter Tuesday to Walz on Dec. 23, telling him that her agency will “halt” more than $5.5 million in annual support to resource partners in the state “until further notice.” “I am notifying you that effective immediately and until further notice, the SBA is halting the disbursement of federal funds to SBA resource partners operating in the state of Minnesota, totaling over $5.5 million in annual support,” Loeffler wrote. The SBA said that at least $2.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds issued during the pandemic era were connected to a Somali fraud scheme based in Minneapolis. HHS CUTS OFF MINNESOTA CHILD CARE PAYMENTS OVER ALLEGED DAYCARE FRAUD SCHEME Loeffler told Walz that $430 million in PPP funds tied to roughly 13,000 loans were flagged as potentially fraudulent but still funded anyway, including some that were forgiven during the Biden administration. “The volume and concentration of potential fraud is staggering, matched in its egregiousness only by your response to those who attempted to stop it,” she wrote. Fox News Digital has reached out to Walz’ office for comment. Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.

Hours after taking office, NYC Mayor Mamdani targets landlords, moves to intervene in private bankruptcy case

Hours after taking office, NYC Mayor Mamdani targets landlords, moves to intervene in private bankruptcy case

Sworn in at midnight and again hours later publicly, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used his first day in office Thursday to hit the ground running with new executive orders targeting city landlords and housing development. And he said the city will take what he called “precedent-setting action” to intervene in a private landlord bankruptcy case he said was tied to 93 buildings. “Today is the start of a new era for New York City,” Mamdani said. “It is inauguration day. It is also the day that the rent is due.” Speaking at a Brooklyn apartment building, Mamdani framed the moves as an early test of whether city government will directly confront landlords over housing conditions and step into court cases that could determine whether tenants remain in their homes. Mamdani said New Yorkers who attended his inauguration were returning to apartments where, he said, “bad landlords do not make repairs,” rents rise and residents deal with issues like cockroaches and a lack of heat. ZOHRAN MAMDANI WILL BE FIRST MAYOR TO BE SWORN IN ON QURAN DURING NEW YORK CITY INAUGURATION The mayor said the new administration “will not wait to deliver action” and “will stand up on behalf of the tenants of this city.” Mamdani announced three housing-related executive orders, starting with the revival of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, which he said will focus on resolving complaints and holding landlords accountable for hazardous conditions. “We will make sure that 311 violations are resolved,” Mamdani said, adding that the administration will hold “slumlords” accountable for “hazardous and dangerous threats” to tenant well-being. MAMDANI TAPS CONTROVERSIAL LAWYER WHO DEFENDED AL QAEDA TERRORIST FOR TOP ROLE: ‘POWERFUL ADVOCATE’ Mamdani said the second executive order creates a LIFT task force, or a land-inventory effort designed to leverage city-owned land and accelerate housing development. He said the task force will review city-owned properties and identify sites suitable for housing development no later than July 1. The third executive order creates a SPEED task force, which Mamdani said stands for Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development. He said the task force will work to remove permitting barriers that slow housing construction.  Both task forces will be overseen by Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Lila Joseph, he said. “These are sweeping measures, but it is just the beginning of a comprehensive effort to champion the cause of tenants,” Mamdani said. FLASHBACK: INSIDE THE POLITICAL MOVEMENT THAT PUT A SOCIALIST IN CHARGE OF NEW YORK CITY Earlier in the day, Mamdani signed executive order No. 1, which revoked all prior mayoral executive orders under former Mayor Eric Adams issued on or after Sept. 26, 2024, unless they were specifically reissued by Mamdani’s administration. Mamdani signed a second executive order setting the structure of his administration, including five deputy mayors and their oversight responsibilities. The mayor made the announcement at 85 Clarkson Ave., a rent-stabilized building he said is owned by Pinnacle Realty, which he described as a “notorious landlord.”  Mamdani said tenants in the building have dealt with issues, including roaches and a lack of heat. Mamdani said the building is one of 93 properties connect to the same landlord, and the portfolio is in bankruptcy proceedings. MAMDANI PICKS EDUCATOR WHO WORKED TO DISMANTLE GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAM AS NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR The mayor said the buildings will be auctioned to a different landlord he claimed ranks No. 6 on New York City’s worst landlord list, adding the buildings collectively have more than 5,000 open hazardous violations and 14,000 complaints. “This is an untenable situation,” Mamdani said. “So, today we are announcing that we will be taking action in the bankruptcy case and stepping in to represent the interests of the city and the interests of the tenants.” Mamdani said he directed his nominee for corporation counsel, Steve Banks, to take what he called “precedent-setting action” in the case. “We are a creditor and interested party,” Mamdani said, adding that the city is owed money and will fight for “safe and habitable homes” while working to “mitigate the significant risk of displacement” that tenants face. A tenant speaker at the event described unsafe conditions in Pinnacle buildings and said a section of hardwood floor in the speaker’s mother’s apartment had remained unrepaired for seven years. “When they filed for bankruptcy this spring, Pinnacle gambled on making our housing less affordable and our lives more miserable,” the speaker said. The mayor said the moves mark the start of a more aggressive use of executive power on housing issues, beginning on his first day in office. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Bernie Sanders ditches iconic mittens look while swearing in socialist Zohran Mamdani as NYC mayor

Bernie Sanders ditches iconic mittens look while swearing in socialist Zohran Mamdani as NYC mayor

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., appeared without the iconic mittens that helped make him a viral sensation during former President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration when he administered the oath of office for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall Thursday. The moment came as Sanders swore in Mamdani, who described himself in his inaugural address as a “democratic socialist,” telling supporters, “I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist.” Sanders’ appearance marked a visual departure from the image that made him a global pop culture figure four years ago, when photos of the Vermont senator bundled in a winter coat and handmade mittens spread rapidly across social media during Biden’s inauguration. Before administering the oath, Sanders delivered a lengthy address praising Mamdani’s campaign and agenda, framing the election as a rejection of political establishments.  ZOHRAN MAMDANI WILL BE FIRST MAYOR TO BE SWORN IN ON QURAN DURING NEW YORK CITY INAUGURATION He told the crowd that volunteers “took on the Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States and some enormously wealthy oligarchs.” Sanders also defended policies Mamdani’s opponents had labeled “radical” or “communistic,” arguing that proposals such as affordable housing, free childcare, free bus transportation and taxing the wealthy were “not radical” but necessary in “the richest country in the history of the world.” Sanders formally administered the oath of office shortly after 2:40 p.m., prompting chants of “Zohran” from the crowd gathered at City Hall. SOCIALIST NYC MAYOR MAMDANI INAUGURATED ALONGSIDE BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY Mamdani pledged to pursue policies, including freezing rents for stabilized apartments, delivering universal childcare, making buses free and increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, saying City Hall would “govern expansively and audaciously.” Sanders’ attire drew widespread attention in 2021, when images of him sitting alone wearing brown chevron mittens with his arms and legs crossed became one of the most widely shared visuals of Biden’s inauguration, spawning memes, merchandise and fundraising efforts. During Thursday’s inauguration ceremony, a similarly cross-legged Sanders showed up sitting patiently in the audience during the performance of the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses” by Lucy Dacus. On Tuesday, Sanders appeared in standard winter gloves, a blue beanie and a puffy green coat instead.  The wool and fleece mittens were handmade by Vermont schoolteacher Jen Ellis, who later reflected on the viral moment in a 2022 interview with Vermont Edition, saying she donated about $2 million to Vermont charities through mitten-related fundraising after the internet sensation.

Inside Trump’s first-year power plays and the court fights testing them

Inside Trump’s first-year power plays and the court fights testing them

President Donald Trump spent the first year of his second White House term signing a torrent of executive orders aimed at delivering on several major policy priorities, including slashing federal agency budgets and staffing, implementing a hard-line immigration crackdown and invoking emergency authority to impose steep tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner. The pace of Trump’s executive actions has far outstripped that of his predecessors, allowing the administration to move quickly on campaign promises. But the blitz has also triggered a wave of lawsuits seeking to block or pause many of the orders, setting up a high-stakes confrontation over the limits of presidential power under Article II and when courts can — or should — intervene. Lawsuits have challenged Trump’s most sweeping and consequential executive orders, ranging from a ban on birthright citizenship and transgender service members in the military to the legality of sweeping, DOGE-led government cuts and the president’s ability to “federalize” and deploy thousands of National Guard troops. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP’S BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BAN FOR ALL INFANTS, TESTING LOWER COURT POWERS Many of those questions remain unresolved. Only a few legal fights tied to Trump’s second-term agenda have reached final resolution, a point legal experts say is critical as the administration presses forward with its broader agenda. Trump allies have argued the president is merely exercising his powers as commander in chief.  Critics counter that the flurry of early executive actions warrants an additional level of legal scrutiny, and judges have raced to review a crushing wave of cases and lawsuits filed in response. In June 2025, the Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration 6-3 in Trump v. CASA, a closely watched case centered on the power of district courts to issue so-called universal or nationwide injunctions blocking a president’s executive orders.  Though the case ostensibly focused on birthright citizenship, arguments narrowly focused on the authority of lower courts’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions and did not wade into the legality of Trump’s order, which served as the legal pretext for the case. The decision had sweeping national implications, ultimately affecting the more than 310 federal lawsuits that had been filed at the time challenging Trump’s orders signed in his second presidential term. Justices on the high court ultimately sided with U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, who had argued to the court that universal injunctions exceeded lower courts’ Article III powers under the Constitution, telling justices that the injunctions “transgress the traditional bounds of equitable authority,” and “create a host of practical problems.” The Supreme Court largely agreed. Justices ruled that plaintiffs seeking nationwide relief must file their lawsuits as class action challenges. This prompted a flurry of action from plaintiffs in the weeks and months that followed as they raced to amend and refile relevant complaints to lower courts. The Supreme Court also signaled openness to expanding presidential authority over independent agencies. Earlier in 2025, the justices granted Trump’s request to pause lower-court orders reinstating two Democratic appointees — National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) member Cathy Harris, two Democrat appointees who were abruptly terminated by the Trump administration. It also suggested the Supreme Court is poised to pare back a 90-year-old precedent in Humphrey’s Executor, a 1935 ruling that prohibits certain heads of multi-member, congressionally created federal regulatory agencies from being fired without cause. It is not the only issue in which the justices appeared inclined to side with Trump administration officials and either overturn or pare back Humphrey’s protections. In December, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter, a similar case centered on Trump’s attempt to fire a member of the Federal Trade Commission without cause. Justices seemed likely to allow the firing to proceed and to weaken Humphrey’s protections for similarly situated federal employees, though the extent that justices will move to dilute an already watered-down court ruling remains unclear. The high court will also review another case centered on Trump’s ability to remove Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook early in 2026. SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS REINS IN SOTOMAYOR AFTER REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS While it’s rarely helpful to speculate on how the Supreme Court might rule on a certain case, court watchers and legal experts overwhelmingly reached a similar consensus after listening to oral arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump, the case centered on Trump’s use of an emergency wartime law to enact his sweeping tariff plan.  At issue in the case is Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact his steep 10% tariffs on most imports. The IEEPA law gives the president broad economic powers in the event of a national emergency tied to foreign threats. But it’s unclear if such conditions exist, as voiced by liberal and conservative justices in their review of the case earlier in 2025. Several justices also noted that the statute does not explicitly reference tariffs or taxes, a point that loomed large during oral arguments. A ruling against the administration would deliver a major blow to Trump’s signature economic policy.  Court watchers and legal experts said after arguments that a Trump administration win could be more difficult than expected, though each cautioned it is hard to draw conclusions from roughly two hours of oral arguments, a fraction of the total time justices spend reviewing a case. Jonathan Turley, a law professor and Fox News contributor, said in a blog post that the justices “were skeptical and uncomfortable with the claim of authority, and the odds still favored the challengers.” “However, there is a real chance of a fractured decision that could still produce an effective win for the administration,” Turley added. Brent Skorup, a legal fellow at the CATO Institute, told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement that members of the court seemed uncomfortable with expanding presidential power over tariffs. “Most justices appeared attentive to the risks of deferring to a president’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute and the executive branch ‘discovering’ new powers

Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea after just 18 months as manager

Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea after just 18 months as manager

Maresca exits the club midway through a turbulent season with the team winning just one Premier League game in December. By News Agencies Published On 1 Jan 20261 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Chelsea have parted ways with ‌Enzo Maresca, a dramatic fall from grace for the Italian who was named ‍Manager of the Month ‍for November before the club won just one of their last seven league games, causing them to fall out of the Premier League title race. “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” the club said in a statement on Thursday. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list Maresca, who joined Chelsea in 2024 after steering Leicester City to Premier League promotion, leaves 18 months to the day since he was ⁠tasked with reviving the club’s fortunes after two years of failing to qualify for the Champions League. He eventually ​guided the London side to UEFA Champions League qualification with a fourth-placed finish, the Conference ‍League trophy and the Club World Cup title in his first season with a young but expensively built squad. Poor run of form However, a poor run of form in December and an uncharacteristic outburst from the Italian prompted the club hierarchy to take ‍action and part ⁠ways with the 45-year-old manager. “With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track,” the Chelsea statement said. Chelsea were as high as third in November and were among the title contenders, high on confidence after they had also crushed Barcelona 3-0 in ​the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. But they have since slipped to fifth in ‌the league to sit 15 points behind leaders Arsenal at the halfway stage of the season. Chelsea star Cole Palmer shakes hands with Maresca, left, after being substituted during what turned out to be the Italian’s last match in charge of the club against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, London, UK, on December 30, 2025 [Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters] ‘Worst 48 hours’ Last month, Maresca voiced frustration over issues behind the scenes, saying he felt he had a lack of support from the club, describing a period ‌after a 2-0 win over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” of his tenure. Advertisement The Italian did not clarify what he meant by the comment, but the damage ‌seemed to have been done as Chelsea’s league form nosedived. Although Chelsea ⁠beat Cardiff City to reach the League Cup semifinals, they picked up only two points in their last three Premier League games. Off the pitch, there was also the unwelcome distraction of rubbishing links to the Manchester City job as Maresca pointed out that he was committed ‌to Chelsea, where he had a contract until 2029. But Tuesday’s 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth – where fans chanted, “You don’t know what you’re doing” when he substituted playmaker Cole Palmer while they also booed at the final whistle – proved to be his final match in charge. The club did not say who would take charge before Sunday’s match against second-placed Manchester City. Adblock test (Why?)

Somali president: Israel deal with Somaliland tied to hosting Palestinians

Somali president: Israel deal with Somaliland tied to hosting Palestinians

NewsFeed In an exclusive interview, Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera that the breakaway region of Somaliland has agreed to accept displaced Palestinians being relocated there in exchange for recognition. Somaliland officials have rejected the allegations. Published On 1 Jan 20261 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)

Gabon government sacks Aubameyang, suspends national team at AFCON 2025

Gabon government sacks Aubameyang, suspends national team at AFCON 2025

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and one other played banned after Gabon eliminated from Africa Cup of Nations group stage. By News Agencies Published On 1 Jan 20261 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Gabon’s government has suspended the national team, sacking  the coach and kicking star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the squad in the wake of three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. Gabon’s acting Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula on Wednesday announced the suspension ⁠of the national team on television after they finished last in their group and ​were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco. Recommended Stories list of 2 itemsend of list “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful ‍performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno ‍Ecuele Manga ⁠and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Mamboula said after a 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast in Marrakesh. Gabon, coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, had already been eliminated after losing their opening pair of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique, but in their final outing were 2-0 up over the defending ​champions before conceding three goals and going down ‌to a second-string Ivorian lineup. Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday, with Aubameyang having returned to his French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on ‌a thigh injury. The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X: “I ‌think the team’s problems are much deeper than ⁠the individual I am.” Aubameyang, at 36, had likely played his last game for Gabon in their defeat by Mozambique, as was also likely the case with the 37-year-old former ‌Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga. Advertisement Disbanding the national team used to be a common reaction in Africa to disappointing results, but since world football’s governing ‍body FIFA has taken a hard stance against government interference in the running of football associations, it has been a rare occurrence. Adblock test (Why?)