Melania Trump returns to campaign trail with pro-LGBT Republican event appearance: report
Former First Lady Melania Trump is finally getting back on the campaign trail, according to reports. Melania, wife of former President Donald Trump, will reportedly be attending a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans later this month, multiple publications have reported. The group is the most prominent pro-LGBT Republican advocacy group in the country. It would be Melania’s first public fundraising event in months. MELANIA JOINS TRUMP IN FLORIDA, TELLS REPORTERS TO ‘STAY TUNED’ FOR CAMPAIGN FUTURE Fox News Digital reached out to Log Cabin Republicans and representatives for the Trump campaign for confirmation but did not receive a response. The Log Cabin Republicans’ event will roll out the group’s “Road to Victory” — a voter-targeting program planned for swing states. Melania made her first public appearance of the 2024 election cycle last month when she briefly joined her husband to cast votes in Florida. MELANIA ‘GOING TO BE OUT A LOT’ ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL, TRUMP SAYS The pair were photographed outside the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach before casting their votes in the sunshine state’s Republican primary election. Reporters pressed Melania for information on her role in her husband’s 2024 campaign, to which she responded, “Stay tuned.” Trump has previously expressed hesitancy to involve his family in his re-election campaign, citing the mental and emotional toll his first campaign and presidency brought. “It’s funny, she was a very successful model, very, very successful, and yet she was a private person. She’s going to be out a lot. Not because she likes doing it, but she likes the results,” he said during the interview. “She wants to see this country really succeed. She loves the country.” Melania Trump has been largely absent from public life since the passing of her mother, Amalija Knavs, in January of this year.
Ladakh: Section 144 imposed in Leh ahead of Sonam Wangchuk’s ‘Pashmina march’
The District Magistrate, Santosh Sukhadeve, said in his order that the Superintendent of Police of the district has reported to him that there are reliable indications of apprehension of breach of peace and public tranquillity in the district
Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency: Check polling date, candidates list, past election results
Ernakulam, located mostly in the center of Kerala is one of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. The seat has been a stronghold of the Congress party.
Heatwave warning: IMD predicts heat spell in several parts of India for next 2 days, check forecast here
The IMD advises people to minimize heat exposure by wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose cotton clothes, covering the head, and using hats, umbrellas, or cloths for shade.
House GOP Ukraine skeptics draw battle lines ahead of funding fight
Members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and their allies are drawing lines in the sand ahead of what’s expected to be an intense inter-GOP battle over additional aid for Ukraine. The House of Representatives is expected to take up the issue of Ukraine and supplemental foreign aid the week after next, three sources told Fox News Digital. Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va., called for any funding to Ukraine to be balanced out by spending cuts elsewhere and for it to be paired with U.S. border policy changes. PUTIN ISSUES CHILLING WARNING AGAINST SENDING WESTERN TROOPS TO DEFEND UKRAINE “We cannot continue to borrow and spend money we don’t have for wars overseas while failing to protect Americans from the Biden border invasion here at home,” Good told Fox News Digital earlier this week. “At a bare minimum, any package for military aid to Ukraine should be fully offset and must include H.R. 2 with performance metrics to secure our own border.” The position has since been echoed by other members of the House GOP’s right flank. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., told Fox News Digital on Friday, “Any lethal military assistance to Ukraine that fails to meet these critical requirements is a total nonstarter.” “House Republicans were tasked with getting our country back on track — starting with cutting spending and securing the southern border,” Clyde explained. “Abandoning these priorities while advancing a pricey package to defend Ukraine’s borders would represent an utter betrayal of the American people.” MCCONNELL PUTTING ‘MAIN PART OF MY FOCUS’ ON OPPOSING RUSSIA IN UKRAINE: ‘A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRACIES’ And former Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital, “We stand with Ukraine. Our priority, however, must be America… Our debt is $35 trillion next month; any foreign aid package must be heavily scrutinized.” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., similarly said on “Mornings With Maria” this week, “Now, if there are no offsets, if there are not concessions made to pay for this, more borrowing is not the answer. And that’s where [Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.] is going to have to step up, use the leverage he has as speaker, to get concessions.” And while the two concessions outlined by Good are likely not going to sway the most hard-line critics into supporting Ukraine aid, it’s a signal that they might not throw up many significant roadblocks or threaten Johnson’s gavel over its passage. Freedom Caucus members and their allies have in the past forced House leadership to bypass regular procedural hurdles to put bills on the floor under suspension of the rules, in exchange for raising the threshold for passage to two-thirds rather than a simple majority. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MARK 20 YEARS IN NATO WITH FOCUS ON WAR IN UKRAINE The issue has driven a wedge within the House Republican Conference, with a growing number of GOP lawmakers skeptical of the U.S.’ continued support for Ukraine as it continues to fight off Russia’s invasion. Johnson has floated multiple proposals this week that appear to be aimed at easing concerns from the right wing of his conference. He’s suggested aiding Ukraine in the form of a loan, a plan the speaker said is supported by former President Donald Trump, as well as weakening Russia’s energy-dominated economy by forcing the Biden administration to reverse a pause on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. Johnson also floated getting some of the funding by liquefying seized Russian assets, a bipartisan plan introduced in the House and Senate last year. But those proposals got a lukewarm reception at best from Ukraine funding skeptics. “I don’t think the conservatives would consider it enough without border security,” one senior House GOP aide told Fox News Digital. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote on X earlier this week, “There’s talk of ‘loaning’ the money & equipment to Ukraine. OK, why not loan the aid to Israel & Taiwan as well? Because they actually have the means to pay back the loan, that’s why. It’s a farce.”
Dem hit with $15 million border-related ad blitz in ‘toss-up’ Senate race
Sen. Jon Tester is the target of a new multi-million dollar ad blitz that highlights the vulnerable Montana Democrat’s record on illegal immigration. The $15.2 million statewide ad campaign financed by One Nation, which is closely aligned with Senate Republican leadership, is set to run until Sept. 2. The ads will reach voters through broadcast, cable and digital platforms. SEN TIM SCOTT, COLLEAGUES LAUNCH NEW VIDEO SERIES AIMED AT COURTING BLACK VOTERS The video, titled “Line,” shows Tester speaking out against amnesty early in his Senate career before a more recent vote to provide a path to legal status and citizenship for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants. The ad further notes the senator’s votes to continue funding locales, such as New York City, that have sanctuary policies in place for illegal immigrants. MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL POISED TO PRESSURE THESE VULNERABLE SENATE DEMS The advertisement urges viewers in Montana to push Tester to “stop supporting Biden’s border disaster” and support the Republican-led border bill. The Secure the Border Act, which has been touted by Republicans in the House and Senate, would require that construction is resumed on the southern border wall, make asylum standards stricter, add more Border Patrol agents and bar the Department of Homeland Security from using its app to help illegal immigrants in the U.S., among other things. “The pro-illegal immigration policies Senator Jon Tester voted for led to the crisis at our Southern border,” One Nation President and CEO Steven Law said. “Senator Tester has repeatedly voted to fund sanctuary cities and grant amnesty to illegal immigrants. He even voted to allow President Biden to stop building the border wall. Senator Jon Tester needs to stop supporting President Biden’s border disaster.” Tester’s campaign, however, accused the group of distorting the senator’s record, pointing to Tester’s support for a controversial bipartisan border package negotiated in the Senate. That bill ultimately failed to advance due to opposition from influential conservative border hawks, including former President Donald Trump. BIDEN HOLDS NARROW LEAD OVER TRUMP IN NEW POLL DESPITE CONCERNS HE’S ‘TOO OLD’ FOR A SECOND TERM “[Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell’s dark money group is flooding Montana with millions of dollars to lie about Jon Tester’s record of fighting to pass one of the toughest border security bills in decades, cracking down on the fentanyl crisis, and his opposition to sanctuary cities,” Tester’s campaign countered in a statement. The Montana Senate race is expected to be competitive and is rated a “Toss Up” by leading nonpartisan political handicapper The Cook Political Report. Tester’s Republican opponent in November is likely to be former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, who is running in a largely uncontested primary. NEVADA DEM DUMPS $14M INTO ADS AS CRITICAL SENATE RACE SHIFTS TO ‘TOSS UP’ As the border crisis emerges as a top issue for voters nationwide, including in Montana, Tester has been careful in his approach to legislative issues involving immigration or the border. Republican senators accused him last month of being unwilling to vote on immigration-related amendments ahead of the passage of the $1.2 trillion spending package. Tester and his office vehemently denied those claims. Tester is likely to face additional pressure in the coming weeks as the Senate takes up the House-passed articles of impeachment for Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The charges stem from his handling of the border crisis. Democrats are expected to use a maneuver to quickly dismiss the trial, rather than letting it play out. But getting the support of the entire caucus is crucial, as the Senate is narrowly divided, 51-48, in favor of the Democratic caucus. Asked what Tester would be doing once the articles are delivered, a representative for the senator told Fox News Digital, “Senator Tester will review the articles when they are sent over to the Senate.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., revealed last week his intention to deliver the articles to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on April 10. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
NYC Mayor Adams ripped for late emergency text alert following earthquake
New York City Mayor Adams is being ripped online for his administration’s late emergency text message in response to this morning’s 4.8 magnitude earthquake. The city sent out an emergency text to residents via its Notify NYC system at 10:47 a.m. EST informing them of the quake. “Emergency Alert. 4.7 magnitude earthquake has occurred in the NYC area. Residents are advised to remain indoors and to call 911 if injured,” the text reads. It also provided a link to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 4.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES NEW JERSEY, SHAKING BUILDINGS IN SURROUNDING STATES But the message came about 25 minutes after the quake hit, and people had been flocking to social media in the meantime to see if it really was an earthquake that struck the Big Apple. The earthquake measured at least 4.8 magnitude, according to the USGS. It was felt in New York, Connecticut and in New Jersey, striking at 10.23 a.m. EST. “NYC sending out an emergency alert about the earthquake 30 minutes after the earthquake is peak NYC Adams administration,” wrote user Vish Burra on X. “NYC officials didn’t send out an alert re: earthquake until 35 minutes after it occurred. Mayor Adams always on top of things here,” Jeanine Michelle Barone, another user, wrote on the platform. TAIWAN EARTHQUAKE: RESCUE OPERATIONS ONGOING AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 12 “We just got this emergency alert about an earthquake that happened 20 mins ago! Way to go Eric Adams and THANKS OBAMA!” user YankeesPride chimed in. “So much for the emergency alert system ?!” wrote user John Adams. A follow-up text warning of potential aftershocks was sent out at 11:46 a.m. EST. “Earthquake in NYC: Aftershocks may be felt. Nyers can continue usual activities,” the second text reads, with a link to USGS. Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, disagreed with some of the criticisms at a press briefing and said that the alert was sent out quickly. “I think 20 minutes time to target is pretty fast for public notification,” Iscol said. “First off, there’s a lot of work we have to do to make sure we’re getting confirmation from USGS that this was actually an earthquake. Right. There’s a lot of things that can cause buildings to shake, too. We also need to make sure we’re putting out proper guidance. But 20 minutes is very, very fast for a public notification.” He added that there is also guidance that’s for both during an earthquake and after an earthquake. “During an earthquake we want to make sure people are following the proper guidance that they are staying inside a building, that they’re getting under furniture while the earthquake is actually occurring,” Iscol said. “But then also, we need to make sure we’re putting out the right information so people know what to do afterwards, that they’re taking the right precautions.” “At approximately 10:23 a.m., New York City felt the impact of a 4.8 magnitude earthquake,” Adams said in a statement. “The epicenter was in Lebanon, New Jersey, about 50 miles from New York City. Our first responders are working to make sure New Yorkers are safe, and at this point, we do not have any reports of major impacts or injuries.” “I encourage all New Yorkers to check on your loved ones, and if you feel an aftershock, drop to the floor, cover your head and neck, and take cover under a solid piece of furniture, next to an interior wall, or in a doorway.” “So far no major life safety issues reported, no reported infrastructure issues, but we will continue our inspections of critical infrastructure.” Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
Texas Gov. Abbott travels to sanctuary city to say he won’t stop bussing in illegal immigrants
Texas will continue to bus illegal immigrants pouring across its border to sanctuary cities “until we get a new president,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told a Manhattan crowd on Thursday – just hours after New York City Mayor Eric Adams criticized the Republican’s handling of the crisis and offered him a free stay at one of the Big Apple’s migrant shelters. Abbott’s comments came during his keynote address at the New York Republican Party’s annual gala, at which the Lone Star State governor and other high-profile Republicans took aim at Adams and the Biden administration due to the continuing influx of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. “The complaining by Mayor Adams is nothing short [of] stunning,” Abbott told those at the event, which was held just a few blocks away from a hotel that Adams’ administration transformed into an intake center for migrants. “What he has is a tiny fraction of what Texas gets every day.” ADAMS TOUTS NYC’S ABILITY TO ‘MANAGE’ MIGRANT CRISIS, OFFERS ABBOTT FREE STAY AT SHELTER DURING TRIP Abbott, explaining why he began bussing illegal immigrants who arrived in Texas to sanctuary cities around the nation, said he had decided to do so after several local officials in his state had expressed concern about the number of migrants being dropped off by federal authorities in their communities. Initially, Abbott said he planned to bus the migrants only to Washington, D.C., because “neither Joe Biden nor the border czar [Vice President Kamala Harris] had actually been to the border to see the chaos and cost.” “My thought process was, if they’re not going to come to the border, we’re going to take the border to them,” he said. Abbott said he then decided to bus migrants to New York City after Adams criticized the governor’s handling of the issue. “Quite literally out of nowhere, Eric Adams starts criticizing me for sending them to New York City,” Abbott said. “We made clear, by contacting his office, and said, ‘We’re not sending them to New York.’ We issued press releases to the press saying we’re not sending migrants to New York – that’s Joe Biden sending them to New York.” But when Empire State officials refused to back off their claims, Abbott said he decided to turn rhetoric into reality. “If I’m going to get the criticism, I want to get the credit,” he told the gala attendees. “And thus began the busing of illegal immigrants to the sanctuary city of New York City.” Roughly 180,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in New York City since 2022, overwhelming city resources as officials struggle to find housing for them. It’s estimated that at least 107,000 have been bussed in from Texas. “We are going to have to maintain this process until we get a new president next November who will secure the border of the United States of America,” Abbott said. Bearing down on President Biden, Abbott said the administration’s policy decisions have led to “chaos” and created an “extraordinarily dangerous” situation in his state. ILLEGAL MIGRANT DEPORTED 8 TIMES WITH 11 ARRESTS NOW CHARGED WITH MURDER IN OHIO: ‘OUR BORDER IS BROKEN’ “Texas is ground zero for the broken border policy imposed by Joe Biden,” he said. “You know, the chaos that we’ve seen across the entire country — it seems like it’s been going on for so long that we can so easily forget that it was just four years ago that we had the lowest illegal border crossings in 45 years.” Abbott praised the actions taken by former President Donald Trump to curb illegal immigration – actions that were then undone by Biden’s team. “All-time records have been set with regard to the number of people on the terrorist watch lists who’ve been apprehended,” he said. “What none of us know right now is how many terrorists on the watch list evaded detection.” Abbott also spoke about Biden’s claim that he needs Congress to step in and mitigate the issue of illegal immigration, with the governor accusing the president either of “lying” or having “no idea what he’s talking about.” “The executive branch has not only the authority but the requirement, the mandate by Congress, to deny illegal entry into the United States,” Abbott said. “Biden is not doing that. He’s aiding and abetting illegal entry into the United States.” House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley were among the many prominent Republicans who also attended the event. “Joe Biden has turned every state into a border state,” Stefanik said Thursday evening. “President Trump and Republicans will run, and we will win, on securing our border, once and for all.” Prior to Abbott’s arrival in the Big Apple, Adams slammed the Texas Republican for his handling of the migrant crisis and facetiously offered him a complimentary stay at a migrant shelter during his trip to the city. “I’m going to offer him a stay in one of the HERRCs, so he can see what he has created and understand how we are treating people with the dignity and respect that he should have shown as well,” Adams said at a press conference on Thursday, referring to the humanitarian emergency response and relief centers that have served as temporary housing facilities for migrants who arrive in the city. Adams also appeared to brag about the city’s handling of the migrants who have arrived there during the last two years. “I’m not quite sure why he’s here and what he’s doing while here, but he’s going to see how you can manage the crisis with the coordination of not one child of families sleeping on the streets of the city of New York,” he said of Abbott. “When we coordinate together, we should not displace problems to local municipalities. That is not what executives do. It is unfortunate that he made the decision to do that.” Abbott said during a Thursday night appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” that Adams’ offer to
Biden to visit Baltimore bridge collapse site, urge Congress to approve recovery funds
President Biden is scheduled to travel to Baltimore on Friday afternoon, where he will tour the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers officials on site will give the president an operational update on response efforts as workers continue to clear the Patapsco River to reopen the Port of Baltimore. Biden will be joined by Gov. Wes Moore, Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and several federal representatives, as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others, a White House official said. “The President is continuing to lead a whole-of-government approach to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. As the President said within hours of the collapse: this Administration will be with the people of Baltimore every step of the way,” the official told reporters. Biden will also meet with the families of six construction workers who lost their lives when the bridge collapsed last week. BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE: HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS DEMANDS LIMITS ON FEDERAL REBUILD FUNDING A Singapore-flagged container ship lost power and struck one of the bridge’s support pylons on March 26, causing the entire structure to fall apart. Two members of an eight-man work crew who were on the bridge at the time survived, and four bodies have been recovered. Two others are presumed dead. Their bodies have not been found. Officials have established a temporary, alternate channel for vessels involved in clearing debris. The Army Corps of Engineers hopes to open a limited-access channel for barge container ships and some vessels moving cars and farm equipment by the end of this month and to restore normal capacity to Baltimore’s port by May 31, the White House says. That’s important, since longer delays in reopening shipping lanes could send shockwaves through the economy. As much as $200 million in cargo normally moves through Baltimore’s port per day, and it is the leading hub for importing and exporting vehicles. US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PLANS TO REOPEN PORT OF BALTIMORE BY END OF APRIL AFTER KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE In Baltimore, Biden will highlight how the Federal Highway Administration has provided $60 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds to cover Maryland’s initial costs in the recovery effort. His administration is also providing low-interest disaster loans to small businesses and granting funding for workers impacted by the port closure. The president is expected to reiterate his call for Congress to fully fund the cost of rebuilding the bridge, which some experts estimate could be at least $400 million, according to the Associated Press. Though there is widespread bipartisan support for an emergency funding bill for Maryland, members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus on Friday demanded that any new recovery spending be offset by cuts elsewhere. MARYLAND DIVERS GUIDED BY SONAR DUE TO EXTREME POOR VISIBILITY IN KEY BRIDGE REPAIR: LIKE A ‘SNOWSTORM’ “Before Congress considers any emergency supplemental funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, it’s important that (1) we first seek maximum liability from the foreign shipping companies upfront and (2) the Port of Baltimore draws upon already available federal funds,” the group said. “If it proves necessary to appropriate taxpayer money to get one of America’s busiest ports back online, Congress should ensure it is fully offset and that burdensome regulations … are waived to avoid all unnecessary delays and costs.” The Freedom Caucus also demanded that the House adhere to the “single subject rule” for any proposed bill — meaning that the legislation be solely for Maryland and not a “pork-filled bill loaded with unrelated projects.” But the conservative group’s opposition is unlikely to hinder a funding bill in the House, where Republicans and Democrats support the measure. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has appeared willing to accept Biden’s request, comparing bridge collapse assistance to natural disaster recovery bills and saying, “The federal government will step up and do the lion’s share” of funding. In a letter to congressional leaders, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young asked Congress to fund 100% of the cost of reconstruction and eliminate any requirement for Maryland to share the cost. The OMB director noted that Congress previously did so on a bipartisan basis in 2007, when a highway bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 people. “We are asking the Congress to join us in demonstrating our commitment to aid in recovery efforts,” Young wrote. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Caught on camera: Crowd of illegal immigrants cut razor wire, rush across border into Texas
Stunning new video from the southern border shows crowds of migrants cutting razor wire set up in Texas and rushing through in an effort to get into the United States — with some getting caught in the wire and others being pushed back by Texas forces. The video taken this week in Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, which borders with El Paso, Texas, shows migrants set up ahead of the concertina wire set up by Texas. After it is cut, the crowd surges through a gap in the wire. In another video, one minor can be seen caught up in the wire and screaming in pain before he is set free by an accompanying adult. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS At one point, the Texas forces intervene and push the migrants back. “Back the f*** up, get the f*** off of here, back the f*** up,” the soldier yells at them. “Get the hell out of here.” At one point, the rattle of a taser can be heard, but the location is unclear. The migrants can be heard yelling at the guards in response. The video comes as part of an ongoing situation along the border where Texas, as part of Operation Lone Star, has set up razor wire and other barriers along the border in an effort to curb the historic amounts of illegal migration that have hit it since 2021. CBP INCREASES PATROLS AFTER MIGRANT SURGE OVERWHELMS TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD IN EL PASO The razor wire has become a point of contention between Texas and the Biden administration. Texas sued the administration after federal officials cut the wire in order to be able to apprehend migrants who were technically already in the U.S. Earlier this year, Texas seized Shelby Park, a key staging ground in Eagle Pass, and Border Patrol said they had been denied access to the area. TEXAS, BIDEN ADMIN SQUARE OFF IN CIRCUIT COURT OVER BLOCKED ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW The administration has since sued Texas over an anti-illegal immigration bill that would allow local police to arrest illegal immigrants and would allow judges to order them deported. The Biden administration says that Texas’ actions interfere with federal enforcement, while Texas says it needs to act in the face of inaction over the border crisis from the federal government. As that standoff continues, there have been a number of rushing incidents in Eagle Pass, including one last month in which a large group broke through the razor wire. Texas authorities have since charged hundreds with rioting charges and some others with assault and criminal trespass. CBP increased patrols in the area after the incident on March 21 and stressed that those involved face removal. “There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States immigration laws. Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal and are subject to a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission and potential criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization. No one should believe the lies of smugglers; individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the United States will be removed,” they said. For his part, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is continuing to call attention to his ongoing efforts to secure the Texas portion of the border. “WIRE IT SHUT,” the Republican posted earlier this week on X, captioning a video showing more wire being installed in El Paso.