As gray wolves terrorize farms and ranches, GOP lawmakers demand endangered species delisting
FIRST ON FOX: A group of 20 House Republicans is urging the Biden administration to roll back protections for the gray wolf, pointing to the species’ growing population size and conflicts with ranchers and farmers. The GOP coalition, led by Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., argued in a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Martha Williams that the gray wolf no longer needed to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. He wrote that “protection merely for the sake of protection” is not the purpose of the law. Instead, he encouraged the agency to focus its efforts on protecting species in danger of extinction. “The substantial growth in the population of gray wolves throughout Oregon and the western United States poses significant challenges for ranchers, farmers, and outdoorsmen alike,” Bentz, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee’s Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “It’s imperative that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service promptly act to delist the gray wolf so that those in the western United States who are burdened by the reintroduction of an admittedly recovered apex predator species can protect themselves.” BIDEN ADMIN ACCELERATES PLAN TO UNLEASH GRIZZLY BEARS NEAR RURAL COMMUNITY OVER WIDESPREAD LOCAL OPPOSITION Bentz and his 19 fellow Republicans said the resurgence of the gray wolf population should be touted as a success story of the Endangered Species Act. They argued that removing the federal protections would allow western states to pursue their own protections. And they emphasized that without a FWS rule delisting the species, the growing population of wolves would create significant, and sometimes life-threatening, conflicts for Americans. Under the Endangered Species Act, killing listed animals can be punishable by heavy fines and even jail time. BIDEN ADMIN BACKS OFF PROTECTIONS FOR APEX PREDATOR, ANGERING ENVIRONMENTALISTS “Unsurprisingly, the substantial growth in gray wolf populations has led to increased conflict between wolves and people,” the letter reads. “The impact of gray wolves on livestock herds is not, and cannot, be limited to just depredation. Wolves inflict much greater damage to herds than can be measured by simply counting carcasses. “Wolves have an immense psychological impact on livestock herds that does result in losses for producers. These losses can manifest as ‘stress, sickness, and reduced weight gain and pregnancy rates when wolves scare, chase or attack livestock.’ Too often ranchers are put in the impossible situation of choosing between obeying the law and protecting their livelihoods.” SENATE STRIKES DOWN BIDEN MOVE ALLOWING POTENTIALLY DISEASED BEEF INTO US The letter concluded by stating that ranchers “must be able to protect their livestock” and should not “be hamstrung by unnecessary regulations that over-protect a species that is thriving.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In 2020, the Trump administration agreed that gray wolves had fully recovered and, as such, delisted them as “endangered.” Then-Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said at the time that the species was neither threatened nor endangered, based on the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. In early 2022, though, a federal district court reinstated the Endangered Species Act protections in the lower 48 states. And, in a separate but related decision last month, the FWS declined to list the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains’ ecosystem over objections from environmentalists. Bentz and the other GOP lawmakers said that decision means the species should be delisted across the country. Calls placed to the FWS were not returned at press time.
Kentucky Senate approves expanding access to paid family leave
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bipartisan bill aimed at expanding access to paid family leave won final passage Thursday as Kentucky’s legislature shifted into overdrive before a two-week break. The Senate voted 36-0 to send the family leave legislation to Gov. Andy Beshear. PICKUP DRIVER CHARGED IN CRASH THAT LEFT TRUCKER HANGING OFF LOUISVILLE BRIDGE Supporters said House Bill 179 would amend state law to allow voluntary paid family medical leave to be offered as an insurance product. Such policies would be available to Kentucky employers, who would choose whether to offer it as a benefit to their employees. “This is a market-driven policy proposal that includes no mandates on employers, workers or families,” Republican Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe said while presenting the bill to her colleagues. Supporters say the goal is to expand the benefit to more Bluegrass State workers who now can’t afford to take time away from work in times of need at home, without forcing anything onto employers. They’re characterizing it as a good first step, while acknowledging it won’t be enough to help everyone. If employers chose to offer the benefit, it would provide temporary wage replacement for workers who need to be away from work to care for a sick relative, bond with a newborn child, care for a relative in the military or face a line-of-duty injury as a first responder. Still more reasons could be outlined in an employer’s benefit plan. Supporters see it as a way to help employers attract and retain workers. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The bill’s leading sponsors are Republican state Reps. Samara Heavrin and Stephanie Dietz. The vote came as the state’s GOP-dominated legislature braced for a frenzied day of work on stacks of bills as lawmakers neared the start of their extended break, which will give the Democratic governor time to review bills and decide whether to sign or veto them. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol in mid-April for the final two days of this year’s 60-day session.
Who was Mukhtar Ansari, jailed gangster-politician who died of cardiac arrest?
Know all about gangter-politician, Mukhtar Ansari, 5 time MLA of Mau.
Ashley Biden diary theft: Suspect attends hearing remotely from Florida as judge delays sentencing
A judge on Wednesday postponed sentencing once again for the woman who pleaded guilty to stealing the diary and other items belonging to President Biden’s daughter, Ashley. Aimee Harris appeared in court via video link from her home in Florida, instead of in a New York courtroom, as her attorney asked Judge Laura Taylor Swain for another adjournment, citing “child care and other related issues.” Anthony Cecutti pleaded with Swain to move the sentencing to the week of April 8, saying his client “needs to be here” and “wants to be here.” He said he’s been working on a plan for her to be present at the sentencing and would “shoulder the responsibility” for her attendance. Cecutti acknowledged that the prosecution was seeking a bench warrant and had concerns about Harris’ credibility but implored the judge that “another, final opportunity is needed.” MAN, WOMAN PLEAD GUILTY TO STEALING ASHLEY BIDEN DIARY, SELLING IT TO PROJECT VERITAS Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman argued against the delay and for Harris’ arrest, saying, “the court’s patience and trust has really been abused over the last several months … enough is enough.” He said there’s been no reason to believe Harris will ever appear for her sentencing, claiming she had a history of lying to the court and not showing up for hearings. Both the probation and pre-trial service officers acknowledged that there have been some issues with contacting Harris as well. Her attorney responded, saying Harris “struggles to keep life afloat.” Cecutti said he was not making excuses for his client but asked that certain personal issues with her ex-husband be taken into account. BIDEN SAYS $1.2T SPENDING PACKAGE IS ‘GOOD NEWS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,’ BUT CONGRESS’ WORK ISN’T OVER After listening to both sides, Swain ordered the defense to provide probation with the necessary documents by Friday at noon. She warned them that failure to do so would result in her signing a bench warrant. She agreed to postpone sentencing until April 9, saying it was being “adjourned for one final time.” Speaking directly to Harris about the possibility of signing a bench warrant, Swain said, “I hope I don’t have to.” She continued, “It’s in your interest and the interest of your family to keep the commitments made on your behalf today … neither you nor your children need the United States Marshals finding you.” ASHLEY BIDEN PAYS OFF THOUSANDS OWED IN TAXES, LATEST FILING SHOWS The judge reminded Harris of how important it was that she attend her sentencing, saying, “I’m giving you this last opportunity. I expect to see you in person, voluntarily, on April 9th.” Seeming to understand the seriousness of the situation, Harris responded, “Yes, Your Honor.” In 2022, Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property involving the theft of personal belongings of an immediate family member of a then-former government official who was a candidate for national political office. She admitted to stealing the diary and other possessions of President Biden’s daughter, Ashley, and selling them to Project Veritas shortly before the 2020 election. Harris stole the possessions, which included the diary, tax records and a digital storage card containing family photos, among other things, from a private residence in Delray Beach, Florida, where Harris had been living temporarily. Her co-defendant, Robert Kurlander, helped facilitate the sale of the items to Project Veritas. Both have pleaded guilty. Harris faces a maximum of up to five years in prison when she is sentenced.
Dems target four competitive House seats to wrestle back majority from GOP
House Democrats are pouring money and resources into four congressional seats in a bid to win back the majority as the 2024 election cycle heats up. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the House Democrats’ campaign arm, announced a new slate of races for its “Red to Blue” program. They’re targeting vulnerable Republican lawmakers in California, New York and New Jersey, as well as an open California seat being vacated by Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif. “I am excited to work with this diverse group of public servants, veterans, and leaders to take the House back in November,” DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a Thursday statement. “Their records of service stand in stark contrast to their extreme and dangerous far-right opponents.” KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE DEM ANNOUNCEMENT STUNS POLITICAL WORLD: ‘BIG SURPRISE’ The “Red To Blue” program is dedicated to ensuring its selected candidates “receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support to ensure they are in the best possible position to win in November.” Democrats’ laser focus on vulnerable GOP seats, including lawmakers who represent districts won by President Biden in 2020, comes as the House Republican majority prepares to grapple with just a one-seat margin of power after multiple early departures. In California’s 45th Congressional District, Democrats are targeting Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., by bolstering Army veteran and business owner Derek Tran. “Tran is equipped to deliver that message to the voters in this diverse Biden +6.8 district with a broad coalition of support, impressive fundraising apparatus, and compelling contrast with the far-right incumbent,” the DCCC said. FETTERMAN CHARTS A DIFFERENT PATH, BREAKS WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE Democrats are also hoping to keep control of Porter’s seat after she announced her departure from the House for an ill-fated Senate bid. The DCCC is eyeing California state Sen. Dave Min as her replacement, calling him a “proven vote-getter and common-sense champion for the middle class.” He’s running against former California state Assemblyman Scott Baugh, who has been endorsed by GOP leaders. On the East Coast, the DCCC is hoping to flip New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District back to blue after it was won by first-term Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in November 2022, who unseated a Democratic incumbent. To do so, it’s bolstering Sue Altman, a former teacher and former state director of the leftist Working Families Party. Kean’s campaign told Fox News Digital that Altman “is going to cost Democrat stakeholders like the DCCC a lot of campaign dollars trying to run away from her record as head of the Working Families Party in New Jersey where she advocated for insane policies like defunding the police.” DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY ‘SCRAMBLING’ OVER THREAT OF RFK JR. IN 2024 RACE And the Long Island, New York, seat in the 4th Congressional District currently held by first-term Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is also on the DCCC’s list, with Democrats promoting former local official Laura Gillen to flip the district blue. D’Esposito’s campaign told Fox News Digital, “While Congressman D’Esposito continues to put the interests of Nassau County neighbors ahead of partisan politics, perennial candidate Laura Gillen wants to be a rubber stamp vote in favor of Joe Biden’s reckless spending and pro-criminal open borders agenda.” The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said the candidates “would make for a great cast on a Bravo reality show.” “However, watching them on CSPAN greenlight every liberal pipedream from defunding the police to even more open-border policies would be a nightmare for American families,” the NRCC said. Fox News Digital also reached out to the campaigns of Steel and Baugh for comment.
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies after heart attack
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari today died following a heart attack.
Georgia election charges should be tossed, acts are protected by 1st amendment: Trump attorney
In a hearing Thursday in Fulton County Superior Court, lawyers for former President Trump and co-defendants argued that the sweeping election interference case against him should be tossed, citing First Amendment protections for political speech. Judge Scott McAfee presided over the hearing Thursday morning in the first court appearance in the Trump case since ordering District Attorney Fani Willis to remove special counsel Nathan Wade from the case over their romantic affair. McAfee heard arguments related to motions from Trump and co-defendant David Shafer, the former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, who his lawyer says acted legally when he and other state Republicans signed a certificate asserting that Trump won the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Steve Sadow, counsel for the former president and presumptive GOP nominee in the 2024 election, argued Thursday, “There is nothing alleged against President Trump that is not political speech.” GEORGIA JUDGE ALLOWS TRUMP, CO-DEFENDANTS TO APPEAL FANI WILLIS DISQUALIFICATION DECISION Sadow quoted from a dissent in a key Supreme Court case, United States v. Alvarez, written by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, which says “even where there is a wide scholarly consensus concerning a particular matter, the truth is served by allowing that consensus to be challenged without fear of reprisal.” “Today’s accepted wisdom sometimes turns out to be mistaken. And in these contexts, even a false statement may be deemed to make a valuable contribution to public debate, since it brings about the clear perception and livelier impression of truth produced by its collusion with error,” Sadow read from the dissent. “That’s the essence of what we have right here. That’s the facts that have been alleged,” Sadow said. TRUMP GEORGIA CASE: FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM JUDGE’S ORDER GIVING DA FANI WILLIS AN ULTIMATUM “Essentially, the state’s position is, because – as alleged – what President Trump said speech-wise or expressed either through his speech or conduct, which is still freedom of expression, because that’s false in the eyes of the state, it’s lost all protection to the First Amendment.” Sadow argued, adding that Supreme Court justices concluded “just the opposite” in their dissent. A lawyer for the state pushed back, saying “what we have heard here today is an attempt to rewrite the indictment, to take out the parts that are inconvenient and only say, ‘Well, it’s all speech, it’s all talking.’” “He was just the guy asking questions and not someone who was part of an overarching criminal conspiracy, trying to overturn election results for an election he did not win by violating the RICO statute, by making false statements to the government, by filing false documents, by impersonating officers, and doing a whole host of other activity which is harmful in addition to the falsity of the statements employed to make them happen,” the state’s lawyer added. FANI WILLIS SAYS SHE’S THE ONLY DA IN US WITH ENOUGH ‘COURAGE’ TO PROSECUTE TRUMP Trump was indicted in August on charges that include the Georgia RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer; conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree; conspiracy to commit false statements and writings; conspiracy to commit filing false documents; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree; and filing false documents. In March, Judge McAfee tossed six of the charges against Trump and his co-defendants, saying the state failed to allege sufficient detail for six counts of “solicitation of violation of oath by public officer.”
Johnson to formally hand Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate, urges trial ‘expeditiously’
The Senate is going to receive articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas next month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday. Johnson sent a letter to Schumer informing him that House impeachment managers will send the impeachment articles to his chamber on April 10, and urged him to hold a trial “expeditiously.” “As Speaker and impeachment managers of the U.S. House of Representatives, we write to inform you that we will present to you upon the Senate’s return, on April 10, 2024, the duly passed articles of impeachment regarding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. We urge you to schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously,” Johnson wrote alongside the 11 Republicans selected as impeachment managers. BIDEN, TEXAS FEUD OVER ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW AS MIGRANTS RUSH BORDER: WHAT TO KNOW The House impeached Mayorkas last month on two counts, accusing him of failing to comply with and enforce existing law, along with a breach of public trust. “Throughout his tenure, he has repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about the scope of the crisis and his role in it. His unlawful actions are responsible for the historic crisis that has devastated communities throughout our country, from the smallest border town in Texas to New York City,” Johnson wrote. “The constitutional grounds for Secretary Mayorkas’ conviction and removal from office are well-founded, and the historical record is clear.” Once the articles are formally handed off, the Senate must act on them swiftly. Schumer has not said what he would do, but his public criticism of the impeachment effort suggests it’s very possible that he’ll move to dismiss the trial. A simple 51-vote majority would be needed for that to occur. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE His office told Fox News Digital, “As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray will preside.” Senate Republicans have called for Schumer to go through with the proceedings – though it’s highly unlikely it will result in a conviction. “The Senate should conduct an impeachment trial of Secretary Mayorkas and examine the full extent of this crisis in front of the American people,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said publicly earlier this month. All but three House Republicans voted to impeach Mayorkas last month over his handling of the U.S. southern border. It was the first time since 1876 that a cabinet secretary had been impeached. HOW EAGLE PASS BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF ABBOTT’S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER House GOP leaders delayed sending the articles over to the Senate for several weeks, however, amid intense negotiations over how to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2024. Johnson confronted questions about the delay during the House GOP’s annual retreat earlier this month, telling reporters, “The reason for it is because we’re in the middle of funding the government in the appropriations process, and the way the procedure works is, once the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the Senate, they have a short window within which to process them. So we didn’t want to interrupt the Senate and their floor time and their deliberation on appropriations, because we would risk shutting the government down.” When reached for comment, DHS referred Fox News Digital to an earlier statement reacting to the House impeachment vote. “House Republicans will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border,” a DHS spokesperson said. “Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country.”
House Republicans plead with Mayorkas to address ‘unprecedented surge’ across northern US-Canada border
A total of 22 House Republicans sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week expressing “serious concern” to the Biden administration over an “unprecedented surge in apprehensions” seen along the northern U.S.-Canada border amid an “orchestrated” crisis. Leading the charge were Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., co-chairs of the Northern Border Security Caucus, along with Northern Border Security Caucus members Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., and House Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. They sounded the alarm about a 114% increase in apprehensions along the northern border this fiscal year so far, compared to the first four months of FY2023. In the 2023 fiscal year, Border Patrol agents apprehended 10,021 aliens illegally crossing the border between ports of entry, including 2,229 apprehensions in the first four months alone. In the first four months of the 2024 fiscal year, through January 2024, the Border Patrol has already apprehended 4,772 subjects along the northern border, according to Kelly’s office. Speaking to Fox News Digital after the congressman’s recent trip to the southern border this week, Zinke discussed how the crisis is impacting the northern border as well. “I can tell you in one word, it’s Biden,” Zinke said when asked what the problem is. “This administration has full authority to shut down the border in part or in total, and they choose not to, and they have the funding.” HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAMMER BIDEN AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IS LINKED TO MICHIGAN WOMAN’S MURDER Zinke explained that there are “significant” increases in numbers at the northern border, adding, “It’s not the volume. It’s also what’s what’s showing up at the northern border, because there are a number of individuals, hundreds on the terrorist watch list and many more that aren’t found that are coming through the northern border.” “In many ways, the northern border is not as arduous or not as dangerous as the southern border,” he said. “But people are walking across the border in the northern border, and there’s really no one out there … and there’s a lot of areas you just don’t have a fence and a lot of areas don’t have a promise of fence.” In their letter, lawmakers told Mayorkas, “[A]s temperatures reach sub-zero levels along some of the coldest regions in the United States on Northern Border and Border Patrol agents continue to conduct life-saving search and rescue missions, you continue to insist that you are managing the border in a safe, orderly and humane manner by providing ‘legal pathways’ to otherwise inadmissible aliens.” The letter expanded upon Kelly’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in November amid reports from U.S. Customs & Border Protection, which showed an alarming number of suspects on the terror watchlist who are crossing into the United States along the northern border with Canada. “More alarmingly, the surge of Terrorist Screening Data Set (TSDS) encounters at the Northern Border continue to skyrocket. Through the first four months of FY 2024, there have been 103 encounters with individuals at ports of entry at the Northern Border, compared to just eight at Southwest Border ports of entry,” the letter says. “This is not a new phenomenon. In FY 2023, the Northern Border had 484 TSDS encounters at ports of entry, compared to 80 at the Southwest Border.” HOW EAGLE PASS BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF ABBOTT’S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER “Dangerous individuals continue to take advantage of the vast Northern Border, which is the longest land border between two countries in the world, and relatively unguarded by natural barriers,” the lawmakers added. The northern border has also seen “a dangerous spike in drug smuggling, particularly fentanyl and other synthetic opioids,” the letter says. CBP seized nearly double the amount of fentanyl – the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 – in the first four months of FY 2024 than it did throughout the entirety of FY23 at the northern border, the lawmakers wrote. “While the Southwest Border has been overrun with drug smugglers, we cannot allow another avenue for deadly, illegal drugs into our country and our communities,” the lawmakers wrote. “In FY 2024 alone, Border Patrol agents are on track to apprehend a record number of illegal immigrants at the Northern border. These statistics are yet another example of how the Biden administration is downplaying the serious nature of this orchestrated border crisis. Every state has now become a border state under your leadership – or lack thereof.” The letter demands Mayorkas answer how DHS plans to address the strains experienced by local communities and Border Patrol agents along the northern border due to the surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling, what specific policies DHS is implementing to secure the northern border and prevent further increases in illegal activities, what strategies are being employed to enhance detection and interception of drugs given the “alarming spike” in drug smuggling by transnational criminal organizations, and what resources are being allocated to support Border Patrol agents “facing morale challenge due to the scale of the border crisis.”
Silchar Constituency Assam Lok Sabha election 2024: Check polling date, candidates list, past election results
Elections for the Silchar Lok Sabha seat are scheduled for April of this year.