Trump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California
President Donald Trump slammed Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger ahead of meetings in the state Saturday, warning her policies are triggering a tax base exodus similar to New York and California. Trump, in an early morning Truth Social post, said the Democratic governor had imposed a wave of taxes he argued were draining the state’s economic strength. “She is adding so many Taxes, a Food and Beverage Tax, Digital Services Tax, Utilities Tax, and more,” Trump wrote. “It has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength. People are leaving that would never have even thought of doing so!” Trump’s comments come as Republicans have criticized Democrats in the state legislature over a slate of tax and revenue proposals, warning the measures could hurt Virginia’s business climate, though the governor has not publicly supported or signed the measures referenced by Trump. GLENN YOUNGKIN ACCUSES GOV SPANBERGER OF ‘ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ GERRYMANDERING IN VIRGINIA MAP FIGHT “New companies that signed to come into the Commonwealth under Governor Youngkin are now looking for ways to get out — Break their Deal,” he said. The president, who said he was heading to Virginia for meetings at Trump National Golf Club, drew comparisons to high-tax states like New York and California, which he has frequently criticized. “We have a similar situation in New York and, most of all, in California, where Rich, Job Producing people and companies are being forced to FLEE at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote. He added that California’s tax base was “literally disappearing” as wealthy individuals and corporations relocate, warning Virginia could face a similar trajectory. VA DEM REJECTS ‘POWER GRAB’ CLAIMS ON SPANBERGER REDISTRICTING AS GOP WARNS 10–1 MAP WOULD SPLIT RURAL VOTE “Remember, once people and companies leave, they are never coming back!” Trump said. Spanberger pushed back on the criticism in a post on X, arguing Trump and his allies were mischaracterizing her policies. “The president and his allies are talking about taxes that our state legislature never even voted on and I certainly didn’t sign,” she wrote. “Why? Because if they don’t flood the zone with fake news about fake taxes, people might hear about the bills I am signing to lower energy costs, strengthen our schools, make housing more affordable, and bring billions of dollars of business investment to Virginia.” Spanberger has supported a broader set of revenue measures since taking office, including proposals targeting digital services and business activity, as part of an effort to fund priorities such as education and health care. A spokesperson for Spanberger’s office also issued a statement criticizing Trump’s claims. “Virginians are tired of Donald Trump’s lies,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Governor Spanberger has signed dozens of bipartisan bills to contend with high housing, healthcare and energy costs for Virginians — and not any of the taxes President Trump and his allies are lying about.” The spokesperson added that businesses have announced “more than $500 million in new investment in the commonwealth since Governor Spanberger took office in January,” while accusing Trump of focusing on politics instead of economic stability. “The ballgame changed when the President — whose been busy raising costs for Virginians by starting a reckless war that has skyrocketed inflation and driven gas prices up to $4 — strong-armed states into drawing more Republican congressional seats that he asserted he was ‘entitled’ to before the midterms,” the governor’s spokesperson added. “As prices rise in Trump’s economy, Governor Spanberger will continue her work with both parties to address the high housing, healthcare, and energy costs that Virginians are feeling.” On Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also took aim at Spanberger as a state vote on redistricting approaches during a rally in Rockingham County opposing Democrats’ proposed 10-1 gerrymander ahead of the April 21 referendum election. “She talks like a moderate, and she governs like a Marxist,” Johnson said. “I mean, this is serious stuff.” Johnson also warned that the outcome in Virginia could have national implications, citing the GOP’s narrow House majority. Youngkin, meanwhile, accused Spanberger of weakening public safety policies in the state. “She says she’s going to stand for public safety, and she makes Virginia a sanctuary state after one of the most successful federal-state collaborations in the entire country,” Youngkin said. “We arrested thousands of violent criminals who are here illegally, and she put a stop to it.” Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the 2025 gubernatorial race, securing a Democratic win. Youngkin was not eligible for re-election under state law. Spanberger campaigned on issues including health care and abortion rights, while positioning herself as a more moderate alternative despite GOP criticism of her voting record. Fox News Digital’s Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
Christians return to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre as Israel eases restriction
NewsFeed Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter’s Holy Fire ceremony at Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre after Israel eased restrictions on worshippers accessing holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. Published On 11 Apr 202611 Apr 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Hungry Fury ‘light and lean’ for heavyweight comeback fight with Makhmudov
Tyson Fury returns lighter than his last fight but still weighs in three pounds heavier than Arslanbek Makhmudov. By Reuters Published On 11 Apr 202611 Apr 2026 Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury hit the scales considerably lighter than last time he fought in 2024, but still carrying a few pounds more than Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. The 37-year-old registered 267.9 pounds in his underwear after his Canada-based opponent had stepped up at 264.9 in Friday’s weigh-in. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Fury’s weight compared to the 281 pounds he recorded, albeit fully clothed, for his rematch with world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 and 262 pounds against the Ukrainian in May that year. The Briton said he still had “a bit left in the tank” as he came out of retirement for the fifth time. “After another four or five retirements, I should be good,” he said. “My priority is to beat this fella, I’ve got loads of Easter eggs in the fridge ready for me. Whoever has these belts, I want them back. “I want to make a statement, so I’ve come in nice and light and lean.” Fury, who has spent 16 weeks training in Thailand, has promised fans a knockout win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night. “I’ll knock his head right off his two shoulders,” he told reporters on Thursday. “I’ll be like the gamecock on top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he’ll be like the knocked-out man sparked out on the floor.” The Briton has not fought since losing by unanimous decision to Usyk, but believes he remains the division’s top draw. “I actually feel sorry for Makhmudov because he’s got to face me – an injury-free Tyson Fury, on good form,” he said. “Sooner or later, these so-called alphabetical world champions are going to have to fight me. Whoever’s got belts will be begging me to fight by the end of the year – on their hands and knees, begging the Gypsy King to fight them.” Advertisement The bout against Makhmudov will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, underlining Fury’s continued commercial appeal even after a 16-month absence from the ring. “I’m the money man. When you mention Tyson Fury in heavyweight boxing, you know you’re getting paid,” he said. Adblock test (Why?)
Peru holds presidential election amid a decade of political tumult
Congress versus the presidency Experts like Tuesta argue that the last decade of political instability has all but rendered Peru’s executive branch a secondary power. By contrast, its unicameral Congress has expanded its might, though its members are largely unpopular among Peruvians. Part of its influence comes from its impeachment powers. Peru’s Congress can remove presidents for “moral incapacity”, a catch-all term that has been used to denounce anything from undisclosed meetings to security crises. Paulo Vilca, a researcher at the Institute of Peruvian Studies, explained that the shifting power dynamics have made it difficult for presidents to remain in office. “In the past, we used to elect presidents for five years. Now, what’s more likely is that they will not last five years,” said Vilca. But Peru’s unicameral Congress will come to an end this year. On Sunday, Peruvians will vote for a second congressional chamber, a Senate, for the first time since 1990. Vilca argues that the congressional election may be even more important than this year’s presidential race. But it will also likely deepen Peru’s ongoing political crisis, he added. He predicts that Congress’s chambers will soon be in conflict with each other, as well as with the president, in a three-way battle for power. “It is very likely that those who are elected deputies, for example, will not be very satisfied with having a subordinate position in front of the Senate,” Vilca said. “So we’re going to move from a crisis of two to a crisis of three.” Pedestrians in Cuzco, Peru, pass campaign signs on April 8 [Martin Mejia/AP Photo] The Senate was eliminated in 1992 by the late President Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori’s father, after he dissolved Peru’s bicameral Congress and implemented military rule. The younger Fujimori has sought to build on her father’s legacy, and her right-wing party, Fuerza Popular, has become a deciding force in the unicameral legislature. Keiko Fujimori even pledged to use her party’s power to “govern from Congress” after her defeat in the 2016 presidential race. Since then, analysts have argued that Fuerza Popular has led efforts to change governmental processes to maintain or expand its power, even at the expense of democratic participation. One change that it championed and passed in 2025 requires parties to earn at least 5 percent of the overall vote and a minimum of seven seats in the lower chamber to maintain their official political registration. For the Senate, parties must get at least three seats and 5 percent of votes. Critics have said the measure creates a nearly insurmountable threshold. “This whole system has been designed by the parties that are currently in Congress. And in particular, the one that has controlled the Constitutional Committee all these years has been Fuerza Popular,” said Vilca. “I think the purpose of designing this whole model has been to maintain a status quo, which the Fujimori wing has also created in the last five years.” Vilca is not optimistic that a new Senate will resolve the erosion of power away from the presidency. If anything, he anticipates more conflicts to come. “My most likely scenario is that the crisis continues,” he said, “that whoever is elected president will enter into confrontation with the Senate”. Adblock test (Why?)
Mathura Tragedy: Video emerges showing devotees chanting ‘radhe radhe’, not wearing life jackets moments before boat capsizes in Yamuna killing 10; WATCH
In a horrific incident, 10 people were killed in a boat capsizing on April 10 in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura. The video capturing moments before the tragedy show devotees chanting ‘radhe radhe’, and not wearing life jackets goes viral.
Ghaziabad to Rishikesh in 120 minutes? Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail expansion till Uttarakhand in ‘talks’; New stations Roorkee, Khatauli planned; check full route here
To make travel from Ghaziabad to Rishikesh smoother and faster, Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat is likely to see a extension till Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami proposed to extend Namo Bharat (Regional Rapid Transit System) till Rishikesh and Haridwar. Check full route here.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta chairs DUSIB meeting, clears housing allotments and gig worker welfare plan
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta chaired a DUSIB meeting approving key decisions on slum rehabilitation, gig worker welfare, Atal Canteen reforms and urban infrastructure upgrades.
Viral Video: When PM Modi, LOP Rahul Gandhi engage in candid chat in Parliament premises | WATCH
A video of PM Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is doing the rounds on social media, wherein the two are seen sharing a candid moment inside the Parliament premises, offering a rare glimpse of informal interaction.
Who is Aradhana Das? IAS officer accused of cheating man of Rs 95 lakh, issuing death threats
The Commissionerate of Police has now written to the State Home Department and General Administration Department, seeking permission to initiate formal action against Das — as required under rules for government servants and IAS officers.
ICE detains relatives of 1979 Iran hostage crisis figure after Rubio revokes their legal status
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he revoked the lawful permanent resident status of family members linked to Masoumeh Ebtekar, a spokeswoman for the Islamic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Embassy during the 1979 hostage crisis. Rubio said the individuals were placed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody pending removal from the United States. He said the Obama administration granted visas to Ebtekar’s son and his family in 2014, and later approved green cards for them through the Diversity Visa Program in 2016. IRAN HOSTAGE SURVIVOR SAYS TRUMP ‘ABSOLUTELY’ RIGHT TO LAUNCH OPERATION EPIC FURY, FINALLY CONFRONT REGIME “Masoumeh Ebtekar — also known as ‘Screaming Mary’ — was the spokeswoman for the Islamic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 52 Americans hostages for 444 days — subjecting them to beatings, starvation, and mock executions,” Rubio wrote on X. Rubio said her family should never have been allowed to benefit from the extraordinary privilege of living in the United States. “America can never become home for anti-American terrorists or their families — and under the Trump administration, it never will,” Rubio said. Ebtekar also served in a formal role as vice president of Women and Family Affairs in Iran between 2017 and 2021. PBS’s “Frontline” dubbed her “one of the highest-ranking women in the Muslim world” during an interview with the Muslim leader in 2002. US DEPORTS 3 FORMER IRANIAN GUARD MEMBERS AMID RISING TENSIONS WITH TEHRAN Fox News Digital this week obtained photos of Ebtekar’s son, Seyed Eissa Hashemi, at what the New York Post described as a “fancy” gym in Los Angeles, where he reportedly brushed off a reporter’s questions. According to the New York Post, people have been protesting against Hashemi living in the United States for months. There are several petitions on Change.org calling on him to be investigated and deported, some of which have been put under review by the petition website, according to a Fox News Digital review. The Post added that records show Hashemi resides in Agoura Hills, Los Angeles County, with his fellow psychology professor, his wife, Maryam Tahmasebi. The move follows similar action against relatives of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who were also taken into custody in recent days. Fox News’ Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.