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Speaker Johnson meets Gov Abbott in Texas to talk border action, Mayorkas impeachment

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on the latter's home turf on Thursday, where they discussed the ongoing border crisis and the House GOP's response to it.The meeting came hours after Johnson revealed that the House of Representatives would send impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10. "By opening the border to criminals, traffickers, and cartels, the Biden administration is actively endangering the American people, our families, ranchers, and law enforcement. When the federal government fails to perform its constitutional duty to protect our borders, states have no choice but to fill that role," Johnson said in a statement after the meeting. CALIFORNIA BORDER OFFICERS FIND THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF METH IN SHIPMENT OF CARROTS "Right now, we're witnessing a gross abuse of power as Biden's Department of Justice uses the judicial system to go after the state of Texas for attempting to safeguard its citizens. Texans, and all Americans, deserve better."Johnson expressed support for Abbott's efforts to secure the border between Texas and Mexico, the speaker's office said, and that the two discussed ways to "hold the Biden administration accountable."The Louisiana Republican also briefed Abbott on the House readying to transmit the impeachment articles to the Senate, Johnson's office said.Abbott in turn urged Johnson to "pass border security legislation that will help stop illegal crossings between ports of entry along the southern border," the governor's office said. ICE ARRESTS 216 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS WITH COCAINE, FENTANYL AND HEROIN CONVICTIONS "The Governor also implored Speaker Johnson to support the state's ongoing fight against President Biden's attacks on Texas' historic border mission and his refusal to secure the border," Abbott's office said.Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the meeting.Abbott has been in a standoff with President Biden for months over differing views on how to handle the migrant crisis at the border.The White House has criticized Abbott and Texas officials for actions carried out under Operation Lone Star, which has included putting up razor wire at the border and transporting migrants to Democrat-run cities like New York City and Chicago. Texas officials have accused the White House, however, of not doing enough to stop the migrant crisis on the federal level. MEXICAN PRESIDENT SAYS THE 'FLOW OF MIGRANTS WILL CONTINUE' UNLESS THE US MEETS HIS DEMANDS  House Republicans have similarly pressured Biden over the border crisis, repeatedly hammering him and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for failing to take up a strict border security bill, H.R.2, which Democrats have dismissed as a nonstarter.Johnson sent a letter to Schumer on Thursday informing him that House impeachment managers would 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.

Inmate who escaped Hawaii jail, got struck by a vehicle while fleeing police has died

An inmate in Hawaii who broke out of jail, jumped onto a highway during his escape and was hit by a car while fleeing police last week has died, authorities said.Matthew J. Ornellas Jr., 33, escaped from Kauai Community Correctional Center last Friday but, just moments after escaping the facility, became the victim of a serious hit-and-run. On Thursday, the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said he died of injuries he suffered. Officials at the facility said that Ornellas scaled a fence with razor wire, and correctional officers gave chase but lost sight of him. The correctional officers then heard a loud sound and ultimately found Ornellas on the highway, about 100 yards from the jail. He was seriously injured and was subsequently hospitalized. INMATE BREAKS OUT OF HAWAII JAIL, BECOMES VICTIM OF HIT-AND-RUN JUST MOMENTS LATER Orenellas was running north on the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway when he was hit, Kauai police said.He was serving time for a drug conviction, according to the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. FAMILY OF 5, INCLUDING 3 CHILDREN, FOUND DEAD AFTER REPORTED MURDER-SUICIDE IN HAWAII The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it is continuing to investigate the escape.Ornellas was a minimum-security inmate at the Kauai Community Correctional Center.Authorities are still searching for the driver of the vehicle, who fled before first responders arrived, Kauai police said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tennessee Gov. Lee signs bill to undo Memphis traffic stop reforms after Tyre Nichols death

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday signed off on the repeal of police traffic stop reforms made in Memphis after the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by officers in January 2023, despite pleas from Nichols' parents to GOP lawmakers and the governor to give them a chance to find compromise.The Republican governor's signature means the law immediately renders some of Memphis' ordinances null and void, including one that outlawed so-called pretextual traffic stops, such as for a broken taillight and other minor violations. Lee echoed arguments from Republican lawmakers who argued Nichols' death needed to result in accountability for officers who abuse power, not new limits on how authorities conduct traffic stops."I think what's most important for us to remember is that we can give law enforcement tools, but we've got to hold law enforcement to a standard of using those tools appropriately, where there's an appropriate interaction with the public," Lee told reporters Friday, earlier this month of his decision to sign the bill. "That's not what we understand has happened all the time, and certainly their family would attest to that." TYRE NICHOLS DEATH: LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS To date, Lee has never vetoed a piece of legislation since taking office nearly seven years ago, only occasionally letting bills become law without signing them to send a message of his concern or disapproval. He rarely bucks his political party's wishes, and he is notably attempting to push through a contentious universal school voucher bill where he needs Republican support in order for it to pass.Nichols' death last January sparked outrage and calls for reforms nationally and locally. Videos showed an almost 3-minute barrage of fists, feet and baton strikes to Nichols' face, head, front and back, as the 29-year-old Black man yelled for his mother about a block from home.Nichols' parents, mother RowVaughn Wells and stepfather Rodney Wells, were among the advocates who drummed up support for the Memphis city council last year to pass ordinance changes.Many Republican elected officials in Tennessee also joined in the public outcry over Nichols' death at the time. The month afterward, Lee even mentioned the Nichols family in his annual State of the State speech, saying "their courage, along with the compassion shown by the people of Memphis, is a picture of hope." TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE MOVES TO REVERSE ORDINANCES WEAKENING POLICE AUTHORITY AFTER TYRE NICHOLS' DEATH Yet the majority-white Legislature has repeatedly rebuffed many Black leaders' call for police reforms and oversight, and instead have sided with advocates who don't want new limits on police authority.In recent years, lawmakers have reacted similarly when they disagree with how Democrat-voting Memphis and Nashville run their cities. They have preempted local power to undo progressive policies, took more authority over local boards, and kept a hardline approach to crime in Memphis.Nichols' parents, in this case, said their attempts to get the bill sponsors to commit to finding some middle ground failed, leaving them and supporters in the Memphis community feeling marginalized and discouraged. Nichols' parents said they felt misled by Rep. John Gillespie, leading them to skip one trip to Nashville when they thought he would delay the bill. Instead, House Republicans passed it without the Nichols' parents there. Gillespie argued it was a miscommunication.When they returned another day for the Senate vote, Sen. Brent Taylor denied their pleas to pause the bill and try to find middle ground. RowVaughn Wells was in tears after the exchange, and the couple left before the Senate passed the bill.They also penned a letter to Lee before he ultimately signed the bill ."After the death of our son, you generously offered your support in our pursuit of justice," they wrote, imploring Lee to veto the bill. "This is that moment, Governor. We need your support now, more than ever."Five officers, who were also Black, were charged with federal civil rights violations in Nichols' death, and second-degree murder and other criminal counts in state court. One has pleaded guilty in federal court. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests and whether the department in the majority-Black city engages in racially discriminatory policing.Democratic lawmakers said the bill is a slap in the face to Nichols' grieving parents and the government in majority-Black Memphis. Some also were flummoxed that state Republicans were trying to undo changes made in reaction to Nichols' death even while federal authorities are still broadly investigating policing and race in Memphis.

Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. dead at 87

Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar, has died at the age of 87.Gossett's nephew told The Associated Press on Friday that the actor - who also won an Emmy for his role in the TV series "Roots" - died Thursday night in Santa Monica, California. The cause of death has not yet been released.

Florida launches emergency response to investigate 'erratic' behavior of endangered fish

Endangered smalltooth sawfish , marine creatures virtually unchanged for millions of years, are exhibiting erratic spinning behavior and dying in unusual numbers in Florida waters. Federal and state wildlife agencies are beginning an effort to rescue and rehabilitate sawfish to find out why.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced what it calls an "emergency response" focused on the Florida Keys starting next week. A NOAA news release called the effort unprecedented."If the opportunity presents itself, this would be the first attempt ever to rescue and rehabilitate smalltooth sawfish from the wild," said Adam Brame, NOAA Fisheries' sawfish recovery coordinator. FLORIDA BEACHGOER WRANGLES SHARK CAUGHT ON FISHING ROD: VIDEO Sawfish, related to rays, skates and sharks, are named for their elongated, flat snout that contains a row of teeth on each side. They can live for decades and grow quite large, some as long as 16 feet. They were once found all along the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic coasts in the U.S., but now are mainly in southwestern Florida and the Keys island chain as their habitats shrink. A related species is found off Australia.Since late January, state wildlife officials have been documenting what they call an "unusual mortality event" that has affected about 109 sawfish and killed at least 28 of them. There have been reports of abnormal behavior, such as the fish seen spinning or whirling in the water. Other species of fish also appear to have been affected."We suspect that total mortalities are greater, since sawfish are negatively buoyant and thus unlikely to float after death," Brame said.Officials haven't isolated a cause. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Wednesday that sawfish necropsies have not revealed any pathogen or bacterial infections, nor problems with low water oxygen levels or contaminants such as chemicals, or toxic red tide. Water testing is continuing.It's also not clear if the deaths and odd behaviors are related to a lengthy summer heat wave in Florida waters experts say was driven by climate change. The superheated waters caused other marine damage, such a coral bleaching and deaths of other ocean species.The wildlife agencies are working with three organizations that will rehabilitate sawfish that are rescued. One of them, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, said in a news release that even relatively small numbers of sawfish deaths could have a major impact on the population, listed as endangered since 2003."We have quarantine facilities ready to accommodate rescued sawfish where they would be under observation by qualified personnel under specific care and release guidelines," said Kathryn Flowers, Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow and lead scientist on the sawfish issue. "Attempts to solve this mystery call for robust collaboration."Brame said the effort depends on tips and sightings from the public of dead or distressed sawfish so rescuers know where to look for them. NOAA has a tipline at 844-4-Sawfish and FWC has an email, sawfish@fwc.com.In recent years, threatened manatees also suffered a major die-off in Florida waters as pollution killed much of their seagrass food source. State and federal officials fed tons of lettuce to manatees that gathered in winter outside a power plant for two years, and the manatee numbers have rebounded some with 555 deaths recorded in 2023 compared with a record 1,100 in 2021.

Biden cracks down on diesel trucks in bid to fight climate change, reduce emissions

The Biden administration finalized long-awaited regulations targeting emissions generated from heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses, the latest salvo in President Biden's sweeping climate agenda.The Environmental Protection Agency announced the new regulations Friday morning, and officials said they represent the strongest-ever greenhouse gas emissions standards of their kind. The rules will kick in beginning in 2026 for model year 2027 vehicles and progressively become more stringent through model year 2032, forcing a larger number of trucks and buses to be zero-emissions in that time frame."EPA's standards complement President Biden's unprecedented investment in our workers and communities to reduce harmful emissions, while strengthening our manufacturing capacity for the transportation technologies of the future," said White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. "By tackling pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, we can unlock extraordinary public health, climate, and economic gains.""In finalizing these emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, EPA is significantly cutting pollution from the hardest-working vehicles on the road," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. "Building on our recently finalized rule for light- and medium-duty vehicles, EPA's strong and durable vehicle standards respond to the urgency of the climate crisis by making deep cuts in emissions from the transportation sector." TRUMP CAMPAIGN UNLEASHES ON BIDEN FOR BACKING CALIFORNIA'S GAS CAR BAN Overall, EPA said the aggressive standards will avoid a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions and provide $13 billion in annualized net societal benefits related to public health, the climate and business savings. The agency claims that the regulations will set the heavy-duty vehicle industry on a "trajectory for sustained growth."The new regulations apply to short-haul and long-haul tractor-trailer trucks, in addition to vocational trucks like delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, school and public transit buses , concrete trucks and fire trucks. EPA previously projected that the standards could lead to 50% of vocational trucks, 35% of short-haul tractor-trailers and 25% of long-haul tractor-trailers produced in 2032 being electric.Less than 1% of new truck sales in the U.S. are zero-emissions, according to the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents the world's leading manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles. VULNERABLE HOUSE DEM BUCKS PARTY ORTHODOXY, BLASTING HIS STATE'S PROPOSED EV MANDATE "With the climate crisis underway and many of our communities facing unprecedented fires, droughts and floods, it's crucial that truck manufacturers get into the fast lane with zero-emission trucks to deliver the climate, health, and economic benefits we deserve," said Katherine Garcia, director of the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All campaign.Garcia and other environmental activists who lauded the regulations have for years called on the federal government to crack down on the trucking industry, pointing to its heavy carbon footprint. The transportation sector accounts for 29% of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for 23% of those emissions, federal data shows.However, the announcement immediately received pushback from the trucking industry and energy producers, who argued that it would lead to higher costs for trucking companies . "Small business truckers, who happen to care about clean air for themselves and their kids as much as anyone, make up 96% of trucking," said Todd Spencer, president of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, an organization that represents more than 150,000 members across all 50 states and Canada. "Yet, this administration seems dead set on regulating every local mom-and-pop business out of existence with its flurry of unworkable environmental mandates." MAINE REJECTS SWEEPING ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE IN BLOW TO GOVERNOR'S CLIMATE AGENDA In comments filed with the EPA last year, the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association warned that the administration had overestimated the nearer-term feasible market penetration and adoption rates of electric trucks, and the demand for them. In a joint statement, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President and CEO Chet Thompson and American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers called on Congress to immediately overturn the regulations. They also said they were prepared to take the administration to court over the rule."This is yet another example of the Biden administration's whole-of-government effort to eliminate choices for American consumers, businesses and industries," Thompson and Sommers said. "There is significant uncertainty regarding the technological and infrastructure capability to comply with this rule, which may threaten the speed and cost of goods moving throughout the country." 130+ HOUSE, SENATE REPUBLICANS JOIN FORCES IN OPPOSITION OF BIDEN'S UPCOMING EV MANDATE The regulations are also sure to attract considerable criticism from Republican lawmakers , who have for months warned the Biden administration against targeting the heavy-duty vehicle industry. Last week, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said he would soon introduce a resolution to rescind the standards once they are finalized."In the midst of sustained, crippling inflation, President Biden is choosing to add more regulatory dead weight onto our economy and our critical supply chains," Sullivan said. "Hard-working families across the country will pay the price if this rule is allowed to stand. The cost of this rule will be felt in the rising price of gas, bread, eggs and other life essentials."The final standards are somewhat less stringent than the first proposed standards in April 2023. They come one week after the EPA finalized its multi-pollutant emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles, the strongest of their kind to date.

US National Park Service faces lawsuit over plan to remove hundreds of stray cats from historic tourist spot

A nonprofit organization said Thursday that it sued the U.S. National Park Service over a plan to remove Puerto Rico's famous stray cats from a historic district in the U.S. territory.The lawsuit filed by Maryland-based Alley Cat Allies comes four months after the federal agency announced it would contract an animal welfare organization to remove an estimated 200 cats that live in an area surrounding a historic seaside fortress in Old San Juan.The organization would decide whether the trapped cats would be adopted , placed in foster homes, kept in a shelter or face other options. It wasn't immediately clear if an organization has been hired. US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO REMOVE HUNDREDS OF STRAY CATS FROM HISTORIC TOURIST SPOT At the time, the National Park Service said it would hire a removal agency if the organization it contracted failed to remove the cats within six months.The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Tourists and locals have long considered the cats both a delight and a nuisance, with the National Park Service stating in 2022 that the population had grown too much as it noted the smell of urine and feces in the area.Activists have decried the plan, saying six months is insufficient time to remove so many cats and worried they would be killed.In its lawsuit, Alley Cat Allies requested additional environmental statements from the federal agency and asked that a judge finds its actions allegedly violate acts including the National Environmental Protection Act.

World Series champ Steve Sax digitizes Babe Ruth art to raise money for foundation in honor of late Marine son

On June 8, 2022, five U.S. Marines who were part of Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, died in a military aircraft accident in California that involved malfunctioning engines. Capt. John J. Sax , USMC, was one of those aviators. In his honor, in 2023, the Sax family established the Captain John J. Sax Family Foundation."My son was just the greatest person I ever knew," Stephen Sax, a former MLB player and coach, told Fox News Digital. "My son has always been my hero. He always wanted to be an aviator, and my son really had to struggle through different parts to become that aviator."While aspiring to become a jet fighter in the Navy, John blew out his elbow. Following his recovery, he was hit with another roadblock that resulted in treatment for an astigmatism. Again, John filed back in line for the Marine Corps. In 2020, John received his Marine "Wings of Gold." MARINES KILLED IN MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASH IN CALIFORNIA HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED "The essence of the foundation, or the mission of the foundation, is to help other aviators, people that have a quest to become an aviator, a love for flight, to accomplish that goal," Sax said. "We're going to help those same people that face obstacles in their quest to become a great aviator."The foundation funds grants and scholarships to students and schools upholding the foundation's mission of supporting and producing successful aviators.In an effort to raise money for the cause, Sax partnered with MLB to digitize a painting, " Babe and the Kids , " by award-winning sports artist Opie Otterstad. The painting depicts Babe Ruth on a barnstorming tour in 1922. In it, he is tightly surrounded by smiling young children. LONG-LOST BABE RUTH WWII-ERA RADIO INTERVIEW FOUND IN OBSCURE ARCHIVE The youngsgters in the painting are 58 former Major League Baseball players, 56 of whom are Hall of Fame inductees."He supplanted, or changed out the faces and painted in Hall of Famers when they were little boys," Sax said.In the lower right-hand corner, observers will find Nolan Ryan , a former MLB pitcher and 1999 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.Sax, with lots of help, worked for two years to unveil the digitized Otterstad art and mint it on the blockchain as an NFT. An NFT is permanently and immutably minted onto a blockchain."It can never be altered," Sax said. "There's never going to be an addition to more than there is now."The Sax foundation has 200 NFTs available. However, only 150 of them are for sale.The 53rd NFT is to be given to Don Drysdale's daughter Drew. Drysdale, "Big D," was a former pitcher for the Dodgers. In 1984, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and, that same year, his No. 53 was retired by the LA team.The Dodgers will receive the 42nd NFT by Sax and the foundation in honor of Jackie Robinson , the first African American to play in the MLB.In the rendering, users can click on Ryan, Drysdale, Robinson or any of the other children and tune into a few minutes of highlights from their time as MLB stars. JACKIE ROBINSON'S 100TH BIRTHDAY - HIS FAITH IN GOD WAS THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO HIS SUCCESS "If somebody says 'Well, tell me real quick about it,' I can't tell you real quick about it," Sax said. "There's too much to it; there's so much history."Otterstad spent eight years completing the piece. He visited local courthouses and athlete's families to retrieve the necessary permissions to paint the men.Through his journey to narrate this piece of history, Otterstad was unable to locate a childhood photograph of Juan Marichal, a former MLB pitcher from the Dominican Republic and a 1983 Hall of Fame inductee. Instead of replacing him, he used a childhood photograph of his daughter, who Sax says was a "dead ringer" for her dad."They did the same thing with Roy Campanella," Sax said of the former MLB catcher. "They painted a picture of his little boy, who was again a dead ringer for his dad when he was that age."The NFT of former all-stars can be seen on a screen as meager as an Apple Watch or as wide-reaching as the SoFi Stadium jumbotron that spans 129 yards and will still conserve its clarity."The reason that the NFT makes it so valuable is because it keeps the exclusivity and rarity intact," Sax said. "If there was 10,000 of these prints that were out there, and they were just everywhere, anybody could say, 'You know, we could get that printed whenever we wanted.'"Minted NFTs are often compared to valuable trading cards. In terms of high grade baseball cards that command equal value, Sax believes this NFT compares to former Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge or megastar Shohei Ohtani .The cost of each NFT is $15,000 or crypto and is accompanied by decision-making rights and exclusive invitations to foundation events."Anyone that buys one of these is going to be teammates with us," Sax said.Seventy-five percent of proceeds will go directly to the cause."We want to carry his legacy and love for flight forward and, through this project, we're going to be able to do that," Sax said.

Chiefs' Andy Reid impresses with perfect ceremonial first pitch at Royals' Opening Day

Ceremonial pitches can go one of two ways. Luckily for Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, he'll have something to brag about when he returns to the Chiefs' facility. The veteran coach had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday for the Royals' home opener against the Minnesota Twins.  Walking towards the mound with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in hand, Reid stepped in front of the mound and threw a perfect strike to Royals legend George Brett.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who owns a 1% stake in the MLB team, took to X to ask how his coach had fared, but thankfully, Reid had thrown a pitch worth a highlight reel. Despite losing 4-1 to the Twins, the Royals are hoping that some of Reid's dynasty luck will rub off on their season.  CHIEFS' TRAVIS KELCE REVEALS OFFSEASON WEIGHT GAIN IN DRINKING DEBATE WITH BROTHER JASON KELCE The Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls with a win over the San Francisco 49ers last month. It marked their third Super Bowl in just five seasons and fourth in franchise history. But even with such success under his tenure, Reid isn't ready to call it a dynasty. "It's up to you guys to do the dynasty thing," Reid told reporters with a smile during the NFL owners meetings this week. "I'm back to training camp and the meat and potatoes of the thing, and so that's where I go. Just make sure the guys come back in shape and we're ready to roll. That's the part that we'll control there, and make sure the guys build a nice foundation up at training camp.""Every year in the NFL is a new year," he continued. "Every team is a different team, and the guys know how I go with that - don't get caught up in too much of the fluff. Put another Tommy Bahama shirt on, and let's go."  Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .
 

Trump sends message to Biden, Obama for missing NYPD officer's wake: Have to go 'whether they like it or not'

Former President Trump slammed President Biden during an exclusive interview with "Fox & Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade, arguing he missed a "very sad moment" when he went to a fundraiser in the Big Apple instead of mourning slain New York police officer Jonathan Diller. "They missed a very sad moment for our country, but it's a moment that they have to be a part of, whether they like it or not," Trump told Kilmeade.  "They can't skip this moment. I've never seen so many police. I've never seen so many firemen, a lot of firemen. They view it... in a very similar way, and I understand that. But they're going to have to get involved a little bit because this country is going to hell.""Our country is not respected anymore," he continued. "I say it in my rallies, in my speeches. We're a nation in decline... Totally fixable, but we have to do it fast."Biden was in town for a Democratic fundraising event on Thursday, while Trump attended a wake for New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller at a Massapequa Park, Long Island funeral home, some 40 miles from Manhattan.  JONATHAN DILLER SHOOTING: NYPD SERGEANTS' UNION TELLS ANTI-POLICE DEMOCRATS TO STAY AWAY FROM FUNERAL Biden attended a glitzy Democratic fundraising event at Radio Music Hall attended by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as A-list celebrities like Lizzo and Stephen Colbert, the host of CBS program "The Late Show" and an enthusiastic Democratic Party booster."I think that politically he can't support the police," Trump said. "I think he's also making a mistake, but I think politically... his base won't let him support the police and I support the police. I would say at the highest level of any president by far, maybe double or triple, and they knew that. That's why when I walked into that funeral parlor it was... like love.""They want to shy away from it," he continued. "They didn't even call the family. They could have called... I'm not sure they'd take his call." SUSPECTS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER IDENTIFIED, HAVE LENGTHY RECORDS rget=_new href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-attends-slain-nypd-officer-jonathan-dillers-wake" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Diller was fatally shot on Monday during a traffic stop in Queens after a man with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach as Diller was trying to get the suspect, Guy Rivera, 34, to exit the vehicle. Rivera opened fire on Diller and his partner at about 5:45 p.m. Monday. The officers approached the vehicle because it was illegally parked at a bus stop. Diller was 31 years old and lived in Massapequa Park with his wife and nearly 1-year-old son, Fox News Digital previously reported. He had served three years with the NYPD before his death.  " Stephanie is incredible, and they wanted me to be there, and I wanted to be there," Trump said. "What a family, the Diller family, and they lost a a hero, really. I mean, just a hero. They're devastated. The family is devastated. The police force is devastated. The whole country feels this way.""It's happening more and more, and it's really a lack of respect for law and order," he continued. "And we have to have law and order back in our country, and we're going to because this can't happen. This was a brutal murder."Earlier Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden spoke with New York City Mayor Eric Adams but did not have any "private communications to share" regarding discussions with Diller's family."Our hearts go out, obviously, to the officer's family and the broader NYPD family, who have tragically lost one of their own. The President grieves for them and honors their sacrifice," Jean-Pierre told reporters."The President has stood with law enforcement his entire career and continues to stand with them as they put their lives on the line for their communities. Under his leadership, we will continue to support police officers and ensure that they have resources they need to continue - to continue to do the work - the all-important work that they have to do on behalf of the community."On Thursday, Tunnel to Towers announced it would pay off the mortgage for Diller's grieving wife. Fox News' Emma Colton and Louis Casiano contributed to this report. 

Rates of students skipping class remain stubbornly high since COVID closures: 'The problem got worse'

The rates of students skipping school remains high following a trend that surged upwards during the COVID pandemic , according to a recent study. "Nationally, an estimated 26 percent of public school students were considered chronically absent last school year, up from 15 percent before the pandemic," The New York Times reported, citing the American Enterprise Institute.A student who is chronically absent from school typically misses at least 10 percent of a given school year, or 18 days.  WHAT'S GOING ON WITH AMERICA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS? ENROLLMENT DROPS AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM TELL A DRAMATIC TALE The increase in chronic absenteeism was particularly high at schools that closed their doors and focused on virtual learning, with 28% of students at schools with the longest school closures becoming chronically absent in 2023, per data shared by The Times. That number was compared to a 25% chronic absenteeism rate at both the "middle" and "most in-person" schools.The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) found "chronic absenteeism rates improved in 2023 but still remained 75 percent higher than the pre-pandemic baseline.""Chronic absenteeism increased for all district types, but rates were highest in districts with low achievement and higher poverty, affecting over one in three students," the AEI study also found. The alarming trend of chronic absenteeism is seen in "districts big and small, and across income and race," The Times reported. "For districts in wealthier areas, chronic absenteeism rates have about doubled, to 19 percent in the 2022-23 school year from 10 percent before the pandemic, a New York Times analysis of the data found.""The problem got worse for everybody in the same proportional way," AEI senior fellow Nat Malkus said. "Our relationship with school became optional," associate research professor with the Center of Child and Family Policy at Duke University, Katie Rosanbalm, told The Times. "If we don't address the absenteeism, then all is naught," superintendent of Mt. Diablo Unified, Adam Clark, said.  RATES OF SKIPPING CLASS ALARMINGLY HIGH IN SCHOOLS, WITH STUDENTS MISSING 10 PERCENT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR: STUDY "If kids are not here, they are not forming relationships," Quintin Shepherd, the superintendent in Victoria, Texas, told The Times. "If they are not forming relationships, we should expect there will be behavior and discipline issues. If they are not here, they will not be academically learning and they will struggle. If they struggle with their coursework, you can expect violent behaviors."Previous reports have documented the rise of chronic absenteeism in the American school system as teachers struggle to keep students in the classroom year-round. A report from January found that "[n]inety percent of students showed up to school on a typical day this fall, according to a new federal survey, a figure that experts say remains too low amid national concern around a rise in chronic absenteeism," the Washington Post wrote. 

Ex-MLB All-Star casts doubt over Shohei Ohtani's gambling innocence: 'The circumstances don't add up'

Shohei Ohtani was adamant that he never bet on baseball, or sports in general, nor did he ever willingly pay a bookie, but not everyone is buying that story.Ohtani claims that his now-former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara , stole money from his bank accounts in order to gamble, but that came after Mizuhara said that Ohtani had openly helped him pay off gambling debts.Mizuhara has since admitted he lied in his original interview to ESPN, and Ohtani continues to say that Mizuahara was "stealing money and telling lies." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM But former MLB catcher A.J. Pierzynski says the story stinks of suspiciousness."First of all, I want to give the benefit of the doubt to Shohei, because he's an incredible talent. But . . . I just don't know how you can have multiple large deposits taken out of your account," Pierzynsky told Outkick's Dan Dakich . "I know Shohei probably wasn't watching it every day, but he's got people that watch that stuff. You don't think there was an accountant that would've noticed, 'Hey, by the way, you've had nine $500,000 deposits go out? Nine of them?' One, maybe you're like, 'OK, we missed something.' But nine of them for $4.5 million? That's where it gets a little weird to me. . . . "Ohtani is not necessarily in a rare category, the two-time All-Star says: "I know plenty of guys that have gotten money taken from them, because they give access to things they shouldn't give access to." But that usually comes from someone who actually works with money, "like a financial guy or an agent that has access to their finances and changes some numbers," Pierzynski says."But for me, with Shohei, an interpreter who was his best friend. And then, the other thing that is weird is the day this all comes out, he's in the dugout like 'Hey buddy, we're pals. Let's go out to dinner.' And then all of a sudden, right after the game, they tell you 'No, this guy stole $4.5 million from you without you knowing?' The circumstances don't add up."Ohtani said he had not learned of Mizuhara's gambling until the team's series in Seoul, yet Mizuhara "has been telling everybody around that he has been communicating with me on this account to my representatives, to the team, and that has not been true," Ohtani said."When we went back to the hotel one to one, that was when I found out he had a massive debt," Ohtani said in his statement earlier this week. "It was revealed to me during that meeting that Ippei admitted he was sending money using my account to the bookmaker. At that moment, obviously it was an absurd thing that was happening, and I contacted my representatives at that point."When I was finally able to talk to my representatives, that's when my representatives found out Ippei has been lying the whole time, and that's when I started contacting the Dodgers and my lawyers. The Dodgers and the lawyers at that moment found out also as well they had been lied to. My lawyers recommended that, since this is theft and fraud, we have the proper authorities handle this matter."Major League Baseball is investigating the matter. Mizuhara had been Ohtani's personal translator since breaking into MLB in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels. They were inseparable, as Mizuhara would even catch Ohtani's bullpen sessions and play catch with him in the outfield before games. Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital's  rget=_new href="https://twitter.com/FoxNewsSports_" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> sports coverage on X , and subscribe to rget=_new href="https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">  the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .

Dashcam video shows cement truck plowing into Texas school bus, killing boy and man

Harrowing video has been released showing the moment a cement truck in Texas collided with a school bus packed with pre-K students returning from a trip to the zoo, killing a boy and a man.The video, from front-facing and side-facing cameras, shows the cement truck veering across double yellow lines and crashing almost head-on with the bus, causing the bus to roll over.Just before impact, someone can be heard crying out, and, as the bus hits the ground, a fireball appears to explode while crash debris can be seen flying around.  45 DEAD AFTER BUS PLUNGES OFF BRIDGE IN SOUTH AFRICA, LEAVING 8-YEAR-OLD AS ONLY SURVIVOR The footage, released by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, shows other drivers leaving their cars to race toward the bus. Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, five, who was riding the bus, died, as did 33-year-old Ryan Wallace, who was driving a 2024 Hyundai behind the bus and plowed into it. Wallace was a doctoral student at the University of Texas, according to the Austin American-Statesman.  DRIVER DIES IN FIERY CRASH WITH NEW YORK SCHOOL BUS RETURNING FROM FIELD TRIP: VIDEO The deadly incident took place at around 2 p.m. near Texas State Highway 21 and Caldwell Road in Bastrop County, a rural highway outside Austin,  FOX Austin  reported. The school bus was carrying more than 40 pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary School who were returning from a zoo field trip, many of whom were also injured.The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not said how fast the vehicles were traveling.No charges have been filed against the cement truck driver.According to a report by KVUE, citing court documents, Texas police interviewed the cement truck driver while he was in the hospital for treatment on Monday, and he told them he admitted to having smoked marijuana the night before the crash.The driver also allegedly told police that he only had slept about three hours before consuming cocaine at 1 a.m. the morning of the crash. He also refused to provide a blood sample for analysis, according to court documents. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Fox News 'Antisemitism Exposed' Newsletter: Spielberg denounces antisemitism, Israeli hostage speaks out

Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world. IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - Israeli hostage describes graphic sexual assault, beatings, torture in Gaza
- Abbott signs executive order to curb antisemitism on Texas campuses
- Steven Spielberg denounces antisemitism at universities, warns against forgetting history TOP STORY: An Israeli hostage recounted for the first time in extensive interviews how she was repeatedly assaulted during her 55 days in captivity . On October 7, Soussana was taken from her closet in Kfar Aza kibbutz and dragged into Gaza by at least ten men who repeatedly tackled her to the ground as they struggled to restrain her. VIDEO : Elizabeth Pipko joined "Fox News @ Night" to discuss how the Biden administration has to grapple with the "divide" on Israel-Hamas war. NEVER ACCEPTABLE: Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued an executive order aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses in his state as the nation grapples with a troubling uptick in antisemitic incidents amid the Israel-Hamas war. The executive order demands college and university administrators enforce such policies to ensure "a safe learning environment for Jewish students and all Texans." 'JEWS UNDER SIEGE': Antisemitism in Canada has reached soaring levels as the country's liberal Prime Minister  Justin Trudeau faces intense criticism for capitulating to anti-Israel activists. A survey of some statistics of outbreaks of antisemitism shows that of the 84 registered hate crimes in Toronto in 2024, a startling 56% of the crimes were animated by antisemitism . Jews make up approximately 1.4% of the country's population. 'SHOCK AND DISBELIEF': New York Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman called reports of Hamas terrorists raping Israeli women "propaganda" just days after lawmakers viewed a nearly 45-minute video of the bloody Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "I am increasingly alarmed that we may be condemned to repeat history - to once again have to fight for the very right to be Jewish," acclaimed director Steven Spielberg shared. UP NEXT: - Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here .- Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here .

European Union plans to expedite financial aid to Egypt, bypassing usual safeguards

The European Union intends to fast-track some of its aid money to Egypt using an urgent funding procedure that bypasses parliamentary oversight and other safeguards, according to the president of the bloc's executive branch.The $1.1 billion intended for this is part of a larger package of $8 billion in financial assistance to the North African country that the EU announced on March 17.Egypt has for years relied on cash handouts, often from wealthy Gulf Arab states, as concerns mount that economic pressure and regional conflicts could drive more migrants from the region to Europe's shores. EUROPEAN UNION SIGNS 7.4B EURO AID PACKAGE FOR EGYPT TO ADDRESS MIGRATION CONCERNS AND MORE The EU package includes three year's worth of grants and favorable loans for the Arab world's most populous country. Most of the funds - $5.4 billion - are known as macro-financial assistance, or MFA, and would be paid directly to Egypt's Central Bank.It's rare for the EU to sidestep safeguards, but European Parliament elections are due June 6-9 - a timeline that if the checks were implemented, would slow the delivery of that money.With those polls in mind, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for "an urgent MFA operation for up to 1 billion euros" for Egypt, noting in a letter to EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola the country's "rapidly deteriorating economic and fiscal situation."The letter, seen by The Associated Press, preceded the announcement of the deal with Egypt. EGYPT TO ADDRESS MIGRATION INFLUX, ECONOMIC PRESSURES THROUGH $8 BILLION EU AID PACKAGE Von der Leyen blamed "a very large exposure to the economic effects of Russia 's full-scale war of aggression on Ukraine, the wars in Gaza and Sudan, and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea," and said it was "imperative to make sure that a first significant contribution" would get to Egypt by the end of 2024.To do so, the commission would employ a seldom-used part of the EU treaties, Article 213, which stipulates that the 27 member countries must endorse the funds - but not the parliament, the bloc's only democratically elected institution.Not even when COVID-19 spread in 2020 and the EU bailed out governments from the Balkans to the Middle East was this path taken. Nor is it used to keep Ukraine's war-shattered economy afloat, although Kyiv did benefit from it a decade ago, when Russia annexed Crimea and hiked natural gas prices.Apart from removing the need for parliamentary oversight, the urgent funding procedure also side-steps a requirement for an impact assessment on the effects of the assistance.Von der Leyen said the new parliament that will be formed after the EU elections would be "fully involved" for the remaining $4.3 billion of MFAs to Egypt, to be disbursed when Cairo agrees to implement "more comprehensive" reforms.The deal also includes a $1.9 billion investment plan and $647 million in loans, including at least $217 million that will go to Egypt for "migration management."The fast-track money would inject much-needed funds into the Egyptian economy, which has been hit hard by years of government austerity, the coronavirus pandemic, the fallout from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and most recently, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.Usually, MFAs are meant for governments with dire economic woes and to encourage them to introduce reforms. Yet the commission acknowledges that Egypt is "sluggish" on policy revision and already has a "backlog of domestic reforms" to address.Migration is a key factor driving the EU-Egypt deal. As in previous years, it will be an election issue in the EU and mainstream parties want to keep arrivals down to deprive the far-right of campaign fuel.The deal in Cairo came just weeks after a pact was sealed with Mauritania involving money to help the country - a major transit hub for people moving through Africa toward Europe - beef up border security.A more substantial agreement was clinched with Tunisia last July, expanding on a model the bloc developed with Turkey in 2015 to stop migrants reaching Europe.While the Egyptian coast has not been a key launching pad for human traffickers sending overcrowded boats across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, Egypt faces migratory pressures from the region, with the added looming threat that the Israel-Hamas war could spill across its borders.The commission, asked by the AP what conditions Egypt should respect to receive urgent funding, said that "relevant and feasible reform priorities would need (to) be selected taking into account the corresponding time horizon."The commission's website says macro-financial assistance must be "exceptional in nature" and that "a pre-condition for granting MFA is the respect of human rights and effective democratic mechanisms."Amnesty International has implored the EU to put rights abuses at the center of relations with Egypt - and the commission concedes that "human rights challenges in Egypt remain significant."Still, the EU's executive branch maintains that "the political leadership in Egypt has taken several steps putting greater emphasis on the importance of the respect for human rights" in recent years.Earlier this month, Egypt floated its currency and announced a deal with the International Monetary Fund to increase its bailout loan from $3 billion to $8 billion, moving to shore up an economy hit by a staggering shortage of foreign currency and soaring inflation.Cairo's coffers will also be replenished with $35 billion from a massive project involving an Emirati consortium to jointly develop the Mediterranean city of Ras el-Hekma.Since coming to power in 2013, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has relied heavily on Gulf Arab states, from where an estimated more than $100 billion entered Egypt via Central Bank deposits, fuel aid and other support.

Caitlyn Jenner blasts Biden and Obama, praises Trump for respective New York visits

Four current and former presidents were in New York on Thursday for different reasons. President Biden , along with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, held a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall, while Donald Trump attended services for slain NYPD officer Jason Diller, who was fatally shot this week during a traffic stop in Queens.Biden's event Thursday night was expected to fetch more than $25 million for his re-election campaign.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Organizers charged a minimum of $250 to attend and up to $500,000 for a more intimate, exclusive reception, and for $100,000, guests could get a photo with all three presidents taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz.Caitlyn Jenner criticized the Democrats while praising Trump in a post on X, formerly Twitter."Backing the blue should never be partisan- but today Biden was fundraising in NY with Obama and Clinton. An absolute disgrace!!" Jenner wrote . "Proud of both of my friends and amazing patriots @realDonaldTrump & @NassauExec Bruce for standing up for law and order, and a family in mourning." NEW YANKEES STAR JUAN SOTO PRESERVES OPENING DAY WIN WITH GAME-SAVING DEFENSE IN 9TH INNING After attending Diller's wake, Trump emphasized law and order ."Such a sad, sad event. Such a horrible thing. And it's happening all too often, and we're just not going to let it happen," Trump said. "We need law and order."Diller, 31, the father of a one-year-old boy, was killed Monday after Guy Rivera, 34, allegedly opened fire and killed him during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. Both the driver of the vehicle and Rivera, who was in the passenger seat, had at least 20 prior arrests, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The White House offered its condolences to Diller's family and NYPD, saying that Biden has stood for law enforcement throughout his entire career."The President has stood with law enforcement his entire career and continues to stand with them as they put their lives on the line for their communities," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "Under his leadership, we will continue to support police officers and ensure that they have resources they need to continue - to continue to do the work - the all-important - work that they have to do on behalf of the community." Fox News' Louis Casano and Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital's  sports coverage on X , and subscribe to  the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .

Mail-in ballots must have dates on envelopes, Pennsylvania appeals court rules

A Pennsylvania federal appeals court has ruled that mail-in ballots received without accurate handwritten dates on the outside of envelopes are not valid, a ruling that will have a significant impact on this year's elections in the key battleground state. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled 2-1 on Wednesday, overturning a lower court's November decision.The lower court had ruled that even without the proper dates, mail-in ballots should be counted if received on time. The court said that "trivial paperwork" errors disenfranchised voters and violated the Materiality Provision of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that immaterial errors or omissions should not be used to prevent voting. KEY ISSUES AHEAD OF PENNSYLVANIA'S GOP PRIMARY INCLUDE ELECTION INTEGRITY, MAIL-IN VOTING LAW But in Wednesday's federal appeals court's opinion, Judge Thomas Ambro wrote that under a state legislature passed law, mail-in voters must write the date on their envelopes in order to make their vote effective."The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania unanimously held this ballot-casting rule is mandatory; thus, failure to comply renders a ballot invalid under Pennsylvania law," Ambro wrote.The Materiality Provision "only applies when the State is determining who may vote," Ambro wrote.Under a state law passed in 2019, Pennsylvania voters must "fill out, date and sign the declaration printed on [the] envelope" before returning their ballot.Proponents of mail-in ballots argue it makes voting more convenient, as well as being easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to vote. However, some Republicans say that the process raises serious election integrity issues , while former President Donald Trump has blasted the system as "totally corrupt" and blames it, in part, for his 2020 election loss. In Pennsylvania, Democrats have been far more likely to vote by mail than Republicans. AHEAD OF 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SWING STATE PENNSYLVANIA SETS UP ELECTION SECURITY TASK FORCE "This is a crucial victory for election integrity and voter confidence in the Keystone State and nationwide," Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee said in a statement."Pennsylvanians deserve to feel confident in the security of their mail ballots, and this Third Circuit ruling roundly rejects unlawful left-wing attempts to count undated or incorrectly dated mail ballots."The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which helped represent groups and voters who challenged the date mandate, said that voters will lose as a result of the ruling. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "If this ruling stands, thousands of Pennsylvania voters could lose their vote over a meaningless paperwork error," said Mike Lee, the executive director of the ACLU in Pennsylvania."The ballots in question in this case come from voters who are eligible and who met the submission deadline. In passing the Civil Rights Act, Congress put a guardrail in place to be sure that states don't erect unnecessary barriers that disenfranchise voters. It's unfortunate that the court failed to recognize that principle."In the 2022 midterms, more than 7,600 mailed ballots in 12 counties were tossed because their outer envelopes lacked dates or had incorrect dates, according to the decision. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Mexican mob fatally beats woman suspected of kidnapping and killing 8-year-old girl

A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco brutally beat a woman to death Thursday because she was suspected of kidnapping and killing a young girl, rampaging just hours before the city's famous Holy Week procession.The mob formed after an 8-year-old girl disappeared Wednesday. Her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera video appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girl's body, into a taxi.The mob surrounded the woman's house Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police took the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood by - apparently intimidated by the crowd - as members of the mob dragged her out of the truck and down onto the street where they stomped, kicked and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless. BRUTALLY VIOLENT MEXICAN CARTEL DRAINING AMERICANS' LIFE SAVINGS IN COMPLEX SCAM Police then picked her up and took her away, leaving the pavement stained with blood. The Guerrero state prosecutors' office later confirmed the woman died of her injuries."This is the result of the bad government we have," said a member of the mob, who gave her name as Andrea but refused to give her last name. "This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened," she said, referring to the murder of the girl, "but this is the first time the people have done something.""We are fed up," she said. "This time it was an 8-year-old girl."The mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents' outrage over the killing. Figueroa said a total of three people beaten by the mob - the woman and two men - had been taken away by police. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though The Associated Press witnessed only the beating of the woman.The state prosecutors' office said the two men were hospitalized . There was no immediate information on their condition.In a statement issued soon after the event, Figueroa complained he did not get any help from the state government for his small, outnumbered municipal police force."Unfortunately, up to now we have not received any help or answers," Figueroa said.The Good Friday eve religious procession, which dates back centuries in the old silver-mining town, went off as planned Thursday night.People crowded Taxco's colonial streets to watch hooded men walking while whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns across their bare shoulders in penitence to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.But the earlier flash of violence cast a pall over the already solemn procession, which draws thousands to the small town.Many participants wore small white ribbons of mourning."I never thought that in a touristic place like Taxco we would experience a lynching," said Felipa Lagunas, a local elementary school teacher. "I saw it as something distant, in places far from civilization ... I never imagined that my community would experience this on such a special day."Mob attacks in rural Mexico are common. In 2018, two men were torched by an angry crowd in the central state of Puebla, and the next day a man and woman were dragged from their vehicle, beaten and set afire in the neighboring state of Hidalgo.But Taxco and other cities in Guerrero state have been particularly prone to violence.In late January, Taxco endured a days-long strike by private taxi and van drivers who suffered threats from one of several drug gangs fighting for control of the area. The situation was so bad that police had to give people rides in the back of their patrol vehicles.Around the same time, the bullet-ridden bodies of two detectives were found on the outskirts of Taxco. Local media said their bodies showed signs of torture.In February, Figueroa's own bulletproof car was shot up by gunmen on motorcycles.In Taxco and throughout Guerrero state, drug cartels and gangs routinely prey on the local population, demanding protection payments from store owners, taxi and bus drivers. They kill those who refuse to pay.Residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism."We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who won't want to come anymore," said Andrea, the woman who was in the mob. "We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us."

Fourth person charged in Idaho ambush that allowed dangerous inmate to escape Boise hospital

A fourth person has been charged in connection with an ambush that allowed a white supremacist Idaho prison gang member to escape as he was being discharged from a Boise hospital.Tia J. Garcia, 27, of Twin Falls, owned the car that inmate Skylar Meade and his accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, fled in after Umphenour shot and wounded two corrections officers who were preparing to bring Meade back to prison early on March 20, Shawn Kelley, of the Ada County Prosecutor's Office, told a judge Thursday.She falsely reported the car stolen less than an hour after the ambush, Kelley said, and text messages from the day before showed that Umphenour had instructed her to do so. IDAHO INMATE, ACCOMPLICE CAPTURED NEARLY 130 MILES FROM HOSPITAL WHERE AMBUSH AND ESCAPE OCCURRED Police tracked Meade and Umphenour down about 36 hours after their escape, but the pair is also suspected in the killings of two men while they were on the run. They have not been charged in the killings.Here's what to know about the case.Garcia is an acquaintance of Umphenour and Meade, Kelley said, and she picked up Umphenour from the airport when he arrived in Boise on March 17. It's not clear where Umphenour had travelled from, but prosecutors have said he recently spent time in Florida and intended to return there. Umphenour and Garcia were seen in surveillance video from several places around Boise that day.Garcia lives with her sister and is unemployed, according to a public defender who represented her during an initial court appearance Thursday. Her criminal record includes six felonies and four misdemeanors, including battery and drug charges as well as fleeing and eluding.She is being held on $1 million bail on a charge of aiding and abetting escape. She did not enter a plea. The Ada County public defender's office, which represents Meade, Umphenour and Garcia, declined to comment Thursday.Authorities are still looking into exactly how the ambush was planned and executed. Idaho Department of Correction officials have said that Meade and Umphenour were both members of the Aryan Knights white supremacist prison gang, which federal prosecutors have described as a "scourge" within the state's prison system.Meade, 31, was serving 20 years in prison for shooting at a sheriff's sergeant during a chase. Umphenour was released from the same prison - the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, south of Boise - in January after serving time for theft and gun convictions.The two had at times been housed together and had mutual friends in and out of prison, officials said. Meade had recently been held in solitary confinement because officials deemed him a security risk.The attack on the corrections officers came just after 2 a.m. on March 20 in the ambulance bay of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Meade had been brought to the hospital earlier in the night because he injured himself, officials said. Kelley told the court on Thursday that Meade refused all treatment once he got to the hospital.Two corrections officers were wounded by Umphenour and a third by responding police who mistook the officer for the gunman. All are expected to recover.The Idaho State Police say that while on the run, Umphenour and Meade apparently killed two men in northern Idaho - Gerald Don Henderson, the 72-year-old resident of a remote cabin near Orofino who had taken Umphenour in about a decade ago, when Umphenour was in his late teens and having trouble at home; and James L. Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, who was reported missing when he failed to return from walking his dogs.Investigators found shackles at Henderson's cabin. Mauney's minivan was located about seven hours south, in Filer. As agents secured that area, Meade and Umphenour fled in separate cars but were apprehended, police said.A woman identified as Tonia Huber was driving the truck Meade was in, according to investigators. She has been charged with harboring a fugitive, eluding police and drug possession. Huber's attorney, Daniel Brown, said Thursday his client "is presumed to be innocent and we stand by that presumption."Meade, Umphenour and Garcia face preliminary hearings before Ada County Magistrate Judge Abraham Wingrove on April 8. Huber, who is charged in Twin Falls County, faces a preliminary hearing April 5.Correction Director Josh Tewalt has promised to review its policies and practices in light of the escape. The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the rise of threats."We're channeling every resource we have to trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it," Tewalt said last week.

The coming Easter means the salvation of humanity is at hand: seminary president

As Lent comes to a close and Easter Sunday draws near, it is important to fully consider the implications and meaning behind the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, said a retired judge and seminary president. "As we come to this beautiful day we call Easter, somehow, we know that it is different this year. Something has changed in the psyche of our culture, and we just do not know what to make of it," said Judge Phil Ginn.The former senior residential superior court judge for the 24th Judicial District of North Carolina, Ginn is now president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.  PRAY FOR THE 'BRAVE' CHRISTIANS OF UKRAINE DURING LENT, SAYS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ADVOCATE Easter, said Ginn, shows Christians that "the dark shadows of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday show more clearly the brightness of that first resurrection morning.""As difficult as it may be, perhaps we need to experience in our own lives that gray dawn of the awful middle day of Saturday when the Son of God, reduced to a human corpse, lay silent in the grave," he said. At this, the "precise lowest point in the history of humanity," God's plan for salvation came into fruition with Christ's victory over the grave, said Ginn."In celebrating Easter with all the depth of its meaning, we proclaim that we, as Christians, believe that our Savior was crucified, buried, and rose again." HOLY WEEK LEADS THE FAITHFUL TO EASTER SUNDAY: HERE ARE THE SPECIAL DAYS OBSERVED AND WHAT THEY MEAN But, said Ginn, "do we really believe , or is it some weak-minded lip service to a long-told fable?" The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ are "two of the most documented events in the history of the world," he said. "There is a greater certainty that these two high and holy events occurred than most of the other history we take for granted as being true," said Ginn. Yet the present culture and society has led people to doubt whether the stories in the gospel are historically accurate, he noted. JESUS' FAREWELL DISCOURSE IS A REMINDER THAT CHRISTIANS ARE NEVER ALONE, SAYS CALIFORNIA PROFESSOR "The historicity of our faith is sure, but we find ourselves in the malaise of our misguided expectations and our false hope in a fading human culture," he said.For all those feeling doubts, Ginn suggested turning to Luke's Gospel. "'Now when these things begin to take place, then look up and raise your heads, because the time of your redemption is drawing near,'" said Ginn, quoting Luke 21:28. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "If the crucifixion and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior are real in your life today, then lift up your head because your salvation is at hand," said Ginn. No matter a person's existing circumstances, "our victory is assured regardless." "In all of its ugliness, the cross of Calvary shouts in the most emphatic terms possible that Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only life - and the empty tomb is the proof," he said.  For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle .

Georgia poised to mandate parental permission for children under 16 to use social media

Georgia could join other states in requiring children younger than 16 to have their parents' explicit permission to create social media accounts.Lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to Senate Bill 351, which also would ban social media use on school devices and internet services, require porn sites to verify users are 18 or over and mandate additional education by schools on social media and internet use. The House passed the measure 120-45 and the Senate approved it 48-7. The bill , which Republican Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas called "transformative," now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. FLORIDA GOV RON DESANTIS SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL BILL TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 A number of other states including Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Utah passed laws last year requiring parental consent for children to use social media. In Arkansas, a federal judge in August blocked enforcement of a law requiring parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts.Some in Congress also are proposing parental consent for minors.State Rep. Scott Hilton, a Peachtree Corners Republican, argued the state should do more to limit social media use by children, saying it's causing harm."Every rose has a thorn, and that's social media in this generation," Hilton said. "It's great for connectivity and activism, but it has reared its ugly head on mental health."But opponents warned the bill would cause problems. For example, Rep. David Wilkerson, a Powder Springs Democrat, said that the ban on use of social media in schools could ban teachers from showing educationally valuable YouTube videos."If we do pass this, we'll be back fixing this next year, because there are too many issues with this bill," Wilkerson said.The bill says social media services would have to use "commercially reasonable efforts" to verify someone's age by July 1, 2025.Services would have to treat anyone who can't be verified as a minor. Parents of children younger than 16 would have to consent to their children joining a service. Social medial companies would be limited in how they could customize ads for children younger than 16 and how much information they could collect on those children.To comply with federal regulation, social media companies already ban kids under 13 from signing up to their platforms, but children have been shown to easily evade the bans.Up to 95% of teens aged 13 to 17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use them "almost constantly," the Pew Research Center found.The Georgia bill also aims to shut down porn sites by requiring submission of a digitized identification card or some other government-issued identification. Companies could be held liable if minors were found to access the sites, and could face fines of up to $10,000."It will protect our children," said Rep. Rick Jasperse, a Jasper Republican who argues age verification will lead porn sites to cut off access to Georgians. In March, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas law, leading Pornhub to cut off access to Texans.The Free Speech Coalition, which represents adult film makers, says the bill would be ineffective because users could mask their location and because people would be forced to transmit sensitive information. They also argue it's unconstitutional because there are less restrictive ways to keep children out and discriminate against certain types of speech. The coalition has sued multiple states over the laws.The ban on school social media excludes email, news, gaming, online shopping, photograph editing and academic sites. The measure also requires a model program on the effects of social media and for students in grades 6-12, and requires existing anti-bullying programs to be updated.The move comes after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned in May that social media hasn't been proven to be safe for young people.Murthy called on tech companies , parents and caregivers to take "immediate action to protect kids now" and asked tech companies to share data and increase transparency and for policymakers to regulate social media for safety the way they do car seats and baby formula.Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instragram, announced in 2022 it was taking steps to verify ages. Meta says it provides "age-appropriate experiences" for teens 13-17 on Instagram, including preventing unwanted contact from unknown adults.Dozens of U.S. states, including California and New York, also are suing Meta Platforms Inc., claiming the company harms young people and contributes to a youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.Florida recently passed a law banning social media accounts for children under 14 regardless of parental consent and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Jews 'under siege' in Trudeau's Canada amid soaring antisemitism

Antisemitism in Canada has reached soaring levels as the country's Liberal Prime Minister  Justin Trudeau faces intense criticism for capitulating to anti-Israel activists and abandoning the Jewish state.A survey of some statistics of outbreaks of antisemitism shows what is expected to be an unprecedented spike in Jew-hatred in Canada when the full data is released in the summer. A March 18 report from the police in Canada's largest city, Toronto, showed that of the 84 registered hate crimes in 2024, a startling 56% of the crimes were animated by antisemitism. Jews make up approximately 1.4% of the country's population.In February, Toronto experienced the highest number of antisemitic incidents in the last three years.In November, a Montreal synagogue and Jewish center were firebombed. Shots were also fired at two Jewish schools in Montreal in the same month as the arson attack. A suspected arson attack on a Jewish-owned grocery store in Toronto took place in January. The antisemitic slogan "Free Palestine" was scrawled on the rear doors of the business. Assaults targeting Jews have also unfolded across Canada. LONDON IS THE 'WORLD'S MOST ANTISEMITIC CITY,' SAYS ISRAELI MINISTER Richard Marceau, Vice President, External Affairs and General Counsel, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Canada, told Fox News Digital, "Canada's Jewish community has not only been grieving the horrific October 7 massacre perpetrated by Hamas, but we are also worried - for good reason," he said."For the past six months, the community has been under siege, confronting levels of antisemitism unseen since the Holocaust that has manifested in firebombings of synagogues, community centers and Jewish-owned businesses; shootings and bomb scares at Jewish schools; harassment of community members; intimidation of Jewish students and faculty on campus; cheerleading of Hamas by unions; and many other hateful iterations."Marceau continued that "antisemitism isn't solely a Jewish problem, and we need everyone to stand against this toxic hate. Governments need to implement safe access zones around Jewish institutions and introduce online hate legislation; law enforcement needs to protect Jewish community members and institutions and manage rowdy anti-Israel protest crowds that spew hate-filled vitriol and glorify terrorists; schools and businesses need to better tackle antisemitism as soon as it manifests."When approached by Fox News Digital about the criticism that Canada has failed to combat antisemitism and contributed to the rise in the world's oldest hatred by stopping arm sales to Israel during its existential war against Hamas,   Laurent de Casanove, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Trudeau said, "Our government is taking very seriously the rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate."He continued, "We have put forward a number of key measures, from holding the first-ever national summit on antisemitism to making historic investments in combating racism and hate. We invested an initial $5.6 million (Canadian dollars) for the creation of the office of a special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism to push back against religious discrimination, hateful rhetoric, and racism at home and abroad."Trudeau's spokesperson continued that "Last fall, we also appointed Ms. Deborah Lyons, a respected diplomat with 25 years of experience, as Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism to lead efforts on that front at home with communities and around the world, adding a continued support of $1.2 million. In addition, we launched in January a 'Building Community Resilience' call to action to empower communities by facilitating events that strengthen connections, foster unity, build resilience. We're also currently working to soon launch Canada's first-ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate." ISRAEL SLAMS ARMS SALE BAN AS TRUDEAU CAVES TO MINORITY PARTY: 'HISTORY WILL JUDGE' CANADA 'HARSHLY' De Casanove declined to answer questions about Trudeau pulling the plug on arms sales to Israel and whether anti-Zionism, the view that Israel should be abolished, is an expression of modern antisemitism.Casey Babb, who teaches courses on terrorism and international security at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa, told Fox News Digital, "Antisemitism in Canada is as bad as it's been in three-quarters of a century, and what's been fueling these  successive waves of antisemitism  over the last number of years - long before October 7 - is anti-Zionism."He continued, "While it is well-known that Jew-hatred comes from a variety of ideological backgrounds, it is most acute in Canada within the country's Arab population and the far-left, which is precisely why decision makers here have done so little to address it: They'd rather Jews feel vulnerable and unsafe than offend groups of people which are either off-limits politically or who represent potential votes. Because of this - because there is no political or social will to address these things - we've seen a sort of Hamasification of Canadian society."Babb said that "we've seen pro-Palestinian protesters call for the erasure of Jews from Israel, and we have groups like Samidoun, a registered Canadian not-for-profit with a direct link to a listed terrorist entity, operate with impunity here. Frankly, it's hard to describe the moral decay we're seeing here."The  German government outlawed  the pro-Palestinian NGO Samidoun after the Hamas massacre on October 7 of 1,200 people in southern Israel because of claims that the group aids Palestinian terrorists. CHAMPION CYCLIST SAYS SHE WOULD SERVE IN IDF RIGHT NOW AMID REMOVAL FROM INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENT Babb said that "decision makers in Canada have signaled to Hamas, other terrorist organizers, and the countless thousands of supports and sympathizers they have in this country, that not only does terrorism work - but that Israel isn't allowed to win a war - a war which was forced upon them in the most sadistic manner possible. From calling for a ceasefire almost immediately after Israel started making gains, to funding UNRWA again despite its perverse terrorism problem, to pulling arms sales to Israel when they need it most, the elite in Canada have made it clear which side they're on."UNRWA is an acronym for the scandal-plagued   United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Israel accused UNRWA employees of participating in the October 7 massacre. The United States government suspended funding to UNRWA after pumping  $1 billion into the agency  since 2021.Emily Schrader, an Israeli-American human rights activist who campaigns against antisemitism, told Fox News Digital, "I'm alarmed and appalled by the sharp rise in blatant antisemitism in Canada. This is the byproduct of weak government policies that refuse to defend the liberal values that make Canada a freedom-loving and human rights-respecting democracy. For years, Canada has allowed foreign interference and the unchecked immigration of individuals associated with terrorist groups like the IRGC, and they have used the very values of liberal democracy to undermine it."Schrader added, "Trudeau's publicity stunt catering to these radicals by stopping arms sales to Israel, as well as his support for UNRWA, emboldens the supporters of terrorist organizations and gives a green light to continue this campaign of antisemitism throughout Canada as well. Combating extremism requires deterrence - Trudeau is instead rewarding them and their thuggish bullying tactics."

Biden continues push for judicial nominee, Evan Gershkovich marks one year in prison and more top headlines

NOT BACKING DOWN - Biden rolls out new endorsements for controversial judicial nominee as Dem support dwindles. Continue reading ... 'COMPLETELY SURREAL' - Evan Gershkovich marks one year imprisoned in Russia, 'nightmare' for loved ones. Continue reading ... 'CLIMATE CRUSADE' - Dark money law firm quietly intervenes in another major Big Oil case. Continue reading ... BALTIMORE BRIDGE - Funding bill to rebuild collapsed bridge could take shape in 'weeks,' top House Republican says. Continue reading ... BIDEN'S $25M BUST? - Megadonor says Biden's celeb-filled Radio City fundraiser is actually a 'bad sign'. Continue reading ...
  'UNAUTHORIZED' - Biden highway climate rule struck down by Texas judge. Continue reading ... TRULY INDEPENDENT - The late Joe Lieberman was a rarity in politics. Continue reading ... TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK - US has spent more than $113 billion on Ukraine aid, but the actual cost is higher. Continue reading ... 'AFRAID TO STEP UP' - NYC councilwoman blasted for asking why men aren't defending assaulted women in Big Apple. Continue reading ... Click here for more cartoons...
  'WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA' - West Coast elites enraged after squatters invade $5M home in LeBron James, Jennifer Lopez's luxury neighborhood. Continue reading ... 'YOUR WORST ENEMY' - Sheriff has stern warning for squatters if they try their 'gimmicks' in his county. Continue reading ... 'FIGHT LIKE HELL' - Woman who lost Planet Fitness membership over trans locker room controversy speaks out. Continue reading ... 'GOLDEN TICKET JOB' - Young trucker believes the industry is an ideal alternative to getting an expensive college degree. Continue reading ... CAROL ROTH - Democrats want to tax your home, your retirement, your everything. Continue reading ... MICKY HORSTMAN - Chicago mayor's own neighbors send a big message on city's future. Continue reading ...

  LAURA INGRAHAM - Guest Victor Davis Hanson tells guest host Will Cain California isn't addressing its 'existential problems.' See video ... JESSE WATTERS - There's nothing Barack Obama and Bill Clinton can do to save Biden. Continue reading ... SEAN HANNITY - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee tells guest host Judge Jeanine Pirro, President Biden is kept hidden because those are the best days of his presidency. See video ... GREG GUTFELD - Everything in America is falling apart as Democrats focus on 'useless woke virtue signaling'. Continue reading ... 'CLEAR INCENTIVE' - NYC debit card program risks drawing more migrants. Continue reading ... NEWS QUIZ - What's Ronna McDaniel's NBC fate? How bummed out is FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried? Continue reading ... BORDER CZAR - Meet the American who led 2,000-mile journey to settle US-Mexico border dispute. Continue reading ... UNITED IN FOOTBALL - Spring league filled with familiar NFL and college faces. Continue reading ... GOT THEIR GOAT  -   Watch as this herd of animals escaped their enclosure to run through the streets of Arlington, Texas - turning authorities into 'goat wranglers.' See video ... HAL LAMBERT  -   Biden wouldn't have raised $25M without celebrities, Obama, Clinton. See video ... RAY KELLY  - This is a tragedy that we will unfortunately see again. See video ... What's the weather looking like in your neighborhood?   Continue reading... Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
 



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Chicago mayor defends council member who appeared at a pro-Palestinian rally where an American flag was burned

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Thursday it would be "morally reprehensible and irresponsible" to repudiate a city councilman for speaking at a rally that featured a burning American flag.Last week, Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez appeared at a protest outside City Hall against U.S. support of Israel and in favor of canceling the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19. As he spoke, veteran Zachary Kim burned a flag in front of the alderman.Sigcho-Lopez serves as the chair of the City Council Housing Committee, a position given to him by Johnson. At least 15 aldermen have called for a special meeting on Monday to vote on whether to remove him as chair.Sigcho-Lopez's colleagues have called on the mayor to reprimand him for speaking at the protest, but Johnson refused to condemn the alderman."I can be offended by someone's presentation, and also recognize that they have a fundamental right to express that. I don't even know why this is being debated, quite frankly. It's actually quite disturbing that, as a city, we're having a conversation about protected speech in America," Johnson said at a news conference.He also said, "Do we really want to have a society where someone's comments or someone else's comments that happened to be in the presence of someone else, that that becomes a repudiation of that particular person? I would find that to be morally reprehensible and irresponsible." The aldermen who spoke out against Sirgio-Lopez said that city officials need to hold a higher standard."Byron has the right to be inflammatory, but he has a bigger responsibility as a committee chair and member of the mayor's leadership team," 34th Ward Alderman Bill Conway said. "This job isn't about elevating people who want to burn everything down. It's about bringing people together to build communities up."29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro added, "We are not accusing him of violating any constitutional right, but we are saying is his conduct and speech are reprehensible to a point where he needs to account for his actions."  CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS FOR GAZA CEASE-FIRE, BUT SOCIAL MEDIA REMINDS HIM OF VIOLENCE GRIPPING HIS OWN CITY "Instead of taking responsibility, [he] doubles down and says 'I'm being attacked,'" 36th Ward Alderman Gil Villegas remarked. Johnson harshly condemned their efforts, suggesting it would be "fascist" to censure him and accused some members of the council of being racist."Under my administration, I fully expect that the City Council recognizes its responsibility, and that it will not move forward in the type of fascist forms of expression that have left too many of our countries in desperate peril," he said.Johnson added, "If people are as petulant as someone who would be unwilling to engage with someone that they disagree with, we wouldn't be standing here today. Do you know how many conversations Black leaders have had to have with racists? It's multiple. There are people in the City Council who have stood with open racist white supremacist organizations."Sigcho-Lopez has defended the rally as well as the veteran who burned his U.S. flag, refusing to apologize. CHICAGO COLLEGE PROFESSOR JUSTIFIES HAMAS ATTACK 'AFTER 75 YEARS OF ISRAELI WHITE SUPREMACY' "My colleagues should actually talk to this veteran. To this day, they haven't," he said. "What he's talking about is housing for veterans, talking about mental health for veterans, talking about Aaron Bushnell , who is an airman who burned himself alive, saying that this is what the status quo, this is what the ruling class want to normalize. That's what he said. Free Palestine. That's what he was elevating."Sirgio-Lopez added, "I have every right to say it, and I'm not going to apologize for standing up for my community and for working people."Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office for a comment. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

US military destroys 4 Houthi drones targeting American warship, coalition vessel

The U.S. military says it has shot down four drones launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels that were targeting an American vessel and a Coalition warship in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command said in a statement Thursday that the attack was the second of its kind in the last two days. "Between 6:00 and 10:56 p.m. (Sanaa time) on March 28, and for the second day in a row, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen," it added. "These UAS were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and were engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships." "It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region," CENTCOM also said. "These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels."  HEZBOLLAH FIRES HEAVY ROCKETS AT NORTHERN ISRAEL AFTER DEADLIEST DAY OF ISRAELI STRIKES ON LEBANON   The day before, CENTCOM said it "engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen" that were "aimed at a U.S. warship and engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea."  YEMEN'S HOUTHIS HAVE A HYPERSONIC MISSILE, REPORT CLAIMS   The actions by the U.S. military come a week after CENTCOM said it carried out strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities in Yemen. The militant group has been launching attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last October, disrupting shipping in the region. "Illegal Houthi attacks have killed three mariners, sunk a commercial vessel lawfully transiting the Red Sea, disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle East economies, and caused environmental damage," according to CENTCOM. 

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