Congestion pricing in Manhattan has successfully reduced daily vehicle entries by an average of 82,000, a 13% decrease. This reduction, increasing monthly, is attributed to the $9 toll implemented to fund $15 billion in transit improvements. Despite this success, the program faces threats from the federal government, which seeks its termination by April 20 and threatens to withhold crucial federal funding. The MTA is contesting this order in court, with a decision expected no sooner than October.
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President Trump prevented Elon Musk from attending a classified Pentagon briefing on potential military action against China due to concerns about Musk’s extensive business ties in the country. Although a meeting between Musk and Defense Secretary Hegseth proceeded, the China-related issues were omitted. Trump publicly denounced the news reports as false, and Hegseth subsequently launched an inquiry into the leak, resulting in the suspension of two Pentagon officials. Trump’s decision, while demonstrating his continued regard for Musk, highlighted potential conflicts of interest.
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Facing a significant funding freeze, Harvard University researchers are exploring drastic cost-cutting measures. These measures may include staff layoffs and, regrettably, the euthanasia of research animals. The severity of the funding shortfall necessitates these difficult decisions to maintain essential operations. The university is actively seeking alternative funding sources to mitigate the need for such actions.
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Smartmatic is seeking to hold Mike Lindell in civil contempt for failing to pay over $50,000 in sanctions stemming from a frivolous counterclaim in a defamation suit. Lindell, citing $70 million in debt and IRS garnishment, claims he is unable to pay, stating he currently lives on $1,000 a week due to ongoing legal battles. Judge Carl Nichols will review Lindell’s financial documents before ruling on the contempt motion. These legal issues are part of multiple defamation lawsuits against Lindell, alleging he falsely linked Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems to election fraud to boost MyPillow sales.
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Following disputes with Playa Del Carmen officials who denied involvement, Fyre Festival 2, organized by Billy McFarland, has been postponed and relocated. Organizers cited the Mexican government’s actions as dishonest and stated the festival will proceed at an unspecified new location. Ticket holders will receive full refunds due to the venue change. This follows the highly publicized failure of the original Fyre Festival in 2017, which resulted in McFarland’s conviction for fraud.
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Ukraine’s right to its territories, including those illegally annexed by Russia (Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia), is affirmed under international law. Russia’s proposed peace deal, encompassing five Ukrainian territories, is viewed as an attempt to dictate terms following its unprovoked aggression. This proposal disregards Ukraine’s sovereignty and seeks to legitimize Russia’s illegal occupation. While military recovery is currently unfeasible, Ukraine seeks diplomatic solutions and international support to reclaim its land.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to secure the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Beltsville man wrongly deported and imprisoned in CECOT, a notorious Salvadoran prison. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court ruling ordering Abrego Garcia’s return, the Salvadoran vice president refused a meeting with Van Hollen, citing insufficient advance notice. The senator also alleges that the Trump administration is paying El Salvador to detain Abrego Garcia despite a lack of evidence of criminal activity. Van Hollen’s efforts have faced criticism, including from the White House, which highlighted unrelated crimes committed by other immigrants.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen alleges that El Salvador’s Vice President confirmed the Trump administration is paying the country to detain Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported from the U.S. Despite lacking evidence of gang affiliation, Garcia remains imprisoned in CECOT, a maximum-security prison. Van Hollen’s request to see Garcia was denied, prompting him to seek U.S. Embassy intervention. The Department of Justice has indicated that even if returned, Garcia would face immediate re-detention and deportation.
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Jesse Watters, a Fox News host, defended the Trump administration’s refusal to return illegally deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, despite a Supreme Court ruling. Watters baselessly linked Abrego Garcia’s Chicago Bulls hat to MS-13 gang affiliation and mocked his claim of fleeing El Salvador due to gang threats against his family’s business. A federal judge ordered the administration to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, while the administration continues to allege, without providing evidence, that Abrego Garcia is a dangerous gang member. This comes despite an immigration judge dismissing gang affiliation claims and granting Abrego Garcia withholding of removal.
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John Q. Hosedrinker