Fox News Latest Headlines
Trump admin sued by New York, New Jersey over Hudson River tunnel funding freeze: ‘See you in court’
New York and New Jersey sued the Trump administration Tuesday for cutting off $16 billion in federal funding for a new rail tunnel project under the Hudson River connecting the two states.
The federal government is accused of "illegally withholding" funding committed to the Gateway project and the two states are seeking emergency relief to force the release of funds frozen by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
With construction already underway, the states are seeking a quick ruling because the project could be forced to shut down as early as Friday, potentially eliminating thousands of jobs and saddling the states with significant new operating costs.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, comes after the Trump administration froze billions of dollars during the government shutdown last fall tied to the project, as well as funding for the extension of New York City’s Second Avenue Subway.
"Donald Trump's revenge tour on New York threatens to derail one of the most vital infrastructure projects this nation has built in generations, putting thousands of union jobs and billions of dollars in economic benefits in jeopardy and threatening the commutes of 200,000 riders," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
She said New York "will fight this illegal effort by the Trump Administration to steal the funding the federal government committed to get the Gateway Tunnel built with everything we've got."
"My message to Donald Trump and Sean Duffy is simple: we'll see you in court."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of Transportation for comment.
DEMOCRAT AGS SUE TRUMP FOR 'UNCONSCIONABLE' FREEZE ON $6.8B IN K-12 SPENDING
The large-scale project would create new tunnels and rehabilitate an existing Hudson River rail crossing connecting northern New Jersey and New York City.
The overhaul is considered necessary because the existing rail tunnels are more than 115 years old and suffered severe damage from saltwater flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The tunnels carry about 70,000 New Jersey commuters daily, and Amtrak has warned that failure of one tunnel could cut rail traffic into New York City by up to 75%.
The project has been under construction for more than a year, but the Trump administration put a hold on federal funding in September, citing the government shutdown — a move the two states argue is "jeopardizing the economic future of the Northeast region."
ZOHRAN MAMDANI VOWS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST TRUMP'S THREAT TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NYC
"Every time the Trump Administration gets involved, costs go up and working people suffer. The illegal attack on the Gateway Tunnel is yet another example," New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement. "New Jersey will not back down from this fight. If this project stops, 1,000 workers will immediately lose their jobs and hundreds of thousands of commuters will lose the chance at finally having reliable train service that makes their lives easier."
New York Attorney General Letitia James added in a statement posted on X that stopping the Gateway project "would cost thousands of good-paying jobs and put one of the country’s most heavily used transit corridors at risk."
Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey's acting attorney general, delivered a blunt message to the Trump administration.
DUFFY THREATENS TO YANK NEW YORK FEDERAL FUNDS OVER ILLEGALLY ISSUED COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES
"Our promise to our residents is clear: we will protect them from attacks on their rights and on their pocketbooks, whatever the source," she said.
"The President’s decision to freeze funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project jeopardizes safe and reliable infrastructure and puts thousands of jobs at risk," she added. "The Federal Government has left us no choice: we must challenge this illegal action in court, and demand emergency relief that will protect us from these unlawful harms."
A separate lawsuit over tunnel funding was filed Monday against the federal government by the Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the project.
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Girl, 12, dangles from ski chairlift in California before crashing to ground in terrifying video
A jaw-dropping video captured the traumatic moment a 12-year-old girl plunged to the ground after dangling momentarily from a ski chairlift in California.
The frightening incident happened Saturday at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, when the visiting snowboarder appeared to be unsecured on the chairlift.
In a video that went viral on social media, the girl appeared to grip the chairlift in a desperate struggle as her feet flailed in the air, still strapped to her snowboard.
Several mountain staff members were then seen rushing over to help, placing padding and a safety net below in an attempt to catch her fall.
The girl then crashed to the ground, tragically missing most of the safety net, according to the footage. Rescuers appeared briefly in shock before scrambling over in alarm.
A woman claiming to be the girl’s mother commented on the post, saying her daughter "miraculously walked away with no broken bones or major injuries."
"As the mother of my 12 yo daughter that fell today I really want to thank everyone who came out to help her," she said. "The mammoth team did their best to get to her as quickly as possible. It was an incredibly traumatic experience and everyone supported us."
COLORADO JURY AWARDS FAMILY $205M AFTER 6-YEAR-OLD FALLS TO DEATH FROM THEME PARK RIDE
Addressing questions about why the chair’s safety bar was not lowered, the mother emphasized that no one was at fault. She indicated that the chair slipped almost immediately after her daughter got on, leaving no time to secure it.
"As to the bar - we had no chance," she added. "She slipped down right away. There was nothing that anyone did wrong. It was a series of small choices that happened quickly that led to a fluke accident."
In the video, the girl appeared to be sitting next to two other people before falling. According to her mother, the group held onto her as long as possible, which gave rescuers time to respond.
"As a mother I know it is my job to protect my child," she said. "We held on as long as we could. Long enough to have people get into position to allow her to walk away."
Despite the traumatic experience, she said the family will not be deterred from skiing and "will be riding again when she’s ready."
Lions fan files $100M lawsuit after DK Metcalf clash, denies racial slur claims
Ryan Kennedy, a Michigan resident and self-described Detroit Lions fan, is taking legal action following a December altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf at Ford Field.
Kennedy and his legal team held a news conference in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on Dec. 26. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Kennedy announced that a lawsuit had been filed in Wayne County Court. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages stemming from the Dec. 21 incident and names DK Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ford Field, the Lions’ longtime home stadium.
Former NFL player Chad Johnson, Ford Field management and multiple media platforms were also listed in the lawsuit, alleging that they played a role in making "defamatory and life-altering statements" against Kennedy in the aftermath of the incident.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The filing outlines nine counts, including negligence against Ford Field and multiple defamation claims against Metcalf, Johnson and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe's Shay Shay Media.
During the first half of the Lions–Steelers game on Dec. 21, Metcalf appeared to take a swing at Kennedy, who was seated in the Ford Field stands. The NFL later disciplined Metcalf with a two-game suspension to close the regular season.
STEELERS MAKE MAJOR CONTRACT DECISION ON DK METCALF AFTER SUSPENSION
On an episode of Shay Shay Media's "Nightcap" podcast released the day after the incident, co-host Chad Johnson said Metcalf told him Kennedy directed a racial slur at the Steelers receiver and used a derogatory term toward Metcalf’s mother.
Kennedy denied using any slurs at a December press conference, a claim reiterated in the lawsuit.
"The statements were false and reckless," the lawsuit states. "Plaintiff Kennedy did not call Defendant Metcalf the 'N-word'; did not call Defendant Metcalf’s mother a 'c---'; and did not ever use any racial slurs or hate speech whatsoever ... Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy."
Kennedy is also taking legal action against the Steelers for the team's alleged liability in the incident, while Metcalf is accused of committing assault and battery in the lawsuit. The claims against Ford Field management are also based on liability.
"Defendant Ford Field Management, LLC breached its duty by failing to establish or enforce adequate barriers, protocols, or security measures to prevent players from reaching into the stands and making physical contact with patrons," the lawsuit reads.
Fox News Digital contacted the Lions requesting comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Metcalf recorded 850 receiving yards in his first season with the Steelers.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
White House approves Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt Michael Ollis after years-long push
The White House has approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, while shielding an allied soldier, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who said she was notified of the decision in a statement posted to social media.
The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans' groups, elected officials and the Staten Island community to formally recognize Ollis’ actions, which supporters have long argued met the standard for our nation’s highest military honor.
In a Facebook post, Malliotakis said she had been notified directly by the White House.
"We were notified by the White House that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism," Malliotakis wrote.
REP BRIAN MAST: CONGRESS HAS THE PERFECT WAY TO HONOR OUR NATION’S FALLEN HEROES
Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his body to shield a Polish Army officer during a suicide bombing. He was 24 years old.
"In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation," she continued.
Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, adding: "After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officials, and the Staten Island community, we are grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Staff Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest military honor."
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration and is awarded for acts that go above and beyond the call of duty. While the standards for awarding the medal have evolved over time, it has always recognized "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life," according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.
TRUMP SIGNS MEDAL OF HONOR ACT TO RAISE PENSIONS FOR AMERICA'S MILITARY HEROES
Under those standards, the medal may be awarded for actions taken against an enemy of the U.S., during military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving alongside friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict in which America is not a belligerent party.
Awarding the Medal involves a rigorous review process. Each recommendation requires detailed reports on the act itself and battlefield conditions, at least two sworn eyewitness statements, and additional corroborating evidence.
Recommendation packets must be approved through the full military chain of command before reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief.
Federal law also imposes strict timelines on the process, with recommendations requiring submission within three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded within five years. Any submission outside those limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ATTACKED BY AFGHAN REFUGEE IN DC HONORED BY UNANIMOUS HOUSE VOTE
Ollis' family also addressed the reports in a statement shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation.
"We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor," the statement said. "Knowing that Michael's life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overwhelming pride and eternal gratitude."
The statement also thanked supporters in a separate statement who have advocated for the recognition.
"We also greatly appreciate the letters, emails and phone calls of support from government and military officials, local leaders, non-profit organizations and the many friends we are blessed to know here in Staten Island and beyond. It is deeply moving to know that you haven't forgotten Michael or our family."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of War for additional details regarding the Medal of Honor process, including timing and ceremony plans.
The Ollis family did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment.
Lawmakers probe National FFA over Chinese Communist Party ties and DEI programs
Federal lawmakers are demanding answers from the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) over its partnership with a Chinese Communist Party-controlled agribusiness and its push for DEI initiatives, citing national security concerns and questions about its tax-exempt status.
The inquiry is being led by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Congressional FFA Caucus, which say the organization’s relationship with Syngenta Group raises concerns about foreign influence and whether FFA is operating in line with its stated mission as a tax-exempt nonprofit.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and Congressional FFA Caucus co-chair Tracey Mann sent a letter to National FFA CEO Scott Stump demanding documents and answers related to the partnership, Syngenta’s role in shaping internal policies and the organization’s compliance with federal tax law.
"Working with our nation’s foreign adversaries and prioritizing woke policies over your mission raises serious concerns regarding whether the National FFA is complying with the requirements to maintain tax-exempt status," the lawmakers wrote.
In the letter, the committee emphasized FFA’s role in educating future agricultural leaders, noting the organization serves more than one million students through thousands of chapters across the country.
The lawmakers devoted a significant portion of the letter to detailing Syngenta Group’s ownership structure and its ties to the Chinese government, arguing the relationship raises red flags for a U.S.-based, tax-exempt youth organization tied to agriculture.
Syngenta has been wholly owned since 2017 by China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, a Chinese state-owned enterprise that later merged into Sinochem Holdings.
AMERICA HAS TO RESPOND WITH A UNITED FRONT TO CHINA’S MASSIVE ECONOMIC WARFARE
Both ChemChina and Sinochem were designated during the first Trump administration as Communist Chinese military companies, a classification used to identify firms linked to Beijing’s military-civil fusion strategy and restrict their access to U.S. government funding.
Lawmakers noted that while those designations were removed in 2021 under the Biden administration, Syngenta was later redesignated as a Chinese military company, underscoring ongoing concerns about its ties to the Chinese state.
The letter also pointed to actions by U.S. states and federal agencies to limit Chinese ownership and influence in American agriculture. It included efforts to force Syngenta subsidiaries to divest farmland and initiatives aimed at preventing the sale of U.S. agricultural land to Chinese entities on national security grounds.
MORE THAN 160 HOUSE DEMS VOTE AGAINST CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN US SCHOOLS
Against that backdrop, lawmakers said Syngenta’s access to FFA leadership, programming and students raises concerns about the influence a Chinese state-owned company could exert over future American agricultural leaders.
"The CCP has a well-documented history of economic espionage to steal biotechnology and agriculture-related intellectual property, and the fact that the National FFA has provided one of their state-owned companies direct access to the future leaders of America’s farming industry is alarming," the letter states.
The lawmakers also criticized FFA’s embrace of DEI initiatives, arguing the programs risk shifting the organization away from agricultural education and toward identity-based priorities that could divide students.
HOUSE GOP LAUNCHES BLITZ OF BILLS TO SHUT DOWN CCP INFILTRATION OF US SCHOOLS: 'COMMONSENSE'
They questioned whether Syngenta’s role in DEI-related efforts gave the company undue influence over FFA’s strategic direction.
"The goal of the National FFA should be to bring student members together as a community — not force them into specific categories," the lawmakers wrote.
Smith and Mann said the inquiry is part of broader congressional oversight of tax-exempt organizations and their exposure to foreign influence, particularly as farm and food security are increasingly viewed as matters of national security.
FCC, STATE AGS TO JOIN FORCES IN CRACKDOWN ON CHINA-LINKED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Smith and Mann cited a statement from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins that "farm security is national security."
Ultimately, the letter directs National FFA to turn over documents and provide detailed answers about its partnership with Syngenta Group, including contracts and financial contributions, the role Syngenta employees play in leadership or advisory positions, and the company’s involvement in shaping FFA’s diversity and strategic programs.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Smith said the committee is expanding its investigation to include the FFA over concerns about foreign influence and its impact on the organization’s mission.
"The Ways and Means Committee is expanding our investigation into the malign foreign influence in the U.S. tax-exempt sector to include the FFA in light of deeply concerning reports that the organization has maintained ties to an entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party — a relationship that appears to have influenced its decision-making," Smith said. "The FFA plays a vital role in educating the next generation of farmers, strengthening American agriculture, and safeguarding our nation’s food supply and national security. That important mission must not be compromised."
Fox News Digital reached out to the National FFA for comment on the matter.
Baby elephant makes historic arrival at Smithsonian's National Zoo as first birth in nearly 25 years
Washington, D.C., has something to trumpet about overnight after welcoming a very small and very special new resident.
A baby Asian elephant was born in the early hours Monday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, a rare arrival marking the zoo’s first elephant birth in nearly 25 years, officials announced.
The 308-pound, 38.5-inch calf arrived at 1:15 a.m. inside the zoo’s Elephant Trails exhibit, with animal care and veterinary staff on hand to monitor the delivery and the newborn’s first moments.
The female calf spent those early hours tucked close to its mother, Nhi Linh, a 12-year-old first-time mom that zoo staff say is doing well as she bonds with her baby under the watch of keepers and veterinarians.
AMERICA’S NATIONAL BIRD LAYS SECOND EGG AT FAMED CALIFORNIA NEST AS NESTING SEASON CONTINUES
Zoo officials described the birth as a rare and joyful milestone not only for the National Zoo, but for Asian elephant conservation more broadly.
"After waiting nearly 25 years for an Asian elephant calf, this birth fills us with profound joy," said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars director of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
"When you see the calf and those heartwarming interactions with the herd, I hope you’ll be inspired to help save this endangered species. What we learn from our elephants in D.C. directly strengthens our work to protect wild Asian elephants across Southeast Asia. I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose expertise made this moment possible for Nhi Linh and for all of us."
With fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild, each birth under human care represents a meaningful step toward protecting the species, according to the Smithsonian.
Asian elephants face mounting threats from habitat loss, disease and human-elephant conflict, making successful live births increasingly important. The Smithsonian has been studying and conserving Asian elephants for more than 50 years, both at the National Zoo and across elephant-range countries in Asia.
CHIMPANZEE ESCAPES FROM INDIANAPOLIS ZOO ENCLOSURE, TRIGGERING EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN
The calf’s arrival follows a 21-month pregnancy, which is the longest gestation period of any land animal, according to the Smithsonian. Zoo officials said the birth was part of a carefully planned breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, a nationwide program designed to maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations in zoos.
Nhi Linh, the calf’s mother, was born Aug. 10, 2013, at the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands and joined the National Zoo herd in November 2022. She stands about 7½ feet tall, weighs roughly 6,700 pounds, and is described by keepers as energetic and "go with the flow."
The proud papa, Spike, is a familiar presence at the zoo's Elephant Trails. Born July 2, 1981, at Zoo Miami, Spike arrived at the National Zoo in 2018. At around 10 feet tall and 13,000 pounds, he is one of the largest animals on the grounds and is a calm and gentle presence within the herd according to staff.
Spike had sired three elephant calves at other zoos, but none survived.
The zoo released photos showing the newborn calf nestled beside Nhi Linh, with animal care teams nearby in the hours after the birth. Officials said the calf’s health, social development and weather conditions will determine when visitors will be able to see the baby elephant in person.
For now, keepers are focused on giving mother and calf time to bond while closely monitoring the newborn’s progress. Updates will be shared through the zoo’s website and social media accounts.
Animal lovers can also take part in naming the newest arrival. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has opened a public naming vote, with a $5 donation counting as a vote and proceeds supporting Asian elephant care and conservation efforts.
Voting closes at noon Feb. 13, with results updated daily.
The name options include Linh Mai, meaning "spirit blossom"; Thảo Nhi, meaning "gentle and beloved"; Tú Anh, meaning "bright and intelligent"; and Tuyết, meaning "snow," a nod to the winter storm that hit the D.C. area shortly before the birth.
Admission to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is free, and no special ticket is required to visit Elephant Trails when it is open. Zoo officials encourage visitors to check online for updates on when the calf will make its public debut.
The tiny elephant’s arrival is being celebrated as a once-in-a-generation moment as a new life takes its first wobbly steps.
Leaders of desecrated Catholic school urge prayer for perpetrators after Mary statue, tabernacle destroyed
The leader of a California Catholic school which was desecrated after a break-in is urging the community to "make many acts of reparation for this offense against God and Our Lady."
Images of the destruction at Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach, which was discovered Monday morning, show smashed statues, images of Mary and other religious figures destroyed and a photograph of the pope knocked to the floor.
In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital Tuesday and sent to school parents, Fr. G. Peter Irving, pastor and head of the school, and Cyril Cruz, the school’s principal, wrote, "We ask everyone to make many acts of reparation for this offense against God and Our Lady."
MISSISSIPPI SYNAGOGUE BURNED IN ARSON ATTACK, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Cruz told EWTN News that "Our statue of the Virgin Mary was smashed, and the tabernacle was removed and thrown to the floor in an apparent attempt to force it open. The atrium lovingly prepared by the Carmelite Sisters for our scholars was completely destroyed."
In their letter, Irving and Cruz announced that security would be heightened following the attack.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we have requested increased security patrols, especially after school hours and weekends," they wrote. "The hall was the only building affected. Classes will continue as scheduled. We hope to resume Mass in the hall as soon as we are able."
DRIVER RAMS CAR REPEATEDLY INTO DOORS OF NYC JEWISH SITE, SUSPECT DETAINED
The school leaders also asked parents to pray for the perpetrator.
"Please join us in prayer for those who committed this act so that they may turn away from darkness and embrace the loving grace of our Lord," they wrote. "We particularly ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother for our school, our families, and our community."
MISSISSIPPI SYNAGOGUE ARSON SUSPECT'S DAD TURNS HIM IN AFTER LAUGHING CONFESSION, FBI SAYS
On Monday, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced it was launching an investigation into the incident.
Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Mamdani calls on DA to not prosecute mentally ill man shot by police during alleged knife attack
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday that he does not believe the Queens district attorney should prosecute a mentally ill man who was shot by police as he allegedly ran toward officers with a knife, arguing that the individual needs mental health treatment instead.
Jabez Chakraborty, 22, was holding a large kitchen knife and charged at the officers who responded to the emergency call from the family on Jan. 26, NYPD officials said. The officers repeatedly told him to drop it as they attempted to de-escalate the situation before one officer fired several times, striking Chakraborty, who was then taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The family had called 911 to report that Chakraborty was throwing glass at his home on Parsons Blvd. in Briarwood, NYPD officials said, according to the New York Daily News.
After the officers responded to the home, Chakraborty charged them with the knife, according to the NYPD. The officers repeatedly instructed him to drop the weapon and attempted to isolate him in the home’s living room by closing a glass door between them and Chakraborty. But police said he managed to open the door and overwhelm the officers with the knife extended.
KNIFE-WIELDING MAN SLASHES NYPD OFFICER IN FACE WITH 14-INCH BLADE, POLICE SHOOT HIM DEAD IN PURSUIT
The officers did not draw their guns until Chakraborty pulled the knife, NYPD officials said.
The officers provided first aid and attempted to stop the bleeding following the shooting, according to the agency. He was then rushed to the hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition.
The family had asked for emergency medical workers to respond to the incident rather than police, the family said in a statement. The family said Chakraborty was shot at least four times.
"We called for help," the family said. "We called 911 for an ambulance to provide medical attention for our son, who was in emotional distress. We did not call the police. Instead of medical responders, the NYPD arrived and shot our son multiple times right in front of us."
The Queens district attorney's office is investigating the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting prosecutors were looking at potentially seeking an indictment for attempted murder.
But Mamdani, who has viewed the body camera footage, said the man needs mental health treatment instead of facing criminal charges.
"In viewing this footage, it is clear to me that what Jabez needs is mental health treatment, not criminal prosecution from a district attorney, and we are talking about a family that is enduring the kind of pain that no family should and an individual that has lived with schizophrenia for many years," the mayor said at a news conference on Tuesday.
"A person experiencing a mental health episode does not always have to be served first or exclusively by a police officer. It is important for us to have all of the options available," he added.
WASHINGTON MAN ALLEGEDLY LURES POLICE WITH BOGUS 911 CALL, SLASHES OFFICER IN FACE
The mayor also said he had met with Chakraborty's family, who had criticized him for his initial response to the shooting. Mamdani said hours after the shooting that police had "encountered an individual wielding a knife," and that he was "grateful to the first responders who put themselves on the line each day to keep our communities safe."
"After all this, we saw Mayor Mamdani’s statement applauding the NYPD officers that shot our son, threatened and lied to us, and kept us from seeing our son for over 24 hours," the family's statement read. "Why is the mayor applauding officers who recklessly almost killed our son in front of us?"
Ex-Washington Post staffer accuses Jeff Bezos of trying to 'survive' Trump rather than save paper
A former staffer of The Washington Post is taking aim at its owner Jeff Bezos, accusing him of prioritizing his survival in the era of Donald Trump rather than saving his paper.
In a piece published Tuesday titled "A Billionaire's Surrender," former Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler began by highlighting Bezos' net worth, noting that he was worth $25 billion in 2013 when he first bought the paper, and now he's worth "about $250 billion" as major layoffs are expected to rock the newsroom.
"Bezos is a businessman, and the Washington Post is not a charity, so I understand the inclination to demand that losses be stemmed. The newsroom should be able to stand on its own feet," Kessler wrote on his Substack. "But even if the losses are still around $100 million a year — the figure announced a couple of years ago — for a person of Bezos’ wealth, that would mean he’d have to close the place in… 2,500 years."
He continued, "I don’t think the layoffs have much to do with saving money. Amazon, after all, just spent $75 million buying and promoting a documentary about Melania Trump. It’s about power and influence in Donald Trump’s second term."
Kessler, who took a voluntary buyout last summer after being at the paper for 27 years, recalled being part of a small group of Post journalists who had lunch with Bezos following the 2016 election and how Bezos was asked whether he had any concerns about Trump seeking retribution as president.
"Bezos acknowledged that Trump would assume any negative story about him had been ordered up by Bezos, because that’s what Trump would do if he owned a newspaper. But he said that wasn’t our problem. We only had to write the best stories possible; he could handle the heat if Trump got mad," Kessler wrote. "Those were comforting words at the time. As far as I know, Bezos has never interfered with any news coverage during his 13 years as owner — even stories critical of Amazon or coverage of Bezos’s personal life, let alone politics. For many years, he didn’t even appear to get very involved with the editorial page, even though, as owner, he could dictate whatever opinion-page policy he wanted."
Despite Trump's vocal animosity towards the Post, Bezos "was unbowed," according to Kessler, pointing to its new slogan at the time "Democracy Dies in Darkness" and boosted the size of staff during Trump's first term in office.
"He appeared to embrace the idea, dare I say, that he was the steward of a public trust," Kessler told readers. "Presidential-level threats disappeared with Trump’s defeat in 2020, though Joe Biden was no fan of the tech industry. But when Trump ran again and the Democrats were on the ropes, Bezos’s calculation changed. He could afford Trump’s first term; a second could be ruinous, especially as Elon Musk, his main rival in the space business, embraced Trump."
"I used to think billionaires had enough 'f--- you' money to do what they pleased. But in Trump’s creeping autocracy, and with his campaign of retribution, billionaires have too much to lose," he added.
EDITORIAL OVERHAUL: WASHINGTON POST'S NEW OPINION CHIEF FEELS THE WEIGHT OF THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
Kessler went on to say Bezos "appeared to have grown less interested in The Post," pointing to how the paper's top rival The New York Times made savvy business decisions like acquiring The Athletic and Wordle while the billionaire "lavished attention on his new love, Lauren Sánchez, whom he married last year in Venice in a $50-million extravaganza."
"No longer engaged, Bezos appears to have embraced a crude calculus: laying off staff and trimming the sails of a once-great news organization sends a message to an audience of one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, even if the decision ruins the lives of scores of talented reporters and editors," Kessler wrote before accusing Bezos of working hard "to ingratiate himself with Trump," citing Amazon's $1 million contribution to Trump's inauguration and Bezos' Mar-a-Lago visit.
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Bezos and The Washington Post for comment.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS
The criticism comes as Washington Post staffers brace for a brutal round of layoffs, which could take place as soon as this week.
Reports indicate that hundreds of staffers could be let go as a result of the cuts and multiple sections could be gutted, including the sports and the foreign affairs teams.
Bezos took heat from employees in 2024 when he abruptly axed the paper's planned endorsement of Kamala Harris for the White House, after the editorial board had previously declared Trump the worst president in modern history.
The surprising decision shortly before the election sparked massive subscriber losses and a slew of staff resignations. Bezos later fueled more outrage when he announced he was overhauling its editorial pages to promote "free markets and personal liberties."
Iran bleeds $1.56M every hour from internet blackout restrictions amid economic crisis: analyst
Iran is losing an estimated $1.56 million every hour because of its state-imposed internet blackout, draining its struggling economy and disrupting life for more than 90 million people, according to an internet privacy analyst.
The prolonged disruptions originated amid spiraling protests through January with losses he claimed were continuing even after partial connectivity was restored.
"The current blackout is costing Iran an estimated $37.4 million per day, or $1.56 million every hour," Simon Migliano, head of research at PrivacyCo, told Fox News Digital. "The full internet blackout itself cost Iran more than $780 million, and the subsequent strict filtering continues to have a significant additional economic impact."
"Iran has already drained $215 million from its economy in 2025 by disrupting internet access," the internet privacy and security analyst added.
IRAN WILL RETALIATE 'WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE' IF US ATTACKS, SENIOR DIPLOMAT WARNS
Migliano said his estimates were calculated using the NetBlocks COST tool, an economic model that measures the immediate impact on a nation’s gross domestic product when its digital economy is forced offline.
The model assesses direct losses to productivity, online transactions and remote work, drawing on data from the World Bank, the International Telecommunication Union, Eurostat and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Iranian authorities abruptly cut off communications on the night of Jan. 8 amid widespread protests against the clerical regime.
While officials later restored much of the country’s domestic bandwidth, as well as local and international phone calls and SMS messaging, the population is largely unable to freely access the internet because of heavy state filtering.
"The recent 579% surge in VPN demand reflects a scramble for digital survival," Migliano said before describing how even when access is briefly restored, the internet remains "heavily censored and effectively unusable without circumvention tools such as VPNs."
"We can see spikes showing that as soon as connectivity returned, users immediately sought VPNs to reach sites and services outside the state-controlled network, including global platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram that remain otherwise inaccessible," he added.
IRAN REGIME OPENED FIRE WITH LIVE AMMUNITION ON PROTESTERS, DOCTOR SAYS: ‘SHOOT-TO-KILL’
"Sustained demand — averaging 427% above normal levels — indicates Iranians are stockpiling circumvention tools in anticipation of further blackouts," Migliano said.
"The usual strategy is to download as many free tools as possible and cycle between them. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game, as the government blocks individual VPN servers and providers rotate IP addresses to stay ahead of the censors," he added.
Iran’s minister of information and communications technology, Sattar Hashemi, acknowledged the economic toll caused by the blackout tactics.
He said recent outages were inflicting roughly "5,000 billion rials" a day in losses to the digital economy and nearly 50 trillion rials on the wider economy, according to Iran International.
"Iran’s three-week internet blackout may have been lifted, but connectivity remains severely disrupted still," Migliano claimed.
"Access is still heavily filtered. It is restricted to a government-approved ‘whitelist’ of sites and apps and the connection itself remains highly unstable throughout the day," he added.