News of the World

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MIDDLE EAST WAR

Trump goes off on ‘NUT JOBS’  Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Alex Jones over Iran war criticism

President Trump lashed out at four right-wing critics of the Iran war Thursday, describing them as “NUT JOBS” and “losers” who will say anything for attention.

“I know why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones have all been fighting me for years, especially by the fact that they think it is wonderful for Iran, the Number One State Sponsor of Terror, to have a Nuclear Weapon — Because they have one thing in common, Low IQs,” Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post.

“They’re stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too!” the president raged. “Look at their past, look at their record. They don’t have what it takes, and they never did!

“They’ve all been thrown off Television, lost their Shows, and aren’t even invited on TV because nobody cares about them, they’re NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS, and will say anything necessary for some ‘free’ and cheap publicity.”

Trump argued the criticism he’s received from the quartet stems from a desire for “clicks” for their “Third Rate Podcasts.”

“But nobody’s talking about them, and their views are the opposite of MAGA — Or I wouldn’t have won the Presidential Election in a LANDSLIDE.” he continued, noting that recent polling showed MAGA voters giving him a “100% Approval Rating.”

“MAGA agrees with me … not Hand Flailing Fools like Tucker Carlson, who couldn’t even finish College, he was a broken man when he got fired from Fox, and he’s never been the same — Perhaps he should see a good psychiatrist!” the president fumed.  “Or Megyn Kelly, who nastily asked me the now famous, ‘Only Rosie O’Donnell,’ question, or ‘Crazy’ Candace Owens, who accuses the Highly Respected First Lady of France of being a man, when she is not, and will hopefully win lots of money in the ongoing lawsuit.”

Trump argued Brigitte Macron “is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it’s not even close!”

Turning his ire to “Bankrupt Alex Jones,” Trump argued the “Infowars” host “says some of the dumbest things, and lost his entire fortune, as he should have, for his horrendous attack on the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims, ridiculously claiming it was a hoax.”[/b]

Removed a [ B ] from Trump's quote to prevent the BB parser from treating it as a bold bbcode.

Anti-war activists rally against Trump’s automatic military draft registration: ‘Dangerous data grab’

The Trump administration’s plan to implement automatic registration for the military draft is drawing pushback from a coalition of anti-war groups who argue the effort will increase the likelihood of conflict and violate the privacy of US citizens and residents.

The Selective Service System (SSS) intends to register “every male citizen of the United States” between the ages of 18 and 25, beginning in December, to a list of those eligible to serve in the military, rather than wait for them to self-register.

Congress approved the automatic registration mandate last year, prompting more than 40 anti-war, religious, feminist and civil liberties organizations to demand that lawmakers end the registration initiative and repeal the draft.

“You see the diversity of groups that are involved here,” Edward Hasbrouck, one of the organizers of the anti-draft coalition, told The Post — touting a list of backers that includes CODEPINK, the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and numerous Quaker, Mennonite and Christian organizations.

“I think it’s interesting, in Congress, even though support for continuing draft registration or expanding it or trying to salvage it from failure has been bipartisan, the opposition has also been bipartisan,” he said.

Hasbrouck, who was prosecuted by the late Robert Mueller in the 1980s for publicly refusing to register for the draft and served a six-month prison stint, argued that automatic registration would not produce an accurate picture of potential draftees but rather a tool for “weaponization.”

“In order to attempt to register people automatically, the Selective Service System will be given unprecedented authority to access databases of any other federal agency that it thinks might help identify or locate potential draftees,” Hasbrouck claimed. 

Hasbrouck expressed concern over the potential for “gender witch hunts” as SSS will have to determine every 18-year-old’s sex as assigned at birth.

He also feared illegal immigrants, who are required to register for the draft, could be targeted. 

“How exactly are they supposed to come up with a list of the names and addresses of every undocumented 18 through 26 year old man in the US?” Hasbrouck argued. “Obviously, no federal agency has that today, but again, SSS has a mandate that could easily be used and weaponized to go and try and compile – with whatever tools it can come up with – information about immigrants.

“This is a really dangerous data grab with very few of the kinds of guardrails that normally apply.”

Trump blasts ‘dishonorable’ Iran over its handling of Strait of Hormuz: ‘Not the agreement we have’

President Trump lashed out at Iran’s handling of the Strait of Hormuz since the two-week cease-fire went into force, claiming, “That is not the agreement we have!”

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.

The vital waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes daily, has effectively been closed since the US and Israel launched their first attacks on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28.

Only nine ships passed through the strait over the last 24 hours, according to data from the Hormuz Strait Monitor — way down from the daily average of 60 vessels.

Just three oil tankers, all under US sanctions, have passed through since the two-week provisional cease-fire was declared on Wednesday, NBC News reported.

One of the tankers was hauling one million barrels of oil, another hadn’t been loaded, and no data was provided for the third tanker.

Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait under the 10-point ceasefire plan, which Washington described as “workable,” but Iranian officials have claimed they plan to charge vessels $2 million to pass through, the New York Times reported.

They said the money would be used to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the US and Israel.

Trump warned Iran to stop charging vessels if it is doing so.

Trump tells The Post he’s preparing military if Iran fails to comply in talks: ‘We’re loading up the ships’

WASHINGTON — President Trump told The Post on Friday that US warships are being reloaded with “the best ammunition” to resume strikes on Iran if peace talks in Pakistan fail.

Trump spoke shortly after Vice President JD Vance boarded Air Force Two en route to Islamabad, where he will be joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to negotiate a final peace after a two-week cease-fire was reached on Tuesday.

“We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” Trump said in a phone interview when asked if he thought the talks would be successful.

“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously, and we blew them apart,” he said.

“But we’re loading up the ships. We’re loading up the ships with the best weapons ever made, even at a higher level than we used to do a complete decimation.

“And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.”

Iran is expected to be represented in the Pakistani capital by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who insisted in pre-war talks that Iran had an inalienable right to enrich uranium, and the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

“You’re dealing against people that we don’t know whether or not they tell the truth,” Trump told The Post.

“To our face, they’re getting rid of all nuclear weapons, everything’s gone. And then they go out to the press and say, ‘No, we’d like to enrich.’ So we’ll find out.”

Top White House economist Kevin Hassett told Fox Business in an interview Friday that “we’re very, very hopeful” about the negotiations.

“We’ve got the A team going to Pakistan to negotiate with the Iranians. And we also have backup plans if necessary,” he said.

The talks are expected to focus on US demands that Iran hand over an estimated 1,000 pounds of deeply buried enriched uranium and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

Retired four-star Army general Jack Keane said Friday the US is prepared militarily to take control of the strait from Iran, and Trump won’t accept a bad deal.

“I know our forces can open up that strait and protect the ships going through it,” Keane told Fox News. “People are hand-wringing about a drone here and a missile there … They don’t understand the plan and the details of the plan.

“The United States military can secure defined space that’s moving through the straits — put an absolute air cap and air bubble around all of that and make certain that anything that tries to penetrate it is going to be defeated.”

Iranian women’s soccer players ‘are ok’ — for now — after signs of dissidence in Australia: sources

The Iranian women’s soccer team arrived back from the Asia Cup on March 19, facing war and an uncertain future over acts of perceived dissidence during their trip.

Since then, the regime — perhaps distracted by the decimation of their army, navy, drone capabilities and nuclear program by US forces — has largely left them alone, although sources warn they will be on a tight leash.

“It seems they are ok,” a source who had spoken with most of the team this week told The Post.

“Now that there is a cease-fire, they said they are going to training, going to coffee shops. They are also posting online, although they are being very careful about what they say.”

One defector said the bloodthirsty regime — which has been executing athletes who disobey them, even since the war began on Feb. 28 — will observe and put pressure on the squad and their families.

“I don’t think anyone believes that their lives are back to normal,” said Zohreh Abdollahkhani, a former member of the Iranian ice climbing team, who defected and established Human Rights for Sport, an Oslo-based nonprofit.

“We can anticipate that every sort of communication is monitored and that male members of their families are being pressured. That is what has happened in the past, and it’s likely happening now.”

The Iranian women’s team trip to the Asian Football Federation’s Cup in Australia got off to a controversial start when members did not sing their national anthem at their opening match against South Korea March 2. The refusal was widely seen as an act of solidarity with victims of government repression and led the Iranian state broadcaster to initially brand the athletes, known as the Lionesses, as “wartime traitors” to the country.

Israel continues to attack Lebanon ‘non-stop’ as Hezbollah warns it’s ‘more determined’ than ever to thwart it

Israel continued to batter Lebanon with “non-stop” missiles Friday, killing at least 14, as Hezbollah terrorists warned they have become only “more determined’’ to fight — ahead of planned peace talks next week.

At least 13 of the dead Friday were identified as security personnel for a government building in the southern city of Nabatieh, which was targeted in an Israeli air strike, said Lebanon President Joseph Aoun.

Another person was killed in a strike on the southern town of Hannawiya.

The attacks were “non-stop” through the morning, Al Jazeera said, citing a reporter on the ground.

Homes and residential areas were destroyed in the town of Hanine and Aita al-Shaab, with additional attacks on al-Majadel in the Tyre district.

The overall recent death toll — which Lebanon claimed has climbed to more than 1,950 — has only further invigorated the Lebanon-based Hezbollah’s vow of retaliation.

“The sacrifices make us more determined to liberate our land,” the terror group’s chief, Naim Qassem, said, while claiming the Jewish state’s attacks were failing, the Financial Times reported.

“[Israel] has been unable to carry out the ground invasion it repeatedly announced,” Qassem said. “It has repeatedly changed its objectives.”

Hezbollah on Friday responded by firing rockets into northern Israel, with a concentrated attack at the Ashdod naval base.

The terror group said its attack was in response to the “violation of the cease-fire and its repeated attacks on Beirut, and after the Resistance adhered to the cease-fire while the enemy did not.”

Hezbollah had previously paused attacks on Israel amid the cease-fire deal between Iran, Israel and the US, but resumed after Israel reignited its own crusade in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said attacks against Lebanon would not stop until the safety of Israel is assured, emphasizing that the cease-fire with Iran does not include Hezbollah.

Vance arrives in Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials to shore up shaky cease-fire

A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for high-level talks with Iranian representatives, the first such meeting since the war began more than a month ago that will test whether they can shore up a fragile cease-fire and pave the way for peace.

The cease-fire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have traded fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.

The Iranian delegation arrived early Saturday in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who said on X that discussions will only take place if there is an Israeli cease-fire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets.

President Trump has posted repeatedly about the negotiations on social media, saying Iranian officials “have no cards.”

He accused them of using the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies, for extortion.

Trump wrote, “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”

The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks. Pakistani authorities urged residents to stay inside, leading the city to look like it was under curfew.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that the conflict was entering a “difficult phase” as the sides try to shift from a temporary pause in fighting to a more lasting settlement, adding that they were at a “make-or-break” moment.

Vance is leading a negotiation with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Before his departure from Washington on Friday, Vance said he believed the negotiations with Iran will be “positive.”

But he added, “If they’re going to try and play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

Israel and Lebanon will have direct negotiations

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in the US capital, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said Friday.

Beirut is keen to hold direct talks to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, but under a cease-fire similar to the one with Iran.

Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, much like was envisaged in a November 2024 cease-fire.

But it is unclear whether Lebanon’s army can establish a monopoly on arms or confiscate weapons from the militant group, which has resisted efforts to curb its strength for decades.

Israel’s insistence that the cease-fire in Iran does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to sink the deal. The militant group joined the war in support of its backer, Iran.

The day the truce was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. It was the deadliest day in the country since the war began Feb. 28.

Why China Voted Against UN Call To Open Strait of Hormuz

China’s move to sink a U.N. draft resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz this week may appear at odds with its own interests given its exposure to the oil crisis, but the decision lines up with Beijing’s strategic priorities, analysts said.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, vetoed the Bahrain-sponsored resolution just one day before the United States and Iran announced a 14-day ceasefire, reportedly negotiated with the help of Beijing.

That deal is already under strain but in it Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. The 21-mile-wide waterway has become emblematic of the nearly six-week conflict and of Iran’s leverage over the global economy despite the damage inflicted on its military by the U.S. and Israel.

The Chinese and Russian ambassadors, while expressing support for reopening the strait, argued that the resolution failed to address what they described as the root cause of the crisis: the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, launched on February 28, that triggered the war and the ensuing disruption.

"Disregard for the root causes of the crisis in the Middle East, namely the illegal and reckless acts by the US and Israel targeting Iran, is not possible and not acceptable," Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said in his remarks.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., blasted both countries, saying they had tolerated a regime that is "holding the global economy at gunpoint."

The failed resolution demanded that Iran refrain from further attacks on merchant vessels and called on concerned governments to deploy forces in a coordinated effort to safeguard shipping. On its face, that would appear to benefit China—the world’s largest energy importer, which gets roughly 40 percent of its oil imports and about 30 percent of its liquefied natural gas from the Middle East.

China is better positioned than some of its neighbors to weather a limited energy shock because of its large strategic reserves and heavy investment in renewable energy. But with the strait disrupted for nearly six weeks, Beijing’s concern is growing—and a prolonged war lasting months poses an even greater risk.

In his Security Council remarks, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong warned that even after revisions responding to earlier Chinese and Russian objections, the draft still risked escalating the conflict rather than containing it.

"[The resolution] contains one-sided condemnation and pressure, characterizing the situation as a threat to international peace and security, as well as the use of armed escorts," Fu said. "Such language is highly susceptible to misinterpretation or even abuse. At a time when the United States is openly threatening the very survival of civilization, the current hostilities imposed on Iran is very likely to further escalate."

Andrea Ghiselli, assistant professor of international relations at Beijing's Fudan University, and Courtney Fung, assistant professor of international relations at the University of Hong Kong, for the Lowy Institute think tank, wrote: "China’s economy is in no position to weather a global recession with ease. Persistently weak domestic demand means that exports remain essential for absorbing industrial output, sustaining economic growth, and supporting employment. A decline in external demand, combined with disruptions in access to key industrial and agricultural inputs, could therefore undermine a critical pillar of the economy."

A prolonged war could also further delay U.S. President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, now planned for mid-May and a high priority for Beijing, which sees it as a chance to stabilize ties with Washington, build on modest concessions reached in their last meeting, and buy time to prepare for possible future American sanctions.

UKRAINE WAR

Poland Intercepts Russian Spy Plane For Second Time in a Week

NATO member Poland has intercepted a Russian spy plane flying over the Baltic Sea for the second time this week, the country's deputy prime minister said.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that a pair of Polish F-16 fighter jets were deployed on Thursday after a Russian Il-20 surveillance-reconnaissance aircraft was detected.

"The provocative actions of the Russian Federation are testing our air defense systems," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Poland's Operational Command of the Armed Forces confirmed the interception, saying that the Russian aircraft was conducting a flight in international airspace with its transponder, which is used for identification, turned off, and without a submitted flight plan.

It comes after a similar incident in which an Il-20 aircraft was intercepted by Poland on Wednesday.

Why It Matters

The Russian reconnaissance missions this week highlight the persistent tensions on NATO's eastern flank and the alliance's rapid air policing posture.

Poland, like other eastern NATO members, has faced repeated airspace incursions from Russian drones and military aircraft in recent years.

As part of NATO's founding treaty, its members are collectively obliged to treat attacks on any member country as an assault on the whole alliance.

What To Know

Poland's Operational Command announced on Thursday that a Russian Il-20 aircraft had been detected in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, but Polish airspace was not breached.

It added that a pair of Polish F-16 fighter jets were deployed and carried out a successful interception and visual identification of the aircraft.

"Interceptions of aircraft do not constitute a demonstration of force, but are one of the basic tools for ensuring real control over a state's airspace," the command said.

"Their purpose is the rapid identification of objects that do not respond to calls from air traffic services, move without the required flight plan, or violate applicable rules."

It added: "Thanks to the interception procedure, it is possible to immediately determine the nature of the flight, assess potential threats, and—if necessary—take corrective actions, such as changing course or directing the aircraft to land. These actions help limit the risk of incidents and ensure the safety of both civil aviation and critical infrastructure."

Regarding Thursday's incident, it said: "This type of provocative action by the Russian Federation does not go unanswered – we are vigilant, we respond, and we remain in constant readiness to protect Polish airspace."

Poland regularly scrambles military aircraft when Moscow launches missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.

NATO deploys rotations of fighter jets to protect Polish airspace after around 20 Russian drones crossed into the country in September.

Russian Submarine Plot Exposed: How UK Thwarted Operation

The United Kingdom has thwarted a Russian submarine operation targeting critical undersea cables in its waters, the country's defense minister has announced.

Why It Matters

The incident comes amid continuing concerns over the threat posed by Russia toward NATO allies, which include accusations that Moscow has been engaged in hybrid activities to test the alliance’s resolve, such as GPS jamming and flying drones into its airspace.

Undersea cables are critical for all digital communications, and underpin global banking systems and trade.

What To Know

British warships and aircraft identified a Russian attack submarine entering international waters in the Arctic a number of weeks ago, before tracking it around the clock, the British government said.

The submarine was determined to be a decoy aimed at distracting the U.K. from other Russian naval units conducting "nefarious activity over critical undersea infrastructure."

The UK and its allies then launched a campaign to ensure the Russian naval units knew they were being monitored, and the submarines have since retreated to Russia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "I am determined to protect the British people from paying the price for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's aggression in their household bills. That is why we will not shy away from taking action and exposing Russia's destabilizing activity that seeks to test our resolve."

Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that three Russian submarines were tracked for more than a month as part of the operation. The Russian submarines included an Akula-class nuclear-powered vessel and two deep-sea vessels from Moscow's Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, also known as Gugi.

The Royal Navy deployed the Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans, a tanker named RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters. Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force deployed a maritime reconnaissance RAF P8 aircraft to monitor the submarine 24/7, the government said.

The operation saw British ships cover thousands of miles, and the Royal Navy and RAF also deployed sonobuoys to track the submarines. Healey said that around 500 U.K. personnel were involved, along with other allied nations including Norway.

"A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P-8 aircraft alongside allies ensured that the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7," Healey said.

"The Akula submarine subsequently retreated home, having been closely tracked throughout and we continued to monitor the two Gugi submarines in and around wider U.K. waters.

"Our armed forces left them in no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert, as President Putin planned, and that their attempted secret operation had been exposed. Those Gugi submarines have now left U.K. waters and headed back north."

Keir Starmer lashes out at Trump, Putin as UK energy bills skyrocket: ‘I’m fed up’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday pointed fingers at President Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for volatile energy bills hitting London, saying he was “fed up” with global conflicts wreaking havoc on global oil prices.

“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world,” Starmer told ITV News on Thursday.

The British prime minister has repeatedly criticized Trump, blaming him for global turmoil driven by the Iran war hammering households with sky-high energy costs — even as his own response remains limited.

In the interview, he doubled down on his stance that the UK would not follow Trump into conflict, reiterating that “our bases will not be and are not being used for wider offensive and particularly for offensive on civilians”.

“From the get-go, we’ve been monitoring this situation. So I’m pretty clear in my own mind about what we’ve agreed and what the use of the bases are,” he said. “I’ve been saying we are not going to be dragged into this war because I say there must be a lawful basis.”

“That matters if you’re going to commit our service personnel to risk their lives,” he added.

Starmer’s ire comes ahead of King Charles III’s state visit to the United States later this month – a visit Trump is looking forward to but is seen in the UK as a politically awkward moment for the king, who will be caught in the middle of the two men’s political feud.

The prime minister, who is visiting the Middle East this week, first drew Trump’s ire in February when he denied the US request to use a British base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for the war on Iran.

Beyond calls for “de-escalation” and diplomatic talks, critics say the prime minister has offered little to quell tensions.

His government has focused on international coordination and long-term resilience — including closer ties with Europe and securing shipping routes — rather than intervention.

USA

Zohran Mamdani backs down on cornerstone campaign promise of free NYC buses

Slam the brakes.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani conceded he won’t be able to deliver his promise of free buses this year — making a U-turn on one of the cornerstones of his campaign.

Hizzoner admitted he’s instead his turning his focus on restarting a pared-down fare-free bus pilot program, Politico first reported Wednesday — confirming New Yorkers will have to wait for the citywide no-cost transport he promised on the campaign trail.

Still, the mayor insisted he was still “absolutely committed to making buses fast and free” — eventually.

“We’re encouraged by the conversations we’re having with the governor and legislative leaders to take action on that in 2026 as a first step,” he said.

“Both legislative houses included language within their one-house budget proposals in support of bringing back a free bus pilot program. That is something that we are encouraged by, and it continues to be part of budget negotiations.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Albany lawmakers are deep within state budget negotiations, where a free bus pilot is part of talks, state Sen. Michael Gianaris confirmed to The Post on Wednesday.

Gianaris and then-Queens Assemblyman Mamdani had teamed up in 2023 to launch a small pilot of free buses as part of that year’s budget.

The Queens-based pilot was a success, prompting Mamdani the next year to pitch an expansion to the other four boroughs.

But Mamdani effectively killed expanding his pet project after a standoff with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), who yanked the initiative from the financial plan when the young lawmaker challenged him over an affordable housing issue, sources said.

Mamdani went on to mount a darkhorse run for mayor in 2025, in part by touting the Queens pilot program and arguing the MTA should expand free buses citywide.

Gianaris said the revived proposal would make three bus lines in each borough free and cost $45 million.

The prospect has received a mixed-to-chilly reception in Albany, with Hochul pooh-poohing it even before Mamdani was elected mayor.

Eric Swalwell’s campaign falls apart as ex-staffer levels horrifying sexual assault claim

Staffers for Eric Swalwell — a Democratic favorite in the California governor’s race — are reportedly fleeing as a disturbing claims emerged he sexually assaulted a young former staffer.

At least four people have “abruptly” quit the East Bay congressman’s flailing campaign as a disturbing claim emerged that he sexually assaulted a young female staffer in 2019, including when she was too intoxicated to consent, Politico reported.

That includes Courtni Pugh, a top advisor in charge of Swalwell’s organized labor strategy, and multiple other staffers.

The campaign departures come alongside a troubling report in the San Francisco Chronicle alleging that the East Bay rep had nonconsensual sexual contact with a former staffer who worked for roughly two years at Swalwell’s district office in Castro Valley starting in 2019, when she was 21 years old.

Swalwell, who was 38 at the time, sent her explicit Snapchat messages that included snaps of his genitals and “a video of himself sitting on an airplane, rubbing his penis through his pants,” according to the Chronicle.

The unnamed woman alleged that in September 2019, she went for drinks with Swalwell and become heavily intoxicated, remembering nothing for the rest of the evening but waking up the next morning in Swalwell’s hotel room with the feeling that she’d had vaginal intercourse.

The woman recalled another incident in April 2024, when she claimed Swalwell sexually assaulted her after a charity gala in New York.

She said she became intoxicated after drinking with Swalwell following the event, but recalled pushing him away and telling him “no.” She told the Chronicle she woke up the next morning with “no doubt” in her mind that the congressman had forcibly had sex with her.

Hakeem Jeffries slammed for demanding Eric Swalwell drop out of Calif. gov race – but not resign from Congress

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was slammed Friday for calling on Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to end his California gubernatorial campaign — but not resign from Congress amid shocking sexual misconduct allegations.

“Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor,” read a statement issued by Jeffries and House Democratic leadership. 

“This is unacceptable of anyone – certainly not an elected official – and must be taken seriously,” the statement continued – stopping short of demanding that Swalwell step down.

A former congressional staffer accused Swalwell, who had been the Democratic front-runner in the Golden State governor’s race, of sexually assaulting her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent.

CNN also reported that several other women alleged sexual misconduct ranging from unwanted touching to unsolicited nude pictures by Swalwell.
Jeffries’ statement was met with outrage on social media.

“What an unprincipled, meaningless statement,” former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer wrote on X. “If they thought Swalwell did wrong, they should call on him to resign.”

“If Democrats say [Swalwell] is too toxic to run for office, how is he not too toxic to currently occupy his office?” Mike Davis, the founder of judicial advocacy group Article III Project, wondered.

In a post directed at Jeffries, conservative podcaster Graham Allen fumed, “YOU ARE A COWARD.”

“MAKE HIM RESIGN…” Allen demanded.

Brett Tolman, a former US attorney and the head of nonprofit group Right On Crime, described the Democratic leader’s statement as “downright comical.”

“Get out of the Governor race but you can stay in congress #SortaMeToo,” Tolman quipped.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called on Swalwell to resign and argued Democrats should do the same.

“Idk in what parallel universe we are living in that elected members of congress begin to [choose] politics and party BS over basic human dignity,” Luna wrote on X. “I have called for Republican members to do the same when they are caught doing corrupt and morally bankrupt crap.

30 million have taken advantage of Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips, Overtime’ policies, Treasury Secretary Bessent says

JEFFERSON VALLEY, N.Y. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent touted the Trump administration’s tax deductions for tipped wages and overtime pay Friday, revealing that nearly 30 million Americans have taken advantage of the new policy.

The so-called “No Tax on Tips” and “No Tax on Overtime” deductions were part of President Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which also slashed taxes on vehicle loan interest, raised standard and state and local tax deductions and included significant new tax relief for businesses and seniors.

Bessent, addressing small business owners in the Hudson Valley with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), said 5.7 million taxpayers had filed for “No Tax on Tips.”

Another 23 million filed for “No Tax on Overtime,” according to the Treasury secretary, who described the new overtime rule as “the biggest one.”

The latest figures – an increase from the 24.6 million Bessent said were utilizing the two new deductions last month – were revealed ahead of next week’s April 15 tax filing deadline.

At the event, several members of the local community, both Democrats and Republicans, praised Trump’s tax cuts and Lawler’s push to raise the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.

Raj Aman, who runs a bar attached to a golf course in Yorktown, N.Y., said “No Tax on Tips” has encouraged more people to jump into the workforce.

“Three years ago, I couldn’t get any servers or bartenders,” Aman explained. “This year, we have people calling us that said, ‘Do you have a job opening?’ And we’ve already, for the start of the season of the golf course, we’ve already interviewed over 85 people from zero.”

“So basically, everybody wants their tips not being taxed,” Aman said. “They’re making a lot more money than they would ever imagine.”

US Court of International Trade considers challenge to Trump’s 10% global tariffs

WASHINGTON — The US Court of International Trade pressed Justice Department lawyers during oral arguments on Friday on a legal challenge to President Trump’s 10% global tariffs.

The lawsuit, brought by 24 mostly Democratic-led states like Oregon as well as small businesses, opposes the new levies imposed after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s so-called “reciprocal” duties.

The plaintiffs alleged that the revised tariffs were implemented under a different law than the one at issue in the high court’s Feb. 20 decision: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, Trump on Feb. 24 authorized 10% import tariffs for up to 150 days to address “large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits” and halt depreciation of the US dollar.

The president has indicated he would hike the import tax to as high as 15%.

The three-judge panel declined to issue an immediate ruling, but a decision favoring the plaintiffs would likely prompt an immediate appeal by the Department of Justice, potentially returning the case to the Supreme Court.

The IEEPA-related decision has prompted an additional legal battle over more than $170 billion in refunds the Trump administration may owe to importers affected by the trade duties.

Much of Friday’s trade court hearing centered on the Trump administration’s and the plaintiffs’ definitions of “balance-of-payments deficit.”

“The IEEPA case was very different,” said Judge Timothy Stanceu, an appointee of former President George W. Bush.

“The IEEPA case turned on whether or not IEEPA authorized the president to impose tariffs. This case has nothing like that,” Stanceu told DOJ attorney Brett Shumate, who works in the Civil Division.

“This case has a statute that expressly allows the imposition of tariffs or quotas. So we’re in a whole different universe now. This one turns on balance of payments deficits, a term that was not involved in” the other case.

The other two judges — Chief Judge Mark Barnett and Judge Claire R. Kelly. both appointees of former President Barack Obama — also grilled the Trump administration’s lawyers over their stance on broadly interpreting the statute.

Kamala Harris said she ‘might’ run for president in 2028 — reveals to Al Sharpton her political comeback deliberations

Former VP Kamala Harris on Friday teased her plans for the 2028 presidential election in an on-stage interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton in New York City, where she blasted President Trump as a “liar.”

“I might. I’m thinking about it,” the Democrat replied when Sharpton asked her if she was going to run for president again.

The room burst into applause at her response.
“I’ll keep you posted,” Harris added.

Harris was speaking at Sharpton’s National Action Network, a conference of black voters considered a must-stop for any potential Democratic presidential contender.

Several other prominent Democrats mulling White House bids also spoke at the conference, including Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois and Wes Moore of Maryland.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg all but declared he’s running for president in 2028 during his conversation with Sharpton on Friday.

Sharpton noted when Buttigieg ran for president in 2020, the two men had lunch together at Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem. “Just so my calendar is clear. Should I be reserving a table at Sylvia’s?,” he asked. “Are you gonna run again?”

“You save me a seat. I’ll be there,” Buttigieg responded.

Harris, the nation’s first black vice president, was a fan favorite at the conference. At one point during her speech, a person yelled, “run again.”

The audience burst into applause, and those in the room shouted repeatedly, “Run again.”

Harris just smiled in response but played coy on her future plans.

She was badly beaten by Trump in the 2024 presidential election, not winning a single battleground state. Trump is not expected to be on the ballot in 2028, but is expected to name his successor to the powerful MAGA movement.

Harris was fired up in her appearance, kicking things off by attacking Trump for both his domestic and foreign policy.

California’s top librarian torched as $1.1M vanishes from Dolly Parton literacy program: new docs

California has a new third rail in politics: Don’t mess with Dolly!

During a nearly three-hour hearing Tuesday, state Senators Sasha Renée Peréz (D-Pasadena) and Shannon Grove (R-Fresno) ripped into California State Librarian Greg Lucas and a department-linked nonprofit for burning more than $1 million in taxpayer money designed to support country music icon Dolly Parton’s child literacy program.

In March The Post reported on a hearing that focused on roughly $650,000 in unaccounted-for spending tied to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

New documents and testimony this week show the problems go much further — with potential self-dealing, basic accounting errors and thin documentation on how taxpayer money was spent.

Peréz quickly zeroed in on the lack of answers Tuesday, demanding more accountability on where the money went as there is still “a real lack of information.”

“Mr. Lucas, moving forward, I just want to highlight that it’s my expectation that the State Library, when they are overseeing a nonprofit, that they are providing tighter oversight and accountability around these issues,” she said.

The State Library also failed to send the Dollywood Foundation a required $61 million-plus within 45 days as required, and lawmakers still don’t have clear numbers on how many books the library and its now-defunct nonprofit actually delivered to kids.

In 2022, the state launched a $68.2 million child literacy effort and the Strong Reader Partnership, a nonprofit, was set up by the State Library to help run it. But after a slow rollout, lawmakers stepped in to claw back the money and ordered the bulk of the funds to be redirected to the Dollywood Foundation.

But even after that shift, the state-created nonprofit spent about $1.1 million in funds — with roughly $1 million going to just three firms.

The most glaring issue involves Sage Strategies, which was paid $326,250.99 for consulting work. The firm’s CEO, Sonya Harris, also served as the Strong Reader Partnership’s executive director.

While the contract with Strong Reader Partnership explicitly forbade the nonprofit from lobbying on legislation, Peréz and Grove noted during Tuesday’s committee hearing that email records show Harris and her nonprifit lobbied against a bill that removed control of the book project’s money from the organization’s control.

“Just frankly, you guys failed,” Grove said.

Trump administration reveals massive, 250-foot triumphal arch design plan

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration revealed designs for a new 250-foot triumphal arch just outside Washington, D.C., on Friday, as the US prepares for celebrations this summer to mark its 250th birthday.

The neoclassical monument will feature a winged Lady Liberty statue atop its stone structure and bear the golden inscription, “One Nation Under God,” echoing the concluding words from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Golden lions will also sit at its entrance facing east, along with two enormous gilded eagles on either side of Lady Liberty.

It resembles France’s historic Arc de Triomphe, which is 164 feet high, and would sit just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, which is around 100 feet tall.

The site at Memorial Circle in Arlington, Va., is near the nation’s national cemetery for military veterans. The Custis family mansion, Arlington House, sits up the hill to the west of the circle.

Some vets have sued to stop construction of the project, arguing the arch — which President Trump has boasted will be “the biggest one of all” — could obstruct views of the graves of America’s fallen heroes.

Harrison Design, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, filed the renderings with the US Interior Department and the Commission of Fine Arts on Friday.

Architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, a partner at Harrison Design, has been working on the project.

“He’s an extremely talented classical architect,” a source familiar with the project previously told The Post. “His business is mainly in sacred architecture, but he’s truly a classical architect not just some guy who’s copying and pasting columns.”

Weeks before Trump took office in January 2025, architecture critic Catesby Leigh published an article calling for a Roman-style arch to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the source noted.

State Dept. settles with conservative media outlets that sued for censorship during Biden admin: ‘Never again’

WASHINGTON — The State Department reached a landmark legal settlement with conservative media outlets to not “censor” their constitutionally protected speech — as was documented during the Biden administration.

A consent decree, signed off by a judge and filed Wednesday in a Texas federal court, will force the State Department to no longer throttle online engagement or seek to “fact check” American media for exercising their First Amendment rights, with exceptions for “obscenity, incitement to imminent violence or speech integral to criminal conduct.”

The decree will remain in effect until Jan. 31, 2036, and also mandate trainings for State employees and grantees to make them aware of their free speech-protection obligations.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance brought the suit in December 2023 against the Biden administration on behalf of The Daily Wire, The Federalist and other journalists who had their views suppressed on the COVID-19 pandemic, elections, voting issues, abortion, sexuality and transgenderism.

Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro, for example, had a June 2023 Facebook reel flagged, in which he mocked former President Joe Biden stumbling over his words before mistakenly spluttering: “We can only re-elect Donald Trump.”

A Federalist writer also had an article flagged for reporting on internal emails that showed then-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci had privately said over-the-counter masks at drug stores aren’t “effective” in keeping COVID at bay.

An opinion piece by the conservative author Dennis Prager published by the Daily Wire that criticized the political left’s stances during the pandemic was flagged as well.

The suit alleged that, under the Biden administration, the State Department had both funded and promoted the development of technologies by private companies that were later used by social media companies or outside-of-government entities to suppress speech online.

Oversight Committee responds to Melania Trump’s call for Epstein victims to testify before Congress

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said he agreed with Melania Trump that there should be a hearing for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.

“Yes, I’ve always planned on having hearings with the victims,” he said on Fox News on Friday.

“There are some victims who are willing to come in. Most victims aren’t, and I completely understand that. But we’ve always planned on having a hearing with Epstein victims once the depositions have been completed. So we have still got some more high-profile men that are coming in. Then I agree with the First Lady. We will have hearings.”

One Democratic Congressman went even further, saying Melania Trump herself should testify.

“Melania Trump must testify as to what she knows about other who men raped or abused the survivors,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said.

Reactions poured in after the first lady’s stunning statement on Thursday distancing herself from the dead, billionaire pedophile and his sex trafficking network.

Several victims of Epstein spoke up, as did author Michael Wolff, who exchanged numerous emails with Epstein and is now locked in a legal battle with the first lady over some of his allegations against her.

“I am not Epstein’s victim,” Melania Trump declared. “I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims.  I was never involved in any capacity—I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island.”

The first lady also called on Congress to hold a hearing for his victims.

“Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress, with the power of sworn testimony,” she said. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public, if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record.”
Many Democrats applauded her call to action, echoing her desire for a public hearing.

And Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.), who has criticized the president for not moving faster to release information on the case, praised Melania Trump for standing up for the victims.

“As a survivor, this isn’t political, it’s personal and when the First Lady of the United States stands up and demands justice for Epstein’s victims, it is truly momentous. These women deserve to be heard. Today, they were,” she said.

ASIA

China Issues Warning To US Ally

China accused Japan of accelerating "remilitarization" after reports said Tokyo plans to lift restrictions on exporting lethal weapons to certain countries.

"China is seriously concerned about this," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a Tuesday press conference, calling the move a "fundamental shift" in Japan’s postwar weapons-export policy that violates its constitution.

Since taking office in October, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to accelerate a security buildup driven largely by China’s rapid military expansion and pressure on Taiwan as well as North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Her government approved a record defense budget equal to 2 percent of Japan's GDP two years ahead of schedule and confirmed plans to stand up anti-air missiles on an island just 70 miles off Taiwan's east coast. These moves, coupled with controversial comments by Takaichi on what might constitute military intervention in a Taiwan scenario, have fueled tensions between Beijing and the U.S. treaty ally.

Newsweek reached out to Takaichi's office by email with a request for comment.

Takaichi's government has presented plans to relax curbs on military exports the first time in nearly six decades by the end of April, in effect greenlighting lethal weapons transfers to partner countries.

Weapons systems, to be approved case by case, would also proceed without prior notification to Japan's parliament, local media reported. The National Diet would instead be informed afterward, according to government plans presented during a top-level meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on Security on Tuesday.

The plans "seriously violate" Japan's postwar constitution and international safeguards put in place after World War II to prevent a return to militarism, Mao said.

The spokesperson told reporters these revisions would undermine safeguards designed to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism.

Mao accused Japanese right-wing forces of pushing security policy in an "offensive and expansionist direction" and urged the international community to remain "highly vigilant." She called on Tokyo to reflect on its wartime history and avoid "going further down the wrong path."

The revisions to Japan's 1967 Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology are expected to face pushback from opposition parties, though Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds a commanding majority in the lower house, all but precluding a legislative block.

Well, I can't blame Japan for purchasing weaponry, battleships, and lots of aircraft. China has been quite aggressive in the last few years. How many times did  China threaten Taiwan with reunifying it with mainland China so far?
How many times have they built artificial islands in the region to make preposterous claims on territorial and exclusive waters rights?

Chinese Underwater Drone Discovered in [Indonesia] Neighbor’s Waters

Indonesian authorities have recovered what is believed to be a Chinese underwater drone in the Lombok Strait, a key shipping lane and strategic chokepoint east of Bali.

It was discovered by a local fisherman on Monday morning about 10 miles north of the tourist island of Gili Trawangan, according to local news outlet Suara NTB. Photos shared with the media show North Lombok police securing a cylindrical device measuring about 12 feet long and a little over 2 feet in diameter, equipped with rear fins and what appear to be sensors.

Chinese characters and the CSIC (China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation) logo were visible on the hull. CSIC, now folded into China State Shipbuilding Corporation, is the world’s largest shipbuilding conglomerate and a key pillar of China’s maritime industrial power.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia and to CSIC via email for comment.

Chinese unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), including autonomous underwater vehicles, have expanded rapidly in recent years, driven in large part by Beijing’s military-civil fusion—a strategy where civilian enterprises share technology and resources with the People’s Liberation Army. This has raised concerns among China’s neighbors that these drones, and China’s growing fleet of oceanographic survey vessels, have been gathering sensitive data within their exclusive economic zones.

"As soon as the information was received, we moved quickly to secure and process the crime scene with the Gegana Team," Agus Purwanta, chief of the North Lombok police, said in a statement shared by Suara NTB. He said the initial inspection turned up no signs of radioactivity or explosive material.

The matter is being handled in coordination with multiple agencies to assess different possibilities, including territorial sovereignty and security implications, Purwanta said, adding that the object would be transported to nearby Mataram Naval Base for further examination.

The official called on the public to avoid speculation and to immediately report any suspicious objects.

"Good to see China’s annual tradition of sending unmanned underwater vehicles to be dredged up by Indonesian fishermen is alive and well," Ryan Fedasiuk, a China technology analyst and fellow with the American Enterprise Institute think tank, wrote on X. He said the UUV appeared to belong to CSIC's Haishen family of deep-sea submersibles.

Fishermen in Southeast Asia have for years been stumbling across UUVs in regional waters, including in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The prospect of a CSIC-made submersible gathering data in the Lombok Strait raises questions about the capabilities China is developing and how such systems might be used in the event of a conflict in the region.

The closely watched Lombok Strait offers a deep-water passage for submarines and supertankers, linking the Java Sea with the Indian Ocean. It is considered a key alternative route if the Strait of Malacca were to be disrupted, including in a potential conflict scenario involving the United States.

In the Philippines, officials have also reported incidents involving suspected foreign underwater drones in recent years, underscoring broader regional concerns about surveillance activity and maritime security.

World’s Tallest Empty Skyscraper Finally Nears Completion After 18 Years

Goldin Finance 117—the long-delayed skyscraper in China designed to be 596 meters (around 1,955 feet) tall—is nearing its completion 18 years after its construction began, according to state media reports.

Located in Tianjin, Goldin Finance 117 is the world’s tallest unoccupied building, according to Guinness World Records.

Workers reportedly began installing a 7.6-tonne diamond-shaped crown on top of the building in late March, according to reports from state media. The hoisting of the steel structure at the top of the tower was considered a major milestone since the building's construction resumed last April, according to Xinhua, China’s state news agency.

The report said leasing for the main tower has been mostly completed, with 17 companies enlisted, including seven state-owned enterprises and 10 private firms.

Also known as the China 117 Tower, Goldin Finance 117 is a supertall skyscraper; these are buildings standing 300 meters (984 feet) or higher, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

Construction on the 128-story skyscraper began on August 18, 2008. It was designed to be "a remarkable piece of engineering," featuring a complex system of "mega columns" and trusses that anchor the building against strong winds and seismic activity, as noted by Guinness World Records.

The skyscraper reached a height of 595.5 meters (around 1,953 feet) in September 2015, making it the world's fifth tallest building at the time.

However, work on the building was suspended in December that year after the building's owner, Hong Kong-based developer Goldin Properties, ran into financial troubles in the aftermath of the Chinese stock market crash in June 2015, according to Guinness World Records.

Daughter of British billionaire killed after being thrown off motorcyle during Vietnam trip

A heartbreaking twist has emerged after the daughter of a billionaire building tycoon was tragically killed during her gap year holiday in Vietnam.

British backpacker Orla Wates was thrown off the back of a motorbike after the driver lost control while travelling along the notorious Ha Giang Loop in the north of the country.

The 19-year-old reportedly fell onto the road and was hit by an oncoming truck.

She was taken to a hospital but later died from the devastating extent of her injuries.

Her father, Andy Wates, is the director of the multi-billion-dollar building firm Wates, a more than 100-year-old company that has offices across the United Kingdom.

The teenager was exploring the world before she planned to start studying anthropology at Durham University.

In a touching detail, her parents decided to donate her organs to other critically ill patients at the Vietnamese hospital, with Wates describing his daughter as “beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit.”

“She loved to look good and lived life to the full,” he told local publication, Viet Nam News.

Orla’s mother, Henrietta Wates, said her family have found comfort in knowing their daughter is “living on” after her organs were used to save lives.

“At this extremely difficult time for our family, we chose to donate Orla’s organs, as we believe that if there were a way to give opportunity to others, this is what Orla would have wanted,” she told the outlet.

“Knowing that she is living on through them brings us great comfort.”

Orla’s liver, two kidneys and two corneas were transplanted to patients at the hospital.

A spokesperson from the Viet Duc Friendship Hospital praised the family’s “compassionate decision.”

“In the face of profound grief, her family made a deeply compassionate decision that transcended nationality and race – to donate her organs, giving others a chance at life,” they said.

“One journey has come to an end, but her life continues quietly and resiliently in others who have been given a second chance.”

In recognition of her parents’ act, Vietnam’s Minister of Health wrote a letter expressing condolences and sincere gratitude for their remarkable gesture.