Mamdani promotes NYC where 'every family can afford a home,' rips ICE's 'cruelty' amid budget blowback

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani promoted a Big Apple "where every family can afford a home" and ripped "ICE’s cruelty and violence" Saturday as he faces criticism for proposing hiking property taxes to balance the city’s budget. 

Mamdani made the remarks while paying tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson at an event hosted by Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. 

"When New Yorkers link arms with someone they have never met before and marched for the voiceless and the downtrodden, hope is alive. When New Yorkers sacrifice their precious free time in a city where every child can have the education that they deserve, where every family can afford a home in the stability that it holds, where our criminal justice system is fair and our economy is just, when New Yorkers link arms in the fight for those things, hope is alive," Mamdani said. 

"Hope is the light. And we know this, that while Reverend Jackson may not be with us any longer, his purpose has not dimmed, his clarity has not faded. As we work every day towards a New York that delivers dignity for all, towards a nation that rejects ICE’s cruelty and violence, towards the stranger among us, and towards a society where compassion is not a rarity, where solidarity is not abstract, let the reverend’s words be our guide," he added.

NYC RESIDENTS SAY MAMDANI RENEGING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROMISE WITH PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX HIKE

During a news conference on Tuesday, Mamdani called on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers in Albany to raise income taxes on the "ultra-wealthy and the most profitable corporations" to help close the city's budget gap. 

If they do not, Mamdani warned about "painful decisions of last resort" that include a potential 9.5% property tax increase.  

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This increase would affect approximately 3 million homes across working and middle-class New Yorkers. 

Some New York City residents now argue that Mamdani is reneging on his affordable housing campaign promises by floating potentially hiking property taxes.

"You are giving only two options. You're saying if we don't tax the rich then I gotta increase property taxes," one Queen homeowner, James Johnson, reportedly told WABC. "We are not a pawn in Southeast Queens. We are not part of your negotiation tactics."

Mamdani admitted that middle class New Yorkers would bear the brunt of his proposal.

"This would effectively be a tax on working and middle class New Yorkers, who have a median income of $122,000," Mamdani said. 

Fox News Digital’s Lindsay Kornick and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report. 

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home still swarming with police following arrest over Epstein ties

Police continued to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home Friday after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office the day before, Fox News Digital can confirm.

Photographs showed police outside of Royal Lodge on Friday morning, Andrew's former home in Berkshire. The Thames Valley Police confirmed the search of the former prince's current home – Wood Farm – concluded Thursday.

The search of Andrew's 30-room former home in the parkland near Windsor Castle, where the king's younger brother had lived for decades until his eviction earlier this month, will reportedly continue through Monday, according to the BBC. Unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, have been entering the grounds throughout Friday morning.

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Andrew was photographed arriving home to Sandringham Estate Thursday after spending roughly 10 hours in police custody.

The former prince could be seen in the backseat of a car as he arrived at Wood Farm, where he has been temporarily staying after being kicked out of the Royal Lodge.

Authorities arrested Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has been accused of sharing confidential trade info with Jeffrey Epstein. Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the Epstein files appeared to show former Prince Andrew sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier. One email showed Andrew sent Epstein the information five minutes after he received it.

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Other police forces in the U.K. are also conducting their own investigations into Andrew's ties to Epstein. The Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations London airports may have been used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation. "Separately, the Met is identifying and contacting former and serving officers who may have worked closely, in a protection capacity, with Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

"They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us," the statement continued.

The Metropolitan Police added: "While we are aware of the extensive media reporting and commentary about this matter, as of today, no new criminal allegations have been made to the Met regarding sexual offences said to have occurred within our jurisdiction. We continue to urge anyone with new or relevant information to come forward. All allegations will be taken seriously and, as with any matter, any information received will be assessed and investigated where appropriate."

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Royal commentator Meredith Constant told Fox News Digital she believes Andrew allegedly sending Epstein confidential documents "only scratches the surface."

Constant said the former prince’s conduct as U.K. trade envoy has been "a topic of concern for years now."

"I have a feeling sending confidential documents to Jeffrey Epstein only scratches the surface," Constant said. "It is past time for the U.K. Government to release files they've kept hidden from the public about Andrew's time in public office."

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The exiled royal's connection to Epstein eventually led to his arrest on his 66th birthday. Andrew allegedly sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010. At the time, he was serving as Britain’s special envoy for international trade.

Specifically, emails released as part of the Epstein files appeared to show Andrew sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.

One email, dated November 2010, appeared to be forwarded by Andrew five minutes after he had been sent it. In another, on Christmas Eve 2010, he appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Shut out of Valentine's Day dinner reservations? Last-minute alternatives save the day

For couples who waited too long to book a Valentine's Day dinner reservation, the scramble is on — but luckily, experts say it might not be too late to make the holiday special.

Dining out remains one of the most popular ways Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day. At least 21% plan to go out for a meal, whether they’re in a relationship or not, according to a new YouGov survey. Among couples, that number rises to 32%. But with more than half of partnered Americans planning to celebrate in some way, competition for tables can be fierce.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people learn a little too late that Valentine's Day dinner reservations start filling up as early as mid-January and sometimes even sooner," said Jason Lee, who, together with his wife, founded LoveTrack, an app that offers features like a date night planner, conversation prompts for couples and anniversary and birthday reminders.

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But missing out on a restaurant booking doesn’t have to mean missing out on romance.

"There are ways to still have a meaningful date night that may actually offer more connection, at a much lower price point, and you can pull it all together last-minute," Lee said.

Dining out is significantly more expensive than it was just a few years ago. The cost of eating out rose at more than double its previous pace between 2021 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited in LoveTrack's 2025 Date Night Inflation Report.

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"Going out to a restaurant for a steak dinner is great," Lee, who is based in Orlando, Florida, said. "But imagine your special someone walking into your dining room with the lights dimmed, romantic music playing, a cute menu printed out and your best effort at a home-cooked meal."

He added, "The effort and little details like rolling the silverware in a napkin, or curating a playlist of their favorite romantic songs will always surpass even the most expensive of restaurant experiences."

A Time Capsule Date Night is a LoveTrack favorite, Lee said, and calls for gathering meaningful mementos, writing notes to each other and collecting keepsakes, then sealing it to open together on a future Valentine’s Day.

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For busy parents or couples juggling packed schedules, a last-minute plan may feel both more realistic and more authentic, said Megan Chandler Lee, a South Carolina–based wedding planner and founder of Vero Events, who has no relation to Jason Lee.

"When you have kids and busy lives, it’s really hard to schedule a Valentine’s Day date," she said. "What makes it impactful is making it tailored to you as a couple. Takeout and a new series or movie are ideal for a busy set of parents."

Alternatives to the traditional dinner date can also get couples moving — and connecting.

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"Live somewhere warmer? Golf or pickleball would be ideal," Chandler Lee said. "Doing something active together is incredibly bonding." 

For colder climates, she suggests indoor options like Topgolf or even a simple coffee walk. "It’s not necessarily about spending money, but about spending time," she said.

The pressure to produce an Instagram-worthy evening may be part of what fuels Valentine’s stress. About 26% of Americans say they’ve been disappointed by a partner not doing enough to celebrate the holiday, with women three times as likely as men to report that disappointment, according to YouGov.

"I think most people feel that romance is more impactful when it’s not Instagram-worthy," Chandler Lee said. "Don’t turn yourself inside out to show the world you’re in love. Just enjoy one another however that fits your life."

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Trump admin rips Mamdani, local Dems as activists override gov't move at NYC monument: 'Focused on theatrics'

A battle between elected Democrat officials and the Trump administration is developing in New York City involving a Pride flag being flown at a government monument outside the historic Stonewall Inn.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the national monument outside the Stonewall Inn, the site of a clash between police and patrons of a gay bar seen by many as the start of the gay rights movement in the 1960s, in a move it says is in accordance with decades-old federal code. 

The administration says that only the American flag, Department of the Interior flag, or POW flags are permitted to fly on national monuments rather than political flags, and Pride flags have continued to be displayed around the monument at the Stonewall Inn itself, located nearby. 

The move sparked outrage from activists and Democrat leaders in New York City, including the city’s socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who posted on X that he was "outraged" and "our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it."

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On Thursday, hundreds of protesters watched as local officials re-raised the Pride flag at the national monument, Fox 5 New York reported, prompting a scathing response from the Department of the Interior, which manages the country’s national parks. 

"Instead of addressing the basic needs of their constituents, city leaders seem more focused on theatrics than solutions," a Department of Interior spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Residents are left wondering why their elected officials are prioritizing headlines over heating. Every day that these issues go unresolved is another day families are forced to live with the consequences of mismanagement and neglect."

"Hundreds of families in New York City went without power during this year’s severe cold weather, people are being found dead on the streets, and trash has piled up so high it towers over city residents. This is Mayor Mamdani and city officials' New York City. While today's political stunt is a distraction from their recent deadly failures, it would be a better use of their time to get the trash buildup off city streets, ensure there are no more avoidable deaths, and work to keep the power on for the people of New York City."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment. 

The Department of the Interior maintains that recent adjustments to flag displays at the monument are part of "longstanding federal flag policy" and to ensure "consistency with federal guidance."

"Stonewall National Monument remains committed to preserving and interpreting the history and significance of this site through its exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives."

A source familiar with the situation tells Fox News Digital that an American flag was previously not displayed at the monument and park officials had to purchase one in order to be compliant with the U.S. Code.

The source explained that this issue is not specifically targeted at the Stonewall Monument but rather part of broader concerns about the politicization of national monuments carried out by what are known as "Resistance Rangers," employees who are openly working against the Trump administration from the inside. 

A report from Outside Magazine last fall highlighted an upside-down American flag being displayed on Yosemite National Park’s famed El Capitan cliff and similar incidents at other national parks as part of a campaign by fired National Park Service employees, activists, and the group of anonymous employees within the National Park Service calling themselves the "Resistance Rangers."

President Barack Obama established the Stonewall National Monument on June 24, 2016, designating the area around the Stonewall Inn in New York City as a protected historic site. The move marked the first time a U.S. national monument was dedicated to LGBTQ history.

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