The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved a congestion pricing plan for New York City. The plan will implement a $15 fee for passenger vehicles entering a swath of Manhattan and trucks will have to pay a higher toll. It will take effect as soon as June.

New York

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has officially sanctioned a congestion pricing scheme for New York City. The newly approved plan stipulates a $15 toll for passenger vehicles entering a designated area of Manhattan. Additionally, trucks will be subject to a higher toll rate compared to passenger vehicles. The implementation of this plan is set to commence as soon as June, marking a significant shift in the city's approach to managing traffic and congestion.



NYC congestion pricing plan gets final approval

This was a historic vote that was years in the making. What this means is that for all of those drivers you see here in downtown Brooklyn, if they wish to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street in the near future, once these tolls go into effect, they will be forced to pay a toll. In some cases, at least $15 to enter the city from certain areas. This has been a historic vote that has been years in the making, something that the MTA board has been trying to pass. And just moments ago, they took that historic vote, almost the entire board voting yes, besides just one board member. So what does this toll structure look like? Well, as of right now, cars will be charged at $15. Trucks will pay between 24 and $36, depending on their size. Rideshare drivers and taxis will also face a fee up to $2.50. As for the exemptions, those include yellow school buses, certain city-owned vehicles, and private commuter buses. Teachers, firefighters, and police officers who drive their own private cars to work will not be exempt. Here's what some Brooklynites have to say about the decision. I think it's ridiculous. I don't think it's gonna solve problems. I think it's just gonna move problems elsewhere. And I think it hurts more than anybody else, the people who have no other option. To me, it's just for money for MTA to survive their capital program, improve the, you know, the train system and everything. I think the congestion pricing is a great idea. It'll cut down on the amount of traffic, congestion. I hope they'll make some pedestrian streets when there's less cars in Manhattan. And now that this toll structure has been approved, we can see these tolls kick in as soon as this June. That's the latest here in downtown Brooklyn. Faith Graham, News 12.

The Russian and Turkish flags were lowered to mark the closure of a center set up to monitor a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, as Russian peacekeepers ended a multi-year deployment in the strategic South Caucasus region.

Baku

Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire center closes as Russia withdraws

Britain's King Charles will return to public duties next week for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer as he makes good progress following treatment and a period of recuperation, Buckingham Palace said.

London

King Charles to resume public duties after cancer diagnosis

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Paris

Israel-Gaza War

Pro-Palestinian protesters still occupying Sciences Po campus

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Nairobi

Climate Crisis

Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70

An Australian journalist has been named as a key figure in Donald Trump's criminal trial. Dylan Howard, the former editor of the National Enquirer in the U.S. accused of buying and burying negative stories as part of a deal to help him become President.

U.S. Presidential Election

The Australian journalist caught up in Trump trial

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Council of the City of Sydney

Reserve Bank set to raise interest rates, expert predicts

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Marsden Park

Mourners farewell Bondi security guard Faraz Tahir

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Washington

U.S. Supreme Court weighs arguments on Trump immunity case

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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned

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Jerusalem

Israel steps up airstrikes on Rafah ahead of ground operation

After weeks of delays, Haiti is due to swear in a presidential transition council. Gang violence has devastated the economy and social services are on the brink of collapse. Gang leaders say talks over Haiti's political future must include them.

Port-au-Prince

Haiti interim transition council to be sworn in

Israeli forces are carrying out "offensive action" across southern Lebanon, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said without specifying whether ground troops had crossed the border. He also claimed that "half of Hezbollah's commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated" in months of violence.

Beirut

Israel says forces carrying out 'offensive action' in south Lebanon

In a deal facilitated by Qatar, Russia and Ukraine will exchange nearly 50 displaced children due to Moscow's invasion, announced Maria Lvova-Belova, the Kremlin's children's rights commissioner, in Doha.

Doha

Ukraine Invasion

Russia and Ukraine to exchange dozens of displaced children

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Phoenix

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Geographe

Mass whale stranding in southwest WA

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has completed a two-day trek of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape in commemoration of ANZAC Day

Kokoda

Australian Prime Minister's Kokoda pilgrimage

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Wakeley

Teenagers face court over terrorism offences

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to sign a law that sets a January 2025 deadline for Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell its U.S. operation. Lawmakers behind the ban have warned of national security risks from the popular social video app.

Biden to sign law that could ban TikTok in U.S.

Morning rush hour in central London turned chaotic Wednesday as five escaped military horses galloped at full speed through busy city streets, injuring at least four people. All five horses were rounded up and given veterinary care.

Runaway horses cause peak-hour chaos in London

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Sderot

U.N. calls for inquiry after unmarked graves found in Gaza

People living in Athens have seen the sky turn orange. It was caused by clouds of dust from the Sahara desert, which blew in from Northern Africa blanketing much of Greece.

Athens

'Apocalyptic' orange haze descends on Athens

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Thousands of veterans take part in ANZAC Day marches

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Biden signs Ukraine, Israel aid, TikTok ban package

A North Korean delegation led by a cabinet minister for international trade is visiting Iran, according to state media. The rare public visit signals increased cooperation between the two countries, which are believed to have secret military ties.

Pyongyang

North Korea delegation visits Iran in rare public trip

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Berlin

Germany to resume funding UNRWA Palestinian agency

The United States Justice Department has agreed to pay almost $139 million to victims of sex abuser Larry Nassar, for its bungled investigation into the former USA Gymnastics team doctor. For nearly two decades, Nassar subjected hundreds of people to abuse under the guise of performing medical treatment.

Justice Dept. to pay $139 million to USA Gymnastics abuse victims

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U.N. calls for investigation into Gaza mass graves

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Stabbed Sydney bishop supports Musk stance

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Teenagers arrested in ongoing Sydney anti-terror raids

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