https://meenews.co/post/6a838b712c5335ae1047b7e9 Shocking prehistoric discovery on NJ beach '100%' came from colossal ancient predator te 2026-08-17T22:30:09.558Z Shocking prehistoric discovery on NJ beach '100%' came from colossal ancient predator A family's search for seashells on the Jersey Shore took an unexpected turn when a father and son uncovered the tooth of an ancient shark — and it dates back millions of years. Mike Bowers and his son, Bo Bowers, uncovered the fossil, which came from an Otodus megalodon, in Sea Isle City near the Townsend Inlet on August 11.  Megalodons were the largest predatory sharks in Earth's history, and went extinct around 4 million years ago. TRAVELERS CAN HUNT FOR MILLION-YEAR-OLD FOSSILS AND MORE VALUABLE TREASURES IN THESE SPOTS Pictures of the tooth show its massive size and dark, jagged edge, with the fossil measuring roughly the length of young Bo Bowers' hand. The Pennsylvania family had been vacationing in Wildwood when an overcast day prompted them to look for somewhere different to search for shells, Mike Bowers told Fox News Digital. "There was a rock jetty and a real nice looking beach," said Mike Bowers. "And I was like, well, let's go check it out." The father noticed something in a small opening between two rocks, but his hand was too large to fit, so he called his son over. Bo Bowers told Fox News Digital that he was initially hesitant to reach into the rocks but grabbed the tooth as soon as he saw it. MARINE EXPERTS FIND LIKELY REMAINS OF 18TH-CENTURY TREASURE SHIP THAT WAS LOST FOR CENTURIES The 11-year-old said it was "really hard to believe" when he learned the tooth was millions of years old. "He likes to look for shark teeth and stuff like that," Mike Bowers added. The family "definitely did not expect to find something of that stature," he added.  The Bowers family was allowed to keep the tooth because it was found on a public beach, the dad told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER On their way home to western Pennsylvania, the family stopped at the New Jersey State Museum to have the tooth examined. "[An official] took us up to the fossil lab, and he examined it and confirmed it," he said. "[It] 100% is a true megalodon tooth." Mike Bowers added that an official told him only five megalodon teeth had previously been recorded as found on New Jersey beaches, and that the family's discovery was the sixth. Dana Ehret of the New Jersey State Museum confirmed the tooth's authenticity to Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "These teeth are highly uncommon in New Jersey because we do not have the right aged sediments preserved at or near the surface," said Ehret. "The Bowers tooth is in extraordinary good condition for a tooth from New Jersey. It reminds me of the teeth found in North Carolina, where they are much more common," he added.  "Typically, teeth [found in New Jersey] are substantially worn from being in the water for long periods of time." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The discovery is one of several ancient finds made by children in unexpected places in recent months. Earlier this year, an 11-year-old boy in England discovered a roughly 1.8 million-year-old tooth from an extinct relative of modern elephants while visiting a beach. In another unusual find, an 8-year-old boy in Israel found a 1,700-year-old Roman statuette fragment and brought it to school for show-and-tell. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a838b6c2c5335ae1047b7d3 Trump to Travel to Myrtle Beach to Rally for Darline Graham te 2026-08-17T22:30:04.670Z Trump to Travel to Myrtle Beach to Rally for Darline Graham The sister of Lindsey Graham was appointed to his Senate seat on an interim basis. She must win a runoff next week against a conservative House member to serve a full six-year term. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8389152c5335ae1047b78a Authorities raid CBD store in AG investigation te 2026-08-17T22:20:05.168Z Authorities raid CBD store in AG investigation State and federal authorities executed a warrant last week at SunMed CBD in Lake Havasu City, reportedly seizing store products and business records as part of a broader investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8386c02c5335ae1047b74e Kelly Osbourne wows in leopard-print swimsuit as she steps 'away from the madness' te 2026-08-17T22:10:08.093Z Kelly Osbourne wows in leopard-print swimsuit as she steps 'away from the madness' Kelly Osbourne is stepping away from the noise and giving herself time to recharge. The 41-year-old television personality shared a series of vacation photos as she reflected on the importance of slowing down amid a busy and emotional period in her life. In one photo, Osbourne relaxed on a lounge chair in a leopard-print one-piece swimsuit while soaking up the sun. KELLY OSBOURNE BLASTS DEE SNIDER AS 'SPECTACULARLY CLASSLESS' FOR CLAIMING OZZY DIDN’T WRITE HIS OWN SONGS She reclined with both arms resting behind her head and one leg crossed over the other. Osbourne paired the animal-print swimsuit with her iconic black cat-eye sunglasses featuring red-tinted lenses, layered necklaces and several rings, while her tattoos were visible along her arms. A second photo offered another look at the same poolside moment. Osbourne leaned back against the lounge chair with her arms at her sides. Her blonde hair was swept back as she enjoyed the sunny setting. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The former reality star explained that the getaway had given her an opportunity to disconnect from the demands of everyday life. "I’m really learning how important it is to step away from the madness sometimes. 🌊☀️" Osbourne wrote on Instagram. "I get so wrapped up in life, work, people, plans… everything going on around me, that I genuinely forget I’m allowed to stop. To switch off. To breathe. To just be." Osbourne said the time away had changed her perspective on taking a break. "This holiday has reminded me that taking a break isn’t wasting time — sometimes it’s exactly what you need to come back to yourself." She added, "I honestly feel reborn. Lighter, calmer, happier… and very much NOT ready to go home 😂❤️" Fans celebrated Osbourne's carefree vacation photos in the comments, with several praising how happy she appeared. "Your dad is smiling watching you get your sparkle back ❤️✨️," one person wrote. Another commented, "Wow !!!!! You are stunning !! You look so happy and healthy !!!!" A third fan focused on Osbourne's poolside look, writing, "🔥I love that bathing suit girl! You look amazing !! Miss ya. Hope you're doing well. 💜🤘🏼" Osbourne also shared a close-up selfie taken on the water as the sun set behind her. KELLY OSBOURNE DEMANDS CHILD SUPPORT AND HER DOGS BACK IN FIERY RANT AMID REPORTED BREAKUP Wearing the same black cat-eye sunglasses, she posed in a black-and-white striped top with her blonde hair swept back. The orange sun could be seen dropping toward the horizon behind her, reflecting across the water. Osbourne's time away also included a sweet moment with her 3-year-old son, Sidney. In another photo, Osbourne cuddled her 3-year-old son, Sidney, while aboard a boat. The mother and son smiled as Sidney wrapped his arm around her neck. Osbourne held her son close, while an older child stood at the boat's steering wheel beside them. Sidney is Osbourne's son with Slipknot musician Sid Wilson. The former couple welcomed him in 2022. KELLY OSBOURNE STUNS IN CORSETED SWIMSUIT ON YACHT MONTHS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN BODY-SHAMING CRITICS The getaway comes amid changes in Osbourne's personal life following reports that she and Wilson have split. Earlier this month, Osbourne fueled speculation about their relationship when she shared a series of since-deleted Instagram Stories that appeared to take aim at Wilson, though she never mentioned him by name. "Wake the f--- up and take some responsibility. I will not take your s--- anymore! I'm done. I want to be happy, and I have a beautiful son to raise. Leave me alone. Let me heal. I can't protect you from yourself anymore," she wrote. Osbourne later appeared to reference unresolved issues involving their son, finances and her belongings. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Also while I’m at it can I have my dogs back and all my possessions. Oh yeah and maybe some child support?" Osbourne and Wilson reportedly ended their engagement earlier this year, though neither has publicly confirmed the split. The pair began dating in 2022 and welcomed Sidney later that year. Her vacation comes during an emotional chapter for the Osbourne family following the death of her father, Ozzy Osbourne, in July 2025. The Black Sabbath frontman died at 76, just weeks after performing his final concert with the legendary heavy metal band. Osbourne has remained fiercely protective of her father's legacy. Most recently, she fired back at Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider after he made comments about the late rocker's songwriting. For now, however, Osbourne's latest update suggests she is making a deliberate effort to step away from the pressures surrounding her and enjoy quieter moments with her family. "Note to self: do this more often," she wrote. "Life will still be there when you get back. ✨" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8386bf2c5335ae1047b745 WNBA admits security in Atlanta was wrong to make fans cover shirts at Dream-Fever game te 2026-08-17T22:10:07.404Z WNBA admits security in Atlanta was wrong to make fans cover shirts at Dream-Fever game The WNBA admitted Monday that league security improperly forced a mother and her teenage daughter to cover their XX-XY Athletics shirts during Sunday's game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream. "The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts," a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement provided to OutKick. "This should not have happened." The WNBA's admission is as damning as it is simple: its own security forced paying fans to cover shirts supporting women's sports. MOM AND DAUGHTER TOLD TO COVER UP XX-XY T-SHIRTS, SAY THEY WERE THREATENED WITH EJECTION AT FEVER-DREAM GAME OutKick's Jon Root first detailed the incident involving Georgia resident Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter, Annie, who were sitting courtside during Indiana's 95-91 victory when security confronted them in overtime. The pair wore XX-XY Athletics shirts backing Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her stance on protecting female athletics. The shirts have become a symbol of the WNBA's trans dilemma, exposing an uncomfortable question for a women's basketball league struggling to define who belongs in women's sports. They wore them for four quarters without issue. Then, in overtime, Kasey said a fan complained and security issued an ultimatum: cover up with Dream shirts or get tossed. "Biology and science is offensive?" Kasey recalled responding. To watch the conclusion, they reluctantly put on the Dream shirts. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS The WNBA admitted security crossed the line. But that only raises a bigger question: How did a women's basketball league reach the point where stating biological reality became grounds for security intervention? Cunningham sparked national debate weeks ago by voicing support for keeping biological males out of women's sports. The controversy even prompted a WNBA task force discussion among team executives, while the league denounced what it called "bad-faith efforts" to use the transgender-athlete debate to demean or marginalize others. But the debate hasn't remained confined to league statements and meetings. STORM CO-OWNER SUSPENDED AFTER INCIDENT WITH SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FANS AS STAR BREAKS SILENCE ON CONTROVERSY Less than three weeks ago, Seattle Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted two teenage girls wearing XX-XY Athletics gear and supporting Cunningham at a Fever-Storm game. The Storm subsequently apologized, and the WNBA fined Keaton an undisclosed amount and suspended her from attending five home games. Now, another mother and teenage daughter backing the same cause were confronted at a WNBA game — this time by league security. Kasey said she believed a nearby fan wearing a "Protect Trans Rights" shirt had complained. The Thomasons could not confirm whether security also instructed that fan to cover her shirt, though they said they later noticed her jacket zipped over it. State Farm Arena policy prohibits clothing displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterizations, while the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibits obscene or indecent messages on clothing. According to Kasey, security cited neither policy, instead telling the pair their shirts were "offensive." SAM PONDER CALLS OUT THE WNBA FOR COWARDICE: 'BE COURAGEOUS. STAND FOR WOMEN' That's the larger problem for the WNBA: its identity crisis over women's sports just got uglier, with league security now going after fans for defending them. Forcing fans to cover XX-XY shirts wasn't merely a questionable judgment call. By the WNBA's own admission, it crossed the line. "This should not have happened." OutKick has requested additional comment from the WNBA on why security ordered the fans to cover their shirts, what policy they were believed to have violated and whether the league is investigating the incident. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8384692c5335ae1047b6e9 Portland parent banned from school events after opposing gender identity assignment files lawsuit te 2026-08-17T22:00:09.764Z Portland parent banned from school events after opposing gender identity assignment files lawsuit Portland, Oregon, mother Allison Roberts filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Portland Public Schools and her children's elementary school after allegedly facing retaliation over her opposition to their gender curriculum. According to the Liberty Justice Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Roberts, she initially expressed concern last year over Meriwether Lewis Elementary School's decision to repaint its traditional rainbow pride flag into an "Intersex-Inclusive Progress" variant to include support for racial and transgender ideology. Though Roberts supported "being immersed" in Portland's gay community, she felt that the new flag was "an overtly political symbol that promotes values contradictory to her Christian faith," specifically due to its promotion of transgenderism. WASHINGTON MOTHER PULLS CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL AFTER PRIDE LESSON SHOWN IN MUSIC CLASS WITHOUT NOTICE Before she took any action, she discovered an "identity flower" assignment given to her 11-year-old child that asked students to identify and discuss their gender identity with classmates and teachers. Roberts alleged that she received no prior notice of this assignment and requested a meeting with the school's principal. After receiving what she described as an unsatisfactory response from the school, Roberts wrote an open letter to the community against the school's policies, which she distributed on a public sidewalk outside school property. Roberts was later issued a one-year trespass order after a heated exchange with another parent, barring her from attending school events, including her child's graduation ceremony. When she reached out to the school for clarification, Roberts was reportedly told that it was a result of engaging in "harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior" as part of a pattern of "animus and harassment targeting vulnerable members of [the] community." VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUED OVER ALLEGED POLICY OF KEEPING STUDENTS' GENDER TRANSITIONS HIDDEN FROM PARENTS The Liberty Justice Center argued that the school violated Roberts' First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by stifling and retaliating against her speech criticizing the school's policies. The legal organization is asking a federal court to have the school's actions declared unconstitutional and issue an injunction against the policies targeting Roberts. Portland Public Schools declined to comment to Fox News Digital about the ongoing case. Timothy R. Snowball, senior counsel at Liberty Justice Center, told Fox News Digital that the organization also aims to have an injunction issued against the school's current harassment policy to prevent other situations like Roberts' in the future. "Our next step in the case will be filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to put a stop to these unconstitutional policies while the case moves forward. This motion will help protect not only Allison’s rights, but all affected families in Portland," Snowball said. FIRED SCHOOL COUNSELOR LOSES AGAIN AFTER FREE SPEECH FIGHT OVER GENDER-THEMED BOOKS IN HIS OFFICE Roberts also told Fox News Digital that she has received widespread support for her efforts. "It has been heartening to see the outpouring of support from my local Portland community, and from parents and grandparents across the country," she said. "I never wanted things to get to this point. But knowing that I'm fighting this battle not just for my family, but for millions of American families, reassures me that bringing this suit is the right thing to do." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8384632c5335ae1047b6d4 Florida Race to Replace Byron Donalds Features Candidates Who Have Already Run for Congress te 2026-08-17T22:00:03.528Z Florida Race to Replace Byron Donalds Features Candidates Who Have Already Run for Congress We look at the crowded race to replace Byron Donalds. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8382102c5335ae1047b69c Jets fans breathe sigh of relief after practice scare for $43M star running back te 2026-08-17T21:50:08.316Z Jets fans breathe sigh of relief after practice scare for $43M star running back New York Jets fans all waited with bated breath to hear about what happened to running back Breece Hall at Monday’s training camp practice after reports he suffered a non-contact injury while running in a drill. It appears they can breathe a collective sigh of relief for their new $43 million man in the backfield. Hall suffered a strained right groin at practice on Monday, and though the Jets still need to learn of the severity of the injury after tests, head coach Aaron Glenn doesn’t think it’s anything too serious. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I don’t think it was a big deal, but I want to make sure I get the evaluation on that," he told reporters, per ESPN. Hall fell onto the practice field grass untouched, which is never what teammates, coaches, or anyone wants to see for a player. It was supposed to be a touchdown for Hall, who had caught a pass during a drill, but he went down on a knee before reaching the end zone. VIKINGS FEAR WORST AS JAMAL ADAMS, FORMER ALL-PRO SAFETY, SUFFERS KNEE INJURY IN PRESEASON GAME: 'NOT GOOD' Hall eventually limped his way to the sideline and was seen entering the blue medical tent before heading back to the locker room. Even Jets players were worried for Hall, who had just signed a three-year, $43.5 million extension he was looking for this offseason. "My stomach dropped a little bit," Hall’s backup, Braelon Allen, said, per ESPN. "From the sounds of it, it doesn’t seem too serious, so I’m hoping he gets back as quick as possible." Hall is coming off a career year for the Jets, and wanted to be paid accordingly. The Iowa State product, whom the Jets took 36th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, was set to play this season on his fifth-year option, and he wasn’t shy about hinting about his contract on social media. Hall tallied 1,065 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns, while hauling in 36 receptions for 350 yards and one score amid another rollercoaster season for the Jets – the team that has not reached the playoffs since 2010. With the Jets revamping its offense again, this time tapping Frank Reich as its offensive coordinator, the veteran play-caller said how important the run game will be for New York this season. In turn, Hall is an extremely important player for Jets success in 2026, meaning his health is paramount. Allen and Kene Nwangwu are the running backs behind Hall right now on the depth chart. Isaiah Davis, who would be their third-best back, is dealing with a minor knee injury at the moment that he should be back from soon. One thing about Hall has been his availability for the Jets in recent seasons. His rookie campaign was cut short due to an ACL injury, but he’s missed a total of two games in the last three seasons. Hall has proven to be a dual-threat running back, having the ability to make defenders miss in the pass game as well as the run game. The Jets will surely look to utilize that skill set, as well as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and intriguing rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Jets also had a reunion with Geno Smith this offseason, as the journeyman quarterback is hoping for a much different tenure in New York this time around. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83820f2c5335ae1047b693 Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline te 2026-08-17T21:50:07.646Z Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline The Pentagon on Monday ordered 30 American universities to conduct audits of their financial and research ties to foreign entities or risk losing federal research funding. The institutions must review the identified foreign collaborations and assess any exposure of "sensitive or export-controlled research." "The Department of War has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise our national security," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Institutions that receive funding from American taxpayers must uphold the highest standards of research security, and these mandated audits will ensure accountability across the board." According to a U.S. official, the schools subjected to the audit are: Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Diego, University of Texas at Austin, Emory University, Harvard University, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Cincinnati, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bryant University, Cornell University, Drake University, Duke University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah (Oklahoma), Portland State University, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Stony Brook University, University of Delaware and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. FOREIGN ROBOT BAN TARGETS CHINA OVER SECURITY FEARS The institutions must also implement plans to mitigate actions that violate national security protocols and, if necessary, terminate "problematic partnerships." They are required to report their findings to the War Department by Aug. 31. Fox News Digital has reached out to the DOW and all 30 schools. "Universities are critical partners in executing a wide range of Department of War research programs, and the Department must therefore ensure that our research investments are well protected from foreign exploitation," said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology. SCOPE OF CCP-BACKED CHINESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM INSIDE AMERICAN SCHOOLS UNCOVERED IN SWEEPING REPORT The audits target foreign entities named under Section 1286 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The list identifies 130 academic and research institutions located in China, Russia, and Iran, which engage in "activities that increase the likelihood of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts being misappropriated." A recent report said Harvard University failed to safeguard research collaborations with Chinese institutions, noting that researchers affiliated with the Ivy League school co-authored more than 140 publications with other researchers affiliated with a group of Chinese universities. Harvard also reportedly received more than $600 million from China under the federal Section 117 foreign-gift disclosure system—more than any other American university, according to the Education Department dashboard cited in the report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. LAWMAKERS RAISE ALARM OVER NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S $278M NETWORK SPREADING CCP PROPAGANDA IN THE U.S. China has used outputs from U.S. artificial intelligence models to train its defense capabilities, Reuters reported in July. In recent years, many universities and colleges across the United States have shut their doors to their China-tied Confucius Institutes amid concerns over the centers' funding connection to Beijing. Lawmakers have also raised alarms over tech mogul Neville Roy Singham's $278 million network accused of spreading Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the U.S. The self-described goal of the institutes is to offer instruction to students on Chinese language and culture. A 2023 watchdog report detailed the rapid decline of Confucius Institutes at American colleges, which dropped from approximately 100 to fewer than five in just four years. The primary drivers for the closures were federal funding limitations established by National Defense Authorization Acts and increasing government pressure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837fb72c5335ae1047b640 Man unleashes deadly ‘revenge’ rampage on ex’s family, kills 4 people, 3 dogs before torching home: DA te 2026-08-17T21:40:07.203Z Man unleashes deadly ‘revenge’ rampage on ex’s family, kills 4 people, 3 dogs before torching home: DA A California man bent on revenge after a breakup waited until his ex-boyfriend’s family went to bed before entering their home, gunning down four people and setting the house ablaze, prosecutors said. Miguel Diego Sandoval, 21, has pleaded guilty to the November 2024 bloodbath inside a Lancaster home that left Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21, dead. "The defendant was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. FLORIDA WOMAN ALLEGEDLY KILLED TWO EX-LOVERS THE SAME DAY, AND POLICE FOUND OUT WHEN SHE ASKED 'WHICH ONE?' "This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims’ families that can never be filled," Hochman added. "Rest assured this guilty plea will result in a lifetime prison sentence." The deadly rampage was sparked by the end of Sandoval’s relationship with Aca-ac and Maquindang’s brother, and prosecutors say he came looking for revenge. On Nov. 16, 2024, Sandoval lurked outside the North Tabler Avenue home until the occupants had gone to bed, according to prosecutors. He then went inside and opened fire, killing the four victims. Sandoval torched the home after the shootings and fled, prosecutors said. MICHIGAN DAD SHOT WIFE, SIX KIDS THEN SET FAMILY HOME ABLAZE IN MURDER-SUICIDE, SHERIFF SAYS Amid the carnage, a 16-year-old victim trapped inside managed to call 911 from a locked bedroom. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responding to the burning home rescued the teen. Three beloved family dogs were also killed, resulting in three felony animal cruelty counts against Sandoval. Fundraising pages set up by the victims’ loved ones in the aftermath of the 2024 killings paint a picture of four young lives cut short and the families left reeling from the massacre. Christine and Edwin were engaged and planning a future together, according to a GoFundMe organized by Christine's sister. The fundraiser remembered Christine as a funny, vibrant and deeply caring older sister who served as the legal guardian and protector of her younger siblings. The same GoFundMe described Janvi, Christine's brother, as a bright and successful young man who had graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. His younger siblings looked up to him as a role model and someone they could count on, the fundraiser said. The fundraiser said the younger siblings escaped the attack physically unharmed, but lost Christine and Janvi, as well as their home in the fire. The fundraiser was later expanded to help them find a safe place to live, continue their education and rebuild their lives. Matthew had turned 21 only days before the shooting, his older brother Andrew Montebello wrote on a separate GoFundMe. According to the fundraiser, Matthew was shot in the head, rushed from the scene and placed in a coma as his family desperately waited for good news that never came. Andrew described his younger brother as talented, smart and relentlessly curious, writing that Matthew would throw himself into learning a new skill until he mastered it or moved on to his next interest. LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON In another GoFundMe, Edwin's mother, Yemi Olivares, remembered the 24-year-old, known to his family as Fernando or Fer, as a gentle soul who dreamed of becoming an educator in academics and music. She wrote that her son hoped to marry, become a father and teach future generations. "As a mother, I am completely and utterly devastated," Olivares wrote on the GoFundMe. Sandoval pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, including special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. He also admitted to attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary and arson of an inhabited structure or property, along with two counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. The guilty plea ensures Sandoval will never walk free. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837fb22c5335ae1047b621 Mary Peltola Shakes Up Campaign Staff Days Before Alaska’s Senate Primary te 2026-08-17T21:40:02.514Z Mary Peltola Shakes Up Campaign Staff Days Before Alaska’s Senate Primary Ms. Peltola, the Democratic Senate candidate, fired a longtime senior aide and named a new campaign manager. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837d5a2c5335ae1047b5b7 AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team te 2026-08-17T21:30:02.136Z AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team Relay, which offered businesses workflow automation, will stop operating next month. Its CEO and some of its staff plan to get to work on Google Chrome next. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b0c2c5335ae1047b58b Babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters was previously charged with abducting newborn te 2026-08-17T21:20:12.037Z Babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters was previously charged with abducting newborn Police in Georgia have arrested a babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters. The girls, Zola Cooper, 4, and Norah Cooper, 11 months, were allegedly abducted by Lakesha Brown. The girls, who were once considered to "be in extreme danger" were safely recovered by officers, the City of Atlanta Police Department confirmed on Monday. Brown reportedly gained the trust of the girls' mother and agreed to babysit them while mom went out to dinner Saturday night. When she returned from dinner, she could not make contact with Brown and called police minutes later. The girls' mother reported them missing around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. She left her children in Brown's care at 6 p.m. earlier that evening, police said. FAMILY STOPPED ALLEGED CHILD KIDNAPPER AS POLICE SAY STAFFING SHORTAGE DELAYED RESPONSE UP TO 40 MINUTES By Monday afternoon, police announced they were able to locate the girls using technology that pointed them to the Sylvan road area. Once they arrived, officers heard crying, found them, and brought them to safety. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Atlanta police said Brown had previously been accused in a similar kidnapping case in Alabama. Investigators in Alabama said in August 2021, Brown was arrested for kidnapping infant Kamarion Taylor, who was just four days old at the time. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Brown allegedly gained the trust of Taylor's mother and grandmother and kidnapped the infant while his mother was taking a nap. CHILD REUNITED WITH MOM AFTER TRANSGENDER DAD, PARTNER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAP ABROAD AMID GENDER SURGERY FEARS: FEDS "When Kamarion’s mother awoke, the baby was nowhere to be found. Lakesha was also gone. The mother immediately contacted Lakesha and asked where Kamarion was. Lakesha told her that Kamarion was there in his playpen where she laid him before she left," the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. SEND US A TIP LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Investigators safely recovered Kamarion and Brown was booked into jail. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b0b2c5335ae1047b582 Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times te 2026-08-17T21:20:11.330Z Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., admitted to FBI agents that he had "physical relations" with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine "Fang Fang" Fang on a "handful of occasions," newly declassified FBI records show. The records, which were declassified by President Donald Trump and released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force Monday, detail two FBI interviews with Swalwell — one at an Oakland field office in May 2015 and another at the same location in March 2016 — conducted as part of a broader investigation examining Fang Fang’s involvement with illicit campaign contributions, funneling interns to Swalwell's office and other activity. During the first interview, Swalwell told agents he had "physical relations" with Fang Fang on a "handful of occasions," with their last physical encounter occurring in March 2015. Swalwell, meanwhile, joined Congress in 2013. In the second interview, Swalwell described multiple encounters, including one in which Fang Fang arrived at his apartment banging on his door and the two subsequently "hooked up" after Swalwell had taken a powerful sleep medication. The former congressman indicated he had little recollection of the event. The records indicated they "probably" occurred before Swalwell was elected to Congress. CUBA BUILT COVERT NETWORK INSIDE AMERICA THROUGH SPIES, ACTIVISTS AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE DEPT ALLEGES "FANG left after a couple hours. Swalwell barely remembers the event because he had taken Ambien prior to FANG arriving," stated an interview summary from the FBI. Swalwell told investigators he considered his physical relationship with Fang Fang "casual," while maintaining that the two "never dated" and "never had a romantic relationship." He also told agents he believed Fang "may have wanted a more romantic relationship," according to the 2015 interview summary. "Swalwell had a drink with Fang a couple weeks after they first met in 2012. He had physical relations with Fang on a handful of occasions, but never dated her or had a romantic relationship. March 2015 was the last time Swalwell had physical relations with Fang," the documents say. "Swalwell considered their physical relationship to be casual, but believed that Fang may have wanted a more romantic relationship." IRAN MINES US TROOPS' SOCIAL MEDIA AS MILITARY CONSIDERS SEIZING CELLPHONES The documents, which were first reported on by Just the News, were declassified as part of the administration's broader efforts to combat foreign threats to U.S. elections and other political systems. They provide a much more detailed look at Swalwell and Fang Fang's relationship, which had remained publicly murky for years as Swalwell refused to say several times whether their interactions were sexual or romantic, and described the allegations as GOP attacks. Beyond the revelations about Swalwell’s intimate relationship with Fang Fang, the records show the FBI said financial records indicated Fang Fang used conduits to conceal herself as a prohibited foreign-national source and orchestrated conduit contributions to Swalwell’s campaign at least twice in 2013 and at least twice more in 2014. They also show Fang Fang referred prospective interns to Swalwell's political operation. During his 2016 FBI interview, Swalwell told agents he viewed anyone Fang Fang put forward for an internship as coming through the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, or APAPA, an organization with which Fang was reportedly connected. SCOPE OF CCP-BACKED CHINESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM INSIDE AMERICAN SCHOOLS UNCOVERED IN SWEEPING REPORT The internship referrals were one component of the FBI's broader inquiry. An investigative memo said agents were examining allegations that Fang Fang facilitated access to Swalwell and internships in his congressional office in exchange for campaign contributions. However, the FBI ultimately said it did not find evidence that Swalwell committed federal corruption violations or participated in a quid-pro-quo scheme.  Swalwell was removed as a subject of the investigation in 2017, but the bureau did indicate it found evidence that Fang Fang herself violated federal election laws involving foreign-national and conduit contributions. The declassified files revealed that the FBI had previously tried to cultivate Fang Fang as a confidential source under the codename "RUSTY THUMBS," as agents suspected she had ties to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), including her parents who were reportedly considered known Chinese intelligence officers. Fang also repeatedly encouraged Swalwell to visit China, according to the records. During his 2016 FBI interview, Swalwell told agents that Fang "would generally mention that SWALWELL should go to CHINA," and said she extended a China invitation to someone in his orbit at a November 2014 election-night party. By the time of that 2016 interview, Swalwell told agents he had cut off contact with Fang Fang after first meeting with the FBI about the matter. Agents had given him a defensive briefing in late April 2015 about foreign-intelligence targeting and specifically discussed Fang Fang and her connections. Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell and his attorneys for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b092c5335ae1047b56a Branch te 2026-08-17T21:20:09.801Z Branch Branch is a 3 1/2-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b092c5335ae1047b561 Whiskerton te 2026-08-17T21:20:09.046Z Whiskerton Whiskerton is a 4 1/2-year-old male domestic shorthair mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b082c5335ae1047b558 Rambo te 2026-08-17T21:20:08.192Z Rambo Rambo is a 5 1/2-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b022c5335ae1047b548 PACC vacancies ease after June outbreak, overcrowding persists te 2026-08-17T21:20:02.435Z PACC vacancies ease after June outbreak, overcrowding persists Vacancies at Pima Animal Care Center peaked near 20% during a June disease outbreak that forced the shelter to halt adoptions, and while the vacancy rate has since eased to under 15%, advocates say chronic overcrowding, not hiring struggles, remains the root problem. As of Aug. 10, 150 PACC positions funded through the county were budgeted, with 22 vacant, a 14.7% vacancy rate, according to data provided by the county. Five of those vacancies have sat unfilled for more than 240 days. That's down from a peak of 30 vacancies, or 20%, in early June, just before a distemper outbreak temporarily disrupted the shelter's operations. As of May 18, 2026, nine of PACC's 29 vacancies, 31%, had sat unfilled for more than 240 days, county data shows. The shelter is not new to criticism over its work environment and long-term staffing struggles, with critics mostly pointing to chronic overcrowding and its impact on workers and volunteers. "We're always hiring because of turnover," PACC Director Steve Kozachik told Tucson Spotlight. "I think the challenge that we have is more retention than the inability to attract applicants to begin with." Kozachik said PACC advertises vacant positions nationally and locally, depending on the type of role being recruited. "I believe staffing is partly a symptom of a larger system problem, not simply a hiring problem," said Nancy Kate Grayson, a local animal advocate and caregiver with Rodeo Kittens & Pups. Grayson said increased intake creates a heavier workload for employees and volunteers, likely leading to burnout and vacancies, which in turn puts even more pressure on the remaining staff. Your membership pays emerging journalists to cover Southern Arizona the way it deserves. PACC houses upwards of 700 animals at a time, a volume advocates say strains the shelter's remaining staff and volunteers. Courtesy of PACC. PACC oversees a large volume of animals daily and faces periods where intake numbers significantly outpace releases. Still, the shelter maintains its no-kill status with a 90% live release rate; as it notes on its website, "no municipal, open-admissions shelter can operate without euthanizing pets in instances of severe medical or behavioral issues." Staffing problems and overcrowding create a lot of internal stress at the shelter, and Kozachik acknowledges PACC can be a frustrating place to work. "This is a fairly emotionally charged environment," Kozachik said. "We see this every day. We have a shelter right now that is chronically overcrowded and here it is, 5:30 at night and some people drive up and want to drop two more dogs off with us." PACC has counselors who work with families to try to keep pets in their homes, but it doesn't always succeed, Kozachik said. As an open-admission shelter, PACC must accept every animal brought to its doors regardless of space, age, health or behavior, even at or over full capacity. Grayson said this isn't always the case. She recounted an experience shared by a couple who brought in their dog after a change in their apartment complex's rules meant it could no longer stay with them. They told her PACC refused to take the dog, saying it was their responsibility. "At PACC, the counselor is supposed to sit down and try to find alternatives. But what's happening is they're just plain turned away. Animals don't receive the care they need, and everything like that," Grayson said. "It's not easy to give up an animal." PACC Director Steve Kozachik says the shelter's biggest challenge is retention, not hiring, as it works to manage chronic overcrowding. Courtesy of PACC. PACC takes in approximately 19,000 to 23,000 pets annually, housing upwards of 700 at a time with another 1,400 in foster care. On June 17, an outbreak of canine distemper and respiratory infections forced the shelter to halt adoptions and limit intake. Staff and volunteers treated the outbreak through quarantine and vaccination, and the limited intake was lifted July 6, but the episode raised concerns about overcrowding and the disaster it could have caused. "Seventy-five percent of that work goes to volunteers. It's not done by staff. There's no way they can physically vaccinate that many dogs," Grayson said. "People don't get that picture of it, you know, they only see the picture of staff vaccinating." Kozachik said he understands the mental toll that working at an open-admission shelter takes on staff, and that PACC has been working to secure resources for those involved with the shelter. PACC has recently begun working with a program called Struggle Well, which describes itself on its website as "a prevention-focused program...focused on transformation of the active serving military and first responder culture, rather than the implementation of another wellness program." PACC staff voluntarily attend the five-day program, based in Sonoita, where they receive support to manage stress and difficult workplace scenarios. PACC has worked with the program for about a year, and roughly 50 employees have gone through it. "The challenge is, it's a five-day program, and so we're losing an employee for five days every time we do it," Kozachik said. "But it's something that we have found very beneficial for our staff's psychological well being. People, the employees, come back grateful for having had the experience, and they feel more confidence in their own sense of self." Vaccinating and monitoring animals during outbreaks like June's distemper crisis fell largely to volunteers, according to advocate Nancy Kate Grayson. Courtesy of Friends of PACC. Beyond staffing and wellness programs, PACC's operations are also shaped by its relationship with an outside nonprofit partner. Friends of Pima Animal Care Center is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner and fundraising arm that describes itself as "(supporting) Pima Animal Care Center and enhancing its efforts to save the lives of pets in need." The organization regularly receives donations and grants that go back into PACC and its needs. Grayson said the central concern about Friends of PACC is its lack of transparency: as a private nonprofit, it must provide specific federal tax and formation documents to the public upon request, but it isn't required to share internal operational or donor records. She's also raised concerns about the organization's annual contract with Pima County, citing limited oversight of its supervisors. "This ties into employment because of the crisis of so many animals and so many animals by prior directorships, being … hidden in foster," Grayson said. "Those expenses go to the foster families for the most part, except for some medical (expenses.) This turnover in paid staff, depending on who's funding it, Friends (of PACC) or Pima County, is going to be hard to nail down because it's just all so all over the place." Grayson advocates for a different approach to reducing staff stress: prevention. "It's vicious, this endless stream of animals. There's no break, ever. It just gets larger and larger," Grayson said. "(There have) been recent articles and editorials in the newspaper, and it's spot on." Grayson pointed to Española Humane Society, an open-admission nonprofit shelter in Española, New Mexico, that offers free spay and neuter surgeries and free pet vaccinations to state residents. "What they do, everybody can do. Everyone can do what Española Humane is. They can treat the community like us. They can treat people respectfully," Grayson said. Kozachik echoed Grayson's concerns about prevention, asking residents to spay, neuter and microchip their pets. He also encouraged people to seek alternatives to bringing stray animals straight to PACC, in order to help combat overcrowding, including posting lost pets on social media, neighborhood lists, or sites like Petco and Love Lost. "There are lots of tools that the community can use to help us. And we try to message that out every single day," Kozachik said. Gabrielle Cotnoir is a University of Arizona journalism student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at gabriellecnews@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8378b12c5335ae1047b50c New champions alter WWE landscape while NXT newcomer makes his presence known with authority te 2026-08-17T21:10:09.284Z New champions alter WWE landscape while NXT newcomer makes his presence known with authority WWE will enter this week with new champions and an NXT wrestler who put himself into prime position for some gold right off the bat. "Friday Night SmackDown" saw two title changes occur. Jacy Jayne captured the Women’s United States Championship in a match against Tiffany Stratton, adding to Fatal Influence’s chokehold on the roster as Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley are already the WWE women’s tag team champions. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Additionally, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga won the WWE Tag Team Championship in a triple-threat match, knocking off Damian Priest and R-Truth as the title-holders and keeping Erik and Ivar from adding more gold around their waists. MFT definitely have a new feel to them since Haku returned and took over as their manager. The WWE title landscape is poised to change even further if Rey Mysterio and his fellow Luchadores and Kevin Owens have anything to say about it. Mysterio will challenge Chad Gable for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on "Monday Night Raw," while the tournament to see who will challenge Roman Reigns for his World Heavyweight Championship continues with Dragon Lee taking on El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rey Fenix taking on El Fiscal. Penta and LA Parka have already moved on to the semifinals. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Owens will challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Friday. Owens became the No. 1 contender after his win in a fatal four-way match at SummerSlam. He and Punk exchanged words in a heated promo last week and seemed to be poised to tear each other apart. Those competitors are far from the only ones in search of gold. In NXT, champion Tony D’Angelo has his hands full. Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana were vying for the No. 1 contender spot for D’Angelo’s title on Tuesday night when Zilla Fatu debuted and took out both of them. Fatu is the latest marquee signing in WWE. He will certainly have questions to answer this week. The heat on the reigning champions is certainly on as Sunday Night’s Main Event and Night of Champions inch closer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8378b02c5335ae1047b503 El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup te 2026-08-17T21:10:08.629Z El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup A recent campaign video released by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan left one of his opponent's staffers feeling triggered. Rogers on Sunday released a video of himself riding shotgun in a red antique Ford pickup truck, which had two American flags affixed to the tailgate. The video shows Rogers smiling and waving from the passenger's seat as the truck breezes down the road. Toby Keith's "American Ride" accompanies the video. "Gotta love this American Ride! There’s no better way to do the Woodward Dream Cruise!" said a post from Rogers accompanying the video online. FOX NEWS POLL: A SENATE BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN But one staffer for Abdul El-Sayed, the far-left socialist-adjacent Democrat running against Rogers, did not find the bit of Americana to his liking. "Mike Rogers’ campaign has the aesthetics of a 1960s white flight suburb and a KKK cross burning," Mason Pressler, who serves as a El-Sayed's political manager in the northern part of Michigan, said on X. Rogers' campaign seized on the post, accusing Pressler of thinking that "driving a Michigan-made Ford truck is akin to the KKK." The campaign also added "Old Ford trucks" to its running list of things it says El-Sayed hates. El-Sayed's communications director, Roxie Richner, explained to Fox News Digital that Pressler's views are not representative of the campaign as a whole because Pressler's X bio explicitly states that his posts are his own opinions. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES She did not return a follow-up request for further comment on the post from El-Sayed's campaign aide. The Democratic candidate has been dogged for his particular brand of left-wing politics, even by some members of his own political party who believe he is too far left. El-Sayed during his campaign has campaigned and partied with socialist streamer Hasan Piker, who is known for saying "America deserved 9/11," praising Mao Zedong and Communist China, arguing that capitalists should be murdered in the streets and spewing a litany of antisemitic comments. The far-left candidate also argued against the Second Amendment in videos discovered among the 100 he hid from public view from his YouTube channel. In an unearthed essay, he drew a parallel between President Donald Trump and Osama Bin Laden. MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS Fox News Digital previously reported that El-Sayed has received more than $100,000 in campaign cash from 41 people who work for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates and formally designated or labeled as such in Florida and Texas. El-Sayed's sister, Eman Abdelhadi, has also been revealed as a socialist University of Chicago professor who was arrested last year for allegedly spitting on a police officer during an anti-ICE protest outside the Broadview, Illinois immigrant detention facility. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller and Kiera McDonald contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8373fc2c5335ae1047b449 HCH Pet of the Week: Juan te 2026-08-17T20:50:04.948Z HCH Pet of the Week: Juan My name is Juan, and I am such an angel. I LOVE to play, especially with my brother Natches! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8371a72c5335ae1047b411 Charlamagne blasts 'dumb' Democrats for getting drawn into WNBA transgender debate ahead of midterms te 2026-08-17T20:40:07.741Z Charlamagne blasts 'dumb' Democrats for getting drawn into WNBA transgender debate ahead of midterms Charlamagne tha God slammed the debate over transgender participation in women's sports, particularly the WNBA, during his "Brilliant Idiots" podcast on Sunday, saying the conversation was "ridiculous." "I think this s--- is ridiculous," Charlamagne said. "I don't know why this is becoming a story again, and I cannot believe that people are falling for tricks like this right before the midterm elections. This is so dumb for Democrats to even be going back down this road having this conversation." The discussion came in the wake of WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, who plays for the Indiana Fever, taking a stand against transgender participation in women's sports. Other WNBA players have said they hold the opposite views, as well as coaches, including Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who recently wore a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt to the team's game against the Fever. "And I hate when they conflate two things," Charlamagne continued. "Because guess what? I don't know why Sophia Cunningham was asked this question, but if she's asked, ‘Should biological men play in the WNBA?’ The answer should be no. That should be the answer from everybody." FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE SAYS HE IS DECLARING FOR NEXT WNBA DRAFT AFTER ENES KANTER ANNOUNCEMENT "Should biological people that were born men play in the WNBA? No. Full stop," Charlamagne added. "Any other thing? There is no, 'Whoa, so are you saying transgenders don't have a right to — 'Man, shut the f--- up. I ain't saying nothing like that. You asked me a specific question. Do transgenders belong in the WNBA if you're born a biological man? No. OK." Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have both said they intend to declare for the 2027 WBNA draft. Charlamagne also questioned why the question of transgender participation in sports was being raised at all, suggesting athletes respond to any questions about it by saying, "Why are you asking me this?" Loren LeRosa, who stood in for "Brilliant Idiots" co-host Andrew Schultz, gave a response, acting as somebody who asked the question of an athlete. "This is what they would say," she said. "Because I'm a person who believes that all people should matter. And if a person identifies as something, we're in America, they should have a fair shot." Charlamagne agreed and said that had nothing to do with the WNBA. "Identifying as a woman. Cool. You got all the right to do that. This is a free country, but you shouldn't be allowed to play in the WNBA," he said. GENO AURIEMMA QUESTIONS WHY WNBA TRANSGENDER ATHLETE DEBATE IS 'AN ISSUE' WHEN IT 'DOESN'T EXIST' Transgender participation in women's sports became a focal point for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump throughout the 2024 election cycle. Several prominent Republicans praised Cunningham's comments, including Vice President JD Vance, who called her "courageous." Democrats have largely remained silent and stayed out of the Cunningham news. Payton McNabb, an ambassador at Independent Women, told Fox News Digital, "I, of course, agree with Charlamagne that this is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous that in 2026 we’re still having to debate whether men belong in a women’s basketball league. But that’s exactly why this has become a story." "Sophie Cunningham gave the obvious answer, and instead of the WNBA backing her up and putting the issue to rest, we’re still waiting on the league to say the same thing," she continued. "Men declaring for the WNBA draft are exposing an absurdity that the WNBA could end tomorrow but continue to go in a circle." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Cunningham doubled down on her position at the end of July ahead of one of her games, saying, "I think I said what I said. I think it's kind of common sense." "I'll always believe in that. It's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category," the Fever star said. "I'm not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I'll always stand on those," she explained. Cunningham also rejected the idea that her position stems from bigotry, saying defending women's sports doesn't mean harboring hatred toward anyone else. "I extend love, and I don't dislike anyone. I think there is room for absolutely everyone here," she said, adding that she has never expressed hatred toward the trans community. OutKick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f522c5335ae1047b3b6 Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial adjourned until December over double jeopardy concerns te 2026-08-17T20:30:10.181Z Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial adjourned until December over double jeopardy concerns Luigi Mangione's New York state murder trial has been adjourned until December following his defense team's motion to dismiss the charges in the wake of last week's guilty plea on related federal charges. Jury selection had been penciled in to begin on Sept. 8 — but the guilty plea allowed his defense team to raise new double jeopardy concerns. Prosecutors have until Oct. 9 to respond to the motion to dismiss, Judge Gregory Carro wrote in an order published to the court's website Monday afternoon. LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON Then the defense will have until Oct. 30 for Mangione's own reply. Carro set the next adjourned date for Dec. 10. Due to a difference in state law and the U.S. Constitution, New York's double jeopardy rules are more favorable to Mangione with the federal case resolved. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Manhattan prosecutors, however, have said they plan to continue pursuing their case against him. GOT A TIP? The 28-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate admitted Friday to stalking UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson across state lines, then shooting him in the back outside a Manhattan hotel where he was supposed to meet with investors. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Thompson was a 50-year-old father of two from Minnesota. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Mangione has not yet been sentenced in the federal case. Sentencing guidelines recommend about 30 years max, but Judge Margaret Garnett is not bound by them. He could still face a maximum of life in prison without parole. If he goes to trial on the state charges, the top count of second-degree murder carries a maximum potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f512c5335ae1047b3ad Despite complaints about other sports, the NFL has become the most predictable league in America te 2026-08-17T20:30:09.437Z Despite complaints about other sports, the NFL has become the most predictable league in America There's nothing more predictable than fans complaining about sports, and particularly, how much better things used to be. Well, there may be one thing more predictable: the modern NFL. Much of the online discourse over the past few months in the sports world has centered on the supposed decline of competitive balance in Major League Baseball. Primarily because the Los Angeles Dodgers have spent money in an attempt to improve their roster, or used their top tier farm system to acquire Tarik Skubal. Combined with LA's back-to-back World Series wins, this has given rise to concerns that the Dodgers are unbeatable. That other teams can't hope to compete with their superior talent. That sailing through the postseason is a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, the Dodgers just wrapped a stretch where they went 2-11 against likely playoff teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers. Several of those games were started by Skubal, with LA now 1-2 in games he starts. The one win coming against the last place Kansas City Royals. DODGERS REPORTEDLY ACQUIRE ACE TARIK SKUBAL FROM TIGERS IN TRADE THAT STIRS UP MLB WORLD Fans quick to hand wave those concerns off as "meaningless games" don't seem to realize that securing a bye through the first round, as well as home field advantage throughout the playoffs, is very meaningful. Or don't seem to remember that teams aren't able to magically become superhuman in October, as evidenced by the Dodgers winning 104 games in 2017, 106 games in 2019, 106 games in 2021, 111 games in 2022, and 100 games in 2023, only to lose in the postseason each year. It's not that easy to sail through the playoffs in baseball, because the gaps between teams is so small. Over the course of a season, the best team in baseball might win 60-61% of their games. Meanwhile, the Cubs, headed for a wild card spot, have won 58% of their games. The gaps between teams just aren't big enough for predictable dominance. They are in the NFL. Though nobody seems to care, for several, frankly ridiculous, reasons. First, some context. Starting in the 2013 season, the last 13 years, just seven NFL organizations have won the Super Bowl. Out of 32 teams. Over that same time frame, just 11 organizations have even reached the Super Bowl, out of 32 teams. In fact, 10 of the last 13 Super Bowls have been won by the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks. One of the other three? Tom Brady's win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. MLB'S SALARY CAP PROPOSAL WON'T FIX THE LEAGUE'S NON-EXISTENT COMPETITIVE BALANCE PROBLEMS All told, just 22% of the NFL has won the Super Bowl since 2013. Only 34% of NFL teams have reached the Super Bowl in the last 13 seasons. The Chiefs and Patriots alone have made up 13 of 26 Super Bowl teams over that time frame. MLB, which is the sport supposedly lacking in competitive balance, where the two World Series teams are reportedly predetermined each year, has been much less predictable. Since 2013, nine organizations, out of 30 teams, have won the World Series. In all 30% of MLB has won a championship, outpacing the NFL. And 17 MLB teams have reached the World Series, or 57%. So 22% of the NFL has won the Super Bowl since 2013, and 34% have reached the Super Bowl, while 30% of MLB has won a title and 57% have reached the World Series. Which sport has the predictability problem again? But that's only part of the story. The other, arguably even worse, side of it? The relationship between the regular season in the NFL and reaching or winning the Super Bowl. Again, some context. The best teams in baseball generally win around 60-61% of their games. In the NFL, the best teams routinely win 80+% of their games. The last two seasons, the best record in the NFL has been 14-3, an .824 winning percentage. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers, a playoff team, won just 56% of their games. The gaps between teams in the NFL is so large that the ultimate outcome, which franchises reach the Super Bowl, is much easier to predict. That's not an opinion, it's fact. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Since 2013, again, the past 13 seasons, the average Super Bowl participant has ranked second in the NFL's regular season winning percentage. On average. The median rank? Literally one. More than half of the Super Bowl participants had the best record in the regular season. 15 of 26 teams, or 58%, had the best record in the NFL. So 23 of the 26 teams had a top-5 record. 20 of the 26 were in the top three in winning percentage. Some of that is because of ties, meaning teams that had the same records, but it indicates the severity of the problem: have one of the best records? Reach the Super Bowl. Two of the three outliers, with records outside the top-5, were Tom Brady teams, the 2018 Patriots and 2020 Buccaneers. The other? The 2021 Cincinnati Bengals, one of the flukiest appearances in recent memory after beating the Raiders, Titans, and getting a 27-24 overtime win over the Chiefs. They promptly lost to a team with a top-3 record. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Let's compare to baseball. Again, over that same time frame, the relationship to regular season winning percentage is much lower. While the average NFL team to reach the Super Bowl had the second best record, in baseball it's 4.5. The median rank of a Super Bowl was one, in MLB it's four. Only eight of 26 teams to reach the World Series had the best record in baseball. That's just 26%, compared to 58% in the NFL. Not one NFL team that finished outside the top nine in winning percentage reached the Super Bowl, while there were three MLB teams that were 10th or worse that reached the World Series. The 2023 Diamondbacks were 13th, and they swept the almighty Dodgers in the NLDs on their way to a World Series appearance. The 2021 Braves had the 12th best winning percentage in the regular season and beat the 106-win unstoppable Dodgers in the NLCS on their way to bringing home a championship. Fans have short memories, so it's easy to forget just how unpredictable the baseball postseason actually is. And how little relevance the regular season has. We've seen in just the past few years that even teams that finish well down the list in winning percentage have a legitimate chance of winning a title. In the NFL? Not even close. The gaps between teams are so big that the best regular season team almost always reaches the Super Bowl or wins it. If your team finishes outside the top three in winning percentage, it's a near-guarantee you're waiting for next year. Especially if you don't have Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady. The NFL has several structural benefits however, that allows it to overcome this predictability problem. One is the misguided assumption that any team can win in a given season. We have nearly a decade and a half showing that is conclusively not the case. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady have played on 10 of the 26 Super Bowl teams since 2013. The other benefits? The schedule, Red Zone channel, scoring system, and the explosion of fantasy football and gambling. In 2024 and 2025, the average NFL team has scored 23 points per game. Big numbers! Big numbers means exciting! Considering that represents an average of just over three touchdowns per game, it's much less so. If the average score of an NFL game was 4-3, would fans think it was so "exciting?" The Red Zone channel, where most fans spend time watching games that don't feature their favorite teams, focuses exclusively on the big, meaningful plays. If you condense a three hour football game into a handful of the best plays, of course it'll seem exciting. The schedule too, where games are primarily focused Sunday, when the vast majority of fans aren't working and are able to watch games on national television. They watch those games, even with teams they don't follow, due in large part to the rise of gambling, daily fantasy, prop bets, prediction markets, and of course, season-long fantasy football. Or to just have something on in the background. The Netflix "second screen" model. Apparently because some of this predictability comes from teams in smaller markets, primarily the Chiefs, fans bizarrely don't seem to mind dynasties. No one cares if the same few teams win in the NFL, as long as they're not from New York or LA. Even though the outcome ultimately is predictable, people don't think it is. And perception, as is so often the case, is more important than reality. Then there's the fact that betting in the NFL is primarily on point spreads, not simply winners and losers. That makes the ultimate outcome, even if it is more predictable, less "boring," because a team can still "cover" even in a loss. Oh, and by the way, the current betting favorite is the LA Rams, which, should that come to pass, would mean we'd have just seven different teams win a Super Bowl in 14 seasons. It doesn't get much worse than that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f502c5335ae1047b3a4 Man busted after customs uncovers bizarre cargo hidden inside 22 pairs of socks te 2026-08-17T20:30:08.698Z Man busted after customs uncovers bizarre cargo hidden inside 22 pairs of socks A man was arrested at a Tokyo airport after authorities discovered about 200 lizards stuffed inside 22 pairs of socks in his suitcase, according to reports. The 23-year-old man from Mexico arrived at Haneda Airport from South Korea on Aug. 8 when customs officials found the reptiles hidden in his luggage, The Times of India reported. Authorities found the lizards packed into socks inside the suitcase. One of the animals was already dead when the luggage was opened, according to the outlet. TSA OFFICER SEES ALARMING SHAPES ON X-RAY BEFORE STOLEN CIVIL WAR MYSTERY UNRAVELS Among the reptiles were nine Mexican alligator lizards — an endangered species with restrictions on international trade, The Times of India reported. The man allegedly told investigators he bought the lizards in Mexico for roughly $3.50 to $4.70 each. Some of the reptiles can sell for around $630 each in Japan, according to reports. Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group and former federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport, told Fox News Digital that financial incentives can drive unusual smuggling attempts. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "If there's a market for it, people will attempt to smuggle it," said Jeffries, who is based in Orlando. "We've seen this before many times," he added. "It happens more frequently than any of us would like." Airport screening procedures can vary depending on the agency involved and the types of prohibited items officers are tasked with finding, Jeffries said. In the United States, for example, TSA officers are primarily searching for items that could threaten aviation security, such as weapons and explosives, rather than conducting searches specifically for smuggled wildlife or drugs, he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "The TSA security directives do not look for items from just a smuggling standpoint," Jeffries said. "They look for guns, knives, explosives, incendiary devices — and it's very specific and narrow to that." However, wildlife smuggling attempts are not unheard of, Jeffries added. During his time with TSA, he recalled cases involving exotic turtles, as well as another incident in which nearly 100 exotic birds were discovered inside checked luggage arriving from overseas. The discovery of the 200 lizards comes weeks after another suitcase containing wildlife products was intercepted at a U.S. airport. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Fox News Digital previously reported that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog helped officers find nearly 100 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and wildlife products in luggage arriving from Thailand. K-9 Maisy alerted officers to the suitcase, which contained 50 pounds of meat, including raw meat, along with 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants and approximately 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard, according to CBP. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard. CBP agriculture specialists inspect international luggage for prohibited items that could bring pests, animal diseases or invasive species into the United States. Jasmine Baehr of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836cf32c5335ae1047b335 ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators te 2026-08-17T20:20:03.234Z ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators Cybersecurity experts who investigate spyware attacks say the number of people who received a recent threat notification from Apple is unusually high. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836aa12c5335ae1047b230 Josh Pate was evicted while earning $27K. Now, he runs a college football media empire te 2026-08-17T20:10:09.949Z Josh Pate was evicted while earning $27K. Now, he runs a college football media empire Josh Pate owns the IP of his industry-leading college football podcast and signed a new deal with ESPN to co-host a Friday afternoon television program with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of "Bussin' With The Boys" this fall. Pate now turns down sponsorship deals and other financial offers at the risk of overexposure. "The truth of it is I leave a lot on the table because I don't want to overextend myself," he told OutKick. "A lot of these, you know, influencer marketing deals and stuff like that, I appreciate the offers. But I think there's a limit to how much of me the public should have to consume." But it wasn't always this way. Less than a decade ago, Josh Pate was working in Columbus, Georgia, making far less than the average American. His financial struggles eventually led to his eviction. "I was making a little over, slightly over $27,000 a year. I was counting on YouTube revenue, Google AdSense revenue at that point. So I'm barely, I'm barely getting by. In fact, I got evicted. I didn't get by. So we fell below the get-by line for a little while," he explained. JOSH PATE DISCUSSES NEW ESPN SHOW, FOUR FACES OF ESPN, PAT MCAFEE AND FUTURE OF MEDIA COMPANY WITH OUTK In 2020, he started to make more, but not much more. "I think I signed for $75,000 when I came to CBS in 2020. My goal when I was working down in Columbus was to one day make $50,000 a year. So please understand, I thought I had hit the lottery even then." It was that year, during COVID-19, that Pate began building the show that would eventually put him in a position to own his content. "So when I came to 247Sports in 2020, I came with a complete fresh slate. We started from scratch. That's right there pre-COVID. We started a YouTube channel before the show I was going to do, and so we started doing the show. Boom, COVID sets in, and I'm working for CBS. I'm working out of the 247Sports office down in Brentwood, Tennessee, just south of Nashville at the time." "The key was I was smart enough, I guess strategic logic enough, whatever you want to call it, to just talk college football. Because I saw some other sports shows out there, including ones that I consumed regularly, starting to merge and segue into areas that I just didn't think they had any business segueing into. By that, I don't mean they shouldn't have the right to talk about it." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Pate elaborated on why he stuck to sports during this time. "What we found is because we did that simultaneous to so many other shows alienating their audiences, people flocked to the show and our numbers scaled really hard and really quick to the point where by the time we got games that fall, we had a condensed season. By the time some of the executives come back into the office, we're already a successful show. We're already a profitable show, and they never really touched the show because it was already a proven product by that point." By 2022, CBS was offering Pate the first major contract of his career. But it wasn't what he wanted. "They rip your old contract up. They want to extend you a couple of years, and then another year into that, it is just continuing to scale. So they rip that contract up. They want to offer you a new one, and I got about two new contracts in. "In 2022, I had to make some decisions with CBS because they wanted to put a long-term, really, really lucrative deal in front of me. But it would not have included IP ownership, asset ownership. I remember talking to some people who I confided in, people in the business well beyond me whose opinions I valued. They said, look, the future of this business is IP ownership, asset ownership. If you're ever going to get it, you've got to get it now because you get one more step down the road and that franchise is going to be way too profitable for them to ever hand over the keys to." Pate and CBS eventually came to terms. "So it was that, or it was counter with an offer that was much less, still good, but much less. But it included IP ownership. We went back and forth on that, back and forth on that. There was one night, it was about 10:30 Friday night, for whatever reason, I was in the office all by myself, and I got a call from CBS and they said, all right, we're going to do it. "I negotiated with CBS. They put a really, really big, to me, an astronomical salary number in front of me, because I'd been making 27 grand a year a few years before that down at my old job in Columbus, Georgia. "So we've got the YouTube channel, we've got the podcast feeds, we've got the IP ownership, and I own the company. We produce the show now." From eviction to media stardom. Watch Josh Pate's full interview with OutKick here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8368492c5335ae1047b1d8 Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office te 2026-08-17T20:00:09.657Z Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office President Donald Trump praised a teenage California lifeguard as a hero during a Monday meeting at the White House, after the 16-year-old rescued a 10-year-old boy in a viral ocean rescue. Trump met with Ryder Williams, 16, and his family, as well as Nathaniel Rai—who was swept into the ocean by a wave—and his family.  The rescue drew national attention when it was captured on video. "It's an honor to be with Ryder Williams," Trump said in the Oval Office. "I understand he was a winner right from the time they first saw him as a lifeguard. He saved this young gentleman who I had a long talk with." BEACH HERO JUMPS INTO THE WATER AFTER SPOTTING 3 GIRLS IN DANGER OF DROWNING Trump praised Williams, saying, "What you did was incredible and everybody saw it." He said the teen was an inspiration for young Americans. Williams, a California State Parks lifeguard, was on duty when Rai was pulled into the water just before the July 25 rescue. Williams rushed to get ahold of the boy, who was being pounded by rough waves until another lifeguard came and helped pull them both to shore. The rescue went viral, catching the eye of Eric Trump, before President Trump issued a White House invitation to Williams. "In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training," Williams, who aspires to become a firefighter, told reporters. "We are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can." MAN, WOMAN KILLED IN RIP CURRENT AS LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE LEAVES DANGER ZONES IN BEACH DESTINATION "I hope that everybody can take away from this and try to help more people. Try to look out for everybody around you and just try to help everybody out as much as you can," he added. Nathaniel's father, Sumit Rai, who was also in the Oval Office, thanked Williams, saying he's "beyond grateful" for the rescue of his son. The teen's action showed how important lifeguards are, Trump said. "Maybe lifeguards don't get the credit they deserve," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8365ef2c5335ae1047b18a Former ref warns official to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her mouth, RIP Sheryl Yoast & Kristin Cavallari! te 2026-08-17T19:50:07.606Z Former ref warns official to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her mouth, RIP Sheryl Yoast & Kristin Cavallari! 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com. Second half of August, boys and girls. Time is FLYING this month. Feels like we were just celebrating the big 2-5-0, and now we're dropping AP Top 25s for college football, and gearing up for Week 2 of the NFL preseason. This should be the final week, by the way, but the NFL insists on making them play a third game for whatever reason. I assume money. Who knows? Regardless, it'll be gone in a few years when they add an 18th game to the schedule. That's neither here nor there, though. Today, we look forward, and we keep GRINDING through the second half of August. Let's grind. Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where the best TV ref in the business tells a WNBA ref to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her MOUTH. I think Terry McAuley has a point here, too. It was odd. But, the whole WNBA is odd, to I wasn't surprised. What else? I've got Shane Gillis quickly calling a Bud Light off the bench, a quick reminder about today's Top 25 poll, Kristin Cavallari gets in on the peptide craze, and this Hollywood death hits hard for us football fans. "He's gettin' beat like he stole somethin', Mr. Bosley!" Sad. Very sad. Grab you whatever you'd like to start the week — dealer's choice on this Monday — and settle in for a second-half-of-August 'Cap! Yes, I know, it's almost football season. And I promised to keep the WNBA talk at a minimum once football season rolled around. But, it's only almost football season. Close, but no cigar. So, we started the week with Caitlin Clark and yesterday's weak foul call. Take a look: "I'll be stunned if they don't overturn that call." *Two seconds later* "The contact by Caitlin Clark is deemed illegal." First of all ... what are we doing here? I've seen a lot of bad officiating in my days — across all sports — but the WNBA easily has the worst refs in the game. They're just awful. In what world is that a foul? I don't get it. What am I missing? Just horrible. But that's not why we're here today. The Xs and Os of the call have been written about a dozen times already. Ultimately, the Fever won, so it didn't matter. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller I'm here to talk about the actual call itself ... I have never, in my life, heard a ref call a player by his or her name while making a call. I'm not sure it's ever happened. This girl did it yesterday, and former NFL referee Terry McAuley was quick to call out the nonsense: "Using a player’s name during a foul or review announcement is incredibly unprofessional," he wrote on X. "I’ve never heard it done before in any sport I’ve watched or been involved with. It personalizes the ruling which should always be avoided." Bingo. Get her, Terry! Don't let this nonsense slip through the cracks. Wild move by the head ref here. Again, I've never heard anything like it. Terry, by the way, is an excellent TV ref. I'd put Fox's Dean Blandino at the top of the list for obvious reasons, but Terry is a close second. You know who's awful? Gene Steratore for CBS. You know who was even worse? Mike Carey, who Gene replaced on CBS years ago. You remember the Mike Carey years? It got so bad towards the end. He became a weekly punchline on Twitter: Man, I miss Mike. He had some bangers back in the day. A true legend of his craft. Anyway, let's move this thing along and say goodbye to one of the most underrated actresses of all time, Hayden Panettiere. She died last night at just 36. It was stunning to wake up to. Just stunning. Even more stunning? I didn't realize she played Coach Yoast's daughter in Remember the Titans. It's, easily, my favorite sports movie of all time, and I found out this morning that Sheryl Yoast was played by Hayden Panettiere. And let me tell you something ... that little 10-year-old girl acted her butt of in this movie. She went toe to toe with Denzel the entire time, and it was incredible. Lordy, what a movie. What a scene. What a cast! Denzel. Ryan Hurst. A young Ryan Gosling (who was a terrible DB). Hayden. Will Patton (underrated actor). Just amazing. Anyway, Sheryl Yoast was an iconic character for people my age when that movie came out, mainly because we were the same age. She played the part so well. I have no idea what happened, but I'm sad it did. OK, let's rapid-fire this Monday class into a big Monday night. First up? Bud Light spokesman Shane Gillis got caught indulging South of the Border over the weekend, and the PR team had to make a quick call to the bench: That's the good stuff right there. Solid head's up by whoever the hand is in the picture. You did well. I don't blame Shane, by the way. I'd take a Dos Equis over a Bud Light. I'd also to a Busch Light over a Bud Light. I think I'd take a Miller Lite over all of them. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Next? Happy AP Top-25 Day to all who celebrate! Thoughts? First impressions? I think Miami is a little low. Same with LSU. 'Bama's probably too high, but I get it. Missouri at 25 feels like a "F–k it, let's just pick one and get this over with" move by the AP voters. Again, I get it. Regardless, and I cannot emphasize this enough ... Absolutely none of this matters: Nearly HALF of last year's Top 25 finished the season unranked. HALF. That's insane. It's the most useless poll in all of sports, but boy, does it feel good to have football (almost) back. Few more weeks, folks. Hang tight. OK, that's it for today. Good start to the week, everyone. Let's have another strong one. Let's keep grinding our tails off. There's a light at the end of this WNBA tunnel. I can see it! Take us home, Kristin Cavallari. Is Remember the Titans the greatest sports movie ever? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8365ee2c5335ae1047b181 National park trip turns tragic after falling rock pierces Jeep roof, fatally striking man in front of wife te 2026-08-17T19:50:06.967Z National park trip turns tragic after falling rock pierces Jeep roof, fatally striking man in front of wife A nostalgic family trip to Glacier National Park in Montana took a devastating turn last month when a falling rock suddenly crashed through the roof of a Jeep, violently striking a grandfather in the head as his wife watched in horror from the seat beside him. Park officials told Fox News Digital that the incident happened the afternoon of July 11, at Rimrocks along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a popular 50-mile scenic highway that winds through the mountainous park. The road is known for its sharp curves, steep drop-offs, narrow lanes and towering rock faces. The Flathead County Coroner's Office identified him as Rex Schowengerdt, a 72-year-old Missouri man.  According to a GoFundMe page organized by the family, Schowengerdt suffered a "catastrophic brain injury" and died five days later at a nearby hospital.  "While riding in a hardtop Jeep on Going-to-the-Sun Road, a falling rock came through the roof and struck my dad as my mom sat beside him and witnessed the entire heartbreaking moment, holding him through the horror of it all," the daughter, Amy Prince, wrote on the fundraising site. RECORD-SETTING EL CAPITAN ROCK CLIMBER DIES AT AGE 30 IN SIERRA NEVADA ACCIDENT Prince said her father began his trip extremely excited and was looking forward to revisiting all the places "that had meant so much" to the family. He was traveling with his wife of 50 years, his sister and brother-in-law. "On July 11, 2026, I received the kind of phone call no one ever forgets. It was my mom calling from the mountain, her voice shaking in the wind, saying that something terrible had happened and that my dad would not survive," the daughter said. After the incident, Schowengerdt was airlifted from the mountain by helicopter to a nearby hospital. After several days in the intensive care unit, the family was forced to make "unimaginable end-of-life decisions," according to Prince. He died on July 16 as his wife and daughter held his hand, Prince said. The daughter’s brother, aunt and uncle were also nearby. "My dad was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and someone who loved adventure, the outdoors, and his family deeply. He taught us all to cherish moments and when you are in nature and looking at something beautiful, to look twice and cherish the moment," Prince said. The Flathead County Coroner's Office ruled the manner of death accidental.  NURSE IMPALED BY POLE DURING HIKE FORCED TO TREK 10 MILES FOR HELP: 'A FREAK THING' Despite their grief, Prince said Schowengerdt’s eyes and tissues were viable for donation, allowing him to share his love of seeing the world with others even after his death. His wife later reportedly received a letter from World Vision informing her that his donation helped restore the vision of two people. "That brought a small measure of comfort in the middle of so much heartbreak," Prince said. She added that the family also made the difficult decision to cremate Schowengerdt "because bringing him home was too costly from Montana." They also hope to honor his life with a memorial in his name. "Our family is deeply grateful to everyone who prayed, to the rescuers, and to the ICU staff at Logan Hospital who cared for my dad," Prince said. While millions of people travel Going-to-the-Sun Road safely, the steep alpine terrain can be prone to rockfall. Falling debris can damage vehicles and cause serious injuries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363992c5335ae1047b12a LIV Golf Team Championship set for Indianapolis as Michigan tournament is canceled amid league's murky future te 2026-08-17T19:40:09.941Z LIV Golf Team Championship set for Indianapolis as Michigan tournament is canceled amid league's murky future The LIV Golf Team Championship, originally scheduled to take place in Michigan at the end of August, has officially been canceled and moved to Indianapolis. The news not only comes after weeks of speculation about whether the season finale would take place, but also after the breakaway circuit announced a new, unknown investor to keep LIV afloat into 2027 and beyond. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sole funder of LIV Golf, announced in April that it would be cutting ties with the league. The PIF's announcement specifically noted that it would "fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season," but with the re-scheduling of the team championship, that doesn't appear to be the case. "As the 2026 LIV Golf season comes to a close after incredible competition across 10 countries and five continents, we reflect on record crowds, broadcast viewership, marketing partner support and social growth, alongside historic comebacks, emerging young talent, OWGR recognition and new pathways to the majors," LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said in a news release. "By concluding the season now, we can put our full resources behind what comes next and maintain the operational rigor this transition demands. We are reimagining LIV Golf as a fundamentally new League owned by the players and anchored in a sustainable business model, with an evolved fan experience built for the markets where the game is growing fastest across the globe and the support of world-class partners. "Professional golf is more unified today than at any point since we launched, creating a genuine opportunity to grow the game together. Indianapolis will be a fitting finale for the League as fans have known it and the starting point for what we believe it can become." Rumors of LIV's Team Championship disappearing reached a fever pitch in July when former major champion and Cleeks team captain Martin Kaymer said the event, which carried a purse of $40 million, was "highly unlikely" to go on as scheduled. LIV Indianapolis, scheduled to take place Aug. 20-23, will be the last event of the season. LARGEMOUTH BASS EXPLODES FROM WATER TO EAT CHARL SCHWARTZEL'S GOLF BALL AT LIV GOLF NEW YORK "As we concentrate on finishing the season strong and building the next chapter of LIV Golf, we’ll carry the energy and enthusiasm our fans have shown us into what comes next," O'Neil added. "The road ahead is possible because of the people who stand behind this League – our fans, players, caddies, employees, partners, and sponsors." Recent reports also claimed that the build-out at The Cardinal at Saint John's, the course that was set to host the finale, had not yet begun. LIV Michigan is now the second event on LIV's 2026 calendar to be canceled after LIV New Orleans was scrapped in June. While speculation about LIV's immediate future has more or less been put to bed with the Team Championship's re-scheduling, that isn't the case regarding the circuit's future in 2027. On Aug. 5, O'Neil announced that an investor has been secured to keep the league afloat. While he did not divulge any specific details about the unknown investor, O'Neil did share an important fact about the next phase of LIV Golf and its players. "LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the Board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the League’s next era, driven by and for the players," O'Neil said at the time. "Notably, our next chapter will make our players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf, a first for a major global sports league," he continued, while stating the goal is to enter a finalized transaction in September. It remains unclear what LIV Golf looks like, and even more unclear which players will be competing, beginning in 2027. The plan for the 2027 LIV schedule is for it to feature 10 events, with five in the United States and five across the globe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363952c5335ae1047b112 DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  te 2026-08-17T19:40:05.695Z DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  During a Tucson raid last week, photos taken by observers show one vehicle standing out with a clear agency name: DEA, or Drug Enforcement Administration.  That agency has traditionally focused on enforcing drug laws, including targeting people who produce and sell prohibited drugs.  But under the Trump administration’s crackdown, DEA agents are increasingly arresting immigrants, according to recent comments by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.  “They are taking DEA agents that normally work with me to go after the Mexican drug cartels, and they are sending them to places like Minneapolis and Washington D.C. to do interior enforcement against people who have not committed crimes,” Mayes told reporters with Fox 10 Phoenix.  In August 2025, almost half of DEA agents had been shifted to immigration enforcement, according to the Cato Institute.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, directed questions about DEA’s involvement in immigration arrests to the drug enforcement agency. The DEA did not respond to Arizona Luminaria’s request for comment.  The post DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363932c5335ae1047b0f8 Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  te 2026-08-17T19:40:03.513Z Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  If you’ve been circling around Disrupt, then now’s the best time to lock in your pass and start getting ready to join the rest of the startup community gathering in San Francisco from October 13-15 at Moscone West! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83613b2c5335ae1047b0b4 Spotify’s new Playlist Notes let users and editors explain their song picks te 2026-08-17T19:30:03.638Z Spotify’s new Playlist Notes let users and editors explain their song picks Spotify launches a new feature that gives users a chance to explain the stories and reasoning behind their favorite music. Editors will be using the feature, too, on top playlists like RapCaviar and others. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835ee72c5335ae1047b090 House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer te 2026-08-17T19:20:07.818Z House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer The House Ethics Committee is investigating a sitting Democratic lawmaker over allegations of sexual misconduct. The committee, which acts as the House of Representatives' internal watchdog, announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., over allegations including "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer." He's the latest House lawmaker to be accused of misconduct or harassment in relation to aides on Capitol Hill, an issue that's rocked Congress and forced a new reckoning over rules of engagement for lawmakers in Washington. CAPITOL HILL SEX SCANDALS TRIGGER NEW PUSH TO REDRAW THE LINE FOR LAWMAKERS Gomez, who has been in Congress since 2017, is known as a founder and chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus. According to its website, the caucus was created to "ensure that dads step up at home and in the halls of Congress." Gomez is a married father of one. Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the congressman for a response. More information was not immediately provided by the Ethics Committee, which typically operates in secrecy until it releases its final findings on a given matter. It did note that the allegations are not evidence of wrongdoing. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM For example, the panel released an explosive report this summer that detailed sexual harassment accusations against Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., targeting two young staffers who worked in his office. The committee recommended censuring Edwards, a form of punishment that's largely symbolic with no practical effects. The resulting blowback, however, pushed Edwards to drop his re-election bid despite denying any wrongdoing. The New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was seen kissing a "much younger" congressional aide in the summer of 2023. He confessed to CNN this past June, "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family. Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House ethics rules, that doesn't diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835ee62c5335ae1047b080 ‘I don’t trust you’: Tensions boil over on Trump administration’s election security call te 2026-08-17T19:20:06.450Z ‘I don’t trust you’: Tensions boil over on Trump administration’s election security call Adrian Fontes in January 2026. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) Tensions between state election officials and the Trump administration are rising as we head into the heart of the midterm election season. Frustrations boiled over on Monday during a rare election security call hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for state officials. During the call, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes unloaded on the agency. CISA used to be a go-to shop for many states looking for help ensuring that their elections weren’t hacked, targeted, or undermined by cyberattacks or foreign interference. CISA provided states with classified security briefings on threats, helped ensure that state voting equipment wasn’t vulnerable to cyberattacks, and worked with election leaders to game out potential risks. All that changed when Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. The second Trump administration scaled back its support for states, cut back CISA staff, and launched an investigation of its former leader, whom Trump accused of disloyalty because he pushed back on the president’s false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. CISA has not had a permanent director since the start of Trump’s second term. Changes at CISA have paired with the president’s broad focus on controlling how elections are run. The federal government is threatening to arrest election officials if they allow noncitizens to vote. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has vowed to withhold federal funds from states that don’t implement Trump administration election overhaul proposals. A coalition of Democratic states and officials has sued the Department of Homeland Security in a suit that accuses the Trump administration of withholding Federal Emergency Management Agency funding in an attempt to coerce states into enacting disputed election changes. With all that as backdrop, CISA organized this week’s call – and things didn’t go too well. After more than a year of near silence, elections officials wondered if CISA would step up to offer classified intelligence briefings on emerging cyber threats from hostile countries, specialized testing of election equipment, or training on how to prepare for potential problems on Election Day. Instead, CISA leaders provided what one participant characterized as a generic “CYA” (cover your a**) briefing that offered state officials few assurances that the federal government would help thwart threats this November. Participants said acting CISA Director Nick Andersen and Jim Harrell, the assistant director for integrated operations, offered no concrete support for the 2026 election, which is less than 90 days away. Instead, the participants said, CISA leadership seemed more focused on the 2028 presidential election. When they were done, according to participants, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, lashed out at the CISA officials. Fontes blasted the Trump administration for threatening state election officials and made it clear he had no confidence in their leadership, they said. “Fontes got testy with them,” said one participant on the call who asked not to be identified. “‘I don’t trust you,’ [Fontes told the CISA officials.] ‘Your boss came out there and said: We are going to criminalize the work you do. Why should we trust you?’” When asked about the call, Fontes confirmed that he’d made those comments and expanded on his frustrations “They don’t work with us, they work against us,” Fontes told Votebeat. “Why should I trust them?” Fontes said it was difficult for state and local elections officials to have confidence they would get support from the federal government when the administration treats them like an adversary rather than a partner. He and others on the call said CISA leaders offered few assurances they would provide much support in the coming weeks. “They just wholly and completely abandoned their duties and threatened prosecution,” Fontes said. “If they want to apologize for threatening us and ruining perfectly good systems, that’s a good start.” CISA did not respond to requests for comment on the call. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, also a Democrat, echoed Fontes’s frustrations. “It’s unhelpful to have political leaders, including the secretary of Homeland Security, hinting at imprisoning election administrators who don’t do what they want,” Simon told Votebeat. “That’s just not helpful.” Simon said Minnesota and other states have spent months working to fill the gaps left by the drop-off in CISA support. “It’s pretty clear states are almost entirely on their own this election cycle and cannot rely on the federal government for election assistance,” said Simon. Not everyone on the call came away with a sour taste in their mouth, though. Some participants described it as a tentative move that could help repair the strained relationship between state and federal leaders working on elections. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, also a Democrat, described the call as a “positive step” in rebuilding relations between CISA and state election officials. “While this engagement is encouraging, CISA and our other federal partners must focus on continuing to rebuild trust with election officials,” Hobbs said. “Over the last two years, we have watched this administration systematically dismantle many of the election security resources in place at the federal level.” With the November election fast approaching, he said, “election officials need sustained commitment to supporting local elections, not renewed attention only as major elections approach. Meaningful support will do more to rebuild relationships than words alone.” This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835c912c5335ae1047b033 Italy-Spain border feud exposes Europe’s deepening immigration divide te 2026-08-17T19:10:09.027Z Italy-Spain border feud exposes Europe’s deepening immigration divide A rift between the right-wing Italian government and Spain's leftist rulers continues to grow over immigration and border security. It has been days since Italy’s conservative government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni enacted stricter border controls at air and seaports, for any non-EU citizen traveling from Spain. The two countries do not share a border. Two days later, Spain’s left-wing government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, enacted reciprocal measures on any non-EU citizens traveling from Italy. Even EU citizens need to show their ID to move on, causing travel delays during a month when most Europeans travel, including over two million between Italy and Spain. At issue is border security. More specifically, the five-mile-long border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. The Associated Press reported that roughly 72,000 people reportedly attempted to illegally cross the border to Ceuta during the late July surge, before Spain and Morocco could reinforce the border to prevent what the EU calls "irregular migration." SPAIN STOCKS AFRICAN ENCLAVE CEUTA WITH BOOSTED SECURITY AS MOROCCO MONITORS CALLS FOR SECOND BORDER RUSH Emma Schubart of the Henry Jackson Society told Fox News Digital that Italy’s border checks and Spain’s reciprocal measures "highlight the Meloni–Sánchez divide: enforcement-first versus a regularization program that drew 1.2 million applications." On July 31, Meloni’s government, in what she called an "extraordinary measure," decided to "temporarily suspend the free movement regime (under the Schengen agreement) in maritime and air connections with Spain, reintroducing border controls," while also offering "to support every European initiative to assist Spanish institutions as needed to restore full control of the Union's external borders." The implementation involved random checks for non-EU travelers. Even some countries of Europe’s left are taking notice. Meloni teamed up with Denmark’s left-leaning Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to lead a group of 22 European Union leaders, including Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, in a letter calling for an "extraordinary" meeting of EU Interior Ministers to define a "coordinated European response." The letter placed blame on Spain, noting that "the recent ruling of the Spanish Supreme Court has been used to trigger this attack and abuse (of) our migration and asylum system." They added that the EU "cannot allow mass crossings, the instrumentalization of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible." EU ADMITS IT ‘DIDN’T HAVE CONTROL’ ON MIGRATION AS BLOC RUSHES CRACKDOWN AHEAD OF NEW RULES Spain’s Supreme Court issued a July 8 ruling regarding the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to enter Ceuta or Melilla. Spain’s Sánchez called the letter "politically motivated," saying the situation in Ceuta was "under control" and that his government had acted in "full compliance with EU law." On his account, Sánchez posted "Solidarity and empathy are optional. Respect for European treaties and data is not… It is the time to continue building a strong and united EU," while noting EU Frontex data that there were 470,600 "irregular entries" via Italy since 2021, compared to Spain’s 234,760. The Spanish Foreign Ministry said, "Entering Spain irregularly through Ceuta or Melilla does not grant the right to remain in the country, to travel to mainland Spain, or to move freely within Europe." Meloni responded on X that Ceuta "once again demonstrated how urgent it is for Europe to respond to illegal immigration. … Defending the external borders of the (European) Union is not the interest of a single Nation. It is a shared responsibility of Europe." As soon as the Italian border controls went into effect, Spain responded, with Sánchez's administration calling the controls "unjust" and "discriminatory towards the Spanish population." The Spanish warned of "proportionate measures" to defend their interests, reciprocating with their own border controls on Italian travel on August 8. The Palazzo Chigi, the office of the Italian prime minister, said, "Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control. Under no circumstances do we intend to review our decision… at least until 15 August… Another wave of migration is expected in Ceuta on that date, as the Spanish authorities themselves have announced." Morocco stepped in this past Saturday, August 15, ahead of that attempted rush on the border, with officials saying more than 111 were arrested attempting to reach Ceuta via mountain roads in an attempt to avoid check points. Morocco’s Le360 news agency said that the number was closer to 300. After the arrests, Italian foreign ministry officials told the AGI news agency they were "closely monitoring what is happening in Morocco and reaffirm the necessity of the measures adopted," with a spokesman telling ANSA, "The checks at the border with Spain remain necessary in light of the latest developments in Morocco." NATO ALLY POLAND WARNS RUSSIA, BELARUS PUSHING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TOWARD ALLIANCE — AND THE US Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, told Fox News Digital that this "Tit for tat" between the two countries could continue "for the foreseeable future." Vidino said EU immigration policies are "complicated" because "there is one policy, but enforcement is by the country," so politics plays a role. "Country A thinks Country B is not enforcing things correctly, so Country A closes the border to create de facto border controls." He said a contributing factor to Italy’s decision may be the large Moroccan population in Italy, especially in northern Italy, which could be a draw for illegal immigrants from Morocco. Vidino added that these types of internal EU border controls are nothing new. "France also reintroduces these ‘routine checks’ from time to time." Austria continues sporadic checks on land crossings from Slovenia and Hungary and traffic at crossings into Germany can also be miles long due to continued controls there. And it’s not only outside governments upset with Madrid’s response. Ceuta’s center-right Mayor-President, Juan Jesús Vivas, held a press conference Friday, two weeks after the initial incursion, in the city’s Palacio de la Asamblea. He called the situation "unsustainable," saying "Ceuta cannot endure much longer like this." Despite Spanish authorities saying only 5,000 migrants remained in the city, Vivas says that number is closer to 9,000, adding, "Each passing day worsens the situation." Vivas said he felt "misunderstood and powerless in the face of the lack of legal tools" from Madrid, adding the government is moving too slowly. "I cannot understand that if a part of our territory is invaded… there is no legal mechanism that allows for an expeditious and immediate action for the return of these people who entered this territory illegally and irregularly." Maldita.es, an independent Spanish fact-checking platform, reports health officials have confirmed cases of scabies, impetigo and an outbreak of gastroenteritis among the migrants. Other news outlets report at least 2 cases of tuberculosis, but health officials say those affected were treated in Morocco before they crossed the border, and are not contagious. The National Institute of Health Management, the Spanish body responsible for managing healthcare in Ceuta, told reporters that, as of August 11, there were "no confirmed cases of tuberculosis" originating in Ceuta. Schubart said the EU should look to the U.S. "The U.S. experience is clear, over 8.7 million Southwest border encounters under weakened enforcement produced record surges and secondary pressures. Without consistent external controls, Schengen’s internal free movement erodes." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835c8b2c5335ae1047b009 Higgsfield raises $400M Series B, quadrupling its valuation in 8 months to $5.4B te 2026-08-17T19:10:03.553Z Higgsfield raises $400M Series B, quadrupling its valuation in 8 months to $5.4B Higgsfield, founded by former Snap exec Alex Mashrabov, lets users create AI images and videos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a432c5335ae1047afe8 Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard' te 2026-08-17T19:00:19.760Z Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard' Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is capitalizing on Democrats' internal civil war as he crisscrosses the country in a bid to keep the House majority for Republicans in November. During a campaign stop in Virginia Beach on Monday, Johnson name-checked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as he described the wave of socialist-linked primary wins in Jeffries' home state. "It's a fascinating thing to see the Democrat Party, they're in the midst of, now, an open civil war. Truly, they don't know who they stand, what they stand for, or who stands with them. They don't have a leader," Johnson said. It comes after candidates linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani toppled establishment-backed candidates, including two sitting House Democrats. JOHNSON TURNS DEMOCRATS’ SOCIALIST CIVIL WAR INTO NEW WEAPON FOR MIDTERMS "Hakeem Jeffries is the top leader, the Democrat leader in the House. But he lost his slate of candidates in his own backyard," Johnson said. "Several weeks ago, you saw Mamdani endorsed a slate of radical far-left candidates, DSA-approved and endorsed candidates, and they all won. And one of those races was in the Bronx, in Hakeem Jeffries' own backyard." The specific race Johnson was referring to saw Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., defeated by socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York's 13th Congressional District. The area spans parts of the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. In the 10th Congressional District, encompassing part of western Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, former DSA member Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. SOCIALISM VS CAPITALISM: HOUSE DEMS CLASH OVER WHAT NY ELECTION RESULTS MEAN FOR PARTY Both incumbents were endorsed by Jeffries, as is usually the case. Both Chevalier and Lander were backed by Mamdani, himself a DSA member. Socialist Claire Valdez, also a Mamdani-backed candidate, won a Brooklyn- and Queens-area House seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Jeffries did not endorse in that race, but it's notable that Velázquez's chosen successor lost. Jeffries' own district sits entirely in Brooklyn. Despite that, however, neither Chevalier nor Valdez has publicly backed Jeffries to remain House Democrats' leader. It's a microcosm of the wider fight playing out across the country between the establishment party and a far-left insurgency. The war has proved to be a boon for Republicans who are facing an uphill battle to keep their razor-thin House majority. 100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY Johnson, who was in Virginia campaigning for endangered House Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., compared Democrats to a "rudderless ship." "But the thing that is so, I think alarming — let me use that word, alarming, for the American people — is that you have open Marxists who are winning primaries in that party," Johnson said before referencing the DSA's own platform. HAKEEM JEFFRIES CONFRONTED ON 'YOU'RE NEXT' CHANTS FOLLOWING NY DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST VICTORIES "The challenge is coming from people who, you know, they put their platform out, they published it. They want to abolish the border. They want to abolish all prisons in America. They want to abolish the U.S. Senate. They want to remove the president. They want to expand the House and make it a unicameral governing body over the country. Why? Because they believe that over two or three cycles, they'll be able to bring a wave of Marxists, communists into the Congress and take it over." When reached for a response, a spokesperson for Jeffries referred Fox News Digital to an exchange between the House Democratic leader and NBC's "Meet the Press" host Kristin Welker on Sunday. "I expect that there will be at least 220 members of the House Democratic Caucus when we take back the majority, if not a number much greater than that," Jeffries said in response to a question about challengers from the left toppling incumbents. "We as House Democrats are committed to fighting for an affordable America every day, every week, every month until we solve this crisis." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a432c5335ae1047afdf Reporter calls for more men, diversity in WNBA broadcasts: ‘Feels like a girls’ club’ te 2026-08-17T19:00:19.126Z Reporter calls for more men, diversity in WNBA broadcasts: ‘Feels like a girls’ club’ Longtime NBA reporter Ric Bucher wants more men on WNBA broadcasts. On his podcast this week, Bucher criticized networks like ESPN and NBC for using all-female panels during their WNBA coverage. "Why are all the color analysts and studio hosts women?" Bucher asked. "Women have served in a variety of positions on national NBA broadcasts. Why shouldn’t there be diversity on national WNBA broadcasts? What are the networks afraid of?" He elaborated, arguing that WNBA analysts tend to be like-minded. "There are some smart, basketball-savvy women, both in the studio and the broadcast booth, but I don’t hear a whole lot of differing opinion or debate." "It all comes off as safe and monotone and cookie cutter, especially when it comes to controversial topics. DiJonai took Sophie Cunningham’s head off, and the broadcasters were debating whether it would be elevated to a Flagrant 2. They sounded afraid to say it, even after multiple replays showed DiJonai [Carrington] made no attempt to make a play on the ball. The studio analysts were no better. "All of it feels like a girls’ club. The media protecting the league from real scrutiny or critique. I’ll ask again: What are they afraid of? Players can’t take it? That critiquing a woman in public is no way to treat one?" EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Bucher is right. There is rarely much debate among WNBA analysts, despite the polarizing nature of the topics they discuss. Whether it’s Caitlin Clark, alleged racism, transgender issues, or white privilege, the analysts sound the same. Unsurprisingly, the consensus among WNBA analysts is that Clark is overrated, white privilege is rampant, Black players are victims of racism, and trans women are women. For a network that markets itself around "diversity," ESPN’s lead WNBA studio panel consists of four Black women: Malika Andrews, Monica McNutt, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike. SAM PONDER CALLS OUT THE WNBA FOR COWARDICE: 'BE COURAGEOUS. STAND FOR WOMEN' That said, we don’t necessarily agree with Bucher that a male analyst would help. Most men in sports media, especially at ESPN, aren’t going to add much diversity of thought to the conversation. They are even more afraid and concerned about fitting in with the in-crowd on Threads and Bluesky. Case in point: ESPN writer David Dennis Jr., who claimed Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad left him "mortified." What the coverage of the WNBA needs is someone who can provide balance to the conversation. It needs someone who isn’t afraid to acknowledge Clark’s record-setting stretch, that forcing females to change next to males in the name of transgenderism is wrong, that Carrington clearly committed a hard foul, and that the claims of "white privilege" are baseless, and that the Black women are aggressors. To this point, the only analyst who has proven willing to provide this perspective, which is the majority perspective across America, is ESPN/NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales, who was a star in women’s basketball. Earlier this summer, Dales debated and schooled Dennis Jr., who tried arguing that Caitlin Clark was not even a top-five guard in the WNBA. ESPN could fix its WNBA studio show immensely by replacing the overly obnoxious Monica McNutt with Dales as it looks for other credible commentators, male or female. Still, props to Ric Bucher for raising awareness that mainstream WNBA coverage is overrun by partisan, virtue-signaling, race-idolatrous mean girls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a422c5335ae1047afd6 Harvard professor caught using AI to condense Financial Times op-ed trashing Trump tariffs te 2026-08-17T19:00:18.411Z Harvard professor caught using AI to condense Financial Times op-ed trashing Trump tariffs A Harvard professor is facing criticism for using AI to condense a longer iteration of an opinion piece written for the Financial Times (FT) on Thursday. "Trump is taxing the dark matter that pays America’s way," read the headline of the piece by Harvard professor Ricardo Hausmann. The piece was published by the FT on August 13. "It has come to our attention that AI was used to condense a longer draft of this column prior to submission to the FT and our own editorial involvement. The FT editorial code of conduct specifically prohibits the use of AI in the writing process," an editor's note at the top of Hausmann's piece says. The FT told Fox News Digital the publication was going to conduct an "editorial review process to look at this piece in more detail," but otherwise pointed to the editor's note. NEW YORK MAGAZINE SEVERS TIES WITH WRITER ROSS BARKAN, UPDATES 67 COLUMNS FOLLOWING PLAGIARISM PROBE Harvard and Hausmann did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. "The verdict on the first full year of the largest US tariff increase in almost a century arrived quietly, in the tables of the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. America’s current account deficit in 2025 was $1.18tn — virtually identical to the year before. The most protectionist turn in living memory did not move the number it was meant to shrink," the first paragraph of Hausmann's piece read. "That much was predictable — a matter of accounting necessity rather than economic argument," the column continued. "A current account deficit is not a scorecard of trade cheating; it is the gap between what a country invests and what it saves, and tariffs alter neither." REP. TED LIEU: AI IS ALREADY TOO POWERFUL. WE NEED A KILL SWITCH BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES The piece by Hausmann garnered reaction online, as Bloomberg's Joe Weisenthal wrote on X, "I have learned a lot from @ricardo_hausman, I'm a big appreciator of his thought, and have enjoyed talking with him. And yet I find this astonishing, both in its writing and its publication." Dartmouth Political Scientist Brendan Nyhan posted an image on X showing Pangram, an AI detection software, finding that 71% of the text was "AI-generated." A Harvard student and freelance writer, Alex Bronzini-Vender, wrote on X, "Gotta be the worst AI slop I’ve seen in a major publication." Hausmann is a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the director of the Harvard Growth Lab. This comes as higher education institutions are grappling with how to approach AI with their students. While many universities have AI polices and some professors have returned to paper tests and taken other measures aimed at preventing students from improperly using AI, Harvard University Senior Research Fellow Christopher Dede said colleges are focusing on the wrong problem and are not adequately preparing students to face a world in which AI is ubiquitous. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The problem is that our educational systems are geared to teaching reckoning, and their quality is measured by assessing reckoning, the GRE, the SAT, the LSAT, et cetera, et cetera," Dede told Fox News Digital. "And, so, what we're doing is preparing human beings to lose to AI as opposed to preparing human beings with skills that complement AI," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a412c5335ae1047afcd Olympic gold medalist praises Real American Freestyle for 'opportunity' ahead of highly anticipated debut te 2026-08-17T19:00:17.741Z Olympic gold medalist praises Real American Freestyle for 'opportunity' ahead of highly anticipated debut Ahead of his Real American Freestyle (RAF) debut, wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs is reflecting on his career, longevity and the sport's future. The Olympic gold medalist joined "Fox & Friends" as RAF approaches its one-year anniversary on Fox Nation, demonstrating some of his signature moves. He praised the organization for giving older competitors a second chance in the sport they love. FOX NATION SPECIAL EXPLORES REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE WRESTLING LEAGUE FOUNDED WITH HULK HOGAN'S HELP "I'm getting older, so I'm past my prime," he said. "Typically the average age of the Olympian or world championship team member is anywhere from 25 to 30. So at 38, I'm on the back side of my career, but RAF has given me an opportunity to get back into that." Burroughs noted the success of RAF is unusual for the sport. He explained how the league is the first of its kind to have "sustainability." "It's hard — I've seen a lot of professional wrestling leagues fail," he said. "The pinnacle of wrestling, at least freestyle wrestling, has always been the Olympic Games and the World Championship." MEET KANDI KRUSH – THE FORMER OLYMPIC HOPEFUL WHO IS RISING THROUGH THE RANKS IN WOMEN OF WRESTLING Burroughs also discussed the limited options available to wrestlers after their college careers end. "Most wrestlers start at a very young age, but post-collegiately you don't really have a lot of options," he said. "You go to the average jiu-jitsu studio, you see the average age of an athlete there is probably 30 to 40 years old. But wrestlers are all kids, right? And so we're trying to create a way to sustain excellence over a long period of time. I think RAF has done a great job." Burroughs has compiled a lengthy list of achievements during his career. After capturing two national championships with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he earned a gold medal in the men's 74-kilogram freestyle competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He has also claimed six freestyle wrestling world titles, three Pan American Games gold medals and multiple Pan American Wrestling Championships titles. Burroughs holds the U.S. record for the most combined World and Olympic gold medals, with seven, according to USA Wrestling. CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN HIT FOX NATION SERIES To tune in to his anticipated Real American Freestyle debut in Cleveland on Aug. 22, make sure to subscribe to Fox Nation to stream RAF 12. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO FOX NATION Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library of your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3e2c5335ae1047afb9 Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions te 2026-08-17T19:00:14.578Z Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions The water level at Lake Powell has fallen to a record low in another sign of crisis along the Colorado River. This alarming milestone, reached on Saturday, follows a record low set by Lake Mead. The two are the country's… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3d2c5335ae1047afad Arizona cities conference to tackle water, housing and data center growth te 2026-08-17T19:00:13.651Z Arizona cities conference to tackle water, housing and data center growth Nearly 2,000 local government leaders and guests will gather in Phoenix this week to confront some of Arizona’s biggest challenges, including Colorado River cuts, housing affordability and the growing energy demands of data centers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3c2c5335ae1047afa4 Two Lake Havasu City men arrested after fight damages phone, glasses te 2026-08-17T19:00:12.539Z Two Lake Havasu City men arrested after fight damages phone, glasses Two Lake Havasu City men were arrested after a fight left a cellphone and pair of glasses damaged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3b2c5335ae1047af9b Hobbs running mate Giles defends abortion vote, backs voucher limits te 2026-08-17T19:00:11.092Z Hobbs running mate Giles defends abortion vote, backs voucher limits MESA -- The nominee for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket says he sees no conflict between having declared himself to be "pro-life'' in 2024 and then, just months later, voting for a state constitutional amendment that lets women terminate… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a372c5335ae1047af8b NAU connection lifts Partridge to AAU National Diving Championship te 2026-08-17T19:00:07.478Z NAU connection lifts Partridge to AAU National Diving Championship NAU diving coach Nikki Kelsey led Lillian Partridge, daughter of NAU team physician Tim Partridge, to a title at the AAU National Diving Championships last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a352c5335ae1047af82 Coconino, Flagstaff golf teams start strong at Agave Highlands te 2026-08-17T19:00:05.634Z Coconino, Flagstaff golf teams start strong at Agave Highlands The Flagstaff and Coconino boys golf teams teed off the golf season with strong showings across the board at Agave Highlands Golf Course. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357e32c5335ae1047af4a NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality te 2026-08-17T18:50:11.009Z NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality A lofty New York City toll slapped on drivers in an effort to reduce congestion and improve air quality produced nearly no change in pollution after its first year, according to the city’s own analysis. The New York City Health Department's report, released Friday, examined four traffic-related pollutants inside Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone since the $9 toll was implemented last year. Researchers found that the city’s overall pollution levels remained largely unchanged, with no statistically significant improvement attributable to the toll. Still, officials in the Big Apple touted the study as the city's most comprehensive look at congestion pricing's effect on air quality to date. MAMDANI’S AFFORDABILITY REVOLUTION STUMBLED AS RENT COSTS SOAR TO RECORD HIGHS They pointed to reduced traffic, public transit improvements, less traffic noise and other benefits as positive outcomes from the toll being implemented in January 2025. All similar things that New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul hailed in a June 2023 speech when she backed congestion pricing. Despite an 11% drop in traffic since implementation, the Health Department said vehicles account for only about 10% of the city’s pollution, meaning fewer cars alone is not expected to significantly improve overall air quality. Unlike many parts of the country, where cars and trucks are a major source of air pollution, New York City's emissions come largely from other sources. The city's dense concentration of buildings, which burn fuel for heat and hot water, along with emissions from restaurants and power plants that supply the most populated U.S. city with electricity, are reasons for its poor air quality. Findings in the recent report could backfire and provide fresh ammunition to critics who have blasted congestion pricing as an expensive burden on commuters, small businesses and working families in America's largest city. The New York City Health Department and Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. MAMDANI'S RENT FREEZE, TAX HIKES A 'ONE-TWO WEALTH DESTRUCTION PUNCH,' ECONOMISTS WARN New York City’s congestion pricing toll applies to passenger vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan at or below 60th Street. The lofty $9 toll applies to E-ZPass users once-a-day during peak hours, which are weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. All other off-peak hours require a $2.25 toll. Those who do not have E-ZPass could face toll-by-mail rates that about 50% more than the typical charge. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have been among the program's most prominent opponents, with Duffy previously calling the toll a "slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners." The Trump administration also attempted to withdraw federal approval for the Biden-era program, but a federal judge ruled in March that the effort was unlawful. Following that ruling, Gov. Hochul called congestion pricing a "once-in-a-lifetime success story," saying its first year brought "reduced gridlock, faster trips, safer streets, and cleaner air" while generating funding for mass transit upgrades. "Congestion pricing is legal, it works, and it is here to stay," Hochul said in a March 3 statement. For now, the toll remains, traffic is down, but the city’s first-year data show no statistically significant improvement in air quality. Some online critics pounced on the findings, dragging up a 2023 speech where Hochul promised: "With congestion pricing New Yorkers have a lot to lose. How about 15 to 20 percent fewer vehicles in the central business district every single day? Less noise, less honking, less gridlock." "How about less air pollution, lower carbon emissions, lower speeds, fewer crashes?" she went on. "I don't mind losing that." "Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing did not significantly improve air quality in Manhattan like she promised it would. Who could’ve possibly seen this coming?" wrote the popular right-wing X account called Libs of TikTok. Another account noted: "Hochul looked right into the camera and swore this toll would scrub the air and let kids with asthma breathe easier. When they wrap a new tax in an environmental bow, the only thing that ever improves is the government's balance sheet." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357e22c5335ae1047af41 NBA blasts ESPN report saying no evidence Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard in Clippers probe te 2026-08-17T18:50:10.326Z NBA blasts ESPN report saying no evidence Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard in Clippers probe ESPN dropped what appeared to be a major development in the Clippers-Aspiration saga on Monday. Then the NBA essentially told everyone not to believe it. Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne reported that the NBA’s investigation has found no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the salary cap. The allegation centered on Leonard’s four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with the now-bankrupt tech firm Aspiration, a partnership that Pablo Torre reported was a "no-show" arrangement designed to pay Leonard outside his Clippers contract. According to ESPN, investigators spent months digging through internal emails, text messages, and financial records, expanding their probe beyond Aspiration to other team sponsors like Daktronics and Boingo Wireless. Yet ESPN reported the league has presented no evidence connecting Ballmer to those arrangements. MAJOR NBA TRADE WON'T BE OFFICIAL UNTIL LEAGUE'S INVESTIGATION INTO TEAM'S SALARY CAP ACCUSATIONS IS COMPLETE Instead, investigators are reportedly focused on narrower questions: whether the Clippers broke league rules by connecting Leonard with corporate partners or failed to properly supervise staff. The Clippers maintain they did nothing wrong, acknowledging they connected Leonard with business partners but calling it "an ordinary practice by NBA teams." Leonard's representatives handled the negotiations, they said, while denying they "negotiated or dictated" endorsement terms, overpaid vendors or offered favorable deals to funnel money to him. If ESPN’s account holds up, one of the biggest alleged salary-cap scandals in recent NBA history would suddenly look a whole lot less scandalous. That distinction matters. Getting caught circumventing the salary cap isn't some slap-on-the-wrist offense. The NBA can hammer teams with multimillion-dollar fines, strip draft picks, void contracts and suspend team personnel. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS FINALLY GIVE UP ON KAWHI LEONARD, SEND FORMER FINALS MVP BACK TO TORONTO RAPTORS Except the NBA insists ESPN got it wrong. League spokesman Mike Bass issued a blunt statement directly challenging the report: "ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded." Well, then. The NBA didn't specify which details were inaccurate or say whether investigators have uncovered a smoking gun against Ballmer. But Bass made one thing unmistakably clear: the probe isn't over. That leaves a jarring disconnect. ESPN reports investigators found no evidence of the alleged Ballmer-to-Kawhi financial pipeline. The NBA says ESPN's account contains "numerous and significant inaccuracies." MAJOR NBA TRADE WON'T BE OFFICIAL UNTIL LEAGUE'S INVESTIGATION INTO TEAM'S SALARY CAP ACCUSATIONS IS COMPLETE Until official findings are released, declaring the Clippers cleared is just as premature as declaring Steve Ballmer guilty in the first place. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357da2c5335ae1047af16 Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos te 2026-08-17T18:50:02.818Z Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos Reddit is beginning to test video and audio versions of popular posts, allowing users to watch or listen to Reddit stories instead of just reading them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8355822c5335ae1047aebf Sound-powered fire protection startup gets $15M to snuff out fires before they turn catastrophic te 2026-08-17T18:40:02.786Z Sound-powered fire protection startup gets $15M to snuff out fires before they turn catastrophic Sonic Fire Protection raised its new funding to help get its sound-powered fire protection system into everything from commercial kitchens to apartment buildings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8353312c5335ae1047ae9b ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state te 2026-08-17T18:30:09.342Z ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state The Department of Homeland Security called out a "depraved freak" sex offender and illegal immigrant whom the agency said it recently deported after he abused his own daughter in Democrat-run Virginia Records from the Albemarle County Circuit Criminal Division show Mexican national Marcelo Vasquez Reyna was convicted in March after pleading guilty to a charge involving a parent violating a child between the ages of 15 and 17. The incident took place in 2018. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, with five years of the sentence suspended. Local outlet ABC 7 reported that Vasquez Reyna was arrested in March following his conviction. The outlet said he was also charged with attempted rape and abduction. In an X post, DHS wrote that "ICE has DEPORTED Marcelo Vasquez-Reyna, a depraved freak who sexually abused HIS OWN DAUGHTER." ICE NABS ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES AND METH TRAFFICKING IN NATIONWIDE ENFORCEMENT SWEEP The agency added that "criminals like this sicko have NO sanctuary in our nation." The Daily Progress reported that Vasquez Reyna was repeatedly arrested on charges of groping his teenage daughter and attempting to rape her using force, causing her to live in fear of further attacks. The deportation comes as parts of Virginia have seen a series of violent and sexual crimes involving illegal immigrants. Fairfax County, north of Albemarle County, has seen several high-profile cases. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer in July asking Fairfax County officials not to release Nehemia Noel Fuentes-Banegas after DHS said he ambushed a Fairfax County police officer Tuesday. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER DHS said officers responded to a report of a man who left a home in Annandale following an argument while armed with two knives. As officers searched a wooded area, DHS said Fuentes-Banegas emerged from the brush, grabbed an officer's gun and attempted to disarm him. Fairfax County police said one officer fired his service weapon while a second officer simultaneously deployed a department-issued Taser. Police said the bullet grazed Fuentes-Banegas' shoulder. Another high-profile case involved Israel Flores Ortiz, an illegal immigrant who was 18 at the time and was accused of groping several underage girls at a Fairfax County high school. FIRST ON FOX: DOJ SUES SPANBERGER’S VIRGINIA OVER LAWS KNEECAPPING FEDERAL AGENTS AS MASK WAR ESCALATES SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has faced criticism for her handling of illegal immigrant crime. On her first day in office, Spanberger rescinded an executive order by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, directing state law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement authorities. She also ordered state and local law enforcement agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE and signed an order prohibiting ICE from using state property as a staging area, processing location or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger’s office, the Albemarle County Police Department and the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8350d62c5335ae1047ae58 Iran deal clock hits zero as Trump demands ‘white flag’ with new pressure campaign looming te 2026-08-17T18:20:06.739Z Iran deal clock hits zero as Trump demands ‘white flag’ with new pressure campaign looming The 60-day window for the United States and Iran to reach a final agreement expired Monday with no deal announced, as President Donald Trump hardened his rhetoric toward Tehran and his administration prepared what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as an unprecedented new phase of economic pressure. "They should put up the white flag of surrender," Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst in a phone interview Monday. Trump said he was in no rush to reach a deal and also confirmed a direct back channel with officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The June memorandum of understanding committed Washington and Tehran to negotiate a final deal within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent. Reuters reported Monday that the interim agreement quickly unraveled over a dispute involving control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump declared the pact "over" on July 7 and Tehran later said it was suspended. The deadline now puts a central question at the heart of Trump’s Iran strategy: whether the United States can turn military and maritime pressure into political concessions by squeezing Tehran financially rather than escalating again on the battlefield. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas moved through the Strait of Hormuz, making the standoff a threat not only to Tehran but to global energy supplies and U.S. fuel prices. TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘LARGELY NEGOTIATED’ AS 84-DAY WAR NEARS POSSIBLE END "Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation of a country," Bessent told Newsmax on Aug. 13. In comments provided to Fox News Digital on background, a Treasury spokesperson said, "Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash," arguing that the campaign has constrained Tehran’s ability to generate and move revenue and pushed it further toward shadow-banking networks and cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. Average Iranian oil loadings had fallen from 1.8 million barrels per day before the war to less than 500,000 barrels per day over the previous month, The Associated Press reported Aug. 11, citing Treasury figures. AP also cited an IMF projection that Iran’s economy would contract 5.4%. IRAN’S DEEPEST WEAKNESS IS GETTING EXPOSED THROUGH AMERICA’S MAXIMUM PRESSURE CAMPAIGN Miad Maleki, a former Treasury sanctions analyst and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that the pressure is real. "The numbers are brutal," Maleki said, citing inflation, the collapsing rial and reduced oil traffic. He described the current campaign as "a maximum pressure campaign on a steroid." Reuters reported Monday, citing Iran’s Statistical Centre, that consumer prices in July were 87.9% higher than a year earlier and food prices were up 128%. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged last week that Iran was selling less oil and collecting less tax revenue from struggling businesses. Maleki argued that what distinguishes the current campaign from previous rounds of sanctions is the combination of financial restrictions and a physical blockade. "What really started, I would say, as Economic Fury, has now turned into maximum pressure on steroids," he said, arguing that Tehran is being squeezed not only in its ability to export oil but also in its ability to bring critical goods into the country. He pointed in particular to Iran’s gasoline deficit and weakening government revenues as vulnerabilities that could become increasingly difficult for the regime to manage. In November 2019, a sharp increase in government-set gasoline prices triggered nationwide demonstrations that rapidly broadened into anti-government protests. Reuters reported at the time that Iranian officials said roughly 200,000 people participated in the unrest, while thousands were arrested. "The regime is very scared of another 2019," Maleki said, arguing that Tehran has been reluctant to significantly raise retail fuel prices because of the potential political consequences. But history also illustrates the limitation of Washington’s strategy: economic pain can bring Iranians into the streets without necessarily forcing the regime itself to concede. IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD SIDELINES PRESIDENT AS MILITARY GRIP EXPANDS The larger question, Maleki said, is who ultimately absorbs the pain. Iran’s economic system, he argued, includes powerful foundations and elite networks tied to the IRGC and the supreme leader that were built long before today’s sanctions architecture. "That elite network has spent about three decades insulating themselves from exactly this kind of pain," Maleki said. "And historically, the regime always burns the population clock before really having to absorb any of that pressure themselves." Maleki said pressure can force "tactical concessions," but broader concessions depend on whether the financial pain reaches IRGC-linked foundations, oligarchs and regime elites rather than remaining concentrated among ordinary Iranians. Washington is already near "the ceiling on sanctions with Iran," he argued, meaning the next phase may depend less on new legal tools than on enforcing existing restrictions against foreign enablers, including Chinese refineries, Hong Kong shell traders, exchange houses, shadow-fleet tankers and cryptocurrency channels. So far, the pressure has not produced a final deal. Reuters reported Monday that a senior Iranian official threatened military escalation within weeks if Washington does not fully implement the interim agreement. "The worst is still ahead for the Iranian regime," Maleki said, arguing that payment-cycle delays mean the full fiscal impact of reduced oil exports may not be felt until the fall. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e832c5335ae1047ae15 Scottie Scheffler already on the cusp of passing Tiger Woods on PGA Tour career earnings list te 2026-08-17T18:10:11.645Z Scottie Scheffler already on the cusp of passing Tiger Woods on PGA Tour career earnings list Tiger Woods is the person most responsible for the financial boom in professional golf, and is frankly one of the biggest reasons that the PGA Tour is what it is today. While every player of the modern era should be eternally grateful for Woods from a monetary standpoint, Scottie Scheffler's sense of gratitude may rightfully trump all others. Scheffler, who turned 30 in June, picked up the 21st PGA Tour victory of his career on Sunday by winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship by eight shots. The win earned him a paycheck of $3.6 million, bringing his career on-course prize money to $119,964,411. Woods is, of course, the all-time money leader on the PGA Tour, but he won't be for long, with Scheffler pulling within just over $1 million of catching Woods' career earnings of $120,999,166. This week's BMW Championship is a no-cut event carrying a $20 million purse, with the following week's Tour Championship in Atlanta also having no cut and a purse of $40 million. Scheffler, who will be the favorite to begin both events, will almost assuredly take over the No. 1 spot in the career-earnings list over the course of the next two weeks. The top eight players at the Tour Championship will earn at least $1 million, with the winner in Atlanta earning $10 million. PGA Tour purses have exploded over the last handful of years, and it's unlikely we've seen anything close to the ceiling with the Tour going from a non-profit to a for-profit entity. Scheffler has the benefit of simply playing and winning in this era of professional golf, but the numbers are eye-opening to compare. Woods' 2019 Masters win earned him $2.07 million, while Scheffler's first Masters victory just three years later carried a payday of $2.7 million. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TERRORIZES MEMPHIS, RORY MCILROY COMPLETELY MAILS IT IN, AND JORDAN SPIETH IS DONE Woods, 50, has made 378 starts and won 82 times on the PGA Tour on his way to earning $120.9 million. Scheffler, meanwhile, has nearly caught him despite making fewer than 168 starts on Tour. While Scheffler passing Woods on the career-money list is by no means a shocker, considering the money in the sport today compared to the late 90s and early 2000s. What is quite shocking is the Top 3 on the career-money list and the gap they have achieved over everyone else. Woods leads the charge with $120.9 million, Scheffler is in the No. 2 spot with $119.9 million, and Rory McIlroy sits third with $116.4 million earned. Justin Rose is No. 4 on the list with just less than $79 million in career earnings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e7d2c5335ae1047adfa Tohono O'odham vows to fight on after border wall ruling te 2026-08-17T18:10:05.762Z Tohono O'odham vows to fight on after border wall ruling The Tohono O'odham Nation says it's "considering all possible options" after a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., denied the tribe's request to block border wall construction on its reservation Friday, deepening a months-long standoff that has also drawn a wave of racist commentary online. In a Friday statement, the Nation's executive leadership said the court failed to adequately weigh the wall's impact on tribal land, culture and sacred sites, pointing to past destruction at Las Playas Intaglio, Quitobaquito Springs and Monument Hill, traditional lands outside the reservation that were desecrated even when federal authorities knew they were protected. Tribal leaders say a wall would further sever the O'odham people and are vowing to keep pushing for border security measures that don't come at the cost of their heritage and environment. The Tohono O'odham Nation filed suit in U.S. district court on June 16, seeking to block construction of the wall. Attorneys for the Nation argued the case for a preliminary injunction on July 22. "The Nation's legal team has presented a strong case and we thank the court for their commitment to hearing all the facts," Chairman Verlon Jose said in a statement following the July hearing. "We are hopeful that the weight of evidence will lead the court to approve the preliminary injunction preventing construction of this wasteful and destructive wall." Jose also thanked Pima County, the city of Tucson, the National Congress of American Indians, and tribes and individuals across the country for their support. Judge Richard Leon denied the request to secure the land from federal construction, ruling that the Nation is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims: that contractors are trespassing on tribal land and that reservation boundaries have been unlawfully altered. Tucson Spotlight is free for every reader because donors make it possible. Join them. Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose speaks with members of the Nation's delegation following a July 22 court hearing in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Tohono O'odham Nation. On Aug. 7, the Nation announced "no trespassing" signs were being posted across the reservation after learning federal contractors hired for wall construction might attempt to enter tribal land without authorization. The notice stressed that Tohono O'odham members remain free to travel as usual, and that the restriction applies only to non-tribal members associated with border wall construction. The following day, the Nation issued further clarification, stressing the closure is not a blanket ban. The Nation remains open for official business and "proper guest activities," including tribal members, non-tribal residents and employees, travelers on public roadways, invited guests, authorized vendors, and Desert Diamond Casino guests and staff. The restriction applies specifically to unauthorized DHS contractors and subcontractors, and anyone attempting to access Nation land to conduct border wall construction activities who will be warned, informed of trespass and escorted off by law enforcement, with possible legal consequences. Since the Nation's trespassing notice, social media reaction on outlets covering the story has included a strain of hostile, dismissive commentary, some framing the lawsuit as an affront to national security, others dismissing tribal sovereignty outright or invoking language telling non-Indigenous critics to "go back where they came from." The tone reflects a broader, longstanding frustration Indigenous people have expressed about widespread historical, legal and geopolitical ignorance regarding Native nations that inhabited what is now the United States long before its founding. Online hostility toward the Nation's lawsuit reflects a broader pattern: the U.S. government has a history of militarizing its response when Indigenous nations attempt to enforce treaty or sovereign rights. Members of the Tohono O'odham Nation's Border Security Delegation and supporters look on during a July 22 hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Tohono O'odham Nation. National Guard members in riot gear fired pepper balls into the crowd during the 2020 Black Hills protest, part of a demonstration to reclaim land the Supreme Court had ruled was illegally taken in 1980. During the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the National Guard deployed water cannons in subzero temperatures, pepper-sprayed protesters during prayer, fired rubber bullets and used concussion grenades against demonstrators. More recently, in 2024, a horseback ride meant to raise awareness for the federally unrecognized Muwekma Ohlone's status turned violent when Washington, D.C., police attacked children, elders and women in the group and threatened to euthanize the horses. There are many more examples. A 1927 amendment to federal law states that only Congress has the authority to alter tribal boundaries, not the executive branch. The Nation's supplemental briefing to the court echoed that argument, noting the law authorizing border wall construction did not include explicit congressional approval to take reservation land. For decades, the Tohono O'odham Nation has worked with DHS and Border Patrol to help secure the international border, and its land predates the United States and Mexico by centuries. "We will continue to push for common sense border solutions that provide security without destroying our heritage and natural environment, just like we have always done," the Nation said in its Aug. 14 statement. "We are blessed to have the support of our people and other allies as we stand up for what is right and against what is unjust." Katherine Martinez is a a Kickapoo-Potawatomi Native majoring in journalism at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at martinezk29@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e7b2c5335ae1047ade6 YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing te 2026-08-17T18:10:03.817Z YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing The change comes a year after YouTube applied the same approach to counting views on Shorts videos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8349cc2c5335ae1047abc9 What We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii te 2026-08-17T17:50:04.113Z What We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii The storm narrowly missed land, but its outer bands left the Big Island with power outages, road closures and flooded homes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347782c5335ae1047ab84 Lindsay Clancy’s parents get massive global donor support as fundraiser surpasses $830K te 2026-08-17T17:40:08.401Z Lindsay Clancy’s parents get massive global donor support as fundraiser surpasses $830K As the trial for Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy enters week four, funds are pouring in for her parents who have supported their daughter who is accused of killing all three of her children. Clancy admitted to strangling her three children to death, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, who was just eight months old. She's facing three counts of first-degree murder. Her defense team argues Clancy is not criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis among other mental illnesses made worse by the numerous medications she was prescribed, during the time of the killings. POSTPARTUM MOM LINDSAY CLANCY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER BRINGS COURT TO A HALT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN Funds for the Musgrove Family, Clancy's mother and father Paula and Mike Musgrove, have surpassed $830,000 with an end goal of $2 million. The fund appears to have been created six days ago. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The fundraiser says the money is intended solely for Clancy's parents who, "have spent years absorbing the travel, lodging, and living costs required to remain close to their daughter, drawing down savings they spent a lifetime building," the page says. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The Musgroves have stood by their daughter's side throughout the case; if convicted Clancy faces life in prison without possibility of parole. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE GOT A TIP? "Nothing about this fund asks anyone to share their view of Lindsay or the criminal case. It asks donors to recognize the extraordinary financial burden her parents have carried simply by continuing to be present," the page said. CONVICTED KILLER KARMELO ANTHONY CLAIMS HE IS 'PENNILESS' IN APPEAL DESPITE MAJOR DONOR-FUNDED LEGAL CAMPAIGN Donors from around the world have contributed to the staggering fund, including one donor who said, "Sending love from Belize, Central America," another who said, "Sending love from Australia," and another from the UK who said "Sending support," among tens of thousands more. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "The case will eventually reach its conclusion. Whatever that outcome is, Mike and Paula will still have to pick up the pieces of the lives they have put on hold to be there for their daughter. They should not have to face that future without the financial foundation they spent decades building." Fox News Digital has reached out to GoFundMe and the Plymouth County Prosecutor's Office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347772c5335ae1047ab7b Socialism will 'control people' and 'take everything away' from America, according to these expats te 2026-08-17T17:40:07.696Z Socialism will 'control people' and 'take everything away' from America, according to these expats As socialist candidates gain traction across the nation, three expats who fled countries under similar policies caution against what happens when socialism goes wrong — warning these governments can seek to "control people" and "scare them." Emmanuel Rincón, a Venezuelan expat who escaped his country in 2017, urged vigilance against democratic socialism in America. "They like to call [it] democratic socialism, [but] there is no democratic socialism, because the main incentive of socialism is to take the money and take what the people have legitimately earned and give it to some people that have never worked," Rincón told Fox News Digital. "That is not democratic in [any] way." EXPERT WHO FLED CUBA WARNS OF ‘VICIOUS CYCLE’ THAT WILL LEAD TO ‘COMMUNISTS IN DOUBLE DIGITS’ IN CONGRESS Democratic socialism is defined by the Democratic Socialists of America as "a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society." But those who’ve actually lived under socialist policies warn the promise of a "real voice" is fictional. According to Rincón, who lived his entire life under socialism in Venezuela until 2017, he’d have to wait 18 to 20 hours in line just to put gas in his car, which was heavily regulated. "We could go to the grocer[y store] to buy meat and eggs or milk or whatever… but we wouldn't be able to find meat or milk, or bread… and you have to make lines for 6, 12 hours only to try to buy something... It's really that bad. It was only because of the mismanagement of the socialist administration," he continued. I WATCHED CHICAGO PROMISE FOOD EQUITY. NOW MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EMPTY SHELVES Rincón also touched on criminal activities that locals defer to as a means of survival to obtain food, given that wages aren’t enough to buy basic needs. Eliécer Ávila, a Cuban expat who was forced to flee the island in 2017 after speaking out against the negative impact of communist policies on its people, commented that immigrants who escape dictatorships often appreciate the United States more than the Americans born in the country. "Cubans, Venezuelans, Latinos, who lived in dictatorships and who managed to live in democracy, have to appreciate it a lot… Every time I talk to the Americans themselves, I think that I love the United States more than those who were born here, because they have no point of comparison," he said. TRUMP EXPANDS CUBA SANCTIONS BEYOND US COMPANIES IN MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN ENABLERS When asked what he would say to a room full of far-left Democrats or socialists in America, Ávila offered a comparative metaphor to Donald Trump banning democracy and being president for 67 years to attempt to bridge perspectives with those who advocate for socialism. "Imagine [he banned] the Democratic Party on the first day and all the others. That he closed all leftist media outlets… everything. That nobody could criticize Trump because they’d get 30 years in prison, be shot or exiled. Imagine you could only have a car, phone or passport if you’re a Trump supporter," he asked. "Would you agree with that, Democrat?" "I'm sure that 100% of you would say, ‘[I'd] take up arms against him.’ So, [maybe] now you can understand me," Ávila quipped. "There is a gap that's being exploited… because there's a lot of evil forces in the world that do not want America to succeed. And they've realized very early on actually, that America cannot be defeated from the outside — it's too strong — but it can be defeated from the inside," Gene Maine, who escaped the Soviet Union in 1981, said.  "Through generations of things like demoralizing the population, removing trust in the institutions, like elections, like courts, you [sow] doubt in the heads of the people that what you have right now is probably the best that's ever been," he stated. "There is no such thing as free lunch. [People are] starting to understand [that] when [the] government that offers you everything can also take everything away," Maine added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347762c5335ae1047ab72 DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals te 2026-08-17T17:40:06.979Z DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday launched a new process to allow certain people who are barred from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their federal firearm rights. Under a final rule issued by Blanche, applicants must establish the circumstances of their prohibition, as well as show that they are not likely to pose a danger to public safety. " The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safet y," Blanche said in a statement. "This rule establishes a rigorous, commonsense process that protects the public while giving deserving Americans a real path to restoration." INSIDE TRUMP'S UNPRECEDENTED BATTLE PLAN TO EXPAND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Along with the circumstances of the prohibition, the applicant's record, reputation, and subsequent conduct will also be taken into consideration, the Justice Department said. "Absent extraordinary circumstances, violent felons, registered sex offenders, illegal aliens, and other individuals who present an ongoing danger will remain presumptively ineligible for relief," the agency said. "Any relief granted under the rule removes only applicable federal firearms disabilities and does not override independent restrictions imposed by state law." Monday's announcement is another win for gun-rights advocates. Last week, the Trump administration declined to pause a judge's ruling that allows people to possess short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and silencers without registering them with the federal government. GUN RIGHTS GETS 'GREATEST RESTORATION' IN 100 YEARS WITH LATEST TRUMP DOJ MOVE, LAWMAKER HAILS The National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) established a $200 tax on silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other firearms that also required additional federal registration to obtain. Republicans reduced that tax to $0 in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), prompting gun rights groups to successfully argue that the added registration requirement was unconstitutional. "Our court victory against NFA registration is the greatest Second Amendment legal win in American history," U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., wrote on X last week. Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83451f2c5335ae1047ab28 American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna te 2026-08-17T17:30:07.967Z American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which was recently active, Italian firefighters said Monday. The 29-year-old man from Kansas, whose name had not been released at the time of this reporting, was found at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Rocca Capra area. He was rescued by helicopter after he was struck Sunday night in a barren, exposed area. He was later pronounced dead by medical officials. HIKER WHO SET OUT IN WARM SPRING WEATHER FOUND DEAD AFTER SNOWSTORM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE MOUNTAINS Ash from the volcano forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport last week, impacting summer travelers during the busy travel season. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Planes were forced to be re-routed to other airports on the island. More people have died on Etna from lightning strikes over recent decades than from volcanic activity, officials said. The last eruption-related fatalities were in 1987. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cd2c5335ae1047aae3 Phillies send Cy Young contender Christopher Sanchez to the mound in wild card race showdown te 2026-08-17T17:20:13.255Z Phillies send Cy Young contender Christopher Sanchez to the mound in wild card race showdown We have only about 25% of the season remaining for most teams. With 125 games done for the majority of clubs, we have fewer than 40 games for teams to figure out who is going to make the postseason. This should be a fairly tight race in both leagues, but the National League seems a bit more decided at the moment than the American League. There are only six teams within 3.5 games of a Wild Card spot, but two of them battle tonight as the Marlins take on the Phillies. The Miami Marlins are on the outside looking in on the postseason if the playoffs started today. They are currently three games back of the Padres and Phillies, who are tied for the final two spots. Of all the teams that are not leading a division in the National League, the Marlins have the best run differential at +20 (excluding the Cubs, who own the first Wild Card spot and are +100). The Marlins played fairly consistent baseball this season in the first half, but had a really rough stretch to start the 2nd half of the year, losing nine straight. In fact, the entire second half has been streaks: 9 losses, three wins, one loss, three wins, four losses, four wins, two losses, two wins. They will need to break out a winning streak if they want to make it to the postseason. They also need to find a way to get their starting pitching to line up well. Tonight, they send out Janson Junk to the hill in hopes that he can battle against a Cy Young contender. Junk is 6-7 for the season with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has made 17 starts for the club this season. He has been substantially worse on the road than at home for Miami this season. On the road, he has allowed 20 earned runs compared to 23 at home. However, those 20 earned runs came in 33.2 innings compared to 54 innings of work at home. He has only faced the Phillies once this year, and he was solid against them, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. The Philadelphia Phillies were the hottest team in baseball at one point, but they have since cooled off. Now, they find themselves in a battle just to make the postseason. Sure, if the season ended today, they would earn the second Wild Card spot. However, I wouldn't call them a lock by any means. There are a lot of teams breathing down their neck, and the Phillies are under .500 since the All-Star Break. It is just two games, but still reflects that they haven't been playing their best baseball lately. The good news for them is that if they do make the playoffs, they have three strong starters to line up for any series. One of them, Christopher Sanchez, takes the ball for the Phillies tonight. Sanchez has been as good as anyone in the game this season. For the year, he is 15-4 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He also has fanned 181 batters in 155.2 innings of work. He has been extra dominant at home with a 1.41 ERA in Philadelphia. He has not faced the Marlins this year, but has held them to a .170 average over 53 at-bats in his career. This is a game the Phillies should win, but let's be honest, me telling you to bet a -220 favorite isn't exactly a tough thing to do. It also isn't something I'd ever do. My bet is to take the Phillies on the run line. In Sanchez's 25 starts, 20 of them have been decided by at least two runs. Meaning there have been only five one run games. In games Sanchez has started and the Phillies have won, 15 of them have been by at least two runs. Only three have been by one run. Give me the Phillies on the run line tonight. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cc2c5335ae1047aada Repeat offender with 7 prior convictions arrested 3 times in 12 days over alleged attacks on women te 2026-08-17T17:20:12.618Z Repeat offender with 7 prior convictions arrested 3 times in 12 days over alleged attacks on women An Oklahoma man was arrested twice in five days over allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple women, then was arrested again days later and booked on a first-degree rape charge. Jail records identify the defendant as Jeff Kufi Asare, 26, who was booked Aug. 12 on a $75,000 cash-or-bail bond. The record did not list a release date. Oklahoma City ABC affiliate KOCO reported that firefighters saw Asare allegedly restraining a woman on the Lake Hefner Trail before alerting police. The arrest followed two others in less than two weeks. On Aug. 1, Oklahoma City police responded to a possible rape call and arrested Asare on probable-cause allegations of felony sexual battery and felony indecent exposure. ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF RAPE, MULTIPLE SEX CRIMES AFTER RELEASE FROM MARYLAND JAIL The incident report obtained by Fox News Digital lists attempted forcible rape and forcible fondling among the reported offenses. Five days later, officers arrested Asare after responding to reports of sexual assaults involving multiple women at a downtown park. Police booked him on probable-cause allegations of attempted kidnapping and felony sexual battery. He also received two city assault-and-battery citations. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Fox News Digital has requested the Aug. 12 incident report, which Oklahoma City police said was not yet complete for release. All three cases involve Asare, but state charges have not been filed because Oklahoma City police are still investigating and have not yet presented the cases to prosecutors, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital. The office said it expects to file state charges after receiving the cases from police. Judges set Asare’s bond at $50,000 on Aug. 5 and again on Aug. 10. After his third arrest, prosecutors asked a judge to raise his bond from $50,000 to $75,000, court and jail records show. REPEAT OFFENDER WITH MASSIVE RAP SHEET LEADS COPS ON WILD CHASE AS BLIND PASSENGER BEGS TO ESCAPE: POLICE Since January 2023, Asare’s name has appeared in at least 18 Oklahoma County court dockets, a Fox News Digital review found. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The total includes early probable-cause proceedings, misdemeanor cases and a pending civil lawsuit. Some of the probable-cause files are tied to later criminal cases stemming from the same arrest. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The court records also show at least seven misdemeanor convictions. Three were for breaking and entering. The others were for resisting an officer, shoplifting, trespassing and marijuana possession. SEND US A TIP Asare pleaded guilty to resisting an officer, shoplifting and trespassing in September 2023. He later pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and marijuana possession in November 2024, then in two additional breaking-and-entering cases in October 2025 and April. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL He received 45 days in jail in the October case and 30 days in the April case, with credit for time served in both. He also enrolled in a court-ordered outpatient program after prosecutors dismissed a 2025 trespassing and obstruction case. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In a separate 2024 case, he missed a hearing, and a judge issued a bench warrant. Fox News Digital has requested comment from prosecutors and asked ICE whether it has custody, detainer or immigration-status information involving Asare. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cb2c5335ae1047aad1 US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning te 2026-08-17T17:20:12.001Z US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning A top commander responsible for defending the U.S. homeland warned Thursday that American military bases are "ill-equipped" to repel a swarm of small attack drones. The vulnerability that persists even as the Pentagon seeks billions for new counter-drone weapons, and Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard said the shortfall begins well before troops try to shoot down a drone. Some bases do not have the sensors to spot and track an incoming swarm or the weapons to take it out, the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of the American contingent at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). "We don’t have the sensors, and depending on where that swarm is going to attack, it depends on whether we have any sensors at all, and also whether we’ve got any effectors to go after that problem," Jarrard said at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium. Jarrard said NORTHCOM is folding counter-drone tactics into Operation Noble Eagle, the long-running U.S.-Canada homeland air-defense mission. For now, he said, NORAD is relying on radars already in its inventory while working to connect with local law enforcement and other agencies that operate detection systems beyond military installations. "Detection is obviously the biggest issue, and so how we are able to detect is one of our biggest concerns right now," Jarrard said. "That’s where we’ve got to get to with respect to the interoperability between not just military systems, but also those that are protecting our cities, critical infrastructure, etc., that are off our installations." PENTAGON CONSOLIDATES DRONE OVERSIGHT AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUSHES RAPID UNMANNED WARFARE EXPANSION Jarrard’s assessment offers a blunt measure of the gap between the Pentagon’s rapid counter-drone push and the protection available at installations today. Cheap, one-way attack drones have changed the battlefield calculus in Ukraine and the Middle East, where adversaries can threaten equipment, infrastructure and personnel without expending the missiles or aircraft traditionally associated with a strike on a military target. "We are ill-equipped right now to handle something like that, and obviously we’ve seen it used," Jarrard told the audience. "We’re seeing it used on a daily basis around the world, and we’ve got to figure out how to mitigate that threat." His warning echoed concerns raised in May by NORTHCOM commander Gen. Gregory Guillot, who said troops deployed along the southern border lacked adequate counter-drone tools. The Pentagon has since sought a record $21 billion for drones, counter-drone weapons, munitions and other related capabilities as it tries to close the gap. The warning also comes as President Donald Trump moves ahead with the Golden Dome plan, his broad homeland missile-defense initiative intended to protect the United States and critical infrastructure from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles, as well as other advanced aerial threats. The issue has resurfaced as it relates to the administration’s broader discussion of unidentified objects around U.S. military sites. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government should take seriously reports of objects flying over military installations — more recently called unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) rather than unidentified foreign objects (UFOs). "I don't know who it is. I don't know what it is, but there are things flying over our military installations, and they're not ours, and we should look into this, be serious about it," Rubio said while discussing UAPs in an interview with Katie Miller, wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller. Rubio was not specifically referring to drone swarms, and Jarrard did not suggest that every unidentified object reported near a military site is a drone. Still, the two officials’ comments point to the same practical concern for U.S. forces: an aircraft does not need to be mysterious to present a danger. Jarrard, in his remarks, was describing a more immediate and localized vulnerability: the ability to detect and defeat low-cost drones flying toward a base before they can strike. The military is pursuing several answers, from radio-frequency systems that can jam drone communications or interfere with satellite navigation to high-powered microwave weapons designed to disrupt the electronics of multiple nearby drones at once. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION It is also moving closer to fielding high-energy lasers. Fox News Digital reported this month that the Army is nearing a contract award for the Enduring High Energy Laser, or E-HEL, program, which could become the service’s first permanent operational capability for a family of high-energy laser systems. Army acquisition chief Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said in July that the technology had shown "a lot of recent promise and capability" during testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A laser could allow troops to engage drones that have entered a defended area without relying solely on expensive missile interceptors, but it is not a complete solution: lasers are line-of-sight weapons, which limits their reach, and they must be integrated with the sensors, command-and-control networks and other systems Jarrard said are lacking at some locations. In an era when small drones can be cheap, expendable and deployed in numbers, the military must be able to identify the threat quickly and prevent it from reaching the installation it is meant to protect. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cb2c5335ae1047aac8 College Football’s AP Top 25 Is out: Who’s overrated, underrated and flat-out snubbed? te 2026-08-17T17:20:11.312Z College Football’s AP Top 25 Is out: Who’s overrated, underrated and flat-out snubbed? College football fans have been waiting on this day for months. With the preseason AP Top-25 now released, every fan has a reason to either complain or rejoice, as the 2026 season is just two weeks away. It's a tradition unlike any other. Voters from across the country — some of whom have no clue about teams in other regions, no matter how much research they do — release their rankings for the college football world to argue about for the next few weeks leading up to Labor Day weekend. This is also the time of year when local sports talk radio shows flourish, inciting near-riots over how their team was shafted compared to others within their own conference. It’s a gold mine of radio segments that will pass the time until an actual ball is kicked off. 2025 AP Top 25 Poll Shake-Up: Ohio State Takes No. 1, Alabama Tumbles After Florida State Loss But I want you to remember something while you’re digesting the initial 2026 rankings: Twelve teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 last season finished outside the poll when the 2025 season concluded. Those teams included: COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHTS Meaning: Don't freak out over where your team lands over the next month. How do you think Penn State, LSU and Clemson fans felt heading into the 2025 season compared to how it ended? Exactly. Ok, everyone hold your breath as you go through the list of teams who some voters across the country are expecting big things from over the next five months. Also, please don't forget that AP voters are spread out across the country, and obviously don't follow your favorite team closely on a daily basis. I would imagine a percentage of voters had to perform a good amount of research on who the starting quarterbacks were at some schools. Better yet, we have no idea who some of these teams will be rolling out as the week-one starter, and we still have at least one more scrimmage in Fall camp for a nice chunk of these programs Well, Clemson was the first team just on the outside receiving votes, followed by Florida, Boise State, Arizona and TCU. Where in the world is South Carolina? Have you cooled down a bit since scrolling? Yes, the Associated Press poll does carry more weight in the eyes of fans, compared to the USA Today coaches poll that is usually voted on by the sports information directors or some staffer at each school. No, the coaches aren't taking time out of their day to piece together a poll on their rivals. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHTS How weird is it not to see Florida State in a preseason poll? Mike Norvell had better turn things around in Tallahassee, or his time coaching the Seminoles could end before conference title games. Ok, I could have a pretty strong argument on South Carolina not being ranked in the Top-25, but it seems as though voters are under the impression Clemson has more talent than the Gamecocks in the 'receiving votes' category. College Football Coaches On Hot Seat: Bill Belichick, Mike Norvell and Others Facing Make-Or-Break 2026 Ohio State deserves to be at the top, and we'll obviously find out about the Texas Longhorns when the Buckeyes roll into Austin during week two. Alabama coming in at No. 13 feels about right, while voters are obviously giving Penn State the historical treatment as Matt Campbell enters his first season in Happy Valley. As for the very expensive roster that Lane Kiffin assembled at LSU, it seems as though money can't buy you top-ten votes, and we'll find out soon enough if it can buy the Tigers' wins. LANE KIFFIN KNOWS THERE AREN’T EXCUSES AT LSU. NOW COMES THE TEST OF MAKING IT WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION Oh, and USC being ranked No. 14 is fair, but my goodness the pressure is on Lincoln Riley to win this season. Anything less than an appearance in the College Football Playoff will spell disaster for his tenure with the Trojans. Remember, take a breath. Make sure to infiltrate your local sports talk radio shows, and let me know how you feel in the comments below. We're here folks. College Football season is just two weeks away!! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342ca2c5335ae1047aabf American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna te 2026-08-17T17:20:10.550Z American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which was recently active, Italian firefighters said Monday. The 29-year-old man from Kansas, whose name had not been released at the time of this reporting, was found at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Rocca Capra area. He was rescued by helicopter after he was struck Sunday night in a barren, exposed area. He was later pronounced dead by medical officials. HIKER WHO SET OUT IN WARM SPRING WEATHER FOUND DEAD AFTER SNOWSTORM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE MOUNTAINS Ash from the volcano forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport last week, impacting summer travelers during the busy travel season. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Planes were forced to be re-routed to other airports on the island. More people have died on Etna from lightning strikes over recent decades than from volcanic activity, officials said. The last eruption-related fatalities were in 1987. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342c92c5335ae1047aab0 Legal scandal forces Pinal County off high-profile capital murder case te 2026-08-17T17:20:09.336Z Legal scandal forces Pinal County off high-profile capital murder case (Photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus) A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has disqualified the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the Pinal County Superior Court from trying a high-profile capital murder case plagued by legal scandal. Judge Patricia Starr issued her order Aug. 12. It’s still unclear which county will prosecute the case and where it will be tried, and it’s unknown whether Pinal County will appeal the ruling. The quadruple murder was brutal: two men and two women shot and slashed at a low-rent casita in Casa Grande in October 2017. Alec Perez, the estranged husband of one of the victims, was arrested almost immediately, along with his friend, Rodney Ortiz. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Perez had a bad meth habit and a history of abusing his wife, Crysta Proctor, whom he met while both were in a halfway house. The other victims, Justin Yates, Connie Carrera and Jose Aguilar, were staying with Proctor, in part, to protect her from Perez. Ortiz allegedly went along for the ride with Perez.  The Pinal County Attorney’s office filed its intent to seek the death penalty against both suspects, and the Pinal County Superior Court appointed defense attorneys for them. The cases dragged on. Seven years later, acting on a tip from the prosecutor’s office, the judge in the case realized that Perez’s attorney, Matthew Long, was not qualified to try a capital case, and he was ultimately removed from the case.  From there, the case doubled back on itself like a staircase in an M.C. Escher painting, and Long was simultaneously walking in both directions. Ortiz’s attorneys asked for a change of venue and a change of prosecutor. Perez’s new attorneys followed suit. And after months of evidentiary hearings, Starr, who was brought in as an impartial evaluator, ruled in the defense’s favor.   “We appreciate the Court’s thoughtful ruling, which upholds Mr. Ortiz’s constitutional right to due process and a fair trial,” Ortiz’s attorneys, Jamie Sparks and James Soslowsky, wrote in an email. “This decision reinforces the fundamental principle that our justice system must not only be fair but appear to be fair.” Long, who did not testify in the disqualification hearings, did not respond to the Arizona Mirror’s question, but did respond to Starr’s order on his Facebook page.  “If both sides of a controversy make a claim about a person and both sides refuse to call that person, then neither side is interested in the truth, but only argument,” he wrote. “When the truth doesn’t advance one side’s argument, then it is that attorney’s duty to not present truthful information — if they can. That is our system.”  The Pinal County Attorney’s Office has not yet commented on the order. Death penalty defendants are assigned two defense attorneys, designated as first and second chair. Long has always insisted — and still maintains —that he was qualified to be first chair, but the court ruled that he had not met one important requirement: that he had worked on a capital case to its conclusion, presumably as second chair.  Long claimed that a capital case he had prosecuted in his earlier job as deputy Pinal County Attorney met the bill. But that case ended in mistrial because of misconduct on Long’s part. Long also had received permission to defend capital cases from the Arizona Supreme Court, but only if he associated with an attorney who was death-qualified. The judge in Perez’s case ruled that he never did. After he was removed from Perez’s defense team, Procter’s mother, Christine Maples, filed a lawsuit against Long and the county. Long also filed a notice of claim against the county and the judge who removed him from the case. Then another case Long had prosecuted was brought to bear. A federal court judge had thrown out the conviction of a man accused of sexual conduct with a minor because Long had vouched for a jailhouse snitch, saying the snitch had received no benefit for his testimony, when in fact he was allowed to plead to a lesser sentence in exchange for testimony. That defendant, Fernando Almanza, filed suit against the county for wrongful conviction. In her order, Starr wondered why neither the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, knowing Long’s history, nor the judge had questioned his qualifications sooner. She also wondered why the court had not referred him to the State Bar for potential discipline. But the immediate problem was that Long was now under scrutiny not only for his actions as a prosecutor but also as a defense attorney, and that the county could ultimately be liable for his actions in both roles. “(I)n this case, the Maples lawsuit and Long’s Notice of Claim essentially implicate all the parties in Pinal County’s legal system,” she wrote in her order. The appearance of impropriety was too much. And the conflicts, real or perceived, could sway the outcome of the Perez and Ortiz trials, especially given the high profile of the cases. “Here, where two lawsuits have been filed based on Long’s conduct and Pinal County’s response to his conduct, and where Long has filed a Notice of Claim against a sitting Pinal County Judge, the possibility of public suspicion is great,” Starr wrote. “The Court finds that possibility so great that it outweighs the benefit of having (Pinal County Attorney’s Office) continue on as the prosecutors.” Then she turned to the court: “Here, given the allegations made in the Maples lawsuit, Almanza lawsuit, and Long’s Notice of Claim, such an observer would naturally doubt whether justice could be done if these cases are heard by (Pinal County Superior Court),” she wrote. “There is no need to find wrongdoing, and the Court finds none. But justice must not just be fair, but appear to be fair. Given the underlying facts here, the only way to achieve that end is to disqualify (Pinal County Superior Court).” The order did not specify what court or what prosecutor office will ultimately try the case. But it is a short list: only three Arizona counties try capital cases, and one has been disqualified. That leaves Yavapai and Maricopa Counties as possible venues. And before that happens, there is a likelihood that Pinal County will appeal the order and the cases will drag on further. Long had another suggestion. “Regardless of the facts, which remain in dispute, the only just outcome is the removal of the death notice. The fact that issue hasn’t been raised or argued should trouble anyone that values truth, justice or due process.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342c32c5335ae1047aa93 Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug, not its AI pivot te 2026-08-17T17:20:03.795Z Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug, not its AI pivot Feedly says a bug is behind the performance issues that have made its web app nearly "unusable" for some users, while complaints about its mobile apps and customer support are adding to frustrations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8340702c5335ae1047aa6f 47-year-old California pastor makes college football comeback decades after injury stifled career te 2026-08-17T17:10:08.783Z 47-year-old California pastor makes college football comeback decades after injury stifled career Nearly three decades after an injury cut his college football career short, a 47-year-old California pastor is putting the pads back on for an unlikely second shot at his on-field dream. "No one's going easy on me... and I'm not going easy on them," Justin Buzzard told "Fox & Friends First" co-host Todd Piro. "I'm giving them everything I've got, too." Buzzard, who recently made the San Jose City College Jaguars, said his much younger teammates have embraced him despite his initial uncertainty over how they would react to a 47-year-old joining the roster. RAVENS ARE SIGNING A 40-YEAR-OLD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TO PLAY HIS 19TH NFL SEASON AND IT IS AWESOME "I was really wondering, 'How are they going to handle... a 47-year-old guy showing up?' Are they going to receive me? Are they going to accept me? Will they try to go easy on me? Will they try to attack me? And they've been incredible." Also, a husband and dad of three, Buzzard must also balance his on-field ambitions with his family life — including a wife for 23 years who initially had some reservations about his return to the gridiron. "She told me actually a couple of weeks ago, she said, ‘I want you to make the team, but I don’t want you to play in any games,’" Buzzard recalled. "I told her those are some of the most hurtful words she’d ever told me in my life." TRAVIS KELCE INSISTS CHIEFS RETURN IN 2026 WAS NEVER IN DOUBT: 'HUNGRY TO GET BACK' Her outlook has since changed, however. Now all of her husband's games are on her calendar as she plans to cheer him on from the stands. Buzzard told NBC Bay Area that he got the idea to return to the field after his son highlighted a social media reel about a 60-year-old man playing the sport on the East Coast. To his surprise, reaching out to a coach at San Jose City College led to him lining up as a defensive end, the same position he once played years ago. For Buzzard, the comeback goes beyond football and family and into faith — something that has helped guide him through the unconventional journey. As he prays to stay healthy enough to "go the distance" and make it through the entire season, he remains eager to help his new team in every way possible. And for anyone else wondering whether it is too late to pursue a longstanding dream, Buzzard offered a simple message: "Risk or rust. You're either risking or you're rusting as a man. Take risks. Don't rust." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a833e192c5335ae1047aa31 Ella Langley's Texas photo dump sends country music fans into a frenzy online on Instagram te 2026-08-17T17:00:09.684Z Ella Langley's Texas photo dump sends country music fans into a frenzy online on Instagram Ella Langley has country fans in a frenzy on Instagram. As our loyal readers know, Langley has turned into an unstoppable star in the country music world. The "Nicotine" singer isn't just a star. She currently has no rivals when it comes to being the most popular woman in the genre. Whether it's racking up awards, selling out shows, dominating the charts or going viral, Langley can do it all. MORGAN WALLEN AND ELLA LANGLEY HOLD THE TOP TWO ALBUM SPOTS IN AMERICA FOR FIRST HALF OF 2026 The talented singer, once again, put her skills on display for the internet. Langley hopped on Instagram late Sunday to celebrate playing three shows in Texas, and there's something to note: Her hit song "Choosin' Texas" is currently the most popular song in the country. It makes sense that her shows down in the Lone Star State would be generating significant buzz. MORGAN WALLEN POKES FUN AT ELLA LANGLEY’S ONSTAGE MIX-UP, THEN REPEATS IT "Texas forever 🤍 Austin, Corpus Christi & Fort Worth… I’ll never forget these shows," the "Choosin' Texas" singer wrote in the caption. You can check out the awesome photo dump below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. One fan in the comments used the post to tie it back to Langley's hit song. An obvious opportunity that you can't miss. The fan wrote, "She’s choosin Texas." COUNTRY MUSIC STAR STIRS UP FANS WITH SEE-THROUGH WHITE OUTFIT, VIDEO EXPLODES ONLINE Another added, "She’s choosin’ Texas I can tell." Well played! A third fan commented, "An Absolute US National Treasure." I think it's safe to say many country music fans would agree. Langley's star is 100% only going to shine brighter, and that's a guarantee you can take to the bank. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a833bbe2c5335ae1047a9ec ‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths te 2026-08-17T16:50:06.842Z ‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths Dr. William Smock, medical director of the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, part of the Alliance for HOPE International, speaks to students about evidence and how to detect staged scenes during a mock crime scene exercise. This year, at least five states have considered “hidden homicide” legislation. (Photo courtesy of Gael Strack/Alliance for HOPE International) Families who believe local officials prematurely ruled their loved ones’ deaths suicides or accidents — rather than investigating whether domestic violence played a role — are pushing lawmakers in a growing number of states to require additional scrutiny. Advocates call the deaths “hidden homicides” — killings they say may be staged to look like suicides, overdoses or accidents and then overlooked by investigators. Some advocates argue that requiring additional investigative steps could prevent potential evidence from being lost before a case is closed. This year, lawmakers in at least five states — Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Oregon — have considered legislation aimed at identifying homicides or unexplained deaths involving domestic violence that might otherwise be misclassified. All of the bills have stalled in legislative committees amid concerns over financial and administrative constraints, including requirements for law enforcement training.  California in 2024 became the first state to enact a law addressing the issue when lawmakers approved Joanna’s Law, or Senate Bill 989, which took effect last year. The law requires police officers, in certain cases, to interview family members before determining the manner and cause of death and allows families to request a complete autopsy when specific indicators of domestic homicide are present. The law was inspired by the death of Joanna Lewis, whose family argued her death had been misclassified as a suicide. She had previously sought restraining orders against her husband, Mark Lewis, accusing him of domestic violence. Alliance for HOPE International, an anti-domestic violence advocacy organization that helped develop the legislation, said that case reflects broader concerns about how suspicious deaths involving intimate partner violence are investigated nationwide.  The group has also helped families conduct independent investigations into their loved ones’ deaths.  “We’ve come across some tremendous obstacles and have felt the pain and the frustration that family members have gone through,” said Gael Strack, co-founder of Alliance for HOPE International.  The group would also like to help introduce similar legislation in Alaska, Arizona and Nevada. Advocates acknowledge that not every suspicious death involving domestic violence is a homicide, but argue certain circumstances should prompt investigators to slow down and ask additional questions. “In many of our cases, they make a conclusion on the manner of death within 30 minutes of arriving at the scene. They don’t know anything about the family, the relationship, the history,” said Casey Gwinn, co-founder of Alliance for HOPE International. Advocates point to several reasons they believe deaths can be misclassified, including the limited number of autopsies, inconsistent death investigation practices and a lack of coordination among law enforcement, medical examiners, prosecutors and domestic violence experts. In many cases, advocates say, a death that appears to be a suicide is treated differently than a homicide investigation — meaning investigators may not conduct the same level of scene analysis, interviews or evidence collection. Families seeking answers also often face additional hurdles after a death is classified as a suicide or accident, some advocates say. They may struggle with obtaining police records, challenging a medical examiner’s findings or commissioning an independent investigation.  Among those pushing for legislation is Kellee Harris of Oregon, whose daughter, Kelsey Harris, was found dead in her Linn County home in 2021 a week after she had reported that her boyfriend had strangled her. Local authorities ruled Kelsey’s death a suicide. Harris says investigators failed to fully consider the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death, including the recent strangulation report and the history of abuse she says occurred in the relationship. “I just think that they wanted me to go away,” Harris told Stateline, referring to local authorities. “It’s real easy to slap a suicide determination on on a death, and then they don’t have to do anything else.” Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan told Stateline that her office stands by its determination that Kelsey died by suicide. Oregon lawmakers are now working to revive a proposal that stalled during this year’s legislative session. Democratic state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the original version of the legislation needed revisions after medical examiners and law enforcement raised concerns about its scope and cost. The earlier proposal was interpreted by some stakeholders as requiring significantly more autopsies, leading to concerns about the financial impact. Gelser Blouin said the next version, which she plans to introduce next year, will take a narrower approach. She plans to update the bill’s language to more explicitly require additional evaluation in certain domestic violence-related deaths rather than automatically requiring an autopsy. Those additional steps could include further documentation, toxicology testing, additional imaging or interviews before investigators determine the manner of death. Her goal, she said, is to make the death investigation process in the state more transparent in hopes of helping people find some sense of closure. “People want to do this, and they want to get it right. They don’t want us to pass a law that can’t be implemented because it’s too confusing or that makes it worse,” Gelser Blouin said. Duncan, the Linn County sheriff, said she generally supports efforts to strengthen Oregon’s death investigation system and said she would like to see more autopsies completed. But Duncan said she has concerns about making certain investigative steps mandatory in every case, such as requiring law enforcement to contact family members, because sometimes investigators are unable to locate next of kin. “There’s often people that we just can’t even find family for,” she said. Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83396a2c5335ae1047a9ab CNN staffers brace for Paramount CEO's potential plan to launch editorial board to oversee network te 2026-08-17T16:40:10.334Z CNN staffers brace for Paramount CEO's potential plan to launch editorial board to oversee network CNN staffers don't all appear to be enthusiastic about the idea of an editorial board overseeing the network if and when Paramount takes over its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. Fox News Digital confirmed that Paramount CEO David Ellison is mulling the creation of an editorial board if he takes ownership of CNN, which falls under the WBD umbrella. The editorial board and other potential safeguards would be put in place to "ease concerns over [CNN's] news operation’s independence," according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the internal discussions. "We always remain open to internal improvements to journalistic integrity," a Paramount spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital spoke with CNN staffers about what they think of the theoretical editorial board. PARAMOUNT ESCALATES THREAT TO LEAVE CALIFORNIA AS DEM AG'S ANTITRUST LAWSUIT STALLS WARNER BROS MERGER "I think we'd be fine with one," one CNN staffer reacted. "I mean editorial independence is always a good idea, however it is achieved... My colleagues just want the uncertainty gone." However, another CNN staffer chalked it up to "throwing spaghetti at a wall," calling a hypothetical editorial board "useless at best, paralyzing at worst." "I don’t even think it’s serious," the staffer told Fox News Digital. "I think it’s just a daily throw something at the wall to see if it’s enough." One senior CNN correspondent insists "no one" at the network has confidence that it will maintain its independence even if an editorial board is installed, pointing to the chumminess between the Ellisons and President Donald Trump. David Ellison's billionaire father — Oracle founder Larry Ellison — is a close ally of Trump who is financially backing the deal. CNN STAFFERS SEE PARAMOUNT MERGER AS 'INEVITABLE' DESPITE LEGAL BATTLE DELAYING ELLISON TAKEOVER "As of now, it's impossible to have confidence when the White House and President Trump himself refer to the Ellisons as friends and says he's looking forward to a change in leadership," they said. "Ellison seems to say whatever is necessary to get the merger across the finish line," the correspondent added, saying that the delay in the merger had brought a "sigh of relief" in the newsroom for the time being. "It felt at CNN as though everything was frozen — from hiring to talking about the future when the deal was imminent. Now, it feels slightly more normal." Notably, CNN CEO Mark Thompson, whose future at the network remains unclear if the merger goes through, previously floated an independent board as a barrier between CNN and Paramount, similar to ones established for British news organizations, according to Semafor and CNN's Brian Stelter. A spokesperson for CNN declined to comment. There has been speculation that California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the antitrust lawsuit hoping to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, wants Ellison to sell CNN in order for him to bless the deal in the Golden State, something Bonta has denied. However, as the Journal noted, the idea of the editorial board came before Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general filed the lawsuit. The trial for the suit is scheduled for next March, and Paramount is hoping to settle before then so the $111 billion merger goes through. Ellison has floated the company leaving California amid the merger fight. PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS DISCOVERY ANTITRUST TRIAL DATE SET; MERGER PUT ON PAUSE OVER LEGAL BATTLE Paramount's bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery would be a historic deal merging two major Hollywood studios under one corporate umbrella as well as all of their television networks, including CBS and CNN. Critics of the deal believe such a merger would crush the entertainment industry and lead to mass layoffs. Some have also been vocal against the deal due to the Ellison-Trump relationship. Liberal critics in particular also claim that, as a result of the deal, CNN would be given a MAGA-bent to its coverage, and it would be run by current CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has been criticized by some media liberals. The Paramount CEO has previously assured that CNN would maintain editorial independence following the merger. In a guest essay published in The New York Times, Ellison addressed the "speculation" about what would happen to CNN under his ownership. "I have regularly voted for candidates of both parties; I hold some views that would be called conservative and others that would be called liberal, just like most Americans; and when it comes to our news operations, I do not aspire to lead these companies to bend their newsrooms to my views. I believe that news should be based on facts and truth," Ellison wrote. "Great news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle," he added. "That requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339692c5335ae1047a9a2 House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp' te 2026-08-17T16:40:09.637Z House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp' Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, suggested in a post on X that Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., is an "ally" of the "swamp." Graham, who finished the Aug. 11 South Carolina GOP special U.S. Senate primary in first place, will go head-to-head against second-place finisher Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., in an Aug. 25 runoff. "Ralph Norman will work to drain the swamp. The swamp wants allies not adversaries. The swamp appointed an ally. These are the stakes in South Carolina," Davidson wrote in the Monday social media post. RUSSELL FRY ENDORSES EX-RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM AFTER FAILING TO ADVANCE TO SPECIAL GOP US SENATE PRIMARY RUNOFF South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham to fill the seat of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, last month in the wake of the senator's death. Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to Sen. Darline Graham's campaign on Monday. MARK LYNCH ENDORSES RALPH NORMAN AS CONGRESSMAN HEADS INTO RUNOFF AGAINST DARLINE GRAHAM President Donald Trump, who urged Graham to run and endorsed her prior to the special primary, is continuing to back her heading into the runoff contest. "SOUTH CAROLINA: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH. DARLINE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" the president declared in an Aug. 14 Truth Social post. DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY The president's post included an image of a post on X in which Rep. Russell Fry, who placed third in the South Carolina special GOP U.S. Senate primary, urged those who backed him in that contest to vote for Graham during the runoff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339682c5335ae1047a999 Walker Buehler takes the mound as red-hot San Diego Padres face Mets in series opener te 2026-08-17T16:40:08.948Z Walker Buehler takes the mound as red-hot San Diego Padres face Mets in series opener I had just one play on the diamond yesterday, and it was a no-doubt, no-sweat victory. This was mostly thanks to Edward Cabrera of the Cubs allowing seven runs in the first inning of the game. When you have a total of just 8.5 for the day, giving up seven in the first makes for a pretty comfortable rest of the game. The teams combined for 15 runs yesterday, and we cashed our ticket quickly. Tonight might not be as quick, but let's get a ticket cashed comfortably today as the Padres play against the Mets. The San Diego Padres are a team that I invested in around the All-Star Break, and they are starting to look like the investment has paid off. They are nine games above .500 and are sitting in second place in the NL West. They won't catch the Dodgers for the division, but if they keep this up, they should make the postseason without too much difficulty. They have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past 24 days. Since July 24th, they have gone 17-5. Tonight they look to keep that run alive by sending Walker Buehler to the hill. Buehler has been fine this season with a 7-5 record and a 4.88 ERA. He also has contributed 100 strikeouts and has a 1.43 WHIP. Buehler has struggled on the road with an ERA that is a full run higher than his homework. Buehler is a very frustrating pitcher because there are some stretches where you see just how good he can be — for example, in June he allowed five earned runs in five starts spanning 26.1 innings. Then in July, he allowed 16 earned runs in nine innings of work. He has been in one of his better stretches in August, allowing just five earned runs over 14.1 innings covering three starts. Mets hitters are batting .211 against him over 38 at-bats. The New York Mets are one of the more frustrating teams in baseball. I'm not a Mets fan, but it is hard to make sense of why the team falls apart. If you look at their roster on paper, you have to assume they would be a winning club. I suppose looking at the pitching staff would give you pause, but they've seen success with guys in the rotation in the past. Their stats are not that much worse than the Padres, but in terms of wins, they are 13 games under .500. NEW REPORT SUGGESTS THE NEW YORK METS ARE OPEN TO TRADING FRANCISCO LINDOR AMID DISASTROUS SEASON In order to try and take this series opener from the Padres, the Mets send Nolan McLean to the hill. He has been one of their better pitchers this season with an 8-8 record, 3.42 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP. He has also struck out 159 hitters in 136.2 innings of work. He has been worse in New York than on the road, with a 4.19 home ERA. He also has allowed double the number of homers. He has been strong over the past month or so. In his past eight starts, he has seven quality outings and allowed more than two earned runs in just two of them. Padres hitters are also batting just .176 against him in 18 at-bats. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM While both of these starters have been inconsistent at times in the season, they both seem to be in decent form at the moment. Neither team is really known for its offense this season, either. The Padres are certainly the hotter team at the moment. Now is the right time to back them. Buehler hasn't been great on the road, or overall, but I think we take the team that is on the hot streak and at plus money. Give me the Padres to win this one. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339622c5335ae1047a96d Amazon, once an online bookseller, is destroying rare books to train AI models te 2026-08-17T16:40:02.649Z Amazon, once an online bookseller, is destroying rare books to train AI models Rare books are incredibly valuable for training LLMs, since these models have already trained on whatever's available online. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8337142c5335ae1047a3b2 ICE Boston arrests Brazilian illegal alien wanted for murder days before Gov Healy signed Protect Act te 2026-08-17T16:30:12.327Z ICE Boston arrests Brazilian illegal alien wanted for murder days before Gov Healy signed Protect Act An illegal alien wanted for aggravated murder in Brazil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Massachusetts just two days before Democrat Gov. Maura Healey signed a law to block certain ICE operations in the state. Maycon Souto Dos Reis, 54, was convicted of aggravated murder in Brazil on Sept. 14, 2024 and sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison, when an arrest warrant was issued. The Brazilian national fled Brazil and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in June 2024, where he was apprehended but subsequently released into the United States under then-President Joe Biden's open-border policies, according to ICE. "This is yet another example of what the media often characterizes as a non-criminal, when in reality, many of these individuals are murderers, sexual predators, gang members and more: They simply do not have a criminal record in the United States," acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office Director David Wesling wrote in a statement. DEM GOVERNOR IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER TESTING LIMITS OF AUTHORITY WITH MAJOR MOVE AGAINST ICE "We will continue to pursue these dangerous criminal aliens that sanctuary politicians fight to protect." The timing of the Aug. 3 Boston-area arrest corresponded to Healey's Aug. 5 signing of the PROTECT Act, which keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, while also providing stronger protections for parents in case they are detained or deported, banning new 287(g) agreements and allowing civil rights claims to be made against government officials, including ICE agents. "The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court," Healey wrote Aug. 5 in a statement announcing the signing of the new restrictions on ICE operations in her state. "It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be." GOP SENATORS RALLY AROUND NEW DHS PROPOSAL TARGETING SANCTUARY CITIES: 'SHOULD PAY A PRICE' Dos Reis initially came to ERO Boston’s attention following his May 29 arrest for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in Southborough, Massachusetts. ICE officers arrested him Aug. 3 during a targeted operation at Westborough District Court in Westborough. ICE officials said Dos Reis had been living in Massachusetts, which has been at the center of clashes between state and federal officials over immigration enforcement. The agency characterized the jurisdiction as one where local policies can complicate federal efforts to locate and arrest immigration offenders. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER ICE did not provide additional details about the aggravated murder case in Brazil, including when the killing occurred or the circumstances surrounding Dos Reis’ conviction. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of deportation proceedings, the agency said. "DHS’s message is clear: If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, arrest you, and you will never return," ICE wrote in a release Monday, hailing President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin's actions to protect legal American citizens. "Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8334b22c5335ae1047a0a7 Groq raises $350M to fuel its pivot from AI chips to neocloud te 2026-08-17T16:20:02.328Z Groq raises $350M to fuel its pivot from AI chips to neocloud Groq raised $350 million at a $3.5 billion valuation as the former AI chipmaker pivots to a neocloud business and expands its Nvidia-powered data center footprint. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8332612c5335ae1047a07f GIANNO CALDWELL: Florida needs Byron Donalds to protect the DeSantis legacy te 2026-08-17T16:10:09.165Z GIANNO CALDWELL: Florida needs Byron Donalds to protect the DeSantis legacy When COVID hit in March 2020, I was living in Los Angeles. What I saw there changed the course of my life. It became clear almost immediately that local officials in California weren't following the science. They were following the politics. Every decision, every mandate, every shutdown got filtered through one lens: how do we use this crisis to fight back against Trump and Republicans? Californians paid for that calculation. Businesses shuttered. Kids lost years of school. Families lost everything they'd built. I watched it happen in real time. Florida went a different way. Governor Ron DeSantis stood firm. While Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed school closures, vaccine mandates, and business lockdowns, DeSantis said no. He signed executive orders and legislation suspending every local COVID mandate on Florida's citizens and businesses, and put into state law the presumption that schools stay open for in-person instruction. The pressure on him was relentless, from the left and from parts of the right. He didn't fold. THE REAL REASON AMERICANS ARE FLEEING BLUE STATES FOR FLORIDA AND TEXAS That's what made my decision. In May 2020, two months into the LA shutdown, I packed up and moved to Miami. I wasn't the only one. Ken Griffin moved Citadel, his multibillion-dollar firm, from Chicago to Miami. Major CEOs followed. Florida became the place serious people came when they were done waiting for their blue state to show any gravitas at all. I didn't agree with every decision Governor DeSantis made. But his tenure speaks for itself. In 2020, registered Democrats still outnumbered Republicans in Florida. Today, Republicans hold a registration advantage of more than 1.5 million voters, and they've expanded their share in all 67 counties. That didn't happen by accident. That happened because of leadership. Now DeSantis is term-limited, which raises a question that matters enormously, and not just to Floridians. Who carries this forward? I've known Congressman Byron Donalds for several years. I've watched him up close. He's the person Florida needs right now. I say that as the founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, an organization I built after my innocent teenage brother Christian was murdered in Chicago on June 24, 2022. Public safety isn't an abstraction to me. It's the reason I do this work. And it's the clearest place where Byron has distinguished himself. While the defund the police movement swept the country, Byron didn't equivocate. Carlos Arguelles, president of the Hispanic Police Officers Association of Miami-Dade, put it plainly in endorsing him: "During COVID, when the 'defund the police' movement was gaining momentum, Congressman Donalds stood up for law enforcement and doubled down on putting more boots on the ground. He has never been afraid to stand his ground." The Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed him too, representing more than 1,300 law enforcement executives, along with a majority of Florida's sheriffs. His Zero Tolerance public safety agenda would mandate full cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities at ICE and ban sanctuary policies statewide without exception. That last part is personal for me; Chicago has been a sanctuary city for over 40 years. Nearly 7,000 people have been murdered there in the last decade. I've spent four years asking Chicago's politicians to take that seriously. They haven't. Byron is promising Florida will never become that, and I believe him. ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ILLINOIS TEACHER LINKED TO TREN DE ARAGUA MASS SHOOTING He's also serious about the cost that hits Florida families hardest. Property insurance is the biggest affordability pressure in this state, and Byron says he believes he can bring rates down by as much as 20% by reforming Florida's property insurance regulatory framework. Byron grew up in Brooklyn. He came to Florida for college, graduated from Florida State, and built a career in banking and finance in Southwest Florida. He worked his way from local conservative activism to the Florida State House to Congress, where he's represented Florida's 19th District since 2021. President Trump's endorsement was unambiguous: "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida." House Speaker Mike Johnson called him "a principled conservative leader who Floridians can trust as their next governor." But the endorsement that says the most came this week from an unlikely place. Stephen A. Smith, a lifelong Democrat, said on his SiriusXM show: "I ain't no Republican. But if anybody could make me one, it would be him. He's the real deal. Make no mistake about it. I've seen him battling with Democrats. He ain't backing up. He knows his stuff." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION When a lifelong Democrat says a Republican is the real deal, people pay attention. Congressman Donalds could bring in a new crop of voters like Stephen A. Smith who've traditionally voted for Democrats but are now concerned their party has gone extremely far left. Look at the rhetoric the Democratic Socialists of America are using. Abolish prisons and police. It's crazy talk that's running away traditional Democrats. What I can tell you from knowing Byron personally is something no endorsement captures. He's a man of strong morals and genuine character. I've seen it for myself. When he speaks he means what he says. In a political environment full of people who say whatever the moment requires, that's rarer than it should be. Florida is ground zero for conservative values in America. The next governor either protects what's been built here or lets it erode. Byron Donalds will protect it. The primary is Tuesday, August 18. If you're a Florida voter, go vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8332602c5335ae1047a076 Texas dad faces murder charge after estranged wife found dead at suburban home: Police te 2026-08-17T16:10:08.468Z Texas dad faces murder charge after estranged wife found dead at suburban home: Police A man in Texas was arrested after allegedly murdering his estranged wife while their kids were home, according to police. Jake Bigoni, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday after officers performing a welfare check for his estranged wife, Eliana Bigoni, discovered her dead inside his Plano, Texas, apartment. He was initially booked on a felony abuse of corpse charge before authorities later added a murder charge, police said in a news release. Authorities initiated the welfare check after one of Eliana's friends reported that she had not appeared for a scheduled breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and could not be reached, according to an arrest warrant obtained by FOX 4. The friend informed authorities that Jake and Eliana Bigoni were separated and that Eliana had been on her way to pick up their 2 and 5-year-old children. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The two were in the process of a divorce when Bigoni was found dead. Jake Bigoni's mother later called police, saying her son had phoned her and allegedly said, "I have something to tell you. She's dead. We got in a fight and she's dead." SEND US A TIP Upon arriving at Jake Bigoni's apartment, officers allegedly observed what appeared to be a large blood stain on his shirt, which he said the was the result of cleaning. Eliana Bigoni's body would be found in the trunk of a white Hyundai in the apartment's garage, with officials adding she had major damage to her head and face. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Police said the couple's children were in the apartment during the alleged murder and weren't harmed. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS According to the report, Jake Bigoni allegedly has a history of violent behavior. Jake Bigoni is being held in jail with no bond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8330092c5335ae1047a028 Russian state economist fired after stark warning about Moscow’s economic future te 2026-08-17T16:00:09.883Z Russian state economist fired after stark warning about Moscow’s economic future A prominent Russian state economist was fired after publicly warning that Moscow is losing an economic "war of attrition" with the West and could eventually face a social crisis, as the European Union prepares a major expansion of sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial base. The episode goes beyond an internal Kremlin personnel shake-up. For Washington and its European allies, the central question is whether years of economic pressure are beginning to constrain Moscow’s ability to sustain the war — or whether Russia can continue absorbing the costs while replenishing the resources needed to fight. Andrei Klepach, chief economist at state development bank VEB.RF, was dismissed after remarks in which he said Russia was falling behind technologically and economically and suffering mounting costs from the war in Ukraine, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Aug. 17. RUSSIA’S ‘AMAZON’ IN DEEP-STRIKE UKRAINE BLITZ, WIPING BILLIONS FROM PUTIN-LINKED CEO VEB confirmed to Reuters that Klepach was no longer its chief economist but did not give a reason for his departure. Klepach, who had held the position since 2014 after spending a decade at Russia’s Economy Ministry, also confirmed his dismissal. "We are falling behind. We are losing both the technological and economic competition in the world," Klepach said in a May speech to the Nikitsky Club, a forum of economists, academics and government officials. The remarks were delivered in May but did not draw attention in Russian media until last week. "And we are losing it not only to China and the United States, in some ways we are losing it to Ukraine too," he said, attributing Ukraine’s resilience in part to continued financial backing from the West. "We will not win the competition in this war of attrition," Klepach said. "We have the illusion that everything there [in Ukraine] will collapse. It has not collapsed and will not collapse. Our costs are mounting." Klepach acknowledged that Russia had proved resilient to Western sanctions but warned that Ukrainian attacks on energy and logistics infrastructure were creating additional economic pressure. Reuters noted that Russia’s central bank said in July that economic growth could fall as low as zero this year, while repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and other facilities have caused supply disruptions and added to inflation risks. BRINGING THE WAR TO PUTIN’S FRONT DOOR: IS UKRAINE’S ENERGY STRIKE STRATEGY WORKING? "Economically we will not collapse, but our lag will continue to grow, with all the resulting consequences," Klepach said, predicting that Russia could face a social crisis "precisely when nobody is particularly expecting it." A European intelligence source told Fox News Digital that Russia’s deeper economic problems should not be confused with immediate financial pressure on Putin. The source said higher oil prices had helped Moscow cover more of its budget deficit and could give the Kremlin additional time before economic constraints begin forcing difficult choices over the war. "It doesn’t solve the fundamental economic problems in Russia, but from a budgetary point of view, Putin is okay actually," the source said. "He’s not under pressure." The source argued that this could delay expectations that deteriorating economic and budget conditions would eventually pressure Putin to end the war, potentially allowing Moscow to continue fighting "another spring" or "another season." The assessment adds a counterpoint to Klepach’s warning: Russia may be losing ground economically over the longer term while still retaining enough near-term revenue to sustain its war effort. The warning comes as the European Union prepares to intensify its economic pressure on Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Germany’s Die Welt that she plans to propose what she called the "most far-reaching sanctions listings since the start of the war." Kallas said existing EU sanctions had deprived Russia’s war machine of more than $1.16 trillion, , a figure presented by Kallas and reported by Reuters on Aug. 17. EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that the bloc’s diplomatic service is expected to propose sanctions against approximately 1,600 additional Russian individuals and entities, with a particular focus on the country’s military-industrial complex. 'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET The measures are expected to include asset freezes along with travel and transaction bans. Officials plan to present the list to EU governments in early September and aim for adoption in October. Inside Russia, authorities also moved Monday against one of the country’s remaining prominent liberal opposition figures. Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of the Yabloko party, was sentenced to 11 years and one month in a penal colony, independent Russian outlet Mediazona reported. Shlosberg was accused of ‘discrediting Russia’s armed forces and spreading false information’ about them. Shlosberg, who described the war during his trial as a catastrophe for Russia, maintained his innocence and said the case against him was political. He also repeated his call for a ceasefire. The sentencing came a week after Russia’s Supreme Court barred Yabloko from participating in next month’s parliamentary election. Meanwhile, attacks continued through the weekend and into Monday. Russian strikes targeted port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Izmail district in the Odesa region overnight, according to Ukrainian authorities. A separate strike damaged a civilian Togo-flagged vessel and injured four people. Across the border, a Ukrainian drone attack killed a woman and struck an industrial facility in Russia’s southern Astrakhan region, the regional governor said. Separately, ArcelorMittal said a Russian missile strike on its Kryvyi Rih steel plant over the weekend killed two employees and injured three employees and contractors, damaging major energy and blast-furnace facilities and partially halting production. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832daf2c5335ae10479fec Cursed: All four of the Arizona Cardinals first four draft picks are injured, with two out for the season te 2026-08-17T15:50:07.858Z Cursed: All four of the Arizona Cardinals first four draft picks are injured, with two out for the season The Arizona Cardinals are in rebuild mode (again), with a new head coach and a quiver of promising draft picks, but their roster reconstruction has gone sideways mere weeks into the start of training camp because their top four rookies are all injured. Arizona's first round pick is injured. The second round pick is out for the season. The third round pick is injured. The fourth round pick is out for the season. The Cardinals had seven selections in the April NFL draft. A majority are injured. The Cursedinals. HOUSTON TEXANS STAR PRACTICES IN PADS FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER 2024 CAREER-THREATENING INJURY The latest of the bad news is that running back Jeremiyah Love, the third player taken in the first round of the draft, is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. And, this isn't just a tweak. Love is likely to miss the remainder of the preseason and his availability for the start of the season is in question. That news comes hours after head coach Mike LaFleur announced that guard Chase Bisontis, the team's second round pick and the 34th player taken in the draft, is going to miss the entire season. LaFleur told reporters over the weekend that Bisontis would be placed on the Injured Reserve list, which by NFL rules means he's automatically out for the entire season when the designation is applied in the preseason. Bisontis suffered an MCL injury in his left knee in last Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will require surgery. "He will be out for a good amount of time, if not the whole year," LaFleur said. "Sucks for him. Always think about the player first. Sucks for the Cardinals too. He's a good player, but more importantly, you hate it for the player." The sucking is not stopping for the Cardinals. Quarterback Carson Beck, the team's third-round pick, had a good preseason debut in the Hall of Fame game two weeks ago. He completed 15 of 19 passes with a touchdown pass, suggesting he should be included in the team's competition for the starting quarterback job. But, nope. Beck injured his ribs in the game and has not practiced since. He missed the preseason game against the Raiders as well. LaFleur has been coy about giving the exact status of the injury — whether there was a fracture or there is ligament or other soft tissue damage. He's only offered that Beck has experienced "soreness." But that soreness has left Beck's status uncertain for practice this week and Saturday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. 49ERS QUARTERBACK HOSPITALIZED AFTER STRUGGLING TO BREATHE IN FIRST GAME IN NEARLY 2 YEARS Then there is fourth-round pick Kaleb Proctor, who was placed on preseason IR the first day the club reported for training camp on July 22. Proctor injured a knee during an Organized Team Activity session in June. He reportedly tore his meniscus and has required surgery. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM So Proctor is also out for the year. The only bit of encouraging news out of any of this is that Love and Beck are expected to return at some point. Love suffered a "mild high ankle sprain," per Dr. David Chao, OutKick's medical expert and the founder of Sports Injury Central. Chao said "the hope" is Love can be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, but that is to be determined. The problem with ankle sprains is that coming back too early often leads to re-aggravating the weakened ankle, making the situation worse. This pandemic of injuries to the rookie class is not normal. The Cardinals are the only NFL team that are managing injuries to more than half their draft picks. It's almost as if they're cursed. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832daf2c5335ae10479fe3 NFL cornerback, 28, retires days after signing with new team te 2026-08-17T15:50:07.195Z NFL cornerback, 28, retires days after signing with new team NFL defensive back Sam Webb appeared to hang up his cleats after playing one preseason game with the New York Giants this season. The Giants placed Webb on the Reserve/Retired List on Sunday, one day after New York lost to the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants signed Webb on Thursday and he only had one practice with the team going into the preseason affair. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Webb, 28, was a standout at Missouri Western State before he turned pro. He joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, playing in 17 games for them and recording 36 tackles with three pass break-ups. He had a stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 before re-joining the Raiders in 2024. In his second stint in Las Vegas, Webb played in 11 games and had one tackle. He found himself with the Cleveland Browns in 2025. He played in seven games, had eight tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Webb played 14 snaps in the Giants’ preseason game against the Vikings. But it appeared it was more than enough for him. He had joined the Giants five days after being released by the Denver Broncos. The Giants are hoping their secondary can turn around after a middle-of-the-road season in 2025. New York was 16th in pass defense with about 214 passing yards allowed per game. The team signed Greg Newsome II to help with that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b5a2c5335ae10479f9f Virginia police seek others who fired shots in Virginia State University shooting that wounded 5 te 2026-08-17T15:40:10.145Z Virginia police seek others who fired shots in Virginia State University shooting that wounded 5 Police are seeking additional people who fired weapons during a shooting at Virginia State University that wounded five, as investigators work to determine whether the other shooters were aggressors or acting in self-defense. The new development came as a 19-year-old suspect, who was not a student, remained jailed without bond and Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah addressed the campus community Sunday evening, saying the investigation was still underway and the university was cooperating with local, state and federal law enforcement. The university said police would maintain an increased presence on campus as the investigation continued. POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST AFTER 5 WOUNDED IN VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING: REPORT Investigators have not said how many other people fired weapons during the shooting or publicly identified those they are seeking. Lt. James Lamb, commander of the Chesterfield County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, told The Associated Press that detectives were still working to identify them and determine their roles in the gunfire. "We don’t have specific locations that we are looking [at] yet as we are working on identifying them," Lamb told AP in an email. Virginia State University is a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, about 24 miles south of the state capital of Richmond. The public university has about 5,700 students and was the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23 and only one of them — a male, 20, with non‑life‑threatening injuries — was a student at the university, according to police. A non-student male, 21, sustained critical injuries, while a male, 23; a female, 19; and a male, 17, have non‑life‑threatening injuries. TOLEDO POLICE NAME SUSPECT KA NYE TAYLOR IN FESTIVAL SHOOTING THAT INJURED 12, HUNT SECOND GUNMAN The shooting erupted at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the university’s Quad Annexes residential area. Virginia State University police and Chesterfield County officers responding to the scene found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside campus residence halls. The shooting prompted a lockdown that was later lifted after authorities said there was no immediate threat to the campus community. Police later arrested Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, after officers found him hiding in a closet inside Seward Hall, a campus residence hall, at about 4 p.m. Saturday — more than 14 hours after the shooting and several hours after the lockdown had been lifted. Harris, who police said is not a Virginia State student, faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was being held without bond at the Chesterfield County jail and was due in state court Monday. The 20-year-old Virginia State University student was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from the hospital. A 21-year-old man remained in critical condition, while the other victims were expected to recover, according to police and university officials. In his Sunday night message, Abdullah said "the investigation remains ongoing" and thanked university police as well as the other law enforcement agencies assisting in the case. He acknowledged the concern the shooting had caused among parents and families and said student and campus safety remained among the university’s highest priorities. Virginia State remains a "strong and resilient community," his statement concluded. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b592c5335ae10479f96 Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea te 2026-08-17T15:40:09.498Z Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea The operations director for a controversial leftist congresswoman downplayed the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to related charges last week. "You’ll never convince me that Luigi is a villain while everyone in the Epstein files is roaming free," Briana Rose Lee said Friday on X after Mangione pleaded guilty to interstate stalking resulting in death and cyberstalking/use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is currently seeking re-election for her fifth term in Congress. Lee's X bio says she does "operations" for the progressive congresswoman. Her LinkedIn profile confirms she has been working for Omar since January 2024, and that she is the former chairwoman of the Minneapolis Democratic-Farm-Labor (DFL) party. "On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," Mangione told the court during last week's proceedings. "I knew what I was doing." LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON Thompson, a husband, father-of-two and the top executive at UnitedHealthcare, was a Minnesota resident who lived in the suburbs of Minneapolis — just outside of Omar's district. He was in New York City for business at the time of his death. Lee faced some backlash for her post. "You know you have sold your soul for your political beliefs when you are supporting an assassin who murdered a Minnesota father in cold blood," one X user said in a reply to the post. "You and many others need to seek help." "This comment perfectly highlights the mental illness plaguing the Democratic Party. Completely ignorant and psychotic," said another. 'THE VIEW' HOSTS CALL OUT CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT SHOOTING WAS STAGED, WARN AGAINST MAKING SHOOTER A MARTYR "Luigi changed nothing about our healthcare system. And he killed an innocent man," wrote a third. Omar's office and campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on her staffer downplaying the killing of a Minnesotan. Other leftists kined Lee in dismissing Mangione's actions, including one well-known podcaster who served as the national press secretary for independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his short-lived 2020 presidential campaign. "Talking about Luigi as a 'killer' without mentioning the tens of thousands of deaths Brian Thompson was responsible for is manufacturing consent for corporate genocide,'" Briahna Joy Gray wrote on X. "The problem with cops is their selective enforcement of crime. It’s about protecting monied interests. Not you." FORMER HOUSE INTEL LEADER POINTS TO DEM RHETORIC 'ENCOURAGING' VIOLENCE; EIGHTH MAN CHARGED IN UFC TERROR PLOT Gray's post drew the ire of at least one elected Democrat. "Luigi Mangione is a cold-blooded assassin who belongs in prison for the rest of his life," said Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., from his personal X account. "Any civilization that lionizes a cold-blooded murderer has forfeited the right to call itself civilized." In response, Gray referred to Torres as a "baby killing Zionist coward." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b552c5335ae10479f7e City of Flagstaff to hold community meeting for JW Powell extension project te 2026-08-17T15:40:05.024Z City of Flagstaff to hold community meeting for JW Powell extension project Scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Flagstaff Aquaplex (1702 N. Fourth St.), the meeting will allow community members to learn more about the project. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8329012c5335ae10479f50 Andy Beshear calls socialism a 'failed experiment' as poll finds Dems view it more favorably than capitalism te 2026-08-17T15:30:09.400Z Andy Beshear calls socialism a 'failed experiment' as poll finds Dems view it more favorably than capitalism Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called socialism a "failed experiment" on Sunday, addressing a new poll that found socialism was viewed more favorably than capitalism by Democrats. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe asked Beshear about a CBS poll that found 58% of Democrats have a positive view of socialism, compared to just 32% who have a positive view of capitalism. "What I make of it is that people are struggling. They're struggling because the cost of groceries is too high. The cost of gas is too high. It's too hard to see a doctor, and when you do, the cost of that is too high as well. They're not asking for a lot," Beshear said on "Face the Nation." He continued, "And right now, they're seeing a system that doesn't work for them. Now, I believe socialism is a failed experiment, but I do believe that we need to get results for the American people, and I think when you look at Democratic governors, you see those results." CAPITALISM IS ABOUT INCENTIVES. STOPPING THE STUPIDITY OF SOCIALISM IS A BIG INCENTIVE Beshear cited some of his work in Kentucky and said Americans just want to see results. "I think Beshear is right about the frustration, but the rise in support for socialism shouldn’t be mistaken for a sudden ideological conversion," author and psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital in a statement about Beshear's comments and the CBS polling. "That frustration creates fertile ground for socialism because socialism offers a very seductive message: The system is rigged, your struggles aren’t your responsibility, and government can make things fair. When people feel stuck or powerless, that can be an appealing promise," Alpert said. "The danger for Democrats is confusing economic frustration with a mandate for socialism. There’s a huge difference between voters saying, 'Capitalism isn’t working for me' and saying, 'I want socialism.' Democrats would be smart to address the first without embracing the second," he continued. O'Keefe asked the Kentucky governor about a big and bold idea he was promoting, noting another portion of the CBS poll that found Democrats want their leaders pushing to make big changes. "Well, I'll give you two because people want you to fix the darn economy, and they want you to fix the darn government. On the economy, it is time for an aspirational investment in housing that can bring down the cost of especially first-time home ownership," he said. Beshear said fixing the government meant outlawing partisan redistricting, "enshrine part of the Voting Rights Act right there in the Constitution" and instituting term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. "It should also overturn Citizens United, and I think call for direct elections of the president and the vice president. That could actually make things work. A big idea that would, yes, change government, but in a way enshrined in the Constitution where people would know it's going to get better," he added. "I didn't realize you support abolishing the Electoral College. If you're saying direct election of the president and vice president," O'Keefe said. KAMALA HARRIS IS THE 'FAIRLY OBVIOUS' 2028 PRESIDENTIAL FRONTRUNNER, DEMOCRATIC INSIDERS SAY Beshear responded, "Yeah, I've said it a number of times, and it's because in Kentucky we will never see a candidate for president or vice president unless they're from here. Why? Because people just expect that it'll go one way or the other. It's the idea that someone would get elected not just knowing about seven states, but having to earn votes all over the United States. I certainly think it's time." Former Vice President Kamala Harris also recently expressed wanting to change the Electoral College. Both Harris and Beshear are considered potential presidential contenders for the Democratic Party in 2028. However, Beshear said he was still deciding on whether he was planning to run during the interview. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Kentucky Republican National Committee and Kentucky Democratic National Committee did not immediately return Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8329002c5335ae10479f47 Tom Brady says too many NFL players are 'looking for easy ways out' by skipping preseason games te 2026-08-17T15:30:08.686Z Tom Brady says too many NFL players are 'looking for easy ways out' by skipping preseason games Tom Brady has a message for NFL players who would rather spend the preseason safely watching from the sideline. Get in the game. The seven-time Super Bowl champion took a shot at the increasingly common practice of established players sitting out exhibition games after a fan shared an old clip of Brady playing deep into a 2010 New England Patriots preseason game. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Brady reposted the video to his Instagram Story and made his feelings pretty clear. "Preseason… Regular season… I never wanted to be taken off the field. Practice makes perfect," Brady wrote. "Too many people looking for easy ways out these days." The clip came from an Aug. 26, 2010 preseason game against the then-St. Louis Rams, when Brady played through New England's first offensive series of the fourth quarter. He finished 18-of-22 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and a perfect 158.0 passer rating. One of those touchdowns was a 65-yard strike to Randy Moss. It’s not like he needed to prove himself worthy of a spot on an NFL roster, either. At this point, Brady already had three Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVP awards. BILL BELICHICK CONFIRMS FEUD WITH TOM BRADY WAS FICTION, PRAISES HIS QUARTERBACK'S LEADERSHIP FROM DAY ONE Of course, there's a perfectly reasonable argument for keeping stars out of meaningless preseason games. The NFL now plays 17 regular-season games, and coaches understandably aren't thrilled about risking the health of multimillion-dollar players in August. Brady, apparently, does not care for that argument. "When you're a football player, and it's football season, your job is to play football," he concluded. Sure, this could be dismissed as a classic "kids these days" moment from a retired quarterback yelling at the younger generation to get off his lawn and work harder. Then again, Brady put his seven Super Bowl rings where his mouth is. So maybe there’s something to it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8328fa2c5335ae10479f27 Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump’s Appeal of $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Payment te 2026-08-17T15:30:02.694Z Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump’s Appeal of $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Payment The court declined President Trump’s long-shot request that it reconsider his appeal. He has separately asked the court to overturn a much larger 2024 award. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a92c5335ae10479dd1 GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices te 2026-08-17T15:20:09.763Z GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices A top House GOP firebrand is accusing a multibillion-dollar global corporation of injecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the U.S. economy at a time when Americans are struggling with rising cost of living. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, who chairs the House Oversight Committee's Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, is targeting McKinsey & Company in a new probe over DEI reports that he says were "highly influential in American corporations." He's accusing the massive consulting firm of publishing reports that say race- and gender-based hiring practices are beneficial to U.S. companies, which he argues are a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Meanwhile, Americans are at the mercy of many of the same companies as they grapple with high prices across housing, food, and other areas. GEORGIA GOP GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL VOWS TO 'BAN DEI' IN STATE BUT HIS OWN NONPROFIT URGED CEOS TO INVEST IN IT "These McKinsey reports have been highly influential, being cited by publicly traded companies, asset managers, proxy advisory firms, and banking institutions, among others, as cause for embedding illegal racial and sex-based targets into hiring, promotion, executive compensation, and asset manager proxy voting policies," Gill wrote in a letter sent Monday. "With the support of the previous administration, progressive activists cited McKinsey’s reports to push companies, governments, and stock exchanges to implement rules which forced or incentivized illegal corporate racial or gender-based hiring and disclosure policies." Gill also questioned whether the findings of that report were legitimate. "Although in 2024 McKinsey stated that it 'stands by its findings,' other researchers have found zero statistical correlation between a company’s gender and racial diversity and its financial performance," the letter said. "Racial discrimination in the employment context, including under the guise of DEI, has been pervasive despite being plainly illegal for over half a century." LEGAL EXPERT CALLS FOR SMITHSONIAN LEADERSHIP OVERHAUL OVER ‘SELF-LOATHING’ PORTRAYAL OF HISTORY: ‘IT’S BILE’ It comes just after Gill's panel led high-profile hearings into the Smithsonian Institute's teaching of American history, bringing national attention to what Republicans are calling a warped and politicized version of the U.S. Gill accused National Museum of American History director Anthea Hartig of pushing a left-wing ideological agenda rather than facilitating a straightforward education on the country's past. Hertig stood by the museum's teachings, which she called apolitical. In the letter sent Monday, Gill cited a 2026 White House Economic Report that said DEI initiatives cost the U.S. economy roughly $94 billion in 2023. He also pointed out that four reports published by McKinsey between 2015 and 2023 argued that companies with increased racial and gender diversity financially outperformed companies without. NEW YORK TIMES SUED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGED 'DEI-RELATED' EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION "Researchers assessing the McKinsey DEI studies cannot recreate the results and also find that McKinsey likely swapped the cause and effect of its DEI conclusions," Gill wrote. "The Executive Office of the President has identified $94 billion in annual economic costs to the U.S. economy due to promotion of otherwise illegal race and gender-based hiring practices, perhaps in part motivated by the findings of McKinsey’s DEI reports that are partially inaccurate or wholly incorrect." McKinsey's corporate website states, "The business case for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion is strong and growing stronger." The website estimated that the national GDP would go up by $12 trillion if the workforce gender gap is narrowed by 2025, but no update appears to be provided. Another statistic cites $2 billion in additional revenue "if financial inclusion efforts broaden services for black Americans." Fox News Digital reached out to the company for comment on Gill's letter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a92c5335ae10479dc8 Pro-life publisher facing demands to retract calling abortion ‘killing’ fires back: ‘The answer is No’ te 2026-08-17T15:20:09.062Z Pro-life publisher facing demands to retract calling abortion ‘killing’ fires back: ‘The answer is No’ EXCLUSIVE: A prominent pro-life organization is refusing demands to remove years of abortion-related reporting and to issue sweeping retractions after attorneys representing 13 abortion-rights advocates accused it of publishing false and defamatory claims about their pregnancies. "The answer is ‘No,’" attorneys for Live Action wrote in a fiery response obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital ahead of its public release Monday. The Thomas More Society, representing Live Action, argues that much of the disputed coverage is constitutionally protected speech, including the organization's use of terms such as "killing" to describe abortion, and signals that it is prepared to defend Live Action in court if the dispute escalates. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUP "Live Action will not cease reporting on abortion," the response says, rejecting demands to delete its archive, publish sweeping retractions or agree to restrictions on future coverage. Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at Thomas More Society, told Fox News Digital that he believes the dispute raises a fundamental free-speech issue. "The other side's argument is that somehow, by using the word kill or calling abortion killing, that you have a problem that you can create that could then be remedied in court," Breen said. "The issue is every single final court decision to deal with this has previously said that's not defamatory," he added. "It's not legally wrong to call abortion killing." BABYLON BEE SUES NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OVER LAW REQUIRING AI DISCLAIMERS ON POLITICAL SATIRE Amplify Legal's July 15 cease-and-desist, however, alleges that the dispute goes beyond Live Action's use of terms such as "killing." Amplify, which represents 13 people featured in Live Action coverage, accused the outlet of publishing false factual claims about their pregnancies, fetal diagnoses and medical circumstances and demanded that Live Action remove articles and social media posts and issue a public apology and retractions. Amplify Legal responded Monday, telling Fox News Digital that its objections concern statements it says Live Action made about families facing wanted pregnancies. "Live Action has repeatedly accused grieving families with wanted pregnancies of ‘wanting to kill’ their babies. These statements are both inaccurate and cruel," Amplify Legal said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Asked whether Amplify intends to sue following Live Action's rejection of its demands, the group stopped short of committing to litigation. "As our clients’ lawyers, we will be weighing all of their options," the statement said. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTIO Among the examples cited by Amplify is Kate Cox, a Texas woman who sought an abortion after her unborn child was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Amplify says Live Action repeatedly disputed whether the diagnosis meant Cox's daughter was certain to die. Cox, whose case made national headlines after she asked the Texas Supreme Court for permission to obtain an abortion was denied and later left the state to have the procedure, was a guest of former first lady Jill Biden at the 2024 State of the Union Address. Amplify further says Live Action failed to contact its clients or their medical providers for comment before publication. "The lying, bullying, and complete disregard for the truth must end now," Amplify Litigation Director Molly Duane said when announcing the demand in July. "What they are doing is not only cruel — it's illegal." GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS Live Action's attorneys dispute Amplify's allegations, but say the organization remains willing to consider specific factual challenges through its normal editorial corrections process. Courts have previously confronted similar rhetoric in the abortion debate. In a 2023 case cited by the Thomas More Society, the Texas Supreme Court considered statements by an anti-abortion activist who characterized abortion-rights organizations as criminal and equated abortion with murder. The court held that the challenged statements were "protected opinion about abortion law made in pursuit of changing that law," placing them "at the heart of protected speech under the United States and Texas Constitutions." The court also cited a 1988 Illinois appellate decision, Van Duyn v. Smith, rejecting a defamation claim involving a poster that used the term "prenatal killing" to describe abortion. Ilya Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital that he believes Amplify's demand runs headlong into First Amendment protections for political debate. GOP RISING STAR DEMANDS ABORTION ADVOCATE NAME ‘FAVORITE’ METHOD IN HEARING CLASH "Amplify Legal's demand letter is legally frivolous activism," Shapiro said. "One side says ‘abortion is murder.’ The other side says denying women the right to abortion takes us to a dystopian Handmaid's Tale. These are opinions, and opinions by definition aren't defamatory." Shapiro went further, arguing that describing an abortion as "killing" does not become defamatory merely because the terminology is fiercely disputed. "In short, you can't criminalize or make someone civilly liable for the standard give and take of heated political debate," he said. Lila Rose, Live Action founder and president, told Fox News Digital that the organization would not change its language in response to the threatened legal action. "Abortion is an act of killing. It deliberately ends the life of a living human child," Rose said. "Americans have every right to say that openly and forcefully, without fear of being dragged into court for refusing to adopt the deceptive language preferred by abortion activists." Rose said the organization would continue using such language regardless of the legal threat. "Threats will not stop us from calling abortion what it is or from fighting for the right of every child to live," she said. "We will keep fighting, and we will win." The letter warns that Live Action could seek attorneys' fees and sanctions if a lawsuit is filed and directs Amplify and its clients to preserve potentially relevant records and communications. Asked whether the Thomas More Society was effectively telling Amplify and its clients, "Go ahead, sue us," Breen stopped short of inviting a lawsuit, but didn't back away. "Certainly, the courthouse door is open," Breen told Fox News Digital. Breen said the Thomas More Society does not want its clients dragged into litigation, but is confident in Live Action's position. "We're not going to back down from that," he said. "If it comes, we will be very, very well-prepared." Amplify, for its part, told Fox News Digital that it is "weighing all of [its clients'] options." For Breen, the next move belongs to Amplify. "The ball is in the other side's court," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a82c5335ae10479dbf Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36 te 2026-08-17T15:20:08.297Z Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36 Hollywood stars are mourning the death of Hayden Panettiere. Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville" and the "Scream" franchise, died Sunday at 36, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen," her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided to ABC News. HAYDEN PANETTIERE DEAD AT 36 Following news of her death, friends, former co-stars and fellow celebrities shared emotional tributes to the actress on social media. Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 movie "Custody," remembered the actress as an "amazing talent" and reflected on the time they spent working together. HAYDEN PANETTIERE: A LIFE IN PICTURES Davis wrote on Instagram that she and her husband, Julius Tennon, "loved working" with Panettiere, describing her as an "old, wise soul" with a deep heart. The Oscar winner said she wished the world had been given more time with Panettiere and reflected on watching the actress rebuild her life through difficult periods. "You will be remembered," Davis wrote before offering prayers for Panettiere's family and daughter. "One Tree Hill" actress Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, recalling that she had known her since childhood and expressing disbelief over her death. "I’m crushed," Lenz wrote on Instagram. "I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen." Lenz recalled Panettiere running through the halls of Screen Gems Studios as a child, describing her as remarkably perceptive and talented even at a young age. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE "Her intelligence was astonishing," Lenz wrote. "She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera." The actress said she and Panettiere remained connected on and off for nearly three decades, comparing their relationship to cousins who would reconnect at family reunions. Although the two repeatedly made plans to get together, Lenz said those meetings never quite happened, and she largely kept up with Panettiere through mutual friends. "I dont understand how this is real," Lenz wrote. "Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life." Lenz also expressed regret over the times she did not reach out and shared her heartbreak for Panettiere’s daughter. "These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years," she wrote alongside photos of them over the years. "I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Other celebrities and former co-stars also reacted to Panettiere's death. "Scream VI" co-star Melissa Barrera shared a brief tribute on Instagram Stories, writing, "Rest in peace sweet Hayden." Selma Blair left a series of emotional comments on Panettiere's final Instagram post, pleading, "Don't be gone." David Arquette, who appeared with Panettiere in "Scream 4," also shared his heartbreak, writing on his Instagram Story, "Sending my love to Hayden and her family," he wrote. "She was such a brave and brilliant soul." Rosie O’Donnell shared her shock in a brief Instagram reaction, writing, "Oh my god — heartbroken." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Podcaster Jay Shetty reflected on a friendship with Panettiere that he said had only recently begun. "I can’t believe it," Shetty wrote in a comment on Variety's Instagram. "Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans." Panettiere's cause of death has not been publicly announced. Fox News Digital's Stephen Solace and Tracy Wright contributed to this post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a22c5335ae10479d9f Nvidia investing $1.5B in SoftBank data center developer behind OpenAI project te 2026-08-17T15:20:02.556Z Nvidia investing $1.5B in SoftBank data center developer behind OpenAI project Nvidia's investment in SoftBank's data center developer will guarantee its chips power an OpenAI data center. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8324512c5335ae10479d7b California stabbing victim's friend blasts 'failed' justice system over illegal immigrant suspect's release te 2026-08-17T15:10:09.687Z California stabbing victim's friend blasts 'failed' justice system over illegal immigrant suspect's release A friend of a California crime victim who was allegedly fatally stabbed by an illegal immigrant on his front lawn lashed out on Monday, accusing the Golden State's justice system of failing the family while calling for change. "California state law, the judge, judicial system really failed Todd [Stewart] and his family and the community," Victoria, whose last name was withheld, told "Fox & Friends." Victoria's outrage stemmed from a string of developments leading up to the Aug. 6 murder, including the suspect's prior release. DEADLY HOSPITAL STABBING PUTS NEWSOM UNDER PRESSURE OVER ICE DETAINER FIGHT According to records, Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, alternatively identified by DHS as Marcos Valdezusper, entered the U.S. illegally during the George W. Bush administration. He had already faced felony burglary charges stemming from alleged home burglaries in April and was later released under pretrial supervision and home detention. Iriarte-Valdez was arrested again on Aug. 4 on allegations that he violated his home-detention requirements, but a judge ordered his release on his own recognizance the following day and referred him back to electronic monitoring. "Clearly, they were not thinking," Victoria said of the release. "And unfortunately, if a person shows you who they are, not once, not twice, not three times, you need to believe them." On Aug. 6, police said Iriarte-Valdez stabbed and killed Victoria's friend, 68-year-old retiree Todd Stewart, during an apparent burglary attempt at Stewart's Contra Costa County home. BYSTANDER SHOT DEAD AFTER INTERVENING IN FLORIDA MAN, WOMAN'S ROADSIDE FIGHT; MURDER SUSPECT WAS OUT ON BOND A Contra Costa County SWAT team arrested Iriarte-Valdez the following day. His bail was initially set at $1.1 million before a judge later ordered him held without bail after prosecutors charged him in Stewart's death. Victoria said that knowing her friend's death was preventable is "difficult" while pointing to broader issues allowing repeat offenders to remain on the loose. "It's very, very difficult when you know that this was preventable and there are ways and methods and laws that could have kept these people off the streets... but that's just not the way it works right now, which is unfortunate," she said. "Maybe if anyone involved with having this criminal released were to go to the crime scene and see firsthand what he did to Todd and have that play in their mind next time they make a decision to release someone dangerous like that onto the streets, maybe they'll think twice or it will have them change the way things are done, because my friend is going to have that vision of seeing her husband murdered in front of her eyes playing through her head for the rest of her life," she added, referring to Todd's wife, Nadia. Fox News' Charles Creitz and Elaine Mallon contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83244d2c5335ae10479d66 Trump Lashes Out as Preliminary Deal With Iran Expires te 2026-08-17T15:10:05.727Z Trump Lashes Out as Preliminary Deal With Iran Expires President Trump took aim at Oman, a U.S. ally that has been mediating the talks, as efforts to end a war he started have faltered. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83244a2c5335ae10479d54 Terra Industries closes $52M seed round to build defense infrastructure for the Global South te 2026-08-17T15:10:02.552Z Terra Industries closes $52M seed round to build defense infrastructure for the Global South African defense tech company Terra Industries announced an additional $18 million in funding, bringing its seed round to $52 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8321fb2c5335ae10479d30 LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’ te 2026-08-17T15:00:11.969Z LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’ Los Angeles teachers are patrolling neighborhoods near schools for ICE agents — a rogue effort the school district disavowed as it ramps up support for immigrant families, while DHS blasts critics for pushing a "false narrative" about enforcement at schools. "We recognize the fear and uncertainty that immigration enforcement activity can create for students, families, and staff," a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday. "Our responsibility is to ensure our schools remain safe, supportive, and welcoming places for every student. We have strengthened communication and coordination with city leaders and municipal partners, increased our presence in impacted communities, and established rapid-response protocols should enforcement activity occur." The spokesperson was responding to a report that teachers were participating in "ICE Patrols" before the school day begins, driving through neighborhoods near schools to search for signs of federal immigration agents. CBS Los Angeles reported on the patrols, joining a ride-along with Los Angeles teacher Lupe Carrasco Cardona and other members of an anti-immigration enforcement group, called Unión del Barrio. When the group spots suspected ICE activity, members document what they see — including photographing license plates — and alert families and others in the community. The patrols are not sanctioned by LAUSD, according to the district, but they come as the nation’s second-largest school system has built its own network of services for families worried about immigration enforcement — including legal referrals, "Know Your Rights" resources, transportation assistance and alternative learning options. LOS ANGELES DODGERS REPORTEDLY DONATE $1.1 MILLION TO PRO-IMMIGRATION GROUPS AFTER 2025 FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT "Tinted windows, that is a red flag. We’re looking for double-parked like this one; that would be a red flag," another teacher riding with Cardona told the outlet. The teachers say their patrols have helped families, with Cardona saying some community members plan their days around the group’s reports. "It's been really beautiful to witness teachers devoting their own personal time to just watching the neighborhood and making sure that it's safe," said United Teachers Los Angeles Chapter Chair Jon Paul Arciniega. "It's been really beneficial." The district provides families with "24/7 access to Know Your Rights resources, legal referrals, mental health services, and a dedicated hotline" through its "We Are One" campaign, said the spokesperson. LAUSD also offers a multilingual Family Preparedness Packet to help families understand their rights and prepare for encounters with immigration officers. GEORGIA ICE SWEEP NABS OVER 700 CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING SEX OFFENDERS, CHILD ABUSERS "We do not ask about or share a student's immigration status unless required by law, and we remain committed to maintaining safe zones around our schools," said the spokesperson. The schools also offer access to transportation assistance, alternative learning options through the Virtual Academy and referrals to legal service providers. "ICE is not going to schools to make arrests. If a dangerous or violent illegal criminal alien felon were to flee into a daycare, or a child sex offender is working as an employee, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect the safety of the children," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "This is just another false narrative to try and demonize our brave ICE law enforcement who are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats," the DHS spokesperson added. "Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. " TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS ICE amped up operations in Los Angeles last year, with Mayor Karen Bass recently reaffirming her support for immigrant communities, saying, "We will always protect our neighbors, and we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with immigrant families in LA and everywhere." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8321f52c5335ae10479d09 WordPress.com targets the next generation of web creators with a free student plan te 2026-08-17T15:00:05.255Z WordPress.com targets the next generation of web creators with a free student plan WordPress.com Education lets teachers offer their students free domains, plugin support and professional website-building tools. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831fa12c5335ae10479cde Lions welcome Italian students te 2026-08-17T14:50:09.883Z Lions welcome Italian students Local scholarship winners honored alongside 2026’s guests from Italy The Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Lions Club welcomed its two Italian exchange students — Enrico Panicciari and Vincenzo Coppola — who will be exploring the American Southwest for four weeks, on Saturday, Aug. 8. The club also welcomed b Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831fa02c5335ae10479cbe Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock te 2026-08-17T14:50:08.710Z Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock The U.S. Senate is on the clock. In a matter of speaking. Or ticking. The House of Representatives approved a bill earlier this year to thrust the nation onto permanent Daylight Saving Time. In other words, the House voted to ditch the twice-a-year ritual of springing forward and falling back. Now it’s up to the Senate to sync up. "Around the country, people are going to be excited because they don’t have to go back and forth," opined Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., one of the biggest advocates of shifting to year-round Daylight Saving Time. Under this temporal regime, Florida and many southern states would benefit from "more" sun later in the afternoon and evening in the winter. HOUSE PASSES DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME REFORM AS TRUMP SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR ENDING CLOCK CHANGE Scott isn’t the only one who says time should expire for Daylight Saving Time. "People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly. For Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars," declared President Donald Trump in a post on his social media site Truth Social. It’s unclear whether Trump was trying to reach voters with allegiances to Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan when writing about "Watchtowers." But if the President has his way, the times won’t be "A Changin’," later this fall. We’d be welded to Daylight Saving Time. President Trump continued. "This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to release their holds, and allow the hotline to clear on the Republican side. LET’S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP," he wrote. Let’s dial things back a bit here and dissect the title of this bill: "The Sunshine Protection Act." First of all, there is a finite amount of sunshine available, period. Any time of the year. Bellingham, Wash. scores only about eight-and-a-half hours of sunlight around the winter solstice in December. And whether we’re on Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time, the sheer amount of sun doesn’t change. The only thing that differs is at what time Bellingham gets that sun. Under Standard Time (following the autumn clock shift) the earliest the sun sets in Bellingham is 4:13 p.m. in mid-December. But under permanent Daylight Saving Time, you can sing good day, sunshine at 3:13 p.m.. The problem is that the sun goes down really early in northern states in the winter under year-round Daylight Saving Time. But southern states — like Florida — benefit. The reason Congress even bothers with this issue is because Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants the House and Senate authority to establish the "Standard of Weights and Measures." So all Congress is doing is determining a temporal regimen. In short, if Congress says it’s 3 o’clock, it’s 3 o’clock. But if we fall back in November, then 3 o’clock is really 2 o’clock. However, leave it to Congress to create the illusion that it is safeguarding something for the voters, such as "protecting" sunshine. Or, giving everyone an "extra hour" in the winter. It’s just saying that everything would start earlier. That’s all. TRUMP URGES SENATE TO PASS BILL MAKING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PERMANENT AFTER OVERWHELMING HOUSE VOTE Regardless, the push to embrace Daylight Saving Time isn’t partisan. "People across New Mexico and across so many parts of the country don't want to be changing those clocks day after day," said Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. Luján survived a stroke several years ago. He believes that a singular time, year-round, would provide health benefits. "I can speak to it from the perspective of all the neurologists that I've spoken to as well. There are more and more health concerns with moving that time change back and forth," said Lujan. And Daylight Saving Time advocates say passing the Sunshine Protection Act is more pressing than you think. "You know, that might be more important to my people back home than the SAVE America Act," said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. That’s a reference to the touchstone of the president’s legislative agenda which is stymied in the Senate. The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship in order for people to vote. But there are detractors. We heard from southern lawmakers. But many in New England fret about how little sunlight they score in the winter anyway. "You want your kid standing out on the bus stop in the dark at 10 am?" asked Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. That’s an overstatement. The latest the sun comes up anywhere in Vermont in late December is 7:28 a.m. But shift that to permanent Daylight Saving Time and you’re still in the dark until 8:28 a.m. But you get the idea. And there’s no consensus from residents of states which are split by two time zones. A staggering 14 states feature two time zones: Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. Eastern Time and Central Time cleaves Indiana. "Hoosiers care a lot about time," said Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. "They also have fundamental disagreements within the state, about what time it is or should be at any given moment." And there’s the old adage that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This potential toggling of the time worries Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas – who represents one of the states which falls within two time zones. HARRIS BECOMES ACCIDENTAL SAVE ACT ‘SALESWOMAN’ AS TRUMP ATTACK SPECTACULARLY BACKFIRES "Didn't we do this once before?" asked Cornyn. "In the ‘70s," I told Cornyn. "And we reversed it in six months." "Yeah, well that should be a cautionary tale," observed the Texas senator. The U.S. faced an oil shock thanks to an embargo by OPEC in the early 1970s. President Richard Nixon – and many in Congress – believed they could "save energy" by moving the U.S. to year-round Daylight Saving Time. Congress approved the move in late 1973. But the decision proved so unpopular that future Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., prepped a bill to undo the time change. People abhorred having less sunlight in the morning. The bill passed in August, 1974. Interestingly, had Nixon not resigned in August 1974 due to Watergate, it’s possible he would have fought the whiplash time change. In other words, if you want to blame someone for why we switch our clocks twice a year, we’ve found your culprit: Deep Throat. It was the Senate which okayed a bill to nix the biannual time change in 2022. But the House never acted. Now the House has acted. The President is engaged. But it’s up to the Senate. The Senate must take action by the end of this Congress. Time is running out. And they can’t change the clocks for that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831f9f2c5335ae10479cb5 Tupac Shakur murder trial kicks off as Duane 'Keffe D' Davis faces jury nearly three decades after shooting te 2026-08-17T14:50:07.965Z Tupac Shakur murder trial kicks off as Duane 'Keffe D' Davis faces jury nearly three decades after shooting Opening statements are scheduled to kick off later today in the murder trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, who is charged in connection with the 1996 murder of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Davis, 63, is not accused of pulling the trigger, but prosecutors allege he was in a white Cadillac with three other individuals during a drive-by shooting targeting Shakur and former music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight, who survived the attack and is currently in a California prison for an unrelated case. Davis allegedly detailed the shooting during a 2008 interview with detectives and in a 2019 book, "Compton Street Legend: Notorious Keffe D's Street-Level Accounts of Tupac and Biggie Murders, Death Row Origins, Suge Knight, Puffy Combs, and Crooked Cops." TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER SUSPECT TAKES CENTER STAGE AT TRIAL NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER SHOOTING SHOCKED MUSIC WORLD In promotional material for the book on Amazon, Davis is described as a "former shot caller for the Southside Compton Crips and Kingpin of a Compton based drug operation," as well as "one of the only living witnesses to the 1996 slaying of rapper Tupac Shakur." Davis was a confidential informant for the Los Angeles Police Department during the 2008 interview, however the judge agreed with prosecutors that his remarks should be allowed at trial because of the public statements in the book. The defense has argued that Davis embellished and fictionalized claims in the book and challenged the admissibility of statements from the 2008 interview. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Knight, another living witness, has said in recent interviews that he doesn't intend to cooperate if called to testify. His name appears on the prosecution witness list. He has not responded to messages from Fox News Digital. GOT A TIP? The assailants struck Shakur four times on Sept. 7, 1996, while he was in a BMW alongside Knight on the Las Vegas strip. He died from his injuries six days later at 25 years old. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Three other men believed to have been in the Cadillac with Davis that night have since died. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Hours before the shooting, Shakur, Knight and others were involved in a fight at the MGM Grand with Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, Davis’ nephew and a member of the South Side Compton Crips. The other two were Deandrae "Freaky" Smith and Terry "Bubble Up" Brown. Fox News' Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831f9e2c5335ae10479ca8 GOP appeals election measure ballot description to Arizona Supreme Court te 2026-08-17T14:50:06.748Z GOP appeals election measure ballot description to Arizona Supreme Court (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror) A law firm linked to President Donald Trump says that the Democratic Arizona Secretary of State’s description of a Republican ballot proposition that would make sweeping election changes is illegal, and wants the state’s highest court to order him to change it.  Representing three voters who supported Proposition 144 during the legislative process, America First Legal asked the Arizona Supreme Court on Friday to take up the case, two days after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Adele Ponce dismissed it.  Arguing on behalf of America First Legal, attorney James Rogers wrote in the petition to the high court that Ponce made legal errors in her decision that “are an abuse of discretion and leave in place official action exceeding the authority granted” by state law. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The America First Legal Foundation was created by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, an architect of Project 2025 and one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisors. Rogers contends that the description of Prop. 144 set to appear on the November ballot, which Fontes’ office wrote, leaves out some of the most important provisions of the measure. Additionally, Rogers says that descriptions of what a “yes” or “no” vote would do, also written by Fontes, include “unresolved assumptions.”  Prop. 144, also known as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” was one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature approved along party lines in a marathon night of voting on the last day of the annual legislative session in June. Written by state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican who is running against Fontes for secretary of state, the proposition would prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence elections, require every voter to show government identification before casting a ballot in every election and require all polling locations to provide on-site tabulation of ballots for voters who want it. Kolodin is an attorney and election denier who was sanctioned by the Arizona State Bar in 2023 for his part in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election that made implausible and evidence-free claims of massive election fraud. He represented Trump’s campaign in the so-called “kraken” lawsuit in Arizona that was based on claims made by people with no actual knowledge of the elections. The description of Prop. 144 to be printed on November ballots reads: “Requires all voters, including voters who vote by mail, to show government-issued ID to vote in each election; makes other changes to election administration and campaign finance prohibitions.” America First Legal Foundation’s chief complaint with Fontes’ description is its failure to mention that Prop. 144 would bake into the state constitution that “only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections,” as well as that elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Arizona voters in 2004 approved a state law to require proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote and ban non-citizen voting, occurrences of which are exceedingly rare. Because it was voter-approved, that law is protected by a constitutional provision barring lawmakers from repealing or weakening it. “The title uses twenty-eight words,” Rogers wrote. “It does not mention citizenship, prohibitions on foreign funding to influence elections, or guaranteed on-site tabulation.” Ballot measure title descriptions are capped at 50 words.  Fontes argued in the trial court that Prop. 144’s backers want to force their preferred campaign arguments into the ballot description. “Plaintiffs seek to wrest control over the Ballot Language from two officials directly accountable to Arizona voters at the last minute, and instead allow themselves — three random individuals who are accountable to no one and have a one-sided position on this measure — to write the Ballot Language,” Fontes argued to the lower court. “This does not comport with Arizona law, and is entirely unworkable.” The lower court ultimately agreed with Fontes’ argument that the “Ballot Language is not false or clearly misleading, nor does it mislead via omission. It covers the principal provisions of Prop 144, and the ‘essential change in existing law’ this measure would cause.” Rogers argued that Fontes didn’t have the discretion to focus the description on changes the ballot measure would make that aren’t already requirements of state or federal law.  “(T)he descriptive title must summarize principal provisions, not merely novel provisions,” Rogers wrote.  The America First Legal Foundation argued that Fontes editorialized in the ballot description of what a “yes” vote would mean when he wrote that it would “create a new standard for judicial review of election laws under the Arizona Constitution, which may make it harder to challenge election laws.” Rogers says that because law regarding whether the measure would make challenging election laws more difficult wasn’t settled, it shouldn’t be mentioned on the ballot.  “No court has decided those issues,” he wrote. “Reasonable lawyers may debate them. The debate is precisely why the conclusion does not belong in the State’s official wording.” Rogers also took issue with “yes” vote language that described the prohibition on spending by foreign nationals as “similar to prohibitions that already exist in federal law.” America First Legal argued that the trial court erred in its decision to allow such language because Fontes’ descriptions “can reasonably be regarded as an attempt to provide necessary and appropriate information to the voting public.”  But Rogers wrote that the description did not meet Fontes’ legal responsibility when drafting ballot language.  “The duty is not merely to draft and publish some language; it is to draft and publish language possessing the content the Legislature mandated,” Rogers wrote. “Performing the shell of a statutory task while violating its substantive requirements is nonperformance, not protected discretion.” America First Legal also argued that the lower court improperly ruled that the three supporters of Prop. 144 didn’t have enough of a specific stake in the ballot measure to bring their lawsuit.  In arguments to the lower court, Fontes described the supporters as “three random individuals” who had no more interest in the ballot language than any other voter, precluding them from bringing a lawsuit based on potential harms specific to them.  Because the three supporters formally registered their support for the ballot measure in the Arizona Legislature’s system, which is publicly viewable, Rogers contends that a misleading ballot description would harm them specifically.  “The result is a government-created distortion of Petitioners’ own recorded position: anyone who compares the (legislative system) record with the State’s ballot materials is invited to understand Petitioners as supporting the measure as Respondents have described it, rather than the text Petitioners actually endorsed,” Rogers wrote.  He added that the reportedly inaccurate ballot description distorts what the supporters were actually backing when they signed in official support of Prop. 144.  “Respondents’ subsequent use of an official description that suppresses principal provisions and substitutes disputed commentary devalues the concrete governmental participation Petitioners already undertook: the proposal presented to voters through the State’s most authoritative description is materially different from the proposal Petitioners placed their names behind during the legislative process,” Rogers wrote.  But in that argument America First Legal fails to acknowledge that the version of Prop. 144, then known as House Concurrent Resolution 2001, that passed the legislature in June underwent significant edits since they formally endorsed it in late 2025 and early 2026.  The version that the three supporters endorsed would have completely eliminated the state’s active early voter list that automatically sends ballots to voters and cut off early ballot drop offs the Friday before an election, both provisions that were removed from the final version of the proposition. The Supreme Court must rule on the case by Aug. 20 so that ballot printing can begin on Aug. 21. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831af02c5335ae10479c2a Scottie Scheffler terrorizes Memphis, Rory McIlroy completely mails it in, and Jordan Spieth is done te 2026-08-17T14:30:08.152Z Scottie Scheffler terrorizes Memphis, Rory McIlroy completely mails it in, and Jordan Spieth is done It turns out Scottie Scheffler still remembers how to win a golf tournament. The No. 1 player in the world did No. 1 player in the world things in Memphis to not only pick up his first win since January, but also lapped the field to the tune of an eight-shot victory. It was the first 'boring' Sunday we've had on the PGA Tour in quite some time, which is the easiest tell that Scheffler was operating at a different level than everyone else. Rory McIlroy was also in Memphis. He didn't want to be there and made that widely known before Thursday's opening round, yet the mailing it in we saw from the six-time major champion was embarrassing. Yes, future Hall of Famers have bad weeks, but posting 8-over and finishing 25 shots behind the winner deserves criticism. Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth's season is done. He sure made things fun on Thursday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but his inconsistencies this season finally caught up to him ahead of the penultimate event on the calendar. Welcome to Par Talk, a weekly read to get you caught up on all the happenings that took place in professional golf that you need to know. You can follow Mark on X @itismarkharris and email him at mark.harris@outkick.com. We humans are reactive, and we also love building narratives, but the one many built about Scottie Scheffler in 2026 will be looked at as perhaps one of the most forced of the modern era. JON RAHM'S REPORTED EXIT FROM LIV GOLF WOULD POSE DEVASTATION TO BREAKAWAY CIRCUIT AMID UNCERTAINTIES For months now, the question of 'What's wrong with Scottie?' has been asked – sometimes legitimately and sometimes tongue-in-cheek – given that his ball-striking took a dip statistically and it felt as if he was allergic to finding the winner's circle. In the grand scheme of things, we lost the very simple plot along the way that winning golf tournaments is hard, even for the best player on Earth. With how easy Scheffler made things look in Memphis, however, the golf world as a whole needs to agree to kill the narrative that something is wrong Scottie. Yes, it's just his second win in 2026, but it was by eight shots in a FedEx Cup Playoff event, and when you couple it with his season resume, he's doing far more right than wrong. Entering the week, Scheffler had his AmEx victory in January, five second-place finishes, two third-place finishes, and a total of 11 Top 10s in 17 starts. While expectations are rightfully as high as possible, and without winning a major in 2026, the knee-jerk reaction of calling it a disappointing campaign is only natural (and maybe even a little fair), but his FedEx St. Jude Championship victory kills the narrative of something being wrong. Scheffler began Sunday's final round in Memphis with a two-shot advantage, and while there was hope for a fun battle between him and Burns in the final pairing, things turned into a snooze after just a handful of holes. Outside of a bogey on the Par 5 third hole, it was clinical from Scheffler on Sunday. Simply one of those days where a 'bad swing' resulted in him missing his target by a few feet. One blemish on Scheffler's Sunday scorecard to go along with five birdies while finishing the week leading the field in strokes gained: putting. That last statistic is a horrifying one for every player hoping to win the FedEx Cup in two weeks' time. Rory McIlroy was not the only player who teed it up at TPC Southwind who wanted to be anywhere but Memphis in mid-August, competing in 100-degree heat. Rory McIlroy is, however, seen by most as the face of the PGA Tour, and playing in the PGA Tour's three playoff events to close out the year seems like something someone in that position should show an ounce of excitement for, but that wasn't the case for McIlroy. It was assumed that McIlroy was going to skip out on Memphis, which he could easily afford to do both financially and from a FedEx Cup points perspective, yet he was a late addition to the field. Upon his arrival, he spoke of the "importance" of being there, which is a complete change in tune from the man who didn't bother teeing it up in the event last season. "So this is a good week -- obviously I want to play well, but it's also a good week to just see where my game is, do a lot of practice, or as much as I can in the heat," McIlroy told the media prior to the first round on Thursday. "Yeah, I think it's important to be here. It's the TOUR's playoffs, and I think it's important for all the players to be here. I've had some good conversations with Brian Rolapp over the last couple weeks. Yeah, I think it's important for me to be here and show support and looking forward to teeing it up." It was suddenly important for McIlroy to play in the first playoff event after some "good conversations" with the PGA Tour CEO? Got it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Obviously, Rolapp got to McIlroy, which is a nice win for Rolapp and the Tour, but there is also the fact that he basically admitted this was going to be more or less a practice week for him, and he was not lying. McIlroy beat just two players in the 69-man field and did not post a round under par across four days as a player who was very much going through the motions at a track he wanted no part of. It's worth noting, too, that he has three Top 7 finishes at TPC Southwind in his career, so it's not like this is a place he's had zero success at, but one he wanted to treat as a warm-up for the final two playoff events. "Obviously didn't come in here with a ton of reps, almost felt like the more the week went on, the more I felt lost with my golf swing a little bit," McIlroy said following Sunday's final round. I figured it out a little bit the last few holes today, I think. Yeah, I just sort of -- yeah, swing wasn't in sync and obviously didn't do a ton of practice coming in here. "I guess nice to shake the rust off a little bit, but I'm going to have to work pretty hard between now and next Thursday to feel like I have any sort of golf game to compete next week." You can respect the honesty from McIlroy, but his admission of not practicing prior to the tournament and finishing 25 shots behind the winner isn't necessarily the ringing endorsement for the Tour or the fans in Memphis. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Sidenote: McIlroy has only made eight non-major starts this season, which is not enough to qualify him to have an official stat profile with the Tour in 2026. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. That's a sentence I tell my toddler a few times a day, and it applies here, too. Man, that was a fun Thursday. Jordan Spieth fired a 65 in the opening round of the FedEx St. Jude to grab a share of the lead. The round included wayward tee shots, a port-a-potty appearance, and over 122 feet of putts made. It only turned out to be a tease, however, as he ultimately finished T-19, which put him 52nd in the FedEx Cup standings to miss out on the BMW Championship. Spieth was the only player of the 70 who qualified for the FedEx St. Jude without a single Top 10 finish on the year. It was always bound to catch up to him, but at least he gave us a day of hope on Thursday before having the final two weeks of the season decided for him. It's been over four years since Spieth's last win on the PGA Tour, and 11 years since he hoisted the FedEx Cup. If that doesn't make you feel old, I'm not sure what can. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8318962c5335ae104795f4 ‘Duck Dynasty’ stars Jep and Jessica Robertson say ‘a lot of prayer’ led them to leave Louisiana for Texas te 2026-08-17T14:20:06.452Z ‘Duck Dynasty’ stars Jep and Jessica Robertson say ‘a lot of prayer’ led them to leave Louisiana for Texas Jep and Jessica Robertson said they did a lot of praying before they made the decision to move their family from their roots in Louisiana for a new life in North Texas. "It was a lot of prayer, a lot to talking to our friends, but, you know, we love it out here," Jep Robertson told Fox News Digital. The couple will share their journey on their new Great American Media series "Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou," which will stream exclusively on Great American Pure Flix every Thursday starting Aug. 13. It will also be available on Great American Family and GFAM+ starting Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. ‘SOPRANOS’ STAR JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER FLED HOLLYWOOD FOR TEXAS WHERE SHE NO LONGER FEELS ‘WATCHED’ "And actually, in this part of Texas where the ranch is, when I was a kid, I used to come out here with my dad from about 12 years old to about 16, 17, Jep explained. "Actually, my first kind of decent buck was killed in Texas not far from this ranch we’re filming the show on, and so I love this area of Texas." He said it felt like "God is just like ‘All right, guys, you know, you should try this,’ and we're like ‘OK, we'll try.'" The show follows the couple as they leave "behind the Louisiana bayous that first made them household names," to build a "new life in Texas, transforming Comanche Moon Ranch into a thriving community rooted in craftsmanship, hospitality, and legacy," according to the description of the show on Great American Family’s website. "Along the way, viewers will witness the joys and challenges of creating a place where neighbors become family, love grows deeper, and every project serves a greater purpose." WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STARS ON BIG MOVE AWAY FROM LOUISIANA: ‘WE LOVE IT OUT HERE’ Jep noted that it has been a few years since they had been on TV, "So our family has definitely gotten a lot bigger." COUNTRY STAR TYLER HUBBARD SAYS ‘THE CHOSEN’ BROUGHT THE BIBLE TO LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY "Beyond the Bayou" will also give fans a more "in-depth" look at them, Jep said, adding that it will be "faith-forward." The first episodes, he said, show them talking to their Bible study group about "coming out here and kind of doing this whole project, and which was really cool because what most people don't know is like we didn't tell them. We were just meeting with our Bible group, and then, you know, we talked about kind of what was going on, so it's very authentic, which I thought was really cool." Jep and Jess, who are now grandparents, have been married for nearly 25 years. And while they have a strong marriage, they admit it wasn’t always easy. "I always say, the first seven, eight years were really tough being married," Jep admitted. "I was just like, man, I can't do this. WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STAR JEP ROBERTSON SAYS NEW REALITY SERIES WILL GIVE ‘IN-DEPTH’ ‘FAITH-FORWARD’ LOOK AT THEIR LIVES JESSIE JAMES DECKER ON WHY HER MARRIAGE TO ERIC DECKER HASN'T LOST ITS SPARK AFTER FOUR KIDS The couple, however, had "so many amazing people in our lives," he said, adding that his oldest brother Alan and his wife really helped them navigate their early years as a couple. "And so, I think it's a testament to God and the people he's put in our life, you know, just not giving up," he confessed. "When people ask me about marriage advice --- it'll be 25 years in October --- and I'm like, ‘Man, I would just say, don't give up.’ I mean, that's the main thing is don't give up." It took them years, he said, but eventually they got on the "same team." "It's OK if you make a mistake. It's like, ‘Oh, I screwed up here and you just forget and move on," he said. But it takes time and wisdom to learn these things." LORENZO LAMAS FINDS HAPPINESS WITH HEATHER LOCKLEAR AFTER YEARS OF 'TRIAL AND ERROR' Jess added that "so many people say the first year of marriage is hard, but I always say the first seven because we were super young." The pair met in February, started dating in June and were married by October, "so, we really got to know each other once we were married. And I say the only reason why we're still married is because we love the Lord more than we love, you know, each other. And I think when you're always pointing to him, all the things, all the hurts, all the disappointments, any little, you know comparing you to him, my father and you to my mom, all those things, it makes it OK because you're not looking for that anymore." WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY' STAR JESS ROBERTSON SAYS SHE AND JEP ARE STILL TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY LOVE GOD MORE THAN EACH OTHER She added, "And I think once, like he said, we got on the same team, we knew each other, we were on the team, I know he loves the Lord, I know he has a good heart, and so all the little things that happen, I can let it go, right?" And as they build the ranch, where the public can visit, Jess said she thinks people are looking for a simpler, more community-oriented life. 'MASTERCHEF' FINALIST SAYS BUSY FAMILIES ARE LOSING SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOME-COOKED MEALS "I've noticed like more girls, younger girls wanting to sew and learn to sew and being very creative, learning how to, you know, raise chickens and can tomatoes and make jams," she said, adding that it was encouraging to her to see younger women wanting to learn skills that meant a lot to her growing up that she learned from her grandparents. "So, I think that that's definitely what people want," she continued. "And even if you don't have that," "Beyond the Bayou" is "a show they can watch, and it's actually some place you can actually come and experience. You don't have to actually own it, and you know live this daily. You can actually get away and have this reconnect with your family, with your friend group, family reunions." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8311912c5335ae104791c7 US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns te 2026-08-17T13:50:09.068Z US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns The Department of War announced Monday that the U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate production of Tomahawk missiles, as the Pentagon moves to expand the nation’s munitions capacity and replenish critical long-range strike weapons. The news came after President Donald Trump pushed back on concerns over the strain the Iran conflict might be placing on U.S. weapons stockpiles. "What we’ve used is peanuts," Trump told Fox News’ Trey Yingst in an exclusive phone interview earlier Monday. "We have a lot of mid-level weapons." PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The massive Tomahawk award is intended to give RTX the stability needed to expand its workforce, increase manufacturing output and strengthen supply chains while speeding deliveries of the long-range cruise missile to U.S. forces, according to the department. "The Department called upon industry to expand munitions production, and RTX has answered that call," Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey wrote in a statement. "This Tomahawk award increases our ability to equip the Joint Force, ensuring our Warfighters never face a fair fight." Pentagon officials have increasingly focused on expanding the U.S. defense industrial base and shortening the time required to produce key weapons as military operations and heightened global tensions put renewed attention on the size and resilience of American weapons stockpiles. "Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount," acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao wrote in a statement. "This landmark $22.9 billion investment will accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed. TIM SHEEHY EXPOSES A 'SCARY' SHIPBUILDING COLLAPSE THAT LEAVES THE US VULNERABLE TO CHINA "By working closely with industry to expand our munitions industrial base’s capacity, the Department is utilizing every available tool to meet the demands of our current operations, ensuring they are equipped to fight, win, and come home safe."  The Navy said the agreement also supports the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which is aimed at accelerating weapons deliveries and reducing procurement lead times. The Tomahawk is one of the U.S. military’s primary long-range strike weapons and can be launched from Navy ships and submarines against targets hundreds of miles away. The Navy’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive Munitions oversees procurement and delivery of the service’s munitions and strike capabilities and is working to coordinate weapons programs with the industrial base to expand production capacity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830f382c5335ae1047918c Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 te 2026-08-17T13:40:08.158Z Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 Most pro wrestling fans who went to an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) show in the mid-1990s or tuned into WWE programming in the early 2000s would have likely seen Dawn Marie at ringside accompanying a champion or having feuds with other divas on-screen. Marie announced a new endeavor last week when she told her followers she would be joining OnlyFans to give fans the opportunity to see her up close and personal. The 55-year-old New Jersey native, who is now making her living as a nurse, made clear in a recent interview with Fox News Digital she won’t be doing nudes or any kind of crazy collaborations. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "It's going to be fun. It's going to be flirty," she said. "We're not doing nudes, which I made that very clear. Just going to be Dawn Marie." Marie explained she suffered many injuries while being in the ring, taking bumps from her fellow wrestlers. She said neck injuries, specifically, have made her job as a nurse tough and that joining OnlyFans was a way to think about her children’s futures as a single mom. "I have a lot of residual issues also from being a nurse from wrestling. I choose not to be what I see on a daily basis – people my age in beds and never getting back up. It's scary. And the only difference is it happened to them and not me," she said. "These are the things that go through my head. You know, as we get older, we start thinking about these things, right? So, it just made sense. It just made sense to prepare. "And heck, if I'm able to nurse and continue to nurse and figure it out and not need the extra dollars ... Well, I guess my kids are going to have a great time after I'm gone. … I would love nothing more than to be able to, as a single mom, have my kids finish school and not have a college debt." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Marie also said she’s back doing appearances, which is forcing her to take better care of herself. She said, "Why not?" take the next step and try out OnlyFans. "I’m not trying to be the Dawn Marie of 20 years ago," she said. "I’m trying to be the Dawn Marie that’s 55 and embracing it and enjoying being what I am and what I am now. I think women are beautiful at every age." Furthermore, Marie made clear that doing OnlyFans "wasn’t about the big money grab." "This is just preparing a little extra something for my future – just in case." Marie jumped into pro wrestling in 1995, making her debut at an independent show in New Jersey managing Tony Atlas in his match against Jimmy Snuka. She would work her way up and down the East Coast before getting into ECW and later WWE (then called the World Wrestling Federation). She departed WWE in 2005 and appeared in a few other independent promotions in the late 2000s. She then made her return to WWE in 2024 at NXT Halloween Havoc as a special guest referee for a match between Jaida Parker and Lola Vice. She explained to Fox News Digital that the moment she stepped foot into the first show she knew she had made the right decision for herself. "The second I walked out that curtain and I had that moment. It was so profound," she said. "Literally, I could remember, I walk out and going ... It was weird. It was like, scary at first, but then it felt so peaceful. Like, at first, it was scary because you're like, ‘What the freak is going on, right?’ And then it was like, it just felt right." Pro wrestling fans interested in Marie can subscribe to her page for $12.95. "Keep it fun, flirty and respectful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830f372c5335ae1047917c Jaxson Dart's girlfriend Marissa Ayers addresses NFL's propaganda campaign, Angel Reese tries to dunk & Flair te 2026-08-17T13:40:07.460Z Jaxson Dart's girlfriend Marissa Ayers addresses NFL's propaganda campaign, Angel Reese tries to dunk & Flair Alright guys, the sun is trying to come out, the disgusting humidity is gone and now it's time to get another week of life and Monday Screencaps rolling. I'm on my eighth straight day of writing Screencaps, so if I don't use proper grammar, or I use the wrong pronoun, or you have something to complain about with sentence structure, I don't care. Save the email. You guys get what you get at this point of summer. Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, I want to start with the NFL quarterback girlfriend theme that's going to dominate the 2026 season. Remember this name: Marissa Ayers. She's the former University of Alabama sorority girl who is now dating Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. JAXSON DART'S GIRLFRIEND MARISSA AYERS MADE HER RUNWAY DEBUT IN A BIKINI AT MIAMI SWIM WEEK "I love the days I put on an outfit, and I think, wow, the cool girl from that 2000 show or movie that I love, would definitely wear this," Ayers said in her latest TikTok where she showed off her NFL gameday fashion while addressing last week's news of the NFL's girlfriend propaganda campaign. "Trust me, they're locked in," Ayers said of the quarterbacks who've been drawn into this NFL content strategy where they help promote current girlfriends to see if they can recreate the Taylor Swift effect across the league. I'm telling you guys right now that Ayers is going to be a content machine this year. She's going to be a throwback to the early days of the Internet when girlfriends (now wives) like Kelly Stafford would do beer bongs on camera without a care in the world. Ayers is a throwback. Don't get mad if we feature her 3-4 times a week. She's a content machine and in this business, you don't get many pageview generators like Marissa. You're damn right SeanJo and I are pumped. JUSTIN HERBERT'S BODY LANGUAGE CHANGES AS MADISON BEER CONTINUES TO PET HIM, SCHOOL SUPPLIES & YAN CELEBRATES 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. LANDRY KIFFIN & HER MOM GET INTO GAME SHAPE FOR THE UPCOMING SEC SEASON, CORN BATS, PLUS A LLWS TANK 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 US FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM STUNNED BY AMERICAN SAMOA IN SHOCKING FIRST LOSS IN 14 YEARS 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here Speaking of the NFL, it wouldn't be a new NFL season if its woke department didn't come up with something that just makes no sense like the "end racism" or "stop hate" end zone messages that...wait for it....didn't end racism or stop hate. Now they're taking aim at women's sports. Remember, the NFL is about to push HARD to make you care about women's flag football. They've been hinting at the flag football thing for the last 18 months or so. I assume this is the beginning of that push. Don't forget that the Little League teams you see on TV this week are travel ball teams cosplaying as humble small-town rec ball players brought together to play a wholesome Little League World Series. I had to have a conversation with my father this weekend to make sure he understood the cosplay and what ESPN is up to. Meanwhile, I can spot a future travel ball mom from a mile away. Get a job, Faith Morgan. – Travel Ball Hardo Chris B. in Houston emails: Looks like college signing day... for a 7 year old. Kinsey: This is what happens when men let their beloved sports be bastardized by Stanley-succin' mama bears. I blame the men. They're weak. Feeble. What mama bear wants, mama bear gets. If mama bear wants to start burning pumpkin spice latte candles in August because the temp triggers autumnal emotions, she burns her candles. ZHAMIRA ZAMBRANO THROWS ONE OF THE WORST CELEBRITY FIRST PITCHES EVER, MAYOR FREY DANCING & MENDOZA IS READY OK, so you pick your battles. Mama bear doesn't get to turn 7 year old Axe's baseball career into a series of UNC signing day events. And people wonder why their kids grow up to feel entitled and complainers when they can't move into a 2900 sq. ft. house upon graduating college. Guys, this garbage is on YOU. – Brandon in NW Houston says on Instagram DMs: Thought you might appreciate this as a XC dad. I think the 7th and 8th slide were especially poignant. The 8th one talks about the teamwork and it reminded me of one of the races during my sons senior season last year. It was a somewhat meaningless early race but the seniors and the fastest underclassmen sacrificed their times to pace one of the slower runners to a PR. It was pretty amazing and still chokes me up a little to think about. Kinsey: Just had the conversation this weekend that it's so refreshing to not hear parents bitching about their kids not getting the ball enough, or how some family pays more money to the athletic budget so they get more playing time. In two weeks, we'll be driving 2 hours to watch Screencaps Jr. run for 12 minutes and it will be a refreshing day. – Gen X Warren says enough is enough: Do any of you guys use the Flight Radar 24 app for fun? – Mike T. in Idaho emails: Have you this app? It’s fun to see where planes are going when you're sitting outside enjoying a beverage! Kinsey: I know Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green tracks planes all the time. I think Canoe Kirk is another one who does it. I'll give it a try this month while I'm respecting summer. WNBA PLAYER SAYS THE LEAGUE SHOULDN'T WEAR USA 250 PATCHES FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME BECAUSE OF SLAVERY ################## And with that, let's roll. I'm fired up. Storylines are starting to take shape, including that NFL flag football push that's coming. I'm warning you guys. ESPN is about to beat you over the head with women's flag football. Watch how hard they work to create stars. Go have a great day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830cdf2c5335ae1047913a Taylor Sheridan's Lioness keeps fans hooked as latest episode raises the stakes in a big way te 2026-08-17T13:30:07.681Z Taylor Sheridan's Lioness keeps fans hooked as latest episode raises the stakes in a big way "Lioness" fans are absolutely hooked as season three rolls on. The hit series created by Taylor Sheridan focuses on the shadowy world of black operations in the CIA and the military. Season three started on August 2nd on Paramount+, and the season premiere was nothing short of epic. Joe and her team found themselves in Ukraine hunting a Russian agent. LIONESS SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 OPENING SCENE LEAVES FANS STUNNED WITH ITS INTENSITY ON PARAMOUNT+ That was only the start. Joe was later kidnapped and it's officially been off to the races from there. The latest episode is keeping the energy high. *NOTE: There will be spoilers below. Consider yourself warned. The major reveal in episode three of season three – "The Bear Is Infected" – focuses heavily on how deeply the infiltration efforts into the U.S. government have gone. NEW LIONESS SEASON 3 TRAILER SIGNALS TAYLOR SHERIDAN IS TAKING THE PARAMOUNT+ SERIES TO NEW HEIGHTS During an epic scene, Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and Oleksandra, who is not yet fully trusted, walk the team through the different strategies America's enemies use to get sources in the most sensitive areas of the government, military and education. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE There's also an all-time great "Lioness" moment when it's revealed Joe played a role in the death of infamous terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. That's a hat tip to the biggest fans of the SOF world. It's also revealed during the episode that at least one U.S. Senator is compromised by foreign forces. The ending scene of the episode will also chill viewers to the bone as it perfectly sets the stakes of what's coming, but I won't say more than that. LAYSLA DE OLIVEIRA TEASES ‘LIONESS’ SEASON 3 DEBUT WITH BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS Fans were also quick to hop on Reddit and share a variety of reactions and theories: Do you have an interesting theory for what's coming next on "Lioness"? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a8a2c5335ae10479069 El-Sayed taunts Trump, claims he's going to make him 'main character of the midterms' te 2026-08-17T13:20:10.832Z El-Sayed taunts Trump, claims he's going to make him 'main character of the midterms' Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed taunted President Donald Trump on Saturday, predicting Trump's attacks on El-Sayed and his wife would elevate him nationally as he battles Republican Mike Rogers for a critical open Senate seat. "Come at us, bro. My wife has more strength than he has ever had. So, come at us. See what happens," El-Sayed said during "On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella." "I mean, at the end of the day, like, he’s going to turn me into the main character of the midterms, which I’m totally cool with, because my whole argument about Mike Rogers is he’s always been an NPC," he said. "Donald Trump can’t help himself," El-Sayed said. "So, part of me is like, 'Come for me, bro. See what happens.'" An NPC is shorthand for a non-player character in video games. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES RNC National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Fox News Digital Sunday that El-Sayed's record would put Democrats across the country on the defensive during the midterms. "El-Sayed is a jihadi jester, and his record of supporting far-left policies, bootlicking terrorists, killing puppies, and cozying up to radicals who think America deserved 9/11 will be on full display. Democrats across the country will be forced to answer for his extreme ideology," Baldassarre said. FOX NEWS POLL: A SENATE BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN A Fox News Poll released Thursday, the first survey taken after the primary, found Rogers leading El-Sayed 51% to 47%. The contest is among one of Democrats’ most important races as the party seeks to overturn Republicans’ 53-47 Senate majority. The winner will succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. Rogers, who has the president's endorsement, lost Michigan's 2024 Senate race to Democratic Sen. Elisa Slotkin by roughly 19,000 votes. El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected. HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' Trump escalated his attacks last weekend by publishing a Truth Social post juxtaposing a photograph of himself and first lady Melania Trump with one of El-Sayed and his wife, Dr. Sarah Jukaku. "Two VERY DIFFERENT America’s," Trump said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Baldassarre's reference concerned El-Sayed's campaign appearances with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who previously said America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks. El-Sayed distanced himself from those remarks during an April appearance on "Fox & Friends." "Of course, I oppose rape. Of course, I don’t think 9/11 was justified," El-Sayed said. "Just because you appear with somebody, doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything." El-Sayed has campaigned on abolishing ICE, passing Medicare for All and providing tuition-free higher education. He has described himself as a progressive rather than a socialist. Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a8a2c5335ae10479060 Trump can protect California avocado farmers and take a bite out of Mexican cartels, too te 2026-08-17T13:20:10.215Z Trump can protect California avocado farmers and take a bite out of Mexican cartels, too President Donald Trump has made Make America Healthy Again a national priority, with avocados at the center of his administration's new food pyramid. But America cannot promote real, healthy food while allowing the American farmers who grow it to disappear. That is exactly what is happening to California's roughly 3,000 avocado growers, who are being undercut by a surge of Mexican imports from regions where cartel activity extorts growers, seizes land and controls communities. Trump has committed to making America healthy again, putting American interests first and stopping cartel criminal activity at our border. Prioritizing California's avocado farmers does all three. California’s avocado growers, many of them small, multigenerational family farms, meet some of the world’s most rigorous labor, environmental and production standards. Yet during their March-through-October harvest season, they face surges of imported fruit from Mexico that disrupt the U.S. market, destroy the market price and threaten their future. SEC BROOKE ROLLINS: HOW TRUMP IS REVIVING THE FIBER WOVEN INTO AMERICA We know there is a meaningful difference in quality as well. California Hass avocados are left on the tree until they reach peak maturity, allowing them to develop a richer oil content that creates a creamier texture, a deeper buttery flavor and a more vibrant fruit profile. They are prized for their consistency, making them the preferred choice for everything from guacamole to sandwiches and salads. California avocados are not simply another commodity, they are among the finest avocados grown anywhere in the world. When American consumers choose California-grown fruit, they are choosing superior quality while supporting American farmers and American agriculture. This year, avocado shipments from Mexico from January through mid-July surged 32% compared to the same period in 2025, flooding the U.S. market and harming our California growers. While we continue working to reduce the regulatory burdens facing California farmers, imported avocados dumped into the market at artificially low prices undermine fair competition and threaten the long-term viability of domestic production. America cannot allow a foreign source to dominate a critical food category while U.S.-grown crops progressively disappear. Total dependency on foreign production in agriculture damages farming communities, compromises food security and ultimately harms consumers. STEVE MOORE: POLITICIANS ARE BLAMING THE WRONG VILLAIN FOR AMERICA’S RISING FOOD PRICES The surges in Mexican avocados implicate another major policy concern. Since day one of his second term, Trump has aggressively committed himself to stopping cartel criminal activity that crosses our border. Mexican avocado production belongs in that conversation. The Treasury Department has documented that cartels operating in Mexico’s avocado-producing regions extort growers, demand payments tied to harvesting and exporting, seize land and use violence to control communities. On Aug. 5, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an alert suspending all U.S. government activities due to a threat against American interests in the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces the vast majority of Mexico's avocados exported to the United States. The U.S. resumed those activities on Aug. 13. This is the latest confirmation that cartels exercise significant control over the region and its avocado industry. Many Mexican growers are victims of these organizations, not partners. But a system that ignores cartel coercion can still reward the conditions the cartels exploit. American farmers should not be put at risk by unchecked import surges from regions gripped by cartel exploitation and market distortions. 'NARCO-TERRORIST' FAMILY MEMBERS TARGETED IN RUBIO'S LATEST VISA CRACKDOWN While the administration continues to combat the larger cartel threat, California growers urgently need relief from these market dislocations. The answer is a carefully designed seasonal tariff-rate quota, or TRQ, on Mexican avocados. A TRQ allows a reasonable volume of imports to enter duty-free, then applies a higher tariff only after imports exceed a defined quota. This measured safeguard, which can be achieved during the ongoing USMCA review, can preserve year-round avocado supplies while giving California growers a fair chance to compete in their own market during harvest season. USDA oversight and inspector security should accompany the TRQ because fair trade flows and a food supply safe from disease and infestation are both imperative. If Mexico is unable or unwilling to provide sufficient security for USDA inspectors to perform needed orchard checks, imports should be suspended until the security issues are resolved and the inspections completed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Farmers need a market where following American rules does not become a competitive disadvantage. Our country, our restaurants, our consumers and our families deserve U.S.-grown production and dependable, high-quality ingredients. A balanced TRQ helps deliver that. America First and Make America Healthy Again come together when we support California farms and their success. Helping American agriculture, like our local avocado growers, strengthens our food supply, sustains local communities and helps put healthy food on more American tables. Andrew Gruel is the founder of Slapfish restaurant, a Huntington Beach City councilman and chef/owner of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, California.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ANDREW GRUEL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a852c5335ae10479044 Wispr raises $280M at $2B valuation as it looks beyond dictation te 2026-08-17T13:20:05.580Z Wispr raises $280M at $2B valuation as it looks beyond dictation Wispr’s total funding is now over $361 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a832c5335ae1047903b Uber adds Zipline drones to its Eats delivery network te 2026-08-17T13:20:03.806Z Uber adds Zipline drones to its Eats delivery network Uber is also making investing in Zipline as part of the tie-up. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83082d2c5335ae10479009 As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers te 2026-08-17T13:10:05.880Z As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers Pima County, the city of Tucson and the Sierra Club all declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement this year with Tucson Electric Power, giving up access to the modeling data that is part of a major energy planning process rather than agree to the confidentiality terms.  The agreement is tied to TEP’s Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP, a planning document utilities file with the Arizona Corporation Commission every three years, sharing how, and how much, power they expect to provide over the next 15 years.  The process is non-binding but offers an important look into how energy decisions are made, including what electricity generation looks like in a rapidly heating region like Southern Arizona, and how controversial projects like data centers are considered in planning decisions.  It comes amid a year of community backlash over the Project Blue data center, which has left stakeholders wary of non-disclosure agreements around resource-intensive projects that obscure details from the public. Some members of the resource council who did sign the non-disclosure agreement said they have not yet received any modeling data.  AriSEIA, a trade organization representing the solar, storage, and electrification industry, said they signed an NDA in January but had not received anything by mid-August.  “The utilities are working hard to hide the ball in the open,” said the group’s executive director Autumn Johnson. “Unless you get the data, I am not sure there is anything to do with the IRP other than line a birdcage. Modeling is only as good as its inputs and assumptions and without the underlying data you can’t access that.” The scrutiny comes as the IRP process could overlap with the TEP rate case in which the company is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for a 13% rate increase. Also moving ahead is Attorney General Kris Mayes’ case against the Arizona Corporation Commission’s decision to approve the energy agreement between TEP and Project Blue, which has an oral argument scheduled for next month.  The portfolios under consideration, which are reviewed by members of the Resource Planning Advisory Council over a year of regular meetings, include plans that would add more nuclear power or focus more on carbon-neutral resources. They also include two options that would add “high load” customers such as data centers.  An anticipated energy forecast slide shared as part of the council meetings shows that the energy load the company is currently delivering is expected to remain relatively flat, but that it sees “significant increases in load projected as a result of new large customers (primarily data centers).”  Given the ongoing local opposition to data centers, led by the No Desert Data Center Coalition, the next 15 years of energy planning are also likely to include a close watch of where this electricity goes, and an effort to stop it.  “Ultimately, no electricity should be going to hyperscale data centers in the Sonoran Desert. Just as we say not one drop for data, we say not a single megawatt,” according to a statement from the coalition, shared by spokesperson Lee Ziesche. “As we face increasing temperatures and drought, we must also conserve water and electricity, not waste it on energy guzzling hyperscale data centers.”  For the county, the outcome of the process “will affect the County’s emissions reduction goals, energy consumer costs across the community, and costs to the County for energy consumption,” Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher said in an Aug. 5 memo. “Depending on the location, type and amount of resource generation, the IRP could also impact local groundwater resources.”  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. Stakeholders question NDA use  To help draft the document before filing with the ACC, the company brings together a group of stakeholders to provide input on its plan.  This year, the company asked stakeholders who wanted to review modeling data to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Among the stakeholders are local governments, mining interests like Hudbay Minerals, consumer advocacy groups like Interfaith Community Services, education institutions including the University of Arizona and Tucson Unified School District, and business groups including the Chamber of Southern Arizona.  “A considerable barrier in this process is the provision of data and modeling — requiring nondisclosure agreements,” county administrator Lesher said in the August memo.  The Arizona Corporation Commission, Tucson Electric Power and city of Tucson said that using a non-disclosure agreement is standard for a process like the IRP. Tucson Electric Power also said the non-disclosure agreement is not related to data center projects.  The city of Tucson, for example, said it did not sign the non-disclosure agreement because the city could fully participate in the council process without seeing the information covered by the NDA, which was the specifics of a planning model. Both Tucson and Pima County have redesigned their non-disclosure agreement process over the past year in response to the Project Blue process.  For those who did sign a non-disclosure agreement but did not yet receive any modeling data, Tucson Electric Power said its team was working through administrative issues and the data could become available in mid-August.  The Nature Conservancy said it requested data related to the IRP process, but were still waiting for clarification on whether a non-disclosure agreement was required before the information was shared.  Western Resource Advocates, a regional nonprofit that lobbies for climate solutions, said that while non-disclosure agreements are standard in these discussions they don’t always guarantee that important data is available.  “This is especially troubling when stunningly large new data center loads are pushing to interconnect to the grid, when the cost impacts and cost allocations are unclear,” said Gwen Farnsworth, deputy director of state advocacy at Western Resource Advocates.  State regulatory commissions like the ACC, or laws passed at the state level, can define what data access and confidentiality can look like in this process, Farnsworth said. The group has advocated for more information in IRPs to be publicly available, or shared with participants.  “The ratepayers are paying for the energy selected in these IRP processes, and the process is regulated by public oversight, so the public deserves transparency when costs impact their bills,” Farnsworth said.  The group has also been critical of Arizona’s IRP process in general, saying that its process is less robust than other states because plans are acknowledged, not approved, and that the state should not require all the utilities to submit at the same time because it creates an undue burden on staff.  The Arizona Corporation Commission said the current process is that IRPs are presented to the ACC, acknowledged by the commission and filed into a docket which becomes a public record.  IRP rules are currently under review for possible revisions, which will include future stakeholder participation.  A public workshop to present the results of the 2026 Integrated Resource Plan will take place in October; the IRP itself is due Oct. 30 following an extension of several months. Stakeholders will provide comment on the plan this year, then in 2027 the utility will respond to those concerns.  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on June 4, 2026. Data centers, affordability at stake An administrative law judge is expected to issue a recommendation and order in October on TEP’s rate increase request, and the commission could vote in November. If so, new rates would go into effect in December.  Affordability of energy in Southern Arizona amid increasingly hot summers is among the reasons stakeholders are watching the IRP process.  Tucson’s 2023 IRP promised to accelerate its clean energy expansion, continue to retire coal plants and bring new wind, solar and storage projects online. The company celebrated the expansion of its battery energy storage in southeast Tucson this week, boasting of the 400 megawatts of storage that could power nearly 85,000 homes for four hours.  But the landscape has changed since 2023, with public outrage over the Project Blue data center, along with a national push to build more data centers, stoking public concern about how future energy generation is being planned.  TEP spokesperson Joe Barrios said TEP will continue to meet growing energy needs with a mix of solar, wind and natural gas systems. Data centers would pay for the cost of serving their operations, Barrios said. “Large industrial customers pay rates designed to recover the full cost of serving them, including infrastructure and energy resources,” he said. The No Desert Data Center Coalition, which has been at the forefront of organizing the opposition to a data center in Southern Arizona, said they remain concerned about what any data center projects mean for the region.  “We’re deeply concerned that TEP is continuing to build new, expensive fracked gas generation to power data center demand over the next 15 years that will drive up our monthly bills and contribute to the climate crisis,” according to the No Desert Data Center Coalition statement shared by Ziesche. “TEP’s owners, Fortis, told investors that making money off of new generation for data centers will be a big part of their business moving forward. TEP only makes money one way, through our electric bills.”  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on Jan. 27, 2026. The post As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83082b2c5335ae10478ffc Crypto hardware wallet owners face fresh security risks after recent spate of personal data thefts te 2026-08-17T13:10:03.924Z Crypto hardware wallet owners face fresh security risks after recent spate of personal data thefts The hacks at shipping companies used to mail out hardware wallets puts crypto owners at greater risk of real-world attacks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8301272c5335ae10478ebb Meet Kandi Krush – the former Olympic hopeful who is rising through the ranks in Women of Wrestling te 2026-08-17T12:40:07.677Z Meet Kandi Krush – the former Olympic hopeful who is rising through the ranks in Women of Wrestling Kandi Krush is one of the most fearsome competitors on the Women of Wrestling (WOW) roster. Krush, Coach Campanelli and Gloria Glitter (the group known as Top Tier) once held the WOW World Trios Championship. But as with everything else in pro wrestling, Krush and Campanelli turned on Glitter and kicked her out of Top Tier. Krush’s rise in professional wrestling was far from smooth. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL The powerful puncher was once an Olympic hopeful in synchronized swimming. But injuries and what she described in a recent interview with Fox News Digital as a "toxic environment" left her dreams of a gold medal drowned. "My dreams were essentially kind of stripped from me," she said. "But at the same time, I took control over my own future and decided to just pivot. Anytime something bad has happened in my life or, you know, ‘bad’ because, really, it's just like a lesson and maybe like a sign to switch gears, but I pivoted. I pivoted to boxing." Krush said she was able to tap into her work ethic to go undefeated in professional boxing. But not long after she put on gloves, another obstacle was thrown in her way – COVID-19. "I worked my way up in boxing, turned pro, undefeated as a pro and then COVID hit and like it hit all of us like a like a punch from Mike Tyson," she said. "It shut down all the boxing gyms and so it gave me a lot of time to reflect and like what do I want to do? I love being under the bright lights on the big stage which is why I turned pro in the first place for boxing. I love to put on a good show. The crowd's energy just invigorates me, excites me, and I just want to go harder." Krush was inspired by a movie with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and thought pro wrestling was an avenue she could pursue. She said she was going to put her whole heart into the endeavor, despite never watching pro wrestling when she was younger. She saw an advertisement for a pro wrestling tryout with WOW and decided to put her time and energy into making it in the squared circle despite the real possibility she may never make it to a match. "Even if they call me to tell me that I'm cut, like not to show up the next day, I'm going to show up. Like, you can't tell me no. Tell me I can't, I'll show you I can. And so, I was the first one there. I was there before (WOW co-founder) David McLane even showed up at tryouts. I was the first one in, last one out. And that's my mentality. And I think that's why I've made it so far and been able to like rise the ranks in WOW so quickly. And, of course, I went back and did my due diligence and studied wrestling from the past and I had to kind of download the whole encyclopedia into my brain and body, but I never looked back. I love it." Krush said she cultivated her resilience from her never-say-die attitude and the desire to prove people wrong as well as what her mother instilled in her throughout her life. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Failure is part of the journey, but in general, I don't like to lose by quitting," Krush told Fox News Digital. "I will never do that. You fail, you learn. No losses, only lessons. That's what we say in boxing. And I hold that true in everything I do. So, I learn, I get better, I move on, and I move up." Now, "The Heavy Hitter" is determined to keep inspiring those who are watching her compete in the ring. She recalled having a title shot early in her career at WOW and knew she probably wasn’t ready to carry the belt. However, she saw a girl in the stands begging for her to get up off the canvas to continue her fight. "I had that shot and I remember laying on the canvas with my arm essentially broken. She had just been going hard on my arm so that I couldn't knock her out with my KO Krusher. And I remember laying on the canvas looking out into the crowd and there was a little girl that said, ‘Get up, Kandi Krush. You can do it. You can win,’" she said. "It makes me emotional thinking about it right now, honestly. And I was like, you know what? I can do it. And this is why I do it. She believes in me. I gave her a reason to believe. And if she sees me get up and keep moving forward, then she'll remember that too, that moment, and somewhere down the line when she's essentially laying on the canvas in life, she'll hopefully find the strength to get up and keep fighting. "And so that's why I do what I do. I've always, you know, hoped for a platform where I can inspire the world to move mountains, one person at a time, even. And so, it means everything to me. This has been what I've worked towards. I didn't do it in the Olympics. I'm doing it now through wrestling, through WOW. So, I'm blessed. I'm thankful." Los Angeles Lakers minority owner Jeanie Buss co-founded and co-owns WOW. Each episode streams on Tubi and Vice TV. The shows were taking place in Las Vegas, but Buss recently announced that Season 5 will take place at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. "Season 5 is personal for me in a new way," she told Variety. "I’m taking on a bigger, more visible role, and fans are going to see a side of WOW they haven’t seen before. I’ve spent my career fighting for women to be seen and respected in spaces that weren’t built for us, and WOW exists to give women that platform, in the ring and beyond. Women’s sports are having a real moment, and this season delivers on everything we’ve been building toward." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8301272c5335ae10478eb2 Charlie Kirk’s murder sends shockwaves through Christian academy in hit Fox Nation series te 2026-08-17T12:40:07.017Z Charlie Kirk’s murder sends shockwaves through Christian academy in hit Fox Nation series Almost one year after the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, Fox Nation is taking a look back at how the harrowing event impacted a Christian private high school in Louisiana. Pastor and Evangel Christian Academy head football coach Denny Duron guides his team through Kirk's killing in season 3 of the hit reality television series, "God. Family. Football."  While dealing with the pressures and challenges of competing during the 2025 season, Duron pays tribute to the killed Turning Point USA leader, as shown in episode two. "That young man was a young man I admired," he says in the episode. "I have used football as my platform to be able to speak the name of Jesus to the world, but he used politics."  ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON ASKS JUDGE TO TAKE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY OFF TABLE During one practice after Kirk's death, Duron encourages his players not to give in to hate by transforming anger into violence. "There is a spirit of anger in the world today," he says. "And there is no reason for you ever to be angry and commit a sin. If Jesus forgave you, for everything that he forgave you for and forgave me for, then you can not hold anything against anybody for any reason. That's what Christianity is all about." Duron then holds a moment of silence for Kirk and asks the team to "pray for peace on Earth." KELSEY GRAMMER WARNS OF CHILLING DANGER FACING AMERICANS WHO FORGET NATION'S FOUNDING HISTORY The tribute to Kirk continues off the field in the academy's classrooms. Offensive coordinator Kramer Hagan, also a civics teacher at the school, holds an open discussion with his students about the conservative leader's killing.  "I'm excited just to hear their thoughts and see how this younger generation is reacting," he says.  "You cannot allow yourself to be dehumanizing towards other people's beliefs," Hagan adds. "Jesus doesn't teach us to be that way. He wants you to fight and argue and defend your beliefs, but you can never lose your humanity in the process." JACK STORY SKIPPED HIS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO GO BASS FISHING AND WALKED AWAY WITH $100K Navigating the tense political environment was one of the many challenges the team faced throughout the season. In the first three episodes, the team prepares for tough district opponents and grapples with a battle with leukemia and a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. To uncover more about the Evangel Christian Academy football team's inspiring season, tune in to the first three episodes of season 3 of "God. Family. Football." streaming now exclusively on Fox Nation. Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library of your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fed22c5335ae10478e7e Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, but calls for Iran's 'white flag of surrender' te 2026-08-17T12:30:10.208Z Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, but calls for Iran's 'white flag of surrender' The 60-day ceasefire deadline is expiring Monday, but President Donald Trump's resolve on ending Iran's nuclear weapons aspirations is not, he told Fox News on Monday morning, where he confirmed there is a backchannel for peace talks with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "They should put up the white flag of surrender," Trump said in a phone interview, confirming reports of the IRGC backchannel talks that bypass mediators and Iranian political officials. While the 60-day ceasefire expires Monday, Trump said there is still time for peace and Iran's relenting to Trump's primary demand: "The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon," as he wrote on Truth Social around the time of the exclusive call with Fox News' Trey Yingst. TRUMP SEEKS $672M TO STOP IRANIAN NUKES AS NEGOTIATORS WEIGH FATE OF URANIUM STOCKPILE "I have no time schedule," Trump told Yingst. "I'm not in a hurry." While Trump has long lamented reaching peace with a fractured Iranian regime that has had multiple levels of leadership killed in past strikes, he confirmed U.S. officials are communicating directly through a backchannel with IRGC officials. "They’re good poker players, but they’re dying," Trump said. While speculation swirls Iran is engaging in its decades-long strategy of running out the political clock on Trump, before the midterms, if not 2028, Trump rejected the suggestion that politics is guiding his military strategy as commander in chief. TRUMP REVEALS THE LINE IRAN HAS TO CROSS FOR US TO RESTART OFFENSIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGN "Midterms have nothing to do with my thinking," he told Yingst. Trump also issued an extraordinary warning to Oman when asked about the Gulf nation’s role in talks involving Iran. "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s--- out of them," Trump said. The president then turned to Israel, where he said he believes it would be most appropriate for him to remain on the sidelines of the country’s elections — while simultaneously leaving open the possibility that he could back a candidate. NETANYAHU'S ISRAEL GRAPPLES WITH TRUMP-IRAN DEAL AS DETAILS REMAIN UNCLEAR "I think it’s most appropriate for me to stay out of Israeli elections, but I may endorse somebody," Trump said. Trump also said Israel should not be carrying out strikes in Gaza, as efforts continue to advance the next phase of a plan that would include the disarmament of Hamas. "We have our own relationship with Hamas," Trump said. "They are giving up their guns." Despite Israel's rejection of trusting the Hamas terrorist group, Trump suggested he could work peace both with a disarming Hamas and Israel. NETANYAHU REJECTS BOARD OF PEACE'S GAZA PLAN: NO 'WITHDRAWAL UNTIL HAMAS IS GENUINELY DISARMED' "They fight well with us," Trump reiterated to Yingst. Trump also pushed back on concerns over the strain the conflict might be placing on U.S. weapons stockpiles, playing down the amount of American firepower used so far. "What we’ve used is peanuts," Trump said. "We have a lot of mid-level weapons." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fed12c5335ae10478e75 Robot learns to dismantle broken machines te 2026-08-17T12:30:09.522Z Robot learns to dismantle broken machines Robots have spent decades helping build the products around us. Now researchers are teaching them another skill that could become increasingly important: taking those products apart when something goes wrong. More than 4.6 million industrial robots are already operating worldwide. Meanwhile, demand for industrial robots continues to grow as manufacturers automate more production. That creates an obvious question. What happens to all those machines and other complex products when parts wear out or fail? FOREIGN ROBOT BAN TARGETS CHINA OVER SECURITY FEARS Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have developed a robotic disassembly system designed to tackle that problem. Instead of assuming every screw and component will behave perfectly, the system plans for the messy reality of old machines. A screw may be stuck. A component may already be missing. The machine may no longer match the original design. The robot can figure that out as it works and change its plan along the way. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. Building something in a factory can be incredibly predictable. A robot knows which part comes next. It knows where the screws belong. Every movement can follow a carefully programmed sequence. Taking an old machine apart is a very different job. Years of use can leave parts corroded or damaged. Previous repairs can also change how a product fits together. That uncertainty creates a huge problem for traditional automation because one unexpected obstacle can derail the entire disassembly sequence. Researcher Jan Baumgärtner puts the challenge in practical terms. When assembling something new, the steps are clear. When dismantling something broken, many things can go wrong. That means a robot needs more than instructions. It needs some ability to reconsider what it believes is happening. The system starts with a CAD model showing how the product should be constructed. From there, the robot examines how individual parts actually behave. It can check whether a component moves the way the model predicts. If the movement looks wrong, the system updates its understanding of the machine. For example, a screw should behave in a very specific way. If the system discovers that a screw moves differently than expected, it can factor that new information into its next decision. The researchers use a probabilistic planning approach known as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process, or POMDP. That complicated name describes a fairly relatable idea. The robot knows it does not have perfect information. So, rather than committing to one rigid plan, it assigns probabilities to what might be wrong and keeps updating those assumptions as new information arrives. The research combines that approach with CAD data, inspection information and the capabilities of the robot itself. HUMANOID ROBOT VIDEOS SHOW MACHINES LASHING OUT Here is where this gets interesting. In one physical experiment, the researchers simulated a stuck screw in an electric motor. The robotic system initially tried the expected approach by unscrewing the fasteners. When it discovered that one screw would not cooperate, the robot changed course. Instead of continuing to fight with that screw, the system chose a milling tool to remove material and gain access to the part it wanted. In another test involving an angle grinder, the robot recognized that a screw was already missing and avoided wasting time looking for it. That adaptability is important because the researchers found that traditional deterministic planning works well when everything behaves exactly as expected. Once uncertainty enters the picture, the probabilistic system can perform better when another disassembly route is available. In the experiments, both approaches performed similarly on new components. As the likelihood of stuck parts increased, the probabilistic planner produced faster disassembly times in scenarios where the robot had another way to reach the target component. The research was presented at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Vienna. There is an important distinction here. The researchers are developing technology for robotic disassembly, but the physical demonstrations in this research focused on electric motors and an angle grinder. They did not demonstrate an automated factory where robots dismantle complete industrial robots. Still, the broader concept could eventually apply to much larger systems. Baumgärtner envisions scaling the technology into facilities with multiple robotic arms equipped with different tools. One machine might handle screws while another tackles parts that require a more aggressive removal method. The long-term vision looks almost like an assembly line running backward. Could robots eventually make repairs cheaper? This may be the part you should watch. Baumgärtner says one goal is creating a more circular economy where manufacturers recover useful components from older products instead of discarding the entire device. The system can even prioritize certain components during disassembly. If a manufacturer says a particular part has significant value, the robot can adjust its strategy to improve the chances of preserving that component. Eventually, the researchers envision an automated process that could extract a bad component, replace it and rebuild the product. Their ultimate economic goal is ambitious: make automated repair inexpensive enough that fixing an electronic device can cost less than producing another one. That remains a goal rather than something the system can deliver commercially today. WOULD YOU TRUST A TINY DENTAL ROBOT? You probably will not see one of these robotic repair stations at your neighborhood electronics shop anytime soon. However, this research points toward a different way manufacturers could think about products once they break. Today, many electronics become e-waste because recovering individual components can take too much labor or money. Automation could change some of that math. If robotic systems become good enough at dealing with damaged products, manufacturers could recover more high-value parts. Refurbishing equipment could also become more economical in some industries. There is another potential benefit. A machine that can intelligently preserve useful components may reduce the amount of perfectly good hardware that gets discarded because one part failed. The big question will be whether manufacturers design future products with automated disassembly in mind. Repair becomes much easier when engineers think about how something will eventually come apart while they are deciding how to build it. What catches my attention here is the robot's ability to deal with uncertainty. Factory robots have traditionally thrived in carefully controlled environments where every component arrives in the right place. Broken products refuse to cooperate like that. Teaching machines to recognize when reality no longer matches the blueprint could unlock far more useful applications for robotics. Repair and recycling are especially interesting because the economics often determine whether something gets a second life or lands in the scrap pile. We are still looking at research rather than a repair revolution you can use today. Yet the idea behind it feels important. The smarter robots become at taking products apart, the more realistic it becomes to recover expensive components instead of throwing away an entire machine because one piece failed. If robots could make repairing your electronics cheaper than replacing them, would that change how long you keep your devices, or do you think manufacturers will always have an incentive to sell you something new? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fc772c5335ae10478dc3 Dangerous rabid beavers attack 2 teens, with 1 airlifted and popular park partially closed te 2026-08-17T12:20:07.949Z Dangerous rabid beavers attack 2 teens, with 1 airlifted and popular park partially closed A popular state park in Maryland is now partially closed after two recent attacks by rabid beavers. The first beaver attack at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, by the town of Thurmont, involved a 13-year-old swimmer on July 26. The teenage boy, who had injuries to his hands and chest, was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to WJLA in Washington, D.C. BISON VICTIM SPEAKS OUT AFTER WILD ATTACK: 'THEY MOVE FASTER THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE' Following the attack, the beaver was euthanized. It tested positive for rabies the following day, a press release from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) noted. Swimming access to Hunting Creek Lake at the park was closed soon afterward. The more recent incident took place on August 5, when a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten in the ankle by a beaver. The young man took himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for examination. He received treatment and a tetanus shot. This beaver was subsequently euthanized and tested positive for rabies. ELITE ROCK CLIMBER'S CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED AFTER HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AT NATIONAL PARK The incidents have prompted partial park closures.  "Currently at Cunningham Falls State Park, day-use areas around Hunting Creek Lake will remain closed until wildlife experts and park management determine it is safe to reopen them to the public," Joe Zimmermann, public information officer for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, told Fox News Digital.  Other areas of Cunningham Falls State Park remain open for camping and hiking. "Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff, including wildlife specialists and park staff, are working to ensure the safety of the area and confirm that there are no additional beavers present," said Zimmermann.  He noted that in addition to traps, which have been set up since the first incident, wildlife staff are conducting nighttime surveys of the lake area with thermal imaging. During this time, staff have checked the surrounding area for signs of beavers, and workers remain vigilant throughout the entire park, he said. NATIONAL PARK DEATH EXPOSES REPEATED RULE VIOLATIONS AS TOURISTS TAKE DANGEROUS RISKS Cunningham Falls State Parks has many visitors in the summer. The park welcomed more than 455,000 visitors in 2025, according to the park’s spokesperson. Rabies is most commonly transmitted from contact — usually a bite or scratch — with an infected animal, Dr. Roy Gulick, chief of Infectious Disease at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, told Fox News Digital. (Gulick has not treated and does not know either of the individuals attacked by the rabid beavers.) Globally, up to 99% of human rabies cases come from transmission by infected dogs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). "In the U.S., canine rabies was largely eliminated by the 1970s — but bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks have been known to transmit rabies," said Gulick. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Just like humans, dogs can get rabies from contact with infected wildlife, according to Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor at the UNLV School of Public Health in Las Vegas, Nevada. "The virus can be found in the saliva of infected animals," Labus said.  It's important to exercise caution around wild animals and avoid close exposure, said Dr. Cheyenne Falat, associate medical director, Adult Emergency Department, University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Gulick, Falat and Labus all indicated there are clear warning signs. If a beaver shows unusual aggressive behavior by approaching or charging humans or domestic animals, parkgoers are urged to be cautious. The doctors said beavers typically avoid people. But the virus affects their brains and can cause them to lose fear. Beavers can become disoriented or uncoordinated. Rabid nocturnal animals can display uncharacteristic daytime exposure. They may exhibit excess salivation, abnormal coordination or abnormal vocalization, the doctors said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Experts say that if people are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, they should move to safety to avoid being bitten again, wash their wound with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, and seek medical attention immediately. Medical treatment includes receiving a series of rabies vaccines.  Individuals should not try to catch the animal themselves, but instead should report the sighting to animal control or health authorities, experts said.  If bitten by a beaver, an individual should go to a hospital immediately for a rabies shot, as rabies can be fatal if left untreated, the doctors said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fc772c5335ae10478dba Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 te 2026-08-17T12:20:07.289Z Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 Most pro wrestling fans who went to an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) show in the mid-1990s or tuned into WWE programming in the early 2000s would have likely seen Dawn Marie at ringside accompanying a champion or having feuds with other divas on-screen. Marie announced a new endeavor last week when she told her followers she would be joining OnlyFans to give fans the opportunity to see her up close and personal. The 55-year-old New Jersey native, who is now making her living as a nurse, made clear in a recent interview with Fox News Digital she won’t be doing nudes or any kind of crazy collaborations. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "It's going to be fun. It's going to be flirty," she said. "We're not doing nudes, which I made that very clear. Just going to be Dawn Marie." Marie explained she suffered many injuries while being in the ring, taking bumps from her fellow wrestlers. She said neck injuries, specifically, have made her job as a nurse tough and that joining OnlyFans was a way to think about her children’s futures as a single mom. "I have a lot of residual issues also from being a nurse from wrestling. I choose not to be what I see on a daily basis – people my age in beds and never getting back up. It's scary. And the only difference is it happened to them and not me," she said. "These are the things that go through my head. You know, as we get older, we start thinking about these things, right? So, it just made sense. It just made sense to prepare. "And heck, if I'm able to nurse and continue to nurse and figure it out and not need the extra dollars ... Well, I guess my kids are going to have a great time after I'm gone. … I would love nothing more than to be able to, as a single mom, have my kids finish school and not have a college debt." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Marie also said she’s back doing appearances, which is forcing her to take better care of herself. She said, "Why not?" take the next step and try out OnlyFans. "I’m not trying to be the Dawn Marie of 20 years ago," she said. "I’m trying to be the Dawn Marie that’s 55 and embracing it and enjoying being what I am and what I am now. I think women are beautiful at every age." Furthermore, Marie made clear that doing OnlyFans "wasn’t about the big money grab." "This is just preparing a little extra something for my future – just in case." Marie jumped into pro wrestling in 1995, making her debut at an independent show in New Jersey managing Tony Atlas in his match against Jimmy Snuka. She would work her way up and down the East Coast before getting into ECW and later WWE (then called the World Wrestling Federation). She departed WWE in 2005 and appeared in a few other independent promotions in the late 2000s. She then made her return to WWE in 2024 at NXT Halloween Havoc as a special guest referee for a match between Jaida Parker and Lola Vice. She explained to Fox News Digital that the moment she stepped foot into the first show she knew she had made the right decision for herself. "The second I walked out that curtain and I had that moment. It was so profound," she said. "Literally, I could remember, I walk out and going ... It was weird. It was like, scary at first, but then it felt so peaceful. Like, at first, it was scary because you're like, ‘What the freak is going on, right?’ And then it was like, it just felt right." Pro wrestling fans interested in Marie can subscribe to her page for $12.95. "Keep it fun, flirty and respectful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fa202c5335ae10478d7d NASCAR star compared to Trump, tells nasty fans to quit 'b----in,' while race wife dusts off her Daisy Dukes te 2026-08-17T12:10:08.324Z NASCAR star compared to Trump, tells nasty fans to quit 'b----in,' while race wife dusts off her Daisy Dukes Monday Morning Pit-Stop is a weekly NASCAR column that runs on OutKick.com and Fox News Digital. If you're looking for a normal NASCAR recap, go check out insufferable ESPN ... assuming they still know NASCAR exists. Felt good to be back under the lights at Richmond, didn't it? It hasn't been the best summer for NASCAR, if you ask me. There's been some good, but, generally, it's just been sort of blah. That's not unusual, of course. I've seen this movie before. Nothing epitomizes 'Dog Days of Summer' quite like NASCAR. It's a grind. There's one off week, the playoffs (Chase, whatever) are forever away, and the tracks aren't great. At least back in the day, we used to get Daytona in July and Bristol in August to break it up a bit! Now, we basically have to pray the Atlanta race is good, or the rest of the summer is cooked. HAS NASCAR LOST THE SOUTH? EX-DRIVER UNLOADS AFTER SEEING "100,000 EMPTY SEATS" Anyway, all that to say .... Richmond was decent! Not the best race you've ever seen, but better than a lot of what we've seen the past few months. I still think NASCAR has killed the short track racing with this new car, but I don't feel like beating a dead horse today. I don't have the energy for it. Joey Logano won, somehow. He's good again, somehow. We'll talk about it. We're also gonna dive right into Kyle Larson's insane night, because folks, it was worthy of a breakdown. Goodness gracious. What a driver. What a champion. I've also got Sam Busch talking about Bristol and Kyle Busch, and Natalie Decker having a pretty dominant Richmond weekend. Off the track, of course. Never on it. You know the drill. Four tires, a splash of Sunoco racin' fuel, and maybe a nice, long nap for Kyle Larson ... Monday Morning Pit-Stop — the "Trump, Taylor & Kyle Larson, Oh My!" edition — is LIVE! Look, it was a fine Cup race, but if you think I'm starting today's class with Joey Logano and not Kyle Larson, you're crazy. I follow the news and the #content, and the news was all about Kyle Larson Saturday night. For those who A) forgot the race was on (me for the first 50 laps), B) didn't care, or C) couldn't find it on the TV (that's a bunch of you, I'm sure), Kyle Larson finished sixth at Richmond, sprinted out of the track, drove to the airport, flew to Iowa, got a POLICE ESCORT to the track, and then promptly won the Knoxville Nationals. KYLE LARSON RELIVES ATTEMPTS AT 'THE DOUBLE' AS HE CONTEMPLATES TRYING IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE He didn't think he'd be able to make it to Knoxville because the weather forecast, which was supposed to be bad, turned out to be wrong. Stunner! The weatherman is almost never wrong. "When I woke up (Saturday) morning, the weather here looked really bad, like I won’t need a contingency plan. I’ll be able to come here tomorrow and race Sunday. Then the weather was getting better, the forecast was getting better throughout the day," he said. "I was a bit like bummed at that point because I was really happy about the forecast when I woke up. Then I was like, no it’s fine." The Knoxville Nationals, for those who don't follow sprint car racing, are (in)arguably the the biggest, most prestigious sprint car events in the world. It's a four-day tournament, essentially, that takes place every August in Iowa. It's a big deal in the racing world. Larson showed up at the buzzer, and won — hours after finishing sixth in Richmond. Amazing. Sure, it's a little ... odd? ... to hear a crew chief give his driver updates about another race — and another series — during the actual race, but Cliff Daniels and Kyle Larson have won a billion races together at this point. I don't think he cares. Nor should he. Frankly, neither should Kyle. KEVIN HARVICK SHOVES STEPHEN A. SMITH IN A LOCKER FOR SAYING NASCAR DRIVERS AREN’T ATHLETES A lot of folks hate this stuff, you know? True story. There is a section of NASCAR fans today that are annoyed that Kyle Larson won the Knoxville race. "He needs to focus more on winning at his actual job!" Lordy. The internet never ceases to amaze me. Piss alllllllllll the way off. Kyle Larson is the best NASCAR driver on the planet and has been for about six years now. His plane was the most tracked plane in THE WORLD Saturday night. That's a fact. That's a real stat. Race fans love Larson, especially the grass root, local track, lifelong fans who have been buying Busch Lights and corn dogs at the local backroad track every Saturday night since 1975. He appeals to them, and that's important. So quit your b—-ing and moaning! "According to FlightAware, your flight here with the most tracked flight in the entire world." "Well, it's kinda cool that that's stat, because I figured somebody would be tracking Donald Trump or Taylor Swift," Larson said. "I hope all the fans that were b----ing and moaning about running the prelim night, now understand why. Anybody watching at home, on the internet, in the stands, I hope you realize this was best case scenario." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! They don't, Kyle! But it's OK. Maybe just win at New Hampshire this week to at least get on the board this NASCAR Cup season? That would go a long way. Speaking of NASCAR ... let's not forget about Richmond! Joey Logano won again, and he's now gone from bubble Chase driver to ... Championship favorite? It's not a crazy thought: "The Mickey Mouse ears look good on the trophies either way." Hand up, I'd love to see Logano win a championship this season. Everyone and their mother FREAKED out when he won the title in 2024, and the (fake) outrage was so loud, that NASCAR literally revamped the entire playoff format. I thought it was silly then, and I still think it's silly today. So, yes, I'd love to see Logano shove another championship down everyone's throats in a few months. Bottom's up! Next? We've got Bristol in a few weeks, which is stupid because it should really be this coming weekend but NASCAR can't stop making dumb decisions. Anyway, Bristol was arguably Kyle Busch's favorite track, which means next month's race is gonna be a big one: "Bristol wasn't just another race to him," Samantha Busch said during a (very clearly) emotional narration. "He loved everything about that place. Some of the greatest moments in his career happened on that track, in the yellow M&Ms car." Lordy. What a scene that'll be, huh? And how about the pressure on young Ty Gibbs? We haven't seen that iconic car in years. Ever since Mars left NASCAR, and Rowdy left for RCR. Go get 'em, kid! Man, I miss Kyle. OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. Solid job all around. Here's Natalie Decker in her daisy dukes cheering on her husband at Richmond to take us into another big week. See y'all at New Hampshire. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fa1f2c5335ae10478d74 Hayden Panettiere: A life in pictures te 2026-08-17T12:10:07.584Z Hayden Panettiere: A life in pictures Hayden Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya, who was born in 2014, with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere's younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023 at age 28. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82f0c02c5335ae104786b9 Actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36 and more top headlines te 2026-08-17T11:30:08.250Z Actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36 and more top headlines 1. 'Nashville' actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36  2. Defeated Michigan Dem demands Hasan Piker be cut loose 3. Historic Smithsonian museum exhibit goes all-in on woke displays FULL FOCUS — Trump declares his 'number one goal' in negotiations with Iran as ceasefire set to expire. Continue reading … CUTTING COSTS — Trump orders major scale back to military drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests. Continue reading … KILLER COMMUTE — Man allegedly props dead wife in passenger seat for drive across multiple states. Continue reading … DEADLY ENCOUNTER — NYPD fatally shoots man armed with butcher knife inside Lower East Side building: police. Continue reading … 'NEVER FORGET YOU' — MLB great Tommy John, whose elbow operation revolutionized pitching, dies at 83. Continue reading … -- TURF TALK — Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration. Continue reading … SOVEREIGNTY TEST — How President Teddy Roosevelt handed Trump's border plans a big legal victory. Continue reading … 'FIGHTERS' — Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff. Continue reading … UNDER MICROSCOPE — Federal investigators target organization bankrolling anti-Israel activists: report. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   INSIDER CONFESSION — Former ABC correspondent says network lacked 'viewpoint diversity.' Continue reading … DOESN'T ADD UP — Progressive 'test-blind' policies in California proving disastrous, professor admits. Continue reading … LAW & DISORDER — NY lawmaker calls stealing soap a 'biological need' and experts aren't having it. Continue reading … POWER STRUGGLE — Confirmed 50-49, Trump's top lawyer faces Republican revolt over department autonomy. Continue reading … TED JENKIN — Why Washington's rosy economic pitch could blow up at the ballot box. Continue reading … JOHN ARNOLD — Governors hitting pause on data centers could cost communities a fortune. Continue reading … -- FULL CIRCLE — Von Miller heads back home to Dallas as he signs with Cowboys for Year 15 in NFL. Continue reading … GRACIOUS GRATUITIES — Americans are tipping electronically and noticing one common courtesy has disappeared. Continue reading … END OF AN ERA — Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, believes this will be his final year playing soccer. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance. Take the quiz here … Tune in as Republican and Democratic Party leaders are confronting challenges that could determine control of Congress. Listen to more on Castbox.   What’s it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading… Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee692c5335ae1047867a Far-left politicians still using ActBlue as 88-year-old disputes donating nearly $150,000 to fundraising giant te 2026-08-17T11:20:09.925Z Far-left politicians still using ActBlue as 88-year-old disputes donating nearly $150,000 to fundraising giant Several prominent progressives—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed—continue raising campaign cash through the embattled fundraising platform ActBlue despite congressional investigations into allegations it failed to stop illegal foreign donations from entering U.S. political campaigns. The fundraising behemoth has been thrust back into the spotlight after a recent viral video showed an 88-year-old Michigan woman disputing nearly $150,000 in political donations attributed to her in federal campaign finance records. She acknowledged using ActBlue to make political donations, but disputed nearly the amount attributed to her. Federal Election Commission records attribute more than 15,000 contributions by the woman over a six-year period. ActBlue says it has processed more than $19 billion in donations since it was founded in 2004, making it one of the largest online fundraising platforms serving mostly Democratic candidates, party committees and progressive organizations. It brands itself as a grassroots fundraising platform that is a "counterweight to the dark money special interests that dominate our politics." FIRST ON FOX: ACTBLUE BOARD MEMBERS IN HOT SEAT AS GOP PROBES 'SERIOUS' MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS Republicans argue the platform has become vulnerable to fraud and illegal foreign donations. Since 2023, House committees have conducted an ongoing investigation into ActBlue's fraud-prevention practices and whether its safeguards adequately prevented illegal foreign and fraudulent contributions. ActBlue denies the allegations and any wrongdoing. An April 2025 interim staff report also cited internal ActBlue records showing the platform detected 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using domestic prepaid cards during a 30-day period in late 2024, a pattern the committees described as a leading indicator of fraud. The congressional investigation remains ongoing, and ActBlue has not been found to have violated campaign finance laws or been prohibited from processing political donations. KEY HOUSE COMMITTEE SCHEDULES HEARING WITH EMBATTLED ACTBLUE CEO: 'NEEDS TO COME CLEAN' ActBlue has evolved from a simple donation processor into one of the Democratic Party's most powerful fundraising platforms. According to its website, ActBlue provides fundraising, organizing, campaign websites, voter outreach and other digital tools for thousands of Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, describing its mission as creating technology to "fuel Democratic wins." ActBlue continues to process donations for some of the Democratic Party's highest-profile campaigns, including El-Sayed, who has been endorsed by Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders' campaign website also directs supporters to ActBlue to donate to El-Sayed's campaign. The platform also processes donations for the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and thousands of other Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations. Its "Trending Campaigns" page currently highlights El-Sayed alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Texas state Rep. James Talarico, Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown. Other prominent progressives who continue using ActBlue include Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, who is running for governor, and former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., who is running to return to Congress. Beyond candidate campaigns, ActBlue has become a central fundraising platform for thousands of Democratic committees, progressive organizations and advocacy groups. MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE The Republican National Committee says Democratic candidates should explain why they continue relying on ActBlue despite the congressional investigation and allegations from donors who say contributions were made in their names without their knowledge. "Democrats claim to oppose special interests with one exception: their own. They defend fraud and schemes like ActBlue because they know cheating the system is the only way for their corrupt campaigns to raise money," Ally Triolo, the RNC's election integrity communications director, told Fox News Digital. ActBlue has denied wrongdoing and the ongoing congressional investigation has not resulted in any finding that the platform engaged in fraud or violated campaign finance laws. One of the cases fueling the renewed scrutiny involves 88-year-old Milan, Michigan, resident Elizabeth Waffle, who acknowledged making donations through ActBlue but disputed donating nearly $150,000 attributed to her in a now-viral interview with the Michigan Enjoyer. Fox News Digital independently reviewed Federal Election Commission records attributing more than 16,000 political contributions totaling nearly $150,000 between September 2020 and June 2026 to an Elizabeth Waffle of Milan, Michigan. During the interview, a reporter presented Waffle with what he said were Federal Election Commission records documenting those contributions. Waffle disputed the nearly $150,000 in political donations attributed to her in those records after a reporter arrived unannounced at her trailer and presented her with records he said were from the Federal Election Commission during the interview "One hundred and fifty thousand? Hell no. I don't have that kind of money," Waffle said. "I don't see $150,000. That's very abnormal and I think it's wrong. I think there's something in there that's off." Federal Election Commission records reviewed by Fox News Digital attribute 47 ActBlue contributions totaling about $518 to an Elizabeth Waffle of Milan, Michigan for El-Sayed's campaign between October 2025 and July 2026. Waffle was not asked about those specific contributions during the interview. She did, however, acknowledge using ActBlue to make political donations while disputing the nearly $150,000 in political contributions attributed to her in records presented during the interview. "Everything goes through ActBlue. ActBlue is like the bank," Waffle said. Waffle was interviewed outside the trailer where she said she has lived since her home burned down two years earlier. During the interview, she said her phone was not getting internet service as she attempted to demonstrate how she used ActBlue to make political donations. El-Sayed, who has pledged to reject corporate PAC money and campaigned on reducing the influence of money in politics, continues to raise campaign funds through ActBlue, which remains under congressional investigation. His campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on its continued use of ActBlue or the allegations raised by Elizabeth Waffle. ActBlue, meanwhile, has rejected the allegations against it as politically motivated. "For three years, ActBlue has been targeted by MAGA Republicans because of who we are and what we stand for, not because of any unlawful conduct," the organization told Fox News Digital. The organization also said it has "zero tolerance for fraud or other illegal activity" and that its fraud-prevention measures meet or exceed legal requirements. A spokesman for House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, who launched the investigation in 2023, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the committee is examining Waffle's case as part of its broader investigation into ActBlue. "ActBlue employees have repeatedly refused to answer questions under oath about fraud and illegal foreign donations on their platform," Steil said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Our investigation will continue and I will continue to demand answers for the American people." During a June hearing, Steil said current and former ActBlue employees invoked the Fifth Amendment 146 times during congressional interviews, including CEO Regina Wallace-Jones, who declined to answer lawmakers' questions about ActBlue's fraud-prevention practices and the handling of potentially fraudulent donations. Wallace-Jones has not been charged with or accused of any crime and invoking the Fifth Amendment is not evidence of wrongdoing. The congressional investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee692c5335ae10478671 Prince Harry’s ‘The Wasp’ rival stepping down but may remain 'a voice in the king’s ear': expert te 2026-08-17T11:20:09.315Z Prince Harry’s ‘The Wasp’ rival stepping down but may remain 'a voice in the king’s ear': expert King Charles’ right-hand man is stepping down next year, but his departure may not end his influence behind palace doors. Royal experts told Fox News Digital that "The Wasp" could remain "a voice in the king’s ear" as Charles continues to navigate his fractured relationship with Prince Harry. Sir Clive Alderton will step down as principal private secretary next year, People magazine reported. His departure will coincide with his 60th birthday after 20 years of service to the royal household. In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry gave three powerful royal household staffers pointed insect nicknames. Alderton is widely believed to have been "The Wasp" — a fiercely loyal operator and uncompromising defender of the crown. QUEEN ELIZABETH’S AIDE, NICKNAMED 'AK-47,' CLASHED WITH PRINCE HARRY IN EXPLOSIVE ‘TIARAGATE’: EXPERTS "Though Alderton is stepping away from his formal role, courtiers often retain a channel of influence at the palace long after their formal departure," royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital. "It’s possible that ‘The Wasp,’ or others like him, could remain a voice in the king’s ear regardless of their employment status," Matta said. "I think their hesitancy with Harry is rooted in not wanting to perpetuate any perceived chaos or scandal within the royal fold. After years of dealing with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the fallout from Harry and Meghan’s departure for the U.S., it doesn’t really matter what Harry’s intentions are. He might be seen as a threat by the king’s aides on principle." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY BELIEVED ROYAL FAMILY COULD HAVE ALLOWED A HYBRID ROLE: AUTHOR "These truly are power brokers at the palace — the people who decide on access, influence and narratives long before the public hears about them," Matta added. On July 10, King Charles reunited privately with Harry and his family at Highgrove House as they continued efforts to repair a rift that has persisted since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal life. Harry’s portrait of "The Wasp" came with plenty of sting. "The Wasp was lanky, charming, arrogant, a ball of jazzy energy," he wrote, as quoted by People magazine. "He was great at pretending to be polite, even servile. You’d assert a fact, something seemingly incontrovertible — I believe the sun rises in the mornings — and he’d stammer that perchance you might consider for a comment the possibility that you’d been misinformed: ‘Well, heh-heh, I don’t know about that, Your Royal Highness, you see, it all depends what you mean by mornings, sir.’" "Because he seemed so weedy, so self-effacing, you might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when he’d put you on his list," Harry continued. "A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that you’d cry in confusion. ‘Where the f--- did that come from?’" "Harry has long reserved choice words for palace aides whom he has seen as adding to familial tensions," Matta explained. "So he likely does feel a degree of frustration with his father’s entire circle, and that of his grandmother's, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who he previously noted were ‘blocking’ his access to the queen. But it’s clear that Alderton, in particular, got under his skin with his outwardly self-effacing manner that could turn treacherous once you walked away." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Matta noted that in 2022, Harry said in a televised interview that he was "just making sure that she’s protected and got the right people around her," referring to the queen. Matta said that comment was taken as "an early dig" at her advisors, including Alderton. "Alderton was said to have unprecedented access to the queen in her later years, briefing her on both official and family matters," she claimed. People magazine reported Alderton sits on RAVEC, a 10-person committee that determines official protective security for public figures in the U.K. After stepping back as a senior royal in 2020, Harry lost his publicly funded police protection in his home country and is fighting to have it reinstated. People reported that a review of the Duke of Sussex’s security arrangements by RAVEC had yet to conclude as of late June. Harry’s representatives told the outlet that RAVEC’s own terms of reference call for a Risk Management Board review at least once a year. They argued that Harry’s last review was conducted nearly seven years ago. In May 2025, Harry suggested in an interview with the BBC that he believed his father, as king, could influence RAVEC’s decision. Buckingham Palace has consistently denied that the king can reinstate Harry’s security. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS According to the U.K. government’s website, Alderton joined the Foreign Office in 1986 and served in various diplomatic posts. He joined the royal household in 2006 as a deputy private secretary to Charles and Camilla before becoming their private secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. People reported that he served as the queen’s ambassador to Morocco and non-resident ambassador to Mauritania from 2012 to 2015 before becoming Charles and Camilla's principal private secretary. Several royal experts told Fox News Digital that Alderton harbors no ill will toward the king’s younger son, saying his priority has always been shielding the crown from scandal. "Sir Clive Alderton is unquestionably one of the most influential figures in King Charles’ orbit," Kinsey Schofield, host of "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital. "The private secretary is effectively the gatekeeper to the sovereign, manages access, information and the logistics surrounding the monarch. Harry would have understood perfectly well that Alderton was not simply another anonymous man in a suit. But I also think Harry tends to attribute enormous power to courtiers when he dislikes the outcome of a situation." "These people can advise, warn and facilitate, but they do not overrule the king," she said. "Alderton’s influence ultimately derives from the confidence Charles places in him. As for ‘The Wasp’ nickname, it’s a jarring personal description. I think it tells you almost as much about Harry’s resentment toward the palace establishment as it does about Alderton." Harry has been at odds with his family since he and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as senior royals and moved to California in 2020. They cited intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace as reasons for their royal exit. They aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry’s memoir further strained his relationship with his family. Harry has repeatedly suggested that senior courtiers can exert significant influence over the sovereign. He was particularly explicit about the late queen and her advisors. "Courtiers matter because access matters," Schofield explained. "They control diaries, facilitate conversations, manage competing demands and advise the monarch on potential risks. When relationships within the family are already strained, those functions become even more significant. But I would push back against the idea that courtiers somehow stand between a helpless Harry and a helpless Charles." That issue of access surfaced days before Harry’s July 10 reunion with his father. Harry and royal officials publicly disputed an offer for him to stay at Buckingham Palace. Palace sources said Harry missed the deadline to accept the accommodation, while Harry’s spokesperson said the offer was withdrawn after he formally accepted it. "Charles is the king," said Schofield. "His private secretary works for him, not the other way around. Harry’s frustrations with courtiers sometimes appear to overlook that uncomfortable reality. When an aide delivers a decision Harry dislikes, the easiest person to blame is the messenger. Sometimes the message may actually reflect the wishes or priorities of the monarch." British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Alderton’s departure has fueled speculation that the king wants to be "more open to Harry," with the longtime aide stepping down at a relatively young age for the role. PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON COULD SEEK 'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT' TO PROTECT PRINCE GEORGE AT ETON: EXPERTS "From all accounts, from those who know him, Sir Alderton is a stalwart supporter of the monarchy," said Fordwich. "Given his position, he was an obvious target for Harry, who singled him out, no doubt due to knowing how traditional the role has always been." "Palace aides like Alderton have been labeled the ‘Men in Grey’ for their bureaucratic, ubiquitous nature," said Matta. "But Prince Harry’s characterization of Clive Alderton as ‘The Wasp’ certainly gives a new perspective to how seriously they take their role. ... This would, sometimes, mean taking a hard line even between the monarch and family members if the aide believes that was the best course of action to uphold the interests of the monarchy." "Even now, King Charles funnels all of his communications, official and personal alike, through his staff — he doesn't have a mobile phone — and so they really are a formidable ‘line of defense’ for Harry getting one-on-one time with his father." British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that Alderton’s influence on the monarchy will undoubtedly endure long after his departure. "Colleagues describe Sir Alderton as ‘the ringmaster,’ the person who could control complex, chaotic situations without drama," she explained. "He was valued for candor. He did not simply agree. He advised, and he did so with the institution at the center of every decision.  "His relationship with Prince Harry was notably difficult. From the palace perspective, Sir Clive acted as a constitutional safeguard, ensuring that personal appeals did not override the advice and structures that protect the monarchy." People reported that the palace is recruiting Alderton’s successor, who is expected to start in the spring or summer of 2027. Alderton's replacement will also take his spot on RAVEC. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee682c5335ae10478668 CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus te 2026-08-17T11:20:08.722Z CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus "Doing business in the state of California sucks," Hil Davis, a California businessman, bluntly told Fox News Digital. That frustration ultimately drove Davis, CEO of Digital Brands Group, more than 1,300 miles to Texas. The apparel and e-commerce company relocated its headquarters to Round Rock, just north of Austin, leasing roughly 70,000 square feet of warehouse and office space as it expands its collegiate sports apparel business. Davis said the sprawling Texas facility costs roughly the same as the company’s former space in Vernon, California, about five miles south of Los Angeles. And rent was only part of the equation. BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER INCOME ARE LEAVING TWO ICONIC STATES — AS A NEW ECONOMIC MAP EMERGES Davis pointed to California’s high cost of living, long employee commutes and the rising cost of doing business, including defending against lawsuits. "You start to add all those things up," he said. "It doesn’t work. It doesn’t make sense. It’s too hard." The relocation comes as California wrestles with a much bigger question about whether the state’s costs, taxes and regulations are driving away the businesses and wealthy residents it relies on. That debate has intensified around a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on Californians worth more than $1 billion. Supporters say the billionaire tax could raise billions for health care and other public programs by asking the state’s wealthiest residents to pay more. Opponents warn it could instead send major taxpayers packing — and take future tax revenue with them. California is already seeing taxpayers and their income move elsewhere. Los Angeles County led the nation in taxpayer losses in the latest IRS data, with a net 17,496 tax filers leaving for other states and taking nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. THE ONLY MAP YOU NEED TO SEE AS CALIFORNIA'S BILLIONAIRE TAX FIGHT HEATS UP The losses extended beyond Los Angeles. Orange County recorded a net loss of 11,618 tax filers, followed by San Diego County with 9,401, Riverside County with 8,968 and San Bernardino County with 8,462. Those departures can carry fiscal consequences. When taxpayers move, the income they take with them can shrink the state and local tax base that helps fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. Davis does not predict a sudden stampede out of California. He expects a slow drip. "I don’t know if there’ll be, like, an explosion," he said. "I just think it’ll be a constant leak." California still has powerful anchors. Silicon Valley remains a magnet for technology talent and capital, while Los Angeles has a deep bench of creative workers. Davis acknowledged those industry "centers of gravity" are difficult to replicate elsewhere. THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND Digital Brands Group will keep some production operations in Los Angeles after moving its headquarters to Texas. But Round Rock offered Davis a different equation with lower operating costs, a central shipping location for a company serving universities across the country and access to Austin’s creative workforce. He said permitting for the new facility also moved quickly. Employees now have their own choice to make. Some are eager to follow the company to Texas, Davis said. Others have deep roots in California and may stay behind. Digital Brands Group has already made its choice. And as California debates how to tax its wealthiest residents, Davis says the real story is still unfolding, one company at a time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee682c5335ae1047865f Brad Pitt says he can drink in ‘restrained manner’ after 7 sober years, but expert raises red flag te 2026-08-17T11:20:08.131Z Brad Pitt says he can drink in ‘restrained manner’ after 7 sober years, but expert raises red flag After seven years of sobriety, Brad Pitt has revealed that he resumed drinking alcohol in moderation — an approach that has raised concerns among some addiction experts. In an Esquire interview published on Aug. 10, the actor said, "I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon." Pitt shared that he now drinks "in a more restrained manner," saying that he doesn’t consume "big quantities" of alcohol. BRAD PITT ADMITS HE BEGAN DRINKING AGAIN AFTER YEARS OF SOBRIETY "I got overconfident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me,’" he acknowledged. "I have to be professional about it." Pitt once spoke about his sobriety in a 2019 New York Times interview, disclosing that he’d spent 18 months in Alcoholics Anonymous. "I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges," he said. BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR? MASSIVE STUDY REVEALS WHICH WAS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RISK Jessica Steinman, a Los Angeles addiction specialist and chief clinical officer for No Matter What Recovery, generally advises against people returning to alcohol after a problematic relationship with it, warning that "testing the waters" can potentially be "dangerous." The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational or health consequences. The condition can range from mild to severe. "There are people who struggle with substances and take a very large break, have a long period of sobriety and recovery, and they may choose to integrate it back into their lives," Steinman, who was not diagnosing Pitt with AUD, told Fox News Digital. "As an addiction professional, as someone who's been in this field for a very long time, I don’t see a whole lot of success with that." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Although some people do successfully return to substances after needing to stop, Steinman considers them "anomalies and exceptions to the rule." "People think, ‘Oh, I've gone this long. I think I'm going to be able to manage it – I have the skills now. I have tools,’" she said. Addiction can alter the brain’s reward system, she said, making it highly responsive to the dopamine release associated with drinking or substance use. "And that doesn't go away – it lays dormant," Steinman said, comparing it to a bear in hibernation. "If you wake that bear … life can quickly become unmanageable. So they want to be very mindful of that happening." The NIAAA notes that alcohol addiction involves changes across multiple brain systems related to rewards, stress, decision-making and learned responses to alcohol-related cues, and that some of those changes can continue even after drinking stops. For those struggling with substance use issues and mental health issues, it's a "lifelong issue" that must be managed like any other chronic illness, according to Steinman. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "I liken it to diabetes or heart disease – you have to manage this health issue," she said. "And it's the same thing for alcoholism and substance use issues." While NIAAA acknowledges that alcohol addiction can leave some people vulnerable to relapse, the agency notes that each recovery trajectory is unique. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES For someone who has returned to drinking after a period of sobriety, Steinman said there are certain warning signs that can indicate the return of problematic patterns. Those might include escalating consumption, erratic behavior, drinking alone, secretly drinking and drinking during the day. Moderation can also mean different things to different people, she noted. "Is it one drink a day? Is it a drink at dinner only? I've had people try out moderation by not having liquor at all and just sticking to beer and wine," Steinman said. "So it's all these different trials that they're doing when someone starts seeing an escalation." Anyone who is noticing problematic behaviors with alcohol or drug consumption should speak with an addiction counselor, she advised. For people with alcohol use disorder, the NIAAA says it is generally recommended to abstain from drinking for the "greatest chance of long-term success." However, the agency also notes that some people can return to occasional drinking without resuming problematic use, and says specific treatment goals should be decided between the patient and a doctor or addiction specialist. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee672c5335ae10478656 AOC froze her eggs at 36. Here’s what my generation got wrong about motherhood te 2026-08-17T11:20:07.540Z AOC froze her eggs at 36. Here’s what my generation got wrong about motherhood Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently announced that, at 36, she is freezing her eggs. She has chosen to make the deeply personal process public, describing the decision as one that has given her a greater sense of control over her life and left her feeling empowered. I don’t begrudge her that decision. I hope she gets the family she wants, when she wants it. But her announcement made me think about the message my generation of women received about motherhood — and the one we are now passing down to future generations of girls. AOC DOCUMENTS EGG-FREEZING JOURNEY, TAKES AIM AT TRUMP ADMIN OVER WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES When did postponing motherhood become a symbol of female empowerment? AOC and I are essentially the same age. We came of age during the rise of the "girl boss," when female empowerment was increasingly defined by independence, achievement and personal fulfillment. Travel. Build yourself. Establish yourself. Prove yourself. The message was relentlessly centered on the self: What do I want? What makes me happy? What life do I want to build? Put yourself first. Everything else can come later. Motherhood doesn’t fit neatly into a "me first" culture. Children require sacrifice and rearrange our priorities around someone other than ourselves. No wonder a generation taught to prioritize the self learned to see children as something that might get in the way. ERIKA KIRK HITS BACK AT NY TIMES NEWSLETTER ABOUT MARRIAGE AND KIDS, ACCUSES WRITER OF MISSING THE POINT I believed it. I believed it so deeply that, for years, I wasn’t even sure I wanted children. I wasn’t a 25-year-old woman desperately longing for babies but forcing myself to wait. I was a woman who had absorbed a culture that made motherhood look limiting. Children seemed like something that might interrupt the exciting life I was supposed to be building. We didn’t just teach women to delay motherhood. We taught some women not to want it at all. Then God changed my heart. I became a mother, and so much of what I thought I understood about fulfillment was turned upside down. The children I once feared might hold me back became the greatest blessing of my life. But by the time I understood that, I was racing the clock. I’m 37 now, just a few months older than AOC, and I gave birth to my third child earlier this year at 36. I had three children back-to-back-to-back because once I realized how much I wanted a larger family, I knew I did not have unlimited time. I would do it all over again. My regret is that I waited so long to understand what I was missing. OUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP DISPLAYED ONLINE. HERE’S HOW MOMS CAN ANCHOR THEM IN FAITH Starting younger might have meant having more children. But even more than that, I think about the years I could have had with the children I already have. More birthdays. More Christmas mornings. More bedtime stories and ordinary Tuesdays. And, God willing, I want to be there when my daughters become mothers and my son becomes a father — to have the energy to help them and the years to know my grandchildren and watch them grow. But I don’t just wish I had more years with them. I wish I had become their mother sooner because of what motherhood did to me. Having children reordered my priorities without erasing my ambitions. The work I do, the causes I fight for, my faith and the future of this country became more personal because I’m no longer thinking only about the world I live in, but also the world my children will inherit. My life is more chaotic now, but it is also richer, more purposeful and better. Motherhood didn’t make my world smaller. It made it bigger. BIRTH ORDER LINKED TO 150 HEALTH CONDITIONS IN STUDY OF 10 MILLION AMERICAN SIBLINGS You don’t think about those years when you’re 25 and the world is telling you that you have plenty of time. But time matters, and my story is part of a much larger trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently documented what it calls "The Rising Age of Motherhood in the United States." Women are becoming mothers later, and between 2016 and 2023, first births among women 35 and older increased 25 percent. Of course, not every woman who becomes a mother later chose to wait. Finding the right person matters. Infertility is real. Life doesn’t always unfold according to our plans, and this isn’t about judging women for circumstances beyond their control. But reproductive technology can make postponing motherhood feel less consequential than it is. Having more options later is not the same as having a guarantee. Children aren’t products we manufacture when life finally becomes convenient. Motherhood is a gift, not something women should be taught to postpone until everything else comes first. Why have we defined female freedom in a way that so often requires putting motherhood off? When delaying it is celebrated as progress, younger women hear the same message my generation heard: There will always be time later. There may not be. This isn’t an argument that women should abandon their ambitions. I certainly haven’t. I have a career I care deeply about, and women are doing consequential work while raising families. Karoline Leavitt was pregnant while serving as White House press secretary. Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy built a major television career while raising nine children. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna became a mother while serving in Congress. And my friend Erika Kirk is leading one of the most influential conservative organizations in the country while beautifully raising two young children after losing her husband. CLINT BLACK AND LISA HARTMAN BLACK'S ONE RULE THAT HAS KEPT THEIR MARRIAGE STRONG FOR NEARLY 35 YEARS Some women will stay home with their children. Some will build major careers. Some will move between the two. That’s not the debate. The question is why we’ve spent a generation telling women to postpone motherhood in the first place, treating family and ambition as competing forces. What if we have that backward? Motherhood didn’t diminish my ambition. It gave much of that ambition a deeper purpose. There is no perfect time to start a family. After the next promotion, after we make more money, after we travel, after we buy the house — there will always be another reason to wait. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST 'DEFUND THE POLICE' COMMENTS, JOKING 'WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY' AOC has millions of young women watching her. There is nothing empowering about teaching another generation to put motherhood last. We spent decades treating motherhood like something women needed to escape. Now we celebrate our ability to postpone it. Motherhood is not something women need to be liberated from. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION If I could speak to my younger self, I wouldn’t tell her to abandon her dreams. I’d tell her to dream bigger. Marriage and children aren’t consolation prizes after you’ve accomplished everything important. They may be among the most important things you ever build. So I’ll tell young women what I wish someone had told me: Don’t wait because the culture convinced you motherhood will hold you back. Build the career. Chase the dream. Take the trip. But don’t be afraid to build the family, too. It’s a life worth living. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JILLIAN ANDERSON KING Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee662c5335ae1047864d Enes Kanter Freedom roasts Angel Reese over late miss, then turns his fire on NBA vet Paul George te 2026-08-17T11:20:06.916Z Enes Kanter Freedom roasts Angel Reese over late miss, then turns his fire on NBA vet Paul George Enes Kanter Freedom turned Angel Reese's latest crunch-time miss into fresh ammo Sunday, roasting the Atlanta Dream star while somehow dragging Paul George into his ongoing WNBA campaign. Reese bricked a crucial layup late in Atlanta's 95-91 overtime loss to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, and Freedom wasted no time pouncing. He took to X: CAITLIN CLARK DROPS 32-POINT DOUBLE-DOUBLE IN TAYLOR SWIFT NIKES AS FEVER SURVIVE STUNNING SKY COMEBACK IN OT "Sis! Once I go No. 1 pick in the 2027 @WNBA Draft, the first player I’m dunking on is Angel Reese. She’s the Paul George of the WNBA. Just lean into the podcast already." Reese finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, but her biggest miss came with three seconds left in regulation. With the game tied, she missed a point-blank putback that could have won it for Atlanta. Freedom mocked Reese's game, but she wasn't the only one catching heat. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Calling Reese "the Paul George of the WNBA" and telling her to "lean into the podcast" was a dig at George's "Podcast P," which launched in 2023. The nine-time All-Star isn't exactly putting up prime PG numbers these days, either. He averaged 17.3 points last season, a steep drop from his career-best 28.0 in 2018-19. The George jab also circled back to the bigger fight Freedom has been pushing for weeks. The 11-year NBA veteran has been challenging the league's trans eligibility policies by threatening to declare for the 2027 draft himself. Former NBA forward Royce White has since joined the push. THE WNBA HAS LIMITED OPTIONS AFTER TWO MEN DECLARED FOR THE DRAFT, AND THOSE OPTIONS AREN'T GREAT Freedom laid out his WNBA game plan during an interview with former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. "By their rules, if I step on that court and identify as a woman, I am allowed to play," Kanter told Pearl. "Next spring, I'm going to take my talents and join the WNBA." He even envisioned joining forces with Clark in Indiana. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Me and Caitlin will be modern Kobe and Shaq," he said. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ec0e2c5335ae10478618 ESPN turns Angel Reese’s 49 ‘mebounds’ into proof that she’s a legendary WNBA rebounder te 2026-08-17T11:10:06.758Z ESPN turns Angel Reese’s 49 ‘mebounds’ into proof that she’s a legendary WNBA rebounder ESPN really, really wants you to know how good Angel Reese is at rebounding. The network published a lengthy feature Saturday about the "secrets" behind Reese’s "legendary" work on the glass. CHINEY OGWUMIKE CLAIMING THAT A'JA WILSON IS 'GREATER' THAN TOM BRADY EXPOSES ESPN'S WNBA CREDIBILITY PROBLEM Then it spent Sunday’s Fever-Dream game broadcast selling viewers on the article. Ryan Ruocco brought it up during the first quarter and praised ESPN writer Katie Barnes for writing such a terrific article. Late in the second quarter, Ruocco tossed to Holly Rowe for another plug. "You talked about Katie Barnes’ great article about Angel Reese and her rebounding acumen," Rowe said before discussing her favorite part of the story. She then closed with "Great article, Katie Barnes." So, by halftime, ESPN had promoted its own Angel Reese profile twice during a live WNBA game. That's fine. It's called cross-promotion and executives love that kind of stuff. They call it "corporate synergy." But there's a big difference between mentioning a timely feature and turning a regular-season broadcast into a promotional tour for your colleague’s work. Especially when the story is working awfully hard to convince readers that Reese is not just a great rebounder, but some sort of basketball clairvoyant. ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND Let me be clear: I read the article so you don't have to. You're welcome. Sometimes I feel like readers don't appreciate all the things I do for them, so I felt it necessary to give myself some credit. Anyway, the article compares Reese to Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley. Seriously. But it gets better. It invokes magnets in her palms, rebounding DNA, a crystal ball, geometry, physics and something "beyond human understanding." Reese herself offers a simpler explanation. "I just know," she says. Alrighty, then. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Reese is a great rebounder. She reached 1,000 career rebounds in 79 games, 10 games faster than Tina Charles. She leads the WNBA in rebounds per game and her production on the glass is historically good. But context matters. The story includes a section titled "The ‘mebound’ phenomenon." That's where Barnes reports that Reese has recorded 49 "mebounds" this season, or rebounds she grabbed after missing her own shot. That's 25 more than the next-highest player in the league. The same article reports that 148 of Reese’s points this season have come on second-chance opportunities, 30% of her total, and that she is shooting 46.0% in the paint, worst among the 27 WNBA players with at least 175 paint attempts. Barnes puts the numbers in the story. Then she asks readers to view all of it as proof Reese has basketball magnets in her palms. Come on. Missing a layup and retrieving it is not a supernatural power. ANGEL REESE GOT A BARBIE DOLL, SIGNATURE SHOE AND WNBA THEME NIGHT, THEN PLAYED VICTIM AGAIN The ESPN broadcast also praised Angel Reese at every opportunity, even in spots that didn't make sense. She shot 3 of 10 from the field in the first half and even described her own first-half performance by saying she "played like s---" for most of the half. At one point, the commentators described her as "versatile enough to bring the ball up the floor." She dribbled the ball into the frontcourt and then handed it to a teammate. That's not exactly quarterbacking the offense. Then, of course, there were the multiple story plugs. Ruocco praised Barnes’ story in the first quarter, noting that it was about how great Reese is at basketball. Then Rowe came back before halftime to call it a "great article" and discuss her favorite part. They even added a third reference in overtime, which only happened because Reese missed a layup with less than five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. ESPN made the same pitch all afternoon: Angel Reese isn’t just a great rebounder. She’s legendary. But the numbers and the eye test say she’s a limited offensive player who misses plenty around the basket and creates a chunk of her rebounds by chasing those misses. ESPN took those numbers and sold Angel Reese as a cross between Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley. Corporate synergy, baby. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82e9ba2c5335ae104785e4 Mom and daughter told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts, say they were threatened with ejection at Fever-Dream game te 2026-08-17T11:00:10.910Z Mom and daughter told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts, say they were threatened with ejection at Fever-Dream game The Indiana Fever visited the Atlanta Dream Sunday evening. It was a thrilling game between two of the WNBA’s most exciting teams, but what happened to a mother and daughter in the stands, just feet away from the court, was the biggest story of the night. Georgia locals, Kasey Thomason, and her daughter, Annie, bought tickets just two rows back from courtside. They each wore an XX-XY Athletics T-shirt to support Sophie Cunningham and the ongoing fight to keep women’s sports and spaces female. Kasey wore an XX-XY shirt with the letters in stars and stripes, while Annie wore a Riley Gaines collaborative piece with "XX" on the front and "For the Girls" on the back. They were able to wear their shirts with no hassle or issue, until overtime when a security guard approached them. WNBA FAN SUBREDDIT BANS POSTERS FROM USING SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM'S NAME AFTER DEFENSE OF WOMEN'S SPORTS About halfway through the five minute overtime period, a security guard tried to get Kasey and Annie to leave their seats to talk to him. They were unsure why they were specifically being targeted at that moment, so Kasey asked him, "[Is it] about our shirts?" Then things took an insane turn. The security guard told them that a fan(s) were offended by their shirts, so they had the choice to wear the provided Atlanta Dream "Wellness & Health Night" shirts, or they would be escorted out of the building. To this, Kasey responded by saying, "Biology and science is offensive?", before reluctantly agreeing to put the shirts on so they didn’t miss the last two minutes of overtime, where the Indiana Fever eventually secured a 95-91 victory. With about two and a half minutes left in overtime, the Thomasons are seen on the ESPN broadcast with the tan Dream shirts in hand. They can be seen talking to fans around them, who they said loved their shirts and showed support for them and Cunningham throughout the game. At about 1:30 remaining, both Kasey and Annie had put the shirts on. According to the State Farm Arena prohibited items list, "Clothing, garments or signs displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization towards any person(s)" is strictly prohibited. The NBA Fan Code of Conduct states, "Obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! If State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Dream were really trying to claim the shirts worn by the Thomasons were a "derogatory characterization" or "indecent messages" on clothing, that would be an arbitrary way of enforcing their rules, at best. Discrimination, at the worst. But the fact remains, the security guard didn’t claim any of these things from the prohibited items list or the Fan Code of Conduct. He just said the shirts were "offensive." Kasey told Fox News Digital/OutKick that she assumes a woman sitting courtside in a "Protect Trans Rights" t-shirt, who was featured on the video board earlier in the game, made a fuss with security, who then sided with that fan, which led to the threat of ejection from the game. While speaking to a conservative YouTuber, Adam Francisco, Annie said, "She was the one that told on us." They told me that the same woman mockingly said, "I like your shirt" once they were in the tan Atlanta Dream "Wellness Night" shirts. The Thomasons are unsure if security held that woman to the same standard with her t-shirt, though they did see her jacket was zipped up late in the game, no longer displaying the trans messaging. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM TAKES VICIOUS ELBOW TO FACE, AND FANS FUME AT WHAT REFS DID NEXT This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian. In no shape, manner, or form, is a shirt that displays four prominent letters, representing a biological truth that women have XX chromosomes and men have XY chromosomes, "offensive." What's even crazier and ironic, is Sunday's "Wellness and Health Night" in Atlanta is a supposed to "use the power of sport to improve health outcomes for women and girls across Georgia," according to the Dream's website and messaging during the game. They also claim, "The Atlanta Dream and Emory Healthcare believe sports can become one of the most powerful vehicles for improving women's health." Fox News Digital/OutKick reached out to the Dream for comment. I'll tell you this, Atlanta Dream, the mental health of these two women, is not better off after the way they were treated. They were targeted, threatened with ejection, and embarrassed for no good reason. You held a night for women's health, while mistreating the very women who are working tirelessly to keep women's sports and spaces female. You're actions speak louder than your words. This situation is less than a month removed from two teenagers who were verbally attacked by a co-owner of the Seattle Storm, Celeste Keaton, for simply wearing XX-XY T-shirts courtside, causing one of them to cry. Keaton was eventually suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount for her actions. For all the talk about fighting hate and vitriol from the WNBA, it seems like the hate, discrimination, and unsportsmanlike conduct is coming from a specific side of the aisle. We’re at a boiling point, and it’s way past time the league did something about this. The problem is not the women rallying outside of every Fever game across the country for the last month in support of Sophie Cunningham, and it certainly isn’t teenagers and their moms wearing XX-XY t-shirts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82e9ba2c5335ae104785db 'The Odyssey' streaming scam could steal your bank info te 2026-08-17T11:00:10.158Z 'The Odyssey' streaming scam could steal your bank info Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is one of the biggest movie releases of the summer. You have been hearing about it for months, but maybe you have not made it to the theater yet. Then an ad pops up promising you can watch The Odyssey online for free. The site looks polished. Reviews make it appear legitimate. Better yet, you can supposedly start watching within minutes. There is one catch. You need to create an account. Then the supposedly free service asks for your credit card information to activate a trial. Enter those details, and you could soon discover there was never a movie waiting for you. The real purpose of the site was to get your financial information. CHEAP TV BOXES MAY SECRETLY CLICK ADS FOR FRAUD Security researchers say scammers are taking advantage of the enormous interest surrounding The Odyssey, which Universal Pictures released in U.S. theaters in July. Here's how these fake streaming traps work and what you can do to avoid getting caught in one. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. Cybercriminals have created fake websites that claim to let you stream The Odyssey online for free. Some sites appear through online ads or search results. Others can be reached through questionable streaming and piracy sites. The pages can look surprisingly convincing. According to reports citing Kaspersky researchers, scammers have created versions in different languages. Some even advertise dubbed versions based on the visitor's location. Fake reviews and ratings help make the service look trustworthy. When you try to play the movie, the website asks you to register. You may first be asked for your name and email address. Eventually, the site requests your bank card information. It claims the information is needed to activate a free trial. There is no free movie. Instead, you have handed sensitive information to people who may use it for fraudulent transactions or other scams. The Federal Trade Commission has specifically warned that websites offering free movies and TV shows can infect computers with malware. The agency says criminals use malware to steal personal information and commit fraud. That can include login information for online accounts. The FTC also warns that malware can steal usernames and passwords as well as bank account numbers. That makes a fake movie site more than an annoyance. Clicking the wrong download or following a bogus instruction could put information stored on your device at risk. We've seen this playbook before when we previously reported on how hackers use free streaming movies to lure people toward malware. We also covered how illegal movie downloads can hide dangerous malware. Scammers keep recycling the same strategy whenever a major release creates enough interest. There is another reason to be careful when searching for copies of The Odyssey online. Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes found scams targeting people searching for pirated copies within hours of the movie's release. Researchers found cloned piracy sites displaying fake browser warnings. Other scams offered movie downloads that were actually Windows executable files disguised as video files. One fake warning claimed the browser was missing a component and encouraged visitors to click a button to fix it. There was no missing browser component. According to Malwarebytes, clicking the button could push visitors into a malvertising network. Where they ended up could vary depending on the advertising campaign running at that moment. Researchers also found a supposed Odyssey movie download ending in .exe. That is a huge warning sign. An .exe file is a Windows program, not a video. If a website says you need to install software or fix your browser before watching a movie, leave the site. Criminals understand timing. When a movie becomes a cultural event, millions of people start searching for it. Some want to know when it will arrive on streaming. Others hope they can find a free copy. That creates an opening for scammers. A fake website does not have to convince everyone. It only needs to catch the person who is excited enough to click before checking where the movie is actually available. Fake reviews make that easier. So does a professional-looking video player. We saw a similar tactic during the Barbie craze. CyberGuy reported on scammers using the movie's popularity to steal bank information from moviegoers. The next bait could be whichever movie or show everybody is talking about next. IMAX CEO DESCRIBES 'FRENZY' AFTER CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S 'THE ODYSSEY' SHATTERS RECORDS A slick website does not prove you are dealing with a legitimate streaming service. Start with availability. If a movie has only recently arrived in theaters, be suspicious when an unfamiliar website suddenly claims you can stream it for free. Universal Pictures currently lists The Odyssey as a theatrical release. Next, look closely at the website address. A scammer may use a domain that resembles a familiar streaming service. A small spelling change or an unusual domain ending can be easy to miss when you are moving quickly. Do not rely on reviews posted on the streaming site itself either. Reports about the Odyssey scam say fake ratings and reviews were used to make fraudulent pages appear legitimate. You should also be wary when a website promises something for free but suddenly needs your credit card. Legitimate companies can require payment information for free trials. The difference is that you should already know and trust the service before handing over your card. We reached out to Universal Pictures for comment about the fraudulent sites targeting The Odyssey but did not hear back before our deadline. A few extra seconds of checking can save you from a much bigger headache later. Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious downloads and warn you about dangerous websites. That protection becomes particularly valuable when a scam starts with an innocent-looking search or advertisement. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com Use established streaming platforms or check the movie studio's official website to see where a film is available. If you have never heard of the streaming service, investigate it before creating an account. Do not enter payment information simply because the page says it needs to verify your account. Open a new browser tab and research the service independently. Look carefully at the domain before entering personal information. Do not assume the first search result or a sponsored result is automatically legitimate. A streaming site should not require you to install an unfamiliar program to watch a movie. Be especially careful with .exe files. Malwarebytes found one being disguised as a supposed Odyssey movie download. If you create an account on a fraudulent website and reuse a password from another service, scammers may try those credentials elsewhere. Use a password managerto create and store a unique password for every important account. Then turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it is available. FBI HELPS TAKE DOWN AI PHISHING RING I think movie scams work so well because they arrive at exactly the moment we are looking for something. You already want to see the film. Then somebody puts a shortcut in front of you. That is where a little skepticism pays off. The Odyssey may be the bait this summer, but criminals can use the same idea around the next blockbuster. A few minutes of entertainment are never worth giving a stranger access to your credit card or computer. I would much rather wait for a movie to reach an official streaming service than spend the next few weeks disputing charges or changing compromised passwords. When "free" entertainment asks for your financial information, the price can become very real. Would a professional-looking streaming site with convincing reviews ever persuade you to enter your credit card for a movie you have been dying to see, or are you now too suspicious to take that chance? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82de002c5335ae10478439 Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff te 2026-08-17T10:10:08.517Z Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., the candidate who placed third in the Aug. 11 South Carolina special Republican U.S. Senate primary, has endorsed top-finisher Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C. "President Trump needs fighters and allies in the Senate who will show up every day and get results. I believe Darline Graham will be exactly that," Fry said in part of a Friday post on X. "Darline knows what it means to struggle, persevere, and keep fighting when life deals you a difficult hand. Those experiences shaped her, and I believe they give her a real understanding of the challenges families across South Carolina face," he continued. MARK LYNCH ENDORSES RALPH NORMAN AS CONGRESSMAN HEADS INTO RUNOFF AGAINST DARLINE GRAHAM "On August 25, I’m asking everyone who supported our campaign to join me in supporting Darline Graham for the United States Senate. Campaigns are temporary. The cause is bigger than any one candidate. Now let’s get it done," he noted. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who placed second in the South Carolina special GOP U.S. Senate primary, will face Graham in the Aug. 25 runoff. SOUTH CAROLINA GOP SENATE SHOWDOWN HEADS TO RUNOFF IN RACE TO SUCCEED LINDSEY GRAHAM Last month, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of her brother's term. President Donald Trump, who backed Graham ahead of the special primary contest, is continuing to support her for the runoff. DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY "SOUTH CAROLINA: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH. DARLINE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" he wrote in a Friday Truth Social post, which included an image of Fry's post on X endorsing Graham. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddff2c5335ae10478430 Tipping screen puts customers on the spot as experts reveal when it's OK to hit 'no tip' te 2026-08-17T10:10:07.912Z Tipping screen puts customers on the spot as experts reveal when it's OK to hit 'no tip' Tipping prompts have become commonplace at checkout counters and kiosks, but should customers who leave a digital gratuity expect a "thank you" in return? The question came up during a recent discussion on "Fox & Friends" about a viral video involving a Shake Shack customer who selected "no tip" at an airport kiosk. "Do you notice when you tip people electronically, they never say thank you?" co-host Brian Kilmeade said. "If you physically give somebody a tip like at Starbucks or, you know, they'll say thanks, but there must be something that doesn't register when you actually do it electronically because you never get a thank you." SHAKE SHACK CUSTOMER HITS 'NO TIP' AT KIOSK, THEN WATCHES PRICES JUMP IN VIRAL VIDEO Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach in Florida, told Fox News Digital that employees shouldn't necessarily distinguish between customers who leave a tip and those who don't. "I think it's good customer service for an employee to thank a customer each and every time, whether they give a tip or not," Whitmore said. "They're thanking the customer for coming in. They're thanking the customer for being loyal to their business. So, regardless of whether that person chooses to give a tip or not, I think good customer [service] calls for a thank you each and every time." Robert Mahon, managing partner of New York-based Mahon Hospitality Group, said his company's expectations for employees are similar. AMERICANS SAY TIPPING PRACTICES 'HAVE BECOME RIDICULOUS' AS DIGITAL PROMPTS PUSH HIGHER GRATUITIES "We encourage every member of our team to welcome our guests warmly and thank them as they leave, regardless of the amount of gratuity left," Mahon told Fox News Digital. "It is very rare that a guest leaves no tip at all, and more often than not, our team receives gratuities of 20% or more. We believe the generosity of the vast majority of our guests more than makes up for the very occasional instance where no gratuity is left." Whitmore said there isn't much difference, from an etiquette standpoint, between specifically acknowledging a tip and simply thanking someone for patronizing the business. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "A 'thank you' is a 'thank you,'" she said. "Just looking someone in the eye and saying, 'Thank you very much. Have a nice day. Come back and see us.' It's just good customer service." The proliferation of digital tip prompts, however, can create another etiquette dilemma: Customers may feel pressured to leave a gratuity when an employee is standing nearby and can potentially see what they select. "I want to remind everyone, tipping is optional," she said. "TIP: To Insure Proper Service." Whitmore said customers shouldn't feel obligated simply because a checkout screen asks them for money. "You don't need to expect to pay a certain percentage just because a machine is requesting it," she said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Whitmore said tipping etiquette also depends on the type of service being provided. At a restaurant where employees bring food to the table, refill drinks, provide condiments and clean up afterward, she said leaving a few extra dollars can be appropriate. "But in instances where you go in, you grab and go, I don't recommend that you tip at all because you really, in many instances, don't even have face-to-face interaction with a human being," she said. Both experts suggested the amount a customer tips shouldn't determine the level of courtesy he or she receives. "I don't think that money should be a motivator for employees to treat their customers better or worse," Whitmore said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ It's dependent upon management to establish that expectation, Mahon said. "Management sets the culture of a business. Our goal is simple: we want every customer to become a repeat customer," he said. "We do our best to train our teams to approach every guest interaction with that mindset. Ultimately, hospitality is not just a food and beverage business. More importantly, it is a people business." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddff2c5335ae10478427 Massachusetts teen accused of killing mom, brother in affluent suburb after disturbing ChatGPT activity: DA te 2026-08-17T10:10:07.338Z Massachusetts teen accused of killing mom, brother in affluent suburb after disturbing ChatGPT activity: DA A 17-year-old Massachusetts boy who allegedly used ChatGPT to explore fantasies about killing his family is accused of murdering his mother and younger brother inside the family's home in an affluent Boston suburb, and was ordered held without bail Thursday as prosecutors revealed new details about the violent scene. Arjun Aravind, of Acton, was arraigned Thursday in Concord District Court on two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault and battery, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was charged as an adult under Massachusetts law and he pleaded not guilty, the DA’s office said. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Wednesday that investigators uncovered what she characterized as "concerning behavior" by Aravind in the period before the deaths, including internet activity and the use of ChatGPT to explore theoretical or fictional scenarios involving the killing of his family. DISPATCH AUDIO RELEASED IN MICHIGAN FAMILY MURDER-SUICIDE AS TROUBLED FAMILY'S SECRETS EMERGE Ryan said Aravind allegedly used the artificial intelligence chatbot to "make searches including for theoretical ideas or fantasies regarding killing his family." The teen is accused of murdering his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind, who were found dead Tuesday evening inside the family’s Martha Lane home. Acton is an affluent community about 30 miles northwest of Boston and the family had recently moved to the town in part for its schools and a support system for the children, Aravind’s defense attorney, Debra DeWitt, told CBS News Boston following Thursday’s hearing. Authorities were called to the home shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after Aravind’s father requested a well-being check. The father had been at work and was worried after a tutor who arrived at the house was unable to get inside, according to authorities. After repeated attempts to contact his family went unanswered, he contacted police. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO TEENS CLAIMED HE WAS CARJACKED — HIS OWN DASHCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS OTHERWISE: COPS Responding officers entered the home and found Siddharth dead on the first floor. Venkatesan was subsequently found dead in the finished basement, authorities said. Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators encountered evidence of a violent physical struggle inside the home and that preliminary evidence indicated both victims suffered blunt-force trauma. The official causes of death remain pending determinations by the medical examiner. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Venkatesan was last seen alive at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, when her husband left for work, according to Ryan. Siddharth went to a recreational facility around 9 a.m. and returned home shortly after noon. FOLLOW US ON X Investigators quickly discovered that Venkatesan’s green Honda Accord was also missing from the residence. TEEN SUSPECT IN MURDER OF TWO BANK EMPLOYEES IN KENTUCKY LEADS POLICE ON WILD 130 MPH CHASE Aravind was located at approximately 3:40 a.m. Wednesday inside his mother’s vehicle in a parking lot in nearby Wayland, Massachusetts, and was taken into custody without incident. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators recovered several items from the car that they believe corresponded with evidence from the scene, though officials have not publicly identified those items. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Court documents also indicate Aravind’s father had become concerned about his son’s recent behavior and internet use and had begun hiding knives inside the home, CBS News Boston reported. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Aravind received medical treatment for injuries to his hand before Thursday’s appearance and was medically cleared to attend court, prosecutors said. SEND US A TIP His attorney requested that he receive a mental health evaluation. When the judge asked whether the request concerned Aravind’s competency to stand trial or his potential criminal responsibility, DeWitt said that had not yet been determined. GOT A TIP? Aravind is due back in court Sept. 11 for a probable cause hearing. Fox News Digital has reached out to OpenAI for comment. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddfe2c5335ae1047841e New York socialist lawmaker takes heat after saying shoplifting results from 'biological need' te 2026-08-17T10:10:06.704Z New York socialist lawmaker takes heat after saying shoplifting results from 'biological need' A New York democratic socialist lawmaker's referral to shoplifting being the result of a "biological need" is getting swift blowback. New York state Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher suggested this week that aggressive prosecution of theft of items like soap and toothpaste was wrongheaded, saying the "true crime is that there is such incredible wealth disparity in this city that there are people who can be thrown in jail simply for having a biological need." "This is exactly the wrong way to talk about crime and poverty. Poverty can help explain why someone commits an offense," former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Fox News Digital. "It should matter when prosecutors decide how to handle a case. But poverty is not a permission slip to steal." Aronberg, who now leads his own law firm, rejected the suggestion that prosecution necessarily means incarceration and pointed to alternatives available for first-time offenders. SOROS NETWORK REBUILDS PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR PUSH AFTER STRING OF ELECTION LOSSES "Suggesting that someone who steals toothpaste for the first time is automatically being thrown in jail creates a false picture of how the system actually works. Prosecution does not have to mean incarceration," Aronberg said. "There are diversion programs, treatment, conditional dispositions and other ways to impose accountability without ruining someone’s life." Retired New York Police Department Sgt. Joe Imperatrice, founder of Blue Lives Matter NYC and a retired NYPD supervisor with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, said politicians should focus on crime victims rather than make excuses for offenders. He also defended the policing strategy Gallagher wants New York City to abandon. "Broken Windows is a proven theory which holds people accountable for their actions and rightfully so," Imperatrice said. "The tides are turning and everyday New Yorkers are getting sick and tired of this reckless narrative." "In the very near future we will thank all of these ridiculous so-called ‘leaders’ for pushing the needle so far left that the great days of the late 90's and early 2000's will be resurrected better than ever before," he added. CHICAGO POL SAYS WALGREENS SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH 'FIRST-DEGREE CORPORATE ABANDONMENT' OVER CLOSURE OVER THEFT Gallagher, who represents Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, made the remarks Thursday outside Manhattan Criminal Court during a news conference with Court Watch NYC and other lawmakers. She described misdemeanor theft cases involving basic necessities as "crimes of poverty." "People who are stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like, you know, soap. And that means if you’re stealing those things, you need them," Gallagher said. Gallagher contrasted struggling New Yorkers with large drugstore chains and argued that wealth inequality was the greater offense. "And we are choosing to protect billion-dollar companies, like CVS and Walgreens, over the people who are struggling to get by," she said.  Organizers said Court Watch NYC monitored 360 arraignments over four days and found more than half involved misdemeanor offenses. CRIME IS FALLING, OFFICIALS SAY — VICTIMS CLAIM REPORTING ISN’T WORTH IT Gallagher and her allies also urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to end "broken windows policing." Mamdani entered office promising to shift some responses to homelessness, mental illness and low-level disorder away from police while maintaining enforcement against serious violent crime. The NYPD reported retail theft declined 16.3% citywide during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The department attributed the decline to analyzing crime patterns, deploying officers at high-theft locations and conducting sustained investigations. Aronberg also warned that Gallagher’s argument could damage the Democratic Party politically by allowing Republicans to portray the party as unconcerned about crime. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Democrats should reject the idea that enforcing laws against theft is somehow incompatible with caring about poverty. That is bad policy, and politically it is a gift to Republicans who want to portray Democrats as indifferent to public safety," Aronberg said. Fox News Digital reached out to Gallagher for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbac2c5335ae104783da More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence te 2026-08-17T10:00:12.414Z More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbab2c5335ae104783d1 More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence te 2026-08-17T10:00:11.692Z More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbaa2c5335ae104783c8 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive te 2026-08-17T10:00:10.684Z 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dba92c5335ae104783bf 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive te 2026-08-17T10:00:09.755Z 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dba82c5335ae104783b6 Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto te 2026-08-17T10:00:08.850Z Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d6fa2c5335ae10478337 IN PICTURES: Historic Smithsonian museum packed with woke political messaging on race and gender te 2026-08-17T09:40:10.725Z IN PICTURES: Historic Smithsonian museum packed with woke political messaging on race and gender As the Smithsonian Institution continues to face scrutiny over its leftward drift, a Fox News Digital tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History revealed exhibits that present the nation's past through the lens of oppression of minority groups. Perhaps nowhere in the museum was that more apparent than the popular Entertainment Nation Exhibit. The series of installations, focused mainly on sports, television and music, is a ubiquitous hotbed of woke history. One display focuses on the 2010 "Los Suns" protest, which features a special basketball jersey worn by a Phoenix Sun's player during the protest. SMITHSONIAN AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT FEATURES 3X MORE LIBERAL ITEMS THAN CONSERVATIVE ONES "In solidarity with the Latinx community, the Phoenix Suns basketball team challenged Arizona’s new immigration law on the court," says the headline of a placard explaining the display. "In 2010 Arizona empowered police to question anyone on their immigration status, in effect targeting any Spanish-speaking person with brown skin," the placard says, adding that the professional team described the state's new law as a violation of "our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law." A mannequin head displays the hijab worn by the first Muslim woman to win a major ice skating competition while wearing the religious head covering. Another display links a 2014 "X-Men" movie to the Black Lives Matter movement, which sparked during the summer of that year. "As #BlackLivesMatter went viral in the summer of 2014, one of the first Black woman superheroes was fighting discrimination on the big screen," says the headline in the placard for that display. DESCENDANT OF SLAVES SHAMES SMITHSONIAN’S WOKE ‘INDOCTRINATION’ AGAINST THE ‘GREATEST NATION ON EARTH’ The writing describes the main characters in the fantasy the film faced discrimination for "being different," Halle Berry was the lead actress in the film, and her costume is featured in the museum. The exhibit also pays homage to the massively successful mid-2010's show "Glee," which ran for eight seasons. Its placard says the show "celebrated the arts, and, most importantly, humanity." "The television series Glee told the story of a fictional high school glee club comprised of a diverse group of students: Black, white, Asian, straight, LGBTQ+, disabled, brassy, rebellious, shy, and geeky. Even as they grappled with navigating interpersonal conflicts and developing their identities as young adults, they came together to support each other and sing as one—exemplifying the motto on a plaque in their school auditorium: 'See the world not as it is, but as it should be,'" says the placard. Another exhibit display, focused on the 1960s and 70s, mentions NBA legend Bill Russell's greatness on the court, but rather than solely highlight his accomplishments in sports, the placard focuses on his racial activism. SEN TIM SCOTT: MY FAMILY'S JOURNEY SHOWS AMERICA'S FOUNDING PROMISE IS ALIVE AND STRONG "Bill Russell was a defensive powerhouse on the court who played offense against racism," the title says. "Bill Russell redefined defensive play, blocking shots and capturing rebounds. The five-time MVP led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships as he championed civil rights," says the placard. "In 1961 Russell led Black teammates in a protest against racial discrimination, staging the first NBA game boycott." Yet another display features a massive gold chain, a crew neck sweatshirt and a notepad with hand-written song lyrics belonging to rapper Nipsey Hussle, a proud Rollin' 60s Crip gang affiliate who rapped about violence and drugs. His real name was Ermias Asghedom. "Nipsey Hussle’s political ethos was as strong as his rap," the placard says. CHARLES BARKLEY ADMONISHES SOCIETY FOR BEING HOMOPHOBIC IN VIRTUE-SIGNALING RANT ABOUT JASON COLLINS' DEATH "Raised in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Grammy Award-winning rapper Nipsey Hussle made his mark through music, activism, and business savvy," it continues. "As an artist, Hussle’s lyrics painted vivid pictures of West Coast life filled with insights well beyond his years. As an activist, he mentored and inspired a generation to become politically engaged. And as an entrepreneur, he chose to reinvest millions into the streets that raised him. Despite his untimely passing, his spirit of dedication, self-reliance, and community empowerment continues to resonate." The nondescript "untimely passing" refers to the rapper's murder after he confronted a Rollin' 60s gang member, Eric Holder Jr., and accused of of "snitching" to law enforcement. An enraged Holder produced a handgun, shooting and killing Asghedom and wounding several others. Also on display are a jersey worn by the first active and openly gay NBA player, Jason Collins, the hat worn by Dr. Anthony Fauci when he threw the ceremonial first pitch at Washington Nationals game when the team league restarted after COVID-19 shutdowns and a skateboard highlighting the struggles of female skateboarders to break into the male-dominated sport. Fox News Digital reached out to the Smithsonian for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d6f62c5335ae10478328 Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto te 2026-08-17T09:40:06.493Z Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d24b2c5335ae104782c8 From New York to Texas, states should respect local control on data centers te 2026-08-17T09:20:11.068Z From New York to Texas, states should respect local control on data centers There are already nearly 4,600 data centers in the United States, and thousands more in the works. In 2025, companies spent almost $400 billion on U.S.-based data centers, with spending trending even higher this year. From New York to Texas, the backlash is growing. "Leading the nation" read a sign on the podium as New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers. Texas followed on Aug. 3, when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced a pause on new data center grid connections until state agencies can audit the projects. At least 14 other states are considering similar actions, including Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and even Virginia, whose northern suburbs are the data center capital of the world. These misguided efforts seek to protect residents from data centers by ensuring they miss out on the benefits. Communities that excluded canals and railroads in the 19th century often found themselves bypassed by new economic activity. TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT EFFECTIVELY PAUSES NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS PENDING STATEWIDE GRID AUDIT States that make it hard to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure risk a similar mistake. Compute can be accessed remotely, but the communities that permit the necessary physical infrastructure – like data centers – will still attract capital, expand their tax base and create jobs and other opportunities that other areas may miss out on. The resistance does not come from nowhere. The biggest worry is that data centers will drive up local prices for power. Overall, however, this just hasn’t happened. When the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory explored why retail electricity prices rose above inflation from 2019-2024, it offered seven explanations, none having to do with data centers. Still, it’s fair for people to worry that data centers’ voracious need for power will stress the grid and squeeze consumers. Policymakers and the hyperscalers, major cloud computing and data center providers, themselves are taking steps to minimize this risk. Utilities in 19 states, for example, have imposed "large load tariffs," in which big power consumers pay for new generation and transmission (and sometimes more). The White House announced in late July that Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, xAI and more than 200 other players have agreed to pay for 100% of the power infrastructure required by data centers. FOUR WAYS TO HARDEN AMERICA'S POWER GRID BEFORE OUR GLOBAL ENEMIES STRIKE Once the power problem is sorted, the remaining issues, such as noise and traffic, are local. So are the potential benefits, such as tax revenue and construction jobs. Communities should therefore have the right to decide whether the benefits are worth the disruption. This is a version of the Coase Theorem, an economic theory that holds that private parties (in this case, one side being a community) can negotiate solutions to externalities on their own without heavy government intervention. And localities are indeed proving themselves willing and able to negotiate good deals for their residents. Lancaster, Pa., for example, secured commitments that will limit noise and water usage, along with $20 million for the city’s economic development and sustainability efforts. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, struck a community betterment agreement with Google and QTS that included job and wage guarantees. Teachers in Richland Parish, La., received bonus checks of as much as $51,000 thanks to higher local sales tax revenues generated by the construction of a nearby massive data center. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION State-level restrictions also carry a whiff of luxury belief, with people who don't live in areas where data centers could be built imposing their preferences on those who do. Many struggling communities with more land than prosperity would love the chance to negotiate with a hyperscaler. AMERICA'S AI BOOM IS A JOBS OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME To be sure, the principle cuts both ways. Just as states should not enact blanket bans, they should not force projects on unwilling towns or counties. States and communities also should not rush to offer tax benefits or other incentives to hyperscalers that have proven willing to invest massive sums on compute. At the very least, the public should always know exactly, and beforehand, what kind of incentives are being offered. AI will become an ever-greater part of our economy, whether the data center is near or far. What can be done is to embrace the opportunity, while limiting the potential harm. When it comes to data centers, that balance is best struck by those who will live near them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d24a2c5335ae104782bf It’s not the economy, stupid. Americans vote based on their personal economy te 2026-08-17T09:20:10.500Z It’s not the economy, stupid. Americans vote based on their personal economy Every election season, politicians suddenly become economists. They start talking about GDP, inflation rates, job creation, trade deficits and economic growth. They point to charts showing why the economy is doing better or worse depending on which party is holding the microphone. But there’s one problem. Most Americans don't live their lives on a government spreadsheet, job reports, GDP data or CPI Index information. FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS They live at the grocery store. They live at the gas pump. They live with when the mortgage payment comes out of their checking account. They live with the credit card bill. And they live it when their kid asks, "Can we afford that?" In Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign, strategist James Carville famously posted the message, "It’s the economy, stupid," as a reminder to keep the campaign focused on what mattered to voters. More than three decades later, I think that famous line needs an update. JAMES CARVILLE BREAKS WITH FAMOUS ‘IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID’ SLOGAN BECAUSE OF TRUMP It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s your personal economy that matters. And we will see this front and center as the runaway No. 1 issue in the midterms. Because when Americans walk into the voting booth, they aren't carrying a copy of the latest GDP report. They're carrying around 365 days of financial experience. Can I afford groceries? Can I afford my house? Can my kid afford a house? Is my paycheck keeping up with my bills? Can I afford health insurance? Can I fill up my SUV without wondering whether I should have bought a bicycle? Those questions may ultimately matter more politically than any economic statistic Washington can produce. FOX NEWS POLL: ECONOMIC GLOOM, TRUMP RATINGS SIGNAL TOUGH GOP MIDTERM PATH Here’s the disconnect politicians often miss and the Republicans may miss as a whole. The economy can look good on paper while your personal economy feels terrible. The stock market can hit records, but that doesn't help much when your rent just went up $200 a month. Unemployment can look relatively low, but that doesn't make you feel better if you're worried about losing your job. Inflation can cool, but "cooling inflation" doesn't mean prices went back down. It means they're generally rising more slowly. DAVID MARCUS: WHY RISING PRICES MAY NOT COST REPUBLICANS AS MUCH AS YOU THINK Try explaining that distinction to somebody staring at a $250 grocery bill. And this is where politicians in both parties make a huge mistake. You don't get to tell people how their wallet feels. You can tell Americans inflation is improving. You can tell them wages are growing. You can tell them the stock market is booming. You can put an economist on television with 17 charts explaining why Americans should feel better. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED But if a family has $200 less left over at the end of every month, their personal economy isn't improving. And that is exactly what matters to voters. If a first-time homebuyer can't afford the monthly payment on a starter home, their personal economy isn't working. If filling the family SUV, buying groceries and paying the electric bill takes a bigger bite out of the paycheck, no government statistic is going to convince that family they're financially thriving. You don't get to tell people how their wallet feels. Their bank account already did that. Housing may be the ultimate example. For many young Americans, the question isn't whether they can negotiate another quarter-point off their mortgage rate. It's whether homeownership is becoming financially impossible altogether. I have three kids in their 20s who all have good jobs and are wondering how they can afford their first homes. That's your personal economy. Then there's gasoline. Politicians can debate why gas prices rise. Including war, oil markets, geopolitics, refinery capacity, regulation, taxes or supply disruptions. The person standing at Pump No. 7 doesn't care one iota about the political PowerPoint. They see the number spinning at the tank. $40. $60. $80. That number is the economy to them. What do my eyes tell me? 100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY This is why politicians heading into election season should be very careful about telling Americans how good or how bad the economy is right now. Republicans can point fingers at Democrats. Democrats can point fingers at Republicans. Both sides will cherry-pick statistics that make their economic record look better. But voters will perform a much simpler calculation: Am I financially better off right now than I was two years ago? Do I have more breathing room than I did a few years ago? Can my paycheck buy more or less? Do I feel like I'm getting ahead or falling behind? That's the economic report card that ultimately matters. Elections may be fought over immigration, foreign policy, taxes, abortion, crime and dozens of other deeply important issues. But money has a funny way of cutting through political noise. Because you can turn off a campaign commercial. You can scroll past a political argument on social media. You can even ignore Washington entirely. But you can't ignore your mortgage payment. You can't unsubscribe from the grocery store. And eventually, you have to fill up the car. Carville was onto something in 1992. But in 2026, I'd change the message. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s your personal economy that matters most. And Washington would be wise to remember one simple rule: You don't get to tell Americans how their wallet feels. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TED JENKIN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2492c5335ae104782b6 America’s broken permitting system is quietly raising your cost of living te 2026-08-17T09:20:09.947Z America’s broken permitting system is quietly raising your cost of living Permitting reform isn't simply an energy issue or an environmental issue. It is an affordability issue. The economics are straightforward. In a market economy, prices are determined by supply and demand. When the supply of housing, energy or manufactured goods increases, prices tend to fall. When supply is constrained, prices rise. If policymakers are serious about lowering costs for American families, they should focus on making it easier — not harder — to increase supply. That begins with fixing America's broken permitting system. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED America does not suffer from a shortage of entrepreneurs willing to invest, workers eager to build or capital ready to finance new projects. But the permitting system fails to produce timely, predictable government decisions. Today, major housing developments, energy infrastructure and even manufacturing facilities routinely spend years navigating overlapping federal reviews, duplicative agency requirements and prolonged litigation. Time becomes a hidden tax. Every year a project sits in regulatory limbo, financing costs rise, construction expenses increase, investors demand higher returns and uncertainty discourages future investment. Those costs are ultimately paid by consumers through higher rents, home prices, utility bills and costlier goods. Much of this dysfunction stems from decades of expanding procedural requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA was designed to ensure informed environmental decision-making. Over time, it has evolved into a procedural maze that too often delays projects without producing better environmental outcomes. Endless rounds of paperwork, overlapping agency reviews and years of litigation have become commonplace, even after exhaustive environmental analysis is completed. The resulting delays impede new supply. TRUMP-APPROVED ENERGY PROJECTS AT RISK OF SUDDEN DEATH BY NEXT HOSTILE PRESIDENT The Mountain Valley Pipeline illustrates the problem. First proposed in 2014, the project did not begin operating until nearly a decade later despite extensive environmental review, public comment and regulatory oversight. Repeated litigation under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act delayed construction and increased costs. It took an act of Congress to finally complete the project and deliver natural gas to households and businesses. af Housing faces similar obstacles. Following the closure of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California in 1996, planners envisioned a vibrant mixed-use community with thousands of new homes. Decades later, significant portions of the property remain unavailable because environmental remediation and overlapping federal oversight still delay redevelopment. Years of delays mean fewer homes entering the market and higher housing costs. The cumulative impact of these delays extends far beyond individual projects. Delayed housing means higher home prices and rents for families already struggling to afford them. Delayed transmission lines and pipelines mean more expensive and less reliable electricity. Delayed factories send investment—and jobs—to countries with more predictable regulatory systems. Fixing this does not require sacrificing environmental protection. America should continue to maintain high environmental standards. Clean air, water and responsible stewardship of public lands remain essential public priorities. But protecting the environment and requiring government agencies to make timely decisions are not mutually exclusive. Endless procedural delays rarely produce cleaner air or healthier ecosystems. More often, they discourage investment, inflate costs and leave communities waiting years for needed projects. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Congress has an opportunity to modernize the permitting system while preserving core environmental protections. Reasonable deadlines for agency decisions, better coordination among federal regulators, narrower opportunities for duplicative litigation after agencies have completed their work and greater regulatory certainty would all make it easier to build without weakening environmental safeguards. Several proposals already before Congress — including the SPEED Act , the FREEDOM Act and the PERMIT Act —offer practical frameworks for accomplishing those goals. Permitting reform should not be viewed through a partisan lens. Whether the goal is more affordable housing, lower energy prices, stronger domestic manufacturing or greater economic competitiveness, the solution begins with allowing projects to move from blueprint to construction in a reasonable amount of time. In today's polarized Congress, achieving bipartisan agreement on major legislation can seem nearly impossible. Yet permitting reform has proven to be the exception. The SPEED Act, the FREEDOM Act and the PERMIT Act have all attracted bipartisan support. This rare consensus reflects a fundamental truth: Permitting delays are not a partisan problem, but a practical one that hampers economic growth and competitiveness regardless of which party is in power. If Congress can leverage this rare bipartisan agreement to modernize America's permitting system, it would demonstrate that gridlock isn't inevitable, and it would deliver real results for American families seeking affordable housing, a stronger economy and enhanced global competitiveness. Making it easier to build America again is not simply good regulatory policy — it’s one of the most effective affordability policies available. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2482c5335ae104782a5 Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 te 2026-08-17T09:20:08.653Z Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 Coming Up Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2472c5335ae1047829c Davis Dam releases for Aug. 17 te 2026-08-17T09:20:07.847Z Davis Dam releases for Aug. 17 Monday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2472c5335ae10478293 Gas prices Aug 17 te 2026-08-17T09:20:07.190Z Gas prices Aug 17 National average: $4.07 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2462c5335ae1047828a Our View: Parents should decide what their children read te 2026-08-17T09:20:06.443Z Our View: Parents should decide what their children read The debate over what children can find at a public library can quickly turn into a fight over books, censorship and competing values. Mohave County has a better option: Give parents the tools to make those decisions for their own… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cfeb2c5335ae1047823a Democratic Socialists Look for Upsets in Hostile Territory: Florida te 2026-08-17T09:10:03.917Z Democratic Socialists Look for Upsets in Hostile Territory: Florida Three primaries for the House and the Senate on Tuesday pose a fresh test for the left, this time in a conservative-leaning state where socialism is often seen as a dirty word. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9d2c5335ae10478208 Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion te 2026-08-17T09:00:13.712Z Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion By Ethan Faverino | The federal government ran a $432.308 billion deficit in July, marking the largest monthly deficit since March 2021, according to the Joint Economic Committee’s latest Monthly Fiscal Update. The July deficit brought the federal government’s total deficit for the fiscal year through July to $1.799 trillion. The figure is 10.46% higher than the $1.629 trillion deficit recorded during the comparable period in FY25. The federal government has spent $1.40 for every $1 it has collected in revenue so far in FY26, with 28.62% of total outlays not covered by federal receipts. For comparison, the federal government recorded a total deficit of $1.775 trillion during fiscal year 2025. In July, the Fed gov ran a deficit of $432.308B, the largest monthly deficit since March 2021. FY2026-July, deficits were $1.799T. This means 28.62% of outlays in FY2026 were not paid for by revenues & for every dollar the Fed gov received in revenue, it spent $1.40.… — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) August 13, 2026 The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) most recent 10-year budget projections estimate that the federal deficit will reach $1.853 trillion in FY26, followed by $1.887 trillion in FY27 and $2.080 trillion in FY28. Federal net outlays totaled $766.318 billion in July, bringing total net outlays for the fiscal year through July to $6.284 trillion. That represents a 5.17% increase compared to the $5.975 trillion in net outlays recorded during the same period in FY25. Total federal outlays reached $7.010 trillion during FY25. The largest categories of federal spending so far in FY26 have been Social Security, Medicare, income security and veterans benefits, net interest on the national debt, defense, and Medicaid. Social security accounted for $1.384 trillion in spending through July, or approximately 22% of all federal outlays. Medicare accounted for $954.52 billion, or 15.2%. Income security and veterans benefits accounted for another $968.31 billion (15.4%), while net interest on the federal debt totaled $931.36 billion (14.8%). Defense spending totaled $764.71 billion through July, representing 12.2% of federal outlays, while Medicaid spending reached $598.21 billion (9.5%). In July alone, Medicare accounted for $174.25 billion in federal spending, followed by Social Security at $140.68 billion, income security and veterans benefits at $119.28 billion, net interest at $104.15 billion, defense at $86.05 billion, and Medicaid at $58.30 billion. The CBO currently projects total federal net outlays of $7.449 trillion for FY26, increasing to $7.772 trillion in FY27 and $8.151 trillion in FY28. Federal spending has continued to exceed revenue despite receipts also increasing compared to the same period last fiscal year. The federal government collected $334.010 billion in net receipts during July. For the fiscal year through July, total net receipts reached $4.485 trillion. That is a 3.19% increase from the $4.437 trillion collected during the comparable period in FY25. Total federal receipts reached $5.235 trillion durning FY25. Individual income taxes remain the largest source of federal revenue, generating $2.369 trillion through July, or 52.8% of all federal receipts. Social insurance and retirement taxes generated another $1.523 trillion, accounting for 33.9% of receipts. Corporation income taxes have generated $292.91 billion so far in FY26, representing 6.5% of total receipts. Customs duties have brought in $154.47 billion (3.4%), while all other receipts accounted for $146.22 billion (3.3%). In July, individual income taxes generated $173.27 billion, while social insurance and retirement taxes generated $139.07 billion. Corporation income taxes generated $13.57 billion during the month. Customs duties recorded a negative $8.55 billion in July, compared with $135.69 billion collected during the comparable period of FY25. Despite the July figure, customs duties have generated $154.47 billion for the fiscal year to date. The CBO projects federal receipts will total $5.596 trillion in FY26, $5.885 trillion in FY27 and $6.071 trillion in FY28. While federal receipts have increased 3.19% compared with the same point in FY25, net outlays have increased by 5.17% The difference between federal spending and revenue has contributed to the $1.799 trillion deficit accumulated through July. The federal government’s fiscal year ends September 30, meaning the July figures cover 10 months of FY26. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9b2c5335ae104781ff Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood te 2026-08-17T09:00:11.965Z Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood By Matthew Holloway | The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is targeting Democratic congressional nominee Amish Shah over his documented support for admitting Washington, D.C., as the 51st state. The criticism comes as Arizona’s competitive First Congressional District race moves into the general election. The NRCC said Thursday that Shah supported the proposal on multiple occasions while serving in the Arizona House of Representatives and characterized statehood as an effort to expand Democratic power in Congress. The committee cited a 2021 letter signed by Shah and a 2023 concurrent resolution listing him among its sponsors. The D.C. Statehood Compact, an organization supporting admission, lists Shah among 33 Democratic Arizona lawmakers who signed the 2021 letter. The lawmakers wrote that “the State of Arizona supports admitting Washington, D.C. into the Union” and urged the state’s congressional delegation to support federal statehood legislation. Two years later, Shah joined more than two dozen Arizona House members and eight state senators sponsoring House Concurrent Resolution 2034. The measure, which died in committee without receiving a floor vote, would have proclaimed support for admitting Washington, D.C., as a state and enacting federal legislation granting statehood to its residents. The resolution argued that District residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and remain without full voting representation in Congress. It also cited the 2016 districtwide referendum in which approximately 86 percent of voters supported statehood. Federal statehood legislation would preserve a smaller federal district containing the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court and other federal buildings while admitting the residential and commercial portions of Washington as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. The proposed state would elect two senators and initially one voting member of the House. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Sen. Chris Van Hollen reintroduced companion measures in January 2025. Republicans have argued that admission would produce two reliably Democratic Senate seats and an additional Democratic vote in the House. District voters have supported the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since they first participated in 1964. Former Vice President Kamala Harris received 90.28 percent of the District’s vote in 2024, while President Donald Trump received 6.47 percent. NRCC spokesman Ben Petersen linked Shah’s statehood position to the committee’s broader criticism of his policy record. ALERT: Arizona Democrat Socialist @DrAmishShah pushed for making Washington D.C. 🟦 the 51st state — a Democrat power grab Uncovered docs revealed Socialist Shah wanted to create two new Democrat-held U.S. Senate seats and a Democrat U.S. House seat 🟦🟦🟦 Shah showed he's a… pic.twitter.com/tSJ3rWFnBr — Ben Petersen (@bennpetersen) August 13, 2026 In a post to X, Petersen wrote, “Arizona Democrat Socialist @DrAmishShah pushed for making Washington D.C. the 51st state — a Democrat power grab. Uncovered docs revealed Socialist Shah wanted to create two new Democrat-held U.S. Senate seats and a Democrat U.S. House seat.” “Socialist Amish Shah demonstrated he’s a partisan Democrat obsessed with seizing power to force unpopular far-left tax hikes on Arizonans,” Petersen said, adding, “Arizona families can’t afford Socialist Shah rubber-stamping a radical left agenda in Congress.” Shah’s campaign describes him as an independent voice who worked across party lines during his five years in the state Legislature. His campaign says his congressional priorities include lowering costs, protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and defending abortion rights. The new attack follows a contentious Democratic primary in which Shah openly criticized national party leaders. In May, Shah accused the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of interfering in the race after it endorsed former television journalist Marlene Galán-Woods. Shah said the committee had previously assured candidates that it would remain out of the primary and described its intervention as “hubris.” Shah defeated Galán-Woods and two other candidates in July and will face Republican nominee Jay Feely in November. Feely, a former Arizona Cardinals kicker, received Trump’s endorsement during the Republican primary. The open district includes Scottsdale, northeast Phoenix, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley and is expected to help determine control of the U.S. House. The NRCC has also focused on remarks Shah made about taxes and the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. During a Democratic forum this year, Shah called Trump’s tax cuts “abominable” and said he would use his platform to “prosecute” Trump and congressional Republicans “as vigorously as I can.”   During a 2018 appearance that resurfaced in the 2024 campaign, Shah said the country’s economic system was unfair, blamed Reagan-era tax reductions for contributing to inequality and welcomed what he called a “huge progressive movement” within the Democratic Party. Shah also said during the 2024 campaign that he opposed extending the Trump tax cuts because many of their beneficiaries were wealthy. Shah previously won the district’s Democratic nomination in 2024 and lost to Republican Rep. David Schweikert by approximately four percentage points Schweikert left the seat open after forgoing reelection to run unsuccessfully for governor. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9a2c5335ae104781f6 Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme te 2026-08-17T09:00:10.188Z Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme By Staff Reporter | A new complaint filed this week alleges that Arizona’s governor, secretary of state, and attorney general may have participated in a straw donor scheme. The complainant, San Tan Valley resident Gary DeBerge, has asked Arizona District Attorney Timothy Courchaine and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to look into what he says are “mysterious and unexplained” irregularities in the campaigns of Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes.  A copy of the complaint obtained by AZ Free News alleges that recent filings by one of the campaigns reflect “repeatedly altered reported receipts by millions of dollars” due to alleged eliminations of prior reported contributions.  Elect Katie Hobbs, the governor’s reelection campaign account, issued 10 amended reports for the 2026 Quarter 2 report, several of which varied by millions of dollars.  Exempt small contributions amounting to less than $100 totaled more than $1.4 million in the original filing and the first amended report, dropped to $0 in the second and third amended reports, then rose to nearly $400,000 in subsequent amended reports.   Total receipts amounted to more than $2.6 million in the original filing, but jumped to $3.1 million in the first amended report, then dropped below $1.7 million in the second amended report, then rose again to more than $2.2 million in the third amended report, and then rose again, back to more than $2.6 million in subsequent amended reports.  Donations under $100 are considered eligible for aggregate rather than individual reporting. Elect Katie Hobbs 2026 Quarter 2 Reported Contributions Total ReceiptsSmall ContributionsCash Balance Original Filing (ID: 385354)$2,642,060$1,426,552$2,378,206 First Amended Filing (ID: 408467)$3,105,230$1,426,552$2,841,375  Second Amended Filing (ID: 409125)$1,678,677$0 $1,414,823 Third Amended Filing (ID: 419576)$2,257,740$0 $1,993,885 Fourth Amended Filing (ID: 421346)$2,652,525$394,785$2,388,670 Fifth Amended Filing (ID: 421347)$2,649,025$394,785$2,385,170 Sixth Amended Filing (ID: 421760)$2,649,020$394,785$2,385,165 Seventh Amended Filing (ID: 421761)$2,648,520$394,785$2,384,665 Eighth Amended Filing (ID: 421762)$2,648,267$394,785$2,384,412 Ninth Amended Filing (ID: 421763)$2,648,259$394,784$2,384,404 Tenth Amended Filing (ID: 421765)$2,648,276$394,802$2,384,421 The complaint petitioned investigators to determine whether the millions moved around in amended filings reflected “a calculated attempt to obscure the true source and disposition” of the funds.  As noted by the complaint, Hobbs’ campaign reported much smaller totals of exempt small contributions throughout 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Exempt small contributions across five quarters amounted to $600,000 in total. Then, in the second quarter of this year, the campaign reported a surge in exempt small contributions that amounted to more than double what the campaign pulled for an entire year and a quarter.  “Elect Katie Hobbs has reported approximately $1.4 million in exempt contributions and then later reported that those same contributions never existed,” stated the complaint. “This should immediately raise questions regarding the accuracy of one, if not all, of the recent filings made by this committee.”  The Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress have initiated investigatory efforts into straw donor schemes by online fundraising platforms.  An example of this was illustrated prominently in the media earlier this year, when investigative reporters discovered that ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform for Democrats, allegedly misattributed around $100,000 in donations across thousands of individual political contributions over five years to one Elizabeth Waffle, an 88-year-old woman in Michigan living in a trailer with limited income. ActBlue allegedly misattributed more than 13,000 donations that occurred once or multiple times on a daily basis.  The complaint also questioned the number of contributors listed as “not employed” across the three campaigns’ 2026 filings to date. Below are the total number of instances in which individual contributors were listed as “not employed” for the three report filings due so far this year and the four report filings made in 2025. These instances exclude retirees and may include individuals who contributed more than once. Candidate“Not Employed” or “Unemployed” in 2026 Filings“Not Employed” or “Unemployed” in 2025 Filings Katie Hobbs46,33526,643 Andy Biggs2621 Kris Mayes17,53013,162 Warren Petersen00 Adrian Fontes12,6403,294 Alexander Kolodin21 AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1de2c5335ae1047809d Arizona warns feds of 'catastrophic' harm from Colorado River plan te 2026-08-17T08:10:06.874Z Arizona warns feds of 'catastrophic' harm from Colorado River plan Arizona continues pressing its case against potentially “catastrophic” cuts in its water supply, asserting that the federal government’s developing plan for the Colorado River ignores critical legal requirements to deliver water to the Southwest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1de2c5335ae10478094 Lake Havasu City secures federal land rights for second bridge te 2026-08-17T08:10:06.116Z Lake Havasu City secures federal land rights for second bridge Lake Havasu City has secured federal land rights needed for the second bridge project, clearing another hurdle as the city moves toward construction. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1dd2c5335ae1047808b Western Arizona state parks draw loyal visitors as attendance shifts from pandemic highs te 2026-08-17T08:10:05.195Z Western Arizona state parks draw loyal visitors as attendance shifts from pandemic highs Arizona state parks in Mohave and La Paz counties are keeping a remarkably loyal base of visitors, even as attendance at some of the region’s parks remains below the levels seen around the COVID-19 pandemic. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82b8802c5335ae10477b66 Australia sets launch for sweeping gun buyback after Bondi Beach terror attack: 'Sensible gun reform' te 2026-08-17T07:30:08.727Z Australia sets launch for sweeping gun buyback after Bondi Beach terror attack: 'Sensible gun reform' New South Wales in Australia is slated to begin a gun buyback scheme in November, the first state in the nation to kick-off the program as part of the national response to a shooting spree that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in the state capital of Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday. Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the scheme would start on November 2. People who return eligible firearms under the first phase would receive fixed compensation ranging from $450 to $1,000 per firearm, depending on the type. A second phase will provide a valuation pathway for certain higher-value firearms, capped at $10,000 per firearm. Albanese's center-left government adopted new gun-control laws in January in the aftermath of the December 14 attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, including the gun buyback program and tighter firearms measures. New South Wales separately passed tighter state firearms laws in December, while the federal government also strengthened laws targeting hate speech and extremism. The pair of alleged gunmen used firearms that were obtained legally. Australia's government said there were a record 4.1 million firearms in the country last year, including more than 1.1 million in New South Wales, its most populous state. AUSTRALIA VOWS TO STRENGTHEN HATE SPEECH LAWS, GUN CONTROL IN WAKE OF BONDI BEACH ATTACK "We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again. That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform," Albanese said in a statement. The initiative is set to be Australia's largest buyback since a similar effort following the 1996 massacre in Tasmania's Port Arthur, when a gunman killed 35 people. "Australians are quite rightly proud of our gun laws, but the fact is there are more guns in Australia today than there were at the time of dealing with the Port Arthur gun buyback ," Albanese said. New South Wales generally limits individual firearm ownership to four guns under restrictions sparked by the Bondi Beach attack, with exemptions allowingcertain licence holders, including some primary producers, sport shooters and others with specified genuine reasons, to possess more firearms. It estimates that up to 274,000 registered firearms — about 24% of the total number of registered firearms in New South Wales — and about 50,000 license holders are affected by the new limits on gun ownership and reclassification of some types of firearms. VIRGINIA GUN SALES SPIKE AHEAD OF JULY 1 ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN SIGNED BY GOV. SPANBERGER "After Bondi, we promised the people of New South Wales we would introduce the toughest gun laws in the country, and that’s exactly what we did," Minns said. "The next step is getting the guns that are no longer permitted under those laws out of circulation and permanently off our streets." "There are potentially hundreds of thousands of firearms affected by these changes," Minns added. "We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed. This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales." The attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son who police believe were inspired by the Islamic State. The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police at the scene, while the surviving suspect, Naveed Akram, 24, has not yet entered pleas on a slew of charges, including 15 counts of murder. Authorities have charged him with 59 offenses in total, including committing a terrorist act and 15 counts of murder. A man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. He suffered gunshot wounds in the incident and is still recovering. "After the tragedy at Bondi, we committed to dealing with the motive and the method," Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said. "Since then, we have strengthened our hate crimes and hate speech laws, which are now the strongest in our country’s history." "Today we continue the proud Australian tradition of sensible gun reform designed to protect our community from weapons which have no utility other than to cause harm." he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a829eb72c5335ae1047729d Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration te 2026-08-17T05:40:07.506Z Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration President Donald Trump is blaming vandals for large spots of dead grass on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial, the same area where the president hosted crowds for a 4th of July celebration. Trump made the claim without providing evidence or explaining why he believes vandals damaged the grass. He shared a photo showing an area by the World War II Memorial with patches of brown and dead grass across much of the sprawling turf that was previously full of green grass. "Look what VANDALS did to the grass connecting the vandalized World War II Monument and the vandalized Reflecting Pool, which will be opened again, and better than ever, shortly," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!" he continued. TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE Trump had a large stage built and invited crowds to the same lawn for his Independence Day celebration last month. He is now blaming vandals for the grass damage. Crowds gathered to hear from the president and watch fireworks to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. Photos from the celebration show a large bandstand and seating areas covering nearly the entire lawn Trump now says was damaged by vandals. Photos from subsequent days showed workers removing the structures, revealing brown and damaged grass underneath. The photographs show that event infrastructure occupied much of the affected lawn, but do not by themselves establish what caused all of the grass damage. Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to his renovation projects in Washington, D.C., often without evidence and contradicting accounts from his officials. Earlier this month, Trump criticized U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case after newly disclosed evidence showed widespread liner damage stemming from a flawed installation and the rush to complete the project ahead of Independence Day events, undermining the case against the defendant. On Friday, an arrest was made in connection with vandalism at the World War II Memorial after the words "Clean hands dirty $" were found painted on the monument and bubbles filled a fountain. Felony charges in that case are being brought against Melissa Farris, according to Pirro. Charging documents in that case do not mention the once-grassy area Trump referred to in his new social media post. Authorities said Farris was previously arrested for camping on federal property a few blocks from the World War II Memorial, but not the spot referenced by Trump. OBAMA JUDGE HANDS PROGRESSIVES A WIN OVER ANTI-TRUMP '86 47' MESSAGE AMID RISING THREATS On Aug. 1, Trump posted a different photo of the same area of dead that appears to show the numbers "86 47," which federal officials argue is a threat against Trump. The numbers are not visible in the photo Trump shared on Sunday. Trump cited that image as evidence against Pirro's conclusion, describing it as "a pure case of VANDALISM, that included the grass." "There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!" he wrote. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8280402c5335ae10476e29 NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher knife after he advanced toward cops: police te 2026-08-17T03:30:08.199Z NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher knife after he advanced toward cops: police NYPD officers fatally shot a 54-year-old man Sunday afternoon after police said he advanced toward them with a large butcher knife inside a Lower East Side apartment building. The shooting happened shortly after 4 p.m. at 126 Ludlow Street, where officers were responding to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress. When officers entered the building, they found a trail of blood leading up a staircase, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger said during a Sunday evening news conference. As officers headed upstairs, they encountered 54-year-old Wei Chan coming down the staircase while armed with what police described as a large butcher knife. LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY PARK SHOOTING KILLS 1, INJURES 4 DURING LIVE BAND PERFORMANCE "Officers repeated multiple commands for the male to show his hands in an effort for him to drop the weapon," Eger said. "As officers issued repeated commands, the male continued to advance towards the officers armed with the large butcher knife." The officers then opened fire, striking Chan. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. "He has no known criminal history with our department. However, he does have a documented mental health history with the department," Eger said. POLICE REVEAL NEW DETAILS ABOUT GUNMAN, 5 VICTIMS KILLED IN RURAL MICHIGAN SHOOTING RAMPAGE Officers also found Wei Chan's 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan, suffering from a laceration to the head. Investigators said Wei Chan had injured his father before police arrived. He was also taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. The responding officers were also taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said. "Their actions are a reminder of how officers run towards danger and not away from it," Eger said. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN DORM CLOSET ARRESTED Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the incident would undergo an internal investigation. "As with every incident in which NYPD officers discharge their weapons, there will be an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released," Mamdani wrote on X. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a827de72c5335ae104767e1 Hayden Panettiere dead at 36 te 2026-08-17T03:20:07.825Z Hayden Panettiere dead at 36 "Nashville" actress Hayden Panettiere died, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36. Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately made available. "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen," her rep said in a statement provided to ABC. Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.  This is a developing story. Check back here for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8272302c5335ae10476287 Von Miller signs with Cowboys in homecoming move for 2-time Super Bowl champion: 'Let's make this one special' te 2026-08-17T02:30:08.577Z Von Miller signs with Cowboys in homecoming move for 2-time Super Bowl champion: 'Let's make this one special' Von Miller, the eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, is heading to Jerry’s World for his 15th NFL season. Miller announced he is signing with the Dallas Cowboys, though the specifics of the deal were not disclosed. "Dallas ! Let’s make this one Special !" Miller wrote on X with a photoshopped picture of himself in a Cowboys uniform. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cowboys legend Demarcus Ware, who also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos alongside Miller, also posted a FaceTime screenshot of the two of them smiling together with the a smiling emoji and "#CowboysNation." Miller also won SB 50 MVP during that game against the Carolina Panthers as well. Miller is coming off a nine-sack season for the Washington Commanders, where he also collected 26 combined tackles across 17 games with his fourth NFL franchise in his career. QUINNEN WILLIAMS AGRESS TO $105.9M CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH COWBOYS, LOCKING HIM IN THROUGH 2030 SEASON Now, Miller will be facing off against the Commanders, and other NFC East foes, with the Cowboys. COWBOYS LEGEND RELISHES IN CALEB DOWNS PICK AS RIVAL TEAM MISSES OUT ON FILLING SECONDARY HOLE Miller is a future Hall of Fame defensive end who has two first team All-Pro nods under his many accolades. He also heads into the 2026 NFL season tied ninth all-time in sacks alongside Ware with 138.5 for his career. This is also a full-circle moment for Miller, who returns home. The DeSoto, Texas native starred at DeSoto High School before earning national recognition during his time with the Texas A&M Aggies. The Broncos ended up taking Miller second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, but now he heads to Dallas, which is less than an hour away from where he grew up. For the Cowboys, the addition of Miller runs with the theme they’ve had since trading away Micah Parsons one year ago. They have been trying to find that skilled pass rusher since Parsons landed with the Green Bay Packers. Last season, the Cowboys had just 31 sacks, which was in the bottom third of the league. Of course, sacks are not the only statistic that matters, but as a defense, Dallas allowed the third-most yards (377.0) and the most points (30.1) per game of any team in the league. COWBOYS LOCK IN GEORGE PICKENS WITH $27.3M FRANCHISE TAG DESPITE FAILING TO REACH LONG-TERM CONTRACT The Cowboys have tried to shore up their defense this offseason, including the addition of Parsons’ old Packers teammate, outside linebacker Rashan Gary, ex-Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Otito Ogbonnia, and ex-San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters while using two first-round draft choices on defensive players — Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF linebacker Malachi Lawrence. Finally, with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker in place, the Cowboys want to see their defense keep opponents out of the end zone, while their offense continues to find it like they did at a high rate last season. The Cowboys had the second-best offense in terms of yards in 2025. Can Miller be that much of a difference, though? Can he fill the sack void left when Parsons packed for Green Bay? He had a solid performance in 2025, and perhaps the homecoming will add some extra juice for the future Hall of Famer as he joins his new team. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8264202c5335ae1047611c Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive te 2026-08-17T01:30:08.422Z Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive A Louisiana man is accused of killing his wife and propping her body up in the passenger seat of his car and driving through multiple states before he was arrested in Tennessee, according to authorities. Tyronne Brazille, 50, was pulled over by police in Memphis for a traffic violation on Thursday when officers found the lifeless body of his wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, in the passenger seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound, WREG reported. A longtime friend of the woman, Shelicka Decker, told the outlet that the couple had been married for years and Bradford was planning to leave Brazille. NEW JERSEY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH BARBELL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED IN MESSAGES TO RELATIVES: REPORT "She had the money saved up. She had come up with a plan, and she was going to just vanish. That was the only way she would be able to get away from him," Decker said. "She was going to leave her car, she was going to leave all the things behind, and she had been in touch with her family that was out of town, and that’s how she was going to make this move to get away." But before Bradford had the chance to leave, investigators allege Brazille shot and killed her during an argument at Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge, according to investigators, WREG reported. Investigators said Brazille drove through several states with his wife's body in the vehicle before he was stopped in Memphis. He was taken into custody in Memphis as a fugitive. "I have so many questions, like, what were you doing in the car with her that amount of time while she was deceased," Decker said. "Where was his mind at during that ride? It’s so crazy and heartbreaking." DATING-APP CHARMER ACCUSED OF MURDER AFTER HISTORY OF DOMESTIC ARRESTS INVOLVING WOMEN HE MET ONLINE Decker said Bradford had told her that Brazille threatened to kill himself or Bradford when she discussed leaving him, but Decker said she never believed he would actually follow through. "He never put his hands on her up until recently, like maybe like two or three months ago," Decker said. "It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone had called and said that he killed himself because he always says this. It surprised me that he killed her." Decker said Bradford worked at an elementary school in Baton Rouge, and the school asked police to conduct a welfare check at her home after she missed a few days of work. "It’s such an unfortunate situation, like everybody, she was such a good person. Everybody, she uplifted a lot of people, a lot of parents," Decker said. "My prayers are with her family and friends as well as his, because we were all friends. We all, you know, hung around each other, and this is just not the same person that we grew up with." Brazille is scheduled to appear in court on Monday as he awaits extradition to Louisiana. Police said Brazille is expected to face a murder charge after extradition in connection with Bradford’s death. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825f6f2c5335ae104760af Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal te 2026-08-17T01:10:07.796Z Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said he supports U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case involving the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Federal prosecutors on July 31 moved to drop the case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the $14 million project after cracks, algae growth and peeling sealant were discovered. Prosecutors cited evidence indicating the damage may have stemmed from a botched renovation rather than vandalism. Blanche said he and President Donald Trump both support Pirro, but acknowledged that he could not fault the president for his reaction to the case dismissal, as "potential vandalism" may still be involved. "I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump," he said on NBC’s "Meet the Press." TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE "Now, that’s different than whether the president is extraordinarily frustrated at what happened in that case. And I don’t in any way fault him for that." Blanche clarified that the court filings did not conclude that all of the damage was caused by faulty construction, noting that a witness reportedly claimed to have seen Hearn vandalizing the reflecting pool. However, he acknowledged that witness accounts alone are not sufficient evidence to prove the case. "Well, there’s a witness that said, ‘I observed the defendant vandalizing the reflecting pool.’ Now, that’s different than whether ultimately we have the proof." Hearn has maintained his innocence.  TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT Despite the evidentiary issues surrounding the case, Blanche said Pirro is doing a "phenomenal job" prosecuting vandalism involving memorials and monuments.  His comments came after Pirro’s office pursued a separate $1,000 property-destruction case involving a veterans memorial last Thursday. A female suspect, Melissa L. Farris, allegedly spray-painted the words "clean hands, diary money" in bright pink paint and dumped bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain. "U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who’s doing it. And I think judging her on a single case because of the evidence that we had is not fair," he said. Blanche also said he would also consider last Thursday’s White House request asking the Justice Department to explore whether a new misdemeanor prosecution could be brought against Hearn after Pirro’s office dropped the original vandalism case. WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ON NATIONAL MALL VANDALIZED WITH PINK SPRAY PAINT; FOUNTAIN OVERFLOWING WITH BUBBLES "Will I take the President of the United States’s view on something into consideration? Yes, of course," he said. "That’s certainly something that I listen to." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825f6f2c5335ae104760a6 Mercury coach blasts WNBA narratives but ignores Fever coach Stephanie White’s role in the mess te 2026-08-17T01:10:07.152Z Mercury coach blasts WNBA narratives but ignores Fever coach Stephanie White’s role in the mess Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts lit up his media session Saturday, taking dead aim at the endless noise surrounding the WNBA. But instead of addressing why players like Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark keep taking hits from activists and mainstream outlets, Tibbetts rushed to the defense of Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White. "It really pisses me off. It's disappointing," Tibbetts said regarding the narrative around the league. "This is a great league. We've got great players. There's great stories, great rookies, great teams. We just spend so much time talking about the wrong stuff. I don't know why that happens in our league. It's disappointing. I don't know who can help change the narrative. Is it the coaches? Is it the players? Is it the media? There's outside sources that are trying to create division, and at times it's not a lot of fun." TEXAS LAWMAKER SAYS WNBA RESPONSE ON CAITLIN CLARK ‘FALLS SHORT,’ KEEPS ‘EVERY OPTION ON THE TABLE’ Tibbetts singled out the backlash directed at White after her limp reaction to a hard foul on Cunningham. "We make it about basketball, but some of the things that Steph has to go through, that's wrong," Tibbetts added. "There's no other coach in any professional sport that has to go through the stuff that she does, and I think of her a lot. It's not fair. It's not fair. She's hired to coach basketball. They got a great team and they're just dealing with stuff that doesn't really matter. So that still pisses me off." White has been criticized for being too passive in protecting her players, notably after DiJonai Carrington slammed Sophie Cunningham across the neck. Cunningham was already a target in the media for daring to speak out about protecting women's sports regarding transgender athletes. FEVER COACH STEPHANIE WHITE DODGES QUESTION ON GOP LETTER ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK’S TREATMENT IN WNBA Instead of standing up for her player, Stephanie White ducked behind a wall of corporate word salad. White insisted Carrington had no bad intent, brushed it off as a routine hard foul, and apparently hoped everyone would just move along. White's spineless refusal to defend Cunningham or acknowledge the targeted hostility toward players like Clark is what actually drives the outrage. When activists and media hacks attack your locker room, a head coach cannot just sit on the fence. Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum. In reality, his impassioned defense of White is basic WNBA brand protection. WNBA SUDDENLY WANTS TO STICK TO BASKETBALL AFTER YEARS OF MAKING POLITICS PART OF THE PRODUCT The WNBA would rather circle the wagons around its own establishment than back players who dare to express their views on matters like protecting women's sports. Until coaches like White stop playing it safe and start defending their players, Tibbetts can complain about the narrative all he wants. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825d1a2c5335ae1047605c Rob Schneider leans on faith, holds hope for reconciliation with estranged daughter Elle King te 2026-08-17T01:00:10.350Z Rob Schneider leans on faith, holds hope for reconciliation with estranged daughter Elle King Rob Schneider's relationship with estranged daughter Elle King may be strained, but he has hope for the future. Schneider, 62, admitted on Andrew Gold's "Heretics" podcast that he'll always be there for the "very talented" country singer despite challenges with the past. The "Grown Ups" actor recalled a previous public appearance where he admitted he "wasn't the dad" that his daughter needed. KELSEY GRAMMER URGES AMERICANS TO LOOK TO FOUNDING FATHERS FOR GUIDANCE AS NATION FACES DEEP DIVISIONS "I wasn't prepared emotionally for the outpouring of what I received after that," Schneider said. "There's an endemic – and I don't know if in other cultures, but in the United States – an endemic of kids who went off to college and came back and said, 'My daughter doesn't want to have a relationship with me anymore,' or, 'I can't see my grandkids.'" "It's an attack on the culture in a way that the culture is vulnerable." In 2024, King shared insight into her at-times "toxic" childhood during an appearance on BunnieXO's "Dumb Blonde" podcast. King confessed that her dad was "just not nice" and would go "four or five years without talking" to her. "I put out my record and people finally started asking about my dad," she said. "My dad called me, and was like, ‘Don’t f---ing talk about me in the press.'" DENISE RICHARDS SAYS SAMI 'STANDS UP' TO DAD CHARLIE SHEEN AND THAT HE NEEDS IT She remembered, "If I would ever spend a summer with my dad, it would be on a movie set. I would just get lost in the shuffle. If I ever messed up a shot, if I ever was talking, like, I would get in f---ing trouble." "He also didn't have a very good reputation. I don't want to be associated with him. He's just not nice. You can want someone to change so much; you can't control anyone else's actions. You can't control people's feelings. All you can control is how you react and what you do with your feelings, and sometimes I f---ing boil up, and I boil over and I f---ing bust my lid." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER King added, "You try every different angle. I would try letters. I would try soft. I would try yelling … my dad forgot about every single birthday. I spent my 18th birthday in a summer school, and they brought me cupcakes, and I came home and my dad forgot my birthday." Schneider later apologized for the past, and admitted he wasn't sure if his daughter accepted his words. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "The door's open, and I would say, you know, I love you and ... I'm there when you want," he said. "We had an exchange, and I'll leave it at that. The thing about, as a parent, you just have to love and be available and be an open door. My door's always open." He added, "The second she needs me, I'll be there. That's all you can do, and the idea that I'm going to somehow ... that I need something, that I can force my way or force ... no. It has to be something that ... an openness." Schneider conveyed the importance of recognizing a "higher power" to help guide him through difficult times. "When things get taken away, and if that's everything – your fame and your attachment to this stuff – if that gets taken from you, and that's all you have, then you have nothing," he said. "But if you realize there is something higher than all of that and your connection to that, then at that point there's nothing that anybody could do to you." He added, "The thing about Christianity, it's really … it's love others, and it's really about forgiveness. And forgiveness isn't something you give to somebody else. It's a gift you give to yourself. You can't carry stuff. You have to let go." King's representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825abf2c5335ae10476013 Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’ te 2026-08-17T00:50:07.539Z Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’ Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected NBC host Kristen Welker's request Sunday on "Meet the Press" that he pledge the Justice Department (DOJ) would always act independently of the White House, arguing the agency must remain able to carry out lawful presidential policy priorities. "No, I’m not going to pledge that. And no attorney general should ever pledge that," Blanche said. Blanche used President Donald Trump’s directive to target violent criminals to distinguish lawful presidential direction from political interference in an individual case. TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS "If President Trump says, ‘I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country,’ which is what he has said, what you’re saying to me is I should say, ‘No, sir, I’m not going to do it,’" Blanche said. According to the Justice Manual, the department's own rules draw the distinction Blanche described. They permit coordination between the White House and DOJ on policy matters unrelated to pending cases, while limiting contacts about cases to senior officials to protect enforcement decisions from partisan or improper influence. Blanche also gave a similar answer when Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., asked whether the Justice Department was independent from the White House during his confirmation hearing in July. "The Department of Justice, like every single Department in the executive [branch], is part of the executive," Blanche said. BLANCHE SURVIVES REPUBLICAN DEFECTORS AS TRUMP GETS HIS NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL The Justice Department pointed Fox News Digital on Sunday to a post from Emily Covington, director of DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, in response to questions about Welker’s exchange with Blanche. NBC News and the White House did not immediately respond. "DOJ is part of the executive branch. Are you suggesting that the focus of the Department should not align with the policy goals of the President, who was elected by the American people? Elected because the people voted for the priorities of that President," Covington said. Welker followed Blanche's explanation by asking whether he would comply if Trump directed him to cross an ethical or legal line. Blanche rejected the premise and pointed to his constitutional oath. "He never has. He never will," Blanche said. "I swore to the Constitution of the United States like every cabinet secretary has done and like every attorney general before me has done." DOZEN GOP REBELS FAIL TO PERMANENTLY KILL TRUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL $2B FUND DOJ separately told Fox News Digital that Blanche had addressed the issue publicly and raised the Biden-era investigation into classified records at Mar-a-Lago. "The AG has addressed this at length publicly," a DOJ spokesperson said. FBI records released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley showed officials in the Washington Field Office said they had not established probable cause for a search warrant and favored seeking Trump’s cooperation through a consensual search. The DOJ’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section maintained that probable cause existed and pressed forward with the warrant. A federal magistrate approved the warrant before the August 2022 search. A separate May 2022 FBI communication showed coordination among DOJ, the White House Counsel’s Office and the National Archives during the classified-records investigation. Plans to interview Trump aide Walt Nauta depended on the timing of a Biden briefing and coordination between White House Counsel and DOJ. The publicly reported excerpt concerned the Nauta interview and executive-privilege questions, rather than an explicit White House directive to conduct the later search. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The National Archives said the White House transmitted a DOJ-backed statutory request for the FBI to access 15 boxes Trump had returned, but distinguished that process from the later search and said NARA had no prior knowledge of or involvement in it. Blanche later said he would consider Trump's views on an individual prosecution but would stand up for what he believed was right. He also denied that the president directs him to prosecute specific people. Blanche's confirmation faced opposition as some Senate Republicans demanded that he rescind a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and narrow IRS audit protections for Trump and his family. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, ultimately joined every Senate Democrat in opposing his nomination. "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation," Collins said. Blanche sought to reassure DOJ employees during his first workforce address as attorney general Thursday by promising fair and impartial enforcement. "I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity," Blanche said. "I promise you that I will focus on our core mission, which is to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825abe2c5335ae1047600a Iran war thrusts Diego Garcia into spotlight as official calls US military base ‘integral’ te 2026-08-17T00:50:06.895Z Iran war thrusts Diego Garcia into spotlight as official calls US military base ‘integral’ An official with the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile said Sunday that the war with Iran has underscored Diego Garcia’s strategic importance to U.S. forces and Middle East regional stability, with the Pentagon shifting logistics to the remote U.K.-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean after an Iranian strike on a major American installation in Bahrain. The base, in the southern Chagos Archipelago, has reportedly supported carrier strike groups including the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose forces have conducted air operations and helped enforce the blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. military’s wartime logistics network now stretches across a roughly 2,200-mile maritime supply route to Diego Garcia, allowing forces to avoid coastal facilities vulnerable to Iranian attacks but requiring longer shuttle runs and slower replenishment, according to The New York Times. "That is an inconvenience, but it shows the importance of the base," James Tumbridge, an international lawyer who serves as attorney general for the Chagossian government-in-exile, told Fox News Digital. UK DEFENSE SHORTFALLS HIGHLIGHTED AS BRITAIN AVOIDS IRAN OFFENSIVE ROLE AMID TRUMP CRITICISM "The base is integral to regional security for the U.K., U.S. and our allies. This latest news emphasizes it." "Bahrain is a far easier target, so the U.S. change of supply arrangement makes sense," Tumbridge said, adding, "Hopefully the new British PM will not deny the U.S. this change of use." "It shows the importance of the base and asking a third country for permission is not what the U.S. will want, and so I hope this means Trump will still oppose the handover," Tumbridge went on to say, referring to a proposed agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In 2025, the U.K. and Mauritius signed a treaty that would recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while allowing the U.K. to retain control of Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period. The British government later put implementation of the agreement on hold amid renewed U.S. concerns over the sovereignty transfer. STARMER IN 'SEISMIC' CRISIS, UK DEFENSE CHIEF QUITS BEFORE HIGH-STAKES TRUMP NATO SUMMIT Reports emerged in June that U.S. officials had drafted a proposal to bypass Britain and strike a deal to take control of Diego Garcia, one of several alternatives to then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius. The first minister of the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile responded that month and said the Chagos Islands were not for sale or "for stealing either," but argued that he "can’t blame" Trump for "looking to secure the military base." "Trump cannot buy the islands. That suggestion made by some is unhelpful to us all. Only the U.K. can sell the islands, as only the U.K. owns them," Tumbridge also said on Sunday. "The arguments over sovereignty do not get fixed via a sale, and Mauritius cannot sell them unless the U.K. first gives them away," he added. "It is not in the U.K.’s interest to sell them. Whether we keep them and continue our support for the U.S. base or we cede them to Mauritius is the choice — my desire is the former." Mauritius has long claimed sovereignty over the archipelago, a position backed by a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice and subsequent U.N. action. The U.K. government, however, permitted the U.S. to use Diego Garcia for limited defensive operations targeting Iranian missile capabilities in March after initially withholding approval for offensive strikes. GULF COUNTRIES STRONGLY CONDEMN IRAN'S DRONE ATTACK ON BAHRAIN AS RISING TENSIONS THREATEN MOU "The U.S. wanted to use Chagos Diego Garcia for air strikes at the very beginning. The U.K. consulted Mauritius and refused — hence Trump finally appreciating why sovereignty transfer was a problem," Tumbridge said. "After the attacks on Cyprus, the U.K. allowed certain so-called defense uses, and Iran did fire at Diego Garcia, but they missed." On March 20, Reuters reported that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia. One missile failed in flight, while a U.S. warship fired an interceptor at the other, though it was initially unclear whether the interception succeeded. British officials later said one missile fell short and the other was intercepted. "No serious concerns have been shared — the earlier attempt showed a lack of range and targeting ability," Tumbridge said. "The British Government and the Commissioner for the Territory have already tried to say the last attack makes the islands unsafe. No one seriously believes that Iran would try to target the outer islands that presently only have a population of six people." PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The reported U.S. logistical strains and renewed focus on Diego Garcia came as the USS Abraham Lincoln approached nine months of continuous deployment in the region. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews on Aug. 14, Trump said a new aircraft carrier was heading to the Middle East to replace it. "That ship is moving," Trump said when reporters asked about the carrier. Meanwhile, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, also met with service members aboard the carrier, which is expected to be relieved amid concerns raised by families over the extended deployment. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8256132c5335ae10475f93 Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary te 2026-08-17T00:30:11.025Z Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., urged Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in Michigan's fierce Democratic primary election, to sever ties with controversial, far-left streamer Hasan Piker on "The Sunday Briefing," saying the party's nominee should now turn his attention toward Michigan voters as he pivots to the general election. Stevens maintained her primary-season criticism of Piker even while backing El-Sayed, describing herself as still committed to the party. "It certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation," she said, also asserting that the Democratic plans for healthcare, democracy and Black-owned businesses are better than those of Republican Mike Rogers, who will oppose El-Sayed in the Senate race. Asked whether El-Sayed had said or done anything other than winning the Democratic nomination to earn the support and assuage the concerns of groups that voted for Stevens, such as Jewish voters, Black voters or Reagan-era Democrats, Stevens pointed to her own good performance with those demographics, identifying herself as a Zionist Democrat and asserting that her party had room for all those communities. HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' DSA BRAND ON TRIAL AS EL-SAYED STRUGGLES WHERE DEMS CAN LEAST AFFORD IT "I came really close [to winning the primary] and I'm still a Democrat. I'm still out here talking about my views and values. I want the people who share my views and values to feel safe and to feel heard in the Democratic Party." The face-off to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who backed Stevens, is a must-win contest for Democrats and one of roughly a dozen general election Senate races expected to determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority. A new Fox News poll indicates that the progressive El-Sayed trails Republican candidate Mike Rogers by four points in the general election race, and that he is underperforming with Black voters, women and suburban voters compared with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Rogers and El-Sayed are set to face off in the swing state's Senate election on Nov. 3. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8256112c5335ae10475f8a Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller te 2026-08-17T00:30:09.732Z Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese gave the WNBA an overtime thriller Sunday evening at State Farm Arena. Clark scored 26 points, hit two enormous free throws late in overtime and grabbed the game-sealing rebound as the Indiana Fever beat Reese and the Atlanta Dream, 95-91. ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND It was a real team win for the Fever. But Clark and Reese were right in the middle of the biggest moments, including Reese’s missed layup at the end of regulation that sent the game to overtime. Indiana had to earn it, too. The Fever trailed by eight after Atlanta scored 28 points in the third quarter to open a 72-64 advantage. But for a team known for its offensive firepower, it was Indiana’s defense that made the clutch plays down the stretch. The Fever held the Dream to nine points in the fourth, outscored Atlanta 17-9 and forced overtime. It was the lowest fourth-quarter scoring output for the Dream this season. But it almost didn't matter. The Dream had the ball in the final seconds of regulation with the score tied 81-81. Rhyne Howard missed a 3 with 5.5 seconds left, but Reese grabbed the offensive rebound and had a clean look at the basket. She clanked the layup attempt off the backboard and then the front of the rim. Naz Hillmon collected the rebound and threw up a desperation shot before time expired, but she also missed and the game went to overtime. Reese opened the extra period with a basket off a teammate’s miss, but Indiana scored the next eight points. Kelsey Mitchell’s layup with 13.6 seconds left stretched the Fever’s lead to 93-88 and gave her 20 points, extending her streak to 19 consecutive 20-point games. Then came the wild finish. A controversial foul call on Clark with 10 seconds remaining sent Howard to the line for three free throws. Indiana challenged the call and ESPN broadcasters said they thought the call would be overturned. Instead, officials upheld the call. Howard made all three, cutting Indiana’s lead to 93-91. WNBA SILENT AFTER CAITLIN CLARK SAYS LEAGUES SHOULD DETERMINE WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Atlanta had no choice but to foul Clark on the other end. She calmly made both free throws to essentially seal the victory. The Dream missed their final shot, Clark grabbed the rebound and alertly heaved the ball to the other end of the court to run out the remaining few seconds. Clark finished with 26 points and nine assists, though she needed 20 shots to get there and committed five turnovers. Still, she was there when Indiana needed her most, both at the line and on the glass. Mitchell added 20 points on 9-for-22 shooting. Makayla Timpson was terrific with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including six points in OT. Aliyah Boston posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks. Sophie Cunningham had just three points, but they came on a clutch and-1 to give the Fever a 78-77 lead with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter. Reese put together another active stat line with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. But she shot just 5 for 16 from the field, committed four turnovers and had five fouls. Allisha Gray carried Atlanta offensively with 32 points, while Howard added 17. The Dream made nearly everything at the foul line, going 25-for-26. It still wasn’t enough. Clark and Reese have played in plenty of big games before. Sunday’s game had a little of everything: early runs, a late defensive stand, a missed shot at the buzzer, overtime drama and Clark sealing it at the line. That’s a pretty good new chapter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a824a592c5335ae10475c92 WNBA fan subreddit bans posters from using Sophie Cunningham's name after defense of women's sports te 2026-08-16T23:40:09.340Z WNBA fan subreddit bans posters from using Sophie Cunningham's name after defense of women's sports The WNBA and its fans are in a constant struggle to outdo whatever previous record they already set for most ridiculous sports league ever created. Despite their best efforts and hard work, the WNBA has seen its popularity and general interest increase in recent years thanks primarily to Caitlin Clark. Clark, who singlehandedly brought ratings and attendance up, to the point where the players now receive significantly better salaries and travel benefits, is widely disliked across the league and by many fans of other teams. Then, over the last several weeks and months, the self-destructive tendencies and nature of the WNBA organization, its coaches, and fans has reared its ugly head yet again. This time, their ire has been directed at Sophie Cunningham. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS What did Cunningham do to deserve this treatment? She made comments publicly supportive of keeping male athletes out of women's sports. A position shared by 80%-90% of the American public, and 0% of the league's players, coaches, or officials. Who are preparing for weeks and months of meetings to try and decide on a definition of the word "woman," in the Women's National Basketball Association. For this unforgivable crime, Cunningham has been booed, faced protests, been criticized by other players, saw opposing coaches wear t-shirts specifically targeted at her. Her own coach rushed to come to the defense of DiJonai Carrington after Carrington clotheslined her, leading to a bloody mouth. And now, in perhaps the most ridiculous and explanatory example of the league's fandom, has seen her name banned from the WNBA subreddit. Seriously. One Reddit user tried to post about Sophie Cunningham in the r/WNBA subreddit, only to find that they weren't able to use her name or several other abbreviations. They then messaged the moderators, who then confirmed that this was a purposeful decision and that any further questioning would lean to being banned. "Why do you ban people from posting about Sophie Cunningham, who's a WNBA player?," the user asked. "We filter content based on Sophi [sic] because it tends to bring out trolls and people who aren't fans of the W," the mod answered. "But she's a WNBA player that does have actual fans," the user responded. "If you can't post about a player you're a fan of, that seems ridiculous." "We have chosen to filter content. If you want to post freely about Sophie you can go to a different sub," the mod said. Unsurprisingly, the user pointed out that it's absurd to block posts about a WNBA player in the r/WNBA subreddit, asking how that made sense. "You aren't even a contributor to this sub, so I suggest you go back to the other WNBA subs. This is our decision. If you keep messaging about this you will be banned," the moderator answered. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Oh yeah. That's the WNBA fandom we all know and "love." RILEY GAINES SAYS WNBA IS 'HELLBENT' ON BEING AN ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION OVER A BASKETBALL LEAGUE It really is a near-perfect example of the problems with the league and those around it. They are comically disconnected from the real world and totally disinterested in building up the players people care about. New fans, brought in by Clark and enjoying Cunningham, are raising the profile of the league. And as the old expression goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. Instead of realizing that, accepting it, celebrating it, and building on it to make the WNBA more popular permanently, after Clark retires, they're doing everything possible to undermine it. Working hard to ensure that any fans who have started watching because of these players is turned off by the fans. Or by the league's open disregard for them. Typical WNBA brilliance. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a824a582c5335ae10475c89 Hakeem Jeffries rejects Medicare for All, DSA agenda as Ro Khanna calls health plan 'most important priority' te 2026-08-16T23:40:08.769Z Hakeem Jeffries rejects Medicare for All, DSA agenda as Ro Khanna calls health plan 'most important priority' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., rejected support for Medicare for All and the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) agenda Sunday, saying Democrats should prioritize affordability as they seek to recapture the House in November following a wave of progressive primary victories. "Meet the Press," host Kristen Welker asked Jeffries directly whether he personally supported Medicare for All. "No, i — as you indicated, I haven’t cosponsored the Medicare for All legislation that has been introduced over the last several years," Jeffries said. "I do think we need to figure out how to fix our broken health care system and then build something better once we repair the damage that has been done." Jeffries also said that as the Democratic leader in the House, it was not legislation he supported, while also reiterating that he wanted to find a path to fix the health care system and "make health care affordable for every single American." THE MEDICARE FOR ALL TRADE-OFFS SOCIALISTS AREN'T TALKING ABOUT, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS Congressional records show Jeffries formally co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019 and later co-sponsored the 2021 version. However, he was not among the 102 additional House cosponsors announced when Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., introduced H.R. 3069 in April 2025. The NYC DSA Healthcare Working Group credited its months-long organizing campaign with helping secure his 2019 support, although it described his position as qualified because he also backed Medicare X, a public-option bill. "Rep. Jeffries’ public endorsement of this legislation is the result of all these efforts and of this growing national movement," the working group said at the time. The DSA's new "Workers Deserve More!" program calls for universal health care at no cost to individuals, as well as abolishing ICE and the Senate, replacing the president and Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary subordinate to Congress and redirecting police funding as a step toward fully abolishing police and prisons. MAMDANI CLASHES WITH DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' PUSH TO ABOLISH POLICE AND PRISONS When Welker asked whether democratic socialists belong under the Democratic Party’s tent, Jeffries rejected the organization’s platform while leaving room for candidates who win Democratic nominations. "I don’t support the DSA agenda as has been articulated by the DSA itself," Jeffries said. "You’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries, and if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs," he added. Seven incumbent House Democrats have lost primaries this cycle, thus far. They include Jeffries-backed Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who lost to DSA-backed or affiliated candidates, Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York. TOP DEM TORCHES SOCIALISTS TAKING OVER HIS PARTY: 'THEY'RE ANTI-AMERICAN' Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., publicly broke with Jeffries in a separate "Meet the Press" interview on Sunday and called for a House vote if Democrats regain the majority. "Medicare for All is arguably the most important priority," Khanna said. "The case for Medicare for All has never been clearer or more urgent. Congress must pass Medicare for All." Khanna released a statement on an updated Yale analysis on Friday, prepared in response to his inquiry, projecting that a single-payer system could reduce annual national health expenditures from $5.28 trillion to $4.24 trillion. Former MS NOW host Mehdi Hasan also criticized Jeffries’ position Sunday, accusing the Democratic leader of being out of step with his party. "A reminder that the vast majority of Democrats across the country support Medicare for All. This man is so out of touch with his party. How is he their leader??" Hasan said in an X post. Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a824a582c5335ae10475c80 Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests te 2026-08-16T23:40:08.124Z Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back upcoming U.S.-South Korea military exercises on Sunday, arguing that the operations cost too much and send a hostile message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At the same time, the president went on to criticize Seoul for declining to join U.S. war efforts to denuclearize Iran. Writing on Truth Social, Trump noted that while it was too late to cancel the drills entirely, he was dissatisfied with the longstanding military arrangement between Washington and Seoul. "Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump wrote. NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ANOTHER BALLISTIC MISSILE AS US, SOUTH KOREA PREPARE FOR MILITARY DRILLS "These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful." In the same post, Trump linked his frustration over the military exercises to a separate diplomatic exchange regarding Iran. "While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’" Trump wrote, referring to Lee Jae Myung. NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN 'NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF' KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR Trump’s directive came a day before what is known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day annual joint military exercise scheduled to begin Monday. The routine maneuvers are to strengthen defense readiness across the Korean Peninsula, where about 28,500 U.S. service members are stationed as part of U.S. Forces Korea. This year’s exercise is set to involve roughly 18,000 South Korean troops, a level similar to previous years. Pyongyang, however, has consistently opposed the annual drills, with North Korea’s Foreign Ministry calling the exercise "a rehearsal for an aggressive war" last week in a statement carried by state media, Reuters reported. Trump’s order to scale back operations also follows a fresh surge in weapons testing by Pyongyang, which conducted two ballistic missile launches within six days this month. MOSCOW, KYIV ASSASSINS HUNT WEAPONS BOSSES AS UKRAINE WAR SPILLS BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD Following the most recent test on Aug. 12, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it was consulting closely with regional allies, adding that its assessment indicated the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory or allies. U.S. officials issued a smiliar response after the earlier launch on Aug. 6, saying Washington remained committed to defending the U.S. homeland and its regional allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Pyongyang is using Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to test and refine its military hardware on active battlefields. In a statement posted to social media, Zelenskyy said Moscow is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops and has received additional North Korean ballistic missiles. "For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea," Zelenskyy said. "North Korea’s ballistic missiles and other weapons are being improved through its collaboration with Russia," Zelenskyy said. "The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region." This is also not the first time Trump has scaled back joint exercises with South Korea.  During his first term as well, following his initial Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un, he called the "war games" "provocative" and expensive. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a824a572c5335ae10475c74 Paws group promotes literacy te 2026-08-16T23:40:07.185Z Paws group promotes literacy The nonprofit Paws for Youth is encouraging families to include pets in at home learning routines after seeing firsthand how therapy dogs can help children become more confident readers through the organization’s Animals, Books & Children (ABC) program. Throughout the school year, trained therapy dog teams from Paws for Youth visit schools across Arizona, giving children an opportunity to read aloud to a nonjudgmental animal companion. The program is designed to build confidence, improve motivation and help children develop a lifelong love of books. The organization said that teachers participating in the program regularly report improvements in students’ willingness to read aloud and engage with books. Some children who are initially reluctant readers become enthusiastic participants after spending time with a therapy dog. Families can recreate many of the same benefits at home. Paws for Youth recommends creating a comfortable space where children can read aloud to a family pet. The audience doesn’t have to be a dog. Cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish and even favorite stuffed animals can provide a supportive audience for young readers. For more information, visit www.pawsforyouth.org. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8248012c5335ae10475a70 Charles Sauer: Can the FCC just let us be? te 2026-08-16T23:30:09.562Z Charles Sauer: Can the FCC just let us be? Following ABC, NBC, and CBS’s refusal to air Donald Trump’s recent prime time address, the president threatened to revoke the networks’ broadcasting licenses. The argument is that, by refusing to air the president’s speech, the networks violated their legal obligation… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a823e9e2c5335ae1047597c Angel Reese admits she was 'playing like s---' before helping Dream build halftime lead over Fever te 2026-08-16T22:50:06.154Z Angel Reese admits she was 'playing like s---' before helping Dream build halftime lead over Fever Angel Reese was critical of how she started her Atlanta Dream contest against the Indiana Fever on Sunday night, and let everyone know about it at halftime. The Dream ended the first two quarters with a four-point lead, but Reese was 0-of-6 from the field to start the game and missed several shots from inside the paint. But she was pivotal in the Dream putting together a 17-4 run to close out the first half. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM During a halftime interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Reese was quite candid discussing the start she had. "I was playing like s--- in the beginning, but it’s a game of runs," she said. "You’ve got to put that in your back pocket just because you know you have teammates that have your back. [Allisha Gray], Madina [Okot], [Rhyne Howard] – they’re carrying us right now." FEVER AT DREAM BEST BET: WHY ATLANTA CAN COVER THE SPREAD EVEN IF CAITLIN CLARK PLAYS Gray was the Dream’s leading scorer against Caitlin Clark and the Fever, and she continued that play with 21 points as of the third quarter. Okot also dropped six points off the bench with six rebounds, one steal and one block as well. "Just playing together, playing collectively and let our defense speak for itself." Reese finished the first half with seven points on 3-of-10 shooting and nine rebounds. Rowe asked what changed for Reese after the cold start. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Taking my time. Woosah. And just trusting my work," Reese said. Reese, who made her third All-Star team in her third WNBA season this year, has been a key piece for the 21-12 Dream in 2026. She has averaged a career-high 15.6 points with 12.0 rebounds per game in 32 contests this year coming into this contest. The Dream and Fever are battling for first place in the East, as whoever wins this game will take that spot atop the rest for the time being. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a823c472c5335ae10475940 Long Island street takeover erupts as drivers block road, perform donuts, burnouts: police te 2026-08-16T22:40:07.971Z Long Island street takeover erupts as drivers block road, perform donuts, burnouts: police Fifteen people were arrested, and seven vehicles were impounded after police descended on an alleged street takeover that brought reckless driving, burnouts and donuts to a Long Island roadway early Saturday, authorities said. The Suffolk County Police Department said its Street Takeover Task Force got wind of the planned gathering through intelligence gathering and social media monitoring ahead of Friday night, Aug. 14. Investigators learned the group was preparing to stage a takeover somewhere in Suffolk County, an area covering roughly 1,000 square miles across the eastern two-thirds of Long Island. Police tracked the group as it moved between several locations throughout the night, authorities said. VIRAL TEEN TAKEOVERS UNLEASH CHAOS NATIONWIDE AS MALLS, BEACHES AND RESTAURANTS BECOME BATTLEGROUNDS Officers first broke up attempted gatherings near Commack Road and Sunrise Highway in Islip before disrupting another near Route 112 and Main Street in Patchogue. Police finally intercepted the crowd around 12:50 a.m. Saturday near Woodside Avenue and Sawgrass Drive in Medford, where authorities said numerous vehicles had effectively shut down the roadway. "Numerous vehicles effectively closed down the roadway on Sawgrass Drive by driving recklessly, performing stunts in the roadway, and doing donuts and burnouts," police said. CITIES BRACE FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND TEEN TAKEOVERS PUTTING BYSTANDERS AT DEADLY RISK, FORMER PROSECUTOR WARNS Members of the Street Takeover Task Force responded to the scene, arresting 15 people, impounding seven vehicles and handing out multiple traffic tickets, according to the department. Those arrested came from communities across Long Island and New York City, police said. Fourteen of the 15 suspects were charged with both participating in an unlawful speed contest and spectating an unlawful speed contest.  The crackdown comes just weeks after another massive street takeover rocked Suffolk County. 'MAYHEM' ERUPTS IN WEALTHY COASTAL ENCLAVE AS HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN MASSIVE TAKEOVER DURING JULY FOURTH WEEKEND In that incident, police said at least 200 ATVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles flooded roads in Hauppauge and Brentwood, prompting another major law-enforcement response. Three people were arrested, and 10 vehicles were impounded during that operation, according to Suffolk County Police. The Suffolk County Police Department could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a823c432c5335ae10475929 Trump Orders Pentagon to Curtail Military Exercises With Ally South Korea te 2026-08-16T22:40:03.532Z Trump Orders Pentagon to Curtail Military Exercises With Ally South Korea In a social media post, the president scolded South Korea for not helping denuclearize Iran, and also praised North Korea and its leader. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82353f2c5335ae10475400 Former ABC News correspondent admits network is liberal, claims ‘nobody’ voted for Trump te 2026-08-16T22:10:07.646Z Former ABC News correspondent admits network is liberal, claims ‘nobody’ voted for Trump Former ABC News correspondent Terry Moran admitted on Friday that his longtime network was liberal and struggled to understand President Donald Trump's supporters because its newsroom lacked political viewpoint diversity. Co-host of "The Fifth Column" podcast Michael C. Moynihan asked Moran directly, "Is ABC News a liberal institution?" "Yes. But I think, I think like a lot of mainstream media, it’s because of lack of viewpoint diversity," Moran said. "That was one of the problems in covering Trump. Nobody had voted for him." ABC NEWS FACES BACKLASH FOR PRESENTING OBAMA CAMPAIGN AD AS AN 'EXCLUSIVE' ON REDISTRICTING MEASURE Moran said he attempted to challenge the prevailing newsroom perspective by circulating internal messages about the network’s Trump coverage. "I sent out these ‘Hey, we should be fair to Trump’ internal emails," Moran said. "I heard from people — engineers, maybe the occasional producer — who said ‘Thank you.’" An ABC News staffer told Fox News Digital after Moran's departure that the veteran correspondent had clashed internally with liberal colleagues, but that his social media post left the network with no other option. "It's just sad honestly," the staffer said. "It's sad for him, a long-time colleague, friend, a good person, family man… It's just unfortunate, but there was no alternative, especially in these times." BROADCAST BIAS: NETWORKS TURN TRUMP’S PLANE SWITCH INTO A FANCY SCANDAL ABC declined to renew Moran's expiring contract after he published a since-deleted post describing Trump and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as world-class haters. The network said the post violated its policies and reaffirmed its commitment to impartial reporting. "We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post, which was a clear violation of ABC News policies, we have made the decision to not renew," an ABC spokesperson said. "At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism." The ABC staffer also told Fox News Digital that the network acted swiftly because allowing the controversy to linger could have driven away viewers amid widespread distrust of legacy media. "We f---ing took it seriously and dealt with it pretty g--d--- quickly," the staffer said. TUNING OUT: WHY MANY AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE NEWS – ESPECIALLY TRUMP NEWS Moran made a similar acknowledgment shortly after leaving ABC, saying the scarcity of Trump supporters inside the network prevented its news division from hearing large parts of the country. During Friday’s interview, Moran drew a distinction between fairness and objectivity while discussing how journalists should cover Trump’s attempt to change long-standing political norms. "There is no such thing as objectivity in journalism," Moran said. "I’d put the work I did at ABC News out there as excruciatingly fair." Less than six weeks before his departure, Moran conducted a combative Oval Office interview with Trump marking the president’s first 100 days back in office. Trump rebuked Moran while being questioned about Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I don’t trust you. I don’t trust a lot of people," Trump said. "I don’t trust you. Look at you. You’re so happy to do the interview, and then you start hitting me with these fake questions." Fox News Digital reached out to ABC for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8232e92c5335ae104753ca ‘X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson reveals parenting regret, says she wishes she was 'less selfish' te 2026-08-16T22:00:09.460Z ‘X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson reveals parenting regret, says she wishes she was 'less selfish' Gillian Anderson is looking back at the sacrifices she made as her Hollywood career took off — and acknowledging that some of those choices came at a cost for her family. In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the 58-year-old actress — who became a household name playing FBI Special Agent Dana Scully on "The X-Files" — opened up about her regrets as a young mother and explained how the show’s grueling production schedule affected her ability to be present for her daughter. "I have absolutely no regrets in my life," Anderson initially told the outlet before reconsidering. "No, there are a couple of things, in terms of early parenting, that I now would say, I wish I’d thought this through or I wish I’d been less selfish." SCARLETT JOHANSSON, WHO EARNED $43 MILLION IN 2025, SAYS LIFE IS A CONSTANT 'DEFICIT' AT HOME Anderson became a mother at 26, welcoming daughter Piper with her first husband, "The X-Files" assistant art director Clyde Klotz, just over a year after she began filming the hit Fox sci-fi series. Her career was rapidly accelerating at the time, with "The X-Files" becoming a global phenomenon and Anderson facing grueling days on set. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER After Anderson and Klotz divorced in 1997, Piper split her time between her mother, who was working on "The X-Files" in Los Angeles, and her father in Vancouver. OLIVIA WILDE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE EXACT MOMENT SHE KNEW RELATIONSHIP WITH JASON SUDEIKIS WAS OVER In an effort to maintain consistency in her daughter's education, Piper attended a French lycée in both cities. The arrangement, however, meant the young girl was regularly traveling between her parents. "It was intense for her, with no French in the household, to suddenly be getting a plane every three weeks," Anderson recalled. "It’s a lot to ask of a six-year-old." The actress said she was working 17-hour days and didn't believe she was in a position to push back against the demanding schedule, despite being one of the show's two central stars alongside David Duchovny. TOM SELLECK SAYS 'BLUE BLOODS' CAST MADE MAJOR SACRIFICE TO SAVE SHOW BEFORE CANCELLATION "That show couldn’t have done without [me], and so I had leverage that I’m not sure I knew," Anderson said. Anderson has previously spoken about wondering whether she could have made different choices as a working mother. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In a previous interview with The Sunday Times, the actress acknowledged there was another version of her life in which she could have worked less, lived on a smaller scale and been more present for her children. "There's another version of my life where I could have worked less, had a smaller life and been more present as a parent. I could have chosen that, that could happen," she said. "But sometimes it feels like why would you, if you keep getting work as an actor, doing things you dreamt of doing and being offered incredible roles at this age, while paying the bills, and you still get to see them a huge percentage of the time and they witness a mother enjoying her work? Her approach to parenting changed when she later welcomed sons Oscar and Felix with businessman Mark Griffiths. GOLDIE HAWN SOUNDS THE ALARM ON CHILDHOOD CELEBRITY CULTURE: 'ALL I CAN SAY IS IT'S A NIGHTMARE' Despite reflecting on what she might have done differently, Anderson has continued working steadily decades after "The X-Files" made her famous. HEATHER GRAHAM SAYS CLASSMATES DISMISSED HER AS 'NERDY' BEFORE HOLLYWOOD BREAKTHROUGH PROVED THEM WRONG Her more recent credits include "The Crown," "Sex Education" and "The Salt Path." She also stars opposite Hannah Einbinder in filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun’s "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Anderson suggested that her relationship with work remains complicated as she approaches 60. "I feel very lucky to still be working," she told The Sunday Times, adding that while she once imagined slowing down in her 60s to direct and make art, she is reconsidering those plans. "I’m having so much fun," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8229862c5335ae104752fc CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call te 2026-08-16T21:20:06.761Z CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday said the USS Abraham Lincoln has recorded one of the lowest numbers of mental health cases in the Navy, amid mounting allegations of poor conditions aboard the carrier. The Lincoln, which has been at sea for more than 260 days supporting the war with Iran, has been at the center of a dispute over allegations of supply shortages, plumbing problems and crew members threatening to jump overboard. Officials have repeatedly denied such claims and announced Friday that the carrier is expected to be replaced soon. In a statement posted by CENTCOM, commander Adm. Brad Cooper touted the carrier's mental health record among the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers after reportedly visiting the ship over the weekend. "My time aboard USS Abraham Lincoln yesterday was awe-inspiring. I wish every American could see the crew in action. You would beam with absolute pride when witnessing their camaraderie, teamwork and resilience," Cooper said, according to the post on X. "Here’s an important fact: Of the U.S. Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health." US NAVY RELEASES PHOTOS OF 'FRESH MEALS,' PUSHES BACK ON REPORTS OF FOOD SHORTAGES ON MIDDLE EAST WARSHIPS In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Cooper added that many of the allegations involving food and hot water were old concerns raised months ago that have since been addressed by the ship’s leadership. "Recent media reporting has portrayed varying perspectives on operational tempo, crew morale and the realities facing our deployed forces. What I found aboard the Lincoln is that many elements of those stories are old news. I chatted with junior enlisted personnel and junior officers in small groups. Issues related to food, hot water and other concerns raised months ago were addressed by leadership and resolved," he said. In his CENTCOM statement, Cooper acknowledged that despite the ship’s low number of mental health cases and improved conditions, extended deployments at sea can still be challenging, as some sailors may respond differently than others to the demands of prolonged missions. "This doesn’t mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn’t for everyone. It is uniquely challenging and tough, and every single one of us, including me, reacts to stressors in different ways," he said. TANKERS ATTACKED AS TEHRAN, TRUMP BATTLE OVER CONTROL OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ Cooper credited the ship’s leadership with fostering a culture that supports crew resilience and gives mental health the same necessary attention as "physical health and spiritual health." "I applaud Lincoln’s leadership — the senior enlisted leaders in the Chief Petty Officers Mess in particular — for stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority," Cooper said. "To all our Sailors and Marines aboard the ship, keep up the great work and fair winds and following seas on the journey home." President Donald Trump said Friday that the Lincoln will soon be "replaced with another very similar ship," which is currently en route to the Middle East. The WSJ reported Thursday that the USS George Washington is heading to the region from the Pacific. Allegations about conditions aboard the Lincoln emerged following reports of numerous complaints, including food shortages, contaminated water, toilet problems, and a spike in suicidal ideation after months without a port call. Sean Parnell, who said he experienced a 485-day deployment in Afghanistan, blasted the media reports Friday, calling the accusations twisted. "The media treatment of the USS Abraham Lincoln is something different. Legitimate challenges of a long combat deployment are being twisted into a false narrative, while the genuine difficulties faced by military families are being used for headlines. That is shameful," he said in a post on X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82272b2c5335ae104752bd Demand for electricity is rising quickly te 2026-08-16T21:10:03.489Z Demand for electricity is rising quickly Vince Leach As Arizona’s economy leads the way in technological innovation and national security through advanced manufacturing and computing, it is critical now more than ever that we have reliable, abundant, and affordable energy. We’re seeing records set for peak daily energy use, but Arizona utilities have risen to meet these challenges. As policymakers, the question is not whether Arizona must take strides to continue meeting this growing energy demand. The repercussions of failure would be staggering – with energy shortages leading to rolling blackouts and escalating costs for Arizona families and businesses. No, the question is how Arizona should act to meet its energy needs. Led by the Arizona Corporation Commission, our state has been a national leader when it comes to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that utilizes nuclear, natural gas, coal and renewables.  The result? Reliable energy that keeps Arizona moving no matter the weather. It’s notable that, in late July, the U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order directing backup generation resources across multiple states due to concern about grid failure. The fact that Arizona was not among those states is a testament to the resiliency of our grid. Rural Arizona has played a vital role in providing the home-grown energy our state needs – pairing renewables and utility-scale battery storage to generate, store and deploy electricity when and where it’s needed most. Natural gas continues to be a workhorse, supplying nearly 50% of our state’s energy. I’m glad APS proposes using natural gas to bring the formerly coal-powered Cholla Power Plant back to life. These facilities are not only vital energy producers but also critical economic engines in rural communities.  This kind of forward thinking has helped Arizona stay ahead of the curve. Even as our state’s appetite for energy has grown, retail electricity prices remained flat between 2019 and 2024, adjusted for inflation. We cannot rest; utilities are forecasting a 5% year-over-year increase in electricity demand. Completion of the Transwestern Pipeline between West Texas and Arizona will help deliver more of the natural gas our state needs. Renewables will also continue to play an important role, especially when paired with battery storage. Lastly, the state needs to keep an eye out for the latest advances in energy production – whether next-generation nuclear or something we haven’t imagined yet. One thing seems clear: rural Arizona will continue to play an outsized role in ensuring our state is as self-sufficient as possible in energy. Places like Pinal County are ideally situated with infrastructure, land and proximity to the state’s major metro areas. When executed smartly, this has significant benefits for our communities as they receive tens of millions of dollars in property tax paid by the utilities each year – revenue for schools, law enforcement, 1st responders and other essential services. This is a critical time for Arizona. We can rest on our laurels or ensure Arizona families and employers have the energy they need to grow and prosper. Choose wisely. Vince Leach is a Republican and represents Legislative District 17 in the Arizona State Senate. He lives in Saddlebrooke. The post Demand for electricity is rising quickly first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8224dc2c5335ae10475285 Chrissy Metz slams weight loss critics, says they're always 'going to have something to say' te 2026-08-16T21:00:12.016Z Chrissy Metz slams weight loss critics, says they're always 'going to have something to say' Chrissy Metz is firing back at the haters commenting on her weight loss. During a recent appearance on "The Tamsen Show" podcast, the 45-year-old actress spoke about why she chose to start taking a GLP-1 medication and slammed haters who comment on her body. "It's not that I don't have people and naysayers and people who comment all kinds of stuff still to this day," she said. "Like I don't know when people will stop doing that. I don't think it ever will happen." She then recalled a recent incident in which a distant relative congratulated her for "taking control of your weight," as "weight has always been an issue in our family." JACK OSBOURNE FIRES BACK AT BODY SHAMERS CALLING HIM 'GROSSLY UNDERWEIGHT' Metz explained that the relative is "an overweight woman" herself, so she understands the struggles of living in the world as an overweight person. She said comments about her weight from the relative don't sting as much, but added, "The other comments are a little…it's wild to me." "It's interesting what people say cause would they ever say it to you on the streets? Never. Never," she explained. "They're like, 'Oh, Chrissy, you're pretty, but them eyebrows.' I'm like, 'Oh my god, it doesn't matter what I do. It doesn't matter.'" She then shared some of the types of comments she received, including "Why'd you wear that? Why did you do this? Like why aren't you losing weight? Oh, you're losing weight?" "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what you do," Metz said. "And I know it's not personal, but it can be taxing, but you sometimes just got to just shut it off cuz no matter what you do, somebody's going to have something to say." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Metz, who is currently starring in the Broadway musical "& Juliet," called receiving all the criticism and "still doing what you want to do...an act of rebellion." The "This Is Us" actress also discussed her use of a GLP-1 medication this week during an appearance on "Today." She told the podcast host that she was always "skeptical" of GLP-1s and that it was something she "was so afraid of even sort of partaking in," but her mentality changed when her father "unfortunately passed away from obesity complications." One of the ways in which the medication helped her was by quieting the food noise in her mind, which she described as being "loud." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I know it sounds so silly now, but I'm like, 'Oh, not everybody hears that all the time? Oh, okay. Oh, there's like something chemically off and metabolically off and hereditary, you know, issues,'" she said. "And so really when that happened with my family and my father, I was like, I have to do something about it. And so, yeah...I feel better on the medication." The actress is now partnering with Ro, a telehealth company that provides medications for a number of issues, including weight loss. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8224d82c5335ae10475276 AI super PACs flood money into state elections te 2026-08-16T21:00:08.591Z AI super PACs flood money into state elections The tug-of-war over artificial intelligence regulation is drawing a flood of money to the midterm elections as super PACs on both sides of the debate seek to influence outcomes. Like crypto before it, AI is the new technology battleground as pro-innovation and pro-safety groups compete to shape the makeup of the next Congress, and to influence outcomes of some state races. The spending comes after states have led on AI regulation over the past three years while President Donald Trump has pushed for a federal framework and preemption of “cumbersome” state laws.  Read more: Trump urges Congress to preempt state AI laws AI-focused PACs have raised $107 million and spent $55.5 million in federal races so far this cycle, according to tracking by Tech Influence Watch, a project of technology writer Molly White.  Some of the biggest spending has been in congressional contests in Alabama, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.  But more than $20 million in AI dollars – mostly from Meta and Google – have also flowed to state-level races, according to The Tech Oversight Project, which launched an AI super PAC ad library in June. The library has cataloged over 175 ads for federal and state candidates as of this month. Most of the ads do not discuss or highlight AI as a campaign issue, researchers say.  The state funding has largely focused on Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.  “Big Tech’s AI super PACs are spending a gargantuan amount of money on our elections because they want to write the rules in their favor,” Sacha Haworth, the project’s executive director, said in a June statement announcing the ad library.  Much of the AI money is being spent to elect industry-friendly candidates. But competing super PACs have emerged to bolster pro-regulation candidates. Read more: AI regulation sparks super PAC battle in midterm elections Among the major players is Leading the Future, a $140 million pro-AI super PAC network whose key funders include venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman.  Leading the Future mounted an $8 million campaign to defeat New York Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Democrat, in his primary bid for a safely Democratic congressional seat. Bores was targeted after he sponsored AI safety legislation, known as the RAISE Act, which was signed into law last December. Read more: Hochul signs AI safety bill Three other AI-focused PACs spent a combined nearly $19 million supporting Bores, according to Tech Influence Watch.  The mega-spending turned the crowded Democratic primary in New York’s 12th congressional district into national news and boosted Bores’ profile. He came in a close second in the June primary.  “The result of the race was clearly to show that what was viewed as a minor or latent issue in politics is actually at the forefront,” Bores told Pluribus News. Leading the Future is mostly supporting and opposing congressional candidates, although it has endorsed 18 Republican state legislative candidates in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.  “States play a critical role in getting this right, and we’re proud to champion legislators who are ready to meet that moment,” Zac Moffatt, the PAC’s co-strategist and a former top advisor to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, told The Hill in April.  Leading the Future is also dabbling in governor’s races. It pledged $5 million in Florida in support of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican frontrunner in Florida’s governor’s race. It also spent $800,000 supporting Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson who won the Republican gubernatorial primary last week.  Jesse Hunt, a Leading the Future spokesperson, told Pluribus News that the organization believes AI policy should be handled at the federal level with a national framework that offers protections while fostering innovation.  “It’s very difficult to maintain all of those things doing it on a state-by-state basis in piecemeal fashion,” Hunt said.  Read more: DeSantis pitches consumer protections for AI, data centers Meta-funded super PACs are prepared to spend $65 million this cycle in support of pro-AI state-level candidates, including in California, Illinois and Texas, according to reporting by the New York Times. Meta also teamed with Google to create California Leads, a $10 million super PAC to support California legislative candidates, Politico reported in January.  Neither Google or Meta responded to a request for comment.  On the flip side are pro-AI regulation entities. The largest is Public First Action, led by former members of Congress Brad Carson, an Oklahoma Democrat, and Chris Stewart, a Utah Republican.  The bipartisan 501(c)(4) says it “strongly supports the work of state and local legislatures to address emerging AI issues and opposes federal efforts to freeze state progress without adequate federal safeguards.” In June, Public First Action announced that it had raised $80 million, exceeding its initial $50 million goal. Among its chief donors is the AI company Anthropic which has contributed $40 million. Company CEO, Dario Amodei, also contributed $1 million in May, according to several reports.  “This isn’t a partisan issue – it’s about whether we’ll have meaningful oversight of the most powerful technology ever created,” Stewart said last November when the organization was announced.  Public First’s Jobs and Democracy PAC spent $13 million supporting Bores in his unsuccessful primary race, according to Tech Influence Watch.  Last month, Public First Action announced $15 million to bolster a dozen Republican members of Congress viewed as supportive of “AI security and accountability.”  Public First has also run ads for Donalds in the Florida governor’s race citing his apparent opposition to federal preemption of state AI laws, according to recent reporting by Politico. Donalds also recently announced federal legislation to regulate data centers and has signaled support for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s AI bill of rights, which did not pass this year. Neither Donalds’ campaign nor Public First Action responded to a request for comment.  In June, two Democratic operatives formed a new super PAC called Guardrails Alliance to serve as a foil to Leading the Future. Backers include union members, AI safety researchers and progressives, according to the PAC’s website.  Guardrails Alliance touts financial support from current and former OpenAI employees as well as John O’Farrell, a former general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. It also did not respond to a request for comment.  “The people who build AI want guardrails. The people who profit from it want immunity. That tells you exactly who Leading the Future is fighting for,” Shaunna Thomas, the PAC’s co-founder, said in a statement last month.   A late entrant, Guardrails Alliance spent $285,000 supporting Bores in the New York congressional primary, according to Tech Influence Watch.  Bores said the lesson of his race is that AI, unlike crypto , is a “broad issue” that impacts virtually everyone and animates donors and voters alike. “Americans want a say in the development of this technology,” Bores said. The post AI super PACs flood money into state elections first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8224d32c5335ae10475263 Stripe will reportedly acquire AI gateway startup OpenRouter for $7B+ te 2026-08-16T21:00:03.812Z Stripe will reportedly acquire AI gateway startup OpenRouter for $7B+ OpenRouter's CEO recently described the startup as Stripe for AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82227b2c5335ae1047521c Top Admiral Praises Sailors but Concedes Hardships After Visit to U.S.S. Lincoln te 2026-08-16T20:50:03.730Z Top Admiral Praises Sailors but Concedes Hardships After Visit to U.S.S. Lincoln Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, acknowledged the difficulty of the carrier’s nearly nine-month deployment but said mental health issues were lower than on other vessels. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8220282c5335ae104751f0 Your waistline could reveal a hidden heart risk your BMI misses, major study finds te 2026-08-16T20:40:08.418Z Your waistline could reveal a hidden heart risk your BMI misses, major study finds A person's waist size may reveal more about their heart health than the number on the scale, according to new research. A study found that waist measurements can identify potential cardiovascular risks that may be missed when doctors rely on body mass index (BMI) alone. Researchers from the Cross-Cohort Collaboration analyzed data from nearly 260,000 adults enrolled in 15 long-term health studies, following participants for about 20 years. BMI IS WRONG WAY TO MEASURE OBESITY, RESEARCHERS SAY — HERE’S WHAT THEY RECOMMEND INSTEAD The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that some people considered a normal weight based on BMI still carried higher levels of fat around their midsection. Among participants in the normal and overweight BMI ranges, those with larger waist measurements or higher waist-to-hip ratios generally faced a 15% to 50% greater risk of several heart-related problems and death during the study period, according to the study. The results suggest that looking at how weight is distributed across the body may provide a more complete picture than BMI alone. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "BMI only tells us weight relative to height, it doesn't tell us where fat is stored, and that matters," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and author of the book "The Sleepdemic Solution," told Fox News Digital. Fat carried around the abdomen can pose different health concerns than fat stored elsewhere on the body, said Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the study. "Where you carry fat matters more than how much you carry, because visceral fat, the fat wrapped around abdominal organs, is metabolically active tissue that drives inflammation, insulin resistance, and artery damage in a way that fat under the skin elsewhere on the body doesn't," she said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Palinski-Wade said the research highlights why BMI alone may not provide a complete picture of a person's heart health. "BMI doesn't tell the whole story, where you carry fat may matter more than the number on the scale," she said. Researchers examined several health outcomes over the course of the study, including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular-related deaths. In addition, the researchers noted several limitations of the study, including that they did not have information on participants' physical activity, diets or genetic risk for obesity, all of which can play a role in cardiovascular disease. The study also measured waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio only once, limiting researchers' ability to determine how changes in abdominal fat over time may affect heart disease risk. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8220272c5335ae104751e7 Cristiano Ronaldo says 'this is probably my last year' as legendary soccer star looks to future te 2026-08-16T20:40:07.809Z Cristiano Ronaldo says 'this is probably my last year' as legendary soccer star looks to future Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest soccer players to grace a pitch, believes this season will be his last. During an interview with Vogue, the Portuguese superstar told the outlet this upcoming season will be "probably my last year of football." Ronaldo, 41, recently married longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez, and perhaps settling down with his family is what the legendary player wishes now. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Ronaldo currently plays for the Saudi Pro League’s Al-Nassr club, which he has been a part of since 2023. He has scored 102 goals through his 107 matches there. He also completed his sixth World Cup with Portugal, though he wanted to lift the trophy. Instead, Portugal fell to World Cup-winner Spain, 1-0, in full time in the Round of 16. CRISTIANO RONALDO SHUTS DOWN REPORTER'S LIONEL MESSI QUESTION IN AWKWARD MOMENT AFTER TWO-GOAL WIN It’s safe to say that Ronaldo will no longer star for the Portugal national team, finishing his World Cup career with 11 goals across 27 appearances. He also has 146 goals across 233 international appearances for his country. Ronaldo told the outlet he wants to "leave a spectacular legacy," and he’s certainly done that over his many years in the game. Now, he looks ahead to what life will be off the pitch. "I have my future all mapped out," he explained. "I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. "And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned. Because after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice." Ronaldo and Al-Nassr start their season Tuesday. If this is indeed his final season playing, his final match would be May 28, 2027. Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or, the award given to the best footballer in the world each season, five times. He has been nominated for the award a record 18 times. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8220222c5335ae104751d0 Why people aren’t buying Mark Zuckerberg’s AI future te 2026-08-16T20:40:02.806Z Why people aren’t buying Mark Zuckerberg’s AI future On the latest episode of Equity podcast, we discuss why not everyone is buying Zuckerberg’s vision. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82191f2c5335ae1047490b Kelly Clarkson won’t let her kids watch ‘From Justin to Kelly’ after brutal admission about 2003 film te 2026-08-16T20:10:07.307Z Kelly Clarkson won’t let her kids watch ‘From Justin to Kelly’ after brutal admission about 2003 film Kelly Clarkson has no plans to introduce her children to one infamous chapter of her career. During her final Las Vegas concert on Saturday, the 44-year-old singer revealed that she has banned daughter River Rose, 12, and son Remington, 10, from watching her 2003 musical comedy, "From Justin to Kelly." "Well, it’s an Oscar-worthy number, and it’s called ‘From Justin to Kelly,’" Clarkson joked, according to a video obtained by Us Weekly, before explaining her participation in two words: "Contractually obligated." KELLY CLARKSON LAUGHS OFF WIND-BLOWN WARDROBE MALFUNCTION ON STAGE "Man, read the f—ing fine print, you know," she told the crowd. "I didn’t know that if you won, you had to do a movie. Not all of us want to be Meryl Streep, we just like watching her, OK? I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in a movie,’ but they were like, ‘Yeah, but you won.’ And I was like, ‘And I feel like I’m losing? It doesn’t feel quite like a win.’" LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Clarkson starred opposite "American Idol" season one runner-up Justin Guarini in the musical, which hit theaters shortly after she became the reality competition’s inaugural winner. The movie followed two young people who meet and fall for each other while on spring break. More than two decades later, Clarkson made clear she isn't looking back at the project through rose-colored glasses. After a fan at the concert defended the film, Clarkson joked that the audience member was watching it with "loving eyes," before offering her own decidedly less flattering assessment: "It’s s---." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER And her two children apparently won't get the chance to judge her performance for themselves anytime soon. "It is funny though, like, my kids, I’ve banned them from watching," Clarkson admitted. Despite her feelings about the film, the singer said the experience wasn't entirely negative. "The music part, that was fun," she said. "See? You gotta find the positive, motherf—ers, you know? Turn that s— into lemonade … and cry yourself to sleep." "From Justin to Kelly" was released in 2003, one year after Clarkson's victory on the first season of "American Idol." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82191a2c5335ae104748f8 Indiana Prepares for More Rain After Days of Deadly Storms te 2026-08-16T20:10:02.273Z Indiana Prepares for More Rain After Days of Deadly Storms Since last week, hazardous weather has caused seven deaths, forced people from their homes and required some to be rescued by boat. The region was at risk for more flooding on Sunday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82146f2c5335ae104748a2 LIV Golf player admits breakaway tour might be nearing the end: 'I think time might run out' te 2026-08-16T19:50:07.480Z LIV Golf player admits breakaway tour might be nearing the end: 'I think time might run out' Since the Saudi Arabia-backed Public Investment Fund announced they were pulling funding for the LIV Golf Tour at the end of the 2026 season, there's been widespread speculation about the future of the breakaway league. While LIV initially grabbed big name stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and eventually Jon Rahm with big guaranteed contracts and high purses, that momentum seemingly stalled in recent months and years as the league failed to turn a profit. Some younger players, like Michael La Sasso, a recent men's college golf national champion, did forgo the PGA Tour for LIV, but other big names have stayed put. LIV CEO Scott O'Neil has maintained that there's significant interest from outside investors to continue backing LIV, and recently announced they'd signed a term sheet with a mysterious, anonymous lead backer. Several players have said they remain committed to LIV, and DeChambeau reportedly has attended meetings with potential investors. LIV GOLF'S END MAY BE IMMINENT AFTER REPORT SIGNALS SAUDI ARABIA IS PREPARING TO CUT OFF FUNDING But others are clearly skeptical, or clearly looking to jump ship. Kopeka already rejoined the PGA Tour earlier in 2026 under a "returning member program." Jon Rahm seems to be on his way out in a matter of weeks or months, and the DP World tour may be trying to force some players' hands by declining to offer conditional releases to play events on both tours in 2027. Now another one of LIV's big initial signings has admitted that the end might be approaching for the tour. Ian Poulter who left the PGA Tour back in 2022, recently joined "GOLF LIFE" on YouTube for a nine-hole match against Jimmy Bullard, and said he thinks time might "run out" on LIV. Bullard asked Poulter if he believed LIV would continue on past 2026, to which he replied, "I think time might run out." "There is a hard deadline I think of September 1," he continued. "There is four weeks to find $300 million. That is not a lot of time considering people and contracts have got to be signed. "You have to ask the PIF: are you happy to accept sending this business that is running today into bankruptcy to be able to have a go forward into a 2.0 version, and give someone a $6 billion write-off?" Poulter added that he's not sure what this means for many players, including himself. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I hope for a lot of golfers, because a lot of golfers don’t have much of a choice, because they are in the form of playing LIV Golf. "There are some who have the opportunity to play DP World Tour and there are a few that might have the opportunity to go and play PGA Tour golf, because they are such big names. There are some that can’t do either. PGA TOUR CEO SHARES JARRING COMMENTS ABOUT PLAYERS RETURNING AS LIV GOLF SAUDI FUNDING DISAPPEARS "Where am I at? I am 50. I have some opportunity to play Champions Tour. If LIV does a 2.0, I have a choice to go and play that. It’s up in the air." Clearly, no one involved expected the PIF to back out of funding the tour, let alone so abruptly in 2026. But this was always the risk in joining what amounted to a "start up" golf league, even one with apparently endlessly deep pockets behind it. And Poulter's also right that it's going to put some LIV players in a tough spot. Obviously, DeChambeau and Rahm, or bigger name players like Tyrell Hatton and Joaquin Neimann, will have plenty of options. But for those on the downside of the career, or younger players like La Sasso, this could be a tough pill to swallow. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! If Poulter's right, we might be weeks away from finding out what happens next. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212182c5335ae10474852 High Country Running: Neil, I didn’t read the email te 2026-08-16T19:40:08.584Z High Country Running: Neil, I didn’t read the email Make reading them as much a part of your prerace ritual as proper rest and fuel. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212172c5335ae10474849 Letter to the Editor: City Council candidate forum set for Sept. 28 te 2026-08-16T19:40:07.789Z Letter to the Editor: City Council candidate forum set for Sept. 28 Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) is holding its election year Flagstaff City Council Candidate Forum on September 28th at the Lonetree Campus of Coconino Community College. This forum is free and is open to the entire community. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212162c5335ae10474840 Letter to the Editor: Thankful for city council candidate questions te 2026-08-16T19:40:06.861Z Letter to the Editor: Thankful for city council candidate questions Just writing to thank you for local coverage of our elections. I was listening to an NPR story today about the lack of local newspaper outlets leaving voters with very little information on local candidates. This leaves them with very… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212152c5335ae10474837 Letter to the Editor: Streets should work for all modes of transportation te 2026-08-16T19:40:05.962Z Letter to the Editor: Streets should work for all modes of transportation Have you ever biked down Milton Road? Most people would answer: No, I don’t have a death wish! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212142c5335ae1047482e Letter to the Editor: Hold Congress accountable for its actions te 2026-08-16T19:40:04.668Z Letter to the Editor: Hold Congress accountable for its actions The American people are speaking loudly. The economy has not improved. Numbers cannot always explain the difficulties that Arizonans are facing in the job market, the supermarket in the housing market. Inflation and job growth are stagnant. Wages for most… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8212122c5335ae10474825 Pedestrian crossing improvements beginning Aug. 17 along Fort Valley Road te 2026-08-16T19:40:02.773Z Pedestrian crossing improvements beginning Aug. 17 along Fort Valley Road Work may occur Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. One lane of traffic in each direction will always remain open throughout construction. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a820b0e2c5335ae104745ca Berkeley math professor sounds alarm on liberal 'test-blind' policies, warns many students badly behind te 2026-08-16T19:10:06.578Z Berkeley math professor sounds alarm on liberal 'test-blind' policies, warns many students badly behind A Berkeley mathematics professor is sounding the alarm that many students are woefully unprepared when they arrive at college because the University of California system's progressive "test-blind" policies have proven disastrous. "Three days a week, I stand in front of lecture halls with 500 to 1,400 students. By the second week of the semester, I already know who is in trouble," Professor Zvezdelina Stankova wrote in a San Francico Standard op-ed published Saturday.  "Some students are five to eight years behind in mathematics. Office hours that should be spent discussing integrals instead become lessons on fractions and basic algebra you would expect students to learn in middle school," he said. Stankova and thousands of faculty members across the 10 UC campuses have signed open letters urging the university system to reinstate the SAT and ACT in admissions. Former UC president Janet Napolitano, who also served in the Obama administration, led the way in 2020 to phase out the standardized testing, in part out of "equity" concerns. "Since then, admissions officers have been forbidden from considering the one standardized measure that provided a common academic benchmark across California’s thousands of high schools," Stankova wrote. CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM EXTENDS BEYOND STUDENT PROTESTS AND INTO CLASSROOMS, ADL WARNS "After UC adopted test-blind admissions, the picture changed dramatically," she wrote. Stankova laid out brutal data showing a sharp decline in student math readiness after UC stopped considering standardized tests. From 2018 to 2020, 71% of roughly 2,200 tested Calculus I students were deemed ready or nearly ready, while just 0.14% tested below basic algebra.  Among roughly 2,800 students tested from 2021 to 2023 using a different diagnostic, only 51% were ready or nearly ready. That fell to 44% in 2023, and a whopping 17% answered none of eight tested topics correctly. "Those of us teaching such courses don’t experience the consequences as abstractions. We watch students struggle through material they were expected to master years earlier. We pause lectures to reteach linear equations instead of expanding students’ understanding of differential equations," Stankova wrote. In an open letter from UC STEM faculty written in June, instructors specifically rejected the notion that "equity" was affected by the math requirement. EX-CAMBRIDGE PROFESSOR FOUND DEAD AFTER PLAGIARISM SCANDAL LED TO ABRUPT RESIGNATION "The SAT/ACT mathematics requirement is not an obstacle to equity; rather, it is a prerequisite for it," they wrote. "Failing to measure preparation gaps does not remove barriers; it moves them into the classroom, where they become harder to overcome. An admissions process that ignores foundational readiness does a disservice to the most vulnerable students. True access requires an honest assessment of the support students need and where, within California’s public higher education system, they can best receive it." The UC announced that month it was launching a review of its standardized testing policy. "The Board of Regents and University leadership take very seriously the critical issue of college preparedness, and the UC Academic Senate has proposed a comprehensive, data-driven review to support its recommendations to strengthen student readiness and success at UC," University of California President James B. Milliken said at the time. "There are few things more important on our agenda." The op-ed comes as more elite universities are moving away from the test-optional policies that were in vogue during what Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., might call the "Woke 1" era around 2020. CONSERVATIVES SHRED AOC AS SHE ATTEMPTS TO BRUSH OFF RADICAL 'WOKE 1' WAVE AMID 2028 SPECULATION Columbia University in June joined seven other Ivy League institutions in going away from test-optional policies, announcing it would reinstate standardized testing requirements for undergraduate applicants starting next year, according to HigherEdDive.  Fox News Digital reached out to Berkeley did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Concerns about coddled or underprepared students at elite schools are hardly exclusive to California. Fox News Digital reported last week that freshmen at the University of Michigan next year will get a semester-long break from having letter grades appear on their transcripts as school officials look for new ways to combat the "mental health crisis" affecting higher education. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204092c5335ae10473fe1 Oatman could host plaque marking Route 66 engineering landmark designation te 2026-08-16T18:40:09.385Z Oatman could host plaque marking Route 66 engineering landmark designation Oatman could soon get a new marker commemorating Route 66’s place in American engineering history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204082c5335ae10473fd8 Mohave County moves to hire interim director for possible airport takeover te 2026-08-16T18:40:08.593Z Mohave County moves to hire interim director for possible airport takeover BULLHEAD CITY — Mohave County is moving to hire an interim airport director as it prepares for a possible takeover of Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport, even as the airport authority prepares its response to the county’s condemnation effort. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204072c5335ae10473fcf WireFree seeks 25-year franchise to expand broadband in four Mohave County communities te 2026-08-16T18:40:07.773Z WireFree seeks 25-year franchise to expand broadband in four Mohave County communities KINGMAN — Residents in Havasu Heights, Donkey Acres, Crystal Beach and Yucca could see expanded broadband service under a 25-year franchise agreement headed to the Mohave County Board of Supervisors on Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204062c5335ae10473fc6 Hospital district could move offices into Mohave County administration building te 2026-08-16T18:40:06.932Z Hospital district could move offices into Mohave County administration building KINGMAN — The public entity that owns Kingman Regional Medical Center could soon move its operations into the Mohave County Administration Building under a five-year lease headed to county supervisors Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204062c5335ae10473fbd Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years te 2026-08-16T18:40:06.132Z Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8204052c5335ae10473fb4 Charges dismissed against Kelli, Michael Ward and other Arizona 'fake electors' — for now te 2026-08-16T18:40:05.233Z Charges dismissed against Kelli, Michael Ward and other Arizona 'fake electors' — for now PHOENIX -- The people accused of being "fake electors'' and their allies are officially off the legal hook -- but only for now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8201b22c5335ae10473f87 iCloud Private Relay leaks can expose your real IP te 2026-08-16T18:30:10.649Z iCloud Private Relay leaks can expose your real IP If you pay for iCloud+ and use Safari, you may have turned on iCloud Private Relay for an extra layer of privacy. Apple designed the feature to prevent websites from seeing your actual IP address and exact location. Now, security researchers have found three ways that certain WebKit features can slip outside that protection. Researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk discovered that DNS prefetching, a WebAuthn feature connected to passkeys and WebTransport can bypass WebKit's proxy configuration. Two of those methods can expose your real internet protocol (IP) address. The other can reveal information about the DNS servers your device is using. What makes this especially concerning is that these are legitimate browser technologies. A website does not necessarily need to convince you to download a suspicious file or install a shady app for the network requests to occur. Here's how these iCloud Private Relay leaks work, who may be affected and what you can do to better protect your privacy. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. ARE APPLE DEVICES SPYING? WHAT YOUR IPHONE TRACKS Apple's iCloud Private Relay is available to iCloud+ subscribers and works with Safari browsing. When you turn it on, Apple sends your Safari requests through two separate internet relays. Your internet provider can see your IP address, but your DNS records are encrypted. A second relay then gives the website a temporary IP address instead of your actual one. The design keeps any single party from seeing both who you are and which websites you visit. That makes Private Relay useful if you want to reduce the amount of location and browsing information websites can collect about you. However, the newly documented WebKit behavior creates paths around that relay. The researchers identified three separate mechanisms. Each works a little differently. Browsers often try to make websites load faster by looking up the addresses of links before you click them. This process is called DNS prefetching. Normally, you would expect those lookups to follow the same privacy path as the rest of your browsing. The researchers found that WebKit can instead send these DNS requests through your device's normal DNS connection. As a result, a website could see DNS requests coming from your real network instead of the proxy. The issue has been available on iOS since iOS 26.0, according to the researchers. This does not directly hand over everything you are doing online. However, it can expose network information that Private Relay was expected to shield. The second issue involves WebAuthn, the web standard used by passkeys. Some companies operate several websites and want the same passkey to work across those related domains. WebAuthn has a feature that lets a device verify whether those websites belong together. To do that, the operating system may contact a website directly to retrieve a small verification file. According to the researchers, that request happens outside Safari's normal proxied network path. Therefore, the destination server can receive your device's real IP address even while Private Relay is active. Importantly, this research does not show that an attacker can steal your passkey through this flaw. The privacy exposure comes from the network request used during verification. So, there is no reason to abandon passkeys because of this finding. WebTransport gives websites a faster way to maintain low-latency connections with servers. Certain interactive web services can benefit from that speed. However, researchers found that WebKit can establish a WebTransport connection directly from your device instead of sending it through the configured proxy. When that happens, the server on the other end can see your actual IP address. Private Relay does not intercept that connection because it occurs outside the network path Private Relay normally protects. WebTransport became publicly available on iOS with iOS 26.4. SHARED VPN VS DEDICATED IP: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? The findings matter most if you rely on Safari with iCloud Private Relay to hide your IP address. They can also affect privacy-focused browsers or apps that use WebKit's proxy configuration. The researchers specifically examined WebKit-based proxy browsers on iOS and macOS. That means the issue reaches beyond one particular browser feature. The researchers say VPNs do not suffer from these specific WebKit proxy leaks because a VPN tunnels network traffic at the system level instead of relying on WebKit's browser-level proxy configuration. That does not mean a VPN eliminates every form of online tracking. Websites can still recognize you through account logins, cookies and other signals. If you use Private Relay, there is no reason to panic or immediately switch it off. Most Safari browsing still follows Private Relay's normal privacy architecture. Apple says the service is designed to prevent websites from seeing your IP address and exact location during Safari browsing. The problem is that certain WebKit features can create exceptions. A website using one of these mechanisms could potentially learn your real IP address or information about your DNS connection. You may not see an obvious warning when that happens. Your IP address usually will not reveal your home address. Still, it can expose your internet provider and approximate location. It can also give websites another identifier to connect with other information they have collected about you. For someone using Private Relay specifically because they do not want websites seeing that information, that matters. We reached out to Apple for comment on the researchers' findings but did not hear back before our publication deadline. There are several steps you can take while this WebKit behavior remains a concern. Turning Private Relay off would remove its protection from Safari traffic that currently does travel through Apple's relay system. On iPhone, you can check it by going to: Settings > your name > iCloud > Private Relay. Apple also lets you choose between maintaining your general location or using only your country and time zone. Install new iOS, iPadOS and macOS updates when Apple releases them. On iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update. Apple currently lists iOS 26.6 as its latest iPhone software release. Security and privacy fixes often arrive through operating system updates, so automatic updates can help you receive future fixes more quickly. If hiding your real IP address is especially important to you, a reputable VPN offers a different type of protection. The researchers specifically note that VPNs are not affected by these three WebKit proxy leaks because the traffic is tunneled at the system level. Keep in mind that a VPN cannot make you invisible online. Websites can still recognize you if you sign in or provide identifying information. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com. The WebAuthn finding may sound alarming because passkeys are involved. However, the researchers describe an IP-address exposure caused by a related network request. They do not describe attackers stealing the passkey itself. Passkeys remain one of the stronger options available for protecting accounts from phishing and stolen passwords. The browser developer Psylo has already changed how its browser handles the three mechanisms. Psylo version 1.3.1 blocks DNS prefetch hints while WebTransport and WebAuthn are disabled by default. Users can turn those features back on for individual sites when needed. The changes show that browser developers can take steps to close these particular paths. Privacy features work best when you understand what they actually protect. I still see value in iCloud Private Relay because it gives Safari users meaningful protection with almost no effort. However, I would not treat it as a replacement for a full-device VPN when keeping your real IP hidden is critical. What concerns me most here is how invisible these exceptions can be. You can turn on a privacy setting, see that it is enabled and reasonably assume every relevant connection follows it. These findings show why the plumbing underneath matters as much as the switch you see in Settings. Apple has built privacy into the way it markets the iPhone. That makes discoveries like this especially important because users should know where those protections have limits. Would knowing that a website could potentially bypass Private Relay make you trust the feature less, or would you keep using it while waiting for Apple to address the loopholes? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8201b12c5335ae10473f7e Stephen A Smith warns national Black journalists group ‘I’m coming’ after receiving ‘Thumbs Down’ award te 2026-08-16T18:30:09.981Z Stephen A Smith warns national Black journalists group ‘I’m coming’ after receiving ‘Thumbs Down’ award ESPN host and political commentator Stephen A. Smith vowed Sunday to confront the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) after it gave him a "Thumbs Down" award at the group's Saturday night gala in Atlanta because of what it characterized as his repeated disparagement of prominent Black women. Smith framed the award as the beginning of a broader dispute with the organization. "This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,I’m coming," Smith said in a post on X. WILL CAIN CHALLENGES STEPHEN A SMITH ON 'RACIST' CLAIM ABOUT 'WHITE DUDES' IN THE NBA Smith also indicated that he planned to scrutinize NABJ's own record after remaining silent about the organization for years. "Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something," Smith said. The NABJ announced the decision during its Salute to Excellence Awards Gala at the organization's annual convention. A video of the presentation was shared by Washington Association of Black Journalists President Phil Lewis. Lewis also said that the NABJ presented the disparaging award to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, CBS News, DuJuan McCoy, owner and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting and WISH-TV, and The Washington Post. "Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media," the award presentation said. PAIGE BUECKERS SPARKS DEBATE WITH COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN WNBA COACHES AMID CAITLIN CLARK COMPARISONS "Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities," it continued. NABJ's published criteria said the annual distinction goes to a person or organization responsible for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical coverage or commentary about the Black community, or practices contrary to NABJ's goals. The clip online did not identify any particular women or remark(s) made by Smith behind the decision. NABJ President Errin Haines said recipients could respond to the criticism and change their conduct, but the organization said it would continue speaking publicly. "The door is open. The conversation is available, and the opportunity to change is real. But NABJ will not be silent. Not in this moment, and not on my watch," Haines said during the presentation. JASMINE CROCKETT WARNS DEMOCRATS ARE TOO FOCUSED ON WHITE VOTERS, IGNORING BLACK VOTERS An editor for the conservative watchdog, the Media Research Center, told Fox News Digital Sunday that the award reflected what he viewed as a broader disconnect between journalism organizations and the public. "This charade is further proof these so-called journalist trade groups are an absolute scam. They exist to keep Woke 1 alive, and illuminate the reality elitist journalists are wildly disconnected from the rest of the country," NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck said. "Stephen A. Smith was exactly right to eviscerate them. Smith is known as someone who can be a bloviator, but he also calls out all sides if he feels they did something wrong. It's a lesson those in the NABJ should take a page from instead of masquerading as clownish activists," he added. Democratic strategist and political commentator Ameshia Cross, who attended the awards dinner, criticized NABJ’s presentation. "I think NABJ wanted to trend again because that was messy for no damn reason," Cross said on X. "I left the awards dinner, which was otherwise a ceremony dedicated to great journalism across multiple regions and descended into petty...with thousands of unemployed Black folk in the field." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8201b12c5335ae10473f75 Progressive Minneapolis mayor's viral hip-hop moves spark 'humiliation ritual' mockery online te 2026-08-16T18:30:09.213Z Progressive Minneapolis mayor's viral hip-hop moves spark 'humiliation ritual' mockery online Social media is erupting over a viral video of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey showing off his awkward dance moves while attending the Black Entrepreneur State Fair, with the clip quickly spreading across X as users call the dance a "cringe" performance. The clip, posted on TikTok last week, shows Frey moving his hips and shoulders to hip-hop music while wearing sunglasses and interacting with an emcee on the dance floor, prompting a wave of mockery from conservative commentators. "Why are they always like this? This is almost worse than when he pretended the Somali food he was choking down his throat was delicious. He’s a walking humiliation ritual," said conservative commentator Benny Johnson. "What an embarrassment," said one user. SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS WITH MOCKERY AS DEM SENATE CANDIDATE'S PEP TALK GOES VIRAL: 'IS THIS FOR REAL?' "I’d honestly prefer that he defund the police," joked commentator Emily Jashinsky. "One of the worst parts of Democrats becoming the party of theater kids isn’t just that they’re destroying American cities, it’s that they were clearly the worst and least talented theater kids, which is why they went into politics," said Outkick writer Ian Miller. "The world is full of white liberals willing to play the fool," wrote a user. MILLION-DOLLAR SNAP FOOD STAMP FRAUD SCHEME IN WALZ'S BACKYARD SPARKS OUTRAGE: 'CRUEL JOKE' "Mayor Frey is out here dancing like his state his city is not in complete disarray and plagued with rampant fraud at every level. His ability to put on blinders and just vibe is unmatched," said X host Mario Nawfal. "Cringe: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey looking like the classic white guy dancing caricature," said one user. Fox News Digital reached out to Frey's office for comment. The annual Black Entrepreneur State Fair, a weeklong celebration of Black-owned businesses, was held Aug. 9-15 at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. The video comes amid a string of Democratic lawmakers and candidates drawing online mockery over attempts to connect with voters through dance and other lighthearted performances, with critics branding the moments awkward and bizarre. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE 'PUNISHED' Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed also faced criticism after a campaign video parodying Blue’s Clues to explain voting by mail resurfaced online. Wearing a green-striped shirt, he recreated the show’s "Mail Time" song and dance, while pulling an "Abdul for Senate" ballot from a mailbox to explain ballot deadlines and voting procedures in the style of the children’s program. He ended the video by adapting the show’s "Blue’s Skidoo" catchphrase to "Vote ski-doo. We can too!" and disappearing into a campaign-themed picture frame. The internet piled on El-Sayed, with critics calling the video "the most cringeworthy political advert" and "disgusting." Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan and Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8201b02c5335ae10473f6c Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report te 2026-08-16T18:30:08.446Z Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report The Department of Homeland Security is investigating a nonprofit with connections to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for potentially providing donor funds to a sanctioned Palestinian group, the New York Post reported Friday. The report says federal authorities are probing the U.K.-based organization known only as PFF, which has a roughly $100 million war chest used to support anti-Israel causes. It also may have contributed donor funds to Al-Haq, a Palestinian group sanctioned by the U.S., the Post reported. "A new fund set up by Arabs across the US, UK, and Australia has been built to take on Israel," one source familiar with the operation told the Post. One source who spoke to the Post described one Bassema Yousef as the "lynchpin" for the PFF's fundraising. Born in New York, Yousef is a longtime ally of Mamdani and a prolific Democratic donor, though she now lives in London, according to the Post. MAMDANI'S POLITICS LINKED TO MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IDEOLOGY AS NEW YORK VIOLENCE ESCALATES: REPORT Her social media presence shows multiple anti-Israel rants, claiming Israel is committing "war crimes with U.S. tax dollars," among other things. Sources told the Post that Yousef established the PFF with backing from two wealthy donors: Austin, Texas-based investing executive Basil Qunibi and Palestinian-Australian motorsports magnate Yasser Shahin. Corporate filings in the U.K. confirm Shahin's role in supporting the PFF, the Post reported. The IRS also confirmed the PFF has a nonprofit arm based in Delaware. EXCLUSIVE: NEW YORK WOMAN WHO WISHED 'EVERY DAY WERE OCT. 7' CHARGED WITH FUNDING PALESTINIAN TERROR GROUP Sources with direct knowledge of the PFF's operations told the Post the organization's executives work to finance anti-Israel messages and defend pro-Palestinian activists. "PFF is a strategic foundation that is large, well-funded, and institutional in quality," the foundation says on its website. "We partner with organisations that we believe have an ability to consistently deliver results that align with our strategic objectives." "PFF and its partners are unequivocally committed to justice, peace, inclusion and non-violence," the nonprofit said. The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The DHS declined to comment in a statement to the Post. "HSI does not comment on the existence or status of specific investigations, nor on investigative methods, intelligence sources, or potential enforcement actions," a DHS spokesperson told The Post, referring to the Homeland Security Investigations unit. The Post went on to note that the reported DHS investigation does not indicate any criminal wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8201af2c5335ae10473f63 Ex-WWE star wins world title in emphatic return to Game Changer Wrestling in violent Atlantic City showcase te 2026-08-16T18:30:07.535Z Ex-WWE star wins world title in emphatic return to Game Changer Wrestling in violent Atlantic City showcase It was a true homecoming for Joseph Sawyer on Saturday night. The former WWE star, then known as Joe Gacy, made his return to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) as the company held Homecoming Night 1 at the Showboat Resort Atlantic City in New Jersey. Sawyer survived a bloody affair to capture the GCW World Championship in a victory over Atticus Cogar. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "What a f---ing Homecoming," he told the crowd after winning the title. Indeed it was. It was Sawyer’s first match in GCW since 2020 when he went by Psycho Joe. The Franklin, New Jersey, native went to war with Cogar. The match featured brutal chair shots and multiple attempts at putting Cogar through a door set up in the corner of the ring. It was also a night that featured tributes to the late Bray Wyatt. Cogar’s entrance music was a nod to the former WWE star who died unexpectedly in August 2023. Cogar also wore a jacket and a mask in tribute. Sawyer hit a Sister Abigail DDT to finish off Cogar. The GCW crowd that packed the event space at the Showboat went wild. Fans started to bang on the apron of the ring as Sawyer celebrated. The violence portrayed in the ring only scratched the surface of what occurred throughout the night. Light tubes, chains, scaffolds, chairs and a barbed wire table all made an appearance. Otis Cogar retained the GCW Ultraviolent Championship against Anakin Murphy, who played into the New Jersey crowd coming out in gear inspired by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. Cogar pulled out all the stops to finish off a resilient Murphy, who told Cogar to "f---ing end it" before the champion hit him with a brutal chair shot. Murphy tried to get Cogar down the best he could, even taking a fan’s Buffalo Bills helmet to use it as a weapon. Regardless, it was Cogar’s night but he learned later he would have a new challenger for his championship. Vipress and Christian Napier battled in a brutal Chola Chain Match. The competitors were connected to each other by a chain tied to their wrists. Once Napier threw Vipress into a chair that was placed in between turnbuckles, she was busted wide open. With blood dripping down her face, Vipress was able to power through. She took back control of the match when Napier got tied up in the ropes. She found some light tubes and smashed them over Napier’s head. Vipress was able to wrap the chain around Napier’s face to make him tap out and secure the win. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM She took the mic after the match and called out Cogar to challenge for the GCW Ultraviolent Championship. In one of the scarier moments of the night, Nick Gage, Nino Extremo and Sicko The Clown defeated Conor Claxton, Dr. Redacted and Jimmy Lloyd in a six-man deathmatch. Claxton was attempting to end the match when he followed Sicko The Clown to the top of a scaffold that was set up on the side of the ring. Claxton had already prepared to do some damage, setting up a bundle of light tubes on the match. Extremo followed them both to the top of the scaffold and it allowed Sicko The Clown to regain control. Sicko The Clown hit a Spanish fly on Claxton through the light tubes. Sicko The Clown pinned Claxton, who appeared to be bleeding profusely from his arm. Claxton was taken to the hospital and appeared to be OK. Elsewhere, KJ Orso and Sam Stackhouse defeated Alec Price and Jordan Oliver to become the new GCW tag team champions. Bobby Flaco, Hunter Drake, Jay Lucas and Terry Yaki defeated Leedz Lewis, Ryan O’Neill, Sal Mistretta and Tarzan Duran in an eight-man tag match. Joey Janela staved off the possibility of retirement when he defeated Marko Stunt with the help of O’Neill. Bear Bronson and Gabby Forza defeated Charles Mason and Slade. GCW Homecoming Night 2 is set for Sunday at the Showboat once again. Pro wrestling fans can watch the event on Triller TV+. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81ff562c5335ae10473f0d Sen Johnson releases new Fauci text flagging COVID vaccine concerns during pregnancy te 2026-08-16T18:20:06.771Z Sen Johnson releases new Fauci text flagging COVID vaccine concerns during pregnancy Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., on Sunday unveiled a new text exchange from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s government-issued phone as his committee reviews records concerning federal officials’ handling of COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns, including risks surrounding pregnancy. On "Sunday Morning Futures," Johnson showcased a new text message conversation between Fauci and Dr. John Mascola, then-director of the Vaccine Research Center under NIAID. The senator said the message shows that Fauci received information about pregnancy-related concerns connected to vaccines. "I am corrected on pregnancy studies. Initial Studies avoid vaccination in first trimester due to possible fever and higher rates of miscarriage in first trimester," Mascola wrote in a freshly disclosed text message that Fauci read on Jan. 25, 2021. FAUCI TEXTS SUGGEST OFFICIALS WERE ‘TOO SLOW TO PIVOT' AMID PANDEMIC, SAYS DR MARC SIEGEL "This text really raises more questions than it answers," Johnson said, adding that it was still unknown from whom Fauci received information about cytokine storms, an adverse reaction associated with COVID-19, according to a January 2022 study posted on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. Johnson said his team reached out to Mascola, who retained an attorney, and he hopes the doctor will cooperate. EX-ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT CLAIMS NETWORK OVERHAULED HIS COVID LAB LEAK REPORT AFTER SENDING COPY TO FAUCI Johnson's team also released an email Fauci received from Dr. Janet Woodcock, who was the commissioner of the FDA at the time, who raised concerns on May 27, 2021, about "adverse events" after COVID vaccination. She called for a study into the matter. Johnson accused Fauci of sitting on that information and failing to act accordingly. "We see time and time again, these government officials, whose responsibility was to surveil for safety signals, weren't doing their job," Johnson said. "When they saw something, they covered it up." Fauci on Friday declined a request from Johnson, who is chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to voluntarily appear before a second Senate panel, opening another front in Republicans’ investigations into the former public health official’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci's attorney argued that compelling him to testify again after his contentious July 29 Senate hearing, during which he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times, would "impermissibly harass or degrade Dr. Fauci for political purposes." Fox News' Brittany Miller contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81fcfe2c5335ae10473ed2 Kate Moss and daughter Lila stun in swimsuits during Spanish getaway te 2026-08-16T18:10:06.973Z Kate Moss and daughter Lila stun in swimsuits during Spanish getaway Hollywood's biggest stars are soaking up the summer sun and bringing the heat. Stars like Kate Moss and Emily Ratajkowski were photographed in their swimsuits enjoying the water, while Halle Berry rang in a new decade in a see-through dress. Whether on vacation or at home, these stars had no issue flaunting their fit figures for all to see. SHAKIRA SOAKS UP THE MIAMI SUN AS BIKINI-CLAD NINA DOBREV, KIM KARDASHIAN SHOWCASE SUMMER GETAWAYS Here are some of this week's best celebrity photos. Kate Moss and her daughter, Lila, were spotted enjoying the summer sun while on vacation in Spain. The mother-daughter duo were photographed spending the day on a boat off the coast of Formentera, Spain, with a group of friends. The iconic '90s supermodel sported a black one-piece bathing suit with a plunging neckline and a low-cut back, while her daughter stunned in a red bikini with a white paisley print that showed off her toned abs. Both Lila and Kate decided to cool off in the ocean, with photographs showing Kate diving off the back of the boat into the blue water. Other photos show the two laughing and spending time with their friends, including Lila's godmother, Rose Ferguson, before they covered up to head home. While walking off the boat, Lila was spotted in an oversized T-shirt, while Kate wore a black-and-white floral cover-up. Halle Berry kicked off a new decade by sharing a series of risqué photos on social media. The "Monster's Ball" star started her 60th birthday celebration by posting photos on Instagram featuring her in a floor-length black knit dress with a plunging halter neckline. She paired the sheer dress with black sunglasses, small hoop earrings and long gold necklaces, captioning the post, "60 here I come…." "Still absolutely beautiful, stunning, gorgeous …..You get the idea 🥰," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "Because age is only a number! 😍" A third fan chimed in, "60 looks absolutely stunning on you. I hope to look this beautiful, confident, and full of life when I reach your age. You’re truly inspiring. ❤️✨" Bella Thorne continues to tease "Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain," the sequel to the 2013 film "Spring Breakers." She shared a series of photos on Instagram, captioned, "spring break baby 🫧🔫💦😵‍💫🫦👀." EMILY RATAJKOWSKI'S SHREDDED RED BIRTHDAY DRESS LEAVES LITTLE TO THE IMAGINATION AT NYC CELEBRATION In the photos, the former Disney Channel star posed on a white Jeep while wearing a tie-dye bikini. One of the photos shows Thorne sitting on the Jeep's spare tire with one arm on her head as she looks up. Another photo shows her leaning against the Jeep as she looks into the camera, while another shows her sitting in the backseat and looking out the front window. The actress paired the bikini with several bracelets and high-top Converse sneakers with white socks. "Omg I can’t wait for Spring breakers 2 ❤️," one fan wrote in the comments section, while another added, "We ready for that sequel🤩🤩." A third wrote, "You look incredible girl !!😍" Emily Ratajkowski is having a dreamy seaside summer with her son and friends. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In a recent Instagram post, the model and actress shared a carousel of photos from her summer getaway, including several that showed off her toned physique in different bikinis. "The summer i finally read ferrante (it’s all i want to talk about)" she captioned the post. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS One of the photos featured Ratajkowski standing in a kitchen wearing a black-and-white polka-dot bikini with intricate straps tied around her abs and waist, which she paired with white polka-dot pants. She also included photos of herself lounging on a yacht in a striped bikini, taking a selfie of herself in an animal-print bikini, lounging on the beach with her son and spending time with her friends. "The absolute most beautiful ❤️," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "Sweet sweet Emily." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81faa82c5335ae10473ea0 1 in 6 adults plagued by loneliness as researchers reveal lasting impact of COVID pandemic te 2026-08-16T18:00:08.530Z 1 in 6 adults plagued by loneliness as researchers reveal lasting impact of COVID pandemic A study of over 135,000 adults found that a surprising number of individuals feel lonely often — and that some of the loneliest people live in urban areas, shocking the researchers. Not only that — but the COVID pandemic made it worse.  Professors at Imperial College London conducted the study. They recruited a total of 135,725 volunteers aged 16 and older to complete an online survey in England throughout a five-month period in 2023. Almost one in six adults reported feeling lonely "often or always" — and more than one in five people frequently felt a lack of companionship or had feelings of being left out or isolated, news agency SWNS reported. WHEN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO SEVERE FOR TELEHEALTH? WARNING SIGNS FAMILIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE The findings of the study, called INTERACT, surprised those involved. When the researchers dug deeper into the data, they found that some of the loneliest people were clustered in urban environments and cities, including London, Birmingham and Manchester. Austen El-Osta, Ph.D., public health researcher and study lead for INTERACT, said, "The key message is not simply that many people feel lonely, but that loneliness is strongly influenced by people’s surroundings, social network and their environment." This reflected the "urban paradox" theory, the study said — where those in major cities that offer greater economic, cultural and social advantages often report lower life satisfaction, connectivity and happiness, compared to people in rural areas. The team also found a significant lasting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 44% of respondents said the pandemic increased their feelings of loneliness — while 48.2% reported increased feelings of isolation. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Senior author of the study, Dr. Azeem Majeed of the National Health Service, said, "As an NHS GP, I see how loneliness affects both the mental and physical health of my patients. It contributes to problems such as anxiety and depression, increases the risk of long-term conditions, and often leads to more frequent GP consultations." He said that "by strengthening community connections and social capital, we can help prevent loneliness and enable people to live healthier, happier and more connected lives." Whether people were in relationships or not didn’t seem to impact their loneliness levels. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES The research found that 45% of respondents were married or in a civil partnership — while almost 20% were single. El-Osta said, "Loneliness is often treated as a private experience, but our findings reinforce that it is also a public health and community issue." He added that "public health responses need to look beyond individual resilience and consider the environments, services and community assets that help people feel connected, supported and able to participate." The team believes that this is "one of the world’s largest dedicated studies of loneliness and the largest of its kind conducted in a single country," according to Imperial College London.  The group also cautioned that while the findings offer an important snapshot, "the study cannot be used to estimate the scale of the problem at the population level." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ In addition, the researchers noted several limitations of their study, including that it overrepresented highly educated individuals and underrepresented minority ethnic groups.  They also highlighted the "inherent self-selection bias of this type of online survey, where those more interested or affected by an issue are more likely to take part."  Recently, another study found that feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults' memory — though it may not speed up cognitive decline. Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries.  They found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did worse on memory tests at the start of the study, according to research published in the spring in the journal Aging & Mental Health. The researchers also suggested that screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging. Deirdre Bardolf of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81f84e2c5335ae10473e5c CBS News correspondent accused of sexual harassment in former ABC producer's lawsuit te 2026-08-16T17:50:06.059Z CBS News correspondent accused of sexual harassment in former ABC producer's lawsuit Former ABC News field producer Samira Said sued CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman, ABC News, The Walt Disney Co. and an ABC bureau chief on Friday, alleging Gutman made sexualized workplace comments and ABC later fired her after denying medical accommodations related to trauma from covering the Uvalde school massacre. Said alleged Gutman initiated a conversation about another female correspondent while Said worked on an otherwise all-male team, according to the complaint filed In Los Angeles Superior Court. "While the team waited in a public queue during the assignment, Gutman initiated a discussion rating a female correspondent’s appearance and reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on her physical attributes," the complaint said. BATTLE BETWEEN BARI WEISS AND ‘60 MINUTES’ EXPLODES AS SCOTT PELLEY ACCUSES HER OF MURDERING THE SHOW "The male crew joined in, continuing to assess the woman’s body and looks in Said’s presence. The men attempted to draw Said into the conversation by soliciting her views. Said declined and stated the conversation was inappropriate." The filing described a second alleged incident during a movie-release press event, when Said and Gutman disagreed over whether their team should leave the work site. "In front of multiple coworkers, Gutman responded by making a sexualized insinuation that Said must have an after-hours date in the city and that this is why she did not want to relocate," the complaint said. "The remark, made audibly to others, demeaned Said and reduced her professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype." The allegations against Gutman are part of a broader lawsuit in which Said accused ABC and Disney of discrimination, retaliation, failing to accommodate her medical conditions and wrongfully terminating her. Said worked in ABC News' Los Angeles bureau from May 2021 until March 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter. BARI WEISS POACHES CONSERVATIVE NY TIMES COLUMNIST, OTHERS JOIN '60 MINUTES' IN CBS PROGRAM SHAKEUP Said alleged she was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms when management urged her to cover the May 2022 mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Her assignment included interviewing children who witnessed their classmates and teachers being killed, after which she said she experienced severe psychological symptoms, the lawsuit states. A psychiatrist later cleared Said to return from medical leave with accommodations, but she alleged then-Los Angeles bureau chief David Herndon would not permit a restricted schedule. Herndon "made it clear that unless she returned without restrictions and with full-week availability, she would not be permitted to resume her role," the complaint said. Said alleged she was subsequently moved to weekend desk shifts. She was later assigned to cover the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and other hazardous weather events in the city, during which, the complain alleges, heavy equipment allegedly struck her foot and caused a bone contusion. PARAMOUNT ESCALATES THREAT TO LEAVE CALIFORNIA AS DEM AG'S ANTITRUST LAWSUIT STALLS WARNER BROS MERGER ABC terminated Said during what had been presented as a routine meeting on March 5, 2025, the filing said. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and a jury trial. The allegations have not been adjudicated. Gutman joined CBS in January after 17 years at ABC and became the first major on-air hire under CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. CBS announced that Gutman would report for "CBS Mornings" and the "CBS Evening News," lead reporting for "48 Hours," contribute to "60 Minutes" and serve as a fill-in anchor. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Weiss praised Gutman’s reporting when CBS announced his hiring. "Matt Gutman goes there," Weiss said. "He brings the audience along with him to whatever story he is covering, and he approaches his work with the qualities we look for in all our journalists: fearlessness, energy and relentlessness." Fox News Digital reached out to Disney and CBS for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. A Disney representative told The Los Angeles Times that executives had not yet reviewed the complaint. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81f3a02c5335ae10473de9 Famed ex-Yankees pitcher Tommy John dead at 83 after sending farewell message to fans te 2026-08-16T17:30:08.777Z Famed ex-Yankees pitcher Tommy John dead at 83 after sending farewell message to fans Tommy John, the former MLB pitcher whose elbow surgery set the standard in baseball and helped lengthen the careers of countless players, has died. He was 83. Mike Maguire, his agent, announced John’s death in a statement. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Thomas Edward ‘Tommy’ John Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch last night surrounded by his loving wife, Cheryl, and his sister-in-laws Judith Florentino and Karen Jordan," the statement read. "A private celebration of life will be held in Florida." John’s death comes about a week after he released a farewell message to fans on New York Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day. He said in his message he was "saying goodbye" as the team revealed he had been battling health issues. "I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career," John’s message read. "Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you." John had his famed surgery in 1974 and became a success story as he went on to win more than 160 games after the operation was completed. He missed the entire 1975 season and was a three-time All-Star after the surgery. He finished his career as a four-time All-Star and played eight of his 26 seasons with the Yankees. He also played for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics. He had a career 3.34 ERA with 2,245 strikeouts. "The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & said, 'Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana,'" his message added. "I've never forgotten those words. Thank you & God Bless." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81eef32c5335ae10473d68 Oatman could host plaque marking Route 66 engineering landmark designation te 2026-08-16T17:10:11.608Z Oatman could host plaque marking Route 66 engineering landmark designation Oatman could soon get a new marker commemorating Route 66’s place in American engineering history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81eef22c5335ae10473d5f Hospital district could move offices into Mohave County administration building te 2026-08-16T17:10:10.777Z Hospital district could move offices into Mohave County administration building KINGMAN — The public entity that owns Kingman Regional Medical Center could soon move its operations into the Mohave County Administration Building under a five-year lease headed to county supervisors Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81eef12c5335ae10473d56 Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years te 2026-08-16T17:10:09.973Z Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years Mohave County prepares for emergency manager’s retirement after 22 years Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81eef12c5335ae10473d4d Charges dismissed against Kelli, Michael Ward and other Arizona 'fake electors' — for now te 2026-08-16T17:10:09.217Z Charges dismissed against Kelli, Michael Ward and other Arizona 'fake electors' — for now PHOENIX -- The people accused of being "fake electors'' and their allies are officially off the legal hook -- but only for now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81ec9a2c5335ae10473d1f Sam's Club meal kit feeds a family for under $16 as shoppers seek affordable dinners te 2026-08-16T17:00:10.078Z Sam's Club meal kit feeds a family for under $16 as shoppers seek affordable dinners As families look for ways to keep dinner costs down, warehouse clubs are competing for shoppers with prepared meals that offer an alternative to cooking from scratch or spending money on takeout. Among the prepared meal options is Sam's Club's Member's Mark Chicken Shawarma Kit, a 37-ounce meal listed for just under $16 on the retailer's website. The offering is part of a broader push by the warehouse club to give members more convenient options for putting dinner on the table, a Sam's Club spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. WEALTHY AMERICANS CHOOSE ONE GROCERY STORE CHAIN OVER RIVALS, SURVEY FINDS "Our members consistently tell us they want convenient, high-quality meal solutions at an incredible value," the statement said. "From the Member's Mark Chicken Shawarma Kit to dinner staples like our top-rated Member's Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken, we're taking the guesswork out of mealtime with options our members can feel good about serving," the statement added. The shawarma kit comes with six pitas, fully cooked chicken shawarma, Mediterranean-style bruschetta, feta cheese, creamy garlic sauce and spicy tahini sauce, according to the Sam's Club website. For warehouse clubs, however, the competition for families' dinner budgets goes beyond offering a lower price. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Warehouse clubs aren't just competing on price, they're competing on the value of time," St. Louis-based founder and CEO of SCALEBLAZER Laura Burkemper told Fox News Digital. "For busy families, the question at 5 p.m. isn't simply, 'What's cheapest?' It's 'What can I put on the table quickly, affordably, and without another decision to make?'" Burkemper said. "A $16 family meal is compelling because it solves several consumer pain points at once: affordability, convenience, portion size, and predictability." That price point may be particularly important for Sam's Club shoppers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Bryan Gildenberg, New Jersey-based founder and CEO of Confluencer Commerce, told Fox News Digital that consumers are making different choices as they contend with higher food and fuel costs. "Remember, Sam's Club and Costco look the same but aren't the same," Gildenberg said. "Costco's member is more coastal and more affluent." "For Sam's, a price-sensitive meal deal makes enormous sense given that their members are more likely to be making different choices in the face of food and fuel inflation," Gildenberg added. Meanwhile, shoppers reviewing the kit on Sam's Club's website have praised its convenience and price, though some questioned whether the portions were enough to fill all six pitas. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ One reviewer called it "a total lifesaver for busy weeknights," saying it offered an alternative to cooking after a long day or ordering expensive takeout. Portion size was a recurring concern among some shoppers, with several saying they ran short of chicken or other ingredients before using all six pitas. "[My] family loved this. Everything seasoned well and flavorful," one purchaser wrote, but added that there was "not enough for 6 pitas." The shopper said the chicken barely fed four adults and that side dishes were needed to complete the meal. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81ec992c5335ae10473d16 Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona te 2026-08-16T17:00:09.289Z Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona A federal judge in Arizona cleared the path for border wall construction in the state after a Native American tribe attempted to block its construction. The Tohono O'odham Nation had argued that constructing the border wall along its southern border with Mexico would constitute illegal trespassing on tribal lands as well as effectively shrink the reservation. Judge Richard Leon noted in his ruling a federal proclamation in 1907 that the first 60 feet of the reservation could be taken for federal use. "Given the national security and foreign policy considerations related to the border wall, deference to the government is warranted," he said. 'AMERICA FIRST' IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL BILL WOULD CODIFY TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PROMISES ONCE AND FOR ALL Members of the Tohono O'odham Nation had erected "no trespassing" signs in reaction to federal workers visiting the border sites to scope out construction. The reservation's shared border with Mexico extends roughly 62 miles. "ANY construction related activities to the illegal and destructive border wall be warned, informed of trespass and escorted off the Nation's land by law enforcement," the tribe wrote on its Facebook page on Aug. 8. Judge Leon pointed to a proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 stating that all public land within 60 feet of an international boundary is under the exclusive control of the federal government. The proclamation argued it was necessary "as a protection against the smuggling of goods between the United States and the Republic of Mexico." Leon further noted that the Tohono nation was not declared a reservation until 1917, after Roosevelt's proclamation. The legal win for for the federal government comes after President Donald Trump's administration celebrated 15 consecutive months of having zero border releases at the U.S.-Mexico border last week. OPINION: THE BORDER IS CLOSED THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. IN VIRGINIA, THAT DOESN’T MATTER Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's office said daily apprehensions at the border are down 94% compared to former President Joe Biden's administration and are at the lowest level seen in 30 years. "Again this month, the results are clear: President Trump’s border security agenda is restoring order and putting the safety of the American people first," Mullin said in a statement. "DHS remains focused on enforcing our immigration laws, securing the border, and ensuring those who enter our country illegally are removed swiftly. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Trump, we have the most secure border in history," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81ec922c5335ae10473d00 Anthropic CEO says AI backlash is ‘fundamentally a crisis of trust’ te 2026-08-16T17:00:02.607Z Anthropic CEO says AI backlash is ‘fundamentally a crisis of trust’ Dario Amodei is pushing back against the idea that he's been painting an overly pessimistic picture of AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81e3372c5335ae104738bf Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality te 2026-08-16T16:20:07.121Z Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality Humanoid robots capable of autonomously navigating rugged terrain and detecting people could eventually join federal agents patrolling the southern border, with one U.S. robotics company telling Fox News Digital it has already demonstrated the technology to Department of Homeland Security officials. Sankaet Pathak, founder and CEO of Foundation, spoke with Fox News Digital to discuss the company's development of humanoid robotics and their potential applications at the border. Pathak said Foundation is in talks with several national security agencies. "We're in conversations with almost all national security government bodies, so Air Force, Navy, Army, DHS," Pathak said. "We continue to have dialogues. We're starting to negotiate contracts and some applications for them." PALANTIR'S SHYAM SANKAR SAYS ‘EVERY DAY WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS’ AS AI SUPERCHARGES AMERICAN WORKERS A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that no formal arrangement is currently in place. "The Department of Homeland Security currently does not have any non-contractual agreements, pilots, or active prime contracts with Foundation." Pathak envisions Phantom conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in terrain that can be difficult for humans, vehicles, aerial drones or fixed cameras to navigate. "If drones and watchtowers were able to solve for everything, why do we still have humans at the border?" Pathak told Fox News Digital. Pathak said existing automated solutions struggle with tasks ranging from logistics to navigating complex terrain, adding that he thinks "humanoids will fill that gap quite well." Pathak said Phantom can distinguish humans from other obstacles, autonomously traverse uneven terrain and map its environment. The company's goal is for robots to conduct those reconnaissance functions autonomously before flagging potential border crossings for human officers. TRUMP ADMIN MARKS 15 STRAIGHT MONTHS WITH ZERO BORDER RELEASES AS APPREHENSIONS PLUNGE 94% Pathak also pointed to tunnels along the border as another potential application for the technology, saying Foundation would explore underground operations as part of its use cases. "Our biggest thing is if we can keep our officers in a safe place, and these robots can continue to surveil 24/7," Pathak said. He said robots could flag significant activity and allow human officers to respond when intervention is necessary. "Tomorrow I think we could do a pilot. Next couple of months, we can do something much larger." Pathak said weather resistance remains one of the principal limitations of the current Phantom, but a second-generation model expected in the coming months is designed to be waterproof, dustproof and substantially more rugged for outdoor deployment. While Foundation's immediate vision centers on surveillance and reconnaissance, Pathak said the company would be willing to arm robots for border operations if requested by the federal government. He stressed, however, that the machines are not envisioned making enforcement decisions independently in the near future. INSIDE CHINA’S AI ‘WOLF PACK’ DRONES BUILT WITH TAIWAN CONFLICT IN MIND "They will detect and then flag and then a human would decide kind of like what the next step it needs to be," Pathak said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81e0df2c5335ae104737c7 ‘American Pie’ star Shannon Elizabeth swears off dating, says OnlyFans is ‘the only relationship I need’ te 2026-08-16T16:10:07.473Z ‘American Pie’ star Shannon Elizabeth swears off dating, says OnlyFans is ‘the only relationship I need’ Shannon Elizabeth isn’t looking for another slice of romance anytime soon. The "American Pie" star, whose divorce was finalized in May, has sworn off dating, insisting that OnlyFans is "the only relationship I need." During an appearance on Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, he asked her, "What’s the dating scene like in Cape Town?" Elizabeth moved to South Africa in 2016 to focus on wildlife conservation. ‘AMERICAN PIE’ ALUM SHANNON ELIZABETH TURNS TO ONLYFANS FOR ‘FRESH START’ AS DIVORCE UNFOLDS "I'm very newly single, and I don’t plan on ever dating again, to be honest," Elizabeth replied. "Come on, you’re going to date," Maher insisted. "No, no," Elizabeth said. "No, not even dating?" Maher said. WATCH: ‘AMERICAN PIE’ STAR LAUNCHES ONLYFANS, EMBRACES FRESH START "I do not want to date," Elizabeth said. "I’m not interested. There’s too many con artists out there. There’s too many people I don’t trust. I have no interest." "... The only relationships I need are the relationships on OnlyFans that I’m building with all of these people," Elizabeth said. Maher was adamant that Elizabeth’s ban on dating wouldn’t stick. "Well, I’m not saying I know you better than you, because I don’t," he said. "You know you better than you. I will say this: I have heard that from many people right after. ..." "I mean, including many celebrities," he said. Maher pointed to Halle Berry as an example, noting that the actress had once said she would never marry again. Berry later married actor Olivier Martinez in 2013, and the couple filed for divorce in 2015. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Elizabeth wasn't swayed. "... At the moment, I’m perfectly fine not being with anyone and not wanting anything," she said. OnlyFans allows creators to charge fans directly for their content, and Elizabeth found immediate financial success on the subscription platform. Variety reported that she earned more than $1.2 million in her first week after launching her account in April. For Elizabeth, however, OnlyFans has become more than another source of income. She told Variety the platform provided a financial lifeline as she went through her divorce from Simon Borchert. Acting roles weren't coming in as frequently as they once did, she said, and she had largely been living off her savings. "For the last ten years, I’ve been living off of my savings for the most part, because I haven’t been as focused on work," she said. "To be able to get myself back to the point where I’m not struggling and am able to choose projects because I like them and not because I need the money — it’s definitely giving me more freedom to do that." WATCH: SHANNON ELIZABETH REFLECTS ON ‘AMERICAN PIE’ AND NEW MISSION Elizabeth also wants to direct and "be behind the camera." In the meantime, she’s directing and producing her OnlyFans content, which does not currently include nudity. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I’ve got to be a little bit mysterious," she said. "I do all kinds of content, but I don’t even know what my boundaries will be. I’m still exploring it, and as I become more comfortable with it, I’m going to push those boundaries." A portion of Elizabeth’s OnlyFans earnings goes to her wildlife conservation nonprofit. Elizabeth previously told Fox News Digital that she isn't worried about criticism of her latest venture. "I know people do make assumptions about creators on the platform," she said. "But I don’t go looking for it. And people have been nothing but really supportive and kind to me. ... I’m really happy doing it. I’m really having so much fun. I’m connecting with people. And I think no matter what you do in any industry, there’s always going to be people who don’t support you, who want to bring you down or who criticize you." One piece of advice Elizabeth would give to another actress considering OnlyFans is simple: Just do it. "Absolutely do it," she gushed. "It’s been an incredible experience. And if you don’t like it, you just stop. That’s the beauty of it. The control’s in your hands. So if you want to do it for one month, do it for a month. See if you like it. In fact, I have already started talking to some friends about getting on the platform with me, and a lot of people are starting to consider it." "[This is] something that we wanted to do 25 years ago, but the technology wasn’t there yet," she said. "Now the technology is there. I just wish I’d done it sooner." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81e0d92c5335ae104737b1 TechCrunch Mobility: The shifting flight path of electric air taxis te 2026-08-16T16:10:01.855Z TechCrunch Mobility: The shifting flight path of electric air taxis Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81de892c5335ae10473785 Karoline Leavitt's replacement as press secretary faces 'critical' test as midterms loom, Trump advisor says te 2026-08-16T16:00:09.846Z Karoline Leavitt's replacement as press secretary faces 'critical' test as midterms loom, Trump advisor says President Donald Trump's senior political advisor James Blair praised departing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt for her time in the West Wing while warning on Saturday that her successor will face scrutiny for filling such a critical messaging role as the midterm elections approach. Blair said the next press secretary would be under a "microscope" given that Leavitt's time in office "cemented her as maybe the best press secretary we've ever had." "She was just really tremendous. And she had a connection with the president that is hard to develop," he said during "My View." "She understood him and understood the way he wanted to tell the American people his message, and she did it with honor and loyalty." SCRAMBLE FOR KAROLINE LEAVITT'S REPLACEMENT ENSUES WITH JUST WEEKS UNTIL TRUMP'S SPOKESPERSON EXITS "I think she's a really hard act to follow. I don't envy the next person, but it is a critical job." Whoever takes the podium next will need to work hard to disseminate President Trump's message "in the face of a very hostile press that doesn't want to tell the story about the great work Republicans have done for the last two years," he continued. Blair's assessment comes as messaging surrounding midterms ramps up across the country. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, controlling the House with a razor-thin 218-212 edge, with one independent and four vacancies, and the Senate with a 53-47 advantage, including two independents who caucus with Democrats. 100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY With every House seat and 35 Senate seats on the ballot, Democrats need a net gain of just six House seats to reclaim the speaker's gavel and four Senate seats to win back the upper chamber, making even a handful of competitive races capable of reshaping the balance of power in Washington. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS WIDELY PRAISE KAROLINE LEAVITT AS SHE ANNOUNCES EXIT Still, Blair expressed optimism that the GOP would retain its congressional majorities, saying the election comes down to "mainstream Republicans versus extreme liberal Democrats." Democrats want to raise taxes, abolish police and prisons and grant amnesty to every illegal immigrant in America, he said, including the violent criminals. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81de882c5335ae1047377c Caitlyn Jenner says there's a 'simple' solution to end the WNBA's trans athlete debate te 2026-08-16T16:00:08.883Z Caitlyn Jenner says there's a 'simple' solution to end the WNBA's trans athlete debate Caitlyn Jenner reacted to how the WNBA has navigated its latest controversy over whether transgender athletes would be eligible to play in the league. The WNBA has lacked clarity on whether a transgender athlete would be able to play in the league. In the midst of it all, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White each launched bids to get into the WNBA. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Jenner appeared on "Fox News @ Night" with Trace Gallagher and said there was a "simple" conclusion to the ordeal. "They’re showing the hypocrisy of what’s going on out there in the WNBA," Jenner said of Kanter and White. "The WNBA had their meetings on this issue and Cathy (Engelbert), the head, says, ‘We talked about the trans issue but we just haven’t come up with a conclusion at this point. We will continue the conversation.’ Cathy, XX, you’re in. XY you’re out. It’s that simple. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "And both these guys I think are doing a good job just to show the WNBA the hypocrisy that’s going on here. We have to protect women’s sports … I want to protect women’s sports. Title IX was one of the greatest legislations for women’s equality – that happened to be in sports." The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement’s Article XIII, Section 1(a) states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." But as OutKick/Fox News Digital previously reported, the 409-page agreement never defines "woman" or "women." The terms "transgender" and "gender identity" don’t appear anywhere in the document. The CBA contains detailed definitions for dozens of other terms. Yet the agreement doesn’t define the word that determines who may play in the league. A WNBA spokesperson said a meeting was held on a "wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online." The league said it "strongly" denounces "bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81de822c5335ae1047376a Blanche Refuses to Say He’ll Always Be Independent of Trump as Attorney General te 2026-08-16T16:00:02.725Z Blanche Refuses to Say He’ll Always Be Independent of Trump as Attorney General The new head of the Justice Department said on “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the president had never asked him to prosecute specific people — and never would. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81d9d72c5335ae104736f9 DNC chair denies reports about staff 'paranoia,' chaos, but even MS NOW host is skeptical te 2026-08-16T15:40:07.093Z DNC chair denies reports about staff 'paranoia,' chaos, but even MS NOW host is skeptical Democratic National Committee Chair (DNC) Ken Martin denied Saturday that he presided over a paranoid workplace at the party's Washington headquarters — where he'd allegedly even been hit with an HR complaint — prompting MS NOW hosts to question why the allegations were emerging from inside the organization. Martin was pressed about the alleged HR complaint for throwing a phone at a staffer's desk and reports that employees had become fearful of leaks and decisions he allegedly made in isolation. Martin denied the reporting and praised the DNC’s employees. "Multiple sources also described a growing sense of paranoia inside DNC headquarters under your leadership and that the staff had become afraid of leaks and decisions that you were making in isolation," MS NOW co-host Jacqueline Alemany said at one point. "Well, the reporting is not accurate, but what I would say is every day when I go into the DNC, what I see is a staff that works extremely hard," Martin said. "They’re working overtime. I’m usually the first one in, the last one to leave." Martin dismissed the "noise on the outside" and said Democrats were focused on winning in November, when Democrats are hoping to win back Congress to stifle the Trump White House. DNC CHAIR KEN MARTIN THREW PHONE AT AIDE'S DESK, FACED HR COMPLAINT IN SIGN OF 'FRAYING NERVES': REPORT "But to be fair, Mr. Chairman, some of this noise is coming from the inside, right?" co-anchor Eugene Daniels asked. Martin said he did not know why the allegations were coming from inside the DNC before shifting to voters’ economic concerns. "You know, I don’t know, but as I travel across the country, Eugene, what I hear from the American people, they’re not focused on any of that," Martin said. The New York Times cited six people familiar with the alleged phone incident, although none witnessed it firsthand. Accounts differed over how forcefully Martin threw the device, but the newspaper reported that it landed on the aide's desk while Martin reprimanded the staffer and led to a human resources complaint. SLOTKIN SAYS DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEEDS 'NEW LEADERSHIP': 'OLD MODELS ARE NO LONGER WORKING' NOTUS separately reported that the phone did not strike the aide but left several staffers shaken. Martin apologized to the aide during an HR meeting the following business day, according to the outlet. The reports followed a May meeting in which Martin allegedly expressed anger about information leaking from DNC headquarters. Fox News Digital reported that members of the party’s leadership team were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements before a meeting about the committee’s finances. The internal tensions emerged as the DNC faced a steep financial disadvantage ahead of the 2026 midterms. Federal Election Commission filings showed the committee ended June with $16.3 million in cash and $18.5 million in debt, compared with the Republican National Committee's $128.5 million in cash and no debt. The DNC had also drawn $15 million from a credit line secured in part by its headquarters. JAMES CARVILLE RAGES OVER FAILURE BY DNC TO RELEASE 2024 POLITICAL AUTOPSY, CALLS IT 'TOO STUPID FOR WORDS' Rufus Gifford, a former Biden deputy campaign manager and Obama-era DNC finance director, previously pointed to the internal leaks as evidence that employees had lost confidence in Martin's leadership. "The leaks coming from inside the building streaming across every media outlet say to me that the (diligent and wonderful) staff are losing or have lost faith," Gifford said. Martin defended the committee’s spending strategy in a July Substack, claiming the party was investing its money in staff, organizing, technology and state parties. "But a party is not a savings account," Martin said. "Its purpose is to build power." Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81d9d62c5335ae104736f0 The only map you need to see as California's billionaire tax fight heats up te 2026-08-16T15:40:06.380Z The only map you need to see as California's billionaire tax fight heats up California voters are set to decide whether to slap a new tax on the state's billionaires as IRS data show thousands of taxpayers, and billions of dollars in income, are already flowing out of the Golden State. The outflow is adding fuel to the debate over California's proposed billionaire tax, with Mark Cuban warning Saturday the measure could drive not only wealthy residents but investment and startups out of the state. Cuban's warning came amid a heated back-and-forth with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who has defended the proposed tax. The billionaire investor threatened to steer future investments away from California if the measure moves forward. The clash comes as California is already experiencing significant taxpayer outflows, according to the latest IRS data compiled from federal tax returns. AMERICA'S TOP DESTINATION FOR NEW TAXPAYERS IS QUIETLY GETTING POORER, IRS DATA REVEALS Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood and one of the nation's largest economic engines, led the nation in taxpayer losses, with a net 17,496 tax filers leaving for other states. Those departing taxpayers took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. Other California counties also saw significant outflows. Orange County recorded a net loss of 11,618 tax filers, followed by San Diego County with 9,401, Riverside County with 8,968 and San Bernardino County with 8,462. The movement of taxpayers and their income can affect state and local tax collections that help fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER Against that backdrop, California's proposed billionaire tax has become a flashpoint in the debate over whether the state's tax policies could push more wealth and investment elsewhere. The proposed ballot initiative, backed by the Service Employees International Union, would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on Californians with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. The measure, which has qualified for the November ballot, would apply retroactively to Californians who were residents as of Jan. 1, 2026. Supporters argue the tax would generate billions of dollars for healthcare and education, while critics warn it could drive wealth and investment out of California. Cuban has gone further, arguing the measure could influence not only where billionaires live, but where investors put their money and startups do business. AN OVERLOOKED RED STATE QUIETLY BUILT ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEMS "If this passes, and it doesn't directly impact me at all, I won't be a Cali resident, but you can bet if I'm investing in a multi billion dollar startup, I'm asking them to move from California first," Cuban wrote. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE He went even further, adding, "IMO, if this passes, only idiot startup founders stay in Cali." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81d2cf2c5335ae1047363b From Disney magic to ancient faith: David Henrie on why Gen Z is flocking to church te 2026-08-16T15:10:07.566Z From Disney magic to ancient faith: David Henrie on why Gen Z is flocking to church Disney star David Henrie has been encouraged to see a rise in young people attending church over the years and believes it's a sign of a deeper cultural shift of younger generations turning to God. "I'm seeing it everywhere. Every time I go to mass, there's more and more young people," he told Fox News Digital. The Catholic actor, who rose to fame playing Justin Russo on the Disney Channel’s "Wizards of Waverly Place," said he believes young adults are returning to the faith after finding emptiness in worldly distractions. Years ago, Henrie experienced his own spiritual awakening. JD VANCE REVEALS WHAT DREW HIM BACK TO GOD AFTER SEEING CHRISTIANS HAD LIFE ‘FIGURED OUT’ "I've seen it coming. I was one of those people who was not living a Christian life and then suddenly found the world was completely empty and was searching for something otherworldly," Henrie said. "That's why I think you're seeing kids flock to the faith right now. It's because they're tired of the world." Catholic leaders across the U.S. have reported sharp increases in the number of adult converts. A recent Gallup poll also found that 42% of young men now say religion is "very important" in their lives, a 14 percentage point jump from the previous year. Henrie believes young people are seeking a specific form of faith rooted in tradition and history. "You know, I'm Catholic, I always say like, they want 'Lord of the Rings Catholicism'," Henrie said. "You know, they want bells, smells, ancient expressions of the liturgy. That's where the young people are flocking right now. That's why you're seeing the Latin mass booming." COUNTRY STAR TYLER HUBBARD SAYS ‘THE CHOSEN’ BROUGHT THE BIBLE TO LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY The actor recently wrapped filming for his faith-based travel series "Seeking Beauty," on EWTN+, as well as his return to Disney for "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place." He is also set to release a faith-based children's book this fall, co-written with his wife, Maria. The picture book, titled "Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?" turns a curious child's questions about God into spiritual lessons. Henrie said his young son inspired the project. "[He] is very inquisitive, and he asks great questions, and he's trying to understand God," Henrie said. "So from a four-year-old, trying to understanding God sounds like this: 'Papa, is God bigger than a dragon? Is God bigger than New York City? Is God big than a killer whale?'... And so he just kept asking all these great questions, and eventually it was like, I need to make this into a kid's book." SECOND LADY USHA VANCE GETS CANDID ABOUT NEW BABY, JUGGLING FOUR CHILDREN AND MOTHERHOOD CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Henrie said the picture book uses a question-and-response format and is geared for children ages 2 to 8. It pairs rhyming answers with Scripture references on every page and ends by encouraging parents to revisit the Bible verses with their kids for further study. The father of three, who is expecting his fourth child this month, said he and his wife feel it is important to foster faith in their children from an early age and help them tackle their big questions about God. After reading the book, he hopes kids take away "a greater understanding of God's love, God's care, and just how powerful He is and how powerful he can be in their lives." "Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?" published by Ascension Press, is available for preorder and is expected to be released on November 10. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81ce1f2c5335ae104735cf JONATHAN TURLEY: Former Sen Kyrsten Sinema fights affair lawsuit invoking centuries-old marriage tort te 2026-08-16T14:50:07.341Z JONATHAN TURLEY: Former Sen Kyrsten Sinema fights affair lawsuit invoking centuries-old marriage tort Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is continuing to challenge the lawsuit brought by the wife of her former security guard and lover, Matthew Ammel. Sinema has admitted to having an affair with Ammel while she was the Democratic senator from Arizona. Heather Ammel’s lawsuit alleges the tort of alienation of affection, an action many may find outdated in our more open or indulgent culture. I start teaching my torts class this week, and the alienation tort remains a controversy at the intersection of tort and constitutional law. There was a time when most states had morality crimes that punished adultery or homosexuality. They have been largely scrubbed from our books due to constitutional challenges and changing social mores. However, a spouse can still sue civilly over a third party ruining a marriage through adultery. Such "heart balm" actions go back to the earliest days of tort liability. However, the tort has been abolished in 42 states, leaving Hawaii, North Carolina, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota and Utah as the exceptions. COURT FILINGS REVEAL KYRSTEN SINEMA HAD SEX MULTIPLE TIMES WITH MARRIED BODYGUARD WHILE SERVING AS SENATOR Early tort cases spoke of two violative acts: enticement and seduction. The tort of enticement "involved assisting or inducing a wife to leave her husband by means of fraud, violence, or persuasion." Seduction was more straightforward and only required "an adulterous relationship between the plaintiff’s spouse and the defendant." Critics have long charged that this tort is based on early concepts of the wife being the property of the husband and that there are lingering constitutional questions over holding individuals liable for consensual sexual relationships. That proprietary element echoes in some of the earliest English cases, such as Winsmore v. Greenback in 1745. In that case, a man was sued for "maliciously and wickedly intending to injure the plaintiff … and to alienate the affection of the wife from the plaintiff." The court found that the paramour had "persuaded procured and enticed the said wife" and thereby denied the husband of his "exclusive and legally enforceable right to his wife’s service." Winsmore v. Greenbank, Willes 577. 125 Eng. Repts. 1330 (1745)); see also Michele Crissman, Alienation of Affection: An Ancient Tort – But Still Alive in South Dakota, 48 S.D. L. Rev. 518, 519 (2003); Jamie Heard, The National Trend of Abolishing Actions for the Alienation of a Spouse’s Affection and Mississippi’s Refusal to Follow Suit, 28 Miss. C. L. Rev. 313 (2008-2009). State courts have found the action to be outmoded and abused: North Carolina is one of the holdouts. Sinema’s counsel moved the case to federal court and then sought to dismiss it on the jurisdictional grounds that none of the sex occurred in North Carolina. In depositions, Sinema confirmed sexual encounters beginning in California at the home of her friends Penny and Grant Croissant: "We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California. We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex." She also detailed having sex with Ammel at the wedding of CNN anchor Jessica Dean in New York City as well as at her Washington, D.C., apartment, in Arizona, and in Colorado. The jurisdictional question is whether the denial of sex in North Carolina means that the courts there lack jurisdiction, as opposed to the claim that the shattered marriage, and injury, still rests in North Carolina. The parties do not contest the underlying violation of the marriage. The case is rife with photos, including one sent by Sinema of herself in a towel, and such messages as: "Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you." COURT FILINGS REVEAL KYRSTEN SINEMA HAD SEX MULTIPLE TIMES WITH MARRIED BODYGUARD WHILE SERVING AS SENATOR The wife eventually uncovered the affair after Ammel allegedly came home intoxicated, and she found a message on his phone from Sinema reading, "I hope your day was okay. Thinking of you. I am with you. I keep waking up during my sleep and reaching over for your arms to hold me." Heather Ammel would write to her husband to encourage him to break off the affair, calling Sinema "insidious" and "a woman who is willing to break up a family." After separating on Nov. 1, 2024, the couple divorced in March 2026. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19. While the Supreme Court struck down the criminalization of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges and consensual sex between adults is viewed as protected, it has never found alienation torts to be unconstitutional. The tort liability presents a novel and different question. Unlike the criminalization of consensual sexual relationships, this tort addresses the harm of conduct to a third person. Heather Ammel had a marriage contract and relied on it as the foundation for her home and family with multiple children. Many today would argue that her husband and his deceit caused the harm, not the third party. If a spouse violates their solemn oath of matrimony, the loss of affection is likely due to a breakdown in the marriage, not the third party. The action still has a proprietary element: the "other man" or "other woman" poached a partner who legally belongs to you. However, the question is whether such "heart balm" injuries remain within the right of states to recognize and allow citizens to recover for. It is technically not a punishment for adultery with the other person, but alienation or harm to the spouse. Ironically, the case, and any challenges, could represent one of the most lasting legacies of Sinema’s career. The question is not whether her actions were "wicked and malicious" under the common law, but whether you can be sued today for such conduct. Other torts have changed in light of evolving social values, such as defamation actions that were once based on statements that a woman is "unchaste." While courts have struck down or eliminated morality laws on constitutional grounds, alienation of affection remains a lingering morality tort with strong religious underpinnings. In Proverbs 11:18, the Bible states, "The wicked man does deceptive work, but righteousness brings a sure reward." The question is whether a "righteous" litigant can still recover from the "wickedness" of others. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81cbc72c5335ae104735ad Uptown Parking Garage cost overruns spur city litigation te 2026-08-16T14:40:07.998Z Uptown Parking Garage cost overruns spur city litigation City pays McCarthy Building Companies $1.194M; both aim to settle costs from Fann Contracting after excavation delayed work 5 months A hole in Uptown cost the city $1.2 million, but the city hopes to settle a portion of those costs through litigation with the company that dug it. During its Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81cbc62c5335ae1047358c Lexington, Kentucky park shooting kills 1, injures 4 during live band performance te 2026-08-16T14:40:06.544Z Lexington, Kentucky park shooting kills 1, injures 4 during live band performance One person was killed and four victims were injured in a mass shooting at an outdoor concert in Kentucky on Saturday. The shooting took place in Lexington and was barely a mile away from an event where Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was holding a Kentucky Democratic Party dinner. Authorities say two of the victims injured were children ages 14 and 4, while the other two injured were adults. All four were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. "Before I continue, I do need to let y’all know we do have some tough news tonight," Beshear said at his event after hearing of the shooting. GUNFIRE ERUPTS NEAR SEATTLE MAYOR’S EVENT AS FAMILIES, CHILDREN GATHER "About a mile and a half from here, we’ve had a shooting actually since we started this dinner," he continued. "We have five people that I think received injuries and probably have one deceased," he added before assuring diners that the situation had been resolved. "To stop mass shootings, we have got to elect Democrats that will actually do something about it," Beshear said. Authorities say the shooting took place at around 6:45 p.m. in Charles Young Park. They did not offer any details about the victims, the deceased person or a suspect. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN DORM CLOSET ARRESTED No arrests have been made in the case as of Sunday morning, but police say there is no threat to the public. "If you know somebody who might be inclined to use a weapon, please do anything you can do to let us know before something happens. Please let us know," Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said at a press conference. The incident came on the heels of another mass shooting at Virginia State University on Saturday morning. That attack left five people injured, and police arrested 19-year-old suspect Camron Harris in connection with the case. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c9702c5335ae1047355c NFL rookie leaves team to pursue acting opportunity te 2026-08-16T14:30:08.812Z NFL rookie leaves team to pursue acting opportunity The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive back Ceyair Wright as an undrafted free agent in April after he played college football at Nebraska. Wright’s passion for football appeared to collide with a different career off the field – acting. The Bengals announced that Wright had left the team "to pursue other opportunities" and was placed on the Exempt/Left Squad. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Dan Hoard, the radio voice of the Bengals, wrote on X that Wright left the team to pursue television and film opportunities. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reacted to Wright’s departure. "I don’t know how to properly define it for him. He called us last night and let us know that he had an opportunity," Taylor said. "I know it was a difficult decision for him. I think two things he’s really passionate about were colliding and he decided to pursue this opportunity. So, he’s a great kid, comes from a great university. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "We wish him the best. He was fun to be around. He really competed hard for us. It was fun watching him play. I thought he was ascending as a player. But, obviously, he’s chosen to go a different path." Wright has acting credits to his name. He played LeBron James’ son in the movie "Space Jam: A New Legacy." IMDb also credits Wright for a role in "Training Day." He also made appearances in the television sit-coms "Grown-ish" and "2 Broke Girls." The Bengals signed Matthew McDoom as a replacement for Wright. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c4c02c5335ae10473506 Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: 'Bats--- crazy' te 2026-08-16T14:10:08.189Z Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: 'Bats--- crazy' Shannon Watts, a Democratic political operative and gun control activist, torched a rising progressive kingmaker on Friday, accusing him of trying to brush off his past controversial comments online. In her view, Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer, used the same playbook to downplay his unhinged claims after facing backlash on social media. "Hasan Piker defense Bingo card: ‘It’s a joke, satire, hyperbole. It’s out of context. It was years ago,’" Watts said in her post. "’English is my second language. I stream for hours. Bad faith clipping. Smear campaign. Critics are being paid for Israel.’" HASAN PIKER NAMES PRO-CCP TYCOON SINGHAM AS FINANCIER OF 'POLITICAL MOVEMENTS' DESPITE NONPROFIT VENEER It didn’t take long for Piker to fire back — even as he admitted the pattern. "All of that is true and valid. You behave as a GOP operative. You’re a shameless grifter who doesn’t care about the Dem Senate majority or punishing Trump," Piker wrote. "And you are a copycat of MAGA tactics engaging in alternative facts," Fred Guttenberg, a Democratic activist whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting, fired back. "As a Jewish person whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland shooting and whose brother died because of 9/11, your attack on Shannon is batsh-- crazy and your comparison of the NRA and AIPAC only confirms your insanity.  "Using your MAGA styled attacks against someone like Shannon or me won't work. Stop being a copycat," he continued. Watts’ online clash with Piker showcases the concern some Democrats have shown over comments, posts and videos that have resurfaced among progressives. For example, concerns about former Senate candidate Graham Platner started as eyebrow-raising Reddit posts ballooned into sexual assault allegations.  Michigan's Senate Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, came under fire for past calls to defund the police. Watts' spat with Piker puts a question mark on whether the party’s banner carriers should shoulder more responsibility for their past rhetoric. Watts, who has dedicated the last 14 years to gun control advocacy, has boldly argued in recent months that Democrats are turning a blind eye to the online histories of some of their candidates at the expense of their electability and trustworthiness. Although he himself is not running for office, Piker has drawn scrutiny for a long list of controversial remarks, especially as he acts as a surrogate for El-Sayed and other progressive candidates. SANDERS SAYS PLATNER HAS THE 'GUTS' TO FIGHT BILLIONAIRES DESPITE GROWING SCANDAL PILEUP In 2019, Piker famously said that "America deserved 9/11," arguing later that the U.S. had "brought it on itself." He would later walk it back and call it "inappropriate" after massive backlash online. Once, when asked if he supported terrorism, Piker answered by saying, "No, I don’t. I don’t support the state of Israel, and I don’t support the state of the United States of America." Piker’s clash with Watts began when some of those past comments cost him on Thursday after the University of Washington said it had decided to cancel an upcoming event with him, citing his rhetoric on Israel. In response, Piker took to X, arguing that Democrats should stand up for First Amendment principles. "We must fight back against the undemocratic & unamerican forces of Trumpism, which means protecting free speech and due process, two fundamental rights Trump is actively seeking to destroy at this moment!" Piker wrote. The comment prompted a retort from Watts, noting that Piker has a seemingly uneven track record of calling for the defense of rights. She recalled an instance where Piker had encouraged President Donald Trump to "lock up" a longtime Dem nemesis. "When Trump threatened to arrest Adam Schiff for being his political enemy, Hasan Piker said: ‘Oh my God, I hope they arrest him. Oh my God, I hope he goes to prison. Yeah, this is political. Sure. I don’t care. Lock him up. Lock him up,’" Watts reminded audiences. Piker has repeatedly criticized Schiff for receiving contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and for, in his view, not doing enough to push back against U.S. ties to Israel. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE 'PUNISHED' In 2019, Piker told Schiff to "suck my entire d---" while bashing the senator for hosting a fundraiser hosted by Raytheon, a prominent U.S. defense contractor. Piker, faced with his own past words, said his remarks about Schiff had been a joke. "I voted for him. This is a joke, you dumb---," Piker responded to Watts. A Democratic commentator fired back at Piker's comment, asking, "How is it a joke? You just gonna say that for every single thing you've said? You are very clearly serious in this video." Representatives for Piker did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on whether the party’s base was placing enough emphasis on past online comments, or at what point online rhetoric should be disqualifying for political candidates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c4bf2c5335ae104734fd Amanda Kloots confronts biggest misconception about dating after losing a spouse te 2026-08-16T14:10:07.571Z Amanda Kloots confronts biggest misconception about dating after losing a spouse Amanda Kloots is challenging a common misconception about dating after losing a spouse — that moving forward means leaving the person you lost behind. Kloots, who lost her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, to COVID-19 in 2020, said widows and widowers can face judgment when they begin opening their hearts to someone new — even though grief and love don't simply disappear when a new relationship begins. AMANDA KLOOTS HONORS LATE HUSBAND NICK CORDERO IN NEW MEMOIR, SAYS HE ‘TRULY JUST LOVED LIFE’ "The heart can hold a lot of love," Kloots said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "And just because I'm dating again or any widow or widower is dating again, it doesn't mean that you don't love your person that you lost still or any less." "It’s in fact more," the "Good Grief" podcast host shared. Kloots isn't asking people to believe that grief disappears. She's asking them to acknowledge that it doesn't have to prevent someone from living. AMANDA KLOOTS SHARES 'HUGE MEDICAL BILL' FROM NICK CORDERO'S HOSPITAL STAY, VENTILATOR COST $3,000 DAILY "I have many compartments in my heart for love and new relationships," she said. "It's like having more children. It doesn't mean you… love your child less… now [that] you have a new child. Your heart is able to hold many, many types of love, and I wish people understood that you can hold those two things very close." She said new love does not erase old love. And for anyone who dates a widow or widower, Kloots explained that reality needs to be understood from the start. WATCH: AMANDA KLOOTS DEFENDS DATING AGAIN AFTER HUSBAND NICK CORDERO'S DEATH "These people are never leaving our lives, but there's definitely room and space for new love, new relationships, new marriage and it's so beautiful." "Celebrate and help and support friends in your life who are on this journey," she said. "It is so difficult and it is so hard and if you make it harder for us, it really isn't fair." "So really support those people and guide them along on this because they're doing something that is something they never wish they had to do," she continued. "It's not, they're not dating again because ‘yay!’ It's a different type of dating again. So, support them, love them, be kind." Cordero died on July 5, 2020, after spending 95 days in the hospital battling COVID-19. The Broadway star endured mini-strokes, blood clots, septic infections and a tracheostomy before doctors amputated his right leg. Kloots documented his fight for his life publicly, giving followers a front-row seat to a nightmare that began just as she, Cordero and their then-9-month-old son, Elvis, were starting a new life in Los Angeles. They had moved from New York City in March 2020, chasing what was supposed to be a dream. Kloots suddenly became a widow — and she's never stopped talking about Cordero. WATCH: AMANDA KLOOTS SHARES HOW SHE STILL FEELS LATE HUSBAND NICK CORDERO'S PRESENCE She believes stopping the conversation is one of the biggest mistakes people make after someone dies. "If he was still alive, I'd be talking about him all the time. He's still in my life. I have a son that I'm raising that's his, and I need to make sure that Elvis knows who his dad was and that the world never forgets him." Cordero, she said, "was such a beautiful man." "And I don't think anyone we lose has to be forgotten forever," she continued. "Keep saying their names, keep talking about them, keep celebrating them, celebrate their birthdays, celebrate their anniversaries, honor them at the holidays, and every day. They can still be around." For Kloots, Cordero's presence isn't simply a metaphor. She says she has continued to feel spiritually connected to him since his death. "You know, they mean everything," Kloots said of the signs she believes she receives from him. "I feel like when you lose somebody there's such a finality with death, and you really feel like there's no way you'll ever connect with them again, of course. And I started asking for signs right away from Nick, and he started showing up and I just kind of really went all in on it..." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I do feel like he's around Elvis and I all the time, and we get signs all the time from him, and I feel like he's on my spirit team just guiding us every single day, and I do feel this really beautiful spiritual connection with him that has got me through these last six years." That perspective has followed Kloots into her newest chapter — including her role on Netflix's "Let's Marry Harry." The show puts reality star and notorious bachelor Harry Jowsey's dating life in the hands of three trusted friends, with Kloots serving as a big-sister-like confidante. WATCH: AMANDA KLOOTS AND REALITY STAR HARRY JOWSEY TOOK 'FULL INVENTORY' OF HIS DATING LIFE BEFORE 'LET'S MARRY HARRY' Before filming began, she and Jowsey spent time talking about love, marriage and relationships. "I told him constantly, you know, how you love is so important and marriage changes over time. And you have to really love and communicate with your partner." Kloots said she quickly noticed a pattern in Jowsey's romantic history. "He had kind of a track record of fighting equaled love for him." She challenged him to rethink it. "What if we flip the switch here? Because I've learned, you know, that I shouldn't have fought so much with my partner. I would take them all back now. I don't have him around anymore." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Kloots emphasized to Fox News Digital that she isn’t romanticizing loss but learning from it. She's turning that experience into "Good Grief with Amanda Kloots," her new podcast. The show tackles grief in its many forms, from death and divorce to lost careers, relationships, identities and futures people thought they were guaranteed to have. Kloots' grief doesn't have an expiration date, and neither does love. Six years after Cordero's death, she is still carrying him with her while making room for the life ahead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c4be2c5335ae104734f4 'Tony' Review: Anthony Bourdain's coming-of-age story unfolds in charming dramedy te 2026-08-16T14:10:06.968Z 'Tony' Review: Anthony Bourdain's coming-of-age story unfolds in charming dramedy "I was — to be frank — a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, and badly in need of a good ass-kicking."  That was how the late celebrity chef, author and travel host Anthony Bourdain described himself in his book "Kitchen Confidential." And it sets the tone for A24's new film, "Tony."  Set in the summer of 1975, aspiring 19-year-old New Jersey writer Tony (played by "The Holdovers" breakout star Dominic Sessa) is applying for a prestigious fellowship, something his big ego believes he has in the bag — until he doesn't.  ‘ONE NIGHT ONLY’ REVIEW: MONICA BARBARO AND CALLUM TURNER CHARM IN HIGH-CONCEPT ROM-COM After already telling his parents he had landed the fellowship, Tony instead heads to Cape Cod to chase a girl he's been obsessed with, Nancy ("CODA" star Emilia Jones), to whom he boasted about his ill-fated career prospects. And like the fellowship, he thinks he can easily woo Nancy — except he learns the hard way she isn't even available.  Desperate for money and a place to stay, Tony is at the mercy of a man simply known as Chef (Antonio Banderas), who runs a tiny lobster joint in Provincetown, tasking Tony to wash dishes.  ‘SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY’ REVIEW: TOM HOLLAND, ZENDAYA RETURN FOR ACTION-PACKED, EMOTIONAL SEQUEL It's certainly a clash of personalities between the care-free Tony and the no-nonsense Chef. But little does Tony realize how much his life would change simply by working in Chef's kitchen. It's becoming increasingly difficult for comedic directors to break through and join an elite group of active filmmakers that includes Judd Apatow ("40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up"), Paul Feig ("Bridesmaids," "Spy") and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller ("21 Jump Street," "Project Hail Mary"). Making the case for himself is Matt Johnson.  'THE ODYSSEY' REVIEW: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN GOES EPIC WITH HIS MOST AMBITIOUS FILM TO DATE Johnson, a Canadian comedic actor who directed, wrote and starred in 2023's underrated "BlackBerry" and the hilarious mockumentary "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie" released earlier this year, is back in the director's chair and co-wrote the film with Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. They strike a balance that showcases Bourdain's unique sense of humor while grappling with his personal struggles he had even at an early age. Sessa continues to impress as he's able to make us laugh, make us think he's a jerk and tug at our heartstrings all at once, perfectly capturing Bourdain's spirit. And Banderas gives his best performance in years as Tony's hard-nosed boss and mentor, providing some of the film's funniest moments and even the most moving.  'THE INVITE' REVIEW: SETH ROGEN, OLIVIA WILDE HOST ONE HILARIOUS DINNER PARTY YOU WON'T REGRET ATTENDING "Tony" is a charming coming-of-age dramedy that gives a glimpse as to how Anthony Bourdain became the man the world came to love — and his biggest fans should certainly be delighted. Sessa and Banderas shine onscreen while Johnson excels behind the camera, extending his impressive streak as a promising comedic filmmaker.  "Tony" is rated R for pervasive language, drug use, and sexual content/nudity. Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes. In theaters now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c4bb2c5335ae104734dc Judge denies Arizona Tohono O’odham request to halt border wall construction te 2026-08-16T14:10:03.942Z Judge denies Arizona Tohono O’odham request to halt border wall construction A federal judge allowed the construction of 62 miler of new border wall to proceed along the Tohono O’odham Nation’s southern boundary with Mexico. In a new ruling, Judge Richard Leon several of the tribe’s arguments that: a new border wall and the construction around it would amount to illegal trespassing on tribal lands the move would effectively shrink the reservation without congressional approval all of the land right down to the border belongs to the tribe despite a 1907 proclamation that reserves the first 60 feet for federal use Leon, in an 18-page opinion, said the needs of the United States to secure the border trump the tribe’s concerns. “Given the national security and foreign policy considerations related to the border wall, deference to the government is warranted,” he said. The ruling comes just weeks after the tribe erected “no trespassing” signs through much of the 2.8 million-acre reservation. But tribal Chairman Verlon Jose said that is not related to the contractors who are being sent to the reservation by the Department of Homeland Security to start scoping out the project. “That has been in the works for some time,” he told Capitol Media Services. “We have a lot of people who come on the nation who are technically trespassing, not only contractors,” Jose said. “We have a lot of people come on that do illegal hunting, that want to go driving all over the nation to areas that are not public spaces.” He acknowledged, though, that there is a specific concern about contractors, not just for Homeland Security but also Border Patrol. But Jose said it’s because they “aren’t fully licensed, permitted, paid the necessary taxes,” not specifically because of the work they are doing related to the border wall. Yet the tribe, in a Facebook post on Aug. 8, made it clear exactly who it is targeting. “ANY construction related activities to the illegal and destructive border wall be warned, informed of trespass and escorted off the Nation’s land by law enforcement,” it says. But in the new ruling, Leon said that the tribe has no case to stop planning and construction activities because the fence isn’t going up on reservation land. The key is a 1907 proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt which claimed all public lands within 60 feet of the international boundary to be within the exclusive control of the federal government. That was done, according to the proclamation, “as a protection against the smuggling of goods between the United States and the Republic [of Mexico].’’ It is within that strip that Homeland Security officials say they intend to build the new double-layered 30-foot steel and concrete barrier. Attorneys for the tribe argued that proclamation does not include the land within the reservation. Leon, however, said that claim holds no water: Congress did not actually establish a reservation for the tribe until 1917. The tribe, in an alternate argument, argued it had “aboriginal title” to the land before the creation of the “Roosevelt Reservation.” Following that argument, the lawyers said the that 60-foot strip was never “public lands” and therefore, the Roosevelt Reservation never existed on the reservation. The judge acknowledged that what the tribe calls its “broader aboriginal territory” exists on both sides of the border. “There are currently 17 O’odham communities with approximately 2,000 members in Mexico,” he wrote. “And members of the nation continue to cross the border for sacred pilgrimages and ceremonies and important religious and cultural sites.” But the judge said that doesn’t mean the tribe has some title to that 60-foot buffer zone. “Historical evidence casts doubt on plaintiff’s theory,” Leon responded. He also suggested that the tribe itself has effectively conceded the right of the federal government to act within that 60-foot strip, noting that tribal officials in 2004 approved construction of a barrier in that zone, albeit one that stops vehicles but allows pedestrians to pass. Jose said the tribe is prepared to fight the judge’s ruling. “There are too many critical issues that were not adequately addressed,” the tribal chairman said. “The judge’s opinion is the judge’s opinion,” he continued. “And I think, at the end of the day, the law will rule.” The post Judge denies Arizona Tohono O’odham request to halt border wall construction first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81c2692c5335ae104733e3 Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces growing threat as Houthi attacks raise fears of a second Hormuz te 2026-08-16T14:00:09.734Z Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces growing threat as Houthi attacks raise fears of a second Hormuz The Iran-backed Houthis’ escalating attacks on shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are raising a growing strategic question: Could the waterway become the next Strait of Hormuz? The answer is complicated by the geography — and by Yemen itself. Unlike Hormuz, where Iran can directly threaten shipping from its own coastline, Tehran’s leverage over Bab el-Mandeb depends largely on its Houthi allies. And the country overlooking the strait is fractured among competing armed and political forces, leaving the U.S. and its regional allies confronting a threat that may be difficult to solve with naval power alone. The danger was underscored Tuesday when the Houthis attacked the Egyptian-owned cargo ship Tihamah in Bab el-Mandeb. Four crew members — three Pakistanis and one Indonesian — were killed, according to Yemeni and Pakistani officials, while two Yemeni rescuers were killed when the Houthis struck again after rescue crews arrived, Yemen’s Coast Guard said. Reuters reported that the fatalities, if confirmed, would be the first deaths in a Houthi strike on shipping since the U.S.-Iran war began Feb. 28. IRAN-BACKED HOUTHI THREAT IN RED SEA COULD LEAD TO MAJOR US POLICY SHIFT, ANALYSTS SAY The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, connects the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the Red Sea and, farther north, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean. It is a crucial route for energy and commercial shipping. The Suez Canal and Egypt’s SUMED pipeline effectively form the northern end of the same Red Sea corridor. But the southern side of that corridor borders a country that has been at war for more than a decade. The Houthis control the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, while the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government and an array of allied or competing groups control areas elsewhere. The Southern Transitional Council, a separatist movement that has been backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been a major force in the south. That fragmentation is becoming increasingly relevant to the security of the waterway. IRAN-BACKED TERROR PROXY HOUTHIS THREATEN FRESH ATTACKS AFTER YEMEN AIRPORT STRIKE Amr Al Bidh, the STC’s foreign affairs chief, told Fox News Digital that naval forces can defend individual vessels but cannot by themselves remove the threat posed by Houthi-controlled territory overlooking the maritime route. "Naval presence protects individual ships. It does not take away Houthi launch sites, it does not interdict the smuggling routes that resupply them and it does not hold terrain," Al Bidh said. He said that "you have to be on the ground" to ultimately secure Bab el-Mandeb. The deterioration comes amid a broader escalation in Yemen. U.N. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg told the Security Council Thursday that the country faces its most serious threat of a return to large-scale war since the U.N.-brokered 2022 truce, warning that renewed Houthi attacks on commercial vessels risk drawing Yemen deeper into the wider regional confrontation. That truce sharply reduced major fighting after years of war following the Houthis’ seizure of Sanaa in 2014 and the Saudi-led military intervention the following year. Though the formal truce expired in Oct. 2022, large-scale hostilities remained comparatively limited for years. IRAN BLOCKADE ‘GOING GLOBAL’ IS A WARNING SIGNAL TO CHINA AND RUSSIA On July 20, the Houthis declared what they called a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, threatening vessels doing business with Saudi ports. Riyadh denies the Houthi accusation that Saudi Arabia has imposed a siege on Yemen. A White House official, speaking on background, said the United States expects the Houthis to continue to uphold the terms of the ceasefire. The official said the Houthis "saw during Operation Rough Rider that the United States and President Trump will take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and U.S. commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks." The official added that the United States is focused on protecting core national security interests — including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea — while "empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges." The official said Washington is in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability. United Against Nuclear Iran, citing Joint Maritime Information Center data, has put the decline in tanker transits since the July 20 blockade declaration at roughly 40%. UANI also said tankers have been observed broadcasting messages including "CHINESE OWNER" and "ARMED GUARD ON BOARD" through their tracking systems, apparently in an effort to reduce the chance of being targeted. TRADE VESSEL STRUCK BY PROJECTILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID US-IRAN TALKS China, meanwhile, has been in contact with the Houthis over safe passage for Chinese vessels, according to a July 28 Reuters report citing Chinese and regional sources. Four China-bound tankers had crossed Bab el-Mandeb following the blockade announcement as Beijing sought assurances for its shipping. The economic stakes are rising because of what is happening hundreds of miles to the east. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its Red Sea export infrastructure as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted by the U.S.-Iran conflict. That makes the Red Sea both an alternative to Hormuz — and a potential second pressure point. Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman warned at the United Nations Thursday that Yemen’s internal collapse is increasingly threatening interests far beyond its borders. "This is no longer a Yemeni crisis alone," Karman said. "The continued collapse of the state in Yemen threatens international navigation and trade, energy security, and global supply chains and undermines regional and international peace and security." Karman had been invited by Denmark, which holds the Security Council presidency, to brief council members, but Denmark’s deputy U.N. ambassador said "strong opposition" prevented the briefing from taking place. Karman instead addressed reporters outside the chamber. In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Karman argued that restoring a functioning Yemeni state is ultimately essential to defeating armed groups and securing the country. TRUMP WARNS IRAN FIGHTING ISN'T OVER AS HE VOWS US WILL 'WIN' AS TALKS FADE "Yemeni people can do that," Karman said of defeating the Houthis and other militias. "We can be partners on saving the global and regional security." "Without restoring Yemen, that means there is not any sustainable peace," she added. But U.S. experts caution against treating Bab el-Mandeb as simply a second Hormuz. "Iran doesn’t have the same direct influence on flows through the Bab al-Mandeb as it does for the Strait of Hormuz," Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former National Security Council official, told Fox News Digital. "The strategy would depend much more on proxies — Iraqi groups focusing fire on infrastructure and the Houthis focusing on the Red Sea," Goldberg said. But he said there are limits to that strategy. "The Houthis act much more independently than they used to, and have not yet shown an interest to going to war against the world — just against Riyadh," Goldberg said. He also pointed to one critical difference between the two waterways: ships that cannot safely cross Bab el-Mandeb can bypass the Red Sea entirely by sailing around Africa. "Unlike Hormuz, shippers can go around the Red Sea if they really need to," Goldberg said. "It adds cost and time but it’s not a single point of failure like Hormuz." The question facing U.S., Saudi Arabia and its partners is therefore how to prevent the Houthi threat from becoming more serious. Riyadh is now trying to assemble two overlapping layers of regional security cooperation. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, a mutual-defense pact that calls for high-level political and military coordination, joint exercises and deeper defense-industry cooperation. Turkey has stressed that the agreement is defensive and does not identify Iran or any other country as an enemy. Dr. Aziz Alghashian, a Saudi foreign-policy researcher and senior non-resident fellow at Gulf International Forum, told Fox News Digital earlier this week that one immediate implication could be greater coordination against Iran-backed groups, particularly the Houthis. Alghashian said the pact could produce a greater trilateral presence near the Saudi-Yemeni border, "especially in the maritime dimension," while allowing Riyadh to take a firmer collective approach toward Iran-backed militias even as it maintains a more diplomatic approach toward Tehran itself. Separately, Saudi Arabia is leading an effort specifically focused on the waterways. The Saudi Defense Ministry announced July 30 plans for a multinational maritime-defense coalition intended to protect freedom of navigation and commercial and energy routes through Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Fourteen countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, initially backed the initiative. Turkey’s Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday that Ankara is participating in meetings in Jeddah aimed at establishing the coalition. A State Department spokesperson separately told Fox News Digital that protecting commercial shipping through both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz remains a "top priority" for the Trump administration, pointing to freedom of navigation as one of Washington’s core national security interests in the Middle East. "We will continue to work with international partners to deter Iranian and Iranian-proxy attacks on merchant vessels, ensure the free flow of commerce and hold accountable those who threaten the safety of international shipping lanes," a State Department spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the administration is also seeking to disrupt the flow of Iranian money and weapons to the Houthis, noting that the U.S. has sanctioned more than 200 entities associated with the group. "We condemn Iran’s flagrant violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and international law in threatening freedom of navigation and supporting their Houthi proxies," the spokesperson said. The State Department also emphasized Washington’s support for Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government as the threat around Bab el-Mandeb grows.   "The United States stands firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized government of Yemen against Houthi terrorism," the spokesperson said. "We are in close consultation with our Saudi and Yemeni partners and remain committed to their security." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81bb5f2c5335ae10472d64 Megan Moroney & the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders team up for memorable night, fake Josh Allen & MJ's SI te 2026-08-16T13:30:07.016Z Megan Moroney & the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders team up for memorable night, fake Josh Allen & MJ's SI You're not dreaming, I'm doing Sunday Screencaps this morning for SeanJo, who is on a much-deserved vacation. The show must go on with this column, so let's get after it this morning before I go outside to sweat out toxins. The humidity is expected to be somewhere around 75%. Let's just say it's been a tropical week here in NW Ohio. We start off this morning with Megan Moroney teaming up with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders as this NFL cheerleader war with the Dolphins cheerleaders heats up. Friday night, Moroney brought out the DCC to sing to her song "Am I Okay?" The song, according to Gemini, is about "finding a healthy, genuinely happy relationship after being used to heartbreak." For Cowboys fans under 35, this song must be a tearjerker as you seek a genuine relationship with a football team that doesn't break your heart with a 7-9 season or a tragic playoff loss. DOLPHINS CHEERLEADERS MAKE MAJOR MOVES TO COMPETE WITH COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS, TEBOWS GET OUT & RYAN CLARK! Credit to the Cowboys cheerleaders for agreeing to dance for this song. Now let's go see how Dak rips their hearts out this season. 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here • Theee absolute worst guys you can think of to add to a golf trip are guys like LeBron who think having the phone out is a good idea. Add in the fact that he's worth like $5 billion and what are we doing here creating YouTube content like you're a 22 year old wearing and upside down logo hat? This is pathetic behavior. LeBron turns 42 in December. Act like it. Go on golf trips, tell your wife that there's no reception at the course, suck down a bunch of booze, act like an idiot and go home knowing none of it will end up on social media. ESPN'S ADAM SCHEFTER WEIGHS IN ON LEBRON JAMES' NBA FUTURE AFTER HEAT PRESS CONFERENCE POST SPARKS BUZZ Not this guy. He's the worst. • Someone already tried to climb bison statues at the new Bills stadium: • I drove through some absolute downpours yesterday on I-75 between NW Ohio and Dayton and I have to say that there's been a serious regression in driving abilities, especially in rain. I couldn't believe the number of cars that pulled off the side of the highway and sat there in a downpour with semis hugging the right lane. Meanwhile, the left lane was completely wide open. Call me crazy, but in this day and age when there are lunatics getting CDLs (illegally?), the worst spot you can pull over is on the right side of the road with these morons cruising down the road in rain. As I told Screencaps Jr., you white knuckle it to the next exit, if at all possible, if you insist on stopping. NY GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL TRIES TO GET BILLS CHANT GOING AT NEW STADIUM, COMPLETELY FAILS I also said, as long as I can see the lane markers and taillights in front of the car, you safely roll forward, which will eventually, theoretically propel you out of summer storms. • My golf partner in Augusta, Georgia, Wes G. writes: I read this morning that you were headed to Dayton for your Dad's birthday. I am watching the news and checking out the weather channel app, and I hope you either made it safely or went back home. That is some historic flooding going on there and I pray everyone stays safe. Kinsey: All good, Wes G. Let me tell you about Saturday's weather –– we didn't golf because the course was wet from all-week rain, but we could've golfed. It rain a little until 1 p.m. and then the weather got pretty good. My dad and I actually sat in lawn chairs in front of his garage and just talked about whatever. No issues.  The weather guys oversold western Ohio getting pounded yesterday. – Pat writes: Please, learn the difference between when to use "she" and "her". I stopped reading your article when I saw that a Journalist! started a sentence with the objective "her"  instead of "she".  Kinsey: Amusing. Welcome to Screencaps, Pat, where I write like guys talk when they're at bars, in their man caves and at the golf course. I'm not a journalist, Pat. I'm a common guy, writing for common men, and women, who appreciate being talked to like peers instead of the grammar police. – Robert didn't appreciate that I told LIBS to suck it. He emails: You suck it, Joe! Kinsey: You got me, Robert. Suck it, Robert. – Rick emailed at 5:15 this morning: Is your bearded one, Juan O'Savin? He's the man, yet I rarely hear him talk sports. Oh, and I couldn't love Sophie any more than I do. If I was only 1/3 my age, or something. I am a huge Bears fan, so I got that going for me, and for what it's worth I live in the middle of Mexico. Please contact me at any time. Kinsey: It sounds like Rick had one helluva Saturday night into Sunday morning. I have no idea what he's writing about, but he seems happy. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! ######################## And that is it for this Sunday morning. The sun is out for now. More storms are on the way. Stay dry. Stay cool. Respect Summer and I'll see all of you tomorrow morning for another week of life. Take care. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b9062c5335ae104728e5 Carpenter's Column: The Odyssey, Book IX: Ulysses at Terminal 4 te 2026-08-16T13:20:06.620Z Carpenter's Column: The Odyssey, Book IX: Ulysses at Terminal 4 This week's column from Tom Carpenter, the longtime humorist for the Arizona Daily Sun. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b9052c5335ae104728dc Flagstaff History: New downtown hotel named The Monte Vista te 2026-08-16T13:20:05.678Z Flagstaff History: New downtown hotel named The Monte Vista This week's look back into Flagstaff's history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b9042c5335ae104728d3 Election 2026 - Candidate Question #8: Where do you stand on Flock cameras? te 2026-08-16T13:20:04.419Z Election 2026 - Candidate Question #8: Where do you stand on Flock cameras? With the local city council election in November (and a primary in July), the candidates for the Flagstaff City Council who will appear on the ballot have been given the chance to answer a weekly question in no more than… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b6af2c5335ae104728a0 Giants' Jaxson Dart left 'puzzled' after getting taken to blue tent for medical check following crushing hit te 2026-08-16T13:10:07.642Z Giants' Jaxson Dart left 'puzzled' after getting taken to blue tent for medical check following crushing hit It’s no secret there is pressure on New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart to slide more when he’s using his legs on the field after taking significant hits during his rookie season last year. But some things are out of Dart’s control – like on Saturday when a Minnesota Vikings defender barreled through the Giants’ offensive line untouched and rocked him in the first quarter of their preseason game. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Dart was sent to the blue medical tent to get checked out before returning to the game. It was a familiar spot as it seemed as though he was guided over to the sideline multiple times during the 2025 season. However, he told reporters he was "puzzled" by this particular occurrence. "As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things, but at the same time, I’m still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there," he said. "Which at times, I still try to wrap my head around, but that’s all that I’m going to say about that situation. "I’m really happy with how the drive ended." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Giants head coach John Harbaugh said he was surprised that Dart was forced to the tent on the play. "Honestly, I was. Honestly, I was. But I would say that their job is to err on the side of player safety, so I can't argue with that either," he said. JAXSON DART GETS LAST LAUGH AGAINST BLITZING VIKINGS COACH BRIAN FLORES AND THE OMINOUS BLUE MEDICAL TENT Dart threw a touchdown pass to start the second quarter. Minnesota won the game 13-10. The focal point, from Giants fans’ point of view, is whether Dart will be able to make the smart decision and slide when he scrambles through a sea of defenders. This time, there was really not much he could do. Vikings safety Jay Ward had Dart dead to rights and delivered the crushing blow. It’s still preseason football and the Giants have a lot of kinks to work out if they want to even sniff the playoff race this year. Reading a blitzing DB might be near the top of the list. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b6af2c5335ae10472897 Nearly 1 in 3 married Americans aren't having sex — expert reveals how to bring back the spark te 2026-08-16T13:10:07.001Z Nearly 1 in 3 married Americans aren't having sex — expert reveals how to bring back the spark Physical intimacy isn’t a regular occurrence for every married couple in America, research suggests. Recent data from the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, shows that 32.5% of married adult respondents said they have not had sex "at all" during the last 12 months. Just 4.1% reported that they have sex more than three times a week. Dr. Anna Elton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital that although sexual frequency varies by couple, the national standard is about once a week. The expert defined a "sexless marriage" as being physically intimate 10 or fewer times per year. HOW OFTEN ARE MARRIED PEOPLE HAVING SEX? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE INTIMACY STANDARD IN AMERICA Decline in intimacy can be caused by a variety of factors, from juggling busy families to hormone imbalances, she noted. In most cases, however, the original relationship spark has faded. Elton, author of the book "The Formula of Desire," shared some tips and exercises for livening up a relationship, with the goal of reigniting intimacy in the bedroom. For couples who may be struggling with their marriage or sex life, Elton suggested that the first step should be to focus on what is going well. "If there are too many resentments built up, the wall is too high," she said. "And then partners can't just be intimate. They need to start with emotional connection." COMMON MARRIAGE HABIT COULD QUIETLY KILL YOUR SEX LIFE, EXPERT WARNS For one week, Elton recommended focusing on the positive aspects of the relationship, making mental notes and sharing them with your partner. This exercise can "shift the whole relationship," she said. "A lot of conversations in long-term relationships end up being just logistics," she said. "So, think about [avoiding] the neutral conversations or negative conversations." In her own practice, Elton said she’s seen many women who lack any desire to be intimate due to stress and a lost connection to their partner. "When they started checking in, expressing gratitude, it actually shifted the climate of the relationship," she said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "You need to find time, you need to be intentional, because unfortunately, we always find time to be on our phones, to play little games, to scroll on social media, but we don't find time to be with our partners." Choosing one night as a "tech-free" night can be a great way to re-connect with your partner, Elton recommended. Couples struggling with intimacy often have one thing in common, according to Elton’s experience with clients. When they were asked what they had at the beginning of their relationship that was now missing, the answer was unanimous: fun. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "If we don't have fun, what's the point?" Elton asked. "We need to bring fun back into the relationship." The sexologist recommended another exercise — A-to-Z date nights, where couples choose an activity that starts with a different letter of the alphabet for each date. For example, the letter A might be axe-throwing or an art gallery, while B could be bowling or the beach. "M is my favorite – movie and massage," Elton said. "My husband picks a movie; I get a massage. I pick a movie and still get a massage ... This definitely helps to bring back that connection, and also novelty brings desire back to couples." With fun comes flirting, Elton added, which typically fades as a relationship ages. "When couples have been together for a long time, I ask them, ‘So, how do you flirt with your partner? How do you let them know about your erotic intentions?’ And they say, ‘Oh, we don’t flirt.’" Oftentimes, an attempt at flirting gets lost in translation, the expert noted, so creating a "new language of flirting" can help spice up the relationship and spark moments of intimacy. A lack of self-desire as people age can also get in the way of accepting advances for intimacy from partners. "With women, [with] changing bodies and aging and stress, sometimes we don't feel our best and we may think, ‘I don't know why my partner wants me. I don't want myself,’" Elton said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The expert shared small steps that can help produce the love and bonding hormone oxytocin, boosting connection both personally and between partners. This includes intimate physical contact with your partner, such as a 20-second hug or a six-second kiss.  Similarly, small acts of self-care, such as applying lotion or following a skincare routine, can help people "feel more connected with themselves," according to Elton. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81b1fe2c5335ae10472831 World's first solar-powered ambulance brings healthcare off-grid te 2026-08-16T12:50:06.441Z World's first solar-powered ambulance brings healthcare off-grid What if the nearest hospital was hours away and there was no reliable electricity once you got there? A group of university students in the Netherlands is tackling that problem with a vehicle unlike any ambulance you have probably seen. Solar Team Eindhoven has unveiled Stella Juva, which the team calls the world's first solar-powered ambulance. Instead of focusing on getting patients to a hospital, the vehicle is designed to bring medical care directly to people who live far from one. Even better, Stella Juva can generate the electricity needed to drive and operate its medical equipment using sunlight. That could make a huge difference in remote communities where fuel is hard to find and dependable electricity cannot be taken for granted. I have followed some fascinating solar vehicles over the years. This one caught my attention because the technology has a very human purpose behind it. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. COULD A PAINT-ON ELECTRONIC TATTOO SPOT HEART ATTACKS? Stella Juva comes from a team of 23 students at Eindhoven University of Technology. They designed the vehicle for places where reaching healthcare can be difficult because of poor roads or limited fuel. Electricity can also be unreliable. That last issue is especially important. The World Health Organization has estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide are served by healthcare facilities with unreliable electricity or no electricity at all. Without dependable power, even basic medical services can become much harder to provide. Stella Juva tackles that problem by taking its own source of electricity along for the ride. Instead of working like a traditional ambulance, the vehicle functions more like a mobile clinic. Healthcare workers can travel to an underserved community and provide care without depending on nearby charging infrastructure. That changes the entire idea of what an ambulance can do. We have seen a similar shift with technology such as drones being used to deliver medicine. Sometimes the fastest way to improve access to healthcare is to rethink how the care gets to you. The roof of Stella Juva is covered with high-efficiency solar cells made by AIKO. They use a design known as All Back Contact technology. Most solar panels have electrical contacts that take up some space on the front of each cell. This design moves those contacts to the back, leaving more surface area exposed to sunlight. That is especially useful on a vehicle because roof space is limited. The students needed enough solar power to move Stella Juva through challenging terrain while also supporting the medical equipment inside. The vehicle stores that energy in a 50-kWh lithium-based battery pack. That stored electricity can keep the vehicle and its medical systems operating when sunlight is limited. It can also provide power after dark. Under favorable solar conditions, the team expects Stella Juva to travel as far as 715 kilometers in a day. That works out to about 444 miles. Its top speed can reach roughly 75 mph. The 444-mile figure is an expected maximum under good solar conditions, so real-world performance could vary depending on weather and terrain. Still, being able to generate meaningful driving range from the roof of the vehicle is impressive. There is another clever feature hiding underneath all those solar panels. Stella Juva separates the electrical system used by the vehicle from the power needed inside the medical cabin. If battery levels become critically low, the system can prioritize the remaining electricity for medical equipment. Think about why that matters. Running out of driving range would certainly be inconvenient. Losing power to equipment being used for patient care could be much more serious. The vehicle also uses pure sine wave inverters to provide stable electricity for sensitive medical equipment. That helps reduce the risk that voltage fluctuations could interfere with the tools healthcare workers depend on. In other words, the students had to think beyond how far the vehicle could travel. They had to consider what happens after the mobile clinic arrives. Solar vehicles have another problem: weight. Every additional pound takes energy to move. That creates an obvious challenge when you are trying to build a vehicle capable of carrying medical machinery. The students used carbon-fiber composite materials for the chassis and body. That helped keep Stella Juva's total weight to around 1,350 kilograms, or roughly 3,000 pounds. That is exceptionally light compared with a conventional operational ambulance, which can weigh thousands of pounds more. The vehicle also has an aerodynamic teardrop shape. Reducing wind resistance allows Stella Juva to use more of its available energy for reaching the people who need it. We have already seen solar engineers squeeze surprising performance from much smaller vehicles. I previously covered a compact solar car designed to recharge itself from sunlight. Stella Juva takes that same pursuit of efficiency and puts medical care at the center of the mission. BOARD-CERTIFIED OBGYN WARNS NEW MASSACHUSETTS LATE-TERM ABORTION LAW EXPOSES MOTHERS TO DANGER The most important technology may be behind the driver. Stella Juva has a climate-controlled medical cabin designed to support healthcare workers once they reach a remote community. The vehicle can carry equipment for tuberculosis screening. Healthcare workers can also perform pregnancy ultrasounds and test for diseases such as malaria. The vehicle can support vaccinations as well. An automated external defibrillator is available for emergencies. There is also refrigeration to keep vaccines and medications at safe temperatures despite hot conditions outside. All of those capabilities depend on having reliable electricity. That is what makes Stella Juva so interesting. Many people hear "solar vehicle" and immediately think about driving range. Here, the solar panels also provide the energy needed to deliver care after the vehicle stops moving. Solar panels sitting on the roof of a building have a relatively peaceful life. Panels mounted on an off-road medical vehicle do not. Imagine hours of vibration from rough roads followed by heat and changing weather. Those conditions can put tremendous stress on solar cells. AIKO says the cells used on Stella Juva feature copper interconnections designed to improve durability and reduce the risk of microcracks caused by vibration. That may sound like a small engineering detail. For a mobile clinic operating far from repair facilities, it could be an important one. A vehicle like this needs to survive the journey repeatedly, not make one impressive demonstration run and head back to the workshop. Now comes the part that could tell us whether the idea really works. Solar Team Eindhoven is taking Stella Juva to Kenya in August for field testing with Amref Health Africa. The students expect the vehicle to cover hundreds of kilometers using solar energy. They will also visit two field locations where healthcare scenarios will be simulated. One planned scenario involves tuberculosis care. That will give the team a chance to see how Stella Juva performs when it leaves the controlled environment of a university project and encounters the conditions it was designed for. I think this may be the most important stage of the entire project. A 444-mile expected range makes a great headline. The bigger question is what happens after hours of rough travel when healthcare workers turn on the equipment inside. That is where Stella Juva has the opportunity to prove its value. Solar Team Eindhoven isn’t new to pushing solar transportation in unexpected directions. New groups of students take on a major vehicle project roughly every two years. Previous teams have won the World Solar Challenge in Australia four consecutive times in the family car class. In 2021, students created Stella Vita, a solar-powered camper built for travel and off-grid living. Then came Stella Terra. In 2023, that off-road solar vehicle traveled about 1,000 kilometers, or more than 600 miles, through Morocco toward the Sahara. Stella Juva builds on those years of solar engineering experience. This time, however, the destination matters in a different way. The students are using transportation technology as a way to expand access to healthcare. We are seeing other researchers rethink where advanced medical care can happen too. CyberGuy recently covered robots being used for remote surgical procedures. Both ideas raise an intriguing possibility. Some medical technology that once required a patient to travel to a major hospital may eventually be able to travel to the patient. There is one important reality check. Stella Juva is a university research prototype. Solar Team Eindhoven is a nonprofit student organization rather than an automaker preparing thousands of vehicles for production. There is no announcement that Stella Juva will become a commercially available ambulance. That does not mean the project ends when the testing is complete. The goal is to demonstrate what the technology can accomplish and encourage larger companies or healthcare organizations to take the concept further. The team has also developed the project with an open approach so others can learn from the engineering behind it. That could ultimately be more valuable than producing a handful of vehicles. If a major manufacturer takes what these students have learned and turns it into something that can be built at scale, the impact could reach far beyond this prototype. You probably will not see Stella Juva answering a 911 call in your neighborhood. However, the technology being tested here could have applications much closer to home. Natural disasters can knock out electricity for days. Wildfires and hurricanes can leave communities cut off from normal services. Rural areas may also have limited access to specialized healthcare. A mobile medical unit capable of generating its own electricity could become valuable in situations like those. There is another reason to pay attention. Solar cells keep becoming more efficient while batteries continue to improve. Engineers are finding ways to get more usable energy from limited space. That progress can make vehicles more useful when the electrical grid is unavailable. Healthcare organizations could eventually use similar systems for disaster response or temporary clinics. There are plenty of unanswered questions. Cost will matter. Maintenance will matter too. Medical equipment also has to meet strict regulatory and safety requirements. Stella Juva still has plenty to prove. Yet the project demonstrates something worth watching: a medical clinic can potentially carry much of the energy it needs on its own roof. I have seen plenty of solar-powered prototypes designed to prove how far or how fast a vehicle can go. Stella Juva grabbed me for a different reason. The students are applying that same engineering obsession to a problem with real consequences. If you live somewhere with reliable roads and a hospital nearby, electricity is almost invisible. You expect the lights to come on. You assume the medical equipment will work. Millions of people cannot make that assumption. That is where a vehicle like Stella Juva becomes more than an interesting solar experiment. Of course, this prototype still needs to prove itself outside the university workshop. The upcoming field testing will tell us much more about how the vehicle handles rough conditions and whether its energy system can keep medical equipment operating reliably. I would also like to see what happens next. A student team can show what is technically possible. Turning that idea into vehicles that healthcare organizations can afford, maintain and deploy on a large scale is a much bigger challenge. Still, someone has to build the first one. If a mobile clinic can generate its own power and bring medical technology almost anywhere, where else could this idea make a difference? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81afa72c5335ae104727f1 Cardinals vs Cubs baseball betting picks: Why the over looks strong in this afternoon matchup te 2026-08-16T12:40:07.019Z Cardinals vs Cubs baseball betting picks: Why the over looks strong in this afternoon matchup I’ve never come close to playing sports at a professional level. However, I recognize not only the physical abilities you need but also the mental side of it. I always wonder what players think about travel, game times, their teammates, the franchise, etc. At the end of the day, they are still people just like you and me with a job. Some of them love it, some of them probably hate it, and some might just miss their families. This thought was in my head today as we get another baseball game to bet on between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. The reason the thought came up is that the Cardinals essentially gave up on their team, even though the club was having a solid season. The team is .500 right now, and still in the Wild Card race. Now, in fairness to their front office, they are still chasing the Cubs and the Brewers, and their playoff chances are fairly small. Maybe they even took calculated risks and said, maybe we can get to the postseason while still setting ourselves up for next season and beyond. The team needed pitching, and instead of getting it, they actually sent some away. That does open other opportunities for guys, like today’s starter Hunter Dobbins, to get evaluated further. Dobbins has been solid with a 2-3 record, 3.40 ERA, and a 1.31 WHIP. He has done a little work out of the bullpen, but he has mostly started for the team. It has been solid results overall. He has faced the Cubs twice this season and allowed five earned runs in nine innings. When he started, he allowed four earned runs against them. The Chicago Cubs are playing some of the best ball in all of baseball, and still don’t lead their division. At the beginning of the season, it was a clump of NL Central teams looking to try and position themselves for a division crown. For a while, it looked like it was going to be a five-team race. Since about May, it has really become a two-horse race, and right now the Brewers have a three-game lead over the Cubs. The problem for the Cubs was the pitching, and that got addressed with a flurry of moves around the trade deadline, and if they’re lucky, they may get back Justin Steele. That won’t happen today, but a different pitcher is coming back: Edward Cabrera. It hasn’t been an overly impressive first year for the Cubs, but there is no denying Cabrera’s talent. He is 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Looking at his game-by-game stats, he certainly has made some really strong outings, but doesn’t seem capable of doing it consistently. For example, in the eight games before he went on the injured list in late June, he allowed three earned runs, five, three, one, eight, two, five, and two. He also isn’t throwing very deep into games, averaging about five innings per start and completing at least six innings in just four of his 14 starts. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! This is a game that the Cardinals probably should win, but with the Cubs offense and their defense, they are very tough to beat. I think that the game is likely to see a lot of runs as well. An afternoon game at Wrigley with two teams who are familiar with each other, and two pitchers who aren’t quite reliable. Give me the over. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81afa62c5335ae104727e8 Carolina Panthers betting outlook: 2026 season hinges on Bryce Young hitting 20.5 touchdowns te 2026-08-16T12:40:06.394Z Carolina Panthers betting outlook: 2026 season hinges on Bryce Young hitting 20.5 touchdowns When a franchise goes through years of coaching carousels, roster turnover, and growing pains, finding consistency becomes the top priority. Few teams in the NFL have tested their fan base’s patience over the last few seasons quite like the Carolina Panthers. But with head coach Dave Canales entering his third season at the helm and quarterback Bryce Young entering a pivotal fourth year, Carolina is aiming to prove that its rebuild is finally over and their playoff appearance from last year was not a fluke. The Panthers were able to make it to the postseason for the first time since 2017. The team still had a losing record, but their division was one that no one seemed to want to win. The team ended up being 8-9 after Carolina lost their last two games. They lost their first two games of the year, and their last two, and sandwiched a 8-5 record in between. At their best, they were running the ball effectively, and Bryce Young was looking like a reliable quarterback. At their worst, the defense couldn’t get stops when needed, and their offense looked disjointed. The best game they played actually was probably a loss against the Rams in the postseason. They never quit, but the defense just couldn't get the stop that was needed in order to win. Making it to the postseason was good, but you need to ride that momentum. As mentioned, the defense needed to get some stop, and that usually starts with pressure on the quarterback. To address that need, they signed Jaelan Phillips to the team. The Panthers seem to have focused on their offensive line as well, getting a couple of solid pieces. The most interesting thing is that they really didn’t make a decision on Young. He does have another year, but this might be a make-or-break year for him getting a big deal. There is reason for tempered optimism when looking at Carolina’s roster makeup. The offense hinges entirely on Young’s development in Canales' system. Jonathon Brooks showed strong promise in the backfield when healthy, bringing a dual-threat capability that opens up the play-action passing game. Though, their best option from last season, Rico Dowdle is now on the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the outside, Xavier Legette and the receiving corps have had another full offseason to build chemistry with Young, giving Carolina a more vertical threat than they offered two years ago. I still am not high on that portion of the team. On defense, Ejiro Evero’s unit remains scrappy, led by Derrick Brown upfront and Jaycee Horn in the secondary—though depth along the pass rush remains a slight concern if injuries strike. COLTS DECLINE ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FIFTH-YEAR OPTION, SETTING FORMER NO. 4 OVERALL PICK UP FOR FREE AGENCY Books have the Panthers at 7.5 games, and it seems like the right number. Assuming they can split their games with the divisional opponents, they can get three wins there. The problem is they have a playoff team’s schedule, so there are some tough opponents on the schedule. The Ravens, Vikings, Bears, Broncos, Bengals, Seahawks, and even the Steelers should be tough outings for them. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I really don’t have a play on them for the season. It is going to hinge on Bryce Young, so if you believe in him, take the over. If you don’t, take the under. Young is listed at 20.5 touchdowns, and with another year under Canales and some consistency with his receivers, I think he can average one per game, plus a few where he hits two. Getting over 20.5 should be a winner. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81aaf62c5335ae10472788 Coach Sean McVay on Aaron Donald return to the Los Angeles Rams: 'We are not at that point quite yet' te 2026-08-16T12:20:06.543Z Coach Sean McVay on Aaron Donald return to the Los Angeles Rams: 'We are not at that point quite yet' The much-anticipated return of Aaron Donald to the Los Angeles Rams that NFL insiders have reported is quite likely isn't ready to happen, according to coach Sean McVay. And he doesn't sound certain whether it will. Or won't. McVay was asked for an update on the possible return of the 10-time Pro Bowl player and three-time Defensive Player of the Year after the Rams played their first preseason game on Saturday. RAMS ADD MYLES GARRETT TRADE TO PUSH FOR SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP McVay told reporters he didn't want to say a lot about that. Then he delivered 361 words on the topic. We counted. Yes, that's a lot but it all boils down to this: "We are not at that point quite yet," McVay said. That may sound a bit surprising because we've read multiple reports that Donald is coming back or would announce his intentions to do so once the Rams returned to their training facility in Woodland Hills on Aug. 7. One report, meanwhile, made the point it's not quite so simple. This space reported on Aug. 5 that "there's a catch for Donald: He wants to be close to if not as good as he's always been. He doesn't wish to look diminished in what could then be portrayed as a selfish chase for a Super Bowl ring rather than a valuable addition to a Super Bowl contender." McVay confirmed that on Saturday night. "I think he earned the right to be able to say he knows himself in terms of, 'Am I able to stack back-to-back days? Am I able to do some of the different things?' Some of those benchmarks that he set out for himself," McVay said. RAMS MAKE SURPRISE FIRST-ROUND MOVE, TAKE ALABAMA QB TY SIMPSON Again, the Rams want Donald to return. He obviously would like to return if and when his 35-year-old body that has been away from the game since 2023 cooperates. But to say it is a certainty is incorrect. "If he puts himself in a position where he says yes or no, I think he has earned the right to have clarity on that," McVay said. "We are not at that point quite yet. "I am hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later, but I also want to respect when he does feel that clarity will come, I think there is a chance we will be closer to that than not but, again, I don't want to say too much or put some sort of invisible deadline on something that doesn't exist in my mind for him." FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a8a22c5335ae1047275d Virginia State University shooting suspect found hiding in dorm closet arrested te 2026-08-16T12:10:10.092Z Virginia State University shooting suspect found hiding in dorm closet arrested Virginia police arrested a 19-year-old suspect in connection with a mass shooting at Virginia State University on Saturday. Authorities named Camron Harris of Henrico, Virginia, noting that he is not a student at the university. The Saturday shooting left five people wounded, one of whom was in critical condition. Police have not identified any of the victims, but said only one of them is a university student. There was an hours-long manhunt following the shooting, and police say they ultimately found Harris hiding in a closet inside one of the campus dorm buildings. POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST AFTER 5 WOUNDED IN VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING: REPORT Police obtained felony warrants for four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Harris is being held without bail at Chesterfield County Jail, according to authorities. They say he may face more charges. The shooting itself took place early Saturday morning, while Harris was arrested hours later. MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COLLEGE STUDENT FATALLY SHOT CHASING ROBBERS WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE HIS PHONE "Officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at approximately 1:28 a.m. and discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside VSU residence halls," a university official told Fox News Digital. "We recognize the concern this incident has caused among our students, parents, alumni, friends and the broader VSU community," the university said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "VSU police will maintain an increased presence on campus as the investigation continues. "Students should monitor their VSU email for additional safety measures currently in effect and information about available support resources," the statement added. A campus lockdown at VSU has since been lifted. VSU, a state-supported historically Black university, is located in Ettrick, Virginia, about 25 miles south of Richmond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a8a12c5335ae10472754 It's wise not to trust the NFL preseason but, holy moly, Rams QB Ty Simpson looks like a stud te 2026-08-16T12:10:09.532Z It's wise not to trust the NFL preseason but, holy moly, Rams QB Ty Simpson looks like a stud Before rookie Ty Simpson's NFL debut for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, his father texted him some sage advice. "My dad just talked to me like I was four years old again," Simpson said of the message from his father Jason "He told me to catch every snap, make the easy ones easy, go do what you love, and I love you." Simpson is a good son because he did exactly as instructed. He made his first pro game, against the Kansas City Chiefs no less, seem easy. RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR AN NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY TO 'MR BRADY' Simpson completed 21-of-25 passes for 190 yards in three quarters of work after Stetson Bennett started and played the first quarter. Simpson threw 2 touchdown passes without an interception and that kind of efficiency earned him a whopping 125.0 passer rating. "It was a really good day for him," Coach Sean McVay crowed. "I just felt like he was in good command and it was cool to see a good smile on his face." Those facts and reaction beg context. So, let's examine ... The old adage among NFL scouts, coaches and smart scribes is that the preseason does not present the truth. It lies. The NFL's August stars could be waiting tables in October. And while that won't fully apply to Simpson because he will be on the Rams' roster for a long time, it suggests a certain amount of temperance here is wise. So, here's that necessary temperance: Holy moly, Simpson looked like a stud! Here's some more temperance: The draft critics were wrong. You remember those draft critics, right? Bucky Brooks at the NFL Network, the draft scouts at ESPN, practically everybody except Dan Orlovsky. They said Simpson's arm is not special. They said his deep ball accuracy is poor. They said he didn't handle pressure very well, particularly during a late season regression at the University of Alabama. All of that from the draft gurus made Simpson a polarizing figure on draft day. And the Rams, taking all that into consideration, ignored it. They drafted Simpson in the first round with the expectation that some day when 38-year-old Matthew Stafford retires, Simpson could be the guy to take over. REIGNING MVP MATTHEW STAFFORD LOCKS IN EXTENSION WITH RAMS WORTH UP TO $60M WITH INCENTIVES So far, the Rams look much smarter than the TV draft scouts and pundits not named Orlovsky. That does not, of course, mean Simpson has arrived. It doesn't mean he's already pushing the defending NFL MVP Stafford out the door. The kid has work to do. "There was one situation that will be a great learning opportunity on third down where they played a man coverage and [Simpson] threw it to the flat [instead of downfield]," McVay said. "I have to see it, but I think the pocket might have allowed him to progress." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS That's important. But it is also important when the head coach goes into the locker room, gives his team his postgame thoughts, and then turns it over to a top player to break the team down. McVay gave that honor to Simpson in the rookie's first game. That and this performance is going to put a spotlight on Simpson as he competes with Bennett for the backup job. But no worries, the kid's got those constant text messages from his father. "He sends me a Bible verse every time, just a quote, to give the glory back to Him," Simpson said. "And it was just really cool, you know? When I have family members texting me, it's a comforting feeling." FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a8a02c5335ae1047274b Vacation nightmare unfolds as ferry passengers battle seasickness at island hot spot te 2026-08-16T12:10:08.944Z Vacation nightmare unfolds as ferry passengers battle seasickness at island hot spot Tourists hopping between Greece's islands on high-speed ferries are reporting rough rides and brutal bouts of seasickness along the way. Across social media, travelers this summer have been opening up about stories of rocky crossings, ill passengers and crews handing out sickness bags.  Given all the reports, the ferry has been dubbed the "vomit comet," according to The Wall Street Journal. ONCE-GLAMOROUS VACATION SPOT OVERRUN BY INFLUENCERS AND CROWDS: 'ALMOST UNBEARABLE' High-speed ferries are a popular choice for travelers looking to move quickly between Greece's islands, said Mina Agnos, founder and president of luxury travel company Travelive. "We see most clients looking for the quickest point from A to B," she said. But the journey can turn rough when wind and sea conditions deteriorate, Agnos said, particularly around the Cyclades, where seasonal Meltemi winds can churn up the Aegean. Greece’s beaches, sunsets and rich history draw tourists in big numbers. Tourism rose about 21% from January through May versus the same period in 2025, according to the Bank of Greece. Santorini alone drew roughly 3.4 million visitors in 2023, according to Fraport Greece and Santorini’s Municipal Port Fund. Yet the high-speed ferry rides can be stomach-churning for some tourists, according to a number of social media posts. POPULAR VACATION HOT SPOTS SLAP LIMITS ON TOURIST RENTALS, DRIVING AND MORE TO PROTECT 'STUNNING' SPACES Some high-speed catamarans and speedboats in Greece reach speeds of between 40 and 50 knots, roughly 46 to 58 miles per hour, according to the company website. On popular routes between Athens and the Cyclades, high-speed vessels can reduce travel times by roughly half compared to conventional slow ferries, Greek ferry companies say. But that speed comes with pitfalls, The Wall Street Journal reported. High-speed ferries can feel bumpier in rough weather, while choppy seas can increase the likelihood of motion sickness, according to booking operator Direct Ferries. Fox News Digital reached out to Seajets Ferries in Greece, one of the largest networks of high-speed and catamaran vessels in the Aegean Sea. In a recent post in a Reddit thread dedicated to Greek tourism, one traveler expressed concern about taking a ferry from Piraeus to Naxos after reading numerous accounts of rough crossings. MAJOR CITY LAUNCHES HARSH TOURIST CRACKDOWN AS LOCALS REVOLT OVER MASSIVE CROWDS The traveler said no one in the family was prone to seasickness, but they sought advice after encountering "nonstop seasick" anecdotes about passengers aboard faster ferries. "I'm not prone to seasickness, but my stomach did not enjoy the fast ferry on a different route [Paros to Milos]," a Reddit user replied. "It's a different kind of motion sickness, and I guess you cannot really guess if you will get [nauseated] or not." "It’s a relatively windy area, so ferries can move quite a bit," another person said. "If people start feeling sick, it usually causes a domino effect." A third person bluntly suggested, "Fly back from Naxos." Last year, a Reddit post was entitled "Was this ferry from hell normal or just bad luck?" The person writing the post said, "The rocking and sloshing on this ferry to Milos was so violent I started vomiting within 15 minutes. I was horrified, but noticed others had started getting sick too." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Thousands of social media posts have called the boats "vomit comets" and your "worst nightmare," the Journal reported. Agnos of Travelive, who splits her time between Florida and Greece, disputed the idea that stomach-churning ferry rides are becoming more common, saying she believes social media is amplifying the issue. "We've seen a huge surge in the number of people traveling to Greece," she said.  "As a result of that, we have a lot more noise [in terms of] people who are having these experiences." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "I can say that, in 25 years of operating a business within Greece, I've had this experience twice in my lifetime," Agnos added. "So it's not something that's common. ... But when it does happen to travelers who are just here for 10 or 14 days, it's obviously something that is going to affect the quality of that experience for them." Agnos recommended working with a travel adviser who knows Greece and can help plan routes that minimize long ferry rides and the potential for rough crossings. "When it comes to traveling within Greece, it's not as easy as it might look online," she said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Indiana-based travel adviser Kelly Shea said she recommends that clients visit Greek islands via airports, including Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Paros and Milos, rather than risk rough ferry crossings. "The Cyclades are always tough, especially this summer with the high winds and waves," Shea told Fox News Digital. "Weather these days is just too dicey to expect boats and winds and waves to go well together," she added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a8a02c5335ae10472742 Family killer Chris Watts seeks prison marriage with new love interest: report te 2026-08-16T12:10:08.276Z Family killer Chris Watts seeks prison marriage with new love interest: report Chris Watts wants to take a wife, again. The convicted murderer, who killed his pregnant wife and two young daughters and is currently serving several life sentences in prison, has reportedly found a new love interest, Lizzie Henderson. Watts met the woman while serving time, People reported. He has a history of writing to female pen pals from prison. ‘HELL ON WHEELS’ KILLER MACKENZIE SHIRILLA LANDS PRISON JOB WHILE SERVING LIFE SENTENCE FOR FATAL 2022 CRASH Watts killed his family on Aug. 13, 2018, because he was having an affair at the time, according to investigators. He was sentenced later that year to life without parole for the murders of his wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The husband and father pleaded guilty to all charges in exchange for prosecutors not pursuing the death penalty. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Henderson is reportedly from Cleveland, Ohio and recently moved to Wisconsin — where Watts is serving time at Dodge Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Waupun. DIRTY TEXT MESSAGES UNCOVERED DURING INVESTIGATION INTO MARRIED PRISON GUARD ACCUSED OF AFFAIR WITH INMATE LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE People reported that Watts and Henderson both applied to marry within the prison system. SEND US A TIP Fox News Digital confirmed Racine County, Wisconsin court records indicate in 2025 a woman named Lizzie Henderson applied for a legal name change that was listed as "confidential." GOT A TIP? Speaking about her intended husband's murders, Henderson told the Daily Mail that "He knows how I feel. I don’t know all the people involved but I would want to respect them." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST She also called called the Watts' murders, "something harsh for anyone to experience." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Henderson was previously listed as a real estate agent at a Milwaukee-area Keller Williams Realty office. When reached for comment, the office confirmed that she is not a current employee and declined to comment on her past employment status. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a89f2c5335ae10472739 America needs to stop turning every purchase into an uncomfortable tip request te 2026-08-16T12:10:07.683Z America needs to stop turning every purchase into an uncomfortable tip request I have no problem tipping. I love tipping for a job well done. It’s part of American culture. However, I do have a problem being manipulated into it. America didn't just create a tipping culture. We’ve created a guilt culture coupled with technology. Somewhere between the pandemic and the explosion of digital payment screens, saying "thank you" quietly became a financial obligation. What used to be a reward for exceptional service has turned into an expectation for simply completing a transaction. Is there anything more annoying than a takeout employee saying, "The computer just wants to ask you a question?" Guess what, it didn’t ask me how happy I was with the service but instead asked how much I wanted to leave for a tip. Today, whether you're buying a latte, picking up takeout, ordering frozen yogurt or grabbing a sandwich, you're often confronted with the same three oversized buttons: 20%. 25%. 30%. In one place, I saw four buttons of 18%, 20%, 22%, and 25%. Notice what's missing? Fifteen percent. Apparently, gratitude now starts at 18% where generosity used to end. Let's be clear. This isn't about hardworking servers, bartenders or delivery drivers. Many depend on tips, and they deserve to be rewarded for outstanding service. WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS ARE CHANGING DINING AS CUSTOMERS EAT HALF THEIR MEALS, TAKE REST HOME, CELEBRITY CHEF SAYS This is about businesses discovering that it's easier to ask customers to absorb higher labor costs than to honestly raise their prices. And it’s easier to make it difficult for people to instantaneously opt out rather than quickly opt in. Instead of charging what something actually costs, they've outsourced the uncomfortable conversation to an iPad. The menu says one thing. The checkout screen says another. That's not transparency. That's behavioral marketing. Even worse, tipping has escaped the restaurant and invaded nearly every corner of American life. Coffee shops. Bakeries. Stadium concession stands. Airport kiosks. Food trucks. Self-serve frozen yogurt. Retail counters. Even places where the only interaction is someone handing you the item you already paid for like the six bagels I picked out and picked up the other day. We're no longer tipping for service. We're tipping for existence. STARBUCKS USES CHATGPT TO SUGGEST DRINKS BASED ON MOOD AS EXPERT WARNS OF HIDDEN DOWNSIDES And let's stop pretending those payment screens are neutral. They aren't. They're designed to make you hesitate before pressing "No Tip." If you can find the "No Tip" button to begin with on the screen. The employee is watching. It’s uncomfortable. The next customer is waiting. Nobody wants to feel like the villain over a cup of coffee. Businesses understand human psychology. That's why those screens don't ask, "Would you like to leave a tip?" They ask, "How generous are you?" There's another consequence no one talks about. As expected tips keep climbing, consumers don't become more generous. They become more skeptical. They start tipping less enthusiastically, dining out less frequently, or avoiding businesses that constantly make them feel like they're being shaken down on a street corner. GROCERY BOSS WARNS MAMDANI'S CITY-RUN STORES PIT GOVERNMENT AGAINST 'ITS OWN CITIZENS' That's bad for customers. It's bad for workers. And it's bad for the businesses that started the trend. Here's a radical idea. If your hamburger costs $24 to sell profitably, charge $24. If your coffee needs to cost $6, put $6 on the menu. Stop advertising one price while hoping social pressure collects another 25% at checkout. Americans have always been generous. We donate billions to charity. We help neighbors after hurricanes. We rally around families facing hardship. We reward people who go above and beyond. But generosity only has value when it's freely given. The moment it becomes expected, preprogrammed, and accompanied by a digital guilt trip, it stops feeling like gratitude and starts feeling like a surcharge. A tip was never supposed to be another tax. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It was supposed to be a thank-you. Maybe it's time America remembered the difference. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TED JENKIN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a89f2c5335ae10472730 Move over, Aperol: Viral Italian spritz arrives in US with eye-catching twist te 2026-08-16T12:10:07.066Z Move over, Aperol: Viral Italian spritz arrives in US with eye-catching twist Sarti Rosa is making a splash with its United States debut. The new spirit in town, previously only available in Europe, is officially hitting liquor stores across the country – and it's become a viral sensation. The aperitif hails from Italy and was developed by Casa Luigi Sarti & Figli, a historic distillery established in Bologna in 1885. The liqueur mixes blood orange, mango and passion fruit flavors. HOME COCKTAIL MAKER SAYS GEN Z ISN'T GIVING UP ALCOHOL — THEY'RE CHANGING HOW THEY DRINK On the heels of other popular summer cocktails – like the Aperol and Hugo spritz – experts think the Sarti spritz could become a rival, drawing in drinkers with its vibrant pink color and sweet, fruity taste. Consumers on social media agree. "Aperol spritz is out, Sarti spritz is in," one influencer (@yourwellnessbestie) wrote in an Instagram post from Florence, Italy, where she enjoyed the cocktail with friends. "When it feels like you've done the impossible and found Sarti Rosa in Boston," another creator (@carolklm) posted from an area liquor store. MARTHA STEWART'S GORGEOUS PARTY TRICK PROMISES TO KEEP YOUR VODKA ICE-COLD FOR HOURS On the official @sartispritz Instagram page, American fans have continued to request that Sarti make an appearance in their cities. Sarti posted a video in response, saying, "USA, we heard you. See you soon." Sarti Rosa is available in select areas across the country. In New York City, a bottle retails for about $29.99. While Sarti has taken social media by storm, Derek Brown, co-founder of the Washington, D.C.-based hospitality group Drink Company, told Fox News Digital that it "hasn't quite made it to bars everywhere." "Social media can be its own bubble, and we forget that consumers must know about Sarti, bartenders must learn to make it and bars must start stocking it," he said. "Being that Sarti just started being available in the United States this summer, it's going to take some time." "For now, the Hugo Spritz is far more popular in my experience, yet it's obvious that Sarti has potential," he added. "Once more people ask for it by name and bars start stocking Sarti, I'm sure it will gain momentum." Brown suggested that Sarti's pink color, its "spritz-factor" and limited availability are what's making it so attractive to consumers. "Some research suggests pink drinks taste sweeter and can evoke pleasure," he said. "Sarti is brand new to the U.S. and has been in somewhat limited quantities, which makes it feel special. If you're able to get one, you're most certainly going to put it on your social media." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Brown noted Sarti's "fairly low" alcohol by volume (ABV) of 14% is also attractive. "I imagine we'll see it announced as the 'Drink of the Summer' this year and next, and at that point we'll see if it's able to overtake the Aperol and Hugo spritz," he said. "It's an easy-to-make drink. It's very colorful. It's kind of fruity and floral. I'm sure it'll gain its place among the spritzes and be one of the many delicious options we have for summer drinking." Some restaurants have already put their own spin on the spritz. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Marisela Camacho, a manager and beverage director at The Farm Italy in New York, told Fox News Digital that its "Saint Sarti Spritz" – a combination of St-Germain, Sarti, lemon sorbet, mint and prosecco – has already been a sellout hit. And the demand for Sarti in general has been high, Camacho reported, even before the customers step into the restaurant. "I'm already seeing people putting in their reservation, saying that they want that Sarti spritzes for their party of 20," she said. "Just looking at the drink on the tray, it turns heads for sure." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Camacho predicted the hype won't end when summer does, as fall and winter variations are sure to follow. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Fox News Digital reached out to Sarti distributor Campari for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81a89e2c5335ae10472727 What Taylor Sheridan's biggest stars really think about working with the 'Yellowstone' creator te 2026-08-16T12:10:06.370Z What Taylor Sheridan's biggest stars really think about working with the 'Yellowstone' creator The third season of Taylor Sheridan's hit show "Lioness" has officially begun. "Lioness" is one of many successful shows created by the prolific TV writer and showrunner. His long list of credits also include, "Yellowstone," "1923," "Landman," "The Madison" and many other popular shows. It's not only audiences who have fallen in love with the complex characters and storylines Sheridan has created, but also the actors who work on his sets. Here is what some of his stars have said about what it's really like to work with Sheridan. ZOE SALDANA SAYS TAYLOR SHERIDAN GIVES STARS TWO CHOICES: 'MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T F--K UP... OR YOU QUIT' Ahead of the season three premiere of "Lioness," one of its stars, Michael Kelly, told People that Sheridan is "truly a standalone talent." "There’s nobody who’s doing or has ever done what he’s doing," he said. "It’s incredible what he does. And he’s just one of the smartest dudes you’ll ever meet." He added, "He’s f---ing brilliant, man. Brilliant. And just one of the greatest storytellers." When it comes to working with the showrunner in the future, Kelly said that while he's "never thought about how the shows could cross over," he has told Sheridan, "anything you want me to do, I'll do." He told Sheridan, "I love being in Texas. I love saying your words," and that "Anything, dude. You can put me in. Put me in, coach. Wherever you want to put me, I’ll go." Actress Zoe Saldaña has starred in all three seasons of "Lioness," and told "CBS Mornings" that while she can "feel like an old soldier" on set, when Sheridan shows he believes in her, "you have no other choice but to start believing in yourself again." The actress also referred to him as "an intimidating cat," who comes to set ready and "so serious," noting, "it raises the bar for the rest of us." "So working with him is a challenge in the sense that he does raise the bar," Saldaña also told People. "And you have one of two choices. You either accept the challenge and make sure that you don't f--- up... or you quit." She added that one of the benefits of working with Sheridan is that "he's an incredibly smart person" who puts in a ton of research when writing his scripts, "And then he writes these incredibly elaborate shows that end up really educating us as well." "It's actually great," she added. "When you work with him is when you realize how passionate he is about actors and about acting. I think it is his first love when it comes to the arts." When speaking at a Q&A in Hollywood in April, "Landman" star Billy Bob Thornton told the crowd that he has a lot of trust in the show, noting, "I trust Taylor and I trust the castmates." "Yeah, oh, it’s great. I love working with Taylor," Thornton said, per People. "I love hanging out with him after hours. He’s such a brilliant guy, great writer, and I love his company." When speaking with The Hollywood Reporter in March, Michelle Pfeiffer spoke about how Sheridan convinced her to star in "The Madison." "[Taylor] wanted to know who Stacy was before he started writing. I wanted to know who Stacy is before I committed. And so we went back and forth like that for a little while, and it became clear to me I wasn’t going to win this battle," Pfeiffer said. "So I asked Helen Mirren [who previously starred in Sheridan's "Yellowstone" spin-off "1923"] to speak to me about her experience." "And she just glowed; she couldn’t say enough nice things," Pfeiffer recalled of Mirren. "She said the scripts were great, the productions were perfect. She was having the time of her life; she loved Montana. So I took a big leap of faith, and I committed. I thought, 'Well, the guy has a pretty darn good track record.'" Harrison Ford starred in Sheridan's "Yellowstone" prequel series, "1923," and had nothing but nice things to say about the showrunner when speaking about him at the premiere of the show in December 2022. "He’s an incredible horseman. He’s a genuine athlete, and that’s something you might not expect to find in such a talented writer and intellectual thinker," he told The Hollywood Reporter. Ahead of the release of his movie "Horizon: An American Saga" in 2024, Kevin Costner spoke with Entertainment Weekly about working with Sheridan, as his future on "Yellowstone" was uncertain at the time. The actor told the outlet that Sheridan is "doing special work in a lot of different ways." "He's very prolific about the things he does, and if he sees me in something that he wants to do, I'll look at it just the way I did 'Yellowstone' and maybe we will end up doing something together," Costner says. "He likes a lot of the things that I like, and the idea of us working together is not out of the question for me." He went on to say that "the subjects he chooses are very interesting to me," and that, aside from "Yellowstone," "other things that he's doing, I think, are really, really good. He likes the same subjects that I do." Costner ultimately did not return to film the remainder of "Yellowstone" season five. A new spin-off, "Dutton Ranch," continued the Dutton family's story and followed Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly's characters as they left Montana to start a new life in Texas. Helen Mirren spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in December 2022 at the premiere of "1923." When speaking with the outlet, she gave fans an inside look at what it's like working with Sheridan, calling him "fabulously hands-off." "He presents the script, and it’s so extraordinary that you don’t want to change a word. You want to do it exactly as it’s written because it’s written with incredible precision but without being labored," she said. "To be able to be a part of a franchise in a world that is so singular on American television is very exciting. There’s nothing else quite like it." "1923" star Brian Geraghty spoke with The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of the show in December 2022 about his experience working with Sheridan. Geraghty explained that he "expected someone totally different" prior to meeting Sheridan for the first time, and how his experience as an actor makes him a great showrunner. 'LANDMAN' STAR MICHELLE RANDOLPH STUNS IN BARELY-THERE METALLIC YELLOW BIKINI IN NEW SUMMER PHOTO DUMP "He told me great stories of his time as an actor, about the process and how he hired some of the younger actors on the show by giving them a break over some really big-name actors," he said. "I love that because we all need that break. I got it 15 or 20 years ago and a few of the actors on the show got that from him." He explained that his experience as an actor makes him "really empathetic to actor," although he presents as "this tough cowboy." "I think he casts really well, and he does not care what you have done, for the most part. He casts the people who are right for the role," he explained. "When you show up to work, everyone raises the bar. He creates that, and it starts from him, but he also is very welcoming and gives you the tools you need to get there." Michelle Randolph, who has appeared in both "1923" and "Landman," echoed Geraghty's statement and credited Sheridan for being willing to give unknown actors a break. When speaking to People in 2025, Randolph praised Sheridan as "one of the few people" in the business who "takes chances on actors" and who "has given us this opportunity, and I just am eternally grateful for him." "He made my dreams come true. I tell him that every time I see him," Randolph said. "He's like, 'Michelle, stop. I get it.' I'm like, 'Thank you.' But he really did give us something." In addition to praising his casting methods, Randolph also complimented him as a writer, telling The Hollywood Reporter in December 2022 that he gives his characters "such depth and such unique storylines." "No matter how many different situations are going on at once," she said. "Every character is so uniquely themselves and that’s really hard to do as a writer, especially for the amount of shows that he’s writing for." Kurt Russell could not help but praise Sheridan's writing ability while at the premiere of "The Madison" in March. "I love his writing. I think this is his best writing. I love that this is not 'Yellowstone.' It's not that. It's very It's very standalone, very different," he told Page Six. "I love the relationships that he digs into here. And I think that this is truly a different wheelhouse for him. It was fun to do." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Ali Larter has developed a close friendship with Sheridan through working with him on "Landman." When speaking with People in April, Larter shared that Sheridan will often text her as he is writing, saying "if he’s laughing at his own writing… I’ll get a text." "I mean, you know, the first season, I spent a ton of time with Taylor," she said. "He has a very clear vision of what he wants… and he is a visionary because when he is writing the scripts, he knows how he’s going to edit them." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS She went on to say that, as actors, they often "want to advocate for your character," but Sheridan is "brilliant" at creating a world "where that fits into the story that he wants to tell." Larter also praised his writing ability and work ethic when speaking with Taste of Country, calling him "the best working writer." "He's brilliant at the way he crafts his stories," she said. "I love the characters he creates, because they're dynamic and powerful ... But he also has space to show their vulnerable sides." When speaking with The Hollywood Reporter in June, Larter shared that she and Sheridan knew one another prior to her getting cast in "Landman," but that they hadn't spoken in over a decade when she was cast on the show. "I don’t think that you can pin him down," she told the outlet. "I think that he’s not going to come back into the machine that just wants to break him down. And he wants to work. He’s an extraordinarily hard worker. He’s a brilliant talent. He wants to do it his way. And I think that it’s very hard in our industry to do things your own way when you’re part of the machine." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a819a902c5335ae10472186 JONATHAN TURLEY: Newsom thinks he can control the far-left mob, but history disagrees te 2026-08-16T11:10:08.382Z JONATHAN TURLEY: Newsom thinks he can control the far-left mob, but history disagrees On Aug. 9, California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom made his latest pitch to the mob by proclaiming himself "an established insurgent." It was vintage Newsom trying to be everything to everyone, part of the establishment and part of the revolution. Like a violent pacifist or a preservation arsonist, it makes no sense to anyone else. However, with the victory of radicals across the country, Newsom is trying to join other armchair revolutionaries in seeking to lead the far-left mob. He believes that he can use a class war that will spare him while destroying his enemies. Call it the Danton delusion. In my book "Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution," I discuss the French Revolution and its decline into what the Framers called a mobocracy. What became known as "The Terror" was started not by the working class, but by educated lawyers, journalists and even aristocrats as part of the Jacobin movement. One of the central figures was a lawyer named Georges Jacques Danton, a gifted orator and writer. Danton would become the justice minister and later a member of the infamous Committee of Public Safety. The more he facilitated the rage, the more he found himself captured by it. Achieving power at the head of a mob, Danton fed the bloodlust of revolution, sending thousands to the guillotine and allegedly masterminding atrocities such as the September Massacres. Danton secured power by calling others dangerous reactionaries, declaring, "The bell we are about to ring . . . sounds the charge on the enemies of our country." SEE IT: MARK KELLY BLAMES TRUMP'S AGENDA FOR BOOSTING AOC AS DEMS PRESIDENTIAL PICK Danton struggled to stay ahead of the mob by feeding victims into the grinder of a class war. Eventually, however, the mob had finished off the aristocrats, clergy and merchants. The most radical Jacobins, led by his ally Maximilien Robespierre, then turned on their fellow Jacobins, including Danton. Before his fall, it was dawning on Danton that there would be no end to the killings. When one supporter excitedly told him of more executions of moderates as guilty of "factionalism," Danton remarked, "We’re all factious. If they deserve to be guillotined, we all deserve so. Those men in Paris will guillotine the entire Republic." And so they did. Danton himself would stand before the "national razor" on April 5, 1794. Notably, the radicals today are also calling for purges of the Democratic Party of moderates and denouncing dissenters as part of "factionalism." Yet, Newsom still hopes that he can use the mob for his own ambitions, ignoring Danton’s warning, "Woe betide those who would provoke revolutions." BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS Newsom wants to be one of the red aristocrats of the new Democratic Party. By calling for radical changes to our constitutional system, he is hoping that the socialists will ignore his own wealth and privilege. The same is true for California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, who is also offering to trash our institutions. He hopes to secure the socialist vote despite being reportedly worth at least $360 million or more thanks to his wife’s inheritance. In Newsom’s case, the proletarian pitch still comes off as more French Laundry than French Revolution. He is trailing in the polls, with some showing him falling behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has been promising his own radical changes to our system while campaigning with controversial figures such as Democrat Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. The loss of DSA candidate Francesca Hong this week will not change the calculation for Newsom. What he saw was an extremist who came within less than one percentage point of winning the nomination for Wisconsin governor. The far-left gubernatorial candidate Peggy Flanagan did win the primary handily in Minnesota. Other leaders, like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (who previously praised the violent group Antifa) celebrated the infusion of socialists into the party. Newsom believes that there is a pocket of delusional free-market Marxists who are longing for his leadership. If so, they do not live in New Hampshire, where Newsom is being trounced by New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Voters can spot the real thing; AOC’s arguments are authentically bananas. That is better than a Newsom banana split that is part establishment and part insurgency. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION As Harris and Buttigieg make their own plays for the radical wing, Newsom will likely need to find another institution to offer up other than the Supreme Court. Packing the Supreme Court has become the mere starting ante in the game. Radicals are looking for bona fides of true believers with some calling for the scrapping of the Constitution entirely. Newsom — "the established insurgent" — is desperately trying to be the next leader rather than the next trophy of the mob. History is not on his side. Well-coiffed hair and a hip podcast are not likely to be enough to keep the mob at bay. From New York to Colorado, the far left is taking establishment heads. In the end, Danton yielded one last time to feed the desire of the mob. When he was finally taken to the guillotine, Danton told the executioner, "Show the people my head. It is well worth seeing." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a819a8f2c5335ae1047217d Florida man on probation allegedly kills and dismembers stepfather, stuffs body parts in suitcases te 2026-08-16T11:10:07.803Z Florida man on probation allegedly kills and dismembers stepfather, stuffs body parts in suitcases A Florida man who was on probation has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stalking, murdering and dismembering his 71-year-old stepfather. What led authorities to suspect Jose Proano was a grisly discovery in three suitcases just before midnight on Aug. 4. The pieces of luggage were found along a roadway in Orlando near the home of Proano’s mother and stepfather. FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED AFTER SUSPECTED HUMAN REMAINS FOUND BURIED AT PROPERTY WHERE HIS FATHER LIVED About 23 hours earlier, the family of Jorge Vazquez-Escutia called for help. They’d found his phone, wallet and keys at his home and what looked like blood on the fence outside, according to an affidavit filed in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. His cars were in his driveway with the doors unlocked, which was unusual, a family member told authorities. They hadn’t seen him in three days, they told deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. And friends of his stepson had reached out to the family with a shocking claim – that Jose Proano had told them he’d killed his stepfather, court records show. The sheriff’s office quickly took to social media asking for the public’s help finding Vazquez-Escutia because of "concerns for Jorge's wellbeing, as he suffers from memory loss." Then footage from a neighbor’s security camera showed a disturbing series of events. On the morning of Aug. 2, the day after the missing man was last seen, the security video showed a man wearing a black shirt jumping over the back wall of Vazquez-Escutia’s home. Later, the same man appears at the back of the house "bringing out suitcases … and ultimately placing what appeared to be a human arm, into the suitcase," court records show. WISCONSIN TEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN BRUTAL SLAYING OF 5-YEAR-OLD BOY FOUND IN DUMPSTER And at about 4:28 p.m., the video shows the man in black walking down the driveway, carrying three pieces of luggage. The suitcases "appeared heavy, as the male's left tricep muscle was clearly flexed as he was pulling them," detectives reported. Investigators called Proano, 44, and asked to meet with them. They’d reviewed his phone records, which showed it had been in the area about the same time the man in black was seen on security video. Slowly, they pieced together a timeline. Days earlier, Proano traveled to the area from Northport, about 150 miles away. Proano’s ex-wife told authorities he’d been "acting erratic, making threats towards her," court records show. ARIZONA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WOMAN AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST DATE ENDS IN DESERT GRAVE Proano agreed to meet with investigators, court records show. He told them he had a "negative relationship" with his stepfather, and believed Vazquez-Escutia had "restricted his ability to see his mother." He also told investigators about his schizophrenia, which causes voices in his head that lead "him to worry about members of his family." Records showed he’d made numerous calls to 911 asking for someone to check on his mother. He believed "bad things were happening," records with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office show. Deputies checked, found all was well at the home, and reported back to reassure him, records show. MORE THAN 50 BODIES FOUND DECOMPOSING INSIDE CHICAGO FUNERAL HOME AFTER NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED OF 'STENCH' But something bad had, indeed, happened. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X And about 23 hours after Vazquez-Escutia was reported missing, investigators made the terrible discovery. Just before midnight on Aug. 4, deputies searched the area surrounding Vazquez-Escutia’s home. They suspected the three suitcases could hold important clues. Then they happened upon one with an ominous odor lying behind a nearby brick wall. And when a crime scene investigator flipped it open, she found a human head. It belonged to Vazquez-Escutia, records show. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Two more pieces of luggage were found about 400 feet away along a roadway. Dangling from them were luggage tags with Proano’s mother’s name. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Unzipping them and flipping them open, the technician found tarps and more body parts of the missing man. SEND US A TIP Proano was "adamant" that the person in the video wasn’t him, investigators noted. But he later admitted that "it was in fact his cell phone and that it was in fact on scene," a report shows. GOT A TIP? Investigators found "defensive style injuries" on Proano’s body, including scratches on his hands, arms, and large scratch along the right side of his cheek. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In 2022, Proano was charged with a slew of crimes related to an armed burglary he committed. After a plea bargain greatly reduced his sentencing from what could have been as long as 20 years, he was out on probation until 2027. His most recent charges violated the conditions of his probation, causing that case to be reopened. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL He is being held without bond in Orange County. His public defender declined to comment about the case to Fox News Digital, saying "our client has not given us permission to discuss his case." A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for Vazquez-Escutia’s family to pay for funeral expenses. The page for the fundraiser describes him as "a kind-hearted, gentle, and generous man who was always ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors, friends, and family alike." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8193892c5335ae104720e3 GetPRBoost Starts Same-Week Press Release Distribution te 2026-08-16T10:40:09.448Z GetPRBoost Starts Same-Week Press Release Distribution Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8193882c5335ae104720da GetPRBoost Starts Same-Week Press Release Distribution te 2026-08-16T10:40:08.704Z GetPRBoost Starts Same-Week Press Release Distribution Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8193872c5335ae104720ce Independent Etsy Brand Naughty Chicken Tees Proves Small Business Creativity Can Compete in the Mainstream Fashion Conversation te 2026-08-16T10:40:07.960Z Independent Etsy Brand Naughty Chicken Tees Proves Small Business Creativity Can Compete in the Mainstream Fashion Conversation Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a818c812c5335ae10471946 Fever at Dream best bet: Why Atlanta can cover the spread even if Caitlin Clark plays te 2026-08-16T10:10:09.902Z Fever at Dream best bet: Why Atlanta can cover the spread even if Caitlin Clark plays I know Caitlin Clark is the better player and bigger star in the WNBA, but her rivalry with Angel Reese is one of the biggest in women’s basketball, and it’s great for the sport. It dates back to college when Reese’s LSU Tigers beat Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Championship, and Clark got revenge in the Elite Eight a year later. Unfortunately, there’s a chance she doesn’t play when her Indiana Fever (22-12) visit Reese’s Atlanta Dream (21-12) at State Farm Arena Sunday at 5 p.m. Clark limped off the court in the first half of the Fever’s 98-87 home win over the Dallas Wings Friday. CAITLIN CLARK OVERCOMES INJURY SCARE, DROPS 29 POINTS ON DALLAS WINGS AS FEVER TAKE TOP SPOT IN EAST She was sensational Friday, shooting 11-for-18 from the field and dishing 10 assists to one turnover. Maybe adrenaline helped her finish the game, but Clark has been on the injury report with back issues the past few games, and I could see her getting a day off Sunday. Best Bet: Atlanta Dream -1.5 (-131) at Kalshi Even though Clark has an -8.2 on/off net rating this season, she has been hoopin' post-All-Star break, averaging 24.9 points on 49.5% shooting with 9.4 assists per game. So, obviously, Indiana is not better without CC. She is averaging 23.0 points on an above-average 48.1% shooting in three games vs. Atlanta. However, Reese is averaging 16.7 points on 51.4% shooting and 9.7 rebounds in her three meetings with Clark this season. And, just like in college, Reese’s team is beating Clark’s. The Dream are 2-1 straight up and against the spread vs. the Fever this year and have won their last two meetings. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Now, Indiana is the best shooting team in the WNBA. But Atlanta has an edge in the other three factors of the game, such as rebounding, turnovers and free-throw discrepancy, which are more predictive of winning basketball. The Dream are beating the Fever in those three factors in their meetings this year. This game is in Atlanta, and most teams shoot better at home. Indiana scores nearly eight fewer points per game on the road and shoots worse from everywhere on the floor. Of course, the Dream scores nearly eight more points per game at home and shoots much better from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Dream have a rest edge. Their last game was a 104-69 win over the Connecticut Sun Thursday, and Indy played Dallas Friday. Atlanta had a rest edge in its 108-101 home win over Indiana earlier this year, and Clark played in that game, scoring 26 points and throwing a game-high seven assists. If CC can’t play Sunday, that sucks for the fans, and I hope she returns next game, but that’s good for my Atlanta bet. If Clark does play, I still like the Dream’s chances of covering the spread, and I feel like gambling, so to speak. They are a physical team, and tough to play with a rest deficit. Atlanta dominates the glass on both ends of the floor and scores the most paint points per game by taking the highest rate of field goals within three feet of the hoop. Basically, the Dream are a good bet up to -4 because they should win the "battle of possessions," could get a home whistle from the refs, and the Fever shoot worse on the road. _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a818c812c5335ae1047193d Serial killer survivor who escaped 18-hour captivity reveals instinct she wishes she never ignored te 2026-08-16T10:10:09.340Z Serial killer survivor who escaped 18-hour captivity reveals instinct she wishes she never ignored This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Kara Robinson Chamberlain was just 15 years old when she was abducted by a serial killer. Now, she's searching for answers in cases that have gone unsolved for decades. The victim advocate hosts the ABC News Studios and Freeform true-crime series "Somebody Knows Something," which takes a fresh look at unsolved disappearances and murders that have baffled investigators. Working alongside loved ones, Chamberlain revisits a cold case in each episode, hoping renewed attention will generate the lead that finally cracks it. SLAIN DAD'S DAUGHTER KNEW ‘BLACK SWAN’ EX-BALLERINA SHOT HIM AFTER ONE CALL: 'SHE KILLED HIM, DIDN'T SHE?' "My purpose was to let families have the mic and show what law enforcement has done," Chamberlain told Fox News Digital. "We want people to have the information they need, so they can come forward with anything that could be helpful. Several of these cases involve children, young people. I have three kids, so I found myself identifying with either the young person who is missing or the victims themselves as parents. "I genuinely think we can make a difference," Chamberlain said. "If I can get answers for one of these families, it would be a life goal for me." That mission is deeply personal for Chamberlain, whose own story of survival began more than two decades ago. On June 24, 2002, 15-year-old Chamberlain was at a friend's home in South Carolina when Richard Evonitz, the man who would abduct her, pulled into the driveway. "There was a moment when my captor pulled into my friend's driveway, and I thought, 'That's weird,'" she recalled. "That was my intuition. But I immediately started making excuses for why he could have been there, what could have been the reason. And so, I quieted my intuition." It was a split-second instinct Chamberlain would soon wish she had trusted. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The stranger approached her with pamphlets and asked if her parents were home. Then, he held a gun to her neck and threatened to shoot her if she screamed. He forced Chamberlain into a dark storage container in his car. "I'm often asked, 'What's the thing that we can learn from your story, Kara, to keep ourselves or our children safe?'" she said. "And the one thing that I tell people the most is there's a great book called 'The Gift of Fear.' And it's the first time that I've heard someone describe the way I feel, which is to listen to your intuition." "Essentially, what the 'Gift of Fear' describes is that we all have something inside of us that's paying attention, and we're taught to silence that intuition for the sake of being nice, not hurting someone's feelings — lots of different reasons. And that's something that is meant to keep us alive." "I hesitate to say if there's a lesson in these cases because they're all quite different," she continued. "But that's the big thing that I try to tell people — listen to your intuition and teach your children how to listen to that intuition. It is a powerful gift that everyone has, and it saves your life." At Evonitz's apartment, Chamberlain was repeatedly sexually assaulted. But this time, she trusted the instinct telling her what to do: survive. "I have to acknowledge that there was something inside of me that said, 'Not today. Not me. I'm going to outsmart this guy,'" Chamberlain said, describing herself as "very stubborn." "Then, I think really the rest of it was maybe part luck," she said. "It was also a big part of my coping mechanism ... how I chose to appease my captor, which essentially is one of the lesser-known trauma responses. It's basically playing nice to let that person put their guard down. And then, I think partially, there's this part of him that was very arrogant, and he'd done that multiple times before. So I think all of those things played together in terms of my escape." SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER For 18 hours, Chamberlain was held captive. Throughout the ordeal, she quietly memorized as many details as she could about her surroundings. Once her captor fell asleep, she managed to free herself from her bindings and escaped. Chamberlain found people sitting in a car in a parking lot and pleaded with them to take her to police. "Anyone who learns my story ... tends to be sometimes confused by how I tell my story, which is very direct, very to the point, kind of unemotional," she explained. "And that's because my trauma response was to dissociate. ... That enabled me to get through." After arriving at a police station, Chamberlain led officers back to her captor's apartment. But when investigators arrived, Evonitz had escaped. Investigators learned Evonitz had taken Chamberlain to the apartment he shared with his wife, who was away at Walt Disney World, according to The Washington Post. Police tracked Evonitz to Sarasota, Florida. As police closed in on him, Evonitz died by suicide. He was 38. Evidence recovered from Evonitz’s apartment, former residences and vehicle linked him to the abductions and murders of three girls from Spotsylvania County, Virginia — Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk, 15; and her sister, Kati Lisk, 12. Notes discovered by investigators indicated that Evonitz already had his eye on other potential victims, Fox News Digital previously reported. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Today, Chamberlain still wonders whether Evonitz had other victims. "I genuinely believe that he was responsible for more than we know of," she said. "But unfortunately, having taken his own life, that, at this point, is still a mystery." Chamberlain's own unanswered questions have also shaped how she thinks about families who are still searching for their loved ones. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS "I think the biggest misconception is that these families will be able to get closure one day," she said of the series. "I hear people say, 'Let's get these families closure' all the time. And at the end of the day, these people are always going to have some level of trauma. If their loved ones are recovered, they're going to look at a future where they are trying to support that person. If their loved ones are not recovered, they're never found, or unfortunately, they're found, and they're deceased, then they're looking at the rest of their lives missing someone they love." "That's the biggest thing for me, closure really is a myth," she added. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE In 2010, Chamberlain completed training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and began working for the Richland County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer, WIS-TV reported. SEND US A TIP That experience helped Chamberlain while filming the series and speaking with families, including a grieving father. GOT A TIP? "These people at the center of these stories are more than this story that we know," Chamberlain explained. "They're more than how they disappeared or what happened to them." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "I remember thinking, 'I have so many questions to ask this man,'" she recalled. "[I'm] looking at him and saying, 'This is a man that's heartbroken, who doesn't know what happened to his daughter. He wants to talk about who she was, so I'm going to step back, and I'm going to let him do that.'" GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Chamberlain said her 15-year-old self wouldn't have been surprised by the work she does today. "She would've said, 'I knew it,'" Chamberlain said. "She would've known it because I think from very early on, I thought that I was able to handle what happened to me the way that I was able to handle it for a reason. Yes, I had this bad thing that happened to me, but that just became part of building who I became. That's not who I am. It's just a part of my story." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a818c802c5335ae10471934 Swing-state's fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed te 2026-08-16T10:10:08.679Z Swing-state's fraud reckoning raises Minnesota-style alarm as wild schemes exposed The DOJ’s expanded anti-fraud task force made its first sweeping bust of Medicaid scofflaws in Pennsylvania this month, drawing comparisons to the massive fraud scandals that rocked Minnesota — but with one major difference. Republicans and Democrats in the state united in outrage after nearly two dozen people were charged in Philadelphia and elsewhere. The DOJ noted Pennsylvania spends $8 billion on Medicaid home-care services, more than almost any other state, and those services were the target of the busts. "The allegations are really disturbing just as they are in Minnesota and other places where we've seen this," House Ways & Means Committee member Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES "It's criminal activity that is taking money from individuals who really need it. And this is this is Medicaid — It's not Medicare, which is more for seniors. But this is for people who truly need help, who are disabled — these are individuals who are relying on Medicaid to help them get through every day. And these are criminals who are taking that money and lining their pockets with it," said Smucker, whose Lancaster-area district has an older population and has anywhere from two in 10 to four in 10 constituents enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or both, according to reports. The DOJ’s anti-fraud chief echoed those sentiments while describing some of the most egregious cases among the 19 Pennsylvania defendants charged as of last week. One suspect billed Medicaid for services that supposedly occurred while police had pulled him over for a moving violation and charged him on suspicion of marijuana possession, according to the DOJ. Another suspect billed Medicaid for services during a period when he was in court watching a family member get sentenced for Medicaid fraud-related offenses, according to Colin McDonald. I'M OHIO'S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM Another suspect billed Medicaid for home-care services that McDonald said were supposedly provided while the suspect was driving for a rideshare company. Another billed for services while in prison, according to McDonald. Smucker said Pennsylvania welcomes fellow Keystone Stater and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and his investigators, adding that he is grateful state officials in Harrisburg are also taking note. That cooperation sets the Pennsylvania busts apart from those in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has faced accusations of inaction over what has become a multibillion-dollar scandal. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signaled cooperation and collaboration with Republicans in going after Medicaid fraudsters in remarks his office made to Fox News Digital. TIM WALZ BECOMES GOP PUNCHLINE IN SWEEPING NEW WAR ON WELFARE FRAUD Shapiro, a Democrat and the commonwealth’s former attorney general, prosecuted public assistance-related crimes and now governs the state with the nation’s highest number of criminal convictions for Medicaid fraud. The governor — who was considered a runner-up to Walz in then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ search for a running mate — said the commonwealth is a "national leader in stopping fraud." "Here in Pennsylvania, we combat fraud wherever we find it. In 2024, we charged 119 cases of Medicaid fraud — recovering more than $11 million for taxpayers," Shapiro said in a recent statement. "Governor Shapiro has made fighting public assistance fraud a cornerstone of his career in public service, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse as Attorney General where he cracked down on fraud and public assistance benefit theft, charging dozens of people who stole millions in taxpayer dollars," Shapiro spokeswoman Rosie Lapowsky told Fox News Digital. READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD Lapowsky said the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) brought one of the cases referenced by McDonald to the Justice Department for further investigation during Shapiro’s tenure. "[That is] clearly showing our system works," she said, adding that Pennsylvania’s high number of home-care service providers is not by itself an indicator of fraud. Conservative critics in Minnesota and Washington state have pointed to similar provider numbers to raise suspicions about fraudulent activity. Pennsylvania — the fifth-most populous state, behind California, Texas, Florida and New York — has seen a 20% increase since 2018 in the number of adults in home-care programs, according to DHS. DHS said it employs "ongoing monitoring," including an electronic visit-verification system, to ensure proper billing and curtail fraud. The department refers potential fraud cases to Republican Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday’s office. WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A 'FEATURE' "This criminal conduct is much more than someone ‘working the system’ — the impact is deep and wide-ranging, as every dollar diverted deprives someone in need of care," Sunday said in a statement. "In collaboration with our partners, my office last year convicted more than 100 defendants, and clawed back more than $40 million that was intended for Pennsylvanians in need." In 2025, Sunday’s office handled 744 referrals from DHS alone, according to Harrisburg sources. Smucker said all stakeholders must continue being vigilant for both Medicaid and Medicare-related fraud. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "People like the four seasons here," he said, referring to the high number of retirees who call Amish Country home. "But we have a lot of people who are relying on these programs… and we have seen fraud across the system in federal programs. This is probably hundreds of billions per year that is being siphoned-off from taxpayer dollars," he said. Pennsylvania officials say investigators continue to make progress fighting Medicaid fraud. "We are coming for you," said former Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, whom President Donald Trump tapped to lead the White House’s nationwide anti-fraud task force The DOJ’s "Northeast Strike Force" was originally organized in Brooklyn and Newark before expanding into Pennsylvania as part of the broader crackdown. "Our message is clear: if you are a medical provider who chooses greed over your professional responsibility, DEA will hold you accountable," said Drug Enforcement Administration Philadelphia chief Timothy Flaherty, whose agency is one of several participating in the new task force. Fox News Digital's Hannah Brennan contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a818c7f2c5335ae1047192b American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance te 2026-08-16T10:10:07.994Z American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States. This week's quiz highlights summer splurges, basketball brilliance — and a lot more. Can you get all 8 questions right? Give it a try and see how you do! CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.  Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a818c7f2c5335ae10471922 Rentals now allowed in historic water tower on King Charles' Sandringham Estate where royals spend Christmas te 2026-08-16T10:10:07.357Z Rentals now allowed in historic water tower on King Charles' Sandringham Estate where royals spend Christmas Have you ever wanted to join the royals while they celebrate Christmas at Sandringham Estate in England? Well, now you can! Sort of. The more than 150-year-old estate in Norfolk, around 100 miles north of London, recently renovated the historic Water Tower on the property, and it is now available to rent. Prices start at around 151 pounds a night — a little over $200 — but can be much more expensive for shorter visits. The price tends to decrease per night with a longer stay. MEGHAN MARKLE'S ROYAL EXIT HAD WARNING SIGNS YEARS EARLIER, VETERAN CORRESPONDENT SAYS The neo-Byzantine water tower was originally built in 1877 to provide fresh water to the royal residence and it was a functional part of the estate for nearly 100 years. "THE WAIT IS OVER… Introducing The Water Tower," Sandringham wrote on social media on Tuesday while sharing footage of the classic renovation. "Rising majestically above the Norfolk countryside on the historic Sandringham Estate, a remarkable piece of Royal history is being unveiled for a new chapter." Photos and videos of the "romantic retreat for two" give glimpses of an elegant living room replete with traditional British décor, including a fireplace, chandelier and royal and historic paintings showing the estate. PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON COULD SEEK ‘GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT’ TO PROTECT PRINCE GEORGE AT ETON: EXPERTS The lush bedroom upstairs, which has its own fireplace, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and a medieval-looking back staircase heads to the roof where even better views of the rolling English hills will have you thinking fondly of Jane Austen. "Designed by renowned engineer James Mansergh, the Tower’s distinctive neo-Byzantine architecture, circular form and intricate brickwork have stood proudly above the Norfolk landscape for almost 150 years," Sandringham added. The water tower joins two other places on the estate — the Gardens House, which sleeps eight, and the Folly, which sleeps six — that are available to rent. There are also several places where the royals go for their summer retreat,  such as Balmoral Castle in Scotland, available for rent. PRINCE WILLIAM SEES DISGRACED ANDREW AS ‘A TROUBLED SOUL’ BUT EPSTEIN FALLOUT LEAVES ‘NO COMING BACK’: AUTHOR Charles inherited Sandringham and Balmoral, both of which are private estates, from the late Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Victoria bought Sandringham in 1862 as a retreat for her son, King Edward VII. Around 200 people work at the estate, which includes farms, a sawmill, a juice pressing plant, formal gardens, a restaurant, and the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81857b2c5335ae1047188d Arizona Commission Moves To Prevent Ratepayers From Subsidizing Data Centers, Large Power Users te 2026-08-16T09:40:11.647Z Arizona Commission Moves To Prevent Ratepayers From Subsidizing Data Centers, Large Power Users By Matthew Holloway | The Arizona Corporation Commission unanimously approved a new review process Wednesday designed to prevent existing electric cooperative customers from paying for transmission and infrastructure required by data centers, manufacturers, and other large electricity users. The framework was jointly proposed by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, which provides wholesale electricity, and five distribution cooperatives: Duncan Valley Electric Cooperative, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Mohave Electric Cooperative, Graham County Electric Cooperative, and Trico Electric Cooperative. The cooperatives sought the process as they hold discussions with several prospective large-load businesses considering facilities within their service territories. Commission Chairman Nick Myers said those customers are showing increasing interest in rural Arizona. “Large load customers are becoming increasingly interested in rural areas of Arizona,” Myers said in the Commission’s announcement. “This new process allows rural Arizona to capture the economic growth responsibly without being subsidized by other customers of the utilities.” The ACC held its August Open Meeting on August 12, 2026. The Commission voted on 29 agenda items. pic.twitter.com/HC3QtTQMvj — Arizona Corporation Commission (@CorpCommAZ) August 12, 2026 Prospective projects would negotiate electric service agreements involving Arizona Electric Power Cooperative as the wholesale electricity provider, a distribution cooperative serving the project site and the large-load business as the retail customer. Each proposed agreement would follow a common set of guidelines and application requirements before undergoing review by the Commission’s Utilities Division staff. Commissioners would retain authority to approve, deny, or amend each agreement, according to the approved framework (Docket No. E-01773A-26-0123). Staff reviews must consider whether an agreement serves the public interest, whether its rates are reasonable, and whether it prevents other customer classes from subsidizing the large-load customer’s commercial operations. The Commission said large-load customers will be responsible for costs associated with serving their projects, including new transmission and infrastructure construction. “This further protects ratepayers from potentially subsidizing costs attributed to serving ‘cost causers’ such as manufacturing facilities and data centers,” Commissioner Kevin Thompson said. Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson said the process accounts for differences among the cooperatives and the communities they serve. Márquez Peterson said the cooperatives are structured differently and represent diverse communities across the state. “It’s important that the process for onboarding large loads reflects this difference,” she said. “I was proud to support their effort to streamline their processes and to protect their members and ratepayers.” The decision advances the Commission’s “Growth Pays for Growth” approach, under which the costs of infrastructure needed to serve new industrial-scale electricity demand are assigned to the customers creating that demand. The Commission has been studying the effect of data centers and other large-load businesses on Arizona’s electric system since Thompson opened a statewide docket in 2025. The inquiry has examined utility tariffs, new customer classifications, energy service agreements, independent generation, and other mechanisms intended to protect residential and small business customers from cost shifts. At an April workshop, the Commission reported that approximately 1,300 megawatts of data center development was under construction in Arizona and more than 4,000 megawatts was in the planning stages. Commissioners and utility representatives discussed the generation, transmission, and distribution investments that would be needed to serve that demand. Commission officials said Arizona’s existing utility rates and regulatory mechanisms have required data center developers to pay their share of power-generation and infrastructure expansion. The Commission opened the broader proceeding to determine whether additional policies would be needed as the number and size of proposed facilities increase. Participants in the April large-load workshop discussed combining utility-specific rates with individual energy service agreements. Those agreements can include longer contract terms, minimum billing requirements, collateral and credit requirements, termination provisions, and the direct assignment of generation, transmission, and distribution costs to the large customer. The newly approved cooperative framework uses project-specific service agreements while establishing a common process for Commission review. It also allows individual cooperatives to negotiate terms reflecting their systems and service territories. “This new large load process gives Arizona cooperative utilities a clear standardized framework for bringing data centers and large load users online while protecting existing ratepayers from bearing the costs,” Myers said. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Arizona Commission Moves To Prevent Ratepayers From Subsidizing Data Centers, Large Power Users first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81857a2c5335ae10471884 Flock Camera Scrutiny Spreads Across The Valley As Surprise Suspends Program te 2026-08-16T09:40:10.180Z Flock Camera Scrutiny Spreads Across The Valley As Surprise Suspends Program By Ethan Faverino | The City of Surprise announced it has suspended its use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) after a routine audit earlier this month identified an anomaly in the system. The audit prompted an investigation into a potential violation of department policy and the placement of a Surprise police officer on administrative leave. Surprise Police announced the suspension on Wednesday, saying the department discovered an irregularity involving its Flock automated license plate reader system. The department said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information will be released when appropriate. Maintaining community trust is of the utmost importance to the Surprise Police Department. That’s why we are letting you know that we discovered an anomaly in the use of the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) system this week that has resulted in the City suspending the… pic.twitter.com/CEOk1cDHzp — Surprise Police Dept (@Surprise_PD) August 12, 2026 Surprise Police Chief Evan Becher stated, “Public trust is of the highest importance to the Surprise Police Department and maintaining that trust requires transparency and accountability. While we still need to complete an investigation into this irregularity, we are taking this incident very seriously. That is why we took immediate action to halt the program, investigate the issue and make the community aware of it.” The City of Surprise began using ALPR technology more than two years ago and currently has 28 cameras operating throughout the city. According to the City, the technology has helped law enforcement solve numerous serious crimes, including homicides, robberies, and carjackings. The city maintains a policy governing the use of ALPR technology and conducts regular audits intended to identify potential misuse. Surprise officials said the most recent audit, functioned as intended by identifying the incident of irregular use. Chief Becher said the city is using the incident as an opportunity to evaluate additional safeguards that could further strengthen oversight of the technology. “This technology has proven to be extremely valuable in solving serious crimes. As we look to continue the use of this public safety tool, we want strong safeguards in place that not only alert of misuse but also prevent it,” added Becher. “Surprise Police Department is committed to ensuring enhanced protections are in place before reimplementing use of ALPR cameras.” The Surprise suspension comes amid growing scrutiny of Flock license plate reader systems across the Valley, with several Arizona law enforcement agencies taking action involving the technology within a matter of days. The City of Chandler announced earlier this month that it would discontinue its use of 40 fixed-camera Flock ALPRs after an audit identified what they considered an anomaly. The incident involved an officer who misused the system to track a family member with medical issues. The officer subsequently resigned, and Chandler officials announced the Flock service would not be renewed. In Apache Junction, a police officer resigned on August 10 following an internal investigation into allegations that he used Flock cameras to track his wife. The department announced the officer’s resignation after the investigation into his use of the system. In Tempe, police announced on August 11 that the city would stop sharing data collected from its 33 Flock cameras with other agencies. The decision followed community concerns about privacy and recent reports involving alleged misuse of ALPR technology in other Arizona cities. Get more details and a link to the Transparency Portal: https://t.co/609rjtqkHy pic.twitter.com/7yVnQd7GiJ — City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) August 11, 2026 Tempe said its cameras would remain in place, but other law enforcement agencies would have to request information through the appropriate process. “While we had previously restricted data sharing to Arizona law enforcement agencies only, this additional step will further safeguard Tempe’s data and ensure we maintain appropriate control over access,” stated Tempe Police Chief Ken McCoy. Goodyear Police also announced this month that an officer has been placed on administrative leave following an audit of Flock ALPR use that identified potentially concerning activity. The department said the investigation uncovered a possible violation of department policy and a possible criminal violation. The officer’s access to department computer systems was also cut off while the investigation continues. GYPD Releases Information Regarding ALPR Use Policies and Internal Audit Process pic.twitter.com/zEAetg8iam — Goodyear Police Dept (@Goodyearpolice) August 11, 2026 The developments in Surprise, Chandler, Apache Junction, Tempe, and Goodyear have all occurred within roughly one week, highlighting increasing attention being paid to how law enforcement agencies use automated license plate reader technology and the safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized access. While law enforcement agencies have praised the technology as an important tool for investigating serious crimes, the recent incidents have raised questions about privacy, data sharing, and protections against improper use. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Flock Camera Scrutiny Spreads Across The Valley As Surprise Suspends Program first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8185782c5335ae1047187b Arizona Agencies Failed To Enforce Parent Caregiver Rules, Risking Nearly $500M te 2026-08-16T09:40:08.588Z Arizona Agencies Failed To Enforce Parent Caregiver Rules, Risking Nearly $500M By Staff Reporter | The state ceased imposing mandatory guardrails for parent caregiver payouts nearly a year ago. The year of potentially runaway spending may have wasted nearly half a billion dollars, a new report from the auditor general revealed.  The audit found that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and the Department of Economic Security (DES) had failed to implement cost-control requirements to the Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) program, within which is one of the biggest program costs: the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPC) service delivery model. PPC was established during COVID with substantial funding from the federal government, initially with the intent of being a temporary program. However, stakeholders desired permanence for the program when those pandemic dollars ran out. Gov. Katie Hobbs received approval from the Biden administration to make PPC permanent in 2024, which required Arizona to cover more than a third of the costs.  According to the audit, AHCCCS and DES leadership acted contrary to state law in order to implement laws how and when they saw fit, not how and when it was required of them.  One of the main cost-control requirements the agencies failed to implement was the standardized assessment tool. AHCCCS suspended the tool in mid-October 2025, 16 days after initiating it according to state law. Those assessments made between Oct. 1 and 16, 2025, were reversed.  As a consequence, the auditor general estimated that the agency failed to realize between $133 million and $493 million in potential cost reduction “risking additional cost increases and shortfalls.”  DES was forced to request $83 million in supplemental appropriation from the state legislature for fiscal year 2026 as a consequence.  The threat of legal action reportedly prompted the agency to buck state law. “AHCCCS reported that it halted implementation due to the threat of litigation and instead of implementing the policies it created it decided to engage in emergency rulemaking,” reported the audit.  The auditor general did assess that the tool lacked the ability to contain costs in the long term, and suggested legislative changes and federal approval.  The audit also reported that AHCCCS and DES failed to fully implement other cost-control measures, including executing processes to ensure parents reside in the state for at least six months prior to becoming paid caregivers, and prohibiting payments for parent-provided services between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and when the child isn’t home.  Further, AHCCCS and DES were found to have not enforced the 40-hour limit on parent-provided care until April of this year. The agencies were required to implement that limit back in July 2025. The audit found this delay caused DES to overpay some parents.  AHCCCS and DES ignored the law by delaying the limit for 10 months to avoid penalizing parents.  “[D]espite lacking the authority to do so, [the agencies] delayed enforcing the requirement because [they] sought to increase compliance through an educational and not punitive approach,” stated the audit.   The audit also found that DES was inconsistent about maintaining member records and ensuring the accuracy of member assessments. The auditor general warned that the former could result in unsupported service authorizations and impair payment oversight, and the latter could result in incorrect payments, waste, and mismatched service authorizations.  The auditor general issued 11 recommendations: Implement the required standardized assessment tool Continue developing a formally documented Extraordinary Care Review process Develop and implement a procedure to seek legal counsel prior to programmatic changes Develop and implement all required cost controls and oversight processes to ensure functionality Update monitoring processes to ensure timely oversight of compliance with contractual and statutory obligations related to ALTCS and PPCG Require provision of timely access to utilization and vendor payment records Develop and implement regular assessments of the 40-hour limit  Establish corrective action requirements for lack of enforcement concerning 40-hour limit Conduct an analysis to identify additional cost-control measures to improve ALTCS finances Implement any additional cost controls for ALTCS as discovered with aid of governor’s office and CMS Notify the legislature of analysis results and plan of action Roberta Harrison, AHCCCS interim director, responded that she disagreed with the auditor general’s findings but promised to implement the 11 recommendations. Harrison cited federal Medicaid requirements, legal and procedural considerations, data limitations, and implementation timelines as hindering agency compliance.  DES agreed with one of the findings, that required cost-control measures weren’t fully implemented, and disagreed with the other three. DES agreed to implement all but five of the 20 recommendations. The auditor general’s office plans to follow up with AHCCCS and DES in six months’ time. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Agencies Failed To Enforce Parent Caregiver Rules, Risking Nearly $500M first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8180c52c5335ae10471650 Americans clash over transgender athletes as debate heats up: ‘Just getting outrageous' te 2026-08-16T09:20:05.772Z Americans clash over transgender athletes as debate heats up: ‘Just getting outrageous' As the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports intensifies, Americans who spoke with Fox News Digital offered sharply divided views on whether transgender women should be allowed to compete against female athletes. "It's all right if you wanna be what you wanna be, but you shouldn't be competing against a woman and you’re a man," a Washington, D.C. local resident said. "Biologically, it's an advantage." Another person disagreed. SOFTBALL HALL OF FAMER SENDS BLUNT WARNING TO THOSE DEFENDING INCLUSION OF BIOLOGICAL MALES IN FEMALE SPORTS "I feel like a transgender woman should be able to play in women's sports," another person told Fox News Digital. "They might have been a man before, but they're trans. They're changing into a woman, so why not play a woman's sport? Like they're not gonna let her play men's sports." The participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports has long been debated, particularly discussing claims there is an unfair advantage posed when biological men are able to compete at the same level as women — with critics pointing to the physiological differences among males and females. "It's a little bit of an unfair advantage," Theresa from Virginia said. "I don't think it really makes sense because a man is more physically fit than a woman," the D.C. resident said. "Automatically stronger than a woman." But those in favor of allowing transgender athletes to compete in the league of the gender they currently identify with argue the movement to ban biological men from competing in women's sports is part of a targeted attack against transgender people. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID' It is also argued that biological advantages are differentiated by the specific genetics of every individual rather than an entire gender. "I see why they're saying that because they could be stronger than a woman," one said about the potential safety risks at play. She continued, "But at the same time, like, girls are strong." The debate has also spilled into professional basketball after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham indicated that she is against biological men competing in women's sports, according to a recent ESPN article. "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans," Cunningham said to ESPN. "And I'm like, 'I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love." She continued, "But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men." Cunningham brushed aside the backlash and doubled down on her comments calling it "common sense." WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS The Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) put out a statement praising the different backgrounds of all its players, stating that while difficult conversations will be continued in the league, "we will not be political pawns." The statement also came after Cunningham’s comments and as former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom announced that he was declaring for the WNBA draft, arguing he meets all the eligibility requirements and simply just needs to identify as a woman. "I think that it's crazy," the D.C. resident said about a biological man being able to compete in the WNBA. "I think that a lot of people just say that they’re women just to go compete against women to make themselves look good." "They’re just getting outrageous with this rainbow stuff," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a817e6a2c5335ae10471604 In ‘The Brink of War,’ a Return to an Era of Razor-Edge Diplomacy te 2026-08-16T09:10:02.584Z In ‘The Brink of War,’ a Return to an Era of Razor-Edge Diplomacy A new film depicts the 1986 nuclear arms summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, which both offered and dashed hopes of a dramatic breakthrough. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81624f2c5335ae1047127a Two people displaced after lithium-ion battery causes residential fire te 2026-08-16T07:10:07.998Z Two people displaced after lithium-ion battery causes residential fire BULLHEAD CITY — Two people were displaced from their home Saturday night when a fire destroyed a second-story bedroom in a duplex apartment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81624f2c5335ae10471271 Warren Road.jpg te 2026-08-16T07:10:07.205Z Warren Road.jpg No injuries were reported after a charging lithium-ion battery started a fire Saturday night in a second story bedroom of a residential duplex in the 850 block of Warren Road. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81624e2c5335ae10471268 NAU ROUNDUP: Cross country to host two home meets, soccer wins season opener in California te 2026-08-16T07:10:06.429Z NAU ROUNDUP: Cross country to host two home meets, soccer wins season opener in California Buffalo Park will play host to the Big Sky Cross Country Championships for the first time in over a decade. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a815ff72c5335ae10471234 Routine California traffic stop leads to seizure of 30 pounds of cocaine worth more than $800K te 2026-08-16T07:00:07.944Z Routine California traffic stop leads to seizure of 30 pounds of cocaine worth more than $800K California authorities seized more than $800,000 worth of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop this week, officials said. The California Highway Patrol said a Central Division canine officer stopped a 2025 Honda CR-V in Merced County on Aug. 12 for an alleged traffic violation. During the stop, the officer identified "several indicators of possible criminal activity," according to CHP. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a bag containing approximately 30 pounds of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $817,200, CHP said. TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING THROUGH CAMP PENDLETON GATE WITH 112 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND FENTANYL The driver was arrested and booked into the Merced County Main Jail on charges of possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine across non-contiguous counties, according to authorities. The Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) is handling the investigation. The seizure comes after federal authorities last month uncovered more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine hidden beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico, marking one of the largest drug busts in Southern California this year. FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER According to the Justice Department, more than a half-ton of cocaine was discovered concealed in the floorboards of a truck and flatbed trailer at the Calexico Port of Entry along the California-Mexico border. Authorities estimated the cocaine had a street value exceeding $20 million. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also announced last month that officers discovered more than $3.7 million worth of cocaine concealed in a shipment of cucumbers. CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas discovered 112 packages inside a tractor-trailer after a canine inspection and nonintrusive imaging scan detected anomalies in the vehicle. The packages contained a total of 278.88 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3,723,654, according to CBP. Fox News Digital's Leo Briceno contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a814d382c5335ae10471061 Joey Logano holds off Chase Briscoe to win NASCAR race at Richmond te 2026-08-16T05:40:08.069Z Joey Logano holds off Chase Briscoe to win NASCAR race at Richmond RICHMOND, Va. — Joey Logano delivered a warning to his NASCAR rivals after his victory Saturday night at Richmond Raceway. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a814d372c5335ae10471058 NASCAR Richmond Auto Racing te 2026-08-16T05:40:07.312Z NASCAR Richmond Auto Racing Team Penske driver Joey Logano (22) dives into turn one during Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, Saturday, Aug. 15, in Richmond Va. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81336f2c5335ae10470a66 Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports te 2026-08-16T03:50:07.333Z Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports The 2026 Women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in April was the second most watched Final Four in NCAA history. It also set an all-time attendance record for all associated events, and boasted the third-most attendance for the games Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a81336e2c5335ae10470a5d Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports te 2026-08-16T03:50:06.590Z Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports PHOENIX – Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego uttered prophetic words at the Women’s Final Four tip-off press conference on Feb. 24 at Mortgage Matchup Center. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8127b92c5335ae104704d8 Mets' Jefry Yan, known for high-flying strikeout celebration, performs it too soon in hilarious blunder te 2026-08-16T03:00:09.432Z Mets' Jefry Yan, known for high-flying strikeout celebration, performs it too soon in hilarious blunder New York Mets fans can’t get enough of Jefry Yan’s acrobatic celebration when he strikes out a batter in relief, as it’s become quite the social media sensation. But Yan got too excited on Saturday afternoon in the Mets’ thrilling walk-off win over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field when he performed the viral celebration. The pitch hadn’t been called strike three. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Yan made his Citi Field debut in front of the Mets faithful, and in the top of the ninth with an 0-2 count and two out, he thought he placed his fastball perfectly on the outside corner to strike out Nasim Nuñez to end the frame. The home plate umpire thought otherwise, but Yan was already midair in celebration. Yan, who seems to have springs in his feet with the way he jumps into the air to start his celebration, noticed that strike three wasn’t called. As he touched back down on the mound, he started tapping the top of his hat to challenge the ball, forcing an ABS review. ANTHONY VOLPE HAS FACE-PALM MOMENT WITH ABS SYSTEM AS FIRST BATTER OF MINOR LEAGUE GAME But, after review, the umpire’s call for a ball stood. "Now, that was funny," Mets longtime play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen said on the SNY broadcast. After everyone got their laughs out, Yan made sure the celebration didn’t come back to haunt him. Two pitches later, he got Nuñez to strike out on a slider. This time, the celebration was worth it. At the time of the strikeout, the Mets were down by a run heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. They needed to muster at least one run to force extra innings, but the offense wanted to end the game in their favor instead. Brett Baty walked to begin the inning and things got very interesting when Jorge Polanco singled to put the winning run on base. Then, Francisco Alvarez roped a double to left, tying the game as Baty came across the plate with the winning run moving to third base. Francisco Lindor would start a celebration for everyone at Citi Field, especially Yan and the rest of his Mets teammates, when he singled home the winning run to walk it off in the ninth. In doing so, Yan earned his first career win in MLB after pitching a scoreless 1.2 innings for the Mets. Yan, a 29-year-old rookie, has had quite the year, which began in the minors. That’s where the baseball world learned of his unique celebration after getting strikeouts, and the big leagues have seen it now over his first five appearances for New York. But whenever Yan wants to jump and tap the ground to celebrate, perhaps he’ll make certain the umpire has rung up the hitter before doing so. Then again, he was really hoping to do it with Mets fans in the stands on his home field. "I felt really welcome today," Yan said through a translator about his first Citi Field appearance. Yan, who struck out three hitters in his outing on Saturday, owns a 1.80 ERA thus far. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a811e562c5335ae104703e1 Michael Penix Jr and Tua Tagovailoa have already given us a potential 'Meme of the Year' contender te 2026-08-16T02:20:06.891Z Michael Penix Jr and Tua Tagovailoa have already given us a potential 'Meme of the Year' contender The NFL preseason is barely underway, and it didn't take long to be gifted what sure looks like the premier meme of the 2026 season. And we have Michael Penix Jr. to thank for it. The Atlanta Falcons hosted the Denver Broncos on Friday to get their preseason slate rolling, and there was a moment on the sidelines that has been getting all the attention. DRAKE LONDON SIGNS $141M DEAL WITH FALCONS, BECOMING THIRD HIGHEST-PAID RECEIVER IN NFL: REPORTS Tua Tagovailoa — who the team acquired over the offseason — was sitting on the bench after his first possession in a Falcons uniform. That's when Penix, who was standing nearby, pointed at him and made a bewildered face. I would be willing to bet there's another explanation for why Penix was pointing and doing the "Can you believe this?" face that everyone did on "The Office." RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR AN NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY TO 'MR BRADY' But it doesn't matter why he did it. All that matters is he did it, and it's about to be the meme of the year. The NFL is always a fertile ground for memery. Hell, by the time the regular season gets underway, I think there's a good chance this meme is old news and something else will take its place. Memes can move, baby! Penix — believed to be the Falcons' starter — did not see any action in the game as he is still working his way back from an injury. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa completed three of his five passing attempts for 22 yards. The rest of the snaps went to Jack Strand and Cooper Rush. Strand completed half of his 12 pass attempts for 50 yards and a touchdown, while Rush had a nightmare 7-for-19 night with 62 yards and a pair of interceptions in the Dirty Birds' 27-7 loss. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8114f82c5335ae1046fda3 Alaska runner hospitalized after using bear spray to fight off brown bear on Alaska trail te 2026-08-16T01:40:08.614Z Alaska runner hospitalized after using bear spray to fight off brown bear on Alaska trail A runner was hospitalized in Alaska after fending off a bear attack in Anchorage this week. The woman, who was running by herself at Prospect Heights’ Wolverine Bowl trail, was able to get away from the brown bear by using her bear spray, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. BEAR ATTACK IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LEAVES 2 HIKERS INJURED Biologists went to the site of the attack and collected samples but no bears were seen. The department said anyone who sees a bear or another wild animal acting aggressively or unusually should report it. Warning signs have been posted at the Prospect Heights trailhead, the departmet said, adding that hikers should stay off closed trails. "Thick, dense summer foliage can block sightlines, making surprise encounters more likely," the department said. "Choose hiking routes with good visibility and away from known attractants, like salmon-bearing streams." When hiking in bear country, people should carry a deterrent such as bear spray or a firearm, stay in groups, make noise to avoid surprising a bear, stay alert for signs of bears, don’t approach bears and keep pets on a leash. WOMAN ATTACKED BY BROWN BEAR WHILE HIKING WITH FRIEND AND 3 DOGS NEAR ALASKA STATE PARK "If you surprise a bear, especially one with cubs or on a food cache, it may react in a threatened or defensive manner," the department said. "The bear may be agitated and may huff, stomp, make a popping sound with its teeth, salivate or lay its ears back against its head and charge." They urged staying calm, standing your ground, readying deterrent, staying in a group and talking calmly. Never run. "If the bear is stationary, move away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear," the department said. "If the bear starts to move toward you or charges, stop and stand your ground. Let the bear know you are not a threat. Behaving calmly, moving slowly, and speaking in a low calm voice will help de-escalate the situation. If the bear continues to approach, use your deterrent when the bear is within range." WOMAN STALKED BY CHARGING BEAR ON MORNING DOG WALK CAPTURES TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER ON CAMERA The attack comes less than a month after another woman was mauled by a bear in Anchorage. The July victim was walking with a friend and her three dogs in the Bear Valley residential neighborhood, adjacent to Chugach State Park in south Anchorage, when the bear approached. Officials said the hikers were on an unofficial, user-made trail that climbs a steep hillside in a zigzag pattern. The area was heavily overgrown with dense vegetation, which created poor visibility and increased the risk of surprising wildlife, the department said. "The bear came out of the dense alders, made brief contact with one of the hikers, and left the scene," the department added. The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to recover. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8110462c5335ae1046fcfa Nevada man funneled 140 guns to violent Mexican drug cartels, including powerful 'military-style' rifles: DOJ te 2026-08-16T01:20:06.380Z Nevada man funneled 140 guns to violent Mexican drug cartels, including powerful 'military-style' rifles: DOJ A Nevada man pleaded guilty on Friday to purchasing high-powered firearms and ammunition to sell to drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico, money laundering and employing people illegally in the U.S., Department of Justice officials said.  Luis Alberto Osorio allegedly conspired with co-defendants between April 2020 and last September to buy 140 firearms, magazines, and ammunition for people affiliated with violent Mexican drug-trafficking cartels, which would be sold south of the border for a profit, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nevada. The guns included large caliber and long-range firearms such as the Ohio Ordnance Works M2-SLR .50 BMG, the Barrett M82A1 and M107A1 .50 BMG antimaterial rifles, the FN Herstal M249S 5.56x45mm and the FH Herstal SCAR 17S 7.62x51mm rifles, according to court documents. Osorio also admitted to employing people in the U.S. illegally at a mining company in Nevada. BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER RPG LAUNCHER, CACHE OF RIFLES HIDDEN IN VEHICLE HEADING TO MEXICO Osorio, of Elko, pleaded guilty to one count of straw purchasing of firearms; one count of trafficking in firearms; one count of harboring certain aliens; and one count of conspiracy to launder money. He faces a maximum of 70 years in prison if found guilty on all counts. "Firearms trafficking networks feed the violent cartels that terrorize border communities and pump illicit drugs into our neighborhoods," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada said in a statement. "By cutting off this supply chain and holding this defendant accountable, we are directly disrupting the operational capabilities of these dangerous criminal organizations." FBI CHARGES 35 IN WEST VIRGINIA DRUG AND FIREARMS OPERATION, LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE SUMMER CRIME INITIATIVE Osario’s sentencing is scheduled for February. "Trafficking military-style firearms and ammunition to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico fuels violence, strengthens criminal networks and threatens communities on both sides of the border," said Jonathan Sherwin, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas. "This guilty plea is the result of relentless work by HSI and the Homeland Security Task Force and our federal, state and local partners to disrupt the flow of weapons, money and criminal support that allows these organizations to operate." The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which was created by an executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office last year. "In the world of organized crime and drug trafficking, guns and drugs go hand-in-hand," David S. Olesky, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which covers Nevada, said in a statement.  "As a member of the Homeland Security Task Force, DEA and our partners will bring to bear all resources and draw on the full scope of our agencies’ expertise to hold accountable those individuals and organizations which pose a public health and safety threat to our communities through the trafficking of drugs and firearms." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8109782c5335ae1046fa97 Jessica Simpson turns heads in bikini photos from trip to Turks and Caicos te 2026-08-16T00:51:05.001Z Jessica Simpson turns heads in bikini photos from trip to Turks and Caicos Jessica Simpson is giving fans a peek at her birthday trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The 46-year-old singer took to Instagram to share a series of photos from her birthday trip to paradise, including one of her lounging in her bikini. Among the photos included in the post is a black-and-white picture of the "With You" singer smiling as she posed for a selfie while lying on a lounge chair in a black bikini with small white polka dots. She paired the bikini with a pair of black sunglasses and a necklace which went down the center of her chest. JULIANNE HOUGH FLAUNTS HER TONED FIGURE IN BIKINIS AS SHE SHARES SNAPS FROM HER TRIP TO SARDINIA "Take me back to Turks and Caicos," she captioned the post. "Thank you @lacurevillas and @pavilionluxuryvillas for an unforgettable stay. We’ll be seein’ y’all again very very soon." Other photos feature the singer standing in a black dress in front of a swimming pool, posing with the staff, coming out of the ocean in a black bikini and cover-up, as well as a video of the oceanic scenery around her. "You have never looked better!! Healthy and happy and stunning!" one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "Absolutely stunning as always." The singer previously shared a photo of herself in a separate black-and-white polka-dot bikini on her birthday in July, captioning the post, "46 July 10/26." In November 2025, Simpson took to Instagram to celebrate the 8th anniversary of her sobriety, writing when she chose to stop drinking, "she made the choice to confront, to confess and to let go of the self-sabotaging parts of my life that I was choosing." "Making that decision allowed me to fully live in the pursuit of Gods [sic] purpose for my life," she wrote. "Alcohol silenced my intuition, blocked my dreams and chased my circulating fears of complacency." She added that after eight years of sobriety, "today I am clear" and "driven by faith," adding that "both fear and faith are something that we feel and may not see." 'BAYWATCH: HAWAII' STAR BRANDY LEDFORD SAYS SHE 'WANTED TO TRULY CHECK OUT' BEFORE REHAB SAVED HER LIFE "I’m so happy I chose faith over fear," she added. "It was not in the fight that I found my strength, it was in the surrender." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Simpson revealed in a November 2023 Instagram post that she decided to quit drinking the day after Halloween in 2017, alongside a photo of her taken on that day. In the caption, Simpson called the person in the photo "an unrecognizable version of myself," who "had so much self-discovery to unlock and explore." "I knew in this very moment I would allow myself to take back my light, show victory over my internal battle of self-respect, and brave this world with piercing clarity," she said. "Personally, to do this I needed to stop drinking alcohol because it kept my mind and heart circling in the same direction and quite honestly I was exhausted." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I wanted to feel the pain so I could carry it like a badge of honor," she continued. "I wanted to live as a leader does and break cycles to advance forward – never looking back with regret and remorse over any choice I have made and would make for the rest of my time here within this beautiful world." She went on to call out the "stigma around the word alcoholism or the label of an alcoholic," adding that she needed to accept the "failure, pain, brokenness, and self sabotage" in her life and understand that "the drinking wasn’t the issue. I was. I didn’t love myself. I didn’t respect my own power. Today I do." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8107202c5335ae1046fa28 Bills' Dion Dawkins sparks intense debate after picking up his dog's poop on practice field te 2026-08-16T00:41:04.882Z Bills' Dion Dawkins sparks intense debate after picking up his dog's poop on practice field A fun thing about the internet is that you can hop online hoping to find the news, stock tips or just videos of people getting hurt on trampolines, and wind up pondering deep, complex questions. Stuff like whether it's okay to let your dog rip a deuce on an NFL practice field. Well, thanks to a video making the rounds of Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins doing some poop-scooping, the lines have been drawn for a ferocious online debate. NY GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL TRIES TO GET BILLS CHANT GOING AT NEW STADIUM, COMPLETELY FAILS In the clip, Dawkins shuffles out onto the field with no shirt, a pair of Crocs and a clear plastic bag ready to get the ol' inside-out treatment. First of all, stellar technique. He got all of it and then did a few swipes with the bag just so everyone watching knows he went the extra mile. I do that too when my dog decides to pay the band in someone's front yard while they're standing there washing the car. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE I will have to deduct some points for the clear bag. That's not ideal. You want whatever is in there to be out of sight and out of mind. But the question became whether it is okay to let your dog drop its payload on an NFL practice field. It's complicated. On one hand, I think, "Well, where else is the dog supposed to go? In the quarterbacks' room?" But on the other hand, some poor receiver is going to lay out for a pass and go skidding through the ghost of digested Purina. On social media, people had some thoughts on this topic. It's a tough one, right? Football fields are nasty to begin with, so if you think the dog poo is sullying an otherwise squeaky-clean surface, I've got news for you. But maybe next time, take the dog outside the facility and then fling the leavings over the fence into the neighbor's yard like the rest of us. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8100192c5335ae1046f96c Deshaun Watson's first game since 2024 a success because he wasn't as bad as Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel te 2026-08-16T00:11:05.489Z Deshaun Watson's first game since 2024 a success because he wasn't as bad as Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel We've all heard the joke about being in the woods with a friend and being chased by a bear, right? It's not necessary to be faster than the bear. It's necessary to be faster than the friend. That definitely applied to Deshaun Watson on Saturday in his first NFL action since 2024. This was a grand success for Watson because he got on the field in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears (funny how that ties in) and he outran Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in fleeing the bear. No, Watson wasn't great in his one half of play. But he didn't have to be because he was way better than the other two guys. DESHAUN WATSON, SHEDEUR SANDERS GIVE BROWNS A PRESEASON QUARTERBACK BATTLE WORTH WATCHING "Definitely a good moment for myself," is how Watson described his outing. And it was, in that it marked his first game action since he suffered not one but two Achilles tears in October of '24 and then early in 2025. Watson even left the field as he entered: in one piece, which was a victory for the often-injured player. But beyond that, Watson was neither terrible nor great during the game. And that made him seem outstanding by comparison to Sanders, with whom he's competing for a starting job, and Gabriel, the team's No. 3 quarterback at the moment. "Oh, it was awesome," Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken overstated when asked about Watson's outing. "I mean, it was so cool to watch him play. I get all of the frustration by fans, himself, but for him to come back and work like he did is an unbelievable credit to him. "And then to go out there; he was having fun today. And that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level." Sure. Watson completed 11 of 15 passes. Good. The Browns scored with him in the game. Good. But he didn't throw a TD. And did turn the ball over once on a fumble. That fumble seemed to trigger Watson because he actually completed 10 of his first 11 passes before the turnover, with his lone incompletion coming on a pass dropped by tight end Harold Fannin. But after the turnover he completed only one of his final four attempts. RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR AN NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY TO 'MR BRADY' So where does that leave Watson now? Well, Monken was quite impressed. And to hear Watson talk, he simply performed as expected. No, not to the standards of the fully guaranteed $230 million he signed with the Browns in 2022, but pretty good. "I don't think that's anything that I doubted myself," Watson said. "That's the reason why I've worked hard these last two years, you know, to get back to that. "I had some, some challenges with some injuries and suspension and, you know, now being able to get a full offseason and continue to work my way back up. It takes time. "But I don't doubt myself in any way that I can't play at a high level." This is where you must understand both Sanders and Gabriel threw interceptions. Sanders also fumbled a snap and while he didn't lose it, it cost the Browns a down. Sanders finished with a 39.6 passer rating. Gabriel finished with a 27.1 passer rating. They were playing against backups and struggled. Monken said Sanders will start next week against the Buffalo Bills and play the first half. Watson will play in the third quarter and Gabriel will play in the fourth. The race to the Browns' starting quarterback job continues. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home