https://meenews.co/post/6a074809a200899a00ebaff5 Rebecca Gau: Taking the right next step for Arizona’s children te 2026-05-15T16:21:29.309Z Rebecca Gau: Taking the right next step for Arizona’s children Since 1993, Rebecca Gau has worked in education policy and has advocated for continuous improvement in education performance. From working in Washington D.C. as an intern to former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s office and now the executive director of Stand For Children, Gau has spent more than three decades working to bridge public policy, education and child development. In a recent interview with the Arizona Capitol Times, Gau discussed her work with Stand for Children and some of the organization’s policy goals for this legislative session.  The questions and answers have been lightly edited for style and clarity:  Can you tell me a little about your professional background and the work you did prior to this position? I launched my career in education policy through an internship on Capitol Hill in 1993, and part of that internship was to study charter schools because we were reauthorizing the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I was advising Congress members on whether or not they should vote for it, so I got to know a lot about charter schools and got to know a lot about Arizona. I moved here to be an education policy analyst at the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University. That led to me working at the Charter Schools Association as their vice president and that introduced me to Gov. Jan Brewer’s office. I was offered the position to lead Brewer’s education reform plan and, in doing that, my career had really been focused on the policy and data side of education.  Tell me about Stand for Children. How would you describe the organization? We’re a unique catalyst for supporting a strong education system and supporting kids and families with whatever it takes, whether it’s local parent engagement, working with local school districts, or lobbying at the Capitol. Sometimes, we do get involved in political campaigns and we’re unique with that flexibility. We have a 501(c)(3), which is called Stand for Children Leadership Center, and then we have a 501(c)(4), which is called Stand for Children Incorporated. Then we have the Stand for Children Arizona Independent Expenditure Committee, so essentially, I run three different organizations out of the Stand for Children Arizona umbrella.  What was it like working in Brewer’s office? Working for Governor Brewer was an absolute honor and privilege. The team we had up there was phenomenal, and she was committed to doing the right thing in the education space. Senate Bill 1070 happened right before I started working there, and I didn’t have anything to do with that, but Brewer’s commitment was to all Arizona students and that controversy didn’t impact her desire to do the right thing for all of Arizona’s children, regardless of ethnicity or background. They should be well educated — and I really respected that.  Last I checked, the waitlist for childcare subsidies is now at more than 12,000 kids. What kind of impact does that have on Arizona families? It’s a crisis. I know people throw that word around all the time, but I don’t. I’m a data worker. But when you look at the impact on families, particularly in this economy, it’s pretty daunting. Cost of childcare, regardless of whether it’s quality childcare or not, the cost of childcare is often the same as your mortgage payment. It can be the same as college tuition. Almost 20% of family budgets are going to childcare right now. That’s a lot and that impacts the economy when you have families that choose not to have a parent working because they can’t afford the childcare. It’s about a $5 billion hit to our economy. The Center for the Future of Arizona has a data point that if we were to invest properly in support of childcare, it would inject $12 billion into our economy. Arizona employers are seeing issues in not being able to hire enough people because they have to stay at home with their kids. There’s a huge problem there. So whether you’re looking from a family point of view or a state point of view, there is clearly an opportunity for economic growth and support. We have a lot of tax breaks for corporations and businesses in Arizona that are meant to spur the economy. The theory is if we’re not taxing them, they can invest that in employees and infrastructure and they can grow their businesses. If we’re willing to invest billions and billions of dollars on spurring economic development by giving tax breaks to corporations, why wouldn’t we spend $160 million for working families to create a $12 billion economic benefit that eliminates the childcare subsidy waitlist? Spending $160 million might be a difficult ask with this year’s budget. Is there a realistic number you’ve identified that could be spent? I think $45 million is realistic. Last year got $45 million one-time, so I think that’s what would likely happen again this year. Every year, we’re going to have to fight for at least the $45 million until hopefully we’re in a position that we can advocate for the full amount. Something is better than nothing.  Arizona’s voter-created state agency First Things First helps fund early childhood education, but its revenue has decreased by more than $60 million since the program was created. Can you talk to me about what’s happening here? First Things First is fascinating, and a lot of my early childhood advocacy colleagues are jealous of us for having this. They’re very envious of voters who clearly supported kids not starting from behind. If you are a policymaker who is interested in the actual long-term health of our state, you have to look at the younger generations and what kind of pipeline we’re building for a strong workforce and a strong economy. What really disgusts me is when people try to tie the immigration issue into early childhood funding because, as I see it, a kid is a kid. Most young children entering the K-12 space are here legally. The hiccup is that the way that initiative for First Things First was worded included tobacco products sales that went into early childhood education. Technology has changed and we have vaping products that aren’t necessarily using tobacco in the nicotine delivery system. They use the vape product now and with the legalization of marijuana, there’s a whole other product that people are substituting, so we have very much supported the vape tax bill.  What are some other issues you’ve been looking at this session?  We supported the child tax credit bills, and we were very invested in the high school state level grant program that’s at risk of being cut this year. It’s called the Ninth Grade on Track grant and it’s been funded for the last three years by the Arizona Department of Education that grants high schools up to $150 per ninth grader. It invests in research-based methods of ensuring they finish their first year of high school with a quarter of their credit requirements complete while also failing no more than one course. It’s hard for students to transition from rather small environments of a middle school to larger environments in a high school and we lose a lot of ninth graders in that process. Finishing a quarter of their credits in their ninth grade year is the highest predictor of whether or not a student will graduate on time. It’s stronger than socioeconomic status, income level and other factors we typically associate with academic success.  What are the biggest challenges to Arizona’s education system? Funding, either due to low enrollment or some people have concerns about the dip in the birth rate. Young people just aren’t starting families or growing their family in a way they had intended. When you have cuts to student enrollment, that’s not losing enough kids to not have a teacher. It’s losing the kids that pay for that teacher’s salary, so it creates a structural imbalance in schools. The politics of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts has created a bigger problem, which is unfortunate because even ESA advocates nationally don’t like the way Arizona did it. They don’t use us as a model because there’s no accountability in that system. Covid did a number on a lot of kids, but a lot of things related to that were already in play before. People blame Covid for kids being babysat by technology because of online schooling that made their attention span crappy, but the research shows that the beginning of the mental health crisis with teens started in the early 2010s.The rise of young people owning cell phones and the increase in social media use is so clearly correlated to increases in self-harm and a lack of self worth among youth and teens. That’s become a top priority for us in figuring out how to address that, whether it’s through state policy or local efforts and programming to get a shared definition of age-appropriate technology use so no one entity is the bad guy. Anything else? I just hope we can get back to a place where we don’t have to agree 100% on everything, but we can at least work together on doing the right thing. That’s what I would like to see at the Capitol.  The post Rebecca Gau: Taking the right next step for Arizona’s children first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0747f2a200899a00ebafcb Nicki Minaj blasts Gavin Newsom's silence, Jay-Z's alleged sabotage in scorched-earth break from Democrats te 2026-05-15T16:21:06.422Z Nicki Minaj blasts Gavin Newsom's silence, Jay-Z's alleged sabotage in scorched-earth break from Democrats Nicki Minaj says she’s done hiding her MAGA support — and she’s blaming California Gov. Gavin Newsom and rap titan Jay-Z for pushing her straight into President Donald Trump’s corner. The "Anaconda" rapper revealed in an interview with Time that feeling ignored by Democratic power players while receiving support from Republicans played a major role in her political transformation. Minaj, 43, said one of the biggest turning points came after her California home was repeatedly "swatted" by online trolls. According to the rapper, her attempts to seek help from Newsom’s office went nowhere. "He just completely ignored me, with all the money I spent in taxes," Minaj said. NICKI MINAJ ACCUSES CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM OF 'TRYING TO BE TRUMP' IN SCATHING INTERVIEW The Grammy-nominated artist explained that her outlook began to change after Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida stepped in to assist her in 2025. "I was shocked," Minaj said of the help she received from Luna. "I'd never seen anyone in politics treat me that way." Luna reportedly connected Minaj with federal law enforcement officials and a private security firm following the incidents. Minaj said the support she received from Republicans ultimately convinced her to stop hiding her politics and go public with her admiration for President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "That’s what made me say that I don’t care to keep this a secret anymore," she said. For years, the rap superstar admitted she kept her pro-Trump views behind closed doors, fearing backlash from fans and powerful figures in the entertainment industry. "I felt that way already about him, just that I didn’t dare act like that publicly," Minaj explained. "It’s been ingrained in everyone’s brain in the music business that we are supposed to be a Democratic family. I just knew they would not like me supporting Trump." Minaj also reignited her yearslong feud with Jay-Z, accusing the hip-hop mogul and his company, Roc Nation, of exerting influence behind the scenes and attempting to derail her career. She suggested Jay-Z’s deep ties to Democratic circles — particularly his relationship with former President Barack Obama — further soured her on the party establishment. "I think Jay-Z ended up costing Obama a lot, whether he knows it or not," she said. "Lots of rappers don’t like Jay-Z and were afraid to say it." The "Super Bass" rapper also took aim at Obama’s 2024 campaign trail remarks urging Black men to rally behind then-Vice President Kamala Harris, saying many voters felt talked down to rather than understood. "I just saw so many videos of Black men saying that they didn’t like the way they felt about that speech that Obama gave," Minaj said. "They felt like they weren’t being listened to." Fox News Digital has reached out to Minaj, Newsom and Jay-Z for comment. As Minaj’s political transformation became more public, Trump embraced the rapper as one of his most outspoken celebrity supporters. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER While attending the February premiere of "Melania," the president praised Minaj during an interview with Fox News Digital. "Nicki Minaj is fantastic. She’s a terrific person," Trump said. "She was so nice, and she understands, you know, what we’re doing with the Trump accounts. We’re helping children grow up where they’re 18 years old. They’re going to have a lot of money. They’re gonna be rich. And she got it. She’s been a supporter from the beginning. And I think Nicki Minaj is a winner. Fantastic." The pair previously appeared together at the U.S. Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit, where Minaj enthusiastically declared herself Trump’s "number one fan." "Well, I don’t know what to say, but I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan," she told attendees. "And that’s not going to change. And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more." Minaj first publicly aligned herself with Trump in November 2025 after the president spoke out about violence targeting Christians in Nigeria on Truth Social. After Trump vowed the United States was prepared to protect persecuted Christians in the region, Minaj publicly thanked him, writing: "Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0747dca200899a00ebafa9 Deported Despite DACA: Dreamers Face Uncertainty Under Trump te 2026-05-15T16:20:44.626Z Deported Despite DACA: Dreamers Face Uncertainty Under Trump The administration has said DACA isn’t a right to stay in the United States “indefinitely.” One man with DACA was detained and deported to Mexico in a matter of days. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0747c9a200899a00ebafa0 What to Know About DACA Recipients Amid Trump Deportation Push te 2026-05-15T16:20:25.055Z What to Know About DACA Recipients Amid Trump Deportation Push The Trump administration has said the program no longer shields immigrants from deportation, and renewal delays are costing DACA recipients their jobs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0745c1a200899a00ebaf31 Viral businessman who bragged about wealth slapped with federal charges in endangered species harassment case te 2026-05-15T16:11:45.890Z Viral businessman who bragged about wealth slapped with federal charges in endangered species harassment case A businessman caught on a viral video saying he was "rich enough" to avoid the consequences of allegedly attacking a beloved endangered seal species in Hawaii might have to prove it after he was slapped with two federal charges stemming from the incident. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is suspected of tossing a rock at the head of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals on earth — on May 5 in an incident that was caught on camera by locals. Business records show that Lytvynchuk, who boasted about his wealth when confronted about his actions by angry passersby, owns a logistics and trucking company based in Kent, Washington. OREGON SEAL PUP STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES AS NOAA SEEKING TO TRACK DOWN PERSON OF INTEREST "What are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it? Hello?" a woman can be heard shouting in the video as the man, wearing a white shirt and swim trunks, lobbed a rock at the seal's head on a Maui shoreline. The Hawaiian monk seal in the video is called "Lani" by loving locals, according to a Department of Justice release announcing the charges. There are only about 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals in the wild. Lytvynchuk has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass the endangered animal in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the DOJ. He was arrested near Seattle on Wednesday. He could face up to a year in prison for both the harassment and attempted harassment charges, along with a $50,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. ‘ODD-LOOKING’ DEEP SEA FISH WASHES UP ON BEACH, SURPRISING LOCALS  "The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up out of the water," the release says. "According to witnesses, Lani remained largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident, which caused much concern over her welfare." Upon being confronted by the witnesses, Lytvynchuk dismissed their concerns, noting that he was "rich enough to pay the fines" should he get in trouble. "The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani," said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. "We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court."   The video set off a social media firestorm, and users quickly identified the suspect, leading to calls for his arrest. After his arrest, users celebrated. "Karma doesn’t care how rich you are," said on X user. "Let’s hope justice is served in court and this scumbag receives a significant custodial sentence," said another. It was not immediately clear if Lytvynchuk had an attorney. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0745aea200899a00ebaf28 California girls track star opens up on viral podium protest of trans opponent and if she'll do it again te 2026-05-15T16:11:26.174Z California girls track star opens up on viral podium protest of trans opponent and if she'll do it again Crean Lutheran High School girls' track and field star Reese Hogan went viral one year ago after stepping up from second place to the top spot on a medal podium to protest a trans athlete who beat her in the triple jump. Now, she is set to face off against that same trans athlete in the very same round of the postseason this weekend. Hogan came in second to that athlete last Saturday in the sectional preliminary round. Will Hogan make another demonstration if she ends up on the podium with the trans athlete again this weekend? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "If the opportunity presents itself, we'll see, yeah," Hogan told Fox News Digital if she would do something similar this weekend on the podium. Hogan will face Jurupa Valley High School's AB Hernandez in long jump, high jump and triple jump, just as she has in each of her last three track and field postseasons. Her viral podium stunt last year came just days after an interview with Fox News Digital. The interview with her and other girls in the state tournament ultimately prompted a response from the U.S. Department of Education that preceded a public feud between President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom. And Hogan says that when the time came to do the podium protest, she thought of the whole thing on the spot. "It wasn't planned. It was kind of just something that I did in the moment, that felt right," Hogan said. "I was standing on the second-place podium and I just felt called to the first-place podium. I didn't want to disrespect anyone, so I made sure that the athlete stepped off the podium first before I stepped on." As soon as she stepped up to the first-place spot, a nearby crowd roared in applause for Hogan. "I felt validated in how I felt. I felt people saw me. I felt there was more support than I thought there would be, and more people who were backing our side of protecting girls' sports," Hogan said. CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK AND FIELD STARS SPEAK OUT AS GAVIN NEWSOM'S TITLE IX CRISIS GROWS The stunt was caught on camera and posted to social media, catching the attention of countless "Save Women's Sports" activists, including Riley Gaines. The stunt became the latest flashpoint in the culture war over girls' sports, garnering millions of views across the internet. Hogan wasn't expecting that kind of attention, she just did it for herself and some of the people in the crowd. "I got sent a couple of the X posts and the ones on Instagram, and it only had a few likes when I first saw it, and then I checked back up on it, and it started getting more and more likes," Hogan said. "Now that I took a stand in this people do recognize who I am a little bit more, and they're like 'Oh, you're the girl who stepped up on the first-place podium.'" But as there is for all girls and women who go viral for standing up in the movement, a healthy amount of pro-trans critics came after Hogan after the stunt. "Yeah," Hogan said when asked if she got mean comments. "When you do stuff like that, you have to expect that there's going to be people who don't agree with you. But I mean that's how life works. The mean comments are mean comments, I don't let it affect me." Hogan and her Crean Lutheran teammate Olivia Viola have taken center stage in the Save Girls Sports movement for this season's California track and field tournament. They spoke at a rally during the first round last weekend before competing against Hernandez, and did a live TV interview on Fox News at Night on Tuesday. It is their last chance to win a sectional and state title in their high school careers, and with males still allowed to compete in girls' sports in California, a trans competitor still stands in their way of that goal. The situation has been so difficult for Hogan and her family the last three years, that she turned down every college offer she received from a school at home in California, and is going all the way to Texas for college at Texas Christian University. 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/6a074597a200899a00ebaefa Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late. te 2026-05-15T16:11:03.230Z Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late. Having deferred to the president for months, G.O.P. lawmakers missed crucial milestones to try to limit his war powers. That has tied their hands in seeking parameters and exit criteria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a074582a200899a00ebaedf OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts te 2026-05-15T16:10:42.294Z OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts OpenAI is launching personal finance tools for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the U.S. first Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07456da200899a00ebaed3 Tucson refuerza alianzas frente al cambio climático te 2026-05-15T16:10:21.926Z Tucson refuerza alianzas frente al cambio climático Leer en inglés Los funcionarios de Tucson afirmaron el pasado 2 de abril que las alianzas público-privadas nunca han sido tan importantes. La ciudad invirtió más de $160 millones en proyectos relacionados con el clima en 2025 y obtuvo cerca de $94 millones en subvenciones, incluso mientras la financiación federal continúa reduciéndose bajo la administración Trump. "Ya sea ampliando la infraestructura verde, apoyando los esfuerzos para mitigar el calor, promoviendo la conservación del agua o involucrando a los residentes de manera significativa, estas alianzas han sido fundamentales en cada paso del camino,” declaró la alcaldesa de Tucson, Regina Romero, durante una asamblea pública celebrada el 2 de abril. Establecido en 2023, el plan Tucson Resilient Together traza estrategias para alcanzar las emisiones netas cero para el año 2030, identificar a las comunidades más vulnerables ante los impactos del cambio climático y proporcionar estrategias a largo plazo para la adaptación al mismo. Sin embargo, la ciudad ha tomado medidas adicionales más allá de lo estipulado en el plan, entre las que se incluyen promover moratorias en el corte de servicios públicos durante el verano, en colaboración con Tucson Electric Power y Tucson Water  y bloquear el desarrollo de nuevos centros de datos, los cuales pueden agravar el efecto de isla de calor en los vecindarios circundantes. "El cambio climático no es un juego. La sostenibilidad no es opcional para Tucson; es esencial para nuestra salud, para nuestro desarrollo económico y para las futuras oportunidades de desarrollo económico que tenemos como ciudad,” afirmó Romero. Entre las estrategias destacadas se encuentran la ampliación de la cobertura de sombra de la ciudad a través de la iniciativa Tucson Million Trees, la identificación de las áreas que requieren alivio térmico mediante la Heat Action Roadmap y el establecimiento de estrategias para la conservación del agua. A nivel del condado, Sarah Davis, asesora principal de la Oficina del Administrador del Condado de Pima, señaló que los residentes han manifestado inquietudes respecto a la calidad del aire, la reducción de emisiones, la sequía y la infraestructura verde; preocupaciones que, a su vez, han impulsado los esfuerzos de colaboración con las jurisdicciones vecinas. En 2023, indicó Davis, la ciudad y el condado se unieron a Oro Valley, South Tucson y la Nación Tohono O'odham para conformar una coalición climática regional financiada por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental dicha coalición elaboró ​​un plan integral de acción climática que establece objetivos compartidos de reducción de emisiones para los próximos cinco años. Sarah Davis, asesora senior de la Oficina del Administrador del Condado de Pima; Fatima Luna, directora de resiliencia de la Ciudad de Tucson; y Xochitl Coronado Vargas, coordinadora de divulgación pública del Programa Storm-To-Shade. Topacio “Topaz” Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. A nivel local, la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Pima, junto con a la alcaldesa y el Concejo de Tucson, establecieron el objetivo de reducir las emisiones en un 60% con respecto a los niveles de 2021, utilizando datos de mapas de calor para implementar medidas de protección contra el calor para la fuerza laboral y coordinar esfuerzos con organizaciones asociadas. Fatima Luna, directora de resiliencia de la ciudad y principal supervisora ​​del plan, señaló que el 85% de las iniciativas contempladas ya están en marcha. "Solo en 2025, los departamentos municipales invirtieron más de $160 millones en proyectos relacionados con el clima, y ​​lograron asegurar cerca de $94 millones en subvenciones para dichos proyectos,” afirmó Luna. Uno de los objetivos, alcanzar los 30 megavatios de energía solar distribuidos en las 74 instalaciones de la ciudad, está próximo a cumplirse, indicó Luna. "La alcaldesa y el Concejo invirtieron $900,000 en el programa de empoderamiento solar. Esto contribuye significativamente a llevar la energía solar directamente a los hogares de bajos ingresos, en colaboración con SARI y también con Technicians for Sustainability,” explicó Luna. "Asimismo, estamos trabajando con Tucson Electric Power y el Laboratorio Nacional del Noroeste del Pacífico para diseñar e instalar un sistema de almacenamiento de energía mediante baterías en el Centro Donna Liggins; una vez cargado por completo, este sistema podría abastecer al centro durante un máximo de tres días, garantizando que este espacio comunitario de confianza pueda ofrecer a los residentes un refugio inmediato durante los cortes de suministro eléctrico, complementado con programas de preparación para emergencias.” Un acuerdo reciente con TEP destinará anualmente $2 millones, provenientes de los fondos de los accionistas, a proyectos de energía limpia, desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y educación climática para los jóvenes. El progreso hacia el objetivo de neutralidad de carbono que la ciudad se ha fijado para el año 2030 ya resulta mensurable. "(Hemos) reducido cerca del 44 % de nuestras emisiones, las cuales ahora son cubiertas mediante energía renovable,” señaló Luna. "También estamos llevando a cabo la transición de la flota (de autobuses) hacia una flota de cero emisiones. Actualmente contamos con 10 autobuses municipales (ecológicos) en circulación y otros 10 en camino." Flor Sandoval, del Instituto de Investigación Ambiental de Sonora, y Kevin Cook, de Technicians for Sustainability, se han asociado para proporcionar a familias de bajos ingresos de Tucson infraestructura de captación de agua y sistemas solares en los tejados para compensar los costos de electricidad. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. Aun así, las autoridades afirman que la financiación sigue siendo uno de los mayores obstáculos para los esfuerzos de resiliencia climática de la ciudad. "Desde que ganó Trump, sabíamos que se desmantelaría gran parte de la financiación que había creado la administración Biden-Harris; una financiación a la que la ciudad de Tucson tuvo la gran fortuna de poder postularse, logrando con mucho éxito atraer fondos hacia Tucson,” comentó Romero. Aunque la administración ha eliminado los créditos fiscales y los incentivos para vehículos eléctricos, Tucson ha logrado conservar cierta financiación federal para apoyar los esfuerzos de silvicultura urbana a través del Servicio Forestal de los EE. UU. Xochitl Coronado Vargas, coordinadora de divulgación pública del programa Storm-To-Shade, señaló que Tucson Water y la ciudad están colaborando para ampliar la cubierta arbórea urbana, reduciendo al mismo tiempo el consumo de agua municipal. "Cuando llueve, el agua pluvial escurre sobre cualquier superficie dura aquí en Tucson, ya sea un techo o una carretera,” explicó Vargas. "La infraestructura verde para la gestión del agua pluvial permite que esta se infiltre en el paisaje, posibilitando así su uso como método de riego para las nuevas plantaciones de especies nativas, en lugar de seguir dependiendo del suministro de agua municipal para regar estos espacios.” Los usuarios del servicio de Tucson Water pagan aproximadamente un dólar al mes para financiar la infraestructura verde de gestión del agua pluvial en parques, propiedades públicas y viviendas sociales; el programa prioriza aquellos vecindarios con puntuaciones más bajas en equidad arbórea, así como las zonas que presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad socioeconómica, una menor cubierta arbórea y temperaturas superficiales más elevadas. Todos los espacios creados por el programa Storm-To-Shade, así como la infraestructura verde de gestión del agua pluvial existente con anterioridad al programa, reciben mantenimiento de forma perpetua. Al ampliar la cubierta arbórea y otros espacios verdes destinados a la recolección de agua, el programa mejora la calidad del aire, previene inundaciones y favorece a la fauna nativa. Actualmente, hay veinte proyectos ya finalizados y otros veinte en fase de construcción. "Hay uno situado en el parque Rudy Garcia, concretamente en el estacionamiento. También hay un proyecto a punto de iniciar sus obras en el Centro Vecinal El Pueblo se trata de un maravilloso proyecto de embellecimiento que recoge el agua pluvial de los techos de esos edificios, la infiltra en el suelo y añade una gran cantidad de nueva vegetación nativa,” detalló Vargas. Storm-To-Shade es uno de los varios programas que combinan la gestión del agua con la infraestructura verde en las comunidades de menores ingresos de Tucson. Flor Sandoval, del Instituto de Investigación Ambiental de Sonora, se ha asociado con Kevin Cook, de la empresa local de instalación de sistemas solares  para proporcionar a las familias de bajos recursos infraestructura de recolección de agua y energía solar, con el fin de ayudarles a compensar sus costos de electricidad. “Nuestro programa de conservación del agua promueve tanto la recolección de agua de lluvia como la reutilización de aguas grises, ayudando a las familias a captar, reciclar y aprovechar al máximo cada gota de agua pluvial en nuestro entorno desértico,” afirmó Sandoval. “Si bien es posible que estos sistemas no siempre reduzcan las facturas de agua de manera inmediata, resultan fundamentales para la conservación a largo plazo, al reducir el consumo de agua en exteriores y aumentar la resiliencia ante la sequía.” Luis Pesqueria, Iliana Islas, Thelma Magallanes y Ethan Van Alter (de izquierda a derecha) marcan casas en un mapa durante un evento de puerta en puerta de la Cruz Roja y la Ciudad de Tucson en 2025. Arilynn Hyatt / El Foco de Tucson.  Cook señaló que Technicians for Sustainability lanzó el Programa de Empoderamiento Solar en 2022, ofreciendo subvenciones que cubren hasta el 60% de los costos de instalación de paneles solares en los techos, con el fin de hacer que la energía solar sea más accesible para las familias de bajos ingresos. TFS ya ha instalado 15 sistemas de energía solar en viviendas de bajos recursos este año. Aun así, ambas organizaciones enfrentan desafíos: el deterioro de las condiciones de los techos, las brechas financieras, incluso contando con subvenciones parciales, y la necesidad de garantizar la seguridad de los técnicos ante el calor extremo. Dado que el crédito fiscal federal del 30% para instalaciones solares residenciales ha dejado de estar vigente, comentó Cook, algunos residentes se ven empujados hacia acuerdos de arrendamiento abusivos. "Hemos estado trabajando con cerca de 80 instaladores de sistemas solares en todo el país para crear nuestro propio producto de arrendamiento, el cual estamos lanzando ahora aquí en Tucson y que sitúa al propietario de la vivienda como la parte principal del acuerdo,” explicó Cook. "El año pasado, en 2025, el 26% de la energía consumida en esta comunidad provino de fuentes renovables, eólica y solar, ya ​​fueran propiedad de la compañía eléctrica o propiedad de miembros de la comunidad (quienes también se encargaron de su operación).” Uno de los temas centrales del plan de acción climática de la ciudad es la comunicación directa con la comunidad sobre los impactos del cambio climático. Monique Vallery, directora ejecutiva interina de la Cruz Roja Americana, ha estado recorriendo los vecindarios y conversando con los residentes sobre la manera en que el calor los está afectando. "El año pasado, tuvimos la oportunidad de interactuar cara a cara con cerca de 1.000 hogares de la comunidad,” comentó Vallery. Estos recorridos de concienciación sobre el calor, una iniciativa en colaboración con el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Pima, se dirigen específicamente a las comunidades que registran el mayor número de llamadas al 911 relacionadas con el calor, incluyendo parques de casas móviles y comunidades de viviendas para personas mayores. Esta labor de divulgación refleja un esfuerzo más amplio por lograr que el calor extremo sea reconocido a nivel federal. La ciudad ha enviado cartas anualmente a la FEMA solicitando que el calor extremo sea clasificado como un desastre natural. "Hasta la fecha, en nuestros primeros cinco recorridos por estos códigos postales seleccionados, hemos llegado a casi 800 hogares,” afirmó Vallery. "Registramos más muertes relacionadas con el calor que las causadas por todos los demás desastres naturales combinados. Si vamos a movilizarnos, la mejor manera de hacerlo es conocer a nuestros vecinos, conocer a nuestros colaboradores y conocer los recursos disponibles.” Monique Vallery, directora ejecutiva interina de la Cruz Roja Americana, y Ojas Sanghi, representante de Amistades y colíder de la Coalición Juvenil por el Clima de Arizona. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. Ojas Sanghi, representante de Amistades y colíder de la Coalición Juvenil por el Clima de Arizona, habló sobre los esfuerzos para ayudar a desarrollar soluciones climáticas a largo plazo. Amistades es una organización sin fines de lucro dirigida por latinos que promueve la justicia social, la equidad y el empoderamiento comunitario en el sur de Arizona. Sanghi comentó que se sintió inspirado a dedicarse al trabajo climático tras haber crecido en la India y regresar a Tucson para cursar la escuela secundaria, etapa en la que observó de primera mano las disparidades y los impactos del cambio climático. "Realmente no recordaba cómo era la vida en los EE. UU., y luego regresé a Tucson para la secundaria y pensé: '¡Oh, Dios mío, puedo respirar, puedo ver las estrellas; es una locura!,” relató. Sanghi habló sobre el programa Justicia Juntos de Amistades, el cual emplea estrategias de divulgación con arraigo cultural para educar a la comunidad latina sobre el efecto de isla de calor urbana, las respuestas ante el calor extremo y el acceso a recursos para mantenerse a salvo. "Eso implica la creación de dos centros de resiliencia climática en dichas comunidades, una Coalición Juvenil por el Clima compuesta por 15 miembros, una iniciativa novedosa destinada a implementar medidas de resiliencia climática, y 10 defensores climáticos latinos capacitados que participan activamente en acciones a nivel regional,” explicó Sanghi. Raíces Vivas, es un programa que transforma espacios subutilizados dentro de las escuelas en áreas verdes dedicadas a la silvicultura urbana y al aprendizaje ambiental, con el objetivo de restaurar la cubierta arbórea nativa y los huertos escolares, al tiempo que involucra a estudiantes y familias. "Una escuela en particular con la que estamos trabajando actualmente es la Escuela Secundaria Apollo,” señaló Sanghi. "Este proyecto se apoya, por naturaleza, en gran medida en la conexión intergeneracional. Los miembros de la AZYCC se encargarán de dirigir actividades e impartir clases. Creemos que resulta más sencillo para los estudiantes conectar con sus pares, jóvenes que apenas les llevan unos años de ventaja, y aprender de ellos.” Topacio “Topaz” Servellon es periodiste en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarle en topacioserve@gmail.com. Esta nota fue traducida por los pasantes de la preparatoria San Miguel y editada por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org. El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a074110a200899a00ebae07 Longtime Democratic Rep Steve Cohen announces end to re-election bid te 2026-05-15T15:51:44.732Z Longtime Democratic Rep Steve Cohen announces end to re-election bid Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee announced on Friday that he signed a document requesting not to be included on the ballot in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. The congressman described the district determined by "new lines" as "nothing like the 9th district that I've represented." The Democratic primary in the district is scheduled to take place in August. Cohen's ending his re-election bid after 19 years in Congress. This is a breaking news story and will be updated Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0740fda200899a00ebadfe Tiger Woods spotted getting off private plane after weeks of treatment in Switzerland following DUI arrest te 2026-05-15T15:51:25.264Z Tiger Woods spotted getting off private plane after weeks of treatment in Switzerland following DUI arrest It appears that Tiger Woods' treatment overseas is over. The 15-time major champion was spotted getting off his private plane Wednesday afternoon at Palm Beach International Airport after staying in Switzerland for several weeks. Woods, with facial hair, donned a black long sleeve and hat with sunglasses, gray shorts and black shoes, while still wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg. He was also joined by a dog on the flight. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Woods was arrested and charged with driving under the influence on March 27 after getting into a car crash. Authorities said Woods appeared lethargic and found hydrocodone pills on him, although he did blow "triple-zeroes" on a Breathalyzer. Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country "to enter into comprehensive inpatient treatment." "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery," Woods said in a statement. "I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time." Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge but announced several days after the wreck he would "seek treatment." At the scene of the crash, he said he was "hoping to" play in the Masters, but his treatment put his eventual return to the course on hold. JACK NICKLAUS AND GARY PLAYER RALLY BEHIND TIGER WOODS AS HE SEEKS TREATMENT AFTER DUI ARREST Woods has been on the course since the 2024 Open Championship — this weekend's PGA Championship marks his sixth consecutive missed major. The arrest was Woods' second in under a decade, having also been handcuffed after being found asleep behind the wheel in Florida in the early hours of the day. Woods previously told law enforcement prior to the field sobriety tests that he underwent seven back surgeries and "over 20 operations on his leg." He told law enforcement that "I take a few" prescription medications. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year. A judge recently ruled that Florida prosecutors can acquire Woods' prescription drug records from Jan. 1 through March 27. 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/6a0740e9a200899a00ebadf5 Progressive challenger complicates Democrat path in House fight to unseat GOP incumbent Rep Mike Flood te 2026-05-15T15:51:05.567Z Progressive challenger complicates Democrat path in House fight to unseat GOP incumbent Rep Mike Flood Progressive journalist Austin Ahlman announced he is running for Congress in Nebraska's first congressional district as a nonpartisan independent on Thursday, challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer. Ahlman, a journalist for the progressive left-wing outlet The Intercept, entered the fray Thursday, two days after his opponents advanced in their respective primaries. Flood has held his seat since winning a special election in 2022. Democratic challenger Backemeyer is a former State Department employee who worked in President Barack Obama's administration and also served as a Special Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris on national security and policy issues. Ahlman criticized Backemeyer as a "creature of the establishment in D.C." and said he didn't see much of a difference between the Democrat and Flood. FROM NEBRASKA TO WEST VIRGINIA TO NEW JERSEY: PRIMARY CLASHES SET STAGE FOR FIERCE MIDTERM FIGHT "I have taken on the corporations that are actually hollowing out our state. I have uncovered the corruption among the politicians that are crushing us and selling us out. And I don't think that either one of the two can say that," Ahlman told the Lincoln Journal Star. "I think that they have just been a part of the system. They are the establishment, and I am not that. I'm actually from the working class," he said. After winning his 2022 special election by a five-point margin, Flood won both of his general elections by a comfortable margin. He won by 15 points in the 2022 general election and by more than 20 point in 2024. Nebraska's first district is also a solid Republican stronghold, according to the Cook Political Report. Cook posits it would take both an "anemic" Republican turnout and a strong Democrat one to turn the tables for Democrats in Nebraska's first district. The prospect is now made more complicated with Ahlman, as some of Nebraska's political leader point out to local press that the progressive candidate could split the vote. KEY HOUSE PROJECTION SPELLS TROUBLE FOR TWO REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS "Mike Flood has failed this district, and splitting the vote with a fringe third candidate won’t fix that," Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said in a Thursday statement provided to the Nebraska Examiner. "Nebraska doesn’t need noise from either extreme. We need a steady, experienced leader who will fight for fairness and protect our democracy. That’s Chris Backemeyer." Backemeyer’s campaign told the Examiner, "After winning almost every county by a large margin in the primary, Chris is focused on defeating congressman Flood in order to stop Trump’s tariffs, devastating healthcare cuts and illegal war that are hurting Nebraskans." Meanwhile, Flood's team pointed to the independent challenge as a weakness in the Democratic Party, claiming Ahlman is "trying to sabotage the campaign of a Kamala Harris adviser because the Democratic Party is in shambles." "While Backemeyer and Ahlman fight over which D.C. transplant finishes second, Congressman Flood will keep getting things done for Nebraskans," Flood spokesperson Daniel Bass told the Examiner. Fox News Digital contacted the Ahlman, Backemeyer and Flood campaigns for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0740d1a200899a00ebadb4 US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip te 2026-05-15T15:50:41.766Z US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip People who travelled to Beijing for a summit between the United States and China had to throw away items they received during the trip before boarding Air Force One, presumably for security reasons. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0740bea200899a00ebadab Power prices are up 76% on America’s biggest grid, and a watchdog is pointing fingers te 2026-05-15T15:50:22.142Z Power prices are up 76% on America’s biggest grid, and a watchdog is pointing fingers Prices have nearly doubled in the largest U.S. grid thanks to surging demand from data centers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073e6ca200899a00ebad84 Contentious GOP primary reveals Republicans’ latest party lines te 2026-05-15T15:40:28.780Z Contentious GOP primary reveals Republicans’ latest party lines Key Points: Republicans face divisive primaries amid shifting political dynamics, voter makeup Turning Point influence tested against independent voters’ growing electoral hold Conservative incumbents battle fellow Republicans across multiple statewide races Thirteen Republicans are vying for statewide office this year, but before they can take on their Democratic opponents, they’ll have to navigate increasingly contentious and fragmented primary challenges.  There isn’t a single Republican running unopposed in a statewide primary this year, while most of the Democrats hoping to keep or flip those same seats will not face any meaningful competition within their own party. Even Republican incumbents have not been spared; three officeholders with proven conservative chops are facing challenges from the right.  “That’s a Turning Point thing,” said Chuck Coughlin, a Republican-turned-independent consultant. “Are they going to be able to marshal Republican voters in opposition to fairly conservative candidates?” Hanging over it all is diminished public support for President Donald Trump, his policies and the Republican Party as a whole. Each candidate is walking a delicate tight rope between supporting the president enough to win over an engaged GOP primary voter and keeping enough distance so as to not alienate Arizona’s growing bloc of independent voters.  Some Republicans argue even Turning Point, the conservative youth organization founded in Arizona, might be losing its influence in the state after less than resounding results for TP-backed candidates in April’s Salt River Project Board elections.  “Turning Point puts their money behind people, and that machine rolls, but it turns off the independent voters,” said Lisa Everett, the former chair of Legislative District 29 Republicans. “Since they are the ones that decide the elections in Arizona, we need to figure out how to court them.” With the exception of the Republican primary for governor, GOP voters seem largely undecided about primary candidates in down-ballot statewide contests. Polling suggests that some of those candidates are unknown to the Republican electorate, even though most have held some form of elected office in Arizona.  Governor U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs speaking with attendees at the April 2026 “Build the Red Wall” rally at Dream City Church in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Congressman Andy Biggs is widely viewed as the frontrunner in the GOP gubernatorial primary. His closest rival — fellow Congressman David Schweikert — is still behind by double-digits according to most polls and by several hundreds of thousands of dollars in fundraising.  “I’m trying to unify the Republican Party right now to win this governor’s race,” Biggs told reporters when asked about Schweikert on May 5. “I don’t talk about my primary opponent, because the reality is, I’m staying focused on Governor (Katie) Hobbs, what she’s not doing and what she is doing, and I’m trying to bring that message out.” Schweikert has maintained since he entered the race in October 2025 that Biggs cannot defeat Hobbs in the general election.  U.S. Congressman David Schweikert speaking with attendees at the 2022 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Chase Field in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) “The left is so giddy (and) wanting him to be the nominee because you see the polling, he can’t come within 10, 11 points of Katie Hobbs,” Schweikert told KTAR on May 7. Everett endorsed Schweikert on social media for precisely that reason, though she knows her opinion is not widely shared among the conservative grassroots.  “I attend lots of meetings, LD meetings, club meetings, council board meetings, etc. and what I am seeing is Republicans are coming up to me, and they’re whispering, ‘I’m supporting David Schweikert,’” Everett said. “They’re afraid to say it out loud, because the other candidates that are supported by these larger organizations are taking up all the oxygen in the room.” One slight wrinkle in Schweikert’s election theory is that polling numbers actually show he’s doing worse than Biggs in the matchup against Hobbs. According to a February survey from local pollster Noble Predictive Insights, Biggs trailed Hobbs by five points among registered voters, while Schweikert trailed the governor by nine points.  Biggs, the only candidate in the race with a Trump endorsement after Karrin Taylor Robson dropped out in February, doesn’t see the president’s support as a deterrent for voters. “If I had an issue, I would just call (Trump) up and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on here?,’” Biggs told reporters on May 5. “… I think you need to have somebody in office as the governor here who can actually call up the president … I think those relationships are important, and I think they benefit the state.” Secretary of State State Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, speaking with attendees at a campaign rally for Andy Biggs for Governor at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Rep. Alex Kolodin, a state lawmaker and election attorney, was the first candidate to cut into the secretary of state’s race. But, he did so as rumors of a run by Gina Swoboda, chair of the Republican Party of Arizona and the Legislature’s election policy lead, started to swirl around the political sphere.  Swoboda initially launched a campaign for the 1st Congressional District, but, in early February, she filed her statement of interest for the Secretary of State’s Office and pivoted her run.  “I love the office so much, and I love the people in it, and I love the work,” Swoboda said. “And I’m sad by how politicized it’s become, and I’m sad at where I think it will go if this continues for another four years.” Kolodin, with the endorsement of Turning Point Action, is angling his campaign at some election nerves frayed among his base. Along the campaign trail, Kolodin has focused on alleged noncitizen voting, championed the SAVE Act and pledged to cooperate with the federal government in granting access to state voter rolls.   “When I’m elected the very first thing that we need to do is partner up with our friends in the federal government who have graciously offered to allow us to use their SAVE Act database to ensure that we don’t have noncitizens on our voter rolls,” Kolodin said in an interview with former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz.  Gina Swoboda speaking with attendees at the Restoring National Confidence Summit at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Swoboda, meanwhile, aims to capture the growing sect of Arizona’s independent voters through a focus on policy and operations.  “What I want to run on is transparency, accountability and competence. That’s all I want. And that’s what I think the voters want. I think that they are exhausted,” Swoboda said. “The last thing (people) need to worry about is what did the secretary of state do today? Why do people have to think about that?” She expressed some doubt that Kolodin could win over the third of the state’s voters who have no declared party affiliation. And Swoboda stressed the need to work well across the state with officials in every corner on election administration, a skill she claimed her opponent lacked.  Swoboda referenced the ongoing legal dispute between the Maricopa County Recorder and the Board of Supervisors as one example.  “It’s a disaster. I got into the race because I don’t want that to happen on a statewide level,” Swoboda said. “It will dissolve into dysfunction and infighting, and the voters will not have confidence in the process. Nobody needs that.” Attorney General Senate President Warren Petersen and Rodney Glassman framed campaigns for the Attorney General’s Office as a matter of legal experience. Rodney Glassman speaking with attendees at a campaign rally for Andy Biggs for Governor at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Glassman, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. JAG Corps Reserve, former Tucson City Councilmember and longtime candidate for office — with past runs for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Maricopa County assessor and the U.S. Senate, as a Democrat — claims he is the only candidate who has ever practiced law, taken on a client or prosecuted someone in court. “My primary opponent is a termed-out career politician, a part time Realtor, and received his law license less than 28 months ago,” Glassman said. “He’s never had a client. He’s never prosecuted a criminal, and he doesn’t even carry professional liability insurance, aka, he doesn’t practice law. He’s never practiced law.” Petersen was licensed to practice law in 2023, though he passed the bar in 2020. And he corrected Glassman, noting he is not yet termed out from the Senate.  State Senate President Warren Petersen speaking with attendees at a campaign rally for Andy Biggs for Governor at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Petersen claimed he is the most experienced person in the race, pointing to his part in a swell of litigation from the Legislature to defend public laws Attorney General Kris Mayes left by the wayside.  “We basically set up a mini Solicitor General’s Office here at the Senate,” Petersen said.  More significantly, Petersen pointed to Glassman’s past history of switching parties and continuing to pursue election as a downside.  “The people, they’re tired of him running for office. If you run twice and lose twice, normal people quit,” Petersen said. “If you run more than twice and you keep running, I think you’re achieving sociopath level.” Support and endorsement is currently split among both candidates. Glassman has courted support from Congressman Paul Gosar, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, and former Senate President Karen Fann.  Petersen meanwhile has shored up support withCongressman Biggs, a slate of Republican state lawmakers and Idaho and West Virginia’s attorneys general.  During Trump’s recent visit to the state, he declined to dole out any formal endorsement, but he did give Petersen a shoutout from the stage. And when Gosar voiced his support for Glassman, it drew a mixed reaction from the crowd.  Superintendent of Public Instruction The Arizona Freedom Caucus and Turning Point Action placed veteran incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne in its crosshairs early on, recruiting outgoing Treasurer Kimberly Yee to oust him from office.  Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne speaking with attendees at the 2024 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Chase Field in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) Horne is keeping his messaging on improving academics across education and is hoping voters will keep him around for another four years to finish what he set out to do at the start of his term.  He pointed to the department’s Project Momentum, which lifted 80% of schools in the bottom 5% for academic performance to a higher bar.  “That’s an eight-year job, not a four-year job,” Horne said. “I want to finish the job. If the voters were to switch horses after four years, somebody else would start all over again and it would never get done.”  Horne is continuing his crusade against critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion and “woke ideology” as well. And in that vein, he did not have much to say about his opponent, other than claiming she had served on a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the National Association of State Treasurers.  Yee denies serving on any DEI committee and went so far as to send a cease and desist letter.  State Treasurer Kimberly Yee speaking with attendees at the “Rally to Protect Our Elections” hosted by Turning Point Action at Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / The Star News Network) In her own campaign, Yee claims academic performance has not improved significantly under Horne.  “He’s had four years, and those numbers have not changed,” Yee said. “I see complete chaos in the Department of Education when it comes to management. I also see a real non-presence of this current superintendent with respect to his role as a statewide official.”  The two must also contend with the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, a live wire for Republicans staunch on supporting school choice, which has formed significant party lines surrounding the issue of ensuring there’s no misspending, fraud or abuse in the program.  Horne maintains the department is continuing to finetune its oversight of the program.  Meanwhile, Yee, in her role as state treasurer, recently put out a request for information to assess the field of financial vendors. She stopped short of wading into any policy questions for the program, though, claiming the specifics are better left to the Legislature.  “We have a superintendent of public instruction who has exceeded that authority and has gone beyond what an administrator is required to do by the law,” Yee said. “And if there ever is a question of administration or properties of educational definitions, those really need to be brought back to the Legislature.” Corporation Commission Corporation Commissioners Nick Myers and Kevin Thompson are not exactly known as moderate Republicans. But that did not stop the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the state’s Freedom Caucus from recruiting two state lawmakers to run against them in the Republican primary.  That challenge lost a bit of steam recently, with former Rep. David Marshall ending his bid for the commission to accept a new role as Navajo County recorder. Marshall’s exit leaves Rep. Ralph Heap, R-Mesa, to fend for himself against the two incumbents. State Rep. Ralph Heap, R-Mesa, speaking with attendees on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives on opening day of the 57th legislature in Phoenix. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr) “If you have two people on the commission that have similar ideas in terms of how to produce energy and what we need to do, that’s a stronger position,” Heap said. “So that does weaken the message I have and that’s frustrating.” Heap’s main message is that Myers and Thompson have not done enough to end “Green New Deal” policies at the state’s utility companies, nor have they done enough to support Trump’s coal-centric energy priorities.  “We need to immediately adopt the principles that are in the Trump energy agenda, which are continuing with reliable, affordable fossil fuels, and then move towards nuclear energy as fast as we possibly can.” Heap said. This combination photo features Arizona Corporation Commissioners Kevin Thompson (left) and Nick Myers. (Photos by Gage Skidmore) Myers and Thompson say they have done exactly what they set out to do, pointing to their votes to repeal the energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements past commissions imposed on utilities.  “We’ve delivered the promises that we campaigned on the first time, which was to eliminate the Green New Deal, eliminate mandates and subsidies,” Thompson said.  Myers noted that the pair is in favor of an “all of the above” approach to energy generation, though they believe natural gas is far more affordable and reliable than solar or wind. The two also said they have done everything in their power to cut the fat out of utility budgets in rate cases, though they know customers are still struggling with high bills. “We’ve been saving as much money as we possibly can and trying to keep those rate increases as low as we can, but we’re fighting an uphill battle when it comes to the weather and the things that we don’t have control over,” Myers said.  The duo said they are more focused on the general election than defeating Heap in the primary. “We’re just going to continue focusing on things that got us here, and talk about the great things the commission has done over the last three years and hope that the people of Arizona see that and decide they want to keep us in place,” Thompson said. Treasurer Katherine Haley, president of the State Board of Education, lodged her challenge against Elijah Norton, former treasurer for the AZGOP, late in the game, with an endorsement from sitting Treasurer Kimberly Yee in tow.  Norton has painted himself as the candidate with the most relevant experience. Besides guarding the AZGOP coffers, he founded and currently serves as president of Veritas Global Protection Services, an international vehicle insurance company.  “I don’t just have business experience. I also have experience investing money,” Norton said. “And that’s literally the treasurer’s job, the chief Banking and Investment Officer of Arizona.” He said Haley was a “nice person” but doubted her ability to manage the state’s $32 billion in assets.  “I always use the example of the Treasurer’s Office being like an airplane. Do you want someone flying a $32 billion airplane from Phoenix to Australia who’s never set foot in a cockpit before?” Norton said. “Or do you want a veteran person that has proven experience piloting that flight?” Haley is leaning on her background in public service to make her case to voters and pointed to her experience on the State Board of Education overseeing district budgets and the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.  “It’s about the mentality of service. It’s focused on Arizona taxpayers and what they need, rather than personal interest,” Haley said. “My opponent has a life career in sales, and I think that is just a different skillset than one that is focused on Arizona taxpayers.”  Norton noted, though, as the two have convened at legislative district meetings that straw polls have swung in his favor.  At the Legislative District 27 meeting on May 12, Norton said a straw poll yielded 68 votes for him and four votes for Haley.  “When people actually get into the weeds, and they listen to us talk about policy. There’s an obvious dichotomy, that she does not have the experience,” Norton said.  The post Contentious GOP primary reveals Republicans’ latest party lines first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073c25a200899a00ebace1 Early reviews for new 'Star Wars' movie are generally horrific, but does anyone even care at this point? te 2026-05-15T15:30:45.979Z Early reviews for new 'Star Wars' movie are generally horrific, but does anyone even care at this point? We're one week away from a new "Star Wars" movie hitting the theaters. That's right. For the first time in seven years, an actual Star Wars movie will be at your local AMC, should it still be open and operational. And here's the thing ... nobody cares. How sad is that? I grew up during a time when the world revolved around the next Star Wars installment. Folks would start lining up outside the theater days in advance. Taco Bell would spend six months running promos and handing out special Qui-Gon Jinn cups. It's all folks could talk about for weeks. And here we are in 2026 — a full seven years removed from the last Star Wars movie — and nobody cares. Worse yet, the folks who do care about the release of "The Mandalorian & Grogu" aren't painting a great picture ahead of next week's worldwide release. Let's just say the early reviews are in, and it seems Star Wars fans may want to skip this one. DISNEY'S FIRST 'STAR WARS' MOVIE IN SEVEN YEARS IS TRACKING TO BE YET ANOTHER MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT Yikes. It's just brutal. Now, to be fair, there were some positive reviews, and I'm going to get to them in a minute. But, the negatives far outweigh the positives, so we're gonna start with them. Look, this film has a lot of pressure on it, and a lot of it probably isn't fair. Disney has, for the most part, completely botched Star Wars. The sequel trilogy was an unmitigated disaster. Most of the miniseries outside of a few have bombed. Streaming numbers released by Nielsen last week showed fans are still watching the franchise, but only the originals and the prequels. Disney did hit a home run with "Andor," but that's about it. So, yes, this movie about the silly baby Yoda creature has a lot riding on it. If it hits, perhaps Disney will have some real momentum for the first time since taking over the franchise. If it bombs, they're going to further alienate the fanbase. Sadly, it looks — and feels — like a bomb. Again, there's just no juice for this movie. Even with the sequels, for as bad as they were, there was still juice. 'ANDOR' SHOWRUNNER DENIES HIT 'STAR WARS' SHOW IS A 'LEFT-WING' POLITICAL STORY Do fans really care about the "The Mandalorian & Grogu?" I just don't think they do. This is the first Star Wars movie in SEVEN years, and nobody is talking about it. That's a major problem for Disney. Execs should be sweating right now. Lord knows I would be. Now, as I said, there were some positive reviews from the early screenings. Fair is fair: See? It's not all bad! Who knows? Perhaps when the fans get to see it, they'll disagree with the reviewers. Frankly, that happens all the time. Film snobs are the worst. But here's the real issue ... I'm not sure it'll even matter, because I'm not sure the "fans" are even showing up for this one. And it's a shame. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073c12a200899a00ebacd8 Iowa Dem admits being ‘uncomfortable’ with whiteness as she seeks to flip competitive House seat te 2026-05-15T15:30:26.379Z Iowa Dem admits being ‘uncomfortable’ with whiteness as she seeks to flip competitive House seat FIRST ON FOX — A Democrat running for Congress in Iowa admitted to feeling "uncomfortable" by the whiteness of her hometown in Minnesota after returning from a stay in New Mexico years ago. Sarah Trone Garriott, 47, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country, is coming under fire for her comments as she seeks to unseat incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa. "Yeah, I remember the first time I came back to northern Minnesota to visit, and I was kind of shocked at how many white people there were," Trone Garriott recalled of the area of the U.S. where she grew up in a resurfaced podcast episode released nearly a decade ago. "The feeling was very different. I was like ‘whoa,’ and again I was uncomfortable in a different way," she added. IOWA DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS WROTE THAT 9/11 MADE HER MORE 'AWARE' OF 'ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY' About 78% of Iowa’s third congressional district that Trone Garriott wants to represent in Congress is white, according to a breakdown by DataUSA. Republicans argue the candidate's past and recent comments are out of step with the district’s demographics. "Every time Sarah Trone Garriott's handlers let her loose, the wicked witch of woke finds a new way to insult Iowans," Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said. "We haven't even reached the general election yet, and she has already managed to call nearly every person in the state racist, sexist, and bigoted," he added. Trone Garriott’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on previous remarks. Nunn's campaign also did not respond when reached about his competitor's comments.  According to the Cook Political Report, Iowa's 3rd congressional district is among the 16 "toss-up" races in the 2026 midterms, with a slight R+2 lean. IMMIGRANTS NEEDED FOR ‘REDISTRICTING PURPOSES,' HOUSE DEM ADMITS IN VIRAL CLIP: ‘QUIET PART OUT LOUD’ Nine years after Trone Garriott recorded the podcast interview, her comments highlight a wariness of homogeneity and underscore the candidate's belief that representation should be tied to demographics. In a separate interview with the University of Iowa in 2022, Trone Garriott hinted at support for demographic mandates and quotas for positions within the government, like those she learned about after meeting with legislators from Kosovo. "They actually have quotas, and I know that’s a dirty word for some people, but they have requirements of how many people from different ethnic backgrounds, religious minorities — and gender balance is part of their structure," Trone Garriott said of the Balkan nation. "And so, there’s kind of a preference for those folks that are underrepresented to be in government. Which I think is really important to bring those voices out," she added. IOWA POLL SHOWS DEMOCRATS IN POSITION TO FLIP 2 GOP HOUSE SEATS Trone Garriott was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After earning her undergraduate degree in Duluth, Minnesota, she went on to obtain a Master of Theological Studies from the Harvard Divinity School, and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She worked as a volunteer with the anti-poverty program under AmeriCorps VISTA in New Mexico — where she was apparently awoken to the 'whiteness' of her Minnesotan hometown. Trone Garriott began her career as an ordained minister for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), spending time in ministry in Pennsylvania, Chicago, Virginia and finally Iowa. From there, Trone Garriott embarked on a political career in the Iowa State Senate, where she has served since 2021. She announced a bid last year to unseat Rep. Nunn in the state’s third congressional district. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07379da200899a00ebabd3 Trump warns Taiwan not to expect blank check from US military after intense Xi summit te 2026-05-15T15:11:25.372Z Trump warns Taiwan not to expect blank check from US military after intense Xi summit President Donald Trump is putting Taiwan and China on notice, warning Taipei not to expect a blank check for American military backing if it triggers a war. In a sit-down interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier airing tonight on "Special Report" at 6 p.m. ET, Trump detailed his face-to-face negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and what they could mean for global security. "Should the people of Taiwan feel more or less secure after your meetings with President Xi?" Baier asked the president directly. "Neutral. This has been going on for years," Trump answered, noting that U.S. policy regarding Taiwan has not changed. "Nothing's changed. I will say this: I'm not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down." WOULD THE US DEFEND TAIWAN UNDER TRUMP IF CHINA INVADES? FOX NEWS INVESTIGATES Xi issued his own warnings about Taiwan, cautioning there could be future "clashes and even conflicts" with the U.S. over the island, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Trump declined to commit to whether he’d sign off on the long-delayed $14 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan. While lawmakers pre-approved the package last year, the White House has not moved it forward.  When pressed about the arms package, Trump kept his options open. "I may do it. I may not do it," he told Baier. "We’re not looking to have wars. If you kept it the way it is, I think China is [going to] be OK with that. But we're not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let's go independent because the United States is backing us.’" China has claimed Taiwan as its own territory and opposed U.S. involvement in its affairs, including through weapons sales. The U.S. does not formally recognize Beijing’s claim over Taiwan but has unofficially supported the island through defense assistance. TRUMP ADMIN ANNOUNCES $11B TAIWAN ARMS SALES DEAL Trump later gave an update on the conflict with Iran, denying that his administration underestimated the difficulty of the mission and saying the U.S. is currently choosing not to escalate further. "I didn't underestimate anything. We hit them unbelievably hard," Trump said. "Look, we left their bridges. We left their electricity capacity. We can knock that all out in two days. Two days." MORNING GLORY: WILL XI FREE LAI? "Vietnam lasted 19 years. Iraq was like 10 years. Korea was seven years. Another one was 14 years. Another one was 12 years. Another one was nine years. We're in there [Iran] for two and a half months," the president said. He also addressed the potential for political prisoner Jimmy Lai, along with two other detainees, to be released from China. Lai is a Hong Kong media mogul and Catholic imprisoned for criticizing the Chinese government. Trump confirmed he asked Xi to consider releasing Lai. "It's under consideration. I will say that I brought up Jimmy Lai, and I would say the response to that was not positive," Trump said, noting he was not optimistic. "He went through a whole thing and I said, ‘Well, we'd appreciate if you would release him. He's gotten old, and he's probably not feeling too well. It would be nice.’ And I did not feel optimistic. I have to be honest with you about that one. I did, I did feel optimistic about the second one that's now under consideration," Trump said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073789a200899a00ebabca Coast Guard releases new photos of sailboat seized in missing American's Bahamas disappearance case te 2026-05-15T15:11:05.677Z Coast Guard releases new photos of sailboat seized in missing American's Bahamas disappearance case The Coast Guard released new pictures of the agency's seizure of Brian Hooker's sailboat as a criminal investigation remains ongoing into the disappearance of his wife. Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) seized the sailboat Soulmate, which belongs to Brian and Lynette Hooker, 40 nautical miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida, according to a news release. A source previously told Fox News Digital the sailboat was seized between May 8-10. Lynette Hooker fell off a dinghy after leaving shore at Hope Town in the Bahamas at around around 7:30 p.m. on April 4, her husband, Brian Hooker, told authorities. Brian Hooker claimed that rough waters caused Lynette to fall off the small boat. Brian Hooker paddled to shore and arrived at Marsh Harbour around 4 a.m. on April 5, according to authorities. The couple was headed back to their sailboat, their full-time home in retirement, when Lynette fell overboard. They frequently sail around the U.S. and Caribbean, according to their social media pages. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Brian Hooker hasn't been charged with a crime. COAST GUARD OPENS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO MISSING WOMAN LAST SEEN IN BAHAMAS The Coast Guard said the seizure was part of a "complex surveillance and interdiction operation." Soulmate was taken to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce, where investigators are processing the boat for potential evidence. SEND US A TIP HERE "The vessel Soulmate is currently in the custody of CGIS as part of an active criminal investigation," the Coast Guard said. Images taken by Fox News Digital on Tuesday show Brian and Lynette Hooker's sailboat taped off as it sits at the U.S. Coast Guard's station in Fort Pierce. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The boat's seizure comes about a week after the Coast Guard sought the public's help in finding the owner of a sailboat that was moored near Brian and Lynette Hooker's Soulmate sailboat in the Bahamas. Brian Hooker left the island for the U.S. to tend to his ill mother, his Bahamian attorney previously said. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB His Michigan-based attorney previously asked Americans to give him the benefit of the doubt in an interview with ABC News. "I would ask those watching to treat him the way you would want to be treated, to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to consider that not all of us, nor you, considering your own relationships, the way you speak to one another, we all handle things in different ways," Crystal Marie Hauser said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073776a200899a00ebabc1 Fox News Digital trounces broadcast news brands, along with CNN, MS NOW, NY Times, in key metrics during April te 2026-05-15T15:10:46.221Z Fox News Digital trounces broadcast news brands, along with CNN, MS NOW, NY Times, in key metrics during April Fox News Digital finished April as the No. 1 news organization in multiplatform minutes, views and total unique visitors as the brand continues to dominate the media landscape.  April saw the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner get interrupted by gunfire, forcing the Secret Service to quickly evacuate President Donald Trump, a return to the moon via NASA’s Artemis II, escalating global tensions, the ongoing war with Iran and constant news surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.  Along the way, Fox News Digital drove 3.6 billion multiplatform minutes, finishing ahead of runner-up The New York Times by over two billion minutes. It marked the 62nd consecutive month at No. 1 in multiplatform minutes among the competitive news set that includes CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN and the Washington Post, in addition to the Times.  FOX NEWS TOUTED AT ANNUAL UPFRONT PRESENTATION TO ADVERTISERS: ‘WE’RE NOT JUST COMPETING, WE ARE DOMINATING’ When it comes to multiplatform views, Fox News Digital piled up 1.7 billion while The Times settled for 1.5 billion and CNN managed 604 million to rank third. It was the 24th consecutive month that Fox News Digital finished atop the key category.  Fox News Digital also grew a staggering 46% compared to last year among total digital multiplatform unique visitors to finish at 191 million.  The Fox News Mobile app drew 6.3 million unique viewers during the month, leading the CNN mobile app which saw just 3.7 million unique viewers. Fox News delivered 471.9 million video views on YouTube, nearly quadrupling ABC News and NBC News while septupling CBS News’ 62.6 million views for the month, according to Emplifi. FOX NEWS HAS BEST YEAR EVER ON YOUTUBE WITH 4.5 BILLION VIDEO VIEWS TO LEAD ALL NEWS BRANDS Fox News’ YouTube video views grew 45% compared to last year, crushing MS NOW’s 304.4 million views and CNN's 203.3 million views.  Fox News delivered 112.3 million social media interactions for the month with 50.2 million interactions on Facebook, 19.7 million interactions on Instagram and 6.5 million interactions on X. It was the 140th consecutive month that FOX News Media also topped all news brands among social media with interactions, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social. Earlier this week, Fox News Digital was touted when Fox Corporation held its annual upfront presentation to advertisers, media buyers and journalists. "We’re meeting audiences where they are, across platforms, across generations, wherever and however they consume news," Fox News anchor Bret Baier said. FOX NEWS CHANNEL DELIVERS HIGHEST-RATED NON-ELECTION YEAR EVER, ‘THE FIVE’ CONTINUES HISTORIC RUN  "Online, Fox News is [the] No. 1 publisher for time spent, averaging 143 million monthly unique visitors," he added. "So, to put it simply, more people spend time getting their news on FoxNews.com than anywhere else."  Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum told advertisers that it was also a record year for the company on YouTube, as Fox News had its best year in history with 4.5 billion video views. Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, WashingtonPost.com, and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not.  Digital data courtesy of Comscore. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073762a200899a00ebabb8 The best outdoor weekend in Northwest Georgia doesn’t require 'roughing it' or sleeping on the ground te 2026-05-15T15:10:26.433Z The best outdoor weekend in Northwest Georgia doesn’t require 'roughing it' or sleeping on the ground When it comes to hiking in the Southeast, most people immediately think of the Smokies, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail.  And for good reason. The area is an absolute wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. You could spend a lifetime exploring these mountains and still not run out of trails, waterfalls, trout streams and scenic overlooks. But, for my money, the most overlooked pocket of outdoor paradise in the Southeast sits right around Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK I’ve written before about Cloudland Canyon State Park — one of my favorite underrated spots in this little corner of the world. Just across the state line, Alabama’s DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon are also wonderful for stunning views, hikes and whatever else tugs your trotline. In fact, last fall, I laid out for you an itinerary for the perfect camping and hiking weekend, hitting all of these destinations. And while I got a lot of "hell yeahs" in my email inbox, there was also one very common theme. Amber, that’s cool and all. But after a day in the woods, I need a hot shower and a real bed. You know what? I don’t even blame you. Taking a sponge bath with water you boiled over an open fire has a way of making a person feel decidedly NOT very on vacation. Lucky for you, I’ve found a solution. And before you accuse me of going soft, I need you to hear me out. A few months ago, somebody tipped me off to a resort perched atop Lookout Mountain near Cloudland Canyon — one Golf Digest had honored for having one of the most majestic 18th holes in the country. "Few anywhere are more memorable or more resplendent than this one." - Golf Digest Resplendent! Adjective — shining brilliantly; full of splendor and magnificence. There’s a word you don’t hear very often. Now admittedly, I don’t golf. I’m even a pretty pitiful putt-putter, if we’re being totally honest. But a majestic 18th hole means a majestic view in the rest of the resort. And y’all know I’m a sucker for a scenic overlook. So my husband and I found ourselves booked for a two-night stay at Cloudland at McLemore. Now, walking into this place is an experience in itself. Pull open a mammoth wooden door and you get yourself two eyeballs full of McLemore Cove — a valley nestled between Lookout and Pigeon Mountain. Yeah, this is gonna be just fine. My husband is a total freak, so his first stop was the hotel gym. Not your average hotel gym, by the way. It’s a zen fitness center complete with weights, cardio equipment, a Peloton room and real water rowing machines. Have fun, baby, I’m opening a bar tab at the pool.  It’s an infinity pool, by the way. It doesn’t flow off the cliff edge (for obvious safety reasons), but it’s still very cool. I began to wonder, What kind of money do I need to make where lying in a partly submerged lounge chair with a book, a cocktail and a mountain view is a realistic daily occurrence? Best not to start crunching those numbers. We had reservations that night at Auld Alliance, the resort’s designated fancy restaurant. Meaning I put on a dress instead of my usual uniform of a T-shirt, muddy pants and boots. Who am I? Someone who gobbles up a filet mignon and mashed potatoes like a rabid animal, that’s who.  By the way, their mashed potatoes are called "rumbledethumps." It's a Scottish dish, I'm told. But I could not, for the life of me, remember this word. I called them "tweedledees, humpty-dumpties, whoopdie-doos," and God bless our server Nico for deciphering my nonsense. Whatever they’re called, they are full of butter, and they are magnificent. And I promise that’s not just the Scotch Old Fashioned talking. Which was also magnificent. The next day, we had an adventure planned: "Open Gate Days" at Lula Lake Land Trust. Lula Lake is a protected 8,000-acre watershed and nature conservation area. You cannot just show up there and take a look around. But on the first and last weekend of the month, you can buy a pre-booked ticket ($16 per vehicle) to explore the grounds. It’s well worth the price of admission. Now, my husband and I have been to Cloudland Canyon State Park a handful of times and are working our way through all the trails there. Until this trip, we were unaware Lula Lake even existed. It’s a hidden gem. Unfortunately, the forecast called for heavy rain all day long. Not ideal hiking weather, obviously, but we had already committed to 7.5 miles, and by golly, we were going to tough it out. Might as well put our expensive rain gear to use. And boy, did we use it. The sky opened up less than a mile into our trek, and we knew we were in for a long day. Not as long, perhaps, as the woman we saw huddled under a trail map sign wearing a T-shirt, shorts and tie-dyed Crocs. As we say in the South, bless her (highly unprepared) heart. HERE’S HOW TO DO THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITHOUT TRAFFIC AND CROWDS Fortunately, the rain let up just as we reached the absolute star of the hike: Lula Falls. You catch a glimpse of this 120-foot waterfall from above pretty early in the trail. But trust me when I say you’re going to want to take the maybe half-mile detour loop that goes down to the base of the falls.  The waterfall is stunning. Peaceful. A reminder of why you slog through the woods in the pouring rain in the first place. And totally Instagram-able. One thing my husband hates is when I ask strangers to take a picture of us. "Can’t we just take a selfie?" he asks every time. No. We cannot. Because I don’t want close-up photos of our sweaty faces. I want photos of nature’s splendor. And so I clocked a 20-something female (they take the best photos) and asked her to snap a picture of us in front of the waterfall. We even climbed up on a big rock to make it look cooler. Friends, never again will I simply assume the photography skills of a Gen-Zer. I’m not kidding when I say this girl zoomed all the way in on my husband and me. By looking at the photo she took, you would never know we were standing in front of a 120-foot majestic waterfall. Just two waterlogged dorks on a rock. But I’m too nice to hurt anyone’s feelings, so then we had to sit there and wait for her to leave so that I could ask someone else to take our photo. Come to think of it, maybe this is why my husband would rather take selfies. Worth the wait. The second lady nailed it. Scroll to see more photos from Lula Lake Land Trust: We climbed out of the bottom of the waterfall through some particularly cool rock formations, and that’s when the torrential downpour began. And it persisted for about an hour. By the time we reached the bluffs, every thread of every fabric on my clothing was soaked through. Guess it’s time to upgrade that rain gear. In fact, the only part of my body that was dry was the most important part, my feet. (If you’re a hiker or a runner, you know wet socks are blister city. So shoutout to KEEN for waterproof boots that are, in fact, waterproof.) Still, it was in this moment I was very happy to have a nice hotel, a hot shower and dry clothes to return to after the hike. This was not the weekend to go camping. Finally, though, Mother Nature threw us a bone. The rain stopped, the fog cleared and we were treated to a stunning view of the Chattanooga Valley. A sight to behold before the soggy trek back to the trailhead. Even with the rain, though, Lula Lake Land Trust was a spectacular find, and I’m glad we did the full 7.5 miles. I would have been bummed if I missed those overlooks from the Bluff Trail. They also have mountain biking trails — if that’s more your speed — and the preserve is dog friendly. This was a very rare trip where our German Shepherd didn’t come along. We’ll definitely take him next time, though. He needs a photo with that waterfall. If you’ve been reading my travel blogs for a while, you know I don’t put in those miles for nothing. So I was thrilled to head back to the resort for a frosty brew. Here’s a fun surprise: Cloudland at McLemore takes its happy hour seriously. A staff member told us to head to the Pocket Cafe for two free wine, beer or cocktails per guest. Twist my arm. As we sat on the terrace with our cocktails enjoying the view, we overheard groups of golfers debriefing from their day on the links. I learned that McLemore has three golf courses: The Highlands, The Keep and a six-hole short course called The Cairn. I guess you can play The Cairn for free as a hotel guest. Which feels like an incredible perk if I were a golfer. I did hear rave reviews about the 18th hole on The Highlands, though — the same one Golf Digest was all worked up about.  Conveniently enough, the resort has a hiking trail leading right up to the famous finishing hole. I made a mental note to walk out there before we checked out the next day. The hiking trail on the property was only about a mile, but very peaceful and pretty. It was especially cool (and a little spooky) with the morning fog thick through the trees. The hotel also has bikes for guests to use and is planning to implement some rock climbing and bouldering areas as well. Plenty of ways to scratch your outdoor itch, which I always appreciate. Look, I’m not giving up camping (or "glamping") anytime soon. But after spending a day hiking waterfalls in the pouring rain, then coming back to dry clothes, mountain views, good bourbon and a mattress that didn’t require inflating with my own lungs, I certainly understand the appeal. Maybe all the "hot shower, real bed" people in my inbox were onto something after all. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07350ca200899a00ebab2a Auburn grad who just landed dream job allegedly shot and killed by boyfriend's father in Alabama te 2026-05-15T15:00:28.239Z Auburn grad who just landed dream job allegedly shot and killed by boyfriend's father in Alabama An Alabama man is facing charges two months after allegedly shooting his son's 22-year-old girlfriend, who was a recent Auburn University graduate and had just landed her dream job as an interior designer. Whitney Harlow Robeson, a 22-year-old Virginia native, died on March 7 from a gunshot wound at a home on Deer Trail in Trussville, Alabama, about 15 miles northeast of Birmingham. Police responded around 9:30 p.m. First responders rushed her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead just over an hour later. This week, Trussville police announced an "extensive investigation" led them to the arrest of her boyfriend's father, Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, on a charge of reckless manslaughter. Public records indicate he and his son, also an Auburn alumnus, both live at the Deer Trail address. SEND US A TIP HERE Court records have not revealed details of the shooting or evidence surrounding the charges against Towers, other than to allege he shot Robeson. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X In a statement, Towers' attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart called Robeson's death a "tragic event." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "We know that the facts will show that Mr. Towers has no criminal history, has been a productive and upstanding citizen for his entire life and is not guilty of these charges," they wrote. POLICE SHOULD BE TAKING 'CLOSER LOOK' AT COLLEGE STUDENT'S DEATH AFTER MOTHER'S ALLEGATIONS: FORMER PROSECUTOR Robeson's death was initially reported as accidental to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner's Office, according to AL.com. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB In an online obituary, Robeson's family revealed she had wanted to work in interior design since her childhood, inspired by shows on HGTV. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER After graduating summa cum laude from Auburn's interior design program, she got a job as a trade consultant for RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, doing just that. She grew up in Richmond, where she had been a lifeguard and a clerk at boutique shops downtown, according to the obituary. Towers has been freed after posting $30,000 bail. He's due back in court on July 22. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0732f0a200899a00ebaab7 Council adds $1.76M in spending to FY27 budget te 2026-05-15T14:51:28.477Z Council adds $1.76M in spending to FY27 budget City pauses talks on school programs to later meeting Sedona City Council gave its tentative approvals and rejections on decision packets on April 23, the second day of its two-day budget work session. The packets totaled $1,476,899 in one-time and $285,472 in ongoing spending, $1,762,371 in total. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0732daa200899a00ebaaa3 The redistricting frenzy is scrambling the midterm elections. Here’s where things stand now. te 2026-05-15T14:51:06.872Z The redistricting frenzy is scrambling the midterm elections. Here’s where things stand now. Tennessee Democrats lock arms on the Tennessee House floor in protest of a Republican redistricting vote that split up a majority-Black, majority-Democratic congressional district. Tennessee is one of several states redrawing its congressional maps in the aftermath of a recent US Supreme Court decision. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) In the past two years, a dozen states have either approved new U.S. House maps or are moving toward doing so — a highly unusual mid-decade revamp prompted by President Donald Trump and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling late last month. And the situation isn’t settled yet — even as ballots are being printed and early voting is already underway in some places. Pending litigation could scramble the situation even further. Redistricting, the process of redrawing the geographic boundaries of U.S. House and state legislative districts, usually takes place every 10 years following the census. Trump upended that schedule early last year, when he began pressuring state GOP officials to redraw their maps to help Republicans hold onto a slim, five-seat majority in the U.S. House ahead of potentially grim 2026 midterm elections for his party. The Supreme Court recast the redistricting fight with its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. That decision all but nullified a provision of the federal Voting Rights Act that required states to draw electoral maps to give racial minority voters the opportunity to elect their chosen candidates. A total of nine states — Alabama, California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Utah — have redrawn their maps since last year. At least three other states — Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina — appear likely to follow suit, though Georgia’s new maps would not be in effect for the upcoming midterm elections. As things currently stand, Republicans are likely to gain up to 17 seats, while Democrats are likely to gain up to six seats. In the aftermath of the Callais decision, hundreds of protesters have gathered at statehouses in recent weeks, particularly in the South, to decry what they say is a concerted effort to dilute Black voting and governing power. Republicans argue that maps should be “colorblind.” Gerrymandering to benefit one political party over another is legal at the federal level, though some states have their own laws restricting it. The latest redistricting efforts are changing elections that have already begun. Some candidates must now pivot to races in brand-new districts with just a few weeks until their primaries. They’ve spent money and time reaching people who can no longer vote for them, fighting opponents different from the ones they now face. At least one Tennessee Democratic candidate no longer lives within the new boundaries of the district he’s seeking to represent. Voters in states such as Alabama will now be asked to turn out for primary elections in both May and August, in addition to the November general election. Here’s where things stand now. Nine states already have redrawn their maps Alabama Republicans could gain 1 seat.* A 2023 court order required Alabama to draw a congressional map with a second majority-Black district. But after the Callais decision last month, Alabama’s Republican state officials asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let them reinstate the old map, which has just one majority-Black, majority-Democratic district and which the court had previously ruled racially discriminatory. The high court quickly agreed. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey has announced new primary elections in August for the affected districts. These will be held in addition to next Tuesday’s statewide primaries for other federal and state offices. Alabama is also appealing a separate ruling requiring it to redraw two state Senate districts. That case is still ongoing. California Democrats likely to gain 3-5 seats. California Gov. Gavin Newsom last year led the Democratic response to Trump’s call for Republican-led states to redraw their congressional maps. In November 2025, California voters approved Newsom’s proposal to temporarily override the state’s independent redistricting commission and instead to allow the Democratic-dominated legislature to redraw the maps to create districts more favorable to Democrats. The new map is valid through 2030. Florida Republicans likely to gain 1-4 seats. Last month, the Republican-majority Florida Legislature approved Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new congressional map that could net the GOP up to four new congressional seats. Both DeSantis and the voting rights organizations suing to block the new map agree it violates parts of the state constitution. But DeSantis argues the constitution’s anti-gerrymandering amendments, which were overwhelmingly adopted by Florida voters in 2010, are invalid, partly due to the Callais ruling. Missouri Republicans likely to gain 1 seat. Earlier this week, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state’s gerrymandered 2025 congressional map, handing Republicans a victory. Last summer, Trump pressured Missouri Republicans to help maintain the GOP majority in the U.S. House, so lawmakers met in a special session to draw a map that likely will give them an additional seat by carving off parts of Kansas City into surrounding rural districts. The new map will be used in Missouri’s August primary, the state Supreme Court ruled this week, because it’s uncertain whether a referendum petition seeking to repeal the map will succeed. North Carolina Republicans likely to gain 1 seat. At Trump’s behest, North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature redrew the state’s congressional map last fall. It was an effort to make the state’s only competitive district solidly Republican. The maps passed strictly along party lines. The state’s congressional delegation is now likely to be 11 Republicans and three Democrats. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is a Democrat, but redistricting isn’t subject to the governor’s veto. Ohio Republicans likely to gain up to 2 seats. Last fall, Ohio Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman publicly rebuffed Trump’s national push to gain more seats in Congress, while state Democrats proposed their own maps. An Ohio redistricting commission eventually approved a new map last October that is likely to yield 12 Republicans and three Democrats, compared with the current 10-5 split. GOP and Democratic lawmakers called it a “compromise.” That map will be in place for the next six years. But political operatives told the Ohio Capital Journal they expect to see more redistricting efforts in 2030. Tennessee Republicans likely to gain 1 seat. In a chaotic special session earlier this month, Republican lawmakers in Tennessee redrew congressional maps to shatter the state’s only majority-Black, majority-Democratic district. The newly passed map now favors Republicans in all nine Tennessee districts. Hundreds protested at the Tennessee statehouse as House Republicans voted on the new map and House Democrats gathered at the front of the chamber, locking arms in a show of solidarity. This week, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, punished his Democratic colleagues for their protests by stripping them of committee and subcommittee appointments. Texas Republicans likely to gain 3-5 seats. The nation’s redistricting battle kicked off in Texas last summer, after Trump pressured the Texas GOP to redraw the state’s congressional map to add up to five more Republican seats. State House Democrats pushed back, fleeing the state temporarily in August to halt the vote. But the map eventually passed after they returned. Civil rights groups sued, saying the new map was racially discriminatory. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court permanently upheld the new map, ensuring it remains in place for the 2026 midterms. Utah Democrats likely to gain 1 seat. In 2018, Utah voters approved an anti-gerrymandering ballot measure that created an independent redistricting process, but Utah’s Republican-dominated legislature repealed and replaced it in 2021. Voters rights groups sued, arguing the resulting new map was a partisan gerrymander. Eventually, after a multi-year legal battle, a new court-ordered map in 2025 gives Democrats a chance to win one of the state’s four congressional districts. The Utah GOP proposed a ballot initiative this year to ask Utah voters to officially repeal the 2018 anti-gerrymandering law, but it failed last month after thousands of petition signers removed their signatures. Three states are in the process of redrawing their maps Georgia Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has refused to pursue redistricting ahead of this year’s elections, which are already underway. But Kemp announced Wednesday that he will call a special session to redraw the state’s political maps for the 2028 elections. Georgia’s congressional delegation currently has nine Republicans and five Democrats. Louisiana Republicans could gain 1 seat. The day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s existing congressional districts as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the state’s congressional primaries to give lawmakers enough time to pass new maps. This week, in a nearly 10-hour overnight committee hearing, Louisiana lawmakers advanced a bill that would eliminate one of the state’s two majority-Black districts. The new map, if it passes, likely would give Republicans another seat in Congress. The new map must win approval from both chambers by June 1. Litigation over the decision to delay primaries is ongoing. South Carolina Republicans could gain 1 seat. South Carolina legislators will gather Friday for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional lines just 12 days before early voting opens. Lawmakers have set a deadline of May 26 to pass a new map. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who previously said the matter was for the legislature to decide, called for the special session under pressure from the White House and state GOP. The South Carolina GOP’s goal is to pass a bill that would delay U.S. House race primaries until August while keeping other primaries on schedule for June. One proposed map would cut South Carolina’s lone congressional Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, out of the seat he’s represented since 1992 and create all seven Republican seats. At least a half dozen other states are interested in redrawing their maps Mississippi This week, Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves canceled a special legislative session he’d called to redraw districts for the state’s Supreme Court. Some GOP officials had hoped he’d add congressional redistricting to the agenda. Instead, he said this week, he’s working with Trump and the White House on a plan to redraw Mississippi’s congressional districts and legislative districts in the future. Reeves wants a map that would boot the lone Democrat in Mississippi’s U.S. House delegation, Rep. Bennie Thompson, from his seat. If that happens, Republicans would likely gain one congressional seat. Virginia The Virginia Supreme Court earlier this month struck down a voter-approved redistricting amendment that could have given Democrats a 10-1 advantage in the state’s U.S. House delegation. Virginia voters last month had approved a referendum that would have netted Democrats three or four additional seats. Earlier this week, Virginia Democrats asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the amendment, in a case that’s ongoing. Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Washington  Officials in Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Washington all have suggested drawing new maps following the Callais decision, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Colorado Voting Rights Act, passed last year by the state’s Democratic-majority legislature, will likely prevent the state from embarking on a redistricting effort. The state’s congressional delegation is currently split 4-4 between Democrats and Republicans. But a Democratic-led group is gathering signatures for ballot measures that would allow the state to change its maps ahead of the 2028 election. *Seat gain predictions from The Cook Political Report. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@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/6a0732c4a200899a00ebaa82 Gina Carano says defending free speech against Disney was worth the cost ahead of Netflix fight te 2026-05-15T14:50:44.958Z Gina Carano says defending free speech against Disney was worth the cost ahead of Netflix fight INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Nearly 17 years after her last pro fight, MMA pioneer Gina Carano walked into Thursday’s press conference already holding a victory: a landmark legal settlement with Disney, the studio that famously fired her from "The Mandalorian" for her outspoken views. As she prepares to headline Netflix’s first live women’s MMA event against Ronda Rousey this Saturday, Gina Carano is looking back at the public backlash that nearly sidelined her career. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! After hanging up the gloves in 2009, she stormed Hollywood in 2019 as Cara Dune in "The Mandalorian," quickly establishing herself as a fan favorite in the Star Wars universe. Two years later, she was dropped from the role of a lifetime over social media posts that challenged the status quo at the height of COVID mandates and social justice awareness. A national debate sparked over free speech, politics and ideological conformity in Hollywood. When asked by OutKick at the news conference on Thursday whether she would still stand by her beliefs despite the professional fallout, Carano made it clear she has no regrets. Before her response, "F--- Disney" was blurted out in the crowd. "Standing up for freedom of speech in this country," Carano said, "I don't apologize one bit for anything that I said. I look back and I have so much confidence in myself because everything that I've said came true. Everything that I have said happened." WATCH: When asked about her impact after taking on Disney, Carano responded, "Everybody was holding their breath and I didn't, and I'm usually the one that's really relaxed and calm, but I stood up and I spoke out and I paid a heavy price for it. But I would pay that price again and again, because we cannot let what was happening to this country happen again." Carano has long argued she was targeted because of her conservative views. This claim became central to her lawsuit against Disney following her firing in 2021, which occurred after Lucasfilm publicly condemned her social media activity. Reflecting on the moment she chose to speak out, Carano described a calm resolve that contrasted with what she viewed as a culture of fear inside the entertainment industry. WHY ABC BRINGS BACK JIMMY KIMMEL TODAY AFTER ITS DEBACLE OVER FREE SPEECH Carano’s legal battle took a major turn in August 2025 when she reached a settlement with Disney and Lucasfilm after a lengthy legal fight financially backed by Elon Musk and X. "We cannot let go of our freedom of speech even if you don't like it. We need to be able to speak to one another, to open up speech, and we can't lose our rights. There have been people that have been fired whose opinions I disagree with, but I don't think they should be fired." The agreement was widely viewed as a significant victory for the actress, especially after Lucasfilm issued a statement describing her as a "well-respected" talent and expressing openness to future collaborations. RONDA ROUSEY RETURNING TO FIGHTING AFTER NEARLY 10-YEAR HIATUS: 'THIS IS FOR ALL MMA FANS' Carano framed the dispute as a line she believed was worth holding, even at the expense of her career. She also warned against what she sees as growing corporate influence over personal beliefs and private opinions, insisting Americans should not fear losing their livelihood because of their views. "I don't think we should take their livelihood from them," Carano added. "We should be able, in America, to set the precedent of freedom. And I'm not sorry one bit, and it turned out well. Disney settled, and I'm proud of that. That was a huge victory for me." The Disney settlement provided a legal and financial victory, but for Carano, the last several years have been a grueling marathon of public defiance. The May 16 bout, which headlines Netflix’s first live women’s MMA event, marks Carano’s first professional appearance since 2009. "That was a physical victory," she said, referring to the legal battle. "This is kind of more personal; a reclaim my body victory." Carano sounded at peace with taking on the Mouse and enduring years of backlash for championing what she believes is her right to freedom of speech. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0732aea200899a00ebaa50 Spotlight on China Adds to Some Chinese Americans’ Fears te 2026-05-15T14:50:22.326Z Spotlight on China Adds to Some Chinese Americans’ Fears The Trump-Xi summit emphasized stability. But China’s recruitment of foreign agents has fueled suspicion of Chinese Americans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07306da200899a00eba9f1 Obama remains Dem headliner while president with most votes ever fades into background: 'It was all a dream' te 2026-05-15T14:40:45.922Z Obama remains Dem headliner while president with most votes ever fades into background: 'It was all a dream' President Barack Obama has been at the center of Democrats’ biggest political fights, from redistricting fights to last year’s gubernatorial races, while former President Joe Biden — despite winning more votes than any presidential candidate in history — has remained largely absent from many of the party’s biggest political battles since leaving office. "We went through an election in Virginia that the Democrats invested a lot of money in, and we did not see Joe Biden once to the best of my recollection," Virginia GOP Chair Jeff Ryer told Fox News Digital, referring to Obama’s heavy campaigning for the Democrat-backed redistricting referendum later struck down by the Virginia Supreme Court. "We did, on the other hand, see Barack Obama on television ad after television ad, during the Democrats’ $80 million campaign, he was clearly the leader of it." Biden’s absence from several major Democratic campaigns has fueled Republican claims that Democrats are quietly moving on from the former president. "Joe Biden is becoming like the ninth season of ‘Dallas.’ It was all a dream," Ryer said, referring to the infamous retcon of CBS’ hit show "Dallas," in which the events of Season 9 were revealed to have never happened. FORMER CLINTON CAMPAIGN MANAGER LAMENTS 'LEADERLESS' STATE OF DEMS AS BIDEN REMAINS 'OFF THE RADAR' For many Democratic strategists, Obama’s prominent role reflects a broader belief that he remains far more popular and politically valuable than Biden, even ten years after exiting public office. "I think there's a lot of nostalgia for the Obama presidency," Democratic strategist Andrea Riccio told Fox News Digital. "I do think there's a once in a generation excitement around him that just hasn't been replicated by other presidents, so I can understand why he's sought after right now." Riccio said Democrats are likely still reeling from their 2024 presidential election loss, and with the Democratic Party still lacking a clear leader, "Obama is one of the best surrogates" the party has at the moment. Earlier this week, Obama traveled to Texas and met with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who is gaining momentum in polls against Republican candidates Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Winning over Black voters in Texas will be crucial for Talarico, and strategists have said Obama could play a key role in boosting turnout this fall. Fox News contributor and Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov argued that Talarico likely would not campaign with Biden because "a lot of what he is" politically involves distancing himself from the Biden administration. "He's been very open about mistakes that were made in the Biden administration, especially vis-à-vis immigration," Tarlov said. "He wants to represent Texas. So, obviously, the border is a really big deal there." She added that Obama is just more popular than Biden. "I think Biden will go where people want him to, and is taking much more of, like, the Nancy Pelosi approach, which is, 'if you want me, I'm there for you. If you don't, I totally get it,'" Tarlov said. "And Obama's, obviously, fielding requests for those that want him, and there are going to be lots of candidates that don't want Obama on the trail with him." "But he makes a lot of sense for someone like James Talarico, especially because he's a millennial and kind of grew up on Obama," Tarlov continued. HEATING UP: NEWSOM, PRITZKER, BUTTIGIEG MAKE EARLY MOVES IN 2028 PRESIDENTIAL RACE However, Tarlov did say she would have thought California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom would have asked Biden to join the campaign for his redistricting effort in California. "Gavin Newsom is one of the most public defenders of the Biden record," Tarlov said. "So I think that he would have had Biden if that was possible." Instead, Obama was the leading voice in Democrats' redistricting push in California and Virginia, appearing in several advertisements aimed at rallying voter support, while Biden has remained mum. Amid the high-profile governors' races last November in Virginia and New Jersey, Obama spoke at rallies promoting now Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. But Biden, who previously endorsed both women amid their prior congressional races, was nowhere to be seen on the campaign trail. But Democratic strategist James Carville told Fox News Digital that Biden isn't as young as Obama and likely doesn't have the same level of energy. Last May, Biden was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. BIDEN CLAIMS HE'S 'GETTING CALLS' FROM EUROPEAN LEADERS WANTING HIM TO 'GET ENGAGED' While Biden may no longer be leading the Democratic Party’s biggest initiatives, he remains engaged. On May 1, he endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia's gubernatorial primary, and a few days later he endorsed his former aide Dan Koh in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. In April, Biden spoke at Delaware Democratic Party's annual First State Dinner, and in February he spoke at a South Carolina Democratic Party dinner to commemorate his six-year anniversary of winning the state's primary election, deemed pivotal in him winning the general election. A Biden insider shared with Fox News Digital that more is to come from the former president this election season. And the Republican National Committee is looking forward to Biden's growing involvement, according to an RNC spokesperson. "It would be a gift to Republicans for Joe Biden to get involved in the midterms," Republican National Committee spokesperson Zach Kraft told Fox News Digital. "We will happily buy him a plane ticket to every swing state in the country." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a073057a200899a00eba9c0 Fierce Fights Over House Seats to Replace Nancy Pelosi and Jerrold Nadler te 2026-05-15T14:40:23.285Z Fierce Fights Over House Seats to Replace Nancy Pelosi and Jerrold Nadler Nancy Pelosi and Jerrold Nadler are retiring, sparking fierce fights in San Francisco and Manhattan to succeed them. Whoever wins their seats could tap big donors and shape the Democratic Party. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a072e03a200899a00eba966 David Letterman drops F-bomb, destroys CBS property in defiant final 'Late Show' appearance with Colbert te 2026-05-15T14:30:27.427Z David Letterman drops F-bomb, destroys CBS property in defiant final 'Late Show' appearance with Colbert David Letterman and Stephen Colbert targeted CBS during "The Late Show" on Thursday, as the pair threw furniture and watermelons off the roof onto the Ed Sullivan Theater at a CBS logo on the ground below. Letterman joined Colbert roughly a week before "The Late Show" will officially end. The pair appeared on the roof of the theater as Letterman said, "I thought this occasion would be sad, but this brings true joy to my heart. We are up here for the wanton destruction of CBS property." The two aimed furniture, watermelons as well as a cake that read "The Late Show 1993-2026," at a target on the street that looked like CBS' eye logo. As Letterman signed off he said to Colbert, "Thank you for everything you’ve done for our country." DAVID LETTERMAN CALLS OUT CBS' 'PURE COWARDICE' FOR CANCELING 'THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT' Colbert asked the comedian if he had any final words for the viewers and Letterman said he had something to say to CBS. He said, "In the words of the great Ed Murrow, good night and good luck, motherf------!" CBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.  CBS announced in 2025 that it would be canceling Colbert's "The Late Show" at the end of its 2026 season. DEMOCRATS FAWN OVER STEPHEN COLBERT FOR HOLDING 'TRUTH TO POWER' AFTER CBS CANCELS SHOW The final show will air on May 21, 2026. Colbert has hosted a slew of comedians, prominent politicians, and more to mark the end of the CBS late-night show. Former President Obama sat down with Colbert earlier this month, during which the former president suggested the late-night comedian could make a better president than President Donald Trump. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver joined Colbert on set earlier this week. Kimmel questioned why Colbert was being asked to defend or make the case for late-night TV's existence. "Why should you have to defend late-night? Why should that question even be asked?" Kimmel asked Colbert. "Like Ryan Seacrest doesn’t get asked [about] 'Wheel of Fortune' or whatever the hell he’s hosting." The LateNighter reported that Kimmel's program is preparing to do dark the night of Colbert's final show, as the comedian did with Letterman when his version of "The Late Show" ended. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a072ba7a200899a00eba872 Trump Loyalist Leads Administration’s Hunt for Fraud in Elections te 2026-05-15T14:20:23.762Z Trump Loyalist Leads Administration’s Hunt for Fraud in Elections The loyalist, Dan Bishop, put his fealty to the president on display when he pressed the F.B.I. to chase investigative leads it had already rejected. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07297aa200899a00eba817 Taylor Sheridan’s 'Yellowstone’ formula turns country stars into scene-stealers as Morgan Wade makes her debut te 2026-05-15T14:11:06.317Z Taylor Sheridan’s 'Yellowstone’ formula turns country stars into scene-stealers as Morgan Wade makes her debut Taylor Sheridan is the mastermind behind "Yellowstone," which led to spin-offs "1883," "1923," "Marshals," and "Dutton Ranch." Sheridan continually taps into the world of country singers to cast his "Yellowstone" projects — a strategic move that not only brings authenticity and grit to the characters, but also introduces a new audience to the "Yellowstone" universe. His latest casting introduces country singer Morgan Wade into the world of "Yellowstone." Wade joins fellow country stars Riley Green and Lainey Wilson in the "Yellowstone" universe — as they add acting to their many talents. Wade will play bartender Carol at a local bar in Rio Paloma, Texas in "Dutton Ranch" — a nine-episode series spin-off of "Yellowstone," according to Deadline. 'YELLOWSTONE' STAR COLE HAUSER SPILLS SPIN-OFF SECRETS, EMBRACES 'CLASSY' WORLD OF AMERICAN COWBOYS "Dutton Ranch" follows Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, as they start their new life in Texas after leaving Yellowstone. The series debuts on May 15 on Paramount+. Wade, who hails from Floyd, Virginia, has released five country albums and has toured with Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Joan Jett, Alanis Morrissette and Shinedown. COUNTRY SINGER RILEY GREEN LANDS IN EMERGENCY ROOM AFTER BEING ‘IMPALED’ ON HUNTING TRIP Riley Green got his first acting credit in "Marshals." The singer, who is known for his hit songs "Worst Way," "I Wish Grandpas Never Died," and his duet with Ella Langley "You Look Like You Love Me," played the character Garrett, a troubled Navy SEAL who seeks help from Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) and Pete Calvin (played by Logan Marshall-Green) in the series. COUNTRY STAR RILEY GREEN ADMITS FAME IS 'NOT REALITY' COMPARED TO FARM LIFE IN ALABAMA Green appeared in four episodes, and performed an original song called "My Way." The role came after Green revealed to real-life friend Grimes that he wanted to break into acting while the duo were working on writing music together. "I mentioned I had some interest in acting. I didn't know it would turn into a job so quickly. [Grimes] certainly threw me a bone getting me on this show," Green said to USA Today. During his interview with Entertainment Tonight, the country singer revealed that growing up, he never thought he would be an actor. "I don't know that I really grew up thinking I was going to be acting, but when I got that call from Luke to be able to come be a part of the show, how do you not do that? And that's kind of how I look at it now. My granddaddy always used to say to make hay while the sun's shining. And it's been shining for the last two, three years. And it's awesome that I've got these opportunities," he explained. Grimes told Taste of Country the story on how they became friends: "We met out one night at Losers [a bar in Nashville]. I would see him there from time to time... and we talked at some point about writing a song and then kind of made that happen." During one of their writing sessions, Green shared his interest to Grimes that he wanted to act. Grimes said at that time, the show "Marshals" was coming together. The actor told the outlet that Green had to audition for the role of Garrett despite his country star status. "Kind of the weird thing about Hollywood is, they don't tend to know country musicians as well. So they made him audition, which I thought was really funny. This guy is a superstar guys, I think you should just give him the part that was written for him, and they wanted him to audition," Grimes said. But Grimes read lines with Green during his audition: "I auditioned with him," he added. 'YELLOWSTONE' STAR LAINEY WILSON 'COMPLETELY SHOCKED' BY FIANCÉ'S PROPOSAL "Somewhere out there, there is an audition tape of me and Riley Green getting him a part in 'Marshals.' But he was great. Honestly, I think he would have gotten it anyway, because he was that good in his first ever audition tapes." Green told Decider he was happy he got to audition instead of just being given the part because of his music career. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I wouldn't want to be given a part because of something I've done in music. I want to somewhat earn it, if I can. I think I skipped a lot of steps by getting a part like this as my first gig, but I'm very thankful that I was given that opportunity," he explained. LAINEY WILSON SPILLS DETAILS OF INTIMATE PROPOSAL, EYES 'VERY SIMPLE' WEDDING Lainey Wilson made her acting debut in "Yellowstone." The country star appeared as Abby, an aspiring musician, in season five of the show. Wilson appears in five episodes. In July 2024, Wilson revealed on the "TODAY" show about how Sheridan created her character. "Taylor Sheridan told me… ‘I want to create a character specifically for you, and I want you to sing your music and kind of be yourself, but go by a musician named Abby,'" she told Hoda Kotb on the morning show. Adding: "I said, ‘Well, you know, I’ve never acted a day in my life.’" On the similarities between her and her character, Wilson said on Sirius XM: The Highway: "I really had to kind of dive in there and try to figure out what my version of Abby is. Of course, there's a lot of myself in her. I will say, I feel like she's an artist that maybe was driving through Montana and found a niche of people who really started to love her music, and she knows she's not supposed to be messing with cowboys but she does it anyway." Tim McGraw, who has already established himself as both a country star and actor, paved the way for the crossover from country music to acting. The star also appeared in the "Yellowstone" universe, appearing as James Dutton in the "Yellowstone" prequel "1883," along with his real-life wife and fellow country star Faith Hill. Hill played his on-camera wife too — Margaret Dutton. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The miniseries was released in December 2021 and concluded in February 2022. Country singer Ryan Bingham also appeared in the world of "Yellowstone," appearing as Walker in 37 episodes of "Yellowstone" from 2018 until 2024. Zach Bryan appeared as himself in season five, episode seven of "Yellowstone." The singer performed at a county fair in the December 2022 episode. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a072963a200899a00eba7de In Kentucky, the Iran War Complicates a Republican Primary te 2026-05-15T14:10:43.681Z In Kentucky, the Iran War Complicates a Republican Primary Representative Thomas Massie, the incumbent, has opposed President Trump’s military strikes on Iran. He is now facing the biggest challenge of his career. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07294ea200899a00eba7c3 Runway started by helping filmmakers. Now it wants to beat Google at AI. te 2026-05-15T14:10:22.797Z Runway started by helping filmmakers. Now it wants to beat Google at AI. AI video generation startup Runway is betting that video generation is the path to world models. And that being an AI outsider is an advantage, not a liability. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0724a2a200899a00eba6f6 Ring girl Sydney Thomas turns heads at poker table as she takes on fellow celebs, king cobra surprise & MEAT te 2026-05-15T13:50:26.321Z Ring girl Sydney Thomas turns heads at poker table as she takes on fellow celebs, king cobra surprise & MEAT It's Friday, the sun is blazing (it's like 53 degrees), you can just feel summer starting to crank up and Screencaps gets rolling with news that one of our favorite biological females who rose to fame during the transG era, Sydney Thomas, IS BACK and now she's playing poker against other celebrities. Thomas, 22, is still in that period of her career where she's trying to find her place. Is it in modeling? Is it in acting? Can her agent get her placed in an Adam Sandler movie? Would she form an alliance with Sydney Sweeney and join the SYRN lingerie team? She's already done the boxing ring girl thing. That wasn't going to be an actual career. Thomas' agent needs to place Sydney behind home plate at Dodgers games. Get her into suites at Rams games. She needs to be at the World Cup this summer. Sydney should throw out a first pitch at a Cubs game. I'm talking a playbook straight out of 2010 when Internet models throwing out first pitches at Cubs games was a rite of passage into pop culture fame. SYDNEY SWEENEY AND LIVVY DUNNE FORM ALLIANCE AS LINGERIE WAR WITH VICTORIA'S SECRET OFFICIALLY HEATS UP I get to the ballpark where Screencaps the III was practicing and I quickly learned that Mrs. Screencaps had been sitting through the 90-minute practice with the van in accessory mode. 90 MINUTES! The battery was completely dead. Ironically, I posted this pickle jar meme on Facebook earlier in the day. Ladies, it's nice to know you still need us from time to time. By the way, here's what the lawn looks like this morning. I was sitting there appreciating my work and then the call came in. DANICA PATRICK IMPRESSES THE MAHA CROWD BY TAKING UP TENNIS AS HER NEWEST FITNESS WORKOUT, BAT DOGS & MEAT! – John in Surfside Beach, S.C. is fired up: It's only 5pm on the first day, already sick of the ESPN broadcast.  My God, do they ever stop talking! Kinsey: I didn't see coverage until around 10 p.m. after my night getting the van jumped, mowing, taking the trash out, etc. I did see Smylie Kaufman hitting shots on the Golf Channel and doing a great job explaining the course and the conditions the guys faced on Thursday. I'm turning into a big fan of Kaufman's broadcasting style: cool, calm, collected. The guy is smooth. I'm even a big fan of the Happy Hour bit that Golf Channel is doing with Smylie. We just aren't getting much live content like that on TV these days. I LOVE the relaxed approach Golf Channel is taking with Smylie. Keep it coming. – Chris A. tells me: I absolutely will not go to Costco on Saturdays or Sundays, and Fridays are turning into no-go lately. My semi-retirement schedule has me off Tuesdays and Fridays, so I thought this past Tuesday morning would be a good time to do my monthly Costco discount shopping. Nope. Packed. They clearly need more locations, at least around me. At least they brought back the Jones sandwich-sized sausage patties and ashcanned the terrible Kirkland ones they rolled out several years ago to replace the Jones patties. They are perfect for the sausage, egg and cheese on English muffin sandwiches I make at home. Kinsey: Same here, Chris. What I've found is that if I go at like 6 on a Saturday night, I'm typically good. People are burnt out for the day. They've taken their two-pound queso barrels to parties. Unless I'm in a pinch, I go during off-hours on weekends. – Speaking of Costco, Mike T. in Idaho stopped by one in Canada and reports: They still have polish dogs at Costco Canada $1.50 Canadian. Kinsey: That's $1.09 USD! – Mark in Tennessee reports: The Franklin Noon Rotary Club puts on an annual rodeo as our primary fundraiser. This event has grown from some local cowboys having some fun to the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi. We will gross well over a million dollars and net $4-500K for our charitable foundation. This is our 75th rodeo, and I have worked 36 consecutive events. Three nights of hard work for a great cause. And I can legitimately say "this ain't my first rodeo." – Jon C., who is not a LIB loser, writes: This popped up in my newsfeed and thought it might be of interest since the evils of travel ball are frequently discussed.  Some of our elected leaders are proposing legislation to regulate travel ball.  Still on my first cup of coffee so hard to make it make sense, seems the answer is for parents to be adults.  – Mike T. in Idaho sent in a Substack link to Pacific Northwest sports writer John Canzano's Substack where he rails against private equity in youth sports. Canzano writes: The youth sports money grab must stop. The skyrocketing costs need to take a rest. The predatory squeeze for profit should take a break. Things such as mandatory hotel stays, streaming subscriptions, invasive apps, and participation fees that price out low-income families should all just go away. The scene has turned into a vulture’s paradise. IVANKA TRUMP HAS THE ANGRY LIBS ON HIGH ALERT AS SHE SLIDES INTO AN AMAZING DRESS, WAFFLE HOUSE CHAOS & MEAT! Kinsey: My reaction? Who has been screaming about this for the last 3-4 years now? I HAVE! Screaming and screaming. Screaming to the point where Screencaps readers got tired of me screaming, but this is a hill I will die on. Yes, it's nice for some of these people who've had their head in the sand to see the light of day on this topic. Yet again, this column was ahead of everyone on another topic. I'm getting like 10 emails a day on Wendy's. – Brandon in NKY reports: Reading about the 13u rec league exploits got my brain on the way back machine. My son graduated from high school last night. It seems just like yesterday I was helping coach his school team in Knothole T-Ball. Those were fun days, trying to keep the boys engaged instead of making piles of sand or picking dandelions was a tall task in practice and during the games. After the game you tell them to get a drink and a snack from the concession stand then buy a round for the other coaches. Fast forward a few years and I can no longer coach because he was poached by a travel/summer ball team and the days of camaraderie are gone. I say that to say this, I never enjoyed watching his team play after knothole, it all seemed like an exhibition game, no true rivalries, no league title to play for. No after parties since we were at a treeless softball complex for 12hrs on a Saturday in the heat. You seem like you’ve got an awesome thing going with your boys and parents, keep fighting for it and also enjoy it because one day they’ll graduate and all you will have left are the memories. Make Rec Ball Great Again. 100% sponsored by Brandon in NKY. – Christopher T. emails: Great piece but I wish you had included the part about her being a caregiver to her mom who had early onset dementia. That needs a voice and you have a bullhorn. – Steve in Clarkston, Mich. says: I've followed her since she started. Man, if only I was younger. She is the closest thing to a perfect woman there can ever be.  Don't forget that in addition to being SI Swimsuit model beautiful and can repair cars and plumbing she's also a brainiac. She was on "MythBusters" and also at 18 won a bronze in an international science and engineer competition. She invented a new football helmet to reduce injuries.   #################### That is it this morning. I have a big day of joining the Dakich show coming up, meetings, Zooms and a plumber running a new water line so Mrs. Screencaps can add drip lines to a previously inaccessible part of her garden. The goal is to automate the watering process to this behemoth she's created. Today, we make that happen. I hope all of you have had a great week of life. Let's go enjoy a weekend. Enjoy those youth sports events. Enjoy those graduations. Take care. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07224da200899a00eba68a City of Flagstaff approves first reading of updates to short-term rental licensing te 2026-05-15T13:40:29.151Z City of Flagstaff approves first reading of updates to short-term rental licensing The City of Flagstaff plans to increase the short-term rental registration fee from $185 to $250 and add new requirements for postings inside of the rentals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071d96a200899a00eba529 Even GoPro is pivoting to defense te 2026-05-15T13:20:22.370Z Even GoPro is pivoting to defense The action camera maker, like so many other companies these days, is looking to defense applications as it evaluates a possible sale. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071b8fa200899a00eba4e2 Retired Navy admiral makes bombshell claim about UFOs and 'non-human intelligence' controlling them te 2026-05-15T13:11:43.546Z Retired Navy admiral makes bombshell claim about UFOs and 'non-human intelligence' controlling them Are UFOs controlled by non-human entities? There are few topics in America that generate more attention and interest than UFOs/UAPs. One of the big reasons why is that there's no clear answer for what is going on up in the sky or down in the ocean. There are countless videos and stories about unexplainable sightings, but very few concrete answers. Well, prepare for things to get amped up. REP TIM BURCHETT CONVINCED THAT ALIENS EXIST, SAYS HE'S 'SEEN TOO MUCH' IN GOVERNMENT BRIEFINGS Retired Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet is a leading voice in America when it comes to the UAP phenomenon, and he thinks whatever is going on...might not have a human explanation! Gallaudet said the following, in part, on "Tomi Lahren Is Fearless" when discussing the subject: You can watch his full comments in the video below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. UFO TASK FORCE EYED AS LAWMAKER WARNS OF STRANGE OBJECTS IN SKIES AND WATERS DEFYING KNOWN TECHNOLOGY Not ideal if there are non-human entities roaming around controlling whatever is up in the sky. That's a situation I'd very much like to avoid. It's almost surreal to even think about, but this claim isn't coming from some random guy on the street. It's coming from a retired Navy rear admiral. That immediately brings extra gravity and seriousness to the claim. What I do know for sure is that the UFO topic isn't going away. It's here to stay until people get some answers that actually make sense. What do you think UFOs truly are? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071b7ba200899a00eba4d9 Key China-Iran infrastructure exposes critical hole in Trump's war strategy te 2026-05-15T13:11:23.658Z Key China-Iran infrastructure exposes critical hole in Trump's war strategy The U.S. is trying to choke off Iran’s economy at sea, but a growing China-linked rail corridor is giving Tehran a workaround that Washington cannot easily shut down without risking a wider conflict. As freight traffic between China and Iran increases along an overland route beyond the reach of American warships, the dynamic is exposing a core limitation in the U.S. strategy: maritime pressure is powerful, but it doesn’t fully extend across Eurasia. According to Bloomberg, cargo trains running from central China to Iran have jumped from roughly one per week before the blockade to one every three or four days, highlighting a growing alternative channel as Tehran looks to blunt maritime pressure. The corridor runs through multiple sovereign countries, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, making it far more complex to disrupt than shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf. CHINA-LINKED ROUTE EXPOSED AFTER US SEIZES IRAN-BOUND SHIP WITH SUSPECTED DUAL-USE CARGO Directly targeting that overland network would risk widening the conflict and escalating tensions with Beijing, which has spent years investing in trade routes designed to bypass maritime choke points dominated by the U.S. Navy. That combination of geography, diplomacy and escalation risk helps explain why Washington has focused overwhelmingly on maritime interdiction rather than attempting to shut down overland trade routes. Experts say the rail corridor remains limited in its ability to offset Iran’s main oil exports. "There’s no substitute for a very large crude carrier," Isaac Kardon, a senior fellow focused on Chinese strategy and maritime security, told Fox News Digital. Kardon estimated that "maybe like 1% of the exports that Iran would typically be pushing out through Hormuz could go over land." Max Meizlish, a former Treasury official focused on sanctions policy, similarly described the rail corridor as "a drop in the bucket compared to Iran’s traditional oil exports over maritime transit routes." TRUMP WARNS CHINA OF 'STAGGERING' 50% TARIFF IF CAUGHT SUPPLYING MILITARY AID TO IRAN Still, analysts warn the route carries strategic risks beyond its limited scale. Meizlish said the rail network "provides a pathway for China to supply Iran with critical dual use goods or just military logistical infrastructure" beyond the reach of U.S. naval enforcement. Kardon pointed to similar concerns, including the potential movement of "parts for drones" and "missile precursor chemicals." Even so, Kardon emphasized the corridor cannot sustain large-scale economic or military flows. "It’s a flow question," he said. "Can you sustain the Iranian war-fighting effort solely with cargoes from China or from its other Eurasian neighbors? And I think the answer is really no." Taken together, the rail corridor is not an economic lifeline for Iran, but it underscores a broader shift as China builds trade networks designed to blunt U.S. pressure at sea and test the limits of how far Washington is willing to go to enforce its strategy. The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071b68a200899a00eba4d0 ‘Duck Dynasty’ star opens up about wife’s affair, says marriage ‘doesn’t have to end’ after betrayal te 2026-05-15T13:11:04.203Z ‘Duck Dynasty’ star opens up about wife’s affair, says marriage ‘doesn’t have to end’ after betrayal Al Robertson doesn’t believe a marriage always has to end after an affair. The eldest son of Phil and Miss Kay Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" fame is joining his wife, Lisa Robertson, to confront their painful past in a new Lifetime film premiering Saturday titled "Faith & Forgiveness." The movie reveals how Lisa became involved in an extramarital relationship 15 years into their union — and how their faith ultimately restored their relationship. "When unfaithfulness happens in a marriage, so many times, that’s the end of it, but it doesn’t have to be," Robertson told Fox News Digital. "Everything can be worked through." 'DUCK DYNASTY' STAR SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF SAYS SHE EXPERIENCED CANCEL CULTURE OVER CONTROVERSIAL TIKTOK VIDEO "I think the reason I was willing to fight for my marriage was that I had made a lot of mistakes on my own," he admitted. "When I first met Lisa, she was actually a good girl, who had experienced some hard things in her life up until that point, but really was looking for what she called her ‘knight in shining armor,’ someone to take her hand and lead her out of some things. And I just wasn’t that guy in the early years." The couple first met in a McDonald’s parking lot in West Monroe, Louisiana, a popular teen hangout. Robertson was 17 and a senior, while Lisa was 15 and a sophomore. They dated on and off before tying the knot in 1984. After welcoming two girls, Robertson served as a pastor at a church where his family had been members for years. Lisa found herself lonely and isolated while her husband was away. "To be quite honest with you, I made a huge mistake in not pulling Lisa in as a partner in what we were doing, in my career and my dreams," said Robertson. "[She] was also dealing with all this internal stuff from when she was young. I just didn’t recognize it. I didn’t see it." WATCH: AL AND LISA ROBERTSON SAY FAITH HELPED HEAL THEIR MARRIAGE AFTER INFIDELITY Lisa told Fox News Digital that behind closed doors, she struggled with memories of her childhood. "From an early age, at age 7, I was subjected to someone molesting me," she explained. "I believe that at age 7, I began to be dishonest with who I was and what I was. I think the evil one played a huge part in that because he would constantly remind me. I believe I started on that trail of dishonesty at that point, and that darkness really began there. As I grew older, it got worse and worse." Years later, Lisa was contacted at work by an old boyfriend. She soon found herself caught up in an affair. During the summer of 1999, Robertson became suspicious that Lisa may have been seeing someone behind his back. She repeatedly denied his accusations. "I had prayed all through this affair that God would open a door for me to walk away and that nobody would ever find out because I didn’t want to hurt Alan," said Lisa. "I didn’t want to hurt our family. [But] I didn’t think [our marriage] would make it. If he ever found out, I just knew that it was over. I’m convinced that it’s going to be over, especially whenever he says, ‘I’m leaving.’ And I just knew it because he had always told me that. If I ever crossed the line, that would be the end of it." Robertson used cellphone records to piece together the truth. The couple then agreed on a temporary separation. "I think for the first few weeks, I was leaning toward thinking that it was probably over," he said. "I was just not sure if I could ever fully trust again. [I wasn’t] sure Lisa really wanted to be in our marriage. Do you really know if your spouse wants to stay? Do they want something more than you have to offer?" CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Lisa recalls a moment when, overwhelmed and completely broken, she stepped into her backyard and cried out to God for forgiveness. During her prayer, she was fully honest with God about what she had done. She describes that moment as a turning point in her faith. She was ready to truly repent and begin a new life. "The role of faith played a very significant part in my life," she explained. "Once I turned my life over to the Lord, out in the backyard, when I finally called out to God, He came and met me right there in the backyard. From that day forward, I think I knew I could make it because I’d never called on Him before. I’d never asked for His help and asked Him to rescue me. [But] He came, and He rescued me. I think that was the most important thing I did." Lisa was not only baptized, but she surrounded herself with women who had already developed a strong foundation in their faith. Together they studied and uplifted each other. She, along with her husband, also pursued counseling. "I changed the way I dressed," said Lisa. "I changed the way I wore makeup. I changed what I listened to. I changed the way I approached men. I changed the way I talked because I had a potty mouth. I changed so many things. "But the first thing was that I cried out to God. The second thing was to surround myself [with those women]. But then also the third thing was counseling — finding someone who could help me get rid of those negative things in my life and finally put those to rest." Robertson noted that in their early years together, he was unfaithful to Lisa. She not only forgave him but married him. Robertson wondered: Could he also forgive? LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "What changed my mind and heart about Lisa was her," he said. "It was obvious to me from talking to friends who were with her that she wanted this marriage to stay together. She was very sorry for what had happened. She had finally come to a reckoning in her own life. She was dealing with a lot of her past through counseling, through people who were helping her life." "I think out of my own appreciation for not only what God had done for me, but also what Lisa had done for me, it gave me that capacity to forgive infidelity," said Robertson. "Her growth as a person and as a Christian in those early weeks is what won me over to say, ‘If she has the capacity to change who she is, like I did many years earlier, then I have the capacity to forgive as God forgives.’ That’s when it all changed. We knew we were going to find our way back together." In December 1999, the couple renewed their vows. Together, they’ve been devoted to God and each other. Over the years, they’ve traveled across the country, speaking to couples struggling in their relationships. They're happier than ever. "To have a really strong and very intimate marriage — not just sexual intimacy, I mean spiritual, physical and emotional intimacy — there has to be honesty," said Lisa. "Honesty is the most important thing that you can do to have a very successful marriage. We also need to look at ourselves the way Jesus looks at us." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071b50a200899a00eba48c Meridian Ventures launched $35M fund to back MBA-deferred founders te 2026-05-15T13:10:40.475Z Meridian Ventures launched $35M fund to back MBA-deferred founders Meridian Ventures, the venture firm founded by Devon Gethers and Karlton Haney, announced on Friday the raise of a $35 million second fund to back pre-seed and seed-stage companies founded by those who have deferred MBAs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a071b3ca200899a00eba47d Supporting three live births is the ultimate final exam for these Southern Arizona high school students te 2026-05-15T13:10:20.096Z Supporting three live births is the ultimate final exam for these Southern Arizona high school students Bouncing on a pink yoga ball, senior Annel Perez is clearly in labor — alternately crying and shouting — and her impression is so good, you want to ask her how far apart her contractions are. “AHHHHHHHH!” “Help me.” Annel’s acting is over the top, yet her scene partners take their cues from her. As the nurse, Maya Gomez asks the pregnant person what they need. Ashley Acuña Grijalva, 18, in the role of doula, wonders if she can help Perez, obviously in pain and scared. The birth partner stands by, puts a hand on Annel’s shoulder. She shakes it off. While the high school students work on a labor scenario in the front of the classroom, the stakes are high. They will soon experience the reality of live birth: As student doulas, they must support three births this summer to become certified. Teachers Shannon Alexander and Joyce Wall nod their heads, circle the room and wonder aloud. “I want to see what the rest of you remember,” says Alexander, also an advanced certification doula. “What is your ratio for two people doing CPR on an infant? And how many compressions are you getting in within a minute’s time?” Heads in the classroom go down.  The birth at the front of the room takes a pause. Students in the doula certification class at Pima JTED continue their work, knowing they have two weeks left until they complete Arizona’s only course to certify high-school age doulas.  A birth doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after labor and birth.  At Pima JTED, students from high schools across the Tucson area have spent the school year in the community health and wellness program. As part of that program, this doula certification class will see 10 students complete the course this week. Because they are 18, six students are eligible to become certified doulas this summer — four others may follow as they reach certification age. To earn that certification, students must be at least 18 and provide support at three live births, the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services says. Arizona’s $300 licensing fee is covered by JTED. Some of these students may want a career as a doula or midwife, others are getting a head start as a nurse, social worker or even a dermatologist. “The students are the ones who show up. And it was quite mind-blowing to see the growth,” Alexander said. “We’ve got future pediatricians and obstetricians and midwives and they’re going to be so much better at their future careers because they’ve learned community health work and they’ve learned doula skills.” Pioneering a doula program Pima County’s Joint Technical Education District is a public school district that teaches about 20,000 high school students from across Southern Arizona, often at off hours — think after school and evenings. Students get free career and technical education and can be certified in everything from welding to veterinary and medical tech programs to culinary arts and being a doula. Pima JTED students work on a labor scenario at their doula certification class on April 7, 2026. Sophia Gonzalez squeezes the hips of teacher Shannon Alexander, as co-teacher Joyce Wall and student Maya Gomez give feedback. Credit: JTED “While the Arizona Department of Education does not regulate or certify doulas, their Career and Technical Education (CTE) division has formally recognized our doula program as a certification pathway within the community health worker program,” said Beth Francis, a registered nurse and JTED’s healthcare professions manager. “While there are several approved programs statewide, our program is currently the only one operating at the high school level.” Research indicates doulas can positively impact several maternal and infant health outcomes and experiences, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Expanding access to doula care improves maternal outcomes for people of color, says a 2024 study from the National Institutes of Health. About 9,000 people in the United States practice as doulas, typically contracting privately with families and earning $1,500 and up for an experienced doula-assisted birth. Some doula care is covered by insurance, including Medicaid programs in 25 states, of which Arizona is one. “The birth doula program was the result of nearly a year of planning, research, and collaboration,” Francis said. “During that time, we worked to better understand community needs, identify healthcare workforce gaps, and build strong partnerships (local hospitals and practicing birth doulas) that would help create a meaningful and sustainable program for students. We connected with community organizations, maternal health professionals, and educational partners to ensure the program would provide both high-quality instruction and real-world experiences.” High school doula certification programs exist in some states including Massachusetts and Arkansas, though they are rare. JTED’s program uses a curriculum developed by Wall and Alexander, who is certified through DONA International, the oldest and largest doula certification program in the world. JTED’s community health and wellness program also offers a class in community health and wellness. Most of those in the inaugural doula certification class — which started the year with 19 students —  were surprised to find themselves there, they said, after not getting into the other class.  “I think these two facets of community health and doula marry up really well because as a birth doula you need to know what community resources are available,” said Wall, who is a registered nurse with 35 years of experience. “And as a birth doula, you’ve got that compassion, that empathy that comes out, which normally the two work hand-in-hand. If you don’t have that empathy, you don’t care for people, then you’re probably not going to be in health care.” “Where I see my future …” An aspiring labor and delivery nurse, Ashley Acuña Grijalva joined the community health and wellness program this school year. The senior at Alta Vista High School had an aunt who used a doula at her birth, but Ashley was unclear about the doula’s role.  “When I got into this program, I learned what birth doula was and community health work and the birth doula really fascinated me,” she said. “I see myself in the future becoming a labor and delivery nurse. Especially because my best friend wants to be a NICU nurse so I feel like that would be the thing.” Next fall, Ashley will head to the University of Arizona as a first-generation college student. The JTED program helped her see her strengths, she said. “She’s grown so much,” Alexander said of the soft-spoken Ashley, who found purpose in community health events where she spoke in Spanish about suicide prevention, nutrition and asthma. “They’ve just made this program really fun. We did our first community health event in Safford,” she said. “That was super interesting to me. We went out to give flyers. And that was the first time I really ever interacted with people. And it felt amazing. That’s where I see my future.” Like her classmates, Ashley has navigated a class rooted in real-world issues. “There were definitely conversations about whether students might feel intimidated by the subject matter because maternal health, childbirth, and advocacy can be emotionally sensitive and complex topics,” Francis said. “However, we also believed students would be drawn to the program because it offers something unique, meaningful, and directly connected to helping people during one of the most important moments in their lives.” Admittedly shy, the hands-on work “felt really good,” Ashley says. Her aptitude surprised her most. “I feel like the program offered a lot,” she said. “The fact that we’re going to have births, like real life births to do, I’m a little bit nervous.” Insight and résumé building If Edwin Moreno Rios felt apprehensive about taking the doula certification class, he hid it from everyone. The Sunnyside High School senior will finish the program as the only male in the class. Community health and wellness was a focus for him on the path to becoming a dermatologist, he said.  But the doula class? “I kind of didn’t expect it, but it’s pretty nice because it gives me a better look on my résumé,” Edwin said. Learning about labor and delivery is also sobering, he says. It’s the other side of a sex-ed class. “What’s pretty cool is the fact, like a lot of people my age are, how do I say this? Loose? And you know, not protected at all,” he said. “So, it gives a good insight as to what can happen, to be careful. “When I got here, I felt fearful and I felt like ‘oh God,’” he said. “Obviously, I still kind of do, but swear it off.”  He realizes, he says, that the birthing person doesn’t necessarily relate to him. But, he learned immediately that “everyone has a story and people need help with almost everything,” he said. “I recognize my community, the Hispanic community, we need help and being a doula can do that.” Maternal mortality rates among people of color are at crisis levels,  according to a 2024 Arizona Department of Health Services report from 2018-19, the most recent data available. Arizona ranked 11th in maternal mortality rate at 30 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018-2022, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s higher than the national average of 23.2. Seeing that need here, helped shape JTED’s program, Francis said. “Maternal health is not only a medical issue,” she said. “It is a community health issue influenced heavily by social determinants of health, access to care, mental wellness, education, socioeconomic status, and cultural support systems.” Stretch, grow, respect Connecting with community and imbuing that group with her vibe, is what Desert View senior Sophia Gonzalez says she wants to do as a social worker. She’s headed to Northern Arizona University next fall as a first-generation student.  “I’ve had social workers in my life. I’ve met them through my school. I’ve met them in my house,” she said. “I’ve been with them in their offices and facilities. I want to do what they do. “This class has truly helped me with first of all my presentation skills a lot, my communication skills, my being able to work with more people and being a team player and it’s just it’s helped me open up myself more to that like idea of being just a helping hand and collaborating and actually getting my ideas out there,” she said. As a new teacher, Alexander also learned those new skills and grew this school year too. Although she’s a mother of four and been a doula for about 14 years, leading a classroom forced her to stretch, she said. Students Annel Perez, center, Ashley Acuña Grijalva, holding notes and Maya Gomez are in JTED’s doula certification program. They act out a birth scenario on May 5, 2026 as doula and teacher Shannon Alexander looks on. Credit: Shannon Conner Credit: Shannon Conner “I relate to my students this way, even becoming a doula for the first time,” she said. “Sitting in the discomfort, learning a new skill like teaching and presenting. … It’s life changing and I’m not that kind of person. I never was. And I became that person.” The “as-if” technique is not a substitute for the real thing. But for now, the students have each other and their roles at the birth in the front of the room. As the doula in the next scenario, Edwin asks Maya, playing the nurse, to step outside and talks with her softly. “What does she need? Maybe a translator,” he offers. The scene stops. “Did you guys all notice that he called the nurse aside to have a private conversation? That’s very well done,” Alexander says. “Sometimes you actually need that time to talk to someone and to figure out, OK, what do I need to say, she said. “What language was effective with this? Just show that respect.” The post Supporting three live births is the ultimate final exam for these Southern Arizona high school students appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0718ffa200899a00eba37f New Zealand rugby league player dead at 30 after suffering 'unsurvivable' injury in season opener te 2026-05-15T13:00:47.185Z New Zealand rugby league player dead at 30 after suffering 'unsurvivable' injury in season opener A New Zealand rugby player died Tuesday after suffering "unsurvivable" injuries during his team’s season opener, the club confirmed. He was 30. Glenora Rugby League Football Club Chairwoman Janet Hunt confirmed the death of Eugene Hanna in a post on Facebook. According to Hunt’s statement, Hanna was gravely injured during a game against the Te Atatu Roosters. "It is with a heavy heart that we inform our members of the passing of Eugene Hanna on Tuesday. Eugene was a valued player in our Premier Reserves squad and although a new Bears member had good friends within the club," Hunt’s statement began.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Eugene sustained an injury in the team's first game of the season against Te Atatu which was tragically unsurvivable. Glenora Bears would like to extend its gratitude to the Te Atatu Roosters members who helped at the scene, the attending paramedics and Auckland Hospital for their care these last two weeks." The Roosters also released a statement extending condolences to the club. JOSAIA RAISUQE, RUGBY STAR WHO WON SILVER AT PARIS OLYMPICS WITH FIJI, DEAD AFTER ACCIDENT INVOLVING TRAIN While no other details surrounding the circumstances of Hanna’s death were immediately known, the New Zealand Rugby League did issue a statement Thursday warning of the dangers of head injuries and the importance of concussion protocols. "NRZL places the utmost importance on player safety and welfare and work hard to prevent such tragic outcomes. We have rigorous head injury and concussion protocols in place and work with our rugby league community to ensure appropriate resources and education are provided year-round. "We urge anyone who sustains a head injury or experiences any symptoms to follow the guidelines in place, seek the appropriate medical advice and treatment, and only return to play when advised and appropriate."  Several clubs issued statements showing an outpouring of support following Hanna’s death, including the Renegades FC of the New Zealand Christian Football League, where Hanna previously played.  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/6a0718eba200899a00eba376 Joe Rogan stunned at how many Americans think Trump assassination attempts were staged te 2026-05-15T13:00:27.520Z Joe Rogan stunned at how many Americans think Trump assassination attempts were staged Podcaster Joe Rogan blamed TikTok and social media culture for widespread conspiracy thinking on Wednesday after discussing how many Americans believe at least one assassination attempt against President Donald Trump was staged. "This is TikTok. It’s f---ing ruined," Rogan said during "The Joe Rogan Experience" while reacting to survey data showing many Americans either believe at least one attempt was staged or are unsure whether the attempts were authentic. "Rotting their f---ing brains out from inside their heads." "Meanwhile, you go on Chinese TikTok, it’s all like traditional dance and martial arts, science projects," Rogan said. "It shuts down for kids after 10 p.m." After Rogan read the survey findings, his guest, comedian Brendan Schaub, responded, "And that’s the problem." WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL CONNECTS MISINFORMATION BY BIDEN TO WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE CONSPIRACY THEORIES According to The Washington Post, "Roughly 1 in 3 Democratic respondents said they believed the [White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting]  event was staged, compared with about 1 in 8 Republicans, according to a survey published Monday by NewsGuard, a company that rates the reliability of online news outlets. Respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 were also more likely than older people to think the incident was staged, according to the report."  Rogan and Schaub spent several minutes discussing conspiracy theories surrounding the multiple assassination attempts against Trump, including the July 2024 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rogan argued people who believe the Butler shooting was staged do not understand firearms. FIRST RESPONDERS SIT DOWN WITH WIDOW OF FIREFIGHTER KILLED AT BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA TRUMP RALLY "The people that thought that the Butler, Pennsylvania one was staged don't know anything about guns," Rogan said. "I don’t know anybody who knows anything about guns that thinks that the president would let some guy nick his ear with a bullet." Rogan pointed to the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the Butler rally shooting while attending the event. "That guy got shot by a bullet that was intended for Trump," Rogan said. "And then there’s a photo of a bullet whizzing by his face. Anybody that thinks that that staged is out of their f---ing mind." For the 2024 attempt, the Post explained, "Regarding the Butler assassination attempt, 24 percent of respondents said they believed it was staged. Forty-two percent of Democratic respondents said they thought the shooting was staged, compared with 7 percent of Republicans."  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The pair also referenced another assassination attempt connected to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Schaub questioned why anyone would believe an individual would destroy his own life to participate in a fake attack. "They think that’s fake," Schaub said. "It’s like, hold on. So, you think this guy, who’s a teacher, educated, clearly kind of had his s--- together, threw away his life?" The podcasters also discussed Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who attempted to assassinate Trump in Butler, with Rogan questioning the lack of publicly available information about him after the shooting. "That one was weird as f---," Rogan said. "That guy’s house was professionally scrubbed. He didn’t even have silverware there. He had no online activity. He had no social media." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0711f7a200899a00eba1e8 AI data centers may soon ride ocean waves te 2026-05-15T12:30:47.757Z AI data centers may soon ride ocean waves Artificial intelligence (AI) already shows up in your phone, your searches and plenty of apps you use every day. Now, some Silicon Valley investors are betting the machines behind those AI answers could one day run at sea. A company called Panthalassa has raised $140 million in new funding to develop and deploy autonomous, floating AI computing nodes powered by ocean waves. The Series B round brings Panthalassa's total funding to $210 million, a sign that investors are taking this ocean-based AI idea seriously. The round was led by Peter Thiel, the Palantir co-founder, and the company says the money will help complete a pilot manufacturing facility near Portland, Oregon. Panthalassa also plans to deploy its Ocean-3 pilot node series in the northern Pacific Ocean later in 2026. Instead of building another giant AI data center on land, Panthalassa wants to place computing power out at sea. Ocean waves would generate electricity. Seawater would help with cooling. Onboard computing systems would process AI prompts and send the results back to land through low-Earth-orbit satellites.  Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report LOWERING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL COULD BE FLOATING IN THE OCEAN META BUILDS WORLD’S LARGEST AI SUPERCLUSTERS FOR THE FUTURE Panthalassa's floating nodes are designed to capture wave motion and turn it into electricity. The company says it has spent a decade developing the technology behind its power generation, onboard computing and autonomous ocean operations. Its earlier Ocean-1, Ocean-2 and Wavehopper prototypes were tested in 2021 and 2024. Think of each node like a floating power station with AI hardware inside. Waves move the system. That motion helps drive a generator. The power then feeds the onboard chips. WHY AI IS CAUSING SUMMER ELECTRICITY BILLS TO SOAR The company's plan is to use those chips for AI inference. That is the part of AI where a model responds to your prompt after it has already been trained. In simple terms, it is what happens when you ask a chatbot a question and get an answer back. That makes the ocean plan a little easier to understand. Training massive AI models requires huge data movement and tight coordination. Answering prompts may be more realistic for a floating node, at least in some situations. AI data centers need huge amounts of electricity. They also need space, cooling systems and local support from communities that may not want a massive facility nearby. Those problems have pushed companies to look for unusual answers. Ocean-based computing is one of them. Panthalassa says its nodes would operate far from shore in wave-rich parts of the ocean. The goal is to use that wave energy directly onboard instead of sending the power back to land. "We've built a technology platform that operates in the planet's most energy-dense wave regions, far from shore, and turns that resource into reliable clean power," said Garth Sheldon-Coulson, Panthalassa's co-founder and CEO. A SUPERCOMPUTER CHIP GOING TO SPACE COULD CHANGE LIFE ON EARTH The ocean also offers cold surrounding water. That could help cool the chips onboard. Cooling is a major issue because data centers produce a lot of heat. Panthalassa is taking a different path from traditional land-based data centers. Instead of pulling more power from the grid, it wants floating nodes that generate their own electricity from waves. A SUPERCOMPUTER CHIP GOING TO SPACE COULD CHANGE LIFE ON EARTH The ocean may help with power and cooling, but it creates another problem: connection. Traditional data centers rely on high-capacity fiber-optic connections because they need to move huge amounts of data fast. A floating node far out at sea may depend on low-Earth-orbit satellite links. That can work for some AI responses, but it may be slower and more limited than fiber. SOLAR DEVICE TRANSFORMS USED TIRES TO HELP PURIFY WATER SO THAT IT'S DRINKABLE The challenge grows when multiple nodes need to work together. AI systems often depend on fast communication between chips, servers and storage. If those parts are floating in the ocean and talking by satellite, coordination gets harder. That means AI data centers at sea may not replace land-based data centers anytime soon. They may be better suited for certain AI tasks where the model can live onboard, and the response does not require constant back-and-forth with other machines. There is another practical question: What happens when something breaks? A land-based data center can send in technicians. A floating AI node in rough seas may need a ship, special equipment and the right weather window. That adds cost and delay. Panthalassa says it is developing autonomous systems meant for harsh ocean conditions. Its press release says Ocean-3 testing is meant to demonstrate AI inference and refine manufacturing before commercial deployments in 2027. Still, the ocean is brutal. Saltwater eats away at equipment. Storms can turn a routine repair into a major operation. Constant motion also puts stress on the hardware. For this plan to work, Panthalassa will have to show that each node can keep running for years in harsh ocean conditions without frequent human repairs. WHY AI IS CAUSING SUMMER ELECTRICITY BILLS TO SOAR Ocean data centers are not new. Microsoft experimented with underwater data center servers through Project Natick, including tests in 2015 and 2018. Those tests showed that sealed underwater servers could run reliably while using seawater for cooling, with Microsoft reporting a lower failure rate than comparable land-based systems. Microsoft later ended the project. Chinese companies have also reportedly pushed ahead with underwater data center projects near Hainan and Shanghai. Keppel has explored floating data center designs in Singapore, where land constraints make the concept especially attractive. Panthalassa's plan goes in a different direction. It combines wave power with onboard AI chips and satellite-based results. It also depends on floating nodes that would need to operate far from the kind of support a normal data center gets. That is why the idea is getting attention. It is also why skepticism is fair. FOX NEWS AI NEWSLETTER: SCAMMERS CAN EXPLOIT YOUR DATA FROM JUST 1 CHATGPT SEARCH For now, this will not change how your phone or computer works. You will not suddenly see a "powered by ocean waves" label on your favorite AI app. But the bigger picture affects everyone. AI needs an incredible amount of electricity. As more companies add AI tools to their products, they need more places to run those systems. That pressure can affect energy grids, water use, local battles over new data centers and even your utility bills over time. Panthalassa argues its approach could reduce the need for new data centers and power plants on land. That could ease pressure on local communities and the grid, but the company still has to prove the system can work reliably at sea. If ocean-based AI moves beyond testing, it could also raise fresh questions about marine maintenance, environmental oversight and who controls computing infrastructure in international waters. Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com Everyone is using AI on their phones and computers these days, but the heavy lifting often happens in huge data centers behind the scenes. That is why Panthalassa's ocean plan is getting attention. The company wants to use waves for power and seawater for cooling. The hard part is proving that floating AI nodes can survive rough seas, limited satellite links and complicated maintenance. If Panthalassa can pull it off, ocean-based AI could become part of the tech we use every day. If it cannot, it may show just how difficult it is to keep feeding AI's growing demand for power. If this kind of ocean-powered AI takes off, would you worry about what these floating nodes could mean for our oceans? 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/6a0711e4a200899a00eba1df TANVI RATNA: How Trump’s NATO reset is becoming military reality te 2026-05-15T12:30:28.051Z TANVI RATNA: How Trump’s NATO reset is becoming military reality For decades, if Europe faced a major war, the hidden assumption was not just that America would show up. It was that America would organize the fight. The United States would provide the top commanders, the logistics, the intelligence, the airpower, the nuclear umbrella, the reinforcement routes, the satellites, the refueling aircraft and the command networks that made NATO work when things got real. European allies contributed forces and geography, but the American machine held the alliance together. That is changing. TRUMP EFFECT FORCES GERMANY TO REPRIORITIZE DEFENSE AS NATION PLAYS CATCH-UP IN MILITARY SPENDING Trump’s NATO reset is no longer just a demand that Europe spend more money. It is becoming a change in who plans the fight, who moves the forces, who covers the flanks, and who supplies the weapons Europe would need if the next crisis arrives while Washington is focused elsewhere. I previously argued in this space that the 2026 National Defense Strategy put the new bargain in writing: Europe remains allied with the United States, but it no longer gets to be the first claim on American military capacity. Iran made that prioritization visible faster than Europe expected. Now the military machinery is moving. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE TO DO 'MUCH, MUCH MORE' TO INCREASE DEFENSE SPENDING The most important evidence is NATO’s command map. In February 2026, mere days after the launch of the National Defense strategy, NATO allies agreed to redistribute senior command roles so that for the first time, not Americans but Europeans moved into leadership of all three major Joint Force Commands: Norfolk, Naples and Brunssum. The United Kingdom is slated for Norfolk, Italy for Naples and Germany and Poland for Brunssum. For context, a Joint Force Command is the war-planning layer between political decisions and battlefield execution. If Russia pressures the Baltics, if the Mediterranean erupts, or if reinforcements have to cross the Atlantic, these headquarters matter because they organize the campaign. They decide how the theater is run: where forces go, what gets reinforced first, and how land, air, sea, cyber and logistics are coordinated in a crisis. Moving Europeans into all three is therefore not a staffing shuffle. It is Europe being moved into responsibility for the actual conduct of regional war. 'PUTIN IS PUSHING THE LIMITS’: EASTERN ALLIES WARN TRUMP NOT TO PULL US TROOPS Brunssum is the Eastern Flank command closest to Russia. In practical terms, that means Poland, the Baltics, the Suwałki Gap and any serious Russia contingency. Germany and Poland moving into leadership there matters because Poland is no longer only the frontline country warning Western Europe about Moscow, spending heavily on tanks, and serving as Ukraine’s logistics hub. It is being pulled into NATO’s operational core. Naples is the Southern Flank command closest to the Gulf region and Africa. That means the Mediterranean, the Balkans, North Africa, migration pressure, Red Sea disruption, energy routes and Middle East spillover. Italy’s elevation matters because Iran showed that the southern theater is no longer secondary. A Gulf crisis can hit European shipping, fuel prices, naval deployments and NATO politics almost instantly. Norfolk is the Atlantic and High North command. It protects the reinforcement artery between North America and Europe. If American or Canadian forces have to cross the Atlantic to reinforce Europe, Norfolk matters. It also links the Arctic, the Nordics and the North Atlantic sea lanes. EUROPEAN OFFICIALS PITCH NEW IDEA TO SHORE UP DEFENSES WITH TRUMP'S RETURN This is a new military map of Europe. The old political map was Paris, Berlin and Brussels. The emerging military map is Poland on the Eastern Flank, Italy in the Mediterranean, Britain on the Atlantic artery, Germany as the logistics and industrial base, and the Nordics tied into the High North and Baltic theater. But Washington is not giving Europe the whole machine. ‘MAKE NATO GREAT AGAIN’: HEGSETH PUSHES EUROPEAN ALLIES TO STEP UP DEFENSE EFFORTS The United States keeps SACEUR, the top NATO military command, and the commands that integrate air, land and maritime power. That means Europe is being asked to run more of the regional fight, while America keeps the pieces that decide capabilities and whether the fight can be sustained, escalated, reinforced and won. That is exactly what a Trump NATO reset looks like in practice. Europe gets more of the commands and America keeps the system. The force posture is starting to follow the same logic. The planned withdrawal of about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany is not just a headcount story. The drawdown reportedly affects a brigade combat team added after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and cancels a planned long-range fires battalion with Tomahawk missiles that German officials viewed as a deterrent against Russia. HEGSETH WARNS EUROPEANS 'REALITIES' OF CHINA AND BORDER THREATS PREVENT US FROM GUARANTEEING THEIR SECURITY That matters. A brigade combat team is combat power. Long-range fires are what allow a force to strike deep targets, command posts, air defenses and logistics nodes before they hit NATO troops. These are exactly the kinds of capabilities Europe long assumed America would provide in a serious contingency. Pulling them back tells Europe the new strategy is not paperwork but serious. NATO’s exercise schedule points in the same direction. The drills are not random. They show the wars NATO thinks it may have to fight. Exercise Steadfast Dart 26 involved more than 10,000 troops from 13 member states and tested rapid deployment and sustainment of the Allied Reaction Force in Brunssum’s area of responsibility. Translation: can NATO move forces quickly into the Eastern Flank before a Russian crisis becomes a disaster? Amber Shock 26 put roughly 3,500 troops and heavy equipment into the crucial Suwałki Gap with Russia to practice movement and logistics in one of Europe’s most dangerous corridors. Cold Response 2026 brought about 30,000 troops from 14 allies across Norway and Finland, tied to the High North problem in the Arctic theater against Russia. NATO CHIEF SIGNALS ALLIES MAY ACT ON HORMUZ, WARNS OF ‘UNHEALTHY CODEPENDENCE’ ON US The Strait of Hormuz was not Europe’s battlefield, but Europe was exposed. Oil, LNG, shipping insurance, industrial costs and inflation all depend on maritime security. When Washington pushed allies to help police the strait, Europe faced a real military question: could it help secure an energy artery when America was busy elsewhere? The EU’s Operation Aspides had supported more than 640 merchant vessels in its first year, including more than 370 close-protection escorts. But it operated with only a handful of high-end European ships. When Hormuz became the crisis point, EU ministers had no appetite to extend the mission into the strait, even while acknowledging Aspides lacked enough naval assets. That was not just political caution. It exposed the mechanics of European power: too few ships, narrow mandates, legal constraints and limited appetite for risk. BRETT VELICOVICH: IRAN BUILT A DRONE TERROR MACHINE — AMERICA JUST HACKED IT Iran did not create the NATO reset. It showed why the reset has urgency. Europe is now building around the gaps the old bargain allowed it to avoid. Air and missile defense is one example. Europe is expanding initiatives such as European Sky Shield and signing contracts for systems like IRIS-T SLM. But serious air and missile defense depth could take five to ten years, and some deliveries run toward 2028 to 2030. Drones show the same gap. Europe is launching drone and counter-drone initiatives, including cooperation with Ukraine, but there is still limited evidence of European mass production on the scale Ukraine, Russia or Iran have made central to modern war. Ammunition is improving, but the math is brutal. Europe is trying to move from roughly 300,000 shells annually toward 2 million while supporting Ukraine and rebuilding its own stockpiles. Military power is not a press release. It is output per month. The most revealing dependency may be above the battlefield. Europe can get more command responsibility, but it still relies heavily on the American layer that makes command effective. That is why spending alone is not the story. Europe can spend more and still fail if the money buys fragmented national arsenals instead of one usable military machine. Collaborative procurement was only 18 percent of EU defense investment in 2022, far below the 35 percent benchmark. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, urgent buying flowed heavily to non-European suppliers. In plain terms, Europe has to stop building 27 separate shopping carts and start building a war machine. That is the next phase of Trump’s NATO reset. He got Europe to spend. Now Europe has to convert spending into hard power: air defense, drones, shells, ships, logistics, space assets and industrial surge. The important point though is that what Trump foreshadowed is now happening. The Pentagon formalized it. NATO’s command map is changing. The old NATO bargain made America the automatic first responder in Europe. The new bargain gives Europe more command responsibility and more of the conventional burden, while America keeps the strategic levers. That is Trump’s NATO reset becoming military reality. This article is a Fox News Digital exclusive from the Tanvi Ratna’s Substack series on different theaters President Trump is realigning with the Iran War. CLICK FOR MORE FROM TANVI RATNA Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a070f9fa200899a00eba14e How Trump handed the Democrats a gift by seeming to dismiss financial worries of Americans te 2026-05-15T12:20:47.508Z How Trump handed the Democrats a gift by seeming to dismiss financial worries of Americans The speaker of the House is trying to rescue the President of the United States from a bad blunder. Or, to put it in layman’s terms, "Cleanup on Aisle 3!" In what can only be viewed by Democrats as a gift-wrapped present from the political gods — and which you will hear repeated thousands of times before November — Donald Trump appeared to blow off concerns about the financial struggles of his fellow citizens. Mike Johnson began: "I don’t know the context in which he made that comment–" Hold on. When a seasoned lawmaker begins that way — even though the offending words were said on camera and already blasted around the world — he is saying he doesn’t want to answer the question. He wants to immediately pivot to his spin. TRUMP PROMISED LOWER COSTS; THE IRAN CONFLICT NOW THREATENS THAT PLEDGE  A quick recap for those living without electricity: Donald Trump, who spends more hours talking to journalists than any president in history, had committed a linguistic felony. He is usually immune to such missteps by reframing the question, which all pols have some basic ability to do. Before he left for China, a reporter asked whether he was motivated to make a deal with Iran because of "Americans’ financial situations." "Not even a little bit," Trump said — and he didn’t stop there. "The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran — they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing — we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all." That’s where he stepped in it. Trump repeated the negative premise in a complete sound bite, rather than focusing solely on nukes. The Johnson explanation: "I can tell you the president thinks about Americans’ financial situations. I talk to him on average twice a day, sometimes three or four times a day, and we talk about it constantly. He is laser-focused on trying to resolve the conflict in Iran. Because if we get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, that will alleviate pressure on gas prices and other things in the economy." Message: He cares. TRUMP TORCHES DEMS' 'FAKE AFFORDABILITY' PITCH – BUT GOP PANIC IN DEEP RED STATE HINTS VOTERS AREN'T BUYING IT Which is reminiscent of George H.W. Bush (who had a tendency to read his talking points) saying after winning the Persian Gulf War, in response to criticism that he was too focused on policy: "Message–I care." The Louisiana congressman did try to convey that message without contradicting what Trump had actually said. Now you could argue that Trump was just being ham-handed, that he was trying to convey that nothing was more important to him than stopping the Iranians on the nuclear front. But in recent weeks, the president has talked a great deal about his White House ballroom. He has said Barack Obama should be imprisoned over what happened in 2016. He has continued his retribution campaign against political enemies, especially James Comey, who he’s called a "dirty cop" and against whom he orchestrated the "seashell" indictment after a previous one was thrown out of court. None of this broadcasts a message of affordability, especially with soaring prices on such items as beef, coffee and tomatoes. MIKE JOHNSON SAYS HOUSE GOP WORKING FULL STEAM AHEAD ON TRUMP'S 'AFFORDABILITY AGENDA' In his comments the other day, Johnson turned to a favorite Trump punching bag. He said they were trying "to reverse the inflation of the Biden years that was at a 40-year high." Small problem. The annual inflation rate was just announced at 3.8 percent for April, eliciting gasps from some TV economists.  The president did draw support from an unexpected source: John Fetterman. The Democratic senator told Fox News this his stance is rooted in his support for Israel and Trump being the first president to take on the terrorist state of Iran. "I mean, he said  something that got clipped, saying, ‘I’m not thinking about American people financially.’ But what he really was saying, what he did say is like, ‘I am really thinking that we can’t ever let Iran building a bomb’.’  It didn’t get "clipped" by most media outlets. But I’m sure Trump appreciated Fetterman’s vote against invoking the War Powers Act, which would have required Hill approval before the war could continue–especially with three Republicans breaking ranks with their party. No president can single-handedly turn around the economic ship of state. Even with Trump’s pick, Kevin Warsh, confirmed as Fed chairman, there’s no guarantee that interest rates will quickly be cut, despite a long lobbying campaign by the president. And he certainly didn’t help himself with his ill-chosen words. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a070f87a200899a00eba108 Osaurus brings both local and cloud AI models to your Mac te 2026-05-15T12:20:23.506Z Osaurus brings both local and cloud AI models to your Mac Osaurus combines local and cloud AI models in a Mac app that keeps users’ memory, files, and tools on their own hardware. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a070d48a200899a00eba0b4 30,000 angry Red Sox fans send blunt message to owner during another embarrassing loss te 2026-05-15T12:10:48.427Z 30,000 angry Red Sox fans send blunt message to owner during another embarrassing loss It's been two weeks since the Boston Red Sox fired Alex Cora and five other coaches in a desperate move to save a sinking ship, so let's go ahead and check in on the club and see how much they've turned it around. You ready? OK! Get your calculators out ... In the 16 games since Boston axed Cora, the team has turned into an absolute juggernaut, going ... 8-8. That's right. 8-8! They are just as mediocre now as they were weeks ago, which shouldn't surprise anyone with eyeballs and half a brain. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I've said for months now that this team is awful. I've ripped them, mocked them and begged the owner to sell the team. And I've had angry fans email me calling me all sorts of names because I was too mean and nasty to their beloved Red Sox. Well, they've gone 8-8 since Cora's firing, and stink just as bad today as they did two weeks ago. The latest embarrassment came in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia, when Trevor Story (awful) made another horrendous error late in the game that led to the third and final run of the inning for the Phillies. TREVOR STORY QUESTIONS RED SOX'S DIRECTION AFTER FIRING MANAGER ALEX CORA, FIVE COACHES: 'UP IN THE AIR' Fans, rightfully so, were furious, and they let owner John Henry hear about it from his cozy suite overlooking Fenway Park: It's just so pathetic. The organization is so cooked. Anyone who thought firing Alex Cora was going to fix a thing is just insane. I had one reader actually email me and tell me it was a blessing because now the minor league guys were going to come in and save the day. Seriously. Nobody is saving the day, folks. Not until John Henry listens to the fans and sells the team. That's the reality of the Red Sox right now. The experiment has failed. It's all just failed. They tried to become the Rays when they traded Mookie Betts six years ago. They wanted to focus on the farm system and saving money. They didn't want to pay big taxes anymore for spending too much money. And it's completely crashed and burned. All of it. They've finished near or at the bottom of the AL East in all but two seasons since 2020, and one of those (2021) was a fluke. They're headed that way again this season, by the way. They traded guys like Rafael Devers and Mookie Betts. They watched cornerstones like Xander Bogaerts walk in free agency. They refused to engage with Alex Bregman last year when he wanted to talk about an extension. Now, Bregman and the Cubs are 28-16 while the Red Sox are 18-25 and his "replacement," Caleb Durbin, might be the worst player I've ever seen wear a Red Sox uniform. Roman Anthony, the top prospect in baseball last season, is hurt right now. Before he got hurt, he was awful. Truly dreadful. The regression has been shocking. Jarren Duran, who fans BEGGED Craig Breslow to trade last offseason, hasn't hit since 2024. He's currently hitting .178 and part of a logjam in the outfield because the GM refused to deal any of them last winter. Trevor Story is hitting .206 with 57 (!!!) strikeouts this season. That's tied for eighth-most in all of baseball. He's committed the fourth-most errors (5) out of all qualified shortstops. This was supposed to be the team "leader" after they sent Bregman packing. Nice work. I could go on and on. Believe me. For now, though, the fans did all the talking last night at Fenway. Sadly, it won't be enough. The next step? Stop showing up altogether. Hit Henry where it hurts the most. That's the only option. Chants are cute, but they fall on deaf ears while you hold a $15 Michelob Ultra. Should be a fun summer at Fenway! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a070d34a200899a00eba0ab Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchers te 2026-05-15T12:10:28.682Z Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchers Florida students are uncovering remnants of the past in a place many associate with the future: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. University of Central Florida students and faculty are currently excavating the DeSoto site at Cape Canaveral, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The site dates back to the Malabar II Period, which lasted from roughly 900 to 1565 A.D. It consists of black earth midden deposits — meaning it sits atop layers of ancient refuse. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER REMNANTS OF FLORIDA'S SHORT-LIVED BRITISH PAST IN ST. AUGUSTINE: 'ALWAYS FASCINATING' Middens "contain the garbage that people left behind after undertaking their daily tasks," said Sarah "Stacy" Barber, an anthropology professor at the University of Central Florida. Barber told Fox News Digital that "obtaining and preparing food" was an important daily activity for the people who lived there. "They didn’t farm, although research by Neil Duncan has shown that at least some people in the region had access to ground corn, which was being farmed by the Indigenous people of North Florida," she said. Instead of farming, Native Americans in the area largely relied on local resources, though some people in the region had access to imported foods such as corn and beans. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER CENTURIES-OLD SHIPWRECK BENEATH HISTORIC CITY: 'UNIQUE SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE' They also dined on seafood, including shark, fish, clams and other local species — remains of which have turned up in the midden. "We have found the refuse of many dozens of meals," she said. "We know from our finds this year at DeSoto that turtles, shark, black drum, and coquina clams were on the menu." Barber added, "So, ancient people fished the lagoon and the beachfront. Once we can add in the plant remains, which take longer to process in a lab, we’ll know whether these animals were supplemented with plant foods like acorns and greenbriar." ARCHAEOLOGISTS STUMPED BY STRANGE ALIEN-LIKE FIGURINE DATING BACK 7,000 YEARS: 'RAISES QUESTIONS' The professor said there is even evidence of seasonings — suggesting ancient people "spiced up their food just like we do." "We have made a number of really interesting finds this year," she said. Those finds include the "complete vertebral column of a shark," which the Native Americans would have eaten, as well as "something that is either a fossil or a whale bone near the shark." The anthropologist said the unidentified object "has really stumped us." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "We look forward to figuring out what that is," she said. Archaeologists have also found hundreds of pottery sherds, as well as "the remnants of at least one hearth where food was likely cooked." Barber added that samples still need to be sent to an outside lab for radiocarbon dating. At the site, archaeologists also found tools such as conch shell hammers and shark tooth knives used to prepare food. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Researchers say the remains show that Indigenous people made deliberate choices about what they ate, with shark remains found at the site but little evidence that dolphins were hunted. Finds suggest the Native Americans relied largely on local resources for centuries, while also having contact with other tribes. "The Indigenous people of Cape Canaveral lived in relatively dense communities and relied 100% on locally obtained food," Barber said. "They did it for thousands of years, and they didn’t put the kind of stress on the local environment that we have in far less time." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Rather than living hand-to-mouth, Barber said the community was well-connected and far from isolated. "Our sites show an abundance and diversity of food, time to produce pottery when needed, and the opportunity to either travel or interact with people in distant regions," she said. "It was probably a comfortable, beachfront lifestyle." Above all, Barber said the excavations show how the past and present can exist side by side. "There are few places in the world highlighting the role of the past in the present than somewhere like Cape Canaveral, where the future of space flight literally sits atop and among Native American landscapes," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a070883a200899a00eb9f7d Trump departs China after touting trade deals, agreement with Xi on Iran and more top headlines te 2026-05-15T11:50:27.942Z Trump departs China after touting trade deals, agreement with Xi on Iran and more top headlines 1. Trump departs China after touting trade deals, agreement with Xi on Iran 2. Trump says China's Xi Jinping offered to help end Iran conflict  3. Demi Moore accused of spreading ‘fascist propaganda’ HUNTING GROUNDS — Criminal profiler reveals 'extremely rare' red flag in case of suspected serial killer migrant in Texas. Continue reading … 'THUCYDIDES TRAP' — Trump responds to Xi's reported comments about America's decline. Continue reading … FOLLOW THE MONEY — $1B leftist network behind coordinated global anti-Israel rallies exposed. Continue reading … DORM DANGER — America's top party school rocked by reported sexual assault in campus housing. Continue reading … GOLDEN YEARS — How much money it takes to retire comfortably in every state in America. Continue reading … -- HOUSE DIVIDED — GOP can't agree on key part of Trump's housing affordability push as impasse continues. Continue reading … ISLAND TENSION — CIA chief tells Cuba the US ready to engage if regime makes major changes. Continue reading … WALLET SQUEEZE — Senate votes to throw its own paychecks into escrow during shutdowns. Continue reading … POWER TO PARENTS — Education Secretary McMahon touts Trump admin record of 'education renewal.' Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   FACT-CHECKED LIVE — Conservative radio host corners 'The View' panelist over Duffy attack on air. Continue reading … BRAINSTORM BACKFIRE — Kamala Harris goes viral after controversial 'no bad ideas' session on livestream. Continue reading … FRIENDLY FIRE — Carville warns Democrats anti-Israel ‘loudmouths’ could cost elections. Continue reading … POWER PLAY — Rubio warns America must 'stay ahead of the curve' as China works to surpass the US with stolen tech. Continue reading … REP. YOUNG KIM — The CCP controls the most intimate elements of our life. Most Americans have no idea. Continue reading …  ANNE SCHLAFLY — Phyllis Schlafly was right: America must put babies and mothers first. Continue reading … -- PAY TO PLAY — Wisconsin senator says 'enough is enough' after NFL puts Packers holiday game behind Netflix paywall. Continue reading … GROUNDS FOR CHANGE — Scientists used electricity on coffee and discovered what makes it taste good. Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — Which official blew the whistle on COVID-19 origins? What town is losing its last casino? Take the quiz here … EXPLOSIVE RELICS — Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchers. Continue reading … FIRSTHAND LOOK — Take a peek inside the hantavirus quarantine unit at University of Nebraska Medical Center. See video ... PRESIDENT TRUMP — There are no games with President Xi. See video … RET. GEN. PHILIP BREEDLOVE — Xi is trying to pull a veil over support for Iran. See video … Tune in for a closer look at a new investigation into the mysterious deaths and disappearances of U.S. scientists tied to nuclear, defense, and aerospace work. Check it out ... 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 Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07062ea200899a00eb9ee8 Fox News Digital's News Quiz: May 15, 2026 te 2026-05-15T11:40:30.207Z Fox News Digital's News Quiz: May 15, 2026 Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, a former government official blowing the whistle on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a town that's losing it's last casino. Looking for another challenge? Reality star Spencer Pratt and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass engaged in a heated mayoral debate, and a lawsuit over "tomato fraud" were featured in last week's News Quiz. Test your knowledge of party pours, Hollywood hurdles and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here. Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0703cfa200899a00eb9e0c Indian Uber rival Rapido raises $240M at $3B valuation te 2026-05-15T11:30:23.203Z Indian Uber rival Rapido raises $240M at $3B valuation Rapido has driven its growth by enabling ride-hailing for lower-cost and more flexible modes of transport such as motorbikes and autorickshaws. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a07017aa200899a00eb9dac Hollywood director rips 'smug' White liberals, says 'no group is worse' te 2026-05-15T11:20:26.707Z Hollywood director rips 'smug' White liberals, says 'no group is worse' Hollywood director Adam McKay unloaded on White liberals during an interview on Wednesday in a fiery critique of the Democratic Party. "I could go on with a list of 400 things, the same party that kept healthcare private," McKay told host Jesse Damiani during his "Urgent Futures" podcast after railing against prominent Democratic Party members. "That, you know, on and on and on. And it was like, we are being hit with the high grade marketing and no group is worse than White liberals." "I mean, they are the worst. I've tried to talk to them about climate. They are so smug and captured. And really, it boils down to privilege. I mean, when you talk to White money liberals, they're getting a lot from this broken system. So at some point, I realized these are bad-faith arguments and conversations," he said. McKay said he couldn't support a party that didn't back universal healthcare. FETTERMAN TORCHES DEMOCRAT PARTY IN NEW BOOK: 'ELITIST,' 'LOST TOUCH' WITH WORKING CLASS "You can't support a party that doesn't want universal healthcare. The Democrats don't have that in their party platform. Kamala, Hillary never brought it up. If you were in like Norway or France or Australia. And you were like, we don't need universal healthcare. People would be like, 'You are a Nazi,'" he said. McKay continued, "Like even the neo-Nazi parties in Europe don't campaign against nationalized healthcare. So I think the U.S. is essentially an island country and no group of people has, you know, heads full of bees more than White liberals. Like, I've heard the craziest s--- from White liberals." McKay argued that White liberals benefit from the system and only care about their class and social scene. "I almost can say I despise American White liberals," he said. "They are the grossest of the gross." PROGRESSIVE PROFESSOR DITCHES DEMOCRATIC PARTY OVER 'DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC' ISSUE: 'ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH' McKay announced in 2024, following President Donald Trump's election victory, that he would be leaving the Democratic Party. "It is time to abandon the Dem Party," McKay wrote on X at the time. "I’m registering Green Party or Working Families. But am open to ideas." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The director ripped the Democratic Party for what he deemed a series of missteps leading up to Election Day, including how it handled former President Biden bowing out of the race to make way for former Vice President Kamala Harris on the ticket. McKay has in recent years championed progressive causes and has donated millions of dollars to fight climate change. His activism has also bled into his work. His movie "Don't Look Up," for instance, served as a critique of a lack of action when it comes to protecting the environment. The 2021 satire film centered on two scientists who tried in vain to warn the world about a planet-destroying comet. McKay claimed in December 2024 that "America has never been more right wing and propagandized," after predicting that the film "Wicked" would eventually get canceled. "On a pure storytelling level, 'Wicked Part 1' is right up there as one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made," McKay posted on X. Fox News' Cortney O'Brien contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06ff38a200899a00eb9d19 Trump tries to cut blue-state Medicaid fraud and save more green te 2026-05-15T11:10:48.242Z Trump tries to cut blue-state Medicaid fraud and save more green Just how bad is Medicaid fraud? Six months ago, Minnesota dominated the news for losing an estimated $9 billion to thieves since 2018. Yet now the federal government is saying that medical providers are likely fraudulently billing about $100 billion every year. The good news is that the Trump administration is now fighting to close what is likely one of the biggest loopholes behind this unprecedented theft of taxpayer money. On April 21, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Dr. Mehmet Oz — announced that his agency will require states to develop stronger plans to review their Medicaid providers. Nationwide, there are millions of such providers, and by law, states must revalidate their enrollment in the program at least every five years. Through this process, states check providers’ medical licenses and confirm their compliance with all relevant state and federal laws. Revalidation is expressly designed to prevent fraudsters from cheating taxpayers.  But states are failing this basic job. My organization has submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to 48 states and D.C., seeking their data on how many Medicaid providers have been revalidated. Roughly two-thirds of states haven’t responded at all, while still others provided partial responses with useless data. Still, among those few states that have taken our request seriously, the data they provided points to a deeply concerning nationwide trend. READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD Consider Georgia. The state has a record of 374,774 Medicaid providers, yet roughly 21,000 are longstanding providers that haven’t been revalidated in the past five years. Things are far worse in Illinois. Of the 222,000 Medicaid providers in the state, more than 25% have gone longer than five years without proving the validity of their participation in the program. One Illinois provider hasn’t been revalidated in more than nine years. It’s unlikely that all these Medicaid providers are defrauding taxpayers. But without strict state enforcement, fraud inevitably becomes more common. Revalidation looks at license verification, checks providers against death records, flags providers excluded from participating in Medicaid, and otherwise confirms that these providers are who they say they are and do what they say they do. The Trump administration cracked down on 447 hospices in Los Angeles alone for fraudulent billing — the very sort of thing revalidation can identify. Revalidation can also ferret out providers that are banned from practicing in one state yet still bill Medicaid in another state. For example, my organization’s research on the "Little Mogadishu" complex in Minneapolis found multiple healthcare providers that were placed on Minnesota’s Medicaid exclusion list, but not the federal exclusion list. VANCE ANTI-FRAUD TASK FORCE SUSPENDS 447 HOSPICES IN LOS ANGELES OVER MORE THAN $600M IN SUSPECTED FRAUD One was an adult day care where its license was revoked for 35 violations — including staff failing to interact with patients. Separately, an Inspector General’s report found 12% of all providers terminated for cause in one state were participating in another state’s Medicaid program just months later. Revalidation can even flag providers that are using the identity of someone else — say, a doctor who retired years before. In California, con artists stole the identities of doctors —two of whom were deceased — to fraudulently bill millions for hospice care.  Operation Never Say Die in April 2026 charged multiple individuals for $60 million in fraudulent billings through phantom hospice clinics. When states don’t look into their Medicaid providers, scams like this abound. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Dr. Oz has given states 30 days to tell his agency how they’ll strengthen their legally required review of Medicaid providers. History shows how urgently necessary this is. Some 1.6 million providers in the separate Medicare program were revalidated in the early 2010s, and more than 500,000 had their status deactivated and another 34,000 had their status revoked altogether, saving taxpayers $2.4 billion. Today, if better provider revalidation prevented even just five percent of improper payments in Medicaid, taxpayers would save billions annually. It remains to be seen how states will respond to the Trump administration’s demands, which are more than justified for the sake of taxpayers. Yet even if governors get serious about revalidation, the five-year timeline is still too long. Over the course of a half-decade, bad actors could easily bilk Medicaid for enormous sums, then rinse and repeat under a different provider name in the same state or somewhere else. It would be far better if states had to review providers every few years. The Trump administration could pursue this via regulation — or better yet, legislation like another reconciliation bill. In the meantime, every state should follow Dr. Oz’s lead and come up with a serious plan to confirm that every single Medicaid provider is above board. Because states have gotten lazy, untold billions of taxpayer dollars have been stolen. The Trump administration is right to demand immediate change, so that the Medicaid fraud crisis doesn’t become even more mind boggling than it already is. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06ff24a200899a00eb9d10 Cancer-related brain fog may improve with 2 simple treatments, scientists say te 2026-05-15T11:10:28.591Z Cancer-related brain fog may improve with 2 simple treatments, scientists say A common over-the-counter medication combined with a home exercise program could help ease cognitive issues for cancer patients. That’s according to a study from the University of Rochester, which tested the effects of physical activity and low-dose ibuprofen on patients receiving chemotherapy treatment. "Chemo brain" (also called chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, or CRCI) is a known side effect of cancer treatment that can affect memory, concentration and multitasking ability. Up to 80% of people who receive chemo experience some degree of cognitive impairment, previous studies have shown. BRAIN AGING MAY ACCELERATE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT, STUDY SUGGESTS Rochester’s phase 2 trial studied 86 adult cancer patients in New York undergoing chemotherapy who were experiencing cognitive problems. The average age was 53 and nearly 89% of participants were women, according to a university press release. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups. One group participated in home exercise designed specifically for cancer patients, a second group combined the exercises with ibuprofen (200 milligrams, or one pill, twice a day), the third group took ibuprofen alone and a fourth took a placebo alone. TWO POPULAR TYPES OF EXERCISE COULD REDUCE CANCER GROWTH, STUDY FINDS The exercise program consisted of low to moderate-intensity activity, including progressive walking and training with resistance bands. "This is one of the first studies specifically designed to assess these interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment during chemotherapy in patients with multiple diseases using both performance-based cognitive assessments and patient-reported outcomes," said lead author Michelle C. Janelsins, Ph.D., MPH, of the University of Rochester and the Wilmot Cancer Institute, in the press release. After six weeks, exercise was linked to the clearest improvements in attention and cognitive function, according to input from family and friends. Those in the group who combined exercise and placebo showed better attention levels compared to those who took just a placebo. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Participants who took only ibuprofen also showed greater cognitive improvements than the placebo group. The findings suggest that ibuprofen may provide some improvement in cognitive function, although the benefits appeared to be smaller and less consistent than those seen with exercise. This suggests that inflammation may contribute to cancer-related cognitive impairment, and that anti-inflammatory medications could be an effective therapeutic approach. "We are encouraged by the findings of this trial that suggest possible benefits of both interventions for some cognitive domains," Janelsins said. "Clearly, we saw a more pronounced effect with exercise, which is notable considering the multiple health benefits of exercise for cancer survivors." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER No adverse side effects were reported during the trial. The findings were published in Cancer, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. There were some limitations of the study, the researchers noted, including the small sample size and short duration. The effects were also not consistent across every measure of cognitive function. As the majority of participants were women, the findings may not be generalized to broader populations. Researchers are planning larger phase 3 trials to confirm whether ibuprofen and exercise can effectively improve chemo-related cognitive impairment. "Since we saw cognitive benefits in some domains and not others, we will also consider additional doses and longer durations in future research trials," said Janelsins. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Investigators emphasized that patients should speak with their oncology team before starting ibuprofen or exercise interventions during chemotherapy, as certain treatments or medical conditions could increase the risk of side effects and complications. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06fa9aa200899a00eb9be9 4 NFL teams to invest in and short at the sportsbooks after the 2026 regular-season schedule release show te 2026-05-15T10:51:06.569Z 4 NFL teams to invest in and short at the sportsbooks after the 2026 regular-season schedule release show Time to lock in. For me, the NFL season officially begins after its schedule release show. Because, honestly, betting on regular-season baseball sucks, the NBA Playoffs don't have that many games going on right now, and I don't bet hockey. Instead, I just do deep dives into the roster moves, coaching changes and regression metrics to begin investing in NFL futures. So, in celebration of the NFL's new fiscal year, here are four teams I'm buying stock in or shorting this season. This is an easy fade candidate after winning the NFC South last season with a losing record (8-9), going 7-3 in one-score games, which usually regress year over year (see the Kansas City Chiefs' record in one-score games in 2024 and 2025) and has the third-toughest schedule this season. Plus, every year, five teams that made the playoffs the previous year don’t return to the postseason. However, the Panthers made two huge additions to their defense, including LB Devin Lloyd and pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips, who were Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) fourth- and 15th-ranked free agents. Lloyd was a second-team All-Pro last season and PFF’s third-best linebacker in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins traded Phillips to the Eagles before Week 10 last season, and he made a big impact on Philadelphia’s defense. From Weeks 1-9, the Eagles ranked 17th in defensive EPA/play, per RBSDM.com. After acquiring Phillips, Philly’s defensive EPA/play went to seventh from Weeks 10-18. More importantly, the NFL is a quarterback-driven league and I’m a believer in Panthers QB Bryce Young as a franchise quarterback worthy of a second contract. Young was third in fourth-quarter comebacks last season and second in game-winning drives, which is the essence of playing quarterback. Carolina’s offensive line is solid at every position and WR Tetairoa McMillan won the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Between their defensive additions and my hunch that Young will improve, I’ll take the PANTHERS to win the NFC South (+310) again, which is the softest division in the NFL. I might have to eat crow if the Broncos make the playoffs again this season, but I refuse to believe QB Bo Nix, who fractured his ankle in Denver's win over the Buffalo Bills in the 2026 AFC Wild Card Round, is a franchise guy. Frankly, I could just be a hater and stuck on my pre-draft analysis of him because what I wrote about Young’s fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives last season applies to Nix. Regardless, I’m holding the line with my Nix instinct because I just feel like his success is a combo of dumb luck, his surrounding talent and Denver head coach Sean Payton’s smoke-and-mirrors offensive scheme. The Broncos traded for WR Jaylen Waddle this offseason, but he is more of a No. 2 guy than a game-breaker and wide receivers are overrated in terms of impacting wins and losses. Meanwhile, they have a ton of signs pointing toward regression this season, such as its first-place schedule (11th-easiest), above-average injury luck (eighth in "adjusted games lost to injury," per FTN Fantasy), and going an unsustainable 11-2 in one-score games. Denver’s first six games are brutal, too. The Broncos play Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 1, the reigning AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, the Super Bowl 2027 betting favorite Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, at the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5 and the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. CHARGERS TROLL THE PATRIOTS IN SCHEDULE RELEASE VIDEO WITH A NOT-SO-SUBTLE VRABEL-RUSSINI REFERENCE Furthermore, the AFC West has two legitimate Super Bowl contenders, Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom have better odds of winning the division, conference and Lombardi Trophy. Since team win total bets don’t usually come down to a half-game, there is value in their alternate win totals, Under and Over, aka "playing the longtail". And I don’t like laying -110 or worse for a future. Hence, I’m betting BRONCOS UNDER 7.5 ALTERNATE WINS (+280) at DraftKings with the notion that they face-plant this season and Nix gets exposed.  The Titans are +320 to make the playoffs at DraftKings and the Over for their 8.5-alternate win total is +250, which isn’t that much lower. There’s a solid chance they win 9+ games and don’t make the playoffs. Also, if Tennessee wins what I think will be a competitive AFC South this season, between the Titans, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, Saleh’s odds to be the NFL Coach of the Year will close lower than +1000 and the Titans are just +800 to win the division. THE COLTS CHANNELED "THE SIMPSONS" FOR THEIR SCHEDULE RELEASE, AND IT'S A MASTERPIECE That said, I endorse them hiring Saleh to be their head coach, and I like their core: Saleh, first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, QB Cam Ward. It didn’t work for Saleh when he was the New York Jets’ head coach from 2021 to Week 5 of 2024. I’m not holding that against him, though, because the Jets are cursed. If you don’t believe me, ask any NYJ fan; they’ll tell you. Anyway, Saleh is a good defensive coach and that side of the ball wasn't the problem while he was their head coach. His downfall with the Jets was that the organization couldn’t find a quarterback. But Saleh doesn’t have an excuse with the Titans. Ward is his franchise quarterback and Daboll, who also had a bad quarterback in New York, with the Giants. Yet, Daboll won the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year award and at least had a small part in developing Josh Allen when he was the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator from 2018-21. Together, Saleh and Daboll could work. The biggest question is, "How good is Ward?" Well, I’m a shareholder in "Ward as a franchise quarterback" and I’ll buy more of his stock if you’re selling. Ward has 90% arm strength; he’s athletic enough to play the position in 2026, makes throws on the run and plays with his legs. By drafting Carnell Tate fourth in the NFL Draft last month, the Titans are at least trying to get Ward a No. 1 wide receiver. And they signed a solid slot receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson, in free agency. In fact, Tennessee spent the most in free agency this offseason, so Daboll and Saleh got to build a roster that fits their systems. If Ward is who I think he is, Saleh makes their defense league average and Daboll returns to being a good offensive coordinator, the Titans can overperform their betting odds this season.  For the record, I'm betting three-fourths of a unit on Tennessee's alternate win total and the other quarter-unit on Saleh winning NFL Coach of the Year. I’m buying stock in the Vikings signing QB Kyler Murray on a team-friendly deal this offseason after he pretty much busted as the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murray has something to prove and could get a raise if he has a solid year in Minnesota this season. Sam Darnold is an example of a castoff quarterback who had something to prove and did so with the Vikings. With that in mind, this is a great second chance for Murray, who has a higher ceiling and floor than QB J.J. McCarthy. Murray has made the playoffs once and two Pro Bowl teams. He is one of the elusive runners in football and has a cannon. Whereas the Vikings immediately regretted choosing McCarthy over Darnold last offseason. McCarthy was one of the worst quarterbacks in the league last year and Darnold won a Super Bowl. That’s a tough look and it effectively got their now-former general, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, fired at the end of last season. Nonetheless, Minnesota fourth-year head coach Kevin O’Connell can build a winning team around Murray as his quarterback. O’Connell has a 43-25 career record with 13- and 14-win seasons with Darnold and Kirk Cousins and won the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year award. The Vikings have one of the best pass-catching crews in the NFL, featuring a top-five game-breaker in the business, Justin Jefferson, WRs Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings and TE T.J. Hockenson. Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores is one of the best defensive minds in football and will get another NFL head-coaching job. My biggest concern is the division. The NFC North is the most competitive division in the league and all four teams could win it. The bottom line is that, considering their talent and coaching staff, the Vikings could be the NFL’s "worst to first" team this season and their +550 odds to win the NFC North should be closer to +400.  _____________________________ 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/6a06fa87a200899a00eb9be0 Trump wraps widely-watched trip to China, departing on Air Force One after high-stakes Xi meeting te 2026-05-15T10:50:47.009Z Trump wraps widely-watched trip to China, departing on Air Force One after high-stakes Xi meeting Air Force One lifted off after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his visit to China where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. The visit between the two leaders occurred amid the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran, as America continues to conduct a blockade against the Islamic Republic. A White House release about a meeting between Xi and Trump read, in part, "The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06fa73a200899a00eb9bd7 Wisconsin senator says 'enough is enough' after NFL puts Packers holiday game behind Netflix paywall te 2026-05-15T10:50:27.555Z Wisconsin senator says 'enough is enough' after NFL puts Packers holiday game behind Netflix paywall After the National Football League announced its inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game, a U.S. senator was not pleased. The Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams will face off in Inglewood, California, on Thanksgiving Eve, and the game is set to be broadcast exclusively on Netflix. That, of course, requires a paid subscription, which is unacceptable for Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Baldwin last month introduced a bill that would give fans free live broadcasts of their home state's professional sports teams. Shortly after the NFL's announcement, she ripped them. "As the cost of just about everything continues to rise, the NFL is once again asking Wisconsinites to spend their hard-earned money on another streaming service. Enough is enough," Baldwin said in a statement. "My For the Fans Act would stop this exact scenario and prevent Wisconsin families from being forced to pay for Netflix just to watch the Packers play this Thanksgiving." Games played on other streaming sites, or even the NFL Network, have been made available to fans on local television, but Netflix remains an exception. NFL ANNOUNCES THAT INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING EVE GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL BE STREAMED ON NETFLIX A few years ago, the NFL realized Black Friday could be an option for fans to gather around their televisions, and it found another as hometown bars will be packed the night before the big holiday. The NFL has dipped its toe into holidays, also becoming the new king of Christmas. Netflix holds the rights to five NFL games in 2026, including the league’s first-ever game in Australia. The streaming service will have five regular-season games as well as the NFL Honors through 2029. It had been carrying two games on Christmas Day since 2024. While Netflix's push into live sports has drawn some criticism, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the strategy is not aimed at securing full-season rights packages for any sports league. "We’re not bidding on whole season of sports, including the NFL," Sarandos told FOX Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" on Tuesday. So far, Sarandos' comments have held true with Netflix prioritizing marquee events, including Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and the New York Yankees' opening-day shutout of the San Francisco Giants. However, federal scrutiny into sports fragmentation has brought the topic of live sports on streaming services to the forefront. Fox News' Chantz Martin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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/6a06f8e8a200899a00eb9b71 Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Rock Star Dads te 2026-05-15T10:43:52.285Z Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Rock Star Dads (StatePoint) If you have a “rock star” dad, a traditional Father’s Day gift may not strike the right note. For dads who rock, consider these awesome gift ideas instead: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f8d4a200899a00eb9b68 Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Rock Star Dads te 2026-05-15T10:43:32.224Z Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Rock Star Dads Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f8c0a200899a00eb9b55 Best Bets: Friday, May 15, 2026 te 2026-05-15T10:43:12.254Z Best Bets: Friday, May 15, 2026 Today Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f8aca200899a00eb9b4c Davis Dam releases for May 15 te 2026-05-15T10:42:52.558Z Davis Dam releases for May 15 Saturday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f898a200899a00eb9b43 Gas prices May 15 te 2026-05-15T10:42:32.856Z Gas prices May 15 National average: $4.51 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f885a200899a00eb9b3a Arizona lottery results for Friday, May 15, 2026 te 2026-05-15T10:42:13.246Z Arizona lottery results for Friday, May 15, 2026 Powerball - May 11 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f871a200899a00eb9b31 Today's poll: Should Arizona keep universal school vouchers if it adds stricter spending oversight? te 2026-05-15T10:41:53.166Z Today's poll: Should Arizona keep universal school vouchers if it adds stricter spending oversight? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f85da200899a00eb9b28 Our View: School choice needs rules taxpayers can trust te 2026-05-15T10:41:33.022Z Our View: School choice needs rules taxpayers can trust Arizona voters should not have to choose between school choice and basic accountability. They should expect both. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f848a200899a00eb9b1f Arizona police say bone found near Nancy Guthrie home is ‘prehistoric’ te 2026-05-15T10:41:12.957Z Arizona police say bone found near Nancy Guthrie home is ‘prehistoric’ “Mixed DNA” that was found outside Guthrie's home is still being tested. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f82ea200899a00eb9ae0 Israel, Jews targeted worldwide as well-funded leftist, Islamist groups join for ‘Nakba 78’ protests te 2026-05-15T10:40:46.850Z Israel, Jews targeted worldwide as well-funded leftist, Islamist groups join for ‘Nakba 78’ protests A global network of anti-Israel activist groups is mobilizing coordinated "Nakba 78" protests across the United States and around the world today, with organizers using the anniversary of Israel’s founding to challenge the Jewish state’s right to exist. A Fox News Digital investigation found that about 425 organizations — including communist groups, Muslim advocacy organizations and anti-Israel activist coalitions attributed with blatant antisemitism — are working together in a coordinated transnational protest network with a combined funding footprint of about $1 billion in annual revenues. The groups have organized an estimated 736 events across 39 countries this weekend in locations including New York , Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Sydney, according to an analysis of protests listed at a website organizing actions against Israel. Organizers describe the demonstrations as marking the "Nakba," an Arabic word for "catastrophe" used by Palestinians to describe the founding of Israel on May 14, 1948, the displacement of Palestinians and their historical grievance. The "Nakba 78" protests reflect a "sinful marriage between the radical left and radical Islamism, the groups that hate Western liberal democracies and desire to destroy them," Dalia Ziada, a Middle East scholar and Washington, D.C.-based coordinator at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, told Fox News Digital. 500 GROUPS WITH $3B IN REVENUES ARE BEHIND THE #NOKINGS PROTESTS AND COMMUNIST CALL FOR 'REVOLUTION' Critics say that the coordinated organizing of the mass protests reveals a global antisemitic movement that presents itself as humanitarian while mainstreaming rhetoric that denies Jewish self-determination and the right of Israel to exist as a state. SHANGHAI SABOTAGE: INSIDE SINGHAM'S SECRET STRATEGY TO DEMONIZE AMERICA In New York City yesterday, the People’s Forum, a pro-communist activist hub and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded by a Marxist tech mogul, Neville Roy Singham, made signs at an "art build" for a protest today against the "ongoing Nakba." Their Marxist comrades within the Party for Socialism and Liberation are fanning out across the country to rail against Israel’s existence. ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CLASH WITH NYPD OFFICERS NEAR SYNAGOGUE Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees, told Fox News Digital that she is very concerned about the Chinese Communist Party and its sympathizers using the U.S. nonprofit industry to create an infrastructure to pull people together to undermine the United States. "One of the things we know about the Singham group and about the Chinese Communist Party is they are going to look for a fellow bad actor… and they're going to try to partner with them in causing chaos in our cities," Blackburn said. CHINA'S AMERICAN MAO: INSIDE SINGHAM’S BLUEPRINT TO ‘WAGE WAR' FOR A 'NEW WORLD ORDER' Blackburn added that such efforts are part of a broader strategy. "There is no limit to what the Chinese Communist Party will do to create chaos in the United States,": she said. POWER COUPLE OF CHAOS: HOW A TYCOON AND ACTIVIST BUILT A 'REVOLUTIONARY BASE' AT THE HOUSE OF SINGHAM Over almost a decade, Singham has funneled $278 million into a network of nonprofits, including the People’s Forum, CodePink and BreakThrough BT Media, which have organized a steady wave of anti-Israel protests in the United States, particularly after the brutal Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israelis by Hamas militants, and they are now supporting this year’s "Nakba 78" protests.  A Fox News Digital investigation identified the flow of Singham’s money into nonprofits promoting the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party, and U.S. Treasury, Justice, State Department officials are investigating their funding structures and operations in the U.S. Lawmakers in the House Judiciary, Oversight and Ways and Means committees are also investigating the Singham network and the nonprofits it supports for possibly violating laws that require agents of foreign interests to register with the Justice Department, as well as other possible improprieties. ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS TERRORIZE AMERICANS: SEE 2024'S MOST EXTREME MOMENTS A Fox News Digital investigation of mobilization materials, social media posts, event graphics, coalition lists and public announcements found that the "Nakba 78" campaign isn’t about a ceasefire to conflicts or a two-state solution, but the dismantling of the state of Israel itself. The U.S. is the No. 1 hub for events with 187 events, followed by the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Ireland and Australia, all countries with organized Muslim and Palestinian diaspora communities. Organizers say they are standing against "genocide," "apartheid’ and U.S. "imperialism." MAY DAY PROTESTS ACROSS EUROPE AND ASIA TURN INTO ANTI-AMERICAN, ANTI-ISRAEL POLITICAL BATTLEGROUNDS In the San Francisco Bay Area, University of California, Berkeley lecturer Hatem Bazian is slated to speak at a three-day "Islam, Memory and the Nakba" conference in Burlingame, Oakland and Los Gatos. In Brooklyn, activists with the Palestinian Youth Movement, Al-Awda and Within Our Lifetime are continuing a "Nakba Week of Action" that included violent protests directed at Jews at Manhattan's Park East Synagogue and Brooklyn's Young Israel of Midwood earlier this week. In London, police are preparing for a major "Nakba 78" march amid warnings about hate speech and public disorder. In Sydney, activists are calling demonstrators to town hall for a protest declaring, "Stop the Genocide! Free Palestine!"  FIRST ON FOX: POWERFUL HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR THROWS HAMMER DOWN ON 'FOREIGN-ALIGNED INFLUENCE NETWORK' Fox News Digital used a large-language model to analyze scores of "Nakba 78" protest literature and found that 85% of the protest language repeatedly parrots the language of U.S. adversaries, framing the United States as a "fascist" and "imperialist" nation and Israel as a "genocidal settler state," a "Zionist entity," a "Zionist project" and part of a "grand settler-colonial design," erasing any use of the country’s name. The other 15% frame the protests as "solidarity with Palestine." The organizers’ materials call for "Unity, Liberation, Return," an arms embargo and end to U.S. aid to Israel and the "right of return" for millions of Palestinian in the diaspora, in a demand Israel’s defenders argue would demographically end Israel as a Jewish state. The chants on social media are filled with the battle cry to destroy Israel "from the river to the sea," a phrase that critics argue denies Israel its existence. FAR-LEFT ANTI-ISRAEL GROUPS WHITEWASH, IGNORE HAMAS MASSACRE ON OCT 7 AS THEY MARK TWO YEARS SINCE ATTACK Under a working definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, criticism of Israel isn’t antisemitic, but antisemitism may include "denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination," including by claiming that Israel’s existence is a "racist" endeavor, applying double standards to Israel or comparing contemporary Israeli policy to that of "the Nazis." The definition isn’t legally binding but widely used by governments, law enforcement and civil society groups as an educational and analytical tool.  "Nakba 78" protesters reject that charge, framing their activism as "anti-Zionist," "anti-colonial" and "anti-imperialist." The network analysis found that the Palestinian Youth Movement, which works closely with the far-left activists at the People’s Forum in midtown Manhattan, is a central organizing node across many North American events, appearing with socialist, Muslim, student and local activist partners in city after city. The Party for Socialism and Liberation, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Democratic Socialists of America chapters provide an "anti-imperialist" infrastructure, while groups such as American Muslims for Palestine, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim American Society and Students for Justice in Palestine broaden the campaign into Muslim spaces. FROM LONDON SYNAGOGUES TO NEW YORK PRESCHOOLS — ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS ESCALATING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC The result is a synchronized campaign running on three tracks: street protest, ideological education and "agitprop," a Soviet-era tactic used to describe "agitation propaganda" designed to foment discord in a society. ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN AMERICA AS SOME INVOKE INTIFADA AND TARGET JEWS In New York City, organizers have structured the demonstrations as a "Nakba Week of Action," following clashes outside synagogues earlier this week involving groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement New York City, Al-Awda New York/New Jersey and Within Our Lifetime. STANDING UP TO ANTISEMITIC MOBS SHOULDN’T LAND YOU IN PRISON They plan to gather today at 4:30 p.m. in Washington Square Park, with the rallying cry, "RESISTANCE SINCE 1948," and another protest is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at 72nd St and 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge, in a neighborhood filled with Muslim halal meat grocery stores and local mosques. Within Our Lifetime, co-founded by a local activist Nerdeen Kiswani, has long been one of New York’s most confrontational anti-Israel groups. The Anti-Defamation League says Kiswani has promoted "extreme anti-Zionist rhetoric," including calls for "Zionists" to be excluded from community spaces. Brooke Goldstein, executive director of The Lawfare Project, a nonprofit that challenges antisemitism in the courts, told Fox News Digital that authorities should closely monitor conduct at the demonstrations, particularly near Jewish institutions and places of worship. THE GLOBAL INTIFADA IS HERE. HAMAS-ALIGNED NETWORKS BROUGHT TERROR TO US SOIL AND WE NEED TO STOP IT "When there is assault, vandalism, trespass, obstruction, targeted harassment, discriminatory denial of access, or coordinated conduct that creates a hostile environment in schools, workplaces, or federally-funded institutions, this is action. Not protected speech," Goldstein said. Goldstein said Jewish communal spaces are increasingly being treated "as proxies for the Israeli government," adding that authorities should closely watch for obstruction, intimidation and violence targeting Jewish communities. In Los Angeles, a May 16 protest is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Israeli Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard, but organizers are calling the location the "Zionist Consulate." Local partners include the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the ANSWER Coalition – another major Marxist group in the Singham network – and Nodutdol, a pro-communist Filipino group. The materials reviewed by Fox News Digital describe the conflict as part of a "grand settler-colonial design" targeting "sovereignty and freedom" across the Middle East. ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN AMERICA AS SOME INVOKE INTIFADA AND TARGET JEWS In Boston, the Palestinian Youth Movement Boston and the Party for Socialism and Liberation teamed up on Wednesday with the National Iranian American Council, which supports the theological regime that runs the Islamic Republic of Iran, for a teach-in, "Arab Gulf States and U.S. Imperialism," at the Boston Liberation Center in Roxbury, followed by an action today at 4 p.m. at the "Zionist consulate" on Washington Mall. In Detroit and nearby Dearborn, Mich., the campaign fuses foreign policy with domestic economic grievances. In promoting their protests, the organizers accuse the U.S. and Israel of threatening "genocidal attacks" from Palestine to Iran and Lebanon, while arguing that "illegal wars" are driving up fuel prices and making basic needs harder for working-class Americans to afford.  CARVILLE WARNS DEMOCRATS ANTI-ISRAEL ‘LOUDMOUTHS’ COULD COST ELECTIONS In Chicago, organizers from local chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and American Muslims for Palestine, two groups that UC Berkeley lecturer Bazian established, are rallying to also support the Islamic Republic of Iran and its "Axis of Resistance" against Israel and the U.S. "What we are seeing is the spread of jihadist radical Islamist racist ideologies married to extreme-left Marxism," said Goldstein. She noted these groups "don’t agree on anything other than destroying America and killing Jews." Internationally, the mobilization is also escalating. London police said the Nakba Day protest will form up in Exhibition Road in Kensington before marching to Waterloo Place via Brompton Road and Piccadilly, with a rally at the endpoint. In Sydney, the site of an assault on Jewish worshipers earlier this year by a pair of father-son Muslim extremists, organizers plan a nationwide "Nakba Day" protest today at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, according to event listings, alleging Palestinians are living through "another modern day Nakba." Across the materials, the "Nakba 78" label functions as more than a historical commemoration. It links 1948 to the present day, presenting Israel’s founding, U.S. support for Israel, the war in Gaza, and regional conflicts involving Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq as one continuous struggle. Fox News Digital’s review found the repeated use of "ongoing Nakba," "78 years of genocide," "apartheid," "settler-colonialism," "U.S. imperialism" and "resistance" as unifying slogans.  Ziada said the alliance between the far-left and Islamists intensified after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas militants, creating a "moral umbrella" for the movement and giving organizers "moral legitimacy to go on and accelerate the process of destroying the West." Ziada said that "they all agree on one thing, which is destroying the United States or weakening the western world." Late Friday, as protesters readied their pre-printed signs, a video rallied their foot soldiers: "The harder they attack, the stronger we fight back!" CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital's Kyle Schmidbauer, Tessa Hoyas and Preston Mizell contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f81ba200899a00eb9ace GOP can't agree on key part of Trump's housing affordability push as infighting continues te 2026-05-15T10:40:27.419Z GOP can't agree on key part of Trump's housing affordability push as infighting continues President Donald Trump is leaning on Congress to tee up an affordability win ahead of November’s midterm elections, but entrenched GOP disagreement on a sweeping housing proposal threatens to derail it.  Trump on Monday called on the House to swiftly approve Senate-passed legislation aimed at easing housing affordability that has languished in the lower chamber for several months. House Republicans, however, have balked at that request and are pitching a rival plan.  House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., teased earlier in the week that Republicans and Democrats would come together to bring a "bipartisan, bicameral bill to the president’s desk."   "I think everybody feels like it's important, so we're just working out some nuances," Johnson said. TRUMP-BACKED AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERHAUL CLEARS SENATE, WHILE HOUSE GOP RAISES RED FLAGS Senior House lawmakers on Thursday unveiled a modified version of the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which is expected to receive a vote in the lower chamber as early as next week.  Any changes to the Senate’s proposal would force the upper chamber to consider the measure again, prolonging the timeline lawmakers can send legislation to Trump’s desk. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., one of the chief architects of the Senate’s bill, declined to say whether she was speaking with her counterparts in the House about tweaks to the bill, and argued that lawmakers were running out of time to do something. "There’s a housing crisis out there," Warren said. "This bill can pass today if the House would just put it on the floor and vote on it.
We need to get started, and if the House has more ideas than they'd like to add, start another bill."  Some GOP lawmakers are not sweating the wait. "We cannot take the Senate bill to the floor," House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital in an interview earlier this week. The political dynamics are much different in the Senate, however. And the housing bill passed with fewer than a dozen defectors in March — a rare feat in such a hyper-partisan Congress.  Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., argued that the easiest route to putting the legislation on Trump’s desk is passing the Senate’s version. "It's been sitting over there for a while and the president’s weighed in on it. I think, you know, the White House made it clear, they would like to see the House pick up and pass the Senate bill," Thune said. "We’ve done what we can do. It's in the court of the House now." The House product struck out a controversial provision taking aim at the build-to-rent market that drew the opposition of conservatives, who argued the language amounted to excessive government interference in the housing market. The clause in the Senate’s proposal would have specifically required some developers to sell single-family homes built for the purpose of renting within seven years after construction. The build-to-rent industry and opponents of the provision argued their properties provide a more affordable option for some Americans priced out of the housing market and could imperil the supply of rentals across the country. "We’ve got to make sure we do it in a right way that continues to keep free markets," Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, said, adding that the clause in the Senate bill could make it "impossible" for some people to access housing. FOREIGNERS ARE SNAPPING UP US HOMES AND STEALING THE AMERICAN DREAM OUT FROM UNDER FAMILIES The proposal, however, would also weaken a ban on large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes — a priority of the Trump administration. The House’s rival housing bill notably preserves a ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDC) through 2030 that was included in the Senate’s legislation. House conservatives raged at the Senate bill for stopping short of enacting a permanent CBDC ban — a top priority of GOP privacy hawks, who have sought to add the language to various legislative vehicles. "It has to be permanent," Cloud said. "We've got to put the nail in the coffin on it." House Financial Services Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., a co-author of the House’s rival housing package, said he shared Trump’s goal of expanding access to affordable homeownership in a statement Thursday. "It cuts unnecessary barriers to new home construction, modernizes HUD programs, and allows banks to more freely deploy funding into their communities," Hill said regarding the lower chamber’s proposal. "We must get this right — and I am committed to working hard to do that." Not everyone in the Senate is upset by the House’s decision to modify the bill.  Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was one of the few lawmakers to vote against the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and told Fox News Digital that housing affordability isn’t something that’s dictated by the federal government. "If you wanted to actually reduce housing costs, it's local governments who are gonna have to allow more houses to be built," Scott said.  The legislative standoff comes as a recent Fox News poll found that nearly 80% of voters said housing costs were a problem for them or their family. The same survey also found that Democrats hold a lead over Republicans on inflation and the economy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f5c4a200899a00eb9a31 Mariners' Cal Raleigh lands on injured list for first time in career as nightmare season continues te 2026-05-15T10:30:28.802Z Mariners' Cal Raleigh lands on injured list for first time in career as nightmare season continues Last season, Seattle Mariners star catcher Cal Raleigh had a season people dream of. No one is dreaming of having Raleigh’s season this year. The 29-year-old’s nightmarish 2026 campaign continued Thursday when the Mariners placed Raleigh on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Raleigh left the Mariners’ 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday after appearing to aggravate an injury on his right side. Raleigh snapped the longest hitless streak in the major leagues during the team’s 10-2 win over the Astors on Tuesday, breaking out of an 0-38 slump with a pair of singles. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM It is the first IL stint of Raleigh’s six-year career. Raleigh missed three games from May 2 to May 4 with soreness in his right side. Last season, Raleigh hit .247 with 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 games. He broke Kansas City Royals star catcher Salvador Perez’s record of 48 for most home runs by a catcher in a single season. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Raleigh broke New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle’s record of 55 for most home runs in a season by a switch-hitter. He also set the Mariners’ franchise record for most homers in a season, passing Ken Griffey Jr.’s previous record of 56. This season has been a much different story. In 41 games this season, Raleigh is hitting .161 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, four doubles, 18 walks and 16 runs. His .161 batting average is second-lowest in the majors among hitters with enough at-bats to qualify. Only Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins (.150) has a lower average. To fill Raleigh's spot on the active roster, the Mariners recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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/6a06f392a200899a00eb998d Criminal profiler reveals 'extremely rare' red flag in case of suspected serial killer migrant in Texas te 2026-05-15T10:21:06.175Z Criminal profiler reveals 'extremely rare' red flag in case of suspected serial killer migrant in Texas A prominent criminal profiler is warning that a suspected budding serial killer in Texas has allegedly started years earlier than expected and fears there may be more victims due to a six-year gap between murder charges. Luis Benitez-Gonzalez, a 26-year-old previously deported Mexican national, is accused of strangling two women in the area of Austin, Texas, in 2018 and 2024. Police announced his arrest earlier this week after two more women survived shootings in 2025, including one who fought back and police say swiped her attacker's cellphone. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "The rub for me...is that he is accused of killing Alba Jenisse Aviles-Marti when he was only about 18 years old," said John Kelly, a criminal profiler who had been following the case since before Austin police and the U.S. Marshals announced an arrest. "We worked hard looking for this guy, because we believed there was a serial killer in this area. Little did we expect a budding serial killer who allegedly started killing at 18." Historically, most serial killers are older when they evolve into murderers, he said. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "This is extremely rare, as serial killers usually start killing between 23 to 35 years old," the STALK Inc. founder told Fox News Digital. "We usually never find out who the first victims really were. I just wonder how many this guy has killed with his homicidal anger towards women over the years?" Investigators working the case are asking the same question. SEND US A TIP HERE "We believe that there is a strong likelihood that Benitez is responsible for further acts of extreme violence," said Chris Anderson, a homicide detective with the Austin Police Department. He said police are already looking into more cases for potential connections. He is urging anyone with additional information on Benitez-Gonzalez to contact the Austin Police Homicide unit at 512-974-8477 or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The suspect, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who voluntarily self-deported in 2020 before reentering the country at an unknown time, is believed to have ties to Austin, Houston, Dallas and Hidalgo County. WATCH: Texas authorities say illegal migrant charged in 2 murders, 2 shootings and more victims possible ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WANTED FOR BRUTAL BATHTUB MURDER ARRESTED IN TEXAS AFTER CROSSING SOUTHERN BORDER AGAIN Authorities announced charges against him Tuesday in connection with the murders of Aviles-Marti and Alyssa Ann Rivera, whose remains were found just three miles away in 2024. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Anderson said that it's suspicious that there's a six-year gap between the slayings and that evidence shows an alleged "repeated pattern of violence conducted against vulnerable female victims." "He has a 2018 case, and he has a 2024 case," Anderson said. "People who commit crimes of this nature, with the very distinct MO, they usually don't take a break. Benitez-Gonzalez is also accused of shooting two more women in Austin in November and December 2025. Both of them survived, which helped authorities catch Benitez-Gonzalez. He allegedly claimed self-defense in all four cases, but authorities said they don't believe him. He has not yet entered a plea. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f37ea200899a00eb9984 Scientists used electricity on coffee and discovered what makes it taste good te 2026-05-15T10:20:46.304Z Scientists used electricity on coffee and discovered what makes it taste good An inconsistent cup of coffee can make or break your day — but new research is shedding light on just how the industry can dial up the production process for a more reliable flavor. University of Oregon researchers repurposed a tool called a potentiostat, typically used to test batteries, to send an electrical current through coffee.  Through this simple process, they were able to identify coffee's "chemical fingerprint" that determines the drink's flavor. YOUR MORNING COFFEE COULD BE MAKING YOU MORE TIRED, EXPERTS WARN: 'LIKE A ROLLER COASTER' "It's an objective way to make a statement about what people like in a cup of coffee," university chemist Christopher Hendon, the lead researcher known around campus as "Dr. Coffee," said in a news release. Traditional tests mainly focus on measuring the strength of coffee. Yet many other factors go into the way coffee tastes, including roast color and extraction strength. The team's research shows how to move beyond measuring the strength of coffee alone to produce a more complete flavor profile cafés can replicate. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "The reason you have an enjoyable cup of coffee is almost certainly that you have selected a coffee of a particular roast color and extracted it to a desired strength," Hendon said.  "Until now, we haven't been able to separate those variables. Now we can diagnose what gives rise to that delicious cup." During testing, the researchers used four samples from the same English roaster and were able to identify a defective sample that had failed the roaster's quality control, despite the identical appearance of all the batches. "In the short term, we hope this is something that will make a difference in coffee shops and in the coffee industry," Hendon said. These findings, which the researchers published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications, are remarkable, but they will take some time to drip down to the consumer, said Bryan Quoc Le, a consulting food scientist and founder and CEO of California-based Mendocino Food Consulting. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "[The science] still relies on expensive components to make it work into a feasible technology," Le told Fox News Digital. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The interesting bit here is that now we have a way to access the subjective quality in the taste and flavor of coffee using quantifiable measurements. Which means we could start seeing a serious improvement in the coffee game across all coffee shops over the years." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06f36aa200899a00eb997b This Midwestern state leads the nation in home foreclosures as US filings jump by 26% te 2026-05-15T10:20:26.873Z This Midwestern state leads the nation in home foreclosures as US filings jump by 26% Home foreclosures in the U.S. are up 26% from last year as inflation rates and rising costs are catching up with homeowners. Indiana was hit hardest and logged one foreclosure filing for every 739 housing units in the first quarter of 2026, according to findings from property data firm ATTOM. This is nearly two-thirds higher than the nationwide rate of one in every 1,211 house facing foreclosure in that same period. The latest data released in April shows that red states are being hit the hardest by the sweeping affordability crisis — and with the 2026 midterm elections approaching, economic woes are at the top of mind for many voters and policymakers. WHITE HOUSE TEASES MAJOR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PLAN AS PRICES SQUEEZE AMERICANS The top three states with the worst foreclosure rates at the start of 2026 all voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. South Carolina came in second behind Indiana with one in every 743 properties with foreclosure filings in the first quarter of the year, and Florida was in third with one in every 750 housing units facing the same fate. While foreclosure activity is on the rise across the U.S., it remains well below levels seen during the 2008 housing crisis. But that isn't stopping Democrats from pouncing on the issue, and using affordability, inflation and rising housing costs as their candidates' leading messaging ahead of the November elections. A total of 118,727 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing in the first quarter of 2026, up 6% from the previous quarter and 26% from a year ago. Foreclosure filings came in for 45,921 properties for March alone, increasing 18% from February and 28% from March of last year. THE PRICE OF BUILDING A HOME KEEPS CLIMBING — AND UNCERTAINTY ISN’T HELPING Looking more closely at the data, more homes are entering the foreclosure process, a potential sign of future distress. A total of 82,631 properties started foreclosure processes in the first quarter of 2026, up 20% from the year prior, while lenders repossessed 14,020 properties, marking a 45% annual increase. Blue states like Delaware and Illinois are also facing high foreclosure rates — showcasing that the issue crosses party lines. Among major metro areas, cities like Cleveland, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana ranked among the highest for foreclosure rates. The revelation of spiking foreclosure rates comes as the U.S. grapples with a slew of housing challenges that have helped contribute to today’s crisis.  Against that backdrop, experts say rising mortgage rates, higher living costs and other homeownership expenses are putting increasing pressure on some homeowners, pushing up monthly payments and making it harder to keep up with housing costs. THE TOP 3 REASONS HOUSING HAS BECOME SO UNAFFORDABLE IN THE US MARKET The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.37% for the week ending May 7, up from 5.98% in late February. Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM, said that while foreclosure levels remain below those seen during the housing crisis, the recent uptick suggests more homeowners may be coming under financial strain. Taken together, the data points to a housing market that remains stable overall, even as affordability challenges persist for some homeowners. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06eeeca200899a00eb9883 U.S. Inflation Rises To 3.81 Percent In April As Energy Prices Surge te 2026-05-15T10:01:16.897Z U.S. Inflation Rises To 3.81 Percent In April As Energy Prices Surge By Matthew Holloway | The Consumer Price Index rose to 3.81 percent year-over-year in April, marking the highest annual inflation rate in nearly three years, according to the latest Monthly Inflation Update released Tuesday by Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee (JEC). According to the report, headline Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased from 3.26 percent in March to 3.81 percent in April. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose to 2.75 percent year-over-year in April, up from 2.60 percent in March. April’s increase marked the highest annual headline inflation rate reported since mid-2023, reversing several months of comparatively slower price growth. CPI surged to 3.81% in April, the highest rate in nearly 3 years & up from 3.26% in March. Core CPI, which excludes food & energy, was 2.75% y/y, compared to 2.60% in March. Y/y, energy inflation was 17.87%, a 21.61pp change while food inflation was 3.18%, a 0.42pp increase.… — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) May 12, 2026 The JEC reported that energy prices experienced the sharpest annual increase among major categories, with energy inflation reaching 17.87 percent year-over-year in April, representing a 21.61 percentage point increase compared to April 2025. Food prices also increased year-over-year. According to the report, food inflation reached 3.18 percent in April, 0.42 percentage points higher than the same period last year. Regionally, inflation rose across all major areas of the country between March and April. The Northeast recorded the highest inflation rate at 4.4 percent, followed by the Midwest at 4.1 percent and the South at 3.6 percent. The West recorded the lowest regional inflation rate at 3.5 percent. While the West recorded the nation’s lowest regional inflation rate, the 3.5 percent increase still remained above the Federal Reserve’s long-term two percent inflation target. Declining real wages indicate that inflation continued to outpace earnings growth for many workers during the month, reducing purchasing power despite nominal wage increases. The JEC’s Monthly Inflation Update compiles and analyzes federal inflation data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report also found that inflation-adjusted earnings declined during the month. According to the JEC, real average weekly earnings for all employees decreased by 0.19 percent from March to April. Real average hourly earnings declined by 0.53 percent year-over-year, representing a 0.44 percentage point decrease compared to April 2025. 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 U.S. Inflation Rises To 3.81 Percent In April As Energy Prices Surge first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06eed7a200899a00eb987a Activist Groups Promote ‘Neighborhood Defense’ Trainings On ICE Raid Preparedness te 2026-05-15T10:00:55.905Z Activist Groups Promote ‘Neighborhood Defense’ Trainings On ICE Raid Preparedness By Staff Reporter | Activist organizations are promoting online “neighborhood defense” trainings that teach participants how to canvass communities and prepare local businesses for potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, according to event listings and organizing materials circulated in Arizona and California-linked activist networks. The trainings, promoted under the title “WOB Neighborhood Defense Team Training,” are scheduled as recurring virtual sessions and described as instruction on how to “canvass your community to prepare people in case of an ICE raid.” A May 14 event listing states that ICE raids are “intensifying across the country” and that worksites and businesses are being targeted. One Reddit post, circulated through the Arizona-focused “AZAdvocacyHub” community, advertised the training as an online event hosted by Organized Power in Numbers, encouraging users to register even if they could not attend live to receive “the recording of the training and the materials.” According to the event description, the trainings take place monthly on the second Thursday of each month over Zoom. An additional event listing published by Indivisible Roseville in California described the sessions as “Neighborhood Defense Team Training” events designed to prepare communities and businesses for ICE enforcement activity. Organized Power in Numbers describes itself as an organization that combines organizing, digital infrastructure, and data strategy to “build worker power in the South and Southwest.” The organization’s website lists campaigns including “Workers Over Billionaires” and “Power Up AZ.” The organization’s resource pages include downloadable “Know Your Rights” materials and workplace guidance concerning immigration enforcement encounters. One document distributed through the group advises businesses that ICE officers may not enter “private areas” of a workplace without permission or a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Organized Power in Numbers has also promoted what it calls an “Emergency Worker Defense Fund,” launched in partnership with the Los Angeles Worker Center Network, to support workers affected by ICE enforcement operations in Los Angeles and the Southwest. The trainings and organizing efforts come amid continuing national debate over immigration enforcement policy and workplace raids. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, worksite enforcement investigations are intended to reduce illegal employment practices, hold employers accountable for unlawful hiring practices, and protect lawful employment opportunities. ICE states that Homeland Security Investigations conducts worksite enforcement operations targeting employers suspected of knowingly employing unauthorized workers or engaging in labor exploitation and related crimes. Immigration enforcement operations have increasingly become flashpoints in states such as California, where state and local officials have enacted sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. California officials have also expanded worker notification requirements related to immigration enforcement activity. Earlier this year, the California Department of Industrial Relations announced implementation guidance for a state law requiring annual workplace notices informing employees of their rights during immigration enforcement encounters, regardless of immigration status. Supporters of the “neighborhood defense” trainings characterize the efforts as legal-rights education and community preparedness intended to ensure that workers and residents understand constitutional protections during enforcement encounters. Critics, however, argue that activist-organized ‘community defense’ infrastructure risks crossing the line from legal education into organized interference with federal immigration enforcement operations. Immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations, however, commonly advise employers and workers regarding distinctions between public and private workplace areas during enforcement encounters. The issue has gained renewed attention as federal immigration enforcement priorities continue to expand under the Trump administration. Reuters reported earlier this year that the administration was planning broader immigration crackdowns and increased workplace enforcement efforts. The Department of Justice has also challenged sanctuary policies in several jurisdictions, including Los Angeles. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Activist Groups Promote ‘Neighborhood Defense’ Trainings On ICE Raid Preparedness first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06eec2a200899a00eb9871 Republican Lawsuit Challenges Arizona’s 2025 Elections Manual Over Voter Removal Rules te 2026-05-15T10:00:34.892Z Republican Lawsuit Challenges Arizona’s 2025 Elections Manual Over Voter Removal Rules By Ethan Faverino | On behalf of the Pima County Republican Party and Chairwoman Kathleen Winn, the Oversight Project, filed suit over the 2025 Arizona Elections Procedures Manual (EPM) that grants election officials broad, vague authority to remove voters and involve law enforcement. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, with the approval of Attorney General Kris Mayes and Governor Katie Hobbs, issued the 2025 EPM through 2027. The document carries the force of law, with violations punishable by up to four months in prison. The challenged provisions allow election officials to remove voters or summon law enforcement for actions such as wearing clothing, uniforms or official-looking apparel “intended to deter, intimidate, or harass voters”; “aggressive behavior”; “raising repeated frivolous voter challenges”; and electioneering that is “audible” inside a voting location. Critics argue these standards lack clarity and invite arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement under the pretext of preserving order at polling places. “The Arizona EPM encourages arbitrary enforcement that results in politically motivated disenfranchisement, stated Oversight Project Director of State Litigation Neal Cornett. “The Oversight Project is always ready to help conservative leaders like Chairwoman Winn challenge government weaponization, especially when it involves such fundamental rights as freedom of speech and voting. The Secretary of State and Attorney General should disavow the challenged provisions and work with Arizona leaders to draft a fair manual that follows Arizona law.” This is not the first time Arizona officials have faced legal pushback. The Secretary of State and Attorney General were previously enjoined from enforcing similar provisions in the 2023 Manual. Pima County Republican Party Chairwoman Kathleen Winn emphasized the importance of clear rules for all voters: “Every Arizona voter deserves clear, consistent rules at the polling place that protect their right to vote free from arbitrary enforcement. Vague standards invite abuse, and when election workers are given unchecked discretion to remove voters or call law enforcement based on unclear or unspecified conduct, no voter or vote is truly safe. This lawsuit is about ensuring that the rules governing our elections are written plainly, applied fairly, and consistent with Arizona law, regardless of party.” The lawsuit contends that the EPM’s vague language unconstitutionally threatens voting rights and free speech by empowering subjective decision-making that could disenfranchise eligible voters. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Republican Lawsuit Challenges Arizona’s 2025 Elections Manual Over Voter Removal Rules first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e3c9a200899a00eb9534 Blue state bill targets homeschoolers in latest government power grab te 2026-05-15T09:13:45.471Z Blue state bill targets homeschoolers in latest government power grab After decades of parental rights victories, Connecticut may become the first state to go backwards on homeschool freedom in the past 50 years. The Connecticut Senate advanced a bill attacking homeschooling families by a vote of 22 to 14, mostly along party lines. Three Democrats joined all Republicans in opposition. The measure cleared the House 96-53 last week, with four Democrats crossing the aisle to stand with Republicans. Those margins fall short of the two-thirds supermajority required in both chambers to override a gubernatorial veto. Connecticut families now have only one remaining safeguard. Leadership should respect the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children and block this Orwellian legislation. BLACK CONSERVATIVE FATHER AND FAITH LEADER HOMESCHOOLS 6 KIDS TO 'GET GOD IN': 'WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT?' The proposal would force homeschooling families to prove their innocence to the government before they can educate their own kids at home. It requires annual notices of intent and background checks by the Department of Children and Families when a child is withdrawn from public school. Families would be barred from homeschooling altogether if a parent or any other adult in the household faces an active DCF investigation or appears on the state’s abuse and neglect registry. For decades, states across the country have steadily expanded parents’ rights to direct their children’s education. This legislation reverses that progress in one stroke. "Everyone agrees that child abuse is a serious concern and the government has an important role in addressing it," Home School Legal Defense Association attorney Ralph Rodriguez said. "But expanding regulation over thousands of homeschooling families is unlikely to solve failures that occur within the child protection system itself." Added Mr. Rodriguez: "The more effective approach is to strengthen the institutions responsible for identifying and responding to abuse rather than placing new regulatory burdens on families exercising their constitutional rights." Democrat-led states have launched similar assaults on homeschooling in recent years. Proposals surfaced in California, Illinois, and New Jersey. Those efforts stalled or failed — for now. Connecticut has now emerged as the latest battleground. During floor debate, Sen. Rob Sampson (R) delivered a powerful closing statement: "Parents are not subjects–they are citizens–and they do not need the permission of this state government or anyone in this room to educate their own children." Such a broad attack on parental rights is blatantly unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the primacy of parents over the state when it comes to child-rearing decisions. If the proposal becomes law, parents should challenge it in court, where it deserves to be struck down. In Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), the Supreme Court declared that "the child is not the mere creature of the State." The state cannot override parents’ authority without compelling justification. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) protected Amish parents’ right to direct their children’s education beyond the eighth grade. Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) struck down a state law restricting foreign-language instruction, affirming parents’ liberty "to establish a home and bring up children" and "to control the education of their own." Homeschool Legal Defense Association President James R. Mason put the problem plainly: "As the US Supreme Court has affirmed, a state cannot treat every parent as a potential threat simply because some parents do wrong. That presumption of suspicion — applied universally, before any evidence of harm — is, in the court’s own word, ‘repugnant’ to American tradition." Mr. Mason also noted that "the way Connecticut places families on the registry has been ruled unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, which includes Connecticut." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Even if approved, the bill may have little immediate bite. During the May 4 floor debate, it was even admitted that the legislation as written lacks an enforcement mechanism. Parents denied approval by the government could simply continue homeschooling their children with no consequences for noncompliance. That admission raises an obvious question. If the bill carries no real penalties, why adopt it at all? The rational explanation is that this might be the opening move in a longer campaign. Collecting data and establishing oversight on innocent families today sets the stage for clamping down with real enforcement teeth tomorrow. Connecticut has no business targeting homeschool families while its own public schools are failing spectacularly. In Hartford, only 16 percent of students are proficient in math and 18 percent are proficient in reading. This dismal performance comes despite annual per-student spending exceeding $25,000. Lawmakers should focus on fixing the government monopoly schools under their control before harassing families who have chosen to raise and educate their own children. Connecticut should block this proposal and send a clear message that the state stands with parents, not against them. Parental rights are not privileges granted by the state. They are fundamental liberties that government exists to protect. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY COREY DEANGELIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e3b5a200899a00eb952b Phyllis Schlafly was right: America must put babies and mothers first te 2026-05-15T09:13:25.741Z Phyllis Schlafly was right: America must put babies and mothers first "Feminism has changed the way women think, and it has changed the way men think, but the trouble is, it hasn't changed the attitudes of babies at all," said my mother, Phyllis Schlafly. I am so fortunate that my mother put babies first. In the 1960s and 1970s, a new ideology was fashionable: that women do not need or want either men or babies. Phyllis Schlafly lived a fulfilling life centered on her husband and children; which was in stark opposition to the idea that single women are happier alone. I am so happy that she did put babies at the center of the conversation, because, as her child, I was the beneficiary of her putting babies first. The current birth dearth is not due to lack of government money; it is due to a culture that tells young women to put career first and that men are expendable. Today, 40% of births in the United States are without the benefit of marriage. And marriage is definitely a benefit for the child. Children who are raised with a mother and a father married to each other are the most privileged group in America. These children are more likely to finish school, get employed, earn more money, be happier and healthier, and also to start their own families.  MORE AND MORE GEN Z WOMEN SAY THEY DON’T WANT KIDS. AS A YOUNG MOM, HERE’S WHAT THEY GET WRONG Intact families should be celebrated, not economically punished by bad tax policies. A true choice for mothers is the choice to nurture their own children, not to succumb to the economic and social pressures for them to farm them out to institutional day care. Mothers should never be economically punished for raising their own children. Babies were always the first priority for Phyllis Schlafly. She especially liked to talk to babies. Whenever she saw a baby or toddler in public, she would immediately engage in an active conversation with the child. Today, digital interactions have replaced much face-to-face communications and our daily spoken word count has diminished. Texting is a poor substitute for talking! Babies need to hear a rich variety of words in order to develop speech, especially the sound and inflection of their own mother’s voice. Institutional day care cannot provide the same vibrant, nurturing chatter that comes from a mother. Phyllis Schlafly rightly saw that feminist ideology devalued motherhood. She started an award for the Full-time Homemaker of the Year to honor women who prioritize their babies. Phyllis asked: would you rather be in an office instructed by a boss or managing your household from your own kitchen? She rejected the phrase "working mothers" to describe employed women, because, as she said, "all mothers work all the time". The concept of taxpayer-paid day care for young children reflects a misplaced understanding of who is responsible for their care. Young children want and need their parents, not a nanny state, to look after them. Government welfare programs encourage the disintegration of the family by leading mothers to seek government support rather than support from fathers. Subsidized day care can undermine the family unit by diminishing the provider's role in the home. Americans consider whether it is wise policy to encourage mothers to leave their babies with government employees. What most mothers desire in paid work is to work inside their home or to work a flexible schedule that allows them to prioritize their family. At Eagle Forum, we believe in public and private virtue, meaning taxpayer money should be spent wisely and families should have control over their own households. If Congress truly wanted to help families, it should increase the dependent deduction on income taxes. Those savings would directly benefit families, without routing taxpayer money through a government intermediary. Here is who loses under taxpayer-paid babysitting: CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The child loses because what the child most wants is mother care, not day care. Day care may be expensive, but mother care is priceless. The mother loses because no one cares more about her child than she does. The day care worker can never be emotionally invested in the welfare of the child. The day care workers lose because wages are still low. Increasing the supply of day care will not raise workers’ wages. The taxpayers lose because when the government pays, prices rise (as we have seen in the ever-rising prices of college education and health care). The subsidies will ensure that the day care businesses can raise their prices without losing customers. Stay-at-home mothers lose as they do not receive any subsidy for choosing to remain at home and raise their own children. They have resisted the social pressure to return to paid employment and place their children in institutional babysitting.  However, there are some winners under taxpayer-paid babysitting: Day care bureaucrats win because they can expand their business models. As in education, additional government funding often goes to administration rather than workers. Instead of supporting small family-run daycares, the industry will shift toward larger, institutional services. Politicians win by pretending to give money to the people. No job is more vital than motherhood. We honor all mothers who choose this important job. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e3a1a200899a00eb9522 The CCP controls the most intimate elements of our life. Most Americans have no idea te 2026-05-15T09:13:05.933Z The CCP controls the most intimate elements of our life. Most Americans have no idea Critical minerals quietly power every aspect of modern American life. As you pour your morning coffee, you are relying on copper wiring and silicon chips working behind the scenes inside your coffee maker. When you grab milk from the refrigerator, you are depending on metal components, copper wiring, and electronic controls to keep everything cold. Turn on the TV to another round of bickering politicians on cable news, and you are looking at a screen built with indium, lithium, and rare earth phosphors.  Flip off the lights, hop in your car, connect your phone to Bluetooth, and turn on your favorite podcast for the drive to work. That everyday routine depends on copper, lithium, and a whole host of other critical minerals that power batteries, speakers, navigation systems, electric motors, and modern communications technology.  These materials are so deeply embedded into our daily lives that most Americans would never think twice about them. But they should.  TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WORKS TO BREAK CHINA’S RARE EARTH MINERAL STRANGLEHOLD ON AFRICA Beijing certainly has. The Chinese Communist Party has spent decades and hundreds of billions of dollars cornering the market on critical minerals, from mining to processing and refining. Today, China controls roughly 70 percent of global rare earth mining and nearly 90 percent of rare earth refining capacity, dominating the supply chains that underpin America’s economic and national security.  This is not just about what goes into your coffee maker or your iPhone. Critical minerals are essential to America’s military strength, powering everything from advanced fighter jets and missile systems to radar, satellites, and communications technology. China knows this and has demonstrated time and time again its willingness to weaponize global supply chains for geopolitical leverage.  Last year, Beijing imposed sweeping export controls on rare earth elements, disrupting global markets and sending shockwaves through defense and manufacturing supply chains. The consequences hit Americans directly. Supply disruptions drive up costs, slow manufacturing, threaten jobs, and make everything from cars to consumer electronics more expensive and harder to produce.  My home state of California’s aerospace industry offers a clear example of what is at stake. The sector supports more than 350,000 jobs and generates tens of billions of dollars in annual economic output. It is also central to America’s defense industrial base, producing advanced aircraft, satellites, and missile systems. Without reliable access to critical minerals, thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity are at risk. President Trump and his administration understand the urgency of this challenge and are moving quickly to restore American energy and mineral dominance. Recent efforts to strengthen domestic mining and support companies like MP Materials and Lithium Americas are important steps in the right direction.   But America cannot solve this problem alone. Even with increased domestic production, global demand for critical minerals is projected to skyrocket in the coming decades. Some estimates show the world will consume as much copper over the next 25 years as humanity has in all of recorded history.  This is why we must work alongside our most trusted allies and friends to build strong, resilient supply chains away from China. This week, my Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies (DOMINANCE) Act passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The DOMINANCE Act helps lock in President Trump’s critical minerals strategy and creates a coordinated approach to secure the supply chains that power our economy and national defense. This legislation strengthens America’s ability to work with allies, reduces dependence on China, and ensures the free world — not the Chinese Communist Party — controls the resources that will define the 21st century.  This is not just about energy or industrial policy. It’s not about military might or geopolitical competition, although that is certainly part of the calculus. At its core, this challenge is about protecting the American Dream, and our way of life. The appliances in our homes, the cars we drive, the technology we rely on each day, and the military systems that defend our nation all depend on secure critical mineral supply chains. America can either meet this moment now, or risk regretting it for the next 100 years.  I am optimistic that, under this administration and alongside our allies, America can reclaim our critical minerals supply chains and take back our energy future.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REP YOUNG KIM Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e38ba200899a00eb94f7 Deported Despite DACA: Dreamers Face Uncertainty Under Trump te 2026-05-15T09:12:43.790Z Deported Despite DACA: Dreamers Face Uncertainty Under Trump The administration has said DACA isn’t a right to stay in the United States “indefinitely.” One man with DACA was detained and deported to Mexico in a matter of days. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e378a200899a00eb94ee What to Know About DACA Recipients Amid Trump Deportation Push te 2026-05-15T09:12:24.301Z What to Know About DACA Recipients Amid Trump Deportation Push The Trump administration has said the program no longer shields immigrants from deportation, and renewal delays are costing DACA recipients their jobs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e364a200899a00eb94e5 Oysterman, Veteran, Prep-School Alum: A Senate Candidate’s Complex Class Story te 2026-05-15T09:12:04.700Z Oysterman, Veteran, Prep-School Alum: A Senate Candidate’s Complex Class Story Democrats are pinning their hopes of flipping the Senate on Graham Platner, who has made his working-class persona key to his campaign. His background defies easy categorization. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e351a200899a00eb94dc As Powell Steps Down, the Fed Confronts ‘Regime Change’ te 2026-05-15T09:11:45.247Z As Powell Steps Down, the Fed Confronts ‘Regime Change’ Jerome H. Powell is passing the chair’s baton to Kevin M. Warsh at the Federal Reserve, an institution that President Trump’s pick says needs an overhaul. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e33da200899a00eb94d3 Nebraska Blocks Bar From Using ‘Barber Shop’ Name, Saying That’s Just for Haircuts te 2026-05-15T09:11:25.578Z Nebraska Blocks Bar From Using ‘Barber Shop’ Name, Saying That’s Just for Haircuts The Omaha establishment changed its name this week from the Barber Shop Blackstone to the Censored Shop Blackstone in protest while it is suing the state in federal court in a trademark fight. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e329a200899a00eb94ca Bernie Sanders Endorses Slate of Candidates in Bid to Cement Progressive Legacy te 2026-05-15T09:11:05.965Z Bernie Sanders Endorses Slate of Candidates in Bid to Cement Progressive Legacy The five dozen endorsements mostly feature those seeking state or local office who have previously supported the Vermont senator. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e316a200899a00eb94c1 A Republican’s Mysterious Absence Reflects Congress’s Silence on Health te 2026-05-15T09:10:46.511Z A Republican’s Mysterious Absence Reflects Congress’s Silence on Health Presidents are expected to tell the public basic health information, but members of the House and Senate often stay silent about medical conditions, even those that affect their ability to do their jobs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06e303a200899a00eb94b8 Even Alex Murdaugh Didn’t Think His Convictions Would Be Overturned te 2026-05-15T09:10:27.066Z Even Alex Murdaugh Didn’t Think His Convictions Would Be Overturned His lawyers said he was stunned to learn that South Carolina’s top court had reversed the murder convictions. Prosecutors plan to retry the case, but a second trial could look very different. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06dbfba200899a00eb9326 Bronx man convicted of running secret Chinese police station in Manhattan used to monitor dissidents te 2026-05-15T08:40:27.451Z Bronx man convicted of running secret Chinese police station in Manhattan used to monitor dissidents A New York man was convicted Wednesday of helping operate a secret Chinese government-linked police station in Manhattan used to monitor dissidents, federal prosecutors said. Lu Jianwang, 64, a U.S. citizen also known as "Harry Lu" from the Bronx, was convicted by a jury on two counts related to operating an overseas police station in New York City on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), as well as obstruction of justice for destroying evidence. According to prosecutors, Lu and his co-defendant, Chen Jinping, acted as illegal agents of the Chinese government beginning in 2022 and established what authorities described as the first known overseas Chinese police station in the United States. Chen pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China in connection with the operation. CALIFORNIA MAYOR ACCUSED OF SECRETLY WORKING FOR CHINA, SPREADING PROPAGANDA WHILE IN OFFICE: FEDS Prosecutors said the station operated out of an office building in Lower Manhattan, where investigators found a blue banner reading: "Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA." U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. said the conviction disrupted a Chinese government operation on American soil. "A police station operating in New York City at the direction of the Chinese government has been exposed, its sinister purpose disrupted, and its founder held accountable for blatantly disregarding the law and our country’s sovereignty," he said in a statement.  CHINESE SPY INFILTRATION: MAYOR’S BUST ADDS TO GROWING TIMELINE OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE CREEPING INTO US "Our Office remains resolute in protecting the rights of people seeking freedom from repression and speaking out to bring democracy, reform, and human rights to China," he added. James C. Barnacle Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said the verdict should send a message to foreign agents operating in the U.S. "May today’s verdict send a message to other foreign agents – the FBI maintains its unwavering resolve to reveal and disrupt the clandestine operations of adversarial nations," he said in a statement. CHINA TARGETS US MILITARY MEMBERS IN OVERSEAS SPY OPERATIONS, FORMER CIA STATION CHIEF WARNS Prosecutors said the Manhattan outpost was part of a broader Chinese government effort to monitor and intimidate dissidents abroad, including in the United States. According to the DOJ, Lu gathered information for the Chinese government, including helping locate a pro-democracy activist who fled China for the United States. The FBI searched the outpost in October 2022 and seized phones belonging to Lu and Chen. Investigators later discovered WeChat messages between the men and their Chinese government handler had been deleted. ATTORNEY RAISES BROADER CONCERNS AFTER MAYOR ADMITS TO ACTING AS CHINESE AGENT IN SHOCKING CASE Prosecutors said Lu admitted to FBI agents that he established the Manhattan outpost, communicated with his handler through WeChat and deleted the messages. Lu spoke briefly to supporters outside federal court following the verdict but declined to answer questions from reporters. His attorney argued the outpost functioned as a community center where Chinese residents could renew driver’s licenses and gather socially. "This is not espionage. This is not spying. This is not intelligence gathering," attorney John Carman said outside the courthouse. "He wasn’t charged with any of that." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06cdeea200899a00eb9015 Lake Havasu High School names Cal Sheehy, Kim Zack as 2026 Distinguished Alumni recipients te 2026-05-15T07:40:30.278Z Lake Havasu High School names Cal Sheehy, Kim Zack as 2026 Distinguished Alumni recipients Lake Havasu High School will honor two graduates at next week's 2026 commencement ceremony with the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06c939a200899a00eb8e06 Green Card Holders Targeted for Deportation by New ‘Removal Apparatus’ te 2026-05-15T07:20:25.732Z Green Card Holders Targeted for Deportation by New ‘Removal Apparatus’ The Department of Homeland Security recently formed a unit tasked with revetting thousands of immigrants with permanent residency. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06c239a200899a00eb8c76 Arizona domestic violence hotline discontinued; experts warn this may put those in crisis at even higher risk te 2026-05-15T06:50:33.833Z Arizona domestic violence hotline discontinued; experts warn this may put those in crisis at even higher risk The 24-hour centralized hotline, which allowed those in crisis to get help in just one call, is no longer available starting May 15. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06bb31a200899a00eb8a87 NAU ROUNDUP: Track and field ends outdoor regular season on high note te 2026-05-15T06:20:33.142Z NAU ROUNDUP: Track and field ends outdoor regular season on high note A look at news and results from NAU. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06af78a200899a00eb878f Arizona GOP schools superintendent debate turns combative over Empowerment Scholarship Account oversight, DEI te 2026-05-15T05:30:32.959Z Arizona GOP schools superintendent debate turns combative over Empowerment Scholarship Account oversight, DEI Incumbent Tom Horne and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee traded accusations during a heated Scottsdale debate ahead of the July Republican primary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06ad1ea200899a00eb86b8 Trump touts ‘fantastic trade deals’ in final Xi meeting amid tariff standoff te 2026-05-15T05:20:30.207Z Trump touts ‘fantastic trade deals’ in final Xi meeting amid tariff standoff President Donald Trump held his final meeting with Chinese President Xi touting a big win on one of the central focuses orf the high-stakes summit after the two leaders held a bilateral tea at the Zhongnanhai compound. "This has been an incredible visit," Trump said to reporters. "I think a lot of good has come of it, and we've made some fantastic trade deals. Great for both countries."  The announcement comes against the backdrop of a yearslong tariff standoff between the U.S. and China, with Trump arguing aggressive duties are needed to force fairer trade terms while Beijing has repeatedly pushed back. While it is unclear which deals were reached, it was shared that China agreed to order 200 Boeing jets. TRUMP MEETS US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA AS TENSIONS FLARE AHEAD OF XI SHOWDOWN U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were present for the meeting. America’s top business leaders traveled with Trump to Beijing and met with Premier Li Qiang Thursday to discuss U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation. "China is willing to work with the United States to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strive for more positive outcomes, achieve mutual success and promote common prosperity, and better benefit the people of both countries and the world," reads a press release about the meeting from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. TRUMP AND CHINA CLOSE IN ON TRADE DEAL AFTER PRODUCTIVE TALKS, BESSENT SAYS The ministry stressed that both countries should "meet each other halfway" and "safeguard bilateral economic and trade relations." The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the matter. During an interview Thursday with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump said China was interested in investing "hundreds of billions of dollars" alongside the American business leaders visiting Beijing. "Those business people are here to make deals and to bring back jobs," Trump said. TRUMP PUSHES XI ON TRADE AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING DENTS KEY CHINA PRESSURE TOOL A major piece of Trump’s "America First" agenda has focused on leveling the global trade playing field by holding other countries accountable for trade deficits. One of his first moves after returning to office was rolling out the "Liberation Day" tariffs in April 2025, which were designed to serve as leverage in trade negotiations while also generating new revenue. Tariffs have been at the center of Trump’s China strategy since his first term, when he imposed duties on Chinese imports and Beijing retaliated with tariffs of its own. The fight has remained one of the defining pressure points in the relationship between the world's two largest economies.  Trump’s first visit in 2017 produced more than $250 billion in announced commercial deals and cooperation pledges, but it did not prevent trade relations from deteriorating in 2018. Most notably, Trump announced a $12 billion deal for cellphone chips from Qualcomm and $37 billion for Boeing commercial jets, AP reported at the time. Trump said that Xi and his wife will visit the U.S. in September. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a069f35a200899a00eb836f Hobbs lifts bill-signing moratorium after a week of budget negotiations with Republicans te 2026-05-15T04:21:09.193Z Hobbs lifts bill-signing moratorium after a week of budget negotiations with Republicans Gov. Katie Hobbs speaking with attendees at the 2026 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Jan. 9, 2026. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) Arizona’s Democratic governor lifted her month-long bill-signing moratorium on Thursday.  Gov. Katie Hobbs implemented the moratorium April 13, promising not to sign any bills until the Republicans who control the Arizona legislature revealed their budget and engaged her in “good-faith” negotiations on the annual spending plan.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Republicans, who hold the majority in the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Senate, revealed their budget on April 27, and swiftly voted along party lines to approve it.  The GOP budget fully conformed Arizona’s tax code with the changes made at the federal level through President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and paid for the tax cuts with fund sweeps and cuts to most state agencies.  Hobbs vetoed the Republican budget on May 5, and days later, Republicans in both chambers of the legislature voted to adjourn for most of the remainder of May. The Arizona House of Representatives hasn’t met since then, but the Senate met on May 11 and plans to meet again May 18. “After a week of good-faith negotiations and productive exchanges on the best path toward a bipartisan and balanced budget, today the Governor’s Office informed Republican budget negotiators that the bill moratorium has been lifted,” Hobbs spokesman Christian Slater told the Arizona Mirror via text message.  The Democratic governor initially put pressure on Republicans to publish their spending plan, revealing how they would pay for the Trump tax cuts on March 20, when she paused budget negotiations. That move came after she said that legislative Republicans refused to negotiate on Proposition 123, a K-12 school funding measure that brought in $300 million annually and expired last year.  Republicans accused Hobbs of basing her own budget plan, released in January, on funding that wasn’t guaranteed, including Prop. 123, which would have to be put to voters in November.  Hobbs and legislative Democrats characterized the Republican budget plan as favoring corporations over people who depend on government programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.  A budget must be in place before July 1, or state government will shut down. Negotiations are always tense since the budget requires approval from both Republican-led chambers of the legislature, as well as the Democratic governor, whose priorities often do not align. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a069f1fa200899a00eb834e Trump reveals Xi’s stance on arming Iran as Hormuz tensions rattle markets te 2026-05-15T04:20:47.205Z Trump reveals Xi’s stance on arming Iran as Hormuz tensions rattle markets President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he will not provide military equipment to Iran, which has been a central focus of the high-stakes meeting marking a possible win for the Trump administration. Xi "said he's not going to give military equipment. That's a big statement. He said that today. That's a big statement. (He) said that strongly," Trump said to Fox News host Sean Hannity Thursday.  The pledge comes as the Trump administration increasingly has cast China not just as an economic rival, but as a key enabler of adversarial regimes, with Beijing’s economic and material support for Iran emerging as a central focus of this week’s high-stakes talks with Xi. U.S. officials have increasingly accused China of helping prop up Iran’s military and economic strength through oil purchases, dual-use exports and intermediary networks. TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA Trump added that Xi also offered to help end the conflict.  "He said, if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help," Trump said.  The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the matter. "But at the same time, he said, you know, they buy a lot of their oil there, and they'd like to keep doing that. He'd like to see Hormuz Strait opened," said Trump. "I said, well, we didn't stop it. They did it." TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH China heavily relies on Iranian oil imports purchasing around $31 billion to $32 billion of Iranian crude annually, according to Reuters. Beijing ordered firms to ignore U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil in May — a direct challenge to Washington’s crackdown. China’s Commerce Ministry invoked a 2021 "blocking statute" ahead of the summit which bars companies from complying with "illegitimate" foreign sanctions. The order targets several Chinese refiners accused by the U.S. of buying Iranian crude, including large independent processors known as "teapot" refineries. CHINA ORDERS FIRMS TO IGNORE US IRAN SANCTIONS, DARING US TO ENFORCE CRACKDOWN "He didn't like the fact that they're charging tolls," said Trump. "I don't know if they are or not. I don't know who would pay him. I mean, where do they put the money to come to countries decimated, you know, they're charging tolls where's the money going," said Trump. Trump said that he believes a deal will be reached with China buying oil from the U.S. by the end of the trip, prompting a spike in oil prices. "They're going to go to Texas. We're going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed to it. That's a big thing," said Trump. The two leaders held a bilateral tea meeting Friday morning local time in Beijing at the Zhongnanhai compound in their final meeting before Trump's return to the White House. Fox News' Morgan Phillips and Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a069f08a200899a00eb831f 5 Key Moments During the California Governor Debate te 2026-05-15T04:20:24.719Z 5 Key Moments During the California Governor Debate Candidates have become increasingly combative as they enter the final stretch before the June 2 primary. Once again, Xavier Becerra, a Democratic front-runner, drew most of the attacks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a069354a200899a00eb8003 Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater's history-making attempt te 2026-05-15T03:30:28.117Z Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater's history-making attempt All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history. Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company. The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall. Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1. Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring. Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the "greatest" X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down. Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again. Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA. Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that "The System always wins." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner. Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE. Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand. Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show. The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination. Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance. The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future. He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past. "Mike Santana, you’re gone next," he declared. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up. "You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion." While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana. Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on "Impact." Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was "suspended." He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA. Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside. In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head. "You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist." Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title. A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on "Impact" that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro. While wearing "Show Stealer" across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can. Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs. It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count. Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring. He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0689f7a200899a00eb7da7 Audit recommends lease overhaul, policy updates for Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport te 2026-05-15T02:50:31.484Z Audit recommends lease overhaul, policy updates for Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport An independent audit found Lake Havasu City’s airport is running on a patchwork of outdated leases and policies, creating problems for oversight, private investment and the airport’s long-term finances. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06879ba200899a00eb7cd4 Paul Finebaum roasts Lane Kiffin for recent comments: "Trying to wipe Ole Miss off the map" te 2026-05-15T02:40:27.373Z Paul Finebaum roasts Lane Kiffin for recent comments: "Trying to wipe Ole Miss off the map" The world of college football is rarely dull. Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama. And most of the most recent drama has been created by LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin, who's no stranger to making headlines, made several comments that garnered attention in new interviews. The most contentious and controversial being some very pointed criticisms of Ole Miss, his former school. Specifically Kiffin claimed Ole Miss would lose out on recruits because of supposed concerns over racial diversity on campus and in Oxford. "'Hey, coach, we really like you. But my grandparents aren’t letting me move to Oxford, Mississippi.’ That doesn’t come up when you say Baton Rouge, Louisiana," Kiffin said to Vanity Fair. "Parents were sitting here this weekend saying the campus’s diversity feels so great: 'It feels like there’s no segregation. And we want that for our kid because that’s the real world.'" LANE KIFFIN TAKES SHOT AT OLE MISS, CITES RACISM IN RECRUITING GAP WITH LSU IN AWKWARD INTERVIEW Reactions on social media were immediate and generally dismissive of Kiffin's claims. And you can add one of the SEC's biggest supporters to the list of those roasting him for bringing race into the Ole Miss discussion. Even at a new school. ESPN's Paul Finebaum, during a new episode of his "The Paul Finebaum Show," went after Kiffin and had some thoughts on what motivated him to say what he did. "An SEC coach at LSU is breaking big news in Vanity Fair," Finebaum said. "Has to be shaking up Fifth Avenue right now. But it's Lane Kiffin. "The most important thing to factor in here, this wasn’t a slip of the tongue. I talked to the writer who did the Vanity Fair piece the other day, Curt [sic] Smith, he said he didn’t even ask Kiffin about the racism aspect, he just started rifting [sic]. This is Kiffin trying to wipe Ole Miss off the face of the Earth, he’s still very bitter at them, even though they're the jilted lover. He's bitter at them because they wouldn’t let him coach in the playoffs. "And he has to recruit against them, he has to coach against them on September 19th, a game that will get a little bit of attention." Finebaum then took a minute to address Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's comments, which implied that Ole Miss has an advantage because it's not a good academic school. "The Sarkisian thing is even more amazing. The fact that any coach is whining and complaining about anything ... Steve Sarkisian makes about $12 million a year, and not one person on his roster is going to the University of Texas for their curriculum. They're going for the money." OLE MISS PLAYERS PUSH BACK ON LANE KIFFIN’S CLAIM THAT TEAM ASKED AD TO LET HIM FINISH SEASON WITH REBELS Paul Finebaum, not holding back. And he's right. Lane Kiffin is bitter, upset, whatever the adjective, that Ole Miss didn't let him coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job. But he knew that was going to be the outcome if he decided to leave, and he left anyway. Kiffin then essentially proved Finebaum right in another interview with Wilson Alexander from On3.com. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Obviously, I wish the timing was different. There was no way around it," he said. "Tried to do everything possible to still coach and, obviously, that was [athletic director Keith Carter's] decision and understandable. Do I still wish that had happened? Yeah, I do. I wish that would have been allowed to happen. Maybe we would have won it all." That's why he's so upset. He believed Ole Miss had a chance to win a national championship. And he would have that on his résumé, winning a title, especially at a program like Ole Miss. But he has no one to blame but himself for missing out on that opportunity. Even if the LSU job is a better one in the long run. And he's right on Sarkisian too. Sark knows the Texas football team isn't there for academics, or at least, the starters. If any coach is going to complain about putting together a roster, it shouldn't be the head of arguably the richest program in the country. With a massive NIL budget, classic uniforms, a legendary stadium and history, and a gigantic, devoted fan base. Credit where credit's due, Finebaum didn't pull any punches. Even though the target was based in his beloved SEC. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a068344a200899a00eb7a92 Trump says Xi agreed US became a ‘declining nation’ during Biden years te 2026-05-15T02:21:56.329Z Trump says Xi agreed US became a ‘declining nation’ during Biden years President Donald Trump turned Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reported swipe at the West during the U.S. and China's high-stakes meetings in Beijing into a political attack on former President Joe Biden Thursday. "When President Xi very elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation, he was referring to the tremendous damage we suffered during the four years of Sleepy Joe Biden and the Biden Administration, and on that score, he was 100% correct," Trump wrote on Truth Social ahead of the second day of talks between the U.S. and China. After the U.S. delegation was greeted with pomp and circumstance at an opening ceremony Wednesday night, Xi invoked the so-called "Thucydides Trap" during opening remarks, asking whether China and the United States could avoid the historical pattern of conflict between a rising power and an established one. TRUMP-XI’S CHINA SUMMIT IS A DEFINING TEST FOR AMERICA IN THE NEW COLD WAR The line echoed Beijing’s broader view of a shifting global balance of power, though it is unclear if Xi explicitly called the U.S. or the West a "declining nation." "President Xi was not referring to the incredible rise that the United States has displayed to the world during the 16 spectacular months of the Trump Administration, which includes all-time high stock markets and 401K’s, military victory and thriving relationship in Venezuela, the military decimation of Iran (to be continued!)," Trump added in his post. "The United States is the hottest Nation anywhere in the world, and hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!" Trump continued. BEHIND SUMMIT SMILES, XI GIVES BLUNT WARNING TO TRUMP OF 'CLASHES' AND 'CONFLICTS' Trump went on to say that the United States "suffered immeasurably" under Biden-era policies like open borders, increased taxes, DEI, "transgender for everybody," and sanctuary city ordinances. He agreed that "two years ago" the nation was "in decline." Fox News Digital reached out to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the White House for comment.  A White House spokesperson referred Fox News Digital back to the president's Truth Social post, but a Chinese Embassy spokesperson said in a statement that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand." However, the Chinese embassy spokesperson did not respond to inquiries asking for more context about Xi's reported comments.  Xi’s "Thucydides Trap" reference was not a direct statement that the United States or the West is declining, but it invoked a geopolitical theory about the danger of conflict when a rising power challenges an established one and came as the Chinese president raised the prospect of a future U.S.-China clash over Taiwan. The phrase has been used in U.S.–China policy circles to describe fears that China’s rise could put it on a collision course with Washington. "On a welcoming banquet for President Trump, President Xi pointed out that this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. The over 1.4 billion people of China, drawing on the rich heritage of our over-5,000-year civilization, are advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development. This year is also the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The over 300 million American people are reinvigorating the spirit of patriotism, innovation and enterprise, and ushering in a new journey for the development of the United States," the spokesperson said in their statement to Fox News Digital. "The peoples of China and the United States are both great peoples. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world. President Xi and President Trump also agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world." Former President Biden's personal history with Xi dates back to both their tenures as vice presidents.  But as president, Biden’s relationship with Xi was one that involved an ongoing strategic rivalry, with the two leaders meeting in Bali in 2022 and California in 2023 as Washington and Beijing tried to stabilize ties amid disputes over Taiwan, a spy balloon caught over the United States, fentanyl and other disputes. Fox News Digital reached out to Biden's representatives for comment, but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.  "We should be partners, not rivals," Xi told Trump during opening remarks that followed the welcome ceremony in front of Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06832ba200899a00eb7a42 Supreme Court keeps telehealth & mail access to abortion pill te 2026-05-15T02:21:31.389Z Supreme Court keeps telehealth & mail access to abortion pill Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a068317a200899a00eb7a39 Trump, Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Friday for National Peace Officers Memorial Day te 2026-05-15T02:21:11.759Z Trump, Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Friday for National Peace Officers Memorial Day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a068304a200899a00eb7a30 States demand transparency as businesses get billions in Trump tariff refunds te 2026-05-15T02:20:52.355Z States demand transparency as businesses get billions in Trump tariff refunds Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0682f0a200899a00eb7a27 Iranian World Cup prep moves FC Tucson from usual digs; locals continue tune-ups vs. Barça te 2026-05-15T02:20:32.478Z Iranian World Cup prep moves FC Tucson from usual digs; locals continue tune-ups vs. Barça Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a068091a200899a00eb79df The Colts channeled "The Simpsons" for their schedule release, and it's a masterpiece te 2026-05-15T02:10:25.762Z The Colts channeled "The Simpsons" for their schedule release, and it's a masterpiece The NFL schedule release has turned into an arms race among teams' social media departments to see who can get the most attention. I don't care about that. All I care about is that the Indianapolis Colts just threw down the greatest schedule release of all time. And I'm not just saying that as a die-hard fan of "The Simpsons." I mean, I am, but that's not the only reason I'm saying it. For the 2026 season, the Colts' cromulent, Simpsonized schedule release video was kind of a two-parter. The first part was a reworking of the long-running primetime sitcom's iconic opening sequence that was jammed full of very funny NFL Easter eggs, starting with a classic Bart Simpson chalkboard gag that reads, "WE WILL NOT INCLUDE TYREEK HILL IN THESE VIDEOS." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Then, the second part was the actual schedule reveal, and that was where this went from being cool to being brilliant. Each game was introduced with a clip from the show that fits it perfectly, starting with the Colts' Week 1 date with the Baltimore Ravens. That one used a clip of "The Simpsons'" adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" from Season 2's "Treehouse of Horror." Pour yourself a Duff and maybe gnaw on a pink donut, because this is a masterpiece you will probably watch several times. Just speaking from experience. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Perfect. No notes on this end. Honestly, with more than 800 episodes, every NFL team could do a Simpsons schedule release video, and there wouldn't be too much overlap. I kind of dig these schedule releases, because they honestly get better and better. I think we're probably only about a year or two from James Cameron directing one of them... and then directing five more sequels no one asked for. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067e38a200899a00eb7927 Former Oklahoma Death Row Prisoner Freed Before Retrial in a 1997 Killing te 2026-05-15T02:00:24.336Z Former Oklahoma Death Row Prisoner Freed Before Retrial in a 1997 Killing A lawyer for Richard Glossip said the ruling provided a step forward in his client’s efforts to escape a “decades-long nightmare” in a case that has faced substantial criticism. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067bdfa200899a00eb788b Man Charged With Posting Bomb Instructions Used in New Orleans Attack te 2026-05-15T01:50:23.179Z Man Charged With Posting Bomb Instructions Used in New Orleans Attack The man, a former Army engineer, was accused of posting videos showing how to make explosives. Authorities said those videos were used by the man who carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans last year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06799da200899a00eb7830 US moving to indict former Cuban leader Raúl Castro: source te 2026-05-15T01:40:45.061Z US moving to indict former Cuban leader Raúl Castro: source The United States is moving to indict Raúl Castro, the former Cuban president, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital. The potential charges against Castro, 94, come after CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Thursday with counterparts from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior during a high-level visit to the island nation. CBS News first reported on the potential charges. CUBA SAYS CIA CHIEF RATCLIFFE MET WITH OFFICIALS IN HAVANA AMID US TENSIONS Raúl Castro is the younger brother of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who died in 2016. Castro is reportedly being indicted in connection with the downing of planes 30 years ago, U.S. officials familiar with the matter told CBS News. This is a developing story, check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067989a200899a00eb7827 NBA tries justifying egregious, game-changing no-call in Pistons-Cavs in final seconds te 2026-05-15T01:40:25.597Z NBA tries justifying egregious, game-changing no-call in Pistons-Cavs in final seconds The NBA says the officials were correct not to call a foul on the Cavaliers in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter against the Pistons, in a game Cleveland won in overtime. "[Jarrett] Allen and [Ausar] Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact," the league said via its Last Two Minutes Report on Thursday. Except that is not what happened. As the video below shows, Allen tripped Thompson and committed a foul. Had the foul been called, Thompson would have gone to the free-throw line with the score tied 103-103 with less than a second to play. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! That's a trip right there," said game analyst Tim Legler on the replay. "There's a couple of tenths left when that happens." Though Thompson is just a 60% free-throw shooter, the odds would have heavily favored a Detroit win had the officials properly called the foul. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed. "[Allen] fouled Ausar -- clearly," Bickerstaff said after the game. "He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball." Bickerstaff came into the game already displeased with the officiating in the series, noting the free-throw disparity in Game 4. "It’s unacceptable, it is," Bickerstaff said, via the Detroit News’ Coty Davis. "We didn’t do enough honestly to help ourselves, and I’ll start there. But ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK ANALYSIS For context, the Pistons shot just 12 free-throw attempts in Monday night's loss to the Cavaliers. Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell shot 15 free throws himself. Still, crew chief Tony Brothers stands by his poor officiating. "During live play, both players were going for the ball, and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," he said about the no call on Wednesday. "There was incidental contact on the play. The play will be reviewed by the league office tomorrow, and it will be posted in the L2M," he added. The Cavs host the Pistons on Friday for Game 6. Detroit would like some makeup calls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06774aa200899a00eb7792 Senior living is close to home te 2026-05-15T01:30:50.589Z Senior living is close to home For many longtime North Central Phoenix residents, the area is more than just a place to live – it is a community built on connection, history and neighborhood pride. Tucked just minutes from the restaurants, parks and familiar streets, Beatitudes Campus, located at 1610 W. Glendale Ave., has quietly become one of the most vibrant communities for older adults in the Valley. “For more than six decades, Beatitudes Campus has welcomed seniors who want to stay active, engaged and surrounded by friends,” leadership said. “Residents often describe the campus as feeling less like a traditional retirement community and more like a lively neighborhood – one where there is always something happening. Through May 31, Beatitudes Campus is offering several limited-time move-in opportunities. These include incentives for rental residences, entrance-fee/life-plan residences and assisted living and early memory support levels of care. Prospective residents can schedule a tour and learn more by calling 602-536-4734 or visiting www.beatitudescampus.org. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067737a200899a00eb7789 Harkins to debut 4D theater te 2026-05-15T01:30:31.019Z Harkins to debut 4D theater Harkins Theatres announced plans in late March to introduce 4D sensory immersive moviegoing experiences at three Arizona locations, with three additional locations to be announced soon. Partnering with Lumma 4D E-Motion, the Harkins 4D experience will incorporate full sensory-engaging effects, including synchronized motion seating, coordinated scents, air, water and environmental cues, to fully connect moviegoers with the on-screen action. The first new 4D auditorium set to open this August at Harkins Norterra in far North Phoenix. There is no word on whether the company plans to introduce new theaters closer to the Phoenix city center after closing the 21-year-old Bell Road location in 2022, which has since been replaced by a multi-family housing development, and the 31-year-old Metrocenter location in 2023, which was forced to close by the demolition and redevelopment of Metrocenter Mall. For more information, visit www.harkins.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067503a200899a00eb76fb Kris Mayes moves to remove David Marshall as Navajo County recorder te 2026-05-15T01:21:07.975Z Kris Mayes moves to remove David Marshall as Navajo County recorder David Marshall in January 2025. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) Attorney General Kris Mayes is asking the courts to remove Navajo County Recorder David Marshall, alleging that his appointment to the post last month blatantly violates the Arizona Constitution. In a rare legal filing known as a quo warranto — Latin for “by what authority” and designed to prevent the unlawful usurpation of office — Mayes says that, because Marshall was elected to the state legislature in 2024 and was sworn into office in January 2025, the Arizona Constitution bars him from holding any other public office. The claim centers on a constitutional provision that restricts what public roles members of the legislature can hold during their elected term: “No member of the legislature, during the term for which he shall have been elected or appointed shall be eligible to hold any other office or be otherwise employed by the state of Arizona or, any county or incorporated city or town thereof.” Mayes contends that the language, particularly the phrasing “during the term for which he shall have been elected,” makes clear that legislators are ineligible to hold another office or work a government job until their two-year term ends. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Last month, the Navajo County Board of Supervisors appointed Marshall as recorder to fill a vacancy created when the elected recorder, Tim Jordan, resigned in January. Marshall resigned his seat in the Arizona House of Representatives three days later and also ended his bid for the Arizona Corporation Commission. On April 24, Mayes sent a letter to Marshall demanding that he resign and warning him that she would seek to have him removed from office if he didn’t.  “Because your term as an elected representative will not conclude until January 2027, you are not currently eligible to hold another public office or be otherwise employed by the state or ‘any county … thereof,’” she wrote. Mayes noted that a legal opinion the attorney general’s office issued in 1977 concluded that the constitutional language “clearly prohibits the taking of any other office or employment during the elective term, whether or not the legislator resigns.” On May 6, Lainey Wilson, a private attorney representing Marshall, responded with a letter arguing that Mayes is relying on a 49-year-old advisory opinion — and ignoring Arizona Supreme Court precedent in the process. Because Marshall resigned from the legislature prior to being sworn in as Navajo County recorder, Wilson wrote, the constitutional provision no longer applied to him. “The evil that Section 5 was designed to prevent simply does not exist when a legislator, like former Representative Marshall, has resigned from the legislative body before assuming the new office,” she wrote.  And not only has “no Arizona court … ever held that a legislator who resigned before assuming another appointed office was subject to ouster,” but several Supreme Court rulings indicate that the constitutional provision Marshall is alleged to have violated applies only to sitting lawmakers. For instance, in a 1973 case, the high court found that “the most reasonable interpretation of the subject provision is to hold that ‘member of the Legislature’ is the office” held, not the person who holds the office. And in 1961, the court ruled that a person who was elected to the legislature, but never sworn in, was not disqualified from another post.  “Consistency does not equal correctness, and no number of advisory opinions can override a contrary holding of the Arizona Supreme Court,” Wilson, a former deputy solicitor general at the AG’s Office, wrote. In a statement, a spokesman for Mayes said the AG was unpersuaded by Wilson’s arguments and believes the courts will side with her and remove Marshall from office. “The law is clear, Mr. Marshall is not eligible to serve in this office. AG Mayes alerted him to this in late April and asked him to resign — he did not do so, which led to today’s action,” Richie Taylor said. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0674eda200899a00eb76da Trans athlete AB Hernandez's mother says criticism is politically motivated ahead of midterm elections te 2026-05-15T01:20:45.802Z Trans athlete AB Hernandez's mother says criticism is politically motivated ahead of midterm elections As the debate over transgender athletes continues in California, concerns surrounding competitive fairness remain at the center of the conversation. Jurupa Valley senior AB Hernandez, born male, delivered three dominant performances in girls' events at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries. Save Girls’ Sports activists gathered outside Yorba Linda High School in protest, which OutKick documented firsthand through conversations with parents and attendees at the meet. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! One attendee acknowledged that debate surrounding a high school athlete can become contentious, but argued the issue of fairness is straightforward. The results, they said, spoke for themselves after Hernandez’s dominant showing. As criticism over competitive disparities intensified following the meet, pro-trans activists pushed back with the familiar argument that inclusion matters more than results, while opponents argued female athletes lose opportunities in the process. Hernandez will continue competing under CIF rules permitting transgender participation and is scheduled to compete Saturday, May 16, before advancing to the CIF finals in Clovis later this month. CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK ATHLETE OPENS UP ON LOSING FIRST-PLACE TITLE TO TRANS COMPETITOR AB Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda, declined to speak with OutKick about fairness in women’s sports, but told the Los Angeles Times in an exclusive interview that criticism directed at her child is being fueled by politics during a midterm election cycle. Addressing the backlash from the May 9 preliminaries, Nereyda said she encouraged AB to ignore activists and dismissed much of the criticism as politically motivated. Nereyda told the Times, "Once they started posting [online] about their protest, I thought, ‘Wow, it’s going to be another crazy year,’" she said. "But no, on the outside, they had maybe, maybe 10 people. … They’re there to target one child, but they affect all of them." Nereyda also suggested the controversy surrounding AB has become increasingly politicized as the national debate over transgender athletes intensifies. "I told AB, this is a [midterm] election year," Nereyda said. "They’re gonna hit us hard, because they’re using us for their campaigns." Hernandez’s standout performance at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries included victories in the triple jump by more than four feet and the long jump by over a foot. TRANS ATHLETE LAUGHS OFF BACKLASH AFTER WINNING CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK AND FIELD TITLES Those margins are substantial at the elite high school level. Supporters of Save Girls’ Sports say Hernandez’s results highlight the competitive advantages created by biological differences in girls' athletics. Nereyda and activists supporting AB have defended CIF policies allowing transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity, even as California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly acknowledged concerns surrounding fairness. "I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that," Newsom told Charlie Kirk during a podcast appearance in early 2025. The California governor continued, "It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair," he said. "I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you." Despite growing backlash, Nereyda Hernandez remains unwavering in criticizing protestors for disrupting her family’s peace. She dismissed much of the criticism as outside agitation rather than concern from families directly involved in the competition. "She has been doing this sport since freshman year [of high school]," Nereyda said. "She’s not doing anything wrong." "It’s just the outsiders," Nereyda added. "They’re infiltrating, pretending they’re parents or they know people, but I’m the mom. I know who they are." Supporters of Save Girls’ Sports often point to high-profile collegiate cases as evidence of what they believe is a widening competitive gap in women’s athletics. Critics portray the movement as politically motivated, but many athletes and parents involved insist their concerns center on competition rather than ideology. They argue women’s sports exist to preserve opportunities and protected competition for female athletes under Title IX. Among the most frequently cited examples is former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who transitioned from competing on the men’s team, where Thomas ranked 462nd nationally before winning an NCAA Division I women’s national championship. SJSU TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS, POLITICAL IMPACT AND A RAGING CULTURE MOVEMENT Advocates argue retained physical advantages still created disparities female athletes could not overcome through training alone. The movement also points to San Jose State volleyball player Blair Fleming, whose presence on the court sparked national controversy and prompted opponents to forfeit matches over safety concerns and the integrity of the women’s category. In a separate statement released through TransFamily Support Services, Nereyda Hernandez said much of the harassment directed at AB has come from adults, including some "in positions of power who should be protectors of our youth." MOST CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS OPPOSE TRANS INCLUSION IN GIRLS AND WOMEN'S SPORTS: SURVEY She said AB has been "attacked for simply being who they are," while noting competitors themselves have generally shown respect. While the emotional weight of a mother defending her child is undeniable, supporters of Save Girls’ Sports argue compassion for one athlete should not come at the expense of opportunities for other young women. They point to widening performance gaps as evidence supporting those concerns as transgender participation expands in girls and women’s sports. For years, athletes and parents who questioned transgender participation in women’s sports were often labeled transphobic. But as the debate gains national attention, more families argue that acknowledging biological differences is not an act of hatred. Supporters say girls are losing podium spots, titles and scholarship opportunities to competitors with measurable physical advantages. Nereyda Hernandez told the Times that her family is looking forward to the meet, despite expected protests. TRANSGENDER ATHLETE FIRES BACK AT CRITICS AS SPOTLIGHT INCREASES ON GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL PARTICIPATION Meanwhile, supporters insist their goal is not to attack a student, but to defend women’s sports. For supporters of Save Girls’Sports, the answer is clear: protected competition for female athletes must come first. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0674d7a200899a00eb76ab Trump-Ordered Citizenship Lists for Voting Are Likely Unreliable, Justice Dept. Says te 2026-05-15T01:20:23.411Z Trump-Ordered Citizenship Lists for Voting Are Likely Unreliable, Justice Dept. Says At a court hearing over a presidential order seeking to exert more control over elections, a government lawyer said no “responsible state” should rely on the lists to update their voter rolls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a067281a200899a00eb763b Trump Might Welcome Chinese Investment, but America Is Wary te 2026-05-15T01:10:25.662Z Trump Might Welcome Chinese Investment, but America Is Wary A pledge for more Chinese investment could face backlash given longstanding national security concerns in the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a066dd1a200899a00eb754c Chargers troll the Patriots in schedule release video with a not-so-subtle Vrabel-Russini reference te 2026-05-15T00:50:25.642Z Chargers troll the Patriots in schedule release video with a not-so-subtle Vrabel-Russini reference The Los Angeles Chargers have the reputation of producing the NFL's best schedule release videos and the only people they disappointed Thursday evening might be the New England Patriots, that team's fans, coach Mike Vrabel and former reporter Dianna Russini. Because in their video, the Chargers went there. They referenced the relationship between the Patriots' head coach and the former reporter in their video. The entire Halo-themed video is worth your 6:13 viewing time. NEW YORK TIMES INVESTIGATING NFL REPORTER DIANNA RUSSINI AFTER PHOTOS WITH PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL EMERGE But in Week 12, when the Chargers host the Patriots at SoFi Stadium, the video makes that point by showing a couple of militiamen on ATVs headed into the playoffs when suddenly they get a message. "NYPost sent you a message," pops up on the screen. And suddenly the militia guys wipe out. It was, you'll recall, the New York Post's Page Six that first published photos of Vrabel and Russini lounging by a pool, and in a hot tub, and holding hands and embracing on the roof of a private bungalow in Sedona, Ariz., the first week of April. Those photos and several others, released by both the Post and other online publications, eventually led to Russini resigning from The Athletic and deleting her social media presence. Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details. He missed the final day of the NFL Draft while flying to Utah and seeking "counseling" after what he called painful conversations with his family. This was not the first time the Patriots got tagged as the team with a coach who had a cozy "relationship" with a reporter. The club was swamped with snarky comments when it saluted fans on Mother's Day. PATRIOTS MOTHER'S DAY SALUTE TURNS INTO A TROLL FRENZY The Chargers didn't merely pick on the Patriots and their "situation." They went after every opponent in some form or fashion. They mocked the Ravens for their aborted trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. They went after the New York Jets for their inability to intercept passes after that team failed to collect even one interception on defense in 2025. And aside from making reference to the Vrabel-Russini situation, the Chargers also pointed out the Patriots played an easy schedule last season. "Conquer the cupcakes," the video flashes. The NFL, by the way, does not oversee, approve or disapprove of team schedule release videos. So, the league is washing its hands of what the Chargers or any other teams might do to troll the Patriots. And if the Patriots are upset with this mere 10 seconds of video on an opposing team's video because it brings up an uncomfortable situation, they're probably in for a long season of mocking by opposing fans. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a066ba0a200899a00eb74bb Edwin Diaz reportedly appeared in cockfighting tournament graphics wearing his Dodgers uniform te 2026-05-15T00:41:04.593Z Edwin Diaz reportedly appeared in cockfighting tournament graphics wearing his Dodgers uniform The Los Angeles Dodgers could face a massive PR nightmare from LA vegans as star pitcher Edwin Diaz finds himself at the center of a federal animal cruelty scandal. A USA Today investigation linked the $102 million closer to an illegal cockfighting ring in Puerto Rico through incriminating social media posts and promotional materials. Despite the federal ban on the blood sport that took effect in 2019, Diaz reportedly appeared in tournament graphics ... wearing his official Dodgers uniform. The controversy also took a turn after the discovery of a March 2026 interview with outlet El Nuevo Día in which Díaz openly discussed his family’s involvement in the underground circuit. Diaz described cockfighting as a pastime he has followed since childhood and confirmed that his family entered four roosters into a recent tournament. NYC RADIO HOST RIPS METS OWNER STEVE COHEN AFTER HOMEGROWN STAR LEAVES: 'SOLD US A BILL OF GOODS' While cockfighting has long been part of local tradition in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a total federal ban in 2021, making participation a potential federal crime. But the star reliever known for his "Timmy Trumpets' intro wasn't the only high-profile name caught in the crosshairs of the investigation. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Champion jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. were also identified in social media footage tied to the events. According to the report, the Ortiz brothers, who recently dominated the Kentucky Derby, appeared on video collecting cash bets at one of the alleged cockfighting gatherings. Although no criminal charges have been filed against Diaz, MLB’s personal conduct policy allows the league to impose significant discipline regardless of the legal outcome. It won't be long until PETA comes after Major League Baseball and the Dodgers with escalating pressure to respond to allegations involving animal cruelty and illegal gambling. For a Dodgers team already resented for buying up baseball with its massive payroll, watching its star closer stroll through a cockfighting pit in full uniform feels tailor-made to ignite outrage back home. In a city where animal rights are practically civic doctrine and oat milk has a stronger lobby than most politicians, Diaz showing up at a bird fight lands as a direct shot to LA culture. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a066b8da200899a00eb74b2 Cardinal Dolan thanks New York faithful at golden jubilee Mass: 'Without Jesus, I could have done nothing' te 2026-05-15T00:40:45.131Z Cardinal Dolan thanks New York faithful at golden jubilee Mass: 'Without Jesus, I could have done nothing' Archbishop Emeritus of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday: the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination, which he celebrated with a special Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Flanked by several clergy members of various denominations, Dolan, 76, thanked his former colleagues, as well as civic and community officials, before praising Jesus Christ for his lengthy career in the church. "After 17 happy years, you're my family. You're my friends, and I love you. And I thank you. I thank you so much," he said. "My years as a priest and a bishop might be worthwhile. If so, it's because of you. Without Jesus, I could have done nothing; without you, none of the meager accomplishments you so graciously pointed out could have ever, ever happened." PRIEST, PASTOR, RABBI ADDRESS 'CRISIS' OF DECLINING FAITH POPULATION IN DIVIDED AMERICA: IT'S AN 'OPPORTUNITY' The Mass held special significance because Thursday fell on the Feast of the Ascension, a major Christian festival celebrating the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, occurring 40 days after Easter Sunday. During the service, various clergy members read from Scripture, including the Acts of the Apostles, the fifth book of the New Testament, and the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, which calls for unity in the church. Dolan led the Archdiocese of New York beginning in 2009 before stepping down in December. He was replaced by Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. According to his biography on the New York archdiocese website, Dolan was ordained into the priesthood by the Archdiocese of Saint Louis on June 19, 1976. He served as associate pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Missouri, until 1979, when he began studies for a doctorate in American Church History at The Catholic University of America. CARDINAL DOLAN GIVES INSIDE LOOK INTO CONCLAVE, HOLY SPIRIT'S ROLE IN SELECTING A NEW POPE In May 2025, he participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. Hicks, whom Pope Leo once dubbed his "Mini-Me," spoke in Spanish before transitioning back to English to praise Dolan. Both Hicks and Leo grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and served as missionaries in Latin America and are fluent in Spanish. "Regarding being a bishop for Cardinal Dolan, you might be wondering why right now—why I'm the one giving the homily," Hicks said of Dolan. "Well, after 50 years of being a priest, I think you deserve a little break now." ARCHBISHOP HICKS CELEBRATES 'BEAUTIFUL' ST PATRICK'S DAY MASS IN NYC WITH MAYOR MAMDANI IN ATTENDANCE Hicks recalled an archdiocese board meeting this week in which the board president shared how he had been involved with the Catholic Church for many years. Though he was not Catholic, his involvement led him to decide that "the Lord was calling him to become Catholic." "So he turned to his good friend Cardinal Dolan and said, 'Cardinal, it's time. I want to become Catholic. Do you know a priest you can recommend to me who could help me?'" Hicks recalled. "And without missing a beat, Cardinal Dolan said back to him, 'Well, you know, you're in luck. I am a priest. And I am happy to help you.'" "Those words reflect who and what Cardinal Dolan is to his core," Hicks added. "He is a priest who is happy to help. He is a priest following the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd." Much of the Mass followed Biblical readings and songs. In his final remarks, Dolan thanked his parents, who were married in Missouri on May 14, 1949, as well as his brother, Pat, who provided a reading during the service. He then thanked everyone in attendance. "To be close to you here in New York is a gift I will treasure forever," he said to end the Mass. "Now, it may be Ascension Eve, but for me, it's Christmas Eve, and I'm a kid looking out at a lot of gifts under the tree. Thank you." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a066b76a200899a00eb7483 Dallas Asks Its Residents: What Should We Do With City Hall? te 2026-05-15T00:40:22.548Z Dallas Asks Its Residents: What Should We Do With City Hall? Faced with a billion-dollar repair bill and a desire to find a new arena for the Mavericks, the city is considering options that include demolishing the building. Residents submitted their own ideas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0666e4a200899a00eb73ca International dreams: NASCAR, IndyCar face uphill battle to go global te 2026-05-15T00:20:52.878Z International dreams: NASCAR, IndyCar face uphill battle to go global PHOENIX – American sports leagues are going global. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0666d0a200899a00eb73c1 International dreams: NASCAR, IndyCar face uphill battle to go global te 2026-05-15T00:20:32.899Z International dreams: NASCAR, IndyCar face uphill battle to go global While many U.S. sports leagues have exported their product across the globe, American racing series have remained largely stateside due to a number of factors, including travel and scheduling. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0664b6a200899a00eb72ff Mother's Day chaos at a steakhouse includes knives thrown at waiters and a touching mother-daughter arrest te 2026-05-15T00:11:34.461Z Mother's Day chaos at a steakhouse includes knives thrown at waiters and a touching mother-daughter arrest An upscale steakhouse in West Little Rock, Arkansas, descended into chaos on Mother's Day when the staff failed to show the proper level of respect to the TikTok food influencers who entered their establishment. Words were exchanged between the influencers and staff; other customers got involved in the verbal exchange; it got heated and turned physical. According to the Little Rock Police Department, knives were thrown. Asia, Allyssia and Alivia Yarbrough, who, according to the Daily Mail, all have large numbers of followers, had an issue with how their steaks had been cooked at Arthur's Prime Steakhouse on Sunday. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! They asked the restaurant staff to have all three of the steaks remade to their specifications, reports KATV. The manager initially refused to remake one of them, then later brought it out and shoved it in one of their faces, saying, "this is how it's done." There's a chance you can get away with that when dealing with regular customers, but it's not going to fly with disrespected food influencers. They have millions of followers and can't stand for that. At minimum a scene will be caused. A scene where you're going to find out from a proud momma that her kids have tens of millions of social media followers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Allyssia, 25, reportedly said that she shoved her phone into a 62-year-old waiter's face. He grabbed the phone, and she said she responded by punching him in self-defense. She added that the elderly waiter slapped her back using two hands and that's when another waiter, 57, jumped in to assist his co-worker. The LRPD's investigation into the matter found that a third steak could not be fixed because it had already been cut into. The police department’s reports also stated that the security camera footage showed the Yarbroughs "causing a disturbance throughout the restaurant." According to the police report, Asia Yarbrough, 22, threw knives at two waiters during the madness. None of the videos that went viral on social media after the incident appear to show the alleged knife throwing. The same can’t be said for Kimberly Forga, the mother of the influencers. She's accused of causing $2,500 in damage to the restaurant's grand piano by slamming the top of it. In one of the videos, it does appear as if the piano's top is being slammed. Although it's hard to tell what, if any, damage was done. The legal system will have to sort all of that out. According to the Arkansas Times, the daughter was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. Mom was hit with a felony charge of criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. That's about as touching as a Mother's Day visit to an upscale steakhouse gets. On Monday, both mom and daughter pleaded not guilty and were released on bond. They're due back in court on July 7. They've created a real problem for themselves, aside from any upcoming legal issue they may face. The bigger problem is how do you make Mother's Day next year as memorable as this one? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0664a2a200899a00eb72f6 McMaster revives Trump-backed push to oust Biden kingmaker from Congress te 2026-05-15T00:11:14.760Z McMaster revives Trump-backed push to oust Biden kingmaker from Congress South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a top Trump ally and fellow Republican, announced Thursday that he is convening the state legislature in Columbia, South Carolina, starting Friday for a special session to "address the state budget and congressional districts" in his largely Republican state. "I have issued an Executive Order calling the General Assembly back for an extra legislative session to address the state budget and congressional districts beginning Friday, May 15, at 11:00 AM," McMaster wrote on X.  The move comes amid intraparty Republican tensions over the Trump-backed effort to redraw the state’s congressional map — a push that could threaten the tenure of Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, the man credited with reviving former President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, and four other senators originally joined Democrats to defeat a proposal that would have allowed the chamber to vote on redistricting after the South Carolina legislative session closed Thursday. The roadblock came hours after President Donald Trump warned he is "watching closely" the redistricting effort that proponents hope will ultimately rid the state’s congressional delegation of its lone Democrat, while advising lawmakers to move the primary for House members to August. SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP, TANK REDISTRICTING, FOR NOW Clyburn, the octogenarian Orangeburg, South Carolina, lawmaker considered a kingmaker in Palmetto State Democratic politics — and credited with reviving then-candidate Biden’s floundering campaign with his endorsement in 2020 — may not be long for Capitol Hill, as a redraw would almost certainly redistribute the state’s heavy Republican advantage across its seven districts. Clyburn said he remains confident he can win re-election even under a new map. "I don’t know why people think I could not get re-elected if they redistrict South Carolina," Clyburn said in a CNN interview. "I have a district that’s about 45 percent African American. I have no idea what the number will be after the legislature finishes, but whatever that number is, I will be running on my record and America’s promise." Massey argued in a floor speech that following Trump’s lead on redistricting would run counter to the interests of the Palmetto State. "South Carolina has always punched above their weight," Massey said. "Doing this will diminish that influence." But he also acknowledged that he will likely face political payback from Trump and the president's allies. TRUMP TARGETS RED STATE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN PUSH FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING "There are likely consequences for me, personally, taking the position that I am right now," Massey said. "I’m comfortable with that. I may not like it, but I’m comfortable with it. ... My conscience is clear on this one." The recent Callais decision at the Supreme Court — which eliminated Louisiana’s race-conscious map that provided for two largely minority-heavy Democratic strongholds — has already spurred action in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, and with Clyburn’s district itself reportedly the product of a George H.W. Bush Justice Department request regarding racial makeup, its days may be numbered. The DOJ in 1992 recommended creating a majority-Black district in South Carolina, and Clyburn swiftly won the seat upon the retirement of fellow Democratic Rep. Robin Mooneyhan Tallon of Hemingway, according to a Government Printing Office publication on Black Americans in Congress.  Clyburn is also reportedly a relative of the previous Black South Carolina congressman, Republican George Washington Murray, who served in the 1890s. The 85-year-old recently signed documents to make his run for re-election official, quipping that he is in good health and simply celebrating the 47th anniversary of his 39th birthday soon. If redistricting fails and Clyburn is able to run again, he will join a growing list of octogenarian — and some nonagenarian — lawmakers who remain bullish about their political prospects. The oldest sitting member is Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who is 92, while elderly lawmakers facing re-election in 2026 besides Clyburn include Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., who is 88, and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who is 87. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, is 83 and running for re-election, which would make him 89 at the end of his next term. Alabama convened a special session earlier in May that House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, correctly predicted would force the courts to rule on the validity of a special-case redistricting referendum there. Tennessee successfully redrew its map, which is likely to result in the ouster of longtime Shelby County Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, while Mississippi hit a snag in its own efforts after Gov. Tate Reeves pumped the brakes on a Callais-spurred effort to boot former House Jan. 6 Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson in the Delta. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06648fa200899a00eb72ed NYC Republican lawmaker slams Mamdani antisemitism office as a ‘black hole’ lacking public-facing resources te 2026-05-15T00:10:55.197Z NYC Republican lawmaker slams Mamdani antisemitism office as a ‘black hole’ lacking public-facing resources As anti-Israel agitators take to the streets in New York City, a councilwoman is calling out the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, saying that it lacks public-facing resources. "Mayor Mamdani continues to gaslight the Jewish community in New York City by creating a black hole of an office — the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism — an office that has no website, no phone number, no resources," New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, R-District 48, told Fox News Digital. "There's nobody to reach out to, there's nobody to talk to. The public has no sense of how this office can help Jewish New Yorkers." The councilwoman said that after a recent hearing, she feels that "the office does nothing to combat antisemitism." However, Vernikov said that the issue was not merely a matter of access and stated that even those who reach out to the mayor's office "really don't get a response that makes them feel safer or their children feel safer." NYC LAWMAKER SLAMS MAMDANI OVER RESPONSE TO ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI, SYNAGOGUE CLASHES: 'NOT A LEADER' Vernikov, a Jewish Republican, serves as a co-chair of a bipartisan task force aimed at combatting antisemitism alongside Councilman Eric Dinowitz, D-District 11. The task force, which was formed earlier this year, is separate from the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism. An online search for the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism leads to a page on the New York City government's website that includes a press release announcing the office, a description of its goals and a list of "recent events and services." One of the items on the events and services list is a "listening tour," the findings of which will be used to "inform a report and a subsequent strategy on combatting antisemitism in New York City." Other events and services include Mayor Zohran Mamdani's visit to the Jewish Children's Museum in Crown Heights, Passover Seders, Food Distribution with Chasdei Lev and an Orthodox Community Leaders Roundtable. VIDEO SHOWS CLASHES ERUPT OUTSIDE SYNAGOGUE AS ANTI-ISRAEL MOB WREAKS HAVOC AT REAL ESTATE EXPO In recent weeks, New York City has seen a slew of antisemitic incidents, including swastika graffiti in Queens and protests outside a Manhattan synagogue and in a Jewish neighborhood of Brooklyn. Following the protest outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, Mamdani said that his administration was committed to ensuring New Yorkers could safely enter or exit a house of worship. However, he said that he "firmly" disagreed with the event taking place inside the synagogue, a statement that critics interpreted as support for the protesters. "When we have a real estate expo that is promoting the sale of land which includes the sale of land in the occupied West Bank, in settlements that are a violation of international law, that is something that I firmly disagree with," Mamdani said in response to a reporter's question. The mayor added that he saw the land sales as something that "has been at the heart of an ongoing effort to displace Palestinians from their homes." The proximity of the protests to Jewish institutions has many Jewish New Yorkers concerned for their safety, something Vernikov said she has heard from her constituents. Vernikov argued that the debate over where protests take place is not about restricting freedoms, but preventing intimidation. "This has nothing to do with the First Amendment. It has everything to do with trying to intimidate and harass Jews, and that's all these protesters are fighting for," Vernikov said. Amid the protests and vandalism, Mamdani has faced criticism for his decision to veto a bill that would have created a "buffer zone" around educational institutions to protect them from protests. The City Council also passed a version of the bill aimed at protecting houses of worship, which Mamdani did not veto. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06647ba200899a00eb72e4 Shohei Ohtani might be on his way to even more history with 0.82 ERA and Cy Young discussion te 2026-05-15T00:10:35.775Z Shohei Ohtani might be on his way to even more history with 0.82 ERA and Cy Young discussion If it seems like there's a new astonishing fact about Shohei Ohtani every few days, that's because there is. Ohtani is a one-of-one player, someone who's already accomplished virtually everything a player can accomplish in Major League Baseball. He's won back-to-back World Series championships after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season. He's won three straight Most Valuable Player awards, becoming the first player ever to win multiple MVPs in different leagues. His most recent win, for the 2025 season, made him the second player ever to win four MVP awards, along with Barry Bonds. Ohtani won the Rookie of the Year award in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels. Then followed it up by getting selected to five straight All-Star teams. He's a four-time Silver Slugger winner. He's been selected to six straight All-MLB first teams. DO THE DODGERS GET AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE WITH 'BIZARRE' RULE IMPACTING SHOHEI OHTANI? In 2024, Ohtani had one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history, becoming the first player ever to hit more than 50 home runs and steal more than 50 bases. And it wasn't close; he finished with 54 home runs and 59 steals. Oh, and he hit .310, with a .390 on-base percentage and .646 slugging percentage. Good for 79 runs of production above an average player, per FanGraphs. Then, he followed it up in 2025 by hitting 55 more home runs, setting a new career high. All while returning to the mound for the first time since 2023, putting up a 2.87 ERA and 1.90 FIP, with 62 strikeouts in 47 innings and 1.9 wins above replacement. What could possibly be left to accomplish? Just one thing: a Cy Young Award. And after yet another outstanding start on Wednesday night, Ohtani might be well on his way to making more history there too. Ohtani faced off against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, and was once again dominant. He went seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks, while striking out eight hitters. The performance lowered his ERA through mid-May to an incredible 0.82. It's still early, of course. The Dodgers have played 43 games out of 162, meaning there's just over 73% of the season remaining. But if the season were to end today, it's hard to argue with Ohtani as the National League Cy Young winner. And if that happens, it would be the latest in a long line of historic accomplishments for baseball's best player. Ohtani, should he win, would become the first player ever to win an MVP as a hitter and pitcher. He'd become the first player ever to win multiple MVP awards, and win a Cy Young. There have been 11 pitchers who won a Cy Young and MVP in the same season, but no pitcher has ever won a second MVP. And his manager and teammates are already talking about it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Like I've said for a long time, he's a different person when he's pitching," manager Dave Roberts said after the 4-0 win over the Giants. "I think he wants to win the Cy Young. I think that that helps the Dodgers, too, in 2026. When he's pitching, I just sort of let him go and…he's in a zone." Santiago Espinal, who hit a home run to give LA the lead, added, "When he's pitching, everybody expects a Cy Young. When he's hitting, everybody expects an MVP and all that stuff. That's what he showed tonight. It’s just Cy Young-caliber." Again, there's a long way to go. And the National League has several other pitchers having great starts to the 2026 season. Defending Cy Young winner Paul Skenes has seen his ERA drop from 1.97 in 2025 all the way to ... 1.98 so far in 2026. Christopher Sanchez has once again been excellent, and Jacob Misiorowski has often looked unhittable with over 14 strikeouts per nine innings. But it's yet another reminder that what Ohtani does, night in and night out, is essentially unprecedented. A top five pitcher in the sport, and a top two or three hitter. At the same time. It's remarkable, and his already remarkable career may somehow become even more historic this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06622fa200899a00eb724c Man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head te 2026-05-15T00:00:47.995Z Man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head Oregon police have arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of a father who drove himself to a hospital after being struck in the head by a bullet after shots rang out while he was pulling out of In-N-Out drive-thru with his wife and two young sons. Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas, 20, and Gabriel "Alex" Javier, 18, both of Salem, were taken into custody Wednesday. They face charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Feb. 9 shooting of Marcio Garcia. Multiple guns were allegedly found at Armenta-Lagunas’ apartment, the Keizer Police Department said. Javier was arrested later in the day. Authorities are still searching for a third suspect, 22-year-old Anthony Taylor-Manriquez, who is considered armed and dangerous. GUNMAN REMAINS AT LARGE AFTER SHOOTING FIVE PEOPLE AT CONNECTICUT MALL Garcia, 28, was in a car with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 7, when shots rang out near the burger chain. The gunfire shattered the car windows and struck Garcia in the head; his wife and children were uninjured, police said. FLORIDA AUTHORITIES RESCUE 122 MISSING CHILDREN IN HISTORIC OPERATION, MANY EXPLOITED AND ABUSED: OFFICIALS "In the middle of chaos and fear, while he was injured and in pain, he somehow found the strength to drive us out of the scene to safety," his wife wrote in an online fundraiser. "He protected our family before thinking of himself. That is the kind of man and father he is." Images posted online showed the bullet that was removed from Garcia’s head during surgery in February, according to his wife. She also noted that Garcia did not suffer major brain damage and is currently recovering at home. "The doctors told us what we already believe—this is nothing short of a miracle," she said. "Now he faces a long road of rest, healing, and recovery." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06621ca200899a00eb7243 Khloe Kardashian questions lack of progress in Nancy Guthrie disappearance case te 2026-05-15T00:00:28.107Z Khloe Kardashian questions lack of progress in Nancy Guthrie disappearance case Khloe Kardashian questioned how there haven't been any new breaks in the case of Nancy Guthrie, who has now been missing more than 100 days. "Nancy Guthrie. I mean, is that not heartbreaking?" the 41-year-old posed to "Crime Junkie" podcast host Ashley Flowers on the latest episode of her "Khloé in Wonder Land" podcast on Wednesday. "I don't know. I'm just like, are you? This is 2026. There is nothing? Like, we don’t, that is mind-blowing." She and Flowers agreed that they’re both a bit "conspiratorial" when they follow missing person cases. "I don’t know if I know enough about this case, but like all the things I was reading about the brother-in-law and that kind of stuff, I'm like, oof," Kardashian said. "The ransom notes going to all the media outlets first. How weird was that?" NANCY GUTHRIE MISSING 100 DAYS AS SHERIFF SAYS 'NOTHING NEW' AND VOLUNTEER GROUPS ARE SHUT OUT OF SEARCH She continued, "It's so much. And I just I can't understand that in 2026 there's not – like you said – that's what I don't believe… that there's not one piece of information. I just… they're not telling us." Flowers agreed authorities aren’t telling the public everything, "which is like so common with like enforcement, right?" Guthrie, the mother of "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her Tucson home on Feb. 1, and authorities said this week they have "nothing new" in the case. NANCY GUTHRIE DISAPPEARANCE: SHERIFF SAYS AUTHORITIES LOOKING INTO CAR CAUGHT ON RING CAM, HAVEN'T MADE ID YET The 84-year-old is suspected to have been abducted from her bedroom in the early morning hours. There have been no signs of her since. There are no publicly identified suspects, beyond a masked man who appeared on her front steps on doorbell video. On Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Fox News Digital that his investigators are getting closer to solving the case. He did not elaborate, however. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The most recent publicly known development is that a private lab in Florida that received DNA evidence from inside Guthrie's home back in February had transferred the sample to the FBI for more advanced analysis after 11 weeks. The case entered its 14th week Sunday. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Speaking with Fox News' Jonathan Hunt Monday, Nanos said investigators were still working with the labs and following up on leads. "There is really nothing new," he said. All of Guthrie’s family members have been cleared of involvement in the case, authorities said back in February, including Savannah Guthrie’s brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni. Fox News' Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065ff0a200899a00eb71bf Here's why Arizona flags will be at half-staff on Friday te 2026-05-14T23:51:12.466Z Here's why Arizona flags will be at half-staff on Friday The governor ordered for flags at all state buildings to be lowered from sunrise to sunset on May 15. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065fd8a200899a00eb71a8 Medical examiner: Arizona ICE detainee’s untreated tooth infection killed him te 2026-05-14T23:50:48.420Z Medical examiner: Arizona ICE detainee’s untreated tooth infection killed him Afternoon light shines on the sign for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service Processing Center in El Centro, Calif., on May 27, 2022. (Stock photo by Matt Gush/Getty Images) Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian asylum seeker being held in an immigration detention facility in Arizona, died from severe throat and chest infections that developed from an untreated tooth infection.  The preliminary report published by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Damas’ death was caused by complications from “necrotizing mediastinitis with neck and retropharyngeal abscess.”  Mediastinitis is a lethal chest infection and a medical emergency that requires immediate care. It causes trouble breathing and high fevers and can result in sepsis and even heart failure. A retropharyngeal abscess, meanwhile, is a collection of pus that collects in the back of the throat following an extreme infection and it can cause aspiration pneumonia, blood clots and a blocked airway.   The medical examiner’s report noted that both conditions stemmed from severe dental cavities and tooth disease. Infections that result in mediastinitis develop over time. Damas’ brother, Presly Nelson, told Arizona’s Family that he had complained to facility staff for at least two weeks about a toothache.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Nelson said that Damas arrived in the country legally, under then-President Joe Biden’s Humanitarian Parole Program, and was awaiting temporary protected status. Both programs have been gutted by President Donald Trump.  The Humanitarian Parole Program allowed a limited number of Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Cubans who passed a background check to live and work in the country for two years. When Trump took office last year, he quickly signed an executive order terminating the program.  And the future of the work permits and deportation protections afforded to Haitians under TPS remain in legal limbo as the federal government pushes to remove the country from the list of eligible candidates. The program is intended to help people who are unable to return to their home country because of extreme and dangerous conditions, including armed conflict or natural disasters.  The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling this summer on whether the federal government has the right to strip Haitian and Syrian nationals of their TPS protections.  Damas’ death comes as public trust of federal immigration officials is plummeting and elected officials are drawing attention to human rights violations in detention centers. Last year, 48 people died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. And critics fear that number will only worsen this year. As of early May, at least 18 people have died in ICE facilities.  In a written statement, U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign who frequently joins congressional inspections of ICE facilities in Arizona, lamented Damas’ death and called on the federal government to be transparent about the circumstances leading to his demise.  “A toothache should never escalate into a fatal medical emergency, especially while someone is in government custody and entirely dependent on detention staff for access to care,” the Tucson Democrat said.  In March, following the news of Damas’ death, Grijalva denounced ICE as a “lawless and deadly” agency and advocated for it to be “dismantled.” That’s a view that’s shared by an increasing number of voters. A January survey conducted shortly after the shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota found that 46% of Americans supported abolishing ICE rather than simply reforming it. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about how Damas’ death occurred or how protocols would change to prevent similar deaths in the future. In her statement, Grijalva noted that her office requested more information on the circumstances leading to Damas’ death, his medical records and any complaints he made to staff, but hasn’t received anything to date.  A detainee death report posted to ICE’s website notes that Damas spent six months in ICE custody before his death in March. He was transferred to the Florence Detention Center in Arizona from New York in September of last year and later moved to the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center is run by CoreCivic, a private prison company that has been accused of delaying urgent medical care. Detainees at its Florence facility and another in Texas recently suffered outbreaks of measles. ICE’s death report emphasizes that Damas received regular medical and dental evaluations and he declined recommendations for tooth extractions. On Feb. 19, according to the report, Damas was transported to the local hospital when he exhibited throat and stomach pain, agitation and low oxygen saturations. Hospital staff diagnosed Damas with acute respiratory failure due to septic shock.  Damas was eventually transferred to at least two other hospitals and put on a ventilator. He died on March 2 at Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065fbda200899a00eb7140 Medical Examiner confirms Haitian asylum seeker died from untreated tooth infection in Az detention te 2026-05-14T23:50:21.717Z Medical Examiner confirms Haitian asylum seeker died from untreated tooth infection in Az detention Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065d98a200899a00eb7115 One person injured in Thursday afternoon crash on Silver Creek Road te 2026-05-14T23:41:12.521Z One person injured in Thursday afternoon crash on Silver Creek Road BULLHEAD CITY — One person with unknown injuries was taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center after a Thursday afternoon crash on Silver Creek Road across from the hospital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065d84a200899a00eb710c Silver Creek collision.jpg te 2026-05-14T23:40:52.556Z Silver Creek collision.jpg Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065d6ca200899a00eb70e6 US Supreme Court rules telehealth abortion can resume while lawsuit continues te 2026-05-14T23:40:28.491Z US Supreme Court rules telehealth abortion can resume while lawsuit continues The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that telehealth access to abortion medication can continue according to current rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The U.S. Supreme Court decided Thursday to preserve telehealth access to the abortion drug mifepristone until after the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on the merits of the high-stakes federal lawsuit Louisiana v. Food and Drug Administration. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas issued dissenting opinions. In his dissent, Thomas said the rule violates the Comstock Act, a long unenforced 1873 law that bans the mailing of “obscene” material. During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump said he didn’t support using the Comstock Act to stop mail delivery of abortion pills, saying he thought the federal government should have nothing to do with the issue. Mifepristone’s manufacturer “makes a passing reference to the possibility of lost sales,” Alito wrote in his dissent. “But lost sales in states where abortifacients are generally illegal are not ‘irreparable injuries’ that can justify granting a stay.” Abortion-rights advocates around the country called the decision a relief after two weeks of uncertainty. On May 1, the appellate court sided with Louisiana, where state officials sued the FDA in October, arguing that a rule allowing telehealth access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to terminate a pregnancy in the first trimester or to treat miscarriage, undermines the state’s abortion ban. Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, two manufacturers of mifepristone, filed emergency appeals, leading the Supreme Court to issue a 10-day stay on May 4, extended until today. “Though today’s decision means that mifepristone remains available through telehealth for now, this fight is not over,” said Dr. Camille A. Clare, president of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, in an emailed statement. “The chaos and confusion wrought by competing decisions and the revocation and restoration of access on an almost daily basis do real harm to patients and to the clinicians who care for them.” Abortion opponents decried Thursday’s decision. “Women deserve better than dangerous abortion drugs sent through the mail without physician oversight or in-person support,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, a major network of anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. “A state like Louisiana that values life in its laws should be able to protect its smallest residents as well as their moms.” The FDA’s approved two-drug regimen via telemedicine is an increasingly common abortion method, especially for people living in parts of the country where abortion is banned or difficult to access. Last month, a federal district court paused the lawsuit at the request of the FDA until after the completion of a safety review on mifepristone. That review was prompted by non-peer reviewed, anti-abortion research and in spite of the drug’s record of safety and efficacy since 2000. The state appealed to the 5th Circuit. Due to multiple ongoing efforts to restrict or block mifepristone, abortion providers have told Stateline they are ready to eventually switch to a misoprostol-only method, which researchers have found to be as safe as the two-drug regimen but typically involves more symptoms and is slightly less effective. National groups have tried to pressure the Trump administration to drop the Biden-era rule allowing telehealth abortion and called for the head of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary for reportedly slow-walking a safety review of the drug until after the midterm elections. Makary resigned on Tuesday, and anti-abortion groups wasted no time in getting Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas on the phone. Live Action founder and president Lila Rose, in a written statement, said she talked to the acting commissioner on Wednesday and that he said he was morally opposed to abortion. “Diamantas told me that reviewing the abortion pill is a top priority for him and the administration,” Rose posted on X. Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins wrote a similar message to supporters in an email on Thursday, saying Diamantas will be the “most pro-life FDA commissioner in American history.” But many doctors around the country say curbing access to telehealth abortion is likely to cause harm to people in states with bans who may face more barriers to obtaining an abortion without that option. “Women will be forced to travel long distances — at times hundreds of miles — to access safe, essential health care at a doctor’s office, no longer having the option to receive mifepristone via telemedicine,” wrote Rob Davidson, an emergency physician in Michigan and executive director of the Committee to Protect Health, in a letter asking the Supreme Court to maintain access to telehealth abortion. The letter was cosigned by more than 2,200 physicians. Stateline reporter Sofia Resnick can be reached at sresnick@stateline.org.  Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@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/6a065b5fa200899a00eb704e Kelsea Ballerini stuns in striped bikini before hinting at new music collab te 2026-05-14T23:31:43.746Z Kelsea Ballerini stuns in striped bikini before hinting at new music collab Kelsea Ballerini is kicking hot girl summer off a little early. In a recent Instagram post, the 32-year-old country singer posted a photo dump featuring some of the fun she's been having recently, including a beach picture. "Getting my steps in, making music, finding ramen, learning sports (cars go fast!), and simply vibing," she wrote in the caption. One photo showed Ballerini laying on her stomach on a beach towel while sitting on the seashore with the ocean behind her. In the photo she can be seen sporting a black and white striped bikini top, gold hoop earrings and black sunglasses, with her hair styled in braids. MEGAN MORONEY MAKES WAVES IN BLUE BIKINI AND CROSS NECKLACE DURING SUMMER BOAT DAY Ballerini showed off her figure in another photo, featuring her in a short blue romper with a plunging halter neckline – with her toned legs on display. She accessorized the look with strappy heels and a gold purse. A third photo featured a text conversation between the "Cowboys Cry Too" singer and Patrick Droney, which teased new music. The text conversation featured an audio file titled, "Math of Us," with both Ballerini and Patrick saying they are "so happy" with it. APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR POST "You look so beautiful and happy Kelsea Keep us updated on the new music I can’t wait to hear it when it all comes out in the next few months," one fan wrote in the comments section. "Making music?! oh your already changing my entire life," another commenter added, while a third chimed in writing, "A collab with @patrickdroney?? My two worlds have collided." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Ballerini made headlines earlier this year when news broke that she and Chase Stokes had broken up after first getting together in January 2023. After nearly three years together, they briefly called it quits in September 2025, before getting back together and breaking up a second time in February. "Kelsea and Chase have broken up again. It happened just the other day," a source told Us Weekly after their second breakup. Another source told People at the time that "their lives are in very different places right now" and merging them has been difficult, later adding, "Kelsea's been so supportive of him throughout their relationship, but it hasn't been reciprocated." Following their breakup, Ballerini fueled cheating rumors when she commented on an Instagram video shared by fellow country singer Ashley Cooke, which featured an unreleased song about a man with "wandering eyes." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Whiskey nights wandering eyes make messes / hiding phones ‘idks’ make questions / towns talk and the truth starts spreading / don’t you know crossing lines makes Xs," the lyrics of Cooke's song read. Ballerini then took to the comments, writing, ""Mmmhhhmmm," with Cooke responding, ""You get it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065b4ca200899a00eb7045 AEW champ Kevin Knight gushes about tag team partner 'Speedball' Mike Bailey te 2026-05-14T23:31:24.161Z AEW champ Kevin Knight gushes about tag team partner 'Speedball' Mike Bailey The tag team duo known as Jet Speed had a big night on All Elite Wrestling (AEW)’s "Dynamite" on Wednesday night. "Speedball" Mike Bailey squashed Westbrook with relative ease to pick up his third win in three shows on AEW. Meanwhile, Kevin Knight successfully defended his TNT Championship against a returning Brian Cage. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Afterward, Knight expressed his support in Bailey’s own pursuit of some gold. Bailey made it clear he was going after the AEW World Championship next. Darby Allin, the current title holder, defended it against Konosuke Takeshita as he gears up for a hair vs. title match against Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF). In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Knight gushed about his tag team partner. "Man, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey is a savant – a wrestling savant. He’s been wrestling for almost longer than I’ve been alive," Knight said. "He’s been in every single situation that you can think of. He’s wrestled thousands of times. He watches wrestling all the time. He talks about wrestling all the time. He knows how to put everybody in the right place to get the best reaction from the crowd. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "So, the fact that I got somebody like that on my side … and he kicks extremely hard. So, I think he’s extremely smart and I don’t have to feel those kicks, it’s a great combination for me. So, it’s no complaints from me." Knight shared some of the wisdom that Bailey has imparted on him through the years. "The No. 1 thing is don’t over think it. Don’t over think it and do what you do," Knight said. "Like, as simple as that sounds, that’s literally the advice that he gives you. And you just take that and go, ‘OK, don’t over think it and just do what you do.’ And you just go out there and do what you do and you come to the back and everybody’s happy and you just get ready for the next one." Both men have crushed it since joining AEW. The two have been two-thirds of the AEW trios championship twice. They won the belts with "Hangman" Adam Page and then again with legendary Lucha Libre competitor Místico. The ceiling is high for both competitors as they each look for more singles gold. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065b38a200899a00eb703c LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry slams former coach Brian Kelly while praising Lane Kiffin te 2026-05-14T23:31:04.679Z LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry slams former coach Brian Kelly while praising Lane Kiffin While LSU coach Lane Kiffin has been the target of many fans' and media members' ire over the past few days thanks to his Vanity Fair interview, one man has been squarely in his corner. Unsurprisingly, Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry had his new head coach's back while trashing former coach Brian Kelly and his inability to relate to boosters or fans during his time in Baton Rouge. In an interview with USA Today, Ausberry went scorched earth, saying the program needed a complete change of direction after parting ways with Kelly. "It’s going back to the Saban model," Ausberry told USA Today's Matt Hayes. "(That means) running the whole program. Then, you have to go do some things with alumni and do things with boosters and do things with fundraising, with NIL. You have to be a part of that." WOULD YOU WANT YOUR COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH POSING FOR VANITY FAIR? Though he never mentions Brian Kelly by name, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who he's referring to during his diatribe. "That’s what Lane will do," Ausberry continued. "He’ll go out there and have that conversation with the donors and the people who support the program and (say), ‘We need your help,’ and give them his cell number." "He’s not one who’ll say, ‘OK, I don’t want people to contact me. I don’t want people to touch me. I don’t want people to be around me.’ That’s who we had. That’s why we got what we got. There was no feel, there was no connection between the LSU football program, the coach, and the fans." BRIAN KELLY FACES HARSH CRITICISM FROM LSU FOOTBALL STAFFERS AFTER DISMISSAL Pretty scathing stuff from Ausberry, but not entirely baseless based on what has come out of the program as well as the tangible results during Kelly's tenure. LSU remains one of the easiest programs in the country to recruit talent to, given its bevy of resources and diehard boosters, yet Kelly's recruiting classes never matched those of his direct predecessor, Ed Orgeron. According to the 247Sports recruiting composite rankings, Orgeron's average class ranking as head coach at LSU was 6.8. Kelly's, by comparison, was 8.75, with his classes getting progressively worse every year aside from his very first class (often referred to as a transition class, which is usually put together in the span of a few weeks). WHICH TEAMS HAVE THE MOST VALUABLE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROSTERS HEADING INTO 2026 SEASON? If Kelly really was that standoffish with boosters and donors -- and I have no reason to believe he wasn't, given his reputation as a prickly guy -- then it makes sense that the program wasn't able to recruit to the standards it had become accustomed to. College football, especially high-level, SEC football, is a money-driven league, and donors aren't going to be as eager to open up their checkbooks for a coach they don't like or can't relate to. Kelly isn't exactly known as an ace recruiter either, so he likely needed those donors to step up even more so than previous LSU coaches to help him close on the trail. Now, as far as the Lane Kiffin side of this story, that remains to be seen. It's early, and the honeymoon phase is still in effect in southern Louisiana for both coach and program, but Kiffin will have to show results quickly. To his credit, Kiffin is the main reason the NIL apparatus at Ole Miss reached the point it did, and the early returns for LSU's roster, valued at roughly $40 million, seem to suggest Ausberry is on to something. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But, the sentiment on social media, particularly from Rebels fans, paints a different, less rosy picture. That could be sour grapes, or it could be a genuine warning. Only time will tell. During a time when Lane Kiffin once again became the target of fans everywhere, his new AD stepped up and circled the wagons. Something tells me that won't be the last time he has to do that, so it's good he's getting his reps in early. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065b25a200899a00eb7033 Daniel and Henrik Sedin are now co-presidents of the Vancouver Canucks after team cleans house te 2026-05-14T23:30:45.209Z Daniel and Henrik Sedin are now co-presidents of the Vancouver Canucks after team cleans house Sometimes I think we forget how wild it was that in the 1999 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks were able to draft identical twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin with the second and third picks. They both went on to play 17 seasons, all of them in Vancouver. Now, they're officially co-presidents of the Canucks... ...And I'm kind of starting to wonder if they're capable of doing anything independently. The Swedish brothers hung up their skates in 2018, and the two Hall of Famers started working in the Canucks front office in the year that followed. Now, the team is getting a fresh front office after the firing of GM Patrik Allvin and former president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford stepping down after the upcoming draft. "For the past 26 years, Daniel and Henrik have dedicated their entire professional hockey careers to Vancouver," team owner Francesco Aquilini said, per NHL.com. "Whether it's as players or in various management positions, they've always committed themselves to excellence." Meanwhile, the team has also promoted Assistant General Manager Ryan Johnson to general manager. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS DEFY SLIM ODDS TO WIN THE NO. 1 OVERALL PICK IN THE 2026 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY This new Canucks brain trust has its work cut out for it. While it looked like things were on the upswing during the 2024 playoffs, the team collapsed the following two seasons, and even traded franchise centerpiece Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! They need a refresh in more ways than one, and they're getting it. The first big point of business comes in June at the NHL Draft. The Canucks have the third-overall pick behind the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 1 and the San Jose Sharks at No. 2. That's a golden opportunity to inject some talent, maybe even on the blueline after that Hughes trade. While Gavin McKenna is the presumptive No. 1 pick, there are a lot of highly rated defensemen like Chase Reid, Carson Carels and Alberts Smits that could fit the bill. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0658caa200899a00eb6f80 U.S. Border Patrol Chief Resigns in Latest Homeland Security Shake-Up te 2026-05-14T23:20:42.427Z U.S. Border Patrol Chief Resigns in Latest Homeland Security Shake-Up Michael Banks is the latest high-profile official to leave the Department of Homeland Security amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0658b6a200899a00eb6f77 South Carolina Governor Formally Calls for Redistricting Special Session te 2026-05-14T23:20:22.655Z South Carolina Governor Formally Calls for Redistricting Special Session But he stopped short of ordering lawmakers to redo the map so that Republicans could sweep the state’s congressional delegation, which President Trump has pressured them to do. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065676a200899a00eb6ee5 Harris' 'no bad idea brainstorm' for Dems includes packing SCOTUS, eliminating Electoral College te 2026-05-14T23:10:46.219Z Harris' 'no bad idea brainstorm' for Dems includes packing SCOTUS, eliminating Electoral College Former Vice President Kamala Harris went viral on Thursday after pushing what many considered several "bad ideas" in her "no bad idea brainstorm" for the Democratic Party. During a Wednesday night livestream on the "Win with Black Women" podcast, Harris suggested that the Democratic Party get an "expanded playbook" of ideas ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. "I think that we need an expanded playbook in a way that we invite all ideas, that we say... look, this is a moment where there are no bad ideas, a no bad idea brainstorm is what I'd like to call it," Harris said. "And in that no bad ideas brainstorm, we talk about what we need to do and think about doing around the Electoral College. We talk about the idea of Supreme Court reform, which includes expanding the Supreme Court. We invite a conversation about multi-member districts." KAMALA HARRIS MOCKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR REPORTED INTEREST IN CREATING AN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND IDEAS Harris suggested that, if and when Democrats regain the Senate, the Senate Judiciary Committee should put into place rules to "penalize people for lying" for Supreme Court justices and nominees. "That we agree that it is right to have ethics rules for Supreme Court justices. And let's put those in place. Let's talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. These are the things I think that we've got to do," Harris continued. Fox News Digital reached out to Harris' office for comment. Harris' ideas received widespread backlash across X, with conservative commentators calling out her comments as several "bad ideas." KAMALA HARRIS' BOOK, MEDIA TOUR SLAMMED BY LIBERAL CRITICS AS 'EMBARRASSING' AND 'UNHELPFUL' "They have zero policy ideas. It's all just online staffer brain rot," Substack writer Stephen Miller commented. Radio host Erick Erickson wrote, "If a Republican were to say these things, the press would excoriate them. But when a Democrat does it, the press treats it as legitimate because the press is on the same side. Anything that goes against Democrat desires is cheating and must be stopped." "Could you imagine Jake Tapper’s indignant on-air finger-wagging if Republicans proposed any of this stuff as a response to losing?" RedState writer Bonchie wrote. KAMALA HARRIS TORCHES OWN PARTY MEMBERS INVESTED IN HOLDING ON TO THEIR 'TITLE,' ADMITS, 'I AM EXHAUSTED' "Well, maybe a few bad ideas," Utah Sen. Mike Lee joked. Outkick writer Ian Miller wrote, "The funniest part about this is that she lost the popular vote too." Harris' recent comments come as she potentially sets up a 2028 presidential campaign, though her fellow Democrats have been avoiding answering whether she would be a good candidate after her failed 2024 run. Harris herself has played coy over whether she will run again, though reports have indicated that she has been reaching out to colleagues for opinions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06549aa200899a00eb6e40 Man 'beyond resuscitation' after pulled from Phoenix pool te 2026-05-14T23:02:50.978Z Man 'beyond resuscitation' after pulled from Phoenix pool The Phoenix Fire Department responded to reports of a drowning Thursday afternoon near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065469a200899a00eb6dc6 Lawmakers demand ICE respect tribal IDs in new legislation te 2026-05-14T23:02:01.430Z Lawmakers demand ICE respect tribal IDs in new legislation Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065455a200899a00eb6db4 Tucson’s queer immigrant rights networks grow amid fear, resistance & raids te 2026-05-14T23:01:41.630Z Tucson’s queer immigrant rights networks grow amid fear, resistance & raids Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065441a200899a00eb6dab New construction reduces housing shortage in most states te 2026-05-14T23:01:21.885Z New construction reduces housing shortage in most states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06542ea200899a00eb6d99 UnitedHealthcare fends off billion-dollar fraud claims by Arizona health center te 2026-05-14T23:01:02.098Z UnitedHealthcare fends off billion-dollar fraud claims by Arizona health center Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06541aa200899a00eb6d90 Az Democratic school chief candidates debated voucher fraud, teacher shortage & Horne hotline te 2026-05-14T23:00:42.466Z Az Democratic school chief candidates debated voucher fraud, teacher shortage & Horne hotline Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a065407a200899a00eb6d87 'Tempest' doesn't go so Rogue on Tucson stage te 2026-05-14T23:00:23.008Z 'Tempest' doesn't go so Rogue on Tucson stage Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0651eda200899a00eb6d02 Highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever extradited to US set to appear in Houston courtroom: DOJ te 2026-05-14T22:51:25.513Z Highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever extradited to US set to appear in Houston courtroom: DOJ The highest-ranking member of Tren de Aragua to face justice in the United States has been extradited from Colombia and will appear in a Houston federal courtroom to face terrorism and drug charges, the Justice Department said. Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, who also goes by "Chuqui," allegedly oversaw criminal activities in Colombia, including drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution and murder. Federal prosecutors stated that he is a high-ranking leader of the designated foreign terrorist organization in Bogota and is part of the inner circle of senior TdA leadership. He was arrested on March 31 on a warrant requested by the U.S., and according to the DOJ, he has arrived in Houston and will appear in court on May 15. DOJ INDICTS ALLEGED HIGH-RANKING TREN DE ARAGUA MEMBER ON TERRORISM CHARGES FOR THE FIRST TIME "Today’s extradition sends a clear message: under President Trump’s leadership, foreign terrorist organizations like Tren de Aragua will be hunted down and brought to justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital. He added that the FBI will continue using every tool available to dismantle violent criminal networks, stop the flow of drugs into communities, and protect the American people. Flores is charged with one count of conspiring to provide material support to TdA in the form of personnel, including himself, and one count of providing material support to the organization. VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT USES TREN DE ARAGUA AS PROXIES TO UNDERMINE US PUBLIC SAFETY, FBI ASSESSMENT FINDS A federal indictment also alleges an international drug distribution conspiracy based on Flores' involvement in the distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the U.S. The Trump administration’s State Department designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on Feb. 20. The indictment against Flores came after the Trump administration filed its first racketeering charges—also known as RICO charges—against TdA members and its associates in April. These charges include conspiring to commit murder, sex trafficking, assault and drug dealing. Flores now faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine. In December, a federal grand jury in Houston returned a second superseding indictment charging three other TdA leaders: Yohan Jose Romero, 48, Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez, 45, and Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, 38. They are charged with conspiring to provide and providing material support to TdA. Mosquera Serrano, who is also on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, is named in the conspiracy and distribution of cocaine charges along with Flores. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0651d9a200899a00eb6cf9 Jon Rahm apologizes after hitting volunteer with flying divot at PGA Championship: 'inexcusable' te 2026-05-14T22:51:05.836Z Jon Rahm apologizes after hitting volunteer with flying divot at PGA Championship: 'inexcusable' Jon Rahm is one of the best handful of golfers in the world, and, in media availability and his infrequent YouTube golf appearances, is thoughtful, funny and personable. On the course, in tournaments, however, Rahm is known for being among the fiercest competitors in golf. And without question, his own toughest critic. That dynamic played out again in the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, just outside Philadelphia. Pre-tournament, some expected that Aronimink would play easier than other major championship golf courses thanks to the lack of trees or other hazards around the fairways. But as play Thursday winds to a close, it's played much harder than most expected. With a par 70 layout, the leaders have mostly hovered around three under. Rahm, in his post-round news conference, said as much. "There was somebody earlier in the week where there was some chatter where people thought 15- to 20-under was going to win," he explained. "And I think that got to somebody in the PGA, and they did something about it. Because if the golf course stays like this and it keeps firming up, yeah, obviously it's not going to be anything like that." SPIETH EYES THE SLAM, SCHEFFLER FEELS OVERDUE, AND CAM YOUNG'S MAJOR MOMENT TOP PGA CHAMPIONSHIP STORYLINES Well, he found out himself just how hard it was playing on the seventh hole. Rahm pulled his drive just a bit off the fairway in the left rough. He wound up catching a flier lie in the tricky rough, and went long on his second into the right rough. Angry with the shot and the outcome, several on-the-ground reporters said that Rahm swung his club at some tall grass and...sent it flying directly at a volunteer standing nearby, hitting him in the face. The Athletic's Gabby Herzig described it in a post on X, "A frustrated Jon Rahm just took a swing at the rough after his approach on No. 7. It caused a clump of grass to fly into a volunteer’s face." She added that it looked like Rahm "felt pretty bad about it," and that "he went over and apologized quickly." Put in a difficult position, he wound up not being able to get up and down, settling for bogey. Some viewers caught his swing on Featured Groups coverage from ESPN. After the round, Rahm was asked about it, and said he "couldn't feel any worse" about it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Thanks for reminding me of that," he said. "I got a flier on my second shot that went long. It's not a good spot. Just out of frustration, I tried to make an air swing, just over the grass, and I wasn't looking, took a divot, and unfortunately, I hit a volunteer." He added, "Yeah, it hit him, and unfortunately it hit him in the shoulder and then the face. Which I couldn't feel any worse. That's why I was there apologizing. I need to somehow track him down to give him a present because that's inexcusable and for something that could be completely avoidable. Whether it was my intention or not, it was just not good." Rahm being the player he is, wound up recovering to finish his round at -1, putting him squarely in contention for his third major championship. Oh, and in what was one of the most eventful rounds of the day, he holed out twice, including from over 100 yards out. Never a dull moment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0651aea200899a00eb6cb5 What the jury will actually decide in the case of Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman te 2026-05-14T22:50:22.438Z What the jury will actually decide in the case of Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman Here's what the biggest tech court case of the year is all about. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064fa8a200899a00eb6c29 Zoos in Pittsburgh and Boston just hashed out a blockbuster one-for-one gorilla trade te 2026-05-14T22:41:44.171Z Zoos in Pittsburgh and Boston just hashed out a blockbuster one-for-one gorilla trade Certain trades are so huge that they changed the course of a sport. Babe Ruth to the Yankees, Wayne Gretzky to the Kings and more recently, Luka Doncic to the Lakers. That's what I think we've got in a blockbuster gorilla trade between the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and Franklin Zoo in Boston. We've got a one-for-one deal that is going to shake up the gorilla market going forward, with Pittsburgh shipping a 7-year-old male western lowland gorilla, Frankie, to Beantown in exchange for Little Joe, a 33-year-old silverback. Pittsburgh is getting a veteran presence in its enclosure, while Boston gets a highly touted prospect who will have some considerable ass-scratching, feces-throwing shoes to fill. According to The Pittsburgh Tribune, Frankie will become part of a "bachelor group" with two other males, which means Boston is really building toward the future. As you might expect, the internet was going, well, ape s--t over this. I knew that this sometimes happened with zoos, swapping animals around. In fact, when I was a kid, I remember it was a big deal that my local zoo made a big free-agent signing and brought in an albino alligator. 'FORREST,' THE LAST ESCAPED MONKEY FROM MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY CRASH, FINDS NEW LIFE AT NEW JERSEY SANCTUARY He carried the franchise for a few seasons. But I want more of this. I want to see zoos cutting deals to assemble the best lineups. And I don't mean one-for-one species deals. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I'd love to see how many flamingos it's going to take for a rhino. I bet it's a lot. Hell, may have to throw in a first crack at an opportunity to sign a panda on loan from China. I hope to keep an eye on this to see how it pans out. Little Joe has a bit of a troubled past. In 2003, he escaped his enclosure and injured a kid. Hey, nobody's perfect. So, maybe the blue-collar environment in the Steel City will do him some good and help find his game because anyone who knows apes — and I've seen all the Planet of the Apes films, so I think I know what I'm talking about — knows he still has some tread on the tire. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064f94a200899a00eb6c17 China cozies up as Trump touts delegation of richest business heavyweights at Xi summit te 2026-05-14T22:41:24.667Z China cozies up as Trump touts delegation of richest business heavyweights at Xi summit As details emerge from President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a key reality is coming into focus: China still wants U.S. business and Trump may have the upper hand. Trump's high-profile business delegation highlights the economic balancing act the two nations are seeking to strike. Xi wants investment and continued access to American corporate power, while Trump is positioning himself to use trade pressure and market access as leverage with Beijing. The heavyweight lineup alongside Trump for the trip includes tech executives like Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla and SpaceX’s Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra and Meta's Dina Powell McCormick. The overlap between politics and business was clear even before the meetings began. Huang was reportedly added to Trump’s trip at the last minute. He even secured a seat on Air Force One — a sign of Nvidia’s central role in the global chip race and broader U.S.-China tech tensions. TRUMP GETS RED-CARPET WELCOME IN CHINA, BUT PAST BEIJING TRIP SHOWS PAGEANTRY ONLY GOES SO FAR Also on the trip were Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser and Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon. Many joining the president rank among the world’s wealthiest business leaders. Musk, for example, is the richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Schwarzman and Huang have amassed fortunes in the tens of billions. Together, the group represents trillions in corporate power with deep business ties to China despite years of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Their companies still rely heavily on Chinese consumers, manufacturing and supply chains, even as Washington and Beijing clash over tariffs, technology and national security. That influence is already showing up in the talks. Both sides discussed expanding access for U.S. companies into Chinese markets, a top priority for executives on the trip. Xi said his opportunities in his country "will only open wider and wider," according to Chinese state media. ‘INTENSE STANDOFF’ ERUPTS BETWEEN SECRET SERVICE, CHINESE OFFICIALS DURING TRUMP-XI EVENT: REPORT At the same time, Washington is weighing steps that directly affect those firms. The U.S. could allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips, a step below its most advanced semiconductors, to a limited number of Chinese companies, according to Reuters, even as broader disputes over artificial intelligence and export controls remain unresolved. They also discussed increased Chinese investment in the U.S. and purchases of American goods, including beef, soybeans and Boeing aircraft, long-standing trade pressure points. But the cooperative tone was also laced with threats. Xi warned against a potential clash between the U.S. and China and delivered a blunt message on Taiwan, a key flashpoint and hub for advanced semiconductor production. That mix of outreach and tension is where Trump sees an opening. If U.S. companies are still seeking access and Beijing is signaling it wants them there, Trump can argue economic pressure is working — strengthening his case for tariffs, export controls and tougher trade terms. Executives are pushing for greater access and stability in China while navigating a U.S. strategy built on economic pressure and national security concerns — underscoring both the importance of the market and the leverage Washington believes it holds. Trump has already invited Xi to visit the White House in September, signaling more talks ahead. For now, Beijing’s message is clear: China still wants American business. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064f80a200899a00eb6c0e Dana White recalls bizarre confrontation with Warriors owner who tried to "Unzip" his Celtics hoodie te 2026-05-14T22:41:04.971Z Dana White recalls bizarre confrontation with Warriors owner who tried to "Unzip" his Celtics hoodie Dana White is still in disbelief over how he was treated by the Golden State Warriors majority owner at a game when he showed up wearing his Celtics gear. "What a great question. Let me really think about this so I can really f--king stick it to whoever it was," the UFC CEO said on "The Katie Miller Podcast" when asked to name the rudest celebrity he's encountered. After initially naming P Diddy, Dana immediately remembered an incident that's burned into his brain. "The owner of the Warriors," White shot back. He then proceeded to recall an incident in San Francisco when the Celtics were in town for a game. Dana, who has deep Boston roots, wore his Celtics gear like any other fan would do. "So, I got my my Celtics hoodie on and we're sitting there and I can't remember his name, the owner of the of the [Warriors]. He's like the majority owner, him and his wife," White recalled. The prevailing thought is that White is referencing billionaire venture capitalist Joe Lacob, and his wife, Nicole Curran. CELTICS' JOE MAZZULLA HOPES NBA INSTITUTES HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF PHYSICALITY: 'BRING BACK FIGHTING' "And they come in and they're sitting a couple seats over from us. And he walks up to me. He's like, 'Oh, I heard you were here or this and that.' He's like, 'Are you serious with that hoodie?' You know, I get it. Whatever. I think he's joking. So, he literally starts trying to unzip my hoodie," Dana told Katie Miller. "His wife's talking smack to me, and I'm thinking this is all in fun." Nope. As Dana tells it, the owner's wife holds up her hand that is filled with championship rings as she taunted the UFC legend. Still, Dana thought this was just big egos going at it over their NBA teams facing off. At halftime, everything changed. Dana claims that's when he found out that the owner was dead serious. High-profile agent Ari Emanuel, who was at the game with Dana, proceeds to lean in and break the news as the two enjoyed the halftime green room. Dana wouldn't be allowed to return to the courtside seats wearing his hoodie. "I said, 'Well, tell him he can keep his stale f--kin' pretzels and his f--kin' s--tty beer. I'll sit here during halftime. I'm not taking my f--kin' Celtics hoodie off," White concluded before going off on P Diddy being terrible to deal with. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The Golden State Warriors communications department did not immediately respond to a request from OutKick for comment regarding White’s allegations or the organization's policies on opposing fan gear in VIP areas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064f56a200899a00eb6bde Why Trump’s Reflecting Pool Repairs Are in Trouble te 2026-05-14T22:40:22.987Z Why Trump’s Reflecting Pool Repairs Are in Trouble Federal records show that the no-bid contract to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and paint it blue now costs $13.1 million. That’s about seven times the amount President Trump initially said it would cost. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064d3da200899a00eb6b41 Jemele Hill is right: WNBA fans expect journalists to be 'cheerleaders,' and that's not how this works te 2026-05-14T22:31:25.676Z Jemele Hill is right: WNBA fans expect journalists to be 'cheerleaders,' and that's not how this works For years, one of the loudest complaints from WNBA players and fans was that nobody took the league seriously. The coverage wasn’t robust enough. The TV deals weren’t big enough. The salaries weren’t high enough. The facilities weren’t good enough. The media didn’t pay enough attention. Well congratulations, WNBA. You’ve made it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The league is booming, attendance is soaring and ratings are up. Players are making significantly more money under a new CBA tied to a media rights package reportedly worth more than $3 billion. Teams are building state-of-the-art practice facilities that rival — and in some cases surpass — what NBA players have access to. The WNBA is no longer fighting for relevance. But with that relevance comes scrutiny. Jemele Hill addressed this issue this week on her "Flagrant and Funny" podcast after she faced backlash for criticizing the WNBA’s restrictive locker-room media access policies. Hill argued that for years, many fans viewed journalists covering women’s basketball as part of the movement rather than as independent observers. "There’s more people covering the league now, it’s under more scrutiny, and (the fans) have had the expectation that the journalists are supposed to be extensions of teams. And the journalists are not supposed to be that," Hill said. "They expect our jobs to be to support the women. And while the support is, to me, in the fact that we have built an entire podcast around discussing women’s sports and all the culture and the issues and all the things that come with it, they expect the journalists to be cheerleaders." She’s spot on. For a very long time, coverage of the WNBA often resembled advocacy more than journalism. That’s not necessarily malicious. The league was smaller. Women’s sports historically received less investment and less respect. Many reporters covering the W genuinely cared about helping grow the game. Frankly, I understand that instinct. As a woman in sports myself, I know the struggle is real sometimes. I get it. Hell, I interned in the Indiana Fever PR department in 2009 when they couldn’t even give away tickets. So I’ve had a front row seat to watch the growth of the sport. But somewhere along the way, a portion of the WNBA ecosystem — fans, players and even some media members — started treating criticism as betrayal. That’s a problem. Because tough questions are not "disrespect," and pointing out poor play is not "misogyny." And journalists are not supposed to function as an extension of league PR departments. That tension has become increasingly obvious as the WNBA grows into a legitimate mainstream sports property attracting broader coverage from outlets outside the league’s longtime inner circle. You can see it in the outrage over reporters asking uncomfortable questions. You can see it in the league’s restrictive media access policies. You can see it whenever players or fans accuse journalists of "not supporting women" simply because coverage wasn’t glowing enough. Last year, veteran reporter Christine Brennan faced backlash — including a formal statement from the WNBPA — after asking DiJonai Carrington whether contact with Caitlin Clark during a controversial play was intentional. Critics argued Brennan was "pushing a narrative." More recently, reporters criticizing the WNBA’s limited locker-room access policies (including Jemele Hill) were treated with vitriol as if locker-room interviews are pervy and invasive. Even though they are the norm in every single major professional men’s sport. Last month, Dallas Wings PR abruptly shut down a reporter’s question to rookie Azzi Fudd about navigating the spotlight alongside teammate and rumored girlfriend Paige Bueckers. Dawn Staley slammed a CBS reporter as "biased" because he dared to refer to a couple of Golden State Valkyries players by name. And then there’s the growing hostility toward media access altogether. Angel Reese recently said she’d rather pay a fine than speak to aggressive reporters, a stance applauded by Megan Rapinoe as empowering. We’ve reached a point where saying a player had a terrible game can trigger accusations of sexism or "agenda-driven" coverage. Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport. That double standard does women’s sports no favors. In fact, I’d argue it’s insulting. Equality in sports doesn’t mean female athletes only deserve positive coverage. It means they deserve to be treated like professionals whose performances, decisions and controversies are worthy of honest analysis — the good and the bad. THE WNBA'S WINGS CAN'T SHIELD AZZI FUDD, PAIGE BUECKERS FROM RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONS FOREVER And to be clear, there absolutely are bad-faith actors out there. There are internet trolls who don’t watch the WNBA, don’t care about women’s basketball and only engage with the sport to stir up culture war nonsense or demean female athletes. But credentialed journalists doing fair, objective reporting are not the enemy. I say that as someone whose platform hasn’t always had a harmonious relationship with the WNBA. There was a time when getting credentialed to cover games felt like pulling teeth for outlets perceived as unfriendly to the league. Even now, there’s still an undeniable sense that parts of WNBA media culture operate like an exclusive club. If the WNBA truly wants to be treated like the major professional sports league it has worked so hard to become, then it has to accept everything that comes with that territory. Million-dollar salaries. Chartered flights. State-of-the-art facilities. Met Gala invitations. But also scrutiny, uncomfortable questions and accountability. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064d29a200899a00eb6b38 Death row inmate who ate 3 last meals granted bond after Supreme Court overturned his conviction te 2026-05-14T22:31:05.996Z Death row inmate who ate 3 last meals granted bond after Supreme Court overturned his conviction Former death row inmate Richard Glossip is set to be released on bond as he awaits retrial over a 1997 killing for which he was nearly executed three times — and had three last meal requests. Examining the "ample" record in Glossip’s case, Judge Natalie Mai found Thursday that she could not deny bail to the longtime prisoner, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 1998. She issued an order setting bond at $500,000 and mandated that Glossip remain in Oklahoma wearing an electronic monitoring device. SEND US A TIP HERE The ruling comes after the U.S. Supreme Court in February overturned Glossip’s conviction and death sentence, finding prosecutors failed to correct false testimony from key witness Justin Sneed, the admitted killer who avoided execution by testifying against Glossip. SUPREME COURT TOSSES CONVICTION AND DEATH SENTENCE OF OKLAHOMA INMATE, ORDERS NEW TRIAL The high court ordered a new trial, citing concerns that jurors never heard critical information about Sneed’s mental health history and credibility. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In Thursday’s order, Mai noted the unusually extensive record developed over nearly three decades of litigation and said the state could not meet the high constitutional standard required to deny bail in a capital case. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Glossip's attorney, Don Knight, said that Glossip ate a remarkable three last meals and will get the chance "to taste freedom." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "We are extremely grateful that Judge Natalie Mai has granted Richard Glossip a bond.  In doing so, she rejected the State’s claim that there is a strong case for guilt. For the first time in 29 years of being incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, during which he faced nine execution dates and ate three last meals," Knight said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "Mr. Glossip now has the chance to taste freedom while his defense team continues to pursue justice on his behalf against a system that the United States Supreme Court has found to be guilty of serious misconduct by state prosecutors. Mr. Glossip is deeply grateful to the many thousands of people who have expressed support for him over the years and now looks forward to the day when he is exonerated and truly free from this decades-long nightmare." He was convicted for the 1997 killing of his former boss, Barry Van Treese. The motel owner was beaten to death by Sneed, a maintenance worker, but state prosecutors said Glossip ordered him to carry out the crime in a murder-for-hire plot. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Glossip has been incarcerated since January 1997. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064d16a200899a00eb6b2f Ex-counterterror chief Joe Kent says Trump was 'poised' to make better Iran deal than Obama-era JCPOA te 2026-05-14T22:30:46.252Z Ex-counterterror chief Joe Kent says Trump was 'poised' to make better Iran deal than Obama-era JCPOA Before the Iran war, President Donald Trump was "poised" to strike a "better deal" with the regime than the President Barack Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent asserted in a Thursday post on X. "Prior to letting the Israelis lead us into this war, President Trump was actually poised to cut a better deal than the JCPOA (aka the Obama Iran deal)," Kent wrote. "The Iranians feared and respected Trump in a way they never respected Obama—he took out the terror mastermind Qasem Soleimani, yet was prudent enough not to get sucked into the quicksand of another Middle Eastern quagmire that would only favor Iran and strengthen its hardliners," he continued. US INTEL COMMUNITY AGREED BEFORE WAR 'IRAN WASN'T DEVELOPING A NUCLEAR WEAPON': EX-COUNTERTERRORISM CHIEF "That’s why, as soon as he returned to office in January 2025, the Iranians stopped their proxies from attacking us and were immediately open to negotiations," Kent added. Kent, who quit the counterterrorism post in March due to his opposition to the Iran war, asserted in the Thursday post that Trump could "still correct course" on the issue. "President Trump can still correct course, but he has to break the current stalemate cycle we are in: Get us out of the military standoff. Restrain the Israelis. Leverage the potential of sanctions relief to open the Strait of Hormuz and secure a new deal on the nuclear issue," he advised. EX-COUNTERTERRORISM CHIEF SAYS TRUMP MUST RESTRAIN ISRAEL BEFORE HE CAN DECLARE VICTORY IN IRAN In response to Fox News Digital's request for a comment from the White House on Thursday, spokesman Davis Ingle provided a statement slamming Kent.  "Joe Kent’s self-aggrandizing resignation letter and recent comments are riddled with lies. Most egregious are Kent’s false claims that the largest state sponsor of terrorism somehow did not pose a threat to the United States and that Israel forced the President into launching Operation Epic Fury. As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump took decisive action based on strong evidence which showed that the terrorist Iranian regime posed an imminent threat and was preparing to strike Americans first. President Trump’s number one priority has always been ensuring the safety and security of the American people," Ingle said in the statement. While testifying at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said that during the 30 months prior to when Operation Epic Fury began, "Iran and its proxies had been attacking U.S. service members and diplomats about 350 times ... about every third day." But Kent asserted in a post on X, "Iran’s proxies attacked our troops & diplomats under Biden, NOT under this Trump admin prior to Epic Fury, hence the 30 months time frame. When Trump returned to office in January of 2025 those attacks stopped." SHIP SEIZED NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ BY 'UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL,' BROUGHT TOWARD IRAN "Iran stoped [sic] its proxies from attacking us b/c they knew Trump would hit back & they wanted to reach a deal w/Trump. A deal was in the works, that deal would have thwarted Israel’s goal of getting us committed to a war against Iran, so Israel did everything they could to get us into a war with Iran," he added. "Iran holding back its proxies & the protests against the regime in January show that Trump’s max pressure & strategic targeted strike campaign was working, tragically this success was squandered by letting the Israelis drive our decision making," Kent claimed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064ae3a200899a00eb6a40 Cuba says CIA chief Ratcliffe met with officials in Havana amid US tensions te 2026-05-14T22:21:23.685Z Cuba says CIA chief Ratcliffe met with officials in Havana amid US tensions CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with counterparts from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior on Thursday during a high-level visit to the island nation amid "complex bilateral relations" between the long-time adversaries. A CIA official told Fox News correspondent David Spunt that Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials including Raulito Rodriguez Castro, Minister of Interior Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services in Havana to "personally deliver President Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes." During the meeting, the official said Ratcliffe and Cuban officials discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues, all against the backdrop that Cuba can no longer be a safe haven for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere. Sources told Fox News Ratcliffe emphasized that the U.S. is extending a genuine opportunity for collaboration, and as evidenced by Venezuela, President Donald Trump must be taken seriously. The Cuban government wrote in a statement that its delegation presented evidence attempting to "categorically demonstrate that the island poses no threat to U.S. national security," arguing Cuba should not remain on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The dialogue presents Cuba with a rare chance to stabilize its failing economy and deliver for its people, but the window of opportunity will not stay open indefinitely, sources said. The Cuban government must decide whether to seize the moment or continue down an unsustainable path that only leads to deeper isolation and instability. While the director emphasized Trump prefers dialogue, sources said the Cubans should have no illusions that the president will not enforce redlines. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064abaa200899a00eb6a12 G. Robert Blakey Dies at 90; Drafted the RICO Anti-Racketeering Statute te 2026-05-14T22:20:42.316Z G. Robert Blakey Dies at 90; Drafted the RICO Anti-Racketeering Statute He was also the chief counsel to the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the late 1970s and spent years as a Notre Dame law professor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064aa6a200899a00eb6a09 With Claim of Fraud, Vance Hammers Democrats as Trump Officials Halt Medicaid Payments te 2026-05-14T22:20:22.784Z With Claim of Fraud, Vance Hammers Democrats as Trump Officials Halt Medicaid Payments Vice President JD Vance traveled to Maine for a speech, making a midterm election pitch that only Republicans could root out fraud in public benefits. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0648faa200899a00eb69d5 Susan Stone: Why are we at war? te 2026-05-14T22:13:14.724Z Susan Stone: Why are we at war? Editor: This war in Iran was a mistake from the moment it began. We were rushed into another conflict with slogans instead of strategy, promises instead of plans, and shifting explanations that never added up. That is not leadership —… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0648e6a200899a00eb69cc Editorial cartoon te 2026-05-14T22:12:54.634Z Editorial cartoon Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0648d2a200899a00eb69c3 California homicide suspect arrested in multi-agency operation near Littlefield te 2026-05-14T22:12:34.619Z California homicide suspect arrested in multi-agency operation near Littlefield LITTLEFIELD — Mohave County Sheriff's Office in a multi-agency operation arrested a California homicide suspect camping near Littlefield. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0648bea200899a00eb69ba MCSO BLM drone footage still.jpg te 2026-05-14T22:12:14.922Z MCSO BLM drone footage still.jpg A still from drone footage taken by Bureau of Land Management showing the multi-agency Saturday, May 9 arrest of homicide suspect Noel Frishknecht, 60, of San Diego, California at a trailer on the bank of the Virgin River approximately 4… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0648a0a200899a00eb697d Conservative radio host calls out Ana Navarro's claim about Sean Duffy's road trip in heated clash te 2026-05-14T22:11:44.594Z Conservative radio host calls out Ana Navarro's claim about Sean Duffy's road trip in heated clash "The View" co-host Ana Navarro was called out on Wednesday for claiming Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on a seven-month road trip during his term. "The tone deafness. The secretary of transportation was on a seven-month road trip with his nine children for a TV show," she said during CNN's "Newsnight." Duffy announced that he and his family filmed a show called "The Great American Road Trip," to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The trip has received pushback from the left, including from former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband, amid high gas prices. "You know that he was not on a road trip for seven months. You know that that is factually inaccurate. Come on," Jason Rantz, a conservative radio host, said. DUFFYS FIRE BACK AFTER PETE BUTTIGIEG, HUSBAND ATTACK NEW ROAD TRIP TV SERIES: 'RADICAL, MISERABLE LEFT' Navarro countered, "He has been on a road trip during those seven months." "A couple of days at a time. He was not on for seven months. That’s just not fair and not accurate," Rantz said. CNN host Abby Phillip said he was filming a reality TV series. SEAN DUFFY: TAKE A GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP AND REDISCOVER OUR AMAZING COUNTRY Rantz noted that Duffy filmed over the course of a couple of days throughout the seven months, which Phillip argued didn't make it better. Duffy has pushed back on criticism of the trip, posting in a statement to X, "The radical, miserable left has noticed our awesome Great American Road Trip trailer… and they hate it. It’s too wholesome. It’s too patriotic. It’s too joyful. They’re upset because they don’t want you to celebrate America! And they definitely don’t want you to teach your kids civics & patriotism. So they tell lies to undermine the mission." He said in the statement that zero taxpayer dollars have been spent on him or his family. LIBERAL 'VIEW' CO-HOST AGREES WITH TRUMP TRANSPORTATION SEC ON CALL TO DRESS BETTER WHILE TRAVELING "The series was filmed in short, one to two day production windows — such as weekends and the kids’ spring break," his statement continued. Duffy also said the series was reviewed by career ethics and budget officials at the DOT. "Our message is really simple: to love America is to see America. So put the phone down, hit the open road, and rediscover what makes America great," the transportation secretary said. Duffy also addressed the criticism during an interview with CNN's Scott Jennings. "I said seven months but it was over the course of, on average it was about two days a month on a road trip. Go to a destination, quickly film it. In April, I took the kids on spring break and hit multiple locations," he said. "We have been one of the most productive DOTs in the history of DOT. And so again, your Democrat colleagues on CNN, they know that, but it's just a cheap shot to say that I've taken time off." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06488da200899a00eb6974 Far-left commentator says Trump ballroom project provides proof of ‘dictatorship’ ambition te 2026-05-14T22:11:25.155Z Far-left commentator says Trump ballroom project provides proof of ‘dictatorship’ ambition Progressive political commentator Larry McKelvey, better known as Charlamagne Tha God, argued the White House ballroom project is all the proof needed to show President Donald Trump intends to run for a third term. But "The Late Show" guest host's rhetoric is raising concerns among those who believe it could incite violence. "Do you seriously think he’s building that for the next guy?" Charlamagne questioned during Wednesday's episode. "You think he likes J.D. Vance that much? You think he’s doing that level of solid for Marco Rubio?" he added, referencing the two most likely successors to the MAGA empire — the vice president and secretary of State. BILL MAHER SAYS TRUMP'S CONSTRUCTION OF 'GIANT BALLROOM' MEANS 'HE'S NOT LEAVING’ THE WHITE HOUSE Charlamagne's comments, couched in hyperbolic jokes, raised far-left accusations that Trump has displayed a king-like disregard for limits in his second term — and even mirror the president's own jokes about violating constitutional limits. "I’m not asking Trump not to run for a third term," Charlamagne conceded. "Trump is going to Trump. What I’m asking is for the Republican Party to be honest for once and tell us whether or not you want this man to be king, okay? I’m tired of edging dictatorship." Hogan Gidley, a former White House deputy press secretary, believes some viewers aren't going to take the comments as a joke. "They have no clue what their comments actually mean to those out there who want to commit acts of violence, which is ignorant and bad enough," Gidley told Fox News Digital, noting the multiple assassination attempts against Trump and members of his administration. "Or — they know exactly what they're doing, creating a permission structure for violence. Either way, it's hurtful to our country," he added. HOUSE REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR THIRD TRUMP TERM OVER PASSAGE OF ‘HISTORIC’ TAX BILL Under the 22nd Amendment, presidents of the United States are limited to two terms — a change made in 1951 after Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) served four. While firmly noting that comedians have a right under the First Amendment to address issues of their choosing, Gidley says he doubts the White House renovations are proof that Trump wants to overcome that limit. "Context matters," Gidley said. "For safety and security, it makes complete sense to have a facility that all presidents can use to entertain foreign heads of state, to entertain different guests on various occasions under the watchful eye of a controlled space." At the White House Correspondent's Association dinner last month, Trump faced a third assassination attempt when a gunman charged a Secret Service security checkpoint at the event at the Washington Hilton. Trump noted that a space like the future ballroom could be used for such events to provide a more secure venue. MIKE DAVIS: SECURE THE WHITE HOUSE AND BUILD THE BALLROOM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED Charlamagne, for his part, comedically painted a vision for how Trump might use the ballroom in a third term. "On January 20th, 2029, Trump is going to go into that ballroom, with a stack of hustlers, a crate of Big Macs and lock the door from the inside," Charlamagne said. Construction of the ballroom, which spans 90,000 square feet and is designed to seat 650 attendees, is scheduled to finish before the end of Trump’s second term, according to press releases from the White House. The Daily Show did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. Neither did the White House when asked for reaction to the comedian and political commentator's comments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064879a200899a00eb696b Supreme Court keeps broader access to abortion pill mifepristone in place while legal fight continues te 2026-05-14T22:11:05.553Z Supreme Court keeps broader access to abortion pill mifepristone in place while legal fight continues The Supreme Court on Thursday extended its administrative stay blocking enforcement of a lower court ruling that would have restricted access to the abortion pill mifepristone, allowing telehealth prescribing and mail distribution of the drug to continue while the legal battle wages on. The decision keeps in place current FDA rules allowing patients to obtain mifepristone without an in-person doctor visit. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the court’s order. Justice Samuel Alito also filed a separate dissent. The case stems from challenges to FDA changes that expanded access to mifepristone in 2023, allowing telehealth prescribing and distribution by mail. FIRST ON FOX: TOP REPUBLICANS TAKE ABORTION PILL FIGHT TO SUPREME COURT, CITING COERCION AND SAFETY RISKS A Fifth Circuit ruling previously sought to reinstate previous in-person dispensing requirements. The Supreme Court’s action temporarily blocks the Louisiana court's restrictions while the case continues through the courts. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064865a200899a00eb6962 Japanese bear-fightin' robo-wolves are pure unleaded nightmare fuel but they're working te 2026-05-14T22:10:45.834Z Japanese bear-fightin' robo-wolves are pure unleaded nightmare fuel but they're working There are so many things happening around the world, it's really tough to stay up to speed on everything. However, one thing that I can't believe isn't talked about more is the problem Japan is having with bear attacks. In fact, it has gotten so bad that they've turned to robotic wolves to deal with it. Killer Bears vs. Robo-Wolves? Hands off, everybody. I'm writing the screenplay for what is sure to be a Syfy channel movie channel movie if it isn't already. Bear encounters are on the rise in Japan, with 200 injuries and 13 fatalities reported just since the start of 2025. It's gotten so bad that, according to Popular Science, they even had to deploy the military to deal with the problem. JAPAN DEPLOYS MILITARY AFTER RECORD BEAR ATTACKS ACROSS COUNTRY Perhaps someone was watching "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla and thought, "Hey, let's throw some robots at this problem." They did, and it has proven to be the secret weapon. Monster Wolf, a $4,000 robot with sensors and sound effects designed to scare away bears, deer and, really, by the looks of it, anything else it wants to. Because it might be the scariest thing I've ever seen. Did... did they have to go that hard? I think you can scare most animals by hitting a tree trunk with a stick; you don't need a robotic version of one of the heads of Cerberus. I mean, yeah, no one seems to know what to do when a bear attacks. Some people say you roll up in a ball, others say you make yourself big. Some say you stay quiet, while others say you blast an air horn in its face. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! So, after centuries — maybe millennia — of not knowing what to do when a bear goes all Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant" on youThe Revenant on you, it turns out the answer was simple: robot wolves. Terrifying robot wolves that we'll all see in our sleep tonight. I mean, imagine going on a hike and running into that. You'd wish you were getting mauled by a bear. But there's one problem. They seem to be working, and because each Monster Wolf is custom-made, they're having trouble keeping up with demand. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06460ca200899a00eb6862 Supreme Court Allows Abortion Pill Access by Mail to Continue te 2026-05-14T22:00:44.116Z Supreme Court Allows Abortion Pill Access by Mail to Continue A federal appeals court ruling against the Food and Drug Administration would have restricted access by mail to mifepristone. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0645f6a200899a00eb6845 Tribus del sur de Arizona buscan fondos para prevenir abuso infantil te 2026-05-14T22:00:22.510Z Tribus del sur de Arizona buscan fondos para prevenir abuso infantil Leer en inglés Representantes de tres naciones tribales de Arizona se reunieron la semana pasada con la congresista Adelita Grijalva para impulsar una solución en la financiación federal que, según afirman, podría marcar la diferencia entre proteger a los niños nativos y dejarlos atrás. Representantes de las comunidades Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O'odham y Gila River viajaron a la Clínica de la Misión de San Xavier para asistir a la mesa redonda del pasado 9 de abril, la cual se centró en una enmienda propuesta recientemente a la Ley de Prevención y Tratamiento del Abuso Infantil o CAPTA, por sus siglas en inglés. La enmienda propuesta garantizaría que las naciones tribales reciban un acceso más equitativo a los fondos federales para la prevención del abuso infantil y permitiría la creación de programas con sensibilidad cultural, adaptados a las necesidades de sus comunidades. La enmienda reservará el 5% de los fondos de la CAPTA exclusivamente para las naciones tribales, las cuales actualmente deben competir con los estados y otras entidades de mayor envergadura para obtener subvenciones, lo que deja a la mayoría de las tribus sin los recursos que necesitan. Asimismo, la enmienda reconocería formalmente a las naciones tribales, situándolas al mismo nivel que los estados, en lo que respecta a la distribución equitativa de la ayuda para la prevención del abuso infantil. "Durante demasiado tiempo, la política federal ha pasado por alto las fortalezas y necesidades únicas de las naciones tribales, dejando a muchas comunidades a la deriva, lidiando con traumas complejos con un apoyo federal limitado,” declaró Grijalva en sus palabras de apertura. Grijalva, junto con la senadora demócrata Elizabeth Warren y la senadora republicana Lisa Murkowski, ha propuesto la enmienda a la CAPTA para los Indios Americanos y Nativos de Alaska, con el fin de reforzar los recursos federales destinados a las naciones tribales que trabajan en la prevención del abuso y la negligencia infantil. A pesar del apoyo bipartidista, Grijalva señaló que el proyecto de ley enfrenta una ardua batalla, dado que es poco probable que los líderes republicanos de los comités impulsen una legislación que no se alinee con la agenda actual del Senado. "No se trata simplemente de una cuestión presupuestaria,” afirmó Grijalva. "Es una cuestión de justicia y seguridad para la próxima generación." Las naciones tribales representan el 2% de la población de los Estados Unidos; sin embargo, las víctimas de ascendencia india americana y nativa de Alaska constituyen el 15% de los casos de abuso infantil, según la Asociación Nacional de Investigadores de Crímenes contra Niños. La vicepresidenta de la Nación Tohono O'odham, Carla Johnson; la congresista Adelita Grijalva; y el presidente Vernon Jose inclinan la cabeza durante una bendición al inicio de la mesa redonda del 9 de abril en la Clínica de la Misión de San Xavier. Foto de Quentin Agnello. Los representantes tribales presentes en la reunión manifestaron su apoyo a la legislación, destacando los problemas que enfrentan sus comunidades y las soluciones que les gustaría ver implementadas. "No podemos cumplir nuestra promesa de nuestra responsabilidad para con nuestros hijos si estos no cuentan con esa red de seguridad básica," afirmó el presidente de la Nación Tohono O'odham, Verlon Jose. "Percibimos que este es un asunto que siempre termina quedando relegado.” Michael Pries, director de servicios sociales de la Tribu Pascua Yaqui, hizo eco de las inquietudes de Jose. "No da la impresión de que se haya considerado a las tribus como naciones, ni como iguales frente al Estado," señaló Pries. Explicó que, si bien programas como el Título IV-E han ayudado a la Tribu Pascua Yaqui a mantener su programa de cuidado de crianza, aún existen problemas que deben abordarse. El Título IV-E es un programa federal que ayuda a los estados y a las tribus a cubrir los costos del cuidado de crianza, la asistencia para la adopción y el apoyo a la tutela de niños que han sido retirados de sus hogares debido a situaciones de abuso o negligencia. "Seguimos enfrentando dificultades con los adolescentes," comentó Pries. "Ese es un aspecto que, a mi parecer, nadie en el país ha logrado resolver todavía." Pries explicó que, antes de recibir los fondos del Título IV-E, muchos niños de la Nación Pascua Yaqui alcanzaban la edad límite para permanecer en el sistema de cuidado de crianza y terminaban desarrollando resentimiento o desconfianza hacia dichos sistemas, independientemente de si estos dependían del Estado o de la tribu. Pries también considera que se debería permitir a más tribus utilizar los fondos a su propia discreción, señalando que la Tribu Pascua Yaqui ha registrado una disminución del 50 % en los casos de bienestar infantil desde que implementaron el Título IV-E y otros programas que fomentan una mayor autodeterminación. Alfred Urbina, asesor jurídico general de la Comunidad Indígena del Río Gila, afirmó que la segunda causa principal de los casos de abuso y negligencia en su comunidad es la negligencia relacionada con el abuso de sustancias, la cual, en la mayoría de los casos, está vinculada al fentanilo. "Al reflexionar sobre la ley CAPTA y las medidas de prevención en la etapa inicial, creo que ese debería ser un enfoque prioritario," afirmó Urbina.  Urbina afirmó que, entre las 22 naciones tribales reconocidas a nivel federal en Arizona, solo dos han solicitado con éxito fondos del Título IV-E, lo que subraya la necesidad de una mayor inversión federal en esta materia. Quentin Agnello es exalumno de la Universidad de Arizona y periodista independiente en Tucson. Puede contactarlo en qsagnello@gmail.com. Esta nota fue traducida por los pasantes de la preparatoria San Miguel y editada por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org. Esta nota fue traducida por los pasantes de la preparatoria San Miguel y editada por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org. El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064403a200899a00eb679d Carville warns Democrats anti-Israel ‘loudmouths’ could cost elections te 2026-05-14T21:52:03.964Z Carville warns Democrats anti-Israel ‘loudmouths’ could cost elections Democratic strategist James Carville warned Wednesday that anti-Israel activists aligned with Democrats could damage the party politically, while insisting that "most" antisemites "are not Democrats."  Carville said during an appearance on Jim Acosta's podcast that he fears the increasingly bitter divide over Israel and antisemitism could hurt Democrats electorally and morally if the party is seen as tolerating hatred. "This antisemitic stuff, it’s sickening man! It’s a real problem," Carville said. "It’s not a made-up problem. It’s a real, real, real definitely problem, and it’s getting worse."  He argued that while some anti-Israel activists are aligned with Democrats, many are not members of the party, despite public perceptions tying them to Democrats during campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war. DEMOCRATIC REP FEARS PARTY TURNING ANTISEMITIC PROTESTERS INTO 'MARTYRS' IN BATTLE AGAINST TRUMP DEPORTATIONS "And the fact that there are some Democratic-aligned people, most of them are not Democrats, all right?" Carville said. "That’s when it would drive me crazy, when they were protesting Joe Biden at Columbia, and we thought they were saying, ‘Hey, hey, ho ho, genocide Joe must go.’ And the Democrats were getting blamed for that. A lot of these people are not Democrats. Understand that." The longtime Democratic strategist also warned that the loudest anti-Israel voices were overshadowing the broader party. "I don’t want to be part of a political party that tolerates hatred, or sometimes encourages it," Carville said. "I don’t think that’s where the majority of Democrats are, to be fair, but certainly not where the majority Democratic officeholders are," he continued. "But these loudmouths are getting heard above everybody else. And this is not a good idea. This is a terrible idea." BLUE STATE DEMOCRAT ZEROES IN ON ISSUE WHERE PARTY FAILED IN 2024, EXPLAINS THE PATH FORWARD The comments came as Democrats continue to grapple with internal divisions over Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack and Israel's military response in Gaza. The issue has fueled protests on college campuses and sharp disputes inside the Democratic coalition over U.S. support for Israel. Carville, who has long identified as a staunch supporter of Israel, said criticism of the Israeli government should not be conflated with hostility toward the country or Jewish people. "Attack the government of Israel all you want to. I don’t like it. I can’t stand it," Carville said. "But I like the state of Israel. You can’t conflate the regime with the people." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Carville also lamented the collapse of past peace efforts in the Middle East and said he believes reconciliation remains possible. "I love Israel. I don’t get it," Carville said. "And I don’t have anything against them. I like Palestinian people. That’s some of the nicest people I know." "If people spent as much time, and it could have been reconciled, Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak and this thing totally under control," Carville said. "The neocons killed it, we ought to go back to it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0643f0a200899a00eb6794 Lawmakers raise alarm over Neville Roy Singham's $278M network spreading CCP propaganda in the U.S. te 2026-05-14T21:51:44.482Z Lawmakers raise alarm over Neville Roy Singham's $278M network spreading CCP propaganda in the U.S. Members of Congress are raising concerns about a surge in pro-Chinese Communist Party propaganda and rhetoric in the U.S., citing organizations tied to Shanghai-based Marxist mogul Neville Roy Singham.   During interviews with Fox News Digital, a number of House and Senate members warned that nonprofits funded by Singham may be sowing discord in the U.S. by promoting communist propaganda and anti-American rhetoric.  "When you talk about the non-profits, you have to look at how China adversely uses or how China uses our non-profit 501(c)(3) status organizations to work as. CCP influencers," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital.  "Singham's group is one of these, as they try to spread and influence other organizations and participate with other organizations in protests, in demonstrations that are going to create chaos in the streets of U.S. cities," she said. REVOLUTIONARY TOURISM:: INSIDE THE $600M MARRIAGE OF DARK MONEY AND FAR-LEFT AGITPROP "When it comes to China specifically, they have used soft propaganda as a main point of entry with the United States," she added. According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has funneled $278 million into the broad network of nonprofits since 2017. Officials from the Justice, State and Treasury departments are investigating financial activity tied to the network, including $22.5 million in funding directed to a group called The People’s Forum. Singham’s wife, Jodie Evans, is the co-founder of CodePink, a nonprofit that received $1.33 million from Singham, according to the Fox News Digital investigation. Over the years, CodePink has supported communist regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party and Cuba's government. TOP GOP SENATOR CALLS OUT CODE PINK, THE PEOPLE’S FORUM ALLEGEDLY PUSHING CCP PROPAGANDA IN US While CodePink’s funding comes directly from Singham, not the government of China, critics allege that the difference is without a distinction. "CodePink are AstroTurf weirdos bought and paid for by Communist China. They get their money from the most oppressive regime on the planet," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital. "They’re a joke." CodePink filed an ethics complaint against Hawley for what he said was simply "exposing that they take blood money from China."  Members of Congress raised concerns about how CodePink and the Singham network are able to operate without registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires individuals doing public relations, engaging in political work or lobbying for any foreign government to disclose activities and finances to the Department of Justice. TAX COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS PRESS FOR TREASURY CRACKDOWN ON NONPROFITS PROMOTING FRAUD, 'ANTI-AMERICAN' HATE "How they're not registered under FARA is hard to understand because they're very consistent. I mean, let's at least give them credit for that," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital. Even former members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers are required to register under FARA if they lobby for a country or organization backed by a foreign country. "It should be no surprise that, whether it's folks associated with the Communist Party of China or, frankly, other anti-American groups, would be funding these groups in the United States. [These groups’] sole role is pretty evident, to protect, defend and support anti-Americans," he added. "Whether it is terrorist groups [or] terrorist regimes like the one in Iran or the one in Cuba." SINGHAM-BACKED, PRO-CHINA GROUP DROPS HUGE SUM ON MANHATTAN HQ AS FEDS PROBE SHADOWY NETWORK Singham sold his technology consulting company, Thoughtworks, in 2017 for an estimated $785 million and moved to Shanghai. In 2023, The New York Times published an exposé that connected him to the CCP and chronicled his determination to spread his radical, anti-West ideology in the U.S. and across the globe.  In its investigation, Fox News Digital followed the money trail and network that Singham uses to promote communist and Marxist ideologies among Americans, finding that he established an organizing hub in the U.S. with actions against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and protests against Israel, the U.S. and the nation’s domestic and foreign policies. "The real crux of the matter is the genesis of that money — is [Singham] really that rich," Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., asked Fox News Digital. "Or is it a false rich that, yeah, he's got a billion dollars, but the billion dollars came from China communist China that they are actually funneling him, and then making believe, 'Oh, no, he made that on his own.' We've got to find out exactly where that money came from." Gimenez also noted what other lawmakers are pointing out: Individual agitators and demonstrators, in addition to Singham himself, are not registered with the Justice Department’s  FARA office. While Singham’s dealings have been investigated by a number of Congressional committees in the past, his residence in Shanghai shields him from being subpoenaed to appear before Congress House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., has described Singham as "an individual who lives in Shanghai, maintains business ties with companies and individuals linked to the CCP, works with and physically alongside a foreign propaganda company, and attends CCP forums on how to promote the party abroad." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0643dca200899a00eb678b Lainey Wilson marries Duck Hodges in 'dream' Tennessee waterfall cave wedding te 2026-05-14T21:51:24.899Z Lainey Wilson marries Duck Hodges in 'dream' Tennessee waterfall cave wedding Country star Lainey Wilson and her fiancé Devlin "Duck" Hodges have tied the knot after five years together. On Thursday, the 33-year-old singer shared a joint Instagram post with Vogue magazine announcing that she and the 30-year-old former professional football player had wed, providing an inside look at their nuptials. Wilson and Hodges were married on May 10 in Dickson, Tennessee at The Ruskin Cave with a waterfall backdrop and a country-inspired celebration. COUNTRY STAR LAINEY WILSON ENGAGED AFTER JOKING SHE 'MIGHT HAVE TO PROPOSE' AFTER THREE YEARS While speaking with Vogue, Wilson recalled how she and Hodges discovered The Ruskin Cave, a historic natural limestone cave that has become a popular venue for rustic weddings, and knew that it was the perfect location for their big day." "Duck and I were driving backroads in Tennessee and saw a billboard for The Ruskin Cave," she remembered. "Duck said, ‘You wanna get married there?’ I said, ‘Done deal.’ We dropped by, saw the venue, and fell in love with the natural beauty of the cave and the simplicity of the property." The Grammy Award winner and Hodges' ceremony was held on a cobblestone ledge at the foot of a waterfall. "My absolute dream ceremony," Wilson told Vogue via People magazine. "There’s a small waterfall flowing down the hill behind the altar and windows. The waterfall is what convinced us to do the ceremony in this spot." 'YELLOWSTONE' STAR LAINEY WILSON 'COMPLETELY SHOCKED' BY FIANCÉ'S PROPOSAL "You could hear the water trickling down and birds singing, and we had a nice spring breeze," Wilson recalled to Vogue. "I arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage and walked down the aisle with my Deddy to join Duck at the altar." The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony officiated by Lainey’s friend and mentor, Wes Williams, and shared communion together before their family and friends. "I have never seen Duck smile as big as he did then," Wilson remembered. "It made me feel giddy about turning the page into this next chapter of marriage. We were both anxious to say ‘I do!’" LAINEY WILSON SAYS CITY PEOPLE HAVE WRONG VIEW OF COUNTRY TOWNS AS SHE DEFENDS HER 'BLUE COLLAR' ROOTS Describing the vision that she and Hodge had for their wedding, Wilson told Vogue that they wanted the celebration to reflect their easy connection as a couple. "We wanted it to be special and beautiful, but really welcoming and comfortable for our guests," she said. "We tried not to take ourselves too seriously." Advertisement "Being from Louisiana, I wanted to bring in a little bit of Cajun flair, so naturally we hired a 12-piece jazz band called Rebirth and had a Cajun meal from the chefs at my bar, Bell Bottoms Up," Wilson added. COUNTRY STARS LAINEY WILSON, LEANN RIMES AND KELSEA BALLERINI DAZZLE ON CMA AWARDS RED CARPET IN NASHVILLE For her trip down the aisle, Wilson wore a custom Oscar de La Renta gown, which was adorned with tiny Japanese cherry blossom appliques around the halter-style neckline and scattered throughout the dress. "The cherry blossom represents living in the moment, and that’s exactly what we did," Wilson said of the design. Meanwhile, Hodges donned a dark green bespoke suit by D. Lacquaniti along with a custom gold bolo decorated with green stones, cufflinks, and a hat pin by Mud Lowery, custom boots by Wilson's brand Golden West Boots and a Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hat. 'YELLOWSTONE' STAR LAINEY WILSON EMBRACES COWBOY CULTURE TAKEOVER, SAYS PEOPLE ARE 'OVER THE BULLS---' After exchanging vows, Wilson and Hodges strolled hand in hand down the aisle to Raye’s song "Where Is My Husband," according to Vogue. The New Orleans musical institution Rebirth Brass Band led the wedding party and guests in a second line march — a Big Easy wedding tradition — to the cocktail hour. "It was so lovely to have that touch of my home in Louisiana up here in Tennessee," Wilson said. COUNTRY STAR LAINEY WILSON ‘MIGHT HAVE TO PROPOSE’ TO BOYFRIEND OF 3 YEARS The group later participated in a second line march to the couple's wedding reception inside the cave. "My mama led the dinner prayer for all of our guests, and we settled in for a night of good food, good company, and good music," Wilson said. "Our family and friends know how to have a good time, and the dance floor was packed all night. "To close out a perfect evening, Duck and I followed the band through a send-off line of sparklers and cheering loved ones, climbed into an old white Ford truck, and drove off!" LAINEY WILSON REVEALS KEITH URBAN'S BRUTAL 5-WORD REALITY CHECK WHEN SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT GRUELING SCHEDULE Wilson and Hodges met in 2021 after being set up on a blind date by mutual friends in Nashville. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "We went to a spot on the water in Nashville called Moby Dicky’s, and then we went to Silverado’s," Wilson told Vogue of their first date. "We’ve been pretty inseparable since." The duo kept their relationship private before making their debut as a couple at the 2023 ACM Awards. Hodges proposed to Wilson in February 2025. The country music star later revealed she was surprised by the former NFL quarterback's proposal. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "So, I had talked myself into thinking he was going to do it that day," Wilson said, captured on video by News Channel 5 Nashville. "And then I called my sister. I said, ‘He’s going to propose to me today.’ And she was like, 'I gotta go.' "And then I talked myself out of it because I thought, 'Man, I sure would be upset if I talked myself into this and that don’t happen.'" Hodges and Wilson had been planning to visit the George Jones estate, which had been listed by one of Hodges' friends, a real estate agent. The two made a plan to stop by during the week after the 2025 Super Bowl. "And then, as we [pulled] up, I realized that there were different plans," Wilson explained. "So, he had it all set up. He had the candles and the picture frames, and it could not have been more perfect." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0643c8a200899a00eb677c DOJ demands sanctuary states end 'blatantly unlawful' anti-ICE policy as a matter of life and death te 2026-05-14T21:51:04.841Z DOJ demands sanctuary states end 'blatantly unlawful' anti-ICE policy as a matter of life and death The Justice Department is ordering sanctuary states to halt a new policy trend they say is putting Department of Homeland Security agents at risk of personal harm and can cause key operations to implode. The federal government currently works with states to disseminate "undercover" license plates for agents and officers whose identities need to be protected and who would have their cover otherwise blown if they were to use federally-issued "U.S. Government" plates. On Thursday, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate issued a warning to several states, including Washington, where the department says DMVs are declining or inhibiting issuance of undercover license plates for Homeland Security operations. In a letter to Washington Attorney General Nicholas Brown, Shumate wrote that the Washington Department of Licensing is refusing to issue such plates to DHS but continues the practice for local and state police. BONDI PUTS SANCTUARY CITIES NATIONWIDE ON NOTICE AFTER DC POLICE FEDERAL TAKEOVER Shumate said the policy discrepancy violates the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, in that "this discriminatory policy is not only deeply dangerous as a matter of public safety but also blatantly unlawful as a matter of constitutional law." "It should be immediately withdrawn; otherwise, the United States intends to seek judicial relief." Shumate said Washington’s policy undermines investigations and puts law enforcement officers "at risk of harm" as they pursue dangerous terrorists, drug traffickers and fraudsters. ICE AGENTS REPORT ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ 3,200% SURGE IN CAR ATTACKS LAST YEAR "Suspects could be alerted to officer presence and flee, destroy evidence or take countermeasures to avoid arrest, making arrests more dangerous for all involved," he said, adding that includes the general public. Shumate gave Brown a May 22 ultimatum to prove compliance or risk further litigation. Earlier this year, Maine announced it would also pause granting DHS officers undercover plates, with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows telling The Hill that the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles has not revoked existing undercover plates but would pause future issuance following reports of targeted enforcement operations in the Pine Tree State. Oregon and Massachusetts are also reportedly in DOJ’s sights on the issue. Fox News Digital reached out to Brown and the DOJ for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06439fa200899a00eb6744 Plane Crashes Into House in Ohio, Killing 2 te 2026-05-14T21:50:23.075Z Plane Crashes Into House in Ohio, Killing 2 No one on the ground was hurt when a small plane crashed into a house on a residential street south of downtown Akron, the authorities said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064172a200899a00eb66b0 Small plane crashes into Ohio home killing 2 on board, igniting blaze in residential area te 2026-05-14T21:41:06.364Z Small plane crashes into Ohio home killing 2 on board, igniting blaze in residential area Emergency crews are responding after a small plane crashed Thursday into a home in Ohio, killing two people on board and sparking a large fire. The crash took place at about 3:45 p.m. local time in a residential neighborhood about 15 minutes south of downtown Akron, and heavy, black smoke was reported in the area, the City of Akron Fire Department confirmed to Fox News Digital. The two people on board were found dead inside the Piper PA-28 aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Fire officials evacuated the affected home and a nearby home, reporting no injuries on the ground. Crews remain at the scene. AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT CATCHES FIRE IN DENVER It is unclear how many people were onboard the aircraft, or what led to the crash. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. American Winds College of Aeronautics, a local flight school, confirmed all of its airplanes are safe in their hangars and accounted for. SMALL PLANE CRASHES NEAR HICKS AIRFIELD IN TEXAS, REPORTEDLY CAUSING MULTIPLE SEMI-TRUCK FIRES "American Winds is deeply saddened to hear of a plane crash which has just occurred near the Akron Fulton Airport this afternoon," the school wrote in a Facebook post. "We pray for the pilot, anyone on board and their families." The NTSB and Topgolf Akron, which is located across the street from the crash site, did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a064146a200899a00eb6671 Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI has been bleeding staff since its merger te 2026-05-14T21:40:22.995Z Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI has been bleeding staff since its merger More than 50 employees have reportedly left Elon Musk’s newly merged SpaceXAI since February, raising questions about burnout, leadership changes, talent poaching, and whether liquidity events weakened retention incentives. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063f1aa200899a00eb61a5 Judge rules law stripping Scottsdale vote on Axon HQ is constitutional te 2026-05-14T21:31:06.323Z Judge rules law stripping Scottsdale vote on Axon HQ is constitutional Photo via Getty Images A state law barring Scottsdale residents from voting to stop law enforcement technology company Axon’s planned massive headquarters and housing project doesn’t violate the state constitution’s ban on “special legislation,” a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled.  The law says that any city with between 200,000 and 500,000 residents — Scottsdale had 241,000 residents in the 2020 census — must “allow hotel use and multifamily residential housing” for land zoned like the Axon parcel “without requiring any type of application that will require a public hearing” if certain criteria is met. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Axon lobbied state lawmakers to strip away the constitutional right of Scottsdale voters to challenge the police weapons manufacturer’s headquarters project near Hayden Road and the Loop 101. The effort to change the law was in direct response to a referendum campaign that successfully put the initial development plan on the ballot. In addition to the firm’s international headquarters, the project is set to include a luxury hotel and apartments, many of which — but not all — will be reserved for the company’s employees.  The group behind the effort to stop Axon, Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions, claims that the law violates the state constitution.  After the bill was signed into law last year, the Scottsdale City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Axon to revise the project and fast-track its development. Among the changes, Axon agreed to decrease the number of apartments from 1,900 to 600, along with 600 condominium units.  The council also voted to repeal the original zoning decision, made by a lame-duck city council in 2024, that approved Axon’s HQ project and was the catalyst for TAAAZE, backed by a signature-gathering effort linked to a California labor union, to gather more than 25,000 signatures for a voter referendum. Repealing that zoning action means the referendum cannot happen. Even without the council’s decision to repeal the rezoning decision, the new law protects the project.  TAAAZE’s lawsuit aimed to overturn the law, but Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Herrod concluded the law was constitutional.  TAAAZE argued that the law failed one part of a three-part test that is meant to determine if legislation is “special” or not. The part they claimed the bill failed related to if the law is “encompassing all members that are similarly situated.”  “Plaintiffs argue that (the Axon bill) fails the second prong because the classification is not legitimate, encompassing all similarly situated members. In other words, Plaintiffs claim the law is underinclusive,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “Plaintiffs argue that since the law only applies to a few mid-size cities and towns, and not all cities and towns, the law is of special application and not general application.”  However, Herrod said that he found that to not be the case.  Since the law is addressing a specific problem of “attracting international headquarters,” then the populations chosen for the bill are likely prime candidates for that, Herrod reasoned. But he did not go without addressing the elephant in the room.  “Of course, the brightly blinking sign in this case is that the Axon bill was clearly triggered by the zoning situation for Axon and intended to allow Axon to build its international headquarters in Scottsdale,” Herrod said.  But despite that, he continued, the law isn’t written so narrowly that it can only ever apply to Axon and Scottsdale. “Because the statute can apply in other cities, it is not a special law,” Herrod wrote. “One may argue that, in the lay sense, this is a special law because it clearly applies to Axon only at this time, but its provisions are not limited solely to the City of Scottsdale and Axon.” TAAZE said it is likely to appeal the ruling.  “Neighborhoods and voting rights are at stake and that’s why we are looking at all our options including an appeal,” former Scottsdale City Councilman and TAAAZE Chairman Bob Littlefield said in a statement.  The group has another lawsuit against the MOU that will be heard in June.  “Plenty of issues over the years have been approved in Superior Court only to have them overturned later at the Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court,” Littlefield said.  Axon declined to comment on this story.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063eeea200899a00eb6158 House Again Blocks War Powers Vote to Halt Iran Conflict te 2026-05-14T21:30:22.945Z House Again Blocks War Powers Vote to Halt Iran Conflict But two vulnerable Republicans joined Democrats in the effort to force President Trump to win authorization from Congress, in the latest sign of G.O.P. jitters over the war. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063cc6a200899a00eb6121 Bomb threat forces evacuation of NAU auditorium te 2026-05-14T21:21:10.379Z Bomb threat forces evacuation of NAU auditorium A bomb threat has prompted the evacuation of Northern Arizona University's Ardrey Auditorium, with officials advising everyone to stay away until it's deemed safe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063c97a200899a00eb60d1 C.I.A. Director Travels to Cuba as U.S. Intensifies Pressure te 2026-05-14T21:20:23.499Z C.I.A. Director Travels to Cuba as U.S. Intensifies Pressure John Ratcliffe, the C.I.A. director, is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration to visit the country. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063a95a200899a00eb608e AZFEC: No Means No: Why Tucson Voters Should Reject TEP’s Repackaged Climate Deal te 2026-05-14T21:11:49.961Z AZFEC: No Means No: Why Tucson Voters Should Reject TEP’s Repackaged Climate Deal By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club | This November, Tucson voters are being asked (again) to approve a 25-year franchise agreement between Tucson and Tucson Electric Power (TEP). Franchise agreements are generally standard arrangements that allow utilities to use public rights-of-way for poles, wires, and infrastructure. But there is nothing standard about this deal. Bundled with it is an “Energy Collaboration Agreement” that will quietly embed climate policy into Tucson’s governance for the next quarter century. Voters should read the fine print (and the price tag) before checking the box.  If Tucson voters are having déjà vu reading this proposal, it’s because it is awfully similar to what they have already said no to. In May 2023, Proposition 412 put a nearly identical TEP franchise agreement before the public, and voters rejected it by a 55-45 margin. That deal included a new 0.75% “community resilience fee” on top of the existing 2.25% franchise fee, with proceeds earmarked for undergrounding utility lines as well as funding the city’s Climate Action Plan. Despite voters already telling the city they don’t want it, city leaders and TEP have assumed residents really just want a more expensive version of the same thing – rebranding and trying to ream through for a second time the same agenda but at a cost of $64 million instead of $56 million.   What the franchise agreement really does is help TEP maintain infrastructure, expedite permitting, and improve outage response. But TEP can still operate without a franchise agreement, meaning this vote is not about whether Tucson continues receiving electricity. Instead, it creates the legal foundation for a broader political partnership between the city and the utility… >>> CONTINUE READING >>> The post AZFEC: No Means No: Why Tucson Voters Should Reject TEP’s Repackaged Climate Deal first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063a7da200899a00eb607d Red states press social service workers into immigration enforcement te 2026-05-14T21:11:25.804Z Red states press social service workers into immigration enforcement Tennessee Republican leaders unveil their “Immigration 2026” agenda at a news conference in January. Tennessee and other conservative states are mandating that state and local social service providers verify and report the immigration status of the people they serve — in some cases threatening stiff penalties for public employees who fail to comply. (Photo by John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout) An increasing number of conservative states are mandating that state and local social service providers verify and report the immigration status of the people they serve — in some cases threatening stiff penalties for public employees who fail to comply. Under federal law, immigrants who are in the United States illegally are generally barred from receiving public benefits such as nonemergency health care, food aid and housing help, though a handful of left-leaning states use their own money to provide such benefits. Supporters of the new verification and reporting laws say they will help curb illegal immigration by making it more difficult for people who aren’t eligible for public aid to receive it. Government-funded health care, housing aid and the right to have a driver’s license are a “pull factor that encourages illegal immigration,” said Cooper Smith, director of homeland security and immigration at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank that has worked on policy development with the current Trump administration. Government benefits, Smith said, are “an incentive for (immigrants) to come here and cross the border and make this their home, and we don’t want to see that.” In Tennessee, legislators this week sent a bill to Republican Gov. Bill Lee that would require all state and local agencies to verify the immigration status of people who apply for federal, state or local government benefits, and to report those who are here illegally to the legislature and the state’s new immigration enforcement agency. The measure, which the governor is expected to sign, authorizes the state attorney general to investigate possible violations, and threatens jail time or a loss of state funding for workers or agencies that fail to comply. The potential penalties in Tennessee’s law are especially strict, but this year Indiana, Utah, and Wyoming also enacted laws requiring state and local agencies to verify the immigration status of people applying for certain benefits. In Indiana and Wyoming, agencies also must report immigrants who are here illegally to federal authorities. Louisiana enacted a similar verification and reporting law last year. The Indiana and Wyoming laws go beyond the specific individuals applying for aid. In considering an application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Indiana law requires agencies to notify federal authorities if they cannot verify the immigration status of any member of an applicant’s household. Similarly, the Wyoming law requires the state health department and the state department of family services to notify federal immigration authorities if they determine that anyone applying for public benefits resides in a household that includes a person who is here illegally. Critics say the new state laws will dissuade many people who are eligible for benefits — especially those with family members who are here illegally — from getting help they are entitled to, and force state and local officials to perform an immigration enforcement role for which they are ill equipped. “They have to do this verification process for everybody that walks in the door. This is something that slows down services for every Tennessean in the name of collecting data and trying to make assessments that folks are not trained to make,” Democratic state Sen. Jeff Yarbro said last month during the floor debate on the bill. “There’s probably no one who understands enough of the rules to make that determination,” he said. “But we are forcing that decision upon every single government office in the state of Tennessee — it’s just a little bit insane.” Tanya Broder, an attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, which advocates for immigrants, said the new laws represent an escalation of state anti-immigration efforts. She said the measures demonstrate that conservative states are moving in lockstep with the Trump administration. “There are many, many states that impose restrictions on access to public to state and local public benefits, but some of these reporting requirements that states are proposing now likely do violate the law,” Broder said. “I think they are sowing a campaign of fear and misinformation.” Broder added that the fear of penalties might prompt agency workers in Tennessee to overreport and potentially engage in racial profiling. The Tennessee bill is part of a sweeping package of immigration enforcement measures the state legislature approved this year. Tennessee’s broad immigration agenda was crafted in coordination with the White House, specifically with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Earlier this month, Lee signed a measure that requires state judges to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. And last month, the governor signed a bill that makes it a crime under Tennessee law for an adult to refuse or fail to leave the state within 90 days of a final order of removal. The law also makes it a crime for immigrants to try to enter the state if they have an outstanding deportation order. Other bills that would require local sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration agents and make it illegal for people who are living in the U.S. illegally to operate a commercial vehicle or truck in the state are on Lee’s desk awaiting his signature. Smith, of the America First Policy Institute, said Tennessee is “serving as a model for other states to follow.” Republicans struggled this year to secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Smith noted, “so they know that their ability to get meaningful legal immigration reform, through both houses of Congress and signed by the president, is very, very unlikely,” he said. “So the next step is to do as much as you can at the state level.” Julia Gelatt, an associate director at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington-based think tank, agreed with Smith’s assessment of the political situation. “There are things that the federal government can’t control, or that may be harder to achieve at the federal level, particularly with a Congress that isn’t passing bills,” Gelatt said. “We know that Stephen Miller advised Tennessee on their immigration bills, and I think that his philosophy is that the federal government and state governments should make life in the United States so hard for people who don’t have legal status that they decide to go home.” Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@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/6a063a68a200899a00eb605d Automatic tipping programs spark concern as restaurants prepare for flood of visitors te 2026-05-14T21:11:04.061Z Automatic tipping programs spark concern as restaurants prepare for flood of visitors → Restaurants in one city are rethinking tipping tactics — just as international visitors are set to flood in. → A nostalgic soft drink with a cult following has become shockingly hard to find. → A carnivore-packed convention is drawing crowds and sparking bold claims about Americans' health. → Experts reveal why one fan-favorite fish isn't suited for the grill. → A simmering debate over fats is heating up — and the guidance isn't as clear as you'd think. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER → Costco shoppers are sounding off after a beloved food court favorite gets a surprising swap. → A celebrity chef reveals why healthy eating is failing in restaurants. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOOD AND DRINK NEWS → A devoted regular takes drastic financial steps to keep a cherished pub alive. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063a54a200899a00eb6054 House Democrats fail to fracture GOP support for Trump's Iran strategy in war powers vote te 2026-05-14T21:10:44.497Z House Democrats fail to fracture GOP support for Trump's Iran strategy in war powers vote House Democrats failed again Thursday to fracture Republicans’ support for President Donald Trump's Iran strategy as GOP lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected an effort to curb his war powers. The House of Representatives deadlocked in a 212-212 vote, blocking a resolution offered by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., that would have forced Trump to end hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.  Every Democratic lawmaker except for Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, voted for the measure. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a leading Trump foe, and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Tom Barrett, R-Mich., were the lone Republicans to cross party lines in support of the resolution. Several lawmakers in both parties did not vote. WHERE AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR TRUMP’S IRAN STRIKE STANDS AS NEW POLLS ROLL IN The failed vote comes after peace talks between Washington and Tehran stalled in recent weeks, though the ceasefire has largely stayed intact despite sporadic fighting. Trump said Monday the ceasefire was "on life support" and reiterated his demand that Iran end its nuclear program.  Amid the stalemate, congressional Democrats have linked the war to voter concern about affordability in an effort to pressure GOP lawmakers to buck the president. "The single fastest way to bring down costs is to end this war," House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said on the House floor Wednesday. "And once again, Republicans are going to have an opportunity to do just that. Once again, they have a chance to bring our service members home and end this chaos." But Republicans have argued that limiting Trump’s war powers could undermine his ability to end the conflict. "By putting an arbitrary limitation on America's ability to deploy both kinetic as well as diplomatic pressure on Iran, I think it ends up harming our ability to negotiate, to get Iran to stand down," Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "What I've seen from the president is a clear desire to stop Iran's ability from having a nuclear weapon and in their ability to be the number one sponsor of state terrorism," he added. TRUMP’S IRAN STRIKES GET LEGAL COVER AS SCHOLARS SAY ARTICLE II PLAYBOOK SPANS OBAMA ERA AND BEYOND The vast majority of Republicans have continued to stand by Trump’s Iran strategy despite the administration cruising past a 60-day deadline to seek congressional approval of the conflict.  The president has argued the indefinite ceasefire that began April 7 effectively stopped the clock. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also contended that the 1973 War Powers Resolution giving Congress a say over the use of military force is unconstitutional. Across the Capitol, GOP support for the war in Iran appears to be on shakier ground. The Senate narrowly defeated a war powers resolution on Wednesday, the seventh attempt from Democrats since Operation Epic Fury began Feb. 28, that would have ended hostilities with Iran.  Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, crossed party lines to support the measure curbing Trump’s war powers while Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined Republicans in opposition. Just one more GOP yes vote would have allowed the resolution to clear the chamber. Murkowski, who flipped her vote to support the war powers resolution, said Wednesday that the administration’s timeline in Iran "has taken us beyond the 60 days" deadline for Congress to authorize or halt the conflict.  She had hoped the administration would provide more clarity, but that information hadn't come, prompting her to join with Democrats in curbing Trump’s war powers. "We're in a different place than we were last time we voted on this," Murkowski said.  A Fox News poll published in late April found that 55% of Americans oppose military action against Iran. Nearly six in ten respondents said the war will not improve the safety of Americans enough to justify military action. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063861a200899a00eb5fd0 Fans wonder what has happened to Bryson DeChambeau after disastrous PGA Championship round te 2026-05-14T21:02:25.294Z Fans wonder what has happened to Bryson DeChambeau after disastrous PGA Championship round Bryson DeChambeau is one of the most popular golfers in the world. Not only is he an all-world talent and a two-time major champion, but he has embraced YouTube golf as a way to share the sport with a younger audience. However, something appears to be very wrong with his game (or his body) right now. He missed the cut at Augusta National last month, a shocking development for a player who was one of the favorites to win the Masters. And, if things don't change in a hurry, he could be headed for back-to-back missed cuts in majors for the first time since 2017. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! DeChambeau struggled his way through a poor opening round at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday morning, posting a 6-over 76. He didn't record a birdie until his final hole, the par-5 9th (he started the day on hole 10). DeChambeau carded five bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 8th hole. Through the completion of the morning wave, DeChambeau's score sat outside the top 100 on the leader board. The PGA Championship is unique because it includes 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals, often called club professionals, who qualify through the PGA Professional Championship. Unlike full-time tour players, most of them make their living primarily by teaching, running golf operations, and working at facilities, not by chasing tournament purses week to week. A few of those PGA professionals posted better scores than DeChambeau, which underscores just how rough his opening round was. PGA Tour fans haven't seen much of DeChambeau since he left for LIV Golf, and they might not see as much of him going forward. DeChambeau has said that he is willing to forgo rejoining the PGA Tour if LIV Golf dissolves to focus on his YouTube channel. That likely means a large swath of golf fans only see him play competitively four times per year, during the majors. Previously, that meant watching him compete for championships. Across the eight majors in 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau finished inside the top 10 six times, including a dramatic win over Rory McIlroy at the 2024 U.S. Open. He also finished as runner-up at both the 2024 and 2025 PGA Championships. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Given his recent history and form, many fans expected DeChambeau to find himself near the top of the leader board at Aronimink this weekend. And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round. There is still a lot of golf to play and DeChambeau is certainly capable of going out on Friday and shooting a spectacular round to give himself a chance to make the cut. But he's going to need exactly that, a massive Friday turnaround, or he's going to be heading home prior to the weekend for the second consecutive major tournament. And, given that he also missed the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open, it would also be DeChambeau's third missed cut in the past four majors if he fails to reach the weekend at Aronimink. That's not the level of golf expected of a player of his caliber. It'll be interesting to see how he responds on Friday and moves forward to the final two majors of 2026. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06384da200899a00eb5fc7 Man accused of stealing more than $735k as power of attorney to purchase property, OnlyFans and life coaching te 2026-05-14T21:02:05.648Z Man accused of stealing more than $735k as power of attorney to purchase property, OnlyFans and life coaching A St. Louis man was in federal court earlier this week after being accused of pocketing more than $735,000 while serving as power of attorney for a retired school teacher. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri says 40-year-old Micheal N. Jones pleaded not guilty to eight counts of wire fraud on Monday after he was indicted on the charges last month. According to the indictment, Jones was named as the power of attorney for the victim in March 2023. Almost immediately, he's alleged to have spent more than $12,000 from her checking account and used her credit card to make purchases on OnlyFans, reports FOX 2 Now. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The following month, April 2023, the victim was transferred to an assisted living facility. Her home was sold and investigators say that he used that money to buy four properties across St. Louis. Another $160,000 was reportedly transferred to Jones' bank account and Cash App. He's accused of using this money to buy food, trips, a life coach and more OnlyFans purchases. If only he had enlisted the life coach before his initial OnlyFans purchase. This whole situation might not have gotten so far out of hand, assuming, of course, he would have been upfront with his alleged activities. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE That second round of purchases seems to indicate no, but who knows how it would have played out if the money was spent in a different order. As it stands, Jones allegedly spent the money on himself and missed payments for the victim's assisted living facility.  She was evicted from one after only one payment was made on her behalf and racked up another bill of more than $50,000 at another due to nonpayment. The wire fraud charges, FOX 2 Now added, are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. It's a tough way to make a living. Imagine being the content creators on the receiving end of the alleged stolen funds from a retired teacher. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06383aa200899a00eb5fbe DHS rails against illegal aliens hit with capital murder charges for allegedly killing unborn baby: 'monsters' te 2026-05-14T21:01:46.193Z DHS rails against illegal aliens hit with capital murder charges for allegedly killing unborn baby: 'monsters' The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday released a scathing statement after two illegal immigrants in Dallas were charged with capital murder in relation to the shooting death of an unborn child. "These monsters shot multiple people and killed an unborn baby," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in the statement. "They now face multiple felony charges, including homicide and aggravated assault. This is an unspeakable crime, and these criminal illegal aliens should never have been in our country in the first place." "Thankfully, Dallas cooperates with ICE, so together with our partners we will ensure these criminals can never again terrorize our communities," the statement said. Yeremy Alexander Zapata Aleman, 17, of Honduras, and Keyner Ariel Calero Jiron, 20, of Nicaragua, who both crossed the border illegally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are accused of the murder after an argument in a 7-Eleven parking lot led to a drive-by shooting and later a police chase, KDFW reported. ILLEGAL ALIENS ACCUSED IN DALLAS KILLING OF TEEN MOTHER'S UNBORN BABY CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER The incident occurred May 3, around 12:40 a.m. The pregnant teen was riding with another person who confronted Zapata Aleman and Calero Jiron from a vehicle before leaving the 7-Eleven. The victims reported that, shortly thereafter, the two suspects followed them from the parking lot. Calero Jiron was allegedly driving the car when the shots rang out, striking the victim and her unborn child. Another vehicle was also struck by gunfire, but the driver was uninjured. DA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACCUSED IN NUNGARAY MURDER CASE When the victim, who was 22 weeks pregnant, told police she was carrying a child, she was taken to nearby Baylor Hospital where a cesarean section was performed. The baby did not survive. Police later located Calero Jiron's vehicle and say he led them on a pursuit, eventually crashing. Police said they found cocaine and MDMA in the car. Along with the murder charges, both suspects were charged with five counts of felony aggravated assault and one count of cocaine possession. Calero Jiron was also charged with one count of unlawfully carrying a weapon. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063826a200899a00eb5fb5 Score up to 59% off top-rated mattresses from Brooklyn Bedding, Nolah, Helix and more te 2026-05-14T21:01:26.348Z Score up to 59% off top-rated mattresses from Brooklyn Bedding, Nolah, Helix and more The right mattress can help improve sleep quality, whether you prefer plush foam or more hybrid support. Brands like Brooklyn Bedding, Saatva, Helix and Nectar have highly-recommended options for a range of sleep styles, and select models are already discounted ahead of Memorial Day. Take a look at some of the best deals we've found below. Original price: $1,465 Brooklyn Bedding's Aurora Cooling mattress is a smart choice for hot sleepers who want a cooler, more supportive night's sleep. Its hybrid design combines foam and coils to improve airflow, and shoppers can choose from multiple firmness levels. Use code MEMORIAL30 for 30% off. READ MORE: Memorial Day sales guide: When deals start and where to save the most Original price: $1,492 Side sleepers may prefer Helix's Midnight Luxe mattress for its medium-firm feel and pressure-relieving design. Its dense memory foam topper creates a sturdy base, while the mattress itself helps cushion the shoulders and hips without sacrificing overall stability. Use code MEMDAY25 for 25% off sitewide. Original price: $2,277 The Nolah Evolution mattress combines five foam layers with responsive coils for balanced support and comfort. Choose from three firmness options and add a breathable cover if you tend to sleep hot. Right now, you can save nearly $800 during the brand's Memorial Day sale. Original price: $2,316 Nectar's Premier memory foam mattress is a solid pick for back and combination sleepers who want medium-firm support without sacrificing comfort. The 13-inch mattress uses cooling materials to help regulate temperature and ships in a box with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty. Right now, shoppers can save $1,367 ahead of Memorial Day. Original price: $2,399 Hot sleepers may want to consider Leesa's Sapira Chill hybrid mattress, which has a breathable quilted topper designed to keep heat buildup to a minimum throughout the night. It's available in plush, medium-firm and firm options, making it easier to find the right fit for your sleep style. READ MORE: The best cooling pajamas for hot sleepers, starting at $14 Original price: $2,284 The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is best for active sleepers, combining cooling materials with a 14-inch hybrid design that balances cushioning and support. Its adaptive foam and zoned coils help relieve pressure without sacrificing stability. Use code MEMORIAL35 to save more than $750. Original price: $799 Upgrade your sleep with the CopperFlex mattress from Brooklyn Bedding. Copper-infused memory foam helps draw heat away while offering additional freshness benefits. It delivers a premium feel at a more accessible price, and you can take 30% off with code MEMORIAL30. READ MORE: Early Memorial Day mattress deals: Save up to 66% on Nectar, Helix and more Original price: $2,179 The Saatva Classic mattress is available in plush soft, luxury firm and firm options, offering a range of comfort levels. Its pillow-top design adds a softer feel, while the coil-and-foam construction provides consistent support over time. Right now, you can save $400 on your purchase. Original price: $1,865.33 Save over $400 on the Birch Natural mattress with code MEMDAY25. Made with breathable materials like organic cotton, it has a plush feel with a medium-firm level of support. The design helps relieve pressure and maintain alignment, while moisture-wicking properties keep you comfortable through the night. Original price: $1,099 The Plank Firm Luxe mattress is made for back and stomach sleepers who prefer a firmer feel. Its flippable design offers two firmness levels — firm on one side and extra firm on the other — so you can adjust the feel without replacing the mattress. Dense foam and breathable materials provide consistent support and airflow. Take 30% off with code MEMORIAL30, and it includes a 120-night trial.  Original price: $932 Built for added support with a touch of cushioning, the Titan Plus Luxe is designed for sleepers who prefer a sturdier feel. Its hybrid construction pairs contouring foam with a coil system to help relieve pressure and support alignment, while cooling fibers help manage heat. Use code MEMORIAL30 for 30% off sitewide through June 1. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $1,332 The Leesa Original mattress is a medium-firm, bed-in-a-box option ideal for balanced comfort. Its all-foam construction offers support and breathability while gently contouring to help relieve pressure points. It's a versatile pick that can work for a range of body types and sleep positions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063812a200899a00eb5fac Former Kansas mayor who pleaded guilty to illegal voting turns himself in to ICE te 2026-05-14T21:01:06.811Z Former Kansas mayor who pleaded guilty to illegal voting turns himself in to ICE The former mayor of a small Kansas town who pleaded guilty last month in connection with illegally voting in several elections turned himself in to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday. Jose Ceballos-Armendariz, a Mexican green card holder, appeared at the ICE office in Wichita, FOX4KC reported. He is being held in the ICE's detention facility in Chase County. "I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ceballos said outside the facility. "I don’t know where they’re going to take me and what I can and can’t do inside there." KANSAS MAYOR HIT WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY VOTING AS NONCITIZEN IN SEVERAL ELECTIONS Fox News Digital has reached out to Ceballos’ attorney for comment. Ceballos, who formerly served as mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, for two terms, pleaded guilty in April to three counts of disorderly election conduct following a prosecution by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s office. He was issued a green card in 1990 and applied for U.S. citizenship in February. Ceballos also has a prior conviction for battery from 1995. NICK SHIRLEY ALLEGES POTENTIAL VOTER FRAUD LOOPHOLE IN CALIFORNIA THAT COULD ENABLE ILLEGALS TO VOTE On his citizenship application, Ceballos allegedly falsely claimed that he had never previously claimed to be a U.S. citizen. He stated he thought his status as a green card holder with legal permanent residency gave him the right to vote in U.S. elections, FOXKC reported. Ceballos said he felt "misled" because he believed his situation would be resolved following his plea deal. "Obviously, we’ll go through the process," Ceballos said. "We’ll do what they want us to do and, you know, take one day at a time. Just do what they ask; that is my goal." In a statement to Fox News Digital, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis advocated for the SAVE America Act, the federal legislation designed to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. "The SAVE program is a critical tool for state and local governments to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country," she said. "President Trump has been unequivocal: Nothing is more fundamental than the integrity and security of our elections. That’s why the Trump Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act — commonsense legislation that requires voters to present photo ID and implements other critical measures to protect federal elections from fraud. Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens." Since April 2025, more than 24,000 cases have been identified by SAVE as potential non-U.S. citizens who were on voter rolls, DHS said. Those cases have been referred to ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation. Ceballos’ attorney, Jess Hoeme, told the news outlet that his client was brought to the United States from Mexico when he was 4 years old. He added that Ceballos was encouraged to register to vote at age 18 on the spot during a school field trip to the Comanche County courthouse. "I thought our system was smarter and better than this," Hoeme said. "I thought there was a degree of humanity and dignity included in the process. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore." Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0637e7a200899a00eb5f6f OpenAI says Codex is coming to your phone te 2026-05-14T21:00:23.778Z OpenAI says Codex is coming to your phone The update gives users enhanced flexibility over how they can manage their workflows. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0635baa200899a00eb5f17 Fetterman defends Erika Kirk's emotional response to WHCA Dinner shooting: 'What’s wrong with people?’ te 2026-05-14T20:51:06.067Z Fetterman defends Erika Kirk's emotional response to WHCA Dinner shooting: 'What’s wrong with people?’ Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said his "heart breaks" for Erika Kirk after she had to live through the White House Correspondents’ Dinner assassination attempt not even a year following her husband's murder. The Pennsylvania Democrat described their exchange as a "very personal human interaction" amid the chaos of the shooting as he recalled to Fox News Digital a conversation he had with the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. "How triggering that must have been for her," Fetterman said. "I expressed how sorry I am," he detailed of the moment. "She was frantic, understandably, after her husband was assassinated." DEMOCRAT JOHN FETTERMAN DECRIES 'DEHUMANIZING' ATTACK AGAINST CHARLIE KIRK'S WIDOW ERIKA Fetterman expressed his frustration over online attacks targeting Kirk following the shooting after a video went viral that showed her leaving the hotel in tears and pleading: "I just want to go home." "It blows," he said. "People attack a widow. I mean what’s wrong with people? That’s bonkers." Kirk's husband was assassinated in September during one of his famous college outreach events on the campus of Utah Valley University. Fetterman has often been lauded as the lone Democrat willing to go across party lines to vote with and side with Republicans on a handful of issues — this includes his support for Israel. FETTERMAN CALLS FOR US TO SUPPLY ANYTHING ISRAEL NEEDS FOR IRAN ATTACK: 'MILITARY, INTELLIGENCE, WEAPONRY' Beyond the emotional aftermath of the shooting, Fetterman also weighed in on escalating tensions with Iran, signaling his support for prioritizing U.S. foreign policy and defense to restrain nuclear threats. When asked about President Donald Trump’s proposed gas tax relief, Fetterman pivoted to emphasizing the need to continue applying pressure on Iran to disarm and abandon its nuclear ambitions. "I think it’s important to stand and demand Iran to surrender its nuclear material," he said. "I mean, my views haven’t changed." Fetterman has previously called out members in his party for criticizing Trump’s efforts to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, citing their opposition may give Iran hope Trump will succumb to political pressure to pull back. He was the only Democrat on Wednesday to vote against a Senate war powers resolution aiming to limit American involvement in the conflict with Iran — for the seventh time. He also suggested China should take a more assertive role in pressuring Iran and share in the economic consequences. "I think China should feel that pain," Fetterman said. "I think that’s entirely appropriate. Why can’t China demand that?" "Why not? Unless they want to create Iran as a nuclear power, and that would be incredibly dangerous for the whole world peace." IRAN FUNDING EMERGES AS KEY TEST FOR JOHNSON'S RAZOR-THIN HOUSE MAJORITY As tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program continue, China has been scrutinized by U.S. officials over its economic ties to Iran, including allegations that Chinese entities have helped Tehran evade sanctions and supported its military infrastructure. Fetterman also indicated his support for Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027 — the largest request ever made by an administration.  "I’m very open to this," he said. "The idea that we are the arsenal of the free world." "It’s really important to make sure that we have whatever’s necessary to defend democracy in the global stage." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06358ea200899a00eb5edb Lovable just backed a company that’s looking to bring vibe coding to hardware te 2026-05-14T20:50:22.863Z Lovable just backed a company that’s looking to bring vibe coding to hardware Hardware company Atech raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding, including from a16z’s scout fund, Sequoia Scout Fund, and Nordic Makers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063365a200899a00eb5ead Arizona nurse practitioner sentenced to prison for health care fraud te 2026-05-14T20:41:09.833Z Arizona nurse practitioner sentenced to prison for health care fraud Rita Anagho has already been ordered to pay $55 million in restitution in a separate federal case related to fraud. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06334da200899a00eb5e81 Rory McIlroy describes his opening round at the PGA Championship with a one-word expletive te 2026-05-14T20:40:45.666Z Rory McIlroy describes his opening round at the PGA Championship with a one-word expletive Coming off back-to-back Masters Tournament victories, Rory McIlroy appeared to have a lot of momentum heading into the second major of 2026, the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. That didn't play out on the course, however. McIlroy entered as the second-favorite to win the Wanamaker Trophy behind World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. But if McIlroy is going to compete to win the PGA Championship for the first time since 2014, he's going to need to start turning things around in a hurry. The World No. 2 shot a 4-over 74 in the opening round, a disappointing start for the Northern Irishman who has won two of the past five major championships. But it's worth noting that both wins came at Augusta National and McIlroy hasn't won a major not named the Masters since that 2014 PGA Championship victory at Valhalla Golf Club. When asked after the round to describe his performance, McIlroy gave a simple one-word answer: "S---." RORY MCILROY EVADES MEDIA AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AMID GOLF CLUB CONTROVERSY OK, then. Prior to the tournament, McIlroy dealt with a blister on his foot that caused him to stop one of his practice rounds after just three holes. It's unclear if that affected his performance, but it makes for a convenient excuse if nothing else. McIlroy had an interesting opening round on Thursday, starting with a bogey on No. 10 (he began his round on the back nine) before immediately bouncing back with a birdie. He stayed at even par through his first 12 holes after carding 10 consecutive pars. RORY MCILROY AMONG TOP GOLFERS STRUGGLING THROUGH TREACHEROUS OAKMONT ROUGH IN OPENING ROUND OF US OPEN For the second time in the round, McIlroy answered a bogey with a birdie on holes Nos. 4 and 5 to continue his even-par run through 14 holes. But that's when things went south. McIlroy made bogey on each of his final four holes, including on the par-5 9th hole, to finish at four-over. He sat outside the top 120 on the leaderboard after the completion of the morning wave, meaning he's going to have to play extremely well on Friday to make the cut. The top 70 players (and ties) make the cut after the second round. A missed cut would be incredibly surprising for McIlroy, since he's only missed one cut in his past 12 major appearances (2024 Open Championship) entering this week. However, his first round in the 2026 PGA Championship was eerily similar to his first round at the 2025 PGA Championship when McIlroy shot 3-over at Quail Hollow. He did make the cut, but slogged his way to a 47th-place finish and never really contended. Opening round struggles in majors have been a theme for McIlroy, even in his 2025 Masters' win to complete the career grand slam. He seemed to buck the trend by posting that sparkling 5-under in the first round at Augusta last month, but it came back on Thursday. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP McIlroy shot a 7-over first round at the 2024 Open Championship, even par at the 2025 Masters, 3-over at the 2025 PGA Championship, 4-over at the 2025 U.S. Open and 1-under at the 2025 Open. Not exactly blistering starts for one of the best golfers on the planet. He added to that list on Thursday and, once again, will have to dig himself out of a hole if he wants to compete for his first Wanamaker Trophy in 12 years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a063109a200899a00eb5e03 Demi Moore sparks ‘fascist propaganda’ backlash at Cannes after telling Hollywood to stop fighting AI te 2026-05-14T20:31:05.056Z Demi Moore sparks ‘fascist propaganda’ backlash at Cannes after telling Hollywood to stop fighting AI Demi Moore is under fire after declaring Hollywood’s war against artificial intelligence is already lost. The actress sparked immediate backlash online after urging the entertainment industry to stop "fighting" AI and instead learn to work alongside it. "Against-ness breeds against-ness. AI is here, and so to fight it is to, in a sense, to fight something that is a battle that we will lose. So to find ways in which we can work with it, I think, is a more valuable path," she said during an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, according to Deadline. "Are we doing enough to protect ourselves? I don’t know ... My inclination would be to say probably not." The remarks ignited outrage across social media, where critics accused the Hollywood veteran of effectively surrendering the future of film-making to Silicon Valley and corporate tech interests. GLENN CLOSE GRAPPLES WITH AI THREAT IN HOLLYWOOD: 'WHAT IS GOING TO BE TRUTH?' "Demi Moore having the gall to speak this fascist propaganda of about it being useless to fight against AI, next to Park Chan-wook is wild to me if you understand anything about his work, and after her being in a film about how wealthy white men use women in the film industry," one user wrote. Another critic blasted Moore and other AI defenders for treating the technology as unavoidable rather than beneficial. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Notice how they can never make an argument for why AI is good in itself, it's always that it's inevitable and we just have to accept that the future is slop," the commenter posted. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. WON'T LET AI RECREATE HIS LIKENESS IN HOLLYWOOD: 'I INTEND TO SUE' A third critic accused Moore of sounding more like a tech investor than an artist. "She sounds like an investor not an artist. Entirely out of touch with technology and art. 90s movie stars had it easy and became rich and retreated from caring about the sustainability of the business they helped f--- up." But Moore’s comments also drew support from users who argued the industry has no choice but to adapt. "AI is the future of film. Those who don’t adopt it will fall behind," one supporter wrote. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Another added, "You can all be kneejerk against AI and still none of you can deliver the logical pathway against it. You aren't magically changing the minds of millions of people using it by posting virtue signalling comments against it." "She’s correct. The genie isn’t going back in the lamp," another user posted. The actress continued to argue there are limits to what machines can replicate. "There’s beautiful aspects of being able to utilize it," Moore added, according to Deadline, "but the truth is, there really isn’t anything to fear, because what it can never replace is what true art comes from, which is not the physical. It comes from the soul." Moore also addressed the growing tension surrounding political speech in entertainment, warning against self-censorship as global debates over free expression intensify. "I would hope not," she said when asked whether political opinions could hurt films at Cannes. "I think part of art is about expression, so if we start censoring ourselves, then I think we shut down the very core of our creativity, which is, I think, where we can discover truth and answers." Fox News Digital has reached out to Moore for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0630dea200899a00eb5dc8 Cerebras IPO makes billions for Benchmark but VC Eric Vishria almost didn’t take the meeting te 2026-05-14T20:30:22.075Z Cerebras IPO makes billions for Benchmark but VC Eric Vishria almost didn’t take the meeting Benchmark almost never backs hardware startups. So Eric Vishria dragged his feet ten years ago before agreeing to hear Cerebras' pitch. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062eb3a200899a00eb5d9d Drug overdose deaths decline for third straight year te 2026-05-14T20:21:07.147Z Drug overdose deaths decline for third straight year Key Points: US drug overdose deaths fall nearly 14% in 2025 Majority of states see decline in overdose deaths, but not Arizona Psychostimulants, including meth, caused about 26,000 deaths last year Just under 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2025, a nearly 14% decline over the prior 12-month period and the third consecutive year in which drug deaths declined. New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show drug overdose deaths fell in the vast majority of the nation. The number of overdose victims fell by nearly 30% in New York, by 35% in Rhode Island, and by more than 20% in Oregon, Wyoming, Alabama, North Carolina, Vermont and Florida. The number of overdose deaths rose in seven states, primarily in the Plains and the Southwest. Deaths rose by 21% in New Mexico, and by 18% in Arizona, the two states that showed the highest growth. Opioids continue to kill more Americans than any other class of drug. But after peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans who succumb to opioid overdoses has fallen by nearly half. In 2023, nearly 85,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses, and another 77,000 died from synthetic opioids. Over the last year, opioid overdoses killed an estimated 44,500 Americans, while synthetics killed an estimated 38,000. CDC data counts each drug found in an overdose victim’s system separately; someone who has ingested multiple drugs would be included in several classes. The CDC data shows psychostimulants, including amphetamines, methamphetamine and club drugs like MDMA, were responsible for about 26,000 deaths last year. Cocaine was present in the systems of about 20,000 overdose victims. The post Drug overdose deaths decline for third straight year first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062e9ca200899a00eb5d78 Federal employees accuse USDA secretary of 'Christian proselytizing' in holiday emails to staff te 2026-05-14T20:20:44.616Z Federal employees accuse USDA secretary of 'Christian proselytizing' in holiday emails to staff Federal employees are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins, accusing the Trump official of "Christian proselytizing" after she sent department emails on Christmas and Easter with religious messages. The complaint, brought by the National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees, accuses Rollins of "sending increasingly proselytizing communications to the entire USDA workforce, promoting her own preferred brand of Christian beliefs and theology to the captive audience of employees that report to her," since becoming head of the government agency in February 2025. In the complaint, the plaintiffs say Rollins sent emails to all USDA employees on national and religious holidays, most overtly on Easter, with Christian language. The Easter message sent by Rollins reportedly said, in part, "Happy Easter – He is Risen indeed! Today we celebrate the greatest story ever told, the foundation of our faith, and the abiding hope of all mankind." A drawing of an empty tomb with the words "Christ is Risen" was in the same email, according to the complaint. TRUMP ADMIN ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION ACROSS FEDERAL WORKFORCE This email was part of a broader pattern of religious messages sent on other holidays, the complaint alleges, starting with an email on July 4 that included the line, "May God continue to protect the United States of America and may His favor shine over all her land." Rollins also sent a video message before Christmas that referred to Jesus as "our Savior," according to the complaint. The plaintiffs, who include employees of various faith backgrounds as well as nonreligious employees, say the emails amount to "coercion, religious sermonizing and denominational preference" that leaves them feeling "excluded and unwelcome" in the workplace. FOOD-STAMP FRAUD NUMBERS EXPOSE WHICH STATES ARE DRAINING THE MOST TAXPAYER DOLLARS "Notwithstanding that fear of retaliation, Plaintiffs from across the agency together bring this action to vindicate their constitutional right to be free from the government imposition of religion and to stop the Secretary from further pressuring and intimidating them — and other USDA employees who may be afraid to come forward," the complaint reads. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The plaintiffs argue the emails constitute an ongoing practice and policy that violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act. They are asking the court to declare these "proselytizing religious communications" unlawful and stop Rollins or other USDA officials from sending similar messages. The complaint was filed May 13 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Democracy Forward and Bryan Schwartz Law, P.C., are representing the union and USDA employees in the complaint, which names Rollins and the USDA as defendants. When reached for comment, a USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process."  Secretary Rollins also responded to the lawsuit by sharing on X, "It’s just another opportunity to remind everyone: He is Risen." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062c45a200899a00eb5cf7 Rubio warns America must 'stay ahead of the curve' as China works to surpass the US with stolen tech te 2026-05-14T20:10:45.580Z Rubio warns America must 'stay ahead of the curve' as China works to surpass the US with stolen tech Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that the United States must "stay ahead of the curve" on innovation to counter China’s widespread intellectual property theft, arguing that Beijing has leveraged stolen American technology to fuel its progress. "A lot of the advancements you've seen in the commercial sector and the industrial sector, the technological sector in China, is a product of intellectual property theft and/or reverse engineering, which is the same thing, of our own technology," Rubio said. "That has to be addressed." In an exclusive interview on "Hannity," Rubio described intellectual property theft as an "enormous issue" that the Trump administration plans to confront in Thursday's high-stakes talks with China. AMERICA HAS TO RESPOND WITH A UNITED FRONT TO CHINA’S MASSIVE ECONOMIC WARFARE "We're not trying to constrain China, but their rise cannot come at our expense. Their rise cannot come at our fall," Rubio said. He insisted that his warning only scratches the surface and stressed that enforcement alone won’t be enough, arguing that America’s long-term advantage depends on outpacing China in innovation. WHITE HOUSE: US WILL LEAD IN AI, BUT CHINA IS CATCHING UP "One thing is, if you're stealing or taking the stuff that was cutting edge five years ago, but the things that are going to be cutting edge years from now, we've got to continue to invest and push our companies to continue to stay ahead of that pace of theft and continue to lead the world in innovation." Rubio's remarks came ahead of meetings in China where President Donald Trump, several key members of his administration and multiple U.S. business leaders were slated to participate in a summit to discuss trade, artificial intelligence and more. The secretary of state offered his thoughts ahead of the summit. "They [China] believe they will be the world’s most powerful country, they'll surpass the United States, and they have a plan to do it. And they're executing on that plan," he said. "We, on the other hand, don't view it that way." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a74a200899a00eb5c90 Havasu police investigating Meadview deputy-involved shooting te 2026-05-14T20:03:00.245Z Havasu police investigating Meadview deputy-involved shooting The Lake Havasu City Police Department is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Meadview that left a 68-year-old man wounded and facing multiple felony charges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a5da200899a00eb5c6d Stranded driver narrowly avoids being hit on track in scary incident in qualifying for 24-hour race in Germany te 2026-05-14T20:02:37.536Z Stranded driver narrowly avoids being hit on track in scary incident in qualifying for 24-hour race in Germany The Nürburgring 24 Hours is this weekend, and it's getting a lot of attention because this year, Formula 1 star Max Verstappen is in the field. However, during qualifying on Thursday, there was a terrifyingly close call in which a driver who had to hop out of a car that was on fire was nearly hit by another driver. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE During the session, German driver Alexander Hardt had to bail out of his car after it caught on fire. He stood in a gravel trap, trying to wave to other drivers that his Porsche 911 was sitting on the notoriously treacherous circuit. However, driver Janina Schall did not see this in time and clobbered the stricken 911 with a Porsche of her own. Worse yet, she came shockingly close to also hitting Hardt. That's a brutal situation. Obviously, it's not safe to get out of your car with cars on track, but that's assuming it's not on fire. In this case, it was, so Hardt needed to get out of that thing in a hurry, and fortunately, he was able to. The other problem is that, unlike a lot of circuits we're used to as North American racing fans that are short enough to have spotters, the Nürburgring is just under 16 miles long. There may have been no way for Schall to know that Hardt's car was sitting where it was, or that he was standing near it. Still, you can be sure that this incident will be looked at so that it doesn't happen again. And, as I mentioned, the Nürburgring is notorious. The "Green Hell" was the site of F1 legend Niki Lauda's near-fatal crash in 1976. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Just last month, 66-year-old Juha Miettinen was killed in a crash during a qualifying race for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Still, the track is one of the most highly regarded in motorsports, and that's why it draws the likes of Max Verstappen. The race will take place this weekend, and largely thanks to four-time F1 champ Verstappen's involvement, it has sold out for the first time, according to ESPN. Verstappen will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, which he will share with teammates Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a49a200899a00eb5c5b Former CIA agent John Kiriakou reveals how sex plays a major role in espionage and spying te 2026-05-14T20:02:17.917Z Former CIA agent John Kiriakou reveals how sex plays a major role in espionage and spying Intelligence agencies around the globe aren't afraid to use sex to get vital information. The shadowy world of espionage is one of the most fascinating topics when it comes to black ops, geopolitics and things that happen the world is not supposed to know about. It can be a very dark and nasty world to operate in. Trust runs low, and you never know who could be working what angle. One of the biggest plays some intelligence sources use? Sex. SEAL TEAM 6 MEMBER REVEALS EPIC DETAILS OF OSAMA BIN LADEN RAID Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has become one of the most famous former intelligence agents in the country. He's blown up in the media over the past year, and he's never afraid to discuss taboo intelligence topics. That includes how spies around the world throughout history have used sex to get what they want. "The CIA since its inception has been involved in sexual operations, sexual espionage. Certainly, sex was a well-documented component of MK Ultra, which lasted from about 1952 to 1975. People are going to jump on my head for saying it ended in 1975. It ended in 1975. Certainly, there are other operations that could be considered successors to MK Ultra, but MK Ultra ended in '75. You talked about Operation Midnight Climax. That's one of the more famous ones. It's one of those operations that we talk about today in 2026, and you just have to shake your head and ask semi-rhetorically, what in the world were they thinking? But yeah, I mean, sex was used routinely well into the late 70s, the early 80s," Kiriakou explained during a recent interview with Jay Dyer. He further explained that the Russians and Israelis are famous for using "honeypots" in espionage activities. Honeypots are intelligence agents who use sex as a tool to gain information on their targets. The former CIA officer revealed the United States used to do the same, but ended the practice around the time President Ronald Reagan took office because it wasn't viewed as efficient. FOREIGN BLACK OPS MEMBER REVEALS THE SECRET AMERICAN UNIT HE LOVED WORKING WITH IN COMBAT Kiriakou further explained, "If you really want somebody to be a source for you and to commit espionage for you over the course of, you know, years, that relationship has to be built on a foundation of trust, not one of coercion. And so, you know, if you go up to somebody and say, 'Listen, we set you up with a prostitute the other night and you didn't know, but we had the room wired for video and audio and we have these pictures of you and videos and we're going to release them to your wife or we're going to release them to your government unless you work for us.' That's not how you build trust. That's not how you build a long-term relationship." You can listen to Kiriakou's full explanation in the video below starting around 3:30, and make sure to let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Kiriakou is far from the only intelligence operative who has discussed sex as an espionage tool. Former Russian honeypot spy Aliia Roza spoke at length with Shawn Ryan about the same topic. "As a former honeytrap agent, I can tell you that men are the most vulnerable during intercourse, and if you are a quite experienced agent, you can ask certain questions during or after the intercourse...So, when a man is in bliss and when he's, sort of, like in unconscious like condition and when doesn't really understand everything clearly and if an agent asks questions, the answer should be yes or no…Mostly likely he will tell you," Roza explained during an appearance on "The Shawn Ryan Show." It's worth noting that individuals who work in sensitive areas or could be targets of such operations often receive extensive training on how to identify and stop any such attempts. The general rule of thumb is simple. Would this person talk to you in your hometown bar? If the answer is no, then you're probably be worked. What do you think of Kiriakou's comments? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a35a200899a00eb5c52 Students at top party college on edge after rape, strangulation reported in campus housing te 2026-05-14T20:01:57.972Z Students at top party college on edge after rape, strangulation reported in campus housing Students at the University of California in Santa Barbara, ranked as the top party school in the country, are on edge after a rape and strangulation was reported on campus over the weekend.  At 10 p.m. Saturday, police sent out a university-wide alert to notify students, faculty and staff about the incident.  The UCSB Police Department’s daily log indicates that the rape and strangulation report happened on campus housing. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The student-run newspaper, The Daily Nexus, reported the suspect and victim had just met at a party in the Isla Vista neighborhood near the school, and did not know each other prior to the reported assault. UCSB Police have not yet released any suspect information or further detail into the incident. FRAT HOUSE TURNS INTO CRIME SCENE AFTER MEMBER ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTS WOMAN, POLICE SAY UC Santa Barbara has been ranked as the top party school in the U.S. for the last two years, according to Niche Best Colleges. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Over the last few years, the school has also seen an increase in crimes like sexual assault, weapons arrests and burglaries, among others on campus. Recent data show the school saw more than 100 reported rape cases from the years 2022 to 2024. Each year, campus police release their Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which provides safety incident data from the prior year. In this instance, the most recent report covers data only through 2024, since the report came out this past October. Fox News Digital has reached out to UCSB for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a22a200899a00eb5c40 Another one: Georgia DB Ja'Marley Riddle arrested on speeding, felony marijuana possession charges te 2026-05-14T20:01:38.172Z Another one: Georgia DB Ja'Marley Riddle arrested on speeding, felony marijuana possession charges The tradition of Georgia football players not obeying traffic laws is alive and well in 2026 thanks to safety Ja'Marley Riddle, who was arrested last week on speeding and felony possession charges. The ongoing issues for Kirby Smart and his players have only increased since a tragic accident claimed the life of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy following the 2022 national championship season. Since then, there have been a plethora of speeding incidents involving Georgia football players that Smart has done his best to curtail. But his best hasn’t stopped players from breaking the law. Exclusive: Clark Lea says college football will have to sacrifice tradition in exchange for CFP expansion According to a police report first obtained by WGIG 98.7 FM, Riddle — a transfer from East Carolina — was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-95 on May 8 when one officer driving an unmarked vehicle alerted another officer down the road that the Georgia DB needed to be stopped. Driving a Dodge Durango, Riddle was allegedly observed "weaving in and out of traffic" at a speed officers suspected to be 95 mph. After approaching the vehicle, an officer noticed the smell of marijuana inside the vehicle and described Riddle as acting "extremely nervous" during the ongoing traffic stop. According to the report, after telling the officer that he did not posses any controlled substances, he gave them permission to search his vehicle. "While I was re-searching the front driver's side, Officer R. Dinkins pulled a large heat-sealed bag from one of the backpacks in the back seat. Inside the backpack was a large amount of multicolored packaging, some with a leafy substance stating marijuana, and some containing vapes stating THC," the report stated. The arrest report states that Riddle was charged with "purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana." His bail was set at $4,258 for that charge. The other felony charge was a Schedule I or II controlled substance, with his bail listed at $12,058. Georgia Bulldogs Add To Arrest Total With Two More Players His misdemeanor charge of speeding had bail set at $210, which he posted in conjunction with the other felonies. Essentially, Georgia has this type of response now saved in their drafts, given the amount of arrests of players that have occurred over the past number of years. The school — which by now likely has this type of response saved as a template — released the following statement. "We are aware of the charges and are actively gathering additional information. As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not be providing further comment at this time." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062a0ea200899a00eb5c37 Rep Jayapal defends outreach after Cuba trip drew conspiracy allegations, death threats te 2026-05-14T20:01:18.719Z Rep Jayapal defends outreach after Cuba trip drew conspiracy allegations, death threats Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said she has received death threats for "doing my job" and meeting with foreign ambassadors about Cuba’s fuel shortages and U.S. sanctions. Following her trip to Cuba as part of a congressional delegation in April, conservatives are now labeling the progressive lawmaker a "traitor" who is "conspiring against the U.S." because she met with political leaders to discuss the "crisis" on the island. "I've gotten death threats as a result of this," Jayapal told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "People are calling for me to be shot, and it's just a fabrication. It is what's wrong with so much of the work that we do." SPATE OF HEALTH SCARES AND VIOLENT THREATS HIGHLIGHT GROWING VULNERABILITIES FOR LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL Following her controversial visit to Cuba with Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., Jayapal spoke at a Seattle briefing, where her comments went viral on X. She admitted to meeting with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, senior government officials, political dissidents, civil society groups and foreign diplomats to discuss the island’s "crisis beyond imagination." Jayapal justified the meetings as part of her job as a member of Congress. "It's ridiculous," she said. "First of all, I had a meeting with the ambassadors of a couple of countries to hear how U.S. policy toward Cuba was affecting those countries. We meet with ambassadors all the time. That is part of our job, to assess what's going on on the ground." She said U.S. sanctions have not been effective. Instead, she called for direct negotiations with Cuba. "I've been very clear that the way to engage with Cuba is through a true diplomatic negotiation and that none of the embargo, that's been the longest-standing embargo for over 60 years, or the fuel blockade is helping us to achieve any of that," she said. Jayapal said she is working to address the impacts of U.S. fuel restrictions, which she has slammed as "cruel collective punishment" to the citizens of the island. "I’m working on legislation to address negative impacts of U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba," she said. "I’m a member of Congress. I have every right to go travel and to meet with other ambassadors." DEM REPRESENTATIVE ADMITS TO WORKING WITH MEXICO TO SNEAK OIL INTO CUBA, DESPITE BLOCKADE Her actions have raised questions about the Logan Act, a rarely used federal law that bars unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments in disputes involving the U.S. The White House weighed in, blasting Jayapal’s trip as "shameful" and accused her of "suffering from [Trump Derangement Syndrome]" in a statement to Fox News Digital last week. "The Democrats continue to show Americans who they really are, the America Last party who sip margaritas with terrorists, advocate for illegal alien criminals, and undermine the United States to aid a failed communist regime," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said. Cuba’s ties to adversarial countries and actors, including Iran and Hezbollah, remain a national security concern, according to the Trump administration. The island’s economic crisis has fueled a surge in migration to the U.S. in recent years. Jayapal told Fox News Digital that most Americans would not approve of civilians' living conditions in Cuba if they knew how bad it is.  "The humanitarian crisis on the ground, with babies in the NICU being unable to get care for their incubators to work," she said. "The lack of food on the island, so many other things, is a travesty, and I actually don't think that most Americans would want that." RUBIO SAYS CUBA NEEDS ‘NEW PEOPLE IN CHARGE’ AS BLACKOUTS, UNREST GRIP ISLAND Jayapal has also called for lifting the U.S. embargo, removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list and supporting legislation to block potential U.S. military action. She has previously criticized the Cuban government, which has faced scrutiny for political repression and limits on free speech. Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price and Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0629e3a200899a00eb5bfd What happens when AI starts building itself? te 2026-05-14T20:00:35.710Z What happens when AI starts building itself? Richard Socher's new $650 million startup wants to build an AI that can research and improve itself indefinitely — and he insists it will actually ship products. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0627bca200899a00eb5bac Jennifer Lopez's dress holds on for dear life at her Netflix event, Trump powers through some wine & Kay Adams te 2026-05-14T19:51:24.932Z Jennifer Lopez's dress holds on for dear life at her Netflix event, Trump powers through some wine & Kay Adams Over the hump and safely into the back half of the week. Whew. We made it. Now, we're just gutting it out for 24(ish) more hours, and we're off to the (weekend) races. And hey! We've even got a full day of NFL schedule leaks to bide the time! My favorite tradition every season is happening right now. Right this very second, actually. It's when the NFL teases its grand 2026 schedule reveal at 7 p.m. tonight on ESPN, only for the entire thing to be leaked throughout the day by beat writers. So, naturally, by the time we actually get to the telecast, it's moot because we already know the whole thing. The best. Happens every year, like clockwork. I used to love this date on the calendar, but my Dolphins are going to most likely be horrific this season, so I'm not expecting much. I do love a good 1 p.m. kickoff, though, and they will undoubtedly be getting plenty of those, so not all is lost. PAIGE SPIRANAC AND HER MOM STUN THE INTERNET, LANE KIFFIN'S INCREDIBLE SHOT AT OLE MISS & THE NFL DID IT AGAIN Anyway, welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Jennifer Lopez lets it rip during a Netflix event promoting her new rom-com coming out in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! What else? I've got Eric Church delivering just an all-time college address, Charles Barkley yelling at America for being anti-gay, and Bryson DeChambeau had himself a MORNING at Aronimink. What's happened to this guy? Goodness. OK, grab you a glass of wine with the president, and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap! It's always wild to me when I remember that Trump doesn't drink. It's one of those random factoids you easily forget, but then you're always equally stunned when you remember. I couldn't imagine doing his job and not drinking. Goodness, does that sound horrible. Dealing with #THEMOB every single day, and not going home at night and pouring a nightcap (hey!) sounds almost impossible to me. You can tell he's never indulged, either, just by watching that clip. Look at his face after he takes the sip. Pure disgust. He nearly spits it back out. It took every single ounce of power for him to keep it down. Watch it again, slowly. I've been there. I've felt that. Your body wants nothing to do with what you just gave it, but you have to keep it down. It's a battle, and it's not one you always win. But Trump won this one, and it took guts. The China trip is off to a good start! No idea what he's doing there, but I'm putting this one in the win column. OK, let's get this class started by checking in with Jennifer Lopez as she promotes her new Netflix movie that none of you will watch, "Office Romance." Looks like J-Lo still has it at 56, not that there was ever really a doubt. Obviously, her co-star you're looking at there is Brett Goldstein, who played Roy Kent in "Ted Lasso." For some really in-the-weeds fans out there, he also played an important role on "Shrinking," which is the best show on TV at the moment. Anyway, these two have a new Netflix rom-com coming out with a totally original plot: Jackie, President and CEO of Air Cruz, runs a tight ship in her business, including a rigid anti-fraternization policy for all her employees. When a new sexy lawyer begins working for her, that policy becomes very tested. Can't wait! OK, let's cut the cord and head on over to Chapel Hill, where Eric Church delivered the best commencement speech I've ever seen last weekend. I don't usually get sappy and serious around here — this might be the first time — but this is worth a few minutes later on when the kids are finally in bed and you're scrolling during King of Queens reruns: Whoaaaaaaaa Nellie! What a speech. It's not often I stop and watch something for 18 minutes anymore. Does anyone? But I watched the whole damn thing this morning. And then I watched it again. You don't get college speeches like this much anymore. This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus. Those places can be cesspools. I don't need to explain why, because you all already know. It's probably why these 10(ish) minutes from Eric Church are so refreshing. Church talked about faith, which, again, is a slippery slope in 2026 — especially on a college campus. The libs must've been FUMING watching this. Faith? Family? Morals? I'm sure they'll all hit on these topics at the next DNC this summer! OK, let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big Thursday night. First up? Let's tee it up! What a start to the tourney! Bryson is all over the map. We've got guys missing tee times. Guys hooking drives into the next county. Jason Day doing Jason Day things. What a sport. It's almost as good as baseball! After last night, though, I think MLB still comes out on top ... barely: Goodness gracious. Just incredible. I've never seen that happen to a first baseman. Hell, I've never seen it happen to a fielder, period. Only the Mets. Baseball season is starting to heat up, boys and girls. Dog days of summer are just around the corner. Strap in. We're in for a big one. Until, of course, the NFL returns. Remember a few minutes ago when I told you about all the leaks today? Well ... We've already got all of Week 1, all of Thanksgiving week, and all of Christmas. And the "release show" isn't for another six hours at the time of this writing. Again, a tradition unlike any other. PS: Why does the NFL feel like we need to see a Super Bowl rematch again? That was one of the worst Super Bowls in recent memory! Why do we need it AGAIN to start the new season? I don't get it. OK, that's it for today. Good Thursday class, everyone. Here's Kay Adams gearing up for the schedule release to take us into a big night. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). Did Eric Church nail it? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062793a200899a00eb5b84 A Top U.S. Commander Dismisses Reports of Civilian Deaths in Iran te 2026-05-14T19:50:43.069Z A Top U.S. Commander Dismisses Reports of Civilian Deaths in Iran Adm. Brad Cooper’s testimony suggested that he believed that the U.S. military had been near perfect in avoiding civilian casualties. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06277fa200899a00eb5b7b Justice Dept. Accuses Yale Medical School of Discriminating Against White and Asian Applicants te 2026-05-14T19:50:23.434Z Justice Dept. Accuses Yale Medical School of Discriminating Against White and Asian Applicants The finding was the second time in eight days that the Trump administration had targeted a major medical school over admissions policies. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062593a200899a00eb5b39 Gardening Etcetera: Launch the garden season at Master Gardeners’ Annual Plant Sale te 2026-05-14T19:42:11.295Z Gardening Etcetera: Launch the garden season at Master Gardeners’ Annual Plant Sale This week's edition of the Gardening Etcetera column, written for the community by certified Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona's Coconino County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06257fa200899a00eb5b30 Arizona Lottery announces $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Flagstaff te 2026-05-14T19:41:51.611Z Arizona Lottery announces $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Flagstaff The winning ticket was sold at the Circle K at 1950 South Milton Road in Flagstaff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062568a200899a00eb5b08 FS1's Nick Wright weighs in on GOAT debate: 'Kobe was never the best player in the world' te 2026-05-14T19:41:28.798Z FS1's Nick Wright weighs in on GOAT debate: 'Kobe was never the best player in the world' As Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' NBA future hangs in the balance, the "greatest of all time" debate has continued to rage on across all parts of the internet and beyond. Some are questioning whether LeBron really is the GOAT, while others (such as myself and a few Basketball Hall of Famers) seem to think the crown has already been transferred to San Antonio Spurs freakshow Victor Wembanyama. One man who is often at the center of these debates is none other than FS1's Nick Wright. Wright has been a champion of LeBron's accomplishments for quite some time, declaring James the GOAT over Michael Jordan nearly a decade earlier, after the former's improbable Finals win over the Golden State Warriors. While the argument has usually been a two-horse race between LeBron and MJ, some fans have opined that former Lakers legend Kobe Bryant deserves a seat at the table, a premise that Wright roundly rejected in a clip from his show, "What's Wright? with Nick Wright." "From '99-2002, Shaquille O'Neal was the best player in the world. From 2003-2007, Tim Duncan... he was the best player," Wright claims. He goes on to say that LeBron James became the best player the minute he dropped 48 points in his double overtime win against Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2007, and stayed there until 2018, when Giannis Antetokounmpo rounded into form. ESPN'S STEPHEN A SMITH LEVELS UP LEBRON JAMES FEUD; PUNDIT TALKS KOBE BRYANT, DWYANE WADE HOF CEREMONY The shocker was who he left off that list of players. "Kobe's the eighth greatest player and he was never the best player in the world." Listen, I like Nick Wright and I think he has had a ton of good takes in the past, but I have to push back a little on this narrative I see LeBron fans go with when discussing his GOAT status. LEBRON JAMES' LAKERS TEAMMATES WEIGH IN ON GOAT DEBATE No, Kobe isn't the GOAT, and I don't think anyone outside of the most hardcore Lakers fans would even make that claim. He is, essentially, a watered-down version of Michael Jordan. I don't want that to sound like a pejorative, and he's still one of the best players of all time, but everything he was great at, MJ did before him and better. With all that being said, this idea that Kobe Bryant was NEVER the best basketball player in the league is dumb. Even before Shaq was sent packing from Tinseltown, there was an argument that Kobe was starting to become the dominant alpha on the team. That became even more evident when the Lakers' front office chose Kobe over Shaq in the duo's now infamous split. Saying that Tim Duncan was the best player in the world from 2003-2007 is insanely clouded by hindsight bias. Duncan is a legend and probably the best forward of his era (though an argument could easily be made for Kevin Garnett), but Kobe was the guy in the NBA for nearly a decade. No one was saying Tim Duncan was the best player in the NBA during that time frame, and although he had plenty of accomplishments to his name, including the three championships and two MVPs that Wright mentioned, he didn't even come close to Kobe's impact, star power or individual talents. MICHAEL JORDAN'S AGENT ACCUSES LEBRON JAMES OF CHERRY-PICKING TEAMS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS A lot of what Duncan accomplished can be tied to team success. While the Spurs had a great supporting cast around Duncan, Kobe was left with scraps after Shaq was dealt to Miami. And if LeBron became the GOAT in 2007 after his 48-point performance against the Pistons (a year in which the Spurs won the title again), why wasn't Kobe considered the best player in the league after winning back-to-back scoring titles in 2005 and 2006 and winning MVP in 2008? Kobe had 81 points in a game against Toronto, surely that qualifies him for "best in the world" consideration, right? Is it the personal accolades of LeBron in his early years in Cleveland or the team championship success of Duncan in the mid-2000s? Because Kobe Bryant had both during the decade. LEBRON JAMES REVEALS TRUE FEELINGS ON RING CULTURE IN NBA, HOW IT AFFECTS ALL-TIME RANKINGS I'm not picking on Wright either, because as I alluded to before, he's not the first person that has made this argument. This weird erasure of Kobe Bryant's time as the best basketball player on the planet is kind of odd. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Even if you go back and watch broadcasts of Kobe during the playoffs in the mid-to-late 2000s, you'll hear announcers talk about how Kobe is "the best in the game right now." Players from that era almost unanimously agree, too. Is Kobe a threat to LeBron or Jordan as the greatest basketball player who ever lived? No, I don't think so. But saying he wasn't, at one point, the best player in the NBA just feels like revisionist history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062362a200899a00eb5a8b FBI offers $200K reward for former Air Force intelligence agent accused of spying for Iran te 2026-05-14T19:32:50.653Z FBI offers $200K reward for former Air Force intelligence agent accused of spying for Iran The FBI announced Thursday it is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent who was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on charges of espionage, including transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government. Witt, a former active-duty U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, served in the military between 1997 and 2008, before working as a U.S. government contractor until 2010, according to a news release from the FBI Washington Field Office. The 47-year-old's military service and contracting employment provided her access to secret and top secret information relating to foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, including the true names of U.S. Intelligence Community undercover personnel. Officials allege that in 2013, Witt defected to Iran and provided information to the country's government, placing sensitive and classified U.S. national defense information and programs at risk, according to the indictment. FORMER FAA CONTRACTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO SPYING FOR IRAN, SHARING PRIVATE INFO ON US AIRPORTS, ENERGY INDUSTRY She allegedly intentionally provided information endangering U.S. personnel and their families stationed abroad, and conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to allow them to target her former colleagues in the U.S. government. The FBI said Witt’s defection to Iran has benefitted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has elements responsible for intelligence collection, unconventional warfare and providing direct support to multiple terrorist organizations targeting U.S. citizens and interests. WOMAN ADDED TO FBI'S TEN MOST WANTED LIST ARRESTED HOURS LATER AFTER TIPS POURED IN FROM FLORIDA: PATEL While Witt has been indicted for her alleged crimes, she remains at large. She is known to speak Farsi and reside in Iran, and may be using aliases, including Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt. The FBI said it is continuing to actively work to find Witt and bring her to justice. "Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities," said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. "The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts," Wierzbicki continued. "The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice." Anyone with information about Witt is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be shared with local FBI offices, the nearest American embassy or consulate, or submitted via tips.fbi.gov. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06234fa200899a00eb5a82 Behind summit smiles, Xi gives blunt warning to Trump of 'clashes' and 'conflicts' te 2026-05-14T19:32:31.083Z Behind summit smiles, Xi gives blunt warning to Trump of 'clashes' and 'conflicts' Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump that Taiwan could trigger "clashes and even conflicts" between the world’s two superpowers, injecting a note of potential confrontation into an otherwise upbeat summit in Beijing. "President Xi stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said following the meeting. The White House, however, downplayed the exchange, with a senior administration official telling Fox News Digital that "both sides reiterated their long-stated stance on the issue and everyone understands each other’s position." Trump struck a notably warm tone in his public remarks, predicting a "fantastic future together" and praising Xi as "a great leader" as the two leaders opened talks focused heavily on trade, investment and economic cooperation. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH "In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had," Trump said. "We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., blasted Trump following the meeting, accusing him of failing to respond forcefully to Xi’s warning. "Just hours in, and Xi Jinping has already threatened to, quote, collide or even clash, unquote, with the United States if we continue our support for Taiwan. Trump apparently didn't say anything in response. He was just mute," Schumer said. "For the sake of democracy and the stability of the global economy. Trump must not sell out Taiwan. Trump must also safeguard the interests of American workers, families and businesses." RUBIO SAYS COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN WON'T CHANGE AMID TRADE TALKS WITH CHINA The exchange underscores how Taiwan — long the most sensitive and potentially explosive issue in U.S.-China relations — is re-emerging as a central fault line, even as both sides seek to project stability and focus publicly on trade and economic cooperation. Analysts had warned ahead of the summit that the best-case scenario for Taiwan would be for the issue to stay off the agenda entirely, amid concerns Beijing could try to extract concessions or shape U.S. policy language behind closed doors. Trump himself had suggested before the summit that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could come up during discussions with Xi. He told reporters earlier this week, "I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi." TRUMP ADMIN ANNOUNCES $11B TAIWAN ARMS SALES DEAL That prospect alarmed some national security analysts, who warned against allowing Taiwan to become part of a broader U.S.-China negotiation over trade or other strategic issues. "Taiwan needs to stay off the menu," retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said during a media briefing ahead of the summit. "If they’re on the menu and it’s about foreign military sales, it’s bad. If it’s on the menu and it’s about some kind of reimagining our statements, that would be worse." Experts say even subtle shifts in wording could carry significant consequences. A change from the longstanding U.S. position that it "does not support" Taiwan independence to language stating it "opposes" it, for example, could be seized on by Beijing to bolster its claims over the self-governing island. For decades, U.S. policy has walked a careful line — formally recognizing Beijing as the government of China under the "One China" policy, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan and providing it with defensive weapons under the Taiwan Relations Act. Washington has also deliberately kept its military response ambiguous, a strategy known as "strategic ambiguity," aimed at deterring both a Chinese invasion and a unilateral declaration of independence by Taiwan. After the summit, however, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to minimize the Taiwan portion of the talks, saying U.S. arms sales to Taiwan "did not feature prominently" in the discussions and insisting longstanding U.S. policy remained unchanged. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling Taiwan "an inalienable part of China's territory" and warning that China would "never promise to renounce the use of force" against "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. "The DPP authorities’ obstinate pursuit of their separatist agenda is the root cause undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Liu said. Despite the tensions surrounding Taiwan, the public tone of the summit remained cordial, with both leaders emphasizing cooperation and economic ties. Xi told Trump that "China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," adding that the two countries "should be partners, not rivals." Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by a delegation of top American executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, underscoring the administration’s focus on trade and investment even as geopolitical tensions simmer beneath the surface. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06233ba200899a00eb5a79 Restaurant associations urge Congress to act as NFL Sunday Ticket streaming switch threatens bar revenues te 2026-05-14T19:32:11.517Z Restaurant associations urge Congress to act as NFL Sunday Ticket streaming switch threatens bar revenues FIRST ON FOX – Small business owners are sounding the alarm about changes to NFL Sunday Ticket that will force bars and restaurants to deal with technical and financial concerns as they pivot from satellite to streaming.  The Iowa Restaurant Association and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, which each represent thousands of independent restaurant and bar owners, sent worried letters to high-powered GOP lawmakers in their states urging them to act on "a significant shift in the commercial distribution of NFL Sunday Ticket that threatens to impose immediate and substantial burdens on small businesses" across their states.  The panic comes after streaming service EverPass Media announced it would become the exclusive commercial option for NFL Sunday Ticket starting with the 2026 season. The Iowa letter was sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, while the Wisconsin edition went to Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust. BROADCASTERS URGE CONGRESS TO REEXAMINE SPORTS BROADCASTING ACT AS GAMES SHIFT TO STREAMING PAYWALLS "NFL Sunday Ticket, the out-of-market package that allows fans to watch games unavailable on local broadcast, has long been a cornerstone of the Sunday business model for bars and restaurants. For many establishments, Sunday afternoons during football season represent their highest-traffic and highest-revenue period of the week. Customers gather specifically to watch their teams, generating critical revenue that supports jobs, employee income, and already narrow operating margins," Iowa Restaurant Association CEO Jessica Dunker and Wisconsin Restaurant Association CEO Kristine Hillmer wrote in letters obtained by Fox News Digital. "For nearly three decades, NFL Sunday Ticket was delivered to commercial establishments via satellite, a system well-suited for multi-screen environments. That model is being replaced at the benefits of Everpass Media, a joint venture between the NFL and RedBird Capital, which holds exclusive commercial distribution rights and is requiring businesses to adopt its proprietary streaming-only platform," Dunker and Hillmer continued. "This transition is being imposed without adequate consideration of the operational realities facing small businesses."  Dunker and Hillmer believe the issues are "not simply the shift to streaming, which already contributes to fragmentation across consumer viewing platforms," but also that current streaming technology has not "demonstrated reliable performance in commercial settings" such as bars and restaurants. FCC BOSS WANTS TO MAKE LIFE LESS FRUSTRATING FOR SPORTS FANS, SAYS STREAMING SHIFT A ‘REAL PAIN FOR CONSUMERS’ "A neighborhood sports bar may operate 20 or more screens simultaneously — something satellite systems handle with consistency. Streaming introduces risks of buffering, synchronization failures across screens, and significant bandwidth demands. Many smaller establishments lack the infrastructure to support this model without costly upgrades," Dunker and Hillmer wrote.  "These technical concerns are compounded by financial strain," they continued. "Restaurants and bars that have already invested heavily in satellite equipment are now being required to incur additional expenses for new hardware and expanded broadband capacity to support Everpass." The restaurant associations also noted that Everpass does not provide access to local broadcast networks, regional sports networks, or other out-of-market packages for leagues such as MLB, NBA and NHL, so bars and dining establishments will be forced to maintain multiple distribution systems.  "It isn’t at all clear that this is legal. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 was created to extend a limited antitrust exemption so that leagues could negotiate carriage with broadcasters," they wrote, urging Grassley, Fitzgerald and their colleagues to consider "transition protections," "accountability standards" and "Congressional oversight of the NFL and its affiliated distribution entities to ensure compliance with antitrust law and fair treatment of small businesses that rely on this content to sustain their operations." "Sunday football is not merely entertainment — it is an essential economic driver for restaurants and bars ... We urge you to stand with small business owners who are being placed at a disadvantage by this abrupt and costly transition," the restaurant associations wrote.  NFL LAUNCHES LOBBYING BLITZ AT FCC TO DEFEND ITS MEDIA MODEL AS STREAMING SCRUTINY INTENSIFIES The NFL declined comment when reached by Fox News Digital. Everpass did not immediately respond.  Everpass has billed the move as NFL Sunday Ticket "entering a modern era," touting a platform "built specifically for the realities of commercial environments, where multiple screens, busy staff, and high customer expectations demand consistency and control." Everpass venues receive "business-grade streaming reliability for high-traffic environments," "centralized control across every screen with EverPass Core," "plug-and-play hardware designed for commercial environments," "dedicated support from setup through kickoff" and "flexible packages designed around venue needs," according to its website.  "We understand that transitioning to a streaming-based solution for NFL Sunday Ticket may require planning, from connectivity and hardware to overall venue readiness. That’s why our team is committed to helping customers make the transition with confidence and be fully prepared before kickoff. Our goal is simple: make sure your venue is ready well before the first Sunday of the season, so you can focus on what matters most: delivering a great experience for every guest who walks through the door," Everpass’ website continues.  Sen. Grassley and Rep. Fitzgerald's offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062310a200899a00eb5a3c Judge likely to block DOJ bid to gut Presidential Records Act te 2026-05-14T19:31:28.899Z Judge likely to block DOJ bid to gut Presidential Records Act Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0622fda200899a00eb5a33 DOJ argues voter data ruling that blocked Arizona request would have undermined civil rights te 2026-05-14T19:31:09.282Z DOJ argues voter data ruling that blocked Arizona request would have undermined civil rights Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0622e9a200899a00eb5a2a 911 call reveals ICE pepper-sprayed 47 detainees in overcrowded Mesa holding facility te 2026-05-14T19:30:49.825Z 911 call reveals ICE pepper-sprayed 47 detainees in overcrowded Mesa holding facility Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0622d6a200899a00eb5a21 Tucson groups stitch together solutions to high-price period products te 2026-05-14T19:30:30.354Z Tucson groups stitch together solutions to high-price period products Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0620b7a200899a00eb59f7 Horne vs. Yee: Republican opponents square off over state education, ESA fraud te 2026-05-14T19:21:27.646Z Horne vs. Yee: Republican opponents square off over state education, ESA fraud Key Points: GOP foes in July 21 primary differ over handling of improper purchases using voucher funds Yee changed her stated position on law covering school chief’s role As state treasurer, Yee is not allowed to run for reelection On May 13, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee lashed out at schools chief Tom Horne, saying a new report by the Auditor General’s Office “confirms my allegations of complete chaos within the Department of Education. That report concluded that the agency, now under the control of Horne, could not show what action – if any — it took to review more than $500 million in “high risk expenditure transactions” in the state’s universal voucher program over more than two years. And that, said Yee, is at least part of the reason she wants Republican voters to choose her over Horne for state superintendent of public instruction in the July 21 primary. “It shows that there was complete mismanagement of how they administer these funds,” Yee said in a televised confrontation with Horne on KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate. All this comes amid multiple reports that some parents of students with Empowerment Scholarship Accounts were using their funds for items of questionable, if not outright improper, items. These range from trips to foreign countries and theme parks to expensive pianos, jewelry, lingerie and high-end clothing. Horne did not dispute the audit findings at the half-hour televised discussion. But he did argue that his ability to police the expenditures of parents has been hobbled by state lawmakers who have not provided enough funds for proper oversight given the universalization of the program has ballooned its student enrollment from about 12,000 to 100,000 today. And there’s something else. He pointed out that Yee, in announcing her candidacy last year, questioned whether Horne — or anyone else heading the agency — actually has the authority to deny reimbursement to parents who claim that an expense has a legitimate purpose. Horne said he has not seen his role that way, listing some of the things he said the Department of Education has refused to fund like a $5,000 Rolex watch, a $24,000 golf simulator, and even a vasectomy testing kit. Yee responded that she never believed that these kinds of things should be reimbursed. And when Horne said that doesn’t match what she said about his authority last year, Yee responded, “Have you heard of fake news?” In fact, Yee said in May 2025 — comments that are on tape — that the law that created vouchers limits the authority of a state school chief to overrule what a parent concludes is or is not an appropriate need for a child. “As long as the state school superintendent and Department of Education follow that law I would be supportive,” she said. And if the law is not clear? “I believe the state superintendent, if there’s any question on how to administer the program, should not be making those exclusive decisions on his own,” Yee said last year. “He needs to go back to the legislative process which is appropriate and work with the Legislature to additionally add those protections.” But Yee, when asked about that statement after the May 13 event, said she was referring to the fact that Horne, struggling to keep up with the flood of new requests for reimbursement, ordered his staff to automatically approve all purchases of less than $2,000, with the idea that they could be audited later and improperly paid amounts recovered. “The Legislature didn’t tell him it was $2,000.” Much of the rest of the discussion focused on how students in Arizona are doing. “Nobody is satisfied with the state of education in Arizona,” Yee said. “The person who is running the position has not gotten the job done,” she said. “And we see that not only in our test results, we see that in our graduation rates, we see that in declining enrollment. And parents deserve better.” Horne said what Yee is leaving out of this is how poorly — relatively speaking — Arizona schools are funded by the state. The World Population Review lists per pupil spending in Arizona in 2006 at $12,003. That puts the state at No. 47 nationally. And a separate report by Learner, which connects parents with tutors, ranked Arizona even lower, with only Idaho spending less.  But Horne said that, despite those numbers, Arizona “is in the middle of the pack” in standardized test scores, the same tests given in every state. “So, when you’re last in funding and you’re in the middle of the pack with test scores … I think the schools deserve some credit for that,” he said. The data, however, are a bit more mixed. According to the 2024 results of National Assessment of Educational Progress, the most recent figures available, the average Grade 8 reading test score in Arizona is “not significantly different” than the national figures. But for Grade 4, the Arizona average was “significantly lower” than the national average. Horne did not address the other issues. Arizona does have a higher dropout rate than the national average — 77.3% versus 86.6%. But there has been little change in more than a decade. And school enrollment has fallen for four straight years. Some of the reasons could be lower birth rates, with some districts closing schools. Yee has her own theory. “I believe there are so many families here that are leaving the public school system because they are not satisfied with what is happening in their schools,” she said. Yee also said that the Department of Education needs “fresh, new ideas,” a not so subtle reference to the fact that Horne was state schools chief between 2003 and 2010 and got the job back in 2023 after a stint as attorney general. And she has an idea of what that includes. “It’s very clear that we need to bring phonics back into the classroom for reading instruction,” Yee said, a reference to a method of teaching reading and writing that focuses on identifying the sounds of letters or groups of letters. “Every school in Arizona teaches phonics,” Horne responded. “And it’s been the law since 2008.” And that, he said, shows why Yee, who has been state treasurer for eight years and cannot seek reelection, should not be running for his current office. “You’ve got someone challenging who’s completely ignorant about what’s going on in schools,” he said. “I challenge her to find a single school that is not teaching phonics in the classroom.” Asked by conversation host Ted Simons to explain the discrepancy, Yee moved on to another subject. “Well, I would like to get back to the basics on education,” she responded. Both candidates said they oppose an initiative being promoted by the Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools, an education advocacy group, which would put into law that families making more than $150,000 a year, adjusted annually for inflation, are ineligible for vouchers. Whoever wins the primary between Yee and Horne will face off against the winner of a Democratic contest between Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz. They faced off in a separate debate May 13 sponsored by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. According to KTAR radio, both said they are foes of the current universal voucher system and would seek to scale it back if elected. The post Horne vs. Yee: Republican opponents square off over state education, ESA fraud first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06208ba200899a00eb59b2 Open Primaries Have Their Fans. The Parties Are Not Among Them. te 2026-05-14T19:20:43.278Z Open Primaries Have Their Fans. The Parties Are Not Among Them. New research claims that bipartisan primaries have broad societal benefit, but opposition is growing, and Louisiana voters this weekend will participate in the state’s first closed primary since 1978. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a062076a200899a00eb5998 OpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn’t be the first partner to feel burned te 2026-05-14T19:20:22.506Z OpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn’t be the first partner to feel burned According to Bloomberg, OpenAI has enlisted an outside law firm to work through its options. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061e83a200899a00eb5949 NFL’s grossly expanded national schedule is making RedZone and Sunday Ticket less essential te 2026-05-14T19:12:03.454Z NFL’s grossly expanded national schedule is making RedZone and Sunday Ticket less essential By continuing to increase the number of national broadcasts, the NFL has diluted the value of both RedZone and Sunday Ticket. The 2026-27 season will begin on a Wednesday, followed by a Thursday night game from Australia. The league will also debut its first-ever Thanksgiving Eve broadcast this year, leading into three games on Thanksgiving and one on Black Friday. Another game is set for Christmas Eve, with three more scheduled for Christmas Day. Beyond that, the NFL is extending its late-season Saturday package to four weekends, spanning Weeks 15-18. In total, the league will stage a record nine international games this season, all of which will air nationally. And all of that comes on top of the league’s usual lineup of three windows on Sunday and one Monday. JEMELE HILL BECOMES SURPRISING VOICE OF REASON IN CAITLIN CLARK-MORGAN WALLEN "CONTROVERSY" The NFL saw the risks of overloading the national schedule last season. By midseason, there simply were not enough relevant teams to justify the number of standalone broadcasts. Last Christmas, five of the six participating teams were either already eliminated from playoff contention or ultimately missed the postseason. On Thanksgiving, only one of the six teams in action reached the playoffs. The Sunday slate used to be elite enough that fans could justify paying for Sunday Ticket to access every out-of-market matchup. This season, YouTube will charge returning subscribers roughly $480 for the package. However, the more games siphoned into standalone broadcasts, the fewer games remain in the traditional 1 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. windows, leaving Sunday Ticket with less to offer. Take Thanksgiving week as an example. By Sunday morning, 10 teams will have already played. Another six teams will appear in the national Sunday afternoon slot, "Sunday Night Football" or "Monday Night Football." That leaves just eight games for paying Sunday Ticket viewers. READ MORE OF BOBBY BURACK'S COLUMNS HERE The same dynamic applies to RedZone. The channel was once essential to the Sunday viewing experience. It was the most efficient and thrilling way for viewers to follow every meaningful moment across a crowded Sunday slate. Yet with fewer games in the early and late windows, RedZone has become less of a necessity. By mid- to late season, any game of substance will likely air nationally. Keeping track of the other, less consequential games may then only appeal to sports bettors and fantasy football players. At the same time, fans are now required to pay for multiple streaming platforms — including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock — to access the full NFL schedule. That added fragmentation could reduce consumers’ willingness to also pay for premium products such as Sunday Ticket and RedZone. More broadly, the NFL is eroding the scarcity that helped turn the sport into America’s dominant television property. Sundays used to feel distinct. The concentrated schedule created a sense of occasion and urgency that is diluted when games are spread across Thursdays, occasional Wednesdays, Friday holidays, Saturday nights, Sunday mornings and multiple streaming-exclusive windows. For the first time in decades, NFL games are beginning to feel skippable. There are simply too many of them spread across too many days. The combination of an overloaded schedule, international travel and shortened preparation time increasingly produces mediocre matchups in premium television windows. The NFL is unlikely to reverse course because of concerns about the quality of play. The league has shown little evidence that competitive aesthetics matter as much as media rights growth and inventory maximization. However, if the continued expansion of national windows ultimately weakens premium properties such as Sunday Ticket and RedZone, the league may eventually reconsider whether it has stretched the product too far. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061e6fa200899a00eb5940 Billion-dollar California cosmetics co-founder and mogul to be ordained as Catholic priest te 2026-05-14T19:11:43.561Z Billion-dollar California cosmetics co-founder and mogul to be ordained as Catholic priest Scott-Vincent Borba, former California esthetician and e.l.f. Cosmetics co-founder, will be ordained as a priest after leaving his luxury lifestyle for the Catholic faith. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno announced on May 4 that Borba, currently a deacon, will be ordained as a priest on May 23, ending his decade-long return to the church. He is currently a deacon and seminarian at St. Patrick's Seminary in California. Fox News Digital reached out to the Roman Catholic Diocese and St. Patrick's Seminary for comment but did not immediately receive responses. CATHOLIC CONVERSIONS RISE AS YOUNG ADULTS 'HUNGRY FOR TRUTH' TURN TO FAITH AND REJECT SECULARISM, BISHOP SAYS Borba was previously a makeup mogul who founded e.l.f. (which stands for Eyes. Lips. Face.) Cosmetics in 2004, which grew to a company with an annual revenue of over $1.3 billion and earned him a position among Hollywood celebrities. However, in the mid-2010s, Borba made the decision to donate his wealth and accept a calling to become a priest. In an interview with KSEE in 2019, Borba described making the decision after decades of living a "vapid" and "perverse" life. "[God] not only blessed me with money and awareness, and just every business I had, he allowed me to have success with it," Borba said. "Then I decided, you know, what is wrong with me? I was vapid. I had a perverse life. I went to LA, I got sucked into the Hollywood lifestyle. It was almost to a point where I was trying to sell my soul for all of the riches of the world, which is not what we're supposed to be." GEN Z FLOCKING TO CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN NYC FOR YOUTH GROUPS, SOCIAL EVENTS AMID CONVERSION BOOM "We're supposed to be living for our Lord and Lady. I was living for myself. I was idolizing myself. I was idolizing everything else out there that was luxury. I was a poster boy for luxury," Borba continued. Borba remarked being approached with the idea of joining the priesthood "a thousand times" in his life, with his first experience coming from his mother in the third grade. "At Mass, she asked me to look up at the altar, and if I wanted to be the man in the robes," Borba told OSV News. "Whoever the priest was, his robes at that moment were shimmering like glitter … And I knew God was placing on my heart to become a priest." CATHOLIC REVEREND AIMS TO PORTRAY PRIESTS AS 'REAL HUMAN BEINGS' IN A REALISTIC, MODERN WAY IN NEW MOVIE Borba now lives a modest lifestyle after selling his wealth and possessions, which he described as a way to give himself back to God. "I am trying to do everything to show our Lord that He gave me everything in His divine providence. He has taken care of me all my life, and now I am to give it all back and to show Him that He is going to take care of me the rest of my life, whatever it's going to be," Borba told KSEE. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061e46a200899a00eb591a Green Card Holders Targeted for Deportation by New ‘Removal Apparatus’ te 2026-05-14T19:11:02.107Z Green Card Holders Targeted for Deportation by New ‘Removal Apparatus’ The Department of Homeland Security recently formed a unit tasked with revetting thousands of immigrants with permanent residency. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061e31a200899a00eb5901 Clawdmeter turns your Claude Code usage stats into a tiny desktop dashboard te 2026-05-14T19:10:41.428Z Clawdmeter turns your Claude Code usage stats into a tiny desktop dashboard A new open source gadget called Clawdmeter turns Claude Code usage stats into a tiny desktop dashboard for AI coding power users. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061e1da200899a00eb58f2 Live debate: Republican candidates for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction te 2026-05-14T19:10:21.056Z Live debate: Republican candidates for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Republican candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction face off Thursday at 6 p.m. Incumbent Tom Horne and Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee are competing for the party’s nomination. The debate runs 56 minutes. Candidates have one minute each for opening and closing statements, followed by moderator questions. Watch it live below: The post Live debate: Republican candidates for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061c17a200899a00eb58aa Garrick Higgo shares baffling comments while reacting to two-shot penalty at PGA Championship te 2026-05-14T19:01:43.228Z Garrick Higgo shares baffling comments while reacting to two-shot penalty at PGA Championship Time got the best of Garrick Higgo at the PGA Championship, literally. Higgo, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, was penalized two strokes for being late to his opening round tee time at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday morning. The South African was on property, but according to rules officials, he did not make it into the "starting point" area near the first tee prior to his 7:18 a.m. tee time. He was informed of the two-shot penalty when he stepped onto the first tee while being handed his scorecard by an official, but that didn't mean he was accepting of it. After a lengthy conversation with officials in the scoring area and eventually signing his scorecard after the round, Higgo joined the ESPN broadcast and uniquely explained the situation from his perspective. SPIETH EYES THE SLAM, SCHEFFLER FEELS OVERDUE, AND CAM YOUNG'S MAJOR MOMENT TOP PGA CHAMPIONSHIP STORYLINES "So the rules, if you're one second late, you're late. I was obviously there on time, but late, and that's a two-shot penalty, and you have five minutes from then until you are DQ'd," Higgo began. "Obviously, it's unfortunate. I usually cut it fine. It was cold this morning, I was trying to stay as warm as possible coming off from the range. Yeah, I think it shows a lot of mental strength the way I just kept fighting, and it wasn't going to affect my swing or my putter. "It is what it is. My caddie was on the tee box. I didn't have my watch on me. I didn't have my phone. I'm already in the clouds a little as it is. It just is what it is. I don't know what else to do." It's worth emphasizing the fact that this is a professional golfer who couldn't arrive on the first tee in an appropriate amount of time on day one of a major championship. Credit where credit is due, though, because "I was obviously there on time, but late" may just be one of the singular greatest quotes ever. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Higgo wasn't done with the word game there, either. When asked if he agreed with the ruling of the two-shot penalty, he not only said no, but questioned the most basic concepts of time. "Probably not, but it's fine. I was late. One second is tough to define, but I feel like there should maybe be a minute of grace," Higgo said. "On the PGA Tour, sometimes we tee off 15 seconds after our tee time. I've definitely had a few times when I've said to a starter 'It's a minute past our time.'" Higgo impressively did not let the two-shot penalty on the first tee get to him whatsoever. While plenty of players would have let the unfortunate situation linger throughout the round, Higgo went on to shoot a round of 1-under and will be in contention heading into Friday's action. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061c03a200899a00eb58a1 Fugitive tied to decades-old slaying of punk rocker roommate caught in tropical hot spot: feds te 2026-05-14T19:01:23.397Z Fugitive tied to decades-old slaying of punk rocker roommate caught in tropical hot spot: feds A Michigan man on the run for over three decades after allegedly killing his punk-rock singer roommate has been captured, officials said. Richard Werstine, who also went by the name Joseph Alan Stavros, 56, was arrested in Panama City, Panama, in April, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release.  Werstine was sought by authorities for the alleged murder of his roommate, 23-year-old Rodney Barger, in Detroit on Sept. 15, 1993.  At the time of his death, Barger was a vocalist for the punk band Cold as Life, according to the Detroit Metro Times. GOT A TIP? Federal authorities said Werstine was arrested just days after the alleged murder but failed to appear for his trial — prompting an arrest warrant to be issued in 1994.  SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "He was a ghost since ‘94," a federal source told Local 4. "He was very cunning, very crafty while on the run." FOLLOW US ON X He allegedly remained on the lam for several years, and in 2022 the USMS adopted the arrest warrant after investigators learned he had been arrested several times under different aliases while he continued to evade authorities. US MARSHALS PURSUING 'LIFELONG CRIMINAL' ACCUSED OF KILLING PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN, BURYING HER IN SHALLOW GRAVE "Over the course of the investigation, the USMS utilized state-of-the-art investigative resources and techniques and devoted numerous hours in efforts to find the fugitive," federal officials said. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The investigation led authorities to arrest Werstine at a dog park in Panama City on April 29, 2026.  LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Upon being taken into custody, officials said Werstine confessed to his true identity after he was allegedly found with fraudulent documentation and admitted to entering Panama illegally in 2005. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS He was subsequently extradited from Panama to the United States and handed over to Wayne County officials.  LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "The tenacity and commitment of the United States Marshals Service working to bring Werstine and those like him into police custody where they belong is at the forefront of our daily mission here in Detroit," Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmy Allen said. "His arrest not only works toward bringing closure to the friends and family who have lost a loved one but also demonstrates our promise to pursue those who think they can prey on the members of our communities without being held accountable." Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061bd9a200899a00eb586c YouTube viewers watch 2 billion hours of Shorts on TVs each month te 2026-05-14T19:00:41.323Z YouTube viewers watch 2 billion hours of Shorts on TVs each month Short-form video is built for mobile, so it may seem counterintuitive, but it's true: YouTube Shorts are becoming quite popular on the big screen. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061bc5a200899a00eb585e Debate en vivo: candidatos republicanos para superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Arizona te 2026-05-14T19:00:21.068Z Debate en vivo: candidatos republicanos para superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Arizona Los candidatos republicanos para superintendente de Instrucción Pública se enfrentan este jueves a las 6 p.m. El actual titular del cargo, Tom Horne, y la tesorera de Arizona, Kimberly Yee, compiten por la nominación del partido. El debate dura 56 minutos. Los candidatos tendrán un minuto cada uno para sus declaraciones de apertura y cierre, seguido de preguntas de los moderadores. Véalo en vivo a continuación: The post Debate en vivo: candidatos republicanos para superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Arizona appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061997a200899a00eb5816 Ship seized off coast of UAE near Strait of Hormuz may have been 'floating armory': report te 2026-05-14T18:51:03.166Z Ship seized off coast of UAE near Strait of Hormuz may have been 'floating armory': report A ship was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning, the British military reported. The ship was boarded and "taken by unauthorized personnel" while it was roughly 38 nautical miles northeast of the United Arab Emirates’ oil export terminal Fujairah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported Thursday. UKMTO spotted the ship heading toward Iranian territorial waters after the seizure, it reported Thursday. British authorities did not release information on who the ship belonged to or who seized it. Despite the lack of official corroboration, the BBC reported that the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan was seized in the Strait on Thursday. CARGO SHIP ATTACKED BY SMALL CRAFT NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ, UK MARITIME AGENCY SAYS Citing the risk-management company Vanguard, the BBC reported that the ship's operators told Vanguard that the Hui Chuan was operating as a "floating armory" for ships in the Strait to defend themselves from pirates. At least two other ships have already been seized in the Strait of Hormuz since February. IRAN SAYS ITS SMALL SUBS DEPLOYED TO STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS EXPERT EXPLAINS THREAT: ‘VULNERABLE TO DETECTION’ In April, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca and the Epaminondes ships in the Strait. Fox News Digital contacted UKMTO and Vanguard for further information but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061983a200899a00eb580d John Cena shares why losing final WWE match 'defines' his career amid mixed fan reactions te 2026-05-14T18:50:43.773Z John Cena shares why losing final WWE match 'defines' his career amid mixed fan reactions John Cena’s final run of his in-ring career with WWE started with a dramatic heel turn, a 17th championship and ended with a loss to Gunther in December. Cena not going out on top against "The Ring General" was a decision that pro wrestling fans have debated intensely over the last five months. The loss marked the end of Cena’s career, but also catapulted Gunther into a "career killer," who later ended A.J. Styles’ time in WWE too. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Videographer Adam Glyn caught up with Cena on Thursday and asked him about the fans’ reaction to his final match. Cena suggested that it was the best ending for him. "I think we all just live in the moment, right? I think, this is just my perspective, and if people were upset, that’s their right, of course, you can feel how you want to feel. I had a career that was polarizing. That’s the world Michael Cole uses a lot," Cena said. "That was a polite word for people (who) would chant at the top of their lungs that ‘I suck.’ "So, I think with the last match, the audience was polarized. There were people who understood and were entertained in a positive way. There were people who were so in the moment and reacted with such passion, it was like a microcosm of my career. The audience was split. I can’t think of a better way to close the chapter than that. It defines what I did." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cena is set to be a WWE Hall of Famer when the time comes, and while his in-ring career may be over, he’s still a part of the WWE Universe. He announced at Backlash that he will host the John Cena Classic in hopes of showcasing WWE talent from NXT to give fans a glimpse into what the future will hold for the company. Similarly, he hand-picked NXT competitors to share his final card with him at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cena told Glyn he was "super excited" about the event. He said there were still some things that had to be worked out. "I am fully invested in this," he said. "So, I can’t wait to see what it is. I can’t wait until we announce the date and location. I think that’s obviously step one and we’ll go from there." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061793a200899a00eb57b9 LHHS band places 2nd in California Competition te 2026-05-14T18:42:27.665Z LHHS band places 2nd in California Competition Last weekend, Lake Havasu High School's Wind Ensemble competed in a Los Angeles competition called "Music in the Parks," placing 2nd out of 10 bands and earning a 'Superior' rating. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06177fa200899a00eb57af Lake Havasu City Council gives greenlight to Go Lake Havasu board change te 2026-05-14T18:42:07.440Z Lake Havasu City Council gives greenlight to Go Lake Havasu board change Lake Havasu City Council will now have a voting seat on Go Lake Havasu’s board, giving elected officials a more direct role in decisions about how public tourism dollars are spent. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06176ba200899a00eb57a6 Arizona AG sides with ACLU in challenge to abortion provider law te 2026-05-14T18:41:47.389Z Arizona AG sides with ACLU in challenge to abortion provider law PHOENIX -- Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is once again at odds with Republican legislative leaders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061757a200899a00eb5798 Arizona voucher audit sharpens GOP race for schools chief te 2026-05-14T18:41:27.390Z Arizona voucher audit sharpens GOP race for schools chief PHOENIX -- State Treasurer Kimberly Yee lashed out Wednesday at schools chief Tom Horne, saying a new report by the Auditor General's Office "confirms my allegations of complete chaos within the Department of Education. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061743a200899a00eb578f Lake Havasu City police investigating Meadview deputy-involved shooting te 2026-05-14T18:41:07.712Z Lake Havasu City police investigating Meadview deputy-involved shooting The Lake Havasu City Police Department is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Meadview that left a 68-year-old man wounded and facing multiple felony charges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06172ca200899a00eb5767 Hantavirus fears spark COVID flashbacks, but experts say there’s one major difference te 2026-05-14T18:40:44.923Z Hantavirus fears spark COVID flashbacks, but experts say there’s one major difference Concerns about rising hantavirus cases has Americans reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic. Although COVID-19 began with a foreign strain and spread rapidly around the world, experts say it’s not likely that hantavirus will behave the same way. The rare Andes virus, which was linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, is the only known hantavirus strain that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact. RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel spoke with Fox News Digital about the similarities and differences between hantavirus and coronavirus, noting that there is "no comparison." "You could say the comparison ends at that they're both single-stranded RNA viruses," he said. "That's a comparison, but [hantavirus] has been unchanged basically for decades." Coronavirus was different because it began to mutate, which started to cause "all kinds of problems," Siegel noted. "We don't know why it started to mutate, but this one doesn't appear to have done that," he said. "And every day that goes by seems to show that theory is correct – the genetics of it is the same." DR MARC SIEGEL: HANTAVIRUS CRUISE OUTBREAK IS ALARMING BUT FEAR IS SPREADING FASTER THAN FACTS "So, there's no comparison between these two viruses, other than that the single-stranded RNA viruses are both carried by animals." Siegel added that COVID is an airborne virus, while hantavirus is mainly a secretion-borne virus, although it can be transmitted through dust and droppings in the air. "It's not airborne ... in terms of respiratory droplets hanging in the air," he said. "It's very difficult to transmit." While coronavirus "moved in the direction of humans in a significant way," hantavirus has not, except for "very rare" human-to-human transmission, according to the doctor. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER There have been hantavirus cases in the U.S. for decades, although they are "very rare," Siegel noted. Certain factors of this disease spread are changing, including warming temperatures that are causing rodents to migrate north toward Buenos Aires, according to the doctor. DEADLY CRUISE VIRUS TIMELINE SHOWS HOW HANTAVIRUS SPREAD AMONG PASSENGERS The current outbreak stemming from the cruise ship did not help the cause, Siegel went on — but this spread doesn’t suggest that the virus has changed. Rather, it shows how close quarters on a ship are "very conducive" to spread, he said. "Every day that goes by shows that ... we're not seeing a second generation of spread," he reiterated. The better comparison to make is between hantavirus and bird flu, which is a predominantly animal-based virus that "occasionally infects humans," Siegel said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "There are billions of birds, and every year we talk about how it's going to cause a pandemic, but it would have to mutate significantly," he pointed out. "I feel that [hantavirus] would have to mutate significantly before it could go human to human in any significant way, because this is basically an animal virus … it's very comfortable inside a rodent host." Siegel went on, "If you get this virus, you're in trouble, but getting this virus is very difficult." Regarding fears that another global pandemic may be looming, Siegel said that just because one virus becomes widespread does not mean all viruses will. "Coronaviruses are airborne anyway. This is not. And coronaviruses mutate a lot, and this does not," he said. "I'm much more concerned about flu than this. Flu can mutate all the time, and it's already going human to human all over the place, and it’s airborne." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Most infectious disease specialists are much more worried about flu than this, as deadly as this can be," he added. "We're talking apples and oranges, and any comparison you make after that provokes fear." Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a061501a200899a00eb56fc Police investigating homicide near Casa Grande Mountain te 2026-05-14T18:31:29.558Z Police investigating homicide near Casa Grande Mountain Investigators are looking for anyone who observed suspicious activity near Casa Grande Mountain on May 10. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0614d3a200899a00eb56ab James Talarico’s Taco Order Sparks Debate in Texas Senate Race te 2026-05-14T18:30:43.458Z James Talarico’s Taco Order Sparks Debate in Texas Senate Race What started as a taco stop with former President Barack Obama quickly turned into a very Texas debate over the proper breakfast taco order. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0614bfa200899a00eb56a2 Chud the Builder, Known for Racist Confrontations, Charged With Attempted Murder te 2026-05-14T18:30:23.955Z Chud the Builder, Known for Racist Confrontations, Charged With Attempted Murder Dalton Eatherly, who goes by Chud the Builder, was arrested after an altercation that ended in gunfire outside a courthouse near Nashville. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0612f8a200899a00eb5642 From Rahm to riches: ASU men’s golf alumni finding success around the world te 2026-05-14T18:22:48.509Z From Rahm to riches: ASU men’s golf alumni finding success around the world PHOENIX – The recent LIV Golf Mexico City tournament had a decidedly Spanish flair, with Jon Rahm, David Puig and Josele Ballester taking home the top three spots, respectively.  On closer inspection, however, there was another connection in the April tournament. All three golfers played for Arizona State. “They were great players before they got here, they were great players while they were here and they continue to be great players wherever they are,” ASU men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond said. “It was especially fun to see three Sun Devil Spaniards finish first, second and third.” The performance highlighted an enduring ASU reality.  The NFL has featured 283 Sun Devils including current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and New York Giants running back Cameron Skattebo. Thirty-two ASU alumni have played in the NBA, including Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Luguentz Dort and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard James Harden.  The Sun Devils boast 117 players who have gone on to MLB, including Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly and Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson. ASU is represented in the NHL with Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Doan and Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, and in other sports with Leon Marchand (swim), Colby Neal (Major League Volleyball) and Anna Nordqvist (LPGA). But no sport has produced more individual success stories than the men’s golf program. Driven by iconic alumni Rahm and Phil Mickelson, former ASU men’s golfers have won nine major PGA titles, and more than 100 PGA titles overall.  At present, Arizona State men’s golf has more than a dozen players competing across various golf leagues in 2026. Five Sun Devils play on the LIV Tour, a smaller-field series that travels the globe.  The success in Mexico City is nothing new for Rahm, whose worst finish is tied for eighth in the seven events staged so far on the LIV Tour this season. Rahm is also the championship leader. The Mexico City win was his second of the season in his championship defense. “If you had told me last Thursday I was going to win by six this week, I would say you’re crazy because it felt horrible,” Rahm told reporters after struggling through his first round at the Masters one week earlier. “Seemed to have found something that can work, but still needs to get a little bit more refined to say that it’s complete.”  The Mexico City second-place result was Puig’s fourth top-10 finish of the season and vaulted him to seventh in the standings. In addition to LIV, Puig plays on the DP World Tour, the main worldwide golf league.  In the 2025-26 season, Puig has only played five events with three top-10s, including a win at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. Those good results have him 12th in the standings.  “Very proud of that,” Puig told reporters in Mexico City. “The second spot obviously gives me a lot of points for world rankings, but at the same time for leverage, it’s great.” Ballester is having a strong first full season on the tour. His four consecutive top-12 finishes have put him eighth in the standings after a slower start.  Puig and Ballester both compete on the same LIV team, Fireballs GC. “One thing cool about the LIV Tour is that it’s all about the team,” Thurmond said. “That’s one thing that LIV allows is that team atmosphere, and that’s allowed them to thrive.” The trio all live in Scottsdale and are all good friends who often play together. They even come to the Arizona State facility at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix to practice and play with the current team. “Seeing those two names up there, two friends makes me want to beat them even more, but also be cautious because I know exactly what they’re capable of,” Rahm said. Paul Casey and Mickelson also compete on the LIV tour. The older pair has struggled as Casey sits 34th (of 56 regulars) in the standings and Mickelson played poorly in the lone tournament he played. Wenyi Ding played 10 of the 17 events on the DP World Tour this season, his second. His best result of the season was second in the BMW Australian PGA Championship to Puig. He sits 25th in the standings. Ding only played one season of college golf. “Honestly, I thought he’d do even better,” Thurmond said. “He’s a superstar player.” Alejandro Del Rey sits at 37th after his first top-10 of the season this past weekend in China. Farther down the DP World Tour standings are Niklas Lemke and Ryggs Johnston. They sit 127th and 135th, respectively. In American golf, Chun-an (also known as Kevin) Yu is having a decent season on the PGA Tour. He sits in 111th place and recently recorded his best performance with a seventh at the Valero Texas Open. “He’s a world-class player, and we saw him last week,” Thurmond said. Mason Anderson sits 18th on the Korn Ferry Tour, the feeder series to the PGA Tour. The top 20 players earn PGA Tour cards, and his consistent results with a pair of top-10s and only two missed cuts have put him in a solid position to battle for a promotion. Nicolo Galetti is 42nd on the Korn Ferry Tour, but is heating up with three top-15 results in his last four tournaments. Farther down on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, Chan Kim is in 77th place. Chez Reavie sits in 95th place. Preston Summerhays is 140th. Neither Kim nor Reavie is fully exempt on the PGA Tour. “I know each of those guys wants to be back on the PGA Tour and probably will be,” Thurmond said. Current ASU golfer Fifa Laopakdee played in the Masters and will play in the British Open, as he won the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship, granting him invitations to play in those tournaments as an amateur. This is the second year in a row that an ASU golfer played in the Masters as an amateur, as Ballester won the U.S. Amateur.  “Until two years ago, I’d never had a (current) player there,” Thurmond said.  “To have it two years in a row (is) really cool, and I’m a little spoiled. I’m hoping for a third next year.” Even when they’re competing against each other on tour, the former Sun Devils maintain a camaraderie by spending time together, cheering on their old teammates and their old team, which will compete in the 2026 NCAA Regionals at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington, from Monday to Wednesday. The Sun Devils earned a No. 1 seed for the regional, marking their fourth consecutive year as a top seed under Thurmond. “I’ve spent a lot of my last two years with David Puig,” Rahm said. “We have the same trainer, same swing coach, Spencer Tatum and Dave Phillips (respectively). We’re members of the same courses.  “I think I’ve spent more time with him than I do with my wife or my kids.” The post From Rahm to riches: ASU men’s golf alumni finding success around the world appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0612e0a200899a00eb5615 Senators voted themselves a pay cut during shutdowns. The House isn’t on board. te 2026-05-14T18:22:24.095Z Senators voted themselves a pay cut during shutdowns. The House isn’t on board. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks to reporters during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on April 13, 2026. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved a resolution Thursday that will prevent lawmakers in that chamber from receiving their paychecks during any government shutdowns that begin after this year’s midterm elections.  The voice vote on the measure from Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy will not impact members in the House of Representatives since each chamber of Congress is able to set its own rules and procedures.  The two-page resolution requires the secretary of the Senate to disperse but then hold onto lawmakers paychecks if Congress fails to fund any agency within the federal government on time.  Kennedy said during a floor speech Wednesday he hoped the resolution would reduce the likelihood of future government shutdowns, following three within the last year.  “It’s got to stop,” he said. “Shutting down government should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences.” Similar to how federal employees receive back pay after a shutdown ends, Kennedy said his resolution would do the same for senators. “The senator’s salary just would not be available to that senator while we’re in a shutdown but once a shutdown is over you’ll get your money,” he said.  In order to get the votes to adopt the resolution, Kennedy said he “had to make a few accommodations,” including that it did not apply to the House and wouldn’t take effect before the elections to comply with the 27th Amendment.   Members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, with those in leadership positions making more. The Constitution allows lawmakers to set their own salaries, which are covered by a permanent, mandatory appropriation.  Lawmakers and the president, unlike the staff who work for them or those throughout the rest of the federal government, received their salaries during past shutdowns unless they took action to halt their paychecks.  Several members asked either the House Chief Administrative Officer or the Senate Finance Clerk to hold onto their paychecks during the first shutdown.  Congress is supposed to pass the dozen annual government funding bills before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1 but hasn’t completed all of its work on time in three decades.  Lawmakers regularly approve at least one stopgap spending bill to keep federal programs running mostly on autopilot while the House and Senate work to finalize those appropriations bills during the fall, typically sending them to the president sometime in December.  Policy differences and heightened political tensions, however, led to three shutdowns of varying impact during this fiscal year.  The first began last October and lasted through Nov. 12 as Democrats tried unsuccessfully to force Republicans to extend enhanced tax credits for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.  Lawmakers were able to pass six of the spending bills before a brief partial shutdown took place from Jan. 31 through Feb. 3. The law that ended that funding lapse included five more of the spending bills, leaving Homeland Security as the only department without its annual appropriations bill.  Democratic demands for constraints on immigration enforcement after federal officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis led to a third shutdown for many of the agencies within DHS. That lasted from Feb. 14 through April 30 when Congress approved their last funding bill without new spending for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.  Republicans plan to use the complex budget reconciliation process to approve $72 billion that would cover three years of immigration enforcement activities. GOP lawmakers can do that without Democratic votes in the Senate as long as they stick to the rules.   Lawmakers in both chambers have also begun work on the next fiscal year’s batch of 12 government funding bills, though it’s highly unlikely they all become law before the end of September.  That presents the possibility of yet another government shutdown just weeks before voters head to the polls during November’s midterm elections to decide which political party will control Congress for the next two years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0612caa200899a00eb55f8 Jordan grills Soros-backed DA Descano in heated spat over soft-on-crime policy: 'This is almost laughable' te 2026-05-14T18:22:02.576Z Jordan grills Soros-backed DA Descano in heated spat over soft-on-crime policy: 'This is almost laughable' House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, tussled with high-profile Soros-backed Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephen Descano over soft-on-crime policies that critics said let illegal immigrant criminals back on the street. Descano was seated two spots away from Cheryl Minter, mother of Stephanie Minter, who was allegedly murdered by Sierra Leone national Abdul Jalloh at a bus stop not far from George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Minter’s case, following several similar incidents and the failure by Descano or fellow witness Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid to honor ICE detainers, spurred lawmakers to haul them across the river to testify about the rapidly deteriorating safety of what the prosecutor called one of America’s safest counties. Jordan began by pressing Kincaid on why she "let" illegal immigrant suspect Marvin Morales-Ortiz out of her jail: "Because the guy beside you wouldn’t prosecute him, right?" HOUSE PANEL SUMMONS SOROS-BACKED FAIRFAX PROSECUTOR OVER RELEASES TIED TO VIOLENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CASES "You’d have to talk to him," Kincaid replied, adding a judge later ordered his release, before bristling at Jordan’s follow-up question about law enforcement morale in Fairfax. Jordan then turned to Descano, questioning changes to language on his website about considering immigration consequences in charging decisions. Descano said the excerpt was part of a "campaign" statement and not an actual law enforcement policy, leading Jordan to incredulously ask whether people should believe his campaign statements will translate into policies upon election. "That’s not what I’m saying," Descano countered. "This is almost laughable," said Jordan. "This is your policy. You said it right here. You told the voters, if you elect me, I will take into account immigration consequences when making, charging and pleading [decisions]." Descano’s exchange with next Republican to ask questions, Rep. Jeff Van Drew of South Jersey, also quickly escalated into near-shouting. WAVE OF ALLEGED MIGRANT MURDERS IGNITES FURY ACROSS US AS OFFICIALS WARN OF MORE CARNAGE, CRACKDOWN NEEDED Van Drew criticized sanctuary policies, including in his home Garden State, and told Minter that his own condolences could not do justice to what happened to her daughter in Descano’s territory. He called the conditions in sanctuary jurisdictions "bizarro world" and asked the prosecutor if communities are safer when illegal immigrant criminals are deported or when they are released. "Well, sir, that’s not –" Descano began before Van Drew cut him off. "Yes or no – I’m asking the questions." "You're a human being. You're sitting next to a woman who lost her daughter. Can you tell me if illegal criminals are removed from the country; if we're safer," Van Drew said, prompting a fiery response from Descano: "To suggest I don’t care about what happens in my community…" he began before more crosstalk ensued. "Dammit, answer my question," Van Drew eventually fumed. GRIEVING VIRGINIA MOTHER TELLS FAR-LEFT PROSECUTOR 'DO YOUR JOB' AFTER DAUGHTER STABBED TO DEATH "Explain to the lady next to you (Cheryl Minter). Abdul Jalloh was charged in your county more than 40 times. Not four times. 40 times. Your office dropped the charges in almost every single case. That's fact. We have it documented. We can look at it your own. Fairfax County Police Department wrote your office [in] May 2025 saying he had shown a, quote, 'blatant disregard for human life and was a danger to the community' and that if he wasn't detained and deported, he would seriously hurt someone or kill someone," Van Drew said. "The very man went out and then killed someone. So the question is, couldn't've we done better there?" Another panelist also elicited occasional rifts with the lawmakers. Libertarian analyst David Bier of the Cato Institute often defended the idea of counties making their own decisions about whether to cooperate with federal law enforcement. Part of Bier’s opening statement drew some eyebrows on X, as he appeared to suggest as much as 20% of Fairfax County’s population is deportable – when trying to argue against mass deportation. "The first step would be to give up on the mass deportation fantasy. About 1 in 5 Fairfax residents is someone who could be deported or who lives with them. It would destroy neighborhoods, rip Americans away from their spouses, parents, friends, families, customers, employees, employers, nurses, nannies, and teachers," Bier said. Bier also accused DHS of ignoring the Laken Riley Act and instead of "racially profiling Americans at Home Depot" and shooting people like Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0612b6a200899a00eb55ef Parents of girls' track star facing trans athlete speak out against Newsom over Title IX crisis te 2026-05-14T18:21:42.973Z Parents of girls' track star facing trans athlete speak out against Newsom over Title IX crisis Another weekend of chaos approaches in the world of California girls' track and field, as an ongoing Title IX crisis has rattled parents in the southern region of the state. Crean Lutheran High School senior Reese Hogan came in second place to a trans athlete in girls' high jump at the first round of the sectional preliminary round of the state tournament last Saturday. Hogan finished second to that same trans athlete in the sectional final last season, and went viral for stepping up to the first-place pedestal after the trans athlete stepped down. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Now, as Hogan prepares to face that trans athlete again in this year's sectional finals on Saturday, her parents are publicly condemning Gov. Gavin Newsom, for allowing a trans athlete to compete against and beat their daughter in the state tournament for the third year in a row. "As a parent witnessing the current state of high school athletics, I am deeply disappointed by Governor Newsom’s recent comments regarding transgender participation in girls' sports," read a statement from Hogan's parents to Fox News Digital. "While the Governor has previously acknowledged that this is an issue of 'fairness,' his more recent rhetoric—which labels those advocating for protected female categories as 'bullies'—is both dismissive and profoundly out of touch with the reality our daughters face on the field and the track." Hogan is a Freeway League Field Player of the Year and has set her school's record in the triple jump. Her athletic accomplishments have been a source of pride and emotion for her whole family. CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK AND FIELD STARS SPEAK OUT AS GAVIN NEWSOM'S TITLE IX CRISIS GROWS "Watching a child dedicate years of their life to a sport is a journey marked by sacrifice. We have seen Reese work through grueling hours of practice, push through physical injuries, and overcome mental hurdles, all for the chance to compete," the statement continued. Now the parents are pleading for a fair chance for their daughter in her senior year, as she has one last chance to win a sectional and state championship. "As parents, we don't ask for a path cleared of obstacles; we ask for a level playing field where hard work and biological reality are respected. As the season enters CIF divisional finals, then on to Masters and eventually State the stakes are no longer about 'participation.' These athletes are competing for much more: state titles which is the culmination of years of dedication and focus," the statement said. "Podium Placements, which are often the gateway to collegiate scouting and scholarships. Record books which should reflect the highest achievements within the female category. No athlete at this level wants a shared trophy designed to avoid political friction. They want the titles they earn through sweat and merit." CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK ATHLETE OPENS UP ON LOSING FIRST-PLACE TITLE TO TRANS COMPETITOR "When policies prioritize gender identity over biological sex in competitive sports, they effectively tell our daughters that their hard work is secondary to a political narrative. It is heart-wrenching to watch and realize that no amount of extra training can bridge the physiological gap present in these competitions." A source at Newsom's office previously provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to news that a "Save Girls Sports" rally, which Hogan attended, would be held at last Saturday's meet. "The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. He rejects the right wing’s cynical attempt to weaponize this debate as an excuse to vilify individual kids. The Governor’s position is simple: stand with all kids and stand up to bullies," the statement read. "California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring students be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school sports consistent with their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown." Hogan herself spoke out against Newsom at the rally last Saturday. "The recent statements coming from Governor Gavin Newsom's office have made it clear that there is no intention of creating a safe, fair, and equitable environment for female high school athletes. Him and his office have gone as far as calling young girls bullies for speaking up for what we believe in," Hogan said. "The governor himself has admitted that males competing in women's sports is unfair, yet nothing is being done to protect girls who train every day to compete on a level playing field." Hogan will compete at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Final on Saturday in Moorpark, California. And just like last year, there will be a podium ceremony after the competitions. 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/6a0612a3a200899a00eb55dd Nearly 1 in 12 defendants on ankle monitors in Chicago have gone AWOL, authorities say te 2026-05-14T18:21:23.153Z Nearly 1 in 12 defendants on ankle monitors in Chicago have gone AWOL, authorities say Nearly 1 in 12 criminal defendants released pre-trial on ankle monitors in Chicago have gone AWOL, and authorities have no idea where they are, even as some in the program allegedly go on to commit violent crimes. Data from the Circuit Clerk of Cook County shows that 246 out of 3,048 defendants released pre-trial and placed on ankle monitoring are missing and aren't actively wearing their ankle monitor. Several individuals released pre-trial have gone on to allegedly commit violent crimes, like Alphanso Talley, who's accused of murdering Chicago Police Department Officer John Bartholomew. Hundreds of defendants on pre-trial release through the ankle monitor program accused of violent crimes: 'GIGGLING' COP KILLING SUSPECT SLAMMED BY JUDGE AS PROSECUTORS FOUGHT BAIL RELEASE FOR REPEAT FELONY OFFENDER Cook County Chief Judge Charles Beach told WGN that law enforcement is trying to track down the individuals who are missing. "It doesn’t mean they’re out committing crimes necessarily," Beach said. "Some might be. But they’re actively being searched for right now by law enforcement." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X He also defended Judge John Lyke, who was presiding over Talley's previous criminal cases and said in December that the convicted felon's "mind is finally developing, and he may be on the path to making better decisions," according to ABC7 News. Records indicated that Talley first got an electronic monitor on Dec. 11, 2025, but his monitor alerted two violations within three days in early March. LENIENT JUDGES IGNORE RED FLAGS, CAVE TO SOFT-ON-CRIME PRESSURES AS THEY RELEASE REPEAT OFFENDERS: ATTORNEY "I wouldn’t call it a mistake," Beach said. "The judge made the best decision with what was in front of them at the time, right? Unfortunately, you know, we’ll go back to that concept: How do you predict what another human being is going to do?" SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Talley is hardly the only person accused of committing a violent crime while on the ankle monitor program. In November 2025, repeat offender Lawrence Reed, 50, allegedly lit a woman on fire while on the city's blue line train, yelling "burn b----." SEND US A TIP HERE Reed was charged with aggravated battery in August 2025, but was released pre-trial with an ankle monitor, against prosecutors' wishes. Reed has been arrested at least 13 times by the Chicago Police Department since 2017, records indicate. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Marlon Miller, 40, was arrested in December 2025 after he allegedly attacked three women in the downtown area and was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, according to Fox 32 Chicago. CHICAGO REPEAT OFFENDER ACCUSED OF PUNCHING WOMEN ARRESTED AGAIN AFTER YEARS OF VIOLENT CRIMES: REPORT At the time of the alleged attacks, Miller was wearing an ankle monitor, according to ABC7. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Sherri Bester, one of the women allegedly attacked, said "He yelled ---- and then he swung and hit me in my left eye." "He hit me hard enough that even with my glasses on my eye still did swell," Bester said. Beach, however, insisted the SAFE-T act along with the state's move to cashless bail isn't making the county less safe. "When monetary bail existed we had people who posted monetary bail who went out and committed atrocious offenses. It happened. It happened frequently. We no longer have monetary bail. We have other factors. Those things are still happening, right? That is the nature of a system that is designed with the presumption of innocence," Beach said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06128fa200899a00eb55cb Carl Pavano accused of peeing in former wife's shampoo bottles among other gross allegations te 2026-05-14T18:21:03.697Z Carl Pavano accused of peeing in former wife's shampoo bottles among other gross allegations After it was revealed earlier this month that cops have been called to the home of former MLB pitcher Carl Pavano and his ex-wife nine times over the last two years, more heinous allegations against Pavano have emerged. Pavano was initially accused of "controlling behavior," including name-calling, cutting off her expenses and threatening to take their children amid an ugly prenup battle. Their divorce was finalized last December, but a new court filing by Pavano's ex, Alissa, claims that Pavano would pee in her shampoo bottles and "intentionally soiled the bed in which Plaintiff sleeps during her parenting time by having his female sex partners occupy the bed," according to CT Insider. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Pavano then allegedly "removed all clean linens from the house so that Plaintiff is unable to have a hygienically clean and safe bed during her parenting time." The ex-pitcher also allegedly sent photos of "multiple firearms laid out on the kitchen table" to Alissa and their children in a group chat shortly after divorce papers were served. The couple currently share custody of their three children and alternate weeks with them in a Fairfield, Connecticut, home. Pavano owns the home through a trust. Alissa accused the former pitcher of forcing her to sign the prenup she says is one-sided. SHOHEI OHTANI MAKING UP FOR STRUGGLES AT PLATE AFTER LOWERING LEAGUE-LEADING ERA TO 0.82 "A prenuptial agreement is an acceptable way for individuals, prior to marriage, to condition how their financial interests and responsibilities will be determined after marriage," Alissa’s lawyers said in a brief, via the New York Post. "It should not be an acceptable way for a monied spouse who has already started a family with his significant other to force her to give up her financial independence, and then to extract financial advantages in the premarital agreement under the threat of taking the minor children away from her and leaving her destitute." Pavano pitched for the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins, being named an All-Star in 2004. He pitched to a 4.81 ERA in his career, with his biggest payday coming from the Yankees. However, he only made 26 starts in his four seasons with them and is widely considered one of their worst signings. 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/6a06127ca200899a00eb55b9 FBI reports largest drop in violent crime and murder since 1937 as homicides fall more than 18% te 2026-05-14T18:20:44.259Z FBI reports largest drop in violent crime and murder since 1937 as homicides fall more than 18% Violent crime fell across the United States from 2024 to 2025, with murders falling by more than 18%, as well as declines in other major categories not seen in almost a century, according to the FBI. The numbers were part of the FBI’s figures on preliminary annual crime trends titled "First Look: 2025 Crime Data," which the bureau said provides a faster, "early look" at annual crime trends before the finalized, comprehensive "Crime in the Nation" report is published later in the year. In addition to declining homicides, the report showed a decrease in robberies — which fell an estimated 18.5% — as well as rapes and aggravated assaults, both of which saw 7% drops. "The 2025 crime data in this report shows the single largest decrease in violent crime and murder since 1937 – as well as huge decreases across the board in terms of aggravated assault, rape, and robbery," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL FILES $250 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATLANTIC OVER 'DEFAMATORY HIT PIECE' "Over the last 14 months, we made major transformations at the FBI, and these results show those changes are working," Patel said in a statement. "This FBI will continue to stack these wins for the American people under President Trump and always Back the Blue every step of the way." Property crime, which includes offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson, dropped by an estimated 12.4%, the FBI said. This year's report used data shared by roughly 17,075 law enforcement agencies — 2.4% more agencies than last year — across the U.S., accounting for nearly 96% of U.S. residents, the FBI said. US CRIME DROPPED WIDELY IN 2024, FBI SAYS — WITH SOME NOTABLE CAVEATS The report found that 53 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2025, down from 64 in 2024. More than 90,000 were assaulted and 28 were accidentally killed, the FBI said. Meanwhile, nearly 414,000 arrests were made for violent crimes and another 868,000 for property crimes. The FBI noted that a murder in the U.S. occurred every 37.3 minutes and a violent crime happened every 28.2 seconds. Meanwhile, a quarterly report released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association said violent crime fell across large U.S. cities in the first months of 2026. Data collected from 67 responding U.S. police agencies found that homicides fell 17.7%, alongside a 20.4% drop for robberies from Jan. 1 through March 31. Some of the agencies include police departments in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060e38a200899a00eb54ab Arizona man arrested for fire outside Trump Store in Tombstone te 2026-05-14T18:02:32.507Z Arizona man arrested for fire outside Trump Store in Tombstone A 58-year-old man was arrested in connection with an arson investigation at the Trump Store in southern Arizona. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060e20a200899a00eb5482 LeBron James may be target of apparently leaked Drake song featuring ‘switching teams’ lyric te 2026-05-14T18:02:08.203Z LeBron James may be target of apparently leaked Drake song featuring ‘switching teams’ lyric Drake's long-awaited album, "Iceman," the ninth of his illustrious career, comes out Friday, but fans were given an apparent sneak peek late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Overnight, an apparent song from the album was leaked on social media, which is rumored to be titled "1AM in Albany," a series of songs by Drake storytelling during specific hours of certain cities that began with "9AM in Dallas" in 2009. The song features some thinly veiled hits at Kendrick Lamar following their feud from 2024 into last year, but fans were taken aback at some apparent shots at LeBron James. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM James and Drake were once very good friends, with James even taking the stage during one of Drake's concerts years ago. However, James began to show some loyalty to Lamar during the famed rap beef that found its way to Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show performance. "I shouldn't even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up," Drake rapped. James went from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat, back to the Cavs to the Los Angeles Lakers and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. CHARLES BARKLEY ADMONISHES SOCIETY FOR BEING HOMOPHOBIC IN VIRTUE-SIGNALING RANT ABOUT JASON COLLINS' DEATH In a double entendre, Drake also implored his fans to "please stop asking what's going on with 23 and me. I'm a real n----, and he's not, it's in my DNA," a play on words from the website "23andMe." Drake and James have linked up numerous times, but if this song is legitimate, and the bars are aimed at James, those times may be long over. "Iceman" will be Drake's first solo album since he released "For All The Dogs" in October 2023. His first album was "Thank Me Later" back in 2010, and he followed up with classics in "Take Care" in 2011 and "Nothing Was The Same" two years later. 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/6a060e0ca200899a00eb5479 White House readout on Trump, Xi meeting omits Taiwan, as China centers on that issue with warning te 2026-05-14T18:01:48.414Z White House readout on Trump, Xi meeting omits Taiwan, as China centers on that issue with warning The White House described how President Donald Trump had a "good meeting" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, saying in its readout that the two sides discussed ways to "enhance economic cooperation," expand market access for American business into China and "increase Chinese investment into our industries." "Leaders from many of the United States' largest companies joined a portion of the meeting," the White House noted. "The Presidents also highlighted the need to build on progress in ending the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, as well as increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products." The White House said the U.S. and China agreed that the Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. TRUMP, XI MAKE REMARKS AT STATE BANQUET ON DAY TWO OF CRITICAL CHINA VISIT China and the U.S. are both nuclear-armed nations. TRUMP'S UPBEAT CHINA MESSAGE COLLIDES WITH DEEPENING BEIJING RIVALRY "The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," the White House noted. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. position on Taiwain remains unchanged following Trump and Xi's meeting, China's foreign ministry said "Xi stressed that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations." TRUMP PLEDGES TO RAISE DETAINED PASTOR'S CASE WITH XI JINPING DURING BEIJING VISIT AS FAMILY PLEADS FOR HELP "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy. 'Taiwan independence' and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "The U.S. side must exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060df8a200899a00eb5470 Wisconsin official cries foul alleging FBI showed up at front door of county election director's home te 2026-05-14T18:01:28.781Z Wisconsin official cries foul alleging FBI showed up at front door of county election director's home A county clerk in Wisconsin claims that a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent attempted to interview a county election director at her residence and released a statement defending the state’s handling of the 2020 presidential election.  "I can confirm that a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited the home of my Elections Director and left her business card," Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson said in a statement on Thursday morning.  "We will be following up to determine the nature of this visit. It is unfortunate that the FBI chose to visit the private residence of Milwaukee County’s Elections Director rather than contact the Election Commission’s office directly. No dedicated public servant should be subjected to that type of intrusion simply for carrying out her responsibilities with integrity and professionalism." Christenson went on to defend the state’s handling of the 2020 presidential election as "fair and transparent" and said "this has been proven repeatedly over the last six years by the post-election canvass, the Presidential Election Recount, State court-based challenge, Federal court-based challenge, the forensic audit by the Wisconsin’s Legislative Audit Bureau, and two additional independent audits. Continuing to relitigate settled questions does not strengthen public confidence in elections but it undermines it." DOJ TAUNTS MEDIA AFTER TRUMP SCORES WIN IN BATTLEGROUND-STATE BALLOT FIGHT "While we cooperate with all legitimate law enforcement actions, we will defend against any attack on our democracy and will defend the rights of voters of Milwaukee County," Christenson wrote. "Our responsibility as election officials is to safeguard the integrity of the process through facts, transparency, and adherence to the law, and the record clearly demonstrates that those standards were met in 2020." Christenson went on to suggest the FBI's actions are an "attack on democracy." TRUMP ACCUSES SCHUMER OF TRYING TO 'INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS' WITH LATEST STRATEGY The FBI declined to comment. Milwaukee County, the largest county in the state, has been a target of conservatives alleging improprieties with the 2020 election, and the FBI has been active across the country investigating election integrity issues. In January, searched Fulton County Georgia’s main election facility in Union City, near Atlanta, and focused on records connected to the 2020 general election after obtaining a court-approved search warrant, Fox Atlanta reported. An underlying affidavit revealed the bureau was probing allegations of ballot irregularities and record-keeping failures in Georgia, a state President Donald Trump lost by a razor-thin margin to President Joe Biden that became ground zero for Trump's election fraud claims in the aftermath of 2020. In March, the FBI subpoenaed 2020 voting documents in Arizona. Multiple U.S. officials confirmed the election probe to Fox News, saying the DOJ is looking at a large tranche of Arizona data from 2020 and 2024. Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060dcfa200899a00eb544e Justice Dept. Aims to Denaturalize Ex-Marine for Sex Crime te 2026-05-14T18:00:47.818Z Justice Dept. Aims to Denaturalize Ex-Marine for Sex Crime In recent decades, the federal authorities have generally revoked U.S. citizenship from people accused of wrongdoing on their citizenship applications. A new case focuses on a crime committed later. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060dbca200899a00eb5445 Appeals Court Appears Skeptical of Trump Orders Targeting Law Firms te 2026-05-14T18:00:28.362Z Appeals Court Appears Skeptical of Trump Orders Targeting Law Firms A three-judge panel showed few signs of siding with the president on his efforts to compel law firms to work for the administration or face threats. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060bafa200899a00eb53cc Bessent credits Dem senator with putting 'country before political ideology' in Fed chair confirmation vote te 2026-05-14T17:51:43.118Z Bessent credits Dem senator with putting 'country before political ideology' in Fed chair confirmation vote U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., prioritized the nation over partisanship on Wednesday by joining with Senate Republicans in voting to confirm President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to serve as Federal Reserve System Board of Governors chair. Aside from Fetterman, the 54-45 vote was strictly along party lines, with Republicans voting for confirmation and Democrats voting against it. "Today @SenateGOP, along with the Democrat who put country before political ideology, confirmed @POTUS's nominee Kevin Warsh as the next Chairman of the @FederalReserve," Bessent declared in a Wednesday post on X. SENATE CONFIRMS KEVIN WARSH AS FED CHAIR AS TRUMP'S ECONOMIC VISION COMES INTO FOCUS "Chairman Warsh will usher in a new day at an institution that is in need of accountability, sound policy guidance, and the renewed sense of purpose to help guide our economy. His chairmanship opens the door and lays the groundwork for every American family to build and grow in the world's greatest economy," Bessent added. Fetterman said in a statement issued on Wednesday, "I've met Kevin Warsh and believe he will be transparent and responsive to Congress and the public. His promise to maintain Fed independence in setting interest rates is crucial and I look forward to working with him." "I also maintain we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Chair Powell. Through multiple administrations and a global pandemic, our economy has been the envy of the world under his steady hand. He never broke the law, has done a remarkable job, and I’m profoundly grateful for his service as Chair. I encourage him to stay on the Fed Board as long as he wants," Fetterman added. FETTERMAN CALLS OUT 'ABSOLUTE SOCIALIST' SEATTLE MAYOR AND 'AVOWED COMMUNIST' GRAHAM PLATNER During his first presidential administration, Trump nominated Powell for the chairmanship. Then, President Joe Biden, during his White House tenure, tapped Powell to remain in the role for a second term. Trump more recently has been a vociferous Powell critic. "After my term as Chair ends on May 15, I will continue to serve as a governor for a period of time to be determined. I plan to keep a low profile as a governor. There is only ever one Chair of the Federal Reserve Board. When Kevin Warsh is confirmed and sworn in, he will be that Chair," Powell said last month. POWELL WILL REMAIN AT THE FED FOR NOW, SETTING UP POTENTIAL CLASH WITH TRUMP The Federal Reserve website notes that "Mr. Powell has served as a member of the Board of Governors since taking office on May 25, 2012, to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed to the Board and sworn in on June 16, 2014, for a term ending January 31, 2028." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060b9ba200899a00eb53c3 Doctor accuses young ex-mistress of sending nudes to wife after affair, proposed partner swap & celeb cheating te 2026-05-14T17:51:23.487Z Doctor accuses young ex-mistress of sending nudes to wife after affair, proposed partner swap & celeb cheating Buckle up. Last week I was, as I admitted, dragging heading into Thursday and needed more caffeine than normal to get going. There's no such problem with that today. The sun is out and I can taste the weekend. Plus, the problem with modern dating has been discovered. If that doesn’t excite you, nothing will. Thankfully, I haven’t been in the game for many, many years now, but it's good to finally have some answers for those still looking for "the one." Who better to set the tone for this week's True Romance and give people the answers they've been looking for than Chelsea Handler? When a relationship expert speaks, we listen around here. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! According to the 51-year-old comedian, men are the problem. She said, "It’s very hard in today’s world to meet straight guys that have their s--- together. … Something’s wrong. I don’t know what’s wrong." She had put on a superhero cape and attempted to help women find quality men, but says dating apps and social media ruined that. Men have so many choices that they don't have to "lock it in." The badass ladies out there can't find anyone. Handler said of the men, "They can swipe through 50 women a day. So they’re not making the effort that people used to make to date." How did she do it? If she's out there trying to set women up with quality men, then she must have a success story of her own, right? What are we talking, one or two decades of a successful relationship under her belt? That's not for Chelsea. According to her, she wouldn’t say that she's in a relationship. She's "dabbling in different areas," because she doesn't "like to be tethered to one person." If only we can get those guys who aren't locking it in to figure it out. Maybe one day that will happen. Until then, we have other pressing matters to get to, like the doctor who is claiming his ex-mistress sent his wife nudes and a partner swap proposal that could have other motivations behind it. Once we get through that, we have some serious business in the form of a hypothetical poll about cheating with a married celebrity to take care of. Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer) and find me on Instagram and Twitter. A "prominent gastroenterologist," as the NY Post describes him, is alleging in a lawsuit filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court that his much younger ex-mistress sent naked pictures to his wife after their affair ended. The 57-year-old New Jersey doctor, who The Post names, but isn’t named in the lawsuit, claims that he's being relentlessly harassed by a 29-year-old woman who he had an affair with. She was reportedly upset that he had ended the relationship and allegedly started threatening to send naked recordings of him to his family. Now, if naked recordings of him with his former mistress exist, that's a mistake you just can't make. The lawsuit alleges that the ex-mistress did end up sending an explicit picture of the doctor to his wife while threatening to send images to his college-age sons. These intimate pictures were supposed to remain private. She was reportedly arrested on stalking, harassment, two counts of aggravated harassment and unlawful disclosure of intimate images. She has denied those claims and pleaded not guilty. In addition to all of that, she also, according to the suit, dragged the affair onto LinkedIn and damaged the doctor's career. The affair went south when the mistress found out she was in a relationship with a married man. He ended up filing for divorce, but the proceedings were halted a few months later. The former mistress claims she was showered with gifts and even provided with a furnished apartment during their relationship. But this wasn’t a sugar baby situation. She thought he might be the one. The court system will have to sort out the mess here, but there are some tough lessons to be learned from following your heart down a path that leaves you in a spot where nudes are allegedly flying around. You could say don't cheat, but that's easier said than done for some. The easier step to take would be to not let your mistress take pictures of you at all, especially not without any clothes on. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. I hear terms thrown around like "partner swap" and think to myself, how does that work and what could possibly go wrong? On paper, they look like a disaster waiting to happen. But it has to work out for a few people out there, right? You would think a couple who are swingers and get down with neighbors, old friends and strangers would be able to handle it. The girlfriend isn’t so sure. Right out of the gate she feels like she's coming out on the short end of the proposed partner swap. Her boyfriend wants to "shake things up" for the summer. The swinging with the neighbors, old friends and strangers isn’t cutting it. He thinks they've become set in their ways and complacent. You can't have that. He's come up with a solution to their predicament. "He wants to go and live with a like-minded neighbor for three months, while her husband comes here," she told the Daily Star. "He says we can still meet up for group sex whenever we fancy but thinks it will be thrilling to wake up next to someone new for a while." That would shake things up, but is there something else going on here? She isn’t into the other guy. He's annoying and goes at it "like a pneumatic drill." His wife says he "can go five times a night." She's not thrilled about the prospects of that, and she's a little worried. Her boyfriend and the pneumatic drill's wife are into each other. She says they have "an undeniable spark and attraction." Again, what could possibly go wrong? So your boyfriend wants to live with someone else for a few months. So there's a spark and attraction between them. This isn’t a test run on life with this other woman. It's nothing more than a loving couple shaking things up for summer. It could be fun. Who knows, maybe the girlfriend and the pneumatic drill end up finding something special. Let's take a dive into the deep end of delusion for a minute. Your celebrity crush wants you to jump into bed with them, but they're married. The good news is that nobody is ever going to find out. Are you, assuming your celebrity crush is still alive, taking them up on the offer? Here's what some people on Reddit who allowed themselves to live in fantasy land for a minute had to say: - Steve writes: beige.  we really need to paint the ceiling beige. SeanJo If you know, you know. And if you do know, let me know that you know. The inbox is always open. Thanks for reaching out Steve, while not as touching as Reno Ruth's "True really true romance" correspondence, your email is appreciated. ------------- That's it, another successful week of romance in the books. We'll do it again next Thursday. In the meantime, you can reach out, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Also, go follow along on Twitter and on Facebook. The DMs are always open. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060b87a200899a00eb53ba Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed te 2026-05-14T17:51:03.806Z Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - UCF graduates clobber commencement speaker with boos after she says AI is the 'next Industrial Revolution' - OPINION: DIRECTOR KASH PATEL: We brought the FBI out of the past and into the AI age - OpenAI backs creation of global AI governance body led by the U.S. that would include China as a member TOUGH CROWD: During a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Central Florida, a speaker was met with loud boos from the graduating class after declaring that artificial intelligence represents the next industrial revolution. Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI's growing footprint in daily life. BADGE MEETS BYTE: Reflecting on the modernization of national security in a Fox News op-ed, FBI Director Kash Patel explores how the bureau must adapt its strategies to address modern threats and advance beyond the artificial intelligence age. TECH DIPLOMACY: OpenAI is throwing its support behind the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence governance organization that would be led by the United States while notably including China as a member. Fox News Digital reporting examines the geopolitical dynamics and regulatory implications of this proposed framework as global powers race to set the standards for AI development. EQUITY ELEVATION: The massive wave of wealth generated by the explosive growth of ChatGPT and the broader AI industry is driving a sudden surge in the San Francisco Bay Area's luxury real estate market. Fox News Digital reporting breaks down how the influx of new tech capital is reshaping local housing dynamics and fueling a high-end property frenzy. STRATEGY RESET: Tech giant Cisco is planning to eliminate thousands of jobs as the company shifts its primary focus to accelerate its artificial intelligence initiatives, a move that comes despite the company beating earnings expectations. Fox News Digital reporting details the corporate restructuring and broader economic trends pushing legacy tech firms to aggressively pivot toward AI. ROAD HAZARD: Waymo is issuing a sweeping recall of its autonomous vehicle fleet following a concerning incident that highlighted significant safety issues with the self-driving technology. Fox News Digital reporting outlines the specifics of the recall, the nature of the safety flaw, and what this setback means for the future of fully autonomous transportation on public roads. BOTS IN THE BAY: A newly developed, artificial intelligence-powered robot has been engineered to seamlessly change and balance vehicle tires without human intervention. Fox News Digital reporting showcases this latest innovation, exploring how automation and AI mechanics could soon revolutionize the automotive service and repair industry. Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Health FOX Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Fox Nation Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060b5fa200899a00eb5399 Latino Groups Unite to Win Back Hispanic Voters for Democrats in Midterms te 2026-05-14T17:50:23.104Z Latino Groups Unite to Win Back Hispanic Voters for Democrats in Midterms Four longtime Latino civil rights and political organizations are joining efforts to register voters and mobilize Hispanic Democrats in the wake of rising voting restrictions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060943a200899a00eb5304 Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin defends Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, tells critics to look in the mirror te 2026-05-14T17:41:23.422Z Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin defends Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, tells critics to look in the mirror Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin has a message for those criticizing New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former reporter for The Athletic Dianna Russini. Irvin, 60, said that people need to look in the mirror and their own issues before going off on others. "We all want to jump in personal lives," Irvin said during a recent appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Dude, if I just get a peek at your history, I’m sure it’ll tell me something. We all forget that we have done s--- when we’re talking about somebody else, and then we want to castrate and kill them." The Dallas Cowboys legend said that people don’t know what they are dealing with, yet they are teeing off on Vrabel and Russini. "Life happens," Irvin said. "We’re trying to use people in football to be the measuring stick for all the righteousness. And then we act like, ‘I can’t believe this person did this.’ It’s a person, and people do things. Sometimes it’s not right, but we’re not in their homes." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "We don’t know what they’re dealing with. And we wanna sit here and say, ‘Man, they shouldn’t do this.’ You don’t know what they’re dealing with. Get out of it. Leave it alone. It’s not your business." Vrabel married his wife, Jen, in 1999, and they have two sons together. Russini married her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, in 2020, and they share two kids together. The pair was seen holding hands and hugging at a luxury hotel in Arizona in March, and photos of their interaction were first released in April. After the initial report, Vrabel said the photos show a "completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable." "The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," Russini said. More photos have leaked of the pair being seen together. Russini has since resigned from The Athletic. Vrabel stepped away from the team during the final round of the NFL Draft indefinitely to seek counseling and be with his family. 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/6a06091aa200899a00eb52db Spies, Sanctions, Cyberattacks: China and the U.S. Clash Behind the Scenes te 2026-05-14T17:40:42.241Z Spies, Sanctions, Cyberattacks: China and the U.S. Clash Behind the Scenes After months of avoiding confrontation, the Trump administration has taken recent steps to call out China on Iran, artificial intelligence and spying. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060905a200899a00eb52bf Tucson’s market scene thrives on community support te 2026-05-14T17:40:21.086Z Tucson’s market scene thrives on community support By the time shoppers wander through with iced coffees in hand, Tucson’s market vendors have already spent weeks getting ready for a single day. Tents are unloaded before sunrise. Coffee carts hiss to life. Handmade stickers are lined up one by one. Pastries are stacked beneath glass displays after days of baking and preparation. But behind every successful market is another layer of labor that shoppers rarely see: the organizers coordinating vendor applications, marketing events, managing logistics and trying to create spaces where small businesses can actually succeed. For many of Tucson’s makers, artists and food vendors, markets are more than weekend side hustles. They are storefronts, community spaces and, for some, a primary source of income. “I think community building is huge,” said Noor Nassar, owner of Happy Light Designs. “Especially in moments of so much darkness in the world, I think it’s nice to be the source of a smile or light for people.” Nassar launched her sticker and art business during the pandemic after being unable to find designs that reflected her culture and upbringing, eventually moving from an Etsy shop into local vending and community organizing. “In this past year and a half, I have been focusing on in-person markets and just meeting people in person,” Nassar said. “It’s such a different type of rejection therapy. Seeing what lights people up.” For Aralexie Robles, owner of Aralexie's Sweets, markets provide opportunities that many home-based businesses otherwise would not have. “People don’t have that opportunity to have an in-store storefront,” Robles said. “So this is basically their storefront.” A cake by Aralexie Sweets, a Tucson baking business that launched in June 2024 and now vends full time at local markets. Courtesy of Aralexie's Sweets. Robles officially launched her baking business in June 2024 after initially making cakes for friends and family. She now runs it full time. “It was really hard at the beginning,” Robles said. “But then I woke up one day and was just like, ‘I need to get my stuff together. This is my job.’” Vendors repeatedly described markets as essential not only financially but emotionally and socially. “I love interacting and talking with people,” Robles said. “It’s not just over a phone, it is a real customer connection.” That connection is what keeps many vendors returning despite unpredictable sales, rising costs and long hours. “Honestly, it’s the connection,” said Selena Tootsie, owner of By Spooky Tootsie. “When someone picks up something I made and you can tell it means something to them, that feeling outweighs a slow market day.” Tootsie said markets are a major part of her full-time business because they allow her to build in-person relationships with customers and other makers. “A lot of my growth has come from showing up consistently at local events,” Tootsie said. For Derek Gentry of So Gay Crochet, markets are his primary source of income. “Markets are the only way I make my money,” Gentry said, adding that the work that goes into each event is far greater than many people realize. “I am shoving thousands of dollars worth of plushies into the back of my seat. That’s on the day-of. Depending on the item, most of my products take 30 to 40 minutes to make.” Shoppers browse the Made in Tucson Market, where local makers, artists and food vendors gather to sell directly to the community. Courtesy of Made in Tucson Market. Many vendors said shoppers rarely see the preparation behind the polished booths and finished products. “There is so much prep that goes into it and behind the scenes,” Nassar said. “If I think about a market as a movable brick and mortar, what can I fit in this space?” Preparing for a single market can take days, said Angie Vizcarra, owner of Teddy’s Coffee Cart. “The preparedness for one single event goes beyond that day or those couple of hours,” Vizcarra said. “It can take days or sometimes weeks depending on how big an event is.” Vizcarra started Teddy’s Coffee Cart earlier this year after struggling to find a traditional work schedule that fit the needs of her son, who has autism. “I needed to create something for me and my family,” Vizcarra said. “My dream is to see him working for Teddy’s Coffee Cart in the future.” For 1989 Bakehouse owners Randy Koch and Roselena Trevizo, markets helped grow their home baking operation into a brick-and-mortar business. “It was all farmers market stuff,” Koch said. “Carving out a niche in the farmers market scene to make yourself stand out from every other person that goes there is kind of the side of it where you have to know what you are doing.” The couple expanded from selling cookies at markets to opening café spaces in Green Valley and on Fourth Avenue. “For the farmers markets, yeah it is paid publicity,” Koch said. “But I also get to talk to 500 or 1,000 people.” Angie Vizcarra started Teddy's Coffee Cart earlier this year to create a flexible work schedule around her son's needs. Courtesy of Teddy's Coffee Cart. Koch said those conversations are one of the reasons he continues vending. “People forget to stop to talk to people,” Koch said. “That is another part of the farmers market that I love.” Mikayla Chin, who moved to Tucson from San Francisco in 2024, said Tucson’s maker community immediately stood out to her. “The creativity in the community is so amazing,” Chin said. Chin launched Made It Mikayla as a blog in 2017 before transitioning into ecommerce and market vending in 2020, saying the experience has helped her both professionally and personally. “It helps me get exposure therapy because I have social anxiety,” Chin said. “It also helps me develop as a person and a business and a brand.” Vendors described Tucson’s market scene as collaborative but said successful events require strong organization behind the scenes. They repeatedly pointed to communication, transparency and marketing as the difference between a successful event and a frustrating one. “A well-run market is about pure communication and transparency,” Nassar said. Mikayla Chin displays her work at a Tucson market. She launched Made It Mikayla as a blog in 2017 before transitioning into ecommerce and market vending in 2020. Courtesy of Made it Mikayla. Many vendors praised Di Luna Candles for its detailed communication and hands-on vendor support. The business regularly hosts workshops, markets and vendor events. “We focus on creating a welcoming, supportive environment where vendors feel genuinely taken care of,” owner Maria Jose Cortes and manager Maria-Ines Cortes said in an email. The sisters said their own experience as vendors shaped the way they organize events, from providing cold water and shade to checking on vendors throughout the day. “We understand the effort and risk it takes just to show up,” they said. Borderlands Market organizer Cynthia Martinez said she also tries to approach organizing from a vendor’s perspective. “I think a lot of coordinators of markets just coordinate so they don’t fully understand what all goes into setting up and breaking down at markets,” Martinez said. “It can be brutal.” Borderlands Market describes itself as a pop-up marketplace “for dreamers, makers and families,” focused on creating themed experiences that feel more like community festivals than traditional markets. “I definitely want the newer vendors to know that we truly care about how well they do at our markets and we’re not just here to take money and go home,” Martinez said. Vendors also highlighted events like the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, Made in Tucson Market, Indigenous Market, Vegan Night Market and St. Philip’s Plaza Market as examples of strong local markets. The Made in Tucson Market organizers said they focus heavily on making vendors feel respected and appreciated. “We try to be very intentional about making sure the vendors feel respected and appreciated,” organizers said in an email. Maria Jose Cortes, owner of Di Luna Candles, at a Tucson market. Cortes and her sister Maria-Ines organize vendor events focused on communication and hands-on support for sellers. Courtesy of Di Luna Candles. Vendors also mentioned smaller community-centered events like Mourning Star Market, Queer Hop Shop Market, Rustic Roots Farmers Market and Desert Air Market. Chin praised Desert Air Market for hosting vendor mixers and being transparent about how vendor fees are used, while Gentry said Mourning Star Market and Queer Hop Shop Market understand how to market directly to their audiences. “As a vendor you don’t want to feel like you are the only one marketing the event,” Nassar said. Gentry agreed, saying organizers need to invest in customer-focused advertising rather than only recruiting vendors. “That is telling me you want my money and you are not trying to get us money,” Gentry said. Several vendors said difficult event experiences have also changed how they approach future markets. Tootsie referenced problems surrounding last month’s Palo Verde Bloom Fest as a moment that pushed vendors to speak more openly about poor communication and organization. “It felt good to show other makers that it’s okay to share your experiences,” Tootsie said. Despite the challenges, vendors repeatedly described Tucson’s small business community as supportive and collaborative. “What I love about the Tucson community is that it doesn’t feel competitive,” Nassar said. “It feels like everyone is so willing to be collaborative.” Vendors display handmade goods at the Made in Tucson Market, one of several local markets vendors cited as a well-run example of community-centered selling. Courtesy of Made in Tucson Market. Support, vendors say, does not always mean making a purchase. “A like, a share, just cascading information,” Nassar said. “Your repost costs nothing.” Vendors emphasized that social media engagement, word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat attendance all play major roles in helping small businesses survive. “Support is choosing to shop small when you can,” Tootsie said. As Tucson heads into the slower summer months, vendors and organizers say community support becomes even more critical. “Summer in Tucson is a very hard time for local businesses,” Koch said. “The people that stay in Tucson need to go out in the summer eand spend money so those businesses are there in the winter and spring.” Even so, makers continue packing cars, unloading tents and showing up across the city, hoping customers stop long enough to connect with the people behind the products. “When someone picks up something I made and you can tell it means something to them,” Tootsie said, “that feeling outweighs a slow market day.” McKenna Manzo is a graduate student at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at mckennamanzo@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/6a060716a200899a00eb5224 Harlee Lawson brings rodeo attitude to Snow College in Utah te 2026-05-14T17:32:06.370Z Harlee Lawson brings rodeo attitude to Snow College in Utah The Coconino High School senior commits to Snow College to compete in rodeo. She will bring her two horses, Astra and Montana, to Utah this fall. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0606ffa200899a00eb51fe Kid Rock fires back at media trolls over helicopter ride, warning his military mission is far from over te 2026-05-14T17:31:43.677Z Kid Rock fires back at media trolls over helicopter ride, warning his military mission is far from over Musician Kid Rock responded to criticism of his recent flights with the U.S. military, saying his commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces is about boosting morale, not personal perks. Rock, whose full name is Robert Ritchie, joined the "Will Cain Country" podcast to discuss the "noise" regarding his recent flights with the U.S. military and share the origin of his decades-long journey to support service members. "It really started with the bombing of the USS Cole," Rock said. "They were playing my music when that ship got towed out of the harbor and 17 sailors lost their lives. So, we ended up playing a show in Virginia and giving all that money to those families." The USS Cole was attacked by al Qaeda suicide bombers in 2000. Rock said his patriotism took a new form after meeting those sailors. KID ROCK, HEGSETH DIVIDE FANS AFTER CRITICS QUESTION PATRIOTIC HELICOPTER RIDE "That really started just a whole 'nother level of not just patriotism, but really doing my part to try and help out and go wherever the military called," he said. Rock described his work supporting troops as some of the "toughest work" he’s ever done, but also the "most rewarding." Last month, the artist faced criticism after he joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for a helicopter flight in Washington, D.C. The flight came after the U.S. Army investigated an unplanned flyover at Rock’s Nashville home in March. KID ROCK, HEGSETH TAKE APACHE HELICOPTER RIDE NEAR WASHINGTON While some media outlets and social media users questioned whether taxpayer dollars were being used for celebrity flights, Rock dismissed the criticism as "just noise," noting he has visited bases and flown in military aircraft for over 20 years. "You do stuff for the military, and they want to showcase to you what they do. So, whether they're showing you their technology or letting you shoot a gun or participate in something, you know, that's kind of what you do," he said. "I don't need to sit here and prove what I've done." Rock said the purpose of his recent trip with Hegseth was to film content for Memorial Day and the America 250 celebration. He also used the opportunity to announce that his "Freedom 250" tour will give away 250 free tickets per show to veterans and their families. In a post on X, Secretary Hegseth defended the partnership, calling Rock a "patriot" and a "huge supporter of our troops." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0606eca200899a00eb51f5 Suspect in custody for alleged murder of college student after police released eerie surveillance photos te 2026-05-14T17:31:24.220Z Suspect in custody for alleged murder of college student after police released eerie surveillance photos A man suspected in the Sunday night murder of a University of Washington student turned himself in to police on Wednesday night. The move came after the Seattle Police Department (SPD) on Wednesday afternoon released photos of a suspect in the murder of a University of Washington student, and solicited the public's help in tracking him down. "On May 13, Seattle police detectives arrested a 31-year-old man in connection to a homicide that occurred May 10 in a University of Washington campus housing building. Officers found the 19-year-old victim deceased with stab wounds," SPD said in an early Thursday morning statement. SEATTLE ROBBER BITES OFF 88-YEAR-OLD WOMAN'S FINGER DURING VIOLENT ROBBERY, POLICE SAY The suspect is a former student at the University of Washington who attended the school from 2015 to 2021, an SPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Police said the suspect, who remains unnamed, turned himself in to the Bellevue Police Department and was transferred to the custody of Seattle homicide detectives. Authorities were hunting for three days for the suspect after a gruesome late-night stabbing murder on Sunday in a laundry room in the Nordheim Court apartments. Those apartments are privately managed and located off campus, but are listed on the University of Washington's website as an option for undergraduate housing. The suspect is described as a light-skinned Black male who is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and has a thin build. In the photos, he sports thin wire-framed glasses, a scruffy goatee and navy blue pullover sweatshirt paired with blue jeans. In one eerie photo, the suspect can be seen looking over his right shoulder directly into what appears to be a surveillance camera. SURVEILLANCE CAM SHOWS BRUTAL ATTACK OF 77-YEAR-OLD-MAN University of Washington Police responded to the scene, where they, along with the Seattle Fire Department, attempted life-saving measures to no avail. The victim, who is reportedly transgender, has not been named. "I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of the UW student who was killed late last night," University of Washington President Robert Jones told the school's newspaper The Daily. "There are no words that can express the profound loss of a student. While investigators have not yet identified a suspect or a motive, I want to recognize that when violence affects a trans person it can be especially worrying to our LGBTQIA+ community members." Fox News Digital reached out to SPD. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0606d8a200899a00eb51ec ‘Intense standoff’ erupts between Secret Service, Chinese officials during Trump-Xi event: report te 2026-05-14T17:31:04.702Z ‘Intense standoff’ erupts between Secret Service, Chinese officials during Trump-Xi event: report Chinese security officials allegedly blocked an armed U.S. Secret Service agent from entering an event on Thursday during President Donald Trump's visit to the country, according to media members on the ground.  A Secret Service agent was reportedly blocked from entering Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven with their weapon on Thursday, according to reporters. The incident triggered an alleged "intense standoff" that delayed entry to the venue for over a half-hour due to heated discussions.  "We’ve seen several intense confrontations since being here," wrote a Telegraph correspondent on X of the situation.  TRUMP GETS RED-CARPET WELCOME IN CHINA, BUT PAST BEIJING TRIP SHOWS PAGEANTRY ONLY GOES SO FAR The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the matter. Trump and Xi met Thursday in Beijing as part of a two-day state visit, with the White House saying the leaders discussed Iran, energy security, fentanyl controls and market access. CHINA ROLLS OUT RED CARPET FOR TRUMP AS XI MEETING TESTS TRADE, TAIWAN TENSIONS Other videos posted by reporters on social media show the press having difficulties navigating following Trump during the meetings and events.  "Several times the Chinese tried to stop US reporters and staff from leaving their positions and joining the motorcade," the Telegraph correspondent on X. Fox News Digital reached out to the Secret Service for comment on Thursday.  This is not the first time tensions have flared between the Secret Service and Chinese security officials. During Trump’s 2017 visit, commotion was caused over the nuclear football, a briefcase that holds the tools for the president to order a nuclear strike, Axios first reported at the time. SECRET SERVICE MUST 'COURSE CORRECT' AFTER ALLEGED SMUGGLING EPISODE ON TRUMP TRIP, FORMER AGENT SAYS Reports at the time said that when the U.S. military aide carrying the briefcase entered the Great Hall, Chinese security officials blocked his entry. The then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly was notified and rushed over to escort the aide. "We’re moving in," Kelly said, according to Axios. A Chinese security official then grabbed Kelly, before a U.S. Secret Service agent grabbed that Chinese security official, and allegedly tackled him to the ground. The U.S. Secret Service later denied the reports of "tackling" issuing a statement on X. FORMER SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS WARN OF LOW-TECH THREATS FACING TRUMP AFTER LATEST MAR-A-LAGO BREACH "FACT CHECK: Reports about Secret Service agents tackling a host nation official during the President’s trip to China in Nov 2017 are false," the agency wrote. A source told Fox News at the time there was a bit of shoving during the incident, which then de-escalated and reiterated that the "football" was never touched. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0606c4a200899a00eb51e3 OIlers axe head coach Kris Knoblauch in first move to show Connor McDavid they know business te 2026-05-14T17:30:44.961Z OIlers axe head coach Kris Knoblauch in first move to show Connor McDavid they know business We all got the sense it was coming, but it still seems shocking that after two straight Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, the Edmonton Oilers have told head coach Kris Knoblauch his services are no longer needed. Of course, this was kind of obvious amid reports that the Vegas Golden Knights were blocking the Oilers from talking to head coach Bruce Cassidy. However, while it's another move that underscores how short the leash NHL coaches have these days, it was necessary to show Oilers superstar Connor McDavid that the front office means business. McDavid will start a new two-year "show me" deal in Edmonton, and they'll realistically only have a year to prove to him that their Cup-winning window hasn't slammed shut. Step one was making an aggressive coaching decision. Knoblauch goes way back with McDavid and was his head coach in juniors. When he joined the team partway through the 2023-24 season, he turned them around and led them to a Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers. The next season ended in another loss to Florida, while this season ended with a first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks. In years past, a coach like Knoblauch would've built up enough goodwill to at least get one more year to prove that he can get the team back to the Cup Final and win it all. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore, and teams are getting more aggressive with coaching decisions. Of course, this can't be the only thing that happens this summer because coaching was far from the Oilers' biggest problem. I'd say the biggest is what it has been through the entire McDavid era: depth. ALL-TIME TALENT, ZERO TITLES: THE MOST UNDERACHIEVING FRANCHISES IN NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Sure, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl put up mega numbers upfront, while blueliner Evan Bouchard does the same on the backend. But the drop-off after those three is wild. Just this season, McDavid had 138 points (a league high), Draisaitl had 97, and Bouchard had 95. The next highest on the team? Ryan Nugent Hopkins with 57. They needed to spread out the scoring because, as great as it is to have Connor McDavid lighting things up, he's only on the ice for 22 minutes a game. Others need to step up in the other 38. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But you can get away with this if the goalies are playing lights out... but they are not. This season, their top netminder is Connor Ingraham with a .899 save percentage and a 2.60 GAA. So, while getting rid of Knoblauch and potentially bringing in a Bruce Cassidy or a Craig Berube may be a shock to the system for the team, they need to make some moves this summer. And, you can bet that No. 97 will be keeping an eye on it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0604a8a200899a00eb5154 Democratic school chief candidates debated voucher fraud, teacher shortage and Horne hotline te 2026-05-14T17:21:44.787Z Democratic school chief candidates debated voucher fraud, teacher shortage and Horne hotline Democratic candidates for superintendent of public instruction Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz debated on May 13, 2026. (Screenshot via Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission) The two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to be Arizona’s public schools chief focused on voucher accountability, funding and teacher retention during a Wednesday evening debate. Teresa Leyba Ruiz, a longtime teacher and former president of Glendale Community College, shared the stage with Brett Newby, a behavior analyst who works with children who have autism, during the Arizona Clean Elections debate.  Throughout the debate, Ruiz leaned on her 35-year background in education, including 25 years as a math teacher, while Newby focused on the struggles facing rural schools and his experience helping students with autism get a handle on their behavior and obtain the services they need.  Ruiz is endorsed by a long list of Democratic state legislators, as well as former Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman and U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva. There are no endorsements listed on Newby’s campaign website or social media pages.  Whoever wins the Democratic primary election on July 21 will go on to face incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, or his challenger in the Republican primary, state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.  School vouchers Arizona’s universal school voucher program, called the Education Savings Account, has received unyielding support from the Republicans who created it, but has been the subject of ample criticism for its ballooning costs and lack of oversight. Since it was implemented in 2022, the program has grown to pay for more than 100,000 K-12 students to attend private schools or to be home-schooled — at an annual cost of $1 billion.  Both candidates agreed the program urgently needs oversight, but acknowledge that many families rely on it.  “it’s very important that we’re spending that money wisely, and that we’re doing an ethical job in making sure that those funds are going to the right people, but also helping those students get the access to education that they deserve,” Newby said.  Ruiz pointed to a report from the Arizona Auditor General that found the Arizona Department of Education was not properly auditing ESA purchases, to the point of mismanagement. Earlier reporting found that parents had used voucher funds to purchase household appliances and lingerie.  “It feels like this whole program is on autopilot, and just millions and millions of dollars are being spent unchecked and unchallenged,” Ruiz said. “That needs to end immediately.” Ruiz added that she would put her experience managing multimillion dollar budgets at Glendale Community College to work to implement robust accountability measures.  Teacher pay and recruitment Arizona is in the middle of a teacher shortage, with more than a quarter of teacher positions unfilled, and more than half of positions filled by underqualified teachers.  “We need to start by respecting the educators in the classroom right now,” Ruiz said. “Many teachers feel vilified. They feel overworked and underappreciated. And the first thing I will do is bring back this respect to this noble profession.”  Ruiz said she would also work with community colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations to strengthen the pipeline of well trained teachers, and would move around resources to ensure teachers have the support they need.  Newby said that the focus should be on increased school funding for better teacher pay, as well as allocating more resources to teachers to ensure their success. The superintendent of public instruction alone doesn’t have power to allocate more tax money to schools, and would have to persuade the Arizona legislature to do so. Arizona has long ranked at or near the bottom nationally in per-pupil school funding, and the GOP lawmakers that have controlled the legislature since the 1960s have routinely fought efforts to boost spending on public schools. “We need more resources, because when those budgets get cut, those first items that are cut off the budget are our support staff, and the resources that the teachers need, so the teachers are doing a lot more for the little pay that they’re getting,” he said.  Newby added that rural districts could renovate vacant properties that they already own to provide housing to new teachers.  Ruiz said she would save taxpayer dollars and divert that money to teachers by taking down Horne’s “Teacher Empowerment Hotline,” which allows parents to file complaints about their schools directly with the Arizona Department of Education. Horne created the line to field complaints about the teaching of “gender ideology” and diversity, equity and inclusion, but the line has been a target for tens of thousands of prank calls. Ruiz called it the “teacher snitch line.”  “We can take that line down and save hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she said. “I would love to be able to repurpose those resources and get them to our teachers, who are really starting off the school year, oftentimes, without the basic supplies that they need to do their jobs.” Student achievement Both candidates agreed that investing in comprehensive early childhood education was vital to improving student achievement, including fully funding full-day kindergarten.  Ruiz said that getting more certified teachers in the classroom, and retaining them, is part of the solution.  “We need to have stable, certified teachers in the classroom, each and every day,” she said. “A revolving door of subs is not good for our students, and it’s not good for our community.”   Newby said that the more Arizona invests in early learners, the better they will grow their skills over time.  “But we also need to make sure that we’re funding our underserved communities, our underserved schools,” he said. That includes ensuring that families who don’t speak English have access to information about the school so that they can be involved in their child’s education, Newby said.  Social emotional learning Newby and Ruiz agreed that social emotional learning, which Horne has banned in Arizona public schools, is important for students and teachers so that students can understand and deal with their emotions instead of having disruptive outbursts. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060492a200899a00eb5135 Eric Church's uses his guitar to deliver one of the most powerful addresses ever at UNC commencement te 2026-05-14T17:21:22.958Z Eric Church's uses his guitar to deliver one of the most powerful addresses ever at UNC commencement I don't usually like to get too deep or serious around here. We have enough of that everywhere else, quite frankly. I like to keep it light, loose, and funny. That's my wheelhouse. That's where I'm comfortable. Sometimes, though, you stumble across something on the timeline that you can't ignore. I didn't think I'd spend 20 minutes today watching Eric Church give a University of North Carolina commencement speech, but it's what I did. And then I watched it again. COUNTRY SINGER ERIC CHURCH BUILDING HOMES FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY HURRICANE HELENE I'd encourage everyone here to watch it, too. Church, the 49-year-old country singer, used his guitar to give what the internet is (rightfully) labeling one of the most powerful addresses ... ever? I'm no expert on the subject, but it's hard to argue. Faith. Family. Spouse. Ambition. Community. You. Six pillars of life to go along with six guitar strings. Take a look: Yes, it's long. But goodness, what a speech. You don't get college speeches like this much anymore. This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus. Those places can be cesspools. I don't need to explain why, because you all already know. It's probably why these 10(ish) minutes from Eric Church are so refreshing. Church talked about faith, which, again, is a slippery slope in 2026 — especially on a college campus. STAGECOACH FESTIVALGOERS SPLIT ON WHETHER AMERICA IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AHEAD OF ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY I'm not breaking news here. "Your faith will go quiet when you need it loud," he cautioned. "Tend to your faith, now just when you’re broken, but when you’re whole." He talked about family. "Your family will get complicated in a way only the people who love you most can complicate things." He talked about the importance of marriage, calling it the second-most important decision you'll ever make, next to your faith. "You will go through hard seasons with your spouse," he said. He talked about the G-string, which, shockingly, drew laughs from the college crowd. Can't imagine why! That's ambition. "When you fail, and you will fail, Hemingway wrote it plainly, right in the sternum: 'The world breaks everyone. Afterward, the best of us are stronger at the broken places.' Get back up, tune the string, keep playing." At the end, Church — who actually attended Appalachian State — finished with an original song, "Carolina." All along the way, the message was clear. "The difference between a life that sounds like music and a life that sounds like noise is whether you stop and listen," he said, "whether you’re honest enough to hear which string has drifted out of tune and humble enough to make the adjustment instead of just turning up the volume and hoping nobody notices." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06047fa200899a00eb512c Scuba enthusiast Nathan MacKinnon atones for missed Olympics shot with identical goal to help Avs advance te 2026-05-14T17:21:03.518Z Scuba enthusiast Nathan MacKinnon atones for missed Olympics shot with identical goal to help Avs advance Hockey, much like football, is a game of inches. And no one knows that better than Colorado Avalanche superstar (and amateur scuba enthusiast) Nathan MacKinnon. Less than three months ago, MacKinnon had a golden opportunity (literally) presented to him in Canada's gold-medal game against the United States against the United States. Sitting just to the left of the net with American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck still hugging the opposite post, MacKinnon sailed a wrist shot just wide of the pipes. TEAM USA MEN'S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS The Americans would rally in overtime, with defenseman Jack Hughes slotting home the golden goal and sending MacKinnon and the Canadians home with a consolation prize of silver and a stuffed animal for their troubles. Fast forward to Wednesday night, with time winding down in the Avalanche's Game 5 tilt with the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needing a goal to tie it. MacKinnon was presented with the exact same opportunity from a similar spot on the ice. And you had better believe he didn't miss twice. For context, look at how identical both scoring opportunities look. You could even make the argument this one was more difficult given Minnesota netminder Jesper Wallstedt's perfect positioning. The goal from MacKinnon would send the game to overtime, where the Avs would wear down the depleted Wild roster en route to a win and a gentlemen's sweep. It's on to the Western Conference Finals for the Avalanche, where they will await the winners of the Anaheim Ducks-Vegas Golden Knights series. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Colorado should absolutely be seen as the favorites to not only come out of the West, but to win the whole thing, given their mix of Cup experience and firepower. When you couple that with the fact that MacKinnon looks like he's on a warpath to win another Stanley Cup and atone for his miss in the Olympics, the Avs feel like a team of destiny. If it's the Golden Knights who end up prevailing and facing Colorado in the Conference Finals, that might be the series of the entire playoffs, given Vegas has its own share of superstar talent and Stanley Cup history. Either way, good luck to any team that has the unenviable task of slowing down Nathan "Nate Dogg" MacKinnon. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06046ba200899a00eb5123 Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Brooklyn Jews feel the hate te 2026-05-14T17:20:43.874Z Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Brooklyn Jews feel the hate Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world. IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Clashes erupt outside Brooklyn synagogue as anti-Israel mob wreaks havoc - Hamas used sexual violence 'deliberately and systematically' on Oct 7, report finds - Fetterman understands why top state justice split from Democratic Party TOP STORY: Violent chaos erupted in Brooklyn as anti-Israel protesters swarmed a synagogue this week, blocking access to a real estate event and sparking physical brawls with Jewish supporters. The visceral footage captures a neighborhood under siege, showcasing a breakdown of civility and a desperate police response. This confrontation highlights the escalating domestic tensions and the growing threat to religious freedom in New York City. VIDEO: Thousands gathered in London to march against antisemitism in the United Kingdom earlier this week. WATCH HERE: CALCULATED BRUTALITY: A landmark commission report reveals that Hamas' use of sexual violence on October 7 was no accident—it was a systematic, deliberate weapon of war. Detailing gang rape, mutilation, and torture, the 300-page "Silenced No More" study exposes these atrocities as calculated tools of terror. This wasn't just chaos; it was a coordinated assault on human dignity and Israeli society. BIG JOHN GETS IT: Sen. John Fetterman has broken ranks to back Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht, who recently ditched the Democratic Party over "rising antisemitism." While Fetterman remains a Democrat, he validated Wecht’s exit, demanding his party confront internal "Jew-hatred." This high-profile split highlights a growing civil war as Fetterman rejects far-left rhetoric, branding the trend a "rot" within the ranks. WRIST SLAP: Loay Alnaji, the California professor charged in the death of pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler, will likely avoid serious prison time. Charged with involuntary manslaughter instead of murder, Loay Alnaji faces a maximum of four years—with a plea deal potentially lowering that further. This "sweetheart deal" has ignited outrage, fueling claims that justice is being sidelined by political sensitivities. MAMDANI TAKES SIDES: NYC Councilwoman Julie Menin has torched Mayor Zohran Mamdani, branding him "not a leader" after a wave of antisemitic graffiti hit Queens synagogues. Critics are fuming over Mamdani’s past support for anti-Israel protesters, accusing him of fueling the very hatred he now condemns. As tensions boil, the lawmaker’s sharp rebuke highlights a deepening rift over New York’s antisemitism crisis. GUEST EDITORIAL: Dana W. White and Shahar Azani argue that the historic Black-Jewish alliance is being dismantled by radical progressives and "The Squad." The authors claim that rhetoric labeling Jewish advocacy as "anti-Black" ignores a century of shared civil rights struggle, replaces solidarity with identity politics, and fuels a dangerous rise in modern antisemitism. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party." - Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht, announcing he is leaving the Democratic Party. - Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here. - Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060250a200899a00eb5085 Spencer Pratt's Hollywood uprising grows as Katherine McPhee and David Foster mock Karen Bass at fundraiser te 2026-05-14T17:11:44.738Z Spencer Pratt's Hollywood uprising grows as Katherine McPhee and David Foster mock Karen Bass at fundraiser Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt continues to gain support from Hollywood's elite. Earlier this week, the former reality TV star — who announced his candidacy in January — was serenaded by Katherine McPhee and David Foster during an intimate fundraiser held at the couple's Los Angeles home. Alicia Summers, One America News Network host, shared footage and photos of Monday's event, including a clip of Foster and McPhee serenading Pratt with a version of Tina Turner's hit "The Best." McPhee sang, "Spencer, you're simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than Karen Bass and Nithya Raman." SPENCER PRATT’S MAYORAL RUN BACKED BY PARIS HILTON, KRISTIN CAVALLARI AS CELEBRITY DIVIDE DEEPENS "You know the tide is turning in California when @DavidFoster and @katharinefoster open their home and write a song for @SpencerPratt," Summers wrote on Instagram. "La La Land is ready for a plot twist." Pratt has emphasized issues such as homelessness, public safety and government spending throughout his campaign, positioning himself as a political outsider challenging the status quo in Los Angeles and drawing support from voters dissatisfied with current leadership. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS According to KTLA, Bass appears to be holding her lead in the primary election as Pratt and Raman also pick up support from previously undecided voters. Per a poll released Wednesday, Bass is leading the field in her re-election bid with 30% support, followed by Pratt at 22% and Councilwoman Raman with 19%. In recent weeks, Pratt's campaign has gained momentum after receiving high-profile donations, including a contribution from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and earning support from Hollywood's elite. "I think Spencer running for mayor is f---ing genius," Kristin Cavallari said on the April 21 episode of her "Let’s Be Honest" podcast. "Because I think everyone in politics — I don’t care what side you’re on — everyone is corrupt." SPENCER PRATT'S LA MAYORAL CAMPAIGN VIDEO DRAWS JOHN WICK COMPARISONS AS FANS RALLY BEHIND HIM "To get to that level, you have to play their game," she continued. It’s all an agenda, and I think their goal is to keep all of us divided. They want us fighting, and that’s why I don’t buy into any of it." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Cavallari also addressed rumors that she was "MAHA," saying that while she supported making America healthy, she didn't identify with any particular side. "That's why I love Spencer running for mayor, because he is a real person who is going to call out the corruption," she said. "He is going to actually get s--- done. He is fired up because he lost his house, and he obviously has seen all the corruption in L.A." Paris Hilton backed Pratt with a simple comment. Pratt uploaded a video showing himself giving a tour of the Airstream trailer where he now lives, parked amid the rubble of his Pacific Palisades property after it was destroyed in the LA fires. "Spencer for Mayor," Hilton wrote, adding a raised hands emoji. Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a06023da200899a00eb5077 Trump pushes Xi on trade after Supreme Court ruling dents key China pressure tool te 2026-05-14T17:11:25.253Z Trump pushes Xi on trade after Supreme Court ruling dents key China pressure tool Trade has emerged as a central focus of President Donald Trump’s high-stakes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, following a Supreme Court setback over Trump’s tariff agenda earlier this year.  "President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China," a White House official told pool reporters early Thursday morning. "The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between our two countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into our industries." The talks come as Trump’s tariff agenda faced a setback after a Supreme Court ruling limited his use of emergency powers to impose duties, which cut directly into one of his preferred tools for pressuring Beijing. The ruling came against the backdrop of a yearslong tariff standoff between the U.S. and China, with Trump arguing aggressive duties are needed to force fairer trade terms while Beijing has repeatedly pushed back. TRUMP'S TARIFF POWER GRAB BARRELS TOWARD SUPREME COURT "I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to 'open up' China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!" Trump posted to Truth Social on May 12, previewing he would press Xi on American trade. "In fact, I promise, that when we are together, which will be in a matter of hours, I will make that my very first request. I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible Countries!" After Trump touched down in China on Wednesday, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning wrote on X Thursday, that "President Xi stressed to President Trump that facts have shown time and again that trade wars have no winner." "China-U.S. economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice," she added. TRUMP GETS RED-CARPET WELCOME IN CHINA, BUT PAST BEIJING TRIP SHOWS PAGEANTRY ONLY GOES SO FAR Tariffs have been at the center of Trump’s China strategy since his first term, when he imposed duties on Chinese imports and Beijing retaliated with tariffs of its own. The fight has remained one of the defining pressure points in the relationship between the world's two largest economies.  A major piece of Trump’s "America First" agenda has focused on leveling the global trade playing field by holding other countries accountable for trade deficits. One of his first moves after returning to office was rolling out the "Liberation Day" tariffs in April 2025, which were designed to serve as leverage in trade negotiations while also generating new revenue. The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, invalidated Trump's use of an emergency law to impose tariffs in February, ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president, even after declaring a national emergency, to impose tariffs.  Trump had championed ahead of SCOTUS' decision that the court should rule in his favor as part of his larger effort to boost the economy, jobs and bring down costs for Americans.  KAVANAUGH RIPS SUPREME COURT MAJORITY'S ‘ILLOGICAL’ LINE ON TARIFFS Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Trump took issue with Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett — both of whom he nominated in his first term — for joining the majority, including just this month when he said the ruling has cost the U.S. $159 billion.  "I don't want loyalty, but I do want and expect it for our Country," Trump posted to Truth Social on Sunday. "Yes, I have another way of doing Tariffs, but it is far slower, and more laborious than what was just determined, in a close decision, to be 'illegal' or 'unconstitutional,' with three powerful, and highly accurate, dissents! Well, maybe Neil, and Amy, just had a really bad day, but our Country can only handle so many decisions of that magnitude before it breaks down, and cracks!!!" TRUMP'S SIGNATURE TARIFFS HANG ON KEY QUESTION ABOUT CONGRESS' POWER BEFORE SUPREME COURT Trump moved to preserve his tariff pressure campaign through other trade authorities, including Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, though that route is temporary and has already drawn its own legal challenge.  A White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the administration is also looking to Section 301, which allows the U.S. to investigate and respond to unfair foreign trade practices. "This tariff tool has already held up from prior legal challenges," said the spokesperson.  Trump visited China in 2017 in meetings that produced more than $250 billion in announced commercial deals and cooperation pledges at the time, but it did not prevent trade relations from deteriorating in 2018.  This week’s talks come amid a renewed tariff standoff that reignited after Trump returned to office in 2025. The pressure began with new fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods in February, before widening into a broader reciprocal tariff push that triggered retaliation from Beijing, and has since shifted toward negotiations over temporary off-ramps. U.S. Trade representative Jamieson Greer previewed goals for Trump's state visit last month on Fox News' "My View with Lara Trump," sharing that a top priority is stability between the two countries. "We want to make sure we continue to have a flow of the rare earth we need for our manufacturing we wanna make sure that the Chinese continued to buy a lot of American agriculture and airplanes and other kinds of things that Americans are good at making, and we want to set the table to continue to have stability over the next six months to a year and so these are the kind of things that we’re looking for as outcomes from the trip," Greer said. Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a060213a200899a00eb5058 Medical Plane Crashes in New Mexico, Killing All 4 People Aboard te 2026-05-14T17:10:43.808Z Medical Plane Crashes in New Mexico, Killing All 4 People Aboard The plane was traveling from Roswell to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, a trip of less than 30 minutes. The cause of the crash was not known, officials said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0601fda200899a00eb5036 Tucson pulls water access from Project Blue data center te 2026-05-14T17:10:21.780Z Tucson pulls water access from Project Blue data center Tucson Water revoked a construction water meter at the Project Blue data center site April 24 after the city discovered its contractor had used two acre-feet of city water without authorization. The action was detailed in a May 4 letter from Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure to Brendon Gallagher, senior vice president of Beale Infrastructure, the project's developer. The letter explained that Ames Construction, the project's contractor, obtained a construction water meter, a portable device used to draw water from public systems before permanent lines are available, from Tucson Water Services and transported it to the site. "The City of Tucson Mayor and Council unanimously rejected any involvement with, or support for, the Project Blue Data Center Development. As such, the City of Tucson also rejected any use of our water resources for this facility," the letter said. The council voted to block the annexation of Project Blue at an August meeting. "The city issued a permit for temporary water per the normal course of business. Our contractor followed standard procedure and will be billed accordingly," Beale Infrastructure said in a statement. "We are procuring construction water through an alternative source of non-potable water. We direct any questions on the permit issuance to Tucson Water." Thomure's letter was unequivocal. "The City of Tucson does not support the development of Project Blue. The City of Tucson will not provide any city resource, including our water supply to be used for Project Blue," the letter said. Mayor Regina Romero speaks at a public information session on Project Blue last summer. The council unanimously voted to block the data center's annexation in August 2025. Arilynn Hyatt / Tucson Spotlight. Thomure concluded by requesting Beale replenish the two acre-feet of water it used. The news of the use of city water traveled fast, with Ward 3 City Councilmember Kevin Dahl posting it on Instagram. "Not all heroes wear capes," the post said. "Thank you, Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure." Commenters praised Thomure and expressed anger over the data center, with some calling Beale Infrastructure "sneaky" and one saying the city's action "helped mitigate the existential dread I feel about the data center infestation." Since the city council blocked the annexation for Project Blue, the mayor and council have been working on a Large Scale Data Center Unified Development Code Amendment with help from the Data Center Code Amendment Technical Advisory Committee. "Tucson lacks substantial specific guidance for these facilities. This proposed amendment seeks to establish standards and regulations for this land use that reflect Tucson's community values and ensure future developments align with the City's long-term goals," according to the Large Scale Data Center Proposed Code Fact Sheet. The mayor and council have received public feedback, and the Planning Commission reviewed the code at a May 6 study session. The commission will hold a public hearing in June, followed by a mayor and council discussion and public hearing in July. Arilynn Hyatt is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at arilynndhyatt@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/6a05ffd2a200899a00eb4fe7 Late scientist’s chilling warning resurfaces in Fox Nation special on missing researchers te 2026-05-14T17:01:06.045Z Late scientist’s chilling warning resurfaces in Fox Nation special on missing researchers A string of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 American scientists has sparked growing speculation, with some questioning whether the cases — often ruled accidents or suicides — are isolated tragedies or pieces of a much larger puzzle. "It is interesting to see the names on the list because the common denominator there is that every one of these scientists were working on defense-related or space nuclear rocket propulsion-related technologies and projects," former assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker said in a Fox Nation special dealing with the subject. Fox News senior correspondent Eric Shawn hosts "Vanished: America’s Missing Scientists," a 21-minute feature in which experts weigh competing theories behind the incidents. Officially, the deaths and disappearances have been attributed to accidents, suicides or remain undetermined. LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS AS SCIENTISTS TIED TO US SECRETS DIE OR VANISH Among the most recent cases is Amy Eskridge, a 34-year-old researcher based in Huntsville, Alabama, whose work included projects for the Department of Homeland Security and a focus on the physics behind unidentified aerial phenomena. "Huntsville is ground zero, it's like Rocket City. So you've got NASA there, you have the Redstone Arsenal, you have military units there, you have a military airport there," said Franc Milburn, a former U.K. military intelligence officer who connected with Eskridge on X, then known as Twitter, in spring 2021. Because of its significance, Shawn noted, Huntsville is also a major target for foreign espionage. FOREIGN NATIONALS FLYING DRONES OVER US MILITARY SITES RAISES 'ESPIONAGE' CONCERN: EXPERT Milburn recalled a series of ominous hurdles Eskridge had to overcome — death threats, break-ins and hacking attempts, among others. Anti-gravity researcher Mark Sokol, who previously dated Eskridge, also recalled suspicious events that happened during the time he spent around her. In one instance, unexplained instances began happening at Eskridge's home and she grew suddenly ill. She reportedly exclaimed that the two were being "attack[ed]," a suggestion that puzzled Sokol. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SCIENTIST’S ACCIDENTAL DEATH RAISES QUESTIONS AS PROBE INTO MISSING SCIENTISTS GROWS Sokol reported opening the front door to see a vehicle with a heavily-tinted front window posted up across the street. "I pulled out my phone to take a picture, and the car just drove off," he recalled. In 2020, Eskridge added to the mystery when she appeared as a guest on Sokol's livestream and detailed her plans to disclose information about UAPs and extraterrestrials to the public. There, she revealed her fears about what could happen to her if she did. "If you stick your neck out in public, at least someone notices if your head gets chopped off," she said. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOX NATION "If you stick your neck out in private, they will bury you. They will burn down your house while you're sleeping in your bed, and it won't even make the news." The mounting mystery came to a true head on June 11, 2022, when Eskridge reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Limited official details have been publicly released. Some, like Swecker, believe that a foreign agent kidnapping U.S. scientists in an effort to extract information is not outside the realm of possibilities. Others, however, suspect no foul play. To learn more about the deaths and disappearances that have sparked a national conversation, subscribe to Fox Nation and begin streaming "Vanished: America's Missing Scientists" today. Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ffbea200899a00eb4fde Elon Musk accuses Christopher Nolan of pandering for awards with casting in 'The Odyssey' te 2026-05-14T17:00:46.290Z Elon Musk accuses Christopher Nolan of pandering for awards with casting in 'The Odyssey' Tesla founder and X owner Elon Musk blasted filmmaker Christopher Nolan on Tuesday after the director confirmed some diverse casting choices in his adaptation of classical Greek mythological epic "The Odyssey." Nolan, famous for films like "Interstellar," "The Dark Knight" trilogy, "Oppenheimer," and many other blockbusters, has sparked online backlash for his upcoming adaptation of "The Odyssey." While the subject matter deals with ancient western civilization, some critics argue Nolan's upcoming rendition appears too modern, ranging from informal American English speech to diverse casting choices. While many unconfirmed rumors have swirled in recent weeks, one controversial casting choice Nolan confirmed in a Time Magazine interview on Tuesday was that Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o, famous for her roles in "Black Panther" and "12 Years a Slave" will play Helen of Troy, known in mythology as the world's most beautiful woman and for whom the Trojan War was started in Homer’s epic. Nyong’o will also be playing Helen’s sister, Clytemnestra in the same movie. A user on X noted that the Academy Awards now has extensive diversity requirements. Musk agreed, writing that Nolan "wants the awards." Musk previously criticized the casting of Helen of Troy in January before, arguing that "Chris Nolan has lost his integrity." MOVIE STAR REJECTS CHANGING CHARACTERS TO SATISFY DIVERSITY GOALS, INSTEAD WANTS NEW ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Musk agreed with one conservative commentator who suggested Nolan would be called racist if he gave the role to a White woman instead. The Hollywood Reporter was taken aback by the American accents used in the trailer, writing, "Everybody sounds like they’re from Ohio." Nolan also revealed to Time that rapper Travis Scott will be playing a Greek bard. Nolan defended the choice as an acknowledgment of poetic tradition. "I cast him because I wanted to nod towards the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap," Nolan told Time magazine. "When I edge into territory I fear might trigger prickliness, he shrugs, says, ‘Fair enough,’ and delves earnestly into production decisions that have launched a thousand Reddit posts," the Time journalist said of his time interviewing Nolan.  DISNEY STAR RACHEL ZEGLER REFUSES TO 'ASSIMILATE' AFTER 'SNOW WHITE' BACKLASH "The Odyssey is arguably the biggest film of Nolan’s career," Time touted. "It may also be the summer blockbuster the struggling entertainment industry needs right now." "But the film also feels like a culmination," the interviewer noted. "Nolan is aware that he makes a lot of movies about brilliant men trying to get home to their families. When I ask whether he worries about fan response to repeating certain tropes, he pauses and sighs." "Despite the fact that he doesn’t carry a smartphone, the internet has found him," the interviewer said, recalling that Nolan said of the internet’s response so far: "’You have to be comfortable with repeating yourself, if it’s right for the project. If you’re paying too much attention to what people are pointing out in your work, you'd be paralyzed." In the footage released so far, characters in Nolan's adaptation can be seen using modernized American English terms like "Let’s go" and "Daddy." A recent promotion for the film featured NBA player LeBron James and his son, as parallels to Odysseus and his son Telemachus, where LeBron is dribbling a basketball and narrating over imagery from the film. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Some progressives have taken notice and attacked conservative criticism of the film before its release. A Variety writer mocked "literary purists" as having objections to non-White actors in traditionally White roles. During a segment on "The View" on Thursday about the controversy, Whoopi Goldberg suggested those who had an issue with the casting just not watch the movie. She also remarked that Musk was "OK with apartheid" growing up in South Africa before hastily saying she didn't know if he was an "apartheid apologist" and "I take it back." Fellow co-host Sunny Hostin said "racism rears its ugly head" often in the U.S. and added historians have explored that Greek mythology was influenced by ancient Egypt and North Africa. Fox News Digital reached out to Nyong'o and Nolan but did not receive immediate responses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05fd6aa200899a00eb4f81 $50K Powerball ticket sold in Flagstaff te 2026-05-14T16:50:50.833Z $50K Powerball ticket sold in Flagstaff A $50,000 winning ticket was sold at a Circle K in Flagstaff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05fb81a200899a00eb4ef0 Danny Tyree: Are you excited for America’s grads?
 te 2026-05-14T16:42:41.538Z Danny Tyree: Are you excited for America’s grads?
 “It’s been a long road / Gettin’ from there to here…” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05fb66a200899a00eb4ea7 Trump says Xi Jinping offered to help broker deal with Iran during high-stakes Beijing talks te 2026-05-14T16:42:14.750Z Trump says Xi Jinping offered to help broker deal with Iran during high-stakes Beijing talks President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker a deal with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz following high-stakes talks in Beijing. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump told Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview airing tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel. "And he did offer. He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help'... He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open." Trump also said Xi assured him China would not provide military equipment to Iran, a key point of discussion as members of the Trump administration press Beijing over its relationship with Tehran. WHAT XI WANTS FROM TRUMP AS BEIJING SEEKS LEVERAGE IN HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT "That’s a big statement..." Trump said. "He said that strongly, but at the same time, he said they buy a lot of [Iran's] oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that. He’d like to see Hormuz Strait opened. I said, 'Well, we didn’t stop it, they [Iran] did, and then we stopped them.'" Trump also pointed to concerns Xi raised over alleged efforts by Iran to impose costs on ships moving through the critical global energy corridor. TRUMP SAYS IT’S AN ‘HONOR’ TO KEEP STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPEN FOR CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES "He didn’t like the fact that they’re charging tolls," Trump said. "I don’t know if they are or not — I don’t know who would pay them. Where would the money go? The country is decimated." The president's remarks came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with the Chinese leader, where the two also discussed increasing U.S. access to Chinese markets and halting the flow of fentanyl precursors to the U.S. According to the White House, the two sides agreed that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. However, China reportedly raised other warnings surrounding Taiwan. Trump and Xi are expected to meet again for a bilateral tea meeting at 11:40 a.m. Friday local time. Fox News' Eric Mack, Morgan Phillips, Lauren Simonetti, Greg Wehner, Michael Sinkewicz, Robert McGreevy and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05fb53a200899a00eb4e9e TNA's AJ Francis eyes Leon Slater's X Division Championship, torches critics in scathing rant te 2026-05-14T16:41:55.133Z TNA's AJ Francis eyes Leon Slater's X Division Championship, torches critics in scathing rant Leon Slater will be in one of the biggest matches of his young pro wrestling career on Thursday night as he’s set to defend the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship against Cedric Alexander. Should Slater defeat Alexander, he will solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion and surpass Austin Aries for the record. Aries held the title for 298 days beginning in September 2011 and only relinquished it to get a shot at the TNA World Championship. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Fellow TNA compatriot A.J. Francis is hoping Slater pulls out the victory against Alexander. He said he wants to take the title off his waist as he proclaimed to be the "biggest heel" in the company. "Hopefully Leon wins because the person that should be taking the X Division title off Leon is me. I’m the biggest heel in TNA," Francis told Fox News Digital. "I’m really the biggest heel in wrestling. I’m such a big heel that there’s this entire initiative that there was a streamer who was excited to see me at Reality of Wrestling on a show and it’s become, like, a thing where, ‘There was no way this guy was that excited to see A.J.’ Wow. Like, I’m such a heel that you hate me so much that someone else can’t enjoy my presence. Nobody else in this wrestling business gets booed like me. "I mean for real, if we’re calling a spade, a spade, who else in the wrestling industry gets booed? The top heels, the guys who are supposed to be the top heels, the MJFs, the Dominik Mysterios, those guys, they get cheered. Fans cheer them when they come out. Who really gets booed in today’s business, but me? Me and Logan Paul, literally. And then you have Joe Hendry who just did a remix of the same song he made for me two years ago and made it about Logan Paul. And everybody’s like, ‘This is so cool.’ The thing is, I always provide. I’m the ultimate provider. I’m the biggest and best heel in the business. I’m the best big man in the business and I prove it time and time again." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Francis added there would be nobody better to take the X Division title from Slater, adding that he was cheated out of the title in his previous match against Slater. "So who would be better to take that X Division title off Leon Slater than me? Who would get a better reaction to take that X Division off Leon Slater than me? And also, by the way, in the one match I had against Leon Slater for the X Division title, I was cheated by BDE, Rich Swann and the referee," he said. Francis then sounded off on the critics and naysayers who have seemingly lined up to wrong him. "These are facts. See, that’s the thing, I come on here and talk facts and people get mad at me because I talk facts," he told Fox News Digital. "Because in this wrestling business, that’s full of these cowards that only are tough in interviews and only tough behind a TV screen and they’re not tough in real life. They don’t want you to say things that are facts that could be ‘misconstrued’ as trying to ‘get heat’ or ‘trying to going to business for yourself.’ I am going into business for myself. I’ve been in business for myself. "I was in business for myself when everybody told me I was worthless 2 1/2 years ago. I was in business for myself then. So why do I gotta pretend I’m not in business for myself now? I think if you don’t appreciate the things that I bring to the table as the best big man in the business, as the best heel in the business, personally, I feel, ‘F--- ya.’ And if you have a problem with me saying that, that’s your problem. I can go out of my way disrespecting nobody. I don’t go out of my way talking down to nobody. It’s always other people that want to start with me. The problem is they bring a knife to a gun fight and they get mad they get clapped." Francis will take on KC Navarro in a SacTown Street Fight on "Impact" in Sacramento, California. The show can be watched live on AMC at 9 p.m. ET. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05fb28a200899a00eb4e64 Cerebras raises $5.5B, kicking off 2026’s IPO season with a bang te 2026-05-14T16:41:12.462Z Cerebras raises $5.5B, kicking off 2026’s IPO season with a bang A year ago, it looked like this day would never happen for Cerebras. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05faf5a200899a00eb4e52 Meet your LD17, LD20 candidates June 10 in Tucson te 2026-05-14T16:40:21.589Z Meet your LD17, LD20 candidates June 10 in Tucson Tucson Spotlight and the Arizona Luminaria are bringing candidates and community together again this June, this time for the state house and senate races that will shape Arizona's legislative agenda for the next two years. The two newsrooms are co-hosting a nonpartisan state house and senate candidate meet and greet on Wednesday, June 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona campus at 5409 E. Broadway Blvd. The event is supported by Press Forward Southern Arizona, a program at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Every candidate on the primary ballot for legislative districts 17 and 20 has been invited to attend. Check the event page for the most up-to-date information on confirmed participants. The format is designed to move past the limitations of traditional candidate forums. Attendees will be grouped by legislative district — 17 or 20 — for brief candidate introductions followed by informal small-group discussions. No panels, no moderators, no rehearsed statements. Just voters and candidates at the same table. The event builds on a model the two newsrooms piloted last summer. In July 2025, Tucson Spotlight and the Arizona Luminaria hosted a city council candidate meet and greet at the same venue, drawing more than 60 community members for ward-by-ward conversations with candidates from Wards 3, 5 and 6. Attendees said the informal format — small groups, no panels, no time limits — made it easier to press candidates on the issues that mattered most to them. Several conversations spilled into the lobby and parking lot after the event's scheduled end time. Both districts cover parts of Tucson and Pima County. LD17 includes Oro Valley, Marana and Tucson's East Side and Vail. LD20 covers Tucson's West Side and Downtown. Admission is free, but space is limited and an RSVP is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Register here. 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/6a05f8a0a200899a00eb4cec OpenAI says hackers stole some data after latest code security issue te 2026-05-14T16:30:24.269Z OpenAI says hackers stole some data after latest code security issue OpenAI said the damage was limited to the employees’ devices, and did not affect user data nor its production systems, and none of its intellectual property was stolen. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f65da200899a00eb4c81 North Carolina teacher's killing reignites scrutiny of Roy Cooper's criminal justice record in Senate race te 2026-05-14T16:20:45.825Z North Carolina teacher's killing reignites scrutiny of Roy Cooper's criminal justice record in Senate race FIRST ON FOX: North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is facing renewed accusations of being "soft on crime" after critics pointed to the January murder of a teacher by a career criminal who had been released after a Cooper-appointed judge reduced his charges and allowed him back on the streets. Cooper is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring, setting up what is expected to be one of the most competitive races this midterm cycle. Democrats view North Carolina as a key pickup opportunity as Cooper faces Republican candidate Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman. Ever since the killing of Iryna Zarutska by a career criminal last summer, Cooper and North Carolina’s criminal justice system have faced mounting scrutiny from critics who argue repeat offenders are too often cycled back onto the streets. "Roy Cooper is a soft-on-crime lunatic who lets monsters out of prison instead of fighting to keep North Carolinians safe," Republican National Committee Spokesperson Emma Hall said. "Cooper’s record has deadly consequences, and he owes every victim and their family an apology for his failure to keep dangerous criminals off the streets." CHARLOTTE TRAIN MURDER FRONT AND CENTER IN CRUCIAL 2026 SENATE BATTLE: 'SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICIES' Those concerns are now resurfacing following the brutal killing of Raleigh science teacher Zoe Welch that critics say may have been preventable. Welch was found dead in her home in January, and an autopsy revealed she died from blunt force trauma to the head. Her accused murderer, Ryan Camacho, was facing four charges of breaking and entering in April 2025. However, despite having 20 prior arrests, Durham District Court Judge Dorothy Hairston Mitchell reduced his charges to a misdemeanor, allowing Camacho to walk free. Mitchell was appointed by Cooper in 2021 to serve as District Court Judge in District 14. In a press release announcing Mitchell’s appointment, Cooper praised her, stating that she would lead with "dedication and fairness." LENIENT JUDGES IGNORE RED FLAGS, CAVE TO SOFT-ON-CRIME PRESSURES AS THEY RELEASE REPEAT OFFENDERS: ATTORNEY At the time, Mitchell was appointed to replace Brian Wilks, but she won election to the position in November 2022. Now, his office is distancing Cooper from Mitchell's judgeship. "To be clear, this judge was elected to her position," a spokesperson for Cooper's campaign told Fox News Digital. The spokesperson added that "while Roy spent his career putting rapists and violent criminals behind bars, Michael Whatley spent his appointing a convicted child sex predator who served time in prison for multiple counts of felony child sex crimes to a powerful position within the North Carolina Republican Party." In 2021 and 2024, Whatley, then with the North Carolina GOP, appointed convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West to the state's Plan of Organization Committee. In 1999, West pleaded guilty to statutory rape of three girls, two 14-year-olds and one 16-year-old. West claimed that he had been open and honest about his criminal past with North Carolina party leadership. NORTH CAROLINA LAWMAKERS PASS 'IRYNA'S LAW' TO ELIMINATE CASHLESS BAIL AFTER CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING Cooper’s campaign points to his 16 years as North Carolina’s attorney general, along with legislation he signed as governor—such as a law making it easier to prosecute drug dealers who sell fatal doses—as evidence of his strong support for law enforcement. But under Cooper's watch, 3,500 inmates were released over a 180-day period in 2021 as part of a settlement agreement with civil rights groups who sued the state over inmates dying of Covid-19. Some of the inmates released were convicted of serious offenses against children and sexual assault. Five hundred sixty inmates released during the Cooper administration were arrested on new charges within two years of their release. Among those released was Tyrell Brace, who was later charged with first-degree murder in the killing of young father Elante Thompson in Charlotte. Another individual released was Jimmie Speight, who had been convicted of indecent liberties with a child and failure to register as a sex offender and was released just under nine months early. In 2023, he was sentenced to more than 32 years in prison for second-degree murder. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f440a200899a00eb4bea China’s Iran ties complicate Trump-Xi summit as tensions test US leverage te 2026-05-14T16:11:44.191Z China’s Iran ties complicate Trump-Xi summit as tensions test US leverage President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects to have a "long talk" with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Iran this week, an issue now looming over a summit that was originally expected to focus heavily on trade, technology and Taiwan. "It was a fantastic day," Trump said Thursday during a state banquet of his welcome to China and his initial round of meetings. "And in particular, I want to thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome … and for so graciously hosting us on this very historic state visit. We had positive and productive conversations and meetings today with the Chinese delegation earlier. And this evening is another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends some of the things that we discussed today." Instead of arriving in Beijing with the Middle East conflict behind him, Trump faces the added challenge of confronting Xi over China’s ties to Tehran while trying to preserve leverage in one of the world’s most consequential relationships. China’s role as a top buyer of Iranian oil has long frustrated U.S. officials. But with Trump now trying to choke off Tehran’s economic lifeline, Beijing’s support for Iran is no longer a side issue. TRUMP DELAYS XI MEETING AS IRAN CONFLICT LETS US STRONG-ARM CHINA’S OIL SUPPLY Ahead of the summit, Trump also appeared to downplay the extent to which Iran would dominate the talks, telling reporters before departing for Beijing that "we have a lot of things to discuss" and adding, "I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control." China purchases roughly 90% of Iran’s exported oil, making Beijing Tehran’s primary economic lifeline — though Iranian crude accounts for only about 13% to 15% of China’s total oil imports. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure by imposing secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners processing Iranian oil — a move that threatens to cut those firms off from the U.S. financial system and underscores how the Iran conflict is increasingly colliding with the broader U.S.-China relationship. During the first bilateral meeting between Trump and Xi Thursday morning, the Chinese president expressed interest in buying more American energy.  "The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy," a White House official said in a readout of the meeting. "President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future," the official continued. "Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." Beijing, in turn, ordered Chinese companies not to comply with those sanctions, a far more direct confrontation with Washington than China has typically embraced in past disputes, where it has often quietly worked around U.S. pressure. Even as Beijing publicly urged firms to ignore the U.S. sanctions, Chinese regulators quietly instructed major banks to suspend new lending to several sanctioned refineries, according to a Bloomberg report, a sign Beijing was trying to shield its financial system from exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions rather than openly escalate the standoff. TRUMP TARGETS IRANIAN OIL WITH SANCTIONS, INCREASING PRESSURE ON ISLAMIC REPUBLIC TO MAKE DEAL ON NUKES Elaine Dezenski, who heads the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the Iran conflict is "quietly changing China’s strategic calculus." "Thus far, China has weathered the economic disruption of the Iran conflict reasonably well," Dezenski said during an FDD media briefing previewing the summit. But she noted Beijing has been forced to draw on strategic oil and gas reserves originally intended for a potential Taiwan contingency. The dynamic has fueled debate in Washington over whether the Iran conflict ultimately weakens Trump’s hand with Beijing by pulling U.S. resources back toward the Middle East — or whether it instead highlights China’s own vulnerabilities. Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD’s China Program, argued Beijing has little interest in allowing the conflict to spiral further. "China does not want a wider Middle East war," Singleton said. "It does not want sustained energy disruption." Even if China is better positioned than many countries to absorb short-term shocks, Singleton argued Beijing ultimately wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened because "China’s export economy depends on predictable energy, transport and insurance conditions." But the Trump administration’s campaign against Iran is increasingly running through Chinese interests — transforming what had been a regional conflict into a direct point of friction between the world’s two largest powers. "President Trump, when you go to China, realize that the person you’re talking to is propping up Russia and Iran," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, adding that "of all the countries on the planet, China could have the most influence of ending this war if they chose to." U.S. officials have also accused Chinese and Hong Kong-based entities of helping Iran procure materials tied to its missile and drone programs, further deepening tensions between Washington and Beijing over Tehran. "China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations on export control and due international obligations," Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Fox News Digital. "China opposes groundless smear and ill-intentioned association. Regarding the situation in Iran, China has repeatedly articulated its solemn position. The pressing priority is to make every effort to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, rather than exploiting the conflict to maliciously smear other nations." Analysts say Trump is unlikely to secure a dramatic breakthrough from Beijing on Iran, but could push Xi to quietly pressure Tehran to avoid further disruptions to global energy markets. Chinese cooperation could come with expectations of concessions elsewhere in the U.S.-China relationship, even if Beijing’s actual influence over Tehran is limited. Other experts cautioned against overestimating Beijing’s ability — or willingness — to deliver Iran. "I would be very careful about making concessions … for some kind of promise that they’re going to whisper in the ears of their friends in Iran," said Sarah Cook, a senior fellow at CEPA. Despite China’s economic importance to Iran, experts note Tehran’s decision-making is driven heavily by ideology and regime survival — factors Beijing cannot fully control. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f42ca200899a00eb4bd8 Senators agree to go without pay during shutdowns after historic closures left workers unpaid te 2026-05-14T16:11:24.670Z Senators agree to go without pay during shutdowns after historic closures left workers unpaid Senators will now go without pay during future shutdowns in a bid to instill the same pain on lawmakers that federal workers have felt several times in recent months.  The upper chamber unanimously passed a resolution to prevent senators from being paid in the event of a shutdown in a move that could thwart future closures by making the consequences real for lawmakers.  Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who pushed the measure, argued that preventing lawmakers from collecting a paycheck was a "shared sacrifice" after tens of thousands of federal employees went without pay during the two shutdowns that have happened since last year.  SCHUMER BACKS GOP'S PLAN TO BRING THE PAIN DURING FUTURE SHUTDOWNS: 'I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT' "Last October, we shut down the government for 43 days. That is the longest shutdown in history. And we had FBI agents, national park rangers, CDC scientists, our staff here in Congress — nobody was getting paid," Kennedy said on the Senate floor. "And then, three months later, after we finally got out of that 43-day shutdown, we shut down the Department of Homeland Security. It was shut down for 76 days. This is all in one year," he continued. "We ought to hide our heads in a bag. It’s got to stop."  Both shutdowns led to real-world effects on Americans, particularly those traveling through the nation's airports, as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers went without pay during both record-shattering closures. SENATE TAKES MAJOR FIRST STEP TO PREVENT FUTURE SHUTDOWNS WITH PAINFUL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAY Kennedy's resolution, which applies only to senators, would direct the secretary of the Senate to withhold lawmakers' pay until a shutdown is resolved. Effectively, their paychecks would be thrown into escrow while lawmakers hash out a deal to reopen the government.  Once a shutdown ends, the money will flow again. A rank-and-file senator earns $174,000 per year, while a leader of either party can earn over $193,000. SENATE REPUBLICANS BALK AT $1B WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM REQUEST: ‘YOU MADE THAT NUMBER UP’ It’s one of many moves lawmakers have made during and after the pair of historic shutdowns to make shuttering the government a self-inflicted wound, or prevent shutdowns from happening altogether.  Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has a bill backed by federal labor unions that would ensure federal workers were paid during a shutdown, while Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has a bill that would prevent shutdowns altogether by automatically but temporarily extending funding for two weeks at a time. It comes after the notion of shuttering the government was, for several decades, an option of last resort. But the last year has shown that Senate Democrats are willing to use the consequential tool as a political cudgel. Despite having the blessing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Republicans aren’t convinced that the top Senate Democrat and his caucus will not try to shut the government down again before the midterm elections.  Notably, Kennedy’s resolution wouldn’t kick in until after the upcoming election cycle in November, meaning that lawmakers would still skirt having their paychecks withheld. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f404a200899a00eb4bbb Strategist Tied to Becerra Is Expected to Plead Guilty in Corruption Case te 2026-05-14T16:10:44.043Z Strategist Tied to Becerra Is Expected to Plead Guilty in Corruption Case Dana Williamson, a former political strategist for Xavier Becerra and a former aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom, is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f3f0a200899a00eb4bb2 A Republican U-Turn on Free Speech te 2026-05-14T16:10:24.253Z A Republican U-Turn on Free Speech The G.O.P. has long opposed government regulation of broadcasters. That has changed under Trump. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f1fba200899a00eb4b21 Virginia Dem defends Soros-backed prosecutor from DOJ probe after illegal immigrant charging allegations te 2026-05-14T16:02:03.853Z Virginia Dem defends Soros-backed prosecutor from DOJ probe after illegal immigrant charging allegations A local Virginia Democrat blasted the Department of Justice’s civil rights probe into Soros-backed Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano as a "hit job" last week. The department recently launched an investigation into allegations Descano’s office gave preferential treatment to criminal illegal immigrants. "Given how the Trump administration does their job, I would say it's likely to be a hit job because that's what they do," Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck, who represents the Mount Vernon District, said. The investigation will determine whether "immigration consequences" in charging and plea deals violated federal laws that "prohibit recipients of Federal financial assistance from discriminating based upon race, color, or national origin," DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon said in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital. SOROS-BACKED PROSECUTOR SET FOR CAPITOL HILL GRILLING AS SANCTUARY POLICIES FACE RECKONING Storck said the probe is another example of the Trump administration targeting people they don’t like. "They make up stuff and then they go after them," he said. "I wish I could be more confident in the Department of Justice right now, but I can't." Descano faced backlash after his office repeatedly dropped violent charges and ignored warnings against a suspect later accused of killing Stephanie Minter, a 41-year-old Fredericksburg mother, at a Fairfax bus stop in February. Authorities identified the suspect as Sierra Leone national Abdul Jalloh, who had more than two dozen prior arrests. Descano responded to the investigation in a separate statement to Fox News Digital, saying his policies are "fair, legal, and reflect the values of my community." Storck said repeat offenders should be held accountable, but it’s ultimately up to the courts. "The key is that we need to address folks who have a history of not abiding by the law and we need to make sure that those individuals have consequences," he said. "In the end, I realize that's the courts, but that's something that I feel very strongly about." VIRGINIA DEMS SEND SPANBERGER BILL THAT COULD LET SOME REPEAT OFFENDERS OUT WITHOUT SECURED BOND, EXPERT WARNS After speaking with Descano, Storck said they both agreed those who break the law should face consequences. "Steve and I have had several conversations, and he understands the importance to our community to ensure that folks who are consistently not complying with the law are held accountable and let the courts, in my mind, do their job," he said. He said the department should focus on "significant and serious" crimes instead of targeting Descano. "In general, we focus on individuals who either have a criminal history or are engaging in criminal acts that are significant and serious." Storck said law enforcement should work with anyone necessary to keep communities safe. "I work with judges, prosecutors and police because I deeply believe that the people in Mount Vernon District have a right to the enjoyment of their community without risk of violence," he said. SEARS DEMANDS RECALL OF FAIRFAX PROSECUTOR AFTER ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING CASE He said he will continue working to keep dangerous criminals off the streets. "I'll always fight hard to ensure that people that are risking that safety and security of the folks in Mount Vernon district are not walking the streets," he said. Descano’s campaign has received over $600,000 from the Justice and Public Safety PAC, a committee primarily funded by Democratic megadonor George Soros. Descano and Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid testified on Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. Ashley Oliver contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f1e8a200899a00eb4b0f PGA Tour winner Garrick Higgo starts PGA Championship with two-shot penalty for late arrival to first tee te 2026-05-14T16:01:44.289Z PGA Tour winner Garrick Higgo starts PGA Championship with two-shot penalty for late arrival to first tee Arriving at the first tee on time should be the easiest part of competing in the PGA Championship, but it turned out to be an impossible task for Garrick Higgo on Thursday morning. The South African's first-round tee time at Aronimink Golf Club was set for 7:18 a.m. local time, but he couldn't manage to make it to the tee box when his starting time arrived on Thursday. The PGA of America announced that Higgo was penalized two strokes for being late for his opening round tee time. He was on the property, but was on the putting green near the first tee, which is "not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time." So, Higgo began his PGA Championship by hitting his third shot before even hitting a golf ball in the tournament. He ended up carding a double bogey six on the opening hole, but managed to erase the tough start by making the turn on Thursday at even par thanks to two birdies. RORY MCILROY CUTS PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PRACTICE ROUND SHORT AFTER RIPPING TOENAIL OFF AMID NASTY BLISTER ISSUES The entire situation is mind-numbing. Higgo is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and has been a professional golfer since 2019, yet he lost track of time on the putting green at a major championship and technically showed up late for his tee time. Truly preposterous stuff. The most famous tee time disaster in recent memory involves Rory McIlroy. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! During the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, McIlroy arrived on property just 12 minutes before his match against Keegan Bradley was set to begin. The six-time major champion had forgotten that Medinah was located in the central time zone, so when he saw his 12:25 p.m. ET start time, he forgot to subtract an hour to account for the actual time zone. It all worked out quite all right for McIlroy that Sunday. Not only did he win his match against Bradley, but his European team also won the biennial event 14.5-13.5. Plus, Erica Stoll, a PGA of America employee at the time, arranged the police escort to get McIlroy to the course ahead of his match. Five years later, the two were married at Ashford Castle in Ireland. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f1d4a200899a00eb4b06 US ramps nuclear weapons production to Cold War levels as China pursues ‘unprecedented’ buildup te 2026-05-14T16:01:24.833Z US ramps nuclear weapons production to Cold War levels as China pursues ‘unprecedented’ buildup The U.S. is producing nuclear weapons at levels not seen since the Cold War, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told lawmakers Thursday, as officials warned of a rapidly expanding Chinese arsenal and growing nuclear threats from Iran. "Today, NNSA is delivering more new nuclear weapons and plutonium pits than at any time since the Cold War," Wright said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, describing what he called a broader U.S. "nuclear renaissance." The ramp-up comes as China undertakes what lawmakers described as an "unprecedented" expansion of its nuclear forces, raising concerns in Washington about a shifting global balance of power. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., warned that Beijing is moving beyond a minimum deterrence posture and building a far larger and more sophisticated nuclear arsenal under Chinese President Xi Jinping. CHINA DIRECTS LARGEST MILITARY BUILD-UP SINCE 1930S NAZI GERMANY, EXPERT WARNS, CITING PENTAGON REPORT "China's building a far larger and more sophisticated nuclear force," Wicker said, pointing to the rapid construction of hundreds of new missile silos, expanded mobile missile systems, ballistic missile submarines, and investments in long-range bombers. "All of these measures flow from and to a strategy designed to surpass the United States in the coming decade." Wicker said China’s nuclear buildup is unfolding alongside a broader push to translate economic strength into military advantage, including dominance in shipbuilding, critical minerals and key dual-use technologies. "Deterrence is expensive, but this is a competition we cannot afford to lose," he said. For decades, China maintained a relatively small "minimum deterrent" nuclear posture, but U.S. officials now say Beijing is building a larger and more survivable force across land, sea and air platforms. Pentagon estimates project China’s arsenal could exceed 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030, up from more than 600 today. By comparison, the United States maintains roughly 3,700 active nuclear warheads in its stockpile. Wright argued the U.S. is responding with a sweeping modernization effort, with seven major warhead programs underway simultaneously to ensure each leg of the nuclear triad remains operational. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, America's nuclear renaissance is here," Wright said. But some lawmakers raised concerns about whether the U.S. nuclear enterprise can sustain that pace. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., warned that the National Nuclear Security Administration is already under strain, particularly after the dismissal of hundreds of trained nuclear personnel last year. "These experts are exceedingly hard to recruit and retain," Reed said, noting that the agency previously had roughly 2,000 personnel supporting Pentagon nuclear requirements. Reed also cautioned that new proposals — including expanded nuclear-powered naval capabilities — could further stretch resources and increase demand for warhead production that the agency is already struggling to meet. Wicker, meanwhile, criticized the administration for failing to request funding for a nuclear sea-launched cruise missile warhead program, calling it a matter of complying with existing law. "The United States cannot afford to forego credible, flexible response options while our adversaries' nuclear forces grow day by day," he said. TRUMP ORDERS US NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTING TO BEGIN 'IMMEDIATELY' AFTER RUSSIA TESTS NEW MISSILES The hearing also highlighted escalating concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. During questioning from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Wright said Iran is close to reaching a key threshold. "They are weeks — a small number of weeks — away to enrich that to weapons grade uranium," Wright said. He noted Iran already possesses uranium enriched to 60%, along with significant quantities enriched to 20%, bringing it dangerously close to weapons-grade capability. "When you're at 60%, you are … way more than 90% of the way there for the enrichment necessary for weapons grade uranium," he said. "It’s very concerning." Asked whether the U.S. should target Iran’s full stockpile of enriched uranium — estimated at roughly 12 tons — Wright indicated support for an aggressive approach. PHYSICIST LAWMAKER WARNS US LACKS CLEAR PLAN FOR IRAN’S ENRICHED URANIUM "I think that's the wise strategy. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent future enrichment of uranium as well," he said. The tensions with Iran have also raised concerns about global energy markets, particularly the risk of disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. "A whole administration was well aware of that risk," Wright said when asked whether the White House anticipated potential fallout. Pressed on how to mitigate the impact on American households, Wright emphasized restoring global energy flows, saying the U.S. would ensure the free movement of oil through the region "either in a, in an agreement … or without a deal." Wright defended the administration’s push for increased funding for nuclear programs, arguing it is critical to restoring U.S. strategic dominance. "We lost our mojo a bit in designing new weapons and modernizing our weapons," he said. "It is absolutely essential that every power in the world believes and understands that the United States has the top nuclear arsenal." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f1c1a200899a00eb4afd US Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks abruptly resigns, Fox News learns te 2026-05-14T16:01:05.380Z US Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks abruptly resigns, Fox News learns U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks tells Fox News he is resigning, effective immediately.  "It's just time," Banks told Fox News' Bill Melugin.  "I feel like I got the ship back on course from the least secure disastrous chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen," he said. "Time to pass the reigns, 37 years, it's time to enjoy the family and life." This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05f199a200899a00eb4ae1 Rubio and Hegseth Among White House Officials to Speak at Christian Prayer Festival te 2026-05-14T16:00:25.037Z Rubio and Hegseth Among White House Officials to Speak at Christian Prayer Festival Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among the scheduled speakers at the event, part of festivities for the nation’s 250th birthday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05efbca200899a00eb4a84 Arizona will use AI to assess Medicaid payments, governor announces te 2026-05-14T15:52:28.942Z Arizona will use AI to assess Medicaid payments, governor announces The AI-driven tool is meant to detect and flag suspicious Medicaid claims before the state allocates payment, the governor says. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05efa3a200899a00eb4a58 This Adirondack chair set is over 50% off at Wayfair before Memorial Day te 2026-05-14T15:52:03.168Z This Adirondack chair set is over 50% off at Wayfair before Memorial Day Ahead of Memorial Day, Wayfair is offering deep discounts on home and outdoor upgrades, and this best-selling Adirondack chair set is one of the top deals we've found. Built for everything from quiet mornings to backyard gatherings, it comes as a four-piece set, two-piece set or single chair with a matching table — all over 50% off. Original price: $1,076 The popular four-piece set is now $612 off, bringing the price to about $118 per chair. Its foldable, weather-resistant design makes it easy to add seating or move chairs around the yard. Made from durable high-density polyethylene, each chair has quick-draining slats, wide armrests and a supportive curved back for extra comfort. If four chairs are more than you need, the same style also comes in a two-piece set or a single chair paired with a matching table. Both options are also over 50% off. READ MORE: Wayfair's early Memorial Day sale: Save up to 82% on grills, mattresses and patio sets Original price: $538 The two-piece set is perfect for couples or anyone who needs a pair of extra seats, with the same durable design, stainless steel hardware and wood-look finish that wipes clean. The sturdy poly material resists fading, splintering, chipping and peeling. Each chair supports up to 330 pounds. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals  Original price: $338 This single-chair option uses the same durable materials and comes with a matching side table, ideal for solo lounging. The sturdy design keeps drinks, snacks and books within reach, and both pieces are easy to move around your outdoor space. When not in use, the chair and table fold for convenient storage during the off-season or while mowing the lawn. For even more home and outdoor deals, check out Wayfair's Memorial Day sale, with discounts up to 83% off. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ef8fa200899a00eb4a4f Black Dahlia breakthrough: LAPD examines new fingerprint tied to victim’s ex-boyfriend te 2026-05-14T15:51:43.485Z Black Dahlia breakthrough: LAPD examines new fingerprint tied to victim’s ex-boyfriend FIRST ON FOX: Cold case detectives in Los Angeles are looking at newly discovered fingerprints from 1943 in connection with the mysterious Black Dahlia murder — the unsolved slaying and dismemberment of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short in 1947. The 22-year-old Massachusetts native's mutilated remains were discovered in a vacant lot in Los Angeles nearly 80 years ago. She had been cut in half, drained of blood, scrubbed clean and posed in a way that the young mother who found her initially thought she was a mannequin, according to the FBI. "This is probably one of the most difficult cases, realistically, because of the time that’s passed," said Detective Marty Mojarro, one of two LAPD cold case investigators who have inherited the case. ZODIAC KILLER MAY BE TIED TO BLACK DAHLIA CASE AFTER 'CODE CRACKED,' NEW SUSPECT EMERGES Most recently, independent forensic examiner Alex Baber, co-founder of the Cold Case Consultants of America, said he found evidence that could link Short's ex-boyfriend Marvin Margolis to her murder and to the Zodiac Killer, another infamous, unsolved case in California. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Mojarro said the claim still needs vetting but warrants further investigation, and he has received what Baber says is Margolis' government fingerprint card from 1943, which had not previously been obtained by police. "As an investigator, if it potentially could help, I would absolutely not turn it down," Mojarro told Fox News Digital. SEND US A TIP HERE Margolis served in the Pacific in the Navy in World War II. He lived in Los Angeles after the war with a roommate named Bill Robinson, who was a Navy cryptologist, and he dated Short. LOS ANGELES DA ANNOUNCES CHARGES AFTER BREAKTHROUGH IN 30-YEAR-OLD MURDER COLD CASE Margolis was among 22 persons of interest in her death identified in 1951, according to police records Baber shared with Fox News Digital previously. Later, he changed his name to Marvin Merrill, then again to Marty Merrill, and settled in the Midwest. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Mojarro said he could not comment on what other evidence the LAPD may or may not have in the case file to compare the exemplars to. The FBI has revealed previously that there was a letter that may have been sent to authorities by Short's killer. Fingerprints on the packaging were not a match for anything in the FBI's database in the past. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB According to Baber, his team at Cold Case Consultants was unable to exclude a print on the package, which was sent to the Los Angeles Herald Express on Jan. 24, 1947. "It contained 23 pieces of Elizabeth's personal belongings that would've been in her purse the night she was abducted and murdered on Jan. 14," Baber said. For the LAPD's cold case investigators, all leads with potential are worth vetting. "We don't have live witnesses to interview," Mojarro said. "All the physical evidence that was ever collected — it is what it is." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ef7ba200899a00eb4a46 Golden Tempo trainer Cherie DeVaux calls criticism of Preakness decision unfair: 'The horse is not a machine' te 2026-05-14T15:51:23.626Z Golden Tempo trainer Cherie DeVaux calls criticism of Preakness decision unfair: 'The horse is not a machine' Golden Tempo is not running in the Preakness Stakes after winning the Kentucky Derby, and trainer Cherie DeVaux said they are focused on the bigger picture. DeVaux, 44, told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that most of the reactions to Golden Tempo not participating and missing out on a chance for the Triple Crown, have been positive. She did label the criticism about the decision to rest Golden Tempo as unfair. "It's been a mix of both, mostly positive. Which I appreciate, and I understand that fans of the sport or fans of the Triple Crown are disappointed, but the horse is not a machine," DeVaux said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I have to advocate as the trainer to the owners or the clients, and we had a conversation, it wasn't my decision. It was a decision we made as a group and I'm sorry if people don't understand what goes into it. ‘Why enter the Derby if your not going to run the Triple Crown?’ Well, I think that’s unfair. We are not committing to this and they're horses, like they're animals, and they're not just a car where you can go out and run them in two weeks. That’s not how it works, and unfortunately if you’re not going to understand, then I can’t help you." DeVaux said she honors the tradition of the Triple Crown, but they don’t want to push Golden Tempo too hard. The Saratoga Springs, New York, native called the decision a hard one. "It’s hard, I do understand where others are coming from, but I do think it's unfair the way that I have received some of the messages and what they're saying, but whatever, they're not in my position to train the horse and so therefore their opinion doesn't matter to me," DeVaux said. CHERIE DEVAUX REFLECTS ON MAKING KENTUCKY DERBY HISTORY AS FIRST FEMALE TRAINER TO WIN THE RACE They took a few days to let everything calm down before making a decision on Golden Tempo’s participation in the second leg of the Triple Crown. DeVaux said the horse is fine health-wise. "We tried to let the dust settle on the whole weekend, and Golden Tempo is fine. But we think it takes a unique horse to be able to come back and run in two weeks. And we just didn't feel like for him that was the responsible thing for his whole career, especially this year. We're focused on a bigger picture than the Triple Crown," DeVaux said. "Even though the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, I’m always biased, where you can focus on the Triple Crown or you can focus on the year because it takes so much out of them. And we were speaking. We decided that it was his best interest to focus on the year, not just coming back in two weeks and then coming back in three weeks." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! DeVaux said that the goal is for Golden Tempo to run at the Belmont. She also noted that this years Triple Crown is different from years prior. "No, that is definitely our next goal and we're pointing towards that," DeVaux said. "Saratoga is great. My family lives up there, but I was actually looking forward to running him the mile and a half, you know, it’s different circumstances." "We're running the Preakness at Laurel. We're running the Belmont at Saratoga at a different distance. So, you know, it's not the true Triple Crown layout that has been historic in the past couple years." The Preakness Stakes are traditionally held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, but are being held at Laurel Park due to renovations. The Belmont Stakes are normally held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, but are being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, due to renovations. The Kentucky Derby was still held at Churchill Downs this year. DeVaux made history in Louisville, becoming the first female trainer to have a horse win the Kentucky Derby. 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/6a05ef52a200899a00eb4a2b Body of Second U.S. Soldier Who Went Missing in Morocco Is Found te 2026-05-14T15:50:42.757Z Body of Second U.S. Soldier Who Went Missing in Morocco Is Found The body of Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, was retrieved from a coastal cave less than a week after the recovery of the body of First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ef3da200899a00eb4a0f Spotify to adopt Apple’s new video podcast tech, offering creators easier cross-platform distribution te 2026-05-14T15:50:21.899Z Spotify to adopt Apple’s new video podcast tech, offering creators easier cross-platform distribution Spotify will let creators distribute and monetize video podcasts on Apple Podcasts using Apple’s HLS streaming technology, without changing their existing workflows. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ed50a200899a00eb49db Havasu, Kingman residents gather to support Run for the Wall 2026 te 2026-05-14T15:42:08.571Z Havasu, Kingman residents gather to support Run for the Wall 2026 Hundreds of motorcycles departed for Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 13 – part of an annual tradition of honor and support. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ed39a200899a00eb49b5 NFL's Thanksgiving holiday schedule that features five games is definitely no turkey te 2026-05-14T15:41:45.579Z NFL's Thanksgiving holiday schedule that features five games is definitely no turkey The old joke is that the NFL is so popular (and brazen) that it stole Sundays from the church. Well, the league's 2026 schedule, which will be unveiled Thursday evening, is trying to snatch the Thanksgiving holiday from the turkey. The NFL is playing five games over the Thanksgiving holiday, and for the first time this year the league is going a step further by playing a game on Thanksgiving eve. So, for those keeping score, the week of Thanksgiving will look like this on the NFL calendar: The league will play its regular slate of Sunday games on Nov. 22, then a Monday night game on Nov. 23, then the new Thanksgiving eve game on Nov. 25, three Thanksgiving Day games on Nov. 26, a Black Friday game on Nov. 27, then come back with a regular slate on Sunday, Nov. 29. That's NFL games on six of eight days in late November. NFL ANNOUNCES THAT INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING EVE GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL BE STREAMED ON NETFLIX The league will kick off the holiday with its first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game featuring the Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams on Netflix. That promises to be a good matchup of two playoff teams from a season ago. Then on Thanksgiving Day, the league will come with its usual feast of three matchups at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. — both on Fox — and then the 8:20 nightcap. And those matchups are also fire. It begins with the Chicago Bears visiting the Detroit Lions. This is where we should acknowledge that in past years, the first game on Thanksgiving Day was something less than an appetizer to major action because the Lions were not often good and the NFC North was not often strong top to bottom. Well, the Lions have been much better in recent years and the division was the only one in which all its teams were above .500 in 2025. This season, the Lions, Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Packers are all playoff contenders. So it stands to reason that a Lions versus Bears matchup to start Thanksgiving Day will be a game with playoff implications. Then the NFL is going for the gusto — or, as the league defines gusto, viewers. The late-afternoon game will match the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys. The Thanksgiving night game will have the Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs. And the league's goal for those two games is to try to attract the biggest audience to view a regular-season game in NFL history. The Cowboys and Eagles are expected to compete for the NFC East title, while the Bills and Chiefs will continue a rivalry born out of multiple memorable regular-season and playoff meetings that pitted quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes against one another. So, both these games have the makings of providing big viewership numbers on a holiday when most people are home. The only problem with these two games back to back is they provide little opportunity for a post-meal nap on Thanksgiving. The current record-holder for the most-watched NFL regular-season game is the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game on Nov. 27, 2025. It averaged 57.23 million viewers. All the NFL's Thanksgiving Day games have been confirmed by the league. The Black Friday game has not, but multiple reports have the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Denver Broncos at 3 p.m. (ET) on Amazon Prime. And, again, the Steelers and the Broncos were both playoff teams in 2025. So, that's five games around the Thanksgiving holiday featuring 10 teams with playoff expectations this season, and seven of which reached the postseason last season. That's quite the menu. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ed25a200899a00eb49ac Final Walz fraud report rips ‘culture of tolerance’ as Minnesota taxpayers face billions in alleged losses te 2026-05-14T15:41:25.715Z Final Walz fraud report rips ‘culture of tolerance’ as Minnesota taxpayers face billions in alleged losses A comprehensive final report released Tuesday by the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee concluding its work for the current session takes aim at a "culture of tolerance" under Gov. Tim Walz that it says allowed serial fraudsters to fleece taxpayers for billions of dollars.  The 84-page final report, which follows two dozen hearings and hundreds of whistleblower tips, paints a grim picture of state government malfeasance, incompetence and the active suppression of internal warnings.  The committee concluded that the scale of fraud in Minnesota is "massive and unprecedented," costing taxpayers an estimated $300 million in federal meal program fraud and up to $9 billion in Medicaid fraud. The report asserts that the total amount stolen across multiple programs, including childcare and SNAP, is significantly higher than previously believed.  The report cited several examples of what it characterizes as Walz failing to act on fraud, including a situation, reported by Fox News Digital, where he "tried to blame a court order" for failing to stop payments to the Feeding Our Future fraudsters. However, the presiding judge later issued a public statement clarifying that he never ordered the state to resume payments, asserting that the Walz administration did so voluntarily. MINNESOTA FRAUD COMMITTEE CHAIR CLAIMS WALZ 'TURNED A BLIND EYE' TO FRAUD WARNINGS FOR YEARS Investigators identified a recurring "business model" used by criminals to fleece taxpayers, which involved low barriers to entry, the use of shell companies and the payment of kickbacks to enroll recipients. The report specifically links the Feeding Our Future scandal to earlier unaddressed fraud in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), suggesting that the failure to stop one led directly to the explosion of the other.  The report alleges that Governor Walz created a culture that enabled fraud by failing to hold officials accountable despite years of credible whistleblower reports and audits. It claims the administration "ignored and consciously downplayed" shocking levels of fraud across more than a dozen Medicaid waiver programs and prioritized "compassion over compliance."  While the committee uncovered numerous findings highlighting the severity of the fraud, they found themselves consistently facing opposition from Democrats, including earlier this month when Democrats on the committee blocked an effort to subpoena Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar for information on her alleged ties to the convicted fraudsters in the Somali community. COMER SAYS WALZ 'RETALIATED' AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO WARNED OF MINNESOTA FRAUD FOR YEARS The report offered a strong critique of Omar, asserting that her MEALS Act "took the guardrails off" federal nutrition programs by allowing for-profit restaurants to participate and permitting "grab-and-go" flexibilities that made it nearly impossible to verify if children were actually being fed by the Feeding Our Future program. Ultimately, the report concludes that the unprecedented level of fraud was facilitated by poor program design and the active suppression of whistleblower reports, which created a "permission structure" for future wrongdoers. "The problem all along has been people were afraid to call out the fraud because they were afraid of being called racist, because they were afraid of being called Islamophobic, and now because they’re afraid of going against their political patrons or benefactors," House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, told Fox News Digital about the reasons why the fraud was allowed to linger for so long. Robbins says that she reflects back on the committee's work with pride but acknowledges there is more work to be done. "I’m proud of the work that the committee has done," Robbins said. "We’ve fulfilled our mission of exposing fraud and strengthening internal controls and trying to hold the executive branch officials, the Governor and his agencies, accountable. I think the accountability piece — there’s still a lot to do — but I hope the report contributes to that." While the committee’s work for this session is complete, Robbins says she hopes that the committee will be renewed for the next legislative session. "I hope that the next legislature, which gets elected in November, reconstitutes the fraud committee," Robbins said. "I don't want this to be a historic anomaly. We never had a fraud and oversight committee prior to this session, and I hope there will be one in all future sessions. I think no matter who’s in power, it’s an important institutional check." Despite the Democratic opposition, Robbins says the "work is still there" and she hopes that federal partners, including Vice President JD Vance’s fraud task force, step in.  "We have a lot of active investigations based on whistleblower reports that we will continue in this intervening period and I'll continue to turn things over to our federal partners at the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI," Robbins said. "And I'll continue to work with our federal partners at the Department of Treasury, CMS, the new J.D. Vance group, we’re still doing the work, it just, won’t be recorded in a committee meeting anymore." Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ed12a200899a00eb49a3 Exclusive: Clark Lea says college football will have to sacrifice tradition in exchange for CFP expansion te 2026-05-14T15:41:06.109Z Exclusive: Clark Lea says college football will have to sacrifice tradition in exchange for CFP expansion Go ahead and get used to it now: the debate over expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Sitting inside Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea's office on Wednesday, it wasn’t hard to notice the ongoing chatter that has now once again reared its head. Ever since CFP leaders wrapped meetings in Miami — before Indiana capped an historic season with a national championship — the battle between the SEC and the rest of college football has only intensified, with the most recent gathering taking place just outside of Dallas. COACHES PUSH FOR 24-TEAM CFP, AS COLLEGE FOOTBALL HEADS TOWARDS PARTICIPATION TROPHY TERRITORY At the center of it all is one question: how big should the playoff field actually be? For months, the SEC has stood firm behind a 16-team format, a model its television partner ESPN supports. Meanwhile, the Big Ten has pushed for 24 teams — an idea that initially drew resistance from the ACC and Big 12 before opinions started to shift. That’s nothing new. Conference commissioners changing positions is practically part of the job. But this time, the stakes are higher. With revenue-sharing challenges mounting across college athletics — and some schools already cutting sports — expanding the playoff has become a potential financial lifeline. More teams mean more games. More games mean more television inventory. And more inventory means more money, maybe. As the new College Football Playoff contract with ESPN starts, which is a six-year deal, there is a number of teams that could essentially trigger additional bidding. According to industry sources, if the CFP were to agree on a 14-team postseason, ESPN would still hold onto its inventory of games, which they could continue sub-licensing out to networks like TNT or TBS. BROADCAST INDUSTRY CEO SAYS CONSOLIDATION IS 'ESSENTIAL' TO COMPETE FOR NFL SOARING MEDIA RIGHTS PRICES But, if CFP leaders were to somehow agree to the 24-team format, or even 16-teams, this would allow networks like FOX, NBC or CBS to join the party if they were willing to pay. This stems from the contract signed by ESPN and the CFP, which would allow the playoff to put the extra games that would come from a 24-team postseason on the market. And while that might be the case, from an economic standpoint, the smarter move would be for ESPN to just purchase the rights to the added games of a 16-team playoff given it might not be worth the price for FOX or NBC to purchase the additional two matchups. Though it’s not hard to see why multiple conferences would be on board. As Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea pointed out this week in Nashville, expansion isn’t as simple as adding more teams. "The first thing that we need to focus on is when we end the season," Clark Lea told OutKick. "I think we have a real issue right now, and I think the issue is tied to TV contracts and and dedicated time slots where we're not competing with the NFL, and stuff like that which extends our season three weeks into January that absolutely undermines the integrity of what we're trying to do as a sport. "Whatever we do next with the playoff, expansion is coming. We (SEC) all expected it for this year and it hit a hiccup. But, as expansion comes, it cannot come at the expense paying attention to the seasons end, and let's be more reasonable at tying that." HAIL MARY IN LUBBOCK: BRENDAN SORSBY'S LAST SHOT AT BEATING NCAA GAMBLING ALLEGATIONS As OutKick reported over the past year, expanding the playoff in this magnitude could also come with the caveat that conference title games would cease to exist. While this might sound like an easy fix to some, it's a much bigger concept to actually pull off, given the amount of money ESPN and FOX pay for these title games, with both games receiving a reported $160 million for their title games combined. "We're going to have to let go of some traditional end of the year elements in college football," Clark Lea mentioned, while also noting that he 'thinks' that would be a conference championship. So what replaces them? "Somehow the playoff model is incorporated, right?" Lea offered up. "Otherwise, this (season) extends forever. I think we saw last year these ridiculous breaks in play, which I think ruins the competive product on the field. I would be really interested to hear answers and to get people thinking towards those things. "How do we improve the product, tighten the season? Finishing closer to the semester ending, the portal window. Now all of the sudden we have a better product." INSIDE THE FIGHT: NIL ARMS RACE FUELING NEW PUSH FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF EXPANSION The idea of repackaging an SEC, Big Ten, ACC or Big 12 championship weekend into play-in type games for each conference is an idea that television networks like ESPN and FOX have been at least discussing. Given that they would be giving up a money-making game in terms of advertising and ratings, the substitute would have to be enticing enough to contemplate. But, if you were to ask the fans if they would rather watch four teams battling in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte or Dallas over a two-day period for a spot in the college football playoff, I'd imagine that would be an easy sell to networks and advertisers alike. Dabo Swinney is right: Coaches might be right, but opinions don’t matter in College Football Playoff expansion fight Even then, deciding on a route to take is not easy task. "Those decisions need to be made based on driving as much possible revenue and getting the best possible negotiation out of each game we have. So, to say 24 or 16 is really just to say as many teams as we can, while also not giving away the ability to negotiate what those games can bring to us. At the end of the day, folks just want to see the sport of college football put in the best possible spot moving forward, which includes the coaches who are competing for spots, like Clark Lea. "What we do when we start to participate in these conversations is we become fans. I know it's way more complex than just adding as many teams as possible. This has got to be done in the best way to optimize our product, and to drive the revenue we need to sustain our sport." ONE DAY AFTER LANE KIFFIN MESS, STEVE SARKISIAN TORCHES OLE MISS FOR 'BASKETWEAVING' CLASSES IN OXFORD While SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is essentially standing on an island by himself in terms of pushing a 16-team format over a jump to 24, we're starting to hear his coaches within the conference start to voice their differing opinions on what the future should actually look like. While that might be the case, the coaches only have so much weight in these conversations, as I discussed on Wednesday. Either way, spring meetings in college football became much more important over the past two years, with the Big Ten set to meet next week in Los Angeles, while the SEC prepares to meet after Memorial Day in Florida. Let the games continue. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ecfea200899a00eb499a 173 House Democrats vote against resolution honoring police amid rising attacks te 2026-05-14T15:40:46.280Z 173 House Democrats vote against resolution honoring police amid rising attacks House Democrats split over a resolution backing law enforcement as assaults on officers surged last year. Just 29 House Democrats on Wednesday voted for a GOP-authored measure paying tribute to the "extraordinary sacrifice" law enforcement officers make and criticizing the defund the police movement for jeopardizing public safety. Meanwhile, 173 Democrats voted with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., against the resolution, while every GOP lawmaker present supported it. "We want to take that best practice of respecting law enforcement in Iowa to the nation's capital, and I was thrilled that we got bipartisan support," Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, who introduced the measure, said in an interview with Fox News Digital. HANDFUL OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS JOIN REPUBLICANS IN SANCTUARY CITY CRACKDOWN But the Iowa Republican said he expected his resolution to receive unanimous backing. "I think it unfortunately puts a real spotlight on a chasm we have between those who support law and order and those who are supporting those who undermine it," Nunn said. The vote comes as assaults against law enforcement officers climbed to a 10-year high last year, according to an FBI report released Monday. The number of officers killed saw a slight decrease between 2024 and 2025. Some Democrats likely objected to language in the resolution that criticized left-wing activists for supporting the defund the police movement and sanctuary city policies for putting officers’ safety at risk.  "Whereas rhetoric and policies from leftist activists and progressive politicians seek to defund or dismantle local police departments undermine public safety and place both officers and the communities they serve at greater risk," the resolution states, in part. Nunn’s measure also credited the Trump administration’s aggressive law and order policies for contributing to a historic reduction in violent crime, including the United States experiencing its lowest homicide rate in more than a century last year. "We are at a 125-year low for murder rates, 10-year low for drug overdoses," Nunn told Fox News Digital. "These are things that good community policing, that our law enforcement officers are doing every day, have had a really positive impact."  HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS QUIETLY DISCUSS EXPANDING PERSONAL SECURITY MEASURES FOR LAWMAKERS The majority of Democrats who supported the resolution are facing competitive re-election contests in November. However, several vulnerable Democrats, including Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., voted against the measure. A spokesperson for Vasquez did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.  Reps. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., voted present.  The vote came during National Police Week, which honors the service and sacrifice of fallen law enforcement officers across the country. "To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Tuesday at a candlelight vigil to commemorate fallen officers. "We'll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers."  House Republicans are also pitching a slate of anti-crime bills this week, including legislation that would require the attorney general to compile a list of state and local governments that have adopted cashless bail policies. GOP lawmakers have sharply criticized those policies for letting repeat offenders walk free from jail while awaiting trial. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05eaa5a200899a00eb48f2 University of Chicago Makes Tuition Free for Families Making Under $250,000 te 2026-05-14T15:30:45.726Z University of Chicago Makes Tuition Free for Families Making Under $250,000 It becomes one of just a couple of major universities offering free tuition to families at that income level. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ea90a200899a00eb48d6 Khosla Ventures is betting $10M on Ian Crosby, whose last startup, Bench, imploded te 2026-05-14T15:30:24.764Z Khosla Ventures is betting $10M on Ian Crosby, whose last startup, Bench, imploded Crosby is building Synthetic, a fully autonomous AI bookkeeping service for other startups. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e889a200899a00eb4884 DAVID MARCUS: Democrats love whistleblowers, unless they attack Saint Fauci te 2026-05-14T15:21:45.677Z DAVID MARCUS: Democrats love whistleblowers, unless they attack Saint Fauci It was an amazing sight in the Senate on Wednesday, as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by its chairman, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., held an explosive hearing featuring a CIA whistleblower testifying on COVID origins, and not a single Democrat bothered to even show up. Every chair on the left of the dais sat empty as high-ranking CIA official James Erdman outlined the duplicity and lies, not just of the government during COVID, but especially of disgraced former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, which is precisely why the cowardly Democrats took the morning off. According to Erdman, suppression of the lab leak theory, now widely accepted as how the COVID pandemic began, "was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci, injecting himself into the IC [intelligence community]." What followed was a detailed description of how, at every turn, Fauci put scientists in oversight positions in place who not only backed up his wet-market theory, but in some cases were arguably complicit in the creation of COVID and the subsequent coverup. WHO IS JAMES ERDMAN III? CIA WHISTLEBLOWER WHO WENT FROM COVID MANDATE FIGHTS TO SENATE SPOTLIGHT Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., pulled no punches, saying the reason Fauci lied was "because he helped fund the Wuhan lab. He supported and funded gain-of-function research, and then he tried to cover it up, and then he worked to cover it up from the American people," adding, "I hope he’s indicted." I asked Rutgers professor and molecular biologist Richard Ebright, a longtime Fauci critic, about why he thought the true story of COVID’s origins is taking so long for the public to hear. His answer was troubling. "Misfeasance and malfeasant science administrators," Ebright told me. "Notably, [former National Institutes of Health Director] Francis Collins and Fauci, deliberately misinformed the public about the origin of COVID, and many scientists, science journalists and general journalists joined them in deliberately misinforming the public about the origin of COVID." EX-CNN PUNDIT ADMITS TRUMP WAS LIKELY 'RIGHT' ABOUT COVID-19 LIKELY LEAKING FROM A LAB Ebright is not some conspiracy theory podcaster. He is, in fact, the very type of world-class expert that Fauci deliberately banned from the official scientific conversation about COVID. Any voice opposed to the wet-market theory and the immiserating public policy of lockdown was labeled a kook. Ebright believes all of us were intentionally misled. "All informed persons, without exception, understood by January-February 2020 that COVID likely entered humans through a research-related incident, involving reckless gain-of-function research performed in Wuhan and enabled by U.S. government funding approved by Collins and Fauci in violation of U.S. government policies prohibiting funding for such research." FORMER WASHINGTON POST FACT-CHECKER ADMITS HE 'SCREWED UP' ON COVID-19 LAB LEAK THEORY Given all of this, and the fact that COVID impacted, in generally harmful ways, every single American citizen, it is not just shocking, but utterly unacceptable that not one Democratic senator could be bothered to even show up to Wednesday’s hearing. A cynic might suggest that this avoidance by Democrats owed to the fact that they would have been expected to hopelessly defend Fauci, who they helped to turn into a cross between a folk hero and a religious icon, and who clearly was not straight with us. If Fauci was just honestly wrong about the lab leak theory, that would be one thing and deserving of reputational damage. But if he was knowingly wrong, and hiding his own role in gain-of-function research, then we are in crime of the century territory. DAVID MARCUS: DEM SENATORS' SHAMELESS ANTICS SHOW WHY PARTY IS IN SHAMBLES The absent Democratic senators are doing the only thing they can do, indeed the only thing that any of the mad authoritarians who authored our COVID response can; they are ignoring it now and pretending it didn’t happen. Trillions of dollars lost, millions of hours of kids' education lost, family members dying alone in empty hospitals, and we are not even being offered an "Oops," much less an apology. Instead, Democrats want us to shut up about it. I asked Ebright what the worst case scenario is if we fail to fully understand what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future. He was blunt. DR. MARC SIEGEL: TRUMP IS RIGHT TO BLOCK 'DANGEROUS' GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH "Reckless gain-of-function research continues, and continues to receive U.S. government funding," he said. "This sets the stage for a next, possibly even worse, lab-generated pandemic." In the end, that is what all of this is really about and why the Democratic senators who played hookey should be ashamed of themselves. They would rather put America at grave risk than admit they were wrong about COVID. So long as the Democrats remain deaf, dumb and blind as to the ever-growing allegations and evidence of Fauci’s malfeasance, the American people will never get the full story. But that doesn’t mean Republicans can’t keep discovering pieces of it. According to Hawley, there are already enough pieces for an indictment of Fauci. And who knows what remains to be discovered? CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e875a200899a00eb487b Curt Cignetti reveals how working for Nick Saban changed everything: 'Every day was 4th-and-1' te 2026-05-14T15:21:25.995Z Curt Cignetti reveals how working for Nick Saban changed everything: 'Every day was 4th-and-1' If you have followed OutKick at all over the last six months, you'll know just how fond I am of Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti. His two-year run in Bloomington has been so impressive, I already believe he's on the short list of "greatest coaches of all time." There are very few who could have orchestrated the turnaround he pulled off with the Hoosiers, given the dearth of resources and interest in the program when he arrived. Cignetti has Indiana as a mainstay in the national championship conversation, and if you had told me that even five years ago, I would have laughed you out of the room. IT'S NOT TOO LATE, YOU'RE NOT TOO OLD: NATIONAL CHAMPION CURT CIGNETTI JUST PROVED IT Naturally, Coach Cig owes his success to someone, but who? When he sat down with Josh Pate earlier this week, he mentioned a familiar name that got him up to speed on what it meant to be a championship-caliber coach very early in his career. Pate broke down how then-Alabama coach Nick Saban changed his perspective on "process oriented thinking" on a speaking tour during his first year in Tuscaloosa when Cignetti revealed he was on that tour, and the lessons being imparted on Pate also rubbed off on him. NICK SABAN REVEALS 'BIGGEST MISTAKE' OF ILLUSTRIOUS COACHING CAREER "I went with him in '07, part of his original staff. I just learned so much," Cignetti said. "He had a philosophy, and he had been a head coach 13 or 14 years by then... and he could just lay it out there where it made so much sense." Cignetti said even from day one on the job with the Crimson Tide, Saban had a detailed plan for everything. EX-ALABAMA STAR DAMIEN HARRIS EXPLAINS WHY CRIMSON TIDE DOESN'T WANT TEAMS TO FEAR THEM "After one year with coach [Saban] I felt like I had learned more about how to run a program than the previous 28 as an assistant." The sense of urgency to win every day stuck with Cignetti more than almost anything. "Every day was 4th-and-1 one with coach Saban," he said. "But that's the way it had to be to fight complacency and find the edge on a daily basis and be as good as you can be." When you hear Cignetti talk about the wisdom he gained with Saban, it's easy to see why he's such a successful head coach. But being around Nick Saban and actually retaining that wisdom don't always go hand in hand. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Plenty of coaches who have been assistants under Saban have had middling and forgettable careers as head coaches. The fact that Cignetti was able to apply Saban's teachings - at a non-traditional power, no less - is all the more impressive. When Saban retired in early 2024, it left a huge void in the college football community. It might sound outlandish, but Curt Cignetti could very well be the closest thing we have to prime Nick Saban in the game today. The results speak for themselves. He wins, just Google him. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e862a200899a00eb4872 Non-Jewish professor says he was fired for calling out Hamas supporters in online post te 2026-05-14T15:21:06.252Z Non-Jewish professor says he was fired for calling out Hamas supporters in online post A non-Jewish Canadian professor says he was fired from his university for defending Israel in a social media post as antisemitism exploded across Canada following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. Paul Finlayson told Fox News Digital that he lost his job at Canada’s University of Guelph-Humber after taking a strong stance online about the massacre and kidnapping of Israelis and foreigners — including Americans and Canadians. Finlayson responded in November of 2023 to a LinkedIn message from an overseas educator who he said was "calling for the eradication of Israel." Though the author later deleted his post and all corresponding comments, the National Post quoted from Finlayson’s response in a December 2023 article. "If you say ‘from the River to the Sea’, you’re a Nazi," Finlayson wrote. "I’m not neutral. I stand with Israel. I stand against antisemites who want nothing but dead Jews: who take millions from their education and health care budgets and spend it on making war…You stand with Palestine means you stand with Hitler. You don’t want peace, you want dead Jews…They murdered 1,400 innocents and took 250 hostages and the people celebrated rapist monsters as heroes." RECORD ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS IN CANADA FUEL CRITICISM OF CARNEY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Since the post, Finlayson says he has faced a targeted campaign against him which has affected his professional standing and job prospects.  Finlayson said that students at the school found his LinkedIn reply before the post's author erased the thread, leading to outcry. While meeting with a student in his office on Nov. 27, Finlayson said an administrator waited outside, eventually presenting him with a suspension letter. A copy of the suspension letter, provided by Finlayson, cites "inappropriate online comments" and places the professor "on leave pending the outcome of the investigation." It directed Finlayson not to contact "any of your departmental staff or students or broader members of the [university]." Finlayson said he was "very well-liked" by students, who ranked him among the highest in the business department faculty. He said that rumors about the accusations against him destroyed his academic reputation, which included formulating courses and writing textbooks. "My trial has been by defamation, and it continues by defamation," Finlayson said of the "Kafkaesque" situation that ensued. FEDERAL PROBE CLAIMS UNIVERSITIES ARE 'LEGITIMIZING AND AMPLIFYING ANTISEMITISM' He says that his union, OPSEU Local 562, refused to represent him. The union did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Finlayson was officially fired by the university in July 2025. He provided a copy of his termination letter, which stated that after a "formal complaint of discrimination and harassment," an investigator found that his "conduct violated the Ontario Human Rights Code and Humber’s Human Rights and Harassment Policy, and that [he] engaged in reprisal under both of those instruments." The Humber harassment policy states that "anyone who attempts Reprisal or threatens Reprisal against a person who initiates a complaint or participates in proceedings under this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action." The same policy says that "Humber upholds and supports the right to equal treatment without Discrimination" based on prohibited grounds, which include antisemitism. CANADA’S ANTISEMITISM ENVOY RESIGNS, CITING EXHAUSTION AMID HATE SURGE The University of Guelph-Humber did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about Finlayson’s suspension, investigation and firing, and about whether anti-Israel posts shared by its students and a professor at the University violate the Humber Human Rights and Harassment Policy. The University of Guelph’s "UofGforPalestine" Instagram page, which presents itself as the account of "students, staff, and faculty who stand in solidarity with Palestine," has shared posts with the inverted red triangle that Hamas uses to mark targets. Like the U.S., Canada designates Hamas as a terror group. In November 2024, the group shared photos on its Instagram account of a guillotine that "appeared on a walking path" in Guelph, which featured photos of the heads of Canadian, American and Israeli leaders coated in red paint. Though purported to be an "anonymous submission," the post notes its "message" as "Death to empire, death to colonialism and imperialism, death to the war machine." A University of Guelph-Humber professor whom Finlayson believes brought the case against him has posted inflammatory rhetoric on his own LinkedIn account, calling Israel a "terrorist state," and stating that the world "cannot have both" peace and Israel. The professor did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. While Finlayson lost his position, elsewhere in Canada, activism led to starkly different circumstances for three staffers at York University, who were among 11 individuals charged with "hate-motivated mischief" in Nov 2023 for plastering a bookstore with photos accusing a Jewish CEO of genocide, and splashing the store with red paint, as reported by the National Post. Though they were initially suspended from the school, at least two staff members appear to have current profiles on the York University website. One, a professor, most recently taught courses at the school in the Winter 2026 semester. York University did not respond to requests for comment about its restoration of staff members’ roles. Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, antisemitism has exploded in Canada. In April, B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights released a report showing that 6,800 antisemitic incidents took place in the country in 2025, representing a 9.4% increase over 2024. On average, this represented 18.6 incidents a day and was the "highest volume" the group has recorded since it began tracking incidents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e84ea200899a00eb4869 Shohei Ohtani making up for struggles at plate after lowering league-leading ERA to 0.82 te 2026-05-14T15:20:46.354Z Shohei Ohtani making up for struggles at plate after lowering league-leading ERA to 0.82 Shohei Ohtani can simply do whatever he wants on the baseball field. Hit 50 home runs? Sure. Steal 50 bases? You got it. Do them both in the same season? Sounds good. Lead the majors in earned run average? If you say so. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star certainly isn't hitting up to the expectations he has set for himself, owning a lifetime .951 OPS, posting an OPS of over 1.000 in three straight years, and hitting 54 and 55 homers in each of the last two seasons, respectively. It's so far been a down year at the plate for Ohtani, who's hitting .240 with a .796 OPS. Not including the truncated 2020 season, those would be the lowest marks of his career. But he is most definitely making up for it on the mound. After posting seven scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, Ohtani is now pitching to an MLB-best 0.82 ERA. Ohtani has allowed just four earned runs on the season, half of which came earlier this month against a stout Houston Astros offense, in 44.0 innings pitched. CAL RALEIGH ENDS 0-FOR-38 STREAK WITH UNORTHODOX SUPERSTITION INVOLVING HIS FULL UNIFORM "(The) ideal situation is to be great on both sides of the ball," Ohtani said after his gem in the Dodgers' 4-0 victory over their NL West rivals, via The Athletic. "But how I look at it is if I’m not contributing offensively, then I know I can contribute on the pitching side of things and vice versa. So I take it as that." "He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball, and right now, he’s doing it," manager Dave Roberts added. "You can tell he’s hyper-focused on the preparation part of it, and then obviously the days that he starts, the execution." Ohtani did not pitch in 2024 and returned to the mound last summer, pitching to a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts amid his 1.014 OPS, good for his fourth MVP in the last five seasons. The Dodgers have been careful with Ohtani's workload, sometimes keeping him as a pitcher only this season, as it's well known his offensive numbers take a hit when he's on the mound, understandably so. "It’s interesting because last year, there was a lot of conversations that he shouldn’t pitch and just be a hitter," Roberts said. "Now, it’s kind of flipped on its head. I can’t imagine what goes through his mind, but I do feel clarity on how we’re managing him. There’s no one way to go about it. You’re just trying to be fluid, and react and respond to how he’s feeling." But at the very least, the Dodgers currently have the best pitcher in baseball this season hitting at the top of their lineup. It's like the pre-DH era, except the pitcher is batting first instead of ninth. And it should surprise nobody if, and when, Ohtani finds the bat — while still mowing down everyone he faces 60 feet, 6 inches away. 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/6a05e649a200899a00eb47fe Arizona governor announces ‘first-of-its-kind’ AI insurance review for state Medicaid program te 2026-05-14T15:12:09.758Z Arizona governor announces ‘first-of-its-kind’ AI insurance review for state Medicaid program Key Points: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System will use AI tool for prepayment claim review Hobbs announced the tool in response to a directive from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The governor says the state will revalidate “high-risk” Medicaid providers at CMS’ request The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System will start using an artificial intelligence tool to review payments to healthcare providers to prevent “fraud, waste and abuse,” according to Gov. Katie Hobbs.  In a letter sent to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Hobbs said the state plans to launch what it believes is the United States’ first “AI-informed Medicaid prepayment review system.” The governor’s letter came as a response to Oz’s April 23 directive instructing all 50 states to revalidate “high-risk providers” in their Medicaid programs. “Arizona didn’t wait for Washington to call — we’ve been building and deploying the tools to fight Medicaid fraud since I took office …” Hobbs said in a statement. “Now, we’re building on this work and launching a first-of-its-kind AI system that will catch fraud before money goes out the door.” The tool was created by Alivia Analytics, an East Coast-based company that provides AI data analytics services to healthcare organizations and government agencies. According to Alivia’s website, Missouri’s Medicaid program used the company’s fraud, waste and abuse detection tool to conduct a retrospective audit on its claims to recover improperly used funds.  According to Hobbs’ letter, the AI tool will rank claims by their risk for fraud, waste and abuse before a payment is made to a provider. A human will review the highest-risk claims, while compliant providers will see quicker payment approval.  “This reflects Arizona’s commitment to catching problems before money goes out the door, rather than relying on post-payment recovery, which is costlier, less effective, and yields only a fraction of improper payments,” Hobbs wrote to Oz.  Delays in prepayment review for local healthcare providers became a hot topic in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, led by Sen. Carine Werner. The committee held several oversight hearings on AHCCCS’ response to the tribal sober living home fraud scheme. Over the course of a year, the committee investigated complaints that the state’s Medicaid agency overcorrected when it attempted to crack down on fraudulent sober living home providers who exploited Native American Medicaid members to collect payments from the American Indian Health Plan. Werner argued that legitimate providers were negatively impacted by the crackdown, leading some to close clinics or stop seeing patients due to months-long prepayment review delays.  The announcement comes while Republicans in the Legislature attempt to implement multiple reforms to the state’s Medicaid program, with some vetoed by the governor earlier this session and others wrapped up in the GOP budget proposal she rejected on May 5. Lawmakers hoped to require AHCCCS to conduct additional and more frequent eligibility checks on members to prevent fraud and abuse.  Hobbs described those reforms in veto letters as “unfunded mandates” and noted that AHCCCS is already struggling to keep up with Medicaid eligibility changes and federal funding cuts made by the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”  The governor is also fending off attacks from Republicans hoping to unseat her in November who say she has let fraud run rampant at state agencies during her tenure. Congressman Andy Biggs, the frontrunner in the GOP primary, told reporters on May 5 that he’s seen estimates claiming the state has lost $10 billion to Medicaid fraud, though the sober living home scheme is estimated to have cost taxpayers around $2.5 billion.  As far as Oz’s demand for revalidation of high-risk providers, Hobbs said in her May 7 letter that AHCCCS will submit a revalidation strategy in the coming weeks. It will be up to the agency to audit the legitimacy of its healthcare providers and it is unclear which types of providers are considered “high risk” by CMS.  “We ask CMS to engage as a genuine partner that acknowledges the real costs of these mandates, supports Arizona in securing appropriate federal resources, understands the competing demands of H.R. 1 implementation, collaborates on waiver extensions to contain costs for our most acute members, and approaches this work in a manner that is fair to Arizona’s fiscal position,” Hobbs wrote. The post Arizona governor announces ‘first-of-its-kind’ AI insurance review for state Medicaid program first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e633a200899a00eb47c7 McMahon tells House panel Trump admin moving to dismantle ‘failed’ $3T education bureaucracy te 2026-05-14T15:11:47.041Z McMahon tells House panel Trump admin moving to dismantle ‘failed’ $3T education bureaucracy Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon declared on Thursday that Americans elected President Donald Trump "to sunset" the "education bureaucracy," asserting that the administration is enacting "education renewal." "Americans reelected President Trump with a clear mandate to sunset a 46-year-old, $3-trillion dollar, failed education bureaucracy in D.C. and return authority to where it belongs to parents, teachers and local leaders," she said during her opening statement before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on Thursday. "Today I can confidently attest that we are delivering on the vision of educational renewal that for decades many promised, but none delivered," she added. The secretary is testifying before the House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing titled, "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education." "We've been clear: Shifting authority back to the states will not come at the expense of essential federal support and programs, much of which predate the department itself," she said. McMahon added that when President Trump's "administration makes promises, we keep them. And with your partnership, we will unleash momentous opportunity for every child to realize their God-given potential." This is a breaking news story and will be updated Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e61fa200899a00eb47be Astros picked to beat Mariners as Luis Castillo's struggles continue with a 6.57 ERA this season te 2026-05-14T15:11:27.246Z Astros picked to beat Mariners as Luis Castillo's struggles continue with a 6.57 ERA this season Sometimes you have divisions in baseball that have everyone looking like juggernauts. Other times, they look like complete disasters. I personally think they should do away with divisions and just do league play, that way the best teams all get in. I suppose that the three Wild Card spots help. We aren't here to debate the playoff and structure; we are here to cash a bet on the Mariners and Astros game. Coming into this season, I felt that the biggest question about the Seattle Mariners would be how they could respond to falling short in the postseason. The other concern I had was the issue between Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh in the World Baseball Classic. The answer, for now, is that things are not going well. Perhaps there is no issue in the clubhouse with the players, but there certainly are issues on the field. The team is 21-23 overall and just 9-12 away from Seattle. For a lineup full of hitters, the team is hitting just .230. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Their pitching has continued to excel, which is probably the lone reason the team hasn't been a complete disaster. As a team, they are pitching to a 3.63 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. One guy who is hurting their numbers is today's starter, Luis Castillo. For the year, he is 0-4 with a 6.57 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He has allowed four or more earned runs in three straight starts and four of his past six outings. The Mariners are just 2-6 in his eight starts this year. He hasn't received a ton of run support, but he certainly has put them behind in the games. To make matters worse, Astros hitters are batting .274 against him. The Houston Astros are also struggling to find their footing this year. For a long time, it seemed like no matter who was on the field or roster, they were able to make it work. They would lose big name after big name and keep winning. Unfortunately for them, it seems not to be the case this season. They are just 17-27 for the year and 10-12 at home. Offensively, they are fine -- hitting .257 overall, but their pitching staff has been brutal with a collective ERA of 5.54 and a 1.58 WHIP. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Their starter today is Mike Burrows, owner of a 2-4 record with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He has been worse on his home mound than on the road. At home, he has allowed 13 earned runs over 20.1 innings. He is coming off two strong starts in a row, both quality outings. This also includes his best start of the year with seven scoreless innings and just three hits allowed against the Reds. He faced Seattle earlier in the year and allowed 11 hits and six runs over six innings. I have a player prop that I'm taking today -- Yordan Alvarez 2+ total bases. He has feasted on Castillo's pitching over the years, going 10-for-22 with four home runs and just two strikeouts. To me, that means he is putting the ball in play even if he isn't always getting a hit. I like his odds at -123, and normally I only play props at plus money. His home run number is +235, which is worth a sprinkle. I am going to take the Astros today. I really don't like what I've seen out of Castillo. Burrows has some ugly numbers, but he may be locking in at the moment. Neither team is in great form, and the Astros finally broke their losing streak last night. I like the Astros at +108. Let's take them to win. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e60ba200899a00eb47b5 MJF appears to sign hair vs title match contract, Owen Hart Foundation Tournament field revealed and more te 2026-05-14T15:11:07.503Z MJF appears to sign hair vs title match contract, Owen Hart Foundation Tournament field revealed and more Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) had a decision to make going into "Dynamite." Will he put his hair on the line in a match for Darby Allin’s All Elite Wrestling (AEW) World Championship at Double or Nothing? It seemed to be the only way MJF was going to get a title shot immediately. Allin said previously that MJF would never get a title shot again if he didn’t agree to the stipulation for the match. MFJ walked to the ring on Wednesday night as chants of "bald" filling the arena. "I’m happy for you. I hope you had fun holding my AEW World Championship, I really do," MJF said while contemplating signing the contract for the match. "Deep down, there’s a part of me, and I’m talking about the size of a man’s penis from North Carolina small, small, small part that feels bad for you because you’re never gonna hold this again. I mean, you’ve got about as good of a shot at holding this world title as ‘Hangman’ Adam Page does again. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Guys like you, Darby, you’re a dime a dozen – here today, gone tomorrow. Stuntmen who burn the candle at both ends. In this life, people like all of you, you like to pretend that life is about making friends and family and your children. The only thing that matters in this life is your legacy. And your legacy will be that of a kid who had his 15 minutes of fame. They’ll pretend like you made some sort of impact but the fact of the matter is you haven’t, bud." MJF stressed that Allin was just "lucky" and fans will know he was "too reckless and stupid" to stay on top. He vowed to become a three-time world champion at the age of 30. Allin said he didn’t care about legacy. He said he will make MJF as "bald-headed b---h." MJF appeared to sign the contract and hit a few cheap shots on Allin. He hit him with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Allin squared off against Konosuke Takeshita in his latest title defense on "Dynamite." Takeshita gave Allin all that he could handle, including a bridging German suplex from the top rope. Allin, showing his guts, kept his pursuit of glory. Takeshita left Allin with a bloodied mouth. But no matter the brutality, Allin was able to withstand it all. Takeshita was able to break the Scorpion Death Lock and hit him with two Coffin Drops immediately afterward. Allin already has his next challenger lined up. "Speedball" Mike Bailey called out the winner of the AEW World Championship match earlier in the night and it appeared he’s the next person to take on Allin. The participants for the 2026 Owen Hart Foundation Men’s and Women’s Tournaments were unveiled during the night. The men’s tournament featured Samoa Joe vs. Will Ospreay and Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry on the left side of the bracket. On the right side, Swerve Strickland will take on Bandido and Claudio Castagnoli will take on Brody King. The Joe-Ospreay and Strickland-Bandido matches will take place at Double or Nothing. The women’s tournament saw Persephone vs. Hazuki and Willow Nightingale and Alex Windsor on the left side of the bracket and Mina Shirikawa vs. Athena and Skye Blue vs. Saree on the right side. Nightingale and Windsor will square off at Double or Nothing. The finals for the men’s and women’s tournaments will take place at Forbidden Door on June 28. The winners of each tournament earn a shot at the AEW World Championship and the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In on Aug. 30. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Dynamite" featured another segment involving Will Ospreay training with the Death Riders as the faction looked to turn him from a lovable wrestling machine into an assault weapon. Ospreay was cleared for his match against Ace Austin – his first time in an AEW ring since doctors stopped his match against Mark Davis on April 22. Ospreay was seen bridging on a mat as Jon Moxley gave him tips on a headlock while working with Yuta Wheeler. Moxley imparted some wisdom onto Ospreay as the two appeared to be on the top of a parking garage training, recalling when things were so simple in pro wrestling before the weight of the world bore down on his shoulders. "Nothing is different. Nothing has changed. All of those things are still gonna be there but you can still fly," Moxley said. "You’re just more dangerous. You’re a bird of prey. So tonight when you go out there, don’t go out there to protect anything – not your neck, not your image, not your reputation, not everything you built in your career. Don’t go out there to protect something. Go out there to give something." However deep Moxley’s earworm is on Ospreay will be determined over the next few weeks. He beat Ace Austin on Wednesday via submission and will go into the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament against Samoa Joe. Joe was set to unleash Anthony Bowens and Katsuyori Shibata on Ospreay but the Death Riders came out to swarm The Opps before any more violence could take place. AEW star Brian Cage had missed 14 months with an injury but reappeared on "Dynamite" to answer Kevin Knight’s open challenge for the TNT Championship. Sideline reporter Renee Paquette described Cage as being, "somehow, more jacked, more locked in," than ever before. He last appeared on AEW TV in March 2025 in a six-man tag team match with Konosuke Takeshita and Lance Archer as they defeated Mark Briscoe, Powerhouse Hobbs and Rocky Romero. Cage was the Ring of Honor TV champion for a few months in 2024 and received an opportunity to challenge Ospreay for the AEW International Championship. Knight did go on to get the win over Cage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e5e1a200899a00eb4788 How to turn off Instagram’s new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally shared te 2026-05-14T15:10:25.225Z How to turn off Instagram’s new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally shared While the Meta-owned social network billed Instants as a new format to share real-life moments as they’re happening, many users are looking for a way  to turn off the feature, especially those who have ended up accidentally sending images to others not fully understanding how the feature works. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05e3a5a200899a00eb4453 Crash on northbound SR 347 closes the roadway te 2026-05-14T15:00:53.714Z Crash on northbound SR 347 closes the roadway The northbound lanes of State Route 347 are closed by a crash at Casa Blanca Road. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05df1aa200899a00eb4272 There’s ‘Norway’ exchange student Samuel Knigge won’t miss Sedona te 2026-05-14T14:41:30.126Z There’s ‘Norway’ exchange student Samuel Knigge won’t miss Sedona Sedona Red Rock High School exchange student Samuel Knigge said he was nervous before arriving in Arizona. “It’s always scary to go to a new environment where you don’t know anyone, but I think it’s totally worth it to take the risk,” he said. When he did make it, there were several things he found Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05df03a200899a00eb4261 New construction reduces housing shortage in most states te 2026-05-14T14:41:07.531Z New construction reduces housing shortage in most states Construction workers build a 575-unit apartment complex combined with retail in Paramus, N.J. The state lags in providing housing for new residents, according to a Stateline analysis. (Photo by Tim Henderson/Stateline) Housing shortages have eased in most states since 2020, as new construction has made apartments and houses more affordable. Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island are the only states that have lost housing units per capita since 2020, according to a Stateline analysis of housing data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Most other states have built more than enough housing to account for population growth. The increase in the supply of apartments helped drive down the nation’s median rent in April by 1.7% compared with the same month last year, according to a May report from Apartment List, a company that posts rental listings online. Single-family homes also are starting to get more affordable, according to a May report from the National Association of Realtors. The group calculates “affordability” by calculating whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced, existing single-family home. The improvement in affordability is especially dramatic in the South and Midwest, while affordability is lagging but improving in the West and Northeast. In analyzing the housing supply, one housing unit for 2.5 residents is considered a healthy balance, though the ratio can be lower in places with large families or higher where there are many young singles or older people living alone. Nationwide, the ratio ranges from 1.8 people per unit in Maine to 2.7 people per unit in Utah, according to the Stateline analysis. In most places, the ratio of people to housing units is shrinking, as the housing supply grows. Some states have added far more housing than residents since 2020. Vermont, for example, has added nearly 10 times as many housing units — around 12,000 —  as new residents. The District of Columbia and New Mexico have added five times as many new units as new residents. The story is different in Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island. In those three states, the housing supply is lagging behind population growth, with about three new residents per new housing unit in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and almost four residents per unit in New Jersey. New Jersey has added about 260,000 new residents since 2020, but only about 66,500 new housing units. The state is seeking to impose affordable housing quotas on towns, but has run into strong resistance from suburban residents. In February, a group of New Jersey towns, led by Montvale in Bergen County, a New York City suburb,  asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop a March deadline for a new phase of affordable housing plans to start, but were rebuffed without explanation later that month by Justice Samuel Alito. In court papers, town leaders said their residents don’t want the denser housing required by the 2024 state law, and that residents would likely vote them out of office if they implemented it. At a February public hearing about the plan in Ridgewood, a town in Bergen County, “elected officials continued to receive objections from residents…ranging from accusations against local leaders of conspiracies, accepting campaign donations and personally benefitting from the rezoning,” according to court papers filed by the towns. Apartment List does not consider Bergen County separately from the New York City area, where home prices have increased 5.6% from last year as of April 30, according to Zillow, to a median $773,069. A one-bedroom apartment in the county can command $2,400 or more according to Rentometer, a rental market analysis site. In contrast, Travis County, Texas — which includes most of Austin — has added about 99,500 new residents and 120,000 new units since 2020. That disparity helps explain why the Austin area had the largest drop in median rent between 2025 and 2026 in the new Apartment List estimates, declining 5.7% since last year and 22% since 2022. Along with Austin, apartment-building has driven a decline in rents in Sun Belt metros such as Denver, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa, according to the Apartment List report. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@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/6a05deeda200899a00eb4240 Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Buster Murdaugh seen for first time since dad's murder conviction overturned te 2026-05-14T14:40:45.583Z Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Buster Murdaugh seen for first time since dad's murder conviction overturned WATCH: Buster Murdaugh spotted for first time since dad's murder conviction overturned Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05dca9a200899a00eb41a3 Eric Trump reveals what his father told him after 34-count felony conviction in New York te 2026-05-14T14:31:05.826Z Eric Trump reveals what his father told him after 34-count felony conviction in New York Eric Trump shared his conversation with President Donald Trump after his 34-count felony conviction in New York, recalling it as the "lowest moment" that simultaneously sparked hope for the future. "We were driving out of the court. My father had just been convicted... and the two of us are in the car together," Trump recalled on the latest episode of the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast. "And he looked at me, and he goes, 'Honey, I don't know how, but somehow we're going to win, and somehow we're going to win this all.'" ERIC TRUMP SAYS MAR-A-LAGO RAID, INDICTMENTS ‘ALL WORTH IT’ AFTER FATHER’S WHITE HOUSE COMEBACK "He wasn't just talking about the actual court case... he was also talking about winning the White House back and winning the entire election," he added. Trump and his wife, Fox News host Lara Trump, sat down for Thursday's episode of the podcast, where the two discussed the 2024 case involving the president's alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER SHOOTING LATEST IN YEARS OF ATTACKS TARGETING TRUMP, CONSERVATIVES Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, stemming from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office's yearslong investigation. After an unprecedented six-week trial in New York City, a jury found Trump guilty on all counts. Nevertheless, the former — and now — president charged forward, seeking re-election to a second term after four years under the Biden administration. "He came from such a place of positivity in such an unbelievably low moment," Trump told Hannity. "I'll never forget that as long as I live." Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05dc96a200899a00eb419a Ella Langley crushes online troll with just four words, reminds the internet she doesn't miss te 2026-05-14T14:30:46.353Z Ella Langley crushes online troll with just four words, reminds the internet she doesn't miss You best not miss if you come at the throne. Ella Langley continues to prove day after day that she's on an unstoppable run in the country music world. Her latest album is dominating the genre; she currently holds the top-two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been dropping enough viral content to keep fans entertained. The bigger the platform, the bigger the critics. COUNTRY MUSIC STAR CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH SPICY SWIMSUIT PHOTO Langley shared a video this week on TikTok of her shredding on a guitar, and the video, as you'd expect, gained immediate traction and attention. All things considered, it's about as vanilla as it can possibly get, but don't let the haters know! COUNTRY MUSIC STAR STIRS UP FANS WITH SEE-THROUGH WHITE OUTFIT A troll hopped in the comments claiming "Ella isn’t even playing the guitar." She didn't like that one bit, and needed just four words to respond. "How’s your moms basement," the "Nicotine" singer fired back. Now, I'm willing to overlook Ella's grammatical error in her response because that's not the point. The point is she fired back an internet killshot, and just needed four words to do it. There's something very odd about internet trolls to me that I will never understand. Everyone is tough behind a computer screen. Not so much in person. Imagine taking a shot at one of the most successful entertainers in the country .... over whether they're actually playing a guitar. Some people need a reality check, and Langley is here to hand it out. What do you think of Langley firing back? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d872a200899a00eb40cb Flagstaff Event Almanac for May 14 te 2026-05-14T14:13:06.511Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for May 14 May 14 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d85ba200899a00eb40a5 New federal probe examines whether taxpayer dollars fund child gender transitions, legal defenses te 2026-05-14T14:12:43.473Z New federal probe examines whether taxpayer dollars fund child gender transitions, legal defenses FIRST ON FOX: A top Senate Republican is demanding answers on whether taxpayer-backed health providers used federal support to provide gender transition-related services to minors — and whether taxpayers could be footing the bill when former patients sue. In letters obtained by Fox News Digital, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, asked two Rhode Island health care providers to explain reports saying they provided puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, surgical referrals or related services to patients under 19 years old — and pressed the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on whether federal funding and liability protections are shielding community health centers from accountability. Cassidy is broadening scrutiny into federally supported health providers accused of providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and related services to "vulnerable patients," including minors, days before a scheduled Senate hearing looking into alleged gender transition procedures for children and federally funded support for them. WATCH: DEMS SPAR WITH WHISTLEBLOWER WHO EXPOSED CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOR PERFORMING TRANS SURGERIES ON MINORS "Health care providers are supposed to protect children’s health, not subject them to dangerous sex-change procedures driven by ideology," Cassidy said in a news release about the new probes. "These entities need to be held accountable to prevent further harm to children."  General counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Mike Stuart, referred several federally funded community health centers in February for an inspector general investigation for allegedly providing gender-transition services to children. It was not immediately clear whether the HHS Office of Inspector General has completed or publicly released findings from those referrals. Cassidy’s letter asks Health Resources and Services Administration to detail what enforcement actions, if any, have been taken. Documents from one of those community health centers, according to materials reviewed by Fox News Digital, describe a pathway for patients under 18 seeking gender-affirming care, including hormones, as long as parental consent is obtained for an initial intake appointment. Another publicly advertises transgender health services, including hormone care, and separately operates an adolescent health program for LGBTQ youth and young adults ages 13 to 24. Cassidy's investigation expanded scrutiny of these health centers to two more federally funded healthcare providers, Thundermist Health Center and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, in Rhode Island. The senator's probe focuses in part on a federal liability structure that can leave the government on the hook for defending certain malpractice claims. THE MEDICAL SYSTEM PUSHED TRANSGENDER SURGERY ON KIDS — NOW IT'S FACING LEGAL JUSTICE In his letter to Health Resources and Services Administration, Cassidy said certain community health centers and their providers may be deemed employees of the U.S. Public Health Service for liability purposes and, when medical malpractice claims arise under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) becomes responsible for defending the cases. Cassidy argued that framework raises fresh accountability questions as detransition-related lawsuits mount nationwide. In his letters, Cassidy cited several lawsuits in which DOJ has represented community health centers or their providers in litigation involving gender transition-related services. Community healthcare centers "receive billions of taxpayer dollars from Congress. For fiscal year (FY) 2026 alone, CHCs will receive over $6.3 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding. In addition, the HRSA Health Center Program receives $120 million to administer the FTCA Program," Cassidy's letter to HRSA states. "The underlying conduct is concerning and exposes potential gaps in the guardrails governing existing federal funding streams. Furthermore, the current liability framework raises accountability challenges. Patients alleging harm from gender transition-related services may be forced to litigate against the full resources of the federal government, rather than the individual providers responsible for their care, with DOJ defending providers engaged in practices that this administration and HHS have sought to restrict." For Thundermist, Cassidy’s letter notes that the center receives mandatory and discretionary grant funding from the federal government, enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, revenue through the 340B drug pricing program and other federal support. The letter says 66% of Thundermist’s fiscal year 2024 grants and contributions revenue came from HHS and the Health Resources and Services Administration.  Cassidy, meanwhile, highlighted a Rhode Island lawsuit filed by a former patient against Thundermist providers alleging medical malpractice, negligence and lack of informed consent related to gender transition. HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE CHALLENGE TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS The Hasbro letter raises a similar federal-funding question, but focuses on federal support available to children’s hospitals rather than Health Resources and Services Administration-funded community health centers. Fox News Digital reached out to Thundermist and Hasbro for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication. At an upcoming HELP Committee hearing, Cassidy is expected to focus on what Republicans describe as the risks of pediatric gender transition procedures and whether federal agencies have done enough to restrict taxpayer support for providers that continue offering them to minors. The hearing also gives Cassidy a public platform to pressure Health Resources and Services Administration and HHS over whether the agencies have identified which federally funded providers are still offering gender transition-related services to minors, whether any grants have been restricted or terminated, and whether federal liability protections should continue to apply in cases involving those procedures. Cassidy's letter to Health Resources and Services Administration asked the agency to respond by May 28 to questions about whether any community health centers are currently providing gender transition-related services, whether those services could affect eligibility for federal funding, and how much taxpayer money has been used to resolve claims involving gender transition-related procedures. Fox News Digital reached out to HHS about the status of the current inspector general investigations into community healthcare centers over providing gender-transition services to minor but did not hear back in time for publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d848a200899a00eb409c Video shows undercover cops shooting man threatening shoppers with fake gun in ‘justified’ defense: officials te 2026-05-14T14:12:24.017Z Video shows undercover cops shooting man threatening shoppers with fake gun in ‘justified’ defense: officials Two undercover police officers will not be charged in a deadly use of force case in North Carolina after they shot a man who made threats with a fake gun, officials said. Surveillance video that was released on Monday shows the tense moments when a suspect, identified as Derrick Manigault, was seen waving what appeared to be a gun and threatening people inside a convenience store on Jan. 10. The officers fired shots at the suspect, killing him. GOT A TIP? The shooting happened at Jakobs Food Mart in Gastonia, N.C. The officers were conducting a routine alcohol compliance check at the store when the situation escalated. FEDERAL JUDGE DISMISSES CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ATLANTA POLICE OFFICER OVER DEATH DURING ARREST OPERATION Manigault began arguing with another customer outside the store, and the argument continued as they both entered the store. In the video, he was heard yelling, "You trying to lose your life tonight?" FOLLOW US ON X Moments later, a detective fired shots. GPD said he "discharged his weapon to protect himself and others in the store. The suspect then ran out of the store with the firearm still in his hand and can be seen on video looking back with his gun raised in his right hand." Evidence gathered at the scene determined the gun that Manigault was brandishing turned out to be a fake, designed to look like a legitimate firearm. In the weeks that followed the deadly shooting, the officers were placed on administrative leave as is standard protocol within the state pending an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS After months of investigation, a report from the Gaston County District Attorney said that the deadly use of force was "legally justified, and does not warrant criminal charges." The report went on to say that "the actions of Derrick Manigault create an inherent reasonable doubt as to whether the officers involved acted justifiably in self-defense and in defense of others." "Any loss of life is tragic, but on the night of January 10, 2026, as seen in the video, it was Mr. Manigault who put this sequence of events into motion," Gastonia Police Chief Trent Conard said in a statement. "As the video depicts, Mr. Manigault’s gun was a realistic replica firearm. Our Officers acted quickly to protect themselves and the other citizens believing that Mr. Manigault’s weapon was real." In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Manigault's widow Rebecca Insley said: "My family and I were heartbroken all over again at the DA’s decision. The subsequent report and even footage that has been released does not tell the whole story — it was carefully selected to tell their narrative. About 95% of the interaction my husband had that night with the two officers happened outside of the store. There are gross omissions, blatant discrepancies, and outright falsehoods. I will not stop until the whole story and the truth are told, and we have justice for Derrick." Fox News Digital reached out to the Gastonia police and the Gaston County District Attorney's Office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d834a200899a00eb4093 Granger Smith says fame can become ‘poison’ after leaving country music for ministry te 2026-05-14T14:12:04.172Z Granger Smith says fame can become ‘poison’ after leaving country music for ministry Granger Smith is embarking on a new chapter. The singer, who left country music in 2023 to focus on ministry at his local church outside Austin, Texas, exclusively told Fox News Digital that his new book, "Poison in the Well," will be published Sept. 8. The 46-year-old’s previous book, "Like a River," was published in 2023 before his farewell from the music industry. It focuses on how he coped with grief after his 3-year-old son, River, died in a drowning accident in 2019. GRANGER SMITH’S WIFE SAYS FAITH SAVED MARRIAGE AFTER LOSING 3-YEAR-OLD SON IN DROWNING ACCIDENT "This one is more exciting to me because ‘Like a River’ was wrapped so much in my personal story of losing my son, River, our journey through grief, loss and recovery, and then the birth of my son Maverick," he explained. "And that really encompasses that era. And in that era, God saved me." "…God saving me was what spurred so much change in my life," the father of four said. "…I left an entire music career. It changed the whole direction of my life and my family’s life. The new book walks directly down that journey so that if anyone says, ‘Your book "Like a River" was inspiring,’ then I could hand them ‘Poison in the Well’ and say, ‘These are the mechanics of why everything changed after.’" Smith admitted that six months after losing his son, he found himself asking a question he never thought he would: What if his faith couldn’t hold him up? "…Most of this conversation we have now in this book, it’s all in hindsight," he said. "It’s me really digging through what happened to me. I think the first time I asked the question was, ‘What if everything I believe about my faith was actually built on shifting sand?’" "And that is a question I believe a lot of people would ask in the deep, dark throes of grief when you lose a loved one, a marriage or a job — or, this might sound trivial, but it’s not — even a pet," he said. "Anything that you lose that you love, and you’ve created an identity around — including a career — when you lose that, you start to think, ‘Why do I feel so lost? Why do I feel like I have no hope?’ "And for those people who have a faith in any religion, they will start to question the validity of that religion that they stand on." "I thought, ‘I’m a Christian. Why do I feel hopeless? Doesn’t the Bible say we’re supposed to have hope? And I don’t,’" he reflected. "If that’s the case, then what am I standing on? Because this feels like sand. That was a time of deep reflection." WATCH: GRANGER SMITH ANNOUNCES NEW BOOK ‘POISON IN THE WELL’ Since walking away from country music, Smith has found healing in connecting with others who have also faced loss. Now at a different stage, he uses his ministry to guide people through grief and spiritual doubt, reexamining what it means to hold onto faith in difficult seasons. "I was a musician who was always interested in the meet-and-greets," he explained. "I remember reading stories of certain artists that said the meet-and-greets are the worst part of their day because they bring them down. They hear everyone’s problems, and then they have to go perform. And sometimes, musicians would even cancel meet-and-greets so they could just play the music. "I was one of the strange ones who actually liked hearing people and learning about their struggles, joys and sorrows." "Since leaving music and focusing on ministry, that’s all I do: focus on the people," he said. "I think I became less interested in entertaining people and more interested in helping people. That has given me so much joy. I sleep so much better at night knowing that today’s work was enough — it’s not about the next single, the next album, the next tour." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "That’s an incredibly freeing feeling," he added. But Smith hasn’t completely ruled out music for good. He hopes to use songwriting to help others experience the Bible in a more personal way — an idea sparked by his children. "There’s a new way that God has circled music back into my life," he said. "People often ask, ‘Are you done with music? Will there ever be more music from you?’ And the answer was always ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t know what God will do, but God does give each of us certain nuances that we’re better at than other things. And I’ve always loved music, and I’ve always enjoyed speaking through music." Smith said his family starts each day with a Bible story and prayer, then sets aside a few minutes to sing together. "I realized that I could make up songs according to Scriptures," said Smith. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We could sing fun little songs that are just Scripture songs and add a melody to them that’s easy to memorize. And so, we started doing that a few years ago. And then, I realized maybe these could be helpful for others, not only kids, but also other people — to be able to think through Scripture and to memorize Scripture in a unique way by singing it." "So maybe in the future, there’ll be an album by me released that has Scripture songs," he teased. Smith pointed out that there are things about showbiz he doesn’t miss. "The problem with music for me was never writing songs, singing songs, or releasing songs," he explained. "What became problematic for me was performing on tour for a lot of reasons. It took me away from my family. It took me away from my local church. I was missing all of that because I was always touring on Saturday nights." "It became an idol for me," Smith admitted. WATCH: GRANGER SMITH SAYS FAITH IS KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE "It was very hard for me to separate promoting myself and my music, standing on a stage in front of a lot of people. To say not to let it go to my head is almost underplaying it, because it’s nearly impossible for anyone to be worshiped in that way. "And in music, it was usually about trying to get adoration from the crowd, needing applause. It means you’re succeeding in the thing that you’re trying to do, which is dangerous. It’s dangerous for a human." "Your heart just breaks for these megastars," said Smith. "The goal of all the touring, all the concerts, and all the music releases is ultimate stardom. And it’s never satisfied by a certain level of being famous. It always craves more. The result is a man or a woman who’s lost all sense of who they are. Men and women are not meant to be worshiped. We’re not created to be worshiped. And if we are, it actually hurts us. It becomes poison in our veins." Today, Smith hopes his book will help others grow a closer relationship with God during the hardest times of their lives, just as he has. "I want people to see through my story that I was living a life thinking I was earning something from God instead of loving God for what He has done," he said. "Now, I want to do things to please Him in response to that." "…The book also reveals some toxins that we as humans tend to fall into. I look at them like check-engine lights. If you’re doing this, or you’re involved in that, it might be a check-engine light that you don’t see … that’s the goal." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d80aa200899a00eb4069 Two weeks left: Startup Battlefield 200 applications close May 27 te 2026-05-14T14:11:22.271Z Two weeks left: Startup Battlefield 200 applications close May 27 Your shot at VC access, global visibility, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K equity-free funding is running out. Deadline to apply is May 27. Apply now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d7f6a200899a00eb4057 Wirestock raises $23M to supply creative multi-modal data to AI labs te 2026-05-14T14:11:02.508Z Wirestock raises $23M to supply creative multi-modal data to AI labs Wirestock has over 700,000 creators on its platform, which supplies photos, videos and 3D content to AI labs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d7e2a200899a00eb404e Cisco cuts nearly 4,000 jobs to spend more on AI, reports ‘record quarterly revenue’ te 2026-05-14T14:10:42.686Z Cisco cuts nearly 4,000 jobs to spend more on AI, reports ‘record quarterly revenue’ This is Cisco's latest layoff in recent years, while the company's chief executive touts record revenue and growth. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d7cea200899a00eb4045 A spyware investigator exposed Russian government hackers trying to hijack Signal accounts te 2026-05-14T14:10:22.695Z A spyware investigator exposed Russian government hackers trying to hijack Signal accounts A group of likely Russian government hackers tried to hack a security researcher who investigates spyware attacks. He was then able to turn the tables on the hackers and reveal details of their espionage campaign. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d58ea200899a00eb3fea Hamas used sexual violence 'deliberately and systematically' on Oct 7, commission report finds te 2026-05-14T14:00:46.675Z Hamas used sexual violence 'deliberately and systematically' on Oct 7, commission report finds WARNING: This article includes graphic and disturbing accounts from the October 7 massacre in Israel. Hamas and its Palestinian collaborators used sexual and gender-based violence "deliberately and systematically" as an inherent part of a wider strategy of the 2023 massacres in southern Israel, according to a report released Tuesday by the Civil Commission on Oct. 7 Crimes Against Women and Children. The Israeli nonprofit said its investigation documented evidence of abuse at multiple sites during the Oct. 7 terror invasion, including the Nova Music Festival, kibbutzim near the Gaza border, Israel Defense Forces bases, among hostages in captivity and in the condition of recovered bodies showing signs consistent with sexual violence. According to the report, investigators identified at least 13 recurring forms of abuse, including rape, sexual torture, shootings directed at victims’ genital areas and abuse carried out after death. ISRAEL'S QUEST FOR JUSTICE EXPOSES HAMAS' SYSTEMATIC SEXUAL VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN DURING OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, founder and chair of the Civil Commission and a principal co-author of the report, told Fox News Digital that the greatest challenge in compiling the findings was the team’s repeated exposure to graphic material and the trauma associated with reviewing it on a regular basis. "We had to not only collect materials, but also review and analyze it alongside forensic experts while witnessing human suffering at its worst," Elkayam-Levy said. "What motivated us was the denial, the hesitation and the questioning. We wanted to ensure that the world knows what happened to the victims. "For us, it is a final act of justice for the victims," she added. The report also detailed cases in which sexual violence was inflicted in front of or involving family members, including one incident in which relatives were allegedly forced to carry out acts on each other. FREED HOSTAGE ROM BRASLAVSKI DETAILS ABUSE, STARVATION DURING 738 DAYS IN GAZA CAPTIVITY It further accused Hamas and allied perpetrators of using videos, digital platforms and social media as tools to magnify psychological harm, spread fear and publicize the attacks, including by distributing sexualized material. Elkayam-Levy said she hopes the findings will not remain confined to academics, human rights organizations or activists, but will also be studied by counterterrorism and national security experts to better understand and confront such atrocities. "We cannot prevent what we do not fully understand," Elkayam-Levy said. "No single prosecution could ever capture the full magnitude of these crimes in the way this report does. It is therefore critical that policymakers, decision-makers, members of Congress and senators find ways to formally recognize these findings and hold hearings so we can begin addressing this issue. We want the findings of this report to receive formal institutional recognition." The report, Elkayam-Levy noted, underscores that victims of the Oct. 7 atrocities came from 52 countries, highlighting the global scope and impact of the attack. Witness testimony cited in the report included an account of a woman being sexually assaulted before being beheaded. Another witness described seeing a woman dragged from a vehicle, pinned against a wall, repeatedly raped and then stabbed, with the assault allegedly continuing after her death. In another case, a witness described discovering the body of a man whose genitals had been severed, lying beside the body of a woman holding them, in what the report described as an apparent effort to degrade and humiliate the victims. JEWISH DEM LAWMAKER PANS NY TIMES, SUGGESTS PAPER ON 'HAMAS' PAYROLL' FOR PALESTINIAN PRISONER DOG RAPE REPORT Investigators said some female victims were found naked or partially unclothed, with evidence of severe mutilation and objects including grenades, nails and household tools inserted into their bodies. The report also cited gunshot wounds, cuts and burn injuries concentrated on intimate areas. The report said some female bodies brought to morgues showed broken pelvises or legs, bloodied underwear and additional trauma to the abdomen or groin. Former hostages, both women and men, have also testified to rape, sexual torture and other forms of abuse during abduction or captivity, according to the report. It said some female captives reported sexual assaults while receiving treatment in Gaza hospitals for injuries sustained during the attacks. Male hostages likewise described sexual abuse while in captivity, including assaults in showers and incidents carried out under armed threat while victims were naked, the report said. One former hostage recounted being sexually assaulted when a captor forcibly rubbed his genitals against the victim’s anus. Last month, former hostage Rom Braslavski recounted the abuse he said he endured during captivity in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTER "They would hit me with whatever they had on hand. I underwent severe torture, bondage and sexual abuse. Everything they could do to me, they did. My body is still covered in scars. After four months of torture, I was clinically dead, rolling my eyes and passing out. They decided to stop the violence and brought doctors to treat me with injections and gave me food again," he said. The report said sexual and gender-based violence was "widespread and systematic" and constituted an "integral component" of both the Oct. 7 attacks and the subsequent treatment of captives, while calling the prosecution of such crimes an "urgent" priority to be pursued through international accountability mechanisms. Among its recommendations, the commission called for targeted sanctions against individuals and entities accused of carrying out or materially supporting the Oct. 7 attack and its aftermath. It also urged action against what it described as denial, minimization or politicization of the sexual crimes committed during the massacre and in captivity. "The Commission further recommends that Israel adopt a comprehensive gender strategy within its prosecutorial framework and establish a specialized chamber or panel of judges dedicated to the prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes committed on October 7th and during captivity," the report said. Elkayam-Levy said the report has received widespread international attention, including front-page coverage in U.S. and global media outlets. "We feel the discussion has shifted from questioning whether these crimes occurred to examining their consequences," she said. "There is now a substantial legal evidentiary foundation preserved in a secure archive that cannot be denied." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05d31fa200899a00eb3f4e Uber to open 2 campuses in India to support product development, operations te 2026-05-14T13:50:23.103Z Uber to open 2 campuses in India to support product development, operations Uber plans to open two new engineering campuses with a capacity of nearly 10,000 people in India by the end of 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05cec4a200899a00eb3e92 The death of a man who died in ICE custody, ruled natural te 2026-05-14T13:31:48.795Z The death of a man who died in ICE custody, ruled natural The Maricopa County Medical Examiner said Emmanuel Damas' death is from severe dental disease. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ceaba200899a00eb3e65 Victoria’s Secret should sign Rachel Pizzolato to face Sydney Sweeney in lingerie war, Reds fan is dumb & MEAT te 2026-05-14T13:31:23.710Z Victoria’s Secret should sign Rachel Pizzolato to face Sydney Sweeney in lingerie war, Reds fan is dumb & MEAT It's Thursday morning and the sun is out here in NW Ohio for another edition of Screencaps where we get started with more news about the world of pop culture healing from the woke, disgusting Biden era where being a loud-mouth purple hair lingerie model was more important than being a beautiful biological female like Rachel Pizzolato. Who is Pizzolato? She's an Instagram content creator –– legit content creator; she can change brakes on a Hyundai –– who went in Wednesday for a test shoot with Victoria's Secret. Why is that a big deal? Well, because she's an actual female going in for a test shoot for a brand that has made a habit of trotting out biological males in lingerie for its annual fashion show. Rachel isn't on the level of Sydney Sweeney going in and saving American Eagle, but she's the type of personality that pop culture needs and heals. Is there another Victoria's Secret model who can change the oil in a 2025 Hyundai? I highly doubt it. But, Rachel can. Here's the proof. Is there a Victoria's Secret Angel who can repair a toilet? I've been working on the Internet 18 years and I can't name one. It turns out Rachel has a full video on her repairing a toilet. Speaking of Sweeney, she's trying to steal lingerie market share from Victoria's Secret with her new SYRN brand. The energy right now is on SYRN's side. Pizzolato wouldn't be a complete game-changing move from VS, but it would be a move in the right direction. You'd have American women in a lingerie showdown like the old days of the United States. Now we just need Victoria's Secret to do the right thing. 📩 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. HILARY DUFF MAKES HER SI SWIM COVER DEBUT, CARRIE UNDERWOOD ROCKS OUT WITH MÖTLEY CRÜE & DEFENDING BANANA-BALL 📸 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 ARE TEAMS THAT INSIST ON SINGING 'SWEET CAROLINE' DURING GAMES THE WORST THING IN SPORTS? 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here I'd say he threw in the low 80s maybe the mid-80s. With control. I'm talking a 14-year-old kid straight out of central casting for a baseball movie. Probably 5'8. 230 pounds. Maybe a couple more pounds after a big breakfast. Growing up in Brookville, OH, my family would call this kid corn-fed. Thick as an ox. Any fat was actually muscle. Big boned. Head the size of a bull. MLB FIRST-ROUND PICK JEFF FRANCOEUR TALKS FATHERHOOD IN YOUTH SPORTS, PETE ROSE, POTENTIAL BASEBALL LOCKOUT And he threw flat-out SMOKE. Highly controlled smoke. Here's the kicker: He was the second pitcher we faced last night. The first one went three innings and gave up one hit. That kid threw over-powering heat, but not nearly like this ox. Out of 12 pitches in the 4th inning, nine were strikes. He painted the corners. Up, down. Inside. Sliced and diced. As I was coaching 3rd base, the shortstop and third baseman were talking to each other saying, "thank god we don't have to face him." At the plate, the ox went 3-for-3 with a double and a triple. Last night, as I was decompressing from the night, I did some investigating and it turns out the ox spends part of his summers playing in high-level Perfect Game travel ball showcases around the midwest. In the spring, while in school, it appears he plays with his school buddies. I had zero problem with him destroying our team. It was actually very impressive to witness. And the kid never said a word. Never ran his mouth. He just went about his business methodically and destructively. If only there was a way to get my kids to take an ounce of that mentality. Final score: 11-1. That team might not lose a game this summer. – CB emails: It’s been a minute since I chimed in, so I figured I’d toss my completely unsolicited 2 cents into the walk-up music debate. First—full disclosure—I don’t have a dog in this fight. My kids are grown and flown, so the only thing I’m managing these days is my coffee intake and the occasional hot take. Phil suggested Rick might just be a grumpy old man. Possible, but I’d like to offer a counter-diagnosis: Phil is suffering from a touch of Main Character Energy (as the kids say and as I’m now obligated to misuse). Wanting a entrance song for yourself at your own wedding and pacing like a caged tiger?  That’s not a wedding. That’s an origin story.  And you could do better than Slayer. Also, Phil slightly overlooked a small, but critical detail - weddings are, traditionally speaking, about the bride.  The groom’s job is to be more of Supporting Actor with speaking lines. MALE EMT IN ROYALS DUGOUT DRILLED BY FOUL BALL IN THE ABSOLUTE WORST POSSIBLE SPOT As far as walk up music for 11 & 12 years olds?  I think it’s harmless, fun even - a little swagger never hurt anyone.  Until it does.  The second a kid cares more about his intro than his at-bat, you’ve turned development into distraction and you’ve lost the plot. At that age, the checklist is simple: No one on – get on base. Runner on 1st – move him over. Runner in scoring position – get the job done.Not: "Let me time my glove adjustment with the beat drop."  They should be learning how to play the great game of baseball—not building a personal brand. And for the "Professional players have walk up songs" crowd – I hate to ruin your fantasy, but when they step into the box, they’re not thinking about Metallica vs. Drake. They’re locked in on: The situation. The pitcher. Swing cues. The music for the crowd.   It’s part of the show baseball has become (See also: closers entering like WWE superstars).One thing I would agree with Phil on is entrance music for work. This is a wildly underutilized concept. Lucky for me I work from home and can have an entrance song if I want.  Personally, I’d go with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck or Big Bad Wolf (Warner/Chappell Productions) if I want to fully commit to bad decisions. Of course if I did, my dogs would give me the side eye and my wife would seriously reconsider her life choices.  But for a brief, glorious moment… I’d feel like I just crushed a walk-off dinger in Game 7. Life is short, be legendary. All my best to you, Mrs. Screencaps and the SC community.  Do hard things! – Otis in Mobile checks in: A lot of talk lately about Walk up Music and the Savannah Bananas, which may be two sides of the same coin.   Baseball may be America's pastime and going to games at any level is a lot of fun, but I just do not think it translates well to television, especially in today's world where everything seems to be instant gratification.  So yes the Savannah Bananas are going to draw crowds because it adds some entertainment to the event.   I have watched a few innings on TV and it was fun but it was not long before I switched the channel and I have no intention to attend a Bananas game for one simple reason.  It's just too loud.   If I want to constantly be bombarded with loud music and a thousand things going on at once I will go to Mexico.  It is cheaper and the food is better.  No hate, I think what Jesse Cole has fought through to make this thing successful is amazing and I wish that league all the best. I feel that the walkup music in baseball is the same thing, a little something outside the norm to liven things up.  The fans like it and even Outkick has posted articles dedicated to a single player's music and how it is awesome....or it isn't.   Young players seeing this from players they want to imitate are naturally going to do the same,  mostly in the interest of "look at me".   And you know what?  That is fine.  Do your thing kid, but just remember that when you draw attention to yourself and fail to get the result you want, it can be embarrassing. This is where I think the coach that was ejected by the teenage umpire made his mistake.   If he thought the lyrics were unsuitable and complained that is one thing, but I really do not think that was the entirety of his complaint.  I think he felt like his team was getting shown up and did not like it, so he decided he was going to stop it.    The problem is that most of the time you cannot control other people and even if you can, maybe you shouldn't.   I have never coached baseball but I have coached some kids flag football and every team has its talkers.   When our kids complained about a talker my response was always the same thing.  "If you don't like him talking, then shut him down.  Beat that team.   Do YOUR talking on the field with your play."    My opinion is that after it was obvious the ref was not going to give him what he wanted he should have called his team to the pitchers mound and fired them up so that the walk up music became an advantage for HIS team.   Instead he took his ball and went home, forfeiting the game. One of the reasons that I love sports is that it is a metaphor for life, and he failed those kids by not teaching them some life lessons. 1.  Control what you can control and make your own destiny, not what other people want it to be. 2.  Sometimes no matter how hard you try things do not go your way.  Finish what you start and get better every day I am sure there are some other ones, but I am on a timeline today. This is the content I want out of you guys this summer: the odd, the weird, the unusual. It makes us think. It makes us wonder what makes people put bumper stickers on their cars. This is the America I want to see this summer. ################################## That's it this morning. I'm short on time and this needs to get published. Let's buckle down and finish the week strong before heading into that first weekend of summer. Have an incredible day of life. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ce97a200899a00eb3e5c New cancer tech sends chemo straight to tumors te 2026-05-14T13:31:03.934Z New cancer tech sends chemo straight to tumors Chemotherapy can save lives, but anyone who has watched a loved one go through it knows how hard it can be. The nausea. The exhaustion. The infections. The days when even getting off the couch feels like too much. That happens because standard chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream. It attacks cancer cells but can also harm healthy cells along the way. For some pancreatic cancer patients, that approach may be changing. A targeted drug-delivery system from RenovoRx is designed to send chemotherapy directly near the tumor instead of through the entire body. The system, called Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion, or TAMP, is being studied in a Phase III clinical trial for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. For 83-year-old Hernando Salcedo, who had been left weak, nauseous and overwhelmed by standard chemotherapy, the trial offered something he desperately needed: a reason to hope. He enrolled at Miami Cancer Institute and soon began to feel the shift in his own body. His appetite started coming back. His energy improved. He felt more like himself. "The difference was tremendous," Hernando said. "I completed eight sessions, one every 15 days, and I felt dramatically better than I did with the original chemotherapy." HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY  Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report RenovoRx's platform uses the FDA-cleared RenovoCath device to deliver chemotherapy through a catheter placed in an artery near the tumor. A physician guides the catheter into position using X-ray imaging. Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx, said the platform is designed to localize chemotherapy delivery near the tumor instead of relying on the drug to travel through the whole body. "Once in position, two small balloons on the catheter are inflated, and the system is adjusted to isolate a targeted segment of artery adjacent to a tumor," Bagai said. "The chemotherapy drug is then infused between the balloons, creating pressure to push the drug across the vessel wall and near the tumor, directly bathing the target tumor." That setup allows doctors to focus treatment in a specific area rather than exposing more of the body to chemotherapy. "The procedure itself is minimally invasive and is typically performed in an outpatient setting without the need for patients to be put under general anesthesia," Bagai said. For patients already dealing with pain, fatigue and fear, that outpatient approach may feel less overwhelming than a major hospital procedure. To understand why this approach matters, it helps to start with the problem doctors are trying to solve. Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a vascular interventional radiologist and interventional oncologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Cancer Institute, explained why standard chemotherapy can be so hard on the body. "With IV chemotherapy, the drug travels through the bloodstream, affecting both cancerous and healthy cells, which can lead to side effects," Dr. Gandhi said. TAMP takes a more targeted route. A doctor places a catheter in an artery near the tumor, then delivers chemotherapy into that area instead of relying on the drug to circulate throughout the body. Dr. Gandhi compared it to "a drip irrigation system for individual plants instead of watering an entire lawn." For patients, that means doctors are trying to focus more of the treatment near the cancer while reducing how much chemotherapy reaches the rest of the body. Pancreatic cancer has a reputation for being one of the hardest cancers to fight, partly because the tumor itself can block treatment from working the way doctors want it to. Dr. Gandhi said that creates a major challenge for standard IV chemotherapy. "Studies have shown that less than 10% of chemotherapy administered intravenously actually reaches tumor cells due to the few blood vessels in the tumor as well as dense fibrous stroma, which serves as a physical barrier in the tumor microenvironment," Dr. Gandhi said. That helps explain why targeted delivery could play an important role. TAMP sends the drug closer to the tumor rather than depending on the bloodstream to do all the work. "This targeted approach via TAMP does not rely on chemotherapy circulating through the body to carry the drug to the tumor via tumor feeder vessels," Dr. Gandhi said. "Trans-arterial micro-perfusion is a drug-delivery platform that delivers chemotherapy directly near the target tumor where it is needed most." NEW CANCER THERAPY HUNTS AND DESTROYS DEADLY TUMORS IN MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH STUDY  Hernando's cancer journey began after he went to the doctor with a swollen stomach and hip pain. Doctors diagnosed him with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. When he started standard chemotherapy in August 2015, the side effects hit hard. "My body was going through an incredible amount of stress," Hernando said. "My stomach was inflamed, I had persistent pain in my head, and I had almost no energy." He was also receiving chemotherapy and radiation at the same time. "It was a very difficult period, both physically and emotionally," he said. "I remember feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unsure of what the future would look like." When doctors presented the targeted treatment option, Hernando saw it as more than another medical procedure. "To me, it felt like a new opportunity to live," he said. "It gave me hope at a time when my family and I really needed it." He credits Dr. Gandhi and the team at Miami Cancer Institute with helping him through it all. "From the beginning, he was honest, supportive and clear with my wife, my family and me," Hernando said. "That meant everything."  "Before, I was losing weight, had no appetite and felt drained," Hernando said. "After switching treatments, things began to change. I stopped losing weight, my appetite came back, my color improved and I had more energy." Cancer treatment can sometimes take over everyday life. When side effects ease, patients can get pieces of their normal life back. "After about eight weeks, we could see real progress," Hernando said. "I was eating more, moving more and feeling excited about life again." One moment still stands out. Hernando was able to attend a family wedding and dance the entire night. "That moment meant everything to me," he said. "After everything I had been through, being able to celebrate with my family in that way felt like a gift." For Hernando, it was a chance to feel like himself again. "That night at the wedding, I was not thinking only about cancer or treatment," Hernando said. "I was living." The early data from RenovoRx's Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial suggest the targeted approach may offer both survival and tolerability benefits for some patients. Dr. Gandhi said completed clinical studies with TAMP in pancreatic cancer showed "a potential for better outcomes and less side effects for patients." "In the initial interim analysis of the TIGeR-PaC clinical trial, there was a trend towards improved overall survival by 6 months and improvement in the progression free survival by 8.1 months with 65% fewer adverse events in the TAMP arm of the study," Dr. Gandhi said. This approach isn’t for every pancreatic cancer patient. Doctors still need to look at the cancer stage, tumor location, treatment history and whether the cancer has spread. Dr. Gandhi said Hernando was the kind of patient who could be a strong fit. "He is precisely the type of patient who would benefit best from this approach because he has a tumor which is too far advanced to be treated surgically, but it has not spread to other organs," Dr. Gandhi said. He also pointed to clinical trials as an important option for pancreatic cancer patients."I discussed with him that the recommendation of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network is that the best management for pancreatic cancer patients is participation in a clinical trial whenever possible and he was an ideal candidate," Dr. Gandhi said. He went on to say that TAMP may be an option for patients who are not candidates for surgery, patients who have failed chemotherapy or patients who no longer want to continue IV chemotherapy because of side effects. "TAMP can be used at any point within the treatment landscape, before, during or after other treatment modalities such as IV chemotherapy or radiation," he said. PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT SURVIVAL DOUBLED WITH HIGH DOSE OF COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY FINDS RenovoRx says the RenovoCath catheter is already FDA-cleared for general therapy and chemotherapy delivery. The company is also nearing the end of enrollment in its Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial. That trial is evaluating intra-arterial gemcitabine (IAG) delivered through RenovoCath for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Bagai said enrollment is expected to be completed in mid-2026, with final results expected in 2027. "If positive, data generated from this trial could potentially support a new drug application for this combination product to the FDA for IAG," Bagai said. RenovoRx also sees potential beyond pancreatic cancer. "The challenge we are addressing is not unique to pancreatic cancer," Bagai said. He said the platform could apply to other solid tumors with limited blood supply, including bile duct cancer, certain lung cancers and sarcomas. "The platform is designed to work with different types of therapies, not just one drug," Bagai said. "That opens the door to future combinations and potential partnerships, with the goal of expanding options for patients who have limited treatment choices."  If you or someone you love has pancreatic cancer, this story is worth paying attention to. Clinical trials can open up options when standard treatment feels too hard to tolerate or stops working. Drug delivery matters, too. The medicine itself is only part of the story. Where it goes inside the body can affect side effects, energy levels and quality of life. Targeted chemotherapy delivery remains a specialized treatment approach. Some cancer centers may not offer it, and every diagnosis will not be a fit. Your care team can review imaging, staging, prior treatments and overall health to see whether it makes sense. Start with direct questions. Ask whether a clinical trial makes sense. You can also ask about targeted delivery options or a second opinion from a pancreatic cancer specialist. Hernando's advice to other patients is simple. "I would tell them not to lose hope and not to wait to ask questions," he said.  Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com      Pancreatic cancer has a way of turning normal life upside down fast. One day, a family is making plans. The next, they are trying to understand scans, treatment choices and side effects that no one feels ready for. That is what makes Hernando's story so powerful. The part that stays with you isn’t only the technology. It is the fact that he started eating again. He had more energy. He felt more like himself. And he got to dance at a wedding after wondering what the future would look like. The final Phase III trial results will be important. Doctors still need to see how widely this approach could help patients. But the promise is easy to understand. If chemotherapy can get closer to the tumor while taking less of a toll on the rest of the body, patients may get something that matters just as much as treatment itself: more good days. If you or someone you loved needed chemo, would targeted delivery change how you think about treatment? 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/6a05ce6fa200899a00eb3e43 U.S. Abruptly Cancels Deployment of 4,000 Troops to Poland te 2026-05-14T13:30:23.119Z U.S. Abruptly Cancels Deployment of 4,000 Troops to Poland It was unclear why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called off the deployment to Poland, which has close relations with the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05cc2ea200899a00eb3dd6 Scottie Scheffler's shoes at PGA Championship pay tribute to one of the wildest stories in golf history te 2026-05-14T13:20:46.027Z Scottie Scheffler's shoes at PGA Championship pay tribute to one of the wildest stories in golf history Scottie Scheffler will be wearing a pair of golf shoes with a two-word message printed on the bottom of them during the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club this week, and it's a tip of the cap to one of the wildest stories in golf history. For years now, Nike has released special-edition golf shoes for each of the four major championships, and this week is no different. The Swoosh brand released three different models for the PGA Championship, all in the same colorway, and all with the word "lost" on the bottom of one shoe and "found" on the other. The two words are a tribute to Walter Hagen, who won five PGA Championships in his historic career, but it's specifically his third victory in 1925 and what quickly followed that this week's shoes pay homage to. SPIETH EYES THE SLAM, SCHEFFLER FEELS OVERDUE, AND CAM YOUNG'S MAJOR MOMENT TOP PGA CHAMPIONSHIP STORYLINES After his victory in the then-match-play tournament at Olympia Fields, Hagen handed the Wanamaker Trophy to a cab driver and instructed him to take it to his hotel. The Wanamaker is among the largest trophies in sports, and toting it around for a night of celebration would turn into a challenge. As it turns out, the trophy never made it to Hagen's hotel. A major championship trophy was officially lost. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Equal parts impressive and hilarious, Hagen went on to win the tournament in 1926 and 1927, meaning he was able to avoid having to tell anyone that he had no idea where the Wanamaker was. According to the PGA, when Hagen arrived at the 1928 PGA, he told officials who asked where the Wanamaker was, "I will win it anyway, so I didn't bring it." Hagen's luck ran out that year when he lost to Leo Diegel in the quarterfinals at Baltimore Country Club, forcing him to admit that he had lost the trophy a full three years after it had gone missing. Without a trophy to hand to Diegel, officials were forced to present him with the Maryland Cup Trophy sitting in the country club's lobby. All was not lost, at least not forever. In October 1930, Hagen just so happened to stumble upon the Wanamaker Trophy he and everyone else thought would never be seen again. "In Detroit last week. Hagen, while going through some old trunks, unearthed a bulky package. Lo, and behold! It was the P.G.A. trophy which had been lost and was found again," a headline in the New York Evening Journal on Oct. 6, 1930, read. There you have it, the story of the "lost and found" shoes that Scheffler and other Nike-sponsored players are wearing around Aronimink this week. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ca27a200899a00eb3d59 Mississippi's GOP governor drops election pledge in huge setback for Trump’s midterm plan te 2026-05-14T13:12:07.249Z Mississippi's GOP governor drops election pledge in huge setback for Trump’s midterm plan Republicans hoping to hold the U.S. House hit a setback Wednesday when Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves indicated he will not immediately pursue redistricting following a critical Supreme Court ruling, as officials seek to oust the leader of Democrats' January 6 probe. Following the Supreme Court’s "Callais" ruling on how race can or cannot factor into redistricting, several Republican-led states have moved to redraw congressional maps, arguing for race-neutral approaches — and officials in Jackson quickly took note. Mississippi lawmakers were primed to convene a special session next week to redraw state Supreme Court and potentially congressional districts, but Reeves canceled the session Wednesday after the judge who ruled the court district maps inhibited Black candidates was overruled — sparking a now-in-limbo effort to oust entrenched former January 6 Committee chairman Bennie Thompson. "Understand something, that maybe while it may be in the best interest of some individual politicians in Mississippi to talk about congressional redistricting, what happens in Mississippi doesn’t happen in a vacuum," Reeves said in a talk-radio spot Wednesday. MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR SAYS HE WILL CALL SPECIAL SESSION TO REDRAW DISTRICT MAPS AFTER SCOTUS RULING "I’m going to do what’s in the best interest of Mississippi and I’m going to do what’s in the best interest of America and I’m going work very closely with the Trump administration to accomplish both of those goals." Reeves pushed back on claims he flip-flopped on congressional redistricting, noting the Magnolia State’s March 10 primary has passed — complicating any change in voting landscape, and also said he was onboard with ending what he called Thompson's 33-year "reign of terror." However, Reeves suggested it is not a setback to State Auditor Shad White and others' renewed bid to shift the Magnolia State’s GOP representation from 3-1 to 4-0 and oust Thompson. Thompson, a firebrand Democrat from Hinds County seeking his 18th term representing the predominantly Black and largely impoverished Delta region, is in danger of losing his reliably blue seat when redistricting commences. Thompson and Reeves briefly sparred on X, with the Democrat depicting an elephant painting Mississippi "white" while Reeves countered that Thompson was wrong to claim ownership of the district with the term "my" versus the people of Mississippi. "It must be done to go into effect before the 2026 elections," replied voting rights activist Scott Presler, while Pastor William Pierce of Columbia drew a state map that comprised evenly divided 22-24-point Republican districts saying "this must be done now" -— as Reeves said the issue is not "if" but "when" and that he plans for the changes to take effect for the 2027 statewide elections. SUPREME COURT RULES ON KEY VOTING RIGHTS ACT RULE AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WAGE REDISTRICTING WAR White told Fox News Digital he was the first statewide official to publicly consider drawing-out Thompson and creating a 4-0 map, while Reeves rejected claims of pressure from the White House and Republican Party to redraw now. As the Supreme Court was set to hand down the Callais ruling, Reeves took to Instagram to say he "do[es]n’t typically make news on a Friday afternoon" but made an "exception" to call a special session 21 days after the decision to consider redistricting. White, a rising star in the GOP following his major anti-fraud and waste investigations, said that Thompson is "the worst congressman in America" and the state's map favoring him must be dealt with promptly. "Among Mississippians; normal taxpayers, Bennie Thompson is incredibly unpopular," White said in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview Wednesday. "As chair of the January 6 Committee, anyone who supports President Trump is not happy that Bennie Thompson represents a part of our state." White said he is the first statewide official to explicitly call for drawing out Thompson. TRUMP URGES REPUBLICANS TO 'BE BOLD' AS RED STATES PUSH TO REWRITE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS "[I]t is absolutely both legally and practically possible to change our districts to a 4-0 state," he said, pointing to Callais and Alabama’s successful bid Monday to get their "Livingston Map" through the courts. Like Alabama, White said Mississippi officials have "dozens" of already prepared maps to choose from, including some that give each of the four congressional districts an even-keeled level of Trump support totaling 15 points or higher, citing 2024 election results. "The real question is just whether our politicians here have the courage to actually get Bennie Thompson out. And that question remains unanswered right now," he said. White said Mississippi has been stuck with maps featuring a Thompson stronghold for decades, as Thompson himself told Jackson’s NBC affiliate it has been Republicans who have drawn the maps since his 1992 election to Congress. Thompson said that the issue between the lines in the plans is race. "I have a voting record that no other person in the [Mississippi] delegation can touch for those things that we need the most: Health care, housing, better educational opportunities… but they'd rather put somebody in position who's against those things. And the only difference between Bennie Thompson and the rest of the delegation that represent Mississippi in Washington is that I'm Black," Thompson told Memphis’ NBC affiliate. REPUBLICAN RIFT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN OVER TRUMP-DRIVEN RED STATE REDISTRICTING Thompson added Mississippi has a history of requiring federal intervention to provide equal rights to Black people, including during the Civil Rights era and suffrage fights, and compared it to the dynamic today, calling it "Jim Crow 2.0" that he will "fight back with every fiber." Fox News Digital reached out to Thompson for further comment. After Reeves’ comments were reported, White told Fox News Digital that he still hopes "Thompson is redistricted-out as soon as possible – even if it’s not going to happen next week." Fox News Digital also reached out to Mississippi House Speaker Jason White, R-West, and Senate Leader Dean Kirby, R-Brandon for their take on Reeves’ latest move and efforts to redraw the map. Meanwhile, Shad White pointed to New England as precedent for Mississippi drawing out Thompson, saying Kamala Harris’ 38% performance mirrors the GOP partisan makeup of multi-district blue states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. State Sen. Michael McLendon, R-Hernando, joined Shad White’s call to redraw the map to "give Speaker Johnson another ‘+1’ and send Bennie Thompson home." ALABAMA REPUBLICANS PLOW FORWARD AFTER KEY SUPREME COURT WIN PUTS CONGRESSIONAL MAP IN QUESTION He disputed timeframe concerns, saying that Democrats successfully sued Mississippi to redraw his region, costing the GOP their supermajority — and he was still able to run in a mid-off-year primary. "When Democrats demanded redistricting, the establishment’s response was simple: ‘We have a court order, and we’re going to comply,’" McLendon said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. "Now, suddenly, many of those same voices have gone completely silent." Asked for his view on the matter, U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell, a Republican from Pascagoula, told Fox News Digital that redistricting is handled by the legislature in Jackson and that he trusts leaders there to "follow the law and do what's best" for the state. "My focus remains on serving the people of South Mississippi and fighting for our conservative values in Congress," Ezell said. Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville and House Minority Leader Robert Johnson III did not respond to requests for comment. With hopes of a 4-0 Mississippi map before the midterms dashed, House Speaker Mike Johnson in neighboring Louisiana will have one fewer likely pickup as he battles a series of Republican retirements and independent voter malaise toward Trump in the effort to keep the House red. Fox News reached out to the White House for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ca13a200899a00eb3d50 America holds the advantage as Trump meets Xi in high-stakes summit te 2026-05-14T13:11:47.403Z America holds the advantage as Trump meets Xi in high-stakes summit President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing with a strong hand to play in talks with China’s President Xi Jinping. It’s all due to his military and trade moves over the past 16 months. Of course, to read the press, you’d think doom awaits. "Xi is confident in his country’s power; Trump is weakened with U.S. mired in war," fretted The Washington Post on Monday, May 11. From New York, the Council on Foreign Relations asserted on Sunday that at the Trump-Xi summit, China will have the upper hand. The general take is that Trump is reeling from the Iran war, while Xi is some sort of mastermind, ready to hop into global leadership. "Xi wants to project China as a more reliable and responsible counterweight to U.S. volatility," as the Post put it. You’ve got to be kidding me. The reality is that Trump has put America in a much stronger geopolitical position versus China. Last spring, China was yanking export licenses for critical minerals and jeopardizing factory production around the globe. Now, the U.S. Navy sits athwart China’s No. 1 oil route in the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a new poker hand. Xi has spent the past year purging military officers, dealing with a slowing economy, and coping with China’s lag in the AI race by turning inward. TRUMP HEADS TO CHINA WITH THE UPPER HAND — AND XI KNOWS IT In contrast, Trump has cut trade deals around the world attracting trillions of dollars in foreign investment. He’s clobbered Iran’s military and ended the rule of Chinese chum Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The U.S. Pacific Fleet has intercepted illicit shadow tankers bound for China’s teapot refineries that sneak in oil from Iran and Russia. The sophisticated display of military power in Operation Epic Fury made eyeballs pop in China’s People’s Liberation Army. China experts caution Trump is forfeiting prestige by meeting on Xi’s home turf. But for Trump, it’s irresistible. Accompanying Trump to Beijing is an American dream team of CEOs who dominate everything from low Earth orbit (that’s Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX) to top-grade aircraft engines (that’s Larry Culp of GE Aerospace.) He wants to look Xi Jinping in the eye, and there is no substitute for sitting down at a negotiating table. MARTIN GURRI: LET'S LOOK AT ALL THE GLOBAL BENEFITS TRUMP REAPED BY GRABBING MADURO Watch for four major moves in Beijing. This is a business trip. Team Trump hates what China’s rise did to the USA. Here’s the good news. "Our trade deficit in goods with China fell to $202 billion in 2025—the lowest it has been since 2004. And China’s share of total U.S. imports fell to about 9 percent, the lowest it has been since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified Apr. 28. LIZ PEEK: TRUMP'S MAJOR TRADE WINS COULD BE ROCKET FUEL TO US ECONOMY What Trump wants now is a stable, balanced and civil relationship with China. His plan is managed trade: a new policy where the U.S. and China negotiate tariffs sector by sector and expand trade on non-sensitive goods. Agriculture is at the top of the list, including exports of soybeans, dairy, and corn. Farmers are hoping for a long-term deal with China – although China has failed to live up to similar promises in the past. Aviation watchers predict Boeing could sell China up to 500 airliners and CEO Kelly Ortberg will be on the trip. This is all part of Trump’s plan to narrow the trade deficit. Trump wants America positioned for maximum sales. TAIWAN WATCHES TRUMP-XI MEETING FOR SIGNS CHINA WILL TEST US RESOLVE Trump will come down hard on China for selling Iran sodium perchlorate and other chemicals for ballistic missile fuels. Beijing is already anxious. Secretary of State Marco Rubio just slapped sanctions on Chinese satellite imagery companies and on Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., which receives Iranian oil. Dwindling oil could hit plastics and chemicals industries and stunt Chinese economic growth. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Trump and Xi may chit-chat about AI safety, but the U.S. should steer clear of so-called agreements. The U.S. must win the AI race. As of May 1, 2026, the U.S. government’s National Institute of Standards reports the best U.S. model, Open AI GPT 5.5, is approximately eight months ahead of China’s DeepSeek V4 Pro. Whatever you think about AI, you don’t want a world where Xi Jinping sets AI standards. America’s best chance here is the unfettered success of our tech titans and start-ups. They are winning this race with model innovation, and by deploying the whole AI tech stack across global markets ahead of China. Only our U.S. tech sector has the money to compete with China. China remains a formidable military competitor. China is once again landfilling for new bases in the South China Sea. China has doubled its nuclear missile arsenal from about 250 to over 600 weapons and massive expansion continues unabated. However, Trump’s blend of trade deals and military deterrence is proof positive of America’s unrivaled global leadership. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REBECCA GRANT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c9ffa200899a00eb3d47 ‘Dutton Ranch’ star Cole Hauser says Rip Wheeler is a ‘throwback to the old school American man’ te 2026-05-14T13:11:27.764Z ‘Dutton Ranch’ star Cole Hauser says Rip Wheeler is a ‘throwback to the old school American man’ In a television landscape often defined by antiheroes and moral gray areas, Cole Hauser says Rip Wheeler stands apart. The longtime actor, who reprises his fan-favorite "Yellowstone" role in Paramount+’s new series "Dutton Ranch," told Fox News Digital that Rip was always designed to embody an older kind of masculinity rooted in loyalty, honesty and grit. "I mean, there's pieces," Hauser said when asked how much of Rip reflects who he is in real life. "You know, obviously I don't kill people, which is a good thing." 'YELLOWSTONE' STARS COLE HAUSER, KELLY REILLY CONFIRMED FOR SPIN-OFF SERIES ALONGSIDE MAJOR CASTING ADDITION "But, you know, I think what Taylor and I originally wanted to create is kind of a throwback to the old-school American man," he continued. "And I think Rip is that. He's extremely loyal. He's honest. He has great honor. He loves, he fights. I mean, he is the epitome of a Montana man." WATCH: COLE HAUSER SAYS RIP WHEELER IS A ‘THROWBACK TO THE OLD-SCHOOL AMERICAN MAN’ "Dutton Ranch" marks the next chapter for Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler after the massive success of "Yellowstone," with Kelly Reilly and Hauser leading the Paramount+ spinoff alongside newcomers including Academy Award nominees Ed Harris and Annette Bening. The new series follows Beth and Rip as they attempt to build a future together in Texas while facing new threats, rivalries and challenges far from Montana. For Hauser, the role has always felt personal. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The actor, who has long split time between Montana and Florida, said his connection to the West runs far deeper than the screen. "Well, Florida is, I feel like I'm on vacation when I go home, which is what we wanted to create, my wife and I," Hauser said. "Montana, my family has been there since 1886. So the Hauser legacy there is huge." "I mean, Samuel T. Hauser was the seventh governor of Montana, helped start that state," he continued. "So going back there felt like a homecoming for me." Hauser previously told Havok Journal that he discovered more about his family history while visiting Montana with his son and had always felt deeply connected to the state before fully understanding why. That personal connection helped shape the authenticity audiences came to associate with Rip Wheeler over the years. WATCH: COLE HAUSER SAYS MONTANA ROOTS HELPED SHAPE HIS CONNECTION TO RIP WHEELER KEVIN COSTNER REVEALS 'TRAGIC' TRUTHS UNCOVERED IN NEW DOCU-SERIES 'THE WEST' That authenticity, Hauser believes, is part of the reason audiences around the world connected so deeply with "Yellowstone" and Rip Wheeler. Hauser believes the emotional attachment audiences have to "Yellowstone" and now "Dutton Ranch" goes beyond just cowboys and ranch life. "You know, it's interesting, you know, 10 years ago when we started this, it was really kind of a grassroots show in Montana and then, you know, we grew out to the edges, Los Angeles, now New York, and now the world," Hauser said. ‘YELLOWSTONE’ STAR LUKE GRIMES TARGETED BY MONTANA LOCALS AS MOVE FROM LA SPARKS SMALL-TOWN FURY "I mean, we were just in Europe and it's amazing to watch, you know, the Germans dress up as cowboys, the English," he continued. "I've been to Australia and New Zealand. I mean just how many people have been touched by it." Hauser credited creator Taylor Sheridan’s storytelling and the larger mythology of the American West for the franchise’s worldwide appeal. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I honestly don't know other than the tremendous writing and storytelling of Taylor Sheridan," he said. "I mean, he created unbelievable characters and Montana is a character in its own." "And I think people forget how beautiful the Old West is." MONTANA RANCH TIED TO ‘YELLOWSTONE’ UNIVERSE HITS MARKET FOR $16.3M "Dutton Ranch" follows Beth and Rip as they leave Montana behind after the Dutton family sells the Yellowstone ranch, setting out to start over in Texas and trade everything they fought to protect for a far more unpredictable and unforgiving new frontier. "God, this next iteration, I mean, it has such new challenges," Hauser said. "Obviously the landscape of Texas, the heat, that was totally different, the new environment, the new characters that come in, the story." Still, Hauser said one thing remained essential while stepping back into Rip’s boots. "What stayed consistent is Beth and Rip," he said. "Kelly and I were very cognizant of making sure that those two characters continue to be the same polarizing, strong, loyal characters that they've always been." WATCH: ‘DUTTON RANCH’ DIRECTOR EXPLAINS HOW TEXAS TRANSFORMS THE WORLD OF THE SERIES Director and executive producer Christina Alexandra Voros said the new setting helped reshape the visual identity of the franchise while preserving its emotional core. "You weren't in these soft, green, blue, cloud-topped mountains of Montana," Voros told Fox News Digital. "You were in this sort of searing heat and dangerous dryness of Texas." Voros said the series ultimately becomes "a very classically Western trope of finding your new frontier or building a new legacy." WATCH: ‘DUTTON RANCH’ STARS CALL TEXAS MOVE ‘LIKE TAKING MATCHES TO A GASOLINE PARTY’ That evolution is also what actors Marc Menchaca and Juan Pablo Raba said makes the new series feel fresh despite remaining tied to the "Yellowstone" universe. "It's exciting watching two of their favorite characters, Beth and Rip, stepping into another world," Raba told Fox News Digital. "Stepping into Texas. It's got to be exciting, right? It's like taking matches to a gasoline party." "Dutton Ranch" premieres May 15 on Paramount+ and the Paramount Network. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c9eba200899a00eb3d3e Illegal immigrant who killed American woman outside her home walks free decades later – then into ICE custody te 2026-05-14T13:11:07.977Z Illegal immigrant who killed American woman outside her home walks free decades later – then into ICE custody Immigrations and Customs Enforcement arrested a Vietnamese illegal immigrant after he was released from prison for murdering a Texas woman 30 years ago. Nahn Tu Hoang killed then-32-year-old Sarah "Kathy" Arceneaux at her home in Port Arthur, Texas, on Feb. 29, 1996 when he shot her five times, according to ICE. She was killed when Hoang and a group of friends went out drinking and decided to rob homes in the Port Arthur area, the agency said. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Hoang got access to a .22-caliber rifle, and the group went on a shooting spree firing shots at dogs and homes. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS According to court documents, "Hoang testified that as he was walking to the front of the house, he was startled by a woman leaning over her dog. Hoang testified he was scared and started shooting. Hoang shot the woman five times, killing her." ICE called it a "horrific, tragic story" in a post on X announcing the arrest. He was taken into custody by ICE on May 5 after being released from prison and is being held pending deportation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c9c3a200899a00eb3d26 A Fact Check of Trump’s Claims on Inflation and Gas Prices in Iran War te 2026-05-14T13:10:27.938Z A Fact Check of Trump’s Claims on Inflation and Gas Prices in Iran War He has minimized soaring gas prices, rising inflation and the American economy’s need for the Strait of Hormuz. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c77ea200899a00eb3cb0 Cruise passenger jumps from balcony and dies after falling overboard into ocean te 2026-05-14T13:00:46.818Z Cruise passenger jumps from balcony and dies after falling overboard into ocean A passenger aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship died this week after going overboard while the vessel was traveling from Celebration Key to Nassau, Bahamas. The man, whose name has not been released, climbed over the balcony railing of his stateroom on the Carnival Liberty and jumped into the water, according to the cruise operator. Crew members responded to the incident, initiating a search effort after the man plunged into the water, according to the cruise line. 5 DANGEROUS CRUISE PORTS THAT TRAVELERS SHOULD RESEARCH BEFORE BOOKING EXCURSIONS "Carnival confirmed on Wednesday that a male guest on Carnival Liberty apparently climbed over his stateroom balcony and jumped overboard as the ship was sailing from Celebration Key to Nassau," Carnival said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Thursday morning. "The Carnival Liberty crew responded quickly with a search effort and successfully retrieved him from the water, but he did not survive," the statement continued.  "We are providing support to the guest’s family who were traveling with him, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The Carnival Liberty was sailing from New Orleans to the Bahamas at the time of the incident.  Ship tracking information indicates the vessel had made a recent stop at Celebration Key, the cruise line’s private island, before the incident, Cruise Hive reported. The death marks the second serious incident involving the cruise line in recent days. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Over the weekend, an 88-year-old woman died after falling from a pier at Celebration Key.  Authorities said she lost control of her mobility scooter while near the edge and went into the water. Investigators believe the woman struck her head against the side of a docked ship before entering the water. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Carnival confirmed that a female guest using a mobility scooter drove off the pier at Celebration Key and fell into the water while Carnival Celebration was in port on May 9. Carnival teams responded, successfully retrieving her from the water," a Carnival spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital. "Despite resuscitation efforts, she did not survive. The deceased was taken by the Royal Bahamian Police Department and the coroner’s office. Our thoughts are with her family," the spokesperson added. Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c525a200899a00eb3c09 Israeli PM Netanyahu initiating defamation lawsuit against New York Times over controversial ‘dog rape’ story te 2026-05-14T12:50:45.832Z Israeli PM Netanyahu initiating defamation lawsuit against New York Times over controversial ‘dog rape’ story The Israeli government will initiate a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over columnist Nicholas Kristof’s controversial "dog rape" story, the Israel Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.  Kristof penned the controversial piece headlined, "The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians," that features men and women alleging "brutal sexual abuse at the hands of Israel’s prison guards, soldiers, settlers and interrogators." Many critics blasted it as "propaganda" and poked holes in the reporting, specifically a claim that dogs have been trained to sexually assault Palestinians.  "Following the publication by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times of one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel in the modern press, which also received the backing of the newspaper, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar have instructed the initiation of a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times," the Israel Foreign Ministry wrote.   The New York Times did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment but issued a lengthy statement Wednesday evening defending the story. "Nicholas Kristof’s deeply reported piece of opinion journalism starts with a proposition to readers: ‘Whatever our views of the Middle East conflict, we should be able to unite in condemning rape.’ He draws together on-the-record accounts and cites several analyses documenting the practice of sexual violence and abuse conducted by various parts of Israel’s security forces and settlers," Times spokesman Charlie Stadtlander wrote. Stadtlander continued, "The accounts of the 14 men and women he interviewed were corroborated with other witnesses, whenever possible, and with people the victims confided in — that includes family members and lawyers. Details were extensively fact-checked, with accounts further cross-referenced with news reporting, independent research from human-rights groups, surveys and in one case, with U.N. testimony. Independent experts were consulted on the assertions in the piece throughout reporting and fact-checking." The Times has now issued multiple statements standing by the piece.  This is a developing story, more to come… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05c2b8a200899a00eb3b7c U.C.L.A. Considers New Tactics to Combat Antisemitism te 2026-05-14T12:40:24.336Z U.C.L.A. Considers New Tactics to Combat Antisemitism The Trump administration has sued the university, saying it didn’t do enough to protect Jews on campus. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05be30a200899a00eb3a85 Real-life Excalibur? Man on a hike uncovers gold sword relic hidden under tree te 2026-05-14T12:21:04.439Z Real-life Excalibur? Man on a hike uncovers gold sword relic hidden under tree A discovery straight out of a King Arthur legend recently unfolded in Norway, where a hiker unearthed a 1,500-year-old gold sword fitting hidden beneath a tree. The news was announced May 5 by the University of Stavanger, a public university in Norway. The artifact was found in the Austrått district of Sandnes, a city in southwestern Norway. It dates to the sixth century, during Norway's Migration Period, a turbulent era of upheaval following the fall of the Roman Empire. MELTING MOUNTAIN ICE REVEALS 'RARE' 1,500-YEAR-OLD HUNTING FACILITY STILL SMELLING OF REINDEER The anonymous hiker, who lives in Austrått, said he "like[s] to explore and get to know the local area." After noticing a tree felled by a storm, the man — a father of two — began probing the ground beneath it. "I saw a slight rise in the soil under the tree and poked at it with a stick," he said, according to the release. ANGLER EXPECTING A FISH PULLS UP RARE 700-YEAR-OLD SWORD: ‘REAL TREASURES’ "Suddenly I saw something gleaming. I didn’t quite understand what I had found." Unlike King Arthur and Excalibur, the find was only a small gold sword fitting, measuring about six centimeters wide. Still, officials emphasized its importance. They noted that the sword "likely belonged to a chieftain who ruled at Hove." WORKERS STUMBLE UPON HISTORIC BURIAL SITE AND 'INCREDIBLY RARE' FIND DURING SEWER PROJECT "It is richly decorated and would have adorned a scabbard worn on a belt, from which the sword hung," the release noted. "This is the first time such a find has been made in Rogaland, and only 17 others have been found in Northern Europe so far." Archaeologist and university professor Håkon Reiersen called the find "spectacular." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "You are completely taken by surprise when finds like this appear. The odds of finding something like this are minimal," said Reiersen. The professor said the sword's owner "was likely the leader in this area in the first half of the sixth century, with a retinue of loyal warriors." He added, "Gold scabbard fittings usually show little sign of use, but this one is worn and well used, which suggests the chieftain actually used it a great deal. It emphasized his position and power." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES As for why it was concealed, archaeologists believe the sword fragment was buried in a rock crevice "as an offering to the gods." "At that time, there were crop failures and crisis, and people likely deposited valuable objects as offerings in hopes of better times," officials said. The artifact is now slated to be put on display at the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger. Kristin Armstrong-Oma, the director of the museum and a professor, said she "extend[s] a big thank you to a very observant hiker." "[The hiker gave] us a new puzzle piece connected to the power center at Hove during the Migration Period," said Armstrong-Oma. "At the museum we have some of the world’s leading researchers on such objects, which allows us to continue studying the find itself and its ornamentation and to discover new answers about the elite who ruled here at that time." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ She added, "This find will be made available to the public, so people can see it and share in the gold fever with us." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05be1ca200899a00eb3a7c Waymo vehicles 'putting American lives at risk,' source warns amid autonomous vehicle company's massive recall te 2026-05-14T12:20:44.799Z Waymo vehicles 'putting American lives at risk,' source warns amid autonomous vehicle company's massive recall Autonomous vehicle company Waymo is facing mounting scrutiny as critics express concerns over passengers' physical safety and possible espionage risks. Waymo recently issued a recall for 3,791 vehicles after one of its robotaxis failed to come to a complete stop after encountering flood conditions on a high-speed roadway, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency issued an acknowledgment of the recall on May 11, outlining the issues with the vehicles. "Waymo provides over half a million trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments across the U.S., and safety is our primary priority. We have identified an area of improvement regarding untraversable flooded lanes specific to higher-speed roadways, and have made the decision to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA related to this scenario," a Waymo spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We are working to implement additional software safeguards and have put mitigations in place, including refining our extreme weather operations during periods of intense rain, limiting access to areas where flash flooding might occur." ROBOTAXI DRIVES OFF FROM AIRPORT WITH PASSENGER'S SUITCASE The NHTSA's letter states that Waymo was recalling "certain 5th and 6th Generation Automated Driving Systems (ADS), as the "software may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways." The agency warned that robotaxis entering a flooded roadway could cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. "They're testing these in real-life situations, and they're also putting American lives at risk. When you're talking about pedestrians, when you're talking about these flood issues, you know, if you're in one of these Waymos, you're totally dependent on whatever AI program that they've instituted to be able to navigate you safely out of there," a source close to the Trump administration told Fox News Digital. Last month, Waymo temporarily suspended operations in San Antonio after one of its vehicles entered a flooded roadway and was swept away, KTBC reported at the time, citing a Waymo spokesperson. The vehicle involved in the incident was unoccupied. "They don't know how to deal with these situations, they haven't been programmed for it, they haven't been tested for it and they're doing real life experimentation on the streets of America," the source said. THE ROBOTAXI PRICE WAR HAS STARTED. HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. As an interim remedy, Waymo, which operates thousands of vehicles across the U.S., made changes to vehicle operations to enhance weather-related constraints and update its maps, according to the NHTSA. The agency said that all vehicles had received the update by April 20. The source told Fox News Digital that Waymo vehicles present dangers beyond physical injury to passengers and pedestrians; the company could pose national security threats. The Waymo Ojai, the source pointed out, is produced by Chinese automaker Zeekr. Waymo formed a partnership with Zeekr in 2021, one year before the company showed a robotaxi based on a version of Zeekr's SEA-M, TechCrunch reported. The outlet added that the prototype did not feature a steering wheel, something the Waymo Ojai has. "There's no reason to not think that with these cars that are now being rushed to market in so many major American cities that the electronic components which all have cameras in them, they all have audio in them, they're all being recorded all the time, are not susceptible to foreign manipulation," the source told Fox News Digital. The source said that the Trump administration is "cognizant of the vulnerabilities to foreign spyware." In response to questions about the company's ties to Chinese automaker Zeekr, a Waymo spokesperson said, "The technology that collects data and makes our vehicles autonomous—the software, sensors, and computing systems—is developed and installed by Waymo in America." "Waymo strongly supports the Department of Commerce’s BIS connected vehicle rule, which addresses national security risks from foreign AV technology, including both software and hardware. Waymo is committed to furthering our own – and America’s – leadership in the development and deployment of the critical automated driving technologies," the spokesperson added. The scrutiny surrounding Waymo’s foreign ties comes as the Trump administration ramps up its focus on China-linked technology and supply chains amid President Donald Trump’s high-stakes trip to Beijing. Whether the incidents involving Waymo vehicles prompt further regulatory action remains to be seen, but they have already raised questions about whether autonomous technology is ready for real-world conditions, and how China-linked supply chains could factor into its expansion. Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05bbc4a200899a00eb3a04 Iranian sleeper cells pose World Cup threat, former FBI agent warns, urges Trump to send stark warning te 2026-05-14T12:10:44.046Z Iranian sleeper cells pose World Cup threat, former FBI agent warns, urges Trump to send stark warning A former FBI agent is urging President Trump to send a stark warning to Iran ahead of the World Cup, saying that the country's sleeper cells could pose a threat to the global sporting event. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in June, former Navy SEAL and FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam urged Trump to send Iran a message: back off or face the consequences. "I would hope that the president makes it known before this occurs, that if Iran does anything during these World Cup events, that it's going to be not just a retaliatory strike, but that would be the end of any talks and that he will lay waste to everything and anything that is the Iranian regime if that occurs," Gilliam said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Gilliam also made a provocative suggestion how Trump should send a warning message to Iran. TRUMP HAS THREE STRIKE OPTIONS THAT WOULD AID THE PROTESTERS AND DEVASTATE IRAN "I think if the president did that, and he showed that he was very serious, gave some sign, dropped a MOAB in the middle of nowhere in Iran and said, 'this is what's going to occur if you if you touch anyone in the United States.' ... This is what's coming to you," Gilliam said. "A MOAB, that's the largest non-nuclear conventional bomb in the world in history. And you can drop that somewhere and make a dramatic impact if the president was to show force like Iran does." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "They play diplomat, but they understand force, and so I would recommend that the president examine possibilities like that and that he makes it known that 'you do anything here, then that's it,'" he added. Gilliam said that there are already sleeper cells in the U.S. The question is whether they will be activated to carry out an attack during the World Cup. SEND US A TIP HERE "The probability may vary, so the numbers game, is it 100% guaranteed, is it 50% guaranteed? That's always a game that you really don't want to play," he said. "All of these things are going to play into the fact that sleeper cells have always been, for any of these events in the United States and around the world, have always been a possibility." His warning comes at a time when negotiations between the U.S. and Iran appear to be breaking down, with Trump responding "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" to Iran's recent response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The president addressed the Iranian sleeper cell threat in early March, pushing blame onto former President Biden for letting them into the country. TRUMP SAYS 'WE'VE GOT OUR EYES ON' IRANIAN SLEEPER CELLS IN US "I have been (briefed), and a lot of people came in through Biden with his stupid open border," Trump told Fox News' Peter Doocy. "But we know where most of them are. We've got our eye on all of them." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB $625 million is being distributed to secure the World Cup after being passed by Congress and signed by Trump, which is being directed to law enforcement agencies to cover overtime costs. In total, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent nearly $900 million toward securing the World Cup, according to a news release from the agency. The World Cup starts on June 11 and runs through July 19 and the United States will host 78 World Cup matches, while Mexico and Canada will host the rest. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b997a200899a00eb398e Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend shares emotional message ahead of birth of late Cowboys player’s daughter te 2026-05-14T12:01:27.677Z Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend shares emotional message ahead of birth of late Cowboys player’s daughter 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). Catalina Mancera thanked supporters in an emotional message as she celebrated the unborn child she shares with late Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. In November, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Frisco Police Department confirmed that Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in Texas. The 24-year-old recorded his first NFL touchdown just days before his death. Mancera recently held a baby shower attended by friends and family. She shared photos from the special event Monday on Instagram, writing, "Words can’t explain how thankful I am for the people God has placed in my life. In such a hard season, the love and support surrounding me have made everything feel a little brighter." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM She continued with a heartfelt thank-you to friends and family, crediting their love and prayers with helping carry her through a difficult time. "I’m so grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate me and baby, and even those who couldn’t make it but still showed love from afar. I also want to thank my family for throwing me such a beautiful shower in Michigan. I want to thank both of our families for all the love they’ve poured into me during this time. I’ll never forget the kindness, prayers, and support that have carried me through all of this," the Instagram caption concluded. COWBOYS DOMINATE RAIDERS AFTER HONORING MARSHAWN KNEELAND IN FIRST GAME SINCE LINEBACKER'S TRAGIC DEATH Mancera previously said her due date is in June. Kneeland was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and appeared in 18 games for Dallas. Police said officers responded to the scene on Nov. 6, 2025, and found a vehicle that had crashed near the southbound lanes of a local parkway. Kneeland fled on foot. Authorities also said Kneeland contacted his family via text message prior to his death to tell them goodbye, police told dispatchers, according to audio obtained and reviewed by People. Shortly after the tragedy, the Cowboys released a statement, saying, "It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family." Last year, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said a scholarship fund had been created for Kneeland’s daughter. "We want to make sure she is taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives—it’s very important to our guys and to us," Schottenheimer said. "The organization has been amazing, we’ve started the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund where we can all give and support Catalina." Schottenheimer also revealed that the team launched a memorial fund honoring Kneeland and supporting Catalina. Schottenheimer also recalled some of the memories he shared with the late pass rusher. "Marshawn loved the words ‘one love,’" Schottenheimer explained. "So, we talked a lot about love as we grieve." 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/6a05b983a200899a00eb3985 Charles Barkley admonishes society for being homophobic in virtue-signaling rant about Jason Collins' death te 2026-05-14T12:01:07.820Z Charles Barkley admonishes society for being homophobic in virtue-signaling rant about Jason Collins' death NBA great Charles Barkley used the tragic death of Jason Collins this week to admonish America for being anti-gay on ESPN's "Inside the NBA" Wednesday night. Imagine how thrilled the suits in Bristol were during this segment? Not that Chuck needs it, but they'd give him a raise in a SECOND after this rant. Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, died this week at 47. He passed following an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer he had been fighting since last August. The 7-footer out of Stanford was primarily used in defensive and physical matchups during his career, but became a household name in 2013 when he came out in a first-person essay for Sports Illustrated. NBA TRAILBLAZER JASON COLLINS RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR BRAIN TUMOR, FAMILY ANNOUNCES During Wednesday's "Inside the NBA," Barkley said we "live in a homophobic society," before dropping this bombshell on viewers: "Anybody who thinks that we don't have a bunch of gay players in all sports, they're just stupid," Barkley said. "There is such animosity toward the gay community. That's what's really unfortunate. If you think there's not more gay players in the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA, you're just stupid." CHARLES BARKLEY ROASTS TNT AFTER SAYING HE WAS BLINDSIDED BY ESPN 'INSIDE THE NBA' MOVE Well, there you have it. Charles Barkley has spoken. Apparently, he knows a ton of gay athletes across various leagues who are scared to come out because of the "homophobic society" we live in. Barkley later said during this rant that gay people in the "Black community" get "treated awful." A couple humdingers here from Chuck, who was clearly on one this week after the passing of Collins and Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. Obviously, tensions are high right now in the NBA world, and rightfully so. Two deaths in the same week is almost unheard of in the sports world. It's a lot. I get it. That being said, this seems like a bit much from Barkley, who can be ... outspoken ... every once in a while. Breaking news, I know. Charles Barkley says some crazy things. Wild. NBA FINES HORNETS STAR LAMELO BALL $100K FOR ANTI-GAY COMMENT DURING POSTGAME INTERVIEW Collins coming out was a huge deal. I remember it well, and I HATE the NBA. Loathe it. But it was all folks talked about for weeks. Honestly, I'd argue that society was far more anti-gay in 2013 than it is now, for what it's worth. Has Charles been alive for the past six years? It's like we overcorrected, and now if you don't accept every single person — including dudes who pummel women between the hashes — you're the antichrist. As for the other players around the league(s) who Barkley insists are gay and hiding it ... I can't speak to that. I have no clue if that's true or not. Charles Barkley, to be fair, would probably know better than I do. To my knowledge, there has never been an openly gay player in MLB. Same with the NHL. There have been a couple in the NFL: Carl Nassib and Michael Sam. That's it. The list is short. Perhaps Chuck knows something we don't? Again, I don't know. Frankly, I don't care. Two athletes died this week. We can mourn them without virtue-signaling. That's fair, right? Oh well. Chuck did his job, and I'm sure ESPN is thrilled with the end result. Onwards. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b970a200899a00eb397c 49ers star George Kittle talks about encountering a 'half-dollar' spider in the middle of the night te 2026-05-14T12:00:48.006Z 49ers star George Kittle talks about encountering a 'half-dollar' spider in the middle of the night San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is no stranger to taking defenders on in the middle of the field, but he found himself in a battle against a different kind of beast early Wednesday night. Kittle, 32, took to social media to retell his tale against a ginormous spider. "At 4 a.m. this morning, as I laid in a deep slumber, I was called to action by my wife, who had discovered a spider the size of a half-dollar in the bathroom. Without hesitation, I arose to combat the intruder," Kittle posted to X. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Kittle, who has been rehabbing after tearing his right Achilles tendon during the playoffs, used his equipment to eliminate the threat. "Claire handed me the slant board I’ve been using for rehab, and I immediately knew the spider had no chance. It took but 1 attempt to strike down my opponent. I received hugs and kisses for my bravery and fell back asleep with confidence. Have a day, gentlemen," Kittle posted with a spider emoji. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Kittle can only hope his successful and courageous takedown of the massive spider is how his rehab goes. The former Iowa star sustained the injury during the 49ers’ 23-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said last month that "there’s a chance" Kittle could play Week 1 during an appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show." If Kittle plays Week 1, it would be a huge boost to the 49ers’ offense. The seven-time Pro Bowler has been dynamic in his nine-year career. Last season, in 11 games, Kittle caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. In his career, the two-time All-Pro has caught 595 passes for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns. 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/6a05b4e5a200899a00eb3884 White House signals Trump, Xi align on key points in conflict with Iran and more top headlines te 2026-05-14T11:41:25.202Z White House signals Trump, Xi align on key points in conflict with Iran and more top headlines 1. Trump, Xi align on key points in conflict with Iran 2. Iran tightens grip on key oil route, bringing traffic to 'total halt' 3. GOP senators demand Fauci indictment after explosive hearing EXODUS BEGINS — Tech founder ditching Washington says millionaire's tax will eventually hit everyone. Continue reading … ROUND TWO — ‘All options on the table,’ South Carolina AG says after Murdaugh verdict tossed. Continue reading … PERSONAL FOUL — Bucks owner sextortion suspect busted at JFK with one-way ticket to China. Continue reading … REALITY CHECK — Jeff Probst fires back at fans ripping 'Survivor 50' and says he won't re-edit. Continue reading … WHISTLE BLOWER — Caitlin Clark's feud with referees takes new turn after argument leads to shocking foul. Continue reading … -- GHOST OFFICES — Vance celebrates 'great win' after feds uncover thousands of foreign ‘phantom employees.’ Continue reading … DEEP STATE EXPOSED — Top 4 explosive moments from CIA whistleblower's testimony on alleged COVID-19 lab leak cover-up. Continue reading … DIRTY LAUNDRY — Rep. Massie's ex-girlfriend alleges he arranged her Capitol Hill job, then offered $5,000 to drop termination suit. Continue reading … HISTORY ON DISPLAY — New 9/11 Museum exhibit aims to connect younger Americans to the attacks through powerful artifacts. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   CLASSIFIED FOOTAGE — Rep. Tim Burchett says 30 to 40 clearer UFO videos exist and must be released. Continue reading … SENATE SHOWDOWN — Louisiana primary explodes as candidate rejects her own 'progressive' past. Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists. Continue reading … EXODUS BEGINS — Tech entrepreneur flees Washington due to companies being 'villainized.’ Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — President Trump needs to finish the war against Iran once and for all. Continue reading …  ROBERT MAGINNIS — Trump-Xi’s China summit is a defining test for America in the new Cold War. Continue reading … -- SNACK ATTACK — Food cravings at 3:45 pm aren't random, here's what your body may be warning you about. Continue reading … PITCH PERFECT — FIFA rolls out star-studded World Cup Final halftime show with BTS, Shakira, Madonna. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on party pours and Hollywood hurdles. Take the quiz here … BURIED TREASURE — Man on a hike uncovers gold sword relic hidden under tree. Continue reading … I'LL TAKE IT — Here's how to beat the heat — no questions asked. See video ... SEC. MARCO RUBIO — China's rise can't come at our fall. See video … SEN. MARSHA BLACKBURN — Trump is carrying an America-first policy into meeting with China. See video … Tune in for a look at America’s 250th birthday, the enduring lessons of 1776, and why the nation has weathered deeper divides before. Check it out ... 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 Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b4d1a200899a00eb387b MIKE DAVIS: Virginia court's gerrymandering decision unmasks Left's insanity te 2026-05-14T11:41:05.761Z MIKE DAVIS: Virginia court's gerrymandering decision unmasks Left's insanity The Virginia Supreme Court correctly and courageously ruled Friday that a Democrat-backed gerrymandering referendum violated the Virginia Constitution. The ruling ensured that Virginia, a state that Republicans lost by only about 5% in 2024, would keep its 6-5 Democrat-Republican map, compared to the 10-1 Democrat map Democrats cooked up. Leftists went insane over the ruling. Since then, Virginia appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The outlandish displays from Democrats to the decision are chilling but informative: If they ever gain power nationally again, the whole country will turn into what Virginia has become. Gov. Abigail Spanberger ran as a "moderate." During her campaign of platitudes, she stayed away from the leftist proposals of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, instead focusing on kitchen table issues like affordability. Upon taking office, Spanberger unmasked herself, immediately ending Virginia’s cooperation with ICE. Leftist legislators began introducing proposals to authorize the prosecution of ICE agents, an insurrectionist display against the lawful assertion of federal authority. Spanberger rubber-stamped the radical state legislature’s leftist agenda—which included a slew of new tax increases and pro-crime policies—and topped it off by backing Virginia's gerrymandering efforts, along with former President Barack Obama, who previously decried gerrymandering. The Left attempted to redistrict by lawsuit for decades in states it was not able to otherwise gerrymander. Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana all had cases before the Supreme Court in recent years to force illegal and unconstitutional race-based gerrymandering that produced some of the least capable DEI Members of Congress in the history of our Republic. Leftists poured more than $60 million into the effort to ram the Virginia referendum through. The problem was that early voting had begun before the legislature voted in favor of sending the referendum to voters. Under the Virginia Constitution, two separate assembly votes must occur prior to submitting a referendum for voters’ approval or disapproval, with an election in between. Democrats argued absurdly that the first vote occurred prior to the election even though early voting was well underway in the election Spanberger eventually won. DAVID MARCUS: VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS STEP ON A $70M RAKE AND NOW THEY'RE CRYING Many warned this plan was unconstitutional, among them former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. The determined and deranged Democrats did not listen. A trial court judge enjoined the referendum from proceeding, but Jay Jones, the radical leftist attorney general — who once supported the murder of children of his political rivals — argued the Virginia Supreme Court could not rule on the referendum's legality until after its completion, that is, after voters had gone to the polls. The Supreme Court agreed and allowed the referendum to proceed as Jones requested. The referendum narrowly passed, and the Supreme Court then heard arguments over its constitutionality. In a 4-3 decision authored by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, an appointee to the Court of Appeals by then-Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, the Supreme Court invalidated the referendum. The takeaway was clear: Legislatures may redraw maps, and even gerrymander, but gerrymanders cannot be race-based, and must be drawn according to the state’s law and constitution. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Leftists lost their minds after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Jones lambasted the decision as political — restrained rhetoric for a man who had fantasized about putting bullets in the heads of then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert’s children. Sen. Tim Kaine railed against the decision, huffing that the Supreme Court should have ruled prior to the referendum, never mind that the justices did exactly what Jones asked: permit the referendum to proceed, then rule on its lawfulness. Some online leftists urged Spanberger to ignore the court. The most ridiculous suggestion, however, would destroy Virginia's judiciary. JONATHAN TURLEY: EX-CONSERVATIVE ICON JOINS LEFT'S RUTHLESS COURT-PACKING SCHEME Michigan State University law professor Quinn Yeargain proposed that the legislature lower the retirement age of justices to 54, the age of the youngest justice in the majority. The whole court would then have to retire, the leftist legislature could select an entirely new bench, the new justices would rehear the case, and the referendum would pass. Another version of this fantasy involved challenging the constitutionality of Virginia's independent redistricting commission that voters approved in 2020. Thankfully, enough sane Virginia Democrats put their collective foot down to stop this insanity. One accurately characterized the plan as "schizo hopium." Even though the deranged plan failed, it remains instructive. Imagine if Democrats achieve the trifecta: the House, the Senate, and the White House. They relentlessly bashed the U.S. Supreme Court and will undoubtedly continue when the justices decline to take up Jones’ absurd appeal of the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling. Leftists yearn to pack the U.S. Supreme Court, adding at least four justices. Virginia stepped back from the cliff that many demented Democrats wanted to jump over, for now. If radical Democrats assume power as they did in 2021, they will not hesitate to jump off that cliff and take the rest of the nation with them. Vote accordingly. CLICK FOR MORE FROM MIKE DAVIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b4bea200899a00eb3872 CBS anchor frantically calls for doctor after cameraman suffers medical emergency during live broadcast te 2026-05-14T11:40:46.293Z CBS anchor frantically calls for doctor after cameraman suffers medical emergency during live broadcast A live broadcast of "CBS Evening News" was abruptly interrupted Wednesday after a cameraman suffered a medical emergency on set, forcing the segment to cut away mid-report. Anchor Tony Dokoupil was reporting from Taiwan on President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he suddenly halted his report to check on a collapsed crew member. "You will hear a lot about American decline and the rise of a powerful new China — is he OK?" Dokoupil asked as the crew member can be heard falling to the ground offscreen. BRITISH SPORTS PRESENTER LAURA WOODS COLLAPSES LIVE ON AIR DURING WOMEN'S SOCCER MATCH, CAUGHT BY COLLEAGUES "We’re gonna take a quick break. We have a medical emergency here. We’re calling a doctor," he added before the segment abruptly cut out. An additional voice from the reporting set can also be heard saying, "Call the doctor please." The broadcast then quickly shifted to CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman in New York, who briefly signed off on Dokoupil’s behalf. CBS later said in a statement that the cameraman is "okay and recovering" after experiencing the health emergency. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH Dokoupil is anchoring from Taipei, Taiwan for Trump’s two-day summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing after CBS reportedly failed to obtain a visa in time to cover the meeting from mainland China. The network said in a statement that Taiwan "is at the center of the high stakes talks as China’s geopolitical tensions with Taiwan run high. Dokoupil reports on what’s at stake and why it matters for Americans." Trump and Xi are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, Chinese control of Taiwan and international trade as the U.S.-Iran conflict continues to simmer. Fox News Digital has reached out to CBS for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b266a200899a00eb3770 Dem Senate hopeful’s ‘physician’ campaign pitch under fire after license records reveal key gaps te 2026-05-14T11:30:46.145Z Dem Senate hopeful’s ‘physician’ campaign pitch under fire after license records reveal key gaps Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has repeatedly described himself as a "physician" on the campaign trail and in public biographies, despite records showing he has never held a medical license in Michigan or New York.  Much of El-Sayed’s campaign has focused on his medical credentials, particularly his purported experience as a physician. While El-Sayed does have a medical degree, public records in New York and Michigan examined by Politico indicate that he’s never held a license to practice medicine.  New York state law prohibits individuals who lack medical licenses from identifying themselves as "physicians," a title El-Sayed claimed on at least two occasions while in the state. Michigan law also bars individuals from working "to induce the belief" that they are licensed to practice medicine. El-Sayed’s hands-on medical experience was limited to a four-week clinical rotation he completed after finishing medical school. In a 2022 podcast, he described the experience as "cosplaying [as] a doctor," Politico reported.  MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL 'JUST AS EVIL' AS HAMAS "The perception in Michigan is that he is, at least at one point in his life, a licensed physician," Chris Dewitt, a Michigan Democratic strategist, told Politico. "That apparently is not the case, and it blows up a big part of his campaign." El-Sayed has repeatedly told the public that he is a physician.  During a debate held by the Council of Baptist Pastors in April, for instance, El-Sayed referred to himself as "a physician and epidemiologist." When Sen. Bernie Sanders,  I-Vt., referred to El-Sayed as a "physician" in 2025, he did not correct the senator. In June, the Senate candidate included a picture of himself dressed in a doctor’s coat attached to a fundraising appeal. "Rather than this being a gotcha attack, this is Dr. El-Sayed’s origin story — one that Michiganders are familiar with," El-Sayed spokesperson Roxie Richner told Fox News Digital when asked about his medical credentials.  "Dr. El-Sayed has spoken extensively about his experiences in medical school that led him first to public health and then to public service," Richner continued. "He has spent his career improving healthcare for Michiganders through innovative, sweeping public health programs, including the elimination of up to $700 million in medical debt, increased access to Narcan, and built a state-of-the-art air quality monitoring network." BERNIE SANDERS CAMPAIGNS WITH CONTROVERSIAL MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE As of Thursday, El-Sayed still refers to himself in his LinkedIn bio as a "physician and epidemiologist." He also holds a PhD in public health from the University of Oxford, according to his biographies.  "It’s a weird thing to hang your hat on in terms of a biographical detail if you never actually practiced medicine," Michigan Democratic consultant Adrian Hemond told Politico. "It’s not as though he hasn’t done anything with all of the fancy education that he got like running public health programming for Wayne County and for the city of Detroit. And so maybe you would lean into that, as opposed to giving people the impression that you may have practiced medicine before." SANDERS-ENDORSED SENATE CANDIDATE KNOCKED FOR ALLEGED FLIP-FLOP TO 'HAVE IT BOTH WAYS' ON KEY ISSUE El-Sayed’s Democratic primary rivals have also seized on the scrutiny. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s campaign, which is competing against El-Sayed for the Democratic nomination, accused him of overstating the medical credentials he has made central to his Senate bid. "Abdul El-Sayed has made his supposed medical credentials a centerpiece of his campaign, but the truth is he never held a medical license, never did his residency, never passed his boards, and never practiced medicine independently," campaign spokesperson Jackson Boaz told Fox News Digital. "If Michigan voters can't trust El-Sayed to be honest about something that is so central to his entire rationale for running, how can they trust him to be honest about what he'd do as a United States Senator?" This isn’t the first time El-Sayed’s medical experience has been called into question. INTERNET ERUPTS OVER 'DISQUALIFYING' LEAKED AUDIO FROM DEMOCRAT IN KEY SENATE RACE DISCUSSING KHAMENEI'S DEATH Crain’s Detroit Business published a piece in 2018 holding El-Sayed’s claim of being a physician against his lack of a medical license.  "I think there’s a lot of ways that one serves as a physician. And I think the work that I have done and I continue to do is true to the core and the ethos of medicine," El-Sayed told Crain’s Detroit Business at the time. "And when I took my Hippocratic Oath, that is still an oath that I use to guide my work today. I’m a physician because I have an MD, but I’m also a physician because of the work that I’ve dedicated my career to." El-Sayed has stated that he chose politics over medicine because he believes poverty is the root cause of many of the health problems in the United States. Critics of El-Sayed have seized on the recent reports.  "Michigan’s Democrat Senate primary is such a mess that the guy cosplaying as an Egyptian citizen and licensed physician is still beating Chuck Schumer’s handpicked candidate," NRSC Regional press secretary Samantha Cantrell told the Washington Examiner. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b021a200899a00eb36fa Massie's ex-girlfriend alleges he arranged her Capitol Hill job, then offered $5,000 to drop termination suit te 2026-05-14T11:21:05.617Z Massie's ex-girlfriend alleges he arranged her Capitol Hill job, then offered $5,000 to drop termination suit An ex-girlfriend of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., alleges he extended a $5,000 offer to drop a wrongful termination lawsuit against one of his top congressional allies.  Cynthia West, a social worker and school board candidate in Okaloosa County, Fla., said she began dating Massie several months after his first wife of 30 years died in 2024. She alleged that Massie then got her a job in the office of his close ally, Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. West said she never applied for the role and was terminated shortly after she broke off her relationship with the congressman. West first made the allegations on Tuesday in a video interview with Marcus Carey, a Kentucky attorney who challenged Massie during the congressman’s first run for Congress in 2012. Massie has represented the deep red seat since winning the election that year. TRUMP STIRS GOP PRIMARY DRAMA WITH VISIT TO MASSIE’S KENTUCKY HOME TURF The allegations come as early voting in Kentucky is underway for the state’s May 19 primary election. Massie, a leading Trump foe, is seeking to fend off a well-funded re-election challenge from Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL supported by President Donald Trump. The intraparty clash has become one of the most closely watched House races this year. West has said she has not been in contact with Gallrein's campaign or Trump’s political operation and that no one is paying her to make the allegations. In the interview, West said Massie first contacted her over social media in August 2024. Their relationship, according to West, became "very intense, very romantic" over the following months, including travel to Savannah, Ga., and South Africa. "He wanted me to go to wherever he was," West said in the interview when asked by Carey why she moved to Washington, D.C., to take a job in the Spartz office — a position that Massie arranged. West said she broke off her relationship with Massie after he asked her to "engage in behavior" that she was not comfortable with and alleged emotional abuse. The Spartz office subsequently fired her after just "six weeks" on the job, West alleged. She then filed a wrongful termination complaint against Spartz and named Massie as a witness, prompting him to offer her $5,000 to drop the pending lawsuit. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM "I called him up to let him know, and he was very angry," West told Carey in the sit-down interview. "He said you're just one person, that you can't make a difference, that you need to just walk away." "He had $5,000 he said that he would give me if I could just walk away," she went on. "I didn't take it, though." The Office of Congressional Ethics offered West $60,000 to settle her wrongful termination complaint earlier this year, according to a copy of the proposed agreement first reviewed by Axios and obtained by Fox News Digital. West declined the settlement because it included a non-disclosure agreement that would bar her from publicly discussing the allegations. "I've spent so much time fighting for transparency and justice, accountability, that if I did this, then I would call into question my own integrity," West told Carey. "I wouldn't be able to sit with that, so I can't do it." Massie has denied any wrongdoing and has argued that West’s allegations are politically motivated. "It’s sad that a week before this election people are making false and unsubstantiated allegations about me in an obvious attempt to influence the outcome of this election," Massie said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. "All of the claims of inappropriate conduct are false." "I’ve never offered anyone money in exchange for their silence," Massie continued. "I have consulted legal counsel, and we are considering all options." When reached by phone, West declined to comment on the allegations and referred Fox News Digital to her spokesman, Rob Wilbur. "Thomas Massie spent months screaming about ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ over the Epstein files, but the second allegation hit close to home. Suddenly we’re all just supposed to shut up," Wilbur said in a statement. "That’s not principle. That’s hypocrisy." "Cynthia has been a warrior for transparency and accountability, and her integrity should be respected, not met with political threats, bullying, and the toxic politics Thomas Massie represents," Wilbur continued. A Spartz spokesperson said the office could not comment on the specifics of West’s allegations. "We can confirm that Ms. West held a temporary 90-day probationary position with our office, and her employment was not extended beyond that period due to unsatisfactory job performance," the spokesperson said.  Spartz has been labeled as one of the "worst bosses" on Capitol Hill when accounting for staff turnover, by the nonpartisan website Legistorm. The Indiana lawmaker has developed close ties with Massie. Spartz was the lone Republican to back him for House speaker in 2023, and she attended his wedding ceremony with Carolyn Grace Moffa in November 2025. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05b00da200899a00eb36f0 NASCAR greats sound off on Stephen A Smith's take that drivers are not athletes te 2026-05-14T11:20:45.951Z NASCAR greats sound off on Stephen A Smith's take that drivers are not athletes Stephen A. Smith did not make many friends in NASCAR circles when he labeled drivers as non-athletes. "Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!" Smith said last month on his SiriusXM show. "I’m being honest. It’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same. "You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Well, Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon caught wind of what Smith had to say, and naturally, they challenged him. "My first response is, do we really want to give clicks and attention to Stephen A. for, I feel like that's what he's asking for there," Gordon began during a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "But at the same time, clearly he doesn't know a whole lot about the sport, and he doesn't know what it takes to be an athlete in motorsports. There's no doubt about the mental fatigue it takes to be in the car for hours, the competitiveness and things that make drivers true athletes. It's just in a different sense of how a stick-and-ball sport is perceived as an athlete." Larson, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion then challenged Smith, or anyone for that matter, to go one lap in a race car "without feeling like they're going to die." "Everybody's got a little bit different definition for what an athlete might mean to them. So his definition is different than the way I would feel about it. Do I get worked up about it when I hear somebody say that we're not athletes? No." KYLE LARSON RELIVES ATTEMPTS AT 'THE DOUBLE' AS HE CONTEMPLATES TRYING IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE "I do," Gordon butted in. But Larson is a bit more understanding. "I just accept that they won't understand, because they will never be able to strap into a race car that goes 200 miles an hour. If they did, I don't think they would be able to make it a lap without feeling like they're going to die," Larson continued. "And then you factor in three-and-a-half-hour-long races and a 150-degree car with an elevated heart rate of probably 150 for three hours, with a peak of, for me, would be 190. I think then they would quickly realize that although you're not shooting a ball into a hoop, this is definitely a sport and definitely a tough one where you have to be an athlete — maybe more on the endurance side of things." Gordon said he recently invited Jason Kelce to take a lap and even drive a car on a course. "I'm pretty sure he'd have a different opinion about it," Gordon said. "Just ask him." 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/6a05adefa200899a00eb3669 First on Fox: Chloe Cole vows to return to UW after canceling appearance over alleged Antifa threats te 2026-05-14T11:11:43.889Z First on Fox: Chloe Cole vows to return to UW after canceling appearance over alleged Antifa threats FIRST ON FOX: Chloe Cole is speaking out after canceling a University of Washington speech over alleged Antifa threats, while vowing to reschedule the event as campus tensions grow increasingly dangerous. "We started having these threats from different groups like Antifa," Cole told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday, adding tensions peaked in the days before the event.  On Sunday, a 19-year-old University of Washington student who was identified as a transgender woman was stabbed to death in an off-campus housing facility, local outlet KING 5 reported.  DETRANSITIONER CHLOE COLE ACCUSES MEDIA OF ‘TRYING TO SUPPRESS’ COVERAGE OF TRANSGENDER SHOOTERS "I don't want anybody to die," Cole said. "I don't want the violence to continue. And I can't believe that, in the wake of such a horrific crime, people can even think about continuing that violence. There's no justification for it." Cole, a detransitioner who went through the process of transitioning from female to male between the ages of 12 and 16, was scheduled to speak Wednesday at the University of Washington as part of TPUSA’s "Pick Up the Mic" initiative.  "There were local Antifa groups that were actually scheduling these large-scale protests, and there were so many people who I saw online, just out in the open, who were saying things like, 'I hope you get Kirked,'" Cole said.  A student group, UW Divest News, urged protests, calling Cole a "transphobic right-wing grifter" and encouraging students to pressure the university to cancel the event. RILEY GAINES SAYS 'LITERAL HUMAN FECES' THROWN IN PROTEST OF TURNING POINT USA AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON "This event was going to be another one of those events where I talk about my experience about how to tackle these issues," she said.  Cole continued, "I do worry about my personal safety and I do regularly receive threats of all sorts, but after this event, I've had so many people just messaging me from, emailing me all over, telling me that whatever violence would have happened at the event, I would deserve to be subjected to it."  For Cole, the reality that some people were using the murder of the University of Washington student that she had nothing to do with as a justification for further violence is "egregious." UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER CALLS FOR ASSASSINATION OF CONSERVATIVE VOICES IN SOCIAL MEDIA POST "I've had a lot of students say, ‘Out of respect, you should shut down this event. You shouldn't be speaking here at all because somebody died. And it's your rhetoric that continues the deaths of transgender people,’" Cole said. "I've seen more people connect me to this murder that I did not do than people calling for an investigation, to find the perpetrator, to find the monster who did this." Cole said that people seem to care more about ideology and politics than treating people well and that she thinks more should be done to protect people like herself who face death threats for speaking their mind. "I'm not afraid of these people," she added. DEFIANT TPUSA LEADER WON'T QUIT DESPITE CHAPTER FACING HARASSMENT, HOSTILITY AFTER KIRK ASSASSINATION The women’s rights advocate said that she is not allowing herself to be discouraged despite the situation.  "I have a heart for these people," Cole said. "I want them to know that there is another way out for them. And I used to be that radical myself. But it's not something that's discouraging me, because I know there's always going to be another opportunity. It's something I'm going to keep praying on. And I — for as long as I feel called to do this — I will continue speaking on campus." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the University of Washington said that, "The national TPUSA organization made the decision to cancel the event that was scheduled for today," adding that the "UW Student Activities Office leadership was also in contact with the UW chapter of TPUSA about the appropriateness of the timing of such an event given the recent killing of a member of our LGBTQIA+ community. But, again, the decision was made by the national TPUSA organization."  The spokesperson also said that "no suspect has been identified and no motive for this crime has been established," and that the Seattle Police Department is leading the homicide investigation. Katelyn Seratt, Turning Point USA chapter president at the University of Washington, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "As many in the Seattle area have heard, a transgender University of Washington student was tragically murdered on Sunday night. The University of Washington chapter of Turning Point USA condemns this horrific act of violence in the strongest possible terms. No one should ever be subjected to such senseless brutality. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family and friends." Seratt continued, "In light of this tragedy and by an overwhelming surge of violent threats directed at our chapter, threats that appear deliberately designed to falsely associate our peaceful event with the murder, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming event with Chloe Cole." "TPUSA at UW is not leaving campus," she added. "We remain fully committed to promoting free speech, open dialogue, and intellectual diversity at the University of Washington. We look forward to rescheduling this important conversation at the earliest appropriate time." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05addca200899a00eb3660 Experimental obesity drug outperforms traditional weight-loss treatments in early research te 2026-05-14T11:11:24.222Z Experimental obesity drug outperforms traditional weight-loss treatments in early research A new weight-loss drug variation is showing promise in early trials. Research from the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at Helmholtz Munich in Germany, published in the journal Nature, tested an experimental obesity and diabetes drug called GLP-1-GIP-Lani. The drug combines GLP-1 and GIP — two natural hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar, similar to popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic — with PPAR activity, which may improve insulin sensitivity, inflammation, fat metabolism and liver health. 'NEXT OZEMPIC' AIMS TO DELIVER 30% WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS The team of researchers, led by Professor Timo D. Muller at Helmoltz Munich, called the drug a quintuple agonist, as it targets five receptor systems. In a press release, Muller described the drug as a "Trojan horse": the incretin component — hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite — allows it to enter target cells, and once inside, the PPAR "cargo" activates to help the body better use insulin, process fat and reduce inflammation. This allows for the dosage of the drug to be lower, which could reduce side effects. "A major advantage is the amount," Muller said. "Because the second component is not administered separately and systemically, but ‘travels along’ with the incretin part, it can be used at a dose that is orders of magnitude lower." NEW WEIGHT-LOSS SHOT SHOWS MAJOR FAT REDUCTION, BUT EXPERTS URGE CAUTION The study tested the drug combination in mouse models, including mice with diabetes-induced obesity, insulin resistance and genetic obesity. In these mice, the compound was found to lower body weight, food intake, fat mass, blood sugar and insulin-related problems more than GLP-1 and GIP alone. It also outperformed semaglutide. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES The researchers reported that typical gastrointestinal side effects were similar to those seen with existing therapies. "We see a principle with strong effects in the animal model — now the task is to optimize the approach for humans and move it toward the clinic," Muller said in the release. Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight-loss specialist practicing in New York and New Jersey, said the drug is designed to target obesity and insulin resistance "at multiple key sites simultaneously, including the brain, pancreas and metabolic tissues." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "This is a novel mechanism because it's not just relying on a higher dose of an existing drug," he told Fox News Digital in an interview. "Current GLP-1 medications are highly effective appetite suppressants, while this quintuple agonist seems to function both as an 'appetite brake' and a metabolic engine," he added. While traditional GLP-1s primarily reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying and increase insulin secretion, this quintuple agonist "appears to do all of the above" while also "directly improving insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscle, reducing inflammation in adipose tissue and remodeling lipid metabolism," the expert confirmed. "The result may be greater weight loss through a combination of caloric restriction, enhanced fat oxidation and potentially increased central energy expenditure," Balazs said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Although the drug provides a "promising direction for the future," Balazs noted that the study was conducted only on mouse models and there is no human safety or efficacy data, which means the drug cannot yet be recommended for clinical use. "Additionally, it was conducted over a relatively short period of time, so we cannot draw conclusions about long-term effects," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05adc8a200899a00eb3657 REP JIM JORDAN, REP TOM McCLINTOCK: Democrats think they can overrule laws te 2026-05-14T11:11:04.503Z REP JIM JORDAN, REP TOM McCLINTOCK: Democrats think they can overrule laws Students of American history may recall the nullification crisis of the 1830s, when South Carolina asserted for itself the right to declare federal law void inside its state borders. President Andrew Jackson asserted federal authority, South Carolina backed down, and the crisis passed peacefully. The idea that a state could nullify federal law effectively ended three decades later with the bloodshed of the Civil War. It was further buried in the 1950s by Supreme Court decisions and President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorizing the National Guard to enforce federal law in Little Rock, Arkansas. But for today’s radical Democrats, there is a new front in the nullification fight — this time around criminal aliens and so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions. JD VANCE, ICE FLIP SCRIPT ON SANCTUARY CITY LEADERS AS 'CHAOS' ERUPTS ACROSS MN: 'THIS IS DANGEROUS' In sanctuary jurisdictions across the country, from California to Virginia, state and local officials are declaring themselves immune from federal immigration laws. These cities and states, all run by Democrats, each have policies or ordinances that obstruct federal immigration enforcement within their borders. These sanctuary jurisdictions prohibit their law-enforcement agencies from working or even communicating with federal immigration officials. Some, like Washington and Colorado, prohibit local jails from delaying the release of criminal aliens so that federal authorities may safely take them into custody. Officials in Minnesota want to go even further, seeking to place restrictions on where and how federal authorities may enforce immigration law in the state. By providing safe haven for illegal aliens — including violent criminals, child abusers, and drug traffickers — and impeding federal authorities from safely enforcing immigration statutes, sanctuary jurisdictions essentially declare federal immigration law to be void within their borders. The debate over sanctuary jurisdictions isn’t merely some abstract legal disagreement — although the Constitution is crystal clear that federal law is the supreme law of the land, and Democrats’ appeals to states’ rights and an obscure legal concept known as the anti-commandeering doctrine fall short. At least one-third of Americans live in localities that refuse to enforce federal immigration law. For these American citizens, radical Democrats’ sanctuary policies can be life and death. Look no further than Fairfax County, Virginia. The far-left prosecutor there, Steve Descano, ran for office promising to make charging decisions that would "avoid immigration consequences." In December 2025, Descano’s office dropped assault charges against an alleged MS-13 gang member and released him onto the street, despite a request from federal immigration authorities to take the illegal alien into custody. Just one day after his release, the gang member allegedly committed a murder. If Fairfax County was not a sanctuary jurisdiction — if Descano and local officials allowed immigration authorities to enforce federal law—this killing could have been avoided. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Sanctuary jurisdictions put law-enforcement officers in danger too. In Denver, for example, local authorities released an illegal alien and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member rather than allow federal immigration officials to take him into custody in a secure jail facility. When immigration officials sought to arrest the gang member on the street, he tried to flee and assaulted an officer. This attack on law enforcement could have been avoided. Sanctuary policies act as a pull factor for illegal immigration, incentivizing foreign nationals to enter the country. As we saw during the Biden Administration, a record number of illegal aliens surged across the border, knowing if they could get to a sanctuary jurisdiction they would be here to stay. An untold number of illegal aliens — including criminals and terrorists — entered the United States in those four years. The modern Democrat Party has become the party of open borders and unlimited illegal immigration. It is a party that demonizes federal law-enforcement officers and defunds vital immigration law-enforcement operations. It is the party, quite simply, that prioritizes the protection of criminal aliens over the safety of American citizens. The nullification of federal law died with the secessionists and segregationists decades ago. But today’s radical Democrats are reviving it to protect criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement. That’s wrong and just plain dangerous. The sooner Democrats respect federal immigration law, the better for the public safety of all Americans. Republican Tom McClintock represents California's 5th congressional district. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05adb4a200899a00eb364e Alex Murdaugh wins new trial after court clerk allegedly told jurors not to be 'fooled' by defense te 2026-05-14T11:10:44.971Z Alex Murdaugh wins new trial after court clerk allegedly told jurors not to be 'fooled' by defense Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina legal scion convicted of killing his wife and son, is getting a second shot in court after the state’s highest court tossed his murder convictions over jury tampering. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that misconduct by a court official tainted the 2023 trial that sent Murdaugh away for life. At the center of the stunning reversal is former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca "Becky" Hill, who oversaw the blockbuster proceedings and was later accused of improperly influencing jurors. According to the court, Hill made comments that could have swayed how jurors viewed the evidence and pushed them toward a guilty verdict. According to testimony reviewed by the court, jurors said Hill told them to "watch him closely," "watch his actions," and not be "fooled" by the defense. ALEX MURDAUGH'S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT One juror recalled "that Hill told the jurors not to be fooled by the evidence Murdaugh's defense presented," according to the document, saying, "They're going to say things that will try to confuse you. Don't let them confuse you or convince you or throw you off."  The documents say Hill tried to "insert herself into the jury's deliberations through these comments was in line with her stated desire for a guilty verdict to sell more copies of the book she planned to write." WATCH: Becky Hill walks into Colleton County Courthouse ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF THE ONCE POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER'S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL The ruling references the post-trial court's finding that, "Hill was attracted by the siren call of celebrity" and "allowed her desire for the public attention of the moment to overcome her duty to her oath of office." GOT A TIP? "Accordingly, we hold Murdaugh's right to a fair trial by an impartial jury was violated, and the post-trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial," the ruling says.  Because Hill was a top court official, her words carried unusual weight and raised serious concerns that the jury’s decision may not have been based solely on the evidence presented at trial. FOLLOW US ON X In December 2025, Hill pleaded guilty to four charges — obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it, plus two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting a book she wrote on the trial through her public office. AG AIMS TO RETRY ALEX MURDAUGH ‘QUICKLY’; BOTH SIDES ENTER COURTROOM CHESS MATCH WITH EACH OTHER’S GAME PLANS "There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life," Hill said in a statement read to the court. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL She was sentenced to three years of probation. WATCH: Becky Hill reads Alex Murdaugh 2023 guilty verdict In 2023, Murdaugh was convicted of gunning down his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the family’s hunting estate in 2021. The case exposed a web of lies, including Murdaugh’s opioid addiction and millions in stolen client funds. Despite the legal win Wednesday, Murdaugh will not be walking free. He remains behind bars serving lengthy sentences for a string of financial crimes that cemented his fall from power. For his financial crimes, Murdaugh was sentenced in state court to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to 22 counts including money laundering and breach of trust. In federal court, he received a 40-year sentence for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which he is serving concurrently with his state time. Though his murder convictions and subsequent life sentences were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday, he remains in prison to serve the financial sentences. Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05ab5ea200899a00eb35cc Casino resorts in Nevada location, once packed, become ghost town as closure nears te 2026-05-14T11:00:46.974Z Casino resorts in Nevada location, once packed, become ghost town as closure nears A Nevada location once thrived with multiple casinos, hotels, restaurants and plenty of outlet shopping. Today, the town of Primm will have its last casino hotel close on July 4 — putting 344 people out of work, according to Fox 5 Las Vegas as well as other outlets. "In Nevada, we have a lot of old mining towns where, when the boom ended, or they had used up whatever precious metal they were looking for, everybody cleared out," Michael Green, associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), told Fox News Digital. "Primm, I think, could end up being the first gambling ghost town," he said. MAN DISCOVERS 'GHOST TOWN' FULL OF EMPTY, EERIE HOTELS: 'LIKE A TIME CAPSULE' Located on the California-Nevada border, Primm is a 38-mile drive south from the Las Vegas Strip. Since the 1970s, travelers driving to and from Vegas or seeking a less-expensive Sin City-style experience made Primm a booming place, SFGate reported. In December 2024, however, the first of the three casinos in the Primm Valley Casino Resorts complex closed.  The shuttering of Whiskey Pete’s was followed by Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino limiting its operations to special events in July 2025. When it shuts down this summer, the Primm Valley Casino Resorts will terminate access to the 624 hotel rooms and suites, 46,000 square feet of entertainment and more than 300 slot machines it advertises, according to Fox 5. AMERICANS CHOOSING TO VISIT SMALLER TOWNS OVER BIG CITIES AS TRAVEL COSTS RISE Primm Valley Casino Resorts' parent company, Affinity Gaming, informed staff earlier this month of their termination and told them to vacate company housing by July 6, according to an 8NewsNow.com report. The company informed employees it would cease charging them rent on May 15 and offered to help coordinate government assistance, according to a letter issued to tenants and published by 8NewsNow. In addition to the three casinos, the Primm Center gas station and Flying J truck stop will also close, though the Primm family is reportedly working to keep the gas stations along the heavily traveled route open, Fox 5 said. "Primm has seen a slow decline of the past 15 to 20 years, largely because of development in California and partly because of development in Las Vegas," Amanda Belarmino, associate professor of hospitality at UNLV, told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "The success of Native American casinos in Southern California led to a decline in visitation to the Primm casinos," Belarmino added. "A lot of people used to stop there just because they were so excited to … gamble once they got over the border. But since casinos are more readily accessible, Primm lost some of that appeal," she said.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES That's one reason Las Vegas started emphasizing the tourist experience as opposed to "just gambling," Green said.  Primm did offer buffets, a roller coaster, concerts, a golf course and an exhibit dedicated to Bonnie and Clyde’s "death car," but "three hotels in that area were a bit too much," Green said. Business dropped substantially during COVID and never really recovered, Green added. In spite of online betting, casino gaming is not disappearing, said David G. Schwartz, UNLV professor and gaming historian. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Gambling is going to continue to parallel retail," Schwartz said. "People would buy paper towels online, but they might not buy a Lamborghini online." "When it comes to buying lottery tickets, it is probably more convenient to do that on your phone," Schwartz said. If people want to play a $20,000-hand of baccarat, they will likely want to do that in person, he said. Schwartz believes vacation resort destinations centered around gambling will shift toward other amenities. "If you look at Las Vegas over the past 10 years, what have the big developments been?" Schwartz said. "It's not necessarily been the casinos that have opened. It's been things like T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium, the Sphere. Non-gaming has really been the big news." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a6ada200899a00eb34d8 USA Fencing transgender saga takes ironic twist as org defends banning trans athlete from women's event te 2026-05-14T10:40:45.409Z USA Fencing transgender saga takes ironic twist as org defends banning trans athlete from women's event Just one year after a women's fencer was disqualified and punished for refusing to face a transgender opponent, a transgender competitor was forbidden from competition at the very same event. At this year's Cherry Blossom Open, a USA Fencing-sanctioned competition held at the University of Maryland, trans fencer Dinah Yukich, 43, was denied entry, according to The Daily Record. A year ago, at the 2025 Cherry Blossom Open, female fencer Stephanie Turner went viral after kneeling in protest of a trans opponent and was black-carded and escorted out. The incident prompted a federal hearing, and the U.S. Olympic team changed its policies in July to comply with President Donald Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Now, as USA Fencing has amended its policies to comply with the order, Yukich filed a civil rights complaint after reportedly being banned, per The Daily Record. The complaint reportedly includes one count of denial of public accommodations based on sex and gender identity, and one count of aiding and abetting a discriminatory policy. USA Fencing has provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the incident, and is standing by the current U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee policy that cites Trump's executive order. "USA Fencing cannot comment on the specifics of potential litigation. But we can say more generally that, as the recognized Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body for fencing in the United States, we are required to comply with athlete-eligibility guidance issued by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)," the statement read. A source within USA Fencing told Fox News Digital of Yukich's complaint, "We think it's important to note that we have not received notice of any litigation being filed against USA Fencing in the state of Maryland by this individual." Fox News Digital has reached out to Yukich's attorney Susie Cirilli for a response. US OLYMPIC TEAM TO COMPLY WITH TRUMP'S 'KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS' EXECUTIVE ORDER Cirilli told The Daily Record, "When you host an event where members of the public can participate, you have to follow state law." Last year, Turner's viral protest kneel catapulted her into stardom within the "Save Women's Sports" movement. The moment brought immense awareness and scrutiny to USA Fencing's policies. The organization was targeted by two lawsuits for its handling of trans inclusion policy, and the former chair of the organization was grilled by GOP lawmakers at the congressional hearing last May. In October, the chair of USA Fencing was replaced. Then in late November, USA Fencing provided a statement to Fox News Digital stating it was committed to "earning" trust after a year of controversy. "USA Fencing remains deeply committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our athletes, fans, and the wider fencing community. The election of Dr. Scott Rodgers as Board Chair reflects our dedication to athlete-centered governance and the continued growth of fencing at every level," the statement read. "We recognize the challenges of the past several months and are focused on moving forward with integrity, transparency, and a clear vision for the future." The organization is now taking steps to protect the women's category at competitions, but Yukich is giving USA Fencing a fight on the opposite front. Yukich sued USA Fencing and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in October 2025 after being banned from competing in women's events. The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey, alleges the ban violates state anti-discrimination laws and follows a policy change requiring transgender athletes to compete based on sex assigned at birth. 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/6a05a46aa200899a00eb3460 Missed voicemails with no calls? It could be a scam te 2026-05-14T10:31:06.111Z Missed voicemails with no calls? It could be a scam It starts quietly. Your phone buzzes. You see a voicemail notification. But your phone never rang. Then it happens again. And again. Before long, your voicemail inbox looks like it's under attack. That's exactly what Mike from Westport, CT, is dealing with right now. He wrote to us saying, What he is describing is something we're seeing more often. It may feel random, but there's a clear pattern behind this voicemail scam and here's what you need to know to stay safe. RECEIVING UNEXPECTED INTERNATIONAL CALLS? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report This tactic is often called a silent voicemail scam or ringless voicemail spam. Here's how it works in plain terms: At first glance, it looks like a glitch. That confusion is the point. This pattern almost always points to automated robocall systems using caller ID spoofing, not real people manually calling you. Here's what's likely happening: Once a number is confirmed as active, it can be shared across spam networks and used in future campaigns. It seems pointless, but there's a strategy behind it. Curiosity does the work for them. Many people return the call just to figure out what happened. When you call back, you may: Even if you never call back, your voicemail confirms your number is in use. That makes it more valuable for future scams. Because your phone never rings, traditional call filters may not catch it. That lets more of these messages slip through. You block one number, and another appears minutes later. That's usually a sign of caller ID spoofing and number cycling. Scammers use software to falsify the number that shows up on your phone and rotate through large batches of numbers to stay ahead of blocks and spam filters. Some of those numbers may be completely fabricated, while others may belong to real people whose caller ID information is being misused. Many of those numbers are: Blocking a single number can still be worth doing, but it usually will not stop the campaign by itself because the caller can keep switching numbers.  GOOGLE SEARCH LED TO A COSTLY SCAM CALL This is one of the first things many people worry about. In most cases, no. These silent voicemails are more likely to be part of a scam call or robocall campaign than a sign that your phone has been hacked. Scammers can use tactics such as caller ID spoofing and ringless voicemail to reach you without making the call feel normal. The bigger risk isn’t your phone itself. It's how the scam tries to get you to respond. Calling back, pressing prompts or engaging with the message can confirm that your number is active and may expose you to more scam attempts. The FTC specifically advises people to hang up or delete the voicemail and not call back unknown numbers. You don't have to just put up with it. There are ways to reduce or stop these messages.  Even if it feels harmless, skip it. If it's important, the caller will leave a real message. On iPhone and Android, turn on built-in call filtering and silence unknown callers. This helps reduce future attempts. How to enable spam call filtering  On iPhone (latest iOS) Apple now gives you two strong options: Silence Unknown Callers and Call Screening. Option 1: Silence unknown callers This sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail without ringing. Option 2: Turn on Call Screening (recommended) This feature prompts unknown callers to say who they are before your phone rings, which filters out many spam calls automatically. Optional: Enable spam identification This allows your iPhone to show verified business names and logos for legitimate callers when available. On Samsung  Samsung combines spam protection with AI call screening. Settings and feature names may vary depending on your Samsung model, carrier and software version. Option 1: Turn on spam protection This flags suspected spam calls before you answer. Option 2: Block unknown callers This stops hidden or unidentified numbers from ringing your phone. Option 3: Enable Call Screen (best option) This lets your phone answer unknown calls with AI and show you what the caller says in real time. One important reality check: Even with these turned on, some calls may still go to voicemail. That's because voicemail is controlled by your carrier, not your phone. HOW TO STOP SPAM MAIL, POLITICAL TEXTS AND EMAIL SPAM FOR GOOD Apps can spot patterns faster than manual blocking and stop repeat offenders. Many of these apps can also identify known scam numbers and automatically block high-risk calls, helping reduce how often your phone gets hit. Many carriers offer network-level spam blocking. Ask about tools that block ringless voicemail or robocalls. If your number keeps getting hit, it may already be circulating on marketing lists or data broker sites. These data removal services scan for your personal information and help remove it from databases that scammers often tap into. Cutting down where your number appears can reduce how often you get targeted over time. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com You can report unwanted calls and voicemails to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). Reports help track and shut down large scam campaigns. Avoid posting your phone number publicly. The less exposure it has, the harder it is for scammers to target you. This can help reduce telemarketing calls from legitimate businesses, but it unfortunately won't stop scammers, illegal robocalls, or exempt organizations (like charities and political groups) from calling you. Scammers often ignore the registry and use tactics like number spoofing to bypass it. Want to know more about why your phone still won’t stop ringing and what you can do about it?  Check out our article on the ‘Do Not Call’ list loophole. Silent voicemails are designed to mess with your instincts. They rely on curiosity and confusion, not sophisticated hacking. The best move is simple. Don't engage. Let them hit a dead end. Over time, that tells the system your number isn’t worth the effort. So here's the real question: If scammers are counting on curiosity to hook you, how often do you think that instinct is working on other people right now? 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/6a05a455a200899a00eb3457 NBA great Charles Barkley rips Pistons star's rebounding woes in Game 4: 'Two more than a dead person' te 2026-05-14T10:30:45.945Z NBA great Charles Barkley rips Pistons star's rebounding woes in Game 4: 'Two more than a dead person' Charles Barkley had sharp criticism for Detroit Pistons forward Jalen Duren before the team took on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA Playoffs series on Wednesday night. The "Inside the NBA" crew were going over key players for the game and who needed to step up. Barkley put the onus on Duren, who had eight points and two rebounds in Game 4. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "His whole game is offensive rebounds and lob dunks from Cade (Cunningham). He’s not getting those," Barkley said. "So, that’s really hurting him. Listen, he should never have two rebounds, ever. That’s two more than a dead person. "You can’t ever have two rebounds. But he’s a young kid. He’s gonna get in the gym, work on the 12–15-foot jumpers or something like that. But he’s too good a player. He’s an All-Star." The Pistons blew a 15-point lead and allowed the Cavaliers back into Game 5 on Wednesday. Cleveland would outlast Detroit in overtime, 117-113, to take a 3-2 series lead. Cleveland was behind 2-0 in the series before going back home for Games 3 and 4. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Duren slightly improved from Game 4. He had nine points, five rebounds and four assists. But the scoring wasn’t there from him. He only took five shots during the game. Only three Pistons starters were in double figures. Cunningham led the team with 39 points. Daniss Jenkins added 19 and Tobias Harris had 13. Paul Reed provided 10 points in 17 minutes off the bench. But that was it from the Pistons. Cleveland got a serious boost from James Harden. He scored 30 points with eight rebounds and six assists. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points. While starter Dean Wade didn’t score and didn’t attempt a single shot, Max Strus had 20 points, making six 3-pointers and nailing two free throws. The Cavaliers could set themselves up with a date in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks should they take Game 6 on Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a272a200899a00eb33df Feds could bring charges in Bahamas disappearance case without ever finding body, expert says te 2026-05-14T10:22:42.529Z Feds could bring charges in Bahamas disappearance case without ever finding body, expert says A maritime law expert says that federal authorities could bring charges in the Bahamas disappearance of Lynette Hooker even if they never find her body. Images taken by Fox News Digital on Tuesday show crime tape around portions of Lynette and Brian Hooker's sailboat, Soulmate, as it's docked at the U.S. Coast Guard's station in Fort Pierce, Florida, after a source said it was seized over the weekend. The source said investigators were processing evidence onboard the sailboat on Tuesday, which appears to have continued on Wednesday. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Brian Hooker initially told Bahamian officials that his wife fell off a dinghy after leaving shore at Hope Town at around 7:30 p.m. on April 4, saying that Lynette fell off with the ignition key. Local authorities said that he arrived at a marina at Marsh Harbour at around 4 a.m. on April 5 after paddling to shore, roughly eight hours after his wife went overboard. Despite a weekslong search, authorities haven't been able to locate Lynette Hooker. COAST GUARD SEIZES BRIAN HOOKER'S SAILBOAT AS IT LEAVES BAHAMAS AFTER WIFE’S DISAPPEARANCE: REPORT Brian Hooker hasn't been charged with a crime. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is probing Lynette Hooker's disappearance. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Kenneth Engerrand, an adjunct professor of maritime law at the University of Houston Law Center and shareholder in the Brown Sims law firm, told Fox News Digital that even if investigators aren't able to find Lynette Hooker's body, the Coast Guard's investigation could still result in criminal charges. "They can't file charges without substantial evidence, but that's why they're on the boat. They're looking for evidence. And what will have to happen is the Coast Guard can develop the evidence that's necessary in conjunction with the U.S. attorney in Florida," he said. "Sometimes it takes more effort to develop evidence, and this is the case where that's the situation because you don't have the body." SEND US A TIP HERE "That's a much more difficult process without the body, but it's not impossible to do," Engerrand said. Engerrand said that Coast Guard investigators didn't need a warrant to search Brian and Lynette Hooker's sailboat since it's American-flagged. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "They have a specific federal statute for that, and the courts have upheld that, with just a few limitations and so the Coast Guard can conduct a complete investigation with respect to the boat and activity that occurred on the boat under that statute that's valid until they get to the point where they are doing a focused criminal investigation. They don't need a warrant for any of that and once they get to the point of focusing on him, all they need is reasonable suspicion," he said. "They don't even have to have a warrant then to do investigation in connection with activity on a vessel that is an American flagged vessel." DAUGHTER OF MISSING AMERICAN IN BAHAMAS SAYS BRIAN HOOKER USING MOTHER'S ILLNESS AS 'EXCUSE' TO LEAVE COUNTRY Brian Hooker was detained for five days by Bahamian police after his wife disappeared, but wasn't charged. His Michigan-based attorney previously asked Americans to give him the benefit of the doubt. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "I would ask those watching to treat him the way you would want to be treated, to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to consider that not all of us, nor you, considering your own relationships, the way you speak to one another, we all handle things in different ways," Crystal Marie Hauser said. Brian Hooker left the island for the U.S. to tend to his "very ill" mother, his Bahamian attorney previously said. After Lynette Hooker went missing, Brian said in a Facebook post that he was "heartbroken." "I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas," he wrote. "Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a25fa200899a00eb33d6 Top 4 explosive moments from CIA whistleblower's testimony on alleged COVID-19 lab leak cover-up te 2026-05-14T10:22:23.073Z Top 4 explosive moments from CIA whistleblower's testimony on alleged COVID-19 lab leak cover-up CIA whistleblower James Erdman III testified that the Biden administration buried analysis concluding a lab leak was the most likely origin of the COVID-19 pandemic in an explosive hearing on Wednesday. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Erdman, a two-decade CIA veteran, chose to testify on the alleged cover-up at "great personal risk" because "government secrecy cannot become government impunity."  Paul’s oversight panel had subpoenaed Erdman’s testimony and previously interviewed him in a classified setting. Erdman worked in a joint role with the Director of National Intelligence’s Director’s Initiatives Group (DIG) to investigate COVID origins over the past year. "According to his testimony, CIA scientific analysts concluded multiple times between 2021 and 2023 that a lab leak was the most likely origin of COVID-19," Paul said in his opening statement. "Yet those conclusions never shaped the official narrative, never made the intelligence report. Congress was never told." WHO IS JAMES ERDMAN III? CIA WHISTLEBLOWER WHO WENT FROM COVID MANDATE FIGHTS TO SENATE SPOTLIGHT "It was not until after the 2024 election that the outgoing Biden administration directed the CIA to issue an assessment, not because of new intelligence, but so officials could walk out of the door claiming there was nothing left to find," the Kentucky Republican added. "That is not analysis. That is a cleanup operation." Erdman publicly testified before the panel despite fierce opposition from the CIA, which called the COVID origins hearing "political theater." Paul’s committee, according to CIA spokeswoman Liz Lyons, "acted in bad faith by subpoenaing an agency officer for testimony today without notifying CIA, despite having already obtained closed-door testimony from the individual previously. "The witness testifying today is not appearing as a whistleblower in pursuit of the truth, but instead in response to the subpoena issued by Chairman Paul," Lyons added in a statement.  Carol Thompson, Erdman’s attorney, told reporters Wednesday that her client was concerned about retaliation by the CIA, but declined to comment further. Following Erdman’s testimony, several GOP lawmakers called for former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci to face criminal prosecution for allegedly seeking to suppress the origins of COVID-19.  "It was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci, injecting himself into the IC [intelligence community]," Erdman said when asked by Paul whether the CIA downplayed the likelihood that COVID-19 emerged from a lab leak. "We just heard testimony that he intervened behind the scenes to try and get our own intelligence agency, CIA, FBI to change their assessment of the lab leak," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Fox News. "Why? Because he helped fund the Wuhan lab. He supported and funded gain-of-function research, and then he tried to cover it up, and then he worked to cover it up from the American people." "I hope he’s indicted," Hawley added. The hearing on Wednesday came after a statute of limitations deadline for Fauci to face criminal charges regarding that testimony passed earlier this week. "Whether the DOJ decides to charge Fauci or not, I’m not letting up," Paul wrote on social media Monday. 'HELD ACCOUNTABLE': SEN. RAND PAUL AGAIN VOWS TO ISSUE A CRIMINAL REFERRAL FOR FAUCI Paul has long called for Fauci to be indicted for allegedly lying to Congress about gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China, linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci has vigorously denied the allegations. "I've sent several criminal referrals on Anthony Fauci to the Justice Department," Paul said Wednesday. "And I hope they will be pursued at this time." Former President Joe Biden notably issued an unprecedented preemptive pardon to Fauci with just hours left in his term. President Donald Trump has declared that pardon null and void because it was signed via autopen, but his administration has yet to make that argument in court. Dr. David Morens, a former senior advisor to Fauci, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month for allegedly concealing the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. A handful of Republicans who have long pushed for answers on the pandemic’s origins excoriated the CIA for characterizing the hearing as politically motivated and aiming to undermine the president. "This proceeding amounts to nothing more than dishonest political theater masquerading as a congressional hearing," CIA spokeswoman Lyons said in a statement preceding the hearing. "As the CIA has already assessed, COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak, and efforts to undermine that conclusion are disingenuous." The agency’s scathing statement was a notable display of Republican infighting between the Trump administration and the GOP-controlled Senate. "This is not political theater," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said in a fiery response to CIA spokeswoman Lyons. "I have years and years and years of built-up frustration of agencies like the CIA, Department of Justice, the FBI, HHS snubbing our oversight, giving us the big middle finger." HOUSE REPUBLICANS ACCUSE BIDEN'S FBI OF RETALIATING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWER WHO EXPOSED MISCONDUCT Paul also objected to the CIA’s objections to Erdman testifying in a public hearing, stating, "Closed-door testimony doesn't provide oversight. Public testimony provides oversight." Senate Republicans on the influential committee blasted their Democratic colleagues for not taking the time to listen to Erdman’s testimony. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the panel’s top-ranking Democrat, and the six other Democratic lawmakers on the committee did not attend Wednesday’s hearing.  "Nothing shocks me anymore with our colleagues from the other side of the aisle, but I'm shocked that not one of them showed up here," Johnson told Erdman. "This is serious oversight work," he added. "This is what the American people need to see. And I just wish our Democrat colleagues had any level of curiosity about what's happening inside the deep state." Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, argued that Democrats intentionally chose to skip the hearing so they would not have to reckon with policy mistakes made during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This isn't about politics, but somehow it's become about politics because the Democrats don't even want to hear the conversation about what obviously was a grave error that this country made during COVID," he said during the hearing. "There's never been a situation, certainly not in my lifetime, where you had decisions made that affected generations of Americans, kids that were absolutely deprived of their childhood, businesses that were destroyed, families that were torn apart, memories that you'll never get back, trillions of dollars of economic loss." GOP SAYS DEMS ADMIT ‘GUILT’ IN BIDEN HEALTH COVER-UP BY BOYCOTTING SENATE HEARING ON ‘CONSTITUTIONAL SCANDAL’ Erdman also alleged the CIA intentionally put up roadblocks to stifle his group’s investigation into COVID origins while spying on and retaliating against whistleblowers. "The CIA did not comply with lawful oversight during the DIG's investigation," Erdman told lawmakers. "The CIA refused to provide information necessary to understand why analytic standards at the CIA were violated." Erdman claimed the CIA illegally spied on DIG personnel and their communications with whistleblowers. "These were Americans being spied upon illegally while executing duties directed by the president and under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence," Erdman continued. The alleged retribution led to the agency firing one contractor who cooperated with investigators, Erdman said Wednesday.  Thompson, Erdman’s attorney, said she hoped her client’s testimony would encourage more whistleblowers to come forward and shed light on the CIA allegedly obstructing investigators. "There has been obstruction by those intelligence agencies, precluding those individuals from being able to conduct the investigation," Thompson, Erdman’s attorney, told reporters.  "We have basically a systematic effort to violate the laws of Congress, to lie to the American people, to mislead the American people. And it's still going on," Hawley told reporters on Wednesday. "If you've got people who will just not follow the laws of Congress and lie openly to the American people, I don't know how you can hope to preserve our country." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a24ba200899a00eb33cd Trump pledges to raise detained pastor's case with Xi Jinping during Beijing visit as family pleads for help te 2026-05-14T10:22:03.592Z Trump pledges to raise detained pastor's case with Xi Jinping during Beijing visit as family pleads for help Five weeks before the birth of her third child, Grace Drexel sat in Washington speaking about her father, the grandfather her children barely know, and the hope that President Donald Trump might help bring him home. Her father, Pastor Ezra Jin, has spent the past seven months detained in China alongside dozens of other Christian leaders in what advocates describe as one of the largest crackdowns on an underground Protestant church in recent years. Now, as Trump visits Beijing for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Drexel says her family is clinging to a rare moment of hope after Trump publicly pledged to raise Pastor Jin’s imprisonment directly with Xi. PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST PUT AMERICAN HOSTAGES FIRST IN HIGH-STAKES BEIJING SUMMIT "I’ll bring it up," Trump told a reporter when asked whether he planned to discuss the detained pastor during the trip. "It’s such a tremendous honor," Drexel told Fox News Digital. "To have one of the most powerful men in the world know my father by name and mention his case to General Secretary Xi Jinping." White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital, "There is no greater champion for religious freedom around the world than President Trump." For Drexel, this could end years of suffering. Her family has been separated for almost a decade — her mother and younger brothers fled China in 2018 after authorities shut down Zion Church’s physical sanctuary in Beijing, fearing they could become collateral targets in the growing crackdown on Christians. Pastor Jin chose to stay behind with his community. "My father actually had many opportunities to apply for a green card," Drexel said. "He felt the calling for China." Drexel herself has not seen her father in person since 2020. CHINA FORMALLY ARRESTS 18 LEADERS OF UNDERGROUND ZION CHURCH AMID RELIGIOUS CRACKDOWN Now pregnant with her third child, she says all she wants is for her father to finally reunite with his family. "We would really, really love for our children to also experience and learn from their Grandpa," she said. Drexel described her father not as a political dissident, but as a pastor whose only mission was to remain faithful to Christianity outside Communist Party control. "My father is a pastor in China and like Christians everywhere, he believed that the church should only have one God and serve one God," she told Fox News Digital. She described Zion Church as independent from government oversight and deeply rooted in Scripture and community service. REPORT DETAILS RISING PRESSURE ON UNDERGROUND CATHOLICS AS CHINA DENIES CRACKDOWN "We helped with the society and the community around us, love our neighbors, and to love God," she said. But beyond the role of pastor, Drexel says she simply knew her father as a gentle man devoted to those around him. "Ultimately, I know my father as just a very gentle and kind man," she said. "He is not very confrontational generally. He just loved everyone around him." "He never even criticized anyone, including his children, much as we were growing up," she added. Drexel tearfully said that relatives learned that her father had been handcuffed, his head shaved, and that he was struggling to receive medication while in detention. "And this kind and gentle man is now in prison," she said. "All because he was just leading a church." The crackdown against Zion Church began years before Pastor Jin’s arrest. According to Drexel, the pressure intensified around 2016 and 2017 after Xi Jinping rewrote China’s religious regulations and formally advanced the policy known as the "Sinicization" of religion, an effort critics say forces religious groups to align with Communist Party ideology. Around that time, Zion Church became one of many churches targeted by the authorities. Initially, Drexel says government officials demanded the church install facial-recognition cameras inside the sanctuary to monitor worshipers. TRUMP CHAMPIONS JESUS' 'MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION' IN PALM SUNDAY MESSAGE VOWING TO 'DEFEND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH' "We told them all our services are public. You can come and view anytime," she said. "But we didn’t feel that we wanted to put an extra amount of surveillance or control on our congregation." After the church refused, Drexel says authorities installed surveillance cameras in the building’s lobby instead and began systematically targeting church members. "Each and every member who came on Sunday [was] being harassed," she said. Some worshipers lost jobs, others were forced out of apartments, while some families were threatened through their children’s education and even their parents’ retirement benefits. "It was all possible under the Chinese Communist Party if they wanted you to stop doing something," she said. Authorities eventually confiscated the church’s property and shut down its physical worship space. Pastor Jin then moved services online and into smaller home gatherings, which led authorities to later accuse church leaders of the "illegal use of information networks" because of those online and decentralized worship activities. But she says her father’s case is only one piece of a much larger crackdown unfolding across China. CRUZ LEADS SENATE PUSH TO HOLD CHINA ACCOUNTABLE FOR BEIJING CHURCH CRACKDOWN "There are so many pastors and church leaders and churches being persecuted in China actively today," she added. "We know that there are hundreds of pastors that are currently in prison or are in detention." "This is a very critical period in China," Drexel said. "And it’s very disheartening and very scary for many Christians in China." The broader persecution campaign against Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners is also documented in "China’s War on Faith," the recently released book by former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback. Brownback profiles believers imprisoned, tortured, and surveilled for practicing religion outside state-approved institutions and argues that the Chinese Communist Party increasingly sees independent faith itself as a threat to Party authority. For Drexel, Trump’s decision to publicly mention her father’s name represents more than diplomacy. "We hope that as the two leaders are meeting together that they will both have a softening of the hearts and will release my father and allow him to come to the U.S.," she said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said the Chinese government protects "freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law" and argued that people of all ethnic groups in China enjoy religious freedom. Liu pointed to official figures showing nearly 200 million religious believers in China, along with more than 380,000 clerical personnel, approximately 5,500 religious groups and more than 140,000 registered places of worship. Liu said Beijing regulates religious affairs involving "national interests and the public interest" while opposing what it describes as illegal or criminal activities carried out under the guise of religion. He also accused foreign countries and media outlets of interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom and urged journalists to "respect the facts" and stop what he described as "attacking and smearing" China’s religious policies and religious freedom record. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a237a200899a00eb33c4 Food cravings at 3:45 pm aren't random, here's what your body may be warning you about te 2026-05-14T10:21:43.933Z Food cravings at 3:45 pm aren't random, here's what your body may be warning you about That mid-afternoon urge to reach for something salty or sweet isn't just a lack of willpower — it's something many Americans experience every day. Surveys have found that people report an average of two cravings daily, with urges peaking at about 3:45 p.m. There are a few reasons why, health experts told Fox News Digital. 6 HEALTHY FOODS THAT COULD SECRETLY SPIKE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR, AND WHAT TO EAT INSTEAD "Most of us can relate to the afternoon crash or slump, and it's tied to a couple of key factors," North Carolina-based science communication consultant Megan Meyer, Ph.D., told Fox News Digital. A light lunch, or skipping one altogether, can lead to a spike and drop in blood sugar, Meyer said, which "signals to the brain to seek out food — usually salty or sweet snacks — to stabilize blood sugar." Add in a natural dip in circadian rhythm and widespread sleep deprivation — both linked to increased cravings for high-calorie foods — and the late-afternoon snack attack starts to make sense, she said. But cravings aren't just about biology. THE WORST FOODS TO BUY IN THE SUPERMARKET AND THE BETTER CHOICES INSTEAD "Food is so inherently personal and tied to experiences and emotion," Meyer said. Stress, routines and even what's within arm's reach can shape what — and how often — we crave. "I've also noticed that my environment really shapes my eating patterns," she said. "If I am surrounded by less healthy food options, I often crave those foods. When I remove them, those cravings tend to go away." Rather than viewing cravings as something to fight, they can be useful signals, South Carolina-based registered dietitian nutritionist Lauren Manaker told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "Cravings are a natural part of how our bodies communicate with us, often signaling a need for energy, comfort or specific nutrients," Manaker said. "Rather than resisting them entirely, it's helpful to approach cravings with balance and acknowledge them without judgment." Instead, planning "satisfying, nutrient-dense meals and snacks throughout the day can help reduce the intensity of cravings, especially during that mid-afternoon slump," Manaker said. Still, modern food culture can complicate things. "There's a lot of unhealthy expectations around food," Meyer noted, pointing to the pressure of social media and so-called "influencer-worthy" meals. A healthier approach is less about perfection and more about awareness. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Remember, honoring your hunger in a mindful way is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship with food," Manaker said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a224a200899a00eb33bb Trump pick Julia Letlow fires back at Cassidy by claiming her past DEI work was hijacked by left te 2026-05-14T10:21:24.382Z Trump pick Julia Letlow fires back at Cassidy by claiming her past DEI work was hijacked by left Louisiana Republican Senate candidate Rep. Julia Letlow is striking back against an attack campaign from incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy highlighting her past involvement with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Letlow is challenging Cassidy in the upcoming U.S. Senate primary. She joined the "Fox News Rundown" podcast to defend her record, arguing that DEI programs she once oversaw were "hijack[ed]" by the political left and turned into "Marxism." "DEI six years ago was introduced in higher education as something that could be a tool to encourage students, staff, faculty to work hard and go achieve the American dream," Letlow told Fox News Radio’s Jessica Rosenthal. "I quickly witnessed the left completely hijack any of those efforts and turn it into indoctrination of our students, Marxism, holding people down instead of lifting them up," she added. EXCLUSIVE: UNEARTHED VIDEOS EXPOSE HOW TRUMP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE CHAMPIONED DEI IN UNIVERSITY HIRING PROCESS Ads supporting Cassidy highlight Letlow’s past comments from 2020 in which she advocated for diversity initiatives and described herself as a "progressive" leader. Letlow formerly worked in higher education, and her campaign website notes she is "committed to fighting for a brighter future for children and future generations." In a 2020 video from Letlow's hiring process while she was interviewing to be the president of the University of Louisiana Monroe, Letlow called the school’s record on faculty gender diversity "shameful," praised DEI efforts around the country and said she wanted to open the school's first DEI division. Letlow said the DEI issue is more complex than the ads suggest, arguing it was initially presented as a tool for student success but later was distorted into something she opposes. "Once I witnessed that firsthand because I was in education, I spent the last five years in Congress fighting against it," she said. TRUMP ENDORSEMENT ROCKS LOUISIANA SENATE RACE AS LETLOW POISED TO JUMP IN "That's why I authored the Parents' Bill of Rights to root out DEI in our K-12 programs. That's why I supported the End Woke and Higher Education Act in Congress. And it's why I've voted continuously to get DEI out of our military and out of our academies, while Sen. Cassidy voted time and time again to entrench it even further," she added. The primary race has drawn attention from President Donald Trump, who has criticized Cassidy since the senator’s 2021 vote to convict him in his Senate impeachment trial. Trump endorsed Letlow earlier this year. DETRANSITIONER CHLOE COLE CANCELS UW SPEECH AFTER ALLEGED ANTIFA THREATS Letlow, who won a 2021 special election following the death of her husband, says her Senate bid is aimed at protecting the "America First" agenda. Cassidy pushed back on her challenge, pointing to his conservative record. "Congresswoman Letlow called me this morning to say she was running. She said she respected me and that I had done a good job," Cassidy said in a statement. "I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election. I am a conservative who wakes up every morning thinking about how to make Louisiana and the United States a better place to live." Fox News Digital's Alec Schemmel contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a210a200899a00eb33b2 Burchett tells ‘Ruthless’ more UFO videos to come te 2026-05-14T10:21:04.737Z Burchett tells ‘Ruthless’ more UFO videos to come In an exclusive interview with the Ruthless Podcast, Representative Tim Burchett says that more Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) videos will be released.  "There are 30 or 40 videos that we need to see that we know that they have that we have not seen that are much clearer," Burchett said in the interview released Thursday morning. "And we don’t know what we don’t know. I've been told by some pretty high-ranking people that there are some." The East Tennessee congressman joined Ruthless days after the Department of War began releasing files on UFOs. In February, President Trump committed to releasing information on alien, extraterrestrial life, and UFOs.  Burchett noted that many of his colleagues in Congress and across the government are scared to discuss the matter publicly. REP TIM BURCHETT CONVINCED THAT ALIENS EXIST, SAYS HE'S 'SEEN TOO MUCH' IN GOVERNMENT BRIEFINGS "I’ve talked to Members of Congress [who said], ‘hey, man, I don’t want to come forward and talk about this,’" Burchett said. "I was in this branch of the service or whatever, I was on night watch and this thing, and he said it was just unbelievable, and I hear that over and over and again," he continued. Podcast co-host Josh Holmes appreciated Burchett’s honesty and approach to politics, even if he was skeptical. "We enjoy your sense of humor and your interest in just the idea of exploring things, regardless of where the politics lead," Holmes told Burchett. 'RUTHLESS’ LAUNCHES CANDIDATE INTERVIEW SERIES TO HELP EDUCATE VOTERS AHEAD OF CRITICAL MIDTERM ELECTIONS Burchett appeared on Ruthless as a part of the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series, an ongoing initiative to interview major candidates across the country. The hosts have already interviewed candidates in 15 states, with more scheduled ahead of the November midterms.  Burchett, who told Fox News last summer that he would be interested in filling Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat should she win the gubernatorial race. When asked by co-host John Ashbrook if that was still the case and if he was looking to give East Tennessee more of a voice in Washington, Burchett replied that he would be interested in serving in the Senate. REPUBLICAN SEN. MARSHA BLACKBURN EYES GUBERNATORIAL BID: REPORT "I will not be the guy that says, well, I’m going to form a study committee, and we’re going to talk about it down to Chamber of Commerce, and I’m going to have a round table: heck, no," Burchett responded. "I would love to fight it out in the United States Senate. I would do that. Yeah. And I would relish that fight." Voters in Tennessee will head to the polls for the congressional primary election on August 6th. Following a recent Supreme Court decision, Governor Bill Lee and Republicans in the state legislature have successfully passed a new congressional map, likely flipping Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen’s Memphis-area seat to the GOP. Should that seat change party control, Tennessee’s delegation would consist of nine Republicans and zero Democrats.   The general election will take place on November 3rd. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05a1fda200899a00eb33a9 Sparks' Cameron Brink fires off explicit outburst after blocking Caitlin Clark's shot te 2026-05-14T10:20:45.283Z Sparks' Cameron Brink fires off explicit outburst after blocking Caitlin Clark's shot Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink got one over on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during their matchup on Wednesday night. Clark was driving to the lane and going up for a layup when the 6-foot-4 Sparks player swatted the ball away. She had an explicit outburst after the block. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Get that f---ing s--- outta here," Brink yelled. The play occurred early in the game as the Fever held a two-point lead. Clark and Indiana would get the last laugh and later finished off the win, 87-78. Brink, who played 19 minutes off the bench, had 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks in the loss. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Clark had 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, and nine assists. She received a technical foul at halftime for arguing with a referee as she walked back to the locker room. Kelsey Mitchell had 23 points for the Fever. Sophie Cunningham had 12 points and seven rebounds. Clark, Mitchell and Cunningham were the lone Indiana players in double figures. Kelsey Plum led Los Angeles with 25 points and four assists. Dearica Hamby had 16 points and eight rebounds while Nneka Ogwumike and Rae Burrell each had 10 points. The Fever’s win over the Sparks was their first of the season. The Sparks have yet to find their first win. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0593d7a200899a00eb30a2 Prospect of Alex Murdaugh Retrial Puts Rural South Carolina Back in Spotlight te 2026-05-14T09:20:23.889Z Prospect of Alex Murdaugh Retrial Puts Rural South Carolina Back in Spotlight The State Supreme Court cited a local court clerk in reversing the result of one of the most-watched murder trials of the last decade. It has raised painful memories in the state’s Lowcountry region. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05925aa200899a00eb3034 What the Founding Fathers would tell AOC about the American Revolution te 2026-05-14T09:14:02.337Z What the Founding Fathers would tell AOC about the American Revolution To be sure, hubris, ignorance, and intolerance are often the coins of the realm of the far left. A chilling example of that reality was recently on display at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics where former Obama advisor David Axelrod was interviewing potential Democratic presidential candidate Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It was there that AOC proved her massive ignorance and building bias by laughable claiming: "The American Revolution was against the billionaires of their time, and we are declaring independence from such an extreme marriage of wealth and the state…" If possible, our Founding Fathers would have told AOC many things. The first two being to "crack a history book" and "try to claw back your tuition money from Boston University." Make no mistake. There is a very real chance that Rep Ocasio-Cortez could be the Democratic nominee for President come 2028. To that point, a recent headline in The Hill stated: "Ocasio-Cortez doesn’t deny 2028 speculation: ‘My ambition is to change this country.’" AOC TRIPLES DOWN, CLAIMS AMERICAN REVOLUTION WAS AGAINST 'THE BILLIONAIRES OF THEIR TIME' Republicans and all who cherish the liberty and freedoms bestowed upon us by our Founding Fathers would be wise to take her blinding ambition seriously. As AOC stated during that same interview with Axelrod, she tailors her politics to "meet the moment." She then stressed in part: "…I make my response less to an attachment to some positional, like title or position, and working backwards from there, but I make decisions by waking up in the morning, looking out the window and observing the conditions of this country and saying, ‘What move or what decision can I make today that is going to get us closer to that future, stronger, faster, better than yesterday?’" Some would surely translate that to read: "Who and what can I smear and tear down today that will enhance my personal powerbase for tomorrow?" Like many on the far left, AOC has made it perfectly clear time and again that the Founding Fathers of our nation must be vilified, dishonored, and cancelled to further the cause of destroying the nation they created from within in order to substitute a draconian and liberty-robbing system of socialism and communism. During this, the 250th anniversary of the creation of our nation via the genius, courage, and great sacrifice of those men, those who believe in them and the Republic they created, must pause to ask themselves how much longer the nation envisioned by our Founding Fathers will survive if AOC and her fellow leftists force their beliefs into every level of our government? Four years ago, that very question was center-most in my mind. It was for that reason that I wrote a book titled: "The 56 – Liberty Lessons from those who risked all to sign The Declaration of Independence." The only reason I wrote that book was to protect those men and our shared American history from the smears and cancellation of the far left. Smears meant to tear-down our nation from within. To be sure, when AOC declared: "The American Revolution was against the billionaires of their time, and we are declaring independence from such an extreme marriage of wealth and the state…" many automatically assumed that because of ignorance she had no idea that the real reason for the American Revolution was a rebellion against the British government over unfair taxation without representation and totalitarian control. Said U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah): "No, AOC, the American Revolution was NOT ‘against the billionaires of their time. It was against a large, distant, overly intrusive government that recognized no limits over its own authority to tax, regulate, and eat out the substance of the citizens it claimed to serve." Added U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas): "If a 9th grader writes this on her history test, she gets an F. It was literally a revolution against oppressive GOVERNMENT…the very thing @aoc wants to inflict on all of us. And the Revolution was financed by American free enterprise…the billionaires’ of that time." Cruz is correct. Many of the signers of The Declaration of Independence would have been considered "Billionaires" today. Something AOC should have known. DAVID MARCUS: GEN X KNOWS THE ONLY FORCE THAT CAN DEFEAT VIOLENT LEFTIST PROTEST CULTURE But then, if our Founding Fathers could have spoken to us today, they may have desperately stressed: "What if Rep. Ocasio actually knows that history but, along with her far left collaborators in the media, academia, and in the private sector is simply using yet another platform to rewrite American history to further her socialist and communist seeking agenda?" CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION I have stressed often that over the course of the last five decades, the left and far left have gained a vice-like grip on what I call the "five major megaphones" of our nation. Those being the media, academia, entertainment, science and medicine. With that control comes unrivaled power. AOC certainly knows that if you tell a lie often enough without correction from those megaphones, it can become a "reality" for tens of millions of duped Americans. Is Rep. Ocasio-Cortez really ignorant of our American History or cleverly and incessantly trying to rewrite it? As we contemplate the answer to that critically important question, I leave you with this 1787 quote from Benjamin Franklin: "A Republic, if you can keep it." There is no doubt that the far left seeks to destroy that "Republic" from within. To do so, they must tear down our Founding Fathers and rewrite our history. On this, the 250th Anniversary year of our nation, keep in mind that if they succeed, our "Republic" will not survive twenty-five more years. Let all who believe in the vision of our Founding Fathers band together to "keep it." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DOUGLAS MACKINNON Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a059246a200899a00eb302b New 9/11 Museum exhibit aims to connect younger Americans to the attacks through powerful artifacts te 2026-05-14T09:13:42.443Z New 9/11 Museum exhibit aims to connect younger Americans to the attacks through powerful artifacts A new exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial Museum is keeping the memory of that day and its aftermath alive, even for those who didn’t live through it, as the museum highlights 15 years since the raid that killed Usama bin Laden. "A third of the U.S. population has been born since then, so it’s not just kids," Jay Weinkam, executive vice president of government and community affairs at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, told Fox News Digital. "It is 25 years later, and it’s our teachers, our first responders, men and women in our military forces, educating them on what happened and what the response was." "Our Flag Was Still There" showcases flags related to 9/11 as the nation marks 25 years since the 2001 terrorist attacks and celebrates its 250th anniversary. The history-altering terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. FOX NATION, TUNNELS TO TOWERS EXPLORES HOW AMERICA’S PASTIME HELPED A GRIEVING NEW YORK HEAL AFTER 9/11 But many Americans are too young to remember. "It hit me pretty hard when I realized all of the kids there weren’t even alive during 9/11," Will Chesney, a retired SEAL Team operator and dog handler, told Fox News. "As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we realize how many people aren’t old enough to remember it," Elizabeth L. Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, told Fox News. The exhibit, which can be found in the museum’s Foundation Hall, features flags with stories from first responders, veterans and Americans who lived through it, along with artifacts and photos spotlighting the American flag. Marking 15 years since Usama bin Laden was killed in Operation Neptune Spear, a flag now on display was once tucked into a lead Chinook pilot’s flight gear. After returning to base, he wrote "5/1/11 Geronimo ‘NS’" on the pole base to signal the mission’s success. Chesney said former President Barack Obama's 2011 announcement that the mission had ended signaled a turning point. CHRIS WALLACE DISCUSSES HIS NEW BOOK 'COUNTDOWN BIN LADEN' AHEAD OF TV SPECIAL "Seeing America just so excited and unified and coming back together, that might’ve been one of the best parts of the whole night, was seeing that on the news," he said. "I just, I really wish it would’ve lasted longer." The museum hopes its exhibit can keep that same sense of unity. "The flag was a source of strength, resilience and hope… people should have pride and remember how we responded," Weinkam said. "Obviously, learn about what happened, but have some pride in how we came together." "They remind us how people can come together across the lines that divide us in service of a common cause, and that service inspired by unity is another big theme we can remember from 9/11," Hillman added. The exhibit includes the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, the flag draped over the Pentagon by soldiers and firefighters and a flag raised over the last column of the South Tower. Weinkam educators will be crucial to carry on the memory and the 9/11 Memorial Museum has placed an emphasis on programs that help teachers in classrooms across the country educate students on what occurred on that consequential day. LET'S TEACH OUR KIDS WHY AMERICA IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR Future police officers and firefighters can also use the exhibit to learn how their departments helped, Weinkam said. "We do a lot of training with federal agencies for new recruits," he said. "Every NYPD cadet and every FDNY probie [probationer] is required to come here as part of training to learn how their department responded on 9/11." He said honoring 9/11 heroes is more important than ever for younger generations. "With fewer and fewer people in those leadership positions back then or even with those forces, it’s important to remind those coming up of what happened and what could happen again," he said. Hillman also hopes the exhibit can help young people emotionally connect to what happened. "The museum can connect people to the events of that day in a really powerful way, and having artifacts from the important historical events before, on 9/11, and after 9/11, like Operation Neptune Spear, is a great way to connect our visitors to the stories of 9/11," she said. Personal artifacts may be the key, she said. "When we see the spaces, when we see the material, the artifacts, the models, the axe that a firefighter carried, those sorts of real experiences, material experiences, and firsthand experiences with eyewitnesses, they help move people to understand and appreciate what came before," she said. Retired U.S. Navy four-star Adm. William H. McRaven told Fox News that even in the worst moments, people come together, and that is something worth remembering. "It really showcased the American spirit," McRaven said. "It showed that in our most dire moments, we can come together, unify and get the job done. But as you point out with the fire truck behind us and this incredible museum and memorial we’re in, this is about making sure we never forget," he said. The exhibit will remain open to the public through February 2028. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a059232a200899a00eb3022 What Xi wants from Trump as Beijing seeks leverage in high-stakes summit te 2026-05-14T09:13:22.597Z What Xi wants from Trump as Beijing seeks leverage in high-stakes summit President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a moment when both Washington and Beijing are trying to stabilize one of the world’s most consequential rivalries without giving ground on deeper strategic disputes. The two-day visit marks Trump’s first trip to China since 2017 and comes amid mounting tensions over trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the fallout from the war with Iran. While the White House is framing the summit as an opportunity for new economic agreements and "rebalancing" the U.S.–China relationship, analysts say Beijing’s priorities are far broader and more long-term. "Trump arrives seeking headline deals and visible momentum ahead of the midterms," wrote Zongyuan Zoe Liu, senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Xi is playing a longer game, focused on strategic patience rather than substantive compromise." TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH Topics expected to be discussed during the summit include trade, aerospace, agriculture and energy agreements, and the creation of a U.S.–China Board of Trade and Board of Investment, according to the White House.  White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump’s goal is to "deliver more good deals on behalf of our country" while safeguarding U.S. national security. Trump participated in a welcome ceremony and bilateral meeting with Xi Thursday morning local time in Beijing, followed by a tour of the Temple of Heaven alongside the Chinese leader and a state banquet later.  Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said Beijing views the summit as an opportunity to stabilize ties between the world’s two largest economies.  "Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China–U.S. relations," Liu said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We welcome President Trump’s state visit to China. China stands ready to work with the U.S. to expand cooperation and manage differences in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and provide more stability and certainty for a transforming and volatile world." For Xi, analysts say, the top priority likely is avoiding further escalation with Washington while buying time for China’s slowing economy, as it continues to struggle with weak domestic demand, deflationary pressure and industrial overcapacity.  A recent report by the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission warned that Beijing is doubling down on state-led industrial policy despite mounting structural weaknesses in the Chinese economy. The commission said China is increasingly operating a "two-speed" economy, where much of the broader economy stagnates while sectors prioritized by the Chinese Communist Party receive massive state support and continue expanding beyond market demand. The report also warned of a new "China Shock 2.0," arguing Beijing’s excess industrial capacity and record trade surplus are disrupting global markets while increasing foreign dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains in sectors ranging from batteries and pharmaceuticals to semiconductors and artificial intelligence. "Chinese policy seeks simultaneously to reduce China’s reliance on foreign technology while increasing the world’s dependence on China," the commission noted in its findings. TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA At the same time, Xi is entering the talks with leverage stemming from the ongoing Iran crisis and global energy disruptions. Trump has faced growing domestic pressure over rising energy prices tied to instability in the Middle East and shipping threats near the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing, meanwhile, remains one of Iran’s largest oil customers and maintains political ties with Tehran. Susan Thornton, former acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs during Trump’s first term, said during a recent Stanford University Asia-Pacific Research Center interview that expectations for major breakthroughs should remain low despite the summit’s symbolism. "The primary value lies in the act of meeting itself," Thornton said. She suggested Beijing may see a strategic advantage in America’s renewed focus on the Middle East. While China has made nominal peace proposals, it has not stepped up as a mediator. "It seems like they are kind of hanging back and waiting to see what will happen," Thornton said, arguing that from Beijing’s perspective, a U.S. entanglement in the Middle East may serve as a useful distraction, diverting Washington’s attention and pressure away from China. One area where the two sides could announce tangible progress is agriculture.  The White House is pushing Beijing for expanded purchases of U.S. farm products ahead of the summit, according to a Reuters report published Tuesday, particularly soybeans and grains.  But traders and analysts told Reuters that China’s appetite for major new soybean commitments may be limited due to weak domestic demand and cheaper alternatives from Brazil. Instead, markets are watching for potential agreements involving corn, sorghum, wheat, beef and poultry, sectors viewed as less politically contentious in the broader U.S.–China relationship.  More than a dozen U.S. business executives, including leaders from agricultural giant Cargill, are accompanying Trump during the visit. PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST PUT AMERICAN HOSTAGES FIRST IN HIGH-STAKES BEIJING SUMMIT Despite the focus on trade and geopolitical tensions, survivors of China’s religious persecution are urging the administration not to sideline Beijing’s crackdown on religious groups and dissidents. Ahead of the summit, Trump publicly pledged to raise the case of imprisoned Chinese pastor Ezra Jin following advocacy efforts by his daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, who has accused Beijing of persecuting Christians. Former U.S. officials told Fox News Digital they are skeptical human rights concerns will play a central role during a summit primarily focused on lowering tensions and stabilizing economic ties between the two powers. Taiwan and technology restrictions are also expected to loom over the talks. Beijing continues to oppose U.S. arms sales and support for Taiwan, while Washington has tightened export controls targeting China’s advanced semiconductor and AI sectors. Still, despite the escalating rivalry, neither Washington nor Beijing appears eager for a direct confrontation. For Trump, the summit offers an opportunity to showcase economic wins and diplomatic engagement ahead of the 2026 midterms.  For Xi, analysts say, the goal is far more measured: preserve stability, avoid confrontation and continue positioning China for a prolonged strategic competition with the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05921fa200899a00eb3019 JONATHAN TURLEY: AOC's war on billionaires twists America's birth into a socialist myth te 2026-05-14T09:13:03.086Z JONATHAN TURLEY: AOC's war on billionaires twists America's birth into a socialist myth Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is fast becoming the greatest fabulist since Aesop. Recently, Ocasio-Cortez insisted that true billionaires are a capitalist myth since "you can’t earn a billion dollars." However, her greatest work of fiction may be her insistence that the Framers fought against billionaires and would have joined her and other socialists in seeking to eradicate them today. Bertrand Russell once noted that "there is something feeble and a little contemptible" about those "who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths." The American left has long peddled such "comfortable myths" as the wealthy "not paying their fair share" of taxes. The top 1% of income earners pay over 40% of federal taxes, and that percentage goes up to 70% for the top 10%. AOC DOUBLES DOWN ON ‘MYTH’ OF EARNING A BILLION DOLLARS, CLAIMS FORTUNES ARE BUILT ON ‘ABUSE’ However, Ocasio-Cortez has become a liberal Homer for her reputation for spinning collectivist tales. What is impressive is her myth-within-a-myth signature style: "You can’t earn that, right? And so you have to create a myth … you have to create a myth of earning it." In a discussion at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, Ocasio-Cortez gave her revisionist account of the Founders as, surprise, budding anti-capitalists: "I want to talk about how this is in the heritage of our country, because America was founded … you look at Thomas Jefferson writing to Madison in revolt of British aristocracy. The American Revolution was against the billionaires of their time. And we are declaring independence from such an extreme marriage of wealth and power and the state that the voices of everyday people did not exist." AOC TRIPLES DOWN, CLAIMS AMERICAN REVOLUTION WAS AGAINST 'THE BILLIONAIRES OF THEIR TIME' In my recent book, "Rage and the Republic," I discuss the economic philosophy of the Founders in exploring the history and future of this unique republic. While Ocasio-Cortez references our 250th anniversary, she ignores that it is also the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s "The Wealth of Nations." Smith’s free-market theory was an instant hit with the founding generation. These men had just created the first major Enlightenment Revolution based on a belief in natural rights that came from God, not governments. Yet, they knew that true individual liberty could not be achieved without economic freedom. Smith’s economic theory was the perfect companion for their political theory. PROTECTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN OUR 250TH YEAR The combination of American democratic theories and free-market theories produced the world’s most successful and oldest democracy in history. In "Rage and the Republic," I discuss the threats to this republic, including from figures like Ocasio-Cortez, who spread socialist myths. The book calls for a recommitment to what I call a "liberty-enhancing economy." That is why this particular myth told by Ocasio-Cortez was so jarring. The Founders were great believers in capitalism and the free market. They were not fighting "the billionaires of their time" over their wealth. Many of the Founders were themselves quite wealthy, including banker Robert Morris Jr., who was known as the "Financier of the Revolution." Adjusting for inflation and current rates, Morris would be a billionaire today. DAVID MARCUS: DON'T BE SO SURE SOCIALISTS CAN'T WIN IN THE HEARTLAND The Founders believed in unleashing everyone’s ability to become a Morris. They fought against the taking or occupation of property by the government. At the very top of their stated purpose for the American Revolution was "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The phrase was virtually ripped from the page of John Locke’s "life, liberty, and property." Locke believed that there was a natural right to property created by what God left "in common" for humanity. Preceding any government, it was a right that belonged to human beings by divine grant. Hardly a roaring endorsement of socialist ideals or, as Zohran Mamdani put it, the "warmth of collectivism." George Mason relied on Locke for his draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Jefferson relied on heavily. Mason wrote of "the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." THE UNWINNABLE WAR AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS FOUGHT AND WON CHANGED HUMAN HISTORY FOREVER Of course, the property reference was changed to happiness in the Declaration, which reflected the more transcendent values of these Enlightenment devotees. While reduced to "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," the original language appeared in the Fifth Amendment and, later, in the Fourteenth Amendment, protecting citizens from being "deprived of life, liberty, or property." In his 1792 essay "Property," Madison echoed Lockean values in declaring that good government "secures to every man whatever is his own." WASHINGTON DEMS PASSED AN INCOME TAX THEY KNOW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THAT WAS THE POINT Other early figures, like Chief Justice John Marshall, wrote, "The power to tax is the power to destroy." The new myth-making on the left is meant to revive what I previously described as "economic factionalism," seeking political power with this type of "eat-the-rich" rhetoric. It is working, as it has throughout history. In California, many are pushing a "billionaires’ tax," while far-left figures like Bernie Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are pushing for a federal variation. In states from Washington to Virginia, Democrats are virtually chasing wealthy taxpayers out of blue states with planned millionaire taxes. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION To achieve such radical change, you must first destroy the values upon which this republic was born, convincing people that their fundamental ties to capitalism are as ephemeral as true billionaires. The greatest irony is that Ocasio-Cortez personifies what the Founders truly wanted to combat. They feared mobocracy and the tyranny of the majority, the arbitrary power that can come from majoritarian abuse. Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, and others are truly not new or particularly interesting additions to the political dialogue. They are the same voices of democratic despotism that Madison and others sought to quell. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05920ba200899a00eb3010 MORNING GLORY: President Trump needs to finish the war against Iran once and for all te 2026-05-14T09:12:43.281Z MORNING GLORY: President Trump needs to finish the war against Iran once and for all My mornings begin with coffee — how did I ever get through high school without coffee? — and the "News Items" newsletter from John Ellis, longtime NBC News poobah whose reputation for fairness and seriousness led his hobby of collecting key stories and circulating a summary of them to friends and family to become an influential summary of the key stories from overnight as well as the obscure and the incredible (but always true and very well sourced). John’s missive had been my 6 AM companion for so many years that when he decided to expand the shop, I was one of scores of recipients who said "Hey, I’ll invest a few bucks to grow that project — the country needs one newsletter that does not spin and can’t be spun," and over the next many years it’s grown into a replacement for the long march through the legacy outlets for an AM update on the world’s news. "News Items" doesn’t have a slant, so when it opens with a "Well that really matters!" moment, I paused and considered its vast implications. Wednesday’s "News Items" began this way: MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST REJECT A SECOND MUNICH AND HOLD FIRM AGAIN IRAN "1. The Trump administration’s public portrayal of a shattered Iranian military is sharply at odds with what U.S. intelligence agencies are telling policymakers behind closed doors, according to classified assessments from early this month that show Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites, launchers and underground facilities. Most alarming to some senior officials is evidence that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten American warships and oil tankers transiting the narrow waterway. People with knowledge of the assessments said they show — to varying degrees, depending on the level of damage incurred at the different sites — that the Iranians can use mobile launchers that are inside the sites to move missiles to other locations. In some cases they can launch missiles directly from launchpads that are part of the facilities. Only three of the missile sites along the strait remain totally inaccessible, according to the assessments." Having given up on the New York Times years ago — and the already infamous "rape-trained dogs" column from Nicholas Kristof must have sent more subscribers who relied on the platform for actual news as opposed to recipes and puzzles or The Athletic to the exits — I would not have known about that report early yesterday but for "News Items." The newsletter can certainly be trusted to provide a faithful summary of a story from a platform that is not trusted by the center-right, but a story of consequence nonetheless. The CIA — presumably the lead agency for the assessment that was leaked — is currently led by the very competent John Ratcliffe. But the CIA has a checkered record on Iran from 1979 when they didn’t see the Islamic Republic coming (much less what it portended) to 2007 when its "assessment" of Iran’s nuclear ambitions wholly missed the mark. That 2007 debacle should haunt consumers of this report: "We judge with high confidence that in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program." So declared the opening words of the key judgments of the November 2007 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on "Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities." The CIA might have had collaborators in the broader Intelligence Community in that enormous "swing and a miss" of an NIE 19 years ago, but the damage it did in handcuffing President George W Bush regarding Iran in his closing months was vast. Of course President Obama spent eight years trying to find ways to welcome Iran into the community of nations —including the now infamous pallets of cash Obama sent the IRGC as part of the JCPOW—perhaps not realizing because of that 2007 NIE that the Islamic Republic was and would always remain a rogue and dangerous theocracy run by a two lunatic dictators in succession since 1979, fanatics whose whole plan was to build and use nuclear weapons to end first Israel and then any other opponent of its end-times apocalyptic vision including the U.S. if it could build the missile capable of reaching the homeland. No update and improved NIE was ever leaked even after Israel pilfered the entire Iranian nuclear file. But we know Team Obama was ideologicallly predisposed to play and lose the three-card monte Iran has been playing with the world for half a century. That’s a longer way of saying that (1) the new assessment could be as wrong as 2007’s, but (2) hope isn’t a strategy especially when it comes to the battle with Iran. This time, as with 2007, the president ought to again go with the Intelligence Community’s assessment. Which should mean that the next wave of planning for massive strikes on Iran’s arsenal should already be far advanced. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Iran’s immediate response the to the February 28 attacks was to lash out not just at Israel and U.S. bases, but at a dozen other countries and their militaries and infrastructure. Like the proverbial wounded beast, the lunatic regime went wild. Noted. Iran wasn’t chastened or changed by the massive blows that rained down on it. Rather, the lunatics that remained regrouped and doubled and tripled down on vengeance. It is relatively calm now with President Trump in China, but the "News Items" summary of the New York Times’ summary of the intelligence leak should mean the resumption of strikes when President Trump returns. There is no point to negotiation with the third string fanatics in Tehran. There is only the path of sustained degradation of their capabilities and strangulation of their economy. Perhaps the Artesh will tire of not getting paid. Perhaps some colonel in the IRGC figures out how to gather enough other colonels to pull off a coup. There are paths forward, but hard to see how internal resistance to the crazies atop the regime congeals absent military means combined with an economic vise. None of the paths forward should include leaving Iran as it is. Lunatics in the neighborhood shouldn’t have hand guns or rifles. Lunatics on the world stage shouldn’t have missiles, mines, drones and enriched uranium. It really is that simple. Alone or with Israel and our Gulf Allies, President Trump has to finish the job. Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0591f7a200899a00eb3007 Democrats’ midterm push clouded by infighting over party keeping 2024 autopsy under wraps te 2026-05-14T09:12:23.518Z Democrats’ midterm push clouded by infighting over party keeping 2024 autopsy under wraps Democrats keep winning at the ballot box as the party works to win back congressional majorities in this year's midterm elections. But despite a slew of electoral victories and overperformances in the more than 15 months since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, the party's image remains well underwater in public opinion polling and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) finds itself badly trailing the rival Republican National Committee in fundraising, a crucial gauge of a party's strength. To make matters worse, the DNC is facing continued calls to release its internal autopsy of the party's sweeping setbacks in the 2024 election, when Democrats lost the presidency and Senate majority and fell short in winning back control of the House. Among those calling on the DNC to make public their report on what went wrong for the Democrats in 2024 is former Vice President Kamala Harris, the party's presidential nominee two years ago. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE FLIP FLOPS, PULLS PLUG ON ITS 2024 ELECTION ‘AUTOPSY' Harris, who is mulling making another White House bid in 2028, recently told donors she believes the DNC should make the autopsy public. The news was first reported by NBC News and confirmed by Fox News Digital. A source with knowledge said that Harris had not discussed the autopsy with DNC Chair Ken Martin, and that the former vice president did not know in advance about Martin's decision in December to keep the 2024 election postmortem under wraps. Martin ordered the report soon after he was elected DNC chair early last year. Democratic Party officials interviewed over 300 Democrats from all 50 states for the report, which Martin promised would examine the party's mistakes in 2024 and offer a roadmap to victory going forward. There was controversy surrounding the report as it was being compiled, after reports last summer said the autopsy would skip analyzing whether then-President Joe Biden should have run for re-election in 2024 and would pass on judging key decisions made by Harris and her team, after she replaced Biden as the party's nominee with just over three months to go until the 2024 election. Throughout the process, Martin repeatedly pushed back on calling the report an "autopsy," since he noted that the Democratic Party wasn't dead. He instead labeled the report an "after-action review." But in December, weeks after Democrats scored major victories in the 2025 off-year elections, the party announced it would not be releasing the report. Martin, in a statement at the time, said releasing the report would be "a distraction" from the party's "core mission" to win back congressional majorities in the midterms. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB In explaining his decision, Martin wrote, "We completed a comprehensive review of what happened in 2024 and are already putting our learnings into motion. And we're winning again — even in places that haven't gone blue in decades. In our conversations with stakeholders from across the Democratic ecosystem, we are aligned on what’s important, and that’s learning from the past and winning the future." "Here’s our North Star: does this help us win? If the answer is no, it’s a distraction from the core mission," he emphasized. But the DNC chair's decision was criticized not only by Republicans but also by fellow Democrats. "They are spiking an autopsy of the election that gave us Trump 2.0. If party leaders won't take the steps required to rebuild ourselves into a winning coalition, we will take it into our own hands," former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg warned in a social media post at the time. Hogg, a gun-control crusader who was elected a DNC vice chair as Martin won election as chair, stepped down from his position last summer after upsetting party leaders for his efforts backing primary challenges against what he called "asleep at the wheel" older, longtime incumbents in safe, blue districts. Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior advisor to then-President Barack Obama and a co-host of the popular progressive podcast "Pod Save America," also took to social media to criticize the move. "This is a very bad decision that reeks of the caution and complacency that brought us to this moment," Pfeiffer wrote. His podcast co-host and fellow Obama alum Jon Favreau called the DNC flip-flop "unreal" and "baffling." "The DNC's actual position is that if the public knew more about what Democrats got wrong in the last election, it would hurt the party's chances in the next election," Favreau wrote on X. "How does this rebuild trust between the party insiders and grassroots activists and organizers?" Martin last month made an appearance on "Pod Save America" to push back against the criticism. DNC CHAIR GRILLED BY LIBERAL PODCAST HOST FOR NOT RELEASING 2024 POLITICAL AUTOPSY REPORT "We’ve been releasing that," Martin said when asked if the DNC would release a summary of the report. "The reality is we’re not hiding the ball on this. We have been sharing those things out. There’s no smoking gun here." Martin noted that "we've been providing briefings," as he pointed to data from the report the DNC shared with Democratic stakeholders. Harris isn't the only potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender calling on the DNC to make the full report public. "Yeah, release the autopsy," Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said this past weekend in an interview on NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "They should do that," the senator added as he pointed to the DNC. But Booker, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination won by Biden and who is mulling another run in 2028, said it's imperative his party doesn't dwell on the past. Rotimi Adeoye, a former Democratic operative who is serving as a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, argued in a social media post that "the mistake the DNC made is they could’ve released the report earlier in the spring, whatever’s in it, you get two weeks of bad publicity, then Trump does something stupid and everyone forgets." "Now it feels like something’s being hidden, which makes it way more salacious," he claimed. A person familiar with the DNC's strategy told Fox News Digital because of all the attention on the autopsy, "they are going to be forced to release something." The person, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, said the ongoing storyline is a distraction for the DNC with the clock ticking towards the midterms, adding "it’s just not helping to be talking about this." The DNC pointed to Martin's previous comments when contacted by Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0591e3a200899a00eb2ffe Trump-Xi’s China summit is a defining test for America in the new Cold War te 2026-05-14T09:12:03.749Z Trump-Xi’s China summit is a defining test for America in the new Cold War When Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly declared that mastery of artificial intelligence is "the front line and main battlefield of international competition," he was not indulging in political theater. He was announcing the strategic framework now guiding Beijing’s economic, military and technological ambitions. After 24 years in uniform and another two-plus decades studying America’s adversaries — from the Pentagon to a think tank to writing 14 books on geopolitical threats — I have learned to take authoritarian leaders seriously when they openly declare their intentions. As President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing on May 14 for his first visit to China since 2017, the central question is whether Washington fully understands the scale of the contest now unfolding. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH This is not a routine summit centered on trade disputes or diplomatic optics. According to Reuters, senior officials expect discussions involving Iran, Taiwan, semiconductors, rare earth minerals, tariffs, computing infrastructure and military stability. No Trump-Xi meeting in recent memory has carried this level of geopolitical risk. TRUMP’S TARIFF WAR WITH BEIJING IS PART OF A MULTI-PRONG STRATEGY TO SECURE AMERICA FROM A MUCH BROADER THREAT The Middle East remains in open conflict following the Iran war. That conflict has forced the Strait of Hormuz closure, triggering the most severe global energy shock in years and giving Beijing unusual leverage over economies desperate for stable supply chains. Taiwan sits under mounting Chinese military pressure. Meanwhile, Washington and Beijing are accelerating toward what increasingly resembles a new Cold War — not centered on nuclear weapons, but on chips, data, automated systems, infrastructure and digital control. Beneath the ceremonial handshakes lies something far larger than diplomacy. Trump and Xi are not merely negotiating trade balances. They are negotiating over who shapes the international order for the next generation. STEVE FORBES: THE AI COLD WAR HAS BEGUN AND AMERICA CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE For years, many American policymakers viewed China primarily through an economic lens. That era is over. Beijing now openly links computing power, industrial policy, military modernization, surveillance systems and digital infrastructure into a unified strategy of national power. In my new book, "The New AI Cold War: Liberty vs. Tyranny in the Age of Machine Empires," I describe this struggle as "not a war of tanks and missiles alone, but of algorithms, data, and digital power." Recent developments confirm that China is moving faster than many in Washington appreciate. TOP AI FIRM ALLEGES CHINESE LABS USED 24K FAKE ACCOUNTS TO SIPHON US TECH A major National Review analysis warned that Beijing is preparing to flood the world with exports of its computing technology after becoming increasingly self-sufficient in chips, infrastructure and open-source machine-learning systems. Huawei’s newest Ascend processors reportedly approach the performance of advanced Nvidia systems, while Chinese firms such as DeepSeek and Alibaba aggressively expand deployment across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. What once looked like a technology gap is narrowing into a strategic race. The theft dimension is no longer theoretical. On April 23, White House Science Advisor Michael Kratsios formally accused China of conducting "industrial-scale campaigns to distil U.S. frontier AI systems" — leveraging tens of thousands of proxy accounts and jailbreaking techniques to extract capabilities from American models and train cheaper Chinese versions. Anthropic has documented that three Chinese laboratories generated over 16 million fraudulent exchanges with its systems to accomplish exactly that. AI ARMS RACE: US AND CHINA WEAPONIZE DRONES, CODE AND BIOTECH FOR THE NEXT GREAT WAR Washington and Beijing are also exploring possible guardrails and crisis communications channels, recognizing that neither side benefits from uncontrolled escalation involving autonomous systems and cyber operations. When rival powers negotiate emergency protocols for machine-directed conflict, the world has entered a new era. The danger extends beyond the technology race itself. GORDON CHANG: CHINA'S RISING MARKETS MASK A FRAGILE ECONOMY, SOCIAL DISCONTENT China increasingly fuses automated surveillance, industrial policy, machine-learning infrastructure and state power into a digitally enforced authoritarian system. According to Huawei, its "Safe City" platforms have been deployed in hundreds of cities worldwide. Governments across Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East now rely on Chinese surveillance infrastructure. China is not merely exporting cameras and software. It is exporting a governance philosophy built on control rather than consent. In many cases, nations adopting Chinese systems also inherit Chinese technical standards, Chinese data ecosystems and Chinese assumptions about censorship, monitoring and centralized authority. That matters because the emerging contest between Washington and Beijing is not simply economic. It is ideological. CHINA’S GLOBAL AGGRESSION CHECK: TAIWAN TENSIONS, MILITARY POSTURING, AND US RESPONSE IN 2025 Taiwan may be the summit’s most combustible issue. Reuters reported that Trump intends to discuss Taiwan arms sales directly with Xi, acknowledging publicly that Beijing wants those sales reduced. Xi’s government has made clear it will never tolerate Taiwanese independence, and any ambiguity from Washington would embolden further aggression. Any concession there would be a grave mistake. HORMUZ CHAOS SPARKS WARNING: CHINA COULD STRANGLE TAIWAN WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT Taiwan produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors. Losing reliable access to that manufacturing capacity would severely damage American defense production, communications systems and advanced computing industries. But Taiwan is about more than chips. The island sits at the center of Indo-Pacific maritime security and represents a test of American credibility with allies from Tokyo to Manila. Softening support for Taiwan in exchange for temporary diplomatic concessions elsewhere would not produce peace. It would invite further escalation. TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA Iran will also weigh heavily on the summit. China remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil, helping sustain Tehran economically despite Western sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz closure has sharpened that leverage: China has weathered the energy shock better than most, giving Xi unusual geopolitical confidence at the negotiating table. Trump must not trade long-term American strategic interests for vague Chinese promises regarding Iran. Beijing may offer diplomatic assistance or pressure on Tehran, but any arrangement that strengthens China’s geopolitical position while leaving Iran strategically intact would weaken America’s long-term standing across the Middle East. TRUMP MUST BE STRONG AGAINST CHINA TO KEEP THE PEACE Xi comes to the summit seeking economic relief, tariff stability and strategic breathing room. Trump arrives facing the challenge of preserving American leverage without triggering uncontrolled escalation. Both leaders likely want stability. Neither side benefits from direct confrontation between the world’s two largest powers. But history teaches that stability without strength rarely lasts. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The Psalms warn that "unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." America’s watchmen cannot afford complacency. This summit is not merely about tariffs, Taiwan, or temporary diplomatic agreements. It is a reckoning over who governs the technologies, infrastructure and strategic systems that will shape the 21st century. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected in Beijing just days after Trump’s departure — a reminder that the alliances forming around this contest will define the global balance of power for a generation. America’s allies in Tokyo, Seoul, Canberra, London and beyond are watching carefully. The question is no longer whether the United States and China are competing for global influence. The question is whether America still possesses the clarity, resolve, and strategic patience required to prevail in the defining geopolitical contest of our age. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0591bba200899a00eb2fec What It’s Like to Own a Tank or Other Former Military Vehicles te 2026-05-14T09:11:23.916Z What It’s Like to Own a Tank or Other Former Military Vehicles Where do battle tanks and military trucks go when their service has ended? Enthusiasts and professionals put them to work for search and rescue, marketing and just having fun. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0591a8a200899a00eb2fe3 Bo French Challenges Texas Oil Regulator in GOP Runoff te 2026-05-14T09:11:04.234Z Bo French Challenges Texas Oil Regulator in GOP Runoff Bo French, a hard-liner known for wild social media posts, is seeking a bigger megaphone. Big oil companies, and top officials like Greg Abbott, want to stop him. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a059194a200899a00eb2fda Will Her Daughter Be Safe at Pali High as It Rebuilds From LA Wildfires? te 2026-05-14T09:10:44.739Z Will Her Daughter Be Safe at Pali High as It Rebuilds From LA Wildfires? It’s a nightmare faced by families all around Los Angeles: After wildfire smoke blanketed homes, schools and offices with toxic chemicals, when is it OK to go back? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a059181a200899a00eb2fd1 Why the Migrant Child Crisis Is Roiling the California Governor Race te 2026-05-14T09:10:25.278Z Why the Migrant Child Crisis Is Roiling the California Governor Race The Times broke the story that has become a dominant line of attack against Xavier Becerra, the Democratic front-runner. Here are five things to know about it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a058ce9a200899a00eb2ef8 Students selected for Sister Cities program te 2026-05-14T08:50:49.599Z Students selected for Sister Cities program Claire Allen, class of 2028, is one of four Xavier students who will engage in cultural exchange and global learning through the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program (photo by Lisa Zuba). In April, Xavier College Preparatory announced that four students have been selected to participate in the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, a highly competitive and transformative international experience. Representing Xavier and the City of Phoenix, the following students have been named Youth Ambassadors for 2026: Claire Allen, class of 2028 – Prague, Czech Republic; Piper Paynter, class of 2028 – Hermosillo, Mexico; Gisela Gutierrez Flores, class of 2027 – Chengdu, China; and Niyati Reddymasu, class of 2027 – Taipei, Taiwan. The Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Program offers high school sophomores and juniors a unique opportunity to engage in cultural exchange and global learning. Each student will spend two to three weeks abroad in June, living with a host family and experiencing daily life in their assigned sister city. In July, students will host their international counterparts in Phoenix for three weeks, participating in cultural activities and events designed to highlight the region and foster international relationships. Experiences include visits to local landmarks, meetings with city leaders, and shared traditions that deepen cross-cultural understanding. Through the program, students develop global awareness, leadership skills and lasting international connections – an experience that aligns closely with Xavier’s mission of educating the whole person. “My connection to this program is deeply personal – my daughter participated as a Youth Ambassador in 2016, and I witnessed firsthand the confidence, independence and global awareness she gained,” said Camille King, PhD, MPH, Xavier Science teacher and acting chair of the Himeji Committee. “It was a transformative experience that continues to shape her life today. The preparation and immersion these students receive are truly impactful, helping them grow into confident, compassionate and globally minded young women. That is why I remain so committed to this program.” Student participants are equally enthusiastic about the opportunity. “I’m excited to be fully immersed in a culture so different from my own and to experience what it’s truly like to live in another country,” said Claire Allen, class of 2028, who will travel to Prague, Czech Republic. “I hope to learn more about global traditions and perspectives, and I think this experience will challenge me to see the world – and myself – in a completely new way.” Piper Paynter, class of 2028, who will travel to Hermosillo, Mexico, added, “What excites me most is the opportunity to see how people from other countries perceive American culture. I’m especially looking forward to being fully immersed in Spanish and gaining a deeper understanding of the language and the culture that so strongly influences Phoenix. I know this experience will expand my perspective in a meaningful way.” The school said, “Xavier celebrates these students for embracing an opportunity that will not only broaden their perspectives, but also strengthen their ability to lead and serve in an increasingly interconnected world.” Learn about the Sister Cities program by visiting www.phoenixsistercities.org. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a057f05a200899a00eb2c4c President Trump Nominates Kari Lake Ambassador To Jamaica te 2026-05-14T07:51:33.059Z President Trump Nominates Kari Lake Ambassador To Jamaica By Staff Reporter | Kari Lake has been nominated to serve as the next ambassador to Jamaica. A Senate confirmation of Lake’s appointment would close the chapter on the Trump administration’s push to dismantle the Voice of America (VOA), an effort spearheaded by Lake. The administration has indicated that it no longer desires to eliminate the agency but instead repurpose it. Trump initially named Lake to the VOA directorship shortly after his election in December 2024. The administration quickly pivoted and moved Lake into a special advisory role within VOA’s parent organization, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). It was from that role that the Trump administration encouraged Lake to take on greater authority within USAGM to exemplify the greater initiative of cuts to that which the administration characterized as bureaucratic, anti-American bloat.  In accordance with the Trump edict, Lake ordered the termination of over 1,000 of USAGM contractors and employees and proceeded with the sale of the agency facility in D.C. last March. Full-time employees were placed on paid administrative leave, and promptly sued. Amid the court challenge to her authority by sidelined VOA employees, Lake attempted to wrest more control over USAGM by taking over as its acting CEO last summer. That declaration of power, along with her reforms, wouldn’t stand in the courts.  In March — a little over a year into her fight to bring the VOA to heel — a federal judge rejected Lake’s claim of authority and ordered her to reinstate VOA operations and staff.  Around the same time, Trump nominated a replacement for Lake as USAGM CEO: the State Department’s Under Secretary Sarah Rogers. That confirmation has yet to take place.  The Trump administration filed a partial appeal of the ruling related to the reinstatement of the VOA employees on paid leave. A federal appeals court paused the order to reinstate those employees. Lake’s initial statement on X accepting the ambassadorship made no mention of her VOA exit. “Jamaica is a country I know very well, full of incredible people, and if confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our nations, advancing America’s interests abroad, and building on the deep friendship shared by the American and Jamaican people,” posted Lake. “Honored to continue serving in this HISTORIC Administration!” Thank you to President Trump for nominating me to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica. 🇺🇸🇯🇲 Jamaica is a country I know very well, full of incredible people, and if confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our nations, advancing… pic.twitter.com/pr5Ieffzvp — Kari Lake (@KariLake) May 11, 2026 Later that day, Lake posted another update on her new appointment mentioning a call with Trump and her USAGM tenure. Lake offered a sunny portrayal of her time as USAGM head: one of accountability, reform, and advances into an America First revamping of the agency. Lake said she would remain at USAGM pending her Senate confirmation. I just got off the phone with President @realDonaldTrump, and I’m incredibly grateful for his support, encouragement, and TRUST. It was a wonderful call. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished at @USAGM—restoring accountability, advancing the America First mission, and… — Kari Lake (@KariLake) May 12, 2026 Following those failed efforts to dismantle the VOA, the Trump administration has reportedly looked to reform the VOA by claiming greater influence over the content it publishes. Reporters Without Borders, the U.S. affiliate of the international nonprofit organization that sued on behalf of the VOA employees, filed another lawsuit in late March on behalf of VOA journalists challenging this renewed strategy to exert administration control over the VOA.  The lawsuit alleged that Lake and other Trump administration officials had suppressed certain news coverage, especially in Iran, and instead promoted “political propaganda.” AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post President Trump Nominates Kari Lake Ambassador To Jamaica first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a057ef0a200899a00eb2c43 Report: Arizona Housing Shortage Persists Despite Cooling Home Prices te 2026-05-14T07:51:12.370Z Report: Arizona Housing Shortage Persists Despite Cooling Home Prices By Matthew Holloway | Arizona’s housing market continues to face significant affordability challenges despite slowing home prices and rising inventory levels, according to an update released this week by the Common Sense Institute (CSI) Arizona. The report estimates Arizona faced an immediate housing shortfall of 55,992 units in 2025, while the state’s cumulative long-term housing deficit has reached approximately 110,837 units. According to CSI, current residential permitting trends suggest it could take more than a century to eliminate the existing housing gap. CSI reported Arizona issued 50,983 residential permits in 2025, representing a 14 percent decline from 2024 and the slowest pace of permitting activity since 2019. The organization concluded that slowing construction activity continues to constrain the state’s housing supply, despite weakening demand in some markets. “Arizona’s housing market is no longer experiencing the rapid price growth seen during the pandemic-era boom, but affordability challenges remain deeply embedded in the market,” said Glenn Farley, Director of Policy and Research at Common Sense Institute Arizona. “The state continues to face significant supply constraints, and while softer demand has created some short-term relief for buyers, long-term progress will ultimately depend on a sustained increase in housing production and permitting activity.” According to the report, Arizona’s housing market has become more favorable for buyers in the short term as inventory levels rise and price growth slows. However, CSI stated the shift reflects softer buyer demand rather than substantial improvements in housing availability. Average home prices in Arizona declined approximately 2.9 percent in 2025, though CSI noted prices remain roughly 11.1 percent above pre-pandemic trends. The report estimated the average home price statewide at approximately $420,900. Housing prices in Arizona have cooled, but affordability remains deeply strained. The average Arizona home price is still about $420,900, roughly 11.1% above pre-pandemic levels, according to CSI Arizona. Even after recent price declines, the typical household would still need… pic.twitter.com/IPRYykhRSu — Common Sense Institute Arizona (@CSInstituteAZ) May 11, 2026 Mortgage affordability also remains under pressure. CSI estimated that a household would need an annual income of approximately $87,000 to afford the average-priced home in Arizona under conventional underwriting standards. The organization found Arizona households now require roughly 58 hours of work per month at the average wage to service a standard mortgage payment, compared to approximately 38 hours per month in 2019. CSI estimated only 42 percent of Arizona households can currently afford the monthly mortgage payment on an average-priced home without exceeding standard debt-to-income guidelines. In 2019, approximately 66 percent of households met that threshold. CSI also reported that Arizona home prices have declined approximately 3.4 percent statewide since June 2024, representing the third-fastest rate of decline nationally during that period. It assigned Arizona a preliminary “C-” Housing Report Card grade for 2025, down from a “C+” at the end of 2024. The report follows CSI’s earlier affordability rankings that identified Arizona among the least affordable states in the country based on housing costs relative to household income. Farley and CSI Arizona Senior Economist & Research Analyst Zachary Milne, who co-authored the report, concluded, “Arizona’s market is healthier than it was but remains paralyzed by inefficiencies. Prices have stopped rising but also haven’t come down much off their all-time highs. Combined with high interest rates, entering the housing market remains a daunting task for any prospective new buyer. Home permitting is slowing, migration and household formation are down, and the state is losing its luster as an affordable place to move to and create a life.” 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 Report: Arizona Housing Shortage Persists Despite Cooling Home Prices first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a057edba200899a00eb2c3a Pinal County Attorney Seeks Death Penalty Against Inmate Accused Of Killing Three Prisoners te 2026-05-14T07:50:51.890Z Pinal County Attorney Seeks Death Penalty Against Inmate Accused Of Killing Three Prisoners By Matthew Holloway | Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced Monday that prosecutors have filed a Notice of Intent to seek the death penalty against inmate Ricky Wassenaar in connection with the killings of three fellow inmates. According to a statement released by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, Wassenaar is charged with three counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Assault in the deaths of Donald Lashley, Thomas Harnage, and Saul Alvarez. “The decision follows a thorough review of the facts, evidence, and applicable laws and was made in consultation and input from experienced prosecutors in the office,” Miller said in the release. “I believe the death penalty is the appropriate sentence given the defendant’s extensive history of violence,” Miller added. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE pic.twitter.com/JUrUx1hrkY — Pinal County Attorney's Office (@PCAOAZ) May 12, 2026 The Pinal County Attorney’s Office alleges the case meets statutory aggravating factors required under Arizona law to pursue capital punishment. According to reporting from 12News, the charges stem from a prison attack in 2025 at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson’s Cimarron Unit. “Child molesters,” Wassenaar told the Arizona Mirror in a phone interview from prison. “I wanted to kill them all.” He also claimed to have killed a fourth prisoner, Joseph Desisto, in 2024. However, an autopsy determined Desisto died from natural causes. In a May 2025 interview with AZ Family, Wassenaar said he considered the murders a “favor” for society, saying, “They were child molesters. Alvarez had raped, had kidnapped. First, he came to this country illegally. Then he kidnapped and raped and murdered a 15-year-old little girl. I did society a favor by killing that f****t. The other two, Harnage and Lashley, were both sexual child predators that molested several victims. So, I did society a favor.” Wassenaar is one of Arizona’s most widely known prison inmates due to his role in the 2004 hostage standoff at the Lewis prison complex in Buckeye. During that incident, as reported by NBC News, Wassenaar and another inmate held two correctional officers hostage for approximately 15 days before surrendering. The Arizona Daily Independent reported that Wassenaar was already serving multiple life sentences prior to the current case. According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, Wassenaar’s criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault, and aggravated assault connected to crimes committed before his incarceration. The case remains an active prosecution, and prosecutors stated that no additional details would be released at this time. Under Arizona law, a criminal charge is an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. 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 Pinal County Attorney Seeks Death Penalty Against Inmate Accused Of Killing Three Prisoners first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0569bca200899a00eb2682 Caitlin Clark gets technical foul after tense interaction with referee in Fever win over Sparks te 2026-05-14T06:20:44.676Z Caitlin Clark gets technical foul after tense interaction with referee in Fever win over Sparks Caitlin Clark was assessed with her first technical foul of the season on Wednesday night after a heated exchange with a referee. During the Indiana Fever's game against the Los Angeles Sparks, with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Clark was called for an offensive foul, giving Los Angeles possession. Clark later walked over to referee Jason Alabanza and appeared to engage in a verbal spat. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Alabanza gave Clark a technical before Indiana headed to the visiting locker room for halftime. Still, the Fever went on to win 87-78. Clark now has nine technicals in her WNBA career, with six in her rookie season and two in an injury-plagued 2025. Clark appears to have had a combative dynamic with referees since the beginning of her professional career. In the Fever's season-opening loss to the Dallas Wings, Clark appeared to suggest certain fouls were not called on her throughout the game. CAITLIN CLARK'S COACH SUGGESTS STAR OFFERED TO PAY FINE FOR TECHNICAL FOUL OVER YELLING AT WNBA OFFICIALS "I think especially if they're going to call it the way they're going to call it this year, I think I honestly could have probably got a couple more calls on a few of them, but that's okay," Clark said to reporters after the game when asked about plays when she drove to the basket on Saturday. Whether officials are calling enough fouls against Clark has been a point of controversy since she entered the league in 2024. Many fans complained that Clark was frequently being targeted with hard contact by opposing players and referees weren't doing enough to protect her. Meanwhile, Clark came one technical foul shy of taking a one-game suspension during her rookie year. Clark herself has also made comments seemingly directed at referees in the WNBA. During the WNBA postseason in September, while Clark was injured, she said she was fined $200 for tweeting "Refs couldn’t stop us" after Indiana’s Game 2 win over Atlanta in the first round. "Got fined $200 for this lol," she wrote on X, adding a series of crying laughter emojis. "BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Clark was previously seen getting into disagreements with referees during a game against the Connecticut Sun last July. "Are you f----ing kidding me?" Clark appeared to say while Fever assistant Briann January dragged her back to the bench. As officials continued to look at the replay, the ESPN broadcast showed Clark yelling over toward the officials again: "That’s just rude. Grow up. Come here, come here. Unbelievable." 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/6a05674fa200899a00eb25f3 Who decides what AI tells you? Campbell Brown, once Meta’s news chief, has thoughts te 2026-05-14T06:10:23.471Z Who decides what AI tells you? Campbell Brown, once Meta’s news chief, has thoughts "The conversation is sort of happening in Silicon Valley around one thing, and a totally different conversation is happening among consumers." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a055deea200899a00eb2411 Clio’s $500M milestone arrives just as Anthropic ups the ante te 2026-05-14T05:30:22.587Z Clio’s $500M milestone arrives just as Anthropic ups the ante Legal tech startups, including Clio, which just hit $500 million in ARR, are seeing massive customer adoption. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0554a5a200899a00eb2260 Shakira, Madonna and BTS co-headline first-ever World Cup Final halftime show te 2026-05-14T04:50:45.271Z Shakira, Madonna and BTS co-headline first-ever World Cup Final halftime show The world’s largest sporting event, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is just a few weeks away, returning to North America and the United States for the first time since 1994.  FIFA announced their first ever halftime show for the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In a post on X, featuring Elmo, Coldplay announced that the halftime show would be curated by lead singer Chris Martin and feature BTS, Madonna and Shakira. Shakira is set to release the official song of the World Cup, "Dai Dai," later Thursday. The show will also "raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," dedicated to "improving access to quality education and football for children around the world." FOX broadcasts the entire tournament, with opening matches kicking off on June 11 in Mexico. El Tri hosts South Africa in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on Croatia in Guadalajara. Then the next day, the other two hosts play their first group stage matches. Canada plays Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto in Group B. Then the US Men’s National Team, coming off a rocky past few months of friendlies, plays its first match against Paraguay in Los Angeles. They then head to Seattle to play Australia on June 19, before closing out the group stage against Turkey back in LA on June 25. Unsurprisingly, given the scale and scope of the tournament, and the stage hosting in the US offers, FIFA is pulling out all the entertainment stops. KATY PERRY TO HEADLINE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONY AS FANS DEBATE WHETHER SHE'S THE RIGHT PICK Already, soccer’s governing body has set up an extensive list of entertainment to kick off the tournament in the host countries. An opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12 will feature music acts like Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.  "This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. "The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country." That ceremony will kick off 90 minutes before the start of the US match, and will complement two additional opening ceremonies in Canada and Mexico. The opening match in Toronto will feature performances by Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! In Mexico, opening ceremony headliners include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla. Prior performers at World Cup finals include stars like Carlos Santana and Wycleaf Jean at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Will Smith was among those who sang at the 2018 finale in Russia, and Davido, Aisha, Ozuna were part of the 2022 closing ceremony in Qatar. Over 100 matches. 16 cities hosting in three countries. Over a month’s worth of action, culminating in a momentous finale in New Jersey. The World Cup never fails to deliver. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a054b2fa200899a00eb1ddc Midsize Cities Held Steady as U.S. Population Growth Declined te 2026-05-14T04:10:23.641Z Midsize Cities Held Steady as U.S. Population Growth Declined New census estimates show that the nation’s largest cities saw the sharpest slowdowns in population growth over the past year amid declines in immigration and plunging birthrates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0546d3a200899a00eb1d2b Democratic hopefuls for state schools chief target ESA program during televised Clean Elections/Arizona Media Association debate te 2026-05-14T03:51:47.653Z Democratic hopefuls for state schools chief target ESA program during televised Clean Elections/Arizona Media Association debate Political newcomers Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz called for more oversight of Arizona’s school voucher program and higher pay for teachers, staff Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0546c0a200899a00eb1d22 How to watch the Arizona Republican Superintendent Debate live on 12+ te 2026-05-14T03:51:28.058Z How to watch the Arizona Republican Superintendent Debate live on 12+ Republicans Kimberly Yee and incumbent Tom Horne are competing for the Republican nomination. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0546a7a200899a00eb1cf2 Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry te 2026-05-14T03:51:03.410Z Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry President Donald Trump opened his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping by predicting a "fantastic future together" — striking an unusually warm tone as his administration pursues new trade and investment deals with Beijing. "In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had," Trump said at the start of the bilateral meeting Thursday local time. "We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along." "And whenever we had a problem, we worked that out very quickly," he continued. "We're going to have a fantastic future together." Trump also praised Xi directly, calling him "a great leader" and emphasizing the personal relationship between the two leaders as a foundation for future cooperation. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH Xi, in his own opening remarks, emphasized cooperation and shared interests between the two countries. "As leaders of major countries, this year is the 250th anniversary of American independence," Xi said, according to a translator. "Congratulations to you and to the American people. I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences."  "Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world," he continued. XI JINPING WARNS TRUMP US WOULD 'LOSE FROM CONFRONTATION' WITH CHINA AS RENEWED TRADE WAR LOOMS "China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together, and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era." Xi added that he looked forward to working with Trump "to set the course for and steer the giant ship of China–U.S. relations so as to make 2026 a historic landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China–U.S. relations." The comments came as Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by a delegation of top American executives, underscoring the administration’s focus on economic dealmaking even as broader tensions between the two countries remain unresolved. INSIDE THE ‘DIGITAL LOCKDOWN’ FOR US OFFICIALS AS TRUMP ARRIVES IN CHINA "I just want to say, on behalf of all of the great delegation that we have … we have the greatest businessmen," Trump said. "We ask the top 30 in the world. Every single one of them said yes." The delegation includes executives from major U.S. firms spanning aerospace, finance, technology and agriculture, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon. White House officials said ahead of the trip that Americans should expect the president to "deliver more good deals," with talks expected to include aerospace, agriculture and energy, as well as continued work on a proposed U.S.-China "Board of Trade" and "Board of Investment." A senior administration official said the potential trade framework under discussion could involve "double-digit billion" levels of commerce, along with possible purchase commitments from China in areas such as aircraft and agricultural products. The emphasis on dealmaking comes after years of friction between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology and military competition. Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods — a policy he has continued into his second term — while repeatedly accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices. He also has criticized past U.S. policy that helped integrate China into the global trading system, arguing Beijing benefited from open markets without offering the same access in return. But in his opening remarks Thursday, the president emphasized business ties and personal rapport, highlighting what appeared to be an effort to stabilize economic relations between the world’s two largest economies. The comments came as administration officials said trade discussions with China are ongoing, alongside talks on issues including Iran, artificial intelligence and other security matters. Trump’s praise of Xi is consistent with his longstanding approach of using personal diplomacy with foreign leaders, including rivals, as a negotiating tactic — though whether that approach will translate into concrete agreements with China remains to be seen. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05467da200899a00eb1cc1 No confidence: Pima Supes still have levers to deal with Nanos te 2026-05-14T03:50:21.136Z No confidence: Pima Supes still have levers to deal with Nanos Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05444fa200899a00eb1c79 China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions te 2026-05-14T03:41:03.567Z China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions President Donald Trump was greeted with pomp and circumstance by the Chinese as he met China's President Xi Jinping ahead of a high-stakes bilateral meeting between the two nations.  After arriving in his armored vehicle Thursday morning local time, Trump met with Xi in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in front of crowds of military personnel, dignitaries, music and children.  After shaking hands with the Chinese president, the pair introduced each other to their dignitaries and later stood beneath a ceremonial red-and-yellow canopy for a photo-op as the star-spangled banner and China's national anthem played in the background.  TRUMP LANDS IN BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI SUMMIT AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH "That was an honor like few I have ever seen before," Trump said after they made their way into the Great Hall. "I think I was particularly impressed by those children. They were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious — it couldn't be better — but those children were amazing, and they represent so much. And I know, I know, they represent so much to you." The ceremony marked the formal start of Trump’s high-stakes visit, with the pageantry outside the Great Hall giving way to a series of meetings expected to focus on trade, security and the broader effort to stabilize relations between Washington and Beijing.  The discussions will test whether the public display of diplomacy can translate into progress on the deep disputes that continue to define the U.S.–China relationship. MARCO RUBIO SAYS US WILL PUSH CHINA TO TAKE A MORE ‘ACTIVE ROLE’ IN IRAN NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD OF TRUMP-XI SUMMIT During the opening ceremony, Trump walked around and admired the pomp and circumstance that included children waving flags and holding flowers.  The event included marching by Chinese soldiers and music from Chinese military bands.  Xi could be seen shaking hands with many of Trump's closest advisors, like policy advisor Stephen Miller and communications director Steven Cheung, in addition to members of his Cabinet. The public part of the bilateral meeting following the ceremony was very short. "I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world," a translator for Xi said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a054427a200899a00eb1c69 South Carolina Governor Plans Special Session to Redraw House Maps te 2026-05-14T03:40:23.749Z South Carolina Governor Plans Special Session to Redraw House Maps Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, appears prepared to thrust the state into the nation’s redistricting wars. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0541e9a200899a00eb1c28 Human smuggler sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison in Arizona case with national security implications te 2026-05-14T03:30:49.683Z Human smuggler sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison in Arizona case with national security implications Federal prosecutors say a convicted Arizona smuggler helped more than 200 migrants illegally enter the U.S. from 20 countries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a053640a200899a00eb1a00 ESPN is reportedly preventing the College Football Playoff from expanding to 24 teams te 2026-05-14T02:41:04.107Z ESPN is reportedly preventing the College Football Playoff from expanding to 24 teams The College Football Playoff was supposed to provide some certainty in a sport that, for too long, based its rewards on unreliable polls. And to the extent that there's no debate over the team crowned as national champions, it's worked. But if there's one thing fans have learned over the last few years, it's that little in modern college football is certain. And after one round of expansion, from four teams to 12, there's now more discussion and debate over the next round of growth. Some, including many fans, are happy leaving the field at 12. The SEC, arguably the most powerful conference, wants to move to 16, while maximizing the number of at-large teams. That would, in their view, allow for more teams to reach the field based on strength of schedule instead of conference affiliation. Strength of schedule=more SEC teams, the thinking goes. Then there's the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and independent Notre Dame. INSIDE THE FIGHT: NIL ARMS RACE FUELING NEW PUSH FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF EXPANSION This week, several reports confirmed that the majority of power conferences and the Irish want a 24-team playoff field. While that number has been met with justified skepticism from most fans, there's apparently plenty of support within the sport. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark told On3 that 24 is their strong preference. "We like 24, we want 24," he said. "There are too many teams getting left out and 24 teams provides the type of access that is warranted.  That being said, we need to do the work around the economics around a 24-team format and make sure we address any unintended consequences." HERE'S WHY THE COACHES ASSOCIATION'S 24-TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF COULD RUIN THE SPORT ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said much the same thing at his conference's media days this week. "Our desire with the coaches and the ADs is 24," Phillips said. "When you’re leaving national championship-contending teams out of the playoff, you don’t have the right number. We lived through it, we suffered through it with Florida State, when the field was four. "I know other schools have suffered for it. Notre Dame was a CFP worthy team last year and you saw what happened to the last team that got invited with Miami." That aligns with what the Big Ten and Commissioner Tony Petitti proposed in initial discussions after the end of the 2025-2026 season. So if the Big Ten, the Big 12, the ACC and Notre Dame, essentially four of the five most important voices in college football all agree on 24 teams, why hasn't it already happened? Reportedly, mostly because of ESPN. "ESPN’s made it clear, they want it to stay at 12 or 14, but no more than 16," Phillips added on Wednesday. What? ESPN? A broadcaster has that much power over the playoff format for an entire sport? There are some reasons why ESPN would want the playoff to stay where it is, or not expand too widely. Mainly that they own the rights up to a 14-team field, meaning they'd be forced to open up bidding on any additional playoff games. Ironically, for fans that dislike ESPN's perceived level of control over college football, it's that exact level of control that could stop a potentially unpopular 24-team format. The SEC also has an important voice in the room, and Commissioner Greg Sankey already reaffirmed recently that he believes a 16-team expansion is better. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "That focus hasn’t changed," Sankey explained Monday at a media meeting in Alabama. "We’re open to the conversation, but there are a lot of ideas out there that have to be supported with analysis and information, not speculation." The incentives here are obvious. The ACC and Big 12 believe that a larger field will give them more opportunities in a new landscape dominated by the Big Ten and SEC. The Big Ten thinks 24 teams would bring in more revenue and the opportunity to host more home playoff games. Notre Dame has realized that, as teams optimize their schedules to make the playoff instead of play tougher non-conference opponents, it'll be a struggle for them to compete with the strength of the Big Ten or SEC resumes and reach the top 12 each year. Meanwhile, the SEC wants 16 teams with as few auto bids as possible in the hopes of putting half their conference in the field each year. Thereby reinforcing their view that they're the premier conference in the sport. And half the conference isn't an exaggeration, considering Sankey's prior remarks. Where this ends up is anyone's guess, but it's hard to see ESPN winning out in the long run relative to the power of those other conferences. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a053618a200899a00eb19f1 U.S. Cruise Passenger Moved Out of Isolation te 2026-05-14T02:40:24.523Z U.S. Cruise Passenger Moved Out of Isolation The passenger, who had tested positive once in the Canary Islands, was being monitored in a special biocontainment facility in Omaha, until a new test came back negative. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0533c0a200899a00eb1978 U.S. Cruise Passenger Moved Out of Isolation te 2026-05-14T02:30:24.261Z U.S. Cruise Passenger Moved Out of Isolation The passenger, who had tested positive once in the Canary Islands, was being monitored in a special biocontainment facility in Omaha, until a new test came back negative. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a053190a200899a00eb1905 US lifts costly visa bond requirement for some World Cup travelers, Trump administration says te 2026-05-14T02:21:04.463Z US lifts costly visa bond requirement for some World Cup travelers, Trump administration says Citizens of a select group of countries who have purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches in the U.S. will no longer be required to provide thousands of dollars in visa bonds to enter the country and attend the tournament. On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed the Trump administration is waiving a prior mandate requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries it said had high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from at least 50 countries are subject to the bond requirement, but the five aforementioned nations' teams have qualified for this year’s World Cup. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration’s orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament. STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US "The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15. In its own statement, FIFA said the announcement shows "our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event" and thanked the administration for the partnership. However, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from the Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even without the visa bond exemption. The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Some measures from the administration prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a "World Cup travel advisory" that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S. In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for "significantly suppressing international demand," leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated. As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling. FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, officials said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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/6a053166a200899a00eb18d6 Dust, busted: Pima County cites Project Blue for air quality violations te 2026-05-14T02:20:22.415Z Dust, busted: Pima County cites Project Blue for air quality violations Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a052f24a200899a00eb1885 Iran says its small subs deployed to Strait of Hormuz as expert explains threat: ‘Vulnerable to detection’ te 2026-05-14T02:10:44.868Z Iran says its small subs deployed to Strait of Hormuz as expert explains threat: ‘Vulnerable to detection’ Iran says it has deployed small submarines to act as an "invisible guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz amid a series of rejected peace deals between Tehran and the U.S., according to reports. The deployment claim came as analysts said that although the Iranian Ghadir-class mini-subs could threaten U.S. naval forces, the vessels’ limited range, firepower and endurance would blunt any real strategic impact. The submarine deployment was highlighted by Bloomberg and first reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran’s navy, said that his forces deployed its light submarine, referred to as the "dolphins of the Persian Gulf," according to the Iranian state media outlet. IRAN TURNS TO PUTIN AS US TALKS COLLAPSE, HORMUZ STANDOFF THREATENS GLOBAL OIL FLOW It also comes as Tehran seeks to reinforce its control over the strait, now defining it as a far larger zone, Reuters reported. "Time would be limited, probably a couple of days at the most," defense analyst Tom Shugart told Fox News Digital about the Iranian vessel deployment. The retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer also said the small diesel-electric submarines face fundamental operational constraints. IRAN HOLDS WORLD ENERGY HOSTAGE WITH 'NIGHTMARE' STRAIT OF HORMUZ SEA MINES, FORMER CENTCOM OFFICIAL WARNS "If they run their diesel engines to snorkel and recharge batteries, that could generate sound that could be detected," Shugart said. "Their snorkel mast projecting from the water could be detected by radars on patrol aircraft or helicopters," Shugart added. The submarines are said to be designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz and can operate quietly for limited periods on battery power. "While they may be able to sit on the bottom for a while and operate somewhat quietly on their batteries for a while, they have no air-independent propulsion system (AIP) like more modern diesel-electric submarines," Shugart said before adding that they’ll, "eventually have to come up and snorkel. This will make them more vulnerable to detection and destruction." INSIDE IRAN’S MILITARY: MISSILES, MILITIAS AND A FORCE BUILT FOR SURVIVAL The IRGC Navy is said to be the sole operator of this class of submarine, all of which serve in the Southern Fleet. "Any remaining Ghadirs, if they exist and are actually deployed, may be able to lay mines and may be able to threaten merchant ships," Shugart warned. "But I don’t see them as a serious threat to U.S. Navy warships — and certainly not to U.S. submarines," he said. "But I can say for sure that I wouldn’t want to go out on one in the current environment." HORMUZ CHOKE POINT PERSISTS AS IRAN HALTS OIL TRAFFIC DESPITE TRUMP CEASEFIRE The U.S. Navy confirmed May 10 that a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-armed submarine had arrived in Gibraltar. "The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility and continuing commitment to its NATO allies," U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs said in a statement. "Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad," it added. Meanwhile, Shugart’s remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with commercial tanker traffic largely choked off amid ongoing military activity and the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. The United Arab Emirates and South Korea reported new strikes on stranded vessels Wednesday, while the IRGC increased its fast-attack craft activity, according to reports. President Donald Trump has maintained Iran’s navy is "completely obliterated." The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a052355a200899a00eb1632 Get closer to fine arts & classic films in Tucson this week te 2026-05-14T01:20:21.507Z Get closer to fine arts & classic films in Tucson this week Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05214fa200899a00eb1510 Jeff Probst's defiant message to 'Survivor 50' critics over Zac Brown backlash: 'I've also got a backbone' te 2026-05-14T01:11:43.875Z Jeff Probst's defiant message to 'Survivor 50' critics over Zac Brown backlash: 'I've also got a backbone' Jeff Probst isn't afraid to "outwit, outplay, outlast" fans, but also recognized that the tribe has spoken out against "Survivor 50." The longtime, Emmy Award-winning host took qualms with superfans spinning a narrative that the show's once ruthless narrative has softened over the years. "We experiment with all kinds of new ideas, and we tried to usher in the most unpredictability we’ve ever had," Probst told Variety. 'SURVIVOR' RETURNS FOR MILESTONE 50TH SEASON WITH ALL-STAR CAST INCLUDING 'WHITE LOTUS' CREATOR "Whether or not you like the season is subjective, but it’s not that something didn’t work. We’ve made bad choices in the past. I just don’t think we did in 50." ‘MORMON WIVES’ IS CLASHING WITH CORE LDS VALUES AND AMERICA IS EATING IT UP: EXPERT Of the myriad new additions to the evolving series, "Survivor" enlisted the help of a celebrity panel — including Jimmy Fallon, Billie Eilish, MrBeast and Zac Brown — to collaborate on new twists for the show. Fan-favorite contestant Cirie Fields was taken aback by seeing the "Country Fried" singer — who is also a close Probst friend — appear on the island in Fiji during Season 50. "We’re in a bubble. So to walk out on the beach and see Zac Brown standing in front of me, it’s like, 'How did you get in?'" she said. "We’ve never had someone from the outside come be a part of this. That let me know that Season 50 was about to be off the rails. Mind-blowing things that would never happen in the 'Survivor' of old are happening on Season 50." Brown's guest spot became a hot topic on social media after viewers watched the country singer spearfishing to feed immunity challenge winners and then playing them music while they ate. Additionally, Brown appeared in a number of individual confessionals and received more air time than a few contestants. 'SURVIVOR' CONTESTANT MATT BLANKINSHIP CONFIRMS ROMANCE WITH FELLOW CONTESTANT: 'I'M THE REAL WINNER' Legendary "Survivor" winner Parvati Shallow also criticized Brown's appearance, and noted, "They showed [Brown] catching the fish, and then they didn't show Ozzy catching one." In hindsight, Probst wouldn't change much about Brown's visit, but admitted that the country star could have impacted the game instead of serving as a reward. "It’s fascinating to me that a couple of people, most of them either former players or people who will never play, criticize the show, and it gets momentum," he said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I tell anyone who wants to listen: If that’s your goal, to somehow impact our point of view, it will fail. We trust what we’re doing. If you think we’re going to re-edit because you thought there was too much Zac Brown, you’ve not been reading interviews with me." He added, "I couldn’t be more serious. I love 'Survivor.' I love joy. I love fans. I’ve also got a backbone. It’s gonna take more than that to knock me over." Probst, 64, began hosting "Survivor" at its inception in 2000. One decade into hosting the popular competition show, Probst became disillusioned by the audience's desire to revel in conflict. "I didn’t like the stories we were telling, and I was losing my joy of the format, therefore my joy of the job, therefore my joy of life," Probst said. "I didn’t want vitriol and who can be the meanest, most spiteful person." At one point, he tried to quit, but was met with resistance by executive producer Mark Burnett after confessing he was "done" with the gig. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER It was Burnett who recognized that Probst likely needed some time off, in addition to more responsibility on the back end of the show. "CBS was initially horrified. They didn’t want stars to be given showrunner status," Probst said. "But I was so argumentative and sure that it was the right thing to do that I convinced them." "It was the best move I’ve made in my career." While recognizing the cultural impact, Burnett admitted that playing "Survivor" is similar to a "management training test." "If someone works for you, can you fire them and have them shake your hand after?" Burnett wondered. "At 'Survivor,' you’re voting people out — firing them every week — then you’re asking the very people you fired to give you $1 million. That’s a tricky thing to do." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05213ca200899a00eb1503 Tech entrepreneur flees Washington due to companies being 'villainized' te 2026-05-14T01:11:24.258Z Tech entrepreneur flees Washington due to companies being 'villainized' A prominent Washington tech entrepreneur is joining the growing exodus of business leaders fleeing the Evergreen State, citing a "dramatic" shift in the state’s tax climate following the passage of a controversial new "millionaire tax." Jesse Proudman, the founder and CTO of the privacy-focused generative AI platform Venice.ai, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the state he once called a "startup sanctuary" has become increasingly hostile to the very people who fuel its economy. "I started three companies here in the state. I have been an entrepreneur my whole life here," Proudman said. "The business climate when I started my first company was very entrepreneurial-friendly, and the startup community was looked upon as a contributing member of the city. Over the last number of years, that has changed dramatically." Proudman, who previously founded the private cloud company Blue Box and the crypto-investing platform Makara, is now serving as a spokesperson for Let’s Go Washington. The political committee is currently spearheading a massive signature-gathering effort to repeal the tax measure before it can take root. STARBUCKS CUTS JOBS IN SEATTLE AS FORMER CEO HOWARD SCHULTZ BLASTS ‘SOCIALIST’ MAYOR The tax, pushed through by the Democratic-controlled legislature during the 2026 session and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in March, imposes a 9.9% levy on annual income exceeding $1 million. While it is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2028—with the first payments due in 2029—the mere threat of its implementation is already shifting the state’s demographics. "We have until July 2nd to gather about 325,000 signatures to put this on the November ballot," said Hallie Herzberg, Director of Communications for Let's Go Washington. "The people deserve the right to vote on this. It’s already driving businesses, employers, and families out of the state." The move marks a seismic shift for Washington, which has historically been one of only a handful of states with no personal income tax. However, the legal ground shifted in 2023 when the state’s Supreme Court upheld a 7% capital gains tax, effectively opening the door for broader income-based levies that critics argue violate the state constitution’s requirement that property (which includes income) be taxed at a uniform rate. GOV ABBOTT EXTENDS OFF-RAMP FOR NY BILLIONAIRES FLEEING MAMDANI'S POLICIES State Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle), the Senate Majority Leader and the bill's primary sponsor, has dismissed concerns of "tax flight." "The reality is the millionaire tax is not likely to result in businesses leaving," Pedersen told a local FOX affiliate following the bill’s signing. He later told Fox News Digital that there is "no evidence" that high earners will migrate to lower-tax jurisdictions like Florida or Texas. Data from the Association of Washington Business (AWB) suggests otherwise. A recent survey reported by The Center Square found that 44% of business leaders in the state are considering moving their personal residences elsewhere. Furthermore, Washington businesses reported they are now more than twice as likely to expand outside the state than within it. For Proudman, the decision has already been made. He plans to relocate his life and business interests to Austin, Texas. "It's no longer a friendly place to conduct business," Proudman said. "Startup companies are being villainized. With the passing of this tax, we have looked at alternative places to move, and we'll probably end up in Austin." SIX DIFFERENT WAYS THAT PROVE THE WEALTHY PAY A LOT MORE THAN THEIR ‘FAIR SHARE’ Proudman warned that while the tax is currently branded as a "millionaire’s tax" to gain public favor, the long-term economic consequences will eventually hit middle-class residents as the tax base shrinks. "They are targeting a very highly mobile cohort of the population," Proudman argued. "When those folks leave, this will become a tax on everybody. The voters are unwittingly creating an incredibly worse tax situation for themselves. Washington is already the 45th worst state from a tax point of view. This is a constitutionally illegal tax that ultimately will apply to everyone." Sen. Pedersen’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital's latest request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a052114a200899a00eb14ec Justice Dept. Sues D.C. Bar Over Efforts to Discipline Government Lawyers te 2026-05-14T01:10:44.321Z Justice Dept. Sues D.C. Bar Over Efforts to Discipline Government Lawyers The move escalates the administration’s feud with legal disciplinary bodies over the ethical conduct of government lawyers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a052100a200899a00eb14d3 11 Rescued From Raft After Plane Crash Off the Coast of Florida te 2026-05-14T01:10:24.865Z 11 Rescued From Raft After Plane Crash Off the Coast of Florida Those on board, who were all Bahamian adults, spent about five hours stranded on a raft before rescuers hoisted them to safety. All were in stable condition, officials said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a051ed6a200899a00eb147d Fire in Tonopah burning 2 travel trailers, threatening a third te 2026-05-14T01:01:10.531Z Fire in Tonopah burning 2 travel trailers, threatening a third Fire officials say units have taken a defensive strategy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0517e1a200899a00eb12f3 AMES Construction failed inspection of the Project Blue worksite in Tucson, officials say te 2026-05-14T00:31:29.091Z AMES Construction failed inspection of the Project Blue worksite in Tucson, officials say AMES failed to employ dust mitigation practices which resulted in visible fugitive dust emissions being generated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0517b4a200899a00eb12bb First clade I mpox case confirmed in Connecticut after patient traveled to Western Europe te 2026-05-14T00:30:44.035Z First clade I mpox case confirmed in Connecticut after patient traveled to Western Europe A case of clade I mpox — a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — has been confirmed in the U.S., as global health officials also monitor newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the state’s first identified case of clade I mpox was detected in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where officials continue to monitor infectious disease activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported new hantavirus cases in Spain and France, drawing attention to the rare but potentially severe disease, which can cause serious respiratory complications in humans. Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO. While health officials said the mpox case "does not pose a risk to the general public," they still encourage those who may be at risk to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine. NEW MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN US STATE FOR FIRST TIME Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC. "Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in the release. "The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners." HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE Clade I and clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus with key differences in severity and geographic origin, according to the CDC and the WHO. Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, has been linked to more severe illness and higher mortality rates, with cases often involving more widespread rashes and complications. Clade II, which has circulated primarily in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and drove the global outbreak beginning in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and lower hospitalization and death rates, according to the WHO. The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two clades helps guide risk assessments, particularly as international travel increases. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a05155ba200899a00eb1249 Denise Powell Wins Democratic Primary in Key Nebraska House Race te 2026-05-14T00:20:43.082Z Denise Powell Wins Democratic Primary in Key Nebraska House Race Denise Powell prevailed in a close primary race for an Omaha-based seat, currently held by a retiring Republican, that could help determine control of the House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a051545a200899a00eb1222 'Day to day:' Cooling centers provide short-term respite for Southern Arizonans in extreme heat te 2026-05-14T00:20:21.473Z 'Day to day:' Cooling centers provide short-term respite for Southern Arizonans in extreme heat Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a051315a200899a00eb11cd Which teams have the most valuable college football rosters heading into 2026 season? te 2026-05-14T00:11:01.972Z Which teams have the most valuable college football rosters heading into 2026 season? The new era of college football based around name, image and likeness payments has changed how rosters are built and which programs can compete at the top. The Indiana Hoosiers came out of nowhere in 2024, reaching the College Football Playoff in Curt Cignetti's first year as head coach. Then, with some help on the NIL front, they brought in Fernando Mendoza through the transfer portal. Mendoza went on to win the Heisman Trophy, and the Hoosiers went 16-0 and won the National Championship. Just a few months after Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said undefeated teams were a thing of the past. There are plenty of other examples: Texas Tech, with the support of billionaire Cody Campbell, built up one of the top defenses in the country and reached the playoff. NIL can dramatically change a program's fortunes overnight. Spending more money on players can't guarantee anything. But there's a much stronger likelihood that more expensive rosters will generally lead to higher-quality teams. So as we rapidly approach the start of the 2026 college football season, looking at estimates of NIL spending by team carries a significant amount of weight. Which teams will dominate their conferences and make a run at the playoff? Or which may have to hope they've spent their money wisely, even if it's a lower overall number? INSIDE THE FIGHT: NIL ARMS RACE FUELING NEW PUSH FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF EXPANSION An organization called "College Front Office" has been compiling estimated NIL valuations for 68 teams in the Power 4 conferences, with the ultimate goal of determining which team has the most valuable roster in the sport. And, wouldn't you know it, there are plenty of playoff and SEC teams near the top of the list. Here's how the top 15 looks, per their estimates. It's important to note that these are based on valuations of the players on the roster and not necessarily what these teams and their collectives actually spent on NIL. But valuations are likely closely correlated to real-world spending, and the results bear that out. WHICH TEAMS HAVE THE TOUGHEST STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE HEADING INTO COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON? There are several obvious takeaways here, primarily that it's no surprise Texas, Miami and Ohio State are leading the way. The Longhorns have Arch Manning, one of the most valuable NIL players in the sport, and were widely viewed as the most expensive team in college football in 2025 as well. Miami's another example of a program that rebuilt itself quickly after committing to spending more. The Hurricanes were just a few plays away from winning the National Championship game themselves, and beat Texas A&M in a road game, Ohio State and then Ole Miss in the playoff just to advance to the final. Another takeaway? The SEC and Big Ten are dominant, with 12 of the top 15 teams from those two conferences. Miami is the lone ACC team; Texas Tech is once again one of the top teams and the only Big 12 program on the list. And Notre Dame, with this level of talent and the schedule they have, looks to be a near guarantee to reach the 12-team field. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Interestingly, Indiana is not listed in the top 15, despite coming off a National Championship win. Will that matter, or can the Hoosiers and Curt Cignetti rely on getting the most out of the talent they have? Lane Kiffin, too, has spent this offseason talking about the project he's facing at LSU, but the talent he has on the roster is, at least by these estimates, clearly playoff caliber. Then there are two other programs that have a high-dollar-figure roster with little to show for it thus far: USC and Michigan. Every other team on this list has either made the playoff over the last two years, or in LSU's case, hired a new head coach who led his previous team to the playoff in the last two years. Michigan's Bryce Underwood is a sophomore and looking to build on an up-and-down freshman year and also has a new head coach. USC is at a pivotal point in Lincoln Riley's tenure, with a roster that's now finally capable of competing against other playoff-caliber teams. Again, money can't buy everything, but the success rate of these programs in reaching the playoff indicates some level of connection. Or can Indiana be the exception once again? Yet again, we're heading for a fascinating college football season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a051302a200899a00eb11c4 Margaret Cho blames Trump and ICE for missing out on hit HBO Max series te 2026-05-14T00:10:42.506Z Margaret Cho blames Trump and ICE for missing out on hit HBO Max series Actress and comedian Margaret Cho blamed President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for missing out on a role in the hit HBO Max series "Heated Rivalry." "Last year, I got a pilot script for a show that I really loved, but it shot in Canada," Cho told the "I Never Liked You" podcast last week. "And I was so scared because I’m so vocal about hating ICE and hating this administration. I was like, I will get detained at the border and I will be put in ICE detention if I go." Cho confirmed that the series was the 2025 sports romance show about two professional hockey players played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams who form a romantic bond while playing for rival teams. COMEDIAN NIKKI GLASER WORRIED THAT SHE COULD ‘NOT BE LET BACK INTO THE COUNTRY’ FOR TRUMP JOKES She added that she has since become a fan of the show and the woman who played her part. Cho also suggested she is looking to potentially appear in its second season. "I've watched it. I've hosted some rewatch parties, and I'm like it kills me, like it kills me because of Trump," Cho said. CELEBS DECRY ICE AGENTS, TRUMP GOVERNMENT AS 'MONSTERS' AND THE 'WORST OF THE WORST' IN SCATHING CRITIQUES Fox News Digital reached out to HBO and ICE for comment. Cho has been among many celebrities who have attacked Trump in the past, calling him "abhorrent" in 2015. Earlier this year, Cho recalled being asked to appear on Trump's show "The Apprentice" because Trump was reportedly "a fan" of her comedy, which she found "weird." "I was asked several times to be on it, season after season, and they kept saying, 'Well, Donald Trump really loves you. Please come on,'" Cho said in March. "I just had a bad feeling about it, because I did go on one of the challenges because my friend Cyndi Lauper was competing one year, and so she did something at a diner, so I went, and I helped out." She continued, "I was at the diner, and so I was part of an episode, but I never actually was a contestant, but I was asked several times because Donald Trump was a fan." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a0510c0a200899a00eb1161 Morgan Wallen fan goes viral kicking a phone out of someone's hand as she's being escorted out in handcuffs te 2026-05-14T00:01:04.566Z Morgan Wallen fan goes viral kicking a phone out of someone's hand as she's being escorted out in handcuffs Move over Romper Stomper. There's a new woman who went viral at a Morgan Wallen concert that the internet has fallen in love with. She hasn’t been given a clever nickname as far as I know, but she has racked up millions of views across the internet. She did so with a perfectly executed kick that sent another fan's phone flying. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The kick came as she was walking down the stairs in handcuffs with a police officer holding her arm. The details of how she ended up in that position in the first place aren’t known. All we can go on is the video footage that has captivated social media. In it, we see her coming up empty on an initial kick attempt over a railing and across the aisle from where she's standing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE That failed attempt didn’t keep her from trying again. As the officer continues to escort her down the stairs, she notices that someone within kicking reach is recording her, and without hesitation she lets her boot fly. Making contact with the phone and sending it sailing through the air had to feel pretty good after her first kick attempt came up empty. Whiskey Riff reports that the viral moment took place over the weekend at Wallen's concert at Lucas Oil Stadium. Aside from comments asking for details about how she ended up in cuffs in the first place, the comment section was overwhelmingly supportive of her kick, earning her a lot of fans. I don't blame anyone for pulling out their phone when they see something out of the ordinary at a concert, but you do so at your own risk. You could be taking video of someone who can impressively still throw a kick while walking down stairs in handcuffs with their hands behind their back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a051099a200899a00eb1156 House Approves Year-Round Sale of Higher-Ethanol Gas te 2026-05-14T00:00:25.195Z House Approves Year-Round Sale of Higher-Ethanol Gas In a rare bipartisan vote, the House passed a bill allowing for the sale of an ethanol blend known as E15, over the objections of Republican hard-liners and some oil refiners. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home